“The gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life.” Matthew 7:14
The other day I heard something amusing that wasn’t meant to be as my sister-in-law was telling me a story. Her father-in-law was visiting and had inquired as to whether or not they attended church. My sister-in-law stated that they were in between churches and hadn’t found one they wanted to attend regularly. Her father-in-law looked at them and simply said, “Expect trouble!” The inference is that if you go to church you will be protected from hardship. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
This verse makes many people uncomfortable as it leaves no room for doubt. There is but one way to eternal life which is through the cross, and through the cross we will experience hardship for His name.
I began going deeper into an intimate relationship with Christ in Feb. of 2006. My life was actually in a state of very calm waters. Four months after I began pursuing Christ more passionately, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and my father-in-law with Alzheimer’s. A month later our daughter was diagnosed with Hep. C. She began Interferon treatment which is a form of chemo to no avail. Two months later she and her husband temporarily separated for three months as they worked through problems. In April of 2008 my sister was diagnosed with cancer and lost her battle in March of 2009.
Over the following three years my life has been inundated with caregiving, medical specialists, research on medicals options and timelines. There have been intense times with God of begging, pleading and trying to understand all that has been asked of me. He has taken me through the darkest valleys I could have ever imagined. As He promises, He has led me out on the other side and shown me amazing things I would never have known had I not decided to live out Matthew 7:14.
We cannot escape the truth of this verse and must always see our “place in the family – the Body of Christ” as a privilege, whereby taking the good with the bad. In our earthly families we don’t hit the road when things get hard. We put on our strongest armor, dig in to resolve the crisis and enjoy the bond that is built through these experiences.
Don’t just believe God will be there in your situation – Expect Him!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
The God of "Now"
“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.” John 12:26.
God is certainly faithful and does what He says He will do! Yesterday evening when Bruce arrived home from work, I asked why he thought that it had to be so hard to know God’s will. I mentioned that as a parent I wanted to be very clear with our children what my thoughts, desires and concerns for their lives were without any question or mystery. My husband stated that he knows God desires clear direction for our lives just as we do for the lives of our children. It is so easy to ask for God to reveal His extended will for us. We want to know what is up ahead.
I have been in a holding pattern ever since my sister died wondering what was next. I know that ELM holds many opportunities to serve in the future and I find myself imagining this ministry “this way or that way”. True to God’s promise, this morning I entered into my Bible Study with this question on my heart. God answered with a resounding response. The subject this morning was meeting God to discern His will for today alone. Allow me to quote Priscilla Shirer in Discerning the Voice of God, p.90.
“God is the God of right now. He calls us not to be regretful over yesterday or worried about tomorrow. He wants us to focus on what He is saying to us and putting in front of us right now. The Enemy’s voice will focus on the past and the future while the voice of our God will focus on today. He is the God of right now. God wants to reveal Himself and His plans to you. He isn’t trying to keep you from discovering His will. Look around you. Ask God to open your eyes so you can see what He is up to and quickly join in.”
As the verse states, “where I am” means the here and now. I know that God will reveal His will for my life and this ministry day by day. As His servants, when we align our heart and mind in the present we will experience His “will of the now” which will eventually lead us to His “will of the future”. Without the gradual and daily unfolding of God’s will we will be unable to make sense of the future and what treasures may lie up ahead.
As He unfolds our destinies and speaks His will over our lives daily we will be able to not only know but to experience.
God is certainly faithful and does what He says He will do! Yesterday evening when Bruce arrived home from work, I asked why he thought that it had to be so hard to know God’s will. I mentioned that as a parent I wanted to be very clear with our children what my thoughts, desires and concerns for their lives were without any question or mystery. My husband stated that he knows God desires clear direction for our lives just as we do for the lives of our children. It is so easy to ask for God to reveal His extended will for us. We want to know what is up ahead.
I have been in a holding pattern ever since my sister died wondering what was next. I know that ELM holds many opportunities to serve in the future and I find myself imagining this ministry “this way or that way”. True to God’s promise, this morning I entered into my Bible Study with this question on my heart. God answered with a resounding response. The subject this morning was meeting God to discern His will for today alone. Allow me to quote Priscilla Shirer in Discerning the Voice of God, p.90.
“God is the God of right now. He calls us not to be regretful over yesterday or worried about tomorrow. He wants us to focus on what He is saying to us and putting in front of us right now. The Enemy’s voice will focus on the past and the future while the voice of our God will focus on today. He is the God of right now. God wants to reveal Himself and His plans to you. He isn’t trying to keep you from discovering His will. Look around you. Ask God to open your eyes so you can see what He is up to and quickly join in.”
As the verse states, “where I am” means the here and now. I know that God will reveal His will for my life and this ministry day by day. As His servants, when we align our heart and mind in the present we will experience His “will of the now” which will eventually lead us to His “will of the future”. Without the gradual and daily unfolding of God’s will we will be unable to make sense of the future and what treasures may lie up ahead.
As He unfolds our destinies and speaks His will over our lives daily we will be able to not only know but to experience.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Taking It To The Streets
“If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head…” Joshua 2:19a.
The Battle at Jericho is one of the most well-known defeats documented in the Bible. The richness of the story leading up to the battle may not be as known. Prior to the battle, spies were sent into the city to see first hand the obstacles that lay before them. They snuck into the home of Rahab, a prostitute, enlisting her help to determine their best chance for victory. They struck a deal that since she assisted them in preparation for the battle she and her family would be protected when the battle began, provided she hung a scarlet cord in her window. This protection would only be extended for the members of her family who stayed in the room where the scarlet cord was visible.
During the time of my daughter’s rebellion, I went “out into the streets” and spent many years searching for my own peace and disregarded the eternal promises that God had given me through His word. The adversity I suffered with my daughter was a walk I chose to do on my own. As a result, I ended up secretly mounting excessive debt and living life apart from God. My financial decisions and their implications were determined by my lack of a spiritual walk with Christ during the adversity of my daughter. I created my own adversity out of my daughter’s. When God convicted me to “come out of the streets” and reveal to my husband the truth of our financial life, God promised me He would get me through the pain. It was the first time in my life I completely surrendered a situation to God. I knew I didn’t have control over my daughter’s situation but I did have control over my own transgression. Once I surrendered the truth of our financial situation to my husband, God began working in my husband’s heart to forgive me. It was a journey we both were traveling together but yet apart. The one thing we had in common was God’s promise that He would give us daily provision to conquer all of the hurts and return to the room where the scarlet cord hung.
Over the next couple of years, becoming one in Christ was the commitment of our marriage. Some days we drew nearer to Christ than other days but most days we hung onto the scarlet cord for dear life. Regardless of our inconsistencies and failures, through God’s grace, love and mercy, my husband and I now enjoy a Christ-centered marriage.
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. The spies told Rahab to warn her family of the importance of staying within the protective walls of Rahab’s home. That home was marked with the cord of the covenant and all who drew near and believed would be protected and spared from the battle. We too are to stay centered around our Protector, Christ Jesus who boldly displays His promise and sovereignty so we may be delivered from our battles. It is when we “go out into the streets” that we place ourselves in a position of unprotected circumstances. Through stepping out of God’s will we temporarily remove ourselves from the perfect plan of God for our lives. It becomes a detour that we take that leads to sin and suffering. The two are synonymous and will always bring about circumstances in which we will suffer. When we sow the seed of sin we will reap suffering. When we “go out into the streets” and take matters into our own hands our blood will be on our own head.
Christ is continuously bringing us to His attitudes and His work. Draw near to the Cord!
The Battle at Jericho is one of the most well-known defeats documented in the Bible. The richness of the story leading up to the battle may not be as known. Prior to the battle, spies were sent into the city to see first hand the obstacles that lay before them. They snuck into the home of Rahab, a prostitute, enlisting her help to determine their best chance for victory. They struck a deal that since she assisted them in preparation for the battle she and her family would be protected when the battle began, provided she hung a scarlet cord in her window. This protection would only be extended for the members of her family who stayed in the room where the scarlet cord was visible.
During the time of my daughter’s rebellion, I went “out into the streets” and spent many years searching for my own peace and disregarded the eternal promises that God had given me through His word. The adversity I suffered with my daughter was a walk I chose to do on my own. As a result, I ended up secretly mounting excessive debt and living life apart from God. My financial decisions and their implications were determined by my lack of a spiritual walk with Christ during the adversity of my daughter. I created my own adversity out of my daughter’s. When God convicted me to “come out of the streets” and reveal to my husband the truth of our financial life, God promised me He would get me through the pain. It was the first time in my life I completely surrendered a situation to God. I knew I didn’t have control over my daughter’s situation but I did have control over my own transgression. Once I surrendered the truth of our financial situation to my husband, God began working in my husband’s heart to forgive me. It was a journey we both were traveling together but yet apart. The one thing we had in common was God’s promise that He would give us daily provision to conquer all of the hurts and return to the room where the scarlet cord hung.
Over the next couple of years, becoming one in Christ was the commitment of our marriage. Some days we drew nearer to Christ than other days but most days we hung onto the scarlet cord for dear life. Regardless of our inconsistencies and failures, through God’s grace, love and mercy, my husband and I now enjoy a Christ-centered marriage.
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. The spies told Rahab to warn her family of the importance of staying within the protective walls of Rahab’s home. That home was marked with the cord of the covenant and all who drew near and believed would be protected and spared from the battle. We too are to stay centered around our Protector, Christ Jesus who boldly displays His promise and sovereignty so we may be delivered from our battles. It is when we “go out into the streets” that we place ourselves in a position of unprotected circumstances. Through stepping out of God’s will we temporarily remove ourselves from the perfect plan of God for our lives. It becomes a detour that we take that leads to sin and suffering. The two are synonymous and will always bring about circumstances in which we will suffer. When we sow the seed of sin we will reap suffering. When we “go out into the streets” and take matters into our own hands our blood will be on our own head.
