Stay Thirsty

"Moses responded, 'Then show me your glorious presence.'"

Exodus 33:18

"The more Moses experienced God and his presence, the more he wanted. God is salty; he makes you thirst for more of him. If your heart has grown cold, find ways to get close again to God. Remember his goodness to you, and let that make you thirsty for more."
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions


In His Love, Cathy

Patience Requires Courage

"Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."
Psalm 27:14

Today's morning devotion was the perfect followup to my devotion yesterday on waiting for God's plan.  Today's devotion reminded me that sometimes waiting on God's plan to unfold not only takes patience, but bravery and even courage.

When we are in the midst of our struggles, it is so tempting for us to search for a quick fix - anything to help us out of the immediate situation - anything to get us out of the discomfort we feel.  Because of our impatience and lack of trust in God, we enact our own short-sighted plan.  In short, we meddle. 

When you are in the middle of troubles, it takes real guts to wait patiently on God.  It takes courage and bravery to wait on God's plan to unfold in His perfect timing - especially when everything seems to be falling apart around you.  Resist the urge to find a quick fix.  Instead, meditate in prayer.  Ask God for the patience and courage you need to wait on Him.  And when it is time for you to act, He'll reveal just how.  You'll know because you'll have His peace about it.  You'll have His confirmation through how events unfold and through the encouragement of other believers. I'm not saying live life without planning for anything.  What I'm saying is plan with His will in mind.  Patiently wait on Him, yielding to His plan and His timing .

God doesn't leave us hanging.  He has a plan.  Trust in Him.  Praying for you to have patience, bravery, and courage in the midst of life's storms!

Peace and blessings!

In His Love, Cathy

DAY TWO: You are Not an Accident

My husband, Scott, is adopted.  There was a lot of pain and hurt surrounding his birth.  From a secular standpoint, you could say that Scott's conception was an accident, a terrible mistake.  A lot of people were hurt by the circumstances surrounding his birth.

However, from God's perspective, Scott was no accident.  His birth was not a mistake.  God planned Scott's existence before He ever created the universe.  Scott may have been unplanned by his parents, but he was not unplanned by God.  "While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children...God's purpose took into account human error, and even sin"  (Warren).  

God created Scott on purpose for His purpose.  You and I are not accidents, either.  Whether our parents planned for us or not, God did.  We were concieved in God's mind before the universe was made.  God is love.  We are the product of that love.  He didn't need to create us but He wanted to in order to express his love.  Think of it this way. A couple marries. They know going into the marriage they want to eventually have children.  So they set up a home, begin saving, and planning for children.  They discuss how many children they will have, possible names for their children, and even wonder what their children will look like.  They know in advance that they will love their children.  Then the day comes when they have their first child.  They are elated.  They didn't need a child, but they wanted a child to share their love with.  This love between parent and child emulates the love that motivated God to create us.  God is love.  We, His creation, were created in His image...the image of His love.  We were in His thoughts from before creation.  He planned everything from start to finish with us in mind.  He knew us, before He ever began his preparations.  And He loved us before we ever existed.  That's a pretty powerful thought. 

God made each of us for a reason - to express His love.  We can only discover our purpose by making God the reference point of our lives.   

The following poem came from today's devotion from The Purpose Driven Life.  It is by Russell Kelfer:

You are who you are for a reason.

You're part of an intricate plan.

You're a precious and perfect unique design.

Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.

Our God made no mistake.

He knit you together within the womb.

You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,

And no matter how you may feel,

They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,

And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.

And God wept that it hurt you so;

But it was allowed to shape your heart

So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,

You've been formed by the Master's rod.

You are who you are beloved,

Because there is a God!

I am not an accident.  Neither are you.  We are the objects of God's love and affection.  We find our purpose in Him.

"I am your Creator.  You were in my care even before you were born."  Isaiah 44:2

Question:  I know that God uniquely created me.  What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?  (Warren)

God has loved you since the day He conceived you in His mind.  Live in confidence of His love...live on purpose for Him today.

In His Love, Cathy

Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life. Zondervan, 2002. Print

Taking the Lower Position

“When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? 9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

"Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.   Luke 4:8-10

My husband is one of the most humble of men I know.  He's no push over, mind you, but he's also no attention seeker.  As he puts it, he likes to work behind the scenes.  He has a gift of teaching but he also has a gift of serving others.  He frequently puts the interest of others before his own and never once desires recognition for anything he does.  One of his most notable quotes in our family is, "Remain humble."  Now before you think I'm putting my husband up on a spiritual pedastal, like everyone else, he's only human and prone to err - after all, he's a man...JK!  However, his heart is in the right place and his biggest desire is to serve God.

As we were talking over coffee this morning, (my coffee not his because he doesn't drink coffee,) he brought up his take on living a godly life...love God first, love others, and take the lower position.    As I listened to my husband explain, I had an 'Aha!' moment.  Of course, we know we are to love God first and to love others (even our enemies). But the third requirement of taking the lower position wasn't quite as clear to me until my husband further elaborated.  He referenced Luke 4:8-10 in explaining the meaning.  After listening to my husband's clarification I felt that familiar nudge of the Holy Spirit telling me...this is good stuff so blog it!  And that, my friends, is what I will attempt to do.  I hope to convey to you what he conveyed to me in fresh, simple terms. 

We all know that pride is a sin and it is something we all struggle with on a personal level.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees had spiritual pride.  They loved the attention their position in the Jewish community gave them.  They felt that they deserved the rank, honor, and prestige that was due their position.  However, Jesus saw deep into their heart and saw the truth...they were filled with spiritual pride.  Jesus said of them, "Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. 6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’" (Matthew 3:5-7)

The Jewish people looked up to these religious elitists and took their word as God's.  These men who enjoyed the status of their positions and false piety, lorded over the people adding legalistic practices that burdened the people instead of leading them to God.  In Matthew 3:8-10, Jesus said, “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. 9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah." 

