Ever Found Forgiveness Impossible to Offer? Run Here

May 22, 2018 by Kristi 7 Comments

Have you ever found forgiveness impossible to offer?

I thought I did a few years back. And boy, what a wrestling match!

When unforgiveness cloaks us, it’ll turn a bright, sunny face into a gray hue of anger and sorrow. Bitterness and resentment wash us with their ugly darkness. The bad scene grows darker by the day as long as we’re held hostage by our own refusal of offering.

No one jumps for joy amid a struggle with forgiveness – especially the one choosing to withhold it. It’s bad news.

Does a situation come to your mind when forgiveness seemed (or seems) impossible to offer?

There’s one thing I learned amid my struggle and eventual victory.

Regardless how difficult our situation, forgiveness proves possible – always – with Jesus Christ.

Regardless how difficult our situation, forgiveness proves possible - always - with Jesus Christ. #forgiveness Click To Tweet

What I thought impossible due to the deceitful threats of darkness, became a glorious, powerful victory with God. (Keep reading – there’s more about it at the end.)

Life changed – and all for the better.

What seems impossible due to the deceitful threats of darkness, become a glorious, powerful victory with God. #Christian #faith #forgive Click To Tweet

I found a time of worship with God that remains near and dear.

I found a Father more than willing to set the strength of His hands in mine – once I offered open, empty palms.

And I found freedom with forgiveness.

Find freedom. Offer forgiveness. #freedom #forgiveness Click To Tweet

When we’re struggling in the heat of the battle, refusing to offer forgiveness, RUN to the Father.

Sit in worship and in prayer.
Determine to forgive.
And let “thy will” be done.

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Luke 22:42 KJV

“My will” ushers us to gloomy pastures, causes us to burn with anger, hurt, and resentment. “My will” by refusing to offer forgiveness – and gosh, it’s a crazy, hard battle – lands us in the land of darkness and deceit. As I tell my kids, it’s no bueno.

So do the hard thing. Determine to forgive. Be free.

Take on the yoke of Jesus Christ. You’ll be glad you did.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matt. 11:30 WEB

When I battled to forgive, I prayed and worshiped for nearly four hours. The resentment morphed me into a hardened woman. Something had to be done – my hubby assured.

I determined to worship until “something” changed.

Running to the Lord proved the best decision possible. Something did change – me.

Offering ourselves – our hearts and our hands – to the One Above, makes forgiveness possible, even when deception assures otherwise.

Offering ourselves - our hearts and our hands - to the One Above, makes forgiveness possible, even when deception assures otherwise. #forgive #Jesus Click To Tweet

The battle is fierce, but why not try? Take your troubles and run to our faithful Father. Victory resides in Him.

Connection ~

Let’s connect on Instagram. You’ll find a variety of posts, encouragement, and conversations there.

Here’s a Powerful Book That will Deepen Our Faith

May 8, 2018 by Kristi 2 Comments

A powerful new book of faith hit bookstore shelves this month. It’s one that’ll certainly deepen faith of readers or at least cause them to pause in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith without Borders by Suzanne Eller shines boldly on bookstore shelves now, awaiting readers like you and me.

If you’ve read book reviews of mine in the past (7 pages’ worth await here, including Suzanne Eller’s Come With Me), then you realize “picky” describes my choices. I choose books with readers like you and me in mind. We’re special – God’s girls. Just “any book” won’t do. The choices reviewed and recommended on KristiWoods.net teach, they have depth and strong writing, and most of all, these solid reads draw us deeper to the heart of God.

This one made the cut – by a long stretch.

If we’re whispering honesty here, the start of The Spirit-Led Heart caused me to wonder if Suzie – a writing mentor, friend, and sister in Christ – had pushed this publication out the door too soon. Zeal and zip seemed absent initially. (Sorry, Suzie! But, those were the thoughts tossing around inside my head.)

But that soon changed. And boy, am I glad I kept reading.

A few pages in, the Spirit-Led Heart grabbed my hand, and we dove straight into the deep waters of faith. The Holy Spirit and I walked through all 10 chapters, each one spiritual meat on its own, a gourmet feast when combined. Here are a few of the words and sections I marked in my copy of The Spirit-Led Heart:

Chapter 5 contains several powerful prayers, ripe and ready for our lips and hearts. (I want to soak them all in and keep them embeded in the heart forever. They’re good!)

“Give me boldness to rest in my identity…May I live as if I’m yours.” (page 96)

Chapter 6 reminds readers they are worth fighting for. That chapter also goes on to offer this: “There’s no promise of an easy life, but there is promise of a full and abundant life.” (I like the idea and promise of full and abundant.)

Chapter 7, titled We Will Know What to Do, had one sentence that shined brightly to me: “When God speaks through the Counselor, it isn’t a rebuke, but a call to growth.”

