Hope | No Fear, Just Hope

WAITING ON GOD | STAYING STRONG IN FAITH.

June 26, 2020

Do you consider yourself a patient person?

I’m not a very patient person, when I want something done, I want it done!
Waiting has never been easy for me, and God gave me Bruno, my beloved husband who tests my patience all the time.
His motto is: why should I do it today if I can do it tomorrow?

When I ask him to do something, as an impatient woman, I want him to do it right away but Bruno, being Bruno, always leaves it and does it later. For instance, last year, Bruno had the idea of buying a bike rack, he said that it would make our garage more organized and he was right, it would. I was against this at the beginning because I knew he wouldn’t install right away and it would be just one more thing piled in the corner just waiting to be installed.

However, one thing I can always rely on is that he will do it. I never know when, but he always does. Sometimes I get so impatient that I prefer doing it myself, but if I just waited my control off, for sure Bruno would do it.

What about with God? When you ask God something but you don’t hear His answer for some time, right then, are you a patient or impatient person?

When you search for the word “faith”, the first definition that appears is: “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” However, in the Bible you can also find a perfect definition of Faith in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

For me, faith is the confidence that God will always do the best for his children, even when we do not know what the best is. Through Jesus, we became children of God and even if a mother forsakes her children, God will never forsake us.

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.”

But the waiting period, for us, the impatient, it is so hard. We have to wait with the conviction that God has the best. With Faith.

Waiting on a promise

There are two different stories in the Bible with two different paths that lead to the same thing ~the fulfillment of God’s promise.

First, there is Abraham.
God promised Abraham that he would be a father to many nations. He promised to give him a child even in his old age. Abraham and his wife Sarah were patient at the beginning, but after 10 years waiting, they lost patience and lost faith. They wanted to get things done themselves, and not just wait ‘blindly’ on God to fulfill His promise.

God did not take back his promise for their lack of faith and patience, He instead started a new covenant with them. He included all the children of Abraham in the covenant, and from them the nations were formed. However, as a consequence of their lack of faith and patience, the nations created by one father became enemies to each other. We need to remember that, God doesn’t need our help. He knows the plans He has for us, and all we must do is to trust in Him and wait on Him.

Then, there is Joseph.
Joseph was the favorite son of his father Israel. When he was just a teenager, God gave him a dream and, on his dream, he would reign over his brothers. When he told this dream to his brothers, they got even more jealous and angry at him. They decided to sell him as a slave to the Ishmaelites and the Ishmaelites took him to Egypt and sold him to one of pharaoh’s officials. Joseph was promoted to be the leader of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. He ended up saving his brothers from starvation, the very brothers who sold him into slavery.

We see God’s promise being fulfilled in Joseph’s life. Joseph waited patiently on God, He knew the promise God had for him, and he knew that it would be fulfilled. Differently from Abraham, Joseph did not try to do things by himself. He was tested, he went through some trials, but he kept being faithful and trusted God.

Are you like Abraham and Sarah, who gets impatient and tries to get things done by yourself? Or are you a Joseph, that waits and trusts God even when things are so difficult?

Waiting on God for an answer

But what about when we still need an answer?

I think that when we feel lost, with no answers, it is harder to wait on God. When we have a promise, we might not know exactly when it will be fulfilled, but we have an idea of what is coming and what to expect. However, when we don’t even know what to expect, what to do, where to go, and in the uncertainties, it takes more faith and trust to know that God will come through.

Paul, had to wait 3 days in blindness, for the answer that God would give through Ananias. But , let me get your attention! didn’t we read earlier, that God know the plans He has for us? That He wants us to prosper and to have a future? Isn’t that already a promise? An answer that confirms everything will be ok? When we read the Bible, we can find many promises that God has made for us.

Psalms 37:5-7
“Commit you way to the Lord; trust in him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[^a^] have been called according to his purpose.”

Reading through the Bible, God’s word is filled with many promises from the God the father to us His children. Therefore, know that you too have promises waiting to be fulfilled.

THE PERIOD OF WAITING CAN TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN YOU EXPECT

God never lies, when the period of waiting is too long and God’s promises has not been fulfilled yet, trust that He is only preparing the way.

We are God’s masterpiece. If an artist makes a masterpiece, he wants it to be showcased in the best gallery possible, even if the way to the gallery is longer, with holes and mud. He will take the most difficult path just to make sure his masterpiece is in the best place it could be. God also wants us to be in the best gallery possible, and sometimes, the way to this gallery is longer, muddy and with holes.

Remember, we need also to accept when God’s answer is “No” but also know that faith and trust increases when you have a good relationship with God. The closer you are to God, the easier it will be for you to be confident that He is working on your behalf.

I don’t know which season of life you are in right now, but I know that God has a plan for you. Even if it seems that He is silent, He is working on your behalf. When your wishes do not correspond to God’s plan, be rest assured and know that His plans are better.

Let’s get excited with the unknowing, waiting on God and knowing that He is in control

God bless,

Aline Lubascher

WAITING ON GOD — Aline Lubascher is a Brazilian woman who lives in Belgium with her husband for about 8 years now.
She is passionate about the youth and has been a part of a Christian organization that hosted kids and teenage camps in Brazil. Now, together with her husband, she leads the University Ministry at Damascus Road International church in Maastricht.

