Encouraging and inspiring women to boldly live in the Holy Spirit, to grow in their faith, and to live as lights in this dark world, sharing Jesus' love to those whose lives they touch.
Sometimes when I am driving along I just have to stop. Perhaps the sun is sculpting the clouds allowing
a few rays to filter through or it is
dancing across the water making it
sparkle like a thousand diamonds, or maybe a flock of birds are playfully flying
above me causing me to pause. Too often
we hurry along our way looking without seeing what is around us - Beauty, the needs of others, so many blessings and reasons to praise our
almighty God.
Many times I’ve sighed to think how sad it was to get my
driver’s license. So excited for the
newfound freedom, but the bike got used less and less with the ability to get
places faster and eventually found its place on a hook in the garage. It’s not our lifestyle here in America to
usually walk or bike to our destinations and yet, in our hurry we miss so much.
In Jesus’ time walking was the normal means of getting
around. We read several times where the
disciples barely made it to a destination that took hours to walk to and they
turned around to get back to where they left.
It all took time.
What does one do with all that time? Talk, pray, meditate,
plan, observe the list goes on….
Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the first
Palm Sunday and yet in all the pomp and circumstance, He did not rush into town
on a galloping steed, but slowly on the back of a baby donkey. Jesus came to Jerusalem to be murdered. He didn’t wait until the last minute and have
His enemies rush Him away, but came a
week ahead of time. He lived
purposefully and even while on the cross, made use of every minute He had left
on this earth.
As we reach the
height of Holy Week, take your time. Linger
in the garden and pray. Carry the weight
of the heavy steps along the Via Dolorosa.
Observe the subtle meanings in the events and feel the very deep
love. The love our Father has for each one
of us that send Jesus to the cross. This is a good opportunity to develop the
habit of daily bible time. Steep in God’s Word.
With the shepherds we rush to the manger, but let’s walk
ever so slowly the road to Golgotha. (JH)
I love being around talkative small children. The world is one big wondrous learning experience and everything is possible. Superpowers, astronauts, president, firefighters, ballerinas - children dream big dreams and nothing holds them back. Adults encourage these big, childlike dreams because we want our children to fulfill their God given purpose.
As we grow though, something changes and reality has a tendency to stomp on these dreams. The responsibilities of life pile up and those big dreams are set aside or forgotten altogether. Our days are filled with concerns and challenges like our dwindling saving account, demanding work or school deadlines, health issues, children’s needs, or aging parent’s needs. I remember once as a young mom that I simply dreamed of simply getting all my young children in bed with my insanity in tack. A bubble bath?…..that was way too much to dream for. Maybe you’ve been there too. The bible tells us that God chose us to be born in this time of history and in this place on earth for a special purpose. He knew us before we were born, and he created us with great love, molded each of our personalities, inserted all our talents, our strengths, and our weaknesses and he knows the potential we have because he place it within us. The things we have in our heart to accomplish, knowing that with God all things are possible, lay in wait for us to draw upon God’s Spirit to empower us to pursue the work he called us to do. Then, the more impossible the dream, the more we can give God the glory for getting it done.
I know. I hear your thoughts as you scrap peanut butter off the light switches or arrive late at your second job to just pay bills. How could God have chosen me to do anything impossible or great when Satan tells me there is nothing special about me? Or when other people are more important than I am; or while my children are having a meltdown in the grocery store and while my bank account is empty? Understandably, to often we let our human reasoning, day to day challenges, the facts, figures and other people’s opinions determine the fate of the special joy of fulfilling a God inspired dream.
What if we chose instead to believe God? What if we scraped off the impossibilities and explored our hearts desires and a willingness to be open to and do God what called us to do? What if we began the journey, the small steps, to accomplish the very thing he created us for and begin to depend on God’s power to accomplish that thing? It might be to solve a great world need, but it might also be willing to be the vessel to mirror the Lord’s deep love and the gift of salvation to our children, dying parent or an unbelieving neighbor. Be assured, confident and have the courage that God has equipped you with everything you need to fulfill that purpose he placed within you. Whatever the dream God has placed in your heart, today I encourage you to rip the label “impossible” off. Toss out the ’I can’t do that” excuse; throw away fears and doubts and renew a childlike spirit within you. Replace it all with the thoughts of what would you do if you knew God would give you the strength to accomplish it? Let all the talents, strengths, and potential God loving placed within your inmost being take hold, bubble out and bring glory to your God. If the Lord has planted a seed in your heart, no matter how impossible it sounds, please take a moment to inspire other ladies and leave a comment below. Jot down your dream, or your challenge to fulfill a dream so that others may pray for you. You also can leave a bible passage that you rely upon and have found about fulfilling your purpose and God’s promises.
I will leave you with just a few bible passages to begin your journey. As you read, each time you see (****), insert your name and personalize the word of God and let God speak to you. Be empowered by God’s spirit as you read these assurances and discover your superpower. (rs)
Before I formed (***) in the womb, I knew [her]; before (***) was born I set [her] apart. (Jer. 1:5a)
You, (***) did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you (***) ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16)
For you created (***) inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I, (***) know that full well. (Psalm 139;13-14)
For (***) is God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for [me] to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
This is a beautiful time of year! Each day Spring gently approaches a little more.
