Am I okay being different? I have been angry all week which is an unusual emotion for me. I have been extremely busy at work as well, so I have not had time to process my anger. But this morning with no rush to get to work on time, I’m sitting here with the Holy Spirit asking the question, “Why am I angry?” The Holy Spirit’s response was surprising...
Who Can Stand?
If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us?” Romans 8:31 TPT Now this seems like a simple rhetorical question. We all know the Sunday School Answer is “nothing or no one.” But do we believe? First, do we believe God is for us? Because the promise is predicated on that truth, “God is for us”. Can a generational curse (the past...
Know
Be still Stop your striving. Desist your work. Stop fighting. Surrender your anxiety. Calm down. Be quiet. Step out of traffic. Know. Learn. Recognize. Gain an intimate understanding. Be still and know.. He is good. He is faithful. He is all-powerful. He is patient, kind, abounding in love. He holds our destiny. He is a door opener. He performs miracles. He is the lover our souls. He will never leave...
No Buffet Christianity
“Crucify Him,” the crowd yelled. The crowd…where was the crowd that was fed with two loaves and five fish? Where was the crowd that thronged Him everywhere He went? Where was the crowd that saw blind eyes opened, the deaf hear, the dead raised, the leper cleansed? Where was the crowd that heard the gospel preached with power and authority? The crowd is a fickle entity. One minute it is...
Get a Clue
Knowing we are accepted in God frees us to take risks. There was much animosity between Jews and Samaritans. This woman risked further rejection just by speaking with a Jewish Rabbi. But think of the risk she took by going back to her village and declaring “I have met the Messiah and He is Jewish!” Risks become easier when you know that you have a safety net – the acceptance...
I am Beautiful
Had a conversation yesterday with a young Caucasian male while on the plane. His childhood had been difficult but he managed to be doing well for himself. He was dating a girl from Pakistan and when he talked about her, his eyes lit up. I asked how her parents felt about their relationship. He told me something that broke my heart, angered me, and caused indignation all at the same...
Touched and Commissioned
A friend and I are doing a bible study in the fall, tentatively called TOUCHED. It will explore the lives of women who were “touched” by Jesus. As I was researching for this bible study, I found it interesting that the first woman Jesus encountered was the Samaritan women at the well. This encounter was different because 1. Jesus purposefully sought out this woman (“He had to go to Samaria.)...
Accepted
“Melissa, am I not enough?” This was God’s question to me yesterday. His question was not meant to be an indictment nor an accusation. But it was a reminder of what I possess in Christ. You see, the spirit of rejection was knocking on my door yesterday. Events happened that had left me feeling rejected. Of course the enemy was quick to tell me that I was unworthy, not valuable....
Uninvited But Accepted
As she walked into the room, all eyes were on her. The women, looked judgingly at her and whispered to one another, “Look what the cat dragged in. I wonder why she is here? Whose husband is she after tonight?” The men quickly turned away, avoiding eye contact. Some afraid of being exposed, others not wanting to appear as if they are known by her. But she is oblivious to...
There is Room For You
She had traveled a long distance. Hot. Tired. Pregnant. Her fiancé was there, lovingly holding her hand. Yet she could feel the disdain from her future in-laws. Their judgmental remarks, their accusatory stares hurt but she held her head high because she had a promise. Finally, they arrive at their relatives home. The house is bursting with people and excitement. But when Mary and Joseph walk into the room, the...