A reader can’t help but grow through the powerful words on these pages. It’s a conversation centered on the Holy Spirit. Consider it a discussion occurring between friends, one encouraging spiritual growth without blasting the Holy Spirit all over us like a water hose’s spray to the face.

Suzie includes helpful study questions for each chapter at the back of the book. Use it for:

Home, small group, women’s group, or church studies
Homeschooling high schoolers
Self-study

Take a peek at sample pages on Amazon, journey down to the local book store (mine is called Another Chapter Book Store – isn’t that cute?), and read the back cover. Research this nonfiction read, then consider making one of its copies your own.

Have you read or reviewed The Spirit-Led Heart? Go ahead, jot your thoughts in the comments below. We love chatting about books.

Looking for other books?

Check out this Pinterest Page dedicated to books, books, and more books! (Do you love books as much as I do?!)

The publisher supplied a copy of this book to me, free of charge, in exchange for my honest opinion. Sure did. Sure is. 🙂

Is God Prompting You to Step Out in Faith Right Now?

February 27, 2018 by Kristi 28 Comments

Faith …

Have you ever sensed God prompting you to action, and deep in the heart you really, really, REALLY long to be obedient, but a blockade stands in the way?

It’s frustrating and a ball of emotions, isn’t it?

Truth be told, most of us face the obstacle of fear – that’s what it’s called – in our faith walk. And it’s just that: an obstacle.

But who sets obstacles in our path?

~ Temptation – that which is of our own will & desire

~ Darkenss – the very one who comes to kill, steal, and destroy

I wish it were as easy as hearing God, hopping up on my feet, and following. But this internal war – yowza – it creates a situation of havoc at times. Then again, it might be room for God to move. Perhaps the solution remains simplier than we consider.

Four years ago I began a writing journey. I sat at my computer, scared silly. And I kid you not, I asked God FOUR TIMES, “Are you sure?”

Call me a bit of an instant gratification gal. Mounting rejections didn’t help. My flesh squealed a bit. (Okay, a lot.) I sat ready to quit.

But the Lord reaffirmed the call, reassured with answers. One of those answers included three simple words: Stay the course.

Have you ever been called to stay the course?

Maybe those exact words ring clear or remain situationally close? It’s somewhat like “run the race well” and “work out your faith with fear and trembling.”

Four years later, I sit at my computer, like I am right now, praising God. He opened doors in ways I never expected or could see all those times I sat and wondered Lord, did you really say to write?

A door swung open at Proverbs 31 Ministries. I wrote a devotional. The comments blew.me.away. How the Lord touched hearts – oh.my.goodness. Tears streamed that day.

He opened doors at Chicken Soup for the Soul and the Owasso Reporter. He flung open opportunity at The Upper Room, and now I contribute monthly at Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. I sit here humbled and in awe of what the Lord has done, how He’s reaching folks across the globe like I never imagined.

Do you sit in awe at what the Lord has done in your life? Make a list as an offering. Click To Tweet

But there’s more. This time I sit in delayed obedience – which is a “make-me-feel-a-little-bit-better” makeshift for plain ‘ol disobedience.

Last year, I sensed a prompting to begin promoting myself as a speaker. Call me a “speaker who writes” vs. a “writer who speaks.” I feel as comfortable in front of a crowd as I do one-on-one. The only problem? Bowing to the fear of promotion has morphed this girl into a speaker who’s not speaking about Jesus.

Ouch.

Promotion of self seems about as comfortable as a wool sweater from the 1970’s, when donning one of those scratchy things without an undershirt proved pure torture.

But His plans don’t center around us. They pivot on Jesus. It’s not self-promotion; it’s lifting Jesus high.

Folks need to hear about hope. We’re called to promote. You know, the very name at which every knee will bow: Jesus.

So here I go, and I hope you’ll journey, too. Let’s listen to the Holy Spirit – promoting God Almighty. Let’s toss fear aside and venture where He calls – in utter and complete dependence, with arms lifted high in obedience, and hearts open in worship.

Here’s my first step this year:

Hello speaker card.

Area women’s ministries and groups will receive this simple postcard soon.

I wanted you, those of you subscribed here at KristiWoods.net, to be first on the “know” list. If you have speaking needs, consider praying over “who” He’s called to fill that need. Maybe it’s this girl, the one who desires to promote Jesus alone. If so, simply email me at Kristi@KristiWoods.net and take a peek at this speaker page.

Feel free to pass this along to folks you know, to pray or however He leads. Thank you for helping me step into obedience. I appreciate you!

OK readers, how about you?

Where do you feel the Lord prompting a move into obedience? Any feet willing to take one nervous step forward? How about “staying the course”? Let us know in the comments below. Because really, it’s often as simple as action – one step and then another in faith.

We’ll be cheering for you, and rest assured each comment will be prayed over.

Love you guys. #goJesus