My Devotional Outlet

Contentment

2012-01-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

Good morning to you! :-)

Yesterday I shared the idea of choosing one word to embodied where you would like to be in your walk with the Lord this year, but I hadn't yet found my "word." Funny enough, Rachel Olsen (see her devotion below) is writing a book with her pastor about the My One Word movement...and she just provided me my one word: CONTENTMENT. All yesterday I kept coming up with words that hovered over my struggles: FOCUS, ENERGY, PERSEVERANCE, FAITHFULNESS, RELIABILITY, back to FOCUS (I seem to be going in all directions lately), but none of them wrapped around all that I felt was lacking in me. In fact, it was really getting ridiculous because there just wasn't one word to describe how I wanted to be at the end of the year (unless maybe it was JESUS).

But, as I commented to Rachel on her blog yesterday, I knew that if I prayed about it, the Lord would show me my word. I love that he used the woman who first introduced me to the idea to do so!

CONTENTMENT. It solves everything. It's exactly where I want to be - content with what I've done, content with what I had to leave undone, content in my relationship with my Lord, my husband, my children, my friends, my work, my church...everything. I want to know that I've done what the Lord wants me to have done. Nothing more, nothing less.

It's the Serenity Prayer, tailor made for me:

Dear Lord - Please grant me the CONTENTMENT to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage (and focus, energy, perseverance, faithfulness, & reliability) to change the things I can and the wisdom (and thus CONTENTMENT) to know the difference. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

January 27, 2012
Nothing More and Nothing Less
Rachel Olsen

"God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth." Matthew 5:5 (NLT)

Lord, how can I become content with just who I am, nothing more and nothing less?

I'm certainly prone to want to be more, or less than I am. To be smarter, prettier, funnier, fitter. To be more productive, happier and higher energy. And then also to be lower key, calmer, more level-headed and focused.

I want to have better self-awareness, and yet I want to be less concerned about what others think of me.

I want to be a better cook, to sing on key, and to keep the house neat without so much perceived effort. And did I mention fuller, thicker hair would be nice too?

I want to be a better writer - one that's both highly creative and meticulously organized. And I want fewer propensities to run late, slack off or procrastinate.

Yes, I want to be both more and less of me.

Jesus shushes my endless listing of the things I want to change or improve about myself. Things I'm certain would give me be a better life. He asks me instead to humbly make peace with it all. To lay down my notions of a better woman and life by letting Him be the judge of that. To simply take what I'm given and offer it back to Him, in surrender and service.

Today's verse in the book of Matthew is among several in the Bible that fuels one of my core convictions: When I stop striving to create a life for myself, I find the life God creates for me. This is a powerful truth, indeed a divine secret.

His life for me begins precisely where mine ends. My life ends in my sin and striving and begins again in God's grace and power.

His empowering indwelling affords me everything I truly need and nothing I truly don't.

Do you too long to be content with just who you are in Christ - nothing more and nothing less? Jesus addresses us both in Matthew 23:11-12. Eugene Peterson describes that passage this way: ""Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty" (MSG).

Amazingly, God's grace humbles a woman without degrading her, and His favor lifts her up without inflating her.

The life she finds in Him makes her the proud owner of everything money can't buy. As Jesus put it, "the whole earth." What she gets with humility is a life of contentment. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Dear Lord, help me quiet my critical, striving spirit today and gratefully accept who I am and where I'm at in this moment. For You are here, ready to empower my life to count for plenty right where I am. Help me also to seek and hold Your definition of "plenty" - nothing more and nothing less. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do you know Jesus personally?

Connect with Rachel at her blog where she describes an everyday moment when she needed and learned to be contentment with who she is.

If you enjoyed this devotion, you'll want to get a copy of Rachel's book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know.

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:

Am I content with who I am and where I'm at in life? What can I do to find that contentment when it is missing?

It is possible to improve and grow - with dreams, plans and goals - and at the same time still be content. Take time today to journal about yours - and schedule a time later this month to return and read those notes.

Power Verses:

1 Peter 5:6-7, "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (NLT)

Matthew 5:5, "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought." (MSG)

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

Not Of This World

2012-01-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday as I was driving home in the wee hours of the morning (yes, for me 8am is the wee hours! :-) ), after praying with my seester, I saw the most amazing thing. It had been raining the previous evening (and probably well into those wee hours) and everything was still water logged. Along the side of the road was a long stretch of wooden fence. What was amazing was the vapor pouring off the fence, streaming up in clouds of transformed water to meet the lovely warmth of the emerging sun. It was so beautiful! It was all so active and everything glowed brightly.

When you think about that transformation, it really is miraculous (as least to me). You have this substance: water. You can drink it, you can pour it, you can get it soapy, you can take a bath in it...and yet it still remains water. But, add a certain amount of heat, and it transforms. Poof! It's not liquid anymore. You can't drink it. You can't pour it. You can't get it soapy. And you certainly can't take a bath in it. But, it's still water.

Now imagine, if you will, that water resisting the transformation. Like the rain water that had soaked into the wooden fence, for instance. What if it decided that it really liked being nestled in the grains of that product of the earth? When the heat from the sun touched it, it shied away and hid under the wooden fibers. When it felt itself being freed from its liquid bonds it wrapped itself in and through those fibers and turned away from the freedom of change. That might be a little uncomfortable, yes?

Picturing that as I was driving home made me realize that we are like that. We were not meant to be a permanent part of this world (our wooden fence), but we cling to our earthly bodies (and earthly ways) and shy away from the warmth and transforming heat of our Lord. We do it so fiercely that we can't even fathom that we are capable of transformation. It seems impossible. How can this solid, flesh and blood body be transformed into something new, better, freer?

It's agony, though...clinging to one form and not following our true nature. When we were baptized we were returned to the selves we were supposed to be. Well, we were given the seed to begin that journey back to our true selves.

Way back when (you know - Adam and Eve?), a damper, an inhibitor was interjected into our souls (sin). It messed with our chemical (i.e., spiritual) nature, so that we couldn't transform when His heat was applied (not even if we really wanted to). But, our original creator came down and interjected Himself into us so that we could transform, if we only turned toward His warmth and embraced that change: believed in Him.

I am so grateful for the Lord showing me everyday miracles of this world to help me understand the illogical and impossible miracle of my nature being transformed into His original vision and purpose for me. I want to be in a place where I don't even think about it: when His Son shines on me my spirit leaps off of that fence and flies up to meet Him in freedom and love!

The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?” Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.” - John 8:22-24 (NLT)

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. - John 12:25-26 (NLT)

Dear Jesus - thank you for coming into my life and beginning my transformation process. I am being reborn with each "ah hah" and insight your Holy Spirit shares with me. It is painful in this life, feeling your heat and yet still being unable to completely let go and follow you. I know it is a process and you are carefully renewing and reshaping me to return to your image. That was how you created us to be and that is where you will return us. I don't want to sit on the fence anymore, Lord. It's not a question if I am a part of this world or yours. Once I was baptize into your death I was given your new life and I am no longer a part of this world. I am free. I am the vapor rising rapidly to meet you where you are. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Freedom

2012-01-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone,

Pastor Hintz's series this week ties into the Gospel reading from last Sunday. He has connected with the cleansing aspect of Baptism and it surely stirs up a clear visual of how sin affects not only our lives, but the lives of those around us. I was particularly hit over the head by his understanding that the stench of sin is something that we have gotten used to here on earth, but it is not something that God will ever get used to.

However, it is extremely difficult to be aware of that stench if we are always sitting right in the middle of it. That's why we need to read our Bibles daily (that means we're sitting outside of this world and its stench for a little while) and why we need to surround ourselves with Godly people (you might find some at church on Sundays). Removing ourselves from the smell will help us be more aware of it when we go back in. And if we are too "used" to it, those Godly folks might give us a clue when they kindly suggest we take a moment to recall our baptism and go for a cleansing dip or two.

I like Pastor Hintz's visual of the smell of sin, but I've been chewing on a weightier aspect of it since Sunday. The phrase that Pastor Keil said keeps coming back to me me: We give up our freedom when...

You can fill in the blanks with any and all choices that we make that turns us away from God and His promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven. Because that's where our freedom lies. And if we choose this world (and all its stinky, temporal sin) then we are giving up our freedom. Jesus died on the cross for us and, as it says in Romans, we died with him through our baptism. We were not only cleansed, but released. Released from these chains that are sure to keep us tied to this earth forever. And yet, we daily turn back and clamp those manacles back on, without even realizing it (it's that stench we don't even smell).

The Lord led me to a Psalm that makes it pretty clear:

Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind. The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but their fame will not last. This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise. Like Sheep they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates. But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. - Psalm 49:10-15 (NLT)

Dear Lord - Please continue (as you always do) to turn me back toward you. I sit here in this world and I am surrounded by the stench and chains of a prison of my own making...and I don't even see it. It's comfortable. It's what I've always known. Thank you for the sweet smelling moments with you that give me glimpses of what could be, what should be, what is already mine...if I just let go of this world. I cry out for your Holy Spirit to fill me and free me. I love your freedom and your joy. You are what makes my heart sing and my feet light as they walk the paths you have set before me. Thank you for dying so that I may live. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

From: Larry Hintz

Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 7:05 AM

Subject: 1-9 devo

1-9-12

You have been outside working hard.

Maybe you have been doing some landscaping.

Possibly the car needed to be washed and it was really dirty.

Maybe you even waxed it!

Regardless of what you were doing you were hot and sweaty.

You really had a workout.

And even though you felt good and tired something else happened.

The aroma coming from you and/or your clothes was not the best.

It might have been the same aroma that comes after you have been to the gym.

You don’t want others to get a whiff of you.

You don’t really even want of whiff of yourself!

It is off to the showers!

Everyone, you included, will appreciate this act of cleansing.

This is a lead in to what we will be talking about this week.

It is with reference to the cleansing action of Baptism.

We want to become more aware of all that it does.

Unlike the workout that brings forth sweat, sin is something that comes natural.

We are born in sin.

The psalmist says we are even conceived in sin.

And the smell of sin is not pleasant.

It is a stench to God.

It is a stench to the world as well.

Part of the problem is that we have gotten used to that stench.

God never does.

And he doesn’t allow that stench in heaven.

He wants to cleanse us of that stench.

And that is what HE does through Baptism.

Baptism is God’s work.

And when God works in us a sweet fragrance comes forth.

We notice it ourselves and the world also takes note of it.

But it is something that is needed daily.

Daily renewing our Baptism, God cleanses us, and we are fresh!

Romans 6:1-1

Pastor Hintz

Awareness - A Constant Journey

2012-01-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone,

The devotion below, from Lysa TerKeurst, speaks volumes about everything that I choose to comfort myself with that pulls my focus away from God. It doesn't have to be food. Any number of things that distract me from my grumpy/sad/emotional/dissatisfied/stressed mood, yet don't do anything to actually get to the heart of why I feel that way, are soul suckers.

They slowly leach away my peace and joy in the miraculous love of my Lord and Savior.
They stifle that beautiful connection I have with the Holy Spirit.
They muffle and distort my view of our Father in Heaven.
They do the work of Satan without all that head spinning, pea soup spewing scariness that was portrayed in the Exorcist.

Who needs all that drama when a racy book, a jar of Nutella or bottle (or two) of beer/wine/champagne/vodka/etc. will do instead?

Stop.

Think.

What do you choose instead of God when you're feeling out of sorts?

I've only named a couple of things. There are an infinite number of things that could be your focus instead of God (even wonderful things like your children or volunteering your time). This isn't the first time I've written about this (and probably won't be the last). And that's because it is a constant battle. It is a war against our souls. We need to be ever mindful and aware.

That's where Satan gets me every time - when I stop being aware. That's why I make this morning time a priority. That's why I try to go to sleep with Bible verses in my head, too. That's why the Lord said we should attach His Words to our bodies and write them on our hearts...so that we are prepared and constantly aware of His love and His promises and His complete satisfaction of our soul deep cravings!

Dear, dear Lord - If only I could shut out all the temptations and distractions of this world and focus my all toward you...I know I would be perfectly content. It's a goal. It's a hope. It's my prayer: Lord please help me choose you. I love you and you are the answer to every craving I will ever have. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

The War Against My Soul - by Lysa TerKeurst

If you are here from my Encouragement for Today devotion, the giveaway I mentioned is listed at the end of this post.

For years, I refused to think of my struggle with healthy eating as anything more than just a physical issue. I didn’t pray about it. I didn’t apply biblical insights to it. And I certainly didn’t ask God for help. I just wallowed in my lack of self-control.

This issue was too small for God, but too big for me.

When I began connecting my physical struggle with spiritual insight, I wasn’t convinced that God really cared about my bulging body.

Was I merely being vain to want to be thinner? Was I wasting my time on things of this world when I went to the gym? Was I just a foolish, Jesus-chasing girl who mistakenly believed my desires to please Him with this food battle would somehow help me grow closer to Him?

As I studied the Scriptures, I knew I had my answer from God: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11).

My ever-increasing weight and poor food choices were wreaking havoc on my body. But that wasn’t all. My desperate struggle, hopelessness, and uncontrollable food cravings were waging war against my soul.

These were some of the whispers being hissed in my ear: You’ll never be free from this battle. You will always bounce from feeling deprived when you’re dieting to feeling guilty when you’re splurging. Victory isn’t possible!

When Satan holds up food in front us and says these things, we must see that an inappropriate relationship with food can be the lure he uses to draw us away from God. Satan may also use alcohol, unedifying media, inappropriate friendships, overspending, or any other means to lead us into a place where we feel self-control isn’t possible.

He’s not choosy about the method, just the result.

One day while reading Psalm 23, I listed all the things the Lord does for me:

He leads me.

He restores me.

He guides me.

He is with me.

He comforts me.

He fills me.

He satisfies me.

As I read back over my list, a series of questions shocked me: Do I rely on the Lord in these ways or do I rely on food in these ways? Do I honestly turn to God or turn to food? Do I seek to be comforted, filled, and satisfied in the depths of my soul with God, or food? My answers made me cry.

Being ruled by anything other than God is something He takes quite seriously. And so should we. For years, I was overweight physically but underweight spiritually. Tying those two things together has finally allowed me to see why so many other diets failed. I needed to dig past the surface to the real heart and soul of my issues.

In the process of that soul digging, I realized how amazing it is to serve a compassionate God—a God who knew food would be a major stumbling block, keeping many of his children from wholeheartedly pursuing Him. So He’s given us great gifts in the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the Bible to help us.

Start and finish your day with Bible reading. Pray before you eat—even snacks. Listen to that spiritual gut check when you’re about to eat something. Choose the healthy option. Stop before you’re overly full. Eat slowly. Refuse to stuff and gorge. Stay on a slower eating pace while enjoying conversation with others.
Yes, I want to get healthy. Yes, I want to lose weight. But this journey is about so much more. In the end, pursuing health helps my heart to feel closer to Jesus and more ready to receive what He wants for me each day.

Giving Birth to Love

2011-12-26T11:29:00.000-08:00

and while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. - Luke 2:6-7 (NLT)

Can I just say this is one of the most understated events in the bible???? The truth of this hit me yesterday and I'm still pondering it today. Just one simple sentence to describe the most incredible (and incredibly painful) event in our history.

How scary and potentially horrific do you think it was for this brand new mother? No kind and caring midwife helping her deliver this baby. No warm, comfortable home to ease her pain. Unsanitary and uncomfortable circumstances to be sure.

Do you think Joseph knew what he was doing? Do you think he was much help during this terrifying and painful ordeal?

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. - Luke 2:8-19 (NLT)

Who do you think, other than a midwife or experienced mother, would have some knowledge about birth and what needs to happen afterward in the little town of Bethlehem? Perhaps men who tended their flocks with care, helping them birth their young and making sure they were cleaned up afterward so that they would remain healthy and productive?

In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as our Shepherd. Why? Because he takes care of us as a shepherd takes care of his flock. I think it an amazing miracle (as only God provides) that it was shepherds who were called to come and witness Jesus' birth. Not just because they would tell everyone about it. No, I think they had a much greater purpose in this event (that was perhaps a little too graphic to write down in His Story).

I'm pretty sure these shepherds saved the life of Mary and her firstborn son. At the very least they helped make them both more comfortable, I'm sure. Who knows, they may have even given reassurance to Joseph, maybe provided temporary nourishment (sheep's milk, maybe?) for Jesus (the Lamb of God) while Mary regained her strength, perhaps imparted some knowledge on what to expect in the coming days.

If I were Mary, I would have been challenged (to say the least) by this experience. All her faith and trust in the Lord and His plan may have been chucked out the window when those birthing pains finally kicked into high gear. It's hard to think rationally when a miracle is being ripped from your body. It's a pretty traumatic way to have a new life finally enter our world. I can only imagine what it may have been like to be the vessel that helped bring our Lord (Love made flesh) into this world!

But, God sent helpers...because Mary needed them. He loves us enough to send His only son into our world to save us. How could He not love her enough to send her knowledgeable helpers to ease her pain and care for her? I think this may have been one of the many treasures that she stored in her heart and looked back upon later.

