Sing Praise

 

2/28/2021

Psalm 47:6 “Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.”

I LOVE contemporary Christian music. Give my any song by Casting Crowns (or many other artists), and I go into full-out praise mode no matter where I happen to be. I sometimes wonder what the people who pass me as I sit in the parking lot at work think while I sing at the top of my lungs, eyes closed, and hands raised. Maybe, when we can all finally be closer than six feet from each other without masks on, these moments of uninhibited praise will open up opportunities for me to share the Gospel. God has been working with me on my boldness in this area as well.

Sunday mornings, although very different than a year ago, are so precious to me as well. We are so very blessed that we can participate in our service virtually, and are thankful for our pastors, elders, tech people, and everyone else who has made this possible. It has been such a source of comfort and a true blessing during this difficult time. A highlight of the service for me is singing worship songs, and I know how much effort the team of musicians put into this ministry. For this, I am truly grateful indeed, and am always blessed. I hope that when we finally return to in-person services, I will continue to be as bold as I have become praising and worshiping God in my car, in my kitchen, and in my living room during Sunday Service.

Another kind of faith-based music I love is the hymn because of its beauty and depth of meaning. In recent times, most evangelical churches tend towards singing choruses instead of the old hymns. This has even become a source of contention and disagreement in some churches, with younger folks leaning towards praise music and more mature people still wanting hymns on Sunday mornings. To be honest – and it’s probably because of my age – I straddle these two groups, and would love to see more blending of the two styles. I would love to see them coexists in our modern services. Worship songs are powerful indeed, but hymns often feel like a deep prayer when sung. Praise music is more outwardly focused and high energy in its meditative repetition, while hymns are more inwardly focused and introspective in their pacing and composition. Together, for me, they each represent an important element of the entire worship experience.

This morning was one of those times I missed the old standards. The end of the service was focused on our victory being in Jesus, no matter the current circumstances in our lives. This ending was perfect for the hymn “Oh Victory in Jesus”, and that was what my soul was craving. Being that we were at home, my husband and I were able put the service on mute and sing that old hymn together. Ah, was my soul blessed! I guess you could say that I love any form of music that praises my Savior. So let’s keep lifting our voices together in praise to our King. Here is an old one for you from the 1860’s, and it is lovely and profound in its simplicity.

Jesus loves me this I know,

For the Bible tell me so,

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak, but He is strong.

 

Yes, Jesus love me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes Jesus loves me.

The Bible tells me so.

 

 

Jesus loves me, this I know,

As He loved so long ago,

Taking children on His knee,

Saying, “Let them come to me.”

 

Yes, Jesus love me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes Jesus loves me.

The Bible tells me so.

 

Jesus loves me still today

Walking with me all the way,

Wanting as a friend to give

 Light and love to all who live

 

Yes, Jesus love me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes Jesus loves me.

The Bible tells me so.

 

Jesus loves me, He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let His little child come in.

 

Yes, Jesus love me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes Jesus loves me.

The Bible tells me so.

 

Jesus loves me, He will stay

Close beside me all the way;

Thou hast bled and died for me,

I will henceforth live for Thee.

 

Yes, Jesus love me.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes Jesus loves me.

The Bible tells me so.

 

Quiet Reflection

 

2/27/2021

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

I spent a long time today in a quiet state of reflection. Sometimes seemingly minor interactions with others set us on a new path of thought that ends in trusting God and releasing more areas of our lives over to Him. This morning, God revealed an area of my life that needed even more submission to Him. I thought I was doing a pretty good job, but nope, He made it abundantly clear that I still have work to do.

It really struck me today that the work of the soul is between me and the Holy Spirit. God is the only one who truly understands where I am in my journey, and how far I have to go. The issue is ALWAYS self. ALWAYS. When I get my spiritual order of importance out of whack—God first, others second, me last—I leave room for the destroyer to enter. The evil one wants me self-centered. After all, isn’t that the root of my sin nature? The destroyer doesn’t want my spiritual roots secure and strong, he wants my self-centered roots fully entrenched in the earth. It is a cycle of self that must be broken, but that can only happen by my complete abandonment to Jesus. It is this cycle of self that destroys relationships, and does not yield to the Father.

What are my weapons in this war of the self? The same ones that I must use in any spiritual battle: unwavering faith, prayer, confession, securing the Armor of God around me, and wielding the Sword of the Spirit. When I lose my grip on any of these critical elements, I am doomed to fall back into self, sin, and the crazy-cycle. God alone, and no one else, can help me die to self. I must decrease and Jesus MUST increase. Luke 9:23 “And He said to all, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Heart and Lips

2/26/2021

1 Peter 3:3-4 “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

As I was getting ready for work this morning, I barely recognized the woman looking back at me from the mirror. Her signature red curls are slowly being replaced by silver ones, and there are more lines around her eyes. Other than a little boost to her eyelashes, her face is lacking its usual artificial coloring. You would think I would have grown accustomed to this new woman after a year of her staring back at me every day, and I guess I have. This morning, though, the one thing that hit me was my lips.

