 Happy 2017! I hope your year is off to a great start! And if it’s been not-so-great, I hope and pray Jesus speaks some encouragement to your heart, and that you experience His love and peace today. Maybe this little blog of mine could be the way in which you are encouraged by Christ, as over the next few weeks, I’m going to be writing about our identity in Christ and what it looks like to live in that identity. Who we are, who we believe we are, directs how we live. Satan would have us believe that we are the total of our experiences, our actions, and our emotions. If we’ve experienced rejection or betrayal, then we are worthless. If we mess up or make a mistake, then we are a failure. If we feel lonely or ugly than we are unloveable. But in Christ, we have an identity that supersedes our experiences, our actions, and our emotions. We have an identity that, when we choose to live in it, will guide and direct those emotions and actions, and the reactions we have towards the different circumstances and situations that we experience. We have an identity that brings joy, peace, hope, courage, patience, kindness, compassion, and power, even when we’ve experienced rejection or betrayal, even when we mess up or make a mistake, even when we’re feeling a bit lonely, and a bit less-than-beautiful. Our identity brings us this, because our identity is found in the Giver of true and full life. The One who accepts us, who sees us as altogether lovely, who picks us up when we fall, who is always with us and holding us. We’ll be journeying through Colossians 3, learning from God’s Word about this identity.
You have been raised with Christ. After His death on the cross as the redeeming sacrifice for the sins of all, Jesus was buried. After three days sealed in the tomb, Jesus was raised to life. Death could not keep it’s hold on Him. Death could not gain the victory over Life. And we have been raised with Christ. In Him we are victorious over sin and death. We overcome temptation. We are crowned as heir with Him. We are give life that not even death snuff out. For it is life in Life. Eternal, abundant, full life. When I think of this, you know how I feel? Free. Not held down by my past. Not chained by my mistakes. Not buried in shame and guilt. Raised. Unbound. Free. For indeed, that is what I am. That is what you are. In Christ, you are free. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Jesus freed us so we would be free. Not chained by striving to be good enough. Not held captive by shame. Not bound by feelings of condemnation. Not shackled in feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, worthlessness, ugliness, bitterness, selfishness. Yes, we are free. But how do we live in this freedom? The passage from Colossians tells us that since we have been raised with Christ, we are to set our minds and hearts on things above, not on earthly things. And Galatians 5:1 goes on to say, “Stand firm, then, and do let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Set. Stand firm. These words speak of focus, steadfastness, resolve, and commitment. Unbending and unwavering. Planted and rooted. Not allowing a yoke of slavery to once again be placed upon our shoulders. The New Living Translation says, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2) Our desires, our thoughts, and our priorities are to be set on things above, the things of heaven. On that which is of God, in line with His character and will. What we strive for, what we seek, should be the Kingdom of God, His will done on earth as it is in heaven. In heaven, Christ is seated at the right hand of God. He is exalted and sovereign over all. And He intercedes on behalf of you and me. This is the reality of heaven, the reality we are to set our hearts and minds on. Because of Jesus’ intercession, we are continually free from sin, and cleansed of guilt. When we set our hearts and minds on this truth, when we stand firm in this truth, we are living in freedom. Now, how do we do that? How do we set our hearts and minds on things above? Satan tries to trap us into believing lies. And he’ll attempt to chain us up with those lies. You’ve experienced rejection and betrayal, so you’re worthless. Even to God. You’ve messed up and made a mistake, so you’re a failure. Even to God. You feel lonely and ugly, so you’re unloveable. Even to God. Did God really say… ? We’ve all had these thoughts. We beat ourselves up and compare ourselves to others. Words that are negative and self-deprecating role through our minds like crushing boulders, leaving the conclusions that we are worthless, unlovable failures in their wake. Does God really care about me? Could He really love me? Can He really help me? Will He really do what is best for me? Satan likes to skew our view of reality. He likes to fog up our perspective so that our reality isn’t that reality of heaven. But a false reality where there is no all-powerful, all-good, all-loving God, in which we live under an alias as slaves to fear, worry, bitterness, arrogance, selfishness, depression, hopelessness… We do still deal with these things, even when focusing our eyes on Jesus, even when striving to live in the reality of heaven. But we are not controlled by them. We are standing firm in the midst of them. Standing on God’s truth. That is what we need to break the chains of lies: Truth. Philippians 4:8 says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” We are to fill our minds with that which is of God. When our thoughts are full of the true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, there’s not room for the false, bitter, negative, critical, selfish, or hurtful to make a home. Rather than our thoughts taking us captive, we are to captive our thoughts, making them obedient to Christ. If a thought is not in line with the truth of God, with the realities of heaven, it needs to be replaced. We find the truth in God’s Word. In Romans 12:2, we are called to be “let God change you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Reframing the way we think, renewing our thought patterns, changing our perspectives, brings about transformation. No longer do we live as slaves, but as free children of God.
