There are a lot of times when I will cook an extra large pot of soup so I can keep some and freeze it for later. This works so nicely in the winter when I want hot soup for lunch, no fuss, and its homemade!
However convenient that is, it just doesn't translate into our spiritual life. God didn't teach the Israelites to live on leftovers. He taught them to expect freshness. You can't bottle up today's experience and expect to be able to pull it out of the freezer in a week and use it again. God is about fresh, new, and unpredictable.
I guess its like eating a box of crackers in Alabama in June. Once you open that box, you better eat it up, because in a half an hour, they will be stale and soggy. When the Holy Spirit comes, He will bring you what you need for that moment(a fresh box of crackers). Don't expect to be able to re-create that experience in an hour, cause your crackers will be stale and no one will want to eat them. People know the difference between stale and fresh. Ask Him for freshness and we will be able to be what God needs us to be exactly when we need to be it.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Desperate Dependence
"When brokenness appears in our lives, openness appears in the Heavens" - Tommy Tenney
Psalms 34:18-19 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them.
While I don't go seeking to be crushed, or to live in a state of brokenness, I do want to live in a state of desperation or dependence, which at times, can feel like brokenness. Its most often the desperate who seek God for peace and depend on Him in that season. When life is easy, we usually aren't running to the alter or continually seeking after God like we would if were were in a desperate state.
The Lord has challenged me several times in my life. These seasons caused me to cling to Him desperately needing Him to guide me through the uncharted waters. I was taking a risk that required faith and to dwell in His "secret place". I don't want to say fear kept me there, instead it was out of a striving for approval, the "Well Done" and knowing that without the Lord, I would fall short of His plan.
God has again challenged me to stay always in that dependent state. I also challenge you, if you are in a place in your life where you are not in that "desperately clinging to His coat tails or you will fail" place, should you be? We should not only be doing things that we can easily handle on our own, but we should be stepping out of our comfort zone into places God has designed for us. This Risk will create desperation, and dependence that will lead us to an open Heaven and allow God to move in your life and in the lives of those around you in ways you never could have created or imagined without Him. Likewise, when we are confident in His covering, we are more willing to take greater risk, because we know where He has led us, we will not fail. Today's surrender is Tomorrow's freedom.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb5zQv9kXW4
Listen to this for a little treat.
Psalms 34:18-19 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them.
While I don't go seeking to be crushed, or to live in a state of brokenness, I do want to live in a state of desperation or dependence, which at times, can feel like brokenness. Its most often the desperate who seek God for peace and depend on Him in that season. When life is easy, we usually aren't running to the alter or continually seeking after God like we would if were were in a desperate state.
The Lord has challenged me several times in my life. These seasons caused me to cling to Him desperately needing Him to guide me through the uncharted waters. I was taking a risk that required faith and to dwell in His "secret place". I don't want to say fear kept me there, instead it was out of a striving for approval, the "Well Done" and knowing that without the Lord, I would fall short of His plan.
God has again challenged me to stay always in that dependent state. I also challenge you, if you are in a place in your life where you are not in that "desperately clinging to His coat tails or you will fail" place, should you be? We should not only be doing things that we can easily handle on our own, but we should be stepping out of our comfort zone into places God has designed for us. This Risk will create desperation, and dependence that will lead us to an open Heaven and allow God to move in your life and in the lives of those around you in ways you never could have created or imagined without Him. Likewise, when we are confident in His covering, we are more willing to take greater risk, because we know where He has led us, we will not fail. Today's surrender is Tomorrow's freedom.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb5zQv9kXW4
Listen to this for a little treat.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
No Credit Needed
Yesterday was NOT a shining moment for me. I felt overwhelmed by little things, short tempered, and as a result, didn't respond like Jesus would have. Well, I'm pretty sure He never went to His room and screamed into His pillow.
Fast forward eight hours and I find myself at a Youth Worship meeting. I love to worship, but I found myself going over my day, finding all the reasons why I really had no right to come before my Father. I felt like I had nothing to offer Him. Then He gave me this picture:
He was handing me a gift. I was trying to pay for it. I emptied my wallet, my bank account, maxed out my credit cards. I was empty and broke. I looked at Him and said, "this is all I have. I don't have enough to pay for it." As always, He kindly responded "I know, you never will. That is the point. Bring me what you have, and I'll cover the rest."
This is a classic lie and from the evil one. The lie that we can only come to God in a perfect or paid for form. Jesus never wants our "stuff" to get between us and Him. We make our temperament and natural affinities barriers to coming to Jesus. He pays no attention to it, because He only needs what you have, no matter how much or little it is.
