You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.~ Isaiah 58:11
There's something really amazing that happens when one person takes their time and loves on you the way that Christ loves on you. It does amazing things inside of you: it melts hearts of stone, it breaks down walls and barriers, it heals wounds, it begins the process of forgiveness, it helps us grow, and best of all, it gets us to draw closer to God because inevitably we want what they've got!
When you are Jesus to someone else, the Bible says you will be to that other person a safe-haven, a well-watered garden, a place of comfort and rest. But even more than that, the Bible says, "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame," (Isaiah 58:11). When we give away what we need, such as encouragement and love, or when we give out of our abundance, then God says He will fill us up with the things that we need. It's the law of sowing and reaping. When you bless someone else, God fills you up with that and so much more! The point isn't to give, looking for what you will receive, but to be the blessing--to be Jesus to someone who needs Him--and to know that God will always give you the things that you need.
When you've been Jesus to someone else, "you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer or Streets with Dwellings," (Isaiah 58:12). Who's been Jesus to you? Who needs you to be Jesus to them?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Change It Up!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
Yesterday morning, I was trying to spend my usual time with God, but I was really struggling. I didn't know what to study. I didn't know what to read. I couldn't concentrate when I was praying. I was just having a really hard time. Part of the issue was that I was upset and so I struggled to keep my focus. I told God that I didn't know what to do. He said to me, "Spend some time in worship with me."
Years ago, when I first tried to spend daily time with God, I didn't know how to do it. A wonderful woman gave me a formula, for lack of a better term, that helped me to stay on track. It was 5 minutes of praying, 5 minutes of thanking God, 5 minutes of reading, & 5 minutes of writing in my journal. At the time, I didn't know how I was going to do all that for 20 minutes, but it all worked out.
I've still been following the same formula, just longer lengths of time. But yesterday, for what ever reason, I just couldn't do it. Then, when God spoke to me, I said, "OK." I quietly turned on our stereo in the living room (as it was still early) and I spent an hour just worshiping God. I felt so free and so full of joy when I was done and I realized the scripture is true: When we praise God, the chains that are meant to keep us bound up fall off of us and bind our enemy, (see Psalm 149:6-9). The enemy could no longer keep me down and keep me bound up, because I was too filled with God's joy and His peace!
Maybe something in your walk with God has become "routine." Perhaps you need a "change up", a fresh new way to worship your God and King. If you've been feeling dry and not filled up after your time spent with Him, try spending some time a different way. God doesn't want that time to be just a part of your daily routine. He wants that time to be something we look forward to, because He's always looking forward to spending time with us.
Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people ~ Psalm 149:3-4
Yesterday morning, I was trying to spend my usual time with God, but I was really struggling. I didn't know what to study. I didn't know what to read. I couldn't concentrate when I was praying. I was just having a really hard time. Part of the issue was that I was upset and so I struggled to keep my focus. I told God that I didn't know what to do. He said to me, "Spend some time in worship with me."
Years ago, when I first tried to spend daily time with God, I didn't know how to do it. A wonderful woman gave me a formula, for lack of a better term, that helped me to stay on track. It was 5 minutes of praying, 5 minutes of thanking God, 5 minutes of reading, & 5 minutes of writing in my journal. At the time, I didn't know how I was going to do all that for 20 minutes, but it all worked out.
I've still been following the same formula, just longer lengths of time. But yesterday, for what ever reason, I just couldn't do it. Then, when God spoke to me, I said, "OK." I quietly turned on our stereo in the living room (as it was still early) and I spent an hour just worshiping God. I felt so free and so full of joy when I was done and I realized the scripture is true: When we praise God, the chains that are meant to keep us bound up fall off of us and bind our enemy, (see Psalm 149:6-9). The enemy could no longer keep me down and keep me bound up, because I was too filled with God's joy and His peace!
