Today’s verse brings the testimony of an unclean spirit who recognized Jesus as being “the Holy One of God!” Isn’t that something to think about, those demonic forces who want to deceive us undoubtedly know the Truth of who Christ is.

Interestingly enough, today the Lord impressed on my spirit to contact one of neighbors who is a self professing Wiccan. He responded with, “Wes, I don’t know how you do what you do, but your calls just stopped me from doing something really stupid.”

A later conversation would unveil that he was about to commit suicide until I reached out to him. The demons that he serves desire to destroy his life, not only here and now, but for eternity as well. While he might think I have him under surveillance behind closed doors because I reach out to him at critical times, he has yet to receive that it was the Holy One of God who directs me in those moments.

Please be praying as we continue to minister the life of Christ to all of those around us. Pray that the life long hold Satan has on our beloved Wiccan friend, Nick, will be broken and that he will give his life to Christ. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, more importantly our weapons are not of this world either. Thank you, Jesus!!

Mark 1:24 “Saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who You are – the Holy One of God!”

The ultimate sacrifice of the Good Shepherd was the laying down of His physical life for us. The Church has done an amazing job in sharing that Christ died for our sins in order to bring us His life. I am so grateful that Jesus died for us.

Another way that the Good Shepherd laid down His life was through the way He lived.
According to the Scriptures, Jesus came as a man, not to do His own will, but instead the will of the Father. He laid down whatever human desires He may have had in order to do the will of the Father.

In my opinion, this type of sacrificial living is the heart’s desire of every genuine Christian, but few learn what it means to truly lay down their lives so that Christ may live through them.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

Wes

The world is obsessed with saviors. Our movies and books are filled with superheros and champions. As God’s creation, humanity has been coded with evidence of His existence within our very souls. Thank you, Father, for pointing us to You!

I received Christ as my Savior 30 years ago this year. Nothing has impacted my life more than knowing Christ. Thank you, Jesus, I love you! I became so acutely aware of His daily presence in my life from that moment on. Over time I realized that the Lord had not only saved me from eternal death, but He is also my Savior every moment of every day, no matter what I’m facing or faced with in this treacherous world, Jesus is my sufficiency.

John 4:42 “and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know this One is indeed the Savior of the world.””

Complete in Christ,

Wes

Here’s something that you may not have known about the Plaisance family, something that you may wish I hadn’t shared… we have a Christmas donkey. It’s a very special part of our Christmas decorations.

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

We have a Creator who humbled Himself by becoming like his creation. He walked in human flesh and had human experiences to conquer all that kept humanity from experiencing His life. He did so that we might truly know Him, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords!

My life is not my own,

Wes

For years Christy and the kids have partaken in an unveiling of Names of Christ for Advent. During much of those years I was mostly unavailable to participate due to the demands of ministry duties. This year when Christy mentioned the idea of doing it again with a few small changes from the past, I felt a small childlike excitement in my Spirit! So much so, that I’m overwhelmed with the desire to share each day’s name with you!! Lucky you. Hahaha.

Revelation 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Christy and I really enjoyed reading and discussion the surrounding verses as well. You might find joy in reading them too.

Blessings to you and your family this CHRISTmas season,

Wes

Some of my most fulfilling friendships and relationships have been with other believers.  There is nothing quite like growing in grace and in a deeper knowledge of God with whom you share one heart and soul.  Even when hurt or misunderstanding happen the relationship grows stronger out of having walked through difficulties knowing that we are FOR one another. 

Conversely, some of my most difficult and challenging relationships have been with other believers.  These relationships have brought me a deeper grief knowing that they were designed by Father to have so much more potential.

As much as I could divert into why these troubling relationships exist, I won’t.   Instead, I want to share with you an encouraging perspective that Father revealed to my heart.

I tend to think of the future with Jesus in the prospect of what it means for me…  a completely redeemed body, a relationship with Jesus face-to-face, faith melting away as the spiritual becomes tangible.  And in the general sense, the world renovated by fire which brings new beginnings and healing.  

However, it will also include redeemed relationships with the other believers.  There will no longer be selfishness or sin to interfere with loving one another.  For the first time, we will be able to see one another’s true spiritual selves without the chaos of sin, flesh, or the world obstructing our perspective. 

How wonderful it will be to experience God’s design and creativity in each individual person unencumbered as an expression of Him!  I look forward to being able to finally hug and fellowship with some who it may not be possible to on this earth.

Our God is a God of fellowship!  If I find joy in the sweet relationship between my children, how much more will God find joy when His children are united in one heart and soul with one another?!

If you are in the middle of a thorny relationship with another believer, don’t give up hope!  It will be healed either now or in the future.  May we all look forward to not only seeing Christ face-to-face, but also seeing one another redeemed in righteousness!

But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth,
in which righteousness dwells. 
2 Peter 3:13

“I just have to re-evaluate the idea of us growing old together.” -Wes

Without context this quote is so horrible it makes me laugh.  While dating Wes would tell me how much he looks forward to us growing old together.  I feel most loved when someone spends time with me.  And here was this lovely man telling me he wants to spend all the rest of his time on earth with me.

Over time we have exclaimed how our dream is coming true.  We are feeling the effects of growing older… together.  Recently I was pondering when or even if I would get gray/silver hair. I thought by now I would have some (Wes has aplenty), but I was realizing that since I am blond, I might not get any.  And that was when Wes said the above. No, it wasn’t a threat of us not growing old together, but what the particulars of growing old looks like for us. 

I think there are similarities with our walk with God.  He wants to spend all the rest of your time on earth with you and beyond! There is never a threat of His leaving or forsaking you.  However, there can be a time of re-evaluating what the future looks like.

The changing expectation might be simple and easy to realign with, or it could be vastly altered which could lead to disappointment.   In our turbulent times, I foresee some larger adjustments happening.

One of my favorite quotes (by unknown) is: “I don’t know what the future may hold, but I know Who holds the future.”   My prayer is that you rest in the knowledge that God is always with you, leading you to a deeper calling of knowing Him no matter what the future holds.

Hello friends,

It is hard to believe that it has almost been a year since I last wrote a blog post.  The world became a chaotic space, and I went introvert.  It felt like there were more voices than usual clamoring at the world and at one another; and my reaction was to soften my own voice.   

However, these trials have not been fruitless. With all the voices that claim truth, telling us what to think, how to feel, or how to act or react, it has provided ample opportunity to train my senses to distinguish between good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)  What joy it is to receive wisdom in the midst of chaos!  (Proverbs 2:10, James 1:2-5)

There has been one fun phrase from the Bible that Father would frequently pop into my mind in the middle of my exasperation at the world system and often times even at those in the church.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you,” (1 Peter 1:4) 

This was always given to me in a tone of understanding, gentleness, and a healthy helping of sass.   It was a confirmation to me that, yes, the world is crazy, people are acting crazy, that persecution you see coming is real.  And yet… all this isn’t unexpected.  

The Lord has been gracious to us in repeating throughout His Word that this Life we have received is full of grace and peace AND of trials and tribulation.  How have we let the American church get sidetracked into thinking that the church was about our comfort and programs?

We should expect trouble and fiery ordeals!  Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13) 

Consider reading 1 & 2 Peter to prepare your minds.  Peter is writing to the suffering church.  They are suffering from persecution from the world (1 Peter) and from false teachers within church (2 Peter).  It is an encouragement that is relevant to today!