Lyli Dunbar's Blog, page 17
July 24, 2018
When You Know the Truth
The game was called “How Well Do You Know Me?” We sat around the kitchen island at my sister in law’s house and scribbled 3 sentences on a piece of paper. Two statements were true, but one was a lie.
This is not the best game to play when you are trying to fool your family. No one knows you better than your siblings. I mean, you’ve shared a bunk bed and bathroom, and you’ve been finishing each other’s sentences since you were 3 years old. Your sister has heard all your crazy stories a million times. She’s cheered you on from the sidelines at every game, and she cried with you on the couch when you crumbled with heartbreaking disappointment and defeat.
Lying to those who’ve lived close beside you day in and day out is not easy. They know your stuff.
Sometimes when I am wrestling with a decision I remember that game. I want to write my choices on a slip of paper and sit down at the kitchen counter with God.
Lord, which one of these is the lie? Tell me, please.
For the last 6 weeks, we’ve opened up our Bibles and studied Truth. We are tired of getting fooled by the enemy, and we want to figure out how to recognize his deceit and stop falling for his schemes.
What is true? How do you know the truth? You have to live with it.
It’s easy to recognize a lie when you’ve surrendered your life to pursuing the Truth.
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I’m sharing “When You Know the Truth” at Love God Greatly.
To read the rest of this post, join me here.
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If you are visiting from Love God Greatly today,
welcome to my little space on the web!
Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you
LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve. .
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL GET A FREE COPY OF “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH”
and access the practical resources in the Fatih Fuel Library for members.
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I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.
⇓
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box. 
July 19, 2018
1 Simple Way to Make a Significant Difference in Your Marriage
At 41, I honestly did not think I would ever get married. Nearly a decade had passed since my last date. I chose to not worry about it though. If God wanted me to be a wife, then certainly he would send me a husband.
In early 2008, I partnered with two other singles at my church to start a small group. Our focus was to serve – each month we would put feet to our faith in our community. Our group leader gave me a ride to our first event – we would help organize the monthly clothing drive at our church’s homeless ministry The Refuge. On the way there, we chatted easily and laughed frequently. Was there a spark? “Lord, are you doing something here?” I thought.
At The Refuge, I ran into an old friend, Elizabeth. We had traveled together to Cuzco, Peru in 2004 as part of a team that distributed Evangelical literature in rural schools. At the time, we had both been single gals, but Elizabeth now wore a beautiful ring on her left hand.
“How is married life?” I asked Elizabeth. “So much has changed in your life.” Elizabeth smiled, and then she said the words that God wanted to engrave on my heart.
“Marriage is about serving my husband.” This was how Elizabeth’s spontaneous mini-sermon began. She expounded on all that she had learned as a newlywed, and I took it all in.
A few minutes later, the weekly service for the homeless began. We sat on folding chairs under a white tent in a parking lot. After some worship music, Pastor Jym invited us all to open our Bibles to Ephesians 5. He’d been preaching through the book, and his topic today was marriage. I am quite sure that my mouth must have fallen open. The Holy Spirit had my full attention.
Two days later, that nice group leader invited me to join him on what he called “an outing.” (Code word: Date) We exchanged vows a year later.
From the beginning, God’s message to me was clear. Marriage is not about me. Marriage is another way that I am called to bring glory to God, and my marching orders came on the pavement right there at the refuge: “Marriage is about serving my husband.”
Practical ways to serve and make a significant difference in your marriage
Pray for your man daily
Extend grace to your husband, rather than judgment (or nagging)
Support your spouse’s efforts to support your family in whatever way he asks you to help out
Love your hubby’s extended family and make them feel welcome in your home
Encourage your partner through purposeful verbal affirmation
Respect your love’s role as the God-appointed leader of your family
You may notice I started my bullet point list with prayer. One of the most important ways we serve our spouse is through daily getting on our knees to intercede on their behalf. Imagine what God might do in our marriage if you started your day for the next 7 mornings asking asking the Master Builder to help you build your home on a solid foundation of Truth.
Take the 7-Day Prayer Challenge:
I’ve created a one-page printable of these 7 Scriptural prayers for you . Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
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As we pray, God will build our homes strong and help us to stand securely on bedrock Truth. His Word will undergird our lives and shelter us in the midst of any storm.
As we purpose to serve our husbands, the Holy Spirit knits out hearts together and creates a sweet spirit of peace and harmony in our homes. Your marriage doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s — you can choose to rise above what the world says and walk differently. The secret sauce to a sacred union is finding ways to outdo one another in honor and humbly supporting your man through thick and thin.
I am so thankful that God placed Elizabeth in my path that day. Looking back now, I see how God wanted me to understand from day one that marriage was not about me. Jesus came to serve, and as His ambassador in my home, I am called to do the same.
Maybe you think this is easier said than done, but I want to encourage you to step out in obedience and serve your spouse as if you were serving God. You will soon see how your Heavenly Father begins to transform your heart and your home.
Make a significant difference in your marriage by serving your spouse.
Make a significant difference in your marriage by serving your spouse.
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Here’s the best piece of marriage advice I received as a young wife:
Want to dig deeper into the Word together?
Join me Live on Facebook on Mondays at 2:00 EST for
“Fired Up & Hopeful” — A verse by verse study of I Peter.
