Build The Kingdom!

These are just some scrambled thoughts of mine, I am sure it makes no sense but, I pray that the Holy Spirit will speak in the midst to encourage you to build God's Kingdom!






Lord Bless You and Keep You!

There is so much to process in our daily living. A few thoughts I am processing include how God truly cares for each one of us. In praying, and through this song "The Blessing" by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, and Elevation Worship I think of how we pray for all generations. In just thinking about my husband and our immediate and extended families it covers so many people in prayer. It goes our grandparents, parents, us, and our kids. But then, if you think about our parents siblings (Aunts & Uncles) and our siblings and then their spouses and their kids (our cousins, nieces and nephews), and then the spouse families (the people that we are not actually related to but, are connected to that one person that we know! It covers so many people! I know, a crazy thought but, we are praying over EVERY FAMILY AND EVERY GENERATION! And that does not even cover your friends and neighbors and all the connections there! This truly does involve thousands of people if not everyone! I know, I make no sense right now but, it is exciting to think about Gods mighty work through every person and how he works in COMMUNITY!!

Take time to pray this song through the people you know!

"May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations,
and your family and your children, and their children, and their children!!!
May His presence go before you and behind you, and beside you, ALL AROUND YOU, AND WITHIN YOU, HE IS WITH YOU!"

He is with you in the morning and the evening, at home, at the grocery store, during this quarantine, during your walking and your cooking, and your time together with the people in your immediate surrounding! Remember the truth and the promises and hold onto them! Jesus is the way the truth and the life!

John 14

Believe in Jesus! He is the way, the truth and the life! If we really know Jesus, we know his father.
...very truth I tell you, whoever believes in me WILL DO THE WORKS I HAVE BEEN DOING, AND THEY WILL DO EVEN GREATER THINGS THAN THESE, BECAUSE I AM GOING TO THE FATHER...SO THAT THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED! 

...If you love me, keep my commands. He will give you ANOTHER ADVOCATE to help you and be with you forever-THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH!! HE LIVES IN YOU!

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid! Peace I bring to you!!

The word of truth!! Ahh! It just gets so exciting and so convicting!! Let do this. What God created us for! To be in community. To love one another. To be the peace that God instills in us and ultimately bring glory to God our father!! Amen!

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This is a song by Josh Wilson called Here I Am Anyway.

Go and tell your story. God, what will I say? I'm so scared. Unprepared What difference will I make?
If its weakness that you want, I've got more than enough
Some days I am so afraid to show this world

I give you all of me, my insecurities
God I don't have what it takes
HERE I AM ANYWAY!

God, I've got so many questions, wondering why you placed me here
you have given me these passions, but they come with so much fear
sometimes they don't make sense at all,
but I guess if i was brave, then I wouldn't WALK BY FAITH!

If you say GO- I won't say no!
Your power is made perfect, when we are not enough!

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Lord continue to take us to that place. As we prepare our hearts in your presence. Lord, we are here for YOU. This life we live is FOR YOU. FOR YOUR GLORY. THIS IS OUR MEANING AND OUR PURPOSE!

Have the faith! Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Let's do this!! Be confident in our faith!!


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Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

I don't want to be afraid
I don't want to fear the storm just because I hear it roar

PEACE BE STILL
YOU ARE HERE SO IT IS WELL!

Even when my eyes can's see, I will trust the voice that speaks!

LET FAITH RISE UP! OH, HEART BELIEVE!
LET FAITH RISE UP IN ME!!!!

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PEACE.
No matter the circumstance in life, we continue to have peace. Why wouldn't we? We know who our God is. We know and believe with FAITH that he CONQUERED the grave over 2000 years ago. He conquered death. What then do we have to fear?? When we know the Lord as our savior in our own heart, even the worst news...God is still here and he brought peace! The Lord is here and there is no better place than to be walking, better yet, running with the Lord in this life! This gift of life that he has given us.

Let's be FEARLESS FOR THE LORD. He is EVERYTHING!
If he is the only one we fear, then we gain wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and understanding to conquer anything that comes at us, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SHIELD OF FAITH!! (Ephesians 6)

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Take time to pray and worship through this song for you, your family, your friends, your community, this world, ALL FOR THE KINGDOM!! Listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling you and step out in faith to DO WHAT GOD IS CALLING YOU TO DO!! Be in tune to how God is speaking to you and truly live out every part of you life for HIS GLORY!