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Faith over Fear Hope

TRUSTING GOD’S TIMING | MY JOB TESTIMONY | WAY TO MY JOB

June 24, 2020

TRUSTING GOD’S TIMING

Three weeks ago, my friend Annelies shared how her baby cries for milk and how she wants it then and immediately, and it is exactly what we do we our heavenly father.

We cry help Lord! When actually we needed the help yesterday and any wait longer drives us into worry. We are told several times to trust the promise keeper and way maker, but nobody tells us more about the waiting time.

It is easy to lose faith when it seems to take too long mostly in our eyes. Sometimes, we are so trouble and lose hope in it even happening.

I am here to encourage you that just like Annelies was ‘briefly’ in the kitchen making her daughter some milk, God is preparing something for you. It might mean that He may need to close many doors right in front of you, but keep the faith.

The promise keeper has promised, that’s all matters. Know that it will come to pass. This week’s guest blogs are all about waiting on God and how He is never late. You can walk in the confidence that God’s timing is the best and your testimony is coming.

God bless,

Click here to watch the video on youtube,

Nelly.

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Emotions Faith over Fear Hope

HOW ARE EMOTIONS PORTRAYED IN THE BIBLE?

June 19, 2020

Do you know what is the cognitive basis for some of your emotions?

Emotion is the way our brain makes meaning out of what we are experiencing. Emotions are an important part of of us and they can push us towards positive or negative actions.

They can motivate us to be zealous for God and to rebuke injustice by having a righteous anger. When we take anger as an example, God is more concerned about the thinking behind our anger than about the fact that we are experiencing anger.

Question is, are we showing appropriate emotion at the appropriate time? Are you the type that sees sin or injustice and you do not get angry? When we do this, we are actually failing to show appropriate righteous negative emotions when it is needed.

May the Holly Spirit generate God’s emotions in us so that we can we express them in ways that are building other people up. Remember, we don’t have to suppress our negative emotions, our duty is to bring them to God as raw as they are because truth is, God experiences these emotions too. So, its ok to bring your fears to God.

HOW ARE EMOTIONS PORTRAYED

Eph 4 : 26 “In your anger do not sin”.

Click here to watch the video on youtube

God bless,

Becky.

HOW ARE EMOTIONS PORTRAYED — Becky Castle Miller serves on the pastoral staff at Damascus Road International Church. She just graduated from seminary and is finishing her thesis on emotions in Christian discipleship. She is the author of the workbooks Following King Jesus and Teaching Romans Backwards. She and her husband have five kids and two cats.

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Hope Love

THE FATHER’S EMBRACE, SO RUN TO HIM SHAMELESSLY.

June 11, 2020

THE FATHER’S EMBRACE

Christine gives us insights into how it is so normal for the fathers in this generation to run to their children, but it was not the case in the olden days. We see that the father in the parable of the prodigal son was aware of the shame he was bringing to himself but he did not let this stop him.

His eyes were fixed on the precious one returning home. He who was once lost was now found. May we walk in the confidence that our father truly and deeply loves us with a love that is unconditional and even as we stray away, we are never far gone from His love. He is always on the lookout for our return.

“..In the first century, however, a Middle Eastern man never — never — ran. If he were to run, he would have to hitch up his tunic so he would not trip. If he did this, it would show his bare legs. In that culture, it was humiliating and shameful for a man to show his bare legs.

So, here’s the question: If it was shameful for a man to run in that culture, why did the father run when his son returned to him? What motivated him to shame himself? Before we answer that question, we have to understand an important first-century Jewish custom.

Kenneth Bailey, author of The Cross & the Prodigal, explains that if a Jewish son lost his inheritance among Gentiles, and then returned home, the community would perform a ceremony, called the kezazah. They would break a large pot in front of him and yell, “You are now cut off from your people!” The community would totally reject him.

So, why did the father run? He probably ran in order to get to his son before he entered the village. The father runs — and shames himself — in an effort to get to his son before the community gets to him, so that his son does not experience the shame and humiliation of their taunting and rejection. The village would have followed the running father, would have witnessed what took place at the edge of the village between father and son.

After this emotional reuniting of the prodigal son with his father, it was clear that there would be no kezazah ceremony; there would be no rejecting this son — despite what he has done. The son had repented and returned to the father. The father had taken the full shame that should have fallen upon his son and clearly shown to the entire community that his son was welcome back home.

The amazing application for our own lives is crystal clear. Our heavenly Father has taken our shame through his Son, Jesus, who willingly endured the cross on our behalf. He took our sins’ shame so that we would not have to. As a result, we can be forgiven, restored — accepted. We do not have to fear going home to our Father and confessing our sins, no matter what we have done, or how many times we have done it (remember, Jesus taught his followers to forgive 70 times seven).

In the parable, only the father could restore the son to full sonship in the family. In our case, we are sinners, and there is nothing that we can do to restore our lost relationship with the Holy God of the Universe. He calls us and waits — a single repentant step in his direction, and he is off and running to welcome us back home!

Not only does God forgive us, but he takes upon himself our shame. He lifts off that weight that we carry on our shoulders for our past mistakes, and willingly wipes the slate clean once more. May we experience what the prodigal son encountered upon returning to the Father: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20)…” In-depth commentary by By Matt Williams.

Click here to watch the video on youtube

THE FATHER'S EMBRACE — Christine is a medical doctor by profession. When she is not hosting bible studies in her home, she will be found hosting large dinners for friends and baking. She and her husband are pastors at Damascus Road International Church in Maastricht. She is a mother two lovely boys.

