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Archive for the category “Faith”

28 Aug 2013

Secret Things

I was reading the story of Jairus, the synagogue ruler who went to Jesus to heal his daughter. I have read this passage many times and actually love the story concerning the bleeding woman who intersects Jairus’ story. I experienced her pain for real and I can identify with her. But this time reading the story found in Mark 5:21-43, I saw something that I hadn’t really seen before. Don’t you just love that about the Bible? I do!

Jesus tells Jairus to believe and sent everyone else away except for Peter, James and John, his inner circle. What I found fascinating was: there are some miracles done in secret while others are done out in the open. The story of the daughter’s healing was a miracle done in secret; only experienced by the parents of the girl and Jesus’ inner circle. No one else was allowed to see what Jesus was going to do. The miracle of the bleeding woman was done in the crowd – everyone heard her testimony immediately after the miracle took place.

I have been pondering on these secret things since I went to a Living Proof Live event back in April. Beth Moore spoke about God’s secrets. He only reveals to us when we are mature enough to keep them until His time of revelation. He gives us the platform to share when He wants the secrets to be shared. Beth pointed out: in this day and age we share everything we know immediately after revelation. We don’t take in what we learn and ponder them before we share them. We take in a word and immediately tweet about it rather than actually letting the word get down into our hearts. This was profound for me. I have been considering this every time I have had a revelation lately. I am discerning what is for me, and what is beneficial for others to know. Sometimes it’s hard to know when to stay silent.

I have been writing my story for the last year, but for the last few weeks I have been diligent about writing. Since reading this passage and pondering on the secret things, I am discerning when it’s time for revelation on my story. My Mom asked me not to share my story until she was gone and I have honored that request. However, I don’t know if it’s something I should share while my Dad is still alive. I don’t have clarity on that time. Not that it has anything bad about him, but it might bring up pain for him that he has already long since forgotten.

I have been called to write my story, so I am obeying in the writing. When it’s time for revelation that is God’s timing and not mine. Discernment is required for all things secret!

“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3

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21 Aug 2013

Wheat and Weeds

One Saturday morning in July, I went out to clean up my yard. Weeds are very abundant in my yard. I commenced to pulling them up. I have written about weeds in the past, but this time I considered something I had just heard from Beth Moore. She spoke about something God had placed on her heart concerning the time drawing near. God is revealing to her about the need for revival in this land. I think we can all agree with her assessment.

Beth spoke of the times coming up where false teachers and good teachers will be in the same field as shown in the parable about the wheat and weeds. This will be allowed for a time. God has revealed to Beth, the good teachers will be seen by the majority as false teachers. The good teachers will have to endure the suffering during that time. They will be discredited. They will be grieved to know that no one is listening to the Truth being spoken. She had more to say on the subject but this really spoke to me. She tells the audience not to believe her words, but to study and seek confirmation in God’s word for this truth.

As I was pulling my weeds, I was thinking of her insights about the parable. I also remembered a devotional on this same passage (Matthew 13:24-30), which I just read a few days prior Beth’s message. The devotional pointed out we are not to judge who are the wheat and the weeds – only God can make that judgment. We just need to make sure we are in the wheat category! However, with Beth’s insight we do need to judge the teachers. We are not to be deceived and are to scan scripture for the Truth. We are to be diligent about studying for ourselves the Word so that we will know when someone is speaking falsely.

We need to be able to understand the truth up front, right now, so that we will not be deceived. The truth needs to be spoken and we need to hear it, even if we don’t like what is being said. The teaching of Jesus is very divisive meant to cut to the heart for repentance. But Jesus always spoke out of love. The ones who are speaking on His behalf will speak out of that same love as well. We need to recognize the difference and know the ones to whom God has placed in the field to speak the truth for our repentance before the harvest comes.

The weeds were sown while everyone was sleeping (verse 25). Wake up; it’s time to be ready for the harvest!

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” Matthew 13:27-30

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14 Aug 2013
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Small Tasks

As I sit down to write on this particular morning, I am humbled by revelations on my character. Sometimes when I write, I feel that I come across as knowing all the answers or I hear such great things from God. I am just a sojourner just like you. Most days all I hear is silence. A few of those days I swing on doubt rather than belief. I have just read the first chapter of Jonah, and I so get his running when he heard what God wanted him to do. If it’s hard or something that takes me out of my comfort zone, I might have the urge to run on most days as well. Most days, I don’t believe I am going to do anything really great for Jesus. I believe He has tasks assigned to me just as Jonah had a task assigned to him. But I think in the grand scheme of God’s plan, they will be small tasks of obedience.

There a just a few people who are called to be Jonah or Moses or Paul of their times. There are many others who are called to be the support staff to those of greater significance in the Kingdom. I am sure there are even fewer who have a great vision or dream that God has placed in them. Whether we just don’t dream anymore or we’re just not prepared properly to receive it.

I am struck by the fact that God prepares us so much more for the tasks ahead for years before the dream or vision is revealed. Moses had forty years in the back country tending his father-in-law’s flock before he was given his great vision. It was the day in and day out tasks of learning how to survive in the desert with a flock – maybe sheep, knowing they relied upon him to feed them and water them. Moses had his support group as he led God’s people in the desert for forty years after their escape from Egypt. He was trained to handle the tasks of moving them about to find the water, the food and the shelter.

King David had years as a shepherd boy then a warrior before he ever became king. David had his mighty band of warriors as well as Jonathon. Jonathon realized his role was not going to be king, but he was a mighty big encourager to the one who was going to be crowned king.

We all have a role in God’s kingdom. We all have to be prepared for it. Each step of obedience is a step toward fitting into the role God has assigned. Each task accomplished is one more character building exercise. God is more concerned about our character than what we actually accomplish. It really takes the pressure off to know that it’s up to God and not us. We are to be obedient in what He gives us, but He has a purpose that He will fulfill, not us. Whew, it’s all about Jesus, not me! Thank you Jesus!

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:10-11 (NLT)

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07 Aug 2013
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Giving All

I went on the mission trip hoping for a revelation while I was on it. But there was no revelation while I was there. God has been at work in one area of my life for a while now. He has been showing me over the last couple of years my struggle to give complete control to Him. As I am writing this post, I am fully aware how much I need to trust Him in my finances. I look at my bank balance and see very little in it. Yet, I have so much more than those in Honduras. I park my car in a garage that is bigger than many of the cement houses where the villagers actually live.

One thing that is becoming evident as I consider my trip: I am so truly blessed, but it’s not for my benefit. I saw so many needs while I was there. I didn’t feel like I did very much to help while I was there. I left feeling I should have done more. Two things that keep popping up in my mind are: the treasure is in the field, and the Acts church – the first church – gave so no one would be in need (Acts 2:45). Both treasures are heart issues. Where do I put my treasure? Am I willing to give even if I have to sell something in order to give more? Giving obtains true treasure. The treasure is in the field but also, the treasure is stored in heaven.

Job told us in Scripture, we come into this world naked, and we will leave it naked (Job 1:21). Everything we have is God’s; we are just stewards of His possessions. As I passed hills throughout Honduras, I was struck with the thought: God owns cattle on a thousand hills. On the flight into the country, I noticed there is no border from the sky. You cannot tell when you are flying from one country to the next because there is no physical border from the air. God only sees two kingdoms: His and Satan’s.

There seems to be a distribution problem in His kingdom. I saw pastors in Honduras that are living on next to nothing doing God’s work, but barely surviving to support their families. I don’t think this is God’s distribution problem; it’s ours. God has given us blessings here in this country to help care for those in His kingdom elsewhere. Jesus taught so much more about money than any other topic because He knew how much money could hinder our walk with Him. Our hearts need to be right in order to be a better steward of what He has given us.

I don’t feel like I did much to help while I was in Honduras. Maybe it’s not about what was done there, but what I can do here to help those in need there. God is in the process of realigning my heart. My treasure is in the field and in heaven. The question is: Am I ready to give it all for God’s glory?

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

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31 Jul 2013

Preparation

On Memorial Day, I was outside cleaning up around my house and made a few observations as I was cleaning up weeds. A few years ago (maybe ten years or so), I removed all the grass and put in mulch on one side of my house. It was a shady area. There were a couple of trees on my side of the property line and two large cedar trees on my neighbor’s side. As the years went along, the trees got really big and became a real problem for me. It kept the siding on the house from getting sunshine which led to mold and mildew being a real nuisance.

I have issues concerning the trees around my house. My house was struck by lightning when I first moved in. It hit one of the trees on that side of the house and ricocheted to my house. I have been wanting all the trees down since then. I finally got the trees down on my side about three years ago. So what do I do about my neighbor’s trees? Well, I prayed for God to remove them. I know, trivial things to pray about, but I prayed anyway. In hindsight, it was a really good thing for me to cut my trees down because God answered my prayer in a very big way.

In April, 2011, a tornado made its way through my city and across my neighborhood. Those two cedar trees were laid down perfectly between my house and my neighbor’s. If the other trees had been there, they might have ended up on top of my house (right where I would have been kneeling in my closet). I believe God prompted me to get those trees taken down. I even had done some major work on my house the year before and trust that too was in preparation for the storm to come. This was not how I expected God to answer my prayer for my tree problem. But He had prepared me in a large way for the storm to come. I had done the work I knew to do in advance of what God was going to do.

I see this too as a metaphor for spiritual storms. There are things I need to be doing in order to be prepared for the storms that will come in my life. I need to be strong in the Word. I need to be on my knees praying diligently for the things I know to be praying for. There are many preparations before the storms arrive, and they will come.

As I was pulling weeds on Memorial Day, I was reminded of my prayer. I prayed for the removal of the trees and now I have weeds. Nothing had grown on that side of the house for years, but now that it’s sunny and weeds flourish. The house is no longer moldy and mildewed, but the paint is fading fast. Whether it is sunny or shady, there are always issues to deal with. Either way, there is work to do. Time spent in preparation is essential to be ready for whatever storm comes my way.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34

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24 Jul 2013

When Doubting

I was reading the passage concerning John the Baptist found in Matthew 11. John was questioning if Jesus was the One who was promised to come. Jesus reassured John with the signs and wonders of what was done. I also heard a sermon recently about the Disciples of Jesus were doubters. I know Thomas was always considered the biggest doubter, but they all doubted. The doubts went away when they had the revelation of the resurrected Jesus. Jesus isn’t thrown off when people doubt. He might have been perplexed at times when the Disciples still doubted, but He didn’t throw up his hands and give up on them.

I think it’s reassuring that all of Jesus’ closest companions doubted. I waver between doubting and revelation. I don’t doubt that Jesus is who He says He is. Sometimes I doubt that He can handle my biggest needs. I guess I doubt He’s big enough. But then I get the revelation, sometimes through signs and wonders; sometimes through His word coming through a simple passage, to turn my doubts to belief. Sometimes I have to see it to believe it as Thomas had to do after Jesus was resurrected. And sometimes, I just have to be reassured through Jesus’ word that what I have seen is truly real like John the Baptist.

For months I prepared for my first mission trip. I experienced moments (or days) of doubting concerning the trip. As I struggled to come to terms of my doubting, I have followed John the Baptist’s example and brought my concerns to Jesus. He listened to my questioning, and He reassured me I was going as His hands and feet. I did what He asked me to do, which was to go. I took the steps of obedience and believed He was going with me. And He did. Everything done was because of Him. His strength, His protection, His provision. I knew nothing and did nothing on my own.

I have been called to go. John was called to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. As I was thinking about this statement, it occurred to me we are all called to prepare the way for the second coming of Jesus. We are called to go and prepare others for Jesus. He is coming back one day. Maybe His coming will happen in my lifetime, maybe not. But we are to be prepared as if He’s coming today. If He’s coming today, am I ready to see Him? Am I working to prepare others to see Him? That’s what we’re all called to do. My first mission trip was successful because I was prepared to go – spiritually.

Yes, I have had many a doubt, but that hasn’t stopped me from preparing to see Jesus do some wonderful work! It’s for His glory alone!

When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:17-20

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17 Jul 2013

Friends

Many times in my life I have had many friends who have been my party friends or my friends of convenience (work, school, etc). There are a few friends who have lasted through the years – those who have stayed with me through thick and thin. I am so thankful today for my friends who are my sisters and brothers in Christ. They are my rock when I am in those rocky places. They are the ones who have comforted me in my dark times. They are the ones who celebrate with me when victory is at hand. But they are special to me when we can sit down together and be real with one another. Those friends are rare and are greatly treasured.

Jesus had his inner circle of friends who he allowed to see Him as the Holy One. Peter, James and John were allowed to see His transformation when Moses and Elijah came for a visit. They were allowed into a moment of great distress when Jesus was praying for a new way of salvation and not the way of the cross. They were allowed to see Jesus completely. King David had Jonathon, King Saul’s heir to the throne. There are times when you need an inner circle of friends who will carry you when you just don’t have the strength to move forward. They are the ones who will be there through every trial and will experience the victories with you.

I am blessed to have friends these days where our time is spent on praising God rather than complaining about circumstances. I can share what God is doing, and they can do the same. I can share about my struggles and know that I will be prayed for. I know when I bring something to their attention; they will be there with me in my struggle. God has been good to bring me people in my circle of influence that encourages me and helps me to walk out this life with accountability.

I know we are not meant to walk alone through this life. God places us in a community that will encourage us and help us in our daily life. For far too long I tried to do things on my own. I thought I could handle my struggles in secret. God has shown me otherwise. He illustrates the point of community as a body with each member being important to function as a whole. He says when two or more are gathered in His name, He will be in our midst. I love the fact that I am never alone in my struggles anymore. God alone is able to make us whole and new. But He puts friends around us to help in the process. God’s ways are perfect, and I rejoice today because of the friends I have been given!

For all of my friends, I appreciate every prayer lifted up before the throne on my behalf. I appreciate every word spoken that encourages me. I appreciate the opportunity to walk with you in your struggles as well. I appreciate we are not made to be alone. I hope that I will be able to live my life with my dear friends until the very end – and then show up in heaven rejoicing even more! It’s going to be a glorious homecoming one day!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

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10 Jul 2013

The Little Things

The last day in the village in Honduras, one of the young men told me it was a blessing for women of the village to see the women on our team working alongside the men – doing the same work. I didn’t understand the significance of this when he told me this, but I understand better now. Jobs were handed out by gender, and women do not cross the gender line. I don’t know how this will impact the village, but this young man said it was a very good thing to see. What I considered normal, the village took notice.

I wasn’t sure why I was going on this mission trip. To tell you the truth, I have never done any evangelizing. I was hoping I could just go and serve other people. It ended up, that’s what the mission was all about. We helped to build a church, we painted a building for another church, and we ministered to several of the missionaries there. Did we win souls to the Kingdom? I didn’t see anything happening on the outside of our work. But we were examples of Jesus’ love because we did what we were called to do. The women and the men pitched in together and did the work that needed to be done. I don’t know the impact, but God does.

As I consider the mission trip, there is one thing that has stood out to me. God calls us to the little tasks. We are to go and do the things to help others. God asks us to do the little things as He works in it to bring about something good. Through the good works, we show the love of Jesus. We are being more like Jesus when we see the needs and fulfill them. One gender maybe able to do something better because of the strength needed for the job, but everybody can do their part to get the job done. And that’s what the team did, small task after small task.

One of the first tasks we did was pick up trash around the church. Was that significant? No, but several in the village noticed what we were doing and started picking up as well. We put it all into a pile and it was burned. At other times while the roof was being built, kids had their toe nails polished by one of the team members. Our main job was to show love toward the ones we came in contact with. No matter where we were, in the village or in the city, whoever crossed our path we wanted them to see Jesus.

If all I did was offer a smile to someone who was having a bad day, then it was worth it to go. If all I did was pick up trash or mix concrete so that the women of the village saw something new, then it was worth it. I don’t know how God will use the things that were done that week for His kingdom purpose but I am sure of this: He will do something through my smallest efforts. He is that good!

And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 (Amplified Bible)

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03 Jul 2013

Pondering the Experience

I was on my mission trip to Honduras last week (the reason I didn’t post anything last week). I am still contemplating all that I experienced on the trip. I don’t know exactly how to describe what I am feeling about it all. Mostly, I felt uncomfortable. I was totally outside of my comfort zone. I think God likes for us to be outside our comfort zone. We are just too comfortable in our everyday lives that it’s hard for God to work there. When we are comfortable, we don’t need God.

I love the passage from Acts 10 concerning Peter’s vision. Peter needed a new perspective in order for God to work through him to grow the church in a new direction. Peter needed to go to a Gentile’s house in order to tell him about Jesus which was a definite no-no for a Jewish man. The vision showed Peter that God had prepared a new thing that will be outside of Peter’s comfort zone. This passage was previously used in my life to move me to my current city. I believe God is going to show me something new through my experience in Honduras. I don’t have the revelation yet. Like Peter, I am pondering what the vision (experience) means.

Our mission team put a roof on a church and mixed concrete for the floor. The church was in a small village. The people of the village walked to another village every week to worship. The people wanted a church building of their own so that the old and the young could worship together in their own village. I feel happy that I was able to help meet that need. It was hard work. Concrete is mixed by pure muscle strength – sand, concrete mix and water – stirred shovel full after shovel full. We put much effort into building, but God will bless that effort with filling it with His presence year after year as the people come to worship and praise Him. What an honor it was to be a part of that process!

This was a total village project. The children were so excited to see our van pull into their village every day. Able bodied men came out to help with the work. The women prepared the lunch feast. It was a pretty simple meal compared to US standards but for them, they served us their best. I had to get out of my comfort zone in order to be a part of God’s work. I met people I would have never met unless I traveled to see them. I asked one of the local missionaries what the locals thought of us coming on these mission trips. He said, “They couldn’t believe we would leave paradise to come help them.” Do I think of my country as paradise? Nope but in their world, we live in such abundance – even the poor in this country have so much more than they do.

I am still wondering why God has blessed me as He has. Why am I so fortunate to live in paradise when others suffer so much? What is the new thing God is going to show me next? I will ponder until the revelation comes. What a wonderful God I serve!

And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”  Acts 10:19-21 (ESV)

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19 Jun 2013
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Calm in the Storm

In the last few weeks, God has been pressing upon me about suffering, about pain and about storms. I don’t know why yet, but He is preparing me for something. In the midst of these impressions, I experienced a tropical storm named Andrea. My family and I were at the beach for our annual vacation. For the last twenty-three years, we have gathered at the beach under one roof to enjoy a time together and have a restful (so to speak) vacation. I look forward to those trips. Each year has been a different experience, and this year proved just as different. We have never encountered such a storm at the beach.

I experienced another tropical storm in Houston years ago. There was massive flooding and winds rocked the hotel where I was staying. I really didn’t get the full effects of the storm since I didn’t really go outside during it. The storm I experienced at the beach was completely different. My nephews went out to the beach in the middle of the wind and rain to see the waves. I stayed at home in complete safety until the rain subsided, and the sun was shining. I went out at that point to walk the beach. The winds were still active, and the waves were in turmoil. I held my camera as steady as I could while I was snapping pictures of the waves, and the sea grass bending in the wind. It was an awesome sight. As I was walking along, I had the sense of the wind to my back pushing me forward. But when I turned around, the winds were against me, and I looked up to see a dark cloud before me. I had no idea the cloud was behind me as I was walking along, but the minute I turned around I knew I wasn’t going to make it back to the beach house without getting wet.

It wasn’t until I was back at my home and was contemplating what God was impressing upon me that I found a new perspective on the storms in life. In the midst of the tropical storm I was experiencing peace – whether in the house or out on the beach. I knew God was right there with me. There was no time in the storm that I felt afraid, even during the night when the wind and rain were beating against the house. Whatever God is impressing upon me about suffering, pain and storms whether it’s on the upcoming mission trip or whatever happens next, God is with me in it. He will never leave me in the storm, but will offer me a sense of His peace. My eyes have to be focused on the right thing – not on the waves and wind – but on Jesus in the midst of the storm. When Jesus calls me to cross a great divide, He will protect me to get me to the other side!

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. Luke 8:22-25

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