This morning I opened my Bible and just prepared to read whatever jumped out at me.  I know, that doesn’t sound very spiritual, but sometimes it really can be.  I wasn’t doing it out of laziness, just wanted to see what was on God’s heart.  This is what I landed on.

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.  Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.  The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.   Then I called on the name of the Lord:  “O Lord, save me!”  The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.  The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, He saved me.  Be at rest once more, O my soul for the Lord has been good to you.  Psalm 116:1-7 

The Psalm continues, but I want to stop here for now.

I was struck by several key elements right from the start.  Did you notice how David says, because God heard him and saved him, he would continue to call on Him forever?  If you continue to read Psalm 116 in its entirety, you will see him mention repeatedly how he will continue to call on the name of the Lord.

This made me wonder, have you ever called on God for help?  Have you ever experienced an answered prayer?  Well, if you have, then shouldn’t you continue to call on Him?  I wonder if some of us receive a portion of the salvation promise and then think, “I got it from here.  I can do this alone now.”  Well, I’m sorry friend, that’s simply not true.

As I’ve grown and matured in Christ, one thing that’s struck me is, I lean on Him more and more, not less and less.  As I grow more intimate with Abba, I actually call on Him more frequently.  I invite Him into everything I do.  Seriously, everything.  You might be shocked to know the frequency of my calling on Him, or the scenarios.  I literally call on Jesus in every moment.  Do you?  Should you?  I believe the answer is yes.

As I’ve felt the glory of answered prayers, it’s only provoked me to interact with Him more and more.  I like searching out God’s heart.  When I don’t see a prayer answered, at least not answered how I thought it would be, I begin to press in further to discover what I may have missed.  I don’t usually feel let down, although, yes sometimes I do.  But most often I feel intrigued and drawn into Him to discover what His heart is for my situation.  God is mysterious.  Largely because He is infinite, and we are not.  He can be everywhere at one time and we cannot.  But isn’t that part of His glory?  Isn’t that a portion of His beauty?  I love God.  I love all the things I know about Him, and I cannot wait to discover more.

I will leave you with another portion of Psalm 116…..

How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?  I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.  O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.  I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the name of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord- in your midst, O Jerusalem.  Praise the Lord.     Psalm 116:12-19

 

I listened to part of a sermon the other day, about believing the forecast.  Believing what God says will happen.

It left me thinking.  Many times, I feel we don’t really believe what God’s saying over our lives because we are so used to being disappointed or hearing a wrong forecast.  Just like the weatherman on T.V., for example.  People grumble and complain all the time because they get the forecast wrong.  We have grown accustomed to not having rain when they said it would rain.  Or having rain on what should’ve been a sunny day.

But God is not your local weatherman.  He does know the future.  In fact, He knows the past, present and future of every single person who ever lived.  So, He can and does, in fact, give accurate “forecasts”.  You must only choose to believe Him.

Today, I want you to take some time and reflect on all the things God has spoken over your life.  Whether He told you Himself, or had another person come and prophesy over you, remember it.  If you have prophetic words written out somewhere, then pull those out.

Take time today to honor those words.  Honor them by reading them or remembering them again, and then say, “Amen” to God.  Believe the things He has said.  Come into agreement with those words.

Won’t you pray this prayer with me today:

God, You have spoken so many wonderful things over my life.  Today, I come before You in agreement with every single word You have ever given me.  I believe You.  Forgive me, Father, for any time I walked opposite those words.  Forgive me for times when I thought You were a liar.  Forgive me for my doubt.  God, restore my heart.  Strengthen my resolve and let Your words flood out all the lies that have been spoken over me.  Your words are the only ones I want to hear.  Your truth is THE truth.  Teach me to partner with You.  Teach me to trust you.  Increase my faith and my willingness to walk out that faith.  I am Yours completely.  In Jesus name, Amen.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.  You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.  You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop^; with my God I can scale a wall.  As for God, his way is perfect.  The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.  For who is God besides the Lord?  And who is the Rock except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength  and keeps my way secure.  He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.  He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.  You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great.  You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.  Psalm 18:25-36

 

I feel like I’ve stumbled upon an unintentional theme for this week.  But obviously it’s on God’s mind, so here we go…..

In life, I desire to run hard and finish strong.  As I’ve said before, I don’t want to reach a certain place in my walk with God or in my age, and decide “I’ve gone far enough.”  No way!  I want to run hard in this life, and I definitely want to finish strong.  That’s my heart.  To live all out for God and then run straight into Heaven.

How can I do this?

I can show up for life every day.

What does this mean?  Well, it means, I can live each day out to the full.  Whether I’m at home working and writing, or out running kids around and doing errands, I can do it all for Christ.  I can decide everyday to be purposeful.  To ask God what He’s doing in every place I enter.  To look for opportunity to serve others whether in secret or public view.  I can meet with God every day to see where He wants me to go and what He wants me to do.

I just need to show up.  To live my life, not let life run over me.

Too many of us just let life happen.  I want to happen to life.  I want to be so connected with the Father that when I go somewhere the atmosphere changes for the positive.  Because I am a representative of Christ, as are you, I want to shift things when I engage them.  I want to allow God to release heaven through my life being a willing conduit.

You can show up and really live out your life.  It’s not too late for that either.

God has a purpose for your day, every day.  Are you going to ask Him what it is every morning?  Will you follow where He leads?  Will you trust Him?

I wanna leave this world, having run hard and finished strong…..Don’t you?

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.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

To piggy back with yesterday’s devotional, I wanted to expand on a point.  No matter how old you are, or what’s held you back in life….it’s not too late!

It is never too late to start leaning into God again.  It’s never too late to shake off the shackles of your old self and step into the newness God offers you every day.  It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s never too late for your dreams and God’s plans for your life.  Never ever.

When I turned 40 last year, I began to feel a different crunch of time.  It seemed to suffocate me and threaten me with lack.  I began to have thoughts like, “Maybe I’ve waited too long to pursue my dreams.”  “My family needs me so much, I will never have time to follow my dreams.”  “I think I’ve wasted too much of my life to now see breakthrough in certain places.”

None of the above statements are truth.

The truth is, in God’s Presence there is ALWAYS abundance.  That includes time.  He has it all worked out, so all I need to do is stay in His tempo and I will see all He has planned for me unfold.

Have you ever noticed God expand time when you are doing certain things?  I have.  So often my day will feel too full and I will wonder how I will get everything done, but the next thing I know, I’ve completed every task with time to spare and held onto a good attitude.  That’s because my God is more than enough.

He is more than enough for you too.

Do you feel your dreams slipping away like the sands of time?  It’s not too late!  Commit your way to the Lord and He will establish your path.  He will draw all things together for whatever He has called you to do.  Believe it.  It’s truth, but it requires trust.

Will you trust Him with your dreams?  With your plans?  With your time on this earth?

If so, He will baffle you with purpose and fulfillment.  It’s a guarantee.

May the God of peace, Who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever Amen.  Hebrews 13: 20-21

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  James 2:17-18

Recently, I was thinking about my kids and how I want them to do even greater things than me and I want them to always seek more of God.  Then I had the fleeting thought, “I guess my time is over for doing more and going deeper because now my kids get to carry the torch.”  Then less than a second after, I shook my head and thought, where in the world did that lying thought come from?

I began to reflect on those who I’ve watched lessen their calling or drive to go deeper and be more, because of their husband or kids, etc.  I do not want to be that person.  I will not be that person.

It is true that I want my kids to do more and be more than me, but you better bet your bottom dollar that I will spend my entire time here on earth raising the bar.  I will not stop seeking and growing and becoming until I reach my Father’s arms in heaven.  This is non-negotiable.

