Just some guy.

Remember Barak? The one in the Bible, whom Deborah told to fight Sisera?
Just some guy. With doubts and fears.

A few decades later, God calls Gideon.
Just some guy. With doubts and fears.

God works in and through the lives of common, broken "just a guy" (and "just a gal").
I don't know about you, but I needed that reminder! 

Father God, thank You for giving us the training and tools to do the work You call us to do! I am "just a guy/gal" and I am so thankful that You are with me in my daily training, as well as the big battles. Increase my faith in You, in Jesus. Greater is He who is in me, than he that is in the world. You are at work in us and You are reconciling others to Jesus through us. Love and speak through us, Father. Show me what You want me to do today. In Jesus' name.

Barak's story can be read in Judges 4-5.  

Unbelief

In Mark 6:1-6, we're told Jesus was not accepted in his own hometown, even by his family. 

I understand why the siblings of Jesus had trouble with what Jesus was doing.

Mary... how perplexed she must have been!

She knew the Torah and the Prophesies, but they weren't adding up to what the leaders had been teaching. Jesus wasn't acting like a King who would usurp Roman rulers.

She knew Jesus was God's Son. Mary had birthed Him, as a virgin.

She had heard the prophesies over Him when he was merely a babe.

Gabriel himself gave her the message of who this child was to become.

She saw Elizabeth's pregnancy in her old age - that was definitely a miracle!
God had protected their family more than once, by guiding Joseph through dreams to move to safety.
 

Yet... when Jesus was in full-time ministry, she couldn't grasp God's big plan in the midst of her preconceived ideas. It didn't make sense.

30 years is a long time to wait to see what God would do through Jesus. 

It's a long time when family members who heard the message of God and saw the miracles aren't living anymore - she was the last witness alive.

It's a long time when countless people whom you do life with - leaders, friends, and family - are focused on their personal gain and freedom from Roman rule.

Abba God, when we wait on You - for answers, for healing, for help, for wisdom, for a paycheck... Whatever we are waiting for, let us hold unswervingly to YOU. Don't let us get confused by people who are muttering, shouting lies, or questioning what we know You have told us. Help us remember that You alone are faithful and trustworthy. Even when we don't understand & it doesn't look like we thought it would, we can count on You to do what You promised.

In this world we are like Jesus.

Wait a minute. Who? Me?
I’m like Christ Jesus in this world? Even though I still wage war against sin? Even though I seem to daily forget how important it is to be patient, kind, joyful, full of hope and gratitude?
“…as He is, so also are we in this world.” Wow. Isn’t that incredible???
What a blessed gift!
I am a NEW creation. The old is gone. I’m no longer condemned! I’ve been rescued and set upon a rock that cannot be shattered. I am sheltered by the wings of God Almighty. I’m able to talk 24/7 to the Holy One – and He sees me as clean and loveable.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love 1 John 4:17-18
Abba God, thank You for all You have done. Give me eyes to see Truth: who You are, who I am. Give me courage to walk in faith today… to believe that I really am made like Christ Jesus (not ONLY given eternal life, but also meant to live in freedom and holiness). Truly, You are worth more than I can conceive, and I’m humbled that You love me so well. In Jesus’ name….

It is done, though not through my efforts.

Exertion. Labor. Toil. Great effort. The cunning and deceptive Perfection Beast ravaged my soul, threatening to destroy Hope. Dropping to my knees, I cried out to the only One who could save me. I found myself shaking internally with fear. Was the day lost? Suddenly, a blinding light appeared. I opened my eyes to see Despair gone; Hope standing strong. With one spoken Word, my Prince and Savior had sent the beast screaming into the darkness from which he came. HALLELUJAH!!!

These are my mornings. These are my days. Lies torment me, but Truth prevails! From death and sin, Emmanuel saved me once and for all. From lies, trials and tribulations, Jehovah saves me daily. Emotions don’t always cooperate; some days the wait is harder. Maybe my heart’s just stubborn in believing? I don’t know, but I know the One who does know. He is enough.

