So i sat down this afternoon to do my devotionals (i got up late).
My first devotional, the scripture reading for it was 1st Samuel chapters 9 and 10. What the devotional was about, is unimportant. What is important to me, is what God does and what God imparts.
I always pray before I read the Bible. I want God to use what I read, and I want the Holy Spirit to have free reign to speak to me.
So, I read chapter 9. As I am just starting to read chapter 10 verse 1, I suddenly start to cry (for no apparent reason). Nothing I had read so far touched my heart or spoke to me. Here is what verse 1 of chapter 10 says...Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him, and said, Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over His heritage today?
It is a beautiful verse. It certainly goes along with some of the good things that I have been speaking into my own life lately, positive affirmations about myself.
Verse 2 shook me. I have read it before. God has led me to this verse before (this chapter before) during this last year of my life. But, as far as I could tell, until I read verse 2, I did not know that it was coming...
When you have left me today, you will meet two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelazh, and they will say to you, The donkeys you sought are found, and your father has quit caring about them, and is anxious for you, asking, What shall I do about my son?
Rachel's tomb. The death of Rachel. Leaving Rachelle behind, and going on.
I beleive that God is showing me, once again, that he knew Rachelle and I would not get back together. I think that it is rigth that i had to go past the tomb, i had to go and see if there was any life there, but htere was not. But, once i went past, then and only then shall i find answers to my questions and an ending to what i search for.
Perhaps i have to wait a little longer. Perhaps until the judge's signature on the papers, Rachelle cannot be put into the tomb. Maybe. With God, who knows?
There are a lot of great things in 1st Samuel chapter 10. I would encourage people to pray, then open their Bibles and read chapter 9 and 10 of 1st Samuel.
It's good stuff. It's God's stuff.
Perhaps there is even more to this verse than i had first thought. Seems like God is saying that now, now is the time that He starts to say, "What shall I do for my son Allan? How shall I help and bless him?" God is no longer worried about the work. God is no longer worried about the donkeys. I can stop feeling like an ass now (ha ha!), and come back home to my loving Father God. He cares about me, and He is concerned about me, much more concerned about me than He ever was about what I was doing or what I was searching for. It isn't what I do that excites my God, He just loves to be with me and to bless me. Isn't that awesome?!!
God, You are so good. Bless me, so thatYou can get the glory for it.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
new focus
"New focus on what is Real and True about you, will open doors to new opportunites, new promises, Promised Land" God predicts.
This following is a short exert from the book, 'Becoming a Better You' by Joel Osteen.
God told the children of Israel in Joshua 5, verse 9, “This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” In other words, they didn’t feel good about themselves. They had been hurt and mistreated; they were discouraged, even after being delivered from slavery. God came to them and said, “Stop doing that. I am rolling away the reproach from you.” I believe the reproach had to be rolled away before they could enter into the Promised Land.
It’s the same with us. You may be trying to live in victory, trying to be successful, trying to have a good marriage. But you are negative toward yourself. You don’t feel good about who you are. You’re constantly dwelling on your past hurts and pains. Until you are willing to let go of those offences and start focusing on your new possibilities, they will tie you down right where you are. You cannot have a bad attitude toward yourself and expect to have God’s best. Quit focusing on what you’ve done wrong. God has already rolled away your reproach – your shame, embarrassment, failures, and setbacks. God has done His part. Now you must do your part. Let it go so you can go into your Promised Land. Start thinking, feeling, and speaking positively about yourself.
The Scripture says, “Our faith is made effectual when we acknowledge everything good in us” (Philemon 1:6). Think about this: Our faith is not effective when we acknowledge all our hurts and pains. It’s not effective when we stay focused on our shortcomings or our weaknesses. Our faith is most effective when we acknowledge the good things that are in us. Declare affirmations such as “I have a bright future. I am gifted. I am talented. People like me. I have the favour of God.”
THIS is what God has been trying to show me lately. My entrance to the Promised Land, at last it is in sight! No more trudging around the mountain for 40 years waiting to die. No more doing things insanely the same way over and over, even though it isn't working.
Change your vision, by lining your inner self up with God's Word. Use your own lips, to be a prophet in your own home and speak God's truth through your own mouth, hear it with your own ears, and let God's truth wash over you and change you from within.
This following is a short exert from the book, 'Becoming a Better You' by Joel Osteen.
God told the children of Israel in Joshua 5, verse 9, “This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” In other words, they didn’t feel good about themselves. They had been hurt and mistreated; they were discouraged, even after being delivered from slavery. God came to them and said, “Stop doing that. I am rolling away the reproach from you.” I believe the reproach had to be rolled away before they could enter into the Promised Land.
It’s the same with us. You may be trying to live in victory, trying to be successful, trying to have a good marriage. But you are negative toward yourself. You don’t feel good about who you are. You’re constantly dwelling on your past hurts and pains. Until you are willing to let go of those offences and start focusing on your new possibilities, they will tie you down right where you are. You cannot have a bad attitude toward yourself and expect to have God’s best. Quit focusing on what you’ve done wrong. God has already rolled away your reproach – your shame, embarrassment, failures, and setbacks. God has done His part. Now you must do your part. Let it go so you can go into your Promised Land. Start thinking, feeling, and speaking positively about yourself.
The Scripture says, “Our faith is made effectual when we acknowledge everything good in us” (Philemon 1:6). Think about this: Our faith is not effective when we acknowledge all our hurts and pains. It’s not effective when we stay focused on our shortcomings or our weaknesses. Our faith is most effective when we acknowledge the good things that are in us. Declare affirmations such as “I have a bright future. I am gifted. I am talented. People like me. I have the favour of God.”
THIS is what God has been trying to show me lately. My entrance to the Promised Land, at last it is in sight! No more trudging around the mountain for 40 years waiting to die. No more doing things insanely the same way over and over, even though it isn't working.
Change your vision, by lining your inner self up with God's Word. Use your own lips, to be a prophet in your own home and speak God's truth through your own mouth, hear it with your own ears, and let God's truth wash over you and change you from within.
quotes
These two quotes are from the movie RedLine, which i watched recently (and thought was pretty decent).
Both of them impacted me, made me pause the movie and think about them...
"Sometimes the things that we are afriad of, are what we really want the most."
"Do it because it's what you were born to do."
Both of them impacted me, made me pause the movie and think about them...
"Sometimes the things that we are afriad of, are what we really want the most."
"Do it because it's what you were born to do."
Friday, January 30, 2009
Me
I have made changes in life.
Some of these changes, are from the circumstances I have gone through in the last year.
Some of these changes, some are good changes. Some may not be seen as good by others. BUT…all of these changes, they all help to make up the person that I am right now.
I am a lot quicker to give my opinion. I used to withhold my opinions and NOT give them, so I consider this to be a good thing. However, as some people have found out, sometimes people get hurt by me being quicker in that area. I do not ponder as carefully what I am going to say, taking days or weeks to formulate my opinions before I give them.
I am more passionate in life. That enables me to fight for what I want, that enables me to love more, to be more compassionate, to feel others’ pain and to reach out to help those in need. Those are all good things. Unfortunately, there is a “bad” side to this change as well. I can get heated up over issues that affect me and move me, and this means I can blow steam in somebody’s face a lot faster than I used to be able to. People can be scalded by my words and actions, which are born out of my deep-seated feelings on some issues, feelings which I am now not afraid to express.
I enjoy a good fight at times. I am not ashamed to stand up for what I believe, or for what I believe in. I won’t back down if I do not feel like it. If I am challenged, I will either fight back, or I will walk away and ignore you until such time as I feel like I can deal with you again.
I believe that I am a better friend than I have ever been. That being said, most of my friends have abandoned me, put off by the changes perhaps, or merely astonished that meek little me could be capable of doing or saying something that hurt them.
You know what? I make no apologies. I am who I am. No, I do not enjoy hurting people, especially those I care about. But I take responsibility for my actions, and I live with the consequences. That is life, that is maturity, and that is me.
And that is all, for now.
As my tagline once said, “All I want is to be accepted for who I am; not for who I was or for who I could one day be.”
Deal with it. Love me, or piss off.
By the way, tomorrow is the anniversary of the day that Rachelle told me she wanted us to separate.
Should i send myself an anniversary card, or just mark the occasion by kicking some puppies?
Some of these changes, are from the circumstances I have gone through in the last year.
Some of these changes, some are good changes. Some may not be seen as good by others. BUT…all of these changes, they all help to make up the person that I am right now.
I am a lot quicker to give my opinion. I used to withhold my opinions and NOT give them, so I consider this to be a good thing. However, as some people have found out, sometimes people get hurt by me being quicker in that area. I do not ponder as carefully what I am going to say, taking days or weeks to formulate my opinions before I give them.
I am more passionate in life. That enables me to fight for what I want, that enables me to love more, to be more compassionate, to feel others’ pain and to reach out to help those in need. Those are all good things. Unfortunately, there is a “bad” side to this change as well. I can get heated up over issues that affect me and move me, and this means I can blow steam in somebody’s face a lot faster than I used to be able to. People can be scalded by my words and actions, which are born out of my deep-seated feelings on some issues, feelings which I am now not afraid to express.
I enjoy a good fight at times. I am not ashamed to stand up for what I believe, or for what I believe in. I won’t back down if I do not feel like it. If I am challenged, I will either fight back, or I will walk away and ignore you until such time as I feel like I can deal with you again.
I believe that I am a better friend than I have ever been. That being said, most of my friends have abandoned me, put off by the changes perhaps, or merely astonished that meek little me could be capable of doing or saying something that hurt them.
You know what? I make no apologies. I am who I am. No, I do not enjoy hurting people, especially those I care about. But I take responsibility for my actions, and I live with the consequences. That is life, that is maturity, and that is me.
And that is all, for now.
As my tagline once said, “All I want is to be accepted for who I am; not for who I was or for who I could one day be.”
Deal with it. Love me, or piss off.
By the way, tomorrow is the anniversary of the day that Rachelle told me she wanted us to separate.
Should i send myself an anniversary card, or just mark the occasion by kicking some puppies?
think
I think that God is trying to teach me something.
I think that He is trying to teach me to get my thoughts to line up with His will. I htink He is trying to instil in me that my thoughts, the way that i think about myself, must line up with what His Word says about me.
He wants me to allow Him a clear path to work in my life,and through my life. My thoughts have to move aside, for His (higher) thoughts.
I am learning a lot about thoughts, and words, and how they affect us, in the book that I am reading, Becoming A Better You by Joel Osteen.
I will blog more about this later on. It is almost 5am, and i should start thinking about sleeping at some point...
sigh...
God must REALLY want ot use me...He has absolutely turned my life upside down and shaken everything out of my pockets until there is nothing left but Him...
Of course, i say that, and i am willing to bet that the shaking isn't over yet. There is probably way too much of me still left in me...
Lord, be merciful. But do with me what You want to do.
I think that He is trying to teach me to get my thoughts to line up with His will. I htink He is trying to instil in me that my thoughts, the way that i think about myself, must line up with what His Word says about me.
He wants me to allow Him a clear path to work in my life,and through my life. My thoughts have to move aside, for His (higher) thoughts.
I am learning a lot about thoughts, and words, and how they affect us, in the book that I am reading, Becoming A Better You by Joel Osteen.
I will blog more about this later on. It is almost 5am, and i should start thinking about sleeping at some point...
sigh...
God must REALLY want ot use me...He has absolutely turned my life upside down and shaken everything out of my pockets until there is nothing left but Him...
Of course, i say that, and i am willing to bet that the shaking isn't over yet. There is probably way too much of me still left in me...
Lord, be merciful. But do with me what You want to do.
When The Tears Fall
After the last year of my life, somehow i really question how i have managed to even stay on my feet.
In all of the bad times of my life in the previous years, if i added up all of my troubles from those years, all of the pain, all of the heartache, all of the tears, all of the desperation...they would not even hold a candle to how bad this last year of my life has been.
And, honestly, as much as i want this year to be a good one...so far, i am only able to stand at all, because i have faith that God will not allow me to be torn down and ripped apart forever. Nothing looks any different, nothing looks any better. If blessings are coming, and i have to believe that they are...i do not see them out there anywhere...
So, i do what i can do to survive. I worship. Not because i want to, and not because i feel like it; i worship, because there is nothing else to do. And i hold on to God with a death-grip.
I told God just a day or so ago, that i wondered how much longer i was going to have my feet held to the fire. I wondered how much longer trials would be thrown at me, over and over and over again, without respite. How long, God, will it be, until You give me some rest from this? How long until i begin to see some sort of reward? Cuz this is starting to feel like Old Testament punishment. I do not want to walk around the mountain for 40 years until i die, Lord! But, i said to God, If He is testing and trying me to see if this will make me turn away from Him...it won't happen. I long ago realized that i have nowhere else to go. I have nobody else who is truly in my corner. There is nobody else who understands me. No matter what happens, i...will...not...let...go...of...my...God!
I can't. I have nothing else.
Seems like a fitting time to reprint these lyrics...
When The Tears Fall - by Tim Hughes
I've had questions without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing that I cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true
When hope is lost
I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds
I call You Healer
When silence falls
You'll be the song within my heart
In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me, You sustain me
My defender for ever more
When hope is lost
I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds
I call You Healer
When silence falls
You'll be the song within my heart
And I will praise You
I will praise You
When the tears fall
Still I will sing to You
I will praise You
Jesus praise You
Through the suffering
Still I will sing to You
When hope is lost
I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds
I call You Healer
When silence falls
You'll be the song within my heart
I will praise You
I will praise You
When the tears fall
Still I will sing to you
I will praise You
Jesus praise You
Through the suffering
Still I will sing to You
When the laughter fails to comfort
When my heart aches, Lord You'll be there
When confusion is all around me
And the darkness is my closest friend
Still I'll praise You
Jesus praise You
When the tears fall
Still I will sing to you
I will praise You
Jesus praise You
Through the suffering
Still I will sing to You
I've had questions without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing that I cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true...
If you have ever been at this place in your life, and especially if like me you are in that place now, then know this - you have my pity, and my respect.
I have been in this place, almost daily, for almost a full year. It is one step away from death. But, it is also a place where you are closest to God. In my greatest pain, comes my fullest realization of Who God is.
In all of the bad times of my life in the previous years, if i added up all of my troubles from those years, all of the pain, all of the heartache, all of the tears, all of the desperation...they would not even hold a candle to how bad this last year of my life has been.
And, honestly, as much as i want this year to be a good one...so far, i am only able to stand at all, because i have faith that God will not allow me to be torn down and ripped apart forever. Nothing looks any different, nothing looks any better. If blessings are coming, and i have to believe that they are...i do not see them out there anywhere...
So, i do what i can do to survive. I worship. Not because i want to, and not because i feel like it; i worship, because there is nothing else to do. And i hold on to God with a death-grip.
I told God just a day or so ago, that i wondered how much longer i was going to have my feet held to the fire. I wondered how much longer trials would be thrown at me, over and over and over again, without respite. How long, God, will it be, until You give me some rest from this? How long until i begin to see some sort of reward? Cuz this is starting to feel like Old Testament punishment. I do not want to walk around the mountain for 40 years until i die, Lord! But, i said to God, If He is testing and trying me to see if this will make me turn away from Him...it won't happen. I long ago realized that i have nowhere else to go. I have nobody else who is truly in my corner. There is nobody else who understands me. No matter what happens, i...will...not...let...go...of...my...God!
I can't. I have nothing else.
Seems like a fitting time to reprint these lyrics...
