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

He Came Speaking Softly

In the wee hours of the night, God often speaks softly in our souls.  Softly, yet carrying weight that will still be there when we awake the next morning. Please allow me to explain as you read on.

We started 40 days of prayer and fasting last night.  The service was a time to reflect on where we are headed and what we truly want to accomplish.  As we were leaving the service my mind and heart seems so settled but it was temporary.  Around 1:00 a.m., I found myself wide awake with my eyes focused on the clock's projection of time on our bedroom ceiling.  Thoughts were running over and over in my mind of how and why God would shake us.

In my mind's eye, there I stood as a little girl.  I could hear the words "did you shake that rug or you sure you got all the dirt out?"  Mom was somewhat of a clean freak (a trait I must admit I inherited).   God was reminding me that just as I shook that rug to remove the dirt so He was about to shake me (us) to remove the sins of my life.

Think back with me to my post from January 16th.  Remember some of my words when speaking of "Intimacy with God".  God's word brought me to that of fasting right in the middle of my study on intimacy.  I have once again posted the scripture below.

After reading the scripture I understood that no matter what we fast what He truly desires it that we do so with great sorrow of our sin and sinful nature. His desire is that our heart is tender and pliable to His word and His will for our lives.  I left us in that post with this prayer: “Abba Father, please give me a clean heart.  May it be tender and pliable as you shake, shape and sent me forward!”

God hears and answers every single one of our prayers.  Perhaps not as we expected or when we thought they should be answered but He does answer…

And He is answering mine “make my heart clean, tender and pliable as you shake”.  He said last night, “I am shaking the sin from your life (our lives) as one shakes the dirt from the rug.”

God’s shaking is to get rid the dirt that is deep down in our lives. Even as a child I came to understand that sweeping or vacuuming at the top may make the rug appear clean, but that it must be taken outside and shaken (at times with force) to be absolutely clean.  How will He shake each of us?  I have no answer for that question.  For each of us may require our own type of shaking to be made clean.  Why will He shake us?  He will shake to rid us of all sin and uncleanness, so that we may be sent to represent Him well to this lost and dying world.  And He will shake us until we can become the spotless Bride of Christ ready for His returning.

 Psalm 51:16-17
New King James Version (NKJV)
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

She Set on His Lap

Don't you love it when you open God's word and it is as though He hand-picked the word of the day for you? As though He picked you up, sat you on His lap to read to you.  You know what I mean, when you are simply doing your daily reading and God gives you words for what is truly going on in your life.  It is as if He says, "pay attention this is what I need you to know before you move ahead" or "lest you forget allow Me to remind you."

We are about to embark on 40 days of prayer and fasting.  A time when we all search for what we should give up as we fast before The Lord.  For me it is no different, I begin to wonder should I do the Daniel Fast, give up my beloved Coke Cola, or perhaps I should just give up dinners.  Ok you get the picture...

So this morning in my study of "Intimacy with God",  I turn to Psalm 51.  There is was, my reminder of a true fast.  This Psalm was written by David at a time of repentance after his affair with Bathsheda.  In the beginning verses he repents then in verse 16 and 17 he reminds himself (and me, us) that what The Lord truly wants from us is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.

In other words, no matter what we fast what He truly desires is that we do so with great sorrow of our sin and sinful nature. His desire is that our heart is tender and pliable to His word and His will for our lives.

Abba Father, please give me a clean heart.  May it be tender and pliable as you shake, shape and sent me forward!

Psalm 51:16-17
New King James Version (NKJV)
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

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...

Tis is the Season

Tis is the season!  Thoughts of sugar plums danced in her head.  For many this is not and will not be the case.  Instead worry, haste and lack of the world's definition of enough will take away the joy of many.

When we look at this season through the world's mindset we totally miss the true meaning, the whole picture.

Instead of sugar plums dancing in my head as I woke there were these simple words "who do you say I am?"   That question makes me look deeper inside not only at seasons but deeper within myself.  He is no longer the Child in the manger or no longer the Man on the cross.  Yes, He did come as that Child and He did hang on a cross for you and me!  But if we stop there we (Christ-followers) will also miss the whole picture.

So how do we, how do I answer the same question that He asked of His disciples? Peter hit the nail on the head when He replied "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16:15-16). But somehow I believe He wants a more personal answer of me this morning.

To me He is my deliverer, redeemer, healer, and giver of life.  Each of these words defines what He has done in my life.  For once I was held captive in sin and He delivered me.  I could not be good enough so He redeemed me.  I could not make myself whole so He healed me.  I was doomed to death (a very slow death) and He gave me life.

