Being Intentional in How We Represent God

So, last week we talked about “Always on Your Lips-Leaving a Legacy,” & this week, I would like to talk about some more specifics on how to make that happen, in practice. In other words-how to teach obedience to God.

Growing up, I never really understood the importance of obeying God, but as I have been highlighting lately, obedience to God is life-changing & brings into our lives a hope we can’t even begin to imagine.

Because of this, how we represent God to the next generation (& even to our peers & elders) is of UTMOST importance. We need to be intentional in how we represent God to others.

And when God commands us to obey Him, it is NOT something requested of us as a “power move” by God. It is NOT arrogance. Quite the opposite!

Why God Commands Our Obedience

He commands our obedience because:

1. He made the world & everything in it, including us.

2. He has authority over literally everything.

3. He knows literally everything.

4. He knows how everything fits together & has perfect understanding/wisdom.

5. Everything He does is meant to bring about our good.

6. Even in our sin/disobedience, HE made a way possible to redeem us by sending Lord Jesus, His Son, to pay our debts.

And this is where we start in leaving a legacy of HOPE… sharing these points about who God is & why we obey Him.

He Alone Is Perfect in All Things

He has:

1. Perfect Authority—which is why we should tremble before Him, determining to do only His will & no one else’s if it contradicts His.
2. Perfect in Knowledge, Understanding, & Wisdom—so we know we can trust Him in everything HE says!
3. Perfect Love—displayed through His extravagant, beyond-practical design of this earth He created for us to steward… & especially through His Son, Jesus Christ, come to earth (Emmanuel-God with us) to set an example, express His love in person, & ultimately pay our debt, rising again after death as victorious over both sin & death.
4. Perfect Holiness–He cannot do wrong, He is completely pure & perfect in all things.

God Can Handle Our Doubts

We also need to teach that God understands when we don’t understand. He is infinite in all things & we are not. He is patient & gentle with us when we don’t understand–so lean into Him for answers & Truth!

Anyone can come to Him for help with a doubt or worry, when something in the world clashes with what He says in His Word, making us tempted to doubt God. He understands & when you come to Him, He will either clear up the doubt or will show Himself worthy of your trust even if you continue to lack understanding.

He is a Good, Good Father.

(See my previous post on “How to Handles Doubts & Still Honor God.”)

Want “More” Faith? Obey Him

We need to teach that to grow our faith, we need to obey first.

LORD Jesus, God’s Son, tells us we need only faith like a mustard seed (very small), because it is not dependent on how big our faith it, but how big our GOD is. (Luke 17:5-6)

This is why the Bible repeats the command to “Fear God” SO many times (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10, etc.), because there will be countless times where His Word doesn’t seem to make sense to us, being finite in wisdom, knowledge, & understanding. But, His judgments are always made in perfect & complete knowledge, wisdom & understanding.

(See my previous post about “Fearing God Is the Beginning of Wisdom.”)

God has perfect authority & say-so, so always defer to HIS judgment, respecting HIS authority in EVERY matter. Because He NEVER gets it wrong or miscalculates.

His judgments are ALWAYS perfect.

And when we live with that understanding, with a willingness to obey first to grow our faith (or, rather… TRUST) in Him… a wonderful thing happens… we always see Him proven right & as a result, we begin to trust Him more & more.

(See my previous post on “Want to Trust God? Obey Him.”)

Pray Without Ceasing

We need to teach how to pray… how to talk to God.

A good starting point is Jesus’ model prayer, in Matthew 6:9-15, meant to show us what we should ask for & how to talk to God.

Another good reference are the Psalms. Raw, real, holding nothing back, but also always remembering that God has a plan, God is in control & asking God to help trust Him in it, come what may.

We should pray for our worries & doubts, we can give thanks when we see Him work or when we acknowledge His beautiful creation around us.

We should pray for peace, knowing His peace doesn’t rely on a bad situation turning good, but that His peace can exist in your heart right as the war is waging.

We should pray for a changed perspective & a changed heart.

We should pray for direction, guidance, or wisdom.

We should pray for comfort & healing in the midst of hurts & long-time heart scars.

We should pray for the words to say when in a tough situation.

We should pray for boldness in sharing God’s GRACE, through Jesus.

We should pray for our leaders.

We should pray for our enemies.

We should pray for the hearts of those who are lost.

We should pray for forgiveness, as we repent over wrongs we’ve done or times where we have grieved the Holy Spirit (done what we knew we shouldn’t) or when we have quenched the Holy Spirit (NOT done or tuned out what we knew we SHOULD do).

We should pray for redemption, a only once needed prayer, recognizing you can’t save yourself & that you need the forgiveness & redemption offered by Jesus’ free gift of His life for ours.

We should pray when we’re anxious or afraid or angry or hurt or worried or lost or alone or sad or overwhelmed or tired or happy or excited or grateful or at peace.

We can & should pray & talk to God about anything & everything… we can turn our inner self-musings to silent conversations with God.

Teach God’s Word

We need to teach Bible reading & Bible study as the most valuable & important endeavor.

(If you’re a woman wanting to learn easy baby steps to studying your Bible, I highly recommend katieorr.me. She has helped me learn so much so that I now have significantly more confidence (starting with little to none) in studying the Bible myself.)

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

In other words, God’s Word-the Bible- is good for telling us what is right, what is wrong, how to get right, & how to stay right.

We NEED it!

PLUS, it is a window into God’s Almighty-ness & His great & awesome love for us (a theme constantly woven throughout it). It helps us see Who God is & what He cares about & how He asks us to live in His perfect wisdom & understanding.

Read It, Think on It, Talk about It, Post It, Study It, Memorize It!

God’s Word is worthy of & should be thought on day & night… something we teach our kids… something we talk about in our sitting, standing, going about the way, & our laying down… something we post on our gates & doorposts & even our own foreheads! EVERYWHERE! Because if we study & live according to His Word, then we will know the Truth, & the Truth shall set us FREE. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; John 8:31-32)

And, last, but not least… we need to teach the importance of memorizing God’s Word. God tells us that part of the armor He provides to us to protect us is “the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)

He also tells us that when we struggle, even if the hurt or frustration is with a human being… that really, it is Satan threading lies & misunderstandings & strife, exploiting our weaknesses & insecurities to create division & isolation. (Ephesians 6:12-13) (We’re easier to pick off & lie to when we’re separated from others, especially other believers in Christ. BE CAUTIOUS!) (John 10:10)

Because of this, when we face arguments or disagreements or insecurities or worries/anxieties, we NEED to have that Truth floating across our minds to set us FREE from those chains trying to latch on to us.

We NEED to know God’s Word because God’s Word—the Bible—is TRUTH… And God tells us plainly that the Truth WILL set us FREE. ( John 8:31-32 )

So, teach His Word & teach the importance of memorizing it & reading it & studying it & dwelling on it day & night. True HOPE is found in those words from God.

How to Teach Obedience to God

So, as much as someone who doesn’t have kids (but has seen through the eyes of friends who are mothers) can know, I know parenthood is hard & sometimes seems all-consuming.