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Hope

FINDING GOD’S SENSE OF HUMOUR IN THE MIDST OF THE DARKNESS.

June 2, 2020

GOD’S SENSE OF HUMOUR

To be honest, I have been very neutral in politics, be it Kenyan or Dutch or any others that has caught my attention in the last 15 years. However, this didn’t stop for being disgusted or rebuking the many acts against humanity.

What I didn’t know was that I would be explaining it to my 7 year old girl who wanted to know why there was a demonstration in the city square.

I-J : Mom! Why are these people in Centrum matching and holding up the cards ” black lives matter”? Me- 1st of all stunned and then responded. ”

Me: a lot of unfortunate and bad things have been happening lately and it has gone extreme , so people have come together to condone (speak against) these acts.”

I-J : what is condone and why black lives matter?

Me : told her the story of George and Arbery and told her how it’s still unfortunate that people are judged and mistreated because of the colour of their skin.

I-J : even before I finished explaining and looking shocked said , “ nooooo way!! But we are all the same! Did he want to harm people? Was he being naughty on the streets, what did he do?

Me : ” Arbery did nothing wrong though (but George did)

” I-J : “ why didn’t anyone call the police to help”

Me : ” For George, it was a police officer who did that to him”

I-J : looking so disturbed by this and tears filling in her eyes. “ oh my goodness , even if he did something wrong like wanting to hurt people, he should not be killed, only arrested and taken to jail. So why killed because of nothing? Mummy, that’s so bad. Then we should also be in centrum right now, with these other people.

The 1st time, I talked to I-J about race was years ago when people were demonstrating against the Zwarte Piet ‘( black helper to Santa Claus version). The explanation was very basic and just covered the history of the slaves and how some people still carry it forward.

To me nobody ever gets killed during Sinterklaas and children love it for the gifts and candy. It’s the adults that actually spoil and tarnish the whole thing.

Anyway, for innocent people to get killed now miles and miles away, I guess it tipped the scales and it was finally time for a conversation. Maybe it’s time for that tough conversation with those ignorant or young around you , before it catches up with them.

Yesterday, I was sad because of the death of a single mother, we had visited Opa and the empty house reminded us of Oma’s absence and I-J was crying about it and about Olivia’s absence.

Then with everything happening, this encouragement just came to me. Not sure if it fits for your case, but when i was at the lowest point and at the point of almost losing my life, God saw it fit to remind me in His own way, that He is still King of the world and got it under control, even when darkness seems to be winning.

Keep the faith. Light will conquer. Encouragement: God is working behind the scenes in every situation that you are in and feel like the darkness has overcome. Even though He will reveal to us the results at His appointed time, He is always faithful to give us a preview of His promises to keep us encouraged.

Just like the stars in the night. Have you ever doubted the existence of the sun during the night? No! So look for the stars and find His humor. He reveals His humor through various things like nature, people and His word (check out proverbs). May we open our eyes even in the midst of the dark storms and may we see His character, His humour and the tit bits of His promises which He faithfully reveals to us.

Click here to watch the video on youtube

God bless,

Nelly.

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Faith over Fear Hope

WAYS TO UNMASK THE GRACE OF GOD TO FULLY EXPERIENCE IT: SERIES 1

June 2, 2020

Episode 1. Letting go of perfectionism

~ and how letting go of it will invite God’s power to be revealed in our weaknesses. We see how it is unhealthy because, it is only Christ who came for the imperfect us, to make us perfect. If He found us perfect, where would that leave His son?.

We see how perfectionism is unattainable, it makes you feel you have it all figured out but in the end, what we get is an exhausted person and unhealthy destructive self-talk. We are instead called to live a life worthy of His sacrifice and it may look like having high standards for doing stuff but not perfectionism. 2Cor 12:9 His grace is sufficient for you, his power is made perfect in weakness.

Episode 2. Where does this Perfectionism come from?

Have you ever thought that you are enough and that you’ve got what it takes?. Striving to be perfect is triggered by many experiences. As a result, shame, fear of failing, making mistakes and disappointing people, and not meeting people’s expectations are triggered.

Our striving for perfectionism seems to be a counter effect of coping against shame, judgment, and blame. I wanted to prove that I can do better. Even though, those I was trying to prove myself to, were nowhere near my life. Its the continuous struggle to belong, feel noticed, to be good enough. I was trying to earn approval from external standards made by men.

So, have you ever told yourself that you are enough Remember, you’ve Got What It Takes? We are reminded in Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”.

Episode 3: Our personalities and how it impacts/ triggers our behavior.

We saw how Our personalities and our upbringing definitely influence how we relate to our children or those around us and also trigger certain behavior in them.

Christ came to make us perfect by taking our sins and imperfections. We went ahead and dug deeper to see the root of perfectionism. Irrespective of what you have done, know that God’s grace is sufficient for me.

All I have to do is 1st forgive myself and all those who punished me and didn’t relate the consequences or punishment with the misbehavior, which makes one shut down and feel like it’s about them failing and not having made a bad decision.

Episode 4: Let go of Control:

In Matthew 11, Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

So why do we still hunger for control? What is the way forward in letting it go? How do we unmask God’s grace and let ourselves soak in His unending grace?

It is not that we do not trust Him but could it be we are hiding some other weaknesses by striving to be perfect in others as we keep upgrading checklists from checklists as a sign of accomplishment and fulfillment.

