DAY 12: Be Gone Controlling Spirit

Did you know that God is real? He is Creator of the universe? He's Author and Finisher of faith... He is sovereign, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. I could go on and on and continue to ascribe to you the Greatness that is the Lord. Yet despite my knowledge of His greatness, I like to be in control of things. Is it just me? So over the past few years, my gracious Lord has been slowly but surely whittling away at my need to be in control. I really have felt great peace work in my life as I have surrendered both the big and little things in my life to Him. I watched as He diligently showed me that He's the same God that provided for Elijah at the brook by sending to ravens to feed him there during the famine (1 Kings 17). I've been awed as He has consistently showed me that He's the same God who delivered on the promises he made to Abraham when he told him to 'go' and he promised to meet him "there" (Genesis 12). I've been astounded as he's continually shown that he is the same gracious and merciful God that spared the children of Israel time and time again even though they were hard-headed. In the midst of it all, what I am reminded of daily is that He's much better at this whole controlling-my-life thing than I am.

When I can't think of what to do next, he's there. But the problem is that first I have to let go. I have to be willing to make His plans come to fruition and not mine. When I don't think I'm ready for something, he's there. When my fears kick in, he's there. When my energy is low, he strengthens me. He is detail-oriented and hasn't forgotten a single thing about me or you. I'm just in awe yet again today of how grateful I am that the controlling spirit that wants to take up permanent residence in my life is not more like a visitor now and again and I'm truly looking forward to the day when it is has completely moved away.

My prayer for you today is that you would be encouraged to rest in Proverbs 3:5-6 and that that controlling spirit in your life will stay at bay...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. 

Blessings,
Pastor Andrea

DAY 6: Grrrr...umble

It's funny how sneaky negative emotions can be. There you are, going about your day with a smile, then someone asks you a question or you are just having a basic conversation and you realize that negativity is about to slip out of your lips. That was me today. There I was, mindin' my own business, having a chat with a friend and realized that I was about to say something that wasn't necessary. It was one of those things that, had I said it it would have been like starting up an engine and taking both me and the other person on a ride through Murmurville.

Today, I caught myself, but how many other times have I failed that test miserably? How many times do I act like the Children of Israel did in the desert and murmur and complain when things aren't just the way I'd like? Countless. I have read Exodus often and thought that they seemed just like me--always with something to say about a situation and not always fully trusting the Lord to bring it all together. As I wonder about marriage and family and new direction for my life, I find myself sensitive about what words I speak. I try my best to speak life to who I am and what I will become knowing that 'death and life are in the power of my tongue' (Proverbs 18:21). So why is it then that negative words become so easy to spew?

James 3:7 calls the tongue "a fire, and a world of unrighteousness", but today I really want to set my mind, my heart and my tongue in line to be a fire that burns for Christ's righteousness and positivity. Be encouraged that you can make a decision mid-sentence to change the trajectory of any conversation for the better. If you find yourself in the midst of causing a brush fire, snuff out the flame and begin to take a different focus in your words and conversations. We sometimes forget the simplicity of making a difference in this world begins with small moments when you can choose to do something great with your small input. Choose today to be the day that your walk and talk match up in ways that bless others all for the Love of Christ.

Lord bridle my tongue. That is all. Amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Andrea

from disconnected to reconnected

Someone asked me today if I'd be willing to share any verse from my last week's bible readings that jumped out at me and was memorable. And, though I read, I was at a loss. As you all know, I don't like to make stuff up, so I just told the truth..."I haven't really had anything this week. I've felt a little disconnected." I know that statement goes against what many people tend to think about ministers and pastors. I think people assume that we must get something whenever we read the Word of God. And, I think that would probably be true some of the time--I often go in looking for that thing...that one word that will heal my hurt or encourage my soul or just make me smile--sometimes disconnect rears its ugly head. 

I know I'm not alone. There are times when, try though we may, we simply cannot seem to feel connected. I wasn't ill at ease. I still had my peace. I just didn't feel any extra "umph" in my relationship with God. It's like having a charger that has a short in the cord. No matter how much you plug it in, you fail to ever truly get your device charged up until you wiggle it around enough to reconnect the short. This works temporarily to get you charged up until you can get somewhere to replace the cord. I decided after that conversation this morning that that's what I've got to do...wiggle it around enough to reconnect my short until God's Word could come in and permanently replace the disconnect with reconnection. 

