Walking Amongst the Thorns

May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Last night, I was just finishing-up my animal chores and came back inside, then remembered one last chore I had to do.

Heading back outside, I realized I had forgotten my shoes and stopped at the edge of the lawn—gazing at the thorny expanse between me and my destination.

A slight whisper said, “Walk through it, you will not get any thorns–for I will protect you.”

At this moment, I knew God was going to give me an analogy…but should I trust Him? Could He just tell me the punch line–without my actually crossing the foot-aching path? Because, last week, I legit tried walking across it barefoot and got 4-5 thorns in my feet (these are the thorns that seem to attack in groups–after a well thought out plan). 😬🥴 #shescoming #attack

I sighed, and with a combination of laziness of not getting my shoes and a dash of faith, I set my eyes on my destination and walked regularly across the thorny weeds, did my chore, and walked back across…and you know what? I didn’t get a single thorn in my foot. 👀

God then said, “When you are in thorny–troublesome surroundings…I will be with you. I will not forsake you. Even when you don’t feel prepared–I will make a way for you.”

You see, if I was properly prepared, I would’ve brought my sandals. I don’t know about you, but I ALWAYS desire to be prepared. Especially with these last few years of absolute craziness, the stress of preparing for what may come–has, at times, been a burden…and there are moments when I am tired or may forget to “wear sandals” during a thorny path ahead.

End thought: It’s fine to prepare…but God’s got our back even if we aren’t. ♥️

Rebuking the Storm

August 16, 2021 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

With all that’s going on in our country and world and the depressing news media, I pray and keep receiving the same story imprinted on my heart about Jesus taking a nap in the storm.
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I don’t know about you, but there are nights where I haven’t been able to sleep due to worrying about the panic that is happening in seemingly high places. 😂💃 #IllCatchUpOnMySleepInHeaven
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But let’s imagine how the disciples feared for their lives about the storm and undulating lake. I bet some of them even heard stories of being sunk by such storms and I bet their “news media” of the day (aka gossip and word of mouth) told them all the possibilities of drowning and/or dying. Heck, they probably even had the story of Jonah being swallowed by a whale–in the back their minds (there probably weren’t whales in the lake–but fear does funny things to our imagination). 😅 I’m not going to lie–I would’ve been a basket case. I may have even tried shaking Jesus awake. #SonofGodWakeUp #DoYouSeeThis #TheresAStormBro #BeamUsUpToHeaven
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And yet….Jesus slept through it. Man, I wouldn’t even doubt if he snored.
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Was Jesus trusting on his own knowledge of boats and sea? Was he listening to the people’s past stories that invoked fear?
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No, He knew the power of God. He knew God would make a way for Him. He just needed to take a stand and rebuke the wind and waves.
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“23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27
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So, the beauty of this story is that storms will come…but God has a way for us. He has already given us the power through faith and through His Son’s holy name.
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God’s been telling me to work on my faith muscle instead of my worry one (which can probably bench press 500 lbs of news media). 😅🤣💪
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How do we build-up our faith?
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
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Starting the day in the Word, listening to podcasts about the Word and ending the day with the Word.
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When that storm comes knocking, may we be filled so much with faith–that fear has no entry. 🧡💪💃 May we have the courage to rebuke the storm and have that smooth sailing of peace and calm.
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P.S. I like definitions so, I’m going to put this one here.
Rebuke: to reprimand : to reprove sharply or censure formally usually from a position of authority

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”

An Ageless Lifetime in a Day

September 7, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

An Ageless Lifetime in a Day
By: Nicole Renee Kent

If we lived an ageless lifetime in a day
Would we care about what people say

Would we follow God without doubt or dismay
If we lived an ageless lifetime in a day

Would we know that everything would be okay
Would we stay the course and not be tempted to stray

Would we not put stock in the petty things people display
Would we place the worries aside—far away

Would we see life as vibrant colors and not a subtle grey
Would we know it’s never too late to be something new—molded like clay

Would we notice that life is something more than a mere cliché
Would we understand that there is hope amongst the disarray

Would we catch a glimpse of a magnificent ending that is underway
Would we open our hearts now, instead of waiting someday

Would we change our ways to prepare ourselves for heaven’s résumé
If we lived an ageless lifetime in a day

© Nicole Renee Kent and On the Cliff of Life [2013-current year] Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole Renee Kent and On the Cliff of Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Sea of Life

