I think I’ve mentioned before that God has used dragonflies to speak love to me for as long as I can remember.  I honestly don’t know why, but when I see them I always smile.  I think they are beautiful and unique.  They are also not something I usually see every day.  Except right now.

It seems that every day I see at least one flying around in my view.  They bring me such pleasure.  They testify to my spirit of His faithfulness.  The bring to remembrance the fact that He knows me.  He remembers me.  He cares for me.  During this transition season, I need to remember that every moment.  When I see one, it’s as if God is saying, “Hey, look at Me.  Don’t lose focus on My face and My truth.  I am faithful.”

A couple of years ago, when we were going through some other life challenges, I was running outside and as I ran past a certain spot I was surrounded by a swarm of dragonflies.  The had black and white striped wings, which I had never seen before and it was the most beautiful and awe-inspiring thing ever!  It was in that moment, I heard God say, “I will take care of you.  You will get through this.”  Peace, covered in delight, flooded through my bones as I rejoiced in worship at His lovingkindness toward me.  For the rest of that run I felt like I was flying.  I felt as if I had wings.

Later, God gave my youngest sister a vision of a similar dragonfly to paint for me in a large picture which I now place directly above my piano.  It’s so special to me.

I think what I’m trying to convey this morning is, if you will allow yourself to notice, God will reassure you in one way or another.  He will undoubtedly use something in creation to bring a peace to your spirit.  He uses pretty birds to speak love to my oldest daughter.  It’s so sweet because when we go for walks we end up coming across a certain type of bird that she loves so much, and she giggles with delight every time I remind her that it’s God using that to show her His delight over her.

God is thoughtful and very kind.  It’s definitely within His nature to do these things for us.

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.  Psalm 36:7

Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; according to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me.  Psalm 69:16

Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them.  Psalm 17:7

I shall make mention of the lovingkindness of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His lovingkindness.  Isaiah 63:7

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Titus 3:4-6

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in Whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:2

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  Psalm 46:7

While running recently I saw a mountain.  This mountain had a cave in it with rock jutting out above the entrance, like an awning.  I was standing in the shadow of the entrance and I felt so safe.  Then God spoke to me, “I am your stronghold in times of trouble. I am even your stronghold as you battle fear inside your heart and mind.”  I saw that during this season, or any other, as I struggle occasionally to maintain positive mindset, I can continue to run into that refuge.  I can stay tucked away in His Presence as protection.

This morning when I woke up, I had a million thoughts of “what if” and was starting to make plans in case what we were praying for didn’t happen.  I was believing for disappointment, but if you’ll recall, several days ago. God told me to plan for Him to prosper me.

Like a thief, the enemy tries to come in and rob our peace if we aren’t careful.  I also am beginning to see he tries to get us to speak fear and lack because he knows that the power of life and death are in the tongue.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  Proverbs 18:21

So, I began my morning remembering the truth.  It was hard at first because the fear and doubt felt so strong, but I know there is no strongman that God cannot defeat.  He is faithful to protect me when I will choose to run into Him.

If you struggle with this same type of thing, then I encourage you to try this.  When fearful thoughts come knocking at the door to your heart and mind, begin to reflect on all the times when God has been faithful to you.  Bring to mind an account of your time with God.  Search the memory banks of your heart and find His faithfulness.  Undoubtedly, there will be many instances.  As you consider these things, you are drawing yourself deep into the cave of His stronghold.  You are resting around the fire of His faithfulness, like a camper who seeks refuge in a storm.  You are dwelling with the Almighty.

Take some time this morning and reflect on His faithfulness to you.  Our God in Whom we trust.  He is faithful.  He is worthy.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!”  Psalm 91:2

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.  Nahum 1:7

He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.  Psalm 62:6

Recently, I had noticed I was struggling to run like I normally do.  It felt way more labored than usual and I struggled to run the same number of miles in a week as I normally run.  Then I realized that I was still injured.  Some time in May, I injured my ankle.  Later that day it was swollen, and I never really knew what I had done to it.  Even though I was hurting, I kept running.  I have continued to nurse that ankle even to this day.

I hadn’t realized the effect of running through pain until that moment.

It made me think of life, and how many of us are navigating it while in huge amounts of pain, but we’ve had the pain so long we don’t even really notice it, all the while wondering why life feels so hard.

Some of us are walking wounded.

