Below is a very pointed devtional that came through my inbox just last week, and I want to share it with you... these past few weeks have been a time for me to really buckle down and figure out whether I really trust God or whether it is only mere lip-service. As I am dreaming of changing lives through the ministry of En Gedi, I must first submit myself to my Creator's authority that I might be edued with power.
Come journey with me:
“This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you”. Matthew 11:10
"Jesus spent thirty years in private preparation for three years of public service. He knew the necessary need to wait on His Heavenly Father for the power of His blessing, before He embarked on His eternal mission. What passionate desire has the Lord laid on your heart that awaits your thorough preparation? Like Elijah, you first prepare an altar of sacrifice by faith, and wait on God to send forth His fire from heaven to ignite your work.
Similarly to Jesus, you probably depend on others as part of your preparation process. The creditability of John the Baptist paved the way for the 'Lamb of God'. In the same way, the good reputation of trusted friends can accelerate your success. This is why it is wise to wait on the endorsement of other trusted leaders. Pay the price of being mentored, before you run ahead to your next assignment. New leaders need the old leaders’ approval.
Pain is another product of preparation. Until your perspective has been seasoned by adversity, your confidence has not been tempered away from arrogance and toward humility. God doesn’t waste pain, as it produces the character required to represent Christ. It’s in our hurt that we cry out in humble dependence, confession and repentance. We learn the good and bad about ourselves in pain’s process. Pain produces patience.
Are you expecting to receive the fruit of preparation without paying the price to prepare? Ministers who prepare are endowed with power from on high. Preparation precedes anointing. Parents who prepare learn from experienced parents. Preparation precedes obedient children. Students who prepare privately are recognized publically. Preparation precedes education. Leaders who prepare their minds and hearts feel God’s favor.
What is your next step in the process of preparation? Is it to silently serve the poor, or to boldly challenge the rich? Is it to earnestly work with your hands, so you can better relate with your head? Do not dismiss thorough preparation in place of zealous shortcuts. Stay the course in Christ’s school of learning submission, as His power rests on the prepared.
'Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.' Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The LORD -He is God! The LORD -He is God!' (1 Kings 18:37-39).
What patient preparation do I need to complete? Am I serving others in my power or in God’s power?"
-Boyd Bailey, Wisdom Hunter's Devotional
Monday, October 17, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Running Aground
“Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Acts 27:26 (NIV)
"Have you ever been going along, intent in your calling, certain of your direction, sure of God’s goodness, only to have something happen that throws you completely off course?
When my husband and I resolved to become financially sound, we were dismayed to quickly have an appliance break, shelling out the entire emergency fund we’d built up to repair it. Instead of moving forward we were going backwards.
We had two choices to make at that moment: thank God that we had the money to cover the repair or doubt God’s sovereignty in allowing the appliance to break.
In the book of Acts, chapter twenty-seven, Paul tells the people he is traveling with that God has called them to their mission. Not only that, he is certain the Holy Spirit is on their side. And yet, for reasons he doesn’t go into, we read in our key verse that he also tells them they must run aground, which means they’d be delayed on some island before their purpose would be accomplished.
This delay, it turns out, is part of the plan. This setback is actually sovereign. But of course at that moment they can’t see that. All they can see is a looming shipwreck, a deserted island.
Perhaps you are on your own deserted island—a personal exile that has been painful and prolonged. You wonder if God sees where you are, if He cares. You remember the time you were moving along, the wind in your sails, full speed ahead. And you miss that time. You wish God would rescue you from the island, put you back on course. Perhaps you’re beginning to doubt God really does have a plan for you.
I don’t know what your deserted island looks like. It might be the desolation of a marriage, the barren land of motherhood, the wasteland of a career. It might be the emptiness of simply not knowing what your purpose—your passion—really is, even as you watch other women seem to steam forward.
When I start to feel this way, I think about this verse. I remember that even Paul ran aground, even Paul faced setbacks. But I also remember that the island wasn’t the end of the story. Rescue was coming. Running aground doesn’t mean you’ve run outside of God’s will. It might just mean you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Use this time to increase your trust in God and to see Him work on your behalf, even when the palm trees obscure your view.
Dear Lord, I admit I’ve been feeling lost and forgotten on this island. I haven’t realized that this setback might just be what You allowed. Help me to find You, even in this. Help me to press into You and to trust Your goodness and love. I can’t wait to see what waits for me on the other side of this island. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-MaryBeth Whalen, Proverbs 31 Ministries
"Have you ever been going along, intent in your calling, certain of your direction, sure of God’s goodness, only to have something happen that throws you completely off course?
When my husband and I resolved to become financially sound, we were dismayed to quickly have an appliance break, shelling out the entire emergency fund we’d built up to repair it. Instead of moving forward we were going backwards.
We had two choices to make at that moment: thank God that we had the money to cover the repair or doubt God’s sovereignty in allowing the appliance to break.
In the book of Acts, chapter twenty-seven, Paul tells the people he is traveling with that God has called them to their mission. Not only that, he is certain the Holy Spirit is on their side. And yet, for reasons he doesn’t go into, we read in our key verse that he also tells them they must run aground, which means they’d be delayed on some island before their purpose would be accomplished.
This delay, it turns out, is part of the plan. This setback is actually sovereign. But of course at that moment they can’t see that. All they can see is a looming shipwreck, a deserted island.
Perhaps you are on your own deserted island—a personal exile that has been painful and prolonged. You wonder if God sees where you are, if He cares. You remember the time you were moving along, the wind in your sails, full speed ahead. And you miss that time. You wish God would rescue you from the island, put you back on course. Perhaps you’re beginning to doubt God really does have a plan for you.
I don’t know what your deserted island looks like. It might be the desolation of a marriage, the barren land of motherhood, the wasteland of a career. It might be the emptiness of simply not knowing what your purpose—your passion—really is, even as you watch other women seem to steam forward.
When I start to feel this way, I think about this verse. I remember that even Paul ran aground, even Paul faced setbacks. But I also remember that the island wasn’t the end of the story. Rescue was coming. Running aground doesn’t mean you’ve run outside of God’s will. It might just mean you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Use this time to increase your trust in God and to see Him work on your behalf, even when the palm trees obscure your view.
Dear Lord, I admit I’ve been feeling lost and forgotten on this island. I haven’t realized that this setback might just be what You allowed. Help me to find You, even in this. Help me to press into You and to trust Your goodness and love. I can’t wait to see what waits for me on the other side of this island. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-MaryBeth Whalen, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Prayer for Today
"Dear Lord, I have felt alone and forgotten. I have wondered if any of my spiritual experiences were real. I’ve gone back to what’s familiar because it was all I knew to do. But I know You don’t want to leave me there. I want to see You when I scan the horizon. And when I do, help me to have the courage to run toward You as fast as I can. I trust that You still have a plan for me. And that plan involves going forward, not going back. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Taken from Back to Fishing from Marybeth Whalen (Proverbs 31 Ministries)
-Taken from Back to Fishing from Marybeth Whalen (Proverbs 31 Ministries)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Confidence
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV)
"One night I was cleaning our kitchen and found this little rubber thingy on our countertop. It wasn’t until after I threw it away that I realized it was the power button for our TV remote control. As I dug through the trash to find it, I regretted how quickly I’d thrown it away.
Then, as I reached to pull it out, I sensed God showing me that’s how easily I throw away my confidence—without recognizing it.
It’s usually very subtle. Sometimes I’ll be thinking about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and a feeling of uncertainty comes over me and whispers to my heart, You can’t do that. You’re not good enough. Out of the blue, I’ll just get that awful, insecure feeling.
Too many times in the past I’ve gone along with it, tossing my confidence into the trash without even thinking.
For years, I didn’t tell anyone about my lack of confidence because I figured if I told them all the reasons I doubted myself, they’d see my flaws and agree with me. Honestly, I was convinced I was the only one who struggled with doubt.
However, I didn’t call it doubt. Maybe you don’t either. Sometimes I called it worry—worry that I was going to disappoint someone, worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it, worry that I might start something but not be able to finish.
Other times I’d call it fear—fear that I wouldn’t measure up, fear that I’d look stupid, fear that I’d look prideful thinking I could do something special for God. What I’ve realized over the past several years is that these feelings may end up as fear or worry, but their source is self-doubt.
Looking back, I see a pattern in my thinking that led to the pattern of my doubting.
As a child I thought I wasn’t worth keeping. My insecurity kept me from riding the carousel at an amusement park, because I doubted my dad would wait for me. In school, I thought I wasn’t smart enough. I avoided some great opportunities because they came with the risk of failure.
Even as a young bride, I doubted my worth in my husband’s eyes. Although he gave me no reason to fear he’d ever leave me, our newlywed memories include a lot of arguments based on my insecurities.
What about you? Do you ever question your worth as a woman? How often do you agree with the whispers of self-doubt and throw away confidence that should be yours as a child of God?
I’ve learned to ask God to show me when I’m tempted to throw away my confidence and then depend on Him to help me throw away my insecurities instead. Want to join me? Let’s hold onto God’s promises and depend on His truth for the security we need and the confidence we long for:
• When self-doubt whispers, 'I can’t do that. I’m going to fail and look foolish.' Throw away that lie away and hold onto this truth (even say it out loud): 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' (Hebrews 13:6, NIV 1984)
• When self-doubt whispers, 'I’ll never change.” Throw away that lie away and claim this truth: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
• When self-doubt whispers, 'This is too hard for me. I don’t have what it takes to…' Throw away that lie away and hold onto this truth: 'No, in all these things [I am] more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me].' (Romans 8:37, NIV)
Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ. Will you help me recognize when I throw away my confidence, and remind me to throw away my insecurities instead? I want to persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt or insecurity tells me I can’t do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her who believes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Renee Swope, Proverbs 31 MInistries
Lord, WE want to become women with confident heart. Help us to live our lives in Light of Who You are and not who we think we are. Give us confidence to Stand and to Fight... IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN
"One night I was cleaning our kitchen and found this little rubber thingy on our countertop. It wasn’t until after I threw it away that I realized it was the power button for our TV remote control. As I dug through the trash to find it, I regretted how quickly I’d thrown it away.
Then, as I reached to pull it out, I sensed God showing me that’s how easily I throw away my confidence—without recognizing it.
It’s usually very subtle. Sometimes I’ll be thinking about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and a feeling of uncertainty comes over me and whispers to my heart, You can’t do that. You’re not good enough. Out of the blue, I’ll just get that awful, insecure feeling.
Too many times in the past I’ve gone along with it, tossing my confidence into the trash without even thinking.
