Summer Shore

Summer is a co-founder and director of Revive Ministries, an author, speaker, producer, and co-host of the Experience Revival podcast. She was also an on-air personality on Christian radio for over six years. Summer has been speaking and teaching for over 19 years, using humor and real-life experiences to connect with women, speak to their hearts, and draw them closer to God. She also enjoys singing and leading worship whenever she can. Summer and her husband, Jake, have been married since 2003 and have three sons who keep her on her toes! Summer loves traveling and going on adventures with her family, especially if it involves eating at her favorite Cuban restaurant. When she’s not on the air or working with Revive, you’ll find her curled up in a fuzzy blanket with a mug of chai tea and a Hallmark movie. You can connect with her on Instagram @summer_shore.

  • Advent

    Experiencing the Peace of Christ

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    When my kiddos were little, our family used to live right smack in the middle of a main street that ran through our town. It was near a busy train station and across from middle school and a high school. The noise from traffic and students and the hustle bustle of life rushing past our front door was constant.

    But one winter morning, everything was different. Overnight, almost two feet of snow had fallen, which was unheard of in our town. School was cancelled, businesses were closed, and not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

    Before I woke up the kids, I slipped on my coat and boots, and stepped onto our porch with coffee in hand. What was normally a cacophony of sounds was now a soft and serene wonderland of snow. I was struck by the stillness and absolute silence outside. There was no noise, only the muffled crunch of my boots as I stepped into the snow. I took a deep breath in and as I exhaled, I could see my breath dissipate into the cold, crisp air. I felt my shoulders relax as my mind downshifted into a lower, slower gear, until the internal noise in my head was as peaceful as the air around me.  

    When I think of peace, this moment is one of the first that comes to mind. A moment when the world was blanketed in beauty and quiet serenity. And now, even on busy days, I’ll find similar pockets of peace where I can take a deep breath, even if it’s just in the pickup line at school, or the Starbucks drive thru. 

    As the day’s to-do list rattles around in my head, moments like these can be a welcome reprieve and a blessing, but ultimately, its effect is fleeting. Sure, it might be enough to help me power through a busy morning, but won’t sustain me indefinitely. When the days are long, or life’s challenges persist and I feel weary under the weight of it all, I need the true and lasting peace that only Jesus can give. 

    In John 14:27, Jesus says that He gives us His peace. Not the temporary kind, but shalom. The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means more than just the absence of conflict or hardship. It means to make complete or whole, to bring order from chaos, and restore what is broken. To give shalom is to give wholeness, healing, and restoration. 

    That’s the kind of peace I think we are all longing for – wholeness and healing beyond our own capabilities, and stability in the chaos of the storm. It’s a peace that helps us not to be afraid of the days to come, or feel troubled at the world around us. The peace that Jesus gives us fills us with hope and a deep conviction that, come what may, “it is well with my soul”. 

    Jesus is the Prince of Peace and there is no limit to the wholeness that He brings. (Isaiah 9:6-7) That means there is no situation out of reach, no person too far gone, no circumstance where His peace cannot reign. Jesus faithfully and lovingly pursues us, stepping right into our situation whenever we need Him.

    Knowing and believing this changes how I approach the little pockets of peace I find throughout my day. Instead of a chance merely to catch my breath and organize my next step, these moments become opportunities to remember that God is near, to breathe deeply of His love, and rest in the care of the Prince of Peace. I am reminded that I’m a daughter of the King, and that God is actively working in and through me to bring about restoration in my home, church, community, and the world at large. I can trust Him to lead me confidently forward, and I can trust Him to keep me safe. 

    I pray that today as you find your own pockets of peace, I pray that you will “let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts” (Col 3:15) and that you too will remember that God is near, breathe deeply of His love, and rest in the care of the Prince of Peace. 

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  • Advent

    Holding Unswervingly to Hope

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    There’s something about winter that feels like a long season of waiting and anticipation. We wait and look forward to spending time with family and friends. We wait in anticipation for the joyful moments under the Christmas tree with little ones, and look forward to the quiet, cozy moments after the hustle and bustle wanes. Even after Christmas, we wait for the new year, and for the days to get longer and lighter in the eager anticipation of spring. 

    Sometimes in the midst of all the joyful waiting, we can also find ourselves in a heavier season of waiting on the Lord – waiting for healing, waiting for a relationship to mend, for provision to come, or for peace that passes understanding. During these times, it can be more challenging to hold onto hope when our hearts long to truly experience Emmanuel-God With Us.

