"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you." Have you ever heard something so ridiculous? Anyone who has ever been crushed under the weight of a snarky comment or snide remark knows the utter falsehood in that statement. Sticks and stones may very well break your bones—but words? Words can crush your heart. They hold enormous power. Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (ESV). James 3:5 reminds us, “The tongue is also a small part of the body, but it can speak big things” (NLV). So what are you speaking over those around you? Are you speaking words of life? Are you proclaiming the largeness of God’s promises, or the smallness of your fears? Allow me to illustrate with a story. One of my sons struggled through school. His teachers labeled him with a disability. His brothers would pick on him—John and I would tell them he just thinks differently. His brothers would respond with, “but he doesn’t think!” We realized we weren’t nurturing his identity in Christ because we were too busy accepting the labels the world placed on him. We made a conscious choice to start speaking Scripture over him: You have the mind of the Christ. You are the head, not the tail. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. As our son started to believe and declare the Lord’s promises over his life, he started to improve in school. He moved into AP classes and landed a place on the honor roll. His progress followed him into his career when he became one of the youngest managers for Apple, whose slogan at the time was fitting: “Think Differently.” We chose to speak life rather than death and the results were evident. Our words have the potential to create atmospheres where people can thrive. Let’s not use our words to position people for normal, because normal has not served the church well. Rather, let’s position each other for signs, wonders and miracles by speaking God-given identity and destiny into the lives of others. Let’s remind those entrusted to us that they are sons and daughters of the Most High God. Let’s close our mouths to words that diminish and tear down and open them to release words of life! Our words can either cause others to shrink back and live small lives, or frame a world large enough for them to be heroes in. Which will you choose? www.lisabevere.com .

Perhaps the most uncomfortable thing about Christianity is not that God exists, and not that God sent his Son to the earth. It’s not the miracles: did God really make the universe out of nothing? Did Jesus really rise from the dead? It’s not even that its ethical stance on sexuality feels behind the times. The most uncomfortable thing about Christianity is unequivocally our call to not just believe in, but to grant God authority in our lives and live faithfully and righteously. In 2 Peter 2, Peter admonishes the church to beware of those who are false teachers and prophets. He says, “And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.” It’s interesting that he uses the word sensuality here. He doesn’t say, “And many will follow their false beliefs,” he says, “And many will follow their sensuality .” The result, not the cause, of our sensual desires is believing in false teaching. The hook of false beliefs is rarely the beliefs themselves. Atheism, frankly, isn’t a very attractive belief system on its own merits. By its very definition, life contains no meaning: the brutal and blind hand of the natural world is all that is. It raises more questions than it solves: from the question of creation to the problem of evil to ethics. The hook of atheism is sensuality. If there is no God, there is no one you have to cede authority of your life to. It’s why agnosticism is much more popular than atheism You get the same freedom and don’t have to swallow nearly as bitter a pill. Pastor Tim Keller once shared his experience with reuniting with young men who returned to his church after a semester or year in college. “Pastor,” the student would say, “I’m having doubts about my faith. I just don't know if I can believe in the God of the Bible anymore after what I’ve been studying.” Keller would put his arm around the young man’s shoulder and ask, “When did you start sleeping with your girlfriend?” It’s not that there aren’t serious objections to Christianity or that we shouldn’t respond thoughtfully and lovingly to those who question Christianity; it’s just that the teeth of these objections are rarely the objections themselves: it is rather the opportunity to live in a manner we want to. “Plausible deniability” is the phrase that is used for an official in an organization who creates the ability to deny that he or she knew of illegal activity in the company. For many, the spur of atheism or the lure of Eastern spirituality isn’t that the arguments or beliefs are more compelling than Christianity, it’s that they afford the opportunity to live the way we want. The hooks of sensuality are everywhere. Where are they luring you? Your heart might not be tugged to blatantly reject Christianity, but each one of us is wrestling with the lures of this world to selfishly satisfy our sensuality in consumerism, sex, money, comfort. And each one of those lures comes with it the slippage and even denial of God’s authority and truth in our lives. While the percentage of Americans who outright reject God in their lives is relatively small, those who functionally reject God is pervasive. Our enemy doesn’t need you to become an atheist to claim victory. He just needs you to choose the lure over the Author. Beware the lure of sensuality, friend.

