40 Days of Discovery- Day 38

Today my daughter asked me if I was excited that this time of fasting and seeking the Lord was almost over.  I didn't answer, because today was so, so good.  I just thought to myself, "Do I really want this to end?"  I'll be honest, there have been moments when I've wanted to quit and give in to my physical cravings.  Yet, I've persevered, because I know that joy awaits.  I'm pressing forward for the blessing of being nearer to my Father.

I don't know if you know this, but I was adopted 31 years ago by the perfect Father.  By the King of the Universe.  I'm still learning how to receive His love.  I'm still learning how to live as a child of the Most High King.  I'm still learning how to trust Him completely.

But there are days like today when I know my Father loves me.  He shows me in such tangible ways.  It isn't simply a theory.  I know!

My heart is just overflowing with His joy! 

Oh how I love Jesus!
Because He first Loved me.

There is no sweeter name than the name of Jesus. If you have not tasted of His sweetness, I challenge you to call on His name today.  Those who earnestly seek Him will be rewarded with His sweet, sweet presence.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 37

I'd like to share a few quotes from "Come Away My Beloved" that blessed me today.

I am aware of your needs and will provide in abundance, but it is for my glory and honor and I will  have praise.  You will tread lightly and not allow your feet to be ensnared in the net of undue concern for the things about you.  They are mine, just as all things are mine and you are mine and I am more interested in you than in things.  Likewise, I want you occupied with Me rather than my gifts.  You will be my mouthpiece in places where there are no other voices to be heard.

You will magnify my name in a dark corner.

You will not allow your foot to be bogged down in the mire of earthly cares and riches.

Thank you Lord for speaking so clearly to your people.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 36

Honestly, I've lost track of the days.

Today was a difficult day.  A day that I felt unmotivated, uninspired,and  tired, tired, tired of the same old struggles.  Tired of being tired.  Tired of waiting. 

But I keep pressing.  I keep praying.  I won't stop until I touch the hem of His garment.

And tonight I heard the voice of my Jesus.  It wasn't anything new, really.  It was his reassurance.

He loves me.
He has a plan for me--and it is GOOD!

He said that he's preparing me.  He said I'm like an unwrapped gift under the christmas tree.  Really?  A gift?  Sometimes I feel like I'm all wrapped up--but not in a good way. Sometimes I feel like I just want to break free.  But from what?  There's so much inside of me that wants to be free.

The Father says that feeling of not being content where I am is from Him.  He doesn't want me settling.  He doesn't want me comfortable being less than His best.

I thank you Father.  I thought I was losing my mind today.  Yes, I am hormonal and I'm sure that was  part of the problem, but I thank you that there is more.  I'm thankful for my family, for my children, for the opportunity to serve them, but I was made for more than cleaning, cooking and homeschooling.  I was made for more.

And if I don't embrace ALL of me, then none of me will be effective.  
I'm a better mom, wife, teacher, etc. when I'm walking in my full calling.  I know that there is more.  I just don't know what that looks like in this season of life.  But the Father assures me, that I will have enough time, and energy to do ALL that He's called me to do.  I believe I'll have more energy than I have now.

   

40 Days of Discovery- Day 30

Only 10 days left...  It's been quite a journey!

I've been seeking God about the matter of needs vs. wants.  I've heard over and over that God meets our needs not necessarily our wants.  As I wrote in a previous post, I'm asking the Holy Spirit to redefine "need".  I haven't given myself permission to enjoy some things in life.  I am very frugal, and simple.  Yet, I love beauty--beautiful art, beautiful music, beautiful homes, beautiful hairstyles, beautiful clothes, etc.,etc.  Somehow, because the world prostitutes beauty, I've not allowed myself to enjoy more beauty in my life.  Because there are children starving and dying around the world, does that mean I can't enjoy life?  I've started feeling a bit guilty about spending money on luxuries since I could give that money to help the poor.  That's not God's way.