...BECAUSE EVEN WHEN WE DON'T SEE IT, HE IS WORKING!

Lord you are here! Turning lives around! We worship you!

Waymaker. Miracle worker. Promise Keeper. Light in the Darkness.

MY GOD, THAT IS WHO YOU ARE!!!


Lord, continue your work. We build you kingdom.

Move Forward with God's Love

"They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress" Psalm 107:13

Fear...Cripples  Instead-Move Forward!

Our perception is important- let the light of Christ shine on your situation. Do not wander on your own in the dark. 

Everyone really does have a story. May we take time to listen to each other and share our stories SO THAT we can love and support one another with God's Love!  Keep God in the center of your life through every situation and recognize that there are people around that want to bless you and people you need to bless! God blessed us with community-let's use it for his glory! Let Christ help you with your perception in life!

Philippians 2:13

For God is working in you, giving you the desire 

and the power to do what pleases him.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 

This Love passage applies to everyone. Reread it. May we love with this kind of love-God's Love-towards everyone!

Let the TRUTH (studying God's word) come in and illuminate your mind!

John 8:31-32

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Colossians 3:16-17 

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

There is no need to live in fear when we have Gods word to use on the battlefield of life!

"Living Life" is a phrase I live by- I am choosing to continue living life in the light of Christ! Make that declaration in your life!

• Give Thanks to God!
• Speak his Word, Truth & Promises!
• Tell the world what the Lord has done!
• Worship!
• Study God's Word!

        1 Chronicles 16:8-12

"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him; 

tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;

 let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced"

No Matter Your Life Circumstance-God is stronger. He is faithful. He loves you. 

Keep trusting in him THROUGH EVERYTHING! 

I just learned the True Meaning of St. Patrick's Day!

Today is St. Patrick's Day, the day we dress up in green and have celebration. What does the day actually mean? This morning I heard on the radio that the day is a representation of forgiveness. Hmm... it got me thinking all day during the work day. Now here I am researching and coming to my own conclusion about the day.

Who was St. Patrick? 

He was born to wealthy parents near the end of the 4th century. He is believed to have died on March 17th, 460 A.D. His father was a christian deacon. When Patrick was 16, he was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (How interesting!) While he was in captivity he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. He was lonely and afraid and turned to religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (Wow, i'm really liking where this story is going!) The article i'm reading even states that he began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity. (Now that's living out the Gospel!) 
St. Patrick did escape as prisoner, the article states that a voice spoke to him (believed to be God's) and told him it was time to leave Ireland. HE WALKED 200 MILES. (Wow!) He had later heard from an angel to go back to Ireland as a missionary. He then began religious training and was ordained as a priest after 15 years.

We are now learning that St. Patrick was a servant of the Lord. Praise God! This is a true story about FORGIVENESS! After he was taken into captivity from the Irish, he went back and shared the gospel with them. He loved them with God's love! In reading this history I am thankful he was obedient to God. It is inspiring to read because God uses us when we are faithful. Be encouraged to go help build the kingdom of God for His glory! Find our who you are, your gifts, and be used by God!

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" Matthew 28:19

This verse came out of the passage about the great commission. Take time to read all of Matthew 28. It is the Resurrection of Christ! How timely, as we are getting our hearts ready for Easter (side note, what does that word even mean?) take time to reflect on why Jesus died on the cross and rose again. It is by this testimony that we are called to be obedient and serve the Lord with all our heart!

GO & MAKE DISCIPLES!

I hope and pray this little snip-in about the history of St. Patrick's Day encourages you! So I say, be encouraged, wear green, and think about someone you need to forgive. St. Patrick was a great example of showing us what forgiveness looks like.

Here are a couple sources I used to gather my thoughts (feel free to check them out as well!):
http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/who-was-saint-patrick

https://teamexpansion.org/5-lessons-we-can-learn-from-st-patrick/

Reach out for God's Strength & Love

Oh Lord! How amazing you are and how unfaithful I am. Please forgive me for my sins. ...you have already forgiven me long ago when you died on the cross. Thank-you for your grace.

How do I know the difference between your grace and mercy? When do you show me grace? When do you show me mercy?

I choose to live for you! To serve you and to glorify YOUR NAME. How is it then, that I allow distractions. Lord, we are blessed beyond reason and still we fight evil everyday.

Lord we pray you continue to give us the strength to fight every battle. May we remember you truth & promises. May we never forget who you are. 

For you are MIGHTY, AWESOME, VICTORIOUS AND LORD OVER ALL!

