jOHN 17

FRIDAY

NOTES:

What is God saying to me today through His word?

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me…” John 17:6

How am I revealing Jesus to the people around me? am I being slow to become angry or frustrated? Am I being patient with my kids? am I loving those around me that are sometimes hard to love? Am I paying attention to my kids and their relationship with me? do they see me doing the work before me with joy, or grumbling?

Everything we do and say should point to the Father. We might make a mess of it all sometimes, but each day, each moment, is a chance to take a breath and start over. His mercies are new every morning.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:20-21

JESUS PRAYED FOR YOU AND FOR ME! This was so cool to me. Jesus, the King of all kings, prayed for me. He prayed for unity, that we would all be one with each other as believers just as he is one with the Father. That’s incredible! It also makes me question the thoughts that I’ve had lately about how some leaders in my life are “doing it wrong.” How on earth is my negativity furthering the message of the gospel? Quick answer, It’s not. People are going to do things differently than I would do them or prefer them to be done. People in leadership will do things that hurt us, offend us, and don’t make sense to us, because they are people too. Imperfect people that (hopefully) are trying to lead the way the Holy Spirit is leading them to. our job isn’t to take offense, it’s to do what God has called US to do. It’s ok to ask questions, in order to better understand the heart of leadership. Just do so with grace and kindness.

These are just a couple things that the Lord is impressing on my heart today. Maybe they’re just for me, but I’d love to hear what your thoughts are, or how He’s speaking to you today! Reach out on social media, or email me today at emboldenher23@gmail.com!

Let’s pray.

Father, create in us a pure heart. we pray that any church hurt that we’ve experienced would fall off of us. we pray that we would be able to see our leadership in the way that you see them. Give us new eyes, a new heart, and a right spirit. we pray today that we would be slow to become angry, and we would be patient with our kids and families. We pray that we would show others around us your light that’s inside of us and that you would help us to extend grace and forgiveness quickly. Keep us humble, and erase any selfish pride within us that would hinder your presence. Go with us today.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

JOHN 16

THURSDAY

John 16

“I have said these things to you so that you may have peace in me. here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Long story short, when I was 17, I got pregnant. I carried my baby and gave birth to him when I was 18 years old. Since then, the Lord has done a work in me and has used my teenaged pregnancy to His glory as a testimony of His love, grace, and faithfulness in my life. On the flip side of that, the enemy has used the shame I felt then and my insecurities to make me believe the lie that I will never be able to live up to the call that’s been put on my life. There were so many times in the last couple of months leading up to the launch of Embolden Her that I was tempted to stop before I could even start. I played the comparison game a lot. Thinking that someone else was more qualified than me. I started to believe that maybe I had heard His voice wrong, or that I don’t have what it takes to succeed given my track record. I kept thinking about all the people from my small-town high school, and even in my church that would think what is she doing, trying to go viral or something? The enemy uses the same lies every single time he sees me taking ground, always the same tactics to get me distracted.

Jesus says that yes, we will have trouble in this world. The devil is prowling around looking for ways to discredit your testimony and jumps at the chance every time. People will say things and do things to lead you back to the pit of lies and leave you there… BUT TAKE HEART! Jesus has overcome the world. He came to give us peace IN HIM. He alone gets to say who you are. He alone has the power to put you in the position to prosper. He alone can forgive and redeem. He alone is worthy of your trust. He alone knows the plans He has for you, and He alone holds the strength and truth you need to get there!

The good Lord did not bring you out of the pit to leave you broken. He did not drop that calling in your heart to keep you stuck in insecurity. And He did not speak death over the dreams He gave you! Instead, He bends down, places His kind hands on either side of your face and says my child I love you, I sent my one and only Son to pay the penalty of your sins (John 3:16). As soon as you repented and turned from your sins, as soon as you invited me to clean up the mess, I made you as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). I removed your sins as far as the east is from the west (psalm 103:12) therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) Don’t you see my child? I am doing a new thing! (Isaiah 43:19). I know the plans I have for you, and they are good (Jeremiah 29:11) that doesn’t mean that it will be easy, quite the contrary. There will be tribulation but take heart! For I have overcome the world! (John 16:33)

Lets pray.

