Trusting Confidence

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not, Isaiah 30:15 (Amplified Bible)

God is capturing my attention with phrases this morning. Returning and resting. Quietness and trusting. Confidence and strength. All words of invitation from my Abba Father. His desire for me is that my days and nights are filled with His assurance and reassurance. When that seems far removed from me it is time to evaluate my heart and spirit.

Many struggles lie in the ending phrase of today’s verse…But you would not. Refusal, hesitancy, doubt, apprehension, resistance, and wrong choices all become barriers to the free flowing river of God’s love, peace, and life in me. It is there but unproductive and unrealized. Allowing God’s search light to expose harmful internal issues and attitudes is a necessary discipline in the life of any believer.

I can only return to God and His ways as I open my closed fist and release the things or people I desire to hold on to. I can only rest in Him as I cease my struggling, worrying, and constant need to have it all figured out. I can only be in quietness as I still the voices in my head and listen for His. I can only trust in Him when I shift my reliance and dependence off myself and others and unto Him. I can only place my confidence in Him when all other sources are seen as limited, unavailable, and powerless. Then the strength is mine.

It may start with a simple statement of acknowledging the truth about God and accepting His plans and purposes for my life. That which I still fight to embrace is the very thing that places me under the banner of “would not.” How much better to trust His heart and character. To know that He does all things well. He has promised to accompany me through EVERY thing in EVERY day. He has promised to supply all my needs. He is a God of His Word. Nothing He speaks returns void, including that which He speaks to my heart. I have tasted and seen that He is good and I step into a new day nourished by it all.

Father, I confess my own spirit of discontent and unacceptance. I receive not only Your forgiveness but Your hand as well. Amen.

In Christ Alone ~ Brian Littrellhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDCdGPJQ-hM

The stamp of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus. ~ Oswald Chambers

Speaking the Truth

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible)

God’s Word is full of truth statements. I recently learned first hand the power of speaking truth over my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. If that is not done, those will be the very things that become sepulchers for my soul. They will seem like reality when in fact they are lies, mirages, and illusions. I always have a choice whether or not to listen to and dwell upon an array of feelings or stand upon and live out of the truth…God’s truth! When I choose to voice God’s truth over my thoughts and circumstances I can expect a shift in my internal world within just several statements. If said out loud with boldness and confidence, the feelings will subside and I will become empowered by the essence of who God is and what God can do.

This is freeing for me! I have often allowed emotions and feelings to rule me and God is letting me know that no longer has to be the case. It doesn’t mean I will no longer battle them, but it does mean I no longer have to allow them to win. I no longer have to give in to the imprisonment.

So while I am presently out of an emotional pit, now is the time to find my statements of truth to voice in future battles. Today’s verse is treasure filled. In Christ I have strength! I am empowered! I am ready for any and all things! I am infused with inner strength! I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency! What incredible ammunition to use in times when I begin to feel weak, helpless, alone, and a victim. Philippians 4:13 clearly states I am none of those things.

I am shaking my head in disbelief over the many times I have failed to take advantage of such a powerful tool as proclaiming truth. It is like living in a house that is electrically equipped but never flipping the switch for light, heat, and appliances. Doing without has never been God’s intent. How He must have ached to watch me grope in unnecessary darkness and coldness. Powerlessness and confusion are not of Him. He knows there will still be times when the thoughts and feelings will attempt and succeed at pulling me down, BUT now I have something that will build me up and bring me out of each emotional dungeon. There is not a question as to whether or not it will work. The question is whether or not I will do it. By the grace of God I say, “Yes!”

Father, You have so much more in mind for me than where I have been. Truth is the belt of the armor You provide for me. May I not only stand in it but may I speak it out boldly! Amen.

The Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y

If what you are reading is touching your spirit and increasing your thirst for God then you are one of the reasons I write them. I want to extend a personal invitation to you to join my email devotional family and allow me to send them to you directly! Simply send an email to shattuck7@sbcglobal.net and request to be added to my devotional list. It would be my honor and privilege to do so.