When The Tears Fall - by Tim Hughes
I've had questions without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing that I cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true
When hope is lost
I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds
I call You Healer
When silence falls
You'll be the song within my heart
In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me, You sustain me
My defender for ever more
When hope is lost
I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds
I call You Healer
When silence falls
You'll be the song within my heart
And I will praise You
I will praise You
When the tears fall
Still I will sing to You
I will praise You
Jesus praise You
Through the suffering
Still I will sing to You
When hope is lost
I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds
I call You Healer
When silence falls
You'll be the song within my heart
I will praise You
I will praise You
When the tears fall
Still I will sing to you
I will praise You
Jesus praise You
Through the suffering
Still I will sing to You
When the laughter fails to comfort
When my heart aches, Lord You'll be there
When confusion is all around me
And the darkness is my closest friend
Still I'll praise You
Jesus praise You
When the tears fall
Still I will sing to you
I will praise You
Jesus praise You
Through the suffering
Still I will sing to You
I've had questions without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing that I cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true...
If you have ever been at this place in your life, and especially if like me you are in that place now, then know this - you have my pity, and my respect.
I have been in this place, almost daily, for almost a full year. It is one step away from death. But, it is also a place where you are closest to God. In my greatest pain, comes my fullest realization of Who God is.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
expanded thawtz
This is a slightly expanded version of an email that i sent out to my family and friends just now...
Hey All!
Well...that didn't go as well as I would have hoped. Coffee with Rachelle, that is. Discussing reconciliation, which i had brought up to her last week.
For all of the changes that i sensed in her the last few times that we met...faith is still not one of her strong points. Nor is forgiveness. And I say that in a loving way, but with my eyes wide opened right now.
I shouldn't make it out to be miserable. We talked. We were civil. But, the more we talked, the more things crept back in to her language, things that showed me that she would have a hard time being open with me, that she would have a hard time forgiving me and not bringing up my faults.
In the end, she said that God would have to TELL HER to take me back, He would have to show her. She didn't say it harshly. But i was not going to be able to convince her. Nor did i try very hard, really (I am not interested in trying to "sell" myself to her. Take me or leave me, this is who I am!). I laid out who i was, and that i wanted to do this and that i CAN do this. That was really all that i could say to her. She beleived me...but it wasn't enough in the end.
Her faith is lacking. I feel like God did exactly what she asked Him to do - He brought me back to her. But, He did so at a time when she had already decided that she didn't want me back. Ironic, isn't it? Now, she is responsible for saying that, no, she does not want to continue (or repair or rebuild) the marriage - yet, she still will blame me for ending it, and not herself. Yeah...that's whacked, I know!
She kept wanting to tell me that she had "kept herself clean" by not being with or loving anybody else while married to me, and that i had not. As nicely as she put it, in an 'okay' tone of voice, the fact still is this - forgiveness and non-judgementalism are two gifts she does not have. Not yet. I thought she had some, that she had learned something about that. In the end, i think i was wrong. I beleive that she is calmer with me, because she has given up on me and is determined to not let me hurt her anymore. And that is it.
I feel a little hurt, and a little lost right now. I really did want this to work. I feel like i am back to drifting again. I hate drifting. As much as God is my anchor...oh, i dunno!...I should stop talking/typing, i cannot sort out my confusions right now. There are too many of them.
I'm hurt. That i DO know.
She may change her mind. But, i will not chase her down and ask her. She will have to come to me now.
If i were a betting man, i would bet that she will not change her mind. I think that right now she still manages to lay all of the blame for what has gone wrong in our marriage and in her life, at my feet. She is still like that, and that makes me sad. I wish she did not have to go through life like that. It is wrong, and it keeps her from truly enjoying her relationship with God.
In truth, when i step back and view it...do i really think she is going to be able to partner with me in life? Seriously, the differences between us are huge! (No, i don't, not on a natural level - but because i trust God, i am willing to obey Him and believe that He can supernaturally work out all things, if He so desires to!)
That makes me sad, that we are so different that we cannot make life together work. So, not only did i make a bad choice in choosing her to be my wife, not only did i make a hurtful choice in telling her that i did not want to come back into the relationship, but now when i obey God and ask if she wants to go to counselling and work things out between us and work hard at having a great life...i find that we are too different as people!?! Strike three; I'm out? Man, this love thing SUCKS!
Life kinda sucks, that is for sure. I sure do hope God finds somewhere(s) to focus my attention and energies on soon, so i can stop this drifting feeling...it is the not having anything to do, not having anywhere for my heart to hang it's hat (i am talking in a romantic sense here), that is what makes my life feel awful to me.
I'll be okay. I may shed some tears later, but in the end, God is still in control, He is still good, and a good path is still laid out by Him before me (I just do not know where/when it starts!). I'll be okay.
But i covet your prayers, and your love. Can't help but feel rejected and unloveable, to a certain degree over all of this. Love (and those I love) has kicked the crap out of me for a great many years, and i sure am tired of it!
Love you all,
Dredd Sweet
"I will trust God, because He IS God."
By the way, i am proud of myself for NOT sending this email out to "MJ". I am moving on, and whatever/whomever God wants in my life, He will have to bring them there Himself! Not me; Him!
Hey All!
Well...that didn't go as well as I would have hoped. Coffee with Rachelle, that is. Discussing reconciliation, which i had brought up to her last week.
For all of the changes that i sensed in her the last few times that we met...faith is still not one of her strong points. Nor is forgiveness. And I say that in a loving way, but with my eyes wide opened right now.
I shouldn't make it out to be miserable. We talked. We were civil. But, the more we talked, the more things crept back in to her language, things that showed me that she would have a hard time being open with me, that she would have a hard time forgiving me and not bringing up my faults.
In the end, she said that God would have to TELL HER to take me back, He would have to show her. She didn't say it harshly. But i was not going to be able to convince her. Nor did i try very hard, really (I am not interested in trying to "sell" myself to her. Take me or leave me, this is who I am!). I laid out who i was, and that i wanted to do this and that i CAN do this. That was really all that i could say to her. She beleived me...but it wasn't enough in the end.
Her faith is lacking. I feel like God did exactly what she asked Him to do - He brought me back to her. But, He did so at a time when she had already decided that she didn't want me back. Ironic, isn't it? Now, she is responsible for saying that, no, she does not want to continue (or repair or rebuild) the marriage - yet, she still will blame me for ending it, and not herself. Yeah...that's whacked, I know!
She kept wanting to tell me that she had "kept herself clean" by not being with or loving anybody else while married to me, and that i had not. As nicely as she put it, in an 'okay' tone of voice, the fact still is this - forgiveness and non-judgementalism are two gifts she does not have. Not yet. I thought she had some, that she had learned something about that. In the end, i think i was wrong. I beleive that she is calmer with me, because she has given up on me and is determined to not let me hurt her anymore. And that is it.
I feel a little hurt, and a little lost right now. I really did want this to work. I feel like i am back to drifting again. I hate drifting. As much as God is my anchor...oh, i dunno!...I should stop talking/typing, i cannot sort out my confusions right now. There are too many of them.
I'm hurt. That i DO know.
She may change her mind. But, i will not chase her down and ask her. She will have to come to me now.
If i were a betting man, i would bet that she will not change her mind. I think that right now she still manages to lay all of the blame for what has gone wrong in our marriage and in her life, at my feet. She is still like that, and that makes me sad. I wish she did not have to go through life like that. It is wrong, and it keeps her from truly enjoying her relationship with God.
In truth, when i step back and view it...do i really think she is going to be able to partner with me in life? Seriously, the differences between us are huge! (No, i don't, not on a natural level - but because i trust God, i am willing to obey Him and believe that He can supernaturally work out all things, if He so desires to!)
That makes me sad, that we are so different that we cannot make life together work. So, not only did i make a bad choice in choosing her to be my wife, not only did i make a hurtful choice in telling her that i did not want to come back into the relationship, but now when i obey God and ask if she wants to go to counselling and work things out between us and work hard at having a great life...i find that we are too different as people!?! Strike three; I'm out? Man, this love thing SUCKS!
Life kinda sucks, that is for sure. I sure do hope God finds somewhere(s) to focus my attention and energies on soon, so i can stop this drifting feeling...it is the not having anything to do, not having anywhere for my heart to hang it's hat (i am talking in a romantic sense here), that is what makes my life feel awful to me.
I'll be okay. I may shed some tears later, but in the end, God is still in control, He is still good, and a good path is still laid out by Him before me (I just do not know where/when it starts!). I'll be okay.
But i covet your prayers, and your love. Can't help but feel rejected and unloveable, to a certain degree over all of this. Love (and those I love) has kicked the crap out of me for a great many years, and i sure am tired of it!
Love you all,
Dredd Sweet
"I will trust God, because He IS God."
By the way, i am proud of myself for NOT sending this email out to "MJ". I am moving on, and whatever/whomever God wants in my life, He will have to bring them there Himself! Not me; Him!
Your Compass In The Game (Of Life)
I really liked this devotional I read today, so I thought I’d reprint it here…
Continue In The Spirit
Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:16-23 –
Therefore, let no one sit in judgement on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath. Such things are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality – the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it – belongs to Christ. Let no one defraud you by acting as an umpire and declaring you unworthy and disqualifying you for the prize, insisting of self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions (he claims) he has seen, vainly puffed up by his sensuous notions and inflated by his unspiritual thoughts and fleshly conceit, and not holding fast to the Head, from Whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by means of its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world’s crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? – Why do you submit to rules and regulations? (Such as) do not handle (this), do not taste (that), do not even touch (them), referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines. Such practices have indeed the outward appearance that popularly passes for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh – the lower nature. Instead, they do not honour God, but serve only to indulge the flesh.
Key Verse: Colossians 3:3 –
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect in the flesh?
The tackler could see it coming – a fullback carrying the football loosely at his side. A sudden turn and the tackler lunged after the ball. It popped loose and spiraled toward the ground.
He started to dive on the ball, but it bounded just high enough for him to pick it up and run. Breaking free from the other players, he started running down the football field as fast as he could run.
The crowd was shouting wildly as he crossed the goal line and pounded the ball proudly in the dirt. It was the first touchdown of his high school career – and perhaps his last – he had run into the wrong end zone.
We often have the right goal in mind spiritually when tackling the Christian faith but wind up in the wrong end zone. The Colossian believers had a sincere desire to serve God. However, they had become entangled in legalism and were imposing unrealistic demands on young believers. They had also begun judging actions of others.
The moment you think you have it together enough to judge another person is the moment you run into the wrong end zone. Paul described legalism as bondage. Don’t get caught up in it. Instead, “stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made you free” (Galatians 5:1).
Father, I have begun with You. Now keep me headed the right direction. I don’t want to wind up in the wrong end zone.
Just yesterday I blogged about how feelings and the heart can lead you into bondage. How what you want to believe can keep you from hearing what God was saying. There are similarities between this, and the football player analogy, the young man who heard the crowd roaring but never realized the noise was because he was running the wrong direction.
Legalism is bondage. Faith can be bondage too, if handled incorrectly. You have to check your faith (what you are believing in and believing for) with your legalism; you have to go to the Book and make sure that what you are believing lines up with God’s Word, completely lines up with it. If it doesn’t…stop, put your head up (and your knees down!), and seek to fully understand which way you are actually headed before taking another step in the wrong direction…
Today is going to be a good day.
God goes before me. God is my blocker, clearing my way down the field and keeping me going in the correct direction; He will see me all the way to the correct end zone.
Truthfully, feels like i have been playing a long time without scoring...it'll be nice to put some points on the board!
Continue In The Spirit
Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:16-23 –
Therefore, let no one sit in judgement on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath. Such things are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality – the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it – belongs to Christ. Let no one defraud you by acting as an umpire and declaring you unworthy and disqualifying you for the prize, insisting of self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions (he claims) he has seen, vainly puffed up by his sensuous notions and inflated by his unspiritual thoughts and fleshly conceit, and not holding fast to the Head, from Whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by means of its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world’s crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? – Why do you submit to rules and regulations? (Such as) do not handle (this), do not taste (that), do not even touch (them), referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines. Such practices have indeed the outward appearance that popularly passes for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh – the lower nature. Instead, they do not honour God, but serve only to indulge the flesh.
Key Verse: Colossians 3:3 –
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect in the flesh?
The tackler could see it coming – a fullback carrying the football loosely at his side. A sudden turn and the tackler lunged after the ball. It popped loose and spiraled toward the ground.
He started to dive on the ball, but it bounded just high enough for him to pick it up and run. Breaking free from the other players, he started running down the football field as fast as he could run.
The crowd was shouting wildly as he crossed the goal line and pounded the ball proudly in the dirt. It was the first touchdown of his high school career – and perhaps his last – he had run into the wrong end zone.
We often have the right goal in mind spiritually when tackling the Christian faith but wind up in the wrong end zone. The Colossian believers had a sincere desire to serve God. However, they had become entangled in legalism and were imposing unrealistic demands on young believers. They had also begun judging actions of others.
The moment you think you have it together enough to judge another person is the moment you run into the wrong end zone. Paul described legalism as bondage. Don’t get caught up in it. Instead, “stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made you free” (Galatians 5:1).
Father, I have begun with You. Now keep me headed the right direction. I don’t want to wind up in the wrong end zone.
Just yesterday I blogged about how feelings and the heart can lead you into bondage. How what you want to believe can keep you from hearing what God was saying. There are similarities between this, and the football player analogy, the young man who heard the crowd roaring but never realized the noise was because he was running the wrong direction.
Legalism is bondage. Faith can be bondage too, if handled incorrectly. You have to check your faith (what you are believing in and believing for) with your legalism; you have to go to the Book and make sure that what you are believing lines up with God’s Word, completely lines up with it. If it doesn’t…stop, put your head up (and your knees down!), and seek to fully understand which way you are actually headed before taking another step in the wrong direction…
Today is going to be a good day.
God goes before me. God is my blocker, clearing my way down the field and keeping me going in the correct direction; He will see me all the way to the correct end zone.
Truthfully, feels like i have been playing a long time without scoring...it'll be nice to put some points on the board!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
todays news
From today’s studies…
The Way Of Faith
Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11 is an emotional chapter. Spread before you are the spiritual sagas of generations who placed their unwavering trust in God, Who took them on adventures beyond their imaginations. Some never saw the end result of their faith, but a great many did. Do you notice some common denominators among their experiences? No matter how different their particular stories might have been, certain principals held true for them all…
Faith was the way of trials. Noah certainly didn’t ask for the ridicule and doubt of his neighbours. Moses would have preferred any easier way out of Egypt. But God used the rough times to sharpen them for the future and to be an even more powerful testimony to others.
Faith was the way of the most misunderstanding. Abraham’s choice to follow God wherever He led was surely confusing to some. It didn’t make sense from an earthly point of view for Rahab to hide the Israelite spies. From God’s perspective, however, their unquestioning obedience opened the door to His blessing.
Faith was the way of patience. David had to wait many years before God fulfilled His promise of giving him the kingship. And many of the believers of the New Testament were put to death after prolonged periods of persecution. God’s ultimate rewards for them were (and are) worth the wait.
Dear heavenly Father, I realize that the way of faith is often a journey of trials. Use the rough times to prepare me for the future. Give me patience to endure the darkest hours.
The Way Of Faith
Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11 is an emotional chapter. Spread before you are the spiritual sagas of generations who placed their unwavering trust in God, Who took them on adventures beyond their imaginations. Some never saw the end result of their faith, but a great many did. Do you notice some common denominators among their experiences? No matter how different their particular stories might have been, certain principals held true for them all…
Faith was the way of trials. Noah certainly didn’t ask for the ridicule and doubt of his neighbours. Moses would have preferred any easier way out of Egypt. But God used the rough times to sharpen them for the future and to be an even more powerful testimony to others.
Faith was the way of the most misunderstanding. Abraham’s choice to follow God wherever He led was surely confusing to some. It didn’t make sense from an earthly point of view for Rahab to hide the Israelite spies. From God’s perspective, however, their unquestioning obedience opened the door to His blessing.
