Displaying Grace

Guest Post: Four Words that Saved My Life

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At the onset of check marks, sticker charts, and “atta-girls”, I was hooked. Something about receiving praise and accolades fanned a fire in me. I loved it–craved it. From an early age, I believed if I worked hard, behaved correctly, and followed the rules, I would earn the best place. The theme song of my life became, “If you do enough, you’ll be enough.”

So I set out to do and be enough.  As a result, I crafted my identity on all of the ‘wonderful things’ I did for God.

Then one day the walls of my beautifully designed identity came tumbling down, brick by brick, unable to withstand the pressure of a hard world and an ever changing standard.

Looking over the rubble of a shattered identity, I could still hear the faint echo of the song that broke me:

                                               “If you do enough, you’ll be enough.”

As I stood above the remains of a broken me, I realized there were some major “holes” in the gospel I’d believed in for a long time.
The “Good Girl” Gospel

To say that I grew up in the church would be a huge understatement. I lived at the church. As soon as I was old enough, I volunteered in every way I could. College opened up more doors to lead ministries and after marrying my youth pastor husband, even more doors opened up for us to serve in ministry together.

Hear me out, it’s amazing to be a part of building God’s kingdom through teaching doctrine and sharing the gospel in creative ways. However, for most of those years, I was unknowingly using ministry to fuel another type of gospel– The Good Girl Gospel.

The Good Girl Gospel hinges on the belief that your works, behavior, and lack of ‘big sins’ act as credits towards God’s love and acceptance. The Good Girl Gospel is completely up to you and essentially all about you–your works, your enoughness, your productivity, your merit. This gospel affirmed my long-time conviction that if I did enough, I’d be enough for God. And according to my “good-works” resume, God and I were in good-standing.

This gospel was the rock I stood on; that is, until it became the boulder that broke my back. Working out my salvation as if it was all up to me was a ridiculously heavy weight to bear. It left me feeling completely worthless, panic-stricken, and distant from the God I so desperately wanted to please.

 

The Life-Saving Four Words

 ”For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Romans 5:10

In the midst of my futile attempts to restore a broken identity, the LORD whispered the most assuring words that stopped my striving soul in its tracks:

“It’s not about you.”

It wasn’t the finger-wagging, condescending type of “It’s not about you.” It was the weight-lifting, soul-freeing, I-can-finally-breathe-now  “It’s not about you.”

Through those four words, I learned the beauty of the real Gospel: that we have been saved because of Jesus’ life, His perfection, “enoughness”, and sacrifice. It’s not about what we “do” to get to God. It’s about what Jesus did to get to us. Forsaking His heavenly home,  Jesus left perfection to enter into our imperfection. He took our sin-filled life and gave us His life. His death gave us His credibility and righteousness. We are enough in Him and only because of Him.

 

A New Foundation

Remembering the real gospel everyday has honestly been a struggle for me. But I’m learning that a broken foundation allows the Lord to  build a new foundation–one that is firm and built strictly on His righteousness instead of our own.

What a relief that Jesus came for us. What a joy it is to walk with Him, be known by Him, and to have experienced His divine rescue. In a season where we truly can make it “all about us”, let us instead rejoice in all that Christ has done for us.

 

Guest Post: O Come O Come Emmanuel

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One of my favorite Christmas songs is “O Come O Come Emmanuel.” I love the unlikely heavy richness to the tune in contrast with some of the jingly music that comes over the radio during the holiday season. Last year I taught the song to our church ministry’s children for their sweet Christmas performance in front of the adults. Every time we sang, “and ransom captive Israel” the same feeling of overwhelming gratitude would sweep over me.

As I’ve grown in my faith over the years I’ve realized one important distinction of my condition before God saved me: I wasn’t sinking in the ocean of sin, I was swimming to the bottom. That is the condition of every person. We are born not only into sin, but loving sin and rebellion against God. I didn’t need a lifeguard to pull me up from the choppy waters, I needed a Savior to swim to the bottom and rescue me from death.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6 (NIV)

With the coming of Emmanuel, God with us, meant the ransoming of people back to God. That ransom was His death for my life. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” The punishment for my sin was paid by Christ so that I might have peace with God.

