Yesterday while worshiping, I suddenly thought of all my current weaknesses and immediately I saw a leaky pot.  I thought, “I am a leaky vessel.”  Then oddly I felt the Father’s delight pour over me and I knew He liked that about me.  He showed me that because of my openness in my weakness, He can more easily pour out of me and into others.  Then I remembered the following verses.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That’s why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Isn’t it true that none of us is perfect, and those who pretend to be, end up separating themselves from others because nobody wants to be around a “perfect” person for long.  Since we all know that none of us is above reproach, most of us have little appetite for a person who presents themselves as an authority on every single thing.

What we do find attractive though, is a person who is willing to share in their weakness.  A person who doesn’t pridefully boast of how “together” they are, but instead is just honest.

Be honest with yourself today.  Are you a leaky pot too?

How do you present yourself to the world?  Do you pretend to be more than you are to cover your insecurities?  Do you present yourself as a victim, even though deep down you know you aren’t and are simply using that as a tool to control others and gain their affections?

Let’s start off this week with some real honesty.  It’s always worth it to assess yourself from time to time.

I am a leaky pot.  I am strong only because He is inside of me.  He placed a steadfast spirit within me.  I imagine He has done the same thing for you.

Today, as you head out into the world, be real about who you are and what you are like.  Keep it simple, just like we mentioned last week.  What can boasting and pretention gain for you anyway?  Just be who you are and how you were made.

 

“Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.  Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them.  You must not serve them or bow down to them.  But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.”  Joshua 23:6-8

 

 

Hello heart, here we are again.  Life has run away with time and we are required to more deliberately meet one another.  Here in the moments where quiet is found, I ask you, “How are we doing?  Are we navigating life free of unforgiveness?  Are we holding onto hope and spilling joy into the world?  Has the bitter root taken any ground lately?”

Hello heart, I’ve missed talking to you.

Today, I encourage you to remember just how important it is for you to continually make it a practice to check in with yourself.  Stop, even when life is at a sprint, and allow yourself a moment to assess your heart and how you are navigating the day to day.  Even the most seasoned runner in a marathon needs to stop from time to time.  You are never going to be able to avoid checking in with your heart.  At least, not if you want to be a blessing to the world and not a drain on those around you.

So, take this morning, in the middle of the week, and look inward.  Reflect on how you’ve been responding to day to day circumstances and make sure you haven’t lost sight of what’s most important.  Christ in you, the hope of glory.

This morning as I was driving, I found myself needing to be reminded that my current situation is not permanent.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment that we forget the bigger picture.  Right now, I am making certain sacrifices, but they are temporary and won’t last forever.  If I can keep my eye on the prize, then I will walk this out with much more grace.

How are you facing the day to day?  How are you walking through your current life situation?  What season are you walking out?  Are you borrowing trouble or are you seeing things for what they are and walking with open hands?

Today is not forever.  Things will not always be this way.  So, when you find yourself beginning to feel sorry for yourself, remember that.  Look at today for what it is and begin to feel excited for the future.  If you are saying, “I don’t have anything to look forward to.”  Please know that’s not true.  There is always something to look forward to, and yes, change will come.  It always does.  You may feel stuck in life, but what I’ve learned through the years is this, I am often not really stuck anywhere except in my mind.  Sometimes our minds can stall out in a certain negative or defeated thought pattern.  We are responsible for surrendering our minds to Christ and then we are again responsible for beginning to believe His goodness.  He is good, all the time.

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

My son, give Me your heart and let your eyes delight in My ways.  Proverbs 23:26

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10

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

One morning last week, as I was driving to the office, another driver flipped me off.  It was really unnecessary, as it usually is, but it really made a flash of anger burst over me and I was forced to center my spirit and remember Who I belong to, and that I am not to respond in a negative way.  It was so crazy because I wasn’t looking for trouble or trying to make trouble, but because of a misunderstanding in traffic, someone’s lack of maturity was thrust upon me and I was then forced to face myself.

What do I mean by that?  Well, I was forced to see what my first response to offense would be.  In other words, what comes out of us at times like that, reflects what is in our hearts.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  Luke 6:45

And therein lies the victory of that particular moment.  In the past I may have flown the bird right back at her, but this time my involuntary response was to smile and wave.  Hallelujah!  Ha Ha!