Dear Lord - thank you for opening this window into another dimension of your great plan. I love seeing the complexity of You! Just as when Jesus boiled every law and instruction you gave down to two simple commandments, you had the author of this book write a very simple statement about your son's birth...and yet there is a world of complexity behind it. I look forward to you revealing more facets of your truth as I continue my journey through your Word. I love you and thank you for everything you have done for me...and for all of us!

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Scrubbing My Heart

2011-12-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

(to understand what I'm referring to below, perhaps you may want to read the Encouragement for Today that I've included even farther below first!) :-)

Good morning everyone,

My house certainly isn't a shining example of cleanliness and fancy décor. I would love to say it's because I value wisdom and the time I spend with the Lord more, but it's probably due to the fact that I would rather do anything but clean. It drives me to distraction to have all that hard work be demolished almost instantly by others who do not notice or care that an area has been cleaned. I'm willing to do the hard work of cleaning well, but not every single time. If I'm going to have to use elbow grease each time I clean, I'd just as soon wait a while between slaving away with a sponge and bucket!

I do, however, value wisdom and spending time with my Lord very much. In fact, I'm a bit of a Bible and devotion reading junky. I'll give up exercise, visiting with my husband, eating, and any any other number of distractions (cleaning being one of them) to spend time reading the Bible, praying to my Lord and writing down the "ah hahs" (which is hopefully wisdom) that He shares with me.

The only thing that can derail my morning devotion time is sleep. It's never been easy for me to drag myself into the conscious world before 8am...and now-a-days I have to get up by 6am to get that time in with Him before I start work. But, I do it! Because my days just don't go well when I don't. It's bad enough that I live in a cluttered home...it's even harder when I live with an empty, cluttered heart.

This time in the morning is my time to do some scrubbing on the halls of the home that Jesus has made in my heart. It's my time to invite Him in and thank Him for filling that home with light and life. It's the best time of the day for me and makes the rest of my day so much better.

Dear Jesus - thank you for sharing your wisdom and love with me. I know that I don't always then translate that bounty into grace and love toward others. I have such a long way to go in my walk with you Lord. Please help me to make time every day to delve into your Word and grow closer to you through prayer and ingesting your wisdom. I know that eventually what you place in my heart will bear fruit in my actions with others. Please continue to point out the areas where I need more of your grace and wisdom and help me grow ever more in your love and joy! I love you, Lord, with all my heart, soul, body and mind. They aren't squeaky clean, but they definitely show signs of scrubbing and decluttering! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

December 23, 2011

The Rich Home

Sharon Glasgow

"Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions." I Kings 10:1 (NKJ)

The Queen of Sheba was wealthy and beautiful. She had everything a queen could want - gold, silver, ivory, precious jewels and servants taking care of all her needs.

Well, almost everything.

She'd heard about the famous King Solomon and his miraculous God. Even though her people had many gods to worship, none intrigued her like the Lord God of Israel. Her heart was so moved by His Name she traveled 1,400 miles across the desert sands of Arabia to visit King Solomon, a man who knew this God personally.

Camels can travel around 20 miles a day, so the trip would take her six months each way. She brought a great caravan of servants, loads of spices, gold and unusual woods to give as gifts to Solomon. Her heart and soul longed for riches she did not have, and she sensed they would be discovered through him.

When she finally arrived, she stood before the grandest palace she had laid eyes on. But her purpose wasn't to see the most beautiful archeological place ever built, it was to find a secret treasure.

Scripture tells us she talked to Solomon for hours, asking him deep questions about God. Based on her response, she found what she had longed for and declared, "Blessed be the LORD your God" (1 Kings 10:9a NKJ).

The Queen of Sheba took great pains to find wisdom, yet the wisdom available to her at that time was the lesser wisdom of a man. Even so, Jesus mentions the Queen in Matthew 12:42 and honors her desire for His wisdom.

The wisdom we have access to through Jesus far outshines Solomon's. If the Queen of Sheba would travel six months to find truth, how much more should we search for wisdom by opening our Bibles and hearts to Him in prayer?

When people travel to our home this week, it will not be the seasonal décor or cleanliness that will ultimately impress them. It won't be a perfectly sculpted yard or a new car in the garage. It will be spiritual insight and the presence of grace they will be drawn to — through the Holy Spirit living in us. When we share the love of our God with them they will have visited a wealthy home.

As rich as Queen Sheba or King Solomon's palaces.

Our home is where our heart is, and our heart is Christ's home — a dwelling place for the Lord. Let's be sure to spend time with Him this week so we can be filled with love and prepared with wisdom to offer our guests. May those who enter our homes this Christmas, and in the New Year to come, find treasures that people have traveled the whole earth in search of!

Dear Lord, I want every person who walks into my home to find the riches that only You can deliver. Help me to be a conduit for Your wisdom and love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Sharing Grace - Family Traditions - Gift ideas (e-Book) by LeAnn Rice

It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen

All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (e-Book) by Wendy Blight

Application Steps:

God freely gives spiritual wisdom to those who ask for it. Seek God's wisdom through prayer and the Bible. Ask Him to help you remember all that you learn from Him, and to live it this week.

Reflections:

Do I spend more time fussing over the outward beauty of my home than the inward beauty of my soul?

Can I recall time spent in the home of a gracious, godly person? Do I remember the richness felt there?

Power Verses:

James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (NKJ)

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105

www.Proverbs31.org

What's Your Favorite?

2011-12-21T07:58:00.000-08:00

Good morning,

My advent devotion this morning suggested I watch the movie, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and then posed the following question:

What is your favorite part about Jesus' life?

This question may be referring to the movie, but my heart is pondering His actual life. Which is my favorite part? What moment during His time on earth seems to speak to me more than others? I have to admit, I'm stumped. You just never know what verse or chapter is going to sweep into my trouble heart or joyous soul and blaze its glory for me. Just yesterday it was the first chapter in John. Almost from the first word tears were leaking out of my eyes and awe from soul.

How can I say just one moment from "The Greatest Miracle & Truth Ever Told" is my favorite? I can't. But, I can say that posing this question has been a joy to me as I've pondered and reviewed some of the moments that have especially helped me in my life.

What about you? What is your favorite part of Jesus' life? I invite you to travel down memory lane with your Bible in hand and remember the parts that have helped you the most. Maybe you'll find some other previously unnoticed moments that will speak to you now.

Dear Jesus - Thank you for creating our world and everything in it. Thank you for planning each and every miraculous detail...right down to your coming into this world that wouldn't be here without you. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to breathe life into us through You, The Word. Please help us to remember your earthly life today and ponder on what you experienced for our sakes. Thank you. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Jesus in Me

2011-12-14T07:52:00.000-08:00

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Jesus did not die on the cross just to get us out of hell and into heaven. He died on the cross to get Himself out of heaven and into us! It's what we were made for. That is why we long for glory. The truth is, we were created to reveal glory -- just not our own. God created us in His image to reveal His glory by giving visibility to His invisible character within us. Christ in us is the hope of glory. - Renee Swope, "A Confident Heart"

Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done...in earth...as it is in Heaven. - Part A of the Lord's Prayer

Jesus in Me

When I say the Lord's prayer, when I hear others say the Lord's prayer, I say the words "on earth." Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. But, when I first learned how to sing the Lord's prayer, I was surprised to see that the words were "in earth." It didn't make sense to me. Why would He want Heaven to be in the ground? We, the people who need Heaven to be with us, need it on the surface, where we are. On earth!

⁷And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. - Genesis 2:7 (KJV)

Ah...the Holy Spirit it paring away another layer of the onion to reveal a little more of the Lord's wonder and glory. A while back He changed the way I view the words "give us this day, our daily bread." To read that particular "ah hah" you can visit my previous post here: Bread of Heaven. And now He's clicking on another light in my soul. Yes, Jesus died for my sins...but not just to get me into Heaven after this earthly body dies. He died so that He could come, and bring Heaven with Him, into my world now!

We were created from the dust of the earth. We are earth. And we surely need Heaven in earth!

Jesus gave us this simple prayer. We Christians (at least we Lutheran Christians) say it every time we meet, pretty much. It's a part of what we do. We breathe, we eat, we say The Lord's Prayer. I, for one, try to focus on each aspect of that prayer so that I'm really, really praying it (not just saying it by rote). When Jesus reveals His life within this prayer, His miracle shines so brightly I am blinded by joy!

Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom (Jesus) come. Thy Will (Jesus) be done in earth (in me!) as it is in Heaven. Lord, give us this day, our daily bread (our Bread of Life, Jesus!) and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation (oh, Holy Spirit, please do not lead us to this testing as you did Jesus), but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom (Jesus) and the Power (Jesus) and the Glory (Jesus!), forever and ever. Amen.

P.S. Lord, please help me have a clean and worthy heart for Jesus to live in. Please help me to look to Him first and then reflect His glory out into this troubled world we currently live in. Please help me to share Heaven with everyone I come into contact with. I love you so very, very much! Amen and Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Stepping out in Faith

2011-11-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

Bible reading: Matthew 1

Thoughts to ponder: Consider the weight of generations of expectation that Joseph was raised with. Did that help him accept his dream more readily? Or did it make him doubt this dream as wishful thinking? Once Joseph accepted the fact that the life inside his not-yet-bride was THE Messiah, what do you think was going through his head?

My thoughts: If I were Joseph, I would probably second guess myself. Really? After all these years I'm the man that God has chosen to be His human father? Yeah right!

Once I had accepted this completely preposterous idea, a flood of emotions:

Excitement - The promise is finally being fulfilled! I get to be in a front row seat for this miracle!
Terror - I am going to be responsible for keeping this fragile life safe. I literally have the weight of the world on my shoulders!
Impatience - I have to wait for this Messiah to grow up? Where's the miracle in that? When will He become what He came here to be?
Pressure - How can I be the father that Our Father in Heaven would be proud of?
Awe - I have been chosen to be a part of this miracle. I get to watch it unfold!
Humbled - Me? I am unworthy of this task. Only by His grace will I be able to do this!

I find it interesting that, along with the Advent plan that I am following, I have been answering questions from "A Confident Heart" regarding trusting God in seemingly impossible situations (the passages describing Gideon's challenges were used to illustrate this truth). I think Joseph was in a similar situation. His humanness was certainly not up to the task of caring for and raising our Lord. But, God was with him (in Spirit and in the flesh!). He stepped out in faith and trusted that God had a plan and that all would turn out OK.

I've been looking back at situations in my life where things seemed impossible...and yet the Lord used them to create something better. In nearly all these situations the first thing He adjusted was my attitude. I didn't trust Him and I couldn't see the positives in where I currently was.

Can you see how Joseph might have been in that situation, too? What would have happened if God hadn't sent that angel in his dream to help him see things differently? Talk about a bad situation! Bride-to-be knocked up and claiming she hadn't done anything to get herself this way? All his plans and hopes for the future dashed. Hidden guilt that he was going to have to desert this woman that he loved because he couldn't live with the shame of her disgrace. Hopeless.

But, with a little dream...and a change in perspective...he instead trusted God and stepped out in faith. And what an amazing miracle came from his faith! It has affected all of our lives.

How will our choices affect others' lives? What miracles will the Lord work through our faith?

Oh, Lord - You shake me to the core sometimes with your revelations. I am feeling all of the emotions that Joseph and Gideon probably felt. I don't know where you will lead me, but I am stepping out in faith today...because I know you will make it all work for good. I trust you. I can't see how things will work out, but I know that you can. If Gideon can step out in faith and fight with only 300 men, I surely can trust that you will work through my minor challenges just as well. If Joseph can step into the role of Father to God, any responsibility that you give me is surely manageable if I look to you and trust you! And I do trust you. And I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

A Better View

2011-11-28T07:17:00.000-08:00

Good morning :-)

Before I read the following devotion I was guided to begin an Advent devotion/reading plan (yes, as Chuck commented, I have a Heavenly addiction). The first passage was Luke 2:21-40 and one of the suggested activities was the following:

Read [this] account of two people who waited every day in the Temple for Jesus' arrival. Discuss or journal about these two people who were blessed by seeing God's Savior with their own eyes. How can your life reflect this kind of anticipation?

One of the major "ah hahs" that I received after reading this passage was that the Holy Spirit was guiding Simeon and opening his heart and mind to the truth of Jesus' coming. It doesn't say the Holy Spirit was guiding Anna, but it does say she was a prophet. That obviously means the Holy Spirit was with her, giving her His truth.

Their response upon seeing the Glory of our Lord in human form? Joy! And the need to speak of this joy and share it with others.

I have to confess - I generally am not looking forward to this time of year. Are you shocked? I should be happily throwing up my Christmas decorations and eagerly anticipating the celebration of our Savior's birth, right? But instead, as Leanne indicates below, I am feeling the pressure to spend more than I can afford. And, not only that, I'm feeling the pressure to feel the joy of the season (Jesus is the reason for the season, after all). But, I rarely do. Instead I feel the impending doom of too many activities squeezed into too little time and that sinking feeling that I've forgotten someone on my list (or that I don't have the perfect gift to give them).

I am obviously needing this Advent devotion plan this year (and every year). I'm already feeling the Holy Spirit tilting my view of this season by reading of the incredible joy and exultation of Simeon and Anna...and Leanne's suggestions below.

I am looking forward to His continued adjustment of my focus as I begin each day with this devotion plan.

Dear Lord Jesus - please help me to seek the Holy Spirit's wisdom and truth each day as I head into this Christmas season. Please help me grow closer to you and feel your presence in everything that I do and see you in everyone I interact with. Please, please, please fill me with the joy of Simeon and Anna! What better gift could I ask for than to see you truly with the eyes of my heart, Lord? I love you so very much...and thank you for all that you have done for me...and will continue to do in my life! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

November 28, 2011
Meaningful Gifts
LeAnn Rice

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.'" Luke 2:10 (NAS)

It's the week after Thanksgiving, which means it's time to pull out our Christmas gift lists. Can I be honest? There are aspects of Christmas gift-giving I don't enjoy.

Before you think I'm Scrooge, please let me explain. I'm not fond of the "I'm just checking you off my list" mentality that can make giving seem commercial and insincere. And I don't care for the pressure I sometimes feel to spend more than I can afford at the holidays.

But I do love to give meaningful gifts. And I especially find joy in giving gifts that reflect the reason we celebrate Christmas. The tradition of gift-giving is a reminder of the greatest gift, Jesus Christ. He is "good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10). His birth shouts to each of us, you are loved by the Lord of lords and King of kings!

It seems people are more open to this good news at Christmastime, so I look for ways to share God's love through meaningful gifts. Sometimes I'll drop off a grocery gift card and a pretty basket of homemade goodies on the doorstep of a family in need. With it, I'll include an anonymous gift tag that reads, "Merry Christmas! Love, Jesus."

Another thing I love to do is carry candy canes to give to those I interact with, such as cashiers or waitresses. I usually tie a ribbon around them with a card that includes the Christmas story from the Bible.

Gifts can also be meaningful when what we give reflects God's love for the recipient. Thoughtful gifts communicate to the special people in our lives: God sees you, loves you and knows what you delight in.

One holiday season a friend battling a lingering illness didn't have energy to dive into holiday festivities. Since I love to cook and beautify, I unpacked her Christmas boxes and decorated her house. At the end of the day her family and I admired their festive home and enjoyed the chicken soup I'd set up in the crock pot earlier. It lifted her spirits and mine!

This week, as we transition our focus from Thanksgiving to Christmas, let's remember the gifts we buy don't have to be expensive or complicated to send the message of God's love and ours.
Let's take time to pray, asking God for creativity and thoughtfulness so that we not only give gifts that are meaningful, but gifts that reflect His "good news of great joy" this Christmas.

Dear Lord, thank You that You chose to come to earth, so we could know You and know how much You love us. Help me think of ways to love others for You through the gifts I give this Christmas. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit www.UntanglingChristmas.com for great ideas on reaching out, helpful organizing tips, decorating and menu ideas, and seeking Christ in the holiday hustle and bustle. Also find information on downloading the new e-book, Untangling Christmas: Your Go-To Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday by Karen Ehman and LeAnn Rice.

Application Steps:
LeAnn's She Cooks website provides instructions and tools to make her all-time favorite gift: the Blessing Box. A template with 100 personalized scriptures is provided. Simply do a "find and replace" to insert a name and you will have 100 of God's promises, personalized for the recipient!

As you shop, prepare and wrap gifts for others, pray specifically for the recipient to come to know Jesus or have a closer relationship with Him in the coming year.

Reflections:
Gifts of service are the least expensive and often the most meaningful. Who in my life is so busy a home-cooked meal would make her day? Maybe an elderly or ill friend would appreciate my help shopping, wrapping and mailing their gifts. Who needs my time more than a material gift?

Power Verses:
Matthew 2:11, "After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (NAS)

Acts 20:35, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (NIV)

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

Including Him

2011-11-25T08:46:00.000-08:00

In the chapter I'm reading from Renee Swope's book, A Confident Heart, she asked this question: What mistakes or struggles make you feel like you can't follow God consistently?

Out of the myriad of mistakes and struggles that seem to plague my walk came an all encompassing answer: My need for worldly attention.

This answer is really behind every one of my struggles and failures. There always seems to be a moment of emptiness that assails me and triggers my desperate gropes for attention.

