Encouragement

A Big Hug From Daddy God For YOU!

August 8, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 22 Comments

Do you need a big hug from your Daddy God today?

Maybe you’re sad. Maybe you’re lonely. Maybe you’re discouraged or depressed or struggling with rejection. Whatever the reason, you need a big, fat HUG.

You can have one. Yes, you, right now. How?

Because if you have made Jesus Christ the Boss of your life, your Abba Father lives inside you. It’s not just the Holy Spirit inside you. It’s actually Jesus AND the Holy Spirit AND the Father.

Yes, it’s true. I’ve heard people say that the Holy Spirit lives inside you, but Jesus and the Father do not. Fortunately for us, however, that is not Biblical. 🙂 How do I know?

Because in John 17, Jesus was praying for His disciples and for all those who would believe in Him in the future. In this passage, He actually stated outright that He lives in us. Check it out:

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:20-23, emphasis mine).

Jesus said He is in us, and the Father is in Him. That means if He is in us, the Father lives in us too.

Well! That puts a whole new perspective on things, doesn’t it? It’s not like our Father is simply seated on the throne in Heaven and is nowhere else. It’s not like Jesus is standing before the Father in Heaven and is nowhere else. No, they are both right here.

Your Abba Father, your Daddy God, your loving Papa, is in you right now.

He adores you. And no matter how badly you are hurting, He wants to make it better.

So do this to get your hug: [Read more…] about A Big Hug From Daddy God For YOU!

Has Hope Deferred Made Your Heart Sick?

July 4, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 29 Comments

I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. I just wanted to hide.

Nothing was visibly going wrong. Everything seemed okay at work. Everything seemed okay in my friendships. And I wasn’t married yet, so I didn’t have any romantic relationships to worry about.

But I was moping around. Unmotivated, apathetic. I wanted to stay at home and hide all the time. If I had had access to one, I would have loved to have crawled into a cave and not come out.

I wanted to keep the world away. I couldn’t face anybody.

I don’t remember how long this went on. All I remember is how disengaged from life I felt. [Read more…] about Has Hope Deferred Made Your Heart Sick?

Prophetic Word: If Things Feel Dark and Hopeless

May 28, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 37 Comments

The Lord showed me this morning that, for many of you, things feel dark and hopeless. You have been going through a hard time, and you feel like you have had to claw your way through every day.

The thing is, this is not normal for you. It’s very unlike you, and you recognize it and don’t like it. But, things have been so difficult that it seems like even basic things–things like showering, eating, and getting out of bed–are a real accomplishment when they happen …

… and sometimes they don’t happen at all.

If this describes you, then this is the word the Lord gave me for you today:

“You have been going through the hardest time of your life–at least, the hardest time you can remember. The enemy has been telling you that you are depressed, and you’ve been severely tempted to believe it.

The thing is, you are not depressed–and you recognize that too. You are only stressed, but you’ve been confused because the enemy has been telling you that you are hopeless and depressed.

Here’s the key to getting out of it:

You have a sound mind.

Both this truth AND this confession are the key to overcoming what the enemy is trying to do to you in this hour.

Here’s what’s going on:

5 Keys If You’re Overwhelmed and Can’t Handle Life

May 9, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 14 Comments

Are you overwhelmed right now? Do you feel like you can’t handle life?

If so, I have an encouraging word for you today!

I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed right now. I’ve spent plenty of time stressing about it, worrying about it (sin, I know), and even crying about it. Things have been tough.

But you know what? Papa God is teaching me big-time during this season. I have a lot to learn about pretty much everything right now, and He’s showing me how to get through some things that feel impossible–with His grace making them possible.

Basically, He’s teaching me how to live. Again.

I wanted to encourage you today with the things I’m learning myself.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who is feeling overwhelmed. So, I believe the practical things the Lord is showing me will be helpful to you too. More importantly, however, is the fact that God moves seasonally across His Body. So whatever He is doing in my life, He’s likely doing in your life too.

