Let’s start with a familiar picture: you’re new in town, maybe it’s freshman year of college, a new job, or a new stage of life. You’re sitting in your car, wondering why you feel so isolated. No close friends nearby, no local church to lean on, and you’re scrolling through Instagram or TikTok where everyone else seems to have it all figured out. Maybe you’re going through the motions, trying to keep up, but the connection just isn’t there. We’ve all been there—or somewhere close.

Here’s another scenario. Think about group projects. Most of us have had that one project we ended up doing mostly (if not entirely) by ourselves—we stayed up super late, put in all the work, and found ourselves frustrated and exhausted. And here’s what’s interesting—Faith can feel that way, too, especially when it seems like no one else is there to share the load, check in, follow up, or care about how you’re actually doing.

But the truth can change everything: God designed our faith to be shared, to be lived out with others.

I know what it’s like to be surrounded by people (even Christian friends) and feel totally alone. It can seem like everyone else is living a picture-perfect life, filled with friends and moments of strong faith, but when we’re alone, it’s a different story. Trying to follow Jesus while feeling isolated can make faith itself feel disorienting or even discouraging.

But if you’re feeling this way, here’s the good news: God never meant for us to do faith alone. Following Jesus was always meant to be a group project.

There’s no better place to see this “group project” approach than in Acts 2:42-47, where we get a glimpse into the very first church community. It’s where we find the beauty of what a life together, in Jesus, can look like. We get a snapshot of the first church in Jerusalem—a close-knit community that grew rapidly after the Holy Spirit came, and people began turning to Christ. But here’s something unique about the church: it wasn’t simply a building; it was a family. And it should still be the same today.

People believed in Jesus individually, yes, but they lived it out collectively, forming the very first local church (and no, this family didn’t all live in one house. They lived all over the city, came together, and met in homes). And it wasn’t exactly a popular move—the religious culture in Jerusalem was skeptical, even hostile. Yet these early believers kept showing up for each other, creating a community that looked totally different from anything else around. The church was never just a building (like we often say, “Are you going to church this Sunday?”). The church is a group of people who do life together. Here are three distinct markers of this first church community in Jerusalem:

1. They Centered on the Word & Worship

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.”- Acts 2:42-43

The early church prioritized gathering around the teachings of Jesus, prayer, and the Lord’s Supper. The church community was devoted. This wasn’t just an occasional gathering; it was the pattern of their lives. They listened to the apostles (their leaders) who shared what Jesus had taught, and they experienced God’s presence in community, which led to a collective sense of awe and worship.

Through this togetherness, God moved powerfully among them. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could say that you were tangibly seeing God move in power? Being plugged into a local church doesn’t mean you will 100% for sure see God move, but it does mean you can be confident you’re doing something that’s in line with His design and will for believers. God’s model for Christianity, from the very beginning of its existence, involved Christians gathering together in the context of local Churches (local groups of believers) opening His Word and being amazed as He moved. So, it’s worth asking ourselves: Who are we listening to, and are those voices drawing us closer to God? Who do we surround ourselves with, and are they building up our faith?

As the early church gathered, they’d share communion. Jesus first taught about communion during the Last Supper, which He shared with His disciples just before He was arrested. Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper) is a way for His followers to remember His love and sacrifice. During the Last Supper, Jesus took some bread, broke it, and told His disciples, “This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). Then He took a cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). These simple things—bread and wine—became symbols to help us remember the huge sacrifice Jesus was about to make on the cross. He wanted His followers to use this meal to remember what He did for us and to reflect on His incredible love.

Jesus might’ve used bread and wine because they are easy to find and share, but they also have special meaning. The bread stands for Jesus’ body that was broken for us, and the wine stands for His blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. When we take communion, we remember His love and sacrifice and the new relationship (or covenant) that we have with God because of Jesus. Really, communion is a reminder of the gospel, that God loved us so much He sent His one and only son to die on the cross, taking the punishment we deserve for our sins. He rose again, defeating death, so that those who believe in Him can have life and life to the full (Romans 10:9-10).

Christianity isn’t about earning our way to God or doing religious practices so God will like us more. We could never and will never measure up (Ephesians 2:8-9). Even on our “best” days we fall short. We’re saved by our faith, not our works or performance. But, if you’re a Christian, God isn’t holding your sinful choices against you. The picture communion calls to mind, of Jesus on the cross, is the ultimate example of forgiveness. Jesus forgave us for our sins. We don’t have to measure up.  No one can.

Today, it can be easy to live with an “it’s just me and Jesus” mentality. And I get it, maybe you’ve been hurt. Or hurt by someone in the Church—the other people in the church can’t measure up to God’s perfect standard either. So first, I just want to say, if that’s you, I’m so sorry that you’ve been hurt, seemingly by the church. It’s painful when a place that’s supposed to feel safe, accepting, and loving ends up causing hurt instead. You’re not alone in feeling this way. So many people have gone through similar experiences, and it’s completely understandable to feel confused, sad, or even distant from church because of it.

But please know, the heart of Jesus is gentle, kind, and never condemning. People aren’t perfect, even in church, but that doesn’t change how much God loves you and wants you to experience real community. Healing takes time, but God’s desire for you is forgiveness and healing. So as you process and heal, try to lean on other believers who bring you peace and encouragement. You might be tempted to “throw the baby out with the bathwater,” as the saying goes—to throw out all churches after being burned by one or two, maybe even three. If that’s you, spend some time journaling your thoughts, hurts, and worries in a prayer to the Lord. Ask Him to give you the courage to forgive and then to either seek reconciliation with those who hurt you or pursue a new local church. I’m praying He’ll guide you in this decision.

Let’s get back to the early church in Acts.

2. They Practiced Radical Sharing & Caring

“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” – Acts 2:44-45

In a world where resources can feel scarce and the focus can often be self-centered, these believers practiced radical generosity. They didn’t isolate themselves (solely sitting with Jesus in a coffee shop) or protect their possessions (storing up journals and Bible studies that collected dust on their shelves); instead, they shared what they had so no one went without. This wasn’t a token gesture but a commitment to real, practical care. It showed they understood community isn’t just a concept; it’s a practice that comes to life in how we show up for each other.

Imagine what it would look like if all the girls in your dorm who knew Jesus freely shared their clothes or notes from class. What would the non-Christians think? Or maybe you’re like me, and you’re not in undergrad anymore. You’re a working professional? What might radical generosity look like with your neighbors or community group? Ask yourself: Are you trying to do life alone, or are you finding ways to connect with those in your church, offering and receiving support?

