God provided an empty tomb for every empty space in our lives.

Does it ever seem like you took a crash course on how to manage current life that you never signed up for? The sinking feeling of emptiness that seems to linger on and on.

I experienced emptiness from an empty womb after I lost a baby to miscarriage, an emptiness from a broken heart when my father died, and plenty of other empty spaces throughout the years. 

Whether it was the loss we experienced during the pandemic, a natural disaster, a family trauma or inner turmoil, you and I know how much empty wreaks havoc on our minds and hearts. 

Still, empty doesn’t define who we are, we were misinformed by the enemy of our souls.

Jesus Steps Into Our Empty

Those daydreams of shining knights coming to save the day and us. The people we hope will swoop in as a hero over our difficult circumstances and life’s unexpected curve balls. The ones we want to fill in our empty. 

They all have cracks in their armor or holes in their capes. 

But Jesus steps in and rescues us from areas in our life marked: Empty found, Rescue needed.

These are our real needs. These are the areas where a true rescue needs to take place. Like how Jesus offers to fill our emptiness with living water and soul refreshing. Such as forgiveness, mercy, and grace for sin. And unconditional love and real peace only found in our Savior.

Jesus offers to fill our emptiness with living water and soul refreshing. Such as forgiveness, mercy, and grace for sin. And unconditional love and real peace only found in our Savior. #Easter #blog
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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV)

An Empty Tomb for Every Empty Place

Christ willingly emptied Himself on a cross to pay for our sins and fill the emptiness of our souls.

Jesus suffered to comfort us in suffering, beaten and broken to put us back together. Separated from His Father so He connected us in relationship with God—never distant, but always near.

Maybe our life feels empty from a world turned topsy-turvy. Perhaps our soul displays the barrenness of our current situation. 

When everything familiar seems stripped away, remember the stone supernaturally rolled away. 

Jesus Christ rose from the dead, leaving behind an empty tomb, so we are able to leave behind empty from our past or present, and even into our future. 

Christ willingly emptied Himself on a cross to pay for our sins and fill the emptiness of our souls. #Easter23
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“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”  Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

Empty Tomb: Jesus Gave His Life Away to Give Us Life

Made for more, we realize there’s more to this life. Christ came to give us more…to give us what is

and to fill our emptiness.

Jesus came not only to give us an eternal future, but to also gift us with a better present—to redeem our story and redeem our empty. 

Yet, we must keep our eyes on the Savior who is the culmination of the “more” we need. If we immerse ourselves in godly things, in spiritual things, and even in ministry, but miss Jesus, we miss it. We miss our reason for rescue. 

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.’” John 11:25 (ESV)

As we celebrate the Resurrection, @FridayKaren discusses how Jesus Christ rose from the dead, leaving behind an empty tomb, so we are able to leave behind past, present and future emptiness. Share your blog! #blog #Easter
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Also see, Do People See Jesus in Me?

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The post An Empty Tomb for Our Empty Places {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Much to my dismay, I’ve received chain letters by email or on social media and Messenger. Each written from a promise of believing. If I believe in karma, then something good will happen today to make me happy and angels also watch over me. Or, the man upstairs blesses me.

But, to seal the deal, I must forward the message to a specified number of friends including the sender. And posting as my status on social media? Even better.

Still further, for the declaration to really happen, I need to act fast, within minutes. And there’s this, Thou shalt not break the chain.

I mean, who knows what terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day* might take place if I break the chain. Y’all, call 911 because I always break the chain!

Believe in Chain Letters or God’s Letter

Merriam-Webster explains karma, “The force created by a person’s actions that some people believe causes good or bad things to happen to that person.” Yet, I’m not some people or that person.

I enjoyed the Star Wars theme, “the force be with you.” Yet the force is fictional. Herein lies the deception of karma. It’s purely philosophical and not founded on fact.

I don’t believe in good and bad karma. But I do believe in a good and Holy God.

