“Would you like fries with your hamburger? And how about a milkshake?” “That quarterback is incredible! He threw for 300 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions!” “Through financial planning, we have an emergency fund, retirement savings, and are living debt-free!”
What do these statements have in common? They all describe a trifecta—a winning combination of three!
But what is a trifecta, really? According to the dictionary, a trifecta is “a group of three things, or an achievement that involves three successful outcomes.” Or to summarize: an ultimate trio!
Some days, we’re just hoping for one thing to go right—a single win to lift our spirits. But in John 14:6, Jesus offers us the ultimate trio, one that doesn’t just give us a good day, but secures our eternity:
Let’s break “the ultimate trio” down:
1. Jesus is the Way
One of my favorite moments in a book series I will always cherish is when Aslan (the great lion, a picture of Jesus) walks beside a boy on his journey. The boy doesn’t know the path, but Aslan does. He stays close, even standing between him and the cliff’s edge, guiding and protecting him.
I often find myself asking Jesus for a roadmap for my life. I want the full itinerary—the big picture, the “where are we going and how long will it take?” But instead, Jesus simply invites me to take one step. “Let’s go this way,” He says. Then another step. And another.
Maybe you’re longing for direction right now. Maybe you feel lost, unsure of what comes next. Here’s the good news: Jesus isn’t just sending you on your way—He is walking with you. You are not alone.
2. Jesus is the Truth
In today’s world, truth feels like shifting sand. Social media, news, and opinions spread faster than we can process, and we’re left wondering: What is real? What is trustworthy?
But friend, there is an anchor. There is a truth that never changes.
Truth is not just a concept—it’s a person. And that person is Jesus.
His Word, the Bible, is God’s love letter to us. It’s unshakable, unchanging, and the ultimate source of truth. In a world filled with noise, His voice is the only one that matters.
Have you opened His Word lately? If not, start today. Begin in the book of John and discover the truth that brings peace and freedom to your heart and mind.
3. Jesus is the Life
Eternal zoe life. Abundant life.
The enemy has his own dark trio—he comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But Jesus came to give us life—not just in eternity, but right now!
Without Jesus, sin and death hold us captive. But through Him, we are washed clean. We are set free. We are given life.
And beyond eternal life, Jesus offers abundant life today. A life of joy. A life of purpose. A life where even in hard seasons, we are never without hope.
I don’t know about you, but I need His life-giving presence every single day. I need His name to fight my battles—against fear, doubt, discouragement, and anything else the world throws at me. And I need to hear His whisper:
“I got you. Your story is not over. It is just beginning.”
What About You?
Where do you find yourself today?
Searching for direction? Jesus is the way. Longing for truth in a world full of confusion? Jesus is the truth. Feeling weary and in need of His kind of life? Jesus is the life.
The answer is found in Him!
This week, I challenge you to reflect on John 14:6 and take action: What step is Jesus asking you to take today? Maybe it’s opening your Bible. Maybe it’s surrendering a decision. Maybe it’s simply remembering you are never alone.
He is walking with you. He is speaking truth over you. He is offering you life.
Will you trust Him? Will you let the Holy Spirit work the “ultimate trio” in your life today?
Let me know in the comments how I can pray for you this week!
Until next time,
P.S. Please let me know in the comments how I can be praying for you this week!
On a whim several summers ago, my girls and I attended a local Lantern Festival in July, that magical month when long, sun-soaked afternoons melt into warm, starry nights. With our tickets, each of us decorated a lantern with a “wish” or blessing while sitting together in the lush summer grass. We shared each of our lantern blessings, and as the sunset dipped low, people gathered by a small lake. A warm glow was lit inside each lantern, and we watched as the lanterns drifted to settle on the water’s surface. Like something out of Tangled, it was a moment of pure magic that filled my heart with so much joy. The soft golden glow mingling with the Colorado sunset, and having my girls nearby, made it all the more unforgettable—a memory I’ll treasure always.
When you hear the word luminous, maybe you think of a candlelit path on a dark night, sparkling fireflies amongst the fields, or the rare sparkle of bioluminescent algae in the sea. Luminous means “full of light; bright and shining in the dark.” No matter where life finds us—whether we’re in moments of joy or sorrow, dawn or darkness—God’s light is always with us, shining most brightly when we need it the most.
Because of Christ’s “luminous love” poured out for us, we walk in His light each and every day. There’s no place too hidden, no darkness too deep for His light to reach us.
Recently, while waiting in line for coffee, I met a woman who gently shared her story. She’d survived a Japanese internment camp in the Philippines as a child, held there with her family from age four to seven. She described how the mothers would recall their favorite recipes to each other in the camp, dreaming of the meals they’d make together again one day. Even in hunger and fear, these mothers held onto pieces of joy and connection. The children, worn and hungry, would find ways to play together, and her father reminded them to “stay positive, and focus on the good.” Through those years, each member of her family survived. The secret, she said, was in keeping their hearts anchored to hope and beauty, no matter what. Even in the darkest places, they carried a flicker of light with them.
