Are You Home for Christmas?

Psalm 90

I was listening to Christmas music on the radio, baking way too many Christmas goodies, and the song "I'll be Home for Christmas" came on.  My heart instantly dipped as a tear slipped down my cheek.   Two years ago, on Christmas Eve night, I received the call no one wants to get.  My hero Daddy had passed away.  "Home" is different than it used to be and I can't help but feel the pain.  My blessings overflow, little feet and lots of laughter fill my home, yet part of me is empty.  Maybe "home" is different for you too.  You may be across the world serving our Lord while family is in the States, maybe divorce has ripped your happy memories apart, or maybe dreams are unfulfilled and unrealized for one more year.  However, in the midst of our pain, our Lord has a sweet word to mend our broken hearts.

Psalm 90 was written by Moses.  A man who spent a total of 80 years in the dessert, a nomad for our Lord.  His life was probably not like he pictured, yet he was obeying God's call on his life.  Even though he was in essence homeless, he writes, "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting you are God." 

The Lord was Moses's home.  You know what?  He is my home too.  He in all His fullness invites you to come home!  The word "home" may look and feel different.  We can either dwell on feelings or in the fact that our Lord is our dwelling place.  Although it was Christmas time when I lost my loved one, it is because of Christmas, Jesus coming to earth in the form of a baby and dying as a sacrifice for my sins, that I can see my loved one again.  Christmas is not a time for sorrow, even in death, it is a time of great rejoicing.  Christmas is not a time of loneliness, because of Christmas, we received a companion that will never leave... Emmanuel!

This Christmas, come home to your Savior.  Rest in His dwelling place.  Feel the fullness of His presence.  Breathe in His unquenching joy and peace.  He is waiting with arms open wide to welcome you home.

Are You Living in "Plan B"?

Luke 2:1-7

Have you ever felt like you had to be living in "Plan B"? That somewhere along the way, something must have happened that took you out of God's perfect will and placed you on an alternate path? I don't think you are the first person who has ever wondered that.

Luke 2:3-7 finds Mary and Joseph on a three day journey to Bethlehem. Not by choice, but because Caesar declared it.  When they arrived there was no place for them to stay, Mary was going into labor, so they found the best place possible: a stable full of animals. Here she is carrying the Messiah and Redeemer of Israel, surrounded my animals and in a strange place. 

However, God in His great sovereignty was not scrambling around the Heavens trying to make something good out of Caesar's decree.  He was not trying to figure out how to find them a room in a real inn or what to do to increase their comfort.  He was working out the eternal salvation for everyone in the world.  Mary and Joseph's circumstances were larger than a night in a stable or a decree by Caesar.  God was working out His Plan A!

You may be wondering, "yeah God was doing that for Mary, He didn't forget about her, after all she was carrying Jesus.  Of course he had a plan for her!  What about little me?"  The Bible Says:

• The Lord has searched you and knows you.  He know when you sit down and when you rise up;  He understands your thought from afar.  He is intimately acquainted with all your ways.  Even before there is a word on your tongue, He knows it all.  He has enclosed you behind and before.  He has formed your inwards parts and woven you together from your mother's womb.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made!  All of your days were written in His book.  All of your days were ordained before one of them came to be (Psalm 139)
• Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  (Luke 12:6-7)
• For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Eph 2:10)

So you know He loves you and knows you intimately, what do you do today?  How do you fulfill your purpose today?

• If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 4:11)
• So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31)
• Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness (1 Chron 16:29)
• Or follow the actions of Jesus, "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Mathew 26:39)

Are you viewing God in light of your circumstances or are you looking at your circumstances in light of who God is.  Mary in a stable, Daniel in a Lion's Den, Joseph in jail cell, Moses in a dessert, and so many other heroes of the faith could have felt forgotten, ignored, or cast off.  They may have begun wondering if God was scrambling to make a "Plan B" in order to guarantee that He works "all things for the good of those who love him, who  have been called according to his purpose" (Ro 8:28).  Yet don't forget verse 29, that God's purpose is to conform you to the likeness of His son! (Ro 8:29).

 

Your life may seem crazy right now.  It may seem like nothing is working out.  You may be full of fear, doubt and grief wondering where God is in all of this.  However, I assure you God is still in control.  If you are His child, He still has a purpose for you.  You still count to Him.  He hasn't forgotten you, just like He didn't forget a teenage girl and her fiance sleeping with animals in a cave amongst the crowds in Bethlehem.  They were living in the center of His will, it may have been hard, but they were never alone.  Keep plugging away for your Savior.  Do what He has called you to today.  Who knows when the angels may burst into your life proclaiming, "Glory to God in the Highest!  And on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased!"

Throw Off Everything that Hinders...

Hebrews 12:1-3

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. "

The text is too important to skip over.  Sorry for my absence.  I have found myself entangled for the past month, and it wasn't until this morning that I have broken Gloriously free.  This time of year is hard for me.  Very hard.  Two years ago this Christmas Eve my Daddy passed away suddenly, doing what He loved the most... he had just finished writing his first sermon for Zion Baptist Church.  My heart has been weighted down with grief since his birthday in October.  I have faked being okay well, except probably for the people who walk daily with me through life.  Yet I have handled my emotional drain completely the wrong way.

I have spent the past two months being busy with anything and everything I can imagine.  My feet ran from the second they hit the floor to the time I collapsed exhausted into bed at night.  Most have been good things, things for the church and my family.  A few not great things (let's just say for a girl who hates shopping, I shopped a little too much last month).  I had created an impossible to do list, and I was actually accomplishing it.  I looked pretty good on the outside.  But I was wrong.

I was running a race that was not marked out for me.  My eyes were not fixed on Jesus, but on my to do list and whatever I could do to make my church and family happy.  Hebrews said that Jesus endured the cross for me and I was giving him my time, but NOT what He wants most of all... my heart.  You see, I didn't have time to "Cease Striving and Know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10)

Galatians 3:1-3 contains a harsh rebuke for the church.  Paul is blasting them for believing that they must win over Christ's love and salvation through works.  He asked them, "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"  We don't please God through our many works, we please Him through our faith in Jesus Christ. He is most happy when we obey the greatest of all commandments, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthews 22:35-37). 

Paul clarifies the relationship between faith that is pleasing to God and works we are to do for Him in Ephesians:  "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (2:10).   We are to "do" things for Him, but ONLY what He has prepared for us before the foundation of the world.  When you are seeking Him, you don't have to take on everything, but just what HE tells you to do.

Do you feel burdened by life?  Are you exhausted?  Have you  "grown weary and lost heart"?  Maybe you are doing things that the Lord had not set out for you to do.  He doesn't want tired bodies, but sold out hearts.  Join with me in praying every morning, "Lord, I just want to do what you have prepared for me in advance today.  I don't want to add anything more or do anything less.  Please give me discernment to walk in You path for me, grant me courage to obey the leading of your voice, may you be glorified in everything I say do and speak.  My time is yours.  My family is yours.  My heart is yours.  In Jesus's Name I pray, Amen."