I am a planner. A problem-solver. So when I bring my struggles to the Lord in prayer, I also tend to bring my carefully thought-out ideas and suggestions He can choose from. Here’s what I think will work, Lord. I just need You to sign off on one of these, OK? But the longer I walk with Him, the more I’m discovering that simply isn’t the way God works. His ways? They aren’t our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Today, I want to introduce you to an Old Testament friend who has something to teach us about God's ways: Joshua. In the sixth chapter of the book of Joshua, we find Joshua and the Israelites experiencing a problem of epic proportions. There was a massive wall preventing them from moving forward into their promised land. I’m sure there was no shortage of ideas or opinions on how they should tackle the wall, but God didn’t ask anyone for their opinion. Not even Joshua, Israel's leader. Instead, God asked for His people's complete and unwavering obedience. Obedience in the face of a battle plan that would make no sense to their rational minds. A plan that actually involved no “battle” whatsoever. All God wanted them to do was march. For six days straight, they were to march around the walls of Jericho. Then, on the seventh day of marching, they were to end with trumpet blasts and a great shout. God declared this mighty sound would bring the walls down. (Joshua 6:5) What moves me most about the Israelites’ part in this story isn’t so much their willingness to take that first step of obedience. It’s how they kept taking steps of obedience. Step after step after step. Even though nothing appeared to change … even though there wasn’t a single sign of cracking or crumbling in those massive walls … they kept marching. What if they’d stopped after day two? Or day three? Or even day six? Think of all they would have missed. They would have cheated themselves out of certain victory from God. I don’t say any of this casually — as if it’s easy to keep going with God’s instructions when there’s no evidence of our situation changing. It’s hard to continue marching when we don’t see God move the way we thought He would. It’s sometimes difficult to trust He’s working behind the scenes. So what do we do when He asks us to move in ways that don’t make sense to us? How do we keep “marching” when the situation still looks hopeless? We make the same choice the Israelites made. We choose to walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) We take God at His word and hold fiercely to His promises. (Hebrews 10:23) God had promised Joshua that He would deliver Jericho, its king and its army into Israel's hands. (Joshua 6:2) And that is exactly what He did. The victory of God's people never hinged on their ability or any of their well-thought-out plans. It was solely dependent on their unwavering obedience offered to a loving and mighty God. I don’t know what steps of obedience God is currently calling you to take that don’t make sense to you. But let me be the gentle whisper in your ear encouraging you to keep going. Keep trusting. Keep taking step after step after obedient step. We don’t have to understand the “why” of God’s ways. But we do have to keep choosing to follow them. Let’s not stop short of our victory with God. He is working things out. He is present. His plan is still good, and He can still be trusted. These are certainties even when life feels so very uncertain. Lord, I confess that at times my heart feels discouraged when I don’t see immediate results from my steps of obedience. Thank You for reminding me that just because I can’t see You moving doesn’t mean You aren’t. Please help me as I walk by faith, not sight. Day after day. Step by step. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Christ’s departure from this planet was not a departure from His church. He promised His disciples before He ascended to heaven, “I am with you always” ( Matthew 28:20 ). And in spite of the scandal, compromise corruption, and rebellion that often threatens to overrun the church, Christ’s promise still stands. No matter how dire the situation might appear, Christ has not abandoned His church. When the apostle John later encountered the glorified Christ on Patmos, the Lord chose to manifest His glory and pull back the curtain on His ongoing work in the church. There were no meaningless details included. Everything John saw helped illuminate Christ’s continual presence and activity in His church—work that continues to this day. John begins the description of his vision in  Revelation 1:9 . Rather than asserting his apostolic authority, he humbly identifies himself as “your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus.” As a redeemed man, he’s in the kingdom. His faith has endured, so he is marked by perseverance. But he’s in the midst of persecution, living in exile “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” It is a high crime to preach the gospel. By now, all the other apostles are dead. Believers are being hunted down and killed. Worst of all, the church is defecting from the truth, abandoning the faithful teaching that John and the apostles delivered to them. It’s a bleak time in the life of the church. That likely made John’s vision all the more stunning. He continues, I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. ( Revelation 1:10–20 ) All the elements of John’s vision carry powerful doctrinal implications for the church’s relationship with Christ, its head. No other text of Scripture offers such vivid and comprehensive insight into what the Lord is doing in His church—not only in the congregations of Asia Minor, but throughout the entire history of the body of Christ.

