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Lauren Gaskill

Encouraging women to live in faith and joy

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a note from lauren

Welcome, dear friend! Whether we’ve known each other for years or are just meeting today, I am so glad you are here. Here’s one thing you need to know about me: My passion is to see Body of Christ to step into their kingdom identity and authority. And my heart is helping others encounter Jesus in a way that refreshes their faith and fills them to overflowing with His love and joy. Together we can push back the dark and shine bright in this world as we rely on the joy of the Lord to be our strength!

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Step into the Arms of Love

March 14, 2020 • 1 Comment

Several months ago my husband and I got caught walking in a pop-up shower. Out of nowhere the rain came pouring down on him, my dog and me, and we started sprinting for home. And then, with 100 strides left to go, the rain suddenly stopped and the sun started to peek out from behind the clouds.

“I bet God’s going to give us a rainbow tonight,” I said with a big, fat smile on my face.

This declaration was partially an inner knowing, but also a deep desire. After a long week I really needed a hug from the Father. And while I knew I didn’t need a rainbow to know He loved me, I sure thought it would be a pretty great way to be reminded of His promises.

But then it started raining again. And much harder this time.

As we sat on the porch swing to watch the rain fall, I noticed the sun was setting. Daylight and my hope for a rainbow were running out. With a big sigh, I headed indoors to grab my raincoat so we could run a few errands.

On the ride to our first stop, I felt a tear slide down my cheek.

I know we’re not supposed to live by signs or feelings, but sometimes you just need a touch from heaven itself.

“We’re here,” my husband announced.

I lifted my eyes from the floor mats to see the rain had stopped. But not only had the rain stopped … there was a GIANT RAINBOW sitting right in front of my face!

I gasped. “Honey! Babe! Look! God did it!”

Instantly, my sorrow and mourning turned into joy and dancing. My Father had heard my cry and reached down from heaven to remind me of His great love and precious promises for me.

Does your heart need a touch from heaven today? God is waiting for you to step into His loving arms — to sit down and talk to Him and tell Him what we need. He is a Good Father and knows what we need even before we ask Him, but He loves to hear us tell Him anyways.

You can trust the One who made you will always be there for you. He won’t let you down.

Yesterday, I reached a milestone in the manuscript I’m working on for my second book (you can buy my first book here). Before reaching this milestone of 30,000 words, I spent a large chunk of time researching and writing about prayer. In Matthew 6 Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, and told them to always start with, “Our Father in heaven.”

Friends, this beautiful revelation is the answer to all of the fear that we are facing today. We are not orphans. We are God’s kids and He is a good Father.

Ephesians 1:4 says He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

You see, before He was a Creator, He was a Loving Father. And where love resides, fear cannot hide. 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

There is no fear where He is present, and fear doesn’t stand a chance when we stand in His love.

Wherever you are today and whatever fears, frustrations or disappointments are gripping your heart, the Father is inviting you to leave all of the pain behind and let Him love and take care of you. So, today, I just want to release over you the love of the Father and a greater revelation of this love. May you feel comforted in His arms and know that He’s got you. You are safe and protected and held by Perfect Love Himself.

A Vow to Never Go It Alone

October 10, 2019 • 1 Comment

“Listen to me now, I need to let you know — you don’t have to go it alone.“

I remember exactly where I was sitting when I first heard the lyrics to U2’s song “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own.” In the middle of one of my life’s biggest trials, Bono’s words struck a chord with what my teenage heart had been experiencing. And in that moment, God used a song to confirm the truth of Ecclesiastes 4:12: A chord of three strands is not quickly broken.

From that day on, I made a vow to never try to do life on my own. As my friend, Niki Hardy, describes in her book Breathe Again: How to Live Well When Life Falls Apart, I slowly learned how to dance in community — how to step in to those around you and step out and find your “I Get It” tribe.

Thriving Is a Team Sport

In the past, when I tried fighting battles on my own, the enemy used every weapon in his arsenal to make me feel lonely, rejected and ashamed. But something beautiful happened when I began to open up to people around me.

The more I let people in to what I was experiencing, the more I realized that I had no reason to feel alone, rejected or ashamed, because many of them were going through similar struggles. But it wasn’t just teenagers who could relate to what I was going through. Even my high school youth pastor and small group leader were kind and brave enough to share stories of how they’d overcome similar trials.