It might sound a bit strange to talk so much of sin during the Advent season with all the merriment and joyful events and glad tidings, but it is foundational in our understanding of the true meaning of Christmas. The message that God was sending a ransom for our souls, souls that were enemies of God, souls that deserved death. When we remember what we’ve been ransomed from, the meaning of Christmas only deepens, and our hearts are saturated with humility and thanksgiving to the one who came to save.

Six years ago I tasted more of the goodness of this truth as I battled pride in my own marriage. I had a gift of making everything my husband’s fault and fleeing from any responsibility from my own sinful choices and attitudes. It weighed heavily on my marriage relationship straining it in it’s sweet beginnings. In the Lord’s grace and mercy He convicted me of my sin through studying His Word. The more I learned about the Gospel and sin, the more I stared into the mirror of my own depravity. In humble repentance I acknowledged my sin before God and asked for forgiveness and for help to be humble before my husband and admit when I was wrong. Through the mercies of Christ alone, I saw my marriage change and blossom. The Gospel freed me from clinging to destruction that comes from sin.

That’s why when Christmas songs like this roll across the radio waves it means so much more than tinsel and presents; it means our salvation!

O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan’s tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o’er the grave

As we sing these lines this Christmas, I pray our hearts would do nothing but Rejoice! That we would come with penitent hearts to the one who freed us from Satan’s tyranny, from the depths of hell, from the grave. Christmas is the Gospel who came in Flesh to save for Himself a people for His own possession and we rejoice.

Redeemed Advent

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Close your eyes. Think of one woman whose story has impacted your walk with Christ. One woman whose unabandoned worship in the darkest season of her life renewed your strength. Can you see her? Her face is crisp in your memory because what God transformed in her impacted you. I have a few such women in mind, and I believe it’s no coincidence that this is what God has placed on my heart to write when this year has brought the loss of some powerhouse women in my life.

We read through stories in Scripture about women who were changed because of Christ – changed by His Life, death, and resurrection. These were women who tasted the sweetness of redemption directly from heaven.

Sometimes we detach ourselves from scriptural characters because, well, they are words on a page. They are not flesh and blood we can touch, or carry on a conversation with. We can’t hear the emotions in their voices or see the tears in their eyes, but we can feel the grip of grace on their lives. We can recognize their redemption from the words on the page.

We also have an opportunity to see that the women we interact with everyday have a story too.

And so do you. 

Each Christmas season feels busier than the last and each attempt to slow down fails miserably. Before we can blink, the season is behind us and we wonder what we really missed. Did we stop in the small moments and truly listen to those around us? Did we pause and recall the glorious reason for the birth of Christ?  Did we take a moment to praise the Father for sending His Son to redeem us?

Scripture teaches us who God is as He reveals the truth of His character to us through its sacred pages. He unfolds beautiful stories of compassion, redemption and forgiveness. Why? For us to witness the great love of our Father.

Most of the women of Scripture were not directly involved in the birth of Christ but their lives were no less changed because He came. Their stories teach us that Christmas is far beyond a baby in the manger, a virgin girl given the sacred task of carrying Jesus or shepherds and wise men. It is a cross, a resurrection and our perfect and holy redemption.

Don’t waste another season longing for more while letting ‘busy’ rob you of worship, family, God’s Word, and the Truth. Share your story of redeeming love and blessed hope. Let’s take a cue from the women of Scripture and let our light so shine before men (Matthew 5:16). Let us ever be reminded that Jesus came with the purpose of saving you and me. He came to this earth with us in mind. The precious young girl that carried redemption within her womb wasn’t the only one that is a part of this Christmas story. So are we.

Mary was just one of many women whose lives would never be the same because our Deliverer was delivered into the world. Women plagued with sickness, sin, and demons were forgiven and healed by the hand of Jesus. Without the birth of Christ their lives would have remained unchanged.

Mine too.

Mary, who carried our Savior, needed a Redeemer.

Elisabeth, who carried the one who would proclaim the way, needed a Rescuer.

The woman at the well, whose life was overcome with shame, needed a Life-changer.

Mary Magdalene, who was filled with demons needed a Healer.

The adulterous woman, who was sentenced to death, needed a Deliverer.

Even Eve needed Jesus to right every wrong.

Each of these women proclaim this truth – God’s power doesn’t waiver or change. He is still rescuing, redeeming, and restoring today. If He can change their lives, He can change yours too.