 Now these are good examples to get those wheels turning, to get some ideas going. But don’t miss this—the early Christians were practicing this radical generosity in the context of a local church. You see, while a group of believers (who aren’t from the same church) can come together and do some amazing things (like fund Bible translation, raise school supplies for a needy community, or donate clothes to a women’s shelter), the kind of generosity we’re reading about in Acts 2 was different. Their generosity was centered around the local believers (who were part of the same congregation) caring for each other.

Local churches provide us with levels of care. Through the local church we experience the teaching of the Word (catered to believers in the same shared cultural context – not a podcast streamed from across the country to a different audience). In the local church we get to be shepherded by church leaders who help us grow in Christlikeness and we get to be encouraged by our local brothers and sisters in Christ! And that’s just a few examples in addition to those described in Acts 2.

3. They Created a Habit of Hanging Out

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47

The first church wasn’t just meeting once a week; they had a habit of being together. Every day, they worshiped in the Temple, gathered in homes, and shared meals. This wasn’t a compartmentalized faith—it was an all-day, everyday kind of thing. Today, many Christians are tempted to turn their faith on or off depending on the day of the week—it’s easy to turn up the volume of our faith on Sundays when we’re going to Church. But for the early church? The joy, generosity, and authenticity of their lives together was something others couldn’t ignore. People around them noticed and were drawn in by the way these Christians lived, curious to know what made them different. And every day, more people joined them, finding faith in Jesus. Reflect on this: When others look at your life and your community, do they see something that points them to Jesus? Are they drawn in by the way you live out your faith?

 The early church gives us a model: We’re meant to follow Jesus together. Being a believer (among other traits) means being marked by three things: centering on the Word and worship (gathering with a local church body), sharing and caring for each other, and practicing the joyful habit of spending time together. This way of life wasn’t just a one-time experiment for the early church—it was foundational. And it still is for us today.

God designed us to need each other. He created the church as a family where we can grow, lean on each other, and live out our faith together. Following Jesus is a group project, and when we live that way, we show the world a glimpse of His love and grace.

If you’re a Dallas, local, we’d love to invite you to Join us for the LO Local event on Sunday, November 17^th at 7PM at Watermark Coffee. You can come alone, and ready to make some new friends, or bring your besties. Either way, we want to help you experience biblical community (and have some fun). See you there!

The post “It’s Just Me And Jesus” Mentality Might Not Be Working first appeared on Live Original.

Back to my coffee: First, I press the button, and I show up and start to pray “Lord, I offer myself to You” just like it says to do in Romans 12:1, that we would offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God so that every act is an act of worship. Second, I imagine an onion. I imagine peeling away layers of all my roles and responsibilities and identities and struggles and say, “Who I am is not primarily my roles: a widow, a mother, a teacher. I’m not primarily my worry. I’m not primarily outgoing. At the core of me, Lord, I am in You and You are in me.” I do this to peel back everything so that I can find my core identity in Christ. I rest in that secure identity for a moment. I’m more than my titles and responsibilities and worries. In Christ is who I am at the core. Third, I let my mind wander because I know my mind will wander to something that has captured my heart, and that is what Jesus wants to talk about. Our conversation is spontaneous and free and even a little bit random, just like a conversation with a good friend. Finally, I listen to Him. There’s a prompting every time: some work He’s set before me, some sin that needs to be confessed, some person who needs a word of encouragement. He always directs me to love.

To summarize, these four steps are:

1. Show up. “Lord, I offer myself to You.” Present yourself as an act of worship.
2. Peel away. Remember you’re more than your titles and fears. You’re in Him and He is in you.
3. Let your mind wander. Share it all. This is Jesus’ cue to chat just like you would talk with a good friend.
4. Listen and obey. Listen and let Him guide you toward love.[i]

Once you realize your primary needs for security and love are met in Christ, and you start befriending Him yourself, you’re going to see Him as both your model for friendship and your strength to live it out. Only Jesus does everything that Scripture asks of a friend.

Pause for a second. If that makes you think anything along the lines of Well, then Jesus is the only friend I need, let’s sort that out right now. That state—Jesus being your only friend—is never what Jesus wanted. His perfect love compels us to reach out in love to others. This whole friendship-with-other-humans thing is not optional. His prayer in John 17 shows that His love moves from us and Him to us and Him and everyone else. This is why we have a church and why it’s important to be a part of it. It’s not just you and Jesus, and it was never supposed to be.

That said, our other friends won’t be like Him (and you won’t be like Him for anybody else!). So how do we live out His perfect love in our imperfect friendships? The oft-quoted J. C. Ryle tells us that “friendship halves our sorrows and doubles our joys.”[ii] The Word of God concurs; friendship is meant for both joy and sorrow, laughter and trouble. Proverbs offers this wisdom on friendship: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (17:17). A friend loves at all times, which includes the good times, the bad times, the embarrassing times, the shameful times, the funny times, the when-they’re-mean times, and the depressed times. If we spend our energy trying to cover up the negative, offering and showing others our best in the hope of being loved at our best, friendships become yet another place to hide from God and from ourselves. If hiding and covering is what we bring to the table in our friendships, others will feel like they have to hide and cover too.

During the time this proverb was written, there would’ve been cultural obligations for family members to take care of one another. That is why “a brother is born for adversity.” In other words, family members have a duty to take care of you in times of need. But what makes friendships great is that a friend’s love for you is expressed at all times, not only in times of adversity, because a friend is someone who has chosen to love you, whereas a relative is obligated to love you.

“At all times” means you’re available not only when it’s convenient. Most people know you and want to know you because you’re useful to them. Before you get all bent out of shape about that, I want you to realize that the people you have become friends with are useful to you in some way. Some of them are useful for having a good time. Some are useful for meaningful conversations. Some of them are useful for getting things done. When your life is falling apart, you’ll notice different categories start to emerge. Some friends will say, “Call me if you need anything.” Others will just show up. A brother “born for adversity” says, “I will do whatever it takes to keep you from falling into ruin. I’ll be there even when it costs me something.” I’d be willing to bet that those who just show up are drawing their strength to love you from their friendships with Christ.

Of course, not all friendships have the same purpose. I was told a long time ago that my friendships should fall into one of these categories: Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy. A friend who is a Paul is a mentor and guide, someone whose wisdom I can trust—typically, someone who has more life experience than I do. Did you know that you can be friends with people who are decades older than you? I dare you to try it. A Barnabas friend is a true partner. Remember when Barnabas testified before the apostles that Paul had changed? Talk about a friend in adversity. A Barnabas is someone with whom you can live the spiritual life, someone who is maybe even struggling with some of the things that you are. And anyone who is a Timothy is a person you’re pouring into; the love of Christ is meant to be shared, and we need to seek out Timothys who need encouragement and experience. The real secret of those relationships is that you’ll be even more blessed than the Timothy in question. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Incidentally, friendship with Jesus and friendship with other Christians are not two different things. Remember, the church is referred to throughout the New Testament as the “body of Christ.” This means that loving sisters and brothers in the church is loving Jesus.

The post Relaxed Coffee first appeared on Live Original.

I’ve had the opportunity to talk to a lot of women and a few men about the end of their marriage. The first thing I usually start with is, “Tell me about your support system.” It seems like a broad area to initially ask about. Most people expect me to ask more about what ended the marriage or where they are in the divorce process or how the kids are doing.

But the reality is, outside of their relationship with God, a support system is vital in hope and healing. Isolation can be detrimental. And trust me, I’ve done both. I’ve cut off communication and detached because the pain was too great. I secluded myself due to the embarrassment of failure. Coming out of feeling verbally and mentally abused in a relationship takes a lot of relearning. Relearning how to share the reality, relearning how to trust your intuition, relearning how to be vulnerable, relearning what it feels like to feel safe with another person.

For me, leaning in to my community took work. It took vulnerability, and in some cases, it took repair. It’s difficult to lean on community during heartbreak, to trust anyone when your heart literally feels like it is crushed from broken trust. A life of connection and community is risky; however, a life lived in isolation is an even greater risk.

There will be people in your life who will hold your story and people who will hear your story. The people who hold your story are the ones who walk with you through the darkest days. They possibly feel your story is a part of their story.

I remember when my best friend’s husband, Jud, described what Lori experienced when she’d hang up the phone with me. Keep in mind we live two thousand miles apart, and she would call every day. She would say she knew how I was doing based on hearing my voice. Jud said she’d hang up the phone with me and walk straight to his office, lay her head in his lap, and just sob. Her heart broke for me because she was holding my story. My story became part of her story.

Maybe you are that support system for the person walking through divorce. Here are a few thoughts. We often ask the hurting person, “What do you need?” or “What can I do for you?” or a few other versions of that inquiry, offering authentic help. Here’s the catch. A person in trauma doesn’t know what they need. So when asked, “What do you need?” they don’t know. They don’t have an answer. They can’t articulate what they need. And honestly, what they do need, you probably can’t give them.

Give them options. For instance, you can give specific offers like, “What do you need today? I can come to your house and cook dinner. We can go out for dinner. Or you can come to our house and I’ll cook.”

Options allow the person in trauma the ability to make a decision and not feel overwhelmed. It helps them to articulate what they need at that time. It helps ground them to feel like they have some control over what is going on around them. When offering help, it’s a minor tweak that makes a huge difference.

This played out in my life at sporting events. Showing up alone to events for your kids can be really difficult. You’re self-conscious, you’re alone, trying to figure out where to sit, who to sit with, and all the while wanting to keep a smile on your face for your kids when your heart is broken.

I went from sitting with multiple family members to being alone. It’s hard.

Then this group of five ladies drifted into my life. Our kids had played football together since sixth grade. We’d all been acquaintances since 2014, but something about the football season seven years ago glued us together. They saw I was hurting, and they stepped in. I’m not even sure how we all connected, but they became a lifeline for me in so many ways.

Each gameday I’d get a text from one of them or sometimes several of them. The text gave me options. For instance, “Want to meet at the tailgate or want to meet in the stands?” If it was an away game, it would sound more like, “Want us to pick you up, or do you want to meet us at the tailgate?” I didn’t even realize at the time how beneficial the options were in allowing me to choose what I was most comfortable with.

I never would have asked for help navigating Friday nights; it just wouldn’t have been my nature. They just stepped in and created community every Friday night. Trust me when I say, Friday night games are just one of the many ways these five lovely ladies have shown up for me over the last seven years.

We’re now “The Six Pack” because there are six of us, not because of our killer abdominal game—there are way too many kids between us for that.

Then there are the friendships that feel like they have always existed. The weekend before mediation for my divorce, I flew to meet two of my best friends, Lori Wilhite and Lisa Hughes, and their husbands. These are the two friends who dropped everything and surprised me by flying to Nashville and spending a few nights and days with me on what would have been my twentieth wedding anniversary.

These are the two friends who, over a ten-hour uninterrupted period and lots of Diet Coke, listened to me recount my twenty years of marriage and all the times I felt trust had been shattered, beginning in year one and working chronologically through the relationship. These are the type of friends who, when I gave permission for them to “talk behind my back” (because I grew tired of repeating the details of daily life), responded with, “We already do.” And there was never a concern that they were gossiping about me. I knew any conversation they were having “behind my back” was out of genuine concern and love.

I knew that my heart and my head needed the encouragement, positive feedback, and validation from healthy men who stood on stages and shared the hope of God. Trust me, it isn’t lost on me that God placed two friends in my life who are married to pastors, men who held very similar positions to my ex-husband. Their willingness to be with me before the one big day that signified the end of the last twenty years—that’s friendship.

These types of friendships bring to mind this story from Exodus 17. Joshua had led the Israelites into battle against the Amalekites, just as Moses had ordered. While Joshua was on the ground fighting, Moses, along with Aaron and Hur, climbed on top of a nearby mountain. While Joshua led the charge on the ground, Moses lifted his hands in prayer to God. While Moses’s hands were raised, the Israelites were winning. If his arms lowered out of fatigue, the Amalekites prevailed. The combat lasted for hours, and this is where the story gets good.

So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.

Exodus 17:10–13

Moses could only continue his intercession because of his support system. Aaron and Hur literally held up his arms so he could continue fighting the battle in prayer. We are left with no other option than to believe that if Aaron and Hur hadn’t stepped in so Moses could continue to fight the battle with prayer, the Israelites would have been defeated by the Amalekites.

And don’t overlook what jumps out in this story. God is the provider of victory when we are attacked. Our attackers might not be armor-wearing, sword-wielding soldiers. The battles may be with familiar faces and well-aimed verbal blows. God is the provider of victory. God is also the provider of friends to literally hold up our arms when we can’t anymore. As women, we are often in the arm-holding business. We support and hold up arms all around us, from our children to coworkers to church friends to neighbors.

This passage in Exodus invites these questions: Who is holding up your arms? Who is joining you in your pain, struggle, hurt, and weariness? Who is grabbing hold of your exhausted hands and helping to lift them to the Lord? You might be asking how to find these people in your life. Let me share a few characteristics that point to a safe friendship. And if you don’t have a friend like this, ask God to bring you the friendship you need.

1. They help you become a better version of yourself.

2. They nurture your talents and abilities.

3. They help connect you with other safe people.

4. They help you develop your spiritual growth.

5. They celebrate your accomplishments and cheer for you.

6. You can put your guard down with them.

7. Vulnerability is welcomed between you.

Article adapted from Better Than Okay: Finding Hope and Healing After Your Marriage Ends by Brandi Wilson (copyright 2023, published by Bethany House / Baker Publishing Group)

Brandi Wilson is a coach and speaker who has been in leadership for more than a decade at Leading and Loving It, a non-profit created to empower women to love life and ministry. Brandi has helped plant two churches and is passionate about walking alongside single moms and divorced women as they navigate parenting and life. Her latest book is Better Than Okay: Finding Hope and Healing After Your Marriage Ends. Brandi lives with her three sons in Nashville, TN. www.LoveBrandiWilson.com

The post The Power of Friendship first appeared on Live Original.

I knew my friend’s heart. She was not asking to make a name for herself or build a monument. She wanted to help the ones Jesus called “the least of these” in Matthew 25:40 (“Whatever you did for the one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” NIV).

I had just returned from Kenya, where I had seen clean water transform the health of a village and provide sanitation for a school. I had seen a small clinic offering lifesaving interventions to babies. Agricultural training was helping farmers produce more crops. I had observed faith leaders’ training sessions that were helping change long-held beliefs about gender roles. It had been an amazing trip, and I had seen many interventions that were helping Kenyans overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities. There were many right answers to her question. But I surprised myself by saying what I had begun to understand during this and other times in the developing world.

“Girls,” I said. “I would invest in girls.” She looked at me, perplexed, and I realized it was a confusing answer. But as I witnessed all the good things that had been done, I had also recognized how many times girls had stood out to me. They were the ones articulating what sanitation had meant to them and why it now gave them the opportunity to go to school. They were the ones who had come back to their village to serve as health workers. They were the ones who—given a chance—seemed to not only succeed, but also to give back to their communities.

So I started again. “There are many great organizations in the world investing in important work: clean water, access to health care, improving education, offering microloans. But in every case, it seems to me that girls are the ones who not only benefit the most from this work, but time and time again, I see them giving back. They are the ones who so often come back to their homes after receiving an education and training.”

My friend and I talked for a few more minutes and then went back to our lives. But I realized that I had just stated something that was becoming a conviction to me. Girls held the key to changing the world. This belief had grown in part from seeing how often girls were disadvantaged in the world.

I had seen little girls around the world lose their childhoods because of poverty, disease, war, displacement, and lack of protections that most of us consider fundamental. Children the world over suffer, but girls suffer even more. We often talk about gender inequality in terms of how it affects women, but little girls face double discrimination in many parts of the world as female children. Surely, these were the ones Jesus meant when he spoke of “the least of these.”

As the mother of two boys, I used to wonder why international development experts emphasized specifically helping girls. But then I began to see that from the time of their birth, in almost every way, girls suffer more than boys. They are more vulnerable, more subject to violence, less likely to receive an education, more likely to be married off at an early age, more often give birth long before their bodies are mature.

“It’s important that we empower girls,” said Rotary International’s president, Shekhar Mehta, “as we all find that more often than not, the girl is disadvantaged. We will serve all children, but our laser focus will be specially on the girl.”1 Mehta’s speech, in June 2021, signaled a shift of emphasis for the international service organization.

Here’s something I had seen clearly: Strong girls make the world stronger. When we give them opportunities, they soar—and they take those around them along. Changing the circumstances for girls is one of the best ways to change the world.

“Investing in girls is one of the smartest things we can do to promote a healthier, more prosperous world. More importantly, it’s the right thing to do. Every girl has the right to be in charge of her future and her fate, and we have the collective obligation to protect her rights and promote her wellbeing,” according to the UN Foundation.2

The World Bank sees educating girls as one of the best ways to lift countries out of poverty. It seems amazing that this sophisticated institution analyzing economic trends has concluded that simply educating girls can be one of the most powerful and world-changing investments. A recent World Bank study estimates that the “limited educational opportunities for girls, and barriers to completing 12 years of education, cost countries between US $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings.” All these factors combined can help lift households, communities, and countries out of poverty.3

When the Nike Foundation began to look for the best ways to solve the global poverty issue, they discovered that girls were the key. Talking about girls who reach adolescence, the foundation president, Maria Eitel, said, “We realized to solve poverty, we’d have to get to her before she arrived at that intersection; we had to figure out how to get her on the first path. And if we could do that, it wouldn’t just be an investment in her, but an investment in everyone around her.”4 Because of those findings, the foundation launched The Girl Effect campaign.5 “The one thing that never changes is girls’ potential,” said Eitel. “Wherever you are, whatever the context, girls prove that they have the potential to rebuild their families, communities, and countries.”6

Girls are the leverage point for the world’s future. Simply put, interventions and opportunities offered to girls help create long-term solutions and avoid long-term problems. Because my granddaughter has been vaccinated, she won’t be debilitated by polio, diphtheria, measles, or other diseases that could derail her life and drain her family financially. Already in preschool, she will happily continue her schooling as long as she wants and use her education to contribute to society. Because laws protect her and her family loves her, she will enjoy her childhood and have a better chance of becoming a well-adjusted adult. If she chooses, she will marry and have children of her own. The investments made in Evie’s childhood offer proven rewards in the future for her, her family, and the society in which she will contribute. And such is the case for other girls in the world. Contributing to health, education, clean water, safety, legal protections, and other measures for girls isn’t just right, it’s smart. What we invest in girls today will reap rewards for the entire world in the future.

1. Shekhar Mehta, “Leave No Girl Behind,” speech, Rotary International virtual convention, June 2021, https://www.rotary.org/en/leave-no-girl-behind.

2. Jenni Lee, “5 Reasons Why Empowering Girls Matters,” Girls and Women (blog), United Nations Foundation, October 7, 2015, https://unfoundation.org/blog/post/5-reasons-why-empowering-girls-matters/.

3. “Girls’ Education,” World Bank, last updated February 10, 2022, https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/girlseducation.