Faith was the way of patience. David had to wait many years before God fulfilled His promise of giving him the kingship. And many of the believers of the New Testament were put to death after prolonged periods of persecution. God’s ultimate rewards for them were (and are) worth the wait.
Dear heavenly Father, I realize that the way of faith is often a journey of trials. Use the rough times to prepare me for the future. Give me patience to endure the darkest hours.
Setting Emotions Aright
When you are physically involved with (and that can run the gamut, from just being around them a lot to being physically or sexually intimate with them) somebody who you are emotionally or romantically involved with, you are never really able to see straight, are you? You never have the ability to separate fact from fiction, truth from lie, feeling from…well, you get the picture. It isn’t until you are removed from that person, that you begin to see things as you should have seen them long ago.
Sometimes, for some of us, getting clear of the emotional feedback takes time. We can have that separation, yet still drown out what we should be hearing in favour of what we have been hearing; in other words, we happily go on refusing to do/see/hear/believe anything other than what we have been up until now. Rather than take the risk of making any changes of significance in our life, we continue to do things exactly the way we always have, even when it makes no sense to.
In history, when the presidential order came down into law, making all the slaves free in America, many of those same slaves continued to choose to live in slavery. It was the way that they had always done things, and they did not know how to do things differently.
Your heart can free you. Emotions can be wonderful things. But sometimes, even “good” (positive) emotions, can chain you to a life you are not supposed to be living. Our emotions can keep us in slavery.
But God has come to set us free. “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free.”
But we need that separation. Until we can look at God through eyes that are unclouded by our emotional attachments, we will not be willing to hear what He may be saying to us about those attachments.
I am getting freer in my life. It is a slow process. I am allowing God to take those emotional attachments that were not right, and change them slowly into ones that are right. Through dis-attaching and being separate physically from the object of my former affections, I am able to be able to, day-by-day, think about her in terms and ways that are not wrong. Oh, I still have emotions for her. I still am “on her side” in life. I do still care for her deeply. But, I no longer delude myself into believing I am supposed to be with her, or that my feelings for her will ever again include the “in love” type of feelings. Those were a mistake on my part. And so I learn, and I move on. How I feel about her now, is the same way that I feel about several other women friends in my life – like I have gained another close sister, one who I care about and would lay down my life for.
And that is the sort of honourable feeling of love that I should have for others. Thank You, Lord, for working in me.
I’m getting it. It is a process, but I am getting it.
Sometimes, for some of us, getting clear of the emotional feedback takes time. We can have that separation, yet still drown out what we should be hearing in favour of what we have been hearing; in other words, we happily go on refusing to do/see/hear/believe anything other than what we have been up until now. Rather than take the risk of making any changes of significance in our life, we continue to do things exactly the way we always have, even when it makes no sense to.
In history, when the presidential order came down into law, making all the slaves free in America, many of those same slaves continued to choose to live in slavery. It was the way that they had always done things, and they did not know how to do things differently.
Your heart can free you. Emotions can be wonderful things. But sometimes, even “good” (positive) emotions, can chain you to a life you are not supposed to be living. Our emotions can keep us in slavery.
But God has come to set us free. “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free.”
But we need that separation. Until we can look at God through eyes that are unclouded by our emotional attachments, we will not be willing to hear what He may be saying to us about those attachments.
I am getting freer in my life. It is a slow process. I am allowing God to take those emotional attachments that were not right, and change them slowly into ones that are right. Through dis-attaching and being separate physically from the object of my former affections, I am able to be able to, day-by-day, think about her in terms and ways that are not wrong. Oh, I still have emotions for her. I still am “on her side” in life. I do still care for her deeply. But, I no longer delude myself into believing I am supposed to be with her, or that my feelings for her will ever again include the “in love” type of feelings. Those were a mistake on my part. And so I learn, and I move on. How I feel about her now, is the same way that I feel about several other women friends in my life – like I have gained another close sister, one who I care about and would lay down my life for.
And that is the sort of honourable feeling of love that I should have for others. Thank You, Lord, for working in me.
I’m getting it. It is a process, but I am getting it.
poem posted
I wrote this poem for Rachelle, a long time ago...
http://leplaunpoetree.blogspot.com/2009/01/angels-cry.html
http://leplaunpoetree.blogspot.com/2009/01/angels-cry.html
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
two for today
My two daily devotionals for today…
Hope For The Future
Scripture Reading: Psalm 42
Key Verse: Psalm 42:5 – Why are you cast down, o my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
Hope brings an anticipation of blessing. We live in hope of a wedding day or the birth of a child or grandchild. We have hope over graduation from college or the day we can finally place “Dr.” in front of our names. There are as many reasons to hope as there are people who live each day.
To know hope, you must endure times of hopelessness. Hope represents an end to desperate longing – a need that begs to be satisfied and in the end is fulfilled. When hope burns within your heart, it cries out to be heard.
The psalmist wrote,
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for Thee, O God…
My tears have been my food all day and night,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?” (Ps. 42:1-3 NASB)
What is your hope, your dream, the cry of your heart? Take a moment and go to Jesus with your deepest, most earnest pleas.
Realize that whatever is important to you is even more important to the Lord. Let Him be your Source of hope today.
O Lord, my heart cries out to You today. Like the psalmist, I long for You as a deer desires the cool, refreshing water. Rekindle the dying embers of my hope.
Unshakable Faith
Scripture Reading: John 20:24-29
Key Verse: John 20:29 – Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The apostle Thomas felt deserted. The One he had followed closely and served for almost three years was gone. A cold cave of stone held Jesus’ battered, torn body, and no one knew what to do next.
Later that Sabbath when Thomas arrived at the disciples’ meeting, their mood had changed completely. “We have seen the Lord!” they cried. But Thomas couldn’t share their enthusiasm. He had not seen the Lord, and he did not want to be set up for yet another disappointment. His focus was gone, his grand vision of the future shattered, and his faith shaken.
Have you been there? A negative experience left a bad impression, and you are afraid to trust again. One more letdown, and you aren’t sure how you might respond. If you could have a glimpse of God in the dark times, you would have hope.
Jesus met Thomas right where he was in wavering faith. The living Christ stood before him face-to-face and told him to feel His hands and side. Thomas responded with one of the most moving confessions of faith in the Scriptures: "My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NASB).
Look at Jesus. He is real, and He is there to meet you in the bleakest hour. You will have the same reply when you see Him as He is.
O Lord, sometimes the shadows of the past make me afraid to trust. During these dark times, meet me where I am. Let me see You as You are. Let me touch You with the hand of faith.
Hope For The Future
Scripture Reading: Psalm 42
Key Verse: Psalm 42:5 – Why are you cast down, o my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
Hope brings an anticipation of blessing. We live in hope of a wedding day or the birth of a child or grandchild. We have hope over graduation from college or the day we can finally place “Dr.” in front of our names. There are as many reasons to hope as there are people who live each day.
To know hope, you must endure times of hopelessness. Hope represents an end to desperate longing – a need that begs to be satisfied and in the end is fulfilled. When hope burns within your heart, it cries out to be heard.
The psalmist wrote,
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for Thee, O God…
My tears have been my food all day and night,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?” (Ps. 42:1-3 NASB)
What is your hope, your dream, the cry of your heart? Take a moment and go to Jesus with your deepest, most earnest pleas.
Realize that whatever is important to you is even more important to the Lord. Let Him be your Source of hope today.
O Lord, my heart cries out to You today. Like the psalmist, I long for You as a deer desires the cool, refreshing water. Rekindle the dying embers of my hope.
Unshakable Faith
Scripture Reading: John 20:24-29
Key Verse: John 20:29 – Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The apostle Thomas felt deserted. The One he had followed closely and served for almost three years was gone. A cold cave of stone held Jesus’ battered, torn body, and no one knew what to do next.
Later that Sabbath when Thomas arrived at the disciples’ meeting, their mood had changed completely. “We have seen the Lord!” they cried. But Thomas couldn’t share their enthusiasm. He had not seen the Lord, and he did not want to be set up for yet another disappointment. His focus was gone, his grand vision of the future shattered, and his faith shaken.
Have you been there? A negative experience left a bad impression, and you are afraid to trust again. One more letdown, and you aren’t sure how you might respond. If you could have a glimpse of God in the dark times, you would have hope.
Jesus met Thomas right where he was in wavering faith. The living Christ stood before him face-to-face and told him to feel His hands and side. Thomas responded with one of the most moving confessions of faith in the Scriptures: "My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NASB).
Look at Jesus. He is real, and He is there to meet you in the bleakest hour. You will have the same reply when you see Him as He is.
O Lord, sometimes the shadows of the past make me afraid to trust. During these dark times, meet me where I am. Let me see You as You are. Let me touch You with the hand of faith.
To Bat
Well, we all make mistakes in life. And we have to live with the consequences.
My consequences could be grave. Could be.
My main worry right now is my work situation. Really, it should not be a "worry" at all, as God is in control and i can do nothing much about the current situation. However...
Basically, here is how it goes. Currently, one female employee who was a big part of my life this year (and a big part of my mistakes in life!), she has been off for several months on medical leave. Apparently, she is planning on coming back. Maybe. Also, she has gone to my boss' boss and complained...about what, we do not know. But she alwasy said that if she left here, she would cause the poop to hit the fan when she did, so...this isn't good. My boss has a meeting with his boss today (Tuesday), and my boss is nervous already.
My boss has said he will go to bat for me. He wants me here. That is self-evident, as i previously put in my resignation and he would not accept it.
My boss wants me here. My boss does not want "her" here. Acutally, pretty much everybody here has expressed to me their support of me, and that they want me here and not her. That is encouraging, and heart-warming.
Problem is...what does my boss' boss want? What will he allow my boss to do, especially in these tough economic times?
It is all in the air right now. Everybody is nervous. I am tired of talking about it. Really, i am just plain ol' tired of talking about "her." I want to stop already. I just want her gone, so that we can all (at work) move on. And then, i can stop having to talk and wonder about her, and i can get on with my life, like i have been trying to do...
Lord, i just want to move on. I accept my mistakes, i know what they are, and i am done with that way of living. I am trying hard to live life Your way now, Lord...so please take care of this situation. We do not need her here. And, if she comes back, i have to leave. Nobody here, least of all me, would like it if that happened.
So, please Lord, take care of this situation swiftly. Thank You.
My consequences could be grave. Could be.
My main worry right now is my work situation. Really, it should not be a "worry" at all, as God is in control and i can do nothing much about the current situation. However...
Basically, here is how it goes. Currently, one female employee who was a big part of my life this year (and a big part of my mistakes in life!), she has been off for several months on medical leave. Apparently, she is planning on coming back. Maybe. Also, she has gone to my boss' boss and complained...about what, we do not know. But she alwasy said that if she left here, she would cause the poop to hit the fan when she did, so...this isn't good. My boss has a meeting with his boss today (Tuesday), and my boss is nervous already.
My boss has said he will go to bat for me. He wants me here. That is self-evident, as i previously put in my resignation and he would not accept it.
My boss wants me here. My boss does not want "her" here. Acutally, pretty much everybody here has expressed to me their support of me, and that they want me here and not her. That is encouraging, and heart-warming.
Problem is...what does my boss' boss want? What will he allow my boss to do, especially in these tough economic times?
It is all in the air right now. Everybody is nervous. I am tired of talking about it. Really, i am just plain ol' tired of talking about "her." I want to stop already. I just want her gone, so that we can all (at work) move on. And then, i can stop having to talk and wonder about her, and i can get on with my life, like i have been trying to do...
Lord, i just want to move on. I accept my mistakes, i know what they are, and i am done with that way of living. I am trying hard to live life Your way now, Lord...so please take care of this situation. We do not need her here. And, if she comes back, i have to leave. Nobody here, least of all me, would like it if that happened.
So, please Lord, take care of this situation swiftly. Thank You.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Things 2 Note
This devotional is reprinted from January 21st, with very good reason...
Obeying in Faith
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11
Key Verse: Luke 5:5 – Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus was speaking to a group gathered along the shores of Galilee. When He finished, He turned to Peter and told him to raise the boat’s sails, head back out into the open water, and lower his nets for a large catch of fish.
Tired and wishing only for a few hours rest, Peter seemed to hesitate. Did Jesus know what He was requesting? Everyone there knew the best time for fishing – especially with nets – was at night; the worst time was during the day.
Peter tried to reason: “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.” But Jesus remained firm: “Let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4 NASB).
Every time we are called to obey God, our faith is challenged and our true nature revealed. The miracle of the tremendous quantity of fish was the result of Peter’s willingness to trust and obey Christ by faith. In obedience he replied, “At Your bidding I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5 NASB).
When our hearts are set on obedience, God responds mightily. There will be moments in life when you may ask, “Lord, is this a matter of obedience?” If so, choose to obey in faith, then “let down your nets” and prepare for a tremendous blessing.
Lord, I set my heart this day to obey Your Word. As I move forward in obedience, I am “letting down my nets” spiritually and preparing for a tremendous blessing. I know it is coming, so thank You in advance!
_______________________________
OK...why am I going back over this devotional now?
Simple...because it fits.
Nighttime was the best time for fishing, but they had caught nothing. Then Jesus walked up, told them to go out into the deep water during the day hours and let down their nets. After a frustrating night of not catching anything, their nets were already drying and being put away. They were fishermen, and Jesus was a carpenter! Yet...somehow, for some strange reason...they knew enough to obey. That was all they had...their obedience.
And the blessing they got was more than many boats could hold!
At Your bidding, Lord, I too will let down my nets, well past the time when the fish are waiting to be caught. I will risk being a laughingstock, and i will trust You and sail out. I will do what is right, what You ask, in obedience.
Open up the heavens, Lord, and let the blessings flow! Work the miraculous. Show Your power and Your mercy and Your love.
If this is Your will...let it be so.
Obeying in Faith
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11
Key Verse: Luke 5:5 – Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus was speaking to a group gathered along the shores of Galilee. When He finished, He turned to Peter and told him to raise the boat’s sails, head back out into the open water, and lower his nets for a large catch of fish.
Tired and wishing only for a few hours rest, Peter seemed to hesitate. Did Jesus know what He was requesting? Everyone there knew the best time for fishing – especially with nets – was at night; the worst time was during the day.
Peter tried to reason: “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.” But Jesus remained firm: “Let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4 NASB).
Every time we are called to obey God, our faith is challenged and our true nature revealed. The miracle of the tremendous quantity of fish was the result of Peter’s willingness to trust and obey Christ by faith. In obedience he replied, “At Your bidding I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5 NASB).
When our hearts are set on obedience, God responds mightily. There will be moments in life when you may ask, “Lord, is this a matter of obedience?” If so, choose to obey in faith, then “let down your nets” and prepare for a tremendous blessing.
Lord, I set my heart this day to obey Your Word. As I move forward in obedience, I am “letting down my nets” spiritually and preparing for a tremendous blessing. I know it is coming, so thank You in advance!
_______________________________
OK...why am I going back over this devotional now?
Simple...because it fits.
Nighttime was the best time for fishing, but they had caught nothing. Then Jesus walked up, told them to go out into the deep water during the day hours and let down their nets. After a frustrating night of not catching anything, their nets were already drying and being put away. They were fishermen, and Jesus was a carpenter! Yet...somehow, for some strange reason...they knew enough to obey. That was all they had...their obedience.
And the blessing they got was more than many boats could hold!
At Your bidding, Lord, I too will let down my nets, well past the time when the fish are waiting to be caught. I will risk being a laughingstock, and i will trust You and sail out. I will do what is right, what You ask, in obedience.
Open up the heavens, Lord, and let the blessings flow! Work the miraculous. Show Your power and Your mercy and Your love.
If this is Your will...let it be so.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Path Less Traveled
Sometimes, the path that God lays out in front of you, hits you like a cinderblock to the head.
You realize that the path you have been looking for, searching for, for so long, has actually been in plain sight the whole time.