June 24, 2019June 24, 2019 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Waves by Jessica — Watercolor waves by Jessica Yee @Calligraph.yee

The Sea of Life
By: Nicole Renee Kent (Onthecliffoflife)

There was a girl sailing a boat on the sea called “Life”
When suddenly, the waves became turbulent, pushing her into an unrelenting strife

After the water finally calmed and settled down
She realized a plan should be in place or next time surely she would drown

The girl prepared and overthought every potential possibility
Believing she had to do this alone—her own responsibility

Suddenly, a voice came softly over the wind
Bringing peace to the water as her broken boat began to mend

“You do not need to worry about the storms on Life’s sea
For I bring peace and healing—plans that will give you prosperity”

“No, no” she said, “I have to be prepared”
She spoke out of fear and utter despair

“I cannot trust in what I do not know
Planning for every outcome—especially when the Life’s waves seem to grow”

So, the girl continued on this self-destructing path
Carrying her own burdens and alone, dealing with the sea’s torturous wrath

By going along in this burdensome way—she built-up anxiety
With the potential outcomes filling her head—threatening the girl to her knees

It finally became too much for her to bare
Finally breaking under the weight of Life, no longer could she plan or prepare

Lying crumpled on the deck of the boat
She became too weak—unable to try and stay afloat

Suddenly, a the voice reappeared
Stronger than before and oh, so near and dear

A man dressed as a captain crouched down next to her
He touched her face and spoke more than the previous whisper

“Dear one, you were never meant to carry this burden on your own
Let me help you and let My love be ever known

You need not plan for every possibility
For I will steer you in the correct direction—just trust in Me”

The girl fell into his arms, feeling the weight of Life go
Putting her faith in the Captain and letting His trustworthiness show

Soon the next storm came upon them
But it was no match for her ever-present, knowledgeable captain

He guided the boat over one of the giant swells
Commanding her to focus on Him—from then on she knew all would be well

Left Lane Ends

June 26, 2018June 27, 2018 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I was driving to work and saw the ever-known orange road construction signs. *sigh* One sign signified that the lane to the left would end, so I stayed on the right. Suddenly, almost all the cars in front of me started going to the LEFT LANE. I began to doubt that I read the sign correctly. After steering my car to the left, I soon came to a halt. You want to guess why? The left lane ended. The sign was right. The people in front of me were wrong…AND I FOLLOWED THEM.

While waiting for a kind driver to let me squeeze back into the CORRECT lane, God decided to bring in a “spiritual lesson” to beat some time.

Spiritual Lesson:

God: “Have I not given you directions on where to go? Have you not doubted my Word and decided to go the way of the crowd?”

Me: “This is some ‘pep-talk’ before work today. Thanks, God.” *sigh* “But, yes. I know You, yet I have gotten swayed by taking my eyes off your guidance and by going by the way of the majority.”

God: “It is easy to sway in the way of the world, but I have overcome the world. You need not look to where the group is going, for their way is a large path where many will enter…go by the narrow path where few are called.”

Me: “Technically, everyone who was in the wrong lane began scrambling to get back towards the correct lane (especially when they realized the end of the road was near).”

God: “Exactly. When the end is near, and they see their errors, they will try to come back…but for some, it will be too late. Keep your eyes upon Me and listen to My direction.”

Me: “What about the cars to the right that stop to let the wrong lane back in?”

God: “They are willing to help those be free of their wrong path. Will you be one of them?”

Me: “What if the person who wants back in was the one that cut me off earlier?”

God: “What about grace? You should be excited that they want to go on the right path and turn from their error.”

Me: “I see your point…but we’re still talking metaphorically, right? Not in handling real traffic, right?”

God: “….”

Me: “Hello?”

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End Note:

Don’t you just love when God uses those simple day experiences to teach you a life lesson? Whether driving to work, being at work or even being at home, God will meet you where you’re at. He will use those “interesting moments” to speak to your heart. Let’s just say, there are many lessons that God has been revealing to me when I drive through traffic (and I might just share a few more of the stories with you).

What and where has God been speaking to your heart recently? Please share in the comment section below.

P.S. (A nice driver let me squeeze back into the correct lane. Thank you kind sir! 😉)

Be More…

February 4, 2018February 4, 2018 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Be More.

