God's Process

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (New American Standard Bible)

So often I want to take this verse to mean instantaneous healing and binding. I fail to see there is a process involved. Such was the case when a resent conversation triggered some painful memories for me. What I had thought was so well taken care of came to the surface with a vengeance and the battle was on! Scripture says that God requires truth in the inward parts and often times the revealing of that truth can be daunting and painful. But His intent is to clean out the wound of hurt and bind it up again. What has been festering under the surface needs to be acknowledged and brought one step closer to wholeness.

I use to fear these times. So afraid of being dragged into an emotional pit with no idea of the length of stay. But each time they occur I am becoming more and more confident of the tentative nature of their existence. They are not meant to do me in. They are meant to strengthen and grow me up. While there may be tears and lots of questions, it becomes a time of taking in truth and seeing things from God’s perspective.

The most recent incident had a definite cycle. First was the initial internal shift. I knew I was being hit with strong emotions and thoughts. Then came the tears. I have learned the preciousness of crying on God’s shoulder. He never rushes this part. I simply cry until the tears have been fully released. Then came the time of acknowledging the things that are still harbored in my heart and mind. This entailed grief and disappointment. Then came a time of simply resting in Him. No thinking just resting. Then came a few more tears and a time of mulling things over. Finally came the music that seemed to trigger His application of a reassuring balm. Just as I knew when the battle started, I knew when it was over! Although it is still a tender spot for me I know that once again He has bound the wounds and has allowed peace to envelope me.

I know there will be many more times of tending to this area of my life but I am also sure the end will be healing and wholeness. As He changes me, He changes the processes He uses. I do not want to limit the many ways He chooses to bring me into freedom and flight!

Father, You are the healer of my heart and binder of my wounds. I yield to Your touch. Amen.

He Understands My Tears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJIHES6eX_g

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

When It Doesn't Come Naturally

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44 (New King James Version)

God knows when the ability and willingness to obey His commands need to be developed in us. He knows when He must do a work in us in order for us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who treat us as enemies….cursing, hating, misusing, and abusing us. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t even have to be that bad in order for me to see my need of God’s work in me. My flesh is riled when I experience being slighted in the smallest ways. Let someone walk past me as if I were invisible and I am in need of God’s grace and touch. Let someone speak an unkind word to me or about me and what God calls me to do becomes quite difficult. Exclusion of any kind brings my weaknesses and phobias to the surface.

I am so far from living out of today’s verse and God knows that. He also knows what He will use in order to develop in me a walk of loving those who don’t like me or may even hate me. It won’t be developed within the ease of friendships and wonderful moments. It will only come as I am confronted by difficult people and circumstances. My natural tendency is to back away from anyone who makes me feel uncomfortable or unloved. God’s ways are higher than mine. He calls me to action that He promises to bless and use. As I obey, He changes me! The people and circumstances may not change but I will.

As I encounter individuals who make me squirm (or worse) God wants me to take my eyes off them and how their actions or lack of actions are making me feel, and begin to pour my energies into His will for me. They may never change, but I am to pray for them. They may never come to the point of liking me, but I am to bless them. They may never have a nice word to say to me, but I am to do them good. They may become even more difficult to see or be around, but I am to love them. How? By the sheer grace and work of God in me. I cannot muster it up on my own but God is willing to instill it in me. The actions are never empty or in vain when driven by His love and heart.

As God continues to reveal to me areas that need His redemptive touch, He will continue to supply all that I need in order to be all He has purposed me to be. Jesus set the pattern when He walked among us. Now He duplicates His life in me as I allow His Spirit to work in me.

Father, help me not to live out of my own weaknesses and propensities. Infuse me with all that is needed to live out the truths of Your Word. Change me! Amen.

Make Me A Servant - Maranatha Singers
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0rznoe3zKxM&feature=related

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

Quietness Within

Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me. Psalm 131:2 (New American Standard Bible)

This is a verse of serenity and one which I want to experience on a daily basis. I know what it is like to live ruffled, disquieted, and in conflict. Far from peace and tranquility within my soul. The part of me that encompasses my life, person, appetites, mind, inner being, desires, emotions, and passions. The very core of who I am. Tranquility there? Peace and quietness in the midst of any circumstance, trial, or difficulty? If not there, then no where!

