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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Who Do You Think You Are Anyway?

Who do you think you are anyway?
You’re just a random girl with a common dream.
You know you’ll be misunderstood.

Sound familiar?

Like a relentless housefly on a hot summer day, he’s the pesky accuser, forever seeking to edge his way between our head and our heart.

He holds court, as if the “Truth, whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth” would entertain his arguments. Satan–father of lies, counselor of confusion.

Oh for a pest-deterring screen door on the foyer of our minds. Amen?

Oh, but Jesus.

The sandal-wearing, dusty-footed flesh of God steps right through the pages of Matthew, looks us square in the spirit, and draws us into the scene.

With one simple directive, Jesus hollers, “Order in the court”, authoritatively dismantling Satan’s case.

As the trusted few who were privy to the breath of his voice gather near, He instructs: “What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear.”(10:27,NLT)

Sitting cross-legged, shade trees stretched green above, He warmly huddles the disciples around His weary flesh. Leaning in, he urges them to glean by the armloads these private treasures He’s imparted.

Then—deep brown eyes of the Messiah meeting wide eyes of His beloved, He smiles: “Here’s the best part! Guys in the back, listen up! Take these truths, elevate them—build my kingdom!” 

Oh, the timeless beauty of the Living Word. A mandate from antiquity catching us up in its tide as our generation carries the whispers of a Savior on to the next.

Still huddling us close, He speaks into our lives in personal ways—advancing His Word from the gables of our times.


And doesn’t Satan just love it when we question our ability to discern the Divine Whisper?

If he can get us to believe the paralyzing, “You have nothing to offer”  lie, he renders a jury of onlookers deaf to our testimonies, removing our witness from the stands, leaving weakness and inadequacy to falsely testify in our stead.


Oh, but, take heart! The pesky accuser’s been overruled by one confounding, yet crucial, fact—our presumed lack is the very thing that enables us, for God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

Whatever He’s uniquely whispered into your spirit—don’t be afraid to stand in that calling. Boldly speak His heart from the risers of your life.

Satan has no authority in the courthouse of your calling.
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Your qualification isn’t found in worldly measures, but solely in the One who took you aside, graced your cheek with the warmth of His breath, and invited you into the adventure with Him.

Who do you think you are anyway?
You’re called.   

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Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    February 9, 2017 at 6:14 am

    Brenda,
    Oh how the enemy whispers in our ear and wants to discourage us. What a wonderful reminder that our presumed lack is actually what enables us. We may feel like we don’t have what it takes…that’s how Moses felt, and look what God was able to do through him. Thanks for the encouragement that we don’t have to give the enemy a voice in our calling. God’s voice is the only one that matters.
    Blessings sweet friend,
    Bev xoxo
    Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…Craving Connection 2 – A Journey Through Life’s SeasonsMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Megs says

    February 9, 2017 at 7:04 am

    Our lack can be consuming sometimes, can’t it?
    Thank you for the encouragement here, today!
    Happy Thursday, from the Chasing Community Linkup!
    Megs
    Megs recently posted…The Squid Hat (#jammed daily devo, day 40)My Profile

    Reply
  3. Joanne Viola says

    February 9, 2017 at 8:25 am

    This post brought such confirmation to my own thoughts today. This here spoke deeply > ” Oh, the timeless beauty of the Living Word. A mandate from antiquity catching us up in its tide as our generation carries the whispers of a Savior on to the next.” I am so very grateful for the flawless Word we have been given. May you have a blessed Thursday!
    Joanne Viola recently posted…90 Days in John, Romans & JamesMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Paris Renae says

    February 9, 2017 at 8:33 am

    What a great post – the enemy messes with us and we fall for those lies those accusations. NOT TRUE -we are daughters of the most high God and dearly loved. Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  5. Kristi Woods says

    February 9, 2017 at 8:34 am

    Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL encouragement, Brenda. That verse from Matthew? Girl, my head was nodding feverishly in agreement. It’s similar to the unction the Lord has given me for ministry – “Look what the Lord has done!” I love reading your words. Good stuff!

    Reply
  6. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    February 9, 2017 at 8:57 am

    Who do I think I am? I’m His!
    Lisa/Syncopated Mama recently posted…Peg + Cat: A Totally Awesome Way to Introduce Math to Your Preschooler!My Profile

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  7. Leslie says

    February 9, 2017 at 9:37 am

    Brenda, This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I am printing this out and putting it in my notebook of things I read when I am discouraged about my writing. That verse from Matthew was already very special to me and seeing it here again today really helped remind me that He is with me and has given me an assignment with a distinct purpose in mind. Thank you so much for sharing this! {hug!}

    Reply
  8. Lesley says

    February 9, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    I love this. Voice is my word for the year and your post covers so many aspects of that: choosing to fight against the voice of the enemy, listening to God’s voice as he whispers to us and then being bold in speaking out when he asks us.
    Lesley recently posted…The Mystery Of GraceMy Profile

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  9. Jeralyn Egger says

    February 9, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    Brenda….your words were “timely” for me today. It’s been one of those “why bother?”…”who cares?”…”little ole me pity party days”. What a sweet reminder that I am called and I can silence the voice of the enemy.

    Reply
  10. Jill says

    February 9, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    So good, Breanda! Thanks for reminding me and all of us, that the only thing that matters is His calling. Our weakness is exactly where He’ll speak for us to live out our calling. Wisdom and encouragement here, my friend!

