What Will We Do With Our Freedom?

John 15:13-14, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." NIV

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, a day to honor the brave men and women who willingly gave up their life to defend our freedom...husband's and wives, sisters and brothers, father's and mother's, ALL paid the ultimate sacrifice for our hope and future...brave heroes who intervened to preserve life and liberty!

On this special day, I can't help but think of our Lord. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

But what will we do with our freedom?

Life is but a vapor, here today, gone tomorrow; it is precious. We only have one shot. So remember Jesus...remember His sacrifice...remember His passion for you.

Jesus came that you might have life and have it to the full. His sacrifice purchased your freedom. His resurrection assures your liberty and secures your future...But with the gift comes responsibility.

In John 15:15-17 Jesus goes on to say, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." NIV

What will we choose to do with our freedom?

The last few weeks I've faced an onslaught of attack...Satan has attempted to distract, discourage, and divert me from my calling...BUT Jesus has reminded me of His love, faithfulness, and call. Time and time again God has reminded me of Matthew 16:24-26, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." NIV

Many of us stand at crossroads. Will we choose to retreat and step away from God's mission or will we press on and honor Christ's sacrifice; will we honor Him by laying down our life for His mission?

I have decided, no matter the cost, I'm pressing forward into all He has for me. Though it cost me everything, I WILL WILLING LOSE MY LIFE FOR HIS SAKE! I WILL RETURN HIS LOVE WITH MY LIFE.

Today, we have an opportunity to remember that we have been given life, liberty, and freedom...What will we do with it?

PRAYER: Father, help us to run after you. Help us to forsake all other treasures and abandon our hearts and lives to your call. Empower us to serve You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. We want to honor You. Thank You for Jesus, for Your Mercy, for giving us the assurance of our salvation! In Jesus name, amen.

I Want To Hear From You!

Hebrews 3:13-14 says, "...encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." NIV

Each of us receive daily encouragement from God! So, I'd like to open today's blog to each one of you to offer encouragement to one another.

Enter your comments in the comments section below; keep your message short so we have time to read each comment.

You could share what God's been teaching you, or one of your favorite Scriptures. You could share a word of praise to God, or a word of encouragement He's given you! But please take a brief moment to share how God has blessed you, taught you, or healed you!

I can't wait to receive from you today! HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY and A GREAT WEEKEND!

What are You Planting?

If you plant a tomato seed, what will you get? If you plant corn, what will you reap? If you plant green beans, what will you harvest? The answers are simple. Whether you have a green thumb or not, you understand the laws of nature. You reap what you sow!

I don't know about you but it's easy to get side-tracked by the events of life, swept away by the demands of every day living. During various seasons, and boy has it been a season as of late, I battle the voices of fear and insecurity.

Serving God and resting in His provision demands our intentionality! If we aren't intentional, we'll plant unintentional seeds of doubt and fear. We must be intentional to rest in Him...intentional to seek Him...intentional to not cower to fear or shrink to insecurities. Intentional to plant our seeds of trust and faith in HIM! Planting His truths in our heart. Watering our minds with the promises of His Word...

Romans 8:31-32 says, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" NIV

We have a choice...

Will we trust God and believe Him at His Word and rest in His Character?
Or, will we retreat, shrink back, and cower to the lies of "you can't do that", "you're no good", "you're going to fail miserably."

Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works , which God prepared in advance for us to do." NIV

God has a work for you. He's designed you for it especially. You are His workmanship, created and destined for good works.

Keep planting good seed, keep doing the right things, keep working toward the goal God has given you...

"...for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Gal 6:9-10NIV)

So, ask yourself today...What seeds are you planting?

PRAYER: Father, fill us with expectancy. Take every thought that is not from You and destroy it. Help us to align our thinking with Yours. We need You desperately to provide for us, to fill us, and to remove all fear. In Jesus name, amen.

So, You Wanna Go Back to Egypt?

I know many of us are facing huge life changes. In moments of decision, it's easy to revert back to what we know, even if it means our slavery. We forget all the bad things from our past in our desire to rest in the familiar. Much like the Israelites, we're tempted to go back to a life of slavery in Egypt, rather than face the unknown.

In Numbers 14:2-4 it says, "All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt ?" And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." NIV

At first glance I think to myself what in the world are these people thinking? Are they CRAZY? Have they forgotten about the parting of the Red Sea? Have they forgotten about the manna? Have they forgotten about the provision God gave them?

Then I think about my own life and the temptation to shrink back and give up!

Satan attempts to distract us with our PAST. Whether you despise your past, paralyzed by the shame of old sins, regretting poor decisions, leaving you helpless to press on, or you glory in the "good ole days", revelling in your success of yester-year, wishing you could go back to a life of better days, YOUR PAST IS EXACTLY THAT...YOUR PAST.