You see, I have been a lipstick girl ever since I discovered that it brightened up my pasty complexion many years ago. I never really left home without it. Ever since last year’s Covid-19 lockdown, and subsequent mandatory mask wearing, it has become unnecessary and even unwise to wear lipstick. I have put some on for a few Zoom meetings, but those times were few and far between. With most of our faces covered for the foreseeable future (at least according to Dr. Fauci), makeup has – for me at least – become mostly a memory. Believe me, I NEVER thought this would happen.

It has become one of my lessons during this time. My focus has been mostly drawn from the external to the internal. Now, I am by no means saying that you should refrain from wearing makeup and gussying yourself up if you are a woman of faith. Some of the most mature, loving, and faithful believers I know are more stylish and put-together than I could ever hope to be. I am just offering a part of my journey to you.

My husband and I have been reading the book of Matthew. As I looked at my unadorned lips this morning, I started considering the passage of scripture from Matthew 12:23-24, where Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees as he says to them, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Wow, that is some strong talk from our Savior, however, He always spoke truth. He is truth. 

As I meditated on these words, I was struck that what passes through the lips is what the heart is full of. Not only were the Pharisees rebuked by these words, but so was I.  It is a nuclear truth bomb, and is so evidently pervasive in our society today. All you have to do is watch any cable news program or YouTube video to see this truth. There is a lot of ugly in people’s hearts that is passing through their lips, and it is heartbreaking.

So as a believer, I need to concentrate on the content of my heart. I need to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and repent of my sin. I need to always remember that I am an ambassador of the Gospel of Christ. It doesn’t matter if my lips are pale or a bold hue; the most important thing is what flows from them. My words should honor my Savior.

 

Still Learning to Pray

2/25/2021

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

There is not a time that I can remember when I did not pray. When I was little, my mother taught me a very simple prayer to say before going to sleep. It goes, “God bless mommy and daddy, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, and make me a good girl.” I love the innocence of that prayer, but also the profound way that asks for intercession, and for my own little soul. As I got older, I learned the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Act of Contrition, but my sweet little prayer never left me. Through this simplicity, my mother taught me to pray for others, and that has remained my focus for prayer all of my life. Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” I am so grateful to my parents for bringing me to church and teaching me about faith.

The older I got, the more informal my prayers became. I would sit and talk to God, but I still had timeframes around those conversations. Usually I would pray when I first woke up, before falling asleep, or at church related functions, but rarely any other time. For most of my life, I was also VERY TIMID about praying out loud in front of anyone, including my husband. Maybe terrified would be a more accurate word. Every time I heard someone come before God in corporate prayer, they always seemed to speak so powerfully and eloquently, and I just could not understand how they did it. Nope, I would let others boldly go there and I would bow my head, clasp my hands, and raise my petitions and praises silently. This was my way until quite recently.

Now I could tell you this comes with age or with Christian maturity, but I don’t think that is true. I know many very mature and strong believers who still struggle in this area. I think for me, this change happened when I opened myself up more to God’s leading and meditating on prayers from the Bible. During this time, I was seeking to be a more effective proclaimer of the good news, because I was feeling led to do so. What came was a lightbulb moment of clarity from God. I never had to be uncomfortable or concerned about offering prayer right in the moment for others, because if I am fully trusting Jesus, the Holy Spirit would guide my words. I will admit the first couple of times I asked someone if they wanted me to pray, my knees were knocking and I would not remember a thing I said, yet the person always seemed to be blessed. This feeling, of course, had nothing to do with me and EVERYTHING to do with Jesus. To God be the glory.

I still miss opportunities to lift others up in the moment, but I am always asking God to make me more sensitive to those times. An anointed time of prayer with others, whether it is me praying for someone else or someone else praying for me, is one of the most profound and miraculous experiences of my Christian walk. And it all started with a simple child’s prayer taught to her by her faithful mother. Amazing grace. 

Seeing Jesus in Others

2/24/2021 

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (ESV)

Prayer is a mighty and amazing thing, and something that you can actually feel when people are lifting you up. I had a potentially stressful day ahead of me today. I asked several people for prayer to help me through my OCD triggers, which are often my biggest battle. The day put me in unfamiliar territory around many people, which I have not experienced since the Covid lockdowns last March. It could have gone badly for sure; it certainly has in the past, and I know that people were concerned. Well, thank you Jesus! The prayers of the faithful were powerful, because I received the peace that passes all understanding, and that can only come from God. No fear or anxiety invaded my mind, my spirit, or my body. Amazing grace. 

There is such power in prayer, especially when we are pouring our hearts out in intercession for one another. It is a true honor, great responsibility, massive privilege, and abundant blessing to come before the Creator in prayer. It doesn't matter where we are or what we are doing, God is always there, and He always hears us. I am so humbled and blessed that others pray for me, reach out to me, and love me. I see Jesus in all these wonderful people.

One of the dear sisters in Christ I know is actually going through a immensely traumatic time in her own life, yet she still reached out to me today. She just wanted to check in and let me know she was praying for me. When I updated her about the amazing peace I received, and how God helped me through, she rejoiced for me and with me. It always astounds me how God gives some individuals such tender hearts that they can come out of themselves and their own hardship to reach out in love to others. It is at these time that I truly see the love of Christ in this world. 