    The season of Advent gives us a beautiful opportunity to do just that. During Advent, we pause to remember the eager anticipation of Jesus’s birth long ago. We also take time to intentionally live in that same eager anticipation today, as we look forward to His future return. As we slow down and reflect on God’s faithful love and redemptive plan for us, it reorients us and helps us be awake to God’s love and presence. We gain an eternal perspective that allows us to lean into a hope that is greater than our circumstances. 

    It reminds us that even while we are waiting, God’s perfect plans are still unfolding. That the same God who worked powerfully in the past, is still working powerfully now. It reminds us that the hope we have is not founded on wishful thinking or positive vibes, but on the finished work of Jesus Christ and the air-tight promise that He is coming again with wholeness and healing to set all things right.   

    I’ll admit that waiting on the Lord is not always easy, especially when we can’t see clearly what lies ahead, and when the outcomes are often out of our control. But Hebrews 10:23 reminds us to “…hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” 

    That means in every situation, in every season, God is faithful and holds us each securely in His arms. He is actively working on our behalf, in the waiting and praying, in the wrestling and surrender. He never fails to meet us in our need, walk with us, and bring about beauty and blessing from even the toughest situations. He draws near to us and reminds us that He has good plans for us, and that He is not finished yet. 

    Because God is faithful to keep His promises, it is safe to trust Him. We can hold unswervingly our hope in Him because He will never fail, never walk away, and never go back on His word. Our hope in God becomes an anchor for our souls. (Heb. 6:19) 

    The season of Advent also gives us a chance to profess the hope that we have to the world around us. It’s an opportunity for us to live out our purpose as God’s children by reflecting the light and love of Christ to those around us. To let our confident hope in Jesus be a beacon into the darkness, pointing others to Him. If you have confident hope in Christ, I guarantee there is someone in your life that would be so blessed to hear about it.

    If you are in need of hope, I pray that God will place someone in your life to encourage you and share the hope you can have in God. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for someone to sit with you, to pray with you and remind you of God’s love and faithfulness. Hope is strengthened when we share it with one another..

    As we collectively tell the stories of what God has done in the past, it builds up our faith in how God is working now, and helps us all to have hope in the amazing things God will do in the future. 

    God’s love for us has no limit, no expiration date, no conditions. It is faithful and eternal. So as we hold unswervingly to our hope in Him, we can confidently profess the name of Jesus. 

    Whether you are anticipating the joys of the season, waiting for a miracle, or both, my prayer for you is this from Romans 15:13, “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.”

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  • Identity in Christ

    How To Tell The Hard Parts of Your Story Well

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    When it comes to sharing our stories with others, it seems pretty easy to talk about the good things that have happened. The joys and victories in life naturally prompt us to praise God, and it feels easier to see His hand of blessing in the big and little things. 

    It feels a lot harder, though, to share the painful, challenging, or messy bits of our stories. In seasons when failure, heartache, anxiety, or grief threaten to overwhelm us,  it can be difficult to discern where God is working. It can be a struggle to know how to share the hard parts of our story well.

    But if the whole purpose of sharing our stories is to glorify God and help others see that He is still powerful, alive, and working, then we have to know how to share the difficult parts of our journey, too. Following Jesus means talking about the joys and the blessings, but also the rescue missions where He pulled us up out of the mud, dusted us off, and helped us walk forward again on solid ground. While we may fear what people might think of us or want to avoid being too vulnerable, sharing the hard parts of our story helps others know that they are not alone. Every time we share a part of our hearts and how the Lord met us in our need, it helps someone else know that God will meet them in theirs. 

    Psalm 107 calls us to tell how we have been redeemed from the foe, not by our own cleverness or strength, but by the power and saving grace of our Heavenly Father. 

    The hard seasons in our lives are often pivotal moments that can impact our faith and the faith of others, so when we share, it’s important that our perspective is grounded in Biblical truth.

    We must first and foremost make sure that our identity is firmly rooted in Christ. Pain can be all-consuming, and sometimes we understandably focus so much on what we have been through that we unintentionally let it define us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of constructing a false identity based on our circumstances, instead of our true identity as daughters of the Most High God. We start to believe the lie that the most impactful part of our story is the difficult thing that we’ve endured, instead of the awesome power of Jesus at work in us, helping us to overcome. 

    When our relationship with Jesus is the defining factor in our lives, the hard things we have experienced no longer define us. Instead, they set the stage for us to shine a spotlight on the God who faithfully walked with us and loved us through it all. Our main story becomes the ongoing story of God’s love, grace, and redemptive power at work in us. At the end of the day, that is the story we are telling. And when Jesus is the main character, it takes the pressure off of us to say or do things perfectly. There’s room for our humanity when God’s sovereignty and grace are on display. 

