Simply Obey

If we go to Philipians chapter 2 we find that Jesus did two very important things:

1. "made himself of no reputation"
2. "became obedient unto death"

If anyone had "bragging rights", He was it! Yet He became flesh and set aside His rights as God Almighty, robed Himself in flesh, so that He could relate to us. Why is it that we, who are just stinkin' flesh, struggle so tirelessly with our reputations and obedience? It's always about "us", "our rights"... hmmmm... makes me think!

I love this whole chapter, but to shorten this post, I will share only a few verses from The Message:

"Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion."

I Samuel 15:22 says "obedience is better than sacrifice..."

There are things that He will require of us that won't always make sense at the time, but I want to be obedient to Him because I love Him. ...not because I'm a "rule follower" following a hard taskmaster. I simply love Him and want to be pliable in His hands. Lord, help me not look for ways to do less than you require of me or just enough to get by. Your sacrifice was greater than my mind can comprehend. Let me serve You in whatever way I can to at least TRY to convey my gratitude to You!

Ordered Steps

Only deep encounters with Him bring clarity of purpose. I mean, more than the usual "thank you for this day, Lord... you're so good to me" kind of prayers. Those are good and necessary. You know, it's those times when you are "enraptured" with Him... maybe you lose track of time or maybe it's just for a moment. You know the difference... for we apostolics, we can best describe it as the times where we speak our "prayer language"... an unknown tongue. I know that everyone that reads this blog doesn't do that, but I hope you will at some point. There is absolutely nothing like it!

Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

Horrible pit translates to "a pit of noise"... interesting... since He's been dealing with me so much this past year about getting "away from the noise" to hear Him more clearly. Could it be that when we let Him deliver us from some of the madness and noise in our lives that our feet will be firmly planted with purpose and our steps completely ordered by Him? He has definitely been doing that for me. He has opened doors that I never dreamed. He has ordered my steps in ways that I haven't fully comprehended yet. His promises are true and they are for EVERY ONE OF US!

From the Inside Out

Have you ever prayed really hard for someone and they just seem to get worse? You get such a peace that God is in control and working in their life and they seem to have venom coming from their mouth and their spirit? He has been reminding me that circumstances and words don't gage what He's doing. It's only when we get into that deep place of the Spirit (our secret place of prayer with Him) and find that peace that we will begin to first "feel" what He's doing and eventually, we will actually "see" it. We have to trust that He's working it out even though we don't see one bit of progress in the physical. Our only duty is to pray. Let Him do the rest. He does the work of the "hidden things".

I'm sure I've used this analogy before but I like it! When we do our spring cleaning (ladies!), it always has to look worse before it looks better. In order to fully clean, you have to dig way back and get out all the unwanted stuff and throw it out, sort through it... you have to make a huge mess before putting it all back together. Maybe that's why people get worse when we start focusing our prayers on them... maybe God is digging deep and stirring up all the "junk" and it is truly making a mess in their lives... A HOLY MESS!!!

He wants truth in our inward parts... the hidden places of our heart... at all costs!

I Peter 3: 4 (Amplified) "But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God."

Psalm 51: 5 "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom."

The Message: "What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life."

Never Alone

I work for a ministry, and I get all kinds of emails. Today I received one that really got my attention. The heart cry of this lady was how that she feels she has been praying all by herself... WITHOUT GOD. That was the words she used. We've all felt that way at some time or another. He does hear us though. He is so near to us even when we aren't aware.

Psalm 139:7-10 "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

Today I feel Him so near to me... but you know what? Maybe tomorrow I won't hear Him... I won't see exactly how He's working on my behalf... but HE IS! Bryan sometimes lavishes me with gifts and words of much adoration... he doesn't do those things every single day... does that mean he loves me more one day than the next? Absolutely not! I spend time with him every day though... sometimes we talk for hours... sometimes we have a super hectic day and feel that we are only passing in the hallway with a peck on the cheek before darting off to the next event of the day... but we are in love. So much more is the love of my sweet Saviour! Even on the days when He just walks with me in silence... I can be assured that He is keeping me and will not leave me nor forsake me.

Be Not Weary

Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

The Message says: "So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith."

I felt this verse so strongly this morning. Sometimes as Christians it seems like we are standing under a tent with the tsunami of this world's system coming straight at us. On the news this morning I heard someone say that the Republican party needed to be more tolerant. What they wanted to say was for them to give up their convictions and the things they stand for. It wouldn't be politically correct to say it so bluntly. We are salt and light to this world. It's definitely not always popular but we CANNOT compromise!

Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Trials & Storms

I felt to share this with a good friend of mine today, but I know from past experiences that the words He gives are usually further reaching than what I think, so let me share this with all of you:

The greatest revelation comes through trials, storms and experiences. Without them we wouldn't know of His power, His grace and His provision for us. He is the calm in the midst of the storm, the ram in the bush, the righteous ruler of the whole earth.

Psalm 107:29 "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still."

I Peter 17-21 from The Message: "You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb."

Lord, let me not live in a way that says I think your sacrifice wasn't good enough! The least I can do is live in the ever consciousness of You!

TwoListeners.org

Today I wanted to share something from a devotional email that I get. It was so cool because Bryan & I had a conversation with an old friend this weekend that was almost exactly these words. Wow! God always confirms His word... so neat!

These devotions are available at http://twolisteners.org/. They come from a book that I have called "God Calling". The two people that wrote these devotions don't even take credit for it. They were just listening to God and writing. Another person published the book. You can read the whole story at the website. I get 2 devotions from them: God Calling and God At Eventide. I strongly recommend these!