Jesus Christ made it clear that ONLY HE was worthy to be called Teacher and Rabbi - in other words He ALONE is the head of the Church and all within the Body of Christ are under HIS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY!  What this means for us is that we have a DIRECT  line to Christ.  There is no one between us and Him.  Each of us are able to have a one-on-one relationship with God!  Therefore, there is NO ROOM for spiritual pride because NO ONE can boast on his or her own works!  Even our salvation isn't earned, but a FREE gift from Christ Jesus!   

Spiritual pride is blinding.  It blinded the Pharisees and Sadducees from recognizing Jesus's true identity as the long promised Messiah - the ONE and ONLY SON of God.  Spiritual pride can blind us as well - to see ourselves as bigger than we should be and cause us to stumble in our faith if left unchecked. Even mature Christians can be tripped by spiritual pride.  I know - I've been fooled by it myself!

The only way to avoid spiritual pride is to remain humble - to take the lower position.  Humility isn't weakness.  In fact it takes a strong person of faith with Christ's help to remain humble...to restrain oneself from the temptations of spiritual pride.  Humility is quite simply thinking of oneself in proper perspective to God and others.  It's not demeaning yourself as a person, but rather, confidently knowing your identity in Christ and living in such a way that His love permeates your being so much that you are able to love others as He does - and then act on that love.  Humility is the created recognizing and wholly yielding to the Creator.  Humility knows how to stand up in faith, confront in love, and disciple others with compassion - while looking out for their best ETERNAL interest. 

The traits of humility are outlined throughout the Scriptures - both in the Old and New Testament.  I've only outlined some of the traits of humility that really stood out for me this morning in our discussion.

• Humility only boasts in the Lord, not on itself.  As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 10:17    In other words, boast in what GOD is doing.  Sure, we have to contribute some elbow grease in living for Him, but ultimately, He rightly gets the credit and glory - not us!  Paul says that if we do boast, to boast in our weaknesses so that others can SEE how God is working through us DESPITE our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).  Think of the POWERFUL TESTIMONY we have for Christ if would would boast of our weaknesses!  Besides, humble people have no need to boast on themselves, their wealth, or their position because, quite frankly, that's not in their DNA.  Most often, their good reputation proceeds them anyway, causing those who know them to naturally respect and honor them.     
• Humility doesn't exalt itself.  "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14   In fact, Jesus says that if we desire greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven, then we must become the least!  But I wonder how many of us would be satisfied working behind the scenes with little or no recognition?  How many of us would be willing to give up our seat at the table so that others would be able to sit and eat?  How many of us would continue to serve God whether anyone of importance noticed or not?  How many of us simply serve out of love, when there isn't anything we can gain?  How many of us willingly do the jobs that no one else wants to do?  I know people who are humble and consistently serve with joy and gladness - never seeking attention nor serve for personal gain.  I sincerely admire those people. 
• Humility is unselfish and looks out for others.  Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4  Our motivation should be born out of an unselfish heart, one filled with love and desire to serve Him.  We must love others as Christ did and act out of that love.   Keeping our motivation in check by  surrendering our hearts to Christ moment by moment is the antedote to pride and selfish living.
• God favors the humble.  What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? 6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say,“God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”  7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  James 4:5-7   Not only does God favor the humble, but he gives us all that we need to remain humble and flee evil desires - even pride.  Pride was Satan's downfall - he desired the same status as God.  Spiritual pride can come between God and us.  Therefore, He will even oppose us when we have spiritual pride in order to discipline and restore our relationship with Him. 
• God honors the humble.  Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.  James 9:10   Humility requires that we recognize our own sin, confess it before God, repent, and seek forgiveness.  Then, God will answer our request giving us all that we need to live humbly.  What's more, God honors the humble - though we may not be honored in this world, God will honor us.  So be patient.  Remain steadfast.  And rest assured that all things He promises will come about in His perfect timing.

We must be thankful for whatever good things God blesses us with in this life - including times we are honored or rewarded.  But we must receive all such blessings, honor, wealth, position, and good gifts with total humility...accepting such things with a thankful heart and always ready to give away that which we have received.  Most importantly, we must remain humble, not boasting upon ourselves or our own works - for we are nothing and have nothing aside from Jesus Christ.  Instead let us boast in what the Lord is doing despite our weaknesses - pointing others to the cross with our testimony.     

Thankful for my husband who has taught me the importance of taking the lower position in life.  I'm learning how to remain humble. 

Grace and peace, friends!

In His Love, Cathy

Spacious Places

I called out to the Lord in distress;

the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place.

...

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

Psalm 118:5, 8 (HCSB)

In times of distress and troubles, what or whom do you place your trust in?

Do you place your trust in your own strength, relying on yourself to 'handle it'?

Do you place your trust in others, relying upon them to rescue you from your problems?

Or is there some 'thing' that you fall back upon time after time, something other than God?

I mean, when it really boils down to it, where is your trust?  What or who do you rely upon the VERY MOST in times of trouble?   

If you want to really know what you trust the most, simply take a look at your initial reaction during a crisis.  What is your first instinct?  Does your immediate reaction or thoughts have anything to do with God, even if for a split second?  Or do you immediately turn to someone or something of this world, without even a thought of God until much later on?  Do you follow God's tugging in one direction in a situation, or do you follow the familiar stand by that's worked before but that isn't necessarily the best solution?  I understand that under some circumstances we must react quickly, especially if lives are at stake.  However, if our initial thoughts or actions seek out others and never once reflect on seeking God's help in the situation, we might not have our trust in the right place.

