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Take hold of the Joy in Forgiveness

We have all had experiences that have left us feeling guilty. In examining the scripture verses of Psalm 32, we can be assured that when we have been forgiven, the guilt goes with it.

I myself have suffered from serious guilt, even after my conversion. I didn’t understand the full depth of forgiveness and what it looked like practically. I knew in my heart that I had been forgiven, but held back on releasing the guilt. Does this sound like you? Take heart, beloved! God has removed not only the transgression but the guilt that may be consuming you.

Listen to the word of God and take hold of the promise that has been gifted to you!

    Watch “The Joy in Forgiveness” on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/149198409

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    Prayer, Is it all we can do?

    This is the post excerpt.

    We have all been in situations where we’ve exhausted every avenue to change the outcome or redirect the path. Most of the time it’s primarily in our own strength. We may have even watched someone we love struggle endlessly, despite our best efforts to help. Over time, our hope diminishes and many times lives begin to fracture. It’s at those times we find ourselves feeling at the end of the rope. 0e6293129_1496960861_vtcbruwonqo-ben-white-973x650.jpgThen, out of sheer weariness and desperation we often find ourselves saying, “all I can do now is pray.”

    Why do we seek God’s hand through prayer more often when things start to spin out of control? And more so, why do we tend to see prayer as the eventual answer to our dilemma and not our first approach? It’s as if we say, “okay God, I’ve done all I can do, now it’s your turn.”

    I can remember a season in my life when circumstances seemed to have no real glimmer of hope. I had tried everything in my power to change the situation but things seemed to remain the same. Over time, weariness and defeat set in. I was talking with a dear sweet woman I had met several years ago at a women’s event. As I was sharing some of the details of the situation, I have to admit that I found myself closing the conversation with, “well, all I can do is pray.” This sweet woman grabbed my hands, looked me in the eyes and said, “honey, prayer is not the only thing you can do, it’s everything you can do!”

    How I needed to hear those words! Prayer is everything we can do! I need for you to hear it again, “prayer is everything I can do, and prayer is everything you can do!” It’s not our last resort, it’s our first line of defense. Doesn’t that excite you? It does me. Prayer is our lifeline with the One who knows everything we are going through and knows exactly how it will all play out. Prayer should be our special time with alone with God. A time where the Holy Spirit ministers to us in a way that no one or anything else can. Scripture tells us that we are to pray for all things and believe God for every outcome. We don’t have to understand why things work out the way they do, that’s up to God. We do have to trust and have faith that His ways are better than our ways and He is always working things out for the good.

    The next time you find yourself or someone you love in a season of trials, make sure you have the attitude that “prayer is everything you can do!” This posture of prayer will change the way you look at the power of prayer, and intensify your relationship with Jesus. What a blessing that prayer IS everything we can do!

    Father, thank you that you hear our prayers. Thank you, Jesus, that you don’t tell us to go figure things on our own and then come to you when we have nothing left. We ask Your forgiveness for the times that we do that very thing. Help us to be mindful that You allow us, and bid us to come sit and talk with You so that You might be glorified in all of our circumstances.

    “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 17:6

    Additional reading – Mark 11:24, Romans 8:28-29, John 15:4

    Denise Matthews © 2017

    Pearls Persevere

    “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed…” – 2 Corinthians 4:8–9

    A pearl is formed through pressure, irritation, and time. Hidden inside an oyster, what begins as a painful intrusion becomes something priceless—strong, beautiful, and enduring. In the same way, we are often pressed on every side. Life applies pressure—through trials, heartbreak, loss, or uncertainty. But like pearls, we do not break.

    We are hard pressed, but not crushed.
    Perplexed, but not in despair.
    Persecuted, but not abandoned.
    Struck down, but not destroyed.

    This is the perseverance of a woman who walks with God. She may feel the weight of the world, but the Spirit within her gives resilience. Her strength doesn’t come from herself—it’s refined through faith, grace, and the hope of Christ.

    Pearls don’t panic; they persevere.

    So whether you are in a season of waiting, grieving, building, or rebuilding, remember: God is not done with your story. You are being shaped—not shattered.

    You are a pearl. And pearls persevere.

    The Lines Have Fallen

    There are times when we go through circumstances that don’t always make sense. In trusting the whole counsel of God both day and night, we can be assured that whatever comes, when we take the stand of praising the LORD in spite of it, we can rest in peace knowing our one true inheritance surpasses any earthly affections we may have.

    This verse has been a constant reminder to me over the past 2 years. I am constantly learning to stop looking outward at earthly things or the attitude and actions of others, but inward in the secret places of the heart, my heart, and giving it fully to God.

    What are you holding on to that is causing you heartache? Open your palms and let go of it. Picture that, your arms outstretched, palms open, full surrender. As a believer the promise of knowing that God has what’s best for you for all eternity, despite what it looks or feels like, is all you need. What a way to praise Him!

