May 2008 Blog Archive
May 25, 2008
Proverbs 31:25
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
Recently I confided a frustration I was facing to one of my mentors. I was thankful for her calm, wise perspective as she pointed me to keep my eyes on God. After the time of counsel was over - she reviewed the situation and started to laugh. I'll admit - I was not amused and found it frustrating that though I was angry, she was laughing. (I'm just being real). I've noticed this about her before - she can laugh in the face of anything - and she's not the giggly kind.
During my return trip home the Holy Spirit was still at work and reminded me of a verse in Proverbs 31, conveying the same principle I saw in my mentor. Proverbs 31:25 NLT says "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear for the future." The ability to laugh in the face of danger, uncertainty and even injustice is the result of a heart fixed on faith; it's the ability to rejoice because of the conviction that God is in control.
I encourage you - if you have lost your joy, maybe you've lost your focus. Look up; see the truth - God IS in control! You and I can laugh at the days to come - they are all in God's hands.
May 21, 2008
Matthew 22:37
... You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).
Do you find your heart being tugged in different directions? Are the priorities of life - work, family, personal interests, dreams and hopes pulling at your heart? How about the trials and challenges of life: broken relationships, financial burdens, health issues, personal insecurities; are these dividing your heart? We have a decision before us every day - what will occupy our hearts?
The Word tells us that "the cares of this world" is one temptation that turns people away from God. It doesn't happen in one day - it's a gradual process that occurs over time as a person gives their heart over to these 'worldly woes'. We all face this temptation - life is full of distractions. David was familiar with this reality. He may have been a king but David was in many ways a common man. He faced the choices and challenges we face today. In the middle of these "cares" David prayed "Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart to fear and honor Your name. (Ps 86:11)
As you face these issues in life and sense that pull at your heart don't get discouraged - you are not alone. The Lord knows your situation and He cares for you. Live with the same attitude David displayed and keep that prayer in your daily life. God will help you as you guard your heart and give it ALL to him. Love the Lord with all your heart!
May 16, 2008
Psalm 68:35
O God, awe-inspiring, profoundly impressive, and terrible and You out of Your holy places; the God of Israel Himself give strength and fullness of might to His people. Blessed be God!
Considering how immense and majestic God is, I looked for a verse to encapsulate Him. There is not a single verse to completely sum up His greatness. All verses combined only outline Him. My heart can sense there's so much more to His beauty and power that words cannot define. On the risk of being completely intoxicated with wonder, I dare you to imagine today a little more of the goodness and greatness of our God. Consider how though He is absolute majesty and royalty He came in the form of a servant to live and die and conquer death - just to make it possible for you to become His child. Not only is He perfect in splendor and wisdom - God is perfect in love - God is the embodiment of love. Take the time to consider all of this - He will make your day, your life beautiful.
May 12, 2008
II Corinthians 5:14
... For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that One died for all, then all died...
I have been spending a great deal of time over the past several months considering the heart of the gospel and the heart of my own motivation in life. I've been asking myself - Do these two motives line up? The heart of the gospel is that God so loved us that He gave His Son to rescue and redeem us and teach us the way to live; teaching us the power and the practice of love so that we could live for Him and bring Him glory.
As I have been challenged to look deep into my own motivations - I have asked these questions: Do I live for Christ and His glory - obeying His Word for His sake? Or do I live the Christian life for my own fulfillment and gratification? Have I made myself and my comfort the grand conclusion of every act of obedience? Do I love and do I give because of love for God and others? Or do I love and do I give for the good it will bring me?
I have been challenged at a deeper level and have realized how often I live for my own comfort. It is not a revelation of morbid proportions - that is the work of condemnation. This revelation is a happy place where I find the grace of God enables me to surrender more completely and where true joy takes over. As John said "I must decrease and He must increase". Living totally by the love of God is the entire fulfillment you and I will ever need. May His love, with its power, character and practical demonstration be the essence of who we are and what we do. May it control us and impel us to truly live for the glory of God.
May 6, 2008
Psalm 25:14
The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.
Spring is well underway; winter's cold white grip has been released and the countryside has burst into a brand new lush green landscape. I can feel a sigh of relief - even from a girl who loves the beauty of winter. There's just something so refreshing about Spring. It reminds me of what it's like to spend time worshiping God.
No matter what the circumstances may be worship brings me into the sweet satisfaction of knowing that God loves me. Every withered place in my life is changed by His love. He has given a promise, a covenant to secure His love in our lives. This relationship is the fundamental need of our existence. "Oh, taste and see"... there is nothing sweeter than knowing God.
May 2, 2008
Jeremiah 38:17&18
But I will deliver you (Ebed-melech) on that day, says the Lord, and you will not be given into the hands of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely deliver you; and you will not fall by the sword, but your life will be as a reward of battle to you, because you have put your trust in Me, says the Lord.
Have you ever been in the middle of a battle and just felt like "throwing in the towel"? Ever wondered if standing for what's right would ever pay off? You're not alone! Life is full of battles and opportunities for us to decide whether we will trust God or give in and give up.
I want to encourage you - NEVER GIVE UP! Keep standing for truth. The battle will come to end and you will be glad you stood the test. You'll find that the enemy can not outlast you if you will determine in your heart to trust God. God has promised several times throughout the Bible that if we will trust Him regardless of the how the battle looks - we will triumph.
God is with you. Do what's right; believe God and in the end you will come out on top!
