Tag: bible

A Reliable Witness

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

In a world searching for answers in all the wrong places, there is a hope that doesn’t just survive the storm—it breaks the chains. His name is Jesus, and He is the reliable witness to the life you were meant to live.

Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28).

Embrace this truth, and He will set you free—free from the slavery to sin that binds us all. I remember a time after leaving the abusive relationship when I believed I was in a good place. Still, I hadn’t told anyone what I had gone through or how I coped with it. I would say I suppressed it and told myself I was okay.

One of my church leaders confronted me about not having seen a counselor and even arranged to pay for my first six visits. This happened after he shared a dream with our group about a child walking with him and a chair with chains in the back of the room. He knew that once he stopped talking to the child, it would go back to the chair. I started crying, realizing the dream was about me.

At one time, I would have returned to the chair or chains. Even though I didn’t tell him the details, I didn’t have to – God worked through him to help me realize that, although I was free from the chains, I needed to peel back some layers and start my healing journey from what I had endured at the hands of an abuser.

Just as the Bible testifies to Christ, this leader witnessed my lingering pain, and you can now witness God’s healing in your own life.

It wasn’t until I had my abuse validated that I felt anger, an emotion necessary to start my journey. God uses this as a warning that something’s wrong.

Are you still chained to something from your past? Christ offers complete freedom and healing. Don’t let it eat away at your insides. That is a miserable existence. You are meant for so much more. Your heart can be transformed from death to life.

My healing journey involved peeling back layers of a painful past. Interestingly, when we examine Jesus’s lineage, we see that He didn’t shy away from ‘layers’ or ‘labels’ either; He directly embraced a family history as complex as ours to show us He truly understands.

Christmastime is approaching, and it’s a good opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Some may still question His lineage, but the Bible makes it clear that Jesus was both divine and fully human. His human side experienced the same pain and temptations as we do (Matt 4:1). In other words, you can bring whatever you are going through to Jesus, and He understands (Heb. 4:15). In return, He offers comfort, peace, healing, and shelter from the storms of life. He doesn’t say there won’t be storms but provides hope and peace through them (John 16:33).

In his book, The Case for Christmas, Lee Strobel states, “Jesus lived physically and emotionally on our planet, so when we bring him our problems, worries, and challenges, he can relate to us personally.” He also mentions, “Thanks to Jesus’ divinity, he can provide us with supernatural wisdom and the power of God to assist us.”

You can see Jesus’s lineage in both Matthew and Luke, whose genealogy includes men, women, adulterers, heroes, and Gentiles – showing that Jesus came to be the Savior for all and that His family tree is full of broken people, just like us.  (Matt. 1:1-16; Heb. 11:31; Josh. 2:1; James 2:25; Prov. 31).

Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage from Abraham to emphasize His Jewish heritage, whereas Luke traces it back to Adam to show that Jesus fulfills the hope of all humanity (Luke 3:23-38; Acts 17:26).

But don’t just take my word for it. John the Baptist, Moses, and the Scriptures were all witnesses that pointed to Jesus (Biblica Study Bible). Still, the most reliable witness was God Himself. The description of Jesus as God’s Son is supported by His genealogy—in other words, God’s declaration at His baptism, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22, Emphasized), provides clear testimony, with God Himself serving as a trustworthy witness.

The Biblica Study Bible notes that studying and learning all the Scriptures is beneficial, but it’s Jesus who gives meaning to everything Scripture teaches.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to Me except through me (John 14:6, Emphasis added).

The truth will set you free.

Paul explains how we are all in darkness and are brought to the light when we accept Christ. He encourages us to “walk as children of the light” (Eph. 5:8, Emphasis added) and bear fruit of the light only found in “all that is good and right and true: (v9, Emphasis added). We should not take part in unfruitful works of darkness any longer – instead, there is a different way and another option on the table that we need to consider.

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Eph. 5:14, Emphasis added).

Maybe you, like me, feel like you’re in a self-made trance- something that kept me stuck in an abusive relationship for too long, thinking I didn’t have a choice. Once I woke up, I saw that being a Christ follower, or having a relationship with God, is possible. God provides the foundation and strength to break free from the chains and start a new life with Christ at the center.