As I greeted the day with a smile on my face, thinking about His goodness and faithfulness throughout the years, I could not wait to spend some much needed time with Him in prayer and reading the Word. So with coffee, Bible and Prayer Cards in tow, I went upstairs to my Prayer Room in hopes of hearing what I needed to pray out for the day… and in there I heard Him softly, but with great Authority, speak the following word to me…  “Infrastructure”. To be quite honest I was not exactly sure what this word meant… in fact, I don’t think I have  ever  used it in a sentence before. So I promptly searched for the meaning and the following definition appeared: “ underneath or below the structure, the foundation. ” As I pondered the word spoken I immediately thought of… the current infrastructure of the United States’ government… the infrastructure of those states whose Governors are Believers in Jesus Christ who govern with Righteousness, Truth and Justice… the infrastructure of our own lives, our marriages, families, friendships, ministries, churches and businesses. I realized everything has an infrastructure, a foundation… some are strong, immovable and unshakeable, while others are weak and unstable… God’s Infrastructure. The Kingdom has only one way of building any “structure”, and it is the  right  way. The Great Architect’s Divine Blueprints, His way of building, always begins with laying down a firm and stable foundation. The infrastructure is always composed of having an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the undergirding of prayer, and the receiving, believing and applying of the Word of God to one’s life. Upon this foundation being laid, anything that is erected upon it will last. And like the hymn beautifully says, “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” The Great Architect is our ONLY Builder. In Hebrews 11:10 we see there was a city which has  fixed and firm foundations ,  whose Architect and Builder is God.  In Psalm 127:1 we see unless  the LORD builds our house , we will labor in vain who try to build it. In Proverbs 14:1 we see that the  wise woman builds her house (on a foundation of godly precepts ,  and her household thrives) , but the foolish one (who lacks spiritual insight) tears it down with her own hands (by ignoring godly principles). In Proverbs 24:3-4 we see  through (godly) wisdom a house is built , and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. God’s Infrastructure is sure and steadfast, fixed and firm. His Divine Blueprints are perfect, never having an error. Your Life’s Infrastructure. Beautiful One, anything that is built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and Prayer will remain strong, immovable, and unshakeable for it has a set and stable foundation. His Godly Wisdom and the Holy Spirit’s Guidance will help lead and guide you daily in building your life… career… business… ministry… marriage… friendships… and household the Kingdom Way. The infrastructure will be fortified, undergirded and will cause anything that is built upon it to be able to stand the test of time, weather any storm, and will never need foundation repair. For it will girded, fortified and strong. I encourage you to take the time today to undergird every area of your life through prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your life that has not been built on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ, His Word and Prayer. As He reveals this to you, He will be faithful to help guide you in reestablishing a solid foundation. Pray for your home state and it’s leaders, our government and our nation. Ask the Lord to bring foundation repair to the places that have turned from God and obeying His Word. Pray for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit to rain down on the hearts of man. For those who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to come to salvation. For Righteousness, Truth and Justice to prevail. God’s infrastructure is the  only  foundation we want to build our lives upon. His Divine Blueprints, His Divine Plan, is the only plan that we follow. Through prayer He can repair the compromised foundations in your life and in our nation. For He is the Great Architect and Builder. I love you and pray you have a blessed week. And the sweetest of powerful reminders… For with God NOTHING Shall Be Impossible! For I know a Great Architect and Builder!

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 (KJV) Most Christians set out in their new life full of hope and zeal for what lies ahead. But, soon, they realize that trials are not removed. Difficulties still are present. Tires still pick up nails and get flat. A/Cs still stop working in the middle of triple-digit heat waves. Children still get sick. Jobs are still lost. Relationships are still fractured. Anger still rears its head. Sufferings from the consequences of sins long ago repented of remain fresh. In the middle of this  disillusionment  in life, the Christian has a choice: Will I choose the right way or  the wrong way ? Will I walk in moral courage, or  will I fudge, cheat, lie, smear, slander, excuse, tolerate, abide, or rollover?  Will I align my thoughts and behavior to God’s Word, or  will I align it to my emotions, what my friends say, what I think I want my friends to say, what the world says, or what I wish for the world to say about me? The ancient Israelite people chose the latter path and "did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers”  (Judges 2:17). Years later, their hearts were still rebellious, and they  “did not repent of their ways”  (Jeremiah 15:7b). They were also judged until all of God’s people finally suffered the humiliation of exile from their land and the devastation of national systemic oppression. It is a sad story that begins with one profoundly ominous phrase, "… there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10b). It took one generation to arise without knowing God to turn aside from God’s way. One generation. How Does This Apply To Us Today? Acknowledge that you–like the Israelites of old–chose paths whose “end thereof are the ways of death” and that you are subject to the same judgment they endured–separation from God. Your only hope is to turn to Christ– who was judged on your behalf –in faith for the forgiveness of your deviance and receive His gift of grace and subsequent eternal life. Recognize your ongoing propensity to choose paths whose “end thereof are the ways of death.” Your only hope is continually turning to Christ in faith to forgive and restore you to Him and those impacted by your choices. Use your experience, insight, and biblical wisdom to pour into the “next generation.” Your Christian responsibility is to–like the apostle Paul to Timothy–take  “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also”  (2 Timothy 2:2)   www.staffandstones.com .

