I love watching movies where the hero or heroine overcome insurmountable odds and triumph over all adversity to win the race...win the fight...make the touchdown...and overall...just WIN! Their stories inspire me to press on, never give up, and to keep on FIGHTING!!!
This past weekend I watched Secretariat. At one point in the movie Diane Lang put it all on the line. She turned down the offer for 8 million dollars and took the risk...to her, it wasn't about the money...it wasn't even about saving the farm anymore...It was all about her running the race and NOT EVER GIVING UP. Her race was to endure...to not give in...to not cave to the pressure. So whether Secretariat won or not...she ran her race. At one point says to her horse..."I've ran my race. Now you run yours!"
Friends, I don't know about you...but at some point in our spiritual journey we come to the revelation of what it's all about..."IT'S NOT about the outcome of our situation that defines us...IT'S ALL ABOUT our journey along the way."
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." (NIV)
Have NO DOUBT; opposition, obstacles, and obstructions WILL crush us IF we keep our eyes focused on them...BUT...IF we do what Hebrews 12:2 says to, and we FIX our eyes on JESUS, reminding ourselves "NOTHING is impossible for HIM!" then we WILL triumph over EVERY ADVERSITY and declare as Paul declared in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race , I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day..." (NIV)
I want to encourage you today! NEVER GIVE UP! KEEP FIGHTING! Give it your ALL! Put it all on the line! God is for YOU...and if God is for YOU...WHO can stand against YOU?
Let's make this week count for His glory and Dream Big, Laugh Often, Knowing God's Got it ALL under control!
PRAYER: Father, You are what makes life worth living. Let us honor You with every breath, every thought, and in every action!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sometimes There Just Aren't Easy Answers!
"Mommy...Why doesn't God heal Ms. Karan?" "Mommy, Why does God allow us to get sick?" "Mommy, how do you really hear God's voice?"
Wow. How do you answer questions that sometimes mirror your own?
Oh...don't get me wrong...I know the "RIGHT" things to say; I even know for the most part "how" to say what needs to be said...BUT I'm learning sometimes....easy answers shouldn't be offered! Sometimes...some questions shouldn't be attempted to be answered directly with words...some painful questions demand silence...a secure hug...shared tears...and instead of words...need to be deferred to the CHARACTER of CHRIST...and a gentle reminder of WHO GOD IS.
Questions like: Does God hate me? Is this why I'm sick? Is God judging me? Why did He let my baby die? Why did He allow me to get this disease? Why didn't he stop my husband from having the affair? Why did he allow my abuse? Why did He allow me to lose my job? WHY??? WHY??? WHY???? This week on my blog talk show we had callers who carried HEAVY PAIN...Broken people. Raw hurts. Bearing questions of why? What do I do? Does God hate me? Is He judging me? At some point in our life, we will all probably face a heavy question...a proverbial "WHY".
In moments like these when questions reveal brokenness, the questions demand more than surface answers. In other words...simple answers can't always solve deep hurts and pains.When circumstances attempt to crush us, weight us, destroy us...and the accuser shouts accusations, questioning God's love for us and our worth in His eyes...we have to counter attack with the truth of WHO GOD IS.
He is the God Who hears us. (1 John 5:14-15) He is the God Who loves us. (Isaiah 43:4, John 3:16) He is the God Who gave up everything for us and humbled Himself to the point of death...even death on the cross. (Philippians 2:8) He is the God Who says "never will I leave you....never will I forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) He is the God Who redeems and turns all of our heartaches for the good. "He works all things together for the the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purposes." (Romans 8:28)
Today, I won't even attempt to answer ALL of your questions. I won't presume to have ALL of your solutions...BUT...I will gladly point you to THE ONE WHO does. And, regardless of your circumstances, regardless of your pain, regardless of your questions...HE IS FAITHFUL. And He will NEVER LEAVE YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Any accusation, thought, or feeling that contradicts HIS REDEMPTIVE LOVE is NOT from HIM!
Psalm 34:18-19,22 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him." (NIV)
Friends, I know many of your stories, and I don't know all the reasons "WHY" some things happen...but I've found in my own life...that GOD CAN BE TRUSTED. And He can take the most horrific circumstances and bring about good. HIS peace surpasses ALL understanding and His LOVE can be trusted.
Don't give up. He is near. And, as Isaiah 43:2-3 promises, "When you pass through the waters, (God says) I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (WHY? Because God promises...) For I am the LORD, your God." (NIV)
PRAYER: Father, I ask for your strength for the weary. Hope for the hopeless. Love for the broken. Healing for the afflicted. Show Yourself. Reveal Your Power. Lavish us with Your love. And may we always point back to You and bring glory and honor to Your name.
Wow. How do you answer questions that sometimes mirror your own?
Oh...don't get me wrong...I know the "RIGHT" things to say; I even know for the most part "how" to say what needs to be said...BUT I'm learning sometimes....easy answers shouldn't be offered! Sometimes...some questions shouldn't be attempted to be answered directly with words...some painful questions demand silence...a secure hug...shared tears...and instead of words...need to be deferred to the CHARACTER of CHRIST...and a gentle reminder of WHO GOD IS.
Questions like: Does God hate me? Is this why I'm sick? Is God judging me? Why did He let my baby die? Why did He allow me to get this disease? Why didn't he stop my husband from having the affair? Why did he allow my abuse? Why did He allow me to lose my job? WHY??? WHY??? WHY???? This week on my blog talk show we had callers who carried HEAVY PAIN...Broken people. Raw hurts. Bearing questions of why? What do I do? Does God hate me? Is He judging me? At some point in our life, we will all probably face a heavy question...a proverbial "WHY".
In moments like these when questions reveal brokenness, the questions demand more than surface answers. In other words...simple answers can't always solve deep hurts and pains.When circumstances attempt to crush us, weight us, destroy us...and the accuser shouts accusations, questioning God's love for us and our worth in His eyes...we have to counter attack with the truth of WHO GOD IS.
He is the God Who hears us. (1 John 5:14-15) He is the God Who loves us. (Isaiah 43:4, John 3:16) He is the God Who gave up everything for us and humbled Himself to the point of death...even death on the cross. (Philippians 2:8) He is the God Who says "never will I leave you....never will I forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) He is the God Who redeems and turns all of our heartaches for the good. "He works all things together for the the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purposes." (Romans 8:28)
Today, I won't even attempt to answer ALL of your questions. I won't presume to have ALL of your solutions...BUT...I will gladly point you to THE ONE WHO does. And, regardless of your circumstances, regardless of your pain, regardless of your questions...HE IS FAITHFUL. And He will NEVER LEAVE YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Any accusation, thought, or feeling that contradicts HIS REDEMPTIVE LOVE is NOT from HIM!
Psalm 34:18-19,22 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him." (NIV)
Friends, I know many of your stories, and I don't know all the reasons "WHY" some things happen...but I've found in my own life...that GOD CAN BE TRUSTED. And He can take the most horrific circumstances and bring about good. HIS peace surpasses ALL understanding and His LOVE can be trusted.
Don't give up. He is near. And, as Isaiah 43:2-3 promises, "When you pass through the waters, (God says) I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (WHY? Because God promises...) For I am the LORD, your God." (NIV)
PRAYER: Father, I ask for your strength for the weary. Hope for the hopeless. Love for the broken. Healing for the afflicted. Show Yourself. Reveal Your Power. Lavish us with Your love. And may we always point back to You and bring glory and honor to Your name.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Don't Settle!
Psalm 37:7, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him..." (NIV)
The other night I had a dream...one of those dreams where you wake up and feel heightened emotions, and you awake knowing it was significant.
I began this year, like every year, with a consecration to God, inviting Him to speak, reveal, and infuse His will in mine. The outcome??? Profoundly strange!
For some reason, I "feel" things more deeply. I experience floods of unexpected compassion for strangers. And, sense God saying in my spirit "Don't Settle!"
My theme verse this year is Isaiah 49. I sense the Lord saying this is going to be a year of tremendous fulfillment...but in the midst of this promise...I also sense a shifting in my expectations...a change in my ambitions...a greater awareness of my own frailty and temptation to "Settle".
So, back to my dream. At first I didn't really understand it's meaning. Though the dream only lasted for about 30 seconds, it seemed like an eternity.
I was edged into a room that I didn't want to be in. A room filled with my past. In the dream I was paraded past every person who had ever rejected me. Past men I had "settled" for. I felt their disdain for me. I felt their rejection. I remember the Lord speaking something in my thoughts as I shamefully walked through the small room, filled with all my past regrets, though when I first awoke, I couldn't remember what He said.
Over the last few days, the Lord revealed the greater significance of the dream. You see, so often in my life I tend to "Settle". In a desire for significance, acceptance, and love I make choices that bring heartache, disappointment, and miss God's "BEST". Those decisions and choices only produced brokenness, shame, and judgment...
God lovingly encouraged me, to never forsake "MY FIRST LOVE"..."HIM"! To never settle for a little bit of His Presence...but to openly invite Him into every area of my life...my thinking, my writing, my parenting. Though this year holds a lot of PROMISE...to not get ahead of that promise and mistakenly "Settle" for an imitation of His best...but to seek HIM with ALL my heart. Give Him my every desire. To listen. To wait.
Not waiting on God brings brokenness, shame, and judgment. Waiting for God produces wisdom, discernment, hope, and life!
G. Campbell Morgan wrote, "Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given." (http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/w/waiting_on_god.htm)
So, the purpose of the dream??? To remind me--Don't ever settle. Don't mistakenly run after "2nd or 3rd best"! Don't ever forsake my first love of God!
Friends, God has amazing plans for our lives! May we never...ever...settle! May we always hold out for His Very Best!
Today, may we ask ourself..."Have I settled? Am I waiting for His best?" Lord, reveal Your will for our lives!
PRAYER: Thank You for YOU! For never leaving us. For redeeming our bad choices. For loving us. For empowering us to NEVER SETTLE for anything less than YOU! Fill us. Empower us. Strengthen us. And encourage us by Your Spirit. IN Jesus name, amen!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
3 Truths to Starting Over
Yesterday, I shared how I wanted to hit the "re-start button". But how do you really do that? How do you let go of what was and start fresh?
Today, I thought I'd elaborate on a few essentials to starting over. I would love your feedback at the end. Your comments always help fill in on the parts I miss and your stories serve to encourage others...so...don't be shy, please leave your thoughts in the comment section below and let your story inspire others! :)
A few thoughts on starting over:
Friends, it's ok to grieve. It's ok to feel loss even in blessings and especially ok to take every broken dream to God.
Some of my dearest friends have experienced considerable loss this year...death of loved ones, an unfaithful spouse, divorce, sickness, and children changing from doting loving children to unyielding, wild running, untamed horses--resisting their upbringing of godly teachings.
In moments like these we must let go of all our own strength, and submit every concern, fear, and regret to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " (NIV)
Allow yourself time to grieve, to let go of "what was" and to embrace "what is" by submitting everything to God in prayer.
Can I just say, I don't have this down perfect yet. But part of what I'm learning is that "embracing what is doesn't mean embracing the discouragement but rather embrace God in the midst of the pain. The last two years caused me much heartache. We've lost every inch of stable ground to stand on...except GOD Himself. And in the process, God stripped us of our self-reliance and self-determination. Every day demanded hitting the restart button, and a surrender to embrace the Truth of WHO GOD IS and rest in His promises, knowing He works all things together for our good.
Throughout our last two years we undertook three moves, three job changes, sold houses, purchased new businesses, sold a couple business, ventured to new locations, found new churches, built new friendships and let go of past ones, helped our children during each transition, said goodbye to accustomed luxuries and learned to live on less in order to live more for the kingdom...at each turn...there was a death to self and an embracing of the cross we were called to carry.
I imagine many of you can relate. Times have not been easy for many in these last couple of years. So, the key to successfully hitting the restart button to life, is to EMBRACE GOD. Embrace His Goodness. To remember WHO we serve. And KNOW He is able to do the impossible.
In order to successfully hit the "restart button" we have to:
Throughout the hardships of my life, childhood abuse, sexual abuse, divorce, neglect, years of searching for significance, economic hardships, betrayals...GOD HAS NEVER LEFT ME! And in the midst of the most horrific situations HE ALONE established my hope and gave me strength to press on, reminding me..."JULIE, YOUR STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET!" And today, I want to encourage you...NEITHER IS YOURS!!!
You hit the restart button every day, every minute of every day, and every second of every minute by holding fast to the truth that GOOD THINGS are yet to come. God doesn't waste anything.
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)
In the MIDST of our desert God provides streams, and HE WILL work ALL THINGS together for our GOOD. Jeremiah 29:11 promises, "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." (NIV)
Friends, HIT THE RESTART BUTTON! Let go of what was, embrace what is, and ALWAYS look forward to WHAT IS YET TO COME!
PRAYER: Father, give us strength to do everything listed in this post. And may our lives reflect Your goodness. Hold fast to us. Never let us fail. Thank You for Your love. We put our hope in You. Help us to start each day fresh, confident in WHO YOU ARE. AMEN.
For more on this topic, listen to today's broadcast at 12 PM EST at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/01/26/his-love-extended
Today, I thought I'd elaborate on a few essentials to starting over. I would love your feedback at the end. Your comments always help fill in on the parts I miss and your stories serve to encourage others...so...don't be shy, please leave your thoughts in the comment section below and let your story inspire others! :)
A few thoughts on starting over:
- Recognize that part of starting over means something else has ended. Loss of a loved one. Marriage. Divorce. Sickness. Healing. Birth of a child. Waywardness of your teenage child. Growing older. Loss of a position. Promotion. All of these circumstances, constitute change. And change, even when it's good can cause stress.
Friends, it's ok to grieve. It's ok to feel loss even in blessings and especially ok to take every broken dream to God.
Some of my dearest friends have experienced considerable loss this year...death of loved ones, an unfaithful spouse, divorce, sickness, and children changing from doting loving children to unyielding, wild running, untamed horses--resisting their upbringing of godly teachings.
In moments like these we must let go of all our own strength, and submit every concern, fear, and regret to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " (NIV)
Allow yourself time to grieve, to let go of "what was" and to embrace "what is" by submitting everything to God in prayer.
- The second part of restarting, after letting go of "what was" is embracing "what is".
Can I just say, I don't have this down perfect yet. But part of what I'm learning is that "embracing what is doesn't mean embracing the discouragement but rather embrace God in the midst of the pain. The last two years caused me much heartache. We've lost every inch of stable ground to stand on...except GOD Himself. And in the process, God stripped us of our self-reliance and self-determination. Every day demanded hitting the restart button, and a surrender to embrace the Truth of WHO GOD IS and rest in His promises, knowing He works all things together for our good.
Throughout our last two years we undertook three moves, three job changes, sold houses, purchased new businesses, sold a couple business, ventured to new locations, found new churches, built new friendships and let go of past ones, helped our children during each transition, said goodbye to accustomed luxuries and learned to live on less in order to live more for the kingdom...at each turn...there was a death to self and an embracing of the cross we were called to carry.
I imagine many of you can relate. Times have not been easy for many in these last couple of years. So, the key to successfully hitting the restart button to life, is to EMBRACE GOD. Embrace His Goodness. To remember WHO we serve. And KNOW He is able to do the impossible.
In order to successfully hit the "restart button" we have to:
- Let go of "what was", embrace "what is", and always look forward to "what is yet to come".
Throughout the hardships of my life, childhood abuse, sexual abuse, divorce, neglect, years of searching for significance, economic hardships, betrayals...GOD HAS NEVER LEFT ME! And in the midst of the most horrific situations HE ALONE established my hope and gave me strength to press on, reminding me..."JULIE, YOUR STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET!" And today, I want to encourage you...NEITHER IS YOURS!!!
You hit the restart button every day, every minute of every day, and every second of every minute by holding fast to the truth that GOOD THINGS are yet to come. God doesn't waste anything.
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)
In the MIDST of our desert God provides streams, and HE WILL work ALL THINGS together for our GOOD. Jeremiah 29:11 promises, "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." (NIV)
Friends, HIT THE RESTART BUTTON! Let go of what was, embrace what is, and ALWAYS look forward to WHAT IS YET TO COME!
PRAYER: Father, give us strength to do everything listed in this post. And may our lives reflect Your goodness. Hold fast to us. Never let us fail. Thank You for Your love. We put our hope in You. Help us to start each day fresh, confident in WHO YOU ARE. AMEN.
For more on this topic, listen to today's broadcast at 12 PM EST at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/01/26/his-love-extended
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Hitting the Restart Button!
Man, what a morning! Ever have one of those days where everything you touch goes wrong? Where you just want to crawl back in to bed. Take back the words you said or start the day saying what you wished you would have?
Today, was one of those days for me. Oh nothing earth shattering. NO GRAND FAILURE...just stupid mistakes.
I woke up to yet another rejection letter (for my book publication) and faced more "critiques" of what I've already written that needs changed. In the process, I completely forgot to wish my husband a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
As I grovelled around talking about how I always feel like the kid who sits on the side line saying, "Put me in coach....Put me in!" Only to sit out another game, calling out and cheering on my teammates...my husband graciously hugged me, encouraged me, and said NOTHING about it being his birthday! As we sat snuggling, and I got over my "poor woe is me attitude" Greg got a text that said HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
AH...MAN...I felt like a heel! Apologized profusely! And wished I could have redone the morning! I always make birthdays a BIG deal, celebrating the lives of the ones I love the most. BUT NOT THIS MORNING...NO THIS MORNING was ALL about me, my feelings, and my emotions. GRRRR!
I apologize a few more times, while each time my husband graciously forgave me and said it was no big deal...but it was to me. And that's when it hit me! How easy it is to get lost in "OUR OWN WORLD" that we forget what's going on in the lives of others! How tempting it is to run after our dreams and forget to notice the people God's put directly in front of us!
Philippians 2:3-4--"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." (NIV)
So today, I'm hitting the restart button. Asking God for the strength to NOT give in...and NOT give up. I'm praying that He empowers me to always care for others and prefer the needs of others over my own.
Friends, life is short. And I for one want to enjoy every minute of it. So I'm going to shake off any "EEYORE Syndrome" and lovingly embrace every moment with laughter and gratefulness...So to start the day off right...let me just say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE" and extend a GREAT BIG HUG to each and everyone of you! I count it a privilege to call each one of you my friends! And allow me to simply remind you...GOD HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE...Don't give in to defeat. Don't allow the enemy to crush the dreams God's put inside of you.
DREAM BIG! LAUGH OFTEN! KNOWING GOD'S GOT IT ALL UNDER CONTROL!
PRAYER: Father, help us to resist the temptation to feel sorry for ourselves and rather put our hope in You, knowing You have a perfect plan and perfect will, and will accomplish ALL You have promised! Empower us to love as You love. To serve as You served, Jesus. And thank You for surrounding us with amazing people. We give You our life, all that we are. Use us for Your glory. Amen.
Today, was one of those days for me. Oh nothing earth shattering. NO GRAND FAILURE...just stupid mistakes.
I woke up to yet another rejection letter (for my book publication) and faced more "critiques" of what I've already written that needs changed. In the process, I completely forgot to wish my husband a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
As I grovelled around talking about how I always feel like the kid who sits on the side line saying, "Put me in coach....Put me in!" Only to sit out another game, calling out and cheering on my teammates...my husband graciously hugged me, encouraged me, and said NOTHING about it being his birthday! As we sat snuggling, and I got over my "poor woe is me attitude" Greg got a text that said HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
AH...MAN...I felt like a heel! Apologized profusely! And wished I could have redone the morning! I always make birthdays a BIG deal, celebrating the lives of the ones I love the most. BUT NOT THIS MORNING...NO THIS MORNING was ALL about me, my feelings, and my emotions. GRRRR!
I apologize a few more times, while each time my husband graciously forgave me and said it was no big deal...but it was to me. And that's when it hit me! How easy it is to get lost in "OUR OWN WORLD" that we forget what's going on in the lives of others! How tempting it is to run after our dreams and forget to notice the people God's put directly in front of us!
Philippians 2:3-4--"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." (NIV)
So today, I'm hitting the restart button. Asking God for the strength to NOT give in...and NOT give up. I'm praying that He empowers me to always care for others and prefer the needs of others over my own.
Friends, life is short. And I for one want to enjoy every minute of it. So I'm going to shake off any "EEYORE Syndrome" and lovingly embrace every moment with laughter and gratefulness...So to start the day off right...let me just say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE" and extend a GREAT BIG HUG to each and everyone of you! I count it a privilege to call each one of you my friends! And allow me to simply remind you...GOD HAS GREAT PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE...Don't give in to defeat. Don't allow the enemy to crush the dreams God's put inside of you.
DREAM BIG! LAUGH OFTEN! KNOWING GOD'S GOT IT ALL UNDER CONTROL!
PRAYER: Father, help us to resist the temptation to feel sorry for ourselves and rather put our hope in You, knowing You have a perfect plan and perfect will, and will accomplish ALL You have promised! Empower us to love as You love. To serve as You served, Jesus. And thank You for surrounding us with amazing people. We give You our life, all that we are. Use us for Your glory. Amen.
Monday, January 24, 2011
NO MORE SHAME!
About a year ago, as I visited each of my children's bedrooms, routinely praying for them and tucking them in, I discovered my daughter Sommer sitting on her bed crying.
"What's wrong, baby doll?" I asked.
"I can't say!" Sommer whimpered, curling tighter and tighter into the fetal position.
Stroking her hair slightly, I whispered, "Why can't you say? Are you sick? What's the matter?"
"No. No. No. I can't tell you. You'll be disappointed in me!" She cried.
Her distress broke my heart. "Honey, I love you, and you can tell me anything. Nothing you could ever say would stop me from loving you!"
Sommer looked up, and in broken pauses, gasping for breath and muttering broken words, bore the pain of her heart. She shared how FOUR years earlier, she had kissed a little boy under her kindergarten table, and then lied saying he kissed her, but in actuality...she had kissed him!
I felt compassion for the heavy guilt my daughter carried UNNECESSARILY for "FOUR" years...knowing all too well the HEAVY WEIGHTS and paralyzing effects of shame!
Ever experience moments where mistakes from your past heaped condemnation upon you? Ever feel as if rocks were piling up on top of you...one heavy accusation after another? Ever feel your breath thining....as every ounce of joy crushed from beneath the weights of your shame and regret?
I grew up...in many ways...like each and every one of you, wanting to do something significant...to BE something SIGNIFICANT. AND, then, like you, my life took unexpected twists and turns, leaving behind trails of wrong decisions, opening doors for the enemy to "rightfully" attack my character--"rightfully" that is "IF" I were subject to him by my "own righteousness"...
BUT...WE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE ENEMY'S ACCUSATIONS...He has NO right to accuse us...
Romans 8:1-3 PROMISES, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." (NIV)
FRIENDS, we have be made righteous through Christ. Sin and shame are NOT our master. We have been purchased. Our sins have been cast as far as the east is from the west...an unending destination...that never meet! We have our southeast, our northwest, but there is never a place where east/west meets together.
At the moment of repentance and confession God removes our sin from us...NEVER... to remember again!WOW! His mercy covers us! He lovingly looks upon us, understanding all the whys behind what we did, and mercifully chooses to forgive us!
Today, I want to encourage you to ACCEPT the WORK JESUS did on the cross. Quit baring the weights of SHAME and REGRET!
1 John 1:9-10 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV)
Many of us understand and outwardly accept God's grace, but then live our life subject to our weaknesses, entertaining unconscious thoughts of our unworthiness. I could never do that...I'm not good enough...I have failed...God could never use someone like me. I'm not talented enough. I'm not wealthy enough. I'm not strong enough... and the list grows as we excuse away our purpose, emphasizing the wrong “I”.
PRAYER: Father, remove all shame and guilt from us. Forgive us for our sins. Forgive our pride, arrogance, and at times our willful disobedience. Cleanse our mind from the affects of our sin. Help us to sense Your love. And thank You for Your forgiveness. IN Jesus Name, AMEN!
"What's wrong, baby doll?" I asked.
"I can't say!" Sommer whimpered, curling tighter and tighter into the fetal position.
Stroking her hair slightly, I whispered, "Why can't you say? Are you sick? What's the matter?"
"No. No. No. I can't tell you. You'll be disappointed in me!" She cried.
Her distress broke my heart. "Honey, I love you, and you can tell me anything. Nothing you could ever say would stop me from loving you!"
Sommer looked up, and in broken pauses, gasping for breath and muttering broken words, bore the pain of her heart. She shared how FOUR years earlier, she had kissed a little boy under her kindergarten table, and then lied saying he kissed her, but in actuality...she had kissed him!
I felt compassion for the heavy guilt my daughter carried UNNECESSARILY for "FOUR" years...knowing all too well the HEAVY WEIGHTS and paralyzing effects of shame!
Ever experience moments where mistakes from your past heaped condemnation upon you? Ever feel as if rocks were piling up on top of you...one heavy accusation after another? Ever feel your breath thining....as every ounce of joy crushed from beneath the weights of your shame and regret?
I grew up...in many ways...like each and every one of you, wanting to do something significant...to BE something SIGNIFICANT. AND, then, like you, my life took unexpected twists and turns, leaving behind trails of wrong decisions, opening doors for the enemy to "rightfully" attack my character--"rightfully" that is "IF" I were subject to him by my "own righteousness"...
BUT...WE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE ENEMY'S ACCUSATIONS...He has NO right to accuse us...
Romans 8:1-3 PROMISES, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." (NIV)
FRIENDS, we have be made righteous through Christ. Sin and shame are NOT our master. We have been purchased. Our sins have been cast as far as the east is from the west...an unending destination...that never meet! We have our southeast, our northwest, but there is never a place where east/west meets together.
At the moment of repentance and confession God removes our sin from us...NEVER... to remember again!WOW! His mercy covers us! He lovingly looks upon us, understanding all the whys behind what we did, and mercifully chooses to forgive us!
Today, I want to encourage you to ACCEPT the WORK JESUS did on the cross. Quit baring the weights of SHAME and REGRET!
1 John 1:9-10 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV)
Many of us understand and outwardly accept God's grace, but then live our life subject to our weaknesses, entertaining unconscious thoughts of our unworthiness. I could never do that...I'm not good enough...I have failed...God could never use someone like me. I'm not talented enough. I'm not wealthy enough. I'm not strong enough... and the list grows as we excuse away our purpose, emphasizing the wrong “I”.
Focusing on the wrong “I”...focusing on “self” heaps feelings of discouragement, shame, and unworthiness. BUT...when we shift our attention to focus on the “I AM” discouragement, shame, and feelings of unworthiness HAVE TO GO!
So, today, when the enemy whispers all the reasons WHY NOT...WHY YOU are DISQUALIFIED... simply remind him...and yourself: "I am purchased with a great price. And, since GOD says I can...I KNOW I WILL!"
PRAYER: Father, remove all shame and guilt from us. Forgive us for our sins. Forgive our pride, arrogance, and at times our willful disobedience. Cleanse our mind from the affects of our sin. Help us to sense Your love. And thank You for Your forgiveness. IN Jesus Name, AMEN!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Quit Worrying!!!
Today, I read a sobering story of a young mother who passed away, leaving behind a husband, 2 children, and a baby boy. My heart broke, as I thought of her young girls, who would not have the opportunity of having their mother be present for their marriage, and the baby boy that would grow, missing out on ever really knowing his mother. I felt an overwhelming sense of loss for her husband who would battle, trying to figure out how to balance working and caring for three children...and the moments of loneliness he would experience in the months and years that lay ahead.
While all of these sobering thoughts dashed through my head, I also recalled dear friends who suffered physically this year, friends who experienced strokes, battled with cancer, and lost loved ones.
Friends, life is fragile. We honestly don't know what our future holds. With all these heavy, sobering thoughts, I felt compelled to encourage you to LIVE life to the fullest!!!
I love how Luke writes in Luke 12:22-26, how Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (NIV)
You see...God has an incredible purpose for your life and I want to encourage you to listen to hear what that is. Ask God to reveal it to you. And when He reveals it to you, I want to encourage you to (with every ounce of strength He gives you) embrace the mission...throw caution to the wind...run the race set out before you.
Love deeply. Embrace your family. Forgive even the ones who don't ask for it. Life is too short to live ANY OTHER way.
Today, I want to challenge you with this thought: "If this were your last day, how would you spend it?" (Now don't go calling in sick for work...understand what I'm saying.) Seize every moment. Enjoy every friendship. Encourage all those you come in contact with! AND MOST OF ALL...QUIT WORRYING!
Dream Big. Laugh Often...KNOWING God's Got It ALL Under Control. (He really does!)
PRAYER: Reveal Your purposes for our life. Help us to know Your thoughts. Strengthen us. Help us to live life to the fullest, resting in WHO YOU ARE! In Jesus name, amen.
While all of these sobering thoughts dashed through my head, I also recalled dear friends who suffered physically this year, friends who experienced strokes, battled with cancer, and lost loved ones.
Friends, life is fragile. We honestly don't know what our future holds. With all these heavy, sobering thoughts, I felt compelled to encourage you to LIVE life to the fullest!!!
I love how Luke writes in Luke 12:22-26, how Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (NIV)
You see...God has an incredible purpose for your life and I want to encourage you to listen to hear what that is. Ask God to reveal it to you. And when He reveals it to you, I want to encourage you to (with every ounce of strength He gives you) embrace the mission...throw caution to the wind...run the race set out before you.
Love deeply. Embrace your family. Forgive even the ones who don't ask for it. Life is too short to live ANY OTHER way.
