IT'S NOT ABOUT ME - Living Selfless in a Self-driven World

The world has freely given us all of the avenues we could possibly ever need to exalt ourselves higher than our own good.

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 option of filtered fun.)

Snapchat offers us yet another option to remove ourselves even further from enjoying time with others by recording every moment to indirectly share with "friends" (and of course we all know it is used for unmentionable other things. Yet, I must admit, I have never downloaded this app so I am speaking merely from hear-say). 

Ok, so what is my ultimate point to this rant?

Every second of our day proclaims, “Tell the world about, YOU!” 

Our thoughts consume the constant idea that everyone is extremely interested in us, our ideas, our looks, our jobs, and our lives. Now don't get me wrong, I am in no way trying to convince you to hide under a rock and live a simple life away from the world. That would be a waste of what God has created you to be. I am, however, offering you to do what you do without stopping to think about what you can benefit from it. I am expanding on the idea that maybe, just maybe, you can set this world on fire for God without ever taking any of His glory. Because let's just be honest here for a second; the way this world has us thinking is a result of what we have been believing. We are encouraged to bring ourselves up to a higher level while using other people as our staircase to elevate us there. Inevitably, we are our own biggest promoter. We are our own biggest idols…ugh…I  mean "followers".

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 and 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? It's really very simple. And since we all love lists, I broke it down and squeezed it into 10 little steps.

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10 WAYS TO LIVE SELFLESS IN A SELF-DRIVEN WORLD

1. Be a Giver. Does someone need a coat? Give them yours. Does someone drive long distances every day? Fill up their tank. Pay for someone’s meal at a restaurant, buy someone’s groceries in line at the store. Even more, find a homeless shelter or ministry that specializes in helping the poor and invest your finances and/or your time. Find the need, meet the need.

Proverbs 19:17 - Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

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. If you can remind someone of how incredible they are, you can inspire them to be who God has called them to be. Highlighting the gifts and celebrating others over exalting yourself, positions your focus back to where God intended it: love through humility.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,  just as in fact you are doing.

3. Bring God the glory. It's all about Him and it will always be about Him. Talk about the blessings of God rather than how much God is just blessing you. There is a wide chasm of difference between the two. It all comes down to motives. Do you boast in what God has done so eyes will look up to Him, or instead fall upon you? Consider Jesus, for example. He relentlessly spoke of the wonderful things His Father had done, yet never turned the finger to point back to Himself. He found the way of testifying to all of the miracles, all the while, never stealing an ounce of credit from the One whom had given Him the power. Yes, God was glorified IN Jesus, but Jesus loved God far too much to try and sit on His rightful thrown. We should live the same.

1 Corinthians 10:31 - Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

4. Live to serve. I will tell you this, a servant's heart is precious in the sight of God. Set out on a mission to serve others in a selfless way and in doing so, you will refrain from the appeal of wanting to be noticed and esteemed in the process. Serve at a non-profit, head to your home church and sign up to help on Sunday mornings, sit with someone who needs an ear to listen, give your time out of love without the thought of being reimbursed. The Kingdom you serve is not about how much you gain. It is about how much you pour out.

Mark 9:35 - And He sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.

5. Ask questions. This is actually very simple. When speaking to others, show sincere interest and ask questions pertaining to them, rather than talking about you, you, you. When you decide that what others have to offer is valuable, you will be more inclined to listen.

Proverbs 5:1 - Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.

6. Pray for someone. Lift a prayer that brings no personal gain. Can you imagine? So many have no knowledge of such a thing! Call up a friend or approach a stranger and ask if you can pray for them. This may easily bring you out from your comfort zone, but remember, no great things have ever been done in comfort zones anyway. Your faith in prayer could bring someone the greatest miracle they have ever encountered. 

Philippians 2:3-4 - 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 personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 

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. Taking a few moments to show gratitude is a wonderful way to magnify God's love through others.

1 Timothy 2:1 - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

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. We miss so many beautiful moments while trying to capture them for everyone else to see. How ironic?

Proverbs 4:25 - Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. 

9. Get into the Word of God. Open up your Bible. Even more specifically, open 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.

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

10. Share the Gospel with someone. I have left the absolute best for last. 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. The ultimate gift is pointing others to the One whom gives life back. The one whom loves us first and has loved us greatest. 

Mark 16:15 - And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."

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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 as you follow Christ? Change has to begin somewhere…why not with you?

Amy Basel

There's Power In Staying

We are natural "planners" at heart, aren't we? We decide that we know best for our life, and begin to map out the how the what, the when and the where that God will bring certain things to pass.

Then in the middle of our planning, life begins to unfold differently.

The job you were believing in, never got offered.
The healing you were standing on, didn't manifest.
That relationship you were in, soon fell apart.
The raise you were hoping for, was given to another.

You planned on it.
You prayed.
You confessed scripture.
You had faith.

Yet things turned out differently.

You know, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, can be used as a perfect example.

There she was a young woman engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. Can you imagine the excitement and planning that was taking place?

The date for the wedding was set.
The location was determined.
She was dreaming of their home together.
The children they would have...

Then...right in the middle of her planning...God intervened.

An Angel of the Lord appeared to her, told her of God's plan, then declared that she was "favored of the Lord."

And there Mary stood. Impregnated by the Holy Spirit, and carrying a child that was not conceived of Joseph.

Carrying the Messiah was not apart of her plan.

Yet, she was favored by the Lord.

You know it's funny how when we are favored of the Lord, we seem to attract what we would consider, "trouble". The world points in a mocking fashion because our circumstances have taken a turn that completely contradicts what we have believed and even spoken.

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a situation that seemed completely out of your control?

You see, God is interested in your Consistency in the chaos.

Will you still trust Him?
Will you still call upon His name?
Will you still press in?
Will you still have faith?
Even when things seem to take a turn for the worse, and all chaos breaks loose...

Can He trust you?
 

I need you to understand something right now:
There is power in staying.

When God calls you favored, yet your circumstances bring pain, will you still believe that His hand is upon your life?

Joseph was going to leave Mary. What was once a beautiful future, turned into a seemingly present nightmare. Why? Because God did things in a very unexpected, unrehearsed, and uncomfortable way. Yet even so, God's protective nature ensured that Mary was taken care of, and Joseph would soon be given understanding without confusion. The new couple both dug in their heels, grabbed one another's hand, and decided that they were going to walk this journey out together. They had faith although their future was uncertain.

Very often when God is working in your life the most, it is during that exact time that it will seem as if He isn't working at all.

The real question is...will you stay?
 

It is about having faith in who God is, rather than what you perceive Him to be doing.

There is power in your consistency.

Don't give up.

I'm in this with you,
Amy Basel

Psalm 119:1-3 - Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

His Name is Jesus

You know, it's amazing to me. We are only one decision away from reaching the world with a message. Whether that message is positive or not, is up to us.

I have been writing through my website, YPHP.org and public speaking for a while and have shared many photos and thoughts on social media. Yet never have I seen something so simple go so incredibly viral within days.

A Nativity scene painted upon a very well-known fast food chain caught my attention. Not just because it's Christmas, but because of the era we are currently living in.

I have been living in Spring Hill, TN with some friends of mine for the last few months as I have been in pursuit of finding my own place. As soon as I moved to Spring Hill, I noticed that this small town had something a little more to it that set it apart from the rest: unified community.

Driving back and forth, visiting the local stores, and chatting up a few residents, I realized very quickly that not only did everyone know one another (which obviously can be expected in a small town), but they also boldly displayed their Christian faith with diligence, pride, and respect. This, sadly enough, is currently very rare. Yet, this is also the reason why you are even reading this article, among many right now

I was driving back from the local Super Target and as I got stopped at the red light, I looked out the window across the street to see a beautiful painting of a nativity scene upon a McDonald’s store front window. Yet what made me do the famous “double take” wasn’t the bright colors of the picture. Instead, it was the words written on opposite sides of the painting. “His Name is Jesus” and “Rejoice”. I sat there for a moment and blinked a few extra times to ensure that I was reading the store-front window correctly. I was then brought back to my reality by the sound of a car horn beeping at me to alert me that the light had turned green. I quickly let off the brake, drove into the turning lane to pass by the McDonald’s again, and that is when I snapped the picture on my iPhone.

I immediately sent it to a few friends of mine with the caption, “You don’t see this every day! Only Down South!” and added the emoji of two hands in the air, worshipping (or at least that’s what I use that emoji for).

The next day I decided to go to that specific McDonald’s to buy a gift card and as soon as I pulled in, I saw that beautiful nativity scene with Jesus’ name and thought, “More of my friends need to see this!” So I grabbed my phone, and began to post it upon my instagram, facebook, and twitter.

 Now, most people have been asking why this was such a big deal to me. Well, I grew up in Michigan (the Mitten State) and in the specific metro Detroit area that I grew up in, you would never see anything like this on a McDonald’s store front window. Don’t get me wrong here, I love my home state of Michigan and I am proud to be a “Metro-Detroiter”, but things are different when you compare the Northern States to the Southern States. Christian beliefs are not celebrated as much in Michigan as they are in the Bible-Belt. So seeing the name of Jesus painted upon the McDonald’s store front window made my day and I wanted others to witness it as well.

 Within a few hours of posting that photo my phone was blowing up with notifications. Thousands of facebook likes, shares, and comments began to flood my screen. I was in total shock.

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And now, thanks to social media, here we are. A few days later, the simple photo that I took has gone completely viral. Local and major news outlets such as Fox News, ABC, Woman’s Day, faithit, Western Journalism, and CBN News have created story after story in regards to this one post.

Yet it all boils down to this simple matter: we are currently living in a world where talking about Jesus is considered offensive and painting a nativity scene upon a McDonald’s is redeemed as dangerous and radical. I beg to differ on those beliefs and instead I want to applaud co-owner Gina Wolfe for being the example of a Christian living out publicly what she believes inwardly.

It's about being bold, in love, for what you believe in, despite what others may say. That's what I stand for and that is why I shared the picture. I'm glad this specific McDonald's is gaining the coverage they deserve, and I am proud that God is receiving the glory for what He offered us through His Son, Jesus…and that is eternal everlasting life. That is what it's all about and that is why we celebrate Christmas.

1 John 5:11 - And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son, (Jesus).

Amy Basel

The Waiting Room

We've all been there. Before every appointment we've ever walked into, we first had to take a seat in the waiting room. I am not sure about you, but I have been in a lot of those. Depending on certain situations in your life, you may have sat in more waiting rooms than you ever would have imagined. Yet there are certain things that I have noticed. 

1. Waiting rooms can be uninteresting and boring.
2. They are filled with material items to help pass the time.
3. Time always seems to go by super slow.
4. They are temporary.

Taking a seat in the waiting room before the actual appointment is not your final destination. You are there, being held, before your appointed time. Then when you are finally called, you enter through the door and now you have stepped into the actual reason why you showed up in the first place. 

Life is kind of like that, isn't it?

There are times in our lives when we know God has called us someplace, He has set that appointment for us, but before we can enter through that new door, we must wait. My question to you is this...

What do you do while you're waiting?

I like to sit in these waiting rooms and watch people. Ok, I know that sounds kind of creepy (haha) but stick with me, I'm going somewhere with this. 

I like to sit in these waiting rooms and I enjoy observing how people choose to use the waiting. You see, I grew up in a generation where we didn't have iPads and iPhones to pass the time. Instead, whatever the waiting room provided, that is what we used to occupy ourselves. Magazines, televisions, puzzles, toys, making conversations with others, etc...whatever you enjoyed, that is what you chose. Now a days, you sit in a waiting room and everyone is glued to their phones and tablets. Who knows what they are looking at, but it has their attention. If you are a people person like me, forget about starting a conversation with a stranger to pass the time, this is a rarity now a days.

Maybe you find yourself in a waiting room right now.

You know the promise God has provided, yet the door hasn't been opened for you to walk through yet. What are you choosing to do to pass the time?

The way you spend your "waiting" says a lot about who you are. 

Choose to spend your time wisely.
Choose to spend your time honoring God.

Psalm 27:14 - Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Below I have listed some ideas to help you conquer this season of waiting.

Enjoy, and get ready:
The season of waiting is just that: A Season.

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3 Ways to Conquer Your Season
 

1. Get in the Word: Invest in something that promises an eternal reward. No time spent in the Word of God is ever wasted time. 

2. Start Preparing: What is it that you are waiting for?
    - A Job? - Start your resume!
    - A Spouse? - Pray for them daily!
    - A Pregnancy? - Prepare the nursery!
    - A Financial breakthrough? Sow into the Kingdom!
Start lining things up in your life right now so that when the waiting season is over, you are READY!

3. Pray - This is self explanatory. It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. This means your prayers have no finish line! You keep praying, asking, believing, and calling forth what you know is already yours by faith and by the Word!

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Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We're in this together,

Amy Basel

Echoing Accusations

Have you ever watched a child as they go about their day? Children have the most beautiful confidence. They can gaze into a mirror, dance around wildly, and have the most extravagant faith with absolutely no insecurity.

When did we lose that same brilliance? 

You know, many times when I watch my little 4 year old niece, she is without a care in the world.