We often wait for life around us to be serene before we hope for serenity but that just serves to show us where we are placing our expectations and confidence. Peace, contentment, and quietness don’t come from without, they come from the inner workings of God in our life. They come from fixing our eyes, heart, and mind on the one Source that desires our attention and affection. If I am looking to anyone or anything other than God to bring me to the point of a “weaned” soul, I will walk with profound emptiness and in turmoil. While He certainly uses people in my life, they cannot be my source. While He brings influences and opportunities to me, they cannot be my source. While growth and freedom become evident, they cannot be my source. None of the afore mentioned blessings can be what I look to for the quieting of my soul.

God repeats to me on a continual basis, “Look to Me, at Me, and for Me at all times and in all circumstances. Fix your eyes on Me, direct you attention toward Me, follow Me.”

I often marvel that God will use the very things and people in my life that He knows may become my focus. Then He lovingly and persistently allows my “search” to result in disappointment and pain in order to redirect my attention back on to Himself. I long to see my times of focusing on Him to become longer and stronger. To come to the point when all else dims in comparison to Him. To perk my ears to the sound of His voice above all others. It is His goal for me as well so I know it will come.

Father, don’t allow any focal points in my life outside of Yourself. Help me to keep my eyes on You at all times. Amen.


As The Deer
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VIlGBQfdzL4&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

Moving Away From the Mountain

You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north. Deuteronomy 2:3 (New American Standard Bible)

I have been trying to find a verse that epitomized the recent activity of God in my life and this morning I finally found it! The moment I read it I thought, “That’s it!!!!” It capsules the words of 2 Corinthians 10:5 which tell us to take every thought captive.

I once heard an illustration of what it means to take thoughts captive. It gave me a picture of cattle roping at a rodeo with the cowboy lassoing a cow and bringing him down to the ground bound. While that is an excellent illustration it was only part of the story for me. I was missing the other aspect. For me, it is more helpful and necessary to follow the pattern of Philippians 4:8 with its list of things on which to think and meditate.

I have had two areas of thought that have wreaked havoc on my life for the past year or so. One has been allowing my mind to remain focused on a former relationship and the other has been to habitually dwell on misperceptions. In both cases, God is calling me away from the mental mountains. He is saying, “You have circled and camped on this mountain long enough….turn north. Redirect your attention onto that which is uplifting and encouraging. Think on Me, other people, and other situations in your life that will keep you far from the emotional pits.”

Guess what? It WORKS….when I choose to do it! This morning God has given me a mental picture of this process. He helped me picture myself walking this journey but my ankles are shackled (because the issues are still a part of my life) and the shackles have a chain between them. As I “walk” through my day, the chain is lengthened as I take my thoughts captive by dwelling on good things and it is shortened when I dwell on wrong desires and misperceptions. My stride and progress is either hindered or helped by the mental choices I make.

Along with all of this, God has added one necessary step. Ask another person to keep my feet to the fire by frequently asking me how I am doing at applying this step of obedience. I already know who He would have me to be accountable to and I believe the accountability will be a powerful reinforcement for me. I marvel at God’s wisdom and direction. His commands are ALWAYS followed by the “how to” steps and His promise to help me take those steps is embraced!

Father, I long for the freedom You have desired for me all along. Now that You have shown me what to do, help me to daily do it! I follow You! Amen.

Painting Pictures of Egypt - Sara Groves
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZcIA4Cnj6j4


He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

My Distinguishing Mark

Your sail was of fine embroidered linen from Egypt so that it became your distinguishing mark. Ezekiel 27:7 (New American Standard Bible)

Ezekiel 27 describes the city of Tyre as a majestic ship and gushes with elaborate details. The best wood, the best material, the best workmanship, the best….everything. Its presence commanded respect and its distinction was borne out of the exquisite embroidered linen with which its sails were made. As my eyes landed on this verse I was struck by the phrase, “it became your distinguishing mark.” I have spent the last couple of hours pondering what my distinguishing mark is. What is it that sets me apart with distinction and uniqueness?

I know what I often try to make my distinguishing mark. While it may vary from time to time it is usually found within the scope of abilities, relationships, personality, and successes. The truth of the matter is that none of those things actually are my distinguishing mark. My distinction comes from my relationship with God through Jesus Christ and His work in me. He and He alone gives me my worth, value, and significance. He and He alone has stamped out a unique plan and purpose for my life. As a master Potter, He is molding and transforming me into a one of a kind image of His own Son.

The fact that He is faithfully doing that astounds me but the way He goes about it at times pains me. Lately it seems that His technique involves exposing the worst parts of me to myself. He shows me what has to go and that is when I begin to cringe and squirm. Be it an attitude, a perception, an emotional rut, or a mindset, I often put up a fight before finally opening my closed fist (and mind) to His persistent pleading. The most recent “episode” took about 24 hours!