That is who I say He is.  How about you?  Who do you say this Man called Jesus is?

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

He that Speaks

Meet Omar, my African Gray.  The Hebrew meaning of Omar is “he that speaks; eloquent speaker.”  African Grays are noted for their ability to quickly pick up not only the words of their owner but their voice tone as well.  They, like a child, learn to speak when they are 6 months to a year old.  And like with children you must be careful what you say often around them least you hear it repeated when you most likely desire it not to be.

Omar has indeed become “the speaker”.  When I spend time talking with him, his (my) words flow effortless from him.  However, if Omar does not hear the voice of his owner often enough only noise (sounds of his world) come out of his mouth (so to speak.)

Crazy thing how God uses things, people or even pets to teach us needed lessons.  Have you already caught my drift here?

Aren't we a lot like Omar? When we stay close to our owner (maker) we mimic his words, his heart. However if we drift too far we only make the noise of this world!

So who owns you? Are you listening and learning to sound like Him?  How I long to be an imitator of my Lord!


“You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV)

The Voice

She couldn’t decide which voice was louder, the one coming from the lady speaking to her or the one in her own mind. 

 If only she could close her eyes, perhaps the one in her mind would be silenced. 

The hurt and wounded hearts sound much alike although told by different women.  The questions echoed time and again are the same.  Why did God allow this to happen in my life?  Why can’t I just get it right one time? What am I to do now? 

The voice in her mind says you too have lived this life.  Flesh cries out why.  All reasoning gone!  Be silence voices, there is only one voice she wishes to hear.  The true voice of reasoning, which is beyond our ability to make a wrong become right, comes to remind her of the truth.  She is no longer the person that Satan now wants to taunt her mind with.  And the lady across from her is about to go on a journey that only God can orchestrate.  It is then that the healing words flow through her mind.  Just as God has healed her so He will again heal another, and so many more.

His words are so sweet, so gentle, so inviting.  The voice of the turtledove beckoning us to come away to freedom.  He beckons us to come away to wholeness. Listen to sound of God beckoning not only these ladies but you also. . .

 “My beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land.”

             Song of Solomon 2:10-12 ESV

You'll find more encouraging devotions over at Spiritual Sunday

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

Call Me!

Friendships are one of God's true blessing for our lives. This morning with thoughts of a dear friend's request, I came to the Lord in prayer. With thoughts and prayer roaming through the cobwebs of my mind, a tune found its way in. "Call me, maybe it's late but just call me." Ever so gentle I heard Jesus say "trust me, you really must trust me, there is so much more I want to do. You can trust me!"


The gentle inner voice carried the same tune but there is no denying it was the voice of my Lord once again reminding me that He is trust worthy. Jesus was hearing my prayer of worry, my (once again) cry of fear. He,being ever so gentle, brought peace to my soul with this old secular ballad.

As you read this, bet the tune made it's way into your mind also. You are probably humming right now. Let me assure you, Frank Sinatra could woo you with this tune but he couldn't hold a candle to this morning. And who knows that God didn't whisper the words for this old ballad straight to the heart of its authors.

Imagine Jesus singing these words to me and you, His chosen bride!

"Now don't forget me, because if you let me, I will always stay by you.
You gotta to trust me, that's how it must be, there's so much that I can do.
If you call, I'll be right with you. You and I should be together.
Take this love I long to give you. I'll be at your side forever -
call me, don't be afraid, maybe it's late but just call me tell me and I'll be around
call me, don't be afraid, maybe it's late but just call me tell me and I'll be around"



Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Iron Sharpens Iron As God Listens

Why and How Iron Sharpens Iron....

This weekend God once again reminded me of the depth of His word. You will find the words in Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

But let me begin at the beginning. This weekend would turn out to be one of those life changing events. God had it all set up. All I had to do was walk in obedience.

It started by keeping a lunch date with a sister in Christ. God had already given us a friendship but this day He would allow the iron to sharpen iron. We spoke of our love for Christ as we shared the goings on of our life. Then she shared a verse (Malachi 3:16) with me. Oh my goodness, how many years as a counselor and teacher have I told this story to His daughters? How many times have I envisioned these very words within my spirit and by the Holy Spirit? Picture with me if you will, a group of His daughters sitting around sharing story after story about the faithfulness of our Lord. In the spirit, I can see Him turn to His Son and say "look there are my girls again. How they love us.... I am so proud of them." Then He leans in closer and whispers, "I will hear them and give them the desires of their hearts."