Here's today's "God At Eventide":

Highways and Byways
The Way of Holiness differs for each of My followers as the character of each differs. My command for you is not necessarily My command for another.
My followers often forget this. Because I may have told them to take a certain road they are sure that you should be walking in the same way.
Heed them not. Remember, too, that a way of discipline for you may not be My Will for another.

Enjoy the Journey

Yesterday afternoon as I was putting some clothes in the dryer I had this amazing feeling of dejavu. It had absolutely nothing to do with what I was doing but had EVERYTHING to do with the peace I felt at that moment. We have a radio in the laundry room (for the dog) and there was an incredible song playing about "when hearts get broken"... I can't even tell you the name of the song. I was just reflecting on His goodness and how we can take everything big or small to Him... every hurt, every disappointment, every question.

I was also reminded of how we are always happy when we are in His perfect will. Sometimes I think back on places we've been, where we've lived and how it was such an incredible happy time that I just want to transport myself back in time and be right back in that phase of life, in that home, that town. We can't go back though. We can only go through the doors God opens. Have you ever noticed how we sometimes try to "recreate" something God did in our lives and it just doesn't work? That's because God is doing a "new thing"!

Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

On the darkest night, the lights on our car don't shine all the way to our destination. They do, however, give just enough light to see where we are going. God kinda does that for us... He doesn't show us the whole path He has planned... He will guide us at the pace He has established before us. Our only task is to follow His leading. ...let's just enjoy the journey!

Love Extended

Philippians 2:3 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

I could hear Him so gently whisper these words this past week (quoting from my prayer journal):

"See all as My children. ...before you see their flaws, their shortcomings. Seek to love as I love. There will always be differences for I made each one unique. Use the talents and gifts I've given you to reach and impart to those I've placed in your path. I am the common ground. There is a deep soul hunger in everyone... some don't even realize it yet. I need those who will speak My words to help expose the hunger within, hidden so deeply."

We will continually rub shoulders with those who "rub us the wrong way" or seem to just go against the grain of all we are feeling, saying and doing. We cannot be quick to judge them. We don't know where they are on this journey. They may not even realize they are on a journey, but let me tell you... they are! He is trying to be involved in every life. Some just choose not to let Him in. He is so patient and loving. He won't force His way in. Let's remember this when we encounter those hurting, searching souls. They may be in your family. They may be at your place of employment, at the grocery store... and yes, even in your home. We're all on this journey together. Let us handle these souls so delicately... be the "Arm of Love" of a gentle, loving Saviour.

Happy Mother's Day!

So far I'm having a wonder pre-Mother's Day. I was instructed to stay in bed late. No problem at all!

I was greeted with a HUGE omelet prepared my sweetie and Cam (Tanner was doing what every teenager does... sleeping even later!).

Notice how Cam is looking longingly at my omelet.

Decided to let him join me.



And, this is my favorite... priceless!

I pray all you mothers have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Truth In Love

This morning in prayer I found myself saying, "let me speak the truth in love". So, I looked up this verse and checked several translations. I like the way the Message reads...

Ephesians 4:15 from The Message: "God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love."

Here's the thing... I'm no prayer "guru" but I do find that when I'm praying, He actually "orders my prayers"... I firmly believe He guides us in what we should pray and who we should pray for. After reading this verse, I thought... absolutely! That is what I want. That's what He wants from me... Let me grow up in you, Lord! Let me every day become just a little more like You. Keep me in step with those you've chosen to place in my life. Be the source of every little detail of my life!

Stir Up the Gift

Early this morning I was thinking about how we make the things of God so much harder than they actually are. His way is so plain and so simple. The only thing hard is us. We think we could never operate in His gifts... but have you ever just thought of someone for no apparant reason and dismissed it? ...or dreamed of someone and thought... that was weird! Where did that come from? He works that simply. Sometimes all He wanted was for us to pray for that person, encourage them... try it... life changing! Just wait until that person tells you that they had asked God to let them know He hears and sees them... we are His body... so be His hand reaching!

2 Timothy 1:6 "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."

Stand For Something

I remember hearing an old country song years ago that says something like this: "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. You've got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string." I may not have the words just right, but what good words! In today's society we've gotten so "politically correct" that so many are afraid to say where they really stand.

Paul told the church of the Thessalonians (Thess 2:15:15 AMP) "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions and instructions which you were taught by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter."

He wants us to stand unashamed of TRUTH. ALL of truth... all that's in His Word. If we do this, He will most definitely speak into our lives and honor it. He uses any avenue He can to speak to us. I remember years ago when we were going through a transition in our lives and I received a card in the mail that was meant to hurt me. Well, it did... very deeply. I will never forget that day as I drove into town with tears streaming down my face. I could show you exactly where I was on the highway when a voice on the radio said these exact words: "I have removed these people from your life for a reason." Now call me crazy... call me spooky and over-spiritualizing... but I know He used those words for me that day. Peace followed and He has used many crazy and bizarre things since then and I want Him to continue to do so. For goodness sake, he used a donkey to speak, so why not the radio or anything else he chooses?

Hedge Around Me

We've all at some point compared ourselves to Job when we feel like we're having trial after trial... We say, "I feel like Job!" But notice this...

Job 1:10 "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land."

Hedges are used to mark boundaries. I want the boundaries He has set for me... whatever they may be. Notice that Job's hedge was even recognized by the enemy of his soul. With His hedge comes blessings and protection. The Message says it like this: "You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can't lose!"

We have full access to this level of blessing and protection when we fully submit to Him and let Him set our boundaries for us!