I lay in my bed as a new day dawns, fresh and full of promise and I listen
to voices.
For several months the days have begun in silence as the world was hushed
by winter.Now the happy voices of the
birds of the air come together, a new one each day adding to the choir of
praise which wakes us from our sleep.
Some rough and hardy birds remain through the winter protected by the extra feathers God gives for insulation. Other birds
fly to warmer climates for a time. Like clockwork, they return. They know
nothing of how the winter up north has been while they were away or what
temperatures they will return to.
Day by day new birds see the calendar and
make their way back north.
The time is now no matter what the weather.
What a lesson in trust. As they fly
the air gets colder, they press on. Not knowing how long the landscape will
remain desolate, and where they will find food. Yet, they return, they don't
turn back.
God tells us to live without worry.
Trust Him in all circumstances and for all things. When you begin to feel
concern approaching be reminded by the birds flying by. Put your Hope in God.
He's not only trustworthy butlovesyou so much, He provides abundantly. (JH)
Matthew
6:26 Look atthebirdsoftheair;they do not sow or
reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feedsthem. Are you not much
more valuable than they?
Recently I heard something that made me just stop.
I was watching Downton Abbey and the elderly
matron sighed, “the Lord works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” Hmm. It’s a common enough phrase yet how
often we only hear the first half. One
might say it despairingly while shaking their head or in a tone of awe.
His ways certainly are a mystery to us and from Job we
learn, how dare we question? (Job 40)
We don’t know how a small hard acorn can sprout and grow
into a giant tree. How does life grow
from a burnt forest floor that is nothing but ash and charcoal? The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed, His
wonders to perform. He works not just
good, but shines His glory through situations we consider “bad”.
Look at Paul in prison chains. Here he had time on his hands and a heart
inspired by God to write letters to the Christians in several cities which
became books of the bible where these stories of God’s love and encouragement
have been handed down for centuries.
What about Moses? He was taken
from his home and sent down a river! In
God’s providence, the little basket stayed afloat and was discovered by Pharaoh’s
daughter who took him in and raised him as one of her own. This upbringing was training for later in his
adult years.
That was then?? A few
weeks ago after sitting for 2 cold dark hours on the side of the road with a
flat tire situation I wound up having the opportunity to meet a young woman who
has been coming to St. John’s. Now she
has another person she knows when she visits next.
After my husband
died, I moved back to WI. I could go on
and on telling you how God has used that
very sad and difficult experience to grow my faith and use me.
What about you? How often can’t you look back to situations
that were unpleasant at the time only to look back and realize how God worked
it for the good of His kingdom?
His wonders to perform and perform He does! Shepherd boy kills giant. Boy’s lunch feeds over 5,000 people in the
countryside. God is using me. God is using you. All these statements, while true, are hard to
understand yet in them God is glorified.
Be alert, be on the watch and be awed at His
performance. (JH)
These paintings were inspired by Eph 5:18b, "Be filled with the Spirit" for a painting project at a women's retreat.
At first glance theses sample paintings might not appear as any great work of art. Simple and maybe even childish, but that is the beauty of them.
So often I hear people say they are not artistic. In whose eyes? What is artistic? Art can be very subjective and many people who once enjoyed creating have stopped due to a comment made by someone trying to box in this person's interpretation of what they see. Did Picasso and Rembrandt interpret a bowl of fruit the same way? Was one of them wrong?
As in the journey of life, the joy of painting is the process not always the outcome. The relaxing feeling of leading a brush over a canvass. The beauty of color as different hues are mixed together and the design of lines, thick or thin varying by the twist of the hand. Doesn't that make you think of God's palette? Variations of colors blended together along with different lines and textures bring about the beauty of oneness of His people, the family of God. No two anything are exactly the same yet He uses our differences to enhance each other. Romans chapter 12 says, "for just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us."
The special talents that make up you are exactly what God knows you need for those opportunities He has planned for you to be His hands and feet. Like tools in a tool box, God has equipped you.
Being filled with the Spirit is using the talents and strengths God has given you for His glory. Remember Romans 12:4-6 when Satan wants to make you feel inferior. Don't compare your actions or outcomes to anyone else. Instead, thank God for the special gifts that by His grace only you have been given. Then use those gifts freely and completely. Give them up as a fragrant offering.
God loves the cheerful giver of time and talent and when you use your gifts in this way, whatever you do is a masterpiece to Him.
We all know what Valentines Day is or is expected to be. Hallmark does a good job of creating the "mood". The mood of expectations almost to the point of demands. It can truly set the poor, committed yet unaware lover up for disaster if he happens to forget this one day of the year.
What were your expectations last Sunday? Did you give or receive thoughtful gifts or set time aside to be with a special person? Perhaps you are in a strained relationship and Valentine's Day came and went like any other, dashing your hopes to the ground. For some, it is "single's awareness day" making one feel like a second class citizen if they are not sitting in a romantic restaurant with a starry eyed member of the opposite sex.
This day that retailers have created to be quite profitable by laying guilt on those who don't lavish their loved one with flowers and chocolate and shiny things have completely lost touch with the true essence of Valentine. Yes, he was a real person. A Christian martyr, in fact. The story goes he befriended a blind girl and as he was headed toward the arena of hungry lions, tore a piece of paper into a heart shape so she would be reminded of how much Jesus loved her.
There it is, a True Valentine, so full of commitment that he gave up his life for the One he loved. Sounds like someone else we know, right? JESUS IS the TRUE VALENTINE. He loves through thick and thin and will NEVER LEAVE you. No matter how awful you and I behave, he will never get tired of us. He completely understands us. Everything He did while here on earth was out of love for us and for His Father to the point of being tortured, hanging on a humiliating cross for the whole world to see and finally dying. All for undeserving me and undeserving you. Do you realize that even if you were the only person in the world, Jesus would have still died for YOU? That's how much JESUS LOVES YOU.
So what will you give your Valentine? Does your heart overflow for Him and yearn to be with Him above all else? How will you show Jesus how much you love him? Relationships are a two way, contact sport. God longs to have your attention and love. Spend time with Him and listen closely to what He says in His word. Love others more than you love yourself because by showing love to others you show your love for God. Like a deer pants for water, desire your LORD.
February 14 is just another day on the calendar. True LOVE is shown every day and doesn't need Hallmark to dictate how. As my pastor ended his sermon on Sunday, Feb 14. Hear God saying, "I love YOU!" Then, no matter your circumstances in life, you can love the unlovable and know you are not alone because you are filled with the true love of your Valentine. (JH)
Have you ever watched a mama cat begin to wean her kittens? At first, she will just get up and move away. As the process continues, that mama cat will do a low growl, use her paw to bat away or even nip at the little ones who simply want to nurse and be filled. The mama cat knows the exact timing to urge her kittens from depending solely on her to feeding themselves. Horses do this same thing. Cows do it too. In fact, all of God’s creatures eventually become self-feeders. They learn to feed themselves. They must or they will die.
Somewhere during that first and second year of life, human babies desire to feed themselves. First, it is with their fingers and then with the toddler sized spoon. They miss their mouth, food ends up in their hair, up their nose, on the floor (ceiling, wall, etc). Learning to feed themselves, is time consuming, messy process. It might be easier and less messy if parents just kept spoon feeding that child their nourishment. Then as adults, they could go to their own home and make the mess that come with learning to feed themselves. Pretty silly, right? So, somewhere along the way, self-feeding becomes easy, automatic and can be neatly, and quickly accomplished.
Are you a self-feeder? Oh, most of us are very capable of indulging ourselves with food. Sometimes too much too often. But how about with God’s word? Has church sliced, diced and pureed God’s word into a smoothie that is full of nourishment, but easy to take in and then scamper through the day? Has Pastor cut up and spoonfed the meat of the bible, with all its amazing lessons and messages, that you are now intimidated to try to feed yourself?
Now don’t get me wrong. I love church. Our pastors are amazing servants of God and speak his word in truth and purity in the way I can savor and truly appreciate. I thoroughly enjoy being in fellowship with other believers. In fact, I need to be with other believers and hear the Pastor’s message. But just being fed whatever scripture lesson our church calendar says or digesting the universal message pastor thinks the congregation needs, simply may not be enough to nourish my soul.
Like that toddler learning to eat, when we attempt to read, understand and digest bible verses or stories, at first it can feel like a time consumingly slow, messy process where sometimes we can get egg all over our faces.
In Romans 15:4 it says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
Scripture was written to teach us. Attending church and hearing Pastor’s message certainly can teach us. But we are also encouraged to get into God’s word for ourselves.to form that personal relationship with God and learn from the people contained within those pages. They’re not just stories. They are experiences God put in there to encourage and give us hope. When we open the pages of the bible, we can dig into God’s word and let the sweetness of his words be honey on our lips, so we can experience God on a more personal level.
But becoming a self feeder and forming a personal relationship with God may feel intimidating. We think that we won’t understand, or that it will be too challenging, too hard, or too strange or too time consuming. In Isaiah chapter 55:14, God says that his word will never return empty. Through our daily reading of the bible, the time when we fill our soul with God’s message, he gives us insight on how we can face our individual daily challenges with his peace and assurance that, no matter the circumstance, he is with us. Yep. It might be messy and make us uncomfortable, but God has a message just for you in those pages, one to give you hope and encouragement. We just need to dig in.
The bible is full of stories to take in, savor, mull around, sniff out the meaning, and digest the message God has for YOU! Don’t be intimidated, nervous or apprehensive. Become a self-feeder. Get messy. Ask questions and keep asking. Dig in like you would dig into a hot fudge sundae with whip cream and cherries on top and taste the blessings, promises, and reassurance straight from the hand of God. (rs)
For your consideration today: I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. Deuteronomy 32:2
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
***Lysa TerKeurst has a youtube that was originally used to promote the release of her newest book at the time -2009. In it she relates her experience of cutting up a pineapple and the sweet fruit inside to digging into God’s word. The illustrated picture message will be one that stick with you and may help if you are ready to dig into God’s word for yourself. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnfRzgGpaPI
