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Trisha Keehn

Writer

Trisha Keehn is a creative writer fueled by a lifetime of faith. She is part of the Life.Church and YouVersion Bible App creative writing team, and uses her broadcast news background to help companies choose their words wisely. Trisha is a wife, mom, coffee connoisseur, lover of libraries, and a savvy traveler.

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Why A Personal Relationship With God Is Important

“The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”” Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God speaks to Adam with this command to eat freely of the fruit in the garden and also gives this warning of death if he eats from the tree of knowledge of evil.

Eve is not here yet. God had not created her when He gave these instructions. When the serpent questions Eve, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”she seems to know the basics of God’s directive.(Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

““Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

But she doesn’t get it exactly right. She befuddles it. She adds that extra little portion about not even touching the fruit or you’ll die. (Which is a great reminder of the danger in adding to God’s Word!) And then the serpent explores this idea that God might be holding back from Eve; holding back something good from her.

Isn’t that seed of doubt sprouted in every wicked lie we ever believed? This idea that God is holding back something good from me. And then it leads us to believe that the only way to get these perceived good things is to take matters into our own hands. To prove God is a withholder, the devil convinces us to step out of God’s commands and order to obtain it. 

The Word says, Eve “saw” it, “wanted” it, and “took” it. (Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

If Eve hadn’t doubted God’s goodness, she wouldn’t have entertained the idea of anything else. But once the idea of God’s withholding was planted, her eyes looked and locked on that beautiful “untouchable” tree, and evil twisted Truth so it made God out to be the liar.

The wicked desires in us will always want something other than what God offers. (Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Desires drive action. That’s why we need God’s desires etched into our minds and hearts; the Creator of order is the only one who can be trusted. Whatever is considered “good” in scripture came from God. So anything that involves disobedience to God is not good.

What I find interesting is that it wasn’t Adam who fell for the serpent’s twist on things. Adam knew what God said because God spoke directly to Adam. You don’t forget the things God says when He speaks directly to you. His words sit with you. They sometimes rattle in you. They compel you. When God speaks to you, it can’t be mistaken or doubted. His Word is so powerful. It dispels doubt. It is affirmative. Resolute.

But I’m not sure Eve heard from God. The text doesn’t say but I think she heard God’s Word from Adam. It’s different when it comes from someone else. Did God’s full message get conveyed to her? I think it did. I’m not going to question what Adam relayed to her. Now what he said and what she heard might be another question. Sometimes what someone says isn’t the same as what we heard. :-/ I’m not even wanting to go down that track though. I think Eve hadn’t had that personal encounter with God and the message got a little muddy. Like the game of phone, it’s easier to mix up a message coming from someone else.

Satan loves to deceive us in seemingly safe places because we let our guards down. Eve wasn’t worried about being deceived. She was in a safe place with Adam and God; she didn’t realize evil was also living there. And so she allowed the serpent to twist God’s Word up in a coiled up lie suggesting God was withholding. And the Word says, “The woman was convinced.” (Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

At the moment God gives a directive (ie: do not eat of that tree), it signals we have a choice. And in every choice is a natural consequence to obeying the order of things or disobeying the order.

What if God had personally spoken to Eve? I wonder if this deception would have been more easily rejected? It makes me wonder if she would have been more resolute in the absolute Truth. More “convinced” of what God said than what the serpent was implying.

I think this is why we need that personal relationship with God. We need Him to speak to us through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, through Jesus, so that we know without a doubt. We can’t simply rely on hearing the Word from someone else (though there’s still power in God’s Word even through someone else’s mouth!). We need this personal, interactive, listening, calling out, responding, communing with God that comes with being in a relationship. Words hit deeper when there are less middle men. The voice of our invisible God is so profound… you don’t forget that. You don’t question what you heard. You can’t even doubt it. It’s like, “I know what I heard!” It’s so absolute. I think Eve may have recalled that conversation a little more clearer had it been personal.

At the moment of deception, the Word says Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened. They knew. In that moment, the Truth and conviction collided with their disobedience and the devil covered them in shame. (Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

But God, in His pure goodness, comes looking for them. He knew what they had done. And yet, He is the first one to initiate a conversation. God calls out to them, “where are you?” Triggering a convicting question, ‘why are you now hiding from me?’

Evil can’t be near a good and holy God. And so sin makes us hide. We don’t allow God’s convictions to produce confessions. We hide in shame. We hide in pride. Until the mercy of His Word comes looking for us, and calls out, “where are you?” And that’s all it takes for us to realize He was the only good all along. He came for us. He drew near to us even when we disobeyed. Even when we don’t deserve it. Thank you, Jesus!

