Rough. Day.
In my last post I talked about how our minds are a battlefield. So wouldn't you know that I'm having a raging battle lately.
As I sat in church this Sunday listening to the Pastor teach through Luke, one thing he said that has been on repeat in my mind was about obedience.
Sometimes, obedience is a touchy subject. Actually a LOT of times. Especially in our house. We've got boys. THREE of them and there is only four years separating the oldest from the youngest. So there are days when I say "just obey" countless times....there are days when I hear responses like "I can't wait til I'm grown up and I don't have to obey anyone and I can do whatever I want."
Ahh, I just have to laugh. Not at their back talking, that's not funny because it's sinful. But at the fact that all parents will inevitably hear words they once uttered to their parents in their youth.
Full Circle.
So, today....as the battle was raging and I was working through a great deal of emotion in my mind, the Lord in His infinite wisdom and great grace spoke to my heart through a passage I had hidden there, not one I read recently but one I taught through with my boys for over a week....
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right." 1 Samuel 12:23
My response to all that wars around me, is to respond in obedience to the Word of God. I read this quote from Spurgeon today, "Each man should use the word of God personally, practically and habitually, that he may see his way and see what lies in it."
It is absolutely my responsibility to read the word, study the word, and hide it in my heart so that I would not sin against the Lord.
As Samuel says in that chapter, I'm responsible for myself, my responses to others. No matter how 'shocked' I am, if the wrong done to me, my family or my friends by a believer is not outright sin, then I am instructed very clearly to simply pray for others.
So today as the war was waging in my heart and mind, and I run through all the 'options' of my responses...it all comes down to a simple choice. Obey God or don't.
It's like I respond to my boys all the time, "God Himself gives us boundaries to live within. Within those boundaries He guides us and protects us, if we stay in those boundaries we are not living in sin, if we step outside of those boundaries we are. We have to trust that following God within the boundaries He has given us is for our good and His glory. So, yes even as adults Mommy and Daddy still have to obey someone."
Sometimes they smile, sometimes they roll their eyes....my prayer is one day it sinks in...so that in those moments when they are fighting their battles, they choose obedience.
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
8.19.2013
11.07.2012
What if defeat is the spark of revival?
I missed it. Yup....the election...the focus of our country for countless months...I missed it. Did I vote? Absolutely...to me that is a privilege and an honor and the very least I can do as a "thank you" to those who gave their lives so I could do so. But the outcome? Yeah, I fell asleep. It was a long day. So somewhere shortly after I got my kids to bed I just fell asleep watching the news.
I woke up midway through the night and asked my husband...to which he replied.."four more years." My initial thought was not surprise...but disgust. I'm just being honest. Then as I settled back down to sleep, I woke up first thing this morning, and began praising God. You know...He was not surprised. He didn't fall asleep on the election and wake up in the middle of the night to find out the results. He already knew them.
But as I was running and praying this morning, the Lord began to burden my heart. What if He is using this to spark a revival within the hearts of Christ followers throughout our nation? And...what if...just maybe that revival is a call to faithful fervent prayer?
Sometimes circumstances don't go as we would like and often we resign ourselves to not praying...thinking "well it is what it is and we can't change it."
This morning as I was running, and thinking on the Lord and His goodness. Maybe...just maybe God Himself desires a drastic work in the hearts of His followers to be committed to His word and prayer above voicing our disgust in our political system. Let's face it....we have freedom in America that is unmatched elsewhere in our world. I dare say not one of us has been threatened with our lives in America.
The 'worst' persecution I've experienced is my sister telling me that in her will, she will not let me raise her boys because I believe in Jesus. That hurts...it stings....because I love her and those boys with all my heart...BUT....I love my Jesus and I will not deny Him to gain worldly things. I do not have to forsake my God for my country...my president or anyone else for that matter.
So...I began begging God this morning...to send revival.....fall fresh on us in America....start with me! Renew my heart to be fervently committed to pray for my president. It was not coincidence that this morning my quiet time was Romans 3.
Sweet sojourner of Christ, remember in the depths of your heart...if the Lord Himself can save you and I...He can save absolutely ANYONE.
"There is none righteous, no not one, there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God, all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one." Romans 3:10-12
I woke up midway through the night and asked my husband...to which he replied.."four more years." My initial thought was not surprise...but disgust. I'm just being honest. Then as I settled back down to sleep, I woke up first thing this morning, and began praising God. You know...He was not surprised. He didn't fall asleep on the election and wake up in the middle of the night to find out the results. He already knew them.
But as I was running and praying this morning, the Lord began to burden my heart. What if He is using this to spark a revival within the hearts of Christ followers throughout our nation? And...what if...just maybe that revival is a call to faithful fervent prayer?
Sometimes circumstances don't go as we would like and often we resign ourselves to not praying...thinking "well it is what it is and we can't change it."
This morning as I was running, and thinking on the Lord and His goodness. Maybe...just maybe God Himself desires a drastic work in the hearts of His followers to be committed to His word and prayer above voicing our disgust in our political system. Let's face it....we have freedom in America that is unmatched elsewhere in our world. I dare say not one of us has been threatened with our lives in America.
The 'worst' persecution I've experienced is my sister telling me that in her will, she will not let me raise her boys because I believe in Jesus. That hurts...it stings....because I love her and those boys with all my heart...BUT....I love my Jesus and I will not deny Him to gain worldly things. I do not have to forsake my God for my country...my president or anyone else for that matter.
So...I began begging God this morning...to send revival.....fall fresh on us in America....start with me! Renew my heart to be fervently committed to pray for my president. It was not coincidence that this morning my quiet time was Romans 3.
Sweet sojourner of Christ, remember in the depths of your heart...if the Lord Himself can save you and I...He can save absolutely ANYONE.
"There is none righteous, no not one, there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God, all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one." Romans 3:10-12
AND
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
So...I appeal to you, anyone who reads this or stumbles across this, would you join me in fervent prayer for our leaders not to make the right decisions...but to have the eyes of their hearts opened the the sweet love our of Jesus....to pray that as a nation we would be a people with soft and ready hearts to hear the word of God, to receive it and to act on it and live it out. Being honest, as believers we know....that salvation is the start...all the rest...making right decisions, living a life that honors God...that follows salvation...because truly Christ is the answer. So let's get crazy.
Let's live it out...let's pray EXPECTING that God Himself hears (John 11:41-42) and that He, the God of all creation will pour out His Spirit afresh on our nation. Ask....but ask believing that God will act. Do not ask defeated...do not allow the doubt, anger or frustration to have a foothold. Don't do it. Stand in the victory of Christ and rest on His Sovereignty. Then, if you are so inclined...fall on your face before your Maker and beg for revival. We all need it to some extent...and if we lay it all down...God sees people as saved or lost. That's all. His word tells us He doesn't want any to perish but all to come to eternal life.
Roll up your sleeves...let's get busy...let's PRAY WITHOUT CEASING (1 Thes. 5:17) Can we join together to pray for salvation to fall afresh on our country? Can we trust that God really is who He says He is, and He is so much bigger than a political party and that God is far more concerned with our hearts than our voter registration?
2.21.2012
Choosing to Forgive
This morning in our Bible study with the boys, we were talking about forgiveness. Since the boys are getting older I am able to share more of the things that the Lord has brought me through by His grace. I think that is so very powerful. I know that I love to hear what the Lord does in the lives of His people. Having not grown up in a Christian home, I can only imagine how powerful it would be to see your parents seek Jesus.
So today, I shared an experience with my boys that sometimes I still struggle with. Very personal. Very real. Yet at the same time, God, who is rich in mercy...continues to heal my heart even now.
Our verse was "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
We talked through this verse, reading it and rereading it. Then as we were closing in prayer, the Lord blessed my soul with this.
For us to give forgiveness to others who have wronged us or hurt us doesn't require us to die on a cross. It just requires us to trust God.
This is so powerful to me. I hope it blesses your heart as well. Honestly. When we forgive, all we have to do is trust the Lord for the outcome. Forgiveness is a command. We are told to forgive. It is not strongly suggested that we forgive others. We are told: forgive, just as in Christ God forgave you.
God's forgiveness towards us is perfect and cleansing. Because not only does He forgive us, He removes our sins. He forgives the depths of our sinfulness for His glory...because of Christ's accomplishment on Calvary.
Christ laid His life down. He endured the Cross. Crucifixion. For the sake of our souls.
When God says forgive...He knows it won't be easy. Forgiveness isn't easy...I think forgiveness is a refining process for believers, at least in my life it is. Yet when you think on the Cross, and what Jesus did, certainly "easy" is not a word that would describe it.
I must choose to forgive, and sometimes I have to choose it repeatedly. It's a matter of obedience. Sometimes you'll have a dear friend come to you in crisis....going through a trial that you've been through...God brought you through it, so that He could use you for His glory. Many times over the years, I've been able to minister and encourage dear sisters in Christ through trials that the Lord has brought me through already. It's all for His glory. He allowed things in my life so that I would testify to His goodness and help others through the same issue. Sometimes those trials bring back old hurt, past pain. I've forgiven the one who hurt me or broke my trust, but when confronted with someone who is fresh in the midst of the same pain I went through, often that pain is revived in my own life.
It's in those moments that I must again choose forgiveness. I choose to trust that God's word is right and true and His command to forgive is absolutely without doubt for my own good.
Forgiving someone often has very little to do with that other person. It's simply about having your heart right before the Lord. Obeying His command to forgive others. Refusing to forgive doesn't usually hurt the other person. It hurts you. The bitterness and anger harbored in your heart debilitates you, not the one who did wrong to you.
Choosing to trust God that when I extend forgiveness as He commands me to, believing that He will work out all the details for my own good. Remember, we are being conformed to the image of His own Son.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:28-29
My soul is blessed by the simplicity of His truth.
Obey.
Forgive.
Trust.
So today, I shared an experience with my boys that sometimes I still struggle with. Very personal. Very real. Yet at the same time, God, who is rich in mercy...continues to heal my heart even now.