He brought me from darkness to life. Hope is alive – His name is Jesus Christ. Freedom is real (Rom. 15: 13; Gal. 5:13; John 8:36).

It’s not about what we do for God, but rather an intimate relationship with your heavenly Father who loves you immensely.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Ps. 46:10, Emphasis added)!

Why Godly Fruit Isn’t Earned, But Grown by the Spirit

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Bearing fruit in season and out of season, like an evergreen planted by a flowing stream, producing vibrant green branches year-round, comes from a heart guided by the Holy Spirit (Ps. 1:3; Jer. 17:7-8).

When Paul talks about staying in sync with the Spirit, he means letting God lead (Gal. 5:25, ESV). When our hearts are transformed by accepting Christ and the Spirit enters, we can start to produce the fruits of the Spirit that mirror God’s character (Gal. 5:22-24). There is an urge to actively cooperate with the new life we’ve received.

The fruit isn’t just something we produce on our own. Spiritual fruit comes from being made in the likeness of God’s image. Day by day, we as Christians can strive to become more like Jesus, who exemplified all aspects of God’s character as a model for us to follow. We are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26).

Jesus is described as the perfect “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) and the “exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3). He perfectly demonstrated the character qualities we call the Fruit of the Spirit.

On the path to becoming like Christ, we often fall short because of our human nature. The flesh cannot please God without the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and hearts (Rom. 8:8). Paul describes a struggle between flesh and spirit, a division caused by human sin that prevents us from doing what is right in God’s eyes until we accept Christ. Then, the Holy Spirit equips us with the spiritual armor needed to fight battles and push back the devil. The Spirit fights against sin, not just defensively but offensively, developing in Christians the positive qualities of a godly character, all of which are seen in Jesus in the Gospels (Gal. 5:22-23).

The Spirit’s essential role in equipping the believer is to strengthen us.

  • Defensive and Offensive: The Holy Spirit doesn’t just passively wait; He actively fights against sin. This is the power that overcomes the “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21) and enables the believer to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16).
  • Spiritual Armor: The armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18 is often seen as the tools given by God, with the Holy Spirit acting as the active force that helps us use them effectively (e.g., the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”).
  • Positive Development (Fruit): The ultimate offensive move of the Spirit is the positive development of godly character—the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.). This fruit embodies the very character of Christ being formed within us, making the Christian progressively more resilient against sin and temptation.

Isaiah prophesied about a child from David’s line, “There shall come forth a shoot and a branch from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him” (Is. 11:1-2, Emphasis added). He was speaking of Jesus the Messiah. He ruled with the help of the Spirit (Is. 4:2). He is described as the root and descendant of David, the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16).

Jesus set an example for living and invited everyone to wash their robes—no longer living in their old ways (Rev. 22:14). While we wait for His return, we can trust in His promise that we will be together again (John 14:2). Essentially, the Holy Spirit is the way Jesus remains present with us until His physical return, empowering us to live a holy life and grounding us in the certainty of His promise. It guides us throughout our lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ and producing The Fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither” (Ps. 1:3, Emphasis added).

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jer. 17:7-8, Emphasis added).

Gaps only God is meant to fill

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Do you have a neighbor or acquaintance that you see, but haven’t gotten to know on a personal level? Do you find yourself letting your imagination fill in the blanks about their character and story based on their behavior or things you have heard?

We tend to make up stories about people until we get to know them and have our myths busted. I confess, I do this quite often; sometimes without realizing it, until I’m confronted with reality – the truth.

There is a man in our neighborhood whom I see regularly when I go for a run. He is usually loading his lawnmower onto his trailer as I run past. We say, ‘good morning’ and that’s about it. Other than that, I don’t know him. From observation, I can tell you that he mows lawns for a living. I will spare you the details I’ve concocted about the rest of his story. However, I will say that I saw something one morning recently that contradicted my beliefs. Hence, this message came to life. I still don’t know him or the truth, but my perspective on him and his character has shifted slightly.

This made me think about our relationship with God. I believe we are guilty of doing the same thing until we learn to know Him intimately, learn more about His character, and who He says we are.

We can know things about Him and hear the stories others tell about their experiences, and perhaps we ride on the coattails of our parents until one day they are gone. Then what? We may live vicariously through others or fill voids in our lives with false beliefs. Still, until we open the Book of God’s story and ask Him to reveal Himself to us by starting a conversation that leads to a real relationship with Him, we won’t understand who we are, nor will we reflect His love or character. We won’t experience a relationship with God of our own until we pursue it daily. Maybe some are like me, and I didn’t know how to do that or that it was possible until a few years ago, after a life-changing event. That is when I found my passion for teaching others about a relationship with Christ.

A few years ago, while traveling alone, I was on a layover in an airport and met a woman whom I had the chance to give my testimony about finding a relationship with God and how it changed my life. She questioned me about it at length, “You mean that is real, you can have a relationship with God?” I felt that she had longed for it for most of her life, as she shared bits and pieces of her story and mentioned that she had wondered about it but had not experienced it to this point.

This was a divine encounter as I had prayed for God to put people in my path on this trip who needed to hear my story. I was in line to purchase my lunch and planned to take it back to my seat at the gate, but God had other plans. As the woman in front of me received her food, she turned and asked if I thought we could sit at the tables in the distance. Without hesitation, I said we could try as I followed her to the tables. It wasn’t long before she asked about the purpose of my trip, and our conversation about God followed.

I pursued the wrong things to fill the gaps in my life for many years until I finally found the only One who was meant to fill them – Jesus Christ.  I am grateful that God uses my painful stories to bring the Good News to others.

Are there voids in your life that only God is meant to fill?  Have you pursued a life-changing relationship with Christ? You are never too old to start. God is waiting with open arms for your surrender. It may seem challenging, but it’s worth it; you’re worth it. God loves you fiercely.

The verse in 2 Chronicles 16:9 states, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (New International Version (NIV).

According to Bible Study Tools, “God is not passively observing but actively seeking out individuals to support and empower. The verse highlights God’s desire to strengthen those who are sincere and wholehearted in their faith, according to some Bible commentaries. This suggests that God is not looking for perfection, but for genuine devotion.”

Take Heart

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Jesus often tells His disciples (and us), “Take heart.” This is not a simple phrase to skip over. In the passages I read recently, the meaning is clear: He is telling us to feel encouraged, have courage, hope, and be determined (John 16:33; Matt. 14:27; Matt. 9:22; 9:2; Mark 10:49, ESV, HCSB). Messages in the Old Testament reflect the same sentiment—Psalms 27:14 and 31:24, to name a couple.

Not because of what we can do but because of what God has already done. The key is to look to Jesus Christ and focus on Him.

In reading the Jesus Calling Devotional this week, Sarah Young writes, “Wear my peace with regal dignity.” This reminded me of the Isaiah verse where God’s arm brought salvation – putting on the armor as Paul listed in Eph. 6, but catch this visual – “He wrapped Himself in zeal as a cloak” (Isa. 59:17, HCSB, emphasis added).

I frequently pray for each piece of armor and end my prayers with this verse to wrap myself in zeal as a cloak. “To put on the armor is to put on the Messiah Himself” (Isa. 11:5, ESV). Talk about the ultimate protection from the enemy!

Peter’s faith helped him take the first step to walk on water toward Jesus. But as soon as his eyes shifted to the storms around him, he began to sink and cried out to Jesus for help (Matt. 14:29-30, ESV). The disciples had been in the boat battling the storms for over nine hours. Sometimes, we wait until we are desperate and afraid before we call on Him to save us. Fear has a way of taking over at times. We forget to focus on Christ and feel like we are sinking into despair.

But don’t miss this next verse: As soon as Peter cried out, “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him” (Matt. 14:31, ESV, emphasis added). Doubt and fear can work like an anvil – weighing us down. When we cry out, Jesus immediately answers our plea.

Recognizing God’s presence is the anecdote to fear.

Jesus’ invitation to “come” (v. 29) is a never-ending offer. He is our shelter from every storm (Psalm 46:1, ESV), but our faith wavers when we focus on the storms instead of God. How quickly do we forget that Jesus is the Son of God and His saving power?

