What Is Forgiveness?

Maybe you have heard me mention this before, but I have always struggled with this whole topic of forgiveness.

It’s not that I was trying to hold everything against everyone, it’s just that I didn’t understand it.

So, like most things I don’t understand, I have also been praying about it & asking God to help me understand this better.

Is Saying, “I Forgive You” Enough?

When I say that I didn’t really understand forgiveness, one of the reasons for this was because I couldn’t figure out if I was ACTUALLY forgiving someone when I was meaning to.

For example, I understood that saying “I forgive them,” is not the same as actually forgiving them, try as I might to be a “good Christian girl” & “forgive” out loud, it doesn’t count if I am inwardly seething, secretly rooting bitterness in my own heart.

And, since it doesn’t seem to make all the hurt stop when I forgive someone, I wondered if I was ACTUALLY forgiving them or just WANTING to “do the right thing.”

Forgiving Is Hard Sometimes

Another problem I suffered from was not wanting to forgive someone who seemed to not think they needed it one single bit. Say, for example, someone who I believed to love me but who harshly criticized me, thinking it was justified. (See: “Speak the truth, IN LOVE”—NOT one without the other.) (Ephesians 4:14-15)

“Though I speak with the tongues of men & of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

When someone hurts me intentionally or unintentionally hurts me when in a bad mood (collateral damage) & then thinks because they were upset or because whatever reason, it was okay to hurt me… I really struggle to forgive there, if I am honest.

So, on one hand, I actually struggled WANTING to forgive in those situations, while also not being sure whether I forgave truthfully… because I could still feel the pang of deep hurt in my heart when the topic came up.

“The Unforgiving Servant”

I believe I have already covered not WANTING to forgive others, in my previous blog post: “Dealing with Unforgiveness,” based on the parable Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 18:21-35, in talking about how even if the person who hurt me sees complete justification in hurting me because of a “bad day” or whatever, & even if, in seeing their actions as wrong I want to hold on to it & treat their actions with the contempt it deserves… that God ALSO sees it was wrong, DOESN’T need me to hold on to it for Him, AND can handle the situation & their heart-change MUCH better than I can.

THAT is how we can forgive, even when they aren’t remorseful one single bit. Because we can trust a HOLY & JUST God to handle it far better than we ever could…. AND because He forgave US an even bigger debt that was against HIM.

But, that still doesn’t address the other side to my struggle to understand forgiveness: Is it really considered forgiveness, if afterwards I still feel hurt inside my heart? Can I honestly say I have let it go if I am still hurting?

And God has helped me SO much with understanding this very thing.

God Hears Our Prayers & Leads Us

This last Sunday, we weren’t able to attend church because our pastor was sick & these days, you have to be a little extra careful, so, my husband & I tuned in to my parents’ church online.

Back in June/July, we attended Grace Baptist Church, in Virginia, & had the privilege of listening to the pastor’s series then on the Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew 6:5-15. Well, we weren’t around for the entire series (All SO good–convicting AND encouraging), so this past Sunday, I tried to find where we had left off in that series.

But, in God’s perfect providence, I got the date wrong & selected one we had already heard. And guess what the topic was… Yep: FORGIVENESS.

God knows our hearts & what we need! And HE guides us as we seek Him as our help!

Anyway, ten minutes in or so, we figured it out, but we were encouraged by the message & felt it was good & worthy of the reminders, so we continued on anyway… & boy am I so glad we did!

God is so great. I had ALREADY heard this sermon, & yet it somehow took on new life in my heart this time around. (Much like God’s Word! We may not understand something, but the more times we read it through, as we seek His guidance & growth, the more it is illuminated in our hearts. His LIVING Word! (Hebrews 4:12))

I am so thankful for this, because as I listened, God answered my question of how I could say I have forgiven if I still hurt.

(You can find the first sermon in this series by going to Gracehome.org, clicking menu, clicking sermons, & in Categories, beginning on June 6, 2021– or, click HERE to download this particular sermon that I am referencing today.)