Catch the replay on YouTube or IGTV
⇓
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
YOU’LL GET A FREE COPY OF “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH”
and access the practical resources in the Fatih Fuel Library for members.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
July 13, 2018
When Death and Defeat are Swallowed up by Victory
Tonight I laughed until I cried.
We had a girls’ night at church with a fantastic Christian comedian who is a pastor’s wife and mama of 3. She shared authentic experiences about how she battles for joy every day of her life. Because friends, the struggle is real.
We are in a battle.
Death is rising up and seeking to swallow us whole. The enemy of our souls wants to destroy us and keep us captive to sin and sorrow.
We are fighting disease and family dysfunction and depression.
We are contending for the souls of our children and the heartbeat of our homes in a sin-saturated world.
We are wrestling with worry over our finances and wringing our hands over how we are going to wade through the mire as we wait for our miracle.
Life in this broken world is incredibly hard.
Face it, we are fighting death itself every day.
Here’s the Good News that your enemy doesn’t want you to remember: You are not fighting alone.
God is fighting for you.
In fact, He’s already defeated death. That’s right. Death’s days are numbered.
We are people of the resurrection. Christ is alive in you.
The struggle you are experiencing today is temporary. One day, you will shake off this adversary and stand free.
3 Truths to Remind You Death Can’t Defeat You:
You are destined for an upgrade.
God is going to clothe you in immortality. Your soul and Spirit will never die, and one day you will get a new spectacular imperishable body that is better and more beautiful than you can imagine.
“For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ” (I Corinthians 15:53-54, ESV).
You have a Deliverer.
The devil is a defeated foe. He may be wreaking havoc right now, but God is still on the throne. You can resist his schemes and rise above because Christ has set you free.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:14-15) “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:1)
Your present pain is serving a grander purpose.
Don’t let the enemy cripple you with fear and keep you from walking our your calling. Never give up and keep moving forward in faith. Stand steadfast on the bedrock of God’s promises. Give Him all you’ve got, girl. You’ll never regret what you offer up to Jesus.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15:58)
On bad days, it’s hard to remember that God is bigger than our problems. That’s why we have to meditate on His promises purposefully.
I’ve created a one-page printable with 10 Scriptures to remind you God is bigger than bad days. Download a copy and read through these sweet promises every morning to help you remember death cannot defeat you this week. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
A few weeks ago, it was my privilege to attend a Celebration of Life for a sweet sister who died way too young. For years, this beautiful woman had stood beside the grieving and comforted them by singing at countless funerals. Her sweet voice was what carried me through one of the hardest days of my life: the service for our baby Phoenix.
It seemed almost surreal to attend a memorial for Sherry. She’d battled for her life, and we’d prayed for a miracle.
Some days you just end up with more questions than answers.
Pastor did a phenomenal job pointing our hurting hearts back to hope. He reminded us that today our friend is more alive in heaven than any day where she breathed here on earth. This temporary life is but a glimpse of the glory to come.
Your Savior rose up from the grave to rescue you from death.
You will never really die. Your body may be falling apart, but one day you will get a new and improved model. You will see Jesus face to face, and on that sweetest of days you will sing and dance and experience full freedom.
Until then, worship Him with every fiber of your soul. You may sing off key, but your song is making a difference in this dark world.
Rise up and remember: Death can never swallow you whole.
Rise up and remember: Death can never swallow you whole.
Click To Tweet
⇓
Want to dig deeper into the Word together?
Join me Live on Facebook on Mondays at 2:00 EST for
“Fired Up & Hopeful” — A verse by verse study of I Peter.
Catch the replay on YouTube or IGTV
⇓
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community to get #FaithFuel in your inbox.
You’ll receive “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
You’ll also get access to the practical resources and goodies in our private Faith Fuel library.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
July 5, 2018
How to Focus on God in a World Full of Distraction
I am easily lured away from focusing on what is important.
Shiny things catch my attention, and my mind wanders off on a rabbit trail of diversion.
I think I have the disease of distraction. How about you?
Maybe like me you can waste an entire day trolling Facebook and being nosy. Have you ever sat for hours watching absolutely nothing on television with the remote in hand? Perhaps you’ve spent a night researching recipes but never cooked a thing.
The new popular term for this disease is Shiny Object Syndrome. Like the dog in the movie Up, I am enticed by squirrels and shiny things that flash by my line of view.
Honestly, I waste so much time in my day just letting my thoughts drift and day dreaming. I’ve had entire conversations in my head that never took place, but I was emotionally exhausted just from over-thinking about it.
The hardest time of the day is when I try to read my Bible. Y’all, the struggle is real. I can open up the Good Book to any page at any time of the day and be immediately distracted in like 5 seconds.
I don’t know if you struggle with spiritual ADD as much as I do, but my guess is that you may find it hard to focus on God in a world full of shiny distractions.
We are distracted by our phones.
We are distracted by paparazzi news stories.
We are distracted by rehearsing our hurts, catastrophizing our problems, and trying to psycho-analyze pesky people.
If you are tired of living an out of focus life like me, I want to offer you 3 suggestions from God’s Word to help you say NO to the shiny stuff and YES to sweet time with your Savior.
