Oh Peace, Where Are You?

Peace. It's something we usually pray for throughout the year. Something we long for and hope to have active every day. The sad truth is, most of us don't feel it. We are busy and overwhelmed by the demands of life. There is a struggle; our spirit calls out in desperation while our flesh is balancing all the dishes to keep them from crashing down. Oh peace, where are you?! says almost every Christian ever. Perhaps that is why the book I Timothy in the New Testament records the words "fight the good fight of faith" (6:12). Indeed there is a fight and the only thing that determines that it is a good one is the faith we have in the Lord.

At Christmas time, it's exciting! For a brief moment in our hectic schedules, adult responsibilities, emotionally draining day-to-day bustle...we are almost forced to focus on Him. Our God become a baby. The King of kings, born humbly for a purpose. The Prince of Peace, Emmanuel. God with us.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

How do we access the peace of the Prince? To apply it to our daily lives, not just at Christmas? There is no fix-it pill or secret formula. And I can't say that I have all the answers or even feel this precious peace on a daily basis. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. If the God of all creation has all power and can do all things, surely His peace is ready for us. If the Maker of the stars, of Heaven, is the same Jesus who raised the dead to life and healed the sick...then what do we have to fear? Why do we choose worry over peace?

If we feel powerless in our pursuit of peace, the problem is not the peace itself. It is a perfect, crafted gift from the Ultimate Gift Giver. His peace has no flaws. No blemish. Pure and white as a lamb. God's peace must be given the proper authority to fully operate in our hearts first, before it can make a difference to our lives. We must choose to shift our focus from our fears to our faith.

To be fearless is not saying we will never fear or worry, however it is knowing the One who eliminates the fear and brings perfect peace! We need to plug into His Word and talk to Him in prayer in order to access the antidote to this crazy thing we call life. Peace is like a battery; it needs to be recharged and refilled after a while. The curse of being human is the cares that surround us and the draining power that has over us but there was a baby boy long ago that changed history!

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

When Jesus became a baby, He could have been an emperor. But He wasn't. God could've been rich and not have parents. But He did have them and subjected Himself to their leadership. In order to obtain the victory, we have to be obedient to the higher spiritual authority. The Lord is kind, just, merciful and holy. He is The Everlasting Father. He is The Prince of Peace. He knows what we need so following His voice will bring our sheepish hearts safely home.

I personally will make it a point to tap into His perfect peace on a daily basis. Not just to calm my weary soul but to leave behind a legacy for the next generation. Peace is not a selfish gift but one that affects all those around us when we open it. A way to teach our children that this life can be hard but that's not the end of the story. It doesn't have to be the end of our story. That long ago God defined His peace and gave us full access to it. We hold the power in our choices. Let us pray:

Lord, thank you for Your perfect peace. Help us to understand how to fully access it every day so that we can accomplish Your will. Teach us to seek You first above all things and comfort our hearts during times of struggle. Revive our faith and remind us of who You are, so that we can praise You in every aspect of our lives. For You are worthy and You alone do we follow.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

How are you going to actively seek His peace this upcoming new year?

Are You an Ambassador for Christ?

Ambassador

am･bas･sa･dor | am'basәdәr, -dÔr | noun ● a person who acts as a representative or promotor of a specified activity. [line] As Christian women, it is often easy to get caught up in life and rarely think about who we are and what our purpose on this earth is. Why are we here? What is our calling? What is our mission? Most of us live extremely busy lives: work, family, church, extra-curricular activities, hobbies, responsibilities, volunteering. The to-do lists often seem endless. Yet while we are busy with being busy, busy with just life itself, I have been asking myself a few questions lately that I would like to share with you:

1. Are you an ambassador of Jesus Christ?

Do you act as a representative of His gospel, of His love, of His will? Do you present yourself as a woman who seeks to promote His cause, His purpose, His salvation? "And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" {Esther 4:14 KJV} When you are busy dropping kids off at school, grocery shopping, running errands at Target, are you keeping your eyes open for ministry? Are you noticing the people in your environment who seek you out with their eyes because they sense Jesus in you? Are you reaching out to people in your community on a daily basis, or are you so intent on what you are doing that you fail to be Jesus to them?

2. Are you an ambassador of holiness?

Do you present your outward appearance to the world in a manner that is in direct line with Biblical standards to be "set apart" from the world so that Jesus is seen through you? Do you speak in a manner that aligns yourself with Christ? Are your thoughts and speech reflective of Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." {KJV} Are you making sure that every time you are in public, your appearance and conversation are representing Jesus so that the world so they see, feel, and experience purity, justice, honesty, and virtue?

3. Are you an ambassador of peace?

Do you strive for those around you to feel strength and contentedness, or do you gossip and create strife among your coworkers, family, and friends? "Follow peace with all [women], and holiness, without which no [woman] shall see the Lord." {Hebrews 12:14 KJV} Do you encourage those around you to live peaceably with one another? Do you seek to give positive encouragement or do you fall into the trap of being negative and pessimistic with every mishap? [line] "Perfect" is a societal buzzword for millennials these days; I know, because I overuse it constantly. That dress is "perfect," those shoes match "perfectly" with the "perfect" dress; meeting up for coffee at 2pm is "perfect," and this scone is a "perfect" complement to this "perfectly" crafted espresso. We seek for perfection, and when we find that perfection is unattainable, we become dissatisfied and unhappy with whatever is imperfect. Our lives are constantly a work in progress, and failures are sure to come; storms will come and unplanned events will certainly catch us off guard. But in the midst of all this, we still are called to be women of integrity, purpose, and ministry. We are not called to plaster a fake smile on our tear-stained face, but we are called to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ; we are called to speak to the broken hearts, comfort those who mourn, rejoice with those who are blessed. We are not called to go through life as plastic mannequins with a perfect facade, but we are called to be present in the lives of those we encounter each day. This does not mean we have to be "yes" people, always saying yes and filling our already over-packed schedules until every single line in the planner is full, but we are called to love, serve, and understand.

