Time To Be Excused

I had a friend – a really close friend that I talked to and saw almost daily. We did life together for over 10 years.

She liked to gossip and talk about others.

Hey, I am not saying I was perfect because I was guilty and engaged in it too.

Sometimes, we all can still get into tricky waters and tread back into those familiar foolish things.

God started to deal with me and I remember as He began to answer that daily prayer I pray – “Nothing Hidden Stays Hidden – reveal my true friends Lord”; My eyes were opened and I would get a glimpse of some alarming things.

She and her friends would talk horrible things about their other friends and people in general. Friends they claimed they had done life with for 20+ years and I would think…Yikes! How horrible! – I hope she doesn’t say things about me like that. Sadly, she was and more and many times it came back to me.

I knew God was pinging my heart for what grieved His and I couldn’t keep sitting quietly by or even keep participating in these behaviors.

He also was opening my eyes and trying to move that relationship away but I refused to listen and clung to it; tightly; desperately; foolishly; like a pair of old Blue Jeans from High School you think you will wear again some day.

Well, she dumped me over 3 years ago on my birthday in public like a bad scene out of the real housewives of NW Houston!

She didn’t want to be my friend anymore. Her exact words! Plus a whole bunch more in a very crowded lunch spot.

It hurt like hell – I ain’t gonna lie.

But God! He worked it all out for my good. Even better than I could hope, think or ask. He also healed my heart and taught me many valuable lessons during that time. I still pray for her and her family and her friends today.

God knew she couldn’t go where He was calling me and He no longer wanted me to sit at tables with anyone that continued to do this. Because He didn’t want me to do this.

I am diligent to not allow anyone to cause discord or gossip within our Divine Connections group. I am quick to repent when I feel I cross the line and get into any conversation that turns towards gossip or speaking less than what is pure and lovely.

I hope and pray you all have the courage to leave the tables of this foolery and mess too.

Be better versions of yourself.

Be better women and friends …

and this is for all the guys too.

Surround yourself with those that sharpen and bring out the best in you and ultimately in others too.

When you know your true worth you will stop entertaining and allowing anything that cheapens you.

This is a great quick article to read!

~ XXOO Michelle

https://herviewfromhome.com/i-no-longer-sit-at-tables-where-i-might-be-the-topic-when-i-get-up/

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My Worship Belongs To You

I Worship to an audience of One

My heart leaps as I sense Your presence

Transcending all boundaries in tune we are One

Always pursuing always near

Your love calms my every fear

My Safe place, my everlasting Light

I behold your Glory knowing I’m always in Your sight

Hands lifted and heart rejoicing

My King, My Hero, My next Heart Beat

My breath comes from You and so does my tune

Lovingly coaxing my every move

The length of my days are written in You

No pain, no attack can stop the unfolding of my story

Always and in all things I give You the honour and the Glory

Hallelujah, Hallelujah I exalt Your Name

Above the noise and the sound of rain

I give You Daddy God All the Praise

Forever and ever all the length of my days

I will exalt Your Name

Never again believing I deserved the shame

Only basking in Your loving gaze

Hands lifted and heart surrendered

I worship to an audience of One

♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡

~ Melissa Sedick

My Worship Belongs To You

You’re Changing Me

#SongSunday this week is by Anna Golden – Changing Me

Your Story

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Grief And Grace

The words I kept hearing today as I was asking Him what to write were, “Grief and Grace.”

1Corinthians 15:10

But by God’s grace I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain… (CJB)

Bad things happen. Death. Unexpected moves. Job loss. People we thought were friends stab us in the back.

These situations cause grief. The hurt is real. Tears will flow. Anger will come. So will depression. There are many different emotions that cause waves in our life.

I have to think of the movie “Inside Out”. The girl and her family move across the US and she has to start over. Anger, Joy, Fear, Disgust and Sadness. These are feelings she deals with as she starts over.

These events are part of life. Feelings are too. However, we all walk out the events and feelings differently.

Grief can take 2 weeks for some people. It might take a year for others. Men and women respond differently too. How do we handle situations like this? What does the Word of God say about how to respond in situations?