For a brief period, Israel was very close to Camelot. A king with a heart after God established its borders and took possession of its capital city, Jerusalem, to display perpetual praise and offerings to God most high. As this king was dying and his son, Solomon, was assuming his role as the rightful king of Israel, a prayer was offered on his behalf. Psalm 72 captures this cry of the heart beautifully: “May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, Like showers that water the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more. "Psalm 72:6-7 Rain upon grass…showers watering the earth…the flourishing of the righteous…and peace everlasting. Here in North Texas, we have endured drought and abnormally high temperatures. As a result, the AC has been working overtime, and the plants, trees, and grass have displayed displeasure with dropped leaves, wilted stems, and brown patches smattering the yard. Even with watering from a well, our property has been bent to the realities of the lack of rain and sweltering temperatures. As you have witnessed in your life, a drought–even with modern technology–wreaks havoc on the earth. To be in a drought is to be held in suspension. Outside of watering with a sprinkler–curbed with restrictions and finite resources–waiting and praying for rain with a heart of dependence on God’s provision is all we can do. That’s where I have been—waiting and praying for rain. This week, things changed. To my wonder, we received approximately one inch of ground saturating and plant reviving rain in two days. It was incredible. It was an answer to prayer. The Psalmist above captures this heart of dependence and applies it to the ruler over Israel–God’s nation and God’s established rule for the earth. But, there was a problem. Neither Saul, David, nor Solomon brought the refreshing rain for the benefit and flourishing of God’s people. Saul blatantly disobeyed God’s commands and died in a jealous rage. David disobeyed God’s commands and died in vindictive paranoia. Finally, Solomon broke God’s commands and allied himself through more marriages and concubines than seemed humanly possible. Moreover, he was the first king to set up altars to worship pagan deities in Israel. All in all, the kings of Israel’s so-called Camelot did not bring the replenishment of rain but judgment and poor examples for future generations. The consequences were exile, judgment, and the great Jewish diaspora. They failed–by their disobedience–to bring the rain upon the promised land, and their actions displayed the same need we all face today. In the same way, those kings failed, and so did (do) we. Our actions, thoughts, and words bear witness to this sad reality. Categorically, we do not bring rain to our so-called spheres of influence and positions of authority. Instead, we offer the same results the best in Israel offered: our selfish desires. That’s why they (and we) are hopeless in and of ourselves. We need a King who is like the spring rain. We need a Savior who showers life upon the earth. We need a Friend who displays the flourishing of our heart’s desires. We need a Prince who brings peace everlasting. We need Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to stand in our place, take the penalty of our sin, and offer us fellowship with the Father by His grace through faith. How Does This Apply To Us Today? “Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. “So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3 www.staffandstones.com.

