What has God "Set" in you?

I love to tell this story on myself, although this took place several years ago my prayer is that you'll see the value in the talent He has "Set" in you.

I'd been wanting a new cell phone so my husband and I went out and bought one. I was ecstatic about the great offer more minutes for the same amount of money I had been paying for my previous service, and no roaming charges! What a deal! However I had no idea when I walked out of the cellular store celebrating in my purchase, bag full of manuals, brochures and terms of contract in tote, that this new phone had many more capabilities than the I previously owned.

Not fully having total understanding on how this new phone operated  I set the phone on my desk, unable to take time at that point to go over the extensive directions. I figured I would just leave it there and wait until Rod and I could revel in my celebration, together! When I finally activated the phone and set up my voicemail and ringtones, I found myself at a crossroads. Should I brave the textbook-sized user manual? After all, my phone was turned on and functioning. I knew how to send and receive calls. What more did I need? I was good to go.

However, the salesman’s pitch about the numerous features my phone had still rang in my ears: “You've got caller ID, call waiting, free phone calls to other people in our network and so on” 

So, I peeled back the shrink-wrap from the owner’s manual and began to skim it. At first I was in awe. “Wow,” I thought. “I can send an email from my phone! And would you look at that, I can access the Internet…hmmm, it even has voice-activated dialing. I wonder what else this compact wonder can do?”

Soon, however, I was overwhelmed by the thought of trying to implement all the special functions. “Where would I begin?” I wondered. “I don't have a lot of time to fool around with all these settings, and I'm not very good at high-tech stuff.”  Feeling discouraged I gave up “I’m not going to be able to figure this out. I can just use the phone for normal calls and not worry about all this other stuff better yet have I’ll have Rod figure it out and then give me instructions.”

For several days I walked around in cell-phone ignorance, just moving my phone in and out of my purse, plugging it into the wall to recharge, answering and initiating calls. 

One day, on my way home from work, I realized  the way I was handling my cell phone is the way many Christians handle the gifts and talents God has given them. He invests so many “features” in us yet, like me with my cell phone, we don't take the time out to find out what they are and cultivate what He has placed in us.

Instead, we go in with a lack of knowledge, using only the features that are more obvious and easy to access. We fail to inquire all the “settings” that God has preset into us;  not only to bless Him but also to bless others.

Confession time:  I saw that I had left areas untouched because of fear of failure or busyness or just plain laziness. Like the man Jesus described who hid the talent his master gave him Matthew 25:18,26, 28, I too, had buried His investment in me rather than using it wisely so that it would bring Him a return.

Needless to say, this changed my way of thinking. I don’t want to receive the same response from God that the servant received from his master. The master called the man a “’wicked and lazy servant’” and took away the one talent he had given him.

Today I do have a new IPhone and I'm still finding new features available to me! May it be so in all our lives that we hunger after the Lord and truly seek to develop the gifts He has placed in us!

What has He "Set" in you?

My prayer is you will be determined for God to reveal the gifts He has set in you and pray for opportunities to develop and use them. Ask Him to help you resist settling for the norm and to instill in you a desire to dig into His reservoir of possibilities for your life. 

Thanks for stopping by “Today’s Word of Purpose” … and keep Him close to your heart!

Love Deb

Feathers, Feathers…and more Feathers!

When you picture a flying bird, it's not usually a chicken that comes to mind,  or is it? I've never seen a chicken described in flight....lots of eagles, but no chickens. 

We find in Isaiah 40:31 that scripture tells us..."they shall mount up with wings like eagles." There is a difference between being on His wings and being under His wings.

We also find in Psalm 91:4 it's not describing the flying wing but the sheltering wing. One indicates strength, while the other signifies protection. Can you imagine the warmth of a nest and the security of being under the wings of the nurturing love of a mother hen with chicks, it paints a clear picture of the sheltering wing of God's protection.
Let me ask this question, "Is everyone protected under the wings?" Psalm 91:4 says, "He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge."  It certainly sounds like it to me, although it's up to us to make that decision! We can seek refuge under His wings if we choose to. Imagine that..we have a choice!

There's a story that's been told that gives us a picture of what it means to seek refuge under His wings. The story goes like this:

A mother hen hatched a brood of baby chickens. One afternoon when they were scattered all over the yard, suddenly there was the shadow of a hawk overhead. The mother hen did not run to those little chicks and jump on top of them to try to cover them with her wings. Of course not....within her she knew the position she had to take in order to protect and secure the safety of her little chicks.

Instead, she squatted down, spread out her wings and began to cluck. And those little chickens, from every direction, came running to her to get under those outstretched wings. She then pulled her wings down tight, tucking every little chick safely under her. To get to those babies, the hawk would have to go through the mother.

