Shake Off the Dust

And so the word of the Lord [regarding salvation] was being spread through the entire region. But the Jews incited the devout, prominent women and the leading men of the city, and instigated persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them forcibly out of their district. But they shook its dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their hearts and souls] with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:49-52 AMP

The disciples had plenty of reason to complain and feel under the weight of negative mojo or uncomfortable circumstances. I love the visual of shaking the dust off! My take on this is we can’t carry the weight of other’s decisions or beliefs on our shoulders. We can deliver His message/His word but ultimately it is not our job to persuade or enforce it. We deliver the Good News. We offer the Bread but can’t force someone to eat. We can only live in such a way that others SEE the fruit of a life with Jesus. That others might see that He is good and that He is worth pursuing. That He’s real and near and relational and satisfying.

Maybe some of us need to prophetically shake off some dust from other’s unbelief, disapproval, negativity or criticism. Maybe. Maybe shake off the offenses that we can’t help but come in contact with. Shake it off! Don’t get bogged down in other people’s opinions too much. Honor others, but don’t take on their junk. 

When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.  Proverbs 10:19 

Our job is to listen to the Lord and do what He says. Period. If we are abiding in Him, then we know we are where He wants us, and the overflow from that abiding is saying the things He would have us say and doing the things He would have us do. John 15 discusses our need of being attached to the Vine - and especially in the amplified version, it uses the phrase “remain vitally united” to Him. We live rooted in our love for Him and His love for us.

That’s where I want to live! Sign me up! May each of us be filled and refilled daily with more and more of the Spirit and with JOY in the midst of disarray in our world. I believe it’s possible. I believe because Jesus displayed this and so did His disciples once they received the gift of the Holy Spirit and began ministry.

They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [as His possession]. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them [one by one], and they received the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:15-17

Father God, we ask for YOUR vision. You have revelation You want to bring to us. Revelation of Your truth. A deeper revelation of Your love for us. Today, we want to encounter You. We want to sit and soak in all that You are willing to reveal to us. We want to sit in a place of humility that You alone are God. To be still and know You. Help us to ask questions like, ‘What do You want me to know? What do You want me to do in my current place. How can I share Your heart with others today?’ And help us to sit and listen for awhile. You require some devoted time to just be together. Not in search of answers but in search of Your heart. God we love You and want to know You intimately and grow in understanding. We want to devote our whole selves to You. Holy Spirit come and rest on us and re-fill us.  May we be able to live in this place of union and open hands to all that You have for us... 

“And the disciples were CONTINUALLY filled with JOY and with the HOLY SPIRIT!”  

Say No to Offense and YES TO JESUS

If there is one thing I think most people can agree upon, it’s that change is hard and transitions can be scary. The “new” tends to carry a little bit of unknown territory, and with that, a little bit of apprehension. While lots of people love new things, they don’t always love new seasons or major changes. I love a new pair of shoes, but I don’t always embrace a life change. It’s the fear of the unknown. We can’t always see what’s to come...

No one knows what is to become of COVID. No one knows when it will end or if it will end or if another pandemic might lurk on the horizon. No one can say with absolute certainty what will happen if we all go back to congregating at restaurants and beaches and ball games. Leaders around the globe struggle to know and decide what the best thing is for regathering their companies/teams/congregations. What a weight they have on their shoulders. While some are eager to reopen and return to the new normal, many are not. Offense rears its ugly head as people’s differing belief systems and opinions crash into each other. But in all honesty, hasn’t that always been present? Offense is continuously on the menu, and for those who choose to eat of it, trouble comes immediately. It’s a giant foothold for the enemy of our souls. He loves when we take the bait and take a bite out of it. He knows it creates distance, isolation, grief, anger, resentment and bitterness. The opposite of what the Lord offers us.

So how can we navigate all this change and uncertainty without losing ourselves and without swallowing a bite of offense? For one thing, I think we have to know the core of who we are. We are LOVED. We are sons and daughters of a good Father. We are chosen, dearly loved, and set apart. We are the Church. We are His hands and feet. We are His ambassadors and Good News bearers. We carry His Presence in us. We have the same power that raised Jesus to life within us. We are His BODY! And let’s not forget that He is the head. He is our reason and our direction and our sustenance and the model of what (or WHO) we should resemble. 

