Messages from God
I was praying at the end of a fast, and I received this message from the Holy Spirit. I don't believe it was meant for only me. I pray this blesses you:
The kingdom of heaven lives in the hearts of God's children. It's here right now. What we loose on earth... the kingdom is the same with the exception of the evilness, the wicked hardening the hearts of the believers towards each other. What we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Let go of unforgiveness now. If you have any unforgiveness toward another child of God, you have to let it go. Release it to God and let Him sort it out.
Humble yourselves. We are all just sheep trying to navigate the spiritual activities we cannot see. Some lean toward the darkness, and others lean toward the light. Some are full of darkness, while some are full of light. Most are in the middle. We need to shine brighter to bring them home.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
Trust the process.
I was reading Luke 23, the trial of Jesus.
Jesus had been arrested and after standing before the Jewish leaders was taken to Pilate, who was a Roman Governor of Judea and Samaria, whose approval was needed to crucify Jesus. Pilate found no justification for this harsh sentence, so he sent Jesus to be tried by Herod Antipas who was the part-Jewish ruler of Galilee and Perea, Herod also found Jesus not guilty and sent him back to Pilate who gave into the demands of the Jewish leaders and sentenced Jesus to death.
The hearts of men can be so wicked!
Before the trial, the two leaders had been adversaries. They both knew Jesus was innocent but their political ambition, their complacency to allow harsh judgement and the suffering of an innocent man, brought them together.
I realized, nobody stood up for Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied knowing Jesus. The other disciples went into hiding or remained silent. No mention of family, friends, or any of the people Jesus had healed, stood against the accusers.
If anyone would have stood up for Jesus, would this cup have passed from His lips? Would any one of us be able to enter the Kingdom? Would we have ever received an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, had the veil not have torn? Would we still be sacrificing animals in atonement for our many sins?
And with tears and a deeper revelation of what that cross means, I hear the gentle voice inside of me once again say, "Trust the process."
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
"I love your energy!"
"I love your energy" is a phrase I've heard many times over the past few years. It's not "my" energy; it's the Spirit of the One who lives in me. People notice the fruit of that Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
I recently applied for another position with my employer, and this morning, I received an end-of-the-day meeting invite to discuss their decision. When I received the meeting invite this morning, I had a feeling I was not getting offered the position. I had another meeting this morning with my manager, so I took a quick break. I prayed about the position, and I asked God to help me understand. I was already confident that if that door didn't open, it just wasn't in line with my purpose. But I am human, and rejection leaves a sting.
He is so good!!!
After meeting with my manager, I submitted my resume for another position. One that I had believed I wasn't ready for, but my manager pointed out the qualities and skills that made me qualified for the position. So, I've knocked on another door. If it doesn't open, I will trust that it was not in line with God's purpose for my life.
I was excited about my meeting this afternoon and was thankful that God shut a door that was not meant for me. When the hiring manager confirmed they had gone in another direction, I thanked her for the original interview and for meeting with me to discuss their decision. We discussed the challenges our company is having and the potential for additional positions to arise to meet those challenges. As we were wrapping up, she said, "I love your energy!"
Matthew 5:16
Praise to the Father!!
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
Joshua 1:9
A dear family friend was having health problems last winter and needed to make some difficult decisions. I was asked to go and meet with her and tell her about the time I audibly heard God speak to me. As I was driving to the grocery store the following day, I was talking to God about what I might say to encourage her, and He reminded me of Joshua 1:9.
A year prior, I had started reading the Bible and had made it to the book of Psalms. I was praying, asking God for confirmation that I was making the right choice by exposing abuse and that He would be with me through the upcoming trial. Joshua 1:9 dropped into my spirit. At the time I did not know this verse, but the words brought tears of gratitude.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
The weekend before I was asked to share my story, I had been to Hobby Lobby and seen this passage on a piece of desk decor. I looked around but couldn't find the words on anything else; even though it wasn't my typical style, I felt a strong urge to buy it. And on the car ride to the store, I realized the decoration piece wasn't meant for me at all. I was to deliver a gift with a message from our Creator.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
A purpose for our pain.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed...
The Bible and its books are as relevant today as they were when they were written. God continues to speak to me through the book of Job. Job's friends came to comfort him, but they were not supportive. They remained silent for seven days, but their words were neither comforting nor supportive when they spoke. The friends were critical and full of arrogance, blaming Job for his circumstances. When Job tried to defend himself, he faced more accusations and blame.
"What did you do?" "What did you say?" "You must have done something to have caused this." "It's your fault." "I would never (use your imagination)."
These are messages victims often hear in the aftermath of their trauma from friends, family, law enforcement, the medical community, and society in general. Sometimes, these messages are from people with good intentions, but if they were to admit the trauma is not the victim's fault, they would have to face the truth that it could also happen to them and rob them of their sense of safety. Other times, it comes from a sense of superiority and arrogance. Sometimes, it comes from an underlying belief system that protects abusers, absolving them of accountability while silencing and shaming victims.
Like Job, I have experienced a lack of compassion and support in my trauma journey—accusations and judgment cause secondary wounds that are psychologically damaging. As I slid into an abyss, God reached for my hand and never let me go. God provided everything I needed when I had no one to turn to for physical or emotional support. God gave me a new view and a deep sense that I needed this experience to know how it felt. I drew closer to God and put my trust in Him; I believed there must be a purpose for this amount of pain. In my suffering, I could feel His restoration, taking what was shattered and creating something new.
An old friend reached out to me recently. She was going through something and just needed someone to talk to. She didn't need my opinion or judgment, just someone to sit with her and listen to her story as she unraveled it in her mind. The same week, I met a new friend in the greeting card aisle of a local store. She shared with me that she had tragically lost her sister at the hands of an angry partner a couple of decades ago and how this had affected her family.
Our stories are different, but the empathy and compassion we shared came from a place of understanding that only experience can provide.
And with that revelation, as I wrote those words, a vision of His plan immersed. Humbled and in awe, I wonder, am I to plant a seed, or is this my Ark to build? I do not have the answers, but I trust the One who does. God doesn't reveal His plans to us all at once; He is sovereign and knows when we are ready for the next step. Have faith and trust in God's plan. Ask God how He can turn your pain into purpose for helping someone else, and then let His Spirit guide you.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
Restored
I was lying in bed, my heart heavy with grief over the profound loss of someone I love who is still living. I felt God tell me, "Give it to me." I told Him I didn't want to let it go; I wasn't ready. I didn't want to hold it for long; the heaviness and pain were so intense, but I've learned to allow myself to accept and feel emotions, not just push them aside or dissociate by cleaning, scrolling social media, or shopping. I didn't want the self-compassion to turn into self-pity or depression, but I didn't feel like I was ready or that it would be easy to just "let it go." He said again, "Give it to me. I will hold onto it for you."
Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
As I released it to God, I could feel the heaviness and the pain evaporate and my sense of purpose restored. God would take my experience, grief, and pain to help someone else.
2 Corinthians 1:4 God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. Amen
The Holy Spirit has been pointing me to the life of Job recently, so I went back and reread the book with a new lens. To summarize, Job was a righteous and wealthy man. One day, Satan came before God. God pointed out Job, calling him upright and blameless. Satan said this was because of the favor and protection God had given to Job. So, God allowed Satan to test Job's faith, and let me tell you, Job lost everything! His family, his wealth, and his health were taken, leaving Job to suffer overwhelming pain and grief. To top it off, Job is accused of hiding sin by his friends, who believed that sin was the only explanation for the tragedies Job was enduring. But even though he questioned why he was suffering, Job never lost faith in God. In the end, God restored Job by giving him back twice as much as the enemy had taken.
I thought about Job's original children, seven sons and three daughters, who were not returned to this life. God gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. The Bible says Job was restored and lived a full life, 140 more years with four generations of children and grandchildren. I imagine he still missed the children he had lost. The children he had raised, protected, and ensured were purified just in case they had sinned. Our Heavenly Father understands the loss of a child; in Matthew 18:12-14 Jesus tells the parable about the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep to find the lost one. Whether we have lost a loved one, wealth, health, or, like Job, we have lost everything; God understands our grief; He gave us our emotions, and He can help us through our losses.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Our vision of restoration may not be the same as what God has for our lives and our complete restoration may not be fulfilled during this lifetime.
Psalm 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
When God restores us, it may look different than what we expected. We must hold onto faith that His plan, His perfect will for our lives, will be better, for He is sovereign.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
My sheep listen to my voice...
John 10: 27 I know them, and they follow me.
This scripture dropped into my spirit after spending the day praying, fasting, and waiting for an answer.
Two weeks ago, I was led to read the book of Revelation. I've read it before, but not in my Study Bible. John was instructed by Jesus to write letters to the seven churches. Revelation 2:1-7 is addressed to the angel of the church in Ephesus. In verses 2-5 Jesus said, "I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."
You have forsaken the love you had at first. Do the things you did at first. These words have been replaying in my mind since I read them. Then, John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: To lay down one's life for one's friends.
Next, I was bombarded with scriptures about fear and not being afraid. I felt the condemnation of my hesitance to make a move that I wasn't sure was in agreement with God's will. But each time I started to take that step; something stopped me.
I began praying this morning for a clear answer and to stay inside of God's will. I fasted and continued to pray throughout the day. This evening, I received John 10:27 from the Holy Spirit. Within an hour, I had seen or heard this passage from three separate locations. Confirmation. Amen!!
The enemy also knows scripture. In Luke 4:1-13, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness where He is tempted by Satan using a passage from Psalm 91.
I know the voice of my creator. He corrects me with love, never condemning or shaming me. God protects His people.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
My nature is to protect. It was not fear that was holding me back from taking that step. It was discernment and knowing my Father's voice. Jesus answered Satan in the wilderness in Luke 4:12 "It is said: Do not put the Lord your God to the test." My heart has not grown cold; I have more love now than ever. The enemy was using scripture to deceive me and lead me to take action outside of God's will and onto a battlefield I had already been delivered from.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
So, I will pray for those involved and leave the battle to God. And now I feel my peace restored, the confusion and chaos silenced.
Our daily bread is the word of God; it is life-changing and lifesaving.
Romans 12:2 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.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
I don't want it, I don't want it, I don't want it.
If you're old enough, you may remember a movie in the 90s, "Homeward Bound". In the film, a pup named Chance was trying to catch a fish for dinner, but a crab caught him by the lip, and he repeatedly whined, "I don't want it, I don't want it, I don't want it."
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 18:21-35 about a king forgiving a debt by a servant. However, the servant would not forgive someone else's debt. The king became angry and punished the servant he had initially forgiven by sending him to be tormented until the debt was paid back in full.
Matthew 18:35 This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.
But how do we forgive others when they have intentionally caused us harm and left us with trauma to overcome? I thought I had forgiven someone, but my mind would pick it up and play scenarios over and over. Memories of traumatic Events that had taken place which left me traumatized, thoughts of vengeance, or contemplating what I would say to someone if given the chance. Ruminating is a symptom of complex trauma I know well and the best word to describe it is torment. I dug deep and examined myself. I realized there were red flags, things I had overlooked early in the relationship that led to my trauma. I discovered the issues within myself that caused me to accept destructive behaviors. Once I realized this, I could grieve that brokenness, start to repair, find self-compassion, and forgive myself. Then, I was able to forgive another, releasing all judgment to God.
Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
Unfortunately, it is often those closest to us who cause the trauma. Through mutual connections, this person is still able to inflict emotional pain. When this happens, my nervous system is activated, I go into flight mode, and my mind begins to ruminate. I have learned to be present and not dissociate by shopping or scrolling through social media for hours. I allow myself to feel the pain and anger; these are normal emotions God gave us. Torment visits if we hold onto these strong emotions for too long. When my mind starts the ruminating cycle, I get that visual of Chance and say, "I don't want it, I don't want it, I don't want it." I pray and release it to God, asking Him to fill me with His Holy Spirit.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:22 to forgive not seven times but seventy-seven times.
Unforgiveness is heavy, and it's ugly. The armor of God becomes a boundary the arrows of the enemy cannot penetrate. Hold up your shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows. Read Ephesians 6:10- 17 and create that visual in your mind. When I give God my pain and weakness, He replaces it with His strength.
2 Corinthians 12:9. "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness."
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
The Father's Love
As a daughter, a granddaughter, a mother, and a grandmother, I cherish the precious mementos I have accumulated throughout my life. Items given to me or inherited from the people I have loved the most. I have a box of handkerchiefs that were my great grandmothers. As a child, I sat and played with them and now they are concealed in a tiny box. when I remove the lid, I can smell her, and my eyes fill with tears. My children's tiny hospital bands, birth announcements, locks of hair, grade cards, artwork, and pictures are all representative of a life filled with love given and received.
In Revelation 5, John saw Jesus as a Lamb. He took the scroll from God. I was overwhelmed by the significance of verse 8: and when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.
Have you ever felt like God wasn't listening, He doesn't hear your prayers, or maybe your prayers are insignificant? Let this verse remind us how great our Father's love is for you. Your prayers are a sweet aroma to Him that He stores in Heaven in bowls made of gold.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually.
God is listening.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
Safety in Numbers
Most of us have heard someone say, "There is safety in numbers." There are many scenarios in which this statement can be applied. For instance, we feel financially safer the more digits to the left of the decimal point we have in our retirement or checking account. Increasing the number of pounds in a weighted blanket can help us return to a sense of safety when our anxiety is high. A buddy system walking home from school as a child or adults traveling in pairs on an evening out makes us feel secure. Having a lot of friends helps us feel safe. We believe our friends will be there to help pick up the pieces if our world crumbles around us. We believe there is safety in numbers.
If you've been through trauma, you may have felt like you were going through, or living in, hell on earth. Maybe you are still there. The hell God pulled me out of is a place I wouldn't want to see anyone go.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate, and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
There is not always safety in numbers.
Jesus continues in Matthew 7:15-16 Watch out for the false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly, they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will recognize them.
