This morning God reminded me of a vision I had years ago.  I stood on the edge of a rock that was by the ocean and when a huge wave came it knocked me down.  I stood up again, and when I did my feet became part of the rock.  Another wave came and knocked me down except my feet were still part of the rock.  When I stood again my legs were now part of the rock.  Again, a wave came, and I was knocked over above the waist.  Still, I stood back upright and my whole body became grafted into the rock.  Then, when the waves came I was firm and nothing could knock me down.

Wow.  Let that sink in a minute.

I want to be in Christ.  He is in me, I want to walk so near to Him that I don’t know where I end and He begins.  I want to be so grafted into my Firm Foundation that nothing else matters.

I want to stand on Christ at all times, and in every circumstance.

Will I ever achieve this?  Who knows, but I will spend my whole life trying.

What does your foundation look like today?  Have you allowed the Lord to firmly establish your root system in Him?  It is a worthwhile investment.  I am often shocked at how many believers still don’t consult God on day to day life decisions.  I call them “crisis Christians”.  They focus on God and praying only when they are in desperate need, but once He provides their way out, they head out on their own again.

I pray I never do that.

I want to be so connected to Him that I hear His every word and feel His slightest nudge.  Don’t you?

Lord, draw me closer.  Hold my head near Your chest so I can hear the rhythm of Your breath.  Let me be one who dwells close with You all my days.  Take me into the Holy of Holies and let me make my bed at Your feet.  I want….No I long to be nearer and nearer to You with every breath I breathe.  I worship and adore You, in Jesus Name, Amen

Take a minute today and focus on Christ as your firm foundation.  Feel yourself reaching deep into the dirt of His foundation.  Drink in the aroma of His presence.  Establish a strong connection between you and Him before heading out into the day.  I promise you won’t regret it.

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.  Matthew 7:24-27

I love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.  Psalm 18:1-2

 

Sometimes, disappointment passes over us like a cloudy sky.  Recently, we had a couple of discouraging words, both in the same day.  These words felt heavy.  I struggled to dance through the disappointment,  and then I saw a cloud of disappointment.  These clouds pass over our lives and for a moment can obscure our vision of all the good things that are happening.  We can become so focused on these clouds that we lose ourselves, if we aren’t careful.  But always remember, His joy comes in the morning!

The clouds will pass over and the sun will shine again, the world will keep spinning and God will still be good.  Never forget that.  Hold onto that. Tattoo that on your heart.  God is good, and His mercies are new every morning.

Like a cloud, disappointment can come, and like a Redeemer the Son will rise again.  Every time.

How do you respond to clouds of disappointment?  Years ago when a cloud came, you could find me camping out underneath it focused directly on it for long periods of time.  I praise God that now when I see it coming I don’t linger under it.  I am so grateful that I am now aware of the clouds.

Now, when disappointment threatens to dampen my spirit, I begin to search for the Sonlight.  You will ALWAYS be able to find it.  At the first hint of bad news I begin to intentionally sing praise songs proclaiming God’s goodness.  I begin to count my blessings one at a time.  I have taken deliberate steps to ensure that I walk straight back into the Son.

I won’t let that “Eeyore” spirit take over me any longer!

Have you ever felt exhausted simply from being around an “Eeyore”?  That’s not how I want to be.  I want to be a person who makes others feel exhilarated, hopeful, and joyful.  I may not always be successful at this, but I sure do try.

If we are intentional about so many other things in life, then let’s not neglect being intentional with optimism and hope!

Ain’t no cloudy day gonna keep me down.  Uh uh. I will see you guys later, I’m going out to find some Sonshine.   😊

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  Psalm 19:1-4

To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless, to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.  You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.  You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.  Psalm 18:25-29

Today as I watched an online church service and they were praying over someone with cancer, I felt overwhelmed with compassion and was in tears as I poured out my heart the Abba.  Then I heard the question, “Why do you pursue healing others Lisa?”  Immediately, my heart answered, “Out of compassion.”  Then I thought of Jesus as He walked the earth and healed every person who came to Him, even to the point of raising them from the dead.  After, He ascended to Heaven He left His disciples to be apostles and continue the works.  They did so by healing many, and even raising some from the dead.  One day while reading scripture I came across this verse…..