Father thank you for being our peace. In the middle of what was meant to destroy us we see you using it all for good, and for your glory. Give us the wisdom to see the lies of the enemy for what they are. Give us JOY in all things today. We pray that we would stay focused on you and what you say about who we are. Be with us today, we invite your Holy Spirit into our day.

In jesus name,

Amen.

JOHN 15

WEDNESDAY

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine. And you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15: 4-5

Have you ever tried to put something together without the directions? I don’t know if you’ve ever done this, but every time I make something from a box I take the premixed stuff out of the box, and then immediately throw the box away. Only to grab it from the trash to read the directions. No matter how many times I’ve done this, I still do it every single time. I don’t know what temperature the oven needs to be at, I don’t know how long it needs to bake, or how much water or oil to add. Without the box directions, I’m lost.

 Throughout John 15, Jesus commands us to “remain” in him so many times! He says apart from me, you can do nothing. Just like the back of the box, without Jesus we are lost. There is no joy, no purpose, no meaning in life. He doesn’t just leave us with the command though, he also gives clear direction as to how we can remain in him. He says in verse 10, “when you OBEY my commandments, you remain in my love.” As hard as it is to surrender our way of doing things, he’s laid out rules for us to keep us from harm. It’s necessary to surrender, and OBEY his commands, so that we will bear much fruit. Later he goes on to say “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” However you see it, fruit is overflow. It’s proof of a healthy relationship with the Lord. It’s the life change, the joy that comes from obeying the Lord’s leading. When we obey what he says, there is freedom and there is fruit.

Lets pray.

Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for the directions you’ve laid out for us. We pray that we would remain in you, in your word, so that our lives would bear so much fruit. We pray that you would continue your work in us, and that we would live changed, joy-filled lives, completely surrendered to you. Help us to walk in the freedom that comes from obeying you.

In jesus name,

Amen.

JOHN 14

MONDAY-TUESDAY

“don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me.” John 14:1

“I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. and the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

So often we think, “if I just had more money, I wouldn’t be so stressed.” “If I just knew what the outcome is going to be, what tomorrow will look like, then I wouldn’t be so worried.” Jesus is offering so much more than less stress or worry. He’s offering true peace of mind and heart!

What does that look like or even mean? Here’s what I’ve learned; true peace isn’t something the world can offer. Jesus said that He will give us peace. This peace doesn’t come from a job, a degree, a spouse, or children. It won’t be found in the world, but in Him.

This last year has been HARD. We started 2023 off by taking Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover course. Our goal was to tackle our debt and spending. We stopped making unnecessary purchases, I started working again, and we budgeted for all our bills. We were optimistic and excited about finally paying off all our debt. Just as we were making a little headway, unexpected expenses started popping up. We kept thinking “what are we doing wrong, what more can we do!?” In reality, there was nothing more that we could do, so we prayed. We prayed bold prayers asking God to meet our needs and exceed our expectations, we asked for exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask, think, or imagine according to scripture (Ephesians 3:20). We were desperate to see financial peace, and He provided. We prayed our first bold prayer, and someone bought us new tires for our family vehicle. We kept praying and He provided again and again, financially, and otherwise. One night, on the hottest day of the summer, our air conditioner went out. We had a repair company come out, but even after it was fixed it kept going out. So, we decided to pray as a family. We prayed that our AC unit would continue to work through the night and that we wouldn’t have any more issues with it. that was a week ago, and it’s still running now! It reminds me of the book of John, Jesus tells everyone about who he is and what’s coming. Each time he says, “I tell you this so that when it happens you will believe.” He performs miracles so that the people will see and believe. God has met our needs; I have seen it. I’ve seen Him meet our every need and then some. Sometimes its monetary, other times its relationally, and he always meets us spiritually. Seeing Him work it all out has given me hope, and peace. He IS our peace. I know that I don’t have to worry about how things will work out, or how we will make ends meet, because I trust that He will make a way. When we make Christ the center of everything, when we completely trust Him, peace invades our hearts, and we find that he IS peace. That kind of peace is something that no one will ever be able to take from us.

Lets pray.

Father, thank you for being our peace. We pray today that no matter what comes our way, we would be able to see you in it. we pray that we would be able to trust you in every circumstance. Quiet our nerves, and our minds. We pray that you, our peace, would invade our hearts and minds everyday.

We thank you and we love you.

In Jesus mighty name,

Amen.

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