Christ is continuously bringing us to His attitudes and His work. Draw near to the Cord!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Chariots & Horses
“Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” Psalm 20:6-8.
In the days of King David, the chances for success in battle were aligned with the number of chariots and horses the warriors possessed. It was believed that the greater the number the better the chance for victory. Confidence in battle was placed in the resources instead of the leaders.
When I was raising my children my “chariots and horses” were the false security I had in what I had accomplished as a mom. I had them in church from birth, stayed home with them in an effort to ground them in right from wrong and remained very active in their school life. I felt that I had accumulated the resources for any battleground on which I was placed. Boy, did my chariots and horses fail!
When we place our confidence in things other than God we enter into a false belief system which will crumble upon pressure. Whether our “chariots and horses” are a result of accumulated finances, obtained wisdom or power these resources “will be brought to their knees and will fall”. They will not stand up to the blasts of the storm that many of our journeys bring.
Christ sits at the right hand of God as our intermediate access to the Father, and because of the sacrifice Christ made we are saved in our storms only through the power of Christ. Only through trusting in the His power may we access the saving grace and answers from heaven.
Call out to Him in the holy heaven for our victory instead of “mounting chariots and horses”.
In the days of King David, the chances for success in battle were aligned with the number of chariots and horses the warriors possessed. It was believed that the greater the number the better the chance for victory. Confidence in battle was placed in the resources instead of the leaders.
When I was raising my children my “chariots and horses” were the false security I had in what I had accomplished as a mom. I had them in church from birth, stayed home with them in an effort to ground them in right from wrong and remained very active in their school life. I felt that I had accumulated the resources for any battleground on which I was placed. Boy, did my chariots and horses fail!
When we place our confidence in things other than God we enter into a false belief system which will crumble upon pressure. Whether our “chariots and horses” are a result of accumulated finances, obtained wisdom or power these resources “will be brought to their knees and will fall”. They will not stand up to the blasts of the storm that many of our journeys bring.
Christ sits at the right hand of God as our intermediate access to the Father, and because of the sacrifice Christ made we are saved in our storms only through the power of Christ. Only through trusting in the His power may we access the saving grace and answers from heaven.
Call out to Him in the holy heaven for our victory instead of “mounting chariots and horses”.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Emotional Entitlement
“Let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19
With so many relationships that we experience over the course of our lives there are bound to be situations that arise that create in us an “emotional entitlement”. These are feelings that we believe are justified and warranted based upon certain actions of other individuals.
Feeling justified in these emotions and acting upon these feelings rarely bring about the peace of which Paul writes in his letter to the Romans. This verse states that we must make every effort to do what leads to peace. By this statement, nothing is exempt from our responsibility of searching for that successful effort that leads to peace. There will always be a resolution that God has for each situation. When we move in and through the filter of God in these circumstances, He will enlighten us on the manner in which to move and to act.
If we are truly following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we will have complete peace in the most chaotic situation. We must not rehearse the things in our minds that bring about the emotional entitlement that binds us. I am speaking about myself and how the enemy seems to keep us in the victim role instead of the conqueror role.
We will always succeed in peace and be more than conquerors if we make the effort required to obtain God’s solution to our problems. If we feel peace in our situations apart from any resolution we can be guaranteed that we have allowed the Holy Spirit to do the work for us and act on our behalf.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37.
When experiencing your own "emotional entitlement", ask yourself, "Does this have eternal significance?" If the answer is no, ask God to resolve the situation and trust Him to act on our behalf.
With so many relationships that we experience over the course of our lives there are bound to be situations that arise that create in us an “emotional entitlement”. These are feelings that we believe are justified and warranted based upon certain actions of other individuals.
Feeling justified in these emotions and acting upon these feelings rarely bring about the peace of which Paul writes in his letter to the Romans. This verse states that we must make every effort to do what leads to peace. By this statement, nothing is exempt from our responsibility of searching for that successful effort that leads to peace. There will always be a resolution that God has for each situation. When we move in and through the filter of God in these circumstances, He will enlighten us on the manner in which to move and to act.
If we are truly following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we will have complete peace in the most chaotic situation. We must not rehearse the things in our minds that bring about the emotional entitlement that binds us. I am speaking about myself and how the enemy seems to keep us in the victim role instead of the conqueror role.
We will always succeed in peace and be more than conquerors if we make the effort required to obtain God’s solution to our problems. If we feel peace in our situations apart from any resolution we can be guaranteed that we have allowed the Holy Spirit to do the work for us and act on our behalf.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37.
When experiencing your own "emotional entitlement", ask yourself, "Does this have eternal significance?" If the answer is no, ask God to resolve the situation and trust Him to act on our behalf.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Who Is Your Ruler?
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27
Peace is the most sought after emotion and one of the most difficult to attain by the world’s standards. The world would have you base your peace upon your circumstances but the Bible teaches that peace comes from allowing God to rule in your heart regardless of the circumstances. (Colossians 3:15)
When my precious sister died my Dad had asked me to say a few words at the ceremony thanking certain individuals for their love and care of Beth during her difficult journey. I knew that humanly speaking this would be a feat that could not be accomplished on my own, but I remember having confidence in what God would do during the ceremony if I would just trust Him. Confidence in God is what gets me through many situations and builds stronger trust in Him with each successful exercise in trust.
Emerging Life Ministries is God’s brain child and I know that with each step of development, as He reveals, will lead me into a victorious ministry as He works in the hearts of those who experience ELM. I know that the success is in allowing the development of ELM on His timeframe and His agenda. I have total peace as long as I allow Christ to rule in my heart regarding this ministry. I do not have to know where He is taking me as long as I have the peace in the One who is leading me.
This morning my Bible Study stated, “We can’t depend on what our circumstances say to determine what God is doing. When peace rules in our hearts we can confidently move forward regardless of what external circumstances look or feel like and regardless of what others say.” Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God, p. 75.
Allow the peace of Christ to rule in your heart regardless of your circumstances so others may witness your Ruler.
Peace is the most sought after emotion and one of the most difficult to attain by the world’s standards. The world would have you base your peace upon your circumstances but the Bible teaches that peace comes from allowing God to rule in your heart regardless of the circumstances. (Colossians 3:15)
When my precious sister died my Dad had asked me to say a few words at the ceremony thanking certain individuals for their love and care of Beth during her difficult journey. I knew that humanly speaking this would be a feat that could not be accomplished on my own, but I remember having confidence in what God would do during the ceremony if I would just trust Him. Confidence in God is what gets me through many situations and builds stronger trust in Him with each successful exercise in trust.
Emerging Life Ministries is God’s brain child and I know that with each step of development, as He reveals, will lead me into a victorious ministry as He works in the hearts of those who experience ELM. I know that the success is in allowing the development of ELM on His timeframe and His agenda. I have total peace as long as I allow Christ to rule in my heart regarding this ministry. I do not have to know where He is taking me as long as I have the peace in the One who is leading me.
This morning my Bible Study stated, “We can’t depend on what our circumstances say to determine what God is doing. When peace rules in our hearts we can confidently move forward regardless of what external circumstances look or feel like and regardless of what others say.” Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God, p. 75.
Allow the peace of Christ to rule in your heart regardless of your circumstances so others may witness your Ruler.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The Four P's
“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Notice how God describes us as His people and as those who are called by His name and belonging to His family. He goes on with His words asking for our humility and repentance providing forgiveness and healing in our lives.
This tiny verse tucked away in 2 Chronicles is the formula for having a joyful earthly life and a promised eternal life. Being called by God’s name means we have acknowledged that He is Lord and Savior who sacrificed His life on earth to give us life with Him in Heaven. That is the first step in obtaining a deeper relationship with God. Jesus Christ did the hardest part and the first step for His children in offering Himself up to God to deem us worthy to enter the Kingdom.
I like to call the following steps required the 4 p’s – Pause, Pray, Pursue and Pivot. When we pause, we acknowledge that we are sinners and humble ourselves before God to position our hearts to be forgiven. We then pray for God to receive our repentance of sin in our lives so we have a more pure heart. When we pursue God and seek His face, He will reveal Himself to us showing His character and His promises. The final step is to pivot on our pilgrimage through the urgings of the Holy Spirit. When we are getting ready to take a misstep in our Christian journey, the Holy Spirit will guide us to pivot and turn away from that path.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life, you may obtain the gift of eternal life right now by pausing and praying the Sinner’s Prayer. Upon completion of this prayer and pursuing Christ in your life you will receive “healing from your land” and eternal life. Everyone can come and no one will be turned away.
“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”
If you decided to repent of your sins and receive Christ today, welcome to God's family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.
- Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
- Spend time with God each day. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
- Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
- Find a local church where you can worship God.
Notice how God describes us as His people and as those who are called by His name and belonging to His family. He goes on with His words asking for our humility and repentance providing forgiveness and healing in our lives.
This tiny verse tucked away in 2 Chronicles is the formula for having a joyful earthly life and a promised eternal life. Being called by God’s name means we have acknowledged that He is Lord and Savior who sacrificed His life on earth to give us life with Him in Heaven. That is the first step in obtaining a deeper relationship with God. Jesus Christ did the hardest part and the first step for His children in offering Himself up to God to deem us worthy to enter the Kingdom.
