Layers Revealed

Good morning everyone,

The article below my devotion was shared with me this morning by Karen Ryan and I thought you all would like to read about it. I have a special affinity for this moment in our earth's history - since it all took place on my third birthday.  For the first 35 years of my life (at least) I wasn't aware that this day had any special significance (other than Neil's historic first step for mankind, of course).  And, truly, reading about Buzz's communion moment wouldn't have had quite the "wow factor" it does for me now during many of those 35 years.  I like how the Lord reveals layers and dimensions within events and things that have always had significance to me: 

I've always been a moon child. I've been a dedicated lover of space exploration and the lunar landings.  I've always had a fascination of SETI and the possibility of other inhabited worlds out there in our universe (yes, I am a closet Trekkie).  In my little heart, the significance of the first man landing on the moon on my birthday was huge!  How incredibly wonderful that the Lord was in and throughout that moment...even though I was unaware...and that He would reveal that to me when my reborn heart was ready to understand.  What does one little step on the moon mean in comparison to our savior's body and blood being the first liquid poured and first food eaten there?

I've also had a great love of everything Irish since before I can remember. I can recall listening to my mother's father confirm my little heart's deepest desire...that my family came from Ireland...only to have my mother pooh pooh that idea (she said my grandpa was making it up).  Later, when I connected with my biological father's mother, I learned that I was indeed a tiny part Irish (she was a Kelly, by jove!).  As an act of rebellion (and permanent dedication to that 8th of Irish in me), I had a shamrock tattooed on my ankle when I was 30 years old.  I wasn't religious. I wasn't brought up with the notion that the Lord didn't want me to mark my body in such a way (though, my step-dad was very against tattoos; thus the act of rebellion).  How wonderful it was to learn later that St. Patrick used the shamrock to symbolize The Holy Trinity in his teaching in Ireland. There, once again...indelibly marked on my body...is my God, my Savior, and my Holy Spiritual Guide.  They're wrapped within and throughout something of great significance to me...and only now am I seeing the layers revealed.

I could go on. So many amazing layers have been revealed to me by my Lord as I've progressed in my walk with Him. As I look back on the experiences of my life, I see that He has been there all along. They are my own personal miracles shining through the struggles and turmoil of this life. He wraps Himself and my life in light and pulls me in closer with each layer He reveals...at just the right moment.

Dear Jesus, giver of life, creator of my soul - thank you for implanting these kernels of truth in my heart long before I understood their true significance. Thank you for revealing yourself in the moments that have made their permanent mark on my heart. Wherever I look, whether it's in my past, here in these day to day moments or in my unknown future, you are there.  I am safe and secure in that knowledge. I am loved. And I love, with dedication and wild abandon, in return. Thank you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

P.S. Maybe you've had some layers such as these revealed in your life? I'd love to hear about them! Please feel free to share. :-)

COMMUNION ON THE MOON

Communion on the Moon July 20, 1969

(This is an article by Eric Metaxas)

Forty-two years ago two human beings changed history by walking on

the surface of the moon. But what happened before Buzz Aldrin and

Neil Armstrong exited the Lunar Module is perhaps even more

amazing, if only because so few people know about it. "I'm talking

about the fact that Buzz Aldrin took communion on the surface of

the moon. Some months after his return, he wrote about it in

Guideposts magazine.

And a few years ago I had the privilege of meeting him myself.

I asked him about it and he confirmed the story to me, and I

wrote about in my book Everything You Always Wanted to Know

About God (But Were Afraid to Ask).

The background to the story is that Aldrin was an elder at his

Presbyterian Church in Texas during this period in his life, and

knowing that he would soon be doing something unprecedented in

human history, he felt he should mark the occasion somehow, and he

asked his minister to help him. And so the minister consecrated a

communion wafer and a small vial of communion wine. And Buzz Aldrin

took them with him out of the Earth's orbit and on to the surface

of the moon.

