A Still, Small Voice

STILLNESS 

1 Kings 19:11-13 – “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”

Reflections: I realized something interesting today… Sometimes, I’m so focused on looking for God’s answer to my prayer(s) to come in one specific form that I actually miss it when He shows up and responds to my petition. Just the other day, I’d been praying to God for a solution to a particular challenge, and in my mind, I’d already envisioned what that solution would look like. I prayed about it for the better part of the week, and set about waiting and looking for God’s response. But while I was looking in one direction for the reply I’d envisioned, His actual response came from a completely different direction in a form so unlike what I’d been expecting that at first, I did not recognize it for what it was. It was like God crept up quietly, like a ninja, and completely threw me for a loop! 🙂

It wasn’t until I was meditating this morning that I realized God had, in fact, taken care of the issue at hand without my truly registering it. The situation was resolved through no action of my own and in a way that was much more like a quiet whisper than the bigger, attention-grabbing bang that I was expecting.

I think that God often operates like that, with a quiet whisper instead of a big bang, and we must quiet ourselves and attune our Spirit to His peaceful stillness so that we can recognize and be grateful for the subtle blessings and responses to our petitions when they come. It’s also important to acknowledge that God’s answers to our prayers often come in a completely different form than we imagine as we pray; but that’s okay, because God knows so much better than we do the solution for which each situation calls. And I’m so glad that He’s a God who gives us what He knows we need instead of what we think we want; because in the end, we’re so much better off if we do things His way instead of our own. 🙂

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

Shine Bright! 🙂

Don’t Give Up

PERSISTENCE

Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Reflections: Have you ever wanted to just throw in the towel? Oftentimes, we try so hard to fulfill a purpose or a goal set before us; but despite our efforts, we find ourselves missing the mark the first, second, or even third time we try. Reaching for our goals can be particularly challenging when we are working in our calling; because we must battle not only our flesh (telling us we don’t have what it takes), but also the attacks of the enemy, who wants nothing more than to see us fail and give up altogether.

The reality is that we’re not always going to get it right the first time we try, and we might not always meet with resounding success during our initial efforts, despite all of our good intentions. But the Word tells us not to grow weary in well-doing, because at the proper time (God’s time, not our own), we will reap a harvest if we stand firm, have faith, and DO NOT GIVE UP (Galatians 6:9).

Keep going, keep trying, keep pushing forward towards the mark. God would not have called you to it if He didn’t know that you could do it. 🙂 Just trust Him to see you through and know that you can do and endure all things through Christ, who gives you strength.

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

Song: I’ll Trust You by Donnie McClurkin

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

Shine Your Light!

He Loves Us Anyway…

LOVE (Part 4)

Ephesians 3:16-18 – “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

Reflections: I know that Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but I felt inspired by this verse to revisit the subject of LOVE. Are you feeling loved today? If not, all you have to do is read Ephesians 3:18 to begin to feel the warm glow. 🙂 Christ’s love for us is so wide and long and high and deep that the concept of it would be unfathomable to us, if not for the Spirit of God, rooted in love, that dwells within us.

And in case you forgot, neither life not death, angels nor demons, present nor future, height nor depth, nor anything else in ALL CREATION can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39). Now THAT is a love you can count on.

So, as you begin your week, find joy and contentment in the knowledge that someone out there loves you with an unfailing love that cannot be broken by what we do or say, or by the mistakes we make. God knows us intimately, inside and out, and He loves us anyway. 🙂 Today, and every day, you are loved!

Song: You Love Me Anyway by Sidewalk Prophets

See also:

Romans 8:38-39 – “ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Let It Go…

PEACE

1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

 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 will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Reflections: Throughout the Bible, we see frequent mention of the “sister sins” worry and anxiety. I think that these themes are so prevalent because God knows that life can be hard, and that we will, at some point, have to face challenges that make us anxious and cause us to agonize over the burdens we must carry. God also knows that in many cases, these burdens are too much for us to bear alone, and that is why each of these references in the scripture is paired with an invitation to LET THE BURDENS GO.

