Category Archives: Devotions

January 3, 2012 · 6:01 am

Changed


I begin 2012 a much different person than I was this time last year.

The death of my cousin David has had a profound effect on my life and I will never be the same.

A quote by author Ray Steadman perfectly describes how I feel:

” Life has a way of breaking down our neat answers. Pain, suffering, loss, tragedy—these things crash into our lives and make a mess of our theological and philosophical niceties.” excerpt from Let God Be God.

One of the definitions of the word ‘neat’ means: ” a pleasingly orderly condition.”

If I am honest, I used to look at my life that way. I obviously didn’t know every detail of what would happen, but I had a pretty good idea of how it would go:  long marriage where both Doug and I would live to an old age, healthy kids, retirement, grandchildren, then the golden years.

Not necessarily.

The truth is, I have no idea what will happen tomorrow, let alone in the next five minutes. David’s sudden and shocking death taught me that. Life can change in an instant.

We are a frail and fragile people. For all our bluster and posturing, we are “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

We live like our lives on earth will go on forever.

They will not.

Your days on this earth are numbered.

So are mine.

The Bible could not be clearer on that subject…

All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16)

A man’s days are already determined and the number of his months is wholly in Your control…he cannot pass the bounds of his allotted time. (Job 14:5)

We all have an allotted number of days in this life that are known only to the God who created us.

So, the question becomes: what will we do with that allotted time?

I know what I am going to do with mine:

1. The rest of the time I have on this earth will not be taken for granted. 

I will live the life out of every single day. I will celebrate the gift of now.

2. I will be purposeful.

“Everyone ends up somewhere. But few people end up somewhere on purpose.“—Andy Stanley

It’s easy to drift through the days.

No more.

3. I will not live in fear.

Fear or faith? Those are my choices and I choose faith. Fear has no place in the life of a Christian. Will I feel fear? Yes. But I do not have to act on it. I have nothing to fear. My Savior has overcome the world. He has conquered death and holds my life in His hands. He will never leave me. His plans for me are good. His power overcomes my weaknesses and He is always willing to lead me in triumph.

4. I will rest in the fact that God is sovereign.

There are things in this life that I will never understand this side of Heaven. When tragedy strikes, I will cling to know what I know is true: that my God is GOOD.  His ways are not our ways. He knows what He is doing and makes no mistakes. I will trust Him even as I cry out to Him in my pain, knowing that He sees; He cares; He knows..and He is always at work, even when I can’t see it.

“Our infinite God will never fit into the finite little box of human understanding.”–Ray Steadman

5. I will meet whatever challenges I face head on.

“I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me. I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me.” —Philippians 4:13 (Amplified version)

That verse says it all.

6. I will let the little things go. 

Life is too short for petty complaints and grievances. They just don’t matter. I will not waste any energy on such things.

7. I will not waste my pain. 

Jesus clearly told us that  that in this life, there would be pain. (John 10:10). It is part of living in the midst of a fallen world. Any pain that He allows comes with great intention and purpose. He is always seeking deeper intimacy with me, to draw me closer to His heart. He longs to teach me His ways, to reveal His plan for my life. If I give my pain to Him,  He promises to give me beauty for ashes, to bring life from death, gain from loss, healing from heartache, and restoration from brokenness.

I will let Him teach me everything I need to learn. I will let Him tend to my wounded heart and love me to wholeness.

8. I will be content.

My prayer is that I will not  be reaching for more of anything but Jesus.

I will choose contentment with whatever He gives. As long as I have Him, I have everything I need.

9. I will leave nothing unsaid that should be said.

I want everyone I love to know it. No holding back.

10. I will follow Jesus wherever He leads me.

No turning back. No hesitation. I am His, body and soul.

******

For Christmas this year, my son Josh gave me this charm bracelet:

I love it.

At first, I wasn’t sure why he had added a watch and  such a big one at that ( I did like the fact that he had picked the watch with the most “bling” though..he does know his mother! 🙂 ).

However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how absolutely perfect it was.

