It’s Just No Fun Doing It Alone!

Hebrews 10:24-25 –  ^“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Reflections: You know, there is definitely something to be said for taking the time to fellowship with other believers, particularly those with such sweet Spirits that you literally feel the warmth of God’s love flowing from them, even over the phone. Such people create such a wonderful, nurturing environment that is so welcome during both good times and bad.

I have to admit that I often suffer from the “Lone Wolf Syndrome.” The experience of having some people jump in and out of my life has made me a bit hesitant to open up and depend on others. And if I’m honest, the habit of self-reliance has become a part of my nature (to a fault–this is something I’m working on). I somehow allow myself to consistently fill the role of the rock and strong shoulder for people around me, but play the quiet martyr suffering in silence when I go through times of trial (yes, I’m working on this, too 🙂 ).

There’s a REASON that God cautions us against forsaking the fellowship of believers, and instead encourages us to lean on and support one another. I understand this reasoning every time I leave a gathering of my sisters feeling refreshed, renewed, and strengthened by the Spirit. These relationships gird us up and help us to stand strong in the midst of trials, but they also serve to hold us accountable—to ourselves, to our calling, to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and to God.

If you have not already found a group of believers with whom you can fellowship, or if those with whom you used to break bread  were only in your life for a season (for whatever reason), I encourage you to be intentional about seeking out the fellowship of other believers. We all need that support and love, and it’s always wonderful to know that the people of God are standing in agreement with you and lifting you up in prayer. This journey can be a rough one, but take heart, God never meant for us to walk the road alone. 🙂

Shine bright!

Also read:

Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

What Do You Worship?

WORSHIP

Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before me.”

Colossians 3:2 – “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Reflections: Webster defines worship as “the feeling or expression of reverence (usually toward a deity).” So, I ask you, what do you worship? What do you revere? What do you idolize? The reality is that anything that we idolize or worship, in essence, becomes like a god to us. I heard a song the other day that completely changed my perspective about what it means to have idols. The song was Clear the Stage by Jimmy Needham. During the bridge of the song, he sings,

Anything I put before my God is an idol,

And anything I want with all my heart is an idol,

And anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol,

And anything that I give all my love is an idol…

He goes on to say that we must clear the stage of our hearts and minds to get to a place where we can give God our true worship. (Good song, by the way! If you haven’t heard it, you should definitely give it a listen.)

Anyway, again I ask, what do you worship? What do you spend your time focusing on and desiring with all of your heart? Of course, we are going to want and work for and think about things in this life. We’re human! But we have to be careful not to let our earthly desires take the place of God as the CENTER of our lives. Worries, relationships, responsibilities, aspirations…they so easily consume us and take our minds captive. It’s up to us to guard our thoughts—against stress and anxiety (because that problem is NOT bigger than your God!) and against distractions that may distance us from the Lord. Pay attention today to the course of your thoughts, and be careful to set your mind on things above, and not below. Our God is a jealous God, and He does not like to share the spotlight. 🙂

No Limits! (CONFIDENCE)

CONFIDENCE

Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him, who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory…”

Reflections: I am constantly reminded of how often I “put limits” on God in my life—through my fear, worry, and lower-than-necessary expectations. Though I know I serve a mighty God, I sometimes find that I’m afraid to hope and believe in the big blessings, because of certain past requests that, as yet, have gone unanswered (or so it would seem). Slowly, though, I have begun to understand that it really is all about (1) motive and (2) timing. The Word says that God hears and answers prayers if we first seek Him—His guidance and direction—before we make our requests. Answers to some requests made in flesh and not in Spirit may very well be “No” or “You’re not ready yet.” However, if we truly desire His will above our own, and make our requests with a Godly purpose and a righteous heart, then we know He hears us, and we know we have the petitions we have asked of Him, whatever they may be. If we have this confidence, the only thing left to do is to wait to be amazed. If we seek God first, and give Him space to bring into our lives our mate, our job, our healing, our financial restoration—instead of chasing after these things in our own power—then we open the door to blessings far beyond anything we could ask or think.

Also Read:

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, 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 the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Shine bright!

It’s Not Always About Me? Really? (SELFlessNESS)

SELFlessNESS

Colossians 1:16 – “For in Him, all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and FOR Him.” [emphasis mine]

Reflections:

So…it’s not all about me…

I know!! I was just as shocked as you are! *smile* Seriously, though, when we are in the midst of a troubling situation, it’s easy to forget that our purpose on this earth is not to fulfill our own worldly desires. Our true purpose is to serve God and be obedient to the call He has placed on our lives, even if that calling takes us to or through places and circumstances we would rather avoid.

I think that when we hold desperately to our own plan, instead of letting go and seeking the plan that God has put before us, we end up making our lives much more difficult in the long run. God does not promise that the path He selects for us will be easy, but He DOES promise that He will never leave us or forsake us, that He will guide us through it all, and that in the end, it will all work out for our good and His glory.

So, the next time you find yourself absorbed in your “stuff,” take a moment to remember, it’s not about you, or me, or any of us; it’s about God, and the work that He’s called us to do.

Shine your light!

RELIANCE (F.R.O.G.)

Fully Relying on God (F.R.O.G.)

2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Reflections: This is a popular phrase these days. I see those cute little frogs everywhere emblazoned with the acronym, F.R.O.G. But how many of us really rely on God as we should? Fully relying on God is not just about trusting Him to deliver us from our mess, though that is a part of it. F.R.O.G. also entails seeking Him first, in all things, so we can avoid the mess in the first place. Our goal should be to become totally dependent on God, pursuing Him with fervor, seeking His guidance in every area of our lives. Before we make any big decision, we should first consult God and pray (then wait) for His direction. In this way, we can ensure that we walk a righteous path, and that God will truly bless the endeavors we ultimately pursue.

Also see:

James 4:13-15 – “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’”

FAITH (Part 2)

II Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, put of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.” [emphasis mine]

Reflections: This morning was a rough one. I woke up struggling with my arch nemesis—fear. I won’t go into detail, but let’s just say that the burdens of life were trying to weigh me down, and I was looking around wondering why God had not yet shown up! But eventually, I realized, “This is the moment.” This is the moment that we encounter so often in life, when we have to make a choice between giving into fear and anxiety and choosing, instead, to walk in faith, believing that God is moving on our behalf even when we can’t see it. Choosing the latter may not immediately change our present circumstances; but the choice brings with it a sense of peace and hope, and our faith sets the stage for God to move in our lives in a mighty and miraculous way. FAITH is fuel for the miraculous; and the bigger our faith, the more room God has to show up and show out!

The truth is that fear and faith cannot operate in the same space. When we choose faith, fear must vacate. 🙂 So, the next time fear threatens to overwhelm you, choose to trust God instead. Believe that somehow, some way, He will step in and turn your situation around; and in time, all things will work out for your good and His glory!

Shine your light!

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

FAITH

Matthew 6:26 – “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Reflections: I find that I worry a lot these days. I worry about money (or the lack thereof), I worry about bills, I worry about my car, my house…I worry about my nonprofit and my students, and I worry about my family and my friends. Then I have these moments of clarity, when I realize the true extent of this worry—which is really just another term for fear—and I have to remember and acknowledge that fear only exists in the absence of FAITH. If I am walking in my faith, as I should, then I could more easily rebuke the fear that wells within me. Constant fear is an affront to FAITH, particularly in the face of scriptures like Matthew 6:26, which remind me of God’s love for all of His creation, from the birds of the trees to little old flawed me. He will always be there for us, watching over us, protecting us, and providing for us…as long as we believe. If God be for us, who can be against us? Whom shall we fear?

John 16:33 – “Rest in the peace of God’s presence. Do not be weighed down by burdens and problems, because God is your burden bearer. In this world, we will have trials, but do not fear, for He has overcome the world.”

Release the Burdens!