If there’s one good thing I think can come from quarantine, it’s that there is an opportunity to devote more time to our Lord with less distraction. We can be praying and seeking His face and His counsel, reading His Word to discover our part in His story, discerning His nature and His heart for us, and reminding each other of our identity. Not our role, but our identity in Christ. Are we confident in our understanding that God forgives us of all our sins and leads us in the everlasting way? Are we established in our knowledge that God has plans to prosper us and to give us hope and a future? Are we taking advantage of the opportunity to engage with the ONLY One that can meet all our needs and give us true peace? If we truly know Him and His love and forgiveness - doesn’t that help us learn and practice showing others love and grace?

Earthly things are temporary - just like this quarantine (hopefully). He desires for our focus to be shifted to what He’s doing. What He’s saying. Jesus modeled this for us. He spent time in the wilderness, too! He spent time in isolation, too. He had to navigate all sorts of change and transition and uncertainty. But He did it all in union with Father God and Holy Spirit. He revealed to us the power that comes from that union. He was the Word made flesh...He lived the Word. He made it alive and active. Visible and tangible.

I don’t have it all figured out and have it all together over here. But I do think the Lord keeps reminding me of all these things to ENCOURAGE my brothers and sisters in Christ. You are not alone - not ever. He walks with you through the valley and wilderness. He abides with you. He empowers your spirit to rise up and lead you into His Kingdom. He offers a much better choice on the menu than offense or despair. He offers HOPE and JOY and PEACE...He offers HIMSELF. He is our portion...our inheritance...our everything. 

Blessings!

Kerri 

Light in the Darkness

You will not be afraid of the terror of night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day (Psalm 91:5)

Anyone ever feel like your thoughts tend to hold you captive at night? When there’s no one and nothing to distract you from the fears that pace through the recesses of your mind? As darkness falls and I retreat to my bed to rest...those pesky thoughts that tend to lean toward fear and worry begin their race around my mind. 

Fear is a horribly unwelcome companion...at night especially. There have been times when I’ve laid awake letting certain thoughts take root and spring up into much larger problems in my mind. In the moment it’s hard to focus on anything else. 

But one night, during a season of worry, I woke up feeling like the Lord had something to say. I had finally fallen asleep and then woke up all of a sudden and grabbed my phone to start journaling what I felt like was a song. 

When night comes and the darkness settles round

Fear starts tapping at the windows of my soul.  

The wheels in my head  - they start to turn. 

Thoughts of how I failed come creeping in. 

I search my mind and heart for where you are.  

I press into you 

I press into your heart for me

I press into your love and it covers me.  

The tapping fear fades away 

And all I hear is a waterfall of peace.

Your voice on a breeze 

Speaking soft assurance

Your voice reminding me 

Of all I am and have in You. 

Reaching up to where you sit enthroned in majesty

Reaching up for the loving arms I know are waiting for me

And there I find the sweetest peace and satisfying love. There I find exquisite joy that keeps my heart full and strong. 

It was as if God waited that night for sleep to reset my brain and then woke me -in the midst of rest- to speak life. I was able to hear His quiet message. A message that gave me direction. 

Press into Me. 

When fear attacks in the dark (both physical and spiritual) and you feel most vulnerable, press into Him. He is there...despite the voice of fear telling you He’s not. He is there. It is a promise He made us from the beginning of time. 

He gave the sun and moon and stars - bright lights that shine upon us - to assure us of His presence. To assure us that even in the darkness of night, He provides for us. 

Then God said, “Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God’s provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years; and let them be useful as lights in the expanse of the heavens to provide light on the earth”; and it was so, [just as He commanded]. God made the two great lights—the greater light (the sun) to rule the day, and the lesser light (the moon) to rule the night; He made the [galaxies of] stars also [that is, all the amazing wonders in the heavens]. God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to provide light upon the earth,

Genesis 1:14-17 AMP

The [presence of the] Lord was going before them by day in a pillar (column) of cloud to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they could travel by day and by night. He did not withdraw the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from going before the people.

Exodus 13:21-22 AMP

Our surviving and thriving in a difficult season does not depend on our strength or wisdom. It depends on following our Guide, whether we have a map or not. As humans we long for a map and a plan. We feel scared of the unknown. We want to see. 

When our kids were small, we placed nightlights in their rooms to comfort them at night. If they woke up, they could see they were safe in their room and find their favorite stuffed animal or pacifier. The small amount of light gave them just enough of a glimpse that they were safe in their bed. We have lamps that burn all night on our street. It’s a feeling of safety and comfort to those that live here. We can see what’s happening outside.