I like to call the following steps required the 4 p’s – Pause, Pray, Pursue and Pivot. When we pause, we acknowledge that we are sinners and humble ourselves before God to position our hearts to be forgiven. We then pray for God to receive our repentance of sin in our lives so we have a more pure heart. When we pursue God and seek His face, He will reveal Himself to us showing His character and His promises. The final step is to pivot on our pilgrimage through the urgings of the Holy Spirit. When we are getting ready to take a misstep in our Christian journey, the Holy Spirit will guide us to pivot and turn away from that path.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life, you may obtain the gift of eternal life right now by pausing and praying the Sinner’s Prayer. Upon completion of this prayer and pursuing Christ in your life you will receive “healing from your land” and eternal life. Everyone can come and no one will be turned away.
“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”
If you decided to repent of your sins and receive Christ today, welcome to God's family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.
- Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
- Spend time with God each day. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
- Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
- Find a local church where you can worship God.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Knowing God
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands...” Exodus 34:6.
Growing up we experience our parents day by day and become aware of their character and how they will respond in most situations. When I was a little girl and had made a bad decision I never questioned the love of my parents as they disciplined me. Through spending time with them I had become confident in their character and sure of their love. In the dictionary the word abounding means to be plentiful, well supplied and to be present in large numbers or quantities.
We either believe God’s word or we don’t – we cannot take pieces out of the Bible and claim them leaving other principles behind. The Bible is very clear on the character of God and what we can expect from Him through our pursuit of fellowship with Him. One of the basic principles of Christianity is that God is love and we can count on that love to accompany the other attributes of Christ.
Knowing the character of God through print and experiencing the character of God are completely different. We can know what someone else thinks of a person with whom we have limited contact but we cannot experience that person’s character until we get into fellowship with that friend. All we have on which we can depend is the word of someone else. The same exists with our relationship with Christ. No one can know Christ for you.
Job 42:5 states “I’ve heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees you.” Although I have always heard of God and been a Christian it wasn’t until 3 ½ years ago when I pursued personal fellowship with Christ in an effort to experience Him that I was able to bring His character into spiritual focus. When it comes to learning who God is and what attributes for which we can depend we must be visual learners and open our spiritual eye so God’s characteristics can leap off the pages of the Bible and into our circumstances.
When you cannot depend on your circumstances, you can depend on God to deal with your circumstances based on who He says He is…compassionate, gracious, abounding in love, faithfulness…the list goes on and on.
Growing up we experience our parents day by day and become aware of their character and how they will respond in most situations. When I was a little girl and had made a bad decision I never questioned the love of my parents as they disciplined me. Through spending time with them I had become confident in their character and sure of their love. In the dictionary the word abounding means to be plentiful, well supplied and to be present in large numbers or quantities.
We either believe God’s word or we don’t – we cannot take pieces out of the Bible and claim them leaving other principles behind. The Bible is very clear on the character of God and what we can expect from Him through our pursuit of fellowship with Him. One of the basic principles of Christianity is that God is love and we can count on that love to accompany the other attributes of Christ.
Knowing the character of God through print and experiencing the character of God are completely different. We can know what someone else thinks of a person with whom we have limited contact but we cannot experience that person’s character until we get into fellowship with that friend. All we have on which we can depend is the word of someone else. The same exists with our relationship with Christ. No one can know Christ for you.
Job 42:5 states “I’ve heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees you.” Although I have always heard of God and been a Christian it wasn’t until 3 ½ years ago when I pursued personal fellowship with Christ in an effort to experience Him that I was able to bring His character into spiritual focus. When it comes to learning who God is and what attributes for which we can depend we must be visual learners and open our spiritual eye so God’s characteristics can leap off the pages of the Bible and into our circumstances.
When you cannot depend on your circumstances, you can depend on God to deal with your circumstances based on who He says He is…compassionate, gracious, abounding in love, faithfulness…the list goes on and on.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Personal Parables
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:28-29
When Bruce and I were young in our marriage it always amazed me as to the level of knowledge he possessed in almost every area. He was always the one I would go to for any knowledge I needed on any subject as he is very intelligent - one of his many wonderful attributes. It wasn’t until later in our marriage that he confessed that sometimes what he didn’t know he simply made up! This floored me because of the authoritative manner in which he spoke. The kids and I (and now the grandkids) call him Mr. Wizard for fun which always brings laughter.
We all have people in our lives whom we submit to their wisdom and authority in an effort to attain something. We base our pursuit of their answers on our belief in how much authority they carry in their area of expertise.
When Jesus walked the earth he quickly drew masses of people through his teachings. Jesus used parables which burned the message onto the hearts of his listeners because of how relative they were to the understanding of the people in those days. Christ uses the same manner to speak to us today, both individually and collectively. The more we allow Him to teach and guide us through our own “personal parable” we build confidence in His words and amazement in His knowledge.
With each building block of faith in His teaching, we experience both the authenticity and authority of His teachings for us personally and how it can be applied to our lives. Jesus was never reckless with the authority God had given Him just as we should always use our authority in whatever area for the good of God’s people.
God gives us authority in certain areas of our lives as gifts to be distributed to “the rest of His family” and we should be responsible and intentional with that authority.
When Bruce and I were young in our marriage it always amazed me as to the level of knowledge he possessed in almost every area. He was always the one I would go to for any knowledge I needed on any subject as he is very intelligent - one of his many wonderful attributes. It wasn’t until later in our marriage that he confessed that sometimes what he didn’t know he simply made up! This floored me because of the authoritative manner in which he spoke. The kids and I (and now the grandkids) call him Mr. Wizard for fun which always brings laughter.
We all have people in our lives whom we submit to their wisdom and authority in an effort to attain something. We base our pursuit of their answers on our belief in how much authority they carry in their area of expertise.
When Jesus walked the earth he quickly drew masses of people through his teachings. Jesus used parables which burned the message onto the hearts of his listeners because of how relative they were to the understanding of the people in those days. Christ uses the same manner to speak to us today, both individually and collectively. The more we allow Him to teach and guide us through our own “personal parable” we build confidence in His words and amazement in His knowledge.
With each building block of faith in His teaching, we experience both the authenticity and authority of His teachings for us personally and how it can be applied to our lives. Jesus was never reckless with the authority God had given Him just as we should always use our authority in whatever area for the good of God’s people.
God gives us authority in certain areas of our lives as gifts to be distributed to “the rest of His family” and we should be responsible and intentional with that authority.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Raised and Empowered
“…I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Romans 9:17.
It is so wonderful when we see life breathed into a particular passage wherein we know our circumstances have been touched by the Almighty. Our family is experiencing this as I write this devotional this morning.
As many of you are aware my dad is extremely sick with cancer and for the last four to five months has declined pretty rapidly making the prognosis a tough one. The beginning of last week Daddy called me at the beach, along with calling Becki and Benay, and informed us that he had been praying consistently about returning to Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), a ministry that Daddy led in directorship for 10 years. CEF is responsible for bringing children to Christ through Good News Clubs in after school programs and day cares. This was my dad’s passion for many years and he worked diligently with many others towards this ministry.
When he became sick a few years ago it was necessary for him retire, much to his disappointment. He told us last week that he felt the urging of Christ to return to CEF and further the ministry. Daddy was spending much of his time in bed with complications with his cancer beyond his control. Once he accepted God’s invitation he immediately contacted the board of CEF who joyfully received him back. Since that acceptance from God, Daddy has had strong and steady days which can only be explained through the power of God raising Daddy up allowing him to do the work He wants him to do. God wasn’t through with him yet and my dad was still surrendered enough to hear His assignment.
Hearing God is essential in receiving the task God has chosen for us throughout our lives. No one person is exempt from God’s love, blessings and purpose. We must carve out time each day to get into God’s Word, meditate on Him in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of revealing the mind of Christ to us.
We each have been raised up for specific purposes and empowered by God to fulfill our destiny.
It is so wonderful when we see life breathed into a particular passage wherein we know our circumstances have been touched by the Almighty. Our family is experiencing this as I write this devotional this morning.
As many of you are aware my dad is extremely sick with cancer and for the last four to five months has declined pretty rapidly making the prognosis a tough one. The beginning of last week Daddy called me at the beach, along with calling Becki and Benay, and informed us that he had been praying consistently about returning to Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), a ministry that Daddy led in directorship for 10 years. CEF is responsible for bringing children to Christ through Good News Clubs in after school programs and day cares. This was my dad’s passion for many years and he worked diligently with many others towards this ministry.
When he became sick a few years ago it was necessary for him retire, much to his disappointment. He told us last week that he felt the urging of Christ to return to CEF and further the ministry. Daddy was spending much of his time in bed with complications with his cancer beyond his control. Once he accepted God’s invitation he immediately contacted the board of CEF who joyfully received him back. Since that acceptance from God, Daddy has had strong and steady days which can only be explained through the power of God raising Daddy up allowing him to do the work He wants him to do. God wasn’t through with him yet and my dad was still surrendered enough to hear His assignment.
Hearing God is essential in receiving the task God has chosen for us throughout our lives. No one person is exempt from God’s love, blessings and purpose. We must carve out time each day to get into God’s Word, meditate on Him in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of revealing the mind of Christ to us.
We each have been raised up for specific purposes and empowered by God to fulfill our destiny.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Mastering Mountains
“We pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” Romans 14:19
Every Monday night, Bruce and I keep the grandkids for our daughter, Kristen. The other night eleven month old Kherington was continuously lured to the steps going down into the dining room. We have several staircases in our home but these only have three steps. Knowing the lure of the steps from experience with my own children years ago, I decided to sit down and allow her to go up and down these steps in an effort to help her learn the safe manner in which to climb. Knowing the dangers of step climbing, I gently helped her navigate up and down the steps so that when she tackled the staircase with many steps she would be more prepared. I sat there on that top step for over 30 minutes watching her intent face and disciplined body try to “master her mountain”. I had her best interest at heart and knew she was trying to grow more independent.
The temptation and lure of this world is to look out for ourselves and to do what is best for our own good, not the common good of all. When going through our days we are called by God to a spirit of peace and encouragement to others. We are to be building blocks to others as opposed to stumbling blocks in their faith. We are to neither judge the faith of others nor forego the opportunity to guide others in their growing faith.
The importance of guiding and encouraging others in their faith is acknowledging that a great deal of their development in faith is to sit by them as they tentatively maneuver their own relationship, but be by their side for encouragement and an occasionally hand to steady their faith.
When trying to “master our mountain” we require patience, love and understanding as well as our own timeline in our faith. We are to be patient and loving when sitting on that top step as we watch our fellow Christians trying to master their own mountain and grow independent in God.
Every Monday night, Bruce and I keep the grandkids for our daughter, Kristen. The other night eleven month old Kherington was continuously lured to the steps going down into the dining room. We have several staircases in our home but these only have three steps. Knowing the lure of the steps from experience with my own children years ago, I decided to sit down and allow her to go up and down these steps in an effort to help her learn the safe manner in which to climb. Knowing the dangers of step climbing, I gently helped her navigate up and down the steps so that when she tackled the staircase with many steps she would be more prepared. I sat there on that top step for over 30 minutes watching her intent face and disciplined body try to “master her mountain”. I had her best interest at heart and knew she was trying to grow more independent.
The temptation and lure of this world is to look out for ourselves and to do what is best for our own good, not the common good of all. When going through our days we are called by God to a spirit of peace and encouragement to others. We are to be building blocks to others as opposed to stumbling blocks in their faith. We are to neither judge the faith of others nor forego the opportunity to guide others in their growing faith.
The importance of guiding and encouraging others in their faith is acknowledging that a great deal of their development in faith is to sit by them as they tentatively maneuver their own relationship, but be by their side for encouragement and an occasionally hand to steady their faith.
When trying to “master our mountain” we require patience, love and understanding as well as our own timeline in our faith. We are to be patient and loving when sitting on that top step as we watch our fellow Christians trying to master their own mountain and grow independent in God.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Here Comes the Judge!
“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the LORD is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4
When we were four little Miller girls running all over Gregwood in Lancaster, SC
there were many times Becki and I thought Mother and Daddy were not holding Beth and Benay to the same standards as which we were held. This is the battle cry for all siblings as my children sang the same tune.
As Christians we act like children as we point our fingers at others and judge the manner in which they live their life. God makes it real clear in the Bible that to judge and condemn anyone is to condemn ourselves. (“So whatever you believe about these things keep between you and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” Rom 14:22)
I am only accountable to the Lord for what He requires of me personally. It is up to each of us to determine through the conviction of the Holy Spirit what areas in our lives are being called upon to change. It is so much easier to point out the faults of others than to examine our own heart and actions as God has called us to surrender in our lives.
Instead of judging others next time, we should ask ourselves the question, “To what degree am I willing to be judged by God based on how I judge others?”
When we were four little Miller girls running all over Gregwood in Lancaster, SC
there were many times Becki and I thought Mother and Daddy were not holding Beth and Benay to the same standards as which we were held. This is the battle cry for all siblings as my children sang the same tune.
As Christians we act like children as we point our fingers at others and judge the manner in which they live their life. God makes it real clear in the Bible that to judge and condemn anyone is to condemn ourselves. (“So whatever you believe about these things keep between you and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” Rom 14:22)
I am only accountable to the Lord for what He requires of me personally. It is up to each of us to determine through the conviction of the Holy Spirit what areas in our lives are being called upon to change. It is so much easier to point out the faults of others than to examine our own heart and actions as God has called us to surrender in our lives.
Instead of judging others next time, we should ask ourselves the question, “To what degree am I willing to be judged by God based on how I judge others?”
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Razor's Edge
“Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?” Romans 9:21
If you have ever witnessed a potter’s wheel you can attest to the fact that whatever pressure is applied to the clay determines the result of the yield. By gently holding a razor to the clay it produces sharp and precise marks that cut deep but create definite characteristics in the piece.
When God applies pressure to certain areas of our lives we yield to that pressure enabling Him to create, mold and make lasting characteristics of Himself in our lives. There will be times when our lives will run smoothly and not require the sharpness of pain and trials. At other times, God will determine that His workmanship (Eph. 2:9) requires a reshaping and re-sharpening of our will, our purpose and our desires.
God will act according to His ultimate wisdom of what is required to bring us around to the closest image of His adored Son. He will use whatever pressure is necessary to keep us growing, molding into His Son’s image and developing into the one He recognizes as His child.
I love this quote by Kirk Franklin:
“I know the Lord is speaking to me when the voice I hear is always challenging, always convicting, and never allows me to be comfortable where I am. Not having a father, what an honor it is to have One who loves me so much that His greatest desire is to see me grow.”
Submit yourself to the Potter who sees the beautiful end result of His masterpiece and trust that He will apply the perfect amount of pressure to produce that amazing piece of work.
If you have ever witnessed a potter’s wheel you can attest to the fact that whatever pressure is applied to the clay determines the result of the yield. By gently holding a razor to the clay it produces sharp and precise marks that cut deep but create definite characteristics in the piece.
When God applies pressure to certain areas of our lives we yield to that pressure enabling Him to create, mold and make lasting characteristics of Himself in our lives. There will be times when our lives will run smoothly and not require the sharpness of pain and trials. At other times, God will determine that His workmanship (Eph. 2:9) requires a reshaping and re-sharpening of our will, our purpose and our desires.
God will act according to His ultimate wisdom of what is required to bring us around to the closest image of His adored Son. He will use whatever pressure is necessary to keep us growing, molding into His Son’s image and developing into the one He recognizes as His child.
I love this quote by Kirk Franklin:
“I know the Lord is speaking to me when the voice I hear is always challenging, always convicting, and never allows me to be comfortable where I am. Not having a father, what an honor it is to have One who loves me so much that His greatest desire is to see me grow.”
Submit yourself to the Potter who sees the beautiful end result of His masterpiece and trust that He will apply the perfect amount of pressure to produce that amazing piece of work.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Love Letters
“…I will put my laws in their minds so they will understand them, and I will write them on their hearts so they will obey them.” Hebrews 8:10
There have been things in my life that I just knew intuitively were my lessons to learn from God. One of the greatest lessons for which I constantly face is the ability to set boundaries. I have always enjoyed serving others but throughout the past three years it has been so extreme that I know God was doing some deep cleaning. I believe God knew that in order to have a future ministry I would have to know how to set boundaries in my service. I have known this in my mind for many years but it was only written on my heart through the extreme service of the past three years on many counts.
We can certainly “know” the things God requires of us but still operate in our lives without making changes. I knew that I lacked the discipline of setting healthy boundaries in service but really couldn’t relate to the enormity of responsibility in trying to be a hero for everyone. I believe God knew that the only way I would understand this on a heart level was to insert me into the situation that showed my inability to keep up with the level of service for which I had bitten off!
God was gracious and merciful in writing these truths upon my heart. He exposed distorted motivations for my service such as seeking the approval and love of others through my service. He wanted more for me spiritually and less from me physically.
God has a love letter written to each of us that reveals what He wants for us and what will make our lives in Him more balanced and spiritual. We can know Him in our minds but we must pursue Him in our hearts to learn the truth He has for our lives. This past letter to me from God was a tough one to read but I know the spirit of the Author and His desire to always work everything together for my good.
Open up your letter and read what God is writing to you.
There have been things in my life that I just knew intuitively were my lessons to learn from God. One of the greatest lessons for which I constantly face is the ability to set boundaries. I have always enjoyed serving others but throughout the past three years it has been so extreme that I know God was doing some deep cleaning. I believe God knew that in order to have a future ministry I would have to know how to set boundaries in my service. I have known this in my mind for many years but it was only written on my heart through the extreme service of the past three years on many counts.
We can certainly “know” the things God requires of us but still operate in our lives without making changes. I knew that I lacked the discipline of setting healthy boundaries in service but really couldn’t relate to the enormity of responsibility in trying to be a hero for everyone. I believe God knew that the only way I would understand this on a heart level was to insert me into the situation that showed my inability to keep up with the level of service for which I had bitten off!
God was gracious and merciful in writing these truths upon my heart. He exposed distorted motivations for my service such as seeking the approval and love of others through my service. He wanted more for me spiritually and less from me physically.
God has a love letter written to each of us that reveals what He wants for us and what will make our lives in Him more balanced and spiritual. We can know Him in our minds but we must pursue Him in our hearts to learn the truth He has for our lives. This past letter to me from God was a tough one to read but I know the spirit of the Author and His desire to always work everything together for my good.
Open up your letter and read what God is writing to you.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
To Conform or Transform
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2.
Simple verse – difficult feat! Ask any addict and they will tell you that addiction takes root and grows first in the mind. Our minds and thoughts power everything we do with so much abiding in the sub consciousness of our psyche. To conform is easy for it takes the lazy way out allowing our sub consciousness to take over, to act and react without any effort on our part.
