The Winding Road

Counterfeit

2011-08-03T23:29:00.003-05:00

What the enemy most often tries to do in our lives is mimic God. However, God intends for events, situations, encounters to grow us, prepare us. What the enemy of our souls intends to do is use events, situations, and encounters that are a twisted version of the real thing to wound us and eventually destroy us and the plan that God has for our life. At the very minimum, his goal would be to derail us from the Greater Plan and Purpose meant for our lives.

Abraham faced a situation in which this was incredibly apparent. God had told Abraham that he would be the father to a great nation. (See Genesis 12) Abraham was a man of faith, and took God at His word. However, after time had passed it didn’t seem possible for the Lord’s promise to come true. Abraham and Sarai still had no children. At this point, God specifically told him that his heir would be his very own flesh and blood (See Genesis 15:4).

Wow! A direct and specific word from God! You would think that this would be enough to propel Abraham forward and keep him focused on God’s promise. That’s an easy assumption looking in from the outside. But have you ever had what you thought was a promise from God on your heart? Then have you ever waited as it looked like that promise would never come to pass? Time stretched on and on…wonder started to play on your mind…Did you hear God? Were you supposed to do something to help it along? It’s a difficult place. It’s difficult not only for the person with the promise, but for the people around that person that all have opinions on what they think God’s plan should be….

Take a moment and examine your own life. Do you, like Abraham, have a specific promise? Or does someone you know feel that they have a certain Word or promise? What has been your response during the wait?

Waiting Here for You

2011-05-17T23:32:00.002-05:00

Tonight I have so many things swirling through my head. So far I haven't been able to successfully get it all down on paper in a form that makes sense. There are just so many things that God is doing, and ways that He is broadening my faith. I am watching Him move; but I still wait for one very specific thing. I know it's almost here....I can feel it. We are on the 1 yard line getting ready to make it into the end zone. Will I do a dance when we make it--you'd better believe it! :)

In the meantime, here is a song that is speaking volumes to me right now. Enjoy the lyrics and the music. Time to turn up the speakers and get some praise on!

If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
Waiting here for you, I’m waiting here for you

You’re the Lord of all creation
And still you know my heart
The Author of Salvation
You’ve loved us from the start

Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia

You are everything You’ve promised
Your faithfulness is true
And we're desperate for Your presence
All we need is You

Waiting here for You
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia

Singing Alleluia
Alleluia, singing alleluia, alleluia

Waiting here for you
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
We're singing Alleluia

I'm singing Alleluia
Waiting here for you
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia
Singing Alleluia

Lyrics courtesy of Christy Nockels, Waiting Here for You

Life Interrupted??

2011-05-12T08:09:00.001-05:00

I sent this to a friend of mine yesterday, because I felt the need to share with her what I had read during part of my quiet time. This excerpt from Priscilla Shirer's Life Interrupted (all about lessons from the life of Jonah) speaks volumes to a situation of someone that we both love very much. However, I couldn't shake the nudging that I felt I needed to share it en masse--maybe you are like we were & needed the reminder to help encourage you and give you hope for someone you have on your heart, or maybe you need it for yourself. Regardless, I am certain that her words will move you and help give you hope--even if you feel like you are in the belly of the whale.

"But what seems like it’s been designed to kill us may actually be God’s way of preserving us, rescuing us from what could be a far more dire consequence. Maybe, just maybe, the more vast the consequences we face, the more vast the work He plans to perform through us after it eases up or passes. When we feel His correction particularly heavy upon us, it’s sometimes not so much in proportion to past or recent sin as in proportion to the great task awaiting us when He’s done, when we’ve endured it.

I love the way pastor John Piper says it: “Adversity is redemptive; it’s not merely punitive,” God isn’t out to hurt you; He’s out to redeem you. He’s out to get you back to your senses, back to where you realize you’ve been headed the wrong direction, back where you’re desperate to turn this misstep around if given the opportunity. Back to a place where you want His forgiveness as badly as you wanted your independence, where you crave accountability the way you used to crave your freedom, where the things you once cherished about your life with Him become the things you now desire more than life itself.

See, if you’re a child of God, then the frustration, impatience, anger, and all those other things your interruption has purged to the surface are not the only occupants living inside your heart. You also house the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who continually seeks the things of God even when you’re not particularly wanting to. So just as trials and interruptions are capable of exposing the resistant tendencies and temperaments that still hang out in your life, they can also mark the moment when something else bubbles to the surface—your deep sense of need for God’s deliverance, your too long forgotten fondness for the Father. …………

………There’s always something about forgoing the privilege of prayer that almost always leads us into the fish’s belly. And yet being in the fish’s belly is bound to lead us back to it. In fact, I’m convinced that’s one of the main things it’s designed to do.

But if we aren’t careful, we can allow it to have the opposite effect. Whether from the extraordinary discomfort, the overwhelming shame, the hopeless frustration, or any combination of emotions, we face the cruel temptation to hole up in our hardship and consider ourselves abandoned. Forgotten. Unforgiven. Unforgivable.

Yet here we see Jonah—a spiritual leader of Israel who had hightailed it to Tarshish in front of God and everybody (as well as endless generations of Bible readers) –seizing on this opportunity to do business with God, to turn and look into His face from the thick darkness of his current condition, to cry out to Him in the midst of his despair, knowing that the Lord was his only hope of rescue. He could have resigned himself to this fate, and yet he didn’t. He chose to cry out to the Lord “from the stomach of the fish” (v.1).

No better place than here. No better time than now.

If you’ve been there—if you are there—hear God’s Word to you today:

The LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him. (Isa. 30:18)

While His tough-loving discipline may have been required to help you recognize the extent of your running or to spotlight the place where you blocked Him from working in your life, repentance and restoration are near. Christ has won the right to declare you approved and acceptable in the eyes of the Father—as usable as ever—now that you’ve acknowledged your fault, accepted your discipline, and asked forgiveness. A forgiven sinner is always welcome at the throne of God.

A place called Grace.

If you’ve been running from God and you know it, if you’ve brought some consequences on yourself that are painful to endure, if you’ve caused others to suffer for your failure to live in full surrender to God’s will and way, you can still call out to Him. You can seek a sure reconciliation with the One you’ve offended. ……..

…………God has brought you here to redeem you, my friend, not to destroy you. And your restoration and renewal need not wait another second.”

Excerpt from Life Interrupted, by Priscilla Shirer

If you would like to purchase Priscilla's book, here is a direct link to purchase straight from her website. There is also a companion workbook for Bible study.

Death of a Dream

2011-05-10T23:13:00.003-05:00

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ~John 12:24

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you. ~Joel 2:25

Have you ever experienced the death of a dream? Have you ever seen something that you had believed for die right in front of you? It is during times when we experience what feels like theft of a promise that our belief is really tried.

There are plenty of examples of experiencing the death of a promise or a dream in the Bible. Here are just a couple of them that speak so much to me:

Lazarus & his sisters- While Mary & Martha never had a specific promise from Jesus before Lazarus’ death, they knew that Jesus could heal him. Since Jesus could heal him and he loved Lazarus, it was an easy assumption for them to trust that Jesus would get there when they requested his presence to heal their sick loved one. However, Jesus didn’t come and heal Lazarus. In fact, he delayed himself purposefully. Mary and Martha watched their brother die, and they buried him. I’m sure their hearts were broken from Jesus’ seemingly insensitive absence.

Abraham & Isaac- Abraham had been promised that he would be the father of a great nation through his very own seed and Sarah’s womb. He had to wait 20 years for the fulfillment, but Isaac was his promise. Years later, Abraham had to have a hundred things rushing through his mind as God asked him to take his son to be sacrificed by his own hand. Did Abraham believe God would intervene….or did he simply pray and hope that he would?

