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More Than A Final Destination

God’s only Son, perfect and without sin. When He was on the cross, you were on His mind. The exchange of His life for eternity with yours.
 
eternity, Jesus' sacrifice, the cross of Christ, trishakeehn.com, Jesus died for you, It was Friday. There were beatings and suffering before that fateful trek up the hill of Calvary. They gave Him a crown of thorns to mock this authority as King.
 
As the sacrificial drops of His blood began to spill, your story and mine changed forever.
 
The blood of one spotless human being sealed the saving grace for all humanity. By His blood and your belief, nothing can tear you from your destiny with Jesus.
 
This wasn’t only about the final destination though. Jesus conquered the grave so that you would have the authority and victory to live freely today; free from the chains of condemnation, addiction, depression, and shame.
 
The name of Jesus gives you power to overcome the pain in this world; there is nothing that can separate you from His grace and love.
 
You can live an audacious life of faith and great hope because now you have access to His Spirit, that lives and breathes inside you.
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Kissing The Enemy

The most difficult love to express isn’t toward those who love you back. You can naturally give affection to people who do loving things to you.

Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him and He still called Judas a friend. Crowds wanted to be with Jesus; God gave authority for only 12 to keep close. Jesus picked Judas to be in His circle.

In this day, we make decisions that go against God and He still reaches down from Heaven with a hug.

love hurts, love will sit with hurt, love can sit at the table with hurtLove goes beyond what you can do on your own and leans on the supernatural strength to serve someone you don’t have feelings for anymore.

Love will reach out with respect when their decision was to reject you. Love can sit across the table holding a hand that stirs up hurt.

You might have a hard time loving like this because you’re afraid it will take away the perceived control you have on your life. Maybe you still look to your circumstances to satisfy you.

You might say that forgiving someone looks more like permission than punishment or a reason to change. It could be difficult to extend this kind of love when you still question God’s love for your mistakes.

When you can’t sit across the table from your enemy and share a glass of wine or a basket of bread with deep love for this other soul, you are saying that the hurt is more than what Jesus can restore and what was taken from you God could never replace.

When you cannot love your enemy as a friend, you give more power and credence to the pain of a man’s hand than the power of God’s strong arm.

No matter what you choose, the Truth is that you cannot lose anything God has given you. No one can move you from the place God has in store for you. The enemy might put on the pressure, but he cannot steal your joy or peace or love if you’re unwilling to hand it over.

Bottom line: the enemy is not flesh and blood. This is spiritual. The powers of darkness are battling to bring you down from this place of love. Satan wants to strip you of Jesus. The devil shows up in the flesh and wants to control your feelings.keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer, Judas was a friend of Jesus, Jesus called Judas a friend, Judas betrayed Jesus

Let these difficult situations draw you to surrender to God’s Will, which is to love. Pray for the desire, the words, and the walk to extend forgiveness and mercy in light of your pain.

This isn’t self-empowerment. It’s not about building yourself up by declaring your own strength and unending love. God wants you to recognize that you are weak and that you trust Him for help.

When emotions are unbearable and the situation seems impossible, ask for the strength of Jesus to show up in your hands and feet with an embrace for the enemy. Invite your adversary to the table and let this love of Jesus wash away any brokenness with His supernatural love.

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:27-36)

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When Deliverance Looks Different

What happens when delivery from the pain looks different than our request? Could you be missing out on the blessing because your sight is set too short?

On that day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed donkey’s colt, one that had never been ridden before. The disciples spread their cloaks on the donkey for Jesus to sit on, and the multitudes came out to welcome Him, laying before Him their cloaks and the branches of palm trees. The people hailed and praised Him as the “King who comes in the name of the Lord” as He rode to the temple, where He taught the people, healed them, and drove out the money-changers and merchants who had made His Father’s house a “den of robbers” (Mark 11:17).

Jesus’ purpose in riding into Jerusalem was to make public His claim to be their Messiah and King of Israel in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9).

Jesus rode into the capital city on a donkey and the people praised Him, hailing “Hosanna, Hosanna”. They didn’t see Him as a Savior from sin, but as a deliverer from the trouble. They thought he would lead them in a revolt against Rome.