    If you are reading this and struggling to see where God is working, or you’re in the middle of your healing process, allow me to extend a big, heaping scoop of grace to you right now. It is ok to just work on letting God put the pieces of your heart back together. Let Him sing over you with love, protect you under the shelter of His wing, and remind you how precious you are to Him. Fix your eyes on Jesus and ask Him to give you wisdom and discernment as you heal, grow, and move forward. Talk with trusted friends and seek wise counsel. There is no rush or pressure to share the hard things until you and God are ready. With God’s direction and in His perfect timing, your story of healing will change lives, even if it is simply within the four walls of your house.

    Genesis 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” 

    There will be a day when you will be on the other side of things and better able to share from a place of healing instead of in the middle of the hurting. When you have gone from pain to peace, then you’ll more easily see where God is redeeming that pain for purpose. 

    From a place of confident identity in Christ, we can have more clarity as we discern what, when, and how much to share. One of my mentors told me once that prayerful planning creates room for the Holy Spirit to work, because we can more freely listen to His voice instead of the task at hand. 

    For me, it has been helpful to spend time with the Lord before I share some of the harder parts of my story. I pray and examine my heart using some of the questions below and then sit quietly with Jesus, allowing Him to shape how I share my story. It helps me see any boundaries I need to set for myself or others, the level of detail I go into, and most importantly, to make sure that I am bringing the hope and encouragement of Christ to people, not just telling them a great story. 

    I want to encourage you to take time to honestly work through the questions below and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you insight. Invite God to write your story with you so that you can have clarity, confidence, and peace as you share. 

    • What is my motivation? Why do I want to share this story? 
    • Who is this story meant to encourage?
    • What is the main takeaway or Biblical truth that God wants me to share? 
    • Is this story mine to share? Do I need to ask permission of others involved, leave out names, or change the level of detail that I share? Remember, the main story is less about the details of what happened and more about the power of Jesus at work in your life. 

    Telling your story might feel like a daunting process, and while there is deep spiritual work that we all need to do as we grow in our faith, telling about what God has done in our lives does not have to be complicated.

    Throughout the rest of Psalm 107, we see several stories of God’s redeeming power told simply, but powerfully. There are elements that are repeated that we can use as a template to share our stories as well: 

    1. There was hardship and trouble
    2. The people cried out to God for help. 
    3. God stepped in to rescue them from their distress
    4. They glorified God with their gratitude and praise. 

    We can simply and effectively tell our story just by sharing what life was like before and after Jesus stepped into our story. There is tremendous power in the simple message of Jesus Christ.

    In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth saying, “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”

    Paul reminds us that our story is not about being fearless, eloquent, or having an elaborate set-up and delivery. It’s about boldly sharing what the Lord has done in our lives,  so that others will know God and have faith in Him. It is God’s power that goes before us when we share our story. 

    Our story is folded into God’s greater story of redemption and love. As each chapter of our lives unfolds, God is powerfully present, alive and active, wasting nothing and working all things for the good of those who love Him. He pulls us out of the darkness and calls us into the light. May our stories be radiant beacons of hope to the world around us, pointing to the unfailing love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the victory we have in Him.

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  • Identity in Christ

    Your Story Matters

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    Have you ever read some of the stories in the Bible and felt like you didn’t quite measure up? There are so many examples of people with incredible faith in extraordinary circumstances, that my story can seem kind of unremarkable by comparison. 

    The truth is, our stories of faith today are just as impactful as the stories of the people in the Bible because the core elements are the same. We have an all-knowing, all-powerful loving God, who works through ordinary people, like us, to accomplish Kingdom-sized results. The key is understanding our stories and telling them from the right perspective. 

    When we look at our story through our own limited perspectives and abilities, it can be easy to underestimate the power in sharing it. But when we zoom out to an eternal, Kingdom perspective, we see that the God of infinite power and ability is the true main character working powerfully, in and around us. When we look at our stories through the lens of God’s loving hand guiding our steps and redeeming our pain for purpose, we begin to see the miraculous unfold and realize that we are being woven into God’s greater story, that spans the generations before us and the generations to come. 

    We see that the same God who empowered Esther to become queen and save her people, is the same God who empowers us and helps us to navigate difficult situations with wisdom, boldness, and grace. The same God who appointed Deborah to be a powerful judge to give counsel to the king, also sees our strengths and places us in positions of influence, whether it be in governments, churches, workplaces, or our families. The same God who appeared to Mary Magdalene after He rose from the dead and commissioned her to share the Gospel, also commissions us to share that same good news. 

    Psalm 66:16 says, “Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”

    And later in Psalm 107:1-2, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe.”

    The whole purpose of sharing our stories is to glorify God and help others see that He is still powerful, alive, and working in our lives, and that He wants to do the same in theirs, too. It is a way to show our gratitude to God for all He has done and to point others toward the Savior. No one else has walked in the same experience, in the same way as you. Your story could be the one thing that opens someone’s eyes to the power of God.

