Trust Him

I ran across an old binder full of Bible Studies I had done a few years ago (I have lots of these kinds of things, notebooks, journals, you name it).  This one was particularly interesting, it contained the "Anything" study I finished in Summer 2013...take a look...

I'm not sure if this is the first time prison is written somewhere or not but it is important to me because I didn't go into prison for the first time until December 2013 with the band, it was our first concert.  And then number 4....doing ministry with my hubby full time wherever that may be!  Isn't God good!  He was directing and leading me this way all along, this is part of His plan.  I am constantly in awe of Him, who He is, what He does...simply amazing.

Keep seeking Him, keep surrendering and living wrecklessly abandoned to Him, He will use you for His purposes, for His Kingdom.  Thank You, Jesus for Your marvelous work in my life, help me to honor You with all that I am.

Sing for the King,
Christy

Proven: Week 5 ~ Risk: The End of Passivity

Risk for the Glory of God...is He worth it to you?  The weeks prior have been leading up to this...RISK, anything for Jesus!  I cried watching this week's video, if you haven't watched any sessions watch this one...please.

This week we are going to be studying Jesus healing the blind man on the Sabbath, Jesus' risk and the blind man's risk.  When we build and move for the glory of God we have nothing to prove and nothing to fear!  The rhythm of the world is safety, the rhythm of grace is risk.  Risk your comfort and step out in compassion, compassion for a lost and dying world. What price are you willing to pay so others can see?  Can see the Savior and be free?

Risk forces us to need Him, to need Jesus!  I am so inadequate, I need Jesus, I can do nothing on my own.  Jennie talks about humility and pride this week as well...pride keeps us passive and not willing to risk.  God put music in my heart for a reason, to use it for His Glory!  My pride kept me stagnant, it wasn't humility.  My pride kept me passive and I sat on my gifts for a long time calling it being content with what God had given me but really not doing what He called me to do.  Let me be real, I have moments of insecurity when I lead people in worshiping Jesus, I feel unsure of myself and sometimes like a bumbling idiot.  BUT, I am secure in who I am in Christ (most days), my risk forces me to rely on Him, on His Spirit in me to do whatever He wants, whatever He has called me to.  Here's an example: I do prison ministry, to most that is probably a risk but I have never been afraid or thought it "risky" at all, I love it!  Here's the risk... We were at a prison service last Spring and I told my testimony and led worship, at the end a man told me his sister had a TV ministry in North Carolina and that I needed to meet her.  So, I risked, I called her and we talked and prayed together and she asked me to come to a conference, she flew me and another woman to North Carolina last December; I flew with a woman I had never met, I sat on a panel with 7 black women who were all amazing and confident and yes, I felt inadequate and maybe even out of place but most of all... I felt peaceful...because I knew who I was to Jesus and in Jesus.  And I immediately loved these women and they loved me.  God has let me experience amazing things because of risking, the most amazing is seeing the lost come to faith in Him.

Let's not go through our Christian lives and risk very little for the cause of Christ.  Risking for Jesus is worth it.  What is your greatest hindrance in risking for Christ?  Let's not settle for comfortable but be willing to give up everything to follow Jesus.  Let's pray "Anything you want me to do, Lord, I'll do it for you!"

This week:

Watch the Lesson 5 video ~ Click Here ~

Read NTP (if you have it): Chapter 8 "No Longer Passive"

Proven Study Guide: Lesson 5 (Read/Study John 9)

Answer Questions from the study guide (pages 92-93)

What details do you notice about Jesus' interaction with the blind man?

How did the blind man respond to his healing?

How did the Pharisees respond to the healing?

Why was dealing with Jesus so difficult for them?

What do you think Jesus wants us to understand by His healing on the Sabbath?

It is appropriate to post this song along with this week's study.  A song I wrote last Summer "Anything".

https://youtu.be/zzyBqI3W4i0

2016 - What a Year!

