The other day while I was running, I kept hearing the word “headwind”.  Between miles, I stepped out of my garage and stood in a wind that was blowing.  It was hot, so I was so grateful for the feel of the wind across my face.  Again, I heard the word “headwind”.  Then in my spirit I heard the Lord saying He was the Headwind.  I felt full of hope and joy, then I thought, wait a minute isn’t a headwind a negative thing?  So, I pulled out my phone and looked up the meaning of the word.

Headwind:  A wind having the opposite general direction to a course of movement.

Oh!  It’s not necessarily negative!

I believe many of us, as believers, have been in long seasons of running.  Running when it felt like no relief was there.  As if in the arid desert, we have been parched.  Our skin burned, our hearts heavy, but friend, the Headwind has come.  We have felt like we may never arrive at our finish line, but a season of refreshing is upon us.  A season that will outlast the struggle and lead us into a new encounter with Abba.  A season of refreshing is upon us.

Immediately, I also saw many things that are going on in our world today, particularly in America.  I thought of how over the last decade so much evil has begun to be called good.  Just like scripture stated it would.  I also, saw some more recent political and cultural events that have begun to bring logic and reason back into the mix.  Something beyond political jargon and back to good ole common sense and values.  This is a headwind.

And doesn’t that really sum it up, when you think it through?

So much resistance has been thrown at common sense and personal responsibility.  How is it that those things have become counter-culture?  The obvious answer is, gradually.  Also, it’s been allowed because a majority of us are too busy living our day to day lives and raising families to pay much attention to nonsense.  Have you noticed how the anti-Biblical outcry is largely from those who have never had an actual job and many of them have no family?  Strange isn’t it?

God is in the headwind.  He is stirring His spirit in America.  There is no doubt of His victory, as we have already read the end of the story.  The only mystery for us now, is how exactly it will play out, and when.

But God is in the headwind, bringing about another opportunity for revival across the earth.  To the last minute I believe He will be searching for those who will turn to Him and accept Jesus in their hearts.  It is not His desire that any would perish, but that all have eternal life.  Sadly, some will refuse even to the grave, but that’s no reason to stop loving.  That’s no reason to stop encouraging.  Only God knows who will say “yes” and who will say “no”.  Our job is to spread the gospel, period.

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.  Matthew 24:34

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6

Every month, I sit down and make out a dinner menu.  When I first wanted to do this, I wondered if it would make me feel more restricted in life, or less.  The latter has been true.  Having that set menu and knowing day to day what I would be preparing for dinner has been a huge relief.  Likewise, since the menu is out in plain sight, my kids and husband can see what we will be eating on any given night and it’s led to much more peaceful meal times.  While we’ve been transitioning from one state to another, there have been times when it was unreasonable to have a menu, and I’ve noticed during those times I struggle.  I end up spending more money at the grocery store from taking multiple trips and am robbed of some of my peace because of needing to plan it out day to day.  Now that we are getting more settled here, I have already plotted out all our meals (alongside a grocery list) for the month of September and I feel so much more at ease. (Note: This devo won’t be posted until September, but it’s August while I’m writing this.)  I am feeling great comfort and release to get back to the normal.

God brought all of this to my mind a few days ago, and then He said, “This is the same concept as reading your Bible and spending your mornings with me.”

It’s so true!  Just like my menu lets me know what to prepare for and to expect on any given day, the Bible and time with Abba will prepare my heart for what to expect every day.  I have noticed that if I take time to lean in every day, God will begin to release information about what’s to come, therefore giving me more time to adapt to change and I don’t often feel surprised.

He’s so gracious this way.  He left us the Bible and when reading it in partnership with Holy Spirit, it’s so alive.  He has also been waking me early, and instead of tossing and turning and attempting to return to my slumber, I just get up and grab my coffee and sit in my office for time alone with Him.  I love those moments.  After being a mom for so long, I have learned to truly appreciate the morning hours.  It’s honestly the only time of day when I have no other demands on me.  The sun has not come up yet, and all in the house are still sleeping.  It’s our morning date and sets my heart to a more steady place before embracing the day.  It’s always worth it to rise even a little early, to set your heart in a right place.

In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus.

The Lord looks down from Heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.  Psalm 14:2

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.  Psalm 27:4

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You.  Psalm 25:21

 

Recently, one evening as I went out for my walk, I noticed the sun was a brilliant display of color!! It was one of the times when it was so hard not to stare at it, but as we both know, you can’t stare at the sun without hurting your eyes.  In a moment of clarity, I felt God speak to my heart, “That’s what sin is like.”  Like a shot to the heart, I knew what He was saying.

So often sin can seem so awesomely attractive and hard to walk away from, much less look away from.  It can seem like the most captivating thing around and like so much more fun than anything else we could imagine.  But, just like the sun, if you focus on that sin, it will eventually hurt you.  No matter what it is.

Then I took it further, if I stared at the sun long enough, I would go blind.  That too, is like sin.  If we engage in a sinful act long enough, we can become blind to its sinfulness.  Excuses will be made, and compromises will lead to numbness and a willful unawareness.

Is it worth it?

Most assuredly it is not.  One moment of “fun” sin can equal a lifetime of shame and regret.  It’s that quick sometimes.  I’ve definitely experienced it.  Haven’t you?

This could feel like a heavy devotional day, but all I’m trying to do is remind us that sin is attractive sometimes, and we must stay alert and always aware, so we can continue to walk in the freedom Christ bought for me at the cross.   This devotional is an encouragement to continue evaluating your life, so things don’t slip in your day to day that will end up snaring you later.

God is holy.  We are to walk in holiness.  No, I don’t mean perfection, but holiness.

Take a moment and ask God today, “What does holiness look like?”  Don’t look at others, as they most assuredly can’t speak for you, but ask Him what a life of holiness looks like for you, and then live it.

 

One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike.  Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.  He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord.  He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.  For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.  If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  Romans 14:5-8

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.  All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.  It is better to not eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.  So, whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.  Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.  But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.  Romans 14:19-23

Since moving to our OK home, Chris and I have begun going for frequent evening walks down the dirt roads near our home.  When we walk, we are surrounded by such beauty, it’s truly breathtaking.  It’s most often dusk, when we go, and the sky is lit up in a glorious medley of warm colors.  The view around here is priceless.  I feel so peaceful in this place.

There have been several days lately, when Chris has been working in the evening, so often on those days, I will walk alone.  Every time I do, God sends dragonflies to accompany me! It’s equal parts awe-inspiring and delightful as my winged companions will seemingly come out to greet me and fly alongside me for a time.  There are so many dragonflies here.

Whenever I’m out walking and see the first one of the evening, it’s like I can hear God greeting me.  Suddenly, it’s like my soul and spirit are awakened and I can’t wait to let my eyes drink in the beauty around me, and my ears begin to pick up the subtle sounds of nature around me.  These are some of my favorite times.

Recently when I was walking, I became acutely aware of Abba.  I kept thinking of Enoch, and how He walked with God.  Then all around me, my view changed, and things looked different.  It was as if I had stepped into a heavenly place.  There I was walking our dirt road, but also walking with the Father.  Isn’t God amazing?!  I sometimes imagine His delight at expanding our view of Him and bringing to reality the things we read in His word.  The subtle things, that most ignore or pass over.  Like how Enoch walked right into heaven.  I want to walk right into heaven.

When I was walking that day I thought, “If you don’t see me anymore, don’t worry or fret.  I have walked into heaven.”

Take some time today and go for a walk with Abba.  Head outside and as you walk, look up and around.  Notice the beauty of this place.  Find Him.  He is waiting.  Speak to Him, He is listening.  Then turn your ear toward Him and He will speak to your heart.

Praise the Lord.  I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.  Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.  Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever.  He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.  He provides food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.  He has shown His people the power of His works, giving them the lands of other nations.  The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy.  They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.  He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever- holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.  To Him belongs eternal praise.  Psalm 111

Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.  Genesis 5:24

Earlier this week, I was beginning to hear the enemy speaking lies over me.  Telling me that I’m not enough, not a good mom, will never have a ministry again, will never make friends, etc.  He was breathing down my neck at every turn.  Like a faithful Father, the Lord immediately began to give me reminder after reminder of times when He had previously met my needs.  Then He reminded me about a box I keep in my closet.  In that box I have every written word I have received.  I also have cards of thanks or encouragement that others have written to me.  Years ago, my husband encouraged me to begin to collect all those things.  It’s further evidence of how well he knows me.  He knew I would need to be reminded of them at one time or another.  He loves me well, and I am confident he got the idea from my Father.  It was that Father Who was using this to remind me of who I am once again this week, by helping me focus on how far I’ve come and using that momentum to keep moving forward.

