BY HIS STRIPES I AM HEALED!!!

Wow what a powerful declaration!

Romans 1:16 says this “ For I am not ashamed of this good news about Christ, it is the power of God at work, saving every one who believes.”Healing the sick is a huge part of Jesus’s ministry and the Gospel. If we aren’t fully convinced the power of God is real, then we will struggle to understand or even receive healing in ourselves, never mind see that healing power flow through us on behalf of someone else. If you are a born again believer, healing lives in your spirit man. Healing isn’t a new idea, it’s always Gods will for you to be healed. He doesn’t put any sickness, or disease on us to teach us a lesson, that’s not his will for us, so banish that thought from your mind now. The healing power of God is just as present today, just as available today to you, as salvation is, they are inseparable. I’ve seen too many healings to not believe in his power. Throughout scripture people are desperately searching for him to heal them, and he does, and now that healing power lives in every one who believes in him,we just need to unlock it. We can’t heal ourselves by our own power. It was by God’s power and strength that we will be restored to health In Jesus’s mighty name. Just the mention of his name can send sickness, darkness, disease, and the devil running. Amen!

Heavenly Father,

I pray for anyone that reads my words that you will send out your healing power on them and every one they encounter. Let them feel your presence strongly in their lives this week and let them be radically changed by you.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Our Identity in Christ is something that I’ve wrestled with for so long, especially when I was younger. There’s constantly negative thoughts going to war with positive thoughts in my head of knowing whose I am, and it’s hard to silence the noise and center my mind on the truth and break off any of the lies the enemy has tried to name me. BUT GOD! Here’s the truth that I’ve come to believe with my whole heart. Your identity in Christ is rich, deep, unique and solidly rooted in God not your own behavior or works. You are chosen, handpicked by the God who created the universe for a special work on this earth. Jesus is asking us a question: Are you willing to pay the price for the change I want to bring to your life? You are not too broken or useless to be used by God, once you fully step into what you believe, that you are a child of God, chosen and anointed, theres no limits to where God can take you in your life.

To get rid of the negative thoughts in your head say these confessions and pretty soon you’ll change your entire mindset and believe who God says you are.

1. I am blessed and highly favored ( Ephesians 1:3)

2. I am a child of God and he loves me ( 1 John 1:3)

3. God brings an end to my darkness ( Hebrews 10:3)

4. I am somebody ( John 15:16)

5. I am going somewhere ( Psalm 37: 23-24)

6. I am going to do something big with my life for Jesus Christ. ( Proverbs 3:5-6)

If God didn’t say it DON’T CLAIM IT because that’s not who you are! 🤍

I don’t know about you but some days, or weeks it feels like the storms of life will not calm, or slow down. It feels like everything is racing at you a hundred miles an hour and you can’t stop it or slow it down. But there is a person who is there with you in the midst of it telling you to keep your eyes on him, and not the storm, and his name is Jesus. He gives you peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of your storms and hardships. John 14:27 says “ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled or be afraid “.Now, that’s easier said than done for most of us, but let me tell you His peace is the most beautiful thing to have. He can speak into your situation and bring a peace that only He can bring. The most powerful thing you can say is “ Jesus help me “ and He will be right there fighting for you, bringing you His supernatural peace because He loves you and cares for you and He does not want to see you drowning in life’s craziness. He wants to see you thriving in life with peace, love and a sound mind and fully trusting in Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I come to you right now and ask that you would give me your supernatural peace throughout my day today and protect me from anything that comes my way. I want to feel your guiding hand through my day and I believe you’re right next to me in everything I do.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Let me take you back to June 23rd 2009, when I was about to embark on a very dangerous and hard spinal surgery, the Children’s pastor at my church that I still attend today called Hope Fellowship, came to Children’s Hospital and came into my room along with Helen Hartzo, who was the Early Childhood Coordinator at the time. They asked me if I wanted to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with him, and I said yes because I knew deep down somehow in my innermost being that that name was powerful. So they prayed with me and I prayed the Salvation Prayer and invited Jesus into my heart on that fateful day, I was gifted a Kids bible that I still treasure to this day! It turned out to be the longest and most complicated surgery I have ever had, it was only supposed to be 5-6 hours and it ended up being 10 hours. I had to stay really still flat on my back for over thirty six hours at first, looking back on that situation I can clearly see God’s protective hand and healing hand over my situation and helping to keep my parents calm cool, and collected even though it probably was the longest day ever for them too. I was only ten years old so having that major of a surgery that young really freaked me out but I knew that God was in control and in my story that is in the process of being written. After several hours the surgeon talked to my parents and gave my parents a bad report, so my mom called up the prayer chain and asked them to pray. By the time they talked to the surgeon a couple hours later the report had greatly improved- Praise God! ( 12 years later I am completely healed! All the Glory to God on that!)

