Passionate Pursuit

"That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT)

Gladiator. I love that movie. It is easily in my top 5 because it has so many biblical references. The honor and courage displayed in his character are phenomenal. I think it speaks to the heart of every man for bravery and every woman for the admiration of that bravery. 

But more than that, it's a great visual of how difficult leading the Christian life can be. Jesus didn't promise us that our lives would magically be easier when we picked up our crosses and followed him. At the end of this movie, I love that Maximus is walking toward his deceased family in his place of peace, his home. 

Anytime I face a difficult situation or something that seems impossible, this verse bubbles up from my heart and floats through my mind: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 

Watching the news the other day, CNN was covering the crisis in Iraq and questioning what President Obama was going to do about it. I deeply desire that we had a truly God fearing President who would call for a national day of prayer for any who believed so that we, as a nation, would pray for the thousands of Christians being persecuted in Iraq. 

My daughter and I had just sat down for dinner and I said, "Let's pray." She immediately put her tiny hands in mine and bowed her head against my forehead. All I got out was, "Father God, please help those people. You demonstrated over and over in the Bible these amazing stories of angels crushing cities of those who opposed you and of Jesus healing those who are persecuting your children. I will not ask where you are, for I know you are with them, but Abba, those children..." and I just broke and cried. 

My daughter put her tiny hands on either side of my face and lifted my head to look at her. She said, "Mama..." and put one of her hands on my heart. I said, "Yes, Mama's heart hurts for our friends in Iraq." I got out a map and showed her who we were praying for. We put one of each of our hands on the map, and our other hands we held together. We finished the prayer for all of the children in Iraq, Christian or not, and for the leaders of ISIS to have a powerful experience with Jesus. 

As someone who knows heartbreak well, I won't sit here and say "it's okay," - I know its hard and its one of the most difficult things you will experience right now. But I will firmly tell you - do not stop praying - God is fighting for you.  And remember, you have people all over the world just like me who are thinking of you and keeping you close in our hearts, expecting God to bless you in some way each moment. Even if that blessing is just you developing your relationship with him. 

Loving Right Where We Are...

Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud"

Woah, woah, how am I going to relate a love song to a devotional? Easy. 

We found love right where we are...

I met with my Pastor recently for coffee to catch up and chat. After nearly two hours and sharing laughs, he said, "You've got a joy about you. You're filled with joy." And I realized, yeah. Yeah, I am! And you know something? It's not from another human being! I mean, I am definitely incredibly blessed to have a family and friends who pour their love into me daily, but....nah. I'm not sparkling because of them. I'm sparkling because of Him. 

I found love right where I am...with God. That sounds crazy, right? But bear with me! If you're married or seeing someone, wonderful! But if you're single, like me (especially us romantics), we smile sheepishly as we look out the window when we think about someone like Sheeran is describing in his song. And above all - his song made me look forward to whoever God is going to bring into my life. 

Even as the world is being destroyed all around us, let's focus on the good stuff today. 

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your love. Thank you for pouring it into us. Thank you for the people you put in and take out of our lives for Your reasons alone. Help us to be a blessing to someone today. Help us to remind someone today (even one of your smallest or greatest creatures) that they are incredibly special and their life is full of purpose through our actions or words to them. Take Your broken people and unite us in your love. We love you Lord, You are our strength (Psalm 18:1). In Jesus' name, amen. 

Let's Dance!

Lee Brice's "I don't dance"

Why am I inviting you to listen to this song? And why is there a picture of a dirt road? 

Two reasons: the road is a reminder that our roads are usually long and hard, but there's some beautiful scenery along the way: in our family's love for us, in God's love for us, in our friend's laughter, in our cooking disasters, thriving gardens, our children, our creating, our adventuring, our daily interactions with every day people just like you and me. Take a moment and decide that you will be a blessing today to someone, anyone. Thank you God for working through us. Now, the song is up because I want you to remember that most of us are very similar to Moses. We don't want to do the things God is asking us to do. We want other people - other more qualified people to do the task. 

But guess what? When we invite Jesus into our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to control our lives...this song turns into us singing to God: "Lord, I don't dance, but I'll do anything anywhere with you. You've got me in the palm of Your hand..."   Takes on a whole new meaning doesn't it?  

Lord, pleases help us to dance with you. We lay down our selfish hearts and desires and ask you to come into these places within us. Help us to speak words of wisdom and do acts of kindness. Help us to shine bright today. We love you so much. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Long Day, Long Road

     Does anyone have some favorite #music that just moves you? I mean...every fiber in your whole being says, "yes!!" and you jump around playing air guitar or pretend to be a rock star? Just for a moment? 

     #Matchbox20 is one of those bands for me. I can hear the saddest news or have the toughest days and Matchbox20 "Long Day" is just one of those songs that helps me to see everything so clearly. 

     Like this #international mess we're in: Hamas, Israel, Russia, Eastern Ukraine, Central America's aid to the U.S., the border patrol.... it's such a hot topic here. 

     My spirit just rages for justice every time the news displays the grief over the people in the #Netherlands and it hurts so much for the widows and orphans who are trying to settle here in the #United States. 

      Then....something hit me today, or rather....someone: 

Paul 

It occurred to me that whenever we feel like we're having a Long Day or we're on a Long Road, it is possible for today's Paul's to turn around. 

Let's pray: Lord Jesus...we are without words. The tragedy that is happening in today's world is astounding. Gaza is hurting so deeply and we ache for our brothers and sisters around the world, even those we don't know. Lord, it is only by your divine help that any of this will be resolved. Father, if it aligns with your will, please, we appeal to you, please Jesus stand in their road. Please stand in their long road of persecuting others and make yourself known to them. We are in desperate need for several transformations of "Paul" to happen to the rebel leaders and to our leaders in powerful positions. Please God, appear to us also, on our long days, that we might be well prepared for you and that we might shine brighter than the darkness in our world today. We love you and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Something to Consider...

In all the recent events going on internationally and even here in the U.S., it's tempting to think, "What's the use in being good?" Or "Why do I work so hard only for bad things to continue to happen?"

Today is a reminder that is easy to forget, but powerful in deterring encouragement.

"Let your light shine before others so that your good deeds will glorify your Father in heaven," (Matthew 5:16).

We must actively look for the good in our world. For example, a friend of mine is serving in the Peace Corps in West Africa. He is building a library or his students and I was able to support a book drive to send to him. Think of all the children who will now get to have stories, learn a new language, translate them into French and open up their creativity.

The ladies of my church just celebrated someone's birthday - a strong, small woman who just turned 88. And then there is just the occasional smile and small talk with someone at the grocery store to check in on their day.

What good surrounds you today? More importantly, what small thing can you do today that will remind someone of God's goodness and provision?

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..."

Thank you God for your love. Help us to share it with others today. We love you! In Jesus' name, amen.

"My peace I give to you..."

The day human beings use deceased fellow human beings to achieve an incredibly selfish purpose is the day that we all need to lay our hearts down in prayer and fast.

The rebels' actions in Ukraine scream loudly of Nazi and Hitler-like mentality while also using tactics  of the infamous Taliban.

All that we can ask is for God to pour out his love and peace upon the families who lost someone in this horrific tragedy, especially those with children. We can pray also for His justice to prevail (even if it doesn't look like we might think).

I invite you to fast with me on Tuesday, July 22 for these purposes: deliverance of the rebels from their wayward mindset, peace for the families, justice for this situation and harmony in international problem solving. We must keep believing in God's goodness and remember that He is close to us in heartbreak.

Amen.

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I Choose to Live, Not Merely Exist

Watching the news this morning, coffee in hand, I felt such a pang of sorrow for our world. With the #MH17 flight tragedy, the border crossing disaster between the U.S. and Mexico, Ukraine and Russia, and the lost girls in Nigeria, I grieved for the loss of life and the grief so many families will be going through and continue to experience. 

Knowing that as soon as we pray in accordance with God's Word and will that we are heard, let's begin praying for these families. 

Lord, thank you for reminding us we are to look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27) and that we will be comforted in our grief (Matthew 5:4). Thank you that you are greater than the world's circumstances and that we cannot imagine what You have in store for those of us who love you. Thank you that you have listened to our cry for help and are working in ways we cannot fathom (Psalm 27:5). Thank you that there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3) and that your hand is upon all of us. Please open a way to provide for these orphaned children and widows of provision and healing. Please make your presence known among the leaders in the East, bringing peace to Hamas and Israel and Palestine. Please raise up a new leader who fears you, reveres you and trusts you; obedient to your direction who will bring peace to Ukraine and Russia. We pray also for the families of MH17, that their legacy of compassion and kindness would not be forgotten. We love you Lord, You are our strength. Amen. 

Hunger Satisfied



"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday." (Isaiah 58:10, ESV)

 

 

     Recently, I've been preoccupied with the needs of those around me. Working in ministry affords me the budget to reach out to those in need - specifically those who are hungry, tired or in need of nourishment. Our church collects food each week for local food banks and a kitchen that serves the homeless. However, it got me thinking which resulted in two things: first, I became downtrodden at the realization of so many who are hungry, especially the children; second, I became encouraged by the verse of Isaiah 58:10 because if we could just remind each other of that purpose, think of the many people we could help. We would not only act as helpers to those people, but we could shine bright for Christ and show them that He is looking out for them and loves them.

 

     

Unseen Faithfulness & Provision

"And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

-2 Kings 6:17 (NIV)-

Before we start today, let's worship. Give your heart, mind and spirit a six minute break. Close your eyes and listen to this song. I'm already praying for your heart to be opened and for your spirit to be renewed.

Lately, I've had the greatest blessings. I have been able to listen to my closest friend's hearts and worries. And here's what I've learned from their courageous examples of opening up about their weaknesses and their struggles:

The less we hide, the less the enemy has to work with.

The more we truly confess our struggles and hurts to each other, the more room Jesus has to move in for healing and restoration; the more power the Holy Spirit is given to renew us and defeat lies we so easily accept in our minds; the more opportunity God is given to prove His faithfulness.

It's amazing.

This is also something else to keep in mind:

Your seemingly cold, icy, isolated mountain(s) you're attempting to tackle? They only seem that way because the enemy so desires to convince you that you are alone, that you are left out in the cold, and that nobody can relate to you.

Guess what? FALSE! Hugely false.

You are a son or daughter of the King who fights for you moment-to-moment. You are a child of God's own family. Your brother and LORD defeated the enemy and has already prepared a place for you when you're called Home. You are dearly loved in such a powerful way. AND, you have brothers and sisters right here who would love to pray for you and help you in any way they can.

We're Family.

And God's family doesn't back down to challenges; we encourage, we provide, we listen, we inspire, we love, we act, we teach, we heal, and most of all, we turn each other right back to God so the enemy doesn't stand a chance.

In fact, I'm praying right now that as you are reading this post, you are being filled with the Holy Spirit's power which is mighty in pulling down strongholds; that you are being reminded powerfully of just how much God loves you; that you feel Jesus with you in these moments.

When Elisha prayed that his servant's eyes be opened and his servant was able to see the horses and chariots ready for battle, I bet his servant was first, shocked and second, assured. Are you in need of some assurance today?

Let us act as Elisha for each other today:

Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you that you are able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever ask or imagine. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ (name them) that they would experience just a tiny dose of vision that You blessed Elisha's servant with. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of how hard You are fighting for us and just how incredible You are.

Father, we are grateful and joyful to admit our weaknesses to each other because You promise us as Your Son, Jesus, promises us that Your strength is made perfect through our weaknesses. Therefore, we boast all the more gladly about our weaknesses:________ today. Thank you that you will strengthen us in these ways today.

We also confess and are grateful for our brokenness. If we were not broken, You would have no room to transform us into the people You created us to be way back before You placed us in our mother's wombs. We are in awe that You accomplished such an amazing micracle, and we humbly submit our desires to You. Shape us how you want. Transform our minds in Christ Jesus. Heal our hearts and renew our spirits. We need You.

Jesus, thank you for being with us even as we go about our day-to-day routines, jobs, schooling - whatever it is that we are doing, we thank you that you are there with us. We pray for each other all over the world that we would encourage each other to remember how faithful You have been to us Father.

Jesus, we invite you in with a feast of thankfulness and gratitude. We are thankful today for:____________. We are grateful that:__________. We praise you because You are the only One who __________. We love you. Use us to fulfil your mission.

Father, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Let's end together: Hillsong's "From the Inside Out"

Praying for you!