I know there are so many things that are wrapped up in all it takes to parent a child, from feeding to clothing to cleaning up after to teaching manners & obedience & respect to parents, etc. etc. etc., but I promise you that THE most important thing you can pass on to your children is to know & love God MORE & how to live a life of obedience to Him.

Because they won’t always make the right choices. They will mess up. They will have scars on their hearts, no matter how much you want to protect them. They will do things in secret. And, you won’t always be around.

And one day, they will have to answer to God for THEIR choices… & a pass from Mom won’t count.

So teach them, live an example & a legacy to them… teach them how to obey God.

Shine HOPE.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Bold Link Necklace (India)

Make a bold ethical fashion statement with this gold-tone linked-chain design from India. Its “chunkier” look & feel will keep your personal style on-trend, whether you wear it alone or layered with other necklaces from our One World Collection. Completely adjustable, you can customize the length to fit your desired comfort & style. Every necklace has variations as a part of the Artisan-made charm!

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

Not How I Pictured It

As you may or may not know by now, it has been 8 years since my husband, Jamie, & I decided we wanted to grow our family & have children.

It has also been 8+ years of childlessness.

This has been a challenge I have wrestled with in different ways over the years. There were times of peace & times of tears… there was anger & bitterness… there were times I felt I was being punished by God for the sins of my past.

A while ago, I shared more about this journey in “To the Barren Woman” & “When God Says ‘No” & How to Respond to Others.”

God Always Has a Plan

It has not been an easy road, but on this journey, God has given me the wonderful gift of new perspective. In working through a study by Beth Moore, called “Breaking Free”, God showed me that He always has a plan through 2 verses she highlighted in the study:

1. Luke 1:5-7, calling Elizabeth a righteous woman who followed God blamelessly… but also pointing out her barrenness… erasing the shame-led belief that I was just not good enough to be a mother… &
2. Galatians 4:27, calling barren women to rejoice because they are able to bear more fruit… (spiritual fruit).

You see, my heart had been crying to leave a legacy of grace & hope to this hurting world full of so much of Satan’s craftiness & devious destruction.

And not having children felt like a dagger. But God reminded me that He always has a plan.

Satan Screams Lies… God Whispers Truth

I felt like God was saying I wasn’t worthy (I mean, really, none of us are—but by God’s grace & help!), but my heart yearned to raise children to learn God’s Truth, His HOPE, His LOVE, His GRACE… & to share it with & shine it in the world around them.

And when I went through that study, God showed me that He was giving me that very desire, but on a scale far beyond my hopes & in a way I had never before considered.

What a good & loving & perfect God we serve!

Leaving a Legacy

And so, my heart cry is to lift up you, as the reader, to be emboldened with the Truth & to share the hope & love & grace of God, through the gift of Jesus.

Life can wear us down… we can get covered in routines & habits & distractions & just LIFE, but I want to remain a beacon to remind you (& myself!) that there is a higher calling… a calling that will leave lasting joy & hope for the generations to come.

We can live a surrendered life to God Almighty, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus in & throughout all we do, with the help & wisdom of God guiding the way.

This isn’t just a “when it’s convenient” lifestyle, but a lifestyle that submits to His perfect, loving will in all of the mundane routines & habits of daily life, leaving a legacy of HOPE.

God’s Good & Perfect Will

“The Gospel Changes Everything,” by Meredith Andrews, is playing right now & so eloquently expresses why this moment-by-moment decision to submit to His will & His help is so life-changing.

In my prayers this morning, I felt convicted to ask God to help me better serve others because it’s not a strong spot for me… & in my prayers, He brought these words to my heart as I wrote my prayer, “God, you tell me to serve & love others, not to my expense & detriment, but because you know it is what will really fulfill me. I was designed for it! Help me trust Your design & Your good & always perfect will.”

That’s the same for obedience to His law & His will… we were designed for it & it’s where we will find that perfect unmovable peace. It’s for our good to obey Him! We can trust His judgements fully every time & in every circumstance!

Always on Your Lips

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home & when you walk along the road, when you lie down & when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

And so, let that perfect, Good law always be on our lips… in our sitting & standing & lying down.

Let us leave a legacy of submission to Him in everything.

Always defer to His judgement.

Always let Him be the lead.

Always trust His Truth.

LIVE for HIM.

Shine HOPE by allowing others to see where our hope comes from. Our hope is in the LORD!

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven & earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Psalm 92

“It is good to praise the Lord
    & make music to Your name, O Most High,
proclaiming Your love in the morning
    & Your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
    & the melody of the harp.

For You make me glad by Your deeds, Lord;
    I sing for joy at what Your hands have done.
How great are Your works, Lord,
    how profound Your thoughts!
Senseless people do not know,
    fools do not understand,
that though the wicked spring up like grass
    & all evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.

But You, Lord, are forever exalted.

For surely Your enemies, Lord,
    surely Your enemies will perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
    fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
    my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh & green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    He is my Rock, & there is no wickedness in Him.”

(Psalm 92)

For another encouraging song reminding us how a life lived for Him is worth it all, check out another one of Meredith Andrew’s songs, “Worth It All.”

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Zoya Earrings

Zoya means “shining, life” in Hindi. These stylishly stunning gold-toned earrings are handcrafted in India, featuring genuine freshwater pearls on a delicate linked-chain design.

Every purchase of these beautiful earrings provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India. In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable Artisans in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

Purchase these earrings & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

But Really… What Is It?

I often talk about hope. But growing up, if I heard someone talk about “shining hope” or how “we need hope,” I probably would have rolled my eyes.

I think part of the reason for this reaction is that I didn’t really understand hope, or my need of it.

I thought it was just this vague happy thought… I thought it was dreaming of an unrealistic ideal or wishful thinking about what “could be.”

But, to me, this idea of dreaming for hope seemed sort of pointless….

Isn’t Life Just LIFE—Make the Most of It Until You Die? No.

I mean, what is the point of hope, really? Life just IS & you just have to make the most of it… nothing more… you don’t have any control over that… or so I felt.

But, the more that I seek after knowing God more & growing my love for Him, the more this “vague, pointless daydreaming about hope” seems more tangible & actual… a real thing to be sought after.

What God Says = Fact

You see, I am finding that everything God SAYS is true in the Bible, is actually very & completely true. It is FACT… Including the very actual reality of HOPE.

So, if life seems to be quite in contradiction to how God says it is… it is not that God is wrong, but rather that Satan has effectively distorted our view of the truth, thus creating his goal all along of helping us to doubt God & God’s truth & goodness.

Satan distorts our idea of Truth through his thorns, chains, jabs, tricks, “promises” with fine print consequences, & just plain old lies.

And we, trying to come up with our idea of “truth” are often easily manipulated & deceived.

But what if we determine to NOT trust Satan’s lies or even our own judgement, but determine to toss all else aside & ONLY trust GOD’S Truth, whether we understand it to be possible or not?

Amazing things begin to happen, I will tell you that… because I have seen it.

I Have Seen His “Impossible” Hope Change Me

For example, growing up, I felt very unworthy of others’ affection or attention. I felt fat & ugly & awkward. I felt like the tagalong friend of every group, just hoping to not make any mistakes so they would keep me around.