There is one thing that we must remember above all else—God is always faithful and always true to His promises.

He remembers His covenant forever, the word He commanded for a thousand generations. ~Psalm 105:8

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him." ~Lamentations 3:22-24

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. ~I Thessalonians 5:23-24

Jesus told the disciples that Lazarus was only “sleeping,” and he told Mary and Martha that he would be raised. They were unable to comprehend what he was saying to them, but nonetheless, Lazarus was raised from the dead after having been sealed in a tomb for four days. Just as Abraham raised the knife to slay his dearest promise, God himself stopped him, and Abraham received the ram to sacrifice instead.

We don’t always know how the promise will come to pass….we just know that IT WILL. But what we do know is that it will “bear much fruit.” When a dream (a promise) is resurrected & restored, God always uses it in a mightier way—it becomes more powerful than it ever would have been otherwise, brings Him more glory, and points others to the person of Jesus Christ.

Waging War- The Battle Plan

2011-05-09T00:27:00.001-05:00

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. ~Ephesians 6:10-18 (MSG)

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ~2 Corinthians 10:4

Even a little boy playing “army” in the backyard knows that you need a battle plan when you are waging a war. How much more true this is as we battle for the dear treasures we have been promised? The battle I choose to fight is not one where I will stomp my feet or demand to get my way. The treasure I seek is much too precious for manipulative game play of which our world is accustomed. The situations I battle against I have no power to change. I am not big enough, strong enough, or influential enough to cause a shift. In all reality—I don’t want to be. I know that if I am big enough to change something, then I am also big enough to mess it up. If I am incapable of changing something, then I know any change that occurs is because of my God intervening in the situation.

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. ~ Revelation 3:7

That’s the kind of battle strategy I am going for. I want the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to fight for me. I want him to be the One that brings about change.

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. ~Exodus 14:14

This is a tough concept for us as humans. Our natural inclination is to “do something,” to “force the issue.” Does this mean that I am to sit idly by and just passively wait to see what happens? Absolutely not. My job is to seek, to fall on my face and humble myself before the One that makes all things possible. My job is to keep myself in right standing before Him, to ask Him to purify my motives with His fire. Seek more. Trust more. Sacrifice more.

And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ~Luke 11:9

Waging War- Taking Back What Is Already Mine…

2011-05-08T01:20:00.002-05:00

When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives. ~Genesis 14:14-16

Today I have reached a place of being ready to take back what has already been mine. When God grants something or ordains something, no man has the authority to take it or change it. However, just because no man has the right, it doesn’t mean that no one will ever try to unjustly take what is not theirs. The enemy of our souls is a thief.

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. ~John 10:10

A thief doesn’t play by the rules. When someone steals something from you, you must work to get it back. Abram had family kidnapped and possessions stolen. However, had he not gone on the pursuit to take back what had been stolen from him, he would have never seen his nephew or possessions again.

Abram didn’t just travel a short distance up the road. The distance he traveled was more than 130 miles. Think about that….many of us wouldn’t drive in our cars 130 miles just so we could go and battle it out for something that had been taken from us. It also said that he attacked during the night. How many of us would have said, “I’m really tired. I just drove all this way, & I think it would be better for me to have some rest & then go fight first thing in the morning.” But not Abram. They pursued their enemy, caught up with them, then waited up despite the discomfort to attack when the enemy was most vulnerable.

That brings to mind a statement from Steven Furtick’s book, Sun Stand Still. He says “if you’re going to pray for God to make the sun stand still, you’d better be ready to march all night.” Pastor Furtick made the statement in reference to Joshua’s prayer and battle. [If you want to read about God causing the sun to literally “stand still” so Joshua could win a battle, see Joshua 10:1-15]

So tonight, I am ready to march all night. I am ready to make the 130 mile trek to fight. I am ready for restoration. I am ready for resurrection. I am ready for recompense. I am ready to take back what is already mine. What God has put together, no man is allowed to separate.

You've Messed Up One Too Many Times.....

2011-05-06T23:20:00.005-05:00

Do we really believe what we say we believe? We say:

- Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." ~Luke 18:27

- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ~2 Corinthians 5:17

- See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. ~Isaiah 43:19

Do we really believe what we say we believe? We believe that God can do anything, that nothing is impossible with God. Yet so often we only want to apply this to our own lives, and not to the lives of those that we disagree with, or that have hurt us. Church…do you really believe that God can make all things new? Then let’s believe for those that are trapped in the most unattractive sins to be set free and made whole.

What do we do when we are given a real live opportunity to love unconditionally? Do we point the finger, say that they are doing exactly what we knew they would do, and then turn our backs. Or do we try to lovingly point them to the only One that can truly change a heart? We can’t be a gracious lighthouse & an accusatory judge at the same time.

Want to see how God can transform even the most far-fetched candidate into a passionate follower? Check out Saul's conversion story. Think of your "least likely candidate" for change....and ask God to challenge your heart.

Everyone needs compassion

A love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness

A kindness of a Savior

The hope of nations

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is Mighty to save

He is Mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in

Now I surrender

Yes I surrender

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is Mighty to save

He is Mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

Shine your light and let the whole world see

We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is Mighty to save

He is Mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

You were mighty to save

Lyrics courtesy of Laura Story, Mighty to Save

Fly Like an Eagle...

2011-05-02T08:29:00.002-05:00

This is the second of two posts from two years ago. These words actually hold more meaning for me now, than they did at the start of the journey....

Strength to Endure the Journey

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 KJV

"But those expecting Jehovah pass to power, They raise up the pinion as eagles, They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint!" Isaiah 40:31 Young's Literal Translation

Enduring the journey is often a difficult task. We may question the direction we are heading, asking God if we are going the right way. The Lord never promised that we would not have to endure difficult roads or long journeys. In all actuality, Paul equated our time on this earth with running a race. It is a race of length, a journey, a test of endurance.

I have always quoted the King James Version of Isaiah 40:31. It is the one most commonly referenced. I came across Young's Literal Translation this morning, and it gives a refreshing new view on this scripture.

"But those expecting Jehovah to pass power..."
Jehovah is a special, significant name for our God. The meaning of this special name appears to be "the unchanging, eternal, self-existent God," the "I am that I am," "a covenant-keeping God." He is constant. He will always keep His promises. He is forever.

Expecting Him to pass power reflects an expectancy for God to act. If it is power passed by God, that means that we are unable to accomplish this task without Him.....it requires His power. Our strength alone is not sufficient.

"They raise up the pinion as eagles"
The pinions of an eagle are the primary feathers used for flight. They control the lift and directional movement of the bird. The strength of these feathers is unparalleled, and the follicle of each feather must endure the extreme atmospheric pressure encountered during flight. Interestingly, these feathers also provide insulation preserve the eagle's body heat in the cold, as well as shielding against overheating. When an eagle raises or spreads its primary feathers, it reduces the drag on the bird's flight. Drag is an aerodynamic force that reduces the forward motion of any object.

Think about those concepts......God promises that we will be able to rise above the situation and will be able to move in a concerted direction. We won't be subject to whichever way the wind blows. We will have the strength to endure, and will be protected against the extremes. While we may encounter cold or heat, they will not be allowed to overcome us. Also, He will help us to continue forward. We were built to move forward, to move on toward the goal.

They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint!"
God doesn't promise that everything will come to us. We will move toward the goal, even running to the goal at times. Remember, he built us for forward motion. He did not build us to stay in one place or to move backward. Even though our journey may be long, he will provide the endurance required when we trust in Him.

