Category: Recovery

But God!

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By: Jessica Huber 

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I read this question on a social media page the other day.

*What drink made you never want to drink again?

There were several comments of people chiming in with all different kinds of alcoholic beverages .. along with stories of horrible experiences and how sick it made them.

There was a time where I would have jumped right in!

BUT GOD! And I find myself saying this more and more lately!

But God!
God is Amazing! He is a Chain Breaking, Freedom giving, Life Saving God! He is the ultimate healer!

I saw this post and immediately my thoughts went to a completely different direction. My first thought was .. and without hesitation I might add…The Living Water of Jesus Christ .. After I tried that I never wanted to drink anything else.
I am from a family where drinking was always our way. Always our way to celebrate, our way to deal with disappointment, depression, it was our way of fun and excitement, to let loose to have confidence as well as an answer to stress relief. You name it alcohol was always invited.

This became my way for so long. Until I had that One Drink that Changed Everything!
Now My WAY IS JESUS
THE WAY The Truth and The Life!

It is true that sometimes a negative experience will drive us away from something harmful. But for how long and to what extent? My point is that the goodness of God did this for me in more ways than one bad, or even several bad experiences could have.
For example, I lived through my cousin being killed by a drunk driver, I watched my family grieve and have their lives torn apart. I lived day after day wishing it were me, trying to make it through and comprehend a life with out my best friend. Yet, still I did not quit drinking… I took a break only for a brief time. I vowed never to drink and drive, but I still found myself stepping into vehicles with people behind the wheel who were under the influence. That negative experience should have been enough, after all it was the worst pain to this day that Iv ever felt. Nope, it became my excuse to drink more. My answer to the question could have been many different drinks that I have consumed over time, truth is I’v been sick more than I’d like to admit and still went right back to that kind of poison. I’v had moments of shame and regret that still bring tears to my eyes… and I have to listen for His voice.. saying you are forgiven my love!

The worst drink, the worst experience could never override What God DID in my life!

The Power and Love Of Jesus Christ is more than enough to break through. More than any nasty tasting drink more than any terrible hangover or tragic trauma! He Alone Was the answer for me!

The Drink that He offered was the drink that made me want to quit drinking.
The Living Water of Jesus Christ!

If there is something that has a strong hold on you today.. or if you unsure of your stability.. I would like to offer an invitation to drink from The Eternal Well.
If you do not know JESUS CHRIST as your Lord and personal savior, then there is no better time than right Now. I don’t care if it’s alcohol, shopping, drugs or food, I don’t care if it’s needed attention from people.. what ever it is that allows you to reach for ______________ fill in the blank. If you reach for This before you reach for God then I’m here to tell you.. God is Greater and We need Him! We can not do it on or own or in our own way. He knows How to fill that empty spot! This fullness will not end in shame or regret, it won’t end in self loathing, it won’t end in disappointment or a spiraling cycle. Instead He Gives LIFE, HOPE, FREEDOM, LOVE, JOY, PURPOSE, and so much more!
Will you be free from troubles in this world? The answer is an absolute no, but you will be free from the burden of them. You have a God that says ..are You weary, are you hurt, are you struggling? Come here, let’s swap, give me your burdens and I will give you rest, strength and hope. You have the opportunity to fill the blank with Him! I’m weak …BUT GOD! I’m tired.. BUT GOD! I’m sad and lonely.. BUT GOD! I’m scared.. BUT GOD! I hurt.. BUT GOD! BUT GOD IS GREATER!!

Romans 5:8 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 4:10
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

John 4:14
but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

Now is the opportunity..
Maybe you feel like you were on the path to having a relationship with him and you’ve allowed the world to have a little too much space in your heart, now is the time to re dedicate. Maybe you really never gave it a thought at all or maybe it’s something you’ve said you will do… somday. Well are you tired of being tired?
Let Him be the one to fill your blank space!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,
for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I am tired of doing things my own way. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I am taking this step to repent and turn to you. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. Fill the emptiness in my heart, help me to trust you. Help me to understand your love, grace, your mercy and peace. Help me to receive the Knowledge, That From this point on I am Holy, Righteous and Redeemed… yes…Clean!
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life as my Lord and Savior.