Trust Exercise

 

2/23/2021

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Trusting God is hard. It is very easy to say and proclaim, but much more difficult to do. We cajole, maneuver and manipulate situations to try to get our desired outcome, when all we really need to do is trust God. He is always there and He always has a plan; we need only do our part and trust Him. 

Recently, my husband was growing concerned about a situation he is in that has become untenable. It was slowly beginning to affect his mood, and although I could see that, I had no idea what was going on. It seems he was putting a lot of energy into correcting the situation on his own, and it was causing him stress. He is a fixer, both by nature and through his career. If there is a problem, then he is going to work on how to make repairs. It is a wonderful gift, but can also be a burden at times. Thankfully, after being able to pinpoint what was going on with him, we were able to come together and bring it before the Lord. 

Now I know that my husband had been praying about the issue (like he does all things regarding our lives), but he also was trying to strategize and got caught in the dreaded "what if?" spiral. We have all been there, haven't we? When he finally paused his natural propensities for just a moment, prayer became the focus, and in rushed clarity. He released the situation to God, and God showed him the way. The difficulty was taken out of my husband's hands, and all is well. To God be the glory!

I have just used my husband's recent example of laying down a burden and trusting God, but my own testimony is also full of these kinds of stories. When I hold on too tightly and try to be a "fixer", it normally doesn't work. Oh sure, I may be able to awkwardly put a band-aid on the gaping wound and stop the bleeding momentarily, but only God can heal it. I have seen this happen so many times in my life that I have lost count. 

So have I finally learned my lesson, after all those experiences, to turn to God immediately and trust Him with every situation in my life? Sadly no; I can be a willful child. I still get in the way sometimes, at the ready with my puny band-aids and self-constructed first-aid kit. Thankfully, God shows me mercy and grace every time, waiting for me to come to Him with arms wide open. It is at that time of release to Him that clarity and direction come. 

I just now saw this memory on my social media, which I jumped on before posting this evening. It is a quote from my son from three years ago that ties in beautifully with this what is above. "If you stay the course and believe in the path God has placed you on, He will bless you. Always keep your trust in Him."

Out of the Darkness

 

2//22/2021

1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have received from God? And you are not your own."

I have really been noticing my own weaknesses recently; those areas of my life that I have yet to fully surrender to God. It is not for a lack of "Spirit taps" that is for sure. If the Holy Spirit spoke to my soul any louder in certain areas, I would be physically knocked over. Do I listen when God keeps directing me in areas of my life that need attention because they keep me in a looping sin? In some areas I do, and in others I unequivocally do not. One of these areas is my health and fitness. I am not speaking of looking better, but of honoring the vessel. I sometimes feel like the money changers in the temple that Jesus got upset with, because they were dishonoring the Temple of God. If Jesus lives in me, and I am not doing everything I can possibly do to care for my body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit, I am also disrespecting God. 

This area of my life is one that I try, much too often, to deal with by myself, outside of my relationship with Jesus. This, I believe, has become a trap for many people because of what society inundates us with. There is a lot of "You can do it!" speech wrapped around this certain sphere. There are all kinds of weight-loss programs and exercise equipment to spend lots of money on, but the problem can really be boiled down to one of the soul; at least that is true for me.

In my life, it is an area of sin that I have not fully submitted to my Savior. It is failed control that I have tried to take on myself instead of being in a purposeful state of release to my Lord. The other day, as I was in prayer, I got another one of those almost audible Spirit taps. I was convicted to submit my mind, body, and soul to Jesus, and do it fully. What certainly helps is praying for Christ to increase and me to decrease (no pun intended). John 3:30, "He must increase, I must decrease."

I am praying that every area of my life reflects my Savior. I know Jesus will guide me out of this darkness and give me strength the same way He led me out of the darkness of OCD. All I need to do is trust Him and surrender. 

I am, as always, a work in progress. 

The Power of Faith

2/21/2021

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

 February is Black History Month in the US. I will never be able to understand what it is like to be a person of color, but I am deeply moved by the spiritual legacy that was left by those who were oppressed for generations. Currently, I am watching a program on PBS called The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song. I came upon it just after the period of the Civil War. The focus is on Southern Black churches, the people's abiding faith in Christ, and the amazing spirituals that they sang throughout their oppression. All these things kept them close to both God and a larger truth. It is so very moving to even try imagining such a level of perseverance in the face of unbelievable treatment. As I am sitting here thinking of this, the tears stream from my eyes.

The connection these beautiful souls had to God and their faith despite such horrible behavior towards them is so inspiring. Again, this is not even really something I can comprehend. They truly believed in God's love, and kept alive the hope that can only come from a relationship with Jesus. Their faith in Jesus kept them going in times when there was awful treatment and they had no rights in our nation. They were not even considered citizens in their own country, but they understood they were always citizens of heaven. These strong people of faith, through their perseverance, changed the course of history. The Bible, God's Holy Word, was not only integral to their faith, but was also used to educate people. 

