I often get asked how I can write these devotionals every week.  People seem perplexed at the thought of this task.  That’s funny to me because I see other things that people do and wonder the same thing. 

This is no different than anything else, really.  I operate under God’s direction to fulfill this commitment. 

The main thing I’ve learned to do…the thing that has been the most valuable lesson…is to consistently settle myself into the fountain of His presence.  If I sit down and settle my soul and spirit, then focus my heart, with intentionality, I will always find out what He wants to say.

I’m writing about this to encourage you that no matter what task God gives you to do, and whether you think you can complete it or not, if He has called you He will equip you if you remain in Him.

He is the fountain we can all return to. 

When you need refreshing…return to the fountain.

When you feel like you just aren’t sure if you want to keep moving forward in life…return to the fountain. 

The fountain of His Presence is the source of life.  He truly is all we need.

We each must choose…will we live in Him or not?  It’s really that simple.  When we begin to entertain fear and trepidation, we have chosen to step out of His presence and into alignment with the enemy of our souls. 

We always…always, have the ability to choose Him.  To choose peace.  To embrace His Presence. 

Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil.  That’s gospel truth.  We never have to fear.  Ever.  When we view our whole lives and the lives of those we love, through the eyes of the eternal One, then we can release it all and simply live with heaven on our mind. 

Threats to our lives fall flat when we look forward to heaven. 

Remember that as you move forward in life.  Keep your eyes turned toward heaven and then you will live courageously.  The moment we allow voices and actions on this earth to distract us, is the moment we begin to fear. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Now and forevermore.

Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge.  I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.”  I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”  Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.  I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips.  Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; You make my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely, I have a delightful inheritance.  I will praise the Lord, Who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will You let Your faithful one see decay.  You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.  Psalm 16

I’ve mentioned before that when I was much younger, I only desired to have a small, safe life.  I wanted to have enough to get by and to just live in a perception of safety that I had contrived in my mind.  The Lord made it clear to me that He desired to take me on adventures.  I relented and gave in and have never regretted it, though it’s been so hard and scary at times.  All these years later, I see that safety I once so desperately desired, doesn’t even exist.  God was rescuing me from a lie.  Showing me how to truly live.  Giving me courage.  Teaching me resilience.  Maturing my heart and mind.  His kindness led me to grow.

Nobody can say that living through this moment in history is anything other than an adventure.  We have no idea what is about to happen next.  It’s one major event after another.  One extreme after the next, keeps happening.  The words, “I never thought I’d live to see ____” can’t be spoken enough. 

We are living to see it.  That’s evident.

When the end will come, nobody knows.  Don’t believe anyone who says they do.  The Scriptures tells us that. 

False prophets and counterfeit Jesus’ will appear…don’t be deceived.

We are each living a life of adventure, whether we want to or not.  It’s just what’s happening. 

The only question that remains is, how will you choose to face it?

I’ve noticed many who are obsessed with knowing what every “prophetic” voice says.  They are steeped in every political event and are constantly fretting.  Still there are others who want to live in denial.  Complete and utter denial.  Neither of these is a profitable response.

As I’ve wandered between both of those responses in this journey, I see now that the only way to live out these strange and glorious times, is in God’s Presence.  Yes, I mean that.  Every day, I feel myself pull back from it all to stand directly in the glory of God.  To reside within the shelter of His wings.  When we know that God dwells in us, and us in Him…it’s a lot easier to act with bold authority.  That’s how I’ve decided to act. 

A lie is a lie.  The truth is the truth.  I don’t need to know what anyone else thinks.  I am not a victim.  I am not “what’s wrong with the world”.  I stand in the One Who is everything that’s good and holy in the world. 

As the adventures of this world call…I answer from the shelter of His wings and with full confidence that He Who began the good work, will be faithful to complete it…and one day, I will meet Him in heaven face to Face and I dwell in His house forever.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23:5-6

Perfectionism is the enemy of peace.  It says that only perfection brings fullness and joy.  Perfectionism is a liar.  It lurks in families and seeks to destroy marriages and rip away children from parents because nothing is ever good enough.  Perfectionism is a satanic cloak of deception worn by those given to desire the thing that only Jesus could achieve.  Perfectionism wants to be Jesus. 

You may feel these are strong words, but I believe them to be true.

I once led a life steered by a corrupt desire for perfection while I was living the most unperfect kind of life.  Living as a hypocrite and demanding perfection from others when I could barely live a decent life myself. 

What then?

Who can stand the measure of perfection?

Perfection is a thief.  It robs us from real relationships.  It robs us from growing because we are so afraid of making a mistake.  Mistakes are a part of growing.  Learning from them brings true wisdom and grace.  Yes, perfection is a thief.

