The Bride Dismembered:
A Call to Love and to Reunite the Body
This message comes with a bit of a disclaimer. I've been sitting on this for quite a while. Sharing it now isn't related to a particular event or person. It simply continues to resound in my heart and is part of my prayers. I'm here if you need an open conversation rooted in love. I promise to listen.
This is a message for the Body of Christ, those who profess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.For a while now, my heart has felt increasingly heavy over the divisions in our nation, how it’s no different in the church, and that the factions sometimes appear even greater in His Body, His Bride.
I see the Bride of Christ dismembered with its pieces strewn about.
Passions run high for Jesus, and for what each believes rightly or wrongly reflects His heart in the things transpiring in our nation. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a time when anger has run as high as it is between those who are brothers and sisters in Christ.
We believe our position is “right” and the other is heinously in error. I’ve witnessed very few humble conversations seeking to understand from a heart positioned in love, and instead, have seen countless stones being viciously thrown from opposite sides.
What testimony is being spoken to the world through our words and behavior? How are we any different than someone who isn’t a follower of Jesus when we act and speak to one another as we do?
We’re more interested in winning arguments and turning people into converts, not of Jesus, but of our beliefs outside of our faith.
God is coming back for a pure and spotless Bride, not one that’s bloodied and torn apart from the battles we seek to win in an effort to be right and push a particular agenda.
We’ve got to do a better job of walking in humility and love, being willing to really listen to one another, and hear one another’s hearts speaking. We must allow the heart truths we hear to dismantle any lies we’ve believed because we’ve only seen part of the picture and written a false narrative we’ve believed to be truth.
It’s likely we’ll still believe differently, but in listening to understand, and valuing and honoring one another, my prayer is that we'll stop cutting off vital parts of the body. An arm or a leg can’t function on its own, and the body suffers greatly when either is severed.
Love is the glue that holds the body together and doesn’t let any part separate itself.
We can be the mature Bride and speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
“...Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)
Do you know God? Love others by allowing His love to be reflected in your words and actions.
Living for Him,
Andrea
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
It's Time To BREAK THE GAME!
Recently, I read Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest installment in the Hunger Games series. The story takes place years before Katniss and Peeta enter the arena and centers around their mentor, Haymitch’s, game.
I read it because our daughter, Abigail, asked if I would read it, so she had someone to talk to about the story. I’d read the others alongside the kids, as well, so after she finished, I borrowed her book.
I didn’t expect to hear God speak through it, but He absolutely did.
While there are multiple themes, one that stood out to me was Haymitch’s offhand remark and later decision to try to “break the game.” Without giving too much away, let me share enough to be able to explain what God spoke to me.
There’s a moment in the training session before the game begins when both the Peacekeepers and several of the recruits are armed. Haymitch knew the recruits outnumbered the Peacekeepers by four to one on that particular day, and if they moved quickly, they could probably grab other weapons in the room and, if not subdue the Peacekeepers, they could at least do significant damage. He said as much aloud to another recruit, and Plutarch, who worked for the Capitol, overheard him. Plutarch’s genuine questions to Haymitch were to ask him why he didn’t take action and why he submitted to it all.
As the training continued, Haymitch discovered the arena in which the recruits were sent to fight to the death was a machine; he recognized that machines could be broken, and as the story unfolded, he decided to do all he could to “break the game,” even if he died trying.
What I heard God say is that it’s time to break the game.
You’re probably asking the same question I did. What does that even mean?
He showed me how we live according to traditionally accepted ways of doing things in every sphere of society. It’s the “game” we play and participate in without question because it’s what we’ve always known.
What’s the “game”? It’s the world’s system.
God is breaking that game and is inviting His sons and daughters to partner with Him in establishing something from heaven instead.
It’s far more comfortable to sit back, watch things unfold in the world, criticize it, and leave it to someone else to take action around it. Yet, Matthew 11:12 says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
I’m NOT suggesting literal violence. Hear me clearly on that. What I am saying is that there’s a forcefulness to God’s kingdom advancing on the earth, just as there’s a forcefulness to plowing new ground in preparation for seeds to be planted for harvest.
When we choose to forge new paths, we’re often met with resistance in the natural or spirit realm. Will we shrink back and give up, or push on to dismantle the old and build what God is showing us, even if it comes at a cost?
I heard a warning. If we don’t take up our roles and responsibilities in “breaking the game,” the rebellious will, because the game WILL be broken.
The question God asked me was, “Which fruit would you rather eat?”
What does it look like to break the game of the traditional ways of doing things in business, education, government, and more? God wants to have that conversation with us in every area of our lives, show us what needs to be torn down, and give us the blueprints to build anew with Him.
We’re designed to be pioneers, innovators, inventors, and those on the forefront of society as sons and daughters of the King of kings, ruling and reigning in every area of society. That’s our mandate from the beginning of creation.
It’s time to break the game and advance God’s kingdom in every area of society. The question is, are we willing to lay down our lives, sacrifice, and pay the cost of breaking the old and building the new?
If we don’t, others will rise in our place.
Either way, we’ll eat the fruit of what is established.
It’s time to break the game.
Living for Him,
Andrea
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
Understanding the Mysteries of God
God doesn't hide things from us - He hides them for us.
Ever go on a treasure hunt as a kid?
That’s what it can feel like when God invites us into the mysteries of His heart. He hides revelation not from us, but for us—to be discovered in His Word, in everyday moments, and in His presence.
Too often, we read Scripture like a story, skimming the parts we don’t understand. But every word carries the message of His heart. We know we’ll be with Him in heaven, but we long to encounter Him now. And we wonder… if God still speaks today, could we be missing what He’s saying?
