The Real Deal

Posted by Christy

We have an expression that says, “She’s the real deal.” What we mean when saying this is the person is really who they are appearing to be. They aren’t trying to convince you that they’re someone they’re not. It’s a compliment. It means you’re aren’t a hypocrit or trying to be someone you’re not.

I had a situation where someone wanted to say something about someone that was out of character for the person being spoken of. I didn’t need to know the details. I knew the person. She’s the real deal.

GOD did extraordinary miracles through Paul…. Acts 19:11

Paul was the real deal. GOD began using Paul in amazing ways and there arose people who saw this power who also wanted to do the same acts as Paul. The problem was they weren’t the real deal. They were trying to be someone they weren’t. They were trying to appropriate the same Power Source as Paul without ever having a relationship with the Power Source, and it nearly killed them.

It is impossible to be the real deal without tapping into the real Power Source. The Holy Spirit is our Power Source. Do you want to experience the extraordinary with GOD? If so, tap into the real Power Source.

The Day We Fight Back {Unleashing the Warrior Chic}

Posted by Christy

As I held out my hands to her, I could see the grip of fear in her eyes. I was asking her to do something she’d never done before. To go to a place she’d never been. To leave her safe place that ironically was a hard place. But it was all she knew.

Until now.

She’s fighting back. She’s unleashing her warrior chic.

“What if I fall?”

“What if you don’t?”

“I might get hurt”

“You might not”

“You sure?”

“No, but either way, I’m here”

And with that, our eyes locked. And off she went.

We are God’s workmanship, not a workmanship of any other circumstances (Eph 2:10). We aren’t a product of time, we’re a product of eternity. The most potent force on earth is the blood of Christ – and.it.sets.us.free.

Now, draw a blood line in the sand and don’t go back.

Because TODAY.

Today we’re fighting back. We’re unleashing our warrior chic

I can hear those war drums beating now. Hear it? I like that beat.

You can start bad but finish free. Don’t be a woman defined by your issue – be a brand new woman….created in Christ Jesus….defined by the freedom that Christ set you free.

You can’t set anyone else free if you aren’t’ free and it’s not too late. How do I know? Because you’re still here.

What’s holding you back? Or, what things are you allowing to hold you back? We don’t know about tomorrow because life is but a vapor (James 4) so don’t live your life as if you’re supposed to enter death safely.

God has created us to be untamed, undomesticated and to be a force to be reckoned with.

Jesus died and rose again to make us dangerous to the forces of darkness.

This isn’t a dress rehearsal.

We are agents of change.

We are salt to this world (Matthew 5:13-16).

Go.

Salt the world around you.

We are light to this world (Matt 5:13-16)

Light is created to dispel darkness. The only way a room gets dark is to switch the light off.

Go.

Light the world around you.

Don’t stand in the crowd when you’re supposed to stand out.

Normal never did anything significant in the Scriptures. Here’s the thing: that’s not normal – normal is warrior chic! God calls us to go against the grain when the grain is going against God.

Feel like you’re insignificant and meager?

Jesus began in a simple maiden town no one wanted to live in (John 1:46), and worked with simple, blue collar people. What you’re looking at now doesn’t represent the future (Mark 4:30-32).

Jacob was a cheater. Peter had a temper. David had an affair. Noah got drunk. Jonah ran from God. Paul was a murder. Gideon was insecure. Miriam was a gossip. Martha was a worrier. Thomas was a doubter. Sara was impatient. Elijah was moody. Moses stuttered. Zaccheus was short. Abraham was old. Lazarus was dead.

Every weakness you have is an opportunity for God to show His strength in your life. The magic happens out of your comfort zone.

My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Are you afraid? Everyone is afraid. The questions isn’t – are you going to be afraid. The question is: Who do we believe in more?

What can man do to you? We fear man so much because we fear God so little. Decide that you want it more than you’re afraid of it. God will give you peace as you follow Him faithfully. Faith is like a muscle, the more you use it, the bigger it gets. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.

Now, lock eyes with Jesus, and JUMP because this is the day we fight back!

First Things First: Peace

Posted by Christy

Rejoice in the Lord always. will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts, and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice. We can learn a lot about attitudes from Paul.

Our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances

Ultimate joy and peace comes from Christ dwelling within us. No matter what happens, Jesus Christ is within us.

In all situations–everything–I need to run and talk to my Father about it. That should be my first thought and my first action. And, because I have done first things first, I have joy in the midst of tragedy. Because my confidence is in Him, I am calm, gentle and at peace instead of freaking out at that crisis, and anxious about a doomsday coming…..rather real or perceived.

Even if things do go differently, remember…….

……..sometimes, when things seem to be falling apart, they are actually falling into place

He guards our hearts and our minds with His supernatural peace.