I don’t believe in good and bad #Karma. But I do believe in a good and #HOLY God. @FridayKaren
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God’s letter, His Word, gives us a different perspective. As one of His own, angels already watch over me (Psalm 91:11). Also, I’m blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). None of God’s blessings are based on sending or breaking chain letters.

However, I believe my actions bring consequences. It’s not karma, but a spiritual principle in the Bible of reaping what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

We choose our words, thoughts, and behavior. Each of these areas cause a ripple effect on us and others.

Like if I fail to take care of my body, my health suffers. On the flip side, healthy eating and exercise strengthens my heart and tones my muscles.

When my performance lacks at work, I make it hard for the team and may lose my job. But if I labor with the highest caliber, the rewards bring satisfaction and maybe a promotion.

Mean-spirited words crush the spirit of others. Words of kindness build others up.

God’s letter promises that He’s the real Chain-Breaker. He breaks away our chains of sin, bondage, and strongholds.

Nothing supernatural happens if we break chain letters, only when God breaks away our chains. #Chain #chains #Supernatural @FridayKaren
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Believe in the Man Upstairs or God

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy One.)

When I think about God, I never picture Him as the man upstairs. Social media posts referring to “the main upstairs” and chain letters addressing “Dear man upstairs” cheapen the indescribable God.

I believe:

• Jesus, God incarnate, came in the flesh as both man and God.
• Christ rose from the dead, not by a mystical force, but by supernatural power.
• Jesus defeated the grave and spiritual death.
• Jesus Christ is victor over the powers of darkness with His illuminating light.
• Christ ascended to heaven where He’s seated at the right hand of God.
• God reigns supreme over the realm of both heaven and earth.

Believe: Questions and Answer

Q: Have you not known? Have you not heard?

A: The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28 ESV).

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God. #Creator #searchingforthetruth @FridayKaren
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When we refer to God as the man upstairs, we lose our perspective on holiness.

While I don’t believe in the man upstairs, I believe:

• The Lord is God.
• He’s mighty.
• God is powerful.
• He’s majestic.
• God is Holy.
• The Lord is sovereign.
• God is an eternal God.
• He’s infinite.
• God is wise.
• He’s faithful.

I don’t believe in karma or the man upstairs. I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

*Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst

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“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”  Matthew 5:37

Are you afraid of saying no? I am!

What a gift that Scripture doesn’t condemn the word no. Rather, the Bible highlights the importance of keeping your word, whether it’s a yes or a no.

Every no is a yes to something else, and vice versa. 

Imagine if Jesus was as uncomfortable with saying no as so many of us are.

What if, instead of saying “get behind me, Satan!” to Peter, He said “you’re right, Peter. I’ll stop all this talk of being killed because it’s too dark and too uncomfortable.” What if instead of taking a rest from time to time Jesus wore his human body down with non-stop healings, miracles, and other ministries, preventing himself from going from town to town?

It wasn’t by saying yes to every opportunity, to every person in power, or to spare other’s feelings that Christ saved the world.

It wasn’t by saying yes to every opportunity, to every person in power, or to spare other’s feelings that Christ saved the world. @BethanyMcIlrath
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In order for Jesus to do much of what He came to do, He had to say no. He had to say it firmly, assuredly, and without going back on His word. When Pharisees and others told Him what not to do, Jesus said no. When His own brothers urged Him to attend a festival and reveal Himself, He said “no,” citing God’s timing.

Perhaps most important about Jesus’ yes was that His response was to God first.

Every no Jesus spoke was to preserve the yes He gave to the Lord.

I suspect many of us say yes before we ask the Lord or consider what He has asked of us. We justify it, trying to explain away our yes  as selflessness, responsibility, or making the most out of every opportunity. Maybe we even justify our yes  in the name of the Lord, and fear saying no to others as if every no is a selfish offense to God.