Jesus says "Come after me" Mark 1:17. He asks us from across the pond "Jump in and follow me". If I just can't, He comes after me. Immediately, He has His arm wrapped around my shoulder and is walking with me on the beach, until I can jump in deeper. He takes us as we are, and He loves us as we are, but He won't leave us where we are.
Fast forward eight hours and I find myself at a Youth Worship meeting. I love to worship, but I found myself going over my day, finding all the reasons why I really had no right to come before my Father. I felt like I had nothing to offer Him. Then He gave me this picture:
He was handing me a gift. I was trying to pay for it. I emptied my wallet, my bank account, maxed out my credit cards. I was empty and broke. I looked at Him and said, "this is all I have. I don't have enough to pay for it." As always, He kindly responded "I know, you never will. That is the point. Bring me what you have, and I'll cover the rest."
This is a classic lie and from the evil one. The lie that we can only come to God in a perfect or paid for form. Jesus never wants our "stuff" to get between us and Him. We make our temperament and natural affinities barriers to coming to Jesus. He pays no attention to it, because He only needs what you have, no matter how much or little it is.
Jesus says "Come after me" Mark 1:17. He asks us from across the pond "Jump in and follow me". If I just can't, He comes after me. Immediately, He has His arm wrapped around my shoulder and is walking with me on the beach, until I can jump in deeper. He takes us as we are, and He loves us as we are, but He won't leave us where we are.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Today is your Gifting
1 Corinthians 12:27 You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.28 First, God has appointed apostles in the church. Second, he has appointed prophets. Third, he has appointed teachers. Then he has appointed people who do miracles and those who have gifts of healing. He also appointed those able to help others, those able to direct things, and those who can speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before.
29 Is everyone an apostle? Is everyone a prophet? Is everyone a teacher? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in languages they had not known before? Do all explain what is said in those languages? 31 But above all, you should want the more important gifts. (Which is LOVE)
I have yet to meet a person who carries every gift at the same time. Not that I put it past God, He can do anything, but I'm not sure we need to be everything at once. I do feel like God is telling me to be ready to be something. Be ready for what I need you to be.
We may not be apostles, but we all have visions and dreams. We may not be prophets, but we are all called to encourage His people. We may not be great teachers, but all are called to teach what God has taught us. Not many have healing ministries, but Jesus told us to pray for the sick.
The point is there should be no excuse for us to sit around and let someone else do the job because its not your "gifting." The Holy Spirit is waiting for us to say, "Lay it on m thick, cause I'm going out into the world today, and I'm ready to shake it up!" We have no hope to minister in this world apart from God's anointing and the Love we are commanded to bring into it. Whatever form its in today, be prepared to be used and you will be.
Don't leave your world the same tomorrow as it was yesterday. Everyday is a call to change it. The Holy Spirit is in me for my sake, but He is upon me for the world's.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Preparing a way for The Way
Most of us girls wouldn't even think about going out of the house in our pajamas, without make up, or at the very least, brushing our teeth. I have a morning routine, empty bladder, comb hair, eat, brush teeth. Even if I'm not dressed when I bring my boys to school, I'd like to look decent from the windshield. I need to get myself a little bit ready, at the bare minimum.
I've had those other moments when I was not "ready" and I just quick run to the store because it just has to be done. Lo and behold I run into someone I know. Ug, yep, here I am in the raw. A little embarrassed that I couldn't even take the time to care for myself and show that I actually care for the outside world enough to give them something nice to look at. (Disclaimer: I'm not a superficial individual that only cares about what others think, but its a debt to society to at least brush your hair and teeth).
Sometimes I feel like that when I go out without reading my Bible, or praying, or singing a few songs of adoration for our Lord. Its the same thing. We need to be ready to minister to the outside world. If we skip the preparation of our soul, we won't even be aware of the need for it. When we are feasting on our Lord's presence we will see opportunities, we will be ready, we will be prepared to love, to look past wrongs, to do it God's way.
Its our debt to society to brush our teeth, fix our spirit on Heaven, and go to the store. Intentionally be aware of the basket, keep it off, and shine our lights. At my home church, Brandon Valley AG, our motto is Love God, Love people, Make a difference. But loving God has to come first, we won't be prepared to do the others with out feasting on our Lord first.
Oswald Chambers says "A Christian worker is the one who perpetually looks in the face of God and then goes forth to talk to people. The secret of the worker's life is that he keeps in tune with God all the time."