Our verse was "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
We talked through this verse, reading it and rereading it. Then as we were closing in prayer, the Lord blessed my soul with this.
For us to give forgiveness to others who have wronged us or hurt us doesn't require us to die on a cross. It just requires us to trust God.
This is so powerful to me. I hope it blesses your heart as well. Honestly. When we forgive, all we have to do is trust the Lord for the outcome. Forgiveness is a command. We are told to forgive. It is not strongly suggested that we forgive others. We are told: forgive, just as in Christ God forgave you.
God's forgiveness towards us is perfect and cleansing. Because not only does He forgive us, He removes our sins. He forgives the depths of our sinfulness for His glory...because of Christ's accomplishment on Calvary.
Christ laid His life down. He endured the Cross. Crucifixion. For the sake of our souls.
When God says forgive...He knows it won't be easy. Forgiveness isn't easy...I think forgiveness is a refining process for believers, at least in my life it is. Yet when you think on the Cross, and what Jesus did, certainly "easy" is not a word that would describe it.
I must choose to forgive, and sometimes I have to choose it repeatedly. It's a matter of obedience. Sometimes you'll have a dear friend come to you in crisis....going through a trial that you've been through...God brought you through it, so that He could use you for His glory. Many times over the years, I've been able to minister and encourage dear sisters in Christ through trials that the Lord has brought me through already. It's all for His glory. He allowed things in my life so that I would testify to His goodness and help others through the same issue. Sometimes those trials bring back old hurt, past pain. I've forgiven the one who hurt me or broke my trust, but when confronted with someone who is fresh in the midst of the same pain I went through, often that pain is revived in my own life.
It's in those moments that I must again choose forgiveness. I choose to trust that God's word is right and true and His command to forgive is absolutely without doubt for my own good.
Forgiving someone often has very little to do with that other person. It's simply about having your heart right before the Lord. Obeying His command to forgive others. Refusing to forgive doesn't usually hurt the other person. It hurts you. The bitterness and anger harbored in your heart debilitates you, not the one who did wrong to you.
Choosing to trust God that when I extend forgiveness as He commands me to, believing that He will work out all the details for my own good. Remember, we are being conformed to the image of His own Son.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:28-29
My soul is blessed by the simplicity of His truth.
Obey.
Forgive.
Trust.
9.21.2011
...establish our hearts...
“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” James 5:8-9
I was reading through James this morning, and just kept thinking about the amazing grace of God. He draws us to Himself through His word. He uses His word to refine our hearts, He comforts us with His word, He restores us with His word. Dear friend, the Bible is ever so relevant!!! I am amazed, His word is fresh, and as Hebrews 4:12 says, “living and active”
I love His promises in Jeremiah 29:12-14, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD...” He promises us when we seek Him with all our heart He will be found by us!!!
I kept thinking, how do we establish our hearts? When we say establish, we tend to think beginning or start up. Often you can walk through your town and see the year it was “established” But in this scripture establish means to: “to make stable, place firmly, set fast. To render constant.”
To me this is so convicting. How can we keep our hearts constant? There is so much we get distracted by, and I say that as one who stays home and homeschools. Our world is full of distractions, things vying for not just our attention, because we have to give our attention to things in order to live a productive life...but I believe there is a lot in the world that not only grabs our attention but takes our minds captive, which can easily render us ineffective for the Lord, and shake our resolve to keep our hearts established in the Lord.
So as I was studying in James about what it means to establish my heart, one of the cross references in Scripture where this word is used also is in Romans 16:25, “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages...”
It is the Lord who strengthens and establishes our hearts. I believe though we must have an active faith....meaning as in James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” Sometimes we ask God to develop godly character, but it isn't for the right reasons. It may be to gain a good reputation, it may be to attain a leadership position within the church or at work.
I think when we come to the Lord broken and needy, just asking Him to show Himself in and through our lives..just for His namesake...we will see Him do a magnificent work.
I believe when the Spirit of the Living God indwells our hearts, our lives will reflect that....not in one specific way that we would all be the same...but rather, each according to the gifts God has given. I praise the Lord daily for how He designs us each individually. I look at my boys, and as I teach them...I can see already at the ages of 3, 5 and 7 that the Lord has made them all so different...with strengths, weaknesses and tendencies. Oh, how I fervently pray the Lord draws them to Himself to use their gifts for His glory as they grow.
I believe it is our job to ask. We must ask God for a firm faith, an established heart. I believe with all my heart, we should pray His word back to Him. Some of my favorites to present to Him in prayer for a firm heart are:
“Create within me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 and
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
and when I'm asking the Lord to give me a steadfast heart to study His word:
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
and
“Call to Me and I will answer you and teach you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
I just want a hungry established heart that seeks and honors God. I want that for my children so much!!
Sometimes the want is not enough though, I have to continue to ask God fervently for the want to turn into action...the action of actively petitioning the Lord for that. I have to trust that God will establish my heart in His word, He will draw me to Himself and He will draw my children to Him.