4. Maria Eitel, “The Nike Foundation on Unleashing the ‘Girl Effect,’” interview by Rahim Kanani, HuffPost, April 20, 2011, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nike-foundation-girl-effect_b_850551.

5. The Girl Effect is now an independent nonprofit organization. To learn more, see https://www.girleffect.org/.

6. Eitel, “Nike Foundation.”

Adapted from Strong Girls, Strong World: A Practical Guide to Helping Them Soar—and Creating a Better Future for Us All by Dale Hanson Bourke. Copyright © 2023. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

The post Investing in Girls, Investing in the Future first appeared on Live Original.

“Why does this feel so rare?” I pondered, as I twisted a pen between my fingers and stared at the ceiling. I want to be like her. I want to celebrate like her. I want to walk alongside other women in my industry and value their gifts as she valued mine. Sadly, I recently had some experiences on the contrary. Maybe that’s why this encounter with her surprised me so much. It felt like this was the way God intended for His daughters to collaborate. I wonder if you can relate?

He prompted me with the reminder that part of my calling, as a follower of Jesus, is to help others use their gifts and talents to build the Kingdom. To celebrate what is deemed worth celebrating in the women around me. You know, rejoice with those who rejoice (see Romans 12:15). As I reflect on Women’s History Month, I’m reminded that winning alone isn’t enticing to me any longer, but winning with my fellow go-getter girls brings much joy.

It’s easier to call out the gifts in others and celebrate them with gumption when we are clear on how God has gifted us. When we’re clear on our call, we can cheer with excitement. I wonder how you would answer the question, “What were you made to do?” Where do you feel you’re naturally gifted? How has God wired you to radiate Him to the world around you? Is there a skill where, when you exercise it, you lose track of time?

God has uniquely wired you in a way best suited for the community and people He has placed you within. Understanding your purpose will allow you to maintain an eternal perspective as you take next steps (and encourage others along the way). In the Old Testament, the Lord gave Moses instructions on how to care for the oil lamps in the tabernacle (see Leviticus 24:2-4). The oil had to be replenished and the wicks had to be trimmed in order to keep the light source shining brightly within the space that held the presence of God. Why does this matter for us? On the other side of the life, death, bodily resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, we carry the very presence of God within us. The Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the grave, is alive in us (see Romans 6:10-11). It is freeing to remember that, not only do we have the encouragement of go-getter girls around us, but in Christ, we are never alone in our struggles and discouragement. Jesus, in the sermon on the mount, calls his disciples the light of the world. He tells them to let their lights shine so that others may see their good works and so God will be glorified (see Matthew 5: 13-16).

When we seek to gain more clarity on how to shine our light, God will give us wisdom and discernment in how he desires to use us in this season (see James 1:5-6). With that clarity and confidence, it’s easier to run in your lane, eyes fixed on Jesus as you encounter other “runners” on their own course (see Hebrews 12:1-2 for encouragement). Why does this matter? I don’t want anything to hold me, or those around me, back from our God-given assignments. I don’t think you do either.

When we recognize God at work in our sister in Christ, we should be at-the-ready to recognize her and call out those gifts in her. Hebrews 10:24 reminds us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” When we celebrate the gifts and talents we see at play in our fellow go-getter girls, God will use this encouragement to spur them on in their own calling. We can create a culture of celebration, as my friend Deann Carpenter says, by walking around with confetti in our pockets. When we have clarity in our own work and a heart ready to run alongside others, God will use that desire to encourage us, too.

We have all experienced the exhaustion of a challenging season in our calling. No matter how much joy we have in our work or how confident we feel that God has us right where He wants us, we will all have moments where we want to quit. We might face obstacles that will cause us to lose steam. That’s exactly why we need one another! This month, my challenge to you is to be on the lookout for opportunities to cheer for and call out the gifts in the women around you. Make it your mission! God will use these moments to encourage and bless you too, I promise.

As we celebrate the go-getter girls around us, let’s also fall in love a little deeper with the lane in which God has called only us to run. Let’s shine our light so bright that it encourages the women around us to do the same. Collectively, we are a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (see Matthew 5:14). As we observe Women’s History Month, it’s the perfect opportunity to gain clarity on our call, encourage others who might be facing a tough season in their calling, and celebrate the amazing women God has placed in our lives. As my favorite 90s country icon Shania Twain would declare, “Let’s go girls!”

Rebecca George is the founder of Radical Radiance® —a podcast community where listeners are encouraged and equipped to radiate the heart of Jesus in their life, work, and relationships. She is an author, speaker and podcaster whose greatest joy in life is discipling others to pursue their passions in a way that builds the Kingdom. She is married to Dustin, the senior pastor of Vonore Baptist Church in East Tennessee. A proud University of Tennessee graduate, Rebecca spends her free time running outdoors, writing, or trying a new recipe with Garth Brooks playing in the background. Connect with Rebecca on Instagram (rebeccageorgeauthor) or at www.radicalradiance.live.

The post Go-Getter Girls In Your Life first appeared on Live Original.

When I was in middle school I went with my church to evangelize on the streets in California. One of the first questions we asked the people we would meet was, “Do you know that Jesus loves you?” Some would say yes but most would say, “Well if Jesus knows what I have done he doesn’t love me like you think,” or “Not after what I have done.” This has stuck with me after all these years because I remember my middle school heart was broken knowing that people did not think that Jesus loved them. Sometimes we think we need to have that perfect resume, filters on, and the perfect aesthetic to be loved. We think “if only they knew what I have done they would not love me.” What if I told you that is the farthest thing from the truth? What if the very thing you are scared of uncovering is what is going to make others love you more deeply? The scar that you are trying to cover up could be the very thing someone needs to see in order for them to have hope and healing for their open wound. 

I am sure you have heard to Sunday school song about Zacchaeus,

“Zacchaeus was a wee little man,

And a wee little man was he.

He climbed up in a sycamore tree

For the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior passed that way

He looked up in the tree and he said,

Zacchaeus you come down, 

For I’m going to your house today!

For I’m going to your house today!”

Zacchaeus was not only a “wee little man,” but he was seen as one of the most disliked people of this time. He was a tax collector and tax collectors were not liked. Not only did he collect everyone’s taxes but he became rich by collecting money unfairly and overtaxing the people. Why would Jesus want to go to his house of all the people in the crowd? A man who was unfair and selfish yet Jesus chose to go to his house? Jesus does not look for the perfect resume to show love. Jesus sits with everyone. Jesus knew if he could get Zacchaeus to drop his walls he could love Zacchaeus deeper. Jesus is waiting for you to drop your walls too. He loves you and wants to see the real you. He knows your sins, the wrongs, and still loves you. He wants to be let into your house too. 