Eagles travel long distances by climbing high upon a thermal current and then gliding to catch the next thermal. While we often see and think of eagles as solitary birds, during long journeys they will sometimes travel in thermals together. Endure your journey by rising above the circumstances. While your journey may not be exactly the same as someone else's, remember that God has placed others in our lives to help us complete the length of the course.

God provides amazing promises in His word, and He is always true to them. It is His very nature. The condition of these promises???........"Those who trust in the Lord." It boils down to one word--TRUST.

Do you trust the Creator of the universe to direct your path and give you the strength to endure the journey? Ask the Lord to strengthen your trust in Him--it is the fuel necessary to complete your journey.

Don't Stop Believin'!

2011-05-01T20:03:00.003-05:00

I actually shared the following post exactly 2 years ago today. I realize that I have already posted today. However, I was looking through some old emails looking to gain perspective on a topic. As I sifted through exchanges with a trusted friend, I realized one thing....what has been placed on my heart hasn't waivered, and has actually grown stronger. The same thing I dealt with then, I deal with now....only in a different leg of the journey. As I pray that the finish line for this part of the race comes quickly, looking back at the "start" of the journey gives me endurance to go the next stretch. Tomorrow morning I will also be sharing a post that was dated from 5/2/2009. As for tonight's retrospective, I hope you enjoy!

**********************

"One of the primary reasons Helen Kellar never gave up on herself was that Anne Sullivan never gave up on her." p. 59, Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer

How often do we "give up" on people? Perhaps they are difficult, they are going through trying circumstances, or we feel like we don't have "time" to deal with what is going on. Maybe they have made the same mistake more than once. We can come up with a laundry list of justifications. But how appropriate is that response?

Consider the story of Helen Kellar from the book The Miracle Worker. Helen Kellar had many characteristics that would made her situation "messy" or difficult to deal with. She was both deaf and blind, and as a result of the frustration she felt from these issues, she would become violently angry, lashing out at those closest to her. Multiple people had already given up on her, and deemed her situation as "hopeless."

Anne Sullivan could have very easily done the same and decided that this assignment was too hard, that God would never ask her to endure such a thing. She could have justified that Helen had too many difficulties, and that she would never be able to overcome all the struggles she faced in her life. Instead, what she chose to do was walk with Helen through her struggles, and ultimately to a changed life.

Did Anne "fix" everything wrong with Helen? Was she the full reason that Helen Kellar became the person she was later in life? No. While Anne helped Helen in the ways that she was led, it was God's work inside Helen that ultimately changed her. Anne was there, though, never giving up on Helen.

We cannot change anyone. We cannot fix someone else's problems, issues, or difficulties. It is only when we lay them on God's altar and allow Him full reign to do what He needs to do in their lives that real and lasting changes occur. God may call you to walk beside someone in their time of trial. He may call you to "be there" from a distance. You may be called to remain an unknown prayer warrior on that person's behalf. The response is still the same......if God has placed that person on your heart, never give up on them.

The Bible teaches us that God knows every moment of every day of our lives, before we even are born on this earth (see Psalm 139). That means God knows the past, present, and future of both you & the person he has laid on your heart. Do you trust God's wisdom in directing you who to pray for or be there for, or is your logic and human understanding superior to the Almighty's omniscience?

If he calls you to stand beside or pray for someone through their storm, he will give you the strength for that. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 states, "The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." God will give you the strength to continue to pray, to stand beside, or to be there as a witness for that person. Don't feel, however, that you are the one that must make things happen. That is not our role. God is the source of healing, redemption, and change.

Who has God laid on your heart today & in what capacity? Be obedient to His call; He will be true to his promise.

Wooing the Heart of God

2011-05-01T16:13:00.001-05:00

What is your view of God? Do you picture Him as some mighty Zeus-type figure in the sky that is ready to zap you and force His will and plans upon your life, no matter how miserable they cause you to be? Truth is, the Bible paints a very different picture. The Bible displays that God seeks relationship with you and me, and He listens to our cries and petitions. This morning, my connections class pastor mentioned starting a new series on the story of King Hezekiah soon. I love his story for a few different reasons, but perhaps the reason I love it most is because it shows just how God listens to those that earnestly love and seek Him. Let’s take a look at a few details about Hezekiah and his life.

Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the Lord in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses. So the Lord was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did. ~2 Kings 18:5-7a

Hezekiah had a track record of going to God whenever he needed advice or assistance. He stayed connected to God. The Lord was with him & Hezekiah was successful BECAUSE he was faithful and obedient to God. It’s a good model for our own lives. If you go back and look at 2 Kings 18:5, the Bible reiterates that Hezekiah trusted God & that there was no one like him among all the kings. That’s a pretty great endorsement of his relationship with the Lord. Later in Hezekiah’s life, his pattern for seeking the Lord became truly a life or death situation.

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.”

When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.~2 Kings 20:1-3

God listened to Hezekiah and something truly amazing happened.

But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the Lord: “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own honor and for the sake of my servant David.’” ~2 Kings 20:4-6

God said to Hezekiah that He heard his prayer and saw his tears. What had looked like done deal (Hezekiah was told by God’s prophet Isaiah that he would die) was reversed! I don’t know about you, but this brings me hope!

My God, the creator of the universe, listens to my prayers. He not only listens to my prayers, but He is moved by my prayers and my tears. I know this, and have known this for quite some time, but as I reflect on this truth it moves me and humbles my heart. Psalm 56:8 says,

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

He knows every tear that has fallen as I have prayed and interceded. As I continue to petition to the heart of my God and seek intersession for those I love, it encourages me. It gives me strength to continue on the journey. I feel confident that my God will soon say to me,

“I have heard your prayer and seen your tears,”

And He will grant my heart’s petition, which I believe originated from Him as well.

Standing against the Naysayers

2011-04-30T22:31:00.002-05:00

David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." ~I Samuel 17:32

Have you ever had to stand against the crowd? When we must stand up for ourselves, it can be a tough battle. However, have you ever been called by God to stand firm for someone else? What happens when you must stand firm in the face of even well-meaning naysayers and act as an armor bearer for someone else?

This was a question I felt posed in my spirit on my drive home tonight. As I thought about it, I didn’t even know if it made any sense. You see, I wasn’t actually sure what an armor bearer did in biblical times. I had to do a little research. I found that armor-bearers:

Were chosen for their bravery and loyalty
Did “bear” the armor for the king, but also did much more—They were essentially the king’s “right-hand-man”
Required a deep sense of respect for the leader
Instinctively understood the leader’s thoughts and heart
Were willing to sacrifice for the leader
Served in the role to refresh, assist, and protect the leader
Aided the leader in combat (physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual)
Protected and defended the leader against false accusations
Kept watch while the leader would rest
Were to “stand in the gap”

Suddenly it hit me. I had recognized quite some time ago that I had been called to be a “watchman on the wall” for a particular person. I knew I was called to stand in the gap for them, and I have been actively interceding in prayer on their behalf for quite some time. But tonight I realized—the armor-bearer serves in all of these capacities.

People may select their own armor-bearers, just like Saul chose David. However, there are times when God selects armor-bearers for individuals when they don’t know to select one for themselves. When you are called by God, you are equipped by God. As I ticked down the list of the qualities of an armor-bearer I realized two things. 1) I have been able to fulfill these roles against all logic or circumstance, and have been essentially unable to waiver in these roles, even when it would have been easier to fold under the pressure, and 2) I recognize that there is no way I could have the capacity to have been able to sustain this on my own. It is only through God that I have been able to sustain and keep any level of peace and joy through all of the difficulty.

During the times when I take my eyes off of what God has placed on my heart, I wonder if I actually heard and understood Him. It’s just the honest truth. What’s on my heart doesn’t make logical sense. It’s orderly….but it doesn’t add up in our typical finite human minds. When I look at all of these things together, and acknowledge my own humanity in the midst of it all—I know and truly recognize that for me to be in the position I am is solely through divine intervention. I don’t have an infinite amount of love, patience, peace, joy, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—nor are they able to be offered on an unconditional basis on my own.

I must continue to trust and be willing to surrender to the One that is my source. When I empty myself, and allow my God to fill me with His abundance…that’s when everything flows. It’s only through that filling that I will be able to continue in my role as an armor-bearer. I made the vow to my friend and to my God….and my God is the One that will continue to equip me for the journey.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ~Galatians 5:22-23

Until....

2011-04-29T00:04:00.003-05:00

Is it unfair to say that You are leading,
Then try and face this mountain on my own,
Why am I scared, I've never stopped believing,
And You never left me alone.
Well, I can get ahead of where you've led me to,
But I will trust Your heart enough to wait for You ...

Until this mountain moves,
Until the path is clear,
Until Your voice is the only one I can hear.
Until I see Your hand,
Until I know Your heart,
Until I trust the grace that's carried me this far
I will be still, until ...

How could I have never seen this coming,
It's not like I've been running from Your will,
Tell me why each day's another mystery,
Waiting for Your truth to be revealed,
I try to tell my heart to trust what I believe,
And wait on You through all of my uncertainty ...

Until this mountain moves,
Until the path is clear,
Until Your voice is the only one I can hear.
Until I see Your hand,
Until I know Your heart,
Until I trust the grace that's carried me this far
I will be still, until ...

Be still my heart of worry,
Be still my restless soul,
Be confident and certain,
Be still and know

Until this mountain moves,
Until the path is clear,
Until Your voice is the only one I can hear.
Until I see Your hand,
Until I know Your heart,
Until I trust the grace that's carried me this far
I will be still, until ...
Oh, I will be still, until

Lyrics courtesy of Mark Harris

What Matters Most....

2011-04-26T07:40:00.005-05:00

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." ~Goethe

My heart breaks this morning. As I hear the reports coming out of Vilonia and Northwest Arkansas, it causes me to pause and take note. Vilonia was my hometown’s “rival” growing up, and I consider Northwest Arkansas my second home after my years up there during both college and parts of my graduate education. The towns and especially the people, even those I don’t know, hold a special significance for me. So far, everyone I know is okay, although many have suffered extreme loss.

Times such as these cause me to reflect on my own life and the people that I hold most dear to my heart. We are not promised a certain number of days on this earth. Life is fragile, even though we like to think of ourselves as invincible. Possessions, while they can hold practical and even sentimental value to us, are poor facsimiles for what is truly dear to our hearts. If I am choosing to be completely honest this morning, my heart aches today for those that I want to protect—some from elemental dangers, some from other forms of it.

However, as I woke up this morning, I watched the sun streaming in my windows and one thing came to my mind, and it comforted me.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23

This scripture is from the book of Lamentations, and is actually in the middle of a heartbreaking cry from the writer. The writer still felt pain. The situation was still difficult—heartwrenching even. Those my heart aches for is unfortunately amplified today. I can’t change their situations. I can’t rescue. What I want to do out of instinct is futile. But my heart still trusts and it still hopes…and it still waits.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” ~Lamentations 3:21-24

Are you Ready??? Lessons in Love...

2011-04-23T08:55:00.002-05:00

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

This week is leading me to reflect quite a bit on love—what it is, what it isn’t. One of my absolute favorite passages in the Bible is the “love passage” in 1 Corinthians. I don’t love it for the mushy, gushy reasons that some people do. To me, if it seems all warm-fuzzy to you, you haven’t ever really been challenged in this area to truly love someone. This isn’t just a set of verses read at all of your friends’ weddings. It’s an honest assessment of what REAL love is supposed to be, and a challenge to those of us that claim to be in Christ to actually walk it out. If you’ve been tested in your love walk, it’s a set of truly poignant verses that are quite humbling. It may sound odd, but I count it as a privilege to have encountered such difficult trials in this area.

I know I have written on this subject before (see What’s Love Got to do with it?), but it’s one that I think is often looked at in passing. My goal today is to essentially give you some food for thought to digest over this weekend—to challenge you AND to challenge me. Also, with this weekend being Easter, our greatest example of love is plainly staring us in the face. God’s love for us through Christ is THE lesson in love.

Look again at Paul’s description of love from 1 Corinthians. At a recent conference, Beth Moore stated “True love always possesses a longing.” Joyce Meyer said today on her facebook feed “You can’t walk in love for free….it costs something.” Are you willing to face the longing if it’s never met? Are you willing to pay the price to walk in love?

Could you truly love someone if it cost you what meant most to you? What if it were a child, a family member, or a relationship you’ve prayed about? Can you love someone to the point of complete selflessness? The honest answer is that you and I are incapable of this kind of sustained selfless love on our own. It is only through the One that IS love that we can love someone even when we must die to self.

It’s a love that each of us is craving, and we become frustrated when the people around us cannot give us that truly unconditional, self-sacrificing love. We must first receive that love from our Heavenly Father before we are able to give it to others. This type of love requires motives to be checked regularly. You can’t “fake out” God when it comes to matters of the heart.

Take a few moments to look at the relationships in your life. Give an honest self-assessment of how your love walk is looking with these people. What is the number one way you can seek to increase your love walk right now? Go to the Lord to receive His love as a free gift….in return He will strengthen you to love those around you in ways that will astound you.

Impossible??? It’s Just a Matter of Perspective.

2011-04-22T07:06:00.003-05:00

Have you ever faced a situation that looked impossible, yet at the end the “impossible” was defeated? Our God is one that specializes in this type of situation—situations when the odds are stacked against someone, when there is an underdog, when the least likely candidate becomes the one used. Just look through the Bible…we can easily pick out any number of situations and people that were unlikely for the task or up against “impossible” odds.

-Abraham had the promise to be the father of a great nation; yet it was after Abraham was an impotent 90-year-old man that the promise came to pass. Sarah, his wife, was also barren. Not candidates for the most fertile couple on the planet….

- Paul had been Saul….arguably one of the top persecutors of Christians. Turning the biggest adversary into the biggest evangelist—probably not a move most of us would attempt.

- A runty shepherd boy named David going into head-to-head battle on behalf of his entire race of people against a literal giant with a track record of brutally destroying his opponents. Sending a young boy that spends his days tending sheep was certainly not in the “Successful Battle Plan Manual.”

- A man named Lazarus, dead for 4 days and then walking out of his grave after his name was called. Talk about a tough story to explain to your friends that came to the funeral….

- The man who had come to be Savior of the world is tortured and crucified. It looked like the promised Messiah had been overcome by evil and death.

The obvious common thread in these situations is the nature of impossibility. They are ludicrous situations in which “success” or any hope of it was futile—BUT GOD. In each of the situations, God intervened only AFTER it seemed that all hope was gone.

-Abraham and Sarah had been given their promise when they were already “advanced in years,” but as if that wasn’t enough, they had to wait another 20 YEARS.

- Paul was actually on his way to Damascus to act on a plot to trap and arrest more church leaders when He was stopped by God himself on the road there.

- The Israelite army had been taunted for 40 days by a 9 foot tall giant man and the Philistine army. The king’s greatest trained warriors were too fearful to face Goliath in a representative battle with the Philistines.

