Remembering What Matters

PRIORITIES

Luke 10:38-40 – “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’”

There was a period, about a month ago, where I found myself praying and journaling about feeling overwhelmed by the weight of my responsibilities and my “to do” list. My brain constantly goes a mile a minute, mentally juggling all of the balls that I have in the air, trying to ensure that not even one of them drops. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I always have. It’s definitely an area of growth for me—acknowledging that the world WILL NOT END if I take a breath, take a break, and take care of myself for a moment. I’m trying hard these days to be intentional about finding balance; about shutting off my phone and laptop and spending time with the people and things that matter most to me.

I was reading the Word one morning, when I stumbled upon a nice little divine reminder of the importance of remembering what really matters. The story? Mary and Martha! I’m sure you know it well. Jesus drops by Mary and Martha’s house with a big crowd, and the two women are technically responsible for providing a meal for the group. While Martha gets right to work, fretting about all that needs to be done and worrying about getting everything just right (or so I imagine); Mary, her sister, leaves her to it and simply sits at Jesus’ feet to soak in as much peace and love and wisdom as she can. When Martha realizes that Mary has left her to do everything alone, she is furious and complains to Jesus that Mary needs to get up and get to work!

Jesus responds to her (and it felt at the time I read it, to me) by saying, “Martha, Martha…you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

I’ve read this story so many times, but on that day, I was truly convicted. How often do we run around, frantic, because we have so much to do and so little time to do it. We believe that if we don’t carry the weight of it all ourselves, or take responsibility for the lion’s share of work, it won’t get done, and…well…the world will basically end (or at least that’s what we tell ourselves). We work ourselves to death sometimes trying to do it all…have it all…but in the end, we wind up neglecting what really matters—our relationships, our spirit, ourselves…

This scripture is a great reminder that although we may have a tendency to worry about the countless tasks, situations, responsibilities, and challenges in our lives, few of those things really matter in the grand scheme of things. Most of the time, the world really won’t end if we stop and take a moment to rest our minds and bodies, renew ourselves, revive our relationships, and reconnect with our Lord and Savior, who promises to give us peace, rest, and relief from our heavy burdens. (Matthew 11:28)

Shine Your Light!

Additional Scriptures

Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Photo Credits

Photo 1: https://online.jwu.edu/blog/how-make-your-priorities-priority

Photo 2: http://www.lifechurchbuffalo.com/podcast/2018/1/3/first-things-first

Photo 3: https://lutonmuslimjournal.com/heart/which-acts/attachment/priorities/

Photo 4: https://www.davidirvine.com/tyranny-urgency-many-priorities-means-nothing-priority/

Speak Life

THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

A couple of months ago, I found myself having a bit of a rough time, and I didn’t felt like myself for weeks. At the same time, my professional life ramped up to the point where I would feel overwhelmed even had I been in a normal state of mind. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time filling my husband’s ears with all of my woes, bemoaning the challenges that this confluence of events was presenting to my relative sanity.

Eventually, though, God reminded me during my daily study about the key role that the words that we speak can have on our reality. I can assure you that my rants included very little positivity, and I realized that I was contributing to my own challenges simply by focusing on (and reinforcing through my words) the negative.

The Word says that death and LIFE are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), and what we say matters; the things that we speak over our lives affect our attitudes and our energy, and have the potential to reinforce both the good and the bad in our lives.

Even when the trials come, and the outlook seems bleak; it is still incumbent upon us to speak life over our situations…even the ones that seem dead and without hope of revival. Romans 4:17b states that God “gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” No situation is truly dead when our God is involved, and your word of faith—which can set off a chain reaction in your spirit and that of those around you—may be just what God was waiting for to move in a mighty and miraculous way in your life.

The next time you find yourself in a situation that seems hopeless or insurmountable, make a conscious decision to speak life over your circumstance. You’ll create an atmosphere for God to breathe life into a seemingly dead situation.

Speak Life!