Today, I want to challenge you with this thought: "If this were your last day, how would you spend it?" (Now don't go calling in sick for work...understand what I'm saying.) Seize every moment. Enjoy every friendship. Encourage all those you come in contact with! AND MOST OF ALL...QUIT WORRYING!
Dream Big. Laugh Often...KNOWING God's Got It ALL Under Control. (He really does!)
PRAYER: Reveal Your purposes for our life. Help us to know Your thoughts. Strengthen us. Help us to live life to the fullest, resting in WHO YOU ARE! In Jesus name, amen.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
God Rejoices Over Us with Singing!
The other night my family and I decided to all do our individual interpretation of a happy dance. One by one, we wiggled, shook, jumped, and down right "boogied"...it was hilarious. I still chuckle when I think about it. We rejoiced together, laughing, dancing, and embracing one another's interpretation of a happy dance.
Today, as I spent moments pondering what to share, God reminded me--He rejoices over us with singing!
Zephaniah 3:17 says, "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)
What a thought! The Lord our God takes GREAT delight in us??? So often I envision God looking on with a disdain for my humanity, seeing all my silly mistakes, and prideful, independent attempts of living. BUT...that's not accurate.
God is our Father, and just as I looked on, and my husband looked on encouraging our children to laugh, dance, and be themselves...God looks on encouraging us to DANCE and enjoy LIFE!
Zephaniah says, He takes GREAT DELIGHT in us, He quiets us with HIS LOVE (NOT with an iron hand...not with fearful tactics...). God sooths us, comforts us, embraces us with His never-ending gentle love and calls us to draw near to Him.
HE REJOICES over us with SINGING! WOW!!!
Friends, I want to encourage you...if you have know sin...something separating you from experiencing God's presence, then confess it to Him and ask forgiveness. He isn't waiting to condemn you, He came that You might have life and have it to the full. He is the PERFECT FATHER, who DELIGHTS in us, LOVES us, and REJOICES over us with SINGING!
PRAYER: Father, I am amazed at Your great love. Thank You for loving us, for choosing us, for delighting over us! Help us to live in such a way that we give You every reason to Rejoice over us with singing! We love You. Empower us to do all You've called us to! In Jesus name, amen.
Today, as I spent moments pondering what to share, God reminded me--He rejoices over us with singing!
Zephaniah 3:17 says, "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)
What a thought! The Lord our God takes GREAT delight in us??? So often I envision God looking on with a disdain for my humanity, seeing all my silly mistakes, and prideful, independent attempts of living. BUT...that's not accurate.
God is our Father, and just as I looked on, and my husband looked on encouraging our children to laugh, dance, and be themselves...God looks on encouraging us to DANCE and enjoy LIFE!
Zephaniah says, He takes GREAT DELIGHT in us, He quiets us with HIS LOVE (NOT with an iron hand...not with fearful tactics...). God sooths us, comforts us, embraces us with His never-ending gentle love and calls us to draw near to Him.
HE REJOICES over us with SINGING! WOW!!!
Friends, I want to encourage you...if you have know sin...something separating you from experiencing God's presence, then confess it to Him and ask forgiveness. He isn't waiting to condemn you, He came that You might have life and have it to the full. He is the PERFECT FATHER, who DELIGHTS in us, LOVES us, and REJOICES over us with SINGING!
PRAYER: Father, I am amazed at Your great love. Thank You for loving us, for choosing us, for delighting over us! Help us to live in such a way that we give You every reason to Rejoice over us with singing! We love You. Empower us to do all You've called us to! In Jesus name, amen.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
WE HAVE PURPOSE!
At the beginning of this year many of us agreed to take the 21 day challenge to spend time in God’s presence, creating new habits of including Him in our day to day. Our challenge was to spend time each morning asking the Lord to speak to us, read one chapter from the Bible and silently listen for 3-5 minutes, inviting God to encourage, instruct, or simply talk with us.Today, we are 19 days into that challenge and I hope you are gaining great perspective and insights and even more importantly growing closer to God in a more intimate relationship with Him.
Today, as I practiced this challenge, I felt GOD reminding me that He has designed each one of us for a specific purpose. He has a plan for our lives. That plan is not meant to stress us out. That plan is not meant to heap weights of agonizing responsibility on our shoulders. RATHER...that plan is meant to give us hope and a future. No matter the trials we are facing … no matter the circumstances surrounding our life… WE HAVE PURPOSE.
GOD SEES US RIGHT WHERE WE ARE…AND HIS POWER SURPASSES OUR GREATEST IMAGINATIONS.
Listen to David’s Song in Psalm 139:1-16, “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)
Friends, let that soak in. Before we took our first breath God saw every decision we would make. So often we look at our life and fear we have some how missed God or messed things up…BUT when God called us and commissioned us, He already knew every decision, failure, and mistake we would make…BUT HE CHOSE US anyway.
So today, remember, God redeems our “mess ups” and empowers us for every task He calls us to. Take a deep breath, rest in His goodness, and invite Him to speak directly to your spirit what it He is calling you to.
Jeremiah 29:11 promises us, “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.” And in verse 14, God encourages us that, we will seek Him and FIND HIM when we seek Him with ALL of our heart!
Let's press on to experience as MUCH of God as we can in 2011, following where He leads. Beloved, God LOVES US and invites us to draw nearer to him.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
I want to encourage you to spend some moments of silence, listening and waiting for the LORD to speak to you.
PRAYER: Father, we ask that you would lift every weigh, every heavy burden we’ve picked up and carry. Help us to draw near to You. Lead us. Empower us. And fill us with Your Precious Spirit, strengthen us to do all you’ve called us to, and help us to let go of anything that we’ve attempted to do, that you have not called us to. We love you, and thank you for your mercy, your grace, and your unconditional love. Thank you for Jesus, and it’s in His name, and in His authority, we ask for all of these things…amen.
PS. Please join me today on CWA's His Love Extended Ministries' Blog Talk Radio Broadcast as we talk about powerful ways to "DESTRESS" our life. The broadcast airs at 12 PM EST at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/01/19/his-love-extended
Today, as I practiced this challenge, I felt GOD reminding me that He has designed each one of us for a specific purpose. He has a plan for our lives. That plan is not meant to stress us out. That plan is not meant to heap weights of agonizing responsibility on our shoulders. RATHER...that plan is meant to give us hope and a future. No matter the trials we are facing … no matter the circumstances surrounding our life… WE HAVE PURPOSE.
GOD SEES US RIGHT WHERE WE ARE…AND HIS POWER SURPASSES OUR GREATEST IMAGINATIONS.
Listen to David’s Song in Psalm 139:1-16, “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)
Friends, let that soak in. Before we took our first breath God saw every decision we would make. So often we look at our life and fear we have some how missed God or messed things up…BUT when God called us and commissioned us, He already knew every decision, failure, and mistake we would make…BUT HE CHOSE US anyway.
So today, remember, God redeems our “mess ups” and empowers us for every task He calls us to. Take a deep breath, rest in His goodness, and invite Him to speak directly to your spirit what it He is calling you to.
Jeremiah 29:11 promises us, “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.” And in verse 14, God encourages us that, we will seek Him and FIND HIM when we seek Him with ALL of our heart!
Let's press on to experience as MUCH of God as we can in 2011, following where He leads. Beloved, God LOVES US and invites us to draw nearer to him.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
I want to encourage you to spend some moments of silence, listening and waiting for the LORD to speak to you.
PRAYER: Father, we ask that you would lift every weigh, every heavy burden we’ve picked up and carry. Help us to draw near to You. Lead us. Empower us. And fill us with Your Precious Spirit, strengthen us to do all you’ve called us to, and help us to let go of anything that we’ve attempted to do, that you have not called us to. We love you, and thank you for your mercy, your grace, and your unconditional love. Thank you for Jesus, and it’s in His name, and in His authority, we ask for all of these things…amen.
PS. Please join me today on CWA's His Love Extended Ministries' Blog Talk Radio Broadcast as we talk about powerful ways to "DESTRESS" our life. The broadcast airs at 12 PM EST at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/01/19/his-love-extended
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wanna Know the Secret to Overcoming Fear?
If you're like me, fear settles in unnoticed; one moment I'm soaring along, enjoying the beauty of life, resting in God's provisions, trusting in Him completely...The next...I realize I'm focused on the "ifs, whens, or hows".
Fear attempts to kill our dreams, keep us from fulfilling our purpose, and steal the peace God destined for our life...and therefore...Fear must be destroyed!
But how do we disarm fear? Over the last couple of years I've learned the secret to defusing fear...wanna know the secret?
The secret to destroying, disarming, and defusing fear rests in two steps:
God says, don't worry...why? "Because I have redeemed you!" And when times get really tough, when the waters of life try to drown you, when the fires of adversity attempt to burn you...I AM the LORD...YOUR GOD...YOUR SAVIOR!"
I think to some degree until we see Jesus face to face, we will battle fear. The unknown can cause unsettled feelings...but...when we choose to remember WHO WE SERVE and TRUST in WHAT HE HAS PROMISED...fear fades...freeing us to pursue all God desires for our life.
So today, every time fearful thinking arises or the what if's of life cloud your thoughts, choose to remember Who You Serve...Hold Fast to What He promised.
PRAYER: Father, help us to reflect on Who You Are and to hold fast to ALL You have promised. Help us to remember Your love for us and fill us with the courage to do all You've called us to do.
Fear attempts to kill our dreams, keep us from fulfilling our purpose, and steal the peace God destined for our life...and therefore...Fear must be destroyed!
But how do we disarm fear? Over the last couple of years I've learned the secret to defusing fear...wanna know the secret?
The secret to destroying, disarming, and defusing fear rests in two steps:
- Remembering WHO WE SERVE.
- Holding fast to WHAT HE PROMISED!
God says, don't worry...why? "Because I have redeemed you!" And when times get really tough, when the waters of life try to drown you, when the fires of adversity attempt to burn you...I AM the LORD...YOUR GOD...YOUR SAVIOR!"
I think to some degree until we see Jesus face to face, we will battle fear. The unknown can cause unsettled feelings...but...when we choose to remember WHO WE SERVE and TRUST in WHAT HE HAS PROMISED...fear fades...freeing us to pursue all God desires for our life.