And I dressed for attention… shirts that went too low & shorts that were as short as I could get away with… I thought that was the only way to be worth keeping around.

Eventually, it got worse. I began to notice the “value” my words had on those around me—especially the guys—in flirting & saying inappropriate jokes… it seemed to earn me value points & made me feel I was more worthy of being kept around.

But something felt off about it. I felt like they didn’t really like me… like they only liked the part I played for them to like me… that I couldn’t ever drop the game or my worth & value would plummet in their opinions.

Unwanted Attention

So, I kept it up, earning along the way some unwanted advances & even several cases of assault because I claimed to want it & I was too embarrassed to admit that I’d rather them not. I didn’t want to seem too rigid or too boring or anything else negative that would make them realize I wasn’t a friend worth keeping around.

And I died a little bit inside every time. I felt used & cheap. I felt like trash, used up & tossed aside.

But, I felt like life was just that way… if you wanted to be wanted, you do what it takes, make the most of it, & just live with the consequences.

Hope seemed a vague, silly, unrealistic ideal… so I kept up with my plan & kept playing the part, taking on the identity of the group flirt… feeling hurt & trapped by this new identity but not seeing any real way around it.

But Then… I Decided to Give Hope a Chance… & Asked God for Help

I kept going to church with my family & doing all the “good Christian” things, but something inside me was crying for a love & affection that didn’t seem to cost so much.

I felt emptier & emptier, but resolved that it was better than being all alone & unwanted.

Until I started asking God about it.

It dawned on me, probably a reminder nudge from the Holy Spirit looking out for me, that God made me… & if God made me, then God knows who I am & how He created me to be, probably even better than I did.

So, I started asking Him to show me just that & my prayers turned to Him for a new solution… a new HOPE.

A Prayer Seeking HOPE

“God, I feel empty & hurt. I’m scared of being alone & unwantable. I am trying to fit in & do what I need to to be liked, but it hurts me. Is it meant to be this way? I am not trying to be sinful—I am not having sex—I feel like I just AM a flirt, like I can’t help it, & it seems to be one of the only things people seem to like about me… & my crude humor. But, You made me. So, You know what You made me to be. You know my design. So, help me see THAT. Help me see how YOU made me, even if it doesn’t match this design I have made for myself as the group flirt. I want YOUR design. Please help me see it. Help me see & live YOUR design for me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Starting to Let Myself HOPE

I prayed something similar to that prayer for months, longing to feel wanted & loved without the cost of my dignity or having to keep up certain actions just to feel I was worth something to someone else.

In other words, I was starting to let myself HOPE.

I was starting to let myself hope that maybe, just maybe, God was right… even though it seemed to go against everything I knew to be possible… that maybe life didn’t have to be this way… maybe I could hope for MORE.

What Is Hope?

And, as just ONE example of more than I could even possibly recall to share with you, amazing things began to happen when I trusted God’s HOPE over my own perceived, lived “reality.”

During that period of prayer, wondering “what is hope?”… “can I hope for something more?”… something in me began to shift… confidence began to take root… I no longer felt such a strong need to feel wanted or needed or seen… I felt sure enough of myself without pandering to others’ ideas of what they wanted me to be & to just BE.

And this isn’t just for this ONE type of life situation or circumstance… God is in the business of sprouting HOPE into our lives—even where it seems impossible—HE MAKES A WAY.

You see, this isn’t JUST hope in forgiveness before God for our sin, through Jesus paying our debt to God FOR us as we accept His gift of redemption… but it is an EVERY DAY HOPE for RIGHT NOW.

Jesus Came to Show Us There IS HOPE

“The thief came only to steal, kill, & destroy, but I [Jesus] came to give LIFE & to give it MORE ABUNDANTLY.” (John 10:10) (emphasis mine)

Don’t accept Satan’s tainted “truth” as a life you just have to survive & make the most of it… determine to trust that when Jesus says He came to give life & life more abundantly, that HE MEANT IT.

Trust God’s way of doing things. Trust & do what God says.

Trust that GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF HOPE, even in the most “impossible” of circumstances.

Shine Hope because HOPE in life, through God, is REAL.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Silver Medallion Necklace

This textured silver-tone chain from India can be worn separately or layered with other necklaces from our One World Collection. The uniquely textured pendant adds the perfect artistic touch. Three length options allow you to choose your comfort & style. Every necklace has variations as a part of the Artisan-made charm! Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable Artisans in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members. 

Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

What I’ve Been Learning about Prayer

In church recently, the pastor has been covering the “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6 & I feel like I have been learning so much I had never really considered.

When asked by His disciples how they should pray, Jesus lays out a model prayer for them (& us) in Matthew 6:9-13.

“In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom & the power & the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13) (emphasis mine)

Your Kingdom Come

One of the things this pastor’s sermons has taught me is highlighted in verse 10 that says, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The pastor pointed out the two-sided meaning to this little phrase, “Your kingdom come,” meaning both an immediate understanding of living under God’s kingship & an eternal, ultimate authority that God has & will have.

The Power of a King

This aforementioned sermon pointed out to me the importance of understanding how kingship works.

Throughout history, a kingship (vs. a presidential position), means ultimate authority. He could have someone killed on a whim or take away land or do basically whatever he decided he wanted, without any sort of committee, vote, or approval of anyone else.

And again, throughout history, there have been benevolent kings who have obeyed God’s commands & have looked out for the good of their kingdom… & there have been malevolent kings who live according to their own whims, regardless of who they have to hurt along the way.

God’s Kingship

Well, in considering God as a king, He is the ultimate benevolent king, Who is perfectly good, moral, just, & holy.

But His kingdom is FOREVER because He cannot & will not die to leave His kingdom to the next ruler. He has perfect, ultimate, eternal control & power… & not just over a finite area, but over ALL.

God always operates as He says He will in His written Word—the Bible. He is faithful even when we are not (2 Timothy 2:13), but there are also consequences to dishonoring & disobeying His commands to run your own kingdom your way (Romans 6:23).

He doesn’t answer to anyone else.

Am I the Queen of Me?

So, if I lived in a kingdom, with a king (good or bad) & understood his rule was absolute, how would that affect the way I live out my life?

And if I understand that God has this same ultimate Kingship authority, power, & control… except on a much grander, infinite scale… how would that affect the way I live out my life?

Am I queen of my own life? Am I the Queen of me? Do I act like I am? Do I have the final say-so? Do I make my own decrees or judgements? Do I rule me?

Or do I understand that this is GOD’S kingdom… NOT mine…?

God Is My KING

The pastor did such a wonderful job at expounding the concept found in this little short verse that I now realize more clearly that I am a part of a bigger, greater kingdom & regardless of who the current president or person of power may be, God is my ultimate authority as my KING.

And even if earthly leaders don’t command me to follow God’s laws, I am still under the authority of God’s eternal reign. I am still a citizen of HIS kingdom. And I will still be held accountable to God for the decisions I make that disregard or disobey His laws.

God is my KING.

Fearing God Is the Beginning of Wisdom

We talked a few weeks ago about fearing God as the beginning of wisdom (Check out that post, here) & this idea of God’s Kingship nicely rounds out those ideas with an understanding that, as Christians, we are a part of God’s kingdom… not just the eventual & ultimate reign of God, but currently, right now, on a personal, daily level… an understanding that HE is in charge… NOT me.

