New Seasons and Dreams

 

Spring has sprung! Winter was slow giving way to spring but it had to move aside to wait in silent till it's time will come again.

Looking at my own life, I realize that seasons have come and gone.  Some passed slowly almost refusing to make room for the next.  Perhaps there were also those seasons that I clung to, refusing to move out of my comfort zone.

At times, we believe our season is long past. It has been put to rest with the dream that never seemed to come to fruition.  And yet the sense of wonderment, of could it be, lingers.

Reading a portion of Abraham and Sarah's story this morning once again brought hope to my weary bones. You can read their story in Genesis.

This two people without a doubt walked through many seasons in their lives.  They had seasons of hope, despair and fulfilled promises of God.  Sarah understood lack of fulfillment as she watched as her body aged, losing hope of the promised child. Yet that season was still not only in God's hands but also in His plans.

Do you have a season, a dream that you long for?  I too believe I am walking into a new season of life. Like Sarah waiting on God's promise of child, I probably have tried to give birth to my dream in my own ways time and again. Now in my older age, I too laugh as I hear the chance of God birthing that dream. The spiritual tummy is bulging and the heartbeat of the spiritual child seems stronger than ever.

Years ago, I felt God calling me to a particular task.  For years, I wrestled with the notion that I was not rich enough, smart enough, brave enough or strong enough to make the dream come to past.  Like the picture I shared yesterday, I needed to promise to remember that I was braver than I felt, stronger than it seemed and smarter than I thought.  But what I really needed was to simply take God at His word.

We all can rest in the knowledge of a loving God that promises to complete the good work He has begun in each of us.  If He has placed a dream, hope or promise inside you, wait on it.  It will surely come to past.  Do your part!  What is my part, you ask?  Our part is to obey, trust and love The Lord with everything within us!

Preaching at myself this morning, I remind us just as the labor pains of an expecting mother bring forth the cries of her newborn so God will bring forth the cries of the dream He placed within us!

A portion of Sarah’s story...

"So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, 'After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?'" - Genesis 18:12

God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son who would be the seed of a whole nation. Sarah was now beyond childbearing years. So when some angels from God paid Abraham a visit to inform him that Sarah was going to have a child, she happened to be listening outside the tent and laughter escaped from within her.  The thought seemed unbelievable to her. The angels reminded her that nothing is impossible with God.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son" (Gen. 18:14).

Sarah gave birth to Isaac as foretold.

You will find more encouragment over at Spiritual Sundays

She Can Move Mountains

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.
      Matthew 20:21

In prayer, this morning she was asking God to move the mountains that stand between her and her dream.  The mountain range, at times, seem so large, some higher than others.  Each mountain has a name.  There is the mountain of fear.  One is called lack of (whatever at moment she believes she does not have nor can attain). The list goes on but you get the picture.

As she was praying the thought entered her mind that God did not say He would move the mountain but that with faith she could move the mountain. She thought whenever I am finished praying, I will search for that verse.


Searching turned out not to be necessary.  As she opened her very first email devotion, you guessed it, there the scripture was bigger than life...    Think God was telling her something?  How about you? Got any mountains you need to throw into the sea?


Let's be mountains movers today!  Ready, set, go!


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Just for Her

Looking out the kitchen window, the sight took her breath away. Just above the bare limbs of trees, the sky shimmered with rays of a gorgeous reddish sunrise.  It was as if God had painted the sky just for her, giving her yet another promise of His relentless love. Without a doubt, she knew, only God could design something so perfect and wonderful.

Knowing the camera would not do it justice still she must try to capture it. Just before she turned to go, she whispered "thank you so much God."

A sunrise always holds a promise for a new day, a day to start over.  Perhaps today you feel the need for that new start or maybe it is simply the need to continue with purpose that which God has planted in your heart.  Either way, today is that day for you!

The Mighty One, God the Lord, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down.  Ps. 50:1 (NKJV)

Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJV)
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

I love the way The Message bible says the last of those scriptures....

I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).  He’s all I’ve got left.




