My long brown piggy-tails swung back and forth across my shoulders as I quietly snuck behind our Christmas tree, picking up the small, plastic mold of baby Jesus and cried, “Jesus, I’m so sorry I didn’t get you a present. Today is your birthday and I didn’t get you anything.” Tears flowed strongly, as my tender little heart yearned to do something special for Him. I know what I can do. I thought. And, without hesitation I began to softly sing…Happy Birthday to you…Happy Birthday to you…Happy Birthday dear Jesus…Happy Birthday to you.
Ahhhh, if only I could have the innocence of being six years old again.
As I reflect on that endearing Christmas memory, I think how precious I must have appeared to God. So many years have passed since that Christmas morning and unfortunately my passion often wanes by my needs, wants, and wishes. I often find myself asking, interceding, and longing for God to intervene on my behalf and forget to sing Him a simple melody of praise.
Yet, as Christmas Day approaches, somewhere inside me, lays the same tender heart of that six year old little girl who longs to honor God and offer Him a song….a song of thanks, a song of surrender, a song of dedication, a song of humility.
How about you? What are you preoccupied with?
Friend, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior…the day Jesus, “Immanuel, God with us” came in the flesh, let’s not miss our chance to offer God thanks. Let’s replace our worries, our what if’s, and our endless list of needs with a simple song of thanks.
Psalm 34:1-3, “I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.” (NIV)
God longs for our affection. He longs to hear our song of love. So, will you join me? Let’s take a moment to GIVE THANKS for the wonderful hope He’s given us in Jesus. Let's NEVER FORGET the REASON for THIS SEASON CELEBRATION!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Get rid of Stinkin' Thinkin'
A fowl odor emanated throughout our kitchen. Like a sleuth, I investigated the area trying to ascertain the origin of the smell. It seemed to derive from our pantry.
What is that smell? And where is it coming from? I quickly surveyed the contents of our pantry. At first glance, nothing seemed out of place...
I knew the aroma...but couldn't place the culprit, thus a deeper investigation, a more thorough search, was required...
I began pulling items out from underneath the bottom shelf...ahhhh there it is. How could such a small, single, decaying potato cause such a stink. I quickly disposed its remains in the outside trash...
Sometimes things that seem so small can cause a huge stink...Unpleasant memories... Unfruitful thoughts... Unforgiveness...
At first, things that seem harmless or insignificant can go unnoticed...unchecked motives can slip behind unsuspecting areas of our life...and over time their lasting remains can really "stink up" our lives.
Today, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying its time for a deeper investigation of my thought life. Are there any areas I've allowed "stinking thinking" to corrupt my life? Do I assert my rights? Am I easily offended?
Proverbs 23:7 alludes, as a man thinketh, so he is.
Friend, a principle I've come to embrace is you get what you're looking for. You reap what you sow. If I plant corn...I'm not going to cultivate tomatoes...I'll reap corn. The same principle applies in our marriages, ministries, and life.
So, how about it? Any areas of your pantry needing cleaned out? If so, will you join me in this call to action? It's pretty simple on the surface...but embracing its practicalities will prove powerful.
Pay attention to your thoughts today! And, ask yourself:
God has incredible plans for your life. Don't let stinking thinking rob you of the joy He's prepared for you!
What is that smell? And where is it coming from? I quickly surveyed the contents of our pantry. At first glance, nothing seemed out of place...
I knew the aroma...but couldn't place the culprit, thus a deeper investigation, a more thorough search, was required...
I began pulling items out from underneath the bottom shelf...ahhhh there it is. How could such a small, single, decaying potato cause such a stink. I quickly disposed its remains in the outside trash...
Sometimes things that seem so small can cause a huge stink...Unpleasant memories... Unfruitful thoughts... Unforgiveness...
At first, things that seem harmless or insignificant can go unnoticed...unchecked motives can slip behind unsuspecting areas of our life...and over time their lasting remains can really "stink up" our lives.
Today, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying its time for a deeper investigation of my thought life. Are there any areas I've allowed "stinking thinking" to corrupt my life? Do I assert my rights? Am I easily offended?
Proverbs 23:7 alludes, as a man thinketh, so he is.
Friend, a principle I've come to embrace is you get what you're looking for. You reap what you sow. If I plant corn...I'm not going to cultivate tomatoes...I'll reap corn. The same principle applies in our marriages, ministries, and life.
So, how about it? Any areas of your pantry needing cleaned out? If so, will you join me in this call to action? It's pretty simple on the surface...but embracing its practicalities will prove powerful.
Pay attention to your thoughts today! And, ask yourself:
- Does this thought honor God?
- Does this way of thinking believe the best about the person I'm thinking about?
- Does this mindset produce life or death?
- Where does this rational originate from? God? The enemy?
- What will this kind of thinking produce? Is it life giving? Will it result in joy or fear?
God has incredible plans for your life. Don't let stinking thinking rob you of the joy He's prepared for you!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Participating In God's Miracles
Every time I read Luke 1:27-38, it takes my breath away.
"The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." (NIV)
Today, I wonder at the personal promises God's whispered to me. And (like Mary) question, how is this possible? I point out my insufficiency. And, yet, silently marvel at God's power.
How about you?
Has God invited you to participate in the miraculous? Do impossibilities heighten as you recognize your limitations? Do inadequacies overshadow His promise? If so, you are not alone. God calls us each to a crossroads of faith and reality. Will we trust in our abilities or His? Will we surrender, regardless of the cost?
On the day the angel spoke to Mary, I wonder if she fully realized the weight and burdens that would follow after her? Did she willingly concede, surrendering to God's call knowing the hardships she would endure? Did she envision the ridicule, judgment, sneers and contempt she'd encounter? Did she anticipate the rejection she'd experience from friends and family members? Did she say yes knowing that her community would cast accusing glances and ostracize her from fellowship?
It's hard to say what went through her mind, but her reply "May it be to me as you have said" stirs deeply within me.
Friend, God invites each one of us to surrender and concede to His purpose. He invites us to participate in the miraculous. He calls us to the place where we recognize it's not about our abilities but His. We question, how can this be? And graciously responds, "nothing is impossible with God."
But what does it mean to participate in God's miracles?
"The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." (NIV)
Today, I wonder at the personal promises God's whispered to me. And (like Mary) question, how is this possible? I point out my insufficiency. And, yet, silently marvel at God's power.
How about you?
