Tag: healing

Barefoot Devotions

Judas: The Unexpected Side

Hannah B.

The last few days I have been pondering the life of Judas and how sin grew in his life to the point of turning Jesus over to be crucified. The weight of his actions were enough to drive him mad with shame and guilt to commit suicide.

But I don’t want to talk about that. That’s not what has blown my mind. This is what has blown my mind:

Jesus loved him. Jesus still taught him. Jesus still treated him like a disciple. Jesus washed his feet at The Last Supper. Even though He knew Judas would betray Him.

Perhaps Judas’ life is not just a testament of what not to do in life but a grand picture of God’s unexplainable and never ending love and grace for us – no matter what we have done.

We have all fallen short and have sinned against God but I know at some point we might be thinking, “at least I’m not Judas.”

Your consequences may not have led to the death of our Risen Savior but the reality is this: We are all Judas and we all have the potential to do great harm to those around us if we have unconfessed sins and a rotten heart.

I believe that our Sovereign God allowed this to happen to show that no matter what we do in our life, there is always another way. His grace and love awaits us through it all. He never leaves us and even though He knows we will betray Him at some point in our life, His love is still unexplainable and never ending.

After all, He was still willing to wash the feet of the one who betrayed Him.

We can learn a lot from the life of Judas especially what not to do but we can also learn how deep the love of God is for us regardless of what we have done.

Not only does this lesson lead into the greatest historical moment known to humanity, but this betrayal led to Jesus dying in the cross for us so that we might have everlasting life with Him.

Personal Reflection:

1. In your own ways, how are you like Judas?

2. Is there something that prevents you from feeling worthy enough to surrender your life wholeheartedly to Jesus?

3. After doing a heart check, will you confess any sin to God and turn from it? This will prevent a rotten heart and allow for change in you life.

With all of my love and encouragement,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

A Christmas Miracle

Hannah B.

As I am sitting here reflecting by the tree, I am reminded of a time of my very own Christmas miracle I experienced as a little girl.

Many years ago I was in a church Christmas play but I just didn’t have my lines completely memorized. I don’t remember much about this Christmas play, the part I played, or even the year. This part I am about to tell you, I remember well.

My mom, sister, and I were on our way to the Christmas play but as we reached the top of our long drive way, my dad was parked at the top with his truck. From the back seat, I heard him tell my mom that I didn’t need to see this. Immediately, I knew something was wrong as my dad neared the window of the car. He told me the absolute worst news I ever thought I’d receive. My dog Daisy had been run over and did not survive.

The pain was heart wrenching and I didn’t understand why this had happened. During the complete hysterical meltdown and out of no where, I knew every word to my part of the play. My crying immediately ceased and my mournful cry turned to joyful cry. For a little girl, it was truly a Christmas miracle despite the devastation that was experienced just minutes before.

As life has passed me by, I’ve often wondered if Christmas miracles really happen anymore. This past holiday season, I have witnessed a beautiful Christmas miracle. It started with a chance encounter with one man that changed my life. With my brief encounters with this man, I have learned the true meaning of Christmas and I have learned that Christmas miracles do happen.

This kind hearted man has been living in a tent under a bridge. He is the most genuine and selfless person you will ever meet and when you are in his presence, you can feel his goodness. He volunteers at the local shelter and gives what he can. Our local hotel has given him a place to stay until his housing is official. Although he has experienced a rough time, he has shown me that love, kindness, and giving are free and it doesn’t take much to make a difference.

For the first time in my life, I truly understand the meaning of Christmas. I thank God for placing a stranger in my life as I have witnessed the pureness, sweetness, peace, and joy of the Christmas spirit and the possibility of Christmas miracles.

When the body of Christ works together in unity, amazing God miracles can happen. This my friends, is why it is important to drench every fiber of your being with God’s word so that you may walk in spirit and truth because you never know what miracle you are missing!

Have a Merry Christmas, my beautiful friends!