When we trust in God first and foremost as our refuge and strength, He WILL answer our prayers!  And not only that, HE SETS us up in SPACIOUS PLACES!  Now my idea of a spacious place is one where I can spread out, relax, and experience peaceful restoration - no one pressing in on me, imposing their ideas or human limitations upon me.  Yes, my idea of the spacious place in this passage is one in which God surrounds us completely in His presence - acting as the buffer zone of our lives.  When we are in the midst of the storm, we can count on Him to buffet the wind and the waves!  This spacious place He puts us in enlarges our territory for His work and glory!

In addition, we can view our problems as opportunities for God to position us in a spacious place - a better position where He can fully cultivate us into Christ's image and can utilize us in even greater works!

In God's spacious places we can withstand all that comes up against us.  We can't weather the storms of life without Him.  We can trust HIM as our refuge!

Grace and Peace!
In His Love, Cathy

Another Fave

It is I who sweep away your transgressons

for My own sake

and remember your sins no more.

Isaiah 43:25

How often am I tempted to remind others of past offenses...to hold a grudge and not forget or forgive.  Thankfully, when God forgives our sins He also FORGETS!!!  And what's more, He never brings them up again!  Wow! 

We should translate this forgiveness and forgetfulness to others as well.  We must forgive others since God forgives us.  I mean, Christ forgave those who spat on Him and nailed Him to the cross.  Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:24)  Jesus also said, "But if you don't forgive people your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing."  (Mt. 6:15)  My devotional put it this way, "In refusing to forgive others you break the bridge over which you yourself must pass."     

God can help you forgive those who have hurt you.  It's hard  to forgive sometimes and much easier said than done.  I get that.  I, too, have been hurt deeply many times in life.  But, God's Word is very clear here.  Unless we forgive, we won't experience His forgiveness.

There is FREEDOM in forgiveness! 

Grace and Peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy

Mind Games

I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning,

your minds may

 be corrupted from a complete and pure devotion to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:3

My father-in-law is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.  Though only 70 years old, he was diagnosed about 7 to 8 years ago.  Anyone who has a loved one with this disease knows just how debilitating it can become.  The sufferer can be just as healthy as a horse physically, but their mind is terribly sick.  "Dad," as I warmly call him, has maintained most of his memory for most of the years he's had this disease.  Short term memory is a challenge for him.  He sometimes tell us the same thing over and over again, just within minutes, but he still knows who we all are and he still loves to crack jokes with the best of 'em. 

The sad thing is, Dad knew he had Alzheimer's.  When he was diagnosed, he was very aware of what this  would mean for him - it ran in his family.  His aunt had it.  The disease has very recently worsened.  Since last spring, Dad's condition has radically declined.  An incident occurred in the late spring/early summer that required quick intervention and change of medications.  Dad was slipping faster down the path he had resisted for so long.  Then another major incident occurred a little over a week ago.  It was such a critical situation that Scott and I had to drop all plans and rush to his parents' home.  All was good, but we stayed for hours and are on call 24/7 in case we are needed once again.

There are so many incidents are happening but I don't want to mention them all out of respect to Dad.  But even in the midst of all this, he's still Dad.  We still see glimpses of him.  He's still with us - trying to crack jokes and when he forgets the punchline, he laughs anyway.  He still knows Scott, Bryan, and all of the grandchildren's names.  But I don't think he's called me by my name in a couple of years - he's constantly confusing me with someone from his past.

I can't imagine the mind games this disease is playing in Dad's head.  I couldn't imagine going through what he is going through.  I can't imagine the confusion, despair, and disarray this disease has conjured up in him.  Alzheimer's has disabled our Dad.  My heart hurts from the realization that his condition will become progressively worse.  My heart also aches for Mom, who is trying so hard to care for him at home as long as possible.       

So, when my devotion this morning touched on the challenges of the battlefield of the mind, boy could I could relate!

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand...

 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—Ephesians 6:13-18

 Like the cruel disease that is attacking Dad, our enemy loves to cause us mental distress and anguish.  He plants seeds of strife, causing in us confusion, despair, and disarray.  He ravages our minds, leaving behind mass destruction.  He feeds us with lies designed to disable us, cause confusion, and send us scurrying in defeat!   

Thankfully, God has provided the right armor specifically designed to protect from this type of enemy attack...the Helmet of Salvation! We can be prepared as Christians by taking up this helmet.  The Helmet of Salvation protects us from the mind games of the enemy...reminding us of God's Truth as we fix our thoughts on holiness and righteousness, shielding us from the confusion and mental disorder the enemy tries to inflict!  My devotion put it so succinctly, "The figure of a helmet immediately suggests to us that this is something designed to protect the mind, the intelligence, the ability to think and reason."  Our minds can be settled when this protection is in place, bringing order and God's peace within us! 

In His Love, Cathy

What Kind of Christian are You?

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

 John 8:1-5

What kind of Christian are you?  Are you a stone thrower ?  Or are you a restorer?

A stone thrower is the kind of Christian who is quick to criticize a fallen brother or sister in Christ.  A stone thrower likes to point out the fault in others, yet is blind to their own sin.  They are highly critical of others and very vocal in their criticism.  A stone thrower is lacking in love, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy for others.  They have no patience with those who stumble.  They have no interest in trying to resolve issues in a Biblical fashion  - out of love for one another. Their motto is shoot and ask questions later.  You can recognize a stone thrower, they are the first ones on the scene with stone in hand .  

In contrast, a restorer is the kind of Christian who comes alongside a fallen brother or sister in Christ.  Instead of criticizing, they confront in love.  They are a willing vessel for Christ's love and compassion.  They understand that "Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends."  Proverbs 17:9 Therefore, they refrain from gossip or passing along 'facts.'  Instead they offer Biblically based help to the offender. They guard their tongues and hearts to ensure their words are used to give life and not death.  A restorer responds Biblically, prayerfully, and out of love.  They follow Biblical guidelines (see Matthew 18:15-17) to steer those who have sinned back to Christ.  Correction and confrontation is born out of love in hopes of restoring the wayward brother or sister.  Rather than jumping to conclusions, a restorer seeks for truth in the situation.  They never prematurely judge others.  They graciously give others the benefit of the doubt.   They understand that sometimes all a person needs is a friend and ally - someone to listen, understand, and talk with. 

We are all supposed to be restorers.  We are to love EVERYONE as Christ does, giving ALL the  the OPPORTUNITY to be restored to Christ and to the Church.  This doesn't mean we overlook sin and those in error.  Nor does it mean we tip toe around sin and it's consequences for those who choose not to repent.  However, we are confront in LOVE with the GOAL to HELP the offender REPENT and be RESTORED.  I am in no way immune from sin, therefore, I should have EVEN MORE compassion for others who struggle.  I should deal with them lovingly - as I would wish to be treated when I am at fault. Christ's love and compassion should our driving force in dealing with everyone.  

Bottom Line:
1.  Because we are sinners, we have no right to throw stones.  Throwing stones of criticism destroys.
2.  Confronting, reproving, correcting, or disciplining others who have committed wrongs should always be done in love - sometimes even calling for tough love.
3.  Ultimately, our goal in confronting others is for their own repentance and restoration to Christ.  In confronting them, the Holy Spirit will work to convict in order to bring about this restoration.  But it is up to each individual on how they will respond.
4.  In all of our dealings with others, we can look to Matthew 18:15-17 on how to deal with confrontation and loving correction within the church.

"They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”    John 8:7

"When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”


“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

John 8:9-11

So, before we engage our tongue to criticize fault in others, let's examine what kind of Christian we wish to be? A stone thrower?  Or a restorer? 
  

Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy
PS - I almost dubbed the term stone thrower as 'stoner' but I didn't think that was appropriate!

Living the New Life

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.

The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 

2 Corinthians 5:17

When Scott and I first got married, we didn't have a lot of money.  (We still don't! LOL!)  We were both college students and were relying on the generousity of family and friends to help us get started in life.  So when it came to furnishing our first apartment, we had to come up with some creative solutions.  Thankfully, family chipped in to help with most of the main furniture, however, we still needed furniture for our bedroom.  It was then that my Mother recalled an antique bedroom set that had been mine in middle school.  It was stored in my Grandfather's old appliance shop.  I was excited.  Though forgotten, I remembered how beautifully elegant it looked.  The wonderfully ornate four poster bed with matching dresser and mirror were equisite!  But years of storage in the back of a musty old shop had taken it's toll on the once elegant pieces.  My heart sank.  My dreams of a beautifully decorated bedroom were dashed as I beheld the dirtiest, ugliest furniture I'd ever seen!  Noticing my obvious disappointment, my Mother offered encouragement.  "We can clean this all up and repaint it.  It'll look just like new.  You'll see!"  So, that's what we did.  We set to work, stripping off years of layered old paint.  The top coat, the ivory white from my childhood, was easy to stip.  However, underneath it's soft layer we encountered a thick layer of BLACK paint, then GREEN paint, an ugly tan, and finally the original brown wood stain.  My Mother and I worked for DAYS in the summer heat out in Granddaddy's shop just stripping away that old paint.  You see, just painting over the old paint would have led to less than desirable results - new paint over old can be easily scratched or chipped.  This would have revealed the old, ugly layers beneath.  As we tirelessly labored, I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Then finally, with the last of the old paint stripped away, we were able to paint.  After a couple of layers of beautiful white paint, the old had once again became new.  Each of the pieces had been restored to a state of elegance and honor.  Our first bedroom was just beautiful!

As the years went by, Scott and I settled down, started a family, and eventually purchased a home.  After buying our home, we decided it was time to replace our antique furniture with a more modern set.  Even so, we hung on to the old, placing it once again in storage.  There it sat, for years.  Dirt and dust settling on it, marring its white complexion and beautifully adorned features.  But the day came when it was finally called into service.  It was perfect for Brittany's elegant new room design.  So we set out to paint it once more, bringing the old new life!

How appropriate that my devotion today would point me to 2 Corinthians 5:17.  I was reminded that years ago, the very moment I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, an old life ended and a new life began.  Christ didn't just paint over the old life.  He completely sanded me down and stripped away the old before applying the new.  He knew a superficial change would be ineffective, revealing the ugly layers that lay below the surface at the first bump or scratch. Instead, He gave a fresh, NEW LIFE! 

Now, years later, God is still working that new nature within me. I'm being challenged to grow further than when I first began. So, what does it mean to put on your new nature?  How can we lay claim to this new nature?  We can find the answers in Colossians 3:1-10.

1.  Recognize here and now the realities of Heaven and Christ's authority.  "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand."  Colossians 3:1

2.  Get our priorities straight by focusing on the things of Heaven.  We must strive to make Heaven's priorities a part of our daily life - filling our thoughts and concentrating on that which is good, pure, and holy.  "Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth."  Colossians 3:2

3.  As a Christian, your real life isn't in what is seen, but in the unseen!  We are SAFELY hidden in Christ!  We have assurance of eternity!  THAT is our reality! Christ gives us the power to live for Him NOW and He promises to return. "For you died to this life, and your reali life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in ALL HIS GLORY!"   Colossians 3:3-4

4.  We must consider ourselves DEAD to SIN!  Sure, we will mess up from time to time, but we can always seek His forgiveness.  With Christ's help, we can commit our hearts to living a life of purity not immorality. We must make a concious effort to walk away from tempation, making a CHOICE to resist and not sin.  "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.  Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires.  Don't be gredy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming."  Colossians 3:5-6 

5.  In putting on our new nature, we must rid ourselves of evil practices and immorality-  Paul says this is OUR responsibility.  Jesus gave us new life, but we must take hold of it!    "You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.  But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.  Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off you all old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds."  Colossians 3:5-9 

6.  Our conduct should match our faith.  Our life change must be more than superficial and temporal.  It must permeate us to our very core.  It's up to us to live it through and through, to be renewed by KNOWING our Creator and BECOMING like Him!  "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him."  Colossians 3:10

In Christ we have new life!  He has stripped away the old and restored us with the new!  Learning to live in the new is a lifelong process - it takes practice, patience, concentration, and ongoing evaluation.  Even when we mess up, we can quickly repent and get back on track!  We must rid ourselves of all that is immoral and commit ourselves to living what Christ teaches.  If you have made such a commitment to live in your new nature, are you remaining true to it?  What are some changes you need to make to renew yourself in Christ today?

