There is a serial killer loose in the Church today and he must be stopped. He uses many masks, often masquerading as virtuous friends like wisdom, stewardship, thoughtfulness or peace to access the door to our souls. Yet once inside he begins to kill our dreams, paralyze our promises and derail our destiny. His name is FEAR and he is on God’s most wanted list. Many Christians harbor this violent fugitive by reducing their God given exploits to accommodate their fear. What these baffled Believers refuse to understand is that the dogs of doom stand at the doors of their destiny. There is always a strategically placed giant in our God-given promise land. When most people hear barking dogs or taunting giants they hide in the wilderness of mediocrity, perpetually wandering through slave camps like boredom, discouragement or meaningless living. It’s time to arrest this dream killer and apprehend our promises.
Kris Vallotton Ministries
I think that there are many, many people who have been stifled and paralyzed by fear today and this is what keeps so many from reaching the full potential of what all God has in store for them. This statement above from KV Ministries really hits it on the head. When we ask God to show us the way to approach the 'giant' in our way to the Promised Land, He wants to show us. He has good intentions and has never wanted us to fail. God has instilled a sense of greatness in each one of us and He has a good destiny for us. He promises us good things and ways to walk through the suffering that will come; He never said that we would have a perfect life or live in the middle of roses all the time. He did say that He would never leave us or forsake us. He did say He would empower us with grace to overcome, walk through, rise above.
My prayer for all of us is that we will grab onto the TRUTH of God's promises for us; grab HIS Hand and walk through life with a sense of WHO lives in us moreso than what comes at us. He overcame and He lives in us! May we all take hold of the faith that He has given us and elevate us and may we all step out in areas where fear might have stifled us. There is power in the Name of Jesus!!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
A New Generation Arising in His Name
Jeremiah 31:3
The Message (MSG)
2-6This is the way God put it:
"They found grace out in the desert,
these people who survived the killing.
Israel, out looking for a place to rest,
met God out looking for them!"
God told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!
And so now I'll start over with you and build you up again,
dear virgin Israel.
You'll resume your singing,
grabbing tambourines and joining the dance.
You'll go back to your old work of planting vineyards
on the Samaritan hillsides,
And sit back and enjoy the fruit—
oh, how you'll enjoy those harvests!
The time's coming when watchmen will call out
from the hilltops of Ephraim:
'On your feet! Let's go to Zion,
go to meet our God!'"
This is one of the many verses that remind me of the generation who is rising up!!
I am literally overwhelmed with God's goodness the last few months. We were at the West Texas Girls Conference a few months ago with over 600 middle and high school girls...WOW!! (That's one of God's miracles that I was in the middle of kids!!) Seeing the difference (from my school years) in what these young girls face and the ways that shame has already entered their lives is just mind-blowing to me. Then I read some of the responses to what goes on in their lives and I am blown away again at the next generation that God is building...I hate giving the enemy too much credit or any fame so I want to just think about the ways that God is loving these young people into a revolutionary generation. I want to be a part of it!!!! I love asking God to use me every day, I am not regretful; only BLESSED!!
The Message (MSG)
2-6This is the way God put it:
"They found grace out in the desert,
these people who survived the killing.
Israel, out looking for a place to rest,
met God out looking for them!"
God told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!
And so now I'll start over with you and build you up again,
dear virgin Israel.
You'll resume your singing,
grabbing tambourines and joining the dance.
You'll go back to your old work of planting vineyards
on the Samaritan hillsides,
And sit back and enjoy the fruit—
oh, how you'll enjoy those harvests!
The time's coming when watchmen will call out
from the hilltops of Ephraim:
'On your feet! Let's go to Zion,
go to meet our God!'"
This is one of the many verses that remind me of the generation who is rising up!!
I am literally overwhelmed with God's goodness the last few months. We were at the West Texas Girls Conference a few months ago with over 600 middle and high school girls...WOW!! (That's one of God's miracles that I was in the middle of kids!!) Seeing the difference (from my school years) in what these young girls face and the ways that shame has already entered their lives is just mind-blowing to me. Then I read some of the responses to what goes on in their lives and I am blown away again at the next generation that God is building...I hate giving the enemy too much credit or any fame so I want to just think about the ways that God is loving these young people into a revolutionary generation. I want to be a part of it!!!! I love asking God to use me every day, I am not regretful; only BLESSED!!