- Mary and Martha had requested Jesus come when their brother was ill. They knew Jesus could heal him. But Jesus waited where he was for another 2 days before he even left. He knew Lazarus had died at this point. They would arrive after the burial.

- Jesus was buried and sealed in a tomb, much like his friend Lazarus had been. His followers disbanded and found themselves distraught. They couldn’t see any glimmer of hope.

There is a statement that I heard from Beth Moore when she was teaching in Fort Worth last fall, and it has stayed at the forefront of my mind ever since, “Blessed are you when what happens in the natural for others happens supernaturally for you.” Beth discussed how when people are able to go through impossible situations with God, He can then use the situation and the people for incredible kingdom impact. He receives greater glory in those situations because of their impossible nature. In I Corinthians 1:27 it says,

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (AKJV)

If Abraham and Sarah would have been in their 20s or 30s, having a baby and seeing a nation come from their offspring goes from miraculous to just a neat story of something great that happened to a regular couple and a regular baby. If David would have been a large adult man that had been groomed and trained by the best warriors, his win over Goliath would have just been another war story. If Lazarus would have been healed while he was sick, it could have been attributed to other factors. If Christ had not conquered death and the grave, there would be no hope for you & me.

Most of us wouldn’t knowingly sign up for the “impossible” assignment. It means that the situation becomes completely heart-breaking and unbearable. You are tested to your limits. Think of the 20 years Abraham sat on the promise of a nation from his seed to be born of his wife’s womb. What about the pain and anguish of two sisters that had to watch their brother die and be buried? Or how about the angst of a mother watching her son, the Messiah, die a painful & brutal death after having witnessed a lifetime of miracles even from the point of his conception?

BUT GOD. God has a way of restoring and resurrecting those things that seem lost. Abraham and Sarah DID give birth to Isaac, and saw the formation of a powerful nation. Mary & Martha were able to witness the life-giving power of Jesus first-hand. And Jesus has overcome & the grave is overwhelmed! He is risen & has paid the price for our sin once and for all!

If you find yourself in an “impossible” situation to be resurrected, get ready. It’s not for the faint of heart, and will require much sacrifice and obedience that seems futile—until the promised baby is born, the heart is changed, the battle is won, the dead is brought back to life.

He has a plan…one greater than you or I could grasp. If your impossible situation turns into the miraculous, get ready and be willing to be used of God in mighty and humbling ways. And remember it is only through Him that all things are possible (see Luke 1:37).

When the Expected Unexpected Comes

2011-04-13T08:41:00.003-05:00

I remember once as a little kid falling off the monkey bars and landing on my back. All these years later I can still clearly remember the feeling of the wind being knocked out of my chest. I felt that same feeling yesterday morning, only I didn’t fall off the monkey bars this time. I received a piece of news that was unexpected. However…even though I didn’t expect this particular news, I knew that God had been preparing me to face this situation. (See Surrendering to the Blindfold Parts I & II.)

The question I have been faced with over & over the last couple of weeks has been “What do you do when things don’t turn out the way you expected?” I knew the particular situation of which the question inquired …and it made me uncomfortable.

It was difficult to consider all the possibilities of how things could turn out differently. You see, I felt that I had a very specific promise from God that had been affirmed and reaffirmed over the last 2 years. I didn’t quite know how to resolve that in my finite mind. But I made a decision…I didn’t have to understand it all (some of you can’t quite appreciate how far I have grown in this area), and I would trust God, trust His heart.

I didn’t have to wait long…one week after my first blog post on the subject I found out what the question meant. And it was certainly an unexpected turn that could have thrown me for a major loop had God not been preparing me for 2 weeks prior. Suddenly why it was accompanied by the verse in Habakkuk also became clear. The unexpected doesn’t always speak of the end—sometimes it can come in the form of a major left-turn that, if you weren’t prepared for it, could throw you completely off course.

In case I didn’t “get it,” yet again I open my email inbox this morning, & a scripture is staring me in the face…this time from the Living Proof Live prayer team blog:

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

At this point certain things are starting to make sense to me: I know the promise that God has laid on my heart. I know God’s character, and that His promise lines up with His Word. I know that this may or may not be the last unexpected turn on this portion of the journey. I know my God is faithful, and that He will never leave me, never abandon me, and will give me the strength to walk through this when I lean & rely on Him.

Things I don’t know right now: When is the “end?” When does the promise come? What is the ultimate “end” of all of this?

So what does that mean for me today? It means that today I surrender to the blindfold once again. I will ask and trust that my Lord will guide me through today’s situations. I choose to trust. I choose to obey—even when it’s hard, even when I don’t know the result. I will continue to seek Him and ask for wisdom, discernment, and boldness. In Jeremiah 33, God talks to Jeremiah about a promise of restoration after Israel has been destroyed, and all looks hopeless.

In Jeremiah 33:3 the Lord says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

I have experienced His faithfulness in this promise…and I will continue to ask and trust.

Surrendering to the Blindfold- Part II

2011-04-06T10:11:00.002-05:00

*If you are just now joining us, this is the conclusion to yesterday's blog. Please see Surrendering to the Blindfold- Part I.

To further complicate my ability to find understanding…the verses from Habakkuk and 2 other stories that have held a special significance for me have bombarded me over the last week…The story of the stone being rolled away before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and the story of Abraham & Sarai conceiving Isaac even after it was impossible for them to have children. Could it all be about a situation looking like it is completely dead and without hope—not turning out how I expected…but not being the end of the story. Possibly. I still have no definitive answer. And quite honestly, short of revelation from God, I won’t. But I have made a choice. I trust the One who holds my future; my times are in His hands. (see Psalm 31:15-16)

Who would volunteer to lose their sight & depend upon another? Not many. To trust anyone “blindly” requires an explicit level of trust. You must have 100% complete trust in the other & know that everything they guide you through is absolutely for your good….for your wisdom, experience, strengthening, and growth. When submitting to this type of a blind faith-walk with God, you must be a 100% committed Romans 8:28 Christian:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

This includes trusting and knowing that when harmful things come they are not from the One guiding you. Rather, the One guiding you knows they are coming and how to not only help you navigate through the situation, but to use anything that someone else intended to harm you to bring you to a greater, stronger, more powerful, more influential, more trusting place.

It is when we go through the tough times with someone that we grow closer to them. Bonds that are built under pressure and heat are not easily broken. Take for example when you glue something together versus when something is welded together. Whatever forces that substance will be later required to withstand determines the process of bonding…how it is held together & the process it must undergo to achieve that result. The same holds true of with us and our God.

The bottom line for me—I trust my Father. After truly examining my heart, I know that what I want more than anything else is for God to receive the highest honor and glory from the situation and to draw the largest crowd that will be able to attest to the mighty things He has done. If that means that I have an unexpected end result, then I know that He will give me the strength and grace to effectively deal with that. Does that mean that I won’t feel pain. Unfortunately—no. However, I know that whatever happens He will be faithful to cause it to work out for my ultimate good.

I can now also honestly answer at this point that my trust is not based upon circumstance. My faith will not be shaken based on circumstance. My trust is in my God. He promises,

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. [Isaiah 54:10]

Regardless of the answer and regardless of the surrounding situations, my God promises to hold true to His unfailing love for me, and to keep me in His peace. That is the peace that passes all understanding that I revel in right now. That peace is rooted in a trust that is dependent only upon the deep and intimate knowledge of the character of One I am trusting—not in outcomes, not in circumstances, not in answers; just His heart.

What is your deepest prayer right now? What do you do if the answer isn’t what you have expected? Ask the Father to help you grow in trust of His heart. He is faithful.

Surrendering to the Blindfold- Part I

2011-04-05T08:08:00.003-05:00

Usually I blog about things where I have gotten some kind of clarity of thought…..today is different. I am blogging about a verse and a question that has left me with more questions than before. Almost 2 years ago, I was drawn to a particular passage in the Bible. When I read it I knew it was significant for me…although I didn’t quite understand how. The passage is Habakkuk 1:5, 2:2-3. To be quite honest, I’m not sure I even could tell you that Habakkuk was an actual book in the Bible before 2 years ago. Except that’s not entirely true….about 6 months ago I found a list of scriptures I had made note of in a journal from 5 years ago. One of the scriptures….Habakkuk 2:2-3. I have often made jokes that if you get a “Word” from Habakkuk, you know that it must be from God! Over the last 2 years, I have heard this passage preached at least a half a dozen to a dozen times. This weekend, Sheryl Lackey taught from this passage as she talked about seasons of trust. I also had the verse sent to me in an email this week. And if I had "missed the message," last night as I walked into my hostess' house….what verse do you think was staring at me painted on a huge canvas? Habakkuk 1:5 & 2:2-3.

Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do something in your days that

you would not believe, even if you were told.

Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come and will not delay.

This week, that verse has always been accompanied by a question. It is not a question I liked. It’s an uncomfortable question. It is one that I don’t particularly want to think about, but I’m feeling that God has a different plan about confronting this issue. The question: What do you do when things don’t turn out the way you expected?

Since I am praying about so many things, I could play coy and pretend I don’t know what God is asking me about. But since He is omniscient and all…silly games are, well, silly. I know what He’s asking me about. The truth is, however—I don’t really know why. Could it be to get me to really examine my heart, to check my true motives at the deepest levels? Possibly. Could it be to prepare me ahead of time for my response when things just don’t turn out the way I expected? Again, it’s a definite possibility. I honestly don’t have that answer yet. I have asked the question. Truth be told, it was more of a statement to my Father, rather than a question. I was getting ready Sunday morning & I said to Him, “Okay God. I trust you to show me why you are asking me this.” And without missing a beat afterward, I just felt in my spirit, “Well, that really wouldn’t require much faith or trust, now would it?” And I had to admit—it was true.

...Part II to be posted tomorrow

Let the Word Speak....

2011-03-31T08:13:00.004-05:00

While it isn't my norm, I felt that I should just leave you with the Word today. No real commentary.....this chapter in Isaiah feels particularly important to me today, although I don't have any real reason or explanation for that right now. I trust that God will direct your heart and my heart in what He wants us each to glean from this passage today. He promises in Isaiah 55:10-11:

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to,and it will prosper everywhere I send it."

Isaiah 54

¹ “Sing, O childless woman,
you who have never given birth!
Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem,
you who have never been in labor.
For the desolate woman now has more children
than the woman who lives with her husband,”
says the Lord.
² “Enlarge your house; build an addition.
Spread out your home, and spare no expense!
³ For you will soon be bursting at the seams.
Your descendants will occupy other nations
and resettle the ruined cities.

⁴ “Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.
You will no longer remember the shame of your youth
and the sorrows of widowhood.
⁵ For your Creator will be your husband;
the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!
He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,
the God of all the earth.
⁶ For the Lord has called you back from your grief—
as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband,”
says your God.
⁷ “For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with great compassion I will take you back.
⁸ In a burst of anger I turned my face away for a little while.
But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
says the Lord, your Redeemer.

⁹ “Just as I swore in the time of Noah
that I would never again let a flood cover the earth,
so now I swear
that I will never again be angry and punish you.
¹⁰ For the mountains may move
and the hills disappear,
but even then my faithful love for you will remain.
My covenant of blessing will never be broken,”
says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

¹¹ “O storm-battered city,
troubled and desolate!
I will rebuild you with precious jewels
and make your foundations from lapis lazuli.
¹² I will make your towers of sparkling rubies,
your gates of shining gems,
and your walls of precious stones.
¹³ I will teach all your children,
and they will enjoy great peace.
¹⁴ You will be secure under a government that is just and fair.
Your enemies will stay far away.
You will live in peace,
and terror will not come near.
¹⁵ If any nation comes to fight you,
it is not because I sent them.
Whoever attacks you will go down in defeat.

¹⁶ “I have created the blacksmith
who fans the coals beneath the forge
and makes the weapons of destruction.
And I have created the armies that destroy.
¹⁷ But in that coming day
no weapon turned against you will succeed.
You will silence every voice
raised up to accuse you.
These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;
their vindication will come from me.
I, the Lord, have spoken!

All texts today were from the New Living Translation.

Moving Forward

2011-03-30T09:03:00.001-05:00

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” ~Isaiah 43:18-19

“I’m not going back, I’m moving ahead

I’m here to declare to You my past is over

In You, all things are made new

Surrendered my life to Christ

I’m moving, moving forward”

Lyrics from Moving Forward by Israel Houghton

So early this morning, this already seems to be the theme for the day. At this time in my life, things seem to be changing and moving forward at an almost break-neck pace. This is certainly not a bad thing….and considering the season I have recently exited in my life, it’s certainly a welcome change. However it is just that….change.

As humans, we tend to be creatures of habit. Sometimes that makes change—even good change, a little fearful. However, at this point in my journey I find that my fear is overshadowed…..this time around it feels like it is being pushed aside, and instead I find myself in hopeful expectation, anticipation, and quite honestly a sense of amazement. I’m seeing things come to pass that I felt God place on my heart in years past. I am reminded of the following scripture:

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” ~I John 4:18 (NLT)

When we focus on God and what He says, we can be confident and fear is driven away. So many of these things I felt impressed upon my heart, but I had no idea how they would come to pass, because the circumstances I saw didn’t seem to make any sense or give any hint of ability to ever change. I just had to trust God and remain faithful in the steps He asked me to take. Our obedience + His supernatural ability = miraculous changes in events. He promises to complete the work He started in each of us.

“The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” ~I Thessalonians 5:24 (emphasis mine)

My journey is far from over. There are still promises I have on my heart that have yet to be fulfilled. Continued obedience and following where He leads is key. I may not see now how those circumstances can change, but thankfully God is not dependent upon my ability to know what He knows. This is where faith enters the picture. I know that He is doing a new thing. I know He can make a way where there doesn’t seem to be one, and provision where none seems to exist. It says so in His Word. I can trust Him and follow Him so I can move forward. I trust He will guide me in respect to the details.

Is God bringing you to a new place? Ask for discernment to be able to “perceive it.” Seek His guidance and direction, and watch Him show you things that will truly amaze you.

Keeping your Past from Invading Your Future

2011-03-27T16:30:00.003-05:00

“…”How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love”

But don't you know who you are?
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes
You are more than the problems you create
You've been remade”

I often think in song. It’s an odd characteristic (I think), but nevertheless, it’s the way my mind works. While I don’t have the talent of song-writing, I admire and respect those that do. When a songwriter captures thoughts and feelings and sets them to music, it allows for others to share similar sentiments with all barriers removed.

One of the things that I do when I am actively trying to work and pray through issues is listen to music… Praise and worship to God are a huge part of who I am. I have been spending a lot of time in prayer over specific things and specific people, and so I have been walking and jogging and listening to music….a lot. Perhaps it has to do with who and what I am praying for, and perhaps it is an actual trend, but I have noticed something wonderful about such a large percentage of contemporary Christen music right now—the message of newness.