And Shine Your Light…

Additional Scriptures

Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)

Matthew 12:36 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” (ESV)

Matthew 12:37 – “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (ESV)

James 3:3-6 – “The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (NLT)

Photo Credits

Photo 1: https://dashthebook.wordpress.com/2017/03/05/speak-life-in-the-parcc/

Photo 2: https://churchgraphicsinc.com/product/speak-life-sermon-graphic/

Photo 3: https://lorettachandler.com/speak-with-faith/

Waiting for Rain

PERSISTENCE AND FAITH

1 Kings 18:43-44 – “Go and look toward the sea, [Elijah] told his servant. And he went up and looked. ‘There is nothing there,’ he said. Seven times, Elijah said, ‘Go back.’ The seventh time, the servant reported, ‘A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.’ So Elijah said, ‘Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” (NIV)

I love biblical stories about Elijah and Elisha. To me, they’re like biblical superheroes. With their mighty faith, they were able to achieve such miraculous wonders, second only to Jesus. But I’ll explore them more fully on another day.

In today’s passage, the land of Israel experienced a great drought because they had turned away from the Lord. After three years, God sent Elijah to King Ahab to tell him that the drought was over and the rain they so desperately needed was on the way. After delivering the message, Elijah went up to Mount Carmel to pray. At first, he saw no response to his prayers, but he persisted. He sent his servant seven times to look for any evidence of a rain cloud, and on the seventh time, a small rain cloud had begun to swell…

It didn’t matter the report, what eyes saw, or ears heard, Elijah trusted the Word of God, believing, persisting, until he saw its manifestation.

It’s often challenging to have that level of faith today. There are so many things to distract us from the deep, singular relationship with God that such faith requires. But Elijah stands through the ages as a model of what real faith looks like, and what it can manifest in this earthly realm, particularly when we are seeking God’s will above our own.

Are you in a posture of waiting? Hoping for a response from God? Stand firm and persist in your faith. God will ALWAYS answer in time.

I mentioned before that my husband and I are in a posture of waiting in faith. We have received several reports that things were not looking good for us, but we have persisted in prayer and have continued to stand firm in our faith that God has the final say. A few weeks ago, during Sunday service, I sought God for confirmation that our waiting would not be in vain, and I received it! Our blessing, our miracle, is on the way! I see the tiny rain cloud and will continue to pray in faith as I “wait for rain!”

Shine Your Light!

Additional Scripture

1 John 5: 14-15 – “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (NIV)

Songs

There Is a Cloud (Live) – Elevation Worship

Rain on Us – Earnest Pugh

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Photo Credits

Photo 1: https://www.theoakleafnews.com/variety/2019/10/08/waiting-for-rain/

Photo 2: https://www.campsitephotos.com/blog/campground-reviews-adventures/roll-with-the-changes/

Photo 3: https://time.com/4521057/megadrought-california-climate-change/

Photo 4: https://www.thriftyfun.com/Storm-Cloud-Photos.html

Photo 5: https://fadingmeta.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/waiting-for-that-rain/

God’s Plan

SURRENDER

Jeremiah 29:11-12 – “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’”

This scripture is a great companion to the one that I noted in my previous post (This Little Light of Mine):

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

My husband and I recently celebrated our one year anniversary (we’re marriage veterans now! 🙂 ). I know I’m still technically in the newlywed/honeymoon phase, but I have to say that I really do love being married. I highly recommend it (with the right person 😉 )! Despite the joy that my husband brings to my life, our journey this past 1.25 years has had its challenges, and life has definitely thrown us a few curve balls; but with God’s strength, we have made it through each and every trial.

Since we first married, my husband and I have been praying and hoping for a specific move of God; and as yet, the move we seek has not manifested. We have experienced disappointment and frustration because of this delay, but we remain steadfast in our hope, because we know that God’s plan is to prosper us and give us hope and a future. This faith has given us certainty that, at the right time, God will move in a miraculous, undeniable way!

Now, while we would prefer that this move happen sooner than later, we have to remind ourselves (often) that God’s perfect timing, His perfect plan, is always better than anything that we could imagine. Ultimately, we have to trust Him, leaning not on our own understanding, or on our own vision of how and when things should be. We have to maintain that trust…that faith…when (even in the temporary) the miracle doesn’t manifest.

