Sovereign answers

But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;

they have turned aside and gone away.

They do not say in their hearts,

‘Let us fear the Lord our God,

who gives the rain in its season,

the autumn rain and the spring rain,

and keeps for us

the weeks appointed for the harvest.’

(Jeremiah 5:23-24)

Carter was probably three years old when he had his first true temper tantrum. Keith was gone to work and after a full morning of play followed by lunch, I told him it was time to lay down for a nap. He immediately proceeded to throw himself on the floor - wildly flinging his arms and legs while screaming at his loudest tenor, while I tried to pick him up. I still vividly remember how surprised I was and how much it hurt my heart to see this behavior over something as simple as "let's take a nap". 

As I look back on my own life, I can see these same types of tantrum's that I've had with my Heavenly Father. You know, when...

• When He makes me wait longer than what I would like before answering my prayer.

• When He doesn't answer in the way that I wanted or expected.

• When He just says "no".

Yet, I often look back and shake my head at my stubborn and rebellious heart. It's funny how quickly I forget that God always knows what's best. His answers always prove to serve me more effectively than anything I could ever conjure up. His answers always produce my optimal personal growth and maturity, despite my knee-jerk tantrums. 

As always, Carter woke up that day from his nap feeling refreshed, energized, and happy, and I reminded him "momma was right...you needed that nap"!  

In the same way, I often find myself looking back and seeing God's goodness through His sovereign answers to my prayers despite what I thought I wanted or needed.  Interestingly, I've not yet seen my Heavenly Father find the need to say "I told you so" as I do with my children - or anyone else that challenges me, for that matter. 

Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy despite my stubborn ways. Thank you for your Word that gently reminds me:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts."

May You be glorified and I be humbled, as I submit myself to You and Your sovereign answers to my prayers. It's in Jesus matchless name I ask these things, Amen.

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The hand of the Lord is powerful

I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me...(Ezra 7:28b).

All throughout the Bible prophets, leaders and priests, declared this truth. "I took courage for the hand of the Lord my God was on me..." What a magnificent and beautiful statement. But how easy it is to forget. Most of the times I remember this truth, POST-scary or fearful event/experience. But in the case of Ezra and many other biblical characters, they took courage BEFORE the scary or fearful event/experience. What's the difference? 

1. Victory as they walk INTO the experience with faith and courage;

2. More glory to God as they walk OUT of the experience with increased faith. 

So how does one take courage? For me, the more time I spend in God's word before I start my days the more courageously I walk. I am reminded of a few things while walking through these 66 books. It's truly a love letter penned by the Spirit of God, through these men, as an example to me. I can live by faith. I can live courageously. I can live a victorious life when my heart and mind remember that He is always wth me and will never leave me or forsake me. They dealt with as many, or more challenges, as I do in my life.  And yet they remembered and overcame. 

I challenge you to try it for yourself. Read through the Bible following a simple one year plan laid out by your favorite Bible-teaching church. You'll be surprised at the peace it offers your heart and mind each day before you go out into the world. "Take courage for the hand of the Lord your God is upon you." God bless. 

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Soften my heart

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:

"Thus says Cyrus king Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah (Ezra 1:1-2). 

Have you ever felt it? A quickening where your heart beats a little faster and adrenaline flows out of no where? These seemingly random events are rarely random for me. I don't have to look very long before I become aware of what I am supposed to do for or say to someone. Please don't get me wrong. I don't call myself a prophet nor do I call myself special. I just call myself open - open to hear His voice. It's interesting, those moments in retrospect, are some of the most joyful and rewarding moments of my life. Anyone else know what I mean? 

Father God thank you. Thank you for using me in big things and even the little things. I pray that you would continue to be a lamp to my feet and continue to use me for your kingdom purposes. Soften my heart and prepare my mind through your Word. You are the Potter and I am the pot. Mold me. Shape me. May You be glorified in and through my life. In Jesus matchless name I ask these things, amen. 

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Perfect Peace

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26).

Do you ever wonder sometimes...why all the struggle? Relationships with spouses, kids, friends, and colleagues are often challenging and sometimes seem impossible. Why all the striving? Wake up each morning, get the kids ready for school, go to work, come home and run kids to activities, go to bed, wake up and do the same thing day after day. Or another biggie, why do good things happen to "bad" people and bad things happen to "good" people? Don't worry - you're not alone. 

I've only walked this planet for 46 years and I have made the deduction that only God knows the answer to many questions. "Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart" (1 Corinthians 4:5). In fact, if we were having coffee across from each other now, we could probably get into a long and interesting discussion about what's good and bad, positive and negative, but I think it would be best to leave it at that for today (smile).

