Tag: love

Barefoot Devotions

Blooming In Off Seasons

Hannah B.

This winter season has been unusual to say the least.  I have heard stories of flowers blooming this month because of the much warmer temperatures that are not expected in a cold January.   It’s supposed to be snowing, frigid cold, and signs of plant life are supposed to be anything but blooming.  Expectations for winter seasons are already set for us.  When things happen out of season, we tend to get confused, scratch our head, and ask, “why?” We often get stuck on thinking it’s not supposed to be this way.

Perhaps there is a lesson we can learn from the blooming flower in the off season.  Naturally, we think the flowers are confused because this is happening against the season.  The flowers did not question the season they were in, but they bloomed as they were created to.  They know the conditions needed to produce blooms and they spring forth into action.

Like the flower blooming in the off season, we may find ourselves in seasons we do not understand but we must find a way to spring forth into action.

The Word of Truth is needed in a believer’s life to produce fruitfulness, steadfastness, and new life.   When we are in relationship with God by engaging in His word, prayer, fasting, and worship we are then in right balance with the creator.  When the word is implanted in us, it is deeply woven in every part of us.   We won’t be able to stop the growth and we will want to live a life pure and undefiled.  This kind of life leads us to be doers and hearers of The Word as James instructs Christians to be. 

James teaches us that every believer will experience trials in life, but trials are a blessing.  They are opportunities for growth and to see the Father of Lights who created the light that rule the days and seasons.  His nature is unchanging, and His promises are secure.  Through creation, we can see exactly how faithful and unchanging God is.   Therefore, it is so important as believers to be deeply rooted in Christ so that when these off seasons do come, we will not be swayed but we will spring into action as we were created to.  Off seasons are opportunities to truly learn where our faith stands when resources have dried up, time is against us, and there isn’t any light at the end of the tunnel.   These seasons are where we meet opposition, lack, frustration, and maybe even wonder if we had faith at all?

But we were created for this.

It’s the place where we find out who we truly are, what our character is made of, and the condition of our heart.  In this place, we see God, place our trust in Him, and surrender. 

We must find a way to stay focused on God and our relationship with Him in every season of our journey so that when these off seasons do come, we will not find ourselves stuck or wavering.

 God is at work in all of our seasons, spiritual growth is a process and growth happens most in the seasons that seem out of balance. 

He is there and we can trust that He has a great purpose.

Qualities Needed In Off Seasons

Be swift to hear

Slow to speak

Slow to wrath

Be a doer of The Word

Read James 1 here:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=NIV

With all of my love and encouragement,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

Even Faith As Small As A Mustard Seed

Hannah B.

Faith.

The word either scares you for having to use it or the word excites you because you know just how powerful the smallest amount of faith can be.

My faith is something I cherish because I have experienced the power of the smallest amount of faith throughout my entire existence.  Faith can be powerful enough to change lives, wash sins as white as snow, empower you to believe in yourself, and chase your dreams.

Faith is scary enough to second guess the call God has given you for your NOW season.  In the moment of making a decision or living through each day during less than desirable circumstances,  faith can be paralyzing.  It can cause you to run, swim, or even catch a boat like Jonah.

I have been pondering Matthew 17:20 and just how much faith we really need if even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.  As I hold this tiny mustard seed in my hand, it almost disappears.   It is the tiniest seed but yet so powerful.   Powerful enough to break chains,  move mountains, and open the door to freedom.  

If this tiny seed has the power to move mountains, then how much faith do we need?  I have come to the conclusion that God accepts our faith that is the size of a mustard seed.  He knows that in our human flesh, we will have doubts, questions, and our minds will race with fear.  All of these emotions are normal and okay.  However, what isn’t normal is allowing ourselves to stay in this state of mind and allowing these negative emotions that are not from God to dictate our actions, thoughts, and decisions. 

We have to make a conscious decision to walk out of our emotions and into the calling God has on our life – even if it’s going to our Ninevah.  One thing that God has revealed to me is that I was created for my Ninevah.  My life experiences and who God created me to be are who my Ninevah needs.  It is apart of my calling that holds greater purpose far beyond my mind could comprehend.

Faith.  It’s like the trust fall except for this time you are guaranteed to have the absolute best outcome that was created for you by the creator of the universe.  Once you step out in obedience to Jesus and His will for your life, it’s freeing and it’s liberating.  It will set you on the path to continue to discover your calling in each of your seasons. Won’t you step out in faith and see where the journey takes you? After all, fully submitted and surrendered to God guarantees a life worth living.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for accepting my mustard seed of faith and doing more with it than I could ever comprehend. I praise you for the great things You are doing in my life. Help me to always step out in faith and trust You even when I can not see past my circumstances. You are a good, good Father and I trust You with my life. I surrender my will to You and give my life as a sacrifice to You.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Reflection

  1. How can you step out in faith in what God is calling you today in this season of your life?
  2. In what area in your life is God calling you to step out in faith and walk into your calling?

With all my love & encouragement,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

Local Community Missions: Valentine’s Day

Hannah B.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful reminder for us to remember to show love to those around us. I have never been a fan of the commercialized holiday and feel that every day we should always strive to love those who God has placed on our parts.

To be honest with you, I’ve been struggling serving in the season I am in. I have been idle wondering what can I even do? I will admit that I’ve been wanting to do BIG things and have become discouraged that I am not doing these “big” things for the Kingdom. God convicted me of this lack of obedience to Him and gently reminded me that serving others for the Kingdom begins in our now. So I asked God, “What can I do for you in my now?”