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Give light (life) to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken. But I have trusted and relied on and been confident in Your lovingkindness and faithfulness; My heart shall rejoice and delight in Your salvation. Psalm 13:3-5

When we experience difficult things, fearsome events, or general worry that we aren’t enough (as parents, as employees, etc.) we can make a conscious decision to turn away from fear. Easy? No. But the more I reject fear and turn to Jesus, it gets easier and easier. Holy Spirit will highlight His grace and provision. And He shows me He’s trustworthy and faithful. He is a shepherd that knows the way. Truth takes root instead of the worry (which are lies I was believing). 

Even the darkness is not dark to You and conceals nothing from You, But the night shines as bright as the day; Darkness and light are alike to You.

Psalm 139:12

Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 8:12

I find that so incredibly reassuring! Nothing is hidden from Him! He sees it all. He knows what was, is and is to come. “Seasons” don’t catch Him unaware. And He doesn’t have terrors of the night pestering Him. The Creator isn’t afraid, nor is He selfish. He let’s us in on it. He gave us Jesus as an exact representation of Himself, our Peace in the storm, and His Holy Spirit to continue helping and teaching us. 

And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light.

Matthew 17:2

This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. 

1 John 1:5

We have an incredible HOPE and LIGHT for our path that is only found in the Godhead. An incredible promise in what He’s done for us and gifted us with. He is our Light-refuge to run to and to follow day and night. When we receive this revelation of who He is, we are found...immersed in His salvation. And in turn we become an ambassador to the rest of the world. He even designated us as light-bearers. We are to reveal His nature and His goodness. We are to plant His Kingdom in confidence, knowing He will cause fruit to grow.

“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16

And one day, when we have overcome, and all is set right and made new, we will no longer even need the created light in this world, but only the Creator of light. He will be more than enough for all that choose to follow Him. 

And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it, for the glory (splendor, radiance) of God has illumined it, and the Lamb is its lamp and light.  Revelation 21:23

Liquid Love

I believe God ministers to my heart best through music. And this song in particular has touched a  place way down deep in my heart all week as I have listened. It speaks to me of the unfailing, perfect love of our Heavenly Father.

It is an experiential love...one that you can tangibly sense. We can taste, see and feel Him all around us. As the Bocelli men sing, “I close my eyes and I’m seeing you everywhere” and “I step outside - it’s like I’m breathing you in the air”. It’s as if He sends a stream of liquid love straight from His heart to ours.  A love that penetrates and saturates the depths of the whole heart.

As I ponder it all, I think His love has to break our hearts wide open so He can pour in that kind of transformative love. The kind that brings the wholeness we seek. Only then can our hearts receive the full measure of His love. The abundance of love we long to give and receive.  We love because He first loved us. We love God and then love our neighbor as ourselves. There’s a flow that comes from only One Source. And the Source is endless, limitless - He never runs out of love. He doesn’t run out of anything!

So bask in the beauty of this song video (Fall On Me, Andrea Bocelli) and let it wash over you like liquid love. Let it break your heart wide open to receive the fullness (the healing, the delight) that comes through the perfect love of the Father.

Love,
Kerri

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. -Psalm 36:7-9

Andrea Bocelli Duets With Son With 'Fall On Me' - Inspirational Videos https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=11FMBFNU

Humble Perspective

1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, I ask that you pray for all people. Ask God to bless them and give them what they need. And give thanks. You should pray for rulers and for all who have authority. Pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him. This is good and pleases God our Savior.

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

The two scriptures above have been repeatedly highlighted to me over the past few weeks. Probably due to the news and political unrest I've been witnessing across our nation. While at times I want to respond to the obscene amount of unkind, judgmental, downright hateful things I see across the board on social media, I feel the Father hold me steady. I feel Him calm my spirit and remind me that our battle is not against one another. It is against the enemy of our souls, who is working overtime to release chaos and hatred. Working to drive an unholy wedge between us and God, and between us and our fellow man.

I believe God is the One we should be responding to. His truth, His goodness, His mercy and grace is worthy of our full attention. His thoughts and ways are always higher. His wisdom is superior to the chatter we hear in this world and in our own minds. As much as we think we know, we have Someone that knows a lot more! A friend recently quoted some of the scriptures in Job where God tells Job to brace himself while He speaks to Him:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know and have understanding. “Who determined the measurements of the earth, if you know? Or who stretched the measuring line on it? “On what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone…" Job 38:4-6

When we encounter this God of ours, it humbles us. We become like Job (42:3-5), saying: 

“Therefore I now see I have rashly uttered that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, please, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct and answer me.’ “I had heard of You only by the hearing of the ear, But now my spiritual eye sees You." 