    Author Tracie Miles puts it beautifully: “In our stories, others see the invisible God at work. We are all called to be living proof of the power of a holy, living God.” 

    In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, the Apostle Paul shares the good news about Jesus, but then goes on to share his story of how he was personally impacted by the Gospel. Paul’s past was not pretty or shiny; in fact, he had aggressively persecuted Christians and the church. But he was transformed by the story of Jesus and went on to boldly proclaim the Gospel, even after he was imprisoned. For Paul, he wasn’t done sharing the Gospel until he had shared the impact it had in his own life. 

    Our stories don’t have to be fancy, eloquent, or even have lots of drama to be effective in God’s Kingdom. All of our experiences, everything we’ve been through, each moment where we have experienced God’s love, provision, or power, can be a story worth sharing. 

    When we tell others about what God has done in our lives, it not only invites them to see God in real and tangible ways, but it also combats the enemy’s lies and schemes to steal our joy and destroy our identity as a daughter of the Most High God. We have all experienced hardships or painful experiences, and the temptation to let those things define us and determine our worth is real. The enemy wants nothing more than to keep you stuck in a never-ending cycle of shame, disillusionment, and doubt.

    Revelation 21:10-11 tells us that the devil hurls accusations day and night at God’s children, and we experience that today as he whispers lies that we are not enough or that we are beyond the reach of God’s grace. But verse 11 goes on to say that we will overcome the Accuser by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony. When the redeemed tell the story of Jesus at work in their life, it overcomes the enemy’s schemes.

    Because our main story is the ongoing story of God’s love, grace, and redemptive power at work within us, that gives us an identity in Christ that can never be shaken. We are not defined by the messy parts of our story, but by the One who loved us through it all. This gives us boldness and confidence when we are called to share what God has done in our lives. Even in the painful places, we can still speak of the compassion, steadfast love, and life-changing power of Jesus Christ. He is the light that shines brightest in our darkest moments. 

    There are times when we might feel called by God to share the harder parts of our stories, so that we can encourage others, strengthen their faith, and help them see God in their circumstances. For a lot of us, the thought of sharing the messy parts of our story can feel scary and overwhelming. Speaking from my own experience, I have discovered that there is a way to share your story so that it glorifies God, blesses and inspires others, and leaves you feeling confident and secure instead of overexposed and triggered. Stay on the lookout for our next article and podcast episode, where we will dive deeper into this topic and give you some practical steps to help you discern what, when, and how to share the hard parts of your story well. 

    Right now, wherever you are in your story, I want to invite you to start small. Ask yourself, “Where do I see God’s handiwork unfolding in my life? Where do I see His love, provision, or power at work?” 

    Ask God to show you where He is working throughout your day. Maybe keep a journal or start a note on your phone to help you remember. Take notice of the seemingly little things and talk to Him about what is happening in your day. You’ll be amazed at the power of His presence and the evidence of Him that is all around.

    You have significance in the Kingdom of God, and your story matters because the King of Kings knows you and loves you. As a beloved daughter of God, you have all the credentials you need. Just as the stories of the Bible strengthen our faith and encourage our hearts, your story of faith is like a pebble dropped in a still pond. The waves ripple out exponentially and impact everything they touch. God is working powerfully through your story, the good parts and the hard parts. He doesn’t waste a thing, but works all things for the good of those who love Him. Your story and who you are in Christ are remarkable. May you boldly share it with confidence so that others can see living proof of our loving God.

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  • In The Word, Knowing God

    Building an Unshakeable Faith Through Time in God’s Word

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    I think we all want to have a faith that doesn’t waiver in the face of hardship or discouragement. But on a random Tuesday not so long ago, I sat on my bed, curled up in a swirl of blankets, staring blankly at my open Bible, and felt anything but unshakeable. My mind was racing, and my heart was weary. It had been one of those weeks when nothing had gone right, and I felt small, defeated, and a little insecure.

    My eyes hovered over the pages as I skimmed Jeremiah 29:11, hoping for a bit of encouragement. 

    “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

    I must have read that verse a hundred times before, and even though the greater context is God speaking to Israel after a time of exile, it still reminds me of His love and perfect plan that we get to be a part of as His children. This time, though, I kept reading. 

    “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…”

    It was exactly what I needed to hear. A promise that God will be found by any willing heart that seeks Him. 

    The words were the same as they had always been, but in light of the week I’d had, they settled in my heart differently. It was like God was reaching out to me in that very moment through these ancient words, to breathe new life into my tender heart.