The watch is bigger than any of the other charms…reminding me that TIME is one of the most important gifts I have been given.

It is so precious.

..Every day is a bank account
And time is our currency
So nobody’s rich, nobody’s poor
We get 24 hours each
So how are you gonna spend:
Will you invest or squander?

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Every day is a gift you’ve been given
Make the most of the time every minute you’re living. (Life Means So Much by Chris Rice)

This is the year that I fully open that gift.

7 Comments

Filed under Devotions

Tagged as , ,

December 5, 2011 · 11:19 pm

Crowned With Dignity and Honor


I could feel my anger building as I listened to the beautiful teenage girl across the room during Bible study one night.

In a halting, quiet voice, she shared some things her boyfriend had recently said to her.

Slyly manipulative things.

Mean things, couched in  the seemingly benign sharing of information.

Things meant to make her feel slightly off balance,  intentionally left wondering if she measured up to his (supposedly) former girlfriends.

How dare he!

How dare this boy play his devious mind games with a young girl who has already been wounded by life?

How dare he not build her up by  focusing  on her many wonderful qualities?

How dare he not let  her know how grateful he is that she has agreed to be a part of his life?

But no.

Unable to break free of his own massive  insecurities,  he has to tear her down in order to feel big…powerful…manly.

It’s pathetic.

However, what is most egregious is that this boy claims to be a Christian. He says that Jesus is the Person who most inspires him.

Really?

Let’s take a look at how Jesus treats women, shall we?

*In a culture that disdained women, considered them easily disposable (a man could divorce a woman for something as trivial as burning dinner), did not allow them to testify in court or learn from a rabbi, Jesus treated women with a dignity, respect, and loving-kindness that was  simply astonishing.

*He welcomed women to learn from Him.

*He celebrated them.

*He appreciated them.

*He was gentle with women, particularly with those who were fragile emotionally or physically.

*He did not shy away from women who were prostitutes, outcasts, caught in the act of adultery, or those who lived with a string of  men without being married. Rather, He offered them a new way of life…one that was based on how HE, their Creator, defined them, rather than allowing  the ignorance, prejudice, and intolerance of others to do so.

*Rather than call them derogatory names, he calls women:

Beautiful
Cherished
Chosen
Captivating
Worth Dying For

And most delighfully , He calls them  His masterpiece, His poem, His work of art. (Ephesians 2:10).

So, no, dear Christian teenage girl…you do not have to put up with any boy who treats you as less than who you are. You have caught the eye of the very One who loves you with an everlasting love, who will always prove faithful to you, who died in your place so that you could have life everlasting.

Let no one disrespect you.

Do not let anyone define you.

If you get the first whiff of game-playing, it’s  really very simple: cut him loose.

Pray for him? Yes. Allow him access to your heart? No.

Actions speak louder than words. No matter what he says, see if his actions line up.

If not, make a deal with yourself: no rationalizations.

No excuses.

No denial.

Face the truth unflinchingly and with courage. Do what you need to do to be healthy and live in the glorious freedom that Jesus gives you.

If something does not feel right to you, if you have a check in your spirit, that is your Savior talking to you, warning you of danger ahead: pay attention.

Claim your God-given dignity.

Know that you are beautiful in His eyes

He has crowned you with glory, honor, and dignity. (Psalm 8:5).

Live like it.

(To read some of Jesus’ interactions with women, please see: John 7:53-8:1-11; John 4:1-42; Luke 7:36-50; Mark 5: 25-34)

1 Comment

Filed under Devotions

December 4, 2011 · 10:10 pm

Sowing Light and Joy


Photo credit: rovinglight

Yesterday morning, I read Psalm 97 and was intrigued by this verse: “Light is sown for the (uncompromisingly) righteous and strewn along their pathway, and joy for the upright in heart (the irrepressible joy which comes from consciousness of  His favor and protection).–Ps. 97:11 (Amplified)

I love this!

This is a conditional statement, promised not to those who are perfect (which is impossible this side of eternity) but to those whose hearts are wholly devoted to Jesus.

It makes sense that Jesus would sow light and joy into our lives because He IS Light and Joy!

I am the Light of the world.—John 8:12

…God has set You above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. —Hebrews  1:9

It made me picture Jesus smiling in delight at me when I wake up in the morning, anticipating my discovery of all the light and joy He has sown along my path for me to discover that day.

Living like that truly would make everyday a treasure hunt of His grace and love.

This is what that looked like for me on a recent day:

He treated me to a sight of the winter sun setting over the mountains

I was filled with sweet memories of Christmases past while bringing out the decorations for another season…

There was dinner with my family at one of our very favorite restaurants…

Afterward we spent the evening enjoying the state’s Philharmonic Holiday Pops show…

As I listened to the lovely music, I found myself wondering what music is going to sound like in Heaven. If it is so glorious here, imagine what it will be like there! Music is such a gift.

On the drive home, we talked and laughed while the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack played in the background.

Nothing earth-shattering happened that day. Nothing out-of-the-ordinary…yet it was beautiful.

Jesus had opened my eyes to see how much light and joy He had sown into that day.

He is willing to that every day. Psalm 97 says so.

Will I have eyes to see?

Will you?

1 Comment

Filed under Devotions

November 29, 2011 · 6:14 am

Who Will You Say Yes To?


The other night, my family and I were on our way to an event and we could not find the venue.

I began to get irritated when it was clear that we were going to be late.

I hate being late.

Unfortunately for my family, I  began to declare my irritation and frustration. Loudly.

My mouth has always gotten me into trouble.

I was so obnoxious when I was a kid that the moms on the street I grew up on called me “The Mouth of Theresa Avenue.”

I didn’t have a problem sharing my opinion (whether people wanted to hear it or not). I never backed down from a fight. I gossiped. I could be critical. I was bossy.

Not a pretty picture, is it?

Yet, when Jesus got hold of me, He began to undertake a major renovation project…which was making my mouth an instrument that would bring glory to Him rather than wreak havoc in the lives of those around me.

He has brought me a long way. So much so that when I recently told the ladies I am privileged to serve with at my church what my childhood nickname was amongst the neighborhood moms, they were all quite shocked. They simply could not imagine it. That is a major praise and proof of the redeeming power of Christ.

However, I am human and I still struggle in this area, as was clearly evident that night.

We did eventually find the venue and although we were late, the program hadn’t started when we took our seats, so we didn’t miss anything after all.

I felt miserable. Why hadn’t I just kept my mouth shut? I apologized to my family, asked Jesus for forgiveness, and was able to enjoy the evening.

The next morning during my quiet time, though, I still felt grieved. I poured out my heart to Jesus, telling Him that I would probably always be dealing with this for the rest of my life. I asked Him, “Am I ever going to be free of this tendency to run my mouth???”

Like a magnet, my eyes were immediately drawn to a book on my bookshelf. It is one of my very favorites: Having A Mary Spirit: Allowing God To Change Us From the Inside Out by Joanna Weaver.

I opened the  book and found these words: “Whenever we resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we really are saying no to God and yes to Satan. And each time we do that, hell clamps chains on our souls…Holiness is all about choices. One choice after another. Saying yes to God and no to Satan.” -p. 186-187.

That was  incredibly sobering. That night when I chose to complain and stir up strife, I was saying yes to Satan and no to Jesus. One represents death and strife and the other represents life and peace.

Satan delighted in my behavior  and Jesus was grieved.

I don’t ever want that to happen again.

So, the next time I hear Jesus’ Spirit whisper a warning signal when I am tempted to say something that is not godly, I will listen and say “YES” to Him…and no to the enemy of my soul.

I will say YES to freedom and NO to bondage.

And I will thank my beautiful Jesus for the fact that He never gives up on me and that His mercies are new every morning.

Who will you say yes to today?

3 Comments

Filed under Devotions

November 22, 2011 · 8:13 am

Great Expectations


Photo credit: weluvobx

Last week, I was disappointed when something I had hoped would happen did not.

