Intimacy

Sometimes we are caught up in what we need to do, out of obedience... we entrench ourselves in survival mode while mortar shells are flying overhead. Maybe we aren't necessarily caught up in the doing (today), but in some other overwhelming matter than claims to shackle us to a wall. 

We forget that there is a quiet, private room where only two can fit... cozy, not claustrophobic. Where Jesus waits for us, desiring to fill our tea cups, to warm us, to assure us, to give us all we need for today's battles. Where He gives us the good gifts of peace and joy... 

John 4:10a "if you knew the gift of God, and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Father God, help us tell our souls to be still... to rest in the beautiful and strong assurance of Jesus. Give us the courage to sit still before You for a few minutes longer... to breathe deeply from Your provision and blessing. Give us courage to close the door on all the noise and trust that You really are God - wisest, highest, most able, and completely faithful to finish the work You've begun in our lives and in this world. In Jesus' name... 

Crazy Times

Today's culture. Media. Does it excite you? Make you cringe? Anxious? Mad? Scared? Tempted to spew your view?

Have you stopped to think how we are to react in these times? (It's not so different from Paul's day.)

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.... Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:14-15, 17-18, 21 NIV 

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” - 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 NASB

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23 NASB

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,” - 2 Corinthians 5:18 NASB (See verses 19-20 also)

Love.           Reconcile.            Prayer.            Share Jesus.            Help the weak.            Humble yourselves.           Love your enemy.            Forgive.            Pray for their salvation.           Trust God.

Father God, thank You for unmerited favor!!!! Give us wisdom & humility so we can be shrewd & gentle in these crazy days. Convict us if we have any unhealthy attitude or sin in us. Help us develop a grateful mindset, focused on what's good. Help us believe that prayer is powerful. Grow Your fruit in us! Love boldly through us! Father, speak truth and grace through us to people in our networks. Give us opportunities & compel us to share Jesus. How will they know if we don't share? Don't let us forget who we were before Jesus saved us. Don't let us get sucked into emotional bondage or verbal wars that aren't beneficial. There is much work to be done! Show me what You want me to do to spread the hope and promise of Jesus - for all who believe & follow Him. In Jesus' name! 

It's not about what I need to do!

Today, I can rejoice because of what He’s done and will do. Focusing on myself is a dead end. It’s not about what I need to do. No, it’s all about what HE has already done, is doing, and will do.  

All that I struggle with is NOTHING in light of HIM and what HE has done. His grace – what I don’t deserve – is so rich that it makes King Solomon’s treasures look poor. His mercy – not giving me what I do deserve – is mightier than a tsunami. His love is deep. His provision is overflowing. His promises are true. His wise and holy Spirit advises me. His own Son saved me from slavery and death.

Abba made me the object of Jesus' affection. I am Jesus’ Beloved, and He is mine. He tenderly showers me with His affections, patiently teaching me perfect love. His pure intentions are assurances that cannot be revoked or altered. 

As in all relationships, I still have the choice to draw closer or pull away. Daily I must practice trust. You may timidly wonder, "Can I really trust Him?" Oh, sweet sister, it is alright to ask! Abiding isn't running away from fear. Those who abide ask that question daily, and follow up with their answer. "Yes, He is faithful and true. He is trustworthy. He can and will transform me into Christ's image. I will obey Him, trusting that He will finish what He's begun in me."

He knows I am weak. He gives me strength to do what He calls me to do. He enables me to obey, teaching me to:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7, NASB

Abba God, to You belong all blessing, honor, glory, and power forever. There’s nothing I can do to make You love me more. Oh, how I want to please You! It seems all You are asking me to do is trust You. I can only obey when I trust You. Open my eyes to see the treasure trove of your perfect love (You’ve saved me, You love me daily, You watch over me, You’ve made me right & clean in your sight, etc). Teach me to open that treasure chest daily and bask in your love. Thank You for saving me through Christ Jesus and for promising to finish the work You started! Give me courage to trust You when I’m tempted to fear or hold to old lies. I do believe. Help me in my unbelief! All my answers that I seek are in Christ Jesus; He is truth, light, and life. Through Him all things exist, which were brought into being. Praise and honor to You, Abba God, for You are so incredibly worthy. I love You. 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... 

Worry and Lies (3)

Lie # 3) You’re not good enough. Never will be.

Hmmm… Wait a minute. This one isn’t a lie. Or is it? What does really God say?

Truth: There is none righteous, not even one. – Romans 3:10a

 I don’t have the purity to approach God apart from Christ Jesus.

Truth: “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants…” 2 Cor 3:5-6a, NASB

There’s nothing I can do that’s good enough to get to heaven – the only way in to the presence of God is through Jesus, It’s not about me.

Truth: “… learn from me...” Matt. 11:29

Learning does not mean perfection. It means “Follow me. Stay with me. Remain in me. Seek to know me and love as I have loved you.” It’s a continual process, much like a child’s education. The Disciples were with Jesus Himself for three straight years – in the flesh – and they still were learning how to follow Jesus years later (remember how Paul chastised Peter?).

Time to refocus: Instead of worrying or striving for unrealistic perfection, I choose to accept my weakness and accept Jesus’ ability to finish what He started in me. I choose to swing my foot over to that next foothold in the cliff of life. Even though I can’t reach or see it fully, He’ll help me find just the right place. One step at a time.

Abba God, Thank You for making me righteous and giving me adequacy through Jesus!  Your amazing mercy and grace continue to pierce my heart when I take time to ponder what it is that You’ve done for me. Remind me, when I am tempted to worry, that worry is not my friend – You are! Worry has no authority or claim on my life – You do. You are powerful and holy and pure of heart. You’re gentle, kind, and making sure that good comes out of all trials I face. I truly can choose to trust You – to be still (rest, relax), because You are God and You’ll do what You said You’d do! Truth doesn’t change. I want Jesus to be my everything, and I trust You’ll continue to strengthen our relationship. With praise and gratitude, in Jesus name… 

Worry and Lies (2)

Lie # 2) I’m a loser, stupid (etc).

This one has really done a number on me through the years. Maybe it’s my lack of ability to hang a simple shelf on the wall – which drives me crazy; I know what needs to happen but I just can’t get it right no matter how many times I’ve tried! <sigh> Sometimes I’m haunted by the failed relationships in my repertoire. Some days, it’s from being the last one picked too many times, or not being seen as the life of the party. It’s always something…

All humans sin, make mistakes, and make bad choices! It’s human nature, passed down through generations from Adam and Eve. When I call myself names, I might as well be calling my closest friends and loved ones the same; we’re all in the same human race. (ouch)

Truth: “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature… Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ… He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Cor 5: 17-21, NASB

I may not always live – or feel – like I’m new, holy, righteous… but that doesn’t change the truth of what God’s done! 

Time to refocus: I can choose to trust (one moment at a time) that Jesus is enough to give me value. I’m now called into a royal family, a high priesthood, a life of devotion to The God who created all matter – from here to the end of the furthest universe. That’s a pretty big deal, and I’d do well to remember it.

Abba God, Thank You for calling me, for reconciling me to You through Christ Jesus, and for making me new! I know that I need to rely on You. This habit of sinfully worrying and relying on myself is one I need You to help me break. I want to throw off this hindrance and run passionately toward the prize You hold out for me. Thank You for calling me your child, for grafting me into the Bride of Christ, and for the promise that one day soon I’ll be united with Jesus. Forgive me for believing the lies instead of focusing on You. You are holy and beautiful. Give me eyes to see, as I learn from Jesus… in whose name I pray…  

Worry and Lies

I worry way too much. I know it’s sinful. I want to stop. It’s a habitual sin with deep roots into my childhood. I don’t remember when I learned to start worrying, but it’s pretty easy to learn how to worry in our culture. 

Here are some lies I started believing early on in life. Maybe you can relate.

Lie # 1) I need to fix my own problems. God only helps those who help themselves. BIG FAT LIE! While this is a source of pride for some, it’s been a mark of inadequacy for me.  

Truth: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” - Matthew 11:28, Amplified

Jesus beckons those who have problems!

“I am the vine; you are the branches…. apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4  

While I may be able to fix a few things in life, there are many problems only God can fix (ex: reconciliations with Him and others). I certainly can't do anything of eternity-lasting value without Him.

Instead of exhausting myself of precious time and energy, worrying about how to fix everything, I ought to be focusing all I have into abiding in my Lord Jesus.

Life’s not about fixing my problems. It’s about building a relationship with God: trusting Him and loving Him in return.

Abba God, your patience continues to amaze me. I’m so quick to fall back into old habitual sins of trying to do everything on my own, worrying and striving to control relationships and circumstances – which is a ridiculous waste of time and energy. I want to fully trust You and love You. Thank You for Jesus’ teaching through your Word and your Spirit. Remind me of truth when I forget – even for a moment – that I’m not called to do it all by myself. Thank You for truth that I can cling to when I’m feeling weak: I can do all that You’ve given me to do when I choose to trust You to provide me with the strength of Christ Jesus and the wisdom of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name… 

Anxiety's enemy? God's consolations which delight my soul!

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,

Your consolations delight my soul. – Ps 94:19, NASB

But the Lord has been my stronghold,

And my God the rock of my refuge.

He has brought back their wickedness upon them

And will destroy them in their evil;

The Lord our God will destroy them. – Ps 94:22-23, NASB

Abba God, there are times when my soul is so distraught that I do not know how to pray or what to do. Sometimes I feel so alone and wonder where You are. 