The question we need to ask ourselves on a daily, moment-by-moment basis is, “Do I serve God as King over all, or do I expect Him to serve me?”

He Is Good, SO GOOD

But, dear one, when we serve Him & submit to Him, we can take rest & peace in knowing He is perfect, without fault, holy, just, forgiving, patient, loving, kind, & Good.

He even made a payment possible to satisfy His wrath & need for justice by sending Jesus Who willingly took our punishment for our wrongs upon Himself, died for us, & rose again as victorious over both our sins AND death. God is GOOD! Amen!! (John 3:16-17)

He is the ultimate benevolent King, seeking the very absolute best for the people of His kingdom.

Perfectly Designed for Our Good

For those of us who have humbly accepted the Gift that Jesus offers to every one of us in paying our debts, we can rest in His Goodness & benevolence & trust Him through obedience, knowing His every command is perfectly designed to bring us Good… & that when it doesn’t seem so, it’s because Satan has planted his claws of trauma & deception… & in that case, God can heal… God can redeem… God can restore… God can renew.

Shine HOPE by determining to let GOD be KING… by stepping down as “Queen of Me”… & letting “[His] kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Zoya Earrings (India)

Zoya means “shining, life” in Hindi. These stylishly stunning gold-toned earrings are handcrafted in India, featuring genuine freshwater pearls on a delicate linked-chain design. Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

“By the grace God has given me, I [Paul] laid a foundation as a wise builder, & someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, & the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) (emphasis mine)

Am I Living Like 1 Corinthians 3 Is True?

It is frustrating for me looking at a large majority of American Christianity.

… Until I realize I am a part of it.

There is a little phrase in a verse that I never really understood & so just breezed by in the past, until recently.

“… the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:15) (emphasis mine)

How Often?

How many of us just live our lives, letting whole days or weeks go by without asking for insight from God into God’s plans?

Filling the time with jobs, hobbies, errands, chores, responsibilities, busy auto-pilot living….

And how often do we recognize that God has good works that HE has planned in advance for us to do? (Ephesians 2:10) … That He has an agenda that is not just “get through this day, get through this week, get through this year, the end.”

God Has Even Better Plans

Have you ever heard of the term, “Divine Appointment”?

The idea behind this is that God sees every heart & every need & hears every cry & sees every tear.

He also has a planned way to serve those needs & bless those hearts.

And oftentimes, we get to be a part of it, if we are willing to be a vessel of HOPE for Him.

Are you willing to trust HIS plan over your own?

What Are We Modeling? What Beliefs Do Our Choices Reflect?

And how often do we feel we “know enough” from church or maybe a Bible Study we go to, that we don’t really take time to bother with personal reading, studying, or praying? Because we “just don’t have the time”?

What are we modeling for children? For other believers? For those who are still lost?

In whom do our actions say we have our faith? Others? God? Ourselves?

Who?

Getting Honest with Yourself

Reflecting on your current priorities, do you think your lifestyle will be described as being ”a good & faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) trusting God’s lead?

Or… “saved as if by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15) aka barely making it by the skin of your teeth, doing the bare minimum to live for God?

I want my life to represent a life of joy & faith, trusting & obeying God, letting Him use my life to bless those around me, letting Him have the lead of my life. I want His abundance!

Redeeming the Time, for the Days Are Evil

I want to be a part of the plans HE has for my life…

… a life as SALT & LIGHT in this world.

… redeeming the time because evil will keep on happening (Ephesians 5:14-16) even if I don’t.

… letting God’s goodness shine hope into it!

What Will Our Legacy Say?

What do you want your legacy to say about you? About God? About JESUS?

And if, like much of my routine, you have everything out of order or feel you just “don’t have the time for anything else,” remember that for that reason, the verse says to REDEEM your time. Give all of your schedule to God & say, “God, I know this is all out of whack, but I am too busy & I don’t know what needs to go or how it needs to shift or how to create the energy I will need to do what honors You….

… But You are God. And You can help me know what to cut or move & how to do it. You can give me more energy to do what honors You….

… Your capacity & power, dear God, far exceeds my own. So, take my time. Redeem it for a better way. AMEN.”

Saved As If by Fire?

I have had to pray something similar throughout the years for my scheduling in general, but I need to learn to pray this way every moment… to be willing to let Him take the reins of my life moment-by-moment.

Because I want to honor Him.

I want to be His vessel of Hope.

I don’t want to just live & then die… I want to LIVE FOR HIM, through Him.

I want my life to point to Him & give Him glory.

I want to add His light more into this evil-filled world.

I want to be His light, edifying, building up, & making this life fuller & richer, by our Victor’s design.

I want to make the most of the days I have, no matter how many or how few. My life is a vapor, here today & gone tomorrow.

Shine HOPE by living as an intentional legacy of HIS GRACE & LOVE & HOPE in this world.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Truth Earrings

These incredibly light earrings are made with genuine local capiz shell.

In the Philippines, finding employment as a woman in poverty can be extremely difficult. Poor working conditions, lack of job security, & unfair pay are often the realities. Through your purchase, these women are receiving an income, health care, & social development programs. This allows these women to realize their potential & pursue their dreams in a safe environment. You have the opportunity to change lives! 

Purchase these earrings & empower a woman in the Philippines!

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

The Story of Moses

Have you heard of the story of Moses?

A long time ago, all children of a certain age were ordered to be killed by the Pharaoh, but Moses’ mother hid her son & eventually placed him on the river, in a basket (sealed to keep out the water) as a last effort to keep her son alive. (Starting in Exodus 1-Exodus 15, you can find the story of Moses & the Passover.)

As the basket floated down the river, followed by the watching eyes of Moses’ older sister, Pharaoh’s daughter found him, & having compassion for the small child, took him in as her own.

Moses’ sister boldly stepped out of hiding & offered their mother as a potential nurse maid for him, allowing him to stay near to his birth mother in his early years.

But Moses grew up in the palace, surrounded by wealth, watching his own people enslaved by his adopted grandfather.

Some Context to the Story

But Moses’ native people, the Israelites, were not always enslaved to Egypt… they had once been invited in amicably & given lush farmland to call their new home. They were welcomed in because of their ancestor Joseph’s good works, led by God’s plan. (Starting in Genesis 37, with the offering of the land in Genesis 47)

In a time of great famine, Joseph (with God’s help & guidance) helped to allocate resources to keep the Egyptians & neighboring lands from a harsh death & as a reward of gratitude, the pharaoh at that time welcomed Moses’ people (before Moses’ time) & much farmland became their new homes.

But, when that pharaoh passed away, a newer pharaoh began to feel threatened by their growing numbers, & in order to prevent an eventual perceived takeover (ie paranoia & fear), he enslaved the people of Israel (Moses’ people).

A Torn Heart

And so, Moses grew up in luxury watching his people being harshly mistreated, whom he no doubt knew about because of his mother who had helped serve as his nursemaid.

He loathed the situation & his heart undoubtedly felt in constant battle between his comfort & their turmoil.