    That’s the beauty of God’s Word. It is steadfast and unchanging, but also powerful, dynamic, and transformative. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “…the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

    I love that! God’s Word is neither stagnant nor indifferent. It can reach the deepest places in our hearts and minds and transform us. It meets us where we are, but does not leave us there. God’s Word is powerful in every circumstance, in every corner of the world, and in every generation. Whatever you are facing today, wherever you are in your faith journey, God has something to say to you in His Word. And if you want to cultivate a faith that stands firm, there’s no place better to start. 

    Throughout the Bible, God reveals His character, His heart, and His thoughts, especially as we look at the life of Jesus. God sent His son, Jesus, to reveal Himself to us so that we can know Him better. That means that when we see Jesus’ compassion, love, kindness, justice, and patience, we are witnessing the character and heart of God himself. Through this lens, we begin to experience God’s love for us, and God’s ultimate story of redemption and restoration comes alive. 

    As we find our place in the story of God’s people, we discover that the Bible is also a practical tool for every facet of life. It guides us, helps us grow, and equips us thoroughly for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Holy Spirit reminds us what we have learned in God’s Word and helps us discern what is true, right, and good in a world full of opinions, pressures, and temptations that all compete for our allegiance. 

    A friend was recently sharing how workers at the U.S. Mint can quickly spot a counterfeit bill. They don’t memorize all the different kinds of fake money. They spend all their time studying the real thing. As they learn everything they can about the true bill, the phony becomes immediately obvious. The same is true of the Word of God. As we study and learn the truth of God’s Word, the counterfeit gods that the world offers are easily spotted. We can measure what we hear, see, and experience against God’s character because we know it firsthand through Scripture. 

    When we know God in this way, we can’t help but be transformed. We no longer place our faith in our own ability, resourcefulness, strength, or talent. Instead, our faith is grounded in the reality that our God never fails and never grows weary of loving us and caring for us. Our faith can be unshakeable because He is unshakeable. 

    Life will be messy and chaotic at times, and difficult seasons will still come, but we can stand firm knowing He has been faithful for generations and He will be faithful now, no matter what we are facing today. 

    Whether you are in the thick of it now or just needing a gentle reminder of truth, I pray that you will seek God with all of your heart and dive into His Word with eager anticipation. He sees you and cares for you and has planned ahead for anything that may come your way. Just like when God met me that day, sitting alone in a pile of fluffy blankets, He is waiting to meet you too, right where you are. As you read your Bible and see God’s character and faithfulness unfold, I pray that you will know Him better, experience His love, and be anchored securely by faith in our Unshakeable God.

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  • Purposeful Living, Spiritual Rhythms

    Walking with the Light of the World

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    As a Latina living in the Pacific Northwest, I often joke with my husband around this time of year that my DNA is not equipped for these cold and rainy, dark winters. While I love a good rain storm where I can curl up by the fire with a giant mug of coffee and work on my latest crochet project, the romanticism quickly wears off when I have to make a run to the grocery store and actually brave the elements. 

    Especially after the hustle and bustle of the holidays fades, it can be easy to feel like we’re staring down a long, dreary winter ahead. I think that’s true for a lot of people this time of year. Whether the long, dark winter is literal or metaphorical, we can find ourselves longing for both daylight and God’s light. 

    I had a realization, on the winter solstice which ironically is the shortest day of the year. We only had about eight hours of daylight, and as I inwardly lamented the lack of rays, I also realized that from that moment on, each day would be progressively brighter. I was flooded with hope and relief at this temporal “landmark” that signaled a shift not just in our daylight hours, but in my heart posture as well.

    I had just read John 8:12 that day, and was reminded that whatever the source of the darkness, we have unlimited access to the ultimate source of Light.

    As we abide in Christ and walk with Him in our daily lives, He renews our minds, restores our joy and refreshes our hope. And because God himself is the light, there is no darkness that can overcome it. (John 1:5) His light never flickers, fades, or fails. Its brilliance is not dependent on our power, resourcefulness, or strength and there are no circumstances that can diminish its glow. To live in this light, we need only to follow Jesus. 

    Over and over, God has proven to me that time spent in the light of His presence and truth will sustain me in any season. When I spend time reading the Bible and see how God interacts with His people with love and tender mercy, I’m reminded that He shows me that same love and tenderness. When I bring my heart to Him in prayer, I am transformed to be more like Him. I begin to see my circumstances from His eternal perspective instead of my own limited view. When I get together with other Christians at church, or for coffee throughout the week, I’m encouraged and bolstered in my faith as we share how God is working in our lives. As I invite Jesus into what I am doing each day, I am reminded of God’s goodness and grace, and I experience His love more fully, regardless of the season or circumstance.

