"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." Psalm 1
I used to have an anxiety issue that would rise up in me, making me "nervous" as mama used to call it when she felt that way. I do have an adhd streak or two - most of my friends would agree. I've even been diagnosed with essential tremor lately, and now I understand why I have always felt like I was "wired for sound" without any stimulating chemicals! I remember so well learning this Psalm and learning to speak it when I felt anxiety rising up within me. I highly recommend learning it by reading it aloud several times a day for a while. Personalize it by saying "I am like a tree...". It will soon run through your mind like your cell phone ringer does. (Or does your brain do that like mine does?) Nevermind.
It's really an amazing formula for peace. Promises, precious promises to those who will delight in the LORD and His word. It takes avoiding people who mock and scoff as a way of life - who think they are wiser than God Himself. Think of that. How could we possibly think we are wiser than God? Anytime we choose what we think is right above what He clearly says in His Word is right, that's exactly what we are doing. When we jump out of bed in the morning and run fast to fill our calendar's plans without bowing before Him to learn His plans for our day, we are telling God, the creator of this amazing universe, that we are wiser, stronger, more able than He to see ourselves through the day. When we fret and excuse our worrysome ways instead of being anxious for nothing as Philippians tells us, we are saying that we know more than God does! Crazy, isn't it?
As Easter approaches this Sunday and we think what these days of Passover were like for Jesus Christ, let us renew our commitment, (or make it if we have not), to honestly seek our way in Him and in His word, aligning ourselves with His heart about all matters. It will change our lives forever, and truly bring the success we long for in our lives....in absolutely every way. That is what all the crazy busyness in our lives is seeking, isn't it? The world's definition of success. "How blessed is the man.....
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Did you win today?
Maybe its just me, but the reality and attack of satan are very real, usually on a daily basis. I wake up so aware of the Lord, calling to Him for strength, purpose and direction for the day. It almost always begins well. But then somewhere along the way, a struggle begins. I feel like a loser with the large L embedded in my forehead. It might be about my physical being, my financial blunders, lack of more education, a high powered career in the world, or simply a screaming voice of "I can't!" Ephesians 6:12 reads, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Hmmmm No wonder it feels so strong, so real, so suffocating. Sometimes the noise is chattering in my head, and I don't even know I'm hearing it. (Okay, no need to call the little men in white coats to take me away.)
Did you know the Greek word for struggle is pale, a wrestling term that means to throw you to the ground and hold you there? What a perfect word Paul used to describe the battle. Talk about no peace! When the battle rages in your mind and heart there is definitly not much peace going on. This is one piece of peace I have to pick up regularly and put into the fabric of my life. TRUTH. It is how I won today and how I will win tomorrow! I'd like to recommend a Bible study for anyone out there reading this blog. It is called "LORD, Help Me Grow Spiritually Strong In 28 Days", and it is written by Kay Arthur and David Arthur and is published by Precept Ministries International. It is full of truth - about God and all He has done to bring us to Himself, and about our part in the journey. It only takes about 20 minutes a day! Go for it! Win your battle with truth. It's the only way to wrestle!
Did you know the Greek word for struggle is pale, a wrestling term that means to throw you to the ground and hold you there? What a perfect word Paul used to describe the battle. Talk about no peace! When the battle rages in your mind and heart there is definitly not much peace going on. This is one piece of peace I have to pick up regularly and put into the fabric of my life. TRUTH. It is how I won today and how I will win tomorrow! I'd like to recommend a Bible study for anyone out there reading this blog. It is called "LORD, Help Me Grow Spiritually Strong In 28 Days", and it is written by Kay Arthur and David Arthur and is published by Precept Ministries International. It is full of truth - about God and all He has done to bring us to Himself, and about our part in the journey. It only takes about 20 minutes a day! Go for it! Win your battle with truth. It's the only way to wrestle!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Drink your water!
We all know how important drinking water is to our health. Life cannot be sustained without water. Get away from it, and it is almost a task to begin consuming again what you need for good health. But once you start drinking it intentionally again, your thirst for more is amazing!
I see God's wisdom in telling us that His Spirit in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ would be like a fountain of living waters that would flow within and from us. His Word is called the living water. It feeds the fountain! It flows from us when it has been received by us. The more you have of it, the more you thirst for it. It is life saving and sustaining. I have found these truths in my own life. How about you?
With even greater urgency than your need for h2O, I urge you, DRINK YOUR WATER! His water will give a glow to your face, a calm in your soul, and a river to flow to others that washes and cleanses and births new life!
Flow, river, flow!
I see God's wisdom in telling us that His Spirit in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ would be like a fountain of living waters that would flow within and from us. His Word is called the living water. It feeds the fountain! It flows from us when it has been received by us. The more you have of it, the more you thirst for it. It is life saving and sustaining. I have found these truths in my own life. How about you?
With even greater urgency than your need for h2O, I urge you, DRINK YOUR WATER! His water will give a glow to your face, a calm in your soul, and a river to flow to others that washes and cleanses and births new life!
Flow, river, flow!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wish Lists
I was talking to myself about a wish list last August. I had just come home from Dallas and promotions were in the air! What would I like to have? That was a question posed to me while at my convention. I thought of things that others have – fancy houses, fancy cars, lovely yards and such. I actually named a few to the Lord – it seemed like I should have a wish list.
A few hours later, I received a message to call someone. She asked me to come and speak at a women’s prayer breakfast at her church in a few weeks. The date was open, and it was a date I had kept opened for uncertain reasons – perhaps a trip to the beach for our anniversary, perhaps a friend’s wedding, perhaps some other opportunity that was going to come. I wasn’t sure – I just had been holding that date very carefully in my mind and in my date book. She apologized for the short notice. I assured it was no problem. She asked me what amount they would need to pay me. I said, “oh, there’s no charge”. She said “so just what we want to give you?” I said, “Sure, God has a plan working here!” I grinned at the thought of the ways He chooses to provide for me financially.
I hung up the phone and rejoiced over His kindness to me. This was on my heart’s wish list. Sharing God’s love and mercy in my life is what I live for each day. I long to encourage another person in their walk with Him. From deep inside myself I had a deep joy for His provision. I thought of the clear message from Him a couple of weeks before, after I had returned a newly purchased car to its dealer. Peace by piece. That was to be the name of the book, the ministry – no, the message to this small group of women who would hear from me in a few weeks at their first ever prayer breakfast.
He provided the message, the opportunity, the results in the hearts of those who heard. The best wish list for me is just to be about my Father's business. Family business is very important, you know!
A few hours later, I received a message to call someone. She asked me to come and speak at a women’s prayer breakfast at her church in a few weeks. The date was open, and it was a date I had kept opened for uncertain reasons – perhaps a trip to the beach for our anniversary, perhaps a friend’s wedding, perhaps some other opportunity that was going to come. I wasn’t sure – I just had been holding that date very carefully in my mind and in my date book. She apologized for the short notice. I assured it was no problem. She asked me what amount they would need to pay me. I said, “oh, there’s no charge”. She said “so just what we want to give you?” I said, “Sure, God has a plan working here!” I grinned at the thought of the ways He chooses to provide for me financially.
I hung up the phone and rejoiced over His kindness to me. This was on my heart’s wish list. Sharing God’s love and mercy in my life is what I live for each day. I long to encourage another person in their walk with Him. From deep inside myself I had a deep joy for His provision. I thought of the clear message from Him a couple of weeks before, after I had returned a newly purchased car to its dealer. Peace by piece. That was to be the name of the book, the ministry – no, the message to this small group of women who would hear from me in a few weeks at their first ever prayer breakfast.
He provided the message, the opportunity, the results in the hearts of those who heard. The best wish list for me is just to be about my Father's business. Family business is very important, you know!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Boundaries
Boundary lines. We hear a lot about boundaries these days. Really good books have been written about boundaries in marriage, parenting, friendship and the other relationships we humans share.
Far back in my memory is the scripture that says "the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely, I have a delightful inheritance from the Lord." The Lord has been leading me to some conclusions about this verse in the last few months. The thoughts simply came to me. I know they are from Him.
I have a space and time in God’s plan. In popular culture, the term settling means one has given up on dreams for a better life in some area and have “settled”. It is rather a negative suggestion when someone says you have settled. You have quit trying, working, creating change in some way in your life. In choosing a mate or choosing to honor your marriage vows, some say one has settled if their life is not just what they had pictured it to be. So people keep working, keep striving, and many keep looking for a person that will make them happy. I’ve learned a new truth. And it is settling to my soul.
I’m not like my friend, Tim, who is an amazing salesman. He is a very successful businessman in his own right, and his lifestyle and business reflect that. Tim is being Tim. He is living in the boundary lines of his life plan, and he blesses many people in his journey. I am successful in my business in many ways. I have a much larger business than any effort I have put forth. I suspect Tim would say the same thing about his business efforts.
Some people are so gifted in decorating or creating or cooking or putting together a wardrobe. They can’t help themselves anymore than I can keep myself from talking to people about their heart needs. We don’t need to duplicate each other – we simply need to be who we have been created to be in our time and space.
I don’t have “wow” success in comparison to many. But I have way more than enough, and that provision by God frees me to live in my boundary lines, which are more about ministry to people than business building. I live in humble surroundings (that I love); I drive a ten year old car (that I delight in requiring no payment); my “exotic” vacation is a few days on the beach with my loved ones (that I love better than the fanciest of dream trips); and I’m not known for any great thing that singles me out above the rest. A simple life is mine.
So Tim gets to be Tim, and I get to be me. And you get to be you. Our lives are different yet the same. We can each be a redeemed sinner who delights in sharing that with others as God gives us opportunity. Some of us do that with words and others simply do that with their life!
With whom do you compare yourself – and come up lacking or elevated? Find your boundary lines. Observe where God is using you or pulling you. Go to those places without comparing yourself to others. Enjoy them. They are pleasant indeed – a delightful inheritance!
Far back in my memory is the scripture that says "the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely, I have a delightful inheritance from the Lord." The Lord has been leading me to some conclusions about this verse in the last few months. The thoughts simply came to me. I know they are from Him.
I have a space and time in God’s plan. In popular culture, the term settling means one has given up on dreams for a better life in some area and have “settled”. It is rather a negative suggestion when someone says you have settled. You have quit trying, working, creating change in some way in your life. In choosing a mate or choosing to honor your marriage vows, some say one has settled if their life is not just what they had pictured it to be. So people keep working, keep striving, and many keep looking for a person that will make them happy. I’ve learned a new truth. And it is settling to my soul.
I’m not like my friend, Tim, who is an amazing salesman. He is a very successful businessman in his own right, and his lifestyle and business reflect that. Tim is being Tim. He is living in the boundary lines of his life plan, and he blesses many people in his journey. I am successful in my business in many ways. I have a much larger business than any effort I have put forth. I suspect Tim would say the same thing about his business efforts.
Some people are so gifted in decorating or creating or cooking or putting together a wardrobe. They can’t help themselves anymore than I can keep myself from talking to people about their heart needs. We don’t need to duplicate each other – we simply need to be who we have been created to be in our time and space.
I don’t have “wow” success in comparison to many. But I have way more than enough, and that provision by God frees me to live in my boundary lines, which are more about ministry to people than business building. I live in humble surroundings (that I love); I drive a ten year old car (that I delight in requiring no payment); my “exotic” vacation is a few days on the beach with my loved ones (that I love better than the fanciest of dream trips); and I’m not known for any great thing that singles me out above the rest. A simple life is mine.
So Tim gets to be Tim, and I get to be me. And you get to be you. Our lives are different yet the same. We can each be a redeemed sinner who delights in sharing that with others as God gives us opportunity. Some of us do that with words and others simply do that with their life!
With whom do you compare yourself – and come up lacking or elevated? Find your boundary lines. Observe where God is using you or pulling you. Go to those places without comparing yourself to others. Enjoy them. They are pleasant indeed – a delightful inheritance!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
There's a fungus among us!
I am so ashamed. I have a nasty toenail fungus, and I have two choices. I can either paint my toenails and pretend the fungus isn't there while it grows out of sight or I can leave the nail bare, treat it with an antifungal product and pray that it goes away! Toenail fungus! I've fought some white nail, thick nail and lifted nail issues for a few years, denying where this thing could take me. I took meds a few years ago but stopped when the insurance company denied the claim. I guess I could blame them for all of this, maybe even sue. But then, no amount of money or repayment will take away the fact that I have a toenail fungus and I have to decide to treat it instead of covering it up. I've decided to treat the problem!
What about you? What about life around us? What are we covering up, making it look really good while all the time something ugly is growing in the dark? Debt? Infedelity? Gossip? Anger? Jealousy? Self righteousness? A nation crumbling in its sin while we busy ourselves with idols? A church more focused on our needs than those of the lost world that Jesus died to save?
By the writing of the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 14, the Holy Spirit instructs us to have love as our highest goal. Then he says, "But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives - especially the ability to prophesy." (NLT) He then talks about speaking in words that people can understand. Old Testament prophets were given so many living examples of a spiritual lesson God was speaking to His people. I believe the same is true with my toenail fungus. It has a living message for the people of God. And as His woman, I must choose to share this message, thus fulfilling Paul's calling that each of us have to prophecy - speak for God in the paths of your life.
A huge piece of God's peace comes from transparency before God about our sin, temptations and need for His cleansing grace. Are you "painting over" a growing problem in your heart or your walk in life? Let me encourage you to know it will only become worse with the cover up. Expose it to God - to someone you trust. And be amazed at the cleansing power of truth. The gospels are full of messages of Jesus' heart reaching out to those in sin and saying, "come".
"I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive - but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief." Revelation 3:1-3
Time is short. Treat your fungus!
What about you? What about life around us? What are we covering up, making it look really good while all the time something ugly is growing in the dark? Debt? Infedelity? Gossip? Anger? Jealousy? Self righteousness? A nation crumbling in its sin while we busy ourselves with idols? A church more focused on our needs than those of the lost world that Jesus died to save?
By the writing of the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 14, the Holy Spirit instructs us to have love as our highest goal. Then he says, "But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives - especially the ability to prophesy." (NLT) He then talks about speaking in words that people can understand. Old Testament prophets were given so many living examples of a spiritual lesson God was speaking to His people. I believe the same is true with my toenail fungus. It has a living message for the people of God. And as His woman, I must choose to share this message, thus fulfilling Paul's calling that each of us have to prophecy - speak for God in the paths of your life.
A huge piece of God's peace comes from transparency before God about our sin, temptations and need for His cleansing grace. Are you "painting over" a growing problem in your heart or your walk in life? Let me encourage you to know it will only become worse with the cover up. Expose it to God - to someone you trust. And be amazed at the cleansing power of truth. The gospels are full of messages of Jesus' heart reaching out to those in sin and saying, "come".
"I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive - but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief." Revelation 3:1-3
Time is short. Treat your fungus!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Psalm 103:19
Have you any concerns over our nation? The health care bill? The wars? The great distance America has moved from her roots? I was comforted this morning with the truth of Psalm 103:19. His throne is established in the heavens. His sovereignty rules over all. See the word "reign" in the middle of sovereignty? He reigns. Period. We can rest in peace that God is indeed in control. He takes credit in Isaiah 45:7 that "He is the one who forms light, creates darkness, causes well being and creates calamity; I am the LORD who does all these."
So what feels out of control for you today? Rest, it is in complete control of the ONE who made it all, knows all and sees all before you and me. Now that's some peace I can use a regular dose of in my heart and mind. How about you?
So what feels out of control for you today? Rest, it is in complete control of the ONE who made it all, knows all and sees all before you and me. Now that's some peace I can use a regular dose of in my heart and mind. How about you?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
In need of peace...
I've met several individuals lately who are so in need of peace. Life has hit them hard in various ways, and they just don't know where to begin to find the peace they long for each day. One young woman came yesterday for a spa treatment. She is out of a job, can't pay her rent or car payment, and she suffers from mental illness of some sort. At 8, she was diagnosed and medicated for bipolar disorder only to find last week that she does not have bipolar disorder and has taken meds for 12 years for nothing. She is off those meds and on to others now that the "experts" have decided she suffers from another disorder. Her family calls her constantly - both out of concern for her not doing what she needs to do each day and for the fact that they are paying most of her bills. She said the word suicide last week and ended up in a psych unit for a few days. I assured her I was no doctor but that I knew Jesus healed many people who seemed to be suffering from mental illness. I told her how He has healed my varied disorders in life and how satan works to get people to kill themselves. He authors all lies and constantly seeks to lie to us about ourselves.
How much of our problems are simply born of our failure to apply truth to our lives and walk in responsible ways? A large dose of self control is needed in her life. She calls people any hour of the day and has accepted that she just does that. She sleeps thru the day and is amazed that she cant' sleep at night until the wee hours of the morning. Hello.....get up early and you'll be sleepy that night at bedtime. Just say no when you have an impulse to do something that takes no account into how it will affect others. How could such simple answers allude someone? Because there is so much noise coming from her mouth and the mouths of those around her that she doesn't have an ear to hear what is so obvious.
What about me? What about you? Do you ever dread a task that needs to be done and in your sane mind you know you are going to be the one to do it yet you don't take the needed action? I was recently feeling not so motivated to make salads for my husband's lunches that week. I just did not want to do anything. Yet at some level, it was pressing on me to do. I had bought the good ingredients and had everything I needed to make those lunches I wanted to make. I decided to just get up and do it. Within 20 minutes, I had 5 great salads made for the week and the mess cleaned up in the kitchen. And the "I don't want to go do that" feeling was gone. How simple was that? How simply could all of our non-peaceful thoughts be solved by simply taking action to do what we need to do?
Not so lofty thoughts, but life changing conclusions. The Spirit of God who lives in every believer in Jesus Christ waits to give us peace about even the smallest things in life. Are you listening to His guidance for you? He is called the Comforter for a reason. Listening to Him and following His lead brings comfort....and joy!
How much of our problems are simply born of our failure to apply truth to our lives and walk in responsible ways? A large dose of self control is needed in her life. She calls people any hour of the day and has accepted that she just does that. She sleeps thru the day and is amazed that she cant' sleep at night until the wee hours of the morning. Hello.....get up early and you'll be sleepy that night at bedtime. Just say no when you have an impulse to do something that takes no account into how it will affect others. How could such simple answers allude someone? Because there is so much noise coming from her mouth and the mouths of those around her that she doesn't have an ear to hear what is so obvious.
What about me? What about you? Do you ever dread a task that needs to be done and in your sane mind you know you are going to be the one to do it yet you don't take the needed action? I was recently feeling not so motivated to make salads for my husband's lunches that week. I just did not want to do anything. Yet at some level, it was pressing on me to do. I had bought the good ingredients and had everything I needed to make those lunches I wanted to make. I decided to just get up and do it. Within 20 minutes, I had 5 great salads made for the week and the mess cleaned up in the kitchen. And the "I don't want to go do that" feeling was gone. How simple was that? How simply could all of our non-peaceful thoughts be solved by simply taking action to do what we need to do?
Not so lofty thoughts, but life changing conclusions. The Spirit of God who lives in every believer in Jesus Christ waits to give us peace about even the smallest things in life. Are you listening to His guidance for you? He is called the Comforter for a reason. Listening to Him and following His lead brings comfort....and joy!
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