How to Know If Your Forgiveness Is Genuine

The pastor reminded us of what forgiveness IS: forgiveness is canceling a debt, saying they don’t owe you for their wrong against you anymore. Forgiveness is taking a loss. Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself & to the other person, by not holding it over their head.

But, in forgiving the other person, not holding their wrong against them as a debt owed you, it doesn’t mean there won’t still be a wound left behind that needs healing.

And how do we heal? We take that wound to God & ask Him to help heal you… ask Him for guidance on how to heal that wound.

So, how do you know if you have honestly forgiven someone, versus just SAYING you forgive them because God TELLS us to forgive others? (Matthew 18:21-22; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:14-15)

Ask yourself: “Am I still holding this against them? Do I still feel like they owe me something for this wrong?”

If you answered, “yes,” then you haven’t sincerely forgiven them.

If you answered, “no,” but you still feel a sharp ache left behind in your heart, then ask God to help you address it & heal from the hurt caused you.

God Heals the Brokenhearted

I get it. There are some hurts that run pretty deep in my heart. And although I can honestly say I am not holding it against them anymore, it doesn’t change the fact that their words left scars on my heart that still ache at times.

But God is our Healer. He is wise & able. I can trust Him to heal me & grow me, to work “all things together for the good of those who love Him & are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) I can trust Him.

“He heals the brokenhearted & binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;….” (Philippians 1:6)

What Does It Mean to Forgive?

If that hurt cuts so deeply that you really wrestle against wanting to forgive that person, I get that… I really do.

But in that unwillingness to forgive, we need to repent. We need to confess that bitterness to God & ask for forgiveness from Him.

We need to be careful not to become the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18, wanting forgiveness, but unwilling to give it. God forgave us SO MUCH. We DESERVE Hell & yet He offers grace through the SACRIFICE of Jesus on our behalf, who DIED for it (& rose again).

God commands us to forgive because He knows we are forgiven despite being undeserving. And because He knows a lack of forgiveness only causes even more pain.

We can trust His judgements. We can trust His will. We can trust His commands.

But even if we don’t FEEL like we can trust Him, we should still obey because feel it or not, HE IS RIGHT… 100% always.

Shine HOPE by offering forgiveness, even if it isn’t deserved, because God in Christ forgave you.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

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!!

Customizable Hoops (Golden) (India)

Designed to wear alone or to customize by adding mix & match charms like our Darling Charm Set (golden discs from set shown), these classic gold-tone hoops from India are a versatile & stylish must-have accessory! Each hoop features an “easy-on & easy-off” open hoop design to make switching up your style simple & quick! Every purchase supports families in areas of extreme poverty in India.

(Darling Charm Set sold separately.)

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 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 in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

What Comes After the Gospel?

Okay, last week we talked about THE MOST IMPORTANT THING that could ever be talked about: the Gospel, in “Why the Gospel Is Such a Big Deal.”

So, it only seems logical that we talk about what’s next… what comes AFTER we surrender to the hope of the Gospel: repenting of our sin, believing that Jesus died on our behalf & rose victorious over both sin AND death, surrendering to HOPE… what comes next?

God Is Perfectly Holy

This topic of holiness is something that I quite frankly have misunderstood my entire life.

I sort of understood the idea that GOD is holy… although the impact of that fact still somewhat eludes me & although I strive to learn, will probably never FULLY get it.

God is holy. He is perfect. He is without fault or sin (Psalm 92:15). He CANNOT do evil. There is NO darkness in Him, only Light (1 John 1:5). He never has sinned & never will (2 Corinthians 5:21). He CAN’T sin. He is the definition of complete perfection in every single way. ALL of His ways are Good & done in perfect wisdom & Truth.

BUT, then this little verse comes along, in 1 Peter 1:16, where God tells us, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Ooof.

Does the Idea of Holiness Make You Anxious?

Considering all that makes up the pure holiness of God, right away I need only review even just a brief snippet of my life (of today even), to feel completely overwhelmed by this command to BE HOLY.

How in the world am I supposed to live up to THAT?!

Well, first, let’s take it back to the Truth that gives us hope on this venture, the phrase I will keep repeating: “Our only hope is JESUS.” HE is our holiness before a perfect, holy GOD ALMIGHTY.

“For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus].” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

When we turn to, surrender to, & accept JESUS as our Hope (the Gospel), God credits JESUS’ holiness as OURS.

So, this is not a call to be holy OR ELSE. It’s not a threat, because Jesus already paid our debts in full.

But, we ought not stop there, beautiful lady.

Why Is Holiness Such a Big Deal?

If holiness doesn’t save us… what is the whole point of holiness? Why is holiness such a big deal?

Because we know. We know what we were saved from. We know what we deserved & the mercy that covered us. We know Hell was our path, but that Jesus gave His own life for our debt.

Because it’s commanded by God, “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)

Because we know it pleases Him.

What Is Holiness

Holiness is a longing… a striving… a journey… & not one done in our solitary efforts.

Holiness is worked out in us through the work of the Holy Spirit, Who gently leads, gently prunes, gently replaces the old you with a new you. (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Holiness is a partnership with God… a striving to live a life that pleases Him & to do only what pleases Him.

Holiness is striving to do ONLY what pleases God for ONLY the purpose of pleasing God… not for salvation, not to manipulate Him to answer our prayers, not to be “good enough”, not to be a “good” person… but only for the purpose of pleasing God.

We won’t always get it right. We’re not perfect. But it’s a pursuit well worth our efforts.

What Pleases God?

How do we know what pleases God, though?

The age-old answer: Read/study/meditate on the BIBLE (aka absolute Truth/the Word of God) & talk to Him/spend time with Him, by being still with Him.

And also, make sure to ask God to help you find a church that determines to teach from the Bible, not changing the Bible to fit culture, but seeking to change culture to fit the Bible. We’re easier to trick when we stand alone. God continually emphasizes the need for church fellowship throughout the Bible. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The Holy Spirit guides & affirms us in our efforts to live a holy life. The Bible tells us to acknowledge God in all our ways & He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6). That means, acknowledge that He alone is God & therefore He alone knows what ought to be done or how something ought to be handled. He will help teach you what pleases Him as you continue to seek Him in this pursuit.

Crave Revival–A Renewed Surrender & Closeness with God Our Father

When I first began this journey of holiness, in working through the “Seeking Him” study by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth & Tim Grissom, I was SUPER convicted when they addressed pride with God. I knew I struggled, but WOW.

This led me to realize that I was SERIOUSLY down-playing God’s PERFECT HOLINESS & not taking my personal journey for holiness serious enough!

It’s easy to feel good compared to people who express a lack of desire to grow at all in this area… but when compared to God? I FAIL… COMPLETELY… like NOT EVEN CLOSE to being good. And OOF, that hurt.

In praying to understand God’s holiness better, He led me to begin reading, “The Pursuit of Holiness,” by Jerry Bridges. (DEFINITELY & HIGHLY RECOMMEND.)

CRAVE REVIVAL!

God Beckons

As we seek to live a holy life (one that pleases God in everything) & as we seek to understand God’s PERFECT holiness, our own impurity & imperfections will become magnified, creating in us a grief as seen in Isaiah, when he encountered God’s splendor & holiness. (Isaiah 6)

And Satan will try to tell you to turn away from God, to accept your shame & never return… but God gently beckons us home to Him, saying, “Yes, My child, Jesus died for that, too. Repent & return to Me.”

“His mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) THANK GOD for THAT!

And God comforts us, in Matthew 5:4, when He says, “Blessed are those who mourn [over their sin], because they will be comforted.” God doesn’t leave us in our own muck. He offers us comfort, healing, restoration, & growth through our human imperfections, through the Holy Spirit’s work in us.

(*Read my former post on “Matthew 5-The Ladder of Growth,” here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.)

Heed the Call: Humble Yourself & Pray for a Revival of Your Heart for God

So, my call to you (& ME) is this: Strive to “be holy, for God is holy” (1 Peter 1:16) & ask for God’s help AS you do it.

