"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10.
Many verses throughout the Bible speaks of God ruling, upholding and delivering us through His right hand. It dawned on me that stated in the Apostle's Creed is that Jesus ascended into Heaven and sits on the right side of His Father, God. It is through the life of Christ in the New Testament that fulfilled this promise in the Old Testament of God's right hand. Through our righteous Christ we can be strengthened and carried through the most fearful circumstance we face. As 2 Timothy 1:7 states, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." This power carries the name of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
God is Always on the Clock!
I am always amused by God's timing and how He turns evil to good. In studying the Book of Esther this morning it seems that the edict commanding the leaders of every province to destroy the Jews came out on the 14th day of the first month of the year - the LORD'S passover. It was customary for the Jewish families to recount the story of the exodus with all of the family at the dinner table. They would tell the story in great detail according to Scripture how God had delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptian Pharoah.
Centuries later, as the Jews received the word that Haman, the Persian 2nd in command had orchestrated an order for murder on all Jews they were recounting as tradition how our powerful God had delivered them. What perfect timing for God's chosen people to receive that threat - as they are proclaiming God's faithfulness!
We, too, are to recount past victories that God has brought us through. As we go into the holidays I am recounting past miracles God has performed in our family to hold on to the hope of future miracles for Daddy and Beth.
"Sometimes God uses the winds of a new threat to blow the dust off a past miracle that has moved from our active file into the archives. He who delivered you from a Pharoah can deliver you from any Haman." Beth Moore.
Lift your thankfulness to God for both the seen and unseen miracles He performs in all of our lives.
Centuries later, as the Jews received the word that Haman, the Persian 2nd in command had orchestrated an order for murder on all Jews they were recounting as tradition how our powerful God had delivered them. What perfect timing for God's chosen people to receive that threat - as they are proclaiming God's faithfulness!
We, too, are to recount past victories that God has brought us through. As we go into the holidays I am recounting past miracles God has performed in our family to hold on to the hope of future miracles for Daddy and Beth.
"Sometimes God uses the winds of a new threat to blow the dust off a past miracle that has moved from our active file into the archives. He who delivered you from a Pharoah can deliver you from any Haman." Beth Moore.
Lift your thankfulness to God for both the seen and unseen miracles He performs in all of our lives.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Hidden in Christ
"Set your minds on the things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Col. 3:2
With the approaching holidays it is tempting for women especially to focus on the little details which snowball into huge mountains. When we view the holidays through a stress filled lens we miss out on the big picture. Our lens fill up with anxieties of "what if's" and "how to's" instead of "thank you's" and "love you's".
Much is the same when we focus on ourselves instead of Christ. We are to be "hidden" in Christ meaning when others look at us our lives are to reflect the image of Christ - not ourselves. When we are hidden in Christ we do not cast our own shadow but the shadow of Christ.
Stay focused on the spiritual things when going through the holidays.
With the approaching holidays it is tempting for women especially to focus on the little details which snowball into huge mountains. When we view the holidays through a stress filled lens we miss out on the big picture. Our lens fill up with anxieties of "what if's" and "how to's" instead of "thank you's" and "love you's".
Much is the same when we focus on ourselves instead of Christ. We are to be "hidden" in Christ meaning when others look at us our lives are to reflect the image of Christ - not ourselves. When we are hidden in Christ we do not cast our own shadow but the shadow of Christ.
Stay focused on the spiritual things when going through the holidays.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Working it Out
"--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his own purpose." Phil 2:12b-13.
Our salvation was realized and secured on the cross a couple thousand years ago. Although we have eternal life promised to us we must still work on our salvation out of respect to and for God so that we may hear, see and discern His purpose, His will and His agenda.
When our circumstances don't match our will and we are suffering as a result of our valleys it is crucial to trust God totally and completely for whatever resolution we may face. We must not try to calculate or manipulate the workings of God and must simply kneel, meditate and "know" that He is in charge of every detail of our life which will always be based in love.
Please continue to pray for Beth, Paul and Sydney as they battle her cancer and pray for each to discern what the Holy Spirit is revealing to them as they work out their salvation.
Father, through the Holy Spirit reveal to each of us the manner in which our salvation will be worked out aligning our lives with your spirit. In your holy name, Amen.
Our salvation was realized and secured on the cross a couple thousand years ago. Although we have eternal life promised to us we must still work on our salvation out of respect to and for God so that we may hear, see and discern His purpose, His will and His agenda.
When our circumstances don't match our will and we are suffering as a result of our valleys it is crucial to trust God totally and completely for whatever resolution we may face. We must not try to calculate or manipulate the workings of God and must simply kneel, meditate and "know" that He is in charge of every detail of our life which will always be based in love.
Please continue to pray for Beth, Paul and Sydney as they battle her cancer and pray for each to discern what the Holy Spirit is revealing to them as they work out their salvation.
Father, through the Holy Spirit reveal to each of us the manner in which our salvation will be worked out aligning our lives with your spirit. In your holy name, Amen.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Ordained Days
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb...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." Psalm 139:13-16
These verses are so important to me during this season in the life of my family. Yesterday my mom and dad received a timeline for my dad regarding his cancer in an effort to determine whether he wanted to take treatment. Earlier this year, my sister was given a timeline for her cancer.
Our earthly minds and hearts carry these timelines right on the surface and tempt us to accept this "educated guess" instead of remembering that we were wonderfully and fearfully made according to the timeline of our Creator and only He has determined how many days have been ordained on this earth for each of us.
When the heaviness lays on our hearts let us replace that burden with the words of our Father as He assures us that nothing we experience and endure is random and careless but everything about our life has passed through the filter of God.
These verses are so important to me during this season in the life of my family. Yesterday my mom and dad received a timeline for my dad regarding his cancer in an effort to determine whether he wanted to take treatment. Earlier this year, my sister was given a timeline for her cancer.
Our earthly minds and hearts carry these timelines right on the surface and tempt us to accept this "educated guess" instead of remembering that we were wonderfully and fearfully made according to the timeline of our Creator and only He has determined how many days have been ordained on this earth for each of us.
When the heaviness lays on our hearts let us replace that burden with the words of our Father as He assures us that nothing we experience and endure is random and careless but everything about our life has passed through the filter of God.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Setting Our Hope
"On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many" 2 Corinthians 1:9-11.
I am a very "achievement oriented" type of person. I make lists, check it throughout the day and mark off my achievements as they are accomplished. When I "set" my mind on something I also "set" my actions in motion to accomplish the task at hand. These are intentional and conscious decisions with an intended goal in mind.
Such is our decision to "set our hope" on Christ. We must choose deliberately and faithfully to place or lay down our hope in the One who promises to deliver and help us through our seasons. We are to pray with petition and thanks for our fellow pilgrims who are journeying through this life and acknowledge that through our firm faith gracious favors and blessings will be made ours from the Father who loves us more than we can ever fathom!
Father, help me when I am burdened to set my hope on You and thank you for the prayers of many and I ask you to show gracious favor to my brothers and sisters in Christ. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
I am a very "achievement oriented" type of person. I make lists, check it throughout the day and mark off my achievements as they are accomplished. When I "set" my mind on something I also "set" my actions in motion to accomplish the task at hand. These are intentional and conscious decisions with an intended goal in mind.
Such is our decision to "set our hope" on Christ. We must choose deliberately and faithfully to place or lay down our hope in the One who promises to deliver and help us through our seasons. We are to pray with petition and thanks for our fellow pilgrims who are journeying through this life and acknowledge that through our firm faith gracious favors and blessings will be made ours from the Father who loves us more than we can ever fathom!
Father, help me when I am burdened to set my hope on You and thank you for the prayers of many and I ask you to show gracious favor to my brothers and sisters in Christ. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Remembering You
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6.
These were words written by Paul to the church at Philippi. I share Paul's heart this morning through the pages of the Word. My sister continues to suffer with pain through this valley of cancer. One of my sisters exhorted fellow Christians to petition God to send them a portion of Beth's pain if they are led through prayer to do this. There have been responses to this exhortation which has brought some pain to these fellow believers.
These believers have been faithful in prayer since the beginning of this ordeal and in my spirit I know the importance of returning this gift. This morning I shared in prayer time for Beth as always but turned my prayers to the individual needs of those who are praying for us. I lifted both the named and the unnamed up to God for our Father knows the needs of His individual sons and daughters. God desires and pursues individual fellowship on an equal level with each of His children. Every child is guaranteed this intimate and revelation revealing God - it is not reserved for the few but guaranteed to the masses!
Thank you Father for all of my brothers and sisters and I ask for blessings for each knee bowed on behalf of our family! Amen.
These were words written by Paul to the church at Philippi. I share Paul's heart this morning through the pages of the Word. My sister continues to suffer with pain through this valley of cancer. One of my sisters exhorted fellow Christians to petition God to send them a portion of Beth's pain if they are led through prayer to do this. There have been responses to this exhortation which has brought some pain to these fellow believers.
These believers have been faithful in prayer since the beginning of this ordeal and in my spirit I know the importance of returning this gift. This morning I shared in prayer time for Beth as always but turned my prayers to the individual needs of those who are praying for us. I lifted both the named and the unnamed up to God for our Father knows the needs of His individual sons and daughters. God desires and pursues individual fellowship on an equal level with each of His children. Every child is guaranteed this intimate and revelation revealing God - it is not reserved for the few but guaranteed to the masses!
Thank you Father for all of my brothers and sisters and I ask for blessings for each knee bowed on behalf of our family! Amen.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Words With Heart
"I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good. For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes." Psalm 54:6b-7.
This was a psalm that was written when David was once again hiding out from Saul, and the Ziphites had gone to Saul informing him that David was hiding out among them. David had a price on his head and the countrymen wanted to bring that head to Saul for their own fame and gain.
These were not mere words David was lifting to God - they were words with heart. The first of the psalm is David claiming that God would sustain followed by his plea for God to be faithful to destroy wickedness. His heart turns to praising God, belief in deliverance and his spiritual eyes claiming to have seen the victory.
What a wonderful role model God has given us in David. We should strive to pattern our petitions to God based on these words.
Recite who God is - Sustainer - He will sustain us through our darkness
Recite what He says - Judge and Jury - He will destroy wickedness
Lift your praises - Worthy Messiah - He deserves our praises apart from circumstances
Recite the outcome - Ultimate Deliverer and Victor- We will triumph over pain
Thank you dear Father for being all of this and more! Amen!
This was a psalm that was written when David was once again hiding out from Saul, and the Ziphites had gone to Saul informing him that David was hiding out among them. David had a price on his head and the countrymen wanted to bring that head to Saul for their own fame and gain.
These were not mere words David was lifting to God - they were words with heart. The first of the psalm is David claiming that God would sustain followed by his plea for God to be faithful to destroy wickedness. His heart turns to praising God, belief in deliverance and his spiritual eyes claiming to have seen the victory.
What a wonderful role model God has given us in David. We should strive to pattern our petitions to God based on these words.
Recite who God is - Sustainer - He will sustain us through our darkness
Recite what He says - Judge and Jury - He will destroy wickedness
Lift your praises - Worthy Messiah - He deserves our praises apart from circumstances
Recite the outcome - Ultimate Deliverer and Victor- We will triumph over pain
Thank you dear Father for being all of this and more! Amen!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Freedom in Knowledge!
“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:22.
There is no other way to say - yesterday was a horrible day! I watched my sister with cancer painfully suffer through an examination that only God will be able to remove in time from my mind. I spent the rest of the day home alone crying for my sister and the rest of my family. Faithfully, God answered my prayer of complete rest last night with an awesome night's sleep - one I haven't been able to have in months. I knew that God would love me enough this morning to help me understand suffering. He did not disappoint! He has opened up new meaning for suffering. I had written in my book that sometimes suffering is God-ordained, God-driven and God-made. Through His light dwelling on this subject He has revealed an understanding that has been previously hidden from me. The best way to explain this is to put on my parental hat.
I have a will for my 18 year old daughter, Caroline to graduate from a 4 year university so I put that will into action and she is now going to ASU. She will remain under that will until its purpose is realized. My will for her was centered around my love for her and what good I want her to experience in life.
Suffering through discipline - If she doesn’t go to class and gets in academic trouble the university will place her under probation possibly losing her place at the college. I did not cause this suffering but it came as a result of her actions. This consequence would greatly grieve me.
Suffering through evil – While under the umbrella of my will, someone breaks into her room and robs/harms her. I did not cause this suffering but was a result of evil. This consequence would greatly grieve me.
I might use her experience to grow and show others but I didn’t send either of those. I had an ultimate will for the next four years and suffering came either as a result of sin or a result of evil.