Then God was showing me how over the last month He has instructed me when I need to shorten a run or when I need to walk a bit instead.  I had been listening to that voice and even took some extra rest days.  But even though I knew I was following His instruction, I was still frustrated because I like to run my miles.  It makes me feel healthy and strong.  I don’t like to feel physically weak.  I even repeat these words to myself when I run, “I am strong and full of life”.  No kidding, I really do that.

Sometimes, even the strongest people need to take a break.  We all need rest.  We all need to heal at one time or another.  Do you have the strength to do that?

Sometimes, the strongest thing to do is to move through the pain.  Keeping in step with Holy Spirit and listening to His direction and instruction takes surrender.  It takes that fruit of the Spirit that keeps coming up…. Self-Control.

Do you have the self-control to follow His directions?  It can be a challenge, but it’s always worth it.

Today I hope you will take a minute and let God rack over your heart to see if you have any hidden wounds.  Do you feel a tug of pain?  If so, take a minute and acknowledge it before the Lord and let Him direct you through whatever the healing process will look like for you.  He tailors healing for each of us.  He is an intimately loving Father.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.              Psalm 103:2-4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.  Revelation 21:4

Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.  Jeremiah 33:33

 

This morning as I began to stir, I lingered in bed a little longer and let my mind unravel a bit before heading out to face the day.   I began to feel that my pace of life has been a little too busy over the last week and I need to recalibrate and figure out how to find rest.  Suddenly, I felt the Lord come around me and lift me up by His Spirit from under each of my arms and then He lifted my head.  I heard, “You are the lifter of my head.”

Yes, Lord You are the lifter of my head.

Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One Who lifts my head high.  I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain.  I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.  I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.  Arise, Lord!  Deliver me, my God!  Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.  From the Lord comes deliverance.  May Your blessings be on Your people.        Psalm 3: 2-8

I may not be running for my life like David was when he wrote this Psalm, but I do feel these words.  While walking out the calling of God in my life, I face resistance.  When I take courage and believe in the face of fear and disbelief, I am taking on arms and fighting a battle even though my eyes cannot see it.  There is a lot going on around us that we never see.  But we can take courage in the fact that God sees all and knows all, and He alone will sustain us.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.                  Ephesians 6:12

Though the daily battles of life continue, my God is faithful to stand guard over me in every moment.

Take a moment today and allow God to recalibrate your heart and mind.  Have you been pushing through life at an unrealistic pace?  Have you forgotten the importance of finding Him in every moment?  Maybe you are in the midst of a real struggle and need to remember He is there.  Rest assured friend, He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Have you been feeling downtrodden?  Allow His Presence to blow over you and lift you up.  Have you felt overcome with the darkness of this world?  Let His light wash away all your fears.

Take comfort in this verse:

“I am the Alpha and Omega,” says the Lord God, “Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:8

Rest in His sovereignty.

Today while running I kept hearing, “She considered a field”.  Then I thought of the verses in Proverbs…

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earning she plants a vineyard.  Proverbs 31:16

Then I kept seeing a woman walking around a field, assessing it and considering it.  Then in a confident move she buys it.

I felt the Lord encouraging me that as I continue to “buy into” His plans for my life, He will continue to guide and bless and prosper me and my family.

I saw a woman who was respected and revered by her family and she walked in honor and nobility.  I know God has called me to walk this way, but many times I’ve been afraid of it.  Afraid of being misunderstood.  Afraid of being called a domineering woman.  Afraid of many different lies.  So often, I would make myself less, so others would never feel uncomfortable with me.

Then I think of Deborah.  She was a judge and must have been a very good one because she was asked advice and then asked to accompany the warriors into battle.

And Esther, she walked into the Kings court uninvited to save her people.  What a brazen thing to do!  But it was necessary for the time and hour which she lived.

Why would any of us, whether male or female, shy away from our calling because of perceived discomfort in others?  Why would any of us let a person rob from what God has given us?

When we look at it this way, the answer is very clear.

I will walk in whatever way God leads me.  I will buy the fields He leads me to buy.  I will stand in silence when He directs and speak boldly when He releases me.  Will you?

No matter what hurts you’ve experienced in the past, they are not worth the sacrifice of your future.  God made you to do important things.  We all have a calling.  We all have a purpose.  We are all necessary.

Today, I hope you will take a moment and let God speak courage and bravery to your heart.  Whether you lean toward being too meek or too bold, let Him begin to further cultivate you.  Let Him show you where to release and when to exercise restraint.  He alone knows every moment.  He alone can direct your path.

Trust Him.

Then Moses said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Exodus 33:15

But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  John 16:13

Yesterday we talked about unplugging before moving on, and today I want to talk about walking out the middle.  The in-between.

I’m always observing others and evaluating myself, it just seems to be the way I’m wired.  I like to watch how people walk through things and then keep the things I see working for them and toss out the mistakes I see them making.  I like to learn from my own, and other’s mistakes.

One mistake I’ve witnessed and committed multiple times in life is, impulsive impatience.  It seems to be the polar opposite of steady trust.

So often we hear God and begin to move in His direction.  But over time it’s easy to let impatience take hold and become impulsive.  I’ve seen more than one person share something God directed them to do, and my spirit bore witness.  Then I would see them just a week or two later and they had already completely abandoned that word because of discomfort or impatience.  Each time I witness this behavior my spirit grieves.  It’s as if God gives me glimpses of these moments to remind me how important and worthwhile it is for me to stay in step with Him and not be so easily tossed about.

We are destined for greater things.  Unfortunately, many will never see them because they refuse to stay the course.  I don’t want to be that person.  Lately, I’ve endured such large amounts of discomfort, all the while being tempted to push past the word of the Lord and claim my own path.  But I refuse.  I refuse to settle for less than simply because it took longer.

Good things are worth the wait.  Just because our culture is more impatient than ever before in history, doesn’t mean that our walk with Jesus should change to accommodate that.  God never changes.  His plans can take time.  There is one account after another in the Bible where long periods of waiting preceded some of the greatest moments in history.

Take a moment today and open your Bible.  Look for stories of God revealing and then fulfilling promises.  It’s good to take time to remember.

God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind.  Does He speak and then not act?  Does He promise and not fulfill?  Numbers 23:19

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

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

 

We climbed into the U-Haul and began to drive away from our Jubilee home, and I began to feel sorrow.  Trying to avoid that feeling, I asked God, “Why haven’t we sold this house yet?  It would be so much better to know we can fully move ahead.”  With the gentle kindness of a truly loving Father He said, “Because I wanted to teach you more about releasing.  I want you to fully experience unplugging from one thing before plugging back into another.”  Then I saw an outlet, and He said, “You can’t plug in another cord without first removing one.”

So, I’m learning to unplug.

This term doesn’t usually mean this now days, but to me in this moment with the Father, it does.  I allowed myself to stop looking ahead, and fully embraced the pain and grief of letting go.  Even if you know you’re headed where God is leading, and even if you know He has good planned in the next step, it’s still sad to walk away from something you have loved.  It’s ok to need to grieve.  You need that time.  That pause.  That opportunity to fully unplug.

I am so grateful that Abba takes the time to meet me in every moment and teaches me all I need to know.  He is the epitome of what true Fatherhood looks like.  Not hiding us away from discomfort, but always steadily walking us through it.  Always willing to give instruction.  Patient.  Gentle.  Kind.  The list could go on and on.

Since He showed me the principle of unplugging, I have chosen to fully “be” exactly where I am.  Instead of constantly obsessing over our next move, I am embracing the moment.  I am living out today.  I believe we could all use this lesson.  Re-learning how to be present.  Learning how to process change.

It’s the wee hours of the morning right now, and later today we will drive to OK to look at the kid’s future school and a home we like, and then again, I will need to choose to be present and to not worry.  We are using this trip over to our next hometown as a way of giving the kids a hope for their future.  They have still not visited it, and I felt they needed to begin to see we are headed somewhere…..but not at the sacrifice of today’s peace.

Lord, give me all the tools I need to lead my kids in peace.  Help me to teach not only by words, but also (and most importantly) by deeds.  Let my life be a walk so steeped in faith that it can’t help but color the way my kids see You and the life they live.  Let my life be a testimony of trust and faithfulness, in Jesus name, Amen.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:26-27

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

How precious is Your unfailing love, O God!  Psalm 36:7

We plan for it.  Sometimes we long for it.  We need it so we can grow.  Some do whatever they can to avoid it.  Change.

Change has come to our family.

Like in a whirlwind, our only shelter is to stay in the eye of it.  Did you know that the center of a storm (the eye) is the calmest place to be?

Often, we end up on the outside of a storm because we are running from change and hoping to avoid what’s impossible to avoid.  If instead, we will remain calm and center ourselves in the Father, we may still walk out a storm, but we will have peace that surpasses all understanding.  That’s what I’m aiming at these days.  Walking so closely with Abba that the storm may swirl around me, but my spirit will remain calm.  I may have weakness, as I’ve openly discussed, but I’m not acting from that.  I’m only acting from a place of peace.  No decision made of fear or flailing is a good one.