Grace and Peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy

In a Spiritual Drought

I must confess, I feel as though I am in a season of spiritual drought.  Though I search and seek the Lord daily, I feel as though I am not as close to Him and do not desire Him as much as I have in the past.  There are times that I do feel so very close to Him, as though I can reach out and touch Him.  However, at other times, I feel as though He is so very far away.  Honestly, ever since I stepped down as children's pastor last summer, I have struggled with what God wanted of me next.  I am not lamenting stepping down, for God made it very clear that was His will.  And, as a result, God has abundantly blessed our church and our family in so many ways.  I am confident that my stepping down was the right choice.  I'm simply confused and feel so lost  - not knowing what I should do next and wondering why the silence.  In addition, it seems like this world is pressing down on us. 

To be completely transparent, I realize that I am the reason for the spiritual drought. I felt that God has been so near yet so far - that it has been so long that I witnessed His incredible works and seen Him in my circumstances. I know that there have been scales over my eyes, blinding me, misleading me, making me think that He has gone away. I know that it is my disobedience, rebellion, and spiritual doubt that are the source of His perceived absence. I used to be so on fire for Him! I used to be so close to Him! He would hear my prayers and answer them with the most awesome of deeds! I used to delight myself in Him! Rising each morning with praise on my lips! Laying down each night with worship in my heart! Where have those days gone? Why can't I seem to get back to this place, the place where I was with my Lord and He was with me always? In His arms are safety!  Yet, feel as though I am drowning in a sea of hopelessness! Though I lay my plans at His feet, though we try to do His will, we are being challenged every step of the way! Oppression lurks around every corner, chipping away at our hope and confidence. Whenever God leads us through a crisis, the enemy quickly throws up a road block, attempting to steal away the victory!


But then, just when all hope seems lost - in the stillness of the morning, He bends down,  close to my heart, and quietly whispers to my soul:

"I know all the things you do.  I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance.  I know you don't tolerate evil people.  You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not.  You have discovered they are liars.  You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

But I have this complaint against you.  You don't love me or each other as you did at first!"

Revelation 2:2-4

My heart lay utterly exposed and broken at the feet of my Savior!  He sees all!  He saw that I didn't love Him as I once had!  How that must have hurt Him to know this!  The ugly truth that I had denied not only to my Savior, but also to myself!  Though on the outside, I was saying and doing all of the right things, on the inside my passion for Him had grown cold!  How could I have done such a thing after all He's done for me! In the busyness of life, I had lost my passionate love for Christ! 

Prolonged conflict and crisis can strengthen our faith, but can take its toll on our love for God and one another.  Even in the thick of battle, our efforts should be grounded in and remain in our love for Christ!  We must love God with the same ferver as we did when we first became a Christian - seeking Him in earnest every day!  Laying our hearts open before Him in great anticipation and expectation!  Seeking Him to fill us daily with His love!       

My Sweet Savior didn't leave me totally broken.  Instead, He performed open heart surgery.  With precision, He grafted the truth of Revelation 2:5-7 to my heart:

"  Look how far you have fallen!  Turn back and do the works you did at first.  If you don't repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.  But this is in your favor:  You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.  Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.  To everyone who is victorious I will give you fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God."

In my brokeness, I repented.  I turned back.  He forgave me, washed my wounded heart, healing it with His nail scared hands.

Are you in a season of spiritual drought?  If so, the only way to quench it is to turn back and do the works you did at first.  Think back on when you began your love affair with our Lord and Savior.  Remember how exciting that was?  Go back in time spiritually, ask God to help you reproduce that love and passion.  Repent and turn away from those things, even good things, that stand in the way of passionately loving Christ.  Pray.  Read His Word.  Worship and adore Him!  Ask Him to reveal Himself.  Listen with anticipation for the Holy Spirit.  Follow where He leads your heart!  Make HIM FIRST in your life!  For this is the remedy to spiritual drought!  Delight in Him once again!
 
In His Love, Cathy

When God Says 'No!'

God knows how often I pray for you.  Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.  For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.  When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

Romans 1:9-11

Paul desired more than anything to visit Rome.  Why?  So he could teach the Roman Christians and futher spread the Gospel.  Paul desired to do this with all his heart.  Yet, we see in this passage that God DENIED Paul's visit Rome at this time.  At first glance, it's hard to understand why God would deny such a request.  After all, Paul's intentions seem right.  His motivation is unselfish - he's not asking this for himself but for the building up of the faith and spreading the News of Salvation through Jesus Christ.  So why did God tell him "No?"

Consider this, had God granted Paul's visit to Rome at this point in time, Paul wouldn't have written the Book of Romans.  However, because God delayed Paul's visit to Rome, Paul wrote to the Roman Christians the things on his heart.  And this letter he wrote to Roman Christians had much further impact for the cause of Christ than a visit to Rome.  In fact, it had FUTURE impact which continues today!  Paul's writing to the Roman Church became a very important book of the New Testament, encouraging and helping millions of Christians throughout the centuries!  As a result of Paul's delay to visit Rome, countless souls have been given access to the powerful spiritual treasures and truths  contained within the pages of the Book of Romans!  God had a much bigger and better plan than Paul did!  