Looking Unto Jesus

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1,2 (New King James Version)

What I focus on and turn my attention toward will determine how well I do at laying aside weights and sins that can ensnare me and also how well I run with endurance. There are times when my eyes turn toward things that distract me from making Jesus my focal point. Sometimes, it can be looking to others to give me what only God can give me. Sometimes, it can be the hurts and disappointments of life. Last night it was questions about myself that seemed to disturb me beyond words.

Although Romans 8:1 assures me I am not under condemnation, the condemnation was present. This time the area in question had to do with authenticity. Was I genuinely living out my Christian life as a unique individual or was I simply patterning the life of others? Did I know God through His Word and life experiences or was I trying to get Him to be and mean to me what He was to others? The questions shook me to my core and it did not take long for fear and tears to consume me. Once again, my eyes turned inward instead of upward! They centered on me and what I was and wasn’t doing, rather than on Jesus and His work in me.

I had to begin clinging to vital truths. God is authentic and involved in my life. I cannot trust myself but I can trust Him. I can rely upon Him to reveal Himself to me in specific ways even in the midst of my uncertainties. I can trust Him to show me what is at the root of my insecurities and fears. I am limited, He is limitless. I am human, He is God! I fail, He fulfills.

This morning, I look to Him and at Him for all that eluded me in the evening hours of last night….peace, contentment, stability, direction, genuineness, love, laughter, and joy! It is not about what I can manufacture on my own. It is not even about what I allow Him to do. It is about knowing that He is doing His work in me continuously. It is about turning my eyes away from other things and fixing them on Jesus. Completely on Jesus. Where I am shaky, He is steady and supportive. Where I am lacking, He is abundant. Where I am in need, He is there.

Father, the intrusive thoughts leave only at the touch of Your hand, sound of Your voice, and light of Your presence. I choose to fix my eyes on You and relax under Your ever present gaze upon me. Amen.

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

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

That Which Concerns Me

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8 (New King James Version)

There are times when I see God’s unfinished projects in my life. Areas that still need His healing touch of wholeness. The moments upon His potter’s wheel can often seem slow, tedious, and unnoticeable in the every day. What I am coming to realize is it is all a process that takes time. I must cooperate with Him but can never rush His working and ways in me. The tools, time, and techniques are all determined and carried out by Him. Therefore it is imperative that I trust Him for the accomplishment and completion of what He is doing.

This morning I am pondering the steps God has been walking me through in order to experience freedom in a certain area of my life. It has been painful at times but so worth it! The process began with the acknowledgement of my problem. I saw the full scope of my weakness and failure in this area and it wasn’t pretty. Seeing it and admitting it opened the door for me to finally ask God for help. The help comes to me on a continual daily basis and in that I rejoice.

At first, I had the false idea that this was to be a solo time for me. Just God and me. Once again, God’s ways are higher than my ways. He has graciously put together a group of individuals who have been used of Him to teach me truth and point me back to Himself. One in particular is allowing me to be accountable to her. Accountability with her means sharing my times of struggle, temptation, and victory. It has taken a number of months to see the necessity and benefit of such a relationship and God is continually molding it into a productive method of growth.

As I allow Him, He shows me the helps and hindrances of my journey. Most recently it has been in recognizing opportunities (doors) that can lead to tragic ends. I must guard the things I see, hear, and experience lest they take me down an emotional path of negativity, pity, and self-loathing. I know the taste of such trips and that has deepened my desire to do what I must to avoid them.

There are two directions for me to focus on ….. God and the present. As I do that I am brought that much closer to the freedom He is offering me.

Father, I long to fly in this area of my life. I open my hands and heart to anything You determine as necessary to bring me to that point. Amen.

FIND YOUR WINGS ~ Mark Harris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4NS7gChzvk

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.

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.