This is not what you expected me to say, is it? In a world that pushes the “be yourself” and “you are great just the way you are” movement, this may sound like a shocker to you. Well, stay with me here…there is a deep meaning behind these two words…

For Instance:

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When someone you know stumbles in their walk of life.

Be More.

Encourage them to overcome that obstacle in their path.

Don’t push them down in an accusing tone. Help them. Encourage to be more, as you, yourself become more than the normal responses of everyday people in everyday life.

++++++++++++++++

When someone has great accomplishments in life, be more than the everyday human/fleshly/jealous response.

Be More.

Don’t search for their flaws and try to bring them down by bringing attention to their imperfections. Be more. Be happy for them. Congratulate them.

+++++++++++++++++

When someone has a different personality than you. Love them, quirks and all, for we as the body of Christ, have been uniquely made.

Body of Christ.

A body is composed of different parts that have their own purpose. A hand cannot expect the foot to do exactly as it does, but it has a purpose in the body. Same way, everyone in the body of Christ has a different purpose but the same goal. This goal is to follow God and serve him in the unique way that He made them…that He made you.

Be More.

Ask God what part of the body your brother or sister in Christ is and how you can encourage them to be who God intended them to be…NOT how God intended YOU to be (*remember the hand and the foot*).

Be More.

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Here are some verses to remember in your “be more” movement (the mission, should you choose to accept it):

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NIV
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life…” Proverbs 15:4 NIV
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NASB
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NASB

*This message will NOT self-destruct in 10 seconds* 😉

Bitter or Better?

December 10, 2017December 26, 2017 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

There once were two girls who walked down a tree-laden path. One day, a couple bullies were hiding in some fruit trees, waiting for the girls to come near.

The mean kids threw the freshly-picked oranges at the girls’ heads. Sadly, their aim was true, causing the girls to fall backwards at the fruit-flavored impact. Bruised and battered with a few scrapes here and there, Girl #1 bent down to help up Girl #2. They then grabbed the fruity weapons, but alas the bullies had already come and gone.

Talk about a “hit and run.”

Girl #1 brushed off the fruit and began peeling it. “At least we got something positive out of the dastardly thing that happened to us.”

Girl #2 did not respond but the scowl on her face was evidence of her anger. She too brushed off her orange, but instead of eating the fruit, she partook of the peel. Bitterness filled her mouth…her whole being. All she could see was the peel, causing the sweet/positive fruit to become discarded.

Girl #1 was ready to move on due to not holding onto the bitterness; however, Girl #2 began to see the world in the most pessimistic way…just waiting for someone to throw something at her again. Because of her suspiciousness, she drove the possibility of more friendships away. She even turned against Girl #1, taking out her past frustrations on her…

Girl #2 couldn’t fathom how her friend could be so happy after being so hurt. One day she asked her, “Why do you continuously seem to be happy after each bully threatens to steal your joy away?”

Girl #1 smiled, and responded with, “Remember when you and I were hit with oranges?” seeing her friend nod she continued, “Well, if you recall, I ate of the fruit. It was sweet and reminded me that there will always be a positive found within a negative circumstance. Sometimes you have to look deep for it (like past the peel of the orange) and it will be there.”

Girl #2 wanted the happiness so much, that she gave up her eating of the bitter peel and dove deeper into what could fill her true hunger in life. She began to partake of the sweetness in life. It took some time, but the bitterness went away as she became full on the fruit’s happiness.

In conclusion, we all have the choice to be Girl #1 or Girl #2…which part of the fruit will you eat?

Play Your Own Tune

December 23, 2016December 26, 2017 by nikicks ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Like playing an instrument, conversing with people takes practice. Once you learn the basics, you can spout off your own “tune.” Although, you will soon find out that some will perceive it with enjoyment; whilst others will detest it. Don’t chase after the ones that walk away and don’t try to copy their tune just to get them to stay. No, for there are others who will like your own unique sound…and you know what? Get out of your head. Stop thinking about each “note” and how it could be received. Hey, if the Conductor directed you, play your tune the way He uniquely made you to play. You might just be surprised how lovely your sound is without overthinking every “note.” Harmonies may clash, but the Conductor brings people together to make beautiful music.

So remember…

Be real.

Be honest.

Be you.

Play your unique tune.

P.s. The Conductor loves your uniqueness.