For years, I didn’t tell anyone about my lack of confidence because I figured if I told them all the reasons I doubted myself, they’d see my flaws and agree with me. Honestly, I was convinced I was the only one who struggled with doubt.
However, I didn’t call it doubt. Maybe you don’t either. Sometimes I called it worry—worry that I was going to disappoint someone, worry that I might make a mistake and get criticized for it, worry that I might start something but not be able to finish.
Other times I’d call it fear—fear that I wouldn’t measure up, fear that I’d look stupid, fear that I’d look prideful thinking I could do something special for God. What I’ve realized over the past several years is that these feelings may end up as fear or worry, but their source is self-doubt.
Looking back, I see a pattern in my thinking that led to the pattern of my doubting.
As a child I thought I wasn’t worth keeping. My insecurity kept me from riding the carousel at an amusement park, because I doubted my dad would wait for me. In school, I thought I wasn’t smart enough. I avoided some great opportunities because they came with the risk of failure.
Even as a young bride, I doubted my worth in my husband’s eyes. Although he gave me no reason to fear he’d ever leave me, our newlywed memories include a lot of arguments based on my insecurities.
What about you? Do you ever question your worth as a woman? How often do you agree with the whispers of self-doubt and throw away confidence that should be yours as a child of God?
I’ve learned to ask God to show me when I’m tempted to throw away my confidence and then depend on Him to help me throw away my insecurities instead. Want to join me? Let’s hold onto God’s promises and depend on His truth for the security we need and the confidence we long for:
• When self-doubt whispers, 'I can’t do that. I’m going to fail and look foolish.' Throw away that lie away and hold onto this truth (even say it out loud): 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' (Hebrews 13:6, NIV 1984)
• When self-doubt whispers, 'I’ll never change.” Throw away that lie away and claim this truth: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NASB)
• When self-doubt whispers, 'This is too hard for me. I don’t have what it takes to…' Throw away that lie away and hold onto this truth: 'No, in all these things [I am] more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me].' (Romans 8:37, NIV)
Lord, I want to become a woman with a confident heart in Christ. Will you help me recognize when I throw away my confidence, and remind me to throw away my insecurities instead? I want to persevere in Your truth so that when I have done Your will, I will receive what You have promised. When doubt or insecurity tells me I can’t do something, I will remember that all things are possible to her who believes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Renee Swope, Proverbs 31 MInistries
Lord, WE want to become women with confident heart. Help us to live our lives in Light of Who You are and not who we think we are. Give us confidence to Stand and to Fight... IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Today's Promises
I just wanted to post this as a note of encouragement to you today. Of course I was captured from the first sentence, but what has stuck with me is that single sentence about the middle of the page..
"For every step Abraham took, a ram on the other side of the mountain took a step."
Just a reminder and an ebeneezer stone to me, that when I feel like I'm drowning, that God's promises are moving forward on the other side of the moutain to meet up at the top.
Love ya,
J
“So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’” Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
"Have you ever been in a situation so desperate that it looked hopeless?
Have you ever sat at the kitchen table wondering how you were going to pay the electric bill? Have you ever stood at a door that’s been slammed in your face by an angry teenager and despaired at having a relationship with him again? Have you ever had your heart broken so deeply that you wondered if you would feel whole again?
Sadly, we live in a broken world where desperate situations happen every day. I know someone reading this devotion is wondering how she will make it through the day because her situation looks hopeless. If that is you, I encourage you to keep reading. I believe God has a message of hope for you today.
That message is found in the Bible, in the story of a man who was dealing with his own desperate situation. His name was Abraham and he faced the greatest testing of his life. After longing for a son for many years, God finally gave Abraham a boy, whom he named Isaac. Abraham never imagined God would test his faith by asking him to sacrifice his son. But it happened.
It had to have been the darkest day of Abraham’s life as he trudged up the mountain, with firewood strapped to his son’s back. Every step took Abraham closer to what he believed to be the sad ending of a hopeless situation—the death of his son. Yet in spite of his sorrow, Abraham trusted God. His heart wasn’t soaring with joy. He wasn’t dancing up the mountain. But he put one foot in front of the other. Walking through the darkness of the situation; obeying His God’s commands.
Unbeknownst to Abraham, something else was walking up that mountain. Quietly. Out of sight. On the other side of the mountain. Something else was putting one foot in front of the other. Only Abraham couldn’t see it.
For every step Abraham took, a ram on the other side of the mountain took a step.
All Abraham saw that day was his solitary journey of pain. As he got closer to the top of the mountain, his dread must have increased. I wonder if he asked himself any questions. I would have. I would have wondered why hadn’t God intervened? Why hadn’t God stopped this testing? Couldn’t God see that Abraham was a man of faith? Why test him in this way?
But there was no answer. There was no voice from heaven. And so Abraham kept obeying his God’s command. He put Isaac on an altar and prepared to sacrifice his one and only son.
And just at that very moment, at the very last second, when it looked like the end had come, God spoke, stopping the sacrifice. Abraham looked up and there caught in the thicket was a ram. Abraham took his son off the altar, replaced him with the ram, and offered the sacrifice to God.
Abraham named that place 'Yahweh-Yireh' or 'The Lord Will Provide.' And the story was written down for generations of God-followers to read. It was written so that you and I today would read it as we face our own hopeless situations. It was captured in print so that you and I would know that God is already planning for our provision. We don’t see it. We don’t hear it. But we can trust that our God is at work. On your behalf, and on mine.
I choose to trust God today. A ram is on the way.
Dear Lord, You know how desperate I am today. You know that my faith has wavered. Although I want to trust You, I’m having trouble doing so. I ask for Your intervention in my situation, and for an increase of my faith while I wait. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Glynnis Whitwer, Proverbs 31 Ministries
"For every step Abraham took, a ram on the other side of the mountain took a step."
Just a reminder and an ebeneezer stone to me, that when I feel like I'm drowning, that God's promises are moving forward on the other side of the moutain to meet up at the top.
Love ya,
J
“So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’” Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
"Have you ever been in a situation so desperate that it looked hopeless?
Have you ever sat at the kitchen table wondering how you were going to pay the electric bill? Have you ever stood at a door that’s been slammed in your face by an angry teenager and despaired at having a relationship with him again? Have you ever had your heart broken so deeply that you wondered if you would feel whole again?
Sadly, we live in a broken world where desperate situations happen every day. I know someone reading this devotion is wondering how she will make it through the day because her situation looks hopeless. If that is you, I encourage you to keep reading. I believe God has a message of hope for you today.
That message is found in the Bible, in the story of a man who was dealing with his own desperate situation. His name was Abraham and he faced the greatest testing of his life. After longing for a son for many years, God finally gave Abraham a boy, whom he named Isaac. Abraham never imagined God would test his faith by asking him to sacrifice his son. But it happened.
It had to have been the darkest day of Abraham’s life as he trudged up the mountain, with firewood strapped to his son’s back. Every step took Abraham closer to what he believed to be the sad ending of a hopeless situation—the death of his son. Yet in spite of his sorrow, Abraham trusted God. His heart wasn’t soaring with joy. He wasn’t dancing up the mountain. But he put one foot in front of the other. Walking through the darkness of the situation; obeying His God’s commands.
Unbeknownst to Abraham, something else was walking up that mountain. Quietly. Out of sight. On the other side of the mountain. Something else was putting one foot in front of the other. Only Abraham couldn’t see it.
For every step Abraham took, a ram on the other side of the mountain took a step.
All Abraham saw that day was his solitary journey of pain. As he got closer to the top of the mountain, his dread must have increased. I wonder if he asked himself any questions. I would have. I would have wondered why hadn’t God intervened? Why hadn’t God stopped this testing? Couldn’t God see that Abraham was a man of faith? Why test him in this way?
But there was no answer. There was no voice from heaven. And so Abraham kept obeying his God’s command. He put Isaac on an altar and prepared to sacrifice his one and only son.
And just at that very moment, at the very last second, when it looked like the end had come, God spoke, stopping the sacrifice. Abraham looked up and there caught in the thicket was a ram. Abraham took his son off the altar, replaced him with the ram, and offered the sacrifice to God.
Abraham named that place 'Yahweh-Yireh' or 'The Lord Will Provide.' And the story was written down for generations of God-followers to read. It was written so that you and I today would read it as we face our own hopeless situations. It was captured in print so that you and I would know that God is already planning for our provision. We don’t see it. We don’t hear it. But we can trust that our God is at work. On your behalf, and on mine.
I choose to trust God today. A ram is on the way.
Dear Lord, You know how desperate I am today. You know that my faith has wavered. Although I want to trust You, I’m having trouble doing so. I ask for Your intervention in my situation, and for an increase of my faith while I wait. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Glynnis Whitwer, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
En Gedi Beginnings
Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.
~ Jeremiah 33:3, NLT
This verse has been one of those verses that has hung in my heart and my mind for a very long time. God tells us to ask him for whatever we are in need of and that He will provide for us. I remember praying this specific verse asking God to tell me things that I don't know about... things yet to come, and since that time He has done just that... Thank you Father that you do answer our prayers. You are great and greatly to be praised.
~ Jeremiah 33:3, NLT
This verse has been one of those verses that has hung in my heart and my mind for a very long time. God tells us to ask him for whatever we are in need of and that He will provide for us. I remember praying this specific verse asking God to tell me things that I don't know about... things yet to come, and since that time He has done just that... Thank you Father that you do answer our prayers. You are great and greatly to be praised.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Faith
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. --Romans 4:20-21
"My faith does not rest on God's promises. My faith rests upon God's character. Faith must rest in confidence upon the One who made the promises...."
-A.W. Tozer
Father, this is our prayer today... That we will not waver in unbelief, but as a band, as En Gedi, Lord, we believe that you will do what you have spoken to our hearts and we will walk in that today.
"My faith does not rest on God's promises. My faith rests upon God's character. Faith must rest in confidence upon the One who made the promises...."