He and Armstrong had only been on the lunar surface for a few

minutes when Aldrin made the following public statement:

"This is the LM pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask

every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to

pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours

and to give thanks in his or her own way." He then ended radio

communication and there, on the silent surface of the moon, 250,000

miles from home, he read a verse from the Gospel of John, and he

took communion. Here is his own account of what happened:

"In the radio blackout, I opened the little plastic packages which

contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the

chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the

moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the

cup. Then I read the scripture, 'I am the vine, you are the

branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit..

Apart from me you can do nothing.

I had intended to read my communion passage back to earth,

but at the last minute [they] had requested that I not do this.

NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn Murray

O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew

reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmas. I agreed

reluctantly.

I ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for

the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots

to the Sea of Tranquility . It was interesting for me to think:

the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food

eaten there, were the communion elements.

And of course, it's interesting to think that some of the first

words spoken on the moon were the words of Jesus Christ, who made

the Earth and the moon - and Who, in the immortal words of Dante,

is Himself the "Love that moves the Sun and other stars."

How many of you knew this?    

                 

Leaving My Pot Behind

Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." - John 4:10 (NLT)


Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." - John 4:13-14 (NLT)

The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?" - John 4:29-30 (NLT)

Leaving My Pot Behind

I have just begun reading a book by Mary DeMuth called "Beautiful Battle."  The book is about spiritual warfare; something I experience quite frequently, but shy away from truly studying and understanding. But, the Lord plopped this book in my lap (virtually, since it's an ebook) and said, "Read this. It's good for you!" And, as usual, He's absolutely correct! :-)

In the first chapter (which I'm still reading) she discusses the gaping hole that many of us have (myself especially) that we try to fill with things of this world (attention from the opposite sex, fast cars, volunteering every ounce of our time, fattening/cavity-creating food, etc).  And she uses the woman from the well as the perfect example of someone who has tried, time and time again, to fill her aching soul with things that will never quench her thirst.

This isn't the first time I've visited this woman at the well and learned things about myself through her interaction with Jesus. I've been here several times in fact, but once again, another "ah hah!" has revealed itself (hitherto unnoticed).  Mary DeMuth pointed out (and I've included that passage above) that the woman left her pot (or water jar) behind after she understood who Jesus was and what He had to offer her.

I am overwhelmed by the symbolism of that act. She completely forgot something that was key in her physical survival because she had been given the hope of something better.  But, for me, that pot is a symbol of my frail attempts to fill my own void, my raging thirst, with things that not only don't quench that thirst, they make it ten times worse!

Jesus says that once I drink of His living water I will never be thirsty again. I have drunk of His living water. I have felt the unadulterated joy of flowing in that glorious stream of peace, joy, satisfaction, security...love. So, why do I continually end up scrabbling with my lame little water pot to draw up unsatisfactory earthly water while the river flows inside me untapped?

Well, I don't have all the answers to that question, but I'm hoping, as I read Mary's book, the Lord will send me "ah hahs" to clue me in.  I do know that I have a tendency to take on more than I can chew with volunteering, work, play, etc. I want to help and I want to please, so I say "yes," but then get so overwhelmed that I flounder and lose my focus (and strong connection) with my Lord's abundant stream of living water.  

That's when I feel around in the dark for my familiar little water pot and begin that pattern of misdirected thirst quenching.

Well, let me tell you, I am sorely tired of smacking my gums and licking my parched lips, while clinging to this stupid little unhelpful pot!  It's time for me, like the woman from the well, to leave this pot behind. I'm going to dive head first into His river of living water. I'm going to swim and frolic in it! I'm going to kick back and float along it while looking up into His beautiful Heaven.  

And I will thirst no more.