May we trust you in all circumstances.
May we surrender our whole life to you.
May we choose to obey you.

"All praise to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. when they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation. For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our suffering you will also share in the comfort God gives us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT)

May we desire God out of LOVE! Not out of a desire to feel no pain or out of fear. Instead, receive STRENTH, ENCOURAGEMENT AND HOPE!

Become more like Christ.

Who is Christ? How do we get to know him? Seek the truth. Trust in His word. Let's not doubt anymore. Take the step of faith. Believe.

Let's continue to draw people closer to God.

Let's grow in our faith.

Let's be faithful to God and serve only Him.

Let's REACH OUT with God's love always-

...because we never know the story behind the person.

Live life and share the JOY of God's Love!

...because its Real, Real Love!

How do we shine?

Here is one of my responses to the conference I just went to called Pursuit 2015 at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs!

How do we shine Gods light when it seems so dark? 

This is a question I gathered through some thinking. Thinking about how the world seems and yet, remembering it is the world God made! 

With that, He alone is the ALPHA & OMEGA, the BEGINNING AND END!

*okay, now you are going to catch a glimpse of my personality with my next point...

Forever is really forever- ...so when we sing forever, He is glorified and lifted up, He is RISEN! IT'S ACTUALLY FOREVER!

It's the truth, stand on the rock- the foundation- the cornerstone. 

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT)

It is his LOVE that overcomes all fear, shame, brokenness, lost and confused.

...and that is why we praise him and sing Hallelujah!

Seriously! Pursue God! He is Everything!

So when you feel like you are at the end...reach for God! (Photo taken at the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs!)

A Story about our world RIGHT NOW in 2014...

In this world there are troubles...I feel that media is a way to get the word out more about what we need to do. We each DO have meaning and purpose and right now that is coming together in community and praying for OUR WORLD-GODS WORLD-GODS KINGDOM!

Let's take this time to be thankful for our lives and then lets WAKE UP and OPEN OUR EYES to what is going on! I am convicted of my selfishness and in recent months my eyes have been opened to more of the evil in this world.  We need to realize that God gave us all a purpose to pray for our brothers and sisters!

LETS COME TOGETHER AND BE KINGDOM FOCUSED FOR GODS GLORY!!

Right now we need to pray- 

I received in the mail, a newsletter from Samaritan's Purse. The article written below is by Franklin Graham who wrote about just one person's story being affected by the evil in this world. 

'CONVERT TO ISLAM, OR DIE BY THE SWORD'

"As Islamic terrorists called ISIS have seized much of Iraq and Syria, they have been merciless and gruesome in their efforts to wipe out Christians and other religious minorities. We hear of children cut in half, people buried alive, believers crucified, journalists beheaded, and young girls abducted into sexual slavery. In my generation, I've never seen worse wickedness and evil. 

Just a few miles from the front lines in northern Iraq, Samaritan's Purse is working to provide food, shelter, bedding, and other assistance for Christians and others who have fled for their lives. We've set up hundreds of tents in Erbil, where our team has been ministering to refugees, meeting their daily needs, and sharing the hope of the Gospel.

Many of these refugees are Christians, at least nominally. ISIS doesn't care if you're a Catholic, a Chaldean, or a Baptist. If you bear the Name of Christ, you've declared you own death sentence. 

On August 7, ISIS forces stormed into Qaraqosh, known as the largest Christian town in Iraq. This is in the plains of Nineveh, where Jonah preached. A church worker named Diana described what happened next: "We were given three choices: Pay a tax, convert to Islam, or die by the sword." They had 10 minutes to leave town. 

I was in northern Iraq last December, when Samaritan's Purse helped refugees from the civil war in Syria. The collapse of much of Iraq has made the situation in the Middle East even more dangerous. Over a million Iraqis have fled into Kurdistan, the only part of Iraq where Christians and other religious minorities are protected.

Next door in Iran, jailed ISIS militants have threatened to kill Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen imprisoned for his faith in Jesus Christ. Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, has organized a nationwide prayer vigil September 26 and has invited me to speak the night before in Washington, D.C. There will be events in cities and towns across the country, and I especially ask that you pray for Saeed and other persecuted Christians around the world. 

When you watch the news, it seems like our world is falling apart. Christians are under persecution around the globe. 

None of this should surprise anyone who has listened to what Jesus said in Matthew 24, warning us about wars, famines, plagues, disasters, tribulation, betrayals, hatred, and false prophets. "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:12-14).

