Redemption Prayer

I hope everyone is surviving well in this great battle for the Kingdom that Our Savior has started and to which he is committed to finishing. 

 I was a POW recently, held captive by laziness and pride. All praise to Our Father and Our Lord for his redeeming grace and mercy.

I am resending Redemption Prayer, for we are instructed to pray when we are troubled, and this is certainly a day of trouble. The battle may be a silent one at times, but it has not ceased. The Lord is intent on establishing his Kingdom, and our enemy is committed to disrupting it wherever he can.

He knows that when the Kingdom fully arrives that he has an appointment in a very uncomfortable place. He cannot afford to rest; his only hope is to delay the arrival of the Kingdom.

Thank you, Father, for redeeming my life, forgiving me all of my sins and giving me a reason to live and a reason to die. Thank you for a forgiven past, a peaceful present, and a glorious future! 

Please bless your children, your church, and let us bless your holy name! Lead us in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Help us be faithful witnesses for Christ. Show us how to lay up our treasure in heaven, making decisions that will reap eternal rewards for us and those we love.

Be near, Father; hold our hands and lead us through this dark world, helping us shine the light of your glorious truth where it is needed the most.

For it is in Jesus’s name we pray and give thanks.

“Your brother and companion in the suffering and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are ours in Christ Jesus”,

Love in Christ,
~Brad Heilhecker 

          

Blessings

WORTHY THOUGHT: Let us not be hoarders of our blessings.

Faith + Obedience = Blessings

God Is the one who blesses us when we remain obedient to him. Our true reward is the presence of God and the power we receive through the Holy Spirit. 

When we give, God supplies us with more so we can give more.

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. (Proverbs 11:24)

God will extend His Grace to us when we are generous with what we have regardless of the amount enabling us to be generous even though we may have very little to give.

God honors generosity!

Make it a point to share your heavenly rewards!
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.  (Proverbs 10:22)

                ~ Angela Lipe-Pattengill 

A Journey Of The Heart

Have you ever been so badly wounded by someone that you grieved at the same depths you did for a devastating death? A betrayal so hurtful you just could not ever imagine a rainbow ever reappearing after the soul-damaging storm?  

The long road to recovery and forgiveness is brutal and this journey of the heart is not always a quick trip. 

 
My head knows that no one is perfect. We are all fallible and fall short. We all say and do things we regret. My head knows people will disappoint us, but God never does. 

 
I don’t want to walk this journey of forgiveness to recover from being wounded. I want to do like my kids did when they were little and grab God’s face with both my hands and give a deep eye-to-eye stare. I want God’s full attention! 

My heart wants an instant miracle! 

I want to say : “Look God, I need You! I am drowning here! I am hurt. It is not well with my soul! I am trying to forgive, I am trying to forget. I am trying to pray for those that hurt me and love them and live life but right now I am anything but fine! If You are counting all my tears and saving them in a bottle, I think You got more than you or I bargained for on this one.” 

 
My head knows that God restores every heart that is broken. His word promises that.  

However, healing takes time and restoration comes only in God’s perfect timing.  

But right now, my heart is not too excited or happy about it. My heart is aching and I am just plain miserable. My heart feels like it got trapped and shipwrecked somewhere on a distant shore. 
 

We are to forgive even when sometimes we don’t ever get the apology we hoped for or deserved.

 
God is the only One that rights our wrongs. 

 

My heart wants the situation changed now, but My head knows the journey of the heart to forgiveness is not an easy or quick one.

 
The head knowledge that has to come first is this: forgiveness is the ultimate act of obedience to the Father.  

He forgave us freely and commands us to forgive those who trespass against us. 

The journey from head knowledge to heart knowing is a much longer and more tedious process. It is a long, winding and, at times, unsteady road. It takes time, tears, much prayer, and a constant surrendering of our jumbled-up, raw emotions to God.  

There will be days you will feel like you can barely grasp enough air to keep breathing or the strength to even stand. That’s okay.  

The fragments of your shattered and wounded soul, like the potholes or deep grooves on a rough road, are in the process of being slowly filled and smoothed away. Forgiveness is a process, not an instantaneous feeling.  

It can’t be rushed. 

Just as you have to navigate a rough road slowly, so is the same with the road to forgiveness. Each encounter with rough terrain can only be navigated from God’s perspective and with His help.  

The restoration in the forgiveness process is something that only He can do to heal us properly.  

Eventually, the road to recovery and to forgiveness is complete when the head knowledge is now your heart-knowing that God is the Great Restorer of all things broken.  

The journey of the heart must be traveled in order to reach full forgiveness and wholeness again. 

