“Martha’s Words”
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask,” John 11:21, 22(NIV).
The story of Mary and Martha losing their brother Lazarus hits the heart a bit deeper lately. Our community had been hit hard with tragedy and broken hearts were left with questions and doubts beginning with a similar phrase, “Lord, if only…”
I was not familiar with the story of Martha approaching Jesus after her brother had died. The thought of Martha often brought a past image of busyness, frustration and avoidance as her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet in their home. Yet here I see her rushing to meet Him with urgency and a sense of confidence in her heart.
Notice her choice of words…” but I know, even now,” that followed behind her “if” statement. Her brother is gone, grief is hovering, and her disappointment still stands, but through the pain she digs deep for what she knows.
I don’t know for certain Martha’s words were implying this, but for me, my heart hears this in her voice, “Jesus, my Savior, if you had been here, this might look different and he might still be here, but what I choose to focus on is what I know in my heart…I believe you have a plan even in our grief and I trust in Your plan from God.”
Martha’s words remind me so much of how our questions, doubt, and fear hover within our minds, but pushing forward can be the attributes and promises of God. Jesus lovingly guides Martha to answer if she believes Jesus is the resurrection and the only source of life, in which she answers, “Yes, Lord, I believe.”
I love seeing her words transition in a way I have never noticed. She began with, “Lord, if…” then “but, I know…” and ended with “Lord, I believe…” and the most inspiring part is Jesus was just getting started. He had not yet commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb that foreshadowed His resurrection for us.
Jesus met Martha in her grief; lovingly guided her words to an affirmation of what her heart believed, and directed her to trust in a deeper purpose.
How can we be inspired by Martha and help redirect our prayers from the “if only” thought to an attribute of our God that says, “Even if, Father…I know and I believe that you are good, and I trust in whatever You are doing.”
“Significant Numbers”
Making a new year’s resolution wasn’t high on my to do list, but with 2024 approaching I found myself striving for more family Bible reading. Between the kid’s school, work, their sports and “what’s for supper,” it’s one that becomes a resolution in itself. I asked our children what type of study they might be interested in and was surprised when they belted out, “let’s just study the whole Bible!” Talk about striving for the goal!
As I gathered relatable stories from Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, I found myself stumped in Numbers. The book of Numbers reminds me of…well, lots of numbers. How on earth could I gather a relatable story from that? Yet, to my surprise it was filled with some of the biggest takeaways as I revisited it.
As Moses guided this crazy large number of people through the wilderness, he experienced an enormous amount of frustration from them. They whined, despite their blessings; they rebelled, despite boundaries, and they lacked a humble spirit. If we’re honest, we are a lot like them. But, overshadowing all of this was the glory of God, or another way of saying it might be, “the presence of God.”
In the Old Testament we are told the glory of God resided in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide His people. Numbers 9:17-23 tells us about God’s presence guiding His children as He dwelled among them. The Israelites were commanded to abide continually and submit to His guidance as they learned to trust His direction. Today, we gain perspective from this story as we relate to this scenario…
We are God’s children. We are still navigating life’s circumstances, which feels like a wilderness at times. We receive His commands through His Word and receive clear boundaries. But, the difference is His presence manifests within us through the gift of His Son and the Holy Spirit. His glory abounds when we allow the Holy Spirit to activate in our everyday lives. Unexplainable peace fills us and the courage to follow His voice surfaces within us. If you have never experienced the humbling goodness of His presence, I encourage you to take time to be still with Him and truly allow God’s presence to dwell within your heart. Follow that verse that says “be still…” We don’t have to await a cloud in the sky or a fire in the night to remind us God is with us…although the sun and moon are incredible reminders that our Creator holds all things together. He orchestrates all things. From the numbers listed in His stories, representing the detail of His creation, to the glory He continually revealed that alluded to His future Son joining the people on earth, the certainty of God’s presence is always there.