As we begin to talk I would ask you, “At the  perfect  age you are now, do you have any regrets… any “what ifs”… any “what could have beens”… anything that you felt you could have, should have, would have done better… anything that has been like a heavy, overpacked suitcase that you have been carrying around with you here, there and everywhere?” …And I’m Curious What Your Answer Would Be? Darlin’ time has a way,  especially the longer you have been here on earth,  of taking us on a “past” journey, having us revisit the “former” days… looking back on things we did or said with some regret… questioning the decisions we made along the way… pondering those opportunities we may have missed due to our own fears, and inabilities… wondering if the best days are behind us… Have you ever been tempted to go there? If you have, then today, right now I want to encourage you with these life-changing words… Release that Past & Move On! Regretting the past, reliving the former days, rehearsing past mistakes can keep you from moving forward into the NEW that God has for you. We are always being called forward into the NEW day, New season, the NEW… In order to embrace the NEW you must release the old. I am reminded of a beautiful Scripture passage in Isaiah 43:18-19 about Releasing the Past & Moving On. The Lord loved His people Israel and showed them His provisional care as their Redeemer. He delivered them from the bondage of Egypt, from their enemies, past failures and sins. He became their Savior. He encouraged them to fear not, for they were His and He knew them by name and redeemed them for a purpose… for a destiny… for a NEW season… and an abundant life in a NEW place which He had prepared, the Promised Land. He wanted them to leave behind the old mindsets, old memories, the yesterdays and yesteryears, so they could embrace the NEW. He then spoke to them these powerful life giving words… “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” God directly told His people to not remember, to not recall to mind, to not think of the former things, having them constantly arise back in their memory. Nor were they to consider, to carefully think about or contemplate those old things of the past that could leave great regret. He knew if they camped out in the former things they would never move forward into the NEW things He had for them… the new land… the new inheritance… the new memories to be made. He then says to His people, “Behold” meaning look and see… “ I  will do a NEW thing, NOW it shall spring forth.” He was reassuring them that they could trust Him.  He  would guide them into the NEW life, the new future, that He had designed for them to live.  He  would rebuild those broken places.  He  would renew, restore, refresh all that they had perceived to have been lost, devoured or wasted. And then He gloriously says to them, “NOW it shall spring forth!” Not in the future, but today, NOW it shall be brought forth… and to settle it in their hearts He assures them  He  will even make a way for them where there seems to be no way. For He already made a clear path for them to walk out, for He was their Waymaker. Beautiful One, oh how my heart is rejoicing in this beautiful word from God to His people… to you, His precious daughters. Like the Israelites, we too are the people of His purchase, those who are in Christ. He redeemed us from our land of Egypt, out of our bondage of past sins, past choices and past decisions. And when He delivers us from something, we don’t return to it. We leave it behind, and we step into the NEW. The new freedom found in an abundant life in Christ. The new days He has for us to walk in. The new Divine Appointments He has so beautifully orchestrated for our lives… we redeem the time and step into the NEW! “Forget the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a NEW thing and it shall spring forth.” It takes unwavering faith in God and in His Word of Promise to move into the NEW. You must drop that heavy suitcase of the past, leaving it behind, and walk away from it… for there is no “return to sender label on it” because Honey you purposely ripped that label off! No more nursing, cursing or rehearsing the past. No more talking about what should have or might have beens or the do overs. The past is the past. Yesterday is gone. God has a NEW THING for you. You have a destiny to fulfill. You have today to live out. Don’t look back. The One who has set you apart for a specific call, a unique work, He is the One who leads you into a NEW DAY, a NEW SEASON.

I always love how the Holy Spirit gently nudges when He has something to share… Upon returning home from the magnificent Southern Rocky Mountains, there was something that resonated deep within my spirit… something I pondered and settled deep within my heart, and stood firm in… and I wanted to share what I learned with you… You Have A Choice. The beauty of being a Kingdom person,  is you have been given the Freedom of Choice. When  you chose  to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior,  your  life forever changed… and changed for the good!  