When we pray about the desires of our heart, we need to understand several things.  First, we need to ensure our prayer is couched in proper motivation.  God doesn't give in to our selfish desires or wants.  So we need to check that our motivation is unselfish.  Second, we need to be wholly surrendered to His will on the matter.  An unsurrendered heart can rise up in discontent, rebellion, and self-pity.  And third, we need not be surprised if God answers in a way we don't understand at the moment.  Our motives may be pure, our hearts may be in line with His will, and our desires may be seemingly good and righteous.  However, God isn't on our time table nor is He limited to our ideas on how to answer.  He is on HIS timing and often answers in ways we NEVER expected!   Has God ever blind-sided you in answering prayer?  He has me - and often!  And in retrospect, His answers have been far better than I ever dreamed possible - AND - His timing was ALWAYS PERFECT! 

God, like any good parent, will and does sometimes say "No!" to our prayer requests.  Perhaps He has recently told you "no" to something that you have greatly desired.  Perhaps, though you are wholly surrendered, you simply don't understand why.  Instead of focusing on why we didn't get our desired answer to prayer, let's step out of His way so that  He can show us the greater reason behind the "No!"  Focus on remaining faithful no matter His answer.  Trust that God has a better purpose and plan.  Let's show Him our trust by expectantly waiting for the greater "Yes"   - without complaint, without question, without doubt, and without acting like a spoiled child!  Challenge yourself to completely trust in HIM, even in the "no."  Remember, God has a much bigger plan than you do - a far better plan!

"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. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."  Jeremiah 29:11-12

In His Love, Cathy

Doubt

Don't be an unbeliever, but a believer.

John 20:27

Doubt is ...disbelief, distrust, skepticism, to consider something unlikely.  Doubt can plague us in all aspects of our lives, causing us to question  others, ourselves, and even God.  From a spiritual standpoint, doubt can lead down one of two paths - A relationship with Jesus Christ and the path to deeper faith OR to unbelief.  Questioning what we believe can be healthy when handled appropriately. 

Many see doubt as a crisis of faith, a weakness that defiles the Believer- an undesireable trait for anyone who calls themselves a child of God.  To some, doubt is the Scarlet Letter of a Christian, taboo for the Believer!  However, doubt isn't necessarily bad.  Even Thomas doubted!  "So the other disciples kept telling him, "We have seen the Lord!"  But he said to them, "If I don't see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!"  (John 20:25) 

Doubt can be good.  It may cause us to question our beliefs or cause our faith to waiver.  But, it is in the earnest persuit of answers that God can lead us into the undeniableTruth - affirmed by the Holy Spirit, imprinted upon our hearts, and accompanied by an even greater glimpse into His Holiness.  The new insights and growth we experience as the result of doubt can spur us further into the image of Christ!  But what about when doubt persists?  What do we do if we have earnestly sought the Truth yet still question?  If you are doubting God or His ability to help you, God has provided the resources to turn your doubt into a stronger faith - prayer (The Holy Spirit), the Word of God (The Bible), and the people of God.

Prayer should be our first response when facing doubt. Prayer activates our faith, becoming a barrier to unbelief.  Prayer demonstrates our utter dependence on God as we humbly invite Him to fill us with faith and power.  Faith is the attitude of trust and confidence in our Lord.  Faith is a gift from God.  (Ephesians 2:8,9)  Doubt can be a healthy reminder that we are not self sufficient - prompting our hearts to pray for more faith! God is the source of faith - and that faith can be renewed and strengthened daily at the foot of the cross!  Like the father of the demon possessed boy, we can pray, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"  (See Mark 9:14-29)  Jesus said, "Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, "May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen.  But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart."  (Matthew 11:23-24)    So when in doubt, pray it out!  He can replace doubt with faith, for those who are willing!     

Another strategy in strengthening faith is through reading God's Word, the Bible.  Read with the purpose to CHANGE!  Speak the WORD out loud to yourself as you read.  There is power in the spoken Word!  Marinate over it's passages, take time to contemplate the truth encapsulated within.  Roll it over your tongue, savoring it's Truth.  Allow it to permeate into your very being. Meditate over it's pages.  Talk out any thoughts, questions, or ideas that come to mind as you read.  Whenever I encounter a question or doubt about a particular verse, I verbalize it.  Most often, the answer is revealed only moments later in another passage.  I love it when God does this!  Praying the Word aloud also sends doubt, worries, and anxiety scurrying far away.  Utilize the power of God's Word in turning doubt into faith!

Seeking the counsel of mature Christians can also be a tremendous help when we struggle with doubt.  When you share what is going on in your heart with other Believers, you might just be surprised.  Sometimes others have experienced the same doubts yet have found the answer.  So don't feel awkward in asking.  If you are sincerely searching for the Truth, mature Believer's will respect that and will help you - even if they don't know the answers themselves.  Seek out your pastor, a church leader, Bible teacher or other mature Believers for their insight.  It always helps to talk out nagging doubts with others.  Not only can they be a sounding board to help you sort out your thoughts and what you truly believe, but they may just have the answers you are looking for!

Doubt can be a major catalyst into a deeper walk with Christ. Consider doubt as an opportunity for increasing your faith.  And remember, anything is possible in Christ if you believe!

Are you doubting God today?  Are you doubting His ability to help you?  Do you even believe God can help you and wants to help you?  Do you really want His help?  If you know that Jesus Christ is the answer to your every need, then don't let doubt stop you from seeking Him today!     

 In His Love, Cathy

Honoring Our Heavenly Father Today

I am ascending to My Father and your Father -

to My God and your God.

