Posts tagged Bible

I am clean

Devotional Life

Monday Devotional – January 31, 2022

I AM CLEAN.

‘The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed you. ‘ John 15:3

Read:

John 13:1,3-11

'Jesus knew that the night before Passover would be his last night on earth before leaving this world to return to the Father’s side. All throughout his time with his disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now he longed to show them the full measure of his love. Now Jesus was fully aware that the Father had placed all things under his control, for he had come from God and was about to go back to be with him. So he got up from the meal and took off his outer robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ dirty feet and dry them with his towel. But when Jesus got to Simon Peter, he objected and said, “I can’t let you wash my dirty feet—you’re my Lord!” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand yet the meaning of what I’m doing, but soon it will be clear to you.” Peter looked at Jesus and said, “You’ll never wash my dirty feet—never!” “But Peter, if you don’t allow me to wash your feet,” Jesus responded, “then you will not be able to share life with me.” So Peter said, “Lord, in that case, don’t just wash my feet, wash my hands and my head too!” Jesus said to him, “You are already clean. You’ve been washed completely and you just need your feet to be cleansed—but that can’t be said of all of you.” For Jesus knew which one was about to betray him, and that’s why he told them that not all of them were clean.'

Reflect:

What does it mean to be clean really? Last week we boldly declared God’s word saying “I am forgiven”. How are the two concepts different? In 1 John 1: 9 God promised both forgiveness and cleansing.

Imagine that you spilled coffee all over your friend’s crisp white shirt on a Monday morning right before the major meeting with the executives. You say you are sorry, your friend forgives you but the evidence of the spill is still splattered across what was once a clean shirt.

Forgiveness is the pardon, cleansing is the removal of the stain associated with your shortcomings. God is in the business of not only pardoning our sins but also of wiping our records clean. He remembers our sin no more. ‘“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. ‘ Isaiah 43:25.

I believe we sometimes forget that we are not only forgiven but we are cleansed from the things that once polluted our souls. We aren’t dirty anymore. Jesus says my words spoken over you have already cleansed you.

When God sees you he no longer sees or remembers the version of you too filthy for His presence. He sees the Advocate Jesus who died so our filthy rag rendition of righteousness can be exchanged for His cleansed robe.

Today God is giving us an invitation:  ‘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. ‘ Isaiah 1:18

Song of the Week:

Natalie Grant is one of my favorite Christian Singers. I believe her voice has some direct connection to God. Listen and meditate while you listen to this song: “Clean”

Journal Prompt:

  1. In what area of my life do I feel dirty, stained and or unworthy?
  2. How has God’s word spoken over me provided a way out or a cleansing?

Pray:

Dear Jesus, I thank You that You not only forgive but You wipe our records clean. Thank You Lord for reviving and refreshing my spirit in Jesus name. Amen

Affirmation:

I am clean. My soul no longer bears the stain of my past sin. I am washed and made whole!

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Unexpected Grief Waves

Grief Life
dark water

Recently, I’ve been having a series of small unexpected waves of grief. The waves show up at the oddest time.

I’m sitting on the couch watching episode 4 of the final season of “This is Us” and I’m crying my eyes out. I know, I know. That series in and of itself is a recipe for tears and emotional trauma. But honestly, it pulls me in when I know I need a good cry. 

A couple Sundays ago the worship team sang “Great are you Lord” and I fought hard to swallow the large dry lump that had formed in my throat. The tears didn’t start in response to worship but rather the memory the song sparked. You see, it was his favorite song. Hearing it brought me back to standing in a pew of purple chairs, seeing his hands stick out of the sound room while he belted out the song from the depth of his soul. I brought my attention back to worship and the wave subsided. 

The waves have kept coming – many little ones – unexpected like the tremors before the major earthquake. They show up with Matthew’s quizzical expressions, Isaiah’s 100 questions or inquiries about how the boys are doing. These invariably lead to thoughts of “I wish he could have seen the boys now”.