But he eventually ran away from home, after killing a guard that he witnessed mistreating one of his fellow people… he could no longer ignore their pain.

And while on the run, God got a hold of his heart, directing him not to run away, but to head right back to the Pharaoh & tell Him to “let my people go!”

After Moses expressed insecurity of his weakness in speech, God offered Aaron to accompany him.

So That God May be Glorified

This began the dance of Moses presenting to the Pharaoh his plea to “let his people go!” only to be met with a firm, “NO” from the Pharaoh.

Following each “NO,” from the Pharaoh, God would present a plague of some sort, from grasshoppers that ate the crops, to locusts that invaded even the palace, to frogs, to rivers & water turned to blood. But still, the Pharaoh’s heart was hardened & although he seemed to waiver in his resolve occasionally, he always went back on his word & ended with another firm, “NO.”

Until the final response from God: the angel of death who would kill off every firstborn male among man & beast… Otherwise known as “the Passover,” because God added a way out with this one.

God Provided a Way Out

Whoever killed a lamb & placed its blood on their doorposts, everyone within its walls would be spared… aka Passed Over.

It didn’t matter their merit. The angel didn’t go in each house to see the people prove something first.

The blood of the lamb was all-sufficient.

God Doesn’t Look at the Merit within Us—With Jesus

But what I want to focus on right here & now is the blood of the lamb, symbolic of the blood shed by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, on our behalf.

We will all face judgement before God at our death.

… In other words, the angel of death is coming.

… But the blood of this Lamb of God (AKA Jesus Christ) is also ALL-sufficient.

And if we ACCEPT His blood offered on OUR behalf, covering our life with His sacrifice, then the same goes for us that there is no “looking inside us to see if there is merit” or “checking for proof that we’re deserving.”

His shed blood is sufficient.

His innocence covers our guilt.

… If we accept His blood to cover us.

We All Deserve Hell… But JESUS

The consequences we will face upon death, as we face the judgement of God, is no respecter of persons… in other words, it doesn’t look at whether we’re a good person or whether we’re well-liked by our peers… whether we’ve “done a lot of good” or whether we haven’t even bothered to try… whether we’re a success or perceived failure.

We all deserve the guilty verdict.

We all deserve to face the angel of death.

We all deserve Hell.

But.

But, JESUS CHRIST, the LAMB of GOD died on our behalf so that HIS blood could cover us, telling that judgement & deserved punishment to PASS OVER us.

Don’t Wait… Don’t Be Fooled… Don’t Forget the Blood of Jesus

So, the question is not whether you feel you have done “enough”, but whether you have been obedient in taking seriously God’s “way out” as He offered during the Passover in Moses’ time. AKA, the blood of the Lamb to cover YOU.

Don’t wait until tomorrow, for you to sin “one more time,” as you may not be offered a tomorrow to do so.

Don’t let Satan continue to lure you in with sin that seems shiny, appealing, & fun, but is littered with fine print consequences that keep you trapped & imprisoned by lusts of your heart.

Don’t let your deceitful heart fool you into thinking it knows better than God Almighty.

Don’t give room for missing out on a chance to have Jesus’ blood cover your life, because I promise you that the judgement day will come whether you wait or not.

Be prepared.

Let His Blood Cover You

Accept Jesus as Lord of your life.

Ask Him to forgive you & make you whole.

Turn from you sins (even the “not-so-bad” ones that are easy for you to justify or excuse).

Be set free.

Be PASSED OVER when judgement day arrives.

And be welcomed into Heaven, where there is no more sorrow or pain, no more tears… only rejoicing & wholeness & complete, pure contentment & peace.

This earth is our temporary home. Where will your permanent home be?

Shine HOPE by accepting the blood of Jesus & telling others about this “way out” that God offers to EVERY single person who will accept it!

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Silver Medallion Necklace

This textured silver-tone chain from India can be worn separately or layered with other necklaces from our One World Collection. The uniquely textured pendant adds the perfect artistic touch. Three length options allow you to choose your comfort & style. Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable Artisans in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members. 

Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

Not Always Easy

I will be honest with you: staying faithful to God is not always an easy feat for me. I am stubborn & selfish & often automatically think I have things figured out already my way.

And when I am distracted by something “shiny” or feel the least bit tired, the willingness to be faithful in my submission to God drops quite a bit.

I often forget to pray for help & instead either quit or try my own way until I wear myself down & want to quit because I like instant gratification.

… Let’s just say that God has had to show me a lot of grace & exercise much patience with me.

An Opening for Sin

Whenever I have a need, I immediately want to see it fixed to my satisfaction—emphasis on immediately.

It is pretty common for me to face temptation or face some sort of hardship, pray for help, not see it made easy for me to resist (by removing it altogether, because I don’t want to have to choose to obey when temptation is calling me), & then blame God when I give in.

Or, I go to God for help but then go to my own Plan B or Plan C pretty quickly, not trusting God enough to wait on Him & rest in Him.

This is also why sin is such a temptation for me, because Satan always seems to package it as the shiny quick fix to all of my problems.

Make Sure to Read the Fine Print

But there is always fine print to sin. That’s why God commands us to avoid it, because while it seems justifiable & safe & the perfect answer… it always comes back to bite you… it always has consequences you’re not always aware of when you dive into those sins.

So, being aware of this fact, I know even more how important it is to stay faithful & submit to God’s commands (aka God’s way).

And, you would think this would be motivation enough to stick to God’s ways, but that instant gratification addiction is strong with me. I want it to be made easy for me to follow & obey God.

I Want It Easy

It takes a lot for me to go from knowing what I need to do, seeing an obstacle that makes it less than appealing to follow through, to stopping to pray for help from God versus quitting & running the opposite direction toward something easier or more appealing.

I get stuck in the lazy &/or anxiety trap way too often.

I get paralyzed with overwhelm or with a pull toward an easier-seeming way & head straight there.

And I often turn to the television, or a tablet, or something else where I can engulf my mind into something that doesn’t cause me anxiety, numbing everything else out because it just seems easier… versus asking God to help me push through it—trusting Him for victory.

Our Good God Is a God of VICTORY

But, what I need to learn to do is to realize that no matter how strong the pull to something else may seem & no matter how appealing that instant gratification promises (lies) to be… I need to stop giving in… I need to fall to my knees if need be. And I need to cry out to God for help.

And so, this has been something I have been trying to intentionally be aware of lately, asking God to help me see when I am coveting instant gratification over trusting in Him—because God is Good & God is a God of VICTORY.

My Prayers Against Giving In

I have been praying something like this, “God, please help me! I don’t know how to handle this or how to follow through on this, so I just want to run toward whatever feels easier & more instantly gratifying. And I know You have an answer & You always have a plan & I can always trust You in everything, but I often fold & turn to whatever seems quicker, shinier, or easier. Please help me to stop compromising at every other turn. Help me lean into You more. Help me to be aware of the times I am seeking ease more than a peace in You. Help me know when I am compromising for something less than what You have to offer me out of Your lavishing love for me. I want to honor You. You deserve my full honor & respect. You are faithful even when I am not. Thank You for continuing with me, for giving me grace, for showing me patience…. Thank You for never giving up on me. You are so Good… all the time. I love You because You loved me first. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.”

