April 9, 2013 By Barbie 5 Comments

Called, Redeemed, Chosen!

I came upon this scripture in my reading yesterday. It is so like the Lord to give me exactly what I need when I need it the most. It’s easy for me to focus on the circumstances around me. I can get stuck in a rut, sink into a pit, and forget that there is One who is victorious, and He lives IN ME. How could I forget? But there are moments when I take my eyes off of Him, and I make that choice to turn from the peace and calm that He has promised me, that my mind wanders and sets up camp in a dark and lonely place.

In this place, there is no light.
In this place, it’s cold and dreary.
In this place, my heart is not at rest.
In this place, my mind is filled with should be’s, could have been’s and what if’s.

But God’s desire for me is that I would know my purpose — to love Him and be loved by Him. The very God of the Universe, the One who spoke the world into existence by His very breath, called my name. I shudder when I think about it. What does God see in me? When He looks at me, how does He feel? When He hears my voice, is it sweat to His ear?

The truth is that before God ever spoke the world into existence, He thought about me, and YOU! He desired that we would be, that we would know Him, and that we would make His Name known. So then why is it so easy to allow our minds to go to places of untruth and unrest?

I am camping here, in this truth, right now. It’s been good for my heart to read this text in The Message translation. It gives me an even greater perspective of How God feels about me.

^1-4But now, God’s Message,
the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
the One who got you started, Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
    I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
    When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
    it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
    That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
    trade the creation just for you.

I know that although my mind wanders far away at times, He is right there calling me back to Him, with the very same breath that He first called me.

He has called me by name.
I have been redeemed.
I have been chosen by the King of Kings.
I am His daughter, and nothing will every change that.

What about you, my friend? What comes to your mind when you think about the God of the universe calling you by name? I would love for you to share in the comments below.

*This post is part of a challenge to blog every weekday in the month of April. You can read more about it here.

Filed Under: My Life in God, Prophetic Art, Scripture Meditation

March 22, 2013 By Barbie 36 Comments

You Are Chosen!

You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
(Song of Solomon 4:9)

Beloved One,

Do you know how much you are loved by God? He desires you. Every time you look at Him, His heart skips a beat. The King is enthralled by your beauty!

I have often wondered how God sees me. This painting came out of my time with the Lord through the Song of Solomon a few years ago. God took me through a personal journey of affirming my identity and how He sees me. I wanted to share this with you today, my friends. This is how God sees YOU!

May you rest in knowing that you are significant, beautiful, loved, anointed and chosen. You are His. He Has chosen YOU and nothing will ever separate you from His love!

Now it’s your turn to share encouragement here at The Weekend Brew.
1. Share a post, photo, scripture — anything that breathes life and encourages. (Please only link one post. Multiple posts from the same site will be deleted.)
2. Grab the button to use in your post, or simply link here.
3. Visit the person who linked up before you (and a few others if you have time).

Filed Under: My Life in God, Prophetic Art, The Weekend Brew

September 8, 2011 By Barbie 9 Comments

Letting Go of a Broken Heart

Today, Bonnie the Faith Barista asks this question, “What season of faith are you walking through?” Fall (letting go), Winter (loss/waiting), Spring (new starts), or Summer (embrace & celebrate).

As the Lord continues to draw me closer to Him and as I let down my walls and allow Him to come in and invade the deepest places of my heart, I am faced with the reality that I am broken. I see this brokenness as imperfection, short comings, not measuring up, not good enough. Oh the lies! If my brain had an “off” switch, I would have hit it a long time ago. I am on a journey of discovering who I am in Christ, despite my brokenness. What does He say about me? How does He see me? God wants to take my brokenness and use it for His glory. It’s easier to hang onto it though. It can be painful to let go. Some days I feel as if my heart will shatter into a million pieces. And when it does, will anyone notice? Who will pick up the pieces? Who will mend my broken heart?

As I sit and try to understand the thoughts and emotions that are stirring inside of me concerning my desire to let go, I hear the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart. This is what He says to me:

My child,
I love you with an everlasting love.
I am proud of who you are and what you’ve become.
But there is still more for you.
Yet, in order to experience my fullness, you must let go.
I see your heart. I know your heart longs to please and to surrender.
But there are areas where you have not allowed me to come in.
Wounds so deep that no words can express.
But I know. I understand.
Your heart says YES, sometimes timid and shy.
I know You long to be Mine fully,
But you must surrender these places to me.

I will not hurt you. I am a patient and loving Father.
I promise you that when you let go of your pain,
You will find JOY. You will find REST. You will find PEACE.
You walk in joy now, but it is temporary.
You have moments of rest, but I want to take you deeper.
You’ve known my peace, yet your heart is in turmoil.
Will you allow me to heal your broken heart?
Will you allow me to breathe new life into you?
Will you allow me to show you the way to wholeness?

There is pain in letting go. I understand how you feel.
I will not leave you in your brokenness. I will be there to pick up the pieces.
I promise I will not overlook your pain. I am the God who heals.
You say, “If only others could see and understand.”
I see. I understand. Trust me.
Letting go is not quitting.
Letting go is allowing your heart to heal. To become whole again.
Trust me my child. Let go and live!