Has God invited you to participate in the miraculous? Do impossibilities heighten as you recognize your limitations? Do inadequacies overshadow His promise? If so, you are not alone. God calls us each to a crossroads of faith and reality. Will we trust in our abilities or His? Will we surrender, regardless of the cost?
On the day the angel spoke to Mary, I wonder if she fully realized the weight and burdens that would follow after her? Did she willingly concede, surrendering to God's call knowing the hardships she would endure? Did she envision the ridicule, judgment, sneers and contempt she'd encounter? Did she anticipate the rejection she'd experience from friends and family members? Did she say yes knowing that her community would cast accusing glances and ostracize her from fellowship?
It's hard to say what went through her mind, but her reply "May it be to me as you have said" stirs deeply within me.
Friend, God invites each one of us to surrender and concede to His purpose. He invites us to participate in the miraculous. He calls us to the place where we recognize it's not about our abilities but His. We question, how can this be? And graciously responds, "nothing is impossible with God."
But what does it mean to participate in God's miracles?
- Participating in God's miracles means recognizing it's not about our abilities. Mary was a virgin. She couldn't birth life apart from God. And neither can we. It's not by might, nor by our power, but by His Spirit. (Ask Him to birth a miracle in your relationship, finances, ministry, family.)
- Participating in God's miracules means saying yes. My prayer is that I will always respond as Mary did. "May it be to me as you have said." Mary didn't ask for her divine assignment, but she willingly embraced it. She recognized God was sovereign...and simply humbled herself to His design.
- Finally, participating in God's miracules will cost us everything. Mary endured rejection. Her entire life, dreams, and plans were radically interrupted. And, I can only imagine the questions she faced, as Jesus hung on the cross.
- by recognizing it's not about our abilities,
- by saying yes to His plan
- and surrendering our life...NO MATTER the cost!
Friday, December 16, 2011
"Do you believe this?"
The Spirit of God stirred within my soul today, as I read John 11:25-26, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (NIV)
Whew. Do I believe that? Really believe that? Without hesitation, I responded. Yes! Yes, of course! God You are the Resurrection and the Life. Yes, I believe one day You will return. In my death, I believe You will resurrect me to eternal life with You! My response resembled Martha's in John 11:23-27 when, "Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." And " Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
But Jesus had something different in mind. He would bring back to life not just in the eternal, but in the immediate! Oh...my soul craves this kind of hope! I don't want to hold on to a one-day, distant kind of hope...but a bonafide miracle in the now! As I read further, I couldn't escape the hidden truths contained within this story.
First, before the miraculous there was death. There was no mistaking Lazarus was gone. He was dead. Buried for 4 days. Mary couldn't bring Lazarus back. No medical attention could heal him. He was GONE! Some of us are in that place right now. That place of complete desolation. That place where no one can provide, heal, or restore...EXCEPT GOD!
As I read further, a second part stood out: Mary and Martha grieved and felt great pain and loss. They mourned the loss of their brother. In John 11:32-44, Mary took her pain to Jesus saying, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
"IF!" What a power-packed word. If you had been here...If only I hadn't...If only they would...My heart felt an immediate connection with Mary's. I sense an abandoned trust in this statement. Not accusation. Just a bewildered I wish you would have been here...then this wouldn't have happened. Today, I am painfully aware, not only personally, but through your stories as well, that many of us have feel great loss...bewildered by our broken dreams...shattered relationships...and destroyed hopes...If only God had been present... then ...
Which brought me to my third thought: With God NOTHING is impossible. Furthermore, He is moved with compassion and weeps with us. "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept." ..."Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus ..."called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" And, "The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face." (John 11:33-44, NIV)
Friend, what impossibilities do you face today? God is able.
He s a miracle working God. Nothing is impossible for Him. The question remains, "Do you believe this?"
True--God is Sovereign. True--He doesn't always give us what we want. But...He is good. He is faithful. And, He invites us to trust Him in the impossible. He encourages us to rest in Him. To ask Him for what we need...
Matthew 7:7-11, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!" (NIV)
Don't know about you, but I think I'm gonna spend a little extra time in prayer today! Hope you'll join with me!
Whew. Do I believe that? Really believe that? Without hesitation, I responded. Yes! Yes, of course! God You are the Resurrection and the Life. Yes, I believe one day You will return. In my death, I believe You will resurrect me to eternal life with You! My response resembled Martha's in John 11:23-27 when, "Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." And " Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
But Jesus had something different in mind. He would bring back to life not just in the eternal, but in the immediate! Oh...my soul craves this kind of hope! I don't want to hold on to a one-day, distant kind of hope...but a bonafide miracle in the now! As I read further, I couldn't escape the hidden truths contained within this story.
First, before the miraculous there was death. There was no mistaking Lazarus was gone. He was dead. Buried for 4 days. Mary couldn't bring Lazarus back. No medical attention could heal him. He was GONE! Some of us are in that place right now. That place of complete desolation. That place where no one can provide, heal, or restore...EXCEPT GOD!
As I read further, a second part stood out: Mary and Martha grieved and felt great pain and loss. They mourned the loss of their brother. In John 11:32-44, Mary took her pain to Jesus saying, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
"IF!" What a power-packed word. If you had been here...If only I hadn't...If only they would...My heart felt an immediate connection with Mary's. I sense an abandoned trust in this statement. Not accusation. Just a bewildered I wish you would have been here...then this wouldn't have happened. Today, I am painfully aware, not only personally, but through your stories as well, that many of us have feel great loss...bewildered by our broken dreams...shattered relationships...and destroyed hopes...If only God had been present... then ...
Which brought me to my third thought: With God NOTHING is impossible. Furthermore, He is moved with compassion and weeps with us. "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept." ..."Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus ..."called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" And, "The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face." (John 11:33-44, NIV)
Friend, what impossibilities do you face today? God is able.
He s a miracle working God. Nothing is impossible for Him. The question remains, "Do you believe this?"
True--God is Sovereign. True--He doesn't always give us what we want. But...He is good. He is faithful. And, He invites us to trust Him in the impossible. He encourages us to rest in Him. To ask Him for what we need...
Matthew 7:7-11, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!" (NIV)
Don't know about you, but I think I'm gonna spend a little extra time in prayer today! Hope you'll join with me!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
When Answers Aren't Enough
Larry's child has been diagnosed with a fatal disease. Marsha's husband's addiction is destroying their marriage. Jack's income isn't meeting his family's needs. Mary's daughter abandoned her once firmly rooted faith and plunged forward in an illicit relationship. Sharon's husband's abusive behavior assaults her safety. Max's wife left him for her co-worker. Beth's results proved malignant...
