Desert of Shame (Warrior Princess Series)

Defeat’s salty tears sting as they flow over scars from the past. Reminders of failed attempts – my lack – bring me to the Desert of Shame. I didn’t need to go “there,” but I didn’t know where else to go. I’ve failed so often! How could The King possibly want me to be His ambassador?

Pursue Love! (3)

Relationship can’t happen without love. If there's no love, it's not a relationship. It's just two people being in each other's space. Relationship matters to Jesus. In John 14-17 especially, He pointed out the importance of relationships: between Father and Son, between Jesus and us, and our relationships with each other.  

Jesus loved Abba God.

In those chapters, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that He loves His Father, and His actions were an overflow of that love. Their relationship was based in a permanent love that was unstoppable. It makes me wonder...

How well am I loving Abba God and Jesus my Lord?

 

He who loves [family] more than Me is not worthy of Me... - Matthew10:37, NASB

for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me

and have believed that I came forth from the Father. – John 16:27, NASB

…Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

 [He asked 3 times] – John 21:15–17, NASB

 

Is most of my obedience driven by moral obligation or a desire to please because I love Him?

 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28, NASB

 

because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have

toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; - Philemon 5, NASB

 

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work

and the love which you have shown toward His name,

in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. – Hebrews 6:10, NASB

 

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;

for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life

which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1: 12, NASB

 

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him,

and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,

you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory – 1 Peter 1:8, NASB

 

Abba God, thank You for loving me so deeply and more intimately than I can grasp.  Fill me with a desire to love You better this year, to talk with You more, to listen to You more, to cherish your love letter more deeply. In Jesus’ name...

The King Knows My Heart (Warrior Princess series)

Dear friend in the faith,
I am pressed for time all around, but as there is one more Truth I learned in the recent Desert of Shame, I wanted to make sure it was sent by messenger before the next battle begins.

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

So thirsty. Parched lips. Yet I will praise YOU!

“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.”

Oh, dear Abba, I need you! This life can seem like too much to handle. Many days I wake up feeling dry,