The 7 Kindest People in the Bible

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Kindness.  It is something that touches our hearts and changes live deeply.   Kindness empowers others to be the difference and speaks volumes to those who receive it.  When I think of kindness I think of some of the people in the Bible.  

The 7 Kindest People in the Bible
7.  Niccodemus and Joseph of Arimethea–  These two men are known for preparing Jesus’s dead body for burial after he was crucified.  These two men risked everything;  losing their family, their religion, their status, their friends all to show their love for Jesus.  Even though Jesus was crucified as a criminal they wanted to give him a burial of a king.  Joseph even gave Jesus his own personal tomb! Their loving kindness was all apart of God’s plan.

6.  Pharaoh’s Daughter (Exodus 2:5-10)-  She is known for saving baby Moses from the river when he was laying in the reed basket.  Even though she knew he was a Hebrew baby (which her father ordered to have killed) she still took him in as her own to raise and care for him.

5.  Joseph (Genesis 37:12-36)-  Joseph is known for being sold into slavery by his 11 brothers.  In the time he was a away from home he had been falsely accused, thrown into prison, became an interpreter of dreams for Pharaoh and became in charge of Egypt.  When famine hit the land where his brothers lived, they came to Egypt to buy grain.  They did not know their brother was still alive and the governor of Egypt.  To their surprise, Joseph was not angry at his brothers but showed them compassion when he saw them again.  Instead of taking revenge, Joseph took them in and cared for them.  Joseph knew it was all apart of God’s plan, what his brothers intended for harm, but God intended it for good.” (Genesis 50:20)

4.  Boaz/Ruth-  (Ruth 3 and 4) To truly understand the relationship between Ruth and Boaz you will have to read Ruth 3 and 4.  Their relationship is so unique because Ruth showed kindness to Boaz in a way that truly touched his heart. In return, Boaz dedicated the rest of his life to her by making her his wife.

3.  The woman who washed Jesus feet with her hair (Luke 7:36-50)-  This woman who is not mentioned by name in the Bible, but by her actions showed Jesus one of the most compassionate acts of love by washing his feet with her tears and her hair and anointing his feet with expensive oil.  Even though he was invited to dinner by the Pharisees, not one of them offered to wash Jesus feet or even a drink of water a common custom done for guests.  The woman saw Jesus for who he was and poured out her love to him.

2.  Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)-  The good Samaritan is known for stopping to help a man who was robbed, beaten and left for dead after a priest and a Levite saw him and passed him by.  The good Samaritan saw him, took pity on him, cared for him by bandaging his wounds and paying for his stay at the inn so he could recover.

1.  Jesus-  There is no one is kinder than Jesus.  When he walked upon this earth he showed us how to be kind to others in a way that goes beyond comprehension.  He showed compassion on the lepers, the prostitutes, the lame, the forgotten.  Jesus showed us there is no end to the kindness that can be given and should be given to everyone, everywhere at anytime.  He showed the ultimate kindness by giving us the gift of eternal life by dying on the cross for our sins.

Just imagine if Nicodemus and Joseph never took the time to show lovingkindness to Jesus, we would never have known the true power of the resurrection.

Imagine if Pharaoh’s daughter never took in Moses to care for him, we would never know the power of God’s miracles and the ability to use the unlikely.

Imagine if Joseph took revenge upon his brothers instead of loving them, we would never know the power of compassionate forgiveness.

What if Ruth didn’t show kindness to Boaz?  They would have never been married and Jesus would not have been part of the lineage to king David.  (Ruth and Boaz are the descendants of Jesus).

If the sinful woman never came to wash and anoint Jesus’s feet, we would never have seen the power of forgiveness given through her faith.

Because of the Good Samaritan’s kindness, generations have been able to model him as an example of how to treat others.

If Jesus never showed kindness when he was here, we would never know the love that is given to us from God. We love because he loved us first.Click To Tweet

I could go on and on about all the kind and loving things Jesus and the others in the Bible have done.  We are called to Be Kind and Loving to one another.  The love God gives us, is meant to be given and shared with others.

How will anyone know the love of Jesus if it is not shared with them?

How can you be an advocate for kindness?

You are loved by a God who loves you! How has kindness affected your life? How or in what way?Click To Tweet

Do you have a loved one you would like to honor by doing acts of kindness?  Do you like spreading kindness to others?  Kindness is contagious Pass it on!  Would you like more encouragement sent right to your inbox? Subscribe to my Blog or like my Author Facebook Page.  

FREE Printable Click Link to download 7 Ways to Show Kindness


Everyone deserves kindness from their Savior!  I would love to hear from you!  Please share how Kindness has affected your life how and in what way?  Or how do you like to spread kindness?

