Rick Springfield said it the best!

I've been waiting for God to give me a reason to interject Rick Springfield into one of my blog posts and today is the day! I admit it. I'm a Rick Springfield fan from the 1980's. I know most of his songs. I've been to two of his concerts, AND, I'm pretty sure I cried at both of them when he came out to sing. I know. That's probably not what you wanted to hear a Christian woman talk about today. But it's the truth.

Rick Springfield makes me think about love. BUT WAIT! Before we go any further let me make one thing straight. God knows my heart and He knows I'm a committed follower of Jesus Christ and not Rick Springfield. And, God knows that my husband, Dean, is the love of my life and there is no other man for me. But, God also knows that the teenager in me just loves Rick's music. It takes me back to my younger years and some fun memories. It takes me back to a time when life was simpler and I drove a Camero. Rick's music does make me think about a lot of people and things I love.

Love is important to us Christians. The Bible tells us that God is love. The God of the Bible is actually called The God of Love. We also know that we love others because God first loved us. The Bible also tells us that God so loved us that He sent His Son to pay for our sins. That's an amazing love! Love is important to God. So important that He even told us how to love. Check out these verses:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7.

This kind of love seems hard, but it's so beautiful when we love this way. When we are patient and kind, it shows the most beautiful kind of love for someone. When we are not proud or rude, we are showing love to others. When we are not irritable and when we forgive rather than keeping up with someone's wrongful actions, then we have loved well. Love rejoices in truth and it never gives up. I like the thought of this kind of love. 

So, what am I saying to you here today? What would God have us do in this world? Well, in the infamous words of Rick Springfield from his 1980's hit song.....

"You better love somebody!!"

Jesus - help us to love others like you love us. And thank you for Rick Springfield. May he find you and know your kind of love if he doesn't already. - In Jesus' name, Amen.

For a deeper study read and journal about what God tells you in the following scriptures:

• 1 Corinthians 13
• Matthew 5:43-48
• John 3:16
• 1 John 4:8
• Galatians 5:22-23

PS - I confess that my ringtone on my phone is "You Better Love Somebody". I believe it's a perfectly acceptable ringtone for a Pastor. Just sayin'.

What kind of HOPE do you have?

Hope will last forever according to the Bible. (1 Corinthians 13:13) But, I don't think worldly hope will last forever. Godly hope, the hope that the Bible speaks of, now that will last forever! 

Hope according to a worldly perspective is to wish for something without certainty of fulfillment. Godly hope is a strong and confident expectation. I am confident in Jesus and my salvation in Him. I'm not wishing for something without certainty. No way! I'm confident in Jesus.

Godly hope has great results. It changes how we see ourselves. It changes what we value. It even effects how we live our lives. Before I had placed my hope in Jesus, my life was honestly a mess most days. I saw myself and others through a worldly perspective. I wasn't tall enough or rich enough or thin enough. And my friends, well, they were in the same boat. Today I have a godly hope and I see things differently. I see myself as a Daughter of the King of Kings. I see others with compassion. The world just looks different and has different results when you have godly hope!

Godly hope has rewards! According to the book of Romans we have joy and peace as we place our hope in Jesus. (Romans 15:12, 5:2) The Book of Psalms tells us we are protected because of our hope in our God. (Psalm 33:18) And if that wasn't enough, our godly hope gives us strength, boldness, courage, and confidence even in the face of death! (Psalm 31:24, 1 Thess. 4:13, 1 Timothy 4:10)

Do you know the God of Hope? I sure hope so. (-: His name is Jesus, and without Him we truly have no hope. But, with Him we have unlimited, eternal hope.

Jesus, my hope is built on You and You alone. Help me to be a hope in this broken world so that others may see you and know the God of Hope! - In Jesus' name ~ AMEN.

For a deeper study:

• Look up verses regarding HOPE in your Bible and journal/discuss what God speaks to you.
• Journal/Discuss some of the ways God has given you HOPE in your life.

Faith

Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God.

Impossible - that's a loaded word. It is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith. You can love others and do all kinds of good works, but without faith you can't please God. You can cook casseroles for your sick neighbors every day until you die, but without faith it is impossible to please God. You can give all your money to charity, but without faith you can't please God. It's impossible -unimaginable, unattainable, unworkable - to please God unless you have faith in Him.

