First things first, please forgive me for not getting a weekly encouragement out to you all last week!! I apologize immensely for that.
Now, hold on…b/c God is huge and mighty, and faithful!!
Several times throughout the last couple of weeks, faithfulness and persistence has become a common theme being put right in front of me and piercing my heart. It seems that either I’m getting emails, having conversations or witnessing situations where these are so prevalent. So, I get it! It’s time to discuss this.
I want to share two passages with you….the first, a good friend shared with me, and it fits perfectly!
Luke 18: 1-8
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' “6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Next…
Job 12: 10-16
10 In his Hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
11 Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
13 "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are His.
14 What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released.
15 If He holds back the waters, there is drought; if He lets them loose, they devastate the land.
16 To Him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are His.
There is SO MUCH in both of these passages, but, I am going to focus on a few key points. First of all, the first passage from Luke, with the parable of the persistent widow, is pretty obvious! But, as obvious as it seems, we so rarely apply this to our lives. Think about the prayer requests you submit to others; how regularly were you lifting those up prior to sharing with your brothers and sisters, and how regularly have you been lifting them up since? How many things in your personal life do you want to change? How many people do you love and care for, and you want to see come to Christ? How many people do you know are sick and hurting? How often are you bringing all of these burdens of your heart before the throne? Depending on which version of the Bible your reading, one common word that comes up is “implore”. I love this word! The literal definition is: “to beg urgently, as for aid or mercy.” Prayer is revrent, yes. But, revrent does not mean quiet and subdued at all times. These are the burdens of our hearts, why we are crying out to Abba, what we desperately desire to see change and be moved within our lives and the lives around us. Not only should we remain persistent, but we should be imploring; begging urgently for His aid and His mercy!
What if you submitted a very “near and dear”, very serious, prayer request one week…it ran in the bulletin for one Sunday. Then, it was taken off…but, your need was still there. But what if you were told “Sorry, we only do this once for each need.” You’d be hurt, I’d imagine. But, where is your accountability with yourself? Do you just have that one intense time of prayer about something, then spend the rest of the time worrying and fretting. Worrying is not the way to go, nor is it what we are to be doing. We are to be taking our burdens, our lives, our hearts, our purpose, before the throne, consistently and earnestly. You have the priviledge, as a child of the Most High and Powerful God, to be able to come to Him with whatever is on your heart. So, why am I emailing or calling my friends to vent 25 times a week, but only praying along with the assembly prayer on a Sunday morning. Relationship! That’s where it’s at. He is your Abba Father. Bring your cares before Him, and remain steadfast. “He will see that you get justice, and quickly.” With all going on right now in our lives, we need to remain persistent in bringing everything before God. Answers come in His time, not ours.
A quick jaunt to the Job passage…There is so much here!!!! I cannot possibly cover it all in one devotional, but please note verses 10 and 16. He has every living creature and the breath of all mankind in His hand. EVERY and ALL! No one is left out! He has our breath in His hand. When our breath stops, our lives stop. For everyone, believers and non-believers. Again, are you remaining persistent in your life, to give glory with every breath that you take?!
Verse 16: Both deceived and deceiver are His. What an awesome promise! Comfort and justice, all in one sentence! The deceived, the ones who are hurt, are His! The deceiver, the ones who are doing the hurting, are His. Not our’s! Take comfort in that sisters. So much in life, so many people, hurt us along the way. We hurt others when our flesh takes over, as well. That is in God’s hands! We will be accountable for everything. As will those who hurt us. This life is not easy, no. But, rest in the fact that you again do have the PRIVILEDGE of bringing your heart before God and begging for His power within your life and the ones around you! And that you have the promise that He hears and will answer, just remain persistent!
As I shared with a dear sister this week, I would rather stand before the Lord beaten and bruised by those who hurt me, knowing I did all I could for His glory…than to stand there shiny and polished, knowing I did nothing to further the cause and only brought others down with me.
Be persistent this week, dear sisters!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Unexpected Lessons!
