Finding Hope In The Testimony Of Who God Says You Are

 Back when I was young, my faith was on fire, mm, In my Sunday best, singing with my chest, While the band played again for revival, mm, yeah, All those younger days went away in a hurry, mm-hmm, And now all that's left is a lifelong test, And I can't seem to find my way, I need some hope, Where's the silver lining cutting through all the smoke? (Ooh-ooh), I need some hope, I'm praying that the devil loosens up his hold, oh, oh, I need some hope, Changing, Lord, I've been going through changes, yeah And my faith's still strong, But it won't last long if I don't hear from You someday soon And I had enough (Had enough), had enough (Had enough), Of the fighting, oh, no, no, I still believe, I still believe every word that You wrote in that book, I need some hope, Where's the silver lining cutting through all the smoke? (Ooh-ooh) I need some hope, I'm praying that the devil loosens up his hold, oh, oh, I need some hope. Waiting 'til I'm on the other side of a miracle, mm-mm, I need some hope, If I'm not alone, please let me know, know, know, I need some, Lift me up when I'm too weak to stand, And show me it's part of Your plan, In the silence, I still feel the touch of Your hand.

Romans 15 verse 13:  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So this is how it feels when standing strong, Turns into barely even holding on, The plans you had are shattered on the floor, And your fear tells your faith, there's no use in praying those prayers anymore, When your world is crashing, when your knees hit the ground, When your heart is asking, "What do I do now?" Just when you think it can't get worse, Hold on, that's when hope returns, Like a new sun breaking through the darkest night, Like a whisper saying, "It'll be alright", I know you're tired, I know it hurts, But hold on, that's when hope returns, And that's when hope returns, I know it's hard to see the other side, Through all the where are you's and don't know why's, And I know it looks like hope is in the grave, But He's still on the throne, so be still and know, That He's still rolling stones away, When your world is crashing, when your knees hit the ground, When your heart is asking, "What do I do now?" Just when you think it can't get worse, Hold on, that's when hope returns, Like a new sun breaking through the darkest night, Like a whisper saying, "It'll be alright", I know you're tired, I know it hurts, But hold on, that's when hope returns (Yeah).

Romans 12 verse 12:  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Picked up the Book for the first time in ages, Still washed me clean with the dust on the pages, My life is a story I struggle to write, But is it one worth telling? Is it one You like? So who am I? Who am I?

Am I just a poor preacher's prodigal son? A troubled child, running wild, Chasing the glory instead of the One, Who says that I, even I, Have something still left to offer? So who am I? Who am I, To question the pen in the hands of The Author? Like every good story, you learn from the loss, And I lost the plot every time I've played God, I live in a moment You already wrote, And it proves that I'm someone, yeah, someone You love, So who am I? Who am I? Am I just a poor preacher's prodigal son?

A troubled child, running wild, Chasing the glory instead of the One, Who says that I, oh, even I, Have something still left to offer? So who am I? Who am I, To question the pen in the hands of The Author?

I see trauma, I see worthless, You see something You can work with, I see weakness, I see failure, You see something good on paper And I've seen ashes turn to beauty, I've felt heaven working through me, I've seen panic turn to power, Felt Your peace in my darkest hour, What grace is this? Called me by name again and again and again and again, What grace is this?, Crossed out my shame, Forgives me again and again and again and again and again, So who am I? God, who am I?

Am I just a poor preacher's prodigal son? A troubled child, running wild, Chasing the glory instead of the One, Who says that I, even I, Have something still left to offer? Who am I? Who am I, To question the pen in the hands of The Author? I'm ink in the pen in the hands of The Author, I'm ink in the pen in the hands of The Author, I'm ink in the pen in the hands of The Author.

John 16 verse 13: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

When I think about my life, And the stories that shaped me, I'd taken all the credit, And shifted all the blame, Without the God who created all things, I am nothing, It's not about how I feel, Or the great things I think I've done, When I make it all about me, The truth is it's three to none, Without the God who created all things, I am nothing, The reason for my story, Is the King of the universe, The Creator of all things, When I tell my story, He must be first, The author of my story, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, The author, the perfection, When our story's more about us, May the Spirit bring correction, Without the God who created all things, We are nothing, The author of my story, Is the King of the universe, The Creator of all things, When I tell my story, He must be first.

Matthew 5 verse 8: Blessed are the pure in heart,  for they will see God.

In all of these scriptures, we see how God shows us the hope that we need to see in ourselves, and see the Hope that God sees in us, because God is bringing us as His Child back into the Heart of Worship. We need to see that with these songs and these scriptures, that these songs and scriptures are reaching our stories which is our testimonies, and we can call on Jesus who is the author of not only my own story but everyone's story which is their testimony.

My hope is that this study will help strengthen all of our stories to be seen as God's Glory and as I was writing this study, I felt like this is something that God has given me to really reach those who have not been able to see the heart of God in the work that He's doing in the lives that we touch.

I want to share how God works in our lives, so that we can go out into the world to be the Light.

I'm not going to post the lyrics of these songs but I am going to share the two names so that you can look them up, but the first one is My Story Your Glory by Matthew West, and Call On Jesus by Nicole C. Mullen. The reason I wanted to share these two song titles, is because I feel like these last two songs really sum up with all the other songs and scriptures I shared in the beginning are what I felt in my heart in what this study truly is about, finding hope in the testimony of who God says you are.

In the last thing I'll share from my last thing I mentioned, I really encourage to look up Lauren Daigle's song You Say because this is also where I feel it really begins to sum up everything in this study alone.

Testimony Where God Meets You Right Where Your At

I will call upon the Lord. Who is worthy to praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies. The Lord liveth and blessed be my Rock and let the God of my salvation be exalted. The Lord liveth and blessed be my Rock and may let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalm 18 verse 3: I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,

    and I have been saved from my enemies.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.  With my mouth will I make known, Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness. With my mouth will I make known, Thy faithfulness to all generations. 

Psalm 89 verse 1-4: I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever, with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’”

5 

… Better is one day in Your courts, Better is one day in Your house, Better is one day in Your courts

Than thousands elsewhere.

Psalm 84: 10: Better is one day in your courts  than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,  than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

I may never march in the infantry, Ride in the cavalry. Shoot the artillery, I may never fly o’er the enemy,  But I’m in the Lord’s army! Yes Sir!

Ephesians 6 verse 13: Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God And His righteousness; And all these things shall be added unto you.

Hallelu, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelu, hallelujah!

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Man shall not live by bread alone, But by every word, That proceeds out from the mouth of God.

Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Matthew 6 verse 33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

In all of the songs and scriptures, we see how God is merciful, we see how that with Him, we can seek Him, we can sing of His mercies, that He is worthy to be praised, that He is exalted, and how Better is one day in His courts, His House, than a thousand elsewhere.

You know each scripture and song reminded me of different things that were said from Cayce Bean on Monday, that I thought of using each song with their scripture reference because in all of these things, we see how God is using us for good, and how our Lord is exalted forevermore.

He is exalted the King is exalted on High, I will praise You, He is exalted forever exalted, And I will praise His name.

He is the Lord, Forever His truth shall reign, Heaven and Earth, Rejoice in His holy name, He is exalted the King is exalted on high.

What the devil meant for bad, God meant for good.

You see with these last lyrics that no matter what we are a light, shining God's goodness wherever we go.

We don't have to be afraid, because God shows us where our testimony lies, and our testimony is now.

What I mean by that, is that we don't need life to be perfect to be meaningful, because what we need is God who loves us, God who cares for us, our parents who love us, our family members, and our friends who have become family to us.

No matter where we are, God is always with us and He'll never let go, because He is our friend always.

The main thing, I wanted to have people get out of this study, is that if you're going through a trial, or you're going through a storm, never ever let the Enemy tell you that you're not worth it, because you are worth it, and God loves you just the way you are. So never lose sight of that, and don't lose hope.

Standing Still

 Joshua 10 verses 12-15: On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,  till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.

Matthew 4 verse 4:  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Hebrews 4 verse 12: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Joshua 1 verse 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.”

Philippians 4 verse 13:  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Ephesians 2 verse 8: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Romans 10 verse 9:   If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

I hit my knees with my hands held high, Saying, dear Lord Jesus, you know I can't do this on my own, I can't do this on my own, Lord knows I've tried, but I'm good at falling down, Thank God You're good at picking me up off the ground, The world's gonna try to break me, But I know the one who makes me strong.

He's bringing back the years, He's restoring me, He draws me out of fear, says He's holding me, I'm learning who I am with Him next right next to me, Yeah, he's a friend to me, oh, Out of the shadows, into the light. You can throw all your stones but they'll miss every time, 'Cause I'm walking in purpose, won't be discouraged, I'm held as His beautiful child.

But I believe love can be restored, If we take a little less this time And give a little more, So hold on to me, I promise you we'll make it through this, Stronger than we've ever been before, Let's be the proof that love can be restored.

In all these scriptures and these lyrics, we can take the reassurance of knowing God has the control in the midst of our troubles, in the midst of our fears, and anxieties. We see how much God is giving us the ability to know that if we just be still and wait on His Timing, that we will have that ability to know that God will never give up on His Child and we can stand strong in Faith to know that God is and always will be Love.

I want this study to be a study where people really look into the heart of who God says we are, but how God gives the characteristics of being strong and being able to stand still and know that God gives us the courage to seek Him, to know that He has our backs, and that He will always give us what we need. 

My hope for this study, is that no matter what you're facing that you can still overcome challenges even when it's hard, and that you can overcome anything you're facing in what you want to achieve.

Fighting The Good Fight Of Faith

 https://youtu.be/5Ccd_SwYVL8?si=raWX3o-UwxfKxwmh

This song is called The Good Fight it's an official lyric video done by two artists named Erskin and Josh Snyder. I heard this song last night on Christian Media Spotlight, where one of my friends Ron shared it with all of us. This song inspired this study on Fighting The Good Fight Of Faith.

Until you stop breathin', until you stop bleedin', Until your heart stops kick-drum beatin', When it's hard times, when it's long days And the enemy is right up in your face, When your back's against the ropes And you're feelin' all alone, Keep fightin' the good fight (never give up, never give up), Keep letting your light shine (holding it high as long as you live), 'Cause I'm never gonna leave you, Always gonna see you through to the other side, Keep fighting the good, fighting the good, Fighting the good fight, good fight (fight), Even in the road blocks (yeah), even through the rough spots, When you're feeling you've given all that you've got, I'm with you in the next step, givin' you in the next breath, I'll be the voice saying, "You're gonna make it", When you're out there on your own, You are never alone, Keep fighting the good fight (keep fighting the good fight, (Never give up, never give up), Keep letting your light shine (keep letting your light shine), (Holding it high as long as you live), 'Cause I'm never gonna leave you, Always gonna see you through to the other side, Keep fighting the good, fighting the good, Fighting the good fight, good fight.

I used to think grace was a ladder, Every sinner had to climb. If only I could just do better. I could earn it over time. Tried to work my way to good, Trouble is I never could, But then You showed me, Just exactly how grace works, I'm good at always falling down, You're good at never giving up, I'm good at getting turned around, You're good at saying I'm still loved, And I was wrecked by mercy, The day I understood, I'm not loved because I'm worthy, I'm loved because You're good.

Staring down the face of fear, Gotta keep breathing, When the negitive is all you hear, Gotta keep believing, 'Cause in the dark there is a light, The truth that keeps on burning bright, Brave enough to fight the fight And shout the battle cry, You'll never stop me, I'm a warrior, When I fall down, I get stronger, Faith is my shield, Your love is the armor, (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh), I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior), I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior), I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior), (I'm a warrior), Every scar on my skin, Is a beautiful reminder, Of a moment when I didn't give in, And I walked through fire, 'Cause in the dark there is a light, The truth that keeps on burning bright, Makes me brave to fight the fight, And shout the battle cry, You'll never stop me, I'm a warrior, When I fall down, I get stronger, Faith is my shield, Your love is the armor, (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh), I will keep the hope alive, I will find the strength inside, I will keep the hope alive, I am a warrior, I will survive, I will keep the hope alive, I will find the strength inside, I will keep the hope alive Warrior.

I need the kinda love that can outlast the night, I need the kinda love that is willing to fight, When the going gets tough, And my strength's not enough, I see You showing up like never before, This battle for my heart, You took on from the start, You are the peace when my mind's at war And oh, You will never stop fighting for me, When I can't fight for myself, Every word is a promise You keep, 'Cause You love me like nobody else, You stand up for me in the darkest night, When my faith is weak You're still by my side, You will never stop fighting for me, You will never stop fighting for me.

Who can bend my burdens And make them beautiful? Who can bring the healing, To the hurt I hold? Who else could part the waters, When I'm needing a way?, Though I'm walking through the valley, I'll believe when You say, I'll believe when You say, For the good, for the good, You work all things together, For the good, for the good, Your promise stands forever, You alone are my greatest hope, I trust You on the broken road, You work all things together like only You could, For the good,  Lord, Your ways are higher, You know Your plans for me, You give purpose and a future, Even when I can't see, So, I will pray through every heartache, I will cling to this faith, Though I'm walking through the valley, I'll believe when You say, I'll believe when You say, For the good, for the good, You work all things together, For the good, for the good, Your promise stands forever, You alone are my greatest hope, I trust You on the broken road, You work all things together like only You could, For the good, Of those who love You, those who love You, For the good, Of those who love You, those who love You.

In these songs we see it all has a common theme. The common theme of fighting the good fight of Faith.

1 Timothy 6 verse 12: Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4 verse 7-8:  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Romans 8 verse 37:  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 10 verse 17:  Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

2 Timothy 3 verses 16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

John 15 verse 15:  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

In all these scriptures we see how we can serve God well and keep fighting the good fight of Faith.

It's just like in how 1 Corinthians 13 verse 13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love, and we keep going, no matter what in this fight that we are fighting, and knowing that our Faith will stand in the promises of God and we will keep on fighting the good fight of Faith and we will never give up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ACglnMqLwo&list=RD1ACglnMqLwo&start_radio=1

This song is called Keep On Fighting by the Birdsongs and it's one that I thought it was perfect to end on because we keep fighting the good fight of Faith and He loves us without end as His children.

Love

 Follow the star to a place unexpected, Would you believe, after all we've projected, A child in a manger? Lowly and small, the weakest of all, Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl, Just a child, Is this who we've waited for? 'Cause how many kings step down from their thrones, How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for me? And how many gods have poured out their hearts, To romance a world that is torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior, All that we have, whether costly or meek

Because we believe, Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure, And myrrh for the cross He will suffer, Do you believe? Is this who we've waited for? How many kings step down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for me? And how many gods have poured out their hearts To romance a world that is torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Only one did that for me.

The love of God is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell; the guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, and pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure: the saints’ and angels’ song!

I could sing a different kinda song, I could chase more money, Yeah, I could try to be famous, Everybody love me, I could try to muddy up my message, I could water down my words, Till nobody knows what I'm saying, But that ain't gonna work, 'Cause if you know, know, know Jesus, Like I know, know, know Jesus, Then you'll know, know, know the reason why, I'm putting love on the radio, Spreading joy everywhere I go, There's no way to hide my hope, oh, no, This little light of mine, Hey, I'm gonna let it shine, Telling the world who saved my soul, The only way I know, With love on the radio.

How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure, That He should give His only Son, To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss –The Father turns His face away ,As wounds which mar the Chosen One, Bring many sons to glory., Behold the man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice, Call out among the scoffers., It was my sin that held Him there, Until it was accomplished;, His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished., I will not boast in anything,, No gifts, no power, no wisdom;, But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart  His wounds have paid my ransom.

When the music fades, All is stripped away And I simply come, Longin' just to bring, Something that's of worth, That will bless Your heart, I'll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself, Is not what You have required, You search much deeper within, Through the ways things appear, You're looking into my heart, I'm comin' back to the heart of worship And it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus, I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it, When it's all about You, It's all about You, Jesus.

Psalm 51 verse 10: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Proverbs 3 verse 5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

1 Samuel 16 verse 7: But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Matthew 6 verse 21: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When we think of all these things, we see that God's Love is stronger and that He loves us with His Heart.,

Some things that we need to think about is how God loves us so much that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

You've owned your fear and all your self-loathing, You've owned the voices inside of your head, You've owned the shame and reproach of your failure, It's time to own your belovedness, You've owned your past and how it's defined you, You've owned everything everybody else says, It's time to hear what your Father has spoken, It's time to own your belovedness, He says, "You're mine, I smiled when I made you, I find you beautiful in every way, My love for you is fierce and unending, I'll come to find you, whatever it takes, My beloved", You've owned the mess you see in the mirror, You've owned the lies that you're just not enough, You've been so blinded by all you're comparing, It's time to own your belovedness, He says, "You're mine, I smiled when I made you, I find you beautiful in every way, My love for you is fierce and unending, I'll come to find you, whatever it takes, My beloved", You are completely loved and fully known, Beloved, believe He died to make your heart His home.

In every circumstance, we see how God's Love is infinite and unending and how His Love Never Fails, it Never Gives Up, and when we remember that, we see how God gives us the strength to keep going with a open mind, and a open heart for always and forever.

I want to encourage you to look up each song that I shared on here, and also look up More Like Fallin In Love, The Heart Of God, and Aaron Applings the Father's Heart, and How He Loves Us, and really take time to reflect in the lyrics being spoken as you hear them and then I also want to encourage you to look up a different scripture that has the words Heart or Love or even both, and reflect in what God has to share with you in the heart of anything you face.

I hope that no matter what, none of us will ever stray away from how much God loves us.

I wanted to share a study like this because I felt that even though Valetines Day is coming up, that the truest of all things is for certain, God's Love Never Fails, and God will always be here.

Take this time to even look up Matthew West's song Take Heart and even read that scripture while listening to the song, and then even write down what God wants you to know as His Beloved Child who He cares for so much that He sent His Son to die on that cross for our sins. 

Beauty In Christ

I used to think grace was a ladder, Every sinner had to climb, If only I could just do better, I could earn it over time, Tried to work my way to good, Trouble is I never could, But then You showed me, Just exactly how grace works, I'm good at always falling down, You're good at never giving up, I'm good at getting turned around, You're good at saying I'm still loved, And I was wrecked by mercy, The day I understood, I'm not loved because I'm worthy, I'm loved because You're good.

Dear yesterday, Just called to say I'm leaving, I made my home there in your shadows far too long, 'Cause you never fail, To remind me of all my failures, But I think it's time that I leave you where you belong, So, goodbye, shame, Goodbye, past, Oh, goodbye, guilty. You won't see me looking back, I'm slamming that door, And I'm walking away, Hello, freedom, Hello, mercy, Hello, grace And goodbye, yesterday.

Psalm 100 verse 5: For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Be in this world not of it, Follow Jesus, not the crowd, Be light wherever it looks dark, And love where hate is loud, Make every day's ambition, Be to make my Father proud, That's my why, Greet every day with gratitude, Be humble and be kind, See the path in front of you, And leave the past behind, Between grudges and forgiveness, Choose forgiveness every time, Yeah that's my why, Knowing my Jesus and making Him known, Following Him where He calls me to go, And running this race knowing I'm running home, Every day of my life, That's my why, I'm fixing my eyes on a heavenly prize, So if anyone asks yeah that's my why.

Ephesians 2 verse 10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

When has He ever failed me, not once, When have I ever seen Him let me down, And is there any battle He can't overcome, And is there any mountain He can't move right now, I believe that my breakthrough's coming, I believe that my God's not done and, I believe there's nothing He can't do (oh oh oh oh), I believe there's a way He's making, Come what may I will not be shaken, On my knees I'll stand upon this truth, My breakthrough's coming, I know He's always faithful, always kind, No matter what my circumstances say, And with a story full of miracles behind, Oh I know my miracle is on the way (yeah), I believe that my breakthrough's coming, I believe that my God's not done and, I believe there's nothing He can't do (oh oh oh oh), I believe there's a way He's making, Come what may I will not be shaken, On my knees I'll stand upon this truth, My breakthrough's coming.

Jeremiah 29 verse 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.

What's your impossible, Your "I need a miracle", What's got you barely hanging by a single thread, What looks so hopeless now, What weighs down your heart with doubt

You beg for a breakthrough but no sign of breakthrough yet, When you've cried and you've cried til your tears run dry, The answer won't come and you don't know why, And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time, Don't stop praying, Don't stop calling on Jesus' name, Keep on pounding on heaven's door, Let your knees wear out the floor, Don't stop believing, 'Cause mountains move with just a little faith, And your Father's heard every single word you're saying, So, don't stop praying.

In every little thing we see how God gives us the grace to overcome life's obstacles.

We see how God's love and goodness endures every morning.

When we are searching for purpose, we see how God shows us what our why is, what our purpose in life is. We see our story isn't over. 

If you are going through the motions, and you're searching for a breakthrough, don't ever let your heart give up so easily. I'm hear to tell you, that you've got this, and that you're wonderfully made in the image of God. When we go to the Lord in prayer, we see how God gives us the purpose to be who we are called to be in Christ and when we pray to God, and we wait patiently and rely on His Timing and not our own, we will see breakthrough happen, little or big.

The two quotes about hope, well I thought it was fitting to share that, because we know hope isn't ever too far gone, and that Jesus is our light and our hope despite the darkness that sometimes can be scary.

When we don't stop praying, we are able to continue to be the light and hope to others around us.

If I were to ask you, what is your biggest fear? What are you feeling in your heart that makes you have that fear? Well, for me I would say one of my fears is losing someone close, and the feeling I have in my heart that makes me have that one, is a loneliness feeling, but now I can honestly say that, I've met so many amazing people who I'm thankful to call family and best friends and I don't have that loneliness feeling in my heart.

I know sometimes those feelings, and other fears or things that we feel that are normal to feel, may creep back up at times, but let me tell you, God is our friend and He will help us overcome through any obstacle we face in life, and the Enemy doesn't mean a thing when we got family, friends, and Jesus in our hearts to carry us through.

Sometimes we need to Let Go and Let God, and Let Go of The Pen and Let God write our story and when we allow God to keep writing our story, which is our testimony, we see the greatest picture of all, a God who loves us, a God who cares for us, a God who is understanding, patient with us, and a God who will never leave us, because God give us the love that so many of us need, and He calls us Beloved Children who are and always will be faithful to keep, because God doesn't give up on any of His children.

When God doesn't give up on His Children, He helps His Children, He gives us the ability to lead in Faith, and to lead with Integrity and Wisdom and to lead as a Warrior In Faith.

So no matter what, I heard it once said by a friend. It's not about how many times you fall, it's about how many times you get back up again.

When we get to that point, what else do you need to know? What else do you need to know but that God is a God who gives us the Hope to see the Hope inside ourselves.

I want to leave with this last thing and it's a line by Chris Rice with a song called Go Light Your World.

There is a candle in every soul, Some brightly burning, some dark and cold, And there is a spirit who brings a fire, Ignites a candle and makes his home.

I wanted to end with that line, because we need to remember God is the light of the world and He will give us the hope that we need to see the beauty inside our hearts and realize we are wonderfully made.

Searching For Us

 We roam and we ramble, Get lost and get tangled, In the thorns and the bramble, Confused and alone, Like children, we flee, From the thing that we need, And stray without heed, Far away from our home, And helpless, we stand, In a desolate land, It's cold, wet, and dreary, We're lonesome and weary, But our hearts tend wander, Though truth claps like thunder, We still tend to run from, The King that we love, But He's searching for us from the east to the west, Through the rivers of fire, to the cold wilderness, Like a Father, he loves, like a Shepard, he seeks, And he'll never give up till he brings home his sheep again.

Matthew 6 verse 33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

John 11 verse 25-26:  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Genesis 2 verse 7: Then the Lord God formed a man[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

John 5 verses 39-40:  You study[c] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Psalm 139 verses 23-24: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Hebrews 11 verse 1: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

In the all the scriptures, we see how even if we get lost and cannot find our back home, God will continue to search for us, He will continue to help us. He will give us the strength to find ourselves again, and know that we are His Beloved Child.

Beloved Believe He died to make your heart His home.

When I lose my way, And I forget my name, Remind me who I am. In the mirror all I see, Is who I don't wanna be, Remind me who I am.
In the loneliest places, When I can't remember what grace is. Tell me once again who I am to You, Who I am to You. Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You. To You.

No matter where we are we know that God gives us the strength to be who we are created to be in His Image, and even if we leave the 99, He will always come searching for us and bring us home.

In any life circumstances we can be who God made us to be in the Image of God.

God will always keep searching for His Children and bring them home again.

You are loved, and you are not alone in this world. 

If you feel lost, God will search for you and remind you that you're not forgotten and He will bring you right back home again.

Let this be a reminder, that You are a chosen child of God and that God loves us.