Good Morning Beauties!

How has your week been listening to God about your righteousness? I pray that you've had quiet time with Jesus as He spoke to your heart about your perfectionism. Were you able to let go of the lie that says you have to be perfect in all you do? Did you take off the heavy coat of burden? Remember, Jesus did all the work! You are Saved, Sanctified, Forgiven and Justified. Believe and Receive!

My week's been tough. The enemy was working overtime in my fatigue, and I made some bad choices. To make things worse, I then condemned myself....but just for a second. The Spirit took me through beautiful repentance and also provided me with the perfect scriptures to remind me of Truth. We are not condemned! What the enemy meant for harm, God turned to good. Yay God!

Wear your crown with boldness today Beauties!

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties!

God's forgiveness is hard to fathom. He became sin and put it's power to death once and for all when he said, "It is finished." The Bible tells us that He has removed our sins as far as the East is from the West....that's FAR!

The easiest way for me to understand the word justified is like this, "It is just as if we have never sinned....clean, pure, spotless. We are the reflection of Christ."

This truth is a hard one for a perfectionist like me. In my self assessment at the end of each day, I see the sin, and I wonder when will I stop sinning. The answer is, never. I will continue to sin as long as I live on this Earth. Jesus broke the POWER of sin, He didn't perfect our behavior. Sin no longer has the power to send me to Hell when I die. By Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, He paid for my sin and now I live under His amazing grace! Forgiven! Justified!

Let's forgive ourselves of the things God has already forgiven us for. What are your things the enemy still torments you about? Let's remind him that Jesus has taken away his power.

Today I pray that we can lay them down at the feet of Jesus, once and for all, and join Him and say, "it is finished."

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties!

Don't you just love when God's message is simple? In the infinite complexities that are God, He is gracious to provide us a message that we can understand. 
God reminds us today that He does the work, and we just have to believe and receive.

Saved - Jesus' work on the cross gave us salvation. We do not have to earn it! Don't believe the lie...it is a free gift! Hallelujah!

Sanctified - The Holy Spirit works in us to make us more like Jesus. We do not have to struggle to "be better, do better." Again, don't believe the lie. Let the Truth remove the burden from you.

Will you believe and receive the simple Truth? Selah?

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties!

In the next few days we will look at our righteousness, our "right standing" with God. Jesus' work on the cross provides us with a new name, the Righteousness of God.

Here's a simple definition of the term, "A person is adopted spiritually by the Father, accepts Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and is filled with the Holy Spirit and sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption. The righteousness of God, in Christ, means that you are justified, declared righteous because you have had your sins cleansed by Jesus."

What does this term mean in your life? How do you define it? Do you spend time counting the rights and wrongs of your performance? How heavy is that burden?

The enemy lies to us and says, "Look at what you did! How can you call yourself righteous after all you've done?" The Truth is you ARE righteous, and your behavior does not determine it. It is already so. You can stop counting now. Selah.

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Congratulations! We're half way through our journey. Can you believe it? I hope you are proud of your accomplishment, commitment, and dedication to this process. Great Job!

Let's make this a day to reflect on a few things. If we look back to our 3 days of preparation, it will help us understand if our expectations are being met, if obstacles are getting in the way of our precious time with God, and if we're still thirsty for His presence and a deeper relationship. In light of these things, how's it going? Selah.

If you compare your notes from today and Day 1, do you see a difference? Are you believing the Truth about your beauty?

I encourage you to listen to the song a little differently today. Listen with intention. As you listen to the first 4 stanzas, reflect on the work you have done with God, how He has revealed Truth to you, and how you are walking out that Truth in your life today. As you listen to the remaining 4 stanzas, pray for the revelation to come, trusting that God will continue His good work in you.

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

When I hear the word royalty, I immediately think of family bloodline. People are born into a royal family, right? YES! As born again Christians, we are born into Christ's family - the most royal of them all!

Here is a great lesson from Rick Warren on our inheritance...

The New Testament gives great emphasis to our rich “inheritance.” As children in God’s family we get to share in the family fortune, that everything God has belongs to us (Galatians 4:7). The apostle Paul adds, “I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people” (Ephesians 1:18 NLT).

What benefits do we inherit?

As children in God’s family we are given “the riches ... of his grace ... kindness ... patience ... glory ... wisdom ... power ... and mercy” (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 2:4; 9:23; 11:33; Ephesians 3:16; 2:4). We also inherit eternal life and God puts his Spirit inside us now as a guarantee of all that is to come.

What an inheritance! You are far richer than you realize, which is why Paul could write with confidence: “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

Your eternal inheritance is priceless, pure, permanent, and protected; no one can take it from you. It can’t be destroyed by war, a poor economy, or disaster. ~ Rick Warren

WOW! That's a very encouraging message! My life's journey has brought me from a family heritage of pig farmers all the way to daughter of the King! What about you? Where has your life's journey taken you? Selah.