Fast forward six years later, I was apart of a Christian Home-school group named Peach for about five years, and I didn’t feel like I had a really deep relationship with God even though I had been a Christian for six years now, nothing really had been cultivated and flourishing since then. Then in 2018 after I graduated High School, I walked back in the doors of Hope Fellowship the Frisco West Campus on a Sunday Morning ,as I sat down and heard What A Beautiful name being played and sung, I instantly felt goosebumps and what felt like a warm hug enveloping me and God’s voice whispering ” Welcome Home my daughter ” and I instantly broke down in tears realizing that I was back home in his presence and I never wanted to leave it again. I instantly was renewed with a fire for God that has never gone out and I never want it too. Ever since that day, I intentionally deepen my relationship with God, and leave my heart open for whatever he wants to do in my life AND through my life.

Don’t get me wrong, I have had my struggles in life and I continue to face those everyday. One I have this rare eye condition called Ocular Motor Apraxia which is basically a nuerological disorder that causes problems with voluntary horizontal eye movement, which also means I have trouble moving my eyes in a desired location. It is super rare , but as I have gotten older it has gotten better. I also have one leg that is about two inches shorter than the other but it has not stopped me from doing regular things. Those are just some of the struggles I have, but I also know and believe that God is bigger than my shortcomings and I am not defined by them either. I am a daughter of the Most High God and his Beloved, he made me in his image. I am uniquely made and placed on this Earth for a specific reason and it took me awhile to really and truly see that when I was younger, but now I fully know and believe that to be true with every part of my being. God created each one of us unique and made us in his image none of us are the same and I celebrate that, we were made to glorify and praise him with our lives. I am his beloved, I am chosen, I am royalty, I am a daughter of the king, I am seen, and I am forgiven. For too long I have believed the lies of the enemy saying that I am too far gone, and am unworthy of his love and forgiveness, NO MORE! I am resting in those truths forever and I am banishing the lies from the enemy forever. It’s because of the grace of Jesus that I can stand boldly in God’s presence and I am so grateful for that. Live no more lies today, rest in the freedom God has given you! I was listening to Spotify recently and a song popped up called God is in this Story by Katy Nicole and Big Daddy Weave and a couple of the lyrics are ” God is in this story, God is in the details even in the broken parts he holds my heart he never fails when I’m at my weakest I will trust in Jesus” and if that isn’t my life I don’t know what is. He truly and intimately cares about each of our lives and will not leave us on our own and left to our own devices so to speak. He is the best friend you will ever have and will never leave you or forsake you, as I look back on my life so far, I can clearly see God at work and I am in awe at what he has done and will continue to do in my life. You just have to be ready,open, and willing to be used by him, sometimes it’s uncomfortable and scary but that’s how you grow and trust him more. So I just have one question for you….. Who is God to you?

The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue( Proverbs 18:21), A person can speak several words a minute and several thousand an hour. You can imagine how many words an average person speaks in a day! We could fill a library in a lifetime! If we did, what would the title of those books be? The tongue has a powerful influence on others, God is looking for a set apart holy life and one of the key parts we must guard with all diligence is the tongue. The truth is, we all have problems with what we say. That is probably why the Bible says so much about the tongue, Proverbs is filled with verses about both the positive and negative aspects of the tongue, 170 times to be exact. Speaking negatively is costly in the spiritual world, while watching what you say can bring spiritual reward. The Battle of Jericho is a great example of this, they marched around the city three times and with one big shout the walls came tumbling down. Your words are living and active and they are designed and intended to give us life rather than tear us down. They can build relationships or they can break them apart. With one word God spoke the whole world into existence, with one word he healed the sick and raised the dead back to life.