Numbers 4, verse 24-26 says, “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
These were the words God told Moses to speak over His children as His glory shined over them. If you are in a season of doubt, uncertain of the path ahead or simply feel stagnant in your walk, consider all the details written in God’s Word and the message to you- “His countenance upon you, giving you peace.” Welcome His presence around you and turn your face towards Him.
If you are looking for a great source for a kid’s commentary(or maybe yourself) for different books of the Bible, Kaleidoscope Kids Bible Source has great options! https://readkaleidoscope.com/
“Do you need a glass of milk?”
As we drove over the hills and through the woods, my youngest daughter filled the air with nonstop chatter. Her tiny mouth had said at least 20,000 words. Right about the time she sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher, something caught my attention, “Mom, when you get baptized, do you change right then, like I know we change when we get saved, but when?”
I loved where her mind was going with this…
I had noticed a change in Camille as she thumbed through her Bible and often circled back around with questions. My child that normally acted like a flying squirrel during bedtime prayers and begged for any bedtime story ‘except a Bible story’ was growing in her faith right before my eyes and wasn’t afraid to ask questions.
We talked about how accepting Jesus into our hearts and following through with baptism was a way of asking Him to ‘dwell’ or live within us daily and while we may have an image of the old washing away and the new submerging, choices in life still remained. My heart desired to answer my daughter’s question with, “yes, the old is washed away and you change instantly,” but God’s Word was echoing louder for a deeper message.
Our conversation left me reflecting on the moment I accepted Jesus into my heart and the years that followed in life. The desire to live life in a Christ like way was the initial change, but the ability to keep that desire was a different story.
1 Peter 2:2 says, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
Notice those words, “crave, so you may grow.” This verse beautifully represents the beginning of someone’s faith and the growth that should accompany it. The pure spiritual milk mentioned is The Word of God. The truths taught in the Bible are what sustain us through life. God has given us everything we need to grow in our faith, but an active participation is key.
Think of what the word, “craving” represents…a desire…a hunger for something. Peter reminds us that a desire within us should be to grow in knowledge of The Lord and not remain stagnant in our faith.
Much like our children, we want them to grow. We feed them, teach them to sleep and guide them so they will grow in the physical realm, but are we teaching them to grow in the spiritual realm?
The verse that follows the command to grow is this…” now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” Read it again, “NOW, that you have TASTED that the LORD is GOOD.” Are you able to resonate with that statement? When you look back in life, do you see the goodness of God? It’s not that your life was free from pain, or you received everything you prayed for, but because you have grown in your knowledge of who the King of your heart is and how trustworthy He is. Oh, how our children need to hear us speak of the goodness of God throughout our lives.
As we interact with others, whether within our families or at work, keep Peter’s words near your heart. If you have fallen away from reading His Word or feel stagnant in your walk, pray for a growth spurt in your faith and return to His Word for a big glass of spiritual milk.
“Purpose in Trials”
Today’s writing is one from the past! I wrote this years ago and have continued to love the story of Joseph. His unique gift and zeal for life offered an amazing opportunity for humility and perspective. Check out the story of Joseph’s choice in life where he found purpose in his trial….
Remember Joseph from the Bible? Not Jesus’ earthly dad...the Old Testament Joseph. He was Jacob’s favorite son and pranced around like a gazelle in the fancy coat. God revealed to Joseph early in his life that he was given the ability to interpret dreams. Not just any dreams, but visions of the future to fulfill God’s plans. Joseph didn’t exactly handle this revelation with humility....he ‘word vomited’ the plans of his future leadership on anyone listening, but his heart was simply excited and willing to live out the plan.
But what happened when that exciting ‘plan’ or ‘dream’ went south? When Joseph realized God wanted to use him I’m sure he didn’t picture the tough road ahead.
