Real Life Women's Ministry

Convicted Living and the Next Generation

2012-01-29T16:14:00.001-05:00

I am surrounded by young people. I have three of my own. I teach 9th and 10th grade girls four days a week at a high school. I help with college kids at church. I hang out in Middle School on Wednesday nights. Needless to say, I have many kids that filter through my life from week to week, and I am learning much from them.

One of the great needs I see as I hang out with these kids is the need for them to develop their own convictions based on God's Word. They are in the process of making their faith their own and need encouragement to not base their beliefs on what they have been told, but on what God's Word actually says.

For instance, Can they find a verse on a topic when they are struggling? Do they know how to go to the Scripture and search out what is troubling them to find answers? Do they believe God is who He says He is? Will they take that Bible with them and open it for answers, direction and protection when they go to college? Can they find the verses to witness to a lost friend? Do they feel cut to the heart when they sin because they have neglected God's Word? Do they really believe John 10:10 which says, "The theif comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life and have it to the full."?

You see, exposure to truth is not enough. At some point, each of us has to personalize our faith. We do not help the next generation by giving them all the answers, but instead, by teaching them to go to God for answers. We should be greatly burdened to pray for the next generation. We should take time to invest in their lives by challenging them to get into God's Word on their own and let God begin to speak to them. We should be intentional to ask them what the Lord is teaching them. We should be "real" with them and show them what God looks like in our everyday lives as we succeed and as we fail.

I was so burdened as I read Nathan's words to David in II Samuel 12:9a this week... "Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes?" Why do we sin? Why does the next generation sin? Simply said, we just don't take God's Word serious. You see, personal conviction comes as we accept God's Word as right, and we see clearly that our sin is against His Word and His Heart. II Samuel 12:13 illustrates this point. David finally stops denying, rationalizing, covering, and running and cries out, "I have sinned against the Lord."

We will not change the young people in our lives through lecturing, guilting, cloning, clanning, or controlling. We will see change as we live out our convictions in front of them. We will see change as we invest in them and teach them how to get a hold of God in His Word for themselves. We will see change as we see them one- by- one develop a personal conviction based on God's Word. We will see change as we come along side them to encourage them to take God's Word serious and personal and to pass it on to those God puts around them.

Thank the Lord for the young people in your life and pray for them to rise up into a Holy Nation! Find a teen this week you can encourage in God's Word. Pray for a teen this week to personalize their faith. Ask God to show you your part in influencing the next generation to personalize their faith.

Opportunity or Offense?

2011-12-20T08:47:00.001-05:00

In John 8:1-11, we see Jesus giving us a beautiful example of living life through the eyes of opportunity rather than the view of offenses. Our Lord got up early and went where the people gathered. He didn't approach them with a flowing robe, puffed-up title, position or prominence, but instead, He sat down with them and began to share His heart because He loved them. He even loved those who violently opposed, accused and judged Him. Let's look at some of the people He loved in this passage.

First you have the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees coming to Jesus with yet another question. Their intent was to use and accuse. They brought in a woman caught in sin and used her to try and trap Jesus. They cared nothing for the fate of the woman, they just wanted to find basis to stop Jesus. How would we have responded to these men? Would we have seen them through the eyes of compassion or would we have been highly offended and disgusted? Would we have taken time to teach them and seen the value in helping them recognized their own need for a Savior, or would we have given it right back to them? How did Jesus respond?

Jesus turned it into an opportunity to set a woman caught, trapped, accused, condemned in sin FREE! He also used it to reach out to all the self-righteous accusers to show them they also dealt with sin and needed a Savior. He turned the situation into an opportunity to teach a huge crowd that forgiveness sets people (all kinds) of people FREE! He used the very public situation to display a living movie of what it looked like to repent: One minute your sin is on trial and your bondage is on stage and the next minute you have been freed in Jesus name to go and sin no more! That is the Jesus who we proclaim!

So, can we see others through the eyes of Jesus even when their intent is to use or accuse? Can we take an offensive situation and turn it into an opportunity to let the freedom of Christ shine? Can we leave the writing in the sand to Jesus and instead be the messenger of the Gospel?

Let us go this Christmas Season and by His grace and power turn many potential offenses into divine opportunities to lift up the One and Only Jesus who is full of grace and truth!

Run with a View of All Things New

2011-09-20T09:39:00.000-04:00

I have been reading Revelation and Psalms together. What a picture that brings to the glorious God that we serve! I am going to focus on Revelation 21:1-6 in this blog. This is a picture of the new heaven and the new earth that is coming. These verses give us a picture of the Holy City, loud voices from God's throne, eternal dwelling of men in God's never ending, overwhelming, awesome presence. So, for me, I am not even sure I can begin to imagine that I will dwell right with God forever! I wonder if I will ever get off my face?

In John 1:14 we read the words, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth." When we accept Christ as Savior, He dwells within us. However, the picture we see in Rev. 21 is an eternal dwelling of perfection. We will dwell untouched by sin, death, evil, temptation or the devil. There will be no more struggle, mourning, tears, pain suffering, temptation, or imperfection. The struggle of the old order will be gone! The one seated on the throne will make everything NEW, and we will be right there to see it!

Not only will our LORD make everything new, He will finish everything! Rev. 21:6 says, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End!" What wonderful words to hear. The world of sin and suffering is done! Complete and continual victory in Jesus will reign! We will drink continually of the springs of the water of life. We will never be thirsty again. We will be eternally full of His presence. It is done!

Last, we need to take heart that this life is more than earthly. We need to get a heavenly perspective of who we are in Christ and what is to come for us. We need to stop living like we are losing and focus on the victory that is ours now and to come eternally in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are over comers not overwhelmed hangeroners! We need to pray to be thirsty for His living water of life in His Word. That is the only way we will avoid a cold, worn, and shackled heart that barely makes it before the throne. I don't want to scrape by. I want to run passionately to the only One who can make all things new! I want to run with eternity in mind and the words, "Well Done!" ever echoing in my head. How about you? Let's live like eternity might come today!

Do I See Jesus Like John Did?

2011-08-25T15:53:00.006-04:00

Revelation 1:1-20 is an incredible testimony of Jesus Christ! We think of the book or Revelation as such a hard book to unravel many times, but really it gives us a beautiful picture of Christ and His presence in our lives past, present and future. This is how Jesus is described to us from John's personal encounter:

His head and hair.... whiter than snow
His eyes.... blazing fire
His feet..... glowing bronze
His voice....like rushing water
His hands.... large, powerful and hold His servants
His mouth.... delivers a double edged sword
His face....like the sun shining in brilliance

John had to take time to be still before God and hear from Him. When Jesus spoke, John was in a place to listen. When John heard Jesus' voice, he turned to see the vision of Jesus reported in Rev. 1:12-16.

At the sight of Jesus John responded as recorded, "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead." I am pretty sure at this point John no longer had a vision of any of his suffering, circumstances, loneliness or self. Jesus so consumed him, he died to himself. All of this made me ask myself the following questions about how I see Jesus:

Do I take time to listen for Jesus' voice daily?
Do I live like Jesus is present in my life?
Do I envision my Jesus as described and fall on my face daily in awe that one so powerful would speak to me and use my life?
Do I put aside my own preferences and preconceived ideas and make myself open to Jesus' vision?
Do I fall down in conviction or fake humility?
Do I have my heart bowed before His power or do I stand in my own pride?
Do I really believe Jesus cares about my fears and frustrations and do I surrender to His ways over my own?
Do I live in the light of how great my Savior is and was and is to come?

He is my first and my last. He is the beginning of my life and the end. He is present in all of it. He is the One who calms my fears, holds me in His right hand, speaks to me personally, frees me from sin and death, the Almighty One and the One called Faithful and True who is coming soon!

May God help us change our daily earthly perspective to a consuming eternal vision!

Teaching the Next Generation...

2011-07-13T09:24:00.003-04:00

"After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who...

knew neither the Lord
Nor what He had done for Israel." (Judges 2:10)

How tragic! Not only did the next generation not know God, they had no idea of all the great things He had done. It might seem unrealistic that a whole generation could miss God all together. How is it that the previous generation that had seen God's deliverance in such mighty ways could fail to pass on the realness of God to their children and grandchildren? Could that happen to us?

This passage caused me to reflect on my role in passing on truth to the next generation. This summer, we have been involved in hosting some Bible studies as a result of this conviction. We have had children from 10 years old to young adults in their 20's passing through our home to hear some of the great things God has done for His children. Can it get crazy? Yes. Is it loud? Yes. Is it worth it? A million times YES!

Our job as adults is to teach the truth and make it available to the next generation. Our job is to model the truths we teach and allow the next generation opportunities to walk along side us and see how we apply truth to real life. Our job is to seek the Lord daily while He may be found and let others into our lives to observe.

I challenge you to ask God to show you how He wants to use you to pass on truth to the next generation. Maybe He wants you to open your home and open your Bible to the kids in your neighborhood. Maybe it is inviting a college student who is away from home over to dinner. Maybe it is to get involved in a children's, youth or college ministry. Maybe it is as simple as opening the Bible with your own kids or grand kids. Seek the Lord, and He will use you to pass on truth to the next generation!

Love to you all in Christ and a happy summer to you!

Parenting Part III: Instruction for Life

2011-06-15T07:26:00.007-04:00

Now a word about our words...

Instruction: "Instruction" is correction through both words of correction and encouragement. This type of parent is committed to develop their children in the Lord. They see it as their job to bring them up. Bring them up means to raise and nourish them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Parents need to have a plan in place not a "hope all turns out OK" approach to parenting.

Don't miss the opportunity! Deep within the heart of every person is a longing for their parent’s approval and investment. All children long to hear their parents say, "I love you, I value you, I believe in you, and I am proud of you."

In every stage of life children want to be valued and loved:

The little girl who twirls like a ballerina in front of her daddy wants to be loved.
The young girl who says, "mom do you like this outfit?" wants to be loved.
The bride you walk down the aisle in her flowing white dress wants to be loved.
The little boy who wants to play catch wants to be loved.
The young boy who says, "can you teach me?" wants to be loved.
The young man on his first job wants to be loved.

Do not overlook or abuse this God given desire within your children longing for your investment and approval. Be committed to develop your children in the Lord by being intentional with your words. Words can either build a life or break a life. Here are some positive examples we should speak often to our children:

Words of affection— “I love you.”
Words of reconciliation— “Please forgive me I was wrong.”
Words of encouragement—“You’re going to do something great. God’s going to use your life.”
Words of value— “God has a purpose for your life..”

Say it now! Do not wait or it may be to late! Do not hold back what they need today. Be genuine with your words. To often we wait for tragedy or transition to say what we should have already said.

It is up to us day by day to train our children to handle rejection, handle victory, guard their heart, work through their emotions, handle their money, work with people, and work through conflict not run from it.

Parents are not perfect; they are human and can loss it. But the parent is not to be in continual or repetitive pattern of provoking their children and failing to train and instruct them in the Lord through nurturing.

You cannot impart what you do not possess. If you are not walking in submission to God’s Word, you can’t expect your children to do so. Examine your life as a parent. What needs to change so you can give the your children the much needed words for life.

Parenting Part II: Nurturing with Loving Discipline

2011-05-11T07:13:00.001-04:00

The importance of training/nurturing a child is given throughout Scripture. The word “nurture” carries with it the idea of learning through discipline. It is translated “chastening” in Hebrews 12. “Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth” (Heb. 12:6). Prov. 13:24 says, "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (in good time).

5 Thoughts on Disciplines:

1. Discipline involves clear boundaries and consequences (expectation before enforcement).

2. Discipline takes various forms. In each form of discipline there is a right way and a wrong way. A right time and wrong time. As we surrender our will to God's, He will guide us to discipline with love and consistency.

Loving accountability and confrontation
Speaking instruction
Sitting in timeout
Stopping privileges
Spanking

3. Discipline is to form the child not damage the child.

4. Discipline takes the right motive and spirit.

5. Discipline takes time and consistency.

Discipline Defined: It is an investment to build character by applying consistent consequences for disobedient choices.

*If it is an investment of love not a reaction of frustration, the child can receive it and value it (if not at the moment in time).

*Children are longing for loving accountability and stability in their lives.

Parenting Part I: Beware of Provoking

2011-04-30T09:40:00.002-04:00

Col. 3:21 “Fathers (moms too:), do not exasperate (stir up) your children. That they may not lose heart and become discouraged.”

Fathers (moms too) are
Not to discourage but develop their children....
Not enrage but encourage....
Not build resentment but respect.

10 Actions that Provoke our Children:

1. Speaking Hastily Not Wisely

2. Making Promises and Not Following Through

3. Focusing Only On Mistakes and Failing to Praise the Positive

4. Expecting Perfection and Not Valuing Effort (unrealistic goals/parents goals for sports, career etc)

5. Playing Favorites Instead of Valuing Differences

6. Discounting Concerns Instead of Taking an Interest (learn to listen over lecturing)

7. Through Physical, Emotional, or Verbal Abuse Breaking Trust Not Building Trust

8. Being Overprotective Instead of Creating Room for Responsible Decision Making (must give them room to grow)

9. Giving Them Things Not Giving Them Your Time

10. Unwilling to Hold Them Accountable When They Need You Most

Personal sin that causes a father to not be filled with the Holy Spirit creates anger within those entrusted to us. Immorality in a father can create anger, resentment and bitterness in a child. If you sin against your family – make it Right!

Marriage

2011-04-06T08:48:00.000-04:00

We have been going through a series on families at our church and I am going to make the next blog posts from that series. I am learning so much and hope you find a few helps too. This first post comes from a sermon on marriage:

Kids can have some interesting insights on marriage and dating.

When asked, “How does a person decide who to marry?”

Allan (age 10) said, “You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.”

Kirsten (age 10) replied, “No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you got to find out later who you’re stuck with.”

What do most people do on a date?

Lynnette (age 8) says, “Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to

know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.”

Martin (age 10) has some youthful wisdom: “On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.”

Fifteen Tips For Marriage

Philippians 4:8

By: Mark Sterling (gleaned from years of study and living)

Praise the positive and pray about your concerns.
Deal with one problem at a time.
Be Responsible for your own emotions, words, actions and reactions.
Be willing to change.
Avoid emotionally charged words like: you never, you always, I don’t care, whatever ….
Don’t keep records of wrong for example: Remember when you ________.
Avoid selfishness share the load.
Remove unneeded stress (don’t make decision when you are tired).
Work hard at communication don’t assume the other understands.
Guard your heart and mind.
Give without expecting something in return.
Practice the golden rule Matthew 7:12.
Date and (Listen – Learn – Love).
Avoid trying to control your mate.
Pray together (establish a family altar).

Living or Existing?

2011-01-27T09:36:00.001-05:00

Habakkuk 2:4 says, "The just shall live by faith." Notice God's Word did not say, "The just shall get by and exist; barely making it from day to day." God calls me to live! Live means to walk in freedom, faith, abundance and in all the fullness of Jesus. God forgive us for not living in His fullness each day!

Life is so messy all around us and we can easily get overwhelmed and burdened down into a state of just hanging on by a thin thread or a broken fingernail. We need wisdom to minister and not retreat into hidden existence. We need to live by His provisions for us clearly given to us in Ephesians 1. This passage reminds us of why we should live life to the fullness of all Jesus created us to be. Here God says that we are...
CALLED
BLESSED
CHOSEN
ADOPTED
LOVED
GIVEN GRACE FULLY
REDEEMED
FORGIVEN
LAVISHED BY LOVE
GIVEN HIS WILL
LIVE IN AND FOR HIS PRAISE AND GLORY
INCLUDED
MARKED
PROMISED
POSSESSED
POWERFUL
FILLED
Take hold of who you are in Christ girl and go LIVE!

Relationships and Jesus

2010-12-18T19:39:00.004-05:00

Life is about relationships. No matter who we are, God made us for relationships. He designed us to need Him and need other people in our lives. Jesus modeled relationships for us throughout the gospels. He could relate to all kinds of people because He loved them and had vision for them. He did not prefer, promote, or pick-out only the superior to relate His message of love and salvation to; Jesus loved all people. Jesus invested in relationships because people are reached through relationships.

In Mark 5:2-42 alone we see Jesus reaching out to possessed people, fearful people, pleading people, negative people, positive people, obedient people, amazed people, submissive people, pressing people, suffering people, fake people, mocking people, and astonished people. I have those people in my life and only the love of God can enable me to build relationship with some of them! But, when I remember the cross and the personal connection that salvation brought to me, I can love. When I read scripture and am reminded of how Jesus loved lepers, prostitutes, bleeding women, blind guides, possessed people, hateful mockers, and so many others, I can love. Then, I stretch my arms out wide to heaven and say, "I want all your love, all your commands, all your joy in all kinds of relationships Lord!" I am not holding anything back from the Lord in fear or selfishness. I am not afraid of being a living sacrifice surrendering to all His commands and obeying by faith in all the relationships He brings into my life. Why?
Life is about relationships and God reaches people through relationships.

Not only is Jesus’ love required for me to build relationships, I need Jesus’ vision (Mathew 9:35-38). Jesus’ vision for relationships enables me to see people through His eyes. Over and Over Jesus' vision went way beyond a glance. Jesus saw the crowds... the harassed, the helpless, the messy, the rich, the poor, the religious, the one caught in sin, the prodigal, the possessed, the searching, the proud, the beggar, the desperate, the weak, the strong, the wise, the foolish, the broken and the sick. He did not ignore, pass by or minimize what He saw. He was not pumped-up, heady or self-centered because huge crowds surrounded Him, saw Him or followed Him. He saw them!

He didn't just glance at them or walk on past them. He sat down and taught them, he reached out and touched them, he stooped down and held them. Jesus healed them, heard them, offered forgiveness to them, stopped and gave them His love, time and His hope.

Jesus was all about relationships, are we? Ask God to show you what you see in your relationships. Do you see God? Do you see people like He sees them? Ask him to help you see what He sees. Ask for a creative vision to see how to pour your life into others. Ask for eyes to see the relationships that God sends your way. Ask hard questions like: Who am I sharing Christ with in relationship? Who am I discipling in relationship? With which neighbor, family member, co-worker, community member am I building relationship for the sharing of the gospel? Pray daily that your relationships matter for the kingdom of God.

Jesus is all about relationships and we should be too!

His Grace is Enough

2010-11-05T13:52:00.000-04:00

Ephesians 4:7 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
Exodus 16:18 “…He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.”
Exodus 16:35 “The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to the land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Cannan.”

Life is good when we live in the portion of grace Gad has provided for us. Manna was apportioned by God for His children in just the right amounts to meet their individual needs.

In the same way, God daily apportions grace for us that is just enough and perfectly fitting to supply our needs for just that day. We stumble when we try and live in tomorrow’s manna. We stumble when we try and live off of someone else’s grace. Grace is given by God and is as each one personally needs it.

