Tag Archives: God

The Right To Rest

9 Nov

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.”    2 Samuel 11:1

Spring was a good time to go to war because the roads were dry, making travel easier for troop movement. David had just successfully defeated the Ammonites. But immediately following victory, David abandoned his purpose, passed off his responsibility, and stayed home to soak in the victory instead of being alongside his army in battle.

I’m sure David was simply enjoying the many luxuries of being king.  It seems as though he began to build security on his own strength. Forgetting that it was the Lord who enabled him to win in the first place. Instead of being forward thinking, He began to rely on his previous victory. His priorities were out of line, and he failed to face the next task at hand. While most of us think of David as a man with a worshiper’s heart and a warrior’s will; this story portrays him as someone entirely different.

Distraction comes easily if you aren’t focused on your purpose. And distraction precedes failure. I remember the first (and hopefully the last) time I played dodge ball. Six fellow peers of mine dragged me onto their team after realizing that they had to have at least one girl on their team in order to play. I told them I wasn’t too grand at sports, but they were convinced otherwise- and wow were they ever wrong.

I was a miserably pathetic throw and exhibited incredibly poor hand-eye coordination skills to boot. But, for a split second, I experienced my fair share of glory. Three or so minutes into the game, (The anxiety made it feel more like 40) one of the styrofoam balls was launched up in the air, luckily high enough so I could catch it. I caught it, everyone cheered, and my opponent was out. But, I was so overcome with the pride of my new found victory, that I failed to notice the second ball. Lethally headed in my direction. Being entirely distracted made me an easy target. And that was the end of my dodgeball career; just as soon as I had tasted victory; I was out.

I’ve since learned that looking back to soak on your victory too often will only distract you from the next challenge at hand. I don’t know of a time in the Bible where Jesus used his energy recalling all that He had done. He was always forward thinking. Looking for the next person to touch, heal, or save. He had bigger fish to fry than to use his valuable time thinking, praying, or addressing the past. He was always in the Spirit, always in warfare, always on call, accessible, and ready.

“One evening, David got up from his bed and walked around the roof…and saw a woman bathing. David sent someone out to find her…she came to him and he slept with her.” 2 Samuel 11:2-4

Like me, in light of victory, David had let his guard down. I’m sure he did indeed deserve some R&R. After all, he’d served diligently, patiently, and  faithfully all those years. He’d single-handedly killed the giant, destroyed opposing armies, and remained in communion with God. So, hadn’t he earned it?

We mustn’t depend on our past victories to pull us through tomorrow’s challenges, we still have to face them. Every war has a price.  Anytime you lose sight of your mission, you can rest assured that distraction is lying on the next rooftop.  Opportunity is always knocking, and if you don’t have a worthwhile cause to obtain your focus, your own desires will overcome your purpose.

You see, this snowball effect began as a decision; to fight, or not to fight. Never underestimate what hiding from your battles will cost. No matter how great the recent victory is, we should never feel entitled to lay aside our weapons. A friend of mine put it this way “As Christians, we shouldn’t ever feel as though we have the right to rest spiritually.” We can’t let up, give in, or back down. There’s a task that has been assigned to us. The moment we lose sight of it, we will fall, and eventually distraction will destroy us.

If you feel as though you’ve lost sight of your purpose, don’t worry! David blew it- royally at that. Yet, he turned his life around and we still speak of him today. God will honor a man who returns. It’s never too late to come back.

So, let’s face tomorrow. Let’s kick the crud out of our lives. Let’s become so overwhelmingly consumed with the God who loves us, and the task at hand, that distraction has no place in our lives. Contend; it’s what we’re born to do.

“The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12

The Only Exception

5 Jul

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

It seems to me that typically, we don’t expect God to transform or fill us. And we look to things to fill the void because we don’t truly believe that we need Him.

For a few years now, I’ve been praying for my dad whom I haven’t seen since I was sixteen. I felt that if I had a father, I would be complete. His leaving was always my excuse; my reason, to be mad at the world and live however I pleased. Recently, my mom became engaged to an incredible man of God who treats her like a queen and spoils us rotten. Their relationship is a beautiful picture of what true Love looks like. I used to believe that this hole in my heart would be filled when a father figure stepped back into my life.