Actually, I think the more appropriate answer to Renee's question for me is simply "My need for attention." It's my humanity that turns me looking to the world to answer that need, when I really should be seeking that attention from my Lord and Savior. What trips me up is that seeking Jesus instead of worldly (human) contact, seems so remote and lonely. I want to feel real arms around me. I want to have honest to goodness laughter and conversation; to see and be seen...to know and be known.

Renee also suggested that I take my struggles and picture myself walking to the cross and asking Jesus to speak words of grace over my guilt. I did as she suggested and this is what came to me:

Jesus reminded me that I don't have to shut myself off and only seek Him in prayer and meditation. I can feel His love and Heavenly attention through my spiritual relationships here on earth. And if I have friendships that are not Godly I need to pray Him into them. I need to seek Him everywhere and in everything. I will find infinitely greater satisfaction (and won't have this empty feeling) if I am including Him in all of my relationships.

I wasn't created to be alone. I crave friendship and interaction with people for a reason. God programmed me this way. I need to trust in His wisdom with this...and make sure that I keep Him, and my relationship with Him, first and foremost in my heart, mind, body and soul. If I am fully aware that He is with me before I turn to my relationships here on earth, then those connections will be blessed and truly soul filling.

After this revelation, the Lord led me to the following passage:

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. - John 1:1-5 (NLT)

Watch out, I'm going to be seeking His light in all of you! He's there...He's been there since the beginning...and He will be there at the end. I need Him here on earth. Don't you?

Dear Jesus - thank you so much for all the beautiful things that you created. Many a time I've gone walking on a crisp morning and marveled at the brilliant display of your glory. Thank you for reminding me that you also created me and the humans that I love so dearly. Thank you for being in and through everything that I hold dear. Please help me remember to seek You in everything and everyone. You are there, even if they don't know you. I see your great commission in a different light this morning. It may be a selfish light, but I think you've shown this to me to help me reach out. I may be seeking you in others because I need you, but if that need eventually shows them you...then a double blessing has happened. You are so good at those, my Lord! I thank you from the bottom of this big "needs to be filled" heart for pouring into my emptiness your grace and assurance of love this morning. Your solid presence is here with me now and I am strong in that knowledge. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

A New Perspective

2011-11-21T08:59:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone,

I began my day with this beautiful video (please see Chuck's link below) and then went for a walk and found even more beauty and wonders to marvel at. One of the things that came to me as I was walking was the understanding that some of the beauty I was witnessing needed drastic changes in weather to start the transformation process. The beautiful fall hues would not happen without the cold weather. The greenness of the hillsides and the crisp fresh scents that assaulted me wouldn't be there if it was always sunny and mild.

I just viewed this marvelous video again and realized that all that incredible scenery wouldn't have been so dramatic and heart-wrenchingly beautiful if our earth hadn't gone through major upheavals and drastic changes.

I find it incredible that the Lord can give me peace and put my trials and tribulations in perspective by showing me His might and power through the awe inspiring world that He has created...and at the same time help me to understand that I am like that world. I am in the process of becoming heart-wrenchingly beautiful on the inside as He shifts my world; sending earthquakes and peace, floods and dry times, ice storms and warm sun, mild sprinkles and major storms.

Look at the world and all its wonder and understand that we are that miracle in human form; ever changing, ever growing, amazing in our spiritual beauty and terrifying in our sinful depths. But, through all upheaval will come joy and beauty...sometimes immediately and sometimes after what seems like centuries of repair and regrowth. See this in all aspects of your life...church, work, home. Know that if He can create things beyond your wildest imaginings just for the sheer beauty of it He can and will create in you something even better!

Bless you all this day,

Leah

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 6:42 AM
Subject: COULD ANYONE WATCH THIS AND NOT BE THANKFUL?
To: CHUCK HAGAN

www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

You might want to watch this with a couple of things in mind:

Does it cause you to be thankful for God’s creation?

Does in bring up memories from the near or distant past?

In a darkening world; a brilliant 6 minute pin point of light (and sound).

My memory; a raft trip through the Grand Canyon, down the Colorado River with my friend John and riding a really big wave on New Year’s day in 1956.

<><

Worship Instead of Worry

2011-11-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

³⁸ As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴²There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

I have read this bible passage quite a few times. I would say in almost all instances I related to Mary far more than Martha. I'd like to say it's my natural inclination to choose spiritual matters, but it may be that I avoid housework like the plague! :-)

But, recently, I've become Martha...and I really don't like it! I used to choose what was truly important (stopping and listening to Jesus; spending time at his feet), but now I'm so busy with work and church "duties" that the time I spend with him is more like Martha's demands.

In Renee Swope's book, A Confident Heart, she talks about being out of balance. She used the above bible passage as an example:

Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to what He said, but Martha didn't. Instead of going to Jesus with a listening heart, Martha went to Jesus with a "listing" heart. She was listing her questions and then her instructions.

I have been doing that very same thing lately. I wouldn't say I've been giving Him instructions, as Martha did. I've just been chewing and worrying and begging.

Worrying instead of Worshiping.

In the same chapter of Renee's book that I quoted above she spoke about a time in her life when she was maxed out and went into a state of depression brought on by her anxiety. She was hit by so many challenges at once and felt her heart slipping into the pit of despair.

I can very much relate to that feeling. Only, my heart doesn't slowly slip into that pit...it drops like a stone into a sinkhole of "I can't handle all of this. What am I going to do? I need a miracle right now." thoughts. One minute I'm on an even keel and then, boom!, I'm awash in the muck and mire of my limitations.

Renee shared that when she gets in this place, she bosses her heart around and reminds her soul to praise the Lord. And it's not just a bedtime prayer reminder. She preaches a GOD IS GOOD sermon and quotes all of the Lord's promises to her waffling heart.

What a concept! Worship instead of worry - think about what is good and remember all that the Lord has done for me. It's pretty lame that I can refer to many passages in the Bible that quite clearly state this (some of them I even have memorized) and yet, when push comes to shove (and into the pit I go) I completely forget! But, that's why the Lord our God reminds us to pray without ceasing and to:

¹⁸ “...commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ¹⁹ Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ²⁰Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, ²¹ so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. - Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NLT)

Why does the Lord want us to do this? So that we have His promises ready at hand when the darkness, doubt, and worry starts to drag us down into that pit!

Renee asked a question at the end of the chapter I've been quoting that clicked a light on in my heart: If Jesus came to your house this past week to spend time with you, would you have been able to walk away from unfinished laundry, dishes, or emails if He wanted to talk with you?

My heart said, "Duh! Of course! I would be at his feet in an instant!" But, isn't that what my devotion and Bible study time is supposed to be? Shouldn't I drop every little worry that I have and listen as He shares His love and wisdom with me?

Worship instead of worry. It's not easy to do, but I think I have a visual now that will help me. Every time I feel it all overwhelming me I'm just going to ask Jesus over for a visit. There is no worry or task that is more important than spending time with my Lord.

Dear Jesus - I am curled at your feet and listening. I choose the one thing that is better and the only thing I need to be concern about. This is the place where I am at my best. I am at peace. I am at rest. And I am loved. Thank you for being here with me and giving me your perspective. I love you with all that I am! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Walking in Love

2011-11-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

How do you get what you want? By giving away what you need. Sow your seed and believe God for a harvest. - words of wisdom shared by Joyce Meyer in a devotion I just listened to.

Love Fulfills God's Requirements
Owe nothing to anyone - except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law. For the commandments say, "You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet." These - and other such commandments - are summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law. - Romans 13:8-10 (NLT)

Walking in Love

The words of wisdom that I shared by Joyce Meyer is from part one of a podcast called "Love Builds Up." In that podcast she talks about how we need to set out each day purposefully walking in love. It's like deciding to go for a walk. You can choose to take a couple of steps and then turn around, or you can choose to put one foot in front of the other and continue walking.

It's a choice.
And sometimes it's not an easy choice (especially if it's cold outside and you're sleepy!).

In the same way, loving one another, is a choice. And sometimes it's not easy. Often times the people we are trying to love aren't behaving in a way that makes us want to love them at all! But, usually, that's when they need our love the most.

Or you may be one of those folks who needs that love and aren't being so lovable because you're in a world of hurt and are having trouble just opening your eyes and making it through the day. It's at these times we truly have to choose to make that first step out in love.

Give away what you want...to get what you need!

Give love.
Show love.
Live love.

It will be returned to you, I promise! I can promise you this with complete confidence. God is love and He will make sure you feel Him if you are following His will and His commandment to love.

Dear Lord - Thank you for the reminder that I need to give love first. Recently I've been withholding my love because I felt it was under-appreciated and not really wanted. Unfortunately, this just served to isolate me and keep me from receiving what I really needed...love! Please help me to be generous with my caring and loving heart. Please help me understand that I may not get back love the way I want it, but it will be returned to me how I need it. And it may not be from the same person I show love to. No expectations from people...only complete confidence in You. I will sow my seeds of love and believe in your harvest, Lord! I can afford to love others with no expectations, because I am filled to the brim with your love! I love you so very much. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Balance

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Drawing Close to God

¹ What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? ² You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. ³ And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

⁴ You adulterers!^[a] Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. ⁵ What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy?^[b] ⁶ But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
but favors the humble.”^[c]

⁷ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. ⁹ Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Warning against Judging Others

¹¹ Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.^[d] If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. ¹² God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

Warning about Self-Confidence

¹³ Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” ¹⁴ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. ¹⁵ What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. - James 4 (NLT)

~*~

¹⁹ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ²⁰ Human anger^[g] does not produce the righteousness^[h] God desires. - James 1:19-20 (NLT)

~*~

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. ¹⁸ And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. - James 3:17 (NLT)

Balance

This morning I was praying to the Lord for a balanced perspective. I've recently struggled with viewing tough situations in a completely different light than others. I question whether I'm wrong in my thoughts, even though I am truly trying to do God's will. What worries me is that I feel others may not be questioning their motives at all.

The Lord suggested that I read through James...and I did. It convicted me (as it usually does) on many points, but it also affirmed many of my thoughts and actions.

I am going to pray on the insights that whispered to my heart as I read the wisdom of James today. I'm especially going to meditate on chapter 4. There is so much pure, unadulterated truth in this chapter. It's not easy to read (especially if I'm struggling with pride and wanting things my own way), but if I let my resistance go for just a little bit and truly let God have control I can have that balance and "rightness" that I've been praying for.

Below is a note that was attached to a contemporary hymnal from the 70's that a very dear and wise man gave to me recently (thank you, Dan...you are a blessing and joy to my heart). I don't know who wrote this wisdom, but it came like a cool draft of water to soothe my burning heart.

Lately I've been learning many things about myself, problems I can conquer and things I cannot help. It's strange that after all these years, it's only now I find, I've been learning how to live in God's own time.
In God's own time I'll always find His plan for me is greater than any dreams of mine. So let me see and help me find what lies in store for me in God's own time.
I used to pray with answers already in my mind, and wonder why His leading always seemed so hard to find, but now I'm more dependent on His will, instead of mine, while I'm learning how to live in God's own time.

To have balance I must let go of my silly notions of control. My prayers should always be for His will to be done and for patience while I wait on His timing.

Dear Lord - Please help me to be in line with your will today. I beg of you to give me the wisdom and patience to wait upon your timing. I pray that all your children will seek you first and have the courage to face their fears and let go of their desires. Human desires, even if they are with the best intentions, can often times be exactly opposite of what you have in mind for us at that time. I know, in my experience, if I have an agenda instead of having trust in you, I'm usually fighting an uphill battle. I don't want to struggle anymore, Lord. I want peace, joy, contentment and security. In the midst of my turmoil, please help me rest in you and your sufficiency. May I live today and always in your own time. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and PEACE,

Leah

Cream and Sugar, Anyone?

2011-11-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone,

In our Married Couples' Bible Study on Saturday we had a similar message as this one. I wish I had kept a copy so that I could quote one of many excellent points from it, but I didn't. Suffice it to say the message was: God works through upheaval. Sometimes He has to shake us up and put circumstances in our lives that will make it abundantly clear that we are weak and He is strong.

But, as we were reading this study, my heart was saying, "I am sooooo tired of being refined in this way." Like Marybeth says below, sometimes I just want to be comfortable rather than stirred up to reach my full potential. There's a reason I always sign off "Blessings and peace." It's peace and joy that I crave.

In my Christian life, there haven't been many days of calm and complacency. I'm sure it's because I still have a loooong way to go before I am refined and ready to meet our Lord, face to face. But, currently, I'm just about stirred out. I am in a state of resistance to these changes. I knew there were things that needed to be changed in my life, but there were a lot of things that I really treasured and wanted to stay. I supposed when the stirring is done, those things will still be there, but in a different place and form. I'm praying I retain my sanity, equanimity and perky personality until the current stirring is done!

But, through it all...I am confident that the Lord has my (and our) best interest at heart. I trust that His plan is wonderful and when I look back I will say, "I am so glad I went through that because I never would have had this joy, happiness and contentment if I hadn't." I have this confidence because He has led me through ridiculously difficult times to moments of clarity and joy where I saw His hands working amazing and beautiful things in my life.

I have confidence the He is currently stirring our church and school for the same purpose. He is making a new thing and it will be filled with joy, peace, contentment and beauty. He's just currently stirring the sweetness up and scraping up the sediment from the bottom of our cup!

Dear Father in Heaven - Oh, dear Lord, please give us the confidence and peace to weather this necessary upheaval. Help us to look back on other times when you've stirred us up and created better situations in our lives. Please give us the courage to move forward, trusting in your guidance and will. Provide us wisdom and discernment to see what needs to be done and the serenity to accept that some things are not going to be in our control to change. Through all of this turmoil, I beg of you with my whole heart, to help us keep your commandment to love one another at the forefront of our hearts and minds. I know this will only be possible if we first concentrate on loving you with our whole heart, mind, body and soul! I love you and thank you for caring about me enough to work these changes into my life to create a creamier and sweeter me! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

November 7, 2011
Stir It Up
Marybeth Whalen

"[For] it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:13 (NIV 1984)

I took a sip of coffee and grimaced as I peered into the cup. Everything looked like it should, but the coffee wasn't sweet. Yet I remembered tearing open the little yellow packets and sprinkling the sweet crystals over the surface of the caramel colored liquid. Then I realized that—while I had added the sugar—I had never stirred it into the coffee. Without that stirring action, the sugar couldn't work all the way through.

I do this with my faith as well. I add all the necessary ingredients. I've got my Bible, my devotion subscription, my godly girlfriends, my church, my special quiet time journal, my praise and worship songs, my verses memorized. If you looked at me, you'd say it's all there.

But I'd rather avoid the stirring up part, truth be told. I'd tell you that I know it's good for me. I'd tell you that it's not good to stay in one place. I'd tell you that you should submit to God and let Him stir you up and that I'd be glad to pray for you during that process.

But me? No. Just leave me alone. Let me sit. I'd rather look okay and be comfortable than be stirred up and reach my full potential.

Have you ever had those feelings?

Maybe today you're feeling stirred up. Your finances or your job or your marriage or your children or your friendships or your dreams feel like a cyclone is swirling through them, leaving you unsettled and unstable. You might be wondering why God is letting this happen, why He's forgotten you. Not thinking that it just might be His hand doing the stirring. He's using those swirling forces to reach all the parts of you that He wants to get to. As today's verse reminds us, He works in you to accomplish His purpose for you.

Years ago a friend and I were making a big pot of spaghetti sauce. We left the pot on the stove and went off to join our families outside. But when we returned we smelled something burning. We pulled the lid off the pot to peer at the sauce. The sauce looked fine. All the elements were there: the red color, the thickness of the liquid, the chunks of meat and slivers of onions and spices. It was only as we took a long spoon and dug deep into the pot that we discovered that the sauce at the very bottom had become stuck because we hadn't been inside stirring it up, keeping it moving, not letting it settle. When things get settled, they become stuck.

As you are stirred up in life, thank God that He loves you enough to not let you get stuck, to not leave you bitter. The elements are there—and that's important—but it's in the stirring that we become all that He has in mind.

Dear Lord, when I am feeling stirred up, help me to think of it as You working Your sweetness into me, as You preventing me from becoming stuck. I want to move forward with You and become what You have in mind. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Marybeth's blog where she discusses faith, family, fiction or food each day.

Living Financially Free: Hard Earned Wisdom for Saving Your Money and Your Marriage by Marybeth and Curt Whalen

She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen

Application Steps:
Think about a time recently when you felt stirred up. Write down some good things that came out of that stirring up. Spend time thanking God for the way He works through you to accomplish His purposes for you.

Reflections:
When I'm feeling stirred up do I tend to resist it or submit to it? Am I afraid of being stirred up? Do I feel like God must not love me when that happens or do I see the stirring as just one more step in my faith process?

Power Verses:
Hebrews 13:20-21, "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)

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

Remaining

2011-11-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There's no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. This is my command: Love each other. - John 15:9-14, 17 (NLT)

Remaining

Jesus makes it sound so simple and so easy. All we have to do is love one another. Why then does it seem so hard sometimes? What does love look like? Am I supposed to love someone when they're harsh and unforgiving? Do I have to love someone who spreads gossip and rumor about me or the people I care about?

