I Am Betrothed to the Lord, and He is faithful.

Last night I watched the classic movie again called 'The Best Years of our Life'. I admire so much the love and strength of the women in this film and has now become another model to me of how to stand, as a wife, even when life's hardships occur – and they do occur. It is during these times of hardship that I have to shrug off the temptation to feel pity for myself and think back on my own marriage and how I behaved so differently. Today I am betrothed to the Lord - just as much as I was then, yet now consciously aware of this position of honor. I am the bride of Christ.

"Lord, help me to be consciencly aware of my betrothal to You. Help me to honor You as my First Love. Holy Spirit, thank You for drawing me close every moment, every hour, every day to Christ my Eternal Husband. I let go of all fear now and take authority over every lie and unkind label used to define singles and singleness, for it is written You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and of a sound mind, in Jesus name, Amen."

I can do this.

I exhort you too, Bride of Christ, He who calls you is faithful!

2 Timothy 1:7
1 Thessalonians 5:24

H.O.P.E. Have Optimistic Perspectives in Everything

This week's 'Hello Ladies' check in is simple and is brief. To quote a popular phrase, "Keep hope alive!" is what the Holy Spirit has been saying all week - have hope. Being hopeful disarms depression's negative thoughts and honors the Lord. By just waking up to His presence and thanking Him for all is blessings (that are too many to count) such as having a restful nights sleep instead of pacing the floor. Like having peace of mind instead of hopeless despair, or like having another opportunity to bless someone - hope fuels us for another day and I have hope today for a new beginning.

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147:3, 10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Be blessed, have hope!

We Walk By Faith and Not By Sight

Today as soon as I woke up, my mind began to dart here and in there, back and forth and about this and that. My heart soon followed suit in familiar fashion with fears and worries, frets and concerns. I quickly fell to my knees in prayer, not wanting the enemy to get a foothold in my day, and asked the Lord to sort out all my needs and to work out all my concerns. Yet the Holy Spirit did not respond to my invitation to be my instant 'problem-solver' and relieve my anxious heart. It was then that I realized I was not 'allowing' the peace of God to rule and reign in me by not walking by faith but instead I was trying to 'see' the solutions to my problems.

Isn't that so 'human' though to demand quick answers to seek instant relief? It is very common for many to inquire of the fortuneteller and the palm reader and to ask the question, "What sign are you?", to get answers to and work out what puzzles them. I see more storefront-crystal-ball reading shops than ever before!

But we are called not to be so but to be different! Jesus said in Luke 12:22-32, I paraphrase, seek after the kingdom of God, that place of peace in relation to Him, and all these things you're concerned about will be taken care of. Praise God!

So, I stand corrected. Thank you Lord Jesus, for as 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, we (I) walk by faith and not by sight!

He's Tailor-made

I've found that Jesus is all that I need and is perfectly suited to my needs. Whether I am sick in body or emotions and deeply troubled and need peace, Jesus meets me right where I am and He heals me with 'Himself'. For instance, He is called:

Jehovah - Rapha The LORD who heals.

Psalms 103:3 "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;"

And

Jehovah - Shalom The LORD our Peace.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  Have the 'Jesus kind of peace'.

So, how can Jesus our Lord meet you exactly where you are today? Are you in want? Do you hunger for direction and guidance? Please be comforted and know that His name also is:

Jehovah - Jireh The LORD will provide. 

Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

And

Jehovah - Roi The LORD my shepherd.

Psalms 23:1 "A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Amen?! I'm so glad He's able and He is Tailor-made.

Be Glad for the Bad

Contemplating and meditating this morning, I see that pain and the shame of the past is finally ebbing away. Because I reckon that if I had not known the bondage of addiction, I wouldn't have an appreciation of the freedom of sobriety. If I hadn't known the loneliness of isolation, I would not honor or recognize a true friend and if my heart had never been broken, I wouldn't know the rhapsody of a God-kissed union. And if sin had not so separated me from the Lord, I would not hold so precious this loving relationship and acceptance I been given through Christ today. Yes, I can honestly say, I'm glad for the bad!


..if it had not been for the Law, I should not have recognized sin or have known its meaning. [For instance] I would not have known about covetousness [would have had no consciousness of sin or sense of guilt] if the Law had not [repeatedly] said, You shall not covet and have an evil desire [for one thing and another]. Romans 7:5-7


And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28

Be Comforted, Be Encouraged!

Hello Ladies,

As the prophet said in Isaiah 61:2,The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to comfort those who mourn and to proclaim the year and season of God's deliverance, I too see as you may also be experiencing that this is our year of Jubilee!! He has promised us freedom from strongholds, drugs, alcohol and from mind-controlling thoughts that have depressed us and made us feel frustrated and defeated. 

Therefore, the time has come for us to take captive (arrest, in the name of Jesus) those things that have held us prisoner. For example, things like the thoughts that I can never stop smoking, or I can never stop drinking or overeating, or I will never be loved. Those are lies. They are the lying thoughts from the enemy. For the truth of the Word says that, by 'Christ stripes we have been healed.' Isaiah 53:5  And I am created in the image of God, (which is light and beauty) and that He will give us all things pertaining to life - like having love. Amen? 

Therefore, I've decided to keep the door to the enemy closed and keep my mind free from his lies. 1 Peter 5:8 says that he roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour with thoughts about your self image and that God is not looking out for our best interests. Romans 8:34

So today when those thoughts come to me I am going to cast them down according to 

2 Corinthians 10:5 and I will remind myself that: 

Number 1 - God created me and He loves me.

Number 2 - That I have faults and weaknesses but I do want to change and I believe God is working in my life and on my behalf, changing me bit by bit, little by little, one day at a time.

Number 3 - That I am in right standing with God through Jesus Christ. *

Be encouraged Ladies, I love you and so does the Lord.

Have a super duper weekend!

Sister Allison

* Excerpted from Joyce Meyers 'Everyday Life' Bible - 'Keeping Your Balance'

Break Your Alabaster Box

Luke tells us about a woman who was a sinner who brought an alabaster flask of perfume to where Jesus was reclining in the house of Simon the leper. While weeping, she broke the alabaster jar of perfume and poured it out on his head. She anointed him and kissed his feet repeatedly and affectionately. The perfume, spikenard, was reportedly to be very precious and expensive.  But so also was the flask it was contained in.  It was made of imported, handcrafted Alabaster. It was no doubt her most prized and treasured possession. However, I believe as she realized who 'He' was and knowing what 'she' was and had been, her heart was breaking in the presence of her Savior.

So Mary gave her all, all that she had, all that she was, and all she had been saving up for what she realized Jesus was giving her. He was forgiving her sins, was giving her back her dignity, and he was going to give to her eternal life.

I ask myself what alabaster box am I in possession of? What prized and precious thing am I holding onto instead of giving my all to Him? What dream, what vision of "perfect-me, perfect-life" am I holding onto instead of going all in, cutting my losses and forsaking all for the love of Christ? May we all bring our own  particular  'Alabaster Box' to Jesus, break them, and go all in!
Luke 7:37-38