-A.W. Tozer
Father, this is our prayer today... That we will not waver in unbelief, but as a band, as En Gedi, Lord, we believe that you will do what you have spoken to our hearts and we will walk in that today.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Banner for Today
I am a forgiven child of God. (Romans 3:24)
I am a set-free child of God. (Romans 8:1 – 2)
I am an accepted child of God. (1 Corinthians 1:2)
I am a holy child of God. (1 Cornthians 1:30)
I am a made-new child of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am a loved child of God. (Ephesians 1:4)
I am a child of God. (Ephesians 2:13)
I am a confident child of God. (Ephesians 3:12)
I am a victorious child of God (Romans 8:37)
I am a set-free child of God. (Romans 8:1 – 2)
I am an accepted child of God. (1 Corinthians 1:2)
I am a holy child of God. (1 Cornthians 1:30)
I am a made-new child of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am a loved child of God. (Ephesians 1:4)
I am a child of God. (Ephesians 2:13)
I am a confident child of God. (Ephesians 3:12)
I am a victorious child of God (Romans 8:37)
Friday, April 29, 2011
Important Words for Today
"Dear Lord, I am filled with thankfulness as I remember how You pursue me with Your love. Thank You for loving me first, even before I was aware of You. Thank You for each person and situation You put in my life that lead me to You. Reignite the fire of my love for You, causing it to grow stronger than ever. Let everything I am, do, and say point to Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen"
-Melanie Chitwood, Proverbs 31 Ministries
-Melanie Chitwood, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Escaping the Rut of Want
Just wanted to share this with you... It was a good reminder to me of where we've come from and where we're going...
"Twelve years ago I was stuck in a rut of want. There was an opportunity that looked so promising. A publisher expressed genuine interest in my writing. It seemed to be right. It felt right. I wanted it to be right. It must be right!
But it never came to pass.
In my most mature moments I reasoned, 'It wasn’t meant to be. I trust God and believe in His perfect plans.'
In my not so mature moments I wondered, 'God, this isn’t fair. Why do you keep saying no?'
And in my immature moments I whined, 'God, do you care this hurts me?'
Have you ever been there?
Ruts of want are tough places to be stuck.
When God says no, we are sometimes tempted to wonder if He loves us. In reality, it’s because He loves us, He sometimes says no.
Read that last sentence again and rub it into your heart. The hurting part. The part that throbs and aches when you see others getting the exact opportunity you want. You fake a smile to hide the pain.
God brought this change of perspective to me through a baking disaster that happened to my youngest daughter, Brooke. She came to me a 9pm one night and asked if she and her friend could bake a cake.
Hope, Brooke’s older sister, had offered to help and I was too tired to argue the incessant pleas of a nine year old.
Brooke measured and poured, whipped and stirred, and carefully placed a batter-filled cake pan into the oven. Then she turned on the oven light and watched the cake bake. Her cake became her whole focus. She couldn’t stop looking at the cake and grew increasingly impatient with the slow-passing minutes on the timer.
Nothing kills patience like being solely focused on the object of your desire. And tragically, impatience becomes the breeding ground for compromise.
About 30 minutes into the 45 minute baking time, the cake looked done. It smelled done. Brooke and her friend wanted it to be done. She reasoned it must be done!
Hope helped retrieve the cake and place it on the counter to cool.
And it wasn’t long until the cake imploded.
The cake couldn’t withstand the pressure of an undone center… and neither can we.
If we obsess over the cake and make it our whole focus, character atrophies. If we make growing in godliness our obsession and keep our focus on God, our character matures. And a mature character makes for a solid and well done center.
I thank God everyday for the no’s He’s graciously allowed and continues to allow in my life. I used to pray, 'God, let me, let me, let me!'
I now pray, 'God, please never let my success outgrow the character necessary to handle it.'
Indeed, it’s because God loves us, He sometimes says no.
What ‘no’ have you thanked God for lately?"
-Lysa TerKeurst
"Twelve years ago I was stuck in a rut of want. There was an opportunity that looked so promising. A publisher expressed genuine interest in my writing. It seemed to be right. It felt right. I wanted it to be right. It must be right!
But it never came to pass.
In my most mature moments I reasoned, 'It wasn’t meant to be. I trust God and believe in His perfect plans.'
In my not so mature moments I wondered, 'God, this isn’t fair. Why do you keep saying no?'
And in my immature moments I whined, 'God, do you care this hurts me?'
Have you ever been there?
Ruts of want are tough places to be stuck.
When God says no, we are sometimes tempted to wonder if He loves us. In reality, it’s because He loves us, He sometimes says no.
Read that last sentence again and rub it into your heart. The hurting part. The part that throbs and aches when you see others getting the exact opportunity you want. You fake a smile to hide the pain.
God brought this change of perspective to me through a baking disaster that happened to my youngest daughter, Brooke. She came to me a 9pm one night and asked if she and her friend could bake a cake.
Hope, Brooke’s older sister, had offered to help and I was too tired to argue the incessant pleas of a nine year old.
Brooke measured and poured, whipped and stirred, and carefully placed a batter-filled cake pan into the oven. Then she turned on the oven light and watched the cake bake. Her cake became her whole focus. She couldn’t stop looking at the cake and grew increasingly impatient with the slow-passing minutes on the timer.
Nothing kills patience like being solely focused on the object of your desire. And tragically, impatience becomes the breeding ground for compromise.
About 30 minutes into the 45 minute baking time, the cake looked done. It smelled done. Brooke and her friend wanted it to be done. She reasoned it must be done!
Hope helped retrieve the cake and place it on the counter to cool.
And it wasn’t long until the cake imploded.
The cake couldn’t withstand the pressure of an undone center… and neither can we.
If we obsess over the cake and make it our whole focus, character atrophies. If we make growing in godliness our obsession and keep our focus on God, our character matures. And a mature character makes for a solid and well done center.
I thank God everyday for the no’s He’s graciously allowed and continues to allow in my life. I used to pray, 'God, let me, let me, let me!'
I now pray, 'God, please never let my success outgrow the character necessary to handle it.'
Indeed, it’s because God loves us, He sometimes says no.
What ‘no’ have you thanked God for lately?"
-Lysa TerKeurst
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Craving Connections
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
"Do you ever catch yourself checking email repeatedly? One morning I checked my email as soon as I woke up. Then I made breakfast and checked it again. Had my devotional time and checked it again. Ran some errands and when I got home, checked it once more.
Now, I admit I have a thing about keeping white space in my inbox, but this was about more than managing emails.
I was going back for a reason. I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to pause and ask myself, 'Why do you keep checking your email?'
I sat there and let my heart respond honestly. I wasn’t sure if it was God or me answering, but my thoughts intertwined with His Spirit whispered: You keep coming back because your heart longs for connection with a friend.
Yet no matter how many times I checked email, it was never enough to satisfy my craving.
Somewhere in the busyness of life I had let many of my friendships reduce to quick connections via email. Over the past year my schedule had gotten so full with kids, school projects, family needs, investing time in my marriage, and new responsibilities at work that something had to give.
I didn’t want it to be my family, so I asked God to help me find balance.
I had sensed Him leading me to cut back on the amount of time I spent talking on the phone, socializing with neighbors and hanging out with friends. Although I hadn’t completely cut out my friendships, my face-to-face connection time with friends had been reduced to a minimum.
That morning as I sat at my computer, I realized I had not found balance. The pendulum had swung too far.Here I was checking email repeatedly, trying to fill a God-created need for relationships with a white screen and black alphabet keys.
My heart was craving more. God had revealed the source of my incessant email checking and shown me that I needed to fill the lonely place in my spirit with friends I could talk to and share life with — in person.
That day I called one of my closest friends. She happened to be available so I turned off my computer and took a break from work to spontaneously meet her at a coffee shop.
It was just what I needed: face-to-face, heart-to-heart, eye-to-eye connection and conversation.
I know friendships are not easy to build. They take time. And time is limited with lives that keep us so busy. But in this age of technology, it’s important to evaluate things in our lives that create a false sense of connection like email, television, text messaging and overboard activities.
Although these things are okay in moderation, they can’t substitute real-life relationships.
So what about long-distance and internet friendships? Aren’t they important, too? Yes, they are. But God created us for relationships where we can see each other, hug each other and talk to each other face-to-face.
We need to pull away from our computers and televisions to intentionally carve out time for friends that are in close proximity. Times where we can meet face-to-face to share what’s going on in our lives. Today’s key verse instructs us not to give up meeting together to worship and encourage one another. As we see here and throughout the Bible “meeting together” is important to God.
Jesus needed face-to-face connections, too. So He surrounded Himself with intimate friends — first His Father, then His close friends John, Peter and James and then the other nine disciples.
He also had friends like Mary, Martha and Lazarus. People He spent time with sharing meals and having conversations about spiritual truths that applied to their everyday lives. Through His example we see how important it is to satisfy our craving for connections by spending face-to-face time with friends.
So, who will you connect with face-to-face this week?
Dear Lord, You created me with a need for friends. Yet, I find myself rushing through my days with little time for heart-to-heart connections. Help me to seek You first as my ultimate Friend, and then reach out to others so I can have and be a close friend. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Renee Swope, Proverbs 31 Ministries
As I started reading this devotional, I read and re-read the paragraphs multiple times, feeling like I was just skimming over it and not really letting it sink in.. so I took a deep breath and started reading again...and WHAM!!! This is me... not necessarily in checking my e-mail, but in checking my phone at every possible chance to see if anyone had texted me... or checking my facebook on my phone to see if anyone has written me a mesage or responded to something that I posted... and it hit me that I am that person.. that my heart is longing for a connection to a friend, and instead of reaching out... instead of tunring to my Saviour to fulfill that longing I am continuously turning to a relationship with a white screen and black alphabet keys.... (or when I am trying to drift off to sleep-- a box of noise and light). To paraphrase Renee's words, Help me first to seek you Father as my ultimate Friend, and help me to then reach out to others so that I canhave and be a close friend. AMEN.
"Do you ever catch yourself checking email repeatedly? One morning I checked my email as soon as I woke up. Then I made breakfast and checked it again. Had my devotional time and checked it again. Ran some errands and when I got home, checked it once more.
Now, I admit I have a thing about keeping white space in my inbox, but this was about more than managing emails.
I was going back for a reason. I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to pause and ask myself, 'Why do you keep checking your email?'
I sat there and let my heart respond honestly. I wasn’t sure if it was God or me answering, but my thoughts intertwined with His Spirit whispered: You keep coming back because your heart longs for connection with a friend.
Yet no matter how many times I checked email, it was never enough to satisfy my craving.
Somewhere in the busyness of life I had let many of my friendships reduce to quick connections via email. Over the past year my schedule had gotten so full with kids, school projects, family needs, investing time in my marriage, and new responsibilities at work that something had to give.
I didn’t want it to be my family, so I asked God to help me find balance.
I had sensed Him leading me to cut back on the amount of time I spent talking on the phone, socializing with neighbors and hanging out with friends. Although I hadn’t completely cut out my friendships, my face-to-face connection time with friends had been reduced to a minimum.
That morning as I sat at my computer, I realized I had not found balance. The pendulum had swung too far.Here I was checking email repeatedly, trying to fill a God-created need for relationships with a white screen and black alphabet keys.
