The Necessity of Abandonment and Acceptance

And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." Mark 14:36 (New American Standard Bible)

Frances J. Roberts wrote that joy is possessed by “the abandonment of selfish demands and the acceptance of the Father’s will.” Jesus simply stated it this way to His Father, “Not what I will, but what You will.” They are words I desire to speak but have spent the last number of days realizing my own hesitancy at living them. There is no such thing has having it both ways…..my will and His. Unless my will is brought into conformity with His will. For the embracing of God’s will is only possible as I abandon my own.

When I look at the synonyms of abandon and embrace my view is broadened. Abandon has the idea of dumping, deserting, ditching, discarding, disposing of, throwing away, and throwing out. Embracing has the idea of accepting, welcoming, adopting, taking up, supporting, and holding. That is easy to do when my heart and security is not tied to that which I am abandoning. But when I have wrapped myself up in a plan, person, or possession the battle is on! My resistance and hesitancy for relinquishment is a “red flag” that I am in bondage. Bondage of my own choosing. For all the while, God is letting me know that if I would abandon that which I hold on to so tightly, it will be the key that unlocks that in which I have imprisoned myself. Until then there is no peace or joy.

So why the battle? Why if I know in my head that what God offers is better than what I am holding on to, do I still tighten my grip? Fear. Fear that losing what I am holding on to will mean losing a part of myself that I am convinced I cannot live without. Distrust. Distrust that God will be able to do for me all that whatever I am holding on to can do for me. Rebellion. Refusal to walk in obedience to Him. Idolatry. Centering my life in any thing or any one other than God. The list goes on but I will stop there. My point is this, when I refuse to abandon whatever it is I am to abandon, I am reversing Jesus’ words and saying, “Father, not Your will, but my will be done.” I cringe at such arrogant pride.

Yesterday was a day of letting go of some things I was holding on to. While the realization of what was necessary entailed some tears, an ache, and a certain amount of fear, the act itself brought about internal peace and a sense of freedom I have been craving. I have awakened this morning not with a desire to have those things back but rather to experience more of the joy that comes from embracing my Father’s will.

Father, continue to help me loosen my grip on the things of “my will” until I stand with empty hands which are open to receive all that Your will entails. Amen.

I need Thee every hour - Selah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIRJNgNSqok&feature=related

Driven By Love

Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you,
I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. Isaiah 43:4 (New American Standard Bible)

When someone is precious, honored, and loved by you, the sky is the limit when it comes to what you would do for them. Theirs is a relationship you not only treasure but one which you maintain and keep well guarded. When something seems “off” you take steps to correct it and when necessary do whatever it takes for there to be reconciliation and peace. That is the very thing that drove me to make a phone call last night. Something seemed strained in a relationship that has become precious to me and fear of losing it moved me to action. As it turned out, my friend wasn’t upset with me in the least. An area of stress in her life was being misread by me. I had once again assumed the worst. As we spoke I regained a sense of peace and security. When I hung up the phone, I was filled with a huge sense of relief as well as a deep desire to uphold her in prayer. While God and I will spend the day confronting some of my insecurities and fears that make their way into relationships, I have awoken this morning rejoicing and reveling in this one I highly treasure.

God is using that experience to show me a reflection of Himself. Relationship with His children is a top priority for Him. Because we are precious, honored, and loved, He continually reaches out to us in order to draw us to Himself. This morning could be a “fill in the blank” kind of day and the verse could be read as follows: “Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you I will ____________________.” Oh the things we could write on that line!

He daily loads us with blessings and benefits. He graciously forgives our sin. He corrects and chastens us. He instructs us in the night seasons. He shepherds us. He keeps His hands and His eye on us. He brings about His plans and purposes for our lives. He convicts us of sin. He speaks to us and probes our hearts. He crosses our path with significant people. He gifts us with talents and abilities. He uses us in profound ways. He stays with us. He transforms us. He guards and guides us. He hears and answers our prayers. He keeps His word to us. He showers us with grace, mercy, and loving kindness. He comes to our defense. He accepts us.

The phone call to my friend last night was one way of saying, “You mean the world to me!” All of God’s actions say the same. As I embrace that truth I am changed!

Father, thank you for a love like yours! Amen.