So today, every time fearful thinking arises or the what if's of life cloud your thoughts, choose to remember Who You Serve...Hold Fast to What He promised.
PRAYER: Father, help us to reflect on Who You Are and to hold fast to ALL You have promised. Help us to remember Your love for us and fill us with the courage to do all You've called us to do.
Monday, January 17, 2011
If God is For Us?
Proverbs 23:7, "For as (a man) thinketh within himself, so is he..."(ASV)
Hope is an amazing power: with it, men conquer great feats, overcoming insurmountable obstacles...without it, they give in to a slow, agonizing, defeat.
Florence May Chadwick, the first woman who attempted to swim the 26 miles between Catalina Island and the California coastline. Fifteen hours after Florence began her chartered swim, a heavy fog set in, making it impossible to see the shoreline. Florence told her mother, who was in one of the boats following to ensure her safety, that she didn’t think she could make it. She continued to swim for one more hour before asking to be pulled out. Sitting in the boat, she discovered she was only one mile from her destination. "Two months later, Chadwick tried again. This time was different. The same thick fog set in, but she made it because she said that she kept a mental image of the shoreline in her mind while she swam." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_May_Chadwick)
Friends, I want to encourage you today to see your "shoreline"...to envision your end destination. Don't ever give up. Remember Who it is that called you. Hold fast to what He promised. Never forget Who you serve.
Romans 8:28-32 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 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)
Beloved, we are NOT alone. No matter how tired we are...no matter how thick "THE FOG" of our life sets in, attempting to destroy our hope...If we keep the Lord ever before us...remembering His promises... envisioning our end destination, we will press on through our chartered course of life and reach our destined finish line!
DON'T GIVE UP! KEEP ON SWIMMING! God IS FOR US! And, IF GOD IS FOR US...who can stand against us?
PRAYER: Father, thank You for the hope we have in You. Thank You that You are for us! Wow. You truly are an amazing God. We love You. Empower us to serve You. Encourage us with Your presence. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Resist the Devil
James 4:7-8, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)
“And over here is where the chimney used…” I stopped mid-sentence, wanting to finish with “to be” but couldn’t.
My hand suspended in mid-air, extending in the direction of our dining room. Traffic zoomed back and forth, on the highway in front of our house; I heard the wind rustling tree branches to and fro. Life moved freely outside; but inside, I remained unable to move, or speak. My entire body felt paralyzed, but thankfully I still maintained control over my eyes. I quickly glanced over my left shoulder; my friend, Diana, and her mother, stood motionless, also brought to a stand still, by an unknown evil force.
I had experienced this feeling many times during the night hours, but never in the middle of the day, and never with any other witnesses. Fear gripped me; my air passages constricted. I tried to swallow but couldn’t.
I kept saying over and over in my mind, God is greater…Jesus is greater!
I thought of the verse, “Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in this world.” But, no matter how hard I tried, I remained powerless to express the words out loud.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Bobby, my friend’s mother, said, “Julie, run!”
Her words broke our momentary paralysis; we ran as fast as we could, bolting through the bedroom, then the bath, and finally escaping through the back-side door.
As a teenager, I experienced many spine tingling, hair-rising encounters with darkness, stumbling into situations making grown women want to run, literally. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I learned of my father’s involvement with occult practices; his association with darkness subjected me to evil, most are fortunate to avoid.
During my encounters with darkness, I readily discerned the voice of God’s from the enemy’s. You see, when an enemy attacks you, undisguised, they’re easy to identify; it’s only when an enemy impersonates a friend, that their assault becomes less recognizable, leaving you perplexed, baffled, and wondering, “What just happened?” or “What’s the truth?”
Today, I felt impressed to write a few short, concise thoughts, to discerning the enemy's voice so that we can stand against him.
1. Satan subtly creeps into our life through moderation, insinuates half truths, and cunningly twists Scripture to fulfill his mission—to steal, to kill, and to destroy. We can readily discern his voice from God’s by studying the nature of the message.
Friends, many of us have been in, or currently are in, the midst of a great battle. If you find yourself confused, heavy hearted, hopeless, or feeling overwhelmed...You can be certain the voice isn't God's.
So, Take time to reflect on Who God is. Remember His nature. Recall His Love, His character, His sacrifice. God's voice is Redemptive. Certain. Clear. Remember James 4:7-8, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)
“And over here is where the chimney used…” I stopped mid-sentence, wanting to finish with “to be” but couldn’t.
My hand suspended in mid-air, extending in the direction of our dining room. Traffic zoomed back and forth, on the highway in front of our house; I heard the wind rustling tree branches to and fro. Life moved freely outside; but inside, I remained unable to move, or speak. My entire body felt paralyzed, but thankfully I still maintained control over my eyes. I quickly glanced over my left shoulder; my friend, Diana, and her mother, stood motionless, also brought to a stand still, by an unknown evil force.
I had experienced this feeling many times during the night hours, but never in the middle of the day, and never with any other witnesses. Fear gripped me; my air passages constricted. I tried to swallow but couldn’t.
I kept saying over and over in my mind, God is greater…Jesus is greater!
I thought of the verse, “Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in this world.” But, no matter how hard I tried, I remained powerless to express the words out loud.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Bobby, my friend’s mother, said, “Julie, run!”
Her words broke our momentary paralysis; we ran as fast as we could, bolting through the bedroom, then the bath, and finally escaping through the back-side door.
As a teenager, I experienced many spine tingling, hair-rising encounters with darkness, stumbling into situations making grown women want to run, literally. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I learned of my father’s involvement with occult practices; his association with darkness subjected me to evil, most are fortunate to avoid.
During my encounters with darkness, I readily discerned the voice of God’s from the enemy’s. You see, when an enemy attacks you, undisguised, they’re easy to identify; it’s only when an enemy impersonates a friend, that their assault becomes less recognizable, leaving you perplexed, baffled, and wondering, “What just happened?” or “What’s the truth?”
Today, I felt impressed to write a few short, concise thoughts, to discerning the enemy's voice so that we can stand against him.
1. Satan subtly creeps into our life through moderation, insinuates half truths, and cunningly twists Scripture to fulfill his mission—to steal, to kill, and to destroy. We can readily discern his voice from God’s by studying the nature of the message.
- If the message has accusations and feelings of hopelessness...we can most certainly identify that it isn't God's voice.
- If the message questions the authority or love of God for us...we can again discard it, and MUST resist it, reminding ourselves of the truth.
- If guilt becomes your motivating factor to do something rather than simply doing out of obedience to God...watch out...the tempter may be close. Take for example, the housewife wanting to make a difference, who involves herself with so much community activity, she has neither the time nor energy to fulfill her first mission of caring for her husband and children; or the business man who compromises his witness, all in the name of making an extra buck, to prosper his family; or the Christian who waters down their testimony to avoid appearing “too fanatical”. Our desire to make a difference, prosper our families, or influence large groups for God are noble, but when tainted by the enemy becomes our slow decay. Satan’s mixture of truth, with partial deceit, blindsides us and “WHAM!” knocks us off course…all the while appealing to our good intentions.
- Though God convicts, Satan condemns. If you feel worthless and like a complete failure...the message is NOT coming from God. God always moves to restore. Even in His greatest rebuke the end goal is restoration. He never abandons us to our sin; He reveals our sins and says repent that you might be forgiven.
Friends, many of us have been in, or currently are in, the midst of a great battle. If you find yourself confused, heavy hearted, hopeless, or feeling overwhelmed...You can be certain the voice isn't God's.
So, Take time to reflect on Who God is. Remember His nature. Recall His Love, His character, His sacrifice. God's voice is Redemptive. Certain. Clear. Remember James 4:7-8, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." (NIV)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
When Your Up Seems Like Down...
What do you do when you just can’t go on? When life’s circumstances contradict your core belief of Who God Is? When your ‘oompha’ has got up and left?
Ephesians 6:13-14 encourages us, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand….Stand firm then…”
When “up” seems like “down”, “in” seems like “out”, and black and white seem irrelevant, we must hold fast to our profession, press in to God, be honest about our feelings, and affirm Who we believe God to be.
God doesn’t always make sense. And, we won’t always understand why He seemingly seems distant at our greatest point of heartache. Sometimes, battles overtake our ability to cope, reason, or press on. But, amidst every dark season resides a loving Father Who embraces, carries, and strengthens us, declaring He’ll never leave us or forsake us. God promises “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Like us, many of the Patriarchs and Heroes of our faith faced crossroads of belief. Is God really Who I believed Him to be? Will He come through? Or, has He abandoned me, leaving me to die a slow agonizing death or at best live a shallow level of life under the weight of impossible circumstances?
Friends, God makes a HUGE promise to us in Genesis 28:15, "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (NIV)
No matter what your circumstances look like, no matter what the enemy whispers...GOD CAN BE TRUSTED!
1 Cor 10:13 says, No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)
So, take a moment. Breathe in...breath out! And, fall back into the arms that already have a hold of you...he will NOT let you down!
PRAYER: Father, I love You. Plain and simple...you are worth it all! No matter what...I choose to follow after You and put my trust in You.! Be my refuge, strength, provider...and grant me peace, hope, and favor. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Ephesians 6:13-14 encourages us, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand….Stand firm then…”
When “up” seems like “down”, “in” seems like “out”, and black and white seem irrelevant, we must hold fast to our profession, press in to God, be honest about our feelings, and affirm Who we believe God to be.
God doesn’t always make sense. And, we won’t always understand why He seemingly seems distant at our greatest point of heartache. Sometimes, battles overtake our ability to cope, reason, or press on. But, amidst every dark season resides a loving Father Who embraces, carries, and strengthens us, declaring He’ll never leave us or forsake us. God promises “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Like us, many of the Patriarchs and Heroes of our faith faced crossroads of belief. Is God really Who I believed Him to be? Will He come through? Or, has He abandoned me, leaving me to die a slow agonizing death or at best live a shallow level of life under the weight of impossible circumstances?