If I want to be in God’s will, truly be in God’s will, there is only one decision that I can make at this point in my life that will be certain to put me in His will.
So, I made it.
I am …such a fool, to have waited this long to make this decision. Talk about leaving things to the last second!
How this decision is received by others…I do not know. That, of course, is crucial. Can’t get on the path, if the path is blocked.
Faith in God, in Who He is, will serve me well if I get to travel this path. So will my brokenness, my compassionate spirit, and my intense need for honesty in all my relationships.
Please cover me, and my situation, with your prayers. I need them. I have chosen to start over. To start over, with somebody from my past…if they will take me back.
Nothing could be more God’s will, than this decision. We shall see where God takes me next.
Most people, will think I am going this route, or trying to, out of loneliness and desperation. Part of that, would be true. The "desperation" part - I am desperate to make sure I am in God's will for my life. I have seen enough, talked enough, with this person, to know that both of us have made changes in our lives, and it is entirely possible that the miracle that we have both been seeking from God, it is right here in front of us.
We shall see.
In the meantime, I have decided in the next day or two, to remove all mention of MJ from this site. She is a part of my past - I am moving forward into my future, full speed ahead. Lord, be the Captain of this vessel, and steer it well
You realize that the path you have been looking for, searching for, for so long, has actually been in plain sight the whole time.
If I want to be in God’s will, truly be in God’s will, there is only one decision that I can make at this point in my life that will be certain to put me in His will.
So, I made it.
I am …such a fool, to have waited this long to make this decision. Talk about leaving things to the last second!
How this decision is received by others…I do not know. That, of course, is crucial. Can’t get on the path, if the path is blocked.
Faith in God, in Who He is, will serve me well if I get to travel this path. So will my brokenness, my compassionate spirit, and my intense need for honesty in all my relationships.
Please cover me, and my situation, with your prayers. I need them. I have chosen to start over. To start over, with somebody from my past…if they will take me back.
Nothing could be more God’s will, than this decision. We shall see where God takes me next.
Most people, will think I am going this route, or trying to, out of loneliness and desperation. Part of that, would be true. The "desperation" part - I am desperate to make sure I am in God's will for my life. I have seen enough, talked enough, with this person, to know that both of us have made changes in our lives, and it is entirely possible that the miracle that we have both been seeking from God, it is right here in front of us.
We shall see.
In the meantime, I have decided in the next day or two, to remove all mention of MJ from this site. She is a part of my past - I am moving forward into my future, full speed ahead. Lord, be the Captain of this vessel, and steer it well
T. G.
Trusting God
People who have spent time in prison talk about the mind-numbing effects of incarceration. Days slide into days, months into months, and an inmate’s perception of time and reality may become stunted. It is easy to lose motivation or the will to live without hope, a goal, something to work toward.
Such was not the case with Joseph in the Old Testament. If ever anyone had a reason to be bitter, it was Joseph. He did not even deserve to be in jail. Joseph could have allowed his frustration to deepen into resentment and then taken it out on his fellow prisoners and the guards. He could have made life miserable. Instead, Joseph chose to trust God.
Joseph understood that God’s plans for him extended beyond the negatives of the here and now; in faith he could look past the present pain, and as a result, God turned his circumstances into a beautiful testimony of His love and provision.
I trust You, Master! By faith, I look beyond the past and present, into the tremendous future You have planned for me. Turn my negative circumstances into a testimony of Your love and provision.
This is actually one of the devotionals that I did early last morning (still this morning for me, as I have not gone to bed yet).
Much here speaks to me…
“It is easy to lose motivation…without hope, a goal, something got work toward.”
- This is one reason that I cannot really say that the last six months have been a waste. Because, all throughout that time, I believed that I was following God’s will for my life. I had a plan, I had faith, and I had a hope for my future. In some ways, life was never better, even while I was going through a topsy-turvy and immensely painful period of time.
Now, though...now I need God's direction. If i do not get it, i will flounder and sink in life. I need hope; God, give me true hope, in the right things.
“…could have allowed his frustration to deepen into resentment…could have made life miserable.”
- Joseph could have responded with bitterness. With rage. With cursing. With resentment. He could have made the lives of those around him worse off. Instead, he tried his best to do his best in everything, and he hung on to his faith in Who God is. If Joseph could do it…why can’t I? It all starts with a right attitude, and a humble heart. Lord, give me both of those!
- I want my circumstances to be turned into something good. I want to respond well to the negative, so that God can trust me with the positive.
One thing I do not seem to be able to do right now, is answer the question “why?” Another thing that I cannot do, is figure out "what did I do wrong?" If you do not know what you did wrong, how can you make sure you do not repeat the mistake?
What now, Lord? Where do we go from here? What do I look to? What do I hope for? What do I believe for in prayer? Whose life do I affect positively for you? How do I move forward? How do I make my life worth something? How do I avoid the traps of self-pity and resentment and despair?
Lord…I still need You, perhaps now more than ever!
People who have spent time in prison talk about the mind-numbing effects of incarceration. Days slide into days, months into months, and an inmate’s perception of time and reality may become stunted. It is easy to lose motivation or the will to live without hope, a goal, something to work toward.
Such was not the case with Joseph in the Old Testament. If ever anyone had a reason to be bitter, it was Joseph. He did not even deserve to be in jail. Joseph could have allowed his frustration to deepen into resentment and then taken it out on his fellow prisoners and the guards. He could have made life miserable. Instead, Joseph chose to trust God.
Joseph understood that God’s plans for him extended beyond the negatives of the here and now; in faith he could look past the present pain, and as a result, God turned his circumstances into a beautiful testimony of His love and provision.
I trust You, Master! By faith, I look beyond the past and present, into the tremendous future You have planned for me. Turn my negative circumstances into a testimony of Your love and provision.
This is actually one of the devotionals that I did early last morning (still this morning for me, as I have not gone to bed yet).
Much here speaks to me…
“It is easy to lose motivation…without hope, a goal, something got work toward.”
- This is one reason that I cannot really say that the last six months have been a waste. Because, all throughout that time, I believed that I was following God’s will for my life. I had a plan, I had faith, and I had a hope for my future. In some ways, life was never better, even while I was going through a topsy-turvy and immensely painful period of time.
Now, though...now I need God's direction. If i do not get it, i will flounder and sink in life. I need hope; God, give me true hope, in the right things.
“…could have allowed his frustration to deepen into resentment…could have made life miserable.”
- Joseph could have responded with bitterness. With rage. With cursing. With resentment. He could have made the lives of those around him worse off. Instead, he tried his best to do his best in everything, and he hung on to his faith in Who God is. If Joseph could do it…why can’t I? It all starts with a right attitude, and a humble heart. Lord, give me both of those!
- I want my circumstances to be turned into something good. I want to respond well to the negative, so that God can trust me with the positive.
One thing I do not seem to be able to do right now, is answer the question “why?” Another thing that I cannot do, is figure out "what did I do wrong?" If you do not know what you did wrong, how can you make sure you do not repeat the mistake?
What now, Lord? Where do we go from here? What do I look to? What do I hope for? What do I believe for in prayer? Whose life do I affect positively for you? How do I move forward? How do I make my life worth something? How do I avoid the traps of self-pity and resentment and despair?
Lord…I still need You, perhaps now more than ever!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Cheers? and The Faith Card
"Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot."
I need a break, so i am taking one.
No, not a bar break for a few drinks (actually, i havent' had a drink in three months).
I am taking a break from believing. From striving. From caring. From being involved. I am taking a break from the way my life has been for the last 6 months (crappy!), and doing something different.
I passed tired a few months ago. The struggle to remain un-bitter has been a tough one, and i fear that i may lose it eventually. I am so far past bone-weary...i dunno. All the fight has gone out of me. I just do not care anymore.
I do not understand anything anymore. That has been my mantra now for the last 6 months. Despite spending huge amounts of time with God, with seeking His face, with striving to remain faithful in everything...I STILL do not know anything! Not...one...thing.
Nohing has happened. My life has remained static. I have remained in a rut, when i thought i was on a highway. Apparently, "getting nowhere" should have been my first clue that i was on a wrong road. But, God kept telling me to have faith. I mean, He was telling me DAILY to have faith!
Okay, so, i am not God, and I really should think better of giving Him advice, but...if somebody is asking for direction, and they are belieivng for something that is NOT what You want them to have, then wouldn't it be a good idea to NOT use that same time to teach them about having faith? Isn't that counter-productive, and really very confusing?
Sorry, Lord. Somehow, i recognize that You must be right. I just am not sure how, right now.
Anyways, yeah. Taking a break. Trying something new. What is the "something new" that i am trying? I call it "anything but what i have been doing for the last 6 months"...
The faith card is a dangerous card to play.
It trumps everything else.
It is wonderful and beautiful and scriptural to have faith in God. First, faith is the vehicle of our salvation. But more than that, it is important to have faith in Who God IS; that He is a good God Who loves us and desires to bless us immensely. This kind of faith is good for every believer, and we should all have it.
But, when we transfer our faith from God, to something that we want…here is where we enter a danger zone.
Even if you truly believe God has told you that you will get something, that He will bring it to you and it is yours…make sure you hold tightly to the first type of faith we have discussed – faith in Who God is. Once you transfer that faith, and make it “God will do___, and I have faith that He will”…well…potential problems arise.
Did God really say it? Are you sure? Could you possibly be misunderstanding it? Are your emotions wrapped up in this thing/person/event that you want God to bring you? Do you know what God’s timeline is for this thing? One day? Two weeks? Ten years?
Look, I am not bitter. Really, I am not, and I pray daily that I do not grow to be bitter. I am not mad at God. For the most part, I am not mad at myself. I followed what I believed God told me, and I grew in faith from that, despite never seeing what I thought God had told me was mine to have. God stood by me, because I was following what I believed He had said to me. That is awesome. God is good.
But, once you wave that faith card around, look out! Because nobody can argue with somebody who has faith. No reasonable argument or explanation will ever overpower the faith card. In short, if you play that card at the wrong time, in the wrong manner…even God cannot get through to you to tell you that you are in error. Be prepared for your life to turn upside down when you play the faith card…and be well aware that you may never see anything out of it.
My advice? Even when you have faith, question God and yourself CONSTANTLY. Make sure that WHAT you have faith in, is exactly the thing you should have faith in. If you are off, even by a smidge…your life could be headed for disaster.
I do not blame God. I do not blame myself. I learned through this time, and grew close to God.
Now, I just pray that God directs my life to where He wants it to go. And, I will have faith in WHO He IS, and that He will bless me as He sees fit.
Jesus’ peace be with you all. And for those who supported me, thank you. I still need your support. God bless you for everything you have done for me. Peace out.
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot."
I need a break, so i am taking one.
No, not a bar break for a few drinks (actually, i havent' had a drink in three months).
I am taking a break from believing. From striving. From caring. From being involved. I am taking a break from the way my life has been for the last 6 months (crappy!), and doing something different.
I passed tired a few months ago. The struggle to remain un-bitter has been a tough one, and i fear that i may lose it eventually. I am so far past bone-weary...i dunno. All the fight has gone out of me. I just do not care anymore.
I do not understand anything anymore. That has been my mantra now for the last 6 months. Despite spending huge amounts of time with God, with seeking His face, with striving to remain faithful in everything...I STILL do not know anything! Not...one...thing.
Nohing has happened. My life has remained static. I have remained in a rut, when i thought i was on a highway. Apparently, "getting nowhere" should have been my first clue that i was on a wrong road. But, God kept telling me to have faith. I mean, He was telling me DAILY to have faith!
Okay, so, i am not God, and I really should think better of giving Him advice, but...if somebody is asking for direction, and they are belieivng for something that is NOT what You want them to have, then wouldn't it be a good idea to NOT use that same time to teach them about having faith? Isn't that counter-productive, and really very confusing?
Sorry, Lord. Somehow, i recognize that You must be right. I just am not sure how, right now.
Anyways, yeah. Taking a break. Trying something new. What is the "something new" that i am trying? I call it "anything but what i have been doing for the last 6 months"...
The faith card is a dangerous card to play.
It trumps everything else.
It is wonderful and beautiful and scriptural to have faith in God. First, faith is the vehicle of our salvation. But more than that, it is important to have faith in Who God IS; that He is a good God Who loves us and desires to bless us immensely. This kind of faith is good for every believer, and we should all have it.
But, when we transfer our faith from God, to something that we want…here is where we enter a danger zone.
Even if you truly believe God has told you that you will get something, that He will bring it to you and it is yours…make sure you hold tightly to the first type of faith we have discussed – faith in Who God is. Once you transfer that faith, and make it “God will do___, and I have faith that He will”…well…potential problems arise.
Did God really say it? Are you sure? Could you possibly be misunderstanding it? Are your emotions wrapped up in this thing/person/event that you want God to bring you? Do you know what God’s timeline is for this thing? One day? Two weeks? Ten years?
Look, I am not bitter. Really, I am not, and I pray daily that I do not grow to be bitter. I am not mad at God. For the most part, I am not mad at myself. I followed what I believed God told me, and I grew in faith from that, despite never seeing what I thought God had told me was mine to have. God stood by me, because I was following what I believed He had said to me. That is awesome. God is good.
But, once you wave that faith card around, look out! Because nobody can argue with somebody who has faith. No reasonable argument or explanation will ever overpower the faith card. In short, if you play that card at the wrong time, in the wrong manner…even God cannot get through to you to tell you that you are in error. Be prepared for your life to turn upside down when you play the faith card…and be well aware that you may never see anything out of it.
My advice? Even when you have faith, question God and yourself CONSTANTLY. Make sure that WHAT you have faith in, is exactly the thing you should have faith in. If you are off, even by a smidge…your life could be headed for disaster.
I do not blame God. I do not blame myself. I learned through this time, and grew close to God.
Now, I just pray that God directs my life to where He wants it to go. And, I will have faith in WHO He IS, and that He will bless me as He sees fit.
Jesus’ peace be with you all. And for those who supported me, thank you. I still need your support. God bless you for everything you have done for me. Peace out.
Ow
I have noticed that the devil is quite adept at finding the cracks in my wall of faith and exploiting them.
This has a tendency to make almost every day a living hell for me.
Maybe this explains why i have had only one even halfway-decent night's sleep in the last two weeks. I tend to only get between 3 and 5 hours of sleep, and it is all full of crazy dreams that keep waking me up.
I want my sanity back. I want my life back.
And, if i have been totally wrong and very misled...then i just want God to tell me so, so i can start the healing process...
This has a tendency to make almost every day a living hell for me.
Maybe this explains why i have had only one even halfway-decent night's sleep in the last two weeks. I tend to only get between 3 and 5 hours of sleep, and it is all full of crazy dreams that keep waking me up.
I want my sanity back. I want my life back.
And, if i have been totally wrong and very misled...then i just want God to tell me so, so i can start the healing process...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Resting
From today’s devotionals. God is good – I love it when He teaches me stuff directly, and then affirms it immediately through what I read.
The Abiding Life
Does an apple tree struggle to produce apples? Does a pear tree labour to make its sweet crop?
Your toil or effort can add nothing to what Christ has done. Your task is to receive the complete sufficiency of Christ for every situation. You do so with the same childlike faith you had at salvation: “Yes, Lord, I believe You can solve this problem, heal this relationship, take care of this anxiety because You are my adequacy. You are all I have, but You are enough.”
The abiding life is the place of absolute trust and confidence in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is all-sufficient. His life richly flows through you in the person of the Holy Spirit. He will satisfy every need, fulfill every demand, and produce the abundant Christian life in you as you depend wholly on Him. He is able.
The Test Of Faith
Most of us know the story of Joseph and the depth of his faith. Genesis 39-50 records the events of his life and how God provided emotional strength for him to rise above discouragement. The principle involved in Joseph’s life is one of extreme faith.
He didn’t enjoy being sold into bondage. Like any of us, he probably fought feelings of rejection, loneliness, and fear. He had worshipped and trusted God. Yet he ended up in a foreign land with no immediate hope of returning home to his family. Even there, Joseph held fast to his conviction – God had a plan for his life. He had been given a vision, and he refused to fall prey to sin and discontentment.
Each of us will face times of trial and discouragement. But it is here among life’s darker moments that God exposes the depth of our faith.
For the psalmist to write about his victorious journey through the valley of the shadow of death, there had to be a valley experience. For Joseph to testify to God’s faithfulness, there had to be an Egyptian encounter. For you to affirm the eternal love and strength of God, there must be a test of faith in your life as well. Remember, God will never abandon you. Just as He was with Joseph, He is with you – forever!
Precious Lord, despite the feelings of rejection, loneliness, and fear that sometimes flood my soul, I know You have a plan for me. Through all my trials, expose and then strengthen the depth of my faith.
I am so thankful that God is beginning to teach me to rest in Him. I know that this will produce godliness within me.
Thank You, Lord, for Who You are, and for Your love for me.
The Abiding Life
Does an apple tree struggle to produce apples? Does a pear tree labour to make its sweet crop?
Your toil or effort can add nothing to what Christ has done. Your task is to receive the complete sufficiency of Christ for every situation. You do so with the same childlike faith you had at salvation: “Yes, Lord, I believe You can solve this problem, heal this relationship, take care of this anxiety because You are my adequacy. You are all I have, but You are enough.”
The abiding life is the place of absolute trust and confidence in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is all-sufficient. His life richly flows through you in the person of the Holy Spirit. He will satisfy every need, fulfill every demand, and produce the abundant Christian life in you as you depend wholly on Him. He is able.
The Test Of Faith
Most of us know the story of Joseph and the depth of his faith. Genesis 39-50 records the events of his life and how God provided emotional strength for him to rise above discouragement. The principle involved in Joseph’s life is one of extreme faith.
He didn’t enjoy being sold into bondage. Like any of us, he probably fought feelings of rejection, loneliness, and fear. He had worshipped and trusted God. Yet he ended up in a foreign land with no immediate hope of returning home to his family. Even there, Joseph held fast to his conviction – God had a plan for his life. He had been given a vision, and he refused to fall prey to sin and discontentment.
Each of us will face times of trial and discouragement. But it is here among life’s darker moments that God exposes the depth of our faith.
For the psalmist to write about his victorious journey through the valley of the shadow of death, there had to be a valley experience. For Joseph to testify to God’s faithfulness, there had to be an Egyptian encounter. For you to affirm the eternal love and strength of God, there must be a test of faith in your life as well. Remember, God will never abandon you. Just as He was with Joseph, He is with you – forever!
Precious Lord, despite the feelings of rejection, loneliness, and fear that sometimes flood my soul, I know You have a plan for me. Through all my trials, expose and then strengthen the depth of my faith.
I am so thankful that God is beginning to teach me to rest in Him. I know that this will produce godliness within me.
Thank You, Lord, for Who You are, and for Your love for me.
Getting It - Thank You, Lord
I am getting it, but I am really just beginning to get it. It hasn’t sunk down that deep yet, and I am still struggling with my old ways. But, God is trying to teach me, and I am trying to listen and learn.
God wants me to rest.
No amount of my own whining, crying, or grumbling and complaining will change anything.
I choose to believe that God spoke to me, God promised me, and God will do it. And until I hear otherwise from Him, that is what I will believe. That belief is not always easy. And I do not think that God has any problem with my being real with Him. But, like David in Psalms, I must learn to end each talk with God with a declaration of my faith in Him. I should not leave His presence the same that I enter.
This is really a God thing. I do not have to convince Him. He started and authored this whole deal, and He will finish it in the exact way He has written it down in His book before time began. My job, is to seek God, not the gifts He brings or does not bring. I got sidetracked for a while, and lost sight of that. Lord, forgive me. I need to seek God daily, worship Him, follow Him, listen to Him, study Him, be quiet before him, and tell Him that my faith and trust are in Who He is, not in what He can or will or will not do.
The future will unravel the way that it is supposed to, if I seek God’s face and follow Him with my whole heart. All doors that are supposed to open, will open. There should be no doubt in my mind about that. And, if it takes a while, then it takes a while. So be it. In the meantime, I will work on my own relationship and fellowship with my Saviour, and better myself through that.
Thanks Lord. You…may need to remind me of this every day, or possibly even every hour for a while…I tend to get caught up in the emotional tides too easily. I am an emotional guy, that is the way You made me. : - )
While at work tonight, at about 10:34pm, I was thinking about how ridiculously “wrong” it is when things in life don't turn out the way you think they are going to (or should). I said to God, “I deserve this shot at happiness, don’t I, Lord?” And, God spoke back to me. God replied, “You do.”
Is that significant? I think it is. So…thank You, Lord.
And…here is some goodies from my devotionals earlier today (technically yesterday, I guess)!
The Best Route
2nd Corinthians 5:7 – We walk by faith, not by sight.
If you pick up a road map, you can readily discern the best route to reach your destination. But while the map logically arranges the maze of highways so that you can stay on course, it does not provide a total picture of what the journey holds in store. Hills, curves, stoplights, restaurants, service stations, school zones, and other details of the trip can be discovered only as the trip unfolds.
Knowing God’s will operates in a similar manner. God has a plan for your life, but the specifics you want so desperately are revealed only as you are committed to the journey of devotion and discipleship.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs that God will guide your steps and unveil His plan as you trust wholeheartedly in God, refuse to rely solely on your limited wisdom, and obey Him consistently.
As you do these things, combined with prayer and the study of Scripture, the details of His personal plan – a place of work, a marriage partner, a church to attend – will follow.
God wants you to know His will. Delight yourself in Him; put aside preconceived notions, and concentrate on trust, obedience, and a personal relationship with Christ. Wait on Him, and at the right time, the answer will come.
Dear Lord, help me put aside preconceived notions of Your plan. Instead of relying on my limited wisdom, help me trust and obey You and wait patiently until the answer comes.
Obeying in Faith
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11
Key Verse: Luke 5:5 – Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus was speaking to a group gathered along the shores of Galilee. When He finished, He turned to Peter and told him to raise the boat’s sails, head back out into the open water, and lower his nets for a large catch of fish.
Tired and wishing only for a few hours rest, Peter seemed to hesitate. Did Jesus know what He was requesting? Everyone there knew the best time for fishing – especially with nets – was at night; the worst time was during the day.
Peter tried to reason: “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.” But Jesus remained firm: “Let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4 NASB).
Every time we are called to obey God, our faith is challenged and our true nature revealed. The miracle of the tremendous quantity of fish was the result of Peter’s willingness to trust and obey Christ by faith. In obedience he replied, “At Your bidding I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5 NASB).
When our hearts are set on obedience, God responds mightily. There will be moments in life when you may ask, “Lord, is this a matter of obedience?” If so, choose to obey in faith, then “let down your nets” and prepare for a tremendous blessing.
Lord, I set my heart this day to obey Your Word. As I move forward in obedience, I am “letting down my nets” spiritually and preparing for a tremendous blessing. I know it is coming, so thank You in advance!
Powerful words God has spoken to me today. Holy Spirit, may they impact my heart, my soul, and my life. Help me to implement them, to live them, and to be blessed in my life because of these Godly principles. Thank You, Lord, for Who You are.
God wants me to rest.
No amount of my own whining, crying, or grumbling and complaining will change anything.
I choose to believe that God spoke to me, God promised me, and God will do it. And until I hear otherwise from Him, that is what I will believe. That belief is not always easy. And I do not think that God has any problem with my being real with Him. But, like David in Psalms, I must learn to end each talk with God with a declaration of my faith in Him. I should not leave His presence the same that I enter.
This is really a God thing. I do not have to convince Him. He started and authored this whole deal, and He will finish it in the exact way He has written it down in His book before time began. My job, is to seek God, not the gifts He brings or does not bring. I got sidetracked for a while, and lost sight of that. Lord, forgive me. I need to seek God daily, worship Him, follow Him, listen to Him, study Him, be quiet before him, and tell Him that my faith and trust are in Who He is, not in what He can or will or will not do.
The future will unravel the way that it is supposed to, if I seek God’s face and follow Him with my whole heart. All doors that are supposed to open, will open. There should be no doubt in my mind about that. And, if it takes a while, then it takes a while. So be it. In the meantime, I will work on my own relationship and fellowship with my Saviour, and better myself through that.
Thanks Lord. You…may need to remind me of this every day, or possibly even every hour for a while…I tend to get caught up in the emotional tides too easily. I am an emotional guy, that is the way You made me. : - )
While at work tonight, at about 10:34pm, I was thinking about how ridiculously “wrong” it is when things in life don't turn out the way you think they are going to (or should). I said to God, “I deserve this shot at happiness, don’t I, Lord?” And, God spoke back to me. God replied, “You do.”
Is that significant? I think it is. So…thank You, Lord.
And…here is some goodies from my devotionals earlier today (technically yesterday, I guess)!
The Best Route
2nd Corinthians 5:7 – We walk by faith, not by sight.
If you pick up a road map, you can readily discern the best route to reach your destination. But while the map logically arranges the maze of highways so that you can stay on course, it does not provide a total picture of what the journey holds in store. Hills, curves, stoplights, restaurants, service stations, school zones, and other details of the trip can be discovered only as the trip unfolds.
Knowing God’s will operates in a similar manner. God has a plan for your life, but the specifics you want so desperately are revealed only as you are committed to the journey of devotion and discipleship.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs that God will guide your steps and unveil His plan as you trust wholeheartedly in God, refuse to rely solely on your limited wisdom, and obey Him consistently.
As you do these things, combined with prayer and the study of Scripture, the details of His personal plan – a place of work, a marriage partner, a church to attend – will follow.
God wants you to know His will. Delight yourself in Him; put aside preconceived notions, and concentrate on trust, obedience, and a personal relationship with Christ. Wait on Him, and at the right time, the answer will come.
Dear Lord, help me put aside preconceived notions of Your plan. Instead of relying on my limited wisdom, help me trust and obey You and wait patiently until the answer comes.
Obeying in Faith
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11
Key Verse: Luke 5:5 – Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus was speaking to a group gathered along the shores of Galilee. When He finished, He turned to Peter and told him to raise the boat’s sails, head back out into the open water, and lower his nets for a large catch of fish.
Tired and wishing only for a few hours rest, Peter seemed to hesitate. Did Jesus know what He was requesting? Everyone there knew the best time for fishing – especially with nets – was at night; the worst time was during the day.
Peter tried to reason: “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing.” But Jesus remained firm: “Let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4 NASB).
Every time we are called to obey God, our faith is challenged and our true nature revealed. The miracle of the tremendous quantity of fish was the result of Peter’s willingness to trust and obey Christ by faith. In obedience he replied, “At Your bidding I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5 NASB).
When our hearts are set on obedience, God responds mightily. There will be moments in life when you may ask, “Lord, is this a matter of obedience?” If so, choose to obey in faith, then “let down your nets” and prepare for a tremendous blessing.
Lord, I set my heart this day to obey Your Word. As I move forward in obedience, I am “letting down my nets” spiritually and preparing for a tremendous blessing. I know it is coming, so thank You in advance!
Powerful words God has spoken to me today. Holy Spirit, may they impact my heart, my soul, and my life. Help me to implement them, to live them, and to be blessed in my life because of these Godly principles. Thank You, Lord, for Who You are.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
1st Place is mine!
I’m not going to live my life for second best anymore.
I am going to grab with all my might (and all my faith) for the very best that God has for me. I am not going to allow myself to be shunted off to the side. I am not going to be satisfied with licking up the crumbs in life. Nor will I allow those I love to spend their days in the dregs of life, either; with everything that God puts within me, I will pull them out of their circumstances and into the dreams and futures that God has laid out for them.
I do not want to be a second-class citizen anymore. I want to live my life as an ambassador for the King of Kings.
I do not want to be downtrodden, cast aside, and spit upon by life. I do not want my life to suck. I want to be used mightily of God; I want to have purpose, I want to have dignity, and I want to be showered in blessings.
I do not want to be the beggar, trying to get what I do not really feel like I deserve to get. I want to be the prince. I want to be the priest, the prophet, the king, the one of royal blood who gets every opportunity to excel and succeed in life.
I am sick of feeling like what I want, I cannot have. I am tired of living life scared; scared of losing, scared of winning, scared of not having, scared of not be able to succeed. I want the quiet confidence, that whatever my God and Father wants me to have, He will give to me.
I do not want those I love to suffer. I do not want them to come into my life, only to have the devil has his way with them, laughing all the way as he triumphs over me time and time again. I want those whom I love and care for, to be mightily blessed of God, to flourish and prosper and to know God in more real ways each and every day, to glory in His presence and His love in their lives.
I want everything I touch, to be blessed and prosperous. I want to have the joy of the Lord, and to be constantly aware of how much my God loves me.
I want the dreams that God has given to me, to be fulfilled by God in my life.
All I want, is everything that God wants for me, and everything that I should have.
I am going to grab with all my might (and all my faith) for the very best that God has for me. I am not going to allow myself to be shunted off to the side. I am not going to be satisfied with licking up the crumbs in life. Nor will I allow those I love to spend their days in the dregs of life, either; with everything that God puts within me, I will pull them out of their circumstances and into the dreams and futures that God has laid out for them.
I do not want to be a second-class citizen anymore. I want to live my life as an ambassador for the King of Kings.
I do not want to be downtrodden, cast aside, and spit upon by life. I do not want my life to suck. I want to be used mightily of God; I want to have purpose, I want to have dignity, and I want to be showered in blessings.
I do not want to be the beggar, trying to get what I do not really feel like I deserve to get. I want to be the prince. I want to be the priest, the prophet, the king, the one of royal blood who gets every opportunity to excel and succeed in life.
I am sick of feeling like what I want, I cannot have. I am tired of living life scared; scared of losing, scared of winning, scared of not having, scared of not be able to succeed. I want the quiet confidence, that whatever my God and Father wants me to have, He will give to me.
I do not want those I love to suffer. I do not want them to come into my life, only to have the devil has his way with them, laughing all the way as he triumphs over me time and time again. I want those whom I love and care for, to be mightily blessed of God, to flourish and prosper and to know God in more real ways each and every day, to glory in His presence and His love in their lives.
I want everything I touch, to be blessed and prosperous. I want to have the joy of the Lord, and to be constantly aware of how much my God loves me.
I want the dreams that God has given to me, to be fulfilled by God in my life.
All I want, is everything that God wants for me, and everything that I should have.
Monday, January 19, 2009
today and God's goodness
God is so good!
Some stuff from today’s devotionals…
Discovering God’s Will
Psalm 40:8 – I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is written within my heart.
Preparation is a major part of discovering the will of God. You want to know God’s will, and you want to know it now. But have you been willing to make the sacrificial preparations to know and obey His plan? Are you ready to follow when God makes it clear what he desires? What you do today in terms of Bible study, prayer, meditation, fellowship, worship, and other scriptural exercises prepares you to do God’s will. They sensitize your spirit, bend your heart to holiness, and equip you to hear and discern the voice of God as He speaks through the Scriptures, godly counsel, or the providential arrangement of circumstances.
If you want to know the will of God for the future, be disciplined for godliness today. When the time is right, your spiritual senses will be alert to the good and perfect will of the Father.
Prepare me, Lord, to do Your will. Sensitize my spirit to discern Your voice today through the Word, godly counsel, and the providential circumstances of my life.
Faith To Dream
2nd Corinthians 5:7 – We walk by faith, not by sight.
When God gives a promise for the future, He is responsible for opening the right door at the right time for you to accomplish the task.