He is gentle & kind & ALMIGHTY & completely worthy of our pursuit.

What are you holding back from God?

Jerry Bridges mentioned in his book:

“If there is not, then, at least a yearning in our hearts to live a holy life pleasing to God, we need to seriously question whether our faith in Christ is genuine.”

(The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges, p. 33)

For, while the Bible tells us that salvation is of God, not of works, so that no man may boast… He also tells us in, “Faith without works is dead.”

If you say you believe but don’t live what you claim to believe… can you really genuinely claim to believe?

“Jesus says:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, & done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

(The Holy Bible, NKJV, Matthew 7:21-23)

Shine Hope, by Striving to Live a Holy Life

Do you long for holiness? To grow in holiness?

What is holding you back?

Humble yourself before God & repent of any pride that is holding you back from this pursuit.

God is worthy of our pursuit of holiness.

Shine HOPE by striving to live a life that pleases God for only the purpose of pleasing God.

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!!

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.

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 in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

Let’s Start from the Top

Just so we’re on the same page here, the Gospel… aka the Good (so good it almost seems impossible) News… is a gift that God offers each of us, but it has to be accepted for it to make any difference in your life. (Romans 10:9)

Maybe you heard that long ago, there was a Garden of Eden, with the first human beings created by God: Adam & Eve. (Genesis 2-3)

And Eve bought the lies that Satan (through the serpent) fed her as he worked to create doubt for God in her mind… And she ate up his lies, let her doubts lead the way, & ate the fruit from the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.” And Adam ate also.

Because of this, mankind now has a recognition of Good & Evil in the world. And what once was meant to be complete surrender to Him handling everything, became a desire for us to take the reins from God & fix it our own way… To run our life “better,” as if we suddenly knew better than the One who made us, the world, & everything in it.

And there was a consequence to this… Sin brings death (even death IN LIFE). Sin’s consequence is Hell, for eternity. Because sin is “missing the mark,” or, not quite doing it God’s way, but doing it ours instead. Taking the lead. Trying to usurp the throne for ourselves, from GOD. (Romans 6:23)

(*To read why this was a display of God’s goodness & love, read my previous post on this topic: “Garden of Eden: What Was So Wrong with Eating That Fruit?”)

Sin Is… But God

Sin is foolish. Sin is arrogant. Sin expresses the false belief that we somehow “know better” than Eternal, Almighty God.

Sin deserves Hell.

But.

But, God.

God knew. He KNEW this would be the choice made. He KNEW we would continue to choose us over complete surrender to Him as KING Almighty.

And although He knew we would decide this… And although He knew we could never pay this debt we owe… He knew HE would need to pay our debt… to make a WAY.

And, because He LOVES US SO MUCH, He made us anyway… & a plan for our redemption… to restore us to Him. (Romans 6:23)

God’s Plan from Before Time: Jesus

His plan was Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son… equally God AND man. (1 Timothy 3:16) Emmanuel-God with Us. (Isaiah 7:14) Part of the eternal Trinity of God the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

And when the time was right, in God’s perfect judgement, after decades of demonstrating that no matter how we as mankind may try, we always fail to earn our own redemption… Jesus was born (the reason we celebrate Christmas) to virgin Mary (a miracle done by God) (Isaiah 7:14) & lived a humble, serving, giving life speaking HIS (aka THE) TRUTH, God’s Word, to everyone who would listen, while healing & gently loving everyone He met… demonstrating to us, in bodily form, His great, GREAT love for us… But there’s more.

At the end of His ministry on earth, He gave up His life. He died an excruciating, gut-wrenching death for us on a cross. He took our sin upon His own shoulders, agreeing to take the weight of our debt upon Himself, paying OUR price.