Or the prophet Isaiah who cried out in Isaiah 6:5: 

"And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 

It makes us realize the Almighty God, Creator of the seen and unseen, is more than we can even imagine. He is matchless, equal to none. He is ALL-powerful, ALL-knowing and EVER-present. And very simply put, we are not.

Yet He purposefully set us on a course to be with Him. To know Him. To know who He made us to be. He is calling us to take our place in His Kingdom. As Christians, we have the opportunity to engage His Spirit living in us. To respond to the Word that was in the beginning, that became flesh, defeated death, and rose in victory to the heavens. The One that calls us higher. Calls us to a higher standard. A higher purpose. A higher perspective. To remember that Father God is not a tyrant but a perfect Father, slow to anger and abounding in love. To engage this world through the lens of being His children, knowing our time here is short and that eternity beckons. Eternity with Him in paradise.

We often respond to the things of this world as if we are slaves to it. Not so. We are in the world but not of it. We have more influence and strength inside of us than we realize. The same power that rose Jesus from the dead. And yet many live in response to what's happening in the world - fear, chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, oppression take a front seat. We "come under" their authority and give those things more power and attention than we have to.

God teaches us to pray. To follow His lead. We can pray and speak peace to the chaos. We can pray for healing for the sick or broken. We can pray for captives to be free and prisoners to be released from darkness. We can produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It's in us as believers and children of God. Isn't that great news?!

God is calling His people off the bench to seek His counsel, His face, His will. He is prompting His people to take their place as children of God. To establish a heart-to-heart connection with Him. To pray…to ask Him what His heart is for us…so we are able to respond with confident faith in God when the enemy shoots his arrows…so we can know and wear the armor God has so graciously and wisely given us...to remember our victory in Him…

Lord, You are greater than anything or anyone I could name and every scenario I could ever come up with. You are Almighty God and You are glorious! I am humbled in Your presence, and everything in my spirit seems to rise higher in praiseful response to Your glory. Teach me Your ways and empower me to live fully for You. My heart is full of wonder…full of gratitude. For I remember how You saved me and called me to Yourself, purified me, and set my feet on a path to Your beautiful heart. The mercy…the grace…the unbridled love…

1 Peter 2:17 Show respect for all people - treat them honorably, love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Be Aware

Ah, the holidays… For some, the holidays incite a feeling of dread due to family get-togethers that aren't full of peace but instead conflict. The elephant in the room sort of experience. For some, the holidays bring sheer bliss. Decorating, holiday tunes, cooking up special treats, shopping for friends and family, family traditions - all have the ability to transform the mundane into sparkling, magical moments of delight. Others may experience an onslaught of painful memories of lost loved ones, and our once treasured season is hijacked by grief. Maybe some are just profoundly aware of the deep loneliness in their souls. Perhaps there is no family or friends to share the joy of the season with.  

There are many swirling, whirling emotions in the atmosphere. One thing we can remember in this season is that everyone we encounter has a story. We cannot afford to judge others for the brief moment we are sharing space. We need to have grace for one another. Be aware that the stressed out mom behind you in line at the grocery store is trying to manage a load of relatives that are coming from out of town and she has a house to clean, cooking to do, and her small children aren't cooperating. Be aware that the man that is taking his anger out on the photo lab worker for messing up his order might have just lost a wife and those were pictures of her that he was waiting on.

Be aware of others around you. Look into people's eyes and see them. The Holy Spirit in you wants to show you things. He wants to show you the person nearby that needs a word of encouragement. The person that needs a hug. The person that needs help. The person that needs prayers for peace.

Everywhere we go, we have the ability to release the blessings of the Kingdom. Peace. Joy. Hope. Love. Likewise, everywhere we go, we have the ability to come under some of the swirling emotions that others are releasing. Hopelessness. Anxiety. Anger. Doubt.

Have you ever been in a place where an extremely frustrated individual was being very vocal about their frustration waiting in a long checkout line at a store and you start to agree with them? You start feeling that same aggravation and irritability? Ever tried staying calm when there are anxious, frightened, or quarreling people all around you? Ever been in a terrible mood and walk into a room of happy, positive people and you instantly feel better?  

