…its about a creative journey of faith
There are no two the same in my Kingdom. There is none like you. Trust yourself and trust what we are doing in you. We will not let you fall. Just stay close to us. Do not let darkness overtake you. Be the LIGHT.
…whispers from above – we never walk alone!
I heard from mom my phone wasn’t receiving messages. It was great to listen to some of them again. An artist/singer friend called with her husband to leave a Happy Birthday song! That one stays in the save list for smiles through the year.
Another was from a woman I met last April who was at the end of hope…it was the majority of her years. In some ways I barged into her life. She did all she could to push me away. I’m smiling as I remember some of the tense moments and even my talk with God later, “Do you really need me around this negative person?”
She asked me not to get involved in her life unless I was going to really be there. I was very honest to say, “I don’t know how long I’ll be around but I would like to walk with you while I can.” We found some good footing and even better, she found some hope in Jesus.
There is so much to her story I don’t know but I clearly saw God’s hand reaching out to her with great possibilities if she would press in to His goodness. She did! She was baptized and in love with Jesus. As a teen she felt a calling to ministry so finally, 30 years later, she signed up for ministry classes.
My friend went to be with Jesus in November and its so sweet to think of her out of physical and mental pain and getting tutored direct! I was remembering her after hearing the message and painting another beach scene…she loved the beach.
Questions I’m pondering and maybe you will too…
How many of those around me will be able to run to the arms of Jesus?
What am I doing to reach OUT instead of just invite IN?
Where can I get to know those who don’t yet believe?
Are there “Christians” around me who don’t really know the fullness His love?
Thank you Lord that You direct our steps – guide us to those we need to touch for You. Prepare their hearts and help us break down those walls of separation. Let us not just smile and wave but truly share the love of Jesus with them. It’s the best thing in this world!! Amen
Sometimes it’s simple things that speak loudly. Just after looking at a recipe, I heard a POP and knew it was something in the fridge. My imagination did not prepare me. The biscuit tube I had thought to use, was overflowing its diagonal lines…
How often are your hopes and ideas bursting before you get to them?
Do they seem useless, finished and better forgotten?
Do you ponder the fullness of God’s word and the depth of His promises or wait for it to burst out in revelation?
Think of Joseph, David, Ruth… They didn’t seem to have much to hope for anymore. The things God showed them seemed to expire, then SUDDENLY… life shifted!!
God loves the impossible! Nothing is too hard for Him! What seems impossible with man, is always possible to God!
Don’t give up on those dreams. Don’t stop those prayers. Be open to God giving them in an even bigger way than you could imagine, because He loves to outdo even our most creative thoughts!
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 MSG
Maybe our ideas have been too small, our prayers a bit wimpy and our hopes past their expiration date – BUT GOD – He is not small, wimpy or late!!! He is faithful!!!!
We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don’t yet have—for a man who already has something doesn’t need to hope and trust that he will get it. Romans 8:24 TLB
I pray you will see even more of God’s blessings and favor as you continue to HOPE and DREAM of even bigger things with Him!
Today it was the memory of this painting capturing my attention and speaking of the rest and shelter that is found with the Lord. I am so happy it found a special home.
Many years ago a friend suggested to read Psalm 91. I did…over and over and over. This summer included an extended time of Psalm 23. It will never be a funeral Psalm to me again – it is so filled with promise and hope! Recently includes a return to Ephesians which is filled with wonder…
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 NLT
Always new things to discover and knowing God’s word helps us to know Him.
How are we to have the mind of Christ unless we seek to know His ways?
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Ephesians 1:11-14 MSG
I pray you will find a book, chapter or verse that will be a resting and launching place for you in this coming year – or month – or week. One that touches you deeply and brings you closer to His heart.
Tis the season of giving and honoring others. God is the most generous person and wants to honor His children. Think about these GIFTS (statements of His truth) given to you. If any of them feel a bit uncomfortable, look into the scriptures and ask the Lord to reveal His heart to you about that area.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
WE ARE REDEEMED
WE ARE GIVEN NEW LIFE
WE ARE BLESSED
WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS
WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST
WE ARE CO-HEIRS WITH CHRIST
WE ARE SEATED WITH CHRIST IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS
WE ARE GIVEN AUTHORITY TO TRAMPLE ON SNAKES AND SCORPIONS
WE HAVE ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS
WE ARE BLESSED WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING
These aren’t just simple gifts given because we’re Christians; they are part of our calling as believers in Jesus Christ and they came at great cost.