The author of something I read recently (I can't remember who or where) reminded me of the amazing display of forgiveness and love shown by the Amish community that had their children taken from them by a disturbed gunman. Since I couldn't find that article, I looked the incident up online and found a write up on Wikipedia. The following humbles me and makes it abundantly clear what Jesus meant:

Amish community response
On the day of the shooting, a grandfather of one of the murdered Amish girls was heard warning some young relatives not to hate the killer, saying, "We must not think evil of this man."^[17]^{[dead link]}Another Amish father noted, "He had a mother and a wife and a soul and now he's standing before a just God."^[18]
Jack Meyer, a member of the Brethren community living near the Amish in Lancaster County, explained: "I don't think there's anybody here that wants to do anything but forgive and not only reach out to those who have suffered a loss in that way but to reach out to the family of the man who committed these acts."^[17]^{[dead link]}
A Roberts family spokesman said an Amish neighbor comforted the Roberts family hours after the shooting and extended forgiveness to them.^[19] Amish community members visited and comforted Roberts' widow, parents, and parents-in-law. One Amish man held Roberts' sobbing father in his arms, reportedly for as long as an hour, to comfort him.^[20] The Amish have also set up a charitable fund for the family of the shooter.^[21] About 30 members of the Amish community attended Roberts' funeral,^[20] and Marie Roberts, the widow of the killer, was one of the few outsiders invited to the funeral of one of the victims.^[22] Marie Roberts wrote an open letter to her Amish neighbors thanking them for their forgiveness, grace, and mercy. She wrote, "Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. Gifts you've given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you."^[22]
The Amish do not normally accept charity, but due to the extreme nature of the tragedy, donations were accepted. Richie Lauer, director of the Anabaptist Foundation, said the Amish community, whose religious beliefs prohibit them from having health insurance, will likely use the donations to help pay the medical costs of the hospitalized children.^[23]
Some commentators criticized the swift and complete forgiveness with which the Amish responded, arguing that forgiveness is inappropriate when no remorse has been expressed, and that such an attitude runs the risk of denying the existence of evil;^[24]^[25]^[26] others were supportive.^[27]^[28] Donald Kraybill and two other scholars of Amish life noted that "letting go of grudges" is a deeply rooted value in Amish culture, which remembers forgiving martyrs including Dirk Willems and Jesus himself. They explained that the Amish willingness to forgo vengeance does not undo the tragedy or pardon the wrong, but rather constitutes a first step toward a future that is more hopeful.^[29]^[30

They are truly remaining in Christ and He is with them. Jesus didn't say, "Wait until the the other person loves you or expresses remorse before forgiving them and loving them." No, it was very basic...and yet complex beyond belief. "Love each other."

Love that person who cuts you off on the freeway
Love your neighbor who plays loud music until the wee hours of the morning
Love your children who leave their dishes wherever they are done with them and their rooms in shambles
Love those people who don't love you enough to stay and work it out
Love, especially, those who are apparently incapable of loving you in return

The list could go on and on. There are so many opportunities to love out there. I've listed several difficult areas, but there are just as many easy opportunities to love. It just takes that little bit of extra effort.

When you think of someone, pray for them, right then and there
Notice when someone needs a clear view when they're turning left at a cross roads and do your best not to block their line of sight
Bite your tongue when you have every right to point out someone's transgression against you and say something encouraging instead
Go visit a shut-in or ailing congregation member - even if you don't know them very well

I'm just throwing ideas out there. They are minor...and yet major...because when you're practicing them, you are remaining in Jesus...and He is in you. That's major! That's where I need to be.

Without a doubt, that Amish community had to have been majoring in the minors long before they were confronted with the tragedy that provided them the ultimate opportunity to show their love through Jesus to the Roberts family. It's the daily following that strengthens us and binds us to Jesus and His love.

Dear Jesus - You loved me long before I even realized your love was something I wanted or needed. I am still learning, every day, just exactly how deep and amazing that love is. Please help me grow in your love by following your commandment to love others as I love myself. Please guide me and open my eyes to the opportunities that are always there for me to share my love. Yes, open the eyes of my heart and let your love pour through me! I love you and want to remain in you always. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Doubt vs. Truth

2011-10-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

Wisdom from Renee Swope (excerpts from chapter 6 of "A Confident Heart"):

Doubting God's promises makes it hard to trust God's heart. That's why we need to recognize Satan's lies, refute his temptations, and rely on God's Word instead.

We need to keep our minds clear by asking Jesus to replace the clutter of insecurity, pride, and Satan's lies with the clarity of His truth.

Compare your thoughts about [your] situation to God's thoughts. Do they match?

God's thoughts refuting my doubts this morning:

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. - Romans 8:35, 37 (NLT)

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8:28 (NLT)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. - Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land." - Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLT)

Dear Lord - please hear the groans of my heart. I do not know what to pray for, but your Holy Spirit does. I trust that you will work through all my doubts and struggles and breathe your truth and promises into that maelstrom of human frailty. You already have this morning and I pray that you will help me seek your truth each second of every day so that I walk in your power and promises. Please be with all of your children today. No matter what circumstance they are facing, please give them the courage and faith to stand tall and trust in your sufficiency and love. The Bible says: If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? That says it all, doesn't it, Lord? I will trust in this promise from your Word today and let that unbelievable truth soak deep into the tiniest corners of my heart and soul. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Love Sees the People

2011-10-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

Good morning,

Below is a blog post written by the facilitator of the online Bible study I am currently participating in (and have shared a devotion or two based upon what I'm learning there). It was another excellent reminder for me. For the last day and a half I've been stumbling around my shuttered heart without my Jesus flashlight.

I have felt isolated and alone.
My thoughts were certainly not on His truth, but rather on my limitations.

Frankly, it's still pretty dark in here...but I am starting to see cracks of light filtering through my gloom.

One of the things that the Lord reminded me this morning is that I am not alone. Certainly He is always with me. But, I also have so many friends and family members who have the same worries and cares that I have. When I went into my Bible to read again the passage Melissa lists below (Philippians 4:13) I was drawn to read the first part of Philippians 4 instead:

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. - Philippians 4:1 (NLT)

Without a doubt, it is the amazing love and friendship that I have with all of you that makes everything I do for our church a joy and honor. I believe that each of you feel the same way. We care and share our hearts because of the love we have for one another.

Chuck Hagan sent me an encouraging email this morning and shared a thought from his pastor that says it all:

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

“Faith sees the cross -- Hope sees the resurrection -- Love sees the people.”

The question that Melissa talks about below is:

Do you have any limitations or weaknesses that make you doubt God can use you -- or would want to? If so, describe them and why they make you doubt God can use you.

Shee whiz...you'd all fall asleep if I listed my answers out in this post! :-) In fact, all those doubts and fears are what has been keeping my heart so murky this last day. They are dispersing, however, as I read God's Truth and shine His light on them...and I am reminded of the people and love that makes everything I do (and we do) worth it!

Dear Lord - Thank you for reminding me of your Truth and love this morning. Thank you for the wonderful church family that I am blessed to be a part of. Please help us all to focus on your strength, your sufficiency...and everything that You can do through us. I personally see your glory sending beams of light into my darkness and I am humbled by your love and care. I am praying for your light to reach every corner of my heart today and make it a glowing testament to the faith that your Holy Spirit sends in plenitude if I ask for it. Please shine down on each one of us with your glorious power and help us join together to walk out in faith, hope and love toward the path that you have planned for us. I love you! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Melissa Taylor, Author and Speaker

Living in the Light and a Giveaway

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 01:00 AM PDT

Do you remember the last time you were in the dark? I’m not talking about not having enough light to see, I’m talking about having no light whatsoever. For me, the last time was really in the dark was during hurricane Wilma in 2005. If you have never been through a hurricane, it can be a very scary, experience and for me, Wilma was my first hurricane. Lucky for me…she had been the worst one to blow through South Florida since Andrew.

To prepare for a hurricane, you put these very heavy metal shutters over every door and window of your entire home. These shutters worked very well to protect your home from high winds and flying debris, but they were also excellent at blocking out every bit of light. Let me tell you, when you lose power and you have those shutters up, it is pitch black…you feel like you are inside a cave, completely engulfed in the blackness. You try to see your hands, but even though you know they’re in front of your face, you just can’t see them at all. You keep expecting your eyes to adjust to the darkness, but there just isn’t any light for them to absorb. It’s a surreal experience and a bit frightening too. Then someone finds the flashlight or lights a candle and the room seems to flood with its light. It may take a few moments for your eyes to adjust, but once they focus, you can see everything and go about your business. You take that light with you everywhere; you can’t leave it in the kitchen and expect it to reach the hallway. Wherever you bring it, you also much make sure that you don’t put anything in front of the light that would block it from illuminating the room; that light becomes your priority.

I know it makes easy sense when we talk about a literal light, but what does this have to do with our confidence? How is light going to make things better? We know the Light Renee refers to is Christ, “the light of the world” {John8:12}, but how does it work, what exactly is the light illuminating? After all, we don’t turn on a light unless there is something we need to see clearly.

Jesus met many men and women who were filled with doubts, but Jesus didn’t point to them and give them instant confidence and take away all of their feelings of doubt and insecurity. Even if He had alleviated those feelings, they would eventually return. As creatures of habit, we begin doubting again because we rely on ourselves to be our source of confidence. Instead, Jesus illuminates for us the true source of all confidence which has the power to dispel our doubts. Throughout scripture, we are reminded again and again how God uses the imperfect, the sinful, the rebellious, the hot headed, the weak, and everyone else in-between to further His kingdom.

Moses had an issue with stuttering, but God still used him to free the Israelites; letting Aaron do the talking. Exodus 4
Rahab was a prostitute who hid Joshua’s two spies because she had heard of God’s mighty strength. Joshua 2
Esther approached the king in order to save the people of Israel from annihilation, an action that could’ve easily ended in her death. Esther 4
David fought Goliath, not because he thought he was a great warrior, but because he had faith in God’s strength and power. I Samuel 17
David also had a weakness for women and murdered Bathsheba’s husband to hide the fact he had gotten her pregnant; yet, David is still called a man after God’s own heart because he repented and returned to the Lord. II Samuel 11-12
Peter was known to speak and act without thinking…cutting off a man’s ear when he tried to arrest Jesus, but he also walked on water trusting that if Christ said he could, then he would. John 18 & Matthew 14
Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest any followers of Jesus he found there and drag them back to Jerusalem for trial and perhaps execution, but God saw fit to use Paul to reach countless people for Christ. Acts 9

Getting the idea here? God used each of them, not because of how confident, powerful, or talented they were, but because of what He chose to do through them. When we focus on what God says we can do, there is nothing that is off limits, we can do all things through Him, because He is our strength; Philippians 4:13. Now we’re back to…how. Do you remember what I said earlier about taking the light with you, what Renee wrote in Chapter 3 about when/then statements (pg 60), or what Stephanie encouraged us in her post yesterday? In order to dispel our feelings of doubt and insecurity, we have to shine the light of Truth found in God’s Word and watch those feelings scatter at the name of Jesus. We have to do this on a daily basis, taking that Truth with us everywhere we go, we can’t leave it behind and expect it to help.

Here is your task, if you haven’t already, answer question 3 on page 94. Once you have done this, seek His Word, ask Him to share with you a verse to replace those lies of doubt with His Truth; Philippians 4:13 would be a good place to start. Then, write that Truth on an index card and keep it with you, say it out loud anytime that doubt starts hissing in your ear. Personalize the verse by inserting your name, rewrite the verse as a prayer, and completely immerse yourself in His Truth. If you need a little help in doing that, I hope this post about Praying Back God’s Word will get you going in the right direction.

[youtube= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKnBcCdnXyg]

Knock Softly

2011-10-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

I have been wrangling with my viewpoint compared to some viewpoints of more seasoned Lutheran Christians and praying about it sincerely. Many times we seem to be at opposite ends of the Bible. I am firmly planted in the New Testament and still reconciling myself to the harshness of the Old. They sometimes seem to be snuggled solidly in the Old Testament with cautious allowances for the grace of the New.

I struggle with this. I feel they are missing the positives and peace that permeate both Testaments. But, am I of the “feel good” generation? Do I only want to see the Good News and ignore the tough stuff?

I don’t think so. I pray that it isn’t so!

What I see is that God has ushered in a new way of viewing Him with Christ:

Christ did not come to replace God or to negate the lessons and truth of our God from the Old Testament, but He did come to clarify and make a way to receive God’s love.

Yes, our God is a jealous God. He created us. He wants us to remain in Him because we are His. But, the Old Testament is missing the true intent of His jealousy. It is not complete without the promise being fulfilled by Christ Jesus.

And the New Testament is not complete without the Old. We cannot understand the purpose and reason Christ is in our lives without seeing our God in all His glory and strength. Without seeing how sadly ill equipped we are to ever be what God wants us to be by ourselves.

All Good News doesn’t give us our foundation.

All Fire and Brimstone doesn’t give us our saving grace…our way out…our unconditional love.

I see the frustration of many solidly based Lutherans with the new “feel good” churches. They understand that to have that grace and love be truly meaningful, a Christian must know the ground rules: the law which clearly states our Lord’s expectations of us.

But, sometimes, they’re so caught up in the “thou shalt nots” that they miss understanding that hammering someone with something, even if it is good for them, many times will cause them to pull away.

Gently, gently, good Christians. Remember the prodigal son. He was welcomed back with open arms and a loving heart. There’s time enough to instruct them in the ways of our Lord. First let’s get them in the door and well-schooled in the understanding that our Lord loves them unconditionally.

God loves. God is love!

That doesn’t mean that He doesn’t have expectations. But, His Holy Spirit is going to be the one that starts to convict their heart and bring them to their senses.

If we keep hammering on a closed door, does that mean it will open? Maybe. But, does that mean we’ll be welcomed in when the door is finally opened? Not likely.

Knock softly. Bring Good News (and some chocolate or a fruit basket). Reach out in love and kindness. Give those whom we love a reason to welcome us in. Once we are comfortably established inside - when these troubled hearts are secure in the knowledge that we care and all their messy clothes and dirty dishes don’t bother us, only then can we start to share with them the more difficult aspects of Christianity:

The need for cleansing and repentance.
The law that we were hardwired to understand from the moment we were first created.

We know the truth of it, but if we only see that harshness and “less than because we can never measure up” message (instead of focusing on the One who has paid the price for us) we are going to avoid that cleansing process with all our might! (I use "we" and "they" interchangeably because I was and am both the seeker and the lost sheep in my thoughts here.)

The question is: Do I want to be in the “right” or in a relationship?

I need to take a clue from the One who has every right to say, “You’re wrong and I AM right!”…and He has said it and continues to say it…but He also sacrificed His only son so that He could establish a relationship with us. God understands, above and beyond all our puny human understanding, that first He must develop trust in us before He can begin to convict our hearts of our iniquities. We need to know that He loves us…no matter what…and that He has provided us a way to come to him unblemished. Once we finally understand that (through the Holy Spirit) that’s when He can start to do His greatest work in us.

If God has chosen to knock softly and bring Good News, shouldn’t we?

Dear Father in Heaven - Thank you for helping me understand how radical your love for me is. If I learn nothing else from your Word, the knowledge of the power of your love for me and for all of your creation is enough. It's enough to give me courage to lower my defenses and listen to your will for my life. It's enough to give me the strength to get back up when my imperfections and self-will stumble over your immovable law. You know that I have not come to this understanding easily, nor quickly. Your Spirit has been working on me and through me for many years..and He still has a long way to go to get me where you want me to be. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for gently knocking on the door of my soul and giving me a safe place to learn and grow. Your tenderness is what I needed. I pray for that tenderness to touch everyone's life and change them in ways they never imagined! I love you for your jealous love that pierced our world with the life of your Son. I can never repay or understand such a sacrifice. I can only humbly thank you from the bottom of my saved and redeemed soul. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Matters of Consequence

2011-09-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

Bible Reading: John 4:1-30 (NLT)

When I was a kid, I perceived God as distant, unavailable, and unapproachable. My image of Him conjured up feelings of fear and judgment instead of protection and acceptance. I wanted to please Him so He wouldn't get mad at me. I pictured Him on the sidelines of life, keeping score, and I felt like I was always disappointing Him. In a nutshell, I had created a God in the image of my father. - Renee Swope, "A Confident Heart"

Matters of Consequence

I've been chewing on some things Pastor said during his sermon on Sunday. He gave us a picture of his two nephews and the current state of their Christian walk with the Lord (which was to say that neither one is doing much walking...more like sitting and ignoring). The message of this story (and his commentary of others who believe but don't act on that belief) was that they were in trouble; that they were in possible danger of not being with our Lord in Heaven. In a not so subtle way, Pastor was saying, "God was angered by their lack of response to His gift of eternal life and salvation."

I agree and disagree with Pastor's comments. Yes, they are definitely in trouble. But, not in the way of "You bad, bad, children...you're not doing what I told you to do!"

They are in trouble because they are missing out.

And they could potentially miss out for a long, long time.

In the second chapter of Renee Swopes' book, "A Confident Heart" she talks about the Samaritan woman and where she was in her life when Jesus came into it. She had been rejected many times (husbands did the divorcing in those days. That means she was abandoned five times by the men that she loved). She was a social pariah (you don't lug your earthen pot to get water in the heat of the day unless you are avoiding the rest of the ladies and their sharp tongues). She had little pride left (she was living with a man that she wasn't even married to). To say that she was in need of the love that Jesus offered her is an understatement.