I know I’ve mentioned this a lot, but it’s so important to remember His promises.  It’s also so important to keep those words in front of you as you walk through life.  We are all human, and it’s so easy for us to get distracted and lose focus.  Remember the Israelites, they seemed to constantly need reminding of who they were and Who took care of them.  When I read through Exodus, it’s easy to begin to feel frustrated with their behavior, that is, until I realize that I am the same.  We are all the same.  It takes a lot of reminding for us to stay focused and not lose course.

God’s not mad about it, but He will work with you to help move past this tossing back and forth.  The enemy may never stop trying to speak negativity over you, but God can equip you with an awareness so strong that you are not bothered by it anymore.  In fact, when the enemy begins to tell me I won’t lead worship again, I laugh.  Out loud.  When he says I won’t make friends, I laugh.  Seriously.  I laugh at the lies and it diminishes their power over me.

I hear the negative, defeating words, but I don’t respond to him.  Now, I only use the negative words to heighten and strengthen my walk with Abba.  Now when the enemy tries to defeat me, I use it to do the opposite.  How’s that for paying him back for his tricks?!

I promise if you begin to do this too, then you will find the path becoming much easier and you will begin to feel stronger and more secure in His love.

So, I will circle back around to this again.  Take some time today and remember the promises.  If you have any written words of encouragement, then take a look at them and let your heart begin to feel strengthened.  Use them as a catalyst for joy and hope.  If the enemy is constantly trying to speak lies to you, then you can rest assured God is wanting to move in your life.  He wouldn’t worry with you if you were of no threat.  But on the other hand, don’t go looking for trouble.  If your life is peaceful, then enjoy that!! Everyone needs seasons of rest.  No matter what season you find yourself in, rejoice!!

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  Psalm 84:11

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming.  Psalm 37:12-13

Tonight, I went for a walk down the gravel road that we live on.  I love that road.  God meets me there.  Dragonflies are my escorts as I walk and process.  I need the open space.  There is always green all around me.  I usually walk in the evening and can see the beauty of the sunset, as well as the glory of the rising moon.  Pinks, oranges, and reds paint the sky and I feel so near to Him.  Tonight, when I went out to walk, I was feeling a pang of loneliness.  I was feeling that friendship void again.

Like I’ve said before, everyone here has been so kind and welcoming to us, but you can’t create history with someone without time.  Time must come and go, like the sunrise and sunset, in order for connections and history with one another to be made.  We must face seasons together and walk in encouragement or comfort with one another before real connections come.  It will happen, I know full well it will.  But that doesn’t negate the empty of today.

I was contemplating these thoughts when I noticed a dragonfly coming alongside of me, and the Lord gently spoke to my heart, “Lisa, remember Me?  I am your closest Friend.  I am still here.  Lean into Me.  I want to be your Friend tonight.”

A smile spread across my face as the world seemed a little brighter all of the sudden.  I began to notice so much beauty surrounding me.  I felt known.

Then I realized, since we’ve been back in the south, I have felt so safe.  The Bible belt is a reality, and believe me, as someone who’s lived in it and outside of it, it brings comfort.  There’s a steadiness here that I love.  I love the fact that most people are eager to make eye contact with me here, and almost all of them smile.  I love that so many people greet me, whether they know me or not.  I am comforted by the kindnesses all around me.  Then I realized something special, it makes me feel seen.

Have you ever been somewhere, or in a season when you felt invisible?  Like nobody noticed you or even cared you existed.  Well, God has crafted something special into this place I have found myself, and it’s the generosity of feeling seen.  Of knowing others notice my presence and long to help me feel welcomed.  Oh, my soul drinks this in like one who has been lost in the desert for a season and has now made their way back to the well.

I am seen.  God’s eyes are always on me.  He never loses sight of me.  He never forgets where I am.  He knows my season.  He knows my heart, and cares to meet its desires.  He is the God Who knows.