Stubborn Love - Amy Grant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bajcq1jz15M&feature=related

The Richness and Reward of Resting

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 (New American Standard Bible)

I am learning how to be refreshed and repaired in my internal world. When emotions become tangled, when situations get confusing, when relationships shift or appear to be dormant, when expectations are met with disappointment, and when the reminders of living in a fallen world continually confront me, THOSE are the times I need my joy restored and my spirit sustained. At those times, there is only one place to resort….in the shadow of Abba’s wings!

There have been many times when any of the afore mentioned scenarios would send me reeling but I am learning some wise alternatives. When I know something has gone awry in my spirit, it is imperative that I rest from the mental exercises of trying to figure everything out. Just like I would set aside activities if I were sick, I am seeing the importance of allowing myself to take a break when there is an emotional over load taking place. It is at that point that I stop all the thinking and wait for some direction from God. He has an answer for any thing and every thing that is taxing my mind or my spirit. Resting in Him and waiting on Him allows the “draining feeling” to stop and the infusion of energy to begin. It opens the door for me to receive that which I need from His hands.

Practically speaking, when I find myself wrestling with issues I can at any point choose to stop wrestling and become still. It doesn’t mean the issue will go away but it does mean I can have some time to get myself back into the right frame of mind and spirit to work through that issue. I am learning to see myself as a wounded soldier who is removed from the battlefield in order to be strengthened to return. Too often I have failed to remove myself and hence only grew weaker and less effective.

I took a rest this morning. Relational issues weighed heavy on my heart and became a call to rest in Abba’s presence. As I relaxed, His counsel came. Within moments He let me know what to do…..give people space and pray for their needs. He assured me the relationships are not lost. They are just in a resting mode. This is a time when He will help me to poise myself for their awakening. With restored joy and a willing spirit I face a new day!

Father, You never cease to amaze me! Open my eyes to the many resting places along my journey. Your invitations to come aside are becoming clearer to me. Amen.

WARRIOR IS A CHILD/ DO I TRUST YOU? ~ Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pzu-jWpcdw

It's a Start

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 4:32-5:2 (New American Standard Bible)

I love it when Scripture spells things out so clearly. Last night I asked a friend what it looks like to love others in the Lord even when personalities clash and you can barely stand to be around them. It is a dilemma we all face from time to time and I knew I was in the throws of one myself. What I wanted to know from my friend was what does that kind of love look like and how do I go about showing it. She is the kind of person I will ask questions of and assume she will always have the wisdom of Solomon when she answers me. We both laughed when her only answer was to let her know when I found out myself, because she too has an individual she is learning to love in the Lord!

After our conversation, the Lord brought today’s passage to mind. It is a beautiful and descriptive portrait of walking in love. Basically it is encouraging me to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving of others. As I imitate God and walk in love (just as Jesus did) it will be a precious perfume to God. What I give up for others delights God. It all sounded great but left my heart unchanged. I knew I needed a different starting point and God graciously gave me one this morning.

I recalled how last week He nudged me to begin honoring an individual with whom I was housing negative thoughts. It was a powerful exercise that I have continued to use as needed. But when I tried to bring it into this other relationship, it wasn’t effective. Just as in the case of Old Testament battles, God will not always give the same instructions. This time I was to pray for this individual and what a list He has given me. I went to www.biblegateway.com and came up with a number of verses that were actual prayers. Prayers for God’s wisdom, strength, and working. With the list, I formulated a prayer that was specific for this individual as well as one for myself. I am finding it is a powerful thing when we infuse our prayers with Scripture! Praying God’s Word is not a new concept but it is being newly used by me and I am standing in expectancy of God’s answers to those prayers.

I don’t have a complete answer for the issue of loving others in the Lord, but what God has given me so far is both precious and powerful. I know that obedience in this area will bring about profound changes in me and others.


Father, I want to walk in love and that is requiring a change in me. Teach me Your ways and help me to follow You. Amen.

HOW BEAUTIFUL -Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJfSp_rceFs&feature=related

In Need of Prayer

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (New King James Version)

How convinced are believers of the necessity, privilege, and power of prayer? How convinced am I? There is a reason God starts this verse with the word IF. He does not presume to think that all believers will make prayer a prerequisite or priority in their lives. It is the one aspect of the Christian life that gets talked about much more than it is actually practiced….at least for me that has been the case. While I talk with God throughout the day, I have to admit most of my intercession for others is hit or miss at best. The urgency to pray over decisions and situations is lacking. While I would tell you that prayer is important, I don’t pray as if it is. I don’t often pray believing that it makes a difference. How God wants that to change!