    With the New Year comes new opportunities to reframe our winter ahead. Maybe you are facing the darkness of the post-holiday “meh’s”,  or battling the literal rain and gloom outside your window. It could be that you are going through a season of hard transition, grief or disappointment. 

    Whatever the source of the darkness, it can never overcome or outlast the light of our God who is walking with you now. Jesus, the Light of the World, our Prince of Peace, sees you, knows you and loves you with a love like no other. 

    So as you stand on the edge of 2025, I want to encourage you to pick one or two things that you can do each day to spend time with God and realign your heart with His truth. It could be spending a few minutes reading your Bible and jotting down what stands out to you. Or talking to God and inviting Him to walk with you as you go through your day. It may be texting a friend to ask for prayer, and seeing how you can pray for them, or starting a new Bible study to help you know and experience God’s character on a deeper level. 

    Whatever the season, wherever you are in your faith journey, I pray that you would lift your eyes up to Him, wrap up in His love, and lean into the light and life He offers. May He bless you, sustain and encourage you, and help you flourish in your faith this year, and in the years to come.

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  • Finding Significance, Heart Stuff

    Faithful in Every Season

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    A little over a week ago marked the first day of autumn and the official changing of the seasons. I gleefully switched the sign on my front porch that says “Hey Friends!” To “Hello Fall” and hung a leafy fall wreath on my door.

    There’s something about this time of year that feels so refreshing. I don’t know if it’s the new school year finally settling into a rhythm, or the color of the deep blue sky against the crimson and gold leaves, or the cool breeze mixed with the warm sun on my face. There’s just a momentum to it that seems to keep propelling us forward. Like there are new possibilities just around the corner.

    With every season, we can see a renewing of God’s faithfulness. Whether in the radiant sunbeams of summertime, the brilliant colors of the leaves in autumn; the still, serene blanket of snow in winter; or the promise of new life emerging with the flowers in spring–they all point to God’s sovereignty and abundant love.

    Turning a page in the calendar is one thing, but sometimes we find ourselves facing an entirely new or challenging season of life, and that doesn’t always feel as easy. Things like a new job, kids moving out of the house (or back in), dealing with health issues, or grief and loss, can usher in feelings of anxiety, fear, or stress, making it hard to discern the best way forward.

    The book of Ecclesiastes describes life as “hevel” when life gets like that. Our modern translation calls it “meaningless” but that actually misses the mark. The word literally means “smoke or vapor” and the author of the book is using it as a metaphor of how life is like smoke or vapor. Temporary and fleeting, and at times, unclear, it can feel impossible to grasp and hard to see through. It can seem like just when things take one shape, everything changes and looks completely different. We lose any illusion of control we once had, and that can be painful.

    But it’s one of the best-worst things that can happen to us because it calls us to a posture of total surrender before God. It can also help us rediscover the many simple gifts that God provides every day—if we have eyes to see them.

    “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

    Ecclesiastes 3:2

    When we live in a posture of trusting in God, we will see that in each season of life, there are gifts of God. The enjoyment of simple good things in life, like friendship, family, a good meal, or a sunny day. Little bits of heaven breaking into our life here on earth. We begin to trust and see that in each season, even the challenging ones, God’s love and faithfulness are there.

    There have been many circumstances throughout my life that have been unexpected blessings and plenty where nothing was in my control and all I could do was cry out to God. But every time I turned my eyes to the Lord, He helped me to stop striving to control my plans and helped me submit instead to His.

    God’s steadfast love shifted my focus from what I thought things should look like, to the glorious hope of what they could be in the masterful hands of my loving Creator. I could be confident that God’s faithfulness in the past would see me through anything I might be facing now. And I could rest in the knowledge that while my circumstances might have changed, who I am in Christ did not. My identity remained secure as God’s daughter, chosen and loved.

    We can’t always see it in the moment, but God is present and working on our behalf because He loves us so very much. When we hurt, He is faithful to comfort us. When we are discouraged, He is faithful to cheer us on. When we pray, He is faithful to listen and meet us in our need. He does what He says He will do. He can’t help it. His goodness and faithfulness are part of His character. You can trust and rely on Him in every way.

    Seasons will inevitably change and sometimes it can seem like we are looking through a cloud of smoke trying to make out a clear path. But God remains constant, a firm foundation beneath our feet that allows us to continue forward, trusting Him to guide us and provide for us. We can be confident that even when new seasons are unexpected, God has planned ahead for us in every detail. When our lives are built on Christ, we can have faith that is unshakable in any season because we are loved by an Unshakable God.

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  • Identity in Christ

    Identity in Christ in Africa

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    It’s been a minute since we updated you on our Bible Studies being sent to women around the world! 