I feel that this revelation is huge! God wills something for our lives never ordaining the suffering but ordaining the will. Under this will, the consequences of sin and/or evil may induce suffering. His response will always be the same as ours are as parents. We cry when our children cry, we hurt when they hurt, we grieve when they grieve but we never leave them and remain with them through the suffering under the original will. My comfort to her came out of love not whether she deserved comfort from the circumstances. I am not directing her daily suffering but responding to it. Such is the same from God.
Suffering is a by product of God’s will playing out based on our obedience and evil that is in the world. God’s will always comes in love and his motives/ways are always perfect. To relate this to my sister, it may be that God's will for her is to have a powerful ministry. Under this will, the evil of disease came but God is faithful daily to ease this burden and comfort His child.
Thank you Father for this amazing realization and how it applies to my life as a mother, sister and child of God. Amen!
There is no other way to say - yesterday was a horrible day! I watched my sister with cancer painfully suffer through an examination that only God will be able to remove in time from my mind. I spent the rest of the day home alone crying for my sister and the rest of my family. Faithfully, God answered my prayer of complete rest last night with an awesome night's sleep - one I haven't been able to have in months. I knew that God would love me enough this morning to help me understand suffering. He did not disappoint! He has opened up new meaning for suffering. I had written in my book that sometimes suffering is God-ordained, God-driven and God-made. Through His light dwelling on this subject He has revealed an understanding that has been previously hidden from me. The best way to explain this is to put on my parental hat.
I have a will for my 18 year old daughter, Caroline to graduate from a 4 year university so I put that will into action and she is now going to ASU. She will remain under that will until its purpose is realized. My will for her was centered around my love for her and what good I want her to experience in life.
Suffering through discipline - If she doesn’t go to class and gets in academic trouble the university will place her under probation possibly losing her place at the college. I did not cause this suffering but it came as a result of her actions. This consequence would greatly grieve me.
Suffering through evil – While under the umbrella of my will, someone breaks into her room and robs/harms her. I did not cause this suffering but was a result of evil. This consequence would greatly grieve me.
I might use her experience to grow and show others but I didn’t send either of those. I had an ultimate will for the next four years and suffering came either as a result of sin or a result of evil.
I feel that this revelation is huge! God wills something for our lives never ordaining the suffering but ordaining the will. Under this will, the consequences of sin and/or evil may induce suffering. His response will always be the same as ours are as parents. We cry when our children cry, we hurt when they hurt, we grieve when they grieve but we never leave them and remain with them through the suffering under the original will. My comfort to her came out of love not whether she deserved comfort from the circumstances. I am not directing her daily suffering but responding to it. Such is the same from God.
Suffering is a by product of God’s will playing out based on our obedience and evil that is in the world. God’s will always comes in love and his motives/ways are always perfect. To relate this to my sister, it may be that God's will for her is to have a powerful ministry. Under this will, the evil of disease came but God is faithful daily to ease this burden and comfort His child.
Thank you Father for this amazing realization and how it applies to my life as a mother, sister and child of God. Amen!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Simple Words with a Powerful Punch!
"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." Psalm 62:11.
We are blessed with the Psalms in the Bible which 72 of David spoke. These simple but powerful words were spoken when David was on the run from his enemies. They speak volumes of David's faith in a time when there was little stability and lots of fear, loneliness and despair. His core beliefs are spoken in these simple words: God is strong and God is loving.
"that you, O God, are strong" - When we are facing "life on the run" trying to escape our circumstances we can take rest in knowing that our God is strong enough to conquer any of our enemies or situations. At any point, he can release us from the strongholds of our lives if we seek His strength instead of our own. He is bigger than our circumstances with a strength and power that only He can possess.
"that you, O Lord, are loving" - No matter what we are facing in life, we can be confident in God's love. As parents we set up a wall of protection to show our children how much we love them. Hopefully, most of our actions are motivated by love and concern. Our Father is so much more and we have complete confidence that everything in our lives, both good and bad, will be anchored in His love.
With these two truths we can rest from our weariness, loneliness and fears.
Remember these two things: God is strong and God is loving!
We are blessed with the Psalms in the Bible which 72 of David spoke. These simple but powerful words were spoken when David was on the run from his enemies. They speak volumes of David's faith in a time when there was little stability and lots of fear, loneliness and despair. His core beliefs are spoken in these simple words: God is strong and God is loving.
"that you, O God, are strong" - When we are facing "life on the run" trying to escape our circumstances we can take rest in knowing that our God is strong enough to conquer any of our enemies or situations. At any point, he can release us from the strongholds of our lives if we seek His strength instead of our own. He is bigger than our circumstances with a strength and power that only He can possess.
"that you, O Lord, are loving" - No matter what we are facing in life, we can be confident in God's love. As parents we set up a wall of protection to show our children how much we love them. Hopefully, most of our actions are motivated by love and concern. Our Father is so much more and we have complete confidence that everything in our lives, both good and bad, will be anchored in His love.
With these two truths we can rest from our weariness, loneliness and fears.
Remember these two things: God is strong and God is loving!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Him Who Is, Who Was & Who is to Come!
"The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:37.
This verse is so important to me this morning. My dear sister is in the battle of her life and is facing a Goliath of enormous strength.
When David told Saul that he was going to slay this giant, Saul told him that he was a mere boy and wasn't strong enough. All circumstances pointed to the belief that David could and would not prevail against this force. David began stating times in his life when his LORD gave him victory against other forces greater than him as a testimony of faith that his LORD would also be with him in battle. This is the cornerstone of a Christian's faith. What did we learn last time around and did it place a brick of faith in our foundation that we are building as Christians?
When my daughter was in the depths of her drug addiction I was in the valley for 8 years and what a dark valley we were traveling. That was my first big valley and I really didn't have much to pull from as far as "deliverence from the pit." What a blessing that valley was, however dark is might have been, for now I live a 1 Samuel 17:37 kind of life where I can take comfort and encouragement by stating the times our Savior delivered me and claiming future victory of deliverance based on past faithfulness.
Praise God for adversity for it helps us gain hope for the future!
"Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come." Rev. 1:4
This verse is so important to me this morning. My dear sister is in the battle of her life and is facing a Goliath of enormous strength.
When David told Saul that he was going to slay this giant, Saul told him that he was a mere boy and wasn't strong enough. All circumstances pointed to the belief that David could and would not prevail against this force. David began stating times in his life when his LORD gave him victory against other forces greater than him as a testimony of faith that his LORD would also be with him in battle. This is the cornerstone of a Christian's faith. What did we learn last time around and did it place a brick of faith in our foundation that we are building as Christians?
When my daughter was in the depths of her drug addiction I was in the valley for 8 years and what a dark valley we were traveling. That was my first big valley and I really didn't have much to pull from as far as "deliverence from the pit." What a blessing that valley was, however dark is might have been, for now I live a 1 Samuel 17:37 kind of life where I can take comfort and encouragement by stating the times our Savior delivered me and claiming future victory of deliverance based on past faithfulness.
Praise God for adversity for it helps us gain hope for the future!
"Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come." Rev. 1:4
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Therein Lies the Question
"Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." 1 Sam. 14:6
This is what Jonathan, son of King Saul, stated to his armor-bearer as they were contemplating whether to attack a small army. Jonathan's faith was based in His heavenly Father instead of his earthly father since the Spirit had been removed from Saul previously. Jonathan basically states two core beliefs: 1) Belief in the will of God, and 2) Belief in the power of God.
This is the $64,000,000 question - Will He save? As my family journeys through this season I am sure we individually and collectively have pondered the thought, "perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf". These statements sum up my conviction of faith.
My conviction of faith is faith that believes Christ can and hopes that He will.
May you experience today the peace that God gives His best to His children so His will is always going to be His best for us.
This is what Jonathan, son of King Saul, stated to his armor-bearer as they were contemplating whether to attack a small army. Jonathan's faith was based in His heavenly Father instead of his earthly father since the Spirit had been removed from Saul previously. Jonathan basically states two core beliefs: 1) Belief in the will of God, and 2) Belief in the power of God.
This is the $64,000,000 question - Will He save? As my family journeys through this season I am sure we individually and collectively have pondered the thought, "perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf". These statements sum up my conviction of faith.
My conviction of faith is faith that believes Christ can and hopes that He will.
May you experience today the peace that God gives His best to His children so His will is always going to be His best for us.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Life Hurts, God Heals
I have been asked by a member of my church to attempt to write a cirriculum to accompany a study we are presently doing for teens. The study is "Life Hurts, God Heals" and it focuses on teens who have and are experiencing deep problems at this point in their life. The cirriculum I am writing is to assist the parents of these troubled teens.
Well guess what? Yesterday "life hurt"! Our sister Beth was to have liver resection which provided great hope only to be abandoned prior to the surgery due to the extent of the cancer in her body. In working on the cirriculum I share a few things in the hope of comforting us all through the words of God.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:9
"...to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3
"I will extend peace to her like a river...you will nurse and be carried on her arm...As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you...the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants." Isaiah 66:12-14
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him...It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-9
In the words of my pastor: Despair turns the temporary into permenant but hope remembers the eternal!
May we all take comfort that when life hurts, God heals!
Well guess what? Yesterday "life hurt"! Our sister Beth was to have liver resection which provided great hope only to be abandoned prior to the surgery due to the extent of the cancer in her body. In working on the cirriculum I share a few things in the hope of comforting us all through the words of God.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:9
"...to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3
"I will extend peace to her like a river...you will nurse and be carried on her arm...As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you...the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants." Isaiah 66:12-14
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him...It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-9
In the words of my pastor: Despair turns the temporary into permenant but hope remembers the eternal!
May we all take comfort that when life hurts, God heals!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Here I Am!
"You will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'" Isaiah 58:9
When my daughter, Caroline was a child as soon as she entered the front door she would start yelling, "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?" She wouldn't even give me a chance to answer "Here I am" before she was calling to me again. Her number one priority once she got home from anywhere was to search me out, "touch home base" which brought her great comfort.
I believe Caroline had the right idea when she was a child spiritually speaking. As soon as our feet hit the floor each morning and throughout the day we should start calling, "Lord? Father? Redeemer?" and just like I was for Caroline our Father will always be there waiting for a pause in our words for Him to answer,
Father, give us that passion for your presence as we continuously call out to You. Amen.
When my daughter, Caroline was a child as soon as she entered the front door she would start yelling, "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?" She wouldn't even give me a chance to answer "Here I am" before she was calling to me again. Her number one priority once she got home from anywhere was to search me out, "touch home base" which brought her great comfort.
I believe Caroline had the right idea when she was a child spiritually speaking. As soon as our feet hit the floor each morning and throughout the day we should start calling, "Lord? Father? Redeemer?" and just like I was for Caroline our Father will always be there waiting for a pause in our words for Him to answer,
Father, give us that passion for your presence as we continuously call out to You. Amen.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Faith in Full Bloom
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the LORD had said to her will be accomplished" Luke 1:45.
This is the blessing that Elizabeth spoke regarding Mary once she was carrying the Son of God. I am so tenderly touched this morning as I think about the women in my immediate family. Throughout Beth's journey of cancer I have consistently seen the women in my family live out this blessing that Elizabeth spoke a couple of thousand years ago.
In general, women are both trusting and believing unless someone has deeply wounded that trust. But, thankfully the LORD, our Father, can restore, rebuild and resurrect any trust that was taken away from any woman.
I am so proud in Him to be one of the Miller women who has been blessed by God for believing Him and am basking in the happiness of what is being accomplished in the life of our family.
He has given me faith in full bloom - Belief and trust in His deliverence when everything points to the opposite of our desires. Thank you Father!
This is the blessing that Elizabeth spoke regarding Mary once she was carrying the Son of God. I am so tenderly touched this morning as I think about the women in my immediate family. Throughout Beth's journey of cancer I have consistently seen the women in my family live out this blessing that Elizabeth spoke a couple of thousand years ago.
In general, women are both trusting and believing unless someone has deeply wounded that trust. But, thankfully the LORD, our Father, can restore, rebuild and resurrect any trust that was taken away from any woman.
I am so proud in Him to be one of the Miller women who has been blessed by God for believing Him and am basking in the happiness of what is being accomplished in the life of our family.
He has given me faith in full bloom - Belief and trust in His deliverence when everything points to the opposite of our desires. Thank you Father!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fleeting Emotions
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his wondrous light." 1 Peter 2:9
This is one of my dad's favorite verses in the Bible and as of this morning it is essential for me. This ride my family is on called life right now is one of varied emotions. It is a time in the life of our family where the focus and emotions are constantly being challenged for our attention. It is easy to become single focused when something such as this hits.
I remember when my husband and I had a single focus when our daughter was on drugs. I am under no illusion that our attention and focus was absorbed in the life of our daughter. Looking back I am sure that our other children felt a lonlieness and a sense of invisible existence. It is easy for our emotions to take over when we are tired, weary and fearful of the future.