I witnessed 2 precious young ladies alongside over 25,000 others at One Thing at IHOP, Kansas City, MO, this year for New Years. WOW!! Again, I am humbled by this generation and on fire to sow into it. I am inspired that Passion 2012 raised over 3 million dollars from 18-25 year olds to fund anti-slavery/human trafficking this year. Rise up and take back from the enemy what he has stolen. I am in prayer for this younger generation and hope you will join me.
I have had the absolute privilege to walk alongside some younger ladies now in my life and I would not trade these minutes for anything. They inspire me, stretch me, challenge me and love me. Oh how much I love them!! I honestly cannot imagine not having them to share life with now. God took my hard heart toward younger people and did His miracle work in softening it to flesh and stirring in me a new heart to help build the next generation. ONLY God could have done that....I was the one who would NEVER have children. Now, I know part of the 'why'; I believe I am called to sow into others' lives by my time, any and all resources God has given me, and my life. Thank YOU, Lord, for allowing this and placing people in my path as only You could do!
I have had the absolute privilege to walk alongside some younger ladies now in my life and I would not trade these minutes for anything. They inspire me, stretch me, challenge me and love me. Oh how much I love them!! I honestly cannot imagine not having them to share life with now. God took my hard heart toward younger people and did His miracle work in softening it to flesh and stirring in me a new heart to help build the next generation. ONLY God could have done that....I was the one who would NEVER have children. Now, I know part of the 'why'; I believe I am called to sow into others' lives by my time, any and all resources God has given me, and my life. Thank YOU, Lord, for allowing this and placing people in my path as only You could do!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friendships are so special to me....
As I sit and ponder over the events of this last few years, I am overwhelmed with the wonderful people God has brought into my life. These people are different in so many ways, yet with the same spirit. They love the Lord, so uniquely, so passionately; yet, they all do it so differently and so beautifully. I am drawn to each one of them for such different reasons (so many are so different than I am) and that is what is so spectacular to me! We still share the same God, one in Spirit.
I have been taught so many valuable lessons (some simple; some complex) by each of these friends. I am forever grateful for the laughter, tears, meals, joy, passion, prayer, road trips, and so much more that we have shared on countless occasions. I can honestly sit day after day and laugh out loud to myself thinking about our times together and what we have shared.
The very interesting thing about these friendships that are so very dear to me is the fact that I had been so "relationship-challenged" for the biggest part of my life, BUT GOD.... Isn't it funny how He can literally turn your world upside-down and bring the best of the best into it?? I love how He does that often and I know 'I' could have never done any of it on my own. I am always reminded to ask God for anything and everything....I asked Him boldy to bring me good, true frineds, and He was and is certainly faithful. He will give you the best of what you need.
I have found that I am not afraid to ask God for anything and then trusting that He will bring me EXACTLY what I need. I trust it will be in His time and His way and I am good with that too. He has proven faithful over and over, especially in the friendships that I am forever grateful for. If you are reading this, it is likely you are one of those friends. I do not have to name any names; you know who you are and I hope I never give up telling you just how special you are to me. I love you, my cherished friends.
I have been taught so many valuable lessons (some simple; some complex) by each of these friends. I am forever grateful for the laughter, tears, meals, joy, passion, prayer, road trips, and so much more that we have shared on countless occasions. I can honestly sit day after day and laugh out loud to myself thinking about our times together and what we have shared.
The very interesting thing about these friendships that are so very dear to me is the fact that I had been so "relationship-challenged" for the biggest part of my life, BUT GOD.... Isn't it funny how He can literally turn your world upside-down and bring the best of the best into it?? I love how He does that often and I know 'I' could have never done any of it on my own. I am always reminded to ask God for anything and everything....I asked Him boldy to bring me good, true frineds, and He was and is certainly faithful. He will give you the best of what you need.
