Overcoming Obstacles

I'm sad to say that it's been a couple of weeks since I've written any devotionals. Life had completely taken over. Between work, family and all the little nuances my days seemed to hold, I had been overtaken by them. At the end of the day, it seemed I was even too tired to pick up a pen and record the days events. But, no more! God has given the gift and passion for writing and writing is what I must do. So, instead of being overtaken by the problems of this world, I Will overcome them through Jesus! 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" John 16:33 

You guys know how I love word play! :) The word 'tribulation' in this verse comes from the greek work, 'thlipsis' which means, 'pressure', 'crushing', or 'squeezing distress'. 

My best friend's daugher made rice krispie treats yesterday. As we all know, after you mix in all the butter and marshmallow goodness, you must then press it into a pan. When I say press, I mean press! There's nothing worse than rice krispie treats that fall apart when you try to cut them. 

To compress anything, or to put pressure on something is 'thlipsis'. It's like spiritual weight lifting. We will always have pressure in this life - crushing blows can and will appear around every corner - we are not immune. 

But, we have the power to be victorious and joyful during these times. Because Jesus has overcome this world means that we don't have to be overtaken by the pressures or adversities of this life. We can draw strength from Hin, knowing that He is there. He hears us when we call out to him and He comforts us with His tender Grace and Mercies. 

Memorize Psalm 34:17 

Move Your Mountains

"I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up." Isaiah 49:11 

How may mountains do you ahve in your life? Me? I have about a billion! :) There are people and things that threaten any divine progress that I ever hope to have. Sometimes, I think that if I could just get rid of all those hinderances, my life would be so much richer, and then I could live a holier and more loving life. 

But, aren't these hinderances my opportunity to achieve greatness within the Lord? It's hard to look at trouble or calamity as a progressive feature but that's what they are! They will progress into the very Grace and virtues that we've prayed so long for. 

It's kinda like praying for patience. Then out of the blue something comes our way and we start to fret and become incresingly IMpatient and try to evade the problem it presents...we even might try to pray the IMpatience away, thereby granting us immediate victory, not considering that it has been brought to us as an answer to our first prayer. 

What I've learned (and am still learning) is that our mountains are His mountains. They are put there to increase or faith and to test our resolve. God will not ever fail you!  Not ever!  So, if you have mountains in your way, keep trudging up them. Soon, you will make a path with your foot (or hands if you've reduced to crawling ;) ) and see the road ahead. 

"God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens." Job 28:23-24 

Faith It Till You Make It

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."  James 1:6-8

My Child,

Do you hear My call for you?  My call to come up to a place of greater faith?  Listen for me!  Listen and hear the cry of My Spirit, says the Lord. You live in perilous times and you are bombarded by negative reports and statements of unbelief that have the ability to undermine your faith.  But, I tell you the truth that all things are possible with Me if you will only ask in prayer and believe.  This is not a time to base your faith on human wisdom and carnal understanding.  Believe My Word, exercise your faith, and receive.

Extravagantly,

God

Rejoice!  :)

Praise Brings Results

 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18 

Though we may be reduced to disaster; not enough food to go around, stacks of bills waiting to be paid, we look around and see bare fields and desolation at what was once filled with God's gracious fruits...yet we still rejoice in the Lord! 

Oh, these words should be stitched on a pillow!!  We should write the words down and post them everywhere...as a gentle reminder that even in the midst of dryness and despair we can still have joy, we can still rejoice in what He has done for us.  I love the song that says, "If God never does anything else for me, He's already done enough!"  There is so much to praise Him for even if our human eyes can't see it at the present.  All that we need to do is think of the past...think of where He has brought you since He rescued you from yourself! 

1 Thessolonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, In everything give thanks; For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

This verse is self explanatory...the verse says IN everything give thanks!  When we praise and rejoice in the Lord, we can have joy unspeakable even in the midst of problems... 

Think on this: 

Praise - Honors God! 

Praise - Undergirds faith! 

Praise - Brings deliverance! 

Praise - Is the voice of faith! 

Praise - Is the language of heaven! 

Praise - Sets the stage for God to move! 

Praise - Releases the angels to minister! 

Praise - Fuels joy, which is your strength! 

Praise - Knocks down walls of resistance! 

Praise - Stills the enemy and the avenger! 

Praise - Dispels darkness and depression! 

Praise - Must precede, not follow blessings! 

Praise - Brings the presence of God onto the scene! 

Praise - Is a sure sign of acceptance of the Word of God! 

Praise - Is the highway that faith moves its blessings down! 

Praise - Is calling those things that be not as though they were! 

Peace, Man

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15 

What's very interesting about this verse is the word "Let". It doesn't say, "THE peace of Christ will rule", it says to "LET" the peace rule. This means action on our part. 

