God's Demonstration

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves….so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body….so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:7,10,11 (New American Standard Bible)

As I look back over this past year, my desire is that God’s power was evident in my life and that the life of Christ was seen in me. Eternity will ultimately reveal if that was the case. But for now, I rest in the fact that anything of eternal value that was accomplished and anything of lasting change that came about was truly the display of God’s power and not my own. I know that in my flesh, my power, my strength, and my resolve this is not possible. I have experienced too many failures, distractions, and diversions for me to muster up any self-glory. The final test is not what people thought of me for they were limited in their view. It is not even what I think of myself for my heart is deceitful. In the end, it is what God sees and knows. For He alone sees my heart, motives, and thoughts. He reads me like an open book.

He also knows what He is working in me to bring about His masterpiece of redemption. He has chosen to indwell this earthen vessel with all of its weaknesses, sinful habits, and prodigal ways. Like a jeweler who places diamonds on a backdrop of dark velvet for a greater contrast, He chooses to contrast His perfection and holiness against my depravity, His forgiveness against my sin, His love against my rebellion, and His strength against my weakness. The contrast is not only evident, it is stunning and evokes praise to Him!

I praise Him for any steps forward He helped me to take and any steps backward He forgave. I praise Him for any knowledge of Himself that was gained. I praise Him for the tears He allowed and then lovingly dried. I praise Him for painful goodbyes and extraordinary introductions. I praise Him for any and all things He used to draw me closer to Himself. I praise Him for that which caused me to open my eyes, ears, heart, and arms to Him. I praise Him for the things He noticed that escaped even my attention. I praise Him for not allowing others to take His place. I praise Him for loving discipline that not only got my attention but opened the door for change. I praise Him for individuals He supplied to walk along side me. I praise Him for all the ways He chose to teach me of His ways and His heart. I praise Him for ministering to the wounds, brokenness, and heartaches. I praise Him for all the music that has reached my ears as well as my spirit. I praise Him for this journey. And I praise Him that by His grace I will enter another year to see Him continue to do all of this and so much more!

Father, show Yourself plainly in my life. May each day I see and acknowledge Your work in me. My Potter, My Father, My Friend, I love You! Amen.

Imitations of Himself

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 (New American Standard Bible)

I have seen pictures of the Rocky Mountains and I have been to the Rocky Mountains. While pictures can be breath taking, they do not begin to compare to the beauty and majesty of the actual place. They are simply an image or likeness of it. They give us an idea of the genuine but they are not the same thing. The Rocky Mountains are so much more! Any who would settle for a picture over the real place is settling for less.

God created man in His image as someone who would display His character, personality, and likeness. Think of the special qualities you see in others be it patience, love, joy, warmth, charm, or strength, and you are seeing a limited aspect of God Himself. They are merely the image of the One who created them. Too often, we settle for the image over the authentic One. In our flesh we would be content to look to the images, but our spirit knows the difference. Our spirit yearns for the God who created the very person with whom we have become enamored.

This morning I am thinking of numerous people God has brought into my life and I am appreciating the way they reflect God. That which attracts me to them is Christ in them. The qualities of His heart are showing through and are meant to give me a glimpse and taste of what He is like. Just as a picture of an exotic place would awaken a desire in me to go to that place, the picture of Christ in another individual should awaken in me a desire to go to Christ Himself.

God longs for each of us to move out of the “art gallery” that displays His image and turn our attention toward Him. To stop settling for the imitations. To stop making them our focal point, security, plum line, and compass. He is their Source and wants to be ours as well. He longs for us to be obsessed with Him and captivated by Him. What we see in others will help us to know about God but only He can help us to know Him. One is intellectual while the other is life changing.

While I thank God for those who have imitated Him so well, I am no longer satisfied with a limited view. My desire is to see Him for myself, hear Him for myself, talk to Him myself, and connect with Him myself. No amount of rubbing shoulders with others will bring that about. It must be a one on one meeting with the One who created me in His own image. This morning, I choose to slip my name into Genesis 1:27 and live with a fresh realization of that truth.

Father, may I no longer settle for the images of You. I hear Your call to know You and I follow the sound of Your voice. Amen.

A Call to Stand Still

So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. Joshua 4:10 (New King James Version)

I find it interesting that for a while the priests were called to stand still! The duration of their “stand” was until everything God commanded was finished. It wasn’t finished when the entire nation of Israel crossed over the Jordan River on dry land. It was finished when twelve individuals had removed twelve stones for memorials from the river bed and Joshua had set up twelve stones as a memorial in the river bed. Once all of that was accomplished, the priests were allowed to move forward.