If we want to know without a doubt who God is and who He is for, we need a personal encounter with the saving grace of Jesus that appears in the very beginning. If we’re looking for clarity or convictions in God’s Word, we need a real relationship with God, our Creator, the one who ordered all, who is the only Good we could ever know.

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How to Find Hope In The Hard Things

Remembering God’s Promises

“Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭49‬-‭50‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When life feels hard, remembering God’s promises will give us the hope we need to keep going. These are not promises to the world. These are specific promises from our faithful God to His children – that is, those who claim God as Father AND His son, Jesus, as their Lord and Savior.

Remembering God’s promises will revive our spirits. His promises encourage us and steady us when it doesn’t look like the tornado of chaos around us is calming down. His promises give us assurance and comfort that when trouble comes, He’s not just watching. He’s already moving.

What are those promises from God to His children who love Him?

He is here with us – Emmanuel – Jesus Christ – Savior – Messiah. He will be our help and our shield protecting us. He will provide for our daily needs and give us His peace – a peace that surpasses all understanding. He will never leave us. He promises to prosper us and not harm us, to be our refuge – this quiet place, safely tucked away from our troubles. He will guard our hearts and minds, our coming and going.

God promises to be our solid ground, our Rock, and anchor when the world feels wildly chaotic around us. Jesus will give us His Spirit. The Holy Spirit within us will be our Shepherd, leading us beside still waters, guiding us in generous wisdom, corralling us within His Will. He will be a lamp shining a light on our path in a very dark world so our feet know the way to walk. He will order our steps for us.

When our desires match His desires, He will fulfill them. He will answer prayers.

He is our rescue in our time of need and work all things (even the bad things) for the good of those who love Him. When we feel like we are sinking in our suffering or under the burdens of bearing so much, His righteous right hand will uphold us and keep us from crumbling. He will give our weary hearts rest. He will be our strength when we feel so weak. And then He will renew our strength!

He is our victory over sin, and this victory over the temptations in this world will be ours when we place all our trust in Him.

He will be a faithful Father with unfailing love to all those who have/had no father. He will be a friend who sticks closer than a brother. God will draw near to the brokenhearted and comfort those who mourn. He promises to forgive us when we confess. He will be the song, the praise, on our lips, because Salvation is ours through faith in Jesus. He is our future. He is our Hope.

Remembering His promises revives us, comforts us, and gives us hope in hard things!

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Staying Hopeful During Holiday Disappointment

Turning our prayers into praise

What is disappointing you? If nothing comes to mind yet, don’t worry, this month is still ripening with opportunities. When families and friends come together, expectations for the perfect Christmas gathering are set high which elevates the emotional letdown when things don’t go according to plan. If we aren’t gathering with friends and family, the pain of feeling “left out” or “without,” barren and empty, can keep us down in a valley of disappointment.

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)” Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the midst of disappointment, Habbakuk acknowledges things are not budding, blooming, or producing, but he refuses to sulk in his sorrows or dwell on what isn’t happening. He instead directs his thoughts to what is there… the Lord! I love that he can acknowledge the loss without getting lost in it. We all have real pain and sorrows and it’s important to hold both simultaneously; to be able to acknowledge hurt and also the One who heals.

Habakkuk shifts his focus to thanksgiving despite seeing no turnaround or signs of hope. He doesn’t wait for improvement in the situation to change his mind and his words.

“Even though” there is no sign of hope, a future, any life in this situation, it is empty, dead, barren, Habakkuk says, “I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in the God of my Salvation.”

And this is the entire reason for the Christmas season! Not plans, parties, or even people. It’s all about, “The God Who Saves,” that is Jesus!

Despite how much we disappoint our Heavenly Father in all our sin and wrongdoing, the Sovereign Lord made a way for us be in relationship with Him, to talk to Him, to hear from Him, to be comforted by Him. The Way is Jesus.

I’m not just talking about a way to heaven. I’m talking about The Way to Life, here with us – Emmanuel. Right now. In the middle of all that seems wrong and disappointing, He is here with us, calling us to redirect our focus from the things of earth to the things much higher than all of this.

And that is our strength in the Christmas season! Jesus, here with us, right now. This gives us confidence to let go of the letdowns and rejoice in the truth that even though things are not what I want them to be, thank God, He is for me! And that’s all I need.

