Faith-Filled Friday In the era of computers and social media, text messaging, tweeting and twittering, it’s so heartwarming to receive a letter in the mail….so while U.S. Postal mail is diminishing with the use of email, we know you’ll appreciate this love letter written thru Debra from the heart of God to you. I think it’s especially timely as we enter the “season.”
Thanks so much for stopping by for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith-Filled Friday with Trench Classes United. My warrior, I will keep you in perfect peace as you trust in Me, all whose thoughts are fixed on Me! Beloved, My desire is for you to walk in perfect peace, My peace that passes all understanding for it will guard your hearts and minds through Me. To stay in My peace you must believe that I Am, and that I Am a rewarder of those that diligently seek Me. Look at the word diligent and think about the things you are diligent about. Do you work at getting to know Me, My ways, or My desires? Do you seek after Me? Do you seek after wisdom or understanding? Do you practice trusting Me? I know that it is hard for you to let go of that control you think you have. Beloved, practice trusting that I will care for you, that I will answer your prayers and supply your needs, that I will give you wisdom, for if you put Me first I will add everything that is needed for life and happiness. Love, God As written to and thru Debra
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Faith-filled Friday How many times have you felt like He’s not listening? Or the answer you got didn’t look like what you thought? You’re going to love God’s love letter today. Thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith-filled Friday with Trench Classes United and Debra Dolce. Good morning My love. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you received it, it will be yours. The key is to believe! If you believe something then you act as though it's a done deal. So if you pray and believe for rain, you better carry an umbrella; that’s believing! The same applies to all you are believing for. No plan B. Just plan G = God! Many make this back-up plan in case I don't answer on time, or like you think I should, but that nullifies your belief, which nullifies your faith. It actually looks like you're telling the God of the Universe how to answer your prayer. When your faith is applied with no plan B, beloved, stand back, for then you will see much more than you could have ever thought or imagined. I am a good, good Father and I know how to care for My children. Even before you ask, I know what your need is. Beloved, let Me be the God I am in your life today. Love from the Father above thru… Debra Faith-filled Friday Have you ever served on a jury in a criminal case and experienced the emotion of the final judgment? Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith-filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Debra has a beautiful word for us today!
Good morning, My love. So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life, in union with Me, the Anointed One. But the accuser is constantly at work, telling you of all the things you are doing wrong and how you will never measure up - lies, all lies. Is My blood not sufficient? Let's look forward to what I have for you. Think on what is true and honest, just and pure, lovely and has a good report. Rid your mind of all negative, especially as it pertains to you...and all of My beloveds. My Word says to let My mind be in you. If you could see what I see: I see such good, such value in you. You are a pearl of great price and I desire that you come and spend time with Me, that you lay aside your own wants and desires and seek after Me. Run after Me, and I will cause all of your desires to be fulfilled. Your dreams and visions are small compared to what I desire for you. If you can dream it, I can make it bigger, for you serve a God that has no limitations, all is at My fingertips. Beloved, ALL means ALL. From God…thru Debra Faith-Filled Friday Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith-filled Fridays with Trench Classes United. Come on in for some words from His heart to yours, written by Debra Dolce.
~Love Letter~ My blessed child, this is My command: be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go. If you are feeling lonely, spend time with Me, for My joy is your strength. Beloved, everything, I say everything you need is wrapped up in Me. If you can think of what could be wrong, I can tell you how to make it right. Everything through Me can be made right, no matter what a doctor says, no matter what your parents, even your grandparents said. I came so you would have life, abundant life, not a miserable existence, but a good life. I desire that you are happy, that you laugh more, that you smile more, that when others look at you, they see a radiance that says I am your Abba Daddy and that you are at peace, that you are confident that I am always with you and that your name is written on the palm of My hand. Faith-Filled Friday Philippians 4:8: Finally, ________, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklitpower and Faith-Filled Fridays with Trench Classes United! Grab whatever drink you have for your break, a journal for notes and your strand of faith and hopefully you’ll leave with a couple knots tied and your faith that much stronger. Have you ever caught yourself focusing on what’s wrong in