He Calls Me by Name...

Acts 10:1-8 (click on reference to read text)

I read this passage this morning and it brought me to tears. I am Cornelius. I am a Gentile that doesn't always understand exactly who God is, how He works, or who He came to save... yet the great God calls me by name as I call out to Him! WOW!

First, in Cornelius, we see God honors a searching heart.  Cornelius prayed to God continually (vs 2).  When we want to receive a Word from the Lord, when we need a touch of encouragement, or when we are wondering which way to go, what do we do about it?  Do we call our friends, read Inspirational Non Fiction to seek advice, or simply try harder?  If we want to hear from God we must be willing to be in communion with God.  Just like Cornelius, when you are calling out to God, He calls you by name (vs 3)!  Don't expect God to speak to you if you don't speak to Him.

Secondly, in Cornelius, we see God honors an honest heart. Cornelius was not a Jew, but He knew their God was the One True God. He prayed and gave offerings, even when he didn't fully understand or was fully accepted. Yet God knew the condition of His heart, and He "rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). God knows your heart. He knows your motives. He knows if you are truly seeking His face, and when you are, then rest knowing He is seeking you too (vs 3-4)!

Finally, in Cornelius, we see God honors an obedient heart. The Lord gave Cornelius detailed instructions on what he was to do next. God wanted to reveal Himself to Cornelius, but He also wanted to do a work in Peter's life as well (Acts 10). God will answer prayers that are crying out to know Him more. However, sometimes He will use others to accomplish that purpose in your life. God was working in two people's lives that day: Cornelius and Peter. We must be willing to accept God's answer to prayer even when it comes through means we might not normally expect. Obey what God is asking you to do and trust the results to him!

I love the story of Cornelius, because this is my spiritual legacy. I am a Gentile with no inheritance to the promised land, but whom God had mercy on and adopted into His family, allowing me too to call Him "Abba Father" (Romans 8:14-16). When I earnestly seek Him and call out to Him, He will call me by name. When I seek His will with a pure heart, even if I don't fully understand, He will teach me what to do. When I obey Him immediately, He will show me the next step in my walk with Him.   Thank you Jesus, that your salvation is for me too (Acts 28:28), may my heart honor and please you.

Whose Applause are You Listening For?

Acts 8 (Click on reference to read text - I know it is a long one today, but it was important to have proper context!)

Philip obeyed the Lord.  He faithfully fed the widows and served in a seemingly menial task (Acts 6:1-6).  When persecution in Jerusalem came, he went to Samaria to preach the good news.  He saw great revival spring up and even the town's "sorcerer" believed and was baptized.  Then Peter and John came down from Jerusalem.  Although they confirmed his ministry and witnessed the many added to the church, they also discovered that "Simon the sorcerer" probably wasn't a believer after all.  Philip could have become embarrassed, he could have felt like a failure and ceased spreading the good news, he could have given up, but he didn't.  He was not concerned about the applause of men.  He was only living for the applause of God.

There are times, at least in my own life, that when disappointments happen, we take it personally.  We become embarrassed by the behavior of others under our leadership and view it as a reflection upon us and our leadership abilities.  We begin to believe that there must be something inherently wrong with us.  However, even Jesus, the greatest leader of all time, watched someone close to him (Judas) choose sin instead of eternal life. 

Philip realized an important truth: we are responsible to be obedient to what God has called us to do, and then we must leave the rest up to God.  We are not responsible for the actions or disbelief of others under our lead (although we do have a responsibility before God to point it out and give them a choice to repent and follow God - Matt 18:15-17).  Instead of being bogged down by the disbelief and wrong motives of Simon the Sorcerer, Philip listened to the promptings of God and immediately followed God's next assignment (Acts 8:26-30).

We too can learn a valuable lesson from this humble Christ follower.  Philip didn't let his "failures" or the failures of others hinder his effectiveness for God.  He listened for what God was calling him to do and he simply obeyed.  People under you will not always make the right choice.  They may turn their back on God, preferring sin to eternal life.  Follow Philip's lead and remember, that your responsibility is you... are you obeying the voice of the Lord?  They keep at it and leave the rest to Him!

But I Don't Like it...

Acts 8:1-4 (Click on reference to read text)

In Acts 1:8 the Lord gave the early church a charge, a purpose and a promise: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."  Sounds great right?  Little did they know that they would be scattered throughout the regions because of great persecution.

We all know that when God calls us to do something, He will give us everything we need to accomplish that purpose (2 Peter 1:3, Psalm 119:105, Acts 17:25).  But what if it works out differently than we thought?  What if we don't like the way God goes about it?  The disciples and apostles were being faithful to preach the gospel in Jerusalem.  However, great persecution broke out, their homes were broken into and they were dragged off to prison.  Were they experiencing hardship because they were being disobedient?  No!  But it forced them to leave and scatter.

This scenario was probably not how they imagined the Gospel going forth to the remotest parts of the earth... through stonings, imprisonment and martydom.  However, that is the key: the Gospel still went forth.  Acts 8 actually says, "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (vs. 4). 

God may call you to do things and you may not always like the way it turns out, or the way He accomplishes His purpose.  Like Moses and Abraham, and many other "Heroes of the Faith", you may never actually see the fruition of that call, but nevertheless you played an important part if you obeyed the voice of God (Hebrews 11:13, 39-40). 

Acts 8 began with the stoning of the great servant of God, Stephen.  He never saw the church preach the Gospel to the remotest parts of the earth.  He died at the cusp of God moving.  Yet 2000 years later we see that he played a vital role in fulfilling that purpose and no believer would ever count his life worthless.

Follwer of Jesus, take heart.  Sometimes things on this side of Heaven do not make sense.  Sometimes we feel like death is premature.  Sometimes we don't see the promises of God fulfilled and we begin to doubt His call.  Don't.  Stop doubting.  He is always working and accomplishing His purposes, even when it doesn't make sense to us (Isaiah 46:9-10). 

If you are struggling with this truth, I invite you to pray the words the conflicted father spoke to Jesus in Mark 9, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief."

Are You Walking with Christ or Indwelt with Christ?

Acts 3:11-19 (Click on reference to read text)

I love Peter.  He is so real, he often acts and speaks before he thinks, and you will almost always find him with at least part of his foot in his mouth.  However, the Peter in Acts is completely different.  In Acts he speaks with wisdom and elegance, he is full of grace yet bold as a lion, he is eloquent and sees thousands come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ... what happened?

Isn't it interesting that when Peter walked alongside Christ he was rash and rough, yet when he became indwelt with the Holy Spirit he speaks with wisdom and eloquence.  You see, it is not good enough to simply walk alongside Christ.  It is not good enough to have Christian friends, go to church and live a religious life, or try harder.  In order to see real change and spiritual growth we must receive His salvation and become indwelt with Christ!  It is only through the indwelling power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that we truly see lasting change that makes us more like Christ.

