Posts by Tristie:
25 Floors Up
October 14th, 2024Sunrise time w/ the Lord on the 25th floor can truly change your point of view!
Every few years we hear a Bible verse (2 Chronicles 7:14) tossed around . Many bible study students will notice that this Old Testament verse is a “conditional” promise verse beginning with the word at the beginning “IF” and at the end of the verse with the word “THEN.” (Translation: If you obey, you will be blessed. If you disobey, you will not.) These “conditional” covenants are called the “Mosaic ” covenant and the “David” covenant. Interestingly , the first covenant (“Abrahamic”) & the last covenant (“New ” ) are entirely unconditional with God amazing us with the phrase “I WILL!” It’s the unconditional covenants that usually astound us because God is the Giver of the covenant and the actual provider of the ability to fulfill it! Jesus fulfilled everything and we walk in newness of life.
So, how do we read an Old Testament “conditional” verse? We look for a timeless principle! Even though we don’t live under the Mosaic or Davidic law like the people of Israel in the OT, we can look throughout the New Testament for spiritual parallels that link the believers in Abraham’s day to the believers today under the New Covenant . The faith of Abe in Genesis 12 & 15 is similar to our faith in Matthew through Revelation. God initiates the covenant and fulfills it. We can compare the covenant and ask ourselves: “Is the character of God similar here as in the NT?” “Is the way God operates here similar in the NT?” ”
NOW, we can read this text with fresh eyes! It’s a conditional covenant verse given to Israel under the Mosaic (Old Testament) covenant. Yet, we see all throughout the New covenant (New Testament) the similar way God responds to His people. He responds to true humility, He answers desperate prayer, & He delights to show Himself strong when we seek only Him!
In the verse below, we realize we can obey the OT call to humble ourselves &trust our good God to show up for His NT people! I wrote this out and wrote my personal application next to each phrase. Let’s pray expectantly!
2 Chronicles 7:14
“IF my people who are called by My Name will:
HUMBLE themselves (This means go low in your relationships starting with God !)
PRAY (This means ask big -even miraculous-things of God!)
SEEK My face (lThis means sit with God , look up, & wait on God!)
TURN from wicked ways (I must ask God to change me. Personal revival must precede national revival!)
THEN
I will hear.
I will forgive.
I will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Time to hit our knees!
#WindowsillWorship — with Brian G. Fisher at Hotel Beacon NYC.
No One Ever Says This!
October 10th, 2024
Here’s the gospel truth: You will never regret spending time in the Bible. At the end of the day, no one says, “UGH! I wish I had not read the Bible today!” God has promised deep fulfillment as we seek Him through His word. We cannot know Him without reading His words to us. We can listen to worship music and spout other people’s spiritual opinions, but it’s ONLY God’s word that brings true life change. We have to handle His word ourselves. James 4:8 promises a response from the King, “Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.” God is so good to offer us wisdom in His Word.
As growing believers, we are enabled to respond to His command to know Him through His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) There is only one living document that continually breathes life-God’s word. How many times have we studied a passage we are familiar with and said “What?! I never saw that!” Hebrew 4:12 brings us the reason-this thing is alive and powerful and pierces us to the core! There is something joyously comforting and a little frightening in this. It’s because we are known by the Great One Who Is. That’s enough of a reason to give God’s word time and attention.
Need a few ideas? We all like easy..so get a Bible, get a pen, and get some paper. Write down what you read and learn to ask ,“WHAT DOES THIS SAY?” (Observe), “WHY IS THIS WRITTEN?” (Interpret) and “HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME?” (Application) Ask God to help you set aside 10 minutes a day to pray, read, and write. Nothing in your life will impact your character and sharpen your vision like listening to the God who speaks to His people. The gift of His word is personal at every stage in life and nourishing for souls who live for the unseen Kingdom. Lean in and listen to the One who knows you best and loves you most.
The right of every woman and girl
October 8th, 2024
For 25 years, God has allowed me to share His heart with Texas college and high school women about our true identity. Who are we, anyway? All of us currently live in a world of pretend, heartache, and shame. Yet, we are more than filtered Instagram pics. Our collective beauty can be more than external. Our level of satisfaction in life should be more than just “the next thing” in life. All women sense there is something more to life than beauty, school, career, health, wealth, marriage, and motherhood. Is there something else to make us feel valued? Rather than a something, could it be a Someone? Could it be Someone who knows us because He made us? I cannot adequately express the joy of seeing young women choose to come to Jesus to be made new as someone cherished, valuable, and crucial to the plan of God. It’s no accident that the first person to see the Risen Christ was a radiantly new woman. (John 20) Remember, Jesus was -and is-perfect and yet He gave His first glimpse of resurrection purity to an astonishingly imperfect woman who loved Him. Mary could be my bestie! (Can I get a witness?)
He is still at work in the lives of women.
Now, ready for some next generation hope? For years, my daughter (and her dance pals!) joined me to speak about true identity every summer. These are more than just cartoon princess events. These are times we look at what Jesus -the true King-offers to every girl who believes in Him the role as Daughter of the King. The symbolism of this crown is never lost on these girls! They understand it’s a gift to be received and that crown means “princess”. When girls put on this crown and turn (for the first time) to see themselves in a mirror, they always smile at their reflection! Why? Because the unconditional love and favor of the King has been lavished upon them and they see it represented by the crown!
Many of are not girls anymore-yet we STILL want new identities. We don’t want a mere makeover. We want a MakeNew. Have you given up on feeling “special” in this world? Look out of this temporal world to the eternal Kingdom of Love. Jesus holds out a new crown for you with the inscription SHE WHO IS ADORED. He loves you. (John 3:16) We’ve all made mistakes. (Romans 3:23) Jesus paid for our mistakes and wants to give us new hearts and new lives!(Romans 5:8) Now what? Tell Him you believe Him . Tell Him you believe He is God and you are not. Thank Him for dying for you. Ask Him-now-to make you new! (Revelation 3:20) Are you ready? Your life is about to radiate His love, His purpose and His power! Learn about your King by reading the book of John. Then, look in the mirror and say, “This girl is special for she knows the King! ” 🙂