So I pulled out my Bible and said, "Lord help me see you in these words. Let me here from you today." My "wiggling" was to just keep reading to the next verse and the next passage and the book after that until the Word massaged my soul open. Sometimes you have to press past the disconnect and keep reading until you get to what is yours. Though you may be reading one devotional or reading plan, just keep reading. With that prayer and my wiggle, this is what the Lord gave me in the end:

You keep him in perfect peace

    whose mind is stayed on you,

    because he trusts in you.

4 

Trust in the Lord forever,

    for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

(Isaiah 26:3-4)

And I sat with perfect peace knowing that no matter how disconnected I feel, when I keep my eyes stayed on him, he is that "everlasting" presence in my life...that Rock from whom living water flows. 

Happy connecting/reconnecting, folks!

Blessings,

Pastor Andrea

It Doesn't Take Much

A friend of mine passed me in the hallway and handed me an envelope. Inside was a simple colored 3x5" card with words from another friend who had sent her notes to distribute. Earlier in the day, I received a package. And when you're serving away from home both the packages and notes mean the world to you.  It's not about what's in them per se (although that's always nice), but it's the thought that someone took to remember you that really sticks out. I felt thought of and remembered and yes...loved...

And. as much as it meant to me, I was reading in 1 John 3 and noticed how that little thought means a lot even to God.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18

So my question to you today is what are your actions saying? No matter how big or small, what you do has the power to truly change someone's life? It's not rocket science. We need to stop trying to complicate things. Change our focus and realize that it's the simple things that make a world of difference. In all, we have great power and opportunity in all that we do, and it doesn't take much to love with action.

Blessings,
PastorA

This Is Not A Drill

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, 

you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, 

considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians: 6:1, 2

If you've never been on a hospital ship before then let me tell you there are some very interesting things that make the whole thing work efficiently. Just like in any other mainland office building, regular fire drills must be conducted to ensure that all crew are ready and able to handle it should a blaze ignite on board. Every crew member must evacuate the ship and congregate at a designated "muster station" where their names are checked against the master list of people on board. 

As you exit and head towards your muster station (arranged by last name alphabetical groupings), you pass a group of people holding a sign and soliciting for STRETCHER BEARERS. You check in at your muster station and then, if you're feeling so inclined, you head back to said sign and exchange your ID badge for one that marks you as a stretcher bearer on a particular team. In the event of a true emergency, teams of people bearing stretchers will re-enter the ship and head to the hospital where they will be directed in helping to get hospital patients out to safety. Needless to say, like so many other roles on the front line, the role of the stretcher bearer is important and cannot be neglected.

Similarly in life, the Lord has directed us to be Stretcher Bearers to one another. It is a role in this life that is important and cannot be neglected. In today's society it is easy to get into a rhythm and focus on what pertains only to self, but God challenges us in His Word to do different, better and more. Galatians 6 tells us to "restore" and "bear burdens" for others. We are indeed directed to be our brother's/sister's keepers. You may have been asking yourself recently if you should even bother to invest in this person or that. Or perhaps you've felt a bit annoyed by a coworker or friend's constant "dumping" of their problems at your doorstep. The thing is that they see something you forgot you had--your new ID badge. The Lord sent this note your way today to remind you that when you decided to follow him, you turned in your own ID and you now bear HIS identification--making you a key player in His team of Divine Stretcher Bearers.

This is not a drill. There are people all around you that need your light to shine and need your shoulder to lean on or that simply need a lift. This week, your challenge is to take your eyes off of your problems and see where you can be that touch of a gentle spirit that someone else needs. And, though you don't do it for this reason, just know that as you pour out that gentleness of spirit on others, the Lord is faithful and just to return that same spirit unto you. Other Stretcher Bearers will be sent your way and have a mission of helping to bear your burdens and put salve on your wounds. So be encouraged...help is on the way...

Blessings,
PastorA

P.S. If this spoke to you...don't forget to "pay it forward" and pass it along to another friend in need of a "lift"...

Build To Order

"So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it:...And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him...But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded."

Genesis 6:14-15a, 7:5, 8:1

The other day, I was assisting with the process of organizing chairs in a conference room. The conference room was average size and the chairs enough to sit approximately 350-400 people. As the process began, one of the ladies in charge began to explain to me their way of doing this. It would not be enough to simply "eyeball" the chairs and line the backs up in lines. The precision that the process demanded literally boggled my mind. She explained that we had to have at least 3 people to make the process work--two to hold ropes at either end of the room and the third to arrange the actual chairs in line. I stood there with my brow a bit furrowed as she and the others explained the process, on the edge of protest to say that it didn't have to be this complicated. Until the Lord began to deal with me. 

As He pierced my spirit, I tempered my tongue and simply fixed my face and followed instructions. While I couldn't truly grasp what the point was for the complicated process, I knew that it was an order that had been handed down from the leader of the organization. This was the way it was to be done. And as we completed our task and stood back, it became increasingly clear that the level of excellence that they demanded was well worth it. It was almost breathtaking to seek the whole room in such a state of order. While I would have been satisfied with approximations of lines, they were striving for consistency, excellence and obedience. I thought of all the times in the Bible where we read instances where God spoke and people obeyed--Solomon with the temple, Nehemiah with the wall...but Noah was at the top of my mind. When God said "this is how you do it", Noah did not respond "well why?" Instead, he moved forward in obedience down to the very cubit. And God remembered him in the end and "the waters receded."

Do you ever wonder what if things in the Bible had gone another way? What if Noah had not been as righteous? What if he had questioned God? Or what if he had proceeded but changed the measurements of the wood or only brought one horse instead of two? How many times do we have the opportunity to submit our will to that of others and/or God and we either do it reluctantly with questions of "why" along the way or we simply don't do it? How many times has God unctioned our spirits to proceed in one direction and we have turned to the other? How many times have we had supervisors who have given us instruction that we have grudgingly walked out when we could have simply submitted our spirits to authority with a smile? If you're anything like me, I'm sure you can point to a number of opportunities that you missed. So I'm here today to encourage you not to miss your next chance. Something or someone will come your way in in the coming week (or just came at you recently) and I want to challenge you to proceed in pure, uncontested obedience. Perhaps you are waiting for the waters (things that are overwhelming you) to recede but haven't built the boat to order. Imagine the "floods" of life that God will keep you from and bring you through if you simply obey. Selah...pause and think on this.

Blessings,
PastorA

The Blessing Never Stops

The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.

- Proverbs 12:27 -

I recently heard about a friend’s choice to leave their job. It was a job that God had clearly spoken into their life. The job was intended to be a gateway for blessing. However, the Word of God came to them saying that the job would first be a test and a cesspool of trials. They went in knowing that the job was made to stretch them and their own human sensibilities. And so I was sad as I thought of how easily/quickly this person seemed to have given up on God. But then I quickly remembered that I’ve done the same. I realized that there are times when I know others must be saddened by my decision to abandon my blessing in the midst of the struggle.

Have you ever questioned your blessings? I mean, really…be honest. Have you ever thought that something was a blessing from the Lord…no…you knew it was only something that God could have provided; then at some point into the manifestation of that blessing, you began to have some doubts? Perhaps you were almost homeless with bad credit when the Lord orchestrated a wonderful home for you that was fully paid for? Or maybe you met and married “the one” and knew that God had made a way for you beyond your single life? It could have been the child that you prayed so hard for, that you were prophesied to about, who finally arrived after infertility diagnoses from the doctors? Maybe a bill was paid that you truly believed God had made a way for? No matter what it was, you gave God all the glory for the blessing.

But some time after the house started showing signs of a leaky roof, the husband signs of infidelity, the child signs of addiction and truancy, and the bills never quite turning right side up you began to question the blessing. You began to question God. “God I know I prayed for this job after being unemployed for two years but now the folks on this job are getting on my nerves!” It’s at that time that I’ve often seen people develop amnesia. How quickly we forget that the very thing we curse with our mouths was the same thing that once blessed us so deeply.

I drove through a neighborhood the other day and saw this man sitting in a huge lawn on a bucket. He appeared to be pulling weeds. And as I drove back through that subdivision a few hours later, he was still at it and again a couple of hours thereafter. His task seemed daunting to me. He didn’t have a huge hoe or special chemicals to combat his lawn with. He used the tools God had given him (his hands) and slowly, diligently made his way across his lawn. As I watched him I could imagine that his diligence was a sign that he cherished his home/lawn and perhaps even cherished the process. As I passed him, the Lord said that’s how I want you to cherish the process.

Sometimes, you may feel like you have been shorted on tools, you may think that this huge blessing has suddenly become a curse, you may believe that God has forsaken you. But today I want to remind you that God wants you to cherish the process, to act with diligence and to continue to praise Him despite how daunting the task ahead may seem. In fact...allow diligence to be your precious possession just as Proverbs 12:27 says. Remember that your blessing never stopped being a blessing…you simply have to continue to adjust your vision to keep seeing it that way.

