Help

2/29/2020 (Yes, there is a My Utmost Leap Year entry!)

Luke 18:41 ‘Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

This passage is about the blind beggar who, after hearing  people yelling as Jesus was passing by, called out to Him, “Have mercy on me!” Among all the other voices in the crowd crying out to Jesus doing the same, it was this man that Jesus asked to be brought forth. When Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” he replied “Lord, I want to see.” Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight, your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God.” Luke 18:41-43

Chambers asks, “What is the thing that not only disturbs you but makes you a disturbance? It is always something you cannot deal with yourself.” Chambers rarely minces words, and certainly does not here, although I would add this: perhaps it is something you do not recognize yourself; something you may be blind to.

I can answer Chamber’s question by saying “fear”. It has been a thorn in my side and a constant battle for years. Fear is a liar and a thief, and I know countless people who also battle with worry and anxiety. Many people take all kinds of medication to help them, including me. My medication quiets my mind and allows me to think more rationally. I am incredibly grateful to God every day that I can take something to help me maneuver this world, because I know people who either can’t or don’t.

Another thing people do is seek assistance from other resources, someone to tell them how to change, be happy, be fulfilled, or how to make their dreams come true. In our society, self-help is a booming business. The United States Self-Improvement Product and Service Market Report of 2019 estimated it to be an $11 Billion dollar industry. The population of the world in 2019 was just over 7.5 billion people. That equates to approximately $1.50 for every person alive spent on self-help; a shocking number indeed. We look to so many outside influences to give us guidance or direction on mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. At the beginning of this year, Oprah Winfrey kicked off a WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) nine city U.S. tour titled 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus, concentrating on health and wellness. She invites “Visionaries” (all celebrities) to come and share their stories of success and overcoming adversity. We so often look to those we find inspirational or wise for motivation, believing that if they can do it, so can we. Is this in and of itself wrong? Certainly not, but if a spiritual component is missing in our lives, I believe the victory will be short-lived and we will continue to search. Why is it so easy to listen to others, but not seek out God and listen to Him?

I believe we are all born with a desire for spiritual connection. My relationship with Jesus is the most important part of my life. His grace and mercy fill a hole in me that nothing else ever could. Knowing I am a child of the Most High is an overwhelming and humbling thing. Coming to Him with every concern, and sharing with Him every joy, makes life infinitely more extraordinary, for NOTHING is bigger or mightier than my God! Chambers says, “When once we see Jesus, He does the impossible thing as naturally as breathing.” Jesus is who I go to for guidance and wisdom, and God’s Holy Word is my self-help book; it has every answer I will ever need.

Something Beautiful - Steven Curtis Chapman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv6foJHaxLg

No Other Way

2/28/2020

John 16:30-31 "By this we believe. Jesus answered, Do ye now believe?"

 Chambers says "We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper down than we do, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him; instead of this we make our common-place decisions and ask God to bless them."

Have I made decisions on my own without seeking God, and then asked Him to bless them? I have done this too many times to count, although doing so does not work out very well. It is an exercise in futility. Do I rely too heavily on my own understanding? When I am not walking closely with God and seeking His guidance, I certainly do. My mind is often times very overactive and disquieted; the evidence is in my worrying and fretting about the things that are happening in life. I am always asking God for forgiveness in this area.

Overcoming this type of mindset is an ongoing process, and is truly about trusting and focusing on Jesus. My time of devotion, reading the Bible, and prayer helps me with this kind of concentration. The more I meditate on God’s presence in my life and the world, the more peace I gain. God wants me to do this out of respect, love, and devotion to Him.

Chambers says, “When we do anything from a sense of duty, we can back it up by argument; when we do anything in obedience to the Lord, there is no argument possible, that is why a saint can be easily ridiculed.” The unbeliever does not understand the person who is committed and obedient to God. From a worldly point-of-view, there is no benefit to such devotion, but we who love the Lord understand that once you come to know Jesus, there is no other way to exist. Jesus has overcome the world.

We Believe - Newsboys

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjZ01FcK0yk

Living Water

2/27/2020

John 4:11 “From whence then hast Thou that living water?“

Water is essential for life. Every living thing on the Earth requires water to survive, though it may be just a small amount; even a cactus in the desert needs it to grow and flourish. As humans, we drink it, cook with it, bathe with it, recreate in it or with it, and clean all manner of things with it. The plants and animals we consume all need water. Science and industry need water to produce

many things. It is the most vital compound of our existence.

In the Book of John chapter 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well, He is thirsty, and he asks her for a drink. She is shocked, because Jews did not associate with Samaritans during that time. She wonders how He will get the water, as He has no vessel and the well is deep. He speaks to her about living water, and she is confused for He speaks with authority. He tells her that the water she draws will only quench thirst, but the water He offers is the spring of eternal life. He speaks to her about how worshiping the Father will change, and people will worship Him “in the Spirit and in truth”. She speaks of the Messiah, and He tells her “I am He.”

I can only imagine what an interaction with Jesus must have been like. To have Him stand before me and speak truth directly into my soul. Oh, how glorious that would have been! Jesus speaks to us, of course, through God's Holy Word and the Holy Spirit, but seeing him face-to-face would have been, well, indescribable. So why, then, is my faith so weak? Why do I sometimes resist the belief that He can do anything in my life, no matter how deep my well is?

Chambers says, “Suppose there is a well of fathomless trouble inside your heart, and Jesus comes and says – ‘Let not your heart be troubled’; and you shrug your shoulders and say, ‘But Lord, the well is deep; You cannot draw up quietness and comfort out of it’…We limit the Holy One by remembering what we have allowed Him to do for us in the past, and by saying ‘Of course I cannot expect God to do this thing.’” These words cut right through my soul.

When I was going through my dark time, I asked and begged Jesus to help me. I prayed and prayed for healing and freedom, when what He wanted was my submission, and faith that He COULD and WOULD refresh my soul with Living Water. He did more than I could have ever imagined. I strive never again to limit what I think Jesus can or will do. Even when my mother suffered a stroke and was paralyzed, I prayed for her healing, to see her get up and walk again. God did not heal her body, but instead healed her soul. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed, and I will forever be grateful for God’s mercy to both her and me.

Mustard Seed

2/26/2020

John 4:11 “Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with.”

Today is Ash Wednesday, a day of reflection and repentance, and the beginning of the Lenten season. This is a period of time where many Christians often give up something as a sacrifice, or in recent times, also show love by doing positive deeds for others; both of these actions are reflective of Jesus’ life. Lent leads up to Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. These are days that can be used for contemplation, spiritual growth, reading scripture, and concentrated prayer. It is a time to focus on the deep love Jesus showed humanity by His sacrifice.

Today, Chambers is challenging me to look intensely into my faith. Do I actually believe that Jesus is capable of doing in my life what I cannot? Do I stand in awe of His power? Do I have faith as big as a mustard seed? (Matthew 17:20 & Luke 17:5-6) Truly, my inadequate human mind's capacity limits me.  How big is my God? How much do I love Jesus? Am I willing to be poured out and used for His glory? These are appropriate questions to meditate on during this holy season. Can I indeed do what He calls me to do through the power of His Holy Spirit? Chambers says “My misgivings arise from the fact that I ransack my own person to find out how He will be okay to do it. My questions spring from the depths of my own inferiority.”

This holy season, I can determine to focus my time on quiet reflection and prayer, along with acts of sacrifice and generosity. I can strive to draw nearer to my Savior, to eagerly develop a faith as big as a mustard seed.

Way Maker

2/25/2020

2 Corinthians 12:15 “Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”

“The real test of the saint is not preaching the gospel, but washing the disciple’s feet; that is, doing the things that do not count in the actual estimate of men, but count everything in the estimate of God.” Oswald Chambers

How much I am willing to give? Am I willing to make myself uncomfortable for God? Am I willing to look or sound foolish in the sight of others? Am I willing to serve others as God leads?

These questions are difficult for me to answer, because I spend a lot of my energy trying not to be uncomfortable or look foolish. Unfortunately, I have a problematic relationship with the larger world around me. I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and not in the way fastidious or meticulous people throw that term around. I have clinical OCD, the kind that makes maneuvering the world extremely challenging and exhausting. There was a time, not too long ago, that I was crippled by this disorder, but by God’s grace and healing power, I am living more fully once again.

OCD is characterized by overwhelmingly-invasive thoughts, and the compulsive behaviors that make a person feel a level of safety or security. It is often accompanied by avoidance behaviors as well. This combination does not lend itself to being poured out on behalf others for God. Even the thought of washing someone’s feet, as Jesus so lovingly and humbly did, curls me right up into a fetal position. It is true that I am much better now than I was, but I still find myself limiting where I go and what I do.