Finally, Peter allowed himself to be reinstated.  He messed up... big time!  He denied Christ three times in one night when hours before he swore complete allegiance to Christ unto death.  He denied Jesus Christ the last night of Jesus's life.  However, the story does not end there.  He is one of the first to rush to Jesus's tomb when he hears of the resurrection (Luke 24:9-12) and when Jesus offers Him forgiveness and restoration, he takes it (John 21:15-19).  Peter believes him and he moves on.  This is where so many of us fail.  We mess up, but instead of accepting Jesus's forgiveness and grace, we tell ourselves we have fallen too far, we could never be used, we have messed up beyond His grace.  We refuse to believe that "when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

So... which Peter are you?  Are you just walking the Christian life, alongside other believers and simply trying harder, or are you indwelt with the Holy Spirit, walking in His power and accepting His forgiveness and grace?  If you have never witnessed a changed life, maybe it is time to see who really lives and reigns in your heart.  If you have experienced that change, go out and be bold!  You have the power of Heaven on your side and God wants to use YOU to glorify His name!

Staying the Course... Do You Even Know the Course?

Acts 20:18-24 (Please click on reference to read text)

When I read the book of Acts, I look at the lives of Peter, Paul, Luke, Timothy, Silas, Lydia and wonder how did they keep their focus?  How did they make their lives count for Christ so that 2000 years later I even know their names?  How did the distractions of life not make them falter?  I daily fight the battle of figuring out how to be a good steward of my time, knowing when to say yes and when to say no, or even identifying what is the most important.  Then I read Acts 20:24, "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God," and suddenly life became a lot more clear.

In order to "Stay the Course" we must first ask ourselves, "Do I know God's calling on my life?"  This is not the time to spout the Christian/Piper answer "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."  That is all well and good, but I am asking, what is God's call on your life?  Can you name specific things you know He has asked you to do, to be, to take care of, etc. so that you can glorify Him?  When I sat down and prayerfully asked myself this question I truly waited on God's reply.  He gave me three very specific things that I know He has asked me to do.  You must start here.  Paul KNEW!  Paul knew why God had put him on the earth.  He was to "testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God."  Go ahead and ask.  Wait for His answer.  Write it down!

Secondly, after knowing God's call on our specific life, we must ask ourselves what are we doing about it?  How are you "finishing the course" as Paul put it in Acts 20:24.  Look at each thing you know God has asked you to do, to be, to take care of... remember what God has asked of you, not the church, not your friends, but God.  In each of these areas, where do you stand and how do you measure up?

Finally, we must ask our self the hardest question of all, am I choosing to love my life more than following Him?  In each of the areas I identified, I saw major areas in which I was falling short.  In each of those areas there was one common theme as to why... selfishness.  There were things I wanted to do, things I wanted to pursue, things I thought were good and important, but that were impeding the work God was wanting to do in my life and through my life.  Without fail every time I had an attitude breakdown or fell short, it was because I "considered my life more dear to myself" than finishing the course.

The "Founding Fathers" of the church had jobs, had families, had commitment and responsibilities, yet they lived lives that counted for the only thing that lasts forever.  We can too.  We have the same promise of the Holy Spirit and power to obey.  Do you have a clear focus of what God is calling you to do?  How are you doing in those areas?  If things come up that are not aligned in what God is calling you to... time to say No!  Let's stay the course and when we come to the end of our life may we be able to say with Paul, "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus."

When the Rains Must Fall

It was a dark and stormy night and I found myself laying down in bed next to my just turned two year old. He had ran and got me saying over and over, "I scared Mommy." My mother heart could do nothing but run to his side and place my protective hand around him. He was asleep within minutes. The storm was still raging, but he was resting in my presence.

Don't you know that is how God feels about you and how we should respond to Him? The Bible is full of promises that God is with us and that He will never leave us (Matt 28:20, Joshua 1:9, Hag 2:5, 2 Cor 6:16). The Psalmist often speaks of Christ being right with Him (Psalm 121:5, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 23). His presence IS with you. Are you resting? No matter what the circumstances look like around you, are you resting in HIS presence? Is His presence enough to give you a sense of security?

Secondly, as I was lying there I thought to myself, even if I could take away the storm I wouldn't. I know the storm seems scary and overwhelming, but the earth needed the rain. In order for the gardens to grow, the trees to stay strong, the fruit to bear, the earth needed the rain. Believe that God has the eternal perspective. That He knows although this storm feels like it is consuming you, it is actually allowing parts of you to grow and not become stagnant or dead. Paul writes in Romans "we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:1-6). It is only when we are stretched and dependent upon Him that we can truly grow.

I urge you to think about "whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, if there is any excellence and anything worthy of praise. Dwell on these things" (Phil 4:8). What is the truth? God is with you! You are not alone and He is in control! Start resting, start praising and persevere. Remember that it is only through the rain, that new growth can come!

Afraid to Look...

Acts 3:1-10 (Click on reference to read text)

I like to look the other way.  There I said it!  I was faced in a situation yesterday where I knew someone was in need.  Somehow, even before I knew all the details, I knew it would require sacrifice, laying aside my selfishness and I would need to give.... my time, my energy, my emotions, etc.  And I wanted to not just look away, I wanted to run away as fast as possible.  However, deep down I knew God was calling me, and after literal tears and reciting all the justifications for why I should not have to get involved, I obeyed.

Peter was also faced with a great need.  On his way to church to pray, he passed a man who was lame and who begged for a living.  It would have been easy to look away, to justify that action by reciting all the things he was doing right for the Lord (he was on his way to church!) but instead, the Scripture tells us that Peter "fixed his gaze on him" (vs. 4).  He was intentional and he was not afraid to see the pain in others around him.  He was not inconvenienced by the needs of others.

Secondly, after fixing his gaze on the needy man, he offered his hand.  "Seizing him by the right hand, [Peter] raised him up" (vs.7).  He was healed!  God used Peter to give this man the use of his legs for the first time!  If we want the power of God displayed in our life, we must fix our gaze on the needs of those around us and  lend them our hands!  God does not use onlookers!  God uses those who are unafraid to get dirty and be the literal hands and feet of Christ.

Lastly, because Peter looked and responded, this man began giving glory to God and created interest of God's miracles amongst those witnessing God's power (vs. 8 and 10).  What greater calling is there in this world that to bring Glory to our Great God?

Dr. T.S. Laniak states, "we need to know personally that our true home is in Heaven and that this earth is simply a place where we promote God's interests."  When we get comfortable and feeling at home here and now, it becomes hard to gaze at anything but ourselves. 

I don't know what God's plans are for me and this road I am about to walk.  I feel incapable of fulfilling what He has asked me to do.  I do know that His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor 12:9) and that He has giving me everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:4-8).  I don't know the future, and to be honest I am a little scared, but I do know the next step God is asking me to take and that He has promised that He is with me and that I don't need to be afraid.  Time to start looking and start lending a hand.