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The Character of Kindness

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Kindness has to be one of the best character traits a person can have.  What makes a person kind?  What are the traits of a kind person?  Kindness is something that comes from a person’s heart.  It is a language we all can speak and understand.  It transcends all borders and has No Limits.  Those who are kind usually have these following traits……

  1. Serve others before themselves
  2. Don’t expect anything in return when giving kindness
  3. Show compassion no matter who you are
  4. Selfless and humble
  5. Give out of the goodness of their heart
  6. Don’t want the glory or recognition for the their kindness
  7. Are Kind to honor God and not themselves 

Wow, looking at some of these traits, you wonder how a person is even able to live up to this standard?  Truth is no human can ever do this on their own.  It is only through God’s love overflowing from within you that you would ever be able to exhibit this type of kindness.  Kindness isn’t something that comes from us, but from God himself.  When his love overflows within you, his kindness overflows from you.

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was kind and got along?  ​Kindness is what makes relationships strong and everlasting.  The type of kindness that Jesus showed others when he was alive on earth, goes beyond understanding.  He showed kindness to the unlovely, the outcasts, the prostitutes.  Kindness isn’t something you have to earn or even deserve.  It is a free gift available to everyone and anyone who are willing to receive it.  If you weren’t worth it God would have never sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross for you (John 3:16).

God’s lovingkindness is not something that is suppose to be kept secret or hidden, it is meant to be shared with others.  If you never shared the lovingkindness of God with others, how will others ever know the love of God?

Never miss an opportunity to give someone kindness.  Simple acts of kindness are worth more than you think.  You never know the impact it will make.  Join us for our #13DaysofKindness, where we encourage others to do at least one act of kindness for 13 days.  The purpose is to spread as much kindness as possible, for others to Be Kind pass it on!  If everyone gave one act of kindness imagine what that would look like?

​How has kindness made a difference in your life?  What is the kindest thing someone has done for you?

Do you have a loved one you would like to honor by doing acts of kindness?  Join us for our #13DaysofKindness.  Go to www.bowenshope.com to download Free Printable Kindness cards to start spreading kindness to others!  Kindness is contagious Pass it on!  For the next month I am doing a series on Kindness.  Please join me by subscribing to my Blog or liking my Author Facebook Page so you don’t miss out!  

Everyone deserves kindness from their Savior!  I would love to hear from you!  Please share how Kindness has affected your life how and in what way?

The Power of Kindness

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This week our church suffered the loss of a man who had suffered a stroke in the middle of a Sunday night service.  The pastor was preaching about how we never know when our last day on earth will be.  It makes a person really think about what they spend their time doing.  It makes me think about Jesus and how he spent his last hours on earth.

The day Jesus was taken to be crucified on the cross he knew he was going to be taken.  Even though he knew it would only be a matter of hours before he was taken to be crucified, he spent his last hours with his disciples whom he loved, breaking bread with them, washing their dirty feet, praying with them.  He even washed the feet of Peter and Judas whom he knew would betray him, showing them his lovingkindness.

There is Power in kindness.

Imagine if Jesus never showed the kindness to the
Leper, we would never know God’s love heals.
Blind man, we would never know God’s love gives sight.
Lame, we would never know God’s love helps the lame walk.
Prostitutes, we would never know the power of God’s forgiveness and grace.
Homeless, we would never know God’s love provides us with all we need.  

It doesn’t cost a person anything to be kind but costs them everything when they are not.  The words we say, the actions we do or don’t do can be so powerful.  What’s so amazing about God’s lovingkindness, it doesn’t matter who you are, Christian, Jew, Muslim or Mormon.  God’s love transcends all borders to love the broken hearted, the sinner, the lame, the lost.

Kindness is the language that everyone understands and that everyone can speak.

​Imagine what you could do if you gave someone a little kindness.  Your Kindness goes a long way.  Imagine if every person gave one act of kindness what could happen.  Starting April 7-20, we are doing #13DaysofKindness in honor of our son Bowen.  We do acts of kindness for everyday he was alive.  What we do with our love matters.  It is not meant to be hidden but given to others.  Below is what happens when your love is given to others;  goodness grows from it.

Do you have a loved one you would like to honor by doing acts of kindness?  Join us for our #13DaysofKindness.  Go to www.bowenshope.com to download Free Printable Kindness cards to start spreading kindness to others!  Kindness is contagious Pass it on!  For the next month I am doing a series on Kindness.  Please join me by subscribing to my Blog or liking my Author Facebook Page so you don’t miss out!

Everyone deserves kindness from their Savior!  I would love to hear from you!  Please share how Kindness has affected your life how and in what way?

Miracles from Heaven

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Many of you may have seen or heard of the movie “Miracles from Heaven,” starring Jennifer Gardner.   The movie is based off the true story of the Beam Family and book “Miracles of Heaven,” written by Christy Beam.  It is a great movie to see together with your family and is in theaters now.  I recommend bringing tissues, because it is a tear jerker!  

I will be honest, the movie was hard for me to watch because there were a lot of similarities that happened in the movie that we experienced in our lives as well.  The scene when the doctors explained to the parents there is no cure for their daughter’s disease, it is only a matter of time before your child dies, my husband and I know oh too well.  It is hard and goes beyond understanding.  It asks tough questions, how could God allow this to happen?  How could a loving God allow a child to suffer?  In these questions lies even deeper questions that I think is important to discuss with your family when hard times arise.  Discussing these questions with each other helps us get to a better understanding of who God really is, his character and his role in our lives.  