We are messy.  It’s part of the growth process.  Pushing up from beneath the ground to bloom, is messy.  Yes, messy is a part of life.

As a mother I see this every day.  My children are all at different places in their growth and maturity.  I have learned not to be surprised when one of them makes a mess.  I’m not talking about a physical mess; I’m talking about an emotional mess.  As kids learn to wade through the process of taking thoughts captive and searching them out, we will likely see some messes.  As adults we should be ready to help clean them up, show them truth, and send them off to discover another mess.

Yes, perfection is the enemy of growth. 

Perfection says, “Only I can be right.”  As it parades haughtily through life, shoving down all others it comes in contact with.  Such foolishness.  Oh, how God must laugh when He watches us pretend, we know everything. 

Ultimately, perfection is an enemy of God. 

Yes, you read that right.  Perfection says, “I don’t need God.  I am just fine on my own.”  Perfectionism declares that all others must measure up to it…while it stands in shocking insufficiency.  Perfectionism is a lie.

God, I repent of all perfectionism.  Please remove the cloak of perfectionism from my shoulders and wrap me in Your mercy.  I trust You.  You are my measure.  I stand complete only through Jesus.   Give me grace for others, as You have so much grace toward me.  I love You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

But we do see Jesus, Who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.  In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for Whom and through Whom everything exists, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered.  Hebrews 2:9-10

Today I took a couple of kids to the free movie.  Once a week over the summer, our theater puts on a free cartoon movie.  It’s a wonderful opportunity for families of small children to go to the movie and not worry about bothering paying customers.  It was loud.  Yes, very loud.

But in the midst of all this noise, I felt the Lord. 

The noise was a lot, and I felt a brief moment of frustration, then I felt that nudge and so I turned my ear toward Heaven and felt the Lord inviting me into a different perspective.  He had me focus on the little sounds all around me.  Immediately, the frustration fell away, and I smiled with delight.  The kids were each so excited and inquisitive.

I felt a pressing delight at the joy of the children around me.  They were so excited to be at a movie.  Every preview brought a lot of laughter and even awe.  An exciting part of the movie happened, and all the little ones gasped as a building was demolished.  They were definitely engaged in the theatrics of it all.

It was wonderful.  So pure and innocent.

Then God reminded me…He desires to refresh our delight in life. 

It’s a decision we make, to be delighted.  We can turn ourselves away from it if we want…and unfortunately, we often do.  But what might happen if you decided to become delighted again?

Restoration of childlike delight!!  Oh, that it would flow over us again, in Jesus’ name.  Don’t forget that the key to seeing the desires of our heart is to delight in the Lord.  His creation all around us begs for our delight.  Every sunrise.  Every sunset.  The clouds in their varied forms.  The beauty of the landscape.  Birds and animals.  Even bugs.  They all beg for us to delight in the creation all around us.  When we look into our spouses’ eyes, we can choose delight, no matter what.  When I look into Chris’ eyes, even if I’m mad at him, I suddenly soften.  There is delight and love found in those eyes.  When we observe our children navigating this world, it’s easy to feel delight.  Even when they struggle, we can choose to see the beauty of one who is becoming what they will be.  It’s glorious.  It’s a privilege.

Today I challenge you to find delight in every moment.  Remind yourself throughout this day, to find delight.  It will invigorate your soul and spirit.  I promise it will be worth it. 

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:28-31

I know that I keep circling the same types of ideas, but I find myself yelling into the void, “Follow God alone!!  Stop looking to others for your information and listen to Holy Spirit.  Stop seeking the approval of fallen men and focus on Jesus…being saved and therefore approved through His blood.”

Most of us have spent our lives measuring to this imaginary status quo.  I call it imaginary because we can’t see this measure.  We don’t even know where it all originates.  We simply follow suit with others and live at their measure.  A measure we can never live up to. 

The further I walk in my journey of separateness with God…the more I realize how hardwired my brain has been to just follow suit…to not think things through most of the time.  And definitely, the world doesn’t want any of us to stop and consult Holy Spirit on matters.  This is part of the purpose of the “rush” we feel we are in all the time.  If every decision must be immediate or rushed, then there is naturally no time for consultation. 

Are you starting to see this?

Are you beginning to unravel your understanding from this faulty habit of the world?

Friends, most of us have been misled in one way or another, but the only way to unravel the lies and discover the truth is to be taught by Holy Spirit.  The only way to know how to walk out our Christian faith is through the Bible and the leading of Holy Spirit. 

Steeped in truth.

We must read and re-read the Bible and ask Holy Spirit for understanding.  Every.  Single.  Day.

There should never be another Christian who says they’ve never read the entire Bible, or says they’ve read it through once.  I don’t understand that…how can we stay steeped in truth when we neglect it?

The Bible is a gift.  The Holy Spirit is a gift. 