My heart was craving more. God had revealed the source of my incessant email checking and shown me that I needed to fill the lonely place in my spirit with friends I could talk to and share life with — in person.
That day I called one of my closest friends. She happened to be available so I turned off my computer and took a break from work to spontaneously meet her at a coffee shop.
It was just what I needed: face-to-face, heart-to-heart, eye-to-eye connection and conversation.
I know friendships are not easy to build. They take time. And time is limited with lives that keep us so busy. But in this age of technology, it’s important to evaluate things in our lives that create a false sense of connection like email, television, text messaging and overboard activities.
Although these things are okay in moderation, they can’t substitute real-life relationships.
So what about long-distance and internet friendships? Aren’t they important, too? Yes, they are. But God created us for relationships where we can see each other, hug each other and talk to each other face-to-face.
We need to pull away from our computers and televisions to intentionally carve out time for friends that are in close proximity. Times where we can meet face-to-face to share what’s going on in our lives. Today’s key verse instructs us not to give up meeting together to worship and encourage one another. As we see here and throughout the Bible “meeting together” is important to God.
Jesus needed face-to-face connections, too. So He surrounded Himself with intimate friends — first His Father, then His close friends John, Peter and James and then the other nine disciples.
He also had friends like Mary, Martha and Lazarus. People He spent time with sharing meals and having conversations about spiritual truths that applied to their everyday lives. Through His example we see how important it is to satisfy our craving for connections by spending face-to-face time with friends.
So, who will you connect with face-to-face this week?
Dear Lord, You created me with a need for friends. Yet, I find myself rushing through my days with little time for heart-to-heart connections. Help me to seek You first as my ultimate Friend, and then reach out to others so I can have and be a close friend. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Renee Swope, Proverbs 31 Ministries
As I started reading this devotional, I read and re-read the paragraphs multiple times, feeling like I was just skimming over it and not really letting it sink in.. so I took a deep breath and started reading again...and WHAM!!! This is me... not necessarily in checking my e-mail, but in checking my phone at every possible chance to see if anyone had texted me... or checking my facebook on my phone to see if anyone has written me a mesage or responded to something that I posted... and it hit me that I am that person.. that my heart is longing for a connection to a friend, and instead of reaching out... instead of tunring to my Saviour to fulfill that longing I am continuously turning to a relationship with a white screen and black alphabet keys.... (or when I am trying to drift off to sleep-- a box of noise and light). To paraphrase Renee's words, Help me first to seek you Father as my ultimate Friend, and help me to then reach out to others so that I canhave and be a close friend. AMEN.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
What the Ravens KNOW
“He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.” Psalm 147:9 (NIV)
"I watch as the bird perches aloft a swinging power line, oblivious to the current pulsing through his perch. He raises his beak and sings in the direction of the clouds above, his song more insistent than melodic.
Until I read today’s verse I might’ve assumed that the raven was calling for his mate or trying to out sing the other birds. But with today’s verse on my mind I wonder if he is not doing what all of God’s creation inherently knows to do: call on their Creator for their needs.
Ravens are pretty plain as birds go. Missing the distinct markings of a bluebird or cardinal and the unique talents of the woodpecker or hummingbird, ravens strike me as being least likely to get God’s attention. And yet, the Psalmist mentions this unremarkable bird in Psalm 147:9. He points out that when they call, God hears them and He provides for them.
Maybe today you are feeling unremarkable, forgotten, lacking anything special. You might be feeling plain, all black feathers in a forest full of bright plumage. Why would God answer your call? You have nothing to offer in return.
This verse assures us that God doesn’t respond based on who we are or what we have to offer. He responds because we are His, plain and simple. He responds because it is in His nature to provide. Our call initiates His response. We must believe that with all our hearts and stand on that truth as we wait for that response.
I know that’s easier said than done.
Perhaps you have been waiting a long time. Maybe you are feeling hopeless that your prayers will ever be answered. Or perhaps you are losing faith that He even hears.
I’ve been there, too. There have been times when I looked into tomorrow and saw blackness as dark as the feathers of a raven. Days when I read a verse like Psalm 147:9, and thought to myself, 'Yeah, right. He might answer that bird, but He isn’t answering me.'
And in those times I’ve wondered what I needed to do to get God’s attention. In John 6:28-29 the people ask Jesus what they must do to do the works God requires. They want to please God and they know Jesus holds the key as to how they can do just that. As they wait anxiously for His answer, I imagine they are expecting a laundry list of possibilities, bullet points they can jot down and refer to later.
Instead Jesus tells them that the work of God is simply to believe in the One He has sent. Jesus knew that believing is work. It is heart work. To believe in Jesus even when He seems far away or unresponsive is some of the hardest work we will have to do as we follow Him. But that is all what He asks us to do.
The ravens know that He always provides and they sing with confidence in that, no matter what their circumstances are. Oh how I want to do the same in my life. Will you join me today, singing, believing and standing on His promises as we persevere in song.
Dear Lord, today I am going to keep singing and trust that You will answer my call because I believe You love me and want the best for me. I am going to do the work that You require and trust Your provision. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
- Marybeth Whalen, Proverbs 31 Ministries.
How amazing to think that as the bird sits perched on the power-line, clinging to what could potentially kill them, the bird opens it's mouth, and as the notes of it's song come out to think that it is asking for it's daily provision. The Bible does say that creation will and does cry out... I often wander how much we in our human flesh are unable to see around us... the babbling brooks, the wind blowing through the trees.... could Creation really be calling out for the Creator??
What an amazing thought!!!
And even more amazing is the thought that the Bible also says that even as God clothes the grass of the field, and feeds the sparrows, how much more so does the LORD God love and care for you!!
What a humbling thought today... that no matter what trials, no matter what circumstances, no matter WHAT.. My God loves me and will provide for my needs. I need just open my mouth and "sing".
Thank you Father ! AMEN
"I watch as the bird perches aloft a swinging power line, oblivious to the current pulsing through his perch. He raises his beak and sings in the direction of the clouds above, his song more insistent than melodic.
Until I read today’s verse I might’ve assumed that the raven was calling for his mate or trying to out sing the other birds. But with today’s verse on my mind I wonder if he is not doing what all of God’s creation inherently knows to do: call on their Creator for their needs.
Ravens are pretty plain as birds go. Missing the distinct markings of a bluebird or cardinal and the unique talents of the woodpecker or hummingbird, ravens strike me as being least likely to get God’s attention. And yet, the Psalmist mentions this unremarkable bird in Psalm 147:9. He points out that when they call, God hears them and He provides for them.
Maybe today you are feeling unremarkable, forgotten, lacking anything special. You might be feeling plain, all black feathers in a forest full of bright plumage. Why would God answer your call? You have nothing to offer in return.
This verse assures us that God doesn’t respond based on who we are or what we have to offer. He responds because we are His, plain and simple. He responds because it is in His nature to provide. Our call initiates His response. We must believe that with all our hearts and stand on that truth as we wait for that response.
I know that’s easier said than done.
Perhaps you have been waiting a long time. Maybe you are feeling hopeless that your prayers will ever be answered. Or perhaps you are losing faith that He even hears.
I’ve been there, too. There have been times when I looked into tomorrow and saw blackness as dark as the feathers of a raven. Days when I read a verse like Psalm 147:9, and thought to myself, 'Yeah, right. He might answer that bird, but He isn’t answering me.'
And in those times I’ve wondered what I needed to do to get God’s attention. In John 6:28-29 the people ask Jesus what they must do to do the works God requires. They want to please God and they know Jesus holds the key as to how they can do just that. As they wait anxiously for His answer, I imagine they are expecting a laundry list of possibilities, bullet points they can jot down and refer to later.
Instead Jesus tells them that the work of God is simply to believe in the One He has sent. Jesus knew that believing is work. It is heart work. To believe in Jesus even when He seems far away or unresponsive is some of the hardest work we will have to do as we follow Him. But that is all what He asks us to do.
The ravens know that He always provides and they sing with confidence in that, no matter what their circumstances are. Oh how I want to do the same in my life. Will you join me today, singing, believing and standing on His promises as we persevere in song.
Dear Lord, today I am going to keep singing and trust that You will answer my call because I believe You love me and want the best for me. I am going to do the work that You require and trust Your provision. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
- Marybeth Whalen, Proverbs 31 Ministries.
How amazing to think that as the bird sits perched on the power-line, clinging to what could potentially kill them, the bird opens it's mouth, and as the notes of it's song come out to think that it is asking for it's daily provision. The Bible does say that creation will and does cry out... I often wander how much we in our human flesh are unable to see around us... the babbling brooks, the wind blowing through the trees.... could Creation really be calling out for the Creator??
What an amazing thought!!!
And even more amazing is the thought that the Bible also says that even as God clothes the grass of the field, and feeds the sparrows, how much more so does the LORD God love and care for you!!
What a humbling thought today... that no matter what trials, no matter what circumstances, no matter WHAT.. My God loves me and will provide for my needs. I need just open my mouth and "sing".
Thank you Father ! AMEN
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Faith Vs. Fear
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified
because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
"Our pediatrician told me that my baby had a collapsed lung. The baby I’d given birth to just an hour earlier.
'Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith.'
They weren’t the words I wanted to remember in that moment, but they came to me as I sat and listened to the doctor’s news, jaw clenched and blinking back tears.
The trauma started the previous evening when my doctor declared that I needed to get to the hospital immediately. A series of sonograms and tests revealed that my son was in distress and dangerously underweight. We had to deliver as soon as possible. So my husband and I packed a bag and left our three other children in the care of my mother. We walked through the door of that hospital afraid that our worst fears were about to become reality. Faith did not come naturally in that moment.
I would have preferred that courage meant I wouldn’t fear the path that lay before me. But no, my path would involve hours, and then days, learning the ins and outs of oxygen tubes, IVs, and heart rate monitors. I would learn terms like spontaneous pneumothorax and the dreaded pneumonia. My path contained a great deal of fear.
It is no wonder that God had to remind us in Deuteronomy 31:6 not to be afraid. Fear, it seems, is a natural reaction when we face a challenge, whether it is being led through the desert into the Promised Land, or being rushed to the hospital for an emergency delivery.
But the only antidote to fear is faith. And courage is not something we find within ourselves. It is the result of faith, and even that is a gift from God.
We spent five days in the hospital with our tiny son. And each day God took a little of our fear and replaced it with faith. I have wondered since if our stay in the hospital was as much for my healing as my son’s. Thankfully, God healed us both.