John 20:17

Jesus spoke these words to Mary Magdeline the morning of His resurrection.  During His time on earth, Christ fulfilled so many roles - Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Shepherd, Prophet, Giver of Life.  But the bottom line of His purpose on this earth was to restore our relationship with the Father.  I wonder, however, if we sometimes become unbalanced in our faith, unconciously focusing more on One of the Persons of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit or the Son, to the negligence of honoring Our Father. 

So today, on Father's Day, I believe that not only should we honor our earthly Fathers, but to renew ourselves in honoring our Heavenly Father as well.  In order to gain an understanding of what it means to have the Lord God as our Father, let us examine a few passages.

• 
  
  He is the Creator, the Giver of Life!  "He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, and human hands can't serve his needs - for he has no needs.  He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need."  Acts 17:22-25 
• He determined history!  "From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth.He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.  His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him - though he is not far away from any of us."  Acts 17:26-27
• We owe Him our very existence!  "For in him we live and move and exist.  As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'  Acts 22:28
• God isn't defined by man!  "And since this is true, we shouldn't think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone."  Acts 22:29
• God knows when we forget Him!  "If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart."  Psalm 44:20-21
• We cannot neglect Our Heavenly Father - He fathered us - we are alive because of Him!  "You neglected the Rock who had fathered you;  you forgot the God who had given you birth."  Deuteronomy 32:18
• We must remember and recognize His Holiness - He is to be revered and honored!  "Who will not fear you, Lord and glorify your Name?  For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed."  Revelation 15:4
• Though He is Holy, We can call Him 'Abba,' - Daddy!  "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."  Galatians 4:6

Though I could go on and on about my wonderful Heavenly Father, let me instead leave you with some thoughts.  How is your relationship with Him today?  Are your feelings for Him merely sentimental or do they go much deeper?  Is your relationship with Him too casual, not properly recognizing His Holiness and Righteousness?  Or maybe you have too formal of a relationship, unable to call Him "Abba," Daddy?  Is He your Rock, the One you lean on daily?  Or is He merely a nicety but not a realistic option for you? 

God is the One and Only God.  He is our most wonderful Heavenly Father.  He is our Rock who birthed us and gave us life. He is real!  So today, let us honor Him!

A prayer for today:  "Lord, do not let me forget You!  Jesus came to point us to you, to restore us into a relationship with you!  You love us.  You desire and chase after us!  Please do not let me neglect YOU!  So today, Lord, on Father's Day, may I honor and worship You.  Lead me into a deeper understanding of You, Heavenly Father!  Help me to keep a healthy spiritual balance of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!  Grown me more and more into the image of Your Son so that I may do Your Will!  I love you, Abba!  I praise Your Holy Name!  Thank you for godly men in my life who have pointed to You, my Heavenly Father!  In Jesus Name!  Amen"

In His Love, Cathy

Overcoming Discouragement

Then I realized that my heart was bitter,

and I was all torn up inside.

I was so foolish and ignorant -

I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you

Yet, I still belong to you;

You hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak,

but God remains the strength of my heart;

he is mine forever.

Those who desert him will perish,

for you destroy those who abandon you.

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,

and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do!

Psalm 73:21-28 (NLT)

Lately, nothing seems to be going right.  At times, I feel so overwhelmed with the oppression around me that it's so difficult not to lose heart.  After a very challenging school year - both at work and in our personal lives, it seems the summer has started off with a continuation of trials.  It seems just as we get our heads above water, something else happens.  As I tossed and turned last night, anxious about the latest turn of events - our Ford Explorer dying on Highway 90 (How much will it cost for Explorer repairs? Just found out, $2600, ugh!!!), I felt that old familiar sense of dread come over me.  I begged for sleep to overtake me.  I prayed for Christ to lift from me the burdens and cares that kept replaying over and over in my head.  I even imagined they were recorded on an old VHS tape and tried to rewind and erase them.  Finally, sleep found me and I awoke this morning refreshed and much more hopeful about all of the circumstances. 

Asaph, the psalmist who wrote Psalm 73, could relate to these feelings of discouragement that I've encountered as of late.  His discouragement arose as he noted how the proud seemed to prosper and succeed - they didn't seem to experience the troubles and problems that those who followed God experienced.  He even questioned why he had kept his heart pure only to awake every morning to pain and troubles.  It seemed to him that life wasn't fair - the wicked prospered while the godly were oppressed.  He became so discouraged that his heart became bitter. 

Like Asaph, I've allowed troubles to embed themselves within me.  I've let down my guard, opening my heart up to attack, creating a spirit of discouragement and fear.  My reality became centered on the troubles and problems of life.  Thus, causing a temporary setback in my spirit.  I now realize just how foolish and ingnorant I must seem to God, to allow such temporal things to cause such disillusionment within me.  

Though bitter and discouraged, Aspah was given a spiritual realignment.  He realized that the proud and wealthy (who do not honor God) live in a dream world.  Their reality is actually not reality at all, but a false dream that leads them away from eternal life in Christ.  When we deviate our focus from God to the troubles in this life, we are also living in a dream - or more appropriately, a nightmare. Problems and troubles are a given, even for Christians.  However, we MUST TRUST God in all circumstances - good or bad!  To become obsessed and anxious over problems misdirects us from the realty of God's truth.  Discouragement blurs our vision, disrupting our line of sight to the Father.  Discouragement derails our faith.  Discouragement leads us along hazardous paths, tricking us into believing the life of faith is futile.  Discouragement wants us to yield our faith and just give up.  

To overcome discouragment, face reality.  Reality isn't this life.  Reality isn't problems or circumstances.  Reality is eternity.  Reality is God's Truth.  True joy, peace, and hope can be your reality instead of dicouragement.  They are not found in your circumstances.  They are not found in riches.  They are not found in the perfect husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, clothes, home, car, etc....They are not found in anything this world has to offer.  Joy, peace, and hope can only be found in Christ Jesus!  God is reality.  Therefore, to overcome discouragement, we need to get as close to Him as we can.  Cling to Christ with all that you are!  He has already taken your right hand and wants to lead you to a glorious destiny.  He's got a grip on you and will never let you go! 

