"You can't threaten me with Heaven! I know where I'm going." A cliche in the Christian circles when someone or something threatens our personal safety.
As Believers, we live an eternally focused life. Our eternity-driven soul, eagerly waits for Christ's return It's our heart's desire and our life mission to reflect the glory and grace of God, sharing our living Hope that others may be reconciled to Christ as Savior. As we should. We focus our life with the end in mind leveraged in the necessary balance of living with our minds set in the here and now. To live Heavenward, not Heaven-bound.
There are only two options as we take our last breath here on earth and for those who accept Christ as their Savior, it's Heaven. Those who do not, it is Hell. There will come a moment in time when the opportunity to make that choice ends, hence our urgency to proclaim the Gospel of Salvation. How do we live our lives eternally focused on the end yet eternally focused here on this broken Earth?
Heaven, a new beautiful beginning with no end. I personally cannot wait to see my Redeemer and my Best Friend, my Father and The King of Kings face to face. Can you imagine? Where all our questions fade, we gaze face to face into the eyes of the One who loved us more than we can know, to touch His hands and hear His laugh and know the shape of His smile and the creases of His skin and the radiance of His Divine glory.
The place where worship builds as every Saint joins the chorus, echoing against the streets of gold in perfect harmony, where the radiance of Glory will be like nothing we can comprehend in brightness and breath taking beauty.
Heaven is the place we dream of and long to be for all eternity. A place of no more tears, pain and suffering. A place of acceptance and joy. We long for it. I long for it. I live, today, for it.
You know "those days" those weeks, and sometimes "those" seasons? "Lord come quickly" we might say with a chuckle. Lordy, we need you, take us NOW! In just, it's funny...but for others, it's a serious plea.
In recent days, there was news of a Pastor who took his life. How heartbreaking when someone feels there is no other choice. As a Believer, the temptation to get to where you ultimately want to be doesn't feel threatening. It feels like an answer. Our mind rationalizes it with... finally, yes...I am coming Lord.
Depression and anxiety seem to fill threads these days.
Technology shrinks our world. We are exposed to more and connected more intimately than ever before, and yet there is nothing new under the sun.
Social media ignites us in shared passions, illustrates for us things unimaginable and executes what could never have in decades prior. After scrolling through several threads within different mainstream Christian authors, my heart grew so heavy scrolling through the hundreds of comments, one by one people sharing their depression, fears, lostness and hopelessness, thanking them for their shared ministry and speaking out words of hope and encouragement.
Here I thought I was the only one.
So many are hurting, and to be reminded, these are Believers sharing. Ones who know God, seek God, serve and love Him with all their hearts. And yet their hearts were depleted all from different reasons and seasons but here they are in the same boat, drifting and some sinking.
What a misconception to think Believers are immune to trials and tribulations. I also believe the enemy wants us to feel alone in our struggles. To overcome us with shame and loneliness, to feel in the minority as if there was no source of understanding or help. To deceive us into hopelessness.
Trials are a guarantee because you have a real enemy who thought he was your friend until you made a decision to follow Christ and now you're his enemy too. We see all through Scriptures, God does allows trials to strengthen us and test us in our faith. What Satan intends for evil, God intends for good.
Will you trust Him when things get hard and you can't see around that bend in the road or a way across that ocean?
I feel this is a conversation that needs to be talked about more and there are so many layers and probably entire books and Bible Studies written about this. I acknowledge there is no way to cover every layer of this topic, but I do pray it's a view inside a scope of something huge. I am also believing there is someone out there needing to read this to reignite their hope for Heaven today.
People mean well, we all do, when a friend shares a crisis in their life. A million articles have been written on What Not To Say When....because our hearts are in the right place and if it's something we haven't personally dealt with, we don't really know what to say.
When you find yourself at the end of your rope, well meaning people say to you, "Hang in there. It's okay cuz ONE DAY there will be no more suffering and everything will be right and all the pain will be gone.You just have to make it through day by day until that day."
All you can think is TODAY can be the ONE DAY so you deeply consider plans to go. Yes, it's wrong. It's selfish and ultimately it's murderous sin. But for them, it appears to be a short cut to get where peace is a guarantee. No more pain?! I am going anyway and I can't do this alone anymore. I'll plan to go sooner than later.
Friend, NO! You are not alone. Defeat Lie #1.
There is no other way out. Defeat Lie #2.
This is not a conversation about blame or fault. It is never our fault if someone chooses to end their life. The focus of this share is how we can pay closer attention to the words we say by way of encouragement to a person in desperation for breath. Our goal is to give them that breath today. Are we showing Peace here, today? Are we talking about what they can access for help and healing, today? Are we giving them tools to manage and endure, here, today?
"Peace is HERE! Peace is NOW! Stand FIRM! ASK! SEEK! KNOCK! RISE UP and FIGHT!"
Help them see Heaven, here. Bottom line point: Don't point them to Heaven to come....show them Heaven TODAY!
Help them look heavenward without being heaven-bound.
They are so desperate for peace in their soul, where can they go for refuge and refreshment, to lift their eyes and recognize their value to fulfill their calling and sustain life because Christ is near, today? They need the hope for Glory TODAY in this dirt of earth. Let's lock arms and lay on hands over these precious souls He has fearfully and wonderfully made.
Friend, if this is you, yes, Glory in Heaven is the ultimate place for no more suffering, but it is not up to us to decide when our lives here on earth are over.
The Lord has created us and purposed us for every day here, to be lived according to His purpose, in His strengths despite our weaknesses. To receive His perfect peace in our suffering. To be built up in the Body that our mat can be carried by fellow Believers to the One who can save us, restore us and heal us.
He has not given you more than you can bare. He sends us unlikely friends and empowers faithful friends to strengthen us by the lifting of our arms when we cannot stand any longer and carry us on a mat to Jesus when we need rescue.
Oh that we may touch the hem of His robe and be touched by the power of God. That we can come to the deep waters and find life, not death. To come hungry, and be fed.
When we bring God our minimum, He shows us His multitude. Our least is His long-lasting.
TODAY is the day of HOPE.
TODAY is the day of MERCY and STRENGTH.
TODAY is the day of FOCUS.
TODAY is the day to BREATHE.
TODAY is the day to FIGHT.
TODAY is the day to LIVE.
I love the lyrics of this song (click here to listen),
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
When the day comes you can't catch your breath, when you lose your grip, when your mind becomes noise, when anguish consumes your heart, mind and soul, and you feel like there is nothing left for you and your life here on earth is hopeless and useless, you now know the voice of your enemy!
Most people only know their own voice, how blessed are you to hear your enemy coming for you. He will not back down until you decide to rise up in Jesus Name and fight back against his deception and lies. He wants you to quit because you are a threat to his only battle plan of keeping Believers, including you, from worshiping The Lord with your life.
Your time on this earth is over when God calls you home and He will never ask you to sin to accomplish His plan for your good and His glory. He knows the number of breaths He has planned for you.
Breath His breath.
Submit your body and your mind to worship.
Surround yourself with Fellow Believers who are wearing their armor, who will carry your mat to the Savior. Friends who will go to battle for you and hold your sword till you have the strength again to pick it back up and get back on the front line.
Do not set yourself in a corner and hide from help. You are worth fighting for, in fact, God sent His one and only Son to die for you. Blood has already been shed, yours is not necessary.
Let us RISE UP for TODAY!! The God of Angel Armies is always by your side! Still your soul to hear the Voice of our Redeemer, our Rock and our Refuge. You are dearly LOVED and NECESSARY, TODAY!
Recognize the voice of the enemy who comes to kill and destroy (John 10:10) the work of God in your life. Hear the call of Your Savior and stand on His Cornerstone, a Sure Foundation.
You will not be conquered, for you are more than a conqueror in The Name of Jesus (Romans 8).
Be still and know He is God. (Psalm 46:10) He is here TODAY. This song was a command to my soul for many months, leading me into quiet stillness that I might hear God through all the noise. It settled me into worship.
Worship ushered me into Peace.
Perfect Peace. Not as the world gives, but as He Himself Is.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
TODAY is the day for Salvation and NOTHING can separate you from the Love of God. Friend. RISE UP and know that you know, this is a journey where you do not walk alone. When the world around you feels like it is closing in and you can't breath...be still and breath.
Take your eyes off the path and look forward. (Psalm 121:1)
Climb out of the pit you have slipped into. Trust The One who will never leave you or forsake you.
Choose a Heavenward, not Heaven-bound Life today!
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:6, 8
There IS help in the church and outside the church. I am happy to share with you the things I did, just ask. Don't let the enemy rob you of the richness and fullness of Christ. The Lord is mighty to save and has plans only you can fulfill. There is no other God but our God and there is no other you than YOU.
BE STILL and RISE UP! Heaven is here!
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 14-15, 18, 24-28, 31-39
If you or a loved one feels at the end of their rope, pray for the Lord to show you Help, jump into Scriptures, turn on the worship music and if there is a desperation for life, seek immediate help at a local church, area counselor or call the Suicide Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.
Be Still and RISE UP!
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
As an introvert, annnndd if you struggle with insecurity, doesn’t mean you have to skip out on socials and events. Let's Chat....grab your coffee...it's Sister Time.
I used to avoid going anywhere alone, especially if it was new to me, even if it was an event at my own church. I didn’t wanna show up into the unknown. Not knowing who would be there or what to expect! I missed out on a LOT of love and experiences until I learned it was a good idea to buddy up and not miss out on what could be a blessing!!
With time and healing and some awesome Sisters to be my Event Buddy, I learned to be courageous and confident enough to go out alone. ALONE! It feels embarrassing to say that because soooo many people don't even think twice about going places alone....not sure whether to blame shyness, insecurity, fear...but I blame the enemy.
I used to sit in the shame and feeling less-than-ness. Because I was feeling small in my shyness and introvertedness, I saw myself as boring and lacking. I wanted so badly to be fearless, vivacious, fun and extroverted but it wasn't me and trying to be was soooo draining and exhausted me. Knowing it would take so much energy to "keep up" I mostly chose to stay home.
Anyone else?!?
Now, all these years later, I have since hosted events, and plan to do more, mindful of people who are scared to be there just like old me! Funny how God works!!! Sure, depending on the event, I get butterflies, but it's not fear based.
Whether it's with a Friend, or by myself, I actually enjoy going out to new places, seeing new things, trying new things, walking in the anticipation God is revealing His glory to me, cuz He knows I can't help but shout out the praise and use it as an encouragement for someone else!
Some may call it a mid-life crisis when you see us over 50's stepping out and doing new things. I think it's more about mid-life crunch time...we recognize it's time to DO THE THINGS because we just sat through intermission and it's the 2nd Act and it's almost Finale time.
I don't want YOU missing out on timely appointments and enjoyments because you think you can't enjoy going! It's gonna take some time, but you can do this! If I can, YOU CAN! BUT GOD!!! This first time is an Overcoming Moment and it's gonna feel good to make it through without total anxiety. The next time you go, it's actually gonna be fun because your brain remembers the last one and you survived and thrived! From now on, you are going with chin up, eyes wide open, eager to meet God there.
The most important thing I came to realize was it wasn't always about me. Fear and insecurity keeps us focused on ourselves whereas love and blessing focuses us on others. So now, before I go anywhere, alone or with a whole group, I am praying for the Lord to lead me and give me opportunity to be a blessing there. It helps my heart and mind to stay in eager anticipation to listen and look for God's direction.
Do I still have a good time when I am focused on others? Yes. The possibility to be used by God is exciting! Now, I love going places and meeting people. I am still an introvert so, after so many people, I do need some quiet space to recharge! Experiencing events without the complete freak out overwhelm is so much fun!!! You ready?!?
Here are a few quick tips to get you going places in peace and courage:
PRAYER! Ask Him to lead you. Also, guard your energy before and during with Prayer. Deep breathes, enjoy conversations that uplift and bring you joy. Move away from the drama if you walk up on it or if you begin feeling depleated. Sometimes a little bathroom break or stepping outside for a minute helps with that fresh breath.
Look for ways to volunteer beforehand if it’s an event of any kind. Otherwise, walk around or start in the back, look for ways to help serve, greet or help others.
If you are still needing a Buddy, Get One!! Invite a buddy so attention can be deflected as needed. Be sure to let your friend know your level of anxiety or nervousness so they can step in if they see you struggle with words or energy. If I find myself with someone who talks non-stop, plus it is negative chatter, it's like someone has pulled out my battery's drain plug. I deplete quick. I also don't last long with surface conversations. I can manage for a bit if it's relative, but otherwise, I try my best to move along.
No sugars or caffeine’s that day (or few days before) that fire up your adrenals - instead camomile tea and be sure to stay onto of your vitamins. There are great supplements you can take too. Just message me.
Lavender oil is always good to have on you as well as inhaling the hour before, and during! I use diffuser bracelets too. 
Worship the Lord with every breath and count your blessings in that moment! Continually praise and say Thank you Lord for...
Stay in the moment. Look for ways to distract your mind if it becomes anxious and serve in some way. Something as simple as holding a door or saying words of affirmation over another person. Anything that turns your brain from mess to bless! Don’t miss out on life. Open up and release the fear of the unknown, fear of rejection. Trust and Faith. You only get one life, so LIVE IT!! Do not let fear steal blessings purposed from you and through you.
Sister, remember this, it's not always about YOU! Perhaps the Lord has invited YOU into this space to bless someone else, to be His hands, heart and feet to someone else. Don't miss out on those Divine Appointments and Enjoyments! Walk with eager anticipation! He's Got you!!! Trust yourself. Trust Him!
It's Time!! Let's Go in Love and Faith!!! He is able to do exceedingly more than you can imagine! And you know what else, YOU are a blessing to those you will meet too! And when you bless, you receive too! I am so proud of you already! I hope one day to cross paths with you at an event! We will have so much fun in the back row, TOGETHER but who knows, maybe we will end up on the dance floor!
Hugs, High 5's and Blessings!
