The Sucker Punch

You’ve seen it in the movies.  Some guy is walking along thinking life is good, but there is someone approaching from behind.  The man approaching is on a mission.  He’s angry, and he’s got tunnel vision on the guy ahead.  The other guy is blissfully unaware of this situation, and then is tapped on the shoulder.  He turns around and that’s when it happens—WAM!  He is sucker punched by the angry man and almost knocked out. 

The enemy of our souls also works in this way.  He is angry.  He wants to halt your forward progress.  Yet, so often we are blissfully unaware.  We’ve been praying; maybe we’ve been fasting.  We’ve achieved a tangible peace about something we have been seeking God over.  Then out of the blue we are tapped on the shoulder and WAM!  We are hit hard in a way that is meant to knock us out.  We are hit with news or situations that are specifically designed to send us into a tailspin….those very things that make us make us want to curl into a ball and retreat.

The problem is if we do that, then the enemy wins. 

In order to get back on our feet for the fight, it’s important to understand a few things.

1.  The reason the enemy uses the element of surprise is because it is one of his most effective strategies he can utilize to win. 

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” I John 4:4 (NIV)

When your opponent has a greater strength than you, the element of surprise becomes very powerful.  While we on our own are not stronger than the enemy, Christ in us IS more powerful. 

2.  We really shouldn’t allow ourselves to be taken by surprise by the enemy. 

“Keep your mind clear, and be alert.  Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8 (GWT)

We know that the enemy is looking for opportunities to take us out.  Simple as that.  It isn’t something to be fearful of, but it is something to be aware.  We do not need to allow ourselves to get distracted, or think that we are immune.  That sets us up as an easy target.  Think of Elijah after his huge show-down with Baal’s prophets & standing in faith for rain on the land.  It was right after that when the enemy used Jezebel to “sucker punch” him with a death threat, causing the mighty prophet of God to literally run for his life (see I Kings 18:16-I Kings 19).  I was told once by a wise leader in my life to always watch for the enemy trying to knock me out right after a spiritual high. 

 3.  We must be armed and ready for battle at all times.

“Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan.  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.
 So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over you will still be standing up.
 But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval.  Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God.  In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God.”  Ephesians 6:10-17 (TLB)

When we are armed and ready for battle, when we are vigilant and watchful of the enemy’s tactics, we are able to lessen the impact of his attempt to take us by surprise. 

But what if you in a moment forget to be watchful?  

Know that the immediate punch still hurts.  That is what it is designed to do.  It is also designed to make you react rashly instead of respond responsibly.  In that moment, you must often do the things that are counter-intuitive.  First, know that it is okay to tell God that you don’t understand what is happening and why.  But use that to then respond with your full trust in His faithfulness and provision.  The enemy may have taken you by surprise, but God is all-knowing.  He knew about the moment long ago, and has orchestrated the steps to turn it into something that will somehow work for your good (see Romans 8:28) and for His glory.  

Here are a few immediate steps to help get you back on your feet and moving forward again.

1.       Ask God for comfort as well as direction. 

2.       Seek immediate prayer from trusted friends and leaders. 

3.       Act opposite of what your “flesh” tells you. 

If your response is to want to withdraw and cease making an impact, immediately reach out and do something that has Kingdom impact.  The purpose of the punch was to prevent you from something.  By getting back up and continuing forward on the path God leads you, it immediately negates many of the effects of the attack. 

“Pray all the time.  Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes.  Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 (TLB)

Fight the good fight, my friends.

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 7: Lasting Legacy

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭30-31‬ NLT)

As women, we want to spend our most substantial efforts on the things that are the most long-lasting in our lives. This is why nurturing the relationships with and meeting the needs of our loved ones is so important and so deeply ingrained within us. With this in mind, we must remember that what we want to spend our greatest efforts on in our own lives are the things that will stand the test of time.

Our youthful beauty fades. We are reminded of this when we look in the mirror year after year. Our images transform into something else. And while we may have another kind of beauty as we age, the youthfulness we so often try to cling to disappears. It isn't wrong to take care of ourselves and our appearance. In fact, I believe taking care of our bodies is part of stewarding the resources we have been given. The issue (as with most things) is an issue of the heart. What is our motive? The quest for beauty can become an idol just like anything else. We must ask ourselves if outer beauty has become the focus of our life. If it has, it's not too late to shift your focus and priorities.