Purchase your copy of Redeemed Advent November 11th in our shop for $8.00. This Bible study includes a daily devotion, Bible reading, reciepes and lots of FREE extras! Join us on Facebook and Instagram for our 12 days of Giveaways kick off beginning Saturday, November 11th. 

Unglued

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I don’t often jump on a blog post at the last second, there are usually days of planning, drafting and polishing before it even pops up on your screen.

However, my heart is heavy, and there are words that I need to write to you, there are things to say.

As of 10:30 p.m. this evening I will have officially spent one decade without my dad, ten years.

Ten years.

Ten years.

Typing that out twice doesn’t do much for you, but it is difficult for me to fathom how on earth I have spent the last ten years without him when I spent a lifetime growing up believing I never could. I was the daughter who believed naively that parents are supposed to live forever, I never thought one would be snatched away in my very early twenties. I took them for granted; I took the time I had in front of me for granted believing that he would be with me forever.

I missed moments because I failed to see the brevity of life in front of me.

I could dwell in what I wish had been, or what wasn’t. I see Father’s and Daughter’s together and long for that, Grandfather’s and grandchildren and I ache for that. I am completely unglued today missing him.

I read a verse of Scripture this morning from Psalm 119:92 “If your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction.” In other words, if my heart had not been set on the truth of God’s Word and His love for me, this grief would have taken me under. I may grieve, but I grieve with hope. There may be days of sorrow, but I can still be filled with joy because God is greater.

I never believed I would survive if I lost my dad, but I have. By grace alone.

Grieving without hope is anguish to the soul, but grieving with the hope of Christ brings life in our deepest pain.

I don’t know what you are going through today, but God sees you. He hears you. He loves you.

You will survive, He will make sure of it.

She Speaks Recap

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If I am just honest, I have had a difficult time adjusting after She Speaks. I’m calling it Post-She Speaks Syndrome. If you have ever been to a conference of the caliber of She Speaks you may know what I am talking about and don’t worry if you don’t I will happily explain myself.

Going to She Speaks for the first time last year I walked into the room unsure of my calling and what God was asking of me. But when I left I had clarity for what was ahead. I learned a great deal about myself over the last year and continued to learn even more through this process of ministry and life. This approach to She Speaks this year was different with a book idea in hand and the desire to walk forward in obedience off I went.


Publisher appointments, nose bleeds, new friends, laughter and the joy of knowing my Father God was in my corner. My cup over flowed as I was reminded again and again to keep my eyes focused on the right things rather than the big outcomes. It is easy as a writer with a book in your heart to look for the result. Whether a book contract, a new agent, self-publishing, speaking jobs, etc. The outcome can distract us from the important.

The greatest takeaway from She Speaks this year is that I do not have the capacity to worry about the outcome, but I do have the ability to be completely faithful. If I focus on the faithful, God will handle the rest. So I am choosing to be obedient step by step. There is a book to finish regardless of the outcome, there is a Bible study to write regardless of the outcome, and there are women to reach within the walls of my church.


She Speaks is one of the most sacred places I have ever been, they are there to serve you, and their ultimate purpose is to glorify God fully. I could not have asked for a better weekend. It was rich and has left me brainstorming, planning and continuing to dig through notes and thoughts from my time there.

My encouragement to you is this; wherever God has called you if you are seeking to serve women in ministry, She Speaks is worth the investment in your calling. No book idea needed to walk through the doors and be filled up by the Spirit of God. It will equip you to walk forward in the exact calling has for your life.

I am grateful for She Speaks and cannot wait to go back again!

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Psalm 91, Part 2 (FREE WORKBOOK)

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Have you been walking with us through Psalm 91 this week?

In the free workbook, there is space for you to write out the full Psalm, praise and prayer, and notes. This simple guide is to be a tool to help you build an understanding of the truth we are reading.

This week I have stared down one of the biggest challenges in my present season, and the enemy is hot on my trail. He has sought anything that would slow me down, discourage me, or even overwhelm me with the desire to throw my hands in the air and QUIT!

I am not naive enough to believe that he won’t try everything he can to stop me from complete this “God assignment” as Nicki Koziarz calls it. I see what he is doing, and I cannot give him a foot hold and friend you shouldn’t either.