You have the power to change the course of your life by the words you are speaking. If your life needs an adjustment take a good look at the words you are speaking and ask the holy spirit ” the helper” to help you speak only what God says about you to others. Once you truly get a revelation about the power of your words from God and begin to align your words with God, you can change your life forever. Matthew 12:35 says ” What you are sowing you shall reap”. Let me ask this question What kind of words are you sowing?, If you speak positive affirmations every day, then slowly your mind will start to believe they are true and that is exactly where your life will be and is headed. Whichever way your tongue goes you will go! Are you going to let your little tongue spark up destruction in your life and your church or are you going to let it spark up life? Authority and power are delivered with your words, what are you giving power and authority to? Your words will either deliver you or bind you. Here is an example of the Israelites and the promised land, they saw the land was flowing with milk and honey but they spoke words of destruction. They were grasshoppers in their own eyes compared to the enemy. They spoke it over their lives and it was so, Whatever words you speak is where your life is bound to go. Don’t get snared by the words of your mouth but instead put on the full armor of God and speak life over yourself, your friends, and your family. We need to make sure our words line up with God’s word and when it does we are unstoppable. The ways in which we use our words reflect the way we think, This is why it is crucial we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us with our thoughts. Romans 12:2 says ” Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good pleasing and perfect will”.

Once you get a hold of this principle it is a vital key to how successful your life will be, daily positive affirmations have helped me so much in training my mind to have a positive attitude and outlook on life, I now see the potential in people as well. People marvel and ask how and why I have such a positive outlook on life and I just smile and say Jesus and positive affirmations repeating every morning, It is just that simple. Here is an example:

1. I am a child of the most high King
2. I am confident
3. I am full of Joy
4. I am filled with peace
5. I have the mind of Christ

But if we let our mind fill with dark thoughts and let it spiral out of control, then that is not what God intends for us or what he ever wanted to happen. Speaking positive things about ourselves may not be believable the first time, but as you diligently repeat them, your mind is transformed and you begin to believe them and act like you are those things. I can tell you first hand our flesh and mind does not like being transformed and will fight tooth and nail to stay where it is, but diligence and repetition is key in this situation, and if you use positive declarations daily and do not give up when you don’t see progress the first day, I can promise you your mindset will change and you will become a more positive minded person.

Luke 22:14-23 says ” When the hour came Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table. He said to them I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.” ” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said ” Take this and divide it among you, for I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes”. ” He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it. and gave it to them saying ” This is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup saying ” This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you “. A little later Judas partook of the Lord’s Supper unworthily, and if YOU do it you can pronounce judgement on yourself. When you eat and drink the bread and cup you are remembering Christ’s sacrifice and the deep meaning behind it. Jesus said ” If you don’t drink the cup and eat of the bread you will have no part of me “. You are proclaiming the Lord’s death as you eat the bread and drink the cup until he returns once again. When you take Communion, you are supposed to examine yourself so that when you eat of the bread and drink the cup you don’t do it in an unworthy manner, because if you do it corporately it can bring judgment on everyone else who is doing it with you. Communion is a serious event meant to be taken seriously and it is a holy moment with serious meaning. You can take it as often as you like, but if you truly get the meaning of it, you only need to do it once a day because of how powerful the blood of Jesus is. Besides being born again in Christ, a healthy body and mind are the greatest blessings anyone can have. The Holy Communion is God’s ordained channel of healing and wholeness. Make sure you do not take it with an attitude, or do not take it so much it begins to lose its meaning and it’s just going through the motions, It shouldn’t ever lose its meaning to you.

Imagine you are sitting in the Upper Room candles are the only light with the disciples at a table and Jesus at the head, he looks around at us all and says how he has eagerly desired to eat this meal with us all. Then he lifts up a cup with wine and says ” This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you”. Then he breaks the bread and says ” This is my body broken for you, do this in remembrance of me”. Jesus looks around as we eat the bread and take the cup, then he says ” One of you will betray me this night “, he hands a piece of bread to Judas and Judas takes it and eats it and Jesus looks at him ” Do what you came to do ” he says and Judas leaves the room.