Be strong, God said, and courageous. We can do this because He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He stands with us in battle, and He sits with us who hold the tiny hand of a newborn baby in the Intensive Care Unit. He never leaves our side. Never.
Dear Lord, thank You that You stand beside me today as I face this trial. Thank You that I am not alone. Would You take my fear and replace it with faith? You have said that You will never leave me nor forsake me. You have told me not to be afraid or discouraged. I believe that You will make me strong and courageous. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Ariel Allison Lawhon, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Yes, Lord, Amen, Increase my faith today I pray.
Amen
because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
"Our pediatrician told me that my baby had a collapsed lung. The baby I’d given birth to just an hour earlier.
'Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith.'
They weren’t the words I wanted to remember in that moment, but they came to me as I sat and listened to the doctor’s news, jaw clenched and blinking back tears.
The trauma started the previous evening when my doctor declared that I needed to get to the hospital immediately. A series of sonograms and tests revealed that my son was in distress and dangerously underweight. We had to deliver as soon as possible. So my husband and I packed a bag and left our three other children in the care of my mother. We walked through the door of that hospital afraid that our worst fears were about to become reality. Faith did not come naturally in that moment.
I would have preferred that courage meant I wouldn’t fear the path that lay before me. But no, my path would involve hours, and then days, learning the ins and outs of oxygen tubes, IVs, and heart rate monitors. I would learn terms like spontaneous pneumothorax and the dreaded pneumonia. My path contained a great deal of fear.
It is no wonder that God had to remind us in Deuteronomy 31:6 not to be afraid. Fear, it seems, is a natural reaction when we face a challenge, whether it is being led through the desert into the Promised Land, or being rushed to the hospital for an emergency delivery.
But the only antidote to fear is faith. And courage is not something we find within ourselves. It is the result of faith, and even that is a gift from God.
We spent five days in the hospital with our tiny son. And each day God took a little of our fear and replaced it with faith. I have wondered since if our stay in the hospital was as much for my healing as my son’s. Thankfully, God healed us both.
Be strong, God said, and courageous. We can do this because He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He stands with us in battle, and He sits with us who hold the tiny hand of a newborn baby in the Intensive Care Unit. He never leaves our side. Never.
Dear Lord, thank You that You stand beside me today as I face this trial. Thank You that I am not alone. Would You take my fear and replace it with faith? You have said that You will never leave me nor forsake me. You have told me not to be afraid or discouraged. I believe that You will make me strong and courageous. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
-Ariel Allison Lawhon, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Yes, Lord, Amen, Increase my faith today I pray.
Amen
Thursday, March 31, 2011
God's Promises Are True
Genesis 18:10-12
[God said,] "your wife Sarah will have a son." Now Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent nearby. And since Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long past the age of having children, she laughed silently to herself. "How could a worn-out woman like me have a baby?". (NLT)
"Some of God's promises seem impossible. That's what Sarah thought, too. But sure enough, God's promises came true. They always do. What promises are hard for you to believe?"
-BibleLeague Verse of Day
What a timely verse... Coming the day before Passion 2011 Ft Worth, where I would be reminded of many dreams and visions that God has given and have yet to come to pass. .. Father I am holding out for You, because I KNOW, in my deepest being, that You God are indeed Faithful.
AMEN
[God said,] "your wife Sarah will have a son." Now Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent nearby. And since Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long past the age of having children, she laughed silently to herself. "How could a worn-out woman like me have a baby?". (NLT)
"Some of God's promises seem impossible. That's what Sarah thought, too. But sure enough, God's promises came true. They always do. What promises are hard for you to believe?"
-BibleLeague Verse of Day
What a timely verse... Coming the day before Passion 2011 Ft Worth, where I would be reminded of many dreams and visions that God has given and have yet to come to pass. .. Father I am holding out for You, because I KNOW, in my deepest being, that You God are indeed Faithful.
AMEN
God's Promises Are True
Genesis 18:10-12
[God said,] "your wife Sarah will have a son." Now Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent nearby. And since Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long past the age of having children, she laughed silently to herself. "How could a worn-out woman like me have a baby?". (NLT)
"Some of God's promises seem impossible. That's what Sarah thought, too. But sure enough, God's promises came true. They always do. What promises are hard for you to believe?"
-BibleLeague Verse of Day
What a timely verse... Coming the day before Passion 2011 Ft Worth, where I would be reminded of many dreams and visions that God has given and have yet to come to pass. .. Father I am holding out for You, because I KNOW, in my deepest being, that You God are indeed Faithful.
AMEN
[God said,] "your wife Sarah will have a son." Now Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent nearby. And since Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long past the age of having children, she laughed silently to herself. "How could a worn-out woman like me have a baby?". (NLT)
"Some of God's promises seem impossible. That's what Sarah thought, too. But sure enough, God's promises came true. They always do. What promises are hard for you to believe?"
-BibleLeague Verse of Day
What a timely verse... Coming the day before Passion 2011 Ft Worth, where I would be reminded of many dreams and visions that God has given and have yet to come to pass. .. Father I am holding out for You, because I KNOW, in my deepest being, that You God are indeed Faithful.
AMEN
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
God Things Happen to Those Who Wait
A Passage that spoke to me about our journey of waiting... FYI this passage was sent to me two days before Sarah would be released from the hospital....
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1
"Patient people wait on God’s best. God things happen to those who are patient—those who wait. Patience is a virtue, but it is also a vehicle in which the Lord delivers His blessings. Like a loyal wife waiting for the gift of her husband’s return from war, so those who love Jesus wait on Him to return. Patience waits on God to rain down His favor.
'Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain' (James 5:7).
However, as we wait we pray and we prepare. We pray for patience—knowing that Jesus Christ is completely trustworthy. We pray for boldness to declare God’s truth to those who have yet to fall in love with Jesus. Waiting is also the Lord’s time to prepare our character. Our character has to keep up with our success for us to remain successful.
'Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character' (Romans 5:3b-4a).
Yes, it is hard to be patient when you really want something. But, why do you want what you want? Is your motive aligned with what the Almighty wants for you? Your heavenly Father knows what you need and when you are able to handle His blessing. Pride demands to have things now, but humility sees the worth in wisely waiting.
Your tension may be the normal desire to have a husband or a wife. Or, maybe you feel trapped financially or your job is a dead end road. You seem to be doing the right things, but you are not happy with your progress. Thus, while you wait, focus on your intimacy with Jesus, and let Him do a work of greater grace in your heart. Enjoy what you already have and you will appreciate whatever else you get. Like Job, wait on God to give back more than before.
'As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy' (James 5:11).
Patience is the fruit of the Spirit—it resides with God—but it is available for His children. So, seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit each day. Wait for and anticipate good gifts from your heavenly Father. Christ manages the clock of life, so rest and regroup during His timeouts. So, in the parenthesis of time enjoy living for the Lord and others. Patience waits.
'And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised' (Hebrews 6:15).
How can I enjoy God and others during this time of waiting? Who can I serve?"
-Boyd Bailey, Wisdom Hunters Daily Devotional
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1
"Patient people wait on God’s best. God things happen to those who are patient—those who wait. Patience is a virtue, but it is also a vehicle in which the Lord delivers His blessings. Like a loyal wife waiting for the gift of her husband’s return from war, so those who love Jesus wait on Him to return. Patience waits on God to rain down His favor.
'Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain' (James 5:7).
However, as we wait we pray and we prepare. We pray for patience—knowing that Jesus Christ is completely trustworthy. We pray for boldness to declare God’s truth to those who have yet to fall in love with Jesus. Waiting is also the Lord’s time to prepare our character. Our character has to keep up with our success for us to remain successful.
'Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character' (Romans 5:3b-4a).
Yes, it is hard to be patient when you really want something. But, why do you want what you want? Is your motive aligned with what the Almighty wants for you? Your heavenly Father knows what you need and when you are able to handle His blessing. Pride demands to have things now, but humility sees the worth in wisely waiting.
Your tension may be the normal desire to have a husband or a wife. Or, maybe you feel trapped financially or your job is a dead end road. You seem to be doing the right things, but you are not happy with your progress. Thus, while you wait, focus on your intimacy with Jesus, and let Him do a work of greater grace in your heart. Enjoy what you already have and you will appreciate whatever else you get. Like Job, wait on God to give back more than before.
'As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy' (James 5:11).
Patience is the fruit of the Spirit—it resides with God—but it is available for His children. So, seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit each day. Wait for and anticipate good gifts from your heavenly Father. Christ manages the clock of life, so rest and regroup during His timeouts. So, in the parenthesis of time enjoy living for the Lord and others. Patience waits.
'And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised' (Hebrews 6:15).
How can I enjoy God and others during this time of waiting? Who can I serve?"
-Boyd Bailey, Wisdom Hunters Daily Devotional
Sunday, March 27, 2011
I Will Follow
When EN GEDI was established in Sept/Oct 2010, I Will Follow, by Chris Tomlin had just hit the airwaves. As a band, Sarah asked us to make this our Theme Song... In Novemener I came across this devotional from Chris' own pen (or fingers) and I want to share it with you, as a heart behind the song and a heart behind us as a band.. We desire to follow Him!!
"I Will Follow:" A Devotional from Chris
"The chorus of this song makes some pretty bold claims: Who you love, I’ll love. How you serve, I’ll serve. Where you go I’ll go. Even if I lose my life I’ll follow you. While those words might be a true expression of the heart, when we hear them coming out of our own mouths it should still be a little sobering. Are we really considering the implications of what we’re saying?
Or are we just speaking with bravado the way the Apostle Peter did in his early days of following Jesus? After all, he was the brash one, the impulsive one who was always making those sorts of big, bold statements. He told Jesus things like 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.'
But when Jesus was arrested, those claims fell apart. Peter ran and hid and even renounced Jesus. Thankfully, that failure wasn’t the end of Peter’s story. In time, God’s grace and power would transform him into a man whose boldness was based on God’s strength rather than his own. But it cost him something to get to that point of understanding what following Jesus was really all about.
Mark chapter 8 contains what must have been one of the most difficult and pivotal points in Peter’s journey as a disciple, and it illuminates something about our own hearts as well. In this passage Jesus is explaining plainly to the twelve how he was soon going to have to suffer and die. Peter takes him aside and rebukes him for saying such things. Jesus responds with his shocking 'Get behind me, Satan,' and then explains: 'You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'
Then Jesus gathers the crowd around him and elaborates: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.'Jesus knew beforehand the road of suffering he would walk in faithful obedience. He was explaining God’s plan of redemption to his followers.