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All Sought To See...

Christmas what a beautiful time of the year!  Lights, tinsel, and celebration!

As I read of the true reason for Christmas, this part really came alive for me.  All kinds of people sought to see this Child born on Christmas Day.

The lowly shepherds (not just one shepherd boy), after being told by an angel of this marvel birth, journeyed to Bethlehem. (Luke 2: 8-20)

Eight days after the birth of this Child, as was custom of the Jewish law, He was taken to the temple to be presented to The Lord.  There a man named Simeon led by the Spirit came into the temple. This man whom very life was set to the tune of the birth of this Christ Child, for he would not see death before he had set eyes on Him. (Luke 2:25-35)

Now there was a prophetess named Anna there in the temple also.  She was said to be of a great age. Don't you like the way Luke speaks of her age not as old but of a great age (sorry age is coming on strong for me so great age sure sounds better than OLD.)   She too had waited many years to meet this Child. (Luke 2:36-40)

So finally I come to the part of the wise men (no certain number of men were given.)   Probably two years after the birth, these wise man were still following a star to seek this Child. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Each of these people came to not only see this Child but to worship Him each in their way.   Okay, I have given you the verses so you can read each account but to get to the point of my account of this beautiful story.

All kinds of people sought to see this Child born on Christmas Day. Some just out in the field, some had been in the right place simply waiting, others traveled for quite a distance.   The one thing all had in common was they worshipped Him.

So let me ask you, where is your Bethlehem?   Will we, in the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season, find the right place, time and gift for this Christ Child?  Will we take time to truly seek Him? All He really wants for Christmas (His birthday) is your worship and you!


Others are writings over at Spiritual Sundays, you will be blessed as you read...

She Danced

How she danced! For quite some time now I have been seeing glimpses of things in my mind's eye.  Not just shadows of things but the actual object has been so clear.  Probably about five weeks ago I saw an opened music box with a dancer.  Not the every little girl's normal ballerina music box, this one had a live woman with a flowing skirt.  She held one side of the skirt in her hand while the other hand was extended upward as in praise.  She appeared so full of joy, reminding me that as His daughters this type of joy can and should be ours. 

For many days after, upon waking, I would catch this vision in my mind.  The vision is no longer active but as I was looking through family pictures today I came across this one of my granddaughter dancing.  Maybe, this picture can give us a visual image of the joy to simply let go and praise The Lord!  

                                     

Often the psalmist spoke of singing and dancing being his way of praise. Yet while reading the Psalms there is no doubt that time of trouble, despair, depression and loneliness had been a part of his life since the beginning.  While David often faced the woes of life, he always seemed to come back to the One that gave him courage and hope to go on! 

 

Just as David danced before The Lord in unlikely time of happiness so we can also.   David penned these words and other like them time and again.

 "You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance;

You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers.
I’m about to burst with song; I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God, I can’t thank you enough."
             Psalm 30:11-12. The Message (MSG)

 

Like David I choose to remember the times God has changed my troubles, my sorrows and my life challenges into joy.   So I will dance and burst with song as I lift up my Lord!  In the good times and in the bad (hard) times I will DANCE. . .

Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!  Psalm 149:3 ESV

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.  Jeremiah 31:13 ESV

 

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 Spiritual Sundays, a geat place to read other encouraging, uplifting devotions

Silence

The sun is just rising like the blinds being lifted to allow in the morning light.  Even in the early dawn of morning, I am reminded the world is never in a state of silence.

Birds in the nearby trees chirp their morning song. In the nursery across the way, the sprinkler system begins to make its "this tttt thtt" sound.  You can hear the sounds of the dogs' paws on the concrete as she takes them for their morning walk. 

I listen to the cars zoom past going somewhere, going nowhere but leaving the vvrooo noise in their quake.  You can even hear the wheels of the bikes as they pedal quickly by.  And somewhere in the distance the grasshoppers welcome the morning in their own unquiet way.

Listening to all these different sounds, the morning is indeed not silent as I try to meditate upon my Lord.  It is then I remember the written words of The Lord!

 "You heavens, praise him; praise him, earth; Also ocean and all things that swim in it."

         Psalm 69:34 The Message (MSG)

 But he said, “If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.”

        Luke 19:40 The Message (MSG)

 

And so I say quiet loudly, ain't no stone going to cry out in my place.  I shall not be silent but heard above the noise, for I shall praise my Lord!

 

 

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Fight the Good Fight

Fight the good fight of faith? Why do you think Paul used the word fight?

1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

For some is the good fight to remain faithful to Christ in the midst of the storm?

For some is the good fight to remain faithful to Christ when all HELL seems to be coming against them?

Is the good fight to remain faithful when everyone around you is not faithful?

Is the good fight to remain faithful when the things of the world (things we know better than to do) seem so appealing – surely that would bring me happiness?

Perhaps we can now realize this journey was (since the fall) never intended to simply be a walk in the park.

I love the way The Message Translation says 1 Timothy 6:11-12
"But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses."

Pursuing a righteous life may be indeed be a fight but in the end the reward will be worth the fight! Not only in our Heavenly home but worth the fight even here in this earthly home. . .


More encouraging words can be found at Spiritual Sundays

Strength in Numbers

While praying this morning the Holy Spirit reminded me "there is strength in numbers."  Often I have shamed myself for thinking in terms of how many attend the bible study I have the privilege to teach.

 

So it took me by surprise to hear the words "strength in numbers."  

Often we get so comfortable with just the average or enough that we forget more can be better.  See we live in a world where pride is rampantly dangerous!  However that pride is all too often based on "self".  You know what I mean, the "it's all about me" generation.  If we think of our home church becoming big or bigger, some of us shiver because we won't be the same or we won't know everyone.  In some cases perhaps it’s that we won't know everyone's business (just saying). 

This morning I am reminded that Jesus is very comfortable with numbers especially when speaking of His Kingdom.   In Matthew 9, He tells us (his disciples) that the harvest is plenty but the workers are few.  Jesus said these things after going throughout the cities and villages teaching, proclaiming (preaching) the gospel and healing.  Now there is another sermon for sure, the work that is to yet to be done!  But let me move on.

Paraphrasing verses from Matthew 25, the master says to his servant “here take these 5 talents multiply them and bring them back to me.”  The servant did as commanded! The master saw and said "well done, good and faithful servant."

In Matthew 16, Jesus told Peter "on this I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  Don't you agree Jesus must be about building and numbers?

In "Ministry Life Coaching" (my class) God has given me two fundamental sayings which are our platform for going forward.  We are "not in competition but we are into reproduction (making disciples)".   And the second fundamental saying truly tells us how we are able to accomplish that task.  "Our Spiritual Gifts are God's abilities given to us for His glory and to build His Kingdom."

To my Fort Mill Church of God peers and the Ministry Life Coaching group, friend's day is coming. Have you decided to help build His Kingdom?  Remember "there is strength in numbers!"  And to my blogger friends, how about you?  Are you busy building His Kingdom?

 

In His Service,
Linda J

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

This and another encouraging devotions can be read at Spiritual Sundays

Slow and Steady

What was that turtle thinking, crawling, creeping across our wide dirt country driveway? Where was he going? And why did he have to move so slow?  Does he not know I am in a hurry?  

Then it hit me "slow and steady wins the race."  Like the movement of that small creature, I also find myself moving slowly in the direction that God has called me too.  

That turtle may have indeed been moving slowly in my standards but he was moving diligently toward his goal.  And guess what, he was moving the very pace God had planned for him!

How about you?  Are you moving slow and steady (diligently) toward your God given goals? Perhaps like me at times you feel like you are not only moving the speed of the turtle but not getting anywhere to boot.  However, nothing could be further from the truth...  We must just keep diligently moving!  Would you join with me in memorizing the scripture and praying the prayer below?