The Bible says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (see Revelation 12:11), and I firmly believe one of the most powerful things we can experience when we learn to embrace community is the power of the testimony.

To this day, no matter what trial comes my way, testimonies allow the faith that’s already on the inside of me to rise until I’m filled to overflowing with holy confidence. As I press into the truth of what God’s Word says about my situation, the Holy Spirit uses the testimonies of those I’m in community to encourage me to keep believing and trusting — even if I haven’t seen the promise fulfilled or the situation resolved in the natural just yet.

Don’t be Afraid

In our overstuffed, microwave, Netflix social media-driven culture, it’s tempting to just stay at home and keep to ourselves. This is dangerous.

We were never meant to do life alone. That’s one of the reasons why I’m so passionate about the She Found Joy events I’m a part of. I believe in the value and power of women getting together. I have reaped the benefits of sowing into community more times than I can count, and my life is richer and better because of that.

If you’re afraid of stepping out into community, let me ask you this: What do you have to lose? OK, did you think of what you might have to lose? Now I want you to compare that to all that you have to gain: wisdom, joy, laughter, friendship, encouragement, hope —the list goes on and on.

As Niki so beautifully writes in Breathe Again, “Made in the image of God who is community, we will always long for the connection and fullness it brings; but when life is painful and finding community seems the hardest, we only taste a fraction of it if we turn away in self-protection.”

Let’s all pray the prayer Niki includes at the end of Chapter 6 together now: Oh dear Lord, thank you for being community and for not creating me to live alone. Thank you for the DNA running deep within me that thrives on relationships, shared experiences, and love. I’m sorry for the times I’ve rejected your hands and feet who have come to hold me and walk with me. Forgive my arrogance and selfishness. Forgive my fear and trembling. Keeping my head above water is lonely, and I know I can’t thrive alone. I need community, I want community, but community can be scary and intimidating, Lord.

Show me who my tribe is and help me step in through the doors of the community you have prepared for me. When I’m closed off to people who want to love me, open my heart, and when I avoid people because of my mess and pain, give me courage to embrace them. As I step out to find my “I get it” community, give me eyes to see where you’re leading, strength to be myself, and openness to receive all you have for me.

Lord, thank you for not leaving me alone, for being with me and providing friends, family, and community. In your precious name, the name that by its nature is community—Three in One. Amen.

These are my thoughts on Chapter 6 of Niki’s book. Download a free chapter of the book on Niki’s website.

Waiting with Expectation

July 25, 2019 • 3 Comments

I’ve been waiting for something for more than three years now. It’s something God has spoken over me countless times, through His Spirit and through people who don’t even know me. While I haven’t seen the fulfillment of everything yet, I know it’s coming and I’m learning more and more with each day how to wait and walk in a way that honors and brings glory to God.

About a month ago, I realized I hadn’t heard from God in awhile regarding this thing I’m waiting for. And so, with hands lifted during church one day, I asked Him: How long, Lord? How much longer do I have to wait for what I know is coming — what you’ve promised to me?

The words of His reply weren’t audible, but left a deep impression on my heart. Not yet, my daughter. But soon. Very soon, he said.

OK, Lord. OK. I’m going to stand in faith for soon. I don’t know what that looks like but I’m going to surrender, believe and wait with expectation. I replied.

Surrender, believe and wait with expectation. Of all of the things I’ve done while waiting on God the last several years, I think these three actions are the most essential — especially waiting with expectation. You see, this isn’t a passive kind of wait but a wait that stands in faith and worships and believes and calls things that are not as if they were. Because even when things look dark, we have a light shining on the inside that can expel darkness when we speak the truth in faith.

Beloved, we might not always know how God is working in our wait, but He is. And he hears every prayer and catches every tear.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” -Jeremiah 29:11

If you’re in need of a fresh word from the Lord in the middle of your wait today, here’s what I want you to do. Listen to She Found Joy’s latest podcast series, “Waiting on God.” Draw near to God. Don’t stop praying. Praise Him always. Don’t speak to God about your problem — tell your mountain to MOVE! Stand on His Word and keeping singing until all the walls fall down and the waters calm to a still. He will do it, for the Lord changes not and He is the ever faithful, ever true God.