It doesn't matter if her clothes are matching and she could care less if her hair is perfectly styled. She also sits down for lunch to eat however much she wants and doesn't think twice about counting calories. As a matter of fact, I am positive she hasn't the slighted clue that calories even exist. Life for my niece is pretty simple.

While watching her, I can't help but internalize and think back to when I had that kind of innocence. My biggest problem at her age was trying to figure out what Disney Sing-a-long tape I would watch for that day.

Then I grew up.

I tried to pin-point when it was that my childhood innocence began to diminish. 

Then I remember the echoing accusations.

You see, the devil likes to start pin-pointing our insecurities at a young age.

I can remember back to first grade when I would compare my $10 vinyl Kmart backpack to all the other children's $25 Disney backpacks. Mine had that replica of Cinderella instead of the real one. I loved that backpack until I looked at everyone else's. All of a sudden, mine wasn't all that great anymore. 

Then I grew older. 

Comparing backpacks turned into comparing hair, faces, body types and how much (or little) money your family had compared to others.

The echoing accusations of the devil started off so simple and overtime grew into something so large.

Listen, I am going to be completely honest with you: I still tend to struggle with my self-image. 

For women, I notice we feel inadequate when it comes to appearance, and for men, I notice most feel inadequate when it comes to being a provider. And what do we all have in common with one another when it comes to the echoing accusations of the devil? 

"Not being good enough"

Maybe you have bought into that lie before?

Often without any fight at all, we simply settle to believe that we are living in lack. We automatically assume that when someone has something we don't, God's supply has depleted and we have been robbed.

We must get back to the basics and realize the true war at hand.

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The devil is the accuser of the brethren as it says in Revelation 12:10...

"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down."

Yet even more so, the devil is also called the father of lies. In a strategic debate between God and man, Jesus paints us the most precise portrait of the enemy found in John 8:44...

"For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies."

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Any thought that does not align with the Word of God is an accusation from the enemy and every accusation from the enemy is a lie.

However, did you know you have the power to determine whether you will entertain an accusation or not? Romans 12:2 is the proof...

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

We have the choice to test every thought to determine it's truth. We must begin to look at ourselves through the lens of God's Word instead of the devil's kaleidoscope of lies.

We must return back to the simplicity of a child. 

And what is that, you ask?

To simply have faith that we are exactly who God says we are.

2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1 Peter 2:9 - But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Let's not lose sight over what truly matters. Let's not forget about Whose image we are created in.

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I want to pray with you real quick. You are wonderful just the way you are and no accusation brought against you can hinder that. Some of you have been holding onto some words spoken over you for a very long time. Others can pin-point that exact moment when satan started to accuse and lie to you.

It's time to break the echoing sounds of accusations.

“Lord bring us back to the simplicity of being confident and comfortable in our own skin simply because we do not know anything better. Help us to see ourselves through Your eyes again, instead of the distorted and manipulated vision that the world has given us. Bring us back to Your Word when we forget who we are. For way too long we have settled for these lies. Come and teach us how to love us the way that you do. Nothing more, nothing less.

In Jesus Name...”

Love you and praying for you,
Amy Basel

Why God Makes Promises

I have a simple question for you...

Has anyone ever made you a promise before?

I am going to assume your answer was, yes. 

My next question...

Did they keep that promise to you?

Ah...see, this is where we will start to experience some mixed answers.

But what I want to focus on, however, is the whole point to making a promise. 

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The dictionary definition goes as follows:

PROMISE
1. a declaration that something will or will not be done.
2. an express assurance on which expectation is to be based.

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You see, a promise is usually given to a person in regards to a future circumstance/event. Yet, I want you to notice something. A promise is usually given about something that is not obvious to the natural eye.

Follow me here for a second...

What if I promised you that the sun was going light up the entire earth tomorrow?

Or what if I promised you that tomorrow I would remain a female? (Ok side note: I know in this day & age that changing your gender is embraced, but that doesn't mean it is accurate and right. Ok, wisely moving forward...) 

Making these apparent promises would be silly, I know. But why? 

Because it's obvious.

You would probably look at me and say, "Why are you promising something that is easily perceived? You don't have to promise me that the sun will shine tomorrow, because I know it will! You don't have to promise me you will wake up a female tomorrow, God made you that way!"

You see, we never promise things to people that are obvious.

Instead, we make a promise in regards to something that will more than likely be contradicted at some point.

Which brings me to the entire point of this blog post. 

There is a promise that God has given us that I believe we tend to struggle with the most. Here it is...

Hebrews 13:5...“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
 

I want you to realize something today: God does not promise obvious things. Instead, God promises us things that at some point, will be challenged with contradictions! 

He promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, because He knew at some point in our lives, it may look like He isn't there! It may look like He has forgotten and left us on our own! 

And so, He made the simple promise to assure us, that no matter what season we are in, no matter what comes our way, He will never leave us, nor will He ever forsake us. Never.

So, for someone, I believe this was the reminder you needed. That what God has promised, He has kept. He is not like man, where He will make a promise and lie. He is not like man to even over promise and under-deliver. NO! He is God; all knowing, all sufficient and omnipotent! His Word goes out and it never returns back to Him as void.

Are you in need of a sure foundation? Stand upon His Word. Stand upon the One who has promised, that you will never be alone. Stand upon Christ. The one, true, Promise of the Father.
 

Psalm 119:49-50 - Remember Your promise to me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.

Amy Basel

Responding to the Invitation of Change

Change is a bittersweet yet an inevitable necessity to life.

For some, change is an exciting adventure into the great unknown, but for others, change is a fight against the clock of time. Our flesh desires complacency accompanied by comfort, yet our heart yearns for expansion with the promise of advancement. One produces stagnation, the other requires change. Both in which are left for us to choose.
 

Making decisions requires strength.

It is our present experiences with The Lord that bring us hope for the future things to come. When you invest time into His love, you become enlightened to things you may have never noticed before. In the light of His love, you will soon come to realize the vanity of your former work. So often we become entangled and infatuated with what MAN has entrusted us with, that we neglect what GOD has truly ordained us for. Coming to the realization of this, however, reflects God’s mercy and compassion illuminating through His unmerited grace. His light dispels the darkness that tries to remain in us. The process of revelation of self may be painful at first, but God so graciously uncovers the tough flesh to intimately recover the fragile heart.

If God is providing change, then He is inviting you to grow.

There are walls of religion, pain, the past, and self-defeat that have been erected in your life. This is undeniable because we live in a fallen world. However, those walls do not have to remain. The scaffolding of fear that once supported those walls have now been removed by His love, and all that is left is the demolition of strongholds that can be obtained through His Word. God has created you to live free in His love. He has ordained you to reign with authority through His Word. Yet in order to operate fully in this, we must all endure the process. 