Be encouraged,

Pastor Andrea

Why So Surprised? HE IS GOD!

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

Psalm 89:1

When I left home yesterday morning, I have to admit to being a bit blue. The previous couple of days (more than that if I'm being honest) had been particularly "heavy". There was no major event to explain why that was the case but it was more about the season I have been in weighing on my shoulders and simply trying to maintain my faith. Like so many other days before, I had had a bit of a melt down the previous day about my transportation situation--crying out to God that I was still waiting for the promise of a car that He had given me and that my fortitude in the wait was wearing thin. And so as I began my trek that morning to the bus stop, a small speck of white on the sidewalk caught my eye.

As I looked down, there was a small bead with the letter A inscribed on it. This random little speck made me stop, back track and take a picture. There was something about it that made me feel like God was whispering directly to me that morning that I was on His mind and that He hadn't forgotten me. Feeling the way I had recently, I could use every piece of encouragement I could get from God so I snapped the picture and kept on moving--this time with a little less weightiness dragging me down. As I made my way up the road, I was still a bit down but just that much more encouraged that God hadn't forgotten me. I took one bus then stood waiting on my connecting bus feeling worn out and the day had not even really begun.

The ringing of my phone would next change the trajectory of the entire day as a friend called to tell me that she and her husband wanted to bless me with their "old" (yet new to me) mini-SUV! I thought I was hearing things. Tears began to overwhelm me as she explained how I had been on her heart to do this for me the last three months and basically how God made a way for it to be possible. Her husband had blessed her with a new, bigger truck for Mother's Day and was in agreement that they should give the old one to me instead of using it as a downpayment on the new one. My prayers had availed and God's promise had been manifested just that quickly. When I shared the news with one of my friends last night, she almost made me feel stupid saying 'duh...you SAID He was gonna do it!' and I told her that my awe was not in the belief but because I was overwhelmed by His faithfulness.

As I awoke this morning, God reminded me of the scripture in II Kings 4 where the prophet told the Shunamite woman after her being barren for so long that "this time next year" she would hold a son. True to that prophetic word, by the time he returned the next year, she had had her son. Last year the weekend of Mother's Day, my old car died and God told me to get rid of it. He also told me that he would replace it (though I did not know when). So this time last year, God was telling me to trust Him and this time this year He is reminding me that that trust is never misplaced. As "crazy" as prophesy sounds at times, He was very specific in putting a small SUV in my heart and said that something I did in ministry would be result in someone blessing me. When my friend gave me the news yesterday, she expressed those same thoughts.

When we move in obedience and do what He tells us, He remains faithful to take care of us. Period. Though our obedience should never be about earthly rewards, we have to keep in mind that God uses us in life plants seeds and unlock our own blessings. And it's not about what we are going to "get" as much as it about the potential for lives to be impacted for God's glory. In the end, I'm going to nickname this car "Faith" as a constant reminder to me of how God is faithful. The car is a "little" thing in God's sight. The promises He has given me are much bigger than my transportation, but God in his infinite grace and mercy saw fit to throw me a bone and lift some weights yesterday and simply remind me that He is God. I couldn't leave my house this morning without "singing of the LORD's great love" (as it says in the Psalm above) and encouraging you in this season. We can believe Him. There's no need to be surprised when He makes good on His promises both big and small.

Be encouraged that you are on God's mind and He has not forgotten you.

Blessings,
Pastor A

P.S. Some of you remember that I even wrote about my car before. You can see that entry at http://lhmdevotional.blogspot.com/2012/06/when-is-enough-enough.html.

Grace Could Abound (If You Let it)

I have been struck over the course of this week at the power of the human spirit to be rigid and operate outside of the power of grace. I have been struck by the need for each of us to exert our power in life in some small way or another that generally comes out in exerting control over another person. How many times are we presented with the opportunity to be lenient to another or to provide others with grace, but we choose the road more traveled of control and legalism? How many chances come our way to smile instead of frown or speak a kind word instead of persecute? How often do we have the possibility to forgive another instead of holding a grudge? How many opportunities are we presented with on a daily basis to live out one of the greatest responsibilities of a Christian--to represent Jesus Christ on this earth and extend our hands in love and grace? How many times do those opportunities come and we let them pass away?

Unfortunately, the number of missed opportunities is great. As you go through your day, week, year, I want to challenge you to remember grace. We remember grace when it's convenient for us...when we are praying for God to forgive us. But the model prayer in the Bible asks God to "And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors." (Matt 6:12) That means, we are asking God to use the same measure of grace with us that we use with others (which is often not a large measure). What kind of world would we live in if we truly lived out that request and dished out the grace we so desperately want from God? So the challenge is to take the time to remember God's daily blessing of grace and mercy. Remember the grace He extends to you when you don't deserve it and when He should throw the book at you. Remember how much your life has been changed because of His grace, and make a decision to be intentional about extending grace to your brothers and sisters on this earth. Whether that is to let someone go first in a long line or to overlook a mistake someone made or forgive someone for not meeting your expectations, what we know about who God is is that He overlooks so much for us. How then can our rules for one another be more stringent than that of The Most High God?

Choose this week to forgive, release, and move forward in grace.

Blessings,
MinD

It's Not Automatic

I woke up this morning with a thanks to God on my mind. But, just as quickly as I said "thank you", my mind began to wander--thinking about that guy I was talking to last night or the bill I need to pay this week or the tasks I need to accomplish today. I had to keep bringing it back in so that I could get through my morning devotion--reading verses multiple times in order to really absorb what it was saying. I was frustrated with myself for my lack of focus (which happens often). And, if I'm being truthful, many days, it's the other way around. I wake up with my mind already going at full throttle, preparing for the day or recapping the dream I just awoke from once the fog of the new morning lifted from my brain, and then I think "Oh shoot! Thanks God!" As guilt floods my spirit, I begin my devotion for the morning intertwined with trying to get to wherever it is that my schedule is dictating. At some point, I settle down and have some REAL quiet time, but what I've found to be true for me is that it's not automatic. My afterthought of praise often gives me a gut check. I really want to automatically wake up speaking in tongues and singing old spirituals. It just doesn't always happen that way.

As a young Christian, I used to believe that I would come to this day when it would--when my brain would suddenly switch from manual to automatic and fall in complete sync with my personal commitment to Christ--and I would roll out of bed everyday with an automatic praise and prayer. But today, I got some freedom as I read Amos 5:4, 14 where it says,

“'Seek (God) and live...Seek good and not evil, 

That you may live; So the Lord God of hosts 

will be with you, As you have spoken.'" 

The key for me was in that word "seek". I thought of the key verses of faith like Matthew 6:33 that says "Seek first the Kingdom of God..." or  Colossians 3:2 telling us to "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." The mere fact that the Lord uses an action word in His instructions to us is poignant. Seek. Set. DO something. They both imply that God understands that our worship and praise and prayer are NOT automatic. They imply that God knew that when we were "shaped in iniquity" (Psalm 51:5) we would have to approach Him with intention and purpose. Even the 12 disciples asked Jesus to 'teach them to pray' (Luke 11:1) and they were with Jesus in the flesh!

No. It's not automatic, but that means that in this day as with every day, we have the opportunity to expressly look for God in new and astounding ways. We have the opportunity for greatness in each and every day. We have the opportunity to take action and turn on our Jesus switch with purpose. And what we know in the end is that, He will meet us there, He will be with us and He will guide us through and through.

Be encouraged to manually turn on your Jesus switch and seek Him in this day. He's got something waiting just for you!

Blessings,
MinD

Help Is Here

Today, we (Lifted Hands Ministries) spent some time ministering to the homeless in our city with blankets and bibles. As we began to head out to our service site, I had some devotional time--preparing for all that God could and would do as we were obedient and served others for Him. I wanted God to prepare my heart as we were going to touch the lives of our forgotten neighbors. I found myself wondering what I could possibly impart into the life of someone I may encounter who was hopeless on this day. As I read, this verse in Hosea 13 jumped out at me:

 “O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me. I will be your King..." 

(Hosea 13:9-10a NKJV)  

But I realized as our day ended that, we are not unlike the people who we encountered on the street. Therefore, Hosea's words are not only relevant to them, but are also a word for us today. So many of us have been like the Children of Israel--asking for a "king" (that one thing that we want to save us or help us). We look everywhere but up when the time comes for us to tap into a source of help. In those times when we have reached rock bottom or when we feel forgotten, there's one thing that remains constant--God has promised to be your King. You thought you needed that job or that relationship or that child or that home or car, but God wants to remind you that He is willing and wanting to be your Source.

