Who’s stirring the pot?

The pot is boiling, who is stirring the pot? Things are heating up. It’s time to step up to the stove.

2 Timothy 1:14 AMP
Guard [with greatest care] and keep unchanged, the treasure [that precious truth] which has been entrusted to you [that is, the good news about salvation through personal faith in Christ Jesus], through [the help of] the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

The treasure of the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ alone is a gift to share not hold onto ourselves.

The gift effects the mind, body and spirit for eternity. It is more priceless than gold or any currency. It is more life changing than the most pampered spa visit. It leaves you refreshed from head to toe.

The peace that surpasses understanding can not be attained without Jesus. No power of hell nor scheme of man can pluck us from the hand of God.

Picture this: A huge black or red copper pot is filled with water, boiling at high temperature, the cook is placing one mistake after another into the pot. He stirs the water and contents with a huge slotted spoon. A creepy laugh escapes his lips, as a smile curls on his face. If the enemy can get those created in the image of God, all of us, to turn from the gift of relationship with Jesus, then the enemy wins our souls and we die.

This is the attempt of Satan, to steal kill, or destroy each of us, created in the Image of God. He knows each weakness, the enemy knows our places of regret, shame and guilt.

On the other hand, if with every attempt to drop our sins in this pot, we repent and ask Jesus to forgive and save us from this death, the pot of boiling water can’t overflow. We can seek Jesus for life changing futures. We will be saved to new life, our destiny is not written in the boiling water but in the One who created us for a purpose. We will have peace that surpasses understanding and if in trial we will no longer walk alone.

The healing balm of anointing oil from our Savior Jesus is just a repentance away! Be renewed in mind, body and soul. Jesus is Savior, Wonderful Counselor. Prince of Peace, King of Kings.

We may need to repent and turn from past mistakes and sin. Even in our past lives, we can learn and comfort others with the wisdom we gain in relationship and salvation in Christ. That is the key, our lives can be a story that draw others to Him.

So, if you know Jesus as Lord of your life, now is the time to share the gift with others. Don’t be afraid, someone likely prayed for you to meet Him. Ask God to bring the boldness of David against the giants in this world. He will prepare you with His Words in this hurting world. He needs your witness to those lives you intersect, we must answer the call to love like Jesus.

Psalm 32:8 NLT
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

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Silence

His Light shines in darkness: photo by Gloria Flores

Whatever you are walking through today, Jesus promises to walk with you. Jesus is in the Sonrise!!! He is the Bright Morning Star! Call on Him for peace, hope, love, and His angel armies are at the ready!

Revelation 22:16-17 AMP
"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star." [17] The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.

So many attempts by the enemy to unsettle our connection to our Savior Jesus. Our individual fears and worries for self, family, health and provision are places the enemy tries to bring doubt and fear of God, His love and His provision!

The enemy tries to enter the door of our mind and heart bringing boatloads of fear and negative thoughts. He can be relentless but Our Creator is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Stand with Jesus!

Silence is a new worship song by JWLKRS worship. It touched my heart deeply the first time I was blessed to see the music video. Such sweet lyrics that encompass any life circumstance, great lyrics bring a reminder to seek the God who promises to be with you and never leave you.

As a Breast Cancer Overcomer who also survived a near death white water rafting experience, I am in awe of the many times looking back over my life of the goodness of God, His Provision and His protection.

May you feel His Peace and Presence today, He is just a Name away, Jesus, You are our only hope.

Count your blessings

Embrace life — photo courtesy by Pexels.com

When our lives or those we love are challenged with a huge obstacle, it could be health or painful circumstances, we must live in gratitude. God is always good! He will walk through you the challenge. He is just a prayer request away. He is always open.

Besides prayer, worship Him in challenging times. It brings joy over sorrow. It helps refocus your mind on the stability of His goodness.

Psalm 100:2-5 NLT Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. [3] Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. [5] For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Count your blessings! Embrace the journey perhaps with new exercises. Today, start a new tradition of listing 10 blessings in your journal. Gratitude changes a poor attitude. It brings insight into all the good things often overlooked as we walk through our day.

