Felicia M. Wallace

Cast Our Eyes Upward

By Felicia M. Wallace | December 2, 2023

“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14

Lord, if only we would cast our eyes upward to seek the giver of strength when our weakness becomes apparent. If only we would take the time to listen for that “whisper in the wind” that draws us to that place of solitude, and if only we would allow our eyes to gaze upon the beauty of glory, not formed by human hands.

Then we would find the help that transcends the understanding of man, calms our fears and clothes our mind in peace; filling our souls with an unexplainable joy even in the midst of the most dire of circumstances.

Then we would know the One who binds up our wounds and heals our broken hearts, and supplies our every need; the One who is able to keep us from falling and will do exceedingly more than we could ever ask or imagine.

If only we would cast our eyes upward.

We would soon discover He who is the great I AM.

A Garden in the East

By Felicia M. Wallace | June 2, 2023

“The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:7-9

Have mercy upon us O’ Lord for that place in which we once roamed free is no more. That place of long ago where all kinds of trees awed our eyes with wonder while providing nourishment for our soul. That place where the river flowed in four different directions to quench our thirst and refresh our parched skin from the sweltering sun of the day. That place where you communed and walked with us in the coolness of the day.

Have mercy upon us O’ Lord for the toils of this life and all its sorrows have been revealed and the nakedness of our transgressions against thee lay bare. Oh how we were deceived! Now the knowledge of the good and evil overwhelms us daily. One can only imagine what might have been had sin not entered in.

Have mercy upon us O’ Lord for we cannot return unto that place we once roamed. For that place now stands guarded with the blinding flash of a flaming sword. Yet, our hope is in you Lord. That we might once again find that place where we can roam free. That place where we might once again commune with thee in the garden of the tree of life for which thou have purposed. “Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life. Revelation 22:14 (a)

A Leftover Fabric

By Felicia M. Wallace | May 21, 2023

“But I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking says the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:3-4

Ever felt like you were a castaway living among the masses, drifting at a steady pace to parts unknown? In other words, you no longer peer out of the same “looking glass” as those around you and a once fruitful life now seems to just be ebbing away.

Be encouraged my beloved, the sudden whispering call to obscurity is often God’s way of calling us back to our center. That place where our ears are attuned to listen and our hearts ripe and ready to receive. A place that reminds us that we are to no longer view life from the world’s perspective, for we have been clothed in a special kind of “leftover” fabric.

It is a fabric of many colors adorned in the discipline of love and lined with forgiveness, compassion and humility. A fabric threaded with cords of strength and a fierce determination to resist the enticements of a lost world embedded in defiance and rebellion. It is a fabric fitted for those that walk along the narrow path.

Oh yes, Lord! I will proudly wear your leftover fabric to bear witness and glorify your name. For it is a precious fabric woven together by the power of your Holy Spirit. O yes, Lord! Make me your “remnant” that I might one day inherit your likeness and inherit the everlasting promises destined for those who trust in you.

A Hope Unseen

By Felicia M. Wallace | May 7, 2023

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” Hebrews 11:1-2

It is not an easy task to pen the concept of faith to words because faith is not something we can tangibly grasp with our hands nor see with our eyes. Faith is something you believe in your heart and the depth of that belief governs who we are. For as a body of believers and followers of Christ, we live by faith, not sight. Of course our focus will be one of having faith in God and his unlimited ability to bring of through any obstacle in life we might encounter.

So how do we grasp that level of belief? First we must we dispel what faith is not. So often, when we are trying to overcome an insurmountable situation or circumstance, we are told to “have faith.” Advice of course given with the best intentions, yet, saying “have faith” to a babe in Christ is like giving a baby solid food that is still nursing on milk. Perhaps explaining the concept of faith from our Scripture text, found in Hebrews, Chapter 11 would give better insight.

And contrary to the popular opinions of this current day, faith is not a commodity that is bought and sold to the highest bidder. Having faith does not relinquish the trials in our lives. Nor does it, as often suggested, determine the degree to which we will gain material wealth. Such teachings only erode our faith in God when not realized. Some of us may even begin to have thoughts of unworthiness of God’s favor or blessings.

Be not deceived beloved, not all messengers are messengers from God. Romans 16:18, “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.”

Now understanding what faith is not, we can now open our hearts whole heartily to the Word of God and discover what faith really is. How it operates in our relationship with God and how our troubles can help us strengthen our faith to go the distance.