The Holy Spirit is revealing the truth.  He's teaching me that I don't have to choose between feeding the poor and enjoying his gifts.  He's El-Shaddai, the inexhaustible source of EVERY good and perfect gift.  So He has enough to take care of ALL  of His children and care for the poor.  As I think of Israel, God told them continually to care for the poor, but He also promised that they would live in abundance.  They were to enjoy the land of milk and honey.  God prepared this place for them.

The problem is that we like to worship the gifts, instead of the Gift-giver.  It doesn't matter if it's a spiritual gift, or a physical gift.  We so quickly make life all about getting the gift, and keeping the gift.  Our eyes become fixed on the gift or gifts, and our hearts become devoted to it.  There's also this flesh to contend with.  It continually rises up so that it may be pleased.  Eating is a necessity.  A desire created by God to nourish our bodies.  It's good to eat.  And God gave us taste buds, and He gave food flavor, and scents so that we can enjoy the process of nourishing our bodies.  Yet, when our flesh masters us in the area of eating, we're unable to say "no" to food that we shouldn't eat or when we've had too much.  This is a sin.  We become a slave to anything that masters us.  And anything that masters us, apart of God, will destroy us.  God came to give us never-ending, abundant life.

1 corinthians 10

 ²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 

1 Corinthians 6

 ¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 

A  person who has the right perspective can give all that He's been given freely and generously 1) He knows where the gifts came from, and there is plenty more that the Father willingly gives to His children.  God's children will never do without anything that is needed.  Again, need has to be defined.  As one of God's children, I'm learning to defer my understanding to my Father who is perfect in His wisdom.  Sometimes, I need manna. Sometimes, I need to enjoy some fried crawfish!   2) It is an offering back to our God.  If we really understood the beauty and majesty of our God, we would willingly give back to Him every gift as an act of praise to Him.  Oh, Lord, open my eyes that I might see.

I think this struggle of enjoying God's gift, and being a generous giver, may be a constant struggle for me.  In some ways, I think that's good, because it means I'm  paying attention. On the other hand, I really want to live this out in peace--resting in His grace.  Actually, I can rest in His grace even as I strive to live this out.  I will fail, erroring in one direction or the other.  Yet, I desire to please Him.  He knows this.  And I am confident that His grace is fully sufficient for me.  I thank you for that, my God.

I was reading today about Amy Carmichael.  I was so encouraged to read that often she struggled in prayer, and she was a woman of GREAT PRAYER.  She struggled that her motives may not be pure.  (None are, really) She sometimes resisted asking the Father, feeling like the request was wrong to ask.  And yet, in one instance the Holy Spirit rebuked her for desiring something and not asking.  But she quickly learned the lessons that the Spirit taught.  Once she knew that God was guiding her to ask  for something, she persisted in asking until it was received.  Often she asked that God would confirm if a desire was from Him, with a sign.

Perhaps I'm making this too complicated.  I tend to do that.  Perhaps it's as simple as going to our Father with our needs (real or perceived) and desires, and releasing it into His hands.  Simply, trusting.  Asking that He would confirm our asking so we know whether we should persist in asking.  And then wait on Him to guide us to the answer.  So easily said.  So difficult at times to live out.  help me Holy Spirit!  Help me.

It is much simpler to live out as I live my life in a continual dialogue with Him.  I know that He led me to ask for a dishwasher, for it really wasn't even something on my radar.  And then after asking, He granted my request.  And I give praise to my God who supplies ALL things for His children.!!!!

1 Timothy 6

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 27

No, you haven't missed any days.  I just haven't posted in a while.  There's been a lot going on.

I laid in bed this morning praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit.  I thought about the fact that Jesus wasn't able to heal many people in his home town.  BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF.  How could they believe that a carpenter's son was the long awaited messiah?  They would not believe.  Perhaps that's why we don't see many miracles in America.  We trust too many others things.  Doctors, medicine, bank accounts, the gov't, jobs, our resources...  What if we had no hope, no options but God.  I have a feeling that we would cry out in desperation like many I read about in the Bible.  And if we are struggling with unbelief, we would cry out, "Help my unbelief!"  That is my prayer.