When faced with discouraging circumstances, you can stand in God's strength and righteousness!  You can do all things and face all things in Christ, who strengthens you!  Then, despite your circumstances, tell everyone of the wonderful things He has done!

Don't let discouragement control your reality.  Stand tall in Christ, friends! 

In His Love, Cathy

The Sin of Self-Interest

Self interest is defined as

• opportunism: taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others  
• egoism: concern for your own interests and welfare     (courtesy of worldnet.princeton.edu)
• One's personal interest or advantage, especially when pursued without regard for others
  (en.wiktionary.org/wiki/self-interest)

I must confess, I have been guilty of looking out for my own self-interest.  And furthermore, it is a struggle for me not to.  I know that, try as I might, I will continue to struggle with self interest.  Why?  Because it's in my human DNA, it's instinctive, it's a self preservation mechanism.

Without a doubt, our fallen world creates a climate ripe for seeking after one's own best interest. We look out for our best interests, often justifying our actions.  Instead, we are admonished to do something quite contrary to the world, something quite revoluntionary,  something that could have only been brought about by Jesus Christ Himself:

"My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?"  Galatians 5:16 

Paul says that we can starve our selfish nature by CHOOSING to be led by the Spirit!  Christ GAVE us the means to BREAK the sin of self-interest the minute we accepted Him as Lord and Savior - by sending His Own Holy Spirit to live within us!  Once indwelled by the Spirit, it is up to US to CHOOSE to live freely being led by the Spirit - OR not to.  Paul emphasizes here that living freely in the spirit is antitheical to living selfishly.  We can't live both ways.  Friends, we are NO LONGER to live based on how WE feel, flip flopping around from one day to the next!  To do so is counterproductive to the work of the Spirit in our lives AND defiles our testimony for Christ! 

In living a Spirit led life, we must be cautious not to confuse our personal feelings for the Spirit's prompting.  Here's what the study notes of my NLT Bible says about being led by the Spirit:

"Being led by the Holy Spirit involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey God's Word, and the sensitivity to discern between your feelings and His promptings.  Live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit.  Then the words of Christ will be in your mind, the love of Christ will be behind your actions, and the power of Christ will help you control your selfish desires."

The antidote to self-interest is to FREELY live a life led by the Holy Spirit!  In living freely, the Spirit gives us NEW LIFE (animation) and INCENTIVE (motivation).  Furthermore, those living freely in the Spirit are easily identified by the wonderful fruits produced:  "...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."  Galatians  5:22 

Does your life reflect the fruits of a Spirit led life or one wrought with self-interest?

Prayerfully seek Him today.  Only He can help you to live freely!

In His Love, Cathy

Letting the Chips Fall

"There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me."

—1 Corinthians 16:9

Encouragement for Today

"Whenever we do something, especially if it has to do with changing people's minds and/or behavior, some will respond positively but others will oppose us. Knowing this can free us from trying to please everyone. Like Paul, we must discern what God is calling us to do, do it, and let the chips fall where they may. Then we can be at peace, knowing that it's God's work, not ours. "

—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions




In His Love, Cathy

Get Up and GO!

"1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”
3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.

4 But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. 5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.

But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. " Jonah 1:1-5

God gave Jonah a mission. His mission was to go to the city of Ninevah and proclaim God's judgement on the people of that city. God knew that the people would repent and follow him. So did Jonah, and he didn't like that. Ninevah was an Assyrian city. The Israelites and Assyrians were enemies. So, instead of obeying God, Jonah went the OPPOSITE DIRECTION of where God wanted him to go. Ninevah was east, so Jonah went west. Not only that, he bought himself a ticket for a boat ride to take him as far as possible in the opposite direction. Jonah purposefully resisted, rebelled, and disobeyed God. As a result of his disobedience, the ship he was sailing on got caught up in a terrible storm. The storm was so bad that even seasoned sailors aboard that ship feared for their lives. And where was Jonah? Down in the hold, sound asleep.

Like Jonah, we also can resist, rebel, and even flat out disobey God. When we disobey, we are running in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION of His Will. Our disobedience does not void God's commands. Our rebellion in no way alters His Will. The sooner we realize that and obey, the better off we'll be. God's Will WILL BE DONE!

Our disobedience puts us in a very dangerous position, it puts us outside the Will of God. God will accomplish His plan. Whether we are participants or not is another story. If we are not willing and watching, if we are resistant, He can choose to pass us by and use someone else whose heart is willing and obedient. However, God can choose to use us anyway. If this is the case, He won't relent until we have responded in obedience. He can 'out stubborn' all of us combined! This is what happened to Jonah!

When we run away from God's Will, we not only endanger ourselves but others as well. Jonah's disobedience put the lives of the sailors at risk. We like to think that our sin only hurts us. However, our sin of disobedience can have a devastating affect on others, no matter how 'minor' we think it is. Our disobedience hurts relationships. First and foremost, it hurts our relationship with the Father, robbing us of the joy we have in Christ and convicting us of our guilt. It hurts our relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. If we fool ourselves into thinking that our disobedience will only affect us, then we are morons!

Jonah learned his lesson the hard way. We should learn from Jonah's experience and just do what God asks from the start. There is no way around it. We can not escape His presence, He is everywhere! So man up (or woman up). Then GET UP AND GO!

In His Love, Cathy

Psalm 23:1-3

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Psalm 23:1-3

HE is all that we need. HE leads us along the right path, the path to everlasting life and eternal peace. HE is the renewer of our strength. To HIM be all honor, glory, and praise!
In His Love, Cathy