Let’s explore that together.
Join me on Monday, June 16th, at 8:00 p.m. EST via Zoom as we dive into:
That’s what it can feel like when God invites us into the mysteries of His heart. He hides revelation not from us, but for us—to be discovered in His Word, in everyday moments, and in His presence.
Too often, we read Scripture like a story, skimming the parts we don’t understand. But every word carries the message of His heart. We know we’ll be with Him in heaven, but we long to encounter Him now. And we wonder… if God still speaks today, could we be missing what He’s saying?
Let’s explore that together.
Join me on Monday, June 16th, at 8:00 p.m. EST via Zoom as we dive into:
- Understanding the mysteries of God through His Word
- Encountering & Experiencing His presence here and now
- Recognizing His voice in the everyday
We’ll search it out like hidden treasure—and find Him in all His glory.
Who is this for?
Who is this for?
- This is for the curious and questioning…
- For those new in faith, just starting to explore God’s heart…
- And for those seasoned in the journey, hungry to go even deeper.
No matter where you are, there’s always more to discover.
Can’t join live? No worries—there will be a replay!
Everyone who registers will receive:
Can’t join live? No worries—there will be a replay!
Everyone who registers will receive:
- The Zoom link
- Recording
- A downloadable notes page with key points and resources
Cost: Donation-based (details in registration).
I’d love to have you there! Let’s discover more of Him—together.
PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH OTHERS who might want to join in! I love making new friends and helping others grow in their relationship with God!
#DiscoverHisHeart #HearingGod #FaithJourney #AustraliaInAugust #FaithInAction
I’d love to have you there! Let’s discover more of Him—together.
PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH OTHERS who might want to join in! I love making new friends and helping others grow in their relationship with God!
#DiscoverHisHeart #HearingGod #FaithJourney #AustraliaInAugust #FaithInAction
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
"Did You Ask For It?"
The Question That Changed Everything
Ever feel like you’ve been waiting and waiting on something that hasn’t come to pass yet, and hope is waning in your heart?
Maybe, you even began to believe it would never happen, discouragement settled in, and the truth you held onto in your heart was disappointment. You’d waited on God to move on your behalf, and were left still waiting with it unfilled.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)
What if the one you were waiting on wasn’t God, but you?
So often, we blame God for things and label them “hope deferred” when the real problem is that we’re not doing our part.
I had a solid lesson in this recently. I’d been waiting several months for something. I began to believe it wouldn’t happen, and I resigned myself to needing to let it go. It absolutely felt like hope deferred to me, and I accepted that as my reality, adding it to a list of other things I’d waited on and hadn’t seen come to pass.
Then, I heard God speak to my heart - “Did you ask for it?”
I’m certain that in that moment, my eyebrows shot up, my mouth fell slightly open, and I likely looked like a deer caught in headlights.
No. I hadn’t asked for it.
I had expected it to be offered, and when it wasn’t, it became hope deferred in my heart, instead of recognition that I had shirked my responsibility.
The truth of the matter was that I didn’t want to ask for all kinds of reasons, all of which were rooted in fear of man.
That wasn’t on God. That was on me.
I didn’t feel condemned by God’s question. It felt like a revelation into my soul.
I began to think back through other times I’d chalked up a situation to “hope deferred,” when, if I had only done my part, the outcome would have been different. Instead, I'd shoved the responsibility off on Him to come through for me and harbored disappointment in my heart when it didn't transpire.
Sometimes it feels way easier to blame God than take personal responsibility and make needed changes, especially when those changes are connected to internal workings of the heart.
Next time you feel a sense of “hope deferred,” consider asking God if there’s anything He’s waiting on you to do for it to come to pass.
Like me, you might be amazed at how quickly it transpires when you do your part!
Living for Him,
Andrea
P.S. If you follow me on social, you may have seen me post about an upcoming trip to Australia for The Voice of the Lord National Prophetic Summit. I'm putting my hand to work to help make this trip a reality. If you have a need for remote or in-person work, I'm your girl! I'm not setting any pricing, but trusting God to be my provision. Every task I complete brings me one step closer to Australia. Please reach out if you have a need I can partner with you in accomplishing. Thanks so much!
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
June Prophetic Word: First Fruits
Life can be parabolic when lived in heart connection with God.About a week ago or so, I harvested my first ripe tomatoes from this year’s garden. The words, “FIRST FRUITS!” resounded in my mind, and I couldn’t help but declare it.
When I sat with the Lord and asked Him what He was speaking over June, I didn’t hear anything immediately.
Then, Brian and I were praying together, and those same words slipped from my lips and landed in my heart.
I knew God was declaring over June that it's a “first fruits” month.
The sense I’ve gotten is that many of us have been in a season of patiently waiting for the seeds we’ve planted to grow and bear fruit. We’ve tended and nurtured the seeds, watered and fertilized them, looked expectantly for growth each day, spoken words of faith over them, trusted they would grow . . . and kept on waiting.
The waiting has seemed so long, but hope has stayed in our hearts because progress has been evident, even if we’ve sometimes questioned if the seedlings would flourish.
This month, we’ll begin to see the first fruits - the initial harvest of the seeds we’ve so tenderly nurtured. It’s the early harvest, and a promise of the greater harvest yet to come.I hear, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)
Keep waiting, tending, and trusting. A bumper crop is on its way!
I would LOVE to hear about your first fruits early harvest this month! Please reach out and share!
Living for Him,
Andrea
P.S. If you need prayer or encouragement, please reach out. Brian and I would love to pray for you!
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
