Monthly Archives: May 2013

You do not walk alone…

29 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by in Perseverance, Relationship with GOD, Renewing of your mind, Surrender

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

the fogOk, so I must admit that over the course of several months I have struggled with symptoms of PMS or possibly even perimenopause. (Stick with me fellas. I promise this blog post will minister to you as well.) Whatever it is, however you coin it, it is a very difficult time of the month for me. For about 3-5 days I become withdrawn, irritable, weepy and anxious. I feel very overwhelmed and focus on what’s not going right in my life. This was becoming quite bad – to the point where my mother thought I was going crazy and my ob/gyn suggested anti-depressants. But recently I discussed this with a friend and she suggested an herb called Black Cohosh. And although it has worked wonders by significantly decreasing the intensity and duration of the symptoms every month I still ‘walk through a fog’.

In this life we all have moments when we ‘walk through a fog’. These are times when life just doesn’t seem to turn out the way we’d hoped. And we experience periods of loneliness, disappointment, mourning, or heartache. It’s a time when we feel that we are all alone, no one understands us and GOD seems far away. These moments make it difficult for us to see what lies ahead because our view of life is so greatly distorted. And it is wise that we do not make any snap decisions because we are apt to make them based solely on emotion.

As we walk through the fog there’s a tendency to question GOD’s promises, sovereignty, and faithfulness. It may even feel like you’re going a little crazy and what you see around you is contrary to everything you are believing, hoping and trusting GOD for. But inside of these fog walks are opportunities for GOD to build, strengthen and prepare you for the amazing future He predestined just for you. So while walking through the fog rehearse the promises of GOD, recall the times He’s navigated you through previous fog walks and commit to trust Him despite your circumstances. Your circumstances may change but GOD Almighty won’t. These walks are not meant to harm you. I promise. In fact, if you’d let Him have His way He promises to even bless you – bless you with deeper faith, a closer walk with GOD, fresh anointing, a strong testimony, and a chance to experience Him like you never had before. Each walk through the fog promises positive change when we put our faith in His wisdom, power and love.

Where are you right now, my friend? Are you walking in, through or out of a fog? What’s causing you to focus on your circumstances or to become irritable, anxious, and overwhelmed? Is it weariness from waiting on a promise not yet manifested? Is a closed door with no open door in sight? Could it be that you just received some bad news that has shaken your world? Or perhaps it’s that you feel stuck in a season and desperately hoping for change? Whatever your fog represents know that GOD is with you and that He has never, nor will He ever leave. You can put all of your hope in the LORD (Psalm 43:5).

Fog walks can be very painful. Trust me. I know. And many ask during this time, “Where is GOD?” Well, He is right beside you. He’s making sure that you will not be overtaken. He’s ordering your steps (Psalm 37:23). He’s already gone before you to make the crooked way straight (Deuteronomy 31:8). I once heard that ‘when you can’t trace GOD’s hand, trust His heart.’ You see, GOD’s love for you compels Him to protect, provide and guide you, even when it doesn’t look like it (Exodus 14:14, Jeremiah 51:36). It’s a love so strong that it rushes in to be everything you need before you even realize you needed it (Jeremiah 31:3). It’s a love that never takes an eye off of you or loses it’s grip on you (Psalm 21:5, Psalm 121:8). He has a purpose and a plan for every fog walk. And He is always mindful of you. Talk to Him. Tell Him how much it hurts. Let the tears flow. He’s always excited to hear from you. Although it may seem like everything is turning upside down GOD is standing boldly and lovingly beside you. He’s there, my friend and He’s not going anywhere. Be comforted for you do not walk alone.

I truly hope this message blesses you. As you place your trust in GOD, I see blessings and favor raining down on you. You have no idea how excited I am for all that GOD has in store for you when your faith is in Him, and Him alone!

How to make GOD smile…

21 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Faith, Relationship with GOD, Surrender

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

GOD handing me His giftI remember like it was yesterday. It was Noah’s third Christmas and she’d wanted a doll house. But, not just any doll house, my friend. This doll house had all the bells and whistles: 3 ft tall, tri-story, pink, of course with beautiful, ornate furnishings. When she woke up that Christmas morning the smile on her face was priceless. In her amazement she was only able to utter five sweet words: “Is that really for me?” This beautiful memory has been indelibly etched into my brain and on my heart. I believe that GOD has placed in us a joy in receiving gifts because He too delights in receiving them. But, what can we offer GOD Almighty that He doesn’t already have? I mean, what do you offer Someone who already owns everything (Psalm 24:1)? Well, my friend GOD desires your time and your surrender.

The Bible says that when you delight yourself in the LORD by spending time with Him and seeking His face He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). So, it is good to go before the LORD with your deeply held hopes, dreams and ideal future. While in prayer one day I did just that. I went before the LORD and I presented to Him my ideal future. I mean I really did it big. Tears ran down my face as I imagined a life with every good thing I’d ever wanted. It was an extraordinary experience, my friend. But then something happened. Instead of holding this ‘life’ dear to my heart, I imagined putting all of these hopes and dreams into a huge box. I wrapped it beautifully with a big red bow and I offered it to GOD as my gift to Him. He smiled, my friend. I know He did! I made GOD smile. My gift to GOD was the surrendering of my hopes, dreams and future. In surrendering I gave it to Him to do as He saw fit. If this was the life He desired for me… Good. If it was not… Great because I trust that in His love and wisdom He’s got something much better!

If you’d like to make GOD smile set time aside, my friend to sit alone in His presence. Talk to Him about your day and then think of all of your hopes, dreams and ideal future. I mean dream big! After all, this is GOD. Let Him fill your heart and mind with His great vastness. Relax and enjoy this time with Him. Then place it all in a box. And with a pure heart give it over to Him. Surrender it all to Him.

Surrendering requires great faith. It means to remove all of your control over it and releasing preconceived ideas on how things will pan out. It is to give it to GOD trusting that He has your best interest at heart, even if you don’t get everything you want. But surrender also means that you no longer have to worry about how things will work because you have just given full control over to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Surrendering is not easy, my friend so let GOD prepare your heart for it and when you’re ready – Give it up and over to Him. He will smile! He will draw close to you! And the GOD who keeps the universe intact with perfect precision will rejoice over you (Zephaniah 3:17).

So, my friend what does your dream future look like? Is there deliverance from strife, family problems and debt? Is it for a promotion at work, a thriving ministry, or the restoration of a relationship? Could it be the opportunity to spend more time with your family or return to school? Perhaps, it’s to settle down, get married and have children. Whatever your hopes, dreams and future consist of GOD desires to see that you receive His very best, which greatly surpasses our best. He is a GOD that blesses His children. The Bible says that the LORD bestows favor and honor. And no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). He is a faithful GOD who rewards those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 9:10). If you would surrender your future to Him He will order your steps (Psalm 37:23). He will make every single situation turn out for your good (Romans 8:28). He will make sure that His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). And you’ll come to see that in return He will see to it that you receive the gifts of peace, purpose, joy, and a future that exceeds your expectations. So humble yourself before Him today and let the Creator of all that is seen and unseen map out your life. You will not regret it. I promise.

I truly hope this message blesses you. I see you dreaming big and surrendering it all over to GOD. And because of your faith I see that He is setting the stage for the unfolding of the most beautiful future that only He can offer. I’m beyond excited for you, my friend. I really am.

Earthquake shift…

13 Monday May 2013

Posted by in Faith, Relationship with GOD, Surrender

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

earthquake pictureThe other day a friend of mine wrote on his Facebook page that ‘sometimes you’ve got to lose to gain.’ Yeah, well we’ve all heard or read that somewhere before but it really hits home when you’re currently in the midst of experiencing it. And everyone has at one point or another experienced it. Recently, I received some unexpected news and I must admit that it shook my world for a few hours. Questions of What, Where, Who, and the inevitable Why quickly raced through my brain. But I have learned to make what I call “earthquake shifts.”

As we know earthquakes are unexpected, unpredictable, disruptive and scary. And they can range anywhere between 1 and 10 on the Earthquake Richter Scale depending on their severity and potential damage they may cause. And so it is with our lives. At times, we experience situations or circumstances that range from annoyances and minor disruptions to level 10 life-changing experiences that instill fear and leave us questioning our ability to recover. Earthquakes are inevitable, but shifts require work.

To shift is to change our perspective on the situation. It is to voluntarily transition from seeing things through our limited, natural vision to seeing them through the eyes of GOD. Shifting often doesn’t come easy because it’s quite unnatural. It is unnatural to see loss as gain. And at times shifting may require that we forgive the unforgivable. Shifting requires faith that despite what we see GOD is in control (Psalm 24:1), that He has a future plan on the other side of our ‘earthquake’ (Jeremiah 29:11) and that He is capable of working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). Shifts are necessary for our mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Because without shifting we get stuck and are left to re-experience the earthquakes time and time again, with no Heavenly support. This is painful and unnecessary. So, shifting is a choice to surrender. Surrender requires faith. And faith, my friend pleases GOD (Hebrews 11:6).

We are so blessed to have a Savior who is touched by our infirmities as He, Himself has experienced what can be seen as an ‘earthquake shift.’ In the book of Luke it is written that while in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus ‘being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ It weighed so heavily on His heart that He was about to experience separation from GOD (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46), undergo excruciating physical pain (Isaiah 52:14), and receive rejection, hatred and ridicule from those He was so madly in love with (John 1:11). But in His wisdom, He made a shift and surrendered it all to His Father as He said, “Not My will but Your will be done.” It was at that moment that He no longer focused on the earthquake but shifted His focus on what was on the other side of the earthquake (our salvation). (Luke 22:39-46) So, to shift is to focus forward towards the future. And as you see GOD knows, my friend how painful life earthquakes can be. He wants you to surrender that pain to Him today. He wants to show you the extraordinary future He has ahead of you.