Wait an amazing picture  we can see...likened as our Heavenly Father and His protection from harms way, towards us.

When I think of those baby chicks running to their mother, I realize it is under His wings that we  seek refuge….but we have to run to Him, first. "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall seek refuge." Those two little words will & shall  are strong words! It certainly is up to us! All that mother hen did was cluck and expand her wings to tell her chicks where to come.

Scripture also shows the maternal hovering side to His protection. "Jerusalem, Jerusalem … how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling," Matt. 23:37.NASB

Notice the contrast between God's willingness and our unwillingness: His wanting and our not willing to … His would against our would not. 

What an amazing analogy to show us that He offers protection that we don't accept!

It is interesting that Jesus uses the correlation of maternal love to demonstrate His attachment to us. There is certain fierceness to motherly love we cannot overlook. God is deeply committed to us…yet at the same time, we can reject His outstretched arms if we so choose. 

God's not running all over the place trying to cover us.Psalm 71:1 "I have made protection possible. You run to Me!"  And when we run to Him in faith, the enemy then has to go through God to get to us!  Wow…what a comforting scripture.

I'd like to leave you with yet another illustration that I read recently of God's protection: There was a man who  hijacked a car. The woman who was driving the car had been studying Psalm 91 at church, but in the trauma of the moment, she only remembered there was something about being under the protection of His wings, so she began to holler, 

"Feathers, Feathers!!"

 The assailant was so stunned by her reaction that he stopped in his tracks, turned on his heels, and fled for his life.

So the question we ask ourselves is how do we put this promise to work? Since we can't physically run to God, how do we seek His protection? As was illustrated by the analogy to the mother hen and her precious little chicks, how can we put this promise into practice in our own life, daily?  

We must first run to God, with our prayer life, by speaking to Him; we must run to God with our hearts to seek Him in His word; we must run to God with our faith....like those little chicks it was instinctive... they ran back to their mother to take cover under those feathers. 

When you feel the enemy soaring all around you...run...run fast towards your Heavenly Father who truly keeps His eyes on you.... no matter how far you may be...He will cover you under His feathers.... when you run to Him!

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Thanks for stopping by ‘Today’s Word of Purpose”.... and remember to keep Him close to your heart.

Love Deb

But remember this is not about me!

But remember this is not about me!

Today I fashioned in my heart that I was going to start “My Prayer Walk” and yes I’m going all by myself. I can’t wait to get going and have some very special time with the Lord. Oh and I’m sure He too is anxious to hear from me as well!  So I fashion myself with all my gid-up And then question myself should I wash my hair…or just put a hat on…are my hats clean…what if someone I know rounds the corner and recognizes that it’s me and I look like I just crawled out of bed…well…

But remember it’s not about me!

 It’s  amazing how many excuses you can come up with when you're doing something all by yourself.

I thought I don’t need to go outside when its cold; I can walk around my house and pray I don’t need to go for an actual walk, do I?  I mean what so different about going outside and walking when I can just do it right in the comfort of my own home…you think… really!? As I started with such great intentions I clearly found how distracted I became. I was not able to focus… not one bit...

But remember this is not about me!

I would walk from one room to the next with good intentions of just pressing through but then I would notice something that needed my attention, so of course you do what is automatic, you pick up clothes, put back grand kids toys, you tidy the bed, you see laundry you go out to the laundry room and you take out and you put in… now remember I’m praying…isn’t that why they call it, “A Prayer Walk?”

I walk out of one room into another and as I cross the threshold, really I’m praying…. Hardly recalling what I’m supposed to be praying about……and how hard can it be…. You’re just going in one room walking around and coming right back out….I answered my own question….it is hard… I get distracted?

But remember this is not about me!

I had to laugh at myself because I’m thinking well this didn’t accomplish much prayer except my house is clean and my laundry’s done....yes Lord I know that there’s a need to be prayed about…ok I’ll get out and start walking ..that’s it…I’m going…hang on I need to take my phone in case there’s an Emergency….what if my husband needs me or if my kids call or a friend…..then I contemplate should I put my earpiece on and hold my cell phone so as I’m walking and talking to the Lord flaying my arms and shaking my head,  I can only imagine what that might look like from a distance, it would look as if I’m on my cell phone?

But remember this is not about me!

This went on for a good 40 mins and I finally figured this is not going to work. My point is this, how am on concentrating on praying to the Lord?  Why is my concentration so bad?  Why couldn't I have just got up put on all my gizmo’s and head out the door?  Why have I allowed myself to be so distracted? Pretty simple questions wouldn't you say.

Then the thought interrupted me, boy is this how I communicate with my family?

Do I say to them I've got this really interesting story or thought and I want to share it with you and before I can even consider finishing a sentence or for that matter finish eating my dinner I'm off doing something else.