God is sovereign. He is in control. And if we say that we surrender our lives to Him, we must do it completely, even if it means a delay, or even an outright denial, of our most ardent prayers. God knows best, and as always, we must remember that ultimately, everything will work for our good and His glory.

Shine Your Light!

SONGS

I Surrender – Hillsong United

I Surrender All – Israel Houghton

This Little Light of Mine

FAITH

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

I love this scripture. It is definitely one of my favorites. It’s a poignant reminder that God’s work and move in our lives is not always going to make sense to us…and that’s okay. “His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

What we do know, and can always cling to, is that our God is all-powerful, all-knowing…He stands outside of time. He sees and knows things that we cannot, and He can see an infinite number of moves ahead to perceive how everything comes together to work for our good and His glory. Knowing this makes it easier to trust Him, even in the trials of life, because we understand that He is guiding our path and leading us through the test.

I was watching a TV show the other day, about a woman who was waiting on a miracle that never came. She waited and prayed in faith. She remained steadfast throughout it all. During a conversation with a nonbeliever, after all was said and done, she shared that she was okay, at peace, even though she did not receive her miracle. She explained to him that faith was about continuing to trust and believe, even when the miracle doesn’t come. Touched by her faith, the nonbeliever declared that even though it wasn’t something he did, he would pray for her. She smiled softly and replied, “Wow, that’s a miracle right there.”

I loved that scene, and must admit that I was touched, as well. It was a great depiction of how our decision to trust God, with all our heart, in the midst of our struggle, when we don’t see Him move, when the miracle doesn’t come…can be just the thing that someone observing our walk may need to come to Christ. Your faith shines bright and draws other to God.

Shine Your Light!

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE

Matthew 5:14-16 – ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

SONGS

This Little Light of Mine – Addison Road

Beauty from Ashes

Isaiah 61:3

To all who mourn in Israel,^[a]
    he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
    festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
    that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Peace in the Storm

Mark 4:39 – “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

Psalm 46:10a – “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God'”

Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Mountain Movers (Pt. 2)

Choose Faith

See Also: Mountain Movers (Pt. 1)

Pondering the Plank

Self-Awareness

John 3:20-21 – “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

So, I was reading this scripture during my quiet time, and it immediately brought to mind an individual in my life about whom I have been quite concerned. Some questionable things have recently come to light, and I wrote an entire little journal entry all about her and her transgressions. However, when I turned from my writings to continue reading, Matthew 7:3-5—the scripture about the plank in one’s own eye—came to mind. So, I gave the scripture above a second read and looked inward this time, reminding myself that there are still some dark and dusty corners in my own life that I have not been quick to shed light on. In doing so, God revealed to me some areas of growth that needed my attention more than did the shortcomings of any other individual.

He particularly brought to mind some of the challenges that I experienced in my transition into married life. My husband and I have been married for a whopping  six months now 😁, and while we are exceptionally open with each other, I know that there are things that I do that he doesn’t love (if you can believe that! 😳). Initially, when I discovered these little irritants, I would go out of my way to avoid conflict by…you know…relieving him of the burden of…um…knowing about them (Yikes!). I know! I know! That can never end well! It took about a month for me to stop hiding from him the little superfluous purchases here and there, my trips to Wendy’s for unhealthy fare, and my admittedly less than ideal snacking habits. Then, too, I had to remind myself of the notion that if I have to hide what I’m doing from my husband (or anyone close to me for that matter), I probably shouldn’t be doing it.

This is just one of the many areas of growth in my life. I would be here forever if I tried to list them all, because I have my own nice little share of flaws and faults. This passage was a great reminder that it really is easier to focus on others’ shortcomings than it is to acknowledge our own. No one is perfect, and we do ourselves and those around us a disservice when we fail to realize that we all have room to grow. Our job is not to condemn others for their faults (although sometimes, God does call us to aid in His correction), but rather to focus on acknowledging and seeking God’s help in correcting our own areas of weakness so that we are better prepared to serve as a vessel for God’s love, His light, His acceptance, and His forgiveness. (See my previous post on Forgiveness)

Matthew 7:3-4 – ³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Shine Your Light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below! I look forward to hearing from you!