It's been a great year!  A ministry, a daughter-in-law, a new "job", song writing, worship leading, traveling, and more....it's been a sold out to Jesus year and I can't wait to see how He is going to use me in 2017.  Life, of course, is not without its ups and downs...my mom has been in and out of the hospital (she's doing pretty good right now), my grandpa was just released from the hospital (seems to be better), I lost miserably in fantasy football...last place, seriously....it was bad (there's always next season), sorry, that was rather tacky...but I really do love football.  I haven't blogged since September, shame on me, but rest assured, I'm ok and sort of have good reasons excuses.  Lots of ministry happening here and there and everywhere...in prisons, North Carolina, Arkansas, it's really been amazing.  I've read lots of books (ok...a couple), I finished another course in my goal to obtain a Certificate in Worship Ministry through Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary...almost done :)  I should wrap it up this Spring, lots of hospital runs and appointments with my mama, the discovery of Gilmore Girls on netflix...the list goes on and on.  But those are the highlights.  Let's back up...

The wedding....July 30, 2016, my son, Christian and his bride, Sydney tied the knot.  It was a lovely wedding officiated by my father-in-law and Christian's grandpa, Lester.  Sydney is a precious young lady and we are proud to have her in our family.

I quit my job in July, so I could do more ministry work, write more songs, etc....and boy, did that explode!  I wrote four songs from August to October, traveled to Arkansas to lead worship for a ladies retreat, traveled to North Carolina to participate with a TV ministry - I led worship there as well, it's been pretty amazing...read our Sing for the King Ministries 2016 Year in Review.

https://singfortheking.com/2016/12/31/2016-a-year-in-review/

Our ministry has seen countless lives changed by the Gospel in and out of prison, I have been so blessed to be a part of it all.  My marriage, faith, and love for people is stronger than it ever has been and the Glory belongs to the Lord.  Thank You, Jesus, for these life-changing moments of 2016, I won't forget them.

Almost forgot to do our Christmas Card though, that would've been tragic, ha.  I threw this together and mailed it on December 22nd...what a loser ;)

And hey, read these books...

I Marvel

I wrote my 5th song yesterday...I've been walking around with the words I marvel in my head. Those are the only words I had prior to sitting down to write but I love the word marvel, Jesus used it, others used it. It means be filled with wonder, astonishment. The greatest thing that fills me with wonder and astonishment is the work of Christ on the cross for me, his sacrificial death, his resurrection...that's what I marvel at. Why this perfect, Holy God would come to this cruel world, be mocked, rejected, and die a horrific death for you and for me when He really didn't have to...He did it willingly because of His great love for us.  I can't even begin to comprehend that kind of love and when in the tiniest way I try to understand it, it overwhelms me and I weep at the thought of it.  So as I wrote the lyrics to this song, I wept, I sobbed, I was overwhelmed...I hope I never get over Jesus dying for me.

"I Marvel" by Christy Hoagland

Verse 1
The cross of calvary, You bore for me
You saved me from myself, from the enemy
You willingly took my place, You suffered, died, in disgrace
And through Your grace and mercy, You set me free

Chorus
And I marvel, at Your sacrifice
I'm filled with wonder, why You'd give Your life
For me, this sinner, why You bled and died
Your great love for me, I'm still amazed by
It astonishes me
How You saved me, how You changed me
A mystery
How You love me, how You keep me

Verse 2
To understand the cross of Christ, no one will know
God wrapped in flesh, crucified, the debt we owe
Holy Spirit, Father, Son, Almighty King, the Holy One
Died and rose again to give us hope

Chorus

Verse 3
Life was given in Your glorious victory
My guilt and shame washed away in misery
You conquered darkness and the grave
What an awesome price You paid
And in You, risen Lord, gave me eternity!

Chorus

My Anything (2016)

Three Summers ago I participated in an online study called "Anything"...here's what's happened since, here is my Anything...

Following that Summer of surrender, longing for more, obedience, risk, and boldness for Jesus I began a journey, a journey full of joy, tears, humility, peace, mourning, and contentment...yes, all those things and more.