There is so much for all of us, regardless of the color of our skin, to learn by the strength of this amazing level of faith. We are, all of us, God's creation and His children, and this is the absolute truth. Tragically, the Bible has been used throughout history to propagate hatred and oppression, and this fills my soul with sorrow. As people of faith throughout history knew, so I know that God is on His throne, and He covers us with His love and mercy. His joy comes in the morning. 

This evening, I am encouraged by watching stories about the lives of strong, faithful people standing on the truth of the Bible. There is amazing power in these stories, and I am moved to do more and be bolder during this deeply turbulent time. There is power in the name of Jesus, and these believers knew that at their very cores. They worshiped the Savior fully and unashamedly, and gained strength through faith. These dear souls survived more hardships and hatred than I can possibly know, and their legacy should be a light and example for every believer.  

You can watch The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song on Amazon Prime if you are curious. 

Hope in Jesus

2/20/2021

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." 

It is so difficult to watch someone we care about go through a difficult time. Sometimes the pain they are experiencing is because of bad decision making, and other times the suffering is because of something totally outside of anyone's control. Either way, when you love someone, you just want to take their pain away and make the suffering stop. There are certainly ways we can support those we care about and reach out to them in love, but ultimately the journey is theirs alone to take. 

The single most important thing I can do for anyone who is suffering - whether emotionally, physically, or spiritually - is to pray for them. I often approach God about standing in the gap for them, and boldly come before Him with my petition. To be able to intercede for one another is a blessing and a gift, and we should never grow weary or faint in doing so. 

I have been very burdened for many people in my life recently, and it is heartbreaking to see their continued suffering. Yet instead of running dry in prayer or feeling like a broken record, I am more motivated day after day to persevere in faith and bring these dear ones before the Lord of Mercy. Where He will bring each of them on their journey, I have no way of knowing, but I continue to fervently pray, and encourage them to do so as well. We must never lose faith that Jesus is our way, our truth, and our life.

I know from experience that the only way to endure the trials of this life is to ask Jesus to hold your hand and lead you through them. I know that in my life, when I feel like the waves crashing over me are too much to bear and my strength is gone, He lifts me up and carries me to the shore. He always has and He always will until my work for Him on this earth is done. 

Worth the Watch

2/29/2021 

Mark 16:15 "And he said to them, 'Go into the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'"

We finished watching the six-part series Inexplicable on TBN this afternoon. The last episode was about how Christianity was brought to Oceania and Africa (which is the most Christian continent on the planet), and it was amazingly compelling. The boldness and faith of the early missionaries that brought the Gospel to those lands is so inspiring. I have always greatly respected any missionaries that leave their families, friends, and the comfort of all they know to go to a strange land and proclaim the Good News. They never know what will happen, but they certainly do not take this venture on alone, for Jesus is always with them. 

Each of the six episodes speaks of the many people who were martyred for their faith. Today, one of the experts being interviewed said something to the effect of how God has always taken something violent, sad, and bloody, and used it for a greater good, just as He did with the Cross of Christ. Throughout history, even when people make the ultimate sacrifice for their faith, God does not have their story stop at that point. Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those that love God all things work together for good, for those that are called according to His purpose." (ESV) Now we may not think of being martyred as having a connection with this victorious sounding verse, because we usually associate it with blessing. However, doesn't it still apply if the focus and purpose of the person's life is to guide others to Jesus and their legacy ultimately does so? 

I was the most challenged by what was said at the very end of the series. Steve Maina (Bishop - Anglican Diocese, New Zealand), spoke about the part we all must take to spread the love and Word of God. He said that God has given His people the gifts needed to enable us to share the Gospel. He ended with these challenging words while the light of joy radiated from his face: "All of us need to participate to see the world come to know and follow Jesus." 

Commissioned

 

2/18/2021

I would first like to thank Julie, Ruth, Mrs. Groh, and Linton for the uplifting and supportive comments you all shared concerning yesterday's blog post. I am feeling truly blessed by your words and your faithfulness.

Matthew 28: 18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commended you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

There are many people who are suffering right now. I know my heart is burdened to pray for the people of Texas and the trauma that they are suffering due to the storm, the breakdown of their electrical grid, and running water issues. It is so difficult to understand how or why these kinds of things happen, and I could ponder the causes until I go mad. What is happening in Texas is just another one of the horrible natural disasters that have plagued our country, and of course, does not help with the pandemic that is happening all over our world. It is so overwhelming, too difficult to comprehend...and yet, I  know that the most important thing I can do is to pray. I must pray, however, as a warrior and not come before Almighty God frail, meek, or fearful. I must stand on the truth that God is on the throne, and His love for His creation does not change or waver...ever. 

We are living in a fallen and broken world, and it is more clear at this point than it has ever been in my lifetime. When I was young, more families attended some kind of religious service than didn't. Sunday was reserved for worshiping together, and reserved as a day of rest and togetherness. Now there are all kinds of children's sporting events scheduled for Sunday mornings. Who do you think is behind this change that pulls young families away from Sunday School and Church services? It is clearly the same destroyer that is behind the disruption of churches and their programs due to Covid-19. 

Today, many people have not just turned their backs on God, but they are actively fighting against Biblical truths and those who believe. Are we slowly losing our voices, or have we largely given them up to political correctness and cancel culture? Are we becoming afraid to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel because it is too traditional in the world today? I would put forth that it is not because of tradition, but rather because it is, and always has been, the radical truth that stands against the god of this age, who would like nothing more than to destroy us all. 

We need to find our voices once again, and speak the truth of the Bible with the same love, understanding, and compassion that Christ did when He walked the earth. We need to heed the same call that the first disciples did, and be willing to give our very lives for the sake of the Gospel. We need to stand up and stand firm in what we believe, and never let others shame us into silence. We do not take on this commission in our own strength; we have God's Holy Word, the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, am the example of our wonderful blessed Savior. We must become warriors of prayer, truth, and of love. 

Why Am I Still Here?

2/17/2021

Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

As I sat down to write this evening, I couldn't help but wonder if my writing every day is worth anything. I check my stats every so often, and I do not have a lot of people reading this blog daily. People tend to read it a bit more frequently, however, the days my husband posts it to his Facebook page. Does my lack of readership get discouraging? I guess sometimes it does. After all, I am human and I crave interaction, especially now when everything is still so quiet in life. When I get a comment on a post, it is encouraging to my soul and brings me great joy. 

So why am I still here? Why do I still sit down at the appointed hour every evening and spend time reflecting in a very public way? After all, my original goal was to write about Oswald Chambers' study daily during 2020. So what keeps drawing me back night after night when that goal has been achieved? I think the answer is a simple one: it helps me to focus on the truth of God's love, strength, and mercy in a time when everything seems so disjointed and out of control. Spending this time writing brings me into God's Word and grounds me in the truth of it. It gives me something to hold on to when I am feeling weak. It is one of the ways God draws me nearer to Him. I start my day with a morning devotional time with my husband, I have a quiet time of reflection and writing every evening, and my family prays together every night. I am so blessed that this difficult and unusual time in our world has also been such a profound time of spiritual growth for me and my family. It is just one of the many lessons that God is teaching us through this time, and it is the only real way to weather this or any storm.

I continue on this journey because Jesus is my way, my truth, and my life. 

Curve Ball

2/16/2021

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Sometimes, just when things start looking up and you get a sense that things are going to be okay, you get a curveball thrown at you. As everyone knows, this has been a year full of them. So how should we react to these personal distractions in life? Well, I think the answer is - like all things - a measure of where your walk is with Jesus. 

This past week, after a time of so much answered prayer, I got a curveball thrown in my direction. Do I duck it, pull back and ignore it, or hit it will all of my might? How I handle this bump in the road will definitely affect those around me, and can be a powerful witness to the love and strength that only God can provided. 

Now if I am being honest, I would state here that I am a classic "avoidance" person. This is very typical for people with OCD. If I have to do something that upsets my delicate mental balance or makes me uncomfortable, I can very easily avoid the situation. I am actually a master at this, although that is not something I am proud to admit. Sometimes, however, the curveball needs to be dealt with. Just because I don't want to take a swipe at it, doesn't mean I don't need to. The thing is, if I can get away from my fear just long enough to lean into God and commend myself and the situation to Him, He will lift me up and give me the strength to hoist my bat for the hit. If I can reverse my tendency to retreat, thereby becoming intensely internalized, and commit to fighting whatever comes at me with my spiritual armor firmly in place; anything that happens can be used to glorify my Savior. He has brought me through so much in my life, ultimately saving me from the pit of illness and despair, that there is no other way for me to approach life's unexpected issues than fully trusting in Him.  

The But Prayer

2/15/2021

Matthew 10:1 "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."

Last night I watched a TV preacher who made me think about things a little differently. I love when I am challenged in this way. He was speaking about strength in prayer (among other things), and he referenced the verse above. Matthew 10 is also the Biblical chapter that my husband and I happen to be discussing recently, and this was what drew me in to what the preacher was saying. He was referencing this verse to encourage people to pray with authority, and as spiritual warfare against Covid-19. 

I shared some of what the preacher said with my husband when we had our morning devotion time. It sparked an interesting conversation about how we pray. Are we praying with power and full faith, or a trembling meekness and wishy-washy lack of conviction? It was a difficult question to consider, for sure. 

I remembered a conversation that happened in my Sunday school class before we went virtual last year. It was about praying for healing, but also praying for God's will. After talking about this kind of prayer for a while, my husband and I categorized it as a "but" prayer. A dear friend of ours once said that everything before the "but" in a sentence is negated by what follows. This was a very wise insight that I have never forgotten. So we considered when we have been using that word during our time with God. I think I do that a lot, actually. The one person I remember praying for clearly without the "but" was my mother. I would pray for her to be completely healed from the devastating effects of a massive stroke. I would pray, more often than not, for her to be totally healed and be able to get up out of her bed. She was already an amazingly powerful witness for Christ post-stoke, but I would pray for her healing, for her quality of life, and the miracle that others would witness. God never did give my beautiful mom a physical healing. However, she became an even bigger powerhouse of faith and love. She trusted God, and He was always with her. When I prayed for her healing I actually never said, "but Your will be done Lord." I guess I never articulated that in my prayer because I already knew His will was going to be done; for it always is. 