If we go back to the passages just before Peter’s encounter with Jesus on the water, the disciples had just witnessed Jesus feeding over 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves.  They had just seen a miracle (Matt. 14:13-21), but they waited nine hours in the middle of the next storm and began to panic before calling on God to help. Then, when Jesus was there, they still had doubts, and as we see, Peter takes his eyes off Jesus for a moment, and that is all it took to bring the overwhelming fear back.

“The safest place to be is in God’s will” (Young, Jesus Calling).

The NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible notes the best way to maintain faith in difficult situations is to focus on the power of Jesus rather than our inadequacies. We can reach out to the only One who can help in times of faltering faith.

Going back to Jesus feeding 5,000. It mentions they had leftovers: “They ate and were filled. Then they picked up 12 baskets of leftover pieces” (Matt. 14:20, HCSB, emphasis added)! Did you catch that? Not only did they feed a multitude with a small amount of food, and they were filled, but they also had leftovers – TWELVE BASKETS.

There is another lesson in the leftovers: God not only gives good gifts but also gives in abundance. He multiplies whatever small amount we can offer, whether our time, resources, or abilities, above our wildest expectations. If we take the first step in faith and make ourselves available to God, He will demonstrate how greatly He can use you to advance the work of the Kingdom (The NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible).

I recently watched a sermon by Steven Furtick, who said Peter looked too far ahead instead of what was right in front of him. He demonstrated how we must take one step at a time with what we know today and not look too far into the future or at our past. Instead, we need to focus on each step we take with God at this moment and let Him lead us to His purpose and plan.

If we can manage this, God will show up abundantly and do immeasurably more than we can fathom. In our weakness, He is strong (2 Cor. 12:9, ESV).

Take heart. Jesus Christ is all-powerful and is for us (Rom. 8:31-32, ESV).

“Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us – to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-23, HCSB, emphasis added).

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me” (2 Cor. 12:9, HCSB, emphasis added).

Baptism

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

According to The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the first act of obedience for a new believer in Christ is a public confession of faith through baptism. It is also symbolic of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. We profess to leave the old life behind and embrace the new life with Christ (Romans 6:4, HCSB). It is a key element of our new faith.

Still, the act of baptism itself does not give salvation. Paul explains to the Romans that to be saved, one must confess with their mouth and believe with their heart (Romans 10:9-13). Baptism can never cleanse a person from sin and secure God’s forgiveness (Brand, 172). Salvation is solely implemented by faith based on the grace of God (Rom. 4:3).

In the first century, there was a ritual self-cleansing, so when John the Baptist began baptizing with water, the act was not wholly lost on the Jews. He did, however, announce the need for repentance and belief in Jesus to make the way for Christ. When Jesus asked John to baptize Him, it surprised John since Jesus never sinned and didn’t need to repent. Nevertheless, it was a prophetic fulfillment of God’s Word.

With this came the gift of the Holy Spirit and baptism by fire. The use of one Greek article governs the two nouns, Spirit and Fire. This denotes that only one baptism is in view, and the addition of fire further defines the character of the Messiah’s baptism.  Water temporarily cleanses the outside, but fire permanently purifies the whole person (Brand, 173).

In Acts, we read how Jesus’ promise to the disciples was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 disciples at Pentecost; after that, thousands received the gift of the Spirit when they believed (Acts 2:4-12). The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains, “The blessing of the Pentecostal gift is applied to all disciples at the moment of conversion. “…Jesus is the one who baptizes believers, the Spirit is the element into or with which they are baptized, and incorporation into the body of Christ is the result” (Brand, 174).  God orchestrated a public miracle to demonstrate the gift of the Spirit had been given by enabling the 120 disciples to speak the various foreign languages of the pilgrims in Jerusalem that day (Acts 2:4-12; Brand 173).

In short, when we confess and believe in Christ with all our heart and receive the gift of the Spirit, we follow it up with water baptism to publicly and symbolically announce our decision to follow Christ, leave our old life behind, be buried in the waters of baptism, and live for Christ with their new life by the grace of God.  We are now forgiven for our past, present, and future sins. Condemnation no longer exists for those in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).

This is Good News! But don’t stop there. Paul reiterates that it does not give anyone an excuse to continue in sin (Romans 6:1-11). 