    Reply
  11. Ruth says

    February 9, 2017 at 9:43 pm

    I love this quote, “our presumed lack is the very thing that enables us, for God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.” It’s so true!

    Thanks for hosting this linkup! You’re doing a great job!!!

    Reply
  12. Maree Dee says

    February 10, 2017 at 12:50 am

    Oh boy, this post hit home. The enemy screams so loud in my ear sometimes I am almost positive it must be true. We must learn how to decipher the voices.

    Maree
    Maree Dee recently posted…How Does One Trust God In All Circumstances?My Profile

    Reply
  13. Alyssa says

    February 10, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    This was such an encouragement to read this morning, Brenda. “Father of lies, counselor of confusion” – isn’t that the truth. Love the reminder of 2 Corinthians 12:9.

    Reply
  14. Liz says

    February 10, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    Amen! This is SO encouraging! XO
    Liz recently posted…Dreaming Doesn’t Mean DiscontentMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Lux G. says

    February 11, 2017 at 12:31 am

    Amen and amen!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. #YourStory: Lanette Haskins says:
    February 9, 2017 at 8:25 am

    […] Linking with other Jesus writers here: #raralinkup, #testimonytuesday, #heartencouragementThursday, #chasingcommunity. […]

    Reply
  2. Love Equals Time | Waxing Gibbous says:
    February 9, 2017 at 9:00 am

    […] up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Three Word Wednesday, Chasing Community, #HeartEncouragementThursday, FreshMarketFriday, Faithfilled Friday and Grace & […]

    Reply
  3. Do You Want to See Jesus? – plantedbylivingwater says:
    February 9, 2017 at 12:52 pm

    […] Chasing Community […]

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This time last year, I was 11 days into what was s This time last year, I was 11 days into what was supposed to be a one-month sugar fast. After going a little sideways on the holiday sugar the previous month, I decided to re-center & nix the sugar for January 2020.
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Fast forward to January 2021, over 12 months later, and I’m sill sugar free.
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Never did  I intend to make this a lifestyle, it just sort of chose me. When I got to February & saw all the valentine candy, knowing my affinity for those dang chewy cinnamon and cherry hearts, it only seemed right to continue my fast another month.
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But, in rolled March being all tempting with her candies of Easter, so I continued through April.
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But, a funny thing happened on the way to May. By May, I didn’t really want sugar anymore. (Mostly.)
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So, here I am in January 2021 still sugar-free. I’ve lost 34 pounds, and feel so much better.
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Friend, who do you want to be this time next year? Whatever that goal is that feels big & daunting, I’m here to tell you that—you can do it!
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What will the “you of January 2022” be thankful to the “you of today” for doing?
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Show up for her! Change is rarely comfortable & easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, or that you’re not worthy of it, my friend.
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We can get so busy with life & family & ministry that we forget to show up for ourselves. It’s not selfish to remember your goals & dreams, friend. Allow those seeds God planted to instinctively guide you as you baby-step your way to success.
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And, if you’ve already fallen off the wagon with your new-year goals, no worries! It’s okay! Brush yourself off, give yourself grace, and begin anew! You’ll be glad you did this time next year!
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You’ve got this, friend; I believe in you! 💗
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#showup #youvegotthis #newyeargoals #goals #resolutions #change #2021 #newyearnewyou #mindovermatter #showupforyourself #nevertoolatetostart #believe #faith #babysteps #ministry #influence #leadership #hope #amwritjng #writersofinstagram #allthingsarepossible #withgod #believeinyourself #trustgod #onedayatatime
Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, th Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, they invest themselves into who we become, leaving a clear before and after in their dust.
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We hold these moments close, protective of their scars, as they nestle deep within our personalities, affecting the way we view ourselves and others.
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Whatever the hurts of our lives, our meandering minds aren’t shy about chasing illusions, wondering who we would have been had certain chapters been absent from our stories.
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How easily we question whether our insecurities and struggles might be exchanged for confidence & calm had suffering not inked itself upon our yesterdays.
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But friend, time and again Scripture reveals the Lord’s delight in using broken people, shaping what “would have been” into something full of purpose and abundance.
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Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach , sweet friend.
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Our sorrows aren’t too great for God to find His glory in them.
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— Read the full devotion & join the conversation over at proverbs31.org today! Meet you there, friend! 💗
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#proverbs31ministries #butgod #beautyforashes #sorrow #pain #struggle #brokenness #scars #rejection #tragedy #purpose #hope #grace #glory #redemption #compassion #wisdom #wouldacouldashoulda #imperfect #godsglory #amwriting #ministry #leadership #influence #bible #hope #peace #comfort
Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure with God.
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The Lord has done amazing work in my life in the area of fear, but even still, it continues to be a stronghold in my life at times. What about you, friend?
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I encourage you to check out this beautiful new study by @katymccown . Together May we step into 2021 armed with tools & truth to smile without fear!
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Praying for you, sweet friend. 💗
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As the sun sets on 2020, my mind can’t help but As the sun sets on 2020, my mind can’t help but wander to all the loved ones we walked into this year with, who we’ll sadly not walk out with.
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Praying for all who are grieving today. May God meet us in 2021 with joy in unexpected places, and heal our hearts as only He can.
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Happy New Year, friend. I’m so thankful for you! May His favor rest upon your home in 2021. 🥰
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