I also thought of the scripture that says don't be filled with much wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Drunk people are controlled by the enemy.  Scripture says drunkenness leads to debauchery--wreckless immorality or excessive indulgence of appetites.  It is a tool the enemy uses to lower our inhibitions so that are are easier to control.  Every time I've read about a group of  people who are oppressed, alcohol and drugs are always involved.  As I think of my own family's history, both of my grandfather's did horrible things when they were drunk.  The enemy is a tyrant.  He doesn't ask to rule.  He just takes over and does what he wants, at the expense of the human.  Satan HATES us (humans)! We're made in God's image, and just think, God gave us the opportunity to rule over him.  Boy, he doesn't want us to know that!

The second half of that verse says we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  We are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.  Unlike the enemy, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, as my friend Tamatha always says. His control brings good to us and to others--the HIGHEST good.  He makes Himself available to us.  He desires to control us, but he will only control us if we permit Him.  We must submit ourselves, saying, "Yes Lord have your way."  Then let Him take control.  It kinda reminds me of a game that my family plays called Family Fun Cranium.  One of the challenges requires one team member to hold a pencil while the another teammate controls the first  person's hand.  Only the person doing the controlling knows the answer.  Every one else in the group has to guess what is being drawn.  I hope that makes sense.  The pictures come out pretty funny looking.  Person 1 (the one holding the pencil) must resist the urge to control the pencil.  He  has to trust the one who knows the answer, even if he thinks he knows.  If they are able to do this, they have a better chance of winning the challenge.

I admit that I really don't know how to let the Holy Spirit control me.  I'm learning though.  I know it involves waiting.  Waiting to hear from Him before doing anything, instead of me just doing what I think.  Boy, I need some re-training in that area!  It involves listening.  Which means I must be quiet and still enough to  His voice.  It involves releasing.  Releasing my own personal desires.  Releasing my need to understand, first.  Releasing sin.  Releasing my desire to look good in front of others.  (Sometimes the Holy Spirit will tell you to do something that will make you look like a fool!)  It reminds me of a story I read recently about a man who died in a car accident and spent 90 minutes in Heaven.  A pastor and His wife happened to be traveling on the same road of the accident.  When he realized that there was an accident, he went to make his services available.  He wanted to know if anyone needed prayer.  Well, the injuries were only minor and another man was already dead.  The Holy Spirit told this pastor to pray for the dead man.  He was absolutely convinced that he was supposed to pray for the dead man.  But the paramedics kept telling him, no, this man has been dead for over an hour.  There was no need to pray for him.  The pastor persisted.  Finally, the paramedic gave in.  I'm sure the paramedic thought this pastor was a complete idiot.  Who wouldn't?   So he crawled into the back of the vehicle, put his hand on the man's shoulder and began praying.  The Holy Spirit even told him what to pray for.  He prayed that the man would have no internal injuries.  He prayed and sang, and before you know it, the dead man began singing with him.  The man wasn't dead anymore! And later, the doctors were amazed that he had no internal injuries!  This man, Don Piper, is alive today!

Releasing is hard, especially in this culture.  The mantra of America tells us to be independent, self-sufficient, strong, and competent.  Pull yourselves up by your boot straps.  Be resilient.  Work Hard.  Don't be a loser.  Don't be an idiot. Make yourself happy.  You deserve it.  No one wants to look like an idiot.  No one wants to appear weak or incompetent.  No one wants to take this Christianity thing too far!  Let's be reasonable here.  God gave us a brain, right?  And yet, when I read scripture, God's people did take it too far!  They were willing to obey, no matter the cost.  All around the world, God's people are joyfully serving Him at GREAT cost.  Their devotion encourages and convicts me.  They have the same Holy Spirit as I.  They are human like me, and yet they are able to withstand great opposition for the Name of Jesus.  I have a hard time withstanding funny looks from people.  Lord make me bold for you! 