At the end of these verses it says that there should be an accompaniment of strings put to these words. In other words, this prayer becomes a praise song.

This year, I hope we can turn our prayers for the things on earth into a praise to the One above. He wants so much more for us than just a silent night. He wants peace in our hearts, He wants joy to rule our thoughts. Because Jesus came. And He is here with us.

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How do we know that we know God?

A helpful self check during the holidays

I was reading 1 John this morning and something, perhaps very timely with the holidays in full force, captivated me. “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s easy to brisk past this verse by tallying up all the people we love in our lives. Those little people who don’t know how to “fully” love in return – that’s for sure a mark of God’s love! ☺️

But this verse is not talking about the natural kind love we have for family and friends. That’s too human and natural. Lots of people would say they “love” someone. I believe John is talking about a supernatural love – that only God can give us. This supernatural love is a marker of His Spirit so it can’t be within our human strength to produce this kind of love.

What this kind of supernatural love from God look like? God’s love is “unfailing” and “faithful.” What does unfailing, faithful love look like?

It means loving without bitter resentment and animosity when someone pinches your sense of dignity with an ill-timed punch line or crude comment, when they disappoint your unmanaged expectations of their selfish behavior and lack of thoughtfulness, or when they completely lie to you, scoff at you, reject you, betray you, and seemingly take the life right out of you. That’s the kind of love we saw Jesus model, right?

So during the holidays when too many emotions are crammed into way too tiny of spaces and it feels unbearably hot for sweaters and cider, in the trials of life, when the rubber meets the road, in a moment of temptation to fight back evil with evil, when we feel squeezed by what seems unfair, in a roaring fire of pain and rejection, this is when our words and actions reveal the supernatural love of God that bleeds a merciful love in the moment of pain… and this kind of love receives the grace from the Father to release the debtor from the debt they owe us with His forgiveness. Because that’s what He did for us, right?

Sinful humanity will never love us the way the Father intended. Hearts are so broken and lost without Jesus, and that’s the real travesty. They don’t know Jesus and thus, they cannot bleed Jesus’ kind of unfailing love. They get angry, bitter, resentful, hate, and vengeful.

But if we say we have Jesus in us, then in the roaring fire of excruciating rejection and bludgeoning agony done to us, when the unthinkable clenches our breath and cinches our hearts, God’s supernatural, merciful, unfailing love will bleed out, spilling onto our offender.

This kind of supernatural love can only be revealed in the fire. It’s only when the fire burns away the things of this world, the pleasantries and comforts, and reveals what cannot be found in this world. The love of God dwelling in us.

“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” 1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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The Source of Hope and Holiday Peace

It’s not in your checked off lists, even if they are checked off twice

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ NLT

Is it swirling with craziness in your house, in your head, like it is in mine right now?! Tis the season to become so tightly wound around our holiday “to do, to get, to remember’s” that we can easily forget the Source of our peace and comfort. 🙋🏼‍♀️ And if we, many of us the CEO’s of our households, don’t have a sound mind, how can our people stay sane?

Our Source is not found in keeping schedules, keeping a clean house, or keeping the bills paid. Our Source is God alone. And the Peace he gives us is Jesus – who paid for it all, did it all, so we owe no one anything! We can live with clarity and a sound mind in all of our doing and thinking because it comes from this Peace and Hope we have in Him.

When we slow down, first thing in the morning, and just trust Him with the filling of His Word and Spirit, we will be filled up to the fullest of all the joy and peace we long for in our checked off lists. I pray today you and I will both have our inner cups filled to the fullest, overflowing onto our people and those around us so that they may also live from the overflow of His love, His joy, His peace, and this confident Hope we have in Christ! ☕️ 🤗

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Is it me or the Holy Spirit?

This is what the Holy Spirit sounds like

“But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are several instances in scripture that remind us that the Holy Spirit will speak for us in our time of need.

In the moment of waiting for the Holy Spirit to speak, it’s easy to overthink it and impulsively come up with something to say. We do this when our focus is on ourselves (how silly we must seem standing there with nothing to say). When we focus on man (ourselves or those we’re speaking to), we can get caught up in overthinking it or caving to the flesh and impulsively saying something. 