If we really get the fact that we’re all in this together, it will encourage us all because it shows us that the struggle isn’t for naught. Papa has a plan, and He has a purpose, and He’s moving us ALL into that plan and purpose.

So if you’re ready to move on with Papa’s plan like I am, here are the 5 keys He showed me for all of us who are feeling overwhelmed and/or can’t handle life right now: [Read more…] about 5 Keys If You’re Overwhelmed and Can’t Handle Life

How To Kick the Scoffers Out (So You Can Truly Live)

May 1, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 14 Comments

Have you ever had a dream that has died? Maybe you have even felt like all your dreams have died?

If this describes you, I have an encouraging word for you today: God can resurrect your dreams.

If you will kick the scoffers out and look to Jesus to do the impossible, you can truly live.

In Luke 8:51-56, we find a story about a desperate father, Jairus, whose 12-year-old daughter was dying. Jairus ran to Jesus and begged Him to come heal her.

Jesus set out for Jairus’ house. But, on the way, a servant came and told them not to bother; the girl was already dead. Jesus wasn’t disturbed by that news. He just told Jairus:

Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (Luke 8:50b).

When they got to the house, Jesus only let His three closest friends (Peter, James, and John) in the house with them. Going inside, they found people weeping and mourning for the girl. Jesus told the mourners not to cry; that she wasn’t dead–only asleep.

But the mourners did not listen. Luke 8:53 tells us:

And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.”

So what did Jesus do?

He put them all out. He had work to do, and He knew He would only be hindered by their unbelief. So Jesus kicked the scoffers out.

Then He went to the girl. He took her by the hand, told her to get up, and she did! Luke 8:55-56 tells us:

Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.”

When Jesus does something, He does it well. Not only did He raise this girl up, but He raised her up strong. She was hungry, and only healthy people are hungry! So they fed her, and Jesus told them not to talk about the miracle that had occurred.

This story contains some really powerful lessons for everyone who wants to see a resurrection of their dreams. Here’s how you can apply this passage to your life:

1. Believe that Jesus can give life to your dreams again.

Jesus told Jairus that, if he would believe, then his daughter would be made well. He said that AFTER the little girl was already dead.

Jesus says the same thing to you today. If you will believe Jesus can raise up your dream, then your dream can live again too. It doesn’t matter how long [Read more…] about How To Kick the Scoffers Out (So You Can Truly Live)

Father Says: “Don’t Cry. I’ve Got You.”

April 10, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 19 Comments

My son wouldn’t stop crying this morning. He’s just over three months old, and he’s going through a developmental leap right now. Leaps make babies extra-fussy, and he was sure demonstrating that today.

At first, I wore him in my baby wrap; usually the closeness of being snuggled up to my chest calms him down after a few minutes. But today, it didn’t work. Then I changed his diaper, just in case. Didn’t help. I tried feeding him, but he wouldn’t eat. He still cried and fussed.

So I walked him around the house; that usually helps too, because he can feel the movement and (I’m told) it reminds him of the womb.

No go, though. Still crying and crying and fussing.

So finally, I sat down with him in my rocking chair and just rocked him.

He kept crying, sometimes at the top of his lungs. All the while, I was holding him tight to my chest and nuzzling his head. He was swaddled and warm and all of his needs were met. He was safe as can be.

But he kept crying.

Finally, after a long time of crying, I grabbed my phone and turned on my favorite song: “Good, Good Father” by Housefires. This song means the world to me, and I played it a lot while I carried Elijah in the womb. So he heard it a lot.

The guitar intro came on, and he didn’t stop crying. The vocals began, and I sang along, and at first he still cried.

But gradually, as the words “You’re a good, good Father … It’s who You are … It’s who You are … It’s who You are … and I’m loved by You … It’s who I am … It’s who I am … It’s who I am … You’re a good, good Father …” sounded in the room, a miracle happened.

Suddenly the strength of his crying began to ease.

Within a few moments, it stopped together.

Within a minute or two after that, Elijah was sound asleep.

And I got a revelation.

The whole time my son was crying, he was in my arms. all his needs were met in spades. I love him with all my heart and was making sure he wasn’t cold, hungry, wet, or anything else.

But he didn’t receive my comfort at first. Not until I played him the song about his good, good Father–a song about how Daddy’s got him, and how He’s perfect in all of His ways, and he’s loved by his Father–was he comforted.

And I think you and I are exactly like that.

At least, I know I am, so often.

When I get sad or upset about something, I’m fussy. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I won’t stop crying. And all the while, Father’s got me. He has already made sure I’m warm, fed, dry, and in need of nothing.

But still I fuss. I fuss even while my good, good Father holds me tight to His chest with both arms, face nuzzling mine, taking care of me with His big, strong love.

But not until I get a revelation that He’s a good, good Father, and that’s who He is; and I’m loved by Him, and that’s who I am, am I comforted.

Not until I truly understand, yet again, that He’s got me and He’s perfect in all of His ways–so He’s got this, and it will be okay–do I stop fussing.

Not until I receive His love for me do I stop crying.

I’m just like my son in that respect.

Aren’t you?

We’re all our Father’s babies. And just like He’s holding me, He’s holding you right up against His chest right now too.

He’s got both of His big, strong arms wrapped around you. He’s already wrapped you in a blanket and keeping you so you can’t get out. He knows that the safety and security of His arms is what you need. He’s fed you; even though you’ll be hungry again in the future–at which time He’ll provide again–RIGHT NOW you have everything you need.

And your good, good Father is holding you in His arms, rocking you back and forth, and saying: “Don’t cry. I’ve got you.”

He’s got you.

You’re safe.

And you’re loved.

You have nothing to fear. Nothing to worry about. Just like I could see my son’s needs and I made sure they were all met, Father sees all of YOUR needs–even more than we mothers ever could–and He’s got them all taken care of.

All that’s left for you is to receive His love, trust Him, and rest on His chest.

He’s a good, good Father. He’s perfect in all of His ways. Anything He has allowed, He’s working out for your good. Anything you need, He has already provided. All of your cries are heard–

–but not heard from far away.

Your cries are heard in His ears that are right above yours, because you’re nestled right under His chin and He’s kissing your head right now.

“Don’t cry. I’ve got you,” Father says.

“Don’t cry. Shhhhhhh. Shh shh shh shh shh. I’ve got you. Muah muah muah muah (insert Father’s kisses on your soft, downy hair here). Shhh. Everything is all right.”

“I’ve got you.”

And He does!

Will you rest in Him today? Will you receive His love?

Your good, good Father loves you with an everlasting love. With great mercies He has borne you. He has carried you all the days of your life. He’s carrying you in His arms right now, and He’ll continue to do so. He’s never going to set you down, not ever.

Father’s got you. His big, strong arms are wrapped around you and He’s holding you tight to His chest …

… And you are loved.

Listen to Housefires sing “Good, Good Father” today (video below), and meditate on your Papa’s love. He’s got you. Don’t cry. You’re safe, and you’re going to be all right.

Does this word minister to your heart today? If so, please leave a comment below. I love to hear from you!

Ask And You Will Receive, That Your Joy May Be Full

April 1, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 21 Comments

Do you really, really, really want something from God–but you feel like maybe you shouldn’t ask? If so, the Lord gave me an encouraging word for you today.

Here’s what He told me:

I was spending time with Daddy God this morning and just telling Him how much I love Him. All of a sudden, I saw a picture in my mind’s eye of Him giving me a big bear hug and kissing my forehead. I felt Him squeeze me tight to His chest. Then I heard Him say, “What do you want?”

I was taken aback by this question. I kind of shook my head and said, “Father, I just want You.”