I want to learn to be steady.  I want to be found trustworthy by the Father.  He mentions those who are faithful in little will be trusted with much.  That’s who I long to be.  I look at my little life, my little family, my little ministry and I just want to be so faithful with it that God increases my heart to receive more from Him.

Oh Lord, I long to be faithful to You.  I long to be faithful with all You place in my hands.  Lord, help me to never be afraid to plant or reap.  Help me to be so secure in You that I am faithful to catch or release whatever/whenever You ask.  I just want to be faithful to the Faithful One.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?  And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16:10-12

Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.  Deuteronomy 7:9

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful.  Hebrews 10:22-23

I sat today in my kid’s empty rooms and cried.  I cried because I don’t know where we’re going to live next.  I cried because saying goodbye is hard.  I cried because I am human.  But even in the tears I trust.  As I cried, I saw the Lord holding me in His arms.  His arms were so enormous that I wondered why I would ever feel anything but contentment and safety within them, and then He showed me that He had pulled me up into His arms, so I could release all my emotions while held safely in them.  He loves me enough to create a safe space for my process.

His love is holding me.

I felt peace wash over me, and then a release of a thousand tears was able to come.  Those thousand tears that I had been holding back for such a time as this.  I’ve been walking strong and steady and He knows I’m tired.  He knows because He made me.  He made me to be a “feeler”.  He is ok with it.

I feel everything, with every fiber of my being.  When I hurt, it’s big.  When I love, it’s enormous.  When I grieve, it’s real.  And I am ok with it.

These things don’t make me weaker than others, no on the contrary, they make me so strong.  One of my greatest strengths is to be able to walk through emotion and not get stuck trying to hide from it.  Being such a feeler also indicates another thing God put inside of me, the heart of an intercessor.  It’s that same heart that helps me intercede before the throne on behalf of others.  I was created to do this.

Today, I simply ask Jesus to intercede on my behalf.  I don’t even know what I need.  But without a doubt, He does.  So, I lay it down and I will just feel until He shows me what’s wrong.  Remember, feelings are not what leads us, but they do indicate places where we have a need.  Today I have a need.

I ask you, “Do you have a need today?”.  Do you find yourself hiding from feelings, or embracing them to find their root cause?  It’s never too late to let the Master Mechanic take a look under your hood.  He’s always able to find the cause and sort it all out.  He loves you.

No matter where you find yourself today, the one thing that is certain, and the one thing that creates a bond we share is, we are all completely and undoubtedly in need of Jesus.  Every day and in every moment.

Soak in the verses below…they are like a gentle spring rain across the soul and lift up even the weariest of heads.  His love is the only love that can quench the thirst of a dry spirit.

Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Your domain endures through all generations.  The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.  The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time.  You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.  The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does.  The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.  He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.  The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.  My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.  Let every creature praise His holy name forever and ever.  Psalm 145:13-21

Today, while running errands and thinking about all that needs to be done before we move, I began to feel like my breath was being sucked out and my chest felt tight.  Then I saw a giant vacuum, and it was sucking all the air out from around me and making me feel trapped.  Then God gave me the opportunity to take charge of that and stop allowing my circumstances to control my spirit.  Then I saw Peter stepping out of the boat to walk onto the water upon Jesus’ invitation.  God spoke, “This is a water walking opportunity, Lisa.  Will you stay focused as you step out, or will you become preoccupied with other things and lose focus on me and feel that you are drowning?”

It was intense.

God, I want to stay so intently focused on you that nothing else matters.  You are my God.  You and no other.  I trust in you and even if I am afraid and can’t see a way out, I will continue to move towards You.

Have you ever felt you are losing your breath?  Have you felt the vacuum of life sucking out all air in your space?  Friend, you do not have to be a slave to that.  You only need to find the victory and power to say, “Enough!”  And re-focus your eyes on Jesus.
He is and always will be the answer.

He will give you your breath back if you will purposefully focus yourself on Him.  Focus on the promise and keeping it right in front of you.  We have more trouble when we try to deny our stress or pretend nothing is wrong.  It’s best to just be honest, especially with yourself.

Today, I am struggling.  Today I feel overwhelmed.  But today is not forever.  I will survive and learn to thrive.  I will get through this time.  I will see the Lord’s promises for my life.  I have a future.  I know God loves me.

Today may be the struggle of the night, but the morning is coming!

Sing praise to the Lord, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy name.  For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.  Psalm 30:4-5

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!  May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!  Psalm 20:1

And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto Thee upon the waters.  And He said, Come.  And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying , Lord save me.  Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:28-31