Like her, we each have a choice to dwell in shadows or focus on the light—Jesus, our constant guide and friend. He has faithfully led me through my darkest nights, and I know He will continue to. He has been, and will always be, as steady as a lighthouse beacon, faithfully guiding us home.
Sometimes, when we face struggles, we feel we need to do something extra to be worthy of His help. But God doesn’t just send His light or peace; He is our light, is our peace. He is there, right beside us, steady and near. Because His light is within us, we can “gather and share the light,” becoming a gentle reflection of His love.
This world needs Christ’s “luminous love” more than ever. Sometimes people find it at church or a Biblestudy, or sometimes in a redemptive story that rescues them from a dark place. But often, the light that draws people to Christ is the light they see in each of us moment by moment, day by day. Let’s not hesitate to be His light and to share His love with those around us. There are many who may be seeing the light of Jesus for the first time through you. Let Him use you today to shine His love into lives that have never dared open the door.
So today, dear friend, soak in the luminous love of Christ to the fullest. Take in His Word, linger in prayer, and rest in His presence. Know that He, the Light of the world, is with you always. You are constantly surrounded by His luminous love and that makes a world of difference.
Until next time,
P.S. A couple of my other blogs mentioning “The Light”:
I wouldn’t say I was necessarily walking in the wrong direction, but with the gentle guidance of a loving Father, I found myself back on track. It was the summer of 2009, and just hours after discovering I was pregnant, I found myself on an adventure, climbing a 14er (Mount Democrat) with my dad, husband, and a foreign exchange student, Katia. Somehow, Katia and I ended up leading the way for a little while. The guys followed behind, and we thought we’d found the right path. It seemed narrow and rocky, but we kept moving forward, thinking it was the way to go.
Then, my dad’s whistle pierced the air. I looked back and saw him motioning toward a different trail. Sure enough, after we regrouped, he explained that the path Katia and I were on was actually a game trail—used by animals. That trail wouldn’t have led us to the top of the mountain like we had hoped.
It’s easy to believe we’re on the right path in life, isn’t it? Like me with my loving dad, we all need our Heavenly Father to guide us back when we’ve strayed. Maybe we’ve rushed ahead, thinking we know what’s best or that we can make it on our own. But, friend, it’s always better to walk with the Shepherd—following His way, His direction, and His timing.
Each day is a reminder to stay in step with Him. And believe me, it’s not always easy. These days, I find myself led astray by my never-ending “to-do” list. Even when I feel that hesitation in my spirit, I’ll often push forward, telling myself, “This needs to get done today” or “I just have to check this off!” But what if, instead of pushing through, we asked the Shepherd to guide us in our tasks? That doesn’t mean we can ignore deadlines or responsibilities, but it does mean that instead of wearing ourselves out, we can walk with Him. He knows the deadlines, the specifics of our situations, our stress levels, and every detail that concerns us. And more importantly, He knows His own strength, timing, and plans for our lives.
So, why strive in our own strength, only to end up frustrated and exhausted? Let’s stay close to our Shepherd—the One who sees everything, knows everything, and still cares deeply for us. He holds us, shelters us, leads us, and journeys with us every step of the way. Let’s walk in this new direction, trusting Him fully.
My Prayer:
God, You’re teaching me new and beautiful things about living in Your presence. You’re showing me how to commit my “to-do” list to You, trusting that Your timing, Your help, and Your leading are far better than any path I could try to follow on my own. Give me the confidence to walk with You, knowing that as I draw closer, let You hold me, and trust Your guidance, I will see Your goodness unfold in my life. May You be the Shepherd to everyone seeking You today. Show us Your truth as we walk this new path together. Amen.
Until next time,
P.S. Friends, I’m heading in a bit of a new direction with this blog. Since my dad passed away in October 2023, it’s been tough to write from a heart that still feels so tender. I’ve been leaning on the Shepherd to heal and walk with me, as only He can. I’ve felt nudged by Him so many times to share “imperfect” writings, which is hard for me, especially with my love for crafting words and the perfectionism I picked up during my college years. But I believe God wants me to share what He’s teaching me, even if it’s just a little imperfect passage. So, I’m choosing to obey. Expect more small, heartfelt posts, and less striving for perfection. I’ll be posting again soon. 🙂
My writing has been at a standstill after some serious family news. My father, best friend, and hero passed away this past October after almost making a full recovery after a cardiac event. The whole process from him entering the hospital in August 2023 and going home to Jesus Oct 2023 feels like a blur and like any of you who have gone through such grief, I still find myself in a blur or a haze. God’s goodness has held us through it all and we are emerging triumphant through it all because of Christ.
That is what today’s blog topic is: Triumphant In Christ. I pray that wherever you find yourself, friend, you will experience in its fullest capacity the love, compassion, and grace of our wonderful Savior. With Easter just around the corner, what a great reminder that He has conquered the grave and made us more than conquerors in Christ.