When You’re in the Middle of a Miracle

June 17, 2019 • Leave a Comment

To the woman who is waiting on a miracle: The below photo of me proclaiming God’s faithfulness was taken the day before my health took yet another nosedive this year. After seeing progress and healing in some areas of my life, things fell apart again and the enemy quickly swooped in to try and make me believe the lies he’s been whispering to me over the last 10 years.

lauren gaskill christian woman speaker

“God didn’t actually mean He was going to physically heal you when He asked you to believe He would. If He hasn’t healed you by now, He’s not going to. Your life has always been and will always be a fight. You’re never going to have your old life back. You are genetically messed up and there’s nothing you can do to fix that.” Day and night, I have been tormented by these evil messages and the temptation to give into them is great.

To make matters worse, the enemy has used people close to me to echo similar sentiments to me.

But I will not be shaken. Because I’m not who I once was, and I’m done settling with accepting the lies that threaten my destiny as a daughter of the risen King.

I’m done identifying myself by a name given to me by man (hEDS), because I serve a Savior who has been given the name above all names: Jesus.

Stepping back over the last week, all of these observations have made me stop and wonder: When did we (myself included at one point) stop believing that by His stripes we ARE healed? Not we will be healed. We ARE healed. Here on earth as it is in heaven. And not just spiritually, but physically and mentally? Body. Mind. Soul. For He already bore our sickness and sin, and the price for our freedom has already been paid. Yes, it is finished (See Isaiah 53:5 and John 19:30)!!

When did we decide that miracles were only reserved for 2,000 years ago? Have we forgotten that Jesus himself said “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).

Yes, we are promised suffering. Yes, we are promised trials. Yes, the Lord uses these trials and sufferings to grow us up in Christ Jesus. But life doesn’t — nor should it — stop there. Because BY FAITH, we have been given the victory and the power not just to endure, but to overcome!

I don’t know how the enemy is attacking your faith today, or what miracle he is trying to get you to give up on, but may I remind you that we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved (Hebrews 10:39).

So don’t you give up on a miracle. It’s time to speak to and believe for the impossible and show the world who Jesus was and still is and the grace that is available to us through faith in Him. He is Savior. He is Healer. He is Redeemer. He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.

Let’s give a shout of praise to our King today and tell Him what we’re thankful for!

I’ll go first, then you can share what you’re thankful for in the comments: I’m thankful for God answering my prayer to take my faith deeper than my feet could ever wander. When I wrote Into the Deep: Diving into a Life of Courageous Faith, I knew God still had so much He wanted to show and teach me about faith (this is coming in book #2!!). The answer to this prayer may have included some trials and heartache, but it is producing something beautiful in me and I’m so excited to see how God will continue to redeem the ashes of my old, broken life and bring healing to things I once thought were impossible to be healed. This is the Good News of the Cross and Blood of Christ. We are not without hope and miracles still abound today — all for His glory, name, honor and fame.

Joy Follows Knowing Jesus

May 20, 2019 • Leave a Comment

Please join me in welcoming Amanda Davison to the blog, as she guest posts about finding joy in following after Jesus and cultivating joy in marriage.

I stood hunched over in the middle of our mudroom, helping our toddler get her boots on. Just as I reached my arm out to grab her gloves on top of the washer, my husband walked by, on his way to grab another child’s coat. As he scurried behind me, my hand brushed against his. The touch surprised me, so I looked up and caught a glimpse of his face. It showed a spark of happiness and surprise, and I realized he thought I was reaching out for him, wanting to connect. My heart sank.

In that moment, I felt sad. In part, my sadness was due to my husband’s excitement over such a small gesture. I wondered, is this really the only kindness I’m showing him? Misintended acts of love? What a wife I am! And partly, I felt sad because I didn’t really want him to think I was reaching out for him. I knew it wasn’t right, but it’s how I felt. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of thinking I was reaching out for him because I felt he hadn’t earned it. I’m not reaching out for you when you haven’t reached out for me, I thought.