In Psalm 94, You remind me of sweet truths: 

You have been my faithful stronghold.

You are the rock of my refuge.

You defend me from - and destroy - those enemies I cannot fight in my own strength.

You have been faithful to me and sustained me - through all of my choices, my fears, my doubts, struggles, etc. You have saved me from sin and death. You promised to never leave me, and yet there are times when I feel so lonely. What then, Father?  Oh, Father! Increase my faith and strengthen my resolve to trust You when I  feel abandoned or unable to cling to truth. I cannot fight alone, but I want so much to glorify You and delight You! 

I praise You, even in the hard times. I don’t understand, but I make the choice to put my hope in You. One day all will bow their knee before You, and I have full assurance that my enemies (seen or unseen) will not prevail; in the end You will vindicate your own. Help me as I wait for what I cannot see. Remind me of your deep love and constant companionship. Give me strength to persevere today. Open my eyes to see how You are helping me in my weakness. Have mercy and compassion on me in my unbelief, remembering I'm merely human - walking clay that only breathes because You have put life into my frame. I submit to You once again, and choose to put my trust in the One who died for me. Help me understand what sufficient grace means, and to take delight in your consolations when anxiety threatens to choke all hope. In the name of my Mighty Warrior Prince Jesus I pray…

Abide, Deny, Trust - part 4 - Trust Abba

Finishing up a series on lessons learned through recent storms:

1.    Abide in Jesus

2.    Deny self

3.    Trust Abba

Trusting Abba. Sigh… Sounds so easy, but in reality: simple, not easy!  

In the storms and valleys, it’s so easy to take our eyes off our precious Savior and stare at our circumstances. (Yeah, Pete, we can relate with why you didn’t walk on water long.)

When it’s hard to believe, we must choose to believe.

§  He really does know best… so I will gaze into Jesus’ face (not merely a quick glance).

§  He really does care for me the most… so I will SOAK in His love, abiding.

§  He is really continually working toward His goal of bringing me into the full image of my Savior, Christ Jesus, so I will stand on HIS WORD. He’ll do the rest.

John 15:9 is such a beautiful verse to reflect on…

Just as the Father has loved Me,

I have also loved you;

abide in My love.

Isn’t this what our relationship with Jesus is all about? No matter what happens – through good and bad times, in plenty and in little - contentment is being wrapped up in Jesus, believing that He loves me just as much as Father God loves the Son.

Oh, Abba God. I’m so glad you are trustworthy! You do know best, you do care for me better – and more – than anyone else ever has, and you truly are bringing about the best for/in me. All I have is for you, do with me as you will. Thank you for showing me your love for Jesus, so I can start to see that same love for me. Thank you for your Spirit who trains me up in the way I should go. Truly, I can be such a child, but at least I’m YOUR child! Thank you for the storms – not that I fully appreciate them, but I do understand that they are valuable. Help us remember what we’ve already learned and to embrace your love for us each day. In Jesus’ name…

Abide, Deny, Trust - part 2 - Abiding in the struggle, During storms

DURING THE STORM. What might abiding look like when I'm in the midst of the storm???  

 

Stay focused. Stand firm. Hold to what you have already attained. Do what you've been doing, and remember, if nothing else, keep it SIMPLE! Love Jesus by obeying His 2 commands: Love God and love each other. Go to the basics. 

NOTE: This is not a to-do list - just some reminders that help me. I hope you can find a useful reminder as well.
 

Finish the sentence

Keep putting on that armor; stand firm at your post. Endure. Sometimes that’s all you can do. Hold to Jesus. Don’t make decisions in the valley.

Keep seeking Abba & things above. Focus on Jesus, what He did, and what He’ll do. Colossians 3:1–3, NASB

Keep accepting His love. Even if it hurts, reflecting on His love breaks off another chunk of our heart scars like dried mud on a shoe. When it just hurts too much, that’s ok! One baby step at a time. Abba knows…  Play worship tunes. Read Psalms. Journal doodles. Sit in nature. Be still and know that He is God.

Remember your studies! Remember whose you are! This is hiding, in plain sight. NO, I’m not saying to become a hermit!!! (that’s a note to myself) Remember that you are a secret, concealed (that’s right out of Strong’s, from the Greek). Enjoy that for a moment. It’s just you + Him, sistah! No one, nothing can touch you (Romans 8 says nothing can separate us from His love.)

§  “Your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3);

§  all that Abba allows in your life has to absolutely be given His permission

§  AND is used for your good (Romans 8:28-30. See Romans 8 here).

Get support.

Communicate to Abba. Ask Him questions. His Spirit searches what’s in your innermost places, knows what we are really searching for, and prays for us according to Abba God’s will! See Romans 8:26-27. Just yesterday, I started to ask something and was convicted before I finished the thought… We might not get answers that we want, or in our timing, but it’s absolutely OK to ask the questions.

§  By turning to Him and seeking answers, we are communicating, even if our hearts might look ugly at that very moment.

§  By expressing what we’re going through (especially out loud), we learn what we believe in the inner depths. Lies lose their hold when they are brought into the light & we choose TRUTH.

“… keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” - Colossians 3:1–3, NASB

Remember the point. Abba prunes, at the right time, with the right tools, as often as is necessary. A rose needs different care than a lilac. Pruning = more of Jesus & less of ME. (John 15)

Expect that the pruning season will end. It will not last forever. The Lord is kind and gracious. Even Jeremiah speaks of God’s lovingkindness in the midst of suffering in Lamentations 3  (especially vs. 20-26, 32-33, 39). 

“For if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness…. Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins?”  – Lamentations 3:32, 39

 

Abba, thank you for loving me so well. I don't like the valleys, suffering, and struggles. Still, I know from your Word that these are used to prune me, to make me like Jesus. So, even though I don't fully appreciate them (yet), I thank you for loving me enough to do what's best. I love you and commit (again) to submitting to your will. May your will be done on earth and in me, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' holy name... 

I am HIS. A long, but necessary post, even if it only benefits me.

This extra post is only for those who are

weary … or … fearful … or …

running … or …faking until they make it …

If you have “it all together,” don’t bother reading this (until you’re ready for it, cause we all come to a place of despair sooner or later).

A recent loss shook my world in ways I didn't expect. Facing different waves of emotions, I somehow closed my heart off to God. Not completely. Just in certain areas. I allowed my heart to become very guarded against God's love... Maybe I was afraid that God would ask too much of me? Maybe I felt that if I protected myself from God's love, that I wouldn't have to feel more pain? I really don't like to feel pain...  

Yet, if it weren't for the pain, I doubt I'd understand joy. I don’t understand how or why, but it seems to me that the emotions of joy and pain intertwine. When I accept pain (ugh), I face it and accept Abba’s plan for my life – even if He would choose to slay me. Not a pleasant thought.

In fact, it’s downright scary! To lay my life, my dreams, my wants, my hopes, my “rights” down – the point of NOoooo return??? Well, OF COURSE it’s easier to close my heart up and only delve into shallow waters! To only love God to the 4’ mark, instead of diving into 30’ waters. To close the door to further cross-carrying, than to open that heavy squeaky door that’s covered over with interwoven ivy-weeds of Fear and Worry who continue to shout “SHUT THE DOOR!”

I can’t do anything to bring back the one I’ve lost. I can’t change my circumstances (the ones which I know God’s put in my life for this season). But I can choose to let my heart melt or harden in the hands of the One who was, and is, and is to come.

So, tell me. Like me, have you been guarding your heart lately - from people, or more importantly, from the Lover of your soul? [Are you afraid? Good! You’re alive then. Fear reminds us that faith is required for the next step. And I, for one, think that the struggle is HARD and WORTH it. When we face the struggle and tell God we CAN’T, but we WANT to… that’s Jehovah’s business, ladies!!!]

So, my fellow Marthas, let’s remember together how to sit and listen, like Mary did. Hang up your “stuff” & your “doings” for a while. Rest in Jesus, so that your goings and doings become an outpouring of a relationship so much deeper than the one you’ve been trying to make happen.

He wants you to simply BE. 

BE yourself. Trust HIM for the rest. 

I encourage you to find a quiet time – ALONE - to listen to You're My Beloved (under 4 minutes); just focus on Abba and your relationship together. Rest in Him. Cast off those cares. Forget all your responsibilities for the moment. Hear His heart beat for you. Allow your heart to melt before the awesome - and TENDER - Father Creator, who loves you so incredibly much. 

Now, I know I'll get in trouble from at least one if I don't suggest tissues (you know who you are. Tee hee.). Some of you aren't emotional gals, and I understand that. However, may I ever so gently suggest – if you don't tear up at all while focusing on Abba's love for you – could it be that you're allowing your heart to be hard and guarded? Maybe we all would be wise to ask Him to melt those guarded lesions on our hearts before we listen, and take the time to listen again & again until we finally melt in His arms. (As with all of MY words, take or leave them... What Abba says is what really matters.)

Abba, we need you to melt our hearts. Teach us who You are & who you see when you see us. Teach us to soak in your love & to rest in your tenderness. Heal our brokenness, pour salve where we're hardened, and give us courage to look into your eyes. Give us strength to lay down ourselves and to fully abide in Christ Jesus alone - until He's our everything and nothing else matters. In Jesus' name... 

"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30, The New Living Translation

He wants one thing from me.

Oh, Abba. I need your grace. I feel surrounded on all sides. Demands abound all around! But, YOU only want one thing.