Just as it was for the homeless we encountered, it is my prayer today that you will turn to God alone to be your help and your King. Whatever your need or desire of your heart, He is truly capable and I promise He can be trusted to carry you through if you let Him. There are several people we met on the streets who I'm sure could cosign on that statement. For on a day when they were down and destroyed, the Lord sent someone with a reminder of His Word that help is in the way to wipe their brow, say a prayer or pass along the gift of His Word and warmth. And so I pass the same message along on to you.

Remember ...Help is here. Be encouraged and allow God to be your King.
Blessings,
MinD

Promises Beyond Inadequacies

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,  and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 

Hebrews 8:6, 12

On the way home one day, I began thinking about the season that I've been in. It's not always been easy and has had me asking God to clearly reveal His purpose in these life tests so that I can pass and not have to revisit them. Unlike those who are more righteous than me, my desire to move out of the season is not always altruistically motivated. I am not always focused on Christ the way I would like to be in theory. And that was the center of my thinking on the way home. I began to berate myself about not doing better, thinking better, and just plain being better. I began to feel inadequately human and selfish in my thinking. That familiar motto "W.W.J.D.?" (What Would Jesus Do) played in my mind as I wondered how Christ would have handled being in my shoes. My brain began to overload as I thought of all of the "shoulds"...you know the things that you feel you "should" do like pray more, eat less, exercise more, love more, and so forth... I knew as I stepped into the house that my condemning thoughts were not of God (Romans 8:1) and that I needed to turn to The Word for answers. As I re-read Hebrews 8, I was struck by the 8th and 12th verses that reminded me that God is merciful and not as concerned with my works (a.k.a. deeds). While He does want me to pray more and love more, etc., He also knows doesn't condemn me when I don't. At the end of the day, His promises go beyond my inadequacies. His covenant is one of forgiveness and grace...not to the end of sinning more but to the end of living more. Truly it's God's desire for us to lead lives that are focused on Him. However, as God, He also fully understands that we are simply unrighteous humans. And sometimes that is all the reminder that we need to take one more step in His direction.

Be encouraged to stay focused on living for God without trying to be Him.

Blessings,
MinD

Striving for Perfection

For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

~Hebrews 7:28

I recently had the opportunity to visit a Mayan ruin in Belize--Lamanai. Like many ruins, it was once used in Mayan society as a place of sacrifice, worship, government and trade. A tall structure, it is used by tourists now to climb to the top and see over the treeline God’s great Creation. To say the least, it is a feat to be conquered and not for the slight of heart or fearful of heights. I, in my haste, decided to take on the challenge. As I began to climb, the stupidity of the exercise began to enter my brain. With nothing to secure a climber (holster, rigs, etc.), I was beginning to second guess my decision to climb as my fear of falling kicked in not far into my adventure. I made a decision twice (around step #10 of the incline steps), in fact, to stop the whole charade of bravery and adventure and abandon ship for safer, solid ground. Each time, a fellow-climber would skip by me (seemingly effortless climbers) with words of encouragement. And so I pressed on—speaking the words of Phil 4:13 to myself as I went…muttering “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” as I purposefully made my way up the narrow stairway. And as the end of the rope you can hold going up came to an end and the “real climbers” could take the last 10 steps up to the very top, I had hit my limit.

Looking up at the folks on top.

I stood on the plateau, shaking like a leaf feeling completely victorious even though I had fallen short of the ultimate plateau. I looked up at those above me who had achieved their ultimate goal of making it to the top and smiled to myself as I had achieved my ultimate goal of pressing passed my fears to the place where God would allow me to go (somewhere around step #50ish). I knew that I could go no further. Safety would not allow that—shaking uncontrollably while trying to climb with nothing to hold on to is not advisable for anyone.

You see, I had strived to accomplish the best that I could be. I had strived for perfecting this adventure. And what I learned when I got to my top was that my point of perfection is not the same as another person’s point, my accomplishment is not the same as another person’s accomplishment, my goal was not the same as other people’s goal. And, while my fellow climbers seemed to want to console me in my inability to make it all the way to the top, I could only smile the biggest smile ever because I was celebrating my ability to do even more than I thought I could do. And the same thing goes for the other areas of our life. Our ultimate goal is common—we all want to reach the perfection of being like Christ. But along the way, what we will come to learn is that we are human. And, as Hebrews 7:28 says, we are a priesthood full of weaknesses. We have been chosen indeed. 1 Peter 2:9 says we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood” but that does not ever make us all the same. What’s more it does not equate us with Christ. There is always One (Christ) who sets the bar higher than we will be able to reach but a bar we should strive to meet nonetheless. And as we climb towards that bar, push through our comfort zone (step #10) and hurdle over our fears, we will feel assurance and excitement in making it to our own levels of accomplishment.

Today, your challenge is to make sure that you don’t sell yourself short and stop on step #10 when your place of accomplishment is at step #40 or #50. Be encouraged as you press on towards that mark in Christ Jesus. God and a host of angels will be cheering with you when you do (even if man does not). Push on. You can do it!

Blessings,

MinD

P.S. Don’t forget to share this prayer point with someone today. You never know who could use an encouraging word to make it past their step #10.

Hear The Call. Don't Turn Back.

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Hebrews 5:13-14

“I have decided to follow Jesus…No turning back. No turning back.” For some reason, this old hymn is floating through my mind. There was a point in my life when Jesus wasn’t even a thought for me. Then, even after salvation, I was not fully committed to giving myself completely to Him. I did the best I knew how to do. I drank the mild of my Christian faith just like it describes in Hebrews 5:13. However, there was a certain point when I realized that God was calling me to a new level in Him—one where mild would not suffice and where the solid food of faith (Heb 5:14) was required. At that point, I made a conscious decision to follow Him…no turning back.

So on days and in seasons when that path is more challenging than I’d like, I am reminded that I have truly made a commitment to go where He’s gone in some way, shape, or form. My suffering (if you can even call it that) only scratches the surface of what Christ suffered. And, as I walk through the valleys of this Christian journey, I can be reassured that even suffering has a purpose. Hebrews 5:8 says that Jesus “learned obedience by things which he suffered.” He was called by The Father and remained committed without turning back despite His tremendous suffering.

You may be struggling with the call that The Father has given you. Drinking the milk of faith has worked just fine for you. But there is more to this walk for you. Today, hear the call that God is placing over your life to eat the “solid food” of your faith and walk with assurance that in your decision you will not turn back.

Be encouraged to keep moving forward.

MinD

God's Whisper Through The Shift

This week, my life is changing. After ten years of love, joy, peace, sanctuary, friendship, triumph and trials, I am moving out of my home. It is my first home. It has seen me through 6 roommates, 2 pets, 3 degrees, 3 vehicles, and countless other blessings of jobs, relationships, and more. The corners of the room have heard me weep when there was no one else around and they have heard me whoop and holler when the room was filled. The walls have watched as I've gone through so much transition in my life and so the parting of ways has been like leaving an old friend. There are positive sides to this transition and challenging sides as well. With that in mind, making the decision to move has not been an easy one and has challenged my ability to be obedient as God shifts things around in my life. So it seemed only fitting that as I opened up my devotional on my big move date, it "just so happened" that my readings coincided with just what I needed to hear. The first words I read were those in Ecclesiastes 3 and then in Hebrews 4:

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven."  ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." ~Hebrews 4:15-16

God, in His infinite wisdom started my day whispering comfort in my ear. Letting go of one season to walk into the next is never easy, but the great thing is that God is right there with us through it all. He walks with us and knows the turn of our hearts as we are pushed and pulled through the shifting seasons. Our emotions may be all over the place but, if we stop for a moment in the midst of all the hubbub, get quiet and listen, He whispers to us and brings a great peace that helps us to move one more step through the seasonal shift. In the midst of our trial and in the midst of our shift, we can go boldly to "the throne of grace" and He's waiting with the help that we need. 

Today, there is something that God is trying to move you from and/or move you TO. You've been resisting the shift, feeling alone in the movement. But I want you to be encouraged today. I pull the instructions from Hebrews that are repeated often..."harden not your heart" and hear what God is trying to whisper to you. Be obedient to the move of God and He will be right there at every step. He is trying to move you to that next place in your purpose and will honor your obedience. Do not hesitate and press through the obstacles before you. He wants to make your shift seamless. He wants to be there for you. Stop, take a deep breath, and listen to what thus said the Lord.