This encounter caused me to stare straight into my reality–I was not happy. And I hadn’t been for some time. My soul felt stale, and my marriage mundane. I so badly wanted to feel fulfilled in my marriage, but I was too busy being angry at my husband to look for signs of life in other places.

I Had it All Wrong

By this time in our marriage, I knew Jesus. I had a relationship with Him. And the mere fact that I was walking with God made me even more frustrated to not be experiencing joy in my marriage. Wasn’t He supposed to give me joy? I sure didn’t feel it.

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Moving Beyond Brokenness to Experience Breakthrough

January 14, 2019 • 3 Comments

Jennifer Renee Watson joins me today for the first episode in our “Breakthrough” She Found Joy podcast series! Jennifer is an author, mother of two miracle babies and out-of-box minister’s wife. Her passion is to see women experience a real breakthrough and break up with their emotional baggage. Her debut book, Freedom! The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It comes out Feb. 19. You can enter to win a copy by heading over to the She Found Joy Instagram page.

In this episode of the She Found Joy Podcast, Jennifer and I chat about:

  • What true breakthrough is and why we should adapt a breakthrough (not stuck) mindset.
  • Why the Holy Spirit will always be stronger than what tries to break us.
  • How to move beyond our brokenness to move forward in our faith journey.
  • How even in the seasons when we feel like there is no fight left in us, we have someone fighting on our behalf.

P.S. If you’ve been blessed by the She Found Joy Podcast, or if this episode blesses you, it would mean the world to me if you left a review on iTunes. This will help more people find the show and learn more about the joy of Jesus.

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A few weeks ago, the Lord told me to make a pictur A few weeks ago, the Lord told me to make a picture book of all of the ways He has shown Himself faithful in 2020. As I sat down to gather all the pictures together, I couldn’t help but weep. This year has been so many things, but more than anything, it has been the year I received an even greater revelation of the goodness and faithfulness of our great God. 

I don’t know what all will happen in 2021, but I know that my God will continue to show Himself faithful to His kids as He lavishes His love, blessings and goodness on us. 

How did God show Himself faithful to you this year? I would love to hear about it in the comments! 🌈
The birth of Jesus so threatened the powers of dar The birth of Jesus so threatened the powers of darkness that they colluded together to influence the leaders of that day to issue a decree to massacre thousands of innocent male babies. Because of this, Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt before eventually settling in Nazareth. 

If your life and future have felt under attack this year, take heart. The fight taking place has little to do with you and much to do with the advancement of the kingdom of God. You see, God has great plans for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). And oh, how bright the future is for those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ.

For the path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter until the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

Your life and your future was worth the blood of Christ then and it is worth whatever fight you are facing today. But remember, Paul didn't call it a "good fight of faith" for no reason. It's a good fight, because Christ has already won the victory. We are victors. We are overcomers. All we have to do is stand our ground — stand on what God has said and what He is saying to us now.

Beloved, as we look to 2021, may our hearts be set on one thing: to know Him more and glorify Him with our lives.

Jesus is our life. He is our very reason for being. Without His blood, we would still be trapped in sin, bondage, sickness, shame, and all other manners of darkness. But because of His blood, we have been set free, made righteous, healed, delivered, translated in the kingdom of His beloved Son, that is, the kingdom of light.

The enemy is terrified of you manifesting that truth to the world. That is why he has come against you the way that he has, both in the past and in 2020. But while the powers of darkness have been colluding together to cause massive opposition against the Word prevailing in your life, I declare over you today that as you stand on the Word, the Lord is working and moving on your behalf.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in to the opposition. Fix your eyes on Jesus and know your breakthrough is nigh.
More than 2,000 years ago, one teenage girl prepar More than 2,000 years ago, one teenage girl prepared to give birth to the Savior of the world, our Lord and King Jesus.

Today, I am reflecting on what a blessing it is to carry the promise of life during the Christmas season. I might not be carrying the Messiah, but who I am carrying is very special and has a unique destiny God fashioned just for him.

I remember even before we started trying to have a baby, I asked God who our first child would be. Over the course of the next several weeks and months, He started speaking about this child’s calling. He also gave me visions of their personality and physical characteristics. And so, before we even conceived, I knew what my God had spoken over this child, as well as my husband and I. Like Mary, I could say nothing but “be it unto us according to Your Will, Father.” Because our Father’s will is perfect and good like that. 

