Elysa L.

Today, Elysa talks to us about overcoming shyness, believing without limits and the ways we worship.

Elysa L.

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: Proverbs 31! I am trying to go through all of the characteristics that are listed in that chapter and put them into practice in my own life. Especially, the law of kindness is on her tongue part.

Overall, I’m just trying to work on it all together and live out Proverbs 31 to glorify Him through everything. It’s just such an amazing passage because I know that I have met a few women who think that the Bible prefers men over women, but it’s not like that. As in this chapter, it tells us how precious we are and how much we mean to the Father and that our price is far above rubies! We are priceless because of the price that was paid for us!

It also shows us that we do not have to go to the world for who we are! The Father has already put inside of us who He has chosen and what He sees is beautiful. And whenever you have that sheerborne confidence in the Father and what He has made you, then nothing can stop you. Now, you can look in the mirror and stare into the eyes of the woman you see and love her just as the Father loves her because loving ourselves first is what we have to do, then, we can love others!

“Because loving ourselves first is what we have to do, then, we can love others!”

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: Believing without limits! This past year, and a little bit of this year, has been some of the most trying in my faith, ever. It all started when I did not capture those lying thoughts of the enemy. I let them just be there, and my faith and identity got attacked because these are the two things the enemy will attack first. If he can make you start to question your Father and make you stop believing in who He made you to be, then the enemy has you right where he wants you; trapped and not destroying his kingdom and strongholds like you should be doing.

So, I let this happen to me, and I will tell you now, it was the MOST miserable I had ever been. Now that the Father has shown me why I went through what I went through, it was worth it! So, now I am building my believing without limits so that my Father will get all the glory in my life!

We have to stand firm in what we believe and reject the lies of the enemy. And they could be about anything: you are not pretty enough, nobody likes you, you are not smart enough, you will always be alone, it’s just too hard you won’t make it– I mean the list goes on, but we can all easily detect the lies of the enemy because we have the word of life.

What do you do with all the things that dragged you down? You pick them up and work out with them! Yes, like exercising you lift weights so you need to lift the things that dragged you down and spiritually get fit! Just like in Proverbs 31:17. The enemy will be right there whispering in your ear that you can’t do it. People will think you are ridiculous and silly and why even try it when it is so comfortable to just stay where you were (not trying to do anything). But the warrior that is inside of you will say, “NO because greater is the One living inside of me than he who is in the world!” So BELIEVE!

“We have to stand firm in what we believe and reject the lies of the enemy.”

Profession: Businesses owner. My family owns two juice bars in beautiful Cookeville, TN.

A one sentence bio of yourself: Umm well I am not the best at talking about myself, but I will try to step out of myself and look from the outside. I am a simply girl that wants my everything to be His and do His will. I live in Tennessee, so that makes me have a patriotic and southern heart.

I have 6 siblings, and I am the oldest, praise the Father!  I have my two amazing parents who have given us a life they did not have. I want to serve my King with my everything and the people around me. I was the most shy person you would have ever met about 10 years ago, but Praise to the Father and with the encouragement of my mama, I overcame shyness (though it still will creep up once in a while).

This is what helped me, so whenever we were around a lot of people, I would be nervous about what they thought of me. I would sit in with my mom and not move. She told me, “Elysa, shyness is selfishness cause there are other girls out there that feel the same way, and you need to be the one that pulls them out of it and be a friend to them.” That stuck with me, and I pushed myself, and with the strength of Yahweh, I overcame. Now, I try to be a princess warrior of Yahweh that walks in confidence even when I am afraid and that’s it.

When did you first encounter God? I can’t remember it, but my mom told me that I gave my life to Yeshua (Jesus) at age three. In front of a church on the TV. But I got really serious at age eight.

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? Well several things, so I can’t pick one but one of the biggest things was when the Father switched my ring, when I was in the season that I talked about previously. I know that whoever is reading this probably won’t believe me but I will tell you that THERE IS NO OTHER WAY but to say it was Him. It came right when I needed Him. The other things that helped me were my family, my close friends, music (worship), and Yahweh’s confirmation, over and over. He showed me one verse like 6 times. It was Joshua 1:9. His love, forgiveness, and nearness are like no other.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): So there are two books that I have to recommend because they are awesome. One is Crazy Love by Francis Chan. My friend bought it for me, and it confirmed so many things, and it challenged me, too.

The second would be Salvaging My Identity by Rachel Lovingood and Jennifer Mills. Talk about getting personal! I mean, this book goes deep and really helps you to understand yourself and things that need to be junk. And of course the Book of all Books, The Bible, if you open those pages up and are hungry and have belief, then you will be amazed to see what you will get.

“The Bible, if you open those pages up and are hungry and have belief, then you will be amazed to see what you will get.”

Top three essentials: Bible, knife and my favorite hat.

How did God speak to you recently? To stop reading a certain book and to stop eating certain things; to see if I am willing to let go of things I like for the sake of obedience. I don’t see that as harsh but a loving Father who wants all of me not just part. To see my devotion level to see if I will obey, even if that means stopping something I enjoy. I don’t know. I might read these books again, just not right now.

Hobby: What I like to do is read, journal, study the Bible, play music (my guitar, piano, and bass), play with my siblings, spend time with my parents and friends, ANYTHING OUTSIDE, travel, eat chocolate, be around people, and more.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: Read the Bible every day.

Go on dates with Yahweh. He really wants you to spend that one-on-one time. He loves you.

Worship. Make it everything because worship is not only singing and playing an instrument. It’s washing dishes, working the best you can at work, playing with your siblings or children, and just do EVERYTHING as unto Yahweh.

“It’s washing dishes, working the best you can at work, playing with your siblings or children, and just do EVERYTHING as unto Yahweh.”

Favorite person in scripture? Peter. He messed up so bad, as far as fully denying Yeshua. But he did not stay there. He became so radical in his faith and his devotion was so deep, he never let the spirit of fear and doubt take him over again. I mean people were healed simply from walking in his shadow. I want to have that type of devotion.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? That He is real; that He loves you more than you know; that life was meant to live abundantly. And to get there is to do two things. First, BRING YAHWEH GLORY THROUGH WHATEVER YOU DO, and I mean whatever and everything. All day, everything is an opportunity to do your best with His strength to bring Him glory, and second ENJOY HIM FOREVER and that means finding our true joy (because happiness is only temperamental) and fulfillment in Him alone and resting in who He is and who He has made us. I wish to live this out. That’s it. Do the will of My Father.

Favorite season? Spring because of seeing things coming back from being in a stage of waiting.

Favorite holiday? Well, I keep all the Biblical feasts, and there are seven awesome ones. (Leviticus 23) So, I would say Tabernacles (Sukkot) would be my favorite. You go camping for a week, and it’s absolutely life changing and spiritual to keep Yahweh’s feast, and more rewarding than anything else.

A dream you have? To do missions. I want to go and serve but also here in the U.S., too. We have served in Mexico and that was awesome. The next place is Africa.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: Winter Jam. Every year, for the past 3 years, we have gone, and it’s so amazing.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? What did we make You feel?

Thing you want to raise awareness about: About how we need to have in this generation a people who will not just fall asleep in the unrealistic world of technology and self indulgence but will awaken those who have to keep a remnant; to have the true worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth; to arise the bold and confident ones of that will stand for their faith, family and freedom at any cost.

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? Do my devotionals, which I do on a Bible app, and start my work.

What is on your nightstand? My head covering, iPod and Bible.

Define Christianity in a sentence: The only Way, the Truth and the Life.

For more Elysa:

Insta: @elysalizarraga

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO