It's Complicated

Overwhelming love has washed over me this morning.

You might be wondering what could bring on such a flood of emotion. The answer is simple, yet complicated. 

It all started as I entered my "meeting place" and went through the normal routine of candle lighting, situating lights, getting comfortable in my chair...then I began thanking God for His goodness.  After a few minutes of praise, I picked up the devotional calendar to change the date and this is what I read.... 

This is not the first time I've read these words!  This devotional calendar has been a part life since 1991, a baptism gift from a loving mentor and friend.  This verse has been read and re-read, studied, taught, and preached...but today, it became like a waterfall of rushing water...washing me clean!

I though about the violets that cover a section of the "forest" in our yard in the spring..so many that trying to avoid crushing them as you walk is nearly impossible...Dad and I walked through them many times and he never failed to mention how much he like them.  We would crushed a few, in spite of trying to avoid them, but I can't remember the fragrance...yet...it was there...covering our offending shoes with a sweet aroma.  Even as we broke them, they showered a sweet smell our way, and we didn't know it.

This causes me to think about the forgiveness of God, a precious gift...and there are times that I know I crush His heart with my own unforgiveness, yet HE forgives me...and while I may "know" it, I fail to detect the sweet aroma of HIS love for me.  In this moment of feeling so loved, I dared to ask this questions..."who do I need to forgive?"  He was waiting on that question. 

And for a few moments, time stood still in my "meeting place" as He showed me...and from my heart, a mighty river of forgiveness flowed as I spoke the word "forgiven."  Listen, I THOUGHT I had already let it go!  In this quiet time of devotion, a time of coming to the Father to seek His will, in an attitude of prayer...HE had a plan to remind me that freedom comes when we forgive one another, just like HE has forgiven us.

I'm sure that my words have not done justice to the beauty of this moment.  Maybe you are smiling or thinking, "oh, that's nice" or something like that...or maybe, just maybe, you sense what my words failed to express...and in this very moment, you are finding freedom...it sure can be complicated...but sometimes, it just this simple "forgiven" uttered from a pure heart...and those who have crushed you might not catch the aroma...but it is there...

Here's a prayer I re-discovered this morning.  These are the words of the Apostle Paul but they are for you and me today...

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant YOU, according to the riches of His glory, to BE STRENGTHENED with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that YOU, being rooted and grounded in love, may BE ABLE to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST which passes knowledge; that YOU may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV)




  

Hide your eyes

Proverbs 28:27 (NKJV) 27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

There is someone who will cross your path today that you are called to help!  Will you hide your eyes? 

While what you have to offer may come from your treasure, the gift you give could also come from your time or testimony...there are so many who are "poor" and the encouraging word you give may be a turning point in their situation. 

 The one who crosses your path may need someone to listen to them or need help with a car door.  The one who crosses your path today may need to meet Jesus and your testimony could make a difference in their eternity.  

Will you give or hide your eyes? 

   

Contrary

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. (Matthew 14:24 NKJV)

Contrary?  Interesting description of the wind that this storm produced.  Storms are like that...just contrary..."over against, opposite."  These winds are sure stirring up some opposition and coming against that boat...the "safe" place is being battered and doesn't seem so safe at that moment in time.  Jesus comes on the scene and one is willing to get out of the boat,  let go of his fears...and walk on top of those wind tossed waves.

Seems like contrary winds have a way of stirring up all sorts of reactions...some will face the storm in the boat and others will step out of the boat...Jesus was found in both places...on the waves and reaching out to rescue Peter when his brave step met the challenge of the contrary wind and his eyes dropped from Jesus.  His courage should encourage all of us boat-sitters!!!  The contrary winds become  calm after Jesus climbs in the boat...Jesus changes the situation...and teaches us greater faith and revelation of who He is, in and out of the boat. 

Today, opposing winds may rock your boat.  And if they do, this may be your opportunity to answer His call to "come" and walk on water answer.   There are times when things start shaking that we choose the safety of the boat but this may be the storm that requires a stretching of your faith...and requires a step outside of the boat that will bring you face to face with the One who will capture your gaze and keep you on the waves!!! 

Photography by Lisa Ross

Teachers, thank you!

The start of a new school year is drawing closer, a glance at the calendar confirms that July is nearly over and August brings the opening of school doors!!!  School teachers across our region may already be in their classrooms preparing for the new class of learners.  Thank you.