For the past few weeks, I’ve relied on my environment and circumstances to sustain me. Since I’ve returned from India, it’s been easy living. It’d been so effortless that I began to rely solely on the people and things around me. Yes, it’s absolutely wonderful that everything in life seems to be simplistically drama-free, but it’s been odd. Without battles, I’ve found myself distancing from God. Growing accustomed to coping without Him. As if I only need Him when I’m injured.

Yes, I’ve been spending time with Him. But I’ve also felt empty. Somewhere along the lines of my recently effortless life, I became self-reliant. I assumed since I now had everything I was “supposed” to have, I would be content. This counterfeit confidence lasted a few weeks as  I expected my heart to be filled. But, I was wrong. Slowly drifting away, my self-reliance was killing my purpose. I’m discovering that “happy circumstances” don’t equate to feeling whole, satisfied, or fulfilled. In the end, you find yourself coming up short and something still lacks.

I don’t want to share life with God only when it’s too hard for me to handle. I want Him to be with me in everything. I imagine that it wouldn’t be very fun to only take care of your child through the difficulties. The diaper changes, cuts and scrapes, and continuous messes.  But, I’m sure payment in the form of sharing their first words, steps, or graduation, is much appreciated. God wants to enjoy life with us. He desires to walk with us hand in hand through the bad and the good. If we look, we will find Him everywhere, in everything.

Nothing on this earth will fill me. No earthly relationship can sustain me. No one but Him. He is the Only Exception. I need Him, even when life feels okay.

Visionless Trails

27 Jun

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7

I’m learning to trust. Wholeheartedly. Even when it doesn’t make sense. Recently, I’ve found myself smack dab in the middle of transformation. Growing inwardly, yet not necessarily moving forward or backwards. Just different. I’m simply changing. God is removing old habits and creating new ones. He’s altering my thought patterns and challenging my routines. He’s destroying fear and anxiety and exchanging them with peace. It’s refreshingly fresh. Yes, it’s new, but it’s only just begun.

I’m living with my family for the summer, but I’m fairly familiar with the area. Last week, I opted out of going to the gym and decided to run through the neighborhood for a little more scenery than the typical treadmill. In order to get a good run in, I usually run as far and fast as I can. This way, I have no choice but to finish the distance back. Headphones in, with Cory Asbury and Rick Peno blasting, I started my day right. About forty-five minutes in, I realized I had lost track of time and ended up a few miles from my house. I was running full force in a random direction when out of no where, it started to rain. This wasn’t your typical cute little downpour either. It was the tropical storm kind. The clouds rolled in, there was thunder and lightning and I panicked. I couldn’t see where I was going, and I couldn’t remember where I had been. I had no idea where I was.

So here I was, drenched from head to toe, in hot pink shorts and a yellow tank top. Running nearly blind, in an area which I no longer recognized, doing my best to keep my phone dry. A pathetic sight I’m sure. A few cars stopped out of pity and tried to lend a helping hand, but “stranger danger” was faithfully engraved in my head and kindly reminded me to steer clear. I did eventually find my way home, and thankfully, I didn’t fall on my face in the process.

This somewhat comical experience has reminded me of a few things. Like it says in Proverbs– I can’t be wise in my own eyes. You see, the very environment I knew to be familiar, instantaneously changed and seemed to be entirely different. The tools I formerly leaned on for guidance failed me– miserably. And the atmosphere changed, dramatically. It all happened in one quick motion, and just like that, all confidence in myself was obliterated. I didn’t lack determination; that I had. What I lacked was direction.

Sometimes, it takes an engine failure to realize just how much we’ve relied on a spark plug. You never really think about what you’ve leaned on until it crumbles.  It’s funny really. The old song ”you never know what you’ve got til’ its gone” is fairly relative. It always seems to be the little things that fight to ruin my day.Whenever I get a papercut (I seem to get these often at work) I’m always shocked at how suddenly aware I am of my pinky. I never really notice it unless it’s injured. In one way or another, everyone and everything will eventually fail us. But we decide how much the gravity of the failure will affect us. It’s all relative to how closely we’ve trusted or depended on them.

The storms of life test our vision. They reveal to us what we’ve truly set our eyes on. They show us who our heart has clung to. Maybe God allows people, circumstances, or environments to fail us so that we will recognize how reliant on them we truly are. He desires for us to take our eyes off of the counterfeit, remove all false security, and trust in Him. Only Him, above everyone and anything else. Without Him we are running through the storms of life blind without direction. This is no way to live.

So, if you find yourself in a panic, ask yourself; why am I frazzled? He is incapable of stress, anxiety, fear and failure. He is stable. Through the madness, chaos, and confusion. He will not be shaken. Check your eyes– What are they focused on?

Counting Down-INDIA 2010

3 Mar

Two Months & Six Days…

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken… -Psalm 37:25

So, I’ve been wondering- where on earth can I buy inexpensive skirts long enough to reach my ankles? It’s been the hunt of the century! I consider myself a pretty swift shopper but who would have thought lengthy skirts would be so hard to find!

We’ve begun practicing dramas and such. I have to say, drama is not my strength! I knew from the start that this trip would be a learning experience, but I never realized how truly shy I am of acting even in the smallest of ways.   

Aside from the peculiar drama warm ups (which mostly consisted of screaming, shouting, and acting a fool—did I mention this was a growing experience??) We’ve learned a lot of interesting facts about India. While there, we’ve been instructed not to look men in the eyes. Exactly opposite of any customer service training I’ve received- eye contact is considered “an invitation”. Thus, it’s needless to say- that I will most definitely be looking at the ground the majority of the trip.

For cultural modesty reasons, all girls will be required to wear cotton floor-length skirts and XL t-shirts. Nice and comfy style in the 100+ temperatures. In addition, we are encouraged against wearing any form of makeup or jewelry.  I AM SO STINKING EXCITED.

Please pray for our team and that God would begin to prepare the hearts of the people who come across our path. He has a way of healing hearts and changing lives like no one else can!

Praise God, so far, $630.00 has been donated towards India- thanks to the Duffy Family, Mr. Flores, & Jarrod Wells. Which means I am $3170.00 short of boarding a plane towards an unmistakable adventure while leaving the comfort of Dallas behind. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD.

If you wish to make a donation online please visit: ttps://www.cfni.org/outreach/?code=8e6d5362e5be9fea678268fcb056c5a6 If you itemize your deductions for income tax purposes, your gift will be tax deductable.

Thank you for partnering with me to fight against child slavery and impact India. Together, we can see an end to this horrific industry.

Just Decorate Your Bandaids

17 Jan

 

Abusive, Addicted, Aggressive, Angry, Anxious, Bipolar, Chemically Unbalanced, Depressed, Disturbed, Restless, Stressed, Overweight, Over-Worked, Sleep Deprived, Suicidal, Unhappy, Unsatisfied, Unstable. 

These are just some of the words used to describe our world as we know it. Apparently, life seems to be a bit overwhelming for society at large. Sadly enough, these words hardly do justice to some of the things we’ve witnessed recently throughout popular culture. Due to our overwhelming lifestyles, whether they’re hidden or put on display; emotions seem to be getting the best of us–and it shows. 

Why? Death, tragedy, accidents. Haven’t they always been around? My only conclusion is that the way in which we’ve been taught to cope is skewed. You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to figure this one out. We may have been taught how to be successful in life, and how to achieve, but we’ve failed to learn how to take a hit. We learn that one plus two equals three. But when you throw an unexpected variable in the mix, we’re thrown off and fail to react properly. 

Emotions are not the issue; they are merely evidence that something is wrong. They are the blood that proves the underlying wound. At times, these wounds will never be realized completely because they’ve been hidden behind a lifestyle of addiction, or emotional imbalance. Emotions are like weeds, they are easily cut off, ignored, trampled, or hidden. But, without addressing the root, they will continue to resurface. 

Eventually, after dealing with pain the same way for so long, our coping mechanisms become a part of a character and personality. Almost by default, it looks like this is what’s happened to a lot of hurting people. 

We live in the land of the free, the home of the brave, where the “American dream” is tangible. Where everything is accessible, and possibilities are endless. Yet, it seems that suicide is normality, and escapism is the fast-track to an enjoyable life. Some of us were taught to treat the wounds, to rejoice in suffering, and press onward. While others, were taught to cover it up, and cope as the ones before them did. 

Our society isn’t taught to rip of the old blanket, and examine the wound. Instead, we’ve adorned our band-aids; decorating them, and making them a mere accessory. We have learned to live with them, and even worse, it’s become popular to show them off. Turning what used to be ugly, into a fad. Emotional pain has been covered up with drugs, sex, alcohol, prescriptions, depression, and recklessness. All to be dubbed as “just what you do” or “common”.

I love learning from Job, if anyone has the right to talk about hardship it’s definitely him. It seems as though Job’s life proves Murphy’s law; “Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” The only way I could picture it being worse is if it was it was blasted across the tabloids and national television for society to examine and scrutinize. I wonder what our judgment would have been. 

Job was in a place I often find myself in. Confused, frustrated, and wondering what I’ve done wrong to deserve circumstances. It’s sad how easily we embrace blessings, without even a second thought of gratitude, while we immediately reject hardship and calamity; the complaints and blame seem to come easily. If you haven’t read from the book of Job in the Bible, I highly suggest it. Just make sure you get through the whole thing; without God’s sovereignty at the end, it would be a lost cause and an entirely depressing story. Instead of turning to suicide, or indulgences, Job turns to God. 

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He does want us to learn to lean on Him. Oftentimes He uses our low points to show us Himself in ways we might not see when life feels okay. Our job is not to miss those growth lessons. No matter what God allows you to experience, He wants to deepen your faith in Him. The journey often carries pain. That’s growth. Don’t waste the pain, but let Him sift and refine your character. 

“Your struggles will either reveal ugliness or develop character. Fight Him, and watch ugliness fester. Or lean into Him, and let Him develop godliness in you.” – Erin Keeley Marshall (Currently reading her book =]) 

I refuse to let my wounds fester while running to my escape of choice. Conflicts, hardships, troubles, and everyday stresses are at times unavoidable, but throughout them, we must choose to draw near to God instead of away from Him. He is the only answer, and the only One with the power and authority to address the real issue; the heart of the problem; the root of emotional pain.  He doesn’t run out, give up, leave you, or cause heartache. 

My heart will turn to the Lord, and I know He will respond. 

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-”- Psalm 103:1-2

Get Yours

24 Nov

The necessary keys in order to reap what you’ve sown.

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

We often hear about both reaping and sowing, but we often overlook the essential steps in between. Galatians 6:9 shows us that we must have persistence, patience, and perseverance in order to reap what we have sown.

 

I. Persistence

Paul tells to “Not grow weary in well doing”. The Strong’s definition of weary is: “Physically or mentally exhausted after growing impatient or dissatisfied with something.” It’s easy to get frustrated in our day to day seemingly insignificant tasks and activities. But we must remember that no task is unimportant to the Lord. If you’re faithful in the little, He’ll make you ruler over much (Matthew 25:23) Our God is a good book keeper, He is faithful to His word and will honor your diligence!

Today, we look at magnificent structures in Europe with admiration. We look at prestigious works of art which stand alone clothed in their dignity and splendor. We might realize in part how much work and dedication went into the building of the jaw-dropping cathedrals. What we don’t realize is the magnitude of devotion which was required. Cathedrals aren’t like churches, or houses, which can be designed, and obtained within years, or even months. Men who began working on the awe-inspiring cathedrals recognized that they would spend the entire duration of their lives building. Only to accomplish a portion or section of the finished creation. They realized that they themselves were working towards something which their grandchildren might not even live long enough to enjoy. Very rarely, would anyone have the privilege of seeing the cathedral completed. Possibly first started by one of the builder’s grandfathers, each generation devoted their entire life to further its completion; it was a family affair.

As a believer, you must continue in the things that the Lord has called you to, even if you never see the task completed, or receive the credit. You must continue to work even in the day to day activities that can at times seem repetitive and redundant. You must realize that you are only part of the process in God’s grand scheme of things. You see only in part.  He is sovereign. We must be worthy of being entrusted with the work He has given us. Even if we don’t think it is significant, or big enough. We aren’t the ones with the vision of the completed cathedral, only He knows what the finished product will look like.

II. Patience

Paul explains that “In due season we shall reap”.  This tells us that there are appointed seasons which we must wait for. This verse shows that it’s not enough to simply do the work; patience is required.  So, we’ve put for the effort; we’ve tilled the soil, purchased the necessary supplies, and planted the seed.  This portion of the passage reminds us, that sometimes it’s not about us, or our actions. It is simply that the environment, circumstances, or “cooking stage” simply isn’t finished. We must learn to “Be still and know that He is God.” (Psalm 46:10)

I recently visited the Texas State Fair back in October. I was lost. So, so lost. I was running around trying to find one of the gates to meet up with my friends. I realized that it would be so much easier if I could just find a map. After about 15 minutes of my vigorous search for a pamphlet, I finally found one. I opened it up and immediately began looking for the “You Are Here” circle in bold red ink; because it would be the fastest way to figure out where I was. It took me a few minutes to realize, that it was nowhere on the map. In my impatience, I didn’t realize that it was a handout, unlike the giant maps at the mall or various theme parks. I was so impatient.

These days, it’s so easy to obtain instant gratification. I know you’ve heard it; we live in a microwave oven, elevator instead of stairs, society. We’re used to taking the necessary steps in order to receive the benefits. Bottom line, we don’t like to wait. But, we must remember; You can’t rush the process of a dying seed and a growing plant; you must learn to have patience and wait for the appointed season to reap.

III. Perseverance

Paul didn’t fail to mention that, “We shall reap, if we faint not”. That “IF” is key. You will reap, but only if you don’t faint.  Fainting must be averted! We should learn to stay hydrated and persevere through the Word of God. Ephesians 5:26 tells us that the Word of God is like water. It gives us the strength to continue! Water is a necessity! Our bodies are composed of over 60% water. The Word of God must become a part of us in order for us to persevere through His strength!  His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)

There is a legendary race which takes place annually in Canada. It’s known to be so life threatening, that its official name has recently been changed to “The Death Race”. It earned its reputation after hundreds of men passed out along the way. This race isn’t for the faint of heart. The vigorous race’s brave contestants train for months at a time both mentally and physically. After loosing so many men, they installed a “scan in” system, every hundred feet or so that they could keep track of those who were still in the race; and send help to those who weren’t. Nic Southwell was one of the first men who determined that he would make it across the finish line no matter the cost. He refused to pass out. He pushed pass any and all odds, making him the first man to ever make it that far. He passed out across the finish line. This is a beautiful picture of what perseverance looks like. Immediately after collapsing across the finish line, he was rushed to ER, and put in critical condition where both of his kidneys failed, and he ultimately ended up in a coma. Yet, still, he fought to live. After fully recovering, he explained that while he won the race, he could have avoided further complications if he would have stayed better hydrated along the way.

You must persevere; don’t make the race any more difficult by not taking the proper steps to stay hydrated and healthy as a believer through Jesus Christ- He is the source! The “if”, in this verse cannot be overlooked. What good is an athlete who runs faster, jumps higher, swims further, and hits harder—only to pass out, or cheat merely seconds before the finish line. He’s worthless. We must be more stubborn than our circumstances or obstacles. We are in a war with the enemy, and we cannot back down!

 

The Lord goes before us! He sees the finish line. You can’t fake, cheat, or explain victory. There is no greater feeling than to know that all of your hard earned work finally paid off. No cheating, no shortcuts, no tapping out. Victory is yours—and it’s sweet.

When you race with Persistence, cling to Patience, and embrace Perseverance through the Word of God; You will reap what you’ve sown!

So, Get Yours!!