Joseph’s zeal for life was misunderstood and he became the target of his brothers’ jealousy. They sold him to a traveling caravan passing by. Man! Can you imagine selling your sibling to the trafficking system in today’s world and then lying to your parents about it?! These hearts were cold and full of envy.
When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery they had no idea what would become of him, nor did they care. Poor Joseph’s excitement to live out God’s calling had been crushed as his circumstances surfaced tragedy.
Joseph became alone, scared and confused as he was led by the caravan into Egypt and awaited more trying times. As the hardships unravel Joseph finds himself living out God’s vision that was given earlier in life. He rules over Egypt, becomes the source of food during a famine and holds respect from many. His shocking new identity is revealed to his starving brothers and his emotions are in turmoil as he recalls their cruel actions. Joseph has the power and ability to dismiss them for life….just as they did to him.
This story carries a lot of human disappointment. When looked at as a whole, the valleys outnumber the peaks in life. But the most unique part of Joseph’s story is how he handles the trials. Joseph refrains from being the victim and turns away from things like revenge and self pity. He chooses a different perspective and God.
Joseph’s choice of response to his cold hearted brothers’ actions was simply this, “ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,” Genesis 50:20. Wowza. Talk about having the right perspective!
Hear me on this…the point of Joseph’s story is not to glorify how forgiving he was to those who mistreated him, but to see his focus during hardships. Joseph learned important lessons in humiliating circumstances. Those challenges in life led him to gain discernment through prayer as he waded through uncertain times. And most importantly, he drew into a closer relationship with God as he leaned on Him more than ever. Think back on trying times in your life; can you trace the growth in your faith?
Think about this..Joseph’s unpredictable path in life offered many opportunities for self pity. He was thrown in jail for something he didn’t do, forgotten by people he helped and mistreated by family for his youthful pride, yet, notice how the Bible records his choice to take on a perspective centered around God.
The attributes of God were not simply concepts Joseph had heard; they were beliefs in his heart. When life was unpredictable Joseph held tight to his faith in God. The hardships in his life are what molded this trust!
“What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good,” is a powerful perspective to have in a world filled with heartache. I’m persuaded to imagine Joseph making the future words in Romans his life’s motto, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Suffering tenderizes our hearts and draws us closer through prayer and community. Hard times can reap a beautiful image of love as community comes together, but to focus only on the suffering causes you to miss a much bigger picture.
To spend your life asking “why is this happening,” will exhaust your mind and heart, but to shift your focus to who you truly believe God is will reset your perspective.
I would venture to say Joseph didn't welcome the trials. We don’t want to suffer, but, we can place all circumstances in God’s hands and trust whatever comes is not a mishap missed by God.
Listen, sometimes we just forget who God is. He is the creator of this world and every human in it. He hung the moon, placed the stars and controls every breath we take. Bring your fears and heartaches back to Him and trust He will see you through it according to His will. Rest in knowing nothing goes unnoticed by Him and what the enemy schemes for destruction is always overcome by God’s power and goodness according to His purpose.
This week’s song comes with Bible trivia! Listen to the lyrics and focus on the tone. Do you know what book of the Bible the lyrics are quoted from?
This song is very powerful when we fully grasp our place in this world….
“Are you a Philip?“
What Bible story comes to mind when you are reminded of a young boy with 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish? Whether you read the Bible often or just recall childhood stories, you are probably a bit familiar with Jesus multiplying the fish and bread to feed a large crowd of people.
The book of John is one of four Gospels that holds this familiar story. I had heard the story a zillion times and felt confident there was nothing new to be learned. My thoughts boasted in this until an unfamiliar verse was noticed…
An insanely large group of people had arrived to hear Jesus speak and much like us today, their stomachs began to wonder if dinner would be provided. As the disciples frantically approached Jesus to remind Him of the day drawing near, the number of people present and the lack of resources to provide, Jesus casually asks Philip this, “Where should we buy bread for these people to eat?” John 6:5.