Isaiah 43:18-19, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." NIV

We can't go back! There is nothing there for us! OUR 'Egypt' holds only bondage and slavery. "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Hebrews 10:35-39) NIV

Press on! Finish your course! Don't look back! God has called you to step forward! He's brought us from the Land of Slavery. Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." NIV

So I encourage you to stand firm and witness the provision of our God!

PRAYER: Father, remove all fear from our thinking. Help us to recall Your goodness and Your provision. You are FAITHFUL! Grant us Your favor; Move our mountains; Shout Your Will and Direction for each of our lives that we might walk in step with YOU, aligning our thoughts with Yours, and exchanging our ambitions for YOUR DESIRES! In Jesus Name we pray, amen!

YOUR FUTURE IS SECURE!

Wow...as I spent time before the Lord...seeking Him about what He would like to say and share through me today...I had the most beautiful thought...

I got a picture in my mind of the Lord smiling over us and thought of Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." NIV

Can you imagine God singing over you? That He finds so much delight in how created you that he rejoices over you? Close your eyes for a moment and soak this in...

God is our Father, our Creator, our very source of life! And though it's difficult to understand...He loves us!

We serve an awesome God! His grace amazes me!

Today, I simply felt prompted to share God's amazing love for you and this truth: God designed you for a purpose. He created you to bring Him glory. Your design is unique; He fashioned you with great love for a particular task. So...today...don't shrink back. Stand your ground, knowing that God will complete His purpose in you.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." NIV

Furthermore, Psalm 145:13-14 declares that, "The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." NIV

I encourage you, as you go through your day, to meditate on the promises found in these two Scriptures:
* As you bow down before Him He will lift you up.
* He upholds you.
* He is faithful to all His promises.
* He loves you.
* He has anointed you.
* He set his seal of ownership on you.
* He put His Spirit in your heart.
* Your future is secure.
* He causes you to stand firm.
* He will do what He has promised!

Beloved, we have nothing to fear. Our future is secure. And though it is hard to believe...GOD LOVES US! He really really really does...

PRAYER: Father, today I pray for the weak and weary, for the one who doesn't feel like they can go on. Lavish Your love on them. Set them apart for Your glory. Anoint their lives for service. Deliver them from all fear. Cause them to stand. Put your seal of ownership upon them. Help them to know that You are God and that You are faithful. Remove their fear. Let them see the evidence of what they are hoping and praying for. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

A Miracle of Big Men in Shining Garments

In 2 Chronicles chapter 20, the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites invaded Judah. Scripture says Jehoshaphat was afraid and proclaimed a fast. And, as all of Judah stood before the Lord praying, the Spirit of The Lord came upon Jahaziel; he said, "...Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's...You need not fight this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf...go out to face them, for the Lord is with you."

I don't know about you, but if I had a multitude of armies coming against me, it would be difficult to not be afraid. But Scripture goes on to describe Judah's battle; in verse 21, 22, and 24 it says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for His loving kindness is everlasting." When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes agains the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed...When Judah came to the lookout of the the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped."

God gave Judah the victory...He set the ambush against their enemies at the moment they began singing and praising.

Over 2,000 years have passed, but the truth remains...God still intervenes for His people.

I read a story about John Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. "One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men with you there?" Paton knew no men were present--but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station." (Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18, http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/d/deliverance.htm)

The people of Judah, the missionary John Paton, and each one of us share a common thread--we serve a mighty God who loves us, a God Who fights our battles. He ambushes our enemies. He thwarts the plans of evil doers and gives us the victory.

Like Judah, our only responsibility is to "not fear" and "give thanks to God."

Though Satan declares war against the people of God attempting to kill, steal, and destroy...Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full. He fights our battles. He provides for our needs. He is faithful. So, turn your attention to God. Seek His face. Ask for His protection. Place your hope in Him.

You need not fear the battle ahead...Give God thanks and praise...and watch His deliverance and provision for your life.

PRAYER: Father, we call upon You. We have many battles that we need for You to fight for us. Fill us with faith. We praise You Lord, for You are good. Your love amazes us. We thank You that You are our Defender. We put our trust in You. Work out every detail and give us the victory we pray, in Jesus name, amen!

I'm Sorry, I Really Didn't Mean To...

"Get away." Sommer whispered under her breath.

Silently, Joshua withdrew, lowered his head and released his arms around his sister.

My heart broke. I'm not sure why children declare their independence and push their seniority...To watch other children act cruel is one thing...but to watch your own children...well...it breaks my heart.

I waited until my daughter, knew I witnessed her cruelty. I talked to her about reaping and sowing. I explained how her actions disappointed me. I asked questions to help her understand how she made her brother feel.

She responded, "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to hurt him, Mommy, I just didn't want to be bothered."

And then, like so often, I listened to God challenge me and my actions.

What do I do when I think God isn't watching? Why do I do the things I do? Is it out of genuine love for people...or do I have alternative motives?