Picture 1: Obtained from http://karenhalliburton.com/3-Ways-Leaders-Become-SelfAware-Helping-Leaders-Grow.html

Picture 2: Obtained from https://humblewalk.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/the-plank-in-my-eye/

Letting Go

FORGIVENESS

Mark 11:25 – “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.”

Forgiveness can be hard sometimes. Minor slights we often can easily absolve, but the wounds that cut deeply, particularly those inflicted by the people closest to us—who we thought we could trust with our hearts, our confidence, a portion of our lives—are often the hardest to excuse.

I’ve actually been dealing with this issue for a while now—trying to come to terms with a wound caused by individuals that I considered to be like family. The slight occurred years ago, and it is not something that I think of often (we no longer communicate); however, it surprises me, when the situation does come to mind, that I’m still hurt and offended when I think about it. I want so badly to forgive and forget; but my flesh, and this part of me that places undue importance on “understanding why,” has made that key part of the healing process somewhat elusive. And so, in this respect, I am still very much a work in progress.

The Bible shows us that God takes forgiveness very seriously. Before we pray (Mark 11:25) or even present our offerings (Matthew 5:23-24), we are to come with a clear heart, having resolved all conflicts and absolved all slights against us (both seeking and granting forgiveness when necessary). Oftentimes, as in my case, this process is not something that we can do in our own power, and we must look to God for the guidance and the strength to show grace to someone who has not earned it in any way—much like God shows us such grace each and every day.

Mark 11:25, Luke 6:37, Colossians 3:13 are three of the many scriptures that draw the correlation between God’s forgiveness of our sins and our forgiveness of those who sin against us. While God’s promise of forgiveness should not be the motivating factor for our decisions to dole out absolution, it should serve as a model, an aim to strive for as we seek to be more like Christ and to love our neighbors as Christ loves us—with love, with grace, with patience, and with forgiveness.

Shine Your Light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below! I look forward to hearing from you!

Additional Scriptures:

Luke 6:37 – “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Colossians 3:13 – “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Speak Life

Self-Love

Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

I was having a rough time. That’s not unusual. It happens to everyone on occasion. What was unusual, though, was that in this moment of weakness, I found myself thinking and speaking things about myself that were not indicative of who I am in Christ.

As I spoke with a close friend, lamenting about my woes, it was like God turned up an internal speaker, and I really HEARD myself. My friend commented that he saw a change in my expression as a steeliness came over me, and (he said) I developed a little glint in my eye. He asked, “What just happened?” I replied, “I just came back to myself. I just remembered who I am and Whose I am.”

Life can be hard. Jesus told us that it would be in John 16:33, and most of us have experienced it at one point or another. In those moments of struggle, it is so easy to give in and believe the voice of the enemy that whispers to our weakness, “Give up,” “You can’t do it,” “It’s too hard,” “You’re not good enough…strong enough.” And then we may find ourselves thinking, and sometimes even saying these things about ourselves: “I’m not smart enough,” “I’m not attractive enough,” “I don’t deserve love,” “I’m not qualified for that job,” “I’ll never achieve my dream.”

Proverbs 23:7 says that as a man thinketh so he is. Our thoughts and words have power! “Life and death lie in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21). If we speak something over ourselves and our lives enough times (even in jest), in time, we begin to internalize those messages. So, why not say something positive? Hey, my mom always taught me, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all–even about yourself! (Ephesians 4:29). 😉

Instead of buying into the words of the enemy—of fear and self-doubt—speak LIFE over your situation, your health, your job, your relationships, your finances! Claim your victory and embrace God’s promises! Speak LIFE, and not death, and watch your thoughts and words lift your spirit and create an atmosphere for God to move in a mighty way.

Shine Your Light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below! I look forward to hearing from you!

Additional Scriptures:

Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Matthews 12:37 – “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

John 16:33 –  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Photo 1: Obtained from https://sarasmusings.wordpress.com/2017/10/02/the-power-of-words/

Photo 2: Obtained from https://steemit.com/etymology/@cryptogee/changing-the-mind-with-the-power-of-words

Revisiting Rest

Psalm 55:6 – “I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.’”