With all of my love,

Hannah Boyd

Barefoot Devotions

Beacons of Light

Hannah B.

Often I hear complacent Christians complaining about this dark world we live in.  As Christians, yes, we can speak about this but we don’t have the right to complain unless we are doing our part.  We are to be light beacons in this dark world and it’s a dark world.  I look around and I see more darkness than I do light.  The light in some people’s eyes has completely gone out.  They don’t have any hope, only sorrow, and despair.

Sin can be appealing because it feels like it’s the only vice that has numbed their pain to make their life tolerable to deal with the repeated disappointment, despair, abuse, addiction, and broken home. We don’t know what goes on beyond closed doors or what havoc the enemy is causing.

Are we persecuting the sin or the sinner? Be concerned for their spiritual well-being. There is a deeper rooted issue under the sin that could be holding them in bondage. People are broken for reasons that may be unspeakable but for crying out loud, love them!  Even if it’s just to love on someone for a moment. One day they may look back at that one act of love and there will be a shadow cast in their darkest days. A shadow that offers a glimmer of hope.

John 1:5 | The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

They have not experienced God’s perfect love. It has not crashed over them like tidal wave drowning them in this perfect love that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

We must do our part and live out this redeeming love for others. The smallest act of kindness could mean the world for one person. One day they will look back and to them, it would be a light in their darkness.

1 Peter 4:8 | “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

These words are written out of my own experiences and I have felt them down to my innermost being. So many people have been placed strategically in my life and have been like dragonflies lighting the way in my darkness. It’s our turn to light up the darkness that surrounds us and is drowning those around us.

Matthew 5:16 | In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I leave you with this: Through Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross, we have a way to always have His light in our life that turns on life for us and gives us eternal life.

Jesus is my salvation and the only way. Because He has reconciled and redeemed me, I must do my part to share Him with others and live out Christ’s perfect love. I hope you will join spreading me this contagious redeeming love.

John 8:12 | When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

With all of my love,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

Pass The Fig Leaves

Hannah B.

Pollution occurs in the environment when things that weren’t there before are added into the air.  Now, we don’t see this happen as it begins and starts to seep into the earth’s atmosphere but soon we will realize the damaging effects of our choices.

Isn’t sin like pollution? 

Humans are so absorbent of their environment and their minds and if you are allowing yourself to be surrounded by the wrong friends, peers, and even acquaintances you are susceptible to the pollution they’re adding to the air around them.  Just like a crafty serpent, people can be persuasive, cause you to sway, and to doubt the truth.

Lessons from Eve

Genesis Chapter 3

As we look at Eve in Genesis, we learn that this is what happened to her.  The serpent was able to place seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind that caused her to question and doubt God’s goodness.  He used a sincere motive to make her feel like it was okay to eat the fruit so she could be like God.  After all, aren’t we called to be like God? In our walk with Christ, we are being sanctified and we are growing to become more like Christ.  Ultimately, this is our goal as humans who have a relationship with Jesus and serve the one true God.

In this chapter of the Bible, we see the quick spread of sin from Eve to Adam and as the chapters move on we can see the ripple effect of sin from the garden to Sodom and Gomorrah to today’s generation.  Adam and Eve did not realize their sins would pollute the generations to come, all the way to today’s generation.  Once they realized they were naked in the garden, they felt shame and guilt. To remedy their guilty conscience, they looked to eliminate their sin by sewing garments out of fig leaves.

In this story, we can see how easy it is to fall into the enemy’s traps – he is crafty and can twist and make any temptation look like a good, pleasing, and even a right thing!  If God tells us not to do something and we do it, we defy God and his authority over our lives.  We take his place and decide what is best for our life and circumstances.  When our conscience makes us aware of our sin, we need to repent and allow Jesus to cover our shortcomings.  Like Adam and Eve, we can believe we are running and hiding our sin from God, but He knew our sin before we decided to fall into temptations and there is no running.

Which Way Will You Pass The Fig Leaves?

Fighting temptation is something everyone will do more than once in their life.  It begins with a thought in our mind, and we have to choose if we will allow this sin in our lives or if we will fight it.

James 1:14| But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

As we stand on the edge of stepping over to do what is right or wrong, there is a rush of adrenaline as we try to make a decision as quickly as we can.  There are two questions we can ask ourselves when we are in this situation:

1) Are you going to sew the fig leaves into garments to cover your sin, hide from God, and pollute those around you? 

Or 

2) Are you going to pass on the fig leaves and be honest with God and let the blood of Jesus cover your sins and be allowed in God’s presence? 

Consequences of Sin

Romans 6:23 | The wages of sin is death.

Sin sucks our souls dry and will drain us of fruits of the spirit. Spiritual death would be eternal separation from God.

Isaiah 59:2 | But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.

Not only will we be separated from God but He will hide His face and will not hear you.

Overcoming Temptation

  • HIDE in God’s presence and fill yourself with His word! When we know the truth, we will know when the enemy is lying to us.

  • Psalm 119:11 | I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

  • PRAISE is an antidote to overcome your doubt and not let it seep into your mind.  When we praise God for everything he has done and is continuing to do in our life, we do not have room to doubt.  When we remember the things He has done we will become more confident in the temptation we are fighting.
  • PRAY – it’s our lifeline to Jesus! We are able to fight and stand against temptations when we are in communion with God.  He is the only one able to help us in our times of need and deep trouble.
  • REMOVE yourself from any toxic situations or people – friends, family, acquaintances. 2 Timothy 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Overcoming Temptation

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

P.S. If you enjoyed this blog, be sure to share on your favorite social media feeds! As always, I welcome your feedback, comments, and questions.

Barefoot Devotions

Blessings In Obedience

Hannah B.

Let’s Relate Together

The word obedience is an unfriendly word to a person who has a rebellious streak.  It’s the type of word that makes you turn ahead in the Bible and hope you see a page that is more pleasing to the flesh.  As a young child, I developed a stronghold to do the opposite of what anyone told me to do.  It could be as simple as someone telling me to wear a pink shirt over the blue shirt.  I would pick the blue shirt simply because I was told to wear the pink shirt – even if I despised the blue shirt.   The reason I am sharing this with you because I want you to understand how difficult breaking this stronghold has been over the years.  I have learned that a lot of the situations I have put myself in could have been avoided because I simply needed to obey God and heed His word.

Let’s Talk About Obedience To God

Obedience to God is an essence of a Jesus follower and we must be listening and heeding His word daily.  By doing this, we ensure that we are indeed in His will.  When we are aligned with God we receive His counsel, healing, and rewards.  God even calls us His treasure!  This scripture can be found in Exodus 19:5

Exodus 19:5 | Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.

An obedient act for God could be something like telling your co-worker about Jesus, stepping out of your comfort zone,  and the most valuable act would be relinquishing something that you are holding tightly to. God will reveal to you the areas in your life He needs you to be obedient in.

For example: I have wrestled with separating myself from the only social connection I have because it simply wasn’t meant to be. Out of fear, I stayed connected because I was fearful of being “alone”. After leaving this Facebook group, not even an hour later I received a message from a sweet friend whose words were Kingdom building related.

Let’s Talk About Why It’s Hard

The Israelites wandered around in the wilderness for forty years – it was a trip that should have taken two weeks for them to complete but halfway through they became discouraged and afraid of the Canaanites.  With their fleshly eyes, they saw people who were far too powerful for them to overtake.  Instead, they disobeyed God and in His anger He allowed them to wander. You can check out the story here: Numbers 32

Joshua 5:6 | The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Do you often feel like we are wandering in life without a sign or a glimpse of hope?  Perhaps there was something God asked you to do and you allowed fear to overtake you and it stopped in your tracks.