Peter, for example, encourages us to cast all our cares on the Lord because He LOVES us (1 Peter 5:7), and Jesus Himself offers to be our burden bearer (Matthew 11:28-30). So why do we still insist on carrying the load ourselves?

During our quiet time, when we are completely focused on God, it’s easy to leave our burdens on the altar and trust God to intercede on our behalf; but as we rise and go about our day, reminders of those troubles often cause us to “pick them back up,” and with them, our worry and anxiety. The reality is that giving our cares to the Lord is often a choice we must make countless times each day. And in those moments of doubt and worry, when we want so badly to peek over at the altar to see how our troubles are doing, we must be deliberate about keeping our “eyes” focused on God and not our problems.

Keep in mind, though, that this process is not an excuse to abdicate personal responsibility for the issues in our lives. It does, however, entail trusting God enough to accept the peace He offers as He walks with us through the struggle, and believing His promise that though we may suffer a little while, in time, He will restore us to a place where we are strong, firm, and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).

See Also:

1 Peter 5:10 – “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”

Song: Let Go by DeWayne Woods

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

Shine Your Light!

Praise Him Anyway…

GRATITUDE

Habakkuk 3:17 – “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior.”

Reflections: On those rough days, in those trying situations, sometimes it’s hard to muster up the energy to look for the blessings in our lives and enter into a posture of gratitude. We want deliverance, we want restoration, we want healing, we want change, and we want it NOW; but sometimes, instead of focusing on the lack in our lives, God just wants us to sit with and acknowledge all the ways that He has already made.

If we take a breath to think about it, it’s really not hard to see the countless ways that God blesses us each and every day, even in the midst of challenges. We can see Him in the new life we’re given each day, in the love we receive from our family and friends, in the ways He allows us to be a blessing to others… We can see God moving and working all around us, if we take the time to stop and look. And changing our perspective, looking humbly at our lives with gratitude, makes the hard times hurt a little less and gives us the strength we need to keep pushing to the other side, where God is waiting to do a new and amazing thing in our lives.

See Also:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

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.“

Song: Gratitude by Nichole Nordeman

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

Shine Bright!

Whom Shall I Fear?

PROTECTION

 John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”

Reflections: Jesus warned us to be vigilante and on the lookout for the attacks of the enemy, who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. He will try to rob you of your joy, stifle your hope, and extinguish the fire of your faith. This is particularly true when God is on the verge of taking you to a new level. In those moments before your breakthrough, the distractions, temptations, setbacks, and discouragements will often seem to come at you at an alarming rate.

When you feel as if you are under a barrage of attacks from all sides, stand firm, and take hope in the knowledge that the very next step may take you into victory. Hold on and know that God is always with you, and He has sent an army of angels to defend you and guide you through. You never have to face a battle alone. You are protected by the Creator of the universe, the God of angel armies, the Father who loves you unconditionally, and who will move mountains and part seas to fulfill His promises to you.

Isaiah 12:2 – “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.”

Song: Angel Armies by Chris Tomlin

Moving Forward…

So, today marks a new day for me, and this blog entry is the first since the completion of my 40-day fast that began in January. As I move forward into this new year, I am excited about what God is doing in my life, and anxious to see where He leads me. I’m expecting big things in the coming weeks and months!

Though the 40 days are over, I believe that I am going to continue journaling and blogging for as long as the Spirit moves me. These reflections have been as cathartic and instructive for me as I hope they have been for others, and I hope that you will continue with me along this journey for the next 325 days…(Note the new blog title! 🙂 )

RELEASE

Philippians 3:13-14 –“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Reflections: I know a lot of people who, like me, are hoping that God will move them forward into bigger and better things in 2014. In this new year, so many individuals are hoping for renewal and restoration, to put the old things behind them and press on towards the mark…the goal(s) that God has put before them.