There’s definitely something about letting go, not trying so hard to control everything ourselves and relying on God who will bring good things to pass.

How about, before we blame ourselves for failures because of checklists did not go as planned, we surrender to the one who can clothe us in perfection and take control of our lives. We only need to be still, get out of our own ways. We do not have to be perfect moms, wives.

Our spouses and children already knows how great of a mom and wife you are, you do not need to break your leg to prove it.

We have seen that we are enough and theres nothing that we can do to deserve Gods’ love or mercy. Lets place all of your worries, frustrations, and limiting patterns in God’s capable hands.

We need to have a daily practice of letting go.

Episode 5. We Unmask God’s grace by knowing that we are free off condemnation,

especially when we follow what God’s word says about us. It is the voice of truth. It says you are free, chosen, forgiven, called, and are a masterpiece.

Romans 8:1 ” Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus “. How is that even possible when are full of sin? Its because, we have the righteousness of Christ backing us up when we stand before the father. You have been forgiven, so so don’t condemn no one and not even yourself.

Remember, the old is gone and the new has come. Walk in that confidence and experience God’s grace fully.

Episode 6: We unmask God’s grace by changing our perception of who God is and who we are in Him.

God sent His son to die for you and me. He is not like man, His love is unconditional and knows no boundaries.

Oftentimes, we think of ourselves at the bottom of the pit, not worthy of love nor belonging. We see ourselves as ”Too far gone” or too damaged to be love or shown grace, then we see God as this wrath-filled God, full of anger and ready to pounce on us.

It is time to realize that God wants to trade our ashes for His beauty. He wants to take our dry bones and breathe life into them. There is no place too far for you to find God’s grace or where God’s grace can find you.

So come out of that lie that makes you think you are undeserving of grace live a life full of Grace. Let us not take God back to the battleground where He already won the battle.

Stop running away but approach Him because He is here to meet you and invite you back home to where you belong. Ephesians 3: 14-19 ( I pray you to grasp how He loves you..) ~ be encouraged!

A Prayer for the Ephesians 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,

15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

I pray you know that you are : His beloved you are free, you are the temple of the Holly Spirit, God’s child, friend of Christ, His workmanship, you are adopted in God’s family, forgiven and clean, His masterpiece, whole in Christ, righteous, a co-heir with Christ, citizen of heaven, new creation, justified, free from condemnation, set apart more than a conquerer …etc.

Walk in the confidence that He delights in you and wants to enjoy your presence as well. Remember, nothing can EVER SEPARATE YOU FROM HIS LOVE!

More Than Conquerors Rom 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]

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

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Episode 7. Several ways to unmask the grace of God.

Have you ever been offered a gift and the person offering has made it clear explicitly or indirectly that you have to do something in return for them? Would you freely take it? Nah! You would be like ”No thanks”.

Have you realized that we do the same with Christ? When we realize what the sacrifice for our sins cost Him, we are embarrassed to freely receive Him and all His promises, because we tend to think that there are some strings attached. That’s a big lie!!

So how do continue to unmask God’s grace: 7a). Simply asking Him ~ He is a father who is willing to give us good gifts.

7b.) Through His word ~ His word is life and comes alive in us revealing to us the secrets of His mercy and grace. His word will be revealed to you when your heart is open. Through revelations.

7c). Loving on others and fellowship ~ Once we experience His grace and it is manifested in or hearts, we can only pay it forward by showing the same mercy and love to those around us, whether deserving or undeserving of it.

7d). Realizing what a costly price he paid ~ the pricey price Romans 5: 8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! *** The sacrifice was huge.

7e). Realizing that the grace is free for us to receive~ As we partake of it and soak ourselves in it, we need to be aware that prior to receiving it, we did not deserve it: There is nothing we can give him back, but he gave it all. As humans, we usually love the tit for tat love kind of giving.

7f). This next way of unmasking Gods’ grace relates back to knowing our identity ~ The promises /results we receive from the mercy that He showed us through His sacrifice ~ through His love, we are called children of God. (1 John 3:1).

7g). Realizing that there are no strings attached ~ His grace was and is freely given. No repayment for the act needed. It is free for all who yearn for it.

***John 10: 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Going forward, let us continue to have a desire and hunger to experience His grace and love. Let us take off all the masks that hinder this experience.

Let’s seek Him, yearn for more of His presence and sink deeply in this love and sink deeply in it because, we have only scratched the surface.

Have you experienced a season where you feel like God’s grace was revealed to you through a different way?

Please share more ways we can fully umask the grace of God in our lives as this list is not conclusive.

God bless,

Nelly.

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Family Life & Marriage Hope

Not Alone! You Are The One He Leaves The 99 To Come Find.

April 9, 2020

“Hello Opa (Grand-pa), I am so so sad that you have to spend Easter alone this year. In the past, we have spent Easter together with all the family members as well as Oma. This year, we can not come because of Corona and the borders are closed. I have made this card for you to show that I am thinking of you. Lots of love Imani -Jane. Kisses’’

This week marks one year since the passing of Oma. She died last year in April just before her birthday. Easter has always been one of the many times we would all join at the house . The younger grand and great grand kids would be playing and running barefoot in the garden with chocolate melted all over their faces. The mothers would be worried about the sugar rush later on when we would get back home, but Oma did not let that bother her. She would insist, let the kids have fun!.

