B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 10/11/22

The Difference a Chapter Makes

This story in the book of Joshua really intrigues me. You know those stories that start off a certain way, and have you feeling hopeless, defeated, and every other negative feeling in the world? Well, this one is definitely one of those. If you read Joshua 7:2-4, and stopped right there, you would miss out on the ending. You would miss out on the best part. It is the same way in our lives my friends.

If someone was to read the story of this chapter of my life, I wonder what they would say. How about you? Would they be forced to stop right here and wallow in the feelings that you feel?The feelings that feel permanent and unending. Or would they be able to bask in the joy ahead, that is guaranteed, but seems unfathomable in this moment?

I don't know about you friends, but I want to stick around. I want to find out how Joshua's story plays out. I want to find out how my story plays out. I have to press on. I urge you to press on as well.

When we meet up with Joshua again just a short chapter later, the difference is night and day. Things have changed drastically. (See Joshua 8:28)

I marveled at this turnaround. I sat there staring at the headings of chapter 7&8. God turned it all around and reversed it. Just when Joshua was feeling defeated and hopeless, God changed things. He gave Him answers and through the course of events, he learned that something had happened unbeknownst to him. God knew though and He helped him figure out a solution. Isn't it amazing sometimes how someone else can do something evil, and it ends up affecting our lives? Sometimes friends, people do things and feel like they are getting away with it. But even if no one else on earth knows, God knows. He will even things out. That's who He is.

Bottom line? Don't worry about one chapter of your life and get bogged down by it. This is just one chapter in the book of your life. You never know what God will do in the next chapter. Just trust in God and wait patiently for the page to turn. It may take longer than you want, but the page has to turn. Hang in there.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 10/14/22

Top 10 Things I Was Reminded of This Week

Hey friends. I have really been learning a lot this week and I have been reminded of so many things this week. I wanted to share some of these things with you today. I hope that this list blesses you.

#1: Do what is required of you ahead of time if possible: I am a firm believer in this. Joyce Meyer defines wisdom as doing today what you will be satisfied with tomorrow. I have learned over time that if I don't do something early when I have the time to do it, I am only causing myself misery. I have so much peace when I feel led to do it and I do it.

#2: No absolutism allowed: Hi. My name is Amber, and I am a recovering perfectionist. I just had to get that out of the way. I am doing my best to get rid of this notion that I either excel or fail. Two things can be true. I can have a bad day and still be a good person.

#3: Consider unconventional methods/avenues to achieve your goals: Sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in how other people have achieved their goals. It is important to remember that you are not like everybody else and that is ok. There might be a different way for you to arrive at what you want. Don't be afraid to explore that.

#4: Be consistent at whatever you are called to do: If you are passionate about something, and feel called to do it, continue to do it and don't give up on yourself. It won't always be easy, but it is worth it when you love what you do.

#5: Be humble enough to let others shine: Don't always feel like you have to be in the spotlight. Learn how to allow others the opportunity to shine. Whatever is supposed to be yours, will be yours in due season. Why not be good to others along the way?

#6: Look for ways to spread joy: I have found that my day is better when I take time to spread joy. I am trying my best to be intentional about practicing joy.

#7: Learn how to lay down and rest: This is vital. Sometimes, too many times friends, I find myself trying to go, go go. But when you exert yourself too much, your body will shut down and make the decision for you. Rest is just as important as work if not more important.

#8: Be a good steward of your time: I am learning that time is the most valuable commodity that we have, and it can't be replenished once it is used up. I am trying to use my time more wisely.

#9: Be grateful: Understand dear friends, as cliche as it sounds, that somebody always has it worse. Someone is looking at you thinking you have it made. Be grateful for every day that you get!

#10: If you love what you do, it shows: I am learning that if you are passionate about something, everybody that sees what you do can see it. It will be obvious because of the time you take to do it, how you present it, and your energy. It is so important to take the time to pursue your passions and callings.