This morning as I read Philippians 2:1-8, God challenged me. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!" NIV

Will I serve regardless of recognition? Will I sacrifice what's most important to me to honor God and reveal His love? Will I abandon homes and friends for the sake of the Gospel? Will I give up my freedom and pursuit of ministry to simply minister and serve?

When I think of Jesus' humility...how He willingly washed Judas' feet...how he "BEING GOD" humbled himself and became obedient to death on the cross and took my shame...I realize just how far I am from humility. I realize that I sometimes covertly push my brothers and sisters away...when they reach out in need of a hug.

Sommer didn't mean to hurt Joshua...she just didn't want to be bothered. I don't mean to ignore the 200 people who die every 5 minutes not knowing the gospel...I just am busy...I have my own thoughts of what ministry should look like...

Please hear me...I'm not feeling condemned...simply convicted...there are so many who suffer and die never having heard of Jesus. There are so many surrounding our lives every day that need desperately to experience the love of Christ...

I felt the Lord challenge me again..."Will YOU be my love extended?"

The sole purpose of the ministry God called me to is exactly that..."HIS LOVE EXTENDED!"

I felt Him ask me, "Will you be My hands and feet? Will You humble yourself and serve? Will you do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard others as more important than yourself?"

I know there is no way I can live in humility on my own. But by God's Spirit I SAY YES LORD!

God calls each one of us to live for Him. Each of our walks look different from one another but the same mission exists for us all...to reveal Jesus.

Will you say yes to Him?

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for forgetting what it is all about. I can't do this on my own. I need your help. Fill me with Your Spirit. Help me walk in Humility. Help me honor You and demonstrate Your love. Empower me I pray...In Jesus name, amen.

Now What???

Ever feel at a loss of what you are suppose to do? Ever want a detailed step by step handbook for your life...a book that says, "Now move to this city and take this job and marry this person"? I wish someone would write a handbook "Simple Life-Steps for Dummies".

A few weeks ago a dear missionary friend of ours called and asked if we would consider moving to Florida...ironically, we knew Florida would be our ultimate destination, prior to moving to Texas...but the timing didn't correlate with "our plans". We planned on leasing our home for a couple of years and then moving.

Our immediate response, "There is no way...we are tied to our lease."

Our friend encouraged us, "Well, pray about it."

So we did. The next day my husband prayed, "Lord, we don't need subtle hints right now, we need bricks."

Our answer came later that afternoon; I received a phone call from our landlord.

"Hello, Mrs. Gorman, this is Jamey from Terra Residential. The owners of your property want to know your intentions for the remaining time of your lease."

"I'm not sure what you mean." I replied. "We haven't decided how much longer we will be here in Texas. Why do you ask?"

Jamey replied, "Actually, they were wanting to know if you could move out earlier. They are moving back to the States and need their home as of July."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. God removed the barrier instantaneously.

All in all, two things remained certain, I was going to have to pack and we were moving. So, for the last two weeks I've been packing boxes, praying, and trying to figure out "the next step." The only thing certain is God is calling us to pursue a life of ministry. Exciting! Scary! And at times...Seemingly crazy!

As I pack boxes, God continues to remind me of Hebrews 11:8, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." NIV

God's used this verse to encourage my faith many times...but it's never been more real. I'm packing boxes not knowing where I'm going.

I'm realizing again that as much as we'd like to know all the steps between A and Z God seldom gives the whole playbook. He leads us from step A to step B, then to step C...and so on. He seldom gives all the answers at once.

BUT WE CAN BE CERTAIN HE IS LEADING US. AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US.

So, what's your step of faith? What is God calling you to? During this season of not knowing what I need to do God continues to remind me that when I don't know what to do...that's ok...He does...and He is faithfully leading...step by step...confirming our steps.

And so, I'd like to encourage you...when you don't know what to do...Simply listen...pay close attention...and then, in faith, step out and obey.

Matt 10:38-39 says, "...anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." NIV

I CAN'T WAIT to see what God does! His plans are so amazing. Will you along with me, choose to put your trust in Him? HE CAN BE TRUSTED!

PRAYER: Father, when we don't know what to do, and our path seems unclear, we remember Who YOU ARE. We put our trust in You. Thank You for letting us be part of Your great design. Let Your Favor rest upon us. Fill us with Your Spirit. Use our life to bring you glory! In Jesus name, amen.

Who Does God Esteem?

Ever wonder what it takes to earn God's favor? Ever wonder who He esteems?

So often I feel as though the only way I will catch God’s glance is if I have it all together…I feel as if I need to declare that I can make it through on my own…that I’m strong…courageous…and fear nothing. I think for most of us, we feel as if we would just do enough…or make a big enough impact that we’ll gain the favor and attention of God…

BUT Isaiah 66:2 reveals the truth about the one the Lord esteems, it says: "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” NIV

In Hebrew the word Esteem—means to look intently at; and by implication it means to regard with pleasure, favor or care...So the one God regards or respects, the one he considers or looks upon with pleasure, the one he favors and cares for is the one who is Humble and contrite in spirit the one who trembles at His word.