The same can be said with our relationship with others too. When I was growing up I was always desiring more from my friendships. I was never satisfied and I felt like I would never find “my people.” If you desire deeper relationships there has to be deeper conversations. I realized that the issue is not always the people I had in my life (which sometimes it is) but the depth of the conversations. If you have surface level conversations you will have surface level friendships. It is hard to drop your walls but it is so worth it when you drop them to the right people. If you drop your walls it gives others the opportunity to drop their walls too. The more transparency you can be in relationships, the more you will connect with others. When there is realness and honesty with people in your life everyone can learn how to serve each other better. We should look at relationships with the attitude of “how can I serve and help you right now?” This is something that the couple months of marriage I have learned is so important. Being real and honest with each other and being able to serve the people in our lives is such a gift. 

It is awesome to see people be real and raw on social media now too. The unfiltered photos, the vulnerability, I think it provides us all with a sense of relief and hope. I think it is also something to be careful about though. I remember when I was first vulnerable on instagram I had made this long post about having an eating disorder in hope to encourage someone else. I posted it and immediately had friends texting me. I had not even told some of my closest friends what I was struggling with but I posted it for thousands of strangers to read? It is so important, especially in a place of hard times and hurt, that we run to Jesus first. Next we run to our friends and family for prayers and guidance. Then when the wound has healed and you have a testimony of God’s hope and healing that is when we share on social media if you feel called to. 

We were called to have deep connections. In Proverbs 27 verse 17 it talks about how iron sharpens iron and as friends we are to also sharpen each other. A friend speaks truth to you in order to help you live out who God called you to be. Do not be afraid to be vulnerable with a friend. A true God loving friend will strive to do anything they can to help you overcome and reach your full potential. 

If you are thinking I do not even have people to be honest with, seek them. Seeking friendships through church, your community, social media, and even work can be intimidating but it is worth it. Sometimes you may have to be the one that starts the conversation or asks to hangout and that is okay. Ask first. Seek intentionally. Be real. Serve eachother. Be the friend that Jesus calls us to be. 

Taking off the filter can be hard but our beauty and worth come from Jesus not some perfect resume we try to portray. 

Kassidy cheered in college at Navarro College and is now a personal trainer while using fitness to lead others to Christ. She strives to encourage women to be confident in who God created them to be. She lives in Texas currently and loves cooking, working out, flowers, and boba!

Follow Kassidy on Instagram @kassidy.brougham

The post Removing the Filter first appeared on Live Original.

Social support systems have benefits that are so far-reaching they actually prolong life. Such “villages” used to be common. Now, our villages are spread out across the country and maybe even the world, and we chat with them on our phones. And that’s okay too. But not if that takes the place of real-life relationships.

I follow a popular author who seems to have the most amazing friends and family around her. She frequently posts about those in her life who always seem to show up when she needs them. They make meals. They watch her kids. They buy her thoughtful gifts and are there when she needs a shoulder to cry on. They listen and give advice at just the right times.

Once I saw a comment on one of her threads that gave me a light-bulb moment. The person said something like, “I’m so glad you have amazing friends and family, but the rest of us don’t, so this all feels a bit braggy.”

There is nothing more discouraging than feeling alone—alone in your struggle, alone in your situation, alone in your home. When you have babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, the days are so long. And while the little ones can give amazing hugs and cuddles, you may often feel starved for grown-up conversation.

Caring for our little ones takes up most of our time and energy. It’s overwhelming. It’s exhausting. But it’s in these years that we’d most benefit from help, support, and friendship. And because most of us live life online instead of in the local community, we don’t even know how to get it.

As I’ve wrestled with that dilemma, I’ve discovered a few approaches that have led to rich friendships.

Think outside the age box

One friend who helped me through cancer treatment, Sheryl, is about ten years older than me. She went through breast cancer when she was my age. And another two times since then. When I felt scared or panicked, I could reach out to her. Sheryl would listen—sometimes come over—and point me back to the Lord. She was someone I could rely on and reach out to when I felt bad. Her support was life-giving.

Friends don’t have to be your same age or in the same life stage. In fact, if you’re a mom of young kids, it may be hard to find a mom your age for support because you are both likely to be strung out and exhausted. 

This is a great time to make friendships with older women who don’t have little ones underfoot. They have more time and remember the challenges of the stage you are in. These women can offer their perspective, wisdom, and practical help. Seek them out in your church. Be vulnerable about your struggles.

Think local first 

When you are going through something and need to talk with someone, start locally. Instead of immediately reaching out to a friend across the country, reach out to someone near you, someone you may run into this week.

Forget about how your house looks, and invite that person over. Schedule the visit for when your little ones are down for a nap so you can concentrate on your time together. Or invite this person over after the kids are in bed. If you don’t purposefully cultivate relationships with people near you, you won’t have any.

When our schedule permits, we’ll invite a family over for dinner and a swim. We choose an easy meal and let the kids play outside so there’s no mess to clean up later. Thinking easy instead of elaborate means it’ll actually happen. 

Be real

People who are real feel safe to others. Even if you don’t agree with everything they do or say, you can relax when you’re with them. Be this type of person. Forget about looking good, sounding good, or performing. That is vanity and doesn’t fool anyone.

If you’re sad, be sad. If you’re angry, be angry. If you’re discouraged, ask for encouragement. If you want to cry, cry. If you are about to drown, ask someone to throw you a life preserver. 

Pray you’ll run into someone who can encourage you. Believe that God hears your prayers and answers them. If you don’t think prayer works, it’s because you haven’t done it enough. Scripture says, “You do not have, because you do not ask” (James 4:2, esv). So ask.

Find a church or a mom’s group. If you behave authentically, you’ll attract others who do the same. Go to your pastor or small group leader and say, “I can’t take it anymore. Do you know anyone who might be able to help me this week?” Be specific. You need help; this isn’t the time to hold back. When you find someone with the desire to help, talk to them for as long as you can. Tell the kids to be quiet and wait; they will be okay. They will learn patience.

Be a friend to have a friend

If all else fails and you feel disconnected, love others first. Find out who needs help in your area, and give it to them. Look for a mother who is worn out, and make or bring her some food.

If you know a family in your church or neighborhood that is struggling financially and you are not, pay some of their bills anonymously. Get them gift cards to the grocery store. If you don’t currently have extra funds, you can at least drop off an encouraging note. If you see something you know would lift someone’s spirits, bring it to them. Give time, attention, and love to others. Even if they don’t pay you back immediately—or ever—you will feel encouraged. 