The irony is, I am at a place of genuine happiness and peace in my life. So it may seem quite strange, in the midst of this satiated state, that grief comes gently knocking. I am sharing this to remind you; it is not strange. Unexpected waves of grief are normal.

I love this quote pic I found on twitter:

I believe, like Scribbles & crumbs, that because love “never ends” (1 Cor 13: 8) we will live with the impression of those who have gone before us. Always. Love may change how it expresses itself, but real love doesn’t just go “poof”.

Allow your heart to feel and then release pangs of “I miss you”. There is no shame in it. Embrace and release. It doesn’t matter if it has been 10 yrs, 10 weeks or 10 days. Embrace and release. Understand dear that grief is a natural response to change or loss of any kind.

Losing a loved one is the most permanent loss or change. No matter how long it has been, that change will be inscribed in your heart forever. Learn to expect unexpected grief. Does that make sense? I hope it does.

There is a “but” though. Grief is not an excuse to stay stuck. Cry when you need to, but get up. 

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Nelson Mandela.

I leave this word with you: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 . Lean in to the one who is close and willing to save.

Here is a bonus…

Seven Scriptures that Help to Comfort Me in Grief

7 Scripture references to help handle grief
7 Grief Scriptures

These are my personal favorites:

  1. Psalms 73:26 – My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
  2. Matthew 11:28 – Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
  3. Psalm 34:18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
  4. Isaiah 41:10 – Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
  5. John 14:16-18 – …the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. … “I promise that I will never leave you helpless or abandon you as orphans—I will come back to you! ‘
  6. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,4 – ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ‘
  7. John 16:33 – ‘I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.’

Write Fully Yours,

Lady Kavan

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

I am forgiven

Christianity Devotional Life

Monday Devotional – January 24, 2022

I AM FORGIVEN

‘I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. ‘ 1 John 2:12

Read:

John 8:1-11

'Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” ---------- '

Reflect: 

Guilt is a heavy emotion. I think of it as a pandora box stuffed with other not so lovely ones like fear, anxiety, condemnation, self loathing and depression. There were days when guilt weighed so heavily on me that I was sure at any moment some freak accident would take me out. The truth is, I knew for certain I was guilty of a lifestyle that dishonored God. 

There were times though I felt nothing. It was as if I was unaware of my sin, at least until I got into God’s presence. Like Isaiah I had to declare “woe is me for I am undone. I am a man of impure lips.” I used my own words though. 

Contrast these to the feeling of absolute freedom when God lifts the weight of sin from our hearts. The relief makes you feel like a whole new person. To the sinner (in other words ALL of us) God says… neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. 

So my friends, let us confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. The best part is He wants to forgive. The only prerequisites are confession and asking for it.

Song of the Week:

This is a powerful oldie but goodie. The lyrics are are powerful scriptural imagery of how God deals with our sin. The song is: East from the West by Casting Crown

Journal Prompt:

  • Is there any area in my life where I am holding on to shame inducing guilt?
  • Why is it so hard to release the guilt and accept God’s forgiveness?

Pray:

Jesus I do not deserve your forgiveness, yet You offer it. I am extremely grateful! Forgive me for every sin and cleanse me deep within of everything that offends You. I thank You, that once I confess my sins You are faithful and just to forgive and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I accept your forgiveness in Jesus name AMEN.

Affirmation:

I am forgiven. No accuser within or without has the power to condemn me because Jesus has already removed my sins. As far as the east is from the west so far has He cast away them. I AM FORGIVEN

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Let Me Love You

Christianity Relationship

The Call

I hear the distinct whisper,  a call as it were, to a deeper romance with the Creator of all that is.

As He hovered over the darkness of the deep waters in the beginning, so He hovers over me.

He commands light to enter my secret place and calls it day, for my night has passed. 

I hear the whisper…

Let Me love you, all of you.

Not just the places you feel worthy to bring but all the messy parts too.

He says: I can use all of it. I weave all things together to create a poem and a symphony called “good”.

I am Love. That means I am patient, kind and I keep no score of being wronged.

Let Me Love you, so you can heal, Let Me love you so you can be.