But His Word challenges the notion:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” Galatians 1:10

If you also go through your day feeling like yes is always the best answer, think about who you are saying yes to. Is it the Lord?

Does your “no” protect your “yes, Lord?”

{A version of this was previously published here}

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One of the most beautiful sceneries that I recall from those days was the sight of the lake at night. As you drove on the interstate beside it, the vision would fool any stranger to the area. One could swear that the lake was instead a village, filled with street lights. Around 5 p.m. each day, our neighbor fishermen would come by grandma’s house, carrying their nets in large wicker baskets, along with kerosene lamps that would go on the poles by their fishing site. One by one, the fishermen would set their trap to catch shrimp, using giant nets and a small kerosene lamp.

The fishermen in the village know it too well. The shrimp in that lake will not come unless the light attracts them. No light, no shrimp.

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus challenged his disciples to be fishers of men — something he reiterated in what is known as the Great Commission later in that chapter. His command in the Great Commission was that his disciples would spread the good news of salvation to the world. But in that first passage, when he called his followers to be fishers of men, Jesus’ words pierce a little deeper into our spiritual makeup. He challenges his followers to shine God’s light wherever they go so that they may attract people, not by their words alone, but by their acts of love.

I love God’s wisdom poured through this teaching. Like the fishermen in my childhood village, we cannot fish in the dark either. As a matter of fact, if our light does not shine wherever he plants us, people are more likely to flee, not flock, to the God we preach.

We cannot fish in the dark. As a matter of fact, if our light does not shine wherever He plants us, people are more likely to flee, not flock, to the God we preach. #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation #Jesus
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I have seen it one too many times. Children of churchgoers (and even ministers) rebelling against God because their parents’ talk and their walk did not match. How many people cringe at the name of Jesus because they were around self-righteous Christians whose words did not translate into actions?

The apostle Paul said it this way in his letter to the Ephesians: “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! Ephesians 5:8 #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation #Jesus
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Indeed, we should take this light-shining business seriously because the implications of having an unsavory and dim life can be devastating.

We may go to church every Sunday, serve on 10 committees, sing in the choir and teach, but if we come home and make our family life miserable because of an inconsistent walk, we will push the fish swimming near our nets away from God instead of closer to him. And what kind of Christian would I be at work, if I had verses hanging all over my cube, but was known as the office gossiper? Or did a careless job?

In 2012, I came across a beautiful song titled: “What will they say when you leave?” That was the year I had cancer only months before my brother-in-law died in a tragic accident. It was a truly challenging year for my family and me.

During that time, the reality that life is but a vapor challenged me like never before. It was also then that I often pondered the fact that, when life is over, everything that we strive so hard to acquire is left behind. Only the gestures that show that we care truly remain: the times we wipe tears away and kiss booboos. The times we said, “I love you.” The forgiveness we extend when someone hurts us. The smile that we offer when no one else seems to care. These little beacons of light are indeed the only meaningful heritage of our journey on earth.

When life is over, everything that we strive so hard to acquire is left behind. Only the gestures that show that we care truly remain. #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation #Jesus
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“What will they say when you leave?” That’s a good question indeed.

I used to say that it did not matter what people thought about me, but that has changed through the years. In a sense, it does matter, for I hope that every time I leave a room or, ultimately, the day I leave this world, people will say that the Gospel I believed in and preached about reached past my words and into my daily walk.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s Column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday – December 8, 2019. Find it here: AJC Website

The post What Will They Say When You Leave? {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

No matter what. 

I admit the phrase bothered me in the past. And it stirred questions in my soul.

Such as “No matter what” means what exactly? Maybe to never back down. Or, never give up or give in. Perhaps, to keep going in the face of opposition or dire circumstances.

And I assumed the subject and context both played into the meaning.

Still, if you are anything like me, the phrase conjures up a lot of unknowns. And even a few knowns we’d rather not deal with.

