Lovingkindness

Even though this world is out of control, we can take control over what we allow into our minds, and what we choose to dwell on. Let's get our minds on WHATSOEVER THINGS found in Philippians 4:8.Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Philippians 4:8

Have you ever put on a new outfit and experienced a transformation in your mood and outlook on life? According to Isaiah 61, God Himself wants to give you a new wardrobe. He wants to clothe you with the garment of praise. He wants to robe you in His righteousness.

In this episode I share a testimony of how God helped me through a long night of feeling worthless with a scripture from Song of Solomon 2:4: "HIS BANNER OVER ME IS LOVE."Whatever you are going through, however you feel about yourself, know that His banner over you is LOVE!

We fight and wrestle against an attitude of "JUST BE AVERAGE" in the world and in our flesh. God wants us to soar ABOVE AVERAGE to the highest heights of what we can be through Him. God has called us to abundant, victorious life. We might have seasons of trials and tiredness, but we were never meant to scrape and scrounge through life. Allow me to encourage you today to soar above average, to allow downward pressure to elevate you upward to the fulfillment of your calling in Jesus Christ.

A few years ago, I learned about some basic principles of art and design. Something that I found very interesting were the concepts of Unity and Variety.When I studied these concepts, I felt like God was speaking to me about the body of Christ. As members of the body, we bring a unique variety of gifts, talents, personalities, physical appearances, etc, Even with all of our differences, God is able to bind us together in love. He unifies us to make a beautiful picture that is His church.

This is the Grand Finale of our three part series on Psalm Chapter One! I talk about what it is to be a scornful person in contrast to a blessed person who is flourishing like a tree.Is it possible to be a Christian and be a scorner? Is being a scorner getting in the way of the blessings of God in your life? Listen to find out.Sources:Woodward, R. The Four Chairs of Wisdom. Raymond Woodward. http://www.raymondwoodward.com/uploads/1/4/0/4/14045200/the_four_chairs__wisdom_.pdf. 

This is part two of my three part series on Psalm chapter one. I define what, "the way of sinners" really is and why we should not be found standing in that place. We must also ask ourselves who is in our inner circle and having an influence on us. It's difficult to balance being separate from the world and reaching the lost. Email me: lovingkindnesspodcast@gmail.comFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingkindnesspodcast/Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macysue/

This is part one of a three part series on Psalm chapter one. We take an in depth look at the beloved Psalm that begins with, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." (Psalm 1:1)This episode introduces us to the Psalm, explains what walking in "the counsel of the ungodly" looks like, and helps us examine influences in our lives.Email me: lovingkindnesspodcast@gmail.comFollow me on Instagram: @lovingkindnesspodcast

If you are feeling frustrated or discouraged in your efforts for the Kingdom of God, this episode is for you. I talk about my experience with campus ministry, discouragement in ministry and a lack of results. For years I felt like a failure because of what I perceived to be a lack of fruit, but God gave me a fresh perspective and brought healing and encouragement to me. I hope this encourages you too.Email me: lovingkindnesspodcast@gmail.comFollow me on Instagram: @lovingkindnesspodcast

In honor of women's history month, we focus on an amazing woman who was martyred in 203 A.D. Her name is Perpetua. She was a 22 year old, well educated, newly married noblewoman and mother. She lived in Carthage during severe persecution under Caesar. Her account of her martyrdom, later completed by another, is one of the first pieces of writing composed by a Christian woman.Her mother was a Christian and her father was a Pagan. He begged her to denounce the name of Christ to save her life. In her own words:“Father, said I, Do you see (for examples) this vessel lying, a pitcher or whatsoever it may be? And he said, I see it. And I said to him, Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? And he answered, No. So can I call myself nought other than that which I am, a Christian.”Honestly this woman blows Mulan, Merida, Captain Marvel, and Wonderwoman out of the water with her courage. She puts the godless, supposedly “strong” women of our current society to absolute shame with her modesty and bravery.The rest of her story is amazing and I am excited to share it with you. It has been heavy on my heart for the past few weeks. There are few positive role models for women in this world. I am seeing a disturbing trend among Christians to water down the truth, hop on band wagons that Jesus didn't tell us to, rip pages out of the precious, Holy word of God, and exchange the truth for a lie.We must decide.Will we bow to the pressures of an anti-Christ culture, nefarious political agendas, false doctrine and wickedness?Will we love the truth of God's word and allow it to pierce the hearts of sinners, or will we water down the truth to make sinners comfortable?Do we love Jesus as much as we say we do?Will we be women like Perpetua, and men like the Apostles, willing and ready to die for the Name and Glory of Jesus Christ?Do we fear God, or man?Contact me:Instagram: @lovingkindnesspodcastEmail: lovingkindnesspodcast@gmail.comSources:Perpetua, V. (1996, April). Medieval Sourcebook: St.Perpetua: The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity 203 ( W. Shewring, Trans.; P. Halsall, Ed.). Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/perpetua.aspThe Martyrdom of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas (H. Musurillo, Trans.). (1998, April). Retrieved March 28, 2021, from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/primary/perpetua.html

Join me as I study the Hebrew word HESED. This word is so rich that there is not one English word to fully convey it. It is sometimes translated  as "lovingkindness." HESED is the loyal, covenant-keeping, faithful, tender mercy and love of God.Follow me on Instagram: @lovingkindnesspodcastEmail me at: lovingkindnesspodcast@gmail.comOnline resources for further study:https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/marvellous-lovingkindness/#flipbook/https://www.preceptaustin.org/lovingkindness-definition_of_hesedhttps://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/a-song-concerning-lovingkindness/#flipbook/http://www.spurgeongems.org/sermon/chs3242.pdfhttp://www.spurgeongems.org/sermon/chs3170.pdf

In Psalm 17, David asked God, "show thy marvellous lovingkindness." I too have been praying for this lately. During a low moment, God put a big smile on my face in an unexpected way. Jesus knows how to love us and speak to us in a way we understand. He is sending us little love notes all day long!

Welcome to Lovingkindness! I'm excited to release this first episode. I introduce myself, let you know what to expect from Lovingkindness, and share my personal testimony of God's love and goodness.