Change is always a prerequisite to transformation.

Spend some time with Jesus right now and allow His presence to unveil the areas in your life that you have diligently ensured to keep hidden. You know, those areas that you have labeled “This is just who I am”. Ask Him to show you those areas that may be hindering you from seeing that transformation in your life, then finally allow yourself to respond.

It's time to let go and let Him lead.

Consider this your invitation…the King is waiting for you…

Amy Basel

I Was Lied To

One lie. That is all it took. The enemy picked up this one lie, pierced it through his arrow, ignited it with his flames of deceit, and shot it straight for my heart. And then the choice was mine.

Believe it, or rebuke it? 

I unfortunately chose to believe it.

And that was how my yesterday began.

This wasn't a profound, specific lie. It wasn't a lie that was delegated and positioned around something intricate in my life. It was actually very simple. It was a lie that he knew would set the entire course of my day straight down to the ground IF I chose to believe it. It was a lie that could have been extinguished by my shield of faith IF I had raised it quick enough.

Maybe you have heard this lie before?

"You're not good enough."

You see, many think that I never battle such thoughts.

"Oh Amy, you are always so positive and encouraging!"

Yes indeed and maybe that is true, but please know that I am no exception to these accusational attacks. If you choose to live your life dedicated to saving souls and encouraging others in their walk with the Lord...you will hear this lie almost every day of your life. As a matter of fact, if you simply have air in your lungs...you will hear that lie almost every day of your life. Count on it.

Alright, I know that isn't the most uplifting news, but spiritual warfare is very real and if I can be transparent with you about my battles, maybe someone will catch on and say those famous 3 words, "I'm not alone!"

And you're not.

We all are tempted daily to fall into wrong thinking.

Yet, it is how we respond that determines the rest. 

But here's the thing, I knew better. I have preached it 100 times over and I have written about it in many blogs. But how easy is it to slip into a lie if you are not properly guarding your heart?

So I want to encourage you with this today...I want to start your day off right before the devil can point his flaming arrow of lies straight to your heart.

YOU - ARE - GOOD -ENOUGH!

That is it and that is all, my friend.

You are good enough. 

So you want to encourage people but feel like no one will listen? Proclaim it from the rooftops anyway!

So you want to write a book but you don't think anyone will ever read it? Start writing the first chapter anyway!

You dream about starting your own business or ministry but don't think it will succeed? Pray, plan, and start it anyway!

The list could go on, but I mean what I am telling you today.

You are good enough, and this is how I know...

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ...”

— Ephesians 2:4-9

That right there covers it all. Write that scripture down, save it to your phone, memorize it, whatever you have to do, make sure it is rooted deep within your heart. 

Why?

Because the attacks will come. The moments of weakness will arise, and you must know the truth about who you are in Christ Jesus or you will fall for any lie satan aims your way.

I don't know about you or what you have been going through lately, but I am brushing myself off, grabbing my sword, picking up my shield and taking on this day with confidence. Not in who I am, but who He is in me. 

We're doing this together,

Amy Basel

A Letter from the Father - The Open Door

Believing without seeing brings forth a harvest that has yet to be sown. To understand this Kingdom principle you must understand my Kingdom.

I have not placed you within a position to prosper without my hand first resting upon you. Truly think about that, dear one. Prosperity outside of my will is only selfish gain which can soon be taken away. Instead, trusting me for your provision in the days ahead is wisdom you could have only inherited through my Spirit. This, my love, is what I find pleasing.

Take a moment to consider all that has transpired up until this very point. Will you relinquish how faithful I have been? What I have promised, so it has been. What I have promised, so it shall be. No Word shall ever return back to my throne as void or nullified. Instead, your faith activates a spring within my well to rush forth as new hope enters into your heart. I am here…I have not left.

Press into me for the days a head. Abide within my Word and listen as I speak to your heart. Yes, I am speaking, if only you shall listen. Do you believe? Surely you must or you would not speak to me the way that you do. Ah, but in this I find pleasing because so many times you have rendered yourself as unworthy of my love. Yet, you still speak. You still seek. You still knock. And so you shall receive.

I desire for your confidence to rise up and meet your identity within me. For I have placed a wonderful blessing right before your very eyes. Do you see? Can you perceive? The choice is yours, will you receive?

I take great delight in fulfilling the desires of your heart. Locked away, you have great dreams awaiting their appointed time of arrival. For I have placed them there, and I am faithful to bring them to pass. You just have to say yes.

Will you give me your yes?

If indeed you shall, then the key is within your hand.

Try the door, beloved, for it has been open to you all along.

Your Eternal Father, God Almighty

Amy Basel - YPHP - 2015

Somewhere Only We Know

How fortunate we are.

God has given us the distinct privilege to step away from the things of this world, and dwell in a place of rest that is hidden from others. He has given us a personal invitation to partake in a journey that not many are willing to accept.

But it’s so much more than a place of rest.

It’s so much more than a hidden getaway. In the depths of His love and affirmation, this is where we find our confidence and identity. He has beckoned us to uncover His glory and in doing so, we inevitably find ourselves.

Wrapped up in all that He is, we find all that we are. 

We discover that we are as no less than perfection in His eyes. Yet this is not because of who we are, for who we are in the flesh resembles a broken arrow destined to miss the mark. Instead, we must shift our focus to a greater vision. To conceive a truth such as this, we need to look to the cross. 

The vision of the Father sees red. 

His eyes are set upon the blood. When He sees us, He sees redemption paid at a price that was far too high for us to ever comprehend. It was out of our reach, so He lifted us upon His shoulders, carried us to the threshold of eternity, and showed us our worth. One look at the cross reminds us of death, but to stare at the marks upon the hands and feet of Jesus provokes us to rejoice in LIFE. 

We have every reason to rejoice.

We have infinite, unmeasurable reasons, to be thankful. We have every reason to love with the extravagant love He has shown to us all. I cannot help but to be so overcome with gratitude in this moment, because not only did He save us with His life, but He fights for us every single day. 

He cares so deeply that we are protected. 

He goes out of His way to allow pain in our lives to be turned into passion. He releases us higher and higher as He makes our enemies as our footstool. He prepares a banquet table in the midst of our foes, and invites us to partake in intimate fellowship with no hindrances. He intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father in His authority, and He patiently awaits His reward that was burned into His eyes which led Him to the cross.

He awaits us. 

Let our lips never stop giving Him praise. For He is worthy. 

---

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Amy Basel

When Circumstances Contradict God's Promises

It never looks like what you think it will.

Looking back on the major victories in my life, I never realized they were actually true victories until some time had passed. In the center of what seems like apparent defeat, God’s most profound victories arise.

This leads me to the cross.