I remember years when opening God’s Word was not done with passion or expectancy. That changed and so can my prayer life. This is not being said out of guilt but rather out of an awakening that is being brought about by God and His desire to see prayer become my life blood. My life line!

God has crossed my path with individuals who know the importance and power of prayer. They don’t just say prayer works, they know prayer works. Their example is being used of God to make me want what they have. I can tell He is getting ready to bring about changes for me in this area. He wants me to experience prayer as it was meant to be experienced. To bring every need, every question, every request, every circumstance, every person to Him. To ask, to seek, to find! What He says in today’s verse is meant not only for a nation but it is meant for my life as well.

How easy it is to rely on the prayers of others more than on praying myself. The disciples were moved to ask Jesus to teach them to pray and He did. He not only gave them a pattern for prayer, He patterned prayer for them. His life was lived out of constant communication with His Father and He wants mine to be as well. The face of prayer is changing for me this morning. I can tell it is God who is wooing me in this direction. He has a whole new world that He is anxious to open up to me and He definitely has my attention.

Father, teach me how to pray. I confess to how little I know of it but I look to You to change that. Amen.


When I Call on Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwMw16eocuU

Personalizing His Words

Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:5,6 (New American Standard Bible)

Scripture is meant to be read and taken personally. I must allow the words to be spoken as directly to me as they were to the individuals God first spoke them to. What God told Joshua at the start of the book that bares his name, God is saying to me as well……..every day! I can slip many Bible names into this verse and it is still true. As God was with Moses, David, Gideon, Ruth, Esther, Paul, Daniel, Martha, Mary, the disciples, Timothy, Isaiah, and even Jesus, He will be with me. Never failing me. Never forsaking me. Because of that I can stand with strength and courage no matter what.

Just as He had plans for their lives, He has a plan for mine. Just as He caused the lines to fall in pleasant places in their lives, He will cause the lines to fall in pleasant places in mine. Just as He disciplined them when they went astray and brought them back to Himself, He will discipline and bring me back to Himself as well. Just as He enabled them to do what He called them to do, He will enable me to do what He has called me to do. His words of love, correction, direction, and encouragement are for me and to me just as much as they were for each of my spiritual ancestors of the Bible.

God’s Word has engaged my heart this morning and I am drinking my fill of it. Gone are the thoughts that weighed heavy on my mind and heart into the night hours. Gone are the feelings of insignificance and aloneness. Gone are the desires that crave anything or anyone that is not a part of His unique plan and purpose for me. The God of the universe has once again intersected my life with Himself. His Word has come alive to me and is quickly making its way into the driest of dry places that I have been living out of for a time.

I am waving the white flag of surrender as I bow my knees to the One who is faithfully working in me all that He desires and wills for my life. He has shown me once again that He loves me too much to give me less than His best. His no’s have not wavered nor have His extended offers and invitations to join Him on the unique path He has meant for me before the foundation of the world.

Father, I give up my childish ways in order to delight myself in You. Thank you for loving me the way that You do! Amen.

Give You Glory - Jeremy Camp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-IHvnsQVIY

When the Simple Becomes Difficult

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (New American Standard Bible)

When I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of 14, one of the first things I did was I began confessing every known sin I had committed in my decade and a half of life. As things came to mind I confessed them. After two weeks of admitting to God all the things I could think of, I finally said, “And if there is anything else that I can’t remember, please forgive that as well.” In essence, what I wanted was the sense of a clean slate. I wanted to feel I was stepping into a new beginning of sorts.

That was nearly 35 years ago and this morning I found myself once again standing before God with a tangled mess of past sin and regret. I am wanting the childlike faith that experiences 1 John 1:9 in its simplicity but somehow it has gotten complicated. The questions abound in my head. Am I doing it right? Am I being specific enough? Am I listing it all? It seems that I get one thing confessed and ten more come to mind. I feel like the child who has messed up her bedroom and is now standing before a parent apologizing for each individual article. It seems overwhelming and endless.

I want the clean slate/ fresh start feeling back! I want to experience the radical forgiveness the prodigal son experienced and the extravagant cleansing that David experienced. I want to join hands with the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery who both KNEW their past was forgiven and a new life was theirs. As I think on their accounts the spoken confessions and received forgiveness seemed to be fairly quick transactions. They embraced God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness in life changing ways. I want it THAT simple!