Yo Big Sister Shell
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
We can find comfort knowing God is Who He says He is and gives us exactly what we need as we need it. You cannot borrow joy, or grace. You cannot create peace. You cannot move mountains, divide oceans, calm storms, or create life from ashes. But God is more than able to do exceedingly more than we can ever imagine. Do you trust Him as YOUR Honest Answer?! Surrender your heart into His...He won't drop you.
Hole 1.
Not wanting to get in his way, I sat back in the golf cart taking in the scenery, watching my man-child study his million dollar shot on the fairway. I didn’t care if he hit it off into the other side of the course on Hole 6. I was loving just being there.
So, I climbed out of the cart and would stand up and watch it and half the time I lost it in the sky.
He'd holler over, “Did ya see that?!?” Yes, I saw it on the tee, but then I lost it against the blue sky drenched with white puffy clouds.
After a few missed viewings he called me over to the green, “Come here Mama. Stand right next to me and you will be able to watch the ball from where I stand and see where it goes.”
I felt kinda awkward standing there in my blue jeans, flip flops with big ol camera in hand. But, he was right. The view and perception were grand!
Standing closer, I could actually see the ball take flight.
What a wonderful moment and a perfect view! I could see his facial expressions as he focused and was taking aim. I noticed the slight adjustments his body made as he positioned himself on the course. I felt the hush, the determination, the power of his swing.
And then I watched as he executed the full body twist and swing. What an adrenaline rush to be so close and feel what he feels, see what he sees. Guess where I stood for the rest of the time...yep, just behind him. There was no better view than his!
When we draw close to God, we have the same thrill and advantage as we position ourselves for the perfect view.
Just as my son didn't explain to me where he would send the ball, God doesn’t always explain the path to us either. We stand with Him because we desire to see what He sees and we trust His intentions appreciating the closeness more than the outcome.
How true it is when we draw closer seeking our Lord that we find the joy of seeing His expressions of grace and love, compassion and mercy. The closer we get, the clearer we see the slight changes in His direction as He leads us along still waters, through valleys from glory to glory and grace upon grace.
We can feel His intensity and power.
Nothing on this side of Heaven is more thrilling to me than seeing God do His thing, from His creation to His compassion. He is wonderful Savior, beautiful Counselor and Mighty Warrior.
There is none like Him and we are each invited to stand next to Him, to see a view much grander than from the sidelines.
Yes, it may feel awkward and you may feel out of place at times when God calls you up to the greens, but I promise you, you will not regret the view!
(And, by the way, up on the greens is where you can better see the sand pits, water dangers and gators on the banks! Trust me, you want to be on The Greens!)
Matthew 7:7-8 ESV "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."
Psalm 23
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
Share your testimony and use words if necessary. ♥️
I’m the first one to say I AM NOT PERFECT!!! I admit I tried hard for it for many years, never achieving it cuz NO ONE CAN be but Jesus. It wore me out trying to be everything to everyone.
Another struggle for me was taking off the mask, another blog for another time. When you are someone who struggles with insecurity, your greatest fear is rejection. The greatest rejection being rejection of self as you share yourself out into the world. So we wear the mask and build walls.
🌸Freedom came when I realized I couldn’t be perfect and those whom I was measuring myself up to didn’t expect me to measure up to them- it was my insecurity seeing myself as less than they.
🌸Freedom came when I stopped expecting perfection from myself.
🌸Freedom came when I surrendered my worry, fear, insecurity in who I saw myself as and began to learn who I was created to be and chose to live a life of Grace and Acceptance in the name and identity of Christ my Savior.
🌸Freedom came when I let go of all I was trying to control and let God carry those burdens, hopes and prayers knowing He holds everything together and has a plan beyond what I could imagine.
🌸Freedom comes when we let God be God! He doesn’t need our plans or suggestions. As a Mama, I also had to let Him be the Holy Spirit in my home. I released myself from thinking that was somehow my part as a Mom. I learned to surrender control and wow, that weight was heavy, and not mine to carry. Mamas, pray for you Husbands and Kiddos and move out of the way at the Amen.
♥️He knows those decade long prayers.
♥️He sees the hurt that just stabbed your soul.
♥️Every tear is caught by Him.
♥️Sometimes He moves the mountain and sometimes He moves you.
Whatever you are facing, be FREE!!! Got on the trust bus….In Jesus, He will equip you to accomplish the things He has called you to. He’s not gonna mold you or shape you into someone else’s likeness.The peace you are looking for deep in your soul are found in Jesus, just as you are, where you are.
‼️He created YOU to be YOU, in the likeness of HIM!!‼️
Live FREE and sharpen others to do the same!!
Let’s stir one another up!!
1 Thess 5:11🌸♥️
God Loves You! God Sees You! God Hears You!
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
