Category Archives: Living the Christian Life

Living the Christian life is a journey of suffering and joy. It’s a road on the way to Damascus. These stories include what it means to live as a fisher of men in modern day times.

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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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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

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    The unconditional truth about love

    No Conditions Attached

    An eye for an eye.

    It feels like it’s been built into the fabric of our being. When things aren’t equal and balanced, an internal sensor alerts us that we are giving too much and receiving little in return. The trouble with condition-based living is that we serve a no-conditions God.

    Our pride or our past might have us stuck believing we have to earn grace and good standing with God. We might feel like we have to justify His mercy with merits and good works.

    “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”(Hebrews 10:16-17 ESV)

    Here is an unconditional Truth we must reconcile within our hearts:

    God sacrificed his son, Jesus, on the cross to pardon our sins. He didn’t wait for us to jump through hoops or hold us accountable to conditions before He wiped our slate of transgressions clean.

    No conditions attachedOur gracious God gave His Son, and then He gave some more. When we accept this kind of lavish love from a giving God, we don’t have to strain to be perfect or cringe at perceived conditions. When we accept what Jesus has done for us, we are free to allow others to be who they were created to be. No conditions attached.

    Often our relationships on earth are a direct reflection of our relationship with God. Let’s examine our hearts for a conditions-based mindset with others. Are there any activities or groups you’re a part of because you feel it’s earning you more salvation points with God?

    Father, I admit sometimes I try to earn my salvation and favorable circumstances with my giving and good works. I confess that I even treat others with this same condition-based logic. Realign my mind and heart with Your truth, God. Help me accept that You gave once and for all without conditions so I can be fully who You’ve called me to be. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

    © 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

    First Published on Beloved Women

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    A Calling For All Believers

    What have you been called to do with your life?

    That can be an intimidating question for any believer. It can also bring us to our knees, often as doors we were so sure of close, and new surprising opportunities swing open.

    Overthinking God’s calling in our lives or comparing it to what others are doing, can make this simple question more complicated than it is. Isaiah 61 outlines God’s calling for all of us, no matter what our education level is or what skills we have.

    “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;’” (Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV)

    calling for all believersIt says we are all called to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to open prison doors for those who are bound, to proclaim the Lord’s favor, and to comfort all who mourn.

    This is our calling today, no matter where God has planted us. Our work, family, community, and church have all been orchestrated by God with the purpose of living out our calling.

    How we live this calling out is what makes all of us unique.

    Think back on your day. Is there an Isaiah 61 person in need that you missed along your path today? How will you live in your calling tomorrow?

    A good place to start in prayer could be: Father God, thank You for giving us Your Word that spells out the mysteries of Your will and Your calling for our lives. Help me to search out those who are brokenhearted, faint in spirit, prisoners to thought patterns, and slaves to their situations. Equip me with Your Word to set them free, Jesus. Open my eyes and give me the strength to slow down to comfort those who are mourning, that You may be glorified. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

    © 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

    First Published on Beloved Women

     

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    Love Leads With Forgiveness

    From what I could see, the situation didn’t seem fair. The longer I stewed over the details, the more animosity and frustration grew. Deep down, I knew I needed to forgive, but self-preservation and the fear of being taken advantage of were resisting the right thing to do. “Help me, Jesus,” I cried.

    Just the name of Jesus reminds us of all the right things to do.

    ‘And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.’ (Luke 23:34 ESV)

    love forgivesWhen Jesus was hurt or taken advantage of, He led with forgiveness. Even in his death, Jesus put forgiveness first.

    The flesh has a tendency to lead relationships with our eyes and emotions, but the love of our Savior leads His relationships with forgiveness. Jesus trusted God for the deeper spiritual work in the offender and the offended. He didn’t need to control or coerce people with explanations. Jesus let his love lead with forgiveness and let God be God.

    If we say we believe Jesus’ way of life is the only way to live, but yet we cannot find forgiveness for the relationships that have wronged us, do we really believe His way is the best way?

    To love like Jesus, we must begin at the cross of our rights and forgiveness.

    Where do you need to stretch to forgive someone who has hurt you? How quickly does it take you to forgive a relationship that has offended you? What would life look like if you led with forgiveness instead of the flesh?

    Here’s a place to start in prayer: Father God, when we think about how great Your love is for us, we think about how much You have forgiven us. Jesus, when we think about how deep and wide and vast Your love is for us, we see the cross and Your sacrifice on the cross to cover our sins in forgiveness. Help us, God, to love like You do and lead our relationships with forgiveness because we believe Your way is the only way to love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

    © 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

    First Published on Beloved Women