Complete in Him...

Do you ever feel less than, not enough, or lacking talent, brains, brawn, or beauty?

“...and you are complete in Him,”  Colossians 1:10

Take a look at the definition of the original Greek New Testament word (Pleroo) used for “complete” here: to make full, to fill up, to cram, to cause to abound, furnish, supply liberally, to fill to the top so that nothing is lacking and nothing more can be added. Full measure, to accomplish...and so much more!

Honestly. Sit in Colossians, Chapters 1-3, and have your world rocked. Genuinely ask for the Holy Spirit’s revelation of what is being said here. It will take a lifetime’s learning and a complete paradigm shift in our way of thinking about – everything. Yet, it will be oh-so worth it. Even at our final breath, we will only have scratched the surface of all Who Jesus is, and Who He is IN us.

But know this truth, you are complete in Him! And in Him alone!

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week…

If your kids are whining, your workmates are irritating, and the neighbors won't mow their lawn, it is probably a sign your soul is running on empty! It is time to get filled up, saturated, and doused in the Holy Spirit. Get alone with the Lord and His Word, rest in His presence, and get fueled up to greet the week ahead.

If you feel burnt out, stressed out, or wiped out – again, it is time to return to the living waters of the Holy Spirit. Are you unsure about His work in you? It is time to spend some time getting to know Who He is. Take a look at the Gospel of John, Chapters 14, 15, and 16. Don’t remain a desert when you can become an oasis.

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 He Who is in you is greater than anything!   1 John 4:4

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Yes, You Are...

Really. Every one of us is a leader...

From the clan of Hebron came Hashabiah. He and his relatives—1,700 capable men—were put in charge of the Israelite lands west of the Jordan River. They were responsible for all matters related to the things of the LORD and the service of the king in that area.

1 Chronicles 26:30

We are all called and all Christ followers have the Holy Spirit residing in them. All of us can pass on what we know and love about Jesus and His Word to another.  You have something that someone else needs.  You have Someone someone else needs, too. Don’t let others have all the fun and excitement. Really. 

Starbuck’s is just waiting for you to reach out to your co-worker, neighbor, or friend and show up for an informal time of studying God's Word together.  You might try using the simple CrossPointe Bible Study tools that can be found online at Amazon.com. Or simply meet to talk about life together in Him. There is someone waiting for you.

And, you are a leader.

Thoughts from Dayspring...

Mommmmm!!

“Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.” Ephesians 4:30 MSG

The hot water swirls around me as I lean my back against the cool porcelain. My hands slowly push the bubbles around causing their sweet floral scent to fill this small space. I close my eyes and let it envelope me. Finally! Some peace. Some quiet. Some much needed “me time.” I reach out and grab my book whose fiction will take me away from my cares of the day. I, once again, lean back and stretch out to the sounds of the rushing water filling the tub, a good book in my hand and…

“MOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!”

I sit up abruptly, toss the book to the floor, shut off the water, and put my ears on high alert as my heart races.

And just like that I’m interrupted.

This is what I thought of as my pastor said these words, “Holy Spirit, interrupt us!”

The Bible is full of such interruptions. Think about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds in the fields, the fishermen casting their nets, David, Saul, the woman at the well, and so many others who were just minding their business when they were divinely interrupted.

And yet here we are, too often preoccupied with our own agendas to be interrupted by God.

My pastor went on to say that we find ourselves too busy for church yet we make time to watch a two-hour mind-numbing movie. We are too busy to read the Bible but we find time to read the books we enjoy. We are too busy for God, yet we find time to hit snooze over and over again.

Oh Holy Spirit! Interrupt us, we so need it!

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by Dayspring Boldt Broxton

 

Let's Dance....Thoughts from Yvonne...

I loved to dance with my daddy as a little girl, though I never danced well.