You were given the Holy Spirit (Who resides on the inside of  you ) to be  your  Comforter,  your Strengthener,  your  Intercessor,  your  Helper… the One who comes alongside  you  to help. He also empowers  you  to be a witness… to share the Gospel message boldly and fearlessly, and helps aid in  your  sanctification process… the things  you  use to do,  you  no longer desire to do. He helps bring these things to  your  attention, and leads  you  into righteousness. Upon  your  salvation,  you  were also given the precious and powerful Word of God (The Sword of the Spirit) as a Divine Guide to help  you  navigate successfully through life with righteousness, clarity, peace, abundance, fruitfulness, direction and knowledge. The Word of God is living and active and full of power making it operative, energizing, and effective. It is  your  Life Manual, that is ready and made available for  you  to read daily and apply… so that  you  can flourish in this life. You Have A Choice. In life, there will always be “opportunities” for you to step out of peace, but you must purpose in your heart each and every day that nothing is going to take your joy nor your peace. For the joy of the Lord is your strength, and we as Kingdom Ladies are to seek peace and pursue it. Something I have learned through the years… we cannot control everything that is happening around us… what others might say or do, or how others may behave, or what may come our way whether it be expected or unexpected, but what we can control is our response to it. You Have A Choice. When in the mountains, I predetermined in my heart to choose (with the Holy Spirit’s help) to remain in peace and rest. I knew this time away was divinely designed as a time or refreshing, renewal and restoration. A time away from everyday responsibilities… a time of unplugging from the phone and all it’s apps. I chose to remain in peace, enjoy the beauty of His creation and just downright enjoy my time in the mountains, and I thoroughly did! I Made the Choice. You Have a Choice.  Life will bring you to a place of decision. A place where you have to choose your response… choosing peace over worry… faith over fear… forgiveness over unforgiveness… letting it go over rehashing it over and over… enjoying the moment over squandering it away… knee jerk reacting over just being still and allowing God to work it out in His time and in His way. You (under the yielding of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God’s Word) can change how you respond to anything. You can renew your mind by the Word of God. And Honey let me sweetly remind you  again … you have been given the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. You have been well equipped to navigate through anything, and come out victorious while holding your peace… and perhaps your tongue. ;) Daily, and in every situation, Y ou  Get to Choose… …life instead of death in the words you speak about yourself and others (Prov.  18:21 ) …building up your household instead of tearing it down (Prov. 14:1)… walking as the “NEW” creation He designed you to be through salvation (2 Cor.  5:17 )… to be happy or not, to be at peace or not, to walk in joy or not, to enjoy the moment or not… the Choice is Yours. You Have A Choice. I love you and pray you have a blessed week. When opportunity arises for you to step out of peace or out of joy, remember You Get to Choose. You Have A Choice. I choose peace. I choose joy. For the kingdom of God is righteousness, PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit! (Rom.  14:17 )

This morning as I woke up and tended to the needs of my precious 12 year old pup whom I simply adore, I was pleasantly welcomed by a hint of Fall in the air, and all I could think about at that moment was light cozy sweaters… my beloved boots…Fall infused coffee… the aroma of pumpkin spice and everything nice scented candles… the beautiful colored changing leaves…and the much anticipated cooler weather. And I must admit, it brought a smile to this Texas gal’s face. Oh how I love Fall, and the freshness it brings as the season changes… Last week while talking with one of my dearest friends from my college days, we began discussing the world at large and the decisions being made that are affecting us all… and boldly with fire in Michelle’s eyes and deep conviction in her voice she asked, “What Will Your Response Be?”  As the words left her mouth they resounded deep within my heart… and before I could even answer she said,  “It Will Be Whatever You Are Full Of.”  As I sat there feeling the weight, the truth of these words I knew I had to write to you… You can always locate where you are by what comes out of your mouth… for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak. If you are settled in confident trust that the Lord is your Protector, Provider, Healer, Deliverer and Peace, your response will always be one of faith-filled words. On the other hand, if you do not have the assurance of Who He really is and what His Promises are, then your reply will have the tendency of being one of doubt-filled words. What Will Be Your Response? When David faced Goliath he had a question he had to answer, “What Will Be Your Response?” When the armies of the living God came under the attack of the Philistines (the enemies of God), King Saul and the armies of the living God fell under the paralyzing grips of fear. David upon entering this unbelievable scene, heard the giant roaring his threats against them, and chose to rise up and defend God and His army. David, a shepherd boy who knew His God,  spoke to that situation , and boldly and confidently faced Goliath as he declared, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, who you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand…” David’s Response Was One of Unwavering Faith! (See 1 Samuel 17) For When the Giants in Your Life are Talking, You Had Better Talk Back! Joshua and Caleb who were sent out with the other ten men to spy out the Promised Land had a question they had to answer, “What Will Be Your Response?” After seeing the fruit of the land that flowed with milk and honey, and observing the undesirable inhabitants that took up residence there, they came back full of faith and ready to overtake the land that was rightfully given to them as an inheritance. They chose to give Moses and Aaron and the whole congregation of Israelites a Good Report of faith and action, when the other ten spies decided to give a Bad Report of fear and retreat due to seeing giants