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”

I was reading a devotional this morning by Curtis Zackary titled, “Soul Rest,” and in it, he referenced the notion of “staving off the idol of productivity.” That one blew my mind for a second. The “idol of productivity”?? I had never considered the possibility that productivity could be an idol; and the more that I reflected on the notion, the more convicted I felt.

I admit, I am one of those people who often feels guilty when I’m not being productive. I mean, there’s just SO MUCH TO DO! My list is miles long (I don’t remember the last time I saw the end of it), and I admit that I often feel that time resting and doing absolutely nothing equates to time wasted that could be better used checking off my “to dos.”

My husband is really great about lovingly calling me on that little flaw, taking whatever I’m working on out of my hands, and leading me to a space where I can truly rest, rejuvenate, and remember that God has got this; the world really will not end if I take a break. In fact, I am learning (and often have to remind myself) that when I take these moments of rest, I often return to the task refreshed and better prepared to operate more effectively and efficiently. The alternative, of course, is going until I burn out and getting to a place where I do not accomplish anything with excellence.

Do you ever find yourself in a similar quandary—your mind and body begging for a break while your To Do List “glares” at you accusingly? I promise you that it’s okay, and oftentimes even imperative, to take a moment for yourself. It may be a quick 2-minute reprieve to do a deep breathing exercise, a 15-minute tea break, an hour-long walk in the park, or a 6-month sabbatical or world tour. Your break should take whatever form best suits your life and your needs. Just make sure that you take it. You, your work, your responsibilities, and your loved ones will be better off for it in the long run.

Shine Your Light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below! I look forward to hearing from you!

Additional Scriptures:

Mark 6:31 – “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”

Psalm 127:2 – “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Photo 1: Obtained from https://www.booksie.com/491690-rest

Photo 2: Obtained from http://www.xeeok.com/desk_big_259606_1.html

Photo 3: Obtained from http://openwalls.com/image?id=29753

Mountain Movers

FAITH

 Matthew 21:21 – “Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.’”

I’ve read this verse countless times in my life, but today, I felt particularly convicted. I had to ask myself—Is my faith strong enough to move mountains?

God has done some AMAZING things in my life, and He has inspired in me a faith that, at times, seemed unshakable. But today, as I stand here in front of yet another mountain in my path, I wonder if I have it in me to simply make it move. If my anxiety about the mountainous situation is any indication, I’m leaning toward a negative response to that question, which saddens me to no end.  I’ve seen firsthand, on now countless occasions, God’s ability to move in a mighty and miraculous way. I wrote about one such instance in my last post just the other day. So WHY do I continue to doubt when I encounter new mountains on my journey? Do you ever find yourself doing the same?

Here’s my theory…

I didn’t always live a life where God was my center, and I believe that my flesh pulls me back to that standard on a regular basis. There are just SO MANY THINGS in life to distract and weasel their way into the center of my focus. And as my attention turns away from God to those other worldly things, I believe it places distance between us; making it even easier the next time for something of this world to turn my head.

I’m learning, slowly but surely, the degree to which keeping God at the center has to be an ongoing, lifelong, conscious act that takes time and effort, commitment and sacrifice. And as God resumes His rightful place as my primary focus, I can “hear” Him more clearly; I “see” Him at work more frequently, and my “faith muscle” gets stronger, to the point where my level of faith remains more constant, whether I can see and hear Him or not (because I know that He is always there).

Are you facing a mountain in your life that is shaking your foundation of faith? The best way to tackle that slope is to take your focus off of the mountain and put it back on God. He will help you scale that slope or give you the strength you need to move it out of your way altogether and become your own Mountain Mover.

Shine Your Light!

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Additional Scripture

Matthew 17:20 – “He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”

My Strong Tower

Good Morning All! It’s been a while since I have posted, but it is not because I have not been writing. Life has just gotten the better of my desire to post, but I’m back, and I will try to make sure that you hear from me more often. I wanted to share an encounter that my husband and I had yesterday where God showed Himself mighty and strong and protected us from what could have been a bad situation. I look forward to your thoughts and comments!