We are called to be ambassadors of the King; representatives of His Kingdom; promoters of His love, salvation, and peace.

That is our purpose, our mission, the reason for which we were created. I am not perfect; I make mistakes. I have much to learn, but in what I have already learned, I know that my life is not my own for it is to be lived with the sole purpose of being an ambassador of Jesus Christ. 


Nichole Criss is a music instructor & entrepreneur. She loves to read, travel and write. Visit her website and be sure to follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

10 Ways to Fight off Winter Blues

If you live anywhere near snow, chances are by this time you are very, very done with winter. The holidays have been over for weeks at this point, the new year has since lost its charm, and in the wake of red hearts and chubby cupids winter is becoming a drag. But don't lose hope! While bundling up in your fluffiest winter coat pales in comparison to the thought of a warm, relaxing week in Maui, you can beat the winter blues with a few of these winter-weather activities!

1. Instead of complaining about the yucky weather, embrace it!

Use it as a time to get caught up on the latest fiction novel, your own writing, or a start a new crafting hobby. Create a cozy space with your favorite throw, a pair of slippers, and a comfy chair. Next, if you have a fireplace, crank that baby up to set the tone for some perfect "me-time" for an hour or two. To finish the scene, pour hot chocolate, tea or coffee into a feminine mug. Final step? Enjoy!

2. Plan a family game night.

If you're feeling a bit dull and depressed from lack of sunlight, chances are the people you love are feeling the same thing. Spruce up the atmosphere with a family game night and create sunshine within your hearts! Invite friends, family and acquaintances for an evening of unabashed fun. Instruct everyone to bring their favorite board or card game and a munchie -- because it is absolutely impossible to have a fun time without food. Right?!

3. Get moving,

and try out a winter sport for fun! If you know me, you know this sounds absolutely ridiculous coming from my mouth. I am not a sports girl. At all. However, I have come to appreciate snow sports because after sitting inside for hours on end, it feels great to move around and get those endorphins (happy feelings) moving around the brain! Whether you're a cross-country ski pro, an amateur figure-skater or snow angel queen, get outside and move those muscles! Let the cold air bite your cheeks while you move about -- you may discover that the sun actually does shine while it's snowing and that it is one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see.

4. Join the gym.

Not to lose weight, but for similar reasons to #3 above. Studies show that when we are active, it releases chemicals to the brain that keep us content, happy, and satisfied. Binging on food high in sugars and carbohydrates may be a quick fix for those pesky winter blues, but exercising regularly creates longer-lasting results than food indulgences. Not to mention, it is much healthier, too! Who knows, it could even open a new sphere of people for you to bring Jesus to and also invite over to game night!

5. Go sledding.

Remember that shiny red sled you had when you were a kid? It brought you hours of joy and fun! Go grab the one in your garage, borrow your neighbor's kid's purple one, or just spend $20 at Target for a new one and head to the local hill. It may be a bit more scary now that you're older, but hold on for dear life and show those little kids how it's done!

6. Frequent your local coffee shop.

Admittedly, this can become expensive, but if you do it as a treat to yourself once a week or so, it becomes really special and a time to look forward to. If you do go to the same place at the same time every week, you'll notice the consistency of other customers, too. It's a place to form new friendships, build relationships, and ponder the world. Even if you don't drink coffee, you'll leave with an open heart and a sense of connection with others that may not even know.

7. Teach a Bible Study.

It's easier to get out of your own funk if you're helping someone to get out of theirs. After you have connected with someone at the coffee shop, the gym, or while sled riding, bring up your faith. People everywhere are looking for a spiritual connection, and yours may be just the one they have been hoping for. Open yourself up to share Jesus ~ prepare a quick Bible study that you can give at a moment's notice, one that highlights the plan of salvation, the creation of the world, and the apostle's doctrine. It will be an event that helps you appreciate what you have and reach out to a soul in need, too.

8. Go explore.

Yes, even if it's snowing. Even if it's cold. Bundle up, grab a friend, take some selfies and go! If you live in the city, head to a spot you may not be familiar with. Take advantage of free admission to museums and historical buildings. If you live in a little town, drive to the next town over and look for a hidden treasure; maybe a book shop, a thrift store, a local market, or a general store.

9. Take that snow day!

This may be a little difficult for some, but if you're still in school, college or are a teacher, take advantage of the snow day to do something that's been on your to-do list for far too long. Maybe baking those cookies for your elderly neighbor, cleaning out your closet and donating the unwanted items to a local charity or brush up on an old talent.

10. Cultivate a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Life is weird sometimes, and sadness/depression/boredom/winter blues can set in at any time. But if you keep your relationship with Jesus a priority, it will be easier to fight off those feelings of anxiety and unhappiness. Read your Bible, use a devotional, write in a journal. You'll find that those devotions will often be of use in your conversations with others and that other times they minister directly to your heart in a way that you didn't know you needed.

Nichole Criss is a music instructor & entrepreneur. She loves to read, travel and write. Visit her website and be sure to follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Breaking The Chains: 31 Devotions in 31 Days eBook!

I finally can share with you a project that the Lord has been leading me on for months. My first devotional eBook!

Do you remember back in September when I started a devotional blog series called Breaking The Chains: 31 Devotions in 31 Days in this post? Then I went 8 days before pulling the plug? I have to confess, it pained me to do it. I wanted to keep writing the devotional on the blog and sharing what I was learning but God stopped me. I wasn't learning enough. Yes, He was showing me amazing things in His Word but I needed to step away from sharing everything before it could change my heart. Does that make sense?