The Israelites that tried to gather manna over their needs for that day wound up with rot on their hands. In the same way, my life is rotten when I try to gather up all my future worries and find God’s solution in my own strength and reasoning.

Exodus 16 tells us that God’s children that went to gather manna on the day of rest found none and those who gathered too much in a morning to hoard it for the next day found the extra manna stinking and full of maggots. My life stinks in my own planning, provision and running. God’s grace is perfect for now. God’s grace is enough with out any of my extra gathering. The trouble comes when I try and add to what God has already taken care of.

As my mother-in-law hangs between heaven and earth today, God’s grace is enough moment by moment. I don’t know what grace will need to be apportioned to each believer in our family tonight or tomorrow, but I am thankful that grace is apportioned moment by moment by Jesus my Lord. I am thankful for having the blessing of crying out to my all knowing, all consuming, grace giving Heavenly Father who provides what I need to walk in Phil. 4:4-7. I am thankful for all the praying believers God has graced our lives with. His grace is enough.

Extreme Love

2010-10-16T12:06:00.003-04:00

The key to living an abundant life as a believer in Christ is found in John 15. It is a rich passage full of wisdom on how to live above mediocrity and frustration. The first basic truth to grasp is that apart from Jesus I can do nothing! That means that everything I attempt in my own strength has no lasting value. That doesn't mean that Jesus loves me any less when I live in my own strength. Even if I block our fellowship by rushing through in my own strength and choosing my own way, He still loves me. That means His love is not dependent on my performance, my ability, or my accomplishments. In fact, John 15:9 says Jesus loves me like God loves Jesus.

Let that soak in...Jesus loves his children as much as the Father loves Him! We should stand in awe that we are loved like that. This passage gives us the key to resting in that kind of love. We are told to abide, dwell and bask in God's love. We do this by relying, obeying, completely surrendering to His Word and His Way. Complete joy comes in surrendered, abandoned obedience. I stretch my arms out wide to heaven and say, "I want all your love, all your commands, all your joy Lord!" I am not holding anything back from the Lord in fear or selfishness. I am not afraid of being a living sacrifice surrendering to all His commands and obeying by faith.

At this point, I can take in John 15:12, "Love each other as I have loved you." I have no ability to love like Jesus until I am filled up with that love myself. When I remember that Jesus laid down His life for me, I can love. When I remember the cross and the personal connection that salvation brought to me, I can love. When I read scripture and am reminded of how he loved lepers, prostitutes, bleeding women, blind guides, possessed people, hateful mockers, and so many others, I can love.

Not only does Jesus supply the love, John 15:15 tells us that Jesus holds nothing back in teaching us what the Father has shown Him. His Word has all the answers to life and Godliness (II Peter 1:3-8). His Word is living and active and not a dead book of words (Hebrews 4:12). His Word is keeps us from sin (Ps. 119:9-11). We are in error because we don't know His Word (Mark 12:24). We should be like the Bereans and examine the Scriptures daily to see if what we are taking into our lives lines up with His Word (Acts 17:11).

Jesus also supplies the calling. He chose me and appointed me to go bear fruit. He did not choose me to just take me to Heaven, make me a preacher's wife, make me a godly mother or to teach women. He chose me to bear fruit that will last. That is my calling everyday. Lasting fruit comes from deep abiding in Him. I rest and dwell in His love and as a result I pour our His unmanipulated, unpolluted, uninhibited love on others. After all, Jesus ended with passage on abiding/dwelling with this, "This is my command: Love each other."

In closing, meditate on His great love. Read I Cor. 13 and personalize it by saying out loud Jesus' name everywhere you see the word love. That is how Jesus loves us. Live in it and love others through it!

Peter Oh Peter! - Mark 14:27-31, 66-72

2010-09-18T22:09:00.000-04:00

In this passage Jesus states clearly what is about to happen. I wonder why Peter felt like he knew the future better than Jesus? But in fairness to Peter as we take a look at this passage, how many times do we think we know better than Jesus?

In the parallel passage in Matthew 26:31, Jesus says, “This very night, you will all fall away on account of me…” Peter is called out here, but all the disciples were involved.

In Mark 14:30 Jesus says to Peter, “…before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times.” It seems logical at this point that Peter would say one of the following:

Help me!
Forgive me!
Deliver me!
Search me!
Humble me!

Instead, we find Peter insisting emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” I will never…. is such a serious three word phrase. Especially when you consider that Peter was challenging the very words of Jesus. Have we been in Peter’s spot and responded to Jesus’ words with I will never? Maybe…I will never

Forgive that person.
Love that kind of person.
Move away from my family.
Serve in that way.
Submit to that leadership.
Go on a mission trip.
Overcome my bondage.
Trust that person.

Jesus tells us to have an undivided heart that embraces the truth He speaks without challenge or denial. We must be willing to trust His word over our reasoning, feelings, opinions or plans. Peter had a hard time with this.

But let’s not just pin all the pride on Peter. Notice the end of verse 31, “And ALL the others said the same.” Who is the ALL?

How many times has a false sense of pride in our strength for the Lord led us to a place of boasting like this?

Now we move from Jesus’ warning to reality. In verse 68, Peter’s first denial is a statement. In verse 70, his second denial is with more emotion. In verse 71, his 3rd denial is an all out temper tantrum with cursing and screaming.

Then, in verse 72, it says immediately (47 times) the rooster crowed and Peter remembered. What did Peter remember? Have you had a Peter experience and remembered the Word’s of Jesus too late? How did it affect you? How much better to head than remember!

Peter was in process as we all are. He was learning to listen to Jesus and put his own pride, opinions, ideas, and people concerns to the side. Peter finally got it in John 21:22 where Jesus said directly to him, “You must follow me!”

So, how about us? We all have some Peter in us I think. Everyday surrender is needed. How much better to listen and obey the words of Jesus rather than challenge and remember too late.

Poured out in Worship (Mark 14:1-11)

2010-09-01T09:05:00.000-04:00

What a telling passage of motives, Mary, money, manipulation, murder-plots and magnificent worship. Who needs Hollywood for a moving story line! This passage has many players and to understand how it applies to us, we need to look at the characters involved:

Chief Priests-They are looking for a sly way to arrest and kill Jesus.

Teachers of the Law-Also, looking to trap Jesus.

Simon the Leper- He is hosting Jesus in his home for a dinner party.

Mary (sister of Martha)-She is free! Free to worship! Freely surrendered!

The Disciples-They are guests, observers and critics.

Judas-The disciple who is a deceiver and out for his own gain through association with Christ. He is the treasurer, a hypocrite and a betrayer.

Jesus-He is the guest of honor, the Savior, Messiah and Lord. He is the object of Mary’s worship, the one the religious want murdered, and the Loving Lord Judas betrays.

Who would you be in the story? Obviously, the goal is to pray for an undivided, surrendered heart so that we can become like Mary. For that reason, we will put most of our focus on her. But before we focus in on Mary, may I make the point that all the characters were worshipping something.

They were also all at the same worship service. The difference in their response is directly connected to the condition of their heart. Some spent their worship time analyzing and criticizing the other worshippers. Judas chose betrayal because he was worshipping power and money. Others were worshipping falsely with jealousy and sickeningly fake humility. Others were just too focused on themselves to focus on Jesus. I think if we look hard we might see ourselves from time to time in the different characters.

Now for the right kind of worship; what is the key? First, when we genuinely worship we don’t care who is around, how they evaluate or criticize us, or what their opinion is of us. We don’t do it for show or approval, but we give all we have to the God who loves us, created us, and desires more of us. Furthermore, we don’t even have to defend our actions to others. Jesus is our testimony. Look at what He said to the critics in Mary’s life in verse 6, “Leaver her alone… why are you bothering her? What she has done to me is a beautiful thing!”

That brings us to some personal questions about our worship:
How often do we worship for the wrong reason?

How often do we worship…

in false humility?
out of obligation?
fearful to lift our heart and hands?
fearful to be consumed by only God?
fearful of what those around us think?
unaware of the Holy Spirit’s presence?
flippantly with rarely a thought of our Savior’s great sacrifice and salvation?

Ecclesiastes 5 tells us to prepare carefully before we enter into worship. It commands us to think about the vows we are singing and to stand in awe of God. Entering into worship should not be done lightly. We should prepare our hearts. We should think about the cross. We should let God cleanse us and make us ready to worship.

Mary got it. Each time we see her, she is pouring all of who she is out at the feet of Jesus. She is abandoned and not focused on the opinion of others or obsessing over their criticism. She is consumed by her Savior and Lord. I want to worship like that! How about you?

2010-08-18T09:11:00.000-04:00

Lonely Places

2010-08-16T11:42:00.000-04:00

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Mark 1, Luke 5). I think God puts me in lonely spots sometimes so I will slow the party down and just see my enormous, gaping need for Him. He wants my heart, my mind, my will,and my strength. If I am filled with activity and people sometimes I just don’t feel so needy to be filled with His all consuming love. He is faithful in my “I love people” way of living to slow me down and remind me that it is essential to a healthy relationship to withdraw to lonely places and seek Him.

Psalm 62:5 says, “Find REST oh my SOUL in God ALONE…” Soul rest comes from God alone and only comes when I feel poor and needy for Him and Him alone.

Have you ever considered that a lonely place could be God’s doing in your life? So many times we see lonely times from our little “pity party” corner of life and miss that God orchestrated each circumstance to bring us to the lonely place with Him. We need to quit praying for deliverance from every conflict and grow-up to maturity in the circumstance by clinging to God, His Word and His Way over ours.

I know I get up refreshed and truly find “soul rest” when I am willing to say “yes Lord” and cry out to Him from whatever desert place my soul has been parked. I don’t need new people or circumstances in my life, I just need time in the lonely place to be consumed by God. I need such an awe of Him that I am willing to love anyone through anything.

So, next time you feel some distance, face some rejection, find yourself feeling a bit alone or left out, how about seeing it as an invitation from a consuming, loving, longing Heavenly Father who wants you all to Himself in the lonely place. He is the one who longs to refresh your soul, speak to your heart, fill your empty places and sustain you through anything!

My Path or God's?

2010-08-12T08:26:00.001-04:00

I write with a burdened heart this morning. Have you ever just felt overwhelmed by all the brokenness? Have you ever just begged God for victory in the hurt around you in the world? I know this, I am not God and I can't fix all that needs to be fixed by my words, my advise or even my support. What I can do is pray. What I can do is continue to believe that it is the truth of God's Word that sets the captives free. What I can do is focus on Jesus Messiah who is the name above all names, the one who paid the ransom for the thief on the cross and the worst of sinners. He is the one who I must focus on and know deeply if my life will have anything to pour out.

This is a continual choice in my life. I am a fixer in my first born, over the top, nature. What a revelation that God didn't save me to fix things. He saved me to know Him. He saved me by His amazing grace to serve with humility. Pain is part of life and part of growth. My heart hurts when I can't fix the conflict in my kid's lives. My heart hurts as I watch them face struggles knowing that they need to grow stronger without me stepping in to make it all okay. Part of learning to be responsible and learning to walk with God involves neediness. If I am right there to always smooth the road of life for them, they will be in shock someday when they realize that the road of life is just not smooth. It is full of pot holes, dirt roads, steep paths and winding decisions. Clarity on the road comes from learning about total dependence on God. I am still on the road learning this, how about you? Whose wisdom are you seeking? Are you on God's path or your own? Do you feel more needy for God everyday or do you think you are pretty wise on your own?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with ALL your HEART, learn not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and HE will direct your path." John 3:30 is a good follow-up, "He must become greater, I must become less."

Prayer: "God help us need you desperately. Teach us how to walk confidently in you. Show us how to pray without ceasing on the matters of the heart. Deliver us from "fixing" and make us faithful.

What is a true friend?

2010-08-01T23:43:00.008-04:00

Friends are giving. I Sam 18:4
Friends are loyal. I Sam 19:4-5
Friends are trustworthy. I Sam. 20:1-4
Friends let us be real no matter how scary that is. I Sam 20:41-42
Friends find the good in us & encourage us. I Sam 23:15-18

Verses to guide our friendships:

A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends.
Job 6:14a NIV

The righteous are cautious in friendship. Prov. 12:16

A friend loves at all times. Prov. 17:17

Jesus laid down his life for his friends. Jn. 15:13

Two are better than one… Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Questions to Consider:

Do you find yourself building your friends up or tearing them down?

How do the words you speak affect your friendships?

How do you handle being left out and how can God help?

Have you ever talked bad about a friend to make yourself look better?

How can you be a “Jesus” girl friend?

A true friend shares freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably. William Penn

Pride’s C's and the Savior’s Solution

2010-07-19T13:00:00.005-04:00

(Mk 10:35-45)
Pride is at the root of all sin. Pride is the way of our world. Pride unfortunately has become the way of many believers. We need to see clearly what Jesus has to say about pride.

In this passage, James and John came boldly to say, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” What are you thinking after reading that statement? I must admit that it floors me that Jesus had just predicted his death very clearly in the verse just above this one and the “J” brothers had this to say!

Jesus really could have rebuked them here, but He simply says, “You don’t know what you ask…can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” So what would you have said to this? What do you think the “J” brothers said? What would be the Sunday School answer here? At least James and John are not playing games. Their pride is all out there and they say, “We can.” Really?!

How often have I requested something boldly of Jesus and then instead of counting the cost, I quickly answer like the disciples and say “Yes I can do that.” Pride is a dangerous thing! But let’s not just pick on the “J” brothers. The other ten disciples were just as guilty of pride.

The other ten were indignant (10:41) that James and John had asked for the best spots! I think they were indignant and critical here because they hadn’t thought of requesting the best seats first. You see pride for position and wanting the best spot brings out the “C’s” in us all:

*competing*comparing*criticizing*controlling*

Pride makes us feel we have to compete with all those around us that threaten our position.

Pride leads us to compare up and down with others to evaluate our importance.
Pride leads us to criticize those we can’t control or those who are challenging in our lives.
Pride leads us to try and control those around us to feel secure and important.

The “C’s” are the way of the world around us, but Jesus has an upside down plan. Jesus responded in verse 42 by pointing out it is the world’s way to lord position over others. He moves on to His way and gives simple instructions on how to have the best position in the kingdom in verses 43-45.

The Savior's Solution:

Become great by serving others.
Be first by being a slave to all--give up your rights so Jesus can be lifted up.
Follow Jesus’ example and check you attitude with His (Phil. 2:5-11).

Practical Daily Actions:

Surrender me, myself and I in each situation to see Jesus’ plan and picture.
Surround your self with His Word. Write down on index cards and post verses like Phil 2:3-11, Mark 10:43-45 or Phil 4:5 all around you to remind you to have the attitude of Christ.
Seek out mature Christian friends that can speak truth into your life and pray through situations with you.
Serve rather than be served.

2010-07-10T14:11:00.000-04:00

‘They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were because he was teaching his disciples…They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him stand among them…’ (Mark 9:30-36)

I learned a lot in this passage about real life and parenting. I like first that Jesus saw the need to take his disciples away to teach them. Sometimes as families, we need to hide away together for opportunities to teach lessons that cannot be taught in a crowd. A day at home, a day away, a special time to create the opportunity for a teachable moment. For our family, a week away with no outside influences can do us a world of good.

I also love how they are walking on the road together and there is conversation going on between the disciples. Jesus is listening and knows their hearts are not right, but He does not immediately address it. God convicted me as I read this that I need to learn to pick my teachable moments for the big things of life a little more patiently.

Jesus waits until they are alone together in the house to address the problem. Oh how I need to do a better job of making the confrontation timely and private. Not only timely and private, but note that Jesus asks a question first instead of a lecture, “What were you arguing about on the road?” This gives the disciple a chance to think, to feel conviction, and respond. I need to learn to ask questions. Lectures, lots of talk and answers do have a place, but I know I have overused them as a parent. Questions and object lessons are what I need to be more disciplined in.

Observe that Jesus’ goal in asking the question was not just to hear an answer. He asked because He wanted to reveal their hearts to them and teach them about what following Him really meant. Maybe the disciples said nothing because they knew they were wrong! They had been arguing over who was the greatest-the king of the hill-the alpha dog-the chief- the leader -the boss. They were self-focused not God-focused. I know I can relate. How about you? Do you ever argue out of selfishness? Do you compare, compete and push to be noticed? Position and power are the flesh’s chief concern. Humility, meekness and service are kingdom concerns.

It gets even better…. Jesus sits down calmly and then speaks with very few words, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Instead of a lot of words, Jesus provides a visual. He calls some little children over takes a child and has him stand among them. He gathers the child in his arms then and makes the point to welcome, serve and take time for what the world tosses out as unimportant. Serve with the attitude that it is for Jesus, not to gain some position or attention.

This passage leaves me praying… “Lord how I need your help to parent like you. To take time away to see each day as an opportunity to serve, instruct, use calm and concise words, and take time to illustrate life. Give me strength and grace to stand and forgive. Give me the humility to show mercy and love even when it is hard. You are enough and can help me love anyone through anything! In Jesus Name, Amen.”

To Live Is Christ

2010-06-18T22:25:00.003-04:00

God has been reminding me lately that He wastes nothing in our lives. Every experience bad or good is intended to shape us and make us more in love with Him. However, we must choose to trust him as we walk daily through the good and bad of life. God gave us a free will to choose to hold tight to him or run hard the other way. God is not out to “get us.” God is not just waiting for us to mess up. He is the loving, all-knowing God who sees us at our worst and best and loves us anyway. He is the God who we can cling to and trust with all of our lives. He is the God that desires all of our life. Paul said in Phil. 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ…” To live is to have all our life consumed by Christ.

My husband said it like this in a sermon, ‘We must run to the battle not from the battle. We need God to create in us a sense of urgency if complacency has cuddled us into safe pastures of religion. I can’t help but believe that if more of God’s people were proclaiming God’s message daily, there would be more fervency, urgency, and need for boldness in our church prayer meetings. A recent survey in an association revealed that 90% of the church’s prayer efforts were dedicated to physical needs. Yes, we must pray for physical needs, but we also must not divorce the connection prayer has with boldness in proclaiming the gospel. I am reminded of what A.W. Tozer said, "Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late - and how little revival has resulted? I believe the problem is that we have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and it simply will not work. To pray for revival while ignoring the plain precept laid down in Scripture is to waste a lot of words and get nothing for our trouble. Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience.” We must be willing to obey the command to proclaim Jesus (the great commission), accept conflict when it comes, don’t back down but bend down, pray for boldness and a move of God, be filled with the Holy Spirit, then rise and go forward to proclaim.’