One of the things that sings to my heart is the fact that Jesus went out of his way to be there for this woman. He, a Jew, went directly into the Samaritan neighborhood (just not done), in the hottest part of the day, and spoke to this Samaritan, (strike one) living in sin, (strike two) woman (strike three). As Renee puts it:

Jesus could have chosen to be anywhere else that day, but instead He was there pursuing Sam (that's what Renee named the Samaritan woman).

Jesus met Sam in one of the loneliest parts of her day.

In the same way, He is there waiting for us in the midst of our imperfect lives, when our pain and failures confirm our self-doubts. He is there waiting for us when we're going through the motions, aware of what needs to be done but unaware of how we're going to do it. He is there on those mornings when we can't stop criticizing ourselves for blowing it the day before; when we go to work and wonder why we're even there.

This woman was in need and Jesus was the answer to that need.

We are all in need and Jesus is still the answer to that need today.

Some of us are lucky enough (though we probably don't call our pain and struggles lucky!) to be in the position of the Samaritan woman. We know that we are not where we want to be. Our lives are a mess and we can't seem to make them better. When we are given that promise of Living Water we jump on it like our lives depend on it (because they do!).

But, Christians like Pastor's nephews aren't in such a lucky position. Yes, they are in trouble - trouble of being without the Lord in their lives. There's danger in being complacent and self-satisfied...in thinking that they are just fine the way they are.

But, God's not handing out punishment to them. He doesn't want them to be without Him. He will, however, let them reap the consequences of their actions. He's not like the God that Renee describes in the paragraph above. He's not like the God that I thought He was when I was a child (hard, cold, demanding, impersonal, vengeful).

He loves.

He offers care and protection.

He offers guidance and salvation.

And yet...He allows consequences to shape our lives.

In my life, the waves of turmoil and self-involved choices have a tendency to throw me off balance and I quite often get sucked under and come up coughing and gasping for air. I know that God looks down on me and says to Himself, "When is that girl going to learn?" But, He loves me...and He reaches down and pulls me out of that mess when I finally look to Him for help. The rough waters are very good at reshaping my life. They're active and I'm aware of His presence pretty much constantly.

But, when they get still...when I'm floating in my happy little raft of contentment...that's when I must work the hardest to stay connected to my Lord. Praying, reading His Word, remembering all that He has done for me - these are the connectors that will keep me tethered to Him. I want nothing more than to float together with my Lord down the gentle currents of joy and love that He has provided for me.

That's the difference between peace and complacency. That's the result of learned from consequences, not suffered through punishments.

Dear Lord - Thank you for coming to me in the heat of my life and offering me cool drafts of your Living Water. Thank you for the ever active currents of life that keep me looking to you for safety and guidance. Please let me never be complacent or distant from you, Lord! You will never desert me or forsake me...but you can't keep me from abandoning you. I don't ever want to do that! I pray with all my heart that your love reaches those in need - not only those whose lives are desperate and obviously needing your saving grace, but also those who know you and yet have stopped following you. I ache for their complacency, Lord. I ask you to blast through that indifference and shine your love on them so fiercely that they cannot help but draw closer to you once again! I thank you so much for blessing my life and especially blessing my last two weeks. I am fully aware of your grace and power at this moment! I love you, Jesus, Father God and Holy Spirit! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

P.S. Here is something else to remember and treasure: God is Love. And this is what Love is and what Love promises us: 1 Corinthians 13

Trust and Confidence

2011-09-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence."

Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT)

I started a new online Bible study this week (I may have mentioned this before). I was so ready for it to get started that I read the first chapter and completed the reflection questions by Sunday evening.

We were supposed to be slowly going through that process this week.

I just couldn't wait.

And I'm glad I couldn't...because I experienced an amazing confirmation of what the author of this study, Renee Swope, is saying. The title of the book is "A Confident Heart - How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises" and I've already experienced results from her suggestions!

The last reflection question of the first chapter is as follows:

Read Jeremiah 17:7. What does this verse promise and encourage you to do? Think of one situation where you could live in the power of this promise and describe what that would look like this week.

And this is what I wrote in response to that question:

Trust...and I will be blessed if I trust. I will seek His will and guidance as I tackle my work load this week. I will have confidence and trust that He will help me make the right and most efficient choices. His hope and confidence will guide me to interact well with my employer and help me to find positive ways of connecting with her.

I not only wrote this response, I prayed...hard! I concentrated on the promises of Jeremiah 17:7 and gave my week over to the Lord.

And you wouldn't believe how wonderful it was! It was still challenging and, on some days, filled with back to back to back requests that never let me rest or regroup...but I was OK. She was OK. I even had a challenge on Tuesday evening where we could have both ended up in a grumpy way, but that didn't happen.

Because my confidence was in Lord and it was not misplaced.

He guided my thoughts, my actions and my responses.

I trusted in Him and was blessed with peace, confidence and equanimity!

The trickle down from this trust is that my family and friends experienced a "happy" Leah (instead of the "I've been run over by a truck so stay out of my way" Leah that they've been experiencing a lot lately)!

And I had a great church council meeting on Tuesday evening (even though I had just experienced work challenges that could have tainted that meeting and the rest of my week)!

Trust and confidence - they are so wonderful to have and experience - in the Lord!

Dear Lord - Oh, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! for reformatting my work experience this week. You have saved me once again. I was just about at the end of my rope. And that's what happens when I forget to let go and let You take care of things. I just dangle at the end of that rope; desperate, defeated, wretched and exhausted. Why do I forget to have trust and confidence in you? Maybe you can explain that to me someday. But, in the meantime, thank you so much for sending me this book to remind me that you are my my hope and my confidence...and for the miraculous confirmation of your providence this week! I love you. I trust you. I give my life to you! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

What Ain't Right?

2011-09-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Matthew 20:1-16

New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Vineyard Workers

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² He agreed to pay the normal daily wage^[a] and sent them out to work.

³ “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. ⁴ So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. ⁵ So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.

⁶ “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’

⁷ “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’

“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’

⁸ “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. ⁹ When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. ¹⁰ When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. ¹¹ When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ¹² ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’

¹³ “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? ¹⁴ Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. ¹⁵ Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’

¹⁶ “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

What ain't right?

Our pastor based his sermon yesterday on the above passage. The main theme or title for this sermon could be "It ain't right." He was speaking from the perspective of the workers who were hired first and worked a full day and yet received the same amount as workers who had only worked for a half day (or even less). The words fair and justice were sprinkled in there. He eventually did get to the part where the word "grace" is indeed the only one which keeps any of us in our positions as children of God.

But, what I focused on in that sermon, is that I cannot relate to the feeling of "it ain't right." In fact, it disconnected me from his sermon for a little while, because those feelings of "that's not fair" or "look what I did in comparison to what he didn't do" just aren't in me.

There, but for the grace of God go I.

I'd say I'm one of the midday workers, fortunately. I've shared this before, so I won't belabor the point, but I didn't lead a Godly life for my first 30 years of life. I not only didn't know I had God in my life, I was taught to be actively resistant and cynical to any and all things religious or biblical (and I learned those lessons well).

What would I do and where would I be, if I hadn't been given the means of grace, because it wasn't fair to the other blessed folks who had been basking in the glow of this grace for most of their lives?

I'm not sure if Pastor really can relate to the "it ain't fair" mentality. I think this was more along the lines of his usual way of postulating something from way out in left field to get people thinking. Because I just can't imagine anyone begrudging another fellow sinner of the miraculous saving grace of our Lord's love and cleansing sacrificial blood...no matter how late in the game they finally realize they need it!

Coming from someone who has been on the outside looking in - let me tell you, it ain't no picnic out there.

Life is hard.

It's even harder still without Jesus sharing our burdens.

It would seem unfair if we were to picture those workers as living the life of luxury as they were standing around doing nothing.

But, lets get a true perspective of what they were doing (at least from my experience):

Standing around - no purpose, no path to take, nothing to look forward to, going nowhere.
Doing nothing - whatever they did do had no eternal value; all efforts were wasted.

That's what my life was like. I did a lot of "things" to try and make my life meaningful, but they left me empty and cold. I knew my life was not how it was supposed to be, but could never figure out how to make it right.

What ain't right?

Well, life ain't right without our Lord in it. Period.

Dear Jesus - Thank you for making me right. Thank you for loving me and giving me just as much lavish grace as those who have been walking with you all of their lives. Please help me to never begrudge someone that means of grace when they finally come to know you. For I truly know where they've been and it certainly wasn't leading the charmed life or goofing off until the last minute. Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do. Thank you for all that you have blessed my life with since I first began to know you. You gave, even though I didn't deserve it. You paid me my full days wage because you loved me. How lucky and blessed am I! I love you. I believe in you. I give my life to you. Amen.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 (KJV)

John 15:1-17 (NLT)

Jesus, the True Vine

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. ³You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. ⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
⁹ “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!¹² This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. ¹³ There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. ¹⁶ You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Shadow of Doubt

2011-09-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

²¹ Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. ²² You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” - Matthew 21:21-22 (NLT)

I am Vitamin D depleted. That is Vitamin Divine depleted. Did you know that you get some of your Vitamin D needs from the sun? You probably do. But, I just now equated that knowledge to my needs being supplied by basking in the light of our Lord.

I started a new book today called "A Confident Heart" by Renee Swope. And I will be joining another online bible study group, who will be reading this book as well, starting next week.

I'm already getting "ah hahs" and I've only read 3 pages from the first chapter! That's a good thing, because I'm needing some light bulbs going off over my head.

I'm needing light in all shapes and forms -- His light, that is.

In that first chapter, Renee talks about living with doubt -- mostly doubt of her abilities. I've been doubting my abilities quite a bit lately.

God gave her an "ah hah" when she was getting ready for a trip to speak at a women's conference. She was struggling with doubts about her worthiness and ability to inspire these women while putting on her makeup in her brightly lit bathroom. When she was done, she turned around to put her makeup in her bag and saw a huge shadow on the wall. It was the shadow of her own 5' 2" body blown out of proportion by the angle of the light behind her. In her state of despair she suddenly equated this shadow to her doubts...and that's when the Lord sent her an "ah hah":

You can only see the shadow because you have turned away from the light. Turn back toward the light.

Boy, did that wonk me upside the head! It's not that I don't love our Lord and that I'm not aware that He's here with me, but I've been concentrating on my shadowy doubts instead of looking to Him for guidance.

And what is making that huge shadow? Me! I'm focusing on my abilities (or, in my opinion, my lack of abilities) instead of resting in His complete assurance.

And when I think of that light, I'm also realizing that if I'm only allowing Him to shine on certain aspects of my life, then I'm always going to have that shadow to turn back to. I need to seek Him in all areas of my life so that He is shining down on me fully from above.

I need and desperately want to be bathed in His light so completely that there is no shadow...of doubt, insecurity, heartache, dissatisfaction, fear, resentment, loneliness.

Instead I am filling up completely with Vitamin D-ivine: Love, joy, peace, security, contentment, confidence, strength.

And Jesus said, "I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark." (John 12:46 - NLT)

Amen.

Dear Lord - Thank you so much for bathing me in your Holy Spirit this morning. Thank you for the brief glimpse into your Divine wisdom. Please help me to stop looking at my abilities and my inadequacies and instead turn my face to your glory. I trust you to guide me where I need to be. I am not blinded by your light. I am illuminated, rejuvenated and made whole by your love. You are my all in all. You are my prince and my peace. You are my rock and my savior. You are the light of my world and I love you so very much. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Finding My Joy

2011-09-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of mine told me recently that she had lost her joy.

That hit me hard.
I felt immediate need for prayer and concern.
I wanted to find some way of returning her joy to her.

This morning it was still weighing heavily on my heart. So, I prayed and asked the Lord to speak to me words that might help her. What He did was speak words to help me!

Because, I realized, I have been experiencing similar feelings lately.

That's probably why it hit me so hard.

The Lord spoke to my heart and suggested I take a look at where I have felt my joy come from previously. Here are some of the areas that I thought of:

My children - For so many years I lived for my young men. They were the center of my world. But, they grew up and I had to let them go. I really don't know how I could have done that without the Lord.
My singing - First it was choir and then it was praise band. My joy was found in the ability to harmonize and sing full-voice with other talented singers and musicians. I have felt bereft these last few months because life has gotten in the way of that joy.
My bond with my friends - I have a couple of friends who just "get" me. When we three are together it's no holds barred. I don't have to call on the Lord to keep my sharp tongue in line. I don't have to worry about their sensibilities or whether they will be offended by me. They are a safe harbor of acceptance and a riot-and-a-half of laughter and joy. Unfortunately, one of our three has just recently moved away. A part of my joy drove away while I was busy running around working and going crazy. And she's just one of many that I don't get enough time with anymore. My friendships are so very precious to me and I miss them somethin' awful!
My Jazzercise - I know it's crazy, but for the longest time I was sure my life would be over if I wasn't able to get in at least three days a week of Jazzercise. Dancing, singing, and laughing...all in one...it just can't be beat! But, my new job is keeping me from my Joyzercise...and I'm having to replace it with boring ol' walking by myself.
My Devotion Writing - I can't even begin to tell you how much I love being able to sit down to this keyboard and have the Holy Spirit flood through me. Talk about joy! It is a bitter pill to swallow when I knock on that door and He doesn't answer. It's even sadder still when my time is so tapped out by my new job that I don't have 15 minutes to even try to write something.
My Church Family - Connecting and helping these people that I love so dearly is one of the greatest joys ever in my life! Why must I be pulled away from them?

There are many more areas of joy that I feel have been curtailed or taken away from me recently. But, for the sake of your attention span I won't print them all out here. I think you get the picture.

But, really, is that where I'm supposed to be getting my joy? No, those are supposed to be areas of my life where I broadcast the joy I already have inside!

The words in my "go to" song for peace came instantly to mind this morning (Amy Grant - Be Still My Soul/Fields of Plenty). They are a variation of Philippians 4:4-7. I usually concentrate on the later verses (don't worry, pray, and His peace will come to you), but today I heard those first words that Amy Grant says:

Delight yourself in the Lord. Yes, and find your joy in Him.

I thought I was finding my joy in Him through these other areas of my life, but maybe those moments became my focus instead of my relationship with Him.

This morning I found joy in the little things:

The contrast of the hills against the clear morning sky.
The family of bunnies slowly hopping out of my path.
The naturally sun-dried flowers decorating the hillside.
The birds sky dancing to and fro.
The realization that He was in every one of those things and breathing His love into me with every gasp of air I sucked in as I hiked the hillside.

I haven't lost my joy. He's right where He's always been...just waiting for me come home.

Dear Lord - I have great expectations from life and from the people I care about. I have a tendency to saddle my hopes for joy and fulfillment on my friends and family and in external situations that never have a hope of fulfilling those expectations. I see that the times that I have experienced that pure joy have been because you were there with me...and I was aware of your presence. It is so hard these days to have the space in my thoughts to concentrate on your love and wisdom. But, I understand now that if I don't purposefully carve out that time with you the rest of my joy-filled areas will be lost. You are the key element in all those moments that are so precious to me. I pray that I will find my joy in you and that my friend will, too...that we all will find our joy in you! I love you so very much. Amen.

Blessings, peace...and joy!

Leah

Psalm 33 (New Living Translation)

Psalm 33

¹ Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
      it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
² Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
      make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
³ Sing a new song of praise to him;
      play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
⁴ For the word of the Lord holds true,
      and we can trust everything he does.
⁵ He loves whatever is just and good;
      the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
⁶ The Lord merely spoke,
      and the heavens were created.
   He breathed the word,
      and all the stars were born.
⁷ He assigned the sea its boundaries
      and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
⁸ Let the whole world fear the Lord,
      and let everyone stand in awe of him.
⁹ For when he spoke, the world began!
      It appeared at his command.
¹⁰ The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
      and thwarts all their schemes.
¹¹ But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
      his intentions can never be shaken.
¹² What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
      whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
¹³ The Lord looks down from heaven
      and sees the whole human race.
¹⁴ From his throne he observes
      all who live on the earth.
¹⁵ He made their hearts,
      so he understands everything they do.
¹⁶ The best-equipped army cannot save a king,
      nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
¹⁷ Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—
      for all its strength, it cannot save you.
¹⁸ But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
      those who rely on his unfailing love.
¹⁹ He rescues them from death
      and keeps them alive in times of famine.
²⁰ We put our hope in the Lord.
      He is our help and our shield.
²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
      for we trust in his holy name.
²² Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
      for our hope is in you alone.

Downy Feathers

2011-08-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone,

Some of you may read the encouragement below and will gratefully thank the Lord that you cannot relate to it at this time in your life. Praise the Lord for that! But, I know many of us can relate. This may be a reminder of darker times when you couldn't see that help was on the way. Or this may be where you are right now. I certainly was this morning. My hopelessness came from seeing my job as a sickening vortex that keeps sucking me down and away from my friends, family and my God. I had a day off yesterday, but it didn't help. I was caught up in the never ending cycle of not quite being enough to fulfill my duties. Even though I wasn't working, I was still hashing and rehashing what I've done and the 10,000 things I still have left to do. Even 10 minutes ago it seemed hopeless. But, then I took Glynnis's advice below and read Psalm 91. And I called out to some wonderful friends for prayer. I'm not sure if they've received my request yet, but just knowing they are going to be praying for me has eased my worry. And reading the promises of our Lord in Psalm 91 has quieted my raging thoughts and poured water on my overworked soul.