Hey, that’s a victory for me!

But after, I felt this irritation trying to rest on me.  Then I had to search out a healthy way to process.  Who knew a split-second encounter with someone whom I will likely never see again, would lead me to such a lengthy process of self-reflection and a need to forgive a stranger, but it did.

This all made me think about our momentary encounters with the world and how we are really responsible for learning to manage ourselves in a way that would glorify the Father, no matter what.  When we are out in the world running errands, working and living life, we are still ambassadors.  We carry Him within us at all times, so we are always responsible for our behavior.

I wanted to use today as another encouragement to go out and bless the world in which you live.

Wherever you go today, make a deliberate decision to be a blessing.  Even when you are somewhere being served, decide to also serve them with kindness.  Be a light.  Let His light shine through you.  Be a beckon of hope and light and joy into the world.  You may be the only Jesus that they see.

 

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.  Proverbs 4:23

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.  Proverbs 10:11

All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.  To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.  Haughty eyes and a proud heart- the lamp of the wicked- are sin.   Proverbs 21:2-4

I often pray for circles of protection around myself and those that I love.  I love to imagine God surrounding us on every side, even above and below and not allowing the enemy to have any access to our lives.  Recently, while praying a circle around someone, I saw a wedding ring.  Then, I heard God speak to my heart, “You are the bride of Christ.  His circle of protection is His wedding ring around your life.”

Wow, what a thought-provoking moment, as many different scriptures and ideas began to flood my mind with a new perspective shining on them.

As His bride, I have complete protection.  You too, are the bride of Christ, if He lives in your heart.  You too are afforded full protection.

This thought should deeply impact the way in which we walk through our days.  It should affect the way we see life.  We should be so bold, knowing that He has a full ring of protection over us.

What a beautiful analogy of love.  He is such a mystery.

Today I will be brief, as I hope you will take time to “renew your vows” with Him.  Thank Him for your salvation and the protection He has placed firmly around you.  A married person may on occasion slip off their ring, but He will never remove His ring of protection from your life.

You are safe.

Right now, Holy Spirit spoke to me that one reader of this devotional is feeling unsafe.  He is saying directly to you now, “You are safe.  I am holding you.  Do not be afraid.”  He is calling you out onto the waters and now I see you splashing water around with your arms as you laugh in the face of the fear that once held you captive.  Yes, and amen.  Thank You Jesus for true freedom.

Take time, rest in the revelation of His ring around your life.  An unbroken symbol of His affection for you.  How great is our God?!

 

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.                                  2 Thessalonians 3:3

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6

So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.  Psalm 5:11

The other day, I was caught up in worship and went outside into my driveway, with arms lifted singing praises to Him.  Our house is positioned up a little hill, and as I looked out onto the property down below I had the clearest vision of a group of Native Americans sitting around a fire and they were worshiping the “spirits”.  I could even hear some of their talk.  I was startled a little and then God, as I was praying out loud, had me speak that they would encounter the One true Spirit, Holy Spirit.

Some of my friends who don’t live here in OK may be wondering why I would see Native Americans.  There is a large Native American population in OK.  The evidences of it are all around.  Being aware of this myself, I knew God is wanting to redeem His Native American people.

Yes, a terrible wrong was done to them.  It is so unfathomable, and I am not at all, marginalizing it by calling it a “wrong”, but the point is not the sin done to them.  The point of that vision was God is calling them to His heart.  He is calling them to His Spirit.

After I had the above encounter with God, I was reminded how very important it is that we listen to what God is saying and doing in our specific location.  There is most definitely a time to war for your specific area.  This is obvious to many when they go on mission trips, etc.  But I challenge you to do it right where you live.

What spirits plague your hometown?  Have there been great victories or defeats there?  These are all clues to what God may be doing or wanting to do in the area you live.  It can be so exciting to partner with Him in that way.

While we lived in PA, God made it very clear to me on many different occasions that I was to war for the area.  Countless times, He reminded me that He placed me in that specific geographical location for a reason. So, when I would deal with the community, I always tried to be aware of Him and what He was saying.  There were many times that I would pray for a breaking of one spirit or another, over that place.

