Sorry – this was to be posted on Friday, and that would have been 2 days late. Now it is Monday and it is really late!! Sorry – much sorry. Love to hear your thoughts! Thx
735 – WHole Heart Faith – last week
June 10, 2009 By 1 Comment
The Lord has taken me to a familiar passage for today. I felt Him calling me to the Gospels, but I was not sure where to land. He has taken me to Luke 9:51-62. This passage is absolutely perfect to end our Whole Heart Faith with this scripture.
Even though we are coming to an end as far as this series of encouragement, we can never stop walking in Whole Heart Faith – in every area of my life and your life. And I think we see that in this scripture.
Jesus is on His way into an area that did not want to mix races. James and John went on ahead and were not welcomed at all. They wanted to retaliate. Jesus actually rebuked them and told them to keep walking.
Has that ever been you? Have you ever been not welcomed? I have! There are times we find this in our own families and there are times I sure we find this in the outside world. It hurts either way. But what does the Lord say – keep going, press on, don’t give up, do not lose heart!
In this walk of Faith which is for a life time we can not stop! There will be persecution, there will be at least hurt feelings, and there will be major and minor rejection. It happened in Charlotte and still happens today that we are friends with people in the light, but then when things take place in the “night” we are not invited. It used to hurt and still does a bit to a degree, but it is ok. No matter what I must be resolute about this Whole Heart Faith walk and pursue this purpose He has for me! Not retaliate – that is His business!
We must not look back!! We have taken these last couple of weeks to take a concentrated look at our lives and what we are doing or not doing for the Kingdom. We can not look back! It is not an option to quit or take a break.
My Whole Heart Faith was to reduce the idol I have with food. God has been so faithful in so many ways to me in this adventure. I wish I could tell you – for my own selfish gain – that I have lost a ton of weight. I have lost about 7 pounds and I am so grateful for that – truly! But I have gained a whole new perspective. I have traded my have to have this or that food for have to have this or that peace and obedience with the Lord. I don’t have to have the food, but I do have to have peace that is gained through walking obediently with Him. I have gained a sense of self-discipline back into my life with exercise and a whole new perspective on keeping things balanced! It has been huge for me. Do i still overeat or mess up or lose control – YEPPERS. But He has instilled in me a “get back to it” kind of resolve that I am eternally thankful for!
So I ask you – how has it been – how have you changed? Are you quitting or are you keeping your hand to the plow not looking back? I would love to hear from you!!
Press on sisters! Press in to Him!! Be resolute and keep going!
699 – Who’s on top?
March 3, 2009 By 1 Comment
** Southern Illinois, but really anyone with Internet*** Go check out 90.9 www.wvyn.org
This is a new christian radio station in this area that is going to rock!! They are having their second Sonic Flood concert very soon! It is only available by Internet at this time, but please go check it out and take a few seconds to leave them a message. This is such a blessing for this area!
Good morning Jesus! Our weekend went so fast I am not sure I actually remember what we did. We also were off school on Monday so it is really going to make the week go fast. I am excited though because I have to speak on Saturday which is always a blessing to me. I am still working everyday as a teacher and find it quite fun. Very exhausting, but fun!
This morning i was in Luke again – chapter 22, towards the end. I read about Jesus going before the courts and them demanding He tell them He is the Son of God. That was all they had against him! I love how the Lord answered them – you tell me who you say i am…. It was like even though their hearts would not allow them to believe he wanted them to say it with their own words who He says He is……….. for it to come out of their own mouths… in any form!
I had 2 thoughts about this passage. #1 Have you ever had anyone put words in your mouth. You make a statement and then you are told that what you said actually was something different than what came out. You know what you said, but it was interpreted as something different. Even as far as you trying to back up and explain yourself and because those were the words that came out – you are held to those words and anything else will not be accepted. I have found myself in that position – not a fun one. Bottom line we are accountable for whatever words come out of our mouths whether we meant them or not. Or whether we thought them through or not. Jesus meant His words, but He kind of turned it on the council of elders. ”They asked, ‘Are you the Son of God?’” Jesus replied, “You are right in saying I am.”