Earlier this week we looked at the first ten verses of Psalm 91, and we talked about God’s protection for us. Those ten words mentioned over ten verses that each paint a picture of God being our shield, our fortress and our wall of protection.

Let’s go through the last few verses, paying specific attention to 14-16.

“Because he has his heart set on me, 

I will deliver him;

I will protect him because he knows my name. 

When he calls out to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble.

I will rescue him and give him honor.

I will satisfy him with a long life 

and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16 CSB

Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him. Oh my, what truth! When our heart is set in the right place He will deliver us, he will protect us and have our backs. There is no denying, and no question that seeking Him first and whole heartedly will deter the enemies evil plan.

The enemy will still strive to slow us down but God will protect us if we keep our heart, and minds set on Him. We cannot step forward from this without seeing that our protection hinders on where we are focused. We can’t expect God to deliver the protection if we aren’t giving Him the time of day. He will protect because we know his name because we know him the result is deliverance.

What was something that stood out to you from Psalm 91 this week? What truth did God reveal to you from His Word this week? Share in the comments.

Psalm 91, Part 1 (FREE Workbook)

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When I started to put pen to paper and write about Psalm 91, there were so many different thoughts that stem from this passage of Scripture. It applies to all the dark, and dangerous seasons you can imagine. But, as I approached this I noticed so many friends experiencing some severe attacks from the enemy, including myself. Our enemy is seeking to distract, discourage, and keep them from doing what God has called us to do.

I cannot think of a more dangerous place than in the crosshairs of the enemy. The place that leaves you feeling ready to throw up your hands, or believing your calling is too hard or feeling it would be easier to stop than it would be to face such opposition. It may not raise up the desire to quit within you, but he will certainly try to slow you to a screeching halt.

I have experienced it many times, as recently as the last few days. You see when you head in the right direction (God’s Will) there will without a doubt be opposition. You will feel the heavy weight, the whispers that you are not good enough, strong enough, smart enough, etc., etc. It will drain your energy, your emotions, and your focus. The enemy is seeking to stop you, or at least slow you down.

When I read Psalm 91 the words fill me with hope, the reminder that my protection is Christ alone. I am secure in Him. Ten different times in the first ten verses we see words that are used to describe a form of protection; shelter, fortress, shadow, cover, refuge, shield, bulwark (which is a defensive wall), and dwelling place. Take your highlighter and mark every word in the Psalm that is a form of protection.

These repeated words are for our benefit; a constant reminder in this short passage; it emphasizes the incredible importance of knowing where our real protection comes from.

We can try and find refuge and shelter, we can drown our sadness in cookie dough, get our endorphins going to exercise or talk it out with friends but there is absolutely nothing that can remove the oppression of the enemy apart from the mighty hand of God. Make no mistake that what you are fighting is on purpose.

Let’s look at the outcome when we seek the Almighty as our refuge, highlight verses 6-8.
What does it say will be the result? “You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks the darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.”

We don’t have to be afraid; we don’t have to fear evil or what is thrown at us because Christ alone is our defensive wall, He is our shield and our cover. When you feel the arrows flying, pray boldly for your protection to be firm against the enemy. Rest in God’s protection and walk forward stronger in your faith.

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When You’re Walking Into The Lion’s Den

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The story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den always makes me think of the Veggie Tales version; there is just something about a story told with summer vegetables to make a story stick. But, this story is one that we cannot overlook or brush under the rug because there will be times in our lives when we, ourselves, will be thrown head first into a den of lions.

Maybe not a literal den but I can think of a few places that felt dangerous because of who was in the room. It’s not always the physical danger we have to watch out for. Spiritual and mental danger also lurk without us even realizing until it is too late.

For you it could be more than that, it could be walking into a room of people who don’t like you because of your faith. A workplace filled with individuals who want to see your fail. Even family members who have life twisted and are verbally abusive to you. I don’t know your den of lions, but I bet you are thinking of a good example right now.

Here is the story…Daniel was a man loyal to God but served on the staff of an earthly king. His job was God appointed; Scripture tells us in verse three that he began to distinguish himself from the others, the NASB says, “he possessed an extraordinary Spirit.” God is the one who set him apart, and the king took notice of this remarkable man.

Well, as it usually happens someone or should I say three ‘someones’ saw Daniel in his set apart way and sought to destroy him. But with Daniel being the godly man he was, they knew the only way to get him would be to use God’s law against him. (As if these guys had nothing else better to do.)

