Yesterday afternoon, a sweet woman walked into my office. She shared with me a story of healing, of God's specific physical intervention, in her younger brother's life. My eyes welled up with tears, and my heart was overwhelmed with the glory of our God. We indeed serve a God of miracles. I believe this woman was brought into my office yesterday as a means to remind us that our prayers matter to our God. That God is blessed by our faithfulness. That He loves it when we believe Him for things, when we acknowledge that He truly is capable of all things.
Psalm 77:14 says, "You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples."
Do you hear that? We serve a God who performs miracles. Do we utilize that power - maybe for those big circumstances, but what about on a daily basis? How often do we limit God's intervention in our lives? What are you currently praying for? Are you praying specifically? Really specifically?
Galatians 3:5 says, "Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?"
Today, I want to pray to the God who performs miracles. I want to believe Him. Believe Him because of what I have heard, believe Him because of what He has done, believe Him because of who He is.
ARE YOU BELIEVING GOD FOR A MIRACLE TODAY?
Increase our faith, Lord! (Luke 17:5) May we expect miracles from You.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Past, Present, Future
I have been consumed by the past today. Do you ever have that problem? It's just been one of those days where I have been "stuck." Yuck. There are certain things in our lives that we convince ourselves we are O-V-E-R. Then one by one, they rear their ugly heads, and we realize for the one-billionth time, that no, we're really not O-V-E-R it and we need to get a G-R-I-P. What is the first thing that happens when we dwell on the past, girls? We begin to fear for our futures, don't we?
I found comfort in the familiar passage of Jeremiah 29 tonight. I was reminded that He knows the plans He has for me - for every single one of us. He wants to bless us. To speak His Victory over our lives. Because He's just that good.
"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Just take a few moments and reflect on this Scripture today. Claim it. Believe it. Recognize that as a child of the Most High God, you have assurance for Victory in your future. Let's get O-V-E-R the past, and trust Him presently for our future.
I found comfort in the familiar passage of Jeremiah 29 tonight. I was reminded that He knows the plans He has for me - for every single one of us. He wants to bless us. To speak His Victory over our lives. Because He's just that good.
"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Just take a few moments and reflect on this Scripture today. Claim it. Believe it. Recognize that as a child of the Most High God, you have assurance for Victory in your future. Let's get O-V-E-R the past, and trust Him presently for our future.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Ambition
In a world that is infected with a "Look at me!" philosophy, I find the following Scripture to be incredibly challenging and convicting. Paul urges the believers in Thessalonica to live to please God, not man. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 reads, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."
This Scripture advises us to refrain from presenting social problems, to abstain from generating conflict among others. As women who profess faith in Jesus Christ, we must make every effort to present ourselves in such a way that reflects His heart and humility in times of conflict. As the above passage implores, we want to win the respect of unbelievers, for the sake of Christ.
This is a difficult feat, no doubt about it. At times, we find ourselves amidst conflict, and if I dare say "drama," without even knowing how we got there. Other times, we know darn well how we got there. I believe that as women of God, our aim is to conduct ourselves in a manner that is presented and outlined clearly through Scripture. It's about time we stopped attaching actions and decisions to the Name of God, when they blatantly go against every fiber of Truth. I pray that as a whole, we as women, would begin to desire to see others lifted up and encouraged, not torn down and defeated.
So, what do you say? Are you up for being ambitious today? Let's mind our own business. Let's lead a quiet life today. All for the glory of God. I guarantee that if we do this, we will begin to consider others better than ourselves.
This Scripture advises us to refrain from presenting social problems, to abstain from generating conflict among others. As women who profess faith in Jesus Christ, we must make every effort to present ourselves in such a way that reflects His heart and humility in times of conflict. As the above passage implores, we want to win the respect of unbelievers, for the sake of Christ.
This is a difficult feat, no doubt about it. At times, we find ourselves amidst conflict, and if I dare say "drama," without even knowing how we got there. Other times, we know darn well how we got there. I believe that as women of God, our aim is to conduct ourselves in a manner that is presented and outlined clearly through Scripture. It's about time we stopped attaching actions and decisions to the Name of God, when they blatantly go against every fiber of Truth. I pray that as a whole, we as women, would begin to desire to see others lifted up and encouraged, not torn down and defeated.
So, what do you say? Are you up for being ambitious today? Let's mind our own business. Let's lead a quiet life today. All for the glory of God. I guarantee that if we do this, we will begin to consider others better than ourselves.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)
Friday, October 3, 2008
Rise Up
I have been so slack. I'm sorry. The Lord has been answering prayers left and right, and I am overflowing with things to write ... I just have not made the time. I'm going to make it a point this week to blog.
Every time I open my Bible lately, the Lord is speaking the importance of knowing His Wisdom. Allow these words to penetrate your heart today.
"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." (Proverbs 4:5-9)
Solomon is the author of this Proverb, which is fitting considering I just read 1 Kings 3 where Solomon asks the Lord for a discerning heart and the wisdom of God (Do you see the common theme!?!?). I like what my Bible says in one of the footnotes: "What ranks above all else in God's economy is not a sharp mind but a discerning heart, the only thing Solomon asks God for when he becomes king. God praises and blesses Solomon for choosing such a spiritually meaningful gift" (Women of Faith Study Bible, p. 1023).
I do not believe it is simply coincidence that God has been teaching us about His Wisdom, in such a time as this. I believe He wants us to rise up ... gripping hold of His statutes, His knowledge, His foundational truths, so that we can know what we know, as women who are first and foremost followers of Christ. Being wise in the things of God is hard work, girls. It's out of the norm, and sometimes we have very few advocates. Guess what though? Too bad. It's required of us. We must know the things of God, and the only way to do that is by continuously (and I mean continuously), seeking Him. About everything. Every decision. Every issue. Every day.
I love you girls. Rise up and be women of the things of God. Desire Wisdom ... His Wisdom. You will be blessed.
Every time I open my Bible lately, the Lord is speaking the importance of knowing His Wisdom. Allow these words to penetrate your heart today.
"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." (Proverbs 4:5-9)
Solomon is the author of this Proverb, which is fitting considering I just read 1 Kings 3 where Solomon asks the Lord for a discerning heart and the wisdom of God (Do you see the common theme!?!?). I like what my Bible says in one of the footnotes: "What ranks above all else in God's economy is not a sharp mind but a discerning heart, the only thing Solomon asks God for when he becomes king. God praises and blesses Solomon for choosing such a spiritually meaningful gift" (Women of Faith Study Bible, p. 1023).
I do not believe it is simply coincidence that God has been teaching us about His Wisdom, in such a time as this. I believe He wants us to rise up ... gripping hold of His statutes, His knowledge, His foundational truths, so that we can know what we know, as women who are first and foremost followers of Christ. Being wise in the things of God is hard work, girls. It's out of the norm, and sometimes we have very few advocates. Guess what though? Too bad. It's required of us. We must know the things of God, and the only way to do that is by continuously (and I mean continuously), seeking Him. About everything. Every decision. Every issue. Every day.
I love you girls. Rise up and be women of the things of God. Desire Wisdom ... His Wisdom. You will be blessed.
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