Tag: devotional

Held

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9

I remember a moment of complete brokenness that I experienced some years back. Reflecting on it now, I remember how it felt to come undone. I was 22 years old. In that moment, I realized I had lost the guy that I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. We had broken up a few days before but the reality that it was over did not set in until that phone call. The moment he ended the call– I was lost. I sobbed and yelled “No” repetitively. I think that is all I knew to do. I crumbled onto the living room couch.

I idolized planning back then. I had lists for my lists and mapped out every detail of my life. Then, in that moment, the plan was ruined. I loved that boy to my core. As frustrated as I had grown with the relationship, I was so dedicated to the life I believed we would have. My world felt like it had been ripped out from under me.

Moments after my breakdown began, my brother came downstairs and witnessed my devastation. He heard my wailing from his room upstairs. He said nothing; he just reached down to me, lifted me up onto his lap, and held me. Just held me. That moment, as dark as it was, will always be the best moment I have shared with my little brother. Reflecting on it now brings tears to my eyes. Not tears of sadness, I have completely healed and been restored of everything that I considered loss that day; thank you Jesus. They are tears of gratitude and humility for that special moment. He transitioned from little brother to protector and has maintained that role, in my mind, ever since.

I understand that this story sounds more like a diary entry than a scripture study. However, I decided to go this route today because of what God is doing in my life right now. I want to testify on His behalf. This story is a perfect real-life illustration of the unconditional love and faithfulness of God.

He is so faithful. I’ve walked away from Him, disrespected Him, and sinned against Him. Yet, He never leaves me broken. If I allow the world to get me there, I can call on Him and He heals me. It looks different each time, sometimes immediate and others a longer process. But, He always does. He holds me when I come undone. When I crumble in despair, just like Devin did, He reaches down, picks me up and holds me closely. He whispers truth in my ear, “I love you child. Get up child, you are a victor. I’ve got you beloved.”

He is holding me now. I am in a much better place than I have been in the past. But right now, I am battling fear. Fear of an uncertain future, fear of being alone and fear of rejection. I am right in the middle of it. But friends, He is holding me. He is right here in the with me. Taking on every question, cry and confused prayer; whispering words of truth in my ear. I am not reporting on my deliverance from these things…yet. I am testifying to His presence in the now.

I love Jesus. Honestly, I consider myself a pretty tolerant person but I would have given up on me a long time ago. He doesn’t though, isn’t it amazing? He loves me, He holds me. When I am together, He celebrates with me and guides me. When I am undone, He holds me and breathes life into my decaying heart. I imagine in the spiritual realm, it looks a lot like what my brother did for me that day.

So thank you Taz for being the big little brother that I needed. Thank you Father for loving me so.

“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91: 2

 

Words

Good morning! I hope this post finds you well and rested after the weekend.

Today, we will be referencing Matthew 7:13-23 during our time together. I know it is kind of a longer chunk of scripture, but bear with me. Read it all the way through before moving forward so you have the Word in your mind as we bounce around.

This can be unpacked in a few different ways. That is one thing that I love about the Word of God. I believe this scripture does not only express that what is internal becomes external, but also what intention behind the external things can do for the internal self.

Jesus referenced good and bad trees here to illustrate his point (V 17-20). Good (living) trees provide oxygen and clean air. Meaning, they provide life. Bad (dead) trees do not. Dead trees actually consume oxygen, or consume life, instead of giving it.

Speak life friends. When you speak over yourself, your life will be tempered with Christ’s love and grace, or not. We get to choose. Our choice is what separates us from the rest of creation; it is the feature that makes us in His image. We were created and gifted will. There is so much more power in that gift than we realize on a day to day basis. God reigns as King, but He has blessed us with power in our tongue to speak life or death. We can build and destroy with words. Do you see the power there? (See Proverbs 12:18, and 18:21).

You can do all of the “Christian” things you can imagine, but if you are not speaking life into yourself and the fallen world around you, you cannot know the peace Jesus provides. The life you speak is what will come to fruition. 

Now jumping back up to verses 7:13 and 14, it is not always easy to speak life. We don’t always feel it. Some of us have a hard time for reasons outside of our control.

I want to speak to a specific group of readers here that may share a persistent illness called depression with me. When you read the second sentence of the paragraph above, I am sure you laughed to yourself in agreement and thought something like, “Chick, you have no idea.” I am airing my business out here today to tell you, I do. I understand; I may not know exactly what you are feeling, but I know what it is for the positive life giving thought part of your brain to literally just not work right. Not because of a decision you made, but because of a physical disability that can reek havoc on your mental health. I pray right now divine healing over your mind. I believe God is capable. God has been mending me daily for a long time. I do not know why divine, one time, Jesus-healed-the-leper healing is not the way He chose to do it. It may be so I can speak into you today. Friend, even in the pit, speak life. You do not feel it, I know. Speak it. Speak it through the tears and the frustrated tantrums. Speak life through the pain. Speak life in the numbness. If you can say nothing else, look in the mirror every morning and say, “Clothed with strength, crowned with dignity. Loved by Christ.” Speak it and I promise you, you’ll begin to believe it. I profess it because I have to live it out every day to stay sane. There is strength and power in your tongue and you, even when broken and bruised, are a warrior.

God did not create us to live in turmoil. That was introduced with sin. Remember Eden? God created us to walk and talk with Him. Adam and Eve, pre-fall, lived in complete peace; not even knowing what shame, hate or lust were. That was God’s original design. Because of Jesus’s sacrifice, we can have that same peaceful communion now. Yes, we live in a world where those things exist, but speaking life over yourself and into your world allows the Spirit of God to thrive because He is life.

John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

This morning I speak victory, healing, prosperity and peace over you. Thank you for taking this journey with me.

*If you are a reader dealing with depression and need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I would love to talk through some of the tough stuff with you and help you attain the extra help that you may need to overcome. You can reach me at kristen_gillette@hotmail.com. I love you, friend, and so does Jesus. Healing is possible. 

Touch

Good morning and Happy Friday! I am thrilled this day is finally here. I have a weekend with a few of my long time girlfriends ahead and this week dragged on as I waited in anticipation. I couldn’t kick off the weekend though without sharing this short passage with you; Monday just would not have come soon enough.

Start by reading Matthew 8:1-4.

This is a story I have heard referenced my entire life. It is a testament to the healing power of Jesus. However, when I read it this time, the Holy Spirit revealed something else to me.

Let me set the scene: Jesus had just been on the mountainside teaching his disciples and crowds of curious people. As he came down, a man with leprosy approached him and asked for healing. Jesus touched the man and he was healed.

The first thing I would like to call attention  to is the way this sick man approached Jesus. Verse 2 says, “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” This man knew the power of Jesus before he even asked for healing. He approached him in expectation. He acknowledged His authority by kneeling before Him, then made his humble request. I would love to unpack this interaction with you, but that is not the focus of this post. So, stay tuned because we may study this story again.

The focal point of this post is the way Jesus loved this man in the specific way he needed. In the time frame we commonly refer to as the “Bible days”, leprosy was an epidemic. The people believed the disease spread by contact, so infected population was avoided and even sometimes colonized away from the general public. If the man was visibly infected, he had probably had the disease for quite some time. Meaning, this man had most likely not been touched in a while.

Human physical contact is such an interesting gift from the Lord. Physical touch from others can be comforting and encouraging. Reflect on a hug from a parent, or holding hands with a significant other. A pat on the back from a coach or boss can make you feel on top of the world. We can feel loved with physical touch, or validated. A simple gesture can be so powerful.

Jesus had the power to heal this man without touching him. The Bible tells us that in the next few verses (5-13) about the Centurion’s servant. However, Jesus did not just want to heal this man’s flesh, he wanted to heal his heart. Jesus obliged this man’s request by healing his body completely. He honored his expectation by healing his heart. The physical touch from our Savior probably meant more to this man than his physical relief of pain.