So, as my husband and I spoke about how we pray, we thought about all of these things. My husband turned to our model of prayer: The Lord's Prayer from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:9-13, and we read that as well. We began talking about and considering how we pray and how we ought to pray. Am I distracted when I pray? Do I list off a string of petitions only to throw in a "but" because of my own weakness and lack of faith negating all I have said? Do I pray with confidence, power, and faith? Do I come boldly before my Savior and pray as a warrior, binding Satan and his schemes, with my armor firm and secure and the Sword of the Spirit in hand? 

What would happen if all God's children prayed with conviction, full faith, and Holy Spirit power? My desire is to truly be a prayer warrior. However, what might be a better phrase for me is a warrior in prayer. 

True Love

2/14/3021

1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us." 

Today is Valentine's Day. It is a day full of flowers, candy, fancy dinners, and gifts both inexpensive and pricy. Sometimes it is a day that people just go out of their way to do something kind for those they love. It is the day carved out on the calendar and reserved to show those we love how much they mean to us. Is it nice? Sure. But is it necessary? Shouldn't we tell and show people that they are loved every day? 

Jesus certainly calls us to love God and others always. These actions, He said, are the two greatest commandments. Matthew 22:37-39 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." These commands to love do not come with external conditions. The love we are supposed to exhibit is not that of romantic love - which is certainly a blessing all its own - but rather, it is universal and based on the Author of Love's mode and meaning. 

So today, as we celebrate the world's construct of what an expression of love is, let us think more deeply about how God would have us love. Let us start a Christian love revolution in this time of division and turmoil in our world; for the love Jesus showed from the cross of Calvary is universal and eternal. God's love is true love; for He will never leave you or forsake you. 

 I want to say this to all of you, just as it is said in my church at the end of the service: "You are loved." 

Unpacked and Challenged

 

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

Note: For clarification of the following, I encourage you to read 1 Peter 4: 1-11

2/13/2021

The pastors at my church have been preaching on the book of 1 Peter for a while. This is a very powerful and timely book that is certainly challenging. This morning, following a time of struggle, I was drawn to 1 Peter 4 1-11. Usually my husband and I have a joint devotional time in the mornings, but today I needed some alone time with God. I found a quiet place and landed on 1 Peter 4, which in my Bible has the heading of Living for God. This, as God knew, was just what I needed to refocus me. As I read, the challenges came. The following is what I wrote in my journal about each verse.

v1 - Christ suffered and so will I. I must die to sin

v2 - If I suffer and die to sin, I should no longer live for earthly desires. I should live for the will of God. 

v3 - The time of living like a pagan is over if I am in Christ. 

v4 - People will not understand this change, and abuse will come. 

v5 - Those people, like me, will be accountable to Christ

v6 - The gospel is preached so people will live according to God in  regard to the spirit.

v7 - "The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and   self-controlled so that you can pray." Satan clouds my mind and makes me focus on self, so that I will be pulled away from the Spirit and will not be led into prayer. The only way for me to not fall into this trap is for me to decrease and Christ to increase in me.

v8 - "Love covers a multitude of sins." Thank you God for this truth. I must focus on deeply loving others, the Author of Love is my model for this. 

v9 - Be hospitable without grumbling.

v10 - Use gifts given in service to others, and administer grace in various forms.  (This last part is interesting to meditate on)

v11 - Speak the word of God into others. Serve with God's strength He will be praised through Jesus Christ. "To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."

The two questions I then asked myself were:

1) Does my life reflect these verses?

2) Am I truly living for God? 

Gifted and Called

2/12/2021

1 Peter 4:10-11 "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God: whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen"

I just finished (literally about 5 minutes ago) reading my son's third novel. It is a 400 page dark urban fantasy called Emerald of Madoc City. That may seem slightly out of the realm of what I write here, but his writing always has very powerfully faith connected themes. This story is no different. He has the ability to create interesting settings, deeply flawed, altruistic, and complicated characters, and stories that are at once easily readable and complexly themed. I am so pleased that my son is using the gifts that God has given him to put such wonderfully poignant and entertaining stories into the world. He has taken the "road less traveled", as Frost would say, because he truly feels it is what God has called him to do. Is this an easy life? Not at all. Is it a rewarding one? Absolutely. Does my son think he is gifted? Well, like most deeply creative people, he would say no. He just does not know any other way to be. He lives and breathes creativity, it is part of his DNA. 

I have heard many people speak about still seeking their true gifts even into adulthood, although most have been willingly blessing others with their gifts for years. Some gifts are so tangible because they can be experienced, like the gifts of acting, writing, and drawing that my son has. Some gifts, although not tangible, are experienced though a feeling or emotion. Sometimes a person has a gift to inspire others. My nephew has this gift, and it has been affirmed to him just this week. My sister has the gift of selfless care for others. She has always been a person who serves others without asking for any help, therefore bringing blessings into the lives of those around her. I come from a family full of people with the gift of charity; there are too many of these individuals to mention by name, but I can say I have been on the receiving end of their love and generosity many times. I have a dear friend with the true gift of hospitality, and I always say going to her house is like a warm hug. I also know people who have the gift of encouragement and the gift of being prayer warriors. All these gifts, if we are willing to let God truly use them in our lives, will enrich and bless the lives of those around us. The only thing that can stand in the way of anyone using a God given gift is fear, but if we trust God and submit to His will, He will show us the way. 

Desert to Spring

 

Answered Prayers

 

2/10/2021

Luke 18:1 "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." 

I had a rough patch today. I was not winning the day for sure. (The people in my family will understand what I mean by that particular statement. Right, little brother?) However, during my point of struggle, right as I was fighting the raging battle that is the beast of OCD, I got some great news about an answered prayer. Actually, there were two answered prayers that came through, one right after the other. My battle did not subside because of these wonderful blessings; however, I was able to - by God's grace - respond to the news with joy, enthusiasm, and praise. Even in the swirl of the tempest I was experiencing, God revealed His power and love by answering long awaited prayers. As I was carrying my cross, others had theirs lifted. To God be the glory!

A few people I dearly love won the day, but we cannot really ever do that outside the grace of God.

Jeremiah 29:12 "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you." 

Wrongly Accused

2/9/2021

Isaiah 57:17 "No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord."

My Savior was wrongly accused by those that should have known better. He was accused by people who were threatened about losing their authority. He was wrongly accused by the church leaders who could have worked alongside of Him, men who knew the prophesies and yet chose to dismiss them. He was accused by men who thought He was a radical, and whose eyes were closed to the truth of who He was. 

When this kind of thing happens to us (and it certainly will, especially if we walk in conviction and faith), how are we to respond? Alas, this evening I did not respond the way I should have, but my husband, who was on the receiving end of evil actions, responded with a peace of spirit, mercy, and grace. Does this mean he should not stand up for himself by speaking truth? Absolutely not! Our Savior did nothing but speak truth. Do the people who attack us change their ways, tactics, or opinions? Not frequently, and that is unfortunate, but we are still called to rise above and forgive our enemies. Jesus did this unto death. 

Certainly not an easy thing for me to do, especially when I am feeling protective of the one I love. I pray God works in my soul to help me follow my husband's lead in the ways of mercy. I pray that he is blessed for this conviction of spirit. I pray that our spiritual armor is secure and that, through it all, we will continue to seek God in all things and turn to Jesus in every painful moment and hour of need; for there is nothing we will ever go thought that He has not felt. 

Sharing for Revolution

2/8/2021

2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Hearing God speak to me through others is so powerful. Whether this is in a written text, on a Sunday morning, during morning devotion times with my husband, or just in conversation, I always feel so deeply blessed by these moments. He has used so many people around me to draw me into a deeper understanding of His Word and to guide me through situations happening around me. He has used others to bless me with words of love and support. He has even used others to speak truths that are sometimes difficult to hear. All of these instances are powerful indeed, and I am always grateful.

I also love sharing the insights God gives me with others, although that is probably painfully obvious through the writing of this blog. To speak or write about Jesus' sacrifice and saving grace, and how yielding to Him brings freedom and transforming purpose to life, is such an immense blessing. Sharing the truth of that act is the single most critical and profound moment that anyone could ever experience, and praying with another soul is like nothing else on earth. 

To share how we, as believers, are commanded to act and respond is sometimes a bit unnerving, but we can find our strength to do it knowing that these edicts come from the inspired word of God. We need not, nor should we ever, lean on our own understanding, but instead pray for wisdom. God will always guide a willing and surrendered heart. 

Right now in our world, like all of history, people need Jesus. The darker this world becomes, and the more confused and distracted people are, the harder we all have to lean on God and into our ultimate purpose, which is to share the truth of the good news of saving grace through repentance of sin and yielding to Jesus. In this time when the destroyer is acting as the master puppeteer, shining the light of Christ's love in the darkness is all there is for those who love the Lord. I feel this deep down in my soul. We do need a revolution, but one of truth, peace, love, mercy, and grace.

Two Blessings

 

2/7/2021

James 1:12 "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

This verse struck me today. There are currently so many people who are persevering under such personal turmoil in our world. Illness and fearing the possibility of illness have become more and more difficult as time goes on, and the world continues to get weary. This is the global trial we are all sharing at this period of time. However, some people are going through deep personal trials as well, and they intensify this time in every way. 

Right now, there are two women in my life who are both going through trials outside of the scope of their control, and that's on top of our shared global trial of Covid. I know the pain that they both experience daily is immense (although in different ways), but they are both holding onto their Savior with all that they have, and fully walking in faith. They are both going vertical. Not only are they hanging onto Jesus during their individual difficulties, they are also both able to still reach out to others in love. Amazing grace! I have been at the receiving end of their prayers, concern, and love, and this has been such a powerful inspiration to me. I have been so blessed by their example, conviction, and strength in faith. It is clear that they love the Lord, and I am sure they each will receive the crown of life. 

