But not with God.

I am a planner. When I get the opportunity to plan an event, my mind starts racing with all the things that need to be accomplished in order for it to come together. I am so detail oriented that I become consumed with the details; I can hardly pull myself away. I delight in planning the particulars so it takes major effort for me not to focus on only what needs to be done.

This past Saturday I received some information about an event that is absolutely incredible; I am nearly paralyzed by how life changing it will be. Nonetheless, my mind went to work making a mile-long list of all the things that need to be done to prepare. But with each thing I list, I see my inability to accomplish it. Normally, this would frustrate the bejeezus out of me, but Mark 10:27 keeps flashing across the marquee of my mind: “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” And I find myself overwhelmed with awe at the opportunity to see God move in a way that only He can.  I am consumed with peace at knowing this is so huge, only He can make it happen.

Father, clothe me with Your righteousness and armor that the fiery darts of the enemy and the attempts to divert my gaze from You would be thwarted. You are my light and my salvation, the strength of my life. What shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid? I pray that You would move in a way that is so mighty, that all those who get to witness Your hand would stand in awe of who You are and how much You love Your children. I thank You for allowing me to be a part of this—blow their socks off! To You alone be the Glory!

Hope.

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

-John 4:25

I've probably read this section of scripture dozens of times. I've skimmed over it, sometimes simply categorizing it as a story about a woman who is reluctant to see the truth about her situation, other times seeing the Jesus who will do anything to reach the unclean, the sinner, the outcast. I've identified with the adulteress, been frustrated with her ignorance, and wondered at Jesus' patience. And I've been grateful that Jesus treats me the way He treated her.

But never, never have I seen, really seen verse 25 the way I did this week.

On Sunday, Shawn preached the first of many sermons in a series he's called "Rooted," an ongoing study of the foundations of our faith in the book of Hebrews. The whole of the first message had to do with God's word, that He speaks and intends to be heard by us. His desire is that He be intimately known and adored by His people. The Father wants that His words should reveal to us His loving kindness, His steadfastness, and the grace afforded us by the immeasurable, inexhaustible worth of His Son's spilled blood. How easy it is to see that God is love when His reason for speaking at all is to show how greatly He cares for us! In all of His Word, He says little else.

Still, I find there are times when I am not at all comforted by it. It's easy to feel like my life is a never ending parade of tragedy or heartache: meaningless, purposeless sufferings, one thing after another. I hate the way that sentence sounds, knowing that just putting it to "paper" seems like a bid for sympathy or is, at the very least, a whiny exaggeration. And maybe it is. I guess the point is that I don't always know what to do with the hardships I face. I don't always know how to choose joy and faith and trust. "Give it to God. Give it to God."

How?

It's easier said than done.

I guess for me, the worst part is just...now knowing why these trials are good for me. I know that Romans says suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5), and I believe it, but what part of my character is being developed? What am I supposed to learn from this...thing? Is it patience? How to love the unlovely? How to suffer graciously (at the very least)? Am I supposed to be that girl, who despite her pain, is always smiling? That is known for joy?

I see the testimony in that; I do. It's enough for me, even though I wish I had more to go on.

So when Shawn read that little bit out of John 4, I just felt this enormous swell in my spirit. This simple, wayward Samaritan woman had faith that one day, Messiah would explain everything to her people. Though she and Jesus had been conversing about the proper way to worship, I am confident that she was right. One day, Jesus will explain everything to me.

One day, I'll have the opportunity to see how the way of my suffering has made it possible for others to endure. I'll see how He was glorified by my expression of faith through grace when it was impossible to stand in any other way. I'll have the opportunity to stand in the company of souls who entered into eternity with the Father because of this unique testimony.

Isn't that something I ought to be proud of?

Knowing that I will know someday...I can't wait for that. I can't wait to see what God has done through me for His own glory.

*sigh* And...maybe I should just stop whining. After all, Jesus suffered first.

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

-Revelation 5:12

What Can You Not Help Speaking?

Key verses:

"And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times." Psalm 12:6

"For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:22

The more and more that I read God's Word, write it on my heart and put it into practice, the more I see how flawless and pure it is. I have tested it over and over through my life as a believer. It has brought hope and healing. It makes me wise and shows me the way of righteousness. It is my delight and my spiritual food. When I speak it, it goes out in power and accomplishes everything God purposes it to do. I am a container and messenger, a priestess of the Most High God. I cannot help but speak of Him and His Word because of all He and the Word has done in my life.

Last week when I got my hair cut, I was sharing about what God has been doing in my life, how I have put God's Word into practice and the amazing results that have taken place in my life and in the lives of those around me. I would occasionally glance around as I was talking and noticed that I had an audience. Others were listening as I was speaking to my hairdresser. God's Word was drawing them in. I don't know what it has done in their lives but it did what God wanted it to do. What a joy it is to see His Word and Spirit at work. What a joy that He allows us to be part of that work! In Acts, Peter and John could not help but share with anyone and everyone who would listen God's Word and what Jesus had done! I can do no less!