Hebrew 11:1 describes faith as “Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Matthew Henry, a well studied man of God provided a practical application on the concept of faith… “It is a firm persuasion and expectation that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ; and this persuasion is so strong that is gives the soul a kind of possession and present fruition of those things… it demonstrates to the eye of the mind the reality of those things that cannot be discerned by the eye of the body. Faith is the firm assent of the soul to the divine revelation and every part of it, and sets to its seal that God is true.” [1]

As Christians we are in essence believing with our heart and mind in God’s Sovereign Omnipotent (all-powerful), Omnipresent (ever-present), Omniscient (all-knowing) authority to direct and guide our lives in Christ Jesus.

Worldly riches may not be God’s plan for our lives. Some of us may even have to wear the battle scars of physical illnesses, permanent disabilities, financial hardships, and physical and mental abuse. However, it does not mean we are any less blessed or highly favored. It simply means we have a different assignment. And in good company, I might add, when we consider the meager humble beginnings, physical sufferings, painful death, and victorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Although your troubles may be many right now, have faith in God’s awesome power to take what was meant to harm or hinder us and turn it around for our good and for the benefit of others.

Sometimes it will take every ounce of our “mustard seed” of faith to continue this journey but we must remember it only takes a mustard seed of faith to move mountains.

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

[1] Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Hendrickson Publishers, 1991, 2008.

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The Serenity of His Peace

By Felicia M. Wallace | April 29, 2023

“The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace.” “And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” “But lift up your rod, stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:15-16

O’ Lord how we need Thee! For it seems the enemy is gaining ground and we are facing the impossible before us. Our strength is failing and our hopes dashed. Seems the day’s evil has surrounded us and there is no escape. Then our hearts remembered, “Go Forward.” For even in these “perils times” O’ Lord you are still at work. This path we now travel is not unfamiliar to You.

We need only to keep our eyes focused, always looking upward from whence cometh our help and strength. Knowing, that the way has already paved, the victory already won. And at Thou appointed time, with staff in hand the waters shall be parted, and we will see dry land again. Displaying the splendor of Thy might before all.

Although we may not understand the “Why” help us to not grow weary, or be dismayed as we make this journey. For Your grace is sufficient and Your faithfulness evident with each step we take. And when we stumble and fall, it is then you carry us.

For the footprints we see, are not our own.

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Breathe Upon Us

By Felicia M. Wallace | April 26, 2023

“The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.” Ezekiel 37:1-5

It seems with each day we find ourselves longing and reminiscing of days past. For we remember a once flourishing land and our hearts grieve in the land once flowing with milk and honey. Mothers and daughters are weeping from the blood that drench our streets, while fathers and sons remain in absentia, too often bound by chains. Our babies are forced to accept the ill-norms of life as normal. How can this be?

Have mercy upon us, O’ Lord, as we presently find ourselves wandering in a foreign land full of “dry bones” having been lured into the realms of darkness and becoming fallen prey to our sinful nature. We have rejected your wisdom and have not continued in the ways and instructions passed down to us.

Forgive us Lord, for we have carelessly handled our spiritual inheritance and have given little or no regard for those who labored before us in the sweltering heat of oppression, those who have endured unimaginable sacrifice and scorn for our betterment.

Thus, our city gates now lay in ruins and the walls that once protected us are being systematically dismantled and destroyed. Breathe upon us, O’ Lord, for without your fortress of protection and strength, we will perish. Show us the error of our ways that we might once again be acceptable in thy sight, for we cannot withstand the wrath of your judgment.

Quench the thirst of our wayward spirit, O’ Lord, that yearns for an oasis in a dry parched land. Restore your people, for there are those who still believe that you can make “dry bones” live again!

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Hold On

By Felicia M. Wallace | April 18, 2023

“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.” Isaiah 40:31

Ever felt like you were forgotten– lost in the shuffle, waiting for a change that never seems to come? In anguish, you seek to find our on-time God who seems far away, right in the midst of our real-time crisis.

Inevitably, we cannot help but wonder has God forgotten us as we desperately try to “hold on” in that moment when everything within us wants to let go. No, God has not forgotten us. But if we are honest with ourselves, we would have to admit perhaps it is us who have forgotten God.

Often it is the profound silence of God that breaks the yoke of our pride and humbles our hearts. It is at such moments we are willing to examine ourselves and our life’s choices. God also allows trials in our lives to test our resolve, our faith, and our trust in him we can’t see our way out.

