SEEK (αναζητούν)

Good morning my sister warriors-

 

Lord as I put Your words out there may they touch the lives of the lost, lonely, and seeking. I pray this in your name.

Today, I started this post with a prayer. You see prayer is an intricate part of my life. It has been there since I learned the Lord's prayer when I was just four years old. My grandmother taught it to me, she was also the first person that took me to church. I tell you this because the next year she was gone. 

I still remember her worry beads (rosary) strung on her bed. I can remember her speaking comfort to me and teaching me about Jesus. Those words have forever been a beacon of light to me. Her words, her teachings took me on a path to seek (zeteo) the kingdom all the days of my life.

One woman, for one year, impacted a little girl through years of hardship. My goal is to be that woman for you. To steer you out of the world and into the Kingdom of God. Not as a religious zealot but as a woman who has had challenges, who has faced loss and hardship. I've been confused, sought prestige and money and I've even lost sight from time to time. I've put work over my relationships, including my most sacred relationship with God, His Son, and the Holy Ghost. You see, I am not about religion. I believe that the relationship is most important. Man defines religion, God defines relationship in His words, His miracles, and His continued presence throughout mankind.

My goal today is not to say, "bad girl or listen to me." My purpose is to steer you toward Him with His words. My grandmother in 12 months showed me with her dedication, through the teaching of the Lord's prayer and through love that Jesus would always be there for me. And you know what, she was so right.

Life is not easy, especially today. Women are being challenged, tempted, and that's the plan of evil. You see the farther the world can carry you away from Jesus, more bad will come. We are the pillars of the family. Those set to carry the sons and daughters of future generations. It is our birth right and our purpose to lift others, to love and to carry on the tradition of love, faith, and devotion.

We are special. We have a purpose and I believe when we seek God, we truly find Him. The peace of all understanding lies in the blood of Christ. 

I know life is confusing right now. I know you are fighting against wanting to be the most powerful and yet wanting to be loved at the same time. I've been there, I know. I am just so thankful that my grandmother cared enough to open the Bible to me, to give me a prayer that has carried me my whole life and maybe even more importantly, a heart to seek Him. 

She knew a secret that I will share with you today. She knew that without Him she was nothing but with Him she could conquer anything. If life is hard, try going to Jesus. He's ready to walk with you through His words. Praying for you my sister. Seek him first and you will begin to see the world and yourself in a new way.

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your heart.

Psalm 24:6 NIV

 

Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever.

Amen.

NEVER ENOUGH-Where does my hope (ελπίδα) come from?

Good morning my warrior sisters-

It's been some time since last I wrote. Time goes by so fast. My apologies for not taking the time to get on this blog and for not reaching out in many months.  I've been in the throes of researching, learning Greek and praying for the nations, for our men and for our children. It's been a turbulent time in America and beyond and with such times, I have been silent but praying.

The title of this blog is "Never Enough." I guess that's how I've been feeling lately. Not quite good enough to spread the words of God. Not quite good enough as a mother or an employee. Just not good enough to serve a mighty God and spread his truth. Have you ever felt that way? Simply, quietly a failure because you just can't do it all and so something suffers, mainly your service to the Holy One.

That's where I've been. I've been writing in journals instead of on the web. I've been secretly praying in the dark for our world, for our men and for all people. I've prayed for unity, love, and awareness. I've prayed for truth to set us free and a world to see Jesus instead of themselves and yet, here I am talking about not being enough. You see when we don't believe we can do something, we won't. When we let fear enter us then defeat can easily come next. And when we see ourselves as nothing, then we are nothing (at least in our own minds and hearts).  None of it is true, however. The truth is that the Lord our God made you for such a time as this and even when you don't feel you are enough, He is!

In the last year, I've learned a lot about myself, my children, and the world we live in. I see how the world is dominating young men and making them weak. I see women only focused on breaking the glass ceiling and people only caring about the politics they believe in, instead of mankind. I've watched as the orphan count moves up, as families are displaced and as COVID has broken once profitable business owners. Many have had to bury loved ones this year and many can't pay rent or buy food. And by the way, they did nothing to get in that position. The world takes and each of us have a story to fulfill.

So maybe you are like me and questioning if you are enough. Maybe your strength is zapped, and you are weary. Maybe you find yourself mothering, teaching, and trying to be everything to everybody and in the quiet, you look up and say, "I just can't do it anymore. I'm not enough."  Don't be discouraged, you've just ended where God begins.

At this point, you’re probably saying to yourself, "that's what she thinks." I hear you. It's not what I think that matters. It's what the Bible teaches. Do you think Ester thought she was enough? Of course not. She feared going to the King for sure. Do you believe the woman at the well believed she was enough? I'm pretty sure her answer to Jesus says it all. Do you believe that Peter thought he was enough? Remember, he denied Jesus three times and he was his friend. 

In this life, we will struggle. We will struggle with self because humans are selfish. It's only when we feed the Word into our lives that we find Jesus and finding Jesus means we find hope.

Hold this word deep in your heart. Ask Jesus to give you a way, a HOPE, a truth to feel blessed and anchored in Him. We are not enough alone. I know that to be true. Jesus has shown me over and over that together, with Him, I can do the impossible. 

And that's why I'm writing to you. Live your best life. Look for Him. Ask Him to show you the way. He is the great Shepherd; through Him we can trust and have HOPE. A glimmer is better than none and by the way, have grace for yourself. We are not perfect; I am not perfect. Seek and you will find Him. If He can be graceful to us, then we should have grace for ourselves. We are ENOUGH through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 

Hebrews 6:19 NIV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, (20) where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

My prayer for you today:

Lord, please let this word (elpida)seep into the hearts, minds and souls of the women that don't feel ever enough. You, O, God are the way, the truth, the light. Through you, we can see ourselves and through that mirror we can begin to flourish with grace and hope. I pray that you would continue to guide my warrior sisters to you and that you would not allow us to give up but rather to forever look for you in all our circumstances. I pray this in Jesus name. AMEN