    But if we are listening to the Holy Spirit, our focus is on Him, all on Him – His Word, the Truth, the mercy and love of God, the peace and rest of God. And the purity of the Word starts to flow to us and through us. There’s no pressure to overthink it or contrive something clever to say. The Holy Spirit comes speaking with purpose. There’s intentionality. When we open our mouths, the Word of God cuts through the lies, opening eyes and ears, and He heals. God, the Holy Spirit, is honorable to God, and upholds all of Truth. His Spirit comes loving others (which is not people pleasing and coddling, but saying hard things with love).  

    To hear from the Holy Spirit, we need a clear conscience that comes through surrender. That’s what belief does. Belief places all its burdens on the Lord with assurance that He will do what He says He will do, and He will be honored and glorified in it. Whatever that looks like, we must be willing!

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    Grieving When The Holy Spirit Grieves

    When Heaven hurts, we hurt

    Why am I grieving and hurting so much over the loss of a man I have never personally met? I believe many people are asking this question.

    The Holy Spirit is our guarantee. God, the Father, sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins that separated us from Him. And when Jesus left this earth, He sent this guarantee of the Holy Spirit. This is the very Spirit of Christ that lives inside us. The Holy Spirit is what unites us as one Church. When the Holy Spirit grieves, we will feel that grief in the depths of our souls.the Holy Spirit is Jesus' Spirit in us

    Human reasoning can be confusing sometimes. Although most of us have never met Charlie Kirk, many of us have never even heard of him (until now), we cannot deny the devastation and pain we are experiencing. Why? Because the same Spirit that lived in Jesus and lifted Him from the grave is the same Spirit that dwelt in Charlie Kirk as he walked this earth and was raised to new life with Jesus.

    This same Living Spirit dwells in all those who say they believe Jesus walked this earth and died for our sins. This sacrifice closes the gap between a Holy God and our foolishness.

    IMAGINE

    If Jesus endured criticism and carried his cross with this same Spirit, if Charlie Kirk endured criticism and carried the cross of Christ with this same Spirit, imagine what we can do with this same Spirit in us!

    It’s hard to shake the shock of Charlie Kirk’s death. This one hit deep. I am comforted by the Holy Spirit with this reminder that it is Jesus, it has always been Jesus, that unites us. We grieve together. And we will rise together because this same Spirit that led Jesus, that led Martin Luther King Jr., that led Charlie Kirk is living in us today. And if we’re still here, our Author and Creator is not done using us yet. That’s our guarantee!

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    How Prayer Ignited Our Hope During The Covid Pandemic

    At 9-centimeters dilated and laboring, police escorted my support out. Covid-19 was changing hospital protocols by the minute. Heartbroken and tired I was learning the hard way that life in lockdown would look different than the plans we made. 

    2020 for my family was like a scene from the movie Cast Away with Tom Hanks and his volleyball friend, Wilson. My husband and I hunkered down at home with days between showers, feeling lost, ignorant, scared, and desperately reaching out for rescue with a newborn in our hands. Being stuck on our own private island wasn’t a fantasy anymore. 

    Family canceled flights and friends stayed home. My husband and I were forced to celebrate our little girl alone. The long days in isolation turned into weeks of postpartum tears and despair. We were facing baby battles on the outside and feeling fear on the inside. 

    Finding time to read my Bible for encouragement and strength was incredibly difficult. Under a slew of sleepless nights and strenuous, tear-soaked days, my thoughts were growing weary and my role as a mom was feeling heavy. 

    In a frantic SOS text, a friend responded, “God equipped you with His Word in all the days leading up to this moment. He knew back then what you would need today. His Word is in you.” The wrestling in my soul went still as I recalled Psalm 23 in my mind: 

    “’The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’” Psalm 23:1-6 ESV

    Friend, if you feel yourself drowning under the hardships of life or you feel overwhelmed by the battles you’re up against, draw on what the Lord has planted in you out of this season. Recall His faithfulness in all the moments that brought you here. God was planting His seeds of hope back then to grow in this season you’re in. The Helper is in you and has equipped you with what you need to live in His presence today. 

    Everything you need you already have.

    During stay-at-home orders, our church started mid-week prayer calls on Zoom to help connect the congregation outside of Sunday online services. Every Wednesday my husband and I logged on to see our spiritual family face to face through the screen and partner with Jesus and the Church in prayer for our city, our nation, its leaders, and the pandemic. It was like a breath resuscitating our dry bones.

    In the fabric of our being, we were all created to come to the Father with our praise, our pleas, and to just be. Present. Listening. Longing. Not the kind of self-centered prayers that focus solely on how our situation could be better. Our hearts need to be advocating for the Church with the Church, praying for the lost and those struggling through a pandemic without Jesus. 