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty"  Proverbs 21:5

 Abba Father, according to your Word if we diligently follow the plans (dreams, visions) you have given us, they will lead to profit.  Let us not be too hasty and run ahead of You.  Teach us just as the turtle moves slow and steady, we too can profit in doing so.  So that we may indeed proclaim in the end "we have won the race, completed what you have asked of us."  

Check out other stories of hope at Spiritual Sundays

A True Titus Woman

                                          ...that they admonish the young women

                                                             (Titus 2 :4)

What a blessings, a sheer pleasure my friend and I had recently. We were able to sit at the feet (so to speak) of a godly elderly woman and learn of God’s true loving provision. We listened as she shared story after story of God’s amazing grace in her life. We rejoiced with her in the good times and to a degree felt the sorrow of the bad times. This beautiful wise woman told us of a love for her husband that last 25 years after his death, she remains his - unclaimed by any other man.

What a shame that the world no longer puts stock in those that are growing old. The world now labels them of little or no value. Most of the world refuses the wisdom their lives have reaped. Even in the churches, many put aside the aged to “make way” for the new generation. Some reject the sheer joy of listening to the testimony of God’s hand on the lives of these saints.

I was reminded yesterday that God has always had a plan for both the young and the old… He has a purpose in the aging progress if we will but heed God’s word. “the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teacher of good things – that they admonish (caution) the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. “ (Titus 2:3-5)

Admonish means to caution – discreet is to be tasteful or careful in all we do – chaste is to be faithful; I’ve looked at this scripture many times and longed to be like this biblical example of an older woman. Today however I met such a woman! Even her name states up front that she is a jewel, a piece of GOLD that God has used in His kingdom.  Thank you Miss Goldie for leaving foot prints worthy of following....

Do you know some older godly women? Perhaps even your own mother can be called a godly woman? Then why not find the time to listen to the stories they have to share of God’s loving provision. Not only will you be blessed but you just may find you have blessed them as well.

Be sure to visit Spiritual Sundays for encouraging posts - I know you will be blessed.

The Woman

Like the woman at the well, I met a man who knew all about my life. He had been telling me in His own ways that I should come back to my first love. He caused me to take a serious look at my life and where it was headed. He offered me a drink from His well of living water. Who was this man that He would offer me a free drink of water? Who was this man that would offer me love without a price tag?  His name is Jesus!

Like the adulterous woman hurled at His feet, He told me I was not condemned but to go and leave that life of sin behind. Who was this man that He would offer me pardon and this life changing advice? His name is Jesus!

There were people in my life that said I could not or would not change. Through their accusing words, accusing laughter and accusing looks, I crawled to touch the hem of this man that I had heard of. Surely if I could touch Him then I would be healed from pain, regret, and a broken heart. He knew the moment I touched Him, as did I. For immediately His healing power I could feel as He touched my tattered soul. He said my faith had healed me and that I should go in peace. Who was this man that such healing power could come from Him? His name is Jesus!

There were also people in my life that told me of a man that could offer me a better way of living. Believe when I say men had often changed my life but not for the good. This man they guaranteed me was different. This man would love me like no other could. As a child I had met such a man but in my youth I had put him aside for the worldly gold that seemed to beckon me. Forever I will remember that day when on my front porch, I washed His feet with my tears. He gently stroked my head and said I was forgiven, loved and could now go forward in peace. Who was this man that he could offer me forgiveness and give me peace like I had never known? His name is Jesus.

Now I know this story is true. After meeting this man, often I would tell Him how I long to be like the woman at the well, like the woman hurled at His feet, like the woman touching His hem or like the woman washing His feet. One day in prayer He showed me how I and so many others of His daughters are just like these women. Pause and ponder upon that!

Years have passed since I met this man. Our times together have become my source of life. Now like Mary I often sit for hours at His feet. Oh, there are times when the Martha in me will still show up; times when I will try so hard to show by my works that I do indeed love and appreciate Him. It is then that He reminds me that works are not what He requires of me. His love is free! Who is this man that would love me so much to invite me to spend countless moments, minutes and yes even hours in His presences? His name is JESUS…..

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