But remember it’s not about me.

How long to you suppose it would take till they said… “Whelp there she goes, is she coming back” …… “where did she go?”…. ”she was here a minute ago…..what she had to say seemed important, but I only got a portion of what she was saying...did it makes sense to you?”

Then you realize, opps, I just left my family, my friends, just hanging and scratching their heads. They've become accustomed to my behavior, of starting a statement and not finishing it because I’m up attending to this or that.

I have a friend who says to me “Aren't you supposed to be Mary? But your acting like Martha…stop it…you're so out of character”... we both laugh and  then, off I go!

I'm really trying hard to take off the Martha hat…busy busy busy…what am I so busy about? Not that Martha’s all that bad....there’s just a time and place for Martha.... I'm working on it!!

But remember it’s NOT about me!

I had 2 dogs, they were small Dachshunds, brothers Spankie and Stymie.  They love to be with me every waking moment. (Mind you mine were human; at least they thought they were) They'd sit by me, on my lap, lay by me, every move I’d make that’s where they wanted to be.

They would follow me everywhere I go, whether I’m in the house or outside they were right under my feet. Poor little guys they were just as busy as me!!!

There are times I would look around to see where they were in my busyness. I’d see Spankie right next to me trotting right along, then I realize Stymie had stopped dead in his tracks,  yet he still had his eye on me, he was good at waiting, waiting till I come back by, then he’d pick up where he left off.

                               Have I painted a picture for you today?

How busy are you? Are you busy but not accomplishing what you set out to do?

Do you find that you start out with the rightful desires and good intentions; yet you end up feeling like you've run a marathon with no end in sight?  And then you ask what am I accomplishing?

Did you tell the Lord… “Today is the day, I’m gonna make a change, I’m gonna let you be in charge. “I’m gonna start that project that you have been asking of me, “I’m gonna volunteer in the areas that you have been asking me to fulfill.”  And the list goes on….

But remember it’s not about me!

The Lord beckons us everyday to seek Him to have a relationship with Him to spend quiet time with Him, so we can hear His heart and do what is required of us.

Isaiah 50:4b says “He awakens Me morning by morning He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. The Lord has opened My ear and I was not rebellious Nor did I turn away.”

We need to lay aside all the stuff that seems so important to us to focus and rid ourselves of our distractions so He can give us His thoughts, pour out His love in us to allow Him to speak truths… to give us wisdom…. to give us power and strength so we are able  to share with others that we come across… in a day.

It so reminded me, today, that when I was about my business He was like my little Stymie, my dash hound, who I’m sure if he could have talked would have said “mommy when you’re done I’ll be here when you come back by, then I'll take up my position and move on with you.”

Don’t be so busy that when you look back you see and you realize your walking all alone, you've left Him sitting there just waiting till you return to pick up where you left off…..with Him!

How awesome is our God... how great is His love for us that even when we are doing our own thing, He always has His eyes on you and me.

Psalm 143:8  says….Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness’ in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.  

Remember, it’s not just about me!

Thanks for stopping by “Today’s Word of Purpose”and remember to keep Him close to your heart!
Love  Deb

"Oh come on....let me hear you holler, cry or maybe even a little shout "

This morning as I was spending some quiet time with no worries of answering  the phone or my many messages...I was truly in a place of quietness when out of nowhere this song came to me…”Shout to God with a voice of triumph.”

So I stopped my quietness found the scripture and felt compelled to expound… so here goes.

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! Psalm 47:1

Clap: To strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound, as in applauding.

We use our hands for various activities like applauding with one’s hands, shaking someones hand in a gesture of welcoming, or as an expression of delight, as seen in this scripture.  However the hands here are referring to in this scripture  that symbolizes predominantly power and strength.

Jesus used His hands often bringing healing and blessing and ultimately….. for redemption...no greater joy in this that you and I should…clap our hands! So clap with all your might. 

Shout:  The use of uttered sounds for auditory communication.

“Jubilate Deo”- from a Latin word meaning "shout for joy" or "Rejoice in the Lord."

We shout at games, at our children, hopefully in a good way, with a loud cry of joy for something they have done well.  We shout with excitement at wonderful events or at times of great distress.

Scripture often speaks of praise in terms of shouting, reflecting both the joy of the speaker and the greatness of God. The term shout has several synonyms, so if one of these fit...then be my guest…lift your voice!

Cry, call, yell, scream, holler, squall, utter and even let loose and I like this one… roar. You may even come up with your own way of expressing the word shout!

Also a person’s voice expresses a person’s character, thoughts and emotions, and attracts attention by its tone and volume so the sound of your voice should be a familiar voice to your family, husband, wife and friends yet it’s possible that it can be mistaken for someone else’s……However make no mistake… God knows your voice... He knows your name and even knows the very hairs on your head…..so go ahead…shout for joy!!!

