Do what I want you to do...

"The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words." Romans 8:26

There have been times when I am so overwhelmed with a situation that I don't even know what or how to pray. There have also been times when I know exactly what I want and pray for it. In both of these situations, God knows what I need. He is the only one who can see from above how it will all fit together.

There was once a time when I was so down. I literally felt like I couldn't continue with the situation I was in. I was overwhelmed. I was hurt. I was angry at God! He knew all these things. He knew that I couldn't pray for myself. So He brought people around me to pray for me. I know it was a God thing because the words that were coming out of these people's mouths floored me. They knew what I needed without knowing what was wrong! God gave them the words to speak at that moment. After it was done, I was changed. I was not necessarily happy go lucky but I could feel a change in me. I felt a renewed strength and clarity.

Then there have been times where I have prayed for something specific. I knew what I wanted and how I wanted it to work. Well it didn't work out my way. But when I look back on it, I realize that it worked out the way God wanted it to work out.

People will say things like "hindsight is 20/20". But for me I look back and can see the fingerprints of God on my life. Who else could explain how I survived moving across the US twice? Who else could explain nothing happening to me while I lived in my car as a young woman? Coincidence? No I don't believe there is such a thing. I believe that it's a God thing.

He also knows what's in my heart before I even can sort it out. He knows what I am feeling when others don't. He knows when I am mad or sad. He knows when I am happy or glad. He always knows how I feel without having to tell Him or talk about it. To me that is such a great feeling. Having someone know you truly and deeply, flaws, sin and all. And the best part is He loves me so much despite all of this!

He also knows when I need prayer. He knows when I am so hurt or confused. That is when I know that He is there for me. To lift me up on wings like eagles.

"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Be Still...

We've all heard the scripture that reads "Be still and know that I am God" from Psalm 41:10. There are many different ways to look at that scripture. But last night I had a lesson in how to study it in a different way.

Take this scripture from Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." It goes on to say to put the belt of truth around your waist. Put the breastplate of righteousness on. Pick up your shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Put on your helmet of salvation. Pick up your sword - the sword of truth, God's word.

OK so you read that. And maybe you've heard of it before. But now I challenge you to something. Read it again, but this time close your eyes. Then mediate on this for 3 minutes. Visualize what this looks like for you. Is your belt red? Is your shield shiny? What does your sword look like? Where is God standing?

Now remember that visual when you leave your house. Remember putting all these things on to go out into this world where evil exists. I bet that this will help you go about your day in a different way. Also don't forget who gave you all the armor... the one and only Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now try this with one of your favorite scriptures...

God is the divine silversmith

I have never thought much of silversmiths, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, etc. I've never known any of these nor had experience with them. Which is probably why I have never thought much about them.

In my bible study, Priscilla refers to God as the "divine silversmith". Hmm that is interesting. The job of a silversmith is to refine the silver and get rid of all it's impurities. He needs to make the silver perfect for whatever it is to be used for. It may be used for a nice ring or necklace. Or maybe a nice tea pot. Either way if you were to buy this as a gift for someone, you would want it to be perfect too. You wouldn't want impurities in it. Nor does God.

As the divine silversmith He is always working to get rid of our impurities. Turning the heat up and down to make sure the "silver" is just right. Even when we feel that the heat or the burden is too much, He knows when to stop. He knows when enough is enough. There is that saying "God never gives you more than He knows you can handle". I really don't like this saying because it's tossed around so much, but it is so true. We may be screaming enough but He knows that it might not be enough yet. He knows the greater plan and purpose for our lives. He always knows what is best for us even when we think we know. And He promises us that He will never leave nor forsake us. So when the heat is on and we're feeling like we are completely alone on the stove, we're not. He is right there with us.

How does a silversmith know when the refining process is complete? The silversmith must be able to see his reflecting clearly. God knows His work is done and when we will be ready when He can see His reflection in us.

So I say to this "Ok God, keep refining me until you can see your reflection in me!" But give me some tanning lotion while you're at it! :-)

Servanthood

"A true servant of God must be willing to surrender to God's plans completely. Godly servanthood means laying aside our desires in full pursuit of His."

Wow that is tough. We live in a society that screams to follow your dreams and desires. Not happy? Then follow your heart. Uncomfortable? Then run. Women you can have it all! No we can't! Show me one woman who "has it all" and is completely and utterly happy! These are such lies yet they are repeated over and over.

As believers, we need to follow Him. We need to be true servants to Him. Yes God gave us free will but to truly be happy and fulfilled, we need to follow His plan not our own.

I have stumbled many times following my own plan instead of seeking what God wants. In times when I am struggling I look around and realize that I have been doing it my own way and the plan that I want instead of His plan.

A question that stood out at me from bible study was: Is my obedience conditional? Wow this made me think. So often we obey God when it's convenient for us, when it feels good or when it's easy. But we need to truly obey Him even when it's none of these things. I know for me when I look back at times when I obeyed Him even when I didn't want to, I was blessed beyond belief. Then there were other times when I chose not to obey Him and wow things went down ugly.

One of the reason why I wasn't a Christian for so long is because of people who liked to talk the talk but not walk the walk. I know that everyone makes mistakes and we're all sinners. I am talking about the people who talk and talk about what we should do yet they themselves don't do it repeatly. Jesus didn't preach, He served. He left the table and washed the disciples feet. The dinner wasn't over yet there He was on his knees washing their feet.

Priscilla Shrier said this week that Jesus did three things that night. He left the table, he removed his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist. (John 13:5) She said this was a true example of servanthood. He left the comforts and all the delicious food. He removed his outer wear to prepare for the job. And he took up his towel to do the job.

The same goes for us. We need to do the same three things to be a true servant. We need to leave our own comfort. We need to remove any hindrances. And finally we need to take up our towel to do the job.

I feel like this is where I am at. There are some decisions that I am facing. God is giving me the towel that I need to do what He is calling me to do. But am I willing to leave my comfort and remove any hindrances to do what He is calling of me? He knows the plan that He has for me. He knows what towels I need for the job at hand. He is waiting for me to take the steps forward that I need.

Am I willing to be uncomfortable? Am I willing to take off the expectations of what I thought my life was going to be like? Am I willing to take off and leave behind my pride or bitterness? Am I willing to use my own tools that God is giving me as opposed to someone elses tools? He knows what tools I need.

Jesus served Judas even though He knew that it was Judas who would betray Him. He still served and loved him. Would I do the same if I knew someone was going to hurt me? Isn't this what God calls us to do?

A friend of mine's daughter prayed the other day. She thanked God for all her family and friends. Then she went on the thank Him for all the people in the world that she didn't know, even those who wanted to kill her. (Her parents were having a family discussion about those who don't like Americans at dinner a few nights previous.) The innocence of a 5 year old. That is what God calls us to be even at 30, 40, 70 or 90 something. We often are so full of ourselves that we forget this.

So am I willing to leave my comfort zone, remove my expectations and pride and take up my towel? Are you?

A Sanctified Life...

What does a sanctified life look like? The term sanctification keeps coming up for me. So I've been thinking about this a lot lately. What does this mean? What does this look like to me? This is a hard one to answer, I've have many discussions with people about it.

The definition of a sanctified life is to be set apart. It means to be different. To live a life of Christ. Our pastor said last week "We must be set apart from one thing and be set apart to something." This same phrase was also in my bible study. Ok so what does this mean?

I don't think this means that I am just supposed to follow a list of religious rules. Some people think this but I don't. I think it means I am supposed to be connected to Jesus through a relationship. It also means that I need to be unconnected to other things that put a road block in the relationship. For me that is watching tv or some movies. There is a lot of stuff in those things that are stumbling blocks for me. Things that hinder my relationship with Him. There are more that I am starting to see.

It is easy in our society to blend in and become "un-sanctified" very easily and quickly. Priscilla Shrier gave this example:

There is a spot on her church's lawn that is worn. Over the years the congregants wore a path through it by taking a short cut. The path was started by a couple of people but was made obvious by many people taking it.

When we forget that we are sanctified, we begin to "go with the flow". Everyone is doing it, why shouldn't we too? We shouldn't because we are set apart.

But being set apart doesn't mean we are above anyone else. I think sometimes people think that as a Christian we're sanctified so we're better than other people. This is not the case at all. If only means that we are set apart and have been saved by God's grace alone. We are all still sinners just as those who are not Christ followers.

So this comes back to... do I live a sanctified life? Do people notice I'm different? If they do notice that I am different, is it because I am acting as if I am above them or is it because I am living a sanctified life? I want to live a life that is set apart where everything I do is for God's glory. The only way to do this is to die to myself and allow Him to live in me. And this only happens one moment at a time...

"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!"

Wow! What else can you say to this? Too often we complain about our problems. We complain and whine about when God is going to rescue us from them. We feel that we are drowning in them. I have been there many times!

But instead we need to tell our problems that the Lord our God is bigger than all of them combined! He can calm the storm in an instant is He chooses! Isn't this what the disciples said in Luke 8:22-25 or Matthew 8:23-27 ? "Lord save us!" They were scared to death that the storm was going to capsize them! Then Jesus said to them "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" And in an instant he calmed the storm!

Even the disciples were afraid! So of course we're going to be afraid. But we need to trust the Jesus can calm the storm for us too!

"Do not test the Lord your God"

Do not test the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 6:16

This was in my devotional this morning and it really struck me. My first thought was, I don't test Him. I don't ask him to prove himself because I know He exists and is working. But as I continued to read, I realized it was more than that.

God doesn't need to continue to prove Himself, He has already proven Himself as faithful. When we keep asking Him to prove what He has already revealed, we both test and insult Him.

Beth says "God our Father is a giver by nature. He grants us full permission to make our petitions known, but He also asks that we check our motives (Jas. 4:3). If our motive is to see proof, according to Scripture we're testing God.

When we ask for things, we need to check what our motive is for asking. Are we asking because we truly want something or are we asking for Him for further proof that He exists and has choosen us? Do we ask for a miracle to increase our ability to bring God glory, or do we want proof He exists and loves us?

This has gotten me to thinking if I do this. Do I ask Him because I truly want something or because I need Him to show me that He loves me. Or when I ask, do I truly believe that He will answer me or do I have doubt that He will or make it happen? I know that He exists and can do anything. He can change a life, He can make the sun rise, He can give and He can take away.

Though I don't tell Him to prove that He exists, I think there have been times where I've asked for something so that I can see that He still sees me and loves me. This is the same as testing Him. This is when I need to focus on FAITH. Faith is believing even when you can't see!

So focus on FAITH not PROOF!