Let's face it. Sometimes answers just aren't enough. During moments of great crisis no one wants to hear pat answers like, I'm praying for you. Stand strong. Or even trademark quotes, like Dream Big. Laugh often. And remember, God's got it all under control.
Answers like that irritate and cause cynicism. So, how do we stand firm in our faith when our relationships don’t get healed...When the check doesn’t arrive in the mail...Or the prayers we’ve cried seem to bounce off the ceiling and assault our faith?
Where is God when we lose our loved one to a fatal disease? What about when pornography or infidelity destroys our marriage? What do we do then?
I wish there were a 1-2-3 answer...an easy way out...but as my dear friend Sandra Aldrich always says, "Some things in life are so painful we can't OVER-come them, we can only endure them."
You've heard me say many times "Faith that costs us nothing, is NOT yet faith."
In moments where simple answers don't suffice and clichés only add insult to injury…we only have one choice…one solution...TO REMEMBER WHO GOD IS...TO REMIND OURSELVES OF HIS GREAT LOVE...AND TO WILLINGLY CHOOSE TO HOLD FAST TO THE TRUTH that God loved us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to traverse through the trenches of our indifference and pride, and to nail the weight of our sin to its final death on the cross…Friend, that kind of love can be trusted!
Jeremiah 31:3-4 says, "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful." (NIV)
Friend, I won't pretend to have all the answers. I don't understand why some are healed while others are not. BUT one thing I hold fast to...God hears our prayers. He will never abandon us...and His plans are to work ALL things together for our good.
If you are struggling today, here are some steps that have helped me...I hope you find comfort and help too:
- Praying Father I don't understand. This hurts so badly. I don't understand why You haven't answered my prayers...please comfort me...grant me Your peace...HELP. I need to know You hear me. I need to know You care. Strengthen me. I CHOOSE to put my trust in You. I acknowledge YOU are God and I am not. I surrender my will to Yours. Move on my behalf. Deliver me I pray. And thank You for Your great love. Thank You that Your plans are to bless and NOT harm. That Your plans are to give me a hope and a future. Let me witness the evidence of that truth. In Jesus name...amen.
- Confide in trustworthy counselors. Surround yourself with spiritual giants. People who don't give pat answers but will also stand with you in the fire. Ask for their prayers. Agree together in prayer.
- On the practical side, shake things up a little. Change the normal everyday routine. Treat yourself to your favorite meal. Take a few minutes to do something fun. I like Sonic Sprites and walks on the beach...neither cost much...both offer me simple enjoyment.
- Finally, speak the truth...out loud. Our mind is a battlefield. Satan's barrage of accusations and discouragement heighted in times of crisis...Declare the truth. Fight the enemy's lies that you are all alone. John 8:32 says, "…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Declare God's goodness. Remember His great love. Speak boldly that He will never leave or forsake you...and express your gratitude to Him.
Prayer: Father, grant us your peace, wisdom, and presence. Comfort us in those moments when words fall short. Fill us with joy. Remind us of Your incredible love!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
An In-escapable Thought...
I can't escape this thought, We can't fake genuine character. We can't fool God. He sees the intentions of our hearts. He knows the quality of the relationship we share with Him.
Today, as I bowed my head to pray, I asked God for wisdom, favor, and anointing. As I prayed, I sensed the need to ask Him to reveal any secret motives...to ask if there was anything keeping me from a deeper intimacy with Him. And, to restore the joy of my first love.
I couldn't help but think of His intervention in my life. I was filled with an overwhelming realization of His great love...a love that held nothing in reserve...a love that saved me from myself...forgave me of my sins...and invited me into a relationship with Him.
Jesus emptied himself to the point of death on a cross...His love humbled me as I realized I don't love that unselfishly. I hold on to expectations. I privately hope that people would love me back. I want to make a difference and to see the fruit of my sacrifices. I guess if we are honest, we probably all do. But to truly make a difference, to truly walk in the center of God's will requires one thing...LOVE FOR GOD. To die to selfish gain and simply love Him. It's His love for us that compelled Jesus to die on the cross. It's our love for Him that sustains us amidst trials, disappointments, rejection, or frustrations.
Today, as I bowed my head to pray, I asked God for wisdom, favor, and anointing. As I prayed, I sensed the need to ask Him to reveal any secret motives...to ask if there was anything keeping me from a deeper intimacy with Him. And, to restore the joy of my first love.
I couldn't help but think of His intervention in my life. I was filled with an overwhelming realization of His great love...a love that held nothing in reserve...a love that saved me from myself...forgave me of my sins...and invited me into a relationship with Him.
Jesus emptied himself to the point of death on a cross...His love humbled me as I realized I don't love that unselfishly. I hold on to expectations. I privately hope that people would love me back. I want to make a difference and to see the fruit of my sacrifices. I guess if we are honest, we probably all do. But to truly make a difference, to truly walk in the center of God's will requires one thing...LOVE FOR GOD. To die to selfish gain and simply love Him. It's His love for us that compelled Jesus to die on the cross. It's our love for Him that sustains us amidst trials, disappointments, rejection, or frustrations.
The key to our intimate relationship with God rests in our love for God. No matter how great our discipline, if love isn’t our motivator, our commitment will weaken over time. If we fail to accept God’s love or love him back, we distort our ability to hear God’s voice accurately.
When we first enter into a relationship with God we are giddy at the new experience of emotions and the adventure of a new relationship. Then, adversity surfaces, a struggle emerges between our flesh demanding our way and our willingness to surrender to God’s will. The key to hearing God’s voice and unlocking intimacy with him, is discovered when we surrender our agenda and follow after his.
Today's hint to hearing God's voice is:
- Invite God to evaluate and reveal your motives. Proverbs 16:2 warns us, "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD." (NIV)
- Release any hidden desires that conflict with God's will and ask for forgiveness.
- Surrender personal agenda by praying as Christ did in Luke 22:42, "not my will, but yours be done." (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:13 promises, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (NIV)
Father, help us to love You completely. To serve unselfishly. To honor You in all we do. Speak to us. Grant us Your wisdom. Fill us with Your love.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Jump In--Listen Closely
As I climbed higher and higher, I curled my wet wrinkled toes over the grated edge of each stair step. I can’t recall how high the diving board stood, but I do remember the nervous feeling in my stomach as I inched my way, step by step, up the ladder, getting closer and closer to the top. Half way up the stairs, I began coaching myself with, this isn’t so bad—you can do this Julie; but, as I reached the top, positioned between two small rails, standing all alone in the middle of the diving board, my feelings changed.
