Faith Hope Love Recovery

Joseph:

Picture how others must have spoken to Joseph when the news of Mary’s pregnancy began to spread:

“She’s lying to you! She slept with someone else, and you’re falling for it.”

“Leave her, and save your own reputation. You can take another wife.”

Thankfully, Joseph listened to the angel of the Lord who visited Him. His faith was strong enough to seek the approval of God alone.

But let’s go even deeper:

Joseph signed up for a background role for the rest of his life. When we think about the parents of Jesus, most would acknowledge Mary as His mother and that He is God’s Son. Joseph lifts out of the story quickly.

But Joseph worked to provide for Jesus’ needs as a boy. We even see that when Jesus went missing when he was a child, Joseph was worried and frantic trying to find him (Luke 2:48).

Fulfilling God’s call on our lives should never be about getting credit for what we do, but simply about being obedient to God. If the world never knows of our service, God sees it all and knows it all, and that’s enough.

Really think about this for a few moments today:

Have you ever given up on what God has called you to do because no one seems to care or notice?

Do you long for the credit and acknowledgement of others?

Because there is something so much better:

“...Then, your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:4 NIV

Let’s be honest: It’s easier to do what’s right when recognition follows.

This time of year, there are plenty of opportunities to do “good deeds” for others. But before we pat ourselves on the back for our generosity and sacrifice, let’s make sure we go deeper and check our motivation by asking ourselves the simple question:

Would I still do this if God were the only one who knew about it?

God’s rewards trump human applause every single time. Stay the course. God’s reward for humble obedience is guaranteed.

God, forgive me when I try to take the credit, or when I think I’m owed affirmation. I know the world’s applause will never satisfy, and I know Your rewards never end. Help me fight the temptation for worldly recognition, and keep my eyes on You alone as my prize. I love You! Amen.

Releasing the Prisoner: You

Forgiveness is not optional; it's essential. Vertical and horizontal forgiveness are inseparable—two sides of the same coin. As Jesus taught us to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12).

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus described what would happen should we choose not to forgive: "[The servant's] master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him" (Matthew 18:34).

The word torture carries with it the idea of extreme mental anguish. There is no worse prison than a heart that refuses to extend forgiveness to others. Your thoughts eat away at you. Your life is filled with stress and anxiety. You've been handed over to the torturers and become enslaved to your own unforgiveness. But forgiveness sets you free.

Perhaps the best real-life example of this comes from Corrie ten Boom. A couple years after World War II ended, she met a man who had been a guard at the very concentration camp she was imprisoned in for hiding Jews in her home. He had since repented of what he had done and stood before her seeking forgiveness. She wrote:

I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart.... "Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently. "I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling." And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!" For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then.

As Lewis B. Smedes wrote, "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." God loves you so much; He wants to spare you the prison of unforgiveness. By choosing to forgive from your heart in the same manner you have been forgiven, you can experience the freedom, peace, and joy that comes only by letting go of the offenses of others.

So I pray you would begin dismantling the walls of unforgiveness around you, one brick at a time. Make the choice today to lean into the Lord, reach out to others, and get involved in Heaven's business of forgiveness.

❤️

You’re favored and you shall recover all your losses! 🔥

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

-Psalm 73:26

During this holiday season remember those who are less fortunate. Give to those who can never repay the favor! Jn 3:16

Psalms 108:5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

Lord Jesus, Today I celebrate the reality of Your presence in my life. I celebrate Your birth, Your life, Your death, and Your resurrection.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
-2 Corinthians 3:17

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8

Greater is He who is in you, than He who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

God is right now talking about you to someone who's well capable of helping your dream materialize.

Jesus loves us all equally.

You can be the most religious person on earth, but if you’re not saved, you won’t make it to heaven.

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." (Psalms 50:15)

And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them, and straightway he will send them. Matthew 21:3

Every delayed blessing in this month is released right now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!

Someone is being sent into your life to restore you! Be sensitive to receive them.

God is your Defender and your Fortress in these evil times that we are living in. 🙌

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27

God’s timing is sooner than you THINK. It’s your TIME🔥

Jesus, as we draw near to this amazing Christmas season, I pray for all, and I ask that every day of this Christmas season would be a miracle for them. I pray that you would open the eyes of your people to see the true miracle of Christmas. I thank you for coming to earth to seek and save the lost. You are the greatest gift of all! Amen.

Have you ever stopped and thought about these verses from the Christmas story?

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” (Luke 2:8, NIV)

The words seem so incidental and unimportant and yet, there is such a beautiful miracle embedded within them. Shepherds were outcasts. They were not accepted by their own society and were looked down upon in judgment and suspicion. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt excluded or judged? I have.

To all those who have felt left out, Jesus has a miraculous invitation! I love that Jesus picked those on the edges of society to be honored guests at the celebration of His arrival. The outcasts get VIP passes to the birthday of a King! Listen to this invitation!

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord......" (Luke 2:9 -11, NIV)

"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child... "(Luke 15-17a, NIV)

Don’t ever count yourself out! You are invited to celebrate with the shepherds. Just because the people in your life may overlook you because they have pushed you to the edge of their hearts, Jesus will never do that. Jesus has a special place and invitation created especially for you.

For the Shepherds, they went from being on the edge of earthly society to being invited and included at the birthday celebration of Jesus, AND they were selected as the very first messengers of the news that a Messiah, a Savior had come! They went from “minding their own business” to spreading the news that the King of All Kings had arrived!

Today, don’t ever count yourself out! You may just be going about your business, but God has a miraculous plan to include you as His guest of honor in the plan He has for your life!

As you go about your life today, look for someone on the edge of society and find a way to include and see them as one of God’s precious children. You can be their miracle today.

I am grateful for you and never forget,

YOU are a miracle!

We can make our plans, but the Lord delivers our steps.
-Proverbs 16:9

God loves you just the way you are, but he refused to leave you that way.

Find your bearing in Christ, yield to His will and He will carry your burdens.

Jesus is not just a tiny part of my life, He is my life.

God is about to open doors, that you didn't even knock on. GOD is going to perform MIRACLES for you!
Watch it happen!

Dear God, if I’m chasing the wrong things, redirect me.

Your stolen opportunities shall be restored in Jesus name

When the pain gets deeper, hold on to God tighter.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. – Galatians 3:26

The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

Psalm 121:5

Hold fast to love and justice.
Hosea 12:6

God is the ultimate matchmaker! He is preparing you...Be patient and wait on Him