“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Exodus 15:13

My mind holds a picture of myself learning to dance – my smiling four or five-year-old self stands on my dad’s feet, my hands held firmly in his strong and gentle hands. He twirls me round and round in rhythm to a waltz. I felt safe and loved.

A few years later I got off Dad’s feet and stood on the floor across from him as I followed his steps. Like a good instructor, his hands guided rather than held. He allowed me to make decisions and take responsibility for my steps – his hands became softer or firmer as my ability to follow his lead improved.

Dancing requires trust – and although the dancers are partners, one partner MUST lead.

Jesus extended His hand in an invitation to dance. I gratefully accepted. Still, as I dance with Him I often stumble, or worse, try to lead – even though I don’t know the steps. But He does, and His strong and gentle hand always tightens just enough to catch me and guide me back into step – making me feel safe and loved – just as God did leading the Hebrews into the promised land.

I still don’t dance well – but I love to dance with Jesus. And I want Him to lead.

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_________________
by Yvonne Quirk

A Saturated Life...

I want to live life in full color...

...He who is coming after me is mightier than I...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  Matthew 3:11

Photography is a new hobby of mine. I use it to create Christian memes with inspirational quotes and Bible verses. I love for the photo’s colors to be “saturated.” In other words, to be deep, rich, and with full color. I want to live a saturated life – walking in the miraculous and glorifying Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit can cause a meat-and-potatoes, made-of-dust life to live this way.

The original Greek New Testament word for baptize in the verse above is: Baptizo – meaning to baptize, to dip, dye, immerse, plunge, submerge, inundate, flood, swamp, soak, douse, drench, and saturate.

Ponder each one of these words in the definition. Which one pings your heartstrings? Now, for me, it is saturate. To be so full I can’t absorb any more, except to be squeezed and poured out to make more room – for more.

Yeah. I want to live in the continual baptism of the Spirit – Book of Acts style – in full color for Jesus.

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should your dog eat your slippers, your favorite team bite the dust, or you just plain feel like the stuff of your life is insurmountable, look to the One who holds all the answers. He never promised life would be easy in this broken, evil world, but He did promise: you are more than a conqueror when you abide in Him. He delivers on His promises.

Should your relationships be frayed and worn, and impatience and frustration are tempting you, look at yourself first. Don’t place blame. It takes two-to-tango, as the saying goes, and Jesus always tells us to take the splinter out of our own eye first before even attempting to point out the log in another’s eye. Let Jesus deal with your issues. That’s what He is asking of you in this moment.

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 He Who is in you is greater than anything!

1 John 4:4

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Photo: Ryan Boldt - my nephew serving with Youth With a Mission, Australia

An Uneven Exchange...

An uneven exchange…

“When He had called the people to Himself…He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”  Mark 8:34

We are often mistaken about what Jesus is communicating about picking up our cross. It is NOT pain, disease, suffering, torment, or loss of relationships. The cross is NOT about the hardships of living in a broken, sick, evil, and weary world. Jesus came on a rescue mission. If we fully trust Him – that is the caveat here – He has made every believer more than a conqueror. His love, joy, healing, restoration, and deliverance are ours, no matter what our circumstances may be.

No, the cross is explained in the following verse. When we lay down our plans, dreams, and hopes for His plans, dreams, and hopes. Our lives for His cause alone. His will be done, not ours; just as Jesus spoke to the Father as He was about to pick up His cross – for us.

When we take up His cross, however, it is an uneven exchange. Our rags for His riches. Our nothingness for His extraordinary. Our lack for His abundance. Our sin for His grace. Think about it. Yes, it is an even exchange indeed. What are we waiting for?

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{WEDNESDAY ONE-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY}

Your Treasure...

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Matthew 13:44 NKJV

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https://youtu.be/V7JWhQKezVY

iPhone Users! For more daily devotional videos, short & sweet, download the "Refocus" app on from your Play Store. I have two teachings there: "Healing for Life's Hurts" and "Grace in the Dark." Many more, way-better teachers, on the app, too! Android coming soon!

