Archive | Spiritual Growth

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8,9 NIV) Thorns Paul’s thorn in his flesh was to keep Paul from becoming conceited. Paul recognized a messenger of satan tormenting him. He discerned between good vs. evil. Too many blame God for evil. Whatever we see in ourselves as weakness, God’s grace is sufficient.  Power God’s power made perfect, works during our weakness.  As we process areas in our lives that might hold us […]

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NIV) Edits Perfecting faith is not instant gratification. Authors know first edits will not be final edits. As Jesus is the author of our faith- He defines faith. Romans 10:17 states faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. Scripture is key to growing our faith. How? Scripture Scripture learned empowers our […]

-for whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye- I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. (Zachariah 2:8b, 9 NIV) Possibilities January 2, 2015- Here we go! Hopeful dreams have been stirred with plans made to move forward. Those not seeing this has a possibility- it’s time to escape captivity. What holds individuals in captivity? What in life holds us back? Doubt, fear, addiction, abuse, confidence, ability, health, finances are agents of captivity. When all hope seems lost, one hope […]

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. (Philippians 1:6 NIV) Celebrate!  Join me celebrating today! New Year’s Eve two years ago, Releasing Truth website went live! This means over 300 blogs with Biblical truth have been released around the world. I stand in awe seeing dreams fulfilled! Pulling out my very first journal, sharing my first entry. May 6, 2009 I am so honored to be your servant on this task that is going to turn out exceedingly, abundantly more than what […]

“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 upon 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. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV) God’s Plans I was almost a Christmas baby. Holly Sue would have been my name. God’s plan for me was to be born three days later, named Vicki Jo. Yesterday, I turned 45, shifted to […]

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. (Luke 2: 6, 7 NIV) Change What happens when circumstances do not go as expected? How do we react? Mary, mother of Jesus, sets one of the most amazing examples of surrender. A key component to surrender is accepting change of plans. Not easy for many folks. Traditions become engraved in our hearts and minds, we assume our norm […]

“They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”  (Malachi 3:17,18 NIV) Test When the Lord Almighty is quoted, best we take note. However, it is Christ who takes note of our actions. Prior to verse 17- The Lord confronted those robbing Him, by withholding part of their tithe. Have you ever […]

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146: 1,2 NIV) Sing Do you love to sing? I’m not asking if gifted to sing. I realized earlier in life my gift was not to sing, however, I love to sing. Especially, joyful noises for my kiddos, I know down deep they cherish our goofy times. I like to rhyme, all of the time. One of the greatest myths to being a Christian, is having to give up fun. […]

Just as there were many who were appalled at him- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred human likeness- so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. (Isaiah 52:14,15 NIV) Beauty Beauty in the eye of the beholder, often one’s theory. Christmas season upon us, with thoughts of all Jesus sacrificed. Only Jesus’s body became so disfigured, marred from human likeness, to become a beautiful image in our […]