So I put together a list of God’s truths and promises in 4 no-matter-what scenarios.

I searched for the exact phrase in Scripture and found it several places in The Living Bible Translation. Some of my favorite Scriptures translated with such powerful words. Because when it comes to no matter what, some things matter, some things matter most.

 No Matter What 

1.) No matter what today brings, trust in God’s strength and love.

“Patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:4-5)

2.) No matter what tomorrow holds, claim God’s promises and praise His name.

“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of His glories and grace.” (Psalm 34:1)

No matter what today brings, trust in God’s strength and love. No matter what tomorrow holds, claim God's promises and praise His name. @FridayKaren
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What Matters

3.) No matter what accolades we receive or our earthly status, bask in the light of Jesus’ glory.

“In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all.” (Colossians 3:11)

4.) No matter what we do in life or for God’s kingdom, live in a manner worthy of His calling.

“Asking that the way you live will always please the Lord and honor him, so that you will always be doing good, kind things for others, while all the time you are learning to know God better and better. We are praying, too, that you will be filled with his mighty, glorious strength so that you can keep going no matter what happens—always full of the joy of the Lord.” (Colossians 1:10-11)

No matter what accolades we receive or our earthly status, bask in the light of Jesus' glory. No matter what we do in life or for God's kingdom, live in a manner worthy of His calling. @FridayKaren
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What Matters Most

So, in the end, it boils down to life in Christ now and life in heaven later. Anything of eternal significance and our witness in Christ trumps things of lesser value.

At the beginning we discussed how the subject and context plays into the meaning behind “no matter what.” Jesus is our subject. Eternal is our context.

Why never back down? Jesus.

Why never give up or give in? Jesus.

How to keep going in the face of opposition or dire circumstances? Jesus.

What matters most? Jesus.

And why no matter what? Jesus.

*All verses are TLB, bold emphasis is mine.

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The post 4 Reasons to Keep Going No Matter What {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Paul’s greeting to the church at Philippi warmly displays his godly affection for the fellow believers he was so invested in. Each expression of love in the greeting teaches us something about what it means to build one another up in Christ.

Let’s not gloss over this passage as a nicety.

Will you take it as an opportunity to examine yourself and your affection for fellow believers with me?

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi.”

–Ph 1:1

Point: Right away, Paul identifies himself and the recipients of the letter according to who they all are in Christ.

Q: Do you think of others as 'that busy, loud lady', 'the guy who never smiles' or… 'one of God’s people?'
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“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” –Ph 1:2

Point: We enter conversations with all sorts of intentions and baggage. Paul brings God’s good gifts right away instead of offloading his own stuff.

Q: Do you engage with others to extend God’s peace and grace first and foremost?

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” –Ph 1:3

Point: Every time we remember people is often a lot of times. And sometimes those remembrances are the result of grudges, suspicions, and other issues we haven’t let go of.

Q: Do you thank God for others when you think about them?

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” –Ph 1:4-5

Point: Joy accompanied Paul’s prayers for the Philippians. He was appreciative of their reaction to the Gospel and saw them as partners in faith.

Q: Do you rejoice about others’ faith, do you pray joyfully for others about their love for the Lord?

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” –Ph 1:6

Point: It’s easy to prescribe our own ideas of the work that needs to be done in others’ lives, as well as to worry about their growth. Paul trusted Christ to do the work and complete it- and he made that clear to his loved ones.
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Q: Do you speak confidently about God’s work in others’ lives? Do you trust God to work in others?

“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart” – Ph 1:7

Point: Paul felt joyful, appreciative, and confident about God’s work in these people because he was deeply invested in them.

Q: Do you carry others in your heart in such a way that you are deeply invested in their faith?

“Whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” –Ph 1:7

Point: In every circumstance, Paul recognized others as sharing in God’s grace with him. It would have been easy to withdraw or assume they couldn’t understand, making comparisons. Instead of drawing lines, Paul drew a circle of God’s grace around himself and others.