I was reading through James this morning, and just kept thinking about the amazing grace of God. He draws us to Himself through His word. He uses His word to refine our hearts, He comforts us with His word, He restores us with His word. Dear friend, the Bible is ever so relevant!!! I am amazed, His word is fresh, and as Hebrews 4:12 says, “living and active”
I love His promises in Jeremiah 29:12-14, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD...” He promises us when we seek Him with all our heart He will be found by us!!!
I kept thinking, how do we establish our hearts? When we say establish, we tend to think beginning or start up. Often you can walk through your town and see the year it was “established” But in this scripture establish means to: “to make stable, place firmly, set fast. To render constant.”
To me this is so convicting. How can we keep our hearts constant? There is so much we get distracted by, and I say that as one who stays home and homeschools. Our world is full of distractions, things vying for not just our attention, because we have to give our attention to things in order to live a productive life...but I believe there is a lot in the world that not only grabs our attention but takes our minds captive, which can easily render us ineffective for the Lord, and shake our resolve to keep our hearts established in the Lord.
So as I was studying in James about what it means to establish my heart, one of the cross references in Scripture where this word is used also is in Romans 16:25, “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages...”
It is the Lord who strengthens and establishes our hearts. I believe though we must have an active faith....meaning as in James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” Sometimes we ask God to develop godly character, but it isn't for the right reasons. It may be to gain a good reputation, it may be to attain a leadership position within the church or at work.
I think when we come to the Lord broken and needy, just asking Him to show Himself in and through our lives..just for His namesake...we will see Him do a magnificent work.
I believe when the Spirit of the Living God indwells our hearts, our lives will reflect that....not in one specific way that we would all be the same...but rather, each according to the gifts God has given. I praise the Lord daily for how He designs us each individually. I look at my boys, and as I teach them...I can see already at the ages of 3, 5 and 7 that the Lord has made them all so different...with strengths, weaknesses and tendencies. Oh, how I fervently pray the Lord draws them to Himself to use their gifts for His glory as they grow.
I believe it is our job to ask. We must ask God for a firm faith, an established heart. I believe with all my heart, we should pray His word back to Him. Some of my favorites to present to Him in prayer for a firm heart are:
“Create within me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 and
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
and when I'm asking the Lord to give me a steadfast heart to study His word:
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
and
“Call to Me and I will answer you and teach you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
I just want a hungry established heart that seeks and honors God. I want that for my children so much!!
Sometimes the want is not enough though, I have to continue to ask God fervently for the want to turn into action...the action of actively petitioning the Lord for that. I have to trust that God will establish my heart in His word, He will draw me to Himself and He will draw my children to Him.
7.14.2011
Making Tracks to Great Destinations!
Over the last 16 months, the Lord has been teaching my husband and I a whole new meaning to hard work. I think most of our closest friends would not say we are lazy..by the grace of God. It is so refreshing to my soul, that the Lord in His omniscience, gave the following verse to my husband and I as our life verse when we first got married:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Col. 3:23-24
Along with Colossians 3:23, my sweet husband and I have been encouraging one another with "anything worth having is worth working hard for." This applies to everything. Marriage. Parenting. Work. Homeschooling. Friendship. Family.
Every time I think hard work, I think Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
I know some people think, well what could possibly be so hard about your "job" you stay at home. Well....I have to admit I used to wonder what stay at home moms did all day. Yes....I did. That was before the Lord made me one. Now I know the question is not, "what do stay at home moms do all day?" but rather it is, "What don't stay at home moms do?" I joke often when my good friend, "I've got stay at home mom induced ADD." I am so used to running from start to finish always doing more than two or three things at once, I can't focus on just one!
So, this weekend, our sweet three year old, who by the way is not just interested in Thomas, but thinks he is Thomas....said, "Hey Mommy, Daddy is making tracks to great destinations." I just smiled. Really, I treasured that in my heart. I just kept meditating on that.
Because if Daddy is making tracks, who is following them? These boys! So where are his tracks leading these boys? Let's be honest...in the words of a three year old...the "greatest destination" is a relationship with Jesus Christ. That does not mean a perfect life...but rather a surrendered one. A hopeful one, a trusting one. A hard working one. I'm not talking about the work that we all can fall into thinking will somehow earn us favor with God...but rather working hard in the roles God has ordained in our lives. For my husband, that is husband, leader, provider, father, friend and son. For me, wife, mother, friend, aunt, sister and daughter.
We have roles that God has given us, He leads us each day. He does it by relationship. You know, the more you are in His word, the clearer your purpose becomes. The deeper your relationship grows with Him. Your heart is transformed by His word...remember dear friend, "He sent out his word and healed them,and delivered them from their destruction" Psalm 107:20
One day, I want to reap a harvest of three boys trusting in Christ for salvation. I'm not expecting or even asking for perfect children. Just begging God to save their souls for His glory. To empower them to one day, understand His grace...and seek after Him with their whole hearts!!!
I'm asking God daily for the grace to make tracks before our children that lead straight to Him. Be it when I fail miserably and sin against God, that through the humility of repentance or when God graciously leads me in victory over sin..whatever circumstance it is, the God get the glory...that these boys see what a life trusting in Jesus looks like!!!
Let me encourage you dear one, if you are in relationship with the Lord, nurture it!! Get in His word, be on your face in prayer!! If you are not in relationship with Jesus..well let today be "the day of salvation"....oh friend, thank you for reading this blog....and please consider asking Christ to be your Savior!! We all need Him, and He welcomes us freely with open arms....constantly. Not just in saving us, but daily in relationship...because it was He who created us for His glory!!!
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Col. 3:23-24
Along with Colossians 3:23, my sweet husband and I have been encouraging one another with "anything worth having is worth working hard for." This applies to everything. Marriage. Parenting. Work. Homeschooling. Friendship. Family.
Every time I think hard work, I think Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
I know some people think, well what could possibly be so hard about your "job" you stay at home. Well....I have to admit I used to wonder what stay at home moms did all day. Yes....I did. That was before the Lord made me one. Now I know the question is not, "what do stay at home moms do all day?" but rather it is, "What don't stay at home moms do?" I joke often when my good friend, "I've got stay at home mom induced ADD." I am so used to running from start to finish always doing more than two or three things at once, I can't focus on just one!
So, this weekend, our sweet three year old, who by the way is not just interested in Thomas, but thinks he is Thomas....said, "Hey Mommy, Daddy is making tracks to great destinations." I just smiled. Really, I treasured that in my heart. I just kept meditating on that.
Because if Daddy is making tracks, who is following them? These boys! So where are his tracks leading these boys? Let's be honest...in the words of a three year old...the "greatest destination" is a relationship with Jesus Christ. That does not mean a perfect life...but rather a surrendered one. A hopeful one, a trusting one. A hard working one. I'm not talking about the work that we all can fall into thinking will somehow earn us favor with God...but rather working hard in the roles God has ordained in our lives. For my husband, that is husband, leader, provider, father, friend and son. For me, wife, mother, friend, aunt, sister and daughter.
We have roles that God has given us, He leads us each day. He does it by relationship. You know, the more you are in His word, the clearer your purpose becomes. The deeper your relationship grows with Him. Your heart is transformed by His word...remember dear friend, "He sent out his word and healed them,and delivered them from their destruction" Psalm 107:20
One day, I want to reap a harvest of three boys trusting in Christ for salvation. I'm not expecting or even asking for perfect children. Just begging God to save their souls for His glory. To empower them to one day, understand His grace...and seek after Him with their whole hearts!!!
I'm asking God daily for the grace to make tracks before our children that lead straight to Him. Be it when I fail miserably and sin against God, that through the humility of repentance or when God graciously leads me in victory over sin..whatever circumstance it is, the God get the glory...that these boys see what a life trusting in Jesus looks like!!!
Let me encourage you dear one, if you are in relationship with the Lord, nurture it!! Get in His word, be on your face in prayer!! If you are not in relationship with Jesus..well let today be "the day of salvation"....oh friend, thank you for reading this blog....and please consider asking Christ to be your Savior!! We all need Him, and He welcomes us freely with open arms....constantly. Not just in saving us, but daily in relationship...because it was He who created us for His glory!!!
10.22.2009
Fearless Confidence
"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." Hebrews 10:35-36
God is so good! I am reading through Hebrews right now and just digesting every bite, His word is all encompassing, it is new every morning, it is amazing!! In the midst of what is going on in my life, the Lord kindly led me to this passage this morning and in studying the original text, it's just so refreshingly challenging to me all the more that I must keep my thoughts captive to Christ. The writer of Hebrews has just finished an absolutely amazing description of what Christ really accomplished for His own. Hebrews is so rich, it was hard for me to just grab onto these two verses, but the Lord just showed me as I debate in my mind..what is possibly the next course in our lives, I am not to forsake my confidence, which means (in the Greek): free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness or assurance.
Here I am just concerned about the possibilities and the Lord is simply saying, "rest in my word child." I think the older I get and the more I learn about who I am, I just see I am such a planner, and it is huge for me to put something at the Lord's feet and leave it there, without mentally entertaining the possibilities of different plans. I have to continue to rest in the confidence the Lord has given me. IN the context of this passage ultimately the word is talking about our confidence in Christ and what He has done for us on the cross,and our eternal security as followers of Christ. So as I studied this passage and these particular verses I just felt the Lord overwhelming me with victory. It is my confidence (which He has given me) in Him that keeps me...and even though by "default" I am a planner, and want to know certainties, it is in the uncertainties that I have seen the most amazing display of God Himself in my life and in the lives of those around me.
Isn't just endearing how in all the endless possibilities of life God is there, CONSTANT. He tells us He is the same yesterday, today and yes forever! (Heb 13:8) He is unchangeable, and He IS LOVE! I am humbled by this, because I know me and I honestly would be so sick of me..so sick of teaching the same lessons over and over again, and yet continually in His word the Lord affirms what He teaches me and does so through different scriptures and just at the times I need it. I love how in James, His word promises that "He gives a greater grace. 'Therefore it is said, "God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:6-7 It's so simple, as I am a planner and love to hash out in my mind the possibilities of the future, I must simply humble myself before the Lord, resting in His hand and just wait on Him, refusing to give the devil a foothold into my mind. I remember a few years ago I read this, "The primary battlefield is the mind" by Beth Moore. I loved it then, and still do because that has given me so much freedom to put things into the proper biblical perspective. My battles are mostly in the mind, and God graciously promises that if I resist the devil he will flee from me. So I am learning about myself that my planning is responsible and beneficial to a point, and that point is where all the thoughts rolling around in my head turn to worry, and then distrust of the Lord...which is obvious sin, then I must repent and ask God to help me keep my thoughts captive....but I must humble myself before Him.
I have this fearles confidence in Christ, in the words of the Psalmist, "The LORD is for me; I wil not fear, what can man do to me?" Pslam 118:6 and "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?: Psalm 56:11
So this gift, of fearless confidence we have in Christ, must be guarded because I need to be on my toes against my enemies, my flesh and the devil. I need not give these two a foothold. I must instead undergird my mind and my heart with the living and active (Heb 4:12) word of God. "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Col. 3:16
I just feel like the Lord is captivating and cultivating my heart so much lately and I am so grateful for His continued work in my life. I am so thankful He has not forsaken me and left me to myself...what a mess! Instead I can say "victory in Jesus, my Savior forever!" How sweet are the words of Praise to the One and Only, the "Lamb of God!"
God is so good! I am reading through Hebrews right now and just digesting every bite, His word is all encompassing, it is new every morning, it is amazing!! In the midst of what is going on in my life, the Lord kindly led me to this passage this morning and in studying the original text, it's just so refreshingly challenging to me all the more that I must keep my thoughts captive to Christ. The writer of Hebrews has just finished an absolutely amazing description of what Christ really accomplished for His own. Hebrews is so rich, it was hard for me to just grab onto these two verses, but the Lord just showed me as I debate in my mind..what is possibly the next course in our lives, I am not to forsake my confidence, which means (in the Greek): free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness or assurance.
Here I am just concerned about the possibilities and the Lord is simply saying, "rest in my word child." I think the older I get and the more I learn about who I am, I just see I am such a planner, and it is huge for me to put something at the Lord's feet and leave it there, without mentally entertaining the possibilities of different plans. I have to continue to rest in the confidence the Lord has given me. IN the context of this passage ultimately the word is talking about our confidence in Christ and what He has done for us on the cross,and our eternal security as followers of Christ. So as I studied this passage and these particular verses I just felt the Lord overwhelming me with victory. It is my confidence (which He has given me) in Him that keeps me...and even though by "default" I am a planner, and want to know certainties, it is in the uncertainties that I have seen the most amazing display of God Himself in my life and in the lives of those around me.
Isn't just endearing how in all the endless possibilities of life God is there, CONSTANT. He tells us He is the same yesterday, today and yes forever! (Heb 13:8) He is unchangeable, and He IS LOVE! I am humbled by this, because I know me and I honestly would be so sick of me..so sick of teaching the same lessons over and over again, and yet continually in His word the Lord affirms what He teaches me and does so through different scriptures and just at the times I need it. I love how in James, His word promises that "He gives a greater grace. 'Therefore it is said, "God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:6-7 It's so simple, as I am a planner and love to hash out in my mind the possibilities of the future, I must simply humble myself before the Lord, resting in His hand and just wait on Him, refusing to give the devil a foothold into my mind. I remember a few years ago I read this, "The primary battlefield is the mind" by Beth Moore. I loved it then, and still do because that has given me so much freedom to put things into the proper biblical perspective. My battles are mostly in the mind, and God graciously promises that if I resist the devil he will flee from me. So I am learning about myself that my planning is responsible and beneficial to a point, and that point is where all the thoughts rolling around in my head turn to worry, and then distrust of the Lord...which is obvious sin, then I must repent and ask God to help me keep my thoughts captive....but I must humble myself before Him.
I have this fearles confidence in Christ, in the words of the Psalmist, "The LORD is for me; I wil not fear, what can man do to me?" Pslam 118:6 and "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?: Psalm 56:11
So this gift, of fearless confidence we have in Christ, must be guarded because I need to be on my toes against my enemies, my flesh and the devil. I need not give these two a foothold. I must instead undergird my mind and my heart with the living and active (Heb 4:12) word of God. "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Col. 3:16
I just feel like the Lord is captivating and cultivating my heart so much lately and I am so grateful for His continued work in my life. I am so thankful He has not forsaken me and left me to myself...what a mess! Instead I can say "victory in Jesus, my Savior forever!" How sweet are the words of Praise to the One and Only, the "Lamb of God!"
10.15.2009
So...what's plan B?
So we are in the midst of a lot of changes in our home. My husband after years of prayer and lots of searching has taken a new job in a new field. He was in his previous field for 9 years, so this change wasn't flippant. We prayed together for this for at least the last four years, that I can recall. So needless to say the way all the details worked out we sincerely believed that the Lord was leading us this way.
I say "was" because he is in the second week of training and it's seriously difficult. He has exams and quizzes all the time, and he's essentially got 6 weeks to learn the material so he can take his licensing exams. He didn't start off with fantastic marks, which welcomed the doubt right into our hearts. Why is that? Why is it that we felt so confident that this career change was the Lord's will and then one discouraging incident causes us to doubt? Well, first and foremost because we are sinners, and we are confined by the sinful flesh, although set free in Christ, we all too often do not die to our flesh and allow sin to work in our members (much to our dismay).... and then also because my husband and I believe wholeheartedly in the absolute Sovereignty of God. That means without question the Lord will accomplish His will on earth as He determines it.
People keep asking us, "what is Plan B?" Well, after two weeks into this transition, God has shown Himself to us so mercifully it brings tears to my eyes to know and experience a God who is so merciful and tender with me because I know the depths of me and I am disgusting. I know my heart, and it's sinful.
See all along we thought this career path was Plan A, failing to live out, "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21. With the anxiety of not doing as well as we thought and the position of the employer being that if he does not pass the test, he will be terminated. We know that if he does not pass the test, we are in for some crazy time. But here's the thing....God is PLAN A! This career path is not plan A, and if the Lord has led us this way, and He chooses for my husband to not pass his exams, then that is the Lord's best for us, and we will take it in faith! Plan B, is our plan....for my husband to give it his all, for us to be crying out to God on our faces before Him, asking Him to keep us both from an evil unbelieving heart. A few days ago the Lord led me to begin soaking through Hebrews for awhile during my quiet time, and I have been so humbled, so encouraged and felt so loved by the power of His word.
"Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is {still} called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
So, do I want my husband to succeed and pass his exams? Well absolutely, and I want him to do this job, because I know he is passionate about many areas of it, and I know my spouse and I know this is something the Lord has gifted him to do. I believe that the Lord has led us into this, and I know that "Faithful is He who calls you, He will also bring it to pass." 1 Thes. 5:24
But God n His infinite mercy has shown me how I have fallen so greatly with an evil unbelieving heart and failed to continue to encourage my husband, my brother in Christ, daily...as long as it is called today. I am his wife, but before that I am his sister in Christ, and I must spur him onward towards holiness, and how can I do that being Nellie Negative? It's impossible, and contrary to God's word! Now I am NOT talking about any kind of positive thinking or prosperity gospel here. I am plainly saying God is showing me in His word that I am to "take captive my thoughts to the obedience of Christ," (2 cor 10:5) and "whatsoever is true, think on such things" (Phil 4:8-9) to guard my heart constantly in the Word of Christ so that as long as it is "Today" I will encourage my husband while he continues to put in the time and effort to do the very best he can, and with God's help honor the Lord in his studies...and Lord willing pass these exams. God can do anything. I believe that with all my heart, I have seen amazing things in my short life. I believe with all my heart that we will in time see God's perfect plan for this transition in our lives, and I am certain the Lord is far more concerned with my spiritual position than any other I could ever "hold."
I am however, until exam day, fervently crying out to God to give my husband the grace to pass these exams. I am choosing to believe no matter the outcome that God's will IS perfect, will be accomplished, and is the absolute best for me. I am choosing to worship and serve Him while I am waiting on Him, that His name is magnified in this life!
I say "was" because he is in the second week of training and it's seriously difficult. He has exams and quizzes all the time, and he's essentially got 6 weeks to learn the material so he can take his licensing exams. He didn't start off with fantastic marks, which welcomed the doubt right into our hearts. Why is that? Why is it that we felt so confident that this career change was the Lord's will and then one discouraging incident causes us to doubt? Well, first and foremost because we are sinners, and we are confined by the sinful flesh, although set free in Christ, we all too often do not die to our flesh and allow sin to work in our members (much to our dismay).... and then also because my husband and I believe wholeheartedly in the absolute Sovereignty of God. That means without question the Lord will accomplish His will on earth as He determines it.
People keep asking us, "what is Plan B?" Well, after two weeks into this transition, God has shown Himself to us so mercifully it brings tears to my eyes to know and experience a God who is so merciful and tender with me because I know the depths of me and I am disgusting. I know my heart, and it's sinful.
See all along we thought this career path was Plan A, failing to live out, "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21. With the anxiety of not doing as well as we thought and the position of the employer being that if he does not pass the test, he will be terminated. We know that if he does not pass the test, we are in for some crazy time. But here's the thing....God is PLAN A! This career path is not plan A, and if the Lord has led us this way, and He chooses for my husband to not pass his exams, then that is the Lord's best for us, and we will take it in faith! Plan B, is our plan....for my husband to give it his all, for us to be crying out to God on our faces before Him, asking Him to keep us both from an evil unbelieving heart. A few days ago the Lord led me to begin soaking through Hebrews for awhile during my quiet time, and I have been so humbled, so encouraged and felt so loved by the power of His word.
"Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is {still} called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13
So, do I want my husband to succeed and pass his exams? Well absolutely, and I want him to do this job, because I know he is passionate about many areas of it, and I know my spouse and I know this is something the Lord has gifted him to do. I believe that the Lord has led us into this, and I know that "Faithful is He who calls you, He will also bring it to pass." 1 Thes. 5:24
But God n His infinite mercy has shown me how I have fallen so greatly with an evil unbelieving heart and failed to continue to encourage my husband, my brother in Christ, daily...as long as it is called today. I am his wife, but before that I am his sister in Christ, and I must spur him onward towards holiness, and how can I do that being Nellie Negative? It's impossible, and contrary to God's word! Now I am NOT talking about any kind of positive thinking or prosperity gospel here. I am plainly saying God is showing me in His word that I am to "take captive my thoughts to the obedience of Christ," (2 cor 10:5) and "whatsoever is true, think on such things" (Phil 4:8-9) to guard my heart constantly in the Word of Christ so that as long as it is "Today" I will encourage my husband while he continues to put in the time and effort to do the very best he can, and with God's help honor the Lord in his studies...and Lord willing pass these exams. God can do anything. I believe that with all my heart, I have seen amazing things in my short life. I believe with all my heart that we will in time see God's perfect plan for this transition in our lives, and I am certain the Lord is far more concerned with my spiritual position than any other I could ever "hold."
I am however, until exam day, fervently crying out to God to give my husband the grace to pass these exams. I am choosing to believe no matter the outcome that God's will IS perfect, will be accomplished, and is the absolute best for me. I am choosing to worship and serve Him while I am waiting on Him, that His name is magnified in this life!
12.29.2008
late night ponderings...
it's pretty quiet in my house besides the hum of the goodman unit outside that heats our house and the buzz of the computer I hear nothing....it's the latest I've stayed up in a good 6 months, and I just keep pondering things in my mind. See I've got a lot of uncertainties right now. Some health issues I've got to get checked out, and to be honest I've always been a bit of a pessimist with my health, I don't know why...I suppose my upbringing, and also I'm very aware that God is the One who is in control, and that our health and the air we breathe is a gift of His abundant grace. Ever since the Lord has allowed me to be a mother, I've also wanted to be a grandmother...really though that desire began as a young girl...see my Grams was everything to me....she was amazing, and she lived to be 88, what an incredible blessing. She taught me about love...she lived love. She was great, and I miss her, and one day, Lord willing I want to be that "grams" to my sons' children....oh...what a blessing.
Okay, but back to my pondering...I keep going in circles in my mind...do you ever do that? It's like I think through an issue to the "end" and then re-think and re-think and re-think some more...and at some point God in His infinite wisdom leads me through His word and comforts my soul. Primarily Proverbs 19:21 has been going through my heart a LOT lately..."many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" but then as I've allowed my mind to think the worst, and accept it...I've found comfort in thinking I know what God's plan for my life is...then tonight as I was riding home, the Lord brought me to the all too familiar passage in Jeremiah. I think we allow His word to become to "common" for our lives sometimes...we say.."I know that" ....so I know...what now? REND MY HEART....LIVE IT! So I'm just holding onto the Lord right now, I'm clinging to His word, "For I KNOW the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future, plans to prosper you and not to harm you" Jeremiah 29:11. So that means, whatever lies ahead..God knows....and it will be giving me a hope and a future. I'm just going to lay it down, try daily to stop fretting...and give it to God, I'm fervently calling out to Him for His mercy and His healing in my life.
I love my kids and I love my husband, and I love my family, but what I'm learning lately...is how am I showing those I love that I love my Lord? If you read this...I'd ask..please be in prayer for me...as I do pursue some answers to the health concerns I've got, and for my family...just that we would prioritize Christ as Head of our home...over ourselves...and that our children would see Jesus and His glory in our lives.
Okay, but back to my pondering...I keep going in circles in my mind...do you ever do that? It's like I think through an issue to the "end" and then re-think and re-think and re-think some more...and at some point God in His infinite wisdom leads me through His word and comforts my soul. Primarily Proverbs 19:21 has been going through my heart a LOT lately..."many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" but then as I've allowed my mind to think the worst, and accept it...I've found comfort in thinking I know what God's plan for my life is...then tonight as I was riding home, the Lord brought me to the all too familiar passage in Jeremiah. I think we allow His word to become to "common" for our lives sometimes...we say.."I know that" ....so I know...what now? REND MY HEART....LIVE IT! So I'm just holding onto the Lord right now, I'm clinging to His word, "For I KNOW the plans I have for you, plans to give you a hope and a future, plans to prosper you and not to harm you" Jeremiah 29:11. So that means, whatever lies ahead..God knows....and it will be giving me a hope and a future. I'm just going to lay it down, try daily to stop fretting...and give it to God, I'm fervently calling out to Him for His mercy and His healing in my life.
I love my kids and I love my husband, and I love my family, but what I'm learning lately...is how am I showing those I love that I love my Lord? If you read this...I'd ask..please be in prayer for me...as I do pursue some answers to the health concerns I've got, and for my family...just that we would prioritize Christ as Head of our home...over ourselves...and that our children would see Jesus and His glory in our lives.
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