in the land. Joshua and Caleb’s Response Was One of Bold Faith and Determination… They were ready to go and possess the land and serve their enemies an eviction notice! (See Numbers 14) All three faith filled men had the appropriate response when facing circumstances that could invoke fear, doubt and unbelief in God’s Word and His ability. They all knew God intimately and had experienced His Provision, Protection, and Delivering Power. They were confident that they were Well Able… had the Power… the Authority backing them… and the Capacity to Prevail and Succeed. Since God was for them, who or what could be against them. They knew without a doubt and without hesitation what would be their response. What Will Be Your Response? When our freedoms are seeming to be taken single-handedly one by one right in front of our eyes… when situations that could invoke a response of dread and fear in us come like a tidal wave trying to overtake us and keep us under… when the “giants” of lack, fear and failure are yelling their threats… always remember what comes out of your mouth could determine the outcome you live. We must declare by faith and with full confidence in the face of oppressive control, “We will live in freedom!” When inflation is on the rise, we say…“He will sustain us from famine.” When fear tries to get a grip on us, we speak to it… “I resist you in Jesus Name! God has not given me a Spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, power and a sound mind!” When lack tries to roar its ugly head, we speak…“We have MORE than enough. We live in God’s economy, His plan, His Provision!” Dear One, when those “giants” are talking to you, you better be talking back! Ask the Holy Spirit to set a watch guard over the doors of your lips, not allowing one word to come out of your mouth that is filled with fear. Fear has no place in the life of a Believer. We must rise above the propensity to fall into fear, doubt or unbelief. We must kick that fear in the rear and walk by faith, declaring the promises of God over our lives. We are women of prayer, who know Who our God is and the power prayer holds. Honey, if you have allowed fear filled words to disperse out of your mouth like a water hose on the “spray” setting, watering everyone and everything around you with fear, then turn off that “hose” and ask the Lord to forgive you and help you. Today is a new day and you can predetermine in your heart that you will live by faith and your Response Will Be One that Lines Up with God’s Word! www.bradtuttleministries.org.

Have you ever struggled with not feeling worthy? Maybe you have lived in a shame based identity for years, never feeling like you measure up. Perhaps you have had something downright awful enacted upon you by someone else that has left you physically or emotionally crippled. Or maybe there was such tragedy in your families’ life that everyone knew about it, and you just wanted to hide. If you can relate, then this will minister to you… I love the story of Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, King Saul’s grandson. This redemptive story begins with the tragic death of King Saul and Jonathan. Mephibosheth was 5 years old when this gut wrenching news traveled back home... the king and his son were dead. Due to Jonathan’s household not knowing of the covenant that David and Jonathan had made (1 Samuel 20:15… that David would not cut off his kindness from Jonathan’s house, even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth) they feared that the new upcoming king, King David, would now come and smite the house of Saul, since Saul made himself an enemy of David, though David never retaliated… he knew the LORD had placed Saul in his position, and He would be the one who would remove him. In that moment of fear and frenzy, Mephibosheth’s nurse grabbed him to flee and accidentally dropped him, leaving him lame in his feet. In one moment’s time Mephibosheth’s life was altered. He went from living in a palace to living in a place called Lo Debar in the wilderness. (Lo Debar meaning “pastureless” having no wealth, abundance or prosperity.) Oh what tragedy suddenly came upon this young man at such an early age. Circumstances that were out of his control, in which he did not create, but was a victim of. But One Day, ALL of This Would Change! Mephibosheth Got In The Presence of The King and His Life Forever Changed! Time had passed and David became king. One day the covenant he had made with his dear friend Jonathan came flooding back to his mind. So David asked,  “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show my kindness for Jonathan’s sake? ” Now David wanted to make good on his promise, he wanted to show the kindness of God to a descendant of Saul. So Ziba (a servant in Saul’s house) told King David that there was still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet. In 2 Samuel 9:5 we are going to see Mephibosheth’s life forever change. “ Then King David sent and brought him out  of the house of Michir, from Lo Debar.”  The King summoned him to come.  Do you remember the day that our King summoned you to come to Him? The appointed time that the Gospel was presented to you and at the moment of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, He brought you out… out of darkness, a life of sin, and brought you into His Kingdom, the Kingdom of Light. He took you, covered you with a robe of righteousness, crowned you with His loving kindness and tender mercies, and you became a new creation… There is something so very special about being in the presence of the King. The One who can enact change in your life in one moment’s time. Now lets together behold a Divine Turnaround that happened in Mephibosheth’s life… Verse 6, “Now Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” Verse 7, So David said to him, “Do not fear,  for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually. ” Verse 8, “Then he bowed himself, and said “What is your servant that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?” Mephibosheth saw himself as a person of no value, worth or importance. Here he is King Saul’s grandson, living in Lo Debar… in the wilderness, seemingly forgotten. He had no riches, no fame, and he was lame. This man had been brought low.  He was living below what the covenant had afforded to him.  Beautiful One, as a Believer in Christ, you have a covenant with God. You are His daughter. All of His Promises are yes and amen to those who believe. He daily loads you with His love, His benefits… Are you living below what the Covenant has afforded to you? Verses 9-11 tells of King David’s continued display of kindness to Jonathan’s son. He calls for Ziba and his sons and servants to work the land for Mephibosheth since he was not able to. He asks him to bring in the harvest so that Mephibosheth can eat. But then he says  Mephibosheth shall eat at my table always like one of the king’s sons . Hallelujah! Mephibosheth is put on the royal pension for the rest of his life! I don’t know about you but this blonde Texas gal cannot stop tearing up. Maybe you have felt you are living ‘Low De Bar’ not even in a place that is ‘Above the Bar’… Maybe you have been limping around trying to make sense of your life. You may even feel you are worthless, you don’t measure up. You are hidden and forgotten. Beautiful One, all you need is one moment in the Presence of the King and EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE. Well, guess what? If you are a born again Believer, you are a Daughter of the King and you have access to His Presence continually! And because of this He has a royal pension for you to enjoy the rest of your life… His Goodness… His Abundance… His Mercy… His Forgiveness… Divine Healing… His Provision… His Peace… His Power, Ability and Might! He has REDEEMED you from destruction. He RESTORES you, and He RETURNS you to your Father’s table in peace!  There  is  a Place of Redemption and Restoration in the Presence of the King. Honey, hold your head high and fix your crown! You now sit at His table for eternity! Glory! www.bradtuttleministries.org .

For a brief period, Israel was very close to Camelot. A king with a heart after God established its borders and took possession of its capital city, Jerusalem, to display perpetual praise and offerings to God most high. As this king was dying and his son, Solomon, was assuming his role as the rightful king of Israel, a prayer was offered on his behalf. Psalm 72 captures this cry of the heart beautifully: “May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, Like showers that water the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more. "Psalm 72:6-7 Rain upon grass…showers watering the earth…the flourishing of the righteous…and peace everlasting. Here in North Texas, we have endured drought and abnormally high temperatures. As a result, the AC has been working overtime, and the plants, trees, and grass have displayed displeasure with dropped leaves, wilted stems, and brown patches smattering the yard. Even with watering from a well, our property has been bent to the realities of the lack of rain and sweltering temperatures. As you have witnessed in your life, a drought–even with modern technology–wreaks havoc on the earth. To be in a drought is to be held in suspension. Outside of watering with a sprinkler–curbed with restrictions and finite resources–waiting and praying for rain with a heart of dependence on God’s provision is all we can do. That’s where I have been—waiting and praying for rain. This week, things changed. To my wonder, we received approximately one inch of ground saturating and plant reviving rain in two days. It was incredible. It was an answer to prayer. The Psalmist above captures this heart of dependence and applies it to the ruler over Israel–God’s nation and God’s established rule for the earth. But, there was a problem. Neither Saul, David, nor Solomon brought the refreshing rain for the benefit and flourishing of God’s people. Saul blatantly disobeyed God’s commands and died in a jealous rage. David disobeyed God’s commands and died in vindictive paranoia. Finally, Solomon broke God’s commands and allied himself through more marriages and concubines than seemed humanly possible. Moreover, he was the first king to set up altars to worship pagan deities in Israel. All in all, the kings of Israel’s so-called Camelot did not bring the replenishment of rain but judgment and poor examples for future generations. The consequences were exile, judgment, and the great Jewish diaspora. They failed–by their disobedience–to bring the rain upon the promised land, and their actions displayed the same need we all face today. In the same way, those kings failed, and so did (do) we. Our actions, thoughts, and words bear witness to this sad reality. Categorically, we do not bring rain to our so-called spheres of influence and positions of authority. Instead, we offer the same results the best in Israel offered: our selfish desires. That’s why they (and we) are hopeless in and of ourselves. We need a King who is like the spring rain. We need a Savior who showers life upon the earth. We need a Friend who displays the flourishing of our heart’s desires. We need a Prince who brings peace everlasting. We need Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to stand in our place, take the penalty of our sin, and offer us fellowship with the Father by His grace through faith. How Does This Apply To Us Today? “Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. “So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3 www.staffandstones.com