Valentine’s Day Missions

This year God led me to do a little more than the traditional Valentine candy and card exchange. My ultimate purpose was to glorify God and plant as many seeds as I could in the hearts and minds of these little children.

I remember being that child when the smallest amount of encouragement was priceless and lasted a lifetime.

In addition to providing 3 yummy treats, I created stickers addressing each individual child and my favorite verse Jeremiah 26:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

As I packaged each child’s goody bag and placed the sticker on their bag, I prayed for them by name. I spoke this verse back to God over each child and prayed that they would be bold, fearless, stand for the truth, and seek the LORD all of their days.

Go with your heart, choose a verse, and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. It’s so important to pray for our children, plant seeds in them, and encourage them. Even from afar and behind the scenes, your mission is just as important!

How did I make these?

Easy peasy!

I used Canva (free program) to design my layout. I stacked as many as I could on one 8 x 11 Printer Sticker Paper.

Once this was completed, I simply printed following the directions on the paper. Once this is done, you will have to cut each one out individually. I used my handy dandy paper cutter to make this process easy and clean.

Then you will be able to peel and stick onto the bag of your choice! I used the clear bags from Walmart that were .97 cents.

Stuff with your treats and you have completed a mission!

P.S. Let me know how you like this idea and if you will be trying it!

With all of my love and encouragement,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

Wandering In The Darkness

Hannah B.

I was driving home last night from Bible study and I was spending time talking to God about this current season I am in. The night time in Eastern Kentucky is a different kind of dark compared to the the city night I am used to. As this thought came to my mind, I realized that this season I am isn’t any different.

God showed me that even though this season isn’t ideal to me, it’s necessary. He is still here and when He answers me, it’s like a huge bright light shining on my path.

Often times in our journey, we find ourselves wandering in the dark. Seeking and searching for any kind of sign from God that will bring comfort, peace, or an answer as we continue to walk out the call God has for our life.

During this season of trials and tribulations, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s eye is on us. If we stay focused on Him, He won’t let us aimlessly walk in the dark without a purpose. He is there and we can trust that He is purposefully guiding us. He is allowing us to get to know Him intimately and is building our trust in Him. Though He may seem far away, the next time He speaks to you, answers a prayer, or gives you what your spirit is needing – it will be the brightest and purest light bulb moment that can’t be missed.

Though I have been in the dark and have felt like I have been aimlessly kicking up dirt down here on Earth, it’s the clearest I have ever heard from God in any season. For me, these moments have been pivotal and defining.

I pray you are having them too as we need to always be growing, stretching, and planting seeds. Too many people given up the fight in the darkness. Suit up and even if you feel like your just kicking up dirt, fight.

I leave you with God’s truth that is sure to get you ready for battle!

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With all of my love and encouragement,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

Light Bulb Moments

Hannah B.

Have you ever felt like you are down here on Earth wandering around with a blindfold on wondering what in the world you were doing? I have experienced this many times, even recently. I almost felt like I was lost in the darkness. Am I even on the path that was designed specifically for me? I can see how easy it is to become discouraged in the Christian walk and give up. When we reach this point, it’s important to stop and take a look at what is happening in our day to day lives and remember the truth we find in God’s Word.

I have been praying for the next adventure God has laid on my heart for this ministry. For about 500 times, I have asked God a variety of questions, “Are you sure this is it?”, “What am I doing?”, “What am I supposed to be doing that I am not doing?” I began to feel like I was aimlessly wondering in my day to day life. As I was waiting for confirmation and the next step to be revealed, the confusion began to set in with doubt starting to bloom. As I look back, I knew what God laid on my heart but I expected an entire download of His outline or maybe even a direct answer.

Now, I realize that is not always how God works especially in this season of my life. I know God is teaching me to trust in His timing while refining my soul and character to be able to keep up with His plan for my life. He is more into the process of walking out the work He has planned for our lives. It’s very gentle, loving, and kind that He changes us and our situations in a process. The process allows Him to be able to empty the world out of us so that our soul and flesh will be ready to act together when the Holy Spirit guides us to our next step.

I am reminded of the story of Noah. He gave Noah instructions on how to build the ark and then instructed him when it was time to go. Clearly, Noah had enough faith and believed in God to do as he was told even when he didn’t have the complete plan. He understood that God had made a promise for him and his family and had a purpose.

I am the type that will run toward the end goal without experiencing the process and completely miss the joy that can be found in every moment in between. The joy when we learn something new through a trial, when we are stretched outside of our comfort zone, and we step out in faith and overcome the fear that holds us back. Although growth stretches us and it can be uncomfortable, it is necessary so that we can be molded into the person God has called us to be even when we feel that we aren’t sure of the way He would have us go. Though we are being refined, we can be assured that God is with us through the process. He always provides light bulb moments on our path and when we continue to diligently seek Him and His will for our life, we will see them. If we are in tuned to the Holy Spirit, these light bulb moments will appear. We will see them when we hear someone speaks, a verse that pops up, or little reassurances that we know only God could do.

I’ve stopped rushing the process and I am starting to enjoy the little things in each day because it’s where you will find bulbs of joy, reassurance, peace, and guidance. They keep you going on the path we are called to walk and for that, I am so thankful that God would place them there just for me! Don’t forget to look for them!

Prayerfully yours,

Hannah Boyd