    In December 2023 and January of this year, we sent a total of 150 Bible studies to Africa! Over 50 different congregations in Uganda, Kenya, Mombasa, Nairobi, and beyond received copies of Royal: Finding Your Identity in Christ to share with their congregations, families, and communities. 

    Since then we have been amazed and humbled as God is already doing more than we could have dreamed! Not long after the Bible studies arrived in Kenya, we started getting updates on the various women and churches who are growing in God’s Word through this study:

    Sister Shore, this is just a short update. I am having a good and fruitful trip so far. We’ve been visiting three local congregations a day and as of yesterday, we have had 19 souls putting on Christ. Today we will be visiting a congregation with halfway deaf brethren. Also, I’ll be sharing with the deaf women. They can read English luckily enough. The ladies were happy to receive the Finding Your Identity in Christ gospel material and they’re going to study with women in their congregations -Brother Martin

    A sister who is a widow in a congregation I visited in December reported about her work with sharing your studies with other widows and ladies in the area. Such wonderful news. She uses the study material and the Bible to teach and encourage them. It’s such a wonderful joy to know that they are making use of the lessons. Pray for them! These women live difficult lives. Some go without food and medical attention but are glad they can have time to come study and get encouraged. -Brother Martin

    Beatrice (left) & Jennifer (center) are school administrators from Missions of Hope International Area 2 School, in Mathare Valley, Nairobi. They received 50 copies of the Identity in Christ Bible study and have started a study with teachers at the school!

    After sending the first round of Bible Studies, we wanted to create a version that is culturally relevant to women in Africa. We are so thankful to our friends at Village of Hope in Uganda for helping us update the study. The new version is called Daughter of God: Finding Your Identity In Christ, and will better connect with the culture and experiences that women in Africa face. We have also included the full scriptures (instead of just references) throughout the study so that those without Bibles can have the Word of God at their fingertips. Today our friend, Cindy, is traveling to Uganda with the new version and will share it with the women at Village of Hope. 

    We had no idea who would receive the copies of the Bible studies. But God did. He saw the widows group that needed encouragement. He saw the deaf women who may have never heard His spoken Word, but now are reading His words of love, and how they are beautifully and wonderfully made. God saw the teachers at the Missions of Hope school and as these teachers serve and lead their students, they can be reminded of who they are in Christ, and be living examples of Jesus’ love. God sees the women at Village of Hope and meets them in their need, through His people and through His Word.

    While women in Africa are going through the Identity in Christ Bible study, this week we also started going through it online with a group of almost 80 women from all over the United States. It has been incredible knowing that as we do this study, we are not just united with the ladies here, but also across the continents. We are all studying God’s Word together, as daughters in His Kingdom.

    Please join us in praying for all these women, that they will:

    • Know and experience God’s love and grow in their faith as they learn who they are in Christ.
    • Learn how they are uniquely gifted and have a place and a purpose in the Kingdom of God.
    • Be empowered by the Holy Spirit to boldly live out their faith.

    And please pray for us as we continue to follow God’s calling to share His Word with women worldwide—may He be glorified!

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  • Easter, Heart Stuff

    Fresh Start with Jesus

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    With flowers popping up, and Easter just around the corner, the optimism of a new season is all around. Especially coming out of dark winter, the light and new life of spring offers a welcome reprieve, full of promise and hope.

    All this newness (and that extra hour of daylight) inspired me to do some spring cleaning. I opened the curtains to let in more light and figure out which areas needed a little extra TLC. I opened all the windows and let the spring breeze air out the stale corners of the house that hadn’t seen the bright light of day in a while.

    I stood there for a moment, breathing in the sweet scent of the recent rain, and fresh-cut grass, and I realized there are probably parts of my heart that need the same treatment. There are corners in my heart that hadn’t seen the bright light of day in a while, and parts of me that were still holding on to the old ways instead of walking in the light of Christ as a new creation. 

    But that’s the beauty of this verse in 2 Corinthians. As Christ-followers, we can throw open the shutters of our hearts and let the light of Jesus sweep through and renew us. We can breathe deep of new mercies. We are released from the slavery of sin and are made new by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. In Christ we are raised to new life, to walk in new ways, with new hope.

    Every Easter, we remember that the story of Jesus did not end at the cross. The cross was the plot twist-Jesus overcame death and the grave and rose to life again. We have that same power living in us through the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus, we have the power to leave the grave behind us and walk forward as a new creation.

    Because God did not intend for us to stay stuck in darkness. God intends for us to awaken, arise, and step forward in faith into new life. But not on our own power or strength. 

    When God sent Jesus to redeem and restore humanity, it was more than just a rescue mission. God came near, revealed His heart through His Son, and through Jesus gave us access to all the resources and power of the Kingdom of God. 

    It’s not about us, or our ability, it’s about Jesus and what He has done and is doing in us. It’s about having a heart that is willing to be transformed in His presence and letting the light of his love shine through us in our everyday lives. It’s living daily in the awareness that the very same power that raised Jesus from the grave, now lives in us. Because of Christ, we live in a new reality-standing firm in the unshakable Kingdom of God. 

    That renewing and transformation leads to seeing things from a Kingdom perspective. We walk through our day, aware of God’s power and presence, and look for ways to join Him. Maybe it’s taking the time to listen to someone who is hurting. Or when you have a super long day and you are weary, you pause and pray and lean into the power that we have in Christ. Maybe it’s standing firm in your faith, even when it feels vulnerable. Or leaving the grave of sin and shame behind you, so that when the world looks messy and hopeless, your heart can be confident and steadfast. As a result, our lives can reflect the light of Christ like the sunrise spreading across the horizon of a brand new day.

    Are there places in your heart that could use some “spring cleaning” and renewal? Any ways that you could use a fresh start? No matter what you are facing, there is no mess too big for God. You are never so far gone that God cannot reach into your situation and breathe new life into you. His mercies are new every morning, every minute, every second. He can make you new, and set you on a new path. Whatever Jesus is calling you to, He’s already there waiting for you. Let’s open the windows of our hearts and let His light in.

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  • Identity in Christ, News & Events

    Helping Women in Africa Know Who They Are In Christ!

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    I reread the message in my inbox, just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Six years ago, I never would have imagined our ministry would be sending Bible studies across continents to serve women on the other side of the world. But now, here was my friend, Brother Martin, asking if we could help.

    “Will you please help the women at the congregations here in Kenya know who they are in Christ?”

    I had just posted a reel on Instagram about Revive Ministries, and in the video, I mentioned that our Royal: Finding Your Identity in Christ Bible study is now available online year-round. Brother Martin was hoping we could send 50 printed copies of that very Bible study to Kenya so that he could deliver to 8 different churches in the area.

    I felt my heart leap and a smile spread across my face as I began to imagine what God might be doing in this moment. I immediately called Melissa, my bestie and fellow co-founder/director of Revive, and we began preparations to print and ship the Bible studies to Kenya.

    Let me tell you, when God sets His people in motion, it is a collaborative thing of beauty. A couple of local churches and one of our donors came together to help with the costs and the Bible studies were on their way!

    The package finally arrived in Mombasa, and just a few days later we got the first exciting update. What had started as a small trip to a few churches had grown into a 21-church tour to share the gospel and give copies of the Royal: Finding Your Identity In Christ Bible study to each congregation. 

    What was even more exciting was that the women receiving the Bible study would also be teaching and leading other women in their churches, families, and communities, helping them understand who they are in Christ. Each Bible study would impact not just one woman, but many women with the life-changing truth of God’s Word. 

    Tears of joy and affection streamed down my face when I saw these pictures. I just wanted to reach into the photo and hug them and tell them just how loved by God they are. And until I hopefully can someday, that’s exactly what these Bible studies will do. It will tell them about our God who loves them more than they can imagine, who created them beautifully and uniquely for a purpose right where they are. Our God who sees them and cherishes and delights in them. And it will tell them of our God who empowers them through the Holy Spirit to boldly live out a faith that will ripple out for generations to come. 

    Here’s the most amazing thing: not only did God open doors in Kenya, but when we told another friend about our Bible studies in Africa, they asked if they could take 50 copies to Uganda next month to 31 churches there! Friends, that’s over 50 churches in Africa receiving Biblical resources to help women grow in their faith and love for Jesus. 

    The effect is exponential: each woman who gets a copy of the Bible study shares it with multiple people in their churches, families, and communities, and it just keeps growing from there. And I have a feeling that God is just getting started. 

    I pray that someday Revive Ministries can travel in person to the congregations that have received Royal: Finding Your Identity In Christ. It would be incredible to see them and hug them, pray with them, and worship our Almighty and Loving Father together. Until that day, whether on this side of heaven or the next, our prayer remains the same:

    “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:17-21)

    Would you consider helping us send more Bible studies to Africa? We are currently raising funds to send 50 more Bible studies to Uganda in January. A gift of $20 will provide one Bible study for a woman in Uganda, who will share it with countless others. 

    Thanks to a generous partner, all donations will be matched up to $1,000 until 11:59 pm December 31, 2023! Anything raised above and beyond our goal will go to continuing to provide Biblical resources to women worldwide. 

    We want as many women to know and experience the love of Christ, and to see it transform their lives. Your gift can make a real difference! Will you help?

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