Wow! It sure is a lot higher from up here, than from down there. As I looked behind me, I saw my very best friend smiling, ready to take her turn. Looks like she’s waiting. I guess there’s no turning back now. I thought. Let’s see what did the life guard say? Oh, yah, “When you get to the top, walk to the edge of the diving board, jump forward, and when you come up, swim straight so you don’t cross in front of the divers to your left or right.” Easy for him to say; he obviously doesn’t know how high it looks from up here. I thought.
I inched my way to the end of the diving board, excitement and fear combined together, slowly rising from my stomach to my throat. I took a deep breath and counted, “One…two…three…here we go” and plunged into the water below. Bubbles swirled up all around me. Wow. This is really deep, I thought. But completely fantastic!
Today, God invites us to take similar steps of faith...to climb higher and higher...to abandon our life to Him...trusting that He will protect and catch us. Friend, many thoughts will attempt to discourage us. The enemy whispers impossibilities. Fear of the unknown will cause us to want to look back. Our only hope remains in our relationship with God and choosing to hear HIS voice. Today, God invites us into a relationship with HIM. To trust Him completely and follow His lead. We aren't in this journey of faith alone. God promises to lead us. To instruct us. To provide and protect us. The key is listening to His voice.
Isaiah 28:23 says, “Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.”
For the remaining days of this week, I hope to share helpful ways that we can listen and hear God's voice.
Wow! It sure is a lot higher from up here, than from down there. As I looked behind me, I saw my very best friend smiling, ready to take her turn. Looks like she’s waiting. I guess there’s no turning back now. I thought. Let’s see what did the life guard say? Oh, yah, “When you get to the top, walk to the edge of the diving board, jump forward, and when you come up, swim straight so you don’t cross in front of the divers to your left or right.” Easy for him to say; he obviously doesn’t know how high it looks from up here. I thought.
I inched my way to the end of the diving board, excitement and fear combined together, slowly rising from my stomach to my throat. I took a deep breath and counted, “One…two…three…here we go” and plunged into the water below. Bubbles swirled up all around me. Wow. This is really deep, I thought. But completely fantastic!
Today, God invites us to take similar steps of faith...to climb higher and higher...to abandon our life to Him...trusting that He will protect and catch us. Friend, many thoughts will attempt to discourage us. The enemy whispers impossibilities. Fear of the unknown will cause us to want to look back. Our only hope remains in our relationship with God and choosing to hear HIS voice. Today, God invites us into a relationship with HIM. To trust Him completely and follow His lead. We aren't in this journey of faith alone. God promises to lead us. To instruct us. To provide and protect us. The key is listening to His voice.
Isaiah 28:23 says, “Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.”
For the remaining days of this week, I hope to share helpful ways that we can listen and hear God's voice.
- Today, I want to encourage you to silence your to do list. Shut out distractions. Spend time quietly listening. And invite God to speak. HOW? By simply praying, Lord, please direct me. Speak to me. Confirm your will through your Word (the Bible.) I will listen. Instruct me. Help me to discern your voice.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Where Are God's Miracles?
Weak. Weary. And living in fear, Gideon hid in a wine press. The Midianite Army plundered Israel's sustenance. So, Gideon tried to separate wheat from chaff in an impossible place. The wine press protected His sustenance from invasion but blocked the wind that provided his sustenance.
Can you capture Gideon's predicament?
If he goes out in the open, the Midianites steal his provisions. If he stays hidden in the wine press all the unwanted, inedible, earth, muck and dirt cant be swept away. What a dilemma. What hopelessness.
In the midst of Gideon's impossibility: "The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a wine press to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
OK. Stop right there. If I'm Gideon...and trust me...many days I relate with his struggles and wonder at God's promise... I question What? Might Warrior? Ha. The Lord is with me? Then why am I having to hide? Why am I thrashing around helplessly? Why is all my hard work not profiting me anything?
How about you? Ever feel that way?
Gideon did. He responds saying, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."
In essence Gideon asks, where are God's miracles? I know He provided for our fathers out of Egypt...but He's no where near us now. He's abandoned us. He' put us in the hands of our enemies.
What a painful place. That place where you feel abandoned. Where you question and wonder God, where are You? That place where you acknowledge His provision for others...but feel NO intervention or relief for yours. That place where you ask, God, are you near? Where you long to see His deliverance but feel stuck in the futility of your efforts.
Amidst all Gideon's doubt. Amidst his questions, "The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"
God lovingly encourages Gideon. DON'T GIVE UP. I'm with you. I know you are weak. I know you don't have any more strength. But it's time to press on. It's time for your deliverance. I will empower you to overcome and conquer your enemies.
"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." (Judges 6:11-16, NIV)
"How can I save Israel?" How can I save my marriage? How can I accomplish what You ask of me, Lord? How can I do ...x, y, z....? God provides the solution. His answer remains the same for each one of us..."I will be with you, and you will ..."
Friend, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Your impossibilities don't escape His notice. You may feel stuck in your own wine press, surrounded by enemies, feeling abandoned by the futility of your efforts...BUT GOD is near. Silence your doubts. Quiet your fears. Dismiss your feelings of fear and inferiority...GOD is able! He accomplishes the impossible. He will NEVER abandon.
God fulfilled His promise to Gideon in such a way that no man received the glory...He defeated the Midianite army with just 300 men.
Today, God will lead us. He will provide our way of escape. We simply need to follow His instructions as Gideon did, by listening, aligning, and following God's lead.
Can you capture Gideon's predicament?
If he goes out in the open, the Midianites steal his provisions. If he stays hidden in the wine press all the unwanted, inedible, earth, muck and dirt cant be swept away. What a dilemma. What hopelessness.
In the midst of Gideon's impossibility: "The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a wine press to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
OK. Stop right there. If I'm Gideon...and trust me...many days I relate with his struggles and wonder at God's promise... I question What? Might Warrior? Ha. The Lord is with me? Then why am I having to hide? Why am I thrashing around helplessly? Why is all my hard work not profiting me anything?
How about you? Ever feel that way?
Gideon did. He responds saying, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."
In essence Gideon asks, where are God's miracles? I know He provided for our fathers out of Egypt...but He's no where near us now. He's abandoned us. He' put us in the hands of our enemies.
What a painful place. That place where you feel abandoned. Where you question and wonder God, where are You? That place where you acknowledge His provision for others...but feel NO intervention or relief for yours. That place where you ask, God, are you near? Where you long to see His deliverance but feel stuck in the futility of your efforts.
Amidst all Gideon's doubt. Amidst his questions, "The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"
God lovingly encourages Gideon. DON'T GIVE UP. I'm with you. I know you are weak. I know you don't have any more strength. But it's time to press on. It's time for your deliverance. I will empower you to overcome and conquer your enemies.
"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." (Judges 6:11-16, NIV)
"How can I save Israel?" How can I save my marriage? How can I accomplish what You ask of me, Lord? How can I do ...x, y, z....? God provides the solution. His answer remains the same for each one of us..."I will be with you, and you will ..."
Friend, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Your impossibilities don't escape His notice. You may feel stuck in your own wine press, surrounded by enemies, feeling abandoned by the futility of your efforts...BUT GOD is near. Silence your doubts. Quiet your fears. Dismiss your feelings of fear and inferiority...GOD is able! He accomplishes the impossible. He will NEVER abandon.
God fulfilled His promise to Gideon in such a way that no man received the glory...He defeated the Midianite army with just 300 men.
Today, God will lead us. He will provide our way of escape. We simply need to follow His instructions as Gideon did, by listening, aligning, and following God's lead.
Friday, December 9, 2011
He Alone...
Faith that costs us nothing is not yet faith.
Think about it. The greatest victories required an abandoned trust.
Moses before the Red Sea, caught between deep, im-passible, waters and a vast, innumerable, Egyptian army. Gideon, the least of the least among Israel's tribe, runs to battle against incalculable Midianite's with only 300 men.
Today, I am fully aware, unless God shows up, on my own I will fail miserably. Before, I always felt me and Jesus, we can accomplish anything. Now, I am completely abandoned and realize, Oh God, if you don't show up, this will never get accomplished.
God's love takes us to the place where there is NO doubt in our mind WHO provides the victory. I've faced insurmountable battles many times in life: my marriage, my parenting, my writing, my ministry, my finances, my relationships, my hopes, my mission, my dreams...my you name it...
Each time, God lovingly positions me to realize HE ALONE provides the victory. HE ALONE provides my hope. HE ALONE heals, sustains, strengthens, delivers...
So, what Red Sea is in front of you today? What Egyptian army closes in behind you?
Faith doesn't conjure up some noble notion and whisper hear I go, Lord, now bless. Instead, faith responds to God by aligning our life up with HIS voice.
IN my marriage, God commissioned me to allow Him to change the things in me that need changed, to focus on what I needed to surrender to Him...and in return He would change in Greg the things that needed to be changed. He instructed me to STOP trying to be Greg's Holy Spirit. :) The result? A marriage I thought destined for divorce was healed by HIS power!
In my ministry, I've experienced innumerable times of impossible circumstances. The vision at times is so big it intimidates and overwhelms me. Each time, God reminds me..."I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Gen 28:15, NIV) He's taught me that (like Abraham) I may never see the full fulfilment of His Promise...but that He will accomplish all that He has said He would. I simply need to remain faithful. He doesn't require me to be successful He simply requires that I live obedient.
Friend, God is with you. You are not alone. He will not leave you until He has done all that He has promised you.
So, join me in this simple prayer: Father I realize "Faith that costs me nothing is not yet faith." So, I offer you all that I am, and all that I have, that I might honor you in all that I do. Empower me to love as you have loved me. Amen!
Think about it. The greatest victories required an abandoned trust.
Moses before the Red Sea, caught between deep, im-passible, waters and a vast, innumerable, Egyptian army. Gideon, the least of the least among Israel's tribe, runs to battle against incalculable Midianite's with only 300 men.
Today, I am fully aware, unless God shows up, on my own I will fail miserably. Before, I always felt me and Jesus, we can accomplish anything. Now, I am completely abandoned and realize, Oh God, if you don't show up, this will never get accomplished.
God's love takes us to the place where there is NO doubt in our mind WHO provides the victory. I've faced insurmountable battles many times in life: my marriage, my parenting, my writing, my ministry, my finances, my relationships, my hopes, my mission, my dreams...my you name it...
Each time, God lovingly positions me to realize HE ALONE provides the victory. HE ALONE provides my hope. HE ALONE heals, sustains, strengthens, delivers...
So, what Red Sea is in front of you today? What Egyptian army closes in behind you?
Faith doesn't conjure up some noble notion and whisper hear I go, Lord, now bless. Instead, faith responds to God by aligning our life up with HIS voice.
IN my marriage, God commissioned me to allow Him to change the things in me that need changed, to focus on what I needed to surrender to Him...and in return He would change in Greg the things that needed to be changed. He instructed me to STOP trying to be Greg's Holy Spirit. :) The result? A marriage I thought destined for divorce was healed by HIS power!
In my ministry, I've experienced innumerable times of impossible circumstances. The vision at times is so big it intimidates and overwhelms me. Each time, God reminds me..."I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Gen 28:15, NIV) He's taught me that (like Abraham) I may never see the full fulfilment of His Promise...but that He will accomplish all that He has said He would. I simply need to remain faithful. He doesn't require me to be successful He simply requires that I live obedient.
Friend, God is with you. You are not alone. He will not leave you until He has done all that He has promised you.
So, join me in this simple prayer: Father I realize "Faith that costs me nothing is not yet faith." So, I offer you all that I am, and all that I have, that I might honor you in all that I do. Empower me to love as you have loved me. Amen!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
How will I respond?
Genesis 25:29-34, "Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!"..."Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright." (NIV)
Oh, the depths of this passage challenge my heart. Esau's insatiable hunger for immediate gratification sacrificed his birthright. His desire to have his immediate needs met and impatience cost him his future.
Today, I'm challenged once again...
Will I sacrifice God's favor for immediate relief? Pleasure? Gratification? Will I be lured away from God's BEST to pursue after wealth, recognition, and a life of comfort? Will I cave to the pressures of the immediate and seek an easy way out?
In Luke 9:62, Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
Sometimes I feel like the Israelites. Pharaoh's army behind me, the Red Sea in front of me. NO way of escape.
How will I respond?
Like Moses? Or the Israelites?
Will I intercede and follow God's instruction? Lift up my staff and watch the Sea part? Or, will I grumble and complain and wish I could go back to Egypt? Will I idolize what was by the reality of what is? Or will I press on in expectation of what God says will be?
