The Cure for Discontentment...

Only our Creator knows what will fill our sails...

“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” Psalm 16:6

This verse speaks of the boundaries of our inheritance in Christ. Think this way: who you really are; what Jesus is doing in you; what causes your heart to sing; what are your passions and dreams?

I spent years wishing I had someone else’s boundaries; their inheritance. I had fallen into the sin Adam and Eve fell for: I thought God was holding out on me. The last few years have been the awakening of my soul to all He HAS given me, in me, through me, and will do in the future. It wasn’t until I found His bliss in the life He gave me, that my boundaries started to grow larger, sweeter, and deeper than I could have imagined.

Are you discontent about your life? Go to the Creator, let Him call the plays, let Him change the paradigm of your thinking. Life in Him begins when this takes place.

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Special Ops...

I want to be on God’s Special Ops team...

“Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all.”
2 Samuel 6:1 NLT

I am pretty sure David’s elite crew were the fastest, the strongest, and the bravest. However, I am not so sure that Jesus’ team has to have those qualifications.

His elite team players only have one requirement. Love, love, and more love.

Love, sold-out, life-altering love for Him first. That doesn’t mean you or I have to be the best or the brightest, instead we live solely for Him. Hunger for His presence is our training and healing ground. We need to be skillful in His Word to defeat our adversary and speak life to others. And our love for everyone is our badge of courage. For if we are fully engaged in His wondrous love – knowing He will take care of our every need – we have no fear that when we give ourselves or our resources away, He will replenish us to overflowing.

All I can say is, sign me up, Lord.

Fill in the Blanks...

It's okay...go ahead. Fill in the blanks with your name...

“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O ________, And He who formed you, ________.”
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you ________; I have called you by your name; ________ are Mine.”
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you ________; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you ________. When you walk through the fire, you ________ shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you ________.” 
“For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of _______l, your Savior...”
Isaiah 43:1-3

We can legitimately insert our names wherever Israel or any Bible personage is mentioned, because of our spiritual heritage.
Still, as with many of God’s promises, there is a condition for us to fulfill: The Lord Jesus must be...our Lord. In other words, we must give Him complete control of our situations good, bad, or ugly. If you are in control, Who isn’t?

Make this passage your own. Hold it tightly. And, above all, surrender your situation to the One Who loves you, _______, 
beyond belief.

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The Big One... ( Another gem from Dayspring...)

I guess I didn’t realize how vain I was until I lost my front tooth. The top one. The big one. The one that’s in every picture and the first part of my smile that people see. It’s not so much that I lost it but more about the hole which it left behind. The hole that, as I catch my reflection, causes tears to stream down. 

The pain, infection, and all the other unforeseen problems that have come from this supposed simple extraction are nothing compared to how shocked I am at how it makes me feel. I cried when I heard I had to have it removed, but the abundant tears, the deep emotional ache, and sudden insecurities that it has caused are unexpected. 

And you know what I tell myself over and over?

“...so the King will greatly desire (be enthralled) by your beauty.”
Psalm 45:11

 A verse from the Psalms that I made into one of those large custom wall decals and hung up years ago on the mirror at church.  Because I believed it to be true, then.

And it replays in my head every day when I look in the mirror at what I see to be so ugly, now. 

I don’t know your old insecurities (God knows I have plenty of mine) or even your new ones that pop up (or are pulled out) these days, but I do know this: The God who created us in His image, the same One who knows the number of hairs on our head, keeps tracks of all our tears, and knows the amount of teeth we have, thinks we are beautiful. 

And that’s what gets me through the day. Repetition of His words to me. 

Whatever you are going through, the Bible has the remedy.

Find it. Memorize it. Repeat it as needed. 
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By: Dayspring Boldt Broxton

The Best Medicine Cabinet

I think every person should have their own personal Psalm. Out of 150, there is one for you. I am sure of this. Honestly.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105

The Psalms are like one big medicine cabinet. I know. This is crude and simplistic, nevertheless, whatever ails your life, you can most likely find the answer from God’s Word in the Psalms.

Psalm 18…brought my freedom from bondage
Psalm 27…called me into His extravagant presence
Psalm 91…I heard His heart for me during cancer
Psalm 107…encouraged my family through some tough decisions
Psalm 149…caused me to worship in warfare in the Spirit.

