"I'm with them!" he quickly shouted. "He's not with us!" I shot back as the lady let us in and stopped the man and his girlfriend behind us.
Before I'd left in the morning I quickly prayed for patience, love and to be an example of Christ in a very hectic environment...a clothing store $1.00 sale. In my hurried state...I read scriptures, my mind wandering as I glanced at the clock, not wanting to be too late. I was reading but not truly getting filled up... preoccupation flooded my focus. Heading out I was left vulnerable...not truly ready for the day ahead and very quickly there I was for all to see...my mouth on display. A lifetime battle that rears its ugly head just when I begin to feel I've almost conquered this hurdle.
I'd arrived 15 minutes later than I said I would. I happily walked up to my friends who were already in line, cutting in with a cheerful smile, "I made it." The man and girl behind them didn't say a word as several other friends arrived to pile in front of them also. The line was long and I was grateful my friends were there on time. The doors opened and people piled in, running to the tables. As our group got to the front they let two of the girls in and then stopped the rest of us. The lady realized we were all together and said, "Oh, you're with them?"
*Flashback to the man saying he's also with us. After my reply, one of the girls with us looked at me and said, "That was mean."
Ugh. What happened? Where was my Christ like nature? I mean really, let's be honest, I cut in front of them and if I hadn't they'd already be in.
I was bothered at me! What kind of example was I setting? I was more worried our group would be too big with them included and we wouldn't be let in. Is that how I'm supposed to act...me first? I deserve to get in before you? Is that how Christ wants me to be?
I fall short. My old nature creeps in and slaps me in the head. I have work to do. I need more of Jesus and less of me. The only way this is possible is by spending quality time with Him daily. Food for my soul; pulling out the weeds, (my old nature) that threatens to overtake, overgrow...develop roots. My nature is selfish, looking to get, have and keep the best for me; me first - others last.
It's in these moments, times of less than I want to be that I'm thankful Jesus is always there. He's showing me, a bright neon light flashing in the darkness, the areas I need to pray about. He brings attention to my shortcomings, not to defeat me, but to help me rise above it; to pray more in that area of personal weakness. Read the Word more on the subject. Truth. More Light to drown out the darkness.
What areas do you struggle with? Thank the Lord for highlighting them for you. It's an opportunity to allow Him to pull up roots of lies, deception, wickedness, shame, anger and regret. Replacing it with truth, wisdom, goodness, honor, strength, faith, peace and love.
Today, thank the Lord for loving you enough to show you areas in your life that need HIS help. Let His light shine in and through you as He fills you to overflowing with Jesus' incredible love.
"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
God wants you to know…
"My Presence is more than enough. Allow Me to seep into your whole being. I will fill you up. I will carry you through. I will anoint you to do My will, as you listen to Me, as you seek Me, as you enjoy My Love and Presence in your life. I Am more than enough. Return to Me and I will return to you (read Zechariah 1:3). I Am your Father and you are my child. Let go. Let Me. I Am standing at the crossroads saying, "This is the way…walk in it." (read Jeremiah 6:16). My grace is made perfect in weakness. Surrender yourself completely to Me and watch Me work in your life. I love you with an everlasting love. You are Mine and I Am yours,
Bask in the glory of My Presence. Hear Me roar. (read Hosea 11:10) Hear Me thunder. (read Job 40:9) Be mindful of Me. Return to Me with childlike faith. I Am more than enough. Allow Me to be your everything...your all...your strength and your guide. I love you! I never leave you. I am right beside you always.
Let My Light fill any darkness. As the sun gives light to the earth, so do I give Light to your soul. Open the door and let me in. I have come to redeem you, to restore you, to make you mine and mine alone. The waves may crash around you but you are safe in My Arms. "…if it were not so, I would have told you." (read John 14:2)
I Am ALWAYS with you. Do not shrink back. Walk out in complete faith. You are My child and can let go...collapsing into the safety of My Arms. I Am your's and you are Mine."
"But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." Isaiah 43:1
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3
"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Corinthians 12:9
"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19
"So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21
Lord, open my eyes to see You more clearly. To see the blessings. To see the love. To see You in the midst of trials, weariness, worry, anxiety...always to see You first. Let all other things fade, become less clear, like the bokeh on my new camera lens. Bokeh: a word mentioned often in photography. Something to strive to achieve in pictures. Bokeh, "the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the image; the out of focus areas in an image around the subject."
When I look to You Lord, You are teaching me to achieve the aesthetic quality of life. To blur out all struggles and strife around me and focus on You. First. Always first. Then and only then can I see the truth of Your life giving, life guiding, life saving love. I can be sure that You are taking care of the blurry areas of my life by focusing on Your clear image of love for me. Thank You Lord, in Jesus' name, Amen.
"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!" Psalm 105:4
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
"Therefore I say to
you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will
drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than
food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look
at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value
than they? 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:25-26 & 33
We were riding along, three of us on horses. My friend April leading the way, another friend who's face I couldn't make out, directly in front of me and I was last. April led her horse off the rough pavement onto the steep side of the hill. We followed. I was leery but did so anyways. April's horse stumbled, it's leg twisting badly, it took off running wildly down the steep mountain toward a wet marshland. She was gripping for her life. The second friend's horse became spooked and charged after. My horse remained calm and manageable.
He cautiously went after my friends. I was worried. April's horse ran into what looked like waist deep water. The second friend was able to stop before plunging in after her. Two men were there shouting, "It's quicksand!" They threw a rope to April who was still atop her horse but sinking fast.They tried in vain to pull them out. I told the men to attach the rope to my horse and we'd pull them to safety. It worked! They were freed.
I then took my horse to the top of the hill, separating from my friends.
I got off to look at something. My horse started grazing up the road, waiting for me. All of a sudden he took off. I began to run after him. I saw him in the distance along with a large menacing beast with horns ahead of him, ready to charge. My horse quickly turned to run down stairs that led to an isolated mountain baseball field full of people watching a game on cement benches.
I ran and made it safely to the stairs ahead of the beast, still chasing my horse. A goat suddenly appeared as I passed through a gate. I somehow knew he wanted to harm me. I closed the gate just in time as he rammed into it. I continued chasing after my horse which I could faintly see in the distance.
I quickly awoke, pondering the dream. It reminded me of life. I was safely walking with the Lord (He was carrying me.) I was able to stay calm and help friends in need along the way. I stayed close to Him, one with Him. He was taking me safely through life's journey. Peace. Calm. Security. But for some reason something caught my attention causing me to get down from His safety and venture off alone. He waited for me. I was standing still. He wanted to take me forward away from looming danger. When He could wait no longer He ran ahead, catching my attention to chase after Him. To seek Him. To allow Him to take me away from danger. But the wild beast was in front of me and alone I was small in comparison. He led me down a side path, with people and gates to protect me. He wanted me to stay focused on Him until we could once more be one again. The Lord carrying me through this life. Peace. Calm. Security. A safe journey. A secure place with Jesus as my constant companion.
Don't let life cause you to lose focus. Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. Stay close to Him. You are safe in His arms. He knows the way to the dreams He has for you. Seek Him daily in the quiet place. Let Him be your life's guide as you fix your eyes on Him, growing closer until you are one. His eyes. His ears. His heart. His wisdom. His trust. His faith. His forgiveness. His love. A dream come true. The Lord filling you up to overflowing. A new transformed life in and through Jesus Christ.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
Lord, I know You have a good plan for my life and a purpose, but some days I feel overwhelmed. I face many challenges throughout my day and I sometimes feel a small root of bitterness attempting to form. On these days I need more of You and less of me. Help me to see things through Your eyes Lord and not my own. Please give me Your peace, patience, love and comfort during difficulties. Lord, You are always on the scene...help me to seek You; to reach for Your outstretched hand. Let me walk close to You on life's journey. I know that if You've brought me here...You are working.
Please help me to have less of me and more of You. Let the words of my mouth speak Your loving words of kindness. Let my life be Yours to use always...even in the storms. Let me be found worthy to do Your work; to walk where You're leading me, in blind faith. For if we know exactly what's in store for us...it isn't faith at all.
" Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:11
"Through faith we
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that
things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Hebrews 11:3
Lord, help me to remember that my current view/perception of the situation in front of me has nothing to do with the true reality of what You are doing.
" And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Strengthen me Lord and build me up. Let me walk closer to You. Let me be Your hands and feet. Protect me from the lies of the enemy, as he attempts to fill me with thoughts of defeat.
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
Lord, Thank You for always filling me with the truth and light of Your Holy Word. Jesus came to show us by example how to overcome the temptations of the enemy and it's always with Your powerful Word and Prayer. He conquered the enemy on the cross, defeating the bondage of sin and death. Help me to remember to seek You and Your Word when I feel discouraged and defeated. Thank You for reminding me...in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.Who
is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is
risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us. Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For
I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:31-39
He asked for "that thing." Afraid to say it...words that let go. The words that dare to speak trust. He's afraid of many things. Trust will not come easy for this young life. And yet…he asks.
PRAYER. "That thing" that makes trust, hope and faith possible. The letting go and letting God take over. Releasing much sought after control. A new found freedom that is felt only in the letting go!
Prayer, a call to our Creator for help, thanks, praise. Steps of growth. Walking toward the outstretched hand of our Lord…one step at time.
Prayer, a love cry in time of need.
Prayer, water to a parched soul.
Prayer, a thankful talk with your Heavenly Father who always listens.
"That thing," PRAYER!
"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippans 4:6
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" Matthew 7:7
"Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him." Psalm 33:8
I scanned back and forth down the page. A lump formed; eyes no longer able to contain the moisture. The overflow releasing, sliding...the drops, clear pearls resting on my keyboard.
The young boy was soon to be left alone in this world. A mother, slowly letting go of her fight; her body...slight and weak, cancer overtaking.
The words called for prayer, help and God's will to stir and move the heart of someone to take him in.
Blurred, wet eyes fixated on the dot...the period signaling the end of the email.
I climbed the stairs; incredible urgency to reach the safety of my room. I needed release...the tears to freely flow. The words moved me, heart and soul...beyond my plans, my worries, my selfishness. I prayed for the boy. I prayed for his mother. I prayed for the right family to open their home. God's will.
I shared it with my husband. We prayed and prayed and prayed. God's will. We took steps of faith, moving and waiting. Gods will. After several phone calls, visits and constant prayer, the doors slowly began to open. One by one. With each door, fear of change, less us time momentarily filled our minds...but we stayed the course, always praying, God's will.
That Monday morning email changed my heart. God's plan is bigger and better than my plans. We await the final process; a young boy, alone, now to become a part of our family. God's will.
When God puts things in motion and asks you to move, touching your heart and spirit to the very core of your being, take the steps. Walk it out. He will open the right doors and shut the wrong ones. We worship a God who parts the sea, shuts the mouths of lions, makes walls crumble, brings the dead to life and sets captives free.
What has God been putting on your heart? Take a step of faith and trust Him...God's will.
"Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched
the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness
were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies
of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again..." Hebrews 11:33-35
"God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." Hebrews 11:40
"Wherefore we receiving
a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may
serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.
READ HEBREWS 11:1-40 (To Increase Your Faith)
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