Category: Blog

For the one who desperately needs to be reminded today… Hey friend, it’s okay.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have all the answers.
You don’t have to get it all right. It’s okay. Come find grace.

Yes, the holiday season can be fun, exciting and special, but it can also be really hard. Actually, let’s be real… life in general can be really hard. It’s okay. Come find grace.

Whatever season you are in personally, can I just say that I’m really proud of you I’m proud of you because you’re still here. You’re still showing up.

God has purpose for you, and His promises are still true.
God has more for you, and the key to all of it is Jesus.
Stay in the Word.
Keep your heart right.
Worship.
Don’t stop praying.
And in the middle, keep waiting well. It isn’t for nothing.
God is a good God, and He knows what He’s doing.

And when you forget, remember… it’s okay. Come find and embrace His grace.
And when you find it for you, you can give it to others.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

Part 1: “Guard your heart”

I’m in the process of some deep heart healing right now. Anyone else?? So, I have been thinking about this a lot lately, “guarding my heart.” What does it look like? How do you guard your heart when it’s been hurt, without shutting down and shutting it off? How do you guard it and at the same time still lovingly use it?

First things first:
Jesus is the One who satisfies my heart, heals it & redeems it, and I know regardless of what I walk through, HE is the only one who can not only fix it; but make it brand new. Amen?

Secondly:
My heart is one of the biggest & best gifts He’s given me. I use it to love, to speak and to write. I pour it out to create, to dream, to worship and in spiritual warfare to fight. So I need to fully know its value to God & diligently protect it. Yes?

As I’ve been bringing Him my heart and asking Him to heal it and help me guard it. He showed me a picture of an open heart surgery. As I continue to reflect on this, I find it super interesting. Think about open heart surgery, think about how many precautions are taken to ensure the heart that is being operated on is protected.

We must similarly take the same measure, especially when we are spiritually in heart surgery & letting God heal us.

So friend, let the Surgeon work. God has a lot of good, good, GOOD things for you. Let’s make sure we do the work and are fully healed so we can be ready to receive them, take care of them and keep them.

*Proverbs 4:23
– “Guard your heart above ALL else, for it determines the course of your life.” (NLT)

– “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above ALL that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” (AMPC‬‬)

Part 2: “Yielding your heart”

This is most likely not the typical topic you hear preached after “guarding your heart.”

The parallels are quite “uncomfy” for me as I write this because of the vulnerability required. They are real and incredibly raw in my current heart condition, and that’s how I know it’s God. He usually calls us to do just that: get uncomfortable and vulnerable while we are in it, not just after we’re out.

When the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said that after guarding my heart, I need to yield it, I immediately clenched and wanted to run. The dialogue went something like this, “God, You just showed me that spiritually my heart is in open heart surgery! You said that I need to guard it! What do You mean yield it? How do I even do that!?”

Yup. He definitely said and meant yield.

I then saw a picture of me yielding at a roundabout in busy traffic, trusting when it’s my turn. Trusting fully in being protected, safe and in the direction I’m going. Being led by the power of my vehicle as I drive towards my destination.

Beautiful revelation, but real talk? It’s also terrifying at the same time. However, I know, love and adore His voice enough to do whatever it takes to follow it and chase it down.

As you walk with God, you learn His voice and recognize it, even in the midst of the hardest things you’ve ever endured. I would even dare to say, especially in those circumstances. Although it is usually a hard decision that costs you something, when it’s God, it’s met with peace (Philippians 4:7). As you yield to that voice, you get where you’re supposed to go.

So, yield your heart to Him today. Whatever condition your heart is in, yield it. He created it, so He certainly knows what breaks it and He knows what fixes it. You can trust Him.

*Galatians 5:16
“Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life & power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life.”

*Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord [roll & repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, & be confident) also in Him & He will bring it to pass.”

Part 3: “Be Still & Be Free”

After we guard our heart, yield it and get to where God’s asking us to be, eventually we have to be still and fully trust Him with it.