Can we really say that our life is consumed with Christ? Are we proclaiming Him daily? Does our prayer life reflect a life consumed by Christ? Can we make the following our prayer?

“Dear Lord help me surrender fully to you. May I want you more than I want anything else. Show me what I am consumed with, and may I put aside all that is not of you. Let me be consumed with you Jesus!” Amen

Real Life in Christ

2010-05-20T10:37:00.001-04:00

Life in the Kingdom of God is full of spiritual battle here on planet earth. It is easy to discern things going on around us and discern all that we would like to change. The kicker is we can only change our own heart.

Many believers have decided to just live life on the sidelines spiritually because it seems to hurt less and costs little. It is the “entertain me please and don’t ask me to commit to anything” type of Christianity. It seems safe, feels good, and is focused on me.

The problem with easy Christianity is that life happens. Storms come and the winds of change blow in and then entertainment is not enough. There is no one to entertain us when it comes back to the hard knocks of life alone in the dark.

That is where a spiritual decision must be made. Is what I have with God real when it comes back to just me and Him? Is my Bible enough or can I sing “It is Well with My Soul” when I am all alone and all the fluff is stripped away? Do I depend on people to make me feel, or am I running to God desperate for Him? Am I critical or Christ-like? Do I feel compelled to know the Word until my Bible falls apart or is my life falling apart because I have depended on an experience.

You see, we live in a confusing time spiritually. No man, mission, ministry or mantra is going to create enough of an experience for us to live on long-term. God can use all those tools, but what we need today more than anything else is the living, loving Lord Jesus. We need to make a decision to go on with God no matter what those around us choose of don’t choose. Our eyes need to be fixed on the “Author and Finisher of Our Faith” not the problems or people surrounding us.

You see, when we fix our eyes on Jesus, then we can look past the problems and with compassion see people with potential. We can love like Jesus loves. We can live like Jesus lives. We can forgive like Jesus forgives. And we can long for what Jesus longs for.

Making a spiritual difference takes focus, surrender, vision, purpose, perseverance and daily desperation for the heart of Christ. So much of the Christian life is about simple steps of daily obedience to God. The Christian life is a journey not a pep-rally. It is a battleground not a playground. It is a life of daily denial of self and daily surrender to our Savior. It is personal and it should permeate way past Sunday.

To the religious Jesus said, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions (Mark 7:9).” To the crowd He made clear, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Mark 8:34).” To the disciples He said, “Take courage! it is I. Don’t be afraid (Mark 6:50).”

Studying the Gospel of Mark has taught me that the disciples were in process just as I am. They are different from the religious, the crowd, and the world because they made a decision that Jesus is enough and His every Word is true! Have you? Settling that will settle us to accept every part of life that comes our way with the confidence that Jesus is enough!

People Jesus Loves

2010-05-18T12:19:00.001-04:00

Jesus loves all kinds of people. Just look at all the people in Mark 5:

Possessed People (v. 2)
Fearful People (v.15)
Pleading Negative People (v. 17)
Pleading Positive People (v. 18, 22-23)
Obedient People (v.20)
Amazed People (v. 20)
Submissive People (v. 22, v. 33)
Pressing People (v.24)
Suffering People (v.26)
Free People (v.20,29,42)
Faithful People (v.34)
Fake People (v.38)
Mocking People (v.31,40)
Astonished People (v.42)

Let’s focus in on submissive people and suffering people. In verse 22, a synagogue ruler named Jarius knelt before Jesus to make a request. Why? He was powerful and important, why kneel before Jesus? What wasn’t under this ruler’s control? What did he acknowledge by

coming
kneeling
asking

Was the ruler’s child sick or dead? What would he accomplish in coming to Jesus if the child was dead? Jesus ignored the circus going on around him and focused on the person, Jarius, and said, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” Jarius did.

Suffering People (verse 25-29) Why did the woman touch Jesus? What was her problem? Who was in control? Why not just go bug the doctor some more?

In both instances, Jarius and the bleeding woman acknowledged Jesus had all authority and power. They had faith. They came in full surrender to Jesus. Do we? Who do we trust our life physically, emotionally and spiritually to Jesus? Do we look to doctors, books, psychologists, psychiatrists and the world more than we look to Jesus? Do we even come in full surrender to God asking Him by faith for direction, for healing, for life abundant?

Jesus says it all when he says, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

When was the last time you were so desperate for the touch of God on your life? Did you push through the hindrances and distractions to fall before Jesus and cry out for His touch? Did you feel Him whisper, “Take heart, Daughter.” Such tender words. We are His daughters. He is personal and more than willing to get involved in messy lives. Bleeding 12 years is messy. What have you held back from Jesus embarrassed or afraid it is too messy? When we surrender our mess to Him, he begins healing us. Whether it is sin, sickness or suffering, Jesus wants to hold us and let us hear, “Take heart, daughter.” Our part is faith-we must give up control and “by faith” trust Jesus.

How about those who have been touched by Jesus, but are too afraid to get in anyone else’s messy life. What if God is calling you to be Jesus to someone with a messy life? Can you refuse His call and harden your heart? Do you say, “It will hurt too much to get messy with them?” Trust the hurt to God and let Him show you the blessing that comes from being his instrument of healing in a messy life. Why? Jesus teaches us that investing in people matters.

Who are the people in your life? You might have people that fall in every category at the top of the page. How does God want to use you to pour Jesus into their lives? Ask God to show you people through His eyes this week. When you see them as He does, take action where he sends you.

Storms and Our Savior (Mark 4:35-41)

2010-05-03T14:56:00.002-04:00

I am headed to my home state of Texas tomorrow morning to spend time with my grandmother who is fighting cancer. Last time I flew to Texas by myself was this time last year when my mom was recovering form open heart surgery. Both are a reminder to me that storms of life will come. For believers in Christ, storms allow us an opportunity to see how big life is, how small we are and how much bigger God is.

Storms in life and storms in nature most often times occur without warning and without expectation. I think that is why storms are so scary. Many nights, Mark and I have awaken with a child in our bed because of an unexpected, middle-of-the-night storm. To watch the dark, shadowy trees shake in the wind, to hear the rain beat on the roof, to jump at the crack of thunder and to shutter with each lighting strike, brings a fear to the most secure heart of all ages. Storms can kill, steal and destroy on earth, but God still holds us in the palm of his secure hand.

In Mark 4, Jesus and his disciples had experienced a day with people crowding around them. By the time evening came, Jesus and the disciples were in the boat moving away from the crowds. Leaving the crowd behind is significant I think. Sometimes, we need to get into the boat and leave the crowd behind in life for a little while. Maybe we need to do this to get ready for the storm that is on its way.

Moving away from the crowd may look different in each of our lives. For me, it means having the discipline to remove myself from some social activities to spend time with God. It may mean saying no to some things that would crowd out that time with the Lord. It may mean just quietly reflecting. It may mean taking time to walk and pray with distractions put to the side for a few minutes. It may mean hiding a few minutes from those I love, in order to be filled by the One who loves me so much more.

After time away from the crowd, the storm may still catch us by surprise, but we will have an assurance of Jesus’ presence. Mark 4:37 said this was a furious squall that sent waves to swamp the boat. When was the last time you were in a furious storm of life? How did you respond? Do you wish you had a do over?

I think what I love about God’s Word is that we get to see real people respond in not so spiritual ways sometimes. It reminds me that they were in process just like me. It is evidence that they had days of great faith and days of little faith. On this day, in Mark 4, the disciples responded in a panic! They woke Jesus up in full martyr mode saying, “Don’t you even care if we drown?”

I cannot count the times I have cried out to Jesus saying, “Hello Jesus! Do you see the storm I am in? Where are you? Are you sleeping? Is this supposed to be happening? Do you see how furious things here are? Have you noticed my boat is swamped? !!!”

Don’t you love that we can just pour our sad:( little hearts out to our great big God and He sovereignly responds with “Quiet, Be still!” You see we are back to the reason they were in the boat in the first place…to be alone with Jesus . Sometimes the storm comes to my life to remind me that only Jesus has the power to command stillness and quietness to life.

By Mark 4:41, the disciples were still terrified, but they weren’t just scared of the weather now. They were humbled and broken realizing they were in the presence of someone who held the power to life and nature. He was not just a good teacher, He was the God of their universe and He is the God of ours.

Jesus must of looked at them with love when he said, “Why are you still so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” What is the storm you are facing that you need to trust God with? Is God trying to grow you faith through it? Has fear gripped your heart in such a way that you are screaming in the boat for help, but doubting that God cares or hears?

A turning point for the disciples was when they realized that Jesus was bigger than the storm. Have you surrendered your storm? Are you convinced that God is bigger than your storm? God can calm a storm in three words… “Quiet, be still!” He is the only one who can calm the storm of our hearts. Won’t you let him?

Real Prayer

2010-04-23T10:48:00.002-04:00

In Mark Chapter 1, we see Jesus in many places that we can practically relate to. Jesus is baptized. He faces temptation of huge proportions. He calls out to some men to come follow. We see Jesus face evil spirits and prevail. Next, he is healing many people as he goes. We see him touch a man that no one else will even look at. We see he is left at the end of the chapter facing a lonely place. But, most notably, we see Jesus in a solitary place praying.

We are followers of Christ. That means the goal is that we become more and more like Him. As a result, we also will sometimes face temptation, hear a calling, see great healing in God’s presence, be left out in lonely places and need to find a consistent, solitary, place to go pray.

To become like Jesus is not natural, it is super natural. Others around us may not understand us. And we certainly will face interruptions and challenges from others if we leave the crowd to follow and find Jesus in the solitary, lonely place. There will be those who challenge us just as Jesus’ disciples challenged him.

Notice who is leading the charge to find Jesus and boss Him around? Peter! I love Peter because I get him. Peter leads his companions (possibly Andrew, James, John Phillip and Nathanael), to go find Jesus. When they spot Him, they don’t ask, “Hey, can we pray with you?” or “Will you teach us to pray?” or “Can we join you in the solitary place?” or “What are you doing?” or “Why are you here?” NO! They exclaim, “Everyone is looking for you!” Really? Everyone in the world? Really? I think they just didn’t get the need for prayer. I think honestly, we don’t get it many times. Maybe they were so fired up because they needed Jesus to keep “doing” and just didn’t get his “being” in prayer. I love to serve. How about you? I love to do, do, do, and do some more, but I have learned that all "do" and no "be" equals burnout. Let’s talk about the “Do” Vs. “Be” scenario for a while…

Mark 1:35 says, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitray place, where he could pray." This kind of praying is thirsty praying.

To be thirsty for God, to be saturated with His very Word, and live passionately requires prayer. This solitary place praying is not done darting in and out of God’s presence. This kind of praying brings a deep, filling satisfaction to every corner of our lives. With a thirst for God comes a passion for God. But before there can be thirst or passion, there must be intentionality. For intentionality, there must be conviction. For conviction, there must be the Word of God and Prayer!

You see, we must learn to “be” before we will “do” anything of kingdom value. It is in “be”ing that we then begin the “do”ing. We must sit down and “be” before the Lord. We must allow Him to search us, know us, and cleanse us. We must “be” before we can “do.” It is natural to do things for God; it is supernatural to “be” with God in His presence.

Live it out:

Get UP! Jesus was intentional to go to His solitary place to be alone with God.
Get Real! We must be willing to deal with our sin specifically if we want to be in the presence of God and receive His peace and power.
Get Focused! Jesus didn't let the influence or need to please people ever affect Him. He lived on a focused mission only to please His Father. How much time do I waste worrying about pleasing others? How many times do I miss God altogether because I listen to the crowd around me?
Get Doing! After really being before the Lord and hearing from Him, then and only then am I ready to get going and do mighty things for His glory and in His power!

We must honestly cry out to God that he would put a hunger in us for His word and prayer that we have never known before. That we would long for Him, med. on His Word, be intentional to spend time before Him listening, be intentional about changing the things he convicts us of, learn what it means to walk with Him listening to Him and longing for him as we go through the dailiness of life.

Lord Make Me a Servant

2010-04-11T23:02:00.004-04:00

Phil 2:1-8, "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!"

Self-righteous Service:

comes through human effort.
requires external rewards and praise.
picks and chooses who will be served.
is affected by feelings and whims.
expects something in return.

Christ-like Service:

comes from a relationship with God.
not bothered by serving in secret.
does not discriminate.
is a life-style.
gives all glory to God expecting nothing in return.

SEVEN WAYS TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN CHRIST
1. The service of small things... a smile, a hug, a ride, etc.

2. The service of guarding the reputation of others... Tit. 3:2 says, "speak evil of no one." In the midst of gossip, do we join in, or do we carefully guard the reputation of others?

3. The service of encouragement... letters of appreciation, notes of encouragement, calls to express care, or any other way we can affirm someone's worth in the Lord (Heb. 10:24)!

4. The service of hospitality... opening yourself and your home to others; just a chance to be together and share!

5. The service of listening... Js 1:19 says, "...be quick to listen, slow to speak...." We don't have to have answers; that is God's job. We just need to offer a heart to listen.

6. The service of bearing one another's burdens... In praying together, we can take our burdens to the Lord and keep each other accountable in the process. God delights when His children pray together, for He knows it draws them closer spiritually to Him and to one another.

7. The service of sharing the Word of God with one another... We can do this in Bible study, casual conversation, or however else God shows us to share. (Above seven adapted from the great book by Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline. For more info: Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1988), pp 126-140.)

Jesus is not only our example for how we should serve others, but He is also our energy and our enabler to serve others.
Service we create is vain; service God creates is valuable.
Surrender and Submission to God always precede sincere service.

Glorious God-Sized Living or Me Myself and I?!

2010-03-12T08:52:00.002-05:00

Which one most characterizes you life and why does it?

Calm Confidence or frantic living?
Prayer or pouting?
Humility or honor?
Contentment or control?
Listening or Lecturing?
Wise words or wasted whining?
Binding hurts or breaking spirits?
Crown of Beauty or piles of ashes?
Freedom or bondage?
Love or Legalism?
Righteousness or Religion?
His presence or my performance?

Are you who you wanted to be? Do you even know who you are? Do you want more? Angela Thomas puts her wants into words like this, “I want to be courageous and brave. I want to be hospitable and gentle. I want my children to be glad I’m their mother. I desire to be captivating and intelligent. I want to be quick-witted and friendly. I value common sense and lack of pretense. I want to be confident and spiritually secure. I want the clean heart that comes from quick confession. I want my life to matter for the kingdom of heaven. I want to know real grace and give it as freely as my Savior has. I absolutely love that it’s never too late to become the woman I have dreamed of being.” (Do You Think I am Beautiful, p. 124)

It is not too late for us either. I recently read Psalm 51:1-12 in the message and was amazed at how much God loves me. A phrase in the passage says that He is after, “truth from the inside out.” He is rich in grace and mercy and loves me to the core even when it is rotten. He reaches down as I confess and gives me a fresh start. The message says it this way, “God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from the gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!”

Don’t you love that Psalm of truth? In light of it, have you ever just felt your life was to chaotic to be used? How about just feeling like you are in the gray exile of existence? Have you longed for a fresh start? Are you sick of yourself? Are you sick of living a frantic, controlling, pouting, lecturing, whining, ash- filled, broken, legalistic, religious, performing bondage of a life? Are you done with spiritless living, distant country existing in fear, shame or covering? Are you sick of just “doing church” as a show?

We can live different. Ps. 51 promises that God is generous, full of grace and mercy. He is our God of a fresh start and a clean heart. Remember, no bondage is too big, no ash heap too filthy. The key is we must find ourselves poor and needy and ready to surrender. God never moves. He is always the Faithful Father with his eyes scanning the horizon and His arms open wide. Are you running to him?

Revival and Mercy (Hab.3:2) Part II

2010-03-09T08:24:00.000-05:00

Remember in the last blog we discovered the first two ways Habakkuk moved his focus from himself and his circumstances to his LORD. First he remembered that God and his ways are famous and of renown. “I have heard of your fame…” (Habakkuk 3:2a). This gave Habakkuk hope that God’s glory would indeed fill the earth in His time. Second he changed his focus from what he saw around him, to Who he saw above him. He said in 3:2b, “I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord…”

Taking time each day to remind myself that it is about God’s fame, glory and renown brings me peace. I don’t have to try so hard or perform just right. I am here to make His name remembered not mine. Also, taking time to focus on God’s deeds in real life and in the pages of Scripture reminds me that He is faithful. So, with a reminder of the first two things Habakkuk learned, lets move on to points three and four.

3. Our prophet remembered that even in a really wicked society, God could bring renewal and revival when man could do nothing to reform the society. “Renew them in our day, in our time make them known (Hab. 3:2c).” Have you ever asked God for revival and renewal for yourself, your church, your community, your state, your nation, your world?

Surrendered hearts crying out in prayer are a beautiful thing, and God is listening. His timetable is not ours, so we must not give up! We also are able to then move the focus off ourselves and find compassion for even our worst enemies. This is where Habakkuk found himself next in the prayer.

4. Habakkuk prayed for mercy for his worst enemies in Hab. 3:2d, “In wrath remember mercy.” It has been said that mercy is God not giving humans what they deserve. Habakkuk is asking for God’s mercy for the Babylonians! He has moved from wanting to see the Babylonians get what is coming to them, to asking God for mercy for them! I would say this prophet has had quiet the heart change!

Can you relate? Do you need a heart change toward anyone? Is your heart fully surrendered to God? Do you desire mercy for those around you? Or would you rather see them get the wrath that is coming to them and be out of your life forever? Let’s end by talking a bit about what God’s Word says about mercy:

Jeremiah, a contemporary of Habakkuk, said that God’s mercy is new every morning (Lam. 3:23).

God said true justice is showing mercy and compassion to one another in Zechariah 7:9.

Proverbs 28:13 tells us that when we renounce (turn from, let go of) sin, we find mercy.

In Hosea 6:6, God reminds us that He desires mercy over religion. Anyone can be religious, but only God provides mercy.

Micah 7:18 reminds us that God delights to show mercy.

Jesus said in Mt. 5:7 that the merciful are blessed.

Again Jesus speaks on mercy and says, “But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:12-14

Paul said that he, the worst of sinners, was shown mercy so that Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for all who would believe! 1 Timothy 1:15-17

How about you? Can you relate to Habakkuk’s spiritual growth we have discussed? Have you encountered God and decided no matter how crazy the plan seems to you that you are going to do things God’s way, wait for his renewal, his mercy, his fame over your own comfort, understanding, justice or reputation? What does that look like in real life for you? What is your plan of action to live in God’s mercy for His renown? Pray right now that God will show you. Who is it in your life that needs mercy not judgment, relationship not religion, love not legalism?

May we stand in awe of His deeds, seek to lift up His name, be present when revival floods, and live to pour out his mercy on the wounded and weary!