To me, standing still is always more difficult than moving forward. It doesn’t seem natural or necessary from my perspective. But I am quickly learning (and relearning) that MY perspective is not the issue….God’s perspective is! I often feel like the student at the back of room who is wildly waving her hand in hopes of being “chosen” for something! And yet over my restlessness and enthusiasm God seems to be saying, “Stand here until I have finished some things in you and some things in others.” He can tell by my slumped shoulders and confused look that I do not understand His command.

While He has not shown me all the reasons or the full picture for this stand still moment, He has let me know what it does NOT mean and what I am to be doing during this time. It does not mean He doesn’t care or is uninvolved in my life. It does not mean I am insignificant or unusable. Nor does it mean there aren’t future plans and purposes for my life. Those are the interpretations the enemy delights in whispering to me. Those are the lies I must counter with biblical truth. I must poise myself to hear God say, “I care about you and you are My precious child. I know the plans I have for you…they are good plans. In My time and in My way I will unfold those plans to you. Rest in Me. You are right where I want you…for now.”

With that said, I see things God wants to accomplish in me at this time. Drawing closer to Him and developing a dependency upon Him is primary! He is still fixing the false concepts and perceptions I have of Him. He is also walking me through the huge issue of emotional dependency. Two powerful tools He is giving me are books and crossing my path with individuals who have walked this road before me. Seeing just those two areas is enough to convince me that standing still is an excellent idea after all!

Father, there is no such thing as wasted time when it is of You. I choose to stand in this place until You have finished all that You desire to do at this time. I leave the timing and the commanding to You. Amen.

Believing and Abiding in His Love

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. I John 4:16 (New King James Version)

To know and believe God really loves us is to think it to be true, to be persuaded it is true, and to place confidence in its truth. Nearly four years ago, I came to understand that God’s love is not dependent on what I am doing. In other words, my actions and behavior are not the basis for His love. That had a profound effect upon me. It shook up my belief system and caused me to take a hard look at the many misperceptions I had about God and the Christian life. It birthed changes in me and broke through self imposed limits and walls. My “box” mentality gave way to spacious places in which I was free to move about and explore. It opened up honest dialogue between myself and God. Knowing that He required truth in the inward parts changed my prayer life. Secure in His love, I could begin to voice questions, doubts, and misgivings. True feelings and honest thoughts could now be shared with Him.

Taking in the truth of God’s love is one thing but God invites us to go further. He wants His love to become our place of abiding on a daily basis. To tarry in the knowledge and have it become our continual reference point. Come what may, it must be our plumb line that keeps us centered and focused on Him. Without it we drift and become victims of difficulties, rampant emotions, and tactics of an enemy who wants to devour and destroy us. Physical, financial, emotional, spiritual, or relational hardships must continue to be placed under the canopy of God’s love for us. We must anchor our souls to it, fix our minds on it, and live within the reality of it on a continual basis.

Easier said than done? Absolutely. But worth it! It is what strengthens me when I am weak, wounded, or weary. It is what renews my hope when I am floundering. It is what assures me of forgiveness and mercy when I have really blown it. It is what redirects my steps when I have wandered. Each time I crawl into the truth of His love and embrace it for myself, I am anointed with a security that no one else can give to me.

I am still learning and still growing but it is being done in the context of God’s love, heart, and thoughts toward me. Whether I am in valleys or on mountain tops the truth continues to set me free!

Father, thank you for a love that never changes, never walks away, and never diminishes. I open my arms and my heart to all You give to me. Amen.

The No Matter What of Rejoicing

Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! Habakkuk 3:17-19 (Amplified Bible)

Got the picture? No matter the circumstance, disappointment, loss, failure, or lack, rejoicing is possible…it is a choice! Why? Because it is based in who God is and what God does not in anything or anyone outside of Him. That which cannot be given to me by other avenues cannot be taken away from me by other avenues. Since God is my Strength, I am able to stand strong! Since God is my confidence, I am able to advance with my head held high! Since God is my army of defense, I am able to live life secure and protected. The storms of life and trials of this world do not determine my position, provision, or possessions. God does!

Today’s verse is the kind of verse I can slip ANY situation into and come out with the same result. No matter what I list behind the word “though” it can be followed by YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD! Why? Because He is my strength and the one who makes me to walk above the places of difficulty. He shelters me in any storm, holds me in any trouble, comforts me in any distress, accompanies me through any valley, and strengthens me in every moment. This is a passage of victory if ever I saw one!