Q: Do you see others as sharing in God’s grace through your circumstances?

“God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” –Ph 1:8

Point: Paul’s longing was so sincere and so based in Christ, instead of being rooted in convenience, relational chemistry, or ancillary things held in common.

Q: Would you want God to testify about the way you have cared for others? Has that caring been Christlike?

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” –Ph 1:9-11

Point: Paul’s prayers for these beloved people weren’t focused on circumstances, wishes, or even trials. His main concern was their relationship with Christ and their progress in the faith.

Q: Are your prayers for others about them growing in and glorifying God?

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“Who’s that?” I ask.

It’s not my business. I don’t especially care. I’m just being nosy (usually because I’m bored.)

My husband’s reply is often, “It’s Jesus.”

I roll my eyes. He smirks. It’s our bit.

But sometimes when we play that little game, I think about how nice it would be to get a text from Jesus.

He doesn’t need to say anything in particular. It’d just be nice to be reminded that Jesus is thinking of me. That’s He’s with me and wants to talk. Anytime. All the time.

What I forget is that…He is.

Jesus may not text us like our friends do, but His text says...
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-He is listening (Psalm 138:3)

-He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7)

-He is paying attention to us (Matthew 6)

-He is with us (Joshua 1:9)

This is the case ALWAYS. All the time. Anytime. 24/7.

Before I text my people, I often wonder if I might be bothering them. Bugging them. Especially if it doesn’t seem like they text me back as much as I text them.

Jesus is never bothered by His people. (Ask the disciples…some of them really tried to test His limits!)

Even when we feel like there is “no reply,” we can trust that……

…because Jesus made a way for us to approach God’s throne of grace freely

…because He choose to dwell among us…

…because He chose to send the Holy Spirit to live in us

…because He paid the highest price to have us with Him for all eternity, knowing all that entails

……..He actually never gets tired of hearing from us, including us, and being with us.

To remind myself of this, I set up “texts” from God. You can, too.

I typed His wonderful name in as an event on my calendar for random times, on random days. My phone now occasionally buzzes like I’m getting a text. My screen flashes a reminder of the One who is graciously near all the time. Just a name. That beautiful, wonderful, highest, most loving name:

….And I’m able to tell my guy when he asks who’s texting: “It’s Jesus!”

Join me?

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They didn’t see his pain.

They didn’t notice his need.

They didn’t care that he was in the house of the Lord.

What they cared about was entrapping their perceived enemy, the one who threatened long-held traditions and the law that elevated them to a pious, powerful place. They wanted to defend what they thought they understood. Their goal was to prove their point.

So what they saw was an opportunity.

“He went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’” –Matthew 12:9-10

Jesus never mistook a person for an opportunity.

The perfect example of love, Jesus never used a person as a way of self-seeking.
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In His response, He addressed the man, his pain, and his need. He also highlighted the God whose house the man was in. He had mercy on him. Jesus healed the man and redirected the conversation.

Much as they tried to make it about rightness, Jesus redirected them to God’s righteousness.

While they used men to serve their purposes, Jesus served men to fulfill God’s purposes.

Sadly, we tend to be more like the Pharisees.

Too often, we regard people as obstacles like when we:

• Are curt with people for efficiency’s sake
• Place convenience over kindness
• See other people’s challenges as hindrances or provocation to compare ourselves

Other times, we use people as a means to our ends, like when we:

• Expect people to be the means to our happiness
• Enable others so we can avoid confrontation
• Complain to loved ones so we feel better, regardless of how it affects them

Will you join me in asking the Lord’s forgiveness for seeing people as opportunities to be served instead of as opportunities to serve?

I’d like to be more Christ-like in my view of others, how about you?

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The post Seeing People as People {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

The agile creatures stole anything loose they could grab. We tried to ask how to get our stuff back. A tour guide laughed. No one owned those monkeys. No one controlled them. He suggested we try trading goods with the animals.