My true desire is that I spend my life running hard after the Lord and His calling in my life and find that my kids are running right next to me.  Each pursuing their own calling and deeper walk with God.  My desire is that they would learn from what I do, not what I say.  That they would find themselves drawn to running alongside me as we both encourage each other and go for more.  And one day, when I am laid to rest, they would feel proud of the way I lived this time on earth.  That my example would lead them to live out a life of faith and willingness to walk the road less traveled.  A willingness to go on many adventures with the Father.  Yes, that’s who I want to be.  That’s the legacy I want to leave.

The bottom line of this word is, we can both do great things for the Kingdom.  I don’t need to be less so my children can be more.  I don’t need to lessen my calling, so you can grow in yours.  It doesn’t work that way.  We should both be growing together.  Running together.  I don’t need to pretend to be less just because I’m different than you.  And vice versa.  Believing that you can only be great if all others are less, is to entertain a poverty spirit.  God is and has more than enough for all of us to be exactly who we are created to be.  And to do all we are meant to do.  He is the God of more than enough.

This is a call.  A call to be who you are.  A freedom to discover the uniqueness that God placed inside of you for His pleasure.  Don’t deny it.  Don’t glorify it.  Just live it.

You were made for more than this world.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.  Galatians 5:25

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.  John 14:12-14

Recently I have had a fairly regular exchange with Abba.  I will feel fear and anxiety try to rear it’s ugly head in my heart with thoughts of destruction. Instead of entertaining that unwelcome guest, I have been imagining myself taking those thoughts in my hands and handing them over to the Father.  Every single time I do this, I then hear an encouragement reminding me of what’s true.

For instance, one time I began to hear fear telling me we wouldn’t have enough, and I handed that lie over to God and heard, “I am more than enough.”  Another time, I heard fear telling me God wasn’t going to provide all we needed for a certain task.  Again, I handed that lie to the Father and heard, “I AM your Provider.”  Another time, I had some negative marital thoughts and as I handed those over, God began to speak my true value over me.  A value not dependent upon any person.

It may seem simple, but this has had a huge impact on my life.  In the past when transition came and then that ugly voice of fear combined with it, it could easily send me into a tailspin.  Now it’s only driving me to a closer walk with Jesus and filling me with more confidence that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.

I’ve actually had to adjust to living without the foreboding.  Do you know what I mean?  When you begin to act differently and receive truth, it can sometimes feel so freeing and light that you wonder if you’re doing something wrong.  Haha.  I have learned to laugh at that.

I was created to live in freedom.  When I partner with God and His plans for my life, I can embrace that freedom.  Also, I have noticed that sometimes others are irritated when you find freedom.  But don’t pay that any mind.  See it for what it is and don’t partner with their fear.  Instead, find the grace to beckon them toward the freedom you’ve found.

I never want to keep my story quiet so that others aren’t uncomfortable.  Giving a message is all God’s directing me to do.  How it is received is not up to me.  It’s not up to you either.

Today I encourage you to lay your burdens at the Father’s feet and receive the freedom and lightness that comes from walking in the truth.  Be who you are meant to be, and don’t get bogged down in the negativity the world is trying to tie you up with.  Take that first step this morning.  Lay your heart and mind at Abba’s feet and ask Him for the truth.  He never fails to give it.  He IS truth.

“If you love Me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—The Spirit of Truth.  The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.  But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in You.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”  John 14:15-18

Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in Me.  John 14:1

When I had the inspiration for yesterday’s devotional, I also had this word.

Is your “calling” more important to you than staying in love with and in tempo with the Caller?  I think oftentimes when a person has the revelation or prophetic word that includes part of their calling, they can sometimes begin to glorify that word over the Lord.

Let’s be real, you will never be bigger than God.  You will never know more and definitely your calling will not exceed Him.  If you begin to feel that you are exempt from standards and relationship, then I caution you whole heartedly.  I ask you to stop and take a step back for a moment.  Like a visit to the chiropractor, let God realign your priorities and thought process.

Look at your life, have you begun to glorify the works you do?  Do you feel your roles in ministry or work or family are so imperative that you’ve cut God out of the equation?  When we feel indispensable, then we have begun to glorify ourselves and our own abilities above that of God.