Months later, I'm now able to release what the Lord has taught me about emotional bondage and how we can break free from the chains. I know you will love this book:

"Have you ever felt guilt, shame, fear, anger or low self-worth? Do you feel that way right now? Emotions were created for a purpose but we often don't know what that purpose is. In this devotional, we tackle unhealthy emotional strongholds head on.

For the next 31 days, we'll take a look at what the Bible says along such topics of expectations, justification, accountability and letting go. Each daily devotional is an easy one-page read, packed full of insight to help you break the chains of emotional bondage. Be renewed and refreshed as God works in the deepest parts of your heart to reveal the beautiful person He has called you to be."

I urge every woman, no matter what age or social status, to snag a copy of this devotional when it launches May 27th (the Tuesdays after Memorial Day.) It's not a casual, feel-good devotional. This is for people serious about getting serious with God and looking at bondage fearlessly.

You can buy a copy in the shop for only $6.99 between the launch date of May 27th through June 2nd! The timing is perfect if you want to start the devotions at the beginning of next month. After June 2nd, the book will be available at it's regular price of $9.99. You can also purchase it through the Kindle store, however, the discounted price only applies to book orders through the Hello Awesome shop.

My hearts desire is to spread the message of emotional purity to everyone who hears! God has called us to be pure inside and out. Not just physically but emotionally. Please help me pray for His name to be glorified through this devotion and hearts changed! Let us remember the beautiful words of Paul:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Dear David...{She Won't Be Perfect: Letter 15}

Dear David...

On and off I've been thinking about how much I need to start praying for your future. Not only what job you'll have and who you'll become as a man...but who you will marry, if you do marry at all. It is my duty as a God-fearing mother to intercede spiritually for you both, now and then. It sounds so crazy saying this. You are going to be two years old this Sunday and we are going through the potty training adventures at this moment. Your only concern today was eating another bite of brownie and rolling toy cars down the hallway without wetting your pants.

Prayer is powerful. I've told you that before in this letter. I will do all that I can to encourage you to pray for your future spouse and when you are married, continue to pray for her and with her. Why? Well, she won't be perfect. She will have experiences that will shape her thoughts and dreams. They may not go along with your beliefs. She will have made mistakes. She will be over-emotional and over-critical at times. She might become needy and lonely. She won't always say the right things and will some times argue points that are untrue. She will be fully human; full of potential on a path that hopefully is guided by her Maker.

She won't be perfect, David. And neither will you. It is easy to envision the one we truly love as a perfect vessel, in the beginning. We almost idolize and worship one another. However, the only perfect One is the Lord Jesus Christ and as you both seek Him first, you both will be perfected.

So even when you see a glimmer of the imperfect nature inside of her, remember your vows. Even when you don't understand why she is upset or crying, hold her. Even when you feel your world is being shattered, don't forget who is part of it. She won't be perfect but you are still called to love her with all you have. And love is an action word. Look to Jesus for that demonstration of what perfect love is so when she disappoints you (because we do that as humans) you can see past her imperfections and will encourage the potential she has inside.

Above all else, remember that we all are clay in the hands of the Potter. It pains me to think that I'm probably making a mistake raising you right now. I'm constantly praying that as a parent I'm doing the right thing and as a Christian woman I'm producing the right example for you. But one thing I do know is no matter how long of a list you have of what you seek in a woman of God, she won't be perfect. But love her anyway.

Love, Mom

Be His Constant.

Coming in from the cool night, she paused. Her ears were listening for the sound she desperately loved to hear. As she made her way to the stairs, it dawned on her. He was sleeping. Pounding the steps, she rushed to the door and as I let our precious puppy in, immediately she hopped on the bed. Curling herself in a tight ball behind his legs, as she always did at night, a phrase flooded my mind: she was his constant. 

Marriage can sometimes be a rocky road. Too often we find ourselves bickering and nagging over the slightest things. Many years from now when the dust has long been settled, we hopefully will realize how unimportant it was to be right. Last night I painted our living room by myself. Not because I wanted bragging rights (did I mention it was 300 square feet? just saying). I did it because I wanted to surprise my husband when he came home from work. Little did I realize the magnitude of the job, thus, I worked until the wee hours of the night finishing it up.Wasn't much of a surprise, at least, not what I had envisioned. However he was beyond grateful and I could tell he truly was touched.

We are in the process of sprucing up our condo to sell. Our goal and dream is to own a house for our family, so I've been putting many hours into our place to prepare for our blessing. This year marks 5 years since we said our vows and since then have been through a lot together. Did you catch that? Together? There have been very trying times when our heads could barely withstand the beating waves of the current storm.

We each made selfish mistakes. Though it may be hard to forgive ourselves, it's so important to let our spouses know we've forgiven them. That we will stand by them even through the murky waters. That we are more than best friends but are soldiers in love, fighting a tough yet beautiful battle, side by side. That they can trust us. Depend on us. That they know we can be their constant.

One definition of constant is this:
a situation or state of affairs that does not change.

This is where many marriages fail. We fail one another because we change our love based on circumstances and trials. We fail to be consistent in our vows. We lack accountability for our words and actions. The same way that God's love for us is constant and unchanging, our love for our husbands need to be this as well. 

We live in a world today that embraces change like a new outfit. While change is good, when it comes to true love in marriage, it's important to honor it the way God intended it. Constant. 

Constant in forgiveness.
Constant in open embrace.
Constant communication.
Constant understanding.
Constant commitment.
Constant loyalty.
Constant honesty.
Are you getting this?

These things should never change. If they do, they should be getting better and stronger! I want my husband to feel secure in our marriage. I want him to know that no matter what choices he makes, I'm not going anywhere unless God tells me to. He can rely on me to be next to him even when he falls. I want him to know that we are a team.