Charm is defined as "the power of giving delight or arousing admiration."  It is also defined as "to control or achieve by (or as if by) magic."  Charm is deceptive.  We aren't talking about the first kind of charm....we are talking about the latter.  You know to what I'm referring--batting eyelashes, changing your countenance, or accentuating other attributes to manipulate people or situations in order to get what you want.  You may think it's harmless, but the truth is it hurts you, the person you are manipulating, and your relationship. Very plainly, it is control and it is deception.  It's a tactic employed when you don't think that "playing by the rules" will get you the outcome you desire.  It may start out innocently, but it can quickly become a habit.  Allowing manipulation to rule your relationships will lead to resentment on both sides.  They will resent you because they know you are being manipulative.  You will resent them because you don't feel you can reach a positive outcome without manipulating them into doing what you want.   Manipulation is an erosion to the foundation of truth and trust in your relationships.

So what is lasting?  Our character is something that is lasting because it is something that effects our legacy.  The results of our character are what will outlast us, and will impact the generations to come.  This passage specifically talks about our fear of the Lord.  What does it mean to "fear" the Lord?  Doesn't the Bible talk about perfect love casting out all fear?

This type of fear is not the same type of fear that some of you may be thinking.  This is referring to "reverential awe."  We are simply amazed at our Lord.  We worship Him because of His greatness.  It is something that we are in admiration and amazement over because we simply cannot grasp His fullness.  It is awe-inspiring.  When we have that reverential awe and worshipful attitude toward our Lord, it changes how we look at everything around us.  It causes our perspective to shift.

Can you imagine living in such constant trust of your Savior because you are in such awe of Him? When we trust Him and His plan for our lives, we are obedient to what He calls us to do.  When we are obedient to what He calls us to do, the results do not rest on our own shoulders.  They rest squarely on the shoulders of the One that is capable to bring His plans for our lives to pass.

If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in his good time he will lift you up. (I Peter 5:6)

The Proverbs 31 Woman (yes, her!)- Day 2

A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. [Prov. 12:4; 18:22; 19:14.] The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her. (Proverbs 31:10-12 AMP)

The "Proverbs 31 Woman" (proverbs 31:10-31) was written as an acrostic poem to give spiritual and practical understanding of what it means to be a woman/wife of noble character. While we may not all be married, there are still important virtues to glean from this first section.

First, it's apparent that not every woman is one of "noble character."  She obviously has to be searched out.  The Amplified Bible describes her as "capable, intelligent, and virtuous." Virtuous and noble are synonymous, but what do these words really mean? If you check out Merriam-Webster, you'll find that essentially these mean “of high moral character” or “chaste” [basically not having a sexual nature, or abstaining from such].  Seeing as how God placed Song of Solomon in the Bible, and if you study Paul's teachings, I am quite certain chaste was not the meaning intended concerning a man searching out a virtuous woman to be his wife. 

A second thing is quite clear:   when you are a virtuous woman, you are incredibly valuable.  We are able to be trusted completely.  Trust is priceless.  If you are able to explicitly trust someone, you are able to enjoy an immense peace.  Let’s ask ourselves some difficult questions. 

• Can you be trusted to be fully honest, yet loving in your honesty....even in the toughest situations? 
• Can you be trusted to always to look out for the best for your loved ones? What if the best for them means a more difficult journey for you?
• Can you be trusted to not only react well & celebrate in the good times, but to respond appropriately and lovingly when difficult situations arise?  

Our third focus based on this passage is to be a “builder of the good” within our household.  In order to be a builder of the good, we can’t be a “destroyer with the negative.”  Are we seeking to criticize or belittle those around us?  We can’t be a builder if our favorite tool is a wrecking ball.

 

Our lovely Proverbs 31 woman “comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.”  Certainly this can feel like a tall order.  Does him ONLY good?  That really doesn’t feel like it allows much room for error.  Young’s Literal Translation says it this way:

“She hath done him good, and not evil, all days of her life.” (v.12)

I don’t believe that this verse is calling for perfection.  That would quite frankly be a tall order we are each unable to fulfill.  However, when we look at Young’s translation we see that it comes down to a good ‘ole good versus evil scenario.  This begins to uncover more of a heart issue rather than mere action.  Are we acting out of a resentful or angry heart?  Or are we acting out of a heart filled with grace, love, and expectancy?

Practically speaking, whether you are currently married, engaged, dating, or single, this is an important foundation to build. 

• What if we each sought to become a woman who held to a high moral standard, was completely trustworthy in ALL our ways, and acted to be a “builder of the good” within our sphere of influence?
• What would our relationships look like?  How would that influence others within our circle? What about your children or the young people that are watching on a regular basis?
• What if we focused on our relationship with Christ in the same way as described in these 3 verses?

