The Saving Power in the Blood of Jesus

Every year I endure the same trauma at my doctor’s office—the drawing of blood. 

Why, traumatic? The answer lies in the words of a lab tech during one visit. “Your veins are itty bitty, Mrs. Friday.” Gee…yay for me. 

And to add more apprehension, the veins on my arms refuse to come out of hiding. Like a game of hide-and-seek, lab techs armed with needles make several attempts to seek an appropriate candidate—but to no avail. Although I’m already bruised and lightheaded.

Then, the lab employee enlists support from other techs, and sure-fire methods to raise a vein. Such as trying to warm up the vein with heat packs or squeezing a round object with my hand. Any success, now? Nope. 

Finally, one brave and innovative gal not only used a butterfly needle—the smallest option—but she also decided to use a visible vein on the top of my hand. She expressed one concern. This particular vein may not yield enough blood.

Drum roll, please. It worked! Hooray! 

Ever since that day, I share my tiny-veins-and-hard-to-get-blood story with my lab person. So I kindly ask for a butterfly needle and to stick the vein in my hand. This makes my experience a little more pleasant. 

It amazes me what our blood shows about us: type, heart-health, overall health, and often diagnoses a medical condition, disease, or illness. Life is in the blood.

Life in the Blood

Look at what the Lord told Moses:

I Am: 4 Declarations of True Identity in Christ

Sometimes we forget who we are in Christ. The enemy of our souls hopes we believe all the wrong “I am” declarations. Those negative statements we often say and repeat to ourselves that damage our true identity.

So we need to remind our hearts of 4 powerful “I am” declarations to regain our true identity in Christ.

(1.) I am loved. 

If you’re anything like me, you grew up questioning if people really loved you.

And—gulp—wondering if God loves you.

Maybe these questions formed in various stages of our life. Or, the enemy uses our uncertainty of love to haunt us in the present.

But the love of Christ is firm and certain. To believe and know the truth about His love, write out and pray these scriptures: 

• Love lays down His life for us (John 15:13). 
• Perfect love drives out our fear (1 John 4:18).
• The Lord quiets us with His love, singing over us (Zephaniah 3:17).
• Christ crowns us with love (Psalm 103:4).
• God’s love stands firm forever (Psalm 89:2).

If you belong to Christ, repeat after me: I am loved. This is our true identity. 

Turning Hearts Back to God: A Consuming Fire

I stepped into the oversized paws, pulled the furry costume over my legs, and inserted my arms. Yet, I waited until the last second to put the head piece in place, wanting plenty of air for as long as possible.

Feeling a tad claustrophobic, and with limited vision through the mesh eyes, I asked someone to lead me to the designated area. Once we reached our destination, my instructions included: wave, nod, shake hands, give high fives, and pat heads. But no speaking—someone else spoke on my behalf.

So an excited group of pre-schoolers gathered around me to meet Smokey Bear. My son, Caleb, three-years-old at the time, hugged one of my legs. While I patted his head, he remained clueless Mom stood underneath Smokey’s fur, blue jeans, and forestry hat.

Smokey spent the last 75 years telling kids not to play with matches, warning about campfires, and reminding us, Only You Can Prevent Wildfires. 

Although my bear-costume-wearing days ended, I continued to possess a healthy fear of fire.

Fire From Heaven

And one of my favorite Bible stories describes a showdown of epic proportions involving fire from heaven in 1 Kings 18.

King Ahab reigned over Israel. Sent by the Lord, the prophet Elijah told Ahab he troubled all of Israel because he “abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals”(1 Kings 18:18b). 

Elijah called for all of Israel to gather at Mount Carmel along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah (verse 19).

Then, Elijah spoke on God’s behalf.

“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men’” (1 Kings 18:21-22).

Now, for the showdown details.

Gaining the Victory in Our Thought Life

If we’re honest, we all struggle with our thought life—those thoughts that make or break us, and often shape us. So, I’m super excited my friend, Sarah, returns as a blog guest to talk about her new book, Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus.

By Sarah Geringer

Our thought lives form the structure for our words and actions. Every problem we have begins in our thoughts. Since no one else knows our thoughts except God, we think we can hide them. 

However, what you think in your inward life inevitably spills out onto your outward life. You can either be defeated in your thought life before you ever take action, or you can transform your thought life with the power of God’s Word. You can have victory in your thought life struggles by meditating on the truths in Scripture.

Our Past Experiences 

Many of us experienced hurt and difficulties in our past that influence our lives now. For example, my parents divorced when I was four years old. The fallout from their divorce has affected nearly every area of my thinking. 

As a little girl, I began dealing with negative, anxious, fearful, and critical thoughts in response to the wounds the divorce caused. These thoughts carved paths in my conscious and subconscious mind that still tempt me today. 

I have used the power of Scripture to reroute those thought life paths. You can reroute your own thought pathways by using key scriptures in specific problems.

The Battle With Our Thought Life

The ABC’s of Our Christian Faith

Sometimes we lose sight of the basics to our Christian faith. The elements of Christianity setting us apart from the world and other religions.

They are essential to help us grow in relationship with Christ. And they are the spiritual tools we need to live as a believer.

So, here are the ABC’s of a Christian life.

A-F Basics for Our Christian Faith

Abide in Christ. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5, ESV.

Believe God. Believe what God says and who He is. Because when the journey turns bumpy, our Christian beliefs carry us over life’s potholes. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” Romans 4:3b, NIV.

Confess. Confess our sin against God, own it, and take responsibility for when we go in the wrong direction. Because sometimes we fall into sin or we fail to walk in the direction God instructed (Proverbs 28:13 and James 4:17).

Declare God’s glory and works. We declare His glory and works to others and ourselves. In other words, preach it. Then preach it to the choir. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3, ESV.

Encourage other believers. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV.

Forget what’s behind. Looking back on our life may help us move forward. But Jesus never intended for the past to paralyze us (Philippians 3:13-14).

5 Ways to Cultivate an Unstoppable Faith

The Christian journey is founded on faith and lived in faith.

There’s this thing in my life that I continue to pray over, wait on, and hope for. And it’s kind of a big deal. Something to give God glory in and for.

Meanwhile, I often teeter between excitement and feeling a bit overwhelmed.

So, I sometimes smile in anticipation. Or, I jump up and down on the inside when I imagine the possibility of it happening.

Then, only moments later, a knot forms in the pit of my stomach wondering what if never happens? 

This thing required I take a leap of faith. And I’m learning these leaps should be the “norm” for believers. But we often hesitate about stepping into the unknown. Still, Hebrews 11:1 defines it exactly that way:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (NIV)

Faith is not a receive-it-all-at-once deal. Because the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see, grows and strengthens while we live out our Christian lives on this earth. 

Here are 5 ways to cultivate an unstoppable F-A-I-T-H:

F – Find God faithful. 

We come to God in faith, believing He is Creator and Lord, and accepting His salvation by faith through Jesus Christ. This faith continues in our life as we find God faithful and learn He always fulfills His promises. 

Empowered Kids – Everyday Life with the Holy Spirit

Excited to introduce my guest author, Jessie Mattis. Her message to Christian parents, adults, and the church about kids who follow Jesus is eye-opening.

The 4-14 Window

I don’t know about you, but the 4-14 window lights a fire in me. If this is a new phrase for you, the 4-14 window simply refers to the age range in which people are most receptive to learning about Jesus.

Approximately 70% of Christians chose to follow Jesus when they were between the ages of four and fourteen.

I’m guessing we can agree it’s an absolutely crucial period in a child’s life!

Sometimes, it seems, kids between the ages of 4-14 don’t get the credit they deserve. Teachers and parents don’t always understand the capabilities and potential of these children, bubbling under the surface, just waiting for guidance and encouragement to rise to the occasion. 

More than Capable

The truth is, through the power of the Holy Spirit, kids who follow Jesus are capable and empowered to:

• Speak to God
• Hear from God
• Pray for others
• Be led and gifted by the Holy Spirit in various ways

Even at the tender age of four, I can remember my own children being more than capable of understanding the basics of God. And applying it in their own lives. When my youngest daughter was around age four, she had (and still has) deep compassion for those around her. If one of her big siblings hurt themselves (as happens with kids all. the. time.) it wasn’t uncommon for her to reach her chubby little hand out and pray a simple, four-year-old’s prayer: “Dear God, please help my brother/sister feel better.” (Cue me trying not to let my heart explode with joy.)

Showing Kids an Active Relationship with God

Good News and God News About Love

I’m not going to say, I have good news and bad news, since that’s not true.

But I am going to share good news and God news.

And this particular news piece features an extraordinary love story.

Love is one of those loose and hard to define terms we overuse and misuse. Instead of like, we use love for everything from possessions and food to our favorite sports teams and celebrities.

We love ice-cream, brands, songs, books, and our favorite movies.

News That’s Not New

Honestly, I use love to describe my affections for cinnamon rolls, pasta, Chai tea lattes, boots, the Hallmark Channel, and sunsets.

And that’s only a few of my loves.

Still, we struggle to understand love—a feeling or an emotion?

In life’s hard moments, we may lose the loving feeling. For me, abandonment extinguished the emotion. Like when my dad vanished from my life for a few years.

Furthermore, culture woos us with a shallow love from people, things, and false ideas and religions.

Sometimes love fades when hearts break. My heart broke after friendships dissolved and family members died including a baby in utero. I lost hope in love.

Good, Good News

Then, there’s this: For a portion of my life, I wondered, Am I lovable?

Inside chatter tried to convince me otherwise. Internal voices mocked true love. Only the lovely, the best, the deserving—basically, the cream of the crop—meet the standards. 

Praying to the God of Immeasurably More

Praying for you to the God who does immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

I sent this message to a friend with the assurance we serve and pray to the God of immeasurably more. 

Immeasurably More

Because this particular Scripture is one of my favorites: 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

Google tells us immeasurably means, “to an extreme or extensive degree; immensely.” And defines more as “a greater or additional amount or degree.” Therefore, it’s doubled in degree and greatness and amount.

Far More Abundantly

I also like how the ESV states it.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Again, according to Google, abundantly means “in large quantities; plentifully.”

And so we conclude these things about God’s ability:

*Extreme or extensive. 

*Greater and additional amount.

*Large, plentiful quantities.

Kneeling and Praying

But what does it mean for us and praying? Also, what comes before verse 20 in chapter 3 of Ephesians causing the Apostle Paul to began with Now?

32 Things to Know And Celebrate About God

For last week’s post, I wanted us to know the 52 Reasons to Connect With a Local Church. While I never intended to publish another “list” article so soon, my plans changed. You see, the church as the body of Christ only exists because God exists. 

Since we gained knowledge about the church and celebrated its attributes, it makes sense to know and celebrate the many things that make God, God.

Things To Know About God

(1.) The One true God. Oh, there are other gods. But there’s no other god like our God. “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9b)

(2.) Living. Jeremiah compares man-made idols to the living God. “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God.” (Jeremiah 10:10) How sad and foolish when we bow to idols without breath. Or, believe in gods who are dead.

(3.) Creator. Genesis 1:1 tells us in the beginning God created…. God existed first. Then He created everything else, all of creation, and humans in His image. 

(4.) Holy. The Blue Letter Bible shares, “God is holy means there is no trace of evil in his character. Only God is holy.” Further, “There is no one holy like the LORD.” (1 Samuel 2:2a)

(5.) Sovereign. God rules as the supreme authority, doing what pleases Him (Psalm 115:3), His kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19). 

(6.) In control. “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27)

(7.) Majestic. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:9)

(8.) Almighty. “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” (Revelation 1:8)

Things That Make God, God