So today will be a day of asking God to teach me the truths of His forgiveness. He knows what is making me squirm and walk with caution. He knows I am missing some precious truths about His heart and willingness to completely forgive me. He knows my realization that I can’t make everything right but that doesn’t mean forgiveness is not there. He knows everything I desire to know and I turn my eyes and my ears toward Him to learn.

Father, teach me what I need to know so that I can receive what You long to give. Amen.

East to West - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo

More Than Meets the Eye

Friend, your sins are forgiven you…….He said to the paralytic ~ I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home. Luke 5:20,24b (New American Standard Bible)

Jesus’ deity, power, and intervention were shown in a paralyzed man’s internal world as well as his external world. Both the forgiveness of sins and the healing of the body are miraculous works that only God can perform. Of the two, it was the physical healing that amazed the crowd that day. Like them, we often put more stock into things we can see, smell, hear, taste, and touch. But we must realize there is a world of amazing things going on IN us every day.

I have never seen a physical healing of a disease. I cannot imagine the impact it would have on a person to see someone who is paralyzed get up and carry what use to carry him. Or to see any number of healings Jesus performed while here on earth…..blindness, deafness, leprosy, demon possession, deformities, and even death. Life threatening, life altering, and life taking situations all transformed before my eyes. The impossible not only made possible but visible. How long would it take for me to stop saying, “Wow!”

May I be just as amazed at the internal things God does every day within me and others. Each time I confess my sins to God (whether they have to do with things I said, thought, or did) He graciously speaks the same words to me as He did in this passage of Scripture…..”Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Those words mean instant reconciliation and restored fellowship with God. May I never take that lightly. Or the many times I come to Him emotionally spent over heart issues and He calms the storm in my mind just as profoundly as He calmed the storms at sea with His disciples. Or the experience I have on a daily basis of opening Scripture and seeing truth in a way I have never seen before. Words that were penned thousands of years ago becoming personal for me today! Having lived for decades without that experience, I now stand amazed each time it happens.

I challenge each of us to find areas where God touches our internal world each day. He intersects our world in so many precious ways and when we begin to see that, we are forever changed.

Father, for too long I missed the numerous things You were doing in my life. Today, may I see the inner workings and be in awe of You! Amen.

What Sin? By Morgan Cryar
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qaMIeOKQVDs&feature=related

Mutual Relationships

That is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other's faith, both yours and mine. Romans 1:12 (Amplified Bible)

I find that relationships come in three forms. There are individuals in my life for whom I am used of God to minister to. There are also individuals in my life who minister to me in profound ways. And then there are the relationships like Paul is describing whereby the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort are mutual. It runs both ways and what a blessing when it does! I am at a point in my life where that is happening more and more with the people I am crossing paths with and I am thrilled to have it that way.

Is it always easy? No. There are times I find myself feeling foolish for expressing needs or wanting to talk. There are times the unavailability of the other person can fill me with a sense of embarrassment and shame. Those are the risks that can cause me to want to retreat into a safe hole and pretend I don’t need anyone or wish I didn’t. Those are the times I can try to convince myself it would be better to live a solo existence. But more importantly, those are the times God reveals aspects about my own heart that need a touch from Him.

He knows there are reasons behind my relational issues and He wants to bring them to the light for healing and wholeness. He also knows that although relationships entail risk, they thrive on trust, respect, honesty, openness, vulnerability, and acceptance. I praise Him for the ones who provide a safe place with whom I can experience that. They have enriched my life and have allowed me to enrich theirs.

At a time when I struggled the most with the awareness of my own emotional dependency issues, I believed the answer was to live without close relationships. But my own transformation began when I became open to that very thing. As I allowed individuals to see the real me, I saw that they didn’t walk away in disgust after all. They know I have a long way to go and they are such precious cheerleaders along the way. They (more than anyone) have been the heart and hands of Jesus to me.

Do I still second guess myself, feel like a basket case, hesitate to ask for help, cringe at my own “phobias”, and long to be a different person inside and out? Absolutely! But mutual relationships are helping to lessen those moments and growth is coming slowly but surely. They remain the precious jewels in my treasure chest of life and I value them highly.

Father, thank you for all the relationships I enjoy. May each one please and glorify
You! Amen.