My daughter is a teacher preparing to start this year in a new school with a focus on project based learning...a method near and dear to my heart!!! She has devoted her summer to meeting with the team of teachers in preparation for upcoming year. A sacrifice of time and talent willingly and eagerly made to order insure the success of their students.  Thank you.

Few people truly understand the sacrifices teachers make in order to teach to change lives and help others be the best they can be!  If you take a few moments to think about your learning experiences, I'm sure a favorite teacher will come to mind!  

Teachers deserve a big Thank You for their service.  At the Tabernacle of Praise (www.hurricanechurch.com) this Sunday, teachers will be honored for their sacrifice and dedication.  Now would be a great time for you also to express thanks to the educational community in your area...find a way to say Thank you!

While many have answered to call to teach in the classroom setting, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be teachers of His ways in the classroom of life.

Answering that call may include teaching within discipling arm of your church or finding ways to teach your children God's Word during family devotions. We should alway be teaching  and reaching out to others by the way we live out life, setting an example, just like Jesus did...

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. (Psalms 51:10-13 NKJV)

I would like to take time to say thank you to the many teachers in my life, including those within my own family, and especially give honor to my "first teachers," my mom and dad.  Both were 1st class educators in their fields, loved and respected by many.  I am forever grateful to them for more than I can express here...thank you seems both inadequate and appropriate.  Thank you.

Meeting time

This morning I want to encourage you to set aside a time and place to meet with God, every day.  Without giving you a long list of directives, my suggestion is simply this, do it!

God has made a way for us to come boldly to His throne, at any time, day or night! 

 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)

So, find a place that will be your meeting place and set a time to meet God there.  Take to this appointment your Bible, a notebook and pen, and a heart that is ready to receive!!!  

Not sure how to get start?  Open your mouth and praise Him, speak words of thanksgiving, and tell Him how much you love Him, talk to Him like you would with your best friend and then, be still and listen!

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. (Psalms 63:1-8 NKJV)

Enough...

This morning as I was meeting with my Heavenly Father and was telling Him about the events that would be unfolding during the day...this verse came to mind....

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness"

I am so thankful for His grace and know in my heart that in times of trouble, difficulty, struggles, sadness and my less than perfectness...He will be my strength.  Today, this verse came alive in a new way as I focused on the word "sufficient." After thanking God for this timely reminder that  His grace is "enough" I decided to quickly check the meaning of the word and found that the word " sufficient" is derived from a word that means "raising a barrier.". Now that caused my heart to soar!!! Not only was God reminding me that His Grace was enough, He was showing me that His Grace was forming a barrier around me, and that all I needed to do was trust His strength!  Wow!!! Talk about a great way to start a day.  I am so thankful for His Grace!!!  I prayed "thy will be done" with greater authority today, thanks to His Word, that NEVER fails!!! 

From the prayer closet to hitting the road in preparation for the next 5k...here are pics from my morning run (yes, my time would have been much better if I had not stopped to take pictures)... 

Ready...

  Cheering section

 The uphill section 

  These 3 decided to try to join me...

  Today's time for 2 mile walk/run

  Bun run here I come!!! Goal=40 minutes and finish strong!!!

Got love?

Milk mustached faces with a look of satisfaction give evidence to what was just consumed in an attempt to convince you that you want what they have!!! That's one of the goals of a good advertising campaign, to convince you that the product is something you can't live without, causing you to call the number on the screen, go to the website or drive to the store and get it.  You remember these ads, "Got Milk?"  

As followers of Christ, we are to be walking advertisements of His love.   Like the milk mustache proof of drinking a cool glass of milk, does the Love of God mark us?  Would someone looking at your face or your life see proof of love?  Walking in love may not be as obvious as a milk on the upper lip but our demonstration of God's love should look like this...

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]...(1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMP)

The question is, "Got love?"

Loved poured out

"Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5

How do you start your day? Before your feet hit the floor, is your mind already thinking on the multitude of things you want to accomplish today? If your list of things to do looks like my list, you may be tempted to get back in bed!  My thoughts want to turn to the news, email, calendar and to-do list but I turned off the phone and focus on spending this first moments of the day in touch with the God, the Creator of all things, the One who loves me and draws me close to Him.

Today, He reminds me that Hope doesn't disappoint because of His love!  A few quiet moments feeling His love pouring into my heart revives me!  Doesn't just the thought of HIS love awaken your spirit to being loved and being able to love.  And that is so important!  As the day progresses we are going to be in contact with many people and face all sorts of circumstances…and in every single instance we bring HOPE into dynamics of the day because of HIS love for us and in us!