My church hosts both a hunger breakfast and a hunger lunch for the community every month. There are wonderful people who plan and serve in this ministry, and reach out in love to others through it. It is truly God’s work. I volunteered for one of these meals shortly after we started attending our wonderful church, and I have not been back since. The environment is too difficult for me. I know that sounds odd, but it drains every bit of my energy. Is this what Paul means when he spoke about being poured out for Jesus? Should I feel guilty or ashamed if I am unable to do certain things?

What I am learning on my journey living with a relentless anxiety disorder is that God is my way maker. When I trust in Jesus and submit to Him fully, He gives me the strength that I do not have on my own. He leads me to ministries where I can feel freedom and not fear. He has opened doors of opportunity for me to share about His mercy and saving grace with others. Even if He sometimes leads me into uncomfortable circumstances, if I am trusting in Him, He will get me through; He always does. My deepest prayer is to be used and poured out. Jesus continues to work on me and break the chains that bind, and I am forever grateful.

As always, I am a work in progress.

Chain Breaker – Zach Willimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGYjKR69M6U

Salt and Light

2/24/2020

2 Corinthians 12:15

There is a dear, sweet lady in my life that gives glory to God in everything and for everything. Her humility is inspiring. She never takes credit for anything, but instead says that it is “all God”. She is a truly meek, kind, and loving person who puts others far above herself and is fully devoted to Jesus. I can feel the Holy Spirit presence when I am in her company, and it is such a blessing to my soul. Chambers says, “Paul became a sacramental personality, wherever he went, Jesus helped Himself to his life.” I see this as being very reflective of my friend as well.

Chambers also says, “Paul said he knew how to be a ‘doormat’ without resenting it, because the mainspring of his life was devotion to Jesus.” My mom would sometimes talk about how she often felt like a doormat. When you are non-combative, and do not place high expectation on others, you tend to get tread upon a lot. When she was younger, this really bothered my mom; she wished she was more forthright and fierce, and often spoke about wanting to become more assertive. However, the closer she drew to Jesus, the less important this became. She began to accept the blessing of being a ‘doormat’, because she started to find her value in Him, and His opinion became the only important one. She began to love unconditionally, without any expectation of reciprocation. Jesus became the mainspring of her life. It was so beautiful to see.

My life is to be poured out for Jesus, always. It is the single most important purpose of a believer’s existence. If my relationship with Him is kept sequestered inside and hidden away, the only person it benefits is me. I need to arise and shine for Him; to go forth boldly, being salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-16)

This is certainly a place I would like to get to on my journey, but alas, my will and my selfishness keep getting in the way. I am working on becoming brave, and praying every day that others see Jesus in me. I am, once again, a work in progress.

Valiant

2/23/2020

Matthew 20:28 “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”

If I have a heart for humanity, and want to serve and help others in practical ways, it is certainly a noble pursuit. As believers, we are called to meet the needs of others through love and generosity. We do this by sharing the blessings God has given us. (Matthew 25:35-40, James 2:14-17, John 3:17) These actions are evidence of our faith. This kind of service should be done with love and an absence of judgement. Jesus met people exactly where they were on their journey, and loved them despite their prior conduct or deeds. He is the author and example of love.

There are many people in the world who have a different need, a spiritual one, for they do not yet know of the love, mercy, and saving grace of Jesus. This, unfortunately, is often a much more difficult area of service; I know it certainly has been for me. Sharing the truth of my faith in a frequently hostile world often keeps me prayerful but silent. Sure, it is more comfortable for me, but to what end? Chambers says, “So long as there is a human being that does not know Jesus Christ, I am his debtor to serve him until he does.” If I genuinely thought about what it meant for people not to have the saving grace of Christ, wouldn’t I be driven to share that truth with everyone, no matter the personal consequences? Wouldn’t I want to tell everyone I have ever known or met, and especially those I hold most dear? Alas, this is another area where trepidation and fear often rule the day. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) Jesus knows this about me, just as he did with His disciples; that is why I need to trust in Him and seek His strength, for I cannot rely on my own.

Chambers says, “When we realize that Jesus Christ has served us to the end of our meanness, our selfishness, and sin, nothing that we meet with from others can exhaust out determination to serve men for His sake.” This is unquestionably a sobering charge, and one that has eternity hanging in the balance.