He was beaten, spit on, whipped with shards, mocked, betrayed, abandoned, bruised for our transgressions. Pierced for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace, was on Him. He gave His all for us. (Isaiah 53)

Jesus Is Our Continual & Eternal Hope

But, it doesn’t end there, because JESUS CHRIST is LORD. And, as He promised, He ROSE AGAIN (the reason we celebrate Easter), victorious over sin AND death! Our Victor! Our Healer! Our KING! (Mark 9:31; Luke 24)

You see, He came… not to CONDEMN the world, but to SAVE it. (John 3:17)

He demonstrated His great love for us in that WHILE we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

HE is THE Way, THE Truth, & THE Life… & NO ONE comes to the Father, EXCEPT through HIM. (John 14:6)

He is seated in the heavenly places VERY MUCH ALIVE. Reigning over ALL. (Ephesians 2:6-7)

We can trust Him.

We can rely on Him.

We can count on Him.

We can lean into Him.

HE is why we can rejoice. HE is how we can find FREEDOM. (Galatians 5:1) HE is why we can have HOPE.

He brings us LIFE, in the now & in eternity. (Matthew 16:25)

How to ACCEPT This Gift of God

But… as I mentioned at the start of this post… you have to first ACCEPT His free gift… because you can’t earn it.

How?

You agree with God about your SIN… that you have indeed “missed the mark” & usurped His rightful throne in your heart.

You repent to God of your sin… ask forgiveness, in humility, & TURN from that sin! (This doesn’t mean you will suddenly become perfect & will never mess up again, but it DOES mean that you agree with God about it being sin & agree to submit under His lead, agreeing with His Word, the Bible, as Truth, & to let Him help you along the way, growing in obedience to Him. Satan will try to convince you to avoid God when you mess up, but God always whispers, “Come home, my child. Jesus paid for that, too. Repent & Return to Me.”) (1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9-13; Luke 15:11-32)

And finally, you ask God to take over as LORD of your life, believing that Jesus died for you & rose again! He is faithful, ALWAYS & without any fail (1 Corinthians 1:9; Deuteronomy 7:9; Matthew 28:20) . HE is faithful to continue a good work in you (Philippians 1:3-7), the old you passing away & a new you taking its place as He, through the Holy Spirit’s work, guides & shapes you in life (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Don’t Wait for an Unpromised Tomorrow

Don’t let Satan convince you you’re too far gone. No one is.

Don’t let Satan convince you that your sin is too great. God is greater.

Don’t let Satan convince you that you can find what you’re longing for elsewhere… anything else will always come up short & leave you empty & longing (& hurting).

Don’t let Satan convince you that “living it up” will somehow fulfill you. It won’t. It Can’t. (Matthew 16:25) (Trust me, I’ve tried!)

Don’t let Satan convince you that being a “good” person &/or that works are enough. God says it is by faith, & not works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)… & that no one is Good except One—GOD. (Matthew 10:18; Luke 18:19–Note: Jesus is God, but He knew the man with whom He was speaking saw Him as JUST a teacher, so Jesus was calling out this false belief.)

Don’t let Satan convince you that you need to wait another day. You’re not promised to even live through the end of this post. Life is but a vapor, here today & gone tomorrow. (James 4:13-14)

–Agree with God. Repent. Surrender. LIVE.– (John 10:10)

Why the Gospel Is Such a Big Deal

Since I surrendered to Jesus Christ, I have made MANY mistakes. But I no longer live to make them. I no longer feel like I am pushing down guilt & shame. I feel free. I feel loved & accepted. I feel forgiven. I feel HOPE. Learning & growing in my obedience to Him gives me LIFE. It’s not a life-stealer, serving Him is a life-giver. (Matthew 16:25)

Hope against ALL the odds.

Because when Jesus came to die for you & for me… that is exactly what He came to offer us: HOPE.

And THAT is why the Gospel is SUCH a big deal.

Shine Hope by sharing the Gospel, aka Good News… & by living it every single day.

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!!

Radiant Necklace Set (Middle Layer of 3 Shown) (India)

On-trend set of 3 layered necklaces that can be worn together or separately, featuring a labradorite stone, hammered discs, & a blue topaz crystal drop.

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 set & 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 in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

Keep Your “WHY” in Life Fresh

This topic is relevant to everyone, whether it be a regular church-goer, a famous Christian artist/author/speaker, or even a pastor.