The thought patterns that develop in the mind make their way to the heart, where they shape our beliefs. Out of our beliefs come our actions and attitudes. Our lives are lived based on what we believe. We must be very careful what we allow to take root in our hearts. We are promised in Philippians 4:7 that when we pray, submitting our requests to God, His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ. Praying is a way of setting our hearts and minds on Jesus. It is standing firm in His power and love, rather than our own strength. I want to leave you with an encouraging promise:
Maybe you feel overwhelmed by certain situations. Maybe you feel you’re drowning in spiraling emotions that you can’t seem to get under control. Maybe you feel trapped, with no way out. Who you are is not based on what you feel, but on Christ. Set your heart and mind on Him. Stand firm in Him. His Spirit is with you, and in Him, there is freedom. In Him, you are free.  The post You Are Free first appeared on The Overflowing
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I'm so excited about this upcoming blog and email series, I decided to tell you about it with a video... my first video! Watch to find out about "Wonderful: An Advent Series."
Wonderful is all about taking the truth of the first Christmas and applying it so we can live more fully in the fulfillment of Messiah, and so this time truly can be wonderful. I hope you will join me for this advent series, and that what we learn as we look forward to celebrating the Messiah's coming will carry over into the new year. 
The first email will be sent this Friday, and the advent readings will start December 1st. Subscribe to journey through the story of Christmas and find wonder in its truth. Have a happy Thanksgiving! I look forward to enjoying this Christmas season with you! 
The post Wonderful: An Advent Series first appeared on The Overflowing
Image background by Just Peachy Designs
I have some exciting news...
I've written my first Bible study. It's 26 pages. And it's free. In the Heart Beats, I share my heart. For this is study on contentment, something I have been learning to live in for the past several years. I know what it is to battle with discontentment. To search for fulfillment. To live in a stage of waiting. To wonder what my purpose is. So I wrote the Heart Beats. I wrote it so I could draw closer to Him who gives full life, who is full life. I wrote so I could share what I have learned with you and let you know you're not alone. I wrote to encourage you to draw closer to Him who gives full life, who is full life. This study is not just for those who struggle with deep discontentment and purposelessness, but for anyone who wants to experience abiding contentment and fulfillment. It is for anyone who wants Jesus to be their very heart beat. This Bible study is free for everyone who subscribes to receive emails from me. And you'll want to subscribe. Because starting Friday, I'll be sending weekly encouragement via email. These emails will not only link to the latest blog posts, but they will also have content not found on the blog: short devotions, expanding on blog topics, free studies, and more! 
An excerpt from the Heart Beats:
Can you relate? Does your heart stir?
This has been my journey. God has taught me so much, and He is still teaching me. Will you journey with me? You can see that the entire blog has been redesigned. I wanted something that better reflected the purpose of The Overflowing, and that could expand beyond just a blog. Because I have more than blog posts planned for the future to encourage and help you get into God's Word. The new emails and the Heart Beats is just the start. 
The post The Heart Beats first appeared on The Overflowing
Cover design by Jessica Faith. Background art by June Letters of juneletters.com 
 The year 2014 was a crazy blessed year for me. And I look forward to all 2015 has in store. As each new year approaches and starts, "New Year’s resolutions" become the subject of conversations, journal entries and facebook statuses. I think setting goals for oneself is a great thing. But as we jump into this new year, let us not forget to reflect upon the past year and take note of what God has done and what we have learned. Seeing how God has grown us can be encouragement and motivation as we strive to reach goals and accomplish dreams. It also reminds us that amidst all the goals and dreams, we are ultimately striving to know Jesus more and be more like Him.