How precious to know The Lord has said “it is finished”! Today is NOT about what I need to do, or what I am able to accomplish. My work is to abide in Christ Jesus, to rest from my works and trust in His ability to finish the work He’s begun. So, I abide, He produces the fruit. I’m weak, but He is strong. He gives me the strength and ability to do what He planned for me to do. 

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." - John 14:1

Abba God, thank You for coming to my aid daily. You are my rock and fortress. You saved me, You love me daily, You watch over me, You made me right and clean in your sight. When I revert to frantically scurrying around in circles, looking for ways to run in circles faster, convict me to “finish the sentence” with truth - following up lies with truth. Your Word is the sword of the Spirit, able to penetrate between bone and marrow. Thank You for promising to finish the work You started! Thank You for making it very clear that my job is abiding in Christ Jesus, trusting that HE WILL do the work in me. In Jesus' name... 

Hello Trouble. I'd like you to meet my Abba.

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears

And delivers them out of all their troubles…

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, 
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” - Psalm 34:17 & 19, NASB

How cool would it be to have my brain so retrained that when trouble comes, I can sweetly smile and say, “Hello Trouble. I’d like you to meet my Abba. Oh, by the way, He’s not just my Abba, He’s God…”  

I will have trouble, but God delivers me out of them all. So, whom – or what – shall I fear? Nothing can separate me from Him. He is my ever present help and comfort. He supplies my strength. He hears me and always has time for me.

My God is BIG, STRONG, and ABLE!

“Hello, Trouble. I’d like you to meet my Abba… “

  

Abba God, How gracious You are to deliver me out of my troubles. Yes, this life has many troubles, but You are faithful and true to bring me through them. They do not have any authority or lasting power over me. Thank You for always hearing me, for continually being present with me, and faithful in answering my cries. You are good, and your love does endure forever! May my lips, thoughts, and actions bring You glory and delight today. In Jesus’ name…  

Two Roads: Curse or Blessing

This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8

Beloved sister, do you see? Every one of us has the choice between two paths. The destinations are vastly different and the choice is yours and mine. 

I can’t speak for you, but I sure do want that luscious jewelry-fruit, along with the opportunity to dangle my leg-roots into the babbling brook while my ever-green hand-leaves praise my Father in heaven! 

However, I know that confidence in Him and freedom from worry is not cheap or easy. I must place all my trust and all that I care about in His really big, strong, capable hands. It’s going to take time and practice, but I’ve got a great Teacher!

Abba God, thank You for your promises and generous grace toward us. We don’t deserve to be your children, and we are grateful! Give us hearts which are steadfast to trust in YOU alone, choosing to believe You are faithful and able to provide nourishment and strength for each situation. Give us courage to stand firm in faith no matter what. We give You all the honor, glory, and praise - only You are worthy! In Jesus’ name… 

Remind me of David's Desperate Pleas, Please

Have you ever noticed the order of the 43^rd psalm? I think it's a wonderful model of prayer when we are struggling. 

Before you read the psalm, picture a desperate man. Covered in the armor of a King, he also wears the dirt, sweat, and blood left from his recent battle. He expected admiration and gratefulness after defeating the marauders, but has instead found his life at risk among once-trusted friends and advisors. Though he's royalty, he is on his knees before the throne of His Maker. You've heard the phrase, "Prepare to meet your maker." He's thinking this might be it. Humiliated and burdened, he pleads to the only ONE who can do anything about the horrifying events that have just unfolded in his world. 

Save me!!! This is serious! Where are You? Can You hear me? This is too much!!

Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation;
O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

I know You are and have the answer, Lord! Please show me!

O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your dwelling places.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.

Come on, soul! Put your trust fully in God, your faithful helper!

Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why are you disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Mighty Abba, I feel so overwhelmed (sometimes / right now / constantly it seems).I know you see my plight, and all the details involved. Still, sometimes it feels like You aren’t there, or don’t care, or that maybe I’ve done something to stress our relationship. I know, mentally, that Jesus is the answer to everything, that He completes me, and can take care of my every need. Still, I find it so hard to believe truth when emotions rage and circumstances seem Goliath-sized. Remind me to stand on truth. Give me courage to stand (or kneel) when I don’t have a clue what else to do. Remind me daily that I can choose to hope in You, to burrow deeply into Christ Jesus, to trust You for help. To myself, I say, “Get in gear, girl! Hope in the only One who is forever faithful, who has been with You through good and bad times. He is trustworthy! Hope again in HIM!” And, even though I'm still struggling, I am grateful Father, that You love me so well and give me hope time and time again. My struggles are meant for good, are beneficial for training, and will NOT last forever. Give me eyes to see glimpses of heaven, my homeland. In Jesus’ name…  

My head feels like a blender!

So many thoughts are swirling around, intertwining themselves among each other. That's common for me, but the speed is crazy. Turbo mode even! 

At least today, the thoughts are all swirling around truth. I'm trying so hard to stand on truth, using simple logic to talk myself into believing (if nothing else, it'll keep me from going insane, right?). 

If Abba was pleased to crush Jesus (Isaiah), knowing the outcome... As the Master Gardener, it surely pleases Him to prune me because He is focused on the resulting fruit and making me mature in Christ Jesus so I can share in his holiness (John 15, Hebrews 12:11).  He's made me with that view in mind, and He always finishes what He starts. He is the author and finisher of my faith. (Hebrews 12:2) HE IS, not me. 

Abba, it's hard for me to believe that you can create this attitude in me... to humbly accept each trial, being always obedient. Thank you for continuing to work in me to will and to act according to your good purpose. Give me faith to believe that YOU WILL FINISH this work, and that YOU CAN CHANGE ME. If you can purchase me with Jesus' blood, give me the right to eternal life with you through the resurrection power, surely you can transform me in spite of myself. I want so much to be obedient. Help me in my unbelief. In Jesus' name...

Philippians 2:5-13, NASB, Amplified, Message

Hebrews 12:11, NASB;AMP;MSG

Thanks, Mom (and a few faithful Sunday School teachers), for teaching me that the Bible is God's inspired word, wholly true. That truth keeps me in the fight when I want to quit. 

Are you weary?

Hello sweet sister.

I love you SOOOoooo much.

I wish I could give you an in-person hug right now.

I wish I could take away all your hurts.

But that would change who you are.

What I’m about to say will require a lot of trust on your part, but I ask that you read on and seek the truth, based on the only absolute truth we have in this world (God’s Word, which is Christ Jesus Himself).

I see such a beautiful woman of God, who’s being changed before my eyes in an amazing way.

You are being made, as a caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly, into the very image of Jesus Himself.

He knew pain.

He knew suffering.

He knew agony.

He knew betrayal.

He knew, really knew, loneliness.

He knew emotional anguish.

He knew the daily burdens.

He knew the daily drudgery.

He knew distractions.

Jesus also knew the answer…

In order to become the man He was meant to be, he would have to rely solely on His Abba.

In prayer.

In trust.

Through the tears

Through the frustration.

Through the loneliness.

Through sadness and loss.

Through losing friends as he made tough choices

For direction… even when it seemed there was none.

For hope… even when it seemed there was none.

For friendship… even when it seemed there was none.

“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3, NASB

Abba, we trust you with ALL our hurts, our fears, and our pain. We entrust ourselves to YOU ALONE. Jesus can sympathize best with us, even more than our friends can. Give us courage to trust you today. Give us YOUR strength in our weakness. We love you, even though we don’t understand your ways. Replenish our waning hope. Give us eyes that fixate on Jesus. May our circumstances be peripheral as we lo Jesus to be our everything. In His name…  

Desperate. Hopeful.

2011 was TOUGH = deeper faith + stronger resolve. 

2012 = continued goals + vibrant hopes. 

I'm not a resolution girl, but I am daily forward-thinking. It's a blessing & troublesome trait.  

