reflection

Prayer Points: Forgiveness

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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One of the greatest hindrances that can happen on our prayer journey is holding on to grudges, hurts and offenses. No one is exempt from being hurt and mistreated. In fact often times hurt is a cycle where those who have deeply hurt us are deeply hurting and pass that hurt on to the next person. Forgiveness isn’t so easy when there is a wound that seems to have no time to heal before another thing hits hard. But that doesn’t mean forgiveness isn’t possible. In fact the cross shows us forgiveness is possible! On our own and in our flesh we can be enslaved to hurt, pain and offense. But with all that Christ has done for us we can be free to forgive. Below are some highlighted points to consider on giving and receiving mercy and grace.

 

Prayer Point: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”(Matthew 6: 12) 

Receiving mercy and grace: Sin is a debt that we as humans cannot pay. But there is a loving Savior who is without sin that was sent to earth to pay that debt. Jesus suffered, died, rose and ascended into heaven all for us; in spite of our shortcomings. So when we pray for mercy and grace the gift of forgiveness replaces the captivity of sin and death(spiritual death). We are not under the curse of the law as some were in the bible times, but we have been redeemed! Hallelujah! Jesus became that curse for us so that we can be free!!! (Galatians 3:13)He thought that much about us to go through what mankind deserved.

Giving mercy and grace: Giving goes far beyond just visual and physical means. Forgiveness is a choice in the sense that we can choose to give and receive or we can choose to not give and not receive. We have to choose to surrender our heart, attitude and actions to God’s will in order to be transformed from being enslaved  to hurt, pain and offense to being liberated to extend grace and mercy. In our human minds we will at times remember the hurt, pain and offense, but right there and then we can respond in that grace and mercy. We can tell ourselves “Grace covered that!” “Mercy has got that!”

May we be receivers of mercy and grace and be givers of mercy and grace!

Declaration: I receive grace and mercy into my heart and I give grace and mercy from my heart. 

 

 

5 Lessons From 1 Samuel

/ Crystal Holdipp / 2 Comments

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Samuel is the writer of the majority of 1 Samuel. Gifted as a prophet, Samuel gives a warning to the Israelites about their desire for him to choose an earthly king to lead them and the disaster it will bring. The Israelites didn’t pay attention to the warning and experienced much mourning because of their desire.

Below are some highlighted lessons to consider from 1 Samuel.

 

1) A persistent petition from a mother births a powerful legacy of seeking the Lord. Hannah who continued in prayer during barrenness eventually gives birth to a son(Samuel) who develops a lifestyle of prayer and worship unto the Lord during his leadership.

 

2) Outside of God’s presence is death and grief. When the glory of the Lord departs from a people, there is no victory during the battle – which brings much loss. After Eli’s sons(Hophni & Phinehas) were killed in battle and Eli died when he heard all that happened, Phinehas’ wife gave birth to a boy and named him Inchabod which means “The glory is departed from Israel”.

 

3) Human leadership has the ability to mislead and rely on self, but the Holy Spirit will never lead you outside of God’s covering. Saul walked in disobedience to God and thought he could do things all on his own and still reign.

 

4) Never give place to the devil in avenging yourself. God will take care of the mockery and deprivation in His timing.

 

5) Surround yourself with those who operate in wisdom. In our times of haste, their words can save us from taking foolish action. Abigail encouraged David in who he was in God and in leaving the situation(when her husband at the time mocked David and David’s request for payment of his men’s service was rejected) for God to handle.

10 Reasons to Choose Happiness

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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Happiness is temporary. Happy moments are great to have and will bring balance along with sad moments. It’s okay to choose happiness even during challenging times and when we are not getting our way.

Below are some highlighted points to consider on reasons to choose happiness.

 

  1. Brings Sunshine to Others

Cheerful moments can be contagious! When others see us feeling up we encourage them to do so as well. We spread a wildfire of delight.

 

2. Open to See the Good During the Bad

When we decide to be happy we are more open to receiving good days during difficult seasons.