When our emotions rear their ugly head thankfully God has stated who we are in Him to assure us that He has ordained who we are apart from our emotions. Based on this verse we must believe Him when our emotions are not in check.
God elected to love us
We are worthy of His love
We are important to the Body of Christ
No one can remove us from His love
We will believe and praise Him apart from our emotions
We will choose to leave the darkness of our emotions
His Light will show us love, joy, peace, importance, and wholeness.
Stay focused on the way He sees us and not the way we "feel".
This is one of my dad's favorite verses in the Bible and as of this morning it is essential for me. This ride my family is on called life right now is one of varied emotions. It is a time in the life of our family where the focus and emotions are constantly being challenged for our attention. It is easy to become single focused when something such as this hits.
I remember when my husband and I had a single focus when our daughter was on drugs. I am under no illusion that our attention and focus was absorbed in the life of our daughter. Looking back I am sure that our other children felt a lonlieness and a sense of invisible existence. It is easy for our emotions to take over when we are tired, weary and fearful of the future.
When our emotions rear their ugly head thankfully God has stated who we are in Him to assure us that He has ordained who we are apart from our emotions. Based on this verse we must believe Him when our emotions are not in check.
God elected to love us
We are worthy of His love
We are important to the Body of Christ
No one can remove us from His love
We will believe and praise Him apart from our emotions
We will choose to leave the darkness of our emotions
His Light will show us love, joy, peace, importance, and wholeness.
Stay focused on the way He sees us and not the way we "feel".
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Knowledge Too Lofty!
“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.” Psalm 139:5-6.
This week I experienced the weirdest thing in my emotions. Thankfully God had given me and my entire family the same verses in preparation for the news. 5 months ago my sister wasn't given but one treatment option for her cancer. Nothing else was available due to the advancement/reality of her cancer. After five months of chemo it seems as if not much had changed. I was given two verses to give to my dad/mom regarding his cancer and then was led to give it to my sister later the next week. Over the next few days these verses were batted back and forth among family members for different reasons on different days. These were His words: “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’” Isaiah 35:3-4.
I know that God knew my heart would be fearful regarding this liver surgery and I would be questioning the randomness of this treatment. I responded initially with shock and fear and it took until later that evening to really trust Him for this apart from my feelings. He had paved the way behind the news and ahead of the news with these verses to confirm this treatment was from Him. This is the importance of developing an eye for Him, an ear for Him and a Spirit for Him. Through His words He certainly gives us revelations, confirmations and a "knowledge too lofty" for us to comprehend without His guidance.
Father, I approach you this morning with gratitude for the divine retribution You are bringing Beth and I approach Your throne on behalf of Daddy and Mother whom I also ask for deliverance. Give them strength, patience and endurance for this season. Amen.
This week I experienced the weirdest thing in my emotions. Thankfully God had given me and my entire family the same verses in preparation for the news. 5 months ago my sister wasn't given but one treatment option for her cancer. Nothing else was available due to the advancement/reality of her cancer. After five months of chemo it seems as if not much had changed. I was given two verses to give to my dad/mom regarding his cancer and then was led to give it to my sister later the next week. Over the next few days these verses were batted back and forth among family members for different reasons on different days. These were His words: “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’” Isaiah 35:3-4.
I know that God knew my heart would be fearful regarding this liver surgery and I would be questioning the randomness of this treatment. I responded initially with shock and fear and it took until later that evening to really trust Him for this apart from my feelings. He had paved the way behind the news and ahead of the news with these verses to confirm this treatment was from Him. This is the importance of developing an eye for Him, an ear for Him and a Spirit for Him. Through His words He certainly gives us revelations, confirmations and a "knowledge too lofty" for us to comprehend without His guidance.
Father, I approach you this morning with gratitude for the divine retribution You are bringing Beth and I approach Your throne on behalf of Daddy and Mother whom I also ask for deliverance. Give them strength, patience and endurance for this season. Amen.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Proper Time
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" Galatians 6:9.
This verse has been an anchor for me over the past 5-6 months. When my dad's cancer returned and my sister was diagnosed with her cancer God breathed these words into my heart as a way to remind me that everything is temporary.
My immediate family is centered in many illnesses. My father-in-law has progressed in his Alzheimers, my mother-in-law is showing signs of decline, my dad's cancer has metasticized and my sister's cancer seemed to remain unchanged from her 4 months of chemo. This has been a challenging half of year but my Father continues to show Himself as Savior as He saves me daily from despair, fear and hopeless thoughts. He raises me up through His uplifting words and know which words I need to combat certain emotions.
Yesterday was the proper time in the life of our family. While my dad has begun to feel better from his radiation my sister has been approved as a candidate for liver surgery - a procedure that was previously deemed as too dangerous for her to receive. We are praising God this morning for enabling us to not give up but to recognize that at His proper time we will reap the harvest for which we have been passionately praying.
Never give up hope in a hopeless situation and always see your trials as temporary. Remember, despair turns the temporary into permanent but hope remembers what is eternal.
This verse has been an anchor for me over the past 5-6 months. When my dad's cancer returned and my sister was diagnosed with her cancer God breathed these words into my heart as a way to remind me that everything is temporary.
My immediate family is centered in many illnesses. My father-in-law has progressed in his Alzheimers, my mother-in-law is showing signs of decline, my dad's cancer has metasticized and my sister's cancer seemed to remain unchanged from her 4 months of chemo. This has been a challenging half of year but my Father continues to show Himself as Savior as He saves me daily from despair, fear and hopeless thoughts. He raises me up through His uplifting words and know which words I need to combat certain emotions.
Yesterday was the proper time in the life of our family. While my dad has begun to feel better from his radiation my sister has been approved as a candidate for liver surgery - a procedure that was previously deemed as too dangerous for her to receive. We are praising God this morning for enabling us to not give up but to recognize that at His proper time we will reap the harvest for which we have been passionately praying.
Never give up hope in a hopeless situation and always see your trials as temporary. Remember, despair turns the temporary into permanent but hope remembers what is eternal.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
God is Love
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16
As we find ourselves on the calendar on a day where so many lost their lives and our nation changed forever it is tempting for people to associate tragedy with spiritual lessons learned. While I profess that I do not know the will of God regarding such tragedies as these I do know the heart of God is total and complete love. I have heard so many people associate the tragedies of their lives with God instead of the other way around.
In the midst of our tragedies our Father shows up to comfort us with His unfailing and faithful love. As I was looking in the concordance on love I was overwhelmed with the number of scripture verses that deal with love and God. It is mentioned in the Bible more times than any other topic because God and love are one.
When I look at our present family situation, I know that although the cancers were allowed the love of God sustains anything this world will bring. Because of our love exchange with God we are able to trust in this love and not focus on where the pain and suffering originated. Love (God) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love (God) never fails...but when perfection comes, (love/God) the imperfect disappears (pain, suffering, blame, confusion, despair). 1 Corinthians 13: 7, 8a, 10.
Let us stay focused on the love that is produced through any and all situations and call on name of this love - His name is God!
As we find ourselves on the calendar on a day where so many lost their lives and our nation changed forever it is tempting for people to associate tragedy with spiritual lessons learned. While I profess that I do not know the will of God regarding such tragedies as these I do know the heart of God is total and complete love. I have heard so many people associate the tragedies of their lives with God instead of the other way around.
In the midst of our tragedies our Father shows up to comfort us with His unfailing and faithful love. As I was looking in the concordance on love I was overwhelmed with the number of scripture verses that deal with love and God. It is mentioned in the Bible more times than any other topic because God and love are one.
When I look at our present family situation, I know that although the cancers were allowed the love of God sustains anything this world will bring. Because of our love exchange with God we are able to trust in this love and not focus on where the pain and suffering originated. Love (God) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love (God) never fails...but when perfection comes, (love/God) the imperfect disappears (pain, suffering, blame, confusion, despair). 1 Corinthians 13: 7, 8a, 10.
Let us stay focused on the love that is produced through any and all situations and call on name of this love - His name is God!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A Heart for God
"Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." 2 Samuel 7:2
Have you ever loved someone so much you look for ways to honor, respect and love them? That is how I feel about Christ. Sometimes I feel such a burden that I am not doing enough to show the Ruler of my life. I become bogged down in thought like David who was discontent that he was living in a manner better than the ark of the covenant. He felt that he should build a temple to "house God" but God showed Him through the prophet Nathan that God did not require David to complete this task.
God had another plan for the temple down the road for David's descendent, Solomon. As pure as David's motive was is was not the will of God. Our good motives are not enough to guide us through life. Our motives must be aligned with God's will before we can move ahead. I find myself experiencing impatience in doing God's work and trying to find ways to "build the temple". God has plans for my service but only through submitting to His will and timing will I be successful in my ministries. Even the ministry of man must be under the authority of God to fulfil what God ordains.
Father, help me to remember that to enter into your presence I must first exit from my will. Help me be patient in the ministry and only "build temples" where you have first ordained. Amen.
Have you ever loved someone so much you look for ways to honor, respect and love them? That is how I feel about Christ. Sometimes I feel such a burden that I am not doing enough to show the Ruler of my life. I become bogged down in thought like David who was discontent that he was living in a manner better than the ark of the covenant. He felt that he should build a temple to "house God" but God showed Him through the prophet Nathan that God did not require David to complete this task.
God had another plan for the temple down the road for David's descendent, Solomon. As pure as David's motive was is was not the will of God. Our good motives are not enough to guide us through life. Our motives must be aligned with God's will before we can move ahead. I find myself experiencing impatience in doing God's work and trying to find ways to "build the temple". God has plans for my service but only through submitting to His will and timing will I be successful in my ministries. Even the ministry of man must be under the authority of God to fulfil what God ordains.
Father, help me to remember that to enter into your presence I must first exit from my will. Help me be patient in the ministry and only "build temples" where you have first ordained. Amen.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The Lord's Command
"For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate,' says the Lord" 2 Corinthians 6:16-17.
If we claim to be one of God's children then according to God we carry in our hearts the temple of this holy God. If He lives with us is He enjoying the things we are watching on television and the items for which our attention is directed? If he walks among us is He pleased with the words that are coming out of mouths and the thoughts that are inhabiting our minds?
Are we standing out as Christians and setting ourselves apart or are we being pushed along in our days by our circumstances allowing our temple to be one of commonplace?
Join me in allowing the Holy Spirit to settle upon us this morning and reveal the truth about the condition of our heart. Also, ask Him to reveal what we are displaying in our temple that is not pointing to our Father and giving Him total honor and glory.
Live your life today so that anyone who comes across your path will know without a doubt who leads and guides you. Let us set ourselves apart as God has commanded~!
If we claim to be one of God's children then according to God we carry in our hearts the temple of this holy God. If He lives with us is He enjoying the things we are watching on television and the items for which our attention is directed? If he walks among us is He pleased with the words that are coming out of mouths and the thoughts that are inhabiting our minds?
Are we standing out as Christians and setting ourselves apart or are we being pushed along in our days by our circumstances allowing our temple to be one of commonplace?
Join me in allowing the Holy Spirit to settle upon us this morning and reveal the truth about the condition of our heart. Also, ask Him to reveal what we are displaying in our temple that is not pointing to our Father and giving Him total honor and glory.
Live your life today so that anyone who comes across your path will know without a doubt who leads and guides you. Let us set ourselves apart as God has commanded~!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Formed By Him
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;" Jeremiah 1:5.
As I awake this morning rejoicing and praising God for the safe arrival of my new granddaughter, Kherington I am both humbled and eternally grateful for this verse God gave Jeremiah as He was calling him into service. God has also breathed these words into each of our lives. Once we are a newborn in Christ our slates have been wiped clean and the sky is the limit when we allow God to be authority over everything in our lives. We are the little infant totally dependent on our parent for everything fully trusting in Him, totally dependent on Him and not knowing any other way for survival but through Him. God has known us since the beginning of creation and delivered us into this world with a purpose and a plan that is not of our own. We have all been set apart and created in an individual way that only God knows.
Father, I commit Kherington back to you for your will, plan and protection over her life. Amen.
As I awake this morning rejoicing and praising God for the safe arrival of my new granddaughter, Kherington I am both humbled and eternally grateful for this verse God gave Jeremiah as He was calling him into service. God has also breathed these words into each of our lives. Once we are a newborn in Christ our slates have been wiped clean and the sky is the limit when we allow God to be authority over everything in our lives. We are the little infant totally dependent on our parent for everything fully trusting in Him, totally dependent on Him and not knowing any other way for survival but through Him. God has known us since the beginning of creation and delivered us into this world with a purpose and a plan that is not of our own. We have all been set apart and created in an individual way that only God knows.
Father, I commit Kherington back to you for your will, plan and protection over her life. Amen.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Rejoice!!!
"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24.
Today could it be that Kherington makes three????
We shall see!!!!
Today could it be that Kherington makes three????
We shall see!!!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
His Presence
“Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul” 1 Chronicles 13:3.
While watching television much earlier in life I would become aware of anything inappropriate in my viewing when one of my parents would walk in. Their presence caused me to examine what I was watching differently than when they were not present.
David knew that during Saul’s reign the Ark of the Covenant, God’s presence among His people, had been forgotten and put away. David knew the importance of ruling with God at the center of the nation. He knew the Israel nation would walk, talk and experience a more Godly way of living if God’s presence was with them and they lived out their days with the spiritual and actual Presence of God instead of some intellectual presence.
This is the importance of keeping Christ at the center of our day. His presence puts all of our thoughts, actions and words under examination to see if we are living in a manner worthy of Christ. If he doesn’t stay centered in our day we will feel uncomfortable when His presence does seep into our lives and will only do self-examination when we know He is present.
Father, help me to keep you centered in everything and everyday so that as things arise you will reveal whether they have a place in my life worthy of calling myself Your child. In Your name we serve You! Amen.
While watching television much earlier in life I would become aware of anything inappropriate in my viewing when one of my parents would walk in. Their presence caused me to examine what I was watching differently than when they were not present.
David knew that during Saul’s reign the Ark of the Covenant, God’s presence among His people, had been forgotten and put away. David knew the importance of ruling with God at the center of the nation. He knew the Israel nation would walk, talk and experience a more Godly way of living if God’s presence was with them and they lived out their days with the spiritual and actual Presence of God instead of some intellectual presence.
This is the importance of keeping Christ at the center of our day. His presence puts all of our thoughts, actions and words under examination to see if we are living in a manner worthy of Christ. If he doesn’t stay centered in our day we will feel uncomfortable when His presence does seep into our lives and will only do self-examination when we know He is present.
Father, help me to keep you centered in everything and everyday so that as things arise you will reveal whether they have a place in my life worthy of calling myself Your child. In Your name we serve You! Amen.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Crosses of Suffering
"'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus said to him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'" Luke 23:41-42.
This was a part of the story when Jesus hung on the cross at Calvary. He was centered between two criminals who were also being put to death. While one of the criminals refused to accept Jesus as Messiah the other knew on some level that He was hanging in the presence of the Savior. In the midst of the criminal's intense suffering while facing death he acknowledged that Jesus had the power to deliver him from a death worse than that of earth - his spiritual death.
In our suffering, we are like that man hanging on the cross beside Jesus sharing in His suffering. Casting our eyes on Jesus gives us a promise and hope for an eternal future no matter what cross we are to bear. We do not have to ask our Father to remember us for we carry His kingdom within us always.
Don't allow your cross to remove your eyes from the One who will bring you into His power and strength.
This was a part of the story when Jesus hung on the cross at Calvary. He was centered between two criminals who were also being put to death. While one of the criminals refused to accept Jesus as Messiah the other knew on some level that He was hanging in the presence of the Savior. In the midst of the criminal's intense suffering while facing death he acknowledged that Jesus had the power to deliver him from a death worse than that of earth - his spiritual death.
In our suffering, we are like that man hanging on the cross beside Jesus sharing in His suffering. Casting our eyes on Jesus gives us a promise and hope for an eternal future no matter what cross we are to bear. We do not have to ask our Father to remember us for we carry His kingdom within us always.
Don't allow your cross to remove your eyes from the One who will bring you into His power and strength.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Kingdom on Earth
While attending church yesterday we sang a song that was basically The Lord's Prayer. One line stood out above all others - ...thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
While reflecting on this line I was blessed by the revelation that we do not have to wait to see God's kingdom. Through the Holy Spirit the kingdom is set up in our hearts, minds and souls. He brings His kingdom to us when we invite Him to run our lives for us. We are able to enjoy the benefits of His kingdom by accepting His will.
We have a certain will for our children whether we are here with them or they are away from us. Proximity doesn't change our will or desires for them but simply forces us to trust that they know what is best for their lives. Our Father however goes with us, behind us and before us. His kingdom travels everywhere we go since He has set up home in our hearts.
Thank you LORD for bringing your temporary kingdom to us until we approach the gates of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
While reflecting on this line I was blessed by the revelation that we do not have to wait to see God's kingdom. Through the Holy Spirit the kingdom is set up in our hearts, minds and souls. He brings His kingdom to us when we invite Him to run our lives for us. We are able to enjoy the benefits of His kingdom by accepting His will.
We have a certain will for our children whether we are here with them or they are away from us. Proximity doesn't change our will or desires for them but simply forces us to trust that they know what is best for their lives. Our Father however goes with us, behind us and before us. His kingdom travels everywhere we go since He has set up home in our hearts.
Thank you LORD for bringing your temporary kingdom to us until we approach the gates of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Lasting Perfume
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2
The more we respect and love someone the more we aspire to become like them. My maternal grandmother was a complete card with her wicked humor and her loving character. Her boistrous laugh and sweet smelling perfume always lingered beyond my visit with her. I would remember funny things she said or did while we were there and the perfume on my clothes once we left her was a warm and loving reminder of the hugs she freely gave. Holdie indeed left her fragrant offering of love on each of her many grandchildren.
The fragrance of Christ also lingers on us and around us the more we are in His presence. We are bathed in His fragrant offerings of love, hope, joy, compassion, etc... and because of His relationship with our Father God accepts the pleasing sacrifice lifted by Christ on our behalf.
We all give off a fragrance based on who we are wrapping ourselves around. Certainly different times in my life I have given off more of an odor than a pleasing aroma based on the way in which I treated people. The only way to share the fragrance of Christ is to wrap your arms around Him and never let go!
The more we respect and love someone the more we aspire to become like them. My maternal grandmother was a complete card with her wicked humor and her loving character. Her boistrous laugh and sweet smelling perfume always lingered beyond my visit with her. I would remember funny things she said or did while we were there and the perfume on my clothes once we left her was a warm and loving reminder of the hugs she freely gave. Holdie indeed left her fragrant offering of love on each of her many grandchildren.
The fragrance of Christ also lingers on us and around us the more we are in His presence. We are bathed in His fragrant offerings of love, hope, joy, compassion, etc... and because of His relationship with our Father God accepts the pleasing sacrifice lifted by Christ on our behalf.
We all give off a fragrance based on who we are wrapping ourselves around. Certainly different times in my life I have given off more of an odor than a pleasing aroma based on the way in which I treated people. The only way to share the fragrance of Christ is to wrap your arms around Him and never let go!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Slave Cabins
"He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him" Daniel 2:22.
When I was a little girl we lived out in the country and were constantly searching for things to do. One day we found a little row of old rickety cabins which we believed were old slave cabins. Those cabins held a mystery and fascination for us and we were constantly returning to those cabins. We assigned certain truths about those cabins and what must have occurred during the days they were inhabited. Because we didn't know the truth we manufactured our own truth. Life in those cabins represented a darkness to us and through our imagination we breathed life into its hidden past.
We do the same things as Christians. We face deep and hidden things that we know nothing about and manufacture our own agenda, will and purpose. It is only when we place these things under the authority of God that He may light up the truth of any matter in our lives and show us the reality of what lies within. Pumping our own beliefs into a situation doesn't make it truth!
We must enter our cabins with a blank slate allowing God to light up the corners of the cabin to show us the reality of our seasons. Where we see old and rickety cabins God sees potential beauty.
When I was a little girl we lived out in the country and were constantly searching for things to do. One day we found a little row of old rickety cabins which we believed were old slave cabins. Those cabins held a mystery and fascination for us and we were constantly returning to those cabins. We assigned certain truths about those cabins and what must have occurred during the days they were inhabited. Because we didn't know the truth we manufactured our own truth. Life in those cabins represented a darkness to us and through our imagination we breathed life into its hidden past.
We do the same things as Christians. We face deep and hidden things that we know nothing about and manufacture our own agenda, will and purpose. It is only when we place these things under the authority of God that He may light up the truth of any matter in our lives and show us the reality of what lies within. Pumping our own beliefs into a situation doesn't make it truth!
We must enter our cabins with a blank slate allowing God to light up the corners of the cabin to show us the reality of our seasons. Where we see old and rickety cabins God sees potential beauty.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Looking Beyond the Hills
"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth" Psalm 121:1-2.
As my family goes into the weekend leading up to my sister's cancer treatment results it is easy for fears and emotions to be resurrected. We scan our hills for results, encouragement and resolution of healing. We are hungry for healing but have no control over the situation.
When we focus on the hill instead of the Creator we see the hill for what it is worth:
Impassable paths
Charred and burned up sections
Venomous snakes
Abrupt cliffs
When we focus above the hill onto the Creator we realize that everything on the hill is under His authority and our help for every situation comes from Him.
As my family goes into the weekend leading up to my sister's cancer treatment results it is easy for fears and emotions to be resurrected. We scan our hills for results, encouragement and resolution of healing. We are hungry for healing but have no control over the situation.
When we focus on the hill instead of the Creator we see the hill for what it is worth:
Impassable paths
Charred and burned up sections
Venomous snakes
Abrupt cliffs
When we focus above the hill onto the Creator we realize that everything on the hill is under His authority and our help for every situation comes from Him.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
God's Lantern
"Then Jesus told them, 'You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.'" John 12:35-36.
This is a basic boy scout staple - BE PREPARED! How simple this statement is but how easy it is to live life reactionary instead of being prepared. I live in the country and many times have been without power. If a storm was rising I would get things accomplished before it hit ensuring if we lost power I would be prepared. I would make sure I set the matches out, pulled out the candles, loaded new batteries in the flashlights and put them in our room and the rooms of the children. Even being prepared never helps the frustration of the dark because there is still an absence of complete light.
Our Christian walk should be more than just laying out the candles and matches when we sense a storm. There should be a daily and intentional effort of time spent with our Father so He can supply us with the continual power, warmth and light throughout our days whether there is calm or chaos. Through our efforts of reflecting His light we become light for others so they can see as they walk through their darkness.
Never estimate the power of your light!
This is a basic boy scout staple - BE PREPARED! How simple this statement is but how easy it is to live life reactionary instead of being prepared. I live in the country and many times have been without power. If a storm was rising I would get things accomplished before it hit ensuring if we lost power I would be prepared. I would make sure I set the matches out, pulled out the candles, loaded new batteries in the flashlights and put them in our room and the rooms of the children. Even being prepared never helps the frustration of the dark because there is still an absence of complete light.
Our Christian walk should be more than just laying out the candles and matches when we sense a storm. There should be a daily and intentional effort of time spent with our Father so He can supply us with the continual power, warmth and light throughout our days whether there is calm or chaos. Through our efforts of reflecting His light we become light for others so they can see as they walk through their darkness.
Never estimate the power of your light!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
You Become What You Think
"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9.
When I was a child I use to try to act like my mother when playing with my dolls. I would rock them, speak tenderly to them, dry their tears and be a mommy to their every need. I took on the character and attitudes of my mommy.
When I was a teenager I use to try on other personalities to see how they fit when I met a new friend - my mother can attest to this. She use to always say that I would begin acting like whomever I started hanging out with. Luckily, the constant change of wardrobe didn't do any lasting damage but did teach me that some things I saw, learned or heard from others that seemed to work for them didn't work for me.
As a child and friend of Christ I am counting on taking on His image, personality and characteristics but this time I am hoping for permanence. The search is over and the classroom is in place. Through seeing Him, hearing Him and learning from Him I can put into practice His ways, His dreams, His thoughts - not mine.
And the peace of God will be with me!
When I was a child I use to try to act like my mother when playing with my dolls. I would rock them, speak tenderly to them, dry their tears and be a mommy to their every need. I took on the character and attitudes of my mommy.
When I was a teenager I use to try on other personalities to see how they fit when I met a new friend - my mother can attest to this. She use to always say that I would begin acting like whomever I started hanging out with. Luckily, the constant change of wardrobe didn't do any lasting damage but did teach me that some things I saw, learned or heard from others that seemed to work for them didn't work for me.
As a child and friend of Christ I am counting on taking on His image, personality and characteristics but this time I am hoping for permanence. The search is over and the classroom is in place. Through seeing Him, hearing Him and learning from Him I can put into practice His ways, His dreams, His thoughts - not mine.
And the peace of God will be with me!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Invitation to Rest
"Come to me," he invites, "all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 NIT).
God does not command this of us just as a party host doesn't command our presence at their party. Because they enjoy and care for us as friends or family, they invite us to spend time with them intimately. Our Father also invites us to hand over our burdens at the door of our hearts so He can help us experience Him in full. We cannot experience the full measure of God if our arms are full of fear, grief, disbelief, anger or weariness.
He invites us to lay down what we are carrying so He may fill our arms with rest, love and comfort. It is an invitation that is extended daily but up to us as to how often we accept the opportunity to fellowship.
Lay your burdens down at the feet of the cross and curl up in the Savior's lap.
