Your Path His Plan

Just a girl who's in love with Jesus.

[amybasel]

HEY EVERYONE!

Big news: I will not longer be posting my blogs on tumblr anymore!

Instead, I have a brand new website where I will be posting all of my writings, video blogs, and more, directly on there! 

Connect with me now at:  www.yourpathhisplan.com

Thanks for all of the support you've given me through the years, and I cannot wait to hit the ground running with all of you in the years to come!

Amy Basel

Your Path His Plan

2014

[amybasel]

A Letter From Jesus - Confirming Our Relationship

In this relationship that we have built, there are no longer singular notations. Where there once was “I”, “me”, and “mine”, now resides “us”, “we”, and “ours”. You see, when I called you into this intimate relationship with me, I called you as a broken person who would soon be made whole. You used to love me as if I would leave. You loved in fear.  Trust needed to be built, and this foundation is now strong. You have reached a direct point of beauty that far surpasses the outward appearance so easily praised by man. Your beauty adorns that of a precious jewel covered until the day to be worn.  I have hidden you, dear one. I have put you away from the eyes of despise and I have prepared you for greater things behind the scenes. No one could have imagined just how much you are to be treasured. I am the Only One fit to mold you and love you exactly the way that you have needed and longed for. I saw deep within your heart and you were in need of my affection. I have chosen you, beloved. You were not assigned to me without choice. No, I should say not. Instead, I sought you out among many. I studied you in extravagant detail to learn how to win your heart. I pursued you diligently and without pause. I left all that belonged to me in order to inherit you. Don’t you see, love? You’ve been worth it all along!

  This love I have given you is real. You have seen false versions of this love. Many, many false versions of this love. Yet now you have known the real thing. The true thing. You see, my love expels darkness. My love demolished the idols in your life. When you said yes to me, you weren’t just saying yes to a “chance”. You were saying yes to a marriage, a covenant. I betrothed you, I asked you to start your life over with me, and you said yes. I have committed to take care of you, honor you, and protect you. I have promised to extend my strength to you and to make sure you are never in need of any good thing. Oh beloved, this is more than just invitation of faith, this is an ancient long pursuit of your heart. This is more than just learning about who I AM, this is about being in love with the I AM.

  I would enjoy to tell you of something important. You often declare to me, “There is no one like You, Lord!” But I say this as true: There is no one like YOU, beloved! There is no one like you in all the earth and the way that I love you, no one else has seen before. I love you wholly, intimately, and differently. Rest in this tonight, dear one. Rest in the simple fact that you are perfectly loved.

Amy Basel

Your Path His Plan 2014

[amybasel]

Knowing This Changes Everything

Who the world says you are - Who He says you are.

The Lord has placed it upon my heart that there is someone who is deeply struggling with finding their true identity and calling in life. So much has been spoken over you, so much has been prayed for, yet you are still feeling deep down inside that there is a void. 

  Yet our Father is saying, “Do not listen to the voices of man, but yield your ear and listen for mine.” 

  Only the Creator can define the masterpiece. Only the author can truly explain their own hand written story. Only the Father can truly KNOW His child.

  There are times where we feel as if God has closed a door to certain people or opportunities in life. Almost as if we have been “cut off” from something. Do not look at this as a failure but instead look at it as protection. We are so easily ready to settle for something that seems “good”, because we do not fully understand the GREAT things God has in store. I don’t believe it’s the fact that we doubt God can do the impossible. For this as believers, we know very well that nothing can hinder the plans of the Lord. I do believe however we often wonder, “But will He do it for me?” I am here to tell you that yes indeed, He shall. I cannot begin to describe to you the many times in my life where I stumbled backwards on the top of that mountain of discouragement and unbelief. Yet as I was free-falling off the edge, it was only to find that suddenly I was suspended in mid air in the grasp of two nail-pierced hands. You see, He never lets us go.

  The Lord is good to those who wait. When we release our fears, our worries, and our anxieties into His hands, we experience freedom and peace that was always truly ours to begin with. In the waiting, God can do more than you could ever do by your own strength. He invites us to cast our cares upon Him because HE is the One who cares for us. Never does He tell us to go to friends, family, or even foes. No. He opens His arms wide and through His loving kindness, He invites us into His Presence. What an invitation! We cannot do life alone simply because we never were intended to. 

  The Lord is showing me specifically that someone needs healing of their mind - wrong thinking produced by the past. So right now in this moment, I disarm all accusations and ridicule that has been sown into your life. I speak to all negativity, self-doubt, and discouragement and in the mighty name of Jesus I revoke all damage that has been done to your heart. I plead the blood of Jesus over your present circumstances and all that rests in your future. You have the mind of Christ and greater is He who lives within you then he, the accuser, who lives in this world. Trouble may fester, but power is yours. Defeat may seem evident, but victory has risen. You can and you will, succeed, simply because you are His.