Which of these concepts is most difficult for you at this season in your life?  Make note of that in your prayer journal/notebook, and ask God to reveal the steps you should take to be shaped into the best version of yourself in that area.  He is always faithful when we seek after Him with our whole heart!

The Posture of Expectancy

Yesterday during a discussion with a group of ladies concerning trusting God in our lives, I posed this question:  “Why is it that we so often pray for God to do something (many of us for years), believe on so many levels that He will do it, and yet find ourselves having a difficult time accepting that it is actually happening when things start to take place/change?” 

At some point, the thing we believe God will do comes into present tense.  Therefore, we can’t always keep our minds focused on the future.  We must be able to be expectant that God will move at any given moment, yet also be able to stand the test of time, and wait on His timing—with endurance and patience if need be.  This expectant hope that rests in God’s timing is our posture of expectancy. 

Why should we keep a posture of expectancy?

1.       It protects our hearts, and keeps them in line with God’s plan, His timing, and His way.

Proverbs 13:12 states, 

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (NIV)

Gill’s Exposition gives this commentary on this verse (emphasis mine):

“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick...That is, the object hoped for; if it is not enjoyed so soon as expected, at least if it is delayed any length of time, the mind becomes uneasy, the heart sinks and fails, and the man is dispirited and ready to despond, and give up all hope of enjoying the desired blessing; whether it be deliverance from any evil, or the possession of any good…” 

I believe many of us, if we are truthful, can attest to this in some aspect of our lives at some point.  It may be for a season; it may be for a moment.  This occurs when we move from expectancy to expectation—meaning when we move from hoping to see something at any moment but being willing to wait in God’s time frame, to believing that God must do something (i.e. what we want & in the way we want) right now.  We move from hoping in the Lord to placing a demand on His timing, will, and plan.  We forfeit our hope in God for our hope in our own plans and dreams. 

We must be able to identify that we have moved from expectancy to expectation.  From there we must ask for forgiveness and place our trust and hope back in God’s mighty hands.  He is the One that gives us the strength for the journey.  He is faithful to show us how to rest in that posture of expectancy if we simply ask and follow His leading.

Gill’s Exposition goes on to discuss:

“but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life; when that which is hoped and wished for, and has been long expected and desired, comes; when there is an accomplishment of men's wishes, it is as grateful to him as the tree of life was in Eden's garden; it gives him an unspeakable pleasure and delight”. “…though not deferred longer than the appointed time, yet longer than the saints expected, and which sometimes made their hearts sick; they became weak and feeble, fearful and dispirited, lest it should never come to pass, which occasioned fresh promises and assurances to them;”

We wait with a posture of expectancy because when our longing is fulfilled, it will mean more to us than had we never had to wait and pray so fervently for it.  We must remember that we wait with a posture of expectancy because at God’s appointed time, things will come to pass.  What a moment!

As we wait for that moment of fulfillment, He will assure us along the way with fresh Words and what I love to call “God winks.”  Remember that Christ became man and walked on this earth.  He knows us.  He knows our hearts.  He knows that “sometimes” we will grow weary.  Those moments “occasion fresh promises and assurances” from our Lord to us.  Knowing that He loves us more than we could fathom, that He has experienced the same feelings, and that He wants you to experience the fulfillment of His promise even more than you do—doesn’t it align with His character that He would continue to spur you on throughout the journey? 

I can testify to you from my own personal experience that He is faithful to do this!  In my own particular journey, He has spurred me on more than I could account.  God has not allowed me to let go of certain promises and desires….sometimes, no matter how much I wanted or begged.  I know without a doubt, however, that the fulfillment of those promises will be greater than any hurt, any pain, any ache, any tears, and any frustrations I have experienced along the way. 

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5 NIV)

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

2.       It allows us to be prepared for the realities of what happens when our promise is fulfilled.

When our promise is fulfilled, it will be an amazing moment of joy! But with that moment of joy also comes real life.  We don’t live in a book or movie where the wayward son comes home, the wife overcomes her addiction, the man finds the woman he loves, the daughter overcomes her body struggles and then everyone lives happily ever after.  As amazing as it will be to see God’s promises come to fruition (or at least for steps to be made toward that point), at that moment we then face new challenges, new possibilities.  If we are not prepared for what those look like, we are setting ourselves up for failure and heartache.  