We have to be aware of the atmosphere we are creating and that we are coming under. We have Holy Spirit inside of us to help us navigate this world. He wants to help us overcome the negative atmospheres we encounter in our daily lives. He reminds us that our fight isn't against people, but spiritual powers. I think of them as hijackers. They hijack our atmosphere and bring chaos. They hijack our peace and bring anxiety. Hijack our joy and bring depression.

I don't know about you, but I'm extremely sick and tired of these hijackers. I want to remember who God is and who I am so that I can overcome them and release the Kingdom. It's possible. That's the miracle of the gospel. Jesus made it possible for us to overcome these spiritual forces. To not only live in a place of peace, hope and joy, but to spread it around.

This season, be aware. Be aware of your surroundings. Are you seeing peace? Joy? Hope? Or are you seeing the opposite? If you see the opposite, know that you have a POWERFUL God inside you that equips you with powerful words to pray against the negativity. To speak to the storm and say, "peace, be still".

“To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Holy Spirit, remind us who we are in You. Remind us our struggle is not against people. Remind us to speak life, hope, and love to those around us. Help us look into the eyes of the people around us and see what You see. Help us to respond like You would respond. Fill us with fresh wonder at the Gospel message. Fresh wonder at the reason for the season. Thank You Jesus!

Our Words

A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!

James 3:3

There is power in the words we speak. They have weight. If I told my children they were not very smart, they would probably believe it and begin to base their life around that false truth. If I told them they were beautiful, kind, adventurous, etc., they would begin standing on those things. As a mom, I have a huge ability to shape the way my kids think and the foundation on which they stand. I have words that can bring a positive outcome or a negative one.

God created with words. "Let there be..." And since we are made in His image, perhaps we should be aware of how we use our words. When we speak, it should be words that build up and create peace, hope, love and faith. Toby Mac has a song called 'Speak Life'. Maybe you've heard it?  He sings, "Hope will fall like rain when you speak life with the words you say. Raise your thoughts a little higher. Use your words to inspire. Joy will fall like rain when you speak life with the things you say. Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted; watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak life."

A church we know and love has what is called a Night of Healing Prayer, a service devoted to praying for the physical, emotional or spiritual needs of individuals. Those prayer ministers speak life! It's a place and time where the world is blocked out for a little while and you are immersed in the presence of God. Peace, joy, and love are swirling from every angle, wrapping around you like a luxurious, warm blanket. Words of life are spoken over you, encouraging you to believe and to rely on the truth and promises of God. Hope is released in the heart that is feeling overwhelmed. Joy is released in the downcast soul. Peace subdues the fear-filled mind.

All of us need to be reminded that God is with us and speaking to us. He is over all things. He is completely aware of who we are and all that we are experiencing. Fear is not ours to hold in our hearts, for He promises something better. Instead of a spirit of fear, He gives us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). He loves us because He is love. He's faithful and true. Through such prayerful reminders we are carried into heavenly places, where we are meant to dwell. (Ephesians 2:5-7)

I believe every time we pray, worship or just speak a word of encouragement, we are allowing The Word to give life where it's needed. We are facilitating a meeting between the thirsty, hungry soul and the Bread of Life.

In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. (John 1:1AMP)

Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me, whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me shall in his turn live through and because of Me. This is the Bread that came down from heaven. It is not like the manna which our forefathers ate, and yet died; he who takes this Bread for his food shall live forever. (John 6:57-58 AMP)

Filling our souls and spirits with The Word is imperative to our lives here on earth. So many things come at us - things that are meant to steal, kill and destroy us. But when The Word is in us, and the Spirit of the living God is leading us, we are more than victorious.  When we speak His words and speak life, we are throwing life preservers to drowning souls.  Souls that hear so much negativity and hopelessness from the world that it's like having weights around the ankles pulling them under.

As believers we are meant to reveal His glory. By lifting our voices in faith, hope and love, we are revealing Him. We are meant to speak the Word of God boldly. Confidently. Lovingly. Connecting lost souls to The Word of life and truth.  I love that "He sends His word and heals us, and rescues us from destruction." (Psalm 107:20)  And now I feel He is sending us - filled with His word - to feed His sheep. "So speak life! Speak life! Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak life." (Toby Mac)

"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power making it active, operative, energizing, and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life soul and the immortal spirit, and of joints and marrow of the deepest parts of our nature, exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 AMP