Dear Jesus - I am deeply sorry that I am so easily pulled away from your living water. I don't mean to get distracted and drawn to this world. I truly have good intentions, and you know that. But, as I get busy, I abandon the place where I am happiest...at your feet, my Lord, pouring out the best that I have for your glory.  Thank you for always being there to draw me back. Sometimes it takes major upheavals to get me there. I pray that as time goes on it won't take such drastic measures to steer me toward you. I pray fervently that there will come a day when nothing can tempt me out of your living water and back onto the shore. In the meantime, I am so very grateful to be swimming with you in your love and peace. I love you from the bottom of my thirsty little soul. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

P.S. Just in case you were not in church on Sunday and you don't get our monthly newsletter, I thought I'd share with you a decision the Lord helped me make. I have been given the grace and space, through the much appreciated willingness of Steve Pinning, to switch places on our church council with Steve. I have been finding myself burning the candle at both ends and in the middle lately. My work load is such that there isn't a lot of mental room for my volunteer work during the day, so I end up trying to squeeze it all into the extra time I have after work (which I know we all do), but I guess my poor little brain doesn't have quite as much space as I would like for all that a church council president needs.  As I said at church and in the newsletter, I first and foremost, need to be an encourager for all of you. Stepping back and reducing my stress load will hopefully bring back that encourager. It's where I am best and happiest. As vice president of Ramona Lutheran I will still be very involved in the continuing growth of our church, but in a supporting role instead of a wacky, waving, inflatable tube woman president role. I appreciate any prayers that you may wish to send up on Steve's and my behalf (and for all of the church council, school board, teachers, principal, and support staff of Ramona Lutheran, as well) as we continue on with this new configuration. May the Lord bless and keep us all! 

Rumblin', Bumblin', Stumblin'

Good morning everyone,

God placed this perfectly timed message in my inbox this morning. He always does that when He wants me to know that He is with me and has guided me to make a choice or experience something. It makes me sit back and wonder why I ever struggle with choices that are obviously not where He wants me to be.  But, reading Renee's wisdom below makes me understand that even in those moments, God has a purpose for me. I will struggle, I will fall, I will fail (in my estimation and maybe in the eyes of others as well), but He will use it all to shape me and recreate my imperfect self into His image - one stumble or one giant "trip and fall flat on my face" experience at a time. 

And as it says in another Bible verse he sent me: He will turn for me my mourning into dancing; He has loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing His praise and not be silent. (Psalm 30:11-12a - personalized by me a little).  

Oh Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! (Psalm 30:12b) You sent your son to save me...and pray for me. I heard his prayer as I read John 17 this morning. I thank you for giving me experiences and challenges that knock me off my feet and into your arms, my dear Father in Heaven. Please help me to always learn from these moments and to continue on following you. Please make my paths straight and give me your strength to carry on. I love you so very much. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

March 21, 2012 Getting Up Again Renee Swope

"...though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again..." Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)


I've always admired people who aren't afraid to fail. You know the ones who don't even consider defeat when they blow it; people who see a personal setback as just another goal to conquer.


I can be really hard on myself when I fail to be the woman God calls me to be or the woman I want to be. Like the other day, when I disappointed my mom, got impatient with my husband and spoke harshly to one of my kids. Soon after, my internal dialogue (you know that voice in your head that won't let you off the hook) started reminding me of how badly I'd acted and how far I'd fallen short that day.


The greatest defeat comes when I allow my mistakes, sins or broken relationships to convince me that I might as well give up.


Perhaps you have also allowed failure to knock you down, tie you up with the ropes of regret and hold you hostage like I have.


When I surveyed over 1200 women for my book, A Confident Heart, I discovered that our past failures, and our fear of failing again, are two of the most common things that make us doubt ourselves.


But today's key verse shows us that it's not supposed to be this way. Proverbs 24:16 has helped me release the regret, guilt, fear and shame that have weighed me down and held me back.


Take a minute to read it now and notice how it says the righteous will fall. Yes, even those of us who have received the gift of Christ's righteousness and redemption will fall down. But we were never intended to stay down.


Instead of giving up, Jesus empowers us to get up again.


In getting up, we can apologize and ask for forgiveness. In getting up, we can choose to try again with our kids, in our jobs, in our marriages, in our ministries, and in all of our mistakes. Because we trust that although we fall, God will help us up.


Listen to His promise in Psalm 37:23-24 and as you read it insert your name in the blanks: "The steps of ____________ are established by the Lord, and He delights in ____________'s way. When ____________ falls, __________ will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds ________'s hand." (NASB)


When you get up again failure can actually help you become the confident woman God created you to be because it can make you stronger and better—when you go to God for help. Failure might even be the thing that stretched you to do more than you think you can and push you to try other methods of doing things when one way doesn't work.