We must use those gifts for their intended purpose.  To inform and direct our lives.  To comfort and build up our faith.  To teach and cultivate our hearts.  To renew our minds. 

Let’s decide to no longer be misled…instead, let’s be fully led by Holy Spirit.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

It can be said, every week lately, that there is a lot going on in our world.  We seem to be in a stirred-up season, largely because there’s an election looming in our near future.  The political machine is in full effect.  It’s honestly sickening to see.  I don’t know if it’s my age, or if it’s that the enemy is so brazen now, but it is glaringly obvious when they pull their bait and switch and force the chosen candidate into all of media, as if there is no choice.  But there is.  The basis of our Republic is that we the people are the ones in the driver’s seat.  Unfortunately, while all of us “normal” people were off working and creating the economy we live in and establishing families…the political system set itself in place to make us completely subservient.  No longer do most candidates really care what we want or need…they have begun to act like we are far beneath them.

Then came one candidate who was not a career politician, and he shook all of that up.  Toppling their trajectory and stalling out the enemy plan to destroy this country and make it part of the global agenda. 

Career politician.  This is the real problem.  When our country was founded, those in office all had regular jobs within their own state.  They would go to Washington for a brief amount of time each year to get that work done and the rest of the time they were living like normal men.  Somewhere along the line the focus became skewed.  They began to elevate themselves and their position and suddenly we had career politicians who have never had a real job in their lives.  That is not sustainable.

The disconnect between Washington and anything resembling normal is huge. 

What are we to do?  Why am I writing about this in a devotional?

The answer is one in the same. 

We are to pray.  Work at living a simple life and establishing strong families, own businesses and contribute to our hometowns.  The greatest push-back in this season is, once again, creating strong family units.  Nations topple when the family unit is destroyed.  God desires us to subdue the land and go forth and multiply.

The answer has always been God. 

If we create cultures who value real jobs, Biblical definition of family, staying married even when we aren’t “happy”, raising our kids deliberately and not simply handing them over to the system…then we can begin to steer the ship back on course. 

Families who fear the Lord.  Who walk in His ways. 

That’s the answer.

It’s easy to see the headlines every day and feel completely out of control and helpless.  Don’t be deceived, that’s largely the point.  But if we turn from all the distraction and focus where God says to focus then we will see the goodness of God in the land of the living.

God bless America.

“Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness.  Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.  But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the god of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.  But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:14-15

This week, just like another time this year, we had a celebratory moment on the heels of a hard moment.  Another chance to teach our kids the beauty of the bittersweet moments in life.  Again, we embraced the moment.  Lead by God we found such peace and joy in both that day.

Life’s sweetness doesn’t require the absence of all conflict.  If we are waiting for perfection before we relax into the beautiful, then we never will.  We must learn to gracefully move through all things. 

We had victory this week.  Doing something difficult, wrapped in prayer and steeped in partnership.  Then doing something fun and celebrating a child’s birthday.

I feel like we do our children a disservice when we always curate perfection and comfort around them.  If you ask me, we all need to face discomfort to learn how to walk victoriously through disappointment.  I believe much in our world would be better if would allow our kids to experience difficulty…without us clearing their way.  Staying by their side as they learn to clear the path, we will create a more resilient future. 

My children gain strength every day as we advise them through the challenges.  They grow in confidence and trust as we allow them to maneuver through their own troubles.

I’m loving the season of parenting we are currently in, watching my kids spread their wings.  But we’ve been preparing for this since the start.  I remember when one of our kids had legitimate issues with a teacher openly humiliating our child in front of the whole class.  I was so angry.  She was only in 4^th grade.  I wanted to go punch that teacher in the face, if I’m honest.  But God told me to stand back and watch.  He led my daughter through this difficult time and it’s one reason she’s able to stand firm now. 

Sometimes, in our effort to defend our kids, we debilitate them by doing what they need to do for themselves. 

God is the same with us.  He could mow the way before us, but He knows that the road to strength is through adversity. 

He is such a good God. 

Next time you see trouble on the horizon, I encourage you to ask God if He is giving you an opportunity to grow.  Then if you’re brave enough, embrace it.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned.  Nor shall the flame scorch you.  Isaiah 43:2

I’ve been reflecting on the progress of my life a lot lately.  I am so different now.  When I was young, I was a broken mess.  When I first got married, I was in the process of healing and did my best.  I’ve grown so much.  Healed so much.  Changed so much.

I’ve made so many mistakes, but for most of my life, I’ve been aiming for Christ.  You’ll notice I said, aiming.  Not always aiming well but aiming.  I was simply using a bent bow for many years.  God had to straighten me out.

Today when I thought of the way I used to do some things and how I see it so differently now, I heard my spirit say, “I can only be where I am.” 

The saying, “It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress” isn’t just for our kids…it’s also for us.

I’ve never been perfect; I’ve always known only what I know.  I will never be perfect, and I will never know everything.  But one thing is for certain, I am ALWAYS willing to change and be changed.

Being willing to change is paramount. 

If a person is unwilling to be wrong or change…then I’m pretty done having conversations with them.  It’s useless. 

Friend, we don’t have to be ashamed of what we don’t know and how we have changed or need to change.  Shame is not helpful.  Honesty is.  Be honest with yourself.  Own your actions, and let God transform you.

That’s the way forward.

When God shows me that I need to change, I don’t then attempt to fix it…no, I say, “Yes” then let Him do the work.  It’s truly that easy.

We can’t change ourselves, but He can transform anyone.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with every-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah, Who has been appointed for you- even Jesus.  Acts 3:19-20

We don’t pray hoping that God hears us.  When we pray, we should believe that He absolutely does.  Believe and do not doubt in your heart and you will receive. 

You may be wondering how to step into belief.  Maybe you always pray, but struggle to know He’s listening and even more that He’ll answer.

Can I share some practical things with you in today’s devotional?

When I need to know I’m rightly focused and believing…I always begin with scripture.  Where does it say this or that in the Bible?  Begin there.  Read it and say it out loud.  Then close your eyes and imagine talking to God.  See Him.  Speak to Jesus.  Focus your heart and mind and speak with Him as you would a friend. 

I believe that far too often we want things to simply happen.  For it to be easy.  Sometimes, we just need to practice a little self-control.  We must still and quiet of souls like a weaned child with its mother.  We are capable. 

Life is full of people who live completely unintentional lives…but the ones we admire, the ones we see have a real and right relationship with God have discovered the art of intention.

Being intentional doesn’t make it fake or contrived…it makes it valuable.

We are intentional with things that truly matter to us.  Be honest.

Now carry that over to your walk with God, and your prayers.  Can you now be intentional with Him? 

I know you can! 

Let’s take time today to intentionally pursue God in our prayers.  Ask and it will be given to you.  Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door will be opened to you…it’s in the Bible, so we know it’s true.

I am praying to You because I know You will answer, O God.  Bend down and listen as I pray.  Show me Your unfailing love in wonderful ways.  By Your mighty power You rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies.  Guard me as You would guard Your own eyes.  Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.  Protect me from wicked people who attack me.  Psalm 17:8-9

The space at the end of this devotional is intended for you to fill with intentional prayer.  Go spend time with the Father.  Pray and ask in Jesus’ name and watch as He moves in your life, in real and tangible ways.

When we look to the Lord to establish us and teach us how He desires for us to be successful on this earth…we often find it looks shockingly different than we may have imagined.  Further, if we traverse this journey of discovery for very long, then we will inevitably discover how to see through the eyes of legacy. 

As a young woman, I had no idea how to even entertain thoughts of the future.  I saw today only.  I saw today, while carrying the burden and wounds of the past.  Then everything changed.  God brought me into an intense season of healing and major transformation.  Since that transformation, I’ve been layer by layer, having the scales from my eyes removed to the point that now I can see through the eyes of legacy living.

There was a transaction I had with God one day…when I began to come to terms with the fact that I wouldn’t likely live to see everything in my dreams unfold, but that I could pass those things to my children and grandchildren and let them carry on.  It was then that I realized I could allow my children to participate in ways I’d never imagined. 

It’s a far more fulfilling work when you learn how to share the vision, include those you love, and then multiply things as you allow your dreams to mix with theirs.

Now our children remind us of what we’re living for.  They remind me of our dreams when things get muddy.  What a blessing and absolute privilege it is to partner with them. 

We don’t require our children to participate in our future, but we do invite them.  They will each get to choose as they grow up.  If they decide not to participate, then I am fully confident God will send others to do so.  God is always more than enough.

Allowing them to be privy and participate in our dreams and future has only drawn us closer as a family unit.  With a shared vision we have created a sense of purpose in our family.  Now they see what we see.  They know what we know.  It’s the essence of legacy living. 

Today I encourage you to lean into whatever legacy living looks like in your life.  Whether you’re married or not, you can still move in this direction because God will bring to your life those who you need to carry on the vision.  Be bold and brave and lean into God’s heart for your legacy.  Ask Him to release the vision over you and then simply believe Him.  He Who starts the good thing will complete it in His timing.

Arise, O Lord!  Stand against them and bring them to their knees!  Rescue me from the wicked with Your sword!  By the power of Your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward.  But satisfy the hunger of Your treasured ones.  May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.  Because I am righteous, I will see You.  When I awake, I will see You face to face and be satisfied.  Psalm 17:13-15