May this blog post speak to your heart as it comes straight from mine.
Triumphant in Christ
Definition of Triumphant= feeling or expressing jubilation after having won a victory or mastered a difficulty, elated, joyful, delighted
My heart couldn’t have felt further from “triumphant” as my mom and I drove to say our final goodbye to husband and dad.
“Please just keep trying!” I told the doctor over the speakerphone. “We are almost there!”
In a sorrowful tone, the doctor said, “He is gone. I tried.” His voice broke.
If I could have flown the car to my dad’s side I would have. It was just 60 minutes before that I had talked with my dad on Facetime. He’d told me to expect a call from rehab because they would be giving instructions for him to come home. I knew it was true. We were finally at the last step after over two months of hospital and rehab stays.
Rehab had called. I answered optimistically to the call I thought would inform me my dad was going home. He had gone home, just not the home we were expecting. A pulmonary embolism had gone straight to his lung and caused him no pain but just ushered him straight to Jesus’ arms.
I had never felt so defeated. We had worked so hard day in and day out to help him recover. The last thing I would consider myself at that moment was “triumphant”. But here, months later and still with a raw heart, I can see that in that moment, and every moment before and after, I was/am/ and will be triumphant in Christ.
One of my previous blog posts (when things were still scary but looking better for Dad) Never an Underdog https://melanietalevski.com/2023/09/11/never-an-underdog/ was written from my heart to encourage myself and others who were going through tough days. I assumed we would be “triumphant” with Dad returning home, that we would win. But the truth of the matter is, Dad has gone HOME to heaven and we are triumphant. We are overcomers. We are the winners.
How could you say that? Some might think. Because, when linked with the Savior God, we are never losers. We win no matter what. We expected Dad to come home and we would “win” here on earth. But you know what? We did win! Dad is in the place he has always wanted to be. He is with Jesus. It makes it hard to be sad sometimes when one of the people you love most in the world gets what he always wanted: to be with Jesus, continually in His presence.
So, friend, I want to encourage you that God has equipped you with all you need for life and for godliness here on this earth. No matter what kind of situation you are facing, no matter what circumstances say, no matter how “final” things may be— WE WIN (Thank you for the catchy phrasing Harry Wilson and how you are always faithful to preach this when you come to visit).
It is true!
The whole story of Easter is the story of a people who on their own could not come close to God. They were alienated from God with no way to get to him. No access. No amount of good behavior, sacrifice, or money would lead them to God. No, they needed a bridge… a way back to God, their maker. Jesus came as that bridge. The only one who could bridge the gap between God and his people had to be a blameless, sinless man. The only man who qualified was Jesus. God’s very own son. And he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but instead humbled himself that we might be reconciled with Father God. Taking the whole of our sins, death, sickness, infirmities, and diseases on himself, he died.
Who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,
but emptied Himself,
taking the form of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:6-8
Already that would be a plot worthy of a movie, wouldn’t it? A hero coming to die and save God’s people and reconcile them back. But the story did not end there. No! Jesus himself went to the gates of Hades and took the keys of the kingdom back from the enemy. And he did a bang-up job humiliating and defeating the enemy.
Then Easter morning…..
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘It is necessary the the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” And they remembered his words.
Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened. (Luke 24:1-12)
Because He lives we are triumphant now and forever!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because He lives I will see my Daddy again.
Because He lives we will never see eternal death.
Friend, take courage— He lives!
And because He lives we are triumphant conquerors in Christ!
We are overcomers.
And do you know what the Bible says about overcomers?
“Every believer in Christ can expect to receive the promises in Revelation made to him who overcomes:
— To be unhurt by the second death (the second death is the judgment of being separated from God and sentenced to hell, as seen in Revelation 20:6, 14; 21:8)
— To receive manna from heaven
— To receive a white stone with a new name written on it
— To rule with Christ in His coming kingdom
— To be clothed in white garments
— To have his name permanently in the Book of Life, never to be removed
— To have Jesus confess the overcomer’s name before the angels and the Father
2. Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome by evil but overcome evil by good.”
What are you putting into your spirit? What are you reading? Listening to? Watching? What are you allowing to speak into your spirit?
When you overflow with good it drives all evil out. We are truly overcomers in Christ!
So today, may you be encouraged that Jesus Lives! Jesus has Conquered the Grave! Jesus has caused us to be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Nothing can take us down or out. We win every time!
My prayer for you:God, we ask that you would take our limited perspectives and flip them right side up so that we may see from your eyes who we are! May we realize the power that was given to us as believers when we accepted Jesus in our lives. May we grasp and understand the fullness of Jesus’ death and resurrection and how it provides hope, healing, and triumph for those of us in Christ. May we tell others the good news too so they may triumph in Christ as well.
Help us to see our circumstances and situations from your eyes. We win every time because we are in you. Thank you for the hope that you give us in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
Enjoy making Easter memories with your loved ones and celebrating the triumph that came to us through Christ!
Until next time,
PS. Here are some of our Easter pictures from over the years!