Lost in Transition

21 Apr

Israelites

“The Lord Answered Moses, ‘Is the Lord’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.’” -Numbers 11:23

 
The Israelites had to leave Egypt with nothing more than a promise of a better place, and God’s blessing. They had to end their previous relationship. They had to forsake Egypt in order to gain the promised land. It was one or the other; not both. They had to stand up and turn their backs on the bondage of the past. They had to walk away from the lifestyles they had grown so accustomed to. They left their comfort zones, their coping mechanisms, their pain, and their pasts. So why long for the former things that only cheapen your worth?

While we may view them as naive at their desire to go back, how many times do we find ourselves in the same place? We find ourselves safe from the pain in our pasts, yet walking away from them seems uncomfortably inconvenient. We find ourselves lost in transition. Questioning the decisions we made to leave, fighting our guide, and rejecting our provision.

It’s this uncomfortable, inconvenient, and unpredictable stage where the former things-despite how painful they were; begin to look desirable. We struggle trusting. We find ourselves looking upon our pasts and saying “at least we knew what our job was, at least we knew who we were, where we were going, how to make a living”.

I believe this is why the Israelites went round and round in circles. They didn’t trust the process, or embrace the present. God hadn’t let them in on his fast-forward button; He only gave them a glimpse. A promise of what was to come. Somewhere, lost in transition; Their glimpse, which was once a bright future-seemed galaxies away from their current location and circumstance. They questioned His way, because they didn’t feel it was how He should bring the promise to pass.

Maybe God doesn’t give us all the answers so that we trust the One who makes the promises instead of the promises themselves. What if He’s just waiting for us to prove ourselves faithful, trusting, worthy of the call. What if giving us all the answers would only cause us to trust in ourselves, or the promises, more than Him. “Trust Me, I’m the only way the promise will come to pass.”

Perhaps God wants us truly trust Him, beyond the voices, circumstances, and situations. Perhaps He would have us prove ourselves as Abraham did with Isaac. Even though Abraham’s present circumstances screamed that killing Isaac would surely kill the seed of promise; he trusted the Lord. Abraham knew God well enough to know that the Lord is a keeper of His word. He was confident that God would fulfill his promise- even if Isaac was out of the picture, and all hope seemed lost.

You see, promises in themselves have no power if they aren’t backed by a trustworthy source. It’s the Promise-Keeper who alone is worthy of our unfaltering faith. Too many people grow tired, weary, impatient, and unhappy because they placed their trust in “the word of the Lord” instead of the Lord Himself. So when the present circumstances don’t match up with their promise; their faith falters.

We must press onward, prove ourselves faithful, embrace the present. You never know how far, or close, you are from your promise. Longing to go back could be turning a short trip into forty years of misery and discomfort.

“God had proved Himself strong and faithful, yet, the still distrusting Nation prolonged the process.” -Pastor Mike Hayes

How Small is Your Faith

6 Jul

Who are you to doubt Me?
Who placed you on dry land and redeems your broken heart?
Who mends your mind and replaces your mourning with laughter?
Who loved you before you were spoken into existence?

Why do you doubt
Who are you to unbelief
How small is your faith!
I move mountains and shake oceans,
I make you smile and remember your sorrows.
How much do you trust Me?

Are you willing?
How ready are you?
Be prepared!
But wait, when My timing’s right,
All will be clear.
Then my directions will be complete.
Then you will find fulfillment.

You can only dream,
I create your reality.
Hope in My words,
Have faith in My peace.

Don’t fret,
Be still my child.
I love every part of you,
I long for all of you.

Count on My words,
Cling to My promises,
I will not fail you.
Trade your temporary happiness
For My never ending joy.

Only in Me will you be accomplished.
Only through Me will you have peace.
Only with Me shall you prosper.

Only because of Me will you meet the one,
the one designed to accompany you in this journey.
Created to abide in My love,
Predestined into your life.
Equipped beyond measure,
And far better than you’ve imagined.
I desire to give you My best,
Don’t settle for mediocre,
My plans are not out of reach.

I turn the tide,
I change the seasons.
I create your reality,
Be patient My darling,
Wait on Me,
Trust in Me,
How small is your faith.

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