forgiveness – Collective Circle Gathering

A Heart Like Joseph

August 23, 2018October 26, 2018 Hannah B.

The story of Joseph is full of grace, forgiveness, and love toward his brothers that wronged him. It not only demonstrates to us the importance of always seeking God first in all of our circumstances but to do so with a mindset that God will work everything out for the best possible outcome and you will overcome the circumstance at hand. Although our circumstances, problems, and people in our life intend to harm us, God has a way of intending it for our good.

Genesis 50:20 | You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

A Summary of Genesis Chapters 37-50

Isolated for Purpose

In Genesis, we read about a young boy named Joseph who was deeply loved by his father. Unfortunately, his brothers were very jealous of him. In a plot to get rid of him, his brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph soon finds himself on a caravan traveling toward the land of Egypt. However, God was with him during this time of his life as he found favor wherever he went. Unfortunately, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph on several occasions and finally, she decided to lie and tell her husband, it was Joseph who tried to seduce her.

This event led to Joseph being imprisoned for 13 years for a crime he did not commit and in a land of slavery where he was sold into. During his prison time, Joseph was promoted to the prison administrator and was in charge of the cupbearer and baker who were imprisoned with him. The two men were visibly saddened by not having anyone to interrupt the dreams they had the night before. However, Joseph correctly interpreted their dreams for them. The cupbearer was set to be restored to his position and Joseph asked him to remember him and mention him to the Pharaoh. Of course, he did not. Two full years had passed when Pharaoh’s dream needed to be interpreted. At this time, the cupbearer remembered Joseph and he was called to stand before Pharaoh and interpret the meaning of his dream. God was with Joseph and was rewarded as the second in command of Egypt.

The Purpose Revealed

Now, the famine was severe and Joseph’s brothers were sent to Egypt to buy grain for their family. Of course, Joseph is in charge of who enters the country and had authority over the land and grain. After sending his brothers off with all the grain they can carry, they were shortly stopped and searched at the orders of Joseph. Joseph had placed a silver cup in his youngest brother’s bag to “frame” him of stealing. This was a test to see if his brothers had had a change of heart, which they prove they did. Judah once wanted to sell a favored brother but this time, he offered to become the slave in Benjamin’s place. After this, Joseph makes himself known to his brothers and admits his true identity. His brothers became terrified in his presence – wouldn’t you too? Pharaoh sent carts back to their home to gather all of their wives, children, and Joseph’s aging father. They are given the best of all of Egypt.

Genesis 45: 5-8 | “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years, there will be no plowing and reaping.But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”

Could you imagine being hated by your brothers, mocked, rejected, sold into slavery by your own brothers, and then imprisoned for 13 years for a crime you didn’t commit?

The flesh wants us to cry out in anger, hate, and bitterness and act out in vengeance after we have our “woe is me” party. It is natural for us to feel these emotions and want to act in a way that we hand out our righteous justice. Do you find yourself asking, “How did Joseph not do this? What’s his secret?” Some people will hold on to their circumstances and wrongdoings that have longed passed and look forward to the day they will be able to have “their justice served”.

Let’s Look at Joseph’s Character

As we look at Joseph’s character, we can see that his heart was full of desire to worship and know God. This is what sets him apart from the people who intended him harm and his reaction in his circumstances. He wholeheartedly wanted to have a relationship with God, he embraced his gifts and wanted to share them with those he loved. Even though he found resistance from his family and was rejected, he didn’t stop. Each day he found a way to fight through and do what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Joseph accepted the circumstances that he faced without the woe is me thinking and he acted out his faith. He stayed close with the LORD and was used for a great purpose! He was a wise man that was able to see what the LORD was doing and extended so much love, grace, and mercy to his brothers that sold him into slavery. Throughout the days of his life, he found favor in the eyes of God wherever he went – even in a prison cell.

Modern Day Lessons from Joseph

In our Christian walk, we will experience hardships throughout life that will often test us and cause us to fight between our flesh and our spirit. Being a Christian isn’t about an easy walk but it’s about what’s in your heart and most importantly, your relationship with Jesus. You are called to love others as Jesus loves you – abundantly! He gives mercy, forgiveness, and grace to us even when we fall short. And, it’s expected of us to show this great love to others! Ultimately, God’s vengeance and justice are righteous and He works out every detail for those who love Him. So, why not let God handle the dirty work?

Let’s Respond

Are you responding to your situations and the people who cause you harm in the right way that Jesus Christ would approve of?

In what areas are you experiencing rejection and resistance? How can you lean on Jesus for help?

Is there an area or person in your life that you need to forgive and show God’s great love as He has done for you?

Heavenly Father,

I come to you today to thank you for seeing me through the trials I have faced in life. Search me and know my heart, God. I desire to have a heart like Joseph to display your love to those around me. Forgive me for the areas in my life that I have sinned against you. Remove anything in my life that is hindering my relationship with you, I only want you. I know it’s through your son, Jesus, that I have everlasting life and the strength to endure the hardships I face. I lay them all down at your feet and know that you will provide a way. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!

Psalm 34:17 | The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

Psalm 34:19 | The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

Xoxo,

Hannah Boyd

P.S.

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Barefoot Devotions

1996 – A Bus Kid

July 10, 2018 Hannah B.

It is a hot and humid typical Southern day that triggers the memory of Vacation Bible School. The joy of going to church that provided a vacation from home and hope fresh on the mind and heart. Looking forward with joy and anticipation of the church van that would be coming down the dirt road to carry you to church for the evening.

1996 was different. It was two extremes colliding together. It was a culmination of events that would set the lives of a family on fire that would burn until there was nothing left to burn. It began with a bus kid.

It was a year of great suffering, but the joy that was coming was far greater than the issues that come with alcoholism, drug addiction, and a broken home.

It started with the love of Christ that filled the bus that was displayed by someone who loved God. Someone who experienced God’s love, mercy, hope, and forgiveness.

It continued for the week with God convicting a nine year old girl of the sins that made her dirty. Not the kinda dirt you get from riding four wheelers and playing in the dirt all day but a kind of dirty that could only be washed away by Jesus’ blood.

Barely able to stand. Barely able to speak. Knowing the only place to be is down at the alter seeking the truth, redemption, solace, and accepting God’s truth and the only way to everlasting life through the death of His son, Jesus.

Jesus Accepted. Set Free. Hope Obtained. Life Given.

The moment she walked in her front door – life was about to change. The catalyst was about to ignite. Salvation would spread to a dad and sister chained to addiction. A wife and family’s prayers would soon be answered.

I am a bus kid, this is my story, and this is how God found us.

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

Guest Post: Surrendering to God

June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 Hannah B.

Hey, Y’all! Thanks for stopping by. I have a special guest post by a dear friend of mine. She does not know this but she made an impact on my life when we first met back in November 2013. I witnessed her faith and wondered what in the world was this girl into and how do I get it? If God could work in her, maybe He could work in me too. Her story is powerful. She is real and I know you will be blessed to read a part of her story.

Without any more of my rambling, here ya go:

Hello, my name is Jessica. I was recently asked by Hannah to share a testimony that others could relate to and show how the Lord’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy has saved me. At first, I was hesitant, I prayed and thought about it. I really was not sure that I wanted to share publicly about my past. The Lord began to speak to me and said, don’t be selfish, you will help others with your testimony. Rev.12:11 “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” NIV So I pray that with me sharing a part of my past and testimony it will help and be an encouragement to at least one other person who feels as lost as I did!

From a young age, I was raised in church, taught right from wrong, and was a pretty well-behaved child. As I got older, like many others, I strayed from church and the Lord. Towards the end of my senior year is when I really let loose. I began to drink, it got to the point that it was all I wanted. I went to bed drinking and woke up drinking. My mom wanted me to get help. I started smoking weed, I did that for a summer. I had to be at every party, the life of the party, every day of the week if there was one. I even spent a night in jail for it. The WORST thing ever! Many times I did not know how I made it home safely. I had a sailors mouth, MF’er was my favorite word. I was mean, just mean. I was very blunt and outspoken, I didn’t care what I said or who I said it to. I was Jessica and I could do and say whatever I wanted and no one could do anything about it. I was known as a B****. And I loved it, for whatever reason.

In my twenties, I moved away, started college, and lived in fornication for years. I was nowhere near perfect and honestly felt like I was so far from the Lord that I was too scared to try to go back, how could He love me after all I had done. I knew that it was wrong, but I still chose to do it. Why would He love me? I started going back to church on and off, but I was still not at peace. I felt so stuck and hopeless. I wasn’t fully giving my heart and burdens to the Lord. Finally, one day I just decided to rededicate my life to the Lord and there was no looking back. I could not do it anymore. I couldn’t live by Jessica’s rules anymore. I was so unhappy and lost. I had to return home and to my Father’s love. The Lord welcomed me with open arms and accepted me as I was and the mess that I was in. Joel 2:13 “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. KJV

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. NIV

I just want to say that if you feel like you are too far gone to be helped or that there is no God at all, I am praying that you have that life-changing encounter with Him! The one that shows and proves that He is real and has never left you and never will! That you feel His presence and His love like never before. I pray that He wraps His arms around you and surrounds you with a sweet song and a tender kiss. God loves you too, just as much as He loves me! You are His child, He can’t deny you! He is waiting for you to come home! If He can do a work and change in me, He can do it in you! I have often encouraged others to do the wrong things before and now I want to encourage them to do the right thing, the best decision you could ever make. Let God take the lead. Give it all to Him. There is nothing too big or small for Him. Let him be your Lord and savior!

Jessica B.

Jessica is originally from a small town in Virginia and currently living in Georgia. She is very laid back and quiet most of the time. She enjoys to hike, the outdoors, and staying active. Spending time with family is a priority to her. She has a furbaby named Kirra, the queen and boss of the house! She loves to serve and help others and be an encourager whenever she can. She leads the singles small group at her church and serves in Family Promise and wherever else she is needed! She has a desire to be His hands and feet whenever possible!

