The Introverted Evangelist

Take Heart : " And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” " (Matthew 9:2) Take heart.  Don't let your past paralyze you . Don't listen to the lies that say your mistakes are who you are. Remember that the Blood of Jesus has made you new ( see 2 Corinthians  5:17 ).  His atoning sacrifice cleanses us  from all unrighteousness. We don't have to live the way we used to. The grace of our generous Lord gives us  inner strength  to break old habits and create a life of newness, rooted and founded in Christ Jesus. His Holy Spirit comes and floods us.  His Presence washes over us like the waves of the ocean's tide ... Washing away the shame of our old self, and  replenishing our strength with His mercy . Take heart, He is for us. Take heart, we are new creations. Take heart, for  He is good and worthy of our trust and prais...

The Beauty of Seeking His Face: " My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up ." (Psalms 5:3) This morning, as I stumbled out of bed preparing to tackle another Monday morning's to-do list, I lifted up my eyes - just as King David wrote in the Psalm above. As I looked up, I was  lavished  in the love of the Father.  Warm ,  golden  morning light came flooding in through the windows. Beautiful light,  heavenly light  shone in my groggy eyes and  enlightened  my soul. I am thankful for early  morning fellowship  with the Father in the light of His glorious Presence. Selah. " Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. " (Isaiah 60:1-2) May this week present the wondrous joy-gift of being...

God Has a Plan: "We have also received an inheritance in Him, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will" (Ephesians 1:11) The waters are rough and the winds rage relentlessly, but You, O God, are keeping me steadied in Your sovereignty. It can be difficult to imagine, that You, the God of the whole universe, might take care of me in such a gracious and loving manner. Then I'm tempted, tempted to fear that Your love has suddenly disappeared. I can see the storm that's coming near, O Lord my Lord, come meet me here and take my fear. "And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved." (Acts 2:21) My lips spill over in desperate defeat, "My Lord, I can't walk this path on my own two feet." You hear my cry, and You will satisfy. "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk throug...

No One Like You: "Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears." (2 Samuel 7:22) Oh how great You are, Lord! You are the One Who was, Who is, and Who is to come. The First and the Last. You reign from everlasting to everlasting. No one and no thing can compare to You, God. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,"(Ephesians 3:20) My most ambitious and exaggerated dreams are a mere taste of all the greatness God has planned for me. His plan is exponentially more enthralling, and it is birthed out of His pure and genuine love. "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." (Jeremiah 31:3) His lovingkindness bewilders my mind, but in the most awestruck and thankful way. He blesses abundantly, simply because that's who H...