You get the idea.

May I encourage you to first read straight through the Psalms at kind of a quick pace. Take them everywhere with you. Take a dose before bedtime with a refreshing drink of Holy Spirit living water. Then, return to the beginning and savor each chapter slowly.

Find the Psalm Jesus is giving just for you.

Master Architect...

I think we all catch this Scripture’s meaning...

“Unless the LORD builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the LORD guards the city,

The watchman stays awake in vain.”
Psalms 127:1

Let’s be spared much pain, heartache, wasted time, lost resources, loss of happiness, and peace of mind: If the Lord isn’t the One spearheading, leading, designing, and implementing our every endeavor, we might as well pack in our plans and call it a day.

Life is just different when we make Jesus the Chief Contractor. His style of building a life makes Him the Master Architect with exquisite beauty in mind for each of us.  Every corner is metered, every detail has the Artist’s eye and aesthetic. Every internal brace has the ability withstand any storm. Every nuance has eternal ramifications.

And finally, He is trustworthy to watch over and guard what He has so lovingly and tenderly built. Anything less than His complete input is a vain pursuit. Let’s not waste another moment trying to build our lives ourselves.

Thrive...

My dear friend, Marjorie, sensed the Lord wanted to give me a Bible verse recently filled with encouragement.

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love.”
Psalm 52:8

At first glance, I first thought the verse said: “But I am like an olive tree, striving (not thriving) in the house of God...” Whaaaattt???

Oh…my gosh. The Lord expounded Marj’s word – His Word – to me in a split second…with humor, to boot!

So, let’s think about this. Are we currently striving and trying to make circumstances or people do what we want them to? What is coming to your mind right now?

It is time to let Jesus do the heavy lifting, and place what we are working so hard at squarely in His hands. Then, let’s watch how our hearts and lives thrive in Him.

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Family Tree...

All of us have some form of desolation from our family tree...

“And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.”
Isaiah 61:4

This verse speaks directly to our past in regard to our family, family history, environment, and circumstances we were raised in.

Personally, I grew up in a loving home, but it wasn’t ‘til years later I realized how dysfunctional it was. I needed some deep healing...how about you?

Addiction, divorce, sexual ruin, rage, compulsiveness, bitterness, self-pity, sickness...the list goes on. These are issues we disdain, yet are oh-so-familiar marks of our families; of ourselves.

Nevertheless, the word “shall” from this passage, triumphs. As we pursue Jesus...He SHALL; He WILL bring us out of the ruins of our family’s past and repair us completely as we invite Him into these closets. Let’s open the door and not be afraid of His tender touch to deliver us from these desolations.

He shall do it.

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Pursuit...

Never give up your pursuit of total freedom in Christ alone...

“To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes, 
The oil of joy for mourning, 
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; 
That they may be called trees of righteousness, 
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:3

What do you hope for from this list? Make it your prayer today. Write it down in a journal. Be open to how the Holy Spirit will break the enemy’s lies to you – which Jesus tells us is the root of all bondage.

Freedom may come in minute or it may come slowly as Jesus walks you gently, but firmly forward, one step at a time. However, don’t settle for just getting by...or coping. We need His breakthrough in our lives so we can walk in:

Beauty
Joy
Praise
Righteousness

Please think and pray about these things today.

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Another Treasure from Dayspring...

I see a lot of gnarly bruises in the sport I play. I’ve had some great picture, worthy-to-share, ones myself. The thing I find most interesting about bruises is even though they hurt initially when the injury occurs, after some time passes, they only tend to sting when pressure is applied. We often forget they are even there until then and the rest of the time it’s like they don’t exist.

I was thinking the other day as I read my Bible about bruises. The emotional kind.

The injuries of life get more bearable over time. They do. However, sometimes even after the pain is gone a memory is triggered and it’s as if someone has taken their finger and pushed on that one spot; that emotional bruise we all but forgot about. The pain is almost as bad as the initial injury! Thankfully, it doesn’t last long and we move forward seemingly unaware of its existence until it happens again. Another poke on that tender spot. Ouch!