A command that is given several times is to, “give thanks.” It also says to, “fear not!” We know David shed tears. We also know David got angry and frustrated with himself and others.

BUT, what happens when others don’t respond in the same way you do? What happens when others continue in their grief longer than you think they should? How do you treat them? What do you say?

The Holy Spirit has been convicting me lately of GRACE. What does it mean to extend grace? How long does one extend grace? What does it look like within families when individuals all respond uniquely to the event(s) taking place?

I truly believe that grief and grace need to work together. In grief we must allow grace, for ourselves and for others. We must realize that feelings and emotions are part of grief and that we will all respond differently to situations we face. If we LISTEN to the Holy Spirit, He will guide us through the emotions and grief. He will also give us the grace to extend His love to others as they grieve.

If God can grant grace to you, how much more should we try to extend grace to others? I’m not saying let them live in sin, but sometimes grace means just walking away and letting God take care of the situation.

When we come to the realization that TRUSTING God to walk through life with us brings GRACE to our lives, than we can find REST in Him. We will RESTORE ourselves to Him. We are then REFRESHED to walk forward day to day.

  ~ Rose Horton

Rest, Refresh, Restore

I am super excited to welcome Rose Horton to the Restored Ministries Blogging Team!

Rose with Touched By Grace will be sharing each Friday new words of encouragement right here on Restored Ministries Blog.

Check out more of Rose on Touched By Grace YouTubeChannel

Life Changing Love

Through my darkest seasons

You never left my side

Holding my hand,

when I stood alone

Wiping my tears,

when I couldn’t go on

Interceding for me,

when I couldn’t pray

When I was too weak to fight

You were on the front lines

My Mighty Warrior

who never loses a fight

Day after day

Month after month

My faith grew wings

I was amazed by Your love

Forever changed by Your heart

Longing to go deeper still

Faith takes me to places

I never knew existed in You

Blind faith was birthed 

during dark times

In a God, I never saw

Yet, I see His hand

at work in my life

I know the fragrance

of His presence

The sound of His voice

Papa’s love healed every part

of my broken heart

In my highs and my lows

My deepest pain

and my joys

At times when giving up 

looked so appealing

He picks me up

Sings love songs over me

Reminding me of

His covenant with me

Indescribable is Papa’s love 

towards me

I couldn’t, but trust 

in a God so amazing

Supernatural peace birthed 

in the darkest of days

A reckless faith

I never knew could exist

A heart awakened

Longing only after

her One True Love

He takes me to places

I never thought I would visit

Higher and higher

I go with the One

who holds the whole world

in His hands

Yet, He chose

to chase after 

every hurting soul.

What love is this?

I may never know, but I know I was forever changed and overtaken by 

a God so amazing!

Papa never gives up

on His daughters!

He lures us into

His marvelous light

Where He heals our hearts

We only know who we are 

when we encounter Love

Everything we need is found 

in His transforming love!

Then we pass on the baton 

to daughter’s still in chains

Sharing our testimonies of 

the power of the Blood and 

His life changing love!

So that they too can be changed 

by Papa’s transforming love!

~ Ebigale Wilson

Life Changing Love

The Journey

Don’t Bite

A Humble Heart Shall Not Be Moved

This has become my favorite phrase lately!

You see, the enemy wants us offended. If we can get offended that will divide the body of Christ faster than anything.

A divided “anything” isn’t very strong. James 3:16 says:

Where there is strife there is every evil thing.

Unity really pisses the devil off.

He likes strife.

John Bevere’s best selling book “The Bait Of Satan” is so perfectly titled and truly depicts exactly what offense is and does. When we take the bait of offense it keeps us crippled and captive. It really is a deadly trap.

So, what do you do when you are stung by someone’s actions or words?

Being hurt or disappointed is very different than being offended – but it can feel very much the same and

can turn into offense if you let it fester.

You can either speak up or stay quiet – which many choose the latter because speaking up is not always well received, but what is crucial is you MUST release the emotions to God.

Let Him remove them and heal you.

Ask God to flood your heart with love and humility so that your pride doesn’t want to call the shots and tempt you to bite and take the bait.

Also, singing this Promise helps!

Great Peace have they that love thy law and NOTHING shall offend them. ~ Psalm 119:165

Try it the next time you lose your peace or feel a sting!

Spit the hook out and say with me…

“A Humble Heart Shall Not Be Moved”

Lord, help us let go of hurts and disappointments today so they don’t fester into offense and resentments. Help us to always abide in love.

~ XXOO Michelle Bollom

Keep Your Focus – The Shift Is Here

I have an excitement in my spirit for what Papa is about to do in this season.

Papa has really done a deep work in our hearts, the scalpel went in deep to get rid of everything that might hinder us in the future.

Where Papa is taking us, our character, fruit and motives will expose us if we didn’t go through the process. 

Hearts and character training will be swift if we surrender to the process, lean into Him and spend time in the secret place.

A few days ago we had a challenge in our family. One moment we were still hurt and shocked, but the next moment, I felt something stirring within my belly and right there my flesh collided with Holy Spirit and Father did a swift work in not only me, but our family.

Things that we have been struggling with for years, Papa will deal with quickly, because He knows our desire is to change and be more like Him.

He has also been speaking to me that many of His sons and daughters feel that they have missed His visitation and promises in previous seasons.

Many feel they are no longer on Papa’s time schedule because of the detours they took or mistakes they have made.

He wants you to know that you are right where you are supposed to be.

Every mistake, ever hindrance, every attack, won’t stop His promises and dreams for you.

You are so close, keep your focus. This is a season of acceleration and suddenlies. 

In a vision I saw how we’re on our journeys, dressed in rags, tired, at the end of ourselves at times, but then without us knowing Papa would pick us up, caress and kiss our faces, then put us down to complete our journey.

I believe it’s in these times that Papa imparts His strength and joy within us to walk out our journeys in the midst of our trials and brokenness.

Father is also revealing secrets to us through dreams, visions and prophetic words, this is to help us to stay on course and to keep our focus, in the midst of the enemy raging.

We already know what the outcome will be, so rest in Papa, while He fights your battles.

His thoughts are higher then ours. Papa will bring us to the place of birthing if we are led by His spirit.

May the joy of the Lord be your strength as you walk through the last stretch of your wilderness.

Father is cheering us on, not to give up because He knows we were obedient and faithful in the midst of our pain and struggles.

He is so proud of His remnant, set apart bride that didn’t give in under the pressure and persecution of their enemies.

Keep your focus, let Papa be your place of rest, the shift is here!

Romans 8:14

For all who are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Nehemiah 8:10

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

~ Ebigale Wilson

Keep Your Focus – The Shift Is Here

Share Your Story – Restoration Stories

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Focused Living

Chefs

Bakers

Painters

Picture Takers

Photographers

Film Makers

Sculptors

Teachers

Writers

Poets

Speakers

Singers

Musicians

Moms

Dads

Dancers

You…

Me…

We Are All Artists!

The act of creating something is to simply learn focused living.

Art is like oxygen. We don’t have to see it to know we need it.

Many times we are too busy or distracted to see the amazing beauty in a sunrise or sunset.

We can grow oblivious to the intricate details of a butterfly or blue jay or the vibrant hues of a field of bluebonnets and wildflowers or the crystal bright white glistening blanket of fresh snow.

God is an amazing artist always sharing His work with us.

God made us to create too!

Even if you just apply your makeup or style your hair (or don’t style your hair) or fry an egg, pack a lunch, write one word or sing a song today … you are still creating.

We are always creating!

So, slow down and do something that makes you stop and focus.

It could be that very dose of oxygen your soul is needing to breathe in today to bring fresh life back into you.

And the beauty of art is that it’s all in the eyes of the beholder so who cares if people like it or resonate with it… or even get it – It’s what makes you – uniquely you!

No need to explain it to anyone or get their approval either.

So, Create Today!

And if you’re feeling brave – share with me in the comments your latest masterpiece.

~ XXOO Michelle

Restored Ministries

Poetically Prophetic

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