Our mind has the ability to set the course for our day, our career, and our future. The battle for God‘s purpose for our lives and potential is found first in the mind.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Acknowledge Him! Walk with Him! You will never be alone.

Glory to God, He is the gift giver!

Kintsugi and Life

We are like this fragile teacup, broken and yet with value. Our life is a story of broken pieces and healing opportunities. I went to a Christian adoption group meeting a few years ago, and one of the leaders spoke about an ancient Japanese art called Kintsugi. Those who attended the gathering were able to take a mug or ceramic teacup and reflect on their lives regarding places of brokenness and the need to turn our lives over to God for restoration and healing hope.

Kintsugi, a Japanese art mends broken pottery with gold lacquer making the repaired piece more beautiful for having been broken. The message of using our broken stories, mistakes, trials, and pains, for good, resonated with me.

Why do I see broken experiences as loss? Why do I see mistakes as failures? Why do I see trials as punishment? Do these broken stories mean I am forever broken? Who gave me this pessimistic thought? Should I stay in the negative or choose instead to see the other side? That is the choice I must make no matter which road I choose to journey.

As I purposely broke the creme-colored teacup, I pondered the long list of my challenges with myself and others. I pondered the mindset of the negative and the need to trust God with unbelief. I reflect on how in my infertility I found God. I reflected on the stress and fears of adoption, awaiting God’s blessing, and I felt His presence again. I thought, about how each one of my children came to my husband and me at just the right time, God’s time, His Presence, and His blessings to me. Why is that surprising and yet inspiring? The trials brought me to a closer relationship with Jesus. I had to trust Him with the unknown.

As I have watched each stage in my children’s lives, I am reminded yet again, God is refining me as the epoxy and gold flakes reconnected the broken pieces of my teacup. The bond of strength in this cup is stronger, and the gold shimmering edges of the cracked pieces are more luminous. The beauty of the teacup is changed and more meaningful to me now than if the teacup hadn’t been broken.

When I was breaking the teacup, I thought in the back of my mind how amazing it would be if there was a small irreparable opening. I reflected if that opening appeared it would be a reminder of how the Lord God Himself has shown Himself through the cracks of my life. It would remind me I am not meant to go through repair without His Light.

Interestingly enough, the small opening in my creme-colored teacup did appear, I carefully dabbed on gold-dusted epoxy in the opening. Surely, I will remember He is steadfast in all trials, joys, and steps of life. May I be the example to those who watch the step-by-step journey of His Light shining through the cracks. Refined, remade, richer, and Luminous!!!

Kintsugi feels so relevant for current times. May it encourage and remind you we all have broken parts. The world seems to be fracturing between nations. We all need peace and unity with our Creator. Our cracks can be healed and patched up by time meditating on His Word and letting Him be the Light that fills the dark places of our past. Let Jesus provide the glue and wisdom and let His Light shine through the cracks.

Sapphire

You are a jewel! Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Do you know you are a Jewel?

You’re a shining example of Christ! Jonathan Cahn in his “Book of mysteries”, a 365 day devotional shared Sapphire comes from the root word, “ Saphir”in Hebrew. It means: to speak, to listen, to be bold.

Did you know you are a jewel? You’re created to shine brightly with your life, you are meant to illuminate God‘s Light through your life.

It is true, you may have some imperfections such as a scratch here, or a chip there, however, you still can be used for the Kingdom of God.

There are opportunities where we can overcome the negative mindset while being scrubbed by unhealthy relationships, or scratched by life circumstances. We can use those opportunities for a shinier interior to be shown, however, Jesus wants to help you to reflect His character.

When we allow God to heal the cracks, we allow His illumination through the cracks. We grow further in our knowledge of who He is and what He can do in our life.

So you’re a sapphire! Or maybe you’re a topaz or a diamond in the rough.

Rak Chazek Amats!!!

It is an Israeli war cry found in Deuteronomy 31:6. Joshua pumped up the people reminding them no matter how insecure and fearful, they must be strong and courageous.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
[6] So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Be ready to have your luster shined up. You are a jewel.