Leave Jessica some love in the comments! If you were touched by this post, be sure to share on all of your social media feeds so we can reach others.

Do you have a powerful story to tell? Let me know! We are looking for more stories from real people to show how powerful God is when we allow Him to work in us and fully surrender to Him.

Barefoot Devotions

Hope for The Fatherless

June 18, 2018June 26, 2018 Hannah B.

For as long as I could remember, Father’s Day has been a bittersweet day that was surrounded with sadness. A day that served as reminder that a little girl would not always have the daddy she so desperately wanted to have. I prayed to have but a prayer that went unanswered. My daddy tried the best that he could considering his addictions and other issues I began to realize as an adult. Eventually, the day became surrounded with anger as I grieved the loss of him and my childhood. No chance for redemption. Emotions of anger, jealously of people who still had their dad, depression surrounded me and plagued me for a decade after his death.

I don’t tell you this to be sad for me or feel bad for me because even though we had a lot of bad times, we had a lot of good times too. In the end, the good outweighed the bad and I thank God for His unanswered prayers. Through my journey, Jesus was there in the blackness still surrounding me with a grater plan than I could ever imagine. He provided the answers along the way as I cried out my whys to Him. He gave me the peace that I needed to carry on another day especially on Father’s Day.

Even in my darkest days that turned to years, my vision only allowed me to see blackness in my current state. Hopeless. Discouraged. Depressed. Grieved. Angered. Fatherless. Orphaned. Lost in a dream that wasn’t a reality and didn’t have the chance at ever being a reality.

It was at that moment that God started changing my heart and opening my eyes to the most impactful statement He has ever told me in my Christian life:

I am your Father and everything you ever needed and will need in a daddy. Stop searching.

Although I still had years of emotions to unravel, this marked the moment that my hardened heart began to crumble and heal my “daddy issues”.

The next phase allowed me to truly forgive my dad, it was realizing that my dad did the absolute best that he could be physically, spiritually, and mentally for me. Once I accepted that, I quit blaming him for not trying hard enough. I realized he did try – to the point of exhaustion and to the breaking point of someone with an addiction. As I realized this, I wave of guilt washed over me and they only place I could go to make it right was to the LORD.

It’s freeing when such burdens are lifted but as they are lifted so are the blinders that cover your eyes. You are able to look at the situation with opened eyes and realize the affect of your actions and are able to acknowledge the stubbornness and pride in your heart.

When the blinders are removed, you are able to see further out than what is in front of your face. My next moment was that I was blessed with uncles that were always there and stepped in to fill the role. Even though they weren’t my earthly dad – they were placed in my life for what I would need.

As these truths were unveiled to me and I accepted them into my heart, I became free from a false reality, a false expectation, and a false idea. The idea I had was not what God intended for my life. When we let go of our preconceived ideas and accept that our ideas and plans weren’t part of God’s will, that is when He can work and show us His plan. When we fully accept that He is God, He is good, and He loves us enough to not let us settle for anything less, we surrender it all to Him willingly. I realized that for some reason He needed that little girl to go through heartache, trials, and the ugly feelings to get to where I am now. Whatever His reason is, I am thankful He chose me.

I am exactly where God needs me at this very moment and I have been this entire journey. Perhaps, it’s all about your perspective. You can focus on the negative and the things you can’t change or you can focus on who you were grown into during the experiences.

I am not Fatherless and neither are you. We are loved dearly by a God that doesn’t change, doesn’t leave, and loves us unconditionally.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Happy Father’s Day God! And Happy Father’s Day to my earthly daddy who taught me a lot about life.

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

P.S. If this post touched you, drop a line below and be sure to share on your social media feeds.

Barefoot Devotions

Faith Over Fear: Season One // Day Six

May 14, 2018May 16, 2018 Hannah B.

Pondering

It’s time to place your shame into God’s hands. When you allow past and present transgressions, the adversary and people’s opinions and judgments about you to seep into your mind, you will start believing them instead of what God believes about you. When this happens, you will begin to feel shame over false pretenses because his love for you is more powerful than anything that makes you feel embarrassed or ashamed. Go to God’s throne room and lay down the thoughts and past transgressions that cause you shame. There is forgiveness available for the taking, will you take it? Allow God to wash your sins as white as snow and start new.

1 John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

3 Hebrews 4:16 Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

Praying

Heavenly Father, I bow down in your throne room seeking forgiveness for the things that I have done that have covered me like crimson. I know that through you, my sins are forgiven and I am made white as snow. Remove all the opinions and judgments that I have accepted from others and replace them with your opinions. Replace my feelings of shame with your grace, mercy, and love. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen!

Practicing

After seeking forgiveness and turning away from your sins, what steps can you do to ensure you don’t look back when the enemy reminds you?
Study God’s word so that you begin to learn His heart, His ways, and His will.
Stay in constant connection with Jesus and talk to Him just like you would your best friend. When He is on your mind, it is easier to walk with Him.

Xoxo,

Hannah B.