But Peter—and probably the other disciples too—already had set in their own minds a different version of how God’s salvation for Israel was going to unfold. Most likely they were still dreaming of the day when Jesus—with the twelve of them on his right and his left commanding the thousands that would rally to their cause—would take up the sword to drive the Romans out of Jerusalem and restore all things to their rightful place. At the very least, the idea of a suffering and dying messiah wasn’t part of Peter’s plans. When he had signed up to follow the Christ, it certainly wasn’t for that.That’s probably why Peter pulled his master aside and rebuked him for his talk of being humiliated and put to death.
You have to wonder if Peter’s rebuke of Jesus was born out of fear. Because what Jesus was revealing was threatening the dream that Peter had invested his hope in. And yet, what Peter had in mind was not what God had in mind. How often do we find ourselves in similar positions—feeling disappointed, or angry or scared because God’s plans turned out to be something very different from our own expectations?In time Peter did respond in the only way a disciple can, by laying down his own ambitions and embracing what it meant to truly follow.
At the end he even willingly gave his life for Christ. But I think the hard work of divestment from the things and hopes and dreams of this world was already complete by the time Peter allowed himself to be nailed to a physical cross. I think the hardest step for Peter must have come the moment right after this conversation in Mark 8, because that was the moment he realized this business of being a disciple, of following Jesus, was not about seeing his own agenda accomplished and his own dreams fulfilled. It was about seeing them crucified, and surrendering them to God’s greater purposes instead.Isn’t that still what it means for anyone to follow Jesus? It means that we lay down our own agendas and hopes and dreams, and faithfully obey day by day.
It’s a daily dying to self—the crucifying of our own petty and self-centered desires so that we might more clearly reflect Christ to the people around us. In the end, it’s not about bravado and bold statements. It’s about simple, ongoing obedience to the words of our Lord. To say 'I will follow' is really not so different from saying 'Help me every hour to die to my own desires, Jesus, so that you can live more fully through me.'"
-Chris Tomlin , 11-22-10, http://www.gmclife.com/tomlin/songstories
Father, may my failures not be the end.... transform me into a women whose boldness is based on Your strength rather than my own-- That no matter what happens... no matter what the cost, that I would base my life on following You. Father, forgive me when I do not have the things of You in my mind, when I do respond to You and to Your callings out of my own fear rather than out of a life and a heart of trust.
I confess that I, like Peter, have set my mind on how your plan for my life will unfold, when I feel my dreams, that I have invested my time, my hope and my life being threatened, that I have felt disappointed, scared and angry at You. I wonder how Your plan could be so very different from my own expectations, when I feel like I've been seeking You and Your heart all along the way... where could I have turned astray? Where did I go wrong?
Father, I don't want to live one more day, I don't want to waste one more day, not following You... not resting and trusting in who You are. I yearn to lay down my own ambitions and to truly embrace what it means to truly follow. May this be that moment for me, that I would realize the business of being a disciple -- of following You--- that it is not about seeing my own agenda realized and my own dreams fulfilled, but instead it is about seeing my agenda and my dreams crucified and surrendering them to Your Greater Purposes instead.
"I Will Follow:" A Devotional from Chris
"The chorus of this song makes some pretty bold claims: Who you love, I’ll love. How you serve, I’ll serve. Where you go I’ll go. Even if I lose my life I’ll follow you. While those words might be a true expression of the heart, when we hear them coming out of our own mouths it should still be a little sobering. Are we really considering the implications of what we’re saying?
Or are we just speaking with bravado the way the Apostle Peter did in his early days of following Jesus? After all, he was the brash one, the impulsive one who was always making those sorts of big, bold statements. He told Jesus things like 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.'
But when Jesus was arrested, those claims fell apart. Peter ran and hid and even renounced Jesus. Thankfully, that failure wasn’t the end of Peter’s story. In time, God’s grace and power would transform him into a man whose boldness was based on God’s strength rather than his own. But it cost him something to get to that point of understanding what following Jesus was really all about.
Mark chapter 8 contains what must have been one of the most difficult and pivotal points in Peter’s journey as a disciple, and it illuminates something about our own hearts as well. In this passage Jesus is explaining plainly to the twelve how he was soon going to have to suffer and die. Peter takes him aside and rebukes him for saying such things. Jesus responds with his shocking 'Get behind me, Satan,' and then explains: 'You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'
Then Jesus gathers the crowd around him and elaborates: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.'Jesus knew beforehand the road of suffering he would walk in faithful obedience. He was explaining God’s plan of redemption to his followers.
But Peter—and probably the other disciples too—already had set in their own minds a different version of how God’s salvation for Israel was going to unfold. Most likely they were still dreaming of the day when Jesus—with the twelve of them on his right and his left commanding the thousands that would rally to their cause—would take up the sword to drive the Romans out of Jerusalem and restore all things to their rightful place. At the very least, the idea of a suffering and dying messiah wasn’t part of Peter’s plans. When he had signed up to follow the Christ, it certainly wasn’t for that.That’s probably why Peter pulled his master aside and rebuked him for his talk of being humiliated and put to death.
You have to wonder if Peter’s rebuke of Jesus was born out of fear. Because what Jesus was revealing was threatening the dream that Peter had invested his hope in. And yet, what Peter had in mind was not what God had in mind. How often do we find ourselves in similar positions—feeling disappointed, or angry or scared because God’s plans turned out to be something very different from our own expectations?In time Peter did respond in the only way a disciple can, by laying down his own ambitions and embracing what it meant to truly follow.
At the end he even willingly gave his life for Christ. But I think the hard work of divestment from the things and hopes and dreams of this world was already complete by the time Peter allowed himself to be nailed to a physical cross. I think the hardest step for Peter must have come the moment right after this conversation in Mark 8, because that was the moment he realized this business of being a disciple, of following Jesus, was not about seeing his own agenda accomplished and his own dreams fulfilled. It was about seeing them crucified, and surrendering them to God’s greater purposes instead.Isn’t that still what it means for anyone to follow Jesus? It means that we lay down our own agendas and hopes and dreams, and faithfully obey day by day.
It’s a daily dying to self—the crucifying of our own petty and self-centered desires so that we might more clearly reflect Christ to the people around us. In the end, it’s not about bravado and bold statements. It’s about simple, ongoing obedience to the words of our Lord. To say 'I will follow' is really not so different from saying 'Help me every hour to die to my own desires, Jesus, so that you can live more fully through me.'"
-Chris Tomlin , 11-22-10, http://www.gmclife.com/tomlin/songstories
Father, may my failures not be the end.... transform me into a women whose boldness is based on Your strength rather than my own-- That no matter what happens... no matter what the cost, that I would base my life on following You. Father, forgive me when I do not have the things of You in my mind, when I do respond to You and to Your callings out of my own fear rather than out of a life and a heart of trust.
I confess that I, like Peter, have set my mind on how your plan for my life will unfold, when I feel my dreams, that I have invested my time, my hope and my life being threatened, that I have felt disappointed, scared and angry at You. I wonder how Your plan could be so very different from my own expectations, when I feel like I've been seeking You and Your heart all along the way... where could I have turned astray? Where did I go wrong?
Father, I don't want to live one more day, I don't want to waste one more day, not following You... not resting and trusting in who You are. I yearn to lay down my own ambitions and to truly embrace what it means to truly follow. May this be that moment for me, that I would realize the business of being a disciple -- of following You--- that it is not about seeing my own agenda realized and my own dreams fulfilled, but instead it is about seeing my agenda and my dreams crucified and surrendering them to Your Greater Purposes instead.
Vision Fullfillment
This is yet another posting that though late in going up.. it speaks of the fulfillment of the visions of EN GEDI, the quotations from Body Baliey, are interspersed with my own comments (just in case you get confused). What vision has He given you that You are being asked to hold on to??
The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.” Ezekiel 12:23 b
"God delights in vision fulfillment, because what He initiates—He completes. A God-sized vision is what wakes us up in the morning."
Thank you Father for this word today... That indeed the days are near when every vision that you have given will be fulfilled... Thank you that you delight in fufilling visions--- that what You have initiated, You will bring to completion.
"The reality of engaging in something much bigger than ourselves is humbling and at the same time compelling. The greater the vision—the greater the faith required.Our capacity to trust needs to keep pace with the expansion of the vision. If not, we begin to feel overwhelmed, anxious and defeated."
The greater the vision- the greater the faith required... this really feels like You are talking to me Daddy, that this vision with chris and en gedi and passion just seems to have become larger and larger and meanwhile it feels like my capatcity to trust has not truly kept pace with the expansion of this vision and that is why I feel like I'm walking around feeling so overwhelmed, anxious, and defeated.
"This is why it is critical to follow God’s vision for your life and not your own contrived one. God’s vision for you will always have the tension between trust and terror. His vision will wake you up in the middle of the night in wonder. I wonder if there will be enough money. I wonder if this will work. I wonder if we have the right people to pull off the next phase of growth. I wonder. I wonder. I wonder. Do your wonders worry you?"
Father, the deep desire of my heart, below all of the superflous stuff, is a desire to follow Your vision for my life and not to contrive my own.
"Moreover, let the wonder of Christ’s provision consume you and these other wonders will pale in comparison. Say in your heart, 'God, because your provision is wonderful I will wait on you to provide. I will not force things to happen in my timing.' It is the wonder of God and His timing that you can trust. The Lord is never late and rarely early, therefore, He can be trusted. His vision is fulfilled in His way, in His will and in His timing."
God because Your provision is wonderful I will wait on you to provide. I will not force things to happen in my timing... instead I will rest in Your truth and love towards me, knowing that Your ways and thoughts towards me are for my benifit and not for my harm. You indeed are never late... You can be trusted... I confess these truths to You again. Your vision will be fulfilled in Your way, in Your Will and in Your timing.
"Furthermore, His will is not a half-baked vision. It is one that comes to full fruition in all of its facets. He already has the people, money and resources needed to fulfill your vision. Perhaps He is waiting on your character to grow and mature. You need a make over from the Master. Your current character may lack the capacity to handle the success and responsibility that awaits His great vision for you. Let Christ mold you into His vision bearer."
This vision is not a half-baked vision... it IS one of many facets, and I DO believe that it will come to be on every side as you have shown me. You already have in place the people, money, and resources needed to fulfill this vision. Mold me into Your vision bearer, whatever that looks like LORD.
"Hold your vision with an open hand and pray. Your big idea may need to be expanded beyond a small scenario. Do not base your vision of what has been done in the past. Define your vision by what God can do in the future. Heaven’s infinite resources are the only limitations for the man or woman wholly submitted and obedient to the Lord."
I hold this vision with open hands and pray. Let me not base my vision in what has been done in the past... but instead base it on what you CAN do in the Future.
"You may need to keep your vision between you and God. Others may not be ready yet, or they may try to talk you out of following this God-sized assignment. Pray about it. Stay focused by faith on what needs to happen next. Do not get stuck in the inertia of what needs to happen in the end. Be faithful today and tomorrow will take care of itself."
Show me what is meant to be kept between me and You. Give me Faith, Vision, and Courage to follow You on the God-sized assignment. Keep me focused and praying on what needs to happen next, not allowing myself to get stuck int he inertia of what needs to happen in the end. Keep me faithful today, that tomorrow will take care of itself.
"Patience and faith are two key ingredients in a vision’s recipe. Over time glimpses of what’s to come will compel you forward. Stay tethered to trust in Jesus. Be humble and bold in the power of the Holy Spirit. Vision fulfillment is His expertise. In God’s mind the vision is already fulfilled. So—trust Him—enjoy the process—see the vision unfold."
As You continue to unfold this vision to me... giving me glimpses of what's to come, give me patience and faith to compel me forward. Keep me tethered to trust in You. Give me humbleness and boldness in the power of the Holy Spirit. Vision fufillment is your expertise.... Help me to trust You.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
"Is my vision God-sized and will I remain faithful, even when the vision seems dead?"
- Boyd Bailey, Family Christian Stores Daily Devotional
The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.” Ezekiel 12:23 b
"God delights in vision fulfillment, because what He initiates—He completes. A God-sized vision is what wakes us up in the morning."
Thank you Father for this word today... That indeed the days are near when every vision that you have given will be fulfilled... Thank you that you delight in fufilling visions--- that what You have initiated, You will bring to completion.
"The reality of engaging in something much bigger than ourselves is humbling and at the same time compelling. The greater the vision—the greater the faith required.Our capacity to trust needs to keep pace with the expansion of the vision. If not, we begin to feel overwhelmed, anxious and defeated."
The greater the vision- the greater the faith required... this really feels like You are talking to me Daddy, that this vision with chris and en gedi and passion just seems to have become larger and larger and meanwhile it feels like my capatcity to trust has not truly kept pace with the expansion of this vision and that is why I feel like I'm walking around feeling so overwhelmed, anxious, and defeated.
"This is why it is critical to follow God’s vision for your life and not your own contrived one. God’s vision for you will always have the tension between trust and terror. His vision will wake you up in the middle of the night in wonder. I wonder if there will be enough money. I wonder if this will work. I wonder if we have the right people to pull off the next phase of growth. I wonder. I wonder. I wonder. Do your wonders worry you?"
Father, the deep desire of my heart, below all of the superflous stuff, is a desire to follow Your vision for my life and not to contrive my own.
"Moreover, let the wonder of Christ’s provision consume you and these other wonders will pale in comparison. Say in your heart, 'God, because your provision is wonderful I will wait on you to provide. I will not force things to happen in my timing.' It is the wonder of God and His timing that you can trust. The Lord is never late and rarely early, therefore, He can be trusted. His vision is fulfilled in His way, in His will and in His timing."
God because Your provision is wonderful I will wait on you to provide. I will not force things to happen in my timing... instead I will rest in Your truth and love towards me, knowing that Your ways and thoughts towards me are for my benifit and not for my harm. You indeed are never late... You can be trusted... I confess these truths to You again. Your vision will be fulfilled in Your way, in Your Will and in Your timing.
"Furthermore, His will is not a half-baked vision. It is one that comes to full fruition in all of its facets. He already has the people, money and resources needed to fulfill your vision. Perhaps He is waiting on your character to grow and mature. You need a make over from the Master. Your current character may lack the capacity to handle the success and responsibility that awaits His great vision for you. Let Christ mold you into His vision bearer."
This vision is not a half-baked vision... it IS one of many facets, and I DO believe that it will come to be on every side as you have shown me. You already have in place the people, money, and resources needed to fulfill this vision. Mold me into Your vision bearer, whatever that looks like LORD.
"Hold your vision with an open hand and pray. Your big idea may need to be expanded beyond a small scenario. Do not base your vision of what has been done in the past. Define your vision by what God can do in the future. Heaven’s infinite resources are the only limitations for the man or woman wholly submitted and obedient to the Lord."
I hold this vision with open hands and pray. Let me not base my vision in what has been done in the past... but instead base it on what you CAN do in the Future.
"You may need to keep your vision between you and God. Others may not be ready yet, or they may try to talk you out of following this God-sized assignment. Pray about it. Stay focused by faith on what needs to happen next. Do not get stuck in the inertia of what needs to happen in the end. Be faithful today and tomorrow will take care of itself."
Show me what is meant to be kept between me and You. Give me Faith, Vision, and Courage to follow You on the God-sized assignment. Keep me focused and praying on what needs to happen next, not allowing myself to get stuck int he inertia of what needs to happen in the end. Keep me faithful today, that tomorrow will take care of itself.
"Patience and faith are two key ingredients in a vision’s recipe. Over time glimpses of what’s to come will compel you forward. Stay tethered to trust in Jesus. Be humble and bold in the power of the Holy Spirit. Vision fulfillment is His expertise. In God’s mind the vision is already fulfilled. So—trust Him—enjoy the process—see the vision unfold."
As You continue to unfold this vision to me... giving me glimpses of what's to come, give me patience and faith to compel me forward. Keep me tethered to trust in You. Give me humbleness and boldness in the power of the Holy Spirit. Vision fufillment is your expertise.... Help me to trust You.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
"Is my vision God-sized and will I remain faithful, even when the vision seems dead?"
- Boyd Bailey, Family Christian Stores Daily Devotional
Temporary Setbacks
I get a myriad of e-mails into my inbox everyday, and as I get a chance to read through them I will read through them and will forward the ones that I want to keep or that have been especially encouraing to me... and when I don't get a chance to go through and post those entries on my blog regularly, as you can imagine they pile up quickly...
So today, I finally broke down and started the enormous task of going through literally 180 e-mails and loading them onto my blog (which you can find here) , which I believe the last posting was in mid-October of last year... so now I"m down to the nend of my list and Wow!!!... I come across this message, which I orginally intended to post on this blog, and as I skim through it's content to make sure it's still something I want to share on here, I am floored by God's timeliness in these words..... sitting here watching my best friend, who is in Rehab sleeping... a million doubts and questions flooding my mind... wondering what God's plans are for us... will we be able to attend Passion 2011 in Ft Worth only 6 days from now... will we be able to be EN GEDI to the world..or even to our church?? And God's words are loud and clear:
"They went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill… Ezra 4:23b-24a
"Don’t give up. You may be facing a temporary setback, but God’s purposes will not be thwarted. It may seem as if your life is on hold and everything has come to a stand still. You have worked so hard to get to this point, but it looks like the opportunity has vanished. Hold it with an open hand, as it may have disappeared.
If so, God has something better.
It is not time to get mad, but glad. What God initiates, He accomplishes. He hasn’t forgotten about you or your circumstances. He is on top of the situation. This is a temporary setback. This is a good time for you to catch your breath and reflect on the great things He has done so far You have been running hard, so pause and prepare for the next stage of personal and professional growth.
You do not need to venture into opportunities for which your character is not ready. The last thing you want is to move forward without the depth of wisdom, patience, relationships, and operational skills needed to complete the project. The motive of your adversaries is to crush your project, but God is taking what was meant for evil and using it for good.
The unfair criticism of others is a cheap way to distract you; so ignore their insults. Immature people act immaturely. Do not lower yourself to their level of behavior. Otherwise, you may never get out. You’ll spin your wheels and becoming defensive; and you’ll get stuck. Focus on God, not your distracters. He is the one who has led you this far and He is the one who will lead you through to completion. If everything were easy, we might take God’s blessings for granted or we might forgo gratitude to God.
Lastly, the Lord knows what is best. He knows how to align everyone’s hearts involved in the project. Sometimes, there is even an ironic twist. He may eventually use the endorsement, resources, and relationships of your biggest critics. The ones who rolled a boulder onto the road may be the very ones who remove the obstacles and provide you fuel for the journey. Isn’t it just like God to turn the tables?
Obstacles become opportunities; adversaries become advocates; critics become cheerleaders; enemies become emissaries. And setbacks become a tremendous springboard for God’s will. Take heart, and keep your head up. It is darkest before the dawn. Hang in there with Jesus, and He will hold you up. Your Savior will sustain you. God’s purposes will not be thwarted, so believe it, and watch Him work.
The Bible says, 'Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means' (2 Corinthians 8:11).
- Boyd Bailey, Wisdom Hunters Daily Devotional
Father, thank you for these words of encouragement to me today... I will not give up Lord, but instead I desire to move on with You at my side, before and behind. I KNOW that you have plans for me and for En Gedi, and I ask that you would continue to pour yourself out to me. That in this time, that I feel like I've been set-back, that I woud be at rest and at peace with You and with where You have placed me. (Prayer and post originally written to be posted on 12-6-2010)
Thank you Father for your continued faithfulness!!!! I LOVE YOU!!
So today, I finally broke down and started the enormous task of going through literally 180 e-mails and loading them onto my blog (which you can find here) , which I believe the last posting was in mid-October of last year... so now I"m down to the nend of my list and Wow!!!... I come across this message, which I orginally intended to post on this blog, and as I skim through it's content to make sure it's still something I want to share on here, I am floored by God's timeliness in these words..... sitting here watching my best friend, who is in Rehab sleeping... a million doubts and questions flooding my mind... wondering what God's plans are for us... will we be able to attend Passion 2011 in Ft Worth only 6 days from now... will we be able to be EN GEDI to the world..or even to our church?? And God's words are loud and clear:
"They went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill… Ezra 4:23b-24a
"Don’t give up. You may be facing a temporary setback, but God’s purposes will not be thwarted. It may seem as if your life is on hold and everything has come to a stand still. You have worked so hard to get to this point, but it looks like the opportunity has vanished. Hold it with an open hand, as it may have disappeared.
If so, God has something better.
It is not time to get mad, but glad. What God initiates, He accomplishes. He hasn’t forgotten about you or your circumstances. He is on top of the situation. This is a temporary setback. This is a good time for you to catch your breath and reflect on the great things He has done so far You have been running hard, so pause and prepare for the next stage of personal and professional growth.
You do not need to venture into opportunities for which your character is not ready. The last thing you want is to move forward without the depth of wisdom, patience, relationships, and operational skills needed to complete the project. The motive of your adversaries is to crush your project, but God is taking what was meant for evil and using it for good.