So often, people are concerned with “getting life on the right track” so they can find or return to God. We become so focused on the mistakes and poor choices that we have made, we feel we must either be forced to live in separation from a loving Heavenly Father or punish ourselves for all the wrong we have done. But there is no need for that. You see, it is our Savior that paid the price for us and makes us new.

Christ chose to take your punishment for every sin, every poor choice, every mistake. When you ask Him to be your Savior, you are accepting His payment for your sins. When we choose not to forgive ourselves and to move into newness, we are saying that what He did wasn’t enough. We are instead choosing to carry our past into our future. This causes us to be weighed down so heavily with burdens that we no longer have reason to bear.

Not one of us is too good to not need a Savior……and not one of us is too bad to not have Him serve as payment in full for what we have done and will do in this life. Take Him at His Word. When you have sincerely asked for forgiveness, He washes the memory of that sin into the sea of forgetfulness. Allow yourself to act like the One that paid the price for what you have done….move past the regrets, the hurts, the sins, the mistakes, and the poor choices and into newness of self, newness of life. Look forward to your future with hopeful expectation of a life with greater power and bolder influence to point others in the direction of the Life-Saver.

Take a moment and thank the Christ that has given you newness of life—heart, soul, and mind. Is there a song of worship or praise that echoes the sentiments of your heart? Share it with your Savior.

“Cause this is not about what you've done
But what's been done for you
This is not about where you've been
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel
But what He felt to forgive you
And what He felt to make you loved

You are more than the choices that you've made
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes
You are more than the problems you create
You've been remade”

Lyrics courtesy of “You are More,” Tenth Avenue North

Living a Life of Transparency

2011-03-24T23:46:00.005-05:00

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ~Gal 6:2

Jesus wept. ~John 11:35

For many years of my life I spent (what I didn’t realize) was a lot of energy making sure that everything looked picture perfect on the outside. I made sure my hair was perfect, my makeup was perfect, clothing perfect, and if you ever asked me how things were going….well, they were perfect as well. Some of you might think that it would be incredibly apparent to the rest of the world that there was no way that my life could always be perfect—but you would be wrong.

In fact, people bought my story. Sometimes, I even bought my story. When bad things did happen…I just put on a brave face, let the world know that everything was perfect, and would then do one of two things. Either I would cry and fall apart in my own private time alone, or I would bottle up every emotion I was feeling and would pretend that there was actually nothing to deal with…everything was fine.

Some of you may be able to relate. The problem is that these methods did little else but cause me to feel more isolated, more alone, and like there was no one else in this world that was facing a battle. Why did I feel this way??? Why do so many of you feel this way??? Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that’s the way the majority of us behave. We put on the good face; we put on the good show. There is an intense battle, but no one ever knows. You can be standing across from Susie who has just gone through what you are dealing with, but she can’t help you because you are both too proud and too concerned with the external appearance to share what is happening in your hearts.

We are afraid to be vulnerable. We are taught to burn bridges and build walls. But where does that lead us? It leads us to a place where we are not protected, but isolated from the outside world, and there is no way for anyone to be able to come save us. We feel lonely and out of touch. It’s a miserable place to be.

About four years ago I decided to make a change. It wasn’t a change that was brought on by some major revelation. It was a change that was brought on through necessity and some gentle guiding by a mentor in my life. The walls had to come down. They had been built up so deep and so high that I had become isolated and sank into a pit of depression and despair. Many people that know me are shocked to think that I would deal with depression. It was very real, very dark, and very ugly.

The road back was tough…..but OH so worth it! I actually had to learn how to be able to interact with people again on a level that went beyond the superficial. What I learned through the experience is to never discount the battles and struggles of others.

Most people won’t have to face that, and I am so thankful for those of you that never will. But some of you will have to learn how to let people in to your life. Some of you will need to learn that it’s okay to say that it’s a tough day, and you are struggling. Now here is a major balance point: Learning to be open doesn’t mean that everyone knows everything that is going on in your life all the time. Wisdom and discernment are still key. Being transparent also isn’t a free ticket to gossip about your friend, family member or significant other.

Being transparent is about other people......AND it’s about you. What are you dealing with, and how can that situation be used by God to be able to minister into someone else’s life…..how can it help provide hope? Ask God to help you to move further into the realm of a "real life" that impacts others, rather than settling for an empty facade.

What’s Love Got to do With It?

2011-03-07T22:54:00.003-06:00

Yes, I know that’s the title of a Tina Turner song….and a catchy one at that. But the kind of love I suspect Tina was talking about isn’t exactly the type of love I’m talking about here. As I thought & prayed about what topic to write about, I immediately knew—love. Not the gushy, feel-good, make-you-giddy kind of love, although that’s fun. I’m talking about the hard stuff—the UNconditional kind (agape); the kind that will test you to your very limits and say, “are you really sure that’s what you meant?” Agape can only be tested when faced with the most difficult character traits, flaws, short-comings, and circumstances of the ones we have decided to love. Agape isn’t based on what the other person is, can be, or even in how they treat you. It is a decision to love regardless of any condition.

Perhaps one of my very favorite passages in scripture is one that is incredibly prominent concerning love. We hear it at weddings, it sounds sweet and touching…but what about the challenge to live it? What about living it not only with the people that we “like” but also our enemies?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:4-8a

I am currently in the middle of a journey that is testing my love-walk. This isn’t the first instance that my choice to love someone has been tested, and I’m sure it will not be the last. My personal details are not necessarily key. The fact that you are either on a journey with similar implications or will one day face one is the focus. I have learned (and am learning) that agape is:

Patient: willing to wait on God’s timing with a joyful and expectant heart

Kind: believing and speaking the best of others

Not envious: not jealous, resentful, or grudging

Not boastful: not speaking of self with excessive pride, exaggeration, or vanity

Not proud: not seeking satisfaction over something regarded as credited to oneself

Not rude: not being rough, harsh, ungentle, discourteous, or impolite—especially in a deliberate way

Not self-seeking: looking out for the best interest of the other party; putting personal interest and gain aside to seek what is best for the other

Not easily-angered: not irritable or easily provoked

Not a record-keeper of wrongs: not resentful, not a “score-keeper” (True forgiveness and mercy are staples of agape.)

Not delightful in evil/injustice/wrongdoing: not receiving enjoyment out of immoral or wicked deeds that would hurt or mislead the other

Pleased/Rejoicing in the truth: taking delight in honesty; interacting without deceit or manipulation

Always protecting: seeking to look after, guard, or shield appropriately

Always trusting: constantly and unquestionably confident

Always hoping: continually looking forward in faith with expectancy

Never failing: never giving up no matter the situation or circumstance; never passing away, dwindling, losing strength, or vigor

In our own limited humanness we are incapable of such a display of love. It is only through the power, mercy, and grace of our Lord through the Holy Spirit that we are able to have a love-walk that mirrors scripture. While agape can bring great pain at times because of its insistence upon endurance no matter what, it is also the one that can bring the deepest fulfillment. It is the only type of love that can truly point others to the person of Jesus Christ.

Who in your life do you need help to love without condition? An enemy that has wounded you deeply? Someone that is currently incapable of reciprocating love? Ask for God to give you His heart toward those individuals, and prepare to see your heart change and agape to grow.

Strength to Endure the Journey

2009-05-02T03:42:00.006-05:00

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 KJV

"But those expecting Jehovah pass to power, They raise up the pinion as eagles, They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint!" Isaiah 40:31 Young's Literal Translation

Enduring the journey is often a difficult task. We may question the direction we are heading, asking God if we are going the right way. The Lord never promised that we would not have to endure difficult roads or long journeys. In all actuality, Paul equated our time on this earth with running a race. It is a race of length, a journey, a test of endurance.