Yes, failure can be hurtful, but it can also be beneficial.


Failure produces wisdom when we ask for it and maturity when we learn from it.


I think God wants us to remember that following Him is not about avoiding failures and being perfect. It's about accepting our weaknesses and becoming more dependent on His perfect love and power at work in us.


The truth is, we will sometimes fail to be who we want to be. But we will get closer to who we are meant to be every time we fall or fail and then choose to take God's hand so we can get up again!


Dear Lord, I'm so thankful for Your grace that reminds me there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Because my steps are established by You, Lord, I will believe that You delight in me even when I fail or fall. Today, I want to take Your hand and trust Your heart as You pull me back up again and use my failures to help me become the confident woman You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

Today's devotion is based on chapter 7 of Renee's book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.


BIG NEWS!! A Confident Heart Ebook for Kindle is on sale for $2.99 through March 25th. Don't have a Kindle? No problem. Download a FREE Kindle App for your PC, Mac, Ipad, Iphone and other electronic devices here! Don't miss this amazing deal and limited time offer today!


Join Renee Swope's online study of her life-changing book, A Confident Heart - beginning April 23rd. In it, you will learn how to overcome self-doubt and live with lasting God-fidence as you discover your God-given purpose, passion, and personality; learn how to break free from people-pleasing and performance-based living; find out how to replace "against me" thoughts with scripture-based God is "for me" thoughts, and more! Click here for more details or to sign up today.


Visit Renee's blog/website today and enter her "Contagious Confidence Givaway" which includes copies of her book, her Confident Heart messages on CD and a Target gift card!


Reflect and Respond:

Are there any areas of your life where you feel like you're failing and want to give up? Write down what got you to that hard place and then ask God to show you how you can get back up again (in your heart) with the help of His grace and truth.


Power Verses:

Psalm 37:23-24, "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." (NASB)


Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (NIV)

© 2012 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

Wacky, Waving, Inflatable Tube Woman

Good morning everyone,

So, here I am, wallowing in my misery this morning - chewing, emoting, rehashing, crying (oh, yes, tears are never far when Leah is in this state), scrabbling for at least one semi-sane thought - when the Lord sent me three things to knock me back on a somewhat even keel.

1. A little calendar notice on my phone reminding me of an impending situation that unfortunately occurs every 25 days whether I like it or not (hmmm...could my wacky, waving, inflatable tube man emotions have a physical accelerant egging them on?)
2. The Encouragement for Today that I've included below with the first sentence (the Bible verse) smacking me upside the head (yes, there's that word that is supposed to be my "One Word" for the year...which I have completely failed to focus on for the last two weeks) - CONTENTMENT.
3. A post from the author who started me on my "One Word", Rachel Olsen, reminding me of another key item that I've been failing to focus on - my Lenten choice of dedicating 15 minutes of purposeful prayer to my Lord.
   

And you know, this was all because somewhere in my flailing about emotionally I was wise enough (or, more likely, the Holy Spirit shouted it in my ear) to ask the Lord to help me make sense of what I was feeling.  Eh, I'm making that sound so sensible...what I really said was, "Why? Why? WHY??!!"

He is good and I'm tired of being the wacky, waving, incredibly stupid, failing beyond measure, inflatable tube woman.  I think I'll pray for 15 minutes and focus on my "One Word" for the year.

Dear Lord, thank you for this reminder and thank you for loving me no matter what. I really need that love today...and always. No matter what, I am always wacky for you, Jesus. But, I surely would rather be content and peacefully wacky. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

March 12, 2012 If Only T. Suzanne Eller

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)


Have you ever lived in the land of the "if onlys"?

If only I had more money, then things would be easier.


If only I lost 10 pounds, then I'd be happier.


If only they'd recognize my talent, then I'd feel more appreciated.


Not too long ago my husband and I were praying about his career. Not only did the answer not come, but every door shut that we thought would open easily. As time passed I started listing my "if onlys."

If only we had clear direction.


If only we could begin that dream God placed in our hearts.


If only, if only, if only ...


Soon those unspoken words steered my thought life. They crept into my prayer time. They tiptoed into my relationship with my husband.

One day these words from King's Cross by Timothy Keller leaped from the page:

The Bible says that our real problem is that every one of us is building our identity on something besides Jesus. Whether it's to succeed in our chosen field or to have a certain relationship—or even to get up and walk—we're saying, "If I have that, if I get my deepest wish, then everything will be okay.

Suddenly I saw myself. My deepest wish had shifted. Where once I longed for God, now my thought life and actions revolved around what I didn't have. What I couldn't control.

That night I confessed to my husband that I had not only moved into the land of the "if onlys" but had anchored there. I promised that instead of focusing on what wasn't taking place, I would began to treasure what I did have.

Today we have food. We have shelter. Our home is warm. Thank You for that gift, Father.


Today I hold a grandbaby in my arms. See her precious smile? I delight in that, Lord.


Today I sit in the living room and laugh with my husband. Thank You for joy.


Today and everyday I am Yours, Jesus. You are more than enough.


Godly contentment isn't passive, but an active faith that says God is enough. You and I are okay because our deepest wish doesn't revolve around losing 10 pounds, our career, another person, or whether we're noticed for our efforts.

Are you living in the land of the "if onlys"? If so, are you willing to change your deepest wish from the "if only" to focusing on what you have and thanking God for it?

Dear Lord, I trust that You are enough and You are good. You are my sufficiency. I find my identity and joy in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Related Resources:

Would you like to bring the message of this devotion to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie Eller as your next retreat / key note speaker.

Visit Suzie's blog for a fun giveaway and to take a deeper look at finding contentment in the "wait."

Jesus Calling: Finding Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young

Join Suzie in her Live Free Facebook community to find daily encouragement on how to live free.

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Reflect and Respond:

"The remarkable thing is, we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day." Chuck Swindoll.

What is your "if only?" How much time and energy do you devote to it? What is one choice you can make today that will shift your perspective from the "if only" to God?

Power Verses:

Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)

Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV)

© 2012 by T. Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

Hardened Hearts = God's Glory

Hearts in Armor - Trisha Yearwood


One more day 
My heart's in armor 
Though I meant to let you in 
In an effort not to harm it 
I have missed my chance again 

I was singing when I freed you 
But my pride was just a veil 
I pretended not to need you 
Now my heart tells a different tale 

And every hour that goes by 
The harder I become 
Because I let that well run dry 
Because I left you unanswered 

Then like a fool I kept my secret 
When it made no sense to try 
Now I can no longer keep it 
For it's late and the moon is high 

And every hour that goes by 
The harder I become 
Because I let that well run dry 
Because I left you unanswered 

One more day my heart's in armor 
Though I did not see it then 
I would finish what you started 
If I had that chance again 

I would finish what you started 
If I had that chance again 


~~~~~

So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. - Romans 9:18 (NLT)

He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. - Romans 9:23 (NLT)

~~~~~

Hardened Hearts = God's Glory

The song that I've listed above has been running through my head all morning.  I didn't really realize it as I sat here trying to pray and having very scattered luck.  I would try to focus on something and swoosh! my thoughts would turn to something else.  I was not being led by the Spirit toward anything. 

I was not connected to the Spirit.

But, actually, I was...I just wasn't listening carefully. He was singing to me on my internal radio.

When I finally registered this song (that was on permanent repeat in my brain), I stopped and asked the Lord to lead me to clarification in His Word.

And, lo, he led me to the passages I've included above.

Hearts in Armor = hardened hearts?

     Hearts in Armor = lonely hearts

         Hearts in Armor = limited hearts

I cry for hearts that refuse to see. I cry for hearts that refuse to see my heart. I rage at my inability to get them to listen.

But, God has chosen to harden those hearts for His purposes.  Who am I to question? I can only pray.