The way of faith is never by sight or human reasoning; it is always by the sovereignty of God.
Is there a need in Your life that seems overwhelming? Trust God; He has His best in store for you.
O God, give me the ability to dream big. Remove all that limits my vision. Let me see beyond natural circumstances that restrict my faith.
What I am getting out of this today…
Well, I am going to get my butt into church. I do good at worshipping, praising, Bible reading, reading other good Christian books, praying, meditating…it is my fellowship with other Christians that needs work, as well as my corporate worship experience, my tithing, and my obeying God by being in church.
Maybe by being obedient in these things, God will see me as closer to being ready to be used of Him in the next step of my life.
As far as what happens in my life, and when…it is true, the doors are God’s to open, and He will open them when the time is right. All I can do is be ready.
God is so awesome. So wonderful to me.
Some stuff from today’s devotionals…
Discovering God’s Will
Psalm 40:8 – I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is written within my heart.
Preparation is a major part of discovering the will of God. You want to know God’s will, and you want to know it now. But have you been willing to make the sacrificial preparations to know and obey His plan? Are you ready to follow when God makes it clear what he desires? What you do today in terms of Bible study, prayer, meditation, fellowship, worship, and other scriptural exercises prepares you to do God’s will. They sensitize your spirit, bend your heart to holiness, and equip you to hear and discern the voice of God as He speaks through the Scriptures, godly counsel, or the providential arrangement of circumstances.
If you want to know the will of God for the future, be disciplined for godliness today. When the time is right, your spiritual senses will be alert to the good and perfect will of the Father.
Prepare me, Lord, to do Your will. Sensitize my spirit to discern Your voice today through the Word, godly counsel, and the providential circumstances of my life.
Faith To Dream
2nd Corinthians 5:7 – We walk by faith, not by sight.
When God gives a promise for the future, He is responsible for opening the right door at the right time for you to accomplish the task.
The way of faith is never by sight or human reasoning; it is always by the sovereignty of God.
Is there a need in Your life that seems overwhelming? Trust God; He has His best in store for you.
O God, give me the ability to dream big. Remove all that limits my vision. Let me see beyond natural circumstances that restrict my faith.
What I am getting out of this today…
Well, I am going to get my butt into church. I do good at worshipping, praising, Bible reading, reading other good Christian books, praying, meditating…it is my fellowship with other Christians that needs work, as well as my corporate worship experience, my tithing, and my obeying God by being in church.
Maybe by being obedient in these things, God will see me as closer to being ready to be used of Him in the next step of my life.
As far as what happens in my life, and when…it is true, the doors are God’s to open, and He will open them when the time is right. All I can do is be ready.
God is so awesome. So wonderful to me.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
He Is Faithful
Just thought of something a few minutes ago.
God told me, back in September I believe it was, He promised me something.
I just realized, just now…God kept that promise!
God kept His promise to me. That fact makes me want to weep. Lord, forgive me. Forgive me for ever doubting that You would keep Your word to me.
Lots that I do not understand. However, out of this, I am holding on to this; God kept His word to me. That is H-U-G-E. If God keeps His word to me in this area, then He will keep His word in other areas as well.
Thank You, Lord, for actually showing me Your faithfulness. Thank You, thank You, thank You!
God told me, back in September I believe it was, He promised me something.
I just realized, just now…God kept that promise!
God kept His promise to me. That fact makes me want to weep. Lord, forgive me. Forgive me for ever doubting that You would keep Your word to me.
Lots that I do not understand. However, out of this, I am holding on to this; God kept His word to me. That is H-U-G-E. If God keeps His word to me in this area, then He will keep His word in other areas as well.
Thank You, Lord, for actually showing me Your faithfulness. Thank You, thank You, thank You!
Figuring It Out, Finally
So…
I think I am just going to go about my life.
I am not going to stop believing. But, I guess I am going to stop acting like it is just around the corner and I have to pray it in. Gonna stop acting like it is dependant upon anything that I do.
(I hope that) I will continue to pray for her. I am sure that I will continue to care for her. But, while she is not in my life, I have to live my life without her.
It isn’t a stopping of my believing, and it isn’t a shirking of my duties. It is just taking a little better care of myself. It is allowing God the space to do what He wishes to do in life, without me pestering Him and demanding that He do things NOW. I need to take an emotional step back for a time.
When You want something else out of me, Lord, I stand ready.
I think I am just going to go about my life.
I am not going to stop believing. But, I guess I am going to stop acting like it is just around the corner and I have to pray it in. Gonna stop acting like it is dependant upon anything that I do.
(I hope that) I will continue to pray for her. I am sure that I will continue to care for her. But, while she is not in my life, I have to live my life without her.
It isn’t a stopping of my believing, and it isn’t a shirking of my duties. It is just taking a little better care of myself. It is allowing God the space to do what He wishes to do in life, without me pestering Him and demanding that He do things NOW. I need to take an emotional step back for a time.
When You want something else out of me, Lord, I stand ready.
Encourage Myself
I am here reprinting some of the things God has said to me lately, in my devotionals, to my spirit, through His Word, and in the words that I wrote here in my blog. I am doing so as an encouragement to myself, and to remember that my God loves me and takes care of me…
The test of faith is not merely in trusting, but in trusting God when all hope has disappeared.
All of life’s unknowns are perfectly within God’s sovereign control. If He has given you a promise, cling to it. He will do exactly what He has said He will do.
You, God, will do exactly what You said You would do.
What giant looms in your future? What battle are you headed for today? Are you claiming the victory right now in His name? Always remember – you have a faith that conquers.
Father God, there are giants ahead – tremendous battles to face. Give me the faith that conquers. I claim the victory right now in Your name.
Numbers 23:19 –
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Hebrews 10:23b –
He Who promised is faithful.
1st Samuel 15:29 –
He Who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.
Psalms 89:34 –
I will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered.
Isaiah 46:11 –
What I have planned, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.
More and more, I understand that God is a God Who fulfills His promises, a God Who does not lie, a God Who is mighty in battle, and a God Who rewards those who are faithful.
Faith is not easy. That I am learning. Some days I need more encouragement than others. Some days I do not listen to that encouragement, and get very discouraged. Some days, I get my eyes off of a miracle-working God, and onto the problems I am facing; I spend too much time judging the size of the giants, and not enough time worshipping my awesome God and Father. I tend to forget about His strength in battle, and have to be reminded of it time and time again by Him. And today, God has reminded me that, for right now at least, He is asking from me blind-faith.
Please pray that God super-abundantly strengthens me, so that I may survive to see the day of victory and rejoicing. And please pray that God continues to mold me into the man that He needs me to be…no matter how much it hurts.
Under God’s direction, Moses had led the Israelites triumphantly out of Egypt toward their final destination – the promised land. At a critical point in time – the moment of challenge – the Israelites took their eyes off the Lord and looked only at the obstacles. Are you facing a challenge to your faith? Is God calling you to a task that seems unreasonable? Don’t assess the situation by your limited resources; failure to see things God’s way may cause you to miss His blessing, and others may be hurt. Disobedience is always followed by disappointment and disillusionment. Trust God to deal with the impossible. You cannot be defeated when you follow God’s plan in confident faith.
God’s ways do not always make sense in a sinful world. His methods sometimes turn human reasoning on its head or go against popular opinion. And sometimes the benefits or rewards of obedience are delayed or delivered in a way that non-believers cannot recognize.
If others mock you for doing what the Lord says instead of walking in the world’s path, you can stand firm. The true and ultimate victory belongs to Him.
Though I have fallen many times, I rise again. I am still here. I am still faithful. I have two verse that are displayed in my house, both in the same picture-frame…
Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
and Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”
This battle is the Lord’s; always has been, always will be. And He will win it.
“Let God be true, and every man a liar.”
"And sometimes the benefits or rewards of obedience are delayed" - Yes, sometimes they are. The greater the reward, the harder the battle and the longer the wait. Allow me to suffer through the hard times, so that God can use these things to shape and mold me, to make me into the man I need to be. This is my life, this is my path, this is my destiny.
Proverbs 16:1-3 –
The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
Proverbs 19:21 –
Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.
Proverbs 21:30,31 –
There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.
Faith is a lonely road...
But it is the only road i have left, so I will walk it.
When you have a godly heritage, you will sometimes stumble into blessings. Great things will happen, and you won’t even be able to figure out why. Seemingly impenetrable doors will open supernaturally.
The Bible indicates that when we have this heritage of faith, we will live in houses that we did not build. We will enjoy vineyards that we didn’t plant. God’s blessings will chase us down and overtake us.
Step into your divine destiny.
Time is short. Find one thing that you’re passionate about and start giving yourself to it. And God will lead you one step at a time. Follow God’s divine destiny for your life, discover your calling, and stay in your purpose. Make a decision to keep pressing forward, keep believing, and keep stretching until you see your dreams fulfilled. Then one day, you will look back and say with confidence, “This is why God put me here.”
Meditate on these thoughts…
- “I have everything I need to fulfill my destiny”
- “God accepts me; He approves me; I know God has good things in store for me”
- ”I am valuable; I have royal blood in my bloodline; I have a bright future!”
- ”My best days are ahead of me.”
David mentally went through several steps to ensure himself of the victory through faith:
Recall past victories. David remembered God’s faithfulness and was encouraged.
Reaffirm the reasons for the conflict. Make sure your motives and heart are pure before God.
Reject discouragement. Always be wary of pessimism. Instead, practice recalling God’s promises to you.
Recognize the true nature of the battle. Claim your position in Christ as a joint heir and a beloved child of God.
Respond with positive confessions of faith. God is in control, and He will give you the victory.
Rely on God. All your hopes and security is in Christ. You struggle with human abilities and limitations, but God knows no limits.
Reckon the victory. David did, and you can too! Whether the victory comes today or in ten years, God will complete what he has begun in your life (Phil. 1:6).
Lastly, I would write something new here…
God has never given up on me. God must know what He is doing, so I will obey, and obey gladly.
The test of faith is not merely in trusting, but in trusting God when all hope has disappeared.
All of life’s unknowns are perfectly within God’s sovereign control. If He has given you a promise, cling to it. He will do exactly what He has said He will do.
You, God, will do exactly what You said You would do.
What giant looms in your future? What battle are you headed for today? Are you claiming the victory right now in His name? Always remember – you have a faith that conquers.
Father God, there are giants ahead – tremendous battles to face. Give me the faith that conquers. I claim the victory right now in Your name.
Numbers 23:19 –
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Hebrews 10:23b –
He Who promised is faithful.
1st Samuel 15:29 –
He Who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.
Psalms 89:34 –
I will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered.
Isaiah 46:11 –
What I have planned, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.
More and more, I understand that God is a God Who fulfills His promises, a God Who does not lie, a God Who is mighty in battle, and a God Who rewards those who are faithful.
Faith is not easy. That I am learning. Some days I need more encouragement than others. Some days I do not listen to that encouragement, and get very discouraged. Some days, I get my eyes off of a miracle-working God, and onto the problems I am facing; I spend too much time judging the size of the giants, and not enough time worshipping my awesome God and Father. I tend to forget about His strength in battle, and have to be reminded of it time and time again by Him. And today, God has reminded me that, for right now at least, He is asking from me blind-faith.
Please pray that God super-abundantly strengthens me, so that I may survive to see the day of victory and rejoicing. And please pray that God continues to mold me into the man that He needs me to be…no matter how much it hurts.
Under God’s direction, Moses had led the Israelites triumphantly out of Egypt toward their final destination – the promised land. At a critical point in time – the moment of challenge – the Israelites took their eyes off the Lord and looked only at the obstacles. Are you facing a challenge to your faith? Is God calling you to a task that seems unreasonable? Don’t assess the situation by your limited resources; failure to see things God’s way may cause you to miss His blessing, and others may be hurt. Disobedience is always followed by disappointment and disillusionment. Trust God to deal with the impossible. You cannot be defeated when you follow God’s plan in confident faith.
God’s ways do not always make sense in a sinful world. His methods sometimes turn human reasoning on its head or go against popular opinion. And sometimes the benefits or rewards of obedience are delayed or delivered in a way that non-believers cannot recognize.
If others mock you for doing what the Lord says instead of walking in the world’s path, you can stand firm. The true and ultimate victory belongs to Him.
Though I have fallen many times, I rise again. I am still here. I am still faithful. I have two verse that are displayed in my house, both in the same picture-frame…
Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
and Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”
This battle is the Lord’s; always has been, always will be. And He will win it.
“Let God be true, and every man a liar.”
"And sometimes the benefits or rewards of obedience are delayed" - Yes, sometimes they are. The greater the reward, the harder the battle and the longer the wait. Allow me to suffer through the hard times, so that God can use these things to shape and mold me, to make me into the man I need to be. This is my life, this is my path, this is my destiny.
Proverbs 16:1-3 –
The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
Proverbs 19:21 –
Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.
Proverbs 21:30,31 –
There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.
Faith is a lonely road...
But it is the only road i have left, so I will walk it.
When you have a godly heritage, you will sometimes stumble into blessings. Great things will happen, and you won’t even be able to figure out why. Seemingly impenetrable doors will open supernaturally.
The Bible indicates that when we have this heritage of faith, we will live in houses that we did not build. We will enjoy vineyards that we didn’t plant. God’s blessings will chase us down and overtake us.
Step into your divine destiny.
Time is short. Find one thing that you’re passionate about and start giving yourself to it. And God will lead you one step at a time. Follow God’s divine destiny for your life, discover your calling, and stay in your purpose. Make a decision to keep pressing forward, keep believing, and keep stretching until you see your dreams fulfilled. Then one day, you will look back and say with confidence, “This is why God put me here.”
Meditate on these thoughts…
- “I have everything I need to fulfill my destiny”
- “God accepts me; He approves me; I know God has good things in store for me”
- ”I am valuable; I have royal blood in my bloodline; I have a bright future!”
- ”My best days are ahead of me.”
David mentally went through several steps to ensure himself of the victory through faith:
Recall past victories. David remembered God’s faithfulness and was encouraged.
Reaffirm the reasons for the conflict. Make sure your motives and heart are pure before God.
Reject discouragement. Always be wary of pessimism. Instead, practice recalling God’s promises to you.
Recognize the true nature of the battle. Claim your position in Christ as a joint heir and a beloved child of God.
Respond with positive confessions of faith. God is in control, and He will give you the victory.
Rely on God. All your hopes and security is in Christ. You struggle with human abilities and limitations, but God knows no limits.
Reckon the victory. David did, and you can too! Whether the victory comes today or in ten years, God will complete what he has begun in your life (Phil. 1:6).
Lastly, I would write something new here…
God has never given up on me. God must know what He is doing, so I will obey, and obey gladly.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Faith is A Lonely Road
Here are some lyrics that just came to my mind. They seemed appropriate somehow.
Mad At The World – Seasons of Love
Sometimes love is all we need
It takes an empty day and makes it go away
and happiness is falling down from the sky
but sometimes when love ends it takes your happiness
and traps it in a cell where only dead men dwell
but don't believe that's how it has to be
it's a lie
These are the seasons of love
They leave you cold and dry the day you say goodbye
and then love feels like a fairy-tale
Another rusted coin in a wishing well
But deep in the seasons of love
there is a reason why
you'll see it if you try
The voice inside of the wind
is Jesus telling you that love can see you through again
I recall how I felt inside
A sea of loneliness became the tears I cried
I was freezing from the wind and snow and the rain
but still I'm gonna have the faith that someday when the storm has passed
I'm gonna find that dream of a love that lasts
then tomorrow will be worth the price of today
These are the seasons of love
They leave you cold and dry the day you say goodbye
and then love feels like a fairy-tale
Another rusted coin in a wishing well
But deep in the seasons of love
there is a reason why
you'll see it if you try
The voice inside of the wind
is Jesus telling you that love can see you through again
First comes the seed, then it's sown, and it's living, then it's grown
Soon a flower will appear
but the end is getting near
and the wind will blow and take the seeds far away
but in the changes yet to come
and the songs yet to be sung
though I might not understand
I believe there is a plan Jesus open up my eyes and show me the way...