When I'm focused on Jesus, I can keep the past/present/future in proper perspective... and it's as if I'm walking on water like Peter in Matthew 14:26-33, NASB. 

The trouble comes when I find myself consistently focusing on ME. That's why so much of 2011, I found myself identifying with Sinking Peter as I cried out, "Lord! SAVE ME!!!" 

I don't want to live like that anymore. I don't want to sinfully focus on ME. The abundant living that Abba calls us to is much different than how I've been living. Surely, in any storm, walking on water with Jesus is less  tiresome than thrashing with crazy fear gripping your heart. 

I imagine Peter woke up the next morning, resolving to believe better. I know I do. I desperately long to walk in faith daily, being fully convinced that my Abba IS helping me: to love like Jesus, to live abundantly (with joy & hope), and to do the good works HE wants me to do. 

So, this year, my top daily goal is summed up in this equation: 

Each day + focus on Jesus = love + abundant life + EVERYTHING ABBA has planned for me.

Don't you find it interesting that Peter didn't ask Jesus to stop the storm before calling him out? What in the world was he thinking??? I wonder if he instinctively knew that being WITH Jesus in the middle of the storm is so much better than in our own?

Abba, I'm so glad you tell us Peter's story. You give me hope as I remember that he was molded  from weakness and flippancy into the strong, immovable rock of the church. His letters reflect a strong confidence in the power of Christ Jesus - to save and to change us. Thank you. I do believe, Abba. Help me in my unbelief... to believe and to focus on JESUS. In HIS name... 

Thanks & credit to Do Not Depart for the recent "Believing Better" series, which has greatly encouraged me and challenged me to persevere. Believing Better Series, on Do Not Depart

The Story of the Warrior Princess

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." - Galatians 2:20 [We’ll be staying on this verse a few days. There’s so much to dwell on here.]

It calls the Warrior Princess to actions which I don’t like to think about.

Crucified? Sounds painful.

No longer I who live? Ok, that’s just crazy talk. I’m uncomfortable and nervous. What about my desires, dreams, friends and family? My money? My talents? My time? My hurts and fears?

Everything??? Yes, everything. A Warrior Princess of the Most High Kingdom must give up all of her rights. She has no other option.

Why? Maybe you know her story, for it is the story of all Warrior Princesses.

I'm a Warrior Princess!

A little child once gave me a small decal that said “Warrior Princess.” (I know, so sweet!)

What causes you to lose heart?

This might sound lame, but mornings cause me to lose heart. Mornings are my arch nemesis. When I wake up, courage hides until I spend time with my Father. (If you think I'm being melodramatic, well, you're probably right. Still. I don't like mornings. Maybe someday. )

I struggle to let go...

I really like that illusion that I have control over my circumstances.  

I want to fully trust God, because I know He knows what is best. I would love to be that gal who always takes a leap of faith, fully abandoning myself (without a fight) to the One who made me, loves me, and delights in me! 

But... (You knew that was coming, didn't you?)

There's a piece of me that screams, "You can't do that! Don't you know what that would mean? You might be giving up opportunities, limiting your options."

Yet, each time I try to keep all my options open, I miss out on God's best. Maybe it's because I'm so focused on what I might miss. Maybe. Regardless, when I obey Him and do the good works He planned for me to do, God takes care of all the details that I can't do anything about. When I'm where He wants me to be, He makes sure I take the right opportunities and protects me from the wrong opportunities.

Father, it's me again. Thank you for teaching me that you really do love me and want what's best for me. I want to do what you tell me to do. What do you want me to focus on today? Give me the strength and courage to abandon anything that's not your best! 

How about you? Do you struggle to "let go and let God?" 

Let's focus on these verses together today: 1 Peter 5:7, Ephesians 2:10.

Inadequate? Yes I am, but...

I have been thinking about blogging for 1 year & 20 days. Wondering how I know? I found my first rough draft dated October 1st, 2010. The topic? Inadequacy. I still struggle with it, and I think I'm glad I do. Being "a mess" has caused me to lean on Christ Jesus more than I might otherwise.