I love how nonchalant and witty Jesus can be in stories like this. Verse 6 goes on to say, “He (Jesus) asked this only to test him (Philip), for He already had in mind what He was going to do.”
I was intrigued by Jesus’ question and wondered why He would test Philip like this? I decided to ask my husband for his thoughts and to my surprise he wittingly and nonchalantly replied with this idea…” Jesus knew Philip and his disciples knew the Old Testament stories, they knew God provided manna(bread) for the people in the desert long ago. He wanted to test his faith to remind him of who He was…who His Father was…God. He needed Philip to dig deep and trust that the need would be provided just as God did for so many so long ago.”
Well, Matt Bridges, you have impressed me. What a great perspective!
As I considered his spin on this, a new revelation pierced my heart from this familiar story. I, too, needed to be reminded of this. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and I believe in the stories from The Bible, but sometimes I forget that the same Father that provided, guided, protected, and answered His children is the same Father that hears my prayers. We can become so calloused with the miracles written in God’s Word that we forget the power of Jesus still stands and the gift of The Holy Spirit has been given.
So often, I am a ‘Philip’ in the story of life…. Philip’s reply to Jesus’ question was, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Philip completely missed the test, much like I do when I feel a prompting from The Lord. Sometimes, I can only focus on what’s before me and remain in a fixed state of mind, but I continually hear The Lord reminding me, “I am a creative God, Adrienne, just trust me with the unknown.”
If you feel like a ‘Philip’ and are carrying doubt, refresh your mindset with this story. Consider how powerful Jesus is…he literally took 5 small loaves of bread and 2 tiny fish and multiplied with His hands to feed over 5,000 people. That same power supply is available to us; we just have to believe. Thank you Lord, for Your stories that were written so long ago that still relate to us.
“An Unwanted Root”
Recently, I found myself thumbing through the book of Ephesians searching for words to battle my poor attitude. Juggling life’s demands and the gremlins’ school activities left my husband and I feeling as though we chased squirrels daily. Sure, my heart knew all the sayings, “you’re going to miss this one day,” and “it’s just a season, they grow up so fast,” but the reality was my attitude didn’t feel that way.
I felt as though I had a root within me sprouting expectations, frustrations, a short temper, and criticism. I didn’t like the way I was responding, but it felt deeper than attempting to take on a ‘Pollyanna’ attitude. As I read through Ephesians 4, Paul’s message began to thump my attitude beneath my forehead. He said, “do not give the devil a foothold,” and “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Chapter 5 continued with, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.”
At this point, I knew this message was for me. I no longer wondered if something negative had taken root, it was a fact. I had given the enemy a foothold when I began to nurture my bad attitude with expectations, frustrations, and bitterness. The roots within me weren’t bearing appealing fruit, they needed to be uprooted.
As my eyes were opened by Paul’s reminders, I couldn’t help but feel surprised by how subtly the enemy tempted me into gratifying my sinful nature. When the negativity began, it felt justified…harmless…warranted, and as I made excuses for these feelings, the enemy nursed my thought process. He added thoughts of self-righteousness, blame, jealousy, and haughtiness.
Often, the fruits of the Spirit are referenced as cute figures of fruit representing acts of kindness for our children to model. But, what if we dug deeper into this message, revealing to them and ourselves how the enemy seeks to plant the bad seed and how easily we can give into our sinful nature. The desirable fruits such as joy, gentleness, peace, self-control, are by-products of abiding in Christ and allowing The Holy Spirit to dwell within us, not beside us.
So, I asked myself, what fruit was I bearing…what needed to change…. others or myself? The latter option was the answer. It began with me. Life would always be full of demands; individuals would most likely disappoint me, but if I’m rooted in Christ, I’m able to view the circumstances differently.
If Christ’s acceptance of me is my joy, then peace and assurance follows.
If my expectancy comes from God’s timing and sovereignty, then I can be better prepared with self-control and gentleness.