2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. NIV

God, Himself, looks across the land to strongly support those that are completely His.

Do you feel dejected, weak, powerless, guess what? YOU are in a perfect position. GOD finds pleasure in Your humility. He favors you because of your dependence on Him. If you have a healthy fear of Him and have a love for His Word in your heart or if you yearn to do His will You have God’s PLEASURE.

So as you attempt to discover, develop, and do your passion…my prayer is that each one of us will do so with humility, regarding one another as more important than ourselves, and that we recognize our complete dependence on God to accomplish the tasks before us…

PRAYER: Father, we ask that you fill us with Your truth. We can’t but You can. Thank you that it’s not about us it’s all about You and that when you call us to a task You are faithful to help us complete that task. We humble ourselves before you. Reveal any pride that keeps us from following after you. And as we draw near to You Lord we thank you that You draw near to us. In Jesus name…amen.

Want to hear a fuller message on this topic? Join me today at 2 PM EST as I interview Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2010/05/19/his-love-extended

Can I ask you a few questions?

I have a few questions for you this morning. Are you ready? Will you give me permission to ask? If so, read on...

Has anyone told you today that God has great plans for your life? That He's designed you and created you for a distinct purpose that only you can fulfill?

It's true. He does. And, He has.

You are amazing! God created YOU in His image. (Gen. 1:27) YOU are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, and are destined for good works. (Eph. 2:10)

Have you taken your thoughts captive making them be OBEDIENT to CHRIST?

Today, if you are like me you've already had a thousand thoughts pass through your mind...thoughts that oppose God's thoughts...thoughts that attempt to distract you from your mission...thoughts that whisper "This will never work." "You should just give up!"

Scripture reminds us of our battles and how to defeat them. We overcome by taking every thought captive to Christ! 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." NIV


Has anyone reminded you that everything is going to be alright?

I've recently faced some major battles...Faith is exactly that...Faith. We may not always know the direction, or understand the reasons, but when it comes right down to it...Faith isn't in our results or answered prayers it resides in JESUS...in WHO HE IS...Regardless of circumstances do we trust and believe in God's goodness. Do we know that no matter the outcome of our well layed plans God is in control and He is good? In the last couple of weeks my world has been turned upside down...but my faith couldn't be stronger. Why? Because God's reminded me HE's in control. He is good. And He is working all things together for my good!

He REALLY LOVES US. He REALLY CAN be trusted. So if no one has reminded you yet today...hear this...NO MATTER WHAT...It's ALL GOING TO BE OK!

1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." NIV

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that You are GOOD. Thank You Father that YOU CAN be trusted. Thank You Lord that when everything seems to be turned upside down we can rest knowing You have everything under control and are working ALL THINGS together for our good. We love You with all our heart and surrender all that we are to be used for Your glory. Reveal Your perfect will and give us the strength to walk in it! In Jesus name, amen.

Wanna Know the End? Read on!

When I read a good book, I can barely wait to the end...I often cheat and read the last page. I want to know what happens. By knowing how the story ends, it helps me not feel so overwhelmed. (Then I can go back and read the pages in between.) When the main character faces horrendous opposition I laugh and press on...because I know how their story ends!

Life's not much different for me. I often want to skip through all the story line and go around the strong opposition to get to the end...I want to know what happens.

How about you?

What opposes you? What battles lay ahead?

Do not fear! Do not panic! GOD will fight for you! God HIMSELF will fight YOUR BATTLES!

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 says,"...Hear, O Israel(INTERJECT YOUR NAME), today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." NIV

Every day we hear whispers of our short-comings...we face frightening "what-ifs"...BUT we need to remember the truth!

The truth is the Lord will fight for us. Exodus 14:14, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." NIV

He goes before us and fights our battles. Deuteronomy 1:29-30, "The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you..." NIV

Throughout the millenniums, God's people have faced countless battles...David with Goliath, Moses with Pharaoh, the Amalekites, the Egyptians, the Philistines all raged against God's people; BUT GOD NEVER abandoned them. Walls fell and so did giants. Why? Because God fought for His people.

So as we face our battles and war against our ultimate enemy, the devil...I want to encourage you. Your battles may seem to posses the upper hand...lack of finances, loss of jobs, declining health, wayward children...you may feel like you're losing ground...BUT...I want to encourage you...DON'T fear! DON'T worry!

As with any good book, I've read the last page...And guess what? We win!

PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your goodness and mercy! Fill us up to overflowing. Fight for us Lord. Give us the victory! In Jesus name, amen.

NOT LONG NOW!!!

NOT LONG NOW...my husband flies home today! I'm filled with Anticipation! Excitement! Butterflies! I feel like a highschool girl, waiting in eager expectation for my first date! I can't wait to see him! 10 days felt like an eternity!

