Category: Hope

Talking to God in Moments of weakness

Talking to God in Moments of weakness

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I woke up feeling a little bit lonely today. But God put a message in front of me that reminded me I am not alone and Holy Spirit is with me at all times.

Life can get overwhelming and sometimes thinking of losses from our pasts causes feelings of heavy sadness. Sometimes fear or anxiety towards the future sets in and we worry about what is to come.

I know that I personally have so many blessings in front of me, yet sometimes I loose sight of them because I focus on fear of the future and on unknown wonders of how everything will work out. It is in these very moments that I have to push myself to pray and cry out to the Lord.

When fear sets in we are blinded and it can be very hard to see or recognize that we are being spiritually attacked mentally. So in these moments when you feel fearful, worrisome, emotionally overwhelmed, or when your heart is heavy, call on Jesus and speak with him. Prayer is just that, speaking with God.

During the times you can’t even find the strength to speak, know that it takes just the mention of his name to break off the strongholds binding your mind and spirit. Call upon on the Lord’s name. The is power in the name of Jesus!

When we call on the Lord, the atmosphere shifts, strongholds break and joy is found in his great love. Sometimes in order to break off whatever is bound up in your thoughts, you must cry out to God.

The Bible says that we must take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.

”casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

There is freedom when you do this. So, let us all be reminded today to trust in the Lord, and lay it all at his feet. Give those thoughts of fear, worry and anxiety to God and ask him to replace them with peace and comfort.

Have you heard the saying, “Joy comes in the morning?”. Well sometimes it doesn’t mean it’s coming literally the next morning, sometimes God allows us to hurt and be stretched for a season.

It can be hard to believe this but seasons of hurt and pain are not always bad. Seek to learn the purpose for why God is allowing your seasons of pain. Because when you come out on the other side of your season, you’re likely to going to see growth.

Sometimes he must allow suffering to happen to get us to our next level.

You may be thinking, I know God and even have brothers and sisters in Christ, but they aren’t showing up for me. I feel so alone. If that is you, know that even when you look around and see no one. Even when, you wonder why no one has called or looked for you. Even when you’ve reached out and sent calls or texts and found no one answering. Maybe it is that God is holding off their response back to you. You see, sometimes the Lord has to isolate you in order to reach you and for you to turn to him. He wants us to come to him first when we feel alone, heavy and weary.

I find that when my heart is most heavy, that is when God is knocking and seeking for me to listen. The Holy Spirit wants to speak, will you listen?

So when your heart feels heavy, spend time with God. Ask what he wants to reveal to you and what he wants you to see and learn from your season.

Let’s Pray:

Father God, In Jesus mighty name, we come to you today with our heavy hearts, and we lay them at your feet. We are battling loneliness. Lord, we are battling anxiety and fear Father God. For some minds are overwhelmed with fear of the future. Father God, we don’t always understand the purpose for the seasons of pain or loneliness or why you have us in them. But father God today we come to you, in Faith asking that you comfort us. Holy Spirit, we invite you in and ask you to fill our spirits. Father God, if the breaking is coming from you, if the longing is coming from you, we ask for you to reveal to us what it is, you want us to know and learn. Father some of us don’t know you, I ask that you would gently penetrate the hearts of those who have no relationship with your spirit. Holy Spirit light of fire in their soul, with a burning hunger and their that would bring them to call upon you. Comfort your people and do the work that only you can do. Cleanse their hearts and minds Oh Lord and bring restoration and uplifting in such a way that they will know that it was you. Father God, heal in such a way that you be glorified. I declare and decree that deliverance and freedom will be found at your feet today Oh God. Transform hearts and minds for your glory. May they continue to pray and seek your face during the tomes when fear, loneliness, and anxiety try to return. Father God, we know that you have a plan and a purpose for all lives, so I pray right now, in Jesus name that your word will be done throughout the world in such a way that would bring your people to your feet to bring you alone all glory. Plant seeds of faith oh God within your people. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Growing with you, Sandy

Lead Me to the Feet of Jesus

Lead Me to the Feet of Jesus

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God put a word on my heart for someone last night and I believe many are hurting and in need of this word.

“𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴.”