How do we wait, when we’re in pain? How do we “be still,” when it hurts?

What if instead of making it all about us, we made it all about Him?
What if instead of getting stuck inside the who/what/why, we worshipped?
What if instead of trying to control our circumstances, we cleaned up our hearts? What if instead of getting lost in all the questions we have of what we don’t understand, we found peace in the Answer to them all?

*Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!…”

God’s plan for your life is breaking through all the walls you’ve built around your heart, your plans, your expectations & everything keeping you from all that He has for you. Do you not “see” what God is doing? He said He’s doing a new thing, it just never looks anything like what we thought it would.

So, be still and be free. Be free from what was, from what happened, from what they did or didn’t do. Be free from your idea of what you thought God was going to do, and walk in the freedom of who He is and who you are in Him. It’s going to get better, and it’s going to be beautiful.

*Psalm 46:10
“Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!”

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

Where do you go when you’re empty, disappointed, worn out, over it?
The enemy knows what to offer you when you’re hungry. He knows what God has freed you from, and he knows what is appetizing when you feel like God has left you. If he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, rest assured that you’ll be tempted too. 🙃

Disappointment, heartbreak and pain have a way of fueling temptation. And the temptation to harden or turn off our hearts by numbing them with something else is veryyy real, am I right?

Have you been there?
Maybe that’s even where you are currently? So what do we do about it?

Well, if we’re living off what God said to us three years ago, “Christian culture” and a God that feels far off and distant, we won’t last. Stale bread won’t sustain us here; we need daily bread. We need the Living God of the Bible, the real, living Jesus who speaks and is intimately aware of every detail of our lives. We need the Holy Spirit to illuminate our paths and to strengthen, deliver, heal, inspire, teach and lead us into our God-given purposes, callings and destinies.

*What do your current circumstances look like?
– Pray & give thanks 🙏
Whatever you’re going through, God is still GOOD, and there is always something to thank Him for. (Yes, I said always.)

What lies could you possibly be believing about God, His character and the promises He has given you?
– Ask God to reveal these to you through the Word 📖
Find a verse that combats the lie & replace it!

What is the temptation on the table?
– Ask yourself, “Is the temporary comfort of ____ 💭
(Insert temptation/compromise here) worth giving up the purpose, promises and dreams God has given me?”

So, where do you go?
Is it a person, place, thing, quick fix? Or is it Him?
You get to choose. Choose wisely. 🤍

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

How much do you trust God?

This weekend I heard a pastor say, “what would you look like physically, if you only ate when you were fully trusting, encountering and being obedient to God?”

Oof. In America, many “Christians” would look malnourished and unfed.
Are you spiritually hungry? Are you hungry for God? For His presence, for His voice, for the peace that only comes from Him? I know I am. I need it.

Here are four scriptures that I’m clinging to in fully trusting God right now in my life daily. What are yours?

*Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”

*Psalms 16:1
“Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself.”

*Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

*Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

The word of God says, “when you seek Me with your whole heart, you will find Me.”

And friend, it is so true.

Seeking Jesus has been the most beautiful, exciting, wondrous and awe inspiring adventure of my life. Every day His mercies are new and so is the beauty of the pursuit. I wish I could personally sit down with you, have coffee and tell you all the things He has done in my life.

If I could, I would hug you, listen to you, pray with you and ask you one question…

What are you waiting for?

So today I will leave you with that same question, what are you waiting for?
Go find Him. In Him, we find everything else. There’s no one & nothing like Jesus.
(Seriously, I’ve looked everywhere else.)

*Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

*Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.”

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

Do you know that because of Jesus, at any moment, of any day, you can meet with God?
Without appointment or reservation, there’s a holy invitation.
And you can bring all your fear, doubt, shame and hesitation.

With the right heart posture you can meet with the One, true living God.
Why settle for false gods, half truths, or bondages that keep you in spiritual chains?