Kathy Troccoli sings "My Life Is In Your Hands"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlmYxZAgrGI

Poised For Change

For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Colossians 1:29 (New American Standard Bible)

Our passions can consume us and that is a good thing if the passions flow out of a deep relationship with our Creator. The Apostle Paul had two passions that stemmed from his walk with Christ. He desired to share the gospel with the world and he longed to see Christians grow and mature in their faith. What was so vital to his life, he wanted others to have as well. It was his life message! And he knew that it stemmed from God’s work being done in him. His power source was not behavior modification and will power, but rather the active influence of God’s Spirit living in him.

Many are the sad accounts of people laboring and striving according to their own power! I speak from personal experience here. When living out the Christian life boils down to church attendance, rote Bible reading, sparse prayers, and a personal list of do’s and don’ts, we have missed the essence of what it means to be in daily, intimate relationship with the God who wants to be known and experienced. But for many, their faith, life, and connection are anemic and weak. They long for more but have no idea how to make the transition. Mistakenly they assume it means changing their behavior and their activities hoping the outward change will somehow produce an inward transformation. But that is backward! Lasting and true change comes only as God is asked to change the very essence of who we are. Where does that start?

Being honest enough to admit to God that we are empty. Daring to open His Word and asking Him to show us Himself in a powerful way. Opening ourselves up to associations with people who have the kind of relationship with God that we crave for ourselves. Metaphorically sitting at the feet of authors and speakers who can give us a view of God we now lack. Learning to step outside our comfort zones and well built boxes in order to live our Christian life in a whole new way.

If I have described you just now and you long for change, be encouraged! The hunger you have is coming from God! He is awakening in you a desire to know Him more personally and to live your Christian life the way He always intended it to be lived.

Father, for each person who is empty, fill them. For each one who longs to know You, reveal Yourself. May their life be forever changed! Amen.

MY LIFE IS IN YOU LORD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M0NALW7EM&feature=related

Freedom of Silence

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (New American Standard Bible)

Verbal restraint is difficult. In the moments I most want to defend myself, express my hurt, voice my opinion, announce unfairness, and tell my side of the story I am so far from the example Jesus set forth. The amazing thing is how small the offenses against me are compared to what He faced.

Surely the physical abuse hurt, the verbal insults stung, the ridicule ran deep, yet He remained silent. The Bible says a soft answer turns away wrath. How much more powerful is silence!

I realize once again the necessity of God doing a work in me. He is showing me yet another area in my life that needs His touch. I can do all things through Christ and without Him I can do nothing. Remaining silent amidst hurts, injustices, and insults is impossible in my flesh but with God ALL things are possible.

I am reminded that as a Christian I have God’s Spirit living in me. Galatians lists the fruit (result) of the Spirit and within that list I read the word self-control. James spells out the difficulty we have controlling our tongues.

So I ask myself this question, “Where am I struggling most at opening NOT my mouth?” While swearing or cursing may not pose problems for me I have a long list that does. How well am I at controlling the urge to defend myself, gossip, lie, be humorous at someone else’s expense, complain, respond in anger, speak negatively, interrupt others, brag, or belittle others?

Like Paul, I find in my flesh a law. In this case, I find in my mouth a law. I end up saying the things I shouldn’t say and not saying the things I should say. While there are times I should keep silent, there are plenty of times I should speak up. Times like sharing the Gospel, encouraging others, defending others, and giving honest reports.

If there is one thing I have learned it is this…God exposes areas that need changing not to condemn me but to show me where He desires to work. May I cooperate with Him.

Father, Jesus knew when to speak up and when to remain silent. Help me to be like Him. Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_-flIpeAsc

To Whom Honor is Due

Render to all men their dues. [Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due. Romans 13:7 (Amplified Bible)

There are times when God makes His way down to the bedrock of my soul in order to help me see the most precious truths. That is where His hand has been felt in the past number of months. I wanted quick results and resolutions to difficulties but God wanted to bring forth gold. He has dug below the surface with depth in mind. When I wanted things over, He was just getting started. Each time I “learned” a lesson and thought I was coming out of the darkest of caves, He let me know I had only received a small dose of truth which was necessary in order to take in the next dose.