I think everyone was well aware when they walked outside this morning…it’s that time of year again, when you can wear long underwear in the morning, flip flops and shorts in the afternoon and a light sweater in the evening. Because I don’t prepare myself and watch the daily weather report…I walked outside, not dressed for the cool temps at all!
I then decided to run back in real quick and grab my coat, BUT…I forgot, I sold it in a yard sale over the summer! What a morning.
If you knew this coat I had had, you would not only understand why I sold it…but, you most definitely would inquire as to why I had not gotten rid of it sooner. I kept it and wore it faithfully for over 8 years. This may not sound like too much of a feat…but we are talking late teens, college years, and early adulthood years. THAT is wear and tear on an article of clothing that is worn on almost every day that it is cool. It went everywhere with me…to class, to dinner, to the grocery store, on camping trips, on walks, on road trips…I was Linus and it was my blanket. It was the only coat I had, and it served it’s purpose well.
As I was sorting stuff for my yard sale this past summer, I finally gave in. The coat had numerous holes, missing buttons, very thin fabric in spots, deformed in shape never to return to the original tailored look. I thought I’d be lucky to even sell it…I’d probably have to give it away. Wouldn’t you know…I actually got rid of it! And, not to just anyone. No! A couple and their teenage child was going through some stuff…and this kid fell in love with this coat. It was the exact style they had wanted, but was never able to get. Despite the holes, the wear and tear…it was perfection to this kid. I was shocked, but glad it could make someone else happy! But, I never dreamed it would have been that item that would make someone’s day.
As I recalled all of this this morning, while missing having a coat to grab…the spiritual correlation hit me. That coat was a permanent fixture on me, the only one I had to wear for every function, trip or activity I had had for several years; “ol’ reliable”. I didn’t take the time to patch every hole, sew back on every button, press every crease. I knew overall, it would do the job. I would stay warm, despite a missing button! But, then, as I pulled it out of the box this summer…I was shocked at just how far I had let it go. And, even more shocked as to how I never saw all of that before!
That’s how it is with us in our spiritual walks sometimes. As we mature in our faith, we know the steps to take, we know the right actions, we’ve got all the motions down. Our relationship with God makes us who we are, going everywhere that we go. At times, we have a proverbial button fall off…we get a tear in our spiritual seams…some of them we notice right away, and mend immediately. Some are beyond our sewing skills and require an experienced tailor to help us out. And some, we never even see the threads rip…until one day we look down and realize, we have a gaping hole letting in the harsh elements.
We have to take care of our relationship, or it will become tattered. We have to spend time with God, learning how to patch holes correctly, learning how to sew buttons back on, learning how to wash away the stains, learning how to keep it fresh, new and something others long for! And, when we have the opportunity, we need to be available and prepared to give it to someone who has been longing for it, but never had that opportunity!
How is your personal walk with the Lord right now? How are you keeping yourself protected, refreshed, mended and enduring? How many opportunities to share the light and love of Jesus are you missing out on, because your clung to the comfort of an old coat, not wanting to experience anything more?
The fun part is, I now have an excuse to shop in the next few weeks! The exciting part is…maybe I can pray over this next coat, that it will be a spiritual lesson to someone else along the way, or at least, let me be a light while I’m wearing it!
The opportunities are endless, God is not confined to any boxes, there is no circumstance to small to see the significance of the Kingdom Goal in. Look at yourselves this week, and seek the opportunities that surround you!
I then decided to run back in real quick and grab my coat, BUT…I forgot, I sold it in a yard sale over the summer! What a morning.
If you knew this coat I had had, you would not only understand why I sold it…but, you most definitely would inquire as to why I had not gotten rid of it sooner. I kept it and wore it faithfully for over 8 years. This may not sound like too much of a feat…but we are talking late teens, college years, and early adulthood years. THAT is wear and tear on an article of clothing that is worn on almost every day that it is cool. It went everywhere with me…to class, to dinner, to the grocery store, on camping trips, on walks, on road trips…I was Linus and it was my blanket. It was the only coat I had, and it served it’s purpose well.
