Faith Matters Ministry: Author Leigh Hinesley

Faith Matters Ministry: Author Leigh Hinesley A Disciple of Christ Jesus- sharing my faith through testimony, teachings, and a whole lot of scripture.

Author of The Seer in Me: A Journey of Discovery with the Holy Spirit.

06/26/2026

God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. God hasn’t called me to do a single thing that I knew how to do when He called me. But He has equipped me along the way to do everything He has told me to do.

Operating in the prophetic might seem to come naturally, because we open our mouths and words flow freely. But what many people don’t understand is that in order for that to happen we have to recognize the first word (whether it come in the form of a picture, a download, or even an audible voice). Then we have to step out in faith and begin to speak. It is by activating our faith and speaking what we were given that allows the rest to flow freely. It’s what we do with the little He gives us, that the Lord will use to produce much. It was a stretch for me to learn to trust that whenever He shows me a thing to speak and He will do the rest. But whenever I take a faith step (even if I can’t fully see the stairs) each next step appears as I walk in faith.

This message is for someone who is reading this post. You feel called to something, but you don’t feel equipped. It’s okay. All you have to do is take the next right step in the direction of the calling. God will meet you there and continue to provide every single “next right step” needed to accomplish the vision. Don’t allow natural thinking to try and put limits on God. He is supernatural. You cannot reason out supernatural things. This is where our faith has to rise up and take action. I have found that in serving the Kingdom of God I must exercise my faith every single day. I encourage you today to take a faith stretch!

06/25/2026

I’ve been reflecting on seasons and time lately. I’ve been thinking about my friends, my circles, my village, my tribe. I have been so blessed to have so many amazing people come and go through the seasons, but even more blessed by all of those who have stood the test of time.

When I was growing up I had a lot of friends. Good friends. Close friends. “Best friends”. Many of my “best friends” actually had one very best friend, but I never really had one of those. Not growing up anyway. After graduating all my best friends scattered. Everyone went different directions for school or work. I stayed home and became a mom at 19 years old. It’s the best title and best job I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Over the years as I run into my “best friends” here and there, we pick up conversation like no time or distance was ever between us. They all have families now too. Some are even still best friends with their very best friend from elementary school. Friendships like these are like slow roasted meat. They are fall off the bone good, but you can’t get them instantly. They had to marinate a long time to get that flavor infused, and then time and seasons did the rest.

These are the kind of friendships that are so good, that I know without a doubt if I were to call on any one of them right now and say I need you, they would move Heaven and earth to show up. I would do the same for them. Tears are streaming down my face and my cup is overflowing with the love I feel overwhelmed by, just thinking of them right now. Here are just a few examples:

When my dad died, two of them came by my side. They showed up out of nowhere. We went out to eat a La Fiesta- just to get me out of the house and to catch up. We talked and laughed and had an evening full of laughter, catching up, and nostalgia.

When Scott (my kid's dad) died it was another best friend who came along by my side and helped. She didn’t ask questions, she just showed up ready to help. We worked for days cleaning out his house. As we worked we reminisced. She laughed with me and cried with me, and she stood by me until we had said our final farewell.

When I was writing The Seer in Me, the Lord put one of these friends on my heart. He said “Ask her to help you edit the book”. I thought it was because she is such an avid reader, but it was so much more! God knew she needed to read the book. He also knew we needed to be back in touch. He knew what the upcoming season would bring so he put us back in regular communucation for "such a time as this".

Most of the friends I just shared about were raised by the same village that raised me. We learned to be there for one another by the example set by our parents and grandparents. As a matter of fact, when my mom was going through a journey with health a few years back- that village showed up, just like they always have.

Why have I been talking so much about this kind of village, this kind of community lately?
Because this is a prime example of what the Body of Christ was created to do. It’s exactly how we are supposed to be. Community makes life easier. Our circle of friends are the ones who step in and help when we are finding it hard to walk alone. I’ve been blessed to have had a tried and true circle my entire life. I don’t know how on earth people get through life without having such a village behind them.