The Mercy & Fame of Our Lord! (Habakkuk 3:1-2)

2010-02-20T11:36:00.002-05:00

I love what I am learning from God in Habakkuk and challenge you to do a study on this book! Chapter 3 opens with our prophet crying out in praise. The first word in his prayer is LORD. Habakkuk is making it clear who is in control. The term for God as Lord reminds us that He is not just a religion, a symbol, a denomination, or an aspect of our life. He is our life and He is Lord of all including us!

Next Habakkuk says, “I have heard of your fame…” Remember this is the prophet that started discouraged and asking “why?” and “how long?” He is the guy that couldn’t wait for some judgment on the unjust. His circumstances have only gotten worse, yet he has changed. He has discovered some important things about his God and decided to move his focus in four key ways. Today’s blog will cover the first two ways Habakkuk moved his focus and the next published blog will cover the last two ways. As you read today, have your Bible near, look up the Scriptures for yourself, and let the Lord speak to you personally.

I. Habakkuk remembered that God and his ways are famous and of renown. Renown according to dictionary.com, is widespread and high repute; fame. God’s ways are real and not like anything we could ever reproduce or even imagine. You see, it is part of every human to want to matter, to have someone know their name, to make something of their life that is worth noting. The trouble starts when we leave God out of it. Only God can fill up that need to matter that is within us. Only God calling our name and knowing our name can give us purpose that is lasting. Only then can we understand that it is not our fame, name or glory that matters in the end, but His! Be encouraged that the pressure is off you when your sole desire becomes to live to display and draw attention to God's glory. Take a look at some of the verses that remind us of God’s glory, renown and fame that are all taken from the NIV. As you read, ask God to show you how you can live for His glory and fame.

"We are your servants," they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from?" They answered: "Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan…”Joshua 9:8-10

“But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.” Ps. 102:12

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Ps. 115:1

“Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, through all generations.”Ps. 135:13

“Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our heart!” Is. 26:8

“Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for and everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.” Is. 55:13

“For as a belt is bound around a man’s waist, so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to me, declares the Lord, to be my people for my renown and praise and honor, But they have not listened!” Jer. 13:11

“You performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, both in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours.” Jer 32:20

So you see, when we take the focus off our own justice, reputation, fame, glory, renown, name, position, power or control, and we put our focus solely on God’s renown and doing all we do to His glory, something beautiful happens: We are free!

Free to be all that God wants us to be. Free to seek Him. Free to love others even if they don’t love us. Free from trying to compete, control, compare, criticize and cry that we deserve “this or that” or that “it is not fair!” Free to seek the Lord personally and daily let Him speak directly to us. Free to leave judgment and justice to God. Free to let those around us succeed greatly. Free to live without always feeling like we have to explain everything or make it okay for everybody. Free to just be quiet. Free to be still and just know He is God. When it is not about us anymore and it is all about God’s fame, renown and glory, that is real freedom! Don’t you want to live free? But that is not all Habakkuk discovered. Let’s look at the second way he changed his focus.

II. Habakkuk changed his focus from what he saw around him, to Who he saw above him. He said in 3:2, “I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord…” That is so key! How do I stand in awe instead of stand in frustration? I stand in awe of God's deeds rather than focus on the deeds of men!

You see, when I quit looking at the problems and the people, and look into God’s perfect law, the Bible, I am reminded every time that God never makes mistakes! Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen”

See, I know I forget that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to me. I know I underestimate my God. I know when I am looking at the giants in my life instead of remembering to stand in awe of how big my God’s deeds are! Everyday it is a choice to live in my own power and face all the D’s (discouragement, disappointment, depression, despondency, desperation, defeat, disillusionment) of life or live by God’s power and watch Him do immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine in my own little brain or heart!

How about you? Can you relate? What are you living for? Who's power are you depending on? Who's name are you working on making great? Pray right now that God will free you up to live for his fame, renown, glory and name rather than your own. Be like Habakkuk and change your focus from self to Savior, from problems to praise, from performance to freedom. Go and be free!

Why Go Back? (Exodus 14)

2010-02-09T20:44:00.001-05:00

Fear can easily move us away from God and back to the familiar. The Egyptians had made the lives of God’s people miserable in slavery and harsh conditions yet out of fear, the Israelites longed for their old familiar life of slavery and bondage.

Fear also causes us to criticize and blame. The Israelites immediately blamed Moses, their leader, and started hurling criticisms and accusations his way. They were going to pin the blame on him because it is human nature to blame someone! Fear always moves us to extremes and involves much drama. Did the people cry out to God? No! They cried out to Moses to fix it or take them back.

Why would we want to go back? Not only go back, but why do we choose to go back to bondage? Well, it is familiar. It is something we know. Many times we are deceived into thinking that bondage must be all we deserve.

Now as Moses, I would have wanted to say, “Hey, I am just obeying God here. You can come with me and God or you can go back to bondage…you choose.” However, Moses didn’t answer as I would have, he was very spiritual and said, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”

Moses didn’t take the credit, map out the program or list his merits of good leadership. He didn’t whip out his resume, recite his accomplishments, inflate his performance record or tell about the latest conference he had just attended. His answer was simple and to the point: Stand firm and God will handle things. And if you don’t get that how about Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.” If I want to see God, if you want to see God, we must choose to quit trying to….

1. Go back to our familiar bondage.
2. Handle things on our own.
3. Live in our fears rather than face them in Christ.
4. Live in a flurry of business, activity and stuff to avoid the truth.

So it is up to us. Do we want to fight God and run back to bondage or do we want to let God fight for us? We make it so complicated, but the key is being still and letting God fight for us. Then faith replaces fear, and we see God part the Red Sea!

The Just Shall Actively Wait on God and Daily Live by Faith!

2010-01-19T09:56:00.004-05:00

I have been learning so much studying verse by verse through Habakkuk. Habakkuk is a minor prophet who was on the scene right before God's people were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. His call was to minister to and herald God's truth to a bunch of hard-hearted hearers. He saw injustice at every turn and his numbers in ministry were not very impressive. More people were rebelling than repenting. That made me evaluate what really is important in ministry. I am convinced more and more that it is about changed lives and minute by minute obedience, not impressive resumes or statistics. Henry Blackaby said that we are going to have a hard time having revival until we "get over our egos and our logos." I think I can learn something from Habakkuk and Henry.

You know I am all about being real, and if you read Habakkuk chapter one this guy is for real. He holds nothing back and pours out his heart to God with all his "whys" and "how longs?" I read it and prayed, "God make me real in my prayers like this guy was real."

My husband says all the time, "A problem well defined, is a problem half solved." Habakkuk poured out all his problems to God and the key to his spiritual results is found in 2:1, "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint." Wow! He didn't just walk away expecting God to never answer all his heart problems like I do so many times. He determined to do whatever it took to plant his feet and listen. He was resolute to wait on God's answer. Man I want to be like this guy! I want to wait on the Lord to answer no matter what! I want to expect great things and wait on the power and peace only God's answers can deliver.

So now let’s look at some thoughts as we break down the verses. According to Oswald Chambers, waiting means standing under, in active strength, enduring till the answer comes. 2:1 is our charge to wait on God’s answer. This type of waiting is a process. To think we learn to wait in prayer by sitting in a pew or even by just knowing the truth is ridiculous! It is when we surrender and decide to take action. Look at all the action words in 2:1: -Stand - Station - Watch - Wait- are all action words for me to apply to my personal prayer life. It is saying, “I am going forward God’s way no matter how hard it is or how long it takes!”

God responds in Habakkuk 2:2-4 with a charge for the prophet to write down His words and wait for His faithfulness. “Though it linger, wait for it…” (Hab. 2:3) Oswald Chambers said, “The proof that we have the vision is that we are reaching out for more than we have grasped….If we have only what we have experienced, we have nothing; if we have the inspiration of the vision of God, we have more than we can experience. Beware of the danger of relaxation spiritually (My Utmost for His Highest, May 2nd).”

When we don’t think we need God so much, think we have Him figured out, or we just quit waiting on Him and start moving in our own strength, we are at great risk. Mark Buchanan calls this kind of complacency “Borderland Living.” We just stand on the border of letting God be in control. We stand on the border of letting God use us. We stand on the border of letting God use our trials to mold and make us and choose instant relief over real faith. When we choose borderland, we have no identity, no real home and no real life. We exist instead of live. Can you relate?

So hang on! Habakkuk 2:4 gets even better! Here we have a comparison between two categories. Every human falls into one side or the other. The verse says, “See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright (category 1), but the righteous will live by his faith (category 2).

Category 1 would be the unsaved, prideful, ain't, goats, wide-gate users headed to death.

Category 2 would be the saved, humble, saints, sheep, narrow-gate users headed to life.

You see, we are saved by faith, we walk by faith and we live by faith. Anything else is a sad existence. “The just shall live by faith,” is first seen here in Habakkuk, but is the foundation of the whole Word of God. It is quoted in Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11, and Heb. 10:38. In Romans the emphasis is on salvation by faith, in Galatians the emphasis is on faith that sanctifies, and in Hebrews the emphasis is on living by faith. We are going to focus on the living. Look at Heb. 11 and think about how that should impact our faith.

This living takes place as we walk through the narrow gate mentioned in Matthew 7:13-14. You see the understanding of our faith is narrow as it starts, but as we take each step of faith, the road widens and our adventure becomes life abundant. Not life perfect or planned, but life full and satisfying.

On the other hand, the person that swings thorough the wide gate of self assurance and pride starts on a wide road with many companions, but ends with a narrow funnel that leads to death and separation from God.

The just will live by faith. Don’t miss the power and don’t miss out on living! Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17). What are you hearing? Are you standing and waiting for God’s Words or are you just looking for quick relief? Do you believe God intends for you to live and not just exist? Are you living or are you just standing on the border of borderland afraid to let go and let God? Go/live/walk/believe/pray/& wait by faith sister!

Beauty From the Inside Out!

2010-01-13T11:08:00.007-05:00

-Do you long to be desperate for God rather than being desperate for the approval of others?

-Are you looking for beauty in all the wrong places?

Come and hear about how God can make you beautiful from the inside out.

Ps. 45:11 says, "The king is enthralled by your beauty."

God calls you beautiful no matter what man calls you...can you hear Him calling your name?

You’re invited to…

Beauty From the Inside Out!

Hosted by Curtis Baptist Church's Women's Ministry

Event to be held in the Curtis Baptist Ministry Center and Sanctuary

For ladies, middle school age and up

Saturday, February 27
10 am - noon

Featuring Cindy Webster

…man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart - 1 Samuel 16:7

Tickets: $5 in advance / $10 at the door
Call 678-665-5242 for more information

The Truth That Set Me Free....

2009-12-29T19:25:00.002-05:00

Truth. One word with such power. Truth means we are willing to be honest with God, ourselves and others. Telling the truth is not popular in our culture. We put a lot of effort into appearing to be truthful, or slanting the truth, or covering the truth with just enough stuff or busyness. We justify our skirting of the truth or distorting of it by saying we don’t want to hurt others or that we are trying to protect others. The problem with that mentality is that God calls it sin.

There is no freedom and no right relationship with God without truth. I am not going to sugar coat it, telling the truth is hard. Letting God convict us about any area of deceit in our lives can be a painful even humiliating process at times. I can testify that even when holding to the truth is hard, it is always worth it in the long run of things. God is not near as concerned with my reputation or what others think as I am. God is most concerned with me being right, real and truthful with Him. This brings freedom and peace.

Satan is the one who holds us in bondage by causing us to believe his ultimate lie… "If you tell the truth, you will lose everything. You know that you are the only one who struggles with this. If you don’t hide it, everyone will know you are a loser!” Satan is the father of lies, lying is his native tongue, he is the deceiver, so of course he is whispering nothing but lies to us.

I remember a stronghold in my life in my early 20’s. I was so convinced if I told the truth about that struggle that I would lose everything and that everyone would reject me. After a season of intense pain that hiding that sin produced, I came clean with God and everyone else involved. I let God dig deep and I began a process of healing and seeking of the truth that was doing its work to set me free. I surrendered in obedience to each step of accountability and found a freedom in the Lord like I had never known.

I know our pews are filled with people just like I was before I surrendered to be set free by telling the truth. I have great compassion for those who feel trapped. They endlessly perform trying to measure up and fall short every time. They live to please and cry themselves to sleep when no one is around. If you are reading this and you have been held captive by the father of lies, cry out to Jesus that you are ready to do whatever it takes to walk the road of freedom. Jesus lives, longs and loves to set the captives free. Will you get real, get right and get going on God’s road of freedom?

“Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!” John 8:32

Christmas is Immanuel!

2009-12-03T18:52:00.000-05:00

Immanuel!

Son of God, Son of man,
Behold He is the great I Am.

Immanuel, God with us heart and soul,
Yet we rush and stress with all our earthly goals.

The Lamb of God; the Word with man,
The One within Who gives the power to stand.

Stand for truth, grace and freedom eternal,
Stand to escape all bondage to what’s carnal.

Wonderful Counselor with all the answers to life,
Mighty God to heal all hurt and strife.

Everlasting Father who never abandons,
The Living God who gives purpose beyond random.

Prince of Peace who rules and reigns,
Who fills our hearts with contentment even in pain.

The Lamb who saves us from our sins,
Who sets us free to live again.

To live a life abundant and content,
To one day hear, “Well done!” with no lament.

Immanuel! Thank God I am free!
You are with me eternally!

Michelle Sterling

Wise Words

2009-11-22T17:31:00.002-05:00

Proverbs 16:21 says, “The wise in heart are called discerning and pleasant words promote instructions.” Such a simple verse but with a lifetime of truth to learn. What would happen if I listened more and spoke less? If I asked questions to learn about others and then listened to their answers? If I considered every word and weighed it before it came out of my mouth? What if I were more concerned about hearing the hearts of others than sharing my own opinions? If I just went a whole day listening, what would happen?

Actually, I lost my voice this week and had just that opportunity! Sitting quietly on Saturday I reflected on a more extended time of learning that God gave me just a few years back.

After throat surgery in 2006, I had to go nine days without uttering a word or a sound. Here are just a few things I learned:

First of all, the world goes on without my words.
Next, I had much more time to listen to God’s Word and the words of others.
Last, I thought a lot more about the power and gift of my words when I received the gift of my voice being healed.

After this time of forced listening and no talking, Psalm 46:10 (Be still and know that I am God….) had a richer meaning for me. I prayed I Samuel 3:10b (Speak, for your servant is listening) with a much better understanding of what listening meant in my life spiritually. I walked away humbled and awed at how big God’s Words are and how much I need to filter my words though Him.

How about you? Have you considered the impact of your words? The message of your words? The power of those words that can hurt or heal? Do you see your words as a gift from God and use them as a tool to build up His kingdom?

“God give us wise words. May we learn to listen. May we speak words that are meaningful and mentoring. May we carefully weigh each word before it flies out of our mouths. Thank you for the gift of speaking. May we use it and not abuse it. In Jesus Name, Amen!”

Whose Path?

2009-11-13T10:36:00.003-05:00

This is a continual choice in my life. I am a fixer in my first born, over the top, nature. What a revelation that God didn't save me to fix things. He saved me to know Him. He saved me by His amazing grace to serve with humility. Pain is part of life and part of growth. My heart hurts when I can't fix the conflict in my kid's lives. My heart hurts as I watch them face struggles knowing that they need to grow stronger without me stepping in to make it all okay. Part of learning to be responsible and learning to walk with God involves neediness. If I am right there to always smooth the road of life they will be in shock someday when they realize that the road of life is just not smooth. It is full of pot holes, dirt roads, steep paths and winding decisions. Clarity on the road comes from learning about total dependence on God. I am still on the road learning this, how about you? Whose wisdom are you seeking? Are you on God's path or your own? Do you feel more needy for God everyday or do you think you are pretty wise on your own?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with ALL your HEART, learn not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and HE will direct your path." John 3:30 is a good follow-up, "He must become greater, I must become less."

Prayer: "God help us need you desperately. Teach us how to walk confidently in you. Show us how to pray without ceasing on the matters of the heart. Deliver us from "fixing" and make us faithful.

What Are You Lacking?

2009-11-04T10:28:00.000-05:00

In Mark 10:17-31 a young man comes to ask Jesus, “What am I lacking?” When you take time to read the story you will see the sadness of it. To me it is the story of many modern day lives. A story of a boy who had everything the world screams that will make us happy. This boy had money, prestige, manners, heritage, societal influence, and a place among the elite. I imagine him as handsome, popular, political and the son most mothers would choose for their daughters to marry. He even had a reputation for keeping the law. Even more impressive in worldly terms, he knew how to approach Jesus with the right posture…he bowed down before Jesus. He was not a stranger to religion and he just wanted Jesus to validate what he had decided made him right with God.

Now I get to the sad part. He was missing the one thing he needed to be right with God: surrender. No religion, reputation, heritage, roll, or bank account can get you a free pass on surrender. Right appearance and even seemingly right actions don’t equal a right heart. A right heat holds nothing back. A right heart surrenders all to Jesus. A right heart sees it is not one thing we do to be religious, but one thing we need above all else: a relationship with Christ. A right heart comes when we see the depth of our sin and our need for the one and only Savior. When we have that kind of heart, then and only then are we right with Christ.

However, our world, even among the religious today is telling us we can have it all and tack Jesus on at the end on our own terms just like the rich young ruler wanted to do. It is a confusing religious climate we are living in, but God is not the author of confusion; He is the author of truth.

Last time I checked the Bible stated these truths clearly: gaining the whole world is worth nothing if you lose your soul; you find your life when you lose it; you live by denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Christ; and no one can have two masters.

One of my life quotes is by Jim Elliot, “He is no fool who loses what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Eternal life with Christ is the only thing that will remain in the end. Where do you stand? Have you come to Christ on his terms or your own? Do you have religion or relationship? Are you standing on what you have done or what Christ has done for you?

Don’t wait any longer if today is the day you need to surrender and be saved. Pray this prayer: “Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner and that there is nothing I can do on my own to be good enough to get to heaven. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and I thank you for that. Please forgive my sins and come into my life as my savior and Lord. Show me how to live for you and grow in you. In Jesus name, amen.”

Weigh Your Words

2009-10-12T08:51:00.003-04:00

The words of Jesus are very clear about our mouths. Our mouths speak what is in our hearts. A good friend said to me just yesterday, "What is in your heart will come out of your mouth and where your heart is your feet will go." Beyond that, Matthew 12:36 says we will give an account for every word we speak. That should scare me when I stop to think about all the words I have spoken so flippantly or needlessly. It amazes me that I don’t take my words more seriously. Why do I speak until I sin? Why does so much of what I say just not matter? How can I speak with wisdom and worth?