Work in Progress...Thoughts from Jaime...

As I sat there, listening to a woman pouring her heart out, I heard bits and pieces of my own story...

“I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.” Philippians 1:6 ERV

I could identify with her pain. Not just sympathize, but empathize—with genuine compassion and tears of solidarity.

When she finished, I let the Holy Spirit guide my words. I reassured her that God wasn’t finished writing her story and He would be faithful to put her heart back together. I could promise her that in every battle against her ugly emotions and destructive thoughts, there was victory.

It is in these times I am reminded that my pain and suffering have been transformed into a beautiful bridge of hope—a viaduct for someone else to encounter the reality of our Redeemer. He lets nothing go to waste, and often our most powerful weapons are the very things the enemy has previously tried to destroy us with.

Yes, we have victory in Christ and yes He fights for us—but we still have to show up to the battle. We may have to go into uncomfortable territory and confront things we’d rather avoid, but triumph can only come if there’s a struggle. We must identify our enemy in order to defeat him.

God’s nowhere close to being finished with me, but I do marvel when I look back at all He’s done.

To take the most horrid seasons of our time here and resurrect hope, joy and purpose— that’s the heart of God. He truly is at work in the life of every believer. And as the saying goes, I’m not where I want to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be.

by: Jaime Betters

For more of Jaime's writing please see  www.remadecommunity.org

Level Ground...

A woman became really upset with me a couple of years ago…

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,"
2 Corinthians 3:5

The woman was peeved when I told her that her own ability to be self-sufficient was probably her biggest hindrance in following Christ. She didn’t like that and she was very proud of her accomplishments, except for the fact she was losing her family.

Some of us facing trials truly believe we can pull ourselves through in our own strength. We have a bounty of God-given natural ability, just like the woman above. Others of us, know we can’t do anything to help ourselves, but rely on anyone else, rather than the All Sufficient One.

No matter what camp you fall into: self-reliant or others- reliant, it is time to walk onto level ground found at the foot of His cross.

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should your yard be overgrown, your jeans too tight, or your wallet a little too empty, look up! King Jesus is the All-Sufficient One. Get your eyes on Him alone and let Him do the heavy lifting for your cares.  Philippians 4:19

Should a loved one go sideways, a neighbor go ballistic, or a co-worker become annoying, well, remember you have issues, too! Jesus has all the patience in the world to bring you into freedom, now grab hold of His patience in you for others, by the power of the Holy Spirit!  Galatians 5:22-23

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 He Who is in you is greater than anything!  1 John 4:4

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Reign in Life...

Reign in life. Really??

"For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, 
much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:17

For years I thought about: 

Getting by in life
Surviving life
Making it through another day in life

But never, reigning in life.

Only Jesus. Only His abundant, powerful, lavish grace and the free gift of His righteousness can cause a lost and weary soul to reign in life. Even those of us who feel neither lost or weary have to admit: life could be better.

It can be. Invite Him in. Surrender everything to Him. Stand Back. Stand in His grace. Let His righteousness cover you. And see what He does in and through you. Yes, you too, can reign in life through the One and Only.

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His Present Presence...

His presence is always present.

"God our refuge and strength.
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we shall not fear…"
Psalm 46:1-2a

Some years ago I decided I wouldn’t live another day without His presence. Come hell or high water, I was choosing to nurture, not only a devotional time with Jesus – praying requests, reading the Word, journaling – but a frequent waiting and basking in the Holy Spirit who reveals the Savior within us and to us John 16.

Believe me, my family and the church we pastor have experienced some crazy stuff during these years, yet His presence has always been present. I can tell you story after ridiculously loving story of Jesus in our midst.

Now, what used to be mere theory has become reality. He is the real deal and He wants you to draw close and really know Him not just know about Him. His present presence is all you need.

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WEDNESDAY ONE-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY

{WEDNESDAY ONE-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY}

You are accepted in the Beloved...