God does not command this of us just as a party host doesn't command our presence at their party. Because they enjoy and care for us as friends or family, they invite us to spend time with them intimately. Our Father also invites us to hand over our burdens at the door of our hearts so He can help us experience Him in full. We cannot experience the full measure of God if our arms are full of fear, grief, disbelief, anger or weariness.
He invites us to lay down what we are carrying so He may fill our arms with rest, love and comfort. It is an invitation that is extended daily but up to us as to how often we accept the opportunity to fellowship.
Lay your burdens down at the feet of the cross and curl up in the Savior's lap.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Standing Firm
"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Isaiah 7:9.
This next week my sister will be retested to see what effect her chemo treatment has made on her cancer. It is extremely tempting to base our faith on an outcome instead of on our Father. We cannot base faith on a desired resolution but rather on the Resoluter!
I am reading a wonderful book called "Becoming a Woman of Spiritual Passion" by Donna Morley. She states my point precisely.
"When we do not stand firm, our fear wins and makes us out to be hypocrites. Instead of having a strong faith that refuses to bow to others, we let others have power over our faith - they weaken it, they control it. No wonder the fear of man is so often condemned in Scripture."
Father, let my family experience faith and peace in You and not in any man-made test results. Prepare our hearts for what we learn next week and grant us your peace which "transcends all understanding". Amen.
This next week my sister will be retested to see what effect her chemo treatment has made on her cancer. It is extremely tempting to base our faith on an outcome instead of on our Father. We cannot base faith on a desired resolution but rather on the Resoluter!
I am reading a wonderful book called "Becoming a Woman of Spiritual Passion" by Donna Morley. She states my point precisely.
"When we do not stand firm, our fear wins and makes us out to be hypocrites. Instead of having a strong faith that refuses to bow to others, we let others have power over our faith - they weaken it, they control it. No wonder the fear of man is so often condemned in Scripture."
Father, let my family experience faith and peace in You and not in any man-made test results. Prepare our hearts for what we learn next week and grant us your peace which "transcends all understanding". Amen.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Our Gift from Christ
"I leave you peace, my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don't let your hearts be afraid or troubled." John 14:27.
Jesus spoke this to the disciples before He was crucified. I can just see Jesus telling the disciples what He has left them in His will. That each child will receive "share and share alike" the peace of Christ. He left His peace as an inheritance for each of us to experience, enjoy and pass on to future children.
A will is a well thought out desire of a person who knows he will someday leave his possessions to those he loves. Through the cross we are all named in the will of Christ to receive His peace -not any other counterfeit form of peace. Through receiving this inheritance we are entitled to a life apart from fear and anxiety. The best part is Uncle Sam doesn't get any portion of this gift!
Don't deny your inheritance but open your arms wide to experience what was left to you!
Jesus spoke this to the disciples before He was crucified. I can just see Jesus telling the disciples what He has left them in His will. That each child will receive "share and share alike" the peace of Christ. He left His peace as an inheritance for each of us to experience, enjoy and pass on to future children.
A will is a well thought out desire of a person who knows he will someday leave his possessions to those he loves. Through the cross we are all named in the will of Christ to receive His peace -not any other counterfeit form of peace. Through receiving this inheritance we are entitled to a life apart from fear and anxiety. The best part is Uncle Sam doesn't get any portion of this gift!
Don't deny your inheritance but open your arms wide to experience what was left to you!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Freedom in the Focus
"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" Matthew 14:30
Peter got out of the boat when he saw Jesus which took a great deal of faith. Once out of the boat the wind fought for his attention and Peter took his eyes off of Jesus. Peter began focusing on the wind instead of the powerful Force!
As my sister approaches her final chemo treatment for now I have asked the Lord to prepare the hearts of my family. Only our Father knows what is best for us and we cannot "esteem" ourselves to know His best for us every time. We have been afloat on this sea of cancer for quite a while and we have felt the blasts of the wind from this storm.
Next week when she is tested for her results I pray that our family will not take our eyes off of Jesus and not allow any wind to compete for our peace in Him. It is easy to step out of the boat when we feel defeated but the real faith is walking on the water through the storm step by step.
We have stepped out of the boat in our belief that she will be healed but the results of Monday will require a step on the water. Praise God for giving us His words which are alive in all ages!
Peter got out of the boat when he saw Jesus which took a great deal of faith. Once out of the boat the wind fought for his attention and Peter took his eyes off of Jesus. Peter began focusing on the wind instead of the powerful Force!
As my sister approaches her final chemo treatment for now I have asked the Lord to prepare the hearts of my family. Only our Father knows what is best for us and we cannot "esteem" ourselves to know His best for us every time. We have been afloat on this sea of cancer for quite a while and we have felt the blasts of the wind from this storm.
Next week when she is tested for her results I pray that our family will not take our eyes off of Jesus and not allow any wind to compete for our peace in Him. It is easy to step out of the boat when we feel defeated but the real faith is walking on the water through the storm step by step.
We have stepped out of the boat in our belief that she will be healed but the results of Monday will require a step on the water. Praise God for giving us His words which are alive in all ages!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
"It is I"
"It's a ghost!" and cried out in fear. But Jesus quickly spoke to them, "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27
The disciples had rowed out to sea as obedience to Jesus' command. The storm arose and they could not find their Savior to rescue them. Jesus had gone up to the mountaintop to be with His Father. The disciples sat perched in the boat, white knuckled and terrified, but where was their Savior? He had spoken the waters still at other times - He knew they were out in the boat under the dark seas! Where was their Savior? When Jesus walked towards them upon the water they didn't even recognize Him. They immediately decided it was something harmful and nothing to do with deliverance.
When we are being tossed by our storms is the miracle you are pleading for limiting Jesus to the point to where you may not recognize the deliverance? We must allow Him to be God and deliver us from our storms in His manner - not our own manner.
Look for God in the eye of the storm!
The disciples had rowed out to sea as obedience to Jesus' command. The storm arose and they could not find their Savior to rescue them. Jesus had gone up to the mountaintop to be with His Father. The disciples sat perched in the boat, white knuckled and terrified, but where was their Savior? He had spoken the waters still at other times - He knew they were out in the boat under the dark seas! Where was their Savior? When Jesus walked towards them upon the water they didn't even recognize Him. They immediately decided it was something harmful and nothing to do with deliverance.
When we are being tossed by our storms is the miracle you are pleading for limiting Jesus to the point to where you may not recognize the deliverance? We must allow Him to be God and deliver us from our storms in His manner - not our own manner.
Look for God in the eye of the storm!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Dismissing the Crowds
"After he had dismissed them, he went up on the mountainside by himself to pray." Matthew 14:23.
Boy did God send this verse to me at the right time! My husband and I are at a point in our lives where the demands of many outweigh our hours and energy. I am sure everyone can relate. We do not live on this earth without experiencing the overwhelming seasons that come and go. We try to prepare for the tough ones and are grateful for the calm ones.
John the Baptist was beheaded at the request of Herodias, King Herod's sister-in-law. Once the news got to the disciples they went and got the body , buried him and informed Jesus who loved John as cousin and friend. When Jesus heard the news he went off by himself to handle His grief. Thousands of people had heard of the wonders and miracles Jesus was performing and began gathering around Him not allowing Him to take the needed time. Jesus knew they needed Him so he laid aside His own needs and "fed the thousands". There were still many people there who wanted Him, needed Him, wanted to touch Him but Jesus knew the value in retreating. He dismissed the people not because He didn't think their needs were worthy but rather He knew the importance of solitude and prayer to His Father for rest, renewal and restoration of His soul.
My Bible Study states "He said no to the important in order to say yes to the vital. He said no to a good opportunity in order to say yes to a better opportunity. It wasn't a selfish decision. It was a deliberate choice to honor priorities."
Christ will show us the daily priorities needed to live out His will, not our own will or the will of another. As you live your life, remember to say yes to the One who is vital in your life!
Boy did God send this verse to me at the right time! My husband and I are at a point in our lives where the demands of many outweigh our hours and energy. I am sure everyone can relate. We do not live on this earth without experiencing the overwhelming seasons that come and go. We try to prepare for the tough ones and are grateful for the calm ones.
John the Baptist was beheaded at the request of Herodias, King Herod's sister-in-law. Once the news got to the disciples they went and got the body , buried him and informed Jesus who loved John as cousin and friend. When Jesus heard the news he went off by himself to handle His grief. Thousands of people had heard of the wonders and miracles Jesus was performing and began gathering around Him not allowing Him to take the needed time. Jesus knew they needed Him so he laid aside His own needs and "fed the thousands". There were still many people there who wanted Him, needed Him, wanted to touch Him but Jesus knew the value in retreating. He dismissed the people not because He didn't think their needs were worthy but rather He knew the importance of solitude and prayer to His Father for rest, renewal and restoration of His soul.
My Bible Study states "He said no to the important in order to say yes to the vital. He said no to a good opportunity in order to say yes to a better opportunity. It wasn't a selfish decision. It was a deliberate choice to honor priorities."
Christ will show us the daily priorities needed to live out His will, not our own will or the will of another. As you live your life, remember to say yes to the One who is vital in your life!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Singing in the Shadows
"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:7-8.
I am blessed and privileged to be the mother of three wonderful children. It never failed that when they were little and we were out running errands my anxiety level would rise when I had to cross a road or parking lot with these three. I always made everyone grab a hand so no one would be "loose". There was always a frantic move as one broke free and took off!
To cling is to hold on to, adhere to, and to become a part of. As children of Christ He will uphold us and lead us to safety if we cling to Him. Clinging to Him is believing in Him, surrendering to Him and becoming one with Him.
Many times in life I have broken free and taken off trying to resolve my own problems only to be gathered by Him tucked back under His wings for His protection. I sing my praises to Him that He will always hold on to me even if I let go.
I am blessed and privileged to be the mother of three wonderful children. It never failed that when they were little and we were out running errands my anxiety level would rise when I had to cross a road or parking lot with these three. I always made everyone grab a hand so no one would be "loose". There was always a frantic move as one broke free and took off!
To cling is to hold on to, adhere to, and to become a part of. As children of Christ He will uphold us and lead us to safety if we cling to Him. Clinging to Him is believing in Him, surrendering to Him and becoming one with Him.
Many times in life I have broken free and taken off trying to resolve my own problems only to be gathered by Him tucked back under His wings for His protection. I sing my praises to Him that He will always hold on to me even if I let go.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Head On Collisions!
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:23.
To swerve is to veer, detour and change direction. When adversity strikes we are tempted to not face it head on with God but to find a way to go around and avoid it. I remember when my son was five years old he had lied to me and my mother asked him why he had lied. He stated that he thought "It was just a phase he was going through" and my mom stated "Well can't you go around it?" I thought her response was both classic and clever!
How true is this mentality when we are faced with pain and suffering. We look onto our circumstances and would give anything to go around the season instead of through the season. The word "unswervingly" means solidly, unshakably and steadfastly. With Christ who has promised us faithfulness we must travel down the road of adversity and hit our circumstances head on with hope in His promise and not yield to the temptation of swerving into fear, despair and depression.
Profess your unswerving and unshakable hope in all seasons of your life.
To swerve is to veer, detour and change direction. When adversity strikes we are tempted to not face it head on with God but to find a way to go around and avoid it. I remember when my son was five years old he had lied to me and my mother asked him why he had lied. He stated that he thought "It was just a phase he was going through" and my mom stated "Well can't you go around it?" I thought her response was both classic and clever!
How true is this mentality when we are faced with pain and suffering. We look onto our circumstances and would give anything to go around the season instead of through the season. The word "unswervingly" means solidly, unshakably and steadfastly. With Christ who has promised us faithfulness we must travel down the road of adversity and hit our circumstances head on with hope in His promise and not yield to the temptation of swerving into fear, despair and depression.
Profess your unswerving and unshakable hope in all seasons of your life.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Let Go and Let God!
"...but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." John 14:31.
When I was a child, my sister and I would run to the bed awaiting our dad to come and throw us up in the air at bedtime. It was a ritual we were crazy about and always looked forward to. One night as he threw my sister up in the air her foot hit the ceiling light but luckily she wasn't hurt. My dad never did that again. We begged for him to continue that game night after night only to be turned down. We finally let go and accepted that while we didn't understand why the game had to end (nobody got hurt) we did understand that it was our dad's decision and he was looking out for our best interests.
God is the constant Comforter and will comfort you step by step, pain by pain. Cry out at every step asking for His comfort and trust that His strength and power is so much bigger than your circumstances. Let go and Let God!
When I was a child, my sister and I would run to the bed awaiting our dad to come and throw us up in the air at bedtime. It was a ritual we were crazy about and always looked forward to. One night as he threw my sister up in the air her foot hit the ceiling light but luckily she wasn't hurt. My dad never did that again. We begged for him to continue that game night after night only to be turned down. We finally let go and accepted that while we didn't understand why the game had to end (nobody got hurt) we did understand that it was our dad's decision and he was looking out for our best interests.