You will feel connected. You will feel alive. You will truly understand on a deeper level that it is better to give than to receive (see Acts 20:35), and in giving, you will receive some balm for your weary soul.

Adapted from If Mama Ain’t Happy: Why Minding Your Own Boundaries Is Good for the Whole Family by Rachel Norman. Copyright © 2022. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

The post Ways to Build Friendships and Support Systems first appeared on Live Original.

Once a friend came over to catch up, and as we talked and laughed, she paused and said, “Hey, I don’t want to bring this up, but you forgot my birthday. And I don’t really need presents or a big celebration, but you didn’t even text me. I expect that from some of my other friends, but not you. And it hurt my feelings.”

Ugh! I was just torn up. But I was also so proud of my friend for owning her hurt feelings and being bold enough to confront me. I needed to be bold in return: to own what I did and apologize.

“I am beyond sorry,” I said. “You are so important to me. I love celebrating birthdays, and I would never miss an opportunity to celebrate you, but I just forgot. It wasn’t in my calendar, and I didn’t get one of those helpful Facebook notifications. I just forgot, and I am sorry it hurt your feelings. It wasn’t intentional. Could you remind me of the date? It’s going in my calendar right now so I never forget again.”

I brought her a gift the next time I saw her because I love giving gifts. And because I wanted to right the wrong. I cared about this friend, and I wanted her to know I valued her despite my forgetfulness.

Own what you did. Own your pain and responsibility to speak up, like my friend did. When we admit our friendship flaws, we display how much we value the friendship over our own pride. Because a good friendship isn’t about being right in the situation, it’s about finding a way to reconcile the wrongs.

If you’re the one who got hurt, know that sometimes you need to let an offense go, knowing that it was not personal or that your friend was having a bad day or simply didn’t realize their behavior was hurtful. But sometimes you do need to address the issue—preferably by talking through the issue in person, removing as many barriers to misunderstanding one another as possible. A great posture to take is to stand with your friend, not against her. Picture yourself standing side-by-side with her and working through the hard things together (versus standing opposite from her). Your togetherness is more important than your “otherness.” You want to be on her side, to understand her hurt, to give her the benefit of the doubt, with a “we are on the same team” mentality.

When the wounds feel fresh, taking a step back to reevaluate the safety of your friendship can be healthy. You need time to rebuild trust. As author Van Moody wrote in The People Factor, “Regardless of the many reasons for a separation, we sometimes need to ask or allow someone who has been a valuable or even vital part of our lives to leave the relationship because a once-positive association has become negative.” When a friend fails to see the hurt they have caused, sometimes attempting to reconnect too soon only leaves you feeling anxious. There’s a difference between befriending a bully and learning to forgive a friend for a mean comment. Don’t confuse the two. It’s not wise or safe to entrust your heart to someone who is uninterested in treating it well. This would be the beginning steps toward an unhealthy, toxic friendship. Even though you had the intention of staying friends through thick and thin, taking a break from regular, intimate conversation gives you the opportunity to discern which direction this friendship is heading—positively or negatively.

We can choose to be a better friend because someone has been a bad one. Remembering what those negative experiences were like, we can take mean-girl moments and turn them into meaningful connection:

· For all the moments you didn’t belong, choose to invite that girl sitting by herself.

· For all the times someone said something mean about the way you look, say five kind things to someone else.

· For all the evenings you sat at home feeling left out, make plans for a girls’ night.

· For all the lonely days you wish you had someone to talk to, create trust and invite deep conversation with your roommate.

· For all the seasons you have struggled to find healthy community, remember that God has placed women in your local community who are genuine, friendly, and kindhearted.

And if the only thing that came out of a bad friendship experience was drawing you closer to God, then that alone is still profoundly good. God’s loving-kindness is waiting for you in the middle of every hurt. God doesn’t let mean-girl moments go unseen or unredeemed.

In addition to fighting mean-girl culture; we should also reflect on how our words affect the quality of our friendships.

Our tongue, though it may be the smallest part of our bodies, can do serious damage to our friendships. James says it best: “With it [our tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.” One minute we are friendly to our friend’s face, and the next moment, we are jealous for

something she posted about herself on social media. We are tempted to screenshot it and send it to another friend in hopes that she will join us in judging that other friend mercilessly behind her back. I know I’ve been guilty of it.

As women who love Jesus, we cannot spread rumors or condone words that put others down. It is contradictory to who we are in Jesus and calls into question if we truly know how loved we are by God—because if we did, we would do everything we can to hold up our sisters in Christ and draw women to the faith who do not yet know the kindness of God. We want our words to reflect the positive work God is doing in us, for “whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.” Abiding in the light of God gives us the security to shine a light on others. Our words of praise and encouragement are not ingenuine when we know God has made each of us for a specific purpose . . . and that we achieve these things better together. Instead of relying on mean-spirited acts to make you feel more important, you can create a safe space for everyone to feel known and accepted as they are—assured they can be their true selves without the fear of being teased. Supporting each other protects the vulnerability it takes for us to grow meaningful connection.

Taken from Together Is a Beautiful Place: Finding, Keeping, and Loving Our Friends by Bailey T. Hurley. Copyright ©2022. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries.

Bailey T. Hurley is everyone’s favorite community cheerleader. She encourages women to pursue a faithful relationship with God so they can build fruitful friendships in their corner of the world. She has written on the topic of friendship and faith for publications like She Reads Truth, Salvation Army’s Peer Magazine and Grit and Virtue. She also loves podcasts! You can find her chatting all about friendship on Sally Clarkson’s podcast Life with Sally, Kristin Schell’s podcast At the Turquoise Table, and a dozen more.

The post Wounds that Lead to Connection first appeared on Live Original.

Our 2022 Ambassador Retreat was such a special time.  While many people did not know each other kicking off on Friday, we hugged each other close on Sunday, amazed by how close and known we felt by each other.

Friday night was so sweet! Around fifty ambassadors  from all over the country were flying and driving, through snow storms, to West Monroe and getting to know each other as they settled into their cabins. 

One of the highlights, besides our delicious dinner, was when the girls played the game Nitty Gritty together.  If you don’t know what this game is, you need to! It is way too much fun to miss out on!  Picture this: a bunch of girls on teams competing to sing the best country tunes, trying three shoes of different sizes together, or burping the alphabet! There truly is no limit to what could happen or how much we could laugh.  It really bonded us!  We wish our whole LO Sister fam could have been there and played!