Each one of us is replaceable, and that’s ok.  That’s how we can create time to rest.  If I am a leader and discover that nothing can run without my constant input and control, then I am failing.  As a leader, I should always be raising up those around me.  I should be delegating and creating an environment of honor, where other’s strengths can be called upon to fill in the puzzle and strengthen the whole body.

I know, this is not the style of leadership that many of us have experienced, but I know it’s possible.  Leaders who demonstrate a need to micro-manage and control everything are insecure.  No doubt about it, they are fearing being replaced.

God did not raise us up to live crippled by such a fear.  He created us to steward and disciple.

As the thoughts for this devotional swirled in my mind and heart, God began to show me that as a parent, I really need to heed these words because if my desire is to raise capable and strong children who become steady and confident adults, then it begins today.  It begins with giving them room to excel.  Giving them room to make mistakes in the safe environment of our home.  Oh, how I long to parent this way.  God, help me to do so.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.  One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts.  They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works.  They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds.  They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.    Psalm 145:3-7

 

Today, God asked me a question, in response to a question I had asked Him.  “What’s more important, the word or the Giver of the word?”  This response shook me and filled me with certainty all at the same time.  I had been talking to God about how one word He gave me a few months ago seemed to be contradicted by another word He gave me more recently.  Since asking it, I have been inundated with sermons and personal words about this subject.  So, here’s what’s going on.

When we were packing up our home in PA, I began asking God what our next step with a home would be.  His response was immediate, “You’ll know what to do once you sell this house.”  So, I felt certain things would progress quickly and then we would see doors open.

That was not the case.  Instead, we have had several lookers at the PA home, but not one offer, as of yet.  When we saw July nearing its end and we knew school began August 8^th here, it was certain we needed to find a place to live.  So, I asked again what to do.  Nothing at first.  Then we felt prompted to start looking for a place to rent, so we asked our OK realtor to be on the lookout for a short-term rental for our family.  In my heart, I was wishing we could buy the home we had already found and fallen in love with, but I was holding the first word in my heart and determined not to betray it.  Then something very interesting happened.

Our realtor contacted me and said she hadn’t found any rentals for us, but how would we feel about taking early possession of the home we want to buy and paying rent there until we can sell our PA home and go through with the purchase.  I was immediately delighted and knew God was opening a door.  It’s like in that moment God was saying, “I have heard your heart’s desire and it’s in sync with My heart for you.”

Every step of the negotiation, I asked God to close the door if it was the wrong one, and with every step it became more and more clear this was His doing.  We made an offer for purchase price on the home, and it was accepted!! We negotiated rent, etc., and everything fell into place.  Near the end there were a few minor hiccups, but it was clear that on that end the enemy was very unhappy with this open heaven over us. All the while I continue to hold this step in an open hand and asked God to close the door if it wasn’t right.  I prayed He would protect us from ourselves and from making a poor choice.

Long story short, we moved into the home we will buy when our PA home sells.  We are so happy here and couldn’t feel more blessed.

So, I began to ask God, “Why did You give me that first word, the one to wait?”  For a while I didn’t really hear anything, and suddenly I did.  He gave the first word for a couple of reasons.  One, He didn’t want me to be pre-occupied with a new home while I was needing to focus on tying up loose ends with the old one.  Second, just like Abraham, when he heard God tell him to sacrifice Isaac, I needed to be listening in the present at all times.  That’s what relationship looks like.  Listening for a route change.  It’s really unimportant why He changes the direction, but it IS important that I am close enough to Him and humble enough to hear it and respond accordingly.

My question to you today is, “What’s more important to you, a word you’ve received from the Lord or the Lord Himself?”  Let that question soak into your heart for a bit.  And I pray you are always more focused on God than what He’s doing.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.  Psalm 119:105-106

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:14

Have you ever been in love?  Do you know those feelings of being so in love with someone that when you are together time seems to stand still, the rest of the world fades away, and you feel that everything will always be ok.  Have you felt so secure in someone’s love for you that your confidence in yourself boosts and you feel there’s nothing you can’t do?  Have you spent hours getting to know a person, only to discover a deeper love through each moment?  I have.  I still am in that love.