Maybe something in your walk with God has become "routine." Perhaps you need a "change up", a fresh new way to worship your God and King. If you've been feeling dry and not filled up after your time spent with Him, try spending some time a different way. God doesn't want that time to be just a part of your daily routine. He wants that time to be something we look forward to, because He's always looking forward to spending time with us.
Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people ~ Psalm 149:3-4
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Whom Shall I Fear?
The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? ~ Psalm 27:1
The Bible tells us that the name of the Lord is above all names, (Philippians 2:9). Now that is Truth, but do we believe it? In 365 different verses, the Bible tells us, "Do not fear". Why? Because God knew that as humans, one of our first reactions to things would be fear and/or anxiety. But God doesn't want that for our lives; He wants more, much more.
The scripture above teaches us four important things about God:
1) The Lord is my light. Throughout the course of our lifetimes, we will enter many places of darkness, in our minds, hearts, and emotions. This verse is a reminder that the Lord goes with us through them all. He is the light onto our path, even if it's just one step at a time.
2) The Lord is my salvation. The scripture doesn't just mean that he redeems me from an eternity in hell, although there is that, too. Salvation, here, means deliverance, safety, victory. In times of trouble and times of need, I can call upon the Lord and He will come to my aid, He will deliver me, keep me safe, and bring victory into my life and my situation.
3) The Lord is my stronghold. A stronghold is a place of safety and protection. Remember the story of the house built on the rock vs. the house built on the sand, (see Matthew 7)? Storms came upon both situations, but the house built on the rock was the one that survived. Why? Because a rock--The Rock--is a firm foundation, not shifting like sand, but solid. It provides safety, protection, a harbor from rising waters. The Lord is that rock, and the Rock is our stronghold against the the things that mean to destroy us.
4) There is no one I need to fear. "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name," (Philippians 2:9). The name of the Lord is above every name. How many names? Every single last one--all. In Greek, the word, "all" means all. In every situation and every circumstance, the Lord is the over-comer, the victor, the One who rises above them all. When the Lord calls us to cast all our anxieties upon Him, He means all.
Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you. ~1 Peter 5:7
The Bible tells us that the name of the Lord is above all names, (Philippians 2:9). Now that is Truth, but do we believe it? In 365 different verses, the Bible tells us, "Do not fear". Why? Because God knew that as humans, one of our first reactions to things would be fear and/or anxiety. But God doesn't want that for our lives; He wants more, much more.
The scripture above teaches us four important things about God:
1) The Lord is my light. Throughout the course of our lifetimes, we will enter many places of darkness, in our minds, hearts, and emotions. This verse is a reminder that the Lord goes with us through them all. He is the light onto our path, even if it's just one step at a time.
2) The Lord is my salvation. The scripture doesn't just mean that he redeems me from an eternity in hell, although there is that, too. Salvation, here, means deliverance, safety, victory. In times of trouble and times of need, I can call upon the Lord and He will come to my aid, He will deliver me, keep me safe, and bring victory into my life and my situation.
3) The Lord is my stronghold. A stronghold is a place of safety and protection. Remember the story of the house built on the rock vs. the house built on the sand, (see Matthew 7)? Storms came upon both situations, but the house built on the rock was the one that survived. Why? Because a rock--The Rock--is a firm foundation, not shifting like sand, but solid. It provides safety, protection, a harbor from rising waters. The Lord is that rock, and the Rock is our stronghold against the the things that mean to destroy us.
4) There is no one I need to fear. "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name," (Philippians 2:9). The name of the Lord is above every name. How many names? Every single last one--all. In Greek, the word, "all" means all. In every situation and every circumstance, the Lord is the over-comer, the victor, the One who rises above them all. When the Lord calls us to cast all our anxieties upon Him, He means all.
Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you. ~1 Peter 5:7
Monday, November 8, 2010
Raising to be Warriors
For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. ~ Proverbs 24:6
Every little boy, from the time he is small until he is tall, knows he is a warrior. It is in the games they play and how they play them. Each one wants to be the biggest, fastest, tallest, toughest, hardest, roughest, winner! Whether through Transformers or race cars or dirt, each one plays their side to win. When a boy grows to be a man, he carries that spirit with him, that warrior-winner spirit. But as a man in an adult world, there are many more rules and restraints; much more clutter and confusion. How can he possibly win the battle he was born to fight?