You know what else I know about FAITH? I know that faith comes in different sizes. In Matthew 8 there is a Roman officer that was noted as having GREAT faith, and Jesus was blessed by his great faith. But, also in Matthew 8 Jesus wonders why the Disciples have little faith when they were scared of the weather that was rocking their boat. Jesus also mentioned in Matthew 17 what faith the size of an itty, bitty mustard seed would do for you.

Faith also acts like a shield for Christians according to Ephesians 6:10-17. What does our faith help us shield? It helps us shield the lies throw at us by the devil himself. All shields are used to stop the offensive measures of the enemy.

Faith is important to me. It's also important to God. In 1 Corinthians 13 God tells us that 3 things will last forever, and one of those is faith. With that in mind, where is your faith?

Is your faith in your money? I sure hope not because I've been to a lot of funerals and I can tell you that money and possessions don't really matter at the end of your life.

Is your faith in those you love around you? I have some AMAZING family members and friends, but if I was completely honest with you they've let me down at some point or another. And, I'm pretty sure I've let others that I dearly love down as well.

Have you considered putting your faith in Jesus Christ? The Bible tells us that we've all sinned (Romans 3:23). The Bible also tells us that God sent Jesus Christ to die for us even though He knew we were sinners. (Romans 5:8) It also says that if we believe in Jesus with our hearts we will be saved. (Romans 10:9) And then in Romans 5:1, it says something so sweet to my hears and my heart and that is, "We have been made right with God by FAITH."

I hope your faith is in Jesus Christ. Not because it pleases me, but because it pleases God.

Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to die for each of us. The more I study Your Word the more amazed I am at how much you love us. You are truly and indescribable God. Help me to live out a life of faith. In the precious name of Jesus ~ AMEN.

For a deeper study on FAITH, read Hebrews 1 and also the stories from the Bible giants of faith found in Hebrews 1. Journal/discuss what God tells you in their faith stories.

Jehovah Mekadesh

I did it! I finished! And, so did almost 200 women here in San Antonio! I'm so proud of us. 

What did we finish you ask? Well I, along with approximately 200 of my closest friends, have completed a 13 week study on the names of God. That's right. We completed our study and we are celebrating. We are gathering this week to have a Mississippi pot luck celebration (That means lots of great food and fellowship.) We will share stories of what we have experienced during this study. We will laugh about some of the things God has taught us, and we will cry about others. One of the parts that thrills me most is that some of the women I'm celebrating with are celebrating the completion of their FIRST Bible study. I. Could. Just. Cry. With. Joy. Those women inspire me and make me smile.

What about you? Have you spent some time in a Bible study recently? Are you allowing Jehovah Mekadesh access to your life? Jehovah Mekadesh is one of the names of God which means, "The Lord who sanctifies you". Sanctification is also known as "growing in Christ" or "spiritually maturing". God doesn't just want us to believe in Him. He wants us to live an abundant life here on earth and that comes through sanctification. We will miss out on that abundant life if we miss out on sanctification.

I'm celebrating this week, but I'm also planning. I'm planning my next Bible study. I'm going to study Faith, Hope and Love this summer. What are you going to study?

Lord, Thank you for Your Word. Thank you that you not only sent Your Son to die for me, but You also gave me the Bible to learn how to be a better person and live an abundant life. You are a good, good Father. In the precious name of Jesus ~ AMEN.

For a deeper study read and journal/discuss what God teaches you in the following verses:

• Leviticus 20:7-8
• Isaiah 6: 1-8
• Matthew 23: 25-28
• Hebrews 12:14
• 2 Timothy 2: 20-21
• Hebrews 12: 1-2

Run Towards Your Giant!

If God is for us, who can be against us? Truly, if God, the Creator of the World, has your back, then what is there to worry about? Yet we worry. We spend our days worried about what we will say in conversations. We worry about if we will get the next super bug that hits earth. We worry about little things, right alongside of big things.

God directed me to 1 Samuel 17 today. I've sure you've read the story of David and Goliath. If you haven't, I double dog dare you to pull out your Bible and read it. David was a young man, actually a "boy" in the story. The Israelite soldiers did not want to take on Goliath, the Philistine giant. But David didn't mind. He asked to take on the Giant and did so without the armor that soldiers normally wear. He marched out towards Goliath and warned him.