When the Feelings Aren't There...

Psalm 143:7-12 (Click on reference to read text)

Have you ever had seasons in your life where you felt like this Psalmist? Have you found your spirit failing and felt like you were falling into a pit? I don't know about you, but I definitely go through "dry seasons." Seasons where I am overwhelmed, discouraged, cannot think clearly, and generally feel depressed. I am actually walking out of a season like that right now. So you know you are there... what do you do? What do you do when you are a believer, but the feelings just aren't there?

First, we need to call our feelings what they are... feelings. This may sound redundant and crazy, but we need to realize that our feelings do not always accurately reflect our reality. Instead of focusing on what we feel, we need to follow Paul's advice and focus on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence or worthy of praise (Phil 4:8). My dad used to always tell me, the feelings are the caboose of your life. They are not the driving engine. Just the caboose. No one puts the caboose first when trying to run a train, and we should not put our feelings first when trying to run our lives.

Second, we need to remind ourselves of what we know to be true. The Psalmist calls out to the Lord, "let me hear your loving kindness... for I trust in You... to You I lift up my Soul... I take refuge in you" (vs. 8-9). When you feel like you are falling into the pit, remember what you know to be true. You are not alone, and He is with you! (Psalm 139... READ IT :o)

Third, we need to call out on our Heavenly Father for help. We need to ask for Him to teach us the way in which we should walk (vs. 8), teach us to do His will (vs. 10), ask His Spirit to lead us on level ground (vs.10), and ask Him to revive us (vs.11). The Lord promises us in His word that if we ask anything according to His will He will do it (1 John 5:14-15). Believe this promise!

Finally, we need to start walking. The Psalmist ends this prayer with "For I am your servant" (vs. 12). He doesn't dwell in the pit. He praises the Lord, He calls out to the Lord for Help, and He starts living out His life in submission and service to the Lord. It may take awhile for your feelings to change. Feelings typically don't magically get better. They always follow actions! Just start walking in faith, and before you know it, your feelings will change! Your heart will be singing and your step will be lighter!

As mentioned earlier, I am coming out of a dry season. For the past few weeks I have felt depressed, overwhelmed, and just struggled to make it through each day. I know feeling like this is not God's plan for me (John 10:10). However, the choice to get out is mine. I must choose to call out to the one who CAN and WILL pull me out of the pit. If you feel like me, why don't we start calling out together?

The Wilderness

Deuteronomy 2:7, 8:2-4 (Click on reference to read text)

You know the saying that you can't see the forest for all the trees? I think we often cannot see our blessings because we are too focused on our circumstances. Yes, Israel wondered around in the desert for 40 years. Yes, it was hard. BUT they were never alone. The entire time they were there, the Lord provided for their every need. When they were thirsty, God gave them water (Deut 8:15). When they were hungry, God provided food (Exodus 16:4-8). Although they wondered in the wilderness for 40 years, their feet never swelled, and their sandals and clothes never wore out (Deut 8:4, 29:5). Amazing!

When I find myself in the "wilderness", whether self inflicted like the Israelites because of sin, or because the Lord is growing and teaching me to depend upon him (Deut 8:3, 5), I too can be so focused on my circumstances that I do not even notice His blessings. However, I would wager that if we would just open our eyes and look around us, we would quickly notice the movements of His hands in our lives. Our lives may not look exactly like we thought it would, we many not have everything we "want", we still get sick, we still have trials, but He is walking with us every step of the way.

However, it is often only in these times of wilderness, where we are stripped of everything, that we get quiet enough to focus on the only thing that truly matters.... our relationship with Christ. The wilderness is not always punishment. Sometimes the wilderness is the safest place for us to be (Rev 12:6).

So... instead of trying with all our mights to run from these times of trial and affliction, let's open our eyes to the movements of God in our life that brought us here. Allow His overwhelming presence and provision be your sustaining power, and watch and be amazed at how He provides for all your needs: emotionally, physically and spiritually. So today, instead of trying to figure out how to run out of the wilderness you find yourself in, try running into His presence and loving arms. You too will find you are not alone.

The Holy Spirit Backfire!

Psalm 4:4-5 (Click on reference to read text)

I am ashamed to say I was lying awake in bed at 3am trying my hardest to come up with the best way to "zing" my husband... deliver the perfect sentence to convey enough conviction, guilt, and meanness to cause him to change a decision. I knew it wasn't right, but I was convinced that the Holy Spirit needed a little bit of help to manipulate my husband into doing what I wanted him to do. After two hours of rehearsing the perfect sentence, I was trying to go back to sleep. Since I was awake I started praying for those the Lord brought to mind, and Psalm 4 popped into my head. My mother has always taught me to read any Scripture the Lord brings to mind, so I reached over and grabbed my Bible. This is what I read:

"In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD."

It was I who got "zinged!" I was about to sin in my anger, I was not going to be silent and I was even lying in my bed! I immediately knew what I needed to do: "be silent... and trust in the Lord." Instead of trying to come up with a way to manipulate my husband into agreeing with me, I decided to trust the Lord and allow Him to work in the heart of my husband or in my heart... whichever one needed to be changed.

Please tell me I am not the only one! Have you ever had a situation where you were trying to play the Holy Spirit and change people instead of allowing the Lord to do His work? The Bible says, "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise" (Prov 10:19). The Bible also tells us to trust in the Lord and HE will make your righteousness shine like the dawn and the justice of your cause like the noonday sun (Ps 37:4-6).

The Holy Spirit doesn't need our help. Let's lay down our need to control, our need to get our own way, and just be silent and trust in Him.

Devising My Plans...

1 Kings 22:29-35 (click on reference to read text)

I never thought I would say this, but I sure can act just like King Ahab. He was told by a prophet of the Lord that he would die if he went into battle. Instead of believing the word from the Lord, he charged ahead anyway, just with a plan! He disguised himself and dressed like a regular army man because the enemy army was only charged to "fight with the King of Israel alone" (vs. 31). However, a "certain man drew his bow at random and struck the King of Israel in a joint of the armor" (vs. 34). It did not matter how much manipulation or plans he devised, God's will still came to pass.

I can count numerous times that I have tried in my best might and ability to control all the details of situations in my life. I have devised great plans over the course of my life on how to find a husband, get the perfect job, find the perfect house, protect my family, prepare for the future, save us money, and raise my children. The problem, all in my own strength and personal ingenuity! Throughout my life in each of these situations, I have had to come to the point of surrender and trust the Father. And guess what? When I depend on His ways, His strength, His thoughts, and His power... things just seem to have a way of working out (often times better than I could have hoped).