Friends, God makes a HUGE promise to us in Genesis 28:15, "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (NIV)
No matter what your circumstances look like, no matter what the enemy whispers...GOD CAN BE TRUSTED!
1 Cor 10:13 says, No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)
So, take a moment. Breathe in...breath out! And, fall back into the arms that already have a hold of you...he will NOT let you down!
PRAYER: Father, I love You. Plain and simple...you are worth it all! No matter what...I choose to follow after You and put my trust in You.! Be my refuge, strength, provider...and grant me peace, hope, and favor. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
"Choose What is Better!"
Oh my goodness, there is so much to be done...so many preparations...so many people. I can't believe Jesus is in my home! Martha ran around, busily preparing for Jesus' arrival.
Let's see, I'll place Peter here, James there, and John can sit by Mar...Hey, where is Mary?
In Luke 10:38-42 we read, "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha , Martha ," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Friends, we have an amazing opportunity, a choice to make, a decision between working for God and spending time with Him.
Jesus tells Martha, "Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better."
As we busily prepare, doing our work for God, let us not be distracted from spending time with Him. We began this year with a 21 day decision to spend time with the Lord:
We are never promised tomorrow. For that matter, we aren't promised the next minute. How will we spend our last moments? Arguing? Contending? Frantically running toward the next BIG thing?
Or, will we choose "what is better"? What can never be taken away from us? Will we love and forgive extravagantly?
I want to encourage you to take a post it note and put it in a place you'll visit often today...write down this simple command: "Choose What is Better!"
And remember, Dream Big, Laugh Often, Remembering God's got it all under control!
Prayer: Father, sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get it right! Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. Speak to me today. Fill me with Your presence. Help me to recognize Your voice. Shut out all the distractions and amidst all my things "to do" help me to spend each moment, and every task, in the center of Your Presence. Walking with You and not just for You. In Jesus name, amen.
Let's see, I'll place Peter here, James there, and John can sit by Mar...Hey, where is Mary?
In Luke 10:38-42 we read, "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha , Martha ," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Friends, we have an amazing opportunity, a choice to make, a decision between working for God and spending time with Him.
Jesus tells Martha, "Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better."
As we busily prepare, doing our work for God, let us not be distracted from spending time with Him. We began this year with a 21 day decision to spend time with the Lord:
- Asking Him to speak His purpose and will for each day.
- Inviting Him to share wisdom and His very presence as we read one chapter from the Bible.
- And, third, to wait patiently, silently, for 3-5 minutes, carefully writing down any thoughts or direction He gave us.
We are never promised tomorrow. For that matter, we aren't promised the next minute. How will we spend our last moments? Arguing? Contending? Frantically running toward the next BIG thing?
Or, will we choose "what is better"? What can never be taken away from us? Will we love and forgive extravagantly?
I want to encourage you to take a post it note and put it in a place you'll visit often today...write down this simple command: "Choose What is Better!"
And remember, Dream Big, Laugh Often, Remembering God's got it all under control!
Prayer: Father, sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get it right! Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. Speak to me today. Fill me with Your presence. Help me to recognize Your voice. Shut out all the distractions and amidst all my things "to do" help me to spend each moment, and every task, in the center of Your Presence. Walking with You and not just for You. In Jesus name, amen.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Favor Before the King
Esther stood facing the king. All the months and years of preparation to be chosen Queen became vulnerable with her decision to enter the king's court un-summoned. An uninvited interruption could mean her death. But Esther pressed forward into the court opposite the king's throne. Heart pounding, Esther stood quietly. Anxious but determined, she waited. Would the king extend his scepter or call for her death?
When the king saw Esther, she gained his favor. He extended his golden scepter inviting her into his royal throne, and asked, "What's troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you."
WOW...the king's declaration of "even to half the kingdom" declared his trust in Esther. Bequeathing half the kingdom meant dual ruler ship, identical rights, and equal power...
But Esther didn't assume or take the king's generosity for granted, instead she preceded to remember the issue at hand, and with grace and poise invited the king to a banquet.
As the story concludes, we know Esther maintained favor with the king, interceded on the behalf of her people, and won their deliverance.
Friends, God extends his scepter toward us and invites us to make our requests known to Him. He declares, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matt 7:11, NIV)
So, as we venture on our 21-day journey to a greater intimacy with God...let us remember God's nature and assure ourselves of His promises.
God is good. (1 Chron. 16:34) He is faithful. (Psalm 33:4) He is love. (1 John 4:8) And, His Word promises, in 1 John 5:14-15, "that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him."
What do you have need of? I felt impressed to remind you, God is able and His loving-kindness is toward us.
Prayer: Father, we are in need of your intervention. Deliver us from all evil. Restore us. Empower us. And help us glorify You in all we do.
When the king saw Esther, she gained his favor. He extended his golden scepter inviting her into his royal throne, and asked, "What's troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you."
WOW...the king's declaration of "even to half the kingdom" declared his trust in Esther. Bequeathing half the kingdom meant dual ruler ship, identical rights, and equal power...
But Esther didn't assume or take the king's generosity for granted, instead she preceded to remember the issue at hand, and with grace and poise invited the king to a banquet.
As the story concludes, we know Esther maintained favor with the king, interceded on the behalf of her people, and won their deliverance.
Friends, God extends his scepter toward us and invites us to make our requests known to Him. He declares, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matt 7:11, NIV)
So, as we venture on our 21-day journey to a greater intimacy with God...let us remember God's nature and assure ourselves of His promises.
God is good. (1 Chron. 16:34) He is faithful. (Psalm 33:4) He is love. (1 John 4:8) And, His Word promises, in 1 John 5:14-15, "that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him."
What do you have need of? I felt impressed to remind you, God is able and His loving-kindness is toward us.
Prayer: Father, we are in need of your intervention. Deliver us from all evil. Restore us. Empower us. And help us glorify You in all we do.
Monday, January 10, 2011
"I'll Drag You Out To the Playground..."
Growing up in a family where every abuse was present, I often wondered what a normal family might look like.
My father often "went off" on unprovoked tirades while the rest of us tip toed around trying to stay out of his way...but, I do recall one time when my father bravely came to my rescue. I'll never forget it.
I handed my teacher the note, reading something to the affect: Dear Mrs. Story, Julie is getting over her cold and can not play outside due to the extreme cold. Please allow her to stay in her class and read or play during recess. Thank you. Marie Miller
My teacher didn't seem happy, and scolded, and criticized me frequently the remainder of the day. During recess, she made me sit at my desk with my head down. I was told if I looked up that I would be sent to the Principal's office. When the children came back in from recess, Mrs. Story said many snide, humiliating, comments, "Well it looks like the other children all survived the outdoors, unlike some others." She peered in my direction and so did all of my classmates; a shrinking feeling overwhelmed me. I cowered in embarrassment.
The next morning when my mother wrote another note asking to allow me to stay in doors, I begged her NOT to send it.
"PLEASE DON'T make me have to stay inside!" My incessant tears provoked my parent's prodding. Many questions later, I shared my humiliation and what the teacher had said. That day, I rode to the school with my mother and father. I sat in the hall way as they, along with the principal, and Mrs. Story had a private discussion.
I'll never forget what my father said (as their private discussion passed through the paper thin doors with glass windows). "If you ever humiliate my daughter, or punish her because she isn't well enough to play outside in the freezing cold, then I will come up here and drag your .....(somethings can't be repeated on a Christian blog)...outside and we'll see who survives the outdoors!"
My teacher didn't say any demeaning comments to me for the remainder of the year, and when recess came around that day, I sat quietly playing in the corner, reading my first grade book. (I'm pretty sure, I grew a few inches taller as I bravely squared my shoulders back.)
My father's defense gave me a glimpse of my heavenly Father. Isaiah 49:25 says, "...I will contend with the one who contends with you..."
Beloved, our Heavenly Father is perfect in every way. And when our enemy surrounds us, contending against us, God steps in to defend. He calls his challenge and says "You mess with my daughter, or my son, and I'll personally drag you out to the playground and we'll see who remains standing!" ;)
Friends, please hear the truth of God's promise. "I WILL CONTEND WITH THE ONE WHO CONTENDS WITH YOU!" We can tell God our injustice, knowing He will defend us!
How has your enemy attempted to humiliate and crush you? Friends, remember God's promise...Take Him at His Word; share your situation with Him through prayer; invite Him to intervene on your behalf . Welcome Him to invade your situation with His Power and His Presence. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Personally, I think 2011 will be a year where the Lord takes our enemy out to the play ground and contends on our behalf! (MAY IT BE!)
PRAYER: Father, we need Your help. The enemy has hurled all kinds of insults and attempted to humiliate us. Be our Daddy, intervene, and take Him to the playground and demonstrate Your Power on our behalf. Thank You that we can trust in You. Thank You for being our Defender. In Jesus name, amen.
My father often "went off" on unprovoked tirades while the rest of us tip toed around trying to stay out of his way...but, I do recall one time when my father bravely came to my rescue. I'll never forget it.
I handed my teacher the note, reading something to the affect: Dear Mrs. Story, Julie is getting over her cold and can not play outside due to the extreme cold. Please allow her to stay in her class and read or play during recess. Thank you. Marie Miller
My teacher didn't seem happy, and scolded, and criticized me frequently the remainder of the day. During recess, she made me sit at my desk with my head down. I was told if I looked up that I would be sent to the Principal's office. When the children came back in from recess, Mrs. Story said many snide, humiliating, comments, "Well it looks like the other children all survived the outdoors, unlike some others." She peered in my direction and so did all of my classmates; a shrinking feeling overwhelmed me. I cowered in embarrassment.
The next morning when my mother wrote another note asking to allow me to stay in doors, I begged her NOT to send it.
"PLEASE DON'T make me have to stay inside!" My incessant tears provoked my parent's prodding. Many questions later, I shared my humiliation and what the teacher had said. That day, I rode to the school with my mother and father. I sat in the hall way as they, along with the principal, and Mrs. Story had a private discussion.