Which brings me to another thought, why is it that one person who has so much can be so miserable and another have so little and be completely filled with joy? That verse from  Ecclesiastes 2 seems to explain things very well. I've seen it in my own life. Decades ago I thought I had the best job, best marriage, best kids, best life. It wasn't until a couple years into being "lulled to sleep" in my self-absorbed world that I got a wake up call. My business failed, I lost my second job (yes, two jobs but always broke), and therefore lost my house. During the "fat times" in life, I seem to get easily distracted and step away from spending quality time with God and away from nurturing our relationship. As soon as life came crashing down, I quickly returned my focus back where it belonged all along.

Let's clear the air. Am I saying all these terrible things happened because God made it happen? Of course not - bad decisions and bad economies happen to us all. But I am also confident of this one thing - nothing comes to my life without passing through His fingers FIRST. He allows them for my good - I just have clearer vision and less distractions during the "lean times". 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Since this trying season, I see things through a different filter. A filter of grace, mercy, and new perspective. My shock and anger was replaced with peace and gratitude. How? Renewed FOCUS. As I spent more time in God's Word, peace that surpasses understanding truly poured over me. 

"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7). 

What are you going through today? I can't pretend to know your exact pain or heartache. But I can assure you, He does. Look up. When we focus on our circumstances - horizontal focus, we are filled with anxiety. But when we keep our eyes on our faithful God of the universe - vertical focus, He is the only One who gives us peace and joy. I pray that He will open your eyes to this same truth "For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy..." 

Amen. 

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Just Ask

Just. Ask.

25 I am laid low in the dust;

    preserve my life according to your word.

26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;

    teach me your decrees.

27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,

    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

28 My soul is weary with sorrow;

    strengthen me according to your word.

29 Keep me from deceitful ways;

    be gracious to me and teach me your law.

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

    I have set my heart on your laws.

31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;

    do not let me be put to shame.

32 I run in the path of your commands,

    for you have broadened my understanding.

33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,

    that I may follow it to the end.[b]

34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law

    and obey it with all my heart.

35 Direct me in the path of your commands,

    for there I find delight.

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes

    and not toward selfish gain.

37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

    preserve my life according to your word.[c]

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,

    so that you may be feared.

39 Take away the disgrace I dread,

    for your laws are good.

40 How I long for your precepts!

    In your righteousness preserve my life 

(Psalm 119:25-40).

I normally study from ESV, but this morning I'm compelled to share with you a passage from Psalm 119 in the NIV Bible. I hear so often that people are afraid to ask God for things because they either feel too blessed already or they're just not willing. It's so clear to me in the Psalms and throughout the Bible, that we are called to seek Him. Ask.

So many times we put God in a box the size of our biggest problem. We forget that we are speaking to a God without limits. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." Ask. 

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7-11). 

Ask.

In just this one short passage from the longest psalm in the Bible, Psalm 119, I found 14 requests that David made:

1) give me life;

2) make me understand;

3) strengthen me;

4) put false ways away from me;

5) let me not be put to shame;

6) enlarge my heart;

7) teach me;

8) give me understanding;

9) lead me;

10) incline my heart;

11) turn my eyes;

12) confirm to your servant;

13) turn away the reproach; and

14) give me life

Beautiful. Stop doubting. Just ask. Does He answer in exactly the way I anticipate? Rarely. 

He wants to be invited into every area of our lives - from the menial to the major.  The public and the hidden things. Do you understand that? Do you BELIEVE that? 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).

I'll be praying for you to be be BOLD in your prayers. To be EXPECTANT in your prayers. And most of all to be CHANGED by your prayers. He's the potter and we are the clay. May your heart and mind be transformed by the asking. 

God bless. 

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It's all about the climb

The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 

Exodus 19:20

Did you catch that? 

The Lord came down to the top of the mountain. God called him...and Moses went up to the top of the mountain. 

We probably all have the dad or grandfather who told us about his hardship in life as he was growing up..."You think you have it hard…try walking back-and-forth to school every day through the snow FIVE miles uphill BOTH ways!" 

I've never climbed a literal mountain...unless you count walking the steep fairway of the 27th hole on a 90° day while golfing as a kid. Lol. It sure felt like a mountain! 

