Believe & Speak

Today’s declaration comes from Psalm 18. I was tempted to read the entire psalm because it speaks directly into the situation in Ukraine. Psalm 18 serves as a reminder that when the enemy advances, we can find protection in God.

The notes in my Bible say that David sang Psalm 18 on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies. David was well acquainted with war, and God protected him in battle time and again. Our God is the same God, yesterday, today, and forever. He is still our strength, our rock, our fortress, and savior. He is still our shield, and the power that saves us.

I’m hearing amazing stories of God’s supernatural protection in response to the prayers of Ukrainian saints and believers throughout the world who are praying for peace and an end to the violence in Ukraine. Many are finding refuge in God, even as their country is rattled by bombs.

Our God has never lost a battle. Evil may look like its winning at times, but Jesus promised that because he overcame the world, we too are overcomers. We can take courage, knowing that the power that is within us as believers is greater than the powers of darkness in this world.

God’s plan doesn’t always make sense, but he will never abandon us. He is our refuge, and he will save us from our enemies. He is the only one who can keep us safe for eternity. God is always ready to help in times of trouble, so we don’t have to be afraid. He is worthy of our trust, and he is worthy of our praise.

I’m terribly excited about teaching the new women’s Bible study series that starts tonight, March 2 at Peoples Church. I hope you’ll come if you live in the Fresno area. We will be going through my book, Longing to Belong, and learning through a verse-by-verse study of Psalm 139 about how much God loves us and values us

If you can’t make it to Peoples Church, you are welcome to join me on my YouTube channel. I’ve already uploaded the first three sessions for this Bible study. Learn more on my website at shawnamariebryant.com.

This week's scripture: Psalm 18:1-3, 25-30

Before going to the cross, Jesus wanted his disciples to know that they wouldn’t be left alone. The Holy Spirit would come and would have a different but profound relationship with them.

I can hear the heart of Jesus in the words he spoke in the last hours with his disciples prior to his death and resurrection. He knew the Spirit of truth would come to them to guide them into all the truth.

God still speaks today! In the Old Testament he spoke through the prophets. In the Gospels he spoke through Jesus. Then he sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and the Holy Spirit speaks directly into our hearts.

I love how Jesus told his disciples, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But…” BUT!  Jesus knew the Holy Spirit was coming soon. That’s why he could hold his tongue in those moments to keep from overwhelming them with the truth. That’s why he said BUT when the Holy Spirit comes, “He will guide you into all the truth.”

God is a time-sensitive God. He lives outside the bounds of time but we don’t, and God gets that. He knows that there are times when we need to know what to expect, and there are other times when it’s best if we don’t know what’s around the bend.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide us into all the truth. We can trust the Holy Spirit’s leading because the Spirit receives from Jesus what he makes known to us. When it comes to God’s plans and activity in our lives, you and I will know what we need to know when we need to know it.

Last call for women in the Fresno, California area to join me in person on Wednesday evenings for Bible study at Peoples Church beginning March 2 at 7 p.m.

The Gathering, a space for women to gather, connect, and experience Jesus is a free and fun event for women this Friday night. I’ll be sharing from my book Longing to Belong. Learn more on my website at shawnamariebryant.com.

This week's scripture: John 16:12-15

I can imagine God’s booming baritone voice singing a love song over me. Can you? The Mighty One, who is perfect in every way, not only takes notice of you and me, but he delights in what he sees. So much so, that he breaks into song!

I take a great deal of comfort in knowing that God is with me and that he is mighty to save me. But the idea that God rejoices over me with singing astounds me! Why does he take such great delight in us? It’s certainly not because of what we’ve done for him or what we can do for his kingdom. He rejoices over us simply because we are his children.

I love how Zephaniah 3:17 says that God quiets us with His love. When we truly understand the unconditional love that our Heavenly Father has for us—simply because we are his children—when we let him quiet us down, we just might be able to hear and enjoy the song he is singing over us. Think of your favorite love song. Here’s what just popped into my head: “You are so beautiful… to me” God sounds like Joe Cocker to me today! When this podcast ends, I want you to listen for the love song that God is singing over you.

Here's the link to the blog post I mention called When Strivings Cease.

I’ve been extending an invitation to women who live in the Fresno, California area to join me in person on Wednesday evenings for Bible study at Peoples Church beginning March 2 at 7 p.m. Now, I’d like to also invite you to The Gathering, A space for women to gather, connect, and experience Jesus. It’s a free and fun event for women, and I’ll be sharing from my book Longing to Belong. Learn more on my website at shawnamariebryant.com.

This week's scripture: Zephaniah 3:17

Today’s declaration comes from one of the first Bible passages that I committed to memory. I’ve known the promise in Matthew 7:7-11 for a long time, and I’ve believed and spoken it in prayer so many times that I don’t know why it took until my 111th episode to share this important truth with you.

Our heavenly Father is a good father, and he gives us good gifts. Sometimes we simply need to ask and keep on asking.

I especially like the New Living Translation of this scripture because it accurately translates the Greek verbs for “ask”, “seek”, and “knock” as “keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking.”

Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer. I believe with all my heart that the reason Paul asked a mere three times for his thorn to be removed is because he knew God had answered him. We learn in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that God said “no” to removing Paul’s thorn. However, God said “yes” to giving Paul more than enough grace and more than enough strength to manage that thorn.

If you and I truly believe that God gives us good gifts when we ask, then when he doesn’t give us exactly what we’re asking for it’s because he wants to give us another gift. And you can be sure it’s a good one.

If God seems silent in response to your desperate prayers, then keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. But, if he has answered your prayer with a “no,” then ask him for the grace and strength to move forward. And remember he has promised to give you good gifts. Why not take the time right now to ask?

I’ve been extending an invitation to women who live in the Fresno, California area to join me in person on Wednesday evenings for Bible study at Peoples Church beginning March 2 at 7 p.m. Now, I’d like to also invite you to The Gathering, A space for women to gather, connect, and experience Jesus. It’s a free and fun event for women, and I’ll be sharing from my book Longing to Belong. Learn more on my website at shawnamariebryant.com.

This week's scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

I fashioned today’s declaration from a passage in the book of Isaiah that still rings true today. Isaiah’s words in today’s reading give voice to my own feelings.

“Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down!” (Isaiah 64:1 NLT) My Bible has an exclamation point to indicate the degree of passion Isaiah must have felt writing those words. Lately I’ve been wishing that God would burst onto the scene. Wouldn’t it be great if he would work everything out for us right now? Wouldn’t it be great to see him perform awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations? Wouldn’t it be great if the enemies of God would learn the reason for his fame?

But God is waiting in the wings. Waiting for his perfect timing to take center stage and make the nations tremble. One day he will burst onto the scene in an undeniable display that will cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

While God waits, we must wait too. But, oh the promises for those who wait for him! Yes, God is working even now. He’s working in our circumstances and he’s working in us. He’s working all things within his timeframe, which is why we must wait. And trust. And believe.

We may not always see his hand at work, but we can trust his intentions are good and his timing is perfect. So, let’s walk by faith and not by sight.

I gave an exciting announcement and invitation last week that I’ll repeat today. If you are a woman who lives in the Fresno, California area, I’d love for you to join me in person on Wednesday evenings at Peoples Church beginning March 2 at 7 p.m. We will be going through my book Longing to Belong, which served as the catalyst for this podcast. I’ll share more details in the coming weeks on my website at shawnamariebryant.com.

This week's scripture: Isaiah 64:1-4

If you delight in spending time reading the Bible and growing closer to God through his word, then you already know the truth of today’s declaration: God’s Word keeps me rooted on the riverbank. I drew that promise out of Psalm 1, which a dear friend recently prayed over me. She inspired today’s episode, because I’m going to pray Psalm 1 over you like she did for me. 

Psalm 1 contrasts the path of the wicked from the path of the godly. If we follow the advice of the wicked, we’ll be swept away into a torrent of trouble, like whitewater rapids. But delighting in the law of the Lord will hold us firmly, steadfast on solid ground. Likewise, standing around with sinners or joining in with mockers will dry us up like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. But meditating on the Word of God keeps us well-watered so that we bear fruit and prosper in all we do. 

Picture a path along a river with a fork where the river bends out of view. We don’t know what’s around that bend. But God does. Psalm 1 tells us that the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Tragically, that dangerous path has a certain allure. Otherwise, what thinking person would take it? 

I once heard that Satan offers us rewards up front. The cost comes later. By contrast, the path of everlasting life comes with costs up front. But we receive a great reward later. Be assured that God is watching over your path, my friend. He is able to guide you away from following the advice of the wicked. So, delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. Following biblical principles will help you stay on the right path, and the Holy Spirit will whisper guidance if you wander off. 

I invite all women who live in the Fresno, California area to attend an upcoming women’s Bible study that I’ll be teaching based on my book Longing to Belong, which served as the catalyst for this podcast. The study will be held Wednesday evenings at Peoples Church beginning March 2 at 7 p.m. I’ll share more details in the coming weeks on my website at shawnamariebryant.com

This week's scripture: Psalm 1

If you’re familiar with the armor of God described in Ephesians 6, you may think I pulled our declaration from there, but actually, I drew it out of 1 Thessalonians 5.

Breastplates and helmets are important pieces of armor, protecting the most vulnerable parts of our bodies and souls—the heart and mind. How fitting that today’s verses refer to faith and love as our breastplate and the hope of salvation as our helmet.

I was tempted to read the verses supporting our declaration in context, but was afraid the sensationalism that often surrounds prophecy about end-time events would divert our focus from the point I want to make, which is that believers are protected. Period.

Faith, hope and love not only shield us from the wrath of God that will be poured out in the last days, but our salvation protects and delivers us from evil. All evil. Always—whether we are living in the last days or not.

I had lunch with a friend on Monday, and when I asked if she thought these were the last days, she said that 2,000 years ago, after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, we started living in the last days. The fact that we’re closer now than they were back then doesn’t really matter. 2,000 years ago, the disciples were just as anxious for King Jesus to rule and reign on earth. In fact, in the 40 days after Jesus’s resurrection, prior to his ascension, they kept asking him if the time had finally come. (Read about it in Acts 1:6-11.)