I can hear them saying – that is not what i said. I was just asking a question. Don’t turn this on me like i was the one to proclaim who you say you are……….. I wonder if those words, that very question echoed in their hearts and mind on the day of their own death not just His death. I am sure this whole situation AND the fact that they could not find anything else against Him made them even the angrier.
#2 I see here that we have the beginning of a power struggle or a pride struggle – if there is any difference… Another bottom line is that Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and they didn’t like it. He had proclaimed it the whole time, but had backed it up with many, many miracles, signs, and wonders! There was no doubt He had done some really crazy stuff – we churchy people call miracles – and was one to watch. On top of all that – He had people that were willing to leave everything and follow…………….. unto death! For those that might have been striving for the same thing this was a problem. It still is today………. those wanting to be God and those simply wanting to be on top.
Wanting to be God – I don’t think that is something that I have tried to attain…… I struggle with myself too much to ever think i could control everything else. But wanting to be on top, now been there done that. But God – what a work He has done in my life. RECENTLY!
Just within the last few weeks I went through a time of wondering if I had any significance. Yes, Cara, a huge struggle for me. When my eyes begin to wonder on outcome of things I am doing there begins to be a real problem. When the comparison game begins there is a problem. When I begin to wish for something different there is a problem.
I wonder if this was some of the feelings of those that began the process of putting Jesus to death. Thoughts like…… man, look at all that guy is doing and how many people want to be with him. Look at how if he puts his hand in it, it turns to gold. Look at what i have done in my life compared to him. Look at my pitiful self and all the great things he is doing. And he has a good attitude. We have got to get rid of this guy – he makes me feel bad.
Oh Father – I praise you for the work you have done in my heart recently with significance. I thank you for the influence of my mom and dad, pastor, and hubby that help me to see things correctly. I thank you for allowing me to see the spiritual war going on. I thank you that you have called me to a greater level of trust with you. I thank you for the blessings – too many to count and lest i take try to take any significance in them or take any pride like i was in any of it – that you allowed to come forth.
I do find my love and worth in you. I have to – nothing else, and i have tried it, works. You are so peaceful and forgiving. You are so lovely and joyful. You are so soft and encouraging. You are so trusting and faithful. Father – I want to exalt YOU not what you do through me. Part of giving You glory is sharing completely my ups and downs. I do want to be transparent. Your work in my life is never ending! Your work in my heart is always proceeding…. you are never done and I thank you that you never stop! Lord, I want to be on top of my love for You. Lord, I want to be on top of my shout for forgiveness. I want to be on top of walk of faith. Nothing else, my Lord. Hide me Father – behind You!! Protect me from me!!! Exalt YOU!
688 – Purpose Driven………… Day
February 12, 2009 By 3 Comments
One of my biggest faults is not seeing the forest for the trees. I get so tunnel vision. I am the type of person to not see the whole picture and therefore get very frustrated at what I see or decide is going on…… in my life, in the church, with my family, or even in road construction.
God has placed me in a full-time job for at least 5 weeks. I am the elementary teacher for K-3rd grades. So far, after one day, I love it. Before I received this assignment I had already applied to go get my master’s with a teaching certificate. I have everything, but my substitute teaching, but have to go this direction instead of starting all over. It could work……if i get accepted. I do horribly on standardized test and have to take 2 to get in. It nearly is enough to just say forget it. We shall see. If it is normal book work and such I do honors, but being timed in a test for a long period – freaks me out and I don’t do well at all. We shall see.
I was reading in Luke 19 this morning about the Triumphal Entry of Jesus. I was struck by a person in this account that might have lost his focus or at least wondered why is this happening. Jesus told his guys to go into town and they would find a donkey there that had never been ridden. Take it and tell the owners that it was for the Lord. I wonder about the owners.