My Anything began with God calling me to step out with the gifts He has given me, to make music for Him, for His Glory.  It started with a simple call to fill in as the interim worship leader at my church (which I always say I was not very good at) but God used it to reveal more gifts, more things He wanted me to do.  A few short months following, our small 4 person Celebrate Recovery band led praise and worship in a prison gymnasium.  Our now 5 person band travels to various prisons a few times each year.  During the last two years my aunt and my mom have been diagnosed with breast cancer, I haven't always had a close relationship with my mom but it has been during this time God led me to really be there for my mom.  Dr appointments, hospital runs and stays, and loving her more have been God's task for me during this time of her life.  Along with that God has strengthened my music abilities, He showed me in late 2013 that I could play for myself and has grown and is still growing that gift exponentially.  He has called me to be a worship leader, I enrolled in a certificate program in Worship Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary last fall (2015) and should finish in Spring 2017.  In November 2015, a dear friend and former inmate asked us to join him in a Friday night prison service. I led a worship service in a chapel of 100 incarcerated men and knew this was where I was supposed to lead worship.  Unbeknownst to my husband upon going in this first time, it was at this service in November that God called him to prison ministry.  He has struggled over the last few years wondering if God would ever call him to be a pastor at a church, he has had a couple opportunities to take churches and lead them but didn't do it and wondered if he had blown it.  And now we know why...he was called to preach in prisons.  I had believed I would be called to a church somewhere and maybe someday I will be but here, now...this is where I am supposed to lead people in the worship and praise of our Savior.  In December my husband and I filled out our applications to become Volunteers in Corrections (VICs), the process was a little grueling with recommendation letters, interviews, training...etc but in early February we were official and since then we have been in prison practically every Friday night leading people in praise and worship and my husband preaching the Word, and our friend testifying of Jesus' life-giving and life-changing gift of salvation.  We go into prison every Friday and other prisons throughout the month and have seen hundreds of broken men give their lives to Christ...what a privilege.  In March 2016, I wrote down a few song lyrics, not many but it was a start of something I could only imagine.  In April, James and I went on a little vacation and I had the intention of trying to write one song, I wrote three and led them in prison for worship the following Friday and several times since.  I met a new friend that is a song writer, I met missionaries from Alaska, and made another new friend while on vacation and she has become a great source of encouragement and promotion for a new ministry that was born through all of this.  We (my husband, our friend, Johnny, and myself) have seen miraculous and powerful things through this team of three and have started a ministry doing "prison services" everywhere.  It was named after the second song I wrote called "Sing for the King", whatever you do, do all for the Glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31...I sing for my King, He gave me this gift and I am going to use it to Glorify and Honor Him and Him alone.  So, Sing for the King Ministries was born, there have been difficulties but more so amazing blessings and incredible connections.  Inmates that we have ministered to have begun telling people they know about this ministry, I have received two calls from sisters of inmates that would like us to come to their church or event, one in Seattle, Washington and one in North Carolina.  The sweet sister in North Carolina is working on flights and hotel reservations right now to bring us there in October.  Maybe we will book a service in Seattle on our way to Alaska.  Who knows where God is going to take us but it is a pretty incredible journey to be on.  We have also had some battles which is to be expected, the enemy is going to attack us.  One of the more difficult things for me was giving up my job, I was trying to work full time, schedule events, go to multiple prisons each month along with our Friday nights, but I wasn't writing songs, I hadn't since our vacation and I knew this was the next step, saying goodbye to a job I loved, goodbye to the people closest to me, I am thankful I go to church with them but it has still been hard and I did a lot of selfish crying over it and I'm sure a lot of people think I am crazy for giving up half my family's income by quitting but I know God will provide.  Since then, which was just last month, God has flung open so many doors, I have been in several churches telling them about prison ministry, about my story, about surrendering everything they are to do what God has called them to do.  I wrote a song last week called "Anything" and have led it in worship several times already.  I have been given the opportunity to go to a recording studio and record my songs, hopefully that will be by the end of this year or beginning of next.  We did a service at a rescue mission last week, I led worship at a men's conference on Saturday, I am singing for Relay for Life next month and more...how marvelous is our God?  I just want to be obedient...yet sometimes my flesh doesn't...and I try to stay eternal minded and not focus too much on my comfort, my loneliness (because sometimes I am lonely) and remember this is what God has called me to, what God has called us to do so I will not be afraid, I will carry on because I was bought with a price and I want to continue to live anything every day.  Anything You call me to, Lord...Anything.

Here's a partial video of "Anything" https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6_j0SZAFyWpV2hTMndLV0F3ZXc

Longing for More

My pastor preached a powerful message Sunday about our foundation being in Jesus Christ and us being eternal minded.  Isn't that what we are learning right now?  To put our focus on Christ and the things that last?