Today, I encourage you to join me. Let's never give up. Let's trust our God to be faithful. Let's hold on to our birthright and eagerly await God's provision.
Who's with me?
Let's abandon our lives for His glory. Here's a couple of passages we can meditate on for today:
Oh, the depths of this passage challenge my heart. Esau's insatiable hunger for immediate gratification sacrificed his birthright. His desire to have his immediate needs met and impatience cost him his future.
Today, I'm challenged once again...
Will I sacrifice God's favor for immediate relief? Pleasure? Gratification? Will I be lured away from God's BEST to pursue after wealth, recognition, and a life of comfort? Will I cave to the pressures of the immediate and seek an easy way out?
In Luke 9:62, Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
Sometimes I feel like the Israelites. Pharaoh's army behind me, the Red Sea in front of me. NO way of escape.
How will I respond?
Like Moses? Or the Israelites?
Will I intercede and follow God's instruction? Lift up my staff and watch the Sea part? Or, will I grumble and complain and wish I could go back to Egypt? Will I idolize what was by the reality of what is? Or will I press on in expectation of what God says will be?
Today, I encourage you to join me. Let's never give up. Let's trust our God to be faithful. Let's hold on to our birthright and eagerly await God's provision.
Who's with me?
Let's abandon our lives for His glory. Here's a couple of passages we can meditate on for today:
- Mark 8:36-37 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (NIV)
- Luke 9:62, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
- Matt 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (NIV)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Choosing Jesus
I find it interesting when people wish they could have my life, even amusing.
Granted, I have an incredible relationship with my amazing husband, Greg. My children all love and serve the Lord and lavish me with love, daily. I have a beautiful home and am humbled to serve God in full-time ministry with His Love Extended Ministries and Women Inspired...
BUT...can I share transparently?
My journey of faith has teetered at different times. I have endured sexual, verbal, and physical abuse. I felt the sting of divorce. I've struggled with battles associated with blended families. I know what it feels like to live in need.
The truth is...we all feel discouragement at times. NO ONE is exempt to trials. We all experience emotions of abandonment. At times, our journey of faith waivers in disbelief and we feel like giving up. At times we feel empty. Broken. Bereaved. Rejected. Weak. Weary.
My life is no exception! So...what causes my genuine smile? What is the secret to living life abundantly regardless of circumstances? PLAIN and SIMPLE--Jesus.
C.S. Lewis once said, “He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.”
The Apostle Paul wrote, in Philippians 4:11-13, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (NIV)
JESUS makes the difference. He empowers us. He strengthens us. Apart from Him we are wretched, miserable, and without hope.
Friend, despite all of God's blessings, favor, and love...IF I choose to...I could focus on realities of my circumstances and lose ALL HOPE.
CHOOSING JESUS...CHOOSING TO FOCUS on Who we serve...CHOOSING to remember He keeps His promises is what will sustain us in our darkest hour.
I identify with Psalm 71:5-6, as David prayed to the Lord, "For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you." (NIV)
Today, be encouraged. God is near. He will never leave you. He will sustain you as you wait on Him. NEVER EVER GIVE UP! And, here's another C.S. Lewis quote to consider: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
I'd love for you to join me on today's broadcast as I interview Dr. Catherine Hart Weber. Join us LIVE at 12 PM EST at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/12/07/his-love-extended as Dr. Weber highlights the how to's of flourishing in life.
Granted, I have an incredible relationship with my amazing husband, Greg. My children all love and serve the Lord and lavish me with love, daily. I have a beautiful home and am humbled to serve God in full-time ministry with His Love Extended Ministries and Women Inspired...
BUT...can I share transparently?
My journey of faith has teetered at different times. I have endured sexual, verbal, and physical abuse. I felt the sting of divorce. I've struggled with battles associated with blended families. I know what it feels like to live in need.
The truth is...we all feel discouragement at times. NO ONE is exempt to trials. We all experience emotions of abandonment. At times, our journey of faith waivers in disbelief and we feel like giving up. At times we feel empty. Broken. Bereaved. Rejected. Weak. Weary.
My life is no exception! So...what causes my genuine smile? What is the secret to living life abundantly regardless of circumstances? PLAIN and SIMPLE--Jesus.
C.S. Lewis once said, “He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.”
The Apostle Paul wrote, in Philippians 4:11-13, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (NIV)
JESUS makes the difference. He empowers us. He strengthens us. Apart from Him we are wretched, miserable, and without hope.
Friend, despite all of God's blessings, favor, and love...IF I choose to...I could focus on realities of my circumstances and lose ALL HOPE.
CHOOSING JESUS...CHOOSING TO FOCUS on Who we serve...CHOOSING to remember He keeps His promises is what will sustain us in our darkest hour.
I identify with Psalm 71:5-6, as David prayed to the Lord, "For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you." (NIV)
Today, be encouraged. God is near. He will never leave you. He will sustain you as you wait on Him. NEVER EVER GIVE UP! And, here's another C.S. Lewis quote to consider: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
I'd love for you to join me on today's broadcast as I interview Dr. Catherine Hart Weber. Join us LIVE at 12 PM EST at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cwa-radio/2011/12/07/his-love-extended as Dr. Weber highlights the how to's of flourishing in life.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Abandoned to Him
Soul-searching seems to be part of my everyday life. Every morning, as I sit quietly before the Father, the Holy Spirit reveals hidden motives, skewed desires, and selfish ambitions. Each day, I hear Him gently call me away, inviting me to abandon my heart completely to Him.
Today, as I read Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NIV)
I quietly reflected and questioned, "Am I truly abandoned to God? Is everything I'm doing by His Grace and for His glory? Or have I allowed fear, worry, or opposition to steal my hope?
In Mark 4:18-20, Jesus talks about seed that was scattered among the thorns. He shares the meaning of the parable with His disciples. "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (NIV)
As much as I love the LORD...with ALL my heart...my propensity for distractions is alarming. How about you? Has the enemy attempted to choke out God's word in any part of your life? Mark chapter four highlights the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things.
As many of you know, I left a six figure income to fulfill the work of an evangelist. Sounds noble, right? But...oh the anguish and frustration I have felt along the way. I miss the finer things of life at times. I miss not being able to do whatever, whenever. I know, sounds spoiled, doesn't it? I wish I didn't struggle, but at times(to be quite honest) I'm tempted to look back.
I guess we all are, at times.
So, what do we do to press on and overcome. Here are some helpful hints I implore into my life, each day:
Friend, will you join me in this resolution? "By God's grace, I will give ALL that I am, and ALL that I have, that I may HONOR HIM in ALL that I do."