So often we petition God to help us move forward to a new level in our lives, but how often do we inhibit the process by getting in the way? We hold on to the old things that keep us bound and stuck in the same old place, and wonder why God hasn’t stepped in and lifted us to a higher level. We have to do the work, first, and we have to let go of those people, behaviors, or beliefs that did not serve us in 2013. Are you holding onto habits or relationships that continue to hold you back? What about old grudges or people you have yet to forgive? Whatever is keeping you from moving forward in 2014, now is the time to make a choice to release these past things and press forward to those things which are ahead. Experience the freedom of letting go, and clear the way for God to do a new thing in your life!

Let Go and Let God…

Shine bright!

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

Song: Moving Forward by Israel Houghton

Be Mine….

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!

LOVE (Part 3)

1 John 4:6 – “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.”

Reflections: Have you ever seen those little candy hearts they give out during the Valentine’s Day season? They’re all over the stores these days. I saw one the other day that said, “Be Mine,” and it made me think…Isn’t that what God is asking us? To be His? He wants you to be His—His child, His heir, His hands, His heart…And He doesn’t ask for much in return, just all that you are and everything you have to give. 🙂 I know, I know…It may sound like a lot, but it’s a small price to pay for what you get in return—God’s salvation, His guidance, His wisdom, His peace, His joy, His LOVE…for eternity…Shall I go on?

God has already shown us His love in a million different ways, no more so than when He sacrificed His heart…His son…for us; and now, in return, He wants only to take our broken and battered hearts and pour into them a love that makes them whole. He wants to claim our weary souls and sooth them with peace, comfort, and rest. He wants to care for us, protect us, teach us, grow us, and above all, He wants us to know that we are L-O-V-E-D beyond measure.

God’s amazing, agape love (love unconditional) is the model to which all other love should aspire. Knowing God’s love is the key that unlocks your ability to truly love and be loved by others.  This Valentine’s Day, know that you already have at least one valentine, and He has already given you His heart. Will you give Him yours in return?

Happy Valentine’s Day! (And remember, YOU ARE LOVED!!)

Song: Love is All by Je’Kob

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

Shine Bright!

Nothing Else Matters…

RELATIONSHIP

Luke 10:41-42 – “’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

Reflections: In this world, it is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of each day—earning our paychecks, handling our responsibilities, meeting others’ expectations… (My friends and family will tell you that I am particularly guilty of staying far too busy, and it is definitely something I am working on this year). Sometimes, we get so caught up in our day-to-day routines that we forget to stop for a moment and take the time to focus on the things that really matter—our relationships with family, friends, ourselves, and, of course, God.

In the story above, Martha is running to and fro, playing hostess and attending to her guests and household, but she is completely missing out on an amazing opportunity for some “QT” (quality time) with the Son of God.  Mary, on the other hand, takes a break from the work of the day to sit at Jesus’s feet and take advantage of every moment she has to spend in His loving presence. While Martha is filled with stress and anxiety, Mary is at rest, experiencing the peace that comes when we enter into the presence of the Lord.

Jesus responds to Martha’s complaints about Mary by admonishing the former for her busyness and explaining that all of the things she is trying to accomplish—much of it, in her mind, for Jesus—matters so little in comparison to the one thing He actually wants from her: a relationship…her time and attention. Did you catch that? Relationship matters more than all of our good works. And when we spend that quality time nurturing our relationship with God, we are more prepared for Him to guide us to the work that He feels is most important for us to do. He will help us prioritize and work smarter, not harder. 🙂

If you, like me, often find yourself too busy to attend to the relationship(s) that matter most, it’s time to take a step back and reprioritize. God did not intend for us to be so busy that our work and activities constantly take center stage. Take a break. Ask God for guidance about how to use your time and energy more efficiently, so that you can focus on the things that are truly important in this life.  

As one oh so wise young man once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris Bueller, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

🙂

See Also:

James 4:8 – “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”

Song: Nothing Else Matters by Israel Houghton

Shine Bright!

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

Everlasting Love

Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.’”