 

3. Broadens Our Imaginary 

When we are in situations where we need to show our artistic works, happy moments can be the boost to expanding what we can imagine.

 

4. You’re Rewarding Yourself

Sometimes after doing a good job and working hard, you need a treat. Treat yourself to a ray of happiness.

 

5. Helping Others with their Needs

A happy person is a helping hand. When we are happy we have the energy to get up and help somebody else.

 

6. Teaching Valuable Lessons 

Observers and watchful people are looking to see what they can learn. What do they see when they look at you? Perhaps your happy moments can teach them more than you think.

 

7. More Effective in Your Work/Job

Happy people seem to be more productive in their work. When they don’t get the approval of others, they know how to see the positive in what they do without the constant need of others telling them.

 

8. You Appreciate More

Those happy moments that are not always there, teach us to appreciate the good and not to take it for granted as if it will always be a happy day in this world.

 

9. Another Day May Not Come

The present is the time to be happy. No human knows what will definitely happen next.

 

10. Everything is not meant to be Serious

Happy people know how to see the humor and take a giggle even when things mess up.

 

I give myself these reasons to choose happiness when I want to. You can too!

 

 

6 Lessons Through Blogging

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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January 22, 2017 marks two years of me blogging on ‘Life Adventures’. I have been blogging on my previous websites and online platforms years before this 2 year mark. Blogging is another avenue for my writing and has played a huge part in my development of the craft. 

There are some lessons that I have learned through writing a blog and below are a few of the highlighted lessons for you to consider.

 

1) There is always something new to develop during the journey of blogging. When I started my blog I wanted to keep it basic and then as time passed I started adding to it until it developed into a website.

2) Your authentic voice reaches the right people who it’s meant to reach. In my blogging I’m learning to embrace my unique voice more and more.

3) Diverse ways of marketing blog posts is the best approach to reaching an audience. Researching and applying effective ways boosts your reach.

4) Your blog could be a beginning to something bigger. Sometimes when we start something we may think that’s what we will only be doing, until other things unfold from it.

5) Some topic ideas for your blog may come in unexpected ways. It is through daily encounters that ideas can come out of you.

6) Look out and be open for possible ways to grow your blog. The growth of blogging comes through openness to learn.

 

Bloggers, what are some lessons that you have learned through blogging? 

 

Prayer Points: Praying for Provision

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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There are times we are in situations that we don’t know how to get out of. Wonderings of the heart and mind saying: How did I get in this? How do I get out of this? What do I do in this? How do I continue living in this? Sometimes it seems the bigger the efforts made by us and the desire craved, the higher the odds pile up. How does daily bread manifest in our lives when we are running on low of the very life we have and we are in need of life support? Below are some points, questions and thoughts to consider on when we are in need of provision when we feel powerless.

 

Prayer Point: ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’

Our daily bread is the provision of our daily needs. What are the necessities that we need daily, in a world that showcases the tasty, sweet and overflowing with glamour? Where our wants are advertised confusing us with what we really need.

What are your daily needs?

What are the daily needs of your family?

What are the daily needs of our community?

What are the daily needs of the strangers, friends and acquaintances around us?

What are the daily needs of the nation?

What are the daily needs of the world?

 

Luke 18:1 encourages us “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”

That simply lets us know even when the odds are piling up and seems to get bigger than our desire and tries to threaten our needs of ever getting met – we are to continue in prayer for the needs.

What do we do when adversity seems to advance further than the outcome of our continual efforts? Prayer is what we have to hold on to when everything else seems to go away.

Sometimes fainting may lie and say that is the only thing we have left to do.

Fainting into despair.

Fainting into disbelief.

Fainting into desperation.

There’s something that needs to be revived in us again.

Revival of prayer, faith, walking in God’s will, declaring and decreeing specifically the needs and being relentless in the part we are responsible for.

Jehovah Jireh: God our Provider,

Reveal who you are in our daily lives. We give you praise and thanks for all the past and present revelations and provisions that you have been to us. Lord revive in us the faith that lives on and rescue us from fainting when we are overwhelmed, exhausted and dehydrated within. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

 

5 Lessons From Ruth

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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The book of Ruth is an amazing story of redemption and love. In the bible, Kinsman – Redeemer was a protection law that was in place for the welfare of the poor from being taken advantage of and from the wealthy taking away property that came from a people(community). The Kinsman – Redeemer is a reflection that God will redeem Israel from their suffering and the injustices and that Jesus is a Savior for humankind and will come back to conquer every evil deed . Below are some highlighted lessons on the book of Ruth to consider.

 

1) It’s better to be in a famine and under God’s protection, then to have a feast and step outside of God’s direction. When Elimelech and his wife Naomi(along with two sons) left Judah to stay in Moab,  they stepped outside of God’s direction. Moab was a land in the bible where people worshipped false gods and idols.

 

2) Running from trouble brings added trouble when we are outside the will of God. In Ruth 1, it mentions that Elimelech(Naomi’s husband) died and later on  Mahlon and Chilion(Naomi’s sons) died. There are always negative consequences from making a choice to be outside the will of God.

 

3) Faithfulness always ignites breakthrough. Ruth went into the field to gather from the harvest. God used Boaz to protect, provide and be generous to Ruth. Ruth stayed with her mother – in – law Naomi and went in the field and miraculous things erupted from that.

 

4) When you look out for someone else and allow God to work through you for their blessing, bitterness will dissipate. Naomi who was bitter decided to let go of the bitterness and  she guided Ruth in how to go to Boaz.

 

5) To travel from grief to restoration it requires trust, faith and obedience. Ruth had to trust that after the death of her husband that this was not the end of her story. In addition, she had to believe that God would turn her situation around and she had to follow the instructions she was given from her mother – in – law and take action from her trust and faith.

 

 

 

 

Prayer Points: Petition

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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As we continue in our lifestyle of prayer, another focus we can put into practice is to petition for ourselves and for others. Simply meaning making requests and asking God to move on our behalf concerning personal and public matters to do with yourself, family, friends, body of Christ , government and the world. Below is our prayer point and highlighted points to consider.

 

Prayer Point: Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

What is God’s Kingdom?: According to Romans 14:17, the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

How is God’s will done in earth?: Through willing people. Whoever is available to be used by Him.

Meditation: Abba Father, I pray that your righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost be manifested in my life,  family, friends, body of Christ and in this entire world. Father I pray that we will be yielding vessels that are available for your will to be done through us and in us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I want to encourage everyone to continue to petition as the Holy Spirit leads them. Sometimes God will place specific people and situations on our hearts to intercede on. We must always keep ourselves covered in the  powerful blood of Jesus. Those attacks and schemes of the enemy that come after servants of God, prayer warriors and intercessors petition can sometimes be dangerous to the mind, spirit and body. War in Jesus against evil forces and remember the blood of Jesus will never fail you!

Prayer Points: Acknowledge

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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A lifestyle of prayer is developed over time as we grow in our relationship with God. Each person’s prayer life is personal and between them and the Lord. In Matthew 6, the Lord’s prayer is an outline and example of how we should pray. Praying is not for show of how much spiritual one is neither is it for competition to be better than the next person.

God knows the things that we need, so when we pray we can have assurance that God hears and knows before we even ask Him. Below is our highlighted prayer point and some points to consider about it.

 

Prayer Point: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

1) God Our Father:  A father protects, provides and cares for their child or children.

2) Acknowledge: When we pray we can acknowledge that God is our Father and who He is to us as our Heavenly Father.