Peter replies, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call”  Acts 2:39

and as I read it the words appeared highlighted and God said, “This is you, Lisa.  I’m talking about you here.”

It was like Holy Spirit was breathing promise over my life, and one day as I followed God’s leading, a man He told me to speak with had his lungs healed.  This man had endured many operations and struggled to stay healthy, but from that day he was healed.  Now, this had nothing to do with me, but God let me participate in the miracle.  It was one of the defining moments of my life.  I truly believe there is NOTHING God can’t do, and it is truly the heart of a Father for Him to want to include us in His work.

It reminds me of the way a parent let’s a toddler “help” do anything.  The toddler is just really there to spend time with the parent, it’s actually mostly about quality time.  That’s how I look at God using us to do anything.  No, He doesn’t actually need us, but like a good Father He wants to teach us new things and create deeper connection and relationship between Himself and us.  Isn’t that a beautiful picture?

So yes, I pursue the Father’s desire for healing His people both physically and spiritually.  Whatever I can do to partner with Him in this process, I will.  Will you?

Have you seen Him providing opportunity for you to come alongside Him while He works?  Will you stop resisting and let Him teach you? Will you let Him spend that special time with you?

You are His heart’s desire.  Right now, I feel the Lord inviting you into a deeper relationship with Him.  I see Him holding out a hand to take yours and walk with you and let you learn from Him.  There is no better teacher than Him.  Nobody cares for you like He does.  Nobody else has eternal patience and unconditional love like He does.

Will you ask Him how He would like to partner with you today?

“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

Apart from Me you can do nothing.  John 15:5b

Today while running, I saw a person wearing a pair of broken glasses.  The lens were shattered, yet the person was trying to wear them still.  God spoke to me and said this is what it’s like for a person who has yet to receive the fullness of His healing in their heart.  Then, I saw a person whose vision had been restored, but they kept picking up the old glasses and putting them on.  It made me think about how once we’re healed we must cultivate new habits, otherwise we will return to the old ones.  You have to ask Holy Spirit to fill all the space that was healed.

If while we’ve been walking out this devotional journey together, you’ve received healing of any kind, then it is imperative that you ask God to come in and fill all the space inside of you.  Also, it’s important to ask God to help you walk whole and healed now.  Once you’re “vision” is restored, you need to learn how to stop adjusting what you see and just let God be that good!  For some of us, the transition of believing that God is not only good, but He is good to us is huge.  Have you ever had a time when you had no trouble believing God would do good and miraculous things for others, but struggled to imagine He would ever bless you that way?  I have.  Now is the time to fully embrace a 20/20 view of God’s goodness over your life.  He loves YOU so much He gave His only Son.  He loves YOU so much He gifted you with Holy Spirit.  He also loves YOU so much that He won’t let you continue to walk around wounded.

No, He has brought you here to this place so He can extend His hand to you and pull you out of whatever sadness, brokenness, bitterness, pride, anxiousness, sickness, etc. you’ve been struggling with for so long.

Now is your time.  Can you feel Him tugging on your heart?  Yes, He IS just that good.

God, thank you for restoring my vision.  Thank You for healing my heart.  Lord, I surrender my life to you now.  You’ve given me healing, now I give You my whole life.  You are worth it!  Help me to absorb Your goodness over and in me.  Lord, thank You for planning good things for my life.  You truly are a good good Father.  I love You, in Jesus name, Amen.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  1 Corinthians 13:12

“When an evil spirit come out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.  Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes with it 7 other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there.  And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.”  Matthew 12:43-45a

Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:23-26

Today I heard the phrase, “I am a melody looking for a harmony”.  Immediately I remembered when I was young I loved singing, but never felt good enough to be a lead singer, so I really desired to be a back-up singer.  I love singing rich harmonies to accompany a steady melody.