I'll never forget what my father said (as their private discussion passed through the paper thin doors with glass windows). "If you ever humiliate my daughter, or punish her because she isn't well enough to play outside in the freezing cold, then I will come up here and drag your .....(somethings can't be repeated on a Christian blog)...outside and we'll see who survives the outdoors!"
My teacher didn't say any demeaning comments to me for the remainder of the year, and when recess came around that day, I sat quietly playing in the corner, reading my first grade book. (I'm pretty sure, I grew a few inches taller as I bravely squared my shoulders back.)
My father's defense gave me a glimpse of my heavenly Father. Isaiah 49:25 says, "...I will contend with the one who contends with you..."
Beloved, our Heavenly Father is perfect in every way. And when our enemy surrounds us, contending against us, God steps in to defend. He calls his challenge and says "You mess with my daughter, or my son, and I'll personally drag you out to the playground and we'll see who remains standing!" ;)
Friends, please hear the truth of God's promise. "I WILL CONTEND WITH THE ONE WHO CONTENDS WITH YOU!" We can tell God our injustice, knowing He will defend us!
How has your enemy attempted to humiliate and crush you? Friends, remember God's promise...Take Him at His Word; share your situation with Him through prayer; invite Him to intervene on your behalf . Welcome Him to invade your situation with His Power and His Presence. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Personally, I think 2011 will be a year where the Lord takes our enemy out to the play ground and contends on our behalf! (MAY IT BE!)
PRAYER: Father, we need Your help. The enemy has hurled all kinds of insults and attempted to humiliate us. Be our Daddy, intervene, and take Him to the playground and demonstrate Your Power on our behalf. Thank You that we can trust in You. Thank You for being our Defender. In Jesus name, amen.
Friday, January 7, 2011
You Will NOT Be Put To Shame
Wow, what a great week, I love hearing all your testimonies of what the Lord is speaking to you during this 21 day adventure (as we invite Him to speak and listen for His direction). Today, I want to encourage you to abandon yourself completely to Him and put your hope completely in Him.
Isaiah 49:23 promises us that "Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame."
MMMMMMMM....let that soak in and settle in the core of your spirit...As we hopefully wait for GOD, WE WILL NOT be put to shame!
I recently came through one of the most gruelling battles of my life; the season was darker than the years I suffered abuse and lonelier than the season following my divorce. I had never felt more alone, more forsaken, more abandoned, or helpless. Satan threw every weapon he had to test my faith, tried to confuse me through my circumstances, and weight me with one battle after another...I wanted to pull myself up and press on but some days were so dark I simply just didn't have it in me. A heavy fog hovered all around me, undetected by others, but on some days, I literally felt as if I wouldn't be able to see my hand, even if I put it directly in front of my face.
(Ever been there? It ISN'T fun!)
But through it all, I held fast to the TRUTH OF WHO GOD IS. I reminded myself of His Character, His Power, and His Intent towards me.
Friends, throughout all of the battle, the truth I held fast to was that GOD IS GOOD, HE LOVES ME, and He works ALL things together for my good...
2011 holds such promise! And over the last couple of weeks I sense great victory! I sense a great awakening in my spirit and feel that GOD is well pleased with me...He has once again crushed the enemy...thwarted all Satan's evil plots...and empowered me to triumph over every weapon formed against me! AND I AM CONFIDENT...HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU!
So, hold fast to Him, wait for Him with hope, you will NOT be put to shame!
PRAYER: Father, thank You for fulfilling Your promises. Thank You that the cloud has lifted. Thank You for being my defender. I ask that You would invade our circumstances with Your presence and that by Your power You would annihilate our enemies. Give us the victory. We put our hope in You and wait patiently for you. Thank You that we will NOT be put to shame. We love You with all we have. In Jesus name, amen.
Isaiah 49:23 promises us that "Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame."
MMMMMMMM....let that soak in and settle in the core of your spirit...As we hopefully wait for GOD, WE WILL NOT be put to shame!
I recently came through one of the most gruelling battles of my life; the season was darker than the years I suffered abuse and lonelier than the season following my divorce. I had never felt more alone, more forsaken, more abandoned, or helpless. Satan threw every weapon he had to test my faith, tried to confuse me through my circumstances, and weight me with one battle after another...I wanted to pull myself up and press on but some days were so dark I simply just didn't have it in me. A heavy fog hovered all around me, undetected by others, but on some days, I literally felt as if I wouldn't be able to see my hand, even if I put it directly in front of my face.
(Ever been there? It ISN'T fun!)
But through it all, I held fast to the TRUTH OF WHO GOD IS. I reminded myself of His Character, His Power, and His Intent towards me.
Friends, throughout all of the battle, the truth I held fast to was that GOD IS GOOD, HE LOVES ME, and He works ALL things together for my good...
"Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame."
2011 holds such promise! And over the last couple of weeks I sense great victory! I sense a great awakening in my spirit and feel that GOD is well pleased with me...He has once again crushed the enemy...thwarted all Satan's evil plots...and empowered me to triumph over every weapon formed against me! AND I AM CONFIDENT...HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU!
So, hold fast to Him, wait for Him with hope, you will NOT be put to shame!
PRAYER: Father, thank You for fulfilling Your promises. Thank You that the cloud has lifted. Thank You for being my defender. I ask that You would invade our circumstances with Your presence and that by Your power You would annihilate our enemies. Give us the victory. We put our hope in You and wait patiently for you. Thank You that we will NOT be put to shame. We love You with all we have. In Jesus name, amen.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Experiencing God's Presence
This morning as I spent my own quiet time in prayer the Lord caused me to think of a time from my early twenties; it was a difficult season. No matter what decision I made, disaster seemed imminent. I crawled into bed, turned to my side, and curled into a fetal position.
"Lord, I just cant 'go on!" "I can't live like this any longer!" Tears slowly trickled from the corners of my eyes as I laid helpless, powerless, and feeling completely trapped by circumstances.
Then, in one single moment, a rush of peace covered me from head to toe, as I felt a soft caress across my cheek and the curve of a presence surround me. The Lord spoke directly to my spirit, "It's OK. I'm here. And, I love you."
I didn't want to move for fear of losing a single moment of His presence. His Spirit comforted me in a way that I knew I wasn't alone. His peace was so present I felt like it was tangible, like a warm blanket had covered me, protecting me from the cold reality of my situation.
Today, I sense His Spirit, quietly reminding me HE IS REAL, HE IS NEAR, whispering "IT'S OK", and that "HE LOVES ME." I also sense I'm not the only one who needs to feel His presence or be reassured He is near...so...hear His promise from Isaiah 49:15-16, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;" (NIV)
Beloved, HEAR GOD'S PROMISE, spend time basking in His presence, take a few moments to ask Him to speak to you, read a chapter from His Word, and wait, listening for Him to speak. When He does, write it down and carry it with you today.
Until tomorrow, I want to encourage you to continue on as we venture in this 21 day adventure of seeking God together--asking Him to speak, reading a chapter from the Bible, and writing down what He shares to our spirit during a few moments of silence before Him.
I'm already receiving a lot of notes from you about the amazing ways God is speaking and leading...feel free to share your experiences below...I know I am blessed by reading them...others will be too! :)
PRAYER: Father, thank You that You are real, that You are faithful, and that You still speak to us. We wait to hear Your whispers today and promise to follow where You lead. In Jesus name, amen.
"Lord, I just cant 'go on!" "I can't live like this any longer!" Tears slowly trickled from the corners of my eyes as I laid helpless, powerless, and feeling completely trapped by circumstances.
Then, in one single moment, a rush of peace covered me from head to toe, as I felt a soft caress across my cheek and the curve of a presence surround me. The Lord spoke directly to my spirit, "It's OK. I'm here. And, I love you."
I didn't want to move for fear of losing a single moment of His presence. His Spirit comforted me in a way that I knew I wasn't alone. His peace was so present I felt like it was tangible, like a warm blanket had covered me, protecting me from the cold reality of my situation.
Today, I sense His Spirit, quietly reminding me HE IS REAL, HE IS NEAR, whispering "IT'S OK", and that "HE LOVES ME." I also sense I'm not the only one who needs to feel His presence or be reassured He is near...so...hear His promise from Isaiah 49:15-16, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;" (NIV)
Beloved, HEAR GOD'S PROMISE, spend time basking in His presence, take a few moments to ask Him to speak to you, read a chapter from His Word, and wait, listening for Him to speak. When He does, write it down and carry it with you today.
Until tomorrow, I want to encourage you to continue on as we venture in this 21 day adventure of seeking God together--asking Him to speak, reading a chapter from the Bible, and writing down what He shares to our spirit during a few moments of silence before Him.
I'm already receiving a lot of notes from you about the amazing ways God is speaking and leading...feel free to share your experiences below...I know I am blessed by reading them...others will be too! :)
PRAYER: Father, thank You that You are real, that You are faithful, and that You still speak to us. We wait to hear Your whispers today and promise to follow where You lead. In Jesus name, amen.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
By His Spirit
Day 2 in our 21 day journey:
I love reading your comments. I know many are joining me in taking time each morning to develop a habit of inviting God into our lives...and more importantly stepping into HIS PLANS by asking Him to speak, reading a chapter from the Bible, and writing down what He shares. I want to encourage you to leave comments below...sharing with everyone what God is speaking to you through this time...
As I read this morning, God impressed the HOPE we have as believers, from Zechariah 4:6, which says, "It's 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (NIV)
You see, no matter what our battle whether, guilt, shame, fear, depression…our hope for overcoming is found through GOD'S SPIRIT. So, as we begin our new year, I want to encourage you --YOU ARE NOT ALONE. God promised us the blessed hope of His Presence.
Actually, In Acts 1:4-8, Jesus commanded the disciples to wait for God’s infilling presence, saying: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (NIV)
Friends, as believers we've been promised the gift of the very presence of God--the infilling, indwelling, all-empowering presence of His Holy Spirit. Our hope for every battle in life, our wisdom for every decision, our strength for every task is found NOT in our power but in HIS! It's 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
We all need God’s Spirit because it's only as we wait on the indwelling presence of God that we are equipped to step out and step over life's trials, and know God’s thoughts.