To many, the Cross at Calvary looked like the ultimate defeat. Crucifixion was the humiliating end to a life cursed by iniquity and sin. Jesus, however, had an eternity mindset. He knew that no Word from God would ever fail, because He was (and still is) the Word from God that would never fail. He was the promise that would soon be proven as true. He was the blueprint to God’s ultimate redemption plan.

This world's perception is different.

In the natural, death resembles the absence of life. It resembles a determined end to what once had a purpose. What we fail to see though, is that the purpose never dies although the circumstances try to convince us otherwise. Jesus’ body was broken and defeated, but the purpose still remained. God was still bringing to fruition what He had destined from creation. For no Word from God shall ever fail.

Waiting is an integral part of victory.

The time inbetween His death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb is left without many words to describe. A detailed description of what transpired during those three days has seemingly been left out. Why? Hungry hearts and longing minds want to know what happened in the waiting. Yet all we know is the keys were obtained from the pit of hell, and satan’s future had been sealed. Victory was ours before we actually knew…before He could even return to tell us.

Think about that for a moment…

What victory is already in your possession that you have not realized yet?

Today I want to encourage you to obtain a Kingdom mindset. To look past your present circumstances, and instead keep your vision focused on what God has already promised. Victories rarely ever look like victories when they are won after a battle. Time and patience are the perfect breeding ground for a testimony that will rightfully glorify God. When you feel tempted to wallow in discouragement and self-defeat, set your eyes upon Jesus. His death appeared to be the end because the purpose was yet to be revealed. The stepping stone to God’s promise will always contradict what the end result will soon bring. The natural will always counterattack the supernatural, but with the Holy Spirit ruling and reigning inside of you, victory is already yours. The battle was fought, the keys were taken, authority has been placed back into your hands.

Choose faith over your feelings.

Do not be intimidated by what your present circumstances are revealing. For what God has purposed and promised in your life, shall come to pass. Set your sights upon the horizon, He is ready to reveal the victory that you have already won.

Luke 1:37 - For no Word from God will ever fail.

Amy Basel - Your Path His Plan

The Night That Jesus Came

As many of you may or may not know, in 2009 I had an actual encounter with Jesus that led to the transformational change of my entire life. This piece that you are about to read is my poetic, simple version of the encounter with Jesus that is still engraved within my mind and my heart, today. But first, allow me to set the foundation for you..

In 2009 I was without any type of relationship with God. I had no interest in Him or what He had to say in regards to my life. I was an alcoholic, addicted to prescription drugs, in a very toxic relationship, living in sin, in and out of jail, and suffering from very dark depression. One night, just like any other, I fell asleep in the same bed, inside the same room, located in the same house, within the same town I had been in for years. Yet this night, was very different.

What started as a dream, transformed into an appointment with Eternity...

---

The Night that Jesus Came

Wrapped in shame

I entered His courts.

Trembling with fear

I knew who He was.

Radiating with wonder

Ancient power so unyielding

Yet a simple man,

A strong man

He stood.

Clothed in white linen

Eternity held together

By the holes in His body

Where love poured out

Onto my soul.

Yet there He was.

Truth in flesh

God in motion

I had His attention

Nothing could be hidden.

In His presence all is revealed

Perfection knowledge in existence.

His eyes burned right through,

My heart of wood, hay and stubble

He saw the years of all my trouble

And there I stood...undone.

Entirely shattered

All that I had hidden

Unraveled before His mercy

He found me out completely.

Too ashamed to look up

I hung my head low

Yet even looking down

I was reminded once more

The holes in His feet 

looking through them to the floor.

An apology in order

A feeble mind could only conjure

With an unpure tongue

Infinite words I tried to utter

Yet in intimacy, He interrupted.

Eternity was smiling.

HE was smiling.

Unashamed of my stature

His eyes of fire

Burning with desire

for me.

His pursuit, now over.

His intercession, drew me closer.

Centuries of eternities

He waited for me.

I was His victory.

More than a prize to obtain

Or as a deed to be signed

Instead a Bride,

His Bride.

With His arm stretched forward,

He reached.

The Creator 

reunited with the created.

Healing hands of power

anointed my head with love.

Holy was He

I responded in fear

Hiding from His splendor

Yet I was covered in glory.

As a dead man lie

Motionless I died

Yet my body still alive

For my soul to be revived,

He spoke.

Words uttered in the Heavens

Whispered among angels

Unconceivable to a mortal,

He spoke.

Creation formed through His lips

A universe balanced upon His fingertips

Yet He drew near to my ear, 

and He spoke.

Quiet as a whisper

Echoing with great volumes

His power shook my bones.

Gentle enough to awake me

Stern enough to break me

Yet strong enough to save me,

He spoke.

As a diamond has it’s facets,

His voice an infinite of dimensions.

No pause to be found.

Not a breath to be caught.

Dripping with words as honey

Smooth and profound did He speak.

His native tongue I could not conceive

These words unfamiliar to my ears,

Yet I was filled.

For the first time,

I was filled.

My purpose had been stated.

The commission, made clear.

He called me.

Summoned by the One

Whom sits upon His throne

His dominion, my new home

He called me.

Glory captured my heart

A servant to His will

His plans I would fulfill

He called me.

And just like that,

In an instant it was over.

An age-old mystery

no longer concealed.

Ears still ringing

Barely breathing

My heart set on fire.

His presence lingered.

I met my Shepherd 

I knew His name

Forever changed

The night that Jesus came.

Amy Basel

So Just Believe

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. 

---

One Year Later: It's time to share. 

You see, His promise came to pass. God uprooted me and showed forth what He declared. New atmosphere, new friendships, new me, and even the brand new opportunity. Everything He promised, not one word returned void.

God moved me to Tennessee for 6 months to reveal to me who I was without all of the "crutches" I comfortably leaned on, back home in Michigan. Then, after that lesson was completed, God moved me right back to Michigan to prove to me just how much He had changed me. I tried to jump back into all that I had left, but nothing seemed to fit anymore. It was kind of like the "New Wine in old Wine Skins", story. I wasn't meant to fit back in with my old life. I wasn't supposed to try and open a locked door. No one understood it, and I was criticized and rebuked immensely by many people whom I used to run the race with. But you see, you can't let the chatter slow you down. 

When God calls you to step out in faith, it will almost never make sense to those who aren't walking your journey. You just have to learn to not let that bother you.

---

And so, I am once again embarking on another adventure.

God is calling me out of Michigan, yet again, and I am heading back to Tennessee for about a month.

I can't help but laugh, because this whole "Pilgrim" Lifestyle is quite interesting. Sometimes I have to remind myself that some of the great men of faith in the old testament packed up their lives and moved at the sound of God's command. So why not me, as well?