If the Holy Spirit is to control us, we must believe and trust.  First believe that we have the Holy Spirit.  Believe that through the Holy Spirit we have been given a power that cannot be compared with any other power--known and unknown.  We must believe that this power is like the working of His mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised Him from the dead.  2nd we must trust the Holy Spirit.  Trust that He knows all and sees all.  Trust that He speaks.  Trust Him enough to obey His leading.  Trust that He will provide and protect.  He will protect us from deception.  He will  provide ALL we need.  Trust His timing. It's often inconvenient, or longer than we expect. Trust His methods. It's often unconventional. Trust that I have more than enough to give freely of His gifts.  Trust that He is completely good.  We can only give ourselves to someone we completely trust.  And even He will teach us how to do this.  Oh, God thank you for that.  Help me to trust you more.  Teach me more about yourself, and help me to believe.  Teach me how to give myself completely to you.  Show me modern day examples.

Hope this makes up for me not posting for a few days.

May the Holy Spirit display His power to you today, and through you for the rest of your days!

Ephesians 5:18-20

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 22

I read two different books, totally unrelated, that talked about learning to reign with Christ.  I believe God's people have FAR more power than we realize.  We were intended to do more than we realize.  I'm convinced of that!  We were meant to do GREAT--even impossible things.  (Things that are humanly impossible.)  We must not take God's mission, and diminish it to something manageable for us to accomplish with out Divine intervention.  Instead of us doing things that require us to depend on God, we tend to set our aims lower.  I know I do.

God's people, like Israel, are meant to advance the Kingdom of God in every segment of society.   We must defeat the enemy that is already there.  We overcome him by the blood of the lamb, and the word of our testimony of Jesus Christ.  We must not make alliances with him.  We must not compromise.  If we do, the enemy will take back the land that we have taken.  And before you know it, we'll be worshipping him, and living under his oppressive reign. God's people are to rescue people from his evil grips.  We rule in righteousness.

We are meant to rule.  NOW!

We cannot do this great work of God if we are weighted down with sin, insecurity about who we are, distracted, or pursuing lesser things.   I must go into battle with no worries!  This battle is too serious to be distracted by financial worries.  It 's too important for us to be distracted by accumulating "stuff".  He wants us focused on the work. 

God's word to me:  "Get busy doing the work of the Kingdom.  I'll take care of all of your needs.  I know your needs.  Get rid of EVERYTHING that hinders you from doing the work of the kingdom. EVERYTHING.  I'd rather you lose an arm, than miss the Kingdom.  This is serious business!  I want you to live in this glorious Kingdom, enjoying all of the benefits of it, but I also want this Kingdom continually expanding.  I care about those poor harassed sheep that aren't in the Kingdom yet.  I have compassion for them.  I want none to perish apart from me."

So the question is:
What is our allotment?  Where has God placed us?  Honestly, we're primarily around other Christians. Yes, we have our community. Lord, show us how we can expand your kingdom in this community.  Show us how to join with others in our community to make your Name known.  We also have passions.  We love to create.  Ed wants to write and perform his music.  He loves connecting with other musicians.  I love being around creative people.  I'm looking into some possibilities for advancing the Kingdom in Austin's music scene.

Teach us how to live as royalty.  Teach us how to rule.  May your kingdom advance, and may your plans be accomplished on earth as it done in Heaven. Amen.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 21

Did lots of creative writing this morning.  I'll post some of it in another posting.

This morning my pastor said something that simply spoke to my heart:

It is God's desire that we would live in the present world like we will live in the world to come. 

You might have to ponder and pray over  that for a while. 

I was confronted again with my "poverty mentality".  Oh how I want to live like a daughter of the King.  Because I AM the daughter of THE KING!  Holy Spirit, teach me how to live in this truth.  Help me to believe.

40 Days of Discover- Day 20

Praying that my family members would each experience deeper depths of God's love.  That God would manifest his love to each of us in an undeniable way.  In a way that communicates, "God loves me".

How do you know that God loves you? ( That would be a great book to write.  )  Yes, I know what you'll say: "Because the Bible tells  you so."  I mean, outside of the Bible telling you.  Has God shown you that He loves you.  He shows me all of the time.  I call the incidences:  "God kisses".  I just love it!