Thank You Jesus! Amen!

If you have prayed this prayer in sincere faith, You ARE a New Creation In Christ Jesus! The old is gone the New has come!
Get into his word, get to know WHO your SAVIOR is! Learn about Him! Get to know Who YOU are to Him! This relationship will be the most important you will ever have!

Be a Seeker

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Are we Seekers? Ask and it will be given seek and you will find! Sometimes we fail to see the good in people, especially those who have hurt us or wronged someone we love. A lot of times we stamp a person with a moment in time and allow it to cloud our vision.

Lord help us to see others the way You see them. Help us to lift and encourage. Lord, you pulled us out of the pit while we were filthy and yet you call us chosen, clean and redeemed. We did not deserve your Love but you gave Grace where there was disgrace. Help us to display that Same Mercy. Lord unveil our eyes. Help us seek your vision over our own sight. In The Precious Name of Jesus we Pray. 

What if we actually Believe in God’s Work?

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IMG_0148By: Jessica Huber

“We try to take life back, right out of the hands of The King of the world.”

This is from a beautiful song by Natalie Grant.

I really like a song that will basically allow for a good self check.
And this one does just that.
It’s So true! We do it. Seriously..,Who do we think we are? We try to take our lives out of the hands of God.
Anxiety, Stress, Worries, they all stem from very real situations. There is no lie about that. So often we put more confidence in the severity of the problem, rather than focusing on The Severe and Powerful God we have!
It’s true that many of these worries are about struggles that can be life altering, there is no arguing that!
What if during the process of this alteration, we learn to embrace the shift. What if Instead of expecting the situation to change when we want it to or how we want it, we set our focus on a sure bet. God’s Goodness, His Love, His Provisions!
I CAN Expect God to be Who He IS!
I know what I’d like to happen, I know how I would hope for this to turn out, but better yet, I want to see God’s Expectations fulfilled!
The situation may not be ideal, but I Can expect God to do something extraordinary In it, Through it and From it!
Look at it in this way! This is happening in an imperfect life, in an In perfect world, it its ugly, but My God is Perfect!
He Is The The Master at working All things for the Good of those who love Him!
He knows the yuck of the world, but more importantly He knows The Beauty of what He can do with it.
I’m not saying there won’t be pain or uncertainty, but what if we Trust that God will do something Glorious? What if, we Trust that out of this darkness there will be a clarity like no other. What if, while In it, we accept the peace and security that He freely gives, and we remind ourselves that God is just.
What if through it, we learn something? What if from it, we are positioned for something that is for a far greater purpose, one that our limits can’t fathom? What if from enduring, we come out of the other end and we are able to see others in a different way? What if through this darkness, God is creating opportunities for the scales on our own eyes to fall? What if this is the moment  to cultivate compassion? We know that His plans are to prosper not to harm, what if we Trust that? What if while in the dark, He is polishing us in a way where we can reflect his light more than we could have before we entered? Think of a Diamond, its found in a dark cave but once it’s been cleaned chipped and shaped, it’s buffed and boy does it shine! We are the same, He finds us in the dark and What he can do with our mess is incredible. We need to stop trying to make sense of the process and instead expect that there will be something that shines! A blazing instrument that He can now use for His Perfect Purpose. What if, we believe the scriptures that we read Day In and Day Out?
Trust In The Lord with all our hearts and lean Not on our own understanding.
The next part is a Promise!
He will make the path straight!
Hand it to the King and leave it there!
Put The Power where the Power Belongs!
Through Him!
Thanks Be To God we are given the Victory Through our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 15:57

1 Peter 2:9
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Psalm 21:11
Though they intended evil against You And devised a plot, They will not succeed.

Isaiah 41:10
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Psalm 91:14-16
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

 

The LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you. . Deuteronomy 23:5

Do Not Be Afraid He Hears You

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By: Jessica Huber

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I opened to Daniel this morning and I was drawn to a portion I had highlighted from a previous reading. For me it’s such a beautiful reminder that God IS LISTENING! Not Only that, but He Answers.