So, my friend what earthquakes are you in need of shifting? A layoff, 30 days to vacate, or an unexpected break-up? Perhaps it’s that something you desperately hoped for fell apart? Or could it be the loss of a loved one or unfavorable news from the doctor? Whatever range your earthquake falls, the Holy Spirit is the Comforter and He longs to soothe and repair all of the damage the earthquake’s caused. Shifts can only come by allowing GOD to work through you. Are you ready to surrender the fear, anger, anxiety and hopelessness? Are you willing to make the shift to seeing things through the eyes of GOD? He is waiting to restore your hope in the future. He is ready to replace your fear with faith. And He is able to give you indescribable peace. But you must go before Him in prayer and ask Him to help you make the shift from relying on your own wisdom and strength to leaning on His everlasting love, wisdom, power, and might. It is then that He can make beauty of your ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

I truly hope this message blesses you. I see you allowing GOD to restore and repair any and all damage that life’s earthquakes may have caused. I see you surrendering all the broken pieces to Him and in return GOD showing you the blessings on the other side. And boy am I ever so excited for you!

So, what’s on the other side of the door for you?

05 Sunday May 2013

Posted by in Faith, Protection, Surrender

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

scared to open doorThe other day I met with a new student at work. She is one of my many children that has endured so very much in her sweet young 16 years. She has been in foster care since birth, which has resulted in multiple home and school transitions. My heart softens to hear their stories and I am always amazed at their resilience.

While she and I were sitting in my office we heard a loud noise at the door. It wasn’t a knocking but a very strong shaking. We both looked and said that it was strange, or “kinda spooky” as she put it. It happened again, then again and again. In my desire to protect her I told her, “Don’t be afraid. You’re with me and I’ll protect you.” She stepped aside. A fearlessness had risen inside of me and I was ready to go to battle for her if something broke down the door. I honestly felt that whatever was on the other side of that door would have to get through me to get to her.

This, my friend is what happens with GOD. His love for you is infinite, unconditional, compassionate and sacrificial. And this boundless love for you compels Him to defend, protect and fight for you. He boldly stands between you and whatever is ‘at the door’ causing you to worry or live in fear and anxiety. And when you decide to step aside by surrendering the circumstance to Him you give Him permission and room to move mightily on your behalf. He promises to fight for you (Exodus 14:14). He promises to defend you (Jeremiah 51:36). You are a child of GOD. And that means that anything, and I do mean anything, on the other side of that door is nothing compared to the GOD you serve. He is more than able to remove every obstacle standing before you.

At times GOD may not immediately stop what’s at the door by changing your circumstances but He may choose to change you instead. GOD did not prevent the three Hebrews boys from experiencing the fiery furnace. Instead He chose to be in the midst of it with them. For it was King Nebuchadnezzar that said that he saw a fourth person in the fire and “it looks like the Son of GOD” (Daniel 3:1-30). So, at times like this we are to trust His wisdom when He says that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). We are to trust His love when He says that He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). And we are to trust His power and might when He says that all power and might belongs to Him (Psalm 62:11). GOD always has a purpose and plan in every situation (Jeremiah 29:11). And He is always mindful of you. So, my friend it is always safe to step aside and allow Him to protect you. As a child of GOD, you do not have to defend or fight for yourself.

So, my friend, may I ask what’s on the other side of the door for you? Is it a foreclosure, mounting bills, family pressure? Could it be the temptation to retreat to an addiction or repetitive sin? Perhaps it’s a threatening boss or spouse? Or is it simply the unknown? The Bible says in Isaiah 53:19 that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. Notice it says ‘when’ and not ‘if.’ There will always be something at the door attempting to instill fear, worry and doubt in our hearts and we are to not consider it strange (1 Peter 4:12). Because there will always be a battle to steal your joy, peace and faith. But there is nothing in existence that can contend with the GOD we serve. Absolutely nothing!

The young girl I’d just met could’ve rejected my desire to fight for her and could’ve decided to fight for herself but perhaps it was the strength, confidence, and peace in my voice that made her step aside. Whatever it was she put her trust in a 5’6 120lb (Ok, 140lb) stranger. How much more will your Heavenly Father protect you when He has all resources, power and might at His disposal? Step aside my friend and throw all of your trust in GOD. He is faithful to reward those who throw all of their faith and trust in Him. Step aside and receive His comfort, wisdom, guidance and peace. He is trustworthy and faithful. When GOD made His promise to Abraham He swore by Himself because there is no one greater (Hebrews 6:13). That’s the GOD that says be still and know that I am GOD (Psalm 46:10). That’s the GOD that promises to never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). And that my friend is GOD, your Heavenly Father.

I truly hope this message blesses you. I see the LORD, our GOD moving mightily on your behalf as you exercise your faith by stepping aside. And I am ever so excited for you.