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PROTECTION

Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Yesterday, God saved us. He sent his angels to stand before us and keep my husband and I from pursuing a path that looked so appealing, but ultimately would have been quite destructive and could have opened us up to harm.

The deal sounded like the answer to our prayers. We were convinced and ready to sign on the dotted line. We had come into the meeting as skeptics, but the salesman had done his job and snared us hook, line, and sinker. It would have been a done deal, except that we had prayed earlier about the decision—for guidance, wisdom, discernment…for protection…and WOW, did God deliver!

My husband and I had laid out a fleece to help us determine if the decision was ordained by God, and initially, it seemed that God had answered in the affirmative. But we all know that looks can be deceiving, and slowly, God began to open our eyes to the truth that was being concealed. Within minutes, the deal that seemed to be the answer to our prayers was revealed as a deceptive ploy!

But we wanted it SO BADLY! It seemed SO WONDERFUL! And even as God slowly removed our blinders, we clung to the hope that it could still work out the way we had planned. We just needed to rethink the terms, right? The salesman pushed his pressure tactics into high gear. We faltered….And then God sent a representative, an employee for the company who also happened to be a sister in Christ. She was in the room as we explained to the salesman that we had prayed about the decision and were now hesitant to move forward. She asked the man to leave and essentially confirmed for us what God was already revealing…that we needed to walk away.

So we did.

This morning, we did our due diligence; researching the offer that sounded so much like a dream come true yesterday. What did we find? Reports of fraud, scams, and unethical practices flooded our search results, and we read about class action lawsuits and whistleblowers from inside the company.

God saved us, and prevented us from making what could have been a disastrous spur-of-the-moment decision.

The lesson? Pray. About. Everything. Seek His direction before EVERY big decision, and wait for His response (because He WILL respond one way or the other). Don’t allow yourself to be pressured or rushed. That is not of God. He calls us to make decisions with wisdom and discernment, and that often takes time. Once you receive your answer, do not waiver, do not doubt. Trust that God can see far more than you can in that moment, and that His disappointing “No” to your petition may really be His way of protecting you from journeying down a treacherous path.

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One other note: The salesman claimed to know God when he found us praying, and sought to bond with us over that commonality. However, he showed his true colors when our “yes” turned into a “no.” Not everyone who claims to know God truly knows Him. Be on guard.

Additional Scriptures (emphasis mine)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 – “…but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”

James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Proverbs 3:13 – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”

 

Photo 1 obtained from https://rocwomensprisonministry.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/a-mighty-strong-tower-protector-of-my-soul/

Photo 2 obtained from http://www.tellthelordthankyou.com/blog/2018/5/6/proverbs-1810-the-lord-our-god-is-a-strong-tower

Touch: The Love Language Series (Part 2)

Service and Compassion

2 Corinthians 5:20a – “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

John 13:15 – “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

It’s been a while sense I posted the first blog in this series on “Quality Time,” but I wanted to revisit this exploration of how Gary Chapman’s five love languages can apply on a broader scale to our daily walk. Today, we are exploring the love language of Touch.

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When Jesus walked the Earth, He had a servant mentality, showing love and compassion to the masses—to the sick, the discouraged, the outcasts of society. Before His ascension, He exhorted us to follow the example that He set for us, doing for others as He has done for us. Now that Jesus sits at the Right hand of God, He looks to us to show His heart and His love to His people by being His metaphorical hands and feet, touching hearts and lives as our divinely-led spirits take us into places where He is needed most.

Romans 12:13 – “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” (NLT)

In Romans 12:13, Paul asserts that we should exist in a posture of compassion, where we are always willing and ready to serve…to reach out a hand in love and hospitality…when we see God’s people in need. It’s in these moments that people really have an opportunity to see the love of God in action…through you and your decision to act…and it may be that one simple act of kindness that truly touches a heart and turns it to Christ.

Thoughts, reactions, or testimonies? Leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Shine Your Light!