Dear Lord, help me to love out loud and be bold for You.

Until the Whole World Hears - Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln0T26aTXJE

Tenacity

2/22/2020

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”

Tenacious: continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement

I have never been a tenacious person. I have often given up when I have felt something was too difficult, or if it incited too much opposition. It became a self-protective coping mechanism. When people disagreed with me about anything, I would always back down. It was better to not make waves. When I tried playing an instrument and it became challenging, I gave it up. When I tried my hand at art, having no natural abilities, I stopped. Sports? Nope. Cooking? Not good at that either. And so on and so on. Throughout my life, I never really gave anything a fighting chance. I always thought it was better to cut my losses than to truly fail, for then it became my choice. Unfortunately, my low self-esteem kept me on that hamster wheel of reasoning for a very long time. I was always in search of my gift; I mean, doesn’t everyone have a gift of some kind? My mistake was looking at gifts in the tactile realm only. In my mind, my gift had to be concrete, something I could show or prove.

Then I learned to “be still”. This verse from Psalms became one of my life verses, along with Philippians 4:4-9. I was in the battle of my life, fighting under my own steam, when God took me by the hand, quieted my mind, and taught me to be still. He was calling me to trust in Him and Him alone. The search for my gifts became secondary to what God was teaching me; the true gift was to fully concentrate on my relationship with Him. I was developing the best kind of tenacious spirit; one that was going to depend completely on God and His grace, no matter what. It was not a spirit of doing, but of being and believing. He was refining me and teaching me to quietly listen, wait, hope, and commit to His will and His leading. There was no other way. Through prayer and reading His Holy Word, I developed a steadfastness in my walk with the Lord.

Chambers says, “Remain spiritually tenacious”, no matter what.

How Deep?

2/21/2020
Mark 14:6

My Utmost for His Highest is always challenging, but today's study really hit me hard. It made me tearfully and truly examine how much I love God. Is my love for Him sensible and discreet, or do I love Him with a reckless abandon that is obvious to everyone around me?

The love my husband and I have for one other is usually very evident to those around us. We are very affectionate and kind to one another, and often tease each other in a good-natured manner. We do not speak negatively about one another or communicate with anyone else about our relationship. We are very private with our personal struggles, and take them to God in prayer. We have had a long, and mostly, happy marriage, and I am so grateful that we both walk with the Lord.

As I thought about today's challenge from Chambers though, I had to ask myself if my love for God is as evident as my love for the man He blessed me with. Shouldn't it be even more so? Shouldn't my love for my Savior be the deepest and most abiding love of my life?

Chambers asks, "Have I ever been so carried away to do something for God not because it was my duty, not because it was useful, not because there was anything in it all beyond the fact that I love Him?" Wow! Are my works or my Christian reputation more important than being totally abandoned to my Savior? God wants nothing less from me. Is my love for Him evident in the smallest details of my life?

I strive to bring a smile to my husband’s face, and to surprise him with many different gestures of love. These flow out of me naturally. I would do absolutely anything for him. Is this also true of my love for God? Chambers asks, "Have I ever produced in the heart of the Lord Jesus what Mary of Bethany produced?”(Mark 14:1-9) Do I give all I have and all that I am to my Savior?

My Jesus, I Love Thee - Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xkR8Zm31Yo

Dream

 2/20/2020

John 14:31

My son is an author, actor, and artist. Many people dream about doing what he does, but that is where they stop, with the dream. He, on the other hand, followed that dream; although for him it is a calling. He truly believes this has always been God’s plan for his life. It is not an easy journey for sure, but he has been blessed. If all he did was dream, but put in no effort by devoting himself to the work or praying for guidance, he would never make any headway. Dreams are wonderful things to have, but they require action and a whole lot of faith.

 I have heard it said that God has bigger dreams for us than we have for ourselves. I love that image, but doesn’t that take an amazing amount of belief on our part? It also necessitates movement and a lot of prayer. Chambers says, “When we are getting into contact with God in order to find out what He wants, dreaming is right; but when we are inclined to spend our time dreaming over what we have been told to do, it is a bad thing and God’s blessing is never on it. God’s initiative is always in the nature of a stab against this kind of dreaming, the stab bids us ‘neither sit nor stand but go’ “

Blooms of Faith was nothing but a dream for several years. It seemed whenever God inspired me to act on it, I was too timid and insecure, and so it stayed in the vision realm. I have treated many an inspired dream with this kind of fear, and that thwarted any forward motion. I was putting too much thought on what I may not be able to do in my own strength, and not into what God can do through His awesome power. I needed to finally submit to His will, trust Him, and act. Was it scary? Absolutely. Do I wish, at this point, that I had never begun? No. Unequivocally no. This journey has been such a HUGE blessing, and has brought me into a deeper and more abiding relationship with my Savior. I am so humbled and grateful that God spoke confirmation through my son so that I would finally listen.