    The Narrow Path

    I grabbed this book and literally tossed it in my bag when I flew to Oregon upon the loss of my mom. When you lose your mom, a part of you goes with her. For me, I have been wondering “what will I do now?”
    I’m grateful for Jen Maloney Wilkin as she helped me to understand that as a believer we don’t ask “what will I do now?”, but rather “who will I be?”
    I won’t be the same. Jen gives a great illustration that I’ve now stepped on the narrow path, with a desire to be more like Christ in the midst of suffering. My decisions from this point forward in this season will continue to guide me towards God’s will for my life, rather than my own. Is it painful? scary? You bet. Yet I know God does not waste a single moment of our pain. We walk a narrow path and in doing so we help others find hope as they follow behind.

    Does it take away the loss, or minimize the pain? Not for a while, a long while, but it helps me to see that God has a plan, and my focus is to listen to His voice and walk in it. The narrow path is not hidden. It’s now having the courage, the faith, and the trust to move forward in obedience to the One who has set it before me. ❤️❤️❤️

    Bloom

    Earlier this year God have me a word and that word was, bloom. I’ve had a lot of transition over the past year and I have traveled back and forth, a lot. I’ve always told God to use me where He’s sees fit and wherever that might be, I’d go, no questions asked. No matter if it made a lick of sense or not.

    I found myself wondering if I’d stay in Oregon, family included of course, but never felt like it was my home. I looked for a church, and Mark considered a pastoral position there. I felt maybe I’d be closer to my mom and the thought of not being there brought the feelings again of separation from her. These were some of the challenges that come with grief.

    Yet, even in the thoughts, feelings, and consideration, neither of us really felt like God was calling us there. 

    My roots are and always have been in an earthly sense, grounded in Southern California. Eternally, they’re in Heaven. My mom transitioned to Heaven almost a year ago now. My eternal roots are still connected to her and that will never change. 

    In the meantime, God has settled me back home where I can begin to officially process everything. I say begin because I’ve never had a real moment to let it all sink in. 

    I’m thankful to be home, to sit with Jesus and see where the word bloom will show up. 

    I’ve looked at my beautiful gift this morning hanging on my porch and discovered it’s blooming. It’s been transplanted and moved, but is thriving. 

    Our lives may not go according to our plans, and we may find ourselves in an upheaval, but sometimes God churns the soil not that we would perish, but so that we might bloom.

    “The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a wildflower.” Isaiah 35:1

    Reaching Perfection

    My mom was a casual painter. She took a few classes but most of her talent came naturally. A gift that was passed down to my kids. She was also a perfectionist and everything had to be just right. She was so critical of her own work that she put down her brush and never painted again.

    Art work by Sandra Wagner

    We all have the tendency to over critique ourselves, our work, and our lives to the point that we stop trying anymore. We see everything as imperfect. We reach for a standard we were never created to achieve this side of heaven.
    We would do ourselves a world of good if we gave ourselves more grace. If we stopped looking through our own broken lens. What we see as imperfections in what we do, who we are, or how we look to those around us may in fact, and more often than not, be of genuine encouragement, beauty, and value to others.

    Jesus uses imperfect, broken people to reveal His character and love. My mom was a believer; she and I were baptized on the same day. She never did pick up painting again, and her critical spirit hung on, but the lesson and value of her imperfections will always hang on my wall through her art, and in my heart through the perfection she desired and found in Christ.

    My heart still looks for you

    Recently I came across a beautiful necklace on social media. It described in three sentences what it is like when we lose a loved one. “My mind still talks to you, my heart still looks for you, but my soul knows you are at peace.” It took me awhile to wrap my mind around why our hearts would still look for our loved ones, and thankfully I have some amazing Christian women around me that didn’t tell me why but unknowingly had me seek the answers. As believers we understand this isn’t the end. God put heaven in our hearts, that eternal reality that we WILL see our beloveds again. We can’t help but look for what we know is coming. We can’t help but anticipate seeing them again. Can you imagine if our hearts were set on “this is all there is” and we just moved on as if nothing mattered anymore…what a sad, lonely, existence.
    There will be a new heaven and a new earth where we will dwell with God and our loved ones. We can in our hearts look for them with the Hope and anticipation that is promised. ❤️❤️❤️

    “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3).

    The Bible sometimes compares heaven to a mansion with many rooms (John 14:1-3) and sometimes to an enormous city teeming with people (Revelation 21).

    I hope this brings some comfort to someone missing a loved one. I hope it makes the decision to follow Christ, and have assurance of heaven even more important. I know my mom and my dad would want all their family with them. Don’t wait another moment if you’re not sure. The Bible says we can be sure!!

    “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…” (1st John 5:13).

    for information on how order the necklace you can visit their website. I receive no royalties, just love it and wanted to legal in posting about it.

    https://zshorten.com/Gq8BE

    God’s ever faithful plans

    My quiet time this morning came out of my devotional reading from New Morning Mercies by Paul Tripp. 