And it’s something I have had to face up to lately… with myself.

God has something to say about this topic, in Revelation 2:2-5:

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, & that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles & are not, & have found them liars; & you have persevered & have patience, & have labored for My name’s sake & have not become weary. Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent & do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly & remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (emphasis mine)

Don’t Leave Your First Love

You see, it’s easy to get into the routine of serving Him… & doing so until it becomes just a routine.

I have to make the continual choice to choose Him & His kingdom first.

This means no running on autopilot… no “finding what works” & just sticking to that.

This means getting fresh direction & guidance from God, through maintaining regular reading of His Word & talking to Him (prayer), willing to let Him interrupt your current track for His plan.

His Great Love for Me (& You)

When I designed & launched this website several years ago now, I was coming out of a pretty dark time in my life, consumed by bitterness & stress that I didn’t know how to manage. And seeing Him grow me through such dark pain really reignited my trust in & love for Him, seeing that when I had nothing, I had everything with Him.

He was my strength & wisdom & hope when I had none to muster from within myself.

He loved me first. He was my first love. His love & care sparked my own love for & trust in Him… & out of that came this website.

What God Wants

But I have to be careful, because my heart is prone to wander.

I get wrapped up in distractions, I find a new normal that works & stick to it… & I begin to rely on my routines & habits & distractions rather than on Him.

It is true that God tells us to live righteously, to live according to His laws… but that doesn’t save me. Jesus saved me.

God sees my heart… my motivations. He knows what drives me.

He is not looking for just good behavior, but continual love for & obedience to Him.

And while I have been running this blog with a heart of obedience, praying for His guidance & help when I get stuck… I have also felt my heart begin to harden.

My Wandering Heart

I have begun to choose ME a little more often.

I have heard His gentle whisper on my heart & ignored it for my way… for comfort… for ease.

I have heard Him nudging me gently with conviction to turn back to Him… & I made choices to keep going anyway.

Satan is so subtle & I am so quick to listen to him tell me the lie that ignoring God is the easier, better route… not in outright sins, but in small ways of creating a pattern of shutting out God’s voice for my own.

He Is Our VINE

And I have noticed the result of shutting out His loving nudges for my comfort/ease. Choosing me over God makes me more vulnerable to Satan’s attacks, when Satan exploits my weaknesses.

I am more easily triggered by my past traumas. I am more prone to being short-tempered or easily offended. I get hurt more easily because I am feeling more insecure. I fill up with anxiety & feel the tempting pulls of depression nipping at my heels. Instead of peace, I feel uprooted & drifting, full of uncertainty.

These are the results of me trying to do life MY way & without God’s help. He is my Counselor & Friend. He is my Healer, my Father, my Redeemer. He alone has perfect wisdom & Truth.

And when I reject Him, even little by little in small decisions, I am literally removing myself as a branch from my life-nourishing, life-giving Vine.

He feeds my soul. He gives me life.

That’s why He DEMANDS my obedience… because without living His way & His Truth, I am pulling away from my true source of LIFE. I am hurting myself.

Don’t Fluff Up Sin–Call It Out & Turn from It!

Oh how it must pain Him to see me stubbornly pull away when all He wants to do is fill where I lack, lift me up, & love me with His Truth.

I have a rebellious & stubborn heart, prone to wander, prone to choose me over God’s ways a million times until I have exhausted myself & cry out to God for help. That’s me. & I’m not proud of it.

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, & stubbornness is as iniquity & idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected thee from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:23) (Ouch.)

And when I started the “Seeking Him” study by Nancy Leigh DeMoss & Tim Grissom, where it has you catalog all your “dirty laundry” mistakes & hard-heartedness, I felt attacked, wanting to donate the book & just move on with my life. I felt despair that although I answered all of the questions, I felt the reared-up tension of not wanting to change, of wanting MY way. I didn’t feel shame or remorse, I felt angry & protective over it.

Even KNOWING it was for my GOOD!

Break Up That Fallow Ground!