Keep your lamp filled with oil, speak to your soul and demand that it may not be deceived. For those who wait upon the Lord shall never grow weary. Those who wait upon the Lord are fulfilled abundantly. Your identity is love and in that love you find the Father. Your image reflects and portrays the very image of God. No one else. Just God. The reason we often feel desolate is because we look to others to find our identity. We look to other callings, other voices, other jobs, other addictions, other people, and we expect to somehow find our calling and our purpose wrapped up in them. This type of deception is meant to distract you from the ultimate truth. Who you are is wrapped up tightly in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All that He is, is all that you are. No more and most definitely no less.

Amy Basel

Your Path His Plan 2014

[amybasel]

A Letter from God - Where the Rain Falls

Have you ever watched the rain as it falls from my command and drops into the vast open seas? Oh beloved, it is a sight to behold. Each drop of rain is numbered and falls in its specific and appointed place. Each drop is intentional. Each drop is apart of my design. Yet when the rain hits the water, you no longer see the drop of rain for what it was, you instead see the wide open ocean for what it is. What once was a drop of something so small is now apart of something so big.

And so it is with you.

Every drop of pain.

Every drop of guilt.

Every drop of self-defeat.

Every drop of insecurity.

Every drop of regret.

Every drop of remorse.

Every drop of condemnation.

Every drop of pride.

Every drop of regret.

Every drop of sorrow.

Every drop of fear.

Every drop of who you once were…

  Let it fall, fall, steadily fall, my dear one. Let it all fall within the rhythms of my command, into my endless ocean of grace. Waves and waves of refreshing build up from the North. Do you perceive these currents? A great wind is billowing from the East. Do you feel it’s rising? As you allow each hindering drop to plunge into this sea, my waves of love swallow it’s existence and it all blends unto me.

  Where is the rain now, beloved?

Do you perceive those drops to exist?

You are so intertwined with me, that no faulty accusation shall remain.

  You see, from my dwelling Throne, just as the rain falls steady into the ocean, so this is what it looks like when sin is washed away into my sea of grace. Drop after drop after drop, never to be seen or spoken of again.

  What a beautiful sight it is to behold.

What a beautiful thing my Son has done.

________________________________________ 

Amy Basel 2014

Your Path His Plan

[amybasel]

Writing This Song Set Me Free.

Ever receive a Promise from the Lord, yet waited and witnessed nothing come to pass? Ever feel...

Hopeless?

Helpless?

Frustrated?

Weak?

Overwhelmed?

Forgotten?

Then this is for you.

___________________________________________________________________

(If you are not interested in the story behind this, although I highly encourage you to read it, just skip to the bottom for the actual song. Other than that, read on.)

So, I wrote a song.

Now, allow me to make something very clear. I have never considered myself a songwriter of any sort. I do love to write, and even poetry is something I enjoy, but never have I attempted to write an actual song. That is, until the day the words were ringing out so loudly in my heart that I could not contain them.

May 31, 2014 - I stood in my bedroom in Michigan and stared out the window into the cloudy and lifeless sky. I felt so hopeless. As a matter of fact, hopeless cannot suffice to the feelings that were overwhelming my heart. "Where are you Lord?" I asked Him as I turned away from the window and sat down at my old wooden desk. This desk had seen my best and my worst days. This desk was my sanctuary. Whenever I would sit there to meet with the Lord, pen in hand and a fresh page in my journal, this is the place where my fear would meet His beckoning voice. This is the place where my peace was reinstated. Always.

You see, as like many of you, the Lord had given me a specific promise. And also like many of you, I had not seen this promise come to pass yet. One month prior, the Lord had spoken to me that in a certain amount of months, everything in my life would drastically change. My atmosphere, my friendships, even myself. He declared that He had a great opportunity for me on the horizon, if I would just hold fast and wait upon Him. Of course one month seemed like it turned into forever, so at this moment in time, I felt frustrated. "Did you really speak that to me, Lord?" I dropped my head into my hands as if it weighed 100 pounds. And at the moment, with all of the frustration and fear, it very well could have. I sighed deeply as tears flowed from my eyes, down my cheeks, and one by one dripped onto my desk like an old leaky faucet. Ironically enough, I felt old. I felt tired. I felt defeated. Waiting has a way of doing that to you. It has a way of convincing you that the entire world is living "the dream" and somehow, you slipped under the mighty radar of God. Ever felt like that? Maybe it was just me.