Dear Lord - Please choose to reverse this hardening process...in me...and in those who refuse to see.  I am so tired of this battle. I see now that I'm battling your Will and I will never win. I am lowering my shields and opening my heart to your divine guidance and will. I never want to have an armored heart with you, my King. I love you - truly, madly, deeply. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

A Kingdom Choice

Good morning everyone,

Below is a post from one of the bloggers that I follow. She is not only inspired by the Holy Spirit often through her words, but she takes inspired photographs, too. 

Today her post had so many "ooh, look how that fits in with that!" moments for me, but I really got an "ah hah" from her comments about the children of Israel choosing earthly kings over a life with Yahweh. 

We do that still today.

At least, I do. So many times I get caught up in measuring my worth by how mere humans view me. If I'm not getting affection and affirmation from those I love, then I feel "less than."  It doesn't matter if they're having a bad day and don't mean to withhold affection from me. I take it personally and I allow myself to be hurt by it.  I have effectively exchanged my life and joy with God for mere human, temporary joy. 

I'm not saying that my relationships with my loved ones aren't a wonderful blessing and reflection of the love the God has bestowed upon me. But, when I base my happiness on those relationships instead of on the love of my Lord, then I'm choosing this world, instead of His kingdom.

And I am so intense.  I feel sorry for those that I love.  If I'm trying to fill all that open space I have in my heart with their affection and attention, I'm putting way too much of a burden on them.

But, if I'm looking to my Lord to provide me the love and affection that I need, I am filled beyond capacity and then that love overflows and blesses those that I love.  And not with a heavy, demanding love (which is what I feel I give when I'm choosing this world instead His joy)...but with a springy, glowing love that encourages and cares selflessly.

That's soooo much better!  For you and for me. ;-)

Dear Lord - thank you so much for Shaunie's message today. I needed to hear it and remember where to focus my intense gaze. You have created me with a bottomless pit of a heart that needs so much love.  You did this so that I would need you completely. And I do. Thank you for giving me the ability to love deeply and give of myself generously. Please help me to always look to you first for the love and then to reach out to everyone else, sharing that love.  Thank you for being the King of my heart. I kneel before your throne with gratitude and devotion. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Monday, March 5, 2012

The Mustard Seed Kingdom

--
" Then Jesus said, 'What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.'” Luke 13:18-19 NLT

The variety of mustard that grows here in Northern California may not be quite the same as the kind Jesus used as an object lesson, but it does grow awfully tall. It doesn't grow to be tree-like, but the red-winged blackbirds find it sturdy enough to sit in, especially when it is thick with ladybugs this time of year! It must be the bird's equivalent of a fast food restaurant, complete with fly-thru service!

The Kingdom of God . . . like a mustard seed. Seeing fields splashed glorious in yellow, I wonder what that means.

Jesus also used the mustard seed to illustrate the familiar subject of faith, and much is taught about growing faith and the power of faith even as small as a mustard seed.  We know quite a bit about comparing faith to a mustard seed, but what do we know of the Kingdom of God?

Here in the United States, most of what we know about kings and kingdoms comes from fairy tales and history books. In fact, the history of our country began with the rejection of a king's authority, King George III of England and our wresting our independence from his kingdom through a bold revolution. We don’t have kings here—on purpose—so the imagery of the Kingdom of God is sometimes challenging to wrap our arms around.

Human kings have rarely been good kings. The children of Israel didn't know what they were letting themselves in for when they asked to be like the nations that surrounded them and to be given an earthly king. It is staggering to think that they actually chose, and asked out loud to exchange life with God as their King for a life with mere men as their kings. God recognized it right away as a rejection of Him, born of their rebellion and faithless hearts.

A millennium passed while the human kings meandered back and forth between occasional forays into relative good and more frequent stays in absolute evil. Now, Israel was under Rome's control and between the Jewish religious leaders and Rome's governors and military personnel, they had more human "leaders" than they knew what to do with. This is where things stood when Jesus spoke of a Kingdom like a mustard seed.

It was a Kingdom that came, small and quiet in the tiny "seed" of the infant body of the baby Jesus. It grew as He grew, and as He inhabited His Father's will like the cloak He wore. He walked on earth under the Kingship of Yahweh like no one before or since. As He walked, Jesus scattered the seed of His words to further expand awareness of His Father's good will toward mankind and to invite them to once again enter a Kingdom where the King is only good all the time.