If I’m abiding in His Word and allowing it to check my heart, then a bad root will be easier to spot and remove.
Returning to God’s Word with an open attitude is the only attitude I hope to keep!
How about you? How has the enemy deceived you lately? Are you on guard with his schemes? Take time to allow God’s Word to uproot some unwanted areas and replace them with His fruit.
“Our Free Will”
As I have inched my way further into motherhood, I have often wondered how on earth I would face difficult questions our children might ask. You know, the ones that are awkward, uncomfortable and leave you uncertain of how far to go on the topic. Kids are notorious for diving into curiosity and putting us on the spot. Many times, my prayer evolved into, “Lord, just please show me what to say when my children start asking,” and then one day the prayer became a reality when a string of questions arrived…
As my daughter and I were driving along, she blurted out, “Mom, how can a mama and a daddy have a baby when they are not married and what does gay mean?”
Me: Ummm……
Her: “I thought you had to be married to have babies and I have heard that word said but don’t know what it means.”
My daughter had not learned the dynamics of the birds and the bees yet, and I wasn’t certain I was ready to unleash the details of how that occurred, but I knew her mind was seeking answers; answers I knew I wanted her to learn with the right information. I took a deep breath and coincidentally recalled a friend’s words, “always start with creation, the beginning.” So, I did. I took it all the way back to Genesis and the original plan.
God’s Word had taken root in my heart a long time ago and I felt it surfacing. I began explaining that God created man and woman as a family on earth (Genesis 2: 22-24). He had big plans for them and loved them dearly, but by their mistake, sin entered the world. (Genesis 3:6-7). I explained that despite the sin, God had a plan. His love remained and a choice, or free will, was given to us and that the same concept still applies today, God’s love and our choice.
As I eased my way a bit further into the discussion, I gently explained that God’s intention for a family was after marriage as they held each other a way God intended, but with our sinful nature we have opportunity to act on emotions, make decisions and fill our hearts with things beyond God’s love. Yet, even with choices, God’s gift of mercy, love and redemption through Christ works within our lives reminding us of His love and plan for us in life.
Surprised by the ease of God’s Word within the conversation I inched my way into the distortion of the rainbow. I went on to mention that sometimes our flesh and emotions can lead individuals to believe they are attracted to someone God never intended them to be, possibly even one of the same gender, and through a choice they step onto a path against God’s plan. Just like God’s creation with Adam and Eve, choices point back to free will. We have a choice to say no to the enemy and misleading thoughts, but the key is realizing it is a choice.
Our world is filled with a message that proclaims we should allow our desires to direct our plans in life. But our children need to be led to the significance of Romans 8: 6, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” This verse reminds us to be mindful of what we are submitting to daily, the enemy’s schemes or the Holy Spirit. It’s a choice to be made.
When we return to God’s Word for explanations it truly becomes simple. Our sinful nature leads us to choices that can cause us to dishonor God’s plan, but His love and gift of mercy through His Son is so large that nothing can separate us from His redemption. Learning to see this is key. As children of God, may we speak truth from His Word into others and not shy away from difficult conversations. We are equipped to answer when we start with God’s Word.
“Death has a sting…For Now”
Today’s Purpose with Perspective post is written by my guest and dear friend, Joellen Lee. Joellen is a teacher, mom of 3, wife and friend to many. She loves to pour her love for Jesus into others as she encourages them to seek His Word, journal prayers and sit at His feet. Check out her perspective on a heavy topic that brings pain, but not without purpose and a promise…
If you’ve been raised in the “church” or even attended a time or two, you might recall the shortest verse in the Bible. Do you know what it is? Yes, without hesitation and possibly in unison, you would quickly reply, “Jesus wept.”
Indeed, He did. For so long, I assumed that He cried real tears as a result of his loyal friend and brother suffering illness and ultimately losing his earthly life. I thought how difficult it was for Jesus to have such a close and intimate relationship with Lazarus and his sisters, and then to see the devastation in their eyes as they cried out to him as if to ask, “Where were you? If only you had been here?”