He can trust me with his heart, that I won't manipulate it to get what I want.
He can be honest and open because I'm honest and open.
He can share with me his inner fears because I too am flawed and scared.
He can know that when he comes home at night, I'll be eagerly waiting with a tight hug, as if to say "It's okay. The troubles of the day are gone. You are home."

I use the illustration in the beginning because that is exactly what happened last night when this thought occurred to me. Our Siberian husky Jackie is truly in love with him. Even when he gets firm with her or disciplines her, it never fails: she hops up on the bed and finds that spot where she can curl up next to his legs. It doesn't matter what he does or says. She has made up her mind that he is her love and nothing will stop her from being with him.

How much more loyal should a wife be? Don't misunderstand what I'm saying. We are not dogs and shouldn't be in the eyes of our men. Nor are we slaves jumping at every command or call. The bottom line I'm trying to make is, my husband has no doubts about Jackie's love because it's constant. Never changing. Never wavering. It is settled and genuine. Our love must be that and more!

A 16-year-old Heart {Devotion}

I've realized something.

This year will mark 30 years that this heart of mine has been beating. It is hard to comprehend, really. I look at who I am and I know I should be way more mature. If you think I'm kidding, just ask around! On the other hand, I am way beyond where I thought I would ever be. And that's a good thing.

At church this past Sunday, a teenage friend of mine was crying. She was hurt, wounded...scared. I could tell beyond her beautiful tear-soaked face that there was a heart full of questions and a mind that yearned for the answers. I truly wish I had them for her.

But as I held her, through the sobs and the embrace, God reminded me just how fragile an adolescent heart is. And how my heart is still very much like a 16-year old girl. I don't think I could ever forget how it feels to be rejected or made fun of. How it feels to have a waterfall of emotion flooding into your system and no way of turning it off except to sit in your room and cry. Or write pages of journal entries. Or even paint away the pain. That was one of the reasons I started creating artwork. It was therapy. Who knows where I would be if I didn't have art to pour into at such a sensitive age.

My heart will never forget the first relationships it clung to. Or the people who accepted every weird part of me. And the ones who did not. Deep inside every adult, there is a teenager somewhere. A little bit of that life still exists. I can see it even in the most mature human beings.

Many of us still yearn to belong. To mean something to someone. To be loved. And in our hearts, we seek to be relevant in a world that is constantly changing what is cool and what isn't.

I prayed with her that morning. Not because I wanted to be seen but I wanted her to know that God sees her and knows what she needs. He sees every insecurity and every drop of water from our eyes. And He is here with open arms, saying:

"You may not understand but I do. Give me your fragile heart and I will heal it. Give me your battered heart and I will protect it. No matter what this world says, you are loved because I said so...and proved it."

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

Psalm 62:5-8

When We Expect Too Much

I'm not going to lie. The last few days have been a bit challenging. The toddler has been teething. My husband and I have been praying/hoping/waiting for a miracle because we desire a house rather than our condo. I've been taking some time to really seek out the Lord about our future and asked for Him to intercede anyway that He can.

As I was driving home from a playdate today, my mind was swirling with thoughts like a replaying bad movie. Recycled, nothing new, can we please change the channel? I thought about my life, my family, my art, my shop...everything.

Until a still small voice whispered a phrase into my scattered mess..."You expect too much."

As I typed those words, I literally burst into tears. My heart is heavy because now I see why I've been so discontent in some areas of my life. It has never been about other people or not being content with what I have. It was like God whispered quietly into my spirit to relax because I was asking a lot of myself...as a Christian woman...as a wife... as a mother...as a person.

Not only that, I expect too much from the people I love and when they don't meet those expectations, then it makes things difficult to extend grace and mercy. I expect too much of my husband. I expect too much of my son. I expect too much of my parents and in-laws. I expect too much of family members in general. I expect too much of the church. It's all selfish really...

I always knew I had a "perfectionist" mindset issue but today the perspective became clearer. When I make a mistake, instead of repenting and turning away, I beat myself up and bring condemnation upon myself because my expectations as a Christian/wife/mother/daughter/friend were too high. I understand we should have high standards for ourselves but that is different from expectations.

Having high standards are your personal convictions to keep you in line with God's will.
Having high expectations of yourself and others leads to feeling unfulfilled since ALL expectation should be from God!

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." 

Psalm 62:5-8

These biblical words I sent a friend yesterday who asked for prayer. I read them at the time and didn't get "that feeling" that the verses were for me (you know what I mean.) Until today.

If we are truly free in Christ, then why do we bound ourselves in expectations that are so high no one can possibly reach? Why do we expect perfection from imperfect creatures? God does have a law and He does desire for us to follow His commandments and guidelines laid out in scripture. We also should shrive to be better in every area of our lives. There is NO excuse for sin, period.

The challenge comes when we realize we need to be better so we make our own plan as to how that can happen. I'm no expert on the subject and haven't studied about spiritual expectations but I know what God spoke to my heart today. It was surgical. It was truth.

Do you expect too much of yourself? spouse? children? I'm not saying that we can't want the best for them but we need to evaluate how we handle our emotions in those delicate situations because it can lead to an unhealthy perfectionist attitude.

I see things from a different perspective now. From how I handle my daily routine, bible studies, cleaning, relationships and business. Too many changes with my shop stem from me expecting too much of myself. As soon as I felt like I was failing in an area, I stopped. We should never stop when we feel like a failure! Jesus didn't die for us to stop trying.

Let us take a minute to glorify the Only Holy and Perfect One, our God and Saviour Jesus Christ! I pray we learn to let go of our expectations and focus on edifying ourselves and the ones around us.

