Faith without the Life Preserver

February 14, 2021 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

God has recently put on my heart the topic of faith…especially the time when He called Peter onto the water.

How many times has God called us to “walk on water” yet our fear makes us want to take a life preserver or even use a paddle board to get to Him?

I don’t know about you, but I have reached for that life preserver a bunch of times before following God’s voice as He calls me onto the depths that will test my faith.

Now, as some of you know, God healed me from a chronic infection in my jawbones from wisdom tooth extractions. This illness caused my whole body to be out of whack—chronic pain, tons of food allergies, dizziness, multiple chemical sensitivity, etc. The blood cultures from my jawbone had every kind of bad bacteria that were off the charts. God healed all of these areas of my life several years ago.

When I was first sick, I could hear God’s voice calling me to trust Him and accept Him as my healer, but I was too afraid. I went to multiple doctors, specialists, etc. in attempts to find the cause and trying to find the remedy (this took years to figure out my jawbone infections).

I did learn a lot down this “illness road”, which even led me to a more holistic/natural life…but there was a big piece missing—the amazing faith that I read continually about in the Bible.

The faith that could heal the blind, call the invalids to walk and the dead to rise.

I was so engrossed with these Biblical stories and often would stay-up late—pouring over the Bible—searching for all the verses of faith.

Then it hit me—I was bringing a life preserver with me whilst attempting to walk forward onto the depths of faith. Also, my focus was on the storm instead of the One who could speak peace to its torrential waves.

I remember the day that I accepted God as my healer and stepped-out in faith–with no doubts. My focus was on Him. I dropped that preserver and discarded that paddle board. All I could see in my vision was God.

At this time, I entered into a spiritual battle with the enemy—he attempted to make my fear bigger than my faith…but I pushed-on and accepted the healing that God called me to.

I was free. #bestfeelingever

Now, as I continue in this temporary life—this earthly journey to eternity—my faith has been tested even more so.

This made me realize that God wanted me to walk in faith in every aspect of my life…and, to be honest, this was more difficult than walking in faith for my physical healing.

Through the following years after being healed, I have struggled with very toxic people being thrown into my life. I tried to help them with my own resources but then realized that, yet again, this was taking my life preserver to assist them.

God wanted this part of my life too. How to deal with people in a loving way—not relying on my own ability but my capability through Him as He guides me through faith. How to help them and/or when to step-back and let God deal with their hearts in His own way, etc.

…and it doesn’t stop there! 😊

My goal is to become a faith walker in every bit of my life. From continued health, to relationships, to finances, to everything.

Yes, mistakes and hiccups will happen—the times that I focus on the storm instead of Him—but these are the moments that grace comes in and it ends-up being an even better lesson in this journey of life.

Now, I will end this blog post with some of my favorite verses of faith (I hope they help and inspire you on your own journey).

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

The Unfitting Puzzle Piece

March 27, 2020 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

~ We are the body of Christ—of one mind ~

Have you ever felt like you were the puzzle piece that was shoved into the wrong place—never truly fitting in?

Well, there’s a chance that you weren’t meant to be there.

Many times, there are people with opinions who speak on what you need to do in life—how to live and especially how to serve (Don’t get me wrong—serving is important but there are many outlets and God has a specific one for you). They do believe that they are helping because they’ve had such amazing experience with what God led them to and through—but there is a chance that God is calling you to something different.

Okay, let’s consider this term, “Body of Christ.” We each have a potential role like the parts in a body—the eyes for seeing what others do not, the much needed listening ears, the voice to speak to millions, the helping hands behind the scenes, the feet that guide us in the right direction, etc. and the head—that should always be Christ’s position—guiding the eyes, the ears, the voice, the helping hands, and the feet to be of one mind.

We all have a purpose and just because it may be different than yours, does not mean it is the wrong path—it might just be different than others. It may be a path so unique that you are paving a way for others with the same unique calling.

The hand needs the wrist and the wrist needs the forearm and the forearm—the elbow. These body parts work together wonderfully…just like the puzzle piece finding the right spot to fit with others of similar calling.

Yes, we all work together in the body of Christ, but I want you to know that if you feel that nudge on your heart from God—calling you elsewhere—pray. There is a chance you’re not in the right spot.

Hey, and let me just say, you are doing great. You got this because God has got you and knows where you’re supposed to be—question is, will you let Him?

Walk with Me Again

November 21, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Walk with Me Again
By: Nicole Renee Kent

God asked me to take a walk with Him
And as I took a step forward–He led my gaze within

He removed the blinders and opened my eyes to see
Of who I am–compared to who I was meant to be

Stripping the walls I’ve built around my heart
From past wounds–where I pushed others from me–far apart

God revealed errors of my past without condemnation
To help me better understand the meaning of salvation

As I looked at my heart, bare before my God, my friend
I asked Him what areas He desired to be–to touch and mend

He responded, “I want it all and every bit
And for you to use My Word–My heavenly first aid kit

For all has been given to you to walk in this world of woes
To see beyond the false pretention and to truly know

Grasp my hand, dear one, and continue to walk with Me
For I will always be with you and help you to see”

Focus…

September 9, 2015December 26, 2017 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The Toddler and His Father

May 1, 2015December 26, 2017 by nikicks ♥ 1 Comment

A toddler walks barefoot with his father; holding onto his hands. The child sees a dark-new area ahead that catches his interest, so he asks his father to go explore it. The father replies with, “Dear one, if you want to go there, you must put your shoes on.” The toddler was stubborn and believed that he would not get hurt as long as his daddy was there, so he denied the shoes and continued to walk on still-tender feet. The father reluctantly consented after a few more tries of convincing his dear one, but knew his child would get hurt.

As the toddler walked upon the ruff terrain, he stepped on a thorn bush and began to bleed. He let go of his father and fell down to hold his wounded feet. Suddenly he realized that the darkness was around him like a thick blanket…”Daddy, where are you!?,” the child cried out…for he could not see his father because he let go of his steady hands in the darkness.

The Father was there; he was always there, and he had picked up the toddler and began kissing his tears away. The child finally reached up and embraced the One who was with him through it all. The father carried him for awhile (as he healed) and then told him to try walking again…but reminded him to put on his shoes, and he did so with his father’s help. The toddler grasped his father’s hands and together they continued their walk…

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What is the meaning behind this story? Well, there could be many interpretations of what is behind this short tale…but I will do my best at listening and typing to what God is saying to me. Haha Luckily, God is ever-patient with me. ;P If He can use the stuttering Moses to speak for Him, then I know He can make my clumsy fingers type something decent.

Anyways…here we go.

I saw the darkness ahead and thought I could handle it because I had my Father (God) with me. Little did I know that “I was looking at the storm while standing on the seashore.”

Sometimes, correction, MANY times I think I can handle what awaits for me ahead in life because I am holding onto my Father’s hands. Little-did-I-realize that God tells us what we need on our journeys (like applying the armor of God daily-Ephesians 6).

He is ready to give us the tools we need to walk among darkness and thorns, tools to climb the mountains ahead, and equipment to fight the battles that wait for us in the future…

Are you listening to His still but ever-present voice? I know I wasn’t. He was talking to a wall of stubbornness with me, and I got hurt by walking in the pride of my walk with God instead of humbly listening to His instruction before putting a step forward…I let go of His hands, felt alone, but he was there the whole time…wiping away my tears with loving kisses. I reached out for Him, He held me close.

My dad (earthly father) always reminds me to have a “walking and talking” relationship with God…not just walking or even talking but conversing (which involves listening).

What is God advising you to do this very moment as you continue to walk in your journey?