Friends, what have you been reminded of this week?

Let's talk about it in the comments below!

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 10/17/22

The Fragility of Faith

Hey friends. Today I have another confession. I know, I'm just full of them, right? But in all seriousness, no one tells you how fragile faith is. Today's key passages, 1st Timothy 6:12 & Philippians 3:12-14, illustrate how I feel about this faith walk. It is a fight. It requires effort to take hold of and keep a firm grasp on. You have to keep pressing on and forget the previous day's sorrows. All we truly have is the present day we find ourselves in.

There was a such a weight lifted off of my shoulders when I began to realize that we literally have to grasp faith minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. I felt relieved when I understood that figuring out all of the details of my life in one day would make for a boring life with a capital b friends. Besides the fact that it is impossible.

I have so much appreciation for how far I have come on this journey. All of the lessons I have learned. All of the epiphanies I have had. All of the fruit that I am witnessing in my life. I just don't have the capacity to completely collapse in despair. I am thankful to God for that. No matter how rough a day may seem, by God's grace I keep going. I may have to change course, but I don't lay down and give up. Even when I feel like there is nothing else to do but quit.

Freedom is yours when you understand that yeah, faith can be shaky. Faith can be fragile. Oftentimes it can feel like you are losing your grasp on faith. However, it doesn't mean that you don't believe. It doesn't mean that your faith is less genuine than someone else's. It just means that you are human. When I start getting into that space of striving to be this "perfect Christian", I bring myself back from the edge by looking more closely at some of the bible characters and their journeys of faith.

For example, look at Paul, this man started out persecuting fellow Christians. By the end of his story, he was an apostle, fighting for Christians. Then look at Timothy, he was a spiritual son to Paul. If Paul had to tell him to hold on to his faith and fight for it, why do we think we should be any different? I don't know about you but I'm over thinking I have to be superhuman and perfect. I choose to confess that I am a human with fragile faith, but with the help of a supernatural God, I can live righteously. It won't be a perfect walk. But I am determined to keep moving forward, with my eyes on the prize of heaven.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 9/30/22

God is the Bridge!

Our key verse for today, Philippians 2:13, is one of my favorites. It is a sobering and humbling reminder of where our power comes from. Sometimes people will tell me things about myself and my "inner bully" as some people affectionately call it, will have me analyzing and overthinking about why I am not all the things they perceive me to be. See, that's where we get turned around friends. We think that all the becoming, all the progress, all the growth, is solely up to us. We have to take a step back, breathe, and realize that we have a partner in this process.

Instead of wallowing in misery about how flawed I think I am, or how far I still have to go, I can choose to see things differently. Instead of measuring the gap between where I am and where people perceive me to be, I can begin to understand that God is the bridge. He is the one who empowers me to do His will and be a good person. On my own, it is too hard to naturally gravitate towards goodness and obedience. If it were easy, we would not need God's help.

With these thoughts in mind, I can get my inadequacy off my mind and appreciate that the fact that I have even grown to a point where God's goodness in me is noticeable. That's something to celebrate. Once again, it all goes back to your perspective, and your willingness to surrender your will and accept God's. I am glad that God is refining my perspective about myself and about Him little by little. Each day, with His help, I am growing, I am learning, I am getting better.

My prayer for you is that you realize that God is bridging the gap in your life too. He is making it possible for you to be the best version of yourself. He is making up the difference where you feel you fall short. He is making you whole in every way.

These thoughts make me smile.

What about you, friend?

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 9/29/22

Respectfully

Our key verses for today, Job 10:1 and Psalm 77:2 have one thing in common. Both of them are expressing heartfelt feelings to God in a moment of distress. You see, Job & David are two of the most popular bible characters and many times, people point to them as examples of how we should relate to God. The fact that we often overlook is that these two men were human beings just like us, they had feelings, and they weren't afraid to be honest with God.