1 Cor 2:11-12 says, "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." NIV
And, would you like some good news?
The infilling of the Holy Spirit is promised to all believers. The apostle Peter taught in Acts 2:38-39, that we would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because, “the promise (as he said) is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call." (NIV) And according to Scripture all we have to do to receive this power, receive this wisdom, receive this infilling…is to ask."
Luke 11:13 says, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" NIV
So as we begin this New Year, will you join with me and simply ask God to fill us with His Spirit, to empower us to live and follow after Him…and to invite Him to rule and reign in our lives completely?
When we do, God promises He will fill us.
PRAYER: Father, we invite you to move in our lives, fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and empower us to do all that You’ve called us to do. We relinquish our thoughts, our plans, our agendas and surrender to Yours. Thank you that it’s not about us having enough strength, but that we can rest knowing You’re in control and that it’s by your Spirit we will overcome. Bless us now and help us hold firmly to the truth we just read about. In Jesus name. Amen.
If you get the chance, please join us on today's broadcast, at 12 PM EST, as we talk more about the Holy Spirit and overcoming guilt and shame. Just click this link any time after 12 PM EST to listen LIVE or to the archived message: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/01/05/his-love-extended
I love reading your comments. I know many are joining me in taking time each morning to develop a habit of inviting God into our lives...and more importantly stepping into HIS PLANS by asking Him to speak, reading a chapter from the Bible, and writing down what He shares. I want to encourage you to leave comments below...sharing with everyone what God is speaking to you through this time...
As I read this morning, God impressed the HOPE we have as believers, from Zechariah 4:6, which says, "It's 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (NIV)
You see, no matter what our battle whether, guilt, shame, fear, depression…our hope for overcoming is found through GOD'S SPIRIT. So, as we begin our new year, I want to encourage you --YOU ARE NOT ALONE. God promised us the blessed hope of His Presence.
Actually, In Acts 1:4-8, Jesus commanded the disciples to wait for God’s infilling presence, saying: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (NIV)
Friends, as believers we've been promised the gift of the very presence of God--the infilling, indwelling, all-empowering presence of His Holy Spirit. Our hope for every battle in life, our wisdom for every decision, our strength for every task is found NOT in our power but in HIS! It's 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
We all need God’s Spirit because it's only as we wait on the indwelling presence of God that we are equipped to step out and step over life's trials, and know God’s thoughts.
1 Cor 2:11-12 says, "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." NIV
And, would you like some good news?
The infilling of the Holy Spirit is promised to all believers. The apostle Peter taught in Acts 2:38-39, that we would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because, “the promise (as he said) is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call." (NIV) And according to Scripture all we have to do to receive this power, receive this wisdom, receive this infilling…is to ask."
Luke 11:13 says, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" NIV
So as we begin this New Year, will you join with me and simply ask God to fill us with His Spirit, to empower us to live and follow after Him…and to invite Him to rule and reign in our lives completely?
When we do, God promises He will fill us.
PRAYER: Father, we invite you to move in our lives, fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and empower us to do all that You’ve called us to do. We relinquish our thoughts, our plans, our agendas and surrender to Yours. Thank you that it’s not about us having enough strength, but that we can rest knowing You’re in control and that it’s by your Spirit we will overcome. Bless us now and help us hold firmly to the truth we just read about. In Jesus name. Amen.
If you get the chance, please join us on today's broadcast, at 12 PM EST, as we talk more about the Holy Spirit and overcoming guilt and shame. Just click this link any time after 12 PM EST to listen LIVE or to the archived message: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/01/05/his-love-extended
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
His Purposes Will Be Established
Don't forget, today is our first day of our 21 day journey of listening for God's voice, reading one chapter from the Bible each day, and writing down what He impresses on us during our few minutes of silence.
Today, as I read Isaiah 46, God impressed a powerful truth from verses nine and ten, reminding me that "HIS PURPOSES WILL BE ESTABLISHED."
IN verses nine and ten we read, "Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'." (NASV)
Of all the Old Testament prophets, Isaiah captures the eternal glory of God and the redemptive hope of the Messiah the fullest, revealing the truth of WHO GOD IS. God is faithful. He holds ALL power in His hands. There is NO ONE like Him! NOTHING is impossible with Him. Wherever He leads, we can safely follow, knowing He will accomplish His good pleasure. There is NO need to worry...no need to fret...no need to contemplate when, where, or how...GOD's GOT IT ALL UNDER CONTROL!
God says, "Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you." (Isaiah 46:4, NASV)
Wow. Listen to all of God's Promises. He never changes. He bears us. He carries us. He delivers us. He is God...and He will do ALL that He has promised.
So today, I encourage you to cast off every worry and care, knowing God establishes our footsteps; He directs our steps; He is faithful to bear our weights and WILL deliver us!
PRAYER: Father, we put our hope and confidence in You. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You that You will do all You have promised. We put our trust in You. Fill us with joy, peace, and laughter, knowing You have got it all under control. We truly love You Lord. Thank You for loving us. Amen.
PS. I would love to hear any significant truths God reveals to you over the next 21 days as we take this 21 day challenge (to follow God more closely) together. So, feel free to write your comments below. :)
Today, as I read Isaiah 46, God impressed a powerful truth from verses nine and ten, reminding me that "HIS PURPOSES WILL BE ESTABLISHED."
IN verses nine and ten we read, "Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'." (NASV)
Of all the Old Testament prophets, Isaiah captures the eternal glory of God and the redemptive hope of the Messiah the fullest, revealing the truth of WHO GOD IS. God is faithful. He holds ALL power in His hands. There is NO ONE like Him! NOTHING is impossible with Him. Wherever He leads, we can safely follow, knowing He will accomplish His good pleasure. There is NO need to worry...no need to fret...no need to contemplate when, where, or how...GOD's GOT IT ALL UNDER CONTROL!
God says, "Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you." (Isaiah 46:4, NASV)
Wow. Listen to all of God's Promises. He never changes. He bears us. He carries us. He delivers us. He is God...and He will do ALL that He has promised.
So today, I encourage you to cast off every worry and care, knowing God establishes our footsteps; He directs our steps; He is faithful to bear our weights and WILL deliver us!
PRAYER: Father, we put our hope and confidence in You. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You that You will do all You have promised. We put our trust in You. Fill us with joy, peace, and laughter, knowing You have got it all under control. We truly love You Lord. Thank You for loving us. Amen.
PS. I would love to hear any significant truths God reveals to you over the next 21 days as we take this 21 day challenge (to follow God more closely) together. So, feel free to write your comments below. :)
Monday, January 3, 2011
A 21 Day Challenge for 2011
Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Hopefully you've enjoyed time with your family over the holiday and took time to reflect on where God is leading you for 2011.
Did you know, studies conclude it only takes 21 days to develop a new habit? I don't know about you but I want to abandon myself completely to God in 2011...to invite Him to direct my steps...allowing Him to speak specifically...and to follow wherever He leads.
Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus spoke to His disciples saying, "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." (John 12:26, NIV)
Friends, I want to be where Jesus is. I want to follow Him wherever He leads. I want to know that the Father honors me because I serve Him. So, over the next twenty one days I am determined to follow Him, to invite Him to invade my life, to reveal His will, and to surrender my life completely to Him in a greater way, and would like to invite you to join with me. If you're up for the challenge, here is what I'm suggesting:
1. Every morning let's invite the Lord to speak by praying, "Speak Lord, I'm listening." And asking, Lord, "What do you will for my life today?"
2. Next, we'll commit to read one chapter from the Bible (if you need a suggestion of where to read from email me and I'll send you some thoughts).
3. After reading the chapter, we'll wait silently for 3 to 5 minutes and write down any thoughts standing out as significant or any direction God prompts within our heart.
4. Finally, periodically throughout the day, we'll revisit what God prompted us to do and revisit what He spoke to us in our morning devotion.
Anyone up to the challenge?
Wow, think of it! 12 men abandoned themselves to the will of God and radically shaped the church across nations, spreading the truth of the gospel...Think of the possibilities if we all determined to follow Him WHEREVER HE leads...how radically could we impact our Nation?
Over the next twenty one days, I will be following these four simple steps, and invite you to join with me.
PRAYER: Father, more than ever before, we want to follow after You. We invite you to speak to us. Lead us clearly, give us direction, and we will follow.
Hopefully you've enjoyed time with your family over the holiday and took time to reflect on where God is leading you for 2011.
Did you know, studies conclude it only takes 21 days to develop a new habit? I don't know about you but I want to abandon myself completely to God in 2011...to invite Him to direct my steps...allowing Him to speak specifically...and to follow wherever He leads.
Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus spoke to His disciples saying, "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." (John 12:26, NIV)
Friends, I want to be where Jesus is. I want to follow Him wherever He leads. I want to know that the Father honors me because I serve Him. So, over the next twenty one days I am determined to follow Him, to invite Him to invade my life, to reveal His will, and to surrender my life completely to Him in a greater way, and would like to invite you to join with me. If you're up for the challenge, here is what I'm suggesting:
1. Every morning let's invite the Lord to speak by praying, "Speak Lord, I'm listening." And asking, Lord, "What do you will for my life today?"
2. Next, we'll commit to read one chapter from the Bible (if you need a suggestion of where to read from email me and I'll send you some thoughts).
3. After reading the chapter, we'll wait silently for 3 to 5 minutes and write down any thoughts standing out as significant or any direction God prompts within our heart.
4. Finally, periodically throughout the day, we'll revisit what God prompted us to do and revisit what He spoke to us in our morning devotion.
Anyone up to the challenge?
Wow, think of it! 12 men abandoned themselves to the will of God and radically shaped the church across nations, spreading the truth of the gospel...Think of the possibilities if we all determined to follow Him WHEREVER HE leads...how radically could we impact our Nation?
Over the next twenty one days, I will be following these four simple steps, and invite you to join with me.
PRAYER: Father, more than ever before, we want to follow after You. We invite you to speak to us. Lead us clearly, give us direction, and we will follow.
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