This warning can be applied to anyone. Have you met someone who professed to care about your well-being, but time revealed their intentions were not honorable? Perhaps a friend, a romantic partner, or a family member comes to mind. Do you remember when you first saw the slip of the mask revealing their real character? Did you wonder how you could be so easily deceived? We may be drawn to them for companionship. They appear safe if they have a following or a network of people who like them. We feel that sense of safety in numbers, so without hesitation, we join in. Maybe you saw the red flags and warning signs here and there, but it can be lonely if you go against the flow. The temptation to go along and belong is strong. If you decide to leave, do you try to force others to go with you? That can feel like a lone sandbag holding back flood waters. God does not ask us to be a barricade.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth.
It may blend well, but salt stands out and affects the other ingredients by adding flavor.
In verse 14, Jesus said, You are the light of the world.
What does a light do? It reveals what is hiding in the dark. Light leads people to safety. It stands out, often alone.
Psalm 18:28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning. My God turns darkness into light.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
Letting go of control
Rae
Obedience - I felt an internal nudge from the Holy Spirit, "Tell them about the time..."
On my journey of healing and building emotional intelligence, I vividly remember when I stopped asking God, "What am I going to do about (insert issue)?" Pause...My audacity! This quickly changed to, "God, what are WE going to do about (insert issue)?" Step back into another revelation. This situation was entirely out of my control. There was nothing, not a single thing, I could do. Then, my humbled plea, "God, what are you going to do?" Finally, amid my triggered chaos, I felt a calm reassurance, "Be still." Psalm 37:7
Control is such a hard thing to let go of. I've spent my life trying to control my environment in a trauma-induced, co-dependent state. Decades walking around or sweeping up the eggshells of those unable or unwilling to control their emotions but controlling the emotions of other adults is not my responsibility. I can be supportive and encouraging without taking responsibility for another person's words or actions. I cannot control the behaviors of another person, nor should I want to. My responsibility is to remain authentic to my identity in Christ.
Moses was leading the Israelites who were panicking because Pharaoh and the Egyptians were closing in. Exodus 14:13-14 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still."
One of my favorite songs, Same God by Elevation Worship, proclaims that the God who hears our prayers is the same God who parted the Red Sea for Moses.
God is still delivering His children today. Amen!!
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
The Serenity Prayer written by Reinhold Neibuhr
God give me the serenity to accept the things which cannot be changed:
Give me the courage to change things which must be changed:
And the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.
Valley of Hope
Valley of Hope - I kept feeling this term in my spirit for weeks. I would ask God for clarification and listen for the response. And this is what I received:
The Biblical definition of Hope is to desire something with confident expectations of its fulfillment.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick...
When we make an idol of the thing(s) we hope for, this is where the Valley of Hope is found. It leads to despair. God gives us hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
"Maybe you just haven't seen it yet." These words in a song by Danny Gokey played as I was writing this in my journal. Confirmation comes from many sources.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord (not in objects or other people) will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Our hope should remain in God. We can't fly, run, or walk if we are stuck in The Valley of Hope.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
If you find yourself in the Valley of Hope, let God provide your strength to fly, run, or walk out. Keep your eyes on Him. He will be with you as you move; ask Him to direct your path.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
Rae
Life's little frustrations.
(even the cute one's)
Rae
I have a small dog, a Yorkie. He can be quite obstinate at times. For example, when I call his name, he walks ever so slowly, head down in defiance. That is when he obeys and I don't have to pick him up. A bystander might be misled to believe he is injured, in pain, or perhaps he is feeling depressed. The moment you open the refrigerator or cabinet he transforms into a lively and energetic companion. Recently, when it was time for bed, he reluctantly made his way to his crate, resembling the character Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. Despite my frustration, I chuckled and began reflecting on the fruit of The Spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience...Ahaa!! It dawned on me that God was teaching me patience through my strong-willed pup, an opportunity for personal growth. This prompted me to a deeper consideration of how many of life's seemingly trivial daily challenges and experiences we have that God can use to teach us how to be better versions of ourselves, a little more like Him? By unlearning unhealthy behaviors and patterns that we have developed and adopting new ones, we can lead more fulfilling lives aligned with His teachings.
Unpacking and rearranging the details is part of becoming self-aware. I realized that my dog was not the problem. He is highly motivated by food. When he was a puppy I gave him treats, but that stopped as he got older. But why? Somewhere along the path of my life, I have picked up the belief that my command should suffice. If I say, "Go to bed" or "Come here", he should listen. I am his master, and I was expecting his obedience. Something so small was disrupting my peace multiple times a day.
An interesting fact, my daughter randomly bought some treats for my dog recently at a doggie bakery. I think I know who planted that thought, knowing that this lesson was right around the corner. I've been giving my Yorkie the treats and his level of motivation when I call his name has soared, my peace restored, and my mind renewed.
Lessons from God will always align with scripture. These are the passages He provided:
Psalm 104:27-28 All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up: when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Once again, I am immensely humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you, Lord, for Your provision.
May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.
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