This morning as I once again battled thoughts regarding a lost relationship I was confronted with two necessary truths. It seems that lately it is not difficult to understand the points God is making and wanting me to grasp. As I found myself dwelling on the thought that a former mentor was thinking the worst of me, I had to face two things. First, I don’t really know her heart and my perceptions are actually judgments I am making. Second, I am actually thinking the worst of her and placing her in the most negative of lights by assuming she is thinking only negative thoughts with regards to me.

I have come to the place that when I see a problem in my own heart I know it is time to ask God for some direction and help. My question to Him was, “How do I stop thinking and feeling this way?” His answer came in today’s verse, “Give honor to whom honor is due.” He began to encourage me to honor this woman for the many things I learned through her and the huge impact she had on my life. Honor the way He used her to teach me valuable life lessons and biblical truth. Honor what He did through her by living out the very things she taught me. Honor her for being His daughter and my sister in Christ. Honor the good memories that abound knowing that for a season she helped me take many first steps in this journey that began over four years ago. Honor each gift she instilled in me and what was birthed out of those gifts. Honor her commitment to mentor me and then her wisdom to step away. Honor the God who has had His hand in all of it!

My day has been spent honoring her and God in those ways and many others. What I am finding is that the thoughts that have tormented me and hung on me for so long have begun to lose their grip. I am also seeing many other people from my past who need to be honored in my mind and heart as well. God never ceases to amaze me!

Father, I have spent a year dishonoring your servant and your work in me. Forgive me for the things I have said and thought. Help me to now practice what You have lovingly shown me. Amen.

The Wind Beneath My Wings (Dedicated to my former mentor and all those I honor)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FryTIiUqU7I&feature=related

In the Art Gallery of My Mind

But do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you, saying, "The LORD will deliver us." Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? 'Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their land from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?'" 2 Kings 18:32-35 (New American Standard Bible)

Words can be used to paint factual or fictional pictures in our mind! The king of Assyria sent messengers to the children of Israel with a seemingly sure picture of defeat. Upon the walls of their imaginations they painted a scene with the use of Israel’s fears and Assyria’s past defeats of other nations. What they said sounded plausible but it never came about. Israel trusted God and the Assyrians mocked God and in the end their carefully crafted depiction dissolved.

The enemy of our soul uses the same strategy as the Assyrians. He loves nothing more than to paint distorted pictures of situations with hopes we will embrace his lies. For the past two days I found myself viewing his “art gallery” that he was more than happy to display. It started with an invitation by a friend to listen to the archives of a radio program she felt would be helpful for me. The subject was on relationships and after reading the excerpt of the program’s topic I was suddenly filled with a lot of negative emotions. What came to the surface was shame and condemnation over a past relationship issue wherein I still housed some wrong thoughts. Not only could I not listen to the program, I also couldn’t shake the feelings that enveloped me. Today, I began looking at the negative thoughts and feelings and realized they were sure signs of the enemy’s presence and tactics. With that realization came some truth I was ready to receive from God.

I had allowed the enemy to paint distorted pictures of a situation and what he was using for his paints was blood from my own internal wounds! But I knew it didn’t have to continue to be like that. What I needed to do was give my wounds to God and allow Him to paint a truthful picture for me. What a difference!

I have said it before and I will say it again, “I am a visual person and I need very visual examples to help me learn!” What God showed me today will stick with me and help me to walk in victory through His precious art galleries of my mind.

Father, the enemy has many tools and tactics, but only You have the truth! I now look to You for the interpretation and portrayal of all the events in my life. I praise You! Amen.

open the eyes of my heart lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutmEjdbedE&feature=related

Already At Hand

"Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6 (New American Standard Bible)

As I think back on the many miracles of provision recorded in Scripture a truth is coming home to me. Amy Carmichael said it well when she wrote, “Have you ever been strengthened to win a victory perhaps over some inward foe, and have you suddenly found yourself tired out and sore athirst? Quite close, just where you are, there is water. Call, and the Lord will cause it to flow for you; some word of life will come to mind, some line of a hymn, some thought of peace, and your spirit will come again and you will be revived.”

When the children of Israel cried out because of thirst, the rock which brought forth water was close at hand. When thousands were fed from multiplied bread and fish, the boy’s lunch was already in their midst. When the widow set out to prepare a last meal for her and her son during a famine, the meal and oil were already in her home. When Abraham raised his hand to slay his only son, Isaac, the ram was already in the thicket near by. When Hagar placed her son Ishmael under a bush to die of thirst, the well of water was within sight. In these cases and many more, the supply God would use was right there for each individual. None of them could imagine that would be the way God would choose to meet their needs. They became the recipients of His sovereign generosity and compassion without even knowing what God would do or how God would do it.