Were they going about their day and all of a sudden had an inclination to tie up their donkey in this spot? Was the owner just thinking the day before about all the things he wanted to do in life and they just have not come about? Was he wondering why all the things he was about seemed so insignificant? Walking through the town was he intrigued with all the other things people were doing that looked so important? He was just tieing up his donkey right here.
Then for a reason or was it for no reason he came over to this particular post and tied the donkey. Was he a follower of Christ and knew this was his mission in life? Did he have any clue that the tieing of that donkey would be used for the King of the Universe to fulfill His mission on earth? It was a purpose driven day and yet I want to know if the man that had the donkey for the Lord of ALL to use that day had any idea HOW he was being used?
We are so often used just like that man that tied the donkey. God in His infinite wisdom is detailing our every breath with ways, missions, and purposes beyond our comprehension. Do we always know when we are being used for a great purpose such as the King being able to fulfill His great mission through us? No! That is a mystery of God and something we don’t need to understand. My job and my understanding is that I need to quit looking at the forest and even the trees. I need to be focused on the Cross and my Savior. If i would just look for my Savior in everything then I would not be concerned whether I get to do what I think are significant things. If I would trust His plan and leading then I would not be bothered by those around me that seem to have “cooler” assignments.
God i do trust you, but I get so sidetracked and focus-lost! Forgive me Jesus. Help me to watch for the Savior on the horse and not the person that provided the horse. Oh Lord Jesus, I worship you, but not near enough and not in the way you deserve or even intend!! Lord, keep my eyes on You and my focus on You! May I go about my day with the thoughts of worshipping You in everything realizing I am living a purpose driven……day whether i know it or not!! I love you Lord!
684 – I am the Leper in more ways than one!
February 2, 2009 By 5 Comments
Oh Lord Jesus, I have to admit I am so ready for the school to get back started and to get the kids out the door and get the house organized. The last 4 days I have had a sick one, plus all the snow, and whatnot…….. I am ready to get back to the schedule. I missed going to church yesterday…. I love love love my church and so miss not getting to worship, pray, and love on all kinds of people!
Lord, this morning I read about the leper in Luke 17:11-19. These were guys that were screaming out as was the custom to anyone, but this particular day to the Lord for healing. Of course the Lord did something that was a bit unusual. He could have just walked over there and said your healed – go on your way. But instead he told them to go to the priests. This was again one of those times that there had to be movement before the miracle appeared. There had to be some kind of action before the “believe” could be engaged!
That is my problem. I do not obey enough often. I want to stomp, question, argue, and even dig my heels in before I take the first step of obedience. These guys may have done that too, but for some reason it does not include that in the text. Jesus spoke and told them to go to the priest and they went. The scripture says “as they went”. There it is – as they went they were healed – not first they were healed because they understood everything and then obeyed and went to see the priest like Jesus had asked.
Lord, there are some things in my life that are very easy to obey – usually things that I like or things that are fun or things that i can be in charge of………… – but there are a lot of things right now in my life that you have taken the reigns away from me and asking me to “go see the priests” when I can not even understand when my healing will come or understanding of situations. Lord, I once again feel so misunderstood. I am so thankful that you understand me – but you understand the good and bad. You understand my healing to the inner depths of my soul. Lord, thank you for knowing my heart. Thank you for your acceptance. Thank you for reaching out to me as I cry out for healing. Thank you for seeing me as I am – in all the yuck as well – and still taking me in. Thank you for giving me a plan for my life. Thank you Lord – I so love you!!!
681 – Don’t Tickle Me
January 26, 2009 By 9 Comments
Dear Father – There is a lot on my heart today and yet there are so many things that I need to be doing. Nothing that should surpass my time with you today, but still so many things to do! It is a little hard for me to focus this morning.
I have been at 2 locations in my quiet time this morning. Luke 15 with prodigal son and the famine that the Lord brought the whole country. Could it be that He brought the whole country famine so that one guy would realize his need for the “father”? God can do things like that certainly. The famine may not have been the sole purpose for one guy, but it could have been – HE loves us each individually that much!! But what I kept thinking in this story was that there are times that God will bring a famine so that an appropriate hunger will come!!!