7 Questions to discuss after the movie-
1.  Is God only good when your life is good?  Is he only good until his next miracle?  In the Bible when Jesus was traveling from town to town, he would occasionally perform miracles.  He would heal the blind, the lame, the leper, even raise the dead.  He fed 5,000 people one day with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.  Each time Jesus performed the miracle the people wanted more.  It asks a question, was Jesus only good until the next miracle he performed?  Of course not, God is good all the time.  No matter what our circumstances are we can trust that God is never evil, that he is good all the time.  

2.  When life gets difficult or in our suffering does that mean God doesn’t love us?  Just because you may not like your circumstances or agree with them, does not mean God doesn’t love you.  It means he has the bigger plan and can see the whole picture.  You may not always see what God is up to, but you don’t have to.  The only thing you need to know is God loves you no matter what.  He hurts when you hurt and does not like to see you suffer.  Please know whatever you are going through God will use it for something better and loves you beyond measure.  

3.  God gives us unconditional love should we practice conditional faith?  Should we only put our faith in God when things are going good in our life? That is when we need the most faith!   Should we only base our faith on things we see?  No one said having faith was easy.  If it were everyone would have it.  When trials enter our life it is so hard to be faithful when we are placing our faith in our circumstances and what we see.  God is a God of hope that never disappoints.  God has the power to move mountains we only have to have faith the size of a mustard for him to move them.  If God can conquer death he can conquer your circumstances, there is nothing he can’t handle.  God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, it is we can’t handle it without God.  

4.  Does being a Christian guarantee you an easier life?  What does being a Christian mean?  If you are a Christian it doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed a life without trials or struggles.  It doesn’t mean your guaranteed an easy road in life.  Being a Christian means, you are continually, seeking a deeper relationship with God.  It means that you have God to walk with you in your trials and he will never leave you if you believe in him.  ​

5.  When you suffer or bad things happen does that mean God is punishing you for your sin or mistakes?  God is not a God that condemns or punishes.  To suffer does not mean God does not care.  It means we live in a broken world where there is disease, hate, evil and hurt.  As Christians we are not exempt from these things.  When suffering happens, we can rejoice because even in the face of injustice there is victory in Christ.  No evil can ever change that or take that away from us.  What evil intends for evil, God intends for good.  God can take our suffering and turn it into something even more beautiful than it was before.  

6.  Should you put God in a box and give him a deadline when he should answer your prayers?  God can do more than we could infinitely imagine.  His power of what he is capable of doing is beyond our comprehension.  When we give God a deadline, we are limiting his power of what he can do and placing our trust in what we see not in what God can do, putting him in a box.  Giving God a deadline puts the trust in yourself, not God.   We are not in control, God is.  God’s timing is perfect he is able to do immeasurable more.  Be patient wait for his timing.  I promise you he has the best plans ever!  His ways and plans are so much better than ours.  

7.  Should you stop praying if your prayers aren’t being answered the way you want them? Have you been praying for a miracle and God hasn’t answered you yet?  Five years ago when our son passed away from a fatal kidney disease, we prayed for God to heal him.  His disease may have taken away his short life on earth but it did not take away his life in heaven.  Even though God didn’t answer our prayer the way we wanted he indeed answered our prayer, just in a different way.  He indeed is healed and living in heaven where we will see him again one day.  No matter what your situation is, never stop praying, God is listening.  To stop praying is the worse thing you could do.  It cuts your communication off with God, when that is the very thing you need to do!  Prayer gives power to your situation and allows God’s power to intercede on your behalf.  Don’t give up!  God never gives up on us!

Whatever you are going through, keep the faith, keep praying and trust in God’s promises!  No matter what God is a loving God who loves you!  Just like the movies says, there are miracles all around us!  Can you see the miracles God is doing in your life?

What am I missing?  Would you add any questions to this list?  I would love to know what questions you had from the movie? Please share below!  

Did you find this post to be encouraging and helpful?  Please share with others who are in need of prayer.  For more encouraging messages, Subscribe to my blog to receive a weekly message of hope right to your inbox!  I also post weekly on my Author Facebook Page.  Join us for #13DaysofKindness starting April 7-20 where you can participate in doing acts of kindness visit www.bowenshope.com for more info!

How to Make Prayer Most Effective in Your Life

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Prayer keeps us connected to God, and with one another.  It is something we all could use, something we all need.  Would you like to enhance your prayer life by praying more purposeful prayers?  Prayer can be so powerful.   There is no wrong way to pray but there are ways to make prayer more effective in your life.  

PRAYER is the very thing that EQUIPS and PREPARES you for what you need.  By giving God your worries, anxieties and fears he is able to do so much more with them than you could ever do on your own.

​Do you ever wonder when you pray if God is really listening?  Prayer is where it all starts.  It keeps your eyes and focus on God and keeps you in close relationship with him.  The furthest God is ever away from you is your knees to the ground.  