3 Ways to Focus on God in a World Full of Distractions
Look Away from Shiny Diversions
The enemy of our souls lives to distract us and weigh us down. If anything other than life and peace are renting space in your head, it’s time to serve those unwelcome visitors an eviction notice. Take inventory of what thoughts are consuming your energy, rather than feeding your spirit. Streamline your thoughts of all that’s unnecessary.
“…let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, looking away from all that will distract us and focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith…”(Hebrews 12:1-2, AMP)
Look In the Steadfast Truth
If you are looking at anything else other than God’s Word to determine your appearance, your perception is distorted. The stain of sin clouds every image on our television screens, on our laptops, and in print. Don’t let this broken world define you — you are not damaged goods. You are a masterpiece reflecting the image of Christ, and you radiate His love in a unique way. You lack nothing, beautiful one.
“But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a careless listener who forgets but an active doer who obeys, he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does in his life of obedience. (James 1:25)
Look Toward a Sure Eternity
Christ followers are forward thinkers — we are pursuing a higher call than just making ends meet and planning for retirement. We aren’t settling for temporary shacks. Our sights are on a heavenly habitation, and hope propels us onward with purpose and passion. Shiny things can’t tempt you when you have glory in view.
“But you, beloved, build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith — continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will bring you to eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21)
This month, I invite you to join me in a simple morning exercise to fix our focus on God.
I’ve created a one-page printable with simple sentence prayers and Scriptures to help you start your day. Download a copy and pray through these sweet promises every morning to help you combat spiritual ADD in your quiet time with Jesus. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
When we look at Jesus consistently, our countenance changes. We radiate life and peace, and people start to wonder why we are different. We will shine Jesus in the midst of this crazy busy life.
Focus on your glorious Savior, and the shiny things of this world will grow strangely dim.
Focus on your glorious Savior, and the shiny things of this world will grow strangely dim.
Click To Tweet
⇓
Faith on Fire Spotlight:
Kelly Balarie
Too often we fail to prepare for our battles. So when challenges, troubles, or opportunities arise, we rapidly become burdened with limiting thoughts of self-doubt, fear, impossibility, and lack. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can train our minds to conquer uncertainty, beat insecurity, and step past the tragedies of yesterday.
Battle Ready is a hands-on scriptural plan that teaches you twelve easy-to-implement, confidence-building mind-sets designed to transform your thoughts and, therefore, your life. You’ll gain practical wisdom, like how to
make new habits stick in just five steps
disarm the seven most common attacks that plague women
exchange self-limiting thoughts for purpose-driven, love-releasing thoughts
implement thirty-second mind-lifters that deliver peace
create boundaries so you live life full of what matters
You can live victoriously.
Battle Ready is packed full of Scriptural truth and practical tips to help you focus on God in a world full of distraction. Pick up a copy of Kelly’s wonderful book here.
Kelly Balarie, an author and national speaker, is on a mission to encourage others not to give up. Through times of extreme testing, Kelly believes there is hope for every woman, every battle and in every circumstance. She shares this hope on her blog, Purposeful Faith, and on many writing publications such as Relevant, Crosswalk, and Today’s Christian Woman. Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, 700 Club Interactive, Moody Radio and other television and radio broadcasts. When Kelly is not writing, she is chilling at the beach with her husband, a latte, and 2-toddlers who rightfully demand she build them awesome castles.
⇓
Giveaway
Y’all know I am a big book nerd. Other women buy shoes, but I buy books and Bible commentaries.
For everyone who asks me “what should I read next?” I now have a sweet list of my favorite reads for you to check out. Amazon created a space for social media influencers to share cv!
If you are looking for a good read to fire up your faith, then check out what’s on my nightstand here.
(Disclosure: Amazon will compensate me a little for anything you may purchase through this page. Thanks in advance if you do.)
I’m giving away one copy of Battle Ready to a reader this week. Leave a comment before Monday, July 15th letting me know that you shared this post on Facebook or Instagram to enter– and let me know what’s on your nightstand right now.
Note: You must live within the U.S. to enter today’s giveaway
⇓
Want to dig deeper into the Word together?
Join me Live on Facebook on Mondays at 2:00 EST for
“Fired Up & Hopeful” — A verse by verse study of I Peter.
Catch the replay on YouTube or IGTV
⇓
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community to get #FaithFuel in your inbox.
You’ll receive “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
You’ll also get access to the practical resources and goodies in our private Faith Fuel library.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box. 
How to Focus on God in a World Full of Distraction (and Giveaway)
I am easily lured away from focusing on what is important.
Shiny things catch my attention, and my mind wanders off on a rabbit trail of diversion.
I think I have the disease of distraction. How about you?
Maybe like me you can waste an entire day trolling Facebook and being nosy. Have you ever sat for hours watching absolutely nothing on television with the remote in hand? Perhaps you’ve spent a night researching recipes but never cooked a thing.
The new popular term for this disease is Shiny Object Syndrome. Like the dog in the movie Up, I am enticed by squirrels and shiny things that flash by my line of view.
Honestly, I waste so much time in my day just letting my thoughts drift and day dreaming. I’ve had entire conversations in my head that never took place, but I was emotionally exhausted just from over-thinking about it.