In the end, he might as well have said this favorite phrase of mine:

“Not my circus, not my monkeys.”

I’d love to give credit to the person who created this phrase, but I haven’t figured out where I first heard it. Regardless, this lighthearted idiom makes a big difference when I get heavyhearted about what’s out of my control.

We all deal with monkeys that aren’t ours to control:

• Other people’s actions and attitudes
• Natural consequences
• People’s perceptions of us

Plus, we all cycle through circuses that just can’t be controlled:

• Circumstances like weather or health
• Unexpected things and unknowns
• Timing

God’s will and plans make both these lists, too.

There’s a lot outside of our control, isn’t there? Praise the Lord!
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Praise the Lord (even you fellow control freaks holding your breath right now.)

1. God does not hold us accountable for things we aren’t responsible for

2. God’s grace is enough to work those monkeys and circuses for good

3. God is sovereign over all the monkeys, circuses, and you know- Even us.

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” –Colossians 1:17

When we feel like something is just plain out-of-control, we need to remember the truth. These isn’t a thing out of God’s knowledge or reach. Even the things He seems to have “lost” (like that apple Eve bit into,) are included in His “all.”

All things work together for good. All God’s plans are accomplished. All is fit into His purposes. Even the wild and wily.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” –1 Peter 5:6-7

The second verse- cast your cares- is popular. But sometimes we forget what comes before it: humility. Part of surrendering control is being willing to say “I need help” and “that’s not mine.” If it’s not our circus and not our monkey, we can stop trying to take responsibility for it.

It’s tough when we care a lot to let go of what isn’t ours to manage- but that’s part of “cast your cares!”

Let’s praise the Lord of ALL today. What’s one thing you’re thankful isn’t your responsibility?

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LINKUP party is open! @BethanyMcIlrath invites us to humbly admit that certain things are not ours to control. JOIN US and share your blog with our audience!
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The post Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys (Recharge Wednesday Linkup) appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Our heroes in the faith were also human, and they needed to recharge too.

Here’s how they did it when they were running on empty:

NOAH

After the flood dried up and everyone exited the ark, Noah sacrificed to the Lord. He built an altar. Then he took some of ALL the clean animals and birds and sacrificed them (presumably the animals had mated on the high seas!)

ABRAHAM

Once Abraham arrived in the land God would give his descendants, he built an altar to God there. After God fulfilled his long-awaited promise to Abraham by giving him Isaac, a son, Abraham was tested at an altar. He surrendered ALL God’s wonderful gift, preparing to sacrifice Isaac. God gave him a ram to sacrifice instead.

JACOB

Remembering God’s revealing at Bethel in a distressing time (AKA his brother trying to kill him after he snuck the birthright away,) Jacob built an altar.

MOSES

Post “Let my people go,” while Moses was leading a stubborn people through the wilderness, he gave God’s law to the people. Part of the law? Building altars. Offering sacrifices. Moses himself spent a lot of time during that trying period personally before God in the holy place, offering himself to God’s service.

When we’re running low on faith-fuel, sacrifice doesn’t seem like what we need to get recharged. But it is.
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Maybe it’s a bit like spring cleaning- everything has to come out of the cabinet before it can be clean, organized, and put back in right order. Perhaps it’s similar to when our cars get an oil change- the system has to be drained of impurities first.

I’m not sure of the exact equation, but it seems in Scripture that God fills us up when we come and empty out before Him.
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As you read, write, pray, and connect through this linkup (and life!) today, I pray you take the time to hand it all over to the Lord.

Somehow, the burden’s always lighter once we’ve laid it on His altar again.

LINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am EST!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

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2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

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LINKUP is open! It's hump day... and some of us start running low on fuel. So did the giants of Faith in the bible. Come Recharge today by reading this great post by @BethanyMcIlrath and share your blog with our audience.
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