One special moment was when Sadie, Court, and Steph (the original Team LO) opened the floor for a Q&A with the ambassadors about all things having to do with starting a ministry, sustaining the vision, challenges along the way, lessons learned, and everything in between.  There was a powerful moment when Sadie talked about how her mission for this ministry, to be sisters and friends, came from a time when she didn’t have any friends at all.  As she realized how full-circle it is that she was currently having a Q&A at a retreat for women to become better sisters and friends after once feeling completely alone and confused, she wept.  Her original vision, founded out of a place of loneliness, had come to life and was before her eyes.  I think everyone in the room was crying with her, and the tender Spirit of the Lord was there, as He always has been.   All of our eyes were opened to how much the Lord has been working in this mission and how much He continues to. 

Saturday morning was filled with crisp winter air, but our tummies were filled with Two Mama’s warm homemade pancakes!  They were insanely yummy. 

After we fueled up for the day, we drove over to the LO office where girls got to write their best piece of advice on the WHOA That’s Good advice wall.  We also had a time of worship with Chidima Ubah from Passion Music! It was such an honor to have Chidima see the value of this retreat and fly all the way down to Louisiana to lead us into God’s presence.  

Sadie’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, Maia Billman, gave an amazing word.  Get this – it was her first time speaking and she was incredible! Filled with God’s wisdom, she spoke with authenticity, conviction, and encouragement.  Here are some of the main takeaways from her talk that we want to share with you: 

Do not conceal.  Proclaim!  

Mark 16:15

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

We are really good at going, but what are we doing when we go?

Proclaim the fullness of what God has done and is doing in your life!

1. We don’t need to proclaim perfectly.  We have a fear of proclaiming the fullness of God, because that means we have to share where we have been.  Thank goodness Jesus died for us to be made new!  Because of God, I am no longer in bondage to addiction, lust, jealousy, comparison, slander, gossip, judgment, sexual immorality.  I once was but look what He has done!  
2. Call others into proclaiming!

We headed back to the camp for a fun group workout led by Sadie’s personal trainer.  The intention of this time was to put into practice what it looks like to workout for the health and well-being of your body and make it FUN!  It’s safe to say we woke up the next morning a little sore….

After a time of rest, Saturday night came and let me tell you, the Lord MOVED.  We began with a time of powerful worship led by Reeves and Kaylea (LO Worship), as well as Chidima.  Tears were flowing.

Sadie gave a powerful talk about being anointed right NOW, regardless of what you have or where you are. Speaking out of 1 Samuel, she talked about how David was anointed and the Spirit of the Lord fell on him, but he didn’t immediately become king.  No opportunity immediately opened up.  He actually went back to being with the sheep.  But the skills he learned as a shepherd, such as using a slingshot as his main weapon of defense, were what led him to confidently killing Goliath. 

She spoke about how you do not have to promote yourself to the world or even to God.  God is the one who anointed you and He will provide next steps and opportunities at the right time.  The things David was doing

 during his time being a shepherd, such as practicing playing his music in private, were what led him to ultimately be asked to play in the palace. And after he played music in the temple, he didn’t become king right away.  Do you know what he did? He went back to the sheep!  Don’t underestimate the power of what God is teaching and building in you right now.  How you use your time when you are in a private season will greatly affect your readiness and confidence when God leads you into a public season. 

It was an amazing message that encouraged us to stay faithful to what he has set before us right now and be confident in the fact that God is moving in us today, even if it doesn’t feel like it.   She prompted everyone to reflect with these three questions:

What is your “why” question that you are asking God? This could be “why am I still a shepherd when you’ve anointed me to lead worship?” or “why do I live here instead of there?”

What do you feel called to be faithful in? What in this season where you have been placed, do you feel called to be diligent?

How has God been intentional throughout your life? Sadie showed videos of her as a young child preaching and having a little talk show that then led to videos of her today preaching and on her podcast.  God had been preparing her her entire life for the calling she has.  Where do you see this in your own life? Search the little parts of your life from the time you were a child to now.  You will be amazed and inspired.

That night, we surprised the girls with an amazing Galentine’s party, full of cookie-decorating, massages, popcorn, candy, dancing, and massages.  It was pretty insane.  

That about sums up our weekend! It was such a special time and we continue to be amazed by how God is moving through our Ambassadors and LO Sister. 

If you want to be a part of this amazing community, join LO Sister here 🙂 Can’t wait to see you there, friend!

The post LO Sister Ambassador Retreat 2022 Recap first appeared on Live Original.

Now, I hope you enjoy this devotional from day 15 of Live On Purpose:

________________________

And God said to Noah, “. . . Make yourself an ark of gopherwood.”

(Genesis 6:13–14 nkjv)

Revelation and realization might look and sound like similar words, but there’s a big difference in what they mean. A revelation is something that you’re suddenly aware of—like you suddenly become aware of what God wants you to do with your life (or at least part of it). A realization is when God makes that revelation actually happen.

Chances are, you will have a revelation of what God wants you to do before you see the realization of what He is going to do.

Think about Noah. God gave him a revelation: “You need to build a boat.” Noah listened. He acted on that revelation and started building. And I bet he had some learning and training to do before he figured out exactly how to build that boat. When the rains started, Noah saw that God used the boat to save humankind and the animals. That’s when the realization happened.

For me, I had a revelation that God wanted me to go on tour and speak to people about Him. Maybe I’d call it Live Original, but I wasn’t sure. Back then, I never thought it would be what God has grown it to be. I never thought I’d speak at the Passion Conferences, go on to start a podcast, and spend every day working on content to preach, write, and encourage people in their faith.

That first revelation, though, was strong enough for me to know that I needed to start training and learning. I needed to stop listening to some of the music I was listening to, and I needed to stop watching some of the shows and movies I gave my time to. I needed to start digging deep into Scripture and saturate my life with the Word of God. I wouldn’t know the Bible stories I know today if I had not spent that time in the Word— after I had the revelation, but before I had the realization.

When God gives you a revelation, that’s your cue to ask Him to start teaching you what you need to know before you get to the realization. As He teaches and trains you, you’ll not only learn what you need to know; you’ll also learn to trust the Lord who leads you. And He’ll lead you right into the purpose He has for your life.

________________________

A prayer for you: Holy Father, open my eyes to see Your revelation for my life. Then teach me and train me so that I will be ready for the realization. Amen.

Be sure to order your copy today!

The post From Revelation to Realization first appeared on Live Original.