The hardest time of the day is when I try to read my Bible. Y’all, the struggle is real. I can open up the Good Book to any page at any time of the day and be immediately distracted in like 5 seconds.
I don’t know if you struggle with spiritual ADD as much as I do, but my guess is that you may find it hard to focus on God in a world full of shiny distractions.
We are distracted by our phones.
We are distracted by paparazzi news stories.
We are distracted by rehearsing our hurts, catastrophizing our problems, and trying to psycho-analyze pesky people.
If you are tired of living an out of focus life like me, I want to offer you 3 suggestions from God’s Word to help you say NO to the shiny stuff and YES to sweet time with your Savior.
3 Ways to Focus on God in a World Full of Distractions
Look Away from Shiny Diversions
The enemy of our souls lives to distract us and weigh us down. If anything other than life and peace are renting space in your head, it’s time to serve those unwelcome visitors an eviction notice. Take inventory of what thoughts are consuming your energy, rather than feeding your spirit. Streamline your thoughts of all that’s unnecessary.
“…let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, looking away from all that will distract us and focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith…”(Hebrews 12:1-2, AMP)
Look In the Steadfast Truth
If you are looking at anything else other than God’s Word to determine your appearance, your perception is distorted. The stain of sin clouds every image on our television screens, on our laptops, and in print. Don’t let this broken world define you — you are not damaged goods. You are a masterpiece reflecting the image of Christ, and you radiate His love in a unique way. You lack nothing, beautiful one.
“But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a careless listener who forgets but an active doer who obeys, he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does in his life of obedience. (James 1:25)
Look Toward a Sure Eternity
Christ followers are forward thinkers — we are pursuing a higher call than just making ends meet and planning for retirement. We aren’t settling for temporary shacks. Our sights are on a heavenly habitation, and hope propels us onward with purpose and passion. Shiny things can’t tempt you when you have glory in view.
“But you, beloved, build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith — continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ which will bring you to eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21)
This month, I invite you to join me in a simple morning exercise to fix our focus on God.
I’ve created a one-page printable with simple sentence prayers and Scriptures to help you start your day. Download a copy and pray through these sweet promises every morning to help you combat spiritual ADD in your quiet time with Jesus. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
When we look at Jesus consistently, our countenance changes. We radiate life and peace, and people start to wonder why we are different. We will shine Jesus in the midst of this crazy busy life.
Focus on your glorious Savior, and the shiny things of this world will grow strangely dim.
Focus on your glorious Savior, and the shiny things of this world will grow strangely dim.
Click To Tweet
⇓
Faith on Fire Spotlight:
Kelly Balarie
Too often we fail to prepare for our battles. So when challenges, troubles, or opportunities arise, we rapidly become burdened with limiting thoughts of self-doubt, fear, impossibility, and lack. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can train our minds to conquer uncertainty, beat insecurity, and step past the tragedies of yesterday.
Battle Ready is a hands-on scriptural plan that teaches you twelve easy-to-implement, confidence-building mind-sets designed to transform your thoughts and, therefore, your life. You’ll gain practical wisdom, like how to
make new habits stick in just five steps
disarm the seven most common attacks that plague women
exchange self-limiting thoughts for purpose-driven, love-releasing thoughts
implement thirty-second mind-lifters that deliver peace
create boundaries so you live life full of what matters
You can live victoriously.
Battle Ready is packed full of Scriptural truth and practical tips to help you focus on God in a world full of distraction. Pick up a copy of Kelly’s wonderful book here.
Kelly Balarie, an author and national speaker, is on a mission to encourage others not to give up. Through times of extreme testing, Kelly believes there is hope for every woman, every battle and in every circumstance. She shares this hope on her blog, Purposeful Faith, and on many writing publications such as Relevant, Crosswalk, and Today’s Christian Woman. Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, 700 Club Interactive, Moody Radio and other television and radio broadcasts. When Kelly is not writing, she is chilling at the beach with her husband, a latte, and 2-toddlers who rightfully demand she build them awesome castles.
⇓
Giveaway
Y’all know I am a big book nerd. Other women buy shoes, but I buy books and Bible commentaries.
For everyone who asks me “what should I read next?” I now have a sweet list of my favorite reads for you to check out. Amazon created a space for social media influencers to share cv!
If you are looking for a good read to fire up your faith, then check out what’s on my nightstand here.
(Disclosure: Amazon will compensate me a little for anything you may purchase through this page. Thanks in advance if you do.)
I’m giving away one copy of Battle Ready to a reader this week. Leave a comment before Monday, July 15th letting me know that you shared this post on Facebook or Instagram to enter– and let me know what’s on your nightstand right now.
Note: You must live within the U.S. to enter today’s giveaway
⇓
Want to dig deeper into the Word together?
Join me Live on Facebook on Mondays at 2:00 EST for
“Fired Up & Hopeful” — A verse by verse study of I Peter.
Catch the replay on YouTube or IGTV
⇓
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community to get #FaithFuel in your inbox.
You’ll receive “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
You’ll also get access to the practical resources and goodies in our private Faith Fuel library.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
June 29, 2018
This 1 Beautiful Truth will Transform Your Perspective
My dad lost 40 pounds the year I was born. He was young, so young. He’d fled his home country to America to find freedom – leaving behind his parents and all he knew. He met my mom, and they exchanged vows. Two year later, I arrived with unexpected challenges. My hip never fully developed. My right limb was deformed with two missing bones and a disfigured foot that was quickly amputated. I would walk, but with a prosthetic limb.