Yet I want you to realize something; it never looks like what you think it's going to.

It's good to have a plan for the future; but don't allow it to get in the way of God's plans. Things are subject to change without a moment's notice, are you willing to go with the flow?

His leadership has never once failed, and that's all you need to know.

So, with all of that being said, 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 - 2015

A Letter From Jesus - Confirming Our Relationship

I would enjoy to secure you in something, dear one.

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.

Yes, you are intentionally being hidden. 

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, my pearl of great price? You’ve been worth it all along!

This love I have given you is authentic.

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. My love for you could be placed into a category with dimensions and archives unknown to the human heart. Just as my thoughts toward you can be compared to all of the sand upon every created shore, so does my love run wild over you as far as my grace runs intertwined with eternity. The common ground to both can be summed up in this reality-shattering sentence: countless, boundless, measureless, limitless yet eternity-filled is my love for you! Your earthly mind cannot comprehend, ah but your spirit knows this and confirms this as truth. You are loved beyond your understanding, so I tell you, refrain from comparing my love to that of the world's.

My love for you is fixed. It is unmoved. It is trustworthy.

For I have loved you first, and I shall always love you greatest.  

Rest in this today, dear one. Rest in the simple fact that you are perfectly loved.

Your Eternal Promise, Your forever King

Amy Basel

Who The World Says You Are - Who God Says You Are

The world says you are a product of your past.

God says you are product of His future.

The world says you must earn forgiveness.

God simply says..."Forgiven".

The world says success is found within people you know.

God says success is found within Him, the only One worth knowing.

The world says true love must first be earned to be given.

God says true love was given once and now can never be earned.

Do you notice a vast chasm between the words of the world and the Word of the Lord?

---

And this brings me to what God showed me in prayer today...

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 future."

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 handwritten 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. But I am inviting you to gain a new perspective today. 

Do not look at this as a failure but instead look at it as protection.

Psalm 18:30 - As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust Him.

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.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never forsake you nor leave you. 

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 created to. 

1 Corinthians 1:9 - God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.

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.

Luke 12:35 - Be dressed, ready for service, and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when He comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for Him. 

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.

Standing with you today & always,

Amy

A Letter from the Father - Before I Move, I Speak

I stand at the door and I knock. I send forth a final call to my people but without much avail. I would desire to have my people take heed to my promptings, but many are sleeping and no one is praying! I will be speaking in prayer. My praying ones will know much in the days ahead. They are the ones to whom much shall be revealed.

Do you know the day?

Do you understand which hour of watch you are in? Look around you. A sudden turn of the tide is being enforced. Much to your dismay, I am not reluctant to my coming. I shall say it again, watch and see. Watch and be ready. I am giving you great detail as the day does progress.

Turn through my pages.

I would ask of you to read Ezekiel chapter 2, chapter 12, and chapter 11 - in that exact order. I am speaking to the rebellious at heart. Following me is following my prompting.

A hidden spectacle is being emerged. 

This shall be one that no one has expected. Do you trust me? See to it that you stay situated inside of my Word and none shall come as a surprise to you. Yet, even so, dear one, keep your eyes open and ready to see what has been told since the ancient of days. Yes, I shall say it as truth. Nothing shall come as a surprise to my remnant whom is ready and willing to declare my Name at any cost. 

The Great Pestilence is at hand.

Yes, listen closely. The Great Pestilence of this time shall startle you at it's beginning arrival, but keep your eyes upon Me, dear one. For I have set you higher than the world and this is the very would that I have overcome. 

Take inventory of your heart.

Just as a pace maker accounts for the heart, so does prayer monitor the Spirit. Spring forth into prayer, daily, and I shall give you the unction on what to pray. Remember, I release my plans to the Prophets and the Praying Ones before I set into motion on the earth what I have already positioned in the Spirit. 

Others will be indignant.

I shall remind you again, you are about to stir up the spiritual world with your prayers. Keep a close eye to those around you. Press into the secret place and your battles shall be fought without a hand lifted. I have already foreseen those whom shall try to rise against you and I have set their feet to failure. They will not catch a grip upon you. Although they shall try, their plans will never taste success.

Push past distractions.

Your leadership shall not fail when you abide within the vine. Stay ever so close to me and you shall see mighty things in your time. You know, I speak to those whom I trust. I whisper into the ears of those who lay before my throne. Do not allow sudden distractions to turn your attention to the failing things of this world. Do not become allured by all that sparkles and shines. For even those too shall rust away but my word remainth forever. 

There is a Great Divide.

Situated in this time shall be a great divide, and this shall be one that even my elect leaders shall not understand. Prophesy of this great divide. Make it known that even the powers of darkness shall attempt to invade my church in ways you have never seen. There is only one way to defeat this, and that is through prayer. The enemy has been dividing and attacking prayer for this very season. Listen! This season is one that he has been waiting and warring for. The severity of this is great and my people must pray or they will fall away. They will and I have foreseen this to occur. My people must keep in perfect peace by diligent prayer and constant supplication. Do not relent in this. 

A Great Prayer Awakening is on the Horizon.

Do you feel it? You must because you are moving things in prayer. For I am not coming as a gentle Lamb, but as a roaring Lion. I am gathering my people to the front lines of battle. Whom shall I find ready AND willing to go? Surely those prideful ones who think they are ready, are not. And those humble ones who think they are not ready, truly are. 

You've been Approved.

A constant need for my approval is not living by grace through faith. You have received my approval once and for all through my Son. It is in my love that you are sealed. No longer work FOR approval, but FROM approval. When you know that I have accepted you, you shall move and make decisions in perfected and completed confidence. 

Submit to me - Resist from him. 

I shall seal this letter with a reminder. In order to resist the evil one, you must submit to me in all things, first. Yes, listen to my words as truth. The evil one, that serpent, shall not flee from you without you first submitting to me. He recognizes my authority in you instead of your strength without me. Listen closely, resist this one in all things and refuse to entertain self-seeking thoughts. Be diligent in bringing me glory, stay continuous with unrelenting prayers,  and you shall soon understand more of my plans. 

Your Heavenly Father, God Almighty

Amy Basel

I Have Seen The Lord!

Miracles always seem to transpire when it is most impossible and when you least expect it.

Mary came to the tomb to find that it was empty.

This was a "weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning", moment. 

Without immediate recognition, Jesus stood before her and she was none the wiser to His appearance. 

He was different.

Yet, (with goosebumps I type this), the moment Jesus spoke her name...Mary's heart recognized Him instantly. 

Something just happens when He calls us by name. I can't explain it, but the creation always responds to the Creator, and in that moment, our eyes are opened to Him. 

"My Sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me." - Jesus (John 10:27)

Her reaction is what I love.

