Hey Siestas!!! I barely have words to express how much of an honor it is for me to share with y’all. I absolutely adore Mama Beth and the community that she has cultivated here on the interwebs!
My name is Karina Allen. I am 35 and from New Orleans, LA but have lived in Baton Rouge since 1998. Much of my time here is spent at the gym, babysitting or at my local church, Healing Place. I am involved in a myriad of ministries and outreaches. I am on the worship team, a leader for High School girls, active in our women’s ministry, nursery registration team volunteer, a part of young adult ministry, and a teacher for our kids’ dance ministry. I also help with our inner city outreaches and to bring awareness to human trafficking through Trafficking Hope Inc. I taught preschool for about 10 years but I knew that that wasn’t the call of God on my life. I am a freelance writer and editor. I’m a contributor for Incourage as well as a few other sites. I am working on my certification to be a Life Coach. I long to speak, hope, truth, life, encouragement and purpose into the souls of women. My dream is for each woman to fully walk out their identity in Christ in the specific calling that He has for each of their lives.
“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:3 NIV
Really, the whole of Isaiah 61 is incredible! It is all about the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord and what His anointing empowers us to have and to be. I don’t know about you, but most days I don’t feel empowered. I feel a bit defeated by life, others and even myself. But that is not God’s will for my life or for yours. His desire is for His Spirit to come alive in us, to overflow and impact those around us.
Recently, I was at my friend Elizabeth’s house working on some writing projects. She has this gorgeous black and white photo hanging of an oak tree from New Orleans’ City Park. And verse 3 of Isaiah 61 was beautifully written underneath it. My gaze repeatedly returned to that photo and that verse much of the night. It’s as though the Lord was trying to get my attention. I knew that this needed to be a verse that I committed to memory and needed to become embedded within my very marrow.
1.) God wants to trade the pain we acquire from this world with His good and perfect gifts. Before sin entered the world, mourning and despair were never even a concern. The world has been bombarded with evil and suffering. People cause harm and bad things happen. But God wants us to know that even in the midst of tragedy, we can experience His peace, comfort and even joy.
2.) Through the trading process, God’s dream is for us to become oaks of righteousness. Now, this may not seem like something we would want to be described as, but it should be. Oak trees are remarkable! They are strong, tough and extremely resilient. They have roots that reach down deep into the earth. When we exchange our hurt with the Lord’s goodness, this is the outcome. We dig deep into His Word and discover His promises for us. We stand firm on that foundation and the storms of life are unable to shake us. We allow Him to be the lifter of our heads and fill us with His hope. We become confident that He will work all things together for good to those of us that love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
3.) As we grow to be oaks of righteousness, we turn into a display of the Lord’s splendor. On display for all to see…that is an intimidating thought. Don’t let it be. People watch us. They watch how we live and what we say if we profess Christ. They watch how we respond in both good and bad seasons. That’s okay. As we are conformed to the image of Christ, others take notice and eventually desire to know why our lives are different. That is often how the Father draws hearts to Himself.
My Sister…
Beauty, joy and praise await you.
Deep roots are calling out to you.
His splendor is ready to be displayed through you.
For His Name and His Renown,
Karina Allen
Carolyn, Orofino, Idaho
Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV
(I feel that the Lord wants me to learn the entire passage from Ephesians about the armor of God, so I’ll continue this for the next SSMT.)
Listen to counsel and accept discipline,
That you may be wise the rest of your days.
Many plans are in a man’s heart,
But the counsel of the LORD will stand. Proverbs 19:20-21
Liz Richmond, Midland, Texas-1 John 4:12 (NIV)
No one has ever seen God; but if we love each other, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Psalm 37:3 ESV Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Sally, Gahanna Ohio
“She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.”
Proverbs 31:22-23 NIV
Karen, Clarksville, “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD Himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4 NIV
Carol Lawrence, Poplar Bluff, MO
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude verse 20 ESV
Crystal in Castle Rock, CO
Isaiah 61:3 NIV
and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.
Rhonda McKamie – OKC
1 John 5: 14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask Anything According to HIS Will, He Hears Us.
Ronda, Murfreesboro, TN
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”
Romans 12:4-5 NLT
Hebrews 12.7 KJV
If ye endure chastending, God delete with you as sons; for what son is he whom the father chastened not?
Ruth, Providence
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God will help her right early.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
he burns the chariots with fire!
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46. RSV
Diane, Longmont, CO
Never be lacking in seal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 NIV
Jean Crawford – Boring, Oregon
I sought the Lord and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:4/NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit ,but in humility consider others better than yourselves Philippians 2:3 NIV
Leslie D. from Longview Texas
Vanessa from Calgary Canada
He will cover you with his feathers and under His wings you will find refuge, His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart . Psalm 91:4
(2Cor 5:21
NASB) He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Westerville, OH
Psalms 111:2-3 (NIV)
“Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.”
Debbie B., Marietta GA
2 Samuel 15:31-32
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of The Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides The Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?”
Beth Coker Medford, OR. ‘Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.’ Eph 6:11 ESV
Richmond, VA
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 {NIV}
Nancy Denver
“The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” PS 19:8 NIV
Kathy Griffin | Jamesville, NC | Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8: 35 ESV
casting all your anexities on him because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:7Esv
Cristy- Monroe,Ohio
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12. ESV
Gwyn Cummings, Rowlett, TX
Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA
Psalm 11:1 NIV
In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2211 A 1 Hill Rd.
Aransas Pass, Texas
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 NIV
Melissa Sangster, Simpsonville, KY
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV
Lynn Watson Hurst, TX
Eph. 3:17 NIV
…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love…
(middle verse of 3)
Amy 7634
“The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Beverly Reeder, Columbus, Ms.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things wifi be added to you
Matthew 6:33. NIV
Connie Johnson, Pittsboro, NC
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4 NIV
Ellen Roth from Bad Axe Michigan
Romans 15:13, ESV May the God of hope full you with all joy and peace in believing, so that through the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Three of us sisters in Christ from Michigan will see you in Toronto!!
Jamie, Dallas, TX.
The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare.
Psalm 25:14-15 NIV
I have been teaching this verse to my children, and came across an amazing video on why oaks in particular are so resilient. It is such a wonderful spiritual metaphor!
May the Lord bless you Karina!
For the King,
Alice
Shelly Higgins, Pikeville, tn
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV)
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Tami, Louisiana
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10) NIV
“But now, thus says the Lord, He who created you, oh Jacob, He who formed you, oh Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine”. Isaiah 43:1
Nancy Gordon
Lafayette, IN
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Patrice in ABQ
Jesus replied “Love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. Matt 22:37, 39 (NIV)
Sarah Winslow Franklin, TN
Ecclesiastes 7:12 NIV
Wisdom is a shelter
as money is a shelter,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves those who have it.
Louise – Irvine, CA – John 14:3 (NKJV) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Angela Wagner, El Paso, Tx (formerly Pittsburgh Pa)
“For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thess 2:3-4, ESV
Debbie, Marion,IN. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us ours sins and will purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9 NIV
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:13 NIV84
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
Psalm 46:5 ESV
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
Amen, Amen!!
DanaRoberts, McKinney TX
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart & my portion forever.
Psalms 73:26 NIV
Kim S., Nashville, TN:
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Ephesians 5:8 (ESV)
Alexia-Champaign, IL
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
Nahum 1:7