Jesus rode in on a donkey, the King of Kings came in on a donkey, trishakeehn.com, deliverance came on a donkeyBut Jesus didn’t meet their expectations, when He refused to rebel against the Roman authority by force, and the crowds quickly turned on Him. Within just a few days, their hosannas changed to cries of “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:20-21).

They hailed Him as a hero when they thought He would deliver exactly what they wanted. They rejected Him when it looked different than their own desires.

It sounds strangely familiar to what we do with Jesus when He wants to do things differently in our lives. Sometimes our rejection looks like this: we stop praying when he doesn’t answer, we stop reading the bible when nothing is changing, we stop serving others when we feel stretched, we quit forgiving when we hurt, we stop sacrificing when we don’t get something in return, and we stop giving when our finances feel strapped.

Sometimes we discount the power in deliverance when it looks different.

 

Things may look differently with Jesus than you’d like them to be. Don’t let go. The Maker of Heaven and Earth created you for good things. He promised to supply every need (Philippians 4:19), cover every offense (2 Corinthians 12:9), and in ALL things work for the good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28).

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What Are You Reflecting?

unwavering love of God, trishakeehn.comYou are made in the image of God, loved by God, and nothing can touch that. His love for you is unwavering.

God wasn’t any happier when your work got published or the nameplate was put on your door. He didn’t hold you higher in His heart because you created a charity, gave $100 to a homeless man or prayed on your knees for two hours.

God’s approval isn’t something you can earn.

When you make the decision to serve the Lord and be in ‘the house of worship’ on Sunday and Wednesday and sometimes Saturday, it’s actually for you, not God.

Being in church gives you a safe refuge to seek the source of unselfish love. Here you learn from others who have discovered the Truth and live it. Sunday is where you refill the reservoir of wisdom to love from His Word.

When you give from the love in your heart, this isn’t so that you receive better standing with people or God or get something tangible in return.

The love you share with others is simply a reflection of what you’re willing to accept and understand about God’s love for you.

The source of love will never let your well go dry as long as you keep coming back to receive His supply.

God will always love you the same yesterday, today and tomorrow… no matter what you’re willing to give.

 

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The Power Is In A Prayer

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. (James 5:13-18)

Just like Elijah prayed a supernatural prayer, you can do the same. When you pray, God hears that. When you’re sick or down, prayer is the powerful and effective elixir. Your prayers produce results. If you don’t pray, you don’t get results. You have not because you ask not.

Pray about everything.

Nothing is too small to bring to God.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

power of prayer, trishakeehn.comWhen we pray, God hears. If you have any need in your life, be encouraged; God is listening.

When you take a step of faith and join hands with a prayer partner, something shifts in the supernatural realm. The bible reminds us that prayer is stronger when there are more people petitioning to God on our behalf (Matthew 18:20). It’s hard to be honest about the struggles, but when you can set aside your fear and pride, there’s a level of power a team of prayers can tap into that a single prayer doesn’t have.

The healing power of God is available. The anointing power of favor from the Holy Spirit is present. Whether you feel it or not, the Lord is here.

Your prayers can bend the Lord’s ear. Your whisper for His help can break the bondage and every chain that has you hostage in Jesus’ name. If you’re looking for a mate, start with a prayer. When you’re in search of purpose, place your hope in a prayer.

You don’t need eloquent speech to come before God or lengthy paragraphs of requests. The only thing He asks is for you to come. Bring the genuine heart He created in you and the authentic words that come out of your mouth. That’s how He wants you to come.

If your struggle has you tongue tied, here’s a place to start…

Heavenly Father, I come before you in this moment and ask for strength in the struggle. I know that when I call on Jesus’ name, every addiction and power that has a hold on me must come down. And so I declare Jesus’ healing power over the things that are luring my mind and heart away from your best, Lord. Any ounce of me that is craving the old life, I denounce right now in the saving blood of Christ. I declare that it has no hold on me that Jesus hasn’t already overcome. And so I call on the strong tower of Christ over this stronghold and walk in His mighty power lifted high above any grip on my mind, on my soul, and on my will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Do not dwell upon your inner failings… Just do this: Bring your soul to the Great Physician – exactly as you are, even and especially at your worst moment… For it is in such moments that you will most readily sense His healing presence.” – Teresa of Avila

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Where Is Your Focus?