And then I read the last page of today’s work page, finishing up Week 1 of the study, & it directed me to Hosea 10:12-13:

“Sow for yourselves righteousness;

Reap in mercy;

Break up your fallow ground,

For it is time to seek the Lord,

Till He comes & rains righteousness on you.

You have plowed wickedness;

You have reaped iniquity.

You have eaten the fruit of lies,

Because you trusted in your own way….” (emphasis mine)

Wow, if this doesn’t just get right to the point, huh? I DID. I HAVE been trusting my own way… & I AM seeing negative consequences as a result!

Let’s Break It Down

And today’s lesson then led me through this list, encouraging me to turn from that “trusting my own way” to GOD’S WAY (summary):

1-Return to righteousness & obey God

2-Accept God’s mercy & forgive others

3-Allow God to plow up your hardened heart

4-Grieve over your sins

5-Ponder the consequences of disobedience you’re experiencing

6-Accept responsibility for those consequences

7-Seek God & His kingdom as priority

So today, I start by admitting to you & God where my heart has been rebellious, taking responsibility for my wrong actions & for the consequences of quick frustration, anxiousness, & hard-heartedness I am experiencing.

Today, I want to change. I want God to revive my heart & bring me back to my love for Him as my “First Love.”

I Want HIM–Jesus Christ as #1

I want HIM to guide my steps, even if that means skipping tv, videos, or game-playing when He prods my heart to do so even if for a reason unbeknownst to me.

I want HIM to guide my steps, even if that means not caving at the first sign of a terrible food decision.

I want HIM to guide my steps, even if that means feeling uncomfortable speaking Truth & Hope into a situation where I would usually keep quiet because I want to be liked.

I need this fallow ground of my HARD HEART to be broken up & I need to RETURN to my First Love.

It’s Time to Desire Revival

God gave everything for me, for us. He made me knowing He would also have to save me. He is so faithful & patient & kind while I am prone to wander & ignore Him.

It’s time for revival.

Are you with me? —Even on our “good days”, there always seems to be that little something we want to hold back from God… what is that in your life?

Pray about it & ask for God to show you… Ask for revival in your heart. Ask Him to revive & renew a steadfast spirit within you (Psalm 51:10), one that seeks His kingdom first & acknowledges Him in ALL things (Matthew 6:33).

To love the LORD you God with all of your heart & all of your mind & all of your soul & all of your strength (Mark 12:30-31), having no other “gods” before Him (Exodus 20:3).

HE is the way, the Truth, & the Life (John 14:6). He is our True VINE (John 15:5).

He is a life-giver, Sustainer, Healer, Friend, Awesome God, Almighty in Power & Wisdom & Strength. He is the One true King. He is GOD.

Thank You JESUS, for saving me! (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; John 3:16)

Shine Hope by letting God break up your fallow ground (packed down, hardened heart) & asking Him to renew a fresh love for Him as your highest priority & love in life.

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!!

Luminous Studs (North Asia)

These 14k gold-plated mask-friendly studs are mesmerizing, as they sparkle in the light, creating iridescent shades that change with your every move.

Every purchase helps support a sex trafficking survivor in North Asia with safe housing, health care, trauma counseling, job skills training, & dignified income. In North Asia, poverty encourages sexual exploitation of women in brothels. These women want to provide for their families but have few options. Your purchase helps provide sex trafficking survivors with holistic care, dignified income, & hope.

Purchase these earrings & empower a woman in North Asia!

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 in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!

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!

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!

Our Preset

Have you ever stopped to realize that we are all dying? And there’s only one cure?

Because of our sin, without this cure, the preset destination for every one of us is hell.

And there’s only one cure to what ails us.

And whether or not you believe you need the cure, you do.

And whether or not your neighbor or co-worker or friend or family member believes they need the cure… they do, too.

There’s Only One Cure

I term it this way, as a cure, because we can often go through this life, poisoned by our wrong choices, destined to eventually be called to pay a price we can’t pay, clueless to this fact that our sin has written our death sentence for us… It has written our destiny in Hell.

You can deny it, reject it, or ignore it… but it won’t change the fact that you desperately need the cure.