It’s His supernatural peace that enables us rest peacefully and to know in the middle of all the chaos, that we are “covered and under his wings in refuge”

……in the middle of all those unplanned crazy times, “his faithfulness is our shield and rampart”

……when we just don’t know how things will turn out, we can rest peacefully, because in Him, we “will not fear the terror of the night (unknown), nor the arrow that flies by day” (known possible attacks/crisis/tragedy)

……because we “dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty!”

……In the midst of everything we will say, “the Lord is my refuge, and my fortress and in whom I trust!” (Psalm 91)

……and we will say THANK YOU! Thank You Jesus, for you are near! I feel You! I see You! Thank You!

How do I know? Because I’ve been here. I was just here four days ago, and He was faithful. He will be again.

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

Posted by Christy

What’s love got to do with it? Ahhh….that huge hair and the growl of Tina’s voice singing in my head. Maybe it’s because of my own huge hair, or the growl my voice has this morning because of this sinus infection…..I don’t know but love is on my mind…..

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love does not demand it’s own way
Love always protects, always trusts
Love is patient, kind and humble
Love bears all, endures all, believes all
Love is forever and it does not fade
Love is a commitment, placing the needs of others above self
Love does not keep a record of wrongs

~BUT~

Infatuation is selfish and proud
Lust demands it’s own way
Infatuation is unkind, easily jealous and possessive
Infatuation is impatient
Infatuation and lust are feelings
Infatuation is temporary–it is weakened by time and separation.

Because God is love (1John 4:8) let’s replace the word love with God in the verses of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 at the beginning of this article

God is definitely committed and His character is stellar. God certainly is patient (SO glad because I sure need Him to be!) and kind to us. He isn’t resentful and wanting to take from us, He gives and gives and gives (Jeremiah 29:11). He always protects, and we certainly can trust Him. His love absolutely endures forever (Psalm 136) and does not fade away. He is totally committed (enough to die for us) and thinks always about us and our needs are definitely above His own (the suffering and death on that cross was horrendous). And hallelujah He does not keep a record of any wrongdoings we have asked forgiveness for (Hebrews 8:12, Psalm 103:12). He is our hope, and finds complete joy, and loves our victories.

Replace the word love with your name. As Christ to the world, we should be described as patient, kind, and humble, committed and standing strong without fading with time or when things don’t go our way. Placing the needs of others ahead of our own, not demanding our own way, and all those other things.

The Greek word for love of an adorable object, especially for love between man and woman is eros. Another Greek word phileo, refers to the love of friendship.

In verse one of this chapter, we see that this is referring to the Greek word, agape (pronounced as “ah-gop-ay”). Agape characterizes God (1John 4:8) and what He manifested in the gift of His Son (John 3:16). It is more than mutual affection; it expresses unselfish esteem of the object loved (me and you). Christ’s love for us is undeserved and without thought of return. The love that His followers show, Paul now says, should be the same.

….The love Christ’s followers show should be the same….

The questions on the floor are…..am I lavishing sloppy wet kisses of this kind of love on God Himself? Do I show Him that I’m madly in love with Him? Am I madly in love with Him? Is this just an infatuation?

And, as a Christ follower, am I treating others this way?

Lord, help us to love the way you love. Gracious, wonderful, loving Father, how I love you! I do adore you and I do lavish my sloppy wet kisses of love over you. I swim in your ocean of grace. Thank You for the everlasting love You pour out for us over and over and over again. If there is anything about my affection for you that speaks of a weak infatuation, I give it up. From this day forward, may the love I have for you, in my marriage, for the people of this world be true, strong AGAPE. Sold out is what I want. Sold out and undone with a new name. I am yours and have eyes for no other. In Jesus name, amen.

All Means All and That’s It: Colossians 1:15-18

Posted by Christy

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels–everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. Colossians 1:15-18 (MSG)

We look at this Son and see all we need to see. He puts everything and everyone in its place, and holds it all together.

In today’s reading Paul is telling truth after truth, point after point, about Jesus

Who He is: as the full representation of God…..the visual image of the invisible God….God with skin on.

Where He is: in ranking supreme over ALL things created….seen and unseen….visible and invisible.

Christ has no equal and no rival!
This Christ we serve…..
He is Lord of ALL.
All means all and that’s it.

Here the matter of the worshiping of created things instead of the Creator is dealt with as people were listening to false teaching of worshipping angels.

At one time or another haven’t we all gotten caught up and before we know it, we place more value on “stuff” than we do Him? Or what about placing more value on people than we do Him?

~~note~~

~~rant~~

That includes you, single woman, placing a desire (and obsession) for a man in your life over the desire for THE Man that’s already there.

Let’s turn this thing around (otherwise known as repenting 1John1:9)

The Greek word Prototokos is used in these verses, one meaning of this word is the preeminent authority over the resurrection of the dead. All who trust Christ will also defeat death and rise again to live eternally with Him (Jesus jigging!! Whew glory!!)!

