Now – this does NOT mean helper like we’re only here to do laundry and the dishes – ohhhh nooo!  If you do a word study on the Hebrew word Ezer, you will find something very, very interesting:  it is the same word used to refer to God as helper of those in great times of need.  For example, in multiple verses He is “our help and our shield”, and “my help and my deliverer”, etc.  A super easy way to do a quick word study is to use the Blue Letter Bible online, look up Gen 2:18/20 and in the Interlinear section look up “helper” to find the word “Ezer”. Click on “Ezer” and you will find all the scriptures that use the word.

Isn’t that something to ponder?

It was Adam that first named her “woman” with the word meaning she was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh.  Note that after the fall, Adam renamed the woman as “Eve” because she was the mother of all living.

While creating this piece, I was thinking about all the things the Lord is asking me to believe and to increase my faith for.  Also how He is shouting out to the Eves out there, to know and believe how amazing and wonderful you are, and that you have something special and unique to share with the world!  Not something that can be compared to what others have to share (because how boring of a world would it be if we all shared the same things).  As I was working on this piece, EVE appeared out of the word BELIEVE…  I knew that is what He wanted to portray – He believes in His Eves, He cherishes us, calls us, and loves us.

Know this and BELIEVE!

You can find this on my Etsy store for purchase.  I pray this blesses you and reminds you of His love!

Save

The post Believe… first appeared on Just One Chapter.

I look back at them, into their bewildered eyes, and tell them that there is no way I’d go back and change any part of it!  I’d go through it all again just to experience these two amazing words: “but God!”

The bigger (and better!) part of the story, and underlying stories, is how He has shown up and showed off!  Through crazy miracles you could never in a lifetime make up on your own, He has brought me and my son through some amazingly tight spaces.  He has protected, provided, healed, led, covered, and more.  I could fill many volumes of books with the stories of how something has happened, and then “but God!” He shows up and miracles and favor pour out all around us.

I have to say it has been an amazing story, an amazing walk once He really got a hold of me and opened my eyes.  I know He’s been there along the way, all the years I knew He was there but didn’t really pay any attention.  But once I really opened my heart towards Him, and asked Him to really begin to lead me through and teach me His ways – boy did He answer that request!  I was taken on a fast track journey by the Holy Spirit learning all the things I didn’t learn in a church building for so many years.  He taught me how to hear His still small voice, and to see crazy awesome things happen when I head what that voice says, and to go where it says to go (or not go!).  To see what happens when I hear it and He is calling me to do what my friend and I call “the crazies” – the things you would never think of to do or have the every day courage to do on your own.  But when He tells you to the crazies, that is when doors open, you’re in the right place at the right time, and miracles are activated.

“But God!” is one of my dear friend’s favorite sayings, as she and her husband have seen these crazy, in-explainable miracles and favor as well when they have followed His lead.  It is amazing to do a quick search in the Bible to see how many times the phrase “but God” shows up…  Take a look and see

You know, you can too if you never have seen miracles manifest, big and small, or experienced crazy favor that seems out of this world.  If you ask Him, He will show you.  If He does it for me, He will do the same and more for you!  My prayer for years has been for Him to open my spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear what He is doing, saying, where He is directing, and more.  The same can be your prayer too.  When we stop, look, and listen we can begin to see all the big and even small, everyday miracles and favor that surround us.  Even in circumstances that look the darkest in the world’s eyes, we can see a pure white light of His love that shines on us and directs us.

You can find this piece in my Etsy store for purchase. I pray this blesses you and reminds you of His ability to step in and do amazing things for you because He loves you!

Save

The post But God!!! first appeared on Just One Chapter.

But thank God – that’s not what we are called to do anymore!  Obviously our love isn’t always the best (even as hard as we try sometimes) but good thing is that His is…

Well, that is why John 13:34 is one of my favorite scriptures these days where Jesus says:  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”  So, I’m sure you’re asking then why do we keep hearing so much about the other commandment to love your neighbor as yourself?  This one is repeated a few times in the New Testament, but you will find when it is mentioned the Old Testament law is being referenced.  The first time Jesus states the commandment, it is in response to a question regarding the old law – He is asked which is the greatest commandment.  He replies to love your God and and to love your neighbor as yourself.  When we read this, we must realize He is talking about the old law, the one that was around before He appeared in the flesh on the Earth scene.  The other times it is mentioned in the NT the authors are still referring to the old law, the one that we aren’t supposed to try and keep (because obviously we failed pretty bad at that lol).

Jesus tells us in John 15:10 if we keep His commandments we will abide in His love as He abides in the Father’s love, and then in John 15:12 He repeats His new commandment – to love as He loves!  We still won’t be perfect in our love towards others, but it can be pretty refreshing at times to realize we are supposed to love as He does.  It can also be a great reminder when you’re not really sure you’re feeling lovable, that He loves you more than you can imagine, and it’s a great reminder of what He’s done for us out of that love.  It can also be helpful when dealing (yes, dealing sometimes is what it is) with others and deciding if what we are doing is loving as He does, or as we are currently feeling lovable ourselves…

This artwork was inspired as I was meditating on this scripture one day.  I’d say it was created through the Holy Spirit directing each and every piece of the art itself, even down to where the brightest part of the light shines from the innermost heart, and what looks like the beam of light coming down from the top almost looks like a cross from the side.  When I was creating this, these characteristics just appeared, I’m not sure if I would be able to replicate them if I tried

You can find this piece on my Etsy store for purchase. I pray this blesses you and reminds you of His love!

Save

Save

The post How Are We Supposed To Love? first appeared on Just One Chapter.