“Do Not be Anxious about Anything but in Everything in Prayer and Petition with Thanksgiving present your requests to God.”  Phillippians 4:6

5 Prayers to Pray Everyday to give your Prayer Life more Purpose–
Sometimes my prayer life gets a little “dull.”  Praying these 5 prayers everyday helps me give more meaning and purpose to my prayers.

1. Pray for those who are closest to you your friends and family–  If there is one prayer I always pray it is for my family and loved ones.  I pray that all of my family and friends will know Jesus in their hearts so one day they will go to heaven.  I pray specifically for their needs if anyone is sick, needs a job, or any of their prayer requests.  If you aren’t praying for your family and friends on their behalf then who is?

2. Pray for leaders who teach you in your community-  I also pray for the chaplains and pastors in our communities.  This can also include your child’s teacher and coaches.  They also need the God’s guidance and support when leading classrooms, teams and whole communities.  I include specific needs as well.  Does the church have an upcoming event, do they need help with childcare?  Pray for their needs to be met so the communities needs will be met.  There is value in building and strengthening communities.

3. Pray for our leaders of our country they need God’s guidance-  If there is ever a time that our country is need of prayer, it is now during election time.  I personally pray that our future president is a Christian.  Even though we live in a country that is the land of the free, it is becoming more and more that our religious freedoms are being taken away.  Pray for a president that will preserve our religious freedoms as well as lead and build our nation in a positive direction.  One that keeps God in our nation.

4. Pray for your enemies and the sick-  “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).  Your enemies need prayer too.  Even though it goes against human instincts, pray for those who persecute you.  Evil people need Jesus.  Pray the radical groups who continue to terrorize our world will end their violence and accept the love of Jesus.  Pray for an issue that is bigger than yourself.  Pray to end human trafficking, poverty, world hunger, homelessness, etc.  Pray for those who are hard to love, those who have persecuted you, have done harm to you.  Pray for the unloved and unlovely.  Everyone deserves the love of Jesus no matter how sinful or evil they are.  It goes beyond understanding but God loves everyone no matter who they are or what they have done.  It doesn’t mean he agrees with sin or evil, but that he loves everyone unconditionally.  By us praying for those who cannot pray for themselves, it opens a door of opportunity for them to know who Jesus is and his love for them.

5. Pray for yourself, for your needs-  This will always be changing depending on what season of your life you are in.

  • Pray for your struggles.  Allowing God to have your struggles gives him the opportunity to intercede on your behalf.  Emptying your heart of your sin and struggles to God allows him to fill you abundantly more with what he desires for you.  
  • Pray for God’s desires for you.  God cares about your every need no matter how big or small.  You can go to him in prayer about anything.  
  • Pray for God’s calling for you.  Pray that God will provide clarity over the meaning and purpose of your life.  
  • Do you need healing?  God is the greatest healer.  Pray for whole-hearted healing over every aspect of your life.  
  • Pray to make wise choices, for your heart and minds to be guarded against temptations.

Prayer Tips from my Prayer Page:

  • Pray continually everyday
  • Be specific in your prayers when praying so you know if they are being answered  
  • Give life to your prayers by praying scripture (will cover this in the prayer series)
  • Write your prayers in a prayer journal (will include this in the prayer series)
  • Be faithful in Praying for others let them know you are praying for them

Ask Others to Pray for You
Do you have people you can ask to pray for you who you trust?  Prayers that are being prayed for on your behalf gives power to the cross.  We never know what prayers God will answer.  His plan and timing are perfect.  Just because prayers aren’t answered in the way we want them to be answered doesn’t mean God doesn’t care or isn’t listening.  God hears your prayers.  Only God can make the impossible, possible.  Never stop praying, he is listening!   

Ask your prayer partner/group to pray for areas of struggle in your life.  Keep checking in with them every 2-3 weeks to give a Praise/Progress report.  Exchange prayer requests with one another.  Having prayer partners or groups builds relationship and strong bonds with one another!

Am I missing anything?  Do you have helpful prayer tips?  What Prayers give your prayer life more meaning and purpose?

In the month of March I will be taking a break from periscope.  You can watch the replays on katch.me.  I will return to periscope April 5.  We will be starting our #13DaysofKindness April 7-20 you can follow on bowenshope.com.  Don’t miss the rest of the blog series on prayer.  Subscribe to my blog and receive the most recent posts to be sent to your inbox.

There will be lots of fun and exciting posts and giveaways in the month of April and May!  You can stay updated by liking my Author Facebook page Heather Gillis.  I would love to hear from you!  If you have any prayer requests leave them below!  I am praying that your prayer life will be filled with more purpose and passion!  Have a blessed week!

12 Things to Pay Attention to when Watching the Risen Movie

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I just saw the Risen Movie directed by Kevin Reynolds.  It is a must see and I definitely recommend going to see it.  The movie was written from the perspective of a non-believer, a Roman tribune.  The subtitle is ‘the most important manhunt in history.’  I think the writers and directors did an amazing job with this movie.  They included biblical details that I wanted to point out to you, so when you watch the movie you can have a deeper understanding of Jesus’s death and resurrection.  I also included the bible verses that coincide with the movie scenes.