Let Me Love you, so that you can move beyond breathing to pressing towards the mark of the prize of My higher calling through Christ Jesus.

I died for you.

I surrendered My body as a sacrifice to bring you closer because you could not make your way to Me. Let Me Love you.

The Response

God intrigues me. He really does. That He would want to look upon earthen vessels, subjects of His creation and fill them with Himself, fill them with Love is simply too vast a concept to understand.

Yet that is what He does. There isn’t much more to say except that when I heard the call today, I knew it was not singular.

It was not just a call for Lady Kavan. It is a call He has consistently made from the Garden of Eden till now.

He longs for a relationship with His creation. God beckoned to Adam in the garden “where are you?” not because He wanted a geographical response. He wanted a shift in heart position and wants the same still.

He is calling and His question is this.  Will you let Me Love you?

Full Disclosure: I received these prophetic words about a year ago. I wrote this piece and submitted it for publishing and it was never published. As I sat today, I was reminded of it. I know the Holy Spirit is intentional, There is someone who needs to be reminded…. Let Him love you… Selah

Write Fully Yours,

Lady Kavan

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog or her books

I am loved.

Christianity Devotional

Monday Devotional – January 17, 2022

Mocha Monday – I AM LOVED.

This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 (TPT)

Read: 1 John 4:7-13

“Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him. The light of God’s love shined within us when he sent his matchless Son into the world so that we might live through him. The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love.

This is love: He loved us long before we loved him . It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. Delightfully loved ones, if he loved us with such tremendous love, then “loving one another” should be our way of life! No one has ever gazed upon the fullness of God’s splendor. But if we love one another, God makes his permanent home in us, and we make our permanent home in him, and his love is brought to its full expression in us. And he has given us his Spirit within us so that we can have the assurance that he lives in us and that we live in him.”

The Passion Translation

Reflect:

My husband and I had a debate about who said “I love you” first. I won’t tell you who won (Hint: not him). The truth is, declaring your love to someone for the first time requires bravery because the truth is we don’t know if they feel the same. The possibility of rejection looms over your heart and anxiety about what happens after this moment arrests your heart. 

Fortunately, when it comes to our relationship with Christ, we have no reason to fear. The scripture says it plainly. He loved us first and gave the ultimate sacrifice to prove it. Jesus came to earth to fix the thing that separates us from Him. He fixed our sin problem by offering Himself as a sin offering permanently and perpetually for our sin. Now, once we accept his gift, we are free from sin’s dominion over our lives. 

Oh what love! We can be free of the anxiety and fear that God doesn’t love us back. There is no debate on the matter. You are loved! I am loved.

Today as you go through the mundane or unexpected, thrills or pain of the day, rest in the knowledge that you are loved by God who is Love. You are loved by Love Himself.

Affirmation:

I am loved. FULL STOP. There is no debate. According to 1 John 4, I am loved by Love Himself!

Journal Prompt:

How does knowing you are loved by the author, incarnation and essence of love change your perspective?

Song of the week:

Pray:

Jesus I thank you for your love. I thank you that I am loved beyond measure. Help me Lord to live in that truth today and always. Let this truth transform how I interact with you and all those You love too. Amen.

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog or her books

Fearless?

Uncategorized

Before I get into my thoughts for the title, I want to check in with you. How are you doing really? Are you scared out of your rational mind? Are you just chilling waiting for this to be over? Leave a comment below or send me an email. I really want to hear from you.

FEAR… Big topic right now, huh. Anyone with a platform is sending well wishes. Among them these phrases are on repeat: Don’t be afraid, it will be over soon and we will get through this. Oh and this one: Troubles last for a night but joy comes in the morning. Maybe you are asking which morning because the permanently recurring weekend has you confused about which day it is. Do – not – fear. The Bible says it more than 100 times. So why do I sometimes feel this heart wrenching, breath pausing, nagging sensation when I think of the effect of this pandemic on our collective future, on my plans, on my children’s education, on my plans and on my money? Did I say my plans already? Oh yes I did. Am I the only one who now pays attention to every scratch in my throat, every cough, every hint of a symptom. I see you boo. I am not alone.