You have searched me, Lord, and You know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue You, Lord, know it completely.  You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.      Psalm 139:1-6

The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; from His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He Who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.  Psalm 33:13-15

This week while walking through challenging situations with some of my kids, I was struck with this thought.  As a mom, I have a choice to remain vulnerable with my kids.  I can choose how open I am to them.  How much I let them have access to my heart.  I attempt to remain very open and vulnerable with all those close with me, but there is a line, I don’t allow them to use my vulnerability as a way for them to get out their frustrations by using me as a punching bag.  Do you know what I mean?

Husbands and wives must consider this all the time.  As spouses, we know each other so well, it can make us easy targets for the frustrations of life.  Have you ever been mad about something completely unrelated to your kids or spouse, but taken out those frustrations out on them anyway?  I think we are all guilty of this on some level.

But being abused, emotionally, by someone isn’t an excuse to stay closed off to everyone else.  It’s true that some people are toxic for us, but not all.  There are and always will be a lot of great people on the earth.

So, I came to my children and got on their physical level, by kneeling down or sitting with them, and made eye contact and let them pour their hearts out to me.  When one started to get angry with me, I said, “You are not mad at me, you’re mad about this situation and it has nothing to do with me.  I will listen and help you walk through this, but you must stop being hateful with me.”  These words seemed to give them a release.  Almost as if they wanted permission to share their hearts.  It was amazing.  They calmed down and seemed to really trust me in a deeper way.

You may be wondering what this has to do with you.  Well, maybe you have been hurt by someone in the past and since then, decided to never be open to others again.  Friend, that is no way to live.  God did not design you to live that way.

If you become intentional in learning proper boundaries and become deliberate about making yourself available to others, you may be pleasantly surprised.  Most people welcome a healthy relationship.  Most enjoy knowing where you stand and how best they can communicate with you.  Likewise, most people enjoy someone who cares enough about them to truly listen.  Most people desire to be known, just like you.

Are you willing?

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  1 Corinthians 13:1-7

      

Oh mercy, isn’t this a journey?  Day 3 of dying.  This is serious stuff, isn’t it?.

Dying to self.  Well, this one has been quite the process.

I didn’t know anything about dying to myself when I was young.  As I matured, both in age and my walk with Jesus, I discovered so much of life is about dying to myself, so God can use me.  Dying to myself so I can love others better.  Dying to myself so I can serve, and prophesy and really walk as a follower of Christ.

If you long to deepen your walk, you must learn to die to your own will.  In growing with God, I discovered I would constantly need to lay down my rights.  Yes, you heard me, in a world that glorifies “my rights”, I must lay mine down to follow Christ.

But, just as with most Kingdom principles, I discovered there is a great freedom found when I lay down my rights and die to myself.  Who knew that not dying to self was such a burden?  It’s so interesting how the things that seem natural, like watching out for self and demanding my own way, are actually burdensome.  Largely because it’s not how God meant for us to walk.  He designed us to walk the way He does.  Thinking of others, serving, loving unconditionally, being in community, etc.  So when we engage in the alienating act of self-serving, we enslave our hearts and sever relationship.  It’s a lonely road, serving self.

What’s the other option?  Well, serving Christ.  I’m not saying we should never think of ourselves, I mean the Bible shows us we should love our neighbor as ourselves.  This indicates that it’s healthy to love yourself, but not at the detriment of others.  It says to love yourself, not idolize yourself.  When we require all others to cater to us and only allow those willing to serve us into our close circle, we have idolized ourselves.

It wasn’t until I had kids, that I realized how much I had idolized myself.  It was a hard road for me, finding a balance between serving my family and taking care of myself in a healthy way.  I didn’t know how self-serving my behaviors were until I had others to look after.  It is still shocking to me how selfish I was.  I am not saying that I’m never selfish anymore, that’s probably going to be a lifelong journey, but I’m vastly improved.  I have actually learned that when I discovered my true value to God, I didn’t need to demand my rights anymore.  It was an internal thing, not dependent on circumstances at all.  Now that I know God knows me intimately and cares for all of my details, it has given me freedom to serve others better.  It’s when we feel a lack in those areas that we begin to demand others to cater to us.  If you feel convicted by any of this, then I encourage you to go before God and ask Him to instill value in your heart.  It’s never too late, as I always say.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Philippians 2:3

Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor.  Romans 12:10

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians 2:4

This is day 2 of our 3 day series on “Dying”.

Ideal:  Satisfying one’s conception of what is perfect; most suitable.  Existing only in the imagination; desirable or perfect but not likely to become a reality.  Representing an abstract or hypothetical optimum.

As someone who has had a lifelong struggle with perfectionism, I can honestly say, the above definition is so convicting and startling.  I cannot tell you how many times, my desire for the ideal has sabotaged my outlook on life, or on a relationship.  My ideals have not served me well.  They have not drawn others to me or helped me navigate life.  No, instead my ideals have served as false idols.  Blocking my path and acting as a stumbling block in the road of life.

I have had to repeatedly lay down my ideals.  My concept of what is perfect, but something truly magnificent and beautiful happened when I did!  Instead, of laying down ideals and deciding life would always be a disappointment and struggle, I laid them down and realized life would be more satisfying and full if I could just walk out each day in His Presence.  It’s amazing, because that’s when life began to be more “ideal”.

Honestly, oftentimes when we have a strong “ideal”, it’s actually just us trying to control our lives and those around us.  And we are doing it out of fear.  Idealism is a fear based activity, just the same as all other controlling behaviors.

When we hold closed fisted to our “ideals” and the way we believe things should be, we hinder God.  The most amazing things have happened in my life, when I have chosen to let go.  When I have dared to believe that God had good plans for my life and that He is my true Provider.

I can trust Him.  So can you, my friend.

Today, I offer up a challenge.  Take an honest look at your life.  Are you operating under an ideal?  Working hard with each breath and moment to make your desired ideal happen?  Have you become a slave to it?  Have you set it up like an idol in your life?  This may be a convicting process, but that’s ok!  There’s hope once we realize what we’re doing.  It’s never too late to make a change, remember?  If any of the above words have brought conviction to your heart, then I now encourage you to go before Abba and hand Him your ideal.  Repent and then ask Him what plans He has for you and how He wants you to partner with Him.  I’m so excited for your breakthrough…and mine….today!

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  Proverbs 19:21

And He Who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  Romans 8:27

Today starts another 3-day series called “Dying”.  I know we’ve spoken about dying to dreams before, but it keeps coming up and I could feel the Father’s heart over it.  So, we will take another look.  A slightly different view…….

God is the Giver of dreams.  Throughout scripture, you can see Him releasing promise over person after person, and even over regions, etc.  I truly believe the struggle with dreams is sometimes, once we have one, we become overly determined to make it happen, as opposed to continuing in that steady walk with Abba that led us to discover the dream in the first place.

It’s kind of like a parent standing with a child, and the parent is holding a kite.  A really beautiful and large kite.  The kind that needs two people to operate and cannot be properly flown by a child.  But when the parent offers the kite to the child, with the opportunity to fly it together and enjoy that process and time, the child just grabs it and runs off to use it alone.  Totally oblivious to the giver and the joy they are robbing from them, not to mention, they will not have success flying it alone.  A while later, after trying to unsuccessfully fly this kite, the child throws it down and stomps on it and in a pout, walks away leaving the gift laying sadly on the ground.

How often have you been that child?  What dreams have you abandoned because you foolishly ran off to “make them happen” on your own, only to feel disappointed when things didn’t work out?  I know I’ve been guilty of this, more than once, I’m embarrassed to say.

But I’m so glad that I have a loving Father.

Remember the story of the kite again.  Imagine after the child stomps off, the father quietly goes to the kite and picks it up.  He takes it to his garage, fixes it and waits for another opportunity to fly it with the child.  Looking for just the right time, he pulls it out and again leads the child to an open field on a windy day.  “Would you like to fly this kite today?”, he asks.  “If you’d like, we can do it together.”  The child with joy in their heart, quickly says yes and suddenly relationship is built and joy is re-discovered.  They spend the afternoon flying the kite amidst laughter and awe at its beauty as it floats with ease through the sky.

This is the type of father Abba is to us.  He doesn’t punish you for times when you unwittingly sabotage your own dreams.  No, instead, knowing our weaknesses and faults, as well as, our limited understanding He will wait.  He will hold your dreams in a safe place until the right time comes back around, and He can pull them out and offer them again.  That’s what I believe with all my heart.

Come to Him this morning and find what dreams He’d like to re-discover with you.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

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 40:31