12 Things to Pay Attention to when Watching Risen-
1.  Not all of the disciples, Jesus’s followers were at the crucifixion-   This later becomes important

2.  Pilate tells the tribune to break the legs of those being crucified-  This is important because it is soon to be passover.  Because it is passover there are to be no dead hanging bodies once passover starts.  Pilate orders to have the mens’ legs broken to quicken their deaths, so their bodies can be taken down from the cross.  You will notice the legs of the two criminals are broken, but Jesus’ legs were not.  This fulfills a prophecy that Jesus was the sacrificial lamb.  “He was a pure and perfect sacrificial Lamb (1 Peter 1:19).  “Not one of his bones will be broken,” (John 19:36).  In the old testament a sacrificial lamb was to be without blemish or have any broken bones.  A sacrificial lamb was a sacrifice for the atonement of a person’s sins.  Jesus was the sacrificial lamb, sinless, perfect and not a broken bone in his body.  He is the lamb of God.  A sacrifice for the atonement of our sins.

3.  Joseph Arimethea asks for Jesus’ body-  (Read John 19:38-42)  Joseph goes before Pilate to ask for Jesus’s body.  This is out of the ordinary because he is not a close relative.  In fact he is part of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish High Priests.  He should have rebuked Jesus, but instead was asking for his body to prepare it for burial.  This is important because it fulfills a prophecy in Isaiah 53:9 “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”  He had been crucified with criminals but then with the rich in death.  His dead body was prepared by Joseph and Nicodemus two wealthy men.  I found this to be ironic considering not one of the disciples asked for his body whom were close to Jesus but two Jewish priests who secretly loved him asked for his body who had everything to lose by doing this.

4.  Jesus was given the burial of a king-  (Matthew 27:57-61, John 19:38-42)  You will notice the two criminal bodies were thrown into a pit of other corpses.  This is a typical burial for a criminal.  Even though Jesus was crucified as a criminal he was given a burial of a king by Joseph and Nicodemus.  He was buried in the Joseph’s own personal tomb, which only the wealthy were able to purchase.  No one else had been in this tomb and yet Joseph wanted to give Jesus not only his own tomb but a proper burial one that covered his body with rich mixture of myrrh and aloes (75 pounds of it!).  Back then this was considered very pricey and fit only for a king!

5.  The Sanhedrin ask Pilate to have Jesus’s tomb sealed-  (Read Matthew 27:62-66)  “Go make the tomb as secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard (Matthew 27:66).  I find it ironic how the Sanhedrin asked Pilate to have the stone sealed so the prophecy that  Jesus proclaimed of rising after 3 days would prevent it from being fulfilled.  They wanted to make sure that none of the disciples would try to steal Jesus’ body in the middle of the night and claim that he was resurrected.  By having the stone seal the tomb and securing and sealing with the ropes and the king’s seal, confirmed even more that no man could have moved the stone and cut through the ropes.  “There was a violent earthquake for an angel of the lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow (Matthew 28:2-3).”  The Sanhedrin made the two guards tell the story (of the disciples taking his body) in hopes others would not believe in Jesus’ resurrection.

6.  The first people to know Jesus had risen- Mary and Mary Magdalene (Matthew 28)  Mary Magdalene was crucial in relaying the message to the disciples, the angel told her, that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee.

7.  Jesus shows Thomas His wounds-  (Read John 20:24-29)  When the tribune discovers Jesus and the disciples, Thomas comes running in to see Jesus.  He is the last of the disciples who has not seen him after he had risen.  Here Jesus shows Thomas His wounds so he too would believe.

8.  You will notice when the manhunt starts the man giving information to the tribune says there are only 11 disciples.  Read Matthew 27:1-5 and discover why there are now only 11 instead of the original 12.

​9.  In the beginning of the movie in the scene of the Roman bath when tribune is bathing with Pilate.  Pilate asks him what is it that he desires?  He says peace and one day where there is no more death.  Notice when he says this again in the movie and whom he says this to.

10.  Jesus and the miraculous catch of Fish-  You will see this scene in the movie John 21

11.  Why does Jesus say to Peter “Do you love me and feed my lambs” 3 times?  Peter as you remember was the one Jesus predicted who would deny him 3 times and then a rooster would crow (Luke 22:54-62).  In the scene where Jesus asks Peter 3 times “Do you love me?”  he is asking him the same amount of times that he denied Jesus.  It is Jesus’ way of redeeming Peter making sure he loved him, for when He left that he would never deny him again.  He then says “Feed my lambs.”  Why do you think he says this?  Just as Jesus was our sacrificial lamb, we are his children making us lambs of God.  He was telling his disciples to feed his lambs by feeding them the new message of the resurrection of Christ, feeding them the gospel (John 21:15-19).

12.  The Great Commission-  (Read Matthew 28:16-20) You will see this scene in the movie.   Read this passage to give you a better understanding of the scene.  These are the last words Jesus speaks before he ascends into heaven.