I think more than the invisible viral enemy, fear is having a rave party. If fear were a person he or she would be living their best life right now. Imagine an endless pool party, the drinks keep coming the staff serve the most exquisite foods. Fear is lying back on the pool chair watching us bob and weave in the deep end, panic on our faces, as we search for the nearest lifesaver but we are going down. So I have been wondering is it possible to be fearless, to not be afraid, to walk around with this impenetrable cloud of faith, confidence and joy. The short answer is yes. Now here is the long version.

There is a difference between feeling fear and walking in fear. Fear is a natural emotion meant to prevent us from walking unprepared into a dangerous circumstance. Our fear of falling for example, prevents us from skipping around on the ledge of a high rise building without a harness or rails. To feel fear is an innate temperature check. It is data that we need to process into usable information. How we process that data determines whether we operate in fear or faith. Is COVID-19 a real threat and danger? Rhetorical question; no response is required. Should your spidey senses go off when you are in public. Yes. Should you feel fear? You can, if it reminds you not to scratch your face or prompts you to wash your hands whenever you touch an unsanitary object. Should it cause you to build a safe room and never leave your house for 30 years? Maybe not. Should I feel a measure of fear or concern going into an examination? Sure if it pushes me to study and prepare. Susan Jeffers an American Psychologist wrote a whole book entitled “feel the fear and do it anyway”.

So what does the scripture mean when it says DO NOT BE AFRAID? Like I said, depending on the translation you use that phrase is used more than 100 times. I think it means just that; do not BE (state of being, according to Merriam Webster “to have, maintain, or occupy a place, situation, or position) of fear. Getting personal now; for me there is a lot that scares me about sharing my story with John Public. Being vulnerable carries with it a feeling of fear as my heart wants to protect itself from the onslaught of public opinion. I do it anyway. Why? Well. first of all, God said to and second if I can help someone struggle a smidgen less than I did, then my vulnerability and my experiences would not have been wasted. Do I feel fear? Yes. Do I walk in it… I try not to. Seriously guys.. still human and still working hard to get it right. I feel like its one of those life lessons that never end. You start out in kindergarten trying to understand 1 + 1 = 2, and basic concepts you will need to solve more complex calculus questions if you decide to pursue math to that level. My point is, feeling fear but learning to walk in faith is an ongoing lesson. We can and we must walk in faith over our fears. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Process the data, why do I feel this fear? What can I do to mitigate the danger? Do the benefits of my action outweigh those of my inaction?

I was in devotions one morning when I was sitting still listening for a word for ME. It’s mine guys you can’t have it. I’m kidding. It was quite simple really, “Do not be afraid from I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). If you’re nice I’ll let you share my word. Anyway. I did a quick search of the NLT version of the phrase “I am with you” and I’m gonna let you in on the scribbles in my prayer journal.

I’ve counted 14 (2 x 7 – number of agreement x number of completeness) times when God says I am with you . Usually preceded by “do not fear” i.e. do not operate in fear. We can feel fear (natural response) but the command is do not be afraid, state of being. The reason I can operate without fear, is that God is with me. Why say do not be afraid if He didn’t recognize we would feel the emotion? He knew we would and therefore reminds us that the key to walking in faith is
“I am with you.”

Journal Entry – April 8th

So back to the impenetrable cloud of faith, confidence and joy. This is ONLY possible if I accept, believe and remind myself that God is with me. Have a bill to pay and no possible way to pay it? GOD IS WITH ME. Someone in my family dies and the pain is indescribable. GOD IS WITH ME. I lost my income or it was reduced. GOD IS WITH ME. I’m stuck in a foreign country and I can’t go home because the borders are closed. GOD IS WITH ME. I’m at home worried about whether COVID is going to snatch me. GOD IS WITH ME. The church is His Bride and He promised to be with us for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us meet. Since He is with me I can be confident that, as dark as the day may be, it will eventually be okay. Do you believe that?

Write Fully Yours

Lady Kavan

P.S. I am with you, says God.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

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Photo by Melanie Wasser on Unsplash