During my sons' teenage years, I allowed them too much "world time", that's what I'm going to call it, meaning more time was spent on the seen than the unseen - extracurricular activities, whether sports, music performances, etc...these became more important than they should.  Here's where that entitlement issue comes in, we try and have it all, the kids involved in everything so we can keep up with what everyone else is doing (when they really need Jesus more than ever), the nice car, the good job, the perfectly decorated home and we squeeze God in so we feel better or okay with ourselves, with our lives and since most Christians are living the same way..we accept it.  It's "normal"...

And then, every once in a while the Holy Spirit pricks our hearts with conviction and we long for more.  We long to let go of the all the things keeping us from more, more Jesus saturating our lives, more seeing lives changed with the Gospel, more watching our family, friends, and others sell out to Christ...

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8

What do you need to let go of in order to pursue things that last?

A Call to Obedience

I quit my job....a job that I've had for almost 6 years, a job that provided a substantial amount of my family's income, a job that I have loved and sometimes complained about but mostly loved.  I am feeling a wide range of emotions, I feel like I need to grieve over leaving yet I'm excited for what the future holds.  I know this is the right decision, God placed this on my heart long ago, but the follow thru has been and is still surreal to me.  I've never been more thankful for my faithful and trustworthy God.  He has appointed this time - His timing is perfect and I know this is the next step of obedience for me, the next step in my "anything" journey.

I am still in awe that this Bible study and big act of obedience have coincided like they have, I honestly didn't plan it that way.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

If I get too caught up in thinking in worldly terms or just fleshly selfish terms, fear and doubt start to creep in and the tears threaten to come.  In fact they haven't just threatened, I have sobbed over what I have lost.  But who am I to say what's best for me, God knows far better than I, I just need to be obedient, even when it's hard.  It's in those moments that Jesus surrounds me with His peace and reminds me that this world is not my home, that these "things" don't matter in the grand scheme of things.  I am sure thankful that I serve a holy, righteous, transcendent yet near and loving God.  I can put my hope and trust in Him.  I marvel at that, at who God is, how He cares about me, a rotten, self-centered sinner.  I love that word - Marvel.  Jesus used it seeing the centurion's faith, the Pharisees, His disciples and others used it seeing the wonder and majesty of Jesus.  Marvel at the awesomeness of Jesus Christ, He has great and unthinkable plans for you.  Step out in faith, in obedience to His calling on your life, He is worthy of our trust, our obedience.

A New Adventure

God has been leading me to go beyond prison ministry to lead worship - homeless shelters, conferences, special events, however God wants to use me...

What does this mean?  It means a new ministry was born - "Sing for the King Ministries"...a ministry born out of compassion to reach a lost and dying world with praise and worship, the Word of God, and life-changing testimonies.

James, myself, and Johnny Allen do services & events in churches, prisons, and more.  Sometimes it's Johnny's story along with praise and worship and the Word.  Sometimes it's James' story and sometimes it's my story which may mean the guys don't get a word in edgewise, ha.  God is using this for His Glory, to draw people to repentance, to expand His kingdom....and I have the privilege to be a part of it.

Check our Sing for the King Ministries at https://singfortheking.com/

Great is Your Faithfulness

Last week, James and I went on vacation.  Originally, we were going to go to Florida with my cousin but things got a little crazy and we decided to go to Branson instead by ourselves.  Cameron had other commitments so he stayed home.  I was finally going to have enough alone time to do some song writing…I brought my keyboard and all kinds of other notebooks and “stuff” I thought I might need; I really didn’t have high expectations, I didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing but on Saturday morning after I unpacked and had my quiet time I sat down and began.  I had written some lyrics while I was sick a while back…back when I had a moment to be still.  So I poured over the lyrics to a part of a song I had written called “Be Still”; it really was the story of my life, always being distracted and busy and never “still” enough.  It was based on Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”.  The music – lyrics and chord progressions came pouring out of me and after a few hours I had a complete song.  Well, at least a song with all the main parts…I could play it for myself and sing it.  I was simply awe struck, God is so good to me.  Day 1 and I already had a song.  I recorded it and sent it to a couple friends, I played it for James - much to his surprise (because he didn’t expect much either) but no one was as surprised as I was and am.  That night a lady I didn’t know texted me about some Alaskan missionaries at her church there in Branson, she said she thought we were supposed to attend her church the next morning and meet them.  So, we did.  If you read my previous post you know that I bawled through at least half of the service, it was an amazing day.  Sunday afternoon I wrote my second song.  Tuesday, I wrote another.  What was happening to me?  God was turning me into a song writer!  The song I wrote Tuesday was called “Great is Your Faithfulness”…He really is faithful.  Tuesday morning we met with an old friend of James’ from back in high school.  She is a songwriter and happened to be in Springfield the week we were in Branson.  She is a wealth of knowledge and gave me so much advice and instruction on where to go from here.  God’s timing is perfect, He has a plan.  It was a wonderful week, I wept a lot and grew closer to my Lord.  Below are some things I wrote down each morning.