your life, or in someone else’s for that matter, or what’s wrong about another person and their actions, especially as they pertain to you, instead of all that is right? Why does it seem to be so much easier to focus on the wrong instead of the right? I don’t know about you but sometimes I can really be a negative Nelly. Funny, just writing about this is taking me back to when my mom used to call me Pollyanna! There were times she said it sarcastically – that was in our time of Exodus which was when I was 12 all the way to 49 -- but I’ll never forget the time she said it while she was in the hospital and I was coming to see her every day. I was telling her she had to get better so we could spend time together when she got out, and she smiled the sweetest smile – something I had rarely seen – and said, “You are such a Pollyanna.” It caused me to stop what I was doing and look at her to confirm she was really being sweet…she was. It wasn’t until later that I looked it up and it made me weep and I do mean weep. My tears turned on like a faucet full blast and humility washed me clean of all the years where I had misunderstood her. See, the definition for a Pollyanna is “an excessively cheerful or optimistic person”! I never did get to discuss that with her because she never did make it out of the hospital, but, oh, how happy I was to be sad…for God had finally made right what was wrong all those years. See, all those years I thought she was focusing on something negative about me which kept her from me and it wasn’t that at all. How many times have we thought incredibly negative thoughts of someone just because of what we think they’re thinking of us? Coffee Hour Friend, God calls us to get our focus on what is right about any of our circumstances, or about that person we’re in conflict with, and get it off of what’s wrong. He calls us to meditate on things that are true, noble and just – which may not describe the situation or the difficult person you are dealing with but there is ONE who is all of these things. He calls us to mediate on anything that is praiseworthy, on things of any virtue. This God-breathed command spoken to us through Paul reminds us to quit picking apart and looking for all that is wrong, for when we do focus on what is right, the guarantee we have is we will be changed! When we are focusing on what’s wrong, we rarely have eyes to realize what’s right…and what’s right usually far out-weighs what’s wrong, especially when we let go of what’s wrong and let Him make it right! Thoughtfully, Kim-Evinda Faith Filled Friday John 8:32-33 And Jesus said to those Jews who believed, if you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
Have you ever gotten lost on your way home? I realize that in today’s era, with all of our technology available, any sort of directions at our fingertips just by asking Google or Navigation or our factory-installed GPS equipment in our cars, it’s a little more difficult to get lost. And yet, I have found myself lost a time or two as I don’t always remember to rely on technology! I’ve even been known to go to the wrong law office for a deposition before, having put in the wrong number or even worse, getting the wrong information! Wow, is that ever embarrassing! Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and faith-filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Getting lost is a horrible feeling, and I don’t just mean physically lost. I run into so many hurting people who are not lost, per say, overwhelmed with suffering of some sort. The waves of life have tossed them to and fro, and they have lost their way, their hope. Talk to the wife who has just discovered her husband’s having an affair…either with another woman or with an addiction of some sort, and then there’s the parent(s) hurting over the choices their child is making, choices that surely are going to cause so many unfavorable consequences. It’s like being lost in a sea of hopelessness for there is nothing to do but watch the unfortunate consequences come and do whatever they’re going to do. And what about the one just given a life sentence via a medical diagnosis with a prognosis revealing the end is around the corner? Friends, life is happening all around us and if it’s not happening to us, it’s happening to those close to us. What are we doing for them? What kind of directions are we giving when they reach out for help? Where do we send them or do we even stop to notice they’re a bit lost in their sea of life and the circumstances swimming around them threatening to overwhelm them, toss them to and fro that they may lose their way? See, no matter the circumstance, there is a place to abide where we will never get lost, a place that will shed new light, a fresh perspective, a location that is filled with peace and hope, a foundation built with grace, a place that if we would only turn to, land in, abide in, we would find freedom from all that has us overwhelmed: His Love Letters to you and me! It’s time to stop being one of those who don’t ask for directions and abide in that place that we will be found, never to get lost again because when we abide in His Word, and invite others to join us there, it is there we are found, and freed! Abiding in His promises and principles, Kim-Evinda Faith Filled Friday I just love the simplicity of Jenn’s blogs and I know you will too! Come on in and thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United.
