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Are you waiting, watching, hoping for a sign from God? A spirit to float in front of you, a tingling sensation, a powerful vision — before you can jump fully, feet first into trusting God? . Here’s the thing, if we accept our past thoughts and actions (yes, even yesterday’s) as fully unworthy of what God has called us to do AND we accept that Jesus died as our mediator then no shiver up our spines is needed. You are saved from the wrath of your sins. Your burden is released. But in accepting that we must not stop there. Salvation doesn’t just stop at our past. It doesn’t just ensure us of our future. Jesus included us in His “will.” When he rose to heaven He took up our daily lives to enforce His will. He is our daily protector, our daily shield against the slings and arrows. . We don’t need a new thing to tell us we are walking the right path when we already have the map in front of us. God may gift us throughout our day with small or large touches of his presence. I like to think of those like a friend sending me a funny or sweet emoji randomly. But if I don’t hear from that friend today I know she is still present in my life. 🥰 . #salvation #god #jesus #saved #forgiveness #holyspirit #heaven 😇

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on Jun 10, 2020 at 5:59am PDT

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What is the difference between joy and happiness? I’d venture to say that a lot of what’s going on in the world are people trying to find happiness. . For many that’s the ultimate goal — to “be happy.” The dictionary defines happy as a feeling of showing pleasure or contentment. I started my faith journey looking for happiness. It evolved into looking for joy. The dictionary defines joy as a feeling of “great” happiness. But that misses the mark. . True joy, I have discovered, comes every morning when you wake and recognize God is with you on every step of your day — whether circumstances are good or bad. True joy is not something to “get” or “find.” It’s something to release. When we accept that the Holy Spirit lives in us that means Joy lives in us. It’s our brain and feelings that tend to want to block that joy off from the world. . You see my dog Tucker? He doesn’t know who God is. But he lives out his life with the joy God put in him. He doesn’t question it. He doesn’t look for it. He just has it. I think that’s why humans love to watch dogs play and romp around. It’s pure joy that’s bubbled to the surface. . When we search for happiness we rely on man-made results. When we release the joy in us—our gratefulness to God for his companionship—no matter our circumstances, we are transformed. . #joy #happiness #god #transformation #jesus #holyspirit #puppylove

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on Jun 9, 2020 at 7:22am PDT

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Again I ask, which side have you chosen? The violence of and against man? Or the ramrodding of heaven’s gates? . How many of us Christians view their goal of pleasing God and doing His work as a gentleness? It’s not. It’s a bold, “take it by storm” action. That’s what “Faith” is. It’s not sitting cozy in our comfort zones feeling oh so good about ourselves. It’s a fervent, complete destruction of our old selves. . Here’s a great passage I read recently: “Prayer is a cannon set at the gate of heaven to burst open its gates. You must take the city by storm if you would have it. You will not ride to heaven on a featherbed; you must go on a pilgrimage. There’s no going to the land of glory while you are sound asleep; dreamy sluggards will have to wake up in hell…cry like one who is awake and alive. Be in earnest; cry aloud; spare not.” . It’s time for battle. It’s time to wrestle for our souls. . #god #battle #battlestations #pilgrimage #soul #soulawakening #heaven #spurgeon

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on Jun 5, 2020 at 8:54am PDT

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Do you sometimes feel you aren’t worthy of love? Of God’s Grace? Of His attention? There’s seems to be two kinds of thinking that has drastically divided this world. It’s not political. It’s not abortion, the environment, wealth or whatever else seems at the forefront of the news. It’s how we view our “worthiness.” . On one side there’s the folks who struggle with their behavior and thoughts and want to be “worthy” of God’s love. On the other there’s those that say “I shouldn’t be judged by anyone, human or divine. And I’m free to say and do whatever makes me feel good in this moment. And if what you think or do doesn’t make me feel good i feel free to judge you because, hey that makes me feel good!” Sure there’s some muddling in the middle but this divide appears to be getting larger. . The latter way of living scares the living daylights out of me. Because that leads to behavior that seems so hateful and lacks of a sense of love for community. But about that I can only pray for God’s intercession. . Thankfully for the side of those who question their worthiness in God’s eyes Jesus gave us Luke 12:24. Even the most despised bird of all time, the raven, is cared for by God. Ravens can’t sin. They don’t live in the world of souls. As humans we do sin but that only shows the special place God put us. If he answers the need of a mere soulless creature imagine the love, guidance and blessings He wants to reap on us — creatures He “made in His own image.” His son didn’t die for ravens. He died for our “unworthiness.” . Which side are you living in? The side motivated by self or the side that constantly reaches out to grasp the love and constant forgiveness of God? . #god #forgiveness #worthy #love #jesus #peace

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on Jun 4, 2020 at 8:56am PDT