James 1:4 says, "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything," It is true that we grow closer to Christ through trials than we do through blessing. It has been true for me, and many others, and I know it is true for these two beautiful souls. God lets nothing we experience go void, but will use all we live through for His purpose. If we persevere and become mature though its finished work, we shall willingly allow God to use all that happens in our lives for the Kingdom of Heaven. It is never easy, but it is always worth more than anything this side of heaven.

Uncovered Light

2/6/2021

Matthew 5:14-15 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

I realize that I said I would concentrate on the book of James this month, but I also leave room for where the Spirit leads me. Today I will divert again from my favorite book. 

What is on my heart this evening is having conviction of faith. I am searching my soul and looking into my past to take an inventory of how I have done with this throughout my journey with Jesus. My road has been a winding one for sure, and I have not always been bold in my faith or convictions. In my youth, I was too swayed by what others would think or how they would react if I were to be recklessly abandoned to Jesus. Oh, how many years I have wasted letting the judgments of others affect my total submission to Jesus and His call on my life. I was very bold and open with fellow believers, but there was no personal risk involved in that kind of spiritual openness. I was only intrepid with safely with primarily like-minded people. In other situations I stayed mostly silent, and hoped my actions would let others know of my faith. Alas, being a good person and trying to do good is not only equated with followers of Christ. How would people know about the place Jesus had in my life if I did not share it with them? I never hid the fact that I was a Christian from anyone, but that is all I would do. The Great Commission was meant for apologists, missionaries, ministers, and even people who could quote the Bible, but it was not meant for me. I hid my light under a basket for too long. I was self-focused and self-protective. 

Ten years ago, God brought me to the end of myself and I submitted to His rightful place in my life. After a lifetime of belief, He finally became number one in my life above all else. I was a stubborn child and needed to learn the true order of things, but during that time of turmoil He never left me. Any time I did not feel His presence, it is because my focus, my very spirit, was imbalanced. He showed me the way not back to myself, but to who I could truly be in Him. He showed me that the Great Commission was not just for some believers, but for ALL believers. He brought me out of an intense focus on myself and showed me how to be recklessly abandoned to Him. His light of mercy and grace inside of me would no longer be hidden by fear or self-doubt. He was calling me to love others louder, and share the truth of the Gospel boldly. I finally understood that it was not about me being able to do so, it was about Him opening doors of opportunity and being able because of His strength and guidance. Even though I fight fear in other areas of my life, I no longer fear sharing the truth of saving grace though Christ with others. This humbles me to my core, and I truly understand that I am mightily blessed by the mercy grace, and love of my Savior. 

Done in Love

2/5/2021

1 Corinthians 13:14 "Let all that you do be done in love'"

Today I had a tough conversation that spoke directly to my soul. Sometimes God uses the challenges of other people or difficult situations to lead us in new directions, or show us new ways of approaching our purpose. At first, I will admit, my emotions got in the way. My self-focus reared its ugly head again. Then, after a time of prayer and reflection, I had a new purpose...and a new challenge. I write about a lot of things in this blog, but do I practice all of them? Sadly, I do not. I need to be doing so much better. I need to practice what I preach. 

I need to be reaching out more. I need to be louder in my faith. I need to be honest and more purposeful in showing love to others. I need to follow the commands of God. I need to decrease and have Christ increase in me. I need to die to self and seek God in every situation, no matter what that my be. I need to seek Holy Spirit guidance. I need to realize that I am only a breath, and that every moment and opportunity is a precious gift from God. I need to use the time God gives me to speak the truth in love and to impact the lives of others. I need to be more intentional in every way.

If you are a reader of this blog, I ask you to pray for me to be a better representative of Jesus' love, mercy, and grace. To submit to Jesus fully with all I am and all I do, and point others to Him.

Tempted

 

2/4/2021

James 1:13-15 "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desires and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

The above verses are ones that are not easy to absorb, and they force us to take responsibility for ourselves. Like I said last night, the book of James is challenging. God does not tempt us in any way, shape, or form. Temptation comes from the evil one and can start very subtly, with just a distant or minor thought that can grow into a destructive desire. It is like that with any thought process, if you think pessimistic thoughts, those grow into defeatist and cynical words, which can grow into disastrous actions. I think we have seen that in abundance in our culture of late. The more enticed we allow ourselves to become, the more that evil desire will be fed. It is the trap of a self-focused life instead of a God-focused one.

So again, this is another call for me to decrease and Christ to increase. When I pray for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis, I am drawn away from evil desires. When I am God-focused, my holy armor will be secure, and I will be able to stand up to temptation. The words at the end of the passage are chilling, "Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This could come about as a physical death, but is most certainly a spiritual one. The only way to combat this darkness is to turn to Jesus in all ways and always. Instead of an evil desire bringing about death, a desire for Christ brings with it mercy and everlasting life.