I didn’t realize at the time that God was calling me to lead.  I can tell you the moment He spoke that to me, I laughed out loud.  I never saw myself as a leader back then.  I told God if He wanted me to be a leader, then He would have to make that happen, and He did!

I still find so much pleasure singing harmony with someone who sings out a strong steady melody.  It brings me immeasurable joy.  But I now know that God had bigger plans for me.  He wanted me to be confident in leadership.  No, I don’t always have to be leading, but He created me to be a leader.

Now, oftentimes when I am singing worship, my heart, and also ears, are seeking harmony.  I can hear it when a person with anointing begins to harmonize with me.  It stirs me deep inside.  In the deepest of places.  Isn’t it ironic that melody and harmony are partners, and I was saying in a previous devo that partnership is my strongest love language right now.  In fact, what I’m really searching for is someone to partner in worship with and take turns singing melody and harmony.  To let worship dance through and between us.

What does this have to do with you?

Well, what are you anointed to do?  Are you created to lead out, or to be a strong support system?  How is God moving in that part of your life?  Have you given yourself completely to that?  It makes me think of the times that God describes us as different parts of a body.  Each of us needs to embrace whatever body part God has created us to be.  Life will be much more fulfilling and satisfying when you surrender to your calling.

Maybe you don’t know what your calling is yet.  That’s ok.  If that’s you, then I challenge you to take time today and ask God about it.  He will show you if you let Him.

God, I release vision and purpose to the one who is reading this today.  I release a glimpse of your calling to come into view right now, in Jesus name.  God, I need to know what role you have created me to walk out.  Give me purpose and infuse me with Your power in Jesus name.  I surrender to Your plan for my life in Jesus name, Amen.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.  For there the Lord bestows His blessings, even life forevermore.  Psalm 133

I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples.  For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.  Psalm 57:9-11

Today I was thinking, “Sometimes the Promise looks like hard work.”  Then I was remembering how, when I was younger many believers would say if someone faced opposition or trouble, they must have done something sinful.  Or if someone took a risk based on something they heard God tell them to do and then faced trials, people around would say they must not have heard God.

I laugh at those ignorant statements now, but there was a time when they followed me around judging every decision I made and were standing around waiting for me to fail so they could pounce on my spirit.  Now, I am fully aware that life has trials, and following Jesus never meant I would be free from them.  It even says so in scripture.  “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

We are also never promised that everyone will love us or accept our walk with Jesus.  You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.  Matthew 10:22 and If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  John 15:18

Sometimes walking out the promise of salvation looks a lot like hard work.

Not everyone will understand us, not even family sometimes.  Not everyone will accept our salvation, and even some in the church won’t call us fully redeemed because of our past sins, but that never affects our right standing with Jesus.  I am who I am because He says so.  That is all.

Are you walking out a specific promise God has spoken into your life?  Have you faced so much resistance that you are considering packing it up and quitting?  I encourage you today that your breakthrough could be right on the other side of your next “Yes” to Jesus.

Are you struggling to feel understood, even by your own church body or family?  Do you feel outcast even though you are washed in the blood?  I encourage you to stand strong.  Continue to walk the humble road and follow on the heels of Jesus.  You will reap a harvest of joy in due season.

My message today is, “No matter where you are or what you’re going through, keep moving forward in Jesus.”  Don’t stop.  Be relentless in your pursuit of Jesus.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Galatians 6:9

Go out and live like Jesus today!  Follow His lead in every situation you find yourself in.  Let Him shine His light through you as walk in obedience to His voice.  You were born for this!

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

These words ring through my head all the time.  As I walk out my time on this earth, I am constantly aching for Heaven.  I know that I will never be truly satisfied until then.  I also know that I will never feel fully home until then.