April 23, 2016

Galatians 1:24 “And they glorified God because of me.”

This is my desire, that people would glorify God because of me.  I want God to use me to bring people to faith in Him and to worship Him.

Lord Jesus, help me use the gifts You’ve given me to honor You and to show people who You are that they may fall on their face and glorify You, that they would sell out to You with all that they are.  May they glorify You because of me, because I’m living with abandon, following Your will, and pointing them to You.  Keep me humble, holy and righteous.  May you be first in every area of my life and may I boldly display that.  Thank You, Jesus for this opportunity to serve You.  You are glorious and worthy of all praise.  I love You.  Amen

I wrote a song today, it’s called “Be Still”.  It’s based on Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and know that I am God”.  I am simply in awe that God allows me to serve Him in this way.  Singing, playing piano, and now writing music.  Incredible, amazing, He is truly wonderful and worthy of much more than anything I have to offer.  What a blessing it is to be His child and to serve Him.

April 24, 2016

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

                When I surrendered my life to Christ, I gave up living for myself.  There are times when the Spirit battles the flesh but my life is no longer ruled by the flesh if I stay in the Word and in close fellowship with Jesus.

                Jesus, help me today to live by faith, to put away any selfish ambitions and live for You, for Your will and for Your Glory alone.  Thank you for giving Yourself up for me so I could have a relationship with You.  Thank You for what You are doing right now in my life.  Help me not take one moment for granted and to be constantly in awe and wonder of who You are.  Thank you for this journey however short or long it is.  You make what seems impossible possible, I am grateful.  Praise Your holy name.  I love you, Jesus. Amen.

April 25, 2016

Galatians 3:28-29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for You are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if You are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

                Do the offenders in prison really know how loved they are, how God wants to free them with the power of the gospel and have an intimate relationship with them?  I want them to know this, I want them to see that they/we are all one in Christ.

                Lord, use me in this mission field to show Your love for these, incarcerated men and women.  Humble me, give me words when I have none, silence when none are needed and love so powerful that it cannot be denied it’s from You.  Help me stay focused and not let the world crowd in and distract me from this calling.  All for Your glory, Lord.  Thank You, Jesus, for this time, this journey, this incredible way to serve You and to make You known.  I love You, Jesus.  Amen.  Let our lives reflect You.

April 26, 2016

Galatians 5:16-17 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

                Spirit vs. Flesh – this is sometimes a tough battle.  I find myself sold out to the Spirit and ready to jump off a cliff into unknown possibilities and then other times find myself desiring comfort and “so called” stability.  And I forget, I forget that God’s ways are higher than my ways, that He has this all figured out and that His plan is the best plan.  I simply need to trust Him more, rely on His strength, there’s real stability in following His will and an overwhelming peace.

                Lord Jesus, Save me from myself, keep me focused on Your plan for me, lead me by Your Spirit.  When I am tempted to chicken out, remind me of Your mission, remind me that people need to hear about Your saving grace, remind me that time is fleeting and this world is not my home.  May Your Spirit that lives in me overcome my flesh and win out in every decision, thought, and circumstance.  Use me for Your glory, Lord.  I love You, Jesus.  Amen.

April 27, 2016

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

                Don’t give up!  We will reap what we sow. Some may see that as wordly gain but I see it as lives changed.  Do not grow weary in doing good!  I don’t ever want to tire of sharing the gospel with the lost and hopeless.  What is the cost of one human life/soul?  It is priceless.

                Lord, Use me to share Your truth and hope, help me stay focused on Your plan and not get side-tracked with my own personal interests, help Your interests always be my interests.  Give me strength when I start to get weary, give me a greater, more supernatural love for the lost.  I love You, Jesus.  Amen.