The Holy Spirit is in you like a fire, my friend, and faith, hope and love protect you like armor. I encourage you to be a light in this dark world—here and now. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t be concerned about days and times. Instead—be the witness Jesus has equipped you to be, and testify to the truth that Jesus is King. Now and forever.

I invite you to visit my website at shawnamariebryant.com for access to free resources that will strengthen your walk with God, and especially encourage you to look for and listen to the first chapter of my audiobook version of Longing to Belong because it served as the catalyst for starting this podcast.

This week's scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:7-9

Today’s declaration sounds like the opposite of an idiom that I’ve never really cared for. Maybe you’ve heard it: the devil is in the details.

The devil wants us to trip over the details, but God will never let us fall. As a detail-oriented person, I’m glad to know that God is not only in the details, he also delights in the details.

I’m sure, like me, you make the best choices based on the information you have. We can’t see what lies ahead, and many of the details affecting our decisions are out of our control. But you can be sure that God will direct your steps when you ask him for directions. God knows exactly which paths to take. He may allow us to stumble, but he will never let us fall. He may guide us along a rocky path, where it’s hard to get solid footing, but he will hold our hands as he leads us.

Where do you want to be by this time next year?

It’s always a good idea to plan your steps to get from where you are now to where you want to be. God has promised to direct your steps, and he delights in every detail of how you will get from point A to point B. So, be sure to consult God about your plans for the coming year.

You have so much available to you as a child of God. Even your tongue has power. I explore the power of the tongue more thoroughly in my book Longing to Belong. Pick up a copy today for you and a friend. I want to equip you with the tools you need to make godly choices for your life and your future.

This week's scripture: Psalm 37:23-24

Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills recently shared some Bible verses that he encouraged us to proclaim in the coming year. I know this because my girlfriend sent me one of those verses, and it inspired today’s declaration, which I love.

God stands ready to lead you and I into this new year. Let’s choose to follow him along the paths he sets before us. Why would anyone wander away from God’s path when it drips with abundance?

In my book Longing to Belong, I talk about the difference between having a scarcity mentality versus a mindset of abundance. This idea involves more than just looking at the glass as half full instead of half empty. A scarcity mentality informs us that there’s only so much to go around. If I get more, you get less. But with God, you don’t have to lose so I can gain!

God’s resources are unlimited. Jesus fed the multitudes with a few loaves of bread and some fish. Talk about dripping with abundance! If you are in relationship with God, you will not lack for any good things. Your heavenly Father has unlimited resources.

One year ago, a friend with a great sense of humor sent me a bitmoji of herself walking away from the number 2020 in a dumpster fire. I saw the same bitmoji available to send this year, and in many ways, 2021 was an extension of the unwelcome circumstances that marked 2020 as a dumpster fire. How can we be sure that 2022 will be any better? How can we be sure that the new year will drip with abundance?

We can believe and speak that good things are in store because God promises abundance, not scarcity. Jesus said that he came so that we could have life, and have it more abundantly.

So, even if the new year ends up looking like another dumpster fire, stay on God’s path for your life. It drips with abundance.

This week's scripture: Psalm 65:9-13

I pulled today’s declaration from the Old Testament Bible verses that were used as lyrics in a 1960s tune called “Turn! Turn! Turn!” Can you name—not that tune, but those verses? (Answer: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

With 2021 drawing to a close and 2022 waiting in the wings, ‘Tis the season to declare that seasons come and go by God’s design. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, God is working out his purposes according to his calendar.

Some seasons don’t make sense. What good purpose could there possibly be in seasons of hatred or war? Why can’t we always experience seasons of healing and building up? I’d much prefer seasons of laughter over tears. I definitely choose welcoming a baby into this world over releasing a dying loved one into the next world.

But just as this week’s declaration says, God perfectly times each season with purpose.

My mom died the day after Christmas two years ago. I know now that the timing of her death was perfectly established by God to avoid the isolation and loneliness of Covid. To our joy and delight, our granddaughter—who closely resembles her great grandma—was born nine months after my mom died. That little granddaughter of mine was perfectly timed by God with purpose.

I don’t know what season you’re in right now, but I do know God is working out his purposes according to his calendar of events for your life. I remember when my husband and I had to cut back the hours of a beloved employee. I’d prayed so hard for the Lord to give her another opportunity and he did! But instead of taking the full-time job I found for her, she decided to stay on part time with us until her retirement. She said, “At my age, the one thing you never have enough of is time.” She realized that she had all the material things she needed, so she didn’t need the income of full-time employment. Part-time work gave her more of what she needed—time.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. God knows where you are and what you need. He will guide your every step in 2022 if you will let him lead you.

This week's scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 

Discover the healing power of Psalm 139 in my book, Longing to Belong: Discovering the Joy of Acceptance.

Available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart.com, Booksamillion.com and Christianbook.com.

Also available as an audiobook from Audible, and as a digital download to your Kindle or from the Apple store for your iBooks app.

Take the 10-day journey with me and let Scripture heal your heart.

Look for the Longing to Belong Reading Plan on your mobile device via the YouVersion Bible app.