"to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence." Ephesians 1:6-8 NKJV

Click on the link below...

https://youtu.be/7EwvPEm55b4

Words from Yvonne...

Sometimes I say stupid and thoughtless things, especially when texting or sending an IM. Quick thoughts, carelessly thrown.

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12 NIV

Today I said something in an IM to a beloved friend – thinking I was being considerate – and I kicked her in the guts.  She eventually let me know, in trust, so my words would not come between us.  I felt sick – and apologized.

I went back and read my words.  I could see how thoughtless they were, but I could not take them back.  I sent her another IM, acknowledging my thoughtlessness – and I asked forgiveness.  She said there was nothing to forgive, but said, “I forgive you.”

Honestly, I would have felt better if she had ranted at me a bit. I did not feel worthy of forgiveness.  Penance.  I wanted to pay for my wrong – but what price could I set on a heart wound?  Yet, out of love, she offered me the same grace God offered humanity.  And in her grace, I found forgiveness for myself – and a deeper awareness of the care needed to hold another’s heart. 

Jesus put His heart in our hands, too, and continues to do so, knowing that in our humanness, we will at least occasionally break His heart.  He will bear it because He loves us.

Lord, please teach me to hold all hearts well.

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________________________

By: Yvonne Quirk

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week,

Should the cookie jar be empty, you checking account be nil, and your joy is nowhere to be found. It is time to run to the Master. Look Him square in the face and own up to any failings on Your part. Next, ask for His help and throw your Plan B out the door. Wait for His instruction and help, He is near.

Should any next steps in your life seem too long and the hope for your future seems to be falling far short of your expectations, it is time to lay your hopes and dreams in Jesus’ hands. He has better things in mind. Really. Let Him pick up the pieces of your life and make sense of what is to come next for you.

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

Insecurities Suck...(yes, I actually said that!)

Entertaining insecurities, sucks…

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.”
John 13:4

The bondage of insecurity about who we are, what we look like, or any variety of human weaknesses, can cause so much damage and loss to our lives. Honestly. Take it from one who lived most of her life ducking reality and continually living under the premise she needed to prove her worth. A person can do stupid things when they live like I did.

Not Jesus, however. Knowing Who He was in these moments at the last supper, just before He washed the disciples’ feet, gave Him the ability to be completely selfless, even to the point of the cross. He didn’t hide or duck from His mission. He didn’t need to prove Himself to anyone. He was absolutely secure in Who He was.

Jesus can break these dreaded stongholds and hindrances in our lives and it is time that we let Him. He can heal us and He wants to. It is time to know and live in who we really are. We are His children.

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Umbrellas...thoughts from Dayspring...

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does that person who doesn’t even believe in God seem to flourish and succeed while nothing in my life seems to go right? And how come when it rains it pours?

Age old questions answered by the Only One who can.

“He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45

So what’s the difference between me, as the righteous in Christ, than the unrighteous if we all get rained on anyway? Well, it’s all about what kind of umbrella you use. With God as our umbrella we are covered. Literally. It rains, it gets ugly, things fall apart, nothing goes as it should, and we sometimes reach our breaking point, but we don’t. We can cry out to God at any time, as many times as we need to, and find shelter from our storm. Even when it’s chaos around us, under His protection, we just don’t get as wet.

I’ve seen those who don’t know Him scramble for safety under all sorts of false coverings when the first raindrops fall. Then I’ve watched them crumble into bitterness, anger, defeat, and depression as they drown under the weight of their broken coverings.

I’ve also seen those who, under His protective umbrella, go through the hardest things and still have joy and peace. Getting wet but not drowning. That’s the difference!

Maybe you’ve never thought about God as an Umbrella? It’s time to start!

Try Him…He’s so capable.

“The LORD is your shade at your right hand.” Psalm 121:5

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by: Dayspring Boldt Broxton