A relationship with God is vital. God gives us the strength to overcome temptation and always provides a way out (I Cor. 10:13). The Holy Spirit refines our sanctification through conviction. Finding our identity in Christ – who God says we are – is essential to our self-worth. Learning God’s character comes from personal experience, intentionality, reading the Word, communicating in prayer, and listening to the Holy Spirit.

The most important question I ever asked God was what He wanted for me. It took me a long time and a lot of heartache to get to this point, but when I finally did, I immediately felt the weight lifted from my shoulders. What are you waiting for? God’s arms are open wide.  

“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation” (Rom. 10:9-11, emphasis added).

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28, emphasis added). “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:30, emphasis added).

Answered Prayers

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Early yesterday morning, I had a painful catch on my side.  I couldn’t take a deep breath or move without a sharp pain. My husband, Daniel, laid his hand on my head and prayed for me.
In a matter of seconds, I felt the pain leave my body. Answers to prayers only sometimes happen instantly or noticeably. Still, we can rest assured that God hears every prayer and is always working. At times, our answered prayers don’t look like what we expect, but God knows best. If you’re like me, you probably get impatient and want to act without waiting, but that doesn’t usually end well and mostly distracts us from listening to and depending on God. 

Having someone to pray with and for me is another answered prayer, but it did not happen overnight. Trust is a big part of our faith in God, and it keeps us from forging ahead on our own. Waiting for His perfect timing is challenging, but it’s worth the wait and always has better outcomes. His way is immeasurably more vibrant and stunning than my tiny brain imagines. God always knows best. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. We can only see partly because seeing the whole picture simultaneously would be overwhelming.

Consequently, it’s vital to our well-being to allow the One who sees the bigger picture to lead us. If we allow others to lead, it’s like the blind leading the blind. A few years ago, I heard a story about a blind man who wanted to ski. He entrusted a guide to take him down the slopes. Likewise, God is our guide, and our adventures await.  Can we trust God enough to enjoy the journey, even if we can’t see where we’re going?

Ultimately, our hope is secure and anchored in Christ’s promise that we will have a more abundant, splendid paradise at the end of our journey. The troubles in this life are only temporary. But our lives – good and bad alike – will fade away.  That’s not bad news. It’s good news that we have something and Someone to look forward to and that this isn’t all there is. But it’s also important to slow down while we’re here, enjoy the sunrise, pursue a magnificent sunset, and take the time to appreciate all the things that fall in between. We’ll be closer to our Creator in these natural wonders.

The peak season of your life is now.  No matter what age you are. God has a purpose and a plan for your life. I speak from experience when I say a relationship with Christ is a lifesaver. As a late bloomer, I can attest that, with God’s help, we’re never too old to change old life-sucking habits and adopt new life-sustaining ones that make this life more enduring, meaningful, and peaceful. But we cannot do it without God’s help.

May the God of peace fill your hearts and minds with life-sustaining truths and help you believe in the power of prayer, even when we can’t see the immediate answers.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, HCSB, Emphasis added).

Fear and Awe

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Have you ever considered what it means to fear God as a believer? This is easy to misunderstand. After coming to Christ, I often wondered about fearing God. Considering His grace and love, I finally knew God as a loving Father. I am in awe of God. How can I also fear him? It turns out that the Hebrew word for fear is often translated as awesome. The believers’ attitude toward God is frequently referred to as respect, reverence, or awe rather than fear (The Holman Bible Dictionary).

However, limiting our attitude toward God to awe and reverence may cause us to lose sight of His divine character, which compels obedience. This obedience is not a fear of punishment but a reverence for His love and power, which we are to revere (The Holman Bible Dictionary). My dad didn’t like it when men gave themselves the title of reverend. I tend to agree. Only God is deserving of that recognition and prestigious honor.

Paul’s letter to the Romans comforts the believer by stating that wrath has been satisfied in Christ, relieving the believer from the fear of condemnation (Rom. 8:1, English Standard Version). This assurance is a testament to God’s love for us. However, it does not release us from accountability to a Holy God whose character demands justice (2 Cor. 5:10). (He also provided the antidote through His Son).

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians speaks to this when he writes that we should “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22-23, Emphasis added).