  • El Shaddai – The Almighty God(Genesis 17:1)
  • El Elyon – The Most High God(Genesis 14:18)
  • Adonai – Lord God(Genesis 15:2)
  • Yahweh – Lord(Genesis 2:4)
  • Jehovah Nissi – God is My Banner(Exodus 17:15)
  • Jehovah Raah – God is My Shepherd(Psalm 23:1)
  • Jehovah Rapha – God Heals(Exodus 15:26)
  • Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There(Ezekiel 48: 35)
  • Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness(Jeremiah 23: 6)
  • Jehovah Mekoddishkem -The Lord Who Sanctifies(Exodus 31:13)
  • El Olam – The Everlasting God(Genesis 21:33)
  • Elohim – God(Genesis 1:1)
  • Qanna – Jealous God(Exodus 20:5)
  • Jehovah Jireh – God is My Provider(Genesis 22:14)
  • Jehovah Shalom- God is My Peace(Judges 6:24)
  • Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts(1Samuel 1:3)

 

Meditation: God I acknowledge you as my Father. You are El Shaddai who is almighty and powerful in every way. Most High God thank you for your  sovereignty that is over everything. Lord you are my Master who reigns and rules. God you are my banner and you cover me victoriously. Lord you promised to be my shepherd therefore I know you will care for me. Jehovah Rapha you are healing me cause you are the greatest physician that never stops running out. Lord you are always there when I need you and you will never abandon me. God you are our righteousness who washes us from all unrighteousness. Everlasting Father you are my only God and therefore I will worship you alone. God my provider you promised to provide for me therefore you will also be my peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Lessons Through Identity Theft

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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I’ve experienced identity theft on more than one occasion. The first time it happened it was scary cause I didn’t know who and how the person was able to pretend to be me and get access to what money I did have. What else would they do with my private information? I don’t give my private information to people so how did this even happen?

Thankfully I got what they stole back and more. Not long after I got a blessing greater than what they took. Below are some highlighted lessons to consider on identity theft.

 

1) Satan is the chief thief behind identity theft. The devil is the deceiver that wants to take away everything valuable on the inside of us, bring to an end any form of life and destroy that which he can get access to. In whatever way he does it, he is seeking his way to gain entry.

2) Even the slightest information can leak online and offline for someone to use for corrupt reasons. Be extra careful in managing your private information. Keep alert of your online and offline activity.

3) We must practice to be led by the Holy Spirit in whatever we get involved with. When something seems not right, don’t be hasty and desperate to do it anyway.

4) Identity deception is rooted in insecurity and discontentment. Everyone has insecurities and have experienced dissatisfaction at some time, but  trying to steal a person’s identity is  one of the ways that show it has gotten out of control.

5) Our spiritual identity is secure in Christ. When we are in Christ, there’s nothing and no one that can take away who we are in Him.

 

Have you experienced identity theft? What lessons have you learned through or about identity theft?

 

5 Lessons From Mental Health

/ Crystal Holdipp / Leave a comment

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Mental Health affects everyone in some way. On this World Mental Health Day, I reflect on the mental difficulties and suffering that many encounter each day and how they still matter and are still needed and important.

There’s all sorts of things that can trigger or cause people to struggle with their mental health. Mental Illness is not limited to a certain status of people, because there are many people who both publicly and privately deal with these situations whether they are wealthy or living in poverty. Even the very successful or underdog can be touched in these areas. Below are some highlighted lessons to consider on mental health.

 

1) Our mental health will either positively or negatively influence other parts of our health. Often times people with a mental challenge are overwhelmed with  physical fatigue.

 

2) Natural and spiritual cures do exist for mental illness. I tend not to say much when it comes to whether or not a person should take antidepressants or other prescribed medication. I believe it all depends on what’s best and would work well for the individual. Just because a person doesn’t take the prescribed doesn’t mean they are superior or foolish and just because someone does that they are wrong or better off. The natural cures such as herbs and spiritual cures through a continual connection with Jesus do bring great results for many.

 

3) Mental Illness doesn’t define a person. You don’t know who a person truly is, by looking solely at their mental challenge. There are some very wonderful, gifted  and anointed people who may publicly and privately face depression and/or anxiety attacks.

 

4) Awareness and positively sharing your story matters. There’s always someone out there that needs to either be more aware or hear that story that can impact lives.

 

5) Getting the support and help you need doesn’t make you inferior. We all need help and support with any challenge we face in life. Got to do what needs to be done.

 

  What lessons have you learned from mental health?