Am I missing anything? What would you have added to this list of what to pay attention to?

I hope you all get a chance to see this movie and take a friend to!  I was so happy to see such biblical detail in this movie and having read these passages will give you a deeper reference when watching the movie.  Enjoy!  What did you think of the movie?  What was your favorite part?  Leave your comments below.

5 Gifts of That Come From Healing

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Welcome back!  This starts our fourth week in the healing blog series.  Healing is tough.  It’s a process that no one would willingly sign up for.  Sometimes in life’s messes and tragedies something even more amazing and beautiful come from it.  Are you going through a tough time right now?  The picture of the woman smiling above may seem like a distant reality right now, but it is a possibilty in your near future.  

I never realized the value of a smile until it was gone.  During our process of healing after our son’s death, I went through periods of feeling guilt if I ever smiled.  I later realized it’s okay to smile, it’s a part of the healing process.  Even though I miss our son and he is no longer with us on earth, he taught me some amazing things in the process, things I would have never known if I never met him.  These 5 gifts are the fruit of God’s love for you.  

5 Gifts of Healing 
1.  Finding a New Perspective–  What a gift it is to be able to see life in a whole new perspective, one that you have never seen before.  What if your trial is God’s way for you to see what he is trying to show you?  What if your pain is something God will use for something better?  Nothing in this life is guaranteed.  Life as we know it can change in an instant.  Don’t allow stubbornness, an unwilling heart or pride get in your way of allowing you to see life’s greatest blessings.  Allow God to teach and lead you through your trial by trusting in him.  In God’s love you will find safety and refuge.  God’s love heals.  

2.  Discovering your Strength–  If you never had to go through trials, you never would have stumbled upon your strength (Alex Elle quote).  We discover that we cannot do trials with our own strength.  Trials make you learn how to do hard things relying on the strength of God.  To be a Christian doesn’t mean you are exempt from pain and tragedy, it means you will have trials that will test your faith.  In these trials we discover invaluable gifts of perseverance, endurance and strength.  Not that God desires for us to struggle or endure pain, but to have the gifts he intended for us to better equip and prepare us for what he desires for us.  

3.  Becoming more intimate with God– When going through trials, you never know that God is all you need until God is all you have.  Even though trials are difficult and hard, they draw you closer to him.  They allow you to depend and rely on him for your every need.  This allows you to see God in a whole new light, that you never saw before.  Your trials are God’s opportunity to display his divine intervention.  How can you ever know the ability of God’s power if you never let him intercede on your behalf?  Commit your future to the LORD! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf (Psalm 37:5 NET Bible).  

4.  Gifts of Hope–  There is no way I could get through what I am going through, when going through hard times if it weren’t for the promises of God.  I held on so tightly to God’s promises during my trials and still do.  His promises give the hope you need, gives you the focus to get through to the other side.  Only God is able to turn a valley of trouble into a door of hope (Hosea 2:15 NIV). Click to Tweet

5.  Being Thankful in the Storms-  Trials can either make you or break you.  Make you become better or bitter.  Being thankful in the storms is a choice.  Choosing thankfulness despite your circumstances allows you to move forward in your pain (Thessalonians 5:18).  It allows you to see it could always be worse, to see the blessings that have been there all along.  What a wonderful gift it is to learn how to be thankful despite your circumstances.  It gives the glory to God and allows him to turn your pain into something beautiful.  You can rely on the goodness of God even when your circumstances are bad, because God is good all the time.  

“May the God of Hope Fill you with all the Joy and Peace as you Trust in Him, so that you may overflow with Hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit.”   Romans 15:13

Below is a picture of hope and healing.  A picture of what God’s love can do.  After our son died I had a hard time being around pregnant woman and babies.  What caused everyone so much joy, caused me great anguish and pain.  Our son was the last baby I held in my arms.  After he died, I was unable to hold other babies without crying.  It was just too painful.  God makes all things new.  He makes the impossible, possible.  He knows what you need to achieve whole-hearted healing.  Below is a picture of me with my nephew, Caleb.  He is the first baby I held in my arms that I was able to hold and smile again.  God used him in a big way to make my heart whole again, hence the name Caleb which means “whole-hearted.”  God did not waste my pain, he used it and turned it into something even better.  God is a God that heals.  He is our Healer.

Do you have a picture of Hope?  God cares about your every need.  He knows what you need to achieve whole-hearted healing.  God’s Love Heals.

Join Me on Periscope Tuesdays at 12:15pm EST and Saturdays at 10:30am EST.  Watch Replays on katch.me.  This concludes the 4 week blog series on healing.  Join me over the next 4 weeks for a prayer blog series.  It will be packed with prayers and useful ways to make prayer most effective in your life.   Subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss any of the posts!

I am praying for your journey of healing!  Please share this message with anyone who is going through a hard time that could use a message of hope and encouragement!  I would love to hear from you!  Leave Your Comments Below.  