I have found that I am not afraid to ask God for anything and then trusting that He will bring me EXACTLY what I need. I trust it will be in His time and His way and I am good with that too. He has proven faithful over and over, especially in the friendships that I am forever grateful for. If you are reading this, it is likely you are one of those friends. I do not have to name any names; you know who you are and I hope I never give up telling you just how special you are to me. I love you, my cherished friends.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Oaks of Righteousness
The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness"
planted by God to display his glory. -- Isaiah 61:1-3 MSG
When we accept Christ, we have a NEW identity. He no longer counts our sins against us; no matter what the sins were. He became sin so that you and I could have the righteousness of God in Christ!!! That IS the good news!! Pay attention here: this is a GIFT from God. What I want to ask you today is: will you receive it and will you walk in it?
Jesus's death on a wooden cross to the point of being beaten, crushed, and whipped is so that you and I can be healed. When Jesus looks at you, He sees what He accomplished for you on the cross with that one sacrifice and HE IS SATISFIED. Because of His sacrifice, Jesus made it possible for you and I to be counted righteous, for He bore all our sins.
I see righteousness as the greatest gift of love that God could ever give us because He did this while we did not deserve it. When He looks at you, He sees you as perfect because of your being righteous IN HIM. This is the exact reason you qualify for EVERY promised blessing of God. Now, what does your heart truly believe?
I believe the only way to truly live the abundant life that Christ died to give us is to get in agreement with God on every single thing in the Word and live it out. There are times that your feelings and your mind will lag behind, but your true worth is stated in the infallible Word of God, and that is what you have to stand on and receive as TRUTH. So many times we question His promise instead of just receiving it in faith.
Most importantly we have to 1. KNOW GOD and 2. KNOW WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST
We have to learn how to see ourselves not in ourselves but in Christ. He is the Living God living inside us as the Holy Spirit. We have to confront the devil and the enemy's tactics. We have to stand our ground and we do this by believing God and what He says about us. We have to constantly remember to 'renew our minds', like Romans 12:2 tells us. This simply means to get your thoughts back into agreement with God's Word. This comes from your personal relationship with Christ. We believe so much more of what we say to ourselves than what someone else says to us and being in His Word, so start speaking His Word out loud to yourself.
From Genesis to Revelation, God calls us to be bold and courageous, take new ground and exercise the authority He has given us. What are you waiting for? 'His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven'...Why would we not want to live out the life He died to give us?
In Christ we have:
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness"
planted by God to display his glory. -- Isaiah 61:1-3 MSG
When we accept Christ, we have a NEW identity. He no longer counts our sins against us; no matter what the sins were. He became sin so that you and I could have the righteousness of God in Christ!!! That IS the good news!! Pay attention here: this is a GIFT from God. What I want to ask you today is: will you receive it and will you walk in it?
Jesus's death on a wooden cross to the point of being beaten, crushed, and whipped is so that you and I can be healed. When Jesus looks at you, He sees what He accomplished for you on the cross with that one sacrifice and HE IS SATISFIED. Because of His sacrifice, Jesus made it possible for you and I to be counted righteous, for He bore all our sins.
I see righteousness as the greatest gift of love that God could ever give us because He did this while we did not deserve it. When He looks at you, He sees you as perfect because of your being righteous IN HIM. This is the exact reason you qualify for EVERY promised blessing of God. Now, what does your heart truly believe?
I believe the only way to truly live the abundant life that Christ died to give us is to get in agreement with God on every single thing in the Word and live it out. There are times that your feelings and your mind will lag behind, but your true worth is stated in the infallible Word of God, and that is what you have to stand on and receive as TRUTH. So many times we question His promise instead of just receiving it in faith.
Most importantly we have to 1. KNOW GOD and 2. KNOW WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST
We have to learn how to see ourselves not in ourselves but in Christ. He is the Living God living inside us as the Holy Spirit. We have to confront the devil and the enemy's tactics. We have to stand our ground and we do this by believing God and what He says about us. We have to constantly remember to 'renew our minds', like Romans 12:2 tells us. This simply means to get your thoughts back into agreement with God's Word. This comes from your personal relationship with Christ. We believe so much more of what we say to ourselves than what someone else says to us and being in His Word, so start speaking His Word out loud to yourself.