To transform anything takes not only an orchestrated plan but a necessary discipline to bring it to fruition. Paul wrote this verse as he was writing his letters to the different churches of Rome encouraging them to not simply conform but transform. He “wrote the book” on transforming as he was struck down blind on the road to Damascus to persecute more Christians. Paul was responsible for the execution of Christians who had decided to accept Christ and further His teachings. He was the leader of conforming to the world until God used this transformation to show Paul how he was to change his entire belief system.
I love the definition of “renew” as it is described in the dictionary. It states to renew is to replace something that is worn, broken, or no longer suitable for use. Our minds definitely qualify for this renewal as our old way of thinking has become no longer suitable for our lives. Reacting with old thought patterns places obstacles in the way to experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit thereby, possibly missing out on the revelations from God. We must develop an intentional plan for developing new thought patterns that bring us around to a higher thinking. Getting into the Word each morning and setting aside time to fellowship with God throughout the day affords God the time and access to our minds allowing Him to do the work of transformation.
Present your mind to God and allow Him to renew, replace and do His amazing work.
Simple verse – difficult feat! Ask any addict and they will tell you that addiction takes root and grows first in the mind. Our minds and thoughts power everything we do with so much abiding in the sub consciousness of our psyche. To conform is easy for it takes the lazy way out allowing our sub consciousness to take over, to act and react without any effort on our part.
To transform anything takes not only an orchestrated plan but a necessary discipline to bring it to fruition. Paul wrote this verse as he was writing his letters to the different churches of Rome encouraging them to not simply conform but transform. He “wrote the book” on transforming as he was struck down blind on the road to Damascus to persecute more Christians. Paul was responsible for the execution of Christians who had decided to accept Christ and further His teachings. He was the leader of conforming to the world until God used this transformation to show Paul how he was to change his entire belief system.
I love the definition of “renew” as it is described in the dictionary. It states to renew is to replace something that is worn, broken, or no longer suitable for use. Our minds definitely qualify for this renewal as our old way of thinking has become no longer suitable for our lives. Reacting with old thought patterns places obstacles in the way to experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit thereby, possibly missing out on the revelations from God. We must develop an intentional plan for developing new thought patterns that bring us around to a higher thinking. Getting into the Word each morning and setting aside time to fellowship with God throughout the day affords God the time and access to our minds allowing Him to do the work of transformation.
Present your mind to God and allow Him to renew, replace and do His amazing work.
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Problem With Crickets...
“For the word of God is living and active…it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit…it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13.
I love the sweet little character in Pinocchio who wears a top hat and carries a cane – no other than Jiminy Cricket. He jumps around, sings, dances and encourages us to “let our conscience be our guide.”
The soul is the seat of man-consciousness wherein our emotions lay. The spirit is the seat of God-consciousness wherein God operates as He connects to our spirit for fellowship, communion and growth. The Bible serves as the guidebook, if you will, to divide the two seats and guide us into truth, purpose and God’s agenda.
The problem with allowing our conscience to lead is that we can become so distant from God that the little inner voice of our spirit can be hushed by the roar of the emotions of our soul. We cannot journey through life making decisions based solely on our emotions just as we cannot depend on our conscious to convict.
When my children entered into the teenage years, they were very aware of my feelings about almost everything ranging from right to wrong. We had enjoyed a close relationship and built fellowship for the years preceding those tumultuous years. Although I wasn’t with them when they tested the boundaries, there is no doubt that the conviction for these wrongs laid right under the surface. The further a child gets away from their parent the easier it is to abort those convictions for which we grew up. This pulling away feeds into quenching the hunger of the soul instead of the spirit as nourished by God.
If we feel a disconnect from God (and most of certainly know when we do) it is not because He has pulled away, but we have distanced ourselves. Fortunately, we only have to open His word for Him to tenderly speak to us, call us back into His spirit and rekindle that beautiful fellowship of spirit to Spirit.
I love the sweet little character in Pinocchio who wears a top hat and carries a cane – no other than Jiminy Cricket. He jumps around, sings, dances and encourages us to “let our conscience be our guide.”
The soul is the seat of man-consciousness wherein our emotions lay. The spirit is the seat of God-consciousness wherein God operates as He connects to our spirit for fellowship, communion and growth. The Bible serves as the guidebook, if you will, to divide the two seats and guide us into truth, purpose and God’s agenda.
The problem with allowing our conscience to lead is that we can become so distant from God that the little inner voice of our spirit can be hushed by the roar of the emotions of our soul. We cannot journey through life making decisions based solely on our emotions just as we cannot depend on our conscious to convict.
When my children entered into the teenage years, they were very aware of my feelings about almost everything ranging from right to wrong. We had enjoyed a close relationship and built fellowship for the years preceding those tumultuous years. Although I wasn’t with them when they tested the boundaries, there is no doubt that the conviction for these wrongs laid right under the surface. The further a child gets away from their parent the easier it is to abort those convictions for which we grew up. This pulling away feeds into quenching the hunger of the soul instead of the spirit as nourished by God.
If we feel a disconnect from God (and most of certainly know when we do) it is not because He has pulled away, but we have distanced ourselves. Fortunately, we only have to open His word for Him to tenderly speak to us, call us back into His spirit and rekindle that beautiful fellowship of spirit to Spirit.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A Returned Call
“Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and unsearchable things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
I have always loved this verse because it strikes a child-like chord in my soul. We all remember a time when we anticipated the excitement of an unrevealed surprise! I vaguely remember the details of when I was five years old and was hospitalized for a week with exploratory surgery. What has remained in my spirit all of the years was the day I called Holdie (my maternal grandmother) from the hospital who told me she was coming to visit with a surprise. I couldn’t wait until she arrived with the treat and decided to wait between the elevators under the water fountain. The nurses knew I was there and I actually fell asleep for a brief time waiting on her. I never feared that she would not follow through with her promise for anytime in the past when I had called out to her she answered.
We have this same confidence in calling out to God. It is just as much His desire to show us “things” for our lives as it is for us to discover them. We can know with all of our hearts that calling to God will result in the revelations He has for us. God’s character is one that desires our excitement for Him, anticipates our words from Him and counts on receiving our love from Him.
As children, we didn’t know the “great and unsearchable” things our parents had for us but knew their character to be loving, one of protection and desirable of good things for us.
The unsearchable and great things of God are things we do not even know for which to ask but because of His great love for us He desires to give them to us. He will not force Himself on any of us but will wait until we call out to Him. Through turning our hearts and minds towards Him we access the “full measure” of God receiving all of the plans He has for us which will always be for our better good.
I can’t even remember the surprise Holdie brought me but I will never forget the experience of anticipating and waiting on someone who wanted to be with me, love me and lavish gifts on me – the same is with our God.
I have always loved this verse because it strikes a child-like chord in my soul. We all remember a time when we anticipated the excitement of an unrevealed surprise! I vaguely remember the details of when I was five years old and was hospitalized for a week with exploratory surgery. What has remained in my spirit all of the years was the day I called Holdie (my maternal grandmother) from the hospital who told me she was coming to visit with a surprise. I couldn’t wait until she arrived with the treat and decided to wait between the elevators under the water fountain. The nurses knew I was there and I actually fell asleep for a brief time waiting on her. I never feared that she would not follow through with her promise for anytime in the past when I had called out to her she answered.
We have this same confidence in calling out to God. It is just as much His desire to show us “things” for our lives as it is for us to discover them. We can know with all of our hearts that calling to God will result in the revelations He has for us. God’s character is one that desires our excitement for Him, anticipates our words from Him and counts on receiving our love from Him.
As children, we didn’t know the “great and unsearchable” things our parents had for us but knew their character to be loving, one of protection and desirable of good things for us.
The unsearchable and great things of God are things we do not even know for which to ask but because of His great love for us He desires to give them to us. He will not force Himself on any of us but will wait until we call out to Him. Through turning our hearts and minds towards Him we access the “full measure” of God receiving all of the plans He has for us which will always be for our better good.
I can’t even remember the surprise Holdie brought me but I will never forget the experience of anticipating and waiting on someone who wanted to be with me, love me and lavish gifts on me – the same is with our God.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wherever You Are...
“Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to this tent.” Exodus 33:7-9
In the time of Moses God spoke directly to him as the Bible states “face-to-face as a man speaks to a friend.” Moses led all the Israelites through the wilderness as liaison between the Almighty God and the children of Israel. Any concern, prayer or conflict was advocated by Moses directly to God. The children of Israel stayed on the sideline awaiting the Word from God to be spoken directly to Moses. Moses would then interpret God’s words and desires back to them. Approaching God involved preparation, sacrificial ceremonies and a series of instructions in worship acknowledging His holiness.
Fast forward to the New Testament as Christ is introduced as the replacement for the law of Moses’ time. Christ served as the “once and for all sacrifice” so that the old law could be done away with and the new law was enacted. This gave us constant and immediate access to God through Christ, our advocate. We no longer have to stand at the entrances of our tents awaiting an answer from the One in charge of our lives. We have the authority based upon our recognition of Christ’s death and resurrection to walk up to the entrance and enter the Holy of Holies with our petitions and requests.
We must choose to come out of our tents and receive the friendship of God through Christ. To exit our tents is to depart from our own agenda and enter into the agenda of God as He takes up residence in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads, guides and confirms as He becomes the intermediate connection with the mind and heart of God.
Don’t stand on the sideline hoping for, longing for and seeking from afar. The fellowship and friendship with God is available for every tent dweller so come out, come out wherever you are!