The unfair criticism of others is a cheap way to distract you; so ignore their insults. Immature people act immaturely. Do not lower yourself to their level of behavior. Otherwise, you may never get out. You’ll spin your wheels and becoming defensive; and you’ll get stuck. Focus on God, not your distracters. He is the one who has led you this far and He is the one who will lead you through to completion. If everything were easy, we might take God’s blessings for granted or we might forgo gratitude to God.
Lastly, the Lord knows what is best. He knows how to align everyone’s hearts involved in the project. Sometimes, there is even an ironic twist. He may eventually use the endorsement, resources, and relationships of your biggest critics. The ones who rolled a boulder onto the road may be the very ones who remove the obstacles and provide you fuel for the journey. Isn’t it just like God to turn the tables?
Obstacles become opportunities; adversaries become advocates; critics become cheerleaders; enemies become emissaries. And setbacks become a tremendous springboard for God’s will. Take heart, and keep your head up. It is darkest before the dawn. Hang in there with Jesus, and He will hold you up. Your Savior will sustain you. God’s purposes will not be thwarted, so believe it, and watch Him work.
The Bible says, 'Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means' (2 Corinthians 8:11).
- Boyd Bailey, Wisdom Hunters Daily Devotional
Father, thank you for these words of encouragement to me today... I will not give up Lord, but instead I desire to move on with You at my side, before and behind. I KNOW that you have plans for me and for En Gedi, and I ask that you would continue to pour yourself out to me. That in this time, that I feel like I've been set-back, that I woud be at rest and at peace with You and with where You have placed me. (Prayer and post originally written to be posted on 12-6-2010)
Thank you Father for your continued faithfulness!!!! I LOVE YOU!!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Words Escape Me
The following are the words of Lysa TerKuerst from Proverbs 31 Ministries, however they are the echos of what I feel in my own heart, with so much discouragement and disheartening words spoken to and over my life, it seemed nearly impossibale that God could use me to actually do what the deep desires of my heart were calling out for. I had given up hope. Music and ministry were just dreams to me.. something that God had cruely planted in my heart..never to bring to fulfillment...just that eternal longing for something more in this life.
Being around Passion and the Passion movement, I would feel that spark re-ignite, as I was immersed in a "culture" of people who were in love with worship, but that drive would always fade away as day after day I would go to my job as a nurse and do what I got paid to do.... and with the best of intentions, to still pursue music, the music and worship as a routine practice would everntually fade away. Songwriting came in spurts...Nothing that I wrote ever seemed to be able to express the depth of what I was feeling. I would listen to Larua Story's Blessings, or Christy Nockels Healing is in Your Hands, or Waiting Here for You, and I would wonder if I would ever be used to touch the hearts and lives that those people are able to touch with the words that God gives to them to communciate to the world.
Sept/Oct 2010 brought the formation of EN GEDI, as a group of three women (i say girls, but really we are not girls anymore, but Women), and even since the seed of EN GEDI was planted we have been challenged with financial hardships, deaths of loved ones, miscarriages, possible diagnosis of MS, pains that don't go away and the doctors can't find reason for, near-death experience requring ventilator support for 2 weeks in the ICU and extresive rehab, and while I do not know what the future has yet to hold for us, I can and I will CONFESS today, that MY GOD is a FAITHFUL GOD and that which he has started he will bring to completion. It is my prayer that one day we will be able to look back as Lysa can and say that though there has been many times that we've felt like God could never use us, whether from lies spoken to us, or lies spoken over us by those in our lives... that We will be able to stand and say "the words Escape me" as we are blown away with the songs that God brings out of the Desert and stories of those who are able to experience a true Desert Oasis with us.
"It has taken me the better part of two days to figure out how to write this post. Sometimes words do escape me.
But let me start with this…
Seventeen years ago I told someone in a hushed tone I was feeling a tug to speak and write messages that seemed to be coming from Jesus. The gal listening smiled, took my hand, and in all sincerity said, 'That will never happen.'
Thirteen years ago, I pitched a simple attempt at a book proposal to 15 different publishers. Every day for six months I ran to the mailbox with a Pollyanna smile and a thump in my chest. I’d close my eyes, reach inside, and whisper, 'Today could be the day.” Fifteen rejection letters later, my heart no longer thumped when I walked to the mailbox.
Seven years ago I showed up at what was supposed to be the biggest speaking event of my life. The arena was big enough to hold thousands. I had all my friends back home praying. I paid for an assistant to go with me. We shipped hundreds of books and I worked for weeks on my message.
The day of the big event, 11 people showed up. The coordinator of the event was stressed about the microphones not working properly. I assured him I didn’t need a microphone to speak to 11 people and walked down to the floor to spend a day loving on these precious women.
Then during the 2 1/2 hour drive back to the airport, the coordinator’s car broke down. When the tow truck finally arrived, my assistant and I realized there was no back up plan to get us to the airport. We wound up having to hitch hike to the airport several hours away.
I got home and cried.
I could go on for days telling you the hard stories. The flops and failures and fragile insecurities that begged me to stop.
I’ve wanted to quit so many times.
And honestly, I can’t explain why I haven’t except I never felt released. I love Jesus and I love connecting women to Him in deeper and more authentic ways. So, I learned to measure effectiveness in different ways than what the world does.
In God’s economy when a heart truly loves, serves and gives there is no such thing as a small act.
Sometimes reaching out to wipe one woman’s tear does more for the Kingdom of God than delivering a message to a crowd who stands and cheers afterwards. And there will be many days of quiet work where no one but you and Lord knows how much you want to make a difference in this broken world.
Sometimes, as my pastor reminded me this weekend, you have to dig a lot of ditches before the Lord sends an unexplainable rush of water to fill those blister worked places.
Please always remember that.
Please don’t ever diminish one thing you do in the name of our sweet Jesus.
Because one day the water will rush forth in one way or another. 'This is what the Lord says, make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet the valley will be filled with water…this is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord,' (2 Kings 3: 16-17).
In other words, our job is obedience in the daily ways of life. God’s job is results. When the water comes, we won’t see it coming, we won’t be able to explain it, and it really doesn’t have anything to do with us at all.
Sweet sisters, I’ve never recognized that more clearly than now. Two days ago, my publisher called to tell me on January 23rd, 'Made to Crave' will be listed on the New York Times Best Seller list.
And suddenly the words escaped me."
-Lysa TerKuerst, Proverbs 31 Ministries
Being around Passion and the Passion movement, I would feel that spark re-ignite, as I was immersed in a "culture" of people who were in love with worship, but that drive would always fade away as day after day I would go to my job as a nurse and do what I got paid to do.... and with the best of intentions, to still pursue music, the music and worship as a routine practice would everntually fade away. Songwriting came in spurts...Nothing that I wrote ever seemed to be able to express the depth of what I was feeling. I would listen to Larua Story's Blessings, or Christy Nockels Healing is in Your Hands, or Waiting Here for You, and I would wonder if I would ever be used to touch the hearts and lives that those people are able to touch with the words that God gives to them to communciate to the world.
Sept/Oct 2010 brought the formation of EN GEDI, as a group of three women (i say girls, but really we are not girls anymore, but Women), and even since the seed of EN GEDI was planted we have been challenged with financial hardships, deaths of loved ones, miscarriages, possible diagnosis of MS, pains that don't go away and the doctors can't find reason for, near-death experience requring ventilator support for 2 weeks in the ICU and extresive rehab, and while I do not know what the future has yet to hold for us, I can and I will CONFESS today, that MY GOD is a FAITHFUL GOD and that which he has started he will bring to completion. It is my prayer that one day we will be able to look back as Lysa can and say that though there has been many times that we've felt like God could never use us, whether from lies spoken to us, or lies spoken over us by those in our lives... that We will be able to stand and say "the words Escape me" as we are blown away with the songs that God brings out of the Desert and stories of those who are able to experience a true Desert Oasis with us.
"It has taken me the better part of two days to figure out how to write this post. Sometimes words do escape me.
But let me start with this…
Seventeen years ago I told someone in a hushed tone I was feeling a tug to speak and write messages that seemed to be coming from Jesus. The gal listening smiled, took my hand, and in all sincerity said, 'That will never happen.'
Thirteen years ago, I pitched a simple attempt at a book proposal to 15 different publishers. Every day for six months I ran to the mailbox with a Pollyanna smile and a thump in my chest. I’d close my eyes, reach inside, and whisper, 'Today could be the day.” Fifteen rejection letters later, my heart no longer thumped when I walked to the mailbox.
Seven years ago I showed up at what was supposed to be the biggest speaking event of my life. The arena was big enough to hold thousands. I had all my friends back home praying. I paid for an assistant to go with me. We shipped hundreds of books and I worked for weeks on my message.
The day of the big event, 11 people showed up. The coordinator of the event was stressed about the microphones not working properly. I assured him I didn’t need a microphone to speak to 11 people and walked down to the floor to spend a day loving on these precious women.
Then during the 2 1/2 hour drive back to the airport, the coordinator’s car broke down. When the tow truck finally arrived, my assistant and I realized there was no back up plan to get us to the airport. We wound up having to hitch hike to the airport several hours away.
I got home and cried.
I could go on for days telling you the hard stories. The flops and failures and fragile insecurities that begged me to stop.
I’ve wanted to quit so many times.
And honestly, I can’t explain why I haven’t except I never felt released. I love Jesus and I love connecting women to Him in deeper and more authentic ways. So, I learned to measure effectiveness in different ways than what the world does.
In God’s economy when a heart truly loves, serves and gives there is no such thing as a small act.
Sometimes reaching out to wipe one woman’s tear does more for the Kingdom of God than delivering a message to a crowd who stands and cheers afterwards. And there will be many days of quiet work where no one but you and Lord knows how much you want to make a difference in this broken world.
Sometimes, as my pastor reminded me this weekend, you have to dig a lot of ditches before the Lord sends an unexplainable rush of water to fill those blister worked places.
Please always remember that.
Please don’t ever diminish one thing you do in the name of our sweet Jesus.
Because one day the water will rush forth in one way or another. 'This is what the Lord says, make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet the valley will be filled with water…this is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord,' (2 Kings 3: 16-17).
In other words, our job is obedience in the daily ways of life. God’s job is results. When the water comes, we won’t see it coming, we won’t be able to explain it, and it really doesn’t have anything to do with us at all.
Sweet sisters, I’ve never recognized that more clearly than now. Two days ago, my publisher called to tell me on January 23rd, 'Made to Crave' will be listed on the New York Times Best Seller list.
And suddenly the words escaped me."
-Lysa TerKuerst, Proverbs 31 Ministries
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