From Genesis to Revelation, God calls us to be bold and courageous, take new ground and exercise the authority He has given us. What are you waiting for? 'His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven'...Why would we not want to live out the life He died to give us?
In Christ we have:
- A love that can never be fathomed.
- A life that can never die.
- A righteousness that can never be tarnished.
- A peace that can never be understood.
- A rest that can never be disturbed.
- A joy that can never be diminished.
- A hope that can never be disappointed.
- A glory that can never be clouded.
- A light that can never be darkened.
- A purity that can never be defiled.
- A beauty that can never be marred.
- A wisdom that can never be baffled.
- Resources that can never be exhausted.
So, let me ask you again, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? He is right beside you!!
Lord, thank YOU for the spirit of power, love and sound mind that you have given us. May all who read this blog have many blessings today and may we all walk in Your freedom and proclaim to all the world of Your great love. Jesus, Your name is Power and it's in Your Great Name that we pray....thank You for saving us.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Cherish our moments in time...
Over the last year or so I am discovering just what it means to live a joyful, full life. God really does want us to have life to the FULL!
Every single day is a SPECIAL day if it has been given to you and I realize how, in the blink of an eye, our lives can change. I remember vividly the exact day my brother was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, just like it was yesterday. In the blink of an eye, life had changed for our entire family. With each passing day, we have a choice to mend or tear, to reconcile or divide, to live or die….
Every sunrise I want to welcome with amazement from the Creator. Every opportunity I get to spend in the presence of my gracious husband I want to make enlightening. Every laugh I cherish with every beautiful friend I have will be locked away in my bank of great memories. Every moonlit night I want to stand in awe of the One in control of it all. I want to constantly think more about HIM and less about me.
I want to find joy in all I do and I want to be passionate in the way I worship our King. I want HIS Name signed at the bottom of my days.
What do you find joyful? Do you search for the fullness in life? It is something to think about….After all, HE died for that.
~Mandy~
Friday, July 15, 2011
No Such Thing....
As I am sitting here pondering on whether to write or not, I am prompted by a song: Perfect People, by Natalie Grant.
Perfect people, uh, yea, they DO NOT exist. Let's just be real here. I think for the most part, people are afraid of showing the insecurities, the flaws, the less than good qualities of themselves. I believe showing these things are the way to be relational to others. I have flaws, imperfections, insecurities, junky thinking from time to time yet the truth remains that God loves me just like this. Does He want more or better: of course, but for my good and for my protection. Does He expect perfection from me? NO WAY..... (this is freeing)
Paul states in Philippians 3:12: 'Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. '
To be made perfect or for God to be perfecting us, we have to be less than perfect in the making to becoming perfect on the day we meet Jesus. In these weaknesses, we claim HIS boldness and HIS perfection. Almost every one of us can use some improvement in our self-image. It takes time to grasp the hope for ourselves that God has for us.
I remember a time in my life that I certainly was not material you would have picked for doing the things I am doing today and the life He is allowing me to live...I am sure there were many who had given up on me at times in my life. It is so wonderful and comforting to know that when others only see our faults, God still sees our possibilities.
Knowing the Ten Commandments and going to church and trying to be "good" with some "good works" is not the same as having real victory in your life. In the middle of your imperfections, God does not have a bad attitude toward you or toward me. He loves us. He delights in us in our imperfect selves.
My advice in this is PRESS ON!!!! God meets people us right where we are in the middle of our imperfections and faults and messes. Thank God He doesn't wait for us to manage to get to Him --- HE comes to us. Will you invite HIM into your mess of imperfection and let HIM perfect you?
Perfect people, uh, yea, they DO NOT exist. Let's just be real here. I think for the most part, people are afraid of showing the insecurities, the flaws, the less than good qualities of themselves. I believe showing these things are the way to be relational to others. I have flaws, imperfections, insecurities, junky thinking from time to time yet the truth remains that God loves me just like this. Does He want more or better: of course, but for my good and for my protection. Does He expect perfection from me? NO WAY..... (this is freeing)
Paul states in Philippians 3:12: 'Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. '
To be made perfect or for God to be perfecting us, we have to be less than perfect in the making to becoming perfect on the day we meet Jesus. In these weaknesses, we claim HIS boldness and HIS perfection. Almost every one of us can use some improvement in our self-image. It takes time to grasp the hope for ourselves that God has for us.