When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, our convictions are stirred, and we are filled with a desire to please God out of love and reverence. The Holy Spirit becomes our constant companion, guiding us in our faith journey. When I first came to Christ, I was a broken mess. I had no boundaries or the ability to say no, which led me to dark places most of my life. But God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, helped me find my voice and strength in Christ. I finally heard that still, small voice telling me I did not have to allow abusive treatment from others and their disrespectful behavior.

That is when my life began to change for the better. It’s a process. I still made mistakes, but the Holy Spirit’s convictions guided me to God’s intended path. On the other hand, I remember fearing what God would ask of me. That fear was unwarranted, considering what others had demanded of me. God is trustworthy and wants the best for us. God is the best.

The fear I am speaking of is a natural response from the heart of those eager to obey God’s Word, with a humble and contrite spirit (Is. 66:2) and a repentant heart, in awe of a reverent God – which results in true wisdom (Prov. 9:10).

The song “I Surrender” by Hillsong Worship and Matt Crocker recently touched me during a church worship night service. Surrendering to God is an intentional daily choice. As I sat there reading each word on the screen, listening, and singing the lyrics with conviction from my heart and soul, the power of the Holy Spirit moved my spirit and helped me reaffirm my surrender to God.

I challenge you to listen to this song and read the words. Then sing them to God with conviction and let the power of the Holy Spirit have His way out of fear, love, and reverence for a Holy God. It’s life changing.

The best place to be is in the will of the Father, walking in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25). This is my continual prayer. I don’t always get it right, but God’s grace is sufficient. His power works best in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

“…my heart stands in awe of your words” (Ps. 119:161, emphasis added).

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Prov. 9:10, emphasis added).

Spark of Hope

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

A tiny spark can ignite an inferno. When that spark is hope, it can change a life.

Have you ever considered the enduring hope you received when you first heard the story of Jesus or the freedom you have experienced since? Once we receive the Hope of Christ, it becomes a constant in our lives, not a fleeting moment. The author of Hebrews writes that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, English Standard Version, Emphasis added).

The ESV Study Bible explains that biblical faith is not a vague hope grounded in imaginary, wishful thinking; instead, faith is settled confidence that something in the future – not yet seen – a promise by God – will come to pass because God keeps His promises.

The Holman Bible Dictionary defines hope as the confidence we have because of what God did for us in the past and guarantees our participation in what He will do in the future. This contradicts the world’s definition of hope as a feeling that what we want will happen (Brand, 765).

In the OT, hope was grounded in God’s fulfilled promises in history. Even in Israel’s unfaithfulness, hope was not lost because of God’s faithfulness and mercy. In Jeremiah’s time, he described God as the “Hope of Israel” and a “Savior in time of distress” (Jere. 14:8; 14:22; 17:13). God is still the God of Hope (Rom. 15:13). All the images applied to God in the OT are transferred to Christ in the NT (Brand, 765).

The Holman Bible Dictionary also notes that the two main reasons Christ is the object of our hope are that He is the Messiah (Luke 24:46) and that our Yes is found in Him (2 Cor. 1:20). The second is the unity between Father and Son, unity in nature and in the work of Christ through redemption (John 1:1; Col. 1:19; 2 Cor. 5:19).

There are many references to hope and the anticipation of Christ’s coming. The gift of hope comes through the power of the Holy Spirit to shower us with blessed assurance. God’s promises are our hope to comfort us in all our troubles (Ps. 119:49-50).

Jesus is knocking at the door of hearts – waiting for someone to hear and open it so He can abide within them (Rev. 3:20). The invitation of hope is always open to anyone who asks. When I began serving women through the Sister’s Circle support group, God reminded me through a dream that I was not the one who could fix their problems – I am merely a vessel to show them that the door to the only One who can – is always open. I am grateful for that realization. God uses a believer’s past pains and gains to help others find hope in Christ.

Is there anyone in your life who could use a spark of hope today? Perhaps you can ask God to make you aware of those He places in your path who need hope to ignite their faith like only Christ can do.

The Gift of Reconciliation

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

According to The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, reconciliation is the bringing together of two parties, a change or exchange (Brand, 1337).