One of my favorite movies is Hallmark’s “The Magic of Ordinary Days”. Livy is an unwed mother in need of a quick marriage before the birth of her baby to avoid scandal in WW2 era. She travels to a small country town to marry a man she doesn’t know. As the story unfolds, we see “the magic of ordinary days” causes their hearts to soften towards each other and love comes softly in their hearts. What a wonderful love story!
I don’t know about you, but upon first thought I do not associate “ordinary” with “magical” in most of my current life situations. Ordinary, for me, is usually something like this: get up & take the kids to school, go to work, interact at work, make dinner, walk the dog, help with homework, fall in bed and wake up to do it all over the next day again. It all seems extremely ordinary but underneath all the ordinary the miraculous hand of God is working.
Yes, His hand is working in our ordinary days, whether we see it or not. He’s working, weaving, His plan and purpose into our days. We may not see it, recognize it, or feel it, but His hand, His invisible hand, is orchestrating all.
A good biblical example of this is the story of Ruth and Naomi (Book of Ruth). The story starts out with Ruth and Naomi having anything but ordinary days! They had both lost their husbands and then took the steps to move from the land of Moab back to Israel. Their days had been tumultuous, filled with sorrow. In fact, Naomi even re-named herself “Mara” which means bitter. Life had been sad, angering, and disappointing.
Together, mother and daughter-in-law, they returned to the land of Israel and their lives began to take on more of an ordinary aspect. Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law, had probably been accustomed to being a homemaker when her husband was living. But since he had passed away and now she was in a new land, Ruth found herself rolling up her sleeves and getting to work in the fields of Boaz. It was quite an ordinary thing— this gathering of grain, especially as it was leftover for the foreigners, poor, and the widowed. She went to gather day after day. She did not see or understand the invisible hand of God working through her ordinary days until much later. In fact, it would be in chapter four that we see the reward of Ruth and Naomi, and how they were redeemed:
Through Boaz, a man of noble character who was related to Naomi’s husband— a contract was made. He bought the land of a relative and it made him the guardian/redeemer of both Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 4:1-11).
“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. She gave birth to a son. The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”
Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Ruth 4:13-17
It was through these ordinary days that God was working a miracle in Ruth’s life (Naomi’s too). God placed Ruth in the exact spot he wanted her to be. She could not see the plan of God unfolding around her. In the devotional, “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young, she says (from God’s perspective):
I can see the big picture from before your birth and beyond the grave. I know exactly what you will be like when Heaven becomes your forever home. I am continually working to transform you into this perfect creation. You are royalty in My Kingdom!
October 16
Take heart, friend— God sees all! He sees the big picture from beginning to end. He uses the ordinary days— when it seems like nothing new is happening or perhaps it just feels like the same-old struggles where there is no help or no plan— and He forms and uses those days for His glory. God uses those days to sweep His invisible hand into our lives working, orchestrating, weaving a beautiful tapestry in our lives. This “weaving” cannot often be see as it’s in process, but it is one that we will look back on and realize— as love fills our hearts and perhaps even tears fill our eyes— that the Lord’s hand was in the ordinary days.
He is faithful!
I encourage you to recount and recall the Lord’s faithfulness in your life. Allow faith to be built up in your heart by this practice. Remember the days, the situations that God’s faithfulness has shone through! Perhaps you did not see it until that chapter of your story was closed but there it is shining bright. Recall those things. Thank God for those things, worship God for those things, knowing that He is coming through for you. He is working all things together for good.
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
His Spirit is working, weaving in and out of our lives— in and out of every moment. He is making a beautiful tapestry of His love and our lives.
Here’s my prayer for us today: Lord, I ask that you would open our eyes to the beauty of these ordinary days, even in the midst of challenge and great circumstances. I pray that we would cling to you knowing that your faithfulness is true, that your invisible hand is weaving and orchestrating and working all things together for good. We put our trust in you. We know that you are good. We know that you are faithful. You have pulled us through time and time again. And we know that you are working to pull us through this time as well. We hold on to you and we thank you for your hand in the ordinary days. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Until next time,
P.S. Here are some pictures of some of our ordinary days this fall. There’s been great challenge and circumstances but God is working His plan in our lives! His Holy Spirit is weaving His love into our hearts at every turn just as he is doing for you!
This time of year is just glorious for a baseball fan. The postseason race is just around the corner and the teams are giving it their all to clench their spot. Rival meets rival and each and every game and at bat matters.
In matters of baseball, my dad and I like to root for the underdog. Is there anything more inspiring than seeing the “little guy” win against the huge, overfunded bully? I think not.
One of my favorite “underdog” Bible stories is, you guessed it, David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). In physical appearances, David was the “under dog”. Do you have some situations that cause you to feel like the underdog? Is there a situation you are facing that makes you feel like the weaker little guy? I want to encourage you to see yourself with the eyes of God like David did.