I woke up this morning thinking:  "when we speak words of affirmation and encouragement, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to someone, they are so lifted up.  I pray that I might speak the very words of God, His words of life, so others may be encouraged to live out the plans and purposes that God has ordained for them.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 19

   Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

If God is able to do immeasurable more than I ask (exceedingly, abundantly more!), why do I ask so little of Him?  My sights are too often too low.

Father help me to ask you for greater things--higher things--those things which fulfill your immense plans and purposes for our lives.  Help me to trust you more.  More than I ever have.  Let me rest soundly in your loving care.  Help me to have full confidence that YOU WILL TAKE care of us--of every need.  Help me Lord. Help me.

Just recently, the Holy Spirit has given me a special gift.  His gifts are amazing, and often surprising.  They are given when we least expect them, and I've decided to receive every gift He wants to give me.  I know I cannot manipulate Him into giving me gifts.  I am absolutely in awe, that my Lord loves me so much as to give me another gift.  He's blessed me so lavishly already.  I have so, so much, and here He comes with arm full of gifts again.  Let me tell you, I'm like a kid on Christmas morning.  I'm so enjoying His gifts to me.  Each one is so perfect for me, so special, so beautiful...  Jesus, thank you for making it possible for me to be in the family of God.  Thank you for sending me your Spirit, and thank you for ALL of the gifts.  Amen. and Amen.

Oh by the way, just in case your wondering...

I've been given the gift of a greater sense of God's presence and power.  I can literally feel His presence--physically.  I've also been given the gift of tongues.  I feel like a two year old trying to talk, and I guess I am.  This is all so new and unexpected.  So unexpected.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 18

Today in my prayer group we meditated on the scripture:

1John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

As we pondered this beautiful scripture, one of the ladies talked about His love for us being in excess.  I love that!  He goes over the top in loving us.  Beyond good.  Beyond simply meeting our needs.  How I desire to know this love, the deeper depths of it, the height, the width, the length of it.  This love that far surpasses all human understanding.  It is a completely different quality of love than any human love.  There is NO LOVE like HIS LOVE. 

I am a child of the Supreme Creator of the Universe. A co-heir with Christ Jesus. A co-heir?

Galatians 4:4-7  [4] But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. [6] Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

The Father has a GREAT inheritance for His children.  We can't fathom how great it is.  We do know this:

Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

The Holy Spirit we have now is just a foretaste of what is to come.  Sorta like tasting a pinch of a dish when there is a great feast to come.  Wow!  The Holy Spirit has done such a work in my life, with the promise of even far more to experience in this life.  I cannot imagine what the full feast will be like.

"No eye has seen,
    no ear has heard,
  no mind has conceived
    what God has prepared for those who love him" --

        1CO 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 17

We enter the promise land(our place of destiny) by faith--by believing God's word and responding  in obedience to His commands.

Our actions tell what we really believe, not our words.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 16

Just a couple of things to share today:

I was praying with my friend Sue Cleaver recently.  She said something that was so profound, and it made me smile Big Time!  She said that if God dumped everything he had on a person, God would turn around and find that He still has EVERYTHING.  I love that!  God can give extravagantly, abundantly, lavishly and His supply is never diminished one bit!  And He is my Father.

I truly want to live knowing that I'm the beloved child of the King of the Universe, of El Shaddai-- the one who is the inexhaustible supply of every good and perfect gift.  He says that he withholds no good thing from us.  NO GOOD THING!  He also promises to provide ALL of our need from HIS GLORIOUS RICHES in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19), not my assets.  Praise God for that!

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

So when there is a need, there's no need to worry, to get frustrated, or to try to figure out how we're going to take care of our own need.  We can live like Jesus lived.  He never worried about how he would eat, where he would sleep, or even how to pay His taxes.  He was confident that His Father knew His needs and would take care of every single need.  The only time I ever read of Jesus being hungry was when he was fasting--intentionally.  And scripture never says that Jesus had a job!  We always read him eating at someone's house, or staying at someone's house.  He even commissioned his followers to do the same.