But I have watched from afar, the actual climbs my friends, Daren Falter, Chris Medina, and Ricky Fountain did at Mount Adams and Mount Rainier, and I am flabbergasted. Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. The physical and mental strength required to complete the feat doesn't happen overnight. It takes months of training physically, and years of training mentally. They say the desire to quit can overtake you in a moment. I can't imagine. 

What I CAN imagine and HAVE experienced personally, are the mountains we climb in life. 

• Overwhelming debt
• Poor health
• Loss of jobs
• Death of a loved one
• ...the list goes on and on...

Maybe Forest Gump said it best, "Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get." I've seen highs and I've seen lows in all these areas. One thing I know for sure as I look back - I would truly not appreciate the heights of joy, if I had not first experienced the depths of sorrow. 

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

This prayer from one of my favorite pastors, can speak for all of us:  "Lord God, I trust You, and I’m going to wait for Your timing. I need peace without resolution. The end isn’t in sight, God, and I need rest during this season of hardship. My resources aren’t sufficient, my wisdom can’t plot a way out, and my ingenuity can’t remove the pressure. But You know all about that. You saw it coming, chose to allow it, and promise to use it for my good. I want my thoughts to reflect a greater confidence in You. Forgive me for the times I’ve strived to do too much, and forgive me for the times I’ve worried and doubted You. Teach me to trust and wait. You know when, God. I choose to trust You and wait for You to act. Please give me rest and peace, in the name of Jesus, “for he himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14a), amen."

Wherever you are, put your trust in Creator God who gives and takes away. He allows hardships to come into our lives because of the person it causes us to become in the process. Someone once told me that when you look at the back of a knitting or crochet project, it looks like a mess. But when you flip it over, the beauty can take your breath away. That's life. When you look at yourself "in the process", it looks and feels like a mess. But when you're finally through the refiners fire, you're perfect and complete, lacking nothing - beautiful. 

We serve a God who is calling us to the top of the mountain. 

Let's start climbing.

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Hope in Heaven

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:1-4).

We talk about heaven a lot in my house. People who have gone home before us - mostly my momma. It's hard to fathom but easy to wander through our imaginations of what it might be like. The Bible is very clear and talks about heaven more than 500 times. I figure if God talks about it that much...then we are meant to talk about it that much. 

Revelation 22 is one of my favorite contrasting  descriptions of heaven vs earth. The river of the water of life that flows from the center of the city, will be "bright as crystal" - nothing like the dungy Mississippi River that I see each day. The tree of life will yield 12 kinds of fruit – again, nothing like any bounty we've seen from trees in my neighborhood. There will be no more seasonal affective disorders from long months without sun light and Vitamin D because there will be "no more night". The Lord God will be our light always and forever. 

Aren't those joy-inducing words from the book of Revelation?! I've heard many people avoid this book because they don't understand it or think it's scary. To me, it's HOPE - a confident expectation. God himself says "blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near." Read it today.

I have found that when I stop thinking about heaven, I stop looking up and start looking around. Looking around is certainly not encouraging. The confident expectation of Heaven - that's encouraging & empowering. Thank you LORD for the HOPE I have in You as I walk this road of life during my temporary residency. Enable me and equip me to be salt and light to my world in work and life. In Jesus name I ask these things, amen.

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Live life fully

3 people die every second

180 people die every minute

11,000 people die every hour

25,000 people die every day

Scripture that comes to mind when I read this is from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace."

...and Ecclesiastes 9:7-10:

"Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might..."

Ecclesiastes contains reflections of an old man, the “Preacher,” as he considered the question of meaning in life. He looked back and saw the futility (“vanity”) of chasing after even the good things this life can offer, including wisdom, work, pleasure, and wealth. Even if such things are satisfying for a time, death is certain to end this satisfaction. In fact, God’s judgment on Adam for his sin (Gen. 3:17-19) echoes throughout the book (especially 12:7). Yet the person who lives in the fear of the Lord can enjoy God’s good gifts. Young people, especially, should remember their Creator while they still have their whole lives before them (12:1). Traditionally interpreters of Ecclesiastes have identified the “Preacher,” who is also called “the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1), as Solomon (tenth century b.c.). (Intro Ecclesiastes ESV).

Eye-opening. What a lesson to learn - written as an example to us all. Thank you Father. Thank you for re-directing my thoughts. Life is fleeting. Let us live it fully in the pursuit of furthering Your kingdom and in Your purpose for our temporary residency. 

I like to say, "it's not that life is too short...many just wait too long to begin." Begin today. God put you here for a purpose! Ask God to help you find your purpose. Find your passion. 

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might...it's in Jesus name I ask these things - amen.

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