If so, pray this simple prayer. "Father, help me to live for You completely. Empower me. Equip me. And fill me with Your wisdom, that I may faithfully follow wherever You lead. I give You all that I am and all that I have, in order that I may honor You in all that I do. Amen."
Today, as I read Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NIV)
I quietly reflected and questioned, "Am I truly abandoned to God? Is everything I'm doing by His Grace and for His glory? Or have I allowed fear, worry, or opposition to steal my hope?
In Mark 4:18-20, Jesus talks about seed that was scattered among the thorns. He shares the meaning of the parable with His disciples. "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (NIV)
As much as I love the LORD...with ALL my heart...my propensity for distractions is alarming. How about you? Has the enemy attempted to choke out God's word in any part of your life? Mark chapter four highlights the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things.
As many of you know, I left a six figure income to fulfill the work of an evangelist. Sounds noble, right? But...oh the anguish and frustration I have felt along the way. I miss the finer things of life at times. I miss not being able to do whatever, whenever. I know, sounds spoiled, doesn't it? I wish I didn't struggle, but at times(to be quite honest) I'm tempted to look back.
I guess we all are, at times.
So, what do we do to press on and overcome. Here are some helpful hints I implore into my life, each day:
- Remember Jesus and confess the TRUTH. Revelation 12:11, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (NIV)
- Align your words, actions, and will with Gods. Submit all that you are and draw near to Him. James 4:7-8, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you." NIV
- Retreat into the truth of WHO GOD IS. Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (NIV)
Friend, will you join me in this resolution? "By God's grace, I will give ALL that I am, and ALL that I have, that I may HONOR HIM in ALL that I do."
If so, pray this simple prayer. "Father, help me to live for You completely. Empower me. Equip me. And fill me with Your wisdom, that I may faithfully follow wherever You lead. I give You all that I am and all that I have, in order that I may honor You in all that I do. Amen."
Monday, December 5, 2011
Living Intentional
Do you ever sacrifice exceptional living and settle for the mundane? Ever embrace the status quo because the cost of excellence seems to high? Ever replace God's best by excepting the less resistant path of what seems good?
C'mon. Be honest...I know I sure have.
Sometimes I'm tempted to retreat from all the giants in my path. I shudder at the magnitude of their size. I shrink and cower to the reality of their strength and opposition.
BUT (by God's grace) NOT ANYMORE!
I have determined to LIVE intentional for Christ, knowing full well that intentional living requires complete surrender. And, surrender is not an event. It's a process. A process that demands a commitment to die to my personal agendas, desires, and time lines.
I love the abandon Habakkuk displays in Habakkuk 3:17-18. He writes, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (NIV)
Today, I feel the challenge to live a life of joy, intentionally.
Notice, Habakkuk doesn't say I will be joyful in my circumstances, oppositions, or fears...RATHER, he writes,"I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Friends, circumstances can deter us. Obstacles can weary us. The enemy's opposition attempts to kill, steal, destroy and immobilize us through indifference. He fills our thoughts with...
Whatever, no one cares any way...
Whatever, like my life really matters...
Whatever, I'll try when he or she starts doing x, y, or z...
STOP and realize indifference is the enemy of intentional living!
God desires that we intentionally declare (as Habakkuk did) "I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Today, I sense God encouraging me to focus on Him. To remember Who I serve. To hold fast to HIS promises.
Will you join me? Will you live intentional? Will you seek to live joyful in God our Savior? If so, here are some helpful hints that you can implement in your life:
C'mon. Be honest...I know I sure have.
Sometimes I'm tempted to retreat from all the giants in my path. I shudder at the magnitude of their size. I shrink and cower to the reality of their strength and opposition.
BUT (by God's grace) NOT ANYMORE!
I have determined to LIVE intentional for Christ, knowing full well that intentional living requires complete surrender. And, surrender is not an event. It's a process. A process that demands a commitment to die to my personal agendas, desires, and time lines.
I love the abandon Habakkuk displays in Habakkuk 3:17-18. He writes, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (NIV)
Today, I feel the challenge to live a life of joy, intentionally.
Notice, Habakkuk doesn't say I will be joyful in my circumstances, oppositions, or fears...RATHER, he writes,"I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Friends, circumstances can deter us. Obstacles can weary us. The enemy's opposition attempts to kill, steal, destroy and immobilize us through indifference. He fills our thoughts with...
Whatever, no one cares any way...
Whatever, like my life really matters...
Whatever, I'll try when he or she starts doing x, y, or z...
STOP and realize indifference is the enemy of intentional living!
God desires that we intentionally declare (as Habakkuk did) "I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Today, I sense God encouraging me to focus on Him. To remember Who I serve. To hold fast to HIS promises.
Will you join me? Will you live intentional? Will you seek to live joyful in God our Savior? If so, here are some helpful hints that you can implement in your life:
- Each time a discouraging thought presents itself, declare out loud, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
- Thank God for your salvation and that He works ALL things together for our good.
- Write down a specific promise that He has given you in His word.
- Reflect on His promise throughout the day and remember, He keeps His promises.
- Ask, How can I live intentionally for God today in my marriage, parenting, work place, friendships...(etc...)
Friday, December 2, 2011
God Does The Impossible!
I shuffled through papers, listening to the claims processor explain..."We have an agreement with the lab company. They have agreed to take whatever payment they receive from the insurance companies."
I couldn't believe my ears. For weeks I had mulled through piles of denied insurance claims. The total bill for my routine blood work estimated in at (a little over) $4700.
"What do you mean?" I asked, still unconvinced.
She continued, "You will receive these explanation of benefits but you won't ever get a bill. We have an agreement with the lab companies to take whatever they get from your insurance company."
I couldn't believe it. All the weeks I had spent working with my insurance company...all the frustration I felt about my medical bills was gone...blotted out because of an agreement made.
As I left the doctor's billing department, I smiled. Thank You, God. Thank You! I immediately thought of our sin that was cancelled out because of the agreement made between the Father and the Son. Jesus' sacrifice covered it.
Psalm 103:11-13 says, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him." (NIV)
Today, I am reminded once again, God does the impossible!!! He moves mountains. He fights our battles. He delivers us from ALL of our fears. Even more importantly...He blots out the record and penalty of our sins. Our transgressions are covered by His love and sacrifice.