When will I finally learn that God is Sovereign... PERIOD!?! When will I truly believe, and actually show through my actions, that "his ways are higher than my ways and his thoughts than my thoughts (Is 55:8-9), and that although I can plan my course the Lord will direct my steps (Prov 16:9)? Praise the Lord for that truth because I know His ways are best and always work out for my good (Ro 8:28)! I trust the heart of my Father. I know that He loves me so much He gave everything for me (Ro 8:32, 1John 3:1). It is time to start walking out the faith that my heart believes with certainty! So... my lesson today... give up my ingenious plan and just start believing the loving voice of my Father. Will you join me?

For further reading: Ps 37:25, Matt 6:33, Prov 3:5-6, Prov 3:7, Is 5:20-21, Phil 1:20-21, Phil 3:7-14

Human Sacrifice...

2 Kings 3:24-27 (Click on reference to read text)

I read this passage this morning and it literally made me nauseous. How could a grown man ever hang their child on a wall and offer them as a burnt sacrifice to a false god? And even if by doing such an act could induce this god to come to his aid, why would you ever serve a god that requires such cruel and grotesque means of worship? Yet, as always happens, in my moment of greatest judgment and self-righteousness, the Holy Spirit began to whisper to my heart. Nausea was replaced by tears as I realized, how can I so quickly offer my children as a sacrifice to my own desires and ambitions?

Although you would never see any children in a American being burned as an offering, there are families and children all across this country who live the lives of sacrifice to their parent's false gods. Children are forgotten or pushed off to various camps and day cares so that parents can get ahead, work longer, and not have to do the day to day rearing and training. TV has become the cheapest babysitter our generation has ever known. Quality family time has been replaced by busy schedules and pushing children to be great at sports, academics, and music pursuits at increasingly younger ages.

Each of these things in small increments can actually be beneficial. It is wonderful for our children to have the joy of sports, learn to play a musicual instruments, or for us as parents to work hard and provide for our family. However, we must make sure we are living a life of balance that is pleasing to the Lord. We must make sure we are living our lives in priority to His standards. I have been increasingly convicted of my schedule and what I allow to drive my day. As we pray about Christian ministry and what the Lord would have us do for Him, as a parent, those questions become painfully obvious. If you have children, the Lord has entrusted them to you, raise them in a way pleasing to Him! They must always be our first "ministry."

I am preaching to myself. Just today I was thinking about how I really "needed" time to myself, so I was all set to allow them to have a day of watching hours of television or whatever necessary so that I could appease the god of "me time." How quickly I justify my actions by cultural acceptablity and not my Heavenly Father's viewpoint. I pray that I will never sacrifice my children to gods that do not satisfy, that cannot truly bring peace and lasting reward, and that simply destroys my family and my children in the long run. Instead "in view of God’s mercy, may I offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God for this is my true and proper worship. May I not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Then I will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. " (Romans 12:1-2).

Let Go and Let God...

"In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you." Psalm 71:1-6

The only action that the writer takes is praise! Are we trying to be our own refuge, deliverer, rescuer, savior, fortress, hope, confidence, or sustainer? Is our confidence about "how we are doing" in our life based upon how we measure up in these areas? If so... we need to get out of the way!!! Our response and responsibility is praise.

Praise the Lord Jesus who longs to be (and is way more capable at being than we are) our refuge, our deliverer, our rescuer, our savior, our fortress, our hope, our confidence and our sustainer. You don't have to hold it all together, because he already is (Col 1:17).

Simple, yet exactly what I needed to hear today. As the old saying goes... let go and let God!

For further study: Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 140:6-7, Psalm 34:17-20, 22, Titus 3:5-7, 1 John 1:3-5, Psalm 18:2, Psalm 25:5, Philippians 3:1-14, Jeremiah 17:7, Nehemiah 9:5-21

It Takes a Little Time Sometimes...

Exodus 34:1-7 (Click on reference to read text)

We are a people of quick fixes and immediate results, but repentance takes work. Moses was initially handed the two stone tablets straight from the hand of God (Ex 31:18). Yet after He broke them on a rock (Ex 32:15-19), he begged God for a second chance. God, who is compassionate and full of grace, was willing to give Moses a second chance, but first He commanded Moses to "cut for yourself two stone tablets like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered" (vs. 1). Moses wasn't just given a second set. He had to work for them. He had to cut another set out of stone first.

How many times have we found ourselves in a mess and knew it was going to take the hand of the Lord to deliver us? We may cry out to the Lord, ask forgiveness and believe the Scriptures: That the Lord is compasionate, slow to anger and abounding in love (Ex 34:6), that "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness," (1 John 1:9 ) and "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Ps 103:12)

However, we get frustrated when things don't immediately iron out, our troubles don't disappear, and things seem just as messy as before we cried out to God. God is a God of second chances, but there are going to be consequences for our actions. Sometimes the road of repentance is long and hard. God is not the Navy Seals who will simply come in and rescue you. His purpose for you goes beyond a "rescue operation." His purpose is to make you more like Him and sometimes He does that through the long road of recovery from the bad choices we make. Just know that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Ps 34:18). Rest in the truth "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning" (Ps 30:5).

When you relinquish control of your life to Him, He may require you to take the first step. That is okay. Start rebuilding and all the while know, you are not walking alone, you are forgiven, and eventually you will see how God will take your mess ups and turn them around for your good and His glory (Ro 8:28)."

Remember Isaiah's prophesy about our Lord... Jesus will "comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor."(Isaiah 61:2-3)

He Has a Hold On You!

Isaiah 42:6 , Isaiah 41:13 , Psalm 37:23-35 , Psalm 16:8 , Psalm 139 (focus on vs. 10) (Click on references to read text)

My three year old and I were standing on the edge of the seashore as the waves were ferociously crashing at our feet. She took hold of my hand and held on as tightly as she could, but I quickly had her let go and I took hold of her hand. I knew she wasn't strong enough to hold on when the waves came crashing on the shore. However, I was VERY confident in my ability to hold on to her.

The Bible says in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33) and if you have lived longer than about 18 months, I am sure you will heartily agree! There are times in our life where we feel the troubles are crashing one after another, just like the waves on the seashore. We can easily become overwhelmed, easily feel like we are drowning, and quickly grow fatigued. However, our security is not dependent upon how tightly we can hold on! Our security and safety is not at all dependent on our abilities to cling to God.

Over and over, Scripture promises us that the Lord will take hold of our hand. Just like I grabbed hold of my daughter's hand, your Heavenly Father is holding tightly onto yours. When the waves become too strong for you and threaten to knock you down, He who commands the winds and the waves (Luke 8:25) takes hold of your hand and He will never let go.

Are you trying to stand on your own strength? Do you feel like you are sinking? Just like my three year old, allow your Heavenly Father to firmly grasp a hold of your hand. You too will soon find yourself laughing and kicking against the waves and resting in the safety of His presence.

A Sacrifice of Praise...

Genesis 29:21-35 (Click on reference to read text)

I have never read this story and felt bad for Leah. After all she is the nemesis, right? However, today my heart broke for her. She knew she was unloved. She knew she was seen as a mistake. She did everything in her power to win the love of her husband. Yet she could not succeed.