I would have loved to be a part of that Holy moment between Jesus and his disciples but the closest I can get to it is reading it in his word. You might be asking what is the purpose of communion? I am glad you asked, It is to receive from Christ, the peace, love, nourishment, and joy we need. This is something we are privileged to do, The bread and wine are tangible ,visible, reminders of Christ’s love. It is commanded to participate in this, participation at the Lord’s table is not an option. We anticipate his return when we take communion and fellowship with our fellow believers and God. I personally have taken communion more times than I can count, but each time it is a Holy and special moment that I never take for granted and it makes me examine myself. and my decisions leading up to this moment. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of what Jesus did in the past, a symbol of our present relationship, and a promise of what he will do in the future. So the Lord’s supper, although a memorial of a death, is not a funeral, as if Jesus was still dead. Rather, we observe this memorial knowing that death only held Jesus for three days-knowing that death will not hold us forever either. We can remember Jesus death with the happy knowledge that he has triumphed over sin and death! Scripture also teaches that the full meaning of Communion, includes relationships among God’s people, and not simply our private interaction with God. In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul speaks of the cup as sharing in the blood of Christ, Similarly the bread we break and eat is sharing in the body of Christ. It is truly time for us to experience deep fellowship with Christ when we take Communion. His mercy is enough for all who would come to his table, his blood has the power to cleanse you and heal you if you need it. Hope is never lost because there is still an empty grave even when we remember his death and sacrifice through taking the cup and bread. 1 John 1:9 says ” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness”. I truly believe that if we really understand how powerful this meal is, it will never lose its meaning for us.

In Conclusion, remember to before taking part in Communion examine yourself and confess your sins to Jesus and he will cleanse you of your sins so you can partake worthily once again. My prayer for everyone is that you will never lose how special, or how meaningful, this event is to you and for you.

Born again believers must be Kingdom Minded. God equips us with gifts and talents for his glory and to impact the eternal Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 says ” Seek first the Kingdom and all will be added to you”. We always need to be thinking about how our actions will affect the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a framework that allows us to see things from God’s point of view. A commitment to the sovereign cause of Christ, motivates us to present ourselves as a sacrifice and seek first the Kingdom of God. Our eyes should be fixed on those things that are above, where Christ is seated at God’s right hand. When a person is consumed with God and his kingdom, he or she will experience peace and no anxiety or worry . We lose our God-centered mindset, when we are worried or anxious. By practicing these things we will bring the God of Peace back into our lives . According to Paul, a believers logical and reflective thinking determines whether or not he is spiritually saved and fruitful. ( Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the spirit desires.) (The mind of the sinful man is death but the mind that is controlled by the spirit is life and peace Romans 8:5-6.) It is important to note however, that a truly born again person desires what the spirit of God desires. This is the Kingdom by Pat Barrett from Elevation Worship comes to mind as I write this. The song goes through the beatitudes, and then ultimately goes to This is the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Beatitudes

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit
2. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted
3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for rigtheousness, for they will be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Sons of God
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of Righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

In being Kingdom Minded, the beatitudes are vital because they inspire us to live according to the characteristics described by Jesus . Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth or decay destroys, neither where thieves break in and steal. ( Matthew 7:7 Ask and he will) Our father loves us so much that he gave us these principles to assess what he has given us. When you , Seek, Ask and knock, the door will be opened for you, and you will find, and you will receive. You will never find satisfaction in the things of this world but in finding his Kingdom. Simply surrender and allow him to fill your heart and mind with Kingdom thoughts and he will, that’s all he wants. Don’t trust in your own wisdom and your ways, seek wisdom from the one who knows you far better than anyone else ever will. Our top priority should be his glory, the advancement of the gospel, and his kingdom so he can return and set the world right. Who he is, should be enough for us, and what he did for us should be enough. We should want to be Kingdom Minded if we have a relationship with him, the more time we spend with him, he transforms and renews our mind. I can imagine how the Sermon on the Mount went, Jesus standing in the middle of his disciples and a crowd that followed him wherever he went on the shore of Galilee. He speaks with such authority and power as he looks around at the crowd. I would have loved to be there in the middle of it all, just listening to him speak. His eyes are pools of love just begging for the crowd to get it, but he knows they do not yet. I would have been right at his feet, just listening to him in awe. He is the greatest teacher ever in all of history, past, present, and future. (Remain in me, as I also remain in you John 15:4 ) He is seated at the right hand of the Father, waiting for you to ask him to renew your mind to completely lose interest in the things of this world and focus more intently on the things of Heaven. He will do it because he is a good, loving, and gracious God and he wants you to be fully focused on him, and him alone and you will become a fountain pouring out to people who need it.

Heavenly Father,

I come to you right now and ask that you would fill anyone who reads your words that you have said through me with Kingdom Minded thoughts, Touch them with your holy spirit and let them know you are with them and wrap your loving arms around them. I declare it is done and you will break every stronghold that is coming against them right now In Jesus name!

Amen

Seek First the Kingdom and all will be added!

I have, and I still can’t wrap my head around , or comprehend, how wide, how deep, or how long it is. In John 3:16 it says that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten son and whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” That is one glimpse of the Father’s love for us. That verse is the core of what born again believers believe, that God loved the world and humanity so much that he came in the flesh, to die for us, so that anyone who confesses and believes shall not perish but have eternal life, and be completely wiped clean from the stain of sin. That is my God and I will sing of his Goodness all the days of my life! He is so faithful to carry out his plan in our lives just like he was faithful to carry out the plan of Jesus coming to earth, and he corrects us when we get off the beaten path because he loves us and wants the best for us. He is a Good father, a father to the fatherless, and a friend to the friendless. God literally gave his one and only son to rescue us from sin. We were lost and we didn’t know how much we needed him until he came, and he changed the world forever. He came to earth to seek, and save the lost, so we could live with God again because he couldn’t bear to be without us, and was not willing to just sit by and let us perish. The presence of the Lord is the only thing that can truly define you, not the things or objects of this world. Know and believe God’s love for you! I never get tired of saying Thank you Jesus for everything you did for me, and will continue to do in and through me. There is nothing like God’s love and we will never experience it any other way and you won’t find your worth anywhere besides through him. I can tell you that I know exactly who I am in him, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be trials or hard things that come up in your life. In this life, Jesus said it wouldn’t be easy but to take heart he has overcome the world and I know that I can overcome all that is thrown at me with him in me and by my side.

To further demonstrate his love for us was the Crucifiixion of Jesus, he was flogged, mocked, spat on, and they placed a crown of thorns on his head, while also being nailed to a cross with a sign above his head saying King of the Jews. That was not even the worst or most painful part of it, every sin past, present, and future, was placed upon his shoulders and he was separated from the father, all to bring us home and back into a relationship with him. When he was on the cross struggling to breathe, we were on his mind, through all the pain and suffering he went through, he desired for us to be free from sin and become righteous in the Father’s eyes. He went through death, hell, and the grave and he conquered it all for us. That still blows my mind and I’m so thankful for that every single day. He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one gets to the Father except through him. You are loved more than you know by someone who died to know you. His love for you is authentic, relentless, and it will never end. God’s love will chase you down, no matter who you are or what you have done, you are so loved and treasured by him and are priceless to him, so do not for a second doubt your worth to him. There is nowhere you can run or hide from him, he already knows everything about your flaws and shortcomings, BUT he accepts you and loves you even with all of that. He can turn your life around in a moment when you accept him as your Lord and Savior, call on his name and he will never leave you or forsake you, his mercy, grace, and love are flowing upon you like a river right now. God is able to take our mess and turn it into a testimony. I heard someone describe the best attribute of Jesus were his eyes, they were living, deep, pools of love. You are loved, significant and filled with purpose and he longs to have a relationship with you. No other religion has the fact that God literally came down and was born a baby and walked with us as he grew. He gave up his rights and came down to us, he was fully God and fully man. He knows and relates to everything we walk through in our lives , the fact that he could see to the other side of what he came to do is what makes me stand in awe of Jesus. He longs so much to be in a relationship with you, and is waiting for you to just come to him with all of your sins, and recognize you need him, he welcomes you with open arms, and there is room at his table for you and me. You are not too dirty, broken, or lost to encounter his redemptive love. Sometimes we need to be brought to the end of our wits to come to the beginning of our faith. With God you have life beyond your past, beyond your failures ,beyond your heartbreak, and beyond your worst moments. I can tell you my life has never been the same since I accepted him, and he became my Lord and Savior. I want that for whoever reads this blog! Not only did God save me from what I deserve, he gives me way more than I deserve, or can even imagine. Once you accept him, it is the easiest decision you can make for yourself and your future. You are a child of God and at the mention of his name, everything can change!

Heavenly Father,

I ask right now that you would pour out your love on everyone who reads these words right now, help each and everyone of them to have a renewed fire in their hearts for you and your word. Help them to know and trust that you are always good and faithful in every circumstance and continue the work in their hearts, that you are faithful to complete. You are the author and the finisher of our faith and we love you, touch every heart and speak to everyone that reads this blog right now In Jesus name!

Amen