Dan 10:12
Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.

Do Not Be Afraid! Your God is on the job!
From The FIRST DAY that he set his heart on understanding, Daniel’s words were heard. From the first day!
I love that reassurance. Then a little further down in Dan 10:19 Daniel is told again Do not be afraid. Peace be strong now, be strong.

His response comes with His Presence. His Peace whispers do not be afraid, it opens our hearts to His counsel. It leads us into a rest. His Strength lifts us into a secure and fortified position. Our feet are set secure and Firm on His Name!

The Lord Continues to remind us all through out the scriptures to Seek Him and to remember that He is a God of deliverance.

Jeremiah 1:8
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.”

I Am with you.. To Deliver you.

James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

When the Lord is In our Midst there is no reason to fear. He wants us to Boldly come to the throne. It was His doing that made that possible.

Hebrews 4
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us 16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Matthew 14:27
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Matt 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Psalm 105:4
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

I hope That whoever reads this today is blessed with the understanding that His Love is For You. May you come to His throne with Confidence. He is Listening, come KNOWING That He Will Answer!

We can not reflect what we do not know

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By: Jessica Huber

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Mark 12:30-31
30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

If You know Who you are In Christ, then the second portion of this scripture makes perfect sense.

As yourself hmmmm

We can not reflect what we do not know.

Many do Not Love who they are at all, in fact we have some real self loathing going on. We allow our past to create the internal image. We hold onto regret, shame, fear, resentment, pain, anger, jealousy, and failures. We hold them up and we look into them as if we are looking into a mirror. It distorts the way we see ourselves as well as the way we view the people around us.

The perception of the outside begins to reflect the ugly that’s held within.
So many times we are staring right into a pool of deception, we look to the world to become our mirror. In reality what the world determines as beautiful, will soon perish.
Are we seriously letting the perishable guide our self worth?

We allow ourselves to believe that our worth is found in possessions and people. We even base our worth on our struggles. Let me tell you no one is without a struggle! Everyone has them. But they do not need to define us.

The world would rather encourage us to stay under the control of our weaknesses.
It passes out the labels and we accept them proudly.
We wear them around like name tags.
Hello I am …

We would rather proclaim these labels on ourselves, rather than Claiming The Name JESUS CHRIST over our lives!
So if this is how we look at ourselves, how can we love a neighbor as ourselves. How do we treat people kindly if we can’t even treat ourselves with love and respect? How do we tell people that God loves them if we do not even believe that His Love applies to us as well.

In order to project love we have to first receive Love. To know the Father’s love is to Trust it! We are Loved regardless of our ugly past, we are Loved regardless of our ugly mistakes, and we are Loved despite our present blemishes inside and out.

No you are not a label of the world!

You are a child of The King of Kings, The Lord of lords.
The One Who Can make ALL things New! The One who has wiped your past clean and remembers it no more. Your Lord is the one who restores the broken and projects them into victory!

You Are His if you want to be. The choice is yours! What label will you be putting on today? What will follow after The I AM…
or maybe I should say Who will follow after The Great I AM?

Ephesians 3:19
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

We are to be filled with His Love and overflowing so that we can share it with others.
Will we allow ourselves to receive it?
Will we soak in a love that is pure and true?
Will we hold it up and look into The Face of Christ?

1 John 4:4
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

Will we allow God to determine our worth or will we let the world decide?

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

What have you been reflecting onto your neighbors? Are you passing out the labels that you have accepted?

The Word of God says that You are Holy righteous and redeemed, you are cherished and treasured.
Accept That! Reflect That!

 

1 John 4:16
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Ephesians
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Get to know Our Lord and Savior. He will Show You who you are as you become acquainted with His Love.
He will guide your steps towards His Will.
To be self controlled is to be God Guided! The only way to truly know your full purpose and your potential is to receive it through His direction.

Psalm 143:8
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.