Do you have a dream that God has placed inside of you? If so, trust Him and go!

A dream fulfilled.

https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Red-Dragon-Daikaiju-Wars-ebook/dp/B07BX6TV7R

Shine

2/19/2020

Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine.”

In my adult life, my job titles have always had the word “assistant” attached to them. First, for many years, I was an Educational Assistant, and currently I am an Administrative Assistant. I have been blessed in both of these roles, working with people that I not only could admire but also grew to love. When you are in the trenches with people, it certainly produces a closeness, and often they become family.

I will say, though, that the assistant role is certainly not one of authority, and often carries with it the more menial tasks; ones that are surely important to the overall operation, but could also be considered tedious. Nevertheless, these duties need to be done, but what is my attitude toward doing them? Do I approach these tasks with grumbling and dread, or with positivity?

There are also many areas of everyday life that have tiresome chores attached: laundry, dishes, cooking (that one would be my sweet husband’s area), cleaning, paying bills, taxiing people, mowing, raking, etc. It is the drudgery of life that, unless you can afford to pay people to do things for you, we all have in common. Putting off these dreary tasks never turns out well, because they need doing regularly, so what is my attitude while doing them?

Chambers says, “Drudgery is work that is very far removed from anything to do with the ideal – the utterly mean grubby things; and when we come in contact with them we know instantly whether or not we are spiritually real.” Wow! What does me being cranky doing the dishes have to do with my faith walk or spirit? Does God call me to do absolutely everything with a gratefulness and a joyful spirit? Does my attitude and condition of my heart really make a difference?

Jesus did the most humble undertaking when he washed His disciples’ feet, and He did it in love. Such a strong example our Savior set for us.  If my Lord and Savior could do such a task, should anything be beneath me?

Chambers says, “It requires the inspiration of God to go through drudgery with the light of God upon it,” and, “Some people do a certain thing and the way in which they do it hallows that thing forever after. It may be the most commonplace thing, but after we have seen them do it, it become different.” Have you ever seen someone who truly walks in joy; someone for whom even the most menial task is done with gladness? It is uplifting and inspiring. God calls us to do everything for Him without grumbling. How much easier and peaceful would my life be if I approached any undertaking, big or small, with a positive, grateful, and joyful attitude? Shouldn’t Jesus’ example always be my guide? I am called to do EVERYTHING to the glory and honor of God. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Chambers says “If we arise and shine, drudgery becomes divinely transfigured.”

Shine - Newsboys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01cxvzZRN_Y

Rise

2/18/2020

Matthew 26:46

Lost opportunity…boy, did this one hit home for me. Living with an anxiety disorder often times stops you cold from the doing of life. I had avoided things for years, and frequently made myself sick over an impending event or obligation. In my youth, it was easier for me to cope. Although every event would drain me terribly, I could still travel and experience wonderful things with those I loved.  Almost ten years ago, my coping abilities stopped cold, and my world became microscopically small. I left my job, my ministries, and my relationships. Did I feel guilt and despair? Yes, more than I can ever express; it is a deep self-inflicted wound that I sometimes still feel.

In today’s My Utmost for His Highest, Chambers talks about when Jesus asked His disciples to keep watch while He prayed at Gethsemane (before he was betrayed and the Roman soldiers came), but they fell asleep instead. He came back, and asked them once more to pray and keep watch, yet they slept again. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Jesus came back a third time and found them asleep, and He told them, “Look the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go, here comes my betrayer.” (Matthew 26: 45&46) The disciples had missed the opportunity to spend their last precious moments with Jesus before He was arrested, and worse, did not do what He asked of them. Oh, the despair as they watched their Master led away!

Chambers says, “Whenever we realize that we have not done that which we had a magnificent opportunity of doing, then we are apt to sink into despair; and Jesus Christ comes and says – ‘Sleep on now, that opportunity is lost forever, you cannot alter it, but arise and to the next thing.’ Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ, and go out into the irresistible future with Him.”