God encourages us to bring Him every concern, every fear, every need...every desire, dream, and passion! We all know that we are here to serve Him...to bring Him glory...Our life is to be spent for Him! BUT the flip side to that is "God is at work in us desires that we might have life and live it abundantly!"
As you go through this weekend, I encourage you to remember--God can be trusted. He hears your prayers. So, Dream Big! Laugh Often! And remember, God has it all under control!!!
I couldn't believe my ears. For weeks I had mulled through piles of denied insurance claims. The total bill for my routine blood work estimated in at (a little over) $4700.
"What do you mean?" I asked, still unconvinced.
She continued, "You will receive these explanation of benefits but you won't ever get a bill. We have an agreement with the lab companies to take whatever they get from your insurance company."
I couldn't believe it. All the weeks I had spent working with my insurance company...all the frustration I felt about my medical bills was gone...blotted out because of an agreement made.
As I left the doctor's billing department, I smiled. Thank You, God. Thank You! I immediately thought of our sin that was cancelled out because of the agreement made between the Father and the Son. Jesus' sacrifice covered it.
Psalm 103:11-13 says, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him." (NIV)
Today, I am reminded once again, God does the impossible!!! He moves mountains. He fights our battles. He delivers us from ALL of our fears. Even more importantly...He blots out the record and penalty of our sins. Our transgressions are covered by His love and sacrifice.
God encourages us to bring Him every concern, every fear, every need...every desire, dream, and passion! We all know that we are here to serve Him...to bring Him glory...Our life is to be spent for Him! BUT the flip side to that is "God is at work in us desires that we might have life and live it abundantly!"
As you go through this weekend, I encourage you to remember--God can be trusted. He hears your prayers. So, Dream Big! Laugh Often! And remember, God has it all under control!!!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Lord, Is This Promise Really For Me?
Ever wonder if the promises God whispered through His word are really promises you can hold on to? This morning, I silently read: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NIV)
I questioned. "Oh, Lord, is this promise really for me? Will you deliver me? Will you be with me, like you were with Moses, Joshua and all of Israel?
Instantly, God filled my mind with a thought from my past. I was nineteen and going through a really difficult period of time. One evening in particular, I felt completely alone. I whispered a prayer.
"Lord, please let me know you are with me and that I'm not all alone."
I sat waiting for a waitress to take my order.
"What can I get you to drink?" She asked.
"Mmmm. I'd like a Pepsi, please."
She looked to my right, smiled and nodded her head as she turned to leave. Hmmm. She's a strange one. I thought.
A few minutes later, she delivered my soda and sat a glass of water to my right. "I'll give you a few more minutes she said and be back to take your order."
"Thank you." I replied.
I continued to look through the menu. The place was packed. Again, I whispered. "God I feel so alone. Please let me know you are near."
At least ten more minutes went by before my waitress returned. "Did he leave you?" She asked.
"Sorry?"
"Is he coming back?" She reiterated.
"Is who coming back?"
"The young man who was with you."
"Mam. I'm alone. Have been the whole evening."
She laughed.
I stared.
"No, the young man who was with you. Did he leave?"
"Mam. I assure you. I've been alone the whole evening."
She squirmed and looked puzzled. "Ummm. Ok!" There was a long delay and an awkward silence. Finally, she asked, "Well then, can I take your order?"
I offered my order, thinking her extremely odd. But, as she turned to walk away, I recalled my prayer. "Lord, let me know you are near!"
Friend, to this day, I have no idea why my waitress that evening was convinced someone had been with me. I honestly don't know whether she saw someone (physically) sitting to my right. She could have easily confused me with another table. I don't know if God allowed her to see one of the angels that He has surrounding me...
What I do know is...as she turned away God reminded me of my prayer. What I do know is...I instantly felt loved. What I do know is...that circumstance has encouraged me many times throughout life...What I do know is...Psalm 91:11 promises, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..." (NIV)
We may feel strangely alone. We may feel isolated. We may wonder if God is near.
But...my dear friend...God promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5, NIV)
So today, I'm going to look for God, EXPECTANTLY! I'm going to trust HIM, no matter what! I'm going to remember...He is NEAR! I hope you will too!
Today, as you go through your day, I encourage you to hold fast to Micah 7:7. It says, "But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me."
I questioned. "Oh, Lord, is this promise really for me? Will you deliver me? Will you be with me, like you were with Moses, Joshua and all of Israel?
Instantly, God filled my mind with a thought from my past. I was nineteen and going through a really difficult period of time. One evening in particular, I felt completely alone. I whispered a prayer.
"Lord, please let me know you are with me and that I'm not all alone."
I sat waiting for a waitress to take my order.
"What can I get you to drink?" She asked.
"Mmmm. I'd like a Pepsi, please."
She looked to my right, smiled and nodded her head as she turned to leave. Hmmm. She's a strange one. I thought.
A few minutes later, she delivered my soda and sat a glass of water to my right. "I'll give you a few more minutes she said and be back to take your order."
"Thank you." I replied.
I continued to look through the menu. The place was packed. Again, I whispered. "God I feel so alone. Please let me know you are near."
At least ten more minutes went by before my waitress returned. "Did he leave you?" She asked.
"Sorry?"
"Is he coming back?" She reiterated.
"Is who coming back?"
"The young man who was with you."
"Mam. I'm alone. Have been the whole evening."
She laughed.
I stared.
"No, the young man who was with you. Did he leave?"
"Mam. I assure you. I've been alone the whole evening."
She squirmed and looked puzzled. "Ummm. Ok!" There was a long delay and an awkward silence. Finally, she asked, "Well then, can I take your order?"
I offered my order, thinking her extremely odd. But, as she turned to walk away, I recalled my prayer. "Lord, let me know you are near!"
Friend, to this day, I have no idea why my waitress that evening was convinced someone had been with me. I honestly don't know whether she saw someone (physically) sitting to my right. She could have easily confused me with another table. I don't know if God allowed her to see one of the angels that He has surrounding me...
What I do know is...as she turned away God reminded me of my prayer. What I do know is...I instantly felt loved. What I do know is...that circumstance has encouraged me many times throughout life...What I do know is...Psalm 91:11 promises, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..." (NIV)
We may feel strangely alone. We may feel isolated. We may wonder if God is near.
But...my dear friend...God promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5, NIV)
So today, I'm going to look for God, EXPECTANTLY! I'm going to trust HIM, no matter what! I'm going to remember...He is NEAR! I hope you will too!
Today, as you go through your day, I encourage you to hold fast to Micah 7:7. It says, "But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)