My challenges are trivial in comparison to Abraham's and many of yours. But, when I'm carrying them they have the weight of the entire world. I'm going to set them down now. If they need to come with me tomorrow, the Lord will remind me to pick them up and will help me carry them. For today I'm going to rest in the shadow of His mighty wings and be cushioned by the downy inner feathers.

My prayer is that you will do the same.

Dear Lord, Almighty - Thank you for drawing me back within the shelter of your wings. I just want to curl up here forever and never, ever go out into that beastly world again. That's it. That's all I'm praying for right now. I need your shelter and peace in this moment. I need to think on only you and your amazing love and protection. I trust in your provision. I know that you will protect me because I trust in your name. I know you will answer this call to you. You are with me now and you will be with me when I go back out there and face the lions and cobras. Thank you for always rescuing me and honoring me with your love and care. I am so grateful to be able to rest in your shadow right now. I love you. I love you. I love you! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	KPRZ - Encouragement for Today
Date:	Tue, 30 Aug 2011 05:32:19 -0500
From:	Encouragement for Today
Reply-To:	Encouragement for Today
To:	rlc.gpsgroup@gmail.com

Remember to add KPRZ@salemradiomail.com to your address book.


	Encouragement for Today

Tuesday, August 30, 2011	Forward to a Friend Print Free Newsletters

August 30, 2011
A Ram is on the Way
Glynnis Whitwer

"So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.'" Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
Have you ever been in a situation so desperate that it looked hopeless?
Have you ever sat at the kitchen table wondering how you were going to pay the electric bill? Have you ever stood at a door that's been slammed in your face by an angry teenager and despaired at having a relationship with him again? Have you ever had your heart broken so deeply that you wondered if you would feel whole again?
Sadly, we live in a broken world where desperate situations happen every day. I know someone reading this devotion is wondering how she will make it through the day because her situation looks hopeless. If that is you, I encourage you to keep reading. I believe God has a message of hope for you today.
That message is found in the Bible, in the story of a man who was dealing with his own desperate situation. His name was Abraham and he faced the greatest testing of his life. After longing for a son for many years, God finally gave Abraham a boy, whom he named Isaac. Abraham never imagined God would test his faith by asking him to sacrifice his son. But it happened.
It had to have been the darkest day of Abraham's life as he trudged up the mountain, with firewood strapped to his son's back. Every step took Abraham closer to what he believed to be the sad ending of a hopeless situation—the death of his son. Yet in spite of his sorrow, Abraham trusted God. His heart wasn't soaring with joy. He wasn't dancing up the mountain. But he put one foot in front of the other. Walking through the darkness of the situation; obeying His God's commands.
Unbeknownst to Abraham, something else was walking up that mountain. Quietly. Out of sight. On the other side of the mountain. Something else was putting one foot in front of the other. Only Abraham couldn't see it.
For every step Abraham took, a ram on the other side of the mountain took a step.
All Abraham saw that day was his solitary journey of pain. As he got closer to the top of the mountain, his dread must have increased. I wonder if he asked himself any questions. I would have. I would have wondered why hadn't God intervened? Why hadn't God stopped this testing? Couldn't God see that Abraham was a man of faith? Why test him in this way?
But there was no answer. There was no voice from heaven. And so Abraham kept obeying his God's command. He put Isaac on an altar and prepared to sacrifice his one and only son.
And just at that very moment, at the very last second, when it looked like the end had come, God spoke, stopping the sacrifice. Abraham looked up and there caught in the thicket was a ram. Abraham took his son off the altar, replaced him with the ram, and offered the sacrifice to God.
Abraham named that place "Yahweh-Yireh" or "The Lord Will Provide." And the story was written down for generations of God-followers to read. It was written so that you and I today would read it as we face our own hopeless situations. It was captured in print so that you and I would know that God is already planning for our provision. We don't see it. We don't hear it. But we can trust that our God is at work. On your behalf, and on mine.
I choose to trust God today. A ram is on the way.
Dear Lord, You know how desperate I am today. You know that my faith has wavered. Although I want to trust You, I'm having trouble doing so. I ask for Your intervention in my situation, and for an increase of my faith while I wait. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
The Character of God: Understanding His Heart for Us by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer
A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Glynnis on her blog for more encouragement and enter to win a copy of Renee Swope's new book, A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.

Application Steps:
Read Psalm 91. List the promises God has for those who love Him.
Reflections:
God's timing is not our timing. What are some reasons God might wait to answer our prayers?
Read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. What are some of the things Abraham did right that I can apply to my situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 91:14, "'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.'" (NIV)
Psalm 22:5, "They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed." (NIV)

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

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Pay Attention!

2011-08-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For weare not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. – Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

Pay Attention

This was the theme from Steve’s sermon yesterday in church. It was obviously a message I was supposed to hear because it’s been popping back into my thoughts frequently since then.

Steve shared how he can miss things like brand new drapes in his house that his lovely wife not only put up, but had sewn herself. That means that he really wasn’t paying attention, since I’m sure she didn’t just whip those puppies out in a day! :-)

I probably would notice something like that, but there are other areas where I don’t pay attention.

· When someone tells me their name - I swear I try, but more often than not, the name doesn’t even come close to toggling my memory switch. I’m too busy thinking about other things.

· Where I’m walking - For some of you, it probably isn’t something that you need to concentrate on. It comes naturally. Walking. It’s something we learn when we’re toddlers (and then we aren’t toddlers…we’re walkers!). For me, however, it can be quite a dangerous proposition if I’m not paying attention. I am so busy thinking about where I’m going or what I should be doing that I don’t pay attention when something is right there to trip me and send me sprawling. I do not fall gracefully or land on any of my cushy parts. More often than not I stick out the boniest part of my body to “cushion” my fall.

· What I’m eating - When I am in the middle of my crazy work day it’s all I can do to take the time to stuff something in my face. If I don’t have something healthy ready to go, then chocolate, chips or junk food will end up “nourishing” my body instead.

I really could go on and on about the day-to-day earthly things that I do not pay attention to. But, it’s the spiritual things that I really fall short on (major bony parts sticking out here! :-) ).

· What my thoughts are focused on – This world has far too many distractions that fascinate my mind and pull my focus away from the Lord. Satan may be bound, but he sure does have long arms and wily ways of grabbing my attention.

· What I’m reading from His word – In that passage above it talks about the Word of God being the sword of the Spirit. A sword! If it were really a sword (like a Samurai sword) – with edges so sharp I could slice a single hair in half by just running it across the blade – I think I would pay attention when I was handling it. I should be more aware, because His word is my salvation, my shield, and a sword that can pierce my heart with its beauty and conviction…if only I were to pay attention to it!

· To Whom and For What I am praying – in the passage that the Lord led me to above it says to stay alert (pay attention!) and be persistent in my prayers. Too many times I let outside concerns or passing thoughts distract me from what I am praying about. And it’s not that I think the Lord doesn’t know what I’m praying for, but if I am not paying attention, then I am missing that connection that is so important for me! Yes, my prayers are to benefit others, but in paying attention and truly communing with the Lord when I am praying, then my prayers have a double benefit that I can’t afford to miss!

There are many more spiritual points where I fall short and don’t pay attention, but I think those were the key points that the Lord wanted me to be aware of this morning.

The Lord paid a price for me that I will never be able to repay. He sacrificed His life so that I may be redeemed and live with Him for all eternity. But, even though I will never be able to reimburse Him for this, there is something I can do every day in return…I can pay attention. It is one of the few coins I have in my spiritual pocket book. Where am I depositing this currency? Is it in things of this world? Where should I be paying my attention? To Whom should I be giving my time, my focus, my attention?

Dear Lord – Too often you are my last thought. I wake up in the morning and I start going over my “to do” check list. I spare a thought or two of thanks to you, but then I’m off and running with my day. I shoot up absent minded prayers during the day, mostly about me and what I need or want, but I don’t focus on you at all! When I’m done with my rush I choose to bury my racing thoughts in mindless activities to dull the worry of things not accomplished. I’m not paying attention, Lord. I’m not hearing you. And if I do hear you, I purposely choose to ignore you. I am so sorry. Please forgive me. Here is my measly offering to you, my Lord, my all, my life – you have my attention. I am listening. I am yours. I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Battlefield Leah

2011-08-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone,

As per God's usual, He sent the following devotion and another one from Pastor Hintz to reaffirm a lesson that I had already learned yesterday and the day before. I was firmly planted on the AM dial on Monday. Try as I might, I could not switch to any FM station. It surely was a miserable and heart wrenching time.

Unfortunately, I am becoming familiar with these times. They are coming regularly...about once a month (that might give you a clue as to the cause :-) ). And, though I would avoid these experiences completely if I could, it does serve to remind me of the faithfulness and mighty power of the Lord. He was with me the whole time; right there in the trenches. In describing my experience to a dear friend I likened my day to doing the belly crawl across a battle field. The war was being waged within me and I was just doing my best to keep my head down and crawl to safety. But, guess who was next to me? He never left me alone. He listened as I cried out in fear, anger, frustration, sadness and despair. And His Holy Spirit reminded me that this too would pass. He showed me the clearing up ahead and kept reminding me of His previous victories for me.

When I'm in that place it is so hard to believe I will ever come out of it. I really, really, REALLY don't like being there. But, oh the joy of the dawning new day when the world is bright and fair. When I stand up in the trenches and realize that there is no more battlefield. It is my own personal miracle. I am once again planted on the FM dial and listening to my internal praise music singing of His amazing joy and love.

He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.
They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me.
He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. - Psalm 18:17-19 (NLT)

You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. - Psalm 18:28 (NLT)

Dear Lord - I surely do not know what I would do without you. You are my rock and my redeemer. You go to battle for me when I can't even lift my head up to see what I'm fighting. Thank you for hearing my prayers and the prayers of my friends and loved ones. Thank you for returning me to me. You are my joy and my crown. You are my light and life. I can do nothing with you! I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

August 10, 2011
Beat Up or Built Up?
Renee Swope

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 (NIV)

One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt: I can't do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, a mom, a daughter, a speaker, a writer and all the other things God has called me to. My thoughts were against me, and my feelings were too.

As I lay in bed feeling completely inadequate, my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. With confident assurance, she spoke truth to my soul, telling me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to lose my vision or be carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all that I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control. [1]

As I heard these words, my thoughts aligned with God's truth. It changed my whole perspective. I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined and from feeling out of control to knowing God is in control.

We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God's truth build us up.
If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God's power and His promises to live with a confident heart. But it won't just happen because it's possible. We have to take action.
When my alarm came on that morning, I was so glad I'd set my radio to that station the night before, so I would wake up hearing encouraging music and truth. Just like I tuned into that station, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts into God's thoughts toward us, every day.

In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either AM (against me) or FM (for me) thoughts. The truth is, we are often our worst critics and have a lot of AM thoughts.

And if our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.

So, the next time you get those feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt, stop and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you are thinking that is making you feel that way. Then compare your thoughts about that situation to God's thoughts, which are reflected in Scripture. Do they match? If not, find a promise in God's Word to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Here are few to get your started:

• When doubt comes against me, saying I'm weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)

• When doubt comes against me, saying I'm not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember that God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

Lord, Your Word says I am a chosen woman, a royal priest, a holy daughter, a woman belonging to You. Help me remember that You are calling me out of the darkness of my doubts so that I can tell others about the Light I've found in You. Thank You that You are with me to fight for me against my enemies of insecurity and inadequacy. In all these things, I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

For more AM/FM thoughts visit the FREE resources page on Renee's website. That way, when doubt tries to beat you up, you'll have God's promises to build you up instead!

A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises. If you'd like to find out more or order a copy, click here.

Join over 25,000 women who have gone on Renee's "7-day DOUBT Diet" — it includes a week's worth of FREE devotions from her book, A Confident Heart. To sign up for "7-day DOUBT Diet," click here.

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. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:

When feelings of self-doubt come, write down the AM (against me) thought you are thinking and look for a FM (for me) promise in scripture to replace the lie that has filled your heart with doubt. Click here for a list of more AM/FM thoughts.

Reflections:

What area of my life—as a woman, mom, wife, friend, daughter, housekeeper, professional, leader, etc.—do I currently have the most "against me" thoughts in?

How can I get intentional this week about replacing my AM thoughts with FM—God is for me—thoughts from His Word?

Power Verses:

1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV)

Deuteronomy 20:4, "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." (NIV)

Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (NIV)

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

He Restoreth My Soul

2011-08-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

I’ve been feeling distant lately: distant from my family; distant from my congregation; distant from my Lord. My work has been keeping me preoccupied. My new duties as President of our congregation has been keeping me preoccupied.

Busyness of the mind.

I tried to pray this morning and couldn’t even think of what to pray for.

Well, not true…I had an idea of what to pray for, but couldn’t feel my heart get behind it.

Busyness of the mind pushes out blossoming of the heart.

I read a devotion from Proverbs 31 suggesting that I pray to have an insatiable love for Jesus. I couldn’t get the emotion behind it.

Busyness of the mind and body pushing out the heart of God.

My soul stuffed in a corner.

Overlooked and neglected.

Ah, but His Words are written on my heart. They spoke to me from the memories of my childhood.

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul! - Psalm 23:1-3a (KJV)

The minute I heard those words I was restored. “Here,” he said. “I’ve been keeping it safe for you.”

And He handed me back my soul.
Not dusty and neglected.
Well cared for and loved!

I am loved. I have love. How can I not have an insatiable love in return?

Dear Jesus - thank you so very much for taking care of me when I don’t even realize I’m needing care. Thank you for loving me. Thank you especially for restoring my soul to me this morning. I was very lonely without it. You are my soul! I was lonely without you! Thank you, Father, for giving me this very capable mind. Please help me remember that I am not just mind, but also heart, body and soul. Please, Lord, help me keep everything in balance and always keep you at the center of everything I do! I love you so very much! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

When You Hit Rock Bottom

2011-08-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that often times we wait until the last minute to get something done? We humans, that is. Even we Christians. It’s easier to ignore something that is uncomfortable and pretend that it will go away by itself.

Extra weight - we’re too busy to eat properly or exercise. Food is a stress reliever: a treat for when we’re happy; solace when we’re sad; something we need, but have little time to really enjoy. This cycle creates gradual weight gain that can become quite a taxing physical burden before we are even aware of it. It’s not until we go into that closet to put on our favorite jeans and they won’t even zip up that we really become cognizant that we’re in trouble. That’s when we shape up and become aware!
Marriages - That same busyness creeps into our relationships and can really do some damage. If we’re both working full time and have extra curricular activities, often times there isn’t a lot of “quality” time with each other. And when we do have that time we’re so tired from our days that vegging in front of the TV is easier. The necessary bonding doesn’t happen with our spouse and we start to lose that connection. We are no longer two as one. I believe the term is “Married, living single.” Hopefully at some point the bells start ringing in our heads and we become aware that our relationship isn’t what it needs to be to remain healthy and God pleasing.
Finances - Who has time to keep track of their spending when they’re commuting down the hill 5 days a week and running around with the kids to their soccer/baseball/football games on the weekends? It’s enough to get the bills paid late at night and keep food on the table. Whatever cash we have on hand on Sunday is going to have to do, because we have no clue how much we really can afford to give. We’ve gone into debt to buy braces for the kids, tires for the truck, or those plane tickets to go back and see the relatives. We’re working to pay our debt and the extras just compound this situation. It isn’t until we lose a job, or the Holy Spirit whispers to our hearts, that we realize we’re in a world of financial hurt…and we start to make changes.

I could go on. There are lots of areas where lack of attention and care creeps in and deteriorates what was wonderful at the beginning. But, I think you get the picture.

We have one of those areas at our church.

Our day school started out as a joyous outreach from the hearts of some beautifully caring Christians. It blossomed under the love and care of those Christians. More members joined in maintaining and growing this fertile garden and it matured into a fine educational establishment.

Then, somewhere along the line, the care and concern became complacency and apathy. It didn’t happen overnight. It was like one of the situations I mentioned above. Maybe we were too busy worrying about our own Church finances. Maybe the original caretakers left and the new ones didn’t have the same love invested in it. I know that by the time I arrived at our church, there was a definite separation of church and school. We no longer considered it something we cared about and tended. It was something that drained our finances and didn’t hold its own.

Married, living single.

There’s an old Wynonna Judd song that I used to sing (even though it was too low for my soprano voice) called “Rock Bottom.” The lyrics popped into my head when thinking about this situation. There’s wisdom and hope in them:

When you hit rock bottom you’ve got two ways to go: Straight up or side-ways.
I have seen my share of hard times and I’m letting you know: Straight up is my way.
Things are tough all over, but I’ve got good news:
When you get down to nuthin’ you’ve got nuthin’ to lose.
I was born naked, but I’m Glory Bound and a dead end street is just a place to turn around.
When the sky is the limit up on Easy Street, rock bottom ain’t no place to be.
Rock Bottom ain’t no place for me. No no…

I attended the School Board meeting on Tuesday. And it was a wonderful joy to behold!

     The interest and excitement.