But then...there He was. You see, when the Lord speaks to me, it comes from deep within. My heart was filled so full with...something. Have you ever wanted to eagerly express what you were feeling, yet opening up your mouth to form the first word seemed impossible? Yeah...it was kind of like that. You see, when the Lord sustains, He also empowers. He doesn't just leave you where you are, He strengthens you to continue on. And in that moment, He did just that.

"I feel You beckoning me in..." is all I could whisper through trembling lips. "You want me to do more than this..." I opened my eyes as my body surged with an energy of hope and assurance that, until then, I had no idea existed.

And then, in the silence of my brokenness, in the center of my weakness, He spoke... 

Write these Words down, Beloved. For I am giving you a song to sing and a reminder that I mean what I say, and I always say exactly what I mean.

I trembled, as I usually do, as His words comforted and rang through every piece of my once troubled heart. I was filled with a song...His song. I grabbed my pen and flipped the page of my notebook to a new fresh page. The words flowed from my lips as my hand desperately tried to keep up. 

And so, 4 months later, I want to share it with you. 

You see, His promise came to pass. I am currently living in exactly what He declared to me. New atmosphere, new friendships, new me, and even the brand new opportunity. My God is faithful, and I wanted to give you the background story to this song before I share it because it means something to me. This song is personal. Very personal. And without you knowing the foundation of it, this song would merely be just a clever group of words, pieced together. 

So, here it is. A large piece of my heart in the form of a song, that I believe is going to help someone just like it has to me. 

Enjoy and take heart. Our God is a faithful, and loving Father. 

___________________________________________________________________

SO JUST BELIEVE

And I feel You, beckoning me in..

You want me to do more than this...

So much more than this

__

Harbored on my shores of unbelief

The anchors are raised - You say "Come to Me"

"Oh won't you come to Me"

__

Designed outside of time 

Limitations are now disguised 

You've given me wings of my own

And now it's time to fly

__

So I hear You now...

Finally, I hear You now

__

You say

"Rest assure - there's so much more

My voice is an invitation, for I am standing at your door

All things have been made new - My hand's extended unto you

Nothing can hold you back if you don't want it to 

Look beyond the horizon - I'm giving you a clearer view

You thought this was the end - but here is your breakthrough

So just believe."

__

Trying to fit into the crowd - yet I was born to stand right out

Searching for love in a broken world - my itinerary of doubt 

But then You rushed right in

Abolished my slavery to sin

You've been calling unto my weary heart

"Beloved arise - and choose to LIVE"

__

So I hear You now...

Finally I hear You now

__

You say

"Rest assure - there's so much more"

My voice is an invitation, for I am standing at your door

All things have been made new - my hand's extended unto you

Nothing can hold you back if you don't want it to 

Look beyond the horizon - I'm giving you a clearer view

You thought this was the end, but here is your breakthrough

So just believe."

__

And every wall - You're walking right through them all

Running this race before me - I'm answering Your call

You never wanted my perfection - in Your love there's no rejection

Standing upon this Rock - oh, I am free

To love You back - is all You've asked of me

I'm learning to trust - although my eyes, they cannot not see

but I believe 

Oh Lord, now I believe.

Amy Basel 2014

[amybasel]

A Letter From Jesus: The Lion's Heart

The nature of the Lion is one to be examined. Although fierce, the Lion is also moved by love. He is a protector at heart and he is a provider by nature. To come to understand the Lion's attributes, you would need to understand his habitat. He is adaptable in all circumstances but he is not moved by his surroundings. Where he steps, he reigns. Where he moves, he has dominion. My people call out to me as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, yet they know nothing of my nature. They know very little of my habitat. What is Judah, to you? To whom do you say that I am? You see, I come as fierce as a Lion, but I love as gentle as a Lamb. How can these two natures exist in One? Allow me to explain...

So often I am portrayed as a King upon a throne. And so it is. This I AM. Yet when man refers to me as only this King upon a throne, there is then created a disconnect. As Holy as I am, I am still the gentle servant that you once fell in love with. A servant's heart never graduates to an accelerated level of dispute. I never leave my stature as servant. How unapproachable and untouchable the religious people have made me out to be! I do not sit on a throne and reign down judgement to break hearts! I am endlessly interceding for you and your well-being! I am leaning to the Father and pointing out the beautiful obedience in your heart! I am calling forth my Holy Spirit and directing Him to where He needs to lead you next! Never allow the world to harden your heart to my love. Never believe the lie that I am "too far away" or that I am "too holy" to care. It is because of my holiness that I am close and care deeply for you. I am gentle, yes, but I also love relentlessly. I do not give up so easily when man pushes me away. You see, my patience and compassion are not birthed from weakness, instead it comes from my unyielding strength. The ability to love without expecting love back is what love is truly all about. If it is not sacrificial, it is not love. 

Yet as a Lion is fierce, so it is with me. I tell you as Truth, I shall never sit idly by and watch as you feel life is too hard. Never! I shall never sit and ponder the thought of helping you! Your present help is my Holy Spirit! But understand this, dear one, I am jealous for you. I have given you no permission to lavish your love on things of the world. I will never permit your heart to instead love someone more than myself. I have full dominion over your heart, this was the desired purpose my Father established. Some may call this selfish, but I call this protection. You were created whole and I want you as whole. Never will I settle for half of anything given from you! My beloved, I run to be with you. The moment you lock eyes with mine, I become weak and place my hand upon my heart as if it has stopped beating for eternity. How can you possibly take my breath away? How can the creation cause the Creator to marvel at their beauty? So it is. You captured my mind, you took over my thoughts, and when I created you, you were birthed out of love. So as a Lion watches intently over his Lioness, so I watch my protection over you.  

You must know this...in this you must receive full revelation: I died to keep you. Eternity would not have been "good" if you were missing from it. I could not see to it that you would not be here. I have seen the day that you will stand before my throne and oh the beauty you possess! Dressed in white and lavished in righteousness, you will bow with joy as your King takes your hand for all the world to see. Strive with obedience and love me greatly. This as your King, is what I require of you. And oh how proud you have made me thus far...

Amy Basel Ministries

Your Path His Plan 2014

[amybasel]

The Great Gardener

I was watering some flowers today at work and I received a revelation that absolutely stunned me. 

 In one of the small plastic pots, there were 3 hyacinths. These particular flowers have a very large bulb attached to the bottom of them in which holds in all of the nutrients and this is also where the roots spring from. Well, being that these flowers had not been watered in almost a week, the soil was incredibly dry with many cracks, and the hyacinths began to uproot themselves out of this neglected soil. The further these flowers pushed themselves out of the soil, the more they began to fall almost completely over and separate themselves entirely from the soil and the pot itself. I tried to place the flower back into its designated spot, but because the soil was so dry, it just crumbled all around the flower and could not hold it up. These flowers were in desperate need of water! I filled up a cup of water and began to pour it into the dry soil. In just seconds, every particle of soil was completely saturated. I gently picked the hyacinth back up and placed it in it’s designated spot, but it still wouldn’t stay. That is when I realized I needed to apply some pressure to it so that it could sink in deep to where it once was originally placed. I gently pressed the bulb back into the soil and applied pressure to It so the roots could began to grow deep once again. I packed down the wet soil all around the once exposed bulb, and within second, the flower was tightly packed in and standing tall.

As I did this, God began to show me something:

The Flower: Us

The Soil: Our Heart

The Pot: Preparation (Where God has placed us for a season)

The Water: Jesus (The Word, The Living Water)

You see, we first need to realize the nature of the plant. These specific flowers are not meant to stay in the pot for their entire lives. The pot only allows the flower a limited place to grow, thus the pot’s purpose is to hold the flower so it can began to grow and produce roots. The pot serves the purpose of preparation. Yet after its intended purpose is completed, the flower is then uprooted from the pot and it is then planted into a garden where there is unlimited space to grow. The flower never asks the Gardner WHY it is in the pot and for how long it will stay, the flower simply does only what it is meant to do; grow.

Are you seeing the similarity in this to your own life? I sure did.

The Lord began to speak to my heart as I was taking care of this flower and this is what He said…

  “I have started you off in this place in your life and during this season so you can learn and began to produce and strengthen your roots. My child, this is your foundational preparation. You are in need of two things to grow; the Sun (My Son, Jesus), and Water (The Word, The Living Water). If you are not in contact and close relationship with what I have provided for you, certain things begin to take place.

You will become dry. The saturation of my Word is what keeps you sturdy and standing tall. The living Water is what quenches your thirst. You see, it would be of no use to an actual plant to be watered with anything but water itself. Would a Gardner saturate their flowers with, dare I say grape juice? I should say not! The flowers need only Water; anything that tries to replace this water will only harm the plant. So it is with my people. Without my Word, without my teachings, my people are left dry and desolate. If they try to strengthen themselves with anything else, it will only end up harming them. So often, the Word is not considered an option to help them grow. They refrain from the Water completely. In doing so, they begin to prematurely uproot themselves from where I have placed them. Their heart becomes dry, cracked, and hardened. Their once pliable heart was saturated with my Word, therefore they did not move. Yet now, they fall away. They fall to their own destruction. I have given them Water but they would not receive it. They think they know better than I! How foolish for the creation to tell the Creator “NO” when a helping and nurturing hand is extended! Just as a plant begins to wilt and lose its color, so do my people slump down into depression and lose their vibrancy of life!

Yet I wait. I wait with diligent patience. Then when I am invited back in, I water them with the Word and life begins to enter into their once dry and desolate hearts. It is then that their hearts have been made pliable again. I gently press them back into their preparation, and I apply pressure onto them to ensure their foundation is sturdy. This is not to hurt them, but to strengthen them. And so their roots begin to grow and my plans begin to come to fruition.

Yet only I know the desired time of uprooting. Where I have placed you to grow, I also have not declared that this is where you will permanently stay. In the appointed time of uprooting, a Gardner digs away and begins to separate the flower from the soil. So it is with my people; I gently begin to remove things out of their life, I separate them from what once held them. I separate them from relationships, friendships, daily patterns, and even locations. I then remove them from preparation and I plant them into their calling. I do nothing out of order, nor do I remove too soon. I know the precise timing for all things, and in all things this is for the good of my people. I am a God of love, thus I lavish love. Never mistake my preparation for you as negligence to your feelings. It is much better for you to withstand the waiting of preparation, than to push your way through without the foundation you would have received if you had waited on my timing. Do you see my heart in this? I hold no good thing from you, instead, I hold onto you for the good thing. My preparation is in love. I always handle you with my everlasting love. For I AM the Great Gardener; through Me all has been created and it is through me that all shall be sustained."

Amy Basel Ministries

Your Path His Plan

2014

[amybasel]

"Dead Dreams Need Resurrection Words"

The Lord put it strongly upon my heart that there are some people who have dead dreams lying upon the floor of their heart. When did you lost hope? Who told you it was impossible? Today is the day to begin speaking LIFE into your future. It's time to resurrect the dead things you have given up on, and see the fruition of your heart's desires come to pass! Sometimes out of what seems like apparent defeat, God's most incredible victories arise.

Amy Basel Ministries 2014

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[amybasel]

The Gift That Keeps Giving

Luke 22:28-30 - You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I CONFER on you a Kingdom, just as my Father CONFERRED one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Confer: To bestow upon as a gift, favor, honor.

The Kingdom has been given to us as a gift. Let that one sink in. It shows forth favor, and also projects honor. These scriptures, however, paint a very important portrait. A Kingdom that is HERE means a Kingdom that is already in authority. Sharing FIRST in His trials means to also share in His rulings. This exemplifies trust in it's highest form. How terribly beautiful it is to be found faithful in God's eyes, to continue His Kingdom through the life of Christ given to us!

Amy Basel Ministries 2014

[amybasel]

Right Perspectives Birth Right Decisions

In 1Kings 2:1-3 as King David (a man after God's own heart) was about to die, he had a few last words for his son Solomon. In all that David could have told him, with all that he had learned throughout his life, through all the Psalms that he had written, he left Solomon with 3 things to carry with him. He charged him...

To be strong 

To prove himself to be a man 

To keep the commandments of the Lord 

How would all of this be possible? Obedience & submission.

Solomon then prayed in 1King 3:9 -Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don’t, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours. And so God was pleased. Solomon had asked for something eternal that could only come from the Father. God not only made Him wise, He added much more to his life.

One Father (David) speaking life giving Words to his son (Solomon), planted the seed for a prayer that would change his life. This should speak volumes to us, even today.

Amy Basel Ministries 2014

[amybasel]

Purged Before Positioned

After studying in the book of Isaiah tonight, my heart is wrecked by the revelation of who God is and what He does through His chosen ones. A surrendered heart catches the eye of God. A desire for purity is an invitation for His fire. A true hunger for His heart promises His intimacy. A life of abandonment declares an enlistment into His army. We now can live for so much more.

Isaiah was never the same after his encounter with the angel who purged his lips with a hot coal, teaching us that the only mouth worthy of speaking for God is the one cleansed by God. Isaiah 6 paints the perfect portrait of a great commission being revealed to a great Prophet.

Something inside of Isaiah dramatically desired more and His soul finally recognized that position. “Send me!” he volunteered. And so God sent him. And so Isaiah preached. He preached with the passion and the fury of a man who’d seen his life pass before his eyes. For he actually had. He preached with the passion and fury of a man sent by God. For he was. 

He preached with the passion and fury of a man who longed to join the angels and spend eternity singing, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY" at the top of his lungs.

Something tells me that’s what he is doing right now.

Let’s pray…

Father God, in the name of Jesus I ask of You to set our hearts on FIRE for the deeper things of You! We acknowledge that only wood, hay, and stubble shall burn up in the fire, but you have made us to stand the flames like gold! We will come out purified, refined, and set on fire for Your Kingdom! I ask You to install in each and every one of us, a passion that was found in Your prophet Isaiah. Let us boldly love You with all reverence and all diligence so others can begin to understand and crave the fear of the Lord. Let us not boast in our visions, dreams, or words spoken from Your mouth into our hearts, but let us cry out for MORE of You and less of ourselves.

I ask you Lord, give us a heart transplant to better suit Your will for each and every one of our lives! Only You, oh Lord, know what we need and only You can provide us with the things that please Your Heart! We acknowledge that Your purpose will stand against ALL earthly forces, and we come to You with a grateful heart in expectancy for all that You desire to be on earth as it already is in Heaven! For we know that we all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone our own way. But You, oh Sovereign Lord, YOU sent Your only Son to punishment for all the evil we have done! We thank You for showing Your love in such an extravagant way! You have allowed us to see the flames of love that burn in Your eyes! We thank You and stand in awe of You! We thank You for Jesus! Ignite our hearts, Oh Lord, to have a life changing encounter with You, even now in this very moment! Cleanse our tongue from ALL evil, and purify our words so we can be considered worthy to speak for You, God Most High!

We prophetically call forth all of your blessings, for we know that You are not a man that You should lie! You are constant, faithful, and True! Your Word shall always remain in our hearts! We thank You Lord for who YOU ARE and what You do for us! In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

Amy Basel Ministries 2014

[amybasel]

Goal Setting: IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT ME

We have been given all of the avenues we could possibly ever need to exalt ourselves higher than what our own good entitles us to. Facebook offers us a little box asking us what is on our minds (dangerous question now a days). Twitter gives us 140 characters to think of the most clever "tweet" to earn the most "retweets", and gather as many "followers" as we possibly can (and if your number of followers far exceeds the amount of those YOU follow, well than, you've arrived my friend. You've arrived). Instagram has provided us with hours of "entertainment" as we scroll through random pictures of people's coffee, outfits of the day, food choices, endless selfies, and then gives us the option to share OUR photos also (oh, videos too. Can't forget that wonderful 10 second option of filtered fun.) 

Every second of our day proclaims, "Tell the world about...well...YOU!" Our thoughts consume the constant idea that everyone is extremely interested in us, our ideas, our looks, our jobs, our lives. Inevitably, we are our own biggest promoter. We are our own biggest idols...ugh...I  mean fans.

How incredibly sad. 

We have dumbed ourselves down and robbed our hearts of the pure satisfaction and joy of shifting our attention and focus on the things that truly matter; God & others.

When did we become so disconnected from the Truth?

The fact that we exist upon this Earth has nothing to do with us. This is quite shocking I know, and I hate to be the one to deliver this mind-blowing news, but someone needs to say it. We have been given talents, abilities, and giftings to make this world a better place. The most precious thing to the heart of God is people. This tells me that we have been entrusted with a big commission. To take care of others, love them unconditionally, and ensure that they make it home to eternity. What an honor. But how can we effectively do this when our eyes are continuously focused on ourselves?

Ten ways to defeat the "Me Monster" and begin to LIVE again.

1. Give to someone who cannot repay you. Does someone need a coat? Give them yours. Does someone drive long distances every day? Fill up their tank. Pay for someone's coffee in line at Starbucks, pay for someone's meal at a restaurant, buy someone's groceries in line at the store, give to someone who is in need.

2. Exhort and uplift others. Every time you feel the need to exalt yourself in any way, shape, or form, instead make it a point to compliment and affirm someone else.

3. Give Him the glory. Talk about the blessings of God rather than how much God is blessing you. 

4. Become less. Refrain from the appeal of wanting to be noticed and esteemed. Instead, direct all of that attention into lifting up the name of the Lord.

5. Ask questions. When speaking to others, show sincere interest and ask questions pertaining to them, rather than talking about you, you, you.

6. Invest your time. Sow into something that gives you no personal gain. Volunteer your time, meet with someone who needs encouragement, etc.

7. Write a thank you note. Tell someone who has impacted your life in an unforgettable way what they have done and how much they mean to you. A friend, mentor, teacher, parent, sibling, pastor, etc.

8. Put the phone down. Take a day to refrain from posting anything on any type of social media and instead, enjoy everything and everyone around you without distractions.

9. Get into the Word of God. Open up your Bible to the New Testament and focus your attention on all that Jesus did. This in itself will teach you true humility, love, and how to live life the way God intended.

10. Share the Gospel with someone. There is no better gift and no greater privilege than sharing the Truth of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Whether it is a family member or a stranger at the gas station, stir up the boldness and confidence that you think you don't have, and strike up a conversation that will save their life.