In the time of Moses God spoke directly to him as the Bible states “face-to-face as a man speaks to a friend.” Moses led all the Israelites through the wilderness as liaison between the Almighty God and the children of Israel. Any concern, prayer or conflict was advocated by Moses directly to God. The children of Israel stayed on the sideline awaiting the Word from God to be spoken directly to Moses. Moses would then interpret God’s words and desires back to them. Approaching God involved preparation, sacrificial ceremonies and a series of instructions in worship acknowledging His holiness.
Fast forward to the New Testament as Christ is introduced as the replacement for the law of Moses’ time. Christ served as the “once and for all sacrifice” so that the old law could be done away with and the new law was enacted. This gave us constant and immediate access to God through Christ, our advocate. We no longer have to stand at the entrances of our tents awaiting an answer from the One in charge of our lives. We have the authority based upon our recognition of Christ’s death and resurrection to walk up to the entrance and enter the Holy of Holies with our petitions and requests.
We must choose to come out of our tents and receive the friendship of God through Christ. To exit our tents is to depart from our own agenda and enter into the agenda of God as He takes up residence in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads, guides and confirms as He becomes the intermediate connection with the mind and heart of God.
Don’t stand on the sideline hoping for, longing for and seeking from afar. The fellowship and friendship with God is available for every tent dweller so come out, come out wherever you are!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Vineyards and Olive Groves
“So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.” Joshua 24:13
Forgive me for being redundant but when you live with a realization of something you have been given through the grace of God it grounds you with a spirit of constant humility. We live in a world where so many fathers do not take the raising of their children as a life calling. Children are raised with a distorted view of God based upon their experience from their father-child relationship.
I was born into such an amazing spiritual home which I was reminded of yesterday. My dad called me the day before while my family was on vacation and couldn’t remember why he called but just knew it was important. Yesterday I received another call from him happy to remember the reason for which he had called the day before. He explained that the original thought had come to him as he was walking from one room to another. My dad has declined mentally as a result of the all of the medicine he is on for his cancer. His failed memory bothers him as much as the side effects of his cancer if not more. He explained that over the past day he had been walking between the two rooms in an effort to retrieve the important message he had for me.
The message he finally remembered both humbled me and touched me. He explained the importance of coming together as a family for five minutes each day on vacation to acknowledge that the Lord had given us this privilege of vacationing with all the blessings it brings such as health, fellowship as well as the means to afford the vacation. As I sat there listening to him like I have done for 48 years I experienced a freshness of the “vineyards and olive groves” in which I have been fortunate to live.
The way my father has always exemplified Christ is still being displayed and remains active and faithful to his Father even in grief, illness and pain. The good news is that even if your earthly father has not been an experience from which you want to base your life upon, each of us has a heavenly Father that will nurture, love, protect and choose us every day of our lives.
Through Him, though we did nothing to deserve His privilege and favor, we enjoy the sweetness of the Vines and experience the bounty of His olive groves.
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15b
Forgive me for being redundant but when you live with a realization of something you have been given through the grace of God it grounds you with a spirit of constant humility. We live in a world where so many fathers do not take the raising of their children as a life calling. Children are raised with a distorted view of God based upon their experience from their father-child relationship.
I was born into such an amazing spiritual home which I was reminded of yesterday. My dad called me the day before while my family was on vacation and couldn’t remember why he called but just knew it was important. Yesterday I received another call from him happy to remember the reason for which he had called the day before. He explained that the original thought had come to him as he was walking from one room to another. My dad has declined mentally as a result of the all of the medicine he is on for his cancer. His failed memory bothers him as much as the side effects of his cancer if not more. He explained that over the past day he had been walking between the two rooms in an effort to retrieve the important message he had for me.
The message he finally remembered both humbled me and touched me. He explained the importance of coming together as a family for five minutes each day on vacation to acknowledge that the Lord had given us this privilege of vacationing with all the blessings it brings such as health, fellowship as well as the means to afford the vacation. As I sat there listening to him like I have done for 48 years I experienced a freshness of the “vineyards and olive groves” in which I have been fortunate to live.
The way my father has always exemplified Christ is still being displayed and remains active and faithful to his Father even in grief, illness and pain. The good news is that even if your earthly father has not been an experience from which you want to base your life upon, each of us has a heavenly Father that will nurture, love, protect and choose us every day of our lives.
Through Him, though we did nothing to deserve His privilege and favor, we enjoy the sweetness of the Vines and experience the bounty of His olive groves.
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15b
Monday, August 10, 2009
As the Bell Rings...
“The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning. Wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.” Isaiah 50:4.
I remember in 7th grade, morning upon morning, my friends and I would enter into the classroom of Social Studies where our teacher frequently asked, “Are you prepared for class?” It didn’t matter what was on our minds or the problems of the day that we brought into class, we always answered “yes”. Some days I understood what she was teaching while other days my mind and heart just wasn’t there. I wanted to be somewhere else but was required to show up for class because it was the right and expected thing to go.
I am ashamed to admit that over the years my prayer time was entered into with the same obligatory requirement in being a Christian. Why is it that as we approach time with the Father we enter the classroom with a half-hearted attempt at learning all that He has to reveal to us? Why wouldn’t we run down the hallways of revelation to receive His knowledge and how He has determined to administered His will, His favor and His purpose for our lives?
Each and every morning we are to show up with an attentive heart for learning, a powerful desire for worship and an unparalleled level of attention to the great Teacher who will “show us great and unsearchable things if we call to Him.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
What could possibly be out in the hallway of life that is worth our distraction and attention?
I remember in 7th grade, morning upon morning, my friends and I would enter into the classroom of Social Studies where our teacher frequently asked, “Are you prepared for class?” It didn’t matter what was on our minds or the problems of the day that we brought into class, we always answered “yes”. Some days I understood what she was teaching while other days my mind and heart just wasn’t there. I wanted to be somewhere else but was required to show up for class because it was the right and expected thing to go.
I am ashamed to admit that over the years my prayer time was entered into with the same obligatory requirement in being a Christian. Why is it that as we approach time with the Father we enter the classroom with a half-hearted attempt at learning all that He has to reveal to us? Why wouldn’t we run down the hallways of revelation to receive His knowledge and how He has determined to administered His will, His favor and His purpose for our lives?
Each and every morning we are to show up with an attentive heart for learning, a powerful desire for worship and an unparalleled level of attention to the great Teacher who will “show us great and unsearchable things if we call to Him.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
What could possibly be out in the hallway of life that is worth our distraction and attention?
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Playing Dumb
“If only you had paid attention to My commands. Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:18
It was a Sunday afternoon in the back seat of our dad’s car coming home from church. My sister Becki and I decided we needed to tear the comics out of the newspaper on the way home – don’t ask me why. Daddy warned us several times to stop and leave the paper alone. The final warning came as we had ripped another comic in half – well almost. There was only an eighth of an inch left to complete the task. We knew we had been amply warned and our dad was true to his promises – both good and bad. We looked at each other, met glances and without words ripped the final piece. My dad had a new plan for when we arrived home. The promise of a nice Sunday afternoon was suddenly replaced with discipline and punishment. When we got home we bolted up the steps and taped the paper together again only to receive what was justly promised.
Before God disciplines we usually receive warnings much like we did from our dad. We play dumb but God knows the heart of those who belong to Him. He knows when we have heard Him and are choosing to walk in disobedience.
The promises in the Bible from God are laced with peace and righteousness for those who seek His will, obey His words and bend their heart and mind towards Him. We each have seasons in our lives when we sit in the back seat, try not to make “Spirit-contact” for we know that we are getting ready to finish the deed that may separate us temporarily from our Father’s approval. God speaks about what we would have had through our obedience and the majesty of our righteousness as power, peace and purpose.
Our Father must discipline us when we waver from His commands even if we try to tape everything back together for His approval. We know if our children know right from wrong in every circumstance. If they didn't know we will extend grace as a teaching tool but if we know in their heart they fully know their disobedience, it is our responsibility to discipline.
It is not the deed that God disciplines but the child for whom He wishes to fellowship as He examines His motives and understanding of that sin.
It was a Sunday afternoon in the back seat of our dad’s car coming home from church. My sister Becki and I decided we needed to tear the comics out of the newspaper on the way home – don’t ask me why. Daddy warned us several times to stop and leave the paper alone. The final warning came as we had ripped another comic in half – well almost. There was only an eighth of an inch left to complete the task. We knew we had been amply warned and our dad was true to his promises – both good and bad. We looked at each other, met glances and without words ripped the final piece. My dad had a new plan for when we arrived home. The promise of a nice Sunday afternoon was suddenly replaced with discipline and punishment. When we got home we bolted up the steps and taped the paper together again only to receive what was justly promised.
Before God disciplines we usually receive warnings much like we did from our dad. We play dumb but God knows the heart of those who belong to Him. He knows when we have heard Him and are choosing to walk in disobedience.
The promises in the Bible from God are laced with peace and righteousness for those who seek His will, obey His words and bend their heart and mind towards Him. We each have seasons in our lives when we sit in the back seat, try not to make “Spirit-contact” for we know that we are getting ready to finish the deed that may separate us temporarily from our Father’s approval. God speaks about what we would have had through our obedience and the majesty of our righteousness as power, peace and purpose.
Our Father must discipline us when we waver from His commands even if we try to tape everything back together for His approval. We know if our children know right from wrong in every circumstance. If they didn't know we will extend grace as a teaching tool but if we know in their heart they fully know their disobedience, it is our responsibility to discipline.
It is not the deed that God disciplines but the child for whom He wishes to fellowship as He examines His motives and understanding of that sin.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
A Bird's Eye View
“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts, I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.” Habakkuk 2:1.