At the end of the day, usually at night, Opa and Oma would give all the young kids bags of Easter presents with more chocolate and eggs . The only ‘disagreement’ I have witnessed my parents in law having with their grown kids is that ‘they cared/ loved too much’. They always go the extra mile and there is nothing wrong with this. This year, there in no Oma to love too much on her babies and her memory will live in the hearts of her children, grand and great kids as well as extended kids forever.

When I-J, read to me what she had written, I felt saddened and wanted to be there for her and Opa as well. I wanted to cal him and just hear him speak for hours ~ he can easily do this. Problem is, my dutch is not that fluent for a deep conversation like this one would entail. I was so proud of I-J for thinking of this and doing it with the help of her dad posting the letter.

It made me ponder and think about the many people who are now more lonely and alone because of quarantine and forced isolation. In NL, its common for grandparents to have a granny day where the grandkids visit and spend the day or the grandparents pick the kids from school, spend time with them until evening when they drop them off home or parents pick them up, ~ this is not happening anymore.

Last week, some friends posted a selfie they had made through the window during the weekly grocery drop off and visit to their elderly parents. This made me smile that people are finding creative ways to still have contact , just not physical. Not being able to see your parents or grand kids for weeks and then having the opportunity to see them even just through the window, I bet would be the greatest feeling ever.

On the negative side, on the news this week, it was mentioned that domestic violence has increased the last 4 weeks since the lock down both in Belgium and The Netherlands. Children are calling helplines because of all kinds of abuse and the calls from partners in violent relationships has also gone up. Mostly, such cases in children are usually discovered during growth check ups at the health centers at least for children younger than 4years, where children are physically checked to see whether they are growing well.

I-J and her grandparents. (Late grandmother. )

However, since the pandemic all these check up have been transferred to calls. The doctor called me last week to check on how Amirah was doing and of course she had to believe all I said about her development. She was not there to check her body, skin or even weigh her to confirm everything. From my voice and questions, she had to believe all was ok. This is not the case in most homes, as children are left to starve or eat very unhealthy food not because of lack of money but because the parents do not care or they are under the influence of drugs and making food is the last thing on their list.

At the same time, I am reminded of the children of most struggling families in Kenya and other countries, where the family can not afford more than one meal. The children therefore the kids rely on well wishers who pay for lunch at the schools so the kids can have at least one warm meal. All this is not possible right now with schools closed and the parents out of jobs, it is a sad state.

The lockdown in most countries might be #flatteningTheCurve but is causing a lot of other mental challnges. Those who were in isolation depressed, are now more deeper in the valley because no one can come and camp at their door until they open up. Everyone is trying to survive and take care of themselves. This weekend, and going forward , as we remember what God’s beloved son did for humanity, let us take on His example and love beyond our bubble or four walls. Let us love deeper , listen keenly, give generously, forgive graciously.

Philippians 2:3-4
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Lastly, I would like to encourage those going through dark times, anxiety , depression, addictions , fear and every bondage that ties you up. I pray you get the strength to proactively find or get access to meaningful connections around you or from an online group. The devil is a liar and will try to victimize you and tell you stories and scenarios where you failed so you can feed on self pity. However, I want to encourage us to reach out to someone for connection. We are stronger together and when we all arise to help each other, great things happen. Each one of us has been given unique sets of gifts that we are to put on service for Gods kingdom work. It is not of us to keep un – used. I may not be available for visits but if you send me a prayer request or just a simple ” Nelly, I am struggling”, I will reach out to you and we will pray together.

Romans 12:5
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

1 Corinthians 12:12
“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many are one body, so also is Christ.”

1 Corinthians 12:26
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

Most importantly, after seeking ‘felllowship’, let us turn back from all fear and trust God by calling out to him as our father ~ He does hear us and wants to have a deeper connection with us. By letting fear rule, we are trying to be in control and thus fighting a battle that was already won thousands of years ago.

God knows we can not do it on our own and is therefore, waiting for an invitation. Will you invite him to walk with you? Would you let Him in? Remember, He is the one who was abandoned in darkness to die for you. He rose again in victory and chooses to leave the 99 to come and find you. Ooh, in the moments of my valley season, anxiety, pain, confusion and ‘doubt’, I want to be found by Him, don’t you?

“…God of salvation
You chased down my heart
Through all of my failure and pride
On a hill You created
The light of the world
Abandoned in darkness to die
And as You speak
A hundred billion failures disappear
Where You lost Your life so I could find it here
If You left the grave behind You so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You’ve done
Every part designed in a work of art called love
If You gladly chose surrender so will I
I can see Your heart
Eight billion different ways
Every precious one
A child You died to save
If You gave Your life to love them so will I
Like You would again a hundred billion times
But what measure could amount to Your desire
You’re the One who never leaves the one behind….” #SoWillI.

Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.

Psalm 139:7-10
“Where can I go from Your Spirit?Or where can I flee from Your presence?If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”

Let us wash our faces and celebrate the one who lost His life so you and I could find it.

Lots of love,
Mama Faith, Hope and Love.

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Faith over Fear Hope

But God~ Looking Back With Gratitude & Forward In Faith.

February 10, 2020

The only thing that is worthy and justifies incorrect grammar, is when God intervenes.