As someone who has transplanted their family from their home roots in the south, to the shockingly different culture of NE Pennsylvania, I am acutely aware of feeling longing for home.  Our family may not look like missionaries in the normal sense, but that is exactly what God told me we were to be during our time here.  It was only then, that I began to feel content with continually feeling like I’m living in a foreign land.  Don’t get me wrong, I love so many things about PA, but let’s face it everyone loves there hometown. ( I feel like I’ve already said that recently, but either way….I’m saying it again.)  We have learned to love the community we live in and to always pay attention to the natural beauty that surrounds us.  We are truly grateful to live here, still we ache for home.

Followers of Christ will never truly feel home this side of Heaven, but that’s no reason to hideout and not reach out while we are on this earth.  We were placed here for a reason.  Just like our family is in PA for a purpose, we are foreigners on this earth to bring the good news of Jesus to all that will listen.  We truly are to be salt and light to this world around us.

Are you hiding your light under a bushel and just waiting for the Lord to return?  Are you afraid that the world will hate you if you share Jesus with them?  Scripture tells us that is a possibility.  But we are also told to count all joy when we face trials of many kinds.  Never let fear of rejection stop you from sharing what you know the world needs to hear. Just make sure that your message is soaked in love.

I challenge you today.  I challenge you to share the gospel of Love with one person today.  I can’t wait to hear back about how it was received!  Please come back to this devotional post and give an update on how the Lord used you today!  Let’s go out and share the good news!!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  James 1:2-3

“You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.  “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a  hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:13-16

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?  Esther 4:14

 

I have been very aware of the spirit of confusion that seems to be running rampant across the earth.  It has reminded me just how important it is to be steeped in the Word of God and how very important it is to have a real relationship with Jesus, so we can continue to hold fast to the truth.  Now, more than ever, we need Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

Though many are increasingly confused about who we are and whether gender is “fluid”….whatever that means, I have taken hold of the firm foundation that was set before the beginning of time. This “debate” over gender has really pinpointed the true issue, at least as far as I am concerned….

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Genesis 1:27   (this verse is the beginning and the end of my argument over gender…now lets move on)

I believe a large portion of the issue is, followers of Jesus are not spending enough time reading the Truth (Bible) and listening to Truth (Holy Spirit).  We’ve become distracted.  I’m fairly confident in saying that we are all guilty of this on some level and at some point in time.

Love has become distorted.  Love does not mean we have to compromise on everything.  As a parent I have learned that love oftentimes means holding steadfast to the boundaries in our family.  It doesn’t always feel loving, but that doesn’t change the fact that it IS love.  I also cannot indulge my kid’s wrong feelings, no matter how convinced they are that they are true.

What do I mean?  Well, if my child comes to me and says, “I don’t feel loved.”  Then I immediately assess my actions and see if I need to step up in any area, but I ALSO have my child reflect and see if something else is going on in their heart to lead to this feeling.  I do not take full responsibility for it because the fact remains, I DO love my kids.  I love them every day and all the time.  I also do not change the entire way our household is run because of one lie statement.  Feelings come and feelings go, my love for my kids remains constant.  This is obviously strictly an example, but I hope it mirrors some of the greater issue at play in the world.

What does this have to do with devotionals?

Well, I want to challenge you.  Are you spending time steeping in the Word of God (Bible), and are you spending time just listening to the Voice of Truth (Holy Spirit)?  Any of us are in danger of being fooled by the prince of lies, especially if we aren’t spending intentional time knowing the Truth.

I’ve always been told that those who work to identify counterfeit money only study the true bills.  They don’t bother studying the lie, no they focus on the real money.  I believe that’s a really great analogy for the life of the believer.  We don’t need to study the lies of the world.  We only need to know the Truth.  Remember, the Truth shall set you free.

Make sure you are prioritizing quiet times with the Father, and continually feast on His Word.  Then your eyes will remain so focused on Truth that lies won’t have a chance on you.