I had it all laid out in my mind…this would happen, then this, then this, etc. It all seemed so simple and logical! My friend Dianne calls that “writing the rest of the story” yourself, rather than waiting to see what Jesus writes.

Yet…it didn’t happen like that at all.

He did not say no…but He did say, “Not quite yet. You must wait to see what I have for you. Trust Me.”

The fact that I felt so disappointed was a red flag to me because it meant that I was trying to find comfort in my plan, in what I could see and understand with my very limited vision.  It was also an invitation from Jesus to draw close, pour out my heart and my fears to Him, and to listen.

It turned out that He spoke to me yesterday through a sweet lady in our Moms-In-Touch prayer meeting. During our prayer time, she quoted this verse: “And now Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and expectation are in You.” (Psalm 39:7)

Did you catch that? Our hope and our expectation are in HIM.

Not in money.

Not in other people.

Not in our ability.

Not in our plans for our lives.

Not in favorable circumstances.

Simply in Him….the God-Man who loves us perfectly and knows what He is doing at all times.

The words that Jesus used to call His followers when He walked this earth over 2000 years ago are the same ones He uses today: “Follow Me.”

Knowing His unconditional love, His breath-taking faithfulness, His matchless beauty, and His incredible sense of adventure, I will continue to follow Him…wherever He leads me, knowing that His plan is perfect.

My expectation is in Him.

1 Comment

Filed under Devotions

November 15, 2011 · 10:39 am

A Glimpse Into His Heart


Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption

I recently finished reading Katie Davis’ wonderful book, Kisses From Katie.

I found myself admiring Katie and being so inspired by her example of beautiful, selfless love.

She writes of venturing into the slums to search out a way to help those who live in filth,  hopelessness, despair, and extreme poverty. She seeks to discover ways to feed the hungry and educate the children. She tends to the dying, doing what she can to allow them the opportunity to leave this world with dignity.  When the sick, the bleeding, the diseased, the homeless show up at her home, she tends to them with tenderness and great care, unafraid of getting her hands dirty. She has given orphans a stable and loving home. When in America, she gives a voice to the nameless in Uganda, tirelessly raising funds so that with the bounty of the rich, the needs of the poor can be met. She is angry about injustice, defends those who have no one to speak on their behalf, weeps with those who weep and laughs with those who laugh.

Above all, she shares the hope of Jesus with everyone she encounters.

There is much to admire about Katie Davis. She is one of my heroes.

However, I recently read this verse in my quiet time: “I have been crucified with Christ (in Him I have shared His crucifixion); it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in Me  and the life I now live in the body I live by faith  (complete trust in) the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”(Galatians 2:20).

This verse was a reminder to me that who I was really admiring in the course of reading this book was Jesus Himself  living His life through Katie.

It is Jesus who seeks the lost.

It is Jesus who left the beauty and perfection of Heaven to be born in a filthy stable on earth….on a rescue mission for you.

He is the Bread of Life that fills the hungry soul.

He is our Living Hope.

He crowns us with dignity and honor.

He is our Healer.

He can feel our pain because He experienced unimaginable pain that we will never know…all for the love of you and me.

He defeated death once and for all at Calvary.

The day is coming when He will permanently right all wrongs.

He is the only One who is unafraid of the sheer depth and breadth of our need.

He loves the unlovely (which is all of us) sacrificially, completely, and joyfully.

He IS Love.

Ultimately, this wonderful book is a beautiful portrait of the heart of Christ for the lost.

I love Him so.

“We aren’t really called to save the world, not even to save one person; Jesus does that. We are just called to love with abandon. We are called to enter into our neighbors’ sufferings and love them right there.” —Katie Davis, p. 214

Leave a comment

Filed under Devotions

Tagged as ,

November 9, 2011 · 3:47 pm

How To Survive Unemployment


My husband and I recently survived thirty months of un/underemployment. It was by far the toughest season we have ever gone through in our nearly twenty years of marriage.

A fellow believer whose husband has been out of work for quite some time asked  me the other day if I had any advice for them. I shared with her what I had learned but since this is an issue for so many people today, I thought it would be good to write a post about it.