David would have chickened out if he took in the size of his muscles in comparison to Goliath’s. He would have backed away in fear if he estimated his height against the giant’s. He would have given up hope if he looked at the odds. But did David do that? No! He kept His eyes on God!
The passage (1 Samuel 17:32-37) says:
32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
David was not looking at himself or his physical situation at all. He was looking at it all through the eyes of the spirit. He saw a giant bullying God’s people and speaking against God Most High. In David’s spirit rose up his champion, never-an-underdog attitude. In his spirit rose up the truth of the matter: Goliath may have had every physical advantage but God was on David’s side and that was what was going to lead David to victory.
Some of you who know my family know that currently we are facing our own fight of faith. In physical terms it may have first appeared like we were a full out underdog. Are we entertaining those thoughts? No way! The physical realm tries to intimidate, but God, in His mercy, continues to help us open our eyes day by day and see ourselves as the victors in Christ! We see ourselves not from the natural standpoint but from the eyes of the spirit. We see ourselves not as the under dog but as the champion- the overcomer! We will receive the full victory just like David did, because we have the God of the universe on our side.
I want to encourage you friend to see with the eyes of the Lord in any situation you are facing. You may be in the middle of ‘the fight of your life” and looking at yourself you may think you measure up as lesser, weaker, or unknowledgeable or capable of dealing with the challenge that is before you. That is you in your own strength. I want you to shake off the “underdog” mentality and realize that you:
Are more than a conquer in Christ (Romans 8:37)
Can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13)
We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
He set the world into motion (Isaiah 45:18) and he backs you up when you step out in faith
He is not going to leave you hanging
He is not going to fail you or leave you begging for help (Psalm 37:25)
He is the God of the universe and when you go “up to bat” it is actually him backing you up.
Yes, maybe your past put you in an underdog position. Maybe your lack of schooling, experience, money, or position tries to put you down. Or a sickness or problem has tried to rise up and bully you. All weakness stand aside when God comes up to bat. It is His power in you that causes you to overcome.
Here’s the passage of David overcoming Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-51):
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.
It’s vital that we rise up with an attitude like David! It’s of the utmost importance that we get our eyes off of how small or incapable we may “appear” to be and get so centered on the truth of who God is that we step out as a champion in Christ, backed by the full out spirit of him who raised the dead (Romans 8:11)! This situation, this victory is not up to you, your talents, or abilities. It is up to God.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 15:57
Jesus Christ, Number #1, all position player, with the perfect track record is up to bat.
He has never known a loss and never will.
And we are on His team!
Hooray!
So that means we can start marching around, yes even though we may appear in the physical to be the underdog, we can march around with an attitude that is big! It’s an attitude that says: My God is coming through for me. Just wait and see!
And it is with those words that faith rises in your heart.
I encourage you today— say it to yourself when you rise:
I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus!
He is working all things together of my good!
My prayer for you today: God, I pray for my friends, that they would rise up like David this week. I pray that you would help them surrender their physical “limitations” and get their eyes on you and realize that in you, they are the overcomers! They are champions! Holy Spirit, rise up in each one of us this week. Help us see ourselves according to the spirit, according to our position in Christ. We claim victory in each and every situation we face this week, not because of our strength or abilities, but because you, the God of the Universe are on our side. And according to the Word, you have already given us the victory! So we stand and enforce that truth even when the odds look against us or when discouragement tries to enter in. We are more than conquerers in Christ Jesus! The enemy must run away! He is already defeated. So we bless your name, God, and thank you for leading every battle we fight, knowing that You have already won! Amen.
Until next time,
P.S. Here are a few of my pictures from softball days growing up. Did you play any sports growing up?
Although I’m neither a homesteader or a backwoods country person part of me likes to imagine I might be. So each quarter a magazine is delivered to my mailbox with my name on it, with secrets to survival and living on a homestead. This month’s message was “your survival depends on water”. It proceeds to tell how to dig a well no matter what kind of property you live on. Because with water no matter what comes our way, we can survive.
It’s funny that this message came across my mailbox just as I was thinking about how essential the water of God’s Word is in our every day lives. Without watering ourselves constantly in the Word, we will become dry, brittle, barely surviving, definitely not thriving.
This past week with the extreme heat my garden has been craving to be watered more than once, so I find myself turning on the hose both in the morning and evening. The water is so refreshing to the plants especially on a hot day. One day as I watered I actually saw the leaves and flowers of my purple petunias instantly perk up! They physically stood taller, stronger, and more beautiful than before. What would a constant fresh watering do? It would further those results, causing the garden to overflow with new buds and become bigger and healthier.
The same is true of our spirits. We need constant watering in the Word. Not just a sprinkle here or there or not just relying on a little rainstorm that comes our way. No, we need a constant source of perpetual water of God’s Word in our lives. Without it we become dehydrated, brittle, hard hearted and immovable. In a state like that it is hard to serve God and follow His voice.
Let’s allow God to “take our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh”(Ezekiel 36:26). An important part of receiving that heart of flesh and keeping our heart soft is to stay constantly watered in the Word of God. I’ve seen it true in my own life. I’m especially am thankful for all the scriptures I was taught as a kid. Whether through memorization or through memorizing songs, I find certain songs and verses coming to mind automatically even after all these years just getting stronger year by year especially when facing difficult situations. I’m so thankful for parents who planted the Word in me as a young child. And I’m thankful for a good youth group and a good Bible program that I stuck to in a good school as a teenager and as a young adult. And now as a parent, and as a 40 year old, it’s still true: The Word of God is essential. Essential as water is to our survival.
It’s our responsibility to get into the Bible each and every day. I am old school and I love the literal opening of the Word of God and sitting in reading it with my coffee in the morning. Or if the morning takes off at a busy pace then I make sure to do it before bed at night. Each and every time the Bible speaks to me, especially as I prepare my heart before God. “Speak to me today, God” should be our prayer as we open the Word. Keep reading until the Holy Spirit drops understanding or revelation and a heart from what we have read from the Bible.
As for real life application—whether you’re new or even a seasoned pro— it’s a good idea to couple a book of the Old Testament with a book from the New Testament or Psalm each day. It will keep things fresh and to keep your heart watered according to the word. It will keep you fresh, sharp, and growing more than ever before!
How alive my purple petunias were after a good watering! We too, whether we realize it or not, become full of life, health, encouragement, praise, gratefulness after a time in the Word. The things that seemed too big, too challenging in our lives now shrink down in comparison to His mighty love and grace.
Through reading the Bible our thinking is adjusted:
So I encourage you to start today! Open your Bible and ask God to speak to you. Read it verse by verse (I like to encourage friends to start in the book of John).
You will be amazed at how refreshed and renewed your spirit is after a time of watering in the Word! And we know that true refreshment comes from the inside out, starting with our spirit man and working outwards to our body and mind.
My prayer for you: God I ask that my friends find the true value of watering themselves in your Word each and every day. Speak to them as they read the Bible. Holy Spirit, we invite you to be present with us as we read your Word. We want your knowledge, your revelation, your understanding your guidance in all things. “Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105). Watering ourselves in the Word each day is essential not just to survival but to thriving in your Kingdom. We pray we would become so immersed in the Word that when we come away from time with you, we realize that the situations that seemed impossible are now shrunk in comparison to your mighty love and grace. We pray that as we read the Bible hope rises in our hearts. That we would become refreshed in our spirit, soul, and body. We thank you for your life flowing through us as we read the Bible. And we thank you that it causes us to thrive in your kingdom and to be well watered, strong and have roots in your kingdom. We thank you for this in Jesus name, Amen.
Here’s other blogs I wrote about the importance of the Word:
P.S. Here are some pictures of our garden this year. We kept the garden pretty simple with flowers, a row of carrots and lettuce and spinach one tomato plant, a pepper plant and several strawberry plants. Something about being outdoors and watering these plants is just so calming and of course reminds me of exactly what this blog was all about: watering myself in the Word each and every day. And can you tell who my gardening buddy is? 😉
On the rollercoaster, I found myself lifting my hands and screaming in pure enjoyment! Our trip to Disneyland earlier this summer included many rollercoaster rides and I found myself enjoying the thrill (Well, all but one but that is a different story! And is the “Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout” really classified as a rollercoaster anyway? I think not… anyway I digress).
Something is so freeing about riding a rollercoaster. Perhaps you find your thrill in a different way: Hang gliding, hiking, overlooks at the mountains, kayaking, etc… The truth of the matter is, life is meant to be lived and felt and while there was a time I could not tolerate the rollercoasters as well because of how my body was handling stress, now I can again and am thoroughly enjoying it.
As for a natural “adventure” I enjoy walking in the rain. No, it is not usually something I purposely seek out… but if an adventure was to be ruined because of a storm, I would rather be out in it experiencing it. Some of my best times and memories and magical moments of life have happened in storms. Something is so amazing about conquering/weathering the storm and the reward you find in the midst of it. Take our latest Estes Park trip as an example:
The radar said a storm was moving in hard and fast up in the mountains but we had just arrived and knew that at Sprague Lake, at night fall, and especially around a storm, is an optimum viewing time for the rare seen moose (and it is not too far of a walk from the safety of our parked car).
My oldest daughter and I hopped out of the car, donned our sweatshirts and umbrellas and even when the rain started to sprinkle, then pour, we continued our trek. We met up with my dad with his weatherproof lens on his camera and sure enough— we got to see the moose! 2 of them! It was majestic and wonderful. To top it off, on our walk back the sky was alight with the most beautiful double rainbow I have ever seen in my life! We were soaked and cold but that was definitely a moment that I felt fully alive.
God wants you to feel fully alive too. I know we like to be safe. I know we like to be comfortable. But sometimes when the storm comes, it is a time not to hunker away or worry away, but instead go out and face it. With God, we can make what was going to ruin the day into an adventure. If you need to hunker, know that that is fine too. I have gone through my own seasons of hunkering down and God is so good to bring us through to our adventure state once again.