You do not have to have grown up in such a village to become part of one now. You still have time to marinade and slow roast some well seasoned friendships. Every tried and true time tested friendship began with an introduction somewhere along the way.

I pray that each one of you finds a place to plug in with a body of Bible teaching believers. I pray you find the circles you belong in and see first hand how enriched life is when you have that kind of love and commitment of a community supporting you in all of your endeavors. The kind of community that transcends time and distance. I pray you find yourself drinking from your saucer because your cup has overflowed!

06/24/2026

Sunday School, Sunday AM & Sunday PM Services, Wednesday PM, Thursday night GA’s, Vacation Bible School, Bible Drill- that was my childhood. Add to that, the church softball games (men’s & women’s teams), the dinners, the game nights, and watching college football together. Oh my goodness. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to have grown up any other way!

Some of my fondest memories are of the VBS parade we used to have, going through the village and trailer parks closest to our church. The fire truck would lead the way. We would pile onto the decorated roll back. We threw out candy and held up signs- and invited everyone to come to VBS. We always had a house full!

For VBS we lined up according to grade. We marched in to “Onward Christian Soldier”. The flags and Bible went before us. We would pledge to each one prior to sitting down for the main lesson in the sanctuary. Then we broke out into classrooms.

Outside was the pavilion where our snacks were served. All the grandmas were out there, some of the grandpas too. Those little flower butter cookies with the hole, we could wear them on our fingers, and those cheap sandwich cookies- like an Oreo, but not really- vanilla and lemon were my favorite. And that Kool Aid! They must have put extra sugar in to make it SO good! Grape was my favorite! We always had a watermelon day too!

Probably every child’s favorite thing about VBS at Arnco, is that we got to attend VBS with Sarge. Sargent was a beloved dog in our community. He belonged to one of the families and every single year he came and joined us for VBS. On commencement night, he would always go up when his name was called to take his certificate of completion.

Every Summer when the VBS signs go up, I reflect on all the fond memories I had from childhood and how much VBS meant to me. I think the outreach I was able to participate in like that parade and inviting people to church as a child, is the foundation that makes outreach so important to me as an adult. Don’t just take your children to church, let them participate with you in outreach and evangelism. It sets a sure foundation.

06/23/2026

I’m not used to watching daybreak. I’m more of a sunset girl. But occasionally I rise early and get the privilege of enjoying sunrise. I’ve noticed that as the quiet stillness of night is met with the noisy movement of the day there is something extraordinary that begins to take place. All of creation begins to acknowledge the new day dawning.

If the birds know to sing praises at the presence of a new day, shouldn’t we?

If the squirrels dance and frolic in the presence of the light, shouldn’t we?

The moon bows low and then bows out, as the sun rises. Proving with each new dawn that light and darkness cannot coexist!

Praise God! When The Son enters, the darkness of this world must flee. Hallelujah! If that isn’t something to sing praise about, I don’t know what is.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!”

06/22/2026

Did you know that I alone will have to answer to the Lord God Almighty for my actions or my lack of action? (Just as you will for your own!) Some folks are quick to say things like “The Bible says ‘don’t judge’” or “Only God can judge me”. Both of those statements are only partially true. Below is the whole truth according to the inerrant Word of the Most High God, which IS Christ Jesus Himself in Word.

In Matthew 7:1-5 we read:

“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye!”

We are not to judge those in the world, but those in Christ are to be held accountable by their co-heirs. We are to help our brothers and sisters in Christ when there is a “speck in their eye”. But we can’t help them deal with something off in their life, if we are living with things off in our own. We aren’t to be hypocritical. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. We have to make sure our perspective isn’t skewed by a log!

