I like these excerpts from Romans 4. "For Abraham, hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised...No unbelief or distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, fully satisfied and assured that God was able to keep His word and to do what He had promised."
And it happened--God's promise did come to pass. Staying in faith is not always easy, especially when our circumstances point to things staying the same. Doubt and unbelief are only attacks. Doubt and unbelief and impatience will only result in the birth of an "Ishmael" in our lives. Who is responsible for the turmoil to follow? We are. Whatever we start in the flesh will have to be maintained in the flesh.
My prayer today is that I will be able to stay in faith. Giving praise and glory to God, I will keep my eyes on Him and His promises, knowing that He is fully able to accomplish what He has said that He will do!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
I Won't Back Down
A few mornings ago, I woke up thinking about the battle. I thought about the Tom Petty song I Won't Back Down. Then I thought about Philippians 1:28 that says, "And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but a sure token and evidence of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God." The following verses are good too, but too lengthy to type here.
Later on in the day, I had a battle in my mind. I struggled and prayed and asked God to speak. In the truck I decided to vary my listening options by channel surfing when I stumbled upon none other than Mr. Petty himself singing, "You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I'll stand my ground...and I WON'T back down!". That is awesome, and that is how the Lord is helping me through this season.
When he wrote Phillipians chapter one, Paul (v.30) told the readers that they were engaged in the same conflict in which they saw him and that he was still in the same conflict.
To everyone that needs encouragement today, please know that "there ain't no easy way out" but God is readily available to help us be constant and fearless.
Later on in the day, I had a battle in my mind. I struggled and prayed and asked God to speak. In the truck I decided to vary my listening options by channel surfing when I stumbled upon none other than Mr. Petty himself singing, "You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I'll stand my ground...and I WON'T back down!". That is awesome, and that is how the Lord is helping me through this season.
When he wrote Phillipians chapter one, Paul (v.30) told the readers that they were engaged in the same conflict in which they saw him and that he was still in the same conflict.
To everyone that needs encouragement today, please know that "there ain't no easy way out" but God is readily available to help us be constant and fearless.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Things Above
I am recognizing more and more that we were created to live for much more than what we can see, touch and sense in the natural. That is why Colossians 3:2-3 says, "And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God."
We substitute many things for the higher life. God is calling us upward and we cling to the natural.
Ephesians 6 tells us that are battle isn't with flesh and blood. We are spiritual beings in a spiritual battle.
Personally it seems like the more I try to reason things out in my mind, the worse my situation becomes. When GOD is leading, He does give me practical wisdom in my mind. So if I seek Him first, I will have peace and be in the right place at the right time.
I am seeking today, to keep my mind on things above--the higher things.
We substitute many things for the higher life. God is calling us upward and we cling to the natural.
Ephesians 6 tells us that are battle isn't with flesh and blood. We are spiritual beings in a spiritual battle.
Personally it seems like the more I try to reason things out in my mind, the worse my situation becomes. When GOD is leading, He does give me practical wisdom in my mind. So if I seek Him first, I will have peace and be in the right place at the right time.
I am seeking today, to keep my mind on things above--the higher things.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
An Addition...
Yesterday I meant to include this verse. It is 1 Thessalonians 5:24 "Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you]."
It seems that waiting and trust go together. It is easier to be patient when we know and remind ourselves that He is faithful to do all that He promises. :)
It seems that waiting and trust go together. It is easier to be patient when we know and remind ourselves that He is faithful to do all that He promises. :)
Monday, May 18, 2009
He Will Finish It
Sometimes waiting is so hard.
I was reading Phillipians 1:6 this morning and it encouraged me. "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ, developing and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you."
It is so easy to want to give up on our dreams and desires. A wise man once said, "Satan doesn't care how well you run, but if you finish the race." Sometimes breakthrough is right around the corner and sometimes we just have to wait. That is where faith comes in. Satan wants to fill our minds full of doubt so we will speak it out. Doubt and unbelief make for a self-fulfilling prophecy. We have to stay in faith, press on and finish the race.
He will bring it to completion. We have to trust Him, not our emotions and that is sometimes not easy.
I was reading Phillipians 1:6 this morning and it encouraged me. "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ, developing and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you."
It is so easy to want to give up on our dreams and desires. A wise man once said, "Satan doesn't care how well you run, but if you finish the race." Sometimes breakthrough is right around the corner and sometimes we just have to wait. That is where faith comes in. Satan wants to fill our minds full of doubt so we will speak it out. Doubt and unbelief make for a self-fulfilling prophecy. We have to stay in faith, press on and finish the race.
He will bring it to completion. We have to trust Him, not our emotions and that is sometimes not easy.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Being Creative
I've been thinking about the week of creation lately. My husband and I are both very creative. Personally, I need quiet and time to be creative. You have to make room for it just like you have to make room for cultivating relationships.
A thought occurred to me, and any comments would be appreciated. I like to hear other viewpoints. The thought was this: We are made in the image of God, and He took time to be creative. In fact, He created the world and every thing in it before He made man and woman.
Why didn't he make man and woman first? I know He had to prepare a place for them, but He also needed space apart from relationship to create.
Brian is so lucky I'm getting this revelation:) I am too, because it is like water to my soul to be creative!
We get so busy with work and obligations, but it is necessary for even just a few minutes a day, to be creative. I pray that God will help us all to have balance and use our creativity for His glory!
A thought occurred to me, and any comments would be appreciated. I like to hear other viewpoints. The thought was this: We are made in the image of God, and He took time to be creative. In fact, He created the world and every thing in it before He made man and woman.
Why didn't he make man and woman first? I know He had to prepare a place for them, but He also needed space apart from relationship to create.
Brian is so lucky I'm getting this revelation:) I am too, because it is like water to my soul to be creative!
We get so busy with work and obligations, but it is necessary for even just a few minutes a day, to be creative. I pray that God will help us all to have balance and use our creativity for His glory!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Fear Not
Recently, I've been experiencing a little stress. It's amazing that the simple words "Fear not, for I am with you" really comforted me in a time of perplexity and despair. God is enough!
Isaiah 43 is a wonderful passage of scripture. There are so many nuggets of truth in there such as, "I WILL WORK--who can hinder or reverse it?" Nobody. God is so sovereign, yet so involved in our individual lives.
Verse 2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you." Notice it didn't state "IF" you go through, but "WHEN". There will always be sin in the world. God won't violate man's free will. He doesn't hurt us, other people hurt us and there are bad effects from living in a world of sin!
Fear. As a single woman, especially one who has traveled abroad and will be traveling more, God has used verse 4 so many times. "Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life."
Have you ever seen God re-arrange circumstances on your account? He says He will, but we must have FAITH that He can move that mountain, and that He loves us enough to do it.
This is such an awesome passage to meditate on. Try it!
Isaiah 43 is a wonderful passage of scripture. There are so many nuggets of truth in there such as, "I WILL WORK--who can hinder or reverse it?" Nobody. God is so sovereign, yet so involved in our individual lives.
Verse 2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you." Notice it didn't state "IF" you go through, but "WHEN". There will always be sin in the world. God won't violate man's free will. He doesn't hurt us, other people hurt us and there are bad effects from living in a world of sin!
Fear. As a single woman, especially one who has traveled abroad and will be traveling more, God has used verse 4 so many times. "Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life."
Have you ever seen God re-arrange circumstances on your account? He says He will, but we must have FAITH that He can move that mountain, and that He loves us enough to do it.
This is such an awesome passage to meditate on. Try it!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Meditate
Lately I have been seeking to meditate on things that God has been teaching me over the past few months. Instead of a "word for the day" I feel like I am receiving reminders from the Holy Spirit on what He has already shown me. Then, I take those principles and meditate on them. It's like He is sowing them into my heart in a deeper way.
Psalm 4:4 says, "Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still."
I think about a cow chewing its cud. A little uncomfortable at times, but necessary:)
Psalm 4:4 says, "Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still."
I think about a cow chewing its cud. A little uncomfortable at times, but necessary:)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Higher Ground
I'm going up! Lately, I've been encouraged to believe for better, higher and stronger.
You may interpret that however you like. It's been a while since my last post, mostly due to the fact that we've traveled quite a bit since last week, and Brian had corrective eye surgery.
Talking with him these past few days, I realized the strong desire he has to fly. I don't see anything wrong with that. To me, flying gives you a sense of power, of being on top of the world.
Everyone wants to be their very best (well, most people do). Brian and I both feel like this next season we are going higher. There will always be people to bring you down, thoughts to bring you down, but it seems like all the while God is saying, "Up! up! up!".
2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with uncovered face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
As we behold Him, staying in His presence we will go higher--from glory to glory.
In the words of Stevie Wonder, "No ones gonna bring me down--Oh no...Till I reach my highest ground. Dont you let nobody bring you down (they'll sho nuff try) God is gonna show you higher ground!"
You may interpret that however you like. It's been a while since my last post, mostly due to the fact that we've traveled quite a bit since last week, and Brian had corrective eye surgery.
Talking with him these past few days, I realized the strong desire he has to fly. I don't see anything wrong with that. To me, flying gives you a sense of power, of being on top of the world.
Everyone wants to be their very best (well, most people do). Brian and I both feel like this next season we are going higher. There will always be people to bring you down, thoughts to bring you down, but it seems like all the while God is saying, "Up! up! up!".
2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with uncovered face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
As we behold Him, staying in His presence we will go higher--from glory to glory.
In the words of Stevie Wonder, "No ones gonna bring me down--Oh no...Till I reach my highest ground. Dont you let nobody bring you down (they'll sho nuff try) God is gonna show you higher ground!"
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