The Bible tells us several times that God heals the broken-hearted…but what about the bruises left behind? Seemingly harmless until they hurt.

“In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people And heals the stroke of their wound.” Isaiah 30:26

I believe God wants us completely free and healed. And sometimes we think healing means settling for a “bruise” in exchange of that constant pain from our injury. An ache now and then on our tender spot is better than everyday pain, right?

Wrong.

Reading this verse makes me realize I don’t want to settle for even that occasional sting from a deep unhealed ache. I want my bruise bound up and my wound healed! For good.

I’m going to take advantage of all God offers in my healing. What about you?

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should you have a disappointment…something or someone didn’t come through for you as you had hoped, maybe, just maybe, the Lord is using this to get your attention that He alone needs to be your expectation and He knows what He is doing – even when others don’t seem too!

Should you be facing some challenges this week, rather than try to figure it out and making a mess of things, choose to TRUST the Lord. Messes are…oh…so hard…to clean up and waiting on Him is so much sweeter, reliable, and He has resources beyond your imagination.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

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Oh my...(sigh)...

A client was telling the sad story of what had been going on in her life. One tragedy after another.  Then she concluded with the sentence that makes me cringe every time I hear it, “But, God doesn’t give us more than we can handle so…(sigh).”

Probably one of the most misquoted verses ever! (1 Cor. 10:13)

 How can the loss of a child, spouse, or best friend be bearable? How can watching loved ones slowly suffer and die of cancer be bearable? How can losing your job, your house, and your family be bearable? How can the heartbreak of infidelity be bearable?

 It’s not. We weren’t meant to bear it. We weren’t meant to handle it. We weren’t meant to wear our sad stories like badges of honor that God has bestowed upon us because we are strong enough to handle it. Because we aren’t strong enough to handle it. Is it any wonder so many choose to numb it with drugs and alcohol?

So how is one able to stand up under all the weight of the hurts of life?

Through God alone.

Exodus 16:16-18 tells the story of the manna given to the Israelites every morning by God. Each person was given the exact amount of their need. Some people gathered less, some gathered more.

That is such a parallel for our lives.

When life gets tough keep this in mind: God provides the right amount of “manna” to fit our current situation. Sometimes we need more and sometimes we need less but as long as we turn to Him we can know He will provide.

It’s okay to be weak and find life unbearable; don’t be hard on yourself if you aren’t strong enough. You aren’t meant to be. Only God is.

Ask for your daily manna!

Tour Buses...and Other Things...

People are messed up, no matter where they live...

“I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand...
Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad...”
Ezekiel 13:21-22

I live in a pretty rough city. In the state of California, my town is not on the Top Ten best places to live. You don’t see tour buses stopping here to see the sights. You get my drift.

Nevertheless, when I have been asked to share and minister at events just down the road, where the cost of living soars, the lawns are manicured to perfection, and the cars are worth...well, a whole lot more than I will make in a lifetime, people are just the same as where I live. They just dress better. I even go to Asia twice a year and the folks there are the same, too. Go figure.

Bottom line: The devil’s lies are just that: lies. And, these lies we believe about ourselves and God rob us of true, satisfying happiness. Only the Jesus, the Truth can rip these veils made of lies from our hearts and minds.

Lord, I’m ready...

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should the car not start, the kids or co-workers won’t stop whining, the wallet seem empty, the to-do list is overwhelming. Look up. Remember the Holy Spirit is with you in everything…from the mundane to the life-altering. Hand everything to His care for He can handle…everything.

Should you be experiencing on a low note, a bland hope, a disabled joy...cultivate your time alone with the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Let His Word speak to your heart and heal your expectations…by letting Him…be your only expectation. He won’t disappoint!

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

Pigpen...

(Another straight-to-the-heart from Dayspring...)

“You’re acting like Pigpen!!” My mom’s words cut through my cell phone, stopping me in my tracks.

But…she was right (sigh). I was acting like him. And thus began a life-changing journey all because of that little fellow.

You can picture him, right? The friend of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang. Always surrounded by a cloud of dirt and dust.

Our minds get so consumed with our “stuff” that it just swirls around us all day long and affects everything we do. We might not even realize how our unhealthy preoccupation makes us feel (tired, anxious, overwhelmed, depressed) or how we may appear to others (rude, selfish, uncaring, uninterested). We don’t mean to but when the dust and dirt of life is like a tornado circling around you, it makes it hard to see anything else.