April 28, 2016

Hebrews 11 “Faith”

                This chapter is all about faith in action.  These men and women had faith in an invisible God to lead them to something better and they didn’t have the Holy Spirit!

                Lord, I want to put my faith into action; I want  to so fully rely on You that even when people say I’m crazy I will have Your overwhelming peace and joy, knowing that I’m doing Your will and what You’ve called me to do.  Thank You, Jesus, for Your faithfulness, Your peace, and for continual sanctification.  Make me who You want me to be.  I love you, Jesus.  Amen.

Make A Difference

Through some interesting circumstances we ended up at a church yesterday and listened to an Alaskan missionary preach.  It doesn't matter how we got there only that God placed us there.  This service was more confirmation that I am doing what God has called me to do.  All through the message I had already felt God had worked out in my heart and I really was sold out to it.

Here's my notes from Ron Pratt's message:

1) Make a Difference in the World with your PASSION.  Passion is Christ's suffering on the cross.  Our love for people that are hurting should move us... The love of Jesus ignites our passion to make a difference in the world!

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith,so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

It's heavenly passion that fuels our boldness.

Ephesians 6:19-20 And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

*pray and speak boldly as I ought to speak *boldness empowers you to take risks

2) Make a Difference in the World with your TESTIMONY.  Your story, it's the second greatest story ever told.
Wherever you are listen to that still small voice.  It's never an inappropriate time to change a life. People need to hear about Jesus, they need prayer. The Holy Spirit will not set you up for failure.

2 Timothy 1:7-9 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,  who saved us and called us to[a] a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

3) Make a Difference in the World with your OBEDIENCE.  Stay focused, the little things matter, don't let the small stuff distract you.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Matthew 28:16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
*What if the disciples didn't go to the mountain?
*We want a mountain experience without climbing the mountain.
*Faith always wins over fame, integrity wins over talent
*Listen and be led by the Spirit

4) Make a Difference in the World with your INVESTMENTS.  Invest in the kingdom, your mission!
*Instead of allowing your budget to influence your faith, allow your faith to influence your budget.

Jude 1:22-23 And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
*Lives are in the balance
________________

The mission God has called me to is prison ministry, I am a missionary in prisons.  The entire sermon seemed like it somewhat rolled off the pages of my heart - crazy faith, holy boldness, running hard after God, anything for you Jesus...it was a miraculous morning and I sat there in awe.  At the end the song "Beautiful Things" started playing and I just wept, I want the men and women in prison to know they are beautiful and precious and that they are so loved.  Prison is my mission field.  Where's yours?

Crazy Faith

Having faith often means doing what others see as crazy.

How crazy am I?  Since I have faith in the One who is faithful then it doesn't really seem all that crazy, now does it?  I want to live a radical life, a life filled with no regrets.  I don't want to miss something because I was too cautious or maybe even unfaithful...ouch.  I want to look back someday and say, Wow! What a ride God put me on, guided and led me through!  And just because I had some kind of crazy faith, I actually believed that God was sovereign and in control and that no matter what happened...it really would be ok.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

Some may see this kind of living as risk taking but where's the risk when you serve a star breathing, world holding God?  And what am I risking really?  Only things the world holds dear.  I'd rather toil in my obedience than have a life filled with idleness and emptiness.  Everything here is temporary, our homes, jobs, families...we were made for Jesus, to worship Him, to have a relationship with Him, to serve Him with our lives.

"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
James 4:13-14  

I'm thankful for the blessings of my precious family, friends, comforts, but I'm most thankful for my King and I want to honor Him with my life and give everything that I am to bring Him Glory.  There may be difficulties ahead, trials beyond my comprehension but that's what life is, regardless if we try to "play it safe".

I think most followers of Jesus stay in their church realm, we serve faithfully in the church, we pray, we give and believe me, all those things are necessary.  I believe that sometimes crazy faith may be waiting and being still...  It's those moments that God reaches down and touches us somewhere deep inside with conviction and wishing even, that we could be more for Jesus, it's those moments that lead us to crazy faith.