From a practical standpoint:

1. Under no circumstances talk about money issues at night. Once the sun goes down, all talk of money is forbidden. Everyone is tired and everything looks worse and scarier at night. Save the financial discussions for the daylight hours.

2. Cut out all unnecessary expenses. This might seem obvious but we discovered that a lot of what we considered “needs” were actually “wants.” You can go without certain things for a season.

3. Check out thrift stores in your area. My friend Mary Ellen introduced me to the advantages to thrift store shopping. She always looked like a million bucks and when I complimented her on her outfit one day, she pointed to her top, pants, and cute shoes and said, “$5, $10, and $7.” She took me to her favorite thrift store and I was amazed to see tags still on much of the clothes! Lots of great stuff for very little cash.

4.  Have lots of sex.  It is God’s gift to you as a couple. It is fun, it is free, it keeps you connected to one another during a time when that is crucial, and it’s a  major stress-reliever. Everybody wins.

5). Affirm your husband at every opportunity. Men need to know that their wives respect them. You didn’t marry a job, you married a man. In our culture, a man’s sense of worth is often determined by his  job, so his opinion of himself takes a hit when he is without work. Let him know the things you appreciate about him and do it often.

6). Live one day at a time. It is so tempting to let your mind wander into tomorrow but resist the urge. Today is all you have. Don’t take it for granted. Your circumstances may not be ideal but we live in a fallen world. There will always be challenges. You cannot wait until your life is problem-free to start living or you will never live. Make the choice to live the life out of every day. That is not pie-in-the-sky advice. I did it and so can you.

From a spiritual standpoint:

1. Never lose sight of the fact that Jesus is in complete and total control…even when your life feels or looks out of control. This season has come with great purpose and intention. He has something to say to you. Listen.

2. As one of our friends told us early on: “Your job is not your provision. Your GOD is your Provision.” Never lose sight of that.

3. God promises…absolutely promises…that He will meet ALL your needs. Not some, not most…ALL. (Philippians 4:19).

4. Search your heart. (Ps. 139:23-24). Ask Him to reveal any blind spots you may have. Decide beforehand that you are going to agree with whatever God shows you. No blame-shifting, no excuses, no minimizing. Just cooperation, humility, and openness before the kind and compassionate God who loves you unconditionally and desires to heal and free you.

5. Live all of life with an open hand. God owns it all.  (Ps. 24:1) We own nothing; we are merely stewards. This includes money, cars, homes, etc. He will do what is best for you. He is and always will be trustworthy.  If He takes,  it is because He has something better to give. It may not feel like it at the time but it is true. Your God is a Giver. (I Timothy 6:17;  John 3:16; James 1:17).

6. Continue to tithe on whatever income you do have, even if it is just an unemployment check. We did this even though it looked insane on paper. But we learned that you can NEVER out-give God. Not ever. He will always abundantly provide when you put your money where your mouth is and obey Him.  That is faith in action.

7. Do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). You may look at your situation and think that all is hopeless and there is no way out. Don’t you believe it. He will always make a way.  He has resources we know nothing about.

8. Know that your life is not in the hands of any man. Your life is firmly in God’s hands. (Proverbs 21:1; Colossians 3:3).

9. Realize that you have been given the gift of time with your spouse and your family. Do not take it for granted. It may not be an ideal situation but make the most of the time you have. Jobs, money, possessions and homes are not eternal; people are.

10. Remind yourself often that your life does NOT consist of your possessions. (Luke 12:15). Real, authentic, and abundant life is found in Christ alone. (John 10:10; John 17:3).

11. Wait expectantly, not passively. Your God is never inactive! “…This resurrection life you have received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, ‘What’s next Papa?’ (Romans 8:15, The Message). “…Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your hearts be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” (Ps. 27:14, Amplified version).

12. Pour out your heart to Jesus. Let Him know every single thing you are thinking and feeling. He can take it. He knows it all anyway. (Ps. 139:1-5). Bring the darkness out into His Light and let Him minister to you.

