Suddenly Moments

What do you do when you are having a bad day? Do you ever just worship God? Give thanks, glory or praise? Understandably being the humans that we are—this is not always our default reaction.

But I want to challenge you to step out of your normal default box and into the realm of suddenly moments—that result in God shaking our life to its very core and bringing about change.

I heard an amazing message—totally worth repeating—on Acts 16. Follow along with me as I reiterate what was happening and how God—our Knight in shining armor suddenly comes to save the day.

Paul and Silas, in the will of God—directed by Him—went to Macedonia. As they were lingering in Philippi, they met a God-fearing woman named Lydia who on hearing the Word of the Lord believed with all her heart, as a result she and her household were baptized and insisted the men stay at their home. At this point all is going well, Paul’s preaching—God’s moving and they are invited to stay and be cared for, in a rather nice place. Acts 16:6-15

One day on the way to prayer a demon possessed psychic, slave girl, started following them around, drawing attention to them by yelling out “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!”

Paul, not wanting to be in agreement with her or to be identified as being with her, ignored her for a few days then finally when too annoyed he cast the demon out of her. The slave girl was suddenly free and her owners very upset—their lucrative little business had come to an end. Consequently, Paul and Silas were dragged into the market place—they were lied about and accused, causing the crowd to turn into an angry gang. Their clothes were torn off and they were ordered to be severely beaten and thrown into prison, under high security wearing leg irons.  Acts 16:16-24

Paul and Silas—bloody and beaten, sit chained in prison. Would you say they were having a bad day? Absolutely!

What did they do? Did they accuse God of unfaithfulness by whining and complaining?

No—just the opposite! Paul and Silas were found praying and worshipping.

What would you do?

I love how Paul and Silas handled the situation! Their default heart and soul reaction was to pray and worship God—in doing so they were giving thanks.

I pray our default heart reaction would be to silence the mouth of the accuser and give thanks by worshipping God.

How? Why? Because the truth is—He is always good. We must train our heart and soul to worship and give thanks according to truth—not circumstance.

This is when the suddenly moments of God’s faithfulness rule our life.

What happens next in Acts 16:25-26 is the cry of our heart.

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! Paul and Silas’ worship caused God to shake the very foundations and set the prisoners free—the scripture says immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Not just our own freedom from the prisons we find ourselves in—occurs when we worship, but freedom for others as well.

I don’t know about you but I need and want God to suddenly shake the foundation of various situations in my life and in the life of those I love and care about.

This Word from the book of Acts has brought fresh understanding to the scripture in 2 Thessalonians 5:18

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Please be encouraged to grab ahold of and own this concept. Worship God, giving Him thanks in every situation—lifting our eyes from life and circumstances to the God of the impossible—the One who can suddenly shake any situation and change the landscape of impossible surroundings.

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Avoiding Relationship Failure

Relationships come in many shapes and sizes. From intensely deep to causal. No matter the relationship—the concept of preferring one another always applies.

This morning as I was preparing a word for a friend whose marring later today, the Lord dropped the word preference into my heart, along with Romans 12:10,

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Following is a re-post of a blog written about this time last year. This concept is timeless. Please—enjoy and apply!

Just the other day, I had a great conversation with a young bride to be. I was reminded of an amazing concept the Lord deposited in my heart years ago regarding relationships.

This approach to relationships is especially ideal when it comes to marriage.

Before I share this amazing secret with you, let me ask you a question. What do you think is the leading cause of any relationship malfunction and divorce?

Granted, I’m no expert but what God has shown me, is that selfishness and pride are the number one culprits of relationship failure.

I call it, “The Me factor.”

The secret  to relationships is “Preference.” Defined as: to value more highly, to hold before or above; and to give priority to.

Our example is found in Jesus. At the cross He preferred you and me. He knew it would be a brutal endeavor to go through, yet He chose God’s will over His. (Luke 22:42)

The concept unfolds as this—if each person in the relationship/marriage prefers and thinks more highly of the other, caring for the needs of the other person over their own needs, then all needs will be met.

Living a life of preference takes the focus off of our self; what I want—what I need and puts the emphasis on the other person in the relationship. We move out of the selfishness of concentrating on our own wants, needs and desires and tune into what will bless the other person.

Is this an easy way to live? No.

Why? Because in order to be like Jesus we must die daily—we must decrease so He can increase.

The fear to this lifestyle is; what if the other person in the relationship doesn’t want to live a preferring life style? What about Me? How will my needs be met?

Valid concern. The answer—Jesus.

Since He really is, the only one who should or could, complete, fulfill or meet our needs—then He is the answer.

This was a difficult concept to grasp, mainly because it opposed my flesh. But once I submitted to the Lord in this—it changed my life, not to mention all my relationships!

In my marriage I stopped choking the life out of my husband trying to get him to meet my every need. Essentially I discovered that Jesus really is enough for me.

This concept brings freedom. It frees you to go deeper in relationship with God, making Him all you need. It frees you to love others, love your spouse, parents, children and siblings without putting the heavy burden of meeting your needs on them. Basically you are free to love without unreasonable expectations on either party.

I have found such joy and depth in my relationship with God since He asked me to live life in this manner of preference.

I invite you to go deeper. To relinquish your wants, needs and desires to God and let Him be “The One” to complete you. You seriously won’t be sorry—just free. Free to love and be loved!

God Decides How Much We Can Handle

Do you ever get the idea that God believes in you—more than you believe in yourself? Regularly, right? Well for me, it seems I have this revelation quite often.

The first time I caught a glimpse of this truth—was at age 24. I was in the middle of heartbreak—dealing with marriage issues, when my brother tragically died. I went to my Pastor and talked to Him about my heartaches. I vividly remember telling him I couldn’t handle one more hard thing in life. I asked Him about a scripture I thought I had heard that said God would not give us more than we could handle.

“But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

My pastor and I talked about the scripture and prayed. I recall leaving his office feeling a little lighter—everything was going to be okay—God was not going to give me any more than I could handle.

What I didn’t realize was that I’m not the one who decides how much I can handle—God is.

Within a couple of months after my conversation with my pastor—my two year old daughter suddenly died.

Wow—God knew I could endure way more than I ever thought.

I have come to the realization that God has faith in me. Not just a little faith either, He has an abundant amount of faith in me—and you.

God believes I can do the impossible—sometimes I try to tell Him that I can’t do the things He’s asking or expecting from me, but He doesn’t listen and just keeps believing. Continually allowing me to face life circumstances that I would—in and of myself—cower from.

I say “God—I can’t.” He says “I know you can’t—in your own strength—but in Me—you can.” Then I say, “How” He says, “Abide in Me and let Me be your strength.”  “Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you” “Hide under the shadow of My wing, make Me your dwelling place”  “Don’t look to the left or to the right just set your focus on Me”

Sounds easy enough, but the reality is—its not easy at all. But I do have to admit it has gotten easier over the years. It’s not easy because of one small component—self-will. Once we learn to relinquish our self-will, trusting God becomes a lot easier. Once I stopped being lord over my own life—it all changed.

I’m working whole heartedly on consuming and living this truth—that if GOD be for me, NO ONE could be against me.

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

That’s such a bold statement! No one—can be against me or you!  Not death? Cancer? Jail? Heartache? Sickness? The world? Bad guys? My past? Nay-sayers? Betrayal? Lies? No one? NO ONE!

If God has faith in us and says we can do, or face the impossible—then guess what?  We can do and face the impossible. Our strength comes from Him—as we draw near to Him, abiding under the shadow of His wing, keeping strict focus on Him—we can do the impossible—even overcome our own self-will.

Please be encouraged knowing that when—not if—God asks the impossible of you—the only way you can fail is to disobey.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

“For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint,
and I know that I will not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:7

Marry a Prostitute?

I’m engulfed in an amazing novel titled Redeeming Love. It’s a work of fiction based on the true account of Hosea in the Bible.

The book of Hosea is about God’s restorative love for His people and the unique method He chose to reveal it. Essentially it’s a prophetic statement—God told Hosea to marry a prostitute. He doesn’t argue with God, but I wonder what he was thinking?

It was a harsh demonstration of loving the unlovely.

God wanted His people to know how much he loved and cared for them, that they were His beloved. He wanted to be known not as master, but as a loving husband. A loving husband that unconditionally loves His beloved, no matter the state of her heart and life.

As I’m reading this novel I’m praying and putting myself in two places, one—as the prostitute herself (Gomer in the Bible and Angel in the book) and two—as Michael Hosea, the man who loves the hurting, miserable prostitute.

Honestly, I can relate to both. Not that I’ve ever prostituted (thank God!) But in her, I see the person I used to be, one who self protects and is afraid to dream or imagine anything different for her life. A wounded person petrified of true love.

Sadly, I also see the person I am now. One who has experienced God’s immeasurable, healing, redeeming love—yet still hesitates—at times—to surrender my whole heart and soul in complete submission—for fear of pain.

I can relate to the man in this because He represents God. Scripture says to imitate God in all we do. I want to patiently love as He does. Even when the person you’re trying to love and help; can’t receive or won’t reciprocate, even if that person hurts you. Loving the unloveable is what Hosea did as he prophetically demonstrated how God loves us.

It’s interesting how the two personalities in the books, though they be so opposite, relate to each other. In order to love as God does, we have to experience it for ourselves. We must allow this unconditional love to penetrate our very heart and soul, therefore bring change to the way we give and receive love.

At some point in our life we have to surrender to God’s love and learn to walk in obedience. Knowing, His ways are much better than ours. Unfortunately,  some will wait so long that it will be too late.

How do we surrender when we can’t trust love? Surrendering is an act of the will. You—will yourself—over to love and relationship, as painful as it may be—you choose love.

You will yourself to believe that God’s love is good and trustworthy. His love is evident in all He does, just read the book of Hosea…the book of John…all the books in the Bible! For God so loved the world, even though the world didn’t love Him, He gave Jesus.

I want to leave you with a quote from the book Redeeming Love. It’s found at the top of chapter 7, it’s a quote from a poem written in the 1400’s, by Charles D’Orleans.

I am dying of thirst by the side of a fountain

This appropriately describes a hurting person. Though they sit right next to The Fountain, they will die, for they refuse to drink.

Be encouraged—surrender to love—so you can be love.

Hosea 10:12  “Sow for yourselves according to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God); reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, to inquire for and of Him, and to require His favor, till He comes and teaches you righteousness and rains His righteous gift of salvation upon you.”

Whose Reflection is That?

I just saw the movie Mirror Mirror, in this interesting film the wicked queen looks in the mirror and recites the familiar words that we’ve all grown up on “Mirror mirror on the wall, who is  the fairest of them all?” When the evil queen looks in, the reflection is quite different from what she truly looks like. In the mirror is a much younger, flawless looking woman.

Can this be true of our self? When we look in, are we deceived? Do we see who we think we are? Or do we see who God says we are? Maybe we even see who the enemy accuses us of being.

I’m hard on myself both naturally and spiritually. When I look in, I see flaws. When I look in the mirror of God’s Word it’s a different story. Not only do I see His faithful, flawless love but I see the changes I need to make in my life. When I look further, I discover the grace I need to make those changes.

Amongst the countless treasures, I have ascertained mercy and forgiveness—confidence and truth—discernment and direction. Most importantly when looking into the mirror of God’s Word, I find genuine relationship.

Below is a post from December about the mirror of God’s Word, it didn’t really have many reads. As I reread it today, my thoughts were “This needs to be re-posted!” It’s a short but powerful message!

I encourage you to read it and pass it on.

Mirror

Looking in the mirror, have you ever seen anything that needs fixing? Disheveled hair or clothing, something in your teeth or nose? Do you just walk away and do nothing to change your appearance?

As we stare into the mirror of God’s Word, the reflection we gaze upon should distinctly resemble Jesus. The Bible is meant to be a place of reflection, where we view and examine ourselves.

James 1:22 says

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

When the mirror of God’s Word is just heard and not heeded, we are that person who looks in and sees what needs to be changed, but walks away unaffected—hearers only, therefore deceived.

The Word is alive and active. Whether we read it, hear it preached or talked about from a friend, the Word must be given the  posture of effectiveness in our life. We cannot just browse God’s Word, looking for the “Bless me” scriptures. No, we must read and heed all of it—being responsible for what we read and know.

As we gaze at His reflection we are to measure our own moral qualities and behavior to His, allowing the power of the Word to mold us into His likeness.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 communicates this,

“Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

As we yield to the Word, becoming hearers and doers, our veil is removed—allowing the Spirit of God to bring freedom to our lives.

The benefits of being hearers and doers of the Word are that  in the reflection, we behold the glory of God; and we don’t just behold it, but are transformed by it—changed by His glory into the same image we see in the mirror—His. What an amazing exchange for those who choose to do God’s Word!

Be encouraged to be a hearer and a doer of the Word of God, reflecting and projecting His beauty.

 “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.” Ephesians 5:1

Not Ordinary

Mary the mother of Jesus was just a simple ordinary person with an everyday life—just like you and me. But was she really—simple, ordinary, average? Are you? Maybe in the worlds eyes, but not so in God’s.

I’ve been looking through the archives of my blogs for something to repost while I’m on vacation and stopped at these three very short blogs about Mary. I am always captivated by the way God used her. It gives me hope, that God would use me to do the impossible!

I combined all three with the scripture reference at the end. Read and enjoy. Marvel at how God used Mary and dream of the possibilities of how He will use you!

Blog One:  When the angel spoke to Mary informing her that she would conceive a child, she responded in wonder. How could this happen, since she had never been with a man?

The angel told her “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.”

Basically what happened to Mary was the Holy Spirit overshadowed her and impregnated her with Jesus.

Everyone, no matter our relationship with God, can know Him more—know Him deeper still.

I want to encourage you to invite God Most High to come upon you—allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to overshadow you. Allow Him to implant yet another degree of Jesus—the gift of love and life in you.

Blog Two:  The angel greets Mary, telling her “Rejoice highly favored one.” Then in response to her alarm he says to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Next he enlightens her;  she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit overshadowing her and bring forth a son who will reign and be called the Son of God. And that’s not all, he relays the message that her relative who is well past child bearing age has conceived as well.

She was just informed of impossibilities. In the natural we would see these as nothing but impossible—but in the supernatural we can view any impossibility as possible.

I love thinking about Mary. At this point in her life she’s a young, unmarried virgin, being told she is going to be the mother of Jesus, Savior of the world. What was she thinking? Did she view the angel’s words as impossible? Or did God choose her because she had deep unwavering faith?

Mary found favor with God. His eye was on her, He chose her; bestowing on her the highest honor given to a human being. Jesus the Son of God would take residence in her womb. She would give birth to, nurture and raise God’s very own Son. It was unprecedented. How could this be possible?

Gabriel the angel assures her, “With God nothing will be impossible.”

Everyday the Holy Spirit of God wants to fill our human heart and rule our human soul. Everyday God asks us to do the impossible.

When He looks to us, what will He find? Will He find deep unwavering faith as He found in Mary?

Everyday God wants us to conceive or give birth to a miracle in our life, will we say it’s impossible? Or will we believe the angel’s words—”With God nothing is impossible”

Mary’s impossible was first: not to be afraid. Second: realize she was favored by God. Third: understand that no matter how controversal or difficult her situation got, God was bestowing a gift on her. And last but not least she had to exercise her faith and believe God—the One who loved her—the One whom she loved and trusted—to do the impossible for her—not just for a day but for a life time.

What impossibility are you facing? What does God want you to conceive or give birth to?

No matter your circumstance, remember:

*Do not be afraid
*You are favored by God
*God has gifted you
*Exercise your faith—believe God—the One who loves you—the one who you trust and love—to do the impossible for you!

For with God nothing will be impossible!

Blog Three:  Gabriel’s eloquent words unfold before Mary, painting for her a picture of God’s beautifully detailed, master plan. A designed arrangement that embraced her world. Plans foretold long before she ever took her first breath. Plans that would rearrange her life forever.

How did Mary respond?

How would you respond?

Her response causes my heart to marvel—yearning for the same simple trust and pure faith in God.

Savor the words of a selfless girl…“Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

Mary responded with a sincere, yes Lord. Let your will be done in me as You desire. No reasoning just, yes Lord.

Let us carry the humble posture of Mary the Mother of our Savior. May the same sweet words be on our heart as well as our lips…yes Lord…”Let it be to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:26-38 “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women! ”But when she saw him she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”