These are only a few, among many ways, to begin to shut down the idol of "Me" and direct your focus on others and making a difference in this world. I invite you to start today. It's really never too late, so start a movement and make a difference. Go against the ways of the world! And besides, who knows how many people are watching you and will follow your lead. Change has to begin somewhere...why not with you? 

Amy Basel Ministries 2014

[amybasel]

He's the one.

Has it been 1000 years?

Or has it been 1 day?

Time has blurred with it's reality

I have no reason to keep track

You can take it all

Because now I have him...

It's like he came out of no where

I really didn't even have a chance

He had his eye on me for a quite a while

But I was really none the wiser

You see, I was so wrapped up with "life"

So inclined to look within that I never ventured out

I had an eye for beauty, but that of the world

Till he came across my path and I saw beauty within

My heart abruptly fell in love

Who is this man?

I waited for so long

Where have you been this entire time?

He was finally here

I sought out so many others

Searching for the unconditional in the conditional man

But he opened my eyes to more

An invitation to seek what I was promised to find

His desire was to see me flourish

Not to hide me and diminish my light

He asked me to be his bride

And for my life he has committed to fight

But do you know the best part?

Have I told you the greatest secret of all?

You see, we've never met 

But my heart knows him well

He is closer than my breath

Closer than the very skin on my bones

He is coming, yet is already here

He calls out my name, yet holds me close

He lifts me higher, yet beckons me lower

His invitation to live, orders me to first die

The more that I lose, the more with him that I gain

He is the servant of all, yet the King of Kings

An upside down Kingdom

The world cannot comprehend

Nor can he be contained 

Yet he loves me

Isn't that wild?

I am so small

Yet his thoughts toward me run endless

You see, I've never met him

Yet I'm spending eternity with him

My Savior

My Redeemer

My Healer

My Husband

My Love

My Peace

My King

My Friend

My Confidence

My Security

My Everything...

My Jesus

_________________

Amy Basel 2014

[amybasel]

"In your world, I have another name. You must learn to know me by it. That was the very reason you were brought to Narnia. That by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.” —Aslan, to Lucy and Edmund

In this world, God has another name that we can know Him by - Another way for us to learn who He is. As a matter of fact, the very reason we are on this Earth is to not only know Him by this other name, but to teach others as well. To tell the world, if you will. That is why it is so crucial to take this short time that we have been given, to truly come to know Him more. What is this other name to know God, you ask? 

His name is Jesus.

John 14:1-9 (Jesus Speaks to His disciples) 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus is the Way to the Father

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

Because we know Jesus...we know the Father. 

Because we have seen Him...we have seen the Almighty.

What a thought. What Truth.

Amy Basel Ministries 2014

[amybasel]

Shutting Down the Revolving Door

People come and go out of our lives faster than we can even comprehend their position and purpose. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen the different seasons of my life introduce to me different people. Some have turned into great life long friendships, others have turned into lessons learned. Inevitably, we need wisdom and discernment on who fits in what category. But what happens when we have built a revolving door? How easy is it for someone to walk right back into our lives, long after God has already clearly removed them?

It's time to shut down the revolving door.

A Revolving door usually consists of 3 or 4 doors that rotate all at one time. The main purpose? For large amounts of people to pass through - in and out - at a fast pace. Alright, now that we know that, (and I'm sure you probably already did), lets move forward.

Relationships are incredibly important. God uses people to bless us, and satan will try to use people to mess us up. All in all...people are the key focus here. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have seen men and women jump from one relationship to another simply because their standards have allowed a revolving door to let anyone come and go as they please. If you are single, the extreme desire to be married can also cause extreme desperation. This is the devil's playground. Trust me on this one. Also, people constantly coming and going out of your life may  simply happen because you have granted them access. I know that hurts to hear, but allow me to explain. Do you have a big heart? Do you love extravagantly? Are you an encourager? Is it your desire to help others? Always looking for the best in people? These are all good traits, but with these traits come the reality of allowing yourself to be open to just about anyone at any given time.

5 ways to shut down the Revolving Door

1. Discover your worth. You are an incredibly phenomenal person. No, I mean it. Maybe you've heard you were "great" from that one girlfriend, or you were told a few times that "you're the best" from that ex boyfriend, but this is different. I am not declaring who I THINK you are...I am literally telling you who I KNOW you are. I want to reintroduce you to a scripture you're probably well aware of. But this time I don't want to JUST refer to it as a scripture...but instead I want you to view it as a declaration. In Psalm 139, a man by the name of David received a revelation of who he was in the eyes of God. I'm not sure what he went through during this time, but something tells me it had a lot to do with his worshiping heart. You see, we finally receive the clear picture of who we are, when we set our eyes upon who God is. And in Psalm 139:14, David wanted you to know something that will set the entire course of your life. He declared, "I will praise You, for I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made." And you are. You really, really are. Not to mention that Jesus Christ died upon the Cross for you to come into full revelation knowledge of how valuable you truly are to the heart of God. Your worth far surpasses someone's inability to perceive it. Discover who you are in Christ and you won't be so inclined to just let anyone into your life...again...again...and again.