Mercy. Our Lord shows us the most magnificent mercy. Even after not listening to His direction, being willful or lazy, and not acting on what He calls me to do, My Lord is still benevolent. Amazing grace! Yet when I reach the point of despair and selfishly lock myself away in shame and guilt, He calls me to rise. He is the God of new beginnings and infinite chances; we need only to seek forgiveness, for He offers us eternal redemption. His love for us all is truly like no other, for He is the author of love. I never again want to miss an opportunity to spend time with those I love, or an opportunity to spend time with my God, doing His will. My desire is to boldly go into the irresistible future with Him.

 Rise - Danny Gokey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eUGUC4Ko30

Disheartened

2/17/2020

1 Kings 19:5 “Arise and eat.”

 In 1 Kings 19 it tells us that Elijah had reached the end of his rope. He was afraid, tired, and depressed. The Israelites had turned from God’s covenant and killed all of the prophets except him. Life had beaten Elijah down to the point where he was ready to give up. He even asked God to take his life. After that prayer, he fell asleep; sleep is always a mental and emotional escape when you are depressed, that is for sure. An angel touched him, told him to get up, and to eat and drink the food and water that was provided. He did this and then fell back to sleep. Sometimes, when you are depressed, all you can manage to do is sleep and eat a bit.

When I was at my lowest point, I also had to be encouraged to eat and drink, although I did that very little. I was just at the point of being utterly drained. I didn’t care about much of anything, all I knew is that I was trapped in this dark place with seemingly no escape. When you reach that place, even the most common action becomes too much. Chambers says, “Depression is apt to turn us away from the ordinary commonplace things of God’s creation, but whenever God comes, the inspiration is to do the most natural simple things - the things we would never have imagined God was in, and as we do them we find He is there.” I know that certainly was true for me when I started coming out of the darkness. I held onto the littlest glimmer of God in every situation. He was there always, of course, but my vision and hearing were dimmed because of my fear and sadness.

After Elijah was awaken by the angel and told to eat and drink, he began to regain his strength.  He got up and traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God, and hid in a cave.  The word of the Lord came to him, then he left the cave and stood upon the mountain waiting for God. And as he stood, a great wind came and tore the mountain apart, shattering the rocks, then an earthquake and fire came, but God’s voice was not in any of those. Afterwards, a gentle whisper came, and Elijah heard the Lord. I know that during my time of darkness, I was waiting for the booming voice of God, but it came in a whisper to me as well. Do not lose heart, dear one, during those times when you feel alone, but listen for the whisper of God, for He is always there. Our Lord just wants us to take the initiative, to do one small thing at a time, and He will give us strength through the Holy Spirit.

By Faith

2/16/2020

Ephesians 5:14 “Arise from the dead.”

Are my visions and ideals alive and active, or dead because I find them impossible? Are my visions inspired by God, and when He inspires me do something, do I listen and believe?  My Christian walk compels me to act. I am here to be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world. I need to take initiative that is backed by the Holy Spirit. Chambers says, “When the inspiration of God does come, it will come with such miraculous power that we are able to arise from the dead and do the impossible thing.” I must find my strength in Jesus and believe that I can do whatever is asked of me.

Recently, I have read Hebrews chapter 11, and it is remarkably powerful. It recalls ordinary men and woman who listened to God and acted “by faith”. Every paragraph starts with those two words, and the repetition is compelling. It forced me to meditate on the gravity of those situations and the people who were asked by God to act. These pillars of faith: Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Rahab (just to name a few) knew they could not do anything in their own power, but by faith they trusted God to do the impossible though them. Oh, to walk thorough life with this kind of abiding faith!

In the New Testament, almost every miracle of Jesus involved action from another, either through listening to Him and doing what was asked, or coming to Him and believing by faith that He can do all. When He fed the 5000, Jesus broke up the five loves and two fish among His disciples and told them to feed the people; they needed to act on His direction. All were fed. (Luke 9: 10-17) A woman with an “issue of blood” reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed. (Mark 5:25-34) After His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples to cast out their nets; they had to listen and act in order for the nets to be filled. (John 21: 1-12) These are just three examples of many.