I am struck by the fact that Habakkuk does not voice these truths after the situation has improved. He voices them as he realizes the possibility of a worse case scenario. What an example! Whether I look to the past and think on things that I would have chosen never to happen, I can still rejoice in the Lord. Whether I take stock of my present situation and see things that still have not changed or been resolved, I can still rejoice in the Lord. And whether I contemplate the many what if and if only moments of the future, I can still rejoice in the Lord.

God’s New Year resolution to me is always the same! He promises to be faithful, present, involved, righteous, and loving. That alone gives me reason enough to rejoice! Whatever lies ahead I will rejoice in Him!

Father, Your love has never been conditional. May mine not be either. I joy in the God that You are! Amen.

Seeing a Clearer Picture

Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in birth pangs. For now you shall go forth from the city, you shall dwell in the field, and to Babylon you shall go. There you shall be delivered; there the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies. Micah 4:10 (New King James Version)

Have you ever wondered what it is the Lord is doing in your life? On a daily basis you feel as if you are sitting among countless puzzle pieces and the semblance of a picture is no where to be found. Days blend into weeks and even months, and you still perceive nothing! Faith says, “God knows what He is doing!” while the flesh says, “This doesn’t make sense!” Can anyone relate to this?

When my eyes landed on this verse this morning I began to see a clearer picture of what has been happening over time. As one year gives way to another year I am looking back and seeing phrases within this verse coming to life for me. I have absolutely no doubt God is presently birthing something in me….I have experienced the labor pains!!!! Maybe you have as well.

When I think of God calling His people out of the city and into the field, I picture the leaving of comfort zones and places of presumed security. To say it is unsettling is an understatement. I will admit that the first year of my journey was filled with many fearful moments as I was letting go of so many things I had held to for decades. But I knew I would be okay because my heart’s desire was to know God more intimately and walk in freedom! I just had to get past the idea that what people thought equated what God thought. Once I began to experience God and the Christian life in a whole new way, I was thrilled! This was followed by another season. That of pain and sorrow at a significant loss in my life. Tears marked the path on which I had formerly danced! But again, I knew I would be okay because I now knew God in a way that allowed me to lean upon Him like never before. This became my season for seeing areas in which I needed deliverance.

God has wasted no time in showing me how deeply the areas of bondage run in me and along with that, His incredible power and ability to set me free! As I enter a new year, I am entering it as a changed person in many respects. Compared to a year ago, I don’t think the same way I use to think. I don’t relate to people the way I use to relate. I don’t view God the way I use to view God. I don’t know what this new year will be like but I know that over all of it will hang God’s promise to deliver and redeem me from all my enemies. Even that with which I presently struggle will give way to His hand of redemption! Because of that, I walk with a confidence and security that has me dancing once again!

Father, I no longer wonder how You will accomplish Your purposes in me! I simply know that You will! Amen.

Ready to Receive or Release

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11 (New International Version)

I just spent a lovely evening with a friend and her family. After an elementary school Christmas program we headed for some pizza. My soul basked in the warmth of their laughter, love, and life! It is hard for me to believe that our friendship has grown and developed in just a few short months. It has been needed and it has been enjoyed!

There have been a handful of women whom God has introduced me to in this past year that came at a time when it seemed other friendships were going through some changes. At first, the changes concerned me and I started wondering what had gone wrong and what I had done to “drive” them away. Just when I thought I had become a “relational leper” God enlightened me to something I hadn’t considered. The friendships were still in tact. If I saw them or spoke with them we would enjoy ourselves. So what was different? God’s answer was this: they are no longer primary encouragers to you or you to them. And that’s okay because I have other relationships for all of you. When I embraced that truth everything changed!

God’s intent is that I enjoy the friends He brings into my life with open hands. Releasing them must be done as freely as receiving them. For it is only in releasing them that I am able to then receive others. God has purposes for the ones He brings into my life. We have the opportunity to enrich each other’s life within the time frame God has determined. He will know when it is time for me to interact with new people. Frequency will no longer mark our conversations but the friendship will continue in a new way.

This has been freeing for me. It has helped me take my expectations off people and enjoy them for who they are. It has also helped me to delight in the times we do share. Not hearing from them no longer becomes a time to doubt, condemn, or blame myself or them. I am now free to trust God to intersect my world with others in His time!

I have no idea how many more people I have yet to meet. God keeps surprising me like He did this past summer! I lift up thanks to Him for past encouragers as well as present ones. It is one area of need He continually supplies and He does it to perfection. It doesn’t have to be a thing of confusion or pain any longer. I am free to embrace the body of Christ as it was meant to be embraced. I now treasure the past, enjoy the present, and anticipate the future.