We can all relate to reconciliation in some form or fashion, whether it be our bank statements that we end up dumping a few dollars into ‘reconciliation discrepancies’ or those who spend hours painstakingly looking for a few cents. Then there are the number of marriages that chalk their divorces up to irreconcilable differences.

The stark truth is that, according to Divorce.com, a significant 57.7% of divorces are labeled as irreconcilable differences. It’s a call to action that some of these couples might have spent more time balancing their bank accounts for a few cents than nurturing their marriages.  

If any relationship merits this category, it would be humans with God after the Fall. Yet, in His profound love for us (Romans 5:8) and his unwavering desire to be in a relationship with His people (Hebrews 8:10), God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him by the gift of grace through Christ (2 Cor. 5:20, ESV).

There are two examples in the Bible where the person who hurt someone takes the initiative to reconcile the relationship (Matt. 5:24; I Cor. 7:11). The ESV Study Bible notes that the opposite is true about God. In our case, the injured party (God) takes the initiative to restore the relationship between Himself and humanity. This unexpected twist is the result of Jesus Christ bringing together God and man with the result of salvation (2 Cor. 5:19).

Only through this union are attitudes transformed, and we humbly and gratefully receive the gift of reconciliation God has already achieved in Christ (Rom. 5:11).

Still, suppose we don’t recognize our sinful nature and need for a Savior. In that case, we won’t seek God or the relationship Christ offers or receive the wonderful gift of reconciliation because of His love for us. Take a moment to reflect on someone you know who may need to hear the message of God’s love – or see it in how we show them love.

“For I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38, NLT, Emphasis added).

God’s Echo

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell
Echo Valley Farm

I was still praying for my word for the new year that was fast approaching. Knowing I would need to be brave for what He was calling me to do in the upcoming year, I quickly adopted ‘brave’ as my word for 2020.

One of the things I was going to do that year was start a support group for women. Still learning and healing from my past abuse, I knew I had a story to share that could help others walk through their stories as well as teach the red flags of abuse. But I had never led a support group before. I prayed for God to help me as I tried to help other women.

Like most assignments, I needed to go where God led me. He would handle the rest. As many times before, when I show up, He shows out. I knew I could trust Him with the outcome, so I took the next step.  I registered my group on the church site and continued praying for guidance and help.

A couple of weeks into the new year, sitting in my quiet time, the word ‘echo’ was prominent in my mind. I searched for the word’s spiritual meaning. While surfing the internet and letting the Spirit lead me, I found a women’s ministry and a blog post entitled “To Be God’s Echo.” The article explains that the opportunity to tell people again what God had already said was an echo of the Almighty. It said that we must first listen to what He has said.[1]

It spoke directly to my heart for serving women through Faith Walk Ministries and the Sister’s Circle support group. The author said that as she ministers to women, she focuses on three words: encourage, embrace, and echo. I can relate to all three of these words, as one of my Spiritual gifts is encouraging others. I pray often that I will never hurt others with my words but lift them and give hope. Being an echo in the lives of others, to breathe God’s truth and love by being an echo to His heart, was just the inspiration I needed to hear. I knew I still needed to be brave, but my new word for that year was given to me by the purest of hearts: the Holy Spirit. I am amazed every day and still try to echo His truth throughout my ministry wherever He leads me.

If you are as astonished as I was at how God led me to this, wait to hear what happened next. A few days later, I was sitting in my quiet time again with my eyes closed in a dark room, as is my normal posture; I saw words written in cursive in my mind’s eye. I noticed the ‘D’ form, and then the whole name came into focus, ‘Dana West.’

I sat there for a minute, trying to make sense of it. Then, it occurred to me that this is a person’s name. So, just like before, I googled it. While scrolling through the actresses and other people with this name, I saw nothing that grabbed my attention, so I kept going. The next thing I knew, I was reading about a counselor named Dana West in Florida who – you guessed it – helps women deal with sexual abuse.

That is not all; she holds support groups and has been a long-time trainer to other facilitators. My mind was blown away.

I got her contact information and knew I had to call her – I wasn’t sure what to say to her – but I knew God would help me.  I prayed and talked to God about it all that morning. Will she think I am crazy when I tell her I got her name from God? Or maybe I’ll let her know she came, ‘highly’ recommended. I laughed out loud about that one.