How similar are we as children in Christ when we continue to ask for things not knowing what is good in the end. We jump up and down begging for something that might be damaging to us or not His best for us. When we finally reach the point of spiritual maturity where we let go and let God be God in every detail of our life we are guaranteed a life of victory. We may still "hit our foot on the ceiling light" but luckily we have a Father that can make everything right and be everything for us if we will simply commit it all to Him.
God is the constant Comforter and will comfort you step by step, pain by pain. Cry out at every step asking for His comfort and trust that His strength and power is so much bigger than your circumstances. Let go and Let God!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Let Freedom Ring!
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Happy 4th of July - food, family & fireworks!
True freedom comes from the Holy Spirit who brings all things in line with Christ. My celebration of freedom comes on another day - Christ's resurrection for it was on this day that we were attributed freedom in and through Christ. Since we as Christians can do all things through Christ we can access freedom in anything through the Holy Spirit - He is our freedom fighter!
True freedom is ours when we fully surrender everything in our lives to Christ. Through surrendering our captivities whatever they may be we gain freedom!
May your day be marked with the freedom in Christ!
Happy 4th of July - food, family & fireworks!
True freedom comes from the Holy Spirit who brings all things in line with Christ. My celebration of freedom comes on another day - Christ's resurrection for it was on this day that we were attributed freedom in and through Christ. Since we as Christians can do all things through Christ we can access freedom in anything through the Holy Spirit - He is our freedom fighter!
True freedom is ours when we fully surrender everything in our lives to Christ. Through surrendering our captivities whatever they may be we gain freedom!
May your day be marked with the freedom in Christ!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
To Know God...
"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he." Isaiah 43:10
To know someone to the point of trusting and believing them requires alot of time being spent with them. How can we truly know someone so well that we place our trust in them? Only through spending time with them, suffering with them and celebrating with them can we truly experience the highs and lows with them. These experiences anchor our relationships and bind people together for future trials and celebrations. We become dependent on them to be there for us and know the level of trust we have in them.
This is the cornerstone for our walk with Christ. We are chosen to endure suffering so that we may "bind" ourselves to God and He may reveal His faithfulness for our deliverence. He shows us things during our suffering that ensure His presence and through these experiences we come to know, believe and understand Him better. It also allows us to celebrate with and because of Him once He has so faithfully delivered us.
Only through spending constant time in His word and in prayer with Him do we learn who He is, how we can believe Him and understand His ways.
Through our witnessing we can teach others who He is in our lives encouraging the same for them.
How well do you know Christ?
To know someone to the point of trusting and believing them requires alot of time being spent with them. How can we truly know someone so well that we place our trust in them? Only through spending time with them, suffering with them and celebrating with them can we truly experience the highs and lows with them. These experiences anchor our relationships and bind people together for future trials and celebrations. We become dependent on them to be there for us and know the level of trust we have in them.
This is the cornerstone for our walk with Christ. We are chosen to endure suffering so that we may "bind" ourselves to God and He may reveal His faithfulness for our deliverence. He shows us things during our suffering that ensure His presence and through these experiences we come to know, believe and understand Him better. It also allows us to celebrate with and because of Him once He has so faithfully delivered us.
Only through spending constant time in His word and in prayer with Him do we learn who He is, how we can believe Him and understand His ways.
Through our witnessing we can teach others who He is in our lives encouraging the same for them.
How well do you know Christ?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Whisperings of God
“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” 1 Kings 19:11-13.
At this point God gave Elijah a set of commands for him to carry out. This story holds such a dear place in my heart for God is in the whispers of life – He sustains and guides us during our trials and seasons of testing but is often most visible to us during the calm after the storm to rejuvenate and restore us. When something catastrophic occurs we are tempted to petition God as to why He sent the tragedy. In the story of Elijah we are told three times that the Lord was not in the chaos but was in the whisper after. If Elijah had not been obedient to the Lord but instead stayed in the cave out of fear he would have missed the “passing by of the Lord.” To receive the whisper he had to experience the wind, the earthquake and the fire all the while keeping his eyes focused on finding the Lord. In our pursuit of finding God in our trials, we must stay focused on hearing the whisper of the Lord and not on the circumstances of our earthquakes. We may not know what today will bring but we will always know Who each day will bring!
How can you position yourself "on the mountain" to ensure you will not miss the "passing by of the LORD"?
At this point God gave Elijah a set of commands for him to carry out. This story holds such a dear place in my heart for God is in the whispers of life – He sustains and guides us during our trials and seasons of testing but is often most visible to us during the calm after the storm to rejuvenate and restore us. When something catastrophic occurs we are tempted to petition God as to why He sent the tragedy. In the story of Elijah we are told three times that the Lord was not in the chaos but was in the whisper after. If Elijah had not been obedient to the Lord but instead stayed in the cave out of fear he would have missed the “passing by of the Lord.” To receive the whisper he had to experience the wind, the earthquake and the fire all the while keeping his eyes focused on finding the Lord. In our pursuit of finding God in our trials, we must stay focused on hearing the whisper of the Lord and not on the circumstances of our earthquakes. We may not know what today will bring but we will always know Who each day will bring!
How can you position yourself "on the mountain" to ensure you will not miss the "passing by of the LORD"?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
True Peace
"My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27.
Peace - an interesting word. The word peace in Hebrew, shalom, means the completion, fulfillmemt, unity and harmony that come as a result of God's presence. The word peace in Greek, eirene, means to bind together creating the harmony, security and joy that come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Both interpretations have one thing in common - permanence as a result from God's presence.
When we decide to navigate our lives with the peace of God instead of the counterfeit peace of the world we live a life apart from chaos and changing circumstances. We have a permanent peace grounded in the Who and not the what! Once we defeat the temptation of placing our trust in what we see, true peace in all circumstances will be experienced.
Peace - an interesting word. The word peace in Hebrew, shalom, means the completion, fulfillmemt, unity and harmony that come as a result of God's presence. The word peace in Greek, eirene, means to bind together creating the harmony, security and joy that come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Both interpretations have one thing in common - permanence as a result from God's presence.
When we decide to navigate our lives with the peace of God instead of the counterfeit peace of the world we live a life apart from chaos and changing circumstances. We have a permanent peace grounded in the Who and not the what! Once we defeat the temptation of placing our trust in what we see, true peace in all circumstances will be experienced.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Man's Approval
When David fled from Saul for fear of his life, Achish, King of Gath agreed to assign David and his servants a place in the country town called Ziklag. When Achish and the Philistines were getting ready to fight against Israel, David wanted to join them. “So Achish called David and said to him, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until now, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. Turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers” 1 Samuel 29:6-7.
David was still allowed to live in his assigned place but was not given the same rights as a citizen. He was a stranger in his assigned town and was subject to the approval of man.
How many times do we feel like a stranger or alien in our assigned seasons? We are living through a season where we can't seem to find our peace, value or satisfaction. We are simply existing without real purpose and our future seems based on the outcome of something or the approval of someone else.
By seeking the approval of God instead of man we are able to gain the satisfaction and approval of God with any season in which we are living. Man comes with his own agenda and rarely matches what God has for us.
Father, help me keep my eyes on your agenda, your favor and your assignment. Don't allow the opinions of others to dissuade me from accomplishing the goals you have for me in this assignment for the Kingdom. Amen.
David was still allowed to live in his assigned place but was not given the same rights as a citizen. He was a stranger in his assigned town and was subject to the approval of man.
How many times do we feel like a stranger or alien in our assigned seasons? We are living through a season where we can't seem to find our peace, value or satisfaction. We are simply existing without real purpose and our future seems based on the outcome of something or the approval of someone else.
By seeking the approval of God instead of man we are able to gain the satisfaction and approval of God with any season in which we are living. Man comes with his own agenda and rarely matches what God has for us.
Father, help me keep my eyes on your agenda, your favor and your assignment. Don't allow the opinions of others to dissuade me from accomplishing the goals you have for me in this assignment for the Kingdom. Amen.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Shattered Dreams
I don't have but a minute because I am taking my dear sister Beth to chemo. It was a rough day yesterday and hopefully better today. I read something this morning I would like to leave as my post. It is a quote from Ken Gire, The North Face of God.
"When suffering shatters the carefully kept vase that is our lives, God stoops to pick up the pieces. But he doesn't put them back together as a restoration project patterned after our former selves. Instead, he sifts through the rubble and selects some of the shards as raw material for another project - a mosaic that tells the story of redemption."
This supports my belief that everything that comes to us passes through God's filter and He will not allow anything that doesn't support His purpose for us. He selects what pieces of our lives need to be removed, reworked and restored. If we allow Him, he will create a new "vase" in us - one of beauty, purpose and one that displays the reflection of Christ in our lives.
"When suffering shatters the carefully kept vase that is our lives, God stoops to pick up the pieces. But he doesn't put them back together as a restoration project patterned after our former selves. Instead, he sifts through the rubble and selects some of the shards as raw material for another project - a mosaic that tells the story of redemption."
This supports my belief that everything that comes to us passes through God's filter and He will not allow anything that doesn't support His purpose for us. He selects what pieces of our lives need to be removed, reworked and restored. If we allow Him, he will create a new "vase" in us - one of beauty, purpose and one that displays the reflection of Christ in our lives.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Recognizing God's Voice
"When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" John 10:4. (italicized mine)
As a mother of three and grandmother of two, this verse holds such an endearing place in my heart. A parent's voice is recognized by the loving and continual communication of love between parent and child. This is exemplified in a baby when its mother enters the room and begins speaking. From early on in the life of a baby they learn to recognize, depend and respond to its parents' voices. How many times have we held someone else's child only to have them strain to find their mother as she speaks? There is a comfortable and secure awareness on the part of the child that now all is alright since they have heard the soothing and loving voice of the one they recognize as mother or daddy.
Our Father desires for us to have this instant recognition of His voice. It is only through our efforts and pursuit of "knowing His voice" that we may recognize and enjoy the security and awareness that our loving Father desires to protect, nurture and guide us through our lives. Knowing His voice involves reading and meditating on His word, continual communion with Him during the day, both believing and anticipating that He is going to speak to us.
What steps can you take to position yourself daily to "recognize His voice"?
As a mother of three and grandmother of two, this verse holds such an endearing place in my heart. A parent's voice is recognized by the loving and continual communication of love between parent and child. This is exemplified in a baby when its mother enters the room and begins speaking. From early on in the life of a baby they learn to recognize, depend and respond to its parents' voices. How many times have we held someone else's child only to have them strain to find their mother as she speaks? There is a comfortable and secure awareness on the part of the child that now all is alright since they have heard the soothing and loving voice of the one they recognize as mother or daddy.
Our Father desires for us to have this instant recognition of His voice. It is only through our efforts and pursuit of "knowing His voice" that we may recognize and enjoy the security and awareness that our loving Father desires to protect, nurture and guide us through our lives. Knowing His voice involves reading and meditating on His word, continual communion with Him during the day, both believing and anticipating that He is going to speak to us.
What steps can you take to position yourself daily to "recognize His voice"?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Unsearchable Things
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3.
"Calling on God" to me is an intentional and continous pursuit of God and what His purpose is for our lives. It is not a "call on demand" type of relationship but more of an "always on the line" type of relationship. The answers from God will come once we have decided to commune with Him all during the day much like we do with ourselves. We talk to ourselves consciously and subconsciously throughout the day in an effort to resolve mindful things. How many times have I called upon myself only to be disappointed in the results I have ended up with due to the fact that I didn't have all of the information? The beauty of God is that His answers are grounded in the fact that He knows what the big puzzle should look like in the end. We make decisions based on a corner of the puzzle and we do not see how it fits with the remainder.
God knows all of these great and unsearchable things that will complete the puzzle if we are simply patient with the Gamemaster. When we call on Him prepare to wait for His answer for it is unique to us and He has all of the information needed to complete that beautiful and purposeful puzzle in our lives.
"Calling on God" to me is an intentional and continous pursuit of God and what His purpose is for our lives. It is not a "call on demand" type of relationship but more of an "always on the line" type of relationship. The answers from God will come once we have decided to commune with Him all during the day much like we do with ourselves. We talk to ourselves consciously and subconsciously throughout the day in an effort to resolve mindful things. How many times have I called upon myself only to be disappointed in the results I have ended up with due to the fact that I didn't have all of the information? The beauty of God is that His answers are grounded in the fact that He knows what the big puzzle should look like in the end. We make decisions based on a corner of the puzzle and we do not see how it fits with the remainder.