I always knew that I was different, but I never questioned why. Thankfully, my disposition is decidedly sanguine. Through most of my childhood, I limped along with a smile on my face and was unaffected by what my doctor’s called a congenital birth defect.
At age 12, God’s mercy reached down and scooped me up into His arms. I heard the Gospel – that Jesus loved me, chose me, cherished me, died for me, and had a purpose for my life. I asked Jesus to forgive my sin and become the Lord of my life. Just as I was reaching the difficult teenage years, full of angst about identify and appearance, God revealed Himself to me and filled me with His peace.
I will never forget the first time I read Psalm 139. I just knew that this psalm was written just for me. My birth was not an accident filled with defect at all. You see, God saw me – my unformed body in my mother’s womb. I am His workmanship — fearfully and wonderfully made. My ESV Study Bible explains this so beautifully: I am fearfully “set apart”…God “set His love upon” me at the moment I was conceived. Every molecule in my body was designed purposefully so that His glory might be displayed in and through me.
I am wonder fully made. And so are you, my friend.
I pray that today you may know that you are a beautiful creation. You are the very image of our omnipotent God. He makes no mistakes. He redeems every moment of your life. He has designed you purposefully.
Let this 1 beautiful truth transform your perspective: You are wonder fully made.
This week a good friend and mentor told me I need to let my little light shine & let you know “Hey, I am a limper.” I don’t just walk with a limp, but I live with one in my heart. Life is so hard sometimes, and on days when I am finding it hard to take one more step of faith, this sweet promise reminds me God doesn’t need me to be fabulous & perfect. I just need to be faithful. He is at work as I limp forward one step at a time. So I have added a new heading on my blog. Head on over here and read more about my limp — If you feel crippled by your circumstances, I hope it will encourage you to keep trying to walk. God sees you, and He is fighting for you.
I want to let you know that God never wastes our suffering. He has a grander purpose for your pain. Right now, He is at work in your life in ways you cannot see. If you choose to keep limping forward, you will discover His all-sufficient grace will strengthen you step by step as you inch forward in faith.
Never forget this: The God of wonder has uniquely designed you to reveal His wonder.
I’ve created a one-page printable with Scriptures to help you remember you are wonder fully made. Download a copy and read through these sweet promises every morning to help you keep limping forward in faith . Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
I’ve always loved the image of the butterfly. I am reminded that daily, as I walk with God, He is transforming my life. Right now, you may be in a dark cocoon, but one glorious day, you will break free of this fleshly shell and fly.
Choose today to spread your wings and fly for Him. You may be limping along, but His glory is revealed through you.
“This 1 Beautiful Truth Will Transform Your Perspective” is an updated version of a post that originally appeared at Missional Women.
⇓
Want to dig deeper into the Word together?
Join me Live on Facebook on Mondays at 2:00 EST for Fired Up and Hopeful:
A verse by verse study of I Peter. Catch the replay on YouTube or IGTV
⇓
Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community and get weekly #FaithFuel in your inbox.
You’ll receive “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
You’ll also get access to the practical resources and goodies in our private Faith Fuel library.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
June 21, 2018
4 Ways to Unlock Your Courage and Brave a Bad Day
I’m a coward at heart.
On dark days, I want to stay in my pajamas all day and eat potato chips.
My gut reaction to a crisis is to look for the M and M’s and crawl back in bed. If I want to be brave, I will brush my teeth and move to the couch where I switch to popcorn while I binge watch Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.
It comforts me when I read the Psalms and realize David often hid in a cave. My couch is kind of like my modern-day cavern. I close the blinds and watch TV in a dark room to keep the big, bad world at bay.
But here’s the thing: David didn’t stay in the cave forever.
My couch potato skills are an ineffective defense mechanism. Plus, I end up putting on more pounds from gorging on all the junk food.
Some days you’ve just got to brave it.
Last week, I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. And, after 24 hours of bonding with my couch and the remote control, I decided I needed to go digging into my Bible to see exactly how David managed to move from the cave to a mountaintop.
Maybe like me you are tired of living defeated and desperate. So, in case you want to put on your big girl pants and learn how to brave your bad days, I want to share what I discovered about courage from a little old-fashioned Bible study.
4 Ways to Unlock Your Courage and Brave a Bad Day
Run to God First
When life hits you hard, your first instinct might be to pick up your phone and call a friend to vent and ask for advice. Resist the urge to whine your way through. Simply ask your Deliverer to show up strong on your behalf.
“O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right.” (Psalm 31:1, NLT)
Follow Your Leader Foremost
When you are in the mire, it’s hard to stay standing. Sometimes, we think we need to wrestle harder and push through, but the best move we can take is to step aside, slow down, and let the One who has the answers take the lead. He will whisper peace to you if you press pause and pay attention to His promises.
“You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.” (Psalm 31:3)
Surrender the Reigns fully
Determine you will not demand your way and stay fully devoted to God’s directives. Empty yourself of pride and persevere in what you know pleases Him.
“Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5, NIV)
Trust God is in Control Forever
You can move forward without fear because your faithful God is always mindful of you. God is bigger than bad days.