Why seek things that never truly satisfy you, or trust the “universe” when you can meet and live in constant communion with the Creator of it?

He’s real and He loves you. He still speaks and He wants to speak to you.
Want to know what changed my life forever? Jesus.
One moment, one encounter, that’s all it took for me. And it can be the same for you.
Jesus changes everything.

Everyday there is a new invitation to know Him better and I never want to live a day without meeting with Him, choosing Him or walking with Him.

*Romans 10:9-10
*Philippians 1:6
*Isaiah 40:28

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

We all have them. And they’re necessary. He is faithful to use them to make us into who we are called to be.
He works everything for the good of those who love Him. Trials are what God uses as tools to sharpen us, to test us, to mold us and to ultimately bless us. They help us grow. They refine us and prepare us for our purpose.

Looking back on my life at this very moment, I can confidently say, God has been in it all. He is intimately aware of every detail of my life. In pain, persecution, and pushback. At the top of every peak and in the depths of every pit. He was there. He was always there.

My biggest advice I have for you today? Trust Him, with everything. Cling to the Word no matter what. Don’t stop praying, ever. And follow His voice always. You will find your way.

Trials without God will break you.
Trials with God will make you.
Hold on to Him and let the rest go.

*Proverbs 17:3
“In the same way that gold and silver are refined by the fire, the Lord purifies your heart by the tests and trials of life.”

*James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

*Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

*Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

Choose today to be faithful in every area of your life. Over the big things, the little things & every assignment, conversation, relationship, responsibility, resource & detail in between.

The Holy Spirit is a really good personal trainer.
He will teach you, lead you and when necessary, He will convict you.
Tune your heart to hear His voice, be faithful and watch what happens.

There isn’t a single thing you’re hiding from God that He doesn’t see. Choose to be faithful. Set your heart on the altar and give Him everything: Knowing He sees you in seasons when no one else does and remembering that He is your most important audience when everyone is watching and promotion comes.

*Luke 16:10
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,
and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

Maybe you aren’t being promoted over big things because you aren’t faithful in the seemingly small things. Maybe God needs to refine some parts of your heart so you can be trusted in private and in public.

Being faithful in the little things is actually a big thing. Choose to be faithful; it’s worth it.

– Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn

As the seasons change and another month begins, I want to speak life over you and remind you of who you are. You are chosen. You are set apart. You were made to shine.

I pray that you learn to know Him better so that you will also know who you are.

May you learn to hear His voice, know His heart and not bow to fear, man’s opinions or the world’s expectations. May you never settle for anything less than everything God has for you. The world can never give you what God can, not even close.

You are loved more than you can possibly understand or imagine and made on purpose, for a purpose. I pray you light up the world for the Kingdom of God and never let anything dull your shine. Amen.

* Daniel 12:3

Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

* Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven

* Philippians 2:12-15

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

-Carly Lynn

Where is your worship?

I read this quote the other day and I’ve been thinking about it ever since:

“It’s easy, you simply follow the trail of your affection, your energy, your money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you’ll find a throne; and whatever, or whoever, is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship.” – Louie Giglio

Oof. What a beautiful, confronting conviction that is. I want to challenge you to search your heart and confess anything that may be stealing from your walk with Jesus. They may be hidden things that the enemy dresses up to look harmless that are actually stealing your worship.

Nothing and no one can love you like He can. But we separate ourselves when we allow lesser lovers to steal our hearts, time and affection. We settle for a lesser love.

Please guard your heart. Your heart is valuable and precious. No one can worship God the same way that you can. No one.

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you spiritual discernment, wisdom, boldness, and peace. Ask Him to captivate your heart in a new way. Ask Him to heal it, soften it and make any areas new that may have grown cold.

– Carly Lynn

Scriptures to meditate on:

* Romans 12:1-2

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

* Luke 4:8

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”

* Matthew 22:37

“Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

* Matthew 15:8

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

What other scriptures come to mind for you? Have you personally walked through this with the Lord? What advice would you give other believers?