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Jesus is the light of the world! "He shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it (the light)." John 1:5 If Jesus is the light, and darkness can't stop it, and if Jesus lives in us....do we glow? I say YES!

Even when we're not feeling at our spiritual best, the fact remains that Jesus lives in us. The power of the Holy Spirit is at work in us, and His magnificent light is beaming all around!

God showed me this Truth last week when a co-worker stopped me to make comment on my appearance and countenance, and said that everyday she notices how nice I look. (So amazingly sweet, right?) I certainly don't feel that way.

My response to her was quick, "It must be the Holy Spirit." She was seeing God in me, not anything special about my physical appearance. Can we see God? Yes, I think we can.

The words "Heaven's glow" came to me when I wrote the song, and I can't say that I had ever heard them used together. This morning I googled them, and found the most beautiful song from an Indie Pop group in Latvia called Jorspeis. I pray you are blessed, as I was, hearing it for the first time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9acjTXbjGrk

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Victor, Victory, Victorious. What do these words mean to you? If you are a victor, have won the victory, and live a victorious life, what does that look like? Does it look like the life you are living now or the life you want to live?

Sometimes our view of a victorious life is like the one the disciples expected from their Messiah. A mighty and strong warrior who would overthrow the Roman army, but that wasn't the case. Jesus arrived on earth in humility and won the True victory, as He wore a crown of thorns and died on the cross. He defeated, once and for all, sin and death, so that we may live a victorious life here on Earth and in Heaven for eternity. Selah.

I pray you will spend some time today with Jesus as He reveals Truth about your victorious life!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2nBOGA6X2g

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Now that we are feeling joyful and free....let's take a look at our status. We are ROYALTY! Here are a few synonyms for the word royalty: authority, greatness, noble, power, supremacy. These words describe the status we've been given through Christ. Awesome!

One of the creative pages in the back of your journal has the first part of the scripture verse from 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood..." which speaks so much to my heart.

Which part resonates with you this morning? The fact that God is speaking to YOU in this verse? The fact that you are CHOSEN by God? Or is it that God calls you His ROYAL PRIESTHOOD? Take some time and get this Truth deep down in your soul. Exchange the lie that says you're anything less than Royalty.

I love the rest of the verse, "...a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Isn't that so good? We will look at this scripture again later in our 40 day journey.

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Do you see it? Do you see the absolute beauty in the joy that Jesus brings? Believe, Trust, Freedom, Joy....BEAUTIFUL!

The Lord is so faithful in His love for us. He came to give...He just asks us to open our hearts and receive.

"To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory."
- Isaiah 61:3

As we finish up our verse on JOY, I pray you have found healing and hope in the Truth of God's Word. His Truth sets us free....free to dance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxHeiV2jlaw

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

How is your joy level today? As you trust in Him more and more your joy will also increase. Then we must ask ourselves, so what? What happens when we're joyful?

I'm sure you've heard "The joy of the Lord is my strength." It's True! Think back to the circle...Believing the Word is True, Trusting our life to Jesus, Receiving His Freedom, Living in Joy. At each step, we are building our strength. By the time we are living in Joy, we are at our strongest! Again we ask, so what? What happens when we're strong?

The Word says in 1 John 5:4, "You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world." So, what happens when we're strong? WE OVERCOME!!! We overcome lies, trials, burdens, depression, all the tools of the enemy. We overcome!

I pray you are blessed and energized by this song today. There is FREEDOM and EXCEEDING JOY like I've never experienced in a worship session before. Do you see musicians? Singers? or Warriors???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdCg8oqMlrQ

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Joy, Freedom, Grace, Peace....all words that are magnificent gifts that flow from the love of Christ. These words bring healing power, and I pray you know or will know them intimately.

Today's verse is for all those perfectionists out there, (including myself) that are still dealing with working to gain God's acceptance and love. Let's get a real grasp for the word grace. The undeserved favor of God. Jesus came so we would not be enslaved by works (the law) but be accepted by God through Grace.

Romans 8:1-2 beautifully states this Truth, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

Can you rest in that Truth today? Can you imagine a life of no more stress and strain trying to be good enough? Grace says you are already good enough! Ahhhh, let that sink in and watch how peace fills your heart.

I also love another verse in Romans 15:13. Let this be a blessing to you...."May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Thank you for indulging me to share these songs this week. So many songs on the subject of Joy, Freedom, Grace, Peace from my friends at Hillsong Church. I pray you will find joy in them, and that your feet will do some dancing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fyyOeurP3M

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Freedom! Such a beautiful word and critical part of our spiritual journey. This 40 Day Journey exists to help free you from the bondage of lies the enemy has told you and walk in the freedom that Christ died to give you.

The verse that reassures me in my freedom is, "So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed." John 8:36. Jesus has already done it...He has already set us free. Do you believe it? Do you trust Him?

I see this process as a circle. We BELIEVE the Word as Truth....We TRUST our life to Jesus...We RECEIVE the Freedom He has given us...We LIVE in Joy.

Where do you need help today? In believing? Trusting? Receiving? Living? Where is your circle broken?

I encourage you to spend time praying for revelation and healing of your broken place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV9GZOGUAJE

Good Morning Beauties! 

How are you this morning? What do you think about this word Joyful? I think of it as a beautiful gift from God which allows us to have confidence during difficult times because we trust Him.

King David spent a lot of time hiding out in caves as he was being chased by soldiers who were out to kill him. David lamented in these days, but he also praised God and held on to his joy. In Psalm 51:12 David says, "Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to me. Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that obeys whatever you say."

David trusted God even while he ran for his life. How is your trust level with God these days? Does it come and go? Is there a lie playing in your head that tells you God will not come through, that He will not protect and provide for you?

Spend some time today listening to His reassuring voice.

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Congratulations! You've completed the first 25% of your journey! I commend your faithfulness to meeting with God every day and your willingness to lay down lies and pick up the Truth. Sometimes, it may be more aggressive than that, a real fight, but you're doing it!

I pray that you can look back on the past 10 days and see personal growth. Remember the expectations you thought about on preparation day #1? How is that going? Are those being fulfilled? If not, are there obstacles getting in the way?

As we wrap up this time focusing on the word Lovely, I found this photo of a beautiful iris. God does a lot of talking to me through nature, and with this flower He showed me how we can be bold and filled with His majesty, and yet tender, soft, and delicate....all at the same time. LOVELY.

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

What do you believe about this Truth today? Do you have a clear picture of what lovely looks like? What has God been saying to you? What lie has He uncovered with you?

I believed the lie that told me softness was weakness, and that I had to be strong and loud to preserve my strength. What that really did was offend others and make it difficult for some people to be around me. Not so lovely.

What do you know about the word meekness? It's been defined as "strength under control." Again, I go back to the Passion of the Christ. Jesus had all power and strength, and yet chose to be silent....strength under control.

If we put the last 2 days together, it draws the same picture. The strength and power of His Majesty coupled with Humility, thinking of others, and not ourselves. Truly a picture of the word "Lovely."

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

We are humble because Christ is humble, and He lives in us.
So what is this thing called humility? I really like the C. S. Lewis quote below, "True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less."

What does it look like? For me, the perfect picture of humility is the passion of the Christ. Jesus was humiliated, tortured, rejected by those He loved, made to carry His own cross up the hill to Calvary, and then nailed to that cross. All of these things happened while He remained silent.

Luke 23:34 tells us His first words spoken, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." He was thinking of others, of you and me. He was thinking of how His sacrifice would reconcile us with the Father for eternity, and He was thinking we were worth the pain.

What is He saying to your heart today?

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

Majesty is such a magnificent word! Webster's defines it as, 
"sovereign power, authority, or dignity" Google Dictionary says, "impressive stateliness, dignity, or beauty."

One word is common, dignity. How do you feel when you hear that you are clothed (covered) in dignity? It is TRUE!

As believers, we are in Christ, and He lives in us. Psalm 93:1
says, "The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The Lord has clothed and girded Himself with strength;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved."

Are you easily moved? Do the winds and turbulence of life have you moving to and fro? Jesus has firmly established your life in Him and has clothed you with His Majesty, His Dignity. Ground yourself in that Truth today!

Enjoy this song as you spend time with God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcOLw3HA51Y

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties!

Today we move on to our next theme; how we are lovely. When you hear this word, what do you think of? What lie stands in the way of you believing this Truth?

First, let's look at what the word means. Webster's defines it as an adjective 1. gracefully or delicately attractive 2. beautiful in character 3. highly pleasing

Is this how you think the Lord sees you? it is!!! Is this how you see yourself? I'm starting to see myself this way, and it's liberating.

My office has recently gone through a redesign to show this more delicate side God created me to be. It's now pink, white, and gold with some purple. Feminine and royal. It was an outward expression of what is going on in the inside.

I believed the lie that told me I had to be tough and take care of myself, but the Lord showed me He was there to protect and provide for me...it wasn't up to me. I could soften up and be the princess I've always dreamed I could be. My King would take care of me.

What is He showing you this morning?

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra

Good Morning Beauties! 

God speaks to us in so many different ways, as long as we're listening. What is He saying to you today?

We had quite a little snow storm yesterday, and I woke up to a Winter Wonderland. It's Beautifu!!! The sun is shining, birds are singing, and the snow on the very top of the trees is already melted. He is speaking!

Here's what I heard Him say....He blankets us with His Love, and just like the snow that fell, we see BEAUTY! Sometimes, He melts away the covering by His sun (SON), exposing us and creating vulnerability. We don't necessarily see Him at work in this painful place, but He's there.

He wants to strip the lies away and show you Truth. Are you willing to be "naked and bare" before Him so He can reveal the true beauty that has been hidden? Selah.

Love & Blessings, 
Kendra