All of this reflection got me thinking about all the millions and billions of lives that have yet to be born. Each one has a unique destiny, calling and characteristics unlike anyone else on this planet. Each one is beloved of God, even if they never come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Each one matters. Because each one represents LIFE made in the image of God Himself.

God is the author of life, and He intimately knows every soul before He knits them together in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). He knew and loved you before you were even a thought in your parents’ minds. He cared for you so much that when His first creations, Adam and Eve, fell, He immediately put a rescue plan into place — a plan that was fulfilled through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. His one life changed everything and showed us how much LIFE is worth to the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Let us count the cost and give thanks for every bit of LIFE we get to carry, enjoy and experience. For while the thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy, Jesus came to give us LIFE more abundantly (John 10:10). 

Hallelujah! For this, and so much more, we rejoice. 🥰
One year ago, this beautiful woman and sister in C One year ago, this beautiful woman and sister in Christ @rochelle.merrell joined me in the adventure of co-hosting the @shefoundjoy podcast. To think that by the end of 2020, we’d be broadcasting God’s Word to 5,000+ people a month ... it is something I could have never dreamed of but am so honored by.

Rochelle, podcasting with you is one of my greatest joys! I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes us in the future. 

Friends, our last episode of the year will air this coming Monday, December 21. You don’t want to miss it! Listen on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify.
Really feeling like our little love is going to ar Really feeling like our little love is going to arrive sometime earlier in March as opposed to later in the month. There’s some debate over how far along I am ... but if my gut is correct, I am somewhere around 27-28 weeks. What do y’all think based on today’s bump pic?

Favorite things right now: His daily kicks, punches and somersaults, telling him how much I love him, reading the Word to him, imagining with The Holy Spirit what he will be like, getting all of the things for the nursery, meditating on every promise our family is still walking out with the Lord. 🌈💜💙
Reese is very confused as to why we are moving eve Reese is very confused as to why we are moving everything out of his bedroom (not to mention reassigning him to a new sleeping spot). Sorry love, it’s time to make room for your brother. I promise y’all will be best friends. 💙 #reesedoggrams
1 Corinthians 2:4 is a verse I have underlined in 1 Corinthians 2:4 is a verse I have underlined in every Bible translation that I own, but the Passion Translation pierces my heart in a way unlike any other.

I love this verse because it not only shows us what/who we should be putting our faith in, but it’s also a question we can ask ourselves as we walk through this life with Christ. Every day, in every situation, we can ask ourselves: Am I trusting in man’s wisdom or in the truth of God’s Word and the power that lives within me through the Holy Spirit? 

Pray with me: Father, thank You that I have eyes to see and ears to hear what you want to say to me today. Holy Spirit, please reveal any areas where I have been relying on man’s wisdom instead of Your truth. Help me understand with all of my heart what it means to trust in Your almighty power. In Jesus’ name, amen.
One year ago, I boarded a plane for Brazil to join One year ago, I boarded a plane for Brazil to join @global_awakening in ministering hope and healing to thousands of men and women. 

To say that this was the best trip of my life would be an understatement. Not only did I receive partial healing on the plane ride over, but I also made friendships that will last an eternity. Not to mention every moment of this trip felt like I was living a page from the book of Acts. 

And then there was the getting to spend a little more face time with someone I consider to be a spiritual father, @randyrayclark. Randy, you probably don’t even remember the prophetic word you released over me, but it has changed my life, and I will never be the same.

Before this trip, I was so nervous before praying for healing or prophesying over people in America ... but since coming home, the Lord has filled me with boldness to be His hands and feet wherever I go. If He says to talk to, pray for, or give something to someone, I don’t even hesitate. Because I have seen what He can do with an obedient heart who believes the simple gospel ... and oh, what incredible things He can do through us indeed. 

Church, the time to be His hands and feet is NOW. There are billions of people who need a touch from heaven today and you carry heaven within you through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s true, Christ, the hope of glory, lives in you if you’ve said yes to Him and asked Him to make His home in you. The only question is whether or not we will yield our hearts, minds and lives to what God wants to do — not just in, but through us.

Lord, have Your way! Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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