In the faith community, there is a misconception that believing in God means you can't have any negative feelings ever about anything. These two verses illustrate that God does not frown upon us expressing our feelings, nor is He offended by us doing so. It is all about expressing them respectfully. It is vital that we as believers in God know that we can tell God exactly how we feel at all times. He doesn't want us to walk around with a mask on hiding our pain inside. He doesn't want us to hide our flaws from Him. God wants us to come to Him as we are; not how we want to be.

When we give God our truth, He can work with that better than the narratives that we tell ourselves about having to be perfect. When we share our heart with God, He can mend and soothe the places that are broken and hurting. Not being transparent with God only delays our breakthrough.

So, friend, if you are reading this today and in bondage because you feel afraid to be real with God, this is your invitation to freedom. Freedom in your life. Freedom with God. I don't know about you, but that sounds good to me. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain in God!

Friends, are you afraid to be real with God?

Do you feel like it is hard for you to be honest with God?

Let me know in the comments below!

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 10/5/22

Rescue in Repetition

I have read Joshua 1:8 many, many, times since I have become more serious about bible study. For some reason, it really began to sink in the other day. It dawned on me that when you actually do meditate on God's Word continually, it rescues you. This practice of repetition of God's promises really is powerful.

It is funny because sometimes in this Christian walk, you will feel a sense of pride rising up. You get this crazy idea in your head that you have arrived, and you won't have a need for bible study anymore. Ironically, we need it more and more as we mature; not less. It has become abundantly clear to me that there will never be a time when I won't need God's Word.

These revelations are both humbling and soothing. I am glad that I have God's Word to rely on when I need it. It calms my soul when life threatens to take me under. It instructs me when I am lost. It makes me laugh when I am feeling down. It surprises me with new lessons sometimes from passages I have read several times, if not more.

Needless to say, I am celebrating the rescue of repetition. I am glad to report that there are more days when I feel calm and at peace than there used to be. However, on those hard days, that just means I have to dig into God's Word a little more fervently. I have to let the words sink into my pores, my heart, my spirit, and my mind all throughout the day. I have to sing songs based off of God's Word. I have to do whatever is necessary to get back to myself. The highest version of myself at this present moment in my journey.

Friends, I want to hear from you in the comments below.

Do you enjoy meditating on God's Word?

Is there a particular scripture that always pulls you back from the edge?

Let's chat about it.

You never know who you will bless!

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 0

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 9/21/22

Peace in the Chaos

In Mark 4:39-41, Jesus taught all of us an important lesson. The storms that we find ourselves in throughout the course of our lives are all about perspective. Do you see the storm as never-ending and terrifying? Or do you see the storm as a place to cling to God? We can see how the disciples felt; they were absolutely petrified while Jesus was sleeping peacefully.

That shows us that your mindset determines how you go through a storm. While they were anxious and fearful, Jesus not only had faith that they would make it through the storm, but He spoke to the wind and waves, and they obeyed Him! The disciples marveled at Him and the power He displayed in that moment. Isn't it amazing how three words from Jesus changed everything?

As believers in God, we have the power to have a peaceful mindset in the midst of things that might overtake other people. We have access to God's Word, and we access to God in prayer. Now some situations are harder than others, and every moment won't be smooth, but we do have tools. One of my favorite pastors named Tony Evans describes this story perfectly. He says that in the storm," we should curl right up next to Jesus and get out our pillow". We should have that kind of faith. I don't know about you, but that visual soothes me. So, when life gets hard, get out your pillow and blanket and cuddle up with Jesus. Spend more time with Him. You can't help but be more peaceful as a result.

I want to hear from you in the comments below friends.

How do you respond when you find yourself in a storm?

Are you anxious or peaceful?

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 12/15/22

Poem: What Are You Searching For?

Sometimes, the space between where I want to be and where I am seems so...wide.

I am searching madly for a way to shrink the divide.