“But I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” (Psalm 31:14-16, NIV)
You never have to brave it alone. Your God is a bulwark Defender who rises up to protect you. Keep your eyes firmly planted on His faithfulness to find your courage.
I’ve created a one-page printable with 10 Scriptures to help you remember your God is bigger than bad days. Download a copy and read through these sweet promises every morning to help you brave it and get going this week. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
When we stop hiding in our caves and step forward with confidence in God, everyone around us will wonder how we are still standing as we face crazy circumstances. Stepping into the light with confidence in our faithful God will encourage other weary souls to find strength and hope in God. He will always show up strong and surprise you when you brave it for His glory.
Learn to brave bad days by leaning on your big God.
Learn to brave bad days by leaning on your big God.
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Want to dig deeper into the Word together?
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A verse by verse study of I Peter. Catch the replay on YouTube.
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Are you ready to fire up your faith?
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June 14, 2018
5 Ways Persevering Love Makes a Powerful Difference
“Could you bring me some water?” he asked. I took the Bible off my lap and got up to reach for the plastic cup and straw and placed it right under his chin.
My duty as “water girl” completed, I moved to sit down again, but that was when I heard my “tough cookie” relative saying, “You really love me, huh? I never knew you really loved me.”
Can I tell you how God broke me through this experience? For years, I had tried to corral this person into better behavior, but I’d failed miserably. On that day in the hospital, the Holy Spirit clearly spoke to me: Your job is to love him. My job is to change him.
I made a conscious decision to choose love above all in this relationship, and I’ve seen greater transformation in my family as a result. Persevering love makes a powerful difference.
Persevering love makes a powerful difference.
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5 Ways Persevering Love Makes an Powerful Difference
Love demonstrates
Love displays the reality of Christ to this doubting world.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35)
Love unites
Love leads us to live in harmony in this world full of discord.
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:14).
Love revives
Love brings restoration to the weary in this broken world.
“For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (Philemon 1:7).
Love Frees
Love leads us to respond with grace and forgiveness to one another in a world full of grudges and fights.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8).
Love strengthens
Love helps us stand strong together in faith instead of faltering alone.
“Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling” (I John 2:10).
I wish I could tell you that God has completely redeemed the brokenness in my family of origin, but that is not that case. What has happened is that as I’ve surrendered my will to God’s, He has softened my heart and changed my perspective.
I no longer seek justice. I long for salvation.
I’ve come to view my family as my mission field, not my battlefield. Sure, there are still minefields of misunderstanding to wade through, but rather than fight in the flesh, I choose to wage war on my knees and don the armor of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul challenged the warrior believers in the early church to “be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (I Thessalonians 5:8).
So, for the next 7 days, I want to invite you to love deep by praying big for your loved ones. The battle for our loves will be one as we bend down on one knee to bless them before God with surrendered hearts.
I’ve created a one-page printable of these 7 Scriptural prayers for your home to help you get started . Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
As we choose to respond with God’s love, our faith is perfected, and we overcome fear (I John 4:18).
Let’s continue persevere in love. We might just help soften a few hard hearts and see our little corner of the world transformed.
Persevering love melts hard hearts and breathes life and light into dark places.
Persevering love melts hard hearts and breathes life and light into dark places.
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Are you ready to fire up your faith?
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You’ll also get access to the practical resources and goodies in our private Faith Fuel library.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
June 8, 2018
5 Sweet Devotional Books to Cheer Up Your Weary Spirit
My phone beeped, and I looked down to read the text: #7 — #7 is so good.
I smiled and thanked God for His sweet messages of mercy bound together in the pages of a beautiful book. Weeks ago, I’d started reading Lysa TerKeurst’s devotional Embraced. I’d lost my job just days before, and each entry has washed over me like a healing stream.
On the morning I read day 15, I felt a strong nudge from the Holy Spirit to buy this book for a close friend. She also lost her job — and her husband is battling for his life.
She received the book from Amazon with a little note explaining how #15 was on God’s heart for her. And, she called to thank me for sending her timely words on a day she really needed encouragement. We talked about how we were both working hard to keeping trusting God during our troubles. He is near — the Light of His love is guiding us step by step through the darkness.
For the last few weeks, she’s texted me a few times, and we share our favorite entires. You will smile when I tell you that #7 is titled “Preparing for Adventure.” I read it again this morning, and noted I’d underlined this sweet encouragement:
Satan would love nothing more than to keep us separated from the power God gives us during our time with Him. It’s time to stop feeling guilty and ill-equipped and start embracing the incredible privilege of meeting with Jesus every day.
Y’all, that will preach. Can I get an Amen?
Devotionals have helped me walk down gloomy pathways with cheer. I am a fan of slowing down and just sitting with a verse and an inspiring story — especially when my perspective is clouded by doubt and fear. Reading a shorter devotional helps roll back the fog and see the Light.
I am not sure if you are a fan of devotionals. For a season, I stayed away from them and told myself I wanted to dig into “more meat” from the Word. And, that is a good thing. But when life knocks. you to your knees, it’s comforting to pick up a devotional to guide you on your journey back to solid ground.
Today, I am sharing 5 books that have helped me heal. These well-worn books are like friends to me, and I’d like to introduce you.