Having said that- there will come a day, where we will ALL give an account for our life. This thought should place a Holy and Reverent fear of God in us. (Psalm 147:11) We should all walk out our salvation with fear and trembling, according to Philippians 2:12. I haven’t always understood these things. I haven’t always walked in the ways I should- but I am righteous through Christ Jesus and on the day I stand before the Lord, I will be able to stand before Him with a clear heart and in the righteousness of Christ when I give my account. (Romans 14:10,12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Do I stumble sometimes? We all do! Do I think I’m perfect? Far from it, but I am perfected in Christ Jesus and I am pressing onward towards that mark. I feel confident in the Blood of Christ that covers me, that I no longer feel the need to react to the devil who tries his best to condemn me. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

I encourage you today, if you only have one side of a story, and don’t bother to seek the other side- also don’t judge those sitting on the other side. Even if you do have both sides, lift both sides up to the Lord instead of acting out of a spirit of gossip. If you feel offended by something that doesn’t concern you, maybe that’s an indication that you need a heart check. Stop allowing a spirit of offense to operate through you. If something is bothering to you, take it to the Lord in prayer. He’s the only qualified “complainant department”. Sometimes He straightens the situation out. Other times, He straightens our heart out. But never, ever try to assassinate someone’s character, in doing so- we break one of the Ten Commandments “You shall not murder”.

06/22/2026

My mom has been known to tell me a time or two to “Live your life in such a way that if people talk badly of you no one would believe them”. Boy how that wisdom has come to serve me well through the years. The grapevine of gossip is relentless.

I was thinking about something one of my friend’s mom used to say all the time “Your sins will find you out.” Her favorite saying came from Numbers 32:23. Luke 12:2-3 tells the same thing in a different way “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”

I think this is the importance of confessing our sins one to another. Satan can’t use the things we already allowed to surface. They’ve already been brought to the light. But the things we hide and try to bury, the things done in secret and under the cover of darkness, they WILL eventually be brought to the light.

It’s better to come from us in the form of our testimony, than from the accuser. People walking in the spirit of gossip, and people who thrive on and entertain the spirits of manipulation and deception will have zero ammunition if we just go ahead and allow the Lord to Romans 8:28 things in our lives. If we get right before Him and allow ourselves to be accountable to one another, no rumor mill can come against a life lived in Truth.

I’ve not always lived my life in the way I should go. But I have allowed God to use the hard things, the messy things, and the painful things for His Glory. I had a turn around! And He has truly worked it all out for my good.

If you find yourself in a situation where rumors are flying, dispell them by speaking the truth. Even if that means admitting to being wrong or making mistakes. Hold yourself accountable to the Lord and to those around you who love the Lord. There is NO condemnation in Christ Jesus! And let me assure you, it does not matter how far you feel you’ve strayed from Him, it only takes one step to get back in right standing with Him. It’s a pivot step. You just pivot and turn! Turn yourself around- renounce and repent- with a sincere heart. Christ is there waiting for you!

06/21/2026

Petrichor is one of my favorite scents. The recent weather has allowed me so many days of being able to smell the rain coming. Ahhhh! It smells SO GOOD! It relaxes me- body, mind, and spirit.

I quite enjoy sitting on the porch listening to the rolling thunder- feeling the light mist of the rain as wind is pushes it through the screen. The trickling of rain coming through the downspout reminds me of a babbling brook.

At the wood line birds loudly announce their delight at having some relief from the heat. They praise the Lord for the refreshing water that is falling from above. I must admit- I am delighted by it too. Every. Single. Time. Some people complain about so much rain. But I embrace it for the refreshing nourishment it is to me. I love when the temperature drops rapidly as the wind picks up just before a good summer storm. Even the insects sing their praises to the Lord.

The rolling thunder reminds me of God’s majesty. The song How Great Thou Art bubbles up within my spirit. “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art- how GREAT Thou art!” Thank You Father for loving us SO. How great You are! How great You are! 💕🙌🏻🙌🏻

06/20/2026

I recently had a conversation where I was telling someone about the importance of dying to self. God created us creatures of free will, but His desire is that we choose to allow His Word to separate our flesh from our spirit. He wants us to surrender fully to Him, submitting our will to His will. This is a daily surrender. It’s putting the world behind us daily, picking up our cross, and following Christ.