To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32

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

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  John 16:7

 

So often in these devotionals I suggest you spend time in the secret place.  It is a very important practice to have.  But I wanted to address a couple of very real realities.

Sometimes, especially when we have little ones, our time in the secret place can be very hard to find and oftentimes interrupted.  Believe me, I know all about the struggle. The question is, how do you respond to interrupted quiet time?  I readily admit I have often reacted poorly to my time with Jesus being cut short by screaming or crying of children.  It has also worn my patience to be distracted from my time with Abba because of the needs of my husband.  Yes, during certain seasons it can almost seem more trouble than its worth to try to steal away time in the secret place.

What I have discovered is, though the time can be hard to find and even harder to maintain, it is well worth it.  In fact, I truly believe it is something worth fighting for.

Have you ever seen a married couple with kids, and the parents bicker and seem to barely be able to stand one another?  Or maybe a husband and wife so consumed with work and kids that they never take any time to pour into their marriage relationship?  And one day the kids grow up and move away and the parents are left at home alone together and realize they don’t even know each other anymore.  This is one reason that Chris and I have fiercely guarded our relationship as a number one priority.  I would never want the man who shares my bed to feel like a stranger.  Likewise, I would never want to reach the end of my time on earth and arrive at the Throne in Heaven and have God say, “Depart from Me, for I never knew you.”

There was a moment when I realized that I got to decide how much I let God “know me”, and I get to decide how much of Him I discover.  Don’t mistake me, I am fully aware that God knows everything and everyone, but I truly believe He gives us the free will to decide whether or not to invite Him in and let Him know us.

I want to start out this week reminding you once again, of the importance of the secret place and encourage you to commit to a dedicated time to meet with Him every single day.  He waits for you.  He has so much to show you.  If your time with Him gets interrupted, try this.  Ask Him to show you how to share what He’s showing you in those secret times right away when you’re interrupted.  Examine your interruptions to see if maybe He’s letting them happen because He has something to say about it.  You never know.  I have learned to ask God many questions.  To be like an investigator and search out God’s heart as much as I can.  It is so good to be known by Him.  It is even better to know Him well.

Oh God, You are so worth my time.  Help me guard our quiet times together.  Lord expand time so that when You and I meet, it feels relaxed and plentiful.  You are mine.  I am Yours.  I love You, in Jesus name, Amen.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’  Matthew 7:21-23

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  Psalm 91:1

Praise the Lord, O my soul.  O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.  He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of His upper chambers on their waters.  He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.  Psalm 104:1-3

This morning I saw a vision of a swaddled baby, but this baby was swaddled in Light.  I heard the verse: He wraps Himself in light.

I feel like this Sunday morning, God is inviting you into His Light.  Will you ask Him to wrap you in His Light today?

Let His Light lead you into a deeper encounter with His heart today.  He is here for you.  Today, is a day for encounter.

Close your eyes and let the Light fall over you like a blanket.  Ask Him to let that Light absorb into the very core of your being, that you would be able to shine bright for the world to see and be drawn into their own encounter with Him.

Like moths to a flame, Lord let Your Light shine brighter and brighter within me so the lost see and are drawn to the refining fires of faith.

Once I had a vision, and it keeps replaying in my mind daily now.  The Holy Spirit walked me to what appeared to be a tunnel, but it was completely made of Light.  Holy Spirit gestured for me to go through the tunnel, I knew Heaven was on the other end.  I pulled back for a minute, knowing that Jesus is the only way and I asked Holy Spirit, “Where is Jesus.”  That’s when I saw Jesus head pop up from the tunnel and I realized, He was the tunnel!  How cool is that?!

I’ve heard it said that when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He created a bridge between us and heaven.  Will you step onto that bridge today?  Don’t stop at the cross, continue into deeper relationship with the Father. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Matthew 6:10

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.  Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9b-13

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

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.  2 Corinthians 1:3