With back-to-back meetings that morning, I didn’t get a chance to call until after lunch. Dialing the number, I said another prayer. I figured I would probably get a voicemail, so I said, ‘God, I’ll leave a message, and if she calls me back, I know it is of you.’

To my surprise, the receptionist answered. I told her who I was and that I was calling from Kentucky, and I would like to speak to Dana West or at least leave a message for her. She asked if I was doing a referral. I explained that I was preparing to start a support group and wanted to ask her some questions and connect with her.

The girl assured me she would pass the information on to Dana and see if she wanted to call me back.

She said, “Where did you say you were calling from again?” I am sure she was wondering how in the world I got their info.

A couple of hours later, I got the call. I explained my group and gave some background on myself without sounding unsure why I was calling. I refrained from telling her upfront about God giving me her name until I could understand her spiritual beliefs. Then, as she spoke, I was sure I was talking to a fellow Christ-follower, and I felt the Holy Spirit telling me it was safe.

Her next question was, “How did you get my name?”

Here we go…I was still a little nervous.

I asked, just to be sure, “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?”

With her affirmation, I told her the story of God writing her name, and my internet search landed me on her website. She explained that if the Holy Spirit gave me her name, she knew what He wanted her to share.

She was helpful, welcoming, and understanding. She asked questions about my abuse and my childhood and shared some of her own stories. She listened as I gave a snapshot of my life and where God has led me in my ministry for women over the last few years.

She asked about my healing process and if I knew about their online resources and classes. She reassured me God would help me lead this group by allowing the Holy Spirit to be the facilitator (something I still do every time). She recommended I pray about the facilitator training and study that would help me go deeper in my healing and then, in turn, be able to dive deeper with the women I want to help.

Then she dropped this little nugget on me.

“I have been praying for God to send me the women that need to talk to me. You are the third person that has reached out to me.”

Wow! I am in awe of this incredible God. Every. Single. Day.

A sister connection through the Holy Spirit. This gives a new meaning to God’s connection; my little brain can’t fully grasp it. Still, I know for sure that God is real, that God is listening, that God hears our prayers and knows our hearts.  He not only connected me to someone who has been in my shoes, understands unhealthy, abusive relationships, and has the heart to help other women as I do, but He also equipped me with the tools to dive deeper into my healing so I could help others more profoundly and completely.

She talked about the women she serves as ‘sisters’ – she said that is what I call them. I informed her of the name of my support group, the ‘Sister’s Circle.’

By divine revelation, God can connect two people who have never met and live a thousand miles apart in such a masterful, incredible way to help each other restore the lives of others. Then she prayed over me and my ministry before we hung up. In her prayer, she said, “For such a time as this.” Esther 4:14 was a prominent verse to me over that last year. I even have a bracelet with the engraving, “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this,” given to me by my friend as a birthday present.

She offered to help me and asked that we stay in touch; what a Godsend and blessing. Sharing her story of redemption and how God has given her a chance to experience a healthy relationship with a godly man who would never abuse her is a beautiful testimony to Christ and what He can do for all of us. He restores, redeems, and heals, and delights in giving us the desires of our hearts. She offered me new hope on my journey. I was content and happy being single with God as my ‘One True Love’ and ‘Constant Companion.’ Still, in God’s timing, I knew it would happen if He had someone for me. That is when I began to list characteristics I wanted in a husband – someone who loves Jesus more than me and prays with and for me, among other specific godly traits – remembering a warning from an older woman I was in a life group with who once told me “You need to be specific when you pray – I had a friend who prayed for a husband, and that’s all she got.”

The Bible also gives us the fruits of the spirit as a guide for desirable qualities we should watch for that the Holy Spirit produces in a person’s life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, self-control, and faithfulness (Gal. 5:22-23).

In case you missed it, my recent post,  Hope is Alive, continues the story.

[1] K. Kelly (s.d.) Living Life in Ministry, To Be God’s Echo by Women’s Ministry – Accessed January 15, 2020, through https://womensministry.lifeway.com/2017/08/28/to-be-gods-echo/