With everything in me, I believed I was speaking truth to His daughters when I said He listens in on our conversations. However, the words were to become gospel as Sue shared God's word with me. Oh and by the way, I doubt Sue had ever heard me share that story.... She was simply sharing the Scripture from her morning devotion with The Lord.

The next day we were attending "Joy Conference". The conference speaker, Rhonda Holland spoke the same words, using the same Bible passage, of how He looks down, listening and calling us His. God says "Mine".

My point here is simple!  Sue gave me God's written word (one that was already deep in my spirit) and Rhoda came to sharpen the verse even more so...

We must not isolate ourselves! We must seek both Godly friendships, mentors and places to grow in God. When conferences are offered we must find the time to go drink and feed at the table God has prepared for us. God does use others to not only sharpen us but to confirm things deep in our spirit. I ,for one, am glad God sent His daughters my way this weekend. This story is only one of many I could share from this weekend! Perhaps, I will share more later.

By the Way, the truth is God does listen to our conversations and He does call us "MINE"... I won't put the scripture here for you because I want to challenge you to go pick up your bible and read it for yourself.

Malachi 3:16-17 Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament


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Photo from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images

The Small Delicate Hand

There it was again.  How does it come upon her so quickly and without an apparent sign of its coming? Her mind seems free from concern and worries.  She cannot even visualize one solitary event leading to its appearance.  Still she can feel the weight of its presence as though she has summoned the darkness to appear. 

This thing called burden, depression or anxiety comes quickly like a thief in the night, robbing her of her peace of mind.  Not only does it steal her peace of mind but it also seems to want a piece of her soul, her very being.  It hovers over her like a cloud about to rupture at the seams. Perhaps this time it will simply swallow her whole.  At times, she wishes it would do just that.  At least then it might be over and she could simply rest.

Wait, this time she notices something quite strange.  Had she never noticed it before?  The clouds though many are pitch black, some are fluffy and white.  Looking closer, yes there it is a small delicate hand reaches high out of the cloud.  Her very being sighs with relief but why?  Somewhere in her mind (her spirit) she is acquainted with this sigh of relief. 

The clouds are drifting now.  There is a ray of light, a ray of hope.  She now realizes that small hand was lifted in praise. Then she sees His hand reaching down to grasp the small delicate uplifted hand.   She simply whispers “next time I will lift my hand sooner.”

 Psalms 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

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The Wing

Longing to be able to share a visible image of my heart this morning, I find myself wishing for the talent of drawing.  That however is not a talent God chose to give me so I will use both my words and goggle to tell my story today.

She was old and that she was well aware of.  Still this morning she felt like a child as she approached His throne.  She wondered why her Father would ask her to play a role in His kingdom.  What was He thinking?  How would she ever touch the lives He was asking her to touch?  A sense of fear, a sense of failure lured around her heart, still she wished so to please Him.

As she pondered the depth of her relationship with Him, He draws this beautiful picture in her mind.  She sees a beautiful wing and under it and yet standing tall in a sense was a baby chick.  It was as if the chick at times had a mind of its own.  However this magnificent wing would hold her in the safety of its spread.  It would allow her to be her own self but never to wonder out of its reach or protection.

She, perhaps for the first time in her life, realizes that her Father will always offer the safety of His wing.  Never will He push her so hard from the nest that she cannot return to find safety and comfort under His wing. He will never ask her to do any task that requires her to leave His safety, comfort or protection.  He has her covered…

 

Like this picture, the mom hen will guard her babies until they are well able to venue out on their own.  There is a place in God’s word where He says “how many times I have desired to gather your children as a hen that gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing!”  Not only does He desire to gather us but the Psalmist said “With his feathers he will cover you, under his wings you will find safety. His truth is your shield and armor.”   Unlike the hen, God’s wing will always cover you if you will allow Him to be there for you!

Scripture references: Matthew 23:37  and Psalm 91:4

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Please visit Spiritual Sundays for other great devotionals....

Who'll Stop the Rain?

While taking clothes from the dryer, these words drifted through my mind. "Still I wonder you will stop the rain." Other thoughts quickly filled my mind, those kind of words where you wonder where did these come from.  No, it wasn't raining and chances of me knowing the first words were those of a song are quiet slim. That would not have been my choice of music growing up. But the thoughts that quickly followed without a doubt are always in my spirit.

" Still I wonder who will stop the rain? Lord, I know the answer to these words. You will both start and stop the rain. The gentle rains that waters the earth are yours. The loud thunderous rains that pour upon the earth are yours. The rain (sorrow, trials, doubts, fears, confusion) that floods our souls is not of you but only you can stop this rain. If we believe in you, we know this to be true. Still our souls cry out 'I wonder who will stop the rain?' "

Are you one crying out or simply wondering who will stop the rain? Are your days so full of those thunderous downpours that you think you will surely drown? Do not fear, look up and call out "Lord, only you can stop this rain."


Creedence Clearwater Revival Who'll Stop The Rain Lyrics

"Long as I remember the rain been comin' down
Clouds of mystery pourin' confusion on the ground.
Good men through the ages tryin' to find the sun.
And I wonder still I wonder who'll stop the rain."

The words of Jesus
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh." Luke 21:28
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Spit Shine

"Often times the metaphor of light is used to describe the way Christ-followers reflect their Creator. The point is that we are to look so different from the rest of the world when we model Christ, that the world wants what we have. In essence, we should be so dazzling that people ask us why we shine." Quote By Lindsay Williams

These words are from my morning devotion which caused me to really take a closer look at myself through the eyes of others. Perhaps, you can join with me this morning in asking yourself these questions that I had to ask myself after reading the words of Lindsay.

Does the world want what they see in my life? Do I have that spit shine that says I have been in the presences of God? Is there a sense of peace that lingered after I have left the room? Am I dazzling people with the love of God working through my life?

Father, on our own, We are nothing but with You, We can be all You have called us to be. Allow us to shine with all brightness in this dark world, bringing hope and encouragement to those in need. Sincerely I ask that we may have peace and joy that others have to ask "why we shine" so we may tell them of YOU, our true Light!

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

Photo from: http://ubdavid.org/bibleexploration/light-old-testament/light-old-testament_9-3.html

Deadly Silence

A very dear friend asks me this question recently. "Why can't I feel God anymore?" She went on to say that "if I hold on to Him but cannot feel Him, am I believing in vain?"

Truth is I am not certain how to answer. What do we do when we cry out to God time and again feeling nothing within us but sadness, confusion, or worse - complete emptiness? Have you been there? I have! Times in my life when if only God would give me an answer, I could move on. If only God would show up and say everything is going to be fine, I wouldn't have to worry and fret.

Over the past few weeks, my husband and I have been in the progress of buying a home. My goodness how the phone rang, the emails popping up every time I opened my I-Pad. The air was full of both of excitement and business. We are now waiting as things have gone to the under-writer of our home loan. Everything has grown so deadly silent. If only the phone would ring, if only one email would pop up I wouldn't have to worry or fret.....

Faith! Yes, faith is the answer that fits the question to a tee! When I don't feel Him, I remember the times in my life when He allowed me to touch the very hem of His garment. When I can't hear Him, I remember the times when He spoke so clearly to me that the heavens seemed to be raining down on me. In faith we can stand and choose to remember the faithfulness of God. In faith we can stand on the promise that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. We may not hear him nor feel Him right now but He is here for He promised He would be.

The loan officer was one of the most encouraging young man I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with. He was confident enough in our application to say he would give it a 100% chance of getting past that under-writer. If I stand on that young man's promise, am I believing in vain? Perhaps, but what if I just give up because the silence is simply too deadly?

Guess what? God is so confident in not only who He is but also in you that He promises if we wait (even in the deadly silence) He will see us through. He promises that at times we will have to wait in faith believing His word. "I will never leave you!"

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

Be sure to visit Spiritual Sundays blog for great weekly post of hope, encouragement and truth.

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

A Lot Like My Father

"You look a lot like your Father."  What strange words to hear as I was praying.  Still without a doubt these words echoed in my heart.  Even stranger I knew these words were not referring to my earthly father.  With both my mind and heart racing, I whispered "how could this be? Me, no way! I make so many mistakes as I try to love and serve you God, my Father."  Then I am reminded I am indeed His little girl....  

Do you remember trying to imitate your parents?  Without losing respect here, I must say I was not one who would want to look nor act like her earthly father. Still there are many generational traits that perhaps are obvious to my family, certainly more so before my coming to know Jesus as Savior. 

 

So how does one look like God, our Heavenly Father?  Paul, in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) says it like this "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."

As in 1 John 3:2 (GWT) I will say loud and clear, what I am to be isn't completely clear yet but I am thankful this morning that the Holy Spirit reminded me that I am to look like my Father!

"Dear friends, now we are God's children. What we will be isn't completely clear yet. We do know that when Christ appears we will be like him because we will see him as he is." 1 John 3:2

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

Full of Promise

Who can take a nothing day




 

 
 
And suddenly make it all seem worthwhile
 
 
 
 

Why it's You, LORD and we should know it.... 

 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

                      Romans 12:12