In light of these questions, Jesus’ word advises me that I should weigh each of my words before they fly out of my mouth. Here are some questions you and I can ask ourselves to help weigh our words:

† Is it encouraging?
† Is it helpful?
† Is it useful?
† Is it necessary?
† Is it timely?
† Is it truthful?
† Is it loving?

Along with the questions, we can memorize and use the following verses to help filter our words.

† Palms 19:14 says, “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight oh Lord my rock and my redeemer.”

† Proverbs 12:18 says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

† Proverbs 10:19 says, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

† Proverbs 10:21a says, “The lips of the righteous nourish many.”

There are a huge host of verses in the Bible on our words. Memorizing scripture that applies to my mouth has helped me more than anything to weigh my words. Take time to search through Proverbs and let God show you a verse that will personally help you weigh your words.

“Lord, may the words of my mouth and even the thoughts of my heart please you. May I learn to avoid reckless speaking and speak with wisdom and healing. Show me how to talk less and listen more. Make my lips known as lips that nourish rather than be known for nagging, negative, nonsense. Thank you for your words Lord, help me live by them. In Jesus name, Amen.”

I Have Learned Contentment in Christ

2009-09-14T11:46:00.007-04:00

America is the land of never enough: never good enough, never measuring up, never acheiving enough, or never having enough. We can easily find ourselves in the land of "never enough," and "if only I could just get more." Even the smartest people on the planet financially can find themselves very dissatisfied with no answers if Christ is not their source of satisfaction. What I am talking about is real contentment. Chuck Swindoll defines contentment as the ability to be thankful and joyful no matter how much or how little we possess or what mountains or valleys we face.

Some more words that describe contentment are enough, sufficient, satisfied, full.

I Tim. 6:6 says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

But my favorite passage on contentment is Phil. 4:11-13:

11 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

Fact Number One about Contentment comes from verse 11: Good news! Contentment can be learned. Remember what it was like to learn something really hard? When was the last time you learned something? What was it? How did you learn to do it? RIGHT…you practiced. The Greek word in verse 11 means to learn by constant use and practice. So we can learn contentment by practicing it everyday.

Fact Number Two about Contentment comes from verse 12 (in any and every situation): Contentment is not dependent on circumstances or people. Have you ever said, If only this circumstance could change, I would be content? If only the people around me were not so annoying or unreasonable, then I would be content. If only my husband were a little less or more…. If only my kids would or wouldn’t…. If only my girlfriends did or didn’t…. If only I had more… The common theme is it is human to want to find contentment from our circumstances or company, but it is not possible. Trying to find satisfaction in circumstances and people leads us into an endless cycle of competing, comparing, contolling, and criticizing others to try and justify or validate ourselves.

Fact Number Three about Contentment comes from verse 13: Contentment is only found in Christ (I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength): This is the secret Paul learned by practicing daily. By constant use and practice Paul learned that the only lasting contentment is found in Christ.

PRACTICAL STEPS:
1. Recognize when you are letting circumstances dictate your life. When you feel dissatisfied, anxious or weighed down, choose to surrender the circumstance or company to God.

2. Recognize when you are letting stuff fill the hole in your heart rather than letting Christ fill it.

3. Recognize when you have moved from concern over your circumstances to worry. Choose to pray rather than be controlled by worry.

4. Recognize when the "never enoughs" of ungratefulness have slipped into your life and begin to list all the things you have in Christ to be thankful for.

5. Recognize when you have moved into the negatives of life and choose to focus on the positive…even if there is only the one positive of knowing you can do everything through Christ who gives you strength…hang onto that and refuse to be consumed by negative thoughts. Here is a quote a wise mother gave to her negative daughter, “Two women looked through prison bars; one saw mud, the other saw stars.*”

Christ waits for us with His strength to handle any impossible circumstance or any impossible person in our lives. The question is, will we see mud or stars. His perspective makes all the difference: “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”

*Quote taken from Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow.

"You Say, God Says..."

2009-09-03T14:17:00.002-04:00

I don't want to live in the land of the murmurers...how about you? Here is a great little reality check about what we say and what God says in response. The author is unknown by me. Enjoy and be challenged!

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

New Beginnings

2009-08-18T08:15:00.002-04:00

God is so good to give us new beginnings! This week is the beginning of a brand new school year and church year for the Sterlings and many other families. The rain gave a hint of the coolness of fall that will begin a new season. A child at my house began middle school, while another is just a year away from beginning high school. We began a Ladies' Bible Study class all hoping and praying to begin at a new place of growth with our Lord.

The incredible thing about God is that His "new beginnings" don't ever end. He gives us new mercies every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). He gives us new creation in the seasons. He gives us new forgiveness every time we ask (I John 1:9). He gives us new places of influence every time we change stages of life (Jer. 29:11-13). He puts new praises in our mouths (Psalm 40:3). He gives us a new spirit and an undivided heart when we ask (Ezekiel 11:19, 18:31, 36:26). He gives us a new attitude (Ephesians 4:23-24) and a new life at salvation (Romans 6:4). Someday, He will give us a new Heaven and new Earth (Revelation 21:1). Finally, He gives us a new mission every morning, "Go...tell the people the full message of this new life!" (Acts 5:20)

I don't want to miss the "new beginnings" God brings, and I know you don’t either! I want to be bold in Him to go out into all the "new beginnings" in my life and tell the people the full message of new life in Jesus! Let's pray it will be so!

"Dear Jesus, thank you that you are the God of "new beginnings!" Remind us daily that our lives belong to you and that you want to use us for your glory. Take our complacency and give us a longing for your new work in our lives. Convict us of anything that is old, jaded, or cynical in our hearts. Give us a new beginning with an undivided heart that lets us behold the new things you are doing all around us! In the awesome name of Jesus we pray, Amen!"

Just a Little Sin...

2009-08-03T14:54:00.003-04:00

There was a man Jesus called,
He heard the Savior say,
“Come follow me friend, don’t go your own way.”

So the man began to follow,
He watched as Jesus healed the lame,
He was taken with His teaching and wondered why He came.

The demons fled His presence,
While the people praised His Name,
The obvious was clear to him,
Association with Jesus promised fame.

The opportunity must not be wasted; the thought occurred to him,
So the man began to plan - just a little sin,
Possibly some skimming, a little here and a little there,
It was such a small matter surely no one would care.

As Jesus continued to minister,
The deceit began to grow,
The man was a leader but little did they know,
That deceit lived within him, and his service was a show.

To the man’s jaded thinking, the miracles seemed to slow,
The teaching became less than appealing,
Nothing was quiet the same,
His logical conclusion was that Jesus’ popularity was going down the drain.

The man quickly realized the turning of the tide,
In a panic he said, “This gig will soon be over, now must be my time!"

It was at that very moment his little sin would grow,
For Satan was ready and willing, waiting to bestow.

At that moment he heard ones with power saying,
“Thirty shinny silver ones for the fading King of Kings!”
With panic he replied, “I’ll take it! I’ll take it! But let’s do it fast,
The night is almost over and this deal has got to last!”

The betrayer with his bounty was now pridefully on his way,
But soon he would realize a little silver was not worth the high cost he began to pay.

The silver was a letdown,
For it surely could not pay,
For the growing mount of sin that had lead him far astray.

Longing for relief, he found a good old tree,
He perched himself high up on a limb,
One can only imagine how it must have been.

Could it be that at the end he found himself alone crying,
“Why me? Why me? It was only for a fee,
If others could only see for me,
It began with just a little sin.”
Mark Sterling

This is a poem Mark wrote about Judas and the danger of seeing sin as "just a little thing." I know I have found myself justifying, rationalizing, compartmentalizing, or hiding "little sins." However, sin is never little and always grows when not dealt with. Sin leads to death and chokes the spiritual life right out of us.

Freedom comes from confessing sin and that is the only life that is abundant. Sin is fun for a season, but the consequences can last decades of seasons. Why risk so much by seeing how close we can live to sin and still have Jesus? Why not live out life surrendered, free and abundantly right with Jesus!

So, Why Not Learn to Be Still?

2009-07-27T11:04:00.002-04:00

“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:10

How insightful this verse is. How practical and short, but oh how challenging! “Still” in our society equates to words like inactive, unproductive, wasteful and generally a loser in life. “Still” to me can equate to guilt, a longer “to do” list, little to visibly show for my time or last but not least, more guilt.

“Still” to God is where He did his mightiest work. What looks like a waste of time to the world is the very place God sets bushes on fire, parts seas, pushes back armies and even becomes a Savior in our place. Jesus modeled being “still” and resting quietly in God’s will. The disciples questioned “stillness” over and over. The disciples were uncomfortable with “stillness” and even slept three times when asked to pray in the “stillness.”

“Stillness” is as much a challenge to understand and apply to our lives as it was for the disciples to understand and apply. “Stillness” in God makes us way more successful, guided and guarded. Ps. 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

So why not do it. I have excuses a mile long and no good reasons in the end. Being “still” is a command, but I have to choose to obey. I must choose to take time, find a quiet place, find a verse that applies to my battle and let God fight for me. I must choose to be “still” and know that He is God as I wait for Him to move in and reveal His plan, in His time, and in His way.

How about you? Who is fighting your battles…you or God? Why not take time right now to ask God to show you what it would mean for you to “be still.” Surrender your fight and let the Lord fight for you. Remember, He is not the hurricane, the fire or the mighty wind, but the “still” small voice. Blessings on your stillness!

Godly Friends

2009-07-17T08:18:00.011-04:00

I just returned from a much needed trip with a friend. We have children all the same ages so between us that makes six kids. While the kids played, we visited, sharpened each other and shared. She is a godly girlfriend who makes me want to love Jesus, my husband and my kids more. She is a gift from God in my life and a friend who models what a friend in Christ should be. I came away refreshed and thinking about how blessed I am to have her in my life. We may only see each other once a year and talk on the phone hit or miss, but we both know that we are linked through prayer and ongoing growth in Christ. We pick right back up sharing when we get the chance. She is not draining, whining, negative, or high maintenance. I do not have to prove I am her friend with calls, cards or other pursuits. She is a friend in Christ and that has always been our link.

With the above said, do you have a friend in Christ you can call on? Do you have someone who will speak the truth to you when you need to hear it? Based on the facts below, see if you are the kind of friend God wants you to be.
1. Friends are giving. I Sam 18:4

2. Friends are loyal. I Sam 19:4-5

3. Friends are trustworthy. I Sam. 20:1-4

4. Friends let us be real no matter how scary that is. I Sam 20:41-42

5. Friends find the good in us and encourage us. I Sam 23:15-18

Why Have Friends?

1.A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends. Job 6:14a NIV

2.The righteous are cautious in friendship. Prov. 12:16

3.A friend loves at all times. Prov. 17:17

4. Jesus laid down his life for his friends. Jn. 15:13

5. Two are better than one… Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Questions to Consider:
Do you find yourself building your friends up or tearing them down?

How do the words you speak affect your friendships?

How do you handle being left out and how can God help?

Have you ever talked bad about a friend to make yourself look better?

How can you be a “Jesus” girl friend?

If you don’t have a friend in Christ that you can be accountable to, pray God will send one and that you won’t miss it when He does.

A true friend shares freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably. William Penn

Lonely Places

2009-06-26T11:45:00.008-04:00

Luke 5:15-16 says, "Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

In a world filled with the worship of people, we see capitalization on popularity, fame and fortune all around us. We see men and women lifted up in worship status who are nothing more than flesh. Lonely places are avoided and the spotlight is exalted. Even as believers, we sometimes fall into the trap of wanting to be with the crowd, wanting to have the spotlight, having big results for our own resume or following someone that the world says matters. However, these two small verses give us the key to real living in Christ.

Jesus was someone who people were crowding around for all different reasons. Most wanted something from him. Some were curious about his power. Others were skeptical and intent on proving Him false and still some truly followed. Jesus knew people's hearts and knew their motives. He loved all the people in the crowd whether their motives were selfish or seeking. He also gives us the key here to dealing with crowds. We must take time to go to lonely places and follow Jesus' example.

What did Jesus do? Jesus withdrew. That means getting away from noise, routine and crowd to listen to God. This takes intentionality and it takes discipline. The motive is to be with God apart from the chaos of the crowd in our life. This is our alone time to pray and get direction from God. It is a time for honesty before God with the purpose of hearing His heart. It is not about the amount of time; it is about our desire for God.

When did Jesus withdraw? Jesus withdrew often. If my Lord withdrew often, that is significant for me to withdraw as well don't you think!?

Where did Jesus withdraw? Jesus withdrew to lonely places. I am a people person. That means I like crowds. I like watching people, studying people and being with people. Even as a little child, I wanted to be in the center of the action. Time alone in my room was the worst possible discipline that could be meted out to me. As an adult and as a believer, I have had to apply discipline to learn the value of a lonely place. Moving six times has helped in this process. I have grown to see that loneliness is opportunity to cling to God, hear from God and spend time enjoying His presence. I have come to value time alone with God to be convicted, cleansed and refreshed. This is what I must have to continue to minister in the crowd of life.

Why did Jesus withdraw? He withdrew to pray and seek His Father.

Real Life Action Steps:

1. Buy a journal and write in it. Even if you just write down a few insights after reading a number of verses or write out your prayer burdens to God, this will make a difference in your walk with God. With a life filled with kids and chaos, journaling has revolutionized my time with God more than any other practice.

2. Ask God to give you a desire for meaningful time with Him. Not just another quiet-time to check off the to-do-list. Beg God for a hunger and thirst for righteousness for no other motive that to know God deeper.

3. Try the old fashion method of just taking a Bible and heading to a quiet place. Leave all other resources and just ask God to speak to you from His word. Start somewhere with a few verses and ask God to personalize it.

"God remind me how much I need lonely places to seek You and You alone. Give me a hunger and thirst for time with You. Let me find perspective on the crowd with You. Convict, cleanse, and consume me Oh Lord!"

God's Picture of Greatness

2009-06-13T23:24:00.006-04:00

Let’s see, it is June 13th and this is my entry for May. I am running a little behind! I can give praise to God that He sold our house in a bad market, found us a house in a good market, provided plenty of excellent help to get us moved and settled, and is still the God whose arm is not too short! Through all of this, I have continued reading through the Gospels and am amazed all over again at all the applications to our lives. Here are some thoughts on Mark 9:33-37 that recently put me in awe at the modern application.

The disciples in this passage were having a serious argument over who was the greatest. Just like them, most of our arguments can be traced back to our own need for importance and recognition. So before we find ourselves pointing the finger at the disciples and raking them over the coals for their immature arguing, let’s remember, they provide us a picture of ourselves.

Look around you and you will find disciples all around you arguing to see who is the greatest. It happens in the home, the church, the school, the neighborhood, the workplace, the girlfriend club and in life in general. Self-importance and greatness is not just a worldly problem, it is large and real in the Christian community. You see, in life we create "pecking orders" and you can be sure that each member wants their rightful place.

Why do kids fight? Why do husbands and wives fight? Why do co-workers, girlfriends, and church members fight? There is always a surface problem, but the root problem can be traced back to a need to be the greatest, the noticed, the boss, the one who is right.

So, do we know better than to fight over such pettiness? Of course we do and so did the disciples. That is why they kept quiet when Jesus walked up and asked them what they were talking about! I think it is worth noting that Jesus didn’t begin a standing, "pointing-the-finger" lecture here. He sat down calmly and called the 12 over to Him with deliberate patience, quietness and trust. Then, He used 17 words to preach a powerful sermon: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all!”

That says it all. But to make the point even stronger, Jesus called children into their midst. The kids stood around the disciples, and Jesus took one of them into his arms. This picture communicates the following to me: See the innocence, trust and faith of these babies, that is what you are to be like…welcoming, serving, loving, and humble.

God make it so in me! May I not spend all my time arguing greatness. May I spend much time putting myself aside and looking to you for greatness. Only You can make that so in me!

Summer

2009-05-15T12:55:00.007-04:00

I love summer! No school, swimming, sun, bikes, sprinklers, squeals, sleepovers and ice cream all make me think of summer and the freshness it brings. Summer is my favorite season. Some complain of the heat. Others don't like the non-routine of things. But for me, some of my best memories have revolved around summer! Little ones in a Wal-Mart plastic pool, my marriage vows meaningfully recited in June of 1992, surrender to full-time ministry the summer of 1990, fifteen years worth of Texas visits, reunions with family and friends, beach trips I will never forget, and beach journaling with insights from God that have carried me through many long, cold, dark winters. I love summer!

For me this summer is the summer of new! June will be full of moving into a new house in Augusta after a long winter. July will be full of new ministry opportunities. August will be a fresh start to a school year and church year. I love summer!

God is the God who was so good to give us fresh starts with four seasons each year. He is the God that makes all things new. He is the God that wants to do a new thing in our lives. He is the God that provides new mercy every morning and all day long. He is the God that redeems anything we put under His blood and makes it useable. I don't want to lived bogged down in the "old" of life and miss the new. How about you?

Life is flying by for us all. Are we making the most of it? Just like the seasons change, we should too. We should keep seeking to let God change us, make us new, and give us fresh perspective.
Let's slow down, look up and enjoy the God who loves us. Run through the sprinkler, roll down the windows with the music on, hold those you love, take time to reflect, and don't miss summer!

I love summer! How about you?

Hurricane (Mark 4:35-41)

2009-04-27T11:18:00.005-04:00

Christian artist, Jimmy Needham, has a song out called, "Hurricane." It is a very insightful song that has a profound line, "If destruction is what I need, then I will receive it Lord from Thee." This is not a destruction that is negative, but a destruction that is needful. It is a destruction that tears walls around my heart down and reminds me of my deep need for daily surrender to my living, loving God!

Rush of Fools sing a song called, "Freedom Begins Here." The line I like in that song says, "Just like a hurricane, you devastate everything that needs to change, you are the only thing that is beautiful in me." So why all this music about hurricanes? Well, maybe I am longing for the beach and the simple life of sand, sun and waves crashing. Maybe an escape would be nice as the waves of everyday life crash around me. But, in reality, I know God is at work in my life. He is not concerned with my comfort, but with my clinging. He wants me to cling to Him in every area of my life. He wants me to cling to His promises not the circumstances that confront me. He wants me to cling to His control and toss my own.

There is a perfect hurricane passage in the Bible (Mark 4:35-41) that I am so relating to right now. It is the story where Jesus and his disciples get in the boat for a little ride. Jesus is sleeping and some hurricane type winds begin to throw the disciples all out of sorts. They panic and start screaming for Jesus to wake up and care a little about all that is going on in their life for crying out loud (my interpretation)!