    It’s comforting to know that God’s plans for us are so much more than we can imagine. Surprisingly, we limit ourselves through our attitudes and behaviors, and through our own self-worth. We can live our lives based on who we think we are, rather than who God thinks we are. 

    The good news is that it’s God who works in and through us to accomplish His purposes.That’s not to say we do not have to put in any effort, we do. it isn’t always easy. In fact if we’re honest, sometimes it’s down right painful. In those painful moments we can want to give up. We can convince ourselves that we’re never going to be better or more than we are in the moment. Take heart! The glorious plans that God has for us is not something that happens in a day, a week, a month, or even a year. It’s a continual process. It’s taking Him at His word, trusting His promises and believing that He who has started the good work is faithful to complete it. Find comfort, rest, and assurance in Him today. “He will not abandon His purpose for any reason at any time.” – Paul Tripp,  ❤ ❤

    Hope in the shadows of loss

    The last place my mom stood before going home with Jesus. Grateful it’s where she loved to be…in her arena

    Sorry, emotional post ahead. I seem to have too many of them lately, and yet all I can say is “it’s where I’m at in this season of losing my mother.”
    This is what it feels like today without you here mom, lonely and lifeless. 

    When I think about her last moments and what they might have been like I feel overwhelmed. I’ve even heard myself ask out loud, “Where are you mom?” I know she isn’t here, and my heart aches again. Hard to admit for a believer that I utter those words, and glance around hoping for a glimpse of her, but it happens. Then I am so mercifully reminded that her place of residence has changed. That I will see her again, just not here but in Heaven.
    As I glance out the arena gate I am reminded that there is abundant life ahead in the distance. I’m so thankful God is here with me, even in these hard moments, especially in these hard moments. What would I do otherwise?? How do others make it??
    He sends encouragement through messages, texts, and prayers from friends, and family that show up at just the right moments. His Word always comes to mind as I contemplate what’s happening around me. Life isn’t always easy. And right now, it’s still rough, but God…
    There is Hope in the shadows of loss.
    “ I am certain that I will see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

    There are moments like this in life when we face hard things and it feels like no one understands what we are going through. We can feel lost and alone as we navigate through the storm. The good news is that we are not alone. I am thankful we can find comfort in Christ and His Word; cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Jesus is our comforter. ❤️❤️❤️

    “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

    A Midlife Degree

    As a woman in her fifties, this whole “I’m starting seminary” thing is a sheer faith walk. As a recent graduate of a university, I told myself that was it. God completed what He started and I was finished. It was a long, hard, and grueling four years! Not only for me, but my family as well. God opened those doors and I knew that He would see me through the end, and He did.43433801_1943317879068121_2443115631487221760_n

    During that time of studying at the university, God also opened the door for me to begin working at Gateway Seminary. Honestly, I didn’t want the job. Seminary, really? I had heard about the seminary coming to southern California, but felt pretty comfortable where God had me. I was directing the women at a large church and had the best team helping me lead. Why would I just walk away from it? Over the next seven months I would hear that the position for a women’s coordinator was still available, and that I should apply. I would ask, “really, that job is still open? Thanks, but no thanks, I’m good where I am.” It wasn’t until about the ninth month, when someone had approached me from the seminary and said, “we are praying for you, did you know that there’s a position for the women’s coordinator at the seminary?” Again I looked in astonishment and said, “that job is still open?” I gave my standard reasons for not applying and to each reason there was an affirmation that God would work it all out. Now what?

    Finally, I looked at my husband and said, “I think I need to apply for the job. I don’t have to take it, and if they don’t want to hire me its okay because I wasn’t looking for it, right? I really am good where I am, but this is just too coincidental to let go of, and I think I need to apply.” Needless to say, I applied and am now in my third year as the women’s program coordinator at Gateway Seminary. We can be sure that when it’s not God’s time, you can’t force it. When it is God’s time, you can’t stop it. No matter our desires, God’s plans will always trump them.

    And now, the next opportunity to take graduate courses came up. I didn’t really want to, after all, the four years at the university nearly did me in! Once again, God’s call beckoned. I wanted to throw in the towel and God threw it back. I registered for classes and am nearing the end of the first semester. I won’t say it’s easy, and I won’t say that I haven’t questioned God in the process. But I will say that it is a straightforward walk of faith.

    We don’t always see what God has planned ahead for us, and we don’t have to be in our twenties and thirties to be used by Him. We just need to walk in faith and have a desire to do His will, regardless of what it looks like, or feels like. For anyone thinking that they want to go back to school, I would say, “you can’t do it, but God can.” Don’t put the God of the universe in a box and settle for anything less than He has planned for you.

    The journey continues and I am sure the tears and the countless questions to God about why He thinks I need to be doing this will continue as well. I go in the strength of the One who called me.

    “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.” Psalm 71:16

    Denise Matthews © 2018

    Photo Credit & Quote: thatdapndave