2 Corinthians 3:18 We all with open face beholding...the glory of the Lord
I've had those other moments when I was not "ready" and I just quick run to the store because it just has to be done. Lo and behold I run into someone I know. Ug, yep, here I am in the raw. A little embarrassed that I couldn't even take the time to care for myself and show that I actually care for the outside world enough to give them something nice to look at. (Disclaimer: I'm not a superficial individual that only cares about what others think, but its a debt to society to at least brush your hair and teeth).
Sometimes I feel like that when I go out without reading my Bible, or praying, or singing a few songs of adoration for our Lord. Its the same thing. We need to be ready to minister to the outside world. If we skip the preparation of our soul, we won't even be aware of the need for it. When we are feasting on our Lord's presence we will see opportunities, we will be ready, we will be prepared to love, to look past wrongs, to do it God's way.
Its our debt to society to brush our teeth, fix our spirit on Heaven, and go to the store. Intentionally be aware of the basket, keep it off, and shine our lights. At my home church, Brandon Valley AG, our motto is Love God, Love people, Make a difference. But loving God has to come first, we won't be prepared to do the others with out feasting on our Lord first.
Oswald Chambers says "A Christian worker is the one who perpetually looks in the face of God and then goes forth to talk to people. The secret of the worker's life is that he keeps in tune with God all the time."
2 Corinthians 3:18 We all with open face beholding...the glory of the Lord
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Sink or Swim
There is a vast sea, each of us are in it. Some of us are there on our own accord, others have been placed there by God himself. Each as a choice in how he will respond. One man will fight the seas. He will thrash, crash himself against the water, and flail his arms in frustration. He is left exhausted, unable to be still and rest. He is drowning.
But there is another man, he is moving in a precise pattern, without chaos and confusion. Other times he is saying completely still on his back, just floating. This man is building endurance in his sea, he is resting in this place he has been put.
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalms 37:7
Sometimes we are not moving anywhere in life. We are just in a sea that can either swallow us, or create a strength and serenity in us that would not have been learned in any other environment. Cooperation with the Lord will bring these traits to us. Do not hurry yourself through these places. We are building endurance and character for another season. If we do not learn this now, we will not be prepared for the later things.
But there is another man, he is moving in a precise pattern, without chaos and confusion. Other times he is saying completely still on his back, just floating. This man is building endurance in his sea, he is resting in this place he has been put.
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalms 37:7
Sometimes we are not moving anywhere in life. We are just in a sea that can either swallow us, or create a strength and serenity in us that would not have been learned in any other environment. Cooperation with the Lord will bring these traits to us. Do not hurry yourself through these places. We are building endurance and character for another season. If we do not learn this now, we will not be prepared for the later things.
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Digging Wells
"When we do anything out of a sense of duty, we can back it up by argument; when we do anything in obedience to the Lord, there is no argument possible; that is why a saint can be easily be ridiculed." Oswald Chambers
Most of what God asks us to do won't make sense to the rest of our culture. The word submission is thought of as weakness. Pouring ourselves out relentlessly will leave us exhausted right? Paul found delight in that very thing. He was able to be a "door mat" and not have the self pity that usually accompanies it. He was able to find joy in this selflessness. (2 Corinthians 12:15 I will very gladly spend and be spent for you)
Isaac is a pretty good example of this.(Genesis 26) He just had a hundred fold harvest, by the way -that is a CRAZY big number, and was wealthy beyond belief. He has all his father's resources and more. He was on top! Then, the Philistines fill up his wells, and the king tells him to beat it. In the middle of a famine, Isaac was the only one succeeding. I bet that put a bee in their bonnet.
It would have been pretty easy for Isaac to throw his weight around. That would make sense, stand up for yourself boy! It was his duty!
Nope. You may know the story. He moves over ten miles and digs a new well. The Philistines fill it again. So again Isaac takes all he has and moves again. He does this 2 other times. No grumbling, no fighting. He simply keeps digging wells until they stop bothering him. He knew God had a place for him in this land. He just had to keep looking until he found it.
God wasn't moving Isaac out into the desert without water. He won't move us to the desert without water either. God never leads us to dry ground. We need to keep digging wells, no matter how absurd it looks to the others. The Lord will show us where to dig, its up to us to pick up the shovel and do some of the dirty work and keep worshiping. If we worship loud enough, we won't be able to hear anyone else ridicule us.
Noah didn't stop building in the midst of the mud slinging. Its imperative we keep ourselves in God's light and remember what He told us there. Its easy for us to doubt when we feel vulnerable. After Isaac's submissive obedience, God spoke to him for the first time and gave him a wonderful promise of an entire nation.
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