I Don’t Know???

We all have something, even the most seasoned of Christians. We’re all a work in progress & forever will be until Heaven.

What are you holding back from Him?

Now, the problem with this question is that oftentimes, we just frankly don’t know.

We try to check all the right boxes & do all the right things… but there is always something, as subtle as it may be to us… that we are holding back from God.

What Is Influencing You?

Influences over us come in countless shapes & sizes. Sometimes it’s so deeply ingrained in our subconscious, that we have never even stopped to consider that it doesn’t line up with the way GOD says it ought to be.

And everything we think, believe, say, do, etc. should necessarily be run through that filter ultimately, should it not?

Sometimes it’s even the culture of your church, things the people generally seem okay with or don’t approve of or let slide or whatever else. And because it’s our church, we can tend to trust it blindly, allowing it to influence our understanding of God & His Word. (*Not that church influences should be something we fear, but rather that we intentionally make sure we check EVERYTHING against the Word of God, which requires us getting to know what the Word of God says. *I had a pastor in years past that would frequently encourage his congregation to question him by searching out the truth against whatever he preaches by reading about it in the Bible themselves. WISE WORDS.)

Everything we do, say, believe, etc. is a reflection of something we believe about God.

What Are You Hoping to Get Out of Your Time in the Bible?

I think it’s good to study your Bible—necessary even, but sometimes we can look at it all wrong, getting so caught up in the wrong things.

I have realized in my 36 years of learning about God through the Bible, since I was a child, that the most important thing we can gain from reading the Bible is not as a guideline rulebook for life, but rather a rich understanding of Who God is… what He cares about, what He hates, how He handles sin, what honors Him, how great & all-powerful & all-knowing He is, how eternal He is, how outside our understanding He is.

God is so far above anything we can comprehend, & yet our humanness screams to put Him in an understandable, relatable box. Something that makes us comfortable.

Something that allows us to feel some sort of control. What are you hoping to get out of your time in the Bible?

Know Him As He Is

Truth is, God made this world, in its entirety, before we were also made—He didn’t need our help then & He doesn’t need it now.

Truth is, God holds power beyond our wildest imaginings: making from nothing, controlling the winds & waves, making completely possible the completely impossible, working outside of time itself, bringing back from the dead, etc. etc. etc..

Truth is, God ABHORS sin & its inately destructive nature, which is why Jesus had to die.

Truth is, God sees everything (even what is hidden), including all thoughts & actions all around the world, in every hidden heart, throughout all time RIGHT NOW.

God Is Worthy to be Praised!

Truth is, God cannot be exhausted in ANY capacity. His power, His strength, His resources, His time, His presence, His faithfulness… NOTHING. He does not run out.

Truth is, God deserves to smite us ALL for falling short of His glory, for being ANY fraction less than what His glory deserves… & YET, He sent His own Son to die to pay our price.

Truth is, God doesn’t need us to get it right. (*He desires it, but He doesn’t NEED it.) He doesn’t need us to know what to do. He doesn’t need us to make the right choice or have the right attitude or the right response. God even hardens hearts just to show how even if we put up the worst of fight against Him, He WILL prevail.

Truth is, God will not be defeated. He isn’t scared. He isn’t planning. He isn’t frantic or worried. He is SEATED. He holds supreme sovereignty & absolutely nothing can even stand against Him—so He doesn’t have anything He needs to ever fear or worry about.

Truth is, God is worthy to be praised indeed! A God (THE God) with that much power & glory & authority & power… caring about US? Wanting US to be a part of HIS beautiful plan throughout all time? WHAT MERCY! WHAT GRACE! WHAT LOVE!

What Are You Holding Back from Him?

Do you treat Him like He has that kind of authority? Because He DOES.

Do you praise Him like He deserves it? Because He DOES.

Do you submit & surrender the whole of your being for His workings? Because He MADE you.

What are you holding back from Him?

What ideal? What belief? What understanding about Him or His desires for your life?

What are you holding back?

Trust Him to Rewrite What You Believe & What You Think about Him

Are you willing to say, “God, if I believe amiss, no matter how ingrained that thought of you may be… please change it in me. Help me to know You as You ARE… NOT how I believe You to be or WANT you to be.” Are you willing?

What are you deciding FOR God? What limitations are you placing on Him? What are you clinging to for security in your life over Him? What might you believe amiss?

Shine HOPE by allowing God to be LORD in your thoughts about Him, in your ideals, in your beliefs, in your presuppositions, in your subtle subconscious ideas, in your desires, in your hopes, in your fears, in your worry… in your everything.

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.

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A Note from Michelle:

This blog/website has been running for SEVEN 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

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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!!

July 2025 HOPE Mail (INDIA)

FOR A LIMITED TIME – Only available during the month of July! Enjoy free shipping and 10% off on your Hope Mail package when you subscribe to receive the monthly selection every month!

Your purchase of July Hope Mail provides one day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.           

Wake up to change the world with the Daybreak Necklace! The Daybreak Necklace is featured in this month’s exclusive hope mail. Create dignified jobs for women in India when you purchase this month’s hope mail that includes the Daybreak Necklace. This gold-tone necklace includes a sun charm and a faceted labradorite bead charm to complete the look. 

Each Hope Mail comes packaged in a handmade Sari Pouch, to create a thoughtfully curated look.  

***Purchase this month’s Hope Mail, using the “Shop Here” link below, to create safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in India where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops and human traffickers.***

How You Can Help:

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