I saw this bumper sticker: “If you see me on the ground, please drag me across the finish line.” I am assuming this person was a marathoner. At first, I chuckled because that would be me if I attempted to run a marathon. :) There's a bigger thought here however. As some of you know, I am big on sharing my journey, the ups and downs, even my struggles with faith. I believe in being real, authentic. I am incredibly grateful for the prayers others send up, for the inspiration I find everywhere, and the family/friends who talk me off the proverbial ledge. I like to think I return that favor when needed. The Bible says in Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." This is what we are here for. This is what we go through struggles for. So that in turn we can be of help and encouragement to a fellow runner. Life is like a race; sometimes one of us lags behind, maybe even lays on the ground until another comes along and “pulls us towards or over the finish line.” I’ll do it for you; will you do it for others? Thoughtfully, Jenn Faith-filled Friday James 1:12 (NLT): 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Ah, patiently enduring testing…what does that even look like? Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith-filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Come on in for a picture of patiently enduring… Suffering well and with a thankful heart, this is easier said than done. Last week, I found myself completely overwhelmed. I had been suppressing my workload; however, I wasn't aware that I was doing this. A few mornings later, it all came gushing out with babbling tears. I was a complete mess. Immediately I realized my plate was too full. I began to seek the Lord with this question: What load could I take off my plate? "Lord show me your way," I cried. I went to church the next day, and the message was on suffering well. Some may say a coincidence, I say not! The message got me to thinking: Jesus suffered the greatest of all, and He suffered well. He knew His purpose on this earth was to solely spread Gods love. He could have chosen not to suffer, but He loved us so that he paid the highest price so that when we suffer, He could be there to hold our hand and pour His love out on us, even if the suffering is at times self-inflicted. I pray that I could suffer as well as He did; that during times of trials and tribulations I'd remember to seek His face and to be thankful that He is right beside me every step of the way. Each trail builds us into stronger warriors for Jesus, so that we will be able to sympathize, encourage, and love on someone else who is going through a trail we have already endured. Oh, and by the way, it was revealed to me what thing I needed to take off my plate. God does hear, listen and answer! Take courage Coffee Hour friends; He is with us. Let us remember to count our blessings every step of the way. Love, Ashley Faith Filled Friday Thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Have you ever stopped to examine your heart and your time you spend with Abba? Are you thirsting for more of the Lord? How great it is that we are thirsting for Him because we know He is the only one who can quench our thirst. Oh, Be Still, My Soul!
Psalm 63:1 (NLT): “Oh, God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” Do you find yourself like me, where days fly by and it’s the end of the week before you know it? When I looked back at my week, I found myself in somewhat of a desert as a result of not taking time to be still before the Lord. Sometimes setting that time aside is more difficult than other times. Do you take the time to be still before the Lord? It’s a difficult task in our fast-paced world. I’m so grateful for the knocks and whispers from the Lord, gentle reminders and requests telling me He wants to spend time with me. But my flesh has been so tired these past few weeks, so much so that my need for more sleep has been canceling my appointments with my Abba. Recently I saw this question: "Am I allowing myself to be interrupted by God?" Dietrich Bonhoffer WOW! This quote spoke volumes to my heart. I cried out to the Lord, “Oh, please, interrupt me. Interrupt me that I might spend time at Your feet, quietly sitting and letting all my days, plans, and list of things to do fall away. This is what refreshes the soul and it is when I am refreshed that I can dare to research my soul: Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Can you relate to what I’ve shared? If so, please take this time to pray with me, that we may refresh our souls: Jesus, forgive us for getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of our lives. Help us to set aside time just for You so that we can be refreshed and revived by You daily. Show us the areas in our heart that we need to repent for and fix our eyes on you. Jesus, discipline us to set aside time with you. Oh Lord, help us to put you before ourselves. Thank you for hearing our prayer and being ever so faithful to forgive us. Oh what a gracious God we serve. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Have a great weekend, Ashley FAITH FILLED FRIDAY It’s Faith-Filled Friday with special guest Jennifer Wyatt! Grab your coffee and your strand of faith for some great knot-tying in and for your faith! Jennifer has a thought-provoking question to ask us…and an answer, her answer to that same question! Come on in for a few!
How would it change your mindset if you suddenly realized that you were born to solve a problem? When I was young I would read history books or stories of people who did great things and marvel at what they were able to accomplish. If only I could do great things. If only I had a special purpose in life. That hope was tossed aside by the realities of my life: Parents who often worked late and weren’t home, bullies at school, an abusive husband. I have often felt unworthy, not good enough and that having a purpose in life was for someone else and not me. Then one day I heard… “You are a solution to a God problem.” It wasn’t a voice from on high but from the pulpit. I had just moved to Florida and it was the second or third time attending this church. The pastor went on to explain that all of us were created to solve a “God problem.” Every hard situation, every joy was meant to fulfill that purpose. Every person is born with purpose, to solve a God problem. “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5) All people are made in the image of God. Each of us are born with a purpose and calling that we can discover… or completely miss. The influence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers gives us insight to His purposes for us. I have an assignment from God specifically for me. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This truth opened up a world of hope and a resolve to discover that plan and achieve it. I no longer feel like someone tossed about by my experiences. I feel free to walk out what God has called me to do. How about you? Do you feel bound up by the past and/or how you view yourself? Do you believe God has a special assignment for you? He does, and He is waiting for you to accept it. Jennifer |
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