Be encouraged,
MinD


 

Day 29: The Honor of Humility, The Gift of Grace

A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23

There is a scripture in James that I often reflect on. It says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10) It's one of those verses that often sticks in my heart as I reflect on the idea that humbling is something that we do for ourselves and not this thing that God does for us. So I appreciate today's proverb that preaches along this same vein--humility brings honor. It's not just okay to say that we want to be humble, but it's necessary to understand that intention and action must accompany this desire. Walking in humility means putting aside your sense of entitlement and clothing yourself with the understanding that there is nothing that we deserve. While God has made promises to us, His words are ones of grace and not earned blessings. While He hears and understands our cries of "why me", the Lord wants to see our heart changed to "why not me". We may not want to hear this, but when we chose Jesus, we elected to join Him in His suffering (that's what it says in Philippians 3:10 ..."that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death"). If we are sincere, we decide that we love Him more than our creature comforts, we love Him more than what makes sense to us, we love Him more than even our own reputations. The tears you've been crying because your whole world has gone south and you feel like you don't "deserve" it are signs of grief mixed with pride. No one deserves heartache any more or less than the next person. The grace of God lets us know that Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted so that we don't have to live in that space of grief continually. He gave us a gift that is irreplaceable. Thus, as you approach this new week, do so with the cloak of humility surrounding you. Approach others with the thought that we all are in this together with none of us more or less deserving of grace than the next; and watch as people respond with awe and love--honoring the gift you've given them through your humbled spirit.

Be encouraged!
Blessings,
MinD

Day 28: Say What You Mean

"He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue."

Proverbs 28:23

There is a saying that goes "Say what you mean and mean what you say." Today's word from the proverbs is simple and to the point. The weight behind our words is immeasurable. This does not give us the license to say anything, but it does give us the responsibility to live in the middle of truth. Saying "I'm just keepin' it real" is not the same as rebuking a man in Christian love. Love is the key word. There has to be compassion and a sincere desire to improve the other person in order for it to be truly "real" and not just your opinion. So this is the day that you have an opportunity to speak in truth and love and refrain from simple flattery.

Be encouraged in truth and love.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 26: Who's Fanning Your Flame?

You have to appreciate the nuances and poetry of the proverbs. The metaphors that are used are poignant and truly gives one pause. This was the case with today's reading in Proverbs 26. Verse 20 reads, "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases." As I read, I could only seem to think of the hard time I have sometimes when trying to build and sustain a fire in my fireplace. In winter months, one of my great pleasures is to light a fire on a cold night and let that heat my soul. But tending to a fire is no small task. It requires that someone fan and feed the flames occasionally. I can think back on many a night where I fell asleep only to be awakened by a cool rush of wind because no log had been added to sustain the fire. When we liken that to our spiritual walk, the fire being talked about here is one of strife and discord. The only way that strife and discord can continue to burn in our lives is if someone is tending to that fire. The question becomes, who is fanning your flames? Who in your life brings lies and drama without Truth and peace? Who brings junk and no joy? Who is constantly talking about things that don't edify or build you up? As you read those words, someone's face came to mind. And, though it may be difficult to cut the apron strings of that relationship, the Lord sent this little prayer point today to remind you that you have the option. Today, you can choose to let the negative fires of discord and strife die in your life and foster the winds of peace and life. Be encouraged to make a choice that honors Him and protects you.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 24: Preach, Life. Preach!

³⁰ One day I walked by the field of an old lazybones, and then passed the vineyard of a lout; ³¹ They were overgrown with weeds, thick with thistles, all the fences broken down. ³² I took a long look and pondered what I saw; the fields preached me a sermon and I listened: ³³ "A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next? ³⁴ Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, with poverty as your permanent houseguest!" --Proverbs 24:30-34 (MSG)

The story of this lazy man caught my eye in today’s reading of the proverbs. The immediate question that came to mind was, “What sermon does my life preach?” The author of Proverbs describes this man whose overgrown vineyard was evidence of where he had not been attentive through the years. It further helped him to understand his future in permanent poverty. So what about us? What about you? What's overgrown in your life? What area of your life have you allowed to govern itself—not really paying close attention to how it develops? What part of your world sends the message to onlookers that God is a part of your life and what witness do other parts send? Or is it a consistent message across the board?

As we self-evaluate and prepare to finish this year strong, it is important that we are honest with ourselves about where we truly are, how far we have to go, and what role we play in that process. Perhaps we’ve become “lazybones” who need a little prodding so we understand that our vineyard needs attention. Perhaps we’ve simply been content to let things fester—relationships go down a slow spiral, businesses lose face, weight gain leading to one ailment after another. No matter where you are now, you simply need to understand that it’s never too late. Sometimes before a good harvest must come a good pruning and weeding season. Sometimes others will do the work for us while most of the time it’s work we must do ourselves.

Today, be encouraged to do the work so your life will begin to preach the message that both you and God will be proud of.

Blessings,

MinD