Chambers says, “Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand – ‘Stretch forth thy hand’ and as soon as the man did so, his hand was healed, but he has to take the initiative.” When the inspiration of God comes, I must take the initiative and act.

Outreach

2/15/2020

Roman 14:7 “None of us liveth to himself.”

God never intended us to live alone. He gives us other people to spend time with, laugh with, play with, create with, work with, worship with, and love. Just like our relationship with Him should never be one-sided, neither should our relationship with others. We are called to give of ourselves both physically and spiritually to those around us. If all we do is take, we need to check ourselves. Jesus is our model, and He gave all even unto death. 

Caring for one another in both practical and spiritual ways has a deep and lasting effect. It is often easy to look the other way when there is a suffering, thinking someone else will fill that need or help that person. What if everyone felt that same way? Oh Heaven forbid! The most profound blessings of my life have come from sharing the love and saving grace of Jesus with another soul. It is always a sanctified moment where the rest of the world fades away. I recently said to someone that my profession is important, but I work for God. No matter where I am or what I am doing, my prayer is always that others see Him in me, and that I am open to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

People often struggle with the philosophical question, “Why am I here, and what is my purpose?” The answer is simple: we are all called to love out loud and care for one another as Jesus did. Chambers writes, “Am I willing to be broken bread and poured out wine for Him? To be spoilt for this age, for this life, to be spoilt from every standpoint but one – saving as I can disciple men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life as a worker is the way I say ‘Thank You’ to God for His unspeakable salvation.”

Do Something – Matthew West

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I2csO7_pOI

Darkness

2/14/2020

Matthew 10:27 “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light, and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”

“At times God puts us through the discipline of darkness to teach us to heed Him. Song birds are taught to sing in the dark, and we are put into the shadow of God’s hand until we learn to hear Him.” Oswald Chambers

This spoke such truth to my relationship with God and my journey. I went through an extended period of darkness, and through most of that time I could not hear God. I did a lot of crying out to the Lord and asking why, but my mind and soul were so churned up that I developed a spiritual deafness. I wasn’t listening for God’s answers or direction. I could not hear Him or see any light at all. In desperation, I turned to research and other people, seeking answers in a frenzied swirl of emotion, fear, and sadness. Alas, I found no solutions or peace. Eventually, I had no choice but to be still, for total exhaustion had set in; it was then that I was finally able to hear God in a whisper. Slowly and weakly, like a song bird, He began to teach me to sing in the dark.

Why did this take so long? I was being refined by fire, which is never easy but often necessary. I was so grateful to God for lessons learned and His love and mercy, but also mortified that it took me so long to hear Him. I had walked with the Lord for  many years, but was definitely not where I needed to be in my relationship with Him. My faith journey had dramatically slowed because too much of my focus was on other things. Distraction often holds us captive.

The blessings that continue to ensue from this very difficult time are innumerable. I have, because of this dark time, been able to share my testimony with others: how, when I thought all was lost, God had another plan for my life. During my time of darkness I could not even see a glimmer of light, but now I walk in the radiance of my Savior’s love, peace, strength, and forgiveness. To God be the glory!

Look up Child - Lauren Daigle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Nx2hEhVRE

Hear

2/13/2020

1 Samuel 3:10 "Speak; for Thy servant heareth."

In my relationship with God, sometimes I listen, and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I am willing to do what is asked of me, and sometimes I feel it may be too much for me to handle because fear gets in the way. Chambers says, “The way in which I show God that I neither love nor respect Him is by the obtuseness of my heart and mind to what He says." Isn't this true of any close relationship? We all want to be heard by those we love. Really hearing someone is a gift you give; to pay attention to that person and be truly in the moment with them. Hearing is a two way street. Active listening with responsiveness, not reactiveness, lets someone know that you deeply care about and respect them. How much more so, then, does God want my ears turned toward Him? For my relationship with Him is the most important and profound one I will ever have in this life or the next. 

Distraction is a thief, especially in a world where we give devices so much of our time and energy; our devotion is misplaced. We are pulled in the many directions of a busy life. We rush around doing and going, but to what end? Are we only hearing God in the in-between spaces? Coming to Him expecting to be heard, but then not being still long enough to hear Him in return? Do we listen for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit all day long, no matter what we are doing? When we are young, we listen to our parents because they are guiding and protecting us as we grow. Shouldn’t we then listen to our Heavenly Father as He guides us and we grow in faith?