She clung to Him.

Oh, to cling to the risen body of Jesus the Messiah!

I don't blame her, I don't blame her one bit! 

To lose Him once was far too much, she wanted to make sure this time that she would never let Him go.

He, however, had not gone to the Father yet, so instructed her to instead go and tell the disciples of the good news.

Once again, He was still on a mission to complete His Father's will.

Can you imagine the excitement stirring in the heart of Mary Magdalene as she ran back to the disciples after having a one-on-one conversation with her risen Savior right outside of the empty tomb?

Can you conjure up the conversations she probably had within herself as she tried to plan out just exactly what she would say the moment they would open the door to her?

Jesus had told His disciples that on the third day, He would rise. Yet the devastation of losing their Lord, Rabbi, Leader and friend left His disciples distraught, confused, frightened, and indignant. 

I'm sure Mary tried to collect herself and her thoughts before entering upon the place where the disciples were hiding out. I'm sure she expected them to consider her mad and absolutely bewildered for claiming to have seen Jesus alive.

But you see, when you have an encounter with Jesus...you get radical. 

You don't need all the how's and why's answered.

You don't require proof to believe. 

And you certainly lose the right to care about what others are going to think of you. 

Mary pounded on that door and as soon as it opened from the other side, all plans of staying calm were forgotten, 

"I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!!!!!!"

And I am sure that with tears streaming down her face, she made her way past Peter, moved alongside John, and began to testify to all that Jesus had said to her at the empty tomb.

From that day on, we too hold the same testimony as Mary.

No matter what you have gone through or what you have endured, once you encounter Jesus, you are never the same.

Once you truly realize all that Jesus saved you from, you too will run to the world, tears in your eyes, to proclaim with boldness,

I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!!!

He is risen, my friend. 

Just like He said.

We cannot be silent.

The world needs to know.

Our King, our Yeshua, our Messiah is alive!

And we will sing His praises forever,

Amy Basel

A Letter From Jesus - Selah

Dear One,

My voice is seldom heard in the loudness of a busy lifestyle. I am reaching out through your struggle and past your hurt, but do you recognize me?

I am enough.

I often come not as you would originally expect, but I am far greater. To listen is a choice. To serve me is an option. What shall you choose? Mammon or Manna? One is produced through the world, the other is provided from my hand. I have not forced this choice upon you, but you have chosen freely, and by this I am well pleased. 

You have chosen life, and life MORE abundantly.

Oh if you could see the joy it brings the Father when you free your heart to worship and pray! So many options have been warring for your attention. So many people have been tugging on your emotions. So many disappointments have been robbing your faith.

Allow me to ask again, my beloved…

To whom do you serve?

To whom did you already say yes to?

To whom have you asked to be delivered and deliverance is what you received?

Who has walked with you all of your days?

Who has carried your burden, and traded your sorrows for joy and laughter?

Who has made a stream of gladness flow from the depths of your soul?

Who has numbered every hair upon your head?

Who's is it that counted each thought towards you as endless?

Who has placed every grain of sand upon the earth?

Who has measured it's vastness and labeled it as an example of my affection towards you?

Who has called you by name and allowed you to answer?

Who has called you friend; a friend to whom I confide in?

I tell you as truth my beloved, it is I, the very name you call upon, the name to which you pray, the name that is above all other names.

It is I beloved. Your Prince of Peace, your King above all Kings, your Wonderful Counselor, your eternal Husband. It is I, beloved. I am your ever present hope. I fight for you, I tear down strongholds for you, I dance upon streets of emerald and gold for you!

Come and rest here!

Ah, if you could see the excitement it brings when you rest in my presence and receive my finished work for you! You have never witnessed a smile as bright as mine when my thoughts rest upon my Spirit within you. I tell all of Heaven the good works you do with a pure and unhindered heart! A servant you are! A bright light in the darkest hour! It is good that you know my affection for you. It is good that you understand my love. For how can you possibly love another if you do not first understand the love that I have so freely bestowed upon you? I want you to feel good about yourself, my beloved. I want you to live free in my love.

Don’t you see? You have truly been set free!

So often you miss out on the good things that I am doing because you believe there is something better. The evil one has tried to convince you that I am keeping something from you. So it was in the garden. Adam and Eve had everything given to them through the Father, including unbridled love and unhindered presence through His glory. Yet, the deceiver presented them with the option of more.

More always insinuates that you do not have enough.

I want you to know today that you have enough. You have all you need.

I do not give with lack attached, I give with abundance everlasting.

Rest in the truth that you have all you need in Me. Meditate on my Word as it is found in 2 Corinthians 9:8.

- “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Root this deep within your heart. Write this upon the palms of your hands. All good things come from the Father through me. You truly have all you need in my love, you lack no good thing my beloved.

No good thing I have kept from you.

I satisfy because I am more than enough.

Selah, let it be so.

Your Prince of Peace, El Shaddai

Amy Basel

A Letter From God - To His People

Last night I was sitting in my living room, wide awake at 12:30am. Now, if you personally know me, you will find absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about this. I am a "night owl" as some would call it, and I am up very late most of the time. Last night, however, was very different. I felt a strong urge to write. There was an expectancy in the pit of my stomach and I couldn't sit still. I paced the living room floor back and forth and began to pray in the Spirit to try and see exactly what was going on and why I was beginning to feel this way. All of a sudden, the voice of the Lord shot straight through the atmosphere and pierced right through my heart,

"Write these words down. You must share them with my people tomorrow."

Wide-eyed, I froze.

You see, I really want you to understand something. There are many, many nights where I sit up at night and write. It's my passion and journaling is the avenue I use to bring forth God's heart to others. Last night, however, was different. He interrupted my night with an urgency and expectancy I have never experienced until now. 

Church, God is doing something. 

There's a shift that is taking place. 

And here's the thing, this isn't something that is hidden from the hearts of His people. 

He isn' going to catch anyone off guard...who is prepared, that is. 

So here is my disclaimer: this Word the Lord spoke to my heart last night...it's not for the world. This Word is for God's people. I don't know where that finds you today, but I will say this; God is about to move whether we are ready and on board, or not. 

Without further ado, prepare your heart to read this letter below, and I pray it stirs your spirit as it did mine.

Amy Basel

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A LETTER FROM GOD TO HIS PEOPLE - 3/17/15 - 12:34am

A targeted approach to life shall be made known to many. To whom do you serve and to what do you hold dear? Listen close but look ahead, there afar in the distance calls for a time in which things shall seem unheard of. Has it not been made known in the days of old? Have I not spoken a word and the word shall be fulfilled? The prophetic utterance has been laid to the wayside. Many consider my approach as now a rebuttal in the Spirit. I should say it as truth, the prophetic movement will grow in the days ahead and either you will nurture this movement or you will speak evil of it. There must be a choice.