The same three deceived the king into passing a law which stated people could only pray to him and no other god. But, it didn’t stop Daniel, he prayed windows open and unashamed. He knew the consequences of choosing to pray, but Daniel decided to obey God rather than man. His choice landed him in the middle of a lion’s den, sentenced to death.

Friend, this applies to you and I. We will face our own ‘lion’s den.’ Times, when we will meet people who want to talk bad about us or want to destroy our reputation simply for being a child of God and for continuing to live set-apart even when it is not the popular choice.

God set us apart for a unique purpose and plan, He didn’t fill us with His Spirit for us to cower in the face of adversity, but He empowers us to stand strong for His holy name. “God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and or sound judgment and personal discipline {abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control}.” (2 Tim. 1:7, AMP)

But, just like Daniel’s story, God is with us in the lion’s den, and He will provide the protection we need. Stick firm to His truth, trust Him fully and watch Him shut the mouths of the lions.

 

Join us Monday for Psalm 91 and FREE PDF Workbook!

The Disease of Perfection

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“I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” Ruth 1:21
“And he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9

Most of us wake up with an abundance of expectations. You know the ones. Before our feet hit the floor, we usually have a long list of things that we need to accomplish for the day, tasks that need to be overseen, people to make happy, etc., etc. We spend the morning picking out the “perfect” outfit for our day, placing our hair just right, making sure we have what we need in our purses or bags to take on the day ahead of us. Then, it happens. The dreaded moment when all of our planning falls through, all of our hopes and dreams suddenly turn into a giant puff of smoke above our heads.

The truth? We are desperate for perfection; we are desperately trying to get it all right because after all who in the world would want to be a mess? Deep down all the striving for perfection has just revealed how much of a disaster we are simply for the fact that we will never be perfect. We desire for the list to be checked off, the best job, name brand new clothes, all for what? So those around us will be deceived into believing we have it together.

I imagine as Naomi and her husband left their home to escape the famine, their goal was to find a place for her husband to work and food for their family. They sought a place that was better than where they were. Naomi being a woman probably had a plan, a checklist of some sort:
House – check
Food – check
Job for hubby – check

Never would she have excepted that her husband would die while they were in this place, much less both of her sons. The planning for perfection was no good because her dreams were shattered. “I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:21). Isn’t that just like us to point our finger at God when things go horribly wrong “You did this to me!” We press into perfection, avoid the messes, and when we find ourselves in trouble, there is always someone else to blame.

We cannot minimize Naomi’s despair. This poor woman lost it all, she was left with two young women who were not her flesh and blood, in a foreign land, and she was left to sit in the middle of her mess. The story could have ended at that point. But, that’s not what God does friend. He isn’t going to leave you wallowing, heaped up in a mountain of despair and bitterness. No, no, no. You see He often uses our greatest hurts to create the most significant message.

Naomi’s story graces the pages of Scripture, women for generations upon generations have read about her and witnessed her mess and bitterness and most certainly have echoed her words. They have seen themselves in her shoes, but I pray we finish the story and witness God’s divine grace and redemption.

When we strive for perfection, it always backfires, but when we show our weakness, God displays His power.

Ruth and Naomi had no plan when they walked through the streets back to Bethlehem. Naomi had all but given up on life, and Ruth? She had no idea what she was doing or where she was headed. But, here is the exciting part. God placed her in a field that leads to her redemption.

God doesn’t command our perfection, so we shouldn’t demand it of ourselves. He wants our weakness, our mess, and deep-seated hurts. He wants to display His perfect power and turn our lives into a walking message of the Gospel.

FREE Praise & Prayer Through the Psalms Guide

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It feels like so many around me are hurting for many reasons. These are days when you feel so small up against the giant trials that seem to surround you. The greatest opportunity we have is to reach high when we feel small. Praise Him despite our greatest hurts and pray for His comfort and peace. Maybe it’s not the hurts of life making you feel small. Maybe it is the calling God has placed upon your life, challenges that are coming your way that has left you in this place. Reach high friend.

In this 5-Day guide you will walk through five different Psalms and study them, then we will turn them into praise and prayers on the sheets provided. Soak them in deep friend and use them as a tool to reach up to God, who is the lifter of your head.

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