Jesus first had to give up all of His heavenly power and authority to be born of a virgin and then cry, nurse, grow up and mature just like us. He came as Son of God and Son of Man separating the chasm that was created in the garden. Then the bigger cost of the crucifixion. We have these gifts because of His many sacrifices and the following triumph on the cross. They are imparted to us through our belief in Christ. This isn’t just so we can live a happy go lucky life on earth but so we would continue His work. (That can bring even more discussion.)
To bring Kingdom and God’s will on this earth as it is in heaven. (Matt 6) Some of our heavenly inheritance is for now, some we must continue to grow into with the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23), like Jesus, growing in stature and favor with God and man (Luke 2:52), being conformed into His image (Rom 8:29), going from glory to glory.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 2 Cor 3:18
These thoughts on obstacles came when someone requested prayer for their obstacles be removed. I didn’t ask and don’t know what those are but the Holy Spirit sure is giving me some wisdom through it!
Thank you Lord.
If a road is under construction – should the ROAD CLOSED sign be removed?
Sometimes that obstacle is saving us from going in a direction we should not be. Isaiah 30 shares a great picture of this. Worldly wisdom is definitely not the same as heavenly ways.
Maybe our obstacles are from thinking its all about us when it’s really all about Him.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21
Thank you Lord that we are a work in process – we’re taking shape, being pruned, growing strong, branching out and can come to You with any obstacle we are facing. Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding us into all truth and giving wisdom freely on if we are supposed to remove an obstacle OR learn something as we wait to proceed. Guide us so our own beliefs are aligned with Your truth and Your ways. Thank you for peace in the process as we remain open to Your leading. There is so much more that You have for us as we seek Your Kingdom – on earth as it is in heaven. Amen
This word brought more than I could “fathom”.
Do you feel earthly life should have no obstacles?
Can Christ followers expect an easier life?
Are some obstacles acceptable?
As I study the Word, I see how my view of life on this earth has been in error. As I minister to and walk with hurting and stuck people, I recognize places I am still there too. I return to repent and seek His wisdom and revelation.
Thankfully He is generous through the Bible and sharing when we listen!
Yes, His Word does say we will do immeasurably more… Eph 3:20
But I also read those verses many glance past…
In this world you will have trouble… John 16:33
You are blessed when you are persecuted… Matthew 5:11
Count it all joy when you face trials… James 1:2
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16
God gives wisdom generously. His answers are the only ones that will bring the peace needed when the obstacles seem too large. Ask – seek – knock…
One of my friend’s favorite sayings is,
“God is doing a new thing!”
After hearing this many times and knowing it was part of a verse, I looked it up and committed more if it to my memory bank.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
And then you start to notice same and very similar words are used in many more places. God has always been making something out of nothing, bringing life where there was death and flowing water even from rocks. Nothing is too hard for Him. He loves the impossible, the improbable and taking the foolish things to confound the wise. And many days – I’m confounded in ways that bring me even more AWE and WONDER at His great creativity!!
The Message version is fabulous here – verses 16-21
This is what God says,
the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
they lie down and then can’t get up;
they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
—the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
the people I made especially for myself,
a people custom-made to praise me.
I pray even this week, you will see God making a way where there seems no way and will recognize His hand at work in your life and relationships. He is so very generous and loves to give good gifts to His children!
Seasons are changing and bringing me to a place of comparison/contemplation of what was and what will be. I do understand the timing and reasons to focus on political political things but we won’t find the best answers through the media….
Seasons change, people change, cultures change, stories change…
If we are looking for stability, truth, peace and direction – we won’t find it in things or people of this world.
There is only ONE we can rely on as a constant in our lives. God does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17), He is faithful, just, true.
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
I have received a command to bless;
he has blessed, and I cannot change it.
Numbers 23:19-20
I do love to dig into Ephesians… Paul shares such a passion – a heart truly “rooted and grounded in love” for ALL. We know his story now but imagine how he felt along the way.
“Who am I to reach these people?”
Who are we not too!
We (meaning self on many days) seem to prefer the company of those we can relate to; with the same ideals, morals, beliefs. We are supposed to be engaged with “the church” but it wasn’t to exclude people but to REACH OUT to them as we are “being the church.”
Our light source should be more how we can serve God’s purposes on this earth than how we can do something comfortable with ease.
The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I’ve been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board.
This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God’s way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
Ephesians 3:6-7
Help us ALL to see outside ourselves Lord. To REACH out past our comfort zones and safety nets and let the many gifts You have put in us be stretched, used and celebrated as we share Your Light.
It's not really about me... 