Rebuke

Worthy Thought:How we respond to rebuke is what gives us greater revelation and changed behavior.

re·buke rəˈbyo͞ok/ verb –express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.

Proverbs 1:23 says: If you had responded to My rebuke, I would have poured out My heart to you and made My thoughts known to you.

I don’t know about you, but I want Christ’s heart poured out to me and His thoughts to be known so I will gladly accept and respond to His rebuke.

Lord, open my eyes and ears to recognize and receive Your rebuke. Pour out Your heart to me Lord and make Your thoughts known to me. Thank You for the greater revelation revealed in Your Word. Help me to respond well to Your rebuke.

XXOO Michelle Bollom

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Men Of Valour

Men of valour

Down generational lines

they came

There’s not many of them

When you meet them

You know that they are

an elite group of men

Making it their mission

to change the lives of not

just their own sons and daughters

but their hearts are big enough

to let more in

The outcast, the prodigal, the looked upon

Finds refuge in their embrace

The word ‘judge’ unknown to them

Every soul is important

Every person they encounter

special to the Father

Doesn’t matter if they’re

gay or straight

Substance abusers, orphans, prodigals

Their background not important

They know that the Father’s love

Can heal a wounded soul

These elite group of men

Trained by the Heavenly Father

Fought many personal battles themselves

Dealt with their own fears

Denying their flaws was never an option

Severe character training

Set them apart

No time for comfort zones

The next generation at risk

Waiting to be led

Giving up was never an option

Like Joseph, they passed the pit,

palace and prison tests

Making them a distinguished

group of men

Always keeping their hearts

and character intact

Obedience to the Father

No matter the cost

They are not perfect

but they know the One

who is perfect, intimately

They have experienced the Fathers

heart of love and mercy first hand

They are following the greatest

example of sacrificial love

So that each wounded soul

Can step into the Father’s

heart for them

They have been broken by the Father

and from that well of brokenness

They impact lives one by one

Encounters in His presence

made them brave

His love poured out on them

made them different

They are looking through

the lenses of His heart

Soaking in His presence

Made them aware of His love

for each searching soul

Love their trademark

Obedience their lifestyle

Hope their compass

Faith their legacy

They may be few in numbers

but the impact they make

Will trickle down to all generations

Leaving a heritage

Men of valour

Men who love and lead with honour

Men who shows kindness

To the least of them

Men who selflessly laid down

their own agendas

To train, equip and lead

the next generation

Giving their all so that each

spiritual son and daughter

will step into their calling

It’s not just about our little families

It’s about changing the world

Embracing the lonely

the hurt

the forgotten

For don’t we all have a story

That needs to be rewritten

The prodigals are waiting

Step into their lives

Their lives can only start

When you do your part.

~ Ebigale Wilson

Every Promise In The Book Is Mine

We need to have appropriating faith in regard to God’s promises. We must make God’s Word our own personal possession.

A child was asked once what appropriating faith was, and the answer was, “It is taking a pencil and underscoring all the me’s and mine’s and my’s in the Bible.”

Take any word you please that He has spoken and say, “That word is my word.” Put your finger on this promise and say, “It is mine.”

How much of the Word has been endorsed and receipted and said “It is done.”

How many promises can you subscribe and say, “Fulfilled to me.”

“Son/Daughter, thou art ever with Me, and all that I have is thine.”

Don’t let your inheritance go by default.

“When faith goes to market it always takes a basket.”

~LB Cowman / Streams In The Desert

Song Sunday this week is a great old classic “Every Promise In The Book Is Mine” done by a creative group of teens. Enjoy and don’t forget your basket!

~ XXOO Michelle Bollom

Always Afraid

What is this fear? Why won’t it go away?

The fear is that I don’t know what I am doing, and that I don’t know where I am going.

Even if I know that heaven is my ultimate destination, what lies between here and there?

Who is making my daily decisions?

Who is taking responsibility for my life?

What is the source of my strength and hope? When will the war be over?

When will I ever be completely out of danger?

No platitudes, please. This is real life, with real life battles, with life and death decisions that have to be made.

There is only one answer to this fear, one ultimate solution. Death. When I die, there will be no need for fear.

So that’s it? I have to wait until I die?

What if I could decide to give up my life now? What if I could go to my own funeral now? What if I could decide to no longer worry or be afraid of anything that could happen?

What if I could let go now, instead of waiting until time makes the decision for me?

What if?

That may be the world’s saddest question, if it is not answered well.

So, let’s replace it!

Let’s ask,

What do you want me to do today, Father?

How may I bless your heart today?

Who may I help today?

Who needs prayer?

Who needs encouragement?

Lord, what is on your agenda for me today? Jesus, what do you want to do through me today?

Fearfulness is too high a price to pay for having my own way. I surrender to you today.

I give you my life. You make my decisions. You chart my course. You protect me, guide me, strengthen me, and give me life abundantly. Jesus, you are my life, and I thank you for it!

~ Brad Heilhecker

Image from Pinterest by God Vine

Remember Who You Are

Mary Margaret Love, wife of Bill Love, both long time friends of the family, used to tell us when we were children, “Remember who you are.”  I am not sure just how much thought I gave to that when I heard it, but I remember that it sounded good; it sounded right; it seemed to have something to do with the “wisdom of age.”