That's our mission- to share the hope of the Gospel with a world that desperately, desperately needs it. Thank you for standing with us in prayer. May god bless you.

Sincerely,

Franklin Graham

So, I bring this up because media is a way to get the word out more! Please take time to inform yourself about what is going on in the world and most importantly pray! Plan a regular time to pray! That is the BEST thing we can ever do!

Below are some ways to get yourself or others involved:

1. PRAY! 

        "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." 1 Timothy 2:1 (Take time to read whole Chapter too!)

Pray that we take time to pray. God is the reason we are all here living and breathing today. He is sovereign over all. May we trust in his mighty works and put our faith to action in this time of NEED for our world! God has been here since day 1! Lets recognize his presence and let HIS WILL BE DONE!

2. Pray for Pastor Saeed Abedini. HERE

      As mentioned in the article! Pray for him, for his family, for those who are doing the persecuting, for all people affected. September 25 is the day that is set aside for prayer as many all over the nation and the world will be praying together. THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER! Franklin Graham will also be speaking in Washington, D.C at this time.

3. Inform yourself

     With all the media today it is hard to know what the true facts are. A site I like to use is CNN. HERE

4. Do Something

     While there are so many problems and trials in the world, whether it is global, community, or personal, DO SOMETHING! This is a problem and we cannot sit back, relax and act like nothing is happening. Take the time to pray for each other, go do ministry, volunteer your time, let someone know you are thinking of them. We cannot waste time! SHOW LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER! CHERISH THE MOMENTS YOU HAVE TOGETHER! GO DO SOMETHING! 

    We are getting in the the Thanksgiving and Christmas season soon! Prepare your heart for making a difference for Gods Glory! Maybe its volunteering at a shelter, maybe its getting involved with Operation Christmas Child and packing a package for a child overseas! HERE Maybe its giving money to relief during this international crisis HERE

    

Whatever it is lets get the focus off of ourselves and on Jesus Christ- the one who SAVED US! May we then take the time to be in community with those around us! THE TIME IS NOW! LETS PUT OUR FAITH TO ACTION! I myself am challenged and feel that we just need to get the word out there! 

To live a Life...

Are you ready to live? Are you ready to die? Are you looking for hope? Are you still not feeling satisfied?

In reading the book "Angels-Gods Secret Agents" by Billy Graham there have been so many topics of life revelations! I want to share just a snip it of this excitement! 

"Are you ready to face life? Are you ready to face death? No one is truly ready to die who has not yet learned to live for the glory of God. You can put your confidence in Jesus because he died for you, and in that last moment- the greatest crisis of all- He will have His angels gather you in their arms to carry you gloriously, wonderfully into heaven" p. 160. 

NO ONE IS TRULY READY TO DIE WHO HAS NOT YET LEARNED TO LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD! Are you serious! Let's start living!! What does it actually mean to live even- much less living for the glory of God?! It's a mystery, and it's a mystery worth living for! It is God himself who gave us life in the first place! May we give back to him by glorifying his name in all we do! 

Billy Graham made reference to 1 Corinthians 15:58 "therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of The Lord, because you know that your labor in The Lord is not in vain". 

seriously! STANDFIRM!! LET NOTHING MOVE YOU!! May we stay strong and live for God in all we do! May nothing in this world change, tempt or deceive us!! Our world is lost, we are confused! We have work to do for The Lord!! May we encourage one another and share joy (the joy if The Lord!) We have lives to save!! Be thankful you know our SAVIOR who came to save the world! He's coming back!!

 (Commercial) If you feel you do not know The Lord personally!! I want you to know God Loves you!! John 3:16! If you believe God died on the cross for yours sins and rose from the dead, you will be saved! Ephesians 2:8-9! Praying right now for you that you experience this change of heart today right now in this moment!! I already love you and I may not even know you!! Gods love is even greater!!! May you grow and experience your faith today!! 

We know this world does not satisfy! That's why we hold onto hope! A hope that there will be joy and peace! Yes, there is joy and peace in the presence of The Lord our God! I pray you experience that today!

Get excited! The day is coming when we will die! And when we choose to live for God we will be carried by the angels gloriously and wonderfully into heaven!!!

How can we not get excited for the Glory of God!?

Feel free to comment on ways you feel we can/should/would live for God today!! Go encourage someone today! We all need it! Celebrate the Joys of life!

Rynae :)