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14

When we enter into relationship with someone who does not share our same values or calling, we become unequally yoked.

No peace can be found in this type of relationship. You will hurt one another. As one pulls in one direction, the other will pulls in the opposite direction. You’ll each be left feeling alone and frustrated.

Some of my ladies need to hear this, we cannot change a man, only God can! I had to learn this & when I finally did, the peace of the Lord fell upon me, and washed away all of my pain.

𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗘 𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧:

Getting involved in a relationship with someone who did not share my same religious views, or values pulled me away from God. It didn’t happen immediately, and I didn’t actually realize it was happening, until I felt so unworthy to even step foot back into my church.

Conflict and anger slowly became a daily part of daily life. Deep within I wanted this person to be the man I needed him to be: a man who pointed me to Christ, but he did not and he could not. Because when it came down to core values, there was division.

If your faith is important to you, wait for the one who will lead you to the feet of Jesus.

✝️Wait for the one who will pray with you and for you.

✝️Wait for the one who will go to battle for you in the spirit.

✝️Wait for the one who will love you the way Christ loves the church.

✝️Wait for the one who will do the kingdom work with you.

Do not settle, and if you have settled know you don’t have to stay there. Hold your head up high, repent and begin your walk with God again. Walk in confidence knowing that he created you for a partner who will grow beside you and cover you spiritually as you both mature in faith.

Doing it my way failed me, and it will fail you too. Eventually the high will fade and you’ll find yourself in a low place living in torment inside of your mind. My hope that my Love for God would be contagious and spill over into my partner, left me broken in the end.

I know that am not the only one to experience this or walk through this valley. Glory to God that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. And Glory to God that he is a God of restoration. Wait on the Lord!

There is joy in the waiting when you fall in love with Jesus ❤️🙏🙌

Pray with me:

Heavenly father, I lift up anyone who is hurting tonight, and being tormented by fear, division, mental or physical abuse or guilt and shame. Remind your children that you created each of us with a divine purpose. Help us to seek relationships that are divine appointments in line with your perfect will for our lives. Father God, today we come before you, and we repent of our sins. We ask you to forgive us for all the times we took our life into our own hands. Our lives are not our own. Everything we go through has purpose and is for your glory. Father God, strengthen anyone who is not in the place you have called them to, and give them the courage to move. May they open their hearts to you in full surrender. Father God, remove from all of us anything that is not from you or of you. Our hearts desire is to grow close to you and to walk in your purpose. May your will be done in our lives and through our lives. Father, may anyone who comes in contact with this word, surrender their heart, and fall at your feet. Lead us Lord, and show us what true love is. In Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen.

#madepiecebypiece #unequallyyoked #transparency #testimony #faith #restoration #ToGodbetheGlory #apieceofmystory #encouragement #joycomesinthemoring #healing #love #savior #Jesus

His Sacrifice

His Sacrifice

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Today let’s give Jesus all glory, all honor and all praise. His sacrifice on the cross saved us from enteral damnation. He gave his life so that we could live!! So that everyone could live.

Jesus said, “It is finished”, meaning he paid it ALL! There was no debt remaining, there was nothing left to be paid. His sacrifice paid it completely & permanently.

Take time today to reflect on what sacrifice truly means to you. And think of just how much God loves us to be willing to give his only son so that we could have eternal life even when we aren’t worthy.

Reflect today on what sacrifice means to you. What would you be capable of sacrificing that you hold dear?

Imagine giving up your life for another. Yesterday, I went and saw the movie, His Only Son and wow, was it powerful!! Can you imagine being asked to give up your only child or your only son? It’s close to impossible to think of ourselves in the that position isn’t it? I likely would not be strong enough to let my baby go, let alone by my own hands. My human heart would fail me in that situation.

In Genesis 22:1-12, Abraham showed us what supernatural faith is. Abraham didn’t understand why God wanted him to sacrifice his only son. But, even when he didn’t understand, he trusted God with supernatural faith and and he obeyed. Even his son Isaac who was to be sacrificed knew it wasn’t his will to be sacrificed, but he didn’t fight it, he and his father were both willing to trust God and obey his command even when it did no make sense to them. That must have taken unshakable faith to do.

God’s commanding Abraham to sacrifice his own son Isaac was in parallel a foreshadowing of God’s sacrifice of His own Son, His only son.

  • Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”- Genesis 22:2.
  • For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Our Father God, gave up his only son Jesus as a sacrifice to save us!! Do you realize how just deep is God’s love? Do you know how much you’re truly loved?

  • Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering. – Genesis 22:2.
  • For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, – 1 Corinthians 15:3.

What would you be capable of sacrificing? Can you even imagine or fathom how much obedience being willing to sacrifice your own child takes?

The very thought causes me to cry out to God. God thank you for your sacrifice!!! Thank you for your great love. Jesus thank you for loving us so much that you chose to endure the cross.

Let’s praise our Lord and Savior today!! He is so worthy!! Think of his great love today, remember his sacrifice and know you are to die for.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, would you like to open up your heart and let him in today? He gave his life on the cross, so that you could have eternal life in heaven. To do this, we must repent for our sins and ask him into our hearts. If you would like to do this today, say this prayer with me:

Father God, forgive me of my sins. I know that I am a sinner, and Jesus Christ died on the cross so that I could have eternal life. Today, I open up my heart and invite you in. I believe that Jesus took the punishment so that through his sacrifice on the cross I could gain eternal life. I receive your free offer of forgiveness, and accept you to be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness, in Jesus name. Amen.

If you said this prayer, know that you are now saved and have eternal life in heaven. I praise God and rejoice with you!! “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” – Luke 15:7 NLT

If you have said this prayer today, please send me a message. I would love to pray for you.

Living as a Christian is a blessing, but can have challenges. Seek out a local, bible based church that you can plug into. Community is so important when you desire to dedicate your life to God. By connecting with the local church you will find brothers and sisters who will help you grow in your walk with God and support you when the enemy tries to turn you away from him. Finding a home church can take time, so, even if you have to be at visit a few, take your time and do not get discouraged. Pray to God and ask him to reveal to you when you have found the church he desires for you to call home.

Father God, we thank you for sacrificing your only son for our sins so that we can live and have life, eternal life. Lord, transform our hearts into one of gratitude, one of remembrance, and honor for all you have done for us. Lord draw us near to you, and fill us with your love so that we would be willing to share all you have done for us with everyone who will listen. Let us share of your unconditional love and of your transformational power. Lord, thank you for showing us what true love is, true sacrificial love. A love with no condition. We honor you today, we worship you today, and we give you all praise. You alone are worthy Lord. Thank you for paying our debt. Hallelujah, we love you Lord! May we continue to praise you for all the days of our lives, in Jesus Mighty Name, we pray Amen.

May God bless you and continue to draw you closer to him.

Growing with you,

Sandy

Worth, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
It will happen at the Right time

It will happen at the Right time

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When you are waiting on some thing to happen, it is easy to become discouraged and begin to worry. When you realize that you are in a state of worry, that is when you must remind yourself that God’s timing is perfect. He will show up when he feels the time is right!

Do not allow yourself to be consumed by worry. When you realize this is happening, draw closer to him in that very moment and watch him strengthen your faith. Remind yourself who you serve & of the many times he showed up & made a way.

The waiting season has purpose, allow him to grow your heart and spirit. And if you are waiting for someone else, lift them in prayer and ask God to comfort them in this season. Ask him to draw them close so that they may come to know of his unfailing love. We must not grow weary in the waiting. Wait with expectation & praise for what is to come.

GOD is Amazing SO trust him and know:

🔺The healing will come!!

🔺The housing will come!!

🔺That job you need will hire you!!

🔺That child will return home!!

🔺That loved one will get saved!!

🔺That approval will come!!

🔺The battle will be victorious!!

🔺The funds are on the way!!

At the right time, I, the Lord,
will make it happen.

Isaiah 60:22 NLT

I decree and declare that the Lord will come through and your waiting will have been worth it. Fear and worry have no place in your mind. Peace and blessings are your portion. Rejoice for what is to come. May we shatter worry with our praise as we wait on God’s blessings!!

Growing with you, Sandy

Something New

Something New

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“Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there.”

Isaiah 43:19 GNTD

We are going into our 5th day of the new year 2023, and I pray you are filled with a heart and mind of expectancy. Take time to draw close to GOD through worship and in prayer and be reminded that it’s not about our own wants or desires or any new year resolutions. As followers of Christ, we must pray daily and seek out the Lord’s will for all decisions we will make.

In the Bible, in Isaiah 43:19, Isaiah was prophesying over what is to come in the future. The “new thing” he was referring to was Christs coming. Through Isaiah, GOD was giving the people of Isreal a hope and encouragement. Although they were not following GOD’s way and continued on in their evil ways no matter how many times GOD delivered them, GOD was starting to reveal to them that they would have a chance for salvation through the coming of the Messiah. GOD still loved them and wanted to give them another chance and help them to change.

Just as God was doing a new thing and making a way for the people of Israel, he desires to do the same for both you and I. When we fully surrender our lives to him in obedience, that is when he will be able to work in us and through us and do a new thing. He wants to make a way out of the dry dessert for us too. He wants to use us and transform us.

GOD is calling us to a new level of freedom in 2023. But he needs our willing hearts. Just as it was up to the people of Isreal to accept GOD’s offering, so must we too accept his invitation to move in a new direction.

Do you want what GOD is offering? Do you want a new direction in life. Do you want to step out of your old patterns and walk into the new thing he wants to do? We have a choice. Will you choose to leave behind the old? Will you choose to leave behind the repetitive unhealthy cycles in life that you’ve been battling in your own strength?

For he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

Psalms 95:7 NLT

Pray with me:

Father God, We thank you that you are a loving God. No matter how many mistakes we make you are always there giving us another chance to surrender our hearts to you. Lord, forgive us today for our disobedience, and for the times we take our lives into our own hands and forget that you are our creator and that you know the beginning and the end. You go before us, and see all that we cannot and you protect us. Holy Spirit, convict our hearts today. Change us and remove any desires that are not from you. Father God, in this new year, may the desires of our heart be to grow closer to you and to surrender to the purpose that you created us for. We know that we are not fighting in the physical, but we fight against spiritual principalities, and demonic forces. This world is getting dark. I declare and decree that plans which the enemy has to destroy us and keep us bound in the darkness will be broken, in Jesus name. You have a choice. Tomorrow is not promised, so today in this new year I pray that you will choose breakthrough, choose change, and choose to follow Jesus and watch the amazing way he will transform your life. I am excited to see him do a new thing in mine. My prayer is that you will surrender and allow him to do the same in yours. In Jesus mighty name, I pray, Amen.

I can get through anything because;

  • God Formed me
  • God Created me
  • God Redeemed me
  • God Called me

Growing with you,

Sandy

Jesus will always be there, so keep him Over Everything

Jesus will always be there, so keep him Over Everything

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Jesus gave his life so that we could live. His sacrifice didn’t mean we would be promised a perfect life. Hard times will come. But he is with us through them.

Struggle is both inevitable and uncomfortable. But it has purpose. When we face hard times, he wants us to draw closer to him. He is by our side at all times and loves us more than anyone ever can or will.

“But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” - Isaiah‬ ‭43:1-4‬ ‭MSG‬‬‬‬

May we always run to him in every circumstance and keep him above all else in life. Never loose hope, never give up and be reminded to never place anything before him. He is faithful and will be with you helping you get your through all hardships as long as you call on his name!

Image source:
https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.43.2.NLT

Sometimes we are going to be put in the fire when we are following God, but we will not be alone!! Just as he protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they were thrown in a fiery furnace when they refused to serve the gods of Nebuchadnezzar, you too will be protected and will not be burned or consumed. The hard trials God will allow you face will be to draw you closer to him and strengthen you for the calling he has for your life.

“Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!”
‭‭- Daniel‬ ‭3:19-27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Father God, we praise your mighty name and we give you all glory and honor for you are loving and good to us. Father, whenever we go through the trials in our lives, please remind us that we are not alone and that you are walking right beside our us through the fire. Remind us Lord not to become discouraged, not to lose hope, and remind us who we are. We are called by you for such a time as this and we must keep you above all things that come into our lives. Lord Jesus, whether you’re walking with us by our side, or our carrying us through the hardest times in our lives, may we never loose sight of the power we have through you. May we always praise you through the hard times and know that you are with us always. Father God, if we ever for a moment allow fear or doubts to begin to take route, remind us that we are sons and daughters of the most high! And remind us Oh God, that your word is our double edged sword which will defeat and destroy anything that is not from you. Lord, we thank you for loving us, protecting us, and directing our steps. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen 🙏

Growing with you,

Sandy

Brighter Days are Coming

Brighter Days are Coming

by madepiecebypiece ♥ 2 Comments

Some of my friends and family members are in a storm right now or are walking through a valley wondering how to get out. They’re feeling down, hurt, angry and confused, and tomorrow’s outcome is uncertain. It hurts me to see them hurting, but if I’m honest, I can certainly relate because I too have days when I feel as though I am in a valley.

When we are in dark places dealing with conflict and struggle, we just want resolution and clarity so that we can see through the mess and feel secure or safe again.

When we are in these low places, that is when we must seek God the most. Our dark days are for a season, they will not last forever if we seek the Lord. Through God’s strength we can overcome. It may be hard to see it now, but brighter days are ahead when you allow God in and let him lead.

God uses our dark places to prepare and grow us. Although we feel like we are alone in the dark, we are not. God’s love will always find us in our darkest places and in our deepest pain.

In the Bible, God used Esther to help free his people. She was an orphan who felt abandoned and unworthy, but God still had purpose for her. She was appointed the queen of Persia. As queen she was faced with a tough decision that could cost the lives of both her and her people, the Jews. But she chose to risk her own life to tell her husband the king, about his Persian official Harmon’s evil plan to destroy all Jews, which included her his wife and Mordecai, her uncle who once saved his life. She revealed to her husband the king for the very first time that she and her uncle were both Jewish. She took this risk knowing that it was against the law to come before the king uninvited, accepting that it could result in her own death.

Through the book of Esther in the Bible, We learn that although God does not always seem present, he is always there with his people in their darkness and will never abandon them. It shows us God’s commitment to redeem his people. It also shows us that God appointed Esther in her position, “for such a time as this”, meaning God accomplished his purpose through Esther during that appointed time.

God also used Paul through darkness. He made Paul blind for three days and allowed him to sit unable to see, wondering whether he had lost his sight forever. Sitting in that dark place changed him and he found breakthrough.

Paul needed to loose his sight in order to stop viewing things in his old ways, otherwise, he would have never seen God in a new light. When he changed the way he viewed Christ, his sight was restored. Paul went from being a man who chased wealth and power into a man of faith. Had he not been put through darkness he would have never become a follower of Christ nor one of the 12 Apostles, spreading the gospel of Christ.

Acts 9:18 — Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

When we are sitting in darkness it does not mean that we will stay there. God is at work behind the scenes. He uses darkness to get our attention, transform us and re-direct us.

So if you’re in a place feeling down, lonely, depressed, overwhelmed or struggling and are wondering why life is going the way it is for you, have faith and trust that God has a plan and brighter days are coming!

This song has been replay in my car for the past two weeks. It has kept me encouraged and uplifted and I pray that it will do the same for you!

Father God, We thank you that you are a God of redemption and that you give second chances to us. Father, tonight there are many people that are hurting, and in need of solutions to the struggles and issues that life has brought them. Lord, you are our savior and our deliverer. I pray tonight that you would reveal yourself to all who are hurting and in a dark place. Father God, meet them right there in their darkness and show them love in the mist of their pain. Transform their hearts oh God, and set a fire in their soul so that they would thirst and hunger to know you and draw closer to you on a daily basis. Father, we know that we were all created with a plan and a purpose and that you turn around what the enemy has meant for evil. You turn all evil and all bad things around for the good of those who love you. Father God, show up for your people and hear their cries Lord Jesus. I pray for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to fall upon them and that they would repent and seek to live a life chasing after your love only. This world is a dark place Father, change hearts, Lord Jesus brake chains, and cause your people to surrender to the life they were meant to live. You are a God of love, I pray that all those hurting will see the light that you are shining into their darkness and reach out for your unfailing love. In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen

Growing with you,

Sandy