Oh the sound of sweet victory that is heard from every camp that has won a battle. It means just this...you have accomplished something that you’ve been battling that has come against you and He has given you the power to overcome and to conquer it.Yes my friend... It’s time to celebrate!

And the children of Israel marched around the walls of Jericho and with a great shout; the wall of the city fell down flat. Joshua 6... yes I would say there was clapping and shouting going on in the camp of Joshua …So go ahead clap and shout! As my grandchildren say… “I double dog dare you!”

There was a medieval law requiring that all citizens shout as to “make an outcry”; within earshot, that would give chase to a fleeing criminal.

It is also said back in wartime troops would shout as they attacked their enemy. Boy sure reminds me of times that I have literally shouted to the enemy and his troops to flee.

If you're facing a battle know that as you release the clapping and the lifting of your voice to your creator ...it is guaranteed that victory is yours, at every hand!

So go ahead….express yourself as if you were attending a game or better yet in a game and your team has just won! For the Word says in Hebrews 12:1-3…we are in a race running to receive our crowns …so get your pep cheer going for He loves to witness your joy, love and praise to Him!

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,Revelation 19:1

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! Psalm 47:1....

..... and be encouraged to clap and shout it’s your time of victory... not defeat… even if you don't feel like it...go ahead, do it anyway you just may be surprised at what might happen next…. Thanks for stopping by “Today’s Word of Purpose”and remember to keep Him close to your heart.

 Love Deb

From Pain to Purpose

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" James 1:2-5

Yes I would call that verse… character building!!

God often allows pain to ignite purpose in our lives. And frankly sometimes without motivation, many of us would never fulfill the purposes  which God created us for. Often times  I call it… a mugging invasion…which attacks our life and creates a depth of pain….and in that… all we know to do is press into God with all our being.

Sometimes, our impulse at first is to alleviate the pain…praying, "Lord how fast can I get out from underneath this pain and this process."  

And we then find that we're heading into a second phase. 

And boy, when this happens we quickly find ourselves on our knees before Him not asking for relief but for endurance to make it to the end.  And thus, through this it begins to move us to a new and deeper relationship with God....with purpose.

It's amazing  how we then can discover things about ourselves that  never would have been discovered without this determination; and amazingly about God as well. Slowly, our heart changes from pain to loving obedience because there is a transitioning going on in our hearts and then to our minds. 

No longer do we seek God for deliverance from the pain; we seek His face.... and not His hand.

We then find ourselves moving into a new purpose and destiny for our lives because God separates us from the old life in this process. 

Many examples of  process with a purpose is shown to us in His word.  No doubt Joseph and Peter felt the pain of their individual crises. However, later they realized God's purposes in and through their crisis. Like Joseph, we are able to say, "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."  Genesis 50:20

Jesus found Himself in that secret place and there He, too, experienced His own soul being trouble yet His very words to His Father was…”But for this purpose I came to this hour”. We can't imagine the pain that Jesus was pertaining to, however when He spoke these very words,  He knew He had a purpose…a purpose destined for you and me.  John 12:27

It’s in that secret place…. that place that you may need to find yourself alone…shut ~in…with God that He may show you His purpose in your pain and your process!! 

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long however they produce for us a glory that hugely outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17

Today, let God move you from that…”place of pain”… to His…”place of purpose”...lacking nothing!

Thanks for stopping by “Today’s Word of Purpose” may your heart be encouraged that your joy WILL come in the morning…. and remember… to keep Him close to your heart!!

Love Deb

I felt a nudge in my heart....in that listening moment!

“Tell me,” Samuel said. “Does the Lord really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn't want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him." 1 Samuel 15:22

Consider this……Doing a gesture out of love allows the ability of your gift to grow stronger in them…. than in you.

So many times we ignore that still small voice that speaks to us when we're being asked to do something….hear me now…not told to do.... but asked to do…there’s a difference…. If a word is spoken; are we hearing or are we just listening?

Hearing is simply the act of perceiving sound by the ear. If you are not hearing-impaired, hearing simply happens. Listening, however, is something you consciously choose to do. Listening requires concentration so that your brain processes meaning from words and sentences; listening leads to understanding. And sometimes that in itself can be challenging at least for me...be honest!!

Most people tend to be "hard of listening" rather than "hard of hearing." A good question to ask yourself; How are you hearing so that you can listen?

We were given two ears but only one mouth, because listening is twice as hard as talking. Listening is an absolute necessary skill that reaches our hearts.

Many time’s I have missed the listening part of hearing and failed to be obedient...however I believe we all at one time or another are given many chances to redeem ourselves, so to speak.