Chambers says, “The destiny of my spiritual life is such identification with Jesus Christ that I always hear God, and I know that God always hears me.”

Heed

3/12/2020

Exodus 20:19 “And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us and we will hear: but let not God speak with us least we die.”

Have you ever seen or spoken to someone and gotten a Holy Spirit nudge? You become aware of that person’s struggle or loneliness and think, “They could use some support. I am going to send them a card this week,” and then not do it? This happens with me all the time. God places someone on my heart, and impresses on me that the person could use a little extra love and concern, so I have every intention of reaching out, and then… I don’t.  Ugh! I do not disobey God deliberately, I just let the busyness of life push in and forget all about what He wanted me to do; it is such an awful excuse. There are also instances I feel moved to join a group that reaches out to someone who is going through a hard time, and then…I don’t. “Phew” I often think, “I’m so glad other people remembered.” Every time I don’t pay attention to God, I always feel guilty and make all kinds of pledges to do better in the future but then…I don’t. Chambers says, “Once we realize that we have been ‘disrespecting’ God all the time, we are covered with shame and humiliation because we have not heeded Him.” I am always asking God to forgive me when I disregard His call on my life, when what I should be focusing on is paying full attention to His direction, and devoting time to doing what He asks of me; giving Him all that I have and all that I am.

I have noticed that if I speak a Holy Spirit nudge out loud and ask someone to hold me accountable, I am much more apt to what God has asked of me. It is a lot harder for me to neglect acting on God’s urging when I have someone checking in. My son has always been a champion accountability partner. Bringing anything into the light that is an area of disobedience to God and steeping that area in contrition and prayer is transformative. As I say during my prayer time every morning, “Thank you, Dear Lord, for giving me another chance to do better today than yesterday. “

Image

3/11/2020

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose imagination is stayed on Thee.”

Chambers asks, “Is your imagination stayed on God, or is it starved?”

Imagination: the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality (Webster’s Dictionary)

Chambers is once again challenging us to focus on our imagination of God. So, I decided to look up the definition of the word, and really keyed into what he may be trying to convey using it. God is very real to me, and yet I do not have any tangible evidence of His existence. My mental image of Him is incredibly strong, not as an actual being, the old man with a long white beard, but more as a presence too vast and resplendent for my human mind to contain. The one who formed the universe, and all that I can see, touch, taste, hear, and feel is also my Savior. He is my connector to the world around me, and protector of my soul. Can I see Him? No. Do I know He is real? Yes. How? I have seen and experienced too many things that cannot be explained, and I have felt the power of the Holy Spirit fill a room. There is NOTHING like that sensation in all the world.

Years ago, although it still feels like it was only yesterday, a very dear friend of ours became gravely ill very quickly. He had acquired the same strain of bacterial pneumonia that took the life of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets. He was on life support in a drug-induced coma for two months. During that time, every major organ in his body took turns shutting down. His wife held vigil at his side the entire time, and our family took in their two preteen boys. Many people rallied around their family with gifts of love, time, and support. My husband and I took the boys almost daily to visit their parents; the hospital was a two hour roundtrip. One afternoon, we got a call to bring the boys as soon as possible, because the doctors did not expect their father to survive the night; every organ in his body was shutting down at once. When we got to the hospital, the boy’s mom wanted us to come to the chapel with her and the boys so we could pray and she could share this news with her sons. As the five of us sat in the tiny hospital chapel and began to pray, everything in the room changed. The power of the Holy Spirit was so strong that it left me breathless. After prayer and the delivery of the difficult news, we all headed back up to the ICU to wait. After some time, the doctor came out with a look of shock on his face: our friend had begun to improve a bit. Not long after that night, he was out of the hospital and in rehab with no permanent mental or physical damage. The only effects he has of that time are a scar from the trachea tube and a bit of numbness in one of his toes. The staff at the hospital call him Lazarus. Amazingly, this couple eventually was blessed with two more sons after all that trauma. Miraculous! When you experience something like that, your imagination of God can only expand. This is just one of the many times I have experienced the awesome power of my Lord, and those recollections stay my imagination on Him.

Chambers says, “Remember Whose you are and Whom you serve. Provoke yourself by recollection, and your affection for God will increase tenfold; your imagination will not be starved any longer, but will be quick and enthusiastic, and your hope will be inexpressibly bright.”

God of Wonders - Third Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M8XK2w7wmw