Run Hard After God...He's Worth it

There are a lot of changes happening in my life, I don't think I've ever trusted God the way I do right now.  My life, once again, is transitioning.  This time it isn't my boys growing up, moving out, getting married (oh, Christian is getting married, wow!) etc.  I have never been more sure of following God's will and plan for me...because it's been hard, internally.  I think we all dream big and see ourselves doing so many amazing things for Jesus, we picture ourselves doing big things...maybe on big stages either speaking or singing or whatever God has gifted you with, maybe it's something completely different but allowing God to use you in some special way...and we think maybe, just maybe someday, somehow.  But what happens?  Life...kids, jobs, making ends meet, the list goes on and on...and we never get there.  We say we're willing to do big things for God but one day turns into another and suddenly you look back and wonder where the time went.

And by BIG things, I mean things that matter.  One life being changed by the gospel of Jesus is BIG! What if you told a fourth of the people you came in contact with in one single day about Jesus' love and sacrificial death for them?  What if you sacrificed kids' extracurricular things to make Jesus a priority in your life and theirs?  What if you not only gave the guy with a cardboard sign on a corner something to eat but gave him the gospel too and then followed up with him?  What if you spent more time with Jesus in prayer and in His Word than on Facebook or watching TV or you fill in the blank?

Why don't we run hard after God?  What keeps us from fulfilling God's plan for our lives?  Why do we put off til tomorrow what we should be doing today?

Fear...fear of putting ourselves out there, fear of rejection, fear of failure.

The flesh...there's a battle going on with our flesh, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak...so weak.

It might be hard work...face it, we are lazy, we are selfish, we want to do things our way and on our own time.

We limit God's power...we talk about believing that God is all-powerful, in control, sovereign and then we act like His power doesn't exist or is limited to only a few or that He really doesn't want to use lil ol me.  The same power that rose Jesus from the dead lives inside His children, us - followers of Jesus!

It's out of our comfort zone...of course it is!  It's living for a supernatural, holy and righteous God who we can never measure up to but will completely love us no matter what and will use our willingness to glorify Himself.

Run hard after God!  He is worth it!  Remind yourself that He does the work, we can't do anything on our own, this should be freeing for us!  Spend time with Him in prayer.  Dig deep into His Word, He will speak to you there, He will equip you, He will transform you and enable you to do more extraordinary things through Him than you ever thought possible.  He makes every day worthwhile, full of joy, peace, and hope.

Run hard after God!  Afterall....he ran hard after you when He sacrificed His Son, Jesus, on the cross for you.  You were bought with a price, now go and start living like you were.

"You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men". 1 Corinthians 7:23

The Awe and Wonder of Surrender

God has really been moving in my life.  I am in a constant state of awe and wonder at the opportunities He is giving me, the equipping for those opportunities and the boldness He has put in me to do what He has called me to do.  I told James the other day that God had given me, I called it, a Holy Boldness.  The Holy Spirit has been speaking through me in ways that are simply incredible.  In just the last few days I've seen men in prison fall to their knees and cry out to a holy God after sharing my story of Jesus' redemption in me and how He is using me now and has a good plan for their lives and challenged them to give God "anything", spoke God's truth to my family around a table at a restaurant about what He is doing in my life and the good plans He has for us when we follow Him, and challenged others at Celebrate Recovery last night to lay down everything to pursue Christ.

This is once again a part of my ANYTHING journey.  Anything You desire from me, of me, for me...Anything you want Lord, it's all for you.

I Believe

Sometimes I feel like my life is a fairytale.  God has given me so many good things, those things being opportunities, the love of so many dear people, talents to use for Him, awesome kids, a husband who loves me almost too much (ha!), true friends, and most of all peace and contentment.  Living life with and for Jesus is so fulfilling, so full of joy.  I am so grateful I am His.

The title of this post is "I Believe"...a special friend of mine recently told all about the miracles God is doing in his life, where God has brought him to, and more...and he said "Here is my Declaration...I BELIEVE...I dare to believe that miracles still happen...that mountains still move and demons must flee...that the God that I serve is much more than able...so I won't be afraid. I'll stand up and say...I dare to believe. Have you got something I can believe with you for? I am believing for something big this week, will you believe with me? God Bless my friends and family and may Jesus my King be glorified in your lives...."