5 Devotional Books to Cheer Up the Weary:
Diamonds in the Dust
Waking up each morning for 365 days reading this devotional from Joni Eareckson Tada helped me gain a grander perspective on how God’s glory and power are displayed as we steward our suffering with wisdom and grace. The foreword explains the premise of its title with a quote Joni overheard when she was visiting with a mom caring for her disabled daughter who was battling cancer. Joni asked her how she managed to persevere, and her response was memorable: “God has taken us down a rough and rocky road, but we always make time to stop and reach down, and find a few diamonds in the dust.” Life offers us “precious jewels we might pass over,” and this devotional illuminated “diamond chips” to help me walk forward with a renewed purpose.
Streams in the Desert
God watered my weary soul during a wilderness season with the wisdom and poetry in this classic devotional treasure. L.B. Cowman, a missionary to China in the early 1900’s, penned each entry during the later years of her life when she left the fields of harvest to care for her beloved husband as he battled cancer. My copy of the updated edition in “today’s language” is underlined and covered with tears. I’ve copied entire entries into my journal, and some of its poetry is inked into the flyleaf of my my old Bible. Picking this beautiful devotional up again this week to put together this post reminded me what a wise counselor its author was to me during a dark period of my life, and I am so thankful for her companionship. The thematic premise is explained in Cowman’s entry from July 5th: “We never know where God has hidden His streams. We see a large stone and have no idea that it covers the source of a springboard. We see a rocky area and never imagine that it is hiding a fountain. God leads me into hard and difficult places, and it is there I realize I am where eternal streams abide.” If you’ve never read this book, I promise these 366 entries will provide fresh water to your parched soul.
What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days
I’ve purchased this lovely book by Holley Gerth for so many friends who are in crisis. The was a ray of sunshine to light may path during a season of grief in 2014. Just look at the cover! These 52 devotions taken from the Psalms help you see color when your world feels gray. Holley writes with the voice of a good friend sharing her hard-earned wisdom with gentle grace. Take entry 45 for example: It’s titled “God Can Fill in the Gaps for You,” and Holley reminds you it’s okay to take a nap when you feel “like you can’t keep up.” She further explains: “When we think about pulling back or slowing down, instantly we feel the fear. What will happen? The answer: whatever needs to happen. Because God will fill in the gaps for what you lack right now. Jesus tuned a few fish and loaves of bread into a meal for thousands. He can turn whatever you offer into enough too. Sometimes we need to step back and realize, in the best possible way, that the world doesn’t rely on us as much as we think.” (p. 208)
He Holds My Hand
I started reading Carol Kent’s latest book on January 1st, and a few weeks later, my stable job went up in smoke, so each morning it comforts me to reach over on my nightstand and open up this devotional to remind myself God will never let me go. If you’ve read Jesus Calling, you will really love this book. Kent wrote the 365 entries as a first person love letter from God to you. Each day begins with a quote from an author and ends with a Scripture verse. The morning I lost my job, I read these words from Corrie Ten Boom at the top of the March 14th entry: “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” I circled the words of Proverbs 3:5 & 6 at the bottom and underlined this message from God: “Trust me with your life, your loved ones your pain, your problems, and your future. I will not let you down. You can count on me.” (I am holding on to that sweet promise!)
Embraced
This wonderful read from Lysa TerKeurst is like a daily coffee date with a good friend who loves Jesus with authenticity. I am currently on day 68 of 100 and cherishing every word. I read an entire devotional to my friend Michelle the other day on the phone because its words were exactly what we both needed to hear. So, in case you need this message, here is what I underlined today: “I don’t understand why we have to go through cruddy stuff. And I certainly know there are many worse things to go through than what I’ve mentioned here. We live in a broken world full of broken people. But isn’t it comforting to know God isn’t ever broken? He isn’t ever caught off guard, taken by surprise, or shocked by what happens next. He can take our worst and add His best. We just have to make the choice to stay with Him and Keep following Him through it all.” (pp. 212-213) God will use this book to remind you He’s “holding you close” each and every day — no matter how hard it gets. He’s present, and He will protect you.
Isn’t that awesome? Friend, God loves you, and He is fighting for you. If you are going through a chaotic season, keeping a devotional book close by will help you stop and remember He will never leave you nor forsake you.
To help remind you how much God loves you, I’ve created a beautiful list of 7 Scriptural promises for you to meditate on this week. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning letting God’s love wash over you as you worship the One who loves you most. (Bonus points if you share the verse on Facebook and tag a friend to encourage her.)
When we are struggling through a stormy season, sometimes it’s hard to sit down and read a longer passage of Scripture and really focus — because our weary hearts are just plain tired. Give yourself permission to slow down for a bit and read something shorter for a few days. I am starting each morning with 2 devotionals this year, and then I jump into more Scripture later in the day. I am thankful for these bite-sized pieces of truth to remind me God is in control, and I am going to be okay.
Friend, God’s got you. You can take a nap today and then maybe grab a good devotional and sit in a comfy chair and spend a few minutes with the Savior who gave all because He loves you most.
Let’s Chat: Are you a fan of devotional books? Share your favorite in the comments.
Spend a few minutes with the Savior who gave all because He loves you most.
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Want to dig deeper into the Word together?
Join me Live on Facebook on Mondays at 2:00 EST for Fired Up and Hopeful:
A verse by verse study of I Peter. Catch the replay on YouTube.
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Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Join the Wildfire Faith Community and get weekly #FaithFuel in your inbox.
You’ll receive “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
You’ll also get access to the practical resources and goodies in our private Faith Fuel library.
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
May 29, 2018
3 Wonderful Ways God Bends Down to Bless You (and a Giveaway)
God likes to interrupt my day and remind me I am loved. He does this often, and if I am not completely frazzled and running around like a crazy woman in a frenzy, sometimes I notice.
He surrounds me with sweet songs of deliverance.
He tenderly holds me by the hand.
The lover of my soul is wooing me to His side, but sadly some days I miss His invitation because I am too busy worrying about my problems to slow down and worship.
I waste a whole lot of time working myself up over problems that are monumental to me, but minuscule to my Mighty God. I forget He has me covered today. I focus on the looming tragedy and fail to listen to my faithful Father.
I don’t know if you struggle with spiritual ADD like me, but I want to get off the hamster wheel of worry and just let God be God in my life.
If you struggle with trying to fix things and fail to stop and see how God is at work in the details of your life, I want to let you know you are not alone. We probably need a support group. Send me an e-mail if you want to join.
This week, I slowed down for a few minutes and sat by a lovely window in my family room overlooking our fabulous back yard. I need to sit there with the Lord and savor His beautiful creation more often.
I opened up my devotional to Psalm 37, and God sweetly reminded me that I am loved.
Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed by life this week, and you need a little reminder that God loves you.
Consider this a love note from your God. He sees you.
3 Wonderful Ways God Bends Down to Bless You
He directs your path
Let this thought blow your mind today: The God who created the entire universe speaks to you and has ordered the steps of your path. He goes before you and paves the way with His grace and peace.
“A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Psalm 16:9, NLT)
He delights in you
God has chosen you as His very own and longs to cozy up to you — He isn’t scared of your brand of crazy. He designed you as a creative being and finds you charming just as you are.
“He brought me out to a spacious place; he rescued me because He delighted in me.” (Psalm 16:9, CSB)
He’s invested in the details
Not one second of your life escapes God’s careful attention. He knows exactly what you need, and He is orchestrating every single moment of your week with a purposeful design for you day.
“God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet He also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, His holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny. So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose.” (Romans 8:27-28, TPT)
So, here is my awesome God story for this week: I wrote all the words you read above in the early morning hours last Friday sitting in my bed with my journal, my laptop, my Bible, and Jesus. Later in the day, I logged on to social media to check in with the the world, and my friend Julie had “spontaneously” left me a little love on Facebook:
God smiled at me through Julie.
What if we all decided this week to share a little encouragement with one friend to remind her she is fiercely loved by her faithful God? Julie’s sweet post helped fuel my faith this week, and I am incredibly thankful for her.
To help remind you how much God loves you, I’ve created a beautiful list of 7 Scriptural promises for you to meditate on this week. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning letting God’s love wash over you as you worship the One who loves you most. (Bonus points if you share the verse on Facebook and tag a friend to encourage her.)
When we consistently allow God’s love pour into our fragile hearts, our countenance changes. His love lights up our souls, and we radiate His joy — a inexpressible joy spilling out over our family and friends. I dare you to download this week’s free printable and spend dedicated time drawing from the deep well of God’s love for you. You are deeply loved by a God who delights in you.
His love changes everything.
Friend, you are fiercely loved by your faithful God.
Friend, you are fiercely loved by your faithful God.
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God bends down to bless you in wonderful ways every day.
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Giveaway
Y’all know I am a big book nerd. Other women buy shoes, but I buy books and Bible commentaries.
For everyone who asks me “what should I read next?” I now have a sweet list of my favorite reads for you to check out. Amazon created a space for social media influencers to share cv!
If you are looking for a good read to fire up your faith, then check out what’s on my nightstand here.
(Disclosure: Amazon will compensate me a little for anything you may purchase through this page. Thanks in advance if you do.)
A few weeks ago, I started reading this sweet book from Liz Curtis Higgs. (You will love how she unpacks each passage phrase by phrase. It’s easy peasy Bible study!!!)
I’m giving away one copy of 31 Proverbs to Light Your Path to a reader this week. Leave a comment before Wednesday, June 6th letting me know that you shared this post on Facebook or Instagram to enter — and let me know what’s on your nightstand right now.
Note: You must live within the U.S. to enter today’s giveaway.
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If you are visiting from First 5 today,
welcome to my little space on the web!
Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you
LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anti cipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve. .
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.
You’ll get a free copy of “4 Surefire Ways to Ignite Your Faith” as my gift to you.
and access the practical resources in the Faith Fuel library for members.
Join the Wildfire Faith Community and get tools to help ignite your faith.
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I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.
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Want to dig deeper into the Word together?
Join me Live on Facebook on Mondays at 2:00 EST for Fired Up and Hopeful:
A verse by verse study of I Peter. You can also view the replays on YouTube.
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Are you ready to fire up your faith?
Have you written something challenging, encouraging, or inspiring lately? Link it up here! For best results, write the title of your post in the name box.