Mad At the World – Faith Is A Perfect Road
Turn to the left, & you might cry
Or turn to the right & and maybe you’ll die
Life’s a game of win or lose
But don’t complain, its up to you to choose
The winds of the world are blowing strong
It fills the air, with fun & despair
Shallow ways, thru lonely days
But another road, is calling out your name!
Faith is a lonely road,
& sometimes faith can leave you standing out on your own
But faith is a perfect road
& the gates of hell cannot prevail, God will lead you home
Don’t give up! I know its cold, but His silent eyes are watching you
So many roads, in front of me
& all but one, are my enemies
Deep in the storm, of frozen rain
The road of faith, is shown to me again
Well...faith is a lonely road, isn't it? Those who walk it...you know. Do any of us walk the road of faith, by choice? Or do we walk the road of faith, becuz there is no other road to walk? Becuz nothing else in life works. Becuz when life doesn't work for us no matter what way we try, we are left cold and empty and alone, with just us and our faith in God left; to do anything BUT walk the road of faith, is to sit down in the darkness and die.
The faith-walk hurts. It isn't fun. It isn't easy. Sometimes, it feels okay. And sometimes, it feels like breathing in a lung full of nails. It feels like you are shredding your entire being, trying to have faith. Faith does not come naturally. Faith comes from God, and knowing Who He is. God grants us faith. And, living by faith, seems to slowly suck the very life out of the rest of your body - it kills everything natural about you, and painfully replaces it with the spiritual.
Would you walk this road of faith with me? Would you dare to? Would you walk beside me, and uphold me? Like Moses over the battle, would you grab my arms and raise them up when the weariness is too much for me? Would you offer your support of me in this extremely troubling time in my life, and pray that God would bless me in spite of myself?
Faith is a lonely road...
But it is the only road i have left, so I will walk it.
Mad At The World – Seasons of Love
Sometimes love is all we need
It takes an empty day and makes it go away
and happiness is falling down from the sky
but sometimes when love ends it takes your happiness
and traps it in a cell where only dead men dwell
but don't believe that's how it has to be
it's a lie
These are the seasons of love
They leave you cold and dry the day you say goodbye
and then love feels like a fairy-tale
Another rusted coin in a wishing well
But deep in the seasons of love
there is a reason why
you'll see it if you try
The voice inside of the wind
is Jesus telling you that love can see you through again
I recall how I felt inside
A sea of loneliness became the tears I cried
I was freezing from the wind and snow and the rain
but still I'm gonna have the faith that someday when the storm has passed
I'm gonna find that dream of a love that lasts
then tomorrow will be worth the price of today
These are the seasons of love
They leave you cold and dry the day you say goodbye
and then love feels like a fairy-tale
Another rusted coin in a wishing well
But deep in the seasons of love
there is a reason why
you'll see it if you try
The voice inside of the wind
is Jesus telling you that love can see you through again
First comes the seed, then it's sown, and it's living, then it's grown
Soon a flower will appear
but the end is getting near
and the wind will blow and take the seeds far away
but in the changes yet to come
and the songs yet to be sung
though I might not understand
I believe there is a plan Jesus open up my eyes and show me the way...
Mad At the World – Faith Is A Perfect Road
Turn to the left, & you might cry
Or turn to the right & and maybe you’ll die
Life’s a game of win or lose
But don’t complain, its up to you to choose
The winds of the world are blowing strong
It fills the air, with fun & despair
Shallow ways, thru lonely days
But another road, is calling out your name!
Faith is a lonely road,
& sometimes faith can leave you standing out on your own
But faith is a perfect road
& the gates of hell cannot prevail, God will lead you home
Don’t give up! I know its cold, but His silent eyes are watching you
So many roads, in front of me
& all but one, are my enemies
Deep in the storm, of frozen rain
The road of faith, is shown to me again
Well...faith is a lonely road, isn't it? Those who walk it...you know. Do any of us walk the road of faith, by choice? Or do we walk the road of faith, becuz there is no other road to walk? Becuz nothing else in life works. Becuz when life doesn't work for us no matter what way we try, we are left cold and empty and alone, with just us and our faith in God left; to do anything BUT walk the road of faith, is to sit down in the darkness and die.
The faith-walk hurts. It isn't fun. It isn't easy. Sometimes, it feels okay. And sometimes, it feels like breathing in a lung full of nails. It feels like you are shredding your entire being, trying to have faith. Faith does not come naturally. Faith comes from God, and knowing Who He is. God grants us faith. And, living by faith, seems to slowly suck the very life out of the rest of your body - it kills everything natural about you, and painfully replaces it with the spiritual.
Would you walk this road of faith with me? Would you dare to? Would you walk beside me, and uphold me? Like Moses over the battle, would you grab my arms and raise them up when the weariness is too much for me? Would you offer your support of me in this extremely troubling time in my life, and pray that God would bless me in spite of myself?
Faith is a lonely road...
But it is the only road i have left, so I will walk it.
The Destiny Hypothesis
Here is some stuff from the book I have been reading lately…
Sadly, hurting people end up hurting other people. The truth is, more often than not, they end up doing exactly what they said they would never do. That spirit is passed down. People who have been abused are the most likely to become abusers. Why is that? It’s not because they want to. They know how destructive it is. It’s because that negative spirit keeps being passed down.
My life is blessed today because somebody in my family line was praying, persevering even when times were tough, and honouring God through it all. If you have godly parents, godly grandparents, you should be extremely grateful because you have innumerable advantages today. You have more of God’s favour, more of His blessings because of what they’ve done. They’ve paid the price to invest in your future.
Moreover, when you have this godly heritage, you will sometimes stumble into blessings. Great things will happen, and you won’t even be able to figure out why. Seemingly impenetrable doors will open supernaturally. You’ll get the promotion, and you know you didn’t deserve it. That’s not a lucky break. It’s because that grandmother was praying. It’s because your parents lived lives marked by excellence. Or your great-grandparents sowed seeds of integrity and success.
The Bible indicates that when we have this heritage of faith, we will live in houses that we did not build. We will enjoy vineyards that we didn’t plant. God’s blessings will chase us down and overtake us.
First Samuel, chapter 25, relates how David and his men protected the family and the workers of a man by the name of Nabel from their enemies. One day, David sent his men to ask Nabel for some food and supplies. David thought that Nabel would be grateful and that he would freely give David’s troops the supplies for which they asked. But when David’s men arrived, Nabel treated them rudely and disrespectfully. He said, “I don’t even know who you are. I never asked you to do any of this, so just be on your way. Don’t bother me.”
When those men got back and told David how insolently they had been treated, David was furious. He said, “All right, men. Get your swords. We’re going to go take care of Nabel. We’re going to wipe him out.”
But on the way there, Nabel’s wife, Abigail, stopped David. She had heard about her husband’s insulting behaviour, so she brought a bountiful supply of gifts and food, hoping to reduce David’s anger. She said, “David, my husband is a rude and ungrateful man. He shouldn’t have treated you like that.” In verse 28 she said, “But David, if you will forgive this wrong, I know that God will give you an enduring house.”
I like that phrase “an enduring house.” Abigail was saying, “David, I know you have a right to be angry. I know my husband paid you back evil for your good, but if you can overlook it, take the high road and let it go, I know God will bless you for generations to come. I know He will give you an enduring house.”
David swallowed his pride, walked away, and overlooked the offense. He let it go, and God did indeed bless him and his future children as a result.
Why are so many people feeling unfulfilled in their lives? The answer is simple: They are not pursuing the dreams and desires God has placed within their hearts. A major reason why so many people are unhappy and lacking enthusiasm is that they are not fulfilling their destiny.
Determine that you are going to start focusing on your divine destiny and taking steps toward the dream and desires God has placed in your heart. Our goal should be that we’re going to live life to the fullest, pursuing our passions and dreams, and when it comes our time to go, we will have used as much of our potential as possible. We’re not going to bury our treasures; instead, we’re going to spend our lives well.
Your destiny has to do with what excites you. What are you passionate about? What do you really love doing? Your destiny will be a part of the dreams and desires that are in your heart – part of your very nature. Because God made you and He is the One Who put those desires within you in the first place, it shouldn’t surprise you that your destiny will involve something that you enjoy.
You are not meant to live a miserable and unfulfilled life. No, step into your divine destiny.
I really believe that when we get into our destiny and we are doing what we know we are called to do, enthusiasm and excitement will exude from us naturally. We may not jump up and down every day, but deep within, we’re going to know: This is what I was called to do. This is why I was born. This is my destiny.
You have a sense of destiny hardwired into you, a divine purpose installed by the Creator of the universe. It is a part of your nature, who you really are. If we can discover our destiny and do what we’re good at naturally, life becomes much more enjoyable. It won’t be a struggle or a headache.
If you’re doing something that is not natural, it’s always a struggle. If you train, practice, and push, and you still can’t seem to get a skill down, recognize that it’s not in your nature. Life should not be a constant struggle. When you’re living within your purpose, one of the most noticeable results will be how natural it feels. Learn to appreciate and use the skills, gifts, or abilities at which you are naturally talented.
Proverbs 18:16 says that your gift will make room for you. I’m convinced if you’ll get into your destiny, no matter where you are, you won’t have any problem getting hired or getting happy. You won’t have any problem finding work, friends, or opportunity. In fact, if you’ll focus on your strengths and do what you’re gifted to do, you’ll probably have to turn down opportunities.
If you’re not fulfilled, it may well be because you are not pursuing your destiny. Make sure that you are fulfilling the dreams that God has placed in your heart. Are you tapping into the potential that’s on the inside? Have you discovered what you do best, what comes naturally? Are you excelling in that area?
Whatever you are called to do, if you’ll do it to the best of your ability and excel at it, you are honouring God.
Time is short. Find one thing that you’re passionate about and start giving yourself to it. And God will lead you one step at a time.
Follow God’s divine destiny for your life, discover your calling, and stay in your purpose. Make a decision to keep pressing forward, keep believing, and keep stretching until you see your dreams fulfilled. Then one day, you will look back and say with confidence, “This is why God put me here.”
Today, meditate on thoughts such as these: “I have everything I need to fulfill my destiny”…”God accepts me; He approves me; I know God has good things in store for me”…”I am valuable; I have royal blood in my bloodline; I have a bright future!”...”My best days are ahead of me.”
Here is a great devotional from today that I got lots out of as well…
Victory Through Faith [ what a GREAT title! ]
Scripture Reading: 1st Samuel 17:12-37
Key Verse: Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that He Who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
As a young shepherd boy, David did not possess all the qualities of a strong, conquering faith. God took years to train him for his future role as a king of Israel. However, he never lost sight of God’s goal for his life by fretting over the future.
When facing his first major challenge with Goliath, David mentally went through several steps to ensure himself of the victory through faith:
Recall past victories. David remembered God’s faithfulness and was encouraged.
Reaffirm the reasons for the conflict. Make sure your motives and heart are pure before God.
Reject discouragement. Always be wary of pessimism. Instead, practice recalling God’s promises to you.
Recognize the true nature of the battle. Claim your position in Christ as a joint heir and a beloved child of God.
Respond with positive confessions of faith. God is in control, and He will give you the victory.
Rely on God. All your hopes and security is in Christ. You struggle with human abilities and limitations, but God knows no limits.
Reckon the victory. David did, and you can too! Whether the victory comes today or in ten years, God will complete what he has begun in your life (Phil. 1:6).
Dear Lord, thank You for past victories. As I face the battles of my life, make my motives pure. Help me resist discouragement and claim my position as a joint heir with Christ. Your power knows no limit, and You will complete what You have started in my life.
Sadly, hurting people end up hurting other people. The truth is, more often than not, they end up doing exactly what they said they would never do. That spirit is passed down. People who have been abused are the most likely to become abusers. Why is that? It’s not because they want to. They know how destructive it is. It’s because that negative spirit keeps being passed down.
My life is blessed today because somebody in my family line was praying, persevering even when times were tough, and honouring God through it all. If you have godly parents, godly grandparents, you should be extremely grateful because you have innumerable advantages today. You have more of God’s favour, more of His blessings because of what they’ve done. They’ve paid the price to invest in your future.
Moreover, when you have this godly heritage, you will sometimes stumble into blessings. Great things will happen, and you won’t even be able to figure out why. Seemingly impenetrable doors will open supernaturally. You’ll get the promotion, and you know you didn’t deserve it. That’s not a lucky break. It’s because that grandmother was praying. It’s because your parents lived lives marked by excellence. Or your great-grandparents sowed seeds of integrity and success.
The Bible indicates that when we have this heritage of faith, we will live in houses that we did not build. We will enjoy vineyards that we didn’t plant. God’s blessings will chase us down and overtake us.
First Samuel, chapter 25, relates how David and his men protected the family and the workers of a man by the name of Nabel from their enemies. One day, David sent his men to ask Nabel for some food and supplies. David thought that Nabel would be grateful and that he would freely give David’s troops the supplies for which they asked. But when David’s men arrived, Nabel treated them rudely and disrespectfully. He said, “I don’t even know who you are. I never asked you to do any of this, so just be on your way. Don’t bother me.”
When those men got back and told David how insolently they had been treated, David was furious. He said, “All right, men. Get your swords. We’re going to go take care of Nabel. We’re going to wipe him out.”
But on the way there, Nabel’s wife, Abigail, stopped David. She had heard about her husband’s insulting behaviour, so she brought a bountiful supply of gifts and food, hoping to reduce David’s anger. She said, “David, my husband is a rude and ungrateful man. He shouldn’t have treated you like that.” In verse 28 she said, “But David, if you will forgive this wrong, I know that God will give you an enduring house.”
I like that phrase “an enduring house.” Abigail was saying, “David, I know you have a right to be angry. I know my husband paid you back evil for your good, but if you can overlook it, take the high road and let it go, I know God will bless you for generations to come. I know He will give you an enduring house.”
David swallowed his pride, walked away, and overlooked the offense. He let it go, and God did indeed bless him and his future children as a result.
Why are so many people feeling unfulfilled in their lives? The answer is simple: They are not pursuing the dreams and desires God has placed within their hearts. A major reason why so many people are unhappy and lacking enthusiasm is that they are not fulfilling their destiny.
Determine that you are going to start focusing on your divine destiny and taking steps toward the dream and desires God has placed in your heart. Our goal should be that we’re going to live life to the fullest, pursuing our passions and dreams, and when it comes our time to go, we will have used as much of our potential as possible. We’re not going to bury our treasures; instead, we’re going to spend our lives well.
Your destiny has to do with what excites you. What are you passionate about? What do you really love doing? Your destiny will be a part of the dreams and desires that are in your heart – part of your very nature. Because God made you and He is the One Who put those desires within you in the first place, it shouldn’t surprise you that your destiny will involve something that you enjoy.
You are not meant to live a miserable and unfulfilled life. No, step into your divine destiny.
I really believe that when we get into our destiny and we are doing what we know we are called to do, enthusiasm and excitement will exude from us naturally. We may not jump up and down every day, but deep within, we’re going to know: This is what I was called to do. This is why I was born. This is my destiny.
You have a sense of destiny hardwired into you, a divine purpose installed by the Creator of the universe. It is a part of your nature, who you really are. If we can discover our destiny and do what we’re good at naturally, life becomes much more enjoyable. It won’t be a struggle or a headache.
If you’re doing something that is not natural, it’s always a struggle. If you train, practice, and push, and you still can’t seem to get a skill down, recognize that it’s not in your nature. Life should not be a constant struggle. When you’re living within your purpose, one of the most noticeable results will be how natural it feels. Learn to appreciate and use the skills, gifts, or abilities at which you are naturally talented.
