though my world may fall apart.

Satan has a funny way of tripping us up. Tearing apart things that were never meant to be torn apart, attacking us at the very core of who we are, throwing things our way that hurt so much you want to give up.
God has a funny way of lifting us up. Building up things that were torn down, protecting the very core of who we are, giving us armor to deflect the hurt, He holds us when we want to give up.
We serve a God that never gives up on us. We serve a God that has already paid the ultimate price. I needed to be reminded of that. I need to be seeking Him, trusting Him. Totally depend on Him, even though my world may fall apart all around me, though things seem so deep that I can't walk through them. I lay myself down at Daddy's feet, rest assured in His promises, let Him hold me and see the hurt. I hold onto His promises. His promises that NO weapons formed against me will prosper.

I have amazing friends. I have an amazing family. The Lord has definitely shown me that today…
We can't give up. God has already paid for this race we're on…why give up now?
Why not stand up strong, stand in the gap for those who cannot fight, who HAVE given up all hope.

When all loves fail we need to return to our first Love. Love that NEVER fails, steadfast, huge, mighty, beautiful, passionate, UNFAILING love. Why wouldn't we seek him???

I am thankful I have friends that remind me I cannot fix things. I can't solve problems. All I can do is seek my Jesus, the Lover of my soul. That's it. That's all I can do. Love God, and love people…not fix problems. I will wait on Him! I will be patient and trust that He who has promised IS faithful!

There are so many people in my life that are hurting, that are at the end of their rope…I know many of you reading this are there too…This Scripture was read this morning at church during offering…and it spoke right to my heart, and it is my prayer over situations in my life right now…

PSALM 20

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary
And give you support from Zion!
May he remember all your offerings
And regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!

May he grant you your heart's desire
And fulfill your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
And in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
He will answer him from his holy heaven
With the saving might of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
But we rise and stand upright!


Lord,
I pray victory over every situation! I raise your banner of joy, peace, love, breakthrough over your anointed servants! I thank you for your might, I thank you that you never leave us or forsake us, I thank you that you are a tower where the righteous can run and be safe! I thank you for being a daddy that loves his kids so much that he never gives up.
Send help from your House, give support, Lord! Let us see glimpses of what you have in store, Lord. Give us hope, give us peace…
Thank you for being bigger than us. Thank you for speaking things into existence, and for giving us the same power. I speak life, hope, redemption, restoration, strength, trust, and love into this situation! LORD THANK YOU FOR BEING SO GOOD!
Amen.

I'm not going to accept defeat.
I'm not going to accept anything less than complete victory.
I'm going to fight until the battle is complete.
I'm going to stand in the gap, I'm going to stand in the frontline.
Let us put on the WHOLE armour of God.
Why would we start a day without it???
God has given us the armour,
Let's put it on and be the army of the Lord!
Let's not be afraid to show the real us, and let God see into us.
Give God control, let Him decide the strategies in which you fight…
Don't fight these battles without Him.

Lay down pride.
Cast down your idols!

Let's rise up,
How come Satan is allowed any room for victory.
Let's be ready to put him in his place.
How dare we even accept him to reign over situations.
There is no room for him.
There is no room for darkness.
There is no room for defeat.
There is no room for tears, hurt, anger, confusion, frustration.

We're not alone. We are heirs with Christ, servants of the most high God, children of a KING! Let's accept His grace and favor, and know that He is in control…I'm having to completely learn how to trust Him anew…It's amazing. Let's give Him complete control.

This is for everyone who feels weary, worn down, and defeated….

Love you all.

hannah

salt&light

do you ever feel like a fake?

i have been attacked a lot since ive been in australia with that very thing.
the months prior to me coming here there were things that i did that im not proud of,
that were against my character, that i deeply regret.
all of that to say im now here, being equipped for ministry,
in a place that is stretching me beyond belief, and regardless of that i still feel like a fake.
who am i to be equipped for the things of God, when i have sinned against him?
you know?

i realized that that is such a selfish state to be in.
God calls me righteous and holy...set apart.
not because of what i do or don't do, but because of who & whose i am.
im his kid, so who am i to say that im unworthy?
im still going through a process of releasing guilt & shame & deep hurt...
but God is faithful, and has put amazing people in my life,
and just amazing things coming up that i know im here for such a time as this.

i got the chance to have a really amazing conversation with a friend,
just opening up to them about things, and sharing my hurts and struggles,
and them in turn being open and honest to me.
how healing that is!!!
they also were with me tonight at church and prayed over me and spoke into my life.
they told me that the very thing that is withered (like the man Jesus healed with the withered hand) will be the very thing that will become a strength!
so encouraging!!!

the very thing that you are trying to hide, that you are ashamed of,
God wants you to show and reveal that very thing, heal you, and make that a strength, so you can show other people that this is who i was, but no longer who i am!!!
AH!
i am rambling, i know.
but no matter what, God can use your weaknesses to be the very thing that bring people to the place of healing.

my friend, you know who you are, thank you for your encouragment and your prayers.
God is taking me from strength to strength and from glory to glory.
not because of me or you, but because of HIM!

because of things i have done, or havent done, i could easily give up, and let satan's lies rule...
but thankfully i know my God is bigger, that i am more than a conqueror, and that he who has promised IS faithful!
i know that regardless of what i have done, i will press on, keep running, keeping seeking Jesus, and keep sowing into other people's lives.
i will take what satan meant for bad, and definately use it for good.
i know that God is healing me, restoring me from the deepest most secret places of my heart, and that he longs for complete surrender.
im not there yet, but im definately on my way.

this weakness is gonna be a strength!
WOO!

i want to encourage you to speak into people's lives.
bring out the best in people.
be the salt that brings out the best flavour of those around you!
why not?
im definately getting salt in my wounds, but man is it healing.
take the opportunity when you see people you know just to say a word of encouragement.
it makes me feel so good when a friend just says, "man, its so good to see you."
gaw, doesn't that make you feel awesome?!
just tell someone how great they look today,
how you love being around them...

point out people's strengths,
it may just be what they need to hear.
dont pass up a moment to bless someone.
seriously!!!

"let me tell you why you are here.
you're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.
if you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?
you've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
here's another way to put it: you're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept. we're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
if i make you light-bearers, you don't think i'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
i'm putting you on a light stand.
now that i've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-SHINE!
keep open house; be generous with your lives.
be opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God,
this generous Father in heaven." mattew 5:13 (the message)

shine.
shine.
shine.
shine so that the world can see the God-colours in you!
man!
i want people to see the God-colours in me.
i want people to taste the God-flavours in me.

how good is that?

bringing out the God-flavours/colours in others requires us laying down our own lives.
it requires us seeking God, worshiping Him with everything that we are.
in darlene zschech's book, "extravagant worship" she says, "learn to seekg God's face without worrying about saving yours."
become foolish for God.
not to the point of cooky or unapproachable, but to the point of I LOVE MY KING AND I DONT CARE WHO KNOWS.
our freedom and extravagant worship will bring out the God-colours, and will encourage people in experiencing the same thing.

so regardless of me feeling like a fake sometimes,
in those moments i have to take my eyes off of me and my failures, and fix them on Jesus.
focus on encouraging others.
taking my eyes off of me is easier when you are focusing on bringing out things in other people.
how cool is that?!

okay im done,
ill leave you with this,
psalm 9 (the message)
its so beautiful, and so encouraging!
read it as a prayer and remember,
bring out the God-flavours&colours in others today!!!

"i'm thanking you, God, from a full heart,
i'm writing the book on your wonders.
i'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;
i'm singing your song, High God.

the day my enemies turned tail and ran,
they stumbled on you and fell on their faces.
you took over and set everything right;
when i needed you, you were there, taking charge...

God holds the high center,
he sees and sets the world's mess right.
he decides what is right for us earthlings,
gives people their just deserts.
God's a safe-house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
the moment you arrive, you relax;
you're never sorry you knocked.

sing you songs to zion-dwelling God,
tell his stories to everyone you meet:
how he tracks down killers
yet keeps his eye on us,
registers every whimper and moan.

be kind to me, God;
i've been kicked around long enough.
once you've pulled me back from the gates of death,
i'll write the book on Hallelujahs;

on the corner of main and first
i'll hold a street metting;
i'll be the song leader;
we'll fill the air with salvation songs..."



go & live like you are called & have a purpose!!!

whatever it takes

Lord,
Make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love,
where there is injury, pardon,
where there is discord, unity,
where there is doubt, faith,
where there is error, truth,
where there is despair, hope,
where there is darkness, light,
and where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant me what I seek.
Not so much to be consoled but to console.
Not so much to be understood as to understand.
Not so much to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving there we receive.
It is in losing ourselves that we find ourselves.
It is in pardoning there we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
AMEN.
(prayer of St. Francis)

This is my prayer, too...
That whatever it takes, this journey I'm on, that I am up to the calling.
I want God to use me, and I'm willing to use whatever is in my hand,
whatever is under my feet, whatever is up ahead, I'm up for it.
I pray that my family, friends, and people I meet in the future will get a little bit of me rubbed off on them, you know?
I want to see a passionate generation, and generations!
I know God is worthy!
I know God is ready for us to live like we were called, because we ALL are called!!!
I'm going to start living like it.

Live with purpose,
because you have one!!!