BUT God,’ (Ephesians 2:4) in the bible comes in moments where there seems to be no hope, then God suddenly intervenes to reveal His supernatural powers and His sovereignty. Its like He is storming in shouting ‘ No , no no, don’t close that chapter yet, I am not done with that season yet, I still have a say in it’/ don’t shut me out’.

God’s goodness goes beyond all our expectations and imagination. It is bigger than all of us

As human beings, we have a reputation for ‘selective forgetfulness. We tend to allow our hearts to forget the good things especially during hard times. Deuteronomy6:12 take care that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery“. So many times, the Israelites had to look back and be forced to remember how they had been rescued.

Since we got engaged and later married, going 12 years this year, I have had a book where each month I have been writing prayer points, come back and write answered prayers both for friends, family and myself. There are so many answered prayers the last 10 years but also unanswered prayers both for friends/family or myself.

However, in this season, I choose to count my blessings. In those seasons when I am between what God has done and waiting for the things he is about to do, I always take that book and go through it. Every single time, I am always ‘surprised ‘ at some of the answered prayers which could have been easily forgotten.

Whenever, I went back to read what God had answered, I would highlight what spike to me most especially if we were going through the same season of waiting.

It is very easy for us to fall back on the place where answers haven’t been given, where there’s uncertainty, that place where God didn’t come through for us the way we expected him to because that’s where our mind loves to thrive on, ~ places of doubt, regret and the ‘what ifs’. Instead of falling back to the familiar seasons and moments where we were at our darkest moments BUT GOD, came through for us. Let us remember that each day we rise He has new mercies at our disposal

Lamentations 3:22-24″ The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;2 his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new mevery morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him”

God’s best friend David invites us to intentionally schedule time to look back into the details of our lives and think on the goodness of our father.

“My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.Psalm 145:21. On the other hand, we might be thinking ‘ what’s there to praise God for when all that surrounds you is heart ache after heart ache.

No matter how deep the valley you are in, please know that God will never forsake us. His word confirms this 1john 1:16. I think I love this translation better:

“For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]”.Amp.

Like David, we need to slowly look back this past year and really deeply check mercies that had the almighty Gods doing to take place. There’s no doubt that we will find not one but several glimpses of His blessings and actual riches of his blessings.

As much as it is hard to reflect on His goodness, we need to walk in the confidence that “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32

The same God that gave His only son for your life will give you everything He has promised and He is with you always. No works will make us deserve His kindness, but out of his mercy and grace, He continuously purposes to choose us over and over again.

2 Peter 1:3 “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence”

Looking Back With Gratitude – Image by Nelly

Therefore, even in the midst of the storm the psalmist urges us to reflect and give praise to God, acknowledging that He is the one able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ever imagine.

When there’s a positive motivation or reward, praise automatically comes easy. We are happy and feel generous so it only comes natural for us to say good things in response to what we might have received or actions that might have been done to us.

However, there are seasons where our hearts don’t seem to do this automatically. This is because, the praise is not coming from a motivated generous heart but one that is at the crossroads of waiting on God or in seasons of pain and hurt. Where we don’t see His goodness and our environments constantly magnifies the negativity around us and the unanswered prayers.

When we bring ourselves to praise God in these moments, we honour God as we choose to offer sacrifices of praise to Him. Not because of what He has done but who he is in our lives. Its praising in the pain. Reminds me of the song ” I will praise you in the storm….’

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. – Hebrews 13:15.

I want to encourage us to always remember moments where ‘But God’ is mentioned, because those are the moments where what all seemed impossible, is made possible by His grace.

I want to also challenge us, to look back especially in the seasons of waiting. The seasons where the enemy seems to be winning , take moments to acknowledge God and all the has done in your life. God will not look down on this form of praise, He will gladly and proudly inhabit in it.

Ephesians 2: 1…for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…..Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

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

9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

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

Prayer

Father God, thank you that while we are in the waiting season, you show us glimpses of the blessings to come. We praise you for who you are in our lives and for your continued faithfulness this past year. Teach us to look more deeply into your goodness and to always count our blessings. In Jesus name.

Amen.

Lots of love,

Mama Faith, Hope and Love.

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Emotions Grief & Loss Hope New Normal

A Prayer For Those Grieving During The Holiday Seasons.

December 25, 2019

I know for many, this holiday season will be different, with several family members missing from the table. I know of friends who were looking forward to the 1st Christmas with their newborns but who are no longer here and now this holiday season becomes dreadful. Other friends who have lost grandparents, parents, siblings and even friends. This is also our 1st Christmas without Oma. In their absence, this is my prayer for all of us. I pray it blesses your heart, as it has mine as I felt the Holy Spirit strongly.

Let’s pray.

Aba father, the holidays are here and for some of my friends, the losses are becoming even more evident and heavy on our hearts.

I pray for the friend reading this, who is doing everything they can to keep their faith strong, to trust in you. But it seems as if they are losing the battle.

I pray that they will not have to put on a face this holiday season, trying to hold back tears and putting on a smile , pretending they are ok and that their world isn’t collapsing.

Father, I know many are dreading the holidays and there isn’t anything that can make them put on a ‘holiday spirit ‘ and the sound of Christmas carols doesn’t bring any cheer. In fact, they want the holidays to be over. But God you are even closer to the broken hearted, may you embrace them even more this season.

I pray that grief will not consume their hearts and that they may know, they are never alone.

Father Lord, I pray for hearts that are overwhelmed, burdened and crushing with weight too heavy to carry. May you overcome them with peace and joy. I know for many, they have called on you but still can’t feel you. They still feel lost, unanswered and abandoned. I pray that your spirit will confirm your presence to them. “..The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18.

Lord, your children need you, draw closer to them, lift their spirits, take their grief and replace it with your joy in abundance. Give them hope to see them through this season, hope that will bring them to the season where you get to restore all that was taken away from them.

Reveal yourself to them and show them just a glimpse of your glory and promises. Reveal to them your goodness even when it doesn’t feel that you are good.

Lord, teach us to keep trusting in you and to walk in the confidence that you Lord are forever faithful. Show your children a glimpse of what you are working on behind the scenes not because they doubt you but to strengthen their faith. Fill our hearts with joy exceedingly.

Lord, in Isaiah 26:3, you promise to keep in perfect peace all who trust in you. Lord, I pray that we will not be consumed with the sadness that engulfs us. Forgive us for focusing so much on what we have lost and getting our eyes to miss on the numerous blessings in our lives ~ your son Jesus Christ. Lord, help us fix our eyes only on you ~ the author and finisher of our faith.

Lord, help your sons and daughters feel your love in ‘ real ways’ they can relate to.

Lord, you tell us to come boldly (Heb 4:6), to receive your mercy and grace to see us through tough times. Therefore, Lord I pray for more grace, mercy for your sons and daughters right now. May you open your doors of heaven and pour it out, let it rain Lord , let it rain father. Pour
it our Lord. We can’t do without any of it. So, soak us Lord. We look up to you Lord. Our only refuge and anchor for our souls.

Lord, you are faithful to take all our our burdens and you ask us to bring it all to you (1pet 5:7), even though, we have a habit of taking them back again. Lord help us give it all back to you in exchange of your peace, light yoke and calmness.

Lord, I know many have cried tears and groaned such that, they lack words to say to you. But, so thankful because you know our hearts. As your word says in Rom 8:26 …that the Holy Spirit will help us in our weakness by praying for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words, even when we don’t know what God wants us to pray for.

Lord, we are weak, and just like David said, we only have a broken heart to offer, I pray that our broken hearts will be acceptable you in all humility. And our groanings will be a sweet sound in your ears, because you delight in your children.

Lord, even when we don’t see any good in a certain season, we know you are good and nothing surprises you. You are always working for our good. You say in Isaiah 43: 18-19, that nothing compares to what you are going to do and that you are doing something new and you have already begun it. It is my prayer lord that we are able to see you in the moment. Let us not miss you walking in our midst like the disciples. Instead, let us feel you and know it is you and has been you all along, even when it doesn’t please us.

“…But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland”. Isaiah 43:18-19

Lord, we will never understand your ways, because your ways are not our ways, and we surely do not command the sun where it should rise or create the borders for the seas. But lord, help us hold steady fast to your promise.

We do not understand when loved ones have to go, I know you will instead make beauty with these ashes that are in form of our grief. Let your will be done in our lives. Help us see with your eyes Lord. We may never understand how death and sickness work for our good Lord, but we want to continue trusting in you, take our unbelief and use our lips to testify of your faithfulness.

Lord, would you create in us a new spirit and do something new in us. Take our bitter hearts. Take the old away and make us new all for your glory alone.
Forgive us for try to figure it all by ourselves, Lord we surrender wholeheartedly to you our king.

Lord, thank you for your mercies and faithfulness that are new every morning, extending to the ends of the seas. Lam 3:22-23.

Thank you that your love for us never ends and they begin afresh each morning. Thank you for waking us up each morning. I pray for eyes like yours, that we will get to view this world and see the beauty that you see even in the middle of the ugliness.

Lord, your word says that , …this sadness is temporary and that your joy will surely come.

This darknes that seems to overwhelm and engulf us will be consumed by the light that is surely coming in the morning. Thank you for your favour upon our lives. I pray that you see your sons and daughters through their individual nights which for some of them seems to be longer than others. Psalm 30:5 “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning“.

Lord, during this holiday season, I pray that you will reveal yourself to us. Thank you for your son that was born in this humanity, He knows what pain is. Thank that He is indeed Emanuel ~God with us.

Help us embrace your son, the gift you have given us, that we may be reconciled to you. Thank you that because of the gift you sacrificed, we can get to enjoy many other gifts in this life. Help us focus on those this season.

Lord, help us carry and share your good news and hope to all around us. Help us say a Prayer For Those Grieving and tell them about Emmanuel being here with us and that we do have to wait for you anymore. The promise is here ~ Christ with us.

Thank you Lord.
We surrender to you and pray this in your mighty name. Amen.

Merry Christmas you all.
Lots of love.
Mama Faith, Hope and Love.

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Faith over Fear Hope

Hearing God | Sign’s Already Given | Listen with your heart

December 23, 2019

Side Note: Some will say it’s coincidence but I say, it’s God confirming what He had put in my heart. You see, I don’t just write randomly, I always feel a strong nudge about something, whether it’s my feelings, emotions , then I pray about it and write as I pray.

Anyway, this is what happened, the last 3 days, I have been writing on and off about ‘ hearing God and seeking His confirmation over issues in our lives. I wasn’t sure when to post this and was waiting for that right moment in my heart.

God on the other hand has His own sense of humour. Yesterday at church, one of the verses our pastor read from, for the sermon, is one I had used as well. Matthew 12 &16. Where the Pharisees keep asking for a sign, instead of believing in the one already prophesied and given – Jesus Christ.