We must ask ourselves, “Am I living and preparing myself right now as if God would answer my prayer today?”

Waiting Well

It has been quite some time since I blogged.  Perhaps there are seasons in life that require so much of you that hunkering down in the moment is all you are able to do.  Perhaps holding on to hope and faith is easier to do at times when it is all internalized.  Regardless, I have felt the Lord nudging for quite some time about re-entering my blogging world.  Whether my words are only for an audience of One, or if they touch others I have never met outside of my tiny world, I must follow and be obedient. 

You may ask what I have been up to in my absence.  The answer is simple….waiting.   If you were to look at my life from the outside, you might never know.  I have been content.  I have been happy….or perhaps joyful is a more appropriate word.  But through all my contentment, I have had a deep longing and overwhelming expectancy of things that God has promised me I would see, but I haven’t seen evidence of up until this point.  I have been waiting.

I would love to report that I have been waiting well.  I would love to say that regardless of what I saw, felt, or heard, I remained steadfast every moment for the last few years.  I would love to say that I have seen what I am waiting for come to fruition.  But I am unable to say any of those things absolutely. 

I can say this…..I know what it is to wait.  I know what it is to wait well—to be faith-filled and expectant regardless of circumstances, knowing that God will come through in His perfect time and in His perfect way, according to His perfect plan.  I know what it is to understand that God works all things for our good, even when all things that we endure are not necessarily good.  I know what it’s like for God to use the honestly ugly and heart-wrenching things of our lives to help weave together a beautiful tapestry in our lives and in the lives of others.  (See Death of a Dream.)

On the flip side, I also know what it is to NOT wait well.  I know what it is to struggle to hold on in my own strength, and to fail miserably in my waiting well because of that.  There is a saying that is popular that goes like this: “God will not give you more that you can handle.”  This saying is so unfortunate!  A subtle twist makes it a lie….even worse, it actually promotes the idea that God gives you something expecting you to carry it.  On the contrary, Jesus said this:

“For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:30 NLT

If you study commentaries, many discuss the yokes that Jesus would have been discussing.  When yoking an stronger ox to a weaker or less experienced ox, a yoke designed to place the brunt of the load upon the stronger one was used.  While we are waiting, we are to cast our cares on God. 

                   “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”                                   I Peter 5:7 NLT

Casting, according to Merriam-Webster, is to throw or move something in a forceful way, or to send or direct something in the direction of someone or something.  If we throw something or direct it to someone else, we can’t keep our hands on it.  By simple definition, we can’t continue to hold on to it.  We can’t hold on to hope and worry at the same time.  By casting our care—our anxiety, our worry—onto God, we are able to fully grab on to hope.  We are able to then pray with expectancy and with hope.   We are then able to stay in peace because we are focused on our hope in Him.  

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

I understand that at times there is struggle.  Sometimes casting our care is easier than others.  But I also know when the stakes are high, and when the battle is long, casting our care can almost be a moment-by-moment thing on some days.   But I know that it is possible.   

I know that you feel at times that there is no way you can possibly wait another moment.  I know there will be moments when you will want to walk away and forget it all.  But I also know that when you fix your eyes on Christ, when you place your focus on Him, His Word, His promises, He will renew your strength.  He will give you the ability to endure past anything you ever thought possible. (See Fly Like an Eagle.)  His timing is not our timing, and His ways are not our ways.  But He is omniscient.  We are not.  He sees the beginning from the end.  We do not.  He knows how to weave all of the messy pieces of our lives together, and make something that is beautiful—something that we will be able to point to in the future as evidence of His unfailing love and grace in our lives; something that will be for His glory. 

We will wait.  Some days we will wait well.  Some days we will fail in our waiting well, but God is faithful to forgive.  He is faithful to empower us with His strength to continue on the journey.  One day we will see what those things for which we wait.  If you have been called to pray, to stand in the gap, there is a reason. 

“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:

“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.” Revelation 3:7,8 NLT

Continue to hope against hope.  Continue to pray.  This is something I have been praying over my friend for the last 7 months.  I believe praying scripture is one of the most powerful things we can do.  Until you see the fullness of God’s promise come to pass, wait well, my friends.  

Psalm 126

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
    it was like a dream!
 We were filled with laughter,
    and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
    “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
    What joy!

Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    as streams renew the desert.
Those who plant in tears
    will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
    but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Counterfeit

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?

Death of a Dream

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.

Fly Like an Eagle...

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.

Until....

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....

"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

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

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

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

*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.