Luke 10: 4- 7 ] Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.  LK 10:5 "When you enter a house, first say, `Peace to this house.' [6] If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. [7] Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

Later Jesus gives them permission to save, and carry what they needed.  By that time, His disciples understood the lesson that Jesus was teaching them.  Our Heavenly Father will take perfect care of you, and meet EVERY SINGLE NEED from His supply, not ours.  

  LK 22:35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"
    "Nothing," they answered.
LK 22:36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.

He supplies our through jobs, savings, friends, families, strangers--through a myriad of means.  God is creative and He often surprises us with His means of provision.

My oldest daughter needs braces.  After a consultation yesterday, I realized that braces are about $4000--and that's with insurance.  That's definitely NOT in our budget!  Our income can't support the monthly payments either. So what do we do?  Well, I'll tell you my normal response.  Frustration. Hopelessness. Or dismiss this need as a luxury and go without.  God is teaching me how to respond as His child.  We're bringing this need to the Father who has amply resources to take care of this need.  Does that mean that I'm not being a good steward of what He's given us?  No.  But we're not perfect either.  It means that we ask, and wait for His provision.  I'm looking for His answer, and trying not to be closed minded about His ways of providing.  But I'm NOT taking matters into my own hands.  I'm not using credit or putting our family in some financial bind, because I'm trying to meet a need with the resources we can SEE.  And I'm not trying to make His provision come at MY TIME.  He is all-wise, and He knows when the time is right.

I'll just wait for Him.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 15

Today was a day of letting go.  Letting go of control. Of even trying to understand.  I really like to understand.  Often it hinders me receiving what God has for me.

God's ways infinitely higher than ours. He can and will do things that astound me, that I won't understand.  Yet, I can still receive.  I don't have to understand the cross to receive His forgiveness.  Neither should I wait to understand His gifts in order to receive them.  I receive them because they are good, and from the hands of my trustworthy, and loving Father.   I can also trust Him to protect me from any and all deception.  That is a constant prayer.  I ONLY want His gifts, not the enemy's counterfeits.

His gifts are astounding, and mind blowing! 

 EPH 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 14

Today was a day of confirmation.  As I listened to the sermon at church today, I received confirmation of the things God has already put on my heart.

The greatest achievement in this life is to know God intimately.  He assures me that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  He promises to come near to those who earnestly seek Him.

Thank you Jesus!

40 Days of Discovery - Day 13

God speaks in the present tense since He is outside time.  He is always in the present tense since He's ever-present.

I must be so busy following Jesus that I don't have time to worry about all the voices around me telling me how to live.  There are so many gospels being preached--in and out of churches.  These gospels tell me how to live and how to receive a full and satisfying life.  But any other gospel outside of Jesus is a FALSE GOSPEL.

John 4:13 "...whoever drinks the water I (Jesus) give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."  

Only Jesus can satisfies the deepest needs of the human heart. Only Jesus.

Revelation 22:17 says "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

40 Days of Discover- Day 12

When we are born, we are born into the world to be a man or a woman.  We don't look like, nor do we act like a man or woman when we are babbling babies, pooping, sucking, sleeping and eating.  Yet we inside of us is all the raw materials to become what we are intended to be. But we must grow into who we are.  And if, along the way we refuse to believe that we are men and women with a purpose, we stay immature and childish.  That should never be.


When I am born into my new identity, a child of God, I too, must grow into who God says I am.  He's given me everything I need in order to be who He intends for me to be.  Though today I'm sinning like crazy, and not believing God's promises, I am more than what you or I see today.  I need the Holy Spirit to nurture, and teach me so that I become mature.  So that I become the person God destined me to be.  Only if I choose to believe what God says about me, will I grow up.  Else, I stay an immature baby, with little power, no self-control, and I won't see the fruits of God in my life.  Nor will I walk in the destiny that He prepared for me.  That would be a travesty!