We have to choose to let peace rule in our hearts. It's all about the choices we make and if we can choose to wear a t-shirt in the morning when we get dressed, we can also choose to wear peace! 

Make an active choice. Instead of thinking on things that serve no purpose or worrying about things you cannot control, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart". 

Silver Linings

"And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness. There they could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud." Exodus 16:10 

No matter what we're facing, what problems come our way, it is so important for us to look for that perverbial silver lining in the clouds. And, once we've found it - keep looking at it rather than seeing the darkness in the middle. 

Life can be so hard. Satan slithers through this land seeking whom he may devour and it's up to us to hold on to the promises of God and have faith that He will keep us and protect us, bringing us into abundance even though we may not see it yet. 

Search out the promises of God and claim it. Say out loud, "This promise is mine!" The very moment you turn away from unbelief or distrust and believe that His Word is absolute - that you can ahve what it says you can have, the flood gates of faith will open and the Holy Spirit will give you divine strength to withstand the ploys of the enemy. 

"We can never see the sun rise by looking into the west" - Japenese Proverb 

I think I can!

"I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up." Isaiah 49:11 

How may mountains do you have in your life?  Me?  I have about a billion! :)  There are people and things that threaten any divine progress that I ever hope to have.  Sometimes, I think that if I could just get rid of all those hinderances, my life would be so much richer, and then I could live a holier and more loving life. 

But, aren't these hinderances my opportunity to achieve greatness within the Lord?  It's hard to look at trouble or calamity as a prgressive feature but that's what they are!  They will progress into the very Grace and virtues that we've prayed so long for. 

It's kinda like praying for patience. Then out of the blue something comes our way and we start to fret and beomce incresingly IMpatient and try to evade the problem it presents...we even might try to pray the IMpatience away, thereby granting us immediate victory, not considering that it has been brought to us as an answer to our first prayer. 

What I've learned (and am still learning) is that our mountains are His mountains. They are put there to increase or faith and to test our resolve. God will not ever fail you! So, if you have mountains in your way, keep trudging up them. Soon, you will make a path with your foot and see the road ahead. 

"God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens." Job 28:23-24 

False Assumptions

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died." John 11:21

Can you imagine being in this situation and confronting Jesus? All of us have probably confronted The Lord at one time or another but is it the right thing to do?

Martha was basing her feelings on a false assumption that led to questioning Jesus' motives. All of the thoughts that come into our minds are based on assumptions. Whether they be truthful or untruthful, everything we think or project towards others comes from a deeper well of what we actually think and believe.

These assumptions become the foundation of all of our thoughts and actions. For example, If my mother took my sister-in-law shopping and didn't invite me, I used to assume it was because she must not want to spend time with me and had more fun with her. Now, this wasn't true but it didn't stop me from wearing this insecurity like a comfy t-shirt, turning it into the assumption that I believed.

Most of us know how the story of Martha, Lazurus and Mary turned out. Jesus came in and showed the Glory of His Father. He didn't come when Martha thought He should but came when His Glory could be most revealed. If you're waiting on God right now, don't assume He's not showing up. The truth is, He's already there - and He will blow your mind with results if you let Him.

Freedom vs Religion

RELIGION: I obey-therefore I’m accepted.

FREEDOM: I’m accepted-therefore I obey.

RELIGION: Motivation is based on fear and insecurity.

FREEDOM: Motivation is based on grateful joy.

RELIGION: I obey God in order to get things from God.

FREEDOM: I obey God because it pleases Him.

RELIGION: When 'stuff' happens, I get angry with God or myself, since I'm probably punished.

FREEDOM: When 'stuff' in my life goes wrong, I am at peace because I know God will never leave me or forsake me.

RELIGION: When I am criticized, it hurts my feeling because it is critical that I think of myself as a ‘good person’.

FREEDOM: When I am criticized, it still hurts, but it does not matter what others think. My identity is not built on my record or performance, but on God’s love for me in Christ. I can take criticism.

RELIGION: My prayer life consists largely of petition and it only heats up when I am in a time of need. My main purpose in prayer is control of the environment.

FREEDOM: My prayer life consists of generous stretches of praise and adoration. My main purpose is fellowship with Him.

RELIGION: My identity and self-worth are based on how hard I work or, how moral I am. Others who don't live up to my standards are lazy and immoral. Thank God I lead 4 study groups.

FREEDOM: My identity and self-worth are centered on the one who died for His enemies, who was excluded from the city for me. I am saved by sheer grace so I can’t look down on those who believe or practice something different from me. Only by grace I am what I am. I’ve no inner need to win arguments.