Jesus, we love you.

focus on God, where is your focus, trishakeehn.comI don’t know how you’re feeling, what you’re facing or how you’ve stumbled across this post, but when we make the decision to focus our attention on Jesus with all the adoration of our heart, it’s amazing how the things of the earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

It’s just like the captivating rays of the sun. When your eyes look into the brilliant spectrum of light, everything else on this earth fades in comparison to this glorious light.

A glimpse of His greatness, His grace and His great love for us can consume every heartache and disappointment. There’s something incredibly powerful when we’re magnifying Him in our mind and with our emotions. All the things of this world become small and insignificant in the light of His majesty.

What are you glorifying today; your schedule, your problems, the setbacks or something bigger than them all?

Where’s your praise today? Jesus is here. His presence is alive and He’s asking for your focus today.

We thank You Jesus for your grace, your love, your goodness, and your favor. We thank you that we can stand here in your grace and live in your free unmerited favor that you have bestowed on us.

Heavenly Father, we come here confident as your children, your sons and daughters. We know you are a good Father, who is for us and on our side. We thank you that You think of us. That your plans are for a future filled with hope and that you have plans to prosper us. We thank you that You are with us right now. We thank you that You are our present help in time of need. We thank you that You are our refuge. You are our strong tower. We thank you  that even now, in this season and moment of life, You are with us. We thank you for your goodness, your love and your grace, Jesus. Amen.

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Do You Believe In Soulmates?

Loving hard with our hearts and hands, and then even harder with our feet,

Asking, caring and wildly serving each other when the world wants our time,

Understanding when the words still bring tears,

Forgiving when the pain is yet fresh,

Humbly accepting failures, even if it’s out of empathy,

Adjusting the words and the way we walk because we have compassion,

relationship, trishakeehn, God made life to be about relationshipLeaning in to the difficult conversations when it’s easier to pull back…

These are character attributes of commitment that simple chemistry and compatibility can’t execute.

No amount of charisma can put Christ in the center or keep Him first.

Being comfortable with someone doesn’t mean it won’t get complicated or have tension at times.

“So do you believe in soul mates?” He wanted to know.

“Well, I guess if I did, I wouldn’t believe in what it takes to make marriage work,” I replied.

Life is more than romance. It’s about relationship.

Long-winded answers like this may keep me single but I’m not willing to settle.

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Does Your Story Need A Rewrite

“I love you this much,” He said.

It wasn’t for the sake of being a martyr or making a scene with something so drastic to prove a point. They called it punishment.

Jesus Christ, sacrifice on the cross, symbol of grace, symbol of love, trishakeehn.comHe accepted the pain as a price so you wouldn’t have to know the excruciating death of sin.

The very things that try to tie your mind down to a cross of condemnation and shame have been defeated once and for all. Anything that has you bound to a beam of depression, negativity or addiction, I declare by the blood and unchanging name of our Savior Jesus, these too have been brought to the grave.

He marched up that hill and paid your entrance fee. It’s time to stop making excuses for why you can’t come to this place of freedom.

The end has already been written. This story doesn’t have a rewrite.

What was once a symbol of pain became a story of grace that day His love covered the ground we stand on. What symbol of pain are you still clinging to?

Reaching down from Heaven, the Lord is handing you a quill, filled with the crimson ink of Christ. It’s time to edit your story. And when you return to Him one day, my prayer is that your chapters have corrections marked in mercy and strength. That your page in His book will be packed with new paragraphs of peace, and extra spaces replaced with great purpose.

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” – Romans 5:1-6

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When You Want To Give Up

Isaiah 45:5-6, rising sun, the Lord is the Author, trishakeehn.comHe’s the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. He’s all about finishing what He began in your life. He’s more passionate about your purpose than you are.
 
When you look at what you’ve accomplished as your own doing, you must also accept your own unraveling. May I encourage you with this reminder that what He started, He will finish.
 
When doors don’t fly open in your timing, remember His timing is perfect and your time is coming! It’s easy to get overwhelmed by discouragement from “no’s”. Remind the enemy of your faith that the Author is the Finisher. God has a plan here. You can rest in the confidence of knowing that God is going to provide your “yes”.
 
The Lord will finish what He began. It might not look the way you want it to look, but He’s going to get the work done whether the people you had in mind want to be a part of it or not. Nothing can prohibit God’s purpose through you. No lack of support is going to move you out of the position of your purpose.
 
Believe God has your best in mind.
 
“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
 
“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:5-6