Listening to God requires a deliberate choice to shut out the chaos around us and focus on our thoughts, no matter where we maybe in life or in a situation, on Him.

Sometime ago I was in the check out line at my local grocery store and in front of me was a young woman with her small children and as the checker pass each item through the scanner I observed this woman keeping an eye on the dollar amount that was questionable she would then interrupt the checker and quietly ask..." could you please remove that item and continue?"Her children seeing this, spoke up in a voice where she could hear them...”Mommy we need those items!” She simply answered  again softly…. “its ok we'll get it next time”, as not to bring any further commotion. 

She wasn't speaking in a loud obnoxious voice to gain attention in fact it was about as low as a whisper could be; yet with my supersonic ears… I could hear.  Oh I tried to look busy while thumbing through a magazine… looking at the candy bars on one shelf and at all the gum on the other, however I kept a watchful eye on her. 

After it was all said and done  in that listening  moment I felt a nudge in my heart to pay for her remaining items. You ask,  why  didn't I just pay for the items while she was still in the store…simply put, that was not God’s intentions! 

I believe He wanted to see if I was hearing or listening!  Immediately after the woman left, I told the checker please ring up her remaining order..quickly.. and send the box person out to give her her food she had forgotten. When the box boy came back in, he said she was surprised and told him, "I didn't pay for these".... and he answered her "I know but someone already paid the price, for you!!"

You see it’s was all about the listening and hearing..not about who did what for whom!!

Whether it’s paying it forward…..at a drive~thru…cleaning someone’s home unexpectedly…. taking out the neighbors garbage cans …making dinner for someone …or even baking a cake….it doesn't always have to be monetary things…..it’s all about… the difference between listening and hearing….and above all  the motive of our hearts.... oh that Christ may be revealed.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4

He is much more interested in your listening to Him than in your offering the fat of rams....Obedience is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22

Will you be a carrier of His presence?  Remember it’s not just about the hearing …but it’s also in the listening... as well.

Thanks for stopping by “Today’s Word of Purpose”..and remember to keep Him close to your heart!! 

 Love Deb

Thank You Notes

rooted and build up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7

Isn't it so much fun to receive a "Thank you note"? 

There are so many different types of "thank you notes” that have been designed. 

Many are simple and sweet... colorful and full of zest... stripes and polka dots... flowers and scenic landscapes... and so much more! 

And the best part of the note in itself is that it’s been written from the

                         “Thankful heart of the writer” 

A  Thank You note exclaims you are appreciated and you are noticed for, maybe,  something that you’ve done out of a heart of love or perhaps just because!

I am positive too that the receiver was thankful you took the time to write and express your heart.

Counting your blessings is a sure way to take your eyes off of the things that appear to be going wrong and focuses them on what is right. 

Giving a “Thank You note” I guarantee will bring a smile to the recipient’s face.  Their hearts will be moved by the simple expression of your thoughtfulness.

With the means today of :

                      Internet, FB, our IPhones

sending a “Thank you note” is almost extinct.

When was the last time you received a “Thank You note” from someone or for that matter when did you sent a “Thank You note” to someone?

Have you ever made a list of the things that you are thankful for?  You’d be amazed at how your mood or attitude begins to change. 

Don’t put off tomorrow what you should do today.

Everything that you have and are was given to you by a loving and generous Heavenly Father. So be thankful!

I write a “Thank You note” every day to my Heavenly Father! Pretty amazing to see what I’ve expressed to Him…and as I’ve reread them I wondered…What in the World was I thinking…but hey...I was sharing my heart  and somehow I don’t think He minded at all!

Just the mere fact that you are reading this at this moment indicates to me that God has given You life for today!  That's something to be so thankful for.

Maybe you’re one like myself who starts a list and I go go by and mark items on it…so let me suggest that you do the same with a “Thank You note.”

I encourage you to begin your list......

...........then write your "Thank You note"  to God! 

Or surprise someone, get started today and see the abundance of His great love and thankfulness being poured right out of your heart!

Psalm 100:4  says to......Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Thank Him... praise Him.

As a Pastor, some time ago, I suggested to the Women’s Ministry to begin their own “Thank You Notes” to the Lord, make it a point to get to it each day. Either write it in their journal’s or on something that they could keep, tuck it away and in 6 months they could look back and see the Thankfulness of their hearts expressed to their Heavenly Father.

It was liberating to hear what they shared and to see what God actually did for them during that time!

Inspiring!!!

So what are you waiting for?  Go ahead it will make your day!


Thanks YOU for stopping by today, I pray it sparked something in your heart!