I have always quoted the King James Version of Isaiah 40:31. It is the one most commonly referenced. I came across Young's Literal Translation this morning, and it gives a refreshing new view on this scripture.

"But those expecting Jehovah to pass power..."
Jehovah is a special, significant name for our God. The meaning of this special name appears to be "the unchanging, eternal, self-existent God," the "I am that I am," "a convenant-keeping God." He is constant. He will always keep His promises. He is forever.

Expecting Him to pass power reflects an expectancy for God to act. If it is power passed by God, that means that we are unable to accomplish this task without Him.....it requires His power. Our strength alone is not sufficient.

"They raise up the pinion as eagles"
The pinions of an eagle are the primary feathers used for flight. They control the lift and directional movement of the bird. The strength of these feathers are unparalleled, and the follicle of each feather must endure the extreme atmospheric pressure encountered during flight. Interestingly, these feathers also provide insulation preserve the eagle's body heat in the cold, as well as shielding against overheating. When an eagle raises or spreads it's primary feathers, it reduces the drag on the bird's flight. Drag is an aerodynamic force that reduces the forward motion of any object.

Think about those concepts......God promises that we will be able to rise above the situation and will be able to move in a concerted direction. We won't be subject to which ever way the wind blows. We will have the strenth to endure, and will be protected against the extremes. While we may encounter cold or heat, they will not be allowed to overcome us. Also, He will help us to continue forward. We were built to move forward, to move on toward the goal.

They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint!"
God doesn't promise that everything will come to us. We will move toward the goal, even running to the goal at times. Remember, he built us for forward motion. He did not build us to stay in one place or to move backward. Even though our journey may be long, he will provide the endurance required when we trust in Him.

Eagles travel long distances by climbing high upon a thermal current and then gliding to catch the next thermal. While we often see and think of eagles as solitary birds, during long journeys they will sometimes travel in thermals together. Endure your journey by rising above the circumstances. While your journey may not be exactly the same as someone else's, remember that God has placed others in our lives to help us complete the length of the course.

God provides amazing promises in His word, and He is always true to them. It is His very nature. The condition of these promises??........"Those who trust in the Lord." It boils down to one word--TRUST. Do you trust the creator of the universe to direct your path and give you the strength to endure the journey? Ask the Lord to strengthen your trust in Him--it is the fuel necessary to complete your journey.

Don't Give Up on Others

2009-05-01T09:10:00.006-05:00

"One of the primary reasons Helen Kellar never gave up on herself was that Anne Sullivan never gave up on her." p. 59, Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer

How often do we "give up" on people? Perhaps they are difficult, they are going through trying circumstances, or we feel like we don't have "time" to deal with what is going on. Maybe they have made the same mistake more than once. We can come up with a laundry list of justifications. But how appropriate is that response?

Consider the story of Helen Kellar from the book The Miracle Worker. Helen Kellar had many characteristics that would made her situation "messy" or difficult to deal with. She was both deaf and blind, and as a result of the frustration she felt from these issues, she would become violently angry, lashing out at those closest to her. Multiple people had already given up on her, and deemed her situation as "hopeless."

Anne Sullivan could have very easily done the same and decided that this assignment was too hard, that God would never ask her to endure such a thing. She could have justified that Helen had too many difficulties, and that she would never be able to overcome all the struggles she faced in her life. Instead, what she chose to do was walk with Helen through her struggles, and ultimately to a changed life.

Did Anne "fix" everything wrong with Helen? Was she the full reason that Helen Kellar became the person she was later in life? No. While Anne helped Helen in the ways that she was led, it was God's work inside Helen that ultimately changed her. Anne was there, though, never giving up on Helen.

We cannot change anyone. We cannot fix someone else's problems, issues, or difficulties. It is only when we lay them on God's altar and allow Him full reign to do what He needs to do in their lives that real and lasting changes occur. God may call you to walk beside someone in their time of trial. He may call you to "be there" from a distance. You may be called to remain an unknown prayer warrior on that person's behalf. The response is still the same......if God has placed that person on your heart, never give up on them.

The Bible teaches us that God knows every moment of every day of our lives, before we even are born on this earth (see Psalm 139). That means God knows the past, present, and future of both you & the person he has laid on your heart. Do you trust God's wisdom in directing you who to pray for or be there for, or is your logic and human understanding superior to the Almighty's omniscience?

If he calls you to stand beside or pray for someone through their storm, he will give you the strength for that. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 states, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." God will give you the strength to continue to pray, to stand beside, or to be there as a witness for that person. Don't feel, however, that you are the one that must make things happen. That is not our role. God is the source of healing, redemption, and change.

Who has God laid on your heart today & in what capacity? Be obedient to His call; He will be true to his promise.

God's Timing and Faithfulness

2009-04-27T10:14:00.001-05:00

I have been going through a period of deep reflection and seeking concerning things in my life on a personal, business, and spiritual level lately. What happens when things don't go exactly according to your plan? What happens when you hit a wall? What happens when there are things that you thought you wanted, but realize that upon acheiving them, it doesn't fit into your true hearts desire known only between you, God, and a trusted friend? When do you listen to outside opinions, and when do you forego those opinions?

When we seek God, and answers from Him, He honors that. Sometimes He doesn't speak as quickly as we want Him to. Sometimes He doesn't speak in the way we want. Sometimes He speaks and it isn't what we want to hear. Sometimes He speaks, and it is confirmation to where we felt our heart and spirit leading us. I've found that confirmations often come in 3's. God amazes me at how He works. He takes the minute details of things, and has a way of amplifying them exactly when we need to see them. It is awe-inspiring and humbling at the same time.

God has laid this particular verse on my heart for 3 very specific situations in my life.... Isaiah 43:19 says "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Have you ever had a passage laid on your heart, but you could feel in your spirit that God was telling you "not yet, but this is where we are going" ??? I don't know if any of you experience that, but it is something that God has done with me time & time again over the years, and He is always faithful in doing those works. I can think of specific passages that were on my heart for years, and I never knew why. But "suddenly," years later, they came flooding back to me, along with that knowing in my spirit. It's like it all of the sudden, it becomes abundantly clear why that was on your heart for so long, and you are able to trace back the path and see God's hand at work in the situation.

That is the very same experience I've had with this passage. I finally hear Him saying "this is for you right now." This has come back to me this week in my devotional time, from seeing Joyce this week, and now from Os. Whenever I hear it, I can hear that deafening whisper in my ear letting me know that He is faithful and He will do it.

Our God is not a God of the status quo. He doesn't always work in logical and expected ways. Often, He completely debunks the ways we "believe" things should happen, in lieu of situations that will point directly to Him and allow Him to receive the glory. Our God is a God of the impossible! It is time to take some risks, to get out of the boat, and to move forward into the Promised Land He has prepared for us. The only person that can stop us from our God-ordained destiny is ourselves. He is doing a new thing for each of us today in some area of our lives....maybe even in multiple areas. Will you accept the new thing He is doing, or will you continue to hang on and look back at the past.

You cannot move forward while looking back.

The Journey Begins

2009-04-27T01:24:00.000-05:00

This is the beginning of my blogging journey. As the name states, this will certainly be a winding road. As God leads me along the path He has appointed and designed for me, I hope to be able to gain insight and wisdom about Him and His word. These are the things I want to share with you. I pray that words that come across your screen will speak to your heart and your soul. I pray that God will not only guide me along my own journey, but also give me the words that you need to hear from Him on a daily basis.

All of my love,
Crystal