13. You don’t need more money. You need more of Jesus. He is enough. Always enough.

14. Live in an attitude of gratitude. Begin to count all of His many gifts to you, no matter how small. They are always there. Focus on what you HAVE, not on what you lack. Gratitude always makes room for joy.

15. This too shall pass. This season of unemployment will not last forever.

16. Your God WILL prove FAITHFUL to you. He will never fail you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

17. Some books that I found helpful during that season:
When Life Is Hard by James MacDonald
The Perfect Love by Ruth Myers
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn
Streams In The Desert devotional

In our situation, we experienced His miraculous provision and full restoration. I will never get over His mercy and grace as long as I live. It was worth every tear because this situation gave me Jesus in a way I had never known Him before. I have been forever changed and marked by His radical, redemptive love.

Trust Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our Refuge. —Ps. 62:8

4 Comments

Filed under Devotions

Tagged as

November 6, 2011 · 11:33 pm

Secret Church


Photo credit: anita

On Friday night, I spent seven hours at our church with a small but enthusiastic group who had gathered for a simulcast by author/pastor David Platt called Secret Church.

We were there for a six hour Bible study, as well as to learn about the harsh realities of the persecuted church around the world.

Pastor David has traveled all over the world to meet with Christians who live in hostile countries. He has met in  small apartments, homes, and even caves to share  God’s Word with those who are desperate to hear it taught. Their time is often limited and there is no time for fluff. Knowing that they could be interrupted at any time and would face certain arrest, these people want to learn as much as they can. Hearing God’s precious Word in all its beauty and power and life is worth any risk.No matter how long Pastor David teaches, they want to hear more. They come hungry and thirsty to hear from their risen Savior.

Would that we in America have that same passion and urgency for Jesus. That is  what He longs for. “Who is he who will devote himself to be close to Me?” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 49:25).

I was so excited to dive into God’s Word for such an extended period of time that evening.

If someone had told the 15-year-old me that I would be jazzed about attending something like this, I would have not believed it in a million years. My first thought would have been “How boring!”

I have come a long way.

Life since then— while wonderful in so many ways— has shown me that His Word is my treasure, my solid rock when my world spins out of control, my constant source of comfort and strength, and a deep, never-ending well-spring of pure JOY. Above all, reading and living those words draws me deeper in love with Jesus. It is where He reveals Himself to me, guides me, speaks to me and shows me His beauty.

Pastor David’s topic was “Marriage, Family, Sex, And The Gospel.” Yes, they are all magnificently and spectacularly connected.

As author Jerry Bridges has written, “The gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history.”      

Because of the good news of the glorious Gospel, there is:

*hope for the hopeless
*healing for the hurting
*peace for the storm-tossed
*restoration for the broken
*acceptance for the rejected
*open arms for the prodigal
*courage for the fearful
*beauty for ashes
*total and complete forgiveness for the repentant sinner
*rest for the weary
*strength for the weak
*light for those in darkness
*joy for the despairing
*dignity and honor for the shamed
*abundant fullness for hollow emptiness
*purpose for the aimless
*intimacy and friendship for the lonely
*guidance and direction for the confused
*love for the loveless
*LIFE for the dying

The Gospel is breathtaking and utterly transforming.

The Gospel joyfully proclaims that redemption is possible over every single area of our lives!

I will never get over it as long as I live and I will tell of its wonders as long as I have breath. I will celebrate it for all eternity.

By the time the simulcast ended at nearly 2:00 in the morning, the five of us who were left were utterly saturated in the beauty of His grace.

I loved every minute of it.

The next Secret Church simulcast will be on Good Friday, April 6. 2012.  Mark your calendars and check locations. You will be blessed!

2 Comments

Filed under Devotions

Tagged as , ,

November 1, 2011 · 5:00 am

Challenged


Photo credit: Melody Campbell

I continue to be challenged by reading Katie Davis’ new book.