As I anxiously await his return, the Lord prompted my heart...

"That's how I long for you to long for me!"

Romans 8 addresses how creation waits in eager expectation for the glory that will be revealed in us.

Luke 21 tells us to watch the signs and to look up because our redemption draws near!

And in John 14:1-3 Jesus promises, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." NIV

So...do we long for His return like that? Are we filled with great anticipation? Do butterly feelings stir within us when we think of Him coming again?

God longs to have first place in our life! He wants to be so real to us that we long to see him...long to have Him hold us...long to be near Him.

I'm learning that as much as I love God...I need to love Him more.

So today, amidst all the hustle and bustle, amidst all the things causing us to fear, amidst all the things calling for our devotion...let us remember to press in to God...to keep our hearts on fire for Him...to long for His return!

I sense in my spirit God reminding me how short life is and how soon He will be returning...Revelation 22:12-13 says, "Behold, I am coming soon ! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." NIV

Wow...to think in an instant we will be made to be like Him...we will behold His face...And all the trials will be worth it!

Stand firm dear friends, and remember what it is all about! It's NOT LONG NOW!

PRAYER: Father, we long to see You. We long to be changed to be like You! Fill us with more love for You and help us to remember what this life is all about! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Feeling Weary???

Today, the message is simple! God is worthy of our praise. Our circumstances press in trying to distract us from the truth. BUT...We have a choice! We can Praise Him or cower! We can exalt Him or shrink to fear! We can choose to honor Him with the Word of our Testimony, aligning ourselves with Who He is and What He has promised...or we can retreat from the pressures of life!

Exodus 15:2 says, "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." NIV

Do you feel weary? Do you feel overwhelmed? I would love to share some steps to help you! Yesterday, on my Blog Talk Radio Program, I shared 5 steps to help us overcome weariness!

Here they are:
1. Remember Who God is.
2. Remember Who You are (Who HE Says You are)
3. Remember What He Has Called You to.
4. Remember What He Has Promised.
5. Remember to Rest. Breath in...Breathe out.

If you find yourself weary, I encourage you to listen to the the first 15-20 minutes of the broadcast as I expound on the five steps listed above!

So if you are weary...listen in...Here is the link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2010/05/12/his-love-extended

Prayer:
Father, help us when we are weary! We chose to serve You! Your love is amazing! Strengthen us God. We put our HOPE in YOU!

Are you resolved?

Are you resolved to serve God no matter what...or does your love have conditions? Are you committed to his plans...or do you have a plan B?

I love Acts 20:22-24. Paul's committment is so powerful and so challenging. He writes: "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." NIV


Wow! Now that's commitment! Can you sense Paul's resolve?

He seems to posess an abandonment to God; he's committed to God's mission. Can you hear the hint of "NO MATTER WHAT I'm pressing on! I'm not giving up! I'm moving forward into all God has for me! Even if that makes me uncomfortable!" It flows all throughout his writings.

This week, I've learned to surrender (once again) to the sovereignty of GOD! HE is GOD and I am not! Oh don't get me wrong, I don't actually think that highly of myself that I confuse the two of us literally, but my attempt to try to control reared it's ugly head again demonstrating my need to surrender my life to God's Will...So, I did...and can I just say...I feel soooooooooo much better! :)

After talking to many of you I know you face the same struggle. The temptation to control, manipulate, or run with your own ideas...the temptation to "fix" your situation in your own power! Our struggles are NOT uncommon.

Our surrender is not achieved in one moment, it is a lifestyle. A constant wrestling of our flesh and our spirit...HOWEVER...As Christian's, surrender is our only true option. Surrender means we say to GOD, "I am YOURS GOD. You can do with my life what You will!" "NO MATTER WHAT!"

Romans 8:5-9 says, "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit..."

FRIENDS...we have an amazing opportunity to glorify God. This side of eternity is our only chance to demonstrate FAITH! Sure it can be scary...sure we have moments of weakness...but the truth is WE SERVE AN AMAZING GOD. HE breathes life into existence. He holds all things together by HIS NAME. HE is ALL POWERFUL! AND...HE IS FOR US. And if HE is for us...who can be against us!

Stand strong...we will prevail! All we need to do is fall back into HIS arms and let Him fight our battles! HE CAN BE TRUSTED!

PRAYER: Father use our lives to glorify you! We abandon our lives to You! Fight our battles for us! Let Your Power and Presence be revealed in us! Empower us to do all You've called us to! We align our thinking with You! Reveal Your Perfect Will for our lives! We love You Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

There Isn't Anything Pretty about the Cross

So...as you know, yesterday was a tough day for me. I am so thankful for God's mercy. He reveals His grace to me in your friendships. I am so thankful He has surrounded me with such amazing people like you!

Today, I'm reminded that every day we have a choice...will we trust God? Will we choose to follow Him...regardless of our circumstances...regardless of our outcome...will we love our life not unto death?

Yesterday when God whispered, "I AM" I knew I needed to trust Him. God questioned me: Will you serve Me no matter what? How much do you love Me? Do you trust Me?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a similar moment of truth...Would they bow their knee to the golden image or would they maintain their witness and devotion to the ONE TRUE GOD?

They resolutely replied to the King in Daniel 3:16-18, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." NIV

I believe each one of us faces this question at one point or another...will we take up our cross and follow after HIM?

In Matthew 16:24-26, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." NIV

Let's not kid ourselves...there isn't anything pretty about the cross. In Jesus day, if someone carried a cross there was no doubt where they were heading...they were heading to their death.

I know how heavy the cross can get. I know how risky it is to put it all on the line. I understand how heavy the cross feels...but it is worth it! When we lose our life for Him we find life.

Yesterday, I witnessed amazing miracles. My husband is completely well! What's more...God used 2 different people in 2 different parts of the world this week to share a verse that "just so happens to be" a verse He's given as a promise to us. These 2 people do not know one another...These 2 people had no idea that the verse they shared carried such heavy promise for us. They had no idea that each time God has called us into a new season He has shared this verse...Coincidence? NO WAY! God is reminding me to remember what He has promised.

I want to remind you the same! Remember what God has promised you! He is faithful. It seldom looks like what we thought it would...and it seldom happens the way we think it should...but His promises are true!

So...what are you facing today? What battles do you bare? What does your cross look and feel like? GOD IS FAITHFUL! HE is THE I AM! So, I want to encourage you to...

"Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together...(remember) lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." (NIV,Psalm 34:3,10)

PRAYER: Father thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking us. We put our trust in You! Let us not be ashamed...don't let the enemy triumph over us! Let Your will be done in us and through us...in Jesus name. AMEN!

Can I just get really good and honest?

Can I just get really good and honest? Promise to not judge? If so...read on!

Ever get weak in your faith? Ever wonder "why" something doesn't happen...or "why" God doesn't move and restore when He has the ability to?

The last few months have been tough! And as I've pushed forward in faith I have praised God at every turn...but honestly...I have also gotten frustrated because of my circumstances.

I've had to move away from everything that was dear to me, without seeing a lot of fruit from the sacrifice...

Today, I feel completely powerless. My husband is in INDIA and for the last two days has been extremely ill...I have prayed, fasted, petitioned...and still he is sick...And there is so much more surrounding our lives right now that I'm not at liberty to say...but every area of our life is in question...uncertainty seems to be the norm! SO...what do you do with all of this?

Typically, I do pretty good. I press on and my faith is strong...but occasionally...today being one of those days...I have to reevaluate what I believe...and why I believe it!

As I sought the Lord today, and prayed fervently, I felt the Lord remind me..."I AM".

IN Exodus 3:14-15, "God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob — has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. NIV

When it comes right down to it! GOD IS GOD...I am NOT! He acts and who can reverse? Man is but a vapor. We are here today and gone tomorrow. I'm sure my frustration is normal...but it demonstrates my frailty and dependence on God...it also reveals my sinful nature of wanting to control.

The truth is I am POWERLESS...EVERYTHING rests in the sovereignty of GOD. HIS ways are so much HIGHER than mine...and His purposes and reasons are HIS ALONE!

I AM holds such power. I AM is HIS NAME. AND HE IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABOVE ALL I COULD EVER HOPE THINK OR IMAGINE! When we face the dark season of our souls and all feels as though it is lost we must remember...

GOD IS GOOD! He works all things together for our good! When we don't understand our situation we need to quit focusing on our circumstances and look back at GOD! We need to remember the cross! We need to remember WHO GOD IS!

HE IS THE "I AM"! And He IS for us! His mercies are new every morning! AND HE LOVES US!

"Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace."--Oswald Chambers in Run Today's Race.

Will you trust Him? Will you serve Him NO MATTER THE COST?

As I wrestle with what God is doing, and how He is changing my life, I am choosing to SURRENDER to HIS WILL and to HIS WAYS!. SO...as for me and my house...WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!

PRAYER: GOD forgive us for forgetting Who you are! Thank You that You are good and You can be trusted. WE LOVE YOU with all our heart! We put our trust in YOU! We say YES to all YOU have for us!

PS...PLEASE PRAY FOR MY HUSBAND'S quick and complete healing!

Needing Confirmation?

Prov 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." NIV

In March, 2009, God prompted my heart to sell our home, which didn’t make sense to me. I loved my home. I loved the area we lived. I loved my church. I loved my life and the circumstances surrounding it. But the impression to sell our home didn’t go away. I prayed about it and mentioned it to my husband, who equally thought, “That’s absurd.”

However, during the months of April and May God changed our hearts. We felt like God was moving us on to something different. In late May we began to entertain selling our home and finally decided to put our house on the market.