They had never known a kindly king and here in their midst was One who healed broken bodies, breathed life into corpses, and had time for little children. They couldn't see it yet, but this man who fed multitudes with the lunch of one willing child and who washed the dirty, dusty, tired feet of His disciples was none other than the King of kings! Here was the good King who someday will end the story of all evil kings.

The seeds He planted, and the ones He has handed to His followers down through the ages since He walked here, continue to grow. There are telltale splashes of glory that show the world glimpses of the goodness of the King and His Kingdom. I pray that we would have a springtime display like the mustard on Bay Area hillsides that would bloom and glow all year round! We who receive our King with joy, WE are His Kingdom! His Kingdom has no borders and His goodness has no boundaries!

A Symphony of Love

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. - John 10:9-10 (New Living Translation)

My heart's a stereo
It beats for you, so listen close
Hear my thoughts in every no-o-o-te

Make me your radio
And turn me up when you feel low
This melody was meant for you
Just sing along to my stereo - Chorus "Stereo Hearts" - Gym Class Heroes

 ²⁴ “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

 ²⁵ “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. ²⁶ The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. - John 5:24-26 (NLT)

A Symphony of Love

Yes, there was definitely a theme to the Holy Spirit's call to me this morning.  Can you hear His song calling to your hearts? Turn Him up. Listen to His life giving music and live a rich and satisfying life.

I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. - John 10:16 (NLT)

Dear Jesus - thank you for calling to me and bringing me into your fold. Thank you for giving me a rich and satisfying life through your love and cleansing sacrifice. Please keep the thief from me and from those I love. And please, Lord, call to those who are still alone out there in the world. Let them hear your voice and understand you're singing just for them. Your heart is the biggest stereo in all of creation. It blasts a symphony of love, forgiveness and salvation...that begins with the still, small melody of the Holy Spirit's calling.  Mozart can't even come close to the complexity of the love composition you've created specifically for each and every one of our hearts.  Please open the ears of hearts, Lord. We want to hear you! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Just Do It

Yes, I just used the Nike slogan as the title of my devotion.  But, it really fits with I have to say.

Recently I was confronted by the differences in me to others that I care about dearly. Differences that make me wonder, "I am I naive? Should I have more boundaries? Am I missing something here?"

I certainly should be learning to say "No" a little more, that's for sure.

I spent 15 minutes trying to find a brief moment of time to spend with my prayer sister in my schedule last night. After looking at all I have on my plate, I wasn't able to say, "Yes, this day and time will work" until we were almost half way through the month of March!

And yet, when God puts something on my heart and says, "This needs to get done," I do it.  

I don't pause and say, "Why isn't someone else stepping up to do this?"  I just do it.

What, am I supposed to say to God...the One who gave His son's life for me and saved me from myself..."No. I know you want this done, but I just won't do it until someone else says they'll do it with me"???

I guess if my confidence wasn't completely secure in the fact that if He wants it done, it will get done, then maybe I would hesitate.

But, that's not the case. I have complete confidence in Him.

I sit here today looking at all the things that I have on my list to do and I wonder how on earth I'm going to accomplish them all.  And, if it were just me, I know that I would not be able to get them all done. But, even if no human being comes along side me and helps me...I am not alone. And I will never have to do it all by myself.

For thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:4b, 6 (KJV)

I have these words written on my heart and soul. They comfort me in times of insecurity and stress. They give me hope and peace when nothing in my life is going right. They restoreth my soul (another little bit from that Psalm).

Dear Jesus - Thank you for the conviction in my heart and for the love that you shower me with daily. I would not have this complete confidence and surety if I weren't yours. Your Holy Spirit lifts me up when I stumble and stirs my heart into a blaze of faith and hope.  Please, Lord, give everyone this radical sense of possibility in you today. Let them feel your will, and your confidence, to go out and just do it. That is the only answer: Lay down everything, take up our cross and follow you. I love you and will follow you wherever you lead me, my Lord. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah