You’re covered where you’re called.
So don’t worry! If you are called, rest assured; you will be covered!
Proverbs 21:30, Jeremiah 29:11, Job 42:2, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 John 5:18-21, Proverbs 10:29, Proverbs 16:3, Isaiah 29:15
Tag Archives: Rachel
Consider This:
24 AugTransferring Ownership; The Underlying Prerequisite
25 Jul
“I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24
Why is it that our own minds fail us- we somehow draw the conclusion that we can make the outcome better if we do it our way- instead of God’s. I’ve been reading a fantastic book entitled Dry Bones Dancing by Tony Evans. It has inspired me to learn from Abraham. I’ve been stuck on Genesis 22; where Abraham is tested.
“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’” Genesis 22:2
The Lord had already promised Abraham that his offspring would be “as numerous as the stars” (Genesis 15:4-5) Isaac was the answer to his prayers, yet for some reason; The Lord was asking Abraham to sacrifice the very seed of promise. This command was a contradiction to everything the Lord had said would surely come to pass. I wonder if most of us would have been able to go through with it.
Surely, it would have been easier to have ignored the gentle whisper. Since after all- it contradicted everything he was promised. I can’t imagine giving up the only answer to all of the questions; the answered prayer we thought was His perfect will. The Lord was testing not only his willingness to sacrifice, but his faith as well.
Here is where a lot of us would have called it quits. I can almost see the alternative response from Abraham; “Really God? I left my family, my mansion, my job, my livelihood, my religion- and traded it for what? Thieves, camels, tents, and the desert? You’ve demanded everything, and yet, You still have the audacity to ask me to sacrifice my only son; that is where I draw the line.”
But, Abraham puts us to shame with his instant reaction: “But early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey.” Genesis 22:3
Apparently, Abraham had the impression that delayed obedience was disobedience. He didn’t take a few days to spend some quality time with his son. That was it; he was going through with it. He didn’t delay taking several weeks putting it off or explaining it to others- he simply obeyed. He didn’t even have exact instructions yet “on one of the mountains I will tell you about” -that seems fairly vague to me. But it was enough direction for Abraham to pack his saddle, son, servants, and head out.
The fact that he was able to surrender it all so quickly truly gives us a picture as to how devout he was the Lord. He realized from where his blessings came. He must have kept this in mind daily in order for his decision to have been so easy. Lord help us. Are we at a place where we can sacrifice everything we’ve been promised because He simply requests it of us?
We complain about letting the things go that hurt us; the things that cheapen our worth, the things that shouldn’t have been there to begin with. How much more so if we were put in Abraham’s position? Are we strong enough to sacrifice the very things the Lord has destined and willed into our lives which bring us joy?
Still not convinced that Abraham was pretty straight up faithFULL; “When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an alter there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the alter, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” Genesis 22:9-10
Through his actions, Abraham proved that nothing God could ever give him was worth keeping from Him. He was confident that regardless whether God’s plans had changed or not- the benefits of His blessings would far outweigh his sacrifice. Abraham knew it was impossible to ever find favor with the Lord if he was withholding anything from Him. He went past the point of no return; he was willing to lay it all down. Everything he had been promised; the answer to all of his prayers; everything he loved and held dear; he decided to let it all go.
What a beautifully painted picture. This was a life altering decision to make. The choice was his alone, and in one instant; he was the epitome of complete and total surrender.
“‘Do not lay a hand on the boy…Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son.’” Genesis 22:12
This is so powerful, here we see that Abraham completely let go of what he deeply loved- Only then did God intervene. He had stepped past the point of no return. In his heart, Isaac was already completely surrendered to the Lord. Abraham had faithfully transferred any rights of ownership to God. He had given up full custody. He truly “died to himself”.
It’s amazing to me that even though Isaac wasn’t a “worldly or fleshly” desire; the Lord still requested that he completely surrender him. God doesn’t require just the bad from us- He demands it all. But it is here where we see that the Lord provided- only AFTER he offered Isaac compeltely.
“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burn offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will Provide’ (Jehovah Jirah) And to this day it is said ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided’” Genesis 22:13-14
God set before Abraham a test, I wonder what would have happened if he hadn’t obeyed. Many times promises come with prerequisites which we haven’t been informed with at the beginning. God didn’t tell Abraham that he would have a son which whom he would have to sacrifice before the promise could fully come to pass. He just let him in on it when He saw fit. We can’t assume just because we have a promise, everything will play out without any tests. There are usually underlying prerequisites that we must meet.
Why does God test us? I love what Evans says; “Tests reveal to us where we stand. They let us know whether we really love Him as much as we say we do in our songs and our prayers.” Is there something that God is asking you to put on the alter? Are you in the middle of a test and can’t figure it out? God’s command wasn’t to only take his son up the mountain or build an alter- He commanded Abraham to offer his son Isaac up as a sacrifice. “If you have approached God in worship, but you’re still waiting for Him to come through. The reason may well be that you haven’t finished the test.” Are looking for an out before following through- stop thinking or trying to make sense of it- simply follow directions and follow through!
You have to go all the way. When you let it all go, that’s when it’s difficult. Worship the Lord all the way, even when it’s difficult! And there at the alter God will show you His way, He will come through for you!
I’m not saying that God will allow you take your sacrifice back- but He will ALWAYS bless your effort to please Him with everything.
I think we could learn a thing or two from Abraham. And possibly think twice the next time we whine about surrendering our petty, simple things in life that make our self-consumed worlds go around. Nomatter how big or small; the blessing will always outweigh the sacrifice! You can count on it.
Be Intentional; On Purpose
19 May
What if what we said, did, felt, acted like, lived as; was all on purpose. What if instead of passing it off to be “a mistake in the moment” or “something which we didn’t mean” we actually thought about it, prayed for it, anticipated it. What if every word, every thought, every prayer, every second; was utilized to its maximum potential. This is truly how Jesus lived. Not in fear of what missing a moment would cause; but with expectancy for the outcome of what His awareness for each minute would bring.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
It begins in our minds, that is where we have the power to kill what is negative, and nurture what is positive. You see, we frame our references around our own experiences. If our experiences in the past, have been distorted; our ability to discern and examine the present circumstances can be off center. If we’ve been victims of the past either forced upon us or chosen by ourselves; what do we do when we have been poorly programmed by life’s events?
In the above verse, the Greek word metamorphoo is translated as “transformed” in this text. Literally, it means to change into another form. We have all the tools necessary to turn our attitudes, reactions, moods, and lives around!
“May the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
If your actions, responses, attitudes, and moods are not a reaction to the Holy Spirit’s gentle leading, then you are operating according to the subtle taunting of the enemy.
Eve could have chosen to be intentional; she could have lived by what she had known to be the Truth, instead of acting on impulsive desires which were deviously planted in her. Instead of doing her job of resisting, she accepted the offer and agreed with what she would have previously recognized as deceit.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
Don’t allow the devil to get away with his camouflaged prompting. It’s his job to distract, accuse, and deceive-it is your job to resist! The devil loves phrases such as “I’ve had enough” “I can’t stand her” and “I’m just in a terrible mood today”.
“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27
Don’t be so ignorant to believe that the devil has devices strong enough to destroy your power and authority. We’ve been given absolutely every tool necessary to overcome. No questions asked, no excuses. Never allow yourself to settle for anything less than the attitude, response, mood, and lifestyle that God wants you to have. I love what T.D. Jakes says in his book Woman Thou Art Loosed; “Lips that say ‘I’m in a terrible mood today’ accept what they ought to reject.”
Countless times I’ve found myself walking away from a heated discussion realizing my failure. I responded in anger, instead of love. Instead of turning away wrath with kind words- I added fuel to the fire. I furthered the problem, and brought new issues to the table.
How many times do we find ourselves wishing we would have grabbed hold of our moment. How many times do we walk away wishing we would have been intentional in our conversation. How many times do we inconsiderately do what’s convenient or seemingly satisfying, instead of accomplishing the task assigned to us. How many times do we rush through life, ignorantly overlooking our cues and missing the mark. I find myself painfully looking back; seeing divine appointments which were intentionally put in my path. They have come and gone. Oh, how easy it is to pass it off for someone else to accomplish, without even a second glance or thought.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ -Matthew 25:23
But how rewarding it is to know that you passed the test; you were given a choice. You were intentional in the way in which you handled yourself. You weren’t raging in anger, caught in a fit of emotions, or found having a bad case of impatience. You were simply walking in the spirit; at peace.
What if the gravity of our words brought harmony and restoration, instead of conflict and destruction. How different our world would be. What if we thought before we spoke, listened before we answered. What if our actions made the path straight, instead of adding questions and confusion. What if we prayed and observed before we acted. What if we were led by what we know to be truth aside from the present circumstances.
What if we weren’t power hungry, greedy, superficial or materialistic. What if our words didn’t reek with bitterness, vengeance, pride, or resentment . What if we recognized that there is a common goal. A mission at hand, and countless opportunities to further develop everything we’ve ever learned. Since the beginning, we were created to live purposefully every day, every hour, every moment- to it’s fullest potential-it’s original design.
After all, our world won’t change for the better on accident, because of a lucky streak, or by chance. I encourage you– Be Intentional; on Purpose.
Lost in Transition
21 Apr
“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
04/01/09- Its Your Birthday- So Celebrate!
1 AprOn a day full of pranks for the sake of April Fools, I am praying. I’m praying for you on your birthday, Dad.
I’ve been praying for you. My heart has changed a lot since we last talked. If you’re reading this please know that I love you. I choose to remember the good. And I hope you will do the same.
While I do not understand, I am not bitter or angry. I learned the hard way that nothing I did or had could ever bring you back or fill the void-not alcohol, success, or relationships. At the end of it all, I found Jesus, for real this time. And I pray the same is someday true for you as well.
I worry about you, I don’t know what you’re doing, where you’re living, or who you are anymore. You always liked to live life on the edge. And you were always pushing the limits. So you’re most likely in a million different places all at once.
I remember you as such a diligent worker, most people would have considered you somewhat of a hermit, or brilliant introvert. But what many colleagues would never know is that you’re a stuntman at heart; complete with stories of driving straight up walls on motorcycles, and doing doughnuts on streets in the middle of ice storms.
I always told you I hated it, but the truth is I loved it. I had coolest dad ever, who always challenged me to face my fears head on. Somewhere along the lines, things changed, I can’t find you, a lot of people are looking for you, and four years later, I’ve lost bragging rights.
I miss you. The talks, tag along trips, even proofreading your documents and listening in on your conference calls. I found my passion for business and writing thanks to you. And more than likely, I also owe my skills to you as well.
Everyone’s so grown up, you probably wouldn’t even recognize us seven kids. We can all talk and walk on our own now, even shop. Haha.
My intent is not to put you on blast nor is this my pathetic public attempt for pity. I just want you to know that I’m praying for you. I’m believing God to send someone to point you in the right direction. And someday, bring restoration to our relationship.
If you ever do read this, please don’t think that it’s by accident. I am being intentional. While part of this is indeed somewhat therapeutic (haha) there is no way I’d just post my business online unless I thought there was a slight chance of you finding it, and I hope you do.
So if you’re looking for a reason to call me, here it is. I’ve kept my phone number as the same one you got me when I was fourteen.
So, happy birthday Dad. I love you.