God knows all of these great and unsearchable things that will complete the puzzle if we are simply patient with the Gamemaster. When we call on Him prepare to wait for His answer for it is unique to us and He has all of the information needed to complete that beautiful and purposeful puzzle in our lives.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A Spiritual Recipe
"Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" Phil. 2:6-8.
Jesus, God the Son, set aside all rights He had and came down to "take on" sin and was victorious. Sin was defeated through the cross by His humility and the obedience to do the will of God the Father. The success of walking like Christ is partially found in this "spiritual recipe".
- Set aside what we see as our rights ("...to deny a man his rights before the Most High" Lamentations 3:35) such as our right to be angry, bitter or entitled to something.
- Take on the nature of a servant ("But I am among you as one who serves" Luke 22:27b) and think of something you can do for others.
- Humble ourselves to God ("Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves" - Phil 2:3) such as get face down in prayer.
- Become obedient to death ("Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" Luke 9:23-24) such as letting go of our old ways which have proven unsuccessful.
We can never be perfect on this earth but we can live "blamelessly" (living a life focused on sinlessness). We must intentionally take on the attitudes Christ did while on earth such as those listed above to set us up to be as blameless in our walk as we can.
Jesus, God the Son, set aside all rights He had and came down to "take on" sin and was victorious. Sin was defeated through the cross by His humility and the obedience to do the will of God the Father. The success of walking like Christ is partially found in this "spiritual recipe".
- Set aside what we see as our rights ("...to deny a man his rights before the Most High" Lamentations 3:35) such as our right to be angry, bitter or entitled to something.
- Take on the nature of a servant ("But I am among you as one who serves" Luke 22:27b) and think of something you can do for others.
- Humble ourselves to God ("Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves" - Phil 2:3) such as get face down in prayer.
- Become obedient to death ("Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" Luke 9:23-24) such as letting go of our old ways which have proven unsuccessful.
We can never be perfect on this earth but we can live "blamelessly" (living a life focused on sinlessness). We must intentionally take on the attitudes Christ did while on earth such as those listed above to set us up to be as blameless in our walk as we can.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Dark Moments Unresolved
"David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God" 1 Samuel 30:6.
The Amalakites had raided Ziklag, where David and his men had left their wives and children. The woman of all ages had been carried off by the Amalakites and David's men were outraged. Their sadness turned to bitterness and talk of stoning David was circulating. David turned his distress and fear towards the LORD to find strength. Notice that the situation didn't resolve itself creating strength. He found strength in the unresolved season independent of the circumstances. This is a huge lesson and the sooner we can learn it the better we can navigate through our seasons. The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us (Charles Stanley - Life Principle 7). The ending of our dark moments are not always the resolution of our trial but the dark moments ending should be aligned with when we feel peace and strength from God apart from the circumstances. We can feel and experience Light within our dark like David.
Are you experiencing a dark season illuminating light or are you being engulfed by the dark?
The Amalakites had raided Ziklag, where David and his men had left their wives and children. The woman of all ages had been carried off by the Amalakites and David's men were outraged. Their sadness turned to bitterness and talk of stoning David was circulating. David turned his distress and fear towards the LORD to find strength. Notice that the situation didn't resolve itself creating strength. He found strength in the unresolved season independent of the circumstances. This is a huge lesson and the sooner we can learn it the better we can navigate through our seasons. The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us (Charles Stanley - Life Principle 7). The ending of our dark moments are not always the resolution of our trial but the dark moments ending should be aligned with when we feel peace and strength from God apart from the circumstances. We can feel and experience Light within our dark like David.
Are you experiencing a dark season illuminating light or are you being engulfed by the dark?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Prison or Palace?
"But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden...The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did" Genesis 39:20b-21, 23.
Joseph was unjustifiably accused of a crime and imprisoned. Joseph remained faithful in his trust in God and his belief that God was with him whether he was in the prison or in the palace. Our prisons should not be a resting place for our eyes but a resting place for our knees. Joseph would never have been exalted to the level in Pharaoh's kingdom that he was without the experience of his imprisonment. The blessing and reward came as a result of his faithfulness during his time in prison.
Do we respond to God the same whether we are in prison or in the palace, in the valley or on the mountain and regardless of famine or fruitfulness?
Joseph was unjustifiably accused of a crime and imprisoned. Joseph remained faithful in his trust in God and his belief that God was with him whether he was in the prison or in the palace. Our prisons should not be a resting place for our eyes but a resting place for our knees. Joseph would never have been exalted to the level in Pharaoh's kingdom that he was without the experience of his imprisonment. The blessing and reward came as a result of his faithfulness during his time in prison.
Do we respond to God the same whether we are in prison or in the palace, in the valley or on the mountain and regardless of famine or fruitfulness?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Out of the Mouths of Donkeys
In the Old Testament there is a story tucked away which always makes me laugh! In Numbers 21 we find King Balak terrified of the army of Israel due to the fact they have just defeated the Amorites who were much stronger an army than King Balak's Moabites. In an effort to defeat the Israelites King Balak summoned Balaam, a pagan prophet to come and curse the Israelites. Although God commands Balaam to go He commands Balaam to only do what God tells him. Instead of waiting on God's instructions he mounts his donkey and travels toward King Balak at which point God uses an Angel of the Lord to distract and deter the donkey three times. God finally reveals to Balaam what the donkey has been seeing all along. "Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown." Numbers 22:31. The words God spoke came through the mouth of the donkey. How humiliating Balaam must have felt that God chose to use such a lowly beast to relay wisdom to this prophet.
It is easy to go through life making decisions based on our own knowledge. Many times God uses the simplest of ways to convey His message to us. It is up to us to recognize and see "the Angel of the Lord standing in the road". Has God ever used a "donkey" to bring about your humility in a situation to reveal to you His thoughts and words?
It is easy to go through life making decisions based on our own knowledge. Many times God uses the simplest of ways to convey His message to us. It is up to us to recognize and see "the Angel of the Lord standing in the road". Has God ever used a "donkey" to bring about your humility in a situation to reveal to you His thoughts and words?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Taking Hold of the Scarlet Cord
“The men said to her, ‘This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down…’” Joshua 2:17.
In preparation to Joshua taking Jericho, spies were sent to scope out their enemy. Rahab, a prostitute secretly hid the spies and pled that she and her family be spared when the land of Jericho was invaded. The scarlet cord became a covenant between Rahab and the spies. It symbolized that each party had promised something to the other party. It was a visible reminder that God would be in control and both Rahab’s family and the children of Israel would be victorious in the upcoming battle.
When Jesus Christ was crucified He became the scarlet cord who delivers us from all of our trials and tribulations in life. The scarlet cord is afforded to everyone but only some will hang it in their window.
Once we have found Christ and have a safe place of refuge in Him we must always draw near to the Scarlet Cord and not stray away. When the battle comes and the enemy nears will the scarlet cord be visible in our window and blow in the wind to show God's glory and power or will the window be dark?
In preparation to Joshua taking Jericho, spies were sent to scope out their enemy. Rahab, a prostitute secretly hid the spies and pled that she and her family be spared when the land of Jericho was invaded. The scarlet cord became a covenant between Rahab and the spies. It symbolized that each party had promised something to the other party. It was a visible reminder that God would be in control and both Rahab’s family and the children of Israel would be victorious in the upcoming battle.
When Jesus Christ was crucified He became the scarlet cord who delivers us from all of our trials and tribulations in life. The scarlet cord is afforded to everyone but only some will hang it in their window.
Once we have found Christ and have a safe place of refuge in Him we must always draw near to the Scarlet Cord and not stray away. When the battle comes and the enemy nears will the scarlet cord be visible in our window and blow in the wind to show God's glory and power or will the window be dark?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sword Drawn!
"Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places" Deut. 33:29.
This is one small part of the blessing Moses pronounced onto the Israelites before they entered the promised land of Canaan. He is exhorting them to see themselves through the eyes of God - a people who is saved and protected by the Almighty God serving as their shield. The glorious sword is of course the Word which is everything we need to be victorious in all situations. I began thinking about a sword and how vital it was in war. The success of using the sword was to have it fully drawn so it could penetrate deep into the enemy giving that final deathblow. We too are to always have our Sword fully drawn ready for war opposed to having it buried deep in the sheath!
Don't enter your battles with a partially drawn Sword and sharpen your Sword daily to prepare for those battles.
Looking back in my life I see that during my daughter's drug use my knees were raw and my heart broken but my sword was not drawn. Although I was raised in the church and committed many verses to memory I had never used the Word as a weapon against my circumstances. My Sword was dull and deeply buried in its cover. Thankfully God delivered me through this time of deep and long running suffering. Had my Sword been sharpened daily and fully drawn I could have experienced the peace and comfort that God promises through knowing Him and His word. I now enjoy running into battle with my Sword fully drawn and I spend time in His word daily so I will enter battle with confidence, trust in Him and complete faith in the Commander!
Is your Sword sharp?
This is one small part of the blessing Moses pronounced onto the Israelites before they entered the promised land of Canaan. He is exhorting them to see themselves through the eyes of God - a people who is saved and protected by the Almighty God serving as their shield. The glorious sword is of course the Word which is everything we need to be victorious in all situations. I began thinking about a sword and how vital it was in war. The success of using the sword was to have it fully drawn so it could penetrate deep into the enemy giving that final deathblow. We too are to always have our Sword fully drawn ready for war opposed to having it buried deep in the sheath!
Don't enter your battles with a partially drawn Sword and sharpen your Sword daily to prepare for those battles.
Looking back in my life I see that during my daughter's drug use my knees were raw and my heart broken but my sword was not drawn. Although I was raised in the church and committed many verses to memory I had never used the Word as a weapon against my circumstances. My Sword was dull and deeply buried in its cover. Thankfully God delivered me through this time of deep and long running suffering. Had my Sword been sharpened daily and fully drawn I could have experienced the peace and comfort that God promises through knowing Him and His word. I now enjoy running into battle with my Sword fully drawn and I spend time in His word daily so I will enter battle with confidence, trust in Him and complete faith in the Commander!
Is your Sword sharp?
Sunday, June 8, 2008
To See or Not to See - That is the Question
"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'" John 20:29.
When the disciples told Thomas that they had seen Christ, he proclaimed that unless he put his finger in the holes where the nails were and put his hand into Jesus' side he would not believe. Christ accommodates him but in a round about way rebukes his disbelief through blessing the ones who believe without seeing man manufactured proof! Many times we make Christ "show us a sign" when He is the sign. Before we believe, we decide in our mind what would "earn our belief". God may accommodate by giving us a sign but we will be more deeply blessed through our belief in what He says than our belief in something He shows upon request. God still uses our unbelief to grow us up gradually but it is when we do not see but still believe that our faith explodes!
Yesterday, while Grandmother's "proxy" was sitting at a bookstore for her book signing, a couple came by her room at the nursing home for her to personally sign their copy. God was experienced, realized and alive at both places. How will you choose to believe God today? How did you see Him yesterday?
When the disciples told Thomas that they had seen Christ, he proclaimed that unless he put his finger in the holes where the nails were and put his hand into Jesus' side he would not believe. Christ accommodates him but in a round about way rebukes his disbelief through blessing the ones who believe without seeing man manufactured proof! Many times we make Christ "show us a sign" when He is the sign. Before we believe, we decide in our mind what would "earn our belief". God may accommodate by giving us a sign but we will be more deeply blessed through our belief in what He says than our belief in something He shows upon request. God still uses our unbelief to grow us up gradually but it is when we do not see but still believe that our faith explodes!
Yesterday, while Grandmother's "proxy" was sitting at a bookstore for her book signing, a couple came by her room at the nursing home for her to personally sign their copy. God was experienced, realized and alive at both places. How will you choose to believe God today? How did you see Him yesterday?
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Promises Never Expire!
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give us" Galatians 6:9.
I would be remiss today if I didn't dedicate this blog to Gipsie Miller, our grandmother. She is 100 years old and today marks a miraculous day in her life. She was called in 1942 to record her pilgrimage of finding God daily through spiritual journaling. God promised her that down the road she would be commissioned to write a book documenting her pilgrimage. In the 1980's He called her to the task which she faithfully responded. Today is her book signing for the release of Pilgrimage to the Promised Land! God's promise of 1942 has been realized in 2008. Glory to God in the highest! When we truly and completely surrender our own agenda and timeframe we allow Him to fulfill His promises to us "at the proper time" which glorifies Him - not satisfies us! My grandmother is truly an example of a surrendered spirit not rushing God's timing but resting on His promises. Promises never expire - they age perfectly!
What have you been promised that you are still waiting on?
I would be remiss today if I didn't dedicate this blog to Gipsie Miller, our grandmother. She is 100 years old and today marks a miraculous day in her life. She was called in 1942 to record her pilgrimage of finding God daily through spiritual journaling. God promised her that down the road she would be commissioned to write a book documenting her pilgrimage. In the 1980's He called her to the task which she faithfully responded. Today is her book signing for the release of Pilgrimage to the Promised Land! God's promise of 1942 has been realized in 2008. Glory to God in the highest! When we truly and completely surrender our own agenda and timeframe we allow Him to fulfill His promises to us "at the proper time" which glorifies Him - not satisfies us! My grandmother is truly an example of a surrendered spirit not rushing God's timing but resting on His promises. Promises never expire - they age perfectly!
What have you been promised that you are still waiting on?
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Devouring Fires
"But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire" Deut. 9:3a.
"Going ahead of us" marks the unknown becoming known with a band of protection around us. Many times when we look onto our lives we see it as an out of control wildfire wondering when the flames will be extinguished! The heat drains us, the burns wound us but it is the uncertainty of the duration of the fire that does the most damage to us for it injures our spirit. As I look onto my life and see my past wildfires I realize that the "out of control" circumstances were my Father's planned way of burning up the parts of the forest that need to be removed so He could display the beautiful greenery and healthy foliage in His forest. He uses the fire to burn up the impurities in our lives and in hindsight we view the fires as a directed and orchestrated effort to realign His children with their Father. Faith is looking from behind the fire and knowing and believing that the fire is our Father going ahead of us for our good.
What fire are you following? Can you see that our Father is going across ahead of us to clear the way for a better land?
"Going ahead of us" marks the unknown becoming known with a band of protection around us. Many times when we look onto our lives we see it as an out of control wildfire wondering when the flames will be extinguished! The heat drains us, the burns wound us but it is the uncertainty of the duration of the fire that does the most damage to us for it injures our spirit. As I look onto my life and see my past wildfires I realize that the "out of control" circumstances were my Father's planned way of burning up the parts of the forest that need to be removed so He could display the beautiful greenery and healthy foliage in His forest. He uses the fire to burn up the impurities in our lives and in hindsight we view the fires as a directed and orchestrated effort to realign His children with their Father. Faith is looking from behind the fire and knowing and believing that the fire is our Father going ahead of us for our good.
What fire are you following? Can you see that our Father is going across ahead of us to clear the way for a better land?
Monday, June 2, 2008
Deep Waters
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. ( 2 Samuel 22:17-20)
This was David's prayer to God after the Lord delivered him from the hands of his enemies and the hand of Saul. We all face deep waters and need to be rescued. It is when we acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves from our disasters but must surrender our own strength and be carried into a spacious place. Not only do we delight in the Lord but He delights in us. When my daughter was addicted to drugs I was definately drowning in my circumstances. As hard as I fought to make my way back to the surface for a desperate breath of air it was only cut short as I quickly began sinking again. It is now that I realize my "spacious place" is the Living Waters. He is the Living Waters. I have always known who God was but never really knew who He was for me. I had walked beside the shore of the Living Waters my entire life kicking shells back into the water. I had occasionally “waded” in the Living Waters when the heat got too much but I have just recently dived into the Waters for complete satisfaction. I have witnessed the great power of the Living Waters in the lives of others from the shore but now I am abiding in the Waters with the shore in the distance. I hope to stay drenched and encourage others to get wet!
How deep do you reside in the Living Waters? It is never too late to go deeper!
This was David's prayer to God after the Lord delivered him from the hands of his enemies and the hand of Saul. We all face deep waters and need to be rescued. It is when we acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves from our disasters but must surrender our own strength and be carried into a spacious place. Not only do we delight in the Lord but He delights in us. When my daughter was addicted to drugs I was definately drowning in my circumstances. As hard as I fought to make my way back to the surface for a desperate breath of air it was only cut short as I quickly began sinking again. It is now that I realize my "spacious place" is the Living Waters. He is the Living Waters. I have always known who God was but never really knew who He was for me. I had walked beside the shore of the Living Waters my entire life kicking shells back into the water. I had occasionally “waded” in the Living Waters when the heat got too much but I have just recently dived into the Waters for complete satisfaction. I have witnessed the great power of the Living Waters in the lives of others from the shore but now I am abiding in the Waters with the shore in the distance. I hope to stay drenched and encourage others to get wet!
How deep do you reside in the Living Waters? It is never too late to go deeper!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Replacing Your Mountain With Faith
Through daily fellowship with God any mountain we face God has the power to weaken, change or be removed if we claim His promise and clothe ourselves with faith in Christ. We too will be credited with righteousness. When situations in life seem to be losing its pulse claim your faith and remember God’s promise. “… the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as they were.” (Romans 4:17) (NIV) How glorious is this promise that transcends beyond the scope of the natural world! God replaces hopelessness with divine faithfulness and fear with uncompromising promise. What greater right can we adopt for our life that is as dependable as God’s through shared fellowship?
What situation in your life seems to be losing its pulse weakening your spirit?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Write a prayer to God asking Him to remove this mountain and give your faith new life through this experience.
What situation in your life seems to be losing its pulse weakening your spirit?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Write a prayer to God asking Him to remove this mountain and give your faith new life through this experience.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Warrior or Worshipper?
"Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies? 'Neither,' he replied, 'but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'What message does my LORD have for his servant?'"
Many times in our lives when we face battles we go into warrior mode. Such was the case when Joshua was preparing for war against Jericho. He was promised by God that the victory was already his before the battle was fought. Joshua was ready and willing to charge into the city and take it! Due to his own over zealous attitude he didn't even recognize the leader who God sent. Thankfully, Joshua was immediately convicted of who this leader was and the part he was to play in the victory due to the fact Joshua was surrendered to God's spirit. When we face adversity do we charge in not recognizing God's way but apply our own battle strategies or do we fall face down and worship God and submit to His strategies?
There are definately seasons for both - the difference is being surrendered enough to recognize which role God will summon.
Is God using you to fight a battle as a warrior right now or has He led you to be a worshipper and wait on Him?
Many times in our lives when we face battles we go into warrior mode. Such was the case when Joshua was preparing for war against Jericho. He was promised by God that the victory was already his before the battle was fought. Joshua was ready and willing to charge into the city and take it! Due to his own over zealous attitude he didn't even recognize the leader who God sent. Thankfully, Joshua was immediately convicted of who this leader was and the part he was to play in the victory due to the fact Joshua was surrendered to God's spirit. When we face adversity do we charge in not recognizing God's way but apply our own battle strategies or do we fall face down and worship God and submit to His strategies?
There are definately seasons for both - the difference is being surrendered enough to recognize which role God will summon.
Is God using you to fight a battle as a warrior right now or has He led you to be a worshipper and wait on Him?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Invitation to Salvation
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved…Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
The words written above is an invitation to salvation for everyone. As all of us are aware, God moves through all experiences in our lives in all seasons. The invitation is for all without exception. If you sincerely prayed the prayer to receive the unearned and undeserved gift of salvation, God has already granted you grace and eternal life through Christ. Get in the Bible daily, meditate on His word and spend time in prayer with Him. Day by day, He will reveal both His will and purpose for your life.
Did you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior today?
The words written above is an invitation to salvation for everyone. As all of us are aware, God moves through all experiences in our lives in all seasons. The invitation is for all without exception. If you sincerely prayed the prayer to receive the unearned and undeserved gift of salvation, God has already granted you grace and eternal life through Christ. Get in the Bible daily, meditate on His word and spend time in prayer with Him. Day by day, He will reveal both His will and purpose for your life.
Did you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior today?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Boasting in the Lord
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008 05:53 AM, EDT
"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10.
How has God shown His power in your weakness? Here goes mine:
My daughter celebrated her four years of sobriety yesterday. She was entrenched in a life of drug addiction and now enjoys a beautiful Spirit-filled and drug free life. I was extremely weak for many years and only through God did He carry me through this experience. It wasn't until I surrendered her back to her real Father in Heaven and took my hands off of the situation that He began a powerful work in her. As I told her yesterday, everything I wanted for her was so much less than what He did through her darkness. I am so thankful that God didn't give me the status quo life for her that I imagined based on my own knowledge but instead gave her the life He wanted for her which surpassed all of my understanding. Through our weakness He was made strong! I share a poem with you that my precious Grandmother Miller wrote in her book, Pilgrimage to the Promised Land.
As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
“How can you be so slow?”
“My child,” He said, “What could I do?
You never did let go.”
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
“How can you be so slow?”
“My child,” He said, “What could I do?
You never did let go.”
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Enduring the Encounter
“Bless is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” James 1:12.
James was the half brother of Christ and he also had to watch his sibling suffer. Christ's suffering was the greatest act of love on record for He suffered for those past, present and future persons who would have the choice to reject Him. James speaks of endurance and perseverance first hand being the brother of Jesus yet he sees the benefits - the crown of life! James recognized that all will be called to endure during trials - to stand the test.
My sweet sister begins chemo today in an effort to shrink her aggressive cancer. Although Beth has the cancer we must ask ourselves, "What part of this experience am I to take to the Lord for His revelations to me?" Trials occur to everyone and the pain from the suffering is never wasted for God has a plan in all suffering to bring us closer to Him.
What is God trying to reveal to you in this season?
James was the half brother of Christ and he also had to watch his sibling suffer. Christ's suffering was the greatest act of love on record for He suffered for those past, present and future persons who would have the choice to reject Him. James speaks of endurance and perseverance first hand being the brother of Jesus yet he sees the benefits - the crown of life! James recognized that all will be called to endure during trials - to stand the test.
My sweet sister begins chemo today in an effort to shrink her aggressive cancer. Although Beth has the cancer we must ask ourselves, "What part of this experience am I to take to the Lord for His revelations to me?" Trials occur to everyone and the pain from the suffering is never wasted for God has a plan in all suffering to bring us closer to Him.
What is God trying to reveal to you in this season?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Believers Prayer
In Acts 4:28-30 we find Peter and John in prayer while Herod and Pontius Pilate are deciding the fate of Jesus. Funny, how His fate had already been decided from the onset of Creation! God used Herod and Pontius Pilate to bring about His will just as God uses "vessels of suffering" to bring about His will in our lives. Peter and John called upon God and ackowledged that this was His will but also petititoned God to perform miraculous signs in the name of His precious Son, Jesus. Many times in the Bible miracles were granted because of the condition of the petitioner's heart and belief in the ability of Christ. Remember, Christ is Lord of everything or Lord of nothing!
During our pain and suffering do you acknowledge that this season is God's will and do you really believe He is in control of everything? Based on the petition of the Believers Prayer (Acts 4:28-30) do you have the active and complete faith that God can work "miraculous signs and wonders" in your present season of suffering?
During our pain and suffering do you acknowledge that this season is God's will and do you really believe He is in control of everything? Based on the petition of the Believers Prayer (Acts 4:28-30) do you have the active and complete faith that God can work "miraculous signs and wonders" in your present season of suffering?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Walking by Faith.
"We walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7.
A short verse with a powerful punch! I praise God this morning that He is more than what we see Him to be in our limited perception of Him. To walk is to follow a path continuously until we reach an intended destination. Along our walk our destination is not in sight but we know by faith we will eventually arrive. Our pilgrimage towards God is the same way. If we are allowing Him by our faith to lead our walk He will guide us to that perfect destination. If we keep our sights on Him we will always walk by faith. During this season our limited sight shows extreme challenges but the choice to walk by faith instead of sight is one that God both blesses and rewards. God has both elected and ordained this season to bring Him the most glory. Thank God for being so much more than our perception. Only through suffering can we see certain aspects of God! Remember, the presence of Light illuminates more brightly in the dark!
What does your view show in your life today? What is your perception of God in your present trials?
A short verse with a powerful punch! I praise God this morning that He is more than what we see Him to be in our limited perception of Him. To walk is to follow a path continuously until we reach an intended destination. Along our walk our destination is not in sight but we know by faith we will eventually arrive. Our pilgrimage towards God is the same way. If we are allowing Him by our faith to lead our walk He will guide us to that perfect destination. If we keep our sights on Him we will always walk by faith. During this season our limited sight shows extreme challenges but the choice to walk by faith instead of sight is one that God both blesses and rewards. God has both elected and ordained this season to bring Him the most glory. Thank God for being so much more than our perception. Only through suffering can we see certain aspects of God! Remember, the presence of Light illuminates more brightly in the dark!
What does your view show in your life today? What is your perception of God in your present trials?
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Welcome!
I have created this blogspot to interact with fellow travelers in this life. Presently, my family is traveling through the valley of deep suffering. My dad has Prostrate Cancer and my sister was diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer. In an effort to claim God's promises of peace and comfort I drench myself daily in His word and obtain the eternal calm needed for that day alone which I hope to share with others who are facing their own mountains of fear and hopelessness.
He will provide the sufficient amount of mercy day by day if I am faithful in seeking Him through His word and through fellowship with Him.
He will provide the sufficient amount of mercy day by day if I am faithful in seeking Him through His word and through fellowship with Him.
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