And Jesus is the cure. He paid our debts for us already… but we have to take the cure aka ACCEPT Jesus’ payment… or eventually we will be called to pay a price we could never fully pay.

So, there’s only One cure that will actually save us… JESUS.

Set My People Free

I was listening to a song this morning by Dara Maclean, called “Set My People Free” where the singer talks about how Jesus pursued her heart & set her free, paying her debts & in exchange, she says, “I will be your hands & feet, follow where You lead, as You say, “Set My people free.”

While it’s not us setting His people free, but the grace of God, through Jesus Christ… the message in the song urges us to recognize the reality of how many others are trapped in their sins, destined to pay the price they could never pay, chained & lost in living the lies Satan feeds them throughout life.

And maybe we’ve taken the cure of Jesus that God offers us… but they still need it.

Go & Make Disciples of Every Nation

The Great Commission, in Matthew 28, urges the same determined battle cry to go set His people free, by proclaiming the Truth that can break their chains & pay their debts… & SET THEM FREE.

It’s not just a recommendation… it’s a command.

It’s not just for pastors or missionaries… it’s for us.

It’s not just on missions trips or service projects… but AS we go.

God’s love sets us free. He paid our price through the sacrifice & victory or our risen-again JESUS. And people need to KNOW about it!

It’s Not a Suggestion, But a Necessity!

That’s why we NEED to pray without ceasing, learning to lean on God for every decision, every attitude adjustment, every time emotions threaten to call the shots… to love a relentless, STUBBORN type of love that refuses NOT to love others, even if we have to lay down what we think we deserve to trust Jesus to fill in where we’re lacking & to LET HIM LOVE THROUGH US.

We NEED to know His Word, to have Truth flowing through our veins, pushing out the lies we’re spoon-fed from all around us.

We NEED to obey Him! Don’t deceive yourself by just knowing what God says… it won’t do anyone any good unless you DO what it says.

We NEED Him.

There Are People Out There Who Still Need the Cure

Picture that everyone is dying of a venom that flows through their bodies. They don’t know it’s killing them, but it still is all the same.

And you know the cure… the ONLY cure… the anti-venom that will allow them LIFE.

They may not know they need it, but they DO. DESPERATELY.

The world may deny, until they are blue in the face, their need for hope, but they need it all the same.

They NEED JESUS.

We Need Jesus

We each owe a debt we could never pay & it’s killing us.

But Jesus paid that debt & offers us LIFE.

He’s the cure. He’s the ONLY cure. And we ALL need Him.

So, share your faith. Pray for the boldness to love when it’s hard. Determine to know His Word & to talk to Him through every life situation or feeling or rejection or loss or insecurity or insufficiency.

He. Is. Enough.

So, Share Hope by Sharing JESUS.

If You Don’t Know Jesus

If you don’t know Jesus & you’re reading this, then you know you need the cure, too.

And the Gospel, meaning news-so-good-can-it-possibly-be-real, is that even though we have wronged God (every one of us), God loved us so much that He made a plan to pay our price, through Jesus dying on the cross & taking our payment upon Himself & then rising again after death (Easter) having victory over both sin & death.

And to accept His payment on your behalf, all you have to do is recognize your sin for what it is–SIN… confess it to God, ask for forgiveness & ask Him to take over as LORD over your life… letting His GOD-wisdom call the shots from now on (even though you will mess up because we all do) & letting His love & mercy & GRACE wash away every wrong, giving you a clean slate & fulfilling LOVE in its place.

That’s all there is to it. It won’t make you perfect, but God will begin to work on you from the inside out as you begin to submit more of your heart, past, & future to His perfect love, wisdom, & care.

So, what are you waiting for? Take the cure & accept Jesus as your Savior & LORD!

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 hear 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!!

Luminous Studs (Asia)

These 14k gold-plated mask-friendly studs are mesmerizing, as they sparkle in the light, creating iridescent shades that change with your every move.

Every purchase helps support a sex trafficking survivor in North Asia with safe housing, health care, trauma counseling, job skills training, & dignified income.

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!