Now, at 58, as I face adult sized battles of identity and purpose, confidence and courage, and hope and peace, I go back to those words.

I remember that even Our God has enemies and battles to face, and that he seems to be fearless in spite of terrific opposition.

I wonder if his courage comes from the fact that he knows who he is.  I wonder if he can face lies and threats and hatred because he knows that he is the truth, that he is omnipotent, that he is love.  

I wonder if our confidence and courage can approximate his as we remember that we are his, that we are in him who is the truth, who is omnipotent, who is love.  I wonder if our lives can mirror his as we keep our minds and our eyes focused on his Son.  

I wonder if the battles we face will pale in comparison to the victory celebration when all is won.  I wonder what the top side of this tapestry of life is going to look like.  I wonder if we will have any regrets when we finally make it home.  

I hope that it will be a glorious day of rejoicing and remembrance with no regrets.

~ Brad Heilhecker

A Year’s Sabbatical

What would we do with a year with nothing to do? Would it be a blessing or a curse? Would it be active or passive? Would it be boring or exciting?

Would it be filled with relationships or spent in quiet meditation among the hills and the trees? Would it be filled with scripture and prayer or sleep and television? Would it be God centered or man centered?

What will we do with an eternity of endless days and nights?  

Will we talk, pray, laugh, and play?

Will we run, hide, walk, sit, and lie down in peace?

Will we work, rest, dream, plan, build, and create?

Will we revel in beauty, wonder in mysteries, and soar in majestic heights of glory?

So, instead of planning for a year with nothing to do, maybe we should make plans for an eternity with everything to do.

Men fear eternity will be boring and purposeless.

Maybe this is because our finite minds cannot fully appreciate the infinite.

Infinite time, perfect bliss, unending love.

Maybe it is because we are in love with mortal things like money, fame, and pleasure and wonder what life could possibly be like without these idols.

Maybe it is because we have not come face to face with our creator and been given a vision of the vastness of his being and empire. And, even if we have, maybe we can hardly believe that he wants to share everything that he is and has with us.

Maybe, by God’s grace, we will live and love forever with the same passion and purpose of Our Heavenly Father!

Maybe, just maybe.

~ Brad Heilhecker

First

Worthy Thought:When we put God “First” everything else falls into place.

Check out this great speech by Denzel Washington “Put God First”

Hope In The Lord

“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” ~Psalms 130:7 ESV

I can’t even describe how terrible my sense of direction is. Even recently, after living in a small town for years, I caught myself going down the wrong way on a one way street.

When I think about direction and where it has led me in my life, I can find myself reminiscing in past regret, memories of recent joy, and the expectation of what is to come.

I can’t count how many times I’ve gotten off course, over the years, but I can say – there have been many.

I’ve learned that when I travel closely with Jesus, I never get lost or find myself alone. I might take the wrong turn, from time to time, but He’s always there providing a way back to him. He is the hope in any darkness and he gives a roadmap to the exact location of his heart, plentiful in grace and forgiveness.

Jesus thank you for traveling with me, while guiding me at every step. Your direction is clear. There is no need to doubt which way to go. Thank you for providing the way of hope to live a life free in you. In your precious name, Amen.

~ Baring His Beauty,

Tiffany Thomas

Hold On Dear One

Don’t give up

on what I have

promised you

The enemy is

painting pictures

of your demise

His purpose to derail

many assignments

in this season

Many sons and daughters

feel hopeless and distracted

Letting their emotions

and circumstances rule them

Leading them away

from their destiny in Me

I know that the season

has been challenging

Many feel lost and alone

They have given up on hope

They’re waiting for the

fulfillment of many promises

Many feel like they’re

revisiting their

wilderness season

Many are so crushed

by their circumstances

That giving up seems

like the only option

I would ask of you

to hold on

to every promise

That I have made to you

I can see that weariness

has set in

It feels easier

to let go

than to hold on

Looking back over your life

You will see a trail of My faithfulness

My timing is always perfect

I am working on your behalf

although I might seem far away

Keep your focus on Me

Remember what I have

dreamed over you

Hold on

to our secret place encounters

The smokescreen

the enemy is creating

Is meant to distract you

His purpose is to bring

confusion and disillusion

So that you will feel

so weak and throw

in the towel

Remember the thief

only comes to steal

and kill and destroy

His main purpose is

for you to give up

Before you can step

into My promises for you

Don’t allow him to win

Hold on dear one

You are stronger

than you think

Press in

My son’s and daughters

For a new season

is on the horizon

Giving up is not an option

Put your war song on

Worship and dance

in My presence

Every demon has to flee

when My presence

invades your circumstances

It will be imperative

to be patient and to move

with My Spirit

You’re not only

contending for yourself

but for your family

and for My kingdom

Hold on with your last breath

Soon the confusion will lift

The enemy will come

with different challenges

for you to give up

He will turn up the heat

for a reason

He knows his time is up

You have learned valuable lessons

on your journey

Though it was tough

You have grown immensely

The training and trials

was worth it My child

Don’t lose your inheritance

because of impatience

It will be worth the wait

My timing is perfect

Hold on dear one

To our Love.

~ Ebigale Wilson

Hold On Dear One

The Journey

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