I came up with a cycle that helps me recognize, and then stop, my Pigpenning before it starts. It goes like this: mental noise leads to doubt which in turn leads to Pigpenning.

The noise is anything negative in our minds (playing the “what-if game” is one example of this). If the noise isn’t stopped, it turns to doubt; we begin doubting that God is who He says He is or that he can do as He has promised. And if the doubt isn’t stopped, you’ll find yourself walking around like Pigpen in no time.

The best way to stop the noise?

“I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 (MSG)

Pigpen may be cute…but he ain’t cute on you. Don’t become him!

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An Invitation to Know Him...

These wonderful words...

“Be still, and know that I am God; 
I will be exalted among the nations, 
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10

For us to really know our Creator intimately...we have to have moments of complete and utter...stillness. This is one of the most difficult things for us to do! Really. Even when we do calm our bodies, our hearts and minds generally keep racing. Correct?

Yes, a cultivated and most necessary joy.

God is telling us we will genuinely begin to know Him when we are still. Quiet. Not with our laundry list of prayers or questions. Not with a crowd of others that may distract. But alone with Him; our minds silent, hearts hushed, and the expectancy that He has been already waiting for us to come and enjoy His company, His joy, His peace, His healing, His comfort...

This is more than a wonderful quote, this is an invitation to come and know the Lover of our souls.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should your bank account go down, your blood pressure go up, or a loved goes sideways on you…place your heart in His amazing Word. He has the final report. Enough said!  Psalm 119:114

Should you become over-scheduled, overwhelmed, or over-the-top nuts with stuff to do and no time to do it…take a breath…breathe a prayer…stop and be grateful for the One who came to give His all…that we might live. For He alone is worthy…  Matthew 6:25-26

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes that will be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because Who is in you is greater than anything!  1 John 4:4

Scandal! (From Dayspring)

What are the headlines from gossip magazines screaming today? Another celebrity break-up, meltdown, or fashion faux pas? But where’s the cover story about the scandal of grace?

In the only book we should bet our life on, the entire Bible tells of such a scandal.

“But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on…” Romans 5:21 (MSG)

When my daughter was young and would disobey, I would punish her according to her wrongdoing. Sometimes I would relinquish the punishment and tell her that grace was getting something she didn’t deserve. She was guilty and deserved to be punished for her disobedience but grace released her, just like God’s grace does for us.

And that’s the simplest way to describe the grace we have received in Christ!

It’s free. It’s generous. It’s undeserved.

It’s a scandal.

In this “dog eat dog,” “every man for himself,” “you better watch your back” world, the idea of unearned grace and forgiveness is unimaginable. Scandalous really. But it’s God’s truth. And that’s the kind of headline our very lives should be shouting out to a world in need of such.

Oh the scandal of grace!

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written by: Dayspring Boldt Broxton

Unfailing Love...

His unfailing love...

“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.”
Psalm 145:8 NKJV

“The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”
Psalm 145:8 NLT

I love to read various Bible translations. Like the many of facets of a diamond, each version bringing nuances and fresh revelation of God’s Word. In this moment, I am captivated by the wording used by the New Living Translation (NLT) which uses the phrase unfailing love for the word mercy that most other Bible translations use. Both renderings of the Hebrew word hesed or chesed used are accurate:

Hesed (Hebrew): Mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, unfailing love; tenderness, faithfulness.

Bottom line: when we fail…God’s love towards us doesn’t

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should you become over-scheduled, overwhelmed, or over-the-top nuts with stuff to do and no time to do it…take a breath…breathe a prayer…stop and be grateful for the One who came to give His all…that we might live. For He alone is worthy…

Should your finances be in disarray? No guilt here…but just a thought….have you been faithful to tithe? Really. No joke. Putting God first in your finances…is a step of faith…and it paves the way for Him to cause the rest of your resources to fall into place…and have the right priority in your heart. Watch and see what HE does!

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because Who is in you is greater than anything! 
(1 John 4:4)

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photo: Alaina Agudelo w.Kinsey w.permission