Tucked away near the end of the Old Testament is a beautiful book named after a prophet of God named Habakkuk. He is pleading to God for the deliverance of evil back in his time and for God to show Himself as the One who performed miraculous works. His prayers were both faithful and expectant as He remained patiently waiting for God to take control of his circumstances.
Back in his day, military personnel would stand watch in watchtowers allowing a better view and more secure protection against any approaching enemies to overtake the city. No one could distract this watchman away from his post. Habakkuk describes his willingness to wait on God’s answer to the watchman awaiting any forward action required on his part until he has the appropriate view and permission to proceed.
Waiting on God to move in our circumstances is crucial to the success and victory in any battle for which we fight. We must climb up into our watchtowers to obtain a higher view of our circumstances instead of the limited ground level appearance. By taking a stance in our towers and not giving in to distractions, we are better stationed to stay focused on our horizons as God reveals. In His own timing, He will reveal any forward movement in a given situation as He feels is necessary.
The wait may be tedious and the night may be long but the tower view allows God to show you resolution in your present situation one hill at a time. Don’t desert your post!
Tucked away near the end of the Old Testament is a beautiful book named after a prophet of God named Habakkuk. He is pleading to God for the deliverance of evil back in his time and for God to show Himself as the One who performed miraculous works. His prayers were both faithful and expectant as He remained patiently waiting for God to take control of his circumstances.
Back in his day, military personnel would stand watch in watchtowers allowing a better view and more secure protection against any approaching enemies to overtake the city. No one could distract this watchman away from his post. Habakkuk describes his willingness to wait on God’s answer to the watchman awaiting any forward action required on his part until he has the appropriate view and permission to proceed.
Waiting on God to move in our circumstances is crucial to the success and victory in any battle for which we fight. We must climb up into our watchtowers to obtain a higher view of our circumstances instead of the limited ground level appearance. By taking a stance in our towers and not giving in to distractions, we are better stationed to stay focused on our horizons as God reveals. In His own timing, He will reveal any forward movement in a given situation as He feels is necessary.
The wait may be tedious and the night may be long but the tower view allows God to show you resolution in your present situation one hill at a time. Don’t desert your post!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Silence Is Golden
“How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?” Habakkuk 1:2
Somebody on the other side of this screen is lifting this prayer today either subconsciously or consciously. It is one that I pled when Kristen was in the throws of heroin addiction. We were in the trenches for eight years and God seemed to be silent. I wondered if He had forgotten our family, our pain and our deep sorrow. I called out to Him exposing the deep wounds and fears of my heart only to wonder what deserted land on which my prayers fell.
We all have periods in our spiritual lives when we cannot hear God which invites us to believe that He has turned His back on us and left us on our own. This goes against the character of God and who He says He is in the Bible. The verse above was the prayer lifted by Habakkuk who wondered ‘Where was His God?’ He knew His God was able to save but wondered if His God would choose to save.
If this sounds and feels familiar, take heart weary one! The life of our family was transformed between verses 2 from above and verse 5. “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5.
There was an 8-year span for my family between verses 2 and 5 but the promise of verse 5 came in with such a vengeance there was no doubt that the words God spoke to Habakkuk a couple of thousands years ago were spoken to me. These words are for every one of God’s children and ring with truth and promise no matter what your circumstances possess.
Just because we cannot hear the roar of the ocean from where we sit doesn’t mean it doesn’t continue to rage. We must position ourselves continuously to hear God and expect Him to save in our situation.
Don’t just KNOW God can save – EXPECT IT!
Somebody on the other side of this screen is lifting this prayer today either subconsciously or consciously. It is one that I pled when Kristen was in the throws of heroin addiction. We were in the trenches for eight years and God seemed to be silent. I wondered if He had forgotten our family, our pain and our deep sorrow. I called out to Him exposing the deep wounds and fears of my heart only to wonder what deserted land on which my prayers fell.
We all have periods in our spiritual lives when we cannot hear God which invites us to believe that He has turned His back on us and left us on our own. This goes against the character of God and who He says He is in the Bible. The verse above was the prayer lifted by Habakkuk who wondered ‘Where was His God?’ He knew His God was able to save but wondered if His God would choose to save.
If this sounds and feels familiar, take heart weary one! The life of our family was transformed between verses 2 from above and verse 5. “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5.
There was an 8-year span for my family between verses 2 and 5 but the promise of verse 5 came in with such a vengeance there was no doubt that the words God spoke to Habakkuk a couple of thousands years ago were spoken to me. These words are for every one of God’s children and ring with truth and promise no matter what your circumstances possess.
Just because we cannot hear the roar of the ocean from where we sit doesn’t mean it doesn’t continue to rage. We must position ourselves continuously to hear God and expect Him to save in our situation.
Don’t just KNOW God can save – EXPECT IT!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Meeting At The Well
“It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:42)
You could say that my sisters and I were born with a silver spoon in our mouths spiritually speaking. Our paternal grandparents were both ordained ministers and consistently and joyfully exemplified the life of Christ, only to be followed by our parents living in the same way. Their God became my God, and their faith became my faith. The flipside of this was the absence of any kind of “earth shattering event” knocking me off my feet and turning me around realizing the awesome power of the Lord. My spirituality was luke warm and I knew God through the eyes of my family and the experiences in church.
I have encountered many people like myself whose life has always passed through church, Christianity and the “do’s and don’ts” of its principles. Much like the woman at the well I performed my daily tasks knowing and believing in Christ but finally met Him at my own well to experience Him in my own personal way.
The manner in which I encountered God was so much more than I had ever anticipated. He met me on my knees and promised me things that only He could know I desired. He promised me things of mystery that I am only now discovering for my life. He filled my “water pot” with His living waters for me to carry back and offer to everyone.
Experiencing God is meant for the individual and not for a collective group of people. Through the intimate fellowship of each of us, we become His group of people who collectively love Him, serve Him and worship Him. We may be directed to Him by a certain person or group of people but we can never know Him personally through someone else.
We must show up for our “meeting at the well” so that we can hear and know for ourselves our Savior. Our encounter with Christ may be the only direction for someone else to find the way to their well.
Our walk may lead someone to the Well but He will give them the drink.
You could say that my sisters and I were born with a silver spoon in our mouths spiritually speaking. Our paternal grandparents were both ordained ministers and consistently and joyfully exemplified the life of Christ, only to be followed by our parents living in the same way. Their God became my God, and their faith became my faith. The flipside of this was the absence of any kind of “earth shattering event” knocking me off my feet and turning me around realizing the awesome power of the Lord. My spirituality was luke warm and I knew God through the eyes of my family and the experiences in church.
I have encountered many people like myself whose life has always passed through church, Christianity and the “do’s and don’ts” of its principles. Much like the woman at the well I performed my daily tasks knowing and believing in Christ but finally met Him at my own well to experience Him in my own personal way.
The manner in which I encountered God was so much more than I had ever anticipated. He met me on my knees and promised me things that only He could know I desired. He promised me things of mystery that I am only now discovering for my life. He filled my “water pot” with His living waters for me to carry back and offer to everyone.
Experiencing God is meant for the individual and not for a collective group of people. Through the intimate fellowship of each of us, we become His group of people who collectively love Him, serve Him and worship Him. We may be directed to Him by a certain person or group of people but we can never know Him personally through someone else.
We must show up for our “meeting at the well” so that we can hear and know for ourselves our Savior. Our encounter with Christ may be the only direction for someone else to find the way to their well.
Our walk may lead someone to the Well but He will give them the drink.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Difference Between Doubt & Faith
We all have a choice to believe - to limit with doubt or to believe with faith.
This morning I will share what I read regarding the two principles. Through adversity God moves us from doubt to faith but through our weakness it is easy to move ourselves from faith back to doubt. The path wears thin between the two.
Doubt sees the obstacles - Faith sees the way!
Doubt sees the darkest night - Faith sees the day!
Doubt dreads to take a step - Faith soars on high!
Doubt questions, 'Who believes?" - Faith answers, 'I!'
As you go through the day, replace any thinking of "Can I?" with "I Can!".
This morning I will share what I read regarding the two principles. Through adversity God moves us from doubt to faith but through our weakness it is easy to move ourselves from faith back to doubt. The path wears thin between the two.
Doubt sees the obstacles - Faith sees the way!
Doubt sees the darkest night - Faith sees the day!
Doubt dreads to take a step - Faith soars on high!
Doubt questions, 'Who believes?" - Faith answers, 'I!'
As you go through the day, replace any thinking of "Can I?" with "I Can!".
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Choosing A Fist
“We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But…” Numbers 13:27
God had promised the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey to be their abundance and reward. Instead of claiming their promised land they decided to send spies in to see first hand the reality of this promised land. The spies returned with a “glass half-empty” account giving little attention to the positive blessings of the land and highlighting all of the challenges and “buts” of the land. This flew in the face of God as it served as the ultimate mistrust and unbelief.
As we stand on the border of our abundant living, we choose to see the challenges that lay ahead instead of the ultimate blessings promised and supplied by God. We rehearse all of the “buts” instead of relishing in the truth of what we are on the edge of receiving. The old adage “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink” rings true to our promised land border living. God can lead and guide us to the border of abundance but it is up to us trust and believe. It is up to us to make that first step into unchartered and fearful territory in order to receive the blessings of our promised land.
When my children were little we always played the “two fist game” where I would hide a treat in one of the fists. They would toil and continuously question their decision to choose one. As any other parent, I would favor one hand over the other enticing them to choose the one that would provide the treat. It was up to them to decide if they could trust me to open my fist with the favor I had chosen for them.
God will never force us to do anything for we were created to choose fellowship with Him, to choose to experience His presence and to choose to receive the favor He has tucked away in His fist for each of us.
God had promised the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey to be their abundance and reward. Instead of claiming their promised land they decided to send spies in to see first hand the reality of this promised land. The spies returned with a “glass half-empty” account giving little attention to the positive blessings of the land and highlighting all of the challenges and “buts” of the land. This flew in the face of God as it served as the ultimate mistrust and unbelief.
As we stand on the border of our abundant living, we choose to see the challenges that lay ahead instead of the ultimate blessings promised and supplied by God. We rehearse all of the “buts” instead of relishing in the truth of what we are on the edge of receiving. The old adage “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink” rings true to our promised land border living. God can lead and guide us to the border of abundance but it is up to us trust and believe. It is up to us to make that first step into unchartered and fearful territory in order to receive the blessings of our promised land.
When my children were little we always played the “two fist game” where I would hide a treat in one of the fists. They would toil and continuously question their decision to choose one. As any other parent, I would favor one hand over the other enticing them to choose the one that would provide the treat. It was up to them to decide if they could trust me to open my fist with the favor I had chosen for them.
God will never force us to do anything for we were created to choose fellowship with Him, to choose to experience His presence and to choose to receive the favor He has tucked away in His fist for each of us.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Lean On Me
“So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up…so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” Exodus 17:10-13.
God never intended us to journey this life alone but rather arm in arm with the Body of Christ. In the above passage the victory could not have been attained by any one of them but only through the determination and cooperation of all of them.
We each have own God-determined gift given to us before we ever took one breath on this earth. (“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set your apart; I appointed you…” Jeremiah 1:5) It is our responsibility to surrender our hearts and minds to God so He can reveal our purpose and strengthen us to fulfill that purpose for the good of the entire family of God.
Sometimes we are called to the forefront of the battle such as Joshua but other times we are called to “stand down” and pray for the battle. When my sister was on the front lines of her battle with cancer many of those reading this today stood beside our family and held up our hands as we stood weary and exhausted. We knew the battle was fierce and the casualty would be great but with the support from the Body of Christ God we were reminded that we would be more than just conquerors.
Like the song states, “But if we are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching, His hands healing, His words teaching, His feet running..." We must do our part performing as an extension of His hands, His arms and His feet through our gifts and actions.
God never intended us to journey this life alone but rather arm in arm with the Body of Christ. In the above passage the victory could not have been attained by any one of them but only through the determination and cooperation of all of them.
We each have own God-determined gift given to us before we ever took one breath on this earth. (“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set your apart; I appointed you…” Jeremiah 1:5) It is our responsibility to surrender our hearts and minds to God so He can reveal our purpose and strengthen us to fulfill that purpose for the good of the entire family of God.
Sometimes we are called to the forefront of the battle such as Joshua but other times we are called to “stand down” and pray for the battle. When my sister was on the front lines of her battle with cancer many of those reading this today stood beside our family and held up our hands as we stood weary and exhausted. We knew the battle was fierce and the casualty would be great but with the support from the Body of Christ God we were reminded that we would be more than just conquerors.
Like the song states, “But if we are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching, His hands healing, His words teaching, His feet running..." We must do our part performing as an extension of His hands, His arms and His feet through our gifts and actions.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Running Ahead of God
“Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing.” Joshua 3:15b
The Miller family was on their annual girl’s weekend trip with all of our children many year’s ago. One of our favorite places where we always went was Broadway at the Beach. In addition to great restaurants and shopping, a “mini amusement park” resides on the edge of the area inviting children to enjoy various rides. My niece, Allie couldn’t wait to get to the rides and was hardly able to contain her enthusiasm in the car. Hand in hand we were walking through the parking lot when she caught a glimpse of the merry-go-round and took off running through the parking lot in hopes of getting her promised prize. As she ran towards the crossing we frightfully noticed that a car was coming and took off running and screaming towards her to stop. Thankfully, we caught up with her before she reached the car’s path.
We are similar in action when we catch a glimpse of something for which God has promised. We have the same tendency to break loose of His hand and run up ahead to attain what we believe is ours. The promise is real and He intends on fulfilling it but the timing is everything!
The ark of the covenant was the symbol of where God resided and the vessel for which He guided the Israelites. The Israelites knew that the ark must lead and they must follow. As the priests carried the ark, it was the first step required in their journey towards the promised land. They could see the prize up ahead but had anyone jumped ahead of the ark they would have been swallowed up in the raging waters.
We are to be the same way in our pursuit of the promised land. We must not run ahead of God in an effort to seize what we believe is ours, and at the moment we believe is right. We must keep our eyes on the ark instead of the prize. God is well aware of what He has promised us and has the knowledge of the best way for which He intends on fulfilling that promise – trust in not only His faithfulness to deliver but also His timing.
Don’t focus on merry-go-rounds but focus on the One who holds our hands and leads us to our prize!
The Miller family was on their annual girl’s weekend trip with all of our children many year’s ago. One of our favorite places where we always went was Broadway at the Beach. In addition to great restaurants and shopping, a “mini amusement park” resides on the edge of the area inviting children to enjoy various rides. My niece, Allie couldn’t wait to get to the rides and was hardly able to contain her enthusiasm in the car. Hand in hand we were walking through the parking lot when she caught a glimpse of the merry-go-round and took off running through the parking lot in hopes of getting her promised prize. As she ran towards the crossing we frightfully noticed that a car was coming and took off running and screaming towards her to stop. Thankfully, we caught up with her before she reached the car’s path.
We are similar in action when we catch a glimpse of something for which God has promised. We have the same tendency to break loose of His hand and run up ahead to attain what we believe is ours. The promise is real and He intends on fulfilling it but the timing is everything!
The ark of the covenant was the symbol of where God resided and the vessel for which He guided the Israelites. The Israelites knew that the ark must lead and they must follow. As the priests carried the ark, it was the first step required in their journey towards the promised land. They could see the prize up ahead but had anyone jumped ahead of the ark they would have been swallowed up in the raging waters.
We are to be the same way in our pursuit of the promised land. We must not run ahead of God in an effort to seize what we believe is ours, and at the moment we believe is right. We must keep our eyes on the ark instead of the prize. God is well aware of what He has promised us and has the knowledge of the best way for which He intends on fulfilling that promise – trust in not only His faithfulness to deliver but also His timing.
Don’t focus on merry-go-rounds but focus on the One who holds our hands and leads us to our prize!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Recognizing Your Grief
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
How many times have we reconciled some emotion such as resentment, fear, anger or rejection only to resurrect its power again and again? We still give the emotions power even when God has given us powerful revelation regarding His touch and purpose in the emotional pain.
As the verse states, we do feel the joy of reconciliation after a season of frustration and pain but it is easy to have those emotions triggered by unforeseen events or circumstances. It dawned on me that my situation with my in-laws triggered many emotions that mimicked the death of my sister whom I still am grieving. This situation has left me feeling an absence, rejection and somewhat of an abandonment. Their decision has thrown me into an unanticipated season of mourning.
Many times in life we are not even aware that we are trying to process grief – the loss of a relationship, the loss of a job, the loss of security, etc… When we lose someone dear to us it is obvious that we will go through the steps of bereavement, but when grief hides its face within our emotions we do not recognize its sting. I realized this morning that I am in a different form of grief which I must process.
Any sudden loss brings on shock and a difficulty in understanding why it occurred. The anger usually sets in requiring a great deal of spiritual and emotional work on the part of the one wounded. This phase is dangerous because it lures us into spending an extended period of time preventing us from experiencing the deliverance of God if we open our hearts to receive His peace.
Once we depart this phase of grief our hearts and minds are better prepared for the acceptance required to move forward holding the hand of the One who knows where we are going. By applying the 7 stages of grief to any uncontrolled emotion, we are given a process to follow that is plotted out for our success.
Whatever your situation may be, recognizing the power of grief provides a solid focus in the journey through our pain and the hope in the Deliverer.
How many times have we reconciled some emotion such as resentment, fear, anger or rejection only to resurrect its power again and again? We still give the emotions power even when God has given us powerful revelation regarding His touch and purpose in the emotional pain.
As the verse states, we do feel the joy of reconciliation after a season of frustration and pain but it is easy to have those emotions triggered by unforeseen events or circumstances. It dawned on me that my situation with my in-laws triggered many emotions that mimicked the death of my sister whom I still am grieving. This situation has left me feeling an absence, rejection and somewhat of an abandonment. Their decision has thrown me into an unanticipated season of mourning.
Many times in life we are not even aware that we are trying to process grief – the loss of a relationship, the loss of a job, the loss of security, etc… When we lose someone dear to us it is obvious that we will go through the steps of bereavement, but when grief hides its face within our emotions we do not recognize its sting. I realized this morning that I am in a different form of grief which I must process.
Any sudden loss brings on shock and a difficulty in understanding why it occurred. The anger usually sets in requiring a great deal of spiritual and emotional work on the part of the one wounded. This phase is dangerous because it lures us into spending an extended period of time preventing us from experiencing the deliverance of God if we open our hearts to receive His peace.
Once we depart this phase of grief our hearts and minds are better prepared for the acceptance required to move forward holding the hand of the One who knows where we are going. By applying the 7 stages of grief to any uncontrolled emotion, we are given a process to follow that is plotted out for our success.
Whatever your situation may be, recognizing the power of grief provides a solid focus in the journey through our pain and the hope in the Deliverer.
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