Tag Archives: Christ

Christ Lives in You

Posted on by under Conversations with God
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Christ lives in You

Christ lives in you. It is written, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Christ lives in you. As you meditate on this miraculous truth, allow your heart to overflow with joy.

You and God cannot be separated. Christ has made our body His home and He’s not a short term tenant. He’s not going to leave simply because we don’t have a clean living space.

Just like when we move into a house, when Christ moves in, He begins to renovate us from the inside out.

As we all know, renovations can often be quite painful. God wants us to cling to Him during times of transformation. Especially when the transformation is painful. God wants us to live in faith in the One who loved us, and gave Himself for us.

As we continue to yield to Christ’s renewal within us, we’re able to transform more fully into the masterpiece that God designed us to be.

For more encouragement and to deepen your faith, I highly recommend reading the Bible daily. http://www.gotquestions.org is one of my favorite sites for questions about the Bible.

If God loves us then why do we suffer?

Posted on by under Conversations with God
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Women suffering with head in her hands. If God love us, why do we suffer?

It is written, “The Spirit of the Lord… has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1) Why does God allow us to suffer, if He loves us?

You want to know why this has happened to you. You want to make sense of your suffering. As though this world operates from a helm of justice. But alas! You live in a fallen world. And true justice will not be restored until I come back. 

Suffering is a part of your life on Earth. Even my own Son, Jesus Christ, suffered. Do you remember what Jesus called out on the cross? “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” There that question is again. Why. 

Indeed, you are not alone in your suffering. You often aren’t even the cause of your suffering. Your suffering is the result of the fall of mankind. And I can assure you that it breaks My heart just as much as it does yours. 

So pick up the pieces of your heart, dear one. And bring them to me. Then watch and wait in My healing presence as I mend your broken heart and turn your suffering into glory. 

I am near to the broken-hearted. And I am near to you now. 

To learn more about God’s promises, I highly recommend you read His Word. And if you have any questions, www.gotquestions.org is a great resource!

Can You Imagine being Mary?

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

It is written, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5) 

Can you imagine being Mary? Watching as your son is tortured? Feeling pain in the depths of your being as there’s nothing you can do to help? Then seeing him die on the cross…

When Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Do you think Mary knew of Psalm 22? That this would be the fulfillment of a prophecy? 

Do you think her heart sunk with thoughts of her son’s abandonment? Or of her own? Can you imagine the mix of emotions as she trusted in her son when He said, “I’ll come back”? Would he? Is revival actually possible?

What does it look like to wait in anticipation? To be faithful during the “in between”? Can our hearts be both broken and expectant at the same time? 

…Can you imagine being Mary?

The Meaning of Christmas (and a Poem)

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Poetry

As Christmas is fast approaching, my prayer is that we don’t get so caught up in our own celebrations that we forget the meaning of this special holiday. We celebrate because Jesus Christ purchased salvation for both the Jews and the Gentiles. Christmas would be meaningless if He didn’t purchase salvation for sinners. He lived a perfect life and died in our place. And then He rose from the dead! This is the meaning of Christmas. This is the reason we celebrate. And it sure is cause to celebrate!

God’s children are all across the Earth, in a variety of seasons and circumstances. May our hearts be grateful and generous this Christmas season as we reflect not only on our own lives, but also on the lives of others. Below is a poem I wrote entitled, “The Many Faces of Christmas.” Enjoy and Merry Christmas to all!

Cold streets, winter nights

Warm windows, wrapped with lights

Loneliness and hands that freeze

Mistletoes and sparkling trees

Santa Clause finds some, not all

Some are at the Christmas Ball

While some are huddled close together

Under bridges, facing weather

Some are warm, by a fire

Some at stores, the constant buyer

Some in Church, singing praise

Some are gone, been so for days

As you join family and friends,

Think of all the faces that Christmas lends.

And don’t complain, whatever you do

There’s always someone who has it worse than you.

Christmas Quotes

Posted on by under Quotes

Christmas is just three days away. It’s my favorite holiday of the year! Naturally, I wanted to compile a list of some of my favorite quotes on Christmas to help us all get in the Christmas spirit!

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.”
― Steve Maraboli

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”
― Bob Hope

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ”
― Norman Vincent Peale

“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”
― Charles M. Schulz

I AM (A Poem)

Posted on by under Conversations with God, Poetry

Though I’m saddened when you make mistakes,
My heart is joyful when you seek My face.
For I did not come to help the morally right,
but the fallen and broken are dear in My sight.
The closer you come to Me,
the closer I AM.
Though distractions are plenty,
so is My hand…
Reaching out for you daily,
My peace is there for the taking
So if you’re tired of waiting
come find rest in I AM.

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

We want explanation but what God gives us is revelation.

Conversation with God – Jeremiah 29:13-14

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…” (Jeremiah 29:13-14)

Child, can’t you see that I long to be pursued by you? I am a true romantic.

And selfless as My love is, I want this for you, not just for me. Though it brings Me great pleasure when you search for Me, it benefits you even more.

It is this process, this endless pursuit, this great romance that defines our relationship. Doesn’t it sound exciting? I hope that your heart delights in Me, as Mine does in you.

Continue to seek Me. Begin your search again and again with each new day. Not only does this please Me, but it fulfills your deepest desire: to be found.

It is My desire too; to be found. Can you tell that you were created in My image? 😉

Life Cycle

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Personal Life Reflections

“Whatever has happened before will happen again. What ever has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9

Have you ever noticed how cyclical your life is? I sure have.

As unpredictable as life can be, it’s cyclical nature is just as predictable.

For everything that dies, something else is born.

For everything that ends, something else begins.

For every door that closes, another one opens.

After every high, comes a low.

After every storm, comes the sun.

After every loss, comes a gain.

In fact, the cycles are so predictable, it’s a wonder that we worry or doubt at all. Perhaps this is why we’re told to give thanks in ALL things, because another change is always just around the corner.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Conversation with God – Isaiah 55:8-9

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) My lamb, it pleases me to see you needy for me. I know that this world can be hard on you but fear not! I am your God and I love you.

It is a great place to be; in dependence, desperately surrendering to me. For in your weakness, my power is made known. My power is able to work through the cracks in your life that you perceive as trials. I can assure you, child, trials are not what you presume them to be.

Continue to abide in me, little one, so that I may direct your path. So that my power may shine through your life, both in times of trial and times of joy.