Oh, how I love our Jesus. He is so good. He loves us in the specific way we need; in a way that only He can. Think about that today and just rest in his love.

Have a good weekend, friend.

Healing

Good morning beautiful; I hope this post finds you well rested and coffee in hand!

Start off by reading Matthew 8:28-34.

This is the passage that Jesus encounters the two demon possessed men. He casts out the demons and they run to the pigs, where they throw themselves into the lake and die. Sounds like a problem solved, right?

The peculiar thing about this passage is the crowd’s reaction to this miraculous deliverance. Verse 34 says, “Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.” Wait, what? After the healing..they wanted him to leave? These two men were violent in their possession. The passage described in verse 28, “They were so violent that no one could pass that way.” This means these men directly affected the people of  this region. The same people who’s response to healing was to kindly plead with the Healer to get out?

As silly as this initially sounded to me, the Holy Spirit started to reveal my hypocrisy. I began to see a parallel to how I am with some of the sins and afflictions in my life and the townspeople’s response. Sometimes, we (yeah, I am bringing you in this because I hope I am not the only one) prefer to avoid the sins and afflictions all together because of their violent nature. However, when Jesus shines light in them to eradicate them from our lives, we react similarly to these people. We prefer to ignore or shield the “thing” instead of acknowledge the need for healing and deliverance. It can be shame, fear, selfishness or ignorance that drives the resistance.

I can think of a few times I reacted like the townspeople. I was limiting the power of God. Did I believe I would have fulfillment once the thorn was removed from my flesh? Did I believe the pruning would be too painful? Did I love the “thing” first? Thank you Jesus for grace.

“For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14.

Jesus promises rest, peace and wholeness. See Matthew 11:28, John 16:33, Romans 5:1 and John 10:10 for a reminder. But, he also said he came for the sick (unrighteous). Some sickness is so painful to get through. However, the healing is worth it. The wholeness is possible. The health is attainable. The grace is sufficient.

Lord, forgive me for shielding away the wounds that needed your attention most. Forgive me for limiting your limitless power. Heal and cleanse all darkness in me. You have done it before, you will do it again. You are faithful. I accept this healing. I love you and praise you for who you are! Amen. 

Rest

I feel it’s most appropriate to post about my favorite verse in Matthew as we kick off exploring this book together.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ”  Matthew 11:28

I don’t need to do much analysis of this verse. It is a direct, clear command; a perfect summary of Christ’s love. So, then, why do I forget that truth so easily? Some days my heart feels mangled. I allow myself to drown in obligation, fear or unrest.  I received some upsetting news recently that interrupted the perfect scenario that I constructed in my mind. I don’t know about you, but I do not appreciate when life interferes with my plans. I lost hours of sleep over it and worked myself into a mess of fear, doubt and anger. With a broken heart, I confronted God. I do not know what I thought I would gain. Revenge? Relief, maybe?

I wish I could report that the situation was miraculously solved; that Jesus physically came down to me from the clouds and fixed my broken heart by giving me what I wanted. That may make for a more entertaining read. However, the miracle that took place was not visible or tangible. It was a heart change.  He gave me rest. He provided protection and enough clarity to accept what was. Not an explanation of why the situation played out like it did, but a reminder of who I am and who I belong to. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” My mother sent it to me after my late night, tearful phone call with her after receiving the news. (You will learn in this blog that my mother is my mentor, friend and therapist when I really lose my cool.) So, desperate for relief, after a few angry conversations with our Creator, I did just that. I simply asked for Him to take over because I was tired and hurting. Immediately, as He has done for me so many times, He did just that. He gave me rest. 

There is no peace like that which Jesus gives. It is said to pass all understanding because it can exist when your heart is broken. Ponder that today. Imagine laying your head on his shoulder and truly experiencing rest. Thank him for giving it so freely. Read verses 11:28-30 a few times until your heart believes it. Then, rest.