She Chooses

The book of Ruth is a message to the Bride of Christ. It shows us God's call that goes out to all of us, and our free will to respond. Will we follow Christ, or will we follow this world?

In this first episode of this series we dig into the background of this beautiful book, and come face to face with the temptation we all experience at one point or another will we step outside of God's promise, or will we sit in the wait?

Waiting is a hard thing, especially in our current cultural climate. Those that choose to endure it however find just as Ruth does - it's worth it EVERY TIME.

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There are days where it feels like there is a barrier we have to overcome in order to get time in with Jesus.

Join me in this episode where we talk about 5 ways to get Jesus into our day. 

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Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

What does a peacemaker look like to you? What do they do, how do they carry themselves?

What does a peacemaker do? 

Peacemakers bring light where darkness once was and speaks truth where lies once lived. 

Psalm 91 tells us there is a secret place, a place of safety, refuge protection, and peace. This Beatitudes point us to the secret place where we can abide with Christ. 

So many of us are looking to find this place and learn what it means to abide. Many of us get caught up thinking doing Christian things will take us there, however doing Christian things doesn’t equal abiding in Christ. 

To Abide means to bear patiently, to endure without yielding. To withstand – to wait for. To Abide is not doing nothing – it’s a verb. Which is where many of us get tripped up. We don't think it should take any effort, and don't want to accept that to abide is action and involves effort.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What does it mean to take up your cross?

The first and last Beatitude possess the same reward, why do you think they’re laid out this way?

Join me in this episode as we continue our journey through the Beatitudes.

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When you think of mercy what do you think of?

Mercy defined: A compassion to one in need or helpless distress, or in debt and without claim to favorable treatment.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew 18 – Peter asks how many times to forgive. He expected there to be an end to mercy. Because why wouldn't you?

I mean fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me - right?

We have basically zero tolerance when it comes to other's shortcomings, but when it comes to our own we expect it.  

Matthew 7:3-5

Why do you think we notice other people’s specks before we recognize our own planks?

Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor

This man did not understand the magnitude of mercy and forgiveness that had been poured out on him.

The same is true of us.  

We don’t understand the magnitude of God’s mercy if we excuse ourselves from showing mercy to another. (that’s a deep thought to consider) Thought for private reflection: Who are we refusing to show mercy to?  

When we are abiding in Christ our hearts can hear when God calls us to extend mercy. It is because we understand the hurt, we have caused that allows us to forgive those who have hurt us. 

Self-righteousness, pride and lack of obedience are often what stand in our way.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

This world says don't be merciful. Hate others who think differently then you. Don't associate with them, don't go to dinner with them, absolutely do not become a friend to them... And we are seeing this sad spiral as we watch this mentality taking over our country is right now. 

But God says no, our outlook needs to be changed - He wants to transform our mind. When we allow him to transform our mind - something amazing happens as he purifies our heart, and softens it from the stone that it used to be. 

A pure heart is a requirement to be a disciple.

What does  a pure heart look like? 

How do we go from a deceitful heart to a pure heart? 

Proverbs 4:23 says to guard our heart. 

What does that mean to you?

Join me in this episode as we continue our journey through the Beatitudes. 

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We must learn to embracing meekness in a culture where assertiveness and aggressiveness are esteemed. 

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness is contentment with who you are and with where God has called you. 

Example: Jesus had the power to do anything he wanted yet allowed betrayal and death -> a perfect picture of meekness. For Him to allow this to happen required self-control, submission and surrender. 

Our culture tends to teach us those who are meek are week. To say meekness is weakness considering Jesus’ example however is absurd. 

Someone who is meek understands the pour of mourning and brokenness (Penthos & Ptochos the Greek words mentioned in Lesson 1) and submission to authority. This understanding produces within them a gentleness and peace bringing life to those around them. 

The Greek word for Meek is Prays with two dots over the y. This word is used to describe a soothing medicine and a gentle breeze. It was also used in reference to taming wild animals. Think about that something once wild has been tamed. Meekness is power under control. Submitting strength to someone who can put them to greater use. 

Matthew 26:47-68

Psalm 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the earth. And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

Zephaniah 3:12, I shall leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

God uses the natural to explain the spiritual. We see this with our hunger and thirst. 

Just as we die without food and water in the physical, we die spiritually when we don’t feed our spirit. 

This Beatitude acknowledges our hunger and thirst and says we should be feasting on righteousness. Feeding our spirit by feasting on righteousness gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. 

Hungering for righteousness and having a sacred desire for Christ alone develops an intimacy with Christ that lays the foundation of our faith. This hunger helps us develop a life that pushes aside distractions that do not satisfy this hunger. 

A question to ask ourselves is – what am I feeding on? Status, success, career, family, education? Hurt, habits, hang ups? What do I look for to find satisfaction?

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What does it mean to be blessed? How do we know we’re living a good life? What’s the source of a good life?

The Pharisees said it was found in a list of regulations. Jesus said it’s found in these short paradoxical statements that when we dig into them we find they cut us straight to the core. They challenge us from every side. If we're willing to endure the refining however, they will change our life and help develop our walk with Jesus outlining for us what Christian living is all about by developing within us the character needed to walk in the purpose God has set for us. 

Join me in today's episode as we talk through, what does it mean to be blessed. Journey with me as we walk through the first two Beatitudes 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

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Are you looking for authenticity in your walk for the Lord? Perhaps you feel as though you can’t quite get this Christian Living right.

Maybe it doesn’t feel as though you expected or you can’t seem to get past different areas or struggles?

Let’s lean in together to examine how Jesus says we should live. New Series is dropping soon! Stay tuned!

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What's the purpose of She Chooses? Who is this podcast for?

This is for the woman who desperately desires change, wants to believe the life she dreamed of isn't foolishness, and some where deep down believes it can and will happen. She's ready for it to happen and even willing, just lacks the "know how" to take the first step.

If that's you - This podcast IS for you, because just like you - I've been in that place feeling stuck like you're in a pit. It's that place where you feel like a victim of life. As if it's just happening to you, and you think you have ZERO control over ANY thing.

My sweet sister, I know that place all too well. 

Getting out of it feels hopeless, and overwhelming. You wonder where to start? And you consider whether escaping is even possible? I felt that way too, but God made a way pulling me from the muck and mire of my pit, and his desire is the same for YOU. Don't even allow your rebutted thoughts to declare differently. Your lack of confidence, and self doubt are no match for the love of our Heavenly Father.

God's word shows us consistently ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Let's explore God’s word. Learn who he is, and fall passionately in love with our Creator. 

Together, we will learn the truth of what He says. As a direct result, He will pull us from the miry pits formed by the lies we've believed, and the choices we've made, and we'll be shaped into the woman He desires us to be. And we’re going to do it simply, step by step, decision by decision, as together we’re learning how to – Choose Him.

Let's not be so busy this week checking boxes preparing the Easter outfits, the meal, packing the eggs, filling the baskets that we forget what this is all about. Let's remember to take time to linger in His word - and remember this isn't just a tradition we're adhering to. This the greatest rescue story of all time. OUR rescue story, which isn't a story at all - it's reality. A reality that we all will face as one day we stand face to face with the One who died and is looking us over to see has the blood been applied? 

The details of Passover, and those seen in the last week of Jesus life correlate in a lock step manner to what God laid out for the Israelites to follow 1500 years prior to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The Cross is personal, which leads us to see Passover is personal. 

Jesus' is our Passover Lamb. 

We all have our own personal Egypt we need freed of; drugs, alcohol, financial struggle, depression, anxiety, toxic relationships, poor decision making, whatever it is - a worldly idea, lifestyle, that we are stuck in and just can't seem to break free from. 

In today's episode, we're going to approach by taking Exodus 12:1-12 verse by verse and examine their parallel to the last week of Jesus' life and the work He did on the Cross. 

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Barabbas vs. Jesus looked at another way is really son of a father saved by the Son of the Father.  Barabbas is mentioned in all four gospels of the New Testament. In this episode we'll look at two valuable aspects of the message we find in Barabbas life and how they are applicable to our own.  

1) The choice in the Garden. Is the same choice in the courtyard.  

2) Barabbas' story parallels our own. As offensive as it feels we are Barabbas.  Barabbas was a sinner in need of a Savior.  We are a sinner in need of a Savior. 

Join me as we explore what was happening as we read of Barabbas standing next to Jesus, and the choice presented to the people. 

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