You too, can do this.

I challenge you to take some time this morning and ask God about your area.  Then just listen.  And when He speaks to you or shows you something, just believe Him.  Let Him use you to release things or break things in your city.

It’s a new level of intimacy and partnership.  Have fun!!

Feel free to comment on this post with anything God shows you for your area, and I will gladly partner with your prayers.

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, His holy mountain.  It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth.  Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.  God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be her fortress.  Psalm 48:1-3

The other day I had this thought, “I am really simple.  I believe what I read in the Bible.  I believe there’s a lot more black and white in the world, than gray.  Most things are simple if you just look at them head-on.”

I thought of the way media and others attempt to muddy our thinking and tilt the perspective from which we observe the happenings in the world, when most of it is a lie.  Apart from God, I can’t fully trust anything.  He will show me what is truth and what is not.  Keep it simple, I will trust in God.

I will not allow my emotions to determine “my truth”.  What is “my truth” anyway?

There is only one Truth Teller.  God tells the truth without fail.  In fact, it is impossible for Him to lie.  So why would I allow others to define truth?  Keep it simple, God is truth.

Over time walking with God, I have discovered things can be so much simpler.  I used to constantly complicate things because I would lose focus on Him and His truth, trading it in for everyone else’s whims.  Now, I often discern the spirit behind someone’s statements and then decide whether to give it my ear or turn away.  I am always looking for God in and around others.  Keep it simple, look for God.

God’s truth, even hard truth, still carries peace.  It still carries hope.  If you are believing things that don’t lead to hope and peace, then I am concerned you are not hearing from Him.  Be aware.  Be deliberate.  Your mind is a battlefield, and you must be purposeful in protecting yourself.  Only you know what you can and cannot listen to without being robbed of peace.  Only you can determine what music is ok for you to sing in your mind throughout the day without letting your heart be affected negatively.  So, it’s up to you to guard yourself from the things that are specifically harmful for you, without worrying what others think about it.  Keep it simple, God is peace.

I don’t normally broadcast it, but I really can’t listen to much secular music.  The reason is, music stirs me in the deepest places, so I must be diligent to protect myself.  I am a worshiper first and foremost, so I know this is a sensitive area for me.  Is everyone else affected that way?  No.  So, I don’t need to worry about pushing my agenda on others, but I also don’t let others coax me into letting my guard down in that way.  Does this make sense?  Keep it simple, I was made to worship, and I will only worship God.

You must know yourself enough to protect your heart.  You are not responsible for pushing that agenda on others.  However, as a parent, I am also responsible for noticing and being aware if my kids are sensitive to certain things and training them to take heed of those reservations.  I am to lead them to guard their own hearts, and I am to help guard them until they are mature enough to do so on their own.

It’s really simple, follow God, listen to His voice, heed His direction, and don’t worry about what others think.  Keep it simple.

But I, by Your great mercy, will come into Your house; in reverence will I bow down toward Your holy temple.  Let me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies- make straight Your way before me.  Psalm 5:7-8

Last week, I went out to run the gravel roads near my home.  There are rarely any vehicles, especially on the road that runs right in front of our home.  But at some point in the run as I was headed back toward home a truck came near.  I’m honestly not sure why it startled me, but it did.  Probably because I didn’t recognize it and our street has only 5 houses so I am pretty familiar with most of the neighborhood cars.  We do have one neighbor, however, whom I have never met and have never seen a vehicle at his house.  It turns out, this is who it was.  But before I realized that, I felt a moment of panic run through me and I prayed, “God, protect me.”  Immediately after praying, and almost before I completed the thought, I saw Abba beside me.  Then in a gloriously loving gesture, I saw a huge wing spread from Him and over me.  I mean, I literally could see it with my eyes.  I have never felt safer.

Like I said, I never really was in danger, but even though God knew that all along, it didn’t stop Him from demonstrating His affection and protection for me.  What a loving Father.  I honestly believe He loves to have these interactions with us.

But another thing happened in the midst of this scenario.  As I continued to head home, with His wing across my shoulders, He reminded me of another instance that happened a few months ago.

That time, I was out running near our PA home and I headed out on a road that I didn’t normally run.  When I reached the end of my road and went to turn onto the next street, my spirit became very alert and I looked up and saw an 18-wheeler.  The driver and I made eye contact and my spirit read danger in his eyes.  At first, I continued to run where I had intended, then the driver pulled his rig onto the side of the road.  This was very alarming because nobody in any type of vehicle would normally pull over there because it was a curve and a dangerous place to stop, but when he did, I immediately asked God what to do, I felt I was to cross the road and turn around heading back home right then. I did, and the driver left.  It was scary.  Last week, when God reminded me of that encounter, He showed me that He had been protecting me then too.

Yet another memory flashed in my mind after that.  During my rebellious and rebel rousing years in college, I had gone with a group of friends to Bealle Street in Memphis, TN.  We had parked a little ways from the street because it was crowded that weekend, and as we were nearing our destination, we had a decision to make, would we turn down an alley that led straight to the street or circle around on the main roads to get there.  Again, my spirit went on high alert, even though at that time I truly had no idea what was really happening.  I knew immediately that we should not head down that dark alley.  As I remember it, I told the others in the group that I had a bad feeling about that alley and another person in the group agreed, so we went on around the other way.  Even in my most sinful days, His hand was guiding me.  He has always been my Protector.

Lastly, a childhood memory flashed through my mind.  When I was about 7 or 8 I joined the Girl Scouts.  As we all know, a major part of Girl Scout activity is selling the cookies.  Back in my day, it was not uncommon for kids to go door to door, knocking on random doors in the neighborhood and asking folks to buy cookies.  One such day, I left my house dressed warm in a coat, hat and scarf and ran across the street to the neighbors house.  As I stood outside, having rung the bell, a white van with no windows in the back pulled up next to the curb in front of my home.  A man got out.  He looked at me and then around, clearly observing that nobody else was around.  It struck me that even though it was very cold that day, he was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.  As he got out of the van, he pulled on his pants, adjusting them.  I felt panic.  My spirit alerted me and I knew immediately I was to stand still.  I know now that it was Holy Spirit, but I heard in my mind, “Stand still and do not move until your mom comes out looking for you.  Now, I don’t know how long it actually took, but it felt like forever.  Then in a moment of huge relief I saw my front door open and my mom called to me.  “Lisa, come home!”  The man remained.  I knew this was my time to move, so in a huge arc I ran home, making sure to stay very far away from that man.  I was so scared.  I remember that moment like it was yesterday.  I know he wanted to take me, but my Protector wouldn’t allow that to happen.

See, what God reminded me last week during that run when I got needlessly scared was, He has always been right beside me.  He has without fail, protected me.  I am so grateful.

Take a moment today and ask God to remind you of all the times He has stood as your Guard.  Let those memories bring freedom to your heart.  You are free to explore and live because He is with you.  Do not be afraid, for I am with you….He says.

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Psalm 37:3

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.  Proverbs 18:10

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8

 

Early this morning, during my quiet time, I was writing to God about some struggles I have been having in one of my close relationships.  I was asking Him to teach me how to walk out forgiveness in the day to day interactions with this person.  As I wrote I felt my heart releasing a burden, little did I know God would speak swiftly to me a short while later.

Just an hour or so later, when I got on the treadmill to start running, I turned on a sermon and it started in the middle of it even though I had no recollection of beginning it earlier, and the part it started with was all about forgiveness and how to walk out Agape Love!  I could barely believe it.  How sovereign is that?!

Here’s the deal, I realized while listening to that sermon, that I had lost sight of all I’ve been forgiven of and how far God’s brought me.  But I also needed to remember that even though I am completely forgiven in God’s eyes because of Jesus, I still don’t know all that I’ve been saved from.  Meaning, sometimes we walk out bad or even sinful behavior and aren’t yet aware of it.  But over time the Father gently leads us and teaches us, it’s not often a one-time encounter of awareness.  Does that make sense?

In essence what Abba was saying to me was, “Lisa, that person doesn’t know the part of Me that will free them of that yet.  They don’t know they are acting that way, it’s all they’ve ever known so far in their life.  Have grace.  Give room for them to grow, and above all act out of love toward them.  You’re lack of affection for that person is not evidence of their wrongs, it’s evidence of your pride.”

Oh Mylanta…….

WHAT?!

When God comes in with gentle instruction, it’s amazing how it can pierce through so many layers or armor we’ve placed around our hearts.

I am to walk in love and act out of love, it’s non-negotiable and not at all dependent upon any other person or how they treat me.  It may seem unfair, but it’s how Jesus loves us, isn’t it?  He’s not asking for anything He’s not already walked out for us.

 

As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in My love.  If you obey My commands and remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love.  I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  You are My friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last.  Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.  This is My command: Love each other.  John 15:9-17

Today, while I was running, I saw a bunch of ashes.  Then I saw myself sitting in a white dress in the middle of the ashes and my hand reached down into the ashes and I pulled out something.  Then God spoke to me, “You have died to your dreams, now I will resurrect them.”

I feel such a stirring inside from just typing that.

God also reminded me of the series of “Dying” devotionals we did a couple of weeks ago.  His message today is clear.  Some of you laid down dreams during that time, and He is coming to resurrect them.  He will breathe His breath of life into your dreams and they will occur.

When God breathes on our dreams, suddenly they are no longer something we toil over.  We still work hard and partner with Him, but it’s not a frustrated, spinning your wheels kind of toiling.  Does that make sense?

I have lived too long trying to “work things out” on my own.  It’s exhausting and quite honestly constantly frustrating because it’s not what He intended.  He doesn’t bow to our time schedule.  He doesn’t bow to our direction.  Quite the contrary, He knows all and has perfect timing, so we are far better served waiting and listening.

What do we do in the waiting?  Praise.  Thank Him in advance.  Worship Him because He alone is worthy.

I see a stirring in the ashes.  A gentle breeze is blowing over the field of dreams we’ve died to and now they are receiving the breath of Life.

Lord, bring to life all the dreams that are in Your heart for my life and my family.  I receive the fullness of Your promise.  I know that it is by Your hand, and not mine, that all my dreams take form.  Help me to stay open-handed as I wait for You to move over them.  I long to only have dreams that are from You.  Help me to always discern between Your heart and my own.  Thank You for being a dream fulfiller.  I love You.

 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.  Isaiah 61:1-3

 

Early on in my walk with God, I became so acutely put off by the controlling nature I saw in others and their approach to God, that I went far opposite and would only participate in what I felt was an organic expression of worship.  I felt like any preparation would rob from a pure expression of worship, and I only wanted to give God my best.  It was coming from a pure place in my heart, but it led to my worship being hindered because I wasn’t properly preparing.  I wasn’t leading as well as I could because I was focused too much on the wrong thing.  It’s always about the heart.

What I’ve learned is, sometimes God will give us a prophetic word in advance.  That’s not going to take away from its power, but it can actually bring focus to it and offer time for that word to develop.  A word is sometimes enhanced when allowed to sit on your spirit for a time and to truly soak in what is being said.

This brought me to thinking about all things organic.  Like food.  Organic food is something that takes a deliberate effort.  It is more expensive to produce, maintain and purchase.  Organic beef doesn’t happen on accident.  It is a thoughtful process.  Planning and forethought is required in all things organic, so why shouldn’t it be the same for worship?

“Organic” worship is a process.  It “costs” more but it’s so worth it.  A price of time and humility is required.  Being able to move with the spirit in worship is something that begins with a deliberate effort.  It takes time to cultivate intimacy with God and more time to come to the place where you are so focused on Him that it doesn’t matter who is around.  It takes time to walk with God securely enough to just respond with “yes” when you hear Him speak instruction to you.  It’s all deliberate at its origin.

Does this resonate with any of you?

Your walk with God is something that requires time and humility.  We can’t expect ourselves to just one day begin totally responding to God’s leading with abandon.  No, it’s a thousand small “yeses” that lead to greater things.

Today, I encourage you to set aside some of your quiet time to the deliberate act of cultivating an organic field of worship and response in your life.  Invite God to speak a word to you, and then let that word sit in your heart.  Research that word and watch how God confirms it throughout this week.   Through the deliberate decision to listen to His voice, you will go places you never imagined possible.

 

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.  I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”                  John 10:27-30