So, what are you doing with God's Word today? Where is He calling you to speak it and to whom? Are you ready to be a participant in His work? Are you ready to experience the adventure? Hang on! It's an awesome ride!

Father God, How I praise You and thank You for this glorious morning as I walked and praised You! Your Word came to me and encouraged me to press on though my muscles were telling me a different story. How I praise You and thank You for Your Word that is flawless and shines through the darkness. It is like the sun. Wherever I went, it was there with me. Your Word goes with me wherever I go, whether to a hair salon in Paso Robles or in Africa! I find such joy in sharing it and You with others.

In a world where what is vile is honored among men (Psalm 12:8), Your Word is timeless and flawless. It cuts to the heart of those who have ears to hear it. I love seeing lives transformed where Your Spirit and Word are at work!

I pray for those today that have wandered or become sidetracked. Draw them back to You and help them to put first things first. Clear the obstacles that are keeping them from spending time in Your Word and in Your presence. Thank You for the times that I have wandered and You have drawn me back. O how I praise You! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Where are You God?

Key verse: "And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?" Exodus 17:7

Many times, especially as baby Christians, we become cranky and doubt God is with us because we are not getting anything from Him. We want what we want and we want it NOW. We throw fits, mope and cry and say, "God must not love me!" or "Is He even real or there at all?" or as adolescent Christians we might say, "If You really loved me, You'd give me this!"

Just like the Israelites, our spiritual maturity is tested when we are in the desert. As I began the discipline of daily reading the Bible, there were periods of dryness where it seemed God wasn't speaking to me or answering me as quickly as I would like Him to. I could not "feel" His presence nor was I getting anything from Him. (or so I thought). But He was developing maturity and discipline in my life. Would I only seek Him and spend time with Him because of what He gave me?

Imagine a child only wanting to spend time with its father as long as the father had something for the child? How would that make the father feel? And if the father decided to delay or not give the child what he/she wanted, the child became angry, sulked and withheld affection from the father. That is a spoiled, ungrateful and immature child. What's worse, if the father allowed that kind of continued behavior, he would have a spoiled, ungrateful adult child.

So where are you today? Are you grateful for the things God has done for you and given you? He loves to give His children gifts but is that the only reason you come to Him? And if He isn't giving You what You want right NOW, are you withholding the affection He so rightly deserves?


Father God,
You are not only the Lord Who Provides, but the Lord My Banner. From You I receive everything I need like the manna the children of Israel received in the desert. You are the One who conquers our enemy and has won the battle over death through Your Son Jesus.

So many times in my early walk with You I only sought Your hand instead of Your face. You gave me so many wonderful gifts when I was first born. And You continue to give me wonderful gifts. But Your desire is that I would seek the Gift-Giver more than the gifts. There have been lessons in my life, some very difficult, that You have used to develop self-discipline, patience, mercy, grace and humility. My faith has grown strong regardless of how I feel at any given moment.

Thank You for being patient with me. Thank You for giving me just the right amount of discipline to turn me back to You. Thank You for not allowing me to become a spoiled adult. Thank You for humbling me and reminding me, like Joshua, that apart from You I can do nothing.

I pray for those today that may be frustrated or discouraged or even angry with You. Let them see that You are working everything out for their good. You are more concerned with their character than with their comfort. Develop us into spiritual oaks, whose roots go down deep, so that when times of dryness or famine or disaster or trial come, we will not fall or fall away. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Who Do You Go To

Where do we go to for spiritual enlightenment, or knowledge.It's unfortunate that we let the every day busyness of life get in the way of our relationship with God. I know everyone doesn't fall under this theft of Gods desire for us, but I confess that I myself am one of those unfortunate souls sometimes. I spend allot of time in my car with my job, and I found myself going to radio ministries music ministries, and I became confused, going in to many directions, in a state of confusion. And through this, God, in His perfect timing and grace once again has shown me that it is Him and Him alone that keeps me whole. He tells me that He will show me what I need to know and when I need to know it , it's his work that He is completing in me, and in His timing, in other words, He is saying I want you to desire Me, my word, my direction. So make time for Me and I will guide you. Busyness of life is not good for us,busyness in God is, its Gods desire, and pleasing to Him.


PSALM 73:24-25
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into
glory,
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire
besides you.

Forgive me God, for neglecting our time together and seeking counsel elesware, because of busyness of this world,
I ask that you restore me God, make me whole, break my heart Lord, so I would
desire for your counsel, and our time together, like you desire to be with me,