        The willingness to dig in and get things done.

             The rebirth and renewal that needed to happen a long time ago.

My life experiences have shown me that many times it takes getting to the bottom…to the point of realization that something needs to change…before progress and growth can happen.

I think the school has done that. It’s hit bottom and now is primed and ready to grow and mature and be better than it was before. And I’m excited to see our church have a renewed hope and interest in this wonderful outreach and ministry partner. I think we’re going to both be stronger because of this experience. Stepping outside of ourselves and joining in a cause is a wonderful and Spirit-filled experience. We are about the Lord’s work and it feels good!

Lamentations 3:18-33 (New Living Translation)

18 I cry out, “My splendor is gone!
      Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!”
19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness
      is bitter beyond words.
20 I will never forget this awful time,
      as I grieve over my loss.
21 Yet I still dare to hope
      when I remember this:
22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
      His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
      his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance;
      therefore, I will hope in him!”
25 The LORD is good to those who depend on him,
      to those who search for him.

Dear Lord - Thank you for the beautiful opportunity that we have, in Ramona Lutheran School, to share your love and joy with our community and with each other. Please help us to give our hearts completely to your work, Lord. You are our inheritance and our hope! Thank you for putting us in a position of complete dependence upon you, Lord. If we search for you and lean on you completely we will truly be blessed. Only through you and your vast love can we succeed at anything we try. You have plans for us. Please help us to stop getting in the way and let you take us there! I love you so very much. Amen.

Blessing and peace,

Leah

P.S. Many of you reading this don’t attend my church and aren’t a part of this new beginning, but I bet there are areas in your life that may be suffering from neglect and needing renewal. I pray that you will hear the Lord’s call and ask Him to help you begin that rebirth process. Rock bottom is just a place to turn around.

Who's got a handle on things?

2011-08-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone,

This devotion really hit home with me. I'm not sure if lately I've become complacent in my capabilities, but I have started to just plow through. I have so many "jobs" on my plate that I go into automatic "put out fires" mode. And in thinking about that, I realize that I do believe I am capable and need to put forth my best effort to get it all done. But, already I feel like I've failed. On Sunday I was busy "getting things done" and I missed out on opportunities to share connection time and bond with my church family. Reflecting on conversations I had during that time, I realize that I certainly wasn't grace-filled. I had moments of feeling lifted by the Holy Spirit as I sang, but then I left Him there in the sanctuary as I scurried about with things that needed to be handled.

This is definitely not where I want to be in my walk with the Lord.

The wonderful thing is, the Holy Spirit was already whispering in my ear about this yesterday. I came home unsettled. Nothing was right in my day. Inconsequential things made me cry. I prayed and asked the Lord to help me figure out what was wrong. And He sent me this devotion today! He is so good! I can only do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Dear Lord - Thank you so much for reminding me that only through you can I accomplish anything. Please help me stop and look to you for guidance every time I set out to "handle things." Please, please, please fill me with your grace and keep me reliant upon you in everything that I do! It's awfully lonely without you here with me. I didn't even register I had pushed you away. What a challenge it is to be human sometimes! Oh, but what a blessing it is to be your child, Lord. Your love makes everything right. You give me strength, comfort, joy and peace. I love you so much! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

²⁰ Now may the God of peace—
      who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
   the great Shepherd of the sheep,
      and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
²¹ may he equip you with all you need
      for doing his will.
   May he produce in you,^[e]
      through the power of Jesus Christ,
   every good thing that is pleasing to him.
      All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. - Hebrews 13:20-21 (NLT)

August 1, 2011
Finish Like You Started
Marybeth Whalen

"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3 (NIV1984)

If you've ever felt God call you to something, you know the sheer excitement — and sheer terror — of stepping out in response to His call. You know what it means to walk in faith, to follow Him into the unknown. You know the huge spiritual growth that can take place when you say yes to Him and learn to trust Him implicitly.

Even though these "yes" times in our lives can be taxing and frightening, they can also be exhilarating. I've never felt closer to Him than when I've stepped out in faith and set my sights on a goal He has provided for me: a goal that is bigger than me, that is clearly God-designed.
And then time goes by. The first tremors of excitement fade into the daily monotony of continuing to walk forward, sometimes doing the smallest of tasks along the way. The big goal that seemed so paramount begins to shrink the closer we get to it. We feel our excitement give way to apathy.
And, too often, we get out of step with the Spirit and start trying to do things ourselves.
The less afraid we are, the more we try to do things on our own. We start feeling capable — and our capability makes us less reliant on the very One who called us.

When I read today's key verse I literally gasped in conviction. My answer to both of the questions Paul was asking was yes. I was being foolish. I was trying to attain my goals by human effort.
What had happened to that daily reliance, that absolute need for God to work through me? I realized I had become stronger, more confident, and less needy. My flesh had taken over and all but silenced the Spirit within me.

Maybe you've found yourself in a situation where — somehow — you've taken over. Your capability has made you complacent like mine did.

I don't ever want to be complacent. I want to stoke the fire, stay on the edge, be ever-mindful of my own inadequacy in whatever place God has me.

After I read Galatians 3:3, I wrote it down on an index card and laid it on my nightstand so I would see it often. And every time I saw it, I asked God to make me mindful of His Spirit within me, to keep me from getting in my own way, to help me realign my goals with His. Even if it takes humbling me. Even if it takes giving me a new calling so I am out of my comfort zone again. Even if it means starting all over. I began with the Spirit, and I want to finish still holding tightly to Him.

I imagine you do, too.

Dear Lord, I began with the Spirit and I want to stay in step with the Spirit. Help me to rely on You and not my own effort. When I am capable, allow me to be reminded of my own inadequacy so that I would never try to do things by human effort, but always through Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?

Visit Marybeth's blog where she will be talking about ways to align yourself with the Spirit again. Stop by and share your ideas!

Becoming a Woman of Influence (CD) by Marybeth Whalen

She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen.

Application Steps:

Spend today getting back in touch with the call God has on your life. Redefine what He's asked of you, and pray specifically for new challenges that will make your more dependent on the Spirit and not do anything by human effort.

Reflections:

Am I trying to attain my goals by human effort? What do I need to do to get back in step with the Spirit?

Power Verses:

Romans 4:2, "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about — but not before God." (NIV1984)

I Corinthians 1:26a, "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called." (NIV1984)
I Thessalonians 5:19, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire." (NIV 1984)

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

Thrills

2011-07-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

I must confess that I have a weakness (A weakness? You ask. Okay…maybe more than one). I like to be thrilled. I like that feeling of butterflies in the stomach and tingly skin. I like looking forward to something exciting and feel my heart beat a little faster in response. I like that “living on the edge” feeling.

Wow, Leah, you’re saying to yourself…this might be better left unsaid. But, before you get the wrong impression, let me tell you some of the odd things that give me that thrill.

· The smell of old books

· The sight of a blinking cursor on a blank page of Word

· The glimpse of the Matterhorn off the freeway when I’m heading to Disneyland

· That moment when the plane gears up fully and is taking off down the runway

· The smell of Nordstrom when you first walk in the doors

· The sound of a 350 engine as it revs up

Why do these things give me a thrill? If you take them by themselves they certainly aren’t very thrilling: stinky old books; boring white screen; a glimpse of some fake mountain barely seen through the smog, freeway interchanges, buildings and electrical wires.

It’s what they represent that is thrilling: whole new worlds and completely different lives that I can lose myself in; memories of childhood thrills (Didneelan!); memories of teenage thrills (my high school crush is synonymous with a souped-up big block engine); the possibility of finding that perfect outfit to make me feel attractive again.

How about you? What gives you a thrill?

Do these moments of excitement overshadow the relationship that should be your ultimate thrill? I’m sad to say they do for me more often than I even want to keep track of.

As Eugene Peterson puts it so well in “The Message:”

¹⁷ You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life!
The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied. – Proverbs 21:17

That’s not what I want! I want this:

   How well God must like you— you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.

^2-3 Instead you thrill to God's Word,
      you chew on Scripture day and night.
   You're a tree replanted in Eden,
      bearing fresh fruit every month,
   Never dropping a leaf,
      always in blossom. – Psalm 1:1-3 (MSG)

I want to feel this way:

                ¹ It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
      to sing praises to the Most High.
² It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
      your faithfulness in the evening,
³ accompanied by the ten-stringed harp
      and the melody of the lyre.

⁴ You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done. – Psalm92:1-4 (NLT)

Enjoying the bounty that is provided for me and feeling the tingles of knowing that I’m alive isn’t bad. It’s good! It’s wonderful! I just need to always remember who has provided it and to keep Him my priority.

The thrills of this world are only temporary. The thrill of everlasting life with our Lord and Savior is forever!

Dear Lord – thank you for creating in me a heart that finds joy and excitement in this life that you’ve provided for me. Thank you for sending me down memory lane today. It helped me remember some good times that you have blessed me with. But, you know that I have a tendency to cling to the remembered thrills…and potential thrills as well. I lose eternal focus and become obsessed with earthly pleasures. I pray that you will take my hand and draw me to you during those times. Help me remember that you are the source of all that is good and wonderful in my life. The greatest thrill I have ever experienced is knowing you: Jesus, Father, and Holy Spirit! Thank you for blessing me with miracles, freedom, and the knowledge of your saving grace and power! I love you blindly and completely. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Joy in the Moment

2011-07-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a very good birthday (in comparison to many of the others that I have had):

I had the day off from work
I was able to sleep in (both because I was off of work AND because my body actually let me!)
I laughed and enjoyed the company of good friends
I was the recipient of wonderful cards, gifts and lovely digital messages from friends and family all through the day
I had a 90 minute massage that was scheduled and paid for by my new boss
I had a scrumptious dinner and a wonderful visiting time with my husband and sons

Those are just the highlights from my special day. I was truly blessed indeed!

But, in the midst of all that fun, came frequent mental reminders of all that I had on my plate to do…at my very demanding job, at my neglected home, with my new duties at church, etc. It was hard to relax and enjoy my day when those reminders crept into my conscious thought. Even now, as I type these words, my stomach is getting a little tense at the thought of the many tasks waiting for me complete.

But, what does God’s word say about this?

This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

That is the bible verse that jumped into my head, reminding me to take each day and truly value it because the Lord has given me that moment and it’s all I can (or need to) deal with.

When I looked that verse up on Biblegateway.com to find out just exactly which verse from Psalms it was (I’m not so good at memorizing chapter and verse), I saw there the before and after verses as well. They were words I needed to hear:

²³ This is the Lord’s doing,
      and it is wonderful to see.
²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made.
      We will rejoice and be glad in it.
²⁵ Please, Lord, please save us.
      Please, Lord, please give us success. – Psalm 118:23-25 (NLT)

Yes, I know that all of the blessings that I have are from the Lord. But, the reminder that He set aside my “calm in the storm” day yesterday helped me be OK with it. Sometimes we just need a break. The work will still be there for us when we’re done. That can be a bad thing when you think about it…(aiy aiy aiy…all that work will never get done if I take time off!) or…it can be a good thing (don’t worry, the work will still be there when you come back…enjoy today for He has made it just for you!).

And the last verse reminds me from whence my help comes. The Lord will save me and He will give me success. Yes, I have a mountain of things to do. Yes, it makes my stomach churn in worry. But, I am not alone in this stress. My Lord and Savior is right here with me. He won’t let me fall (unless it will help me grow in my walk with Him). He’s got it all under control. I need to stop looking at the things I have to do and instead turn my eyes to Him who gave me all that I have.

The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. – Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

Dear Lord – thank you for giving me moments of joy! Thank you for filling me with your confidence and strength when I am unsure of my own abilities. Thank you for the blessings of family, friends, employment, health, enthusiasm, joy, peace and strength in you. Please help me focus on what is important to you today. Help me remember that you have put me here on earth for a reason. If I am seeking your guidance and following your road map then I will succeed. It may not be what I see as success, but it will be what YOU have planned for me. I am so very grateful for the beautiful day you gave me yesterday. It is nestled in my heart and shines with joy as I head into my day today. I love you so very much! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Job or Ministry?

2011-07-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone,

My dear friend, Karen, sent me the "Job or Ministry" food-for-thought item below and it has had me chewing this morning. Each comparison has subtleties that we should pray about and ponder.

1. In many churches (mine, quite often) there are positions that end up being filled because no one else was willing or available to do the work.
2. Sometimes the pressure of a position (and the criticism that may go along with it) is too much for an individual to handle.
3. Sometimes you do have to prioritize and let some of your volunteer positions be filled by someone else. If you are stretched too thin by all the "to dos" in your life, then you are doing a disservice to your family, your congregation and your relationship with the Lord.
4. If you can't see that what you are doing is helping or providing a service to your congregation then it causes you to wonder why you're doing it.

Those are my thoughts to the first 4 "ifs." The act of ministering to your church isn't as cut and dried as it is written below. There are extenuating circumstances and "real life" that interferes in those "ifs."

However...

The 5th "if" changes everything. It (for me) should be the answering "if" to all of the examples and any other "if" of ministering that comes along.

Listen to the Lord!

Is He saying it needs to be done?

Then do it!

Dear Lord - I pray that I will always seek your guidance when considering a ministry opportunity. Although my enthusiastic nature rarely influences me to say "no" to a ministry opportunity, there are times when the discomfort of the situation or lack of "pizazz" of the ministry might dim my enthusiasm for saying "yes." Please help me to have your heart in all these situations. Help me to have your wisdom in discerning whether the opportunities I see available are there for me or if I should leave them available for the person you have already chosen for that ministry. And, Lord, I pray from the bottom of my heart, that you will speak loudly and clearly to your children in Christ with your will for their lives...and your enthusiasm for the ministries that you have chosen for them! Your joy and your love for us turns all the "jobs" we do into "ministries." Thank you for the opportunity to carry out your will every day...and for the love that fills our hearts to overflowing! I love you and your children so very much! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Job or Ministry?

Some people have a job in the church. Others get involved in ministry.

What’s the difference?

If you do it just because no one else will…it’s a job.

If you do it to serve God…it’s a ministry!

If you quit because someone criticized you…it’s a job.

If you kept on service in spite of criticism…it’s a ministry!

If you do it only so long as it doesn’t interfere with other things…it’s a job.

If you stay with it, even if it means letting other things go…it’s a ministry!

If you quit because no one ever praised or thanked you…it’s a job.

If you stay even though no one notices your efforts…it’s a ministry!

If you do it because someone else said it needs to be done…it’s a job.

If you do it because you sensed God saying it needs to be done…it’s a ministry!

It’s hard to get excited about a job.

It’s almost impossible not to get excited about a ministry!

An average church is filled with people doing jobs.

A great and growing church is filled with people involved in ministry!

Be Still my Soul

2011-07-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone,

This morning I began my day mentally wrangling all of my "to dos" and "wished I could dos" (without much success). A lot of what is on my plate seems way too much for me to handle and my confidence was experiencing some major tremors. Into this destabilization came the music and lyrics of a song that has seen me through many a troubled time over the last 7 years. Immediately I was calmed and reminded of the previous times when I've felt this way. The Lord helped me through them and I was always stronger in His love after experiencing those times.

The song is "Fields of Plenty/Be Still my Soul" by Amy Grant. Here is a link to the song on godtube.com: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9F29C1NU

The music, the lyrics, and the bible verse that Amy shares at the end, all combine together to bring me peace. I looked up "Be Still my Soul" online and found that there are more verses to the song than Amy sings. I have included them below. I pray these words will speak to your hearts and give you peace in the love of our Lord and His never failing providence.