I do believe! I believe that God is working in the life of Christy Hoagland in ways she could never have imagined, that He is going to do even bigger things and grow her to understand more about who He is and why He saved her and how He is going to use her for His glory and for His purposes.  What an awesome God we serve, He is waiting for us to cast aside our anxieties, our fears, our pride, our selfishness and trust Him to lead us.  He is the God of the universe, why do we put Him in a box?  He is faithful and trustworthy.  Why are we so weak?  He is strong and makes us strong when we let go and give over control.   Why are we so impatient?  His timing is perfect, His ways are perfect.  Thank goodness He loves us the way He does, in our weakness, in our doubt.  I hope that you will believe a little more about the big God that gave His Son, Jesus, for you and for me.  He raised Him from the dead...why can't we believe that He can do miraculous things in our lives?  He will.  I believe.

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9

And so it begins...

I thought I would have posted several posts already this month but here it is January 29th and this is it.  There are so many exciting things I've wanted to share but haven't made the time to write them all down.  On January 1, 2016 -  James, Johnny, and I walked into Algoa Correctional Center to share Jesus through music, testimony, and the Word.  My husband preached like I've never heard or seen him before - it was simply amazing seeing God using him like this.  It was a night of defining moments, for the offenders and for us.  This is the beginning of something beautiful, challenging, life changing and more.  We are missionaries but instead of going across the land and sea, we are charging into prisons to share Christ with anyone who will listen....and they are listening.  They are listening, receiving, and being made new.  What an adventure!  I look back over the last couple of years and see God's hand all over my life, how He has brought me to this place, this special ministry; how He has equipped me, humbled me, and raised me up to do this good work.

Psalm 37:4-5

⁴ Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.

 

This is exactly what He has done for me, for my husband, and for our friend, Johnny.

 

On January 14th, we went into Moberly Correctional.  I led worship, James preached, men gave their lives to Jesus.  On January 17th, I went with my friend, Arlene, to county jail.  I led worship and simply shared the gospel with them...and they got it.  Several ladies surrendered their lives over to Christ.  At Celebrate Recovery this month, I've had to privilege to pray with two women who prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior.  I am so in awe of God using this dirty, rotten, sinner - Christy Hoagland, as His instrument.  Help me, Lord, to never take these moments for granted, to always be in awe of who You are and how You love people, how You and You alone change lives.

 

The upcoming weekend and week ahead are busy...busy with service to our King.  What a life I get to live! God is so, so good.

 

What a Year...

2015 has been one of the most difficult years of my life and also one of the most amazing.  Difficulties that included my mom's battle with breast cancer, one of the lowest points ever in my marriage, my children running from God, other family members struggles, my own selfish personal battles, you name it.  But through and amidst all of those things God has proven His faithfulness and goodness and love to me...more than I deserve.  And even more, began showing me a glimpse of His plan for me.  I really need to share about His marvelous works in my life, how He repaired my marriage and made it better than ever, how He is using me to serve Him and changing me into the woman He wants me to be.  He has given me incredible friendships with some might say "unlikely people" but I say they are an inspiration and amazing part of my life.  He has grown and stretched me, disciplined me and loved me more than I can describe.  He has given James and I a ministry together to use the gifts and talents He has given us to glorify Him and do His kingdom work.  And on the first day of 2016, this ministry will truly begin.  James and I and our partner in this work, Johnny, will go to Algoa Correctional Center to share Jesus.  James will preach his first sermon in prison, this is the start of something big in our lives, a calling from our King.  God has placed us here to use us, to grow us, to proclaim who He is and to provide freedom for the captives.  I am honored and humbled to be called to do this work, God doesn't need me for anything but He chose me and He chose James and He chose Johnny to do this together.  He made us a team to give away what we've been given through the blood of the Lamb.  How marvelous, incredible and wonderful is that?!?

I ran across these notes I had made a couple years ago and they blessed my heart today...

12/4/13 - Live your life for something other than yourself.  Live for something greater, something eternal.  When your toil is for The Lord, it is no longer toil but joy.  If you do anything for yourself it will not produce joy.  Joy comes only from pleasing God.

1/15/14 - God takes pleasure in me, His creation, when I live out my purpose.  When I sing, God takes enjoyment.

Here's to 2016! Let's live for Jesus and declare the Gospel!  Let's Praise the Lord!

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
² Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
³ For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods.
⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
⁷ For he is our God,
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 95:1-7

 

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!^[a]
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness!

³ Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
⁴ Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
⁵ Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150