As I was sorting stuff for my yard sale this past summer, I finally gave in. The coat had numerous holes, missing buttons, very thin fabric in spots, deformed in shape never to return to the original tailored look. I thought I’d be lucky to even sell it…I’d probably have to give it away. Wouldn’t you know…I actually got rid of it! And, not to just anyone. No! A couple and their teenage child was going through some stuff…and this kid fell in love with this coat. It was the exact style they had wanted, but was never able to get. Despite the holes, the wear and tear…it was perfection to this kid. I was shocked, but glad it could make someone else happy! But, I never dreamed it would have been that item that would make someone’s day.
As I recalled all of this this morning, while missing having a coat to grab…the spiritual correlation hit me. That coat was a permanent fixture on me, the only one I had to wear for every function, trip or activity I had had for several years; “ol’ reliable”. I didn’t take the time to patch every hole, sew back on every button, press every crease. I knew overall, it would do the job. I would stay warm, despite a missing button! But, then, as I pulled it out of the box this summer…I was shocked at just how far I had let it go. And, even more shocked as to how I never saw all of that before!
That’s how it is with us in our spiritual walks sometimes. As we mature in our faith, we know the steps to take, we know the right actions, we’ve got all the motions down. Our relationship with God makes us who we are, going everywhere that we go. At times, we have a proverbial button fall off…we get a tear in our spiritual seams…some of them we notice right away, and mend immediately. Some are beyond our sewing skills and require an experienced tailor to help us out. And some, we never even see the threads rip…until one day we look down and realize, we have a gaping hole letting in the harsh elements.
We have to take care of our relationship, or it will become tattered. We have to spend time with God, learning how to patch holes correctly, learning how to sew buttons back on, learning how to wash away the stains, learning how to keep it fresh, new and something others long for! And, when we have the opportunity, we need to be available and prepared to give it to someone who has been longing for it, but never had that opportunity!
How is your personal walk with the Lord right now? How are you keeping yourself protected, refreshed, mended and enduring? How many opportunities to share the light and love of Jesus are you missing out on, because your clung to the comfort of an old coat, not wanting to experience anything more?
The fun part is, I now have an excuse to shop in the next few weeks! The exciting part is…maybe I can pray over this next coat, that it will be a spiritual lesson to someone else along the way, or at least, let me be a light while I’m wearing it!
The opportunities are endless, God is not confined to any boxes, there is no circumstance to small to see the significance of the Kingdom Goal in. Look at yourselves this week, and seek the opportunities that surround you!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Wholeness!
“I lay it down, I lay it down, at your feet dear Lord, I lay it down. At the cross where You gave your life for me, Lord I lay my life at Your feet.”
These are some of the words to one of my favorite praise songs. It’s one of my favorites, because it is a reminder to me that I need to surrender all that I am, so that He might shine more fully through me into the lives of others.
Have you ever felt like the load you were carrying was just too much? Has it weighed you down so much, taken so much of a toll, you don’t know if you’ll be able to stand straight again. You fear the damage may be permanent. Have you ever once stopped to consider asking God to remove it? Have you considered the fact that sometimes He uses others to help us carry it? Have you considered the fact that there is a way to live without the load?
Sometimes, we know exactly what our load is, we know exactly how much it weighs and we are fully aware of the effect it is having. However, often times…we simply throw it over our shoulder, letting it rest on our backs, never knowing the actual weight, never comprehending what it is doing to us. It not only can make you sore, make you feel exhausted and worn out continually….if not relieved, it can cause damage. And, if actually heavy enough, enough damage to merit surgery.
In the figurative sense, what are you carrying around? Have you stopped to consider the effect/s it is having? Have you been bogged down for so long, you forget what it’s like to not be carrying the burdens? Have you become injured, and are in need of healing?
For spiritual and emotional healing, it not only takes an acknowledgement of your state and what you are actually holding onto…it also takes total surrender of it. It takes laying it at the feet of Jesus…FOR GOOD. How many sermons have you heard about how we keep bringing stuff to God, but then when we are done praying, we pick it right back up and continue in that same path? I know I’ve heard a million of them, and twice as many times as that have been that person. But, there is a better way!!! Praise God!!
Burdens can be many things. Guilt and shame from sin, heavy heart for someone we love, sickness, temptations, financial struggles, etc, etc, etc. But, God is bigger than all of those things. God is stronger. God is more powerful. God is the maker and provider of perfect wisdom. He knows our needs, our every thought. He wants to heal us, restore us, bring wholeness to us. If we have carried burdens so long we have injured ourselves, He wants to be that Great Physician and perform surgery upon our hearts and lives. And, what you must remember…surgery hurts!!! Recovery can be long and painful. But in the end, it’s all worth it! In the end is wholeness. Rest. Comfort. Peace. Hope. If anyone asked you if you desired these things for your life, you would say yes. So, why aren’t you saying yes to taking the path that leads to those things?
Take time to consider what you are carrying in your lives. Sometimes, you don’t have to have a huge situation going on to have been carrying “junk”. Seriously take the time to consider your state right now. Where are you at? What do you need to surrender? What is keeping you from true wholeness? …And once you realize it, pray for the strength and courage to give it up and run after wholeness!
Peace to your hearts dear sisters!
These are some of the words to one of my favorite praise songs. It’s one of my favorites, because it is a reminder to me that I need to surrender all that I am, so that He might shine more fully through me into the lives of others.
Have you ever felt like the load you were carrying was just too much? Has it weighed you down so much, taken so much of a toll, you don’t know if you’ll be able to stand straight again. You fear the damage may be permanent. Have you ever once stopped to consider asking God to remove it? Have you considered the fact that sometimes He uses others to help us carry it? Have you considered the fact that there is a way to live without the load?
Sometimes, we know exactly what our load is, we know exactly how much it weighs and we are fully aware of the effect it is having. However, often times…we simply throw it over our shoulder, letting it rest on our backs, never knowing the actual weight, never comprehending what it is doing to us. It not only can make you sore, make you feel exhausted and worn out continually….if not relieved, it can cause damage. And, if actually heavy enough, enough damage to merit surgery.
In the figurative sense, what are you carrying around? Have you stopped to consider the effect/s it is having? Have you been bogged down for so long, you forget what it’s like to not be carrying the burdens? Have you become injured, and are in need of healing?
For spiritual and emotional healing, it not only takes an acknowledgement of your state and what you are actually holding onto…it also takes total surrender of it. It takes laying it at the feet of Jesus…FOR GOOD. How many sermons have you heard about how we keep bringing stuff to God, but then when we are done praying, we pick it right back up and continue in that same path? I know I’ve heard a million of them, and twice as many times as that have been that person. But, there is a better way!!! Praise God!!
Burdens can be many things. Guilt and shame from sin, heavy heart for someone we love, sickness, temptations, financial struggles, etc, etc, etc. But, God is bigger than all of those things. God is stronger. God is more powerful. God is the maker and provider of perfect wisdom. He knows our needs, our every thought. He wants to heal us, restore us, bring wholeness to us. If we have carried burdens so long we have injured ourselves, He wants to be that Great Physician and perform surgery upon our hearts and lives. And, what you must remember…surgery hurts!!! Recovery can be long and painful. But in the end, it’s all worth it! In the end is wholeness. Rest. Comfort. Peace. Hope. If anyone asked you if you desired these things for your life, you would say yes. So, why aren’t you saying yes to taking the path that leads to those things?
Take time to consider what you are carrying in your lives. Sometimes, you don’t have to have a huge situation going on to have been carrying “junk”. Seriously take the time to consider your state right now. Where are you at? What do you need to surrender? What is keeping you from true wholeness? …And once you realize it, pray for the strength and courage to give it up and run after wholeness!
Peace to your hearts dear sisters!
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