And He said, “No, no, no. That’s not what I mean. I want to give you something. I want to do something for you. What would you like Me to do?”

And suddenly I could feel His passion and the intensity of His love.

I could feel the burning love in His heart that was looking for a way to express itself. He wanted to do something for me because He loves me so much, and He just wanted to demonstrate that today. He is, after all, a Giver. He loves to give.

In total awe of our amazing Father, I asked Him for something specific that has really been on my heart lately. And He said He would give it to me. He just wanted to bring me joy today, because He loves me.

Then He told me to share this with you, and that He wants to do the same thing for you.

How To Get Rid Of Your Desire To Sin

March 29, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 30 Comments

Did you know that Jesus paid the price for you to be free of the desire to sin? That means you can get rid of the desire to sin. Easily.

True story.

I’ve been talking to some folks lately who have been struggling with sin of various kinds. They earnestly desire to walk in purity before the Lord. They don’t want to sin, at all, ever. They love Jesus and desire to seek Him.

But sometimes actually walking in holiness doesn’t happen. Sometimes people want to get rid of the desire to sin, but they struggle to actually do it.

Does this sound familiar? It should. I think we all struggle with this to some degree, and we’re not alone if we do. This is what the Apostle Paul wrote about from his personal experience. He described his conundrum by saying:

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:14-15).

But you know what? The good news is:

Jesus Christ paid the price for you to be free from sin AND from even the desire to sin. Here’s how:

Isaiah 53:5 tells us that Jesus was bruised–He bled on the inside of His body–for our inner tendency to sin. This passage says:

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

“Iniquity” is not the same as sin. Sin is the evil actually committed. Iniquity is the inner tendency to sin. It’s the root, the perverseness, the evil tendency on the inside that produces sin on the outside. Iniquity is the thing on the inside that gives you the desire to sin:

It’s the rage on the inside that you feel before lashing out in anger on the outside.
It’s the lust on the inside that you give in to before you sin by watching pornography.
It’s the desire, the inclination, the bent toward sin that nobody might even sees … but God sees. And that iniquity is wrecking your life.

How To Plead The Suffering Of Jesus Over Broken Relationships

March 26, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 24 Comments

Do you have any broken relationships? If so, they can be healed… and all because of what Jesus suffered.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ hung on a Roman cross.

Putting Jesus on the cross was not an arbitrary execution method. It was the method chosen by God to inflict the utmost suffering on Jesus, by which He could purchase complete and total wholeness for you and for me.

Including wholeness of relationships.

We live in a world of imperfect people. And too often, friends, family members, acquaintances, ministry partners, and even people that we don’t know might say or do something that offends us. Then…

Anger and hurt creep in.
Unforgiveness and bitterness creep in.
And people that God intended to dwell in unity together become separated from each other by sin.

Yet we know that God desires us to live in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Check out these Scriptures: [Read more…] about How To Plead The Suffering Of Jesus Over Broken Relationships

How To Plead The Suffering Of Jesus Over Your Sorrow

March 25, 2018 By Jamie Rohrbaugh 10 Comments

Are you sad, grieving, or discouraged today?

If so, I have such beautiful, precious good news for you: the day of your comfort and healing is here.

We’re remembering the suffering of Jesus in this blog series. Jesus Christ, very God of very God, the Word of God Who became flesh and dwelt among us.

And this Jesus–this God Who is equal with the Father and the Son–humbled Himself and became the Man of Sorrows, so that you and I could be comforted in our distress.

How do we know this?

Look at Isaiah 53:

He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:3-4).

Check out these interesting points about the original meanings of the words in this passage:

The word “sorrows” means literally “anguish, grief, pain, to be sad, to be sorrowful.”
The word “grief” here means “malady, anxiety, calamity, disease, grief.”
“Grief” here is related to the concept of being worn down with something bad.
It also refers to physical pain, malady, sickness, and infirmity.