2. Walk in the Word. I don't need to elaborate on this too much. It's as simple as I have stated it. When you align your life to what God has spoken in His Word, supernatural things take place. Flat out. Your vision becomes more clear, your understanding more precise, your discernment more intricate, and your decisions more accurate. Reading the Bible every single day causes you to truly hear His plans for your life. Beg to differ? Here's an example found in Jeremiah 29:11 - "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 good future." Keep that in mind next time that person from the past tries to sneak in that revolving door to enter back into your life. Will they bring you good? Will their intentions harm you? This will help you in making the next decision.

3. Set the bar high. There is nothing wrong with having standards and never let anyone tell you that you're "too picky" for having them. Setting the bar high in the beginning is a lot easier than trying to raise it half way through a relationship or friendship. Determining where to set the bar is one thing, but making sure that you keep it there is a completely different story. Decide your convictions, set your standards, make sure they align with the Word, then you set the bar high enough so you don't even give yourself the option of lowering it for anyone. This will ultimately "weed out" the people who keep trying to come into your life. Once they see you are unwilling to move that bar to fit their "height", they won't be so eager to try to slip back into your life.

4. Learn to say "No". You can be the most caring, considerate, compassionate and loving person in the whole wide world, and yet STILL have the confidence to tell people no. I mean it! This was something I had to unfortunately learn the hard way in my life. I always thought that saying "no" to people who wanted to come back into my life was rude and cold. Far from it. You need to guard your heart above ALL things (Proverbs 4:23), and you also need to be obedient to keep a distance from those God pulled out of your life. Trust me, if He stripped them out of your life, it wasn't rejection...it was protection. Period.

5. Love from a distance. The choice is not whether to love someone or not. Jesus did not provide us with that type of option. Instead, the choice is from what distance that we choose to love. It is perfectly possible for you to pray for someone, love them for who they are, yet keep a healthy distance from them. I'm not even talking so much as geographically, but emotionally. If you see the pattern of people coming in and out of your life whenever they please, loving them from a "distance"  means to set healthy boundaries. How much communication is appropriate? Do they need to know the details of your life? Could spending time with them give them the wrong idea? These are key things to set in place.

I want to encourage you and leave you with this:

Psalm 16:6-11

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;     surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;     even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.     With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;     my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,     nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life;     you will fill me with joy in your presence,     with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

It's time to shut down the revolving door and allow God to orchestrate the right people to enter in. Not just anyone deserves access to your life. It's a new season. Trust Him.

Amy Basel Ministries 2014

[amybasel]

Love or Fear? You can't have both!

Every single day in every one of our circumstances we are given a choice to either walk in love, or walk in fear. You can't have both at the same time, and in this video I will not only tell you why, but give you a great example of how Peter learned this simple Truth the hard way.

Amy Basel Ministries 2014

[amybasel]

And just like that...Faith came alive

As I was laying here pondering my weak faith and the lack of knowledge thereof, I asked the Lord one simple question; "Would You teach me of the faith that pleases You?" And so, He answered...and just like that, faith came alive. I want to share with you the revelation of what has been impressed upon my heart as a 27 year old woman seeking to understand "faith" from a merciful God who so gracefully answered.

Faith is a response of the heart which receives what God has already done for us in Christ. Faith is relying on God’s character, standing on God’s promises, believing God’s Cross, and obeying God’s Spirit with a certainty that surpasses physical sight and human reasoning. Faith ignores bad circumstances, negative feelings, or discouraging thoughts to stand on God’s word and walk in his ways (Isa. 55:8-9). In short, faith simply believes what God says is true.

True faith passively receives the benefits of Christ’s victory on the cross resulting in active obedience to Christ’s commands and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Saving faith does not involve meriting salvation by human work. However, genuine faith will bear good fruit: an expression of the life of Christ in us. Good deeds are not the foundation of our acceptance with God, but the correct response and fruit of a living relationship with him.

Faith...

Moves faster than thought.

Is followed by action. Always.

Produces strength through Christ while weak in flesh.

Prays without ceasing.

Sees the unseen and believes upon the unknown.

Faith loves what only the soul knows - Christ in me the hope of glory.

Amen.

Amy Basel 2014