On August 31, 2023, those same questions began to run through my mind after my dad died. “Where were you, Jesus? If only you had been there, this would not have happened?” I had been walking and abiding in Christ for a long time, and I began to hate my questions, doubts, and unbelief that started to arise within my soul. I did not want to offend the Lord. I was completely torn. I wondered how I could ask such questions of my God and friend, but the other half of my heart asked, “How could I not?” Over the past year, I have been forced to wrestle with God after death literally punched me in the gut. Death was a shock to my system. It felt wrong, unnatural, gross, and final. The effects changed me in a way that sometimes could not be expressed in words. It wreaked havoc on all my senses and cut deep to my core. Death, in a sense, came in uninvited and quickly exited taking a piece of me with it. Death is devastating. Death has a sting.
As I reflect, I think about how I wept over death just as Jesus did many times. But Jesus’ tears were not just from the loss of life. He wept over what sin had wrought. What sin had broken. What sin had tried to destroy. Jesus’s first taste of death came way before the senseless murder of his cousin John the Baptist, or even the passing of his beloved friend Lazarus. In the garden, Christ was present as Adam and Eve unleashed havoc on perfection, and death came to wreck the party for the first time ever. It was wrong, unnatural, gross, but definitely NOT FINAL. The pain and shock had begun to cloud my vision of what that truly meant. You see, The Father’s love and protection for His children is so deep and far and wide that he would never have let sin and death win. He has always had a plan to deal with and defeat the sting that plagues us to this day. Jesus not only tasted death, but became death so that the wrong of death would be made right. That not only would we be saved from the sin in our heart and freed to live abundantly now, but to live abundantly with Him in eternity free from this piercing sting.
However, we are living in the already, but not yet. Christ has died, was buried, has risen again, and sits at the right hand of God the Father. The groaning earth still lives and breathes with the effects of sin and death, and as we come face to face with it, the sting is still so very real. But the good news is, so are His promises! You see, death only has its say for a moment. The Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah stating without a doubt that He WILL remove the cloud of doom and the shadow of death that hangs over us all. He WILL swallow up death forever and wipe away every ounce of pain that sin and death let in. And as the Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians, we can be assured that those in Christ will rise with Him and He WILL have the final say! Death WILL be defeated once and for all, and these words will echo through eternity.
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
Death has a sting…for now.
“The Contemplation before the Decision”
Adoption, abduction, and plotted deaths, these are all components of the book of Esther. Recently, my ego boasted that I already knew the story. Esther had stunning beauty, displayed poise, and learned she was “created for such a time as this,” while making a difficult decision. I was familiar with how the story ended, but God wanted me to know how it began….
The book of Esther is filled with incredible moments representing God’s perfect timing. I encourage you to read it, but for now let’s focus on Esther’s contemplation as she lived out her coined phrase, “for such a time as this.”
Esther’s adopted parent, Mordecai, has secretly informed her of Haman’s (the King’s right-hand man) plan to annihilate her people, the Jews. While Esther is the apple of the King’s eye, she is not exempt from the law that forbids even speaking to the King without being summoned, much less pleading for a change.
Let’s pause and find some relatability with Esther. Typically, we aren’t facing physical execution nor living within the citadel of a palace awaiting someone’s beckoning, but we do face an enemy that works to annihilate our relationships, hope, and joy. We are faced with difficult circumstances with friends or in our families that require hard conversations and uncertain outcomes. We live in a fallen world filled with gut wrenching addiction, unfathomable hatred, chronic depression and more. Life offers ample opportunities with a choice on how we will face these challenging circumstances. Esther’s life was nothing short of trials that prompted her to make a choice. She was an orphan, whom Mordecai graciously adopted, she was abducted as a young virgin by the King to become his Queen, and now