 

Day 10: Rebuilding {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Ephesians 2:19-22

After we have repented of our unhealthy emotions and work towards turning away from them completely, we will find ourselves a little empty. The emotions we were once comfortable with do not fit into our refreshed minds. As our hearts become cleaner, our motives change. Therefore, we must rebuild what our bondage has damaged. 

Let's think about a home. If the foundation of that home was not built upon the right ground, when the earth shifted or the house settles, it would change how straight the supportive beams would be. If one of those beams ever snapped, a complete remodel of the home would be in order. It could prove dangerous to try and continue life with a broken, supportive beam.

Sometimes those supportive beams within us are those same unhealthy emotions, such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. We find comfort in them and rest on them. They have become part of our support system. Throughout the repentance process, God eliminates any man-made support system. Why? That was never in His plan for us! The Master Builder has all the tools, all the knowledge and all the right plans to create the perfect support system for our hearts. Once a man-made support beam is broken, we must approach Him so that He can properly rebuild it.

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:26-27

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

The rebuilding process is one that can last a lifetime. Rebuilding means renewing and restructuring. Have you ever started a project at home that should be easy but once you started there were other things that needed attention too? God may start rebuilding one supportive beam but find another beam is about to break. He will alert you and try to get your attention on taking care of that issue as well. We must trust that whatever the Lord shows us that needs to be rebuilt, He is not showing us to do it ourselves but to surrender and obey His commands. This is the only way for an impure heart to be completely changed. 

Reflection:

Now is not the time to hide when something has been revealed. God wants us all to be honest and truthful about the state of our emotions. Have you truly repented of your unhealthy emotions? God cannot rebuild what is not broken. It is time for us to hand over our hearts, completely surrendered to His will.

Action:

Ask the Lord to show you the scriptures needed to start rebuilding your support system. We cannot build without the Word. Pray and fast for wisdom and guidance. Take time with the people you love and bring happiness and joy into your life. Try to limit time with negative influences. The rebuilding process is a vulnerable time and we must be discerning who we spend that time with.

Prayer:

Lord, You are awesome! I'm in awe of who You are and what You've done. I'm so thankful I can approach You and You will embrace me. Thank You for Your mercy and love. Show me my weak support beams and break them so that I may be rebuilt in You. Lord Jesus, guide my thoughts and emotions during this time, that I may only think and do good things that are pleasing to You. Help me move past the brokenness and closer to the completed masterpiece! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Think about the emotions that are not pleasing to God.

Are you ready for them to be broken and made new?

Day 9: Repentance {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

"Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations."

Ezekiel 14:6

I'm not going to lie: it doesn't feel good when we look into our own hearts and see the impurity. Usually after we justify our emotions, we fall into deception thinking we are okay with God when in fact we are not. We ignore what the reality is because, well, the truth hurts sometimes. We don't like to get hurt.

However if we are willing to change and break free from emotional bondage, there is a crucial step we must take that is probably harder than any other step. That is repentance. Society, both in secular and nonsecular circles, have morphed the meaning of repentance. It has been watered down and cushioned to avoid being too controversial or too judgmental.

The fact is, repentance is a tool in the hand of our Creator. It is not used as a staff to harshly discipline us but rather a push towards the right direction. Repentance is more than a "I'm sorry" but is a complete turning away from our sin and into the lovely open arms of the Lord. It is not a form of criticism from God, pointing His finger at you and your mistakes. Repentance allows us to fully commit and submit to the Lord, making the decision to turn away from those unhealthy emotions with godly fear.

In Matthew 23:25-27, Jesus says:

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

We shouldn't want to just feel beautiful on the outside but most importantly on the inside. When we have sinned emotionally and don't repent, within we are unclean and of dead men's bones. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we have life and freedom but we are as good as dead without repentance. The power of the blood is to wash and make clean. To give us a new life in Christ. 

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

Psalm 51:7-10

In order to achieve true repentance, we must have a desire to reconcile with God. To make things right with Him. Once we have reconciled and have allowed God to change our hearts, we must vow never to go back to the sin we has committed. Repentance is a process. Only the Lord is perfect but every time we fall, we need to get back up and plant our feet firmly on the right path once again.

Reflection:

Think about the emotions that make your heart heavy. Is it because you have not repented of a certain sin? Are you holding on because you fear the unknown or the sin is just too comfortable? We all have at least one sin we just can't let go of. Now is the time to let go and be set free!

Action:

Ask the Lord to reveal to your heart the sins that you need to repent of. Write them down on a piece of paper and pray over them, asking God to forgive you and to grant you wisdom when confronted with these sins. Keep your mind on holy things (Philippians 4:8) which will deter you away from unholy emotions. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your Word and the promises You've made. Thank You for the blood that washes us and cleanses us, breathing new life into our entire being. I pray that my desire to reconcile with You will grow and that I may have the wisdom to approach the throne even when my flesh is pulling me the other way. Help me to be discerning within my relationships, that I do not hinder others as they seek You and that I do not entertain ungodly emotions. I pray that I can fully turn away from my sin, so that You can be glorified in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Are you trying to hide a sin from God?

Are you stuck in justification mode and not repentance mode?

Day 8: Justification {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

In the world today, we cannot come across one person who hasn't been hurt or is hurting. Many of us are bound by fear, guilt, anger, hatred, depression and so many other unpleasant emotions. The Lord Jesus Christ has given everyone opportunity to be delivered. Yet it is not enough to just recognize that we need Him...we must know Him. Through that knowledge, through that real faith, we then are able to see our sin clearly instead of pointing at other people. A new door opens up towards repentance and (hopefully) a complete healing process.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" Romans 1:20

This entire devotional series is about emotional bondage and is geared to deliver us from unhealthy, sinful emotions that keep us from fulfilling God's purpose in our lives. One thing remains clear when it comes to deliverance over bondage: we must first acknowledge that we are sinful and recognize those emotional sins in order to overcome them.