Spend some time soaking in HIS LOVE as you read these verses and let the GOD of HOPE encourage you!

[Rom 5:1-5 NKJV] 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

[Rom 15:13 NKJV] 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


[Col 1:27 NKJV] 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

[Heb 10:23 NKJV] 23 Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised [is] faithful.

Forgiveness...

There is something peaceful about the sound of water rushing over rocks. There is a peace that rushes over me when I think about the forgiveness I received from Christ when I asked Him to forgive my sins...the cleansing...the newness...the freedom!  Forgiveness for past, present and future sins, all found in the cleansing power of His blood shed at the Cross.  There was a time when I thought that I had gone too far, committed too many wrongs and had separated myself from Him forever...but God's Word says:

 Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." 

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Finding freedom in forgiveness is powerful.  

The peaceful and powerful flow of freedom in Christ flows freely but every time we choose to withhold forgiveness from someone else, we drop a huge rock in the stream, cutting the flow to a trickle.  While the need to forgive can result from a hurtful word, disappointment, an offense, or the infliction of great pain...Jesus can help us overcome...and forgive others as we have been forgiven! 

Finding freedom in forgiveness is powerful!!! 

Luke 6:37 (NKJV) 37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 11:4 (NKJV) 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one."

Luke 17:3 (NKJV) 3 "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Luke 17:4 (NKJV) 4 "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Let the flow of freedom overwhelm you by breaking the rocks of unforgiveness!!! 

Power in God's Word

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV) 17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD.

Ephesians 6:17 (NKJV) 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Today, I remain astounded by God's love.  All around me I see evidence of His power and know the peace of the power of His love washing over me.  With a calm confidence I feel strength and find hope in the Word of God. This day, walk empowered in the promises of His Word. Stand strong and hold fast to the Sword of the Spirit. 

What are you thinking about?

Psalms 19:14 (NKJV) 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Philippians 4:6 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

With so much information bombarding our lives, it is easy to allow our thoughts to be consumed by the news of the day, to focus on issues and matters that are of worldly importance. While it is important to be informed, we should not allow ourselves to be consumed by the bad reports!  We must be careful in what we allow our mind to "think on" and guard the words we express, spoken and written. Think on good things and speak words that bring encouragement!

 Puppy love!

A fountain shall flow

Joel 3:18 (NKJV) 18 And it will come to pass in that day That the mountains shall drip with new wine, The hills shall flow with milk, And all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD And water the Valley of Acacias.

The Valley of Acacias is a barren and dry place, a long ways from Jerusalem...yet His Spirit flows to this place, a never-ending supply...constantly available.  In this very place, both successes and failures were launched...yet His Grace is sufficient to forgive the sins of the past and empower the successes of today...His grace, love and strength flow freely to those who trust in Him.  If you are in a place that seems barren, empty, and dry...seeking answers, needing direction,  or help to overcome...

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."  James 1:5 NIV

Heavenly Joy

Last week, a talented 5 year old tap danced and sang on a stage before a live audience and thousands of TV viewers.  A confident performer, to say the least.  She "wowed" the judges, one who was quick to compare her to American's sweetheart, Shirley Temple.  He even suggested that a little bit of Shirley Temple might be "in her."  She quickly set the judge straight "Not Shirley Temple! Jesus!"   She didn't hesitate, not for a second.  Her name, Heavenly Joy.  I stood up and clapped, not for her amazing talent (although it was certainly impressive), but for her acknowledging Jesus Christ.  She didn't care that she was about to be judged for her performance with a chance for million dollars on the line, she just had to set the record straight with emphatic clarity....Jesus was in her, not Shirley Temple.  A lesson for all of us who claim to be Christians, followers of Jesus.   Shouldn't all Christians, those who claim to follow Jesus, do the same?

"Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  AND YOU ARE WITNESSES to these things..."  John 24:46-47

"And Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  GO THEREFORE and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye SHALL BE WITNESSES unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."  Acts 1:8

A child stood on the stage and in no uncertain terms, witnessed to millions.  Those who follow Christ, should do the same thing, every day.  Our response should be as quick and precise as her simple words.  Our lives should be an outward witness of the work Jesus accomplished in us and we should be ready to tell what Jesus has done for us.  

Thank you, Heavenly Joy, for your witness and reminder to me, that I should do the same. 

"...CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

Here's the link to view Heavenly Joy's performance...