1) He needs guidance. "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it," (Proverbs 22:6). When a child is born, he knows nothing. Through guidance, wisdom, and example, he will learn. Of the three, your example as a parent or guardian is the one he'll remember and carry with him, more so than the others. If your example falls in step with your guidance and wisdom, he will carry those with him, as well. Be honest, be straight forward. Teach him with love, teach him with tenderness, but also, teach him with Truth.
2) He needs advisers. If your guidance has been solid, he may turn to you for advice. But even if he doesn't, pray that the Lord would surround him with godly counsel and that his heart would be open to the Word of the Lord. "Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust," (Psalms 40:4). If he makes the Lord his hope, his center, his confidence, his trust, who can come against him? Who can make him fall?
Pastor Chis Hodges said, "We must win the war in the spiritual." That is done through fasting and prayer and listening and trusting and obeying. Long before these boys ever become great men of God, there was someone praying them through. As a parent, a relative, a friend, a community--don't you want to know it was you?
Let's pray:
Father, thank you for all the boys you have raised and will raise to be leaders of this community-leaders for your glory, Lord. Father, I pray that no matter what every man has been taught, that you would surround him with godly counsel and that he would give ear to your word and follow your instructions. Lord, I pray for a hedge of protection around them and your steadfast love and guidance to come round about them. Help them to be godly leaders in every area of their lives: at work, at home with their families, and in the community. Thank you, Lord, for raising up little boys to be warriors and victors in your kingdom. It is in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Every little boy, from the time he is small until he is tall, knows he is a warrior. It is in the games they play and how they play them. Each one wants to be the biggest, fastest, tallest, toughest, hardest, roughest, winner! Whether through Transformers or race cars or dirt, each one plays their side to win. When a boy grows to be a man, he carries that spirit with him, that warrior-winner spirit. But as a man in an adult world, there are many more rules and restraints; much more clutter and confusion. How can he possibly win the battle he was born to fight?
1) He needs guidance. "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it," (Proverbs 22:6). When a child is born, he knows nothing. Through guidance, wisdom, and example, he will learn. Of the three, your example as a parent or guardian is the one he'll remember and carry with him, more so than the others. If your example falls in step with your guidance and wisdom, he will carry those with him, as well. Be honest, be straight forward. Teach him with love, teach him with tenderness, but also, teach him with Truth.
2) He needs advisers. If your guidance has been solid, he may turn to you for advice. But even if he doesn't, pray that the Lord would surround him with godly counsel and that his heart would be open to the Word of the Lord. "Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust," (Psalms 40:4). If he makes the Lord his hope, his center, his confidence, his trust, who can come against him? Who can make him fall?
Pastor Chis Hodges said, "We must win the war in the spiritual." That is done through fasting and prayer and listening and trusting and obeying. Long before these boys ever become great men of God, there was someone praying them through. As a parent, a relative, a friend, a community--don't you want to know it was you?
Let's pray:
Father, thank you for all the boys you have raised and will raise to be leaders of this community-leaders for your glory, Lord. Father, I pray that no matter what every man has been taught, that you would surround him with godly counsel and that he would give ear to your word and follow your instructions. Lord, I pray for a hedge of protection around them and your steadfast love and guidance to come round about them. Help them to be godly leaders in every area of their lives: at work, at home with their families, and in the community. Thank you, Lord, for raising up little boys to be warriors and victors in your kingdom. It is in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
God's Masterpiece
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
My sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!
Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe... Not because He demands it as rent or anything. I owe it because after He paid it all, after He set me free--and not just a little free, but completely free--how could I not want to give Him my all, everything that's in me? He died for me and with everything that's in me, I will live for Him! And when I live for Him with everything, the Bible says I am "a letter from Christ...written..with the Spirit of the Living God...on the tablets of human hearts," (2 Corinthians 3:3). Ephesians 2:10 says that I am God's workmanship. The Greek word for workmanship is poema, which is where our word "poem" comes from. I am God's poem. I am God's work of art. I am God's masterpiece.
Oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead. Jesus!
Thank you, Lord for paying it all, without hesitation or reservation. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to love you and to be your love letter to the world. I love you, Lord!
My sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!
Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe... Not because He demands it as rent or anything. I owe it because after He paid it all, after He set me free--and not just a little free, but completely free--how could I not want to give Him my all, everything that's in me? He died for me and with everything that's in me, I will live for Him! And when I live for Him with everything, the Bible says I am "a letter from Christ...written..with the Spirit of the Living God...on the tablets of human hearts," (2 Corinthians 3:3). Ephesians 2:10 says that I am God's workmanship. The Greek word for workmanship is poema, which is where our word "poem" comes from. I am God's poem. I am God's work of art. I am God's masterpiece.
Oh praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead. Jesus!
Thank you, Lord for paying it all, without hesitation or reservation. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to love you and to be your love letter to the world. I love you, Lord!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Strength for Her Tasks
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. ~ Proverbs 31:17
At first glance, the Proverbs 31 woman may be intimidating and overwhelming for most women. I think the greatest thing someone told me about "her" is that the Proverbs 31 woman is not all of those things all at once, but throughout the course of her life; it's over the course of seasons that she does the different tasks listed. There are many verses that describe her, but the two that stand out to me are verse 17, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks," and verse 26, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." Neither verse speaks about her humanity, but rather, about the Spirit living inside of her. With wisdom and faithful instruction, she speaks. That doesn't doesn't come naturally, and it can't really be learned without the help of the Holy Spirit.
All women can become a Proverbs 31 woman and be worthy of the praise that is described, but only if she has the right tools. The best way to achieve that is to ask God who gives generously. If we are to become this woman, we need to do two things: 1) Pray. Ask God to surround you and your husband with godly couples who you can learn from and give the freedom or right to speak into your lives in the areas in which you need instruction and/or encouragement. 2) Obey. Obedience is the key. We can hear all greatest instruction from both God and man, but until we follow, it won't do us any good. Verse 17 says that her arms are strong for her tasks, that is because she sets about the tasks that the Lord has called her to do, and as she obeys His call, He strengthens her.
A Proverbs 31 woman is not an example to intimidate us, but to lead us and guide us throughout the course of our lives. If there is an area in your life that you need more help from God, ask Him and He promises to fill you in that area.
At first glance, the Proverbs 31 woman may be intimidating and overwhelming for most women. I think the greatest thing someone told me about "her" is that the Proverbs 31 woman is not all of those things all at once, but throughout the course of her life; it's over the course of seasons that she does the different tasks listed. There are many verses that describe her, but the two that stand out to me are verse 17, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks," and verse 26, "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." Neither verse speaks about her humanity, but rather, about the Spirit living inside of her. With wisdom and faithful instruction, she speaks. That doesn't doesn't come naturally, and it can't really be learned without the help of the Holy Spirit.
All women can become a Proverbs 31 woman and be worthy of the praise that is described, but only if she has the right tools. The best way to achieve that is to ask God who gives generously. If we are to become this woman, we need to do two things: 1) Pray. Ask God to surround you and your husband with godly couples who you can learn from and give the freedom or right to speak into your lives in the areas in which you need instruction and/or encouragement. 2) Obey. Obedience is the key. We can hear all greatest instruction from both God and man, but until we follow, it won't do us any good. Verse 17 says that her arms are strong for her tasks, that is because she sets about the tasks that the Lord has called her to do, and as she obeys His call, He strengthens her.
A Proverbs 31 woman is not an example to intimidate us, but to lead us and guide us throughout the course of our lives. If there is an area in your life that you need more help from God, ask Him and He promises to fill you in that area.
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