The truth of the matter, whether rollercoasters and rainstorms, we have a chance to lay it all on the line. We can hunker away and worry or we can stand up and realize we are on this ride of life and we may as well enjoy it and make the best of it (All while trusting the Lord!).
I know for a lot of us life has not happened as we have planned. Perhaps a main friendship has gone awry, or our a marriage relationship is struggling, or our children have challenges or behavior or needs that seem too much for us to bear. Or it may be your job, family, social interactions, housing, finances. God wants us to know in this moment that we can fully trust in Him. We can quit the hunkering, list making, and worrying for a moment and lean into Him. He’s holding us safe through the rollercoaster. He’s shielding us through the storm.
He is the miracle worker and even when things in life seem to be going wrong, He is the one who causes what the enemy meant for evil to be turned around and used as good.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.”
(Genesis 50:20, Joseph was talking to his brothers)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
God’s goodness and love is behind us, before us, all around us. His mercy, grace, kindness, love, faithfulness follow us all our lives.
There are plenty of ups and downs, all arounds, even lightening strikes nearby at times but He, in His goodness, stands beside us, holding us firm.
He beckons us, “Stop worrying and look to me. Trust me.”
Trust me.
It’s such an easy yet complicated thing isn’t it?
We don’t know what it is like to be able to trust fully… we have grown to learn that even those closest to us have not been perfectly trustworthy (what human is?). He is the only infallible One, He is the only truly faithful One.
We can take refuge in that fact, and whether it is a moment to hunker down with the truth of the matter and let it absorb in your heart or whether it is a moment to get on “the ride” and let His faithfulness be proved in your life— you can count on Him. You can lean on Him.
Here’s the verse that is quoted all the time, but please look again and let it sink into your soul:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
We make that our prayer today. Lord, we don’t know how to fully trust or lean on you. Our own thinking, the world, the scary challenges that arise— they try to cause us to look to ourselves for the answers instead of you. May we keep the channel of communication open with you and not allow anything to clog it up: unforgiveness, strife, anger, disappointment… but instead let you carry those things away as we trust in You. You are the trustworthy One. You are the only infallible One. We want to trust you more. Holy Spirit, would you come up beside each one of us today and show us the pathway to trusting our Lord Jesus more and more? We thank you for that. We also thank you for the adventure of life and how we can know, with you, God, we can throw our hands up, smile, and adventure out because of your faithful love towards us. Amen.
Friend, may you be blessed this week with His presence as He shows you how to trust Him more. May your heart be opened to hearing and receiving and doing what He shows you. His path may not look safe (remember the C.S. Lewis quote? “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course Aslan isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King”) but because of the trustworthy One on our side we will adventure out and see the miracles even in the midst of what feels like mayhem. May your trust go down deeper than ever before, on the solid rock of God and His word, and may you adventure out like never before.
Until next time,
PS. Here’s some of the shots of our “adventuring out” whether it was the rollercoasters at Disney or the stormy hike at Estes. Looking forward to more spiritual and physical adventures with Jesus by our sides!
It seems like I’ve been seeing it everywhere: license plates from different states parked on neighbor’s driveways, the smell of freshly grilled hamburgers, laughter floating over the neighborhood, even the pictures on Facebook are overflowing with family reunions and visits to friends. It’s summer and the sense of gathering, community, and welcoming of friends and family from afar is abundant.
Is there anything greater than being together? Summer ushers in a special time of those who are close in our hearts but far in location being brought near for enjoyment, friendship, quality time and connection.
A couple weeks ago we had the privilege of having my dear friend and her family visit us here in Colorado. There is nothing like the time to visit with a friend and family who live far away. We found ourselves surrounded by laughter, dinners on the patio, swim times, and walks at sunset to the park. Our hearts were knitted together fresh and anew, and for the first time the kids met each other in person and formed an immediate connection. Being near to one another brought feelings of the Kingdom and how life should be. Saying goodbye to such friends of our hearts is always heartbreaking. I’m thankful one day we will be able to be near those we love all the time! No distance or time will separate us.
In reading my Bible this morning a verse stuck out to me: Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the precious blood of Christ.”
Isn’t that awesome news? We were brought NEAR near by Christ.
We had once been so far away, so lost.
Our hearts knew we needed the Savior but there was nothing we could do on our own. No plane to board, no roadtrip to take that would bring us close.
No, it was only by the precious blood of Christ that we were brought near.
His blood was the only thing that could reunite us to Him.
And when His blood was shed, He was declaring, “Come home. Come sit with me, laugh with me, eat with me, be with me.”
What an invite.
He’s inviting us near, casting off all our sin, shame and guilt.
Friend, perhaps you have never realized all Christ has done for you, I invite you today to say this prayer to accept all he offers, to be brought near to him for eternity:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I have done wrong, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn away my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. Because of your sacrifice I am brought near to you eternally. Thank you for that! I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name, Amen.