REST

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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 ill find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Reflections: This passage always makes me smile. It speaks of such love and care and concern for us, as God’s children. I picture Jesus with open arms, beckoning me to Him, offering me relief for my troubled soul…

Life can be so hard sometimes, as we try to juggle this responsibility and that crisis and that issue over there…If you’re like me, your tendency is to try to carry the load all on your own, until you become buried under the innumerable burdens you’ve taken on. Exhausted and overwhelmed, you find yourself tackling each item on your plate in turn, but in truth, not doing any if it with excellence. But why? Why do we insist on carrying these impossible loads on our own when we have a God who offers to take it all for us, asking only that we take His peace and REST in exchange? That’s a pretty sweet deal! So, why do we hesitate to take Him up on it? Our habit of doing it all ourselves gets in the way of letting even God take the weight of our load.

The Bible is clear that we must all do our part—in our households and in the church. We all have a role to fulfill within the Body of Christ, and we all know that if we don’t work, we don’t eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). But the Word also speaks time and again about the value of REST, peace, and, most importantly, balance. (This is a truth that I still battle with at times.)

If you are struggling with your juggling act today, try taking Jesus up on His offer. Leave your burdens with Him, and take a moment to experience His REST. You will be better prepared to face the day, week, month, year ahead with a peaceful heart and a rested soul.

Shine your light!

TRUST

Matthew 14:30-31-“But when [Peter] saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?'”

Reflections: I truly love this story! It convicts me EVERY TIME. The disciple, who bravely volunteers and ventures out on this faith walk, eyes focused on Jesus, suddenly begins to doubt and fear as he steps away from safety and familiarity and into what he believes to be a shaky situation. His enthusiasm wanes and is quickly replaced by panic as he faces the rolling waves, and slowly, he begins to sink. He’s taken his eyes off of Jesus, and now is quickly being overwhelmed and dragged under by his circumstances.

Sound familiar? It’s definitely a common scenario for me. So many times, I have taken my eyes off of Jesus, forgotten that He is always right there beside me, and begun flailing in panic because the challenge I am facing makes me feel like I am drowning. I forget about all of the times He has seen me through and brought me out, and all of the miraculous ways that He has made. All I can think about is how badly I’m about to fall or fail; and with my attention now centered on my situation, I begin to sink. But in a moment of clarity, my Spirit moves me to call out with hope in my heart, “Lord, save me!” And IMMEDIATELY (every time), He grasps my reaching hand and pulls me close, infusing my Spirit with a peace that passes all understanding. Quietly, He whispers, “Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?” I am chastened by my lack of belief, but emboldened by my savior’s faithfulness, and once again, I step out on faith, this time with my eyes firmly fixed on the Lord.

Also read Proverbs 3:5-6

Shine Bright!

Song: Oceans by Hillsong United

If I’m Being Honest…

TRANSPARENCY

Today’s Scripture was a common one, but the Spirit illuminated a  new perspective on it. See below.

1 Samuel 16:7: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'”

Reflections: I think that I may have perfected the art of “not looking like what I’ve been through.”  After three plus years in the valley, I would be looking like a hot mess otherwise. *smile*. It helps that God has shown Himself to me time and again during moments of divine provision. I TRULY believe that He walks with me through this valley and has already established my way out. His presence and the faith He’s cultivated within me instill in me a peace that passes understanding and joy overflowing…most of the time. Lord knows, though, if I’m being HONEST, that sometimes I wake in the morning in a panic, feeling overwhelming fear and anxiety.

The outside world rarely gets a glimpse of these feelings, but I know that I can go to God at any hour in my weakness, because He already knows my heart. He already knows about the moments that I feel weak, inadequate, and ill-equipped for the calling He’s placed on my life. …those moments when I want so badly to throw in the towel, throw up my hands, surrender, give up, and take the road of least resistance. It would be so easy, and my life would be so much BETTER! Wouldn’t it? Maybe not.

See, it’s too late. God has shown me too much and taken me too far, to the point where I don’t want anything but what He has for me. My flesh may rage and rail against that reality some days (most days, if I’m HONEST), but I truly believe that what God has in store for me at the end of all of this is better than anything I could ever have imagined. I want that, and I’m willing to wait, and persevere, until God sees fit to move me to the next level. I’m EXCITED about what He’s going to do! So, if you see me, and I look calm and serene, or like I’m filled with inexplicable joy, it’s not a front or a mask, it is an HONEST reaction to and expression of my faith in God’s promise, and the belief in my heart that my latter days will be greater than today.

Shine your light!