That’s how love with Abba can be.  When you cultivate that relationship in the secret place there is no end to the depths you can go within His heart.  I love Abba.  More than anyone or anything in the world.  I crave time with Him.  I look for Him everywhere I go.  I hear Him speaking all the time, and in many different ways.  I am totally in love.  Are you?

Have you laid aside self-condemnation and doubt and really given yourself fully to a love relationship with Him?  If not, He is waiting.  Everything about Abba is an invitation.  His Presence invites us.  His love paves the way.  His kindness draws us.  His gentleness encourages us.  He is love, remember?  So why not give yourself fully to Love.

Recently, my youngest daughter was watching the movie “The Pirate Fairy”.  In that movie they show how all the yellow pixie dust is made from using a tiny bit of blue dust poured into a certain tree and then it multiplies itself and makes large amounts of yellow pixie dust, so the fairies can fly.  They always say, “From a trickle to a roar” as it begins to rapidly pour from a spout on the tree.  When I was running this morning, I saw this scene from the movie playing in my mind, but God was showing me this is a lot like His spirit combining with our spirits and pouring out from within us!

This morning as you head out to church, ask God to pour His Spirit into you and multiply over your spirit to pour out from within you into the body.  You are created to offer something to the body of Christ.  You are valuable and necessary to His work here on earth.  We are able to love others only after first receiving His love.  So, receive it, and then go share it with His body today.  Take the love He pours over you and watch as it multiplies in your heart.  It will cloud out all discontent and judgment, and allow you to be a more fully functioning member of the body of Christ.  Then watch with awe and wonder as your heart swells with love for all mankind.  The love of Christ multiplies itself in the most beautiful ways.  It’s our privilege and honor to receive it and then give it.  Thank You God for Your powerful, chain breaking, bridge building love.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His steadfast love endures forever.  Psalm 136:26

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.  Psalm 86:15

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One Who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

Hello heart, it’s been a while.  We’ve been through a lot lately and I know it’s time to check in with you.  I have felt myself needing to take a moment and recalibrate.  We’ve had some victories lately.  Sometimes when I would’ve previously fallen into an old cycle of defeat or insecurity, you’ve helped me regain focus.  I am proud of how far we’ve come.

Yesterday, I entered a couple of places where, in the past, I would’ve struggled with awkwardness and acting foolish from insecurity.  But I didn’t!  I felt those things trying to come over me, and when they did, instead of allowing it, I asked the Holy Spirit to come from within me and invade the space around me.  It immediately brought relief, and I stayed steady in my actions and emotions.  It was a victory for certain.

Friend, I offer you now a chance to reflect and reminisce over the last few weeks.  Have you had victories?  Have you faced defeat?  Have you made poor decisions?  Or are you pleased to discover you’ve made some great ones?  Whatever the answers, take a moment and evaluate yourself.

It’s so good to keep tapped into your heart.  To hold your own self accountable.  Sure, we need others to help us stay accountable, but we are also responsible for ourselves.  You can take an honest look at your own heart too.

Don’t be overly hard on yourself, but likewise don’t just excuse everything.  Learn to simply be honest.  Give yourself the grace you allow others and give them the grace you give yourself.

God, comb over my heart.  Are there any tangles within it?  Any places where bitterness and fear have begun to take root.  If so, God comb that out.  I release forgiveness to those who have wronged me.  I also forgive myself.  Lord, create in me a pure heart.  Remove all spirit of offense from within me.  Eradicate all deceit and manipulation from within.  I surrender my heart to You, Abba.  Again, I pray, create in me a pure heart.  I am Yours.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.  Psalm 51:10-12

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.  2 Corinthians 12:9

He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for His name sake.  Psalm 23:2