Blessings

Debbie

Carry the day

My oldest granddaughter, Jordan came to stay with us for a few days and during that time she would go with me on my walks. She asked me why I came to this particular spot...I told her I can look over the valley and be at peace…..and hear from the Lord and also talk to Him as well. She was happy with the answer…..so we stood there for a few minutes then decided to move on. As we walked back home she started picking up rocks. She soooo LOVES rocks. There were so many different size and colors. She was in rock heaven…Her little pockets were stuffed and over flowing in addition her hands being full.  She asked if I wouldn’t mind helping her carry some back to the house, of course I said sure.

I asked her however, Jordan why don’t you just get a few and leave the rest behind. She simply answered…”well each one is special they have different colors and some are just really unusual and I can’t just leave them.”

 She wanted to inspect each one when we got home. She realized how heavy these small rocks became in her pocket. She said you know if you could somehow melt these together wouldn’t that be awesome…it would make one big rock with multiple colors! I said yes…it would be awesome…but each rock has its own significance and each one if put together fitted just right would make a pretty good foundation. So started the thought …the rock.

 We represent, by our confession the type of person on which the true church is built on.

The Rock….is what Jesus is referring to in Matt 16:18 “ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”…

 We as the representative apostle, disciples, leadership etc. are to be the foundation in the church…….Eph 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. Jesus also in the Word refers to Himself as the rock.

A rock is a symbol of strength and immovability a place where people in danger often look for refuge. God is depicted as the Rock of Israel, being the strength, security and deliverance for his people.

With that being said we really have no excuse not to be able to prevail against the things in our lives…. I chuckle because this season on The Biggest Loser is “No Excuses”…they’re working not only the outward appearance of no excuses but they too are dealing with all their inner excuses.
 There’s no excuse for us as believers…yes we are constantly barraged and seemly bombarded by the enemy and  honestly we too can be our own enemy….sometimes all he has to do is plant a little itty bitty seed and then we run amuck….flailing our arms and running in a mad circle....nowhere but into confusion and defeat!
 Christ has given to us a sure foundation, yet it’s up to us whether we continue to build on it or allow the foundation to become unsettled so there is a shifting, and cracking in the foundation?

Ask yourself this question…what’s prevailing against you?

Only you can allow that prevailing….yes there maybe obstacles, complications and difficulties in our lives that simply are not going to go away….but you have that choice to allow it to prevail over you or you to prevail against it, regardless of what you are experiencing!

I know firsthand…I have a daughter who was diagnosed with a rare incurable disease…by what the doctors say…. it’s not incurable….whether God heals her or if He chooses to do other things in her life, all we can do is move forward and prevail through it……and yet through all her pain everyday…..some days worse than others…..she prevails against…yes her and I meet together and we pray, praise and are thankful for her life and what God has promised to her, to me as her mother…but we are prevailing against it!

So no excuses… and Jesus said… “And on this rock I WILL build MY church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against…..whose the church?

Then conquer, overcome, get the better of it, win through it, be victorious……. Prevail!

Carry the day and win the day, to be successful; to win a competition, argument, etc. (Originally meaning to win a battle.)

In His Love

Debbie

He reflected His Father's Heart

Last Sunday started the walk of triumph and all the events leading up to this day and then Sunday the culmination of the result of His victory!

Praise Him they shouted, as He entered the city…as they in their naïvetés not having understanding that they too were fulfilling the scriptures, was handing over the Savior to the world. A man who walked in humble means, who then was raised the Son of God conquering death… “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 NKJV

Death seems so final...and yet to some, in that perspective, it is….to those who seem to have no hope……Yet I know of that great hope, the hope in Him that He reigns alive and well  to those who are believers in Christ,  who have the perceptive or understanding that the grave could not and did not hold or tie Him down,  there are no grave clothes that held or bound Christ…..it was the fireworks as seen at the end of a great event if I may be so bold  to describe my emotions, that has given us the eternal hope in Him. Now that’s exciting!

Just think we once had those grave clothes on….He has delivered us and given to us that same power that raised Him from the dead, that we too can overcome and conqueror the grave clothes.  What has been your grave cothes? Today, right this moment can be the time of your freedom, to walk in lack of restrictions!  To be liberated…yes it seems to be a sad day as we reflector the emotions of viewed movies that illustrated our Savior’s death. The brutality of it seems unbearable, even to watch….yet we know He took those strips and beatings for you and I…so we could be free, unrestrained and liberated.

 He reflected His Fathers heart and was then revealed the Son of God to those who stood and mocked Him. Can you imagine the powerful emotion said by the soldier that stood at His feet? “Truly this was the Son of God!”

I believe and am certain He has conquered every sickness, we sometimes think only of health sickness but there are so many other type of sicknesses that we have allowed to infiltrate our minds! What has been unhealthy for you … emotionally, physically or spiritually?

He has the keys to those demises that keep replaying over and over in your mind…. Let not the enemy steal from you, know you too have been given the keys and authority over death, it’s not our final stop! Know Christ as your Savior so you too can be renewed! It’s simple ask in Him into your heart denounce your sins and live for Him!

He reflected the heart of His Father who loved us so much that God revealed Himself in His Son!  Again I say to you…. “Oh death where is your sting and hell where is your victory for we have overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus!

He had no gravestones to say “Here lies Jesus”…His gravestone was removed to say “I am risen, I am risen indeed!”

Friday may be here…but Sunday’s coming!

Debbie

Roadblock  or  Detour

Definition of roadblock:

1. A barricade set up to prevent the escape or passage

 2. An obstruction in or across a road,  such as fallen rocks or trees.

3. Something, such as a situation or condition, which prevents further progress toward an accomplishment.

Definition of Detour:

1. A roundabout way or course, especially a road used temporarily instead of a main route.

2. A deviation from a direct course of action.

3. Bypass, Alternative route

Have you ever found yourself at a roadblock in life?  I can answer that with a yes….and sometimes it has been many roadblocks...they’ve not all been at once though at times it may have felt like it.

God will sometimes position roadblocks in front of you that call for your immediate decision to stop or go into another direction.  Some of the paths God will clearly mark out for you to follow, and others you'll have to choose direction according to what the Holy Spirit says.

 I’ve heard of people at railroad crossings who saw the red lights flashing, bells ringing, the train approaching, and still they attempted to race across the tracks.  Those fortunate enough to survive being slammed into and pushed hundreds of feet thought they could outrun the train. Even the littlest signal swaying back and forth at some crossings, if you’re not looking and paying attention, could find yourself in disasters way.

The same is true of people who drive around roadblocks set up during flooding.

 These people see the water running over the bridge, but the water appears low enough to go across safely. Halfway across, the vehicle stalls and they have to be pulled out by a rescue team. Or worse, the driver gets washed away.

How many times have you and I been so headstrong and plowed ahead ignoring all the visible signs to stop? If you disobey the Spirit’s leading, the odds of ending in failure are greater than the odds of ending in success.

When things aren’t working according to your plans, you must believe God has put the roadblock up for your own protection. Now you may be thinking, why hasn’t she brought into the equation, prayer, just read on! When you come to a roadblock there’s always a detour that allows you to take an alternative route.  Do you take the detour? A detour could be an interstate highway to your dream, as you will read Paul had. It’s not the end of the road; it’s a bend in the road.”

God desired for the children of Israel to leave Egypt and return home to the Promise Land.  After four hundred years of captivity, the time came when Pharaoh let God’s people leave Egypt.  Instead of God taking Israel the shortest way possible,(3 days) He took them through the wilderness before reaching the Promised Land (Exodus 13:17-18).

Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt so God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.

At this point Moses HAD to hear the voice of God to lead them in a detour.

This could have been a roadblock, for if they would have seen with their eyes/mind, at that point and made a decision not to go ahead and follow the detour, thus not making the right decision with their hearts to follow after God, they would have never made it to the Promised Land.  

Maybe the road of life you’re traveling seems to be off track a bit from your desired destination.It may even look like you are going in the wrong direction. However, do not be concerned when God takes you on His detours because you will always arrive at the correct location.

In another Biblical example, Paul and Silas were two men in the New Testament who traveled around preaching the gospel. Both of these men held true to the path of righteousness and went wherever the Lord guided them. On two occasions the Holy Spirit blocked them from going where they had planned.

Acts 16:6-10 tells us,

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them (the Holy Spirit blocked that route.) 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

I can just imagine the conversation between the two of them, can’t you? Why aren’t we following through, this is the shortest way for us to get to our destination and so forth. Do we not have those type of conversations with ourselves, with others and with God?

If Paul would have gone the way he and Silas were planning, God knows what could’ve happened.

Wisely, they chose to heed the leading of the Holy Spirit and because of their obedience, God revealed to Paul the correct path for them to follow. Paul knew the importance of making time to seek God in prayer.  I’m certain that he called out to the Lord and asked Him for confirmation on the next move to make.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do." (NLV)

It’s easy to become irritated with God when you hit a roadblock. And how unfair is that? It’s because we think we know what’s better, maybe? God only wants to keep you on the right path. He is not there to hinder you; He is there to assist you in knowing what avenue to take.

 Therefore, the next time you’re faced with a roadblock, turn to your personal tour guide, God, and He will direct you on the rest of your journey, by the Holy Spirit. Check your roadblocks are they self induced, or is God redirecting you.

Prayer is so important, however we shouldn’t forget it’s the person, not prayer, that God hears. He doesn’t answer prayer, He answers praying people.

Consequently your request to be heard in heaven becomes a person God listens to.

Are you at a roadblock today, have you been traveling so to speak on this journey and things have been going pretty well, you’ve mapped out your destination and then all of a sudden you see ahead lights flashing, cones in the road and someone standing waiting to speak to you regarding the furtherance of your journey? If so take time to Pause, Pray and Praise, be thankful that He is interested in you and loves you enough to direct you into a promised land, waiting ahead. It just may not be in the direction you’ve planned!

Thanks for stopping and observing the roadblock! It could mean a matter of a life changing event!

Debbie

Are looking at your circumstances’ and only glimpsing at God?

For the most part those who know me know that you can read me like a book…I cannot hide anything…my face or expressions tells it all… some would consider that being transparent…well maybe but without the words… I can tell you this, that I have always been one to be transparent. Why, because I believe our life experiences can always help someone who is facing a similar situation or circumstance in a person’s life. Look at the great examples of people in the Word of God.

So I'm going to be a bit transparent today!

As I look back over the last several years, there have been times where it has seemed so incredibly terrifying… and I had been moved by my circumstances and felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. feeling and thinking that I was not  going to ever move around or through my circumstances…even as a believer…what a lie I fell into…there were times I couldn't eat…sleep….or function in a manner that was pleasing to others let alone my Heavenly Father. Yes at those desperate times… I  LOOKED at my circumstances and only GLIMSPED at my heavenly Father….

I was overwhelmed…. wringing my hands, sweat with worry, sleepless nights. Yet,  I felt  however at the time I was demonstrating the epitome of a strong believer… but I confess… on the inside I was not...at least I felt that way…I was  supposed to be that someone who had it all together, who had answers for people who asked for help,  boy who was I kidding?  

I know we all at one time or another have been in situations where we couldn’t put one foot in front of the other, asking ourselves where our next meal was coming from...how we’re going to pay our overdue bills, who’s going to help with the medical bills that are delinquent and the list goes on and on…and during these times one can sense they are drowning and we consistently ask why is this happening to me and I see no way out? And if you're saying to yourself, I’ve never said that or experienced that….well then I admire you. I just know that in all my years of ministry….there have been those times.
Sometimes it can be bad choices and sometimes it’s just because bad things happen to good people…and we have to determine in our hearts…where am I going to stand in all this? I know in Ecc 8:14 speaks of it raining on the just and unjust alike…. was I going to sit in a puddle or be drowning in the torrent of rain….was I in self-doubt feeling sorry for myself or stand in faith that He was going to work these things out work and work them out for my good and for His glory?

Yet through it all, He remained faithful to me and that His love for me remained unwavering, unconditional…..

I believe there is someone somewhere right this very moment that is going through some very difficult circumstances.  Life seems to have overtaken you and your situation seems insurmountable.  Don’t look at your circumstances or situation and only glimpse at your Heavenly Father who loves and cares for you.

 When we begin to look at the overwhelming circumstances it presents itself with an overwhelming defeatable emotion… Elijah was a great prophet that God used in many ways as you study the Word in 1 Kings 19.

Elijah was challenged and God demonstrated His power over Baal, and Jezebel who was wicked in her heart spoke A (few) words and sent a messenger to kill Elijah and those words transferred fear into his heart , so Elijah fled, ran in terror. He LOOKED at his circumstance and only glimpsed at God!  But you will soon find the amazing thing God did for Elijah.

 God’s revelation to Elijah spoke to Elijah circumstance in his life and told Elijah to go out and stand on the mountain and behold the Lord, as He passed by.  

God is so merciful towards His people and He doesn't always do things the same for every person as you find in 1 Kings 19. He didn’t do the same for Elijah as He did for Moses...yet the Lord presented a way of escape…Elijah retorted with self-pity but God responded with gentleness and He gently pulled him, Elijah,  from his despair and gave him 3 assignments and assured him He was not alone! 

read for yourself and see what God did for Elijah…Then Elijah revealed his heart towards God and realized that by glimpsing at his circumstances and looking to God He was able to fulfill the call on not only his own but also in someone else’s life. So you see it’s not always about us…He is using your situation to speak into others.

When we only glimpse at God we can be moved with the mind of doubt/fear  and be convinced that nothing can be done…don’t look and be fixed with your natural eye …remember, He has all power over every circumstance in every situation.

Do Him a favor and take a good looonnng look at Him and only glimpse at your circumstances!  And yes He made a way of escape and it was right in front of me all the time….I just needed to LOOK to Him!

Let me leave you with the definition of Looking and Glimpsing,

Looking: Observing, watching, beholding, considering, staring.

Glimpsing: Catch sight of, glance at, peek at, hint.

Know this one important thing, He is always LOOKING at us….and aren’t you glad?

He is so faithful to us all no matter your circumstances!!
Thanks for taking the time to read this today, I know He spoke to someone's heart!