Staying Faithful-Without Instant Gratification

So, if you’re with me on this… struggling to stay faithful when instant gratification seems to sparkle & shine for your time & attention, determine to stop & ask God for help trusting Him in everything big & small.

Shine hope by turning to God every time it’s hard to stay faithful to His way & by asking for His help in saying, “NO” to those shiny instant gratification opportunities. Staying faithful-without instant gratification-can seem impossibly hard sometimes, but with God, nothing is impossible.

“Jesus looked at them & said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:26)

He’s always worth it, 100%.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Silver Medallion Necklace

This textured silver-tone chain from India can be worn separately or layered with other necklaces from our One World Collection. The uniquely textured pendant adds the perfect artistic touch. Three length options allow you to choose your comfort & style. Every purchase provides fair-trade jobs in areas of extreme poverty in India.

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable Artisans in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

Just One Imperfect Person to Another

If you read my blog & think to yourself, “Man, this girl has it all together with her weekly blog posts & she is way more faithful & strong in her faith than I am…” well, let me stop you right there to give you an honesty check—everything I post about is something I have struggled through (or am still struggling through) myself.

I don’t come to you as someone who has figured it all out.

I don’t come to you as someone who is always sure & strong in her faith, always making the right choices.

I come to you as a fellow woman on a journey to trust God with more of her life as she fails, forgets, drops the ball, messes up, etc., leaning into the Holy Spirit’s work in her life.

The Hard-Headed Truth

To be honest with you, I am one of the most stubborn, hard-headed skeptics I know. It’s a miracle, truly, that God has grown me to where I am today.

Then, there’s the fact that even when I DO learn… God reminds me & I forget & He has to remind me again. I am hardheaded that way… or maybe prideful in always wanting to try my way first.

I am by no means perfect & I have a loooong way to go, but I just keep trying again… failing forward, letting the Holy Spirit work in me as I lean into Him.

And the key, I have learned (from my many failures & prideful mistakes) is to KEEP coming to HIM for help in the learning to trust & obey Him… even & ESPECIALLY after you mess it all up first. (That, I have learned from my own personal failures… Satan likes to use our mistakes & failures to create a rift between us & God, but God says, “Yep, Jesus paid for that, too. Come back to Me, My child.”)

Let’s Do This Together!

It’s a PROCESS & a JOURNEY we are ALL going through.

That’s where my confidence comes from—not in thinking I am better than anyone else, but in realizing that we are all broken & in need of God’s help & that any good I accomplish is because of the abilities, gifts, opportunities, strength, wisdom, etc. that HE has given me.

I NEED Him.

And so do you.

Hello, We Meet Again…

I am no stranger to this inner battle against temptation, just as much as I know you are no stranger to it either–& we all have our personal weak spots that Satan knows how to exploit. This battle is one we are all familiar with & is one we will continue to fight throughout our life, as Satan’s key personal mission is to pace the earth, seeking whom he may devour, seeking to kill, steal, & destroy. (1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10)

It is very true that the more we spend time talking to God about every detail of our lives, asking for wisdom or strength or comfort or counsel or any of the promises God offers us, that we are much less likely to be troubled with temptation, but none of us are immune to it.

It is also true that when we follow the instructions & guidelines laid out for us in Ephesians & summarized at the end of Ephesians, with the armor OF God, that we will also be much less vulnerable to these attacks… but the attacks will still come. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Satan Knows Where to Hit Us

Satan can’t MAKE us sin, but he will & does definitely cultivate scenarios where we are much more prone to take our eyes off of God & choose sin instead.

Whether it be that phone or laptop that no one else has access to… making it easy to search, read &/or see what I know I shouldn’t (Fine Print: it leads to joyless emptiness & further destruction)… or even whether it be watching that show on tv that has content that far too often ignites my triggers for that temptation. (Matthew 5:28-this is addressed to men, but also applies to women lusting after men!)

Whether it’s the temptation to eat one more slice of cake or snack a little (or a lot) more than my body says it needs because I am stressed &/or bored. Or to eat foods consistently too full of fat, sugar, & preservatives, things that are quick & “more fun to eat” & avoiding nutritious, beneficial foods that my body really needs. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Whether it’s the temptation to talk about someone else, thinking I’m being a friendly neighbor to warn someone about that someone because they said something they shouldn’t have, unknowingly slandering them in the process, versus taking that concern to God & watching what words come out of my mouth, that they may only be edifying, for the building up of others, as God instructs. (James 4:11; Ephesians 4:29)

Oh, & There’s More…

Whether it’s harboring bitterness because someone wronged me or hurt me, versus praying for them as God instructs us to do… & then leaning into God for comfort & healing, while asking His help to let it go & offer grace, trusting God with the justice & with that person’s heart… Letting HIM be their righteous Judge, not me. (Hebrews 12:15; Colossians 3:13)

Whether it’s nursing personal wounds or giving way to my anxiety, letting Satan stir that pot of discontentment & trauma so that I can stay the victim rather than accept my part of responsibility & turn to God for healing & growth, trusting that I don’t need to manipulate Him with a sob story to gain His love & care & help & gentle attention. (Psalm 73:24; Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6)

Whether it’s not praying &/or not reading my Bible consistently because I’m too… tired, too distracted, have a headache, am too busy, too bored with it, too restless, or don’t feel I understand what I’m reading enough anyway… Rather than trusting that God is bigger than me & can help in ALL of these areas. (Philippians 4:6; Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 3:20-21)

These are all things I have wrestled & sometimes still wrestle with… I am surely a work in progress… & in all of these areas, I have prayed.

But, I have not always accepted God’s help when He offered it… because I chose my way instead.

An Example I Want to Emulate

I have basically been the opposite of Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego, as told about in Daniel 3.

You see, back in their day, a statue was erected in their king’s honor & a decree was issued that everyone in the kingdom bow down & worship that statue.

Well, in God’s Word, the Bible, God commanded that we worship no one but Him, knowing full well that worshipping the creatED in place of the CreatOR was unwise & dishonoring to the only One who deserves that worship—LORD Almighty.

So, when everyone was told, “Now is the time, all you people! Bow down & worship!” they didn’t.

They stood tall, proclaiming with their inaction that they really believed only One to be worthy of that worship.

Putting on the PRESSURE to Sin

And when the guards took notice, these three men still refused to bow &/or worship anyone but God alone.

So, the guards collected them & they were taken to the king himself, having their disobedience announced before his presence. And they still didn’t bow.

They were EVEN offered a chance to bow in private, only in front of the king, so that they could “technically obey the decree, without ruining their reputation before all those people.” And they still didn’t bow.

THEN, they were threatened with being thrown to their deaths in a fiery furnace SO HOT that it sometimes killed those who would go to throw them into it. And they still didn’t bow!

Their response? “Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, & he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18) (Emphasis mine.)

Their response was to honor God & trust & obey God NO MATTER WHAT… EVEN if it was NOT made easy for them!

“Technically Obeying” Is Still Disobeying

You see, I am not like that. I would have done a short bow to “technically not disobey God while technically still obeying the king.” I would have looked for a loophole to do both versus standing for obedience & honor to God alone.

I would have bowed in front of the king, asking him to just not tell anyone & letting him know I didn’t agree with it because only God should be worshipped, but still doing it in private to spare my life.

I would have been afraid of the consequences of obedience.

I would have hesitated.

I would have given in… I would have looked for a loophole… & I do.

I don’t have a very strong, “And if not” attitude. I want it made easy for me.

It’s Just NOT Worth It!

Those three men understood. They knew it wasn’t worth it. They knew that the king would believe in his heart that he was bigger than the true God because the men listened to him over GOD.

They knew it wasn’t worth defaming God. They knew the worst is that they would die & go to Heaven.

They knew that God could save them from death in that fiery furnace in exchange for their obedience (which He DID!!-Daniel 3:24-27) but that IF NOT, they were still determined to obey & honor God NO MATTER the cost.

And because they trusted & obeyed God above the king AND their own fear of death, the king realized the Truth-that GOD ALMIGHTY IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS & ONLY HE IS WORTHY OF WORSHIP! (Daniel 3:28-30)

Our War with Temptations

How often have I prayed for God’s help in overcoming the temptation to just cave in any of those scenarios I confessed to struggle against… knowing full well that although I prayed fervently, I had already determined in my heart that I was going to do it anyway… that I was going to bow.

Because I wanted it more than I wanted to honor & obey God.

Because I wanted it more than I wanted to risk not being happy, trusting in it more than in God.

_______________… & THEN I’ll Obey!

Because I wasn’t (& am often not) willing to NOT bow UNLESS it’s made easy to resist.

Take away that fiery furnace & then I’ll obey!

Take away the decree completely & then I’ll obey!

Make the king change his mind & THEN I’ll obey!

Make it easy for me to obey & then I’ll obey.

God’s Way or the Highway!

But I don’t want to live that way anymore. I have already seen the victory that comes in saying “God’s way or the highway!” when I was willing to say to God: “Okay, God, even if I perceive that I may never be satisfied-if I don’t escape with fantasies-because of my assault trauma… you know what, I would rather lose that then to keep dishonoring You by doing it my way, because you know what… my way is NOT WORKING. My way seems appealing but always has a catch. My way always comes with damaging fine print that I too often ignore or pretend isn’t there. And if You MADE sex to BE ENJOYED between a HUSBAND & his WIFE, then YOU are the ONLY authority on how it works & how to find the satisfaction I have been seeking to fulfill my way. So, NO MORE. I want Your way & ONLY Your way from now on!! AMEN.”

Be Willing to Say, “But If Not… I Will Still Obey!”

And that’s how I need to be in EVERY area of my life… in EVERY one of those scenarios I listed at the beginning of this.

That “& IF NOT”… if it’s still boring… if I still want to stir that pot of discontentment… if I’m worried I will end up discontent or unhappy… if I am too busy… if there are too many distractions… if NONE of the obstacles are removed, that I WILL STILL WALK FORWARD IN OBEDIENCE, TRUSTING THAT GOD CAN HELP ME, but that IF NOT, it is ALWAYS worth doing it HIS WAY.

Our war with temptations ends when we determine that God has the final say, God knows best, & only God’s way can bring the satisfaction we so desperately try to cling to our way…

… When we say, “Temptations, I WILL NOT BOW… because I KNOW MY GOD CAN SAVE/HELP ME… but IF NOT… I still will NOT bow to you!”

Suit Up in GOD’s Armor-Ephesians 6

Shine HOPE by suiting up with truth to counter the lies we’re fed & believe… by determining to do it God’s way even when it seems impossible… to remember God’s got you in the palm of His hand… by being wrapped up in God’s peace that always seems too good to be true, by remembering Who has ultimate authority & power, & by knowing God’s Word as a sword against any attack Satan may try against you.

Because when we suit up in GOD’S armor, that’s how we win our war with temptations.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, & he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Not today, Satan, not EVER. In JESUS’ name, AMEN.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Andean Earrings (Peru)

Handcrafted by our newest Artisan partners in Peru, these unique statement earrings are showstoppers with 24k gold-plated oval studs & framed teardrop chrysocolla stones. Designed to pair with our Andean Ring, hammered metal & natural variations of swirling green chrysocolla add “Old World” charm to these ethically made earrings.

Every purchase of these beautifully hand-crafted earrings provides safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty in Peru.

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

Knowledge of the Holy Is Understanding

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) (Emphasis mine.)

I have heard this verse fluffed up so much that from what I have been taught, I think it has mostly lost a huge part of what makes this fact so phenomenal.

This idea of “fearing God” has been often taught as an idea of awe… that God is so great that we think, “Wow, God! You’re great!” And that fearing God as wisdom basically means it’s wise to think He’s pretty great.

But the more that I learn about who God is, the deeper my understanding of this phrase becomes.

All That God Is… & He Is So Much More

You see, God is SO far above & beyond what we can even IMAGINE (Isaiah 55:8-9).

He created the world & everything in it EX NIHILO, meaning out of or from NOTHING (Nehemiah 9:6; Genesis 1).

He existed before time & exists out of time, knowing everything past, present, & future simultaneously & how every aspect interacts throughout the existence of time (Psalm 139:13-16).

Even the wind & the waves obey Him (Mark 4:41).

Even the demons know God & shudder (James 2:19).

The name of God holds more power than anything else (Luke 10:17).

“For by Him all things were created, in heaven & on earth, visible & invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him & for Him.” (Colossians 1:16)

God can do immeasurably above what we can ask or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).

He is the great I AM (Exodus 3:14).

God Is the Great “I AM”

We don’t have to believe in Him for Him to exist & for His laws to stand according to what He says.

And THAT is just the beginning behind the WHY we ought to fear God… & why the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

It’s a clear understanding that HE is God & I am NOT.

It’s an understanding that HE will prevail & He WILL get the glory & His plans will NOT be thwarted.

It is an understanding that only God holds the final say & will have the final word.

… That His judgements will stand, whether you agree or not.

Fearing God Is the Beginning of Wisdom

And so, having this fear (reverence, awe, & understanding that ONLY HE is GOD) & understanding that what He determines will stand… & living with that understanding… is the beginning of wisdom.

It’s a deferring to Him in everything, whether you agree with it or understand it… or not.

It’s an obedience to Him in everything, whether you think it should be done differently or believe otherwise… or not.

It’s a laying down your course of life for His will & plan.

And here is the beautiful thing… looking at the verse that follows Proverbs 9:10…

Proverbs 9:11 tells us, “For by Me, thy days shall be multiplied, & the years of thy life shall be increased.”

We Can ALWAYS Trust Him in ALL Things

In other words, fearing God is the beginning of wisdom BECAUSE God ALWAYS knows what He is talking about.

He knows EVERYTHING.

He SEES everything.

He UNDERSTANDS everything.

And His laws are perfect.

His will is perfect.

For He Cares for Us

By living for Him, we FIND LIFE (Matthew 16:25).

He came that we may have life, & to have it abundantly (John 10:10).

He came to save us from our sin (John 3:16-17).

He paid our debts for us, that if we just believe on Him, we are saved (Acts 2:21).

He does the work within us (Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 1:6).