Sometimes I feel so misunderstood.
Just because I'm out of sight, doesn't mean I'm up to no good.

Everybody walking this earth wants their life to count.
I just don't want it to be said that my life didn't amount to anything impactful.

Anything less than my purpose being fulfilled.
This yearning in me, God instilled.
Hopefully one day, everything will all make sense.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 10/21/22

Why Did I Miss This?

Now lately these one another verses have been heavy on my mind. These verses are perfect when it comes to becoming a more pleasant person to be around. They help you practice and meditate on what it means to not be a "raggedy human being". The funny part is all this time I have been thinking that these verses only apply to my relationships with other people. However, the truth is that they apply to my relationship with myself too! How did I miss this? Why did I miss this?

It is equally important for me to talk to myself in a kind, compassionate way, forgive myself, encourage myself, and love myself. Sometimes I feel like it is hard to do these things for others. Thinking about doing them for myself sounds like an even more daunting task. That's when I have to remind myself of something that Joyce Meyer often says, "God would not ask us to do anything that he does not give us the ability to do".

I honestly feel like if I don't take the time to practice the principles of these one another verses when it comes to myself, how can I ever really expect to love other people properly? After all, look at what Jesus said in the following passage:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39 NLT

This is obviously very important to God. I need to start treating it as such. It is so easy to neglect the fact that we have a relationship with ourselves. We spend all of our lives with ourselves. It stands to reason that we should get to know ourselves and be at peace with ourselves. Just like we work on our relationship with others and with God, we have to take the time to work on this relationship.

So, if you are reading this and wondering "Where does one begin on the quest to bettering their relationship with themselves?" I believe a good place to start is to look at verses like Ephesians 4:31-32, 1st Thessalonians 5:11, John 13:34, and Colossians 3:13 and look at the verbs that are in each of them. You can ask yourself the following questions and affirm yourself with the following affirmations:

Question: Do I talk to myself in a kind and compassionate way? Do I forgive myself?

Affirmation: I talk to myself in a kind and compassionate way. I forgive myself.

Question: Do I love myself?

Affirmation: I invest the time and energy it takes to love myself properly.

Question: Do I encourage and build myself up?

Affirmation: I spend time encouraging and building myself up.

Question: Do I have patience with myself?

Affirmation: I am patient with myself.

I know that what I have just asked you to do can be easier said than done and it definitely won't happen overnight. Shoot, I am asking myself these questions as I write this post. My prayer is that both you and I will learn to love ourselves better over time, with practice. We can make progress in this area. It is our destiny!

Feel free to chat with me in the comments!

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

B.E.E. Channel

Throwback Posts: Original Date Posted on WordPress: 9/15/22

Trust That It Is on the Way

In today's hustle and bustle world, we thrive off of the convenience of companies like Amazon delivering things right to our doorstep whenever we need them. You know how this goes right? You get the confirmation email. They tell you that you can track your order and follow that up with an update about when you can expect it to arrive. I tell you, there is nothing like getting a package on time or even before you anticipated it coming. What I find fascinating is how confident we are that when we order something and get that confirmation and subsequent progress email about our package, we know it is on the way. We don't get all anxious about if the package will arrive on time. In fact, some of us even have Amazon Prime so that we can get our packages expeditiously.

Now I know I am not alone at secretly wishing we could have confirmation from God and a follow up update about the thing we are waiting patiently for. That would be lovely. But where's the fun in that? The growth definitely lies in the mystery. We grow while we wait. Our faith grows stronger.

Sometimes the wait can be hard, and oh, how I pray that we could trust in the words of our key verse for today, Philippians 4:19. God is our supplier of all of our needs. We might not be able to have a written confirmation email or a written follow up email, but we do have his written promises to hang on to. Friends, God's Word is a love letter to us that transcends time. We can count on the fact that He is faithful. He will not leave us hanging.

1 month ago | [YT] | 2