While looking on the internet for realtors, we came across a brochure containing “simple steps to help sell your home”. One of the items listed said to “display yellow flowers”. For some reason the yellow flowers seemed significant to me. I felt compelled to go to the store the next day and purchase some. While at the store, I prayed, “Lord, the steps we’re taking are huge and they just don’t make sense to me. Please confirm our steps. Confirm we’re walking in the center of your will.”

Later that day while pulling weeds in our back yard I heard a truck in my driveway.

I wonder who’s here.. I thought to myself, dusting the dirt from my hands, wiping them on my shorts. I walked to the side of our red brick home.

What is a flower truck doing on my driveway? I wondered.

The man opened up his door, “I left a delivery for you on your front porch.”

“Thank you.” I smiled. I immediately thought to myself, my husband is so thoughtful. I can’t believe he bought me flowers. How sweet!

I walked to the kitchen to get a pair of scissors and opened the bag of flowers; as I opened them, I smiled even more.

Yellow flowers, I can’t believe how thoughtful my husband is. I thought to myself.

But as I read the card I instantly began to cry. The flowers weren’t from my husband, but from my dear friend Amy.

The card read:

“You Were In My Waking Thoughts. As I Prayed, The
Line “Remember The Lilies Of The Fields” From Amy Grant’s
Song “Jehovah” Came To Mind. I was Supposed To Send You
Lilies, Specifically Yellow. Google The Song
Amy =)

Now keep in mind. Nobody…and I mean NO single individual (outside of me and my husband) even knew we were thinking about selling our home. Yet that morning, as my friend travelled back from Florida, God prompted her to buy me flowers—specifically yellow.

I burst into tears, as God reminded me of my prayer, “Please confirm our steps and that we’re walking in the center of your will.”

I felt God’s love and confirmation. I felt like he had taken time to send me flowers, and not just any ordinary flowers but “yellow ones” from Heaven, through my dear, dear, friend.

Coincidence?—Hardly! Amy’s gesture confirmed God’s prompting to sell our home. He confirmed our decision to sell our home, letting us know we were walking in the center of His will.

What are you needing confirmation for? Ask the Lord and He will confirm His plans for you! Trust in Him! He is personally involved in your life and cares for you!

PRAYER: Father, please fill us with the comfort that we are walking in the center of Your will. Help us to know Your plans. Confirm our steps we pray: in Jesus name, amen.

Feeling Insignificant?

"You count...You matter...Your voice makes a difference!"

Today as I listened to hear what I should share, these words kept coming back to my mind, time and time again. I felt impressed to share a word of encouragement to you.

So often we feel insignificant, wondering what we really have to offer. Do we really count? Does our voice make a difference? Does God see our willingness to give all we have that He might be glorified?

I know for myself, sometimes I feel really small. My gifts and offerings seem insignificant in comparisons to the needs surrounding me. But the Lord reminded me this morning, when we willingly offer all we have, though it's small, though it's insufficient, He will multiply and expand it further to reach more people than we ever thought possible!

Remember the story in John 6:8-13, "Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish , but how far will they go among so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten." NIV

Here is a small boy, who looks around and sees a great need. He gives what he has to try to help. The disciples see a lack of provision...Jesus sees the sacrifice. And as the gifts are placed in Jesus hands, He blesses it and the provision is stretched to feed thousands. The people eat as much as they want. Jesus multiplied the little boys fish and loaves...the end result...NOTHING is wasted. Twelve baskets of fish and five barley loaves remained even after everyone ate until they were full.

What have you thought as insignificant? What has God asked you to give to Him to be used by Him?

You may feel insignificant. You may look at the need and wonder how can I something so small ever meet so great a need?

Let me encourage you...YOU CAN'T...BUT GOD CAN! He will take your small seemingly insignificant gift and multiply it!

As I started out this blog, I now finish it...This morning God impressed my heart to remind you..."You count...You matter...Your voice makes a difference!"

PRAYER: We feel so small, so insignificant. We see the needs surrounding us and wonder what difference we can possibly make. Thank You for reminding us that it's not our responsibility to produce results...our responsibility is to be obedient to Your voice. Take our offering, our life, and multiply it for Your kingdom. Lead us and guide us I pray. In Jesus name. Amen.

FAITH in ACTION

"God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing. " Martin Luther.

Today, I believe the LORD is calling each one of us to a place of surrender. He's asking us; will we trust Him? Will we follow where He leads? Will we abandon our plans for HIS?

For me and my family...our faith is being stretched as my husband leaves for INDIA, TODAY! We have mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness. We're going to miss each other terribly; yet, we feel more and more compelled to minister and support areas that have never heard the gospel message.

Romans 10:13-15 has taken on a whole new meaning in our lives; it says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" NIV

The truth is, Jesus IS returning soon. And as of late, He's causing us to think from an eternal perspective, helping us to realize that this life is but a vapor, making us evaluate why we worry about so many things that really just don't matter.