He cleanses us (Revelation 21:5), heals us (Psalm 30:2), comforts us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), binds up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1), & is our loving Father (1 Corinthians 8:6), a Father to the fatherless & a Defender of widows (Psalm 68:5).

Stepping Out in Faith… A Prayer of HOPE

Sometimes it may feel like real FEAR… that we feel like, “I don’t know God. This doesn’t make sense, because life seems to be this way instead or culture says it’s this way instead. I don’t know how to believe what You say… BUT You are God & I am not, so no matter how scary it is to step out of what seems logical to me, I will obey You as the ultimate authority above my own logic, because You alone are God. Help me to obey, even when I don’t get it. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.”

God Is a God of PROMISE

And the same goes with God’s promises. His promises are not “this could happen” or Him saying, “I can do this” but rather, “This WILL happen & I WILL do this.”

So, when we pray, we don’t have to beg or plead or petition for God to go through with a promise… we need to CLAIM it as FACT.

Don’t pray from a position of assumed defeat, but from an understood VICTORY, when you pray God’s promises.

If anything, say, “God, please help me to REST in this PROMISE.” Or, “God, help me to see how to move forward, knowing this is Your promise.”

CLAIM His promises as FACT.

God IS Who He says He is. God DOES what He says He will.

Shine HOPE by fearing God as the the beginning of wisdom.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Pearl Drop Hoops (India)

Removable freshwater pearl drops & classic gold-toned hoops make these Pearl Drop Hoops from India stunning enough to dress up any evening outfit, yet comfortable enough to wear every day. (Pearl shown on Long Chain Necklace-Golden (India) with Darling Charms Set charms.)

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

My Misunderstandings About Christianity

This week, I want to talk about something that I never really understood growing up as a Christian.

Aside from misunderstanding that Christianity was just a bunch of rules, versus the Truth that Jesus paid our debt to fulfill God’s laws & that obedience to Him is not to PROVE our faith to God, but as a way to live our faith in God. We believe, so we trust & obey….

But aside from that misunderstanding, I also mistakenly believed that Christianity had mostly to do with after death, in whether or not you will go to Heaven (eternal contentment & joy) or Hell (eternal restlessness & agony). I didn’t think God had much to do with our life before death, other than trying to “be a good person” as I believed it.

But I was wrong.

SO wrong.

There’s More to Life

And there are so many verses that point to this fact, including …… where it tells us that Jesus “came, not to condemn the world, but to save it” (John 3:17)… & “that we may have life & have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Also, consider the other, lesser talked about brother in the story of the Prodigal Son, how his father told him, in essence, “you had all of this the whole time.” (Luke 15:31)

Do we really live like we believe that God wants for us more than just to “get through life” so we can experience Heaven when we die?

His Beautiful Design

Think about how God designed & created us with our senses & then extravagantly designed & created this world with so much unique beauty for our senses to appreciate, where every one of the same flower is recognizable as that type of flower, but comes in many shades & height & sizes & colors. Everything is unique & beautiful to behold. (Genesis 1)

Or, remember that God created in advance good works for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

HE planned them. HE arranged them.

And HE provides what we need when we need it & lean into Him for it. (2 Peter 1:3)

Be Being Filled

In Ephesians 5:18, God tells us to “BE FILLED with the Spirit.” (emphasis mine)

And to clarify, the Holy Spirit is with every single person who has submitted their life to God through accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, but this verb of “Be Filled” has a deeper meaning.

This verb actually has the understanding of “be BEING filled.”

In other words, while the Holy Spirit is WITH us & is made available to every single person who has accepted Jesus Christ, we are called to this “BE BEING FILLED” idea.

We are called to submit to His lead in every relationship, in every conversation, in every task, in every decision, in every day.

We are called to lean into Him in EVERYTHING.

We Are But a Branch

This is why we are told to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) & to ABIDE (stay, continue) IN CHRIST as a branch to our Vine (John 15:4).

The Bible even warns us about living as “wise in our own eyes.” (Isaiah 5:21)

Submit every preconception, every “way I grew up/was raised”, every assumption, every ideal, etc. under God’s authority & say-so, because where we can err, He will never.

Tuck everything you think you know into His unchanging, infallible Truth.

He Can

And where we drain & deplete & come up as insufficient, He does not.

He can provide peace where only chaos reigns.

He can redirect our misunderstandings to the truth.

He can see the thoughts & intentions we cannot.

He can see how this will ripple effect a future beyond our lifespan.

He knows it all.

And He is infinite. Powerful. Almighty.

He alone is Good (Mark 10:18). He is Love (1 John 4:8). He is faithful even when we are not (2 Timothy 2:13).

“Now to Him [God] who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever & ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

We need to submit to this command of be BEING filled, a continual filling, a continual leading, & a continual submission to His Lordship.

God Is All-Sufficient for Our Needs

I cannot even tell you how many times I thought I “needed” something other than God to fulfill me… something not quite in line with the impossible standard God commanded. (Impossible because I was trying to live it in my own wisdom, power, & understanding… aka without His help.)

I missed the mark (sinned). I chose my way, my solution, my “wisdom.”

And there were always unforeseen consequences… fine print.

What I yearned after never fulfilled me, but left me always searching for more… I felt like something was empty & off in my life… I felt restless & discontented.

Until it dawned on me, “Wait. If God made me… & He knows literally everything… Wouldn’t He KNOW what’s best for me in this? Shouldn’t I drop my way & try His? Doesn’t that make sense?”

Sins –> Harmful Fine Print –> Turning to His Way –> Blessings

And guess what, this has always worked in every area where I was compromising to get what I thought I was missing from God, getting hurt by the consequences of a wrong solution, to turning to God’s way & realizing the blessings His way brought me.

… with flirting to gain approval & to “end” my insecurities (only to be left feeling trapped that if I don’t keep playing the game, I lose)… with turning to fantasies because it felt less vulnerable than dealing with assault trauma from my past… with turning to tv/games/numbing myself vs turning to God in my despairing moments, including fights with depression…

With all of those above examples, when I had that realization that “God made me… knows everything… would know what I need…” & I STOPPED my “wisdom” for HIS… I found the hope I was so desperately searching for.

We need to submit to Him because only He actually knows what we need.

We Need to Submit to Him–Continually

We need to submit to Him because only He knows what we were designed & created for (because we were designed & created BY GOD.)

We need to submit to Him because ONLY He has any real authority over anything in life.

He alone is King.

He alone is GOD ALMIGHTY.

And only He loves you infinitely/unconditionally, sent Jesus to willingly pay your debts to Him, & knows you better than you could ever know yourself.

Be BEING Filled. Submit to Him in EVERYTHING.

Our Part in Life… Letting HIM Shine

Because 100% He knows better & already has a plan in place.

You just have to be willing to follow His lead, with His help.

That’s it. That’s your part.

You shine Hope by letting HIM shine through YOU.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

Share with friends & Subscribe by Joining My Tribe, so you never miss a week.

A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for almost THREE years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox, along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Moonstone Hoops (India)

Artisans from India cut & frame moonstones on these gold-toned elliptical hoops. Moonstones are prized in India for the unique way they reflect light.

How You Can Help:

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue supporting them as well as continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!