The other place I have camped out was in 2 Tim. 4:3-5 ”3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
I know what I am thinking, feeling, and even being led by the Spirit to say will not be popular to many. But this has been on my mind for some time. After reading this scripture today and after much, much prayer I must speak out to all 10 of you that read this blog.
All over the WWW i am seeing more and more and more conferences that are getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Even churches these days are getting bigger and bigger! But I think one might conclude that we as a people are getting more and more shallow spiritually. One indication to that IN MY OPINION is by the president we as a country just put in office. On his first week in office he has done major abortion changes that I know the Lord will not bless. And yet we as a country – even if you personally did not vote for him – put him into office. I know our pocketbooks are hurting and we want that kind of change, but there were major moral things Obama was very clear about that go against the very core of our Savior and we as a country, the whole country, will be held accountable. Again, IN MY OPINION.
I think another indication that we as a people are getting more and more shallow is the kind of preaching we hear and the kinds of conference “they” are creating for us. There has to be a fashion show, there has to be a big spread of food, there has to be a meet and greet with the “show stopper”, there has to be tons of resources offered to make sales big, etc. It seems like even though the hearts are probably good and the intentions are well meaning, we are creating a society of Christians that can not worship on their own and can not “survive” without a conference that has more than just some good preaching from the Word.
Everyday it becomes more and more clear to me one of the reasons God has called me to Southern Illinois is to have more of Him. There are days that I long for the big church to worship in. There are days that i feel so left out because I am too far from Atlanta to go to things, to far from Houston to go to conferences, too far from Nashville to get away…………. I feel very left out. But when those things have been taken away from me I see that while yes I was worshipping the Lord in those avenues, it was more about worshipping a feeling that I got from those experiences. Like i was saying – the intentions are good of those that are creating all these big experiences, but I can see that at least for me those kinds of things made me want more of an experience than want more of Him. I was thinking that I wanted more of Him, but when it gets down to the heart of the matter I was wanting more of that stuff and feelings.
It seems to me that the ears are still needing to be tickled to get people in the door. I am shocked how often people will have speakers to their church that can tell them what looks good on their bodies as far as colors and clothes. I do know that there has to be a starting point to possibly get the lost in the door, but at the same time why is Jesus not enough? Of course the non-Christian does not know He is enough yet, but our actions as believers are telling them He is not enough either by all this shallow inventions. Yes, yes, yes God can still and will bring good out of it, but I have to wonder if we are not slowly doing ourselves in by this tickling of the ears – even with good intentions! A Christian Bible teacher and hero in the faith told me it was all cotton candy Christianity and we as a nation are paying and will pay more for it!! We have really come to a point of walking a very fine line and this one thinks we may have step over and gone too far. I agree.
Oh Lord – help me to not be caught up in the mess of candy. I want to be one that delivers sound doctrine. I want to be one that fills others with the Truth even when it is not popular. I know this is what my heart cry is. Lord, help me to know your will. Help my head to know I am doing as You would have me to do. Lord, help me to feel your validation and completeness. Yes, the big stuff has such a lure and such an excitement and offers such a validation that is surreal and not of you at times – who wouldn’t want to be part of it. But Father if I am not offering sound doctrine and I am adding to the problem i see of believers not being to worship you in the darkness or “aloneness” without the masses……… or we can not study the Word without a book to read or a video to watch or a ipod to listen to or…….Lord as scary as this may be to say – don’t let me be part…. Direct my paths and keep me accountable. Lord, oh Lord, give me a mentor!!! Jesus, my heart longs for you – all alone and with no big production to go to!! I want you!!! I love you!!!
680 – Immunity
January 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment
When I say Revelations 13 on here I actually mean Rev. 11. Sorry for the snafu!!
Have an awesome day!! See you on Monday possibly!
Oh – and my Bible study tonight for the 3rd and 4th grade girls is tonight!! I think we are increasing exponentially!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! ha ha!
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