7 Promises You Can Depend On

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Welcome to week three in the healing blog series!  I am so glad we do not have to do this on our own!  We are all wounded and broken.  The good news is, You do not have to be defeated by your circumstances no matter how devastating they are!  It doesn’t seem possible, but it is!

If there is anyone who knows everything and anything about healing, it’s God.  He is the greatest Physician he is the greatest Healer.

“Prayer is the Best Medicine God is the Best Doctor.”  @JesuslivesBro

Only God Can…

Bring me Joy in my Sorrows
Provide me Light in my Darkness
Give me Strength in my Weariness
Provide me Peace above the Storms
Can turn my Trial into a Triumph!
Give me Hope in my Desperation and
Make the brokenhearted whole again…..

The world can never offer the hope you desire better than God can.  God is bigger than your circumstances.  If God can conquer death he can handle your struggles.  How is he able to do this?  Through His Love.  God’s Love heals.  God Loves You!

“Love is God’s Prescription for Pain Relief”  Rachel Wojo

No matter how far your trial has taken you, know that God’s love will always bring you home.  His love is what mends our broken pieces and makes us whole again.   

There is nothing that God’s love can’t do.  His abilities are limitless, they are endless.  You can always trust in his abilities.  You can always find refuge and safety in his arms.  He is always available for you.  He is always with you.  You can rely on him in any place, at anytime.  

You will never experience the ability of God’s healing powers until you rely on him for your healing (Click to Tweet).

I wanted to give you a gift that you could keep with you in your Bible, something you can refer to when you need a little reminder of what God can do.  Below are 7 promises that you can depend on.  These are promises I hold tightly on to in life’s difficult moments.   These promises are will provide you the hope and strength you need during times of crisis.  These promises are what provide peace above the storms.  You can always trust in God’s promises.  They never fail or disappoint.  

Above all, You can Always Trust in God’s Love for You!  

I challenge you to read all 7 verses and take in the messages of hope that God has given to you.  God always keeps his promises.  Hold on tight to them.  His love will lead you to something better if you let him!  I promise.

Join Me on Periscope Tuesdays at 12:15pm EST and Saturdays at 10:30am EST.  Watch Replays on katch.me.  Join me over the next 4 weeks as I complete a blog series on healing.  Subscribe to my blog an you will receive a message of encouragement and hope right to your inbox!

I am praying for your journey of healing!  Please share this message with anyone who is going through a hard time that could use a message of hope and encouragement!  I would love to hear from you!  Leave Your Comments Below.

5 Steps that Move Toward Whole-Hearted Healing

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Are you going through a trial right now and don’t know where to turn?  Are you struggling with something that has been burdening you for quite some time?  Are you at a point in your life where you feel that you have hit rock bottom and want to be lifted out of your darkness?  I pray this post will encourage you and lift you up.  That God’s words will provide a light in your darkness.  These are the things God showed me in my darkness after our son passed away.  Even when I was going through my most darkest moments, God was always with me.  I pray that you will take his hand and allow him to guide you through your moments of despair.  I pray this post blesses you and helps you get through what you are going through.

He Heals the Brokenhearted and Binds up Their Wounds Psalm 147:3 (Click to Tweet).

Where does healing begin? 
Healing Begins at Fully, Wholly, Complete 100% Surrender.  God doesn’t want just part of you, he wants all of you.  Why?  Because it empties and rids you of what is getting in the way of God’s greatest blessings.  It makes room available for him to fill you abundantly with what he desires for you.  How do we do this?

5 Steps that Move Toward Whole-Hearted Healing-
By
1.  Acknowledging God is the one in control and He is the Provider for your needs.  Healing begins when your Fear meets your Pain and you learn how to make it apart of your life instead of avoiding, hiding and running away from it.  God knows what you need for whole hearted healing.  Healing starts by recognizing your fears and acknowledging God is the one who can help.  “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” Proverbs 3:6

2.  Submitting to Him–  God’s ways are greater than you and your circumstances.  When you allow God to have your fears and pain, he is able to turn them into something so much more than you could ever do on your own.  The question to ask God isn’t when will this fear and pain leave?  It is, when will you give your fear and pain to God?  When you allow fear and pain to linger in the spaces of your heart, it takes up room and doesn’t allow God room to be the provider of peace and rest you desire.  

3.  Trusting God that he knows what He is doing.  You may not always understand or agree with God’s plan, but he sees the bigger picture.  It may be hard and scary to trust in God’s plan, but know that he is good and you can trust in his promises.  The only thing you need to understand about God’s plan is He loves you and never wants to harm you;  You can trust in that promise.  “Trust in God with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding”  Proverbs 3:5

4.  A Willing heart to Learn what God is trying to teach/show you.  God is going to ask you to do things that are going to be hard and you may not like.  But I promise that these sufferings and trials will produce something even greater if you follow God’s lead.  The biggest lessons I think God tries to teach in our trials and struggles are perseverance, endurance and trust.  The sooner you learn to become friends with your pain (make it apart of your life)  and get comfortable at being uncomfortable the sooner you will start producing God’s fruit of peace.  God does not want us to suffer or endure pain, but he knows the way to whole-hearted healing.  Sometimes we have to go through hard times to get to God’s best plan ever.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him”  James 1:12.