Heavenly Father, tell me who I am again and again, and help me to believe.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 11

God has spoken powerfully through His word to me today.  I read from Romans 3 and 4 today, and man was I lifted up!

Here's a snippet of what I gleamed:

Against all hope, Abraham believed (God's promise to him), and became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him.

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was good as dead--since he was about 100  years old--and that Sarah's was also dead.  Yet...
He did not waver through unbelief  regarding the promises of God. This amazes me!

but he was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God being fully pursuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised.

That is why... 

Because of his unwavering belief in the Promise-keeper, God assigned righteousness to him. Simply put,  He was made righteous.  These words are for us as well.  We aren't righteous because we do good things, think good things, because we're moral, hard-working, or anything.  God offers us his righteousness.  If we believe God's promise to us:  For God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him would not live apart from the source of life (God Himself) and as a result experience death, but instead have life the bubbles up and overflows bringing life that has no end.  Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Help me to believe all your promises.  Help me to be FULLY PERSUADED that you can fulfill your promises in me and you will do it.  Help me to believe.

So these are the questions that I ask the Holy Spirit.
What are the realities of life that I need to face and not allow these things to weaken my faith? 
limited finances, limited time, health problems, not having all the answers, not able to do everything perfectly like my type B+ personality wants. (I'm not as type A as I used to be.)

What promises have you given me that I need to trust you to bring to pass in my life?
That you will lift me up with no striving on my part
That anything I ask under the authority and power of King Jesus, you will give
That I will be a truth revealer
That my prayers are powerful, and effective!
That my prayers, offered in faith (believing in the One who is able to heal), will make the sick well; The Lord will raise him up. (not me)

40 Days of Discovery- Day 10

Wow!  I'm a quarter of the way through my 40 Days.  It's been so good!  I feel like I'm being deluged with so much.  I'm having to take a step back to take it in a little slower.  The question I'm asking God is, "What do you want me to do with this information?"  I'm just a mama.  Nobody special.  Why is He showing me so much?  It's BIG picture things.  I have gotten one clear answer, "Pray".  He's even given me someone who is committed to pray with me.  That is a gift and I thank Him wholeheartedly for it.

I'm experiencing more of God's power in my life than ever.  It's humbling, and I'm not sure what to do with it.  I feel like a 2 year old learning to walk, talk and feed my self.  I feel like, more than ever, I'm saying, "Holy Spirit, teach me."  I'm currently reading the book of Matthew, and as I read,  trying to gleam everything I can from the life of Jesus.  I want to understand how He lived, because I want to emulate His life.  By the power of the Spirit!  Apart  from His Spirit--forget it!!!

I'm encouraged that there are many others who seeking to do the same.  Oh, Majestic, Supreme Ruler, be glorified through your people.  Awaken us to Higher things.  Give us your thoughts.  Give us your mind.  Teach us how to walk confidently in your  power.  Teach us.

Today I was reminded how it important it is to communicate clearly.  When I was in college I interned at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and IBM.  I remember feeling like an idiot when I first started.  I'd hear all of this jargon:  P-14 and such.  I'd hear all of these acronyms flying around.  Everyone seemed to understand perfectly what was being said, and I didn't have a clue.  It was like I was hearing a foreign language.  But everyone acted as if I should understand, so I couldn't let on that I was clueless.  I just had to keep listening, until I was able to decipher the code.  I'm wise enough now, to just ask questions.  Who cares if others think I'm stupid.  If you don't know, you don't know.  Anyway, I wonder if much of our christian jargon is the same with people.  Words like salvation, repentance, resurrection, born-again, etc. fly from our lips as if it's common knowledge in our culture.  I think many are familiar with the words, but the bigger question is, do they understand what we mean?  I can ask, "Do you believe in Jesus?" and many will say yes.  Yet scripture says demons believe as well.  So what do we mean when we say believe?  Living in a culture where Christian words are pretty common, and people think they know what they mean, we need to step back a define our words.  I'm asking Jesus to  help me to speak in language that the general culture can understand.  God certainly knows how to speak to each of us in a way that we can understand and respond to.