After every son was born, she says, "surely now my husband will love me" (vs. 32 & 34). Finally, after her fourth son was born she says, "This time I will praise the LORD. Therefore, she named him Judah" (vs. 35). She stopped looking at what she didn't have, and started praising the Lord. Leah learned the secret of Hebrew 13:15 - offering a sacrifice of praise. It is called a sacrifice because you are making the conscious choice to praise God before the circumstances change. In the midst of your pain. Your heart shifts from trying to manipulate the situation like you want it, to just giving God glory and submitting to His sovereignty. It is in the hard moments, where you lay down your desires and take on His, that He begins to change your life and give you the strength to keep going.

We all know that from Judah came the Kings of Israel, starting with David and going all the way to Jesus. What a sweet picture of Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Praise that Lord that even when bad things happen to us, God is still in control and can turn those hurtful things into great blessing!

Whose affection are you trying to win? Are you striving with all your might to earn favor, to gain esteem, to feel loved? "Cease striving and know that He is God. The Lord of hosts is with you" (Ps 46:10-11). "How great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God" (1John 3:1). That is what you are... the beloved child of the King.

I urge you to start making your sacrifice of praise... TODAY. NOW. EVEN BEFORE your circumstances change. Those sacrifices, He will not deny. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Ps 51:17).

Argh... Nineveh!

Jonah 2:9-3:3 (Click on reference to read text)

We are all familiar with the story of Jonah. But did you know that the big fish did not spit Jonah up at Nineveh? Once he committed to obey God, he still had to walk a three days journey to Nineveh. This simple revelation has changed my life.

I realize that I can have a very Americanized view of obedience. We almost have a sense of entitlement that when we decide to step out in faith and obey God: it should be easy, it should be comfortable and we should receive great blessing from God because of it.

How quickly we forget Moses, who obeyed God by marching back into Egypt and cursing the family that raised him until they decided to let the Israelites go. Paul who obeyed God by preaching the Gospel to the known world, but spent more time in prison and getting beat up than actually doing sermons in the countryside! Finally, Jesus, the ultimate picture of obedience. He placed himself upon the cross and died so that we can have reconciliation with God. The cross was not comfortable and it certainly was not easy, but I am so glad that Christ obeyed.

When you make the decision to obey God, it often means that you will be stretched beyond your comfort zone, you may have to go to a place you don't want to go and talk with people you don't want to talk to. Most likely He will ask you to do something that is beyond your mental, physical or spiritual abilities, but He is not asking you to do it alone. Just like with Moses, He is the great "I AM" in your life, just like with Paul and Jesus, the Heavenly Father is right there with you. Remember what Paul proclaimed, "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10).

Are you a three days walk from your Nineveh? Put on your walking shoes and get going!

Bloom Where You are Planted...

Jeremiah 29:1-11 (Click on reference to read text)

My husband and I are in the process of praying for the Lord's direction for our family. We desire His will and long to follow His leading. There are definite seasons in all believer's lives where we really are seeking out the heart of God and His will for our life.

However, often during these times of great seeking, waiting for the answer is almost debilitating. We may find ourselves no longer living in the present and being faithful where He has us now, because we are so wrapped up in where He wants us to be! I truly believe this is not of the Lord.

Although we are all familiar with Jeremiah 29:11, it is important to read and know the verses that precede it. The Israelites were in exile and they were definitely waiting for the Lord to give them a "go"! They were living for the promise that the Lord would bring them back to their home and prosper them, giving them a future and a hope! However, the Lord commands them to build houses (where they were), to live in them, to plant gardens, to marry and have children, to actually seek out the welfare of the city they were living in NOW (notice not their future city, but where they found themselves today), to pray to the Lord for that city they were living in NOW (vs. 4-7).

For lack of a better word, God wanted them to "bloom where they were planted." Where has God planted you? Is it in your ideal place? Are you waiting for God to fulfill His promise to you, "I have a plan to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope" (vs. 11)? Then start planting. Don't get so wrapped up in His potential future plans for you that you miss out on all the opportunity He has for you now. His promises always come to fruition. In His timing! We must not squander the time we have today, longing for tomorrow's promise.

So as I wait on His voice and leading for my family, I am going to spend my day going to the grocery store, taking my children on a walk with my neighbor, hosting events at my house to reach my community for the Lord, and if and when He opens that next door, I will be obedient and ready to walk through it.

Seeing but Not Looking...

Luke 24:13-31 (Click on reference to read text)

My three year old loves riding her bike. One day as she was riding, she began to pick up speed and I could tell she was starting to panic a little. She did not know how to slow her self down and she cried out. I was not worried because I knew something she didn't know. First, that she has training wheels and it is SO hard to fall with training wheels, and secondly that I was jogging along right behind her with my hand ready to slow her down if she teetered. You see my daughter did not see my stabling hand, because she was not looking for it. She just saw how fast she was riding and she was scared.

In the same way, these followers of Christ did not see Jesus, because they were not even looking for Him. He was standing right in front of them, and all they could see were their fears and confusion. Max Lucado, writing on this account, says, "Rather than consult Scripture, they listened to their fears. Jesus corrects this by appearing to them and conducting a Bible Study" (vs. 21-27).

We so often do the same thing. We find ourselves in circumstances we never dreamed we would be in, life starts flying by really fast, and we get scared. Instead of looking to Jesus, the WORD (John 1:1-14), we begin to look at everything around us and miss out on the steadying hand of Christ in our life.

Are you lonely and afraid? The Bible says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you" (Joshua 1:9). Are you confused? The Bible says that "your ear will hear a word behind you, This is the way, walk in it, whether you turn to the right or to the left" (Is 30:21). Do you need wisdom? The Bible says, "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).

Jesus is right there with you, even when you aren't looking for Him. Don't miss out on His presence! Instead of looking at your fears and your circumstances, look for Him! He had promised, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20).

The Sweetest Sound I know...

Leviticus 16 (Click on reference to read text)

"...and behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split." Matthew 27:51

You probably do not describe the sound of cloth ripping as beautiful... especially if you are a mother of small children! However, the sound of the veil being torn in two was the most beautiful sound of all time.

Leviticus 16 is a great reminder of the gift we have been given as we celebrate the Easter season. Before Christ and His sacrifice on the cross, we were not able to access the Father anytime we wanted (vs. 1-2), we could not come to God empty handed (vs. 3), we had to go through great ceremony before we could even enter His presence (vs. 4). Then, after all of this, only the high priest could enter the presence of God. In order to receive forgiveness of sins, a blood sacrifice of an animal, performed in a certain way and (vs. 11-28) at a certain time (vs. 29-31) had to be made.

Christ ripped open the veil. After His death on the cross, the Holy of Holies (symbolizing the presence of God) was available to everyone who called Jesus Lord. He became our high priest so that we could approach the throne of grace in confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16). In Christ's death on the cross, we find forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13-22), and no longer condemnation (Ro 8:1). Christ calls us to come, just as we are and He promises to give us rest (Matt 11:28).

Are you going through great ceremony to approach God? Are you hoping that you are doing things the right way in order to win his favor? Are you afraid to approach God whenever you want or need? Do you know rest? If not, you need to know Christ! He is the answer. We can offer Him nothing, yet He offers us everything (John 3:16, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 5:8-9, Ro 10:9-10). You are imperfect (Ro 3:23) but Christ, in His perfect love, made the way for our salvation (John 14:6).

I am sure this is not new truth for you. It is not for me. However, in this time of year, as we are surrounded with bunnies, eggs and candy, let's remember the sound of cloth ripping. The sound of freedom. The sound of redemption. The veil was torn so that I can approach my Father, just as I am, and live in His presence.

God Really Does Equip the Called...

Matthew 28:16-20 (click on reference to read text)

If you would have peeked inside my living room window on Thursday afternoon, you would have thought I had lost it. I was lying on the floor, face down and in tears. I had a rough couple of weeks and was slowly reaching a breaking point. God had called me to something and I was failing miserably. I was confident in the call, but not in the called (myself)! Then I read Matthew 28. Guess what? I was reminded it is not all up to me!

The calling the Lord had given the disciples was enormous. Big enough that without God it would have failed within the first year! They were to go and make disciples of all nations! However, the key lies in verse 19. "Baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." It was not up to the disciples, they just had to be obedient. The success of the work was all up to God!

The work that God has called you to is not riding on your shoulders either. He has given us specific promises in His Word regarding this truth. First, that God's power will bring to fruition what He has called us to (2 Thes 1:11-12). Second, He will give us the strength to carry out His will and the words to say (1 Peter 4:11). Third, He has given us everything we need for a godly life (2 Peter 1:3)!

It does not matter if your calling is being a missionary to an unreached people group, a minister, a business owner or a mother. Whatever He has called you to, He will equip you. After seeking my Father's face and listening to His Word, I got up from my living room floor and knew that I was no longer walking alone. I had the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit on my side, and they were going to be victorious!

Stuck with the Flinstones...

Hebrews 5:11-14 (Click on reference to read text)

My kids are really into bike riding these days. My oldest puts the pedal to the medal and pumps her little legs as fast as she can. Not her brother. The pedals are a little too hard for my baby to figure out, so he pushes himself with his little legs. He doesn't want to put in the time to learn to work the pedals, but if he would, he would get the benefit and exhilaration of really going fast!

In many ways, we act the same way in Bible study that my little buddy does when riding a bike. Studying the Word can be hard, it takes time, it takes effort and prayer. So instead of seeking out the Lord ourselves, we will often run to a devotional book, a sermon, or a Bible study leader. I am not saying it is bad to listen to sermons and read devotionals. Both routes we take (personal Bible Study vs. Devotionals) we are growing spiritually, but exclusively taking the second route will only take us so far.

Paul describes this scenario in Hebrews 5 through the comparison of milk and solid food. Milk or baby food is already broken down to a simple and easily digestible form. When we choose to always go to a devotional book or sermon, we are choosing to eat off the work of the writer. They have already done the chewing on the Word, breaking down the scriptures, and putting it into an easily digestible nugget for us to devour.

God wants you to feel His presence. To understand the exhilaration of learning about Him through His Word. He desires us to chew on His word, meditate on it and understand more about Him.

My little buddy is technically riding a bike, even though he is only really pushing himself along. I hope before too long he will be willing to put in the work to learn to pedal so he can really understand the joy of riding a bike. May that be our prayer spiritually as well. May we not always go to a devotional or depend upon a Sermon to get a Word from the Lord. May we get on the bike, put our feet on the pedals and go. We may plod along at first, but I promise, before long we will be flying along in our knowledge of Him!

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Armed for Battle...

Relational conflict is a guarantee. Whether you find yourself in the role of husband, wife, father, mother, child, or sibling, you will experience conflict with those you love at one time or another. Before we start battling those we love the most, let's remember a few things.

First, it is important during these battles to remember who you are fighting. The Scriptures tell us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, powers and authorities of this dark world (Eph 6:12). Satan desires to destroy the family because he knows, "if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand (Mark 3:25)." Jesus himself warned us, "be on alert. Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). It is so easy to see the enemy as the family member that appears to be choosing to make your life miserable at the time. Instead we must stop, realize that you and that person are on the same team, recognize the real enemy, and join forces.

Now that you are back on the same team, it is time to remember, you have a mighty ally! The Lord our God has told us numerous times that He will fight our battles for us (2 Chron 32:8, Ex 14:14, Ps 17:6-8, Is 41:9-14). He is our defender, our protector, and our deliverer. We know if the Lord is for us, who can stand against us (Ro 8:31)? Praise the Lord that He is fighting on our side!

Lastly, we need to use the right weapons. Our relationship with Jesus Christ alone enables us to be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus (Ro 8:37). His blood and testimony in our life allows us to overcome the strongest powers of Satan (Rev 12:11). We have weapons of warfare with the power to demolish strongholds (2 Cor 10:4)!! When we put on the full armor of God we CAN stand against the devils schemes (Eph 6:11): the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the Gospel of peace, pick up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which are the very words of God (Eph 6). When we are seeking out truth, when our hearts are protected with the righteousness of who we are in Christ, when we are grounded in the grace of the gospel, when our faith and trust in our God is our shield, when His salvation protects our minds, and when we have the Words of God, we cannot fail.

1 John 4:4 states, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. " Your family can overcome. Your marriage can overcome. You can have a solid relationship with your children. Remember you are on the same team. Arm up together and fight the one who simply cannot win!

Allowing Me to Fall...

Luke 15:11-24 (Click on reference to read text)

My daughter was on the patio of my husband's store when all of a sudden, she started running straight towards the parking lot and a moving car. I yelled for her to freeze, but she kept running, completely oblivious to the danger. As I took off after her, I watched as she tripped and fell flat on her face a few feet from the road. She was hurt, but she was alive. I was never so glad to watch my daughter fall. I explained to her, "Jesus loves you so much, He let you fall. You were running straight into danger, and although it hurt to fall, it hurt a lot less than running into a car. We need to thank Jesus for your fall." As I prayed with my little girl, I too began to thank Jesus for the times in my life He let me fall to save me from even greater danger.

The prodigal son is a story we are all familiar with, yet it is also something that each of us can relate to. How many of us have wanted to go our own way and do what we want to do? We may have been more subtle in our rebellion, but we have all chosen to do life in our own way. Our rebellion could be a calendar out of control and being too busy, making work your number one priority, or trusting in a relationship and not in the Lord. He may yell for us to freeze. Send us warning signs, but sometimes He must make us fall. It could be health problems that force us to slow down, job loss, or the end of a relationship. It may hurt at the time. Your heart may be broken, you may be confused, or you may feel abandoned. However, if you really take a close look, you may just see the Lord directing your steps to much better, and safer, places.

The most amazing thing about our Heavenly Father is that when we fall, we can run back to Him. Just like the father of the prodigal son, He is watching and as soon as I turn towards home, He runs to me and and embraces me. He is ready to run to you too. In what ways are you being rebellious and doing life your own way? Stop justifying your actions, and run home. He is waiting with arms open wide!

For further reading: Psalm 103:12, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 3:1, Proverbs 15:16, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 3:1-26

Tuning Into Him...

Revelation 9:1-21 (Click on reference to read text)

This passage is heavy. Can you imagine the headlines during this time period? I know they would not say, "Attention all Believers: You are currently living in Revelations 9. Take heart, God is in control!" This sounds silly, but it is true. Prophecy coming to pass will never be portrayed with a Biblical World View in the media. This is why it is important to train our eyes and ears to recognize the hand of God in every situation, world-wide or personal.

Through the limits he places on His judgement, believers can read this chapter and see the overwhelming gracious hand of God. Instead of seeing the agony of allowing people to be tortured for five months, we see the mercy of God in giving them more time to repent! Instead of looking at the 1/3 of mankind that is killed, we see the grace in God allowing 2/3 of mankind to survive even in their extreme rebellion! No matter how bad it gets on Earth, we know that is nothing compared to the agony and eternity of Hell.

In order to run the race marked out for us as believers, we must believe and live by the truth that God is gracious and good no matter what the circumstances around us look like. That one truth of who God is must permeate our belief system so deeply that nothing we see, hear, or feel could change it. Through this chapter in Revelation, we begin to understand that it is not "how can a loving God allow people to suffer," but "how long-suffering and loving God is that He will go to extreme measures to cause people to turn to Him!"

God will take extreme measures in our life as well. As Christians, we too can be rebellious within individual circumstances. If we take a close look at our life during our own times of judgement, we can see the grace and mercy of God within those situations. Often times, upon close examinations, we discover that we have placed ourself in a bad situation that will bring us ruin or have allowed habits to form in our life that will ultimately hurt ourselves or those around us that we love. God loves us too much to leave us! He cares more about eternity than our present comfort, and will go to extreme measures, if need be, to bring us back to Him! Are there any areas in your life that you need to repent of? How will you respond: like the men in vs. 6 will you long for the end/death of the circumstance or will you return to the Lord?

Take a close look at your circumstances. Train your eyes to look for and see the hand of God in your life. Just as we can see the ultimate control and sovereignty of God through every verse of Revelation 9, he is sovereign and in control of your life now. It is only when we practice and train our eyes to see the movements of His hands, will we recognize His character no matter how the circumstances look around us. He is in control. He is sovereign. He is gracious and He is good.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things... put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Phil 4:8-9

Little gods...

Judges 18:14-26 (Click on reference to read text)

Many of us have never read this story before. I am not sure I have, but it really struck me. The Danites raid Micah's house and take his idols and the priest he hired to serve his family. They moved on toward their destination when the household of Micah overcame them. When Micah realized that he is not numerous enough to fight the Danites and win, he turned back. However, the striking part of this passage is Micah's desperate explanation, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’”(verse 24).

His desperation seems absurd. All of Micah's faith was placed in his priest and little gods. These same gods that could not even protect themselves. My first response was to pass him off as pathetic and ridiculous. However, as the Holy Spirit began to speak to my heart, I found myself repentant and embarrassingly empathetic to him.

I am ashamed to admit that countless times a day I place my faith in things that are not the One true God. I feel security from locks on my doors to keep out evil, my husband's paychecks to provide what we need, plans I have made and my calendar assuring me of days to come, and doctors that can diagnose and prescribe medicine to heal my family. However, these things are made by man/limited by man, just like Micah's idols. All of these things can come in and be swept away: burglars can break into locked houses, my husband can lose his job, plans can change in the blink of an eye, and doctors cannot treat many diseases. I too during stressful times can ask, "what else do I have??"

The answer is Jesus Christ. He is my strength and security. (Exodus 15:2, Psalms 28:7, Psalms 62:2) He is sovereign and nothing happens outside of His command (Psalm 93:1-2, 2 Thes 3:3). He knows all of our days before one of them came to be and He gives me direction (Ps 139:16, Prov 16:9, Prov 3:5-6) He is my provider and promises to provide all we need when we need it (Phil 4:19, Hebrew 13:5, James 1:17, Matt 6:25-34) . He is the great Healer. He who created our bodies has the power to heal them.

What idols have you created in your life that you put your trust in? A relationship that brings you satisfaction and security (Jeremiah 17:5)? A financial future you have built for yourself(Job 31:24-28)? Your plans of how you think your life should go? What if they were taken away, would you have anything left? The answer, if you belong to Christ, is Him! He wants to be your security, your trust, your love, your future. Let's stop depending on things that can be taken away, and start trusting the Rock that stands forever (Is 26:4)!

The Daily Grind...

Luke 2:41-50

Mary and Joseph had been given a message and vision from the Lord. They were charged with raising the very Son of God. This purpose and calling turned their life upside down. They experienced a virgin birth, received numerous visits from angels, shepherds, wise men, and prophets appeared to them praising the Savior of the World, and they spent the first few years of Jesus's life in Egypt hiding out. It seems like it would be impossible to forget who they were raising, impossible to lose sight of their calling, yet we find they did. Before we become to judgemental... I would wager that we have found ourselves in the same boat as well.

Mary and Joseph were doing the "right" thing. They followed the law and made the trek to Jerusalem every year for the Passover. They were fulfilling the letter of the law. Yet they lost sight of Jesus and His passions. When they finally found Him they did not understand what Jesus meant by having to be in His Father's house.

I would wager that somewhere along the 12 years of Jesus's life, Mary started to get comfortable. They were back home from Egypt, making a living through carpentry, raising children, and following the "law" by travelling to the temple every year with the rest of their family. The angel's voices may have grown more and more silent with each passing year, the gifts from the wise men pushed back into a corner somewhere collecting dust, the great calling on their life a memory. They did not understand why Jesus HAD to be in the temple.

I am not at all being critical of Mary and Joseph. Life can be tough. Trying to make a living, trying to raise your children in a way pleasing to the Lord, trying to take care of all the daily tasks that need to be completed. We all seem to slip into believing the way to please God is to do the right things and try to follow His commandments. I cringed when I read this story, because I see myself in Mary's shoes.

God has given us all a purpose, and so many times we forget about it in the day in and day out living. Do you know what God has called you to do? Are you still hearing His voice and direction in your life? When is the last time that you drew near to the Father's house just to be in His presence? These are questions I am asking myself.

Lord, protect me from being so busy being the wife, mother, house keeper, teacher, etc. that I lose sight of how you want me to spend my days. Please help me to keep my eyes on Jesus and never lose sight that He came to die for our sins, for the sins of my neighbors, and not just to help me along life's way. May my ears and heart be sensitive to you!