Why must holy things be called evil and evil things be called good? Is it not enough that my Word no longer goes forth among my people? Has it not made the hearts of the proud filled with fraudulent joy to see the Word of the Lord lay as that of a famine? Shall there be a generation that will be brought forth without the Word of the Lord? Would you see to it that you sit idly by and watch with burning eyes and salty tears, a generation that knows not the name of the Lord?

Oh, how I wish my people would pray! Shall there be intercessors in the land if I lean over my throne to look upon the earth? Shall I find one praying righteous man? Shall I find one warring righteous woman? Whom can stand and declare that they know my heart? Tell me, who can declare that they understand my grieving? My grievance upon this nation is great. I tell you as truth, you look for fire and sulfur to fall from the sky as a rebuke and punishment. I should say that would not suffice to the evil I see run to and from the earth. This shall be a time of withdraw. Never have you witnessed the pulling back of my hand until now. Oh, how the earth will shake and tremble at the great sound of the Lord pulling back His outstretched hand! How terrible it shall be when the rocks and trees must cry out because my people no longer desire to utter my name!

But with this I bring good news. The Prophets shall arise because the prayers of my people are being heard. Intercessors have been calling forth prophets for ages and ages and this shall be the time of fulfillment. I AM rising up men and women in the day to speak of the great things that shall occur before the rest of the world stands as a witness. Yes, listen to my words! Listen to what I AM telling you, dear one! There is a remnant being lifted high to the throne and they are listening in on the conversations of heaven. Intercession is what will bring forth revival! My praying people shall see this in their time!

I laugh at those who say there is no use to pray! Who told you my plans were already placed upon the blueprint? I am awaiting the prayers! Oh, the prayers! I am awaiting for my people to wake up and arise! Come out of the dark places and into my glorious light! Come out of the encouragement movement and step into my repentance of glory and righteous living! Truly this shall be the great awakening, when my people decide that their itching ears have had enough!

Who will stand up to challenge the idols of this time? Who shall rise up and smash the idols of provocative lifestyles? Who shall mock the gods that claim they hold power upon this earth? Is there an Elijah among my people who will run to the Kishon Valley to destroy the 450 prophets of Baal? Is there one who knows me greater and will call upon the name of the Lord?

What about a David? Will I find the one who will stand up against the mockery of the uncircumcised philistine and show forth the mighty day of the Lord through deliverance?

I should say it as truth, I AM searching!

I AM seeking!

My eyes are scanning the earth and I am looking for hearts set ablaze in prayer. I am not looking into the churches; I am intently looking into the secret places. I am opening up the prayer closets!

Shall I find anyone on their knees and calling forth my lost ones? Shall I open the prayer closets and find those whom are holding the heart of Jerusalem?

Oh, has anyone remembered the apple of my eye? I should say it as truth, when you pray for Zion, you pray through my language. When you pray for Jerusalem you pray for my Kingdom!

Set your hearts at ease, set them right, my people! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all shall be well with you! Intercede for your coming resting place, for you are grafted into a lineage of ancient Kingdom beauty! The throne of David shall be established and I desire for you to be there to witness such a thing!

Take time and pray. Oh how I desire to see my people weep for what I weep for. Oh how I long to see my people hate sin as I hate sin. We are in a covenant relationship, one body, united, yet we believe in different things! How can I be unequally yoked to an unbeliever of the things that are dear to my heart?

Oh wake up, my people! Awake and see, for I shall not come like a thief in the night to those who are ready, willing, and obedient!

Keep your eyes to the sky and abide deep within the vine. Man shall not know the date and time but keep your hearts aligned with mine and all shall soon resound in my perfect time.

Situate Isaiah 37 within reach at all times and within all places.

Your Heavenly Father, The Almighty One

OVER / UNDER - Where Faith & Fear Collide

Imagine what Peter was thinking when he climbed over the soaked, wooden railings to release himself onto the water.

Imagine his closest friends as they desperately beckoned him back into the security and comfort of the boat.  

Yet, Peter had an invitation to respond to. An invitation that separated him from the others. An invitation to step out onto the unknown. With his eyes fixated on Jesus and his vision locked on Truth, he answered yes to the Lord’s call, and by faith, he began to walk.

Looking back on the moments in my life where I had to cross over the great waters of fear on a small, crumbling bridge of faith, the world watched closely and immediately discounted me as “crazy”.

Why?

Great faith never makes sense to those who are not walking in it.

You see, faith doesn’t ask questions. Faith believes the call is superior to the answers. Our faith in God has to be greater than our fear of the outcome, because sometimes the outcome isn’t the focal point of the call. Instead, it is what happens in the process that fulfills what God had intended all along-- to strengthen our faith in Him.

With wide eyes on Jesus and an eager heart, Peter walked on water. He didn’t require detailed instructions or a blueprint explaining how it would all unfold. Instead, Jesus beckoned him to come, and so he walked. With each step that Peter took, he was demanding the sea to bow to the authority of his faith. With each step he took, he was displaying the incredible example of impossibilities being demolished by having faith in the One who had called him.

Then, all of a sudden, a storm erupted. Dark, thick waves hurled themselves violently against Peter’s drenched body. A tornado of strong winds swirled around the sea, demanding his attention. And in that moment, Peter was overcome by fear. He unfastened his eyes from the Lord’s, looked upon the storm that was surrounding him, and he plunged into the deep sea below.

Let me ask you...

What do you do when you find yourself sinking beneath what you once were standing upon?

I am talking to those of you right now who have become overwhelmed in the process. I am reaching out to you, the ones who have found themselves overtaken by fear, discouragement, and no motivation to move forward. How do you regain the confidence and faith that moved you to say yes in the beginning? In order for me to reveal the answer, let’s go back to the story.

With fear as an anchor, Peter began to sink in the very water he just walking on moments before. Yet it’s what happens next that transformed his incredible test into a victorious testimony.

In Matthew 14:30, the moment Peter began to sink, he cried out for Jesus to save him! 

We are not told that he kicked and screamed and tried to save himself. Instead, we are told that he instantly placed his faith back into Jesus, having just lost it to fear moments before! Jesus then immediately reached down and pulled Peter from the water…He pulled Peter from the finale of his fear. You see, in that water, although fallen, he was not defeated.

How is this possible?

Because The One who calls you onto the water is faithful to save when you sink into the water.

So, take heart today. If you find yourself surrounded by fear, doubt or discouragement, close your eyes and go back to the beginning. Travel back to the moment where your faith was stronger than the impossibilities. Remember why you stepped out in the first place; He called you.

Amy Basel