Now, I talked more about how Jesus paid the price for your healing from physical sickness and pain here, in To Hell With Redemptive Suffering. Today, I specifically want to focus on how Jesus paid the price for your healing from sadness, discouragement, sorrow, and anxiety. [Read more…] about How To Plead The Suffering Of Jesus Over Your Sorrow

Encouragement

A Big Hug From Daddy God For YOU!

Your Abba Father, your Daddy God, your loving Papa, is in you right now.

Has Hope Deferred Made Your Heart Sick?

I wanted to keep the world away. I couldn’t face anybody.

Prophetic Word: If Things Feel Dark and Hopeless

If this describes you, then this is the word the Lord gave me for you today:

You have a sound mind.

Here’s what’s going on:

5 Keys If You’re Overwhelmed and Can’t Handle Life

Are you overwhelmed right now? Do you feel like you can’t handle life?

I wanted to encourage you today with the things I’m learning myself.

How To Kick the Scoffers Out (So You Can Truly Live)

If you will kick the scoffers out and look to Jesus to do the impossible, you can truly live.

He put them all out. He had work to do, and He knew He would only be hindered by their unbelief. So Jesus kicked the scoffers out.

1. Believe that Jesus can give life to your dreams again.

Father Says: “Don’t Cry. I’ve Got You.”

So finally, I sat down with him in my rocking chair and just rocked him.

Suddenly the strength of his crying began to ease.

And I think you and I are exactly like that.

Not until I receive His love for me do I stop crying.

We’re all our Father’s babies. And just like He’s holding me, He’s holding you right up against His chest right now too.

Will you rest in Him today? Will you receive His love?

Ask And You Will Receive, That Your Joy May Be Full

Here’s what He told me:

And suddenly I could feel His passion and the intensity of His love.

Then He told me to share this with you, and that He wants to do the same thing for you.

How To Get Rid Of Your Desire To Sin

But sometimes actually walking in holiness doesn’t happen. Sometimes people want to get rid of the desire to sin, but they struggle to actually do it.

Jesus Christ paid the price for you to be free from sin AND from even the desire to sin. Here’s how:

How To Plead The Suffering Of Jesus Over Broken Relationships

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ hung on a Roman cross.

How To Plead The Suffering Of Jesus Over Your Sorrow

And this Jesus–this God Who is equal with the Father and the Son–humbled Himself and became the Man of Sorrows, so that you and I could be comforted in our distress.

About From His Presence (R):

Check out these article series!

Encouragement

Your Abba Father, your Daddy God, your loving Papa, is in you right now.

I wanted to keep the world away. I couldn’t face anybody.

If this describes you, then this is the word the Lord gave me for you today:

You have a sound mind.

Here’s what’s going on:

Are you overwhelmed right now? Do you feel like you can’t handle life?

I wanted to encourage you today with the things I’m learning myself.

If you will kick the scoffers out and look to Jesus to do the impossible, you can truly live.

He put them all out. He had work to do, and He knew He would only be hindered by their unbelief. So Jesus kicked the scoffers out.

1. Believe that Jesus can give life to your dreams again.

So finally, I sat down with him in my rocking chair and just rocked him.

Suddenly the strength of his crying began to ease.

And I think you and I are exactly like that.

Not until I receive His love for me do I stop crying.

We’re all our Father’s babies. And just like He’s holding me, He’s holding you right up against His chest right now too.

Will you rest in Him today? Will you receive His love?

Here’s what He told me:

And suddenly I could feel His passion and the intensity of His love.

Then He told me to share this with you, and that He wants to do the same thing for you.

But sometimes actually walking in holiness doesn’t happen. Sometimes people want to get rid of the desire to sin, but they struggle to actually do it.

Jesus Christ paid the price for you to be free from sin AND from even the desire to sin. Here’s how:

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ hung on a Roman cross.

And this Jesus–this God Who is equal with the Father and the Son–humbled Himself and became the Man of Sorrows, so that you and I could be comforted in our distress.

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