Father, I never liked change but have finally begun to see the preciousness of it! Thank you for each person who has touched my life in beautiful ways. I await the ultimate reunion in Heaven! Amen.

The One Who Can Fill You

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. Psalm 42:1 (New International Version)

Years ago I heard the saying that we are each born with a God-shaped vacuum that only God can fill. I equated it with salvation and moved on. Decades later, God is bringing that truth to life for me and I am astounded at the implications! We were each born with needs, longings, and desires. I picture them coming out of a huge cavern in my soul. A hollow place if you will. God created us with the needs, and wants us to know that He alone can meet those needs. For some, that concept is easily seen and easily digested. For others, the realization is slow in coming and the receiving of it is even slower.

I have spent the past few hours chewing on some things God was bringing to mind. It has been one “aha” moment after another. Like a massive jigsaw puzzle, the pieces have been sliding into place and I am now looking at the entire picture. The pieces have come from various sources but God alone has masterfully put them all together and I am over whelmed by the view!

This morning’s picture has to do with significance. That awareness and belief that our life matters and we are a valuable part of God’s creation. Some look for it in achievement, fame, riches, or success. I looked for it in people. While there were times individuals could make me “feel” significant they were never meant to be what gave me my significance. God alone is the source for that! When I would look to a person to fill my need for value and worth, it was like pouring water into a huge hole. The dirt saturated the water and the hole was still there. Remove the person and what little they were able to give you is removed as well. That is the way it is with any source.

As I faced my cavern, I finally saw that the only One who could fill it and continue to fill it is God. He alone is permanent and He alone is able. With a sense of sheer joy and delight I asked Him to fill the hole! Fill the place in me that has only grown deeper over the years with relationship upon relationship. Fill the place in me that has never been filled. The longing and desire is finally directed toward the only One who can satisfy. As the deer pants for the water, as the eagle yearns for the sky, as the prisoner longs for freedom, I reach for God and He is so very accessible. He has drawn me with cords of loving kindness and wooed me with tender words.

Father, the healing continues and I stand in awe of how You are accomplishing it. What I believed to be impossible is now happening and I praise You! Amen.

In Pursuit of Us

And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. Jonah 4:6 (King James Version)

Today was the first time I have ever read through the book of Jonah and saw God’s pursuit of him. God pursued him in his place of comfort. (chap. 1) He pursued him when he ran. (chap. 2) He pursued him when he repented. (chap. 3) And He pursued him when he retreated in anger. (chap. 4) That is the place of today’s verse. God meets him in his grief and ministers to him.

We so often think of God as One who leaves us in our time of rebellion and anger. And yet David writes in Psalm 139 that no matter where we go, God has us encircled, enclosed, and hemmed in with His right hand on us! The knowledge of that in its entirety was too much for David to fully grasp. Think of it! God remains ever present and ever personal no matter what! This is not to say He approves of our sinful choices or ignores our actions. He does not set aside the sowing and reaping principle nor does He simply ignore our behavior. That would not be loving or wise on His part. But He desires restoration and deliverance for us just as He did for Jonah.

This morning I am reviewing in my mind the many different places I have been where God was still pursuing me. He pursued me as a lost sinner in need of a Savior. He pursued me in my camps of performance and legalism. He pursued me in my pursuit of others. He pursued me in my repentance and brokenness. And presently He pursues me in a time of healing and restoration. Like David, I am unable to grasp the knowledge of it. But God doesn’t expect me to understand it all. He simply desires that I embrace this aspect of Him and live life as a recipient of His mercy, love, and grace. He has promised to finish the work He started in me and I marvel as I see Him doing just that! Undeserving but delighted by it!

As you read this, I don’t know where you are in your walk with Him. You may be closer to Him than you have ever been before or you may be farther from Him than you ever thought you would be. I don’t know which it is but I know this: God is pursuing you every step of the way! He has enclosed you and has His right hand on you if you are His child through faith in Christ. He is not leaving and He is not letting go. He has a vested interest in you! Delight in that truth and own it. Let it sink in!

Father, You have put me in awe once again. The best and worst of me has not distracted, dismayed, or discouraged You from pursuing and wooing me. I cannot wrap my mind around that truth but I open my heart to it! Amen.

It's Time to Slow Down

I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. Ezekiel 34:14 (New American Standard)

God is working to expose an area in my life that He desires to repair and He is using several vehicles to do so. I am recalling the early days of my journey when I devoured book upon book to somehow “catch up” on truths about Him that I had missed. I couldn’t seem to read enough to feed my ravenous appetite. But there came a point when I realized I had taken in more truth than I knew what to do with. It was like I had filled my mind with a lot of facts that still needed to make their way to my heart and my daily experience.

A friend emailed me yesterday and shared a truth God had laid upon her heart to share. She was encouraging me to savor the things God was doing in my life and the lessons He was teaching me. She was imploring me to chew on the truths and meditate on them without moving immediately on to the next thing. To let God’s revelation go deep. God used her words to begin awakening in me the realization that I have a tendency to “learn and run” rather than “learn and rest“. There was a time I did this out of a sense of depravation and yet eventually it merely became habit for me.

This morning God became even more pointed in His message to me. I cannot miss the vivid picture He has brought to mind. He allowed me to do my normal reading of several chapters from the Bible followed by a half dozen or so devotional books. Throughout my reading there would be verses and phrases that flared up like fireworks in the distance and yet I would hurriedly move on to the next piece to read. When I came to the last book, He stopped me dead in my tracks and showed me this picture of myself. I was standing (not sitting) at a banquet table and I was moving from platter to platter nibbling away! I was barely tasting the food as I took it in. He showed me clearly THAT is exactly what I am doing with His Word. I am reading and nibbling morsels of truth. But I am not squeezing the flavor out of any of them! I am feeding but not feasting on His message to me. In light of today’s verse, I am running through the pastures rather than lying and grazing in them.

I was honest with Him as I admitted to not being sure how to slow down at this point. I have a feeling He is getting ready to walk me through the reasons I am in such a hurry and is poised to teach me how to implement His “table etiquette.”

Father, I want to learn to do this right. Keep me teachable to Your instructions and voice. Teach me how to get the most out of our time together. Amen.

A Journey Toward Forgiveness

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (New International Version)

What is it you struggle to forget? Who is it you struggle to forgive? I guarantee it is the very thing that is robbing you of peace, slowing your pace, darkening your path, draining your energy, binding you to the past, hindering you from moving forward, clouding your thoughts, limiting your effectiveness for God, casting a foreboding shadow on the sunniest of days, interfering with your ability to enjoy life, and keeping you from living the abundant life so often spoken of by Jesus. I don’t use those phrases because I have recently read them in a book or heard them delivered from a pulpit. I say them from personal experience. Those of us who have walked in bitterness and unforgiveness have no trouble describing the result of our own choice to do so. The longer we live tethered to the offenses and grievances of others the more easily the words pour out of us that describe what is going on inside us.

Sometimes things happen and words are spoken that affect you and you are able to quickly forgive the offender. But when the actions or words cut deeply and tear away at every fiber of your being, forgiveness will be a process that forever changes the dimensions of the word itself. Jesus set the example and gave the command, but He also provides the willingness and ability to carry out His desire. He knows there will be many steps to take on the road to total forgiveness and freedom.

The journey for me has come in stages. At times it felt like my shoes were covered in cement and progress was slow in coming. It took a while for me to realize and acknowledge the depth of my own pain. Layer upon layer of emotions had to be worked through in order to get to the core. Just admitting my tendency to hold on to the offense was a process. That then led to confession because that was a sin I was committing. But once that acknowledgement and confession transpired there was a necessary action I still needed to take. In some ways, it is the hardest and yet most productive.

For me it has been a matter of reviewing the very things I have been forgiven of and then systematically listing those things I am choosing to forgive in the other person. My forgiveness of another is always on the backdrop of God’s forgiveness of me. Each time this happens the wound is cleaned out a little more and the sense of freedom strengthened. Each time there is a moment of release for both myself and the other person. I am not going to rush this stage. I am willing to walk through the steps as many times as it takes until the chains have been completely severed and lie in a heap. No one will have to tell me when that is the case. I will know and so will Christ.

Father, I am seeing an aspect of forgiveness I never knew. Thank you for walking me through the entire process. Amen.

A Different Battle Tactic

For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 (Amplified Bible)

Ask anyone who has been a Christian for any length of time and they will testify to the fact that we are in a battle. Whether it is in the spiritual, physical, or emotional realm of life we are often engaged in battle daily with either the world, the flesh, or the devil. Realizing this truth does not necessarily make it easy but at least it allows us to know who we are fighting against. But that is only half the story. Not only are we in a battle but we have weapons to use while fighting. Ephesians 6 lists the armor we are to put on daily….armor that is both offensive and defensive. There is also the power found in learning to pray Scripture and along with that learning to use our God-given authority. The list goes on and on. It boils down to warfare praying and warfare living.

So I was taken back yesterday when in the midst of what I knew to be an attack, God revealed another aspect that was new for me. As thoughts became dark and emotions ran wild, I sensed His invitation to hide in Him until the storm passed. Rather than a time to fight it became a time to rest. I will be honest with you, I didn’t know that was ever an option. And it worked! In the midst of the battlefield, He became my hiding place and shelter. And within that shelter, He exposed issues of my heart that needed to be addressed. Rather than fight the external forces, He was leading me to deal with some internal forces. And what were they? Fears, disappointments, loneliness, discomfort, wounds. Unless confronted and dealt with they would fester. God in His wisdom removed this soldier from the fight just as a wounded soldier would be removed from the battlefield.

For the entire day I stayed hidden. And when the night fell, the words of honesty poured from my mouth just as the tears fell from my eyes. As the depths of my heart were exposed, His healing balm was applied. What followed was a good night’s rest and a sense of refreshment when I woke. My internal world feels like the calm after the storm. I can almost smell the rain. When my eyes landed on today’s verse I KNEW that was what God had done and I am in awe of Him!

I am always amazed when I turn a spiritual corner and learn a new aspect of God and how He works. He is definitely a God of variety and victory. And I take that truth with me into a new day.

Father, there is so much about You that I still do not know. Thank you for the intentional ways You reveal yourself to me. Amen.

Victory Rather Than Defeat

In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:1-3 (New King James Version)

The enemy of our soul wants nothing more than to keep us in bondage to addictions, strongholds, and harmful mindsets. When we do find freedom from those things, he wants nothing more than to lure us back into them. He is not usually blatant about it. He approaches with what seems like innocent thoughts and hidden consequences. But things are never as they appear. Like a fisherman who hides the hook with an appetizing worm, he dangles the bait in front of us in hopes that we will dwell on the temptation long enough to go for it. Like a single drink to a recovering alcoholic, he knows one “taste” will be enough to enslave us again.

David gives the answer to all such times of temptation. Trust in the Lord! Not in your own ability to resist. Not in countless friends. Not in a change of activity or distraction of the mind. Trust, rely, depend, lean upon the Lord. Cry out to Him as your deliverer, refuge, defense, rock, and fortress. See Him as the One who will lead and guide you. He is the only lasting source and solution to the schemes of a vicious, plotting enemy.

God’s first move may be just to simply get your mind off the very thoughts that seem so appealing. He may take you down a mental trail and reveal to you the end of your actions if you go through with the thoughts. He is intent on keeping you free and will do everything He can to help you cooperate with Him. While He will not over ride your free will, He will help you to align your will with His. He will help you to desire victory more than what seems to be such a strong pull at the moment. He will help you to “swim away” from the baited hook into a spacious place of freedom and delight.

David knew times of defeat and times of victory. Taste enough victory and the thought of defeat becomes unappealing and avoidable. God’s desire is that we always see there is an option. There is always a way of escape. There is always a choice. While God cannot over ride our free will, neither can the enemy. God has provided everything we need to turn away from even the most powerful, pleasant looking temptation. A good place to start is in voicing, out loud, the prayer David left for us in Psalm 31. By the time you get to verse 3, I guarantee the temptation will be downsized and the taste of victory will already be within your grasp. Don’t give up! Don’t give in!

Father, You heard my cries and came to my aid. Once again the enemy’s plans and desires have been thwarted. I raise my hands and voice to You in adoration and praise! Hallelujah! You have set this captive free! Amen.

Receiving Needed Truths

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (New American Standard Bible)

God’s desire to be in intimate relationship with His children is displayed in today’s verse. His longing for us to see Him as the lover of our soul and supplier of all our needs is clearly stated but often unrealized by many. The awareness of God’s offer to us is often born out of our places of emptiness, brokenness, and failure. Hence, the ability to receive His strength and help is brought about when we are willing to let go of our preconceived ideas and all the substitutes we have been holding on to. As long as there are any other voices we are listening to or hands we are holding on to, God’s words will fall on deaf ears and a closed heart.

This past weekend I had the privilege and joy of speaking at a women’s Christmas brunch. The two truths I shared with that small group came out of my own experiences of disillusionment and disappointment. I have heard it said that God must put to death the very things that hinder us from knowing Him intimately and personally. While the process of death was excruciating at times the resurrection of hope found in Him has been beyond description.

Although I have known Christ as my Savior for over three decades it took thirty years for me to embrace the truth that I was His beloved. I failed to see that in God’s eyes I am esteemed, dearly loved, favored, valued, and welcome. In order to see that, He had to first release me from the mindset that performance and a list of do’s and don’ts was the way to His heart. Letting go of what seemed so right and taking hold of what seemed so foreign was long in coming but pure gold when realized.

It took four additional years to begin to understand another powerful truth. That being, God’s willingness, desire, and ability to supply everything I need. Not merely my physical and spiritual needs but my deep emotional needs as well. As long as I had individuals to look to, I unknowingly kept God at arm’s length. Taking hold of His hand and receiving His filling and completeness came only as I lost or let go of my varied counterfeit messiahs (those individuals whom I looked to as a way to be fixed, filled, and healed). Looking to them for what only God can do was like entering an apple orchard and expecting to find oranges or bananas. Many were the times I partook of the crumbs of relationship instead of the feast God was offering.

God’s extravagant love and endless supply are now the gifts I open daily. While I still experience moments of failure, I am delighting in moments of victory.

Father, there were times I didn’t understand Your ways and the removal of my sources of security. But I now thank You for removing all that blinded me from seeing You and blocked me from hearing You. Amen.

Each and Every Time

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. Psalm 30:11 (New King James Version)

Several years ago I asked God to show me His heart in Scripture. My desire was lined up with His and He graciously answered the prayer I had voiced to Him. What followed was that each time I read the Bible there was always found a living message for me! At first, this was such a change for me that I wasn’t sure it would continue to happen each day. I would approach His word with a certain amount of hesitancy and wonder if He would do the same thing for me as He had done the day before. Eventually the timidity gave way to anticipation as I had learned that He would infact be faithful to “show up” and give me practical truths from His Word.

God recently brought this scenario to mind as I ventured into a new area with Him. In the past, I had been use to taking difficulties and heart aches to people. Any amount of sadness or discomfort was reason enough to send an email or make a phone call. While comfort was usually forthcoming, God let me know this was not His intent for me as His child. His desire was that I learn to bring the “mourning and sackcloth” to Him, without which I would not experience Him as my Comforter and Counselor.

Accepting His invitation required trust on my part. He revealed to me that there was a certain amount of distrust I had toward Him and an unbelief that He could do for me what people had been doing. As He tenderly removed that obstacle of doubt, I became willing to take some moments of sadness to Him. Within a short time I found myself experiencing today’s verse. Dancing and gladness replaced sorrow and sadness! To say I was ecstatic is an understatement. I could not get over the way it actually worked! And yet just as in the case of approaching His Word, I found myself wondering if it would work EVERY time. Would God bring about the change for me every time? Absolutely!

He is unchangeable and completely reliable. I see that now. I no longer have to wonder if there is a limit to His availability or capability. He will never withdraw His offer of “Come unto Me.” His supply of comfort and power to transform my internal world will never run out. The temptation to make the calls or send the emails has been greatly reduced and I dance with joy because of it! Therefore, I will give thanks unto Him for ever. (Psalm 30:12)

Father, how You have longed for me to finally see that You could be trusted! May I never get over the wonder of it all. Amen.

Still Doing the Impossible

But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: Daniel 2:28 (New King James Version)

It was an impossible demand! The king of Babylon had a disturbing dream and wanted to know what it meant. He had men who were use to giving him their “interpretations” of his dreams. If a dream was told to them they could easily come up with what sounded like an accurate meaning. But this time there was a problem. The king could not remember his dream. He could only remember that it had greatly disturbed him. So he demanded that his men tell him what he had dreamed as well as the interpretation. When they insisted he was asking the impossible, his anger spewed out in a death sentence to any and all of his “wise” men.

Upon hearing of this, Daniel requested time to inquire of God what the dream was and what it meant. Daniel, and three companions, fasted and prayed and God revealed to him what only God knew. Daniel then stood before King Nebuchadnezzar and confessed that the king had indeed made an impossible demand on the men and then proclaimed today’s verse. What a contrast! Impossibility was met with BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHO REVEALS SECRETS! The God of the impossible was revealed to the king of Babylon as the dream and its interpretation flowed from the mouth of Daniel.

The Word of God is filled with impossible situations in both the New and Old Testaments. Each was recorded for our benefit and encouragement. Each given to help us see that there is a God in Heaven who does the very things that cannot be done without His intervention. I praise Him that He is still doing it! No matter the situation God is still able to do the impossible. Whatever the need, God is able to meet it. No matter the length or depth of our problems God is able to do what needs to be done. All things are possible with our God!

Imagine saying to any person at any time, “There is a God in Heaven who can ______________.” He is not limited, powerless, or absent. Be it finances, health, relationships, areas of bondage, losses, or tragedy this same God is still in Heaven! The most amazing statement is that there is a God in Heaven who can forgive sin and make all things new! That is the God I serve and love. That is the God anyone can know and be in relationship with through Jesus Christ. Starting today, let’s determine to speak Daniel’s words over each part of our life and watch the impossibilities become possible.

Father, I have seen You do the impossible in my life and I gladly point others to You for the same purpose. Your name be praised! Amen.

The NOTs of Life

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8,9 (New King James Version)

I cannot explain how the words of the Apostle Paul become our experience in the midst of what we feel is going to do us in. My mind cannot wrap itself around the full concept of peace in the midst of storms, strength in weakness, and peace that passes all understanding. The “nots” of this passage are amazing! Not in despair. Not forsaken. Not destroyed. These are only possible statements by the grace of God!

Trials and difficulties are not fun, enjoyable, or desired by any of us. As I stood in the kitchen of a friend’s home last night and listened to the hard-pressing, perplexing, and striking down circumstances she and her husband are experiencing I was over whelmed by her present furnace of affliction. We spoke of God’s faithfulness and presence. We prayed and thanked Him for what would come of all of this. It was truly a moment of looking to His father’s heart instead of man’s provision and wisdom. There was no where else to take her but to the throne of grace. I trust that while her heart was heavy, her spirit was raised and poised for flight!

Someone once said, “When we come to the edge of the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, of this we can be sure…either God will provide something solid to stand on or …we will be taught to fly.” I praise God for the Solid Rock called Jesus that each of us do stand on. And I praise Him for the way we will be taught to fly!

The flight comes as we allow the circumstances that are the most painful to drive us right into close intimacy with Jesus Christ. To know that when all human sources and resources fail to carry us, He becomes our refuge and strong tower. It is when we allow Him to enter into such a place with us that we are bathed in the comfort of words and promises that were penned by Paul but proclaimed by God.

Whether it is for my friend or myself, I am able to begin thanking God for all that He will do that neither of us can even see or fathom at this time. It is then that we can go from distress to anticipation of all that God has in mind and the ability to carry out! How He longs for us to realize how faithful, merciful, and available He is. Those things are best seen and experienced when we are forced out of comfort zones and security blankets into the abiding presence of Almighty God. The tears that flow actually water the seeds of faith and hope that He sows within us.

Father, I have no where else to lead hurting individuals than to Your throne room. I have no one else to entrust them to than You. Because of that I know it will be well with them. It will be well. Amen.

In Christ Alone

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. I Corinthians 11:1 (King James Version)

Paul penned these words to the converts in Corinth, Ephesus, and Thessalonica. His goal was not to have people ultimately follow him but to point them to the One who could be their Savior, Deliverer, Healer, Friend, Comforter, and Companion….Jesus Christ. Paul set an example for them to follow which would eventually lead them into an intimate relationship with God through Christ. Today, we have many people in ministry who would voice his same words to new believers as well. People are being used of God to mentor and encourage young believers in their faith until they reach a point whereby they are completely reliant upon God and able to then become an encourager to someone else. It is a precious system God has used and honored many times.

I have been the recipient of such encouragers. For over three decades I have been blessed by several significant relationships that had the flavor of Paul’s words. God graciously brought women into my life who saw something in me that needed to be nurtured and cultivated. Out of love they invested themselves into my life. I would not be the person I am today without their influence. If that were the entire picture all would be well in my corner of the world. Unfortunately what they never fully saw and what I never fully understood was an un-addressed issue in my life.

My area of struggle had to do with emotional dependency (also known as soul ties and relational idolatry). This is the case of one who looks to people and relationships to receive a sense of love, acceptance, significance, identity, and attention. All deep needs are directed toward the significant person who becomes their HOPE of getting those needs met. The relationship is for the sole purpose of survival. While I knew something was not right in the way I related to and looked to the significant people in my life I was clueless as to why I did it and how I could be free from it!

I was forced to take a hard look at this issue when a mentoring relationship abruptly ended a year and a half ago. As I found myself recently heading into yet another dependency driven relationship, I became desperate for not only release from pain and captivity, but to experience God as my true Source for the meeting of all needs. When that became the cry of my heart, He graciously led me to freedom which is only found in Himself!

Some who do not struggle with this issue, might read what I have written and wonder what the big deal is. But to any who are in the stronghold of emotional dependency, I pray my words offer you the hope that freedom is available and possible for YOU! The two resources God used to show me my bondage and way to freedom were EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY by Lori Rentzel and PLEASE DON’T SAY YOU NEED ME by Jan Silvious. To God be the glory for the writing of both and the effect they have had on my life. It is now my sincere desire to help point others to the only One who can and will set them free. That One is Jesus Christ!

Father, I cannot find the words to thank you fully for all You have done! I am free and I can’t get over the wonder of it! I praise You! Amen.