    The problem was my perspective. Seemingly overnight my heart of gratitude turned into grumbling. I was giving too much attention to what wasn’t working and missing the bigger picture. It’s easy to let emotions consume us in the valley of our circumstances. We might complain, become bitter, and get angry. The enemy deceives us into thinking our pain is too great, our strength too weak, and our burdens too heavy to possibly care for others. What more can we give when everything we have has been taken? 

    The world looks a lot smaller when all we can see is our own struggle. When we’re staring at the trenches of our situation, we miss the Truth. I did have more to give. I had gifts of prayer stored up inside. I had songs of worship and blessings to give praise for. 

    Prayer and worship are what held my family together when the world was falling apart.

    Burying our thoughts in prayer instead of complaints kept us free and moving forward when we felt like giving up. Prayer renewed our minds and our hearts. Prayer was God’s grace and it gave us hope again.

    Personally, motherhood turned out to be much different than I had planned. I had to release my grip on what I considered my purpose with work and writing and accept this new assignment in ministry as a full-time stay-at-home mom. This was my lane to run in and thrive. I realized that I can still change the world from here. And that brought me great peace to know that I am fulfilling my purpose and God-appointed assignment.

    The global pandemic helped develop my prayer life and taught me to lean in and trust the Lord for perseverance. Marriage and motherhood in lockdown have both taught me to keep my focus on God. They have forced me to spend a lot of time on my knees and to be thankful for the moments I have in God’s Word. The more I pray and the more I seek God’s will, the better my ministry to my family becomes. 

    ‘Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.’ Psalm 112:4 ESV

    © 2021 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

    First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club

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    How To Cross-Examine Your Life With The Bible

    Taking up your cross

    He was given one sentence in scripture but that one line says it all. 

    “’As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.’” Matthew 27:32 ESV

    Simon’s final walk with Jesus was no doubt heavy and long and yet carrying His cross offered Simon a very intimate encounter with the Savior of the world.

    I wonder if we are missing out on a deeper connection with Jesus when we refuse the crosses that lay in the way of our path in life?

    ‘Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ Matthew 16:24 ESV

    Just after Jesus foretells his own death and resurrection, He uses this phrase, “take up his [your] cross and follow me” as a command to his followers to dethrone any human desires and self-interests and enthrone His perfect plan and ways.

    Practically Speaking

    Taking up our cross might be saying ‘no’ to a particular ambition, dream, or career. The cross can be a stronghold or persistent struggle with sin. Our cross is anything that comes between living in complete obedience to Jesus. It is where our will and desires come in direct opposition to God’s will and divine plan. 

    For some, the cross might include surrendering television shows or social media scrolling if it’s taking the place of prayer or time with Jesus. Maybe our cross is praying for those who are far from God. In the daily rhythms of life, taking up our cross is often simply setting aside what is most comfortable or convenient and doing the thing that brings the most honor or glory to God.

    The cross is dying to ourselves. 

    It might be showing compassion to those who are hurting when we don’t share the same views about their pain or perhaps walking away from our busy work to be present with our children. Our cross may be looking past an offense to forgiveness when we don’t want to let go of a grudge because Jesus is never more on display than in our choice to love and forgive.

    We cannot say we follow Jesus while we elevate our own self.

    As a parent, sacrifice might feel like all we ever do. Maybe as a people-pleaser, saying ‘no’ to ourselves is all we know. Taking up our cross goes beyond our daily submissions. This is a request to look beyond the actual sacrifice and ask ourselves if this surrender points to Jesus. Our crosses in life are what serve to advance the gospel.  

    Is there a reflection of Christ in our giving? Does our sacrifice leave an aroma of Christ’s love and hospitality with our spouse, our neighbors, the waiter, or the grocery store clerk?taking up your cross

    Staying Surrendered In Your Suffering

    Opportunities to take up our cross sit outside of our limits. We might look at our watch for the time to serve or check our wallet for the resources to give, but carrying the cross will always ask for more. That’s why we must partner with Jesus, who sits outside of time and provides all our needs, to help us bear what we cannot do alone. 

    For me, I find my cross in what frustrates me the most. When I feel weak or my spirit feels heavy, Jesus reminds me that I’m limping with the cross on my own. It’s important to stay surrendered to Jesus every step of the way in our suffering. He will bear the heavy lifting and persevere us through it. 