I pray that He will give me that gift of communication.  I have ideas for stories I'd like to write that could do that.  My art can do that.  I just pray that it will.  Supernaturally, enable me to communicate with such clarity, love, and grace, that people are compelled to respond.  Compelled.  May the words you give me never be ignored.  I have no ability to do this.  I am just a woman.  Yet I am the servant of the one is fully capable of doing this through me.  I am willing, Master.

40 Days of Discovery - Day 9

I'd like to share some excerpts from a book called, "Come Away My Beloved"  Fabulous book!  I HIGHLY recommend!

You cannot risk giving your thoughts free reign.

Whatever you sow in your secret thought life, that you will reap.

One of the most common ways hidden sin is revealed is through maladies of the body.

There was no illness in the body of Jesus because there was no sin in his soul.

Do not condemn others for jeopardizing their health by harmful habits and wasting their energies on vain pursuits while you undermine your health by unworthy emotions.

You really have to sit with these, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 8

 I was doing some research today on freegans.  I love the idea of people using the excess food that stores and restaurants throw away and living off of it.  It breaks my heart when I consider that we throw away of 50% of the food we produce.  That is maddening!  How could we be so frivilous, when so much of the world is dying of hunger.  A child dies every 5 seconds from hunger.  5 seconds.  And we're throwing food, good food in the trash.  Yes, I throw food away too.  And it sickens me.  Lord forgive us for living so selfishly, and carelessly, for thinking that we are entitled to live so lavishly.  How many times have I complained because I don't like what I'm eating?  Too many.  Praise God I have food.  My mom told me stories about her actually not having food to eat.  One time she said they licked salt for dinner, because they had nothing else.  Another time they ate garlic.  There was even a time when there was no water in the well.  So my grandmother, (We call her Madea), sat on the porch and prayed, and God sent rain.  They ran inside to get buckets to catch their water. 

Americans don't seem to need God like that anymore.

Ok, so I was doing some research on freegans and came across an interesting site:  www.thestoryofstuff.com  My daughter and I watch the movie they produced called, "The Story of Stuff".  It is quite enlightening.  Much of it I already knew from reading"Confessions of an Eco-sinner".  Something like that.  But I did discover an interesting quote that I'd like to share.  It was an excerpt of an article written in 1955 by Victor Lebow, a Marketing Consultant,  for  the Spring 1955 issue of the Journal of Retailing.  I found the entire article online at: http://hundredgoals.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/journal-of-retailing.pdf

The article

Here's an excerpt of the article.  It's quite eyeopening! Remember this was written in a journal for retailers.

"The Real Meaning of Consumer Demand
Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfactions, our ego satisfactions, in consumption. The measure of social status, of social acceptance, of prestige, is now to be found in our consumptive patterns. The very meaning and significance of our lives today expressed in consumptive terms. The greater the pressures upon the individual to conform to safe and accepted social standards, the more does he tend to express his aspirations and his individuality in terms of what he wears, drives, eats- his home, his car, his pattern of food serving, his hobbies.
These commodities and services must be offered to the consumer with a special urgency. We require not only “forced draft” consumption, but “expensive” consumption as well. We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced, and discarded at an ever increasing pace. We need to have people eat,drink, dress, ride, live, with ever more complicated and, therefore, constantly more expensive consumption. The home power tools and the whole “do-it-yourself” movement are excellent examples of “expensive” consumption.
What becomes clear is that from the larger viewpoint of our economy, the total effect of all the advertising and promotion and selling is to create and maintain the multiplicity and intensity of wants that are the spur to the standard of living in the United States..."


"Strong Influence of Television
Probably the most powerful weapon of the dominant producers lies in their use of television. To a greater degree than ever before a relative handful of products will share a monopoly of most of the leisure time of the American family. We will have over 30 million television households next year. And television achieves three results to an extent no other advertising medium has ever approached. First, it creates a captive audience. Second, it submits that audience to the most intensive indoctrination. Third, it operates on the entire family."

What do you think?  Have we been duped?

God help us!  We're enslaved and we don't even know it.