Sign’s Already Given:

Last Wednesday I woke up and prayed ” thank you Lord for being patient with me”. This got me thinking about of how being or operating in the Kingdom life is more so like a GPS system, where we are intertwined with the Holly Spirit, keen in our spiritual ears , not missing his cues and signs.

Then I started thinking of ‘purpose’. I am confident of what God’s purpose for my life is, or at least one of them. Once we know why God keeps waking us up each morning, we can’t keep coming to God year in year out asking “God, show me the way, without making any step of faith”. You gotta start moving in that direction and ask for confirmation.

He has already revealed Himself to you, His power has been made perfect in you. We ought to move from “show me the way” to more specific prayers like ” God, how do you want me to go about this, is this plan that I have in line with your will?”.

Have you thought about what would have happened if Abraham wasn’t keen in the Spirit but instead consumed in his, worry about, what people would say? he would have missed the voice of God. Abraham, when he was on kingdom work, he turned off all noises and was focused on the father, that’s why He was able to hear the instruction about the lamb behind him.

Many times when we go through life’s struggles or challenges, our ears are accustomed to hearing and being influenced by the noises around us. Those applauding us, criticizing us, or even encouraging us. All these are vital, but when we find ourselves, with outside volumes higher than the spiritual one, it’s usually a call to turn back to what the voice of truth is nudging us to do.

Once you hear from God, it is then ok to go back to God and ask Him for a confirmation, which He is always faithful to give. He will use a random person to prophecy, or declare a word to you. He will even use nature or kids to confirm His word to you.

Note, it’s only after seeking His will, are we to ask for a confirmation and not going about asking for signs here and there before we have even sat at His feet to consult if this was even the way he wants us to go. This way, it will be no longer a CONFIRMATION’, but you going in it, in your own way.

Back to purpose, being attentive in the Spirit and the GPS system. Once you know your purpose, you start ‘moving/acting in faith’ . It is only while moving that your GPS is able to recalibrate and select the right way. You can’t select the right way while being still.

So, it is with our purpose and all kingdom work God has called us to do. He says in 2Peter 1:3 ” By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” Meaning, all have been made available for us way in advance before our calling.

All we need to do, is start moving , taking our position and in moving, when we feel like we need some guidance and affirmation to check whether the road we took was really the one meant to, we can keep asking for direction. We need to ask direction in wisdom too.

When you select a route on the GPS, it usually says, “keep going straight for 30km or so”. I have never heard any GPS, repeating at each KM “yes, go straight, yes, keep going, yes, go on straight. No, it gives the clear instruction at the beginning and then usually a few Kms later, it will say briefly ” continue straight”.

It is the same with our walk with Christ, He has promised to walk with us and said He will never forsake us. So when God endorses your plan and you feel it deep in your bones and spirit that He has confirmed it, you start moving and have the confidence that He is with you and that He has already provided a way .

Now is not the time to start praying ” show me your way Lord”. It’s the time to open both our physical and spiritual eyes and ears to hear and see what He has laid up in the journey and the words He has for us while we go forth.

Many a times, God places people in our paths, either to encourage us , boost our destiny and we sometimes miss it because we dismiss them because our spiritual antenna is off.

God is indeed patient with us. We have moments when we might have ‘ slagged’ in pursuing our purpose because of life’s struggles but He is always waiting with arms wide open. So , when you feel it’s time to step right back up, know that you are never alone. Your purpose is still where you left it at. You can pray ” show me my purpose Lord” no wrong in that but I feel we should praying ” Lord, where can I start from or continue from? I feel like you are leading me to this, should I go ahead?”.

We need to ‘wake up’ from our slumber as humanity is thirsty for our gifts and our presence. We should also not be comparing our lives with others, some of us have been called to hospitality to smile at people and hug them, others have been called to the screnes with microphones, to speak up in boldness without shame, and more so others behind the screen or any public scene.

Whether staying at home and pouring your love to those tiny ones or in the corridors of the corporate world, shining Jesus’s love and kingdom principles in an environment that is thirsty for it. I pray we all discover what is that thing, we have been called to do. Why does God keep waking you up each morning? He is giving you a new chance and new mercies and grace to take up that space and he the best version of yourself -His image.

Have you realized that sometimes, you have only scratched the surface of your full potential and purpose? It’s true that in some seasons we leak out and bless and there are seasons where we hide under Jesus’s feet to soak up of the kingdom.

We can’t pour out from an empty heart. On the other hand, we can’t keep ‘hiding’ and soaking up, we need a channeling out ~ a system that operates in balance of flowing in and out. That’s why we are here. We ought to be both a Mary and a Martha in kingdom work.

Wisdom is realising when you have been in one of the season’s for too long and doing the necessary. Have you been soaking up too long and feel like God is nudging you to get back out there?, or have you been leaking out and pouring out for so long and feel like you are no longer speaking from the vine but more so adding your own words?

Thank God in His mercies and grace for being patient with us. But in His patience, there is still a gentle nudge and whisper calling out His sons and daughters to take up their positions and be His hands and feet in this world.

Lean in , and take up space with the confidence that you are not doing it alone and in your own might. He has your back. “It’s time child” He whispers. The sign – Jesus Christ) that was prophesied long ago is here now, we don’t need to look for it.

Much love
Mama Faith, Hope and Love,

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