We can't spend our breath and time putting the blame on others. Even if someone else was in the wrong and we are emotionally paying for it, we are still responsible for how we handle the situation. Holding on to fear, guilt and pride is non-verbally justifying our sinful nature. When we choose to embrace our hurts instead of Christ, we are easily deceived.

Romans 3:20 says:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

To justify ourselves is to place us in the position of a righteous man. We paint ourselves as a victim, innocent and just when we are offended. Yet the scripture plainly states that by the law is the knowledge of sin and the deeds of that law no one should be justified in his own eyes. We are all sinners! Even if we are heavy with emotional pain, it is not right for us to grip onto them and hold them over people's heads.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" Romans 3:23-24

It is a very hard concept to wrap our minds around. That even those who are broken, crying alone at night due to some unfortunate circumstance in their life, are still sinful. We want to believe that the wounded are just but the Bible says that every single one of us come short of the glory of God because of our sin. The Lord is the only just one.

But there is hope. God's glory was justified freely by His grace through the cross! When the Lord manifested Himself as a man and gave His life, that redemption was made available to wash away all sin. We no longer have to carnally justify our emotional pain but we can boldly approach God and receive deliverance!

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

"So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:6

Reflections:
Have you ever said: "I know I shouldn't be mad at her, but she shouldn't have done that" or "My heart is hurting too much, Lord, for me to forgive them." These phrases show a person justifying why they should stay in their emotional bondage. Think about the offenses and relationships in your life. Think about the people who have wounded you the most. Are you still living in a justification mindset?

Action:
It is time to take those to God! To boldly approach the throne, not just asking forgiveness for how you feel but asking that the Lord place compassion upon your heart towards others. Pray that you can move past your emotional turmoil and into grace! Grace towards them and for yourself. Then go to them and declare that forgiveness and mercy (Matthew 5:24)

Prayer:
Lord, we are so thankful for Your grace and love! Thank You for Your sacrifice at Calvary, that each of us has the opportunity to be redeemed and washed of sin. Help us to believe in Your power more than our own, for we all come short of Your glory. You are Holy, Righteous and Just. Show us the reality within our justification so that we are moved towards forgiveness and then eventually repentance. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Are you holding your emotions hostage against someone?

Is that person God?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Repentance
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

 

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 7: Selfishness {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

Wow, it has been a full week of the Breaking the Chains devotionals! It has truly been inspiring and life changing, at least for me. In fact, last night I received confirmation through my pastor's evening message that I am on the right track! Don't you just love when that happens? He actually spoke about the exact same thing we talked about in yesterday's devotion topic, "Playing Victim". God is good!!

Today, it's all about me. Okay, and you. Isn't that was selfishness is? Putting the spotlight on ourselves and being consumed by it. When we think about emotional bondage, many times we experience depression, anxiety, loneliness and so on because of past or current circumstances. These unhealthy emotions may not have been triggered by our selfish desires but holding onto them instead of giving them to the Lord borderlines on selfishness.

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." 1 Peter 2:24

As Christians, we are suppose to be like Christ. We are suppose to be selfless. As our Lord and Saviour graciously became the sacrifice for us, His mind was on what would benefit His children. His mind was on love. As humans, we tend to hold onto the emotions that we are suppose to let go because we have not learned to love right. Or trust right. When we love the way God loves and we trust in Him, we are able to let go of our selfishness and embrace freedom.

"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 29:2

Selfishness is usually wrapped up like a pretty present but when opened, only destruction lies. It looks appealing and feels good. When we take, hoard, keep instead of give, purge and bless. Being selfish in our ways actually steals the glory away from God! How can He be glorified in your life if you are in the spotlight? How can we be free from unhealthy emotional bondage if we only look at ourselves and not the One who truly delivers?

"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." Isaiah 42:8

No matter how hard we try, we cannot change God's mind. He has stated in His Word that He will not give His glory to another. Yet, we in turn are so self-consumed, that spiritually we steal the show and expect Him to perform for us. We are looking inwardly to benefit our desires and justify our emotional bondage, that we are blind to an outward God who provides all the benefits we shall ever need!

Reflection:
Think about your daily priorities. Do you put what you want to do in front of what God wants you to do? Have you asked Him what we wants? Think about your relationships. Are you constantly being offended? Are you always dissatisfied? Many times selfishness comes in the form of pain. If we've been wounded, we automatically play the blame game instead of analyzing our motives and actions. Maybe it was our selfishness that triggered the offense.

Action:
We must ask the Lord to reveal our selfish motives and desires. Ask Him to change your thoughts and your hearts. Think about how you feel when someone asks you to do something. Do you feel happy to help or sulk and pout? Pray for God to be glorified through all that you say and do, so that it may bless others and free you from selfish tendencies.

Prayer:
Lord, we are so thankful that You gave Your life unselfishly at Calvary. Our minds cannot begin to understand the level of love You have shown. Help us to walk with You, so that we may be changed and can act more Christ-like. I pray that we will move to bless others first before ourselves and do it with joy. That we will let go of unhealthy emotions and trust in You, so that Your name is glorified in our lives. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have you ever hurt someone else because you were so focused on how you felt?

When was the last time you blessed someone happily?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Justification
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 6: Playing Victim {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 
1 Corinthians 15:55-58

One of the most difficult things I encountered when the Lord first showed me that my emotions were impure was admitting that I wasn't a victim. The problem was that I has allowed other people to control my emotions. I was on a rollercoaster, going up and down on a daily basis, and instead of being accountable for allowing myself to be on the ride, I was blaming the operator.

The truth is, playing victim is selfishness justified. Although we may be honest about our situation and the other person was in the wrong, painting ourselves as the innocent soul being bullied is not always accurate. For example, let's say someone lied to you and you found out. Our initial reaction would be anger and feeling hurt. This is not playing victim but you are reacting naturally to what happened. Now, what are you going to do with it? If you approach the Lord, asking Him for clarity and peace in the matter, that is mature and right. You will soon realize that those emotions shouldn't hold you and you move unto the next stage, which is forgiveness.

However, if you dismiss seeking God's help and instead retaliate by sulking, wallowing or complaining, this is playing victim. You are robbing both parties from forgiveness, peace and joy. Most importantly, you've allowed yourself to be so consumed with yourself and your feelings, that you no longer can see the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6:14-15

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

Playing victim puts us on a road of self-pity. We start thinking we have been victimized and lose sight of being victorious in Christ! We forget that we can overcome because He overcame. Victimizing ourselves prolongs healing and strains our relationships. We become easily offended instead of easily forgiving. We hold onto expectations and forget who God revealed Himself to be. Our suffering becomes more important than Christ's suffering on Calvary.

The definition of "victimize" is:

1. To subject to swindle or fraud.

2. To make a victim of.

Reflection:

Giving into our emotions when we've been hurt by someone only hurts us more. It blinds us from having the victory that the Lord wants us to have and giving forgiveness that the Lord wants us to give. Wallowing in self-pity justifies our selfish carnality, swindling us from overcoming the bondage that hold us down.

Action:

The first thing we must do is when the offense comes, we must recognize that we have a choice. Then we must ask the Lord for a clear view, unaltered by our victimizing ways. This will help us make the right choice and move us closer to healing, forgiveness and overcoming emotional bondage. 

Prayer:

Oh Lord, You are so Awesome and Magnificent. Great are Your ways! I'm so thankful Your thoughts are above mine, that You see what is true and good. Thank You for overcoming the world through the cross, that we have a chance to overcome as well! When offenses come, please show me what is true in the situation. Help me to let go of any unhealthy emotions, so that I may learn to be accountable and forgive. Thank You for being our Provider and Healer. I pray that we will trust in Your power more than the power of those around us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Do you often "play victim" when you've been wounded?

Have you ever victimized someone?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Selfishness
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 5: Our Expectations {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

When we think about the negative emotions that bind us on a daily basis, we have to wonder how did they get there. Often times depression, anxiety, loneliness etc. stem from childhood experiences, a broken past or troubling situation that still leaves a mark. The majority of us, however, become so wrapped up in expectations within our relationships that guilt sets in if these expectations are not met.

I firmly believe that if we can direct our expectations properly, then our emotions will be properly filtered as well. Have you ever felt like you were not enough or you didn't do enough? Have you ever felt disappointed in someone because you expected them to act a certain way or to say a certain thing? Have you had relationships falter and fade because one or both of you expected a different outcome than what the reality was?

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
2 Corinthians 4:6-7

It is in these expectations that our insecurities swell and become burdens. Having the wrong expectations can birth wrong ideas, wrong mindsets and (you guessed it) wrong emotions. Yesterday we talked about how God defined love by becoming a man and dying at Calvary. All we ever need is in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

In fact, Psalm 62 verses 5 & 6 says:
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved."

When we know who the Lord really is, our expectations can be satisfied because we know and understand what He is capable of. We no longer are bound by the expectations among creation but can rest our expectation firmly on Christ!

Jesus proclaims:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Reflection:
When was the last time you felt rest from your expectations? The Lord wants you to rest by coming to Him with your heavy heart and mind. Having wrong expectations robs you of the joy and peace that God wants you to have! Do you expect more from creation than God?

Action:
Honestly look at your relationships. Pray and ask the Lord to show you what expectations you have and how to lay them to rest with Him. Work towards being a blessing to other people instead of expecting people to bless you. 

Prayer:
Lord, thank you so much for being all that we need! We can rest our expectations and hope in You without fear of disappointment. We are so thankful that You can provide all satisfaction. Show us how to trust that You will never steer us wrong. Help us to put all expectations on You, so that we may experience the most out of our earthly relationships and our divine relationship with You. We are thankful for Your Word and promises. In Jesus' Name, Amen! 

What sort of expectations do you have when in a relationship?

What do you expect from God?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Playing Victim
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 4: Defining Love {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:39

Many of the negative emotions we are bound to usually stem from a desire. This desire is either to be loved to or to show love. It could be a young adolescent daydreaming about prince charming, a housewife secretly wanting her marriage to go emotionally deeper or a mother's heart aching as she raises her children. While none of these situations are wrong, often times they provoke the wrong emotions. These can be guilt, shame, lust, depression, anxiety and so on. These are the emotions we are trying to cut ties from. These are the emotions that we are seeking deliverance from. These emotions that haunt our nights and consume our days...stealing our joy and happiness. That's what this challenge is trying to accomplish. To break the chains and set us free, for good.

When the word "love" comes up, it can spark many different definitions for different people. Memories and thoughts will flood our minds, which in turn showcases what we think love is and what love is not. In order to find the proper definition, we must go to the One who has defined love: The Lord Jesus Christ. For it is His demonstration of love that defines what it is in the greatest measure and who He is in the greatest depth.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:16

When we are in a relationship, the most important thing is knowing that person's name. It is second nature for us to call the names of our friends and family who we see often or have an association with. We don't have to think twice. It is engrained into our minds and when we see that person, that name will come into our thoughts. It is the greatest identification system ever created.

However, when we think of God, there is confusion as to what to call Him. What is God's name? When we hear of God, we usually hear of three main titles but we rarely hear of God having an actual name. These titles are the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (or Spirit).

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Ephesians 4:4-6

The Bible tells us that God is one, not three separate beings. Though God is the Father, and He is the Son and He is the Holy Ghost, He still needs to have One name. And that name is Jesus Christ!

Think of it like this. As a lady, you are someone's daughter. You may also be someone's sister and someone else's cousin. Those are three different titles: daughter, sister and cousin. Does that mean you are three different people? Absolutely not!

Those are your titles but they are under one name: yours! Your name may be Mary, for example, but you can be Mary the daughter, Mary the sister or Mary the cousin, depending on what you are doing and where you are. 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Our great big God made Himself known to His creation by becoming a man and sacrificing His blood for us at Calvary. Our Father loves us so much, that He was willing to put limitations on Himself in order to be the pure Lamb, so that we have an opportunity to be cleansed of sin. How amazing is that?! God is the source of true love because He IS love! Love was defined at Calvary and can still be found when we humble ourselves and submit to Him. 

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God."

Isaiah 43:10-12

"Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 

Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

John 8:54-58

"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."

Exodus 3:13-14

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

1 Corinthians 10:1-4

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Great I AM! He was that spiritual Rock in Moses' day and He is still that spiritual Rock for us. His love knows no boundaries, no time frames, no limitations. Even though God took on physical limitations as a man, it never changed His Identity, Character or Person. He was always One and His Name was always the same. He was and is the Deity who thoroughly loves His children.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

Reflection:
This world has truly perverted and distorted the real definition of love. Love is not wrapped in a hot night of passion. Love is not googly eyes from across the room. That is lust and human emotion. True love is defined at Calvary, where the Lord Jesus Christ died to cleanse you and I from sin, which includes unhealthy emotional bondage. Love is action and God demonstrated that in the highest form.

Action:
Now is the time to put aside our own thoughts, mindsets and desires to better understand the love of God. In order for us to love others, we must first love God and to do that, we must know Him. It will be through this knowledge that His truth will spring forth and consume the darkness that it holding us. The Bible says in Him is no darkness at all and that whom He sets free, will be free indeed!

Prayer:
Father, You are truly magnificent. Your power is infinite and Your abilities are astounding. I'm thankful for Your Plan and that it included salvation for us. We desire to know true love, in You. Lord Jesus, please show us who You really are, that we may understand the depth of Calvary. So that we may be washed clean from false teaching and idolatry. That we can receive a real revelation and be transformed. Thank You for becoming a man, for humbling Yourself and being obedient to the cross. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Who do you love in your life (besides God)?

If love is action, how do you show it?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Our Expectations
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>

Day 3: Real Faith {31 Devotions in 31 Days}

As the third day of Breaking the Chains is upon us, I can't help but feel a difference within myself. How about you? Day 1, we spoke about the power of the Word. Day 2 complimented that with praying through and how it is vital to our deliverance to keep an open communication with God. After all, He seeks after a relationship not our traditions. 

Today, we are going to talk about real faith. What do I mean by "real faith"? New age Christianity has become comfortable in mixing the words "faith" and "hope". Many of us have found ourselves praying with a hopeful heart more than a faithful heart. Hope is a beautiful thing. When we have hope, we are given a positive mindset to go on through our trials. However, in order to have a real deliverance from emotional impurity, we have to have faith and lots of it.

My pastor blesses us with each sermon because of his faith; his knowledge of who the Lord Jesus Christ is. He is a biblical scholar and teacher, using every opportunity he is given to help us go deeper into the Word. I encourage you to listen to our church's podcast right here. One of my favorite quotes from my pastor is "Faith is not a hope-so. It's a know-so." Real faith is real knowledge about the God we claim to love and serve. It is not hoping we understand but it is having the right information about Him so that we may be able to please Him.
This is the definition of faith courtesy of my pastor:

Faith is the personal intimate knowledge of the Person, Identity and Plan of God that enables you to discern what He intends to do, so that you can work in harmony with Him.

When we tell one another to "have faith" what do we mean? Most of the time, we are implying to be hopeful. This is not the same as faithful. When we have real faith, we have true knowledge of who God is and therefore can make the right choices in our life. Through making the right choices, we become faithful to God.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
Hebrews 11:1-3

Faith is the substance! That substance is knowledge that is obtained through studying the Word of God and communicating with Him through prayer. With that faith, that knowledge, we then are able to understand and see things is a spiritual light. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says "For we walk by faith, not by sight", which means we should be walking by our knowledge and not by our carnality.

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6

Faith is powered by love. It is because of the Lord's love that we are able to have knowledge of Him. Our relationship with Him rests upon our faith. Without the right knowledge, we cannot have the right relationship. Therefore, our hearts will remain unclean.

Reflection:
Faith is not a hope. Faith is not acknowledgement. Faith IS knowledge! The truth exercised in our mind. Think about your faith. How well do you know God? How deep is your faith? To break the chains around depression, fear and anxiety it is going to take more than a hope. It's going to take real faith!

Action:
Take some time today to ask the Lord to reveal who He is to you. Pray for a real revelation. Ask that your mind and thoughts be changed and directed to new territory. Ask the Lord to reveal any false knowledge that you may have of Him and to guide you towards having real faith. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and resist feeling prideful or shameful. We want to build on what He has already done in your life, not take it away.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
We are truly blessed to have a God who cares about our hearts and minds. Thank You for loving us so much, that You have provided the knowledge we need to not only understand who You are but Your plan for our lives. We ask, Lord, for a renewed revelation. Please break down any false mindsets we may have built up. Help us to gain real faith by Your Word and prayer. Help us with our desires, that our relationship with You may reach a deeper level. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to rest upon your knowledge of God (your faith) in order to get through?

Tomorrow's Devotion Topic: Defining Love
For a full list of daily devotional topics & more information about 31 Devotion in 31 Days: Breaking The Chains, go here to read the original post.

UPDATE!! GET THE "BREAKING THE CHAINS" DEVOTIONAL EBOOK >>