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17: 45-47)

David was right. He did defeat Goliath. But you know what catches my eye the most in this story, is that David RAN towards Goliath. 

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.

 (1 Samuel 17:48)

He ran at the giant. He didn't hide behind armor or a rock or anything. He ran at the giant and killed Him. He was confident God was on his side. 

What giant are you facing today that's got you worrying? Is there something that you need to remind Who's child you are? Maybe instead of running away from your giant, maybe you need to run towards your giant like David did.

I'm also reminded of these verses:

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 31-39)

Lord, thank You for having our backs. Your banner over us is love and I'm thankful for Your protection and the victory You won for us on the Cross. I love You. In Jesus Name - Amen!

For a deeper study read and discuss/journal the following:

• Exodus 17:14-16
• 1 Samuel 17

The Lord Who Heals

I was asked this week what it's really like to be a Women's Pastor. As I thought about my response tears filled my eyes. What an incredible honor it is for me, an imperfect woman, to serve Him. Some days I feel like I've got a back stage pass to see God working. It's incredible to watch God work in the lives of others. I don't doubt for one minute that He is still in the miracle business. I see His thumbprints on things all the time. He is indeed Jehovah Rapha, The God Who Heals.

I've seen marriages healed because of God; marriages that were facing divorce that are now better than they ever have been. To God be the glory!!

I've seen women overcome defeated lives through The Healer; lives that were once in jail, but now are walking in complete freedom - freedom in Christ and freedom from jail! Oh, Lord You amaze me!

I've prayed for babies and sick children thinking it was their time to go to heaven, but Jehovah Rapha had other plans. Praise to the Ultimate Physician!

I've seen family relationships that were broken become restored because God healed the hearts of those that were hurting. Lord, You are worthy of praise!

Are you in need of some sort of healing today? Maybe it's physical healing you seek. Maybe the healing you are after is healing of a broken heart. Or, maybe the healing you seek is with a relationship. He is able. He loves you! He is in the miracle business. Turn to Jehovah Rapha and ask for healing!

Lord, thank you for allowing me to have a back stage pass to watch You work. I'm constantly amazed at what You do in my life and in the lives of others. Oh, that our nation would turn to you and seek healing from The Healer. Help me never forgot what I have seen and experienced as I've walked with you on this great adventure. I give you all the glory and honor and praise! In the precious Name of Jesus ~ AMEN!

For a deeper study ready and discuss or journal about the following verses:

• Exodus 15:22-27
• Psalm 147:3
• Jeremiah 3:21-22
• Isaiah 26:3
• 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Psalm 41:3

Our Provider

I have had Bible studies in my home where I've also provided meals for the people attending. Many times I did not think we would have enough food, and yet there were leftovers at the end of the night.

There have been days in my life when I just knew I would not have enough money to pay the bills, and yet somehow I was able manage to stay out of the collections departments.

There have been many days where I've been ministering to someone hurting where I didn't have the words to say, and yet by God's grace I said just what was needed to bring comfort.

Most weeks I feel as if there is not enough time in the day to get what I need to get accomplished for my family, and yet somehow it all falls in place.

God is an amazing provider. He is indeed Jehovah Jireh, Provider. I believe all of the above circumstances above are examples of how He has provided in my life. He can multiple food right in front of our eyes without us ever seeing it. He can stretch our finances to cover all of our bills. He can even provide the words we speak when we are leaning into Him for His help.

I bet there are times when you can look back at your life and say without a doubt you made it through a financial crisis or a difficult situation because the Lord provided. And if we know how well He does provide, then why to we worry about the future or situations in the present? Hind sight is 20/20, and I think some days we need to just remember where we've come from and what we've walked through.

What if today instead of worrying about your needs you decided to just start thanking God for the provisions He has coming for you?

What if today instead of doubting you will be able to take the next step, that you starting looking for how God was providing?

Lord, thank you for your awesome provisions. You are an amazing provider in all ways and in all areas of our lives. Forgive us when we have missed giving You credit for what You have provided in our lives. You are loved and adored. You are a good, good Father. In Jesus' Name ~ AMEN.

For a deeper study read the following and journal what God teaches you about how He provides:

• Luke 5: 1-11
• Genesis 22: 1-19