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Are you afraid to pray for fear of not saying the right things, of not sounding “churchy” enough? Famous pastor Charles Spurgeon once preached, “You do not need to have scholarship, training, talent, or wit for prayer. Ask, seek, knock — that is all.” . It’s unfortunate that some religions make prayer to be a lofty ambition. That flowery words and memorized Bible verses are what our Lord seeks from us. They couldn’t be farther from the truth. I once heard a woman describe her time with Jesus (in other words prayer time) as being with a friend. She talks with him throughout the day, thanking and complimenting for gifts of nature or other blessings. She shares her fears and her doubts. She asks for guidance. Ask, seek, knock. . Jesus, get this, guaranteed the door will be open. So the next time you see something wonderful speak out loud your praise of thankfulness. When you see someone struggling speak out loud a cry for help. When you feel alone, speak out loud for His Holy Spirit to fill you. . “Dear Father, thank you for whatever you bring my way today because I know you are with me at all times. Your strength and peace are inside me and surround me. I pray for your peace to descend on our world. I pray that those that don’t know you will seek you today. I choose to not go through today without you, Lord. Help me to see where my fears cause me to slip away from you. Pull me back tightly in your loving arms. Amen” . #ask #seek #knock #receive #god #love #prayer #jesus #holyspirit #charlesspurgeon #religion

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on Jun 1, 2020 at 8:25am PDT

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What steps do you take to have peace in your life? For some it might be destructive habits that they think will soothe them. For others it might be doing things to “make themselves happy.” But all human-directed, human-focused peace is fleeting. Your plans get interrupted, you realize you spent too much money or you ate too many cookies. Divine-gifted peace is steady and everlasting. . I get so confused though, with religious gobbledygook. Christians say, “peace be with you” or “may the peace of God be in you.” But how many people really know what that means? . When we have peace “with” God we actively choose to accept that Jesus died to give us a clean slate. We choose to dwell in God’s truths, not society’s. That cultivated, appreciated peace leads us to the peace that God provides— a sureness, a trust that He is always with us. I like to picture it as being snuggled down in His arms, either in times of joy or strife. This peace evens out my life. And this peace won’t make me fat or dent my wallet. . #peace #peacewithin #god #trust #jesus #gratitude #love

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on May 29, 2020 at 2:11pm PDT

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Have you ever refused to let God in? When Jesus spoke the words, “It is I; do not be afraid,” the disciples could have easily been worried that bringing another person aboard might sink their boat in the tumultuous storm. They also could’ve just disbelieved what they were seeing and chalked it up to an illusion. . Fear does something wacky to us. We make a lot of bad decisions while experiencing fear. I know I have. But during the past few years, because I’ve discovered more and more of God’s character, I am fearing less and trusting more. But as my friends have taken to saying lately, it’s imperfect progress. . If we truly want to align ourselves with Jesus’ character and fear less, we need to fully welcome him into our boat. Not dragging along side or tethered to a dingy. Full entry and access to our heart, mind, and body — until then our faith can tend to be more illusion than illuminating. . #fearless #god #jesus #discipleship #john #heart #mind #soul

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on May 25, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT

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How much do you talk about Faith? I can honestly say that up until a few years ago I only talked about Faith, Jesus, God, etc during my once a week Bible Study group. It was safe. It was comfortable. Everyone there believed about the same. And my own faith showed what little time I put into it. . Today I had an amazing thing happen. I got a text from a friend asking me and my son in law about salvation. That prompted a great conversation with my SIL. He’s a man of strong faith. We spent about an hour looking up Bible verses and commentaries and discussing them. I then texted a summary of our discussion to my friend. We then talked back and forth about salvation. Later another friend and I picked up the same topic. All this led me to think more about my role and responsibilities as a Christian. . And here I am sharing all this with you. I have actively sought out friends that are open to faith conversations. That doesn’t mean they are all Christians. In the past, my conversations with women would’ve looked more like hens clucking. Now, my large circle has some pretty deep, meaningful discussions (peppered with a lot of laughs). . God doesn’t want watered down faith that’s been filtered by culture. He wants us to be “all in.” To do that we need to intentionally seek others who have open minds and hearts and want the best for us. . #openhearts #faith #jesus #salvation #love #heartmindsoul #god #friends

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on May 28, 2020 at 2:39pm PDT

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Do you feel like the ground is shifting under you? It’s been a pretty weird few months with this pandemic. Fears and worries are heightened. But God is at work in us and around us at all times. . A friend of mine was struggling with anxiety before this pandemic hit us. It’s been amazing to watch her dig her heels into her faith. She faithfully started walking everyday doing prayer walks and conversations with God. She delved deeper into Bible Study. Recently she told me that her worries about having a steady job have all but dissipated. Her time sequestered at home has created new found and re-found joys like playing the piano. Her faith in our Lord has been inspiring— but she would blush and say it’s not. . Trusting that God’s love is unfailing and His covenant of Peace will never be removed is not easy. It takes daily, sometimes minute by minute practice. Falling back into our society’s tendency toward fear and anxiety is easy. But with practice we find our perspectives changing and His peace fills our hearts and minds. . #peace #god #covenant #nofear #love #jesus #coronavirus

A post shared by Kris Shetter (@krisshett) on May 27, 2020 at 10:19am PDT