What He does: as our sustainer. Everything is held together by Him, protected and prevented from disintegrating into chaos. Daily we trust Him to protect us, care for us, and sustain us….strengthen us, support us, and uphold us.

Christ deserves first place in our hearts, all our thoughts, all our activities, the entire church. First place is His.

Lord, thank You for all You do….seen and unseen to care for me. Thank You that you reign supreme because that means all things are in the right hands. May I always keep first things first….and that’s You….upfront and in charge. In Jesus name, amen

I love you deeply. Walk in worship of the true King.

Rescued and Redeemed, walk in it: Colossians 1:13-14

Posted by Christy

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

We have been rescued! We needed rescuing from the domination of the enemy. His ways are meant for our destruction and harm. Let’s speak the truth….he’s after us.

Thanks to Jesus and His redeeming forgiveness of the cross, we reside under his dominion no more!!

The enemy no longer has any dominion over us. We are freeeeee!! Thank You Jesus! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Sweetest name I know!

Paul mentions we are rescued AND redeemed:

Rescued: to save someone from a dangerous or distressing situation; keep from being lost or abandoned; to set free from danger; a deliverance

Redeemed: Do something that compensates for poor past performances or behavior; to recover ownership by paying a specified sum

Isn’t that cool? Rescued and redeemed….that’s what we who accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior are! Saved and set free……paid for and under the power of a great and wonderful God!

Any bondage we are in is by our own doing.

My husband puts it like this:

Imagine being raised by a mean man….mean to the core. This man continually tells the child, “You can’t do this, you can’t do that.” or, “You must do this, you must do that.” One day this man dies, and that child is on his own. He comes to know that the old man was wrong about everything he said; that there is freedom in Christ that’s been there all along.

We need to start listening to the right Man! You see, we are co-heirs with Christ. This means everything Jesus has, we now have. Everything. We have put ourselves in bondage to things in this world that we are free of.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

(For more in relation to the former life read Ephesians 4:17-32)

But before we can have a former life, we have to gain a new life in Christ. I ask you now, if your life ended today, would you go to heaven? The Bible tells us all about how we can claim our salvation: read here and then come back and tell us about it, and let us celebrate with you.

Our sin debt is paid. We have been redeemed and and rescued. Our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west to be held against us no more(Psalm 103:12). Let’s walk in it!

There’s an awesome song that speaks so well what we’ve talked about today. Go here and allow this song to speak to you in worship of our risen Savior.

I love you deeply. Walk freely with the King.

Don’t quit yet….He’s got cha pepper: Colossains 1:11-12

Posted by Christy

“being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:11-12

Here, Paul is continuing his prayers for the Colossian believers.

I don’t know about you, but endurance is what I need. At times I loose my pepper, a term my old track coach used to use.

Starting off is never hard for me…it’s the ‘keeping on’ as I round another lap, and another, and another I wonder if I’m ever going to be able to finish with the pepper. As I run and am pelted with this spiritual attack, that spiritual attack….the utter beatings from the enemy as we serve others….the times as a woman you never ‘get’ return for all you ‘give’. When we still haven’t seen a breakthrough on that thing we’ve prayed about forever….Sound familiar?

My coach taught me to stop thinking about when the race would end. With each lap, he would say, “you can give me just one more” and I could. I could give one more. At the end of the next lap, he would say, “just one more Christy” and I would run again. Endurance is what he wanted. He was training me in endurance to be a great long distance runner. He didn’t want me thinking about the other runners, he wanted me to finish….one lap at a time. And I did. Every time, and greatly so.

In my own strength I get impatient, wanting to see the results quickly. I’ve run long, and now I want to see the results, I’m tired. He supplies the patience to wait….and the endurance to keep running.

Being impatient is what causes us to give up…we want our way, and right now. If not right now, then we quit.

God gives us all the strength, endurance and patience we need for this life…and has enabled us to share in the SAME inheritance with all the saints in His Kingdom of light. Ohhhh, how I joyfully thank Him…because I don’t know about you, but, I sure ain’t saintly!

I thank Him for giving me what I don’t deserve….an eternity with Him paid for me by His own Son!! Whew! That makes me do the Jesus jig!!

Talk about keeping the pepper! We WILL keep the pepper by His glorious and mighty power!

With the joy of our salvation we run. We run with His gloriously mighty power…and with the pepper….and we don’t stop….and we completely go…… and keep going until the glorious day we are with Him in the Kingdom of light. He is faithful to complete the work He began.

Lord, I thank You. I thank You for the joy of my salvation. I thank You that You created me, died for my salvation, and give me all the strength, power, and endurance I need for my life here on this earth. What an awesome God You are. I adore You. I am Yours. In Jesus name, amen.