5.  Being Patient for God’s timing–  His timing is perfect and so is his plan.  His plan might not be the plan you like or want but know his plan is better and greater than yours could ever be.  God is the fullness of everything you could ever desire;  joy, peace, love, freedom.  Be patient for his timing, for his fullness to immerse your pain in his healing powers, for something beautiful to be born from it.  God will never waste your pain.  What evil (grief) intends for evil, God will use it for good (Genesis 50:20).

Are you broken?   Do you desire whole-hearted healing so you don’t have to live in brokeness anymore?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28 Click to Tweet

Pray this prayer with me:
God I know that you are good and your ways are better than mine.  Sometimes I just don’t understand and this pain is just so unbearable.  Will you please lift this pain and burden from my heart.  I pray for rest when I am weary.  I pray your strength will get me through all of my days.  I cannot do this on my own.  I pray for the right people to be placed in my life right now to encourage me, lift me up, pray for me when I need it.  I thank you God for all the blessings in my life.  I pray that I will acknowledge you are the one that provides whole-hearted healing.  I pray that I will surrender anything getting in the way of your fullness I know in this life I will have trouble but you have overcome the world, I thank you God.

​”And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19 Click to Tweet 

God knows what you need to achieve whole-hearted healing.

Will you allow God to have your heart and follow his lead towards whole- hearted healing?
Will you allow God to produce the greatest blessing within you by opening your heart to him?

Chris Tomlin Words ‘Good Father’
You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am
Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/good-good-father-lyrics-chris-tomlin.html#ggjFEmE0bVXQ1HdG.99

God you are perfect in all of your ways!

Join Me on Periscope Tuesdays at 12:15pm EST and Saturdays at 10:30am EST.  Watch Replays on katch.me.  Join me over the next 5 weeks as I complete a blog series on healing.  Subscribe to my blog an you will receive a message of encouragement and hope right to your inbox!

I am praying for your journey of healing!  Please share this message with anyone who is going through a hard time that could use a message of hope and encouragement!  I would love to hear from you!  Leave Your Comments Below.

10 Bible Verses for Healing and Strength

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Two weeks ago our family woke up to a 7.1 earthquake that shook our whole house.  The earthquake lasted only 30 seconds but it felt like forever.  Funny thing about an earthquake.  It makes you realize how secure your pictures are on the wall and your foundation is.  Earthquakes really shake things up!  

The same thing occurs in our lives as well.  When trials and tragedy enter our lives they really shake things up!  What do you do when things get shaken up?  You cling to what you know.    Whatever you are going through know that God loves you, you matter and you are priceless to him.  I am so glad God is in the restoration business to keep me grounded when storms come my way.  

We all fall upon hard times.  I pray whatever you are going through, you will find healing in God’s truth and promises for you.  Praying these verses over your life can help protect you against the enemy of doubt and discouragement.  God’s love and truth is bigger than anything in this world.  Let his words comfort you and lift you up as you are going through your trials.

Here are 10 Bible Verses to help provide you the Healing and Strength you need when going through hard times-  

1.  Isaiah 58:8-9  “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;  then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  Then you will call, and the lord will answer;  you will cry for help and he will say;  Here am I.”

2.  Isaiah 41:10  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ”

3.  Isaiah 40:31 “For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

4.  Psalm 18:39 “You armed me with strength, for battle;  you made my adversaries bow at my feet.”

5.  Psalm 34:17-20 “The righteous cry out, and the lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are rushed in spirit.  A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;  he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”

6.  Psalm 6:2-4  “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am faint;  O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony.  My soul is in anguish.  How long, O Lord, How long?  Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.”

7.  Psalm 121:1  “I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

8.  Psalm 147:3-5  “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  He determines the number of the stars and called them each by name.  Great is our Lord and mighty in power;  his understanding has no limit.”

9.  Psalm 103:2-5  “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like eagles.”

10.  Deuteronomy 31:6  “Be strong and courageous Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you;  he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

You do not have to go through this alone.  Enlist others to pray for you.  Stay constantly and consistently in prayer.  Make a Prayer/War Room to write down your Prayers.  Write your Prayers in a journal.  Prayer is the most important time investment you can make when going through hard times.  God loves you.  He will not waste your pain.   What the enemy intends for evil, God uses it for good (Genesis 50:20).  He will turn your pain into something beautiful!

​May the God of Hope Fill you with Peace as You Trust in Him!  (Romans 15:13).  I pray that God will fill you with the Peace and Hope your heart desires.  Join me over the next few weeks as I complete a series on Healing.  How does God heal you, How does he turn your pain into something better and Where do I find Places of healing?   Stay updated with upcoming posts by Subscribing to my blog or Like my Author Facebook page where I make weekly posts.

I would love to hear from you!  Have these Bible verses helped and encouraged you?  What Bible Verses bring you healing and strength?  Leave Comments Below!