I remember a time in my life that I certainly was not material you would have picked for doing the things I am doing today and the life He is allowing me to live...I am sure there were many who had given up on me at times in my life. It is so wonderful and comforting to know that when others only see our faults, God still sees our possibilities.
Knowing the Ten Commandments and going to church and trying to be "good" with some "good works" is not the same as having real victory in your life. In the middle of your imperfections, God does not have a bad attitude toward you or toward me. He loves us. He delights in us in our imperfect selves.
My advice in this is PRESS ON!!!! God meets people us right where we are in the middle of our imperfections and faults and messes. Thank God He doesn't wait for us to manage to get to Him --- HE comes to us. Will you invite HIM into your mess of imperfection and let HIM perfect you?
Friday, July 1, 2011
John 17:24-26 (MSG)
Father, I want those you gave me
To be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,
Having loved me
Long before there ever was a world.
Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know
That you sent me on this mission.
I have made your very being known to them—
Who you are and what you do—
And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me
Might be in them
Exactly as I am in them.
As I was taken to this scripture by the Lord today, I am brought to tears as my prayers are fervent for the ladies who attend our bible study on Wednesday nights....I am heavy at times and so light at times. I LOVE these women and what all God does on these Wednesday nights. It amazes me every single week to watch HIM move in their lives and mine. HE never fails of forsakes, never leaves or turns away. NEVER!!!!!
I am in awe how HE places me exactly where HE knows I need to be and among such women is so energizing to me. I love pouring out everything He reveals to me to these women and sharing our laughter, pain, and tears. This is how HE weaves us together and shows us how to be in communion with HIM.
I am passionate (as my wonderful husband says) about the Word of the Lord and want to carry HIS message and the gospel to all who have ears and hearts. At the center of my heart is discipleship through love. I am consistently thanking God for bringing people into my life to teach me, guide me, advise me, and humble me. I thank God for the people HE sends who need something from me. I absolutely LOVE people, passionately, whole-heartedly. I long to meet new people every day to show me a different way to love and live. As my beautiful niece, Carrie Grace, says,"Aunt Mandy, we have a lot of living and loving to do!!!"
So, I want to LIVE and LOVE passionately and in the fullness that Jesus Christ intended when HE died for me!!!!! Will you walk hand-in-hand with me through this life? Let's experience the fullness together, in love, all the glory going to HIM who allows that to happen!!!
Father, I want those you gave me
To be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,
Having loved me
Long before there ever was a world.
Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know
That you sent me on this mission.
I have made your very being known to them—
Who you are and what you do—
And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me
Might be in them
Exactly as I am in them.
As I was taken to this scripture by the Lord today, I am brought to tears as my prayers are fervent for the ladies who attend our bible study on Wednesday nights....I am heavy at times and so light at times. I LOVE these women and what all God does on these Wednesday nights. It amazes me every single week to watch HIM move in their lives and mine. HE never fails of forsakes, never leaves or turns away. NEVER!!!!!
I am in awe how HE places me exactly where HE knows I need to be and among such women is so energizing to me. I love pouring out everything He reveals to me to these women and sharing our laughter, pain, and tears. This is how HE weaves us together and shows us how to be in communion with HIM.
I am passionate (as my wonderful husband says) about the Word of the Lord and want to carry HIS message and the gospel to all who have ears and hearts. At the center of my heart is discipleship through love. I am consistently thanking God for bringing people into my life to teach me, guide me, advise me, and humble me. I thank God for the people HE sends who need something from me. I absolutely LOVE people, passionately, whole-heartedly. I long to meet new people every day to show me a different way to love and live. As my beautiful niece, Carrie Grace, says,"Aunt Mandy, we have a lot of living and loving to do!!!"
So, I want to LIVE and LOVE passionately and in the fullness that Jesus Christ intended when HE died for me!!!!! Will you walk hand-in-hand with me through this life? Let's experience the fullness together, in love, all the glory going to HIM who allows that to happen!!!
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