It’s hard to get out of that fleshy lifestyle. But the thing about living in the flesh and doing whatever makes us happy is that it really only makes us happy in the moment. Living for self (flesh)- is a selfish, self centered lifestyle. In the middle of fun, it’s great- but once that moment of flesh/self gratification is over, we find ourselves back where we started, with an empty void that nothing (no thing) can fill.

People become addicted to things that give them that self-gratifying sensation because they have a void that needs feeling. Nothing in this world can fill that need. Only God Himself can fill the God sized hole in a persons life.

When we fully surrender to the Lord, He fills the places in such a way that we don’t miss all the “things” anymore. When we begin the process of sanctification and start dying to flesh, a sense of wholeness comes into our lives. When we begin walking in our purpose and learn that joy comes from Jesus we realize it truly is possible to have joy in ALL circumstances.

You see, happiness is based on happenings and we will never be satisfied if that is our pursuit. But if we want to live in the fullness of Christ Jesus, we will find satisfaction in Him. If you are struggling today with any of the things of this world, I pray that you will lay it all at the feet of The One who has overcome this world. I pray you will submit yourself to Him and fully surrender, allowing Christ Jesus to come in and transform your heart and your life in a way that nothing else ever can or will.

06/20/2026

One day while waiting on an appointment, I looked out the second story window and noticed several trees had been rubbed raw of the bark in certain places. Growing up in a deer hunting family, I recognize a buck rub when I see one. When I’m walking through the woods and come up on a buck rub, it looks different than looking down from a second story window. I had the advantage of a higher perspective and could see many trees that were affected by the same or a similar source. Antlers.

I like to think I have a pretty thick bark most of the time, but sometimes, I find myself vulnerable. We can get vulnerable when we push ourselves to the limits. Having little sleep of inadequate nutrition can get us to a fragile state. Not having any down time can put us in an emotional frenzy. When we are in a vulnerable state, it doesn’t take much of anything to pe*****te through the weak places. And the enemy will use any foot hold he can get. He will even use the mouths of people we love, and who love us, if he can. He sees our weak places and just jabs right into them before we even know what’s happening.

I thought about the visual of those trees. The bark is their armor. When a piece of it is missing, it leaves a weak spot. A place for disease to come in. It’s kind of like what happens to the Christian when we aren’t prayed up and on guard. When a piece of our armor is missing or out of place, it can be the weak place the enemy uses to pe*****te.

Usually I dedicate my day to the Lord first thing. And I pray on the armor of God. Then I do it again with my prayer group.

When exhausted I can hardly tell if I’m coming or going. I sometimes get lazy in my praying when I’m in that state. I might be praying for other things and neglect to do the one thing I know I should always do. In such cases, not only can I feel the antler penetrating the weakened state of my bark; I will often allow the enemy to use my own mouth if I’m not careful. Hurt and anger can leak out like a sieve. What is this rambling about. I don’t know. Regret. Hindsight. Perspective. Being properly clothed. Dressed for battle. Take your pick. All of the above maybe.

Every day we face battles, whether we recognize them or not. We battle not with flesh and blood but with powers and principalities. We can’t let them catch us in a vulnerable place. We need to be on guard girded in our armor. We can’t afford to get battle wearily and find ourselves in the battlefield missing a piece of essential equipment. (See Ephesians 6)

06/19/2026

This is not your full story, it’s merely a chapter- or maybe even just a page! Savor the good morsels, learn from the bad. Turn the page and walk into tomorrow like nobody’s business.

Come on now, Child of the Most High! You were purposed for great things. You were made with The Kingdom in mind. Look in the mirror. Maybe you can’t see it yet, but I can. Look deeper. Do you see that crown upon you head? Keep looking until you can. Once you know who you are and Whose you are- you will be unstoppable! No weapon formed against you shall prosper. Even the gates of hell will not prevail against His child.

Oh no- this isn’t your whole story. Your story is still being written. There’s The King, and a Prince or Princess, even a crown and a mansion. Stop looking at the things this world has been throwing at you. Look up! Look up! Look upward, Child of the Most High. Father has great things in store for you!

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Newnan, GA

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