In writing this blog and in being involved at my church, I spend quite a bit of time teaching, but I do not have everything figured out, and I am still growing in my walk with God. So In this post, I just want to share what I've been learning. What I learned in 2014: During the past year, God has taught me a lot about contentment. Even though I have dreams that are unfulfilled, I can still be fulfilled in Jesus and be content in the life He has given me to live here and now. The first posts I wrote for this blog were on the subject of finding contentment. Scripture that impacted me: Philippines 4:4-13 In this passage, the writer Paul shares how he has learned to be content in every situation. And I found that the same things the church then was commanded to do, I could, and should, do also. I have also found that the same promises given to the church in these verses are for me as well. I've written a post detailing what I learned from this passage. Books that helped me: What Am I Supposed to Do With My Life? by Johnnie C. Moore (I wrote a review on this book.) Truth Lies and the Single Woman by Allison K. Flexer (I wrote a review on this book also.) Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Terkeurst (I actually read this book in 2013, but it was still a great help as I learned about contentment in 2014.) Looking ahead: As I see what God has taught me over the past year, I also see what I should strive for in this new year.
This is the Scripture I want to really put into action in my life in 2015. When lies whispered to the mind are allowed to linger, they grow and skew perspectives and toy with emotions. A mind that is not thinking on the things of Christ will lead to a discontented heart. As you look ahead into this bright new year, don’t forget to remember. Remember all God has done, all you have learned, all the ways you have grown.   This is the final post of the Fulfillment in Jesus series. I do hope this series has encouraged you in some way. Just in case you haven't read the first ones, here they are: The Empty Places, Desire and Delight, A Secret. When you hear people talk about being content and satisfied and fulfilled in Jesus, do you ever wonder how that's possible when there is so much lack in the world? When there are children starving and daddies abandoning their families and no one saying they love you? There is a lot of lack in the world. And it is easy to focus on and become overwhelmed by this lack. But there is always Jesus. In the previous posts, we have learned that satisfaction in Jesus can be a reality in our lives, and we have learned how to live in this reality. And when we do live in this reality, beautiful things happen...
Peter and John chose to live satisfied in Jesus. They could have focused on the fact that they didn't have money or the “security” financial prosperity brings; the not having to worry about making ends meet, the not having to live paycheck to paycheck. They could have been overwhelmed by the fact that this man couldn't walk and had to beg for money in order to live. But they chose to focus on what they did have: Jesus. Being content, satisfied and fulfilled in Jesus is choosing to live in Him, trusting He will provide. We focus on Jesus, and let Him fill us, and from that we can impact and help those around us. Peter didn't say, “I don't have silver or gold, so sorry buddy, you're just out of luck.” He was living in the reality that Jesus had risen from the dead, that the same Spirit who raised Christ was now in Peter. He didn't have silver or gold to give, but what he did give was much, much better. In fact, it was the best. Peter gave out of his relationship with Jesus, and something beautiful did happen. This man, who had been a cripple from birth, who was begging, the lowest of people, got up and walked! Think about how this would change his life! He had just experienced the power of God! What do you have that you could give? Can you babysit for the couple who needs a night out? Can you bring a meal to the person who is sick? Can you give a word of advice, a shoulder to cry on, a listening hear, a helping hand? Mother Teresa once said, “If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” Don't become so overwhelmed by the lack, but what you can't do, that you end up doing nothing. As Jesus reveals needs of others to you, do what you can. Help that one person Jesus brings across your path... and then the next person... and then the next... and before you know it, you'll end up feeding a hundred people. As you give out of your relationship with Jesus, you may not see a crippled person get up and walk, but you will see people experiencing the power, love, peace, wisdom, hope, joy (I could go on) of God. And perhaps through that, they will fall more in love with Jesus. Because of the amazing miracle that took place when the no-longer-crippled-man began to walk and praise God, Peter and John had the opportunity to speak to the onlooking people about Jesus. The religious leaders, who denied Jesus as God's Son, did not like this. They had Peter and John brought before them for some questioning. After the questioning was over, here is what happened:
I am thankful the writer of Acts included telling us that Peter and John were “unschooled” and “ordinary”, because so often, I can feel this way myself; lacking in skills, ability, personality, beauty. But once again, the focus in this passage is not on the lack. The real focus is on what Peter and John did have: Jesus. The religious leaders saw Peter and John's courage, and “they took note that these men had been with Jesus” Even when standing before these religious leaders, their fate unknown, Peter and John gave out of what they did have. They spoke truth in the face of threats and refused to stop letting Jesus overflow from them. And because of this, it was noticed that they had been with Jesus. People will take note of how we who follow Jesus live. When they see your life, is there evidence you have been with Jesus? Are you giving out of your fulfillment found in Him? As this series comes to a close, I encourage you to be with Jesus. Be in His word, spend time with Him in prayer, live in the reality of your relationship with Him and be a part of making beautiful things happen.  The post What I Have first appeared on The Overflowing.
All Scriptures taken from the NIV, copyright 2011 |