All my love, prayed for blessings and soul stilling peace,

Leah

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
~~~~~

Delight yourselves in the Lord. Yes, and find your joy in Him. Be known for your gentleness. And never forget the nearness of our God.

And don't worry - whatever is going to come. Just tell God every detail and the peace of God that no one understands will come to you.

No, don't worry. Just tell Him every detail and His peace will come to you.

Philippians 4:4-7 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

(this is on a sticky note on my laptop screen for me to reminded every day of where to look when I'm facing troubles)

The Rain and Space

2011-07-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into morning and day into night. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on our land. The Lord is his name! - Amos 5:8 (NLT)

After a crazy and hectic day I spent some relaxing time with my adopted family last night. During our visit we were treated to a sudden summer storm which produced a double rainbow and got us a little wet as we sat and watched it. Later, after eating some numlicious food, we played with an i-pad...observing where the stars are in relation to our planet with a sky map program. We laughed and gabbed for several hours.

My visit was a much needed rest from my work day. I thanked the Lord for the wonderful people who have accepted me into their family (and tolerate it when I open my mouth and insert my size 7's frequently)! And this morning I am awed by His leading to the passage above. It reminds me, once again, that He provides everything. He takes care of me. He watches over me. The challenges that I am facing currently aren't the end of the world. If the Lord can arrange these seemingly unrelated experiences to correspond to a bible verse that I read randomly (or was it?) this morning, then He certainly can (and will) arrange to make all of the items that I am currently struggling with fall into place, just where He has planned them to be.

Dear Lord - I leave my day in your capable hands and ask that you guide me where you will. Thank you for my dear friends and family. Please be with them as they travel back home and may you send my love with them wherever they may go. I love you so very much! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Majoring in the Minors

2011-07-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Romans 7:14-25

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Majoring in the Minors (or “Getting the Lumps Out”)

On Sunday Pastor referred to non-Christians as having no constraints, nothing to tell them, “No, don’t do this.” And to all appearances, this is true. Atheists, agnostics, un-churched folks go around sinning left and right on national television, in the grocery stores, on the streets where we live. They have no boundaries.

But, do they really have nothing telling them, “Don’t do this?”

According to C.S.Lewis, human beings do have a “law of human nature” hardwired in them:

Everyone has heard people quarrelling. Sometimes it sounds funny and sometimes it sounds merely unpleasant; but however it sounds, I believe we can learn something very important from listening to the kinds of things they say. They say things like this “How’d you like it if anyone did the same to you?” — “That’s my seat, I was there first” — “Leave him alone, he isn’t doing you any harm” — “Why should you shove in first?” — “Give me a bit of your orange, I gave you a bit of mine” — “Come on, you promised.” People say things like that every day, educated people as well as uneducated, and children as well as grown-ups.

Now what interests me about all these remarks is that the man who makes them is not merely saying that the other man’s behavior does not happen to please him. He is appealing to some kind of standard of behavior which he expects the other man to know about. And the other man very seldom replies: “To hell with your standard.” Nearly always he tries to make out that what he has been doing does not really go against the standard, or that if it does there is some special excuse. He pretends there is some special reason in this particular case why the person who took the seat first should not keep it, or that things were quite different when he was given the bit of orange, or that something has turned up which lets him off keeping his promise. It looks, in fact very much as if both parties had in mind some kind of Law or Rule of fair play or decent behavior or morality or whatever you like to call it, about which they really agreed. And they have. If they had not, they might, of course, fight like animals, but they could not quarrel in the human sense of the word. Quarrelling means trying to show that the other man is in the wrong. And there would be no sense in trying to do that unless you and he had some sort of agreement as to what Right and Wrong are; just as there would be no sense in saying that a footballer had committed a foul unless there was some agreement about the rules of football. - "Mere Christianity"

Coming from the background of all three categories I mentioned before (atheist, agnostic & un-churched), I do know that I had something telling me the choices I was making were wrong. But, I had the world telling me that these choices were OK. I felt like a push-me-pull-you (that’s from the original Doctor Doolittle…yes I’m showing my age!).

Pastor also touched on the subject of major and minor sin. He didn’t use those exact words, but that little voice told me to write this down in response to what he was saying:

Major – We know the obvious as Christians (thou shalt not…). I think there at least 10 of those, yes?

Minor – Daily immersion in the Word reveals the minor.

My point being, Pastor made reference to the subtle sins that we commit every day:

Is it really only 50 miles an hour into the Country Estates?

Psst, so and so really needs your prayers.

He paid me cash, so there’s nothing to report to the IRS.

Stupid California drivers! Here’s your sign!

But, once again, he’s coming from a lifetime of immersion in the Word. Those subtle sins aren’t that obvious to beginning Christians (or sometimes to lifelong Christians). It takes time with the Holy Spirit to refine that law that is hardwired into our souls. The Spirit explains the “why” behind that feeling of right and wrong. He whittles away at the alabaster block that is us, to reveal the beauty of who we were created to be.

We are all at different points in our refining process. I count my blessings that I’m starting to take some sort of shape; that many of the major chunks have been removed and my Lord’s Spirit is now working on the minor corrections. At least I’m praying that is so. I’m seeing the more subtle sins for what they are. I’m majoring in the minors, so to speak. Well, the Holy Spirit is guiding me in the minors, let’s say. I am not doing much of anything…except choosing to listen to His Word and His advice.

Yes, this was a very long way to say: Read your bible daily! J

Dear Lord, thank you so much for pushing and pulling me in your direction. Thank you for speaking to me words that my heart needs to hear. Thank you for all the wonderful people in my life who have shown me your heart as well. You have worked wonders and miracles in my life, both major and minor. A long time ago I wrote a Toastmasters Speech that I think was prophetic. I entitled it “Getting the Lumps Out.” It spoke of my life and how I had been so rough as a child and how I was growing more refined as an adult. Little did I know, I had a long way to go, even then. Lo these many years later, I am still walking around with a bunch of pokey-outey edges, but each day that I spend with you wears them down and reveals your intended shape for me. Thank you for this process! I love you. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Strength and Security

2011-06-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”
The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” – John 8:54-58 (NLT)

Strength and Security

My mind and heart can’t wrap themselves around the awesome thought of our Savior, Lord and Friend being right there in the beginning.

To know Him is to know everything.

To love Him is to have that solid core of truth and perfection center us as nothing else can.

Before there was all this chaos and confusion, He WAS!
And He is here.
And He is inside us.

The beginning.
The end.

All this silliness doesn’t matter.
Only the knowledge that He IS and He loves us matters.
Such strength and security.

What a miracle we have in Jesus.

Dear Jesus – Thank you for centering me this morning and reminding me of your strength. In this life I have a tendency to bounce from task to task and immediate desire to immediate “need.” I am pulled this way and that and lose focus on what is truly important. And there you are, outside of time and space, understanding my craziness and yet always removed from the lies of this world. You shine your truth to guide me to your peace and security. I love you, Lord. Thank you for loving me back. Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Restoration

2011-06-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

I missed Church on Sunday. That’s the first time in months. And when I was missing it, I didn’t even register it. I was busy laughing and driving home from a fun weekend with my friends.

But, I’m registering it now.

I’m missing it now.

My life has become so all-consuming with work during the week that it’s even more important to have that rest and renewal time on Sunday.

I’m missing it now.

I can’t go back and change the past. What’s done is done. This is a new week…and a new all-consuming challenge.

So, I’m spending time in His word.

I’m reconnecting.

I’m asking Him to restore the balance in my life.

Psalm 23

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Dear Lord – I dearly love the friends you have blessed me with and am so grateful for the opportunities you give me to spend time with them in joy and laughter. I also thank you for the gifts you’ve given me of a challenging new job and a new responsibility with my church family. But, I know that I am unable to face these challenges and enjoy my blessings without your guidance and love. Please help me to be connected with you always. You are my strength and my shield. You are my rock and my redeemer. You are the only reason why I have these blessings in the first place. Please help me to always look to you first. I love you so much! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

My Hope

2011-06-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone,

The devotion below (by Holly Good) was a good encouragement for me to stop and reflect on who Jesus is to me. I have to say that I sometimes clam up and don't feel connected to Him when people use words like Jesus is Lord or my personal savior. It's probably due to my still relatively new relationship with Him. I wasn't raised on buzz words like that. I know that they are true words and have a deep meaning. But, in my experience, Christians have used them in pious and holier-than-thou ways so many times that still, to this day, I am (at times) turned off by them. There's no connection there...especially for non-Christians.

I did immediately, however, respond to Holly's ready answer: He is my hope. Through those words I see all that Jesus is and has done for me. He IS my Lord and personal Savior, because He is my hope...my friend...my rock...my late night "battle-with-all-sorts-of-beastly-thoughts" protector. Jesus is the man who understands my every wish, hope, fear and joy. Jesus is my God who sees beyond all my day-to-day temporary (yet all-consuming) concerns and reminds me that He's waiting for me at eternity's door. Jesus is my love.

Well, that's what this encouragement nudged me into answering...what about you?

Blessings and peace,

Leah

June 22, 2011
A Ready Answer
Holly Good, Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst

"'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'" Matthew 16:15 (NIV)

Have you ever met someone who left a lasting impression you'll never forget? Is there a memory of them permanently engraved in your mind or on your heart?

I will never forget a gal I once knew named Stephanie. Many years ago we attended the same college. We were very different, yet we enjoyed each other's company. We shared a conversation one evening which still rings in my mind today.

We were taking a walk through campus when she matter-of-factly informed me that she was an atheist and did not believe in God. Without hesitation and a calm assurance, she simply shared her beliefs with me. She then paused, and graciously proceeded to ask me what I believed.

More than 20 years later, I can so vividly remember my answer as if it were yesterday. I was able to tell her that I had faith in Jesus, but I was not able to tell her about my faith in Jesus.

I am still convicted by how I felt then, even now. Do I have a ready answer for the very next person I meet?

When Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter was prepared with a ready answer and responded, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16 NIV)

But what about me? Who is my Jesus? What has He done in my life? Why do I follow Him?

Today I have a ready answer in four simple words — He is my Hope.

When we are in the midst of a catastrophic situation, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps our eyes open and our heads held up.

When we are in the midst of a frustrating situation, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps us looking beyond the disturbance.

When we are in the midst of our daily routines, we find ourselves clinging to hope. The smallest glimmer of hope keeps us believing for something more.

That glimmer of hope is assurance in the One who did not stay in His grave. The One who saves, forgives, loves and carries us through it all. This hope is all we need. This glimmer of hope is Jesus.

It is my heart's desire to be ready at a moment's notice to explain my faith to anyone who asks. My faith is in a God who offers hope beyond our circumstances. Beyond reason, beyond logic, and beyond the ordinary things we can see.

It is a hope worth clinging to.

I am now able to tell those I meet not only that I have faith in Jesus, but also about my faith in Jesus.
If asked today, what would you say you believe? Is Jesus your Lord? If so, what does that look like in your life? Do you have a ready answer?

Dear Lord, You are my hope every day. Thank You for loving me and guiding me. Help me to see You in my circumstances — all of them. You are that glimmer of hope that keeps me hanging on. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Connect with Holly on our P31 Devotions blog today.

If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's book, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl.

Also, you'll want to consider doing the 6 week Bible study using this DVD set: Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst, along with accompanying workbook:Participant's Guide.
Do You Know Him?

Application Steps:

If someone were to randomly walk up to you today and ask you about your faith, what would you say? Do you have a ready answer?

Reflections:

Are you sure of what you hope for?

Are you certain of what you do not see?

How can you use these answers to lead others to Jesus?

Power Verses:

Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (NIV)

Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (NIV)

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

TIP

2011-06-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Pastor Peters on a grade inflation study, where all the children are above average:

“In the study, the authors argue that intellectual confidence may have been bolstered by grade inflation, noting that, in 1966, only 19 percent of college students who were surveyed earned an “A” or “A-minus” average in high school, compared with 48 percent in 2009.

Perhaps this is a result of the deliberate intention to use the public school system to impart self-esteem in our children. We grade up because it makes the kids feel better, it makes our educational system look better (on paper), and it makes us look better as teachers, administrators and parents.

In the end we have robbed our children of real self-esteem and handicapped their identity and their growth into adulthood by this culture of what is owed to them. Christians draw our self-esteem from the cross. Our value is set not by society or even our parents but by the God whose love endured suffering and death to retrieve us as His own and restore us into communion with the Father.

The whole nature of this gracious gift reminds us that despite our failures and not because of our successes, God loves us. He loves us where we are and as we are but too much to leave us under death's long dark shadow and captive to sin's grasp. This is the self-esteem that endures, that motivates the joyful and noble response, and that does not bounce around like a ping pong ball with the ups and downs of ordinary life.”

-- Pastor Larry Peters (shared by Chuck Hagan this morning in his devotion)

TIP

My friend, Denis Waitley, has an acronym that I’ve always liked: TIP (To Insure Performance)

His thought is that we should tip before we receive service. This shows faith in others’ abilities and gives them incentive to do a good job.

That’s a lovely idea and, in a perfect world, this should work well. Unfortunately, we seem to be living in a society that expects things to be handed to them and many would take that TIP and think, “Sucker!”

But, really, isn’t that what the Lord has done for us? He’s given us the best…the ultimate…more than we could ever work for or deserve…right up front. And, even better, He has blessed us with His Spirit to help us fulfill His great expectations of us! We can’t earn His love, but, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are ever after seeking to live up to the promise He sees in us.

Dear Father in Heaven – Thank you for having faith in me. Thank you for loving me in spite of all my shortcomings. Thank you for seeing my potential and giving me your love, even though none of that was apparent on the outside. I know that I have a long way to go and will always be seeking to be that best that you already see in me. Your TIP is far greater than some extra money given pre-service. You gave us the prize right up front AND your Spirit to help us be our best. It boggles my mind sometimes. I love you earnestly! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Pause Button

2011-06-14T22:11:00.000-07:00

Be still, and know that I am God! – Psalm 46:9a (NLT)

Pause Button

As most of you may have read in my GPS email, I am down in Mexico working with my new employers. What some of you may not know is that I am staying and working at a health and wellness/medical clinic. As part of my introduction to what they do here, the founder of this clinic (the male half of my “employers”) asked that I be signed up for some of the simpler testing and other benefits that the guests receive while staying here (can we say 90 minute massage? Ahhh…what a blessing!).

So, first thing this morning, I zipped down to the second floor to have my vitals taken (my blood pressure, oxygen levels and weight were all within normal parameters, thank you very much!). Right after this procedure I was scheduled to go to meditation.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had much success with meditation. It’s kind of like prayer, actually. I sit down (or lay down) and try to empty my mind of all the “to dos” and outside world stuff…but end up flitting from one “I wish” to an “Oh, I didn’t get that done” or “I wonder why so-and-so hasn’t returned my call” and I fail to properly focus my prayers (or empty my mind to reach that meditative state). And the type of meditation that I have been exposed to has been more of the “new age” type (connect to your source. Use the Force, Luke!). :-)

Needless to say, I went into this meditation session with low expectations. In fact, I was a bit disgruntled because I was there instead of having my quiet time with the Lord that I am used to having each morning. I was a little late and the instructor was already in progress talking about what meditation is to him. Well, much to my surprise, this man was discussing prayer and worship as I settled down into my seat.

His comments were that we go to church and we pray. We sing. We say liturgy. We sing some more. We pray some more. All of these things are wonderful and needed. But, they are like talking to God through a two way radio. We’re sending messages or requests or comments up…but usually we aren’t taking our finger off of the “talk” button to let His reply come back to us.

The instructor, Dr. Lanzagorta, perceives meditation as our time to stop and listen. In fact, as he guided us through some breathing exercises, he blessed us with incredible messages of love and worship; asking us to pause and know that we are loved and just “be” in the arms of our Lord. Just for a few moments.

Well, we were supposed be breathing deeply, but I sure was having a hard time because tears were pouring in sheets from eyes. I wasn’t blubbering, and squeezing those tears out in painful floods. No, it was like my joy of being with the Lord in that moment had to overflow out of my eyes.

Wouldn’t you know it…it turns out Dr. Lanzagorta is a former Catholic monk! :-)

I’m sharing this with you so that maybe you might take a moment today or tomorrow (or whenever you read this) to stop…be still…and be loved by the Giver of All Good Things.

          Complete that circle.

                    Renew your strength…

                         and know that He is God.

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:3 (NLT)

Dear Papa – Thank you for taking me in your loving arms this morning and making my world right again. They can take this girl away from her home, but they can never take You away from me. Thank you for reminding me that you are in and within all things and that you will find a way to reach out to me, no matter where I am. I am so looking forward to meditating with you again tomorrow morning. Your love has once again filled me to overflowing and I’m leaking it out for everyone to see. I love you with every cell of my body! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

Knowledge of the Holy Spirit

2011-06-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

I was listening to K-Love last night and they had a special segment on one of their current artists and the new song that he had written. He wrote the song, “The Light in Me,” about the Holy Spirit and stated that he’s only now coming to understand and know the Spirit’s power and working in his life. My thought was, “How can he have gotten this far with his music and ministry without being completely knowledgeable of and filled with the Holy Spirit?”

I prayed about this question, and the answer I got was, “My power is not held back by your lack of knowledge. It is only thwarted by your lack of love.”

The Holy Spirit can move through us and out to touch the world if we’re open, loving and willing. Knowing Him is far better…but sometimes that takes time.

In fact, a lifetime.

I count myself blessed that I have been given the smallest glimpse into the mysteries that are our Triune God. I am grateful that I do have some knowledge of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives to increase our connection with our Heavenly Father and our blessed Savior, Jesus.

Dear Lord – Thank you for helping me know You. I want to know more of You! I pray that we all will grow in our knowledge and connection to You today and incrementally more in the coming days. I love that You work through me, even when I am not aware. But, I love it even more when I can sit back and SEE your power working…through me and through all of your children here on earth. I love you with a bright, shining, incredibly joyful love this morning! Amen.

Blessings and peace,

Leah

P.S. Here are the lyrics to the song that the artist, Brandon Heath, wrote. They are definitely filled with the Holy Spirit J

The Light in Me by Brandon Heath

My life before You
I was a flame burning down
I was burning out
But You knew me better
For You there was never a doubt
Not since You gave me life

Something was different
I knew it the instant
You put the light in me

The spark
The shot to the heart
You are the hope that leads me
Out of the dark
You let Your love shine down
So that the world can see
You put the light in me
The light, You put the light in me
The light, You put the light in me
The light, You put the light in me
The light, You put the light in me

You are the Maker
You tell the sun when to rise
I'm just a house on a hill
But You make me brighter
Than all the stars in the sky
Keep me from growing dim

‘Cause in Your perfection
I'm just a reflection
So pull me closer to You
I'll catch like a fire
And I'll hold You higher
‘Cause You put the light in me

I'll raise it high, I'll let it show
From the roof tops down to the streets below
In day and night, You will be known
And all will see
You put the light in me