2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

 

Rehab In Christ

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By: Jessica Huber

 

   Recently my dad  had his knee replaced. If you have ever experienced a procedure like that or have known someone who has, it’s quit a recovery process. The wound is rather large. When I first saw his knee it was swollen and wrapped with bandages to cover his staples, yes staples. It’s quite a sight, I have to admit. So you may be surprised to know that they start rehab right away. While you are still hooked to tubes they first have you stand a little and shift your weight around, gradually working up to more movement. You are assisted with a walker and a physical therapist of course.

After my dad was able to go home, he was visited by nurses and and therapists. When he had his staples removed they noticed that there was still an area that had not sealed shut. It still looked pretty scary. They informed him that he was healing from the inside out. His nurse put a few butterfly bandages and assured him she would keep a good eye on it.

Thinking of this, immediately  my thoughts went to our walk with The Lord. In a way we can look at this Journey as Rehab. The moment we accept JESUS as our Lord and Savior the recovery process begins. True, the scriptures say we are now New In Christ the old is gone and the new has come, but that doesn’t mean we are ready to jump from the hospital bed and enter a marathon. It is absolutely a journey that requires time and assistance. We first have JESUS who we can consider the Doctor of all doctors who gives a prescription of the Word. Then we have an entire team in which the Holy Spirit works through. The Church, our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, they are all the assistance needed to help support a stable walk.

The surface does not always show the entire picture. Sometimes we may have areas on the outside that look perfectly fine and you would never know that the inside may actually have a long road to recovery. Other times it may be the case like my dad’s, looking a bit rough on the outside but there is Healing already going on within.
God truly knows the depths of our being and He is the only one who can determine the plan of procedure.

2 Corinthians 5:16 talks about no longer recognizing others according to the flesh.
This is basically taking on the eyes of Jesus.
This brings me to another conversation I had with my dad. He now receives his therapy at the hospital. Just the other day he mentioned another man who is also receiving therapy for his knee. My dad was feeling a little discouraged because this other man was already walking all around the room with ease. My dad is still very sore and although he has shown a lot of progress, his walk is nowhere near as steady as this other man’s walk. I said to my dad, “did you consider that he may not have had the same procedure?” “Or maybe there are other factors such as age or weight?” “Or maybe we are just all different and some heal quicker than others?”

Our spiritual lives are very much the same.
We all heal in different ways. Just because we are Now New Creations in Christ, it does not mean our scars are not visible. It doesn’t mean that we all heal at the same pace. Our injuries are not all the same!
Some of our past hurts are warn on our sleeve while others are hidden deep down, taking a little longer to come to the surface.
We can be so thankful that we have a Personal God who knows and understands our differences.

I Am a New Creation In Christ and I Am Still very much receiving daily therapy. If I neglect to receive it, I see that my spiritual body gets stiff. I’m in need of that constant movement, that constant oiling of the Holy Spirit. It penetrates deep down inside my joints and allows me to press on and walk this life with Christ.

We are not to look at others according to the flesh, because we do not know what God is personally doing in their lives. We are not to compare ourselves or judge others. It’s important to consider the stages of the healing process, God may be working with someone at a pace that He knows is best for them. Maybe you know someone who is just in that first stage of movement, you might be tempted to to think they should be further along. remember rehabilitation starts even when wounds are still fresh, this person is being pushed to move and shift, consider that this change can be painful. Even after a period of time we have areas that need stretched and exercised, this can be quite a work out. Let this be a time to exercise ourselves in compassion rather than  frustration. Maybe the scars still look a little rough but we can Trust That God has a plan of rehabilitation and he’s working from the inside out.

Maybe you are that man walking swiftly around the room or maybe you are the guy still using a walker, maybe you have just gotten out of the hospital bed, or maybe you are still considering the surgery altogether. I want you to know that wherever you are, Christ Is With You! I want you to know that you have purpose and God sees you as a finished work from beginning to the end.
Know this, that he wants us to look at each other in the same way that he looks at us.
Let’s remember that we all have to start somewhere, and that we are all in different stages within our healing process. Let’s trust our loved ones in The Doctors care and act alongside not as a hindrance but as the assistant that God would want us to be within this process.
Be Encouraged and Give Encouragement!
Have Patience with yourself and With others in their recovery time.

It is my hope that God Blesses you with this message today.

 

Verses to reflect on

2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

 

2 Corinthians 5:16-21
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Philippians 3:14-17
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

 

 

 

 

Ignorance is far from Bliss

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By: Jessica Huber

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Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.

A friend of mine shared a verse and commented on something she heard, “you can play the Christian but have a bad heart.” There is truth in that!
It directed my mind to my own studies! I just Love when God connects his children through sharing his word.

I recently read a story in Acts 19 and in the beginning Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

It goes on to tell about these Jewish priests who tried to go around casting demons out of people. They were saying “In the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches”
One day the evil spirits spoke back to them and said.. JESUS I know and Paul I know about, but Who are you?? Then they attacked the Jews. The scripture says they were left naked and beaten.
So what was it that had these guys wanting to perform these miracles? What drove them? Were they using the Lord’s name for a self gain? Who knows, but their hearts apparently did not really believe That JESUS was Lord, it most certainly did not contain The Holy Spirit.
They were exposed!
Goodness, the evil spirits weren’t even fooled by their declarations! These men were of no threat whatsoever and the evil spirits pounced on the fact that the priests had no connection to JESUS at all!
This became an example to others and The Name of The Lord was seen to be truly honored and not something to be thrown around.

People can claim themselves to be a Christians, they can consistently sit on a church pew, they can and do even speak The Holy Name of Jesus but who are they deceiving if even demons know better. The only one getting played is the one who stares back from the mirror.
Apart from Christ we are nothing.
Apart from Him we are left wide open for the attack!

What is it to be called a Christian? Where is the proof found?

I The Lord search The Heart and Examine the mind!

Proverbs 27:19
As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

Matthew 7
21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

John 3:1-21
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 8:14
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

The Holy Spirit is the revealer and the connector, He is the interpreter of The Way The Truth and The Life.

1 Corinthians 2
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
the things God has prepared for those who love him

10these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.c14The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the spirit.
We are known by the fruit that we produce as Mathew 7:16 says
by their fruit you will recognize them.
This fruit is the Evidence. The fruit shows if we have the Holy Spirit Working and dwelling within, it also show if we do not.

Matthew 7:18
“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

John 15:5-6
5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

May your heart reflect The Glory of The Lord!

Teachable Moments

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By: Jessica Huber

I love love teachable moments!!!
So recently I was writing about hope and it included the parable of the lost coin.
I found myself referencing this once again, when it became a topic of conversation with my kidos!

My workout group likes to use hip scarfs with little coins on them, they look like the type that belly dancers use. We use them just for fun and to encourage body movement. My daughter likes to dress up and play with them as well. So this morning I found one of the coins on my kitchen counter. Oh I got so excited because it took my mind right to the lost coin mentioned in Luke 15. Both kids were sitting at the island so it was a perfect moment to bring it up to them!
I said, “hey did you know? “Back in the day, instead of a woman receiving a wedding ring, she would receive coins? ” “Check it out!”
A lawful Jewish marriage requires an act of kinyan (that the bride be given – and that she accept – something of nominal value from the groom). In ancient times, coins were typically given. (They are still used by many Sephardic and Oriental Jews).

I gave the kids a little bit of history and I told them the parable of the lost coin. This woman most likely searched for that coin because it was of personal value not just because it was monetary. It was precious to her. It was like loosing a promise.
I told them that Jesus told this story because we are like the coins to Him, the Angels rejoice when a sinners repents and turns to the Lord. We are precious to him and his promise of salvation stands true. When we are not walking with The Lord we can be considered spiritually lost, but just like the woman searches for her coin, The Lord pursues us. He calls and when we hear his voice, we realize that the direction we are walking in, is not good for us. Its not His way, we might even feel remorse or regret. In that moment we have a choice to keep going the wrong way or we can turn back to Him. Remember the Lord searches our heart so He knows if we are sincere. The moment we whole heartedly turn to him, that is repentance.

We talked about that weird word repent. I demonstrated by walking towards the wall and then turning and walking in the opposite direction. “That’s repent… to turn. ”
And Here is where I knew they got it!
I just happened to be facing the refrigerator, (not intentionally) when I turned back. My son said, “oh repenting is like turning to food.” “There was nothing over there for you to eat when you were walking with the devil..just the wall, but when you turn to JESUS it’s like your turning to food!” Oh man I swore I could hear angels! Hallelujah yes yes!!! That’s exactly what repentance is like! When we are walking with the devil there is no food, lack of nourishment, literally a DEAD END and when we turn to JESUS we are eternally Filled!!! Walking In His glorious Light Wahoo! A LIFE with no end! JESUS the Bread of Life! God is so good!!! Amazing Grace how sweet the sound! I once was ________ but now I’m __________.

Psalm 139:1
O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

The Lord is Abundant in His teachings! Anywhere Anytime!

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Deuteronomy 11:19
“You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.
Prayer

Dear Lord your timing is always perfect, I pray that my spiritual ears and eyes will be alert and open to your guidance within my everyday surroundings.
Lord thank you for my children, they are a blessing and a gift and I want to handle them with care. I know that it is my job to make sure they hear your word. Scripture says to teach them and show them the way and they will not turn from it. I know that it will eventually come down to their choice whether they have a relationship with you or not. It is my hope to give them a good start, so that when the day comes for them to hear your voice, they will turn to you and follow.
I ask that you bless them and keep them In The Precious Name of JESUS.

God Does Not Over Look

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By: Jessica Huber

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I was looking for my veggie peeler the other day and In my mind I had a picture of what it looked like. I spent some time in one drawer shuffling around until I finally gave up and went onto another. I did the same thing in that drawer, rummaging around, picking up the divider, looking to see if it could have slid under. It was nowhere to be found. I knew this peeler had to be somewhere in the kitchen. I remembered using it not too long ago so I was determined to find it. I went back to the drawer that I had previously scoured, I thought, maybe I overlooked it. I searched and I looked and I looked and I had this picture of a white peeler in my head and then it dawned on me. Maybe it’s not white. My eyes started to scan for a peeler, any peeler and Bam, there it was! A black peeler that could have bitten me if it had been a snake. Maybe I had owned a white one in the past? Who knows.

Why am I telling you about my kitchen utensil dilemma?
Well, immediately a thought came to my mind, we insist on our own image and it causes us to overlook or underestimate the position that God has placed us in.

Great determination, focused in the wrong direction leads to frustration.
So often we have a preconceived plan in our head. We have an image for what our life should be. Many times that image is derived from our past experiences. We insist on it and when it doesn’t turn out, we get frustrated and anxious. We argue with God, we tell Him we are in the wrong place. We stomp our feet and we demand to be positioned where we think we need to be. After all we prayed about it! Right?

Our tunnel vision blinds us from important factors. We have to remember that we only see a very small portion of the picture to begin with. Why not rely on God’s protection and provision through this time? Trust that God’s love does not over look your desires, he knows your heart, he receives your thoughts and he gathers your prayers. But all in all it’s not really about us, is it? We forget that. Now he’s not a puppet master, but His ways are far above and beyond what we can accept at times. It’s a normal human mindset, but it causes us to be unappreciative of the work going on behind the seen. Instead of insisting that God jump into our vision, let’s open our hearts and come alive in His. Let’s gain a Spiritual mindset, by Trusting in the Lord with All our heart and leaning not on our own understanding. That verse can’t be used enough.
Habakkuk 2:3
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

I can’t imagine how many times I might have passed up a good opportunity because I insisted that the peeler was white. How many times did my eyes glaze over God’s blessings? Or worse, how many times did he want to use me to bless someone else, but instead I was too busy complaining that I was in the wrong place.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
You are not your own. Repeat that to yourself.

John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
We know that a good pruning is needed for a healthy production of fruit.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

It wouldn’t hurt too clean out that drawer. Get rid of the things that are limiting the situation, ask God to weed out the areas in your life that are blocking your view, not just people but anything that may cause you to pull down the shades.

In All ways Acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.
Acknowledge His Plan, Acknowledge His Truth, Acknowledge His Promises and His Love. Acknowledge His Patience and Let Him Guides you beyond this nearsightedness.
If there is something you want, don’t force it, line it up with His word. Then, leave it to him to filter and sift. Don’t battle the No!
Why am I here, what good is this? Why aren’t things moving as fast as I hoped, what am I doing wrong? Doesn’t God love me? Yes, He loves you! Simply Trust in His Will. Rest in that thought right there.

Your plans may sound pretty good, but God knows the talents he wants to use in you, He knows the areas that need strengthened, and he knows what it takes to bring this to completion, be patient. Try looking at it this way, I may not be comfortable, but I can’t wait to see what my God will do with this moment!
Who will he introduce me to along the way?

James 1:4
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

John 13:7
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

If you have received a No, be certain that God has purpose for that no.
It is possible he planned that no, way in advance.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Prayer
Dear Lord, this is the day that you have made, thank you! Thank you for your patience with me, when I struggle against your will. Help me walk with Spiritual eyes of faith. I may be going through something that I do not understand, but God I know you have it all figured out. You make beauty out of ashes, and I am excited to see what you will do with mine. Help me to look beyond my vision Lord and clear out whatever may be blocking me from accepting yours. No matter what disappointments come along, help me to continue to see each day as an open opportunity to introduce you to this world. Help me to reflect your love and kindness. Help me use this time to be selfless and help me to focus on what is most important in your eyes.
In JESUS Name I pray

I’m Over it! Done, No More!

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By: Jessica Huber 

I am over it! I’m Done! I’m tired of being taken for granted, I’m tired of being used and taken advantage of! Im tired of only being called when it’s convenient for the other person.

Have you ever been tempted to just call it quits? No more chances? Done and Done? When we find ourselves in a position where we are being taken advantage of, it can lead to the feelings of resentment and bitterness. Our hearts may be little hurt and conflicted. You want to do the right thing, but at the same time.. it just doesn’t seem fair to be a doormat. Right?

So it is important that we seek our counsel from The Lord and not what our heart is telling us to do.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Our hearts can be so easily swayed by our emotions, so how do we guard our heart?
How can we protect our heart and how can we be sure to react in a way that is appropriate and pleasing in God’s sight?

Proverbs 23:26
Give me your heart, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.

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When  I think of the frustration that comes along with being wronged in this way, when I hear the words “I’m Done”, “No more chances”. My mind jumps to The voice of The Lord!
My children cry out in their convenience, they call on me when they are in need and as soon as I Work in their favor, I hear silence. They use me, they take me for granted, I AM unappreciated! I Give and I Give!

Can you hear him saying that? We have to acknowledge that this is true. How many times did we deserve to hear I AM Done? No More Chances and Yet He Loves.

We can be Grateful that He is Never Done! He is Faithful he is Grace Filled, He is supernaturally Patient and slow to anger.
How Great is His Love?
How Beautiful are His Ways?
Let us learn from The example that he sets.
If God responded the way we do, then we would all be in big trouble.
It’s hard to be the person being taken for granted but know this, what you do for others, is never unseen or unappreciated by Him. Whatever we do in this world we do as if we are doing it for Him. In that, there is no offense.

Now scripture does address taking advantage of a brother or sister. It also says that God will deal with that person.

1 Thessalonians 4:6
and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantages of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.

Remember we are to seek the kingdom first. Does this mean we lay down and allow for people to mistreat us? Well, Galatians 6 says, that if a brother is caught in sin, then you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
Be open and honest, express your concerns to this person, but do it with love. From then on, it is between them and God. Remember that He is your defender, use this experience to practice your servanthood. Allow for this occasion to bring out your best, instead of your worst.

Galatians 6:8
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Pray and ask The Lord for His eyes on this situation, ask him to fill you with his gentleness, His compassion and His Love.

Give to others what you receive from God!

Galatians 6:9
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Matthew 5:41-48
41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Prayer
Lord I am giving you my heart, teach me your glorious ways! When I am in the position of being wronged, help me to lean not on my own understanding. Help me to turn to you for guidance, calm my heart and allow for this to be an opportunity to Glorify you!
In JESUS Name I Pray, Amen