Or perhaps you have already accepted His sacrifice— may you draw comfort from the fact that He is near, never to leave. No matter what we face He is near and forever will be.
Let His lavish love rest upon you today— soak it all in like a good summer gathering with family & friends— He loves you! He has done all to redeem you, bring you back to Him, and call you friend. Our job is to accept Him, draw near to Him, linger in His presence and be filled with the love of God. Once filled up, He will show us how to share this love with others.
My prayer for you:
Lord, fill my friend’s heart and summer with your lavish love! May he/she walk in the nearness that you have made available through the gift and sacrifice of your son. May he/she fully accept you as Savior and Lord and continue to walk in the blessing of your presence all our days here on this earth and for all eternity! Thank you for bringing us close, never to let us go. May the truth of that sink into our hearts, into our minds and bring your peace that passes understanding no matter what season or challenge we face. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Until next time,
PS. Here are a few of our summer adventures! California vacation, swim days, mountain hikes, and the list is just starting! Enjoy your summer, friends!
Anyone who hikes, runs, or walks knows the importance of “keeping pace”. Yes, timing and challenging yourself to “achieve more” is a hallmark of such sports but even more vital is the ability to keep pace as to avoid burn out.
In these days it’s not unlikely to face burn out or a fizzling of physical or mental conditions because of the constant hurried state and busyness of the world. The Holy Spirit wants to help with that!
How do we “keep pace” in this life to avoid burn out? I may not be the best example of this as I have always been an achiever, happiest when I get things done and get to put a check mark on my to do list. But God is teaching me, changing what I thought was “productive” and gently teaching me by the power of the Holy Spirit what a “productive” life looks like with Him and how to “keep pace” with the Holy Spirit.
I was hesitant in using this phrase “keep pace” because the first thing that can spring to achievers minds is: I need to hurry up, do better, and go faster! Raise your hand if you thought that, I know I did. But what if all we know about “hurry up, strive, and achieve” was not exactly right? What if we allowed the Holy Spirit to turn that limited mindset on its side? I believe we would experience freedom.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:14
So today would you open your heart and mind to see things from a different perspective? We ask the Holy Spirit to help facilitate this process as I know He definitely is with my own process too.
What if instead of achieving more, hurrying more, we took a look at what the Bible says is to be our focus…
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38
That’s right the best thing we can ever achieve in this life isn’t (gasp) working ourselves for the cause of Christ (a healthy version of that comes later) but the first goal is to: LOVE THE LORD.
How does that change how your day would look? how would that alter your “to do” list?
What about the second command (which actually houses 2 commands)?
And the second (command) is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:39
I think that we often get carried away with the “hurry up, strive, serve, check those to do’s” and fail to fill up with the main thing: the Love of God. It is only in constantly receiving this love that we can give this love both to others and to ourselves.
So to “keep pace” with the Holy Spirit– to stay in stride with the Holy Spirit– it may look a bit gentler than you and I think.
This “keeping pace with the Holy Spirit” more than likely will be a bit more slow, gentle, and restful than you first thought. It may be less of “hurry up, go go go” and more of a “rest, recharge, soak”. If we are to continue on this journey that eventually leads us to our eternal home we got to “keep pace” with the Holy Spirit and His gentle way.
I don’t know about you but slowing down or surrendering can be one of the hardest things. I remember even as a young child fighting rest time with all I was, so much so my mom would often have to bear hug me until I finally gave in and slept. It’s something about our nature: do more, be more, have more.
But God’s nature, and through the giving of His son, He says to us, “I have done all. I am all, I have all.” And when we have Him, we can rest.
I hope this message speaks to your heart today, especially as the summer season is upon us. It is naturally a time we allow more rest and more activity alike, but in all your summer ventures may you ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in His pace this summer, which may very much in fact be a slower pace than you expected. I know it is for me!
When we slow, make room for the Lord and loving Him more fully– great adventures, avenues and doors can open for us. Things we didn’t even see on the horizon come into play in a great way. Things will emerge that will cause us to go “ah-ha! that’s why the Holy Spirit encouraged me to clear my schedule or say no to the regular hurry scurry.” We will never regret listening to the Holy Spirit and following His way. It’s the best way!
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
So I encourage you friend to keep gentle pace with the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to be the Guardian of your time, energy, and life and show you His paths for you this summer.
Lord, we invite you into our lives this summer. We want to hear your voice. We want to see your pathways. We make room for you. We tune our ears to the Holy Spirit and say yes to His pace, His way. Gentle our busy hearts. Still our busy minds. Help us to focus on the greatest thing we could ever do: love you with all our heart. And when we are filled with your love help us to show that love to others (as we do to ourselves). It’s going to take discipline on our part to say no to the hurry and yes to you. May your Holy Spirit gently nudge us, close doors not meant for us, and lead us on your pathways we pray. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
PS. Gentle pathways are some of the best adventures! The absence of hurry and “do more” allows space for the moments life is really made of. Here are a few pictures of our gentle God-led adventures over the years.
Melanie Talevski 