God is showing me today that the same is to be true in my own life. It is imperative that I cry out to Him for my needs and then watch as He faithfully meets those needs. What He did in the past may not be what He does now but He will do something! I must leave the decision up to Him as to what or who He will use to meet my needs each time they arise. His options are not limited and neither is His ability.

Already this morning I opened His Word after letting Him know I needed refreshment from Him. I was feeling internally shaky and wanted Him to bring about a sense of peace and well being. His Word did that but it was accompanied by the reminder to no longer look to the old ways of satisfaction and help. Allowing Him to determine the supplying of my needs is to be my daily experience. What a God!

Father, looking to You never fails to put me in awe. You are the God who sees me and in that I rest, revel, and rejoice! Amen.

El Shaddai - Amy Grant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la0bQAJTelU&feature=related

No Comparison

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9 (New American Standard Bible)

There are times when my inabilities are so apparent to me. There are many things I cannot do or even begin to grasp. There are things I see in others that make me marvel. I have such respect for people who can speak several languages fluently, whiz through subjects like calculus, physics, and anything that ends with “ology” or “ometry,” or do any number of things that take a lot of brain activity. Some people who have mastered such things can derive pleasure in feeling superior to the rest of us and we might have a tendency to feel inferior next to them.

That is not the case with God’s proclamations regarding His ways and thoughts being far above our own. First of all, He makes these claims because they are true. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. So naturally His ways and thoughts ARE far above our own.
But He also states these truths to assure us that we can trust Him. He knows more than we know and can do more than we can do. What better One to entrust with our life, path, and future than almighty God Himself? Who better to ask counsel of, seek direction from, and follow closely than our heavenly Father? He knows the beginning from the end, sees the whole picture, and will always accomplish His purposes.

I think of the people I would trust with abandon in various situations. If trapped in a burning building I would trust a fireman. If engaged in battle I would trust a soldier. If shipwrecked on an island I would trust the captain of a ship. If entering surgery I would trust the doctor. If faced with any number of difficult situations I would trust someone with experience, knowledge, and capability.

Therefore, when it comes to every area of my life, God is the ultimate Source of every need, question, and concern. How comforting to know that I can rest in the fact that His ways are higher than my own and so are his thoughts. As I voice that out loud I am strengthened, comforted, and directed in magnificent ways.

Father, I stand in awe of Your superiority to me and sensitivity to me. With You I have all I need. Amen.

INDESCRIBABLE - Chris Tomlin
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VmTxZAl7ceU&feature=related

He Understands Me

Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5 (New American Standard Bible)

There are times when I read a portion of Scripture and all of a sudden something will stand out that I never saw before. Psalm 147 gives an eloquent portrayal of God’s strength and knowledge but today it became personal for me. God, who is all knowing, helped me to see that He understands me thoroughly. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve known that He knows me….He even knows the number of hairs on my head. He knows my past and my future. He knows my likes and dislikes. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. He knows my failures and successes. I know all that but today I was drawn toward the fact that He not only knows me and knows all about me, but he UNDERSTANDS me! He understands why I do the things I do and why I feel the way I feel. He understands my thought patterns and mind sets. He understands what is good for me and what is harmful to me. Considering I don’t always understand myself and the people in my life don’t completely understand me, this truth is huge for me!

One of the things I like about God is that He is willing to show me how much He understands me. Let me illustrate. Recently I have wondered why I often hesitate to admit to those closest to me when I am struggling in some way. People may ask me if I am okay or if something is wrong and I will give a shallow answer in hopes of diverting their attention. Even the few who are willing to listen find that I am more apt to share things with them AFTER the struggle is over. While I knew some reasons for this, God helped me to see something I was missing.

My make-up is such that if I begin to share my problems with people I will find myself needing to talk to them about EVERY problem. Those who help me climb out of the pits I find myself in will eventually become the “saviors” I am looking for. They will easily become my comforters, counselors, and guides in place of God. That is idolatry and I am so prone to it. It is that understanding of me that God has! Therefore, He has given me a built in guard rail that sees some wisdom and safety in choosing to share the difficulties with others AFTER He has helped me walk through them. While there will still be times I confide to a few when the battle is raging, I hope it becomes the exception and not the rule. I will be the first admit I don’t know if this but self protection or a true step toward freedom. So I will once again look to my Father for the answer, because He really does understand me.

Father, I rest in Your understanding of me. I trust You to show me if I am mistaken in this area. I long for the balance between You and the precious people You continue to bring across my path. Help me to walk by faith in You and Your ways. Amen.

He Knows My Name by Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsiWoyjw60

What If?

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:19 (New American Standard Bible)

Anxious, disquieting, worrying, disturbing, alarming, unsettling, troubling, distressing thoughts. How easily they can multiply within us. How we long for freedom but find ourselves giving in to the mental mazes. It seems that for a while all is well and the battle becomes quiet. Then out of “no where” the thoughts begin to creep in and that familiar feeling of dread takes hold.

When it happened earlier this evening God asked me a question in my spirit that I have not been able to avoid, escape, or dismiss. The question was this, “What if you handled this differently than you are accustomed to handling it and you ruled your emotions and thoughts instead of allowing them to rule you?” In other words, what if I took the thoughts captive instead of letting them take me captive? Not only did the question take me by surprise but I found myself realizing I actually had a choice in the matter. I also realized the outcomes I am use to experiencing do not have to be the status quo from this point forward.

I know myself and I know the patterns I tend to follow. I can attest to the fact that the mind road I so easily travel does not work well or in my favor. God is letting me know it doesn’t have to continue to be like that. Instead, I can reject the urge to wallow in the muck and mire of my psyche. I do not have to yield to the temptation to get down, feel sorry for myself, house suspicions against people, allow my thoughts to run rampant, or allow them to lead me into a pit of any size or depth. My thoughts are only as predominant and powerful as I make them. At my choosing, they can be weakened and made ineffective. What I do not dwell on will not have a home in me!

So yes! What if I become more discerning about my thoughts? What if I stopped the cycle that has been played out far too many times? What if I acted and reacted differently? None of this comes naturally for me but God is assuring me it can become a way of life for me. The result would be freedom and joy….of that I am confident. It would also mean delight for my soul. And so I am asking myself, “What if I just did it?” He will help…I know He will.

I know too that even though the choice is mine, the ability and power comes from God. He is the One who says I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind but even that comes from Him, for He is working in me that which He is willing to do with me.

Father, keep showing me how to live victorious in You. Amen.

I Love You Lord - The Acappella Company
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6QE2k1FepQ&feature=related

His Promise

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (New International Version)

All it took was attending an event this past weekend where the speakers spoke of their special mentoring relationship and the longing in me was reawakened. I have known the preciousness of someone coming along side me and saying, “I am here for you. I will help you. I will watch over you.” I have known the sense of being nurtured and cared for by a significant person. Not a day goes by that my mind doesn’t think back to such a time and that I don’t still feel the ache of loss.

So yesterday when I came across this verse I was moved by God’s words as well as His promise. He knew what I needed to hear all over again. The Lord God has a hold of my hand and has continued to be my help. He will never step away…not even for a brief moment. He will never be distracted or disinterested. He will never grow tired of me. He will never be occupied with other things. From Him I will never experience a deaf ear, abandonment, rejection, or withdrawal. My problems are not too small to mention or too large for Him to handle. His heart will never change toward me and that affords me the freedom to confide in Him at all times.

I am embracing His words to me and I am offering them to individuals I know who are going through some difficult times at the present. One friend continues her battle with MS, another grieves the deaf of a niece due to an accidental drug over dose, another sits in a hospital room with a husband who is still unstable after an operation to remove his kidney, another is walking through the ordeal of her elderly mother being given a pace maker today, another walks through the dark valley with her daughter whose marriage has crumbled, a number of friends have experienced the death of parents or a spouse, the list is endless. To each I would extend God’s words from Isaiah 41:13. He holds their hands as well as their hearts. He will help them through these days. He alone can comfort them in ways that no other person can begin to comfort. He is there long after the phone calls, visits, and companionship subsides. I try to picture each one with Jesus sitting next to them…holding and upholding them. They are not alone….not for one moment. Life is hard but Jesus is faithfully present with each of us.

Father, I have needed the assurance for myself as well as for my friends. Thank you for the mercy, grace, and strength with which you anoint each of us. We need You and we love You! Amen.

Draw Me Close To You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALzCQn8LA4M&feature=related