Whatever the circumstance, waiting on the Lord can prove to be a difficult assignment when we have reached our perceived wits end. But God’s timing is not our time. His ways are not our ways. But don’t despair, delayed does not necessarily mean denied. We can withstand our trials when we seek God’s divine wisdom, guidance and protection. For he alone is able to sustain us.

When we hold on to his unchanging hand we can reposition our grip from simply hanging on, to holding on thereby enabling ourselves, to remain steadfast in our faith. When God does act on our behalf, we will find a welcomed and renewed appreciation for the perfect timing of God. So if you are waiting on something from the Lord… just Hold On.

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The Narrow Path

By Felicia M. Wallace | April 11, 2023

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Traveling the path that leads to that “narrow gate” can be a lonely place. And from the spoken words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ “there are few who find it.” So how do muster the grit to stay the course when the bitterness of life shakes the core of our faith and the Christian journey falls far short of our expectations?

Without warning, our faith fades and we began asking ourselves, did we choose the right path? If so, then “Lord, why the struggle?

Beloved, this narrow path upon which we tread is a difficult one, for it represents the struggles we must endure to get us from the promises of God to the blessings of God. The narrow path is the distance in-between. And it is not an easy row to hoe, for it is filled with many “ifs” as our Lord instructs. The word “if” sets up the condition upon which we must follow that releases the blessings God has in store for us.

And it is along the narrow path where our imperfections are revealed, those twists and turns we have taken that God never intended. The narrow path is also a place of rebirth as we allow God to redirect our path according to his perfect will. And yes, our mustard seed of faith will be tested. The question is… will we trust God?

Will we trust him to carry us through when the storm clouds arise, will we trust him to give us manna in the desert, and pour forth water from a rock? Will we trust him to renew our strength when we become weary, and encourage our hearts during those desolate times we walk alone?

Remember, while the narrow path has its rough terrain, it is the proven pathway God uses to revive and restore our souls! That place where we can commune with him as he communes with us. That special place, where we can look upward and see the double portion of his promises that makes the journey and all its challenges well worth it!

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Shedding the Past

By Felicia M. Wallace | April 8, 2023

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,
the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Healing inner hurts most often mean we must be willing to face the dormant strongholds of our past. Those unpleasant traumatic events in our lives that we have suppressed in our “memory bank” as a means of survival. To cope, we simply chose to forget and continue on with life as if nothing ever happened. Relying on our catch-all phase of the day, “I’m okay” or “I am doing fine,” followed by a faint smile to foil further inquiries. Such denial is no longer believable, even to ourselves.

For outwardly we have fooled many but inwardly we are shrouded in insecurity, low self-esteem, fear, bitterness, un-forgiveness, jealousy, anger and rage. Sadly, our facade has only prolonged our healing from the inner hurts raging from within. We have become co-dependent with misery unable to build and maintain healthy relationships because we have yet to discover who we are. While it is true old habits die hard we must always be ever mindful that there is an enemy vying for our soul. He strategically uses our past to entrap us in the downward spiral of hopelessness, depression, confusion, unworthiness, self- condemnation.

The good news is we do not have to be defeat for there is One who is able and desires to heal us from the pains and abuses of our past and make us whole again. We no longer have to be defined by the strongholds of our past. When we surrender all to Him, our past becomes a spring board for our healing and our future. Can you perceive it?

What an opportunity to discover the awesome restoration and healing power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Sometimes God strips us outwardly, to perfect us inwardly. Be encouraged! The current trials you face are evidence that God is at work.

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Why So Hurried

By Felicia M. Wallace | April 2, 2023

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

O ‘Lord, how my heart aches right now as it seems I am once again traveling along life’s slippery slope. My well thought out plans curtailed. Yet, the precious gift of time that you so graciously bestow upon us each day continues to churn at a rapid pace, as time waits for no man.

Perhaps what seems a delay is indeed a part of your ultimate plan. Relieve me of this frustration of time that currently overwhelms my soul. Hasten your peace within me. For who but you O’ Lord can redeem that which we have counted as time lost.

Help me to yield to your call to slow my pace and listen. Guide my hurried weary soul to that place of calm and refuge where the streams of the living water flows effortlessly. Revive and nourish my inner most being, strengthen my hands, that I may walk fearless among the thorns and thistles of this life that seek to entangle me. Reveal unto me your divine presence in a way that I may stand in profound awe and marvel at your glorious wonders that are indeed timeless.

For when it is all said and done, it is you O’ Lord who holds time and my life’s journey in the palm of your hands, so why am I so hurried?

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