She referenced the following Scripture written by the apostle Paul and something stirred in my spirit as I read it:

People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly…in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth and when God’s showing His power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren’t small but you’re living them in a small way...open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!  (2 Corinthians 6:10-13, The Message).

That is a supernatural existence. Jesus blazes from that kind of life. People cannot explain that kind of life.

My life is much too “safe.”

I am very self-protective at times…of my time, my resources, my home.

Yes, we all need have to have boundaries. They are important and necessary. However, I am talking about having an attitude of willingness to go with Jesus wherever and whenever He calls…without my primary concern being my comfort.

Jesus never called His followers to a life of ease. That is a lie perpetrated by the false health-and-wealth-this-is-your-best-life-now “gospel”. Rather, He tells us plainly: ““If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself (disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests) and take up his cross and follow Me (cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also).” (Matthew 16:24).

Only by living that kind of life can the life described in 2 Corinthians 6 be possible.

So the question is: Am I living that kind of life?

Ann Voskamp has written that “Fear makes a life small.” That is very true.

Fear says, “Play it safe. Think about yourself and your needs first and foremost. Don’t take any chances. You can’t possibly do what God is calling you to! How in the world would it work? What would people say? This doesn’t make any sense!”

But Jesus says, “You can do ALL things through Me. It is My energy that works so powerfully within you.  I did not give you the spirit of fear. I have given you a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. Once you come to Me, I hold on and don’t let go.  Banish fear and doubt! Be strong and courageous! Run after Me!  Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of!  The life I have called you to is not a timid, grave-tending life. Rather, it is an  adventurously expectant life that begins each day  by asking Me, ‘What’s next?!” I will always lead you in triumph!  Quit worrying about lack. I will provide everything you need! Trust Me and you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace.  Pay attention to the hungry, the poor, the sick, the prisoners, the homeless, the cold, the orphans and the widows. I am there with them. When you minister to them, you are ministering to ME.”

I want to live that kind of life.

Jesus has been beckoning to me,  stirring my heart to let me know that He is at work and the status quo has got to go. I follow a Savior who loves extravagantly and lavishly. He is teaching me to love like that.

I don’t know the specifics quite yet (though I am noticing that He is highlighting certain themes to which I need to pay attention), but He will reveal those in time. I do know what the end result will be because He tells me in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “… Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of His face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him.” 

I don’t want my life to make sense or be easily explained. I want my life to shine a spotlight onto Jesus and His mighty power and transforming love.

I can hardly wait to see what the next step of the journey will be!

He brought me out into a spacious place…(2 Samuel 22:20)

Leave a comment

Filed under Devotions

Tagged as , ,

October 27, 2011 · 7:43 am

One


Photo credit: andrechinn

As Jesus  continues to teach me about I Corinthians 13 love, I was reminded of a very important truth while reading an incredible book called Kisses from Katie: A Story of  Relentless Love and Redemption.

Katie Davis went to live in Uganda when she was 18, answering God’s call to serve orphans there. Today, at 22, she is the adoptive mother to thirteen precious girls, as well as the founder of Amazima Ministries, which feeds, clothes, and educates hundreds of children who otherwise would have nothing.

She is one of my heroes.

Katie admits to sometimes feeling as if she is “emptying the ocean with an eyedropper.” (p. xviii). However, she does not allow that feeling to overwhelm her. Rather “I have learned to be okay with this feeling because I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person…and if one person sees the love of Christ in me, it is worth every minute. In fact, it is worth spending my life for.” (p. xix). 

Nowhere in His Word does Jesus tell us to save the world, to try to be everything to everybody.

He asks us to live within the parameter of one 24 hour day, to serve those He brings into our lives during that period of time.

So, for today, take the hand of Christ and walk with Him into your day, asking Him to give you His eyes to see that one person who may need a listening ear, a kind word,a few dollars, a bite to eat, a smile, a Bible verse, or to hear the glorious good news of the Gospel.

Never underestimate the power of your one  life to make an eternal difference in the life of someone else.

“A journey of one thousand miles begins with one step.” —Chinese proverb

Leave a comment

Filed under Devotions

Tagged as ,