Reflections: It’s that time of year, again! That time when hearts and minds turn to love and the celebration of all the things that make it grand… 🙂 People have a wide variety of opinions about Valentine’s Day—while some look forward to taking part in this time-honored day of romance and gift giving, others see it as a commercialized holiday that simply serves as a boon for the retail industry. Whichever camp you fall into, though, it’s hard to deny that there is something to be said for taking a moment to acknowledge and celebrate LOVE. Whether you’ve enjoyed 50 blissful years of marriage or are still waiting for God to bring your mate into you life, we all have at least one great love in our lives that we can celebrate each and every day…

In one of my favorite Bible verses (Jeremiah 31:3), the Lord tells us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with loving kindness.” I smile every single time I read this verse, and my heart melts a little. I am loved…with an everlasting love…AND SO ARE YOU! 🙂

No matter who else is in your life–regardless of whether you are giddy in love, recovering from heartbreak, comfortable in a long-lasting relationship, getting to know someone new, or enjoying your singleness–YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD. You are the apple of his eye (Psalm 17:8, Zechariah 2:8). When He created you, He drew every line and curve with loving kindness. He knew you, and LOVED you…flaws and all…before you even knew yourself.

You will never, ever, in your entire lifetime, find another love like that. And that love, my friends, is surely something to celebrate.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to you all! Know that you are well and truly loved, today and every day!

Shine Bright!

Song: Love Song by Canton Jones

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

Changing Your Perspective…

PERSPECTIVE

 2 Corinthians 1:3 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Reflections: One of the greatest things about serving others is that it really gives you a new perspective about your life, particularly when you work with children and youth. These little ones (and even the ones who are not so little 🙂 ) require so much of your time, attention, and care that they take you outside of  yourself and require that you focus fully on someone else for a little while.

When we experience times of trial and turn to God for comfort, I think that at times, He purposefully presents opportunities for us to go, give, and serve. The reason? When our minds are focused on the world and the people that exist beyond our circumstances, when we see that we can make even a little difference in someone else’s life or brighten their day, it makes our own problems seem a little less daunting and overwhelming and…well…important, in the grand scheme of things.

The next time you find yourself stressing, worrying, or feeling consumed by a challenge in your life, seek out an opportunity to help someone else. You’ll be surprised how much it will soothe your spirit and change your perspective about the situation at hand.

Shine your light!

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

Song: The Things We Do by Yolanda Adams

Falling into Freedom

FREEDOM

Galatians 5:1 ­ – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Reflections: Freedom. Christ’s gift to us, through salvation, is freedom. We can be freed from sin, from strongholds, from unhealthy behaviors, situations, and relationships, IF we choose to accept this gift. But how many of us cling to the habits, people, and circumstances that keep us bound instead of releasing it all and falling into freedom? I know I am guilty. Even though my heart truly desires to be free in every area of my life; on occasion, I will look up and find myself making the same old mistakes. It’s actually really frustrating, and I tend to be pretty hard on myself when it happens.

But I have a close friend who always encourages me to look back and see how far I’ve come. He reminds me to be encouraged by my progress and helps me remember that God knows my heart. As I continue to seek Him, and the freedom that He promises, I WILL find Him…And I will find His peace.

So, the next time that you turn around and find yourself slipping back into old habits, don’t beat yourself up. Acknowledge and learn from the mistake, then pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep pushing toward the mark—the goal of total freedom in Christ Jesus. It’s yours for the taking! Just keep pursuing Him with all of your heart, and one day, you’ll look up, and you will be free of that yoke forever.

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

The Seed Inside You…

POTENTIAL

Jeremiah 29:11 – “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.”

“Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.” ~ Robert Schuller

Mind. Blown. 🙂

Reflections: I don’t know why I was so affected by this quote, but it really gave me pause this morning. Maybe it’s because I know what it’s like to feel inadequate for the task that God has put before me, or the role he wants me to play. I also know what it feels like to be chastened by the Spirit for my doubt and reminded that God does not make mistakes. He knows what he’s doing and calls the perfect person for each endeavor. Now, this does not mean that the person is perfectly prepared for the task at hand in that moment of calling. On the contrary, the exact opposite is often true. But that truth does not matter, because God looks beyond our present level of preparation to see the seeds inside us just waiting to bear fruit. He knows that we are capable of far more than we ever imagined, as long as we stay connected to Him and allow Him to use us and equip us for the calling. Apart from God, we can accomplish only a fraction of our potential, but with him, we can achieve the seemingly impossible.

Has God placed a calling on your life that you are struggling to accept? Do you feel ill equipped to face the road ahead? Find courage in the knowledge that you don’t have to do it in your own strength. In fact, you have access to the limitless power of God, placed inside you by the Holy Spirit through your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just trust God, and know that you CAN fulfill the vision. In time, it WILL come to pass, and your efforts will bear much fruit.

See Also:

John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

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

Shine Bright!

At the Crossroads…

DIRECTION

Psalm 119:105 – “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

 Psalm 73:23-24a – “Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel.”

Reflections: Have you ever felt like you were at a crossroads? Like the decision you were about to make could determine the course of the rest of your life? That moment can be overwhelming, and a bit terrifying, particularly if you are trying to make the choice on your own. It is in those crucial moments of decision that it is most important for us to seek the Lord’s guidance and direction. He promises that when we seek Him, He will take us by our right hand and show us the way.

When we’re seeking God’s guidance, the best way to find Him is through prayer and the reading of His Word, which will be like a lamp for your feet and a light on your path, leading you in the direction you should go. The Bible also tells us to seek wise counsel. Now, that doesn’t mean that you should go running to everyone you know asking for advice; because eventually, their opinions will begin to drown out your own voice and, more importantly, the voice of God. Find that person who is a spiritual mentor, who you know has a strong faith, knows the Word, and lives their lives according to that Word. But make sure that you use discernment, and know that any wisdom that God speaks through them will not conflict with what He has already told or shown you. It will be a confirmation, sometimes of a Word He gave you that you only realize and understand in that moment.

Whatever approach you take, know that God will never leave you alone in that moment of decision; and rest in the knowledge that if you take the path that He sets before you–even if the road gets rocky at times–you will find fulfillment, provision, and ultimately victory, as God guides you into your purpose.

Also Read:

Proverbs 19:20-21 – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

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

Shine Your Light!

Like FIRE in My Bones!

FIRE

 Jeremiah 20:9 – “Your Word in my heart is like a fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding back, and I could not.”

Reflections: This scripture really resounded with me today, because I realized that I’ve experienced exactly what he’s talking about. In the story, God is calling Jeremiah to do a great work, but Jeremiah is daunted by the calling, feels ill equipped, and just can’t see how it could possibly come to pass. (Man, have I been there!) But despite Jeremiah’s protests, he cannot deny the Word of God! It begins moving and working and building in him, until it feels like fire in his bones. He tries to ignore it, he struggles to contain it, but it’s no use—God’s Word will never return to Him void!

I was having a conversation the other day about a difficult situation, and how it differed so drastically from where I’d thought God was calling me to be. I was pretty discouraged at the time, but as I spoke about my current circumstances, this feeling began welling deep in my Spirit. I began to see flashes of the vision God had given me, and with each flash, I felt this overwhelming sense of joy! The feeling grew until I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or shout! I completely forgot what I’d been talking (okay, complaining) about, and I just started declaring God’s vision with conviction; because suddenly, I had no doubt that it WOULD come to pass. As the fire of His Word built within me, it became impossible to deny, and it no longer mattered to me what other people said, or what my circumstances would lead me to believe. I choose to trust God and to believe His promises; and so I will wait, anxiously, for the fulfillment of the vision.

Are you feeling doubt today about the Word God has spoken into your Spirit? Remember that God is not a man that He should lie. He is always moving, always working, even when we can’t see it. It may not happen the way you are expecting, and it may take longer than you’d like, but He will finish the work He started in you; and in time, His Word will be fulfilled.

Shine your light! 🙂

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