There is a GOOD Apple!

This has really been heavy on my heart today. I was reminded this week of the several years I was under the care of a doctor who didn't have my best interest. I didn't realize, until after the fact, that the medicines he was giving me were what were causing the very problem he was treating me for. I could've come home, laid down in defeat, and given up... but God. I didn't give up on doctors because of one bad apple. I found the right doctor that helped give me my quality of life back from that issue. I had "friends" that didn't have my best interest at heart, and only used and took advantage me. Still, I didn't give up on finding those true friends in my life... but God. He helped me find the good apples amongst the bad. There were difficult teachers or professors I had; still I didn't quit school because of them... but God. He helped me shift my focus to the ones who truly cared about their students and wanted to help me succeed. There were seasons at certain churches that I knew if I stayed, it would only continue to lead me down a winding road of not growing in Christ... but God. I didn't quit church because of those hurtful and broken years and God led me, in 2014, to what I now call my "church of completion" until He calls me home. Even when I stepped away for 3 years to help at another church, my heart never left. There were years I didn't have the greatest experience with pastors, but I didn't quit praying for the pastor (because they are human too). I didn't quit church all together because of "church hurt". There have been so many times I could've prevented myself from going through a lot of hurt, because I wanted to be the "fixer" and "people pleaser"... but God. I now realize that those were needed lessons that helped me continue growing in Christ. There were times in my life that I know I was set up for hurt and threw under the bus, lied on and criticized... but God. In the middle of my pity party, that "still small voice" urged me to keep on going. There were years I was angry with God and trying to run from Him, because I blamed Him for my sickness all the time... but God. He never quit running after me, He never quit loving me, He never gave up on me even when I was that "bad apple". I don't know who this is for, but let me tell you one thing... don't you give up, don't you quit, don't you throw in the towel because of that bad apple. God still has a plan and purpose for you life. He's leading you to the right place with the right people "the good apples". I've truly learned in my life, what it means to focus (and how to focus) only on the good apples of life when you keep Jesus at the core of everything. He has your back through it all; you are truly the apple of God's eye! He is bringing you to a place of victory, healing, and restoration! 🙌❤🍎

Not My Battle!

"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still"... tonight, during my quiet time with God and after talking to Him... He reminded me of this once more. Maybe someone else needs this very reminder as well. We all fight and face battles that maybe no one else knows about but you and the Lord, but isn't it great to know He will fight for you and give you the strength to endure and go on?! He sees and understands what no one else can, and at the end of the day it's a comforting thing to know God has your back through it all. In your tough moments of life, He is your comfort and assurance to keep on going. In your attacks of life, He is your fighter and defender. In your moments of silence when you don't know what to say/can't say or what direction to go, He is your mouthpiece and guide. In your battles of life, He takes over and fights for you. 🙌💛

He Anoints My Head With Oil!

I always wondered what this part of Psalm 23 meant. I thought “He anoints my head with oil” was figurative language for God keeping the Psalmist healthy. I never knew this parallel.

Sheep can get their head caught in briers and die trying to get untangled. There are horrid little flies that like to torment sheep by laying eggs in their nostrils which turn into worms and drive the sheep to beat their head against a rock, sometimes to death. Their ears and eyes are also susceptible to tormenting insects.

So, the shepherd anoints their whole head with oil. Then there is peace. That oil forms a barrier of protection against the evil that tries to destroy the sheep.

Do you have times of mental torment? Do worrisome thoughts invade your mind over and over? Do you beat your head against a wall trying to stop them? Have you ever asked God to anoint your head with oil? He has an endless supply! His oil protects and makes it possible for you to fix your heart, mind, and eyes on Him today and always! There is peace in the valley! May our good Father anoint your head with oil today so that your cup overflows with blessings! God is good and He is faithful!” 

Author Unknown

Peter Ate Too!

*Written by Chloe Ann on Facebook, but too powerful and true not to share.

Judas ate too... I hear this all the time around this time of year, Easter, along with when people are recovering and or finding their way back to Christ. We recognize that while yes, Judas ate too. Judas betrayed Christ for money (Matthew 26:14-16) yet still sat and ate with him (Matthew 26:20-25). While he did eat with Christ, he also made it clear that the betrayer, if he did not seek out repentance would endure the wrath of hell. Judas did not seek out repentance. Judas did not ask to be forgiven by Christ. Judas did not right his wrong. So when you go and tattoo this onto your body or make it your life’s “motto”, do you want to be associated with the man who never sought repentance and was explicitly told by his savior that “woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Why would you want to be that man? I understand the sentiment of Christ loving him even when he knew that Judas had betrayed him... but Judas never sought to make it right and receive the forgiveness for what he had done. Instead Judas REGRETS his betrayal and he returns the money and h*ngs himself (Matthew 27:3-5) but you know who did seek repentance after betraying Christ? Peter. 

Peter did. Peter ate too. Peter denied Christ and ate with him too. Christ knew that Peter would betray him and even called him out for it (Peter recollects Christ warning him of this in Luke 22:61), just like Christ had given Judas a chance to speak up against his betrayal - Christ headed a warning to Peter that he would deny him. Peter denied Christ 3 times. Saying he did not know who Christ was (Luke 22:54-62) but Peter made an effort for repentance. After Christ’s resurrection we have a chance to see how Peter would react to this and what exactly he would do next. Peter REPENTS, he tells Christ that he loves him (John 21:15-18) Peter wanted to follow Christ and love him authentically. Peter did exactly what we are supposed to do. That is to repent. Turn our heart, eyes, and mind towards him to follow him and his path. You want to be a Peter. You do not want to be a Judas. I have an inkling of where Judas may be but I know exactly where Peter is. 

Be a Peter. If you are going to make your mistakes, be a Peter. 

Judas regrets. Peter repents.