Matthew 6:19-21 has challenged me; it says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." NIV

So today, I encourage you to abandon your fears...press forward into God...fulfill the work He's set before you...trust Him and REMEMBER He fulfills ALL HIS PROMISES. DON'T worry about needing to "know" the final destination and every step a long your journey...enjoy the process...God is leading and will not let you down.

I encourage you to position yourself to listen and then simply obey! God is faithful! And, He's calling us to a life of faith...to a place where we put faith into action...

"Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again -- until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other." (William Booth in The Founder's Messages to Soldiers, Christianity Today, October 5, 1992, p. 48.)

As a side note, if you would like to financially partner with us as we step out to fulfill God's call on our life, you can make tax-deductible donations by clicking the link at the top right of this blog, on the button that says "Donate". Your gift of $10, $20, $50, or $100 really helps to make all the difference. And again...your gift is tax-deductible.

If you'd like to partner with us in prayer, please email your address to me, and I will send you a prayer card. We truly appreciate your prayer covering. Thank you in advance!

Prayer: Father, fill each one of us with the wisdom to know where you are leading and the strength and faith to walk it out! Empower us by Your Spirit. Let Your favor be upon us. Bless us in all we do. We love you Lord. May our lives truly glorify you!

Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled

This morning as I prepared my kids for school, I reminded them of all the little tasks they needed to do...brush your hair, brush your teeth, get your snack, grab your back pack...And as I did, I realized just how much my kids were at peace. They didn't worry whether breakfast would be on the table or not. They weren't concerned with how they were going to get to school. They weren't concerned about time.

They trusted me to provide. They knew I would get them to where they needed to be. They paid no attention to the clock, they knew I had everything under control.

In Proverbs 3:5-6, God's Word reminds us to, Trust in the LORD with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways we are to acknowledge him, and he will make our paths straight.

As I read this verse, I felt the Holy Spirit challenge my heart, "Are you leaning on your own understanding or mine?" Are you trusting in My abilities or in your own? Are you acknowledging Me in all your ways or are you still trying to figure it out?

So, I took some time to pray and read. One of the stories I read today amazed me. It shared about blind skiers who were trained to slalom ski. The story shares that the blind skiers were paired with sighted skiers. After they mastered how to make turns on flat areas, the blind skiers were taken to the slalom slope. As they began their descent, their "sighted partners skied beside them shouting, "Left!" and "Right!"... completely dependant on their sighted partner. (http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/t/trust.htm)

The same is true for our lives. We can't see the WHOLE picture. We walk by faith...not by sight. We don't know what course we should take in this life, we have to rely on God. He's the only One Who can truly see clearly. We need to put our trust in Him or we will suffer great harm. He protects, provides, and gives clear direction for us.

Jesus gave us a simple command in John 14:1-2. He said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." NIV

Today, I'm reminded, that I am His child...you are His child! And just as we oversee our children's needs, God watches over us. In simple child-like faith we need to rest, knowing He will provide. He will get us to where we need to be. We don't need to worry about the timeline, because God has everything under control. He will faithfully remind us of what we need to do and will prepare us along the way.

John 16:33 reminds us that, in this world we will have trouble. But we should take heart because Jesus has overcome the world.

He is working all things together for our good. (Rom 8:28)

PRAYER: Father, help us to have simple child-like faith. We put our trust in You. Provide for our every need. Prepare us. Position us. And fill us with Your presence. In Jesus name, amen.

On Sinking Sand or The Solid Rock?

"I CAN'T do this anymore!" I cried, exasperated at all the choices before me.

Change...change...change...Decisions at every corner...undone tasks falling of the "to do list" that I hadn't even had the time to write down...

Ever been there? Ever felt at a complete loss of what to do? Ever felt like you're walking on a tight rope, juggling everything you hold dear, trying to balance your life, while not dropping anything that is important to you? Ever feel like your on sinking sand?

In Matt 7:24-27,Jesus says, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." NIV

What "words of His" is Jesus talking about that needs to be put into practice? How do we build on the solid rock instead of sinking sand? What's the life line for those sinking deeper and deeper? How can we escape a tragic end of losing it all and instead position our house on the solid rock?

If we work backwards from Matthew 7:24-27 we find Jesus' command in Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." NIV

Building "our house" on the solid rock requires a complete surrender to Jesus. It demands that we put our hope, our confidence, our trust in Him...NOT in our abilities, resources, or even in our capability to "figure" things out.

We SURRENDER by "asking", "seeking", and "knocking"! Surrender is never easy...dying to "self" is difficult. But when we master the truth that our life is not our own...and truly submit our plans, agendas, and passions to Jesus, we find life!

Matthew 16:24-25, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." NIV


PRAYER: Father, help us to build "our house" on YOU! Help us to line up our thinking with Yours! Help us to step into what You are calling us to, surrendering to Your will! Let Your favor fall upon us! Fill us with Your glory! Give us strength we pray, in Jesus name...amen!