         ~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

 

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. – Psalm 56:8

It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened. -Genesis 50:20 ERV

 
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. -Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. -Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV 

 
I will make their going easy, level the mountain road and smooth the path that leads them home. -Isaiah 49:11

I wrote this last year as a guest blog for Compassion That Compels and have revamped it to encourage others on this journey of the heart to forgiveness. 

 It is a journey so worth taking! 
               

Finding Your Mojo

When your faith seems burnt out, and your sense of grace is growing dim, and your mercy with others has suddenly found limits- just think about the mind blowing fact of what Christ endured for you.  

Jesus took all our junk upon Himself, suffered horrendously for us and still – He had Complete Faith in His Father’s bigger plans and purposes. His grace shined beyond bright and was far reaching, and His mercy was always renewing day after day without an end! 

Those thoughts alone should help you find your Mojo! 

Jesus and His Holy Spirit is my Mojo! 

mojo

noun mo·jo \ˈmō-(ˌ)jō\

Simple Definition of mojo:

a power that may seem magical and that allows someone to be very effective, successful, etc.

 The Spirit of the Lord helps us keep our Faith on fire, our sense of grace burning big and bright; far and wide, and our mercy towards others always renewed and beyond limits. 

~XXOO Michelle Bollom #LiveRestored 

How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21 MSG 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV 

For it is by grace God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ that you have been saved actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life through faith. And this salvation is not of yourselves not through your own effort, but it is the undeserved, gracious gift of God; ~Ephesians 2:8 AMP  

I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. ~Hosea 14:4 CEB 

Priceless

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) – ESV

 

Recently, my friend, had a missed communication when she went to visit with her son in prison. She didn’t receive the message asking her not to come that day. This particular time, he had served at an outside event, and for a reward, he got to participate in the meal that was prepared there.

But he was interrupted with her visit, and he didn’t get to finish the meal.

Needless to say, he wasn’t as happy to see her as she was to see him. He explained in disappointment and frustration, “I didn’t get to eat my fried chicken!”  

Lovingly, she responded back, “Well, I’m sorry son, but I came here today, because I really wanted to spend some time with you.”

As I was imagining his frustration, due to the time that had passed since he had a meal like that, I understood.

That meal was priceless.

And then I remembered some of the times that I have complained, or have been frustrated, because I didn’t get to finish something that I really wanted to. I thought about my own past offenses, like when I felt that my sinful life was cut short – due to unexpected consequences, for an example.

I thank God that he isn’t condemning, he is gentle and kind. He blots out my past with no mention of my sins.
He said:
“There were, still are, many times that I just really desire to spend time with you. So, as you question the importance of a piece of chicken, remember this: The things that ‘you feel’ are important – do not always include me, but I would sure like them to.”

“I never change. I always desire to spend time with you. I take great delight in you and rejoice over you. To me, moments like these are priceless.”

Friends,

May your time with the Lord be priceless today.

  ~ Baring His Beauty,

      Tiffany Thomas 

Silhouette Of Love

Through the tests and trials Jesus’ love shines down on us and casts the perfect silhouette for the world to see. ~ Thomas Joel Trevino 

The Sustainer Of My Soul

sus·tain

səˈstān/

verb

1. strengthen or support physically or mentally.
To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for

To support the spirits, vitality, or resolution of; encourage

To support from below; keep from falling or sinking; prop.

Behold, God is my helper and ally;The Lord is the sustainer of my soul [my upholder.]~ Psalm 54:4 

A strong spirit sustains us.~Proverbs 18:14

We are never alone. We have the strength and support both physically and mentally we need. We have all our necessities and nourishment provided for us. We have support for our spirit, vitality, and resolutions to anything we face. We have encouragement and a prop holding us up and keeping us from sinking or falling.  

                   Declare these promises!  

             #LiveRestored #PrayTheWord

                   ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Viral Love

This video was captured as Pastor, Mark Willhoite was playing a piano at a hospital and a stranger, Ms. Vera Swain joined him to sing. The video has gone Viral. Their duet will touch your heart.  

The world definitely needs more of this. 

Watch here now

Viral Love Video

Message from Pastor Mark’s Facebook:

Vera Swain and I made the news with a song that I wrote and will be produced by David W Huff in Atlanta Ga. on the 3rd and 4th of Sept and will be available on I tunes perhaps on the 6 th of Sept.

An Exuberant Declaration

The Eternal is my light amidst my darkness and my rescue in times of trouble. So whom shall I fear? He surrounds me with a fortress of protection. So nothing should cause me alarm. 

When my enemies advanced to devour me alive,They tripped and fell flat on their faces into the soil. When the armies of the enemy surround me,I will not be afraid. When death calls for me in the midst of war,my soul is confident and unmoved. I am pleading with the Eternal for this one thing,my soul’s desire: To live with Him all of my days—in the shadow of His temple,To behold His beauty and ponder His ways in the company of His people. His house is my shelter and secret retreat. It is there I find peace in the midst of storm and turmoil. Safety sits with me in the hiding place of God. He will set me on a rock, high above the fray. God lifts me high above those with thoughts of death and deceit that call for my life. I will enter His presence, offering sacrifices and praise. In His house, I am overcome with joy As I sing, yes, and play music for the Eternal alone. I cannot shout any louder. Eternal One—hear my cry and respond with Your grace. The prodding of my heart leads me to chase after You. I am seeking You, Eternal One—don’t retreat from me. You have always answered my call. Don’t hide from me now. Don’t give up on me in anger at Your servant. You have always been there for me. Don’t throw me to the side and forget me, my God and only salvation. My father and mother have deserted me, yet the Eternal will take me in. O Eternal, show me Your way, shine Your light brightly on this path, and make it level for me, for my enemies are lurking in the recesses and ravines along the way. They are watching—hoping to seize me. Do not release me to their desires or surrender me to their will! Liars are standing against me, breathing out cruel lies hoping that I will die. I will move past my enemies with this one, sure hope:that with my own eyes, I will see the goodness of the Eternal In the land of the living. Please answer me: Don’t give up. Wait for the Eternal in expectation, and be strong. Again, wait for the Eternal. ~Psalm 27:1-14 The VOICE 

The psalms provide us with a way to think about and pray through the various threats we face. Our enemies today may not be the same as in biblical times, but they are no less real. Consider the threats on the horizon. Some may be national. Others may be more personal. Still they come to surround us and destroy us if they could only get the chance. The reality is there are times when our enemies appear to have the upper hand and our cause is lost. But wait and listen to the psalm! All is not lost because, ultimately, God is our light and salvation. The darkness will lift, and our Savior will come. He will settle all scores, and we will live in the beauty of His presence. ~Psalm 27 The VOICE Commentary 

          Some translations call this Psalm
       “An Exuberant Declaration Of Faith.”

Exuberant: filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.

I have to agree with that because those of us who have truly known our former hopeless and lost state and the pitiful conditions God rescued us from are now often shameless and unrelenting in our excitement and gratitude as we declare all the wonderful things he has done, is doing, and yet to do for us.  

Jesus welcomes exuberance. 

More than anything, it reflects a genuine understanding of His grace.

What are your thoughts? 

       What are you exuberantly declaring? 
                      ~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

When We Don’t Understand

As I sit here in my prayer corner thanking God for all the blessings He has given me, I am so grateful, but there is a deep sadness in my heart. Last night a friend of mine texted me that a man I highly respect in my company, lost his son in a car accident. He was only 22 years old and was on his way to college, when a truck hydroplaned in the rain, crossed the center line and hit him and his girlfriend head on! He was killed instantly and she survived and is in serious condition. Please keep them all in your prayers!

 
News like this is always shocking and cuts right to the core of your heart and a deep sadness overwhelms you. Thoughts begin to race through your mind of how tragic this is for their family and friends. I can’t even begin to imagine how it must feel for the parents and brothers and sisters to endure such a loss. Even though you may not know the person who passed, you still feel the deep sadness and have empathy for their loved ones. 
 

You can’t help but question, Why Lord? Why did this happen to such a young, vibrant young man, who had his whole life ahead of him? How could you let this happen? We can’t even begin to understand, yet we continue to try to figure it out.  

 

Scripture says in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  

As Christians, we just have to trust that God loves us and has a greater plan and purpose and He will use everything for His glory. Even though we cannot possibly understand, His plans are for good and not evil.

 
The Message, Romans 11:34 captures it so well, “Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him; Always glory! Always praise! 
 

In devastating times like this, we can find peace and comfort through him and only Him, nothing can heal a broken heart, but the love of Jesus. He is our strength in the darkness, and he is the light at the end of the tunnel. Only he can take away the pain of losing someone we love so dearly. 

  Our peace, comfort, strength and joy comes in The Word of the Lord:

 

“Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” 2 Corinthians 1:3

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4

 

 “The joy of the Lord is your strength”, Nehemiah 8:10

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“I also saw that no one can understand all that God does. People can try and try to understand the things that happen here on earth, but they cannot. There may be wise people who claim to understand the meaning of these things, but they are wrong. No one can understand it all. ” Ecclesiastes 8:17

Later in the afternoon, I received another text saying that he donated organs to save 75 lives. One life was lost, but many, many lives were blessed!  
 

Deb Hicks
http://www.bowlofsplendor.com