    As we make difficult choices that reflect Jesus and honor God, the Holy Spirit will chisel away at our character, mature our spiritual development, and work these trials out for our good. We may not be called to missions in a foreign land or daily persecution for our faith, but as followers of Jesus, we all have a cross to take up with Christ. 

    If you were given one sentence to summarize your life, what would that line say? Would we read about Jesus and the cross you carried together? Every day we have an incredible opportunity to walk intimately with the King of Kings and be a living sacrifice to a hurting and searching world. Our cross is what we have in common with Jesus.

    In Your Life:

    Taking up our cross is unselfish living. What excuses do I get trapped in when an opportunity to serve and share Jesus is available?

    Sacrifice brings suffering. What am I afraid of when it comes to taking up my cross? 

    Taking up my cross goes beyond sacrifice. It’s a deliberate choice to share Jesus. Where is one place I can lean in and listen like Jesus, give or serve like Jesus, and submit to God’s leading today?

     

    © 2021 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

    First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club

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    How to Change Your Life

    The power is in your praise and prayer

    When the Covid crisis began last Spring, my husband and I were expecting our first child. Dreams for that glorious day when we would meet our little girl were dashed when we learned of hospital restrictions, airline cancellations, and lockdown procedures. My husband and I were getting a taste of parenthood during a pandemic.

    Just over 24 hours after delivering our little one, we were packing up and heading home where there were no visitors waiting, no extra hands to help out, and no hot meals being delivered. Isolated, sleep-deprived, and puzzled by all the unknowns with a newborn, my spirit struggled to call this joy. Streams of postpartum tears were the only expression I had left in me.praise and prayer change your life

    About halfway through the book of Acts, we find the apostle Paul in Philippi sharing the good news of Jesus. Paul encountered a slave girl with an evil spirit and he cast the spirit out. This cost the owners of the slave girl some fortune-telling money and they had Paul thrown in jail.

    “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” (Acts‬ ‭16:25-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

    When all is stripped away, we still have everything we need to praise and pray.

    Paul lost his freedom but he didn’t let a dark place pull him down. When pressed, Paul responded to his trial with praise and prayer; two things that could never be taken away.

    In his difficulty, Paul decided to sing. He didn’t dwell on his dire situation, the darkness, or the detour from his mission, but instead placed his thoughts in a position of praise and prayer.

    A change of heart

    This summer in the middle of isolation, my pastor stood on the stage of our empty sanctuary and begged the Church not to lose hope. He said, “fatigue is the great enemy of faith.” He urged us to grab a notebook and use entire sheets of paper to write out encouraging reminders to hold fast to our faith. He told us to tape them to our refrigerator where we would see them often. Two of those reminders included “sing a little louder” and “fill me Holy Spirit.”how to praise and pray

    For seven months my husband and I kept our reminders up. Daily we drew strength from singing praises and praying for the Holy Spirit to fill us up. We praised God for delivering a miracle and we prayed for the eyes to see it. We praised God for providing for our family and prayed for opportunities to share it. We praised God for our spiritual family and prayed for those living without it. Those praises and prayers purified our own hearts.

    Praise and prayer are two of the most powerful privileges we possess that no circumstance can take away.

    My heart, and my words, changed when I chose to live life from a place of praise despite the question marks looming over my circumstance. My prayers went from “save me, God” to “I trust you, Jesus.”

    There is rest in my soul knowing the Lord will not let even the changing of a single dirty diaper go to waste. He is chiseling my character out of the trials of motherhood.

    Friend, if you have stumbled into a dark place or are struggling through a difficult season, my hope is that your spirit will be lifted when you think about who Jesus is and how much He has saved you and me from. May you find the strength to lead your days and all the moments in between with praise. I pray you will find the courage to sing a little louder to our Creator, our Savior, our Truth, and Light. God sees you. He knows your situation. And He longs to be gracious to you. May you lean into His love with your prayers and rest in the assurance that He’s got you in the palm of His hands. And may your heart stay ready for the “immediately” or “suddenly” that typically follows close behind.

    So where will you start with your praise? Your health? Your home? Our Faithful Father? Our Savior, Jesus?

    What are you holding control of that needs to be surrendered in prayer? The choices your children make? The way your spouse expresses love? How a friend, family member, or neighbor responds or doesn’t respond to your request?

    Not sure your prayers are making it to heaven? Here’s an article to remind you of the power behind a common man’s prayer: https://trishakeehn.com/the-miracle-in-a-common-mans-prayer/

    © 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

    First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club