Time

 

Luke 4:18-21 KJV

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Today as I was driving, I thought about the ministry of Jesus.  It was just three years, but it saved the world.  In three years, He healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, set the captives free, and saved my life and the life of all those who believe.  He was thorough and effective.  He shared loved to the outcast (Mathew 8:3) and unseen (John 4:1-42).  He was God and He shared his love with all humanity.  He is complete and everything can be found in Him.

Makes me think about what I am doing with the time God has graced me with on this earth.  How am I serving? Who am I reaching out to?  How am I being light on a hill (Mathew 5:14-16) or salt to the earth (Matthew 5:13).  Each day is a gift to whatever gift or talent God has given me to serve Him and share the gospel message.  Ministry in my home, on my job, out in the streets.  I can follow His example.  

Lord, teach me to number my days that I main gain a heart of wisdom.  Let me use them wisely to bring honor to your name.  When I think of You, I am in awe.  Thank You for coming to this earth to save me.  Thank You for showing me how to live.  Thank You for teaching me and leaving me with Your Spirit.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Love lifted me

 

Psalms 40:2 NIV

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

I was a mess in my thirties.  Stuck in the mud and mire of sin.  My life was not going according to plan.  Two divorces by the age of 30.  My plan was to have a life like my parents and family, committed love.  Love that lasted.  I felt ashamed and like the odd woman out.  I was angry with God for letting my life turn out this way.  I wasn't bold enough to tell Him I was angry, but I showed it.  I turned my back.  I figured if doing the right way got me these results, I would do it the world's way.  I ended up in a pit of depression as I believed the lies of the enemy.

I chased after the wrong type of love and ended up deeper and deeper in the mud.  BUT God!  I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry (Psalm 40:1).  I will not say that I waited patiently, but He heard my cry all the same.  He heard the cry of my heart and soul. He knew that I was miserable and that the love I needed was only provided by Him.  He literally and spiritually picked me up and gave me a firm place to stand.

I often refer to that season as my wilderness seasons as I went in circles until I realized the truth.  Until I surrendered and came back home.  Home to His open arms.  I want to note that during my wilderness period, God never forsook me.  He provided for me and kept me.  He had people praying with me and for me.  He sent people to love on me unconditionally and showed me what real love looks like. He showed me what it looks like to love myself, the woman He created.

I stand on solid ground now.  He has blessed me richly and cast my sins into the sea of forgetfulness.  He cleaned me up.  He has given me the tools (armor of God) to stand.  To rebuke the lies of the enemy and love God with my whole heart.  He has blessed me with a spouse who loves the Lord and loves me as the Lord commands him to.  I have family and dear friends.  I have Jesus! I am restored.  My forties are a hallelujah season. :)

Whatever you are going through know what God did for me, He can do for you.

Lord thank You for hearing my cry.  Thank You Holy Spirit for interceding for me when I didn't know how to pray or what to say.  Thank You Lord for the lessons learned in my wilderness season.  Thank You for bringing me into the promise.  Thank You for lifting me up.  I pray that my testimony helps draw someone else closer to Thee.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Loving God in the routines of life

 

Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul

My days are pretty routine.  Wake up, get dressed, prepare medicine, pray, respond to text message from son (our morning routine) go to work, teach, pray again, do devotions, pick up dinner pray some more.  Yes, I'll admit I do not cook. Just keeping it transparent. I know I should cook, but I am so drained at the end of the day. Working goal is to get in the kitchen more. Pray for me, but I digress.  

Thinking about my daily routine I wonder how I am serving God with all of my heart and with all of my soul in the midst of what could be considered the mundane?  But God is a part of everything so how I do my daily routines should honor Him.  For example, walking in obedience when I see trash on the floor in the hallway of my school and pick it up as the Spirit urges me. Or when I respond to my son via text message with encouragement for his day, I am showing him love and God is all about love.  When I pray and give my cares over to the One who is in control of all I am reverencing Him and trusting in Him. I commune with Him.

When I smile at the kid who is late, again, welcoming them into my classroom rather than tightening up my face.  When I do this, I am extending grace, just as God extends grace to me.  When I do my job with all fidelity, I am serving the Lord because I am seeking to be an example of Christ to my students and co-workers every day. When I pick up dinner for my family, I am showing the Lord's provision and care.

We serve the Lord in the everyday things of life when we trust and rely on Him.  We do life and remember Who is the source of our life. We reverence Him.  When we walk by faith and not by sight.  When we love our fellow man.  Exhibiting patience and walking in peace.  We serve God when we are obedient to Him.  When we listen for His voice and yield.  Each day brings brand new mercies and therefore opportunities to show our love to God. So maybe it's not so mundane when we look at life through a different lens.

Lord, I thank You for the routines and ways that You allow me love and honor You throughout my day.  May I always put You first and obey Your word.  May I respect and honor You for who You are.  May I see the beauty in my days.  Thank You for Your provision and love.  In Jesus name.  Amen

A Faithful God

 

• 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

  But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

• In Numbers Chapter 22-24 we find Balak the ruler of the Moabites trying to get Balaam to curse Israel.  Each time God told Balaam no and every time he tried to curse, blessings came out his mouth. Three times was Israel blessed.  Israel had no knowledge of what was going on behind the scenes.  There were camped and going about their daily lives, but God was protecting them from evil.  God was faithful even when time after time Israel had not been.  He was working behind the scenes.

• Studying this passage of scripture brought tears to my eyes as I thought of the faithfulness of God.  As I thought of His love.  He is Lord and He is faithful. It's not based on anything that I have done, but His grace covers me.  He strengthens me and protects me.  He truly works all things out for my good (Romans 8:28).  Every day He gives me a testimony or praise. He is protecting me from dangers that I do not see. He is blessing me.  He wants what's best for me.

• How should I respond to His faithfulness?  I should respond with gratitude, faithfulness, and obedience.  I should respond to God with a surrender heart. Each Friday I have committed to writing in this blog and I have to pray on what He wants me to say.  Its not me, but His faithfulness that brings it about.  

• I don't know what you may be going through today, but I pray that you remember just how much God loves you and how unchangeable HIs loves for you is.  I pray that you remember that He is faithful to perform His word (Jeremiah 1:12).  I pray you remember that His promises are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).  I pray peace and joy for you today.

• Father You are a faithful Lord, father and redeemer.   You strengthen us where we are weak and you protect us from those who would seek to do us harm. You are a good, good Father and we love You.  We bless Your Holy name.  May we live with confidence in the knowledge of your faithfulness and love towards us.  May we respond with willing obedience and gratitude for Your grace and mercy.  In Jesus name,  Amen