The truths that are so easy to share via devotionals are often the most difficult to live out and appropriate to my life. I take comfort in the fact that while I am so far from where I want to be, I am at least farther than I use to be. I am grateful for the friends who will come along side me during the dark times but even more grateful for a God who knows me thoroughly and still loves me. Even in the times when I cannot bring myself to confide in another person the deepest thoughts and hardest struggles, He remains my faithful Counselor and Comforter. I praise Him and need Him.

Father, the storm is subsiding and Your peace is returning. In the stillness of this moment I worship You! Amen.

Who am I - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGU76is9BuY

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

Seeing the Impossible Made Possible

Looking at them, Jesus said, With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. Mark 10:27 (New American Standard Bible)

Continual defeat in an area can lead one to believe that area stands outside the realm of all things being possible with God. Where there seems to be no strength, power, ability, or possibility is the place that most needs the realization and reminder of the availability of might, fortitude, virtue, and the ability to excel. One’s focus must be redirected from personal failure to the all inclusiveness of God’s promise and pledge. Everything collectively in one’s life is to be wrapped in the power and provision of God’s Word. Nothing, absolutely nothing is excluded from future victory.

These thoughts have found a home in my heart as I have come to see the Christian life as a walk of progress rather than a demand for absolute perfection. God’s call to me on a daily basis to review and compare. Review the times I have failed in a certain area and compare those times to present instances when situations were handled in a better way. I find that God will often have me go through similar circumstances to help me see that growth really has taken place….even if in a small amount. The very things I use to strain at or cringe over exude a less threatening presence, if I will but look for the smallest ground gained in victory rather than repeated failure.

It is imperative that I find the measurable aspects of an impossibility becoming possible. Maybe it is simply seeing that patience held out a little longer or that there was an improvement in my tone of voice. Maybe a thought that use to send me spiraling down is beginning to be defeated by actively choosing to think on something or someone else. Maybe for the first time a thought of thankfulness overcame a heart of discontent and grumbling. Whatever the case may be, whatever the area of struggle and turmoil is, God urges each of us to look for progress, not perfection.

Some areas see progress more quickly than other areas. God is willing to take our entire life time to bring about the deliverances and victories that He as well as we want so badly. God’s willingness to work over time gives me permission to do the same. It becomes a journey of learning to cooperate with Him, acknowledge my weaknesses and failures, and seeking His work in me as I walk with Him. He of all individuals is urging me forward and compelling me to not give up! Any victories in any area stand as banners of hope in the face of all “impossibilities.” With God is the power and the promise.

Father, hopelessness marks the walls of no area in the life of ANY child of Yours. I wrap myself in the truth of You! Amen.

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

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

Working Out What is Being Worked In

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12,13 (New King James Version)

Let‘s not misread Paul‘s words to the Philippians. Working out our own salvation is not referring to being saved by our works. It is referring to the demonstration of our salvation in the areas of spiritual growth and development. It is the on going process in which each of us are energetically and persistently involved. It is the process of our spiritual maturation in Christ. The very things we are doing should be done to produce results in our life and reflect what God is doing in us.

There are a number of things involved in my growth as a Christian. At times, I have a book or two that I am devouring that target issues I am facing. I count it a privilege to metaphorically sit at the feet of numerous authors and draw from their vast storehouse of wisdom. Music can often bring a message home that solidifies a truth for me. Sermons and teaching from within the walls of my home church help with my growth and development as a Christian. Taking in the truths from God’s Word and actively applying those truths on a daily basis is like a dose of “miracle grow” for my spirit. Last, but not least, taking in the counsel and wisdom of others through talking and sharing aid in my process of maturing.

When any of those “pieces” are missing from my life I notice and must take care not to let it stagnate my walk. I take Paul’s comparison to heart when he refers to things being done in his presence and more so in his absence. I know what it is like to live out my daily walk with someone watching over my spiritual steps. There is something about another set of human eyes on my life that bring me a sense of security. Often times, though, God will allow that for part of the time and then bring me to a point of practicing the truths on my own.

Presently, that is how an accountability partnership is working for me. We talk and watch as God brings some wisdom to the forefront. Then it is time for me to step out of her home and presence and live out what I have been shown. All the while, God is faithfully and consistently doing His work in me. I am not on my own in any way, shape, or form!

Father, thank you that You never intended my lot in life to be one of isolation. Your internal work in me is often affected by the external tools You choose to use. Amen.

Made Me Glad - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Zc_VWJJoI&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.