You know, that is what I find myself doing so many times. I stand in my little corner and cry, "Jesus, do you see the hurricane? Don't you care if I am drowning here!" All the while He faithfully replies, "Peace! Be still!" How about that insight! If I could just be still, He would give me His view of the storm and settle me into His peace. Even after all these years of His faithfulness, I find myself scratching my head like the disciples and saying, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!"

I know who Jesus is, I just forget that He offers the eye of the hurricane to me as refuge. I just fail to put my eyes on the controller of the storm and instead focus on the storm raging around. How about you? Can you relate? Beach season is coming. Look around and be reminded that Jesus wants to hold us while the waves crash around us.

"God forgive me for my control issues! Put me in the eye of your will and put my eyes on you no matter what storms rage around me. You are so faithful even when I am not, and I am so thankful!"

Frazzle

2009-04-14T05:56:00.009-04:00

We are starting a Bible Study on Frazzle today at LBS. Of course that caused me to think about what frazzle really is. The American Heritage Dictionary says the following about Frazzle:

1. To wear away along the edges; fray.
2. To exhaust physically or emotionally.

1. A frayed or tattered condition.
2. A condition of exhaustion.

I have felt frazzled before, how about you? I know I have had that frayed tattered look frequently in my life. You see, this life here on plant Earth in the good old USA can just frazzle us to death! Even life apart from difficulty and tragedy can get really complicated.

I talked with a friend yesterday that just returned from an anniversary trip to Florida alone with her husband. She came home refreshed while her in-laws who kept the kids went home exhausted. Before leaving, her mother-in-law commented, "I don't know how yall keep that schedule. I am worn out after only one week!" I have felt that way, how about you? The difference is I am not going home after only one week!

Stress, schedules, social commitments, even serving can pile up in our lives, and we can easily move into a state of robotic, exhausted existence. God never meant for us to live in a state of frantic, frazzled frustration. His word says in Is 30:15,18 "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it...Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you, he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!"

Five words in those two verses give me the key to avoiding daily frazzle: Repentance, Rest, Quietness, Trust, Waiting. Here are some questions I can ask myself:

Is there daily repentance in my life? Have I begun to live in the sin of worry, resentment, control, anger, or any other selfish attitude?

Am I resting in the Lord by seeking Him in His Word? How is my quiet time?

Am I taking time in to be quiet before the Lord or am I talking and complaining so loud that I can't hear His still, quiet voice?

Am I trusting in the Lord in all circumstances or trusting in myself or someone/something around me?

Am I waiting for God's answers when I seek Him about the frazzle in my life, or am I rushing ahead in my own strength?

When I answer these questions honestly, and apply the truth of God's Word, guess what He does? He fulfills this promise, '"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it."' (Is 30:21)

I want to walk in the wonder and awe of His way, not the frustration and frazzle of my own way. I want God to refresh me with His Word and remind me of His ways. I want to be "the righteous that live by faith" not "the rattled who live in frazzle." I want to hear God say, "Blessed are you because you waited and you trusted." Selah

A New Heart

2009-03-30T08:35:00.003-04:00

Sitting in the airport reflecting and watching the people coming and going, rushing and waiting, I began to ponder my week in Texas with my recovering Mom. Open heart surgery for my mom shocked us all and made me once again consider the suddenness of life and death. Each day is a gift. I enjoyed the time we spent more than ever. Maybe it was because it was quiet and there were no distractions and only time to visit. Maybe it was because I realized that I had taken other times for granted, seeing my mom as young and healthy. Maybe it is because we don’t like to think of our parents as vulnerable or aging. I know this for certain, I am changed too. I will value our visits more. Make calling more of a priority. Thank God for a recovering mom and the future He has given her.

It will make me a better daughter, sister, wife, mom, friend and person. I am considering the brevity of the moments of life. By God’s grace, I pray I will live with new eyes. Eyes to see my husband and the care he faithfully gives to our family over and over that I know I have taken for granted or felt entitled to. Eyes to recognize and embrace the late bedtime prayers that go on for 10 minutes with my little ones when all I want to do physically is drop into bed. Eyes to see and savor the time with my teenager even if there is no conversation going on. Eyes to see the people I encounter and remember that I may be the only kindness they experience. Eyes to see opportunities to invest in my friends.

Finally, I pray I will love God like He is coming back any moment. Life really is a vapor, and it is too precious to waste on meaningless activity and frivolous pursuits. Inventory is coming to my heart and life. I plan to take further inventory of how I am using God’s time. I want to be focused on God’s will and not my will as each moment goes by. I want to live without regret and realize when a teachable moment with my kids is before me. I want to invest not survive. I want to laugh and linger rather than stress and scream. “Create in me a clean heart oh God, and renew a willing spirit within me.” Only God can give us a clean heart and a fresh start. Thank you Lord for using a tangible heart problem to reveal a spiritual heart renewal. God may I not forget!

Living in Belief

2009-03-14T09:30:00.004-04:00

In Rom.4:18 "believe" is the word, pisteuo, in the Greek. It means to entrust; put one’s faith in. It is the present active participle meaning "keep on believing." In this passage the word believe indicates believing against all hope or reason. Abraham and Sarah’s story sets the stage for what belief really means. Romans 4 point out that:

† Abraham’s body was as good as dead.
† He was 100 years old.
† Sarah’s womb was dead.

Even though these were the facts, Scripture says in Romans 4:20, “Yet he did not waver…” What a powerful testimony for belief! Unbelief brings wavering. We must choose to keep on believing! We must choose by the minute in whatever worries or challenges threaten to control our lives to believe by faith. Look closely at verse 20 and what Abraham chose to keep on believing: He believed in God’s promise. This is where we must find a promise from the Word for whatever it is that threatens to cause unbelief in our lives. Unbelief is the root of negative attitudes. We no longer cling to God’s promise, but become a defeatist.

However, by choosing to believe (v.20-21), there are three ongoing results:
1. We are strengthened with passion to pursue the purpose of God not our own purpose.
2. We are fully persuaded that God has the power to do what we can never do on our own!
3. God is glorified.

While it is easy to know the above principles as a believer, it is hard to keep believing and not be overcome by the pressure and temptation to give up and sit in unbelief. That leads us to the next point. We must meditate on who we are in Christ, not who we are in our circumstance.

A passage to define who we are as believers is Ephesians 1:3-14.
1. v. 3 We are blessed with every spiritual blessing.
2. v. 4 We are chosen by God
3. v. 4 We are loved.
4. v. 5 We are adopted into His family.
5. v. 7 We are redeemed and forgiven by His blood.
6. v. 8 We are lavished with grace.
7. v.13 We are marked and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
8. v.14 We are heirs in a heavenly kingdom.

Meditating on this passage changes how we view ourselves and how we view God. It reminds us that no matter the circumstance, challenge or change, I am a child of the King and an heir in His eternal kingdom.

John 8:14 says that Jesus knew who he was and he knew where he was going. We lose our passion many times because we forget who we are in Christ, and we run so crazy that we have no idea where we are going. We believe the lie that there is not enough time to have passion for God. We believe the lie that we can get by on what we get at church to help us grow spiritually. We believe the lie that we will get back to hearing from God when we have time. John says in John 3:30, “He must become greater and I must become less.” We must choose His Power and chunk our control. God’s power can raise the dead (Eph. 1:18-23)! The same power that raised Jesus is available to raise us up out of our controlling, negative, and unbelieving attitudes. Can you think of a situation so desperate that God has no power? We may feel that way, but that is where we must begin to choose what God says and not what we feel.

Examine your stress level. How much of the stress in your life is caused by a lack of believing God? How often do you find yourself doubting because you have placed your trust in your own control rather than meditating on the promises of God. If God can put a baby in a worn out womb, God can see us through whatever problem we are facing!

Practically, create an ubelief box and take the thing that is really stressing you out and write it down. Put it in the unbelief box and replace it with a promise from God. Every time you want to begin to sit in unbelief over the situation, remind your self that you have chosen to believe God about the situation and stand on His promises that never fail!

Never Satisfied (Matthew 11:7-24)

2009-03-02T19:21:00.001-05:00

Dissatisfaction is so dangerous and so catching. Many people of Jesus’ day weren’t satisfied no matter what! They called John the Baptist a demon because he didn’t eat or drink and Jesus a drunkard, glutton and friend of sinners. The places where Jesus did most of his miracles did not repent (Matt.11:20). In Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth they took offense at him (Matt. 13:57) and Jesus said, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor (Matt. 13:57)” Luke 4:28-30 says, “All the people in the synagogue were furious…They got up, drove him (Jesus) out of the town, and took him to the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But He walked right through the crowd (in Nazareth) and went on his way.”

Capernaum was his home base, and this is what Jesus said about them, “And you Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:23-24)

In Jerusalem, Jesus said, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” (John 10:32)

Jesus faced “never enough” attitudes, even murderous attitudes with confidence because He knew who He was and what His purpose was. He was not swayed by the attitudes of men. He did not whine around because the people in his hometown, his home base of ministry or the most religious of cities pelted him with opposition and rejection. John 6:66 says, “From this time, many disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” John 7:5 says, “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” Jesus summed up His secret for purposeful living in the face of opposition, negativism and rejection in John 8:28-29, “…I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.”

What a sweet statement that last phrase is “…I always do what pleases Him.” What a great key to living life!

How about you? Are you living in the confidence of knowing who you are in Jesus or are you living in the defeat of the rejection and dissatisfaction of those whom surround you?

Have “never enough” attitudes crept in to steal your satisfaction in Jesus?

Has the discontent and unbelief of others made you like those in Capernaum, Jerusalem or Nazareth?

What is challenging your level of satisfaction in Christ the most right now?

Are your eyes judging by what you see or by what Jesus sees?

Last, but not least, are you living to please Jesus or for the approval of those around you?

Be encouraged! The one who saved you is with you. All you need to do is please Him and leave the pleasing of others in His hands!

Lizzie's Baptism Video

2009-02-26T08:49:00.001-05:00

Lizzie's Baptism

2009-02-25T14:11:00.008-05:00

God is good all the time! Lizzie's baptism was so sweet. Thank you to all of you who prayed for her salvation. Look out world!

Tradition Vs. Truth: My Heart is the Test

2009-02-06T12:16:00.004-05:00

I recently went on a retreat and had time to ponder issues of the heart. I read Matthew 15:1-20 one morning and had the following thoughts....

In this passage, I love the way Jesus responds with questions to the questions of the Pharisees/Teachers of the law as well as to the questions of his own disciples.

The religious leaders asked (Matthew 15:2) "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
Jesus asked (Matthew 15:3) "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?"

So I asked myself, "Which one is more important to me? Is it my tradition or God's command that is more important to me in ministry, as a wife, as a parent, as a friend? Do I base my decisions on the commands of God alone or my own traditions I have adopted over time? Tradition as my standard always leads to a false perception of God. God's commands as my standard leads to a convicted heart and a right perspective.

You see, Jesus goes on to pinpoint the root of the problem as you read through the Matthew 15: 1-20 passage:
1. You have lip service with no heart action. You are a hypocrite (mask wearer)!
2. You have a heart problem not a hygiene problem.

Clean appearance, religious performance, and trustworthy traditions are not our gauge. What goes into my mouth with a clean hand does nothing for godliness. It is what comes out of my mouth that is the gauge. What is in my heart determines spiritual cleanliness; dirty hands mean nothing but germs and poor hygiene!

At this point, the teaching of the passage is pretty clear to me. However, this is where the disciples get in on the action. In Matthew 15:12, the disciples are panicking and ask Jesus a question of their own: "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" This is almost comical to read! The disciples are trying to protect Jesus and are certainly not used to anyone calling the all powerful religious leaders "hypocrites" to their faces! They were shocked and scared that Jesus had just majorly offended all the powerful religious people and thought they should step in and warn Jesus.

How did Jesus respond? He gave them a statement and two more questions:
1. Leave them; they are blind guides (v.14).
2. Are you still so dull (v. 16)?
3. Don't you see....(v.17)?

"O God forgive me for following the blind guides of people pleasing and tradition. Forgive me when I am still so dull! Forgive me when I should see clearly the religious patterns that are tripping me up or making me panic. Deliver me from politics, the pressure to "size-up" and the trap of performing. Make my heart clean, make your commands clear, and make my focus on mercy not judgement (James 2:13). In Jesus name, Amen!"

Every Parent's Choice: To Persevere or to Please

2009-01-23T10:19:00.001-05:00

Parenting is a commitment for a lifetime that really is the most humbling, challenging, transforming process I have known. Lately I have been pondering and praying through some parenting stuff and began to see some truths.

First, isn't it funny how we picture fairy tales for stages of life? The first three years Mark and I were married, I was dying to have a little, cuddly baby. When seminary was behind us and we moved to Virginia to begin ministering there, I was ecstatically expecting! I dreamed of how fulfilling my life would be as the caregiver and spiritual guru to such a tiny blessing. I glared at the people who said, "You better enjoy your quiet while you have it because once that baby comes life will never be the same. " I thought, "How dare they say such negative words about my little angel who I am sure is going to add nothing but joy to my life!"

Well as many of you know, I went on to have two miscarriages before I had a successful pregnancy and Josh was born. I had one more after he was born and then was blessed with Hannah and Elizabeth (22 months apart). I learned a lot through those miscarriages. I released those children to God through surrender and seeing that God never meant for my kids to be my fulfillment. Only God can fill me up. Kids are not my purpose or my identity. I may be Josh, Hannah, and Lizzie's mom, but my identity is in Christ. What I didn't see coming all those years ago, was that a one time surrender would not be enough...it would be daily.

You see those children entrusted to me are a commitment to Jesus to teach, train, love and grow. It is no fairy tale. It is truth, love and training through the good, the bad and the ugly. And if you are a parent, sometimes it is ugly. It is not a job without challenge or with a "money back" guarantee. It is a calling and only God has the manual for how it is done. It is daily and changes all the time. It is about sacrifice and surrender whether I am tired or feel like it. For a non-confronting, "let's make everyone happy" girl, it is only by the grace and conviction of God that it gets done!

So why all this rambling about parenting? You see, I want to be the voice that says, I get it! I want to look out at all the faces in the pews on Sunday morning and say, "You know, I bet they struggle too and I should pray harder, show mercy more, and love without judgment." I have deep compassion for those who are barren, for those who have miscarried, for those who feel they have failed completely. Why? Because I have been humbled. Because I see without God, it is impossible. Because I see, apart from God I can appear to have all the answers and put on a good show, but the harsh reality is that I am nothing on my own. I need God desperately to parent like He does, to see life like He does. I need God desperately to speak wisdom to me, refresh me, love me unconditionally and give me the conviction I need to "stay the course!"

I am more convinced than ever that I need the presence of God more than anything in my life. There is no perfect parent and there is no perfect child, but the presence of God changes both. I have begun praying that God would develop convictions based on His Word in each of my kid's lives. I realize that lecturing is my word and sounds good to me, but they need His Word to stand on for life. I want to say to you, pray as a parent, gather around trusted friends to pray with you, weep with you and rejoice with you. Pray with your husband, pray with your kids, pray as a family and determine to persevere until the harvest comes! I have been praying Galatians 6:9 lately, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Persevere friend! Let's do it God's way to produce the harvest He has planned, not just clean, polite, public show pieces. God wants a generation that rises up and says, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!" Prayer and perseverance are the keys to stay the course and leave the results to God. He is the voice behind us saying "This is the way, walk in it!" (Is. 30:21)

Random Ramblings on Contentment

2009-01-20T13:41:00.000-05:00

I have been pondering contentment. As I look deeper into the meaning of contentment in scripture, I am faced with all the time I can waste questioning, whining, and controlling what belongs to God and God alone. I will start with a quote from the sermon on Sunday that really challenged me. Mark said, "If we focus on what we can't have or what we don't have, we will miss what we do have!"

With that said, I can clearly see how much of my life is a struggle between looking back and looking ahead when I don't like what I am presently looking at! This is obviously not a new concept. The Israelites looked back to bondage and slavery in Egypt with fondness and longing when they didn't want to trust God. How crazy is that! They begged God to send them back to the good old days of slavery!

Solomon wrote the whole book of Ecclesiastes for people looking back or forward for "greener grass." He summed up the cure to all our "what ifs," "if onlys," and "woe is me's" in this phrase at the end of Ecclesiastes, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." You see, God's Word is not complicated, our whole duty is just two fold:
1. Fear God.
2. Keep His commands.
Soooo, why does it seem so hard to live in contentment?

Back to the sermon, we looked at Peter and his contentment level. He had a pattern in the gospels of being tripped by three behaviors:
1. He questioned God's plan.
2. He whined about God's plan.
3. He tried to present an alternative plan or told Jesus why his way was better.
I am a Peter. I usually try to work it out a bit before I fall down in surrender. Can you relate?

"God may fearing you and keeping your commandments be our passion. May we thank you for each moment and leave the past and present in your blessed control. In your awesome, holy, perfect, sovereign name! Amen"

Motives-Matt. 6

2009-01-08T14:17:00.000-05:00

I love the section of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 6. Jesus says so much about all of life in this section. He reminds us that our motives determine our praying, giving, serving, fasting, loving, forgiving, and so much more. It takes care not to flaunt our religious behavior. In all things, I want to ask myself, "What is my motive?" This is a tough question if we are honest. To deepen the question, we can ask, Is this drawing attention to God or to me? Is this about my reputation or God's? Why do we give? Why do we pray? Why do we serve? Why do we fast? Why even do we forgive?

Wrong motives in giving, praying, fasting, forgiving or serving come down to me wanting to be seen or me wanting to appear spiritual. It is a "form of godliness that denies His power." There is no joy in this. There is no rest. There is endless performance. There is empty religious activity.

This is why I believe Jesus spoke so strong in the Sermon on the Mount about right motives. We give because Jesus has given us everything and He commands it! We pray to Praise God, Repent of our sins, Ask God on behalf of others, and Yearn to know His presence and peace. We forgive and find freedom or we harbor and grow hard. We serve for His glory and to further His kingdom. We fast to focus on God in a deeper way. Now the application...does my life look like this?

Time spent in His presence and being honest before Him is the only way to keep our motives pure. Freedom comes when we abandon our religious activity and live in the power of God giving Him all the glory.

Vision

2008-12-18T09:42:00.000-05:00

Vision is more than the level of our eyesight. Vision is how clearly we see what is around us. It is our perception and our focus and determines how we live as believers. Over and Over Jesus' vision went way beyond a glance. Jesus saw the crowds... the harassed, the helpless, the bleeding, the rich, the poor, the religious, the one caught in sin, the prodigal, the possessed, the searching, the proud, the beggar, the desperate, the broken and the sick. He did not ignore, pass by or minimize what He saw. He was not pumped-up, heady or self-centered because huge crowds surrounded, saw Him or followed Him. He saw them! He didn't just glance at them or walk on past them. He sat down and taught them, he reached out and touched them, he stooped down and held them. Jesus healed them, heard them, offered forgiveness to them, stopped and gave them His love, time and His hope.

In Genesis 16:13 Hagar said, "Your are the God who sees me...I have now seen the One who sees me." Hagar got it! She understood what vision from God does for your life as a believer. We have to be so consumed that all we see is God. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we realize that He sees everything clearly and only He can give us the ability to see like He sees. This brings peace and the realization that no problem is too big for the one who sees me (Heb. 12:1-3)!

As the new year approches, ask God to show you what you see. Do you see God? Do you see people like He sees them? Do you need Him to change your vision? Ask him to help you see what He sees. Make this the year that you view all through the eyes of Jesus and then go and offer hope.

Matthew 9:35-38 'Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The he said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."'

FRANTIC, FRENZIED FESTIVITY OR FOCUSED FAITH IN CHRIST?

2008-12-03T08:42:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:8-11 has much to teach us during the Christmas season. Since we are moving on January 2nd, Christmas is going to be different for us. I am simplifying to survive! We have a little "Charlie Brown" tree, Christmas books and a few presents scattered around. We will still act out the Christmas story as a family, still go look at lights, still go to the Living Christmas Tree Production, still have stockings on Christmas morning, still celebrate, it will just be simplier. I am sending moving cards when we get settled rather than Christmas cards. I am savoring each day more, and I so want this to be the most Christ-centered Christmas ever! I read through Luke 2 recently and realized much of it applied to me in regards to keeping my thoughts focused on Jesus during the next month of festivity.

I believe I daily must make a choice to intentionally stop and see God in my ordinary day. Luke 2:8 says, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” I can identify with the shepherds. They were ordinary, unclean, forgotten and not highly respected. As a mom, I feel all of these things on certain days! God coming to the shepherds reminds us that He takes note of all people in all stages and stations. It also reminds us that God comes to us in the ordinary routine of life. The shepherds were not at the temple looking clean and holy when the angel appeared to them; they were in the middle of a routine night of doing their normal, unglamorous job. So much of Christmas is about perspective. We all have jobs to do, responsibilities to fulfill, but will we look for God to speak to us, or will we miss Him altogether? The shepherds did not miss the angel, they were overwhelmed, terrified. Now I don’t know about you, but if an angel showed up in my foyer on a routine day, I also would be terrified. My face would be far into the hardwood while I wrestled my children to the ground with me. Oh how we have lost the need for Godly awe, fear, and reverence in our society. When was the last time we were in awe of God’s glory shining around us?

Next, I believe we must daily choose faith over fear/anxiety/worry over details or circumstances. Christmas has become one of the most anxiety ridden times of the year for believers and that is just crazy! We need to learn from the words the angel spoke to the shepherds to calm their fears, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” You see, we have forgotten what Christmas is to be for us each day! It is good news! It is great joy! It is a Savior born to you and me! It is Christ our Lord! He is the one that comes daily to us in the midst of crying children, chaos, trying teenagers, or an empty nest and says, "Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy…”

This is more that a familiar story. Don’t let the news or the passage become old news to you. The words are still fresh and meaningful: He comes with good news for all; not just those in the spotlight. God did not send a soldier, a judge or a reformer, He sent a Savior to meet our greatest need… Our need to be forgiven. He is so aware of how we feel, he is so personal. He is given “to you” as your Savior in every stage and circumstance of life. What has Christmas become for you? Is it a time of frantic, frenzied festivity that leaves a fussy family in its wake? Or is it a focused time of faith in Jesus?

Trust and Thankfulness in Transition

2008-11-24T15:28:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." I believe God is faithful to fulfill this verse in our lives as we surrender to Him. We have been praying through a process with a church since the end of July, and it has been so evident that He was working to join our paths together. I wish I could call each of you on the phone and explain the whole process, but I would be on the phone night and day for a while!
I have been blessed to be on Turtle Dove Lane, at FMES and at NMFBC for 6 years and wouldn’t trade a minute of it. So many of you have invested, prayed and loved us, and we are so grateful. Just as Isaiah said, "Here am I send me," when God asked who would go for Him, we have said "yes" to the call He has issued to us.

We are going to be a part of Curtis Baptist Church on January 2, 2009. The church is in Augusta, GA, and we are so excited to go and minister as a family. Understand that we have said "no" much over the last six years when approached by churches, but this was clearly God this time and in obedience we said "yes!"

Mark preached and they voted as a church yesterday and we accepted. The church’s website is http://www.curtisbc.org/

I love you all, and have been blessed by each of your lives! Please pray for us as we work out the details of this transition. Pray for God to do more than we ever could ask or imagine!

You all have friends to visit in Augusta now! How blessed we are and what immeasurable amount of thanks we will be able to give this Thanksgiving (Psalm 100)! Love you!

Stress Reducers for Christians (Adapted from unknown author)

2008-11-17T17:21:00.000-05:00

Since Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year are just around the corner, maybe reading the following list frequently will remind us about our focus!

Pray.

Get alone with God first thing.
Go to bed on time.
Get up.
Say no, to projects that will compromise your mental health.
Delegate tasks.
Simplify and unclutter your life.
Less is more.
Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
Pace yourself.
Take one day at a time.
Separate worries from concerns.
Live within your budget.
Have backup; extra car and house key, extra stamps, etc.
KMS – Keep mouth shut! Such a small thing can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
Laugh.
Laugh some more!
Carry a small Bible to read while you wait in life.
Exercise.
Eat right.
Get organized.
Listen to music that makes you think about Jesus.
Write thoughts and inspirations in a journal.
Pray as you go. Don’t let things build.
Make friends with Godly people.
Remember the shortest bridge between despair and hope is a good “Thank you Jesus!”
Take your work seriously, but yourself not so much.
Develop a forgiving attitude.
Be kind to unkind people.
Sit on your ego.
Talk less; listen more.
Slow down.
Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe. As you go to bed, thank God by listing your daily blessings and....

Pray some more!

God Is Alive and He Reigns!

2008-11-03T11:20:00.000-05:00

As I read through Isaiah 43 this morning, I was reminded that I can live confidently in this dry and weary land no matter the circumstances. This chapter reminds a believer in Christ like me that God created me. God formed me. In Christ, I have nothing to fear. God redeemed me. God summoned me personally by name. He says, "You, Michelle (fill in your name) are mine!" When (not if) I go through troubled, overwhelming, stormy waters, He goes with me and keeps the waters (circumstances) from sweeping me away. When (not if) I walk through the fire, I will not be scorched or burned. He is my God, and I am precious and honored in His sight. He loves me with an everlasting love. I am called by His name. He is truth personified, and His truth always prevails no matter the deception around us. I am His called out witness. I am His chosen servant. He chose me to know and to believe that He is who He says He is! I am to know and believe that He is the "I Am" God! He is the one and only who has always been and will always be no matter who the leader of our country is humanly! He is the God who acts in a way no man can reverse. Get that...He said, "When I act, who can reverse it?" He is in control not us and certainly not the media! He is my Creator and King! He commands us to forget the former things and not to dwell on the past. He is the God who Is doing a new thing! He is the God that springs up in our spirits and enables us to do great and mighty things in His Name! He is the God that makes a way in the desert. He is the God who provides steams in the wasteland!

Just remember, what man writes-off, God redeems. What man gives-up on, God raises-up. What man calls weak, God makes strong. What man discards, God declares valuable and usable. What man remembers and rehashes, God blots out and remembers no more! What man buries, God raises from the dead as the Savior of the world! No matter the state of our country, our churches or our communities, God is alive and He reigns!

“If Only” or The Contentment of Christ?

2008-10-25T14:23:00.000-04:00

Our first vacation alone in 10 years was wonderful! As we walked through the door from the airport, we found first a sick child. Next, we discovered our house had flooded while we were in paradise. As the story goes, everyone was outside playing and someone used the potty and ran back out. All that can be figured out is that it started to overflow and did not stop. Our son, Josh, wondered in a bit later and found water an inch deep all over the floor downstairs. After a drying treatment, months of gluey floor being ripped up, carpet ripped up to be dried and cleaned, we now have a brand new floor where the water once stood. You see, sick children, flooded houses, etc. are circumstances. I have been challenged to ask myself, “How often do I let my circumstances dictate my attitude?” The answer would be fairly often, if I am honest.

We must learn Phil. 4: 11-13, “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Linda Dillow, a former missionary, writes, “…true contentment is separate from our circumstances. Contentment is a state of the heart, not a state of affairs…When we are confronted with negative circumstances, we have a choice: Will we pray about the problem or will we worry about it?” Linda Dillow goes on to say in her book, “Calm My Anxious Heart,” that we must practice this kind of attitude. Practice is boring, not fun and must be done over and over. Phil. 4:9 tells us to practice praying and thinking on the positive rather than worrying and being negative.

Whatever you are confronted with or facing this week, try practicing the following suggestions from the book I mentioned above. Here they are summarized:
Choose to give your anxieties to God.
Choose to pray rather than worry.
Choose to be thankful.
Choose to dwell on positive not negative.

Finally I will leave you with a quote from a mother who spoke truth to her complaining daughter… “Two women looked through prison bars; one saw mud, the other saw stars.” (p.26 of Calm My Anxious Heart)

“Dear Lord, may we practice contentment. May we see stars not bars. Let us recount all you have done for us. May we be known as women who seek you, trust you and praise you. Help us overcome our negativity and endless “if only’s” and choose to let our lives be dictated by You rather than our circumstances. Let us fix our eyes on you and our eternal home, rather than on all that is circumstantial and temporary. May we memorize Philippians 4:4-13 and let it play like a tape recorder in our thoughts.”

Speechless...

2008-10-04T19:48:00.000-04:00

I was blessed to attend a prayer retreat this week called Speechless. It did leave me speechless which is a real accomplishment. I walked away realizing how comfortable I had become in my ministry and my Christianity. Comfortable in a way that needed to be shaken up and poured out.

First, I was reminded that I should obey Christ no matter the cost. In centuries past, John Knoxx wanted salvation so bad for his country, he prayed, "Give me Scotland or give me death." Esther said, "I will go...if I perish, I perish." Paul said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain." Paul even said he would go to hell in the place of those he was so burdened for. Many throughout history have followed Jesus no matter the cost, even if it was death. I was convicted that it is easy to talk about commitment and hard to live it out with abandon. I recently watched a casting crown video (http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5a2e075a1a4a6e1b9770) that made me weep at the times I had no burden at all for those around me. I was so in my ministry and my responsibilities that I walked right by. God forgive me!

Second, I was reminded of the need to follow prayer with action. I can pray for the lost, but if I never tell them how to be found, what is the point? I have to look for opportunities that are connected to my prayer life. How often have I just walked on by and missed an opportunity because I was not surrendered to the Holy Spirit's leading?

Third, I was challenged to go deeper with God in all areas of my life. Is my quiet time with God just on the check list or do I really seek to be in His presence? Do I throw-up quick, general confessions (God forgive ALL my sin) and avoid specific conviction and confession. Do I glance at God and gaze at my problems? Do I confess without repenting? Do I look to others for direction more than I look to God? Do I make excuses rather than repent of sin?

Finally, with a culture that is so prosperous, an election that is so crucial, a church culture that is so full of complacency and confusion, we need personal revival. God sweeping revival seems so foreign to me, but my God is able. Even if I am not allowed to see revival on a large scale in my lifetime, I can choose to lived sold-out and surrendered in personal revival. Today is the day to choose which life I want. Will it be comfortable and complacent "on the border" Christianity, or will it be sold-out surrender with God consuming invasion? I choose to be invaded how about you?

What's Your Passion?

2008-09-16T12:36:00.001-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about and praying for my home state of Texas this week after it was beaten down by Hurricane Ike. Why do I love that state so much? (My close girlfriends just sighed big and said, "Oh brother, here we go again!") I'll tell you why...

I love big sunsets, sprawling oak trees, big, wide-open, fast highways. I love the Texas state fair and big Tex. I love the cotton bowl, and the UT vs. OU game. I love Texas barbeque BEEF brisket, hot Texas Mexican food, Texas shopping, Cowboy's football, and the Texas Longhorns. I have deep Texas heritage and was the first in the immediate family to move out of Texas since the Alamo I think. I love the river walk in San Antonio and the feel of Texas stadium during a cowboy game. I love Texas. I love the family I have spread out all over the land of Texas, the friends that I have there and the memories of life there. But as many of you know, I haven't lived there in almost 15 years. In fact, just a few short years ago, The University of TX (the burnt orange team) won the national football championship and not one of my Ga friends was excited. They didn’t even know who Bevo (UT’s longhorn mascot) was! I still love them, but you see I am on my own in my deep Texas affection.

So you may ask, why live in GA if you love Texas so much? I love Jesus more, and it is His plan that I pour out my life for Him here in the great peach state! Don't get me wrong, I like GA a lot, but I will always be a Texan deep in my heart.

If I were to ask you what you love, you could all go on with passion about something. The point is, can we lay down our love for that passion and follow Jesus? Have we surrendered so we can follow the Jesus who calls us out to be passionate about Him above all else? We all have images of who we want to be in this world, but are we willing to let God take all our images away until we resemble only His image?

Jesus says it best in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." He's calling you...Are you willing to follow with passion for Him wherever He leads you?

Hallelujah for Habakkuk!

2008-09-03T14:38:00.000-04:00

I just taught a Bible study lesson on Habakkuk. That is quite a name and not one we hear a lot, but He left a big impression on me this week. He is a minor prophet who was on the scene right before God's people were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. His call was to minister to and herald God's truth to a bunch of hard-hearted hearers. He saw injustice at every turn and his numbers in ministry were not very impressive. More people were rebelling than repenting. That made me evaluate what really is important in ministry. I am convinced more and more that it is about changed lives and minute by minute obedience, not impressive resumes or statistics. Henry Blackaby said that we are going to have a hard time having revival until we "get over our egos and our logos." I think I can learn something from Habakkuk and Henry.

You know I am all about being real, and if you read Habakkuk chapter one this guy is for real. He holds nothing back and pours out his heart to God with all his "why's" and "how longs?" I read it and prayed, "God make me real in my prayers like this guy was real."

My husband says all the time, "A problem well defined, is a problem half solved." Habakkuk poured out all his problems to God and the key to his spiritual results is found in 2:1, "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint." Wow! He didn't just walk away expecting God to never answer all his heart problems like I do so many times. He determined to do whatever it took to plant his feet and listen. He was resolute to wait on God's answer. Man I want to be like this guy! I want to wait on the Lord to answer no matter what! I want to expect great things and wait on the power and peace only God's answers can deliver. But that is not all...it gets even better!

Habakkuk ends his book with praise and peace in chapter three. His circumstances were still crummy by the world's standards, in fact the situation was worse than he initially thought, but his attitude was awesomely adjusted. God answered his prayer and gave him hope. Just listen to what he said in 3:17-19, "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enable me to go on the heights." My translation is, "get a grip!" There is nothing that is out of God's control, and if I wait on Him, I will never have to fear. In fact, I can even quit working so hard to control things and rest in His control! Habakkuk's secret is this: I am happy when I rejoice in the Lord, not when I focus on my circumstances, my results, my perspective. I am happy when my Savior is my source and my everything even if my circumstances don't change! Hallelujah for Habakkuk!

Why Do We Run From God?

2008-08-29T13:48:00.000-04:00

Jonah 1, Psalms 139:7-12
Running away from God only takes us down…down to Joppa, down to the bottom of the ship to sulk, down into the sea, down into the belly of the fish. Are you running? You may not be in a fish, but is your life on the same downward spiral?

Jonah 2:7, “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.” Why do we wait so long to surrender in prayer? Why do we wait until a situation is ebbing away before we remember prayer? Prayer and confessions only take us up…up to forgiveness, up to God’s presence, up to God’s peace, up to God’s power for the task or circumstance that set us running.

Jonah 3:1 “Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time…” I am so glad that God gives second chances for obedience. God didn’t write Jonah off. He gave him another chance to get it right. Has the word of the Lord come to you a second time?

Jonah preached in chapter three to the Ninevites and the King led the people in responding in 3:8-9, “Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion and turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

God’s response? He forgave them and saved them (3:10).

Jonah’s response? He was displeased and angry (4:1-11). He resented that God would save such an undeserving evil bunch. He was more concerned about a plant and his own comfort than he was over 120,000 souls headed for eternal destruction. His response may go back to why he ran in the first place. Most commentators say Jonah ran out of fear, pride and prejudice. How much of our own running can be traced to fear, pride or prejudice? How many times do we make decisions that revolve around me, myself and I?

Lessons from Jonah from Charles Swindoll… “Jonah ran away, then ran to, then ran with, but ended running against God. Jonah’s value scale was so unbalanced...his vision, so near-sighted…his life, so small. An insignificant, soulless plant meant more to him than anything on earth. The lesson of the book is that Jonah was more concerned about Jonah than he was about Nineveh. What’s the lesson of your life? Are you more concerned with building shelters and raising plants-more concerned about creature comforts and selfish living-than the deep, spiritual needs of people? Are there some plants in your life that need to be removed so you can see your Nineveh?”

Lord, let me see through your eyes. Eyes that are others focused. Eyes that see with compassion and mercy. Take my self-centeredness that is rooted in fear, pride and prejudice and put your heart of tender obedience in its place. In Jesus name, Amen!

New Beginnings

2008-08-11T09:58:00.000-04:00

"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?"Isaiah 43:18-19

God is so good to give us new beginnings! Today, I put three kids on the school bus for the beginning of a brand new school year. Yesterday, we met our new Bible Study teachers for the next year and Josh's new baseball coach for this fall. Tomorrow we will meet Hannah's dance teacher for the new year, and next week we will meet Lizzie's soccer coaches for the first time. This is also my first time to be home during the day while the kids are at school! I have time to have some firsts of my own! I am going to meet a new group of ladies each Thursday morning for Bible Study. I am looking for divine appointments to be used by God as an encourager in my neighborhood. I will have fresh opportunities to pour out God's love in all the new places I will be taking my kids after school. So you see, God is a God of new things!

The incredible thing about God is that His "new things" don't ever end. He gives us new mercies every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). He gives us new creation in the seasons. He gives us new forgiveness every time we ask (I John 1:9). He gives us new places of influence every time we change stages of life. He puts new praises in our mouths (Psalm 40:3). He gives us a new spirit and an undivided heart when we ask (Ezekiel 11:19, 18:31, 36:26). He gives us a new attitude(Ephesians 4:23-24) and a new life at salvation (Romans 6:4). Someday, He will give us a new Heaven and new Earth (Revelation 21:1). Finally, He gives us a new mission every morning, "Go...tell the people the full message of this new life!" (Acts 5:20)

I don't want to miss the "new things" God is doing do you? I want to be bold in Him to go out into all the "news" in my life and tell the people the full message of new life in Jesus! Let's pray it will be so:

"Dear Jesus, thank you that you are the God of "new things!" Remind us daily that our lives belong to you and you want to use us for your glory. Take our complacency and give us a longing for your new work in our lives. Convict us of anything that is old, jaded, or cynical in our hearts. Give us a new undivided heart that let's us behold the new things you are doing all around us! In the awesome name of Jesus we pray, Amen!"

Surrender

2008-07-18T17:42:00.000-04:00

What is surrender? Is it giving up because you have lost strength? Is it letting someone else have their way because you are too tired to keep fighting? Is it giving-in out of courtesy or not wanting to look bad? I have played guessing games with my kids where I am all guessed out and just want to surrender so they will give me the answer. I have surrendered many a Monopoly game just to have it over! I remember surrendering my Steven Curtis Chapman CD (grown-up music) to listen to hours of “Wee Songs” when my children were toddlers. Surrender in the human sense is all these things. Surrender to God is entirely different.

In the human sense we usually surrender in a self-motivated way. With the Lord, we surrender in a God-consuming way. Surrendering God’s way is a challenging process because it involves honesty and change. Often God will ask us to do what we feel incapable of doing. For God to do through us what we cannot do ourselves, we must surrender completely to God’s will and power. Before we can do that, there are some obstacles we may need to examine and remove.

Through the years, I have repeatedly dealt with my “surrender” obstacles. No matter my age, life stage, occupation, spiritual growth, I find my flesh struggling with my spirit in three areas. Recognition of this is a help to me not a hindrance. It keeps me humble and reminds me that “I can do nothing apart from God (John 15:5).” Follow with me as I explain, and see if you can relate.

Obstacle Number One: Competing
In Mark 9:33-36 and Mark 10:35-45, Jesus is talking with His disciples about some surrender issues. Read both of these passages and record how you see the disciples competing.

How did competing hinder their surrendering to God’s will?

Who do you relate to in the passage and why?

In Mark 9:33-36 (NIV), Jesus said to them, '“What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest' You see it is in all of us to want to be great. We want to matter. The problem comes when we begin to compete at all costs to matter. In Mark 10:35-37, we see the disciples, James and John, competing for what they thought were the best spots. They wanted to matter most to Jesus and to secure the best position of power for themselves that they could. Sound familiar?

Both of these examples illustrate how competition hindered surrender on the pages of Scripture. How about the pages of real life? Let’s put it in modern language. Check all the phrases below you have found yourself thinking or saying. Be honest! After all, if the very ones trained by Jesus argued over who was the greatest; don’t you think we might find ourselves plagued by the same obstacle of competition?

__I will only serve if I am better at _____(you fill it in) than her.
__How could they pick her when I have the experience?
__Don’t they know I was always the one picked for _____ in the past?
__Why can’t the coach see my child should be starting?
__Isn’t it evident I should get the promotion? I have the experience.
__How could she not invite me? I have been so loyal to her!
__I wanted to room on the retreat with______not someone new!
__How could that teacher not pick my child for the academic award?
__Why can’t they see they needed me not her!?

Here are some results of Competition:
· Competition causes us to miss God’s best.
Write down what Galatians 1:10 and Galations 6:3-5 say about this:

· Competition wastes our spiritual gifts.
What does I Peter 4:10-11 say about this?

· Competition tempts others to a worldly race against us.
What does Galatians 5:7, 13-15 say about this?

Please do not reproduce without permission from Real Life Women's Ministry.

Is My Life Fruitful?

2008-07-07T07:44:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Out of control? Sucked into a life where you have no idea why you do what you do or if it really matters? You sign up for more activities to fill up your empty spaces. You volunteer for causes you don’t even believe in because of peer pressure. You go through the motions of home, work, volunteering, even church without passion, heart or feeling. You look around one day and go, “is this really my life?” Some may call this a mid-life crisis. I hit the fourth decade marker and realized, “Well, it’s half over if I live to 80, what has counted? What can be marked as something that mattered?” Some people buy sports cars, some dress decades younger, some have makeovers. There are a lot of other scenarios, some much more tragic and serious. Life can quickly become a series of meaningless events, filled with false vines and no fruit. Temporary pursuits can take over our lives, and leave us with very little that is real or of any eternal value. I am not making a blanket assumption that everyone driving a sports car or anyone who has a day at the spa is going over the edge. So the question for us is: How do we begin to uncover what is meaningless in our lives and what is eternal?

I believe Jesus gives us the answer to a meaningful life in John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." In light of this fruit bearing, think about the branch. It doesn’t eat the fruit that grows on it; it doesn’t produce the fruit to say, “Look at all my fruit!” It provides fruit that will feed someone else. We are the branch. We should produce fruit that feeds others spiritually. It should never be about my results, my ministry, my stuff or what I can do. It should instead be about obedient surrender and what God’s power can produce in and through my life. With this type of surrendered life, I see clearly that I desperately need Jesus to do anything.

For us to have a life full of spiritual fruit there is a catch: We must allow God to prune our lives. I think sometimes people go through a “sold out” period and welcome all God's pruning at once. Quickly, they see fruit, but they don’t see the cycle continue the same over time and their heart may grow complacent; they may lose their passion and go through the motions of church life. Pruning comes in cycles and is not a one time event. We will never admit our need for his power if some pruning doesn’t take place. Pruning may be to get rid of what is dead and diseased in our life, or it may be to mature us, reveal God to us, and produce fruit in our lives.

Ask God to show you what needs to be pruned in the garden of your heart. I will provide you with a Scripture passage to use to search your heart. But first, let me tell you a story about some fruitful pruning in my own life that brought real growth.

To say the least, I was not living for Christ in high school. I behaved very disrespectfully to a teacher (Mrs. Clarke) outside of school and slandered that teacher’s reputation to cover my own sin. About six years after that, I was a totally different girl and had been growing in my understanding of the freedom I possessed in Christ. I had been praying through some Scriptures and God kept bringing up Mrs. Clarke to me, and how I needed to make that situation right. I argued with God reminding Him that the situation happened before I surrendered to Him. God continued to bring it to my heart every time I prayed. Finally, I surrendered and told God I would do whatever He asked me to do to make things right with Mrs. Clarke. I did remind Him that I didn’t know how to get in touch with her, and that He would have to take care of that. Not long after that, I was asked to speak at a teacher’s banquet in my home town. As I walked into the meeting room, guess where my seat was located: Right next to Mrs. Clarke! God is so amazing! I asked Mrs. Clarke to forgive me that day and she began to tear-up touched by the greatness of God herself. She forgave me, and we both moved on with a new freedom. I tell you this story so you can see that confession is not about do’s and don’ts; it is about forgiveness and setting the captives free!

With that in mind, look up Ephesians 4:25-32. This is a list of some things you would need to prune from your heart. This would be any sin that God brings to mind. Ask God to help you be honest as you read through the questions and answer them specifically:
Do I lie?

Do I cause disunity?

Do I sin in anger?

Do I hold and justify a grudge?

Have I given the devil a foothold through a divided relationship?

Do I steal (Don’t forget about stealing time, glory, reputation or credit)?

Do I share with the needy?

Do I grieve the Holy Spirit sinning knowingly and habitually?

Have I held on to bitterness, rage, anger or brawling in a relationship?

Do I slander others?

Do I withhold compassion, kindness and forgiveness based on my own judgments?

I know that is a tough list to pray and work through and it might take you a while to get to the bottom of your stuff on that list. It is an ongoing list that God convicts me of and my prayer now is to keep a short record of sin with Him. I want to know what grieves His heart so that I am convicted when I begin to sin in one of the above areas. A life of freedom comes to those who are willing to hold nothing back from God and trust Him abandonedly!

Be encouraged that conviction is awareness of our need to confess sin and be restored with His forgiveness. Go back and see each yes as a branch ready to begin producing fruit as you ask God to forgive you and genuinely change you. Your fruit is going to be incredible and nourish and refresh the souls of all those around you! The pruning is worth it in the end and the fruit is soul satisfying! God bless you wherever you are today Mrs. Clarke!

The Only Name that Matters!

2008-06-30T06:26:00.001-04:00

The world says make a name for yourself. God says deny your own name making and take up your cross to follow Him. We can get so distracted making a name for ourselves in this world that we don’t hear when Jesus is calling our name.

Abraham heard God calling his name to leave all he knew and go with God. God also changed his name from father of "no one" to “father of many.” God is into changing names! Gen. 12:1-4

Mary Magdalene knew what it meant to hear Jesus call her name. Jesus had driven 7 demons out of her and given her new meaning to life. She became all about His name and her name only had meaning in Him. John 20:10-18

John 1:12 says that Jesus will change anyone’s name who believes in His name. “To those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

John 1:46 gives us the name Nazareth. Can any good name come from there? Yes! Jesus!

John 3:18 tells us that "whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only son."

John 3:30 says, “He (His name) must become greater; I (my name) must become less.”

John 5:43 reminds us that we are more likely to accept things in a human name rather than God’s name by faith. “I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t accept me; but if someone comes in his own name, you will accept him.”

There is a confidence that fills us when we come in Jesus name: John 8:32, “…for I know where I came from and where I am going.”

We are blessed and protected when we go out in the name of Jesus: John 12:13, 17:11

Even a lost person saw the power of Jesus’ name…Pilate ordered a sign made that said “Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.” John 19:19

All of these verses are convicting reasons to walk in the new name Jesus gives to us after salvation, but the flesh slips back in and we can begin to doubt. We can get discouraged and drift back to an old name. In John 21, the disciples were sad, discouraged and just went back to the names they knew…fishermen. Peter said something like this, “I am going fishing. That is what I know. The rest said, “We’ll go with you.” Jesus called out to them from the shore. John was the first to recognize Him, but Peter was the first to go to Him. Peter jumped into the water to swim to Jesus. He tried to go back to the name, Simon - fisherman, but Jesus had changed his name to Peter - the rock. When God changes our name, going back always leads to empty nets, empty plans, empty hearts and empty lives. The net is full when we press on to share in His name.

Jesus goes on to call Peter out for service and re-affirm him in John 21. Peter is still struggling with the whole his name for Jesus’ name thing in John 21. Peter is asking, “so if I follow you, what about John?” Jesus gets straight to the point, “If I want him to live until I return, what is that to you? You must follow ME!”

Peter definitely got the whole “his name for Jesus’ name” thing by the book of Acts!

Acts 2:21 opens with Peter preaching, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!”
In Acts 4:12 Peter preaches, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name by which we must be saved!”
Acts 4:18-19 ‘Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard!”’

Have you called on His name for salvation?
Have you gone back to an old name when God has called you to something else?
Do you proclaim Jesus' Name above your own name?

Cannot be reproduces without permission from Real Life Women’s Ministry. Thank you!

Beauty: Enthralled or Entrapped?

2008-06-11T06:21:00.000-04:00

The King is enthralled with my beauty of spirit,
So why do I have such a hard time believing and hearing it?

Outward beauty is fleeting He records,
Still I find myself not listening to the Lord.

Knitted so specially in my mother's womb,
So why do I let self-imposed standards loom.

Fearfully and wonderfully made from head to toe,
No need to feel pressure to put on such a big show.

His work is wonderful and I am no exception,
However, still I find myself easily caught in the outward beauty obsession.

Cuts and colors, sparkles and spas,
Outfits so fitted and make-up so suave.

Waxing and tanning, wrinkle cream too,
So much maintenance, so much to do.

Rest finally returns when I take His Word to heart,
How is it I find it so easy to depart?

Back in perspective is the all-consuming outward appearance deception,
When I lock my eyes on my King with obsession.

O God give me the unfading beauty of your gentle and quiet Spirit,
As you whisper words of love and longing, may I hear it.

Enthralled with my beauty indeed,
O God My King, you are all I need!
Michelle Sterling

Please contact Real Life Women's Ministry before reproducing

Longing for a Life That Is Real, Free and Satisfied

2008-05-23T05:56:00.001-04:00

The race for homecoming queen, do you remember it? Even if you were not in the race, you may remember those who were. The honor, the pressure, the competition that surrounded what seemed at the time to be the world’s most important election. Every outfit was planned with much energy. Those running with intentions of winning worked hard to be nice to everyone and may have pretended they liked even the most annoying people. Appearance was everything and votes were at stake. The build up of who would be chosen for the homecoming court from each grade was heart stopping. Finally the names of the court were announced and those chosen felt elated and stressed all at once. Now the field had been narrowed. Those in the race sized up the competition. They compared strengths and weaknesses and mentally criticized their own flaws and obsessed over the strengths of their opponents. Each girl dreamed of the announcer at the homecoming game announcing her name with pomp and circumstance as the most beautiful queen in history. Many contestants competed, compared, controlled, and criticized to conquer the highest high school throne. Funny thing is, even if you won the crown, what does it mean today? Who remembers? Who cares?

More importantly, how many of us still act like we are running a race for homecoming queen! Oh, it might be as the queen of the office, queen of the neighborhood, queen of PTA, queen of the extra-circular, queen of the room moms, queen of women's ministry, queen of decorating, queen of your girlfriends, etc. The list goes on and on. We want to be accepted so badly by others. We want to be a star at something. We want to wear a tiara somewhere. We want to count; have purpose; have meaning. We feel frustrated, exhausted and trapped by the competing, comparing and controlling. Things we don’t feel are real, free, satisfied.

I believe women today are longing to find a life that is real, free, and satisfying. Running for homecoming queen is endless, exhausting, and it is never enough. Even winning the crown is such a let down. Real freedom is found when we examine and apply what God’s Word says about a life that is full and free. Real life is found when we realize that the only crown we want to wear is the one put there by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Rev. 19:11-14, 16 says, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True... His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
How powerful! The crown Jesus puts on our head will be worth wearing. All other tiara’s are temporary. As a child of God, you belong to the kingdom of the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! Get a hold of that, and you will begin to long to live a life that is real (relevant, empowered, abandoned, living).

Read Rev. 1:4-7 and 19:11-16 and write down all the real things about the King who was, and is, and is to come. Use this prayer to get started: “Jesus, You are so real! Take my heart of stone and make it soft, convicted anew of my great need to be in Your presence on my face seeking You and You alone. Forgive me for all the unreal things I have made my life. All the pretending and the performing and the proving I have done in hope of finding purpose. Remind me today of my great need for You above all else. Thank You that You are faithful and true even when I am not. Thank You that You are my rider on the white horse I have been searching for. Be my everything!"

Facing Trials with a Joseph Attitude

2008-05-10T10:03:00.001-04:00

When trials come and questions arise, we might want to cry out, “Hey God are you there or not?” Faith can be easy when life is working out for us, but how about when we can’t reason life out? What about when we have no explanation that sums up the process. It is in the pits of life that we have to choose to put our faith in God and find peace. Joseph was a guy who modeled this in Scripture. We can learn some things today from his life that will help us deal with our own pits and prisons.

Joseph gives us Six Keys to growing stronger in unexplainable trials:

1. He believed God was with Him (Gen 39:2). How does knowing God is with you help you keep going?

2.He saw sin was against God and never secret (Gen. 39:8). How does knowing sin is against God affect our choices when we are faced with trials or temptations?

3.Joseph knew God had not forgotten him even if others had (Gen. 40 14-15-23). Have you ever felt forgotten? What are your choices? Do you choose a pity party or do you choose growth (I usually have my big pity party bash and then surrender…how about you)?

4.Joseph always gave God the glory when God displayed power (Gen 40:8; 41:16; 50:19-20). After coming out on the bright side of a trial and receiving attention, have you ever wanted to take credit?

5.Joseph gave his rights to God and left revenge to God (Gen 41:37-43, 42:6, 43:28, 45:17). Think about all the opportunities he had for revenge that he could have justified: Potipher-Potipher’s wife-the cup bearer-his jealous/murderous brothers. Can you walk away and leave revenge to God?

6.Joseph saw that he was part of a bigger picture (Gen. 50:19-20). Do you? Are you in the land of suffering? Are you choosing all along the way to let God make you better and not bitter?

Joseph’s Key to trusting God in trials: Gen. 50:19-20 “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives!”

How does considering that trails can be for the purpose of saving many lives affect how we view them?

Are your unexplainable trials positively affecting those around you as you become better? Joseph’s did and yours can too under God’s control!Cannot be reproduced without permission from Real Life Women’s Ministries.

REAL

2008-04-27T21:17:00.000-04:00

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere,” I proclaim,
Yet, I spend all my time everywhere but resting in your name.

“As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for you,” I recite,
But then I spend all my time in the trite.

Jesus looks down and sees man “harassed, helpless and lost,”
I walk by and don’t even think to count the cost.

“Ask, seek and knock,” persevere in prayer I exhort,
But on my knees I find 10 minutes a chore.

“I surrender all,” I agree with the Sunday choir,
While all week I race, run and rush in my own strength to aspire.

“It is all about You Jesus,” is the praise song I sing,
So why do I live all about me in the dailiness of things?

Hardness of heart slips in while I go through the motions,
All the while faking my devotion.

How depressing you say, but if honest, you’ve been there I know,
In the rut, in the mask, in the struggle of the show.

O God help me be real and by you power live truth,
Not for a attention, accolade or position,
But solely for You in loving submission.

Realness to hunger, seek, find and follow,
So others may see a life that is not hollow.

Michelle Sterling

Cannot be reproduced without permission.

Having a HEART for Your Mom

2008-04-27T15:22:00.000-04:00

Ephesians 4:26-5:2

H ave a heart for God first and foremost!
There are 574 references to Heart in the NIV Bible. A word mentioned that many times is important. To know you have a heart for God, you have to know that you have given your heart to God. Romans 10:9 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Before you can have a heart for your mom this Mothers’ Day, you need to make sure your heart is right with God.
E vict anger from your heart before bedtime! Eph. 4:26-27
Do you have a bitter heart toward your mom? Are you holding a grudge? Do you always see the negative and fail to let the past go? Take time to go to God right now in prayer and ask Him to make your heart right toward your mom. Life is too short to live it with an angry divided heart.
A ccept your mom with your heart and avoid comparing, competing and controlling! Eph. 4:30-31
R eign in your tongue to protect hearts from hurt! Eph. 4:29
Think about your mouth having a gate and ask yourself these questions before speaking to your Mother:
Is it true?
Is it needful?
Is it kind?
(Haenry Gariepy, Portraits of Perseverance)
Spend time finding words that will encourage and do away with words that nag or criticize. Make a list of encouraging things you can say to your mom. Focus on all the reasons you have to be thankful for the mother that God gave you.
T ake time to show God’s love, kindness and compassion from your heart this Mothers’ Day! Eph 4:32-5:2

Cannot be reproduced without permission