scripture – Cultivating Faith

More Than a Name

“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17 NLT)

There are three hundred different names for God throughout the Bible. Hagar referred to God as Elohim, the God who sees (Genesis 16:13). Abraham called God, Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides (Genesis 22:14). After victory in battle, Moses proclaims God as Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my banner (Exodus 17:15). Each name depicts a different attribute of God.

In the New Testament, Jesus calls God, Father, over 150 times. All of the other names tell us who God is, but this name suggests what God longs to be to each of us. This is the name that began to help me see that God isn’t just holy and full of glory. He isn’t so full of power and so busy with running the world that He can’t see me. He is those things, but He is a God who wants to have an intimate relationship with each of us. He isn’t hidden. He isn’t remote. He wants to be woven intricately into every detail.

God has so many names because there is no one else like Him. He was and is and always will be. But I want to see Him with the heart of Jesus. Jesus knew Him as Father. He spent time with Him. Talked with Him. Built a relationship that grew faith and trust in all His plans and purposes for his life. Yes, I am in awe of God and all His majesty, but I believe Jesus understood that we would need to see God as Father to ever grasp His love for us. And even then, it’s not a matter for my mind but something that should resonate deep in my spirit.

Abba Father, thank you for sending Jesus to help us see you more clearly. Jesus said that you and he are one. When I have Jesus, I have You. What a beautiful image of your overwhelming love. Help me continue to grow in revelation about how to be a child full of faith in you, my faithful Father. You have many names and are worthy of all praise, but when I see you as my Father, it makes me want to stay close to you. Amen.

When Life’s Not Fair

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV)

Again, I had a different plan for today’s entry, but the Lord has other plans. We are told that God will provide knowledge in many ways, including dreams.

In a recent dream, a young girl who was hungry stole pizza from a family enjoying their meal together. When the girl was caught and the pizza seized and returned to the family, the young girl with tears streaming down her face declared, “That’s not fair! I just wanted something to eat. I’m so hungry. ” it was evident by the girl’s clothing and hygiene that no one was taking care of her needs. As I knelt down and looked at the young girl’s face, I said, “You are right, life is often not fair. Let me tell you what the Lord says about life. ‘In this world you will have trouble, but I have overcome the world.'” The alarm went off and I woke up.

This dream has been repeating itself in my mind. I know that the Lord was speaking to me. Friends and family who really know me understand that I believe in justice and fairness. Maybe I am the only one who feels that way. Perhaps you have never been affected by the person who cut you off on the drive to work or the coworkers who gossiped about you in the office. Maybe it never bothered you that people who neglect their children have no difficulties with pregnancy while you remain barren. Perhaps you have never struggled to pay your bills or lost a loved one too soon. Marriages end, people disappoint one another, we fail and have to try again. Maybe I am the only one who has ever wondered why life isn’t always fair.

In the book of Hebrews, chapter 10, the author is encouraging believers to hold onto their faith. The apostle reminds them in verses 33-36. “Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

This scripture points to hope, an eternal hope. One day in heaven, we will have no sorrow or pain. We will be healed physically because we will have a new body. We will get to spend eternity in the presence of our Father and to live in the light radiating from His glory. I need to remember that this world is not my home. Things here fade because they are temporary. This world is filled with the hurting, the lost, and the broken. It is around me but can not hold me. I will always be held in the hands of my loving God (John 10:28-29). Life may not always seem fair, but we, as God’s children, have the knowledge that He is always working for our good, and He always provides. Contentment in all circumstances, like Apostle Paul discusses, comes from complete trust in the Lord.

Do I have a better understanding of justice and fairness than God? Who am I? Did I lay my life down as a ransom for mankind? Did I carry the sin of the world to the cross? Did I travel to Hell to defeat death and Satan for all eternity? No, I don’t have enough understanding of justice, fairness, grace, mercy, or compassion. But I endeavor to lay more of myself down to embody the things of Christ more fully every day.

Thank you, Lord, that your grace and mercies are new each morning. That you are patient in your teaching and preparation of my heart and spirit.

RECOGNIZING THE FATHER

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. (John 5:19 – 20 NLT)

During a recent conversation, the subject turned to the Bible and discussion of the Old Testament God. The person commented that the “God of the Old Testament is an angry God.” I really understood why they might have that perspective. In fact, I often preferred reading the New Testament over the Old Testament for years, because it was difficult for me to reconcile the God of the Israelites and God manifested through the life and actions of His son Jesus Christ.

In reading the New Testament, we have a clear lens of God as love. Jesus gave us the ultimate expression of love in not only laying down his life for his friends but for everyone (2 Peter 3:9).

In the Old Testament, God continued to demonstrate His faithfulness in keeping His promises to the Israelites as His chosen people, but honoring that they had free will. They often turned away from God. He remained steadfast. His position and faithfulness never shifted but man’s did (Lamentations 3:22-23). God was always working His plan for redemption for all mankind through His only Son. The laws established during the time of Moses was a way to demonstrate that without grace all mankind was lost.

Lord thank you for a love that is steadfast and unwavering. I see your deep love for all your people in both the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures. Thank you for revealing your heart and plan, to restore us to an intimate relationship, with you through Jesus Christ. When I read about his ministry it unveils your heart. Keep helping me see You throughout the ages as Holy, Mighty, but also full of grace and mercy. I love you Abba. You are so good. Amen.

From Mourning to Dancing

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NASB95

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,” Isaiah 61:1-2 NASB95

Thinking about Mother’s Day as it approaches, it is with mixed emotions. I am so very thankful and blessed to celebrate my Mom. She is generous and kind. She loves her family and has always put their many needs above her own. I am also blessed to have many other women in my life who have shown me great love, provided guidance and held me up when I needed strength greater than my own. These women deserve to be honored on Mother’s Day. However, it is a day that I also, like many others, grieve. On this day, there is a sadness that I usually keep boxed up. Things I don’t speak about often and keep wrapped tightly. I know I am not alone and that many other women feel as bittersweet about this day. The loss of a mother, the loss of child, a miscarriage, the woman who prayed and believed for a child that never came. These things speak of lost time, chances and opportunities to make precious memories. In my spirit I recognize that these things were not God’s design. Loss was never meant to be a part of our lives. God created us (Genesis 1-3) and placed us in a perfect garden. We were placed in charge of everything created, but we wanted more. We wanted equality with God. Our choice ushered in the knowledge of good and bad, joy and sorrow. Since then God has been working to restore us to His original plan. He is working to restore us to eternity with Him.

I believe God is who He says and is more than able to do all He has promised. I choose to look past my “knowledge” and trust in the Creator of all things. In Revelation, chapter 21, verse 4, states: “God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain; for the first things have passed away.”

There are times in life when I have to trust in God and not my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). There will always be things in this life that will be a mystery until I am standing face to face with my God and King (Deuteronomy 29:29). But I know that He has provided protection when I needed it, strength when I was weak and a peace when I had none. He has taken times of sorrow and replaced them with joy. The pain of loss will never fully dissipate, but the intensity of it lessens with time. Not because we forget, but because God is faithful to pour out His supernatural grace and peace when it is needed most.

Lord, I pray for my sisters in Christ. They are grandmothers, mothers, aunts, daughters, sisters, nieces and cousins. They have an incredible impact on the lives around them. I speak Your strength upon them. I declare that they recognize Your Spirit in them and allow You to work in mighty ways through them. Comfort them when they feel the sting of loss and pour out your peace that embraces them through it all. Help us to see one another in all the aspects of life’s journey and to encourage one another building each up in Your most perfect love. May they recall Your outpouring of grace and mercy over their lives and allow it to build their faith in Your everlasting goodness. May they feel the power of Your love upon them this day and all throughout the year. Fill their Mother’s Day with rejoicing and dancing. For they are above all Your daughters and You love them more than they can even imagine! Amen!

Cultivating Faith

The Journey: From Dreams to Devotionals

When I first had imagined becoming an author, I must admit my initial attempts were to create a children’s book. There were several starts and stops, but never a complete work. For years, I placed the idea of writing out of my mind. I did journal for years. It was more of a personal outlet. An opportunity to communicate my thoughts and prayers onto paper. Little did I know that God was using that time as preparation. In 2019, a desire to write about my experiences in my faith and relationship with God resulted in my first published book: Cultivating Faith. The 365-day devotional took two and half years to write and over seven months to get published. It was truly an act of obedience to the calling I felt God had placed in my heart. There were several times I convinced myself that what I had to share could not really impact other Christians. However, I persevered and finished what I started. It is my act of going and declaring the gospel to others.

This month, my second book: Cultivating Faith: Growing Deeper is set to launch. This is a 90-day devotional book. There are at least 3 more 90-day devotional books to come in time. I continue to write. Amazed that God took the desire of my heart and generated something I had never imagined. The personal growth to me has been the best part of the journey. Knowing that when I dedicate time to write, God shows up to reveal something to me and hopefully my readers, just blesses me beyond all measure.