Proverbs 18:16 says that your gift will make room for you. I’m convinced if you’ll get into your destiny, no matter where you are, you won’t have any problem getting hired or getting happy. You won’t have any problem finding work, friends, or opportunity. In fact, if you’ll focus on your strengths and do what you’re gifted to do, you’ll probably have to turn down opportunities.
If you’re not fulfilled, it may well be because you are not pursuing your destiny. Make sure that you are fulfilling the dreams that God has placed in your heart. Are you tapping into the potential that’s on the inside? Have you discovered what you do best, what comes naturally? Are you excelling in that area?
Whatever you are called to do, if you’ll do it to the best of your ability and excel at it, you are honouring God.
Time is short. Find one thing that you’re passionate about and start giving yourself to it. And God will lead you one step at a time.
Follow God’s divine destiny for your life, discover your calling, and stay in your purpose. Make a decision to keep pressing forward, keep believing, and keep stretching until you see your dreams fulfilled. Then one day, you will look back and say with confidence, “This is why God put me here.”
Today, meditate on thoughts such as these: “I have everything I need to fulfill my destiny”…”God accepts me; He approves me; I know God has good things in store for me”…”I am valuable; I have royal blood in my bloodline; I have a bright future!”...”My best days are ahead of me.”
Here is a great devotional from today that I got lots out of as well…
Victory Through Faith [ what a GREAT title! ]
Scripture Reading: 1st Samuel 17:12-37
Key Verse: Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that He Who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
As a young shepherd boy, David did not possess all the qualities of a strong, conquering faith. God took years to train him for his future role as a king of Israel. However, he never lost sight of God’s goal for his life by fretting over the future.
When facing his first major challenge with Goliath, David mentally went through several steps to ensure himself of the victory through faith:
Recall past victories. David remembered God’s faithfulness and was encouraged.
Reaffirm the reasons for the conflict. Make sure your motives and heart are pure before God.
Reject discouragement. Always be wary of pessimism. Instead, practice recalling God’s promises to you.
Recognize the true nature of the battle. Claim your position in Christ as a joint heir and a beloved child of God.
Respond with positive confessions of faith. God is in control, and He will give you the victory.
Rely on God. All your hopes and security is in Christ. You struggle with human abilities and limitations, but God knows no limits.
Reckon the victory. David did, and you can too! Whether the victory comes today or in ten years, God will complete what he has begun in your life (Phil. 1:6).
Dear Lord, thank You for past victories. As I face the battles of my life, make my motives pure. Help me resist discouragement and claim my position as a joint heir with Christ. Your power knows no limit, and You will complete what You have started in my life.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Faith For Battle And Victory, Arise!
Well, still haven’t heard from God. No definitive answer to my question. But I am still discussing it daily with Him; not begging, but being honest before Him about what I feel that I need, and why.
Again, I cannot shake the feeling that this is a pivotal time. This is the time where God should be moving and claiming some victory, and a time where I should be praying and claiming God’s victory and binding the powers that want to stop God’s victory. And so, that is what I am doing. I worry, though – I have felt this way before, and things got worse, not better…
Both of my devotionals spoke so strongly to me today…
Facing Life’s Unknowns
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11
Key Verse: 1st Thessalonians 5:24 – He Who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it.
A delayed promotion, an unreached goal, a broken relationship – some of life’s inexplicable turns. Many of the saints mentioned in Hebrews 11 knew firsthand about life’s unknowns.
Many others also had the opportunity to witness God’s hand at work as He rolled back the waters of the Red Sea, defeated enemy armies, and proved faithful when times of trial and tribulation struck. The test of faith is not merely in trusting, but in trusting God when all hope has disappeared.
One way that God tests our faith is by allowing life’s unknowns to invade our lives. Samuel anointed David as king over Israel. Yet nothing was mentioned about having to wait years before he sat on Israel’s throne. Thanks to life’s unknowns, David was forced to leave his family and friends and live like a common criminal on the run from a jealous and mentally impaired king.
At any point he could have proclaimed his frustration, but David went beyond bitterness and self-pity to claim the goodness of God. He realized God’s ways were not the ways of people. All of life’s unknowns are perfectly within God’s sovereign control. If He has given you a promise, cling to it. He will do exactly what He has said He will do.
The year ahead – even the events of this day – are unknown to me, Father. I rest in the knowledge that You alone have sovereign control over every aspect of my life. You will do exactly what You said You would do.
Facing Giants In Faith
Scripture Reading: 1st Samuel 17:1-11
Key Verse: 1st John 5:4 – Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.
Tomorrow she has to face the committee and tell them what she thinks.
Last month they asked her to review books for a children’s reading club, and she feels that three of the books are detrimental and advocate unbiblical values. She also knows that most of the committee members are not believers and will not understand her arguments.
As she thinks about the conflict to come, panic sets in. It isn’t until she recalls past victories in the Lord that she calms down and recognizes that the battle is really His.
Look at David’s words of positive confession before he faced the sneering giant, Goliath: “The Lord Who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1st Samuel 17:37 NASB)
David could say with unwavering confidence that God would give him the resounding victory. He called to mind former defenceless times when God delivered him from destruction, and he relied on God’s might to do it again.
What giant looms in your future? What battle are you headed for today? Are you claiming the victory right now in His name? Always remember – you have a faith that conquers.
Father God, there are giants ahead – tremendous battles to face. Give me the faith that conquers. I claim the victory right now in Your name.
Friends and family, I invite you to join with me in praying for and watching for God’s victory in my life and in the lives of others that I care for deeply.
I ask you to join me in prayer to God; recall to mind all of the times that God has helped you to defeat giants in your life, all the times that God has blessed you beyond measure. Now, pray with me that God would win this battle, would perform His word to me, would carry out to swift completion the promises He has made, that the enemy would be snuffed out, and everyone involved loosed to walk into the joyous path that God has prepared for them.
In turn, I promise to update you to the mighty and glorious things that God does in my life, so that you too may share in God’s mighty victory.
Thank you. I love you all. Be blessed in Jesus’ name.
Again, I cannot shake the feeling that this is a pivotal time. This is the time where God should be moving and claiming some victory, and a time where I should be praying and claiming God’s victory and binding the powers that want to stop God’s victory. And so, that is what I am doing. I worry, though – I have felt this way before, and things got worse, not better…
Both of my devotionals spoke so strongly to me today…
Facing Life’s Unknowns
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11
Key Verse: 1st Thessalonians 5:24 – He Who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it.
A delayed promotion, an unreached goal, a broken relationship – some of life’s inexplicable turns. Many of the saints mentioned in Hebrews 11 knew firsthand about life’s unknowns.
Many others also had the opportunity to witness God’s hand at work as He rolled back the waters of the Red Sea, defeated enemy armies, and proved faithful when times of trial and tribulation struck. The test of faith is not merely in trusting, but in trusting God when all hope has disappeared.
One way that God tests our faith is by allowing life’s unknowns to invade our lives. Samuel anointed David as king over Israel. Yet nothing was mentioned about having to wait years before he sat on Israel’s throne. Thanks to life’s unknowns, David was forced to leave his family and friends and live like a common criminal on the run from a jealous and mentally impaired king.
At any point he could have proclaimed his frustration, but David went beyond bitterness and self-pity to claim the goodness of God. He realized God’s ways were not the ways of people. All of life’s unknowns are perfectly within God’s sovereign control. If He has given you a promise, cling to it. He will do exactly what He has said He will do.
The year ahead – even the events of this day – are unknown to me, Father. I rest in the knowledge that You alone have sovereign control over every aspect of my life. You will do exactly what You said You would do.
Facing Giants In Faith
Scripture Reading: 1st Samuel 17:1-11
Key Verse: 1st John 5:4 – Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.
Tomorrow she has to face the committee and tell them what she thinks.
Last month they asked her to review books for a children’s reading club, and she feels that three of the books are detrimental and advocate unbiblical values. She also knows that most of the committee members are not believers and will not understand her arguments.
As she thinks about the conflict to come, panic sets in. It isn’t until she recalls past victories in the Lord that she calms down and recognizes that the battle is really His.
Look at David’s words of positive confession before he faced the sneering giant, Goliath: “The Lord Who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1st Samuel 17:37 NASB)
David could say with unwavering confidence that God would give him the resounding victory. He called to mind former defenceless times when God delivered him from destruction, and he relied on God’s might to do it again.
What giant looms in your future? What battle are you headed for today? Are you claiming the victory right now in His name? Always remember – you have a faith that conquers.
Father God, there are giants ahead – tremendous battles to face. Give me the faith that conquers. I claim the victory right now in Your name.
Friends and family, I invite you to join with me in praying for and watching for God’s victory in my life and in the lives of others that I care for deeply.
I ask you to join me in prayer to God; recall to mind all of the times that God has helped you to defeat giants in your life, all the times that God has blessed you beyond measure. Now, pray with me that God would win this battle, would perform His word to me, would carry out to swift completion the promises He has made, that the enemy would be snuffed out, and everyone involved loosed to walk into the joyous path that God has prepared for them.
In turn, I promise to update you to the mighty and glorious things that God does in my life, so that you too may share in God’s mighty victory.
Thank you. I love you all. Be blessed in Jesus’ name.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Weepy Time, Quiet Time
Praying and crying – do any two things go better together?
I have been doing so much of both tonight. My heart is bursting, as I try to allow my God to strengthen me for the battle ahead. As I unload all of my burdens at His feet, I find myself just grabbing His ankles and weeping onto His toes.
I have run out of words. I am just now entering a place of peace and quiet with my God. It is just He and I, sitting in silence together like two best friends will do.
I can think of nothing better to do, than to list here these scriptures verses…
Numbers 23:19 –
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Hebrews 10:23 –
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful.
1st Kings 8:56b –
Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave…
Isaiah 25:1 –
O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvellous things, things planned long ago.
Psalms 119:160 –
All Your words are true; All Your righteous laws are eternal.
Psalms 119:90 –
Your faithfulness continues through all generations…
1st Samuel 15:29 –
He Who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.
Psalms 89:34 –
I will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered.
Isaiah 46:11 –
What I have planned, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.
Lord, may the Truth that is in all Your words encourage me and bring me life...
I need You, Lord.
I have been doing so much of both tonight. My heart is bursting, as I try to allow my God to strengthen me for the battle ahead. As I unload all of my burdens at His feet, I find myself just grabbing His ankles and weeping onto His toes.
I have run out of words. I am just now entering a place of peace and quiet with my God. It is just He and I, sitting in silence together like two best friends will do.
I can think of nothing better to do, than to list here these scriptures verses…
Numbers 23:19 –
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Hebrews 10:23 –
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful.
1st Kings 8:56b –
Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave…
Isaiah 25:1 –
O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvellous things, things planned long ago.
Psalms 119:160 –
All Your words are true; All Your righteous laws are eternal.
Psalms 119:90 –
Your faithfulness continues through all generations…
1st Samuel 15:29 –
He Who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.
Psalms 89:34 –
I will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered.
Isaiah 46:11 –
What I have planned, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.
Lord, may the Truth that is in all Your words encourage me and bring me life...
I need You, Lord.
Hairier Or Not
Freshly shaved and beardless today.
Felt like a change.
Feels good. Feels right.
It was the right time.
My time is comin'.
Felt like a change.
Feels good. Feels right.
It was the right time.
My time is comin'.
Challenge
Well, I have not heard an answer to my important question yet.
Interesting, how God keeps encouraging my faith in this matter, though.
Faith is not easy. That I am learning. Some days I need more encouragement than others. Some days I do not listen to that encouragement, and get very discouraged. Some days, I get my eyes off of a miracle-working God, and onto the problems I am facing; I spend too much time judging the size of the giants, and not enough time worshipping my awesome God and Father.
I tend to forget about His strength in battle, and have to be reminded of it time and time again by Him. And today, God has reminded me that, for right now at least, He is asking from me blind-faith; I have to trust that He is moving and is at work with His strong arm, even though I am far enough removed from the situation that I cannot see Him moving or the effects of His work in this situation. It may be that I never know that He is at work, until God appears and tells me that the victory has been won and my opponents are dead on the field of battle, and it is time to take what is mine.
Faith is hard. It has been a long, hard, difficult waiting period of trusting and hoping and crying and praying and being strengthened and feeling weakened. It has been nine months that i have battled in faith. Please pray that God continues to mold me into the man that He needs me to be…no matter how much it hurts.
Today’s devotional, which spoke so hugely to me…
Suffering A Faith Failure
Scripture Reading: Numbers 13-14
Key Verse: Proverbs 3:5,6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
The spies’ report was very negative and discouraging. The Israelites spent the entire night weeping and mourning. The situation seemed hopeless.
Under God’s direction, Moses had led them triumphantly out of Egypt toward their final destination – the promised land. But now they were stuck in the desert outside a land filled with menacing giants.
At a critical point in time – the moment of challenge – the Israelites took their eyes off the Lord and looked only at the obstacles. Because they forgot God’s promise and listened to false information, an entire generation wandered and died in the desert, never even getting a glimpse of the land of milk and honey.
Are you facing a challenge to your faith? Is God calling you to a task that seems unreasonable? Don’t assess the situation by your limited resources; failure to see things God’s way may cause you to miss His blessing, and others may be hurt. Disobedience is always followed by disappointment and disillusionment.
Remember what God has done for you in the past, and trust Him to deal with the impossible. You cannot be defeated when you follow God’s plan in confident faith.
Precious Father, as I face my spiritual journey today, help me view each challenge in terms of Your resources instead of my limited strength. Give me faith to deal with the impossible.
I really appreciated this word today. God is so good.
Interesting, how God keeps encouraging my faith in this matter, though.
Faith is not easy. That I am learning. Some days I need more encouragement than others. Some days I do not listen to that encouragement, and get very discouraged. Some days, I get my eyes off of a miracle-working God, and onto the problems I am facing; I spend too much time judging the size of the giants, and not enough time worshipping my awesome God and Father.
I tend to forget about His strength in battle, and have to be reminded of it time and time again by Him. And today, God has reminded me that, for right now at least, He is asking from me blind-faith; I have to trust that He is moving and is at work with His strong arm, even though I am far enough removed from the situation that I cannot see Him moving or the effects of His work in this situation. It may be that I never know that He is at work, until God appears and tells me that the victory has been won and my opponents are dead on the field of battle, and it is time to take what is mine.
Faith is hard. It has been a long, hard, difficult waiting period of trusting and hoping and crying and praying and being strengthened and feeling weakened. It has been nine months that i have battled in faith. Please pray that God continues to mold me into the man that He needs me to be…no matter how much it hurts.
Today’s devotional, which spoke so hugely to me…
Suffering A Faith Failure
Scripture Reading: Numbers 13-14
Key Verse: Proverbs 3:5,6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
The spies’ report was very negative and discouraging. The Israelites spent the entire night weeping and mourning. The situation seemed hopeless.
Under God’s direction, Moses had led them triumphantly out of Egypt toward their final destination – the promised land. But now they were stuck in the desert outside a land filled with menacing giants.
At a critical point in time – the moment of challenge – the Israelites took their eyes off the Lord and looked only at the obstacles. Because they forgot God’s promise and listened to false information, an entire generation wandered and died in the desert, never even getting a glimpse of the land of milk and honey.
Are you facing a challenge to your faith? Is God calling you to a task that seems unreasonable? Don’t assess the situation by your limited resources; failure to see things God’s way may cause you to miss His blessing, and others may be hurt. Disobedience is always followed by disappointment and disillusionment.
Remember what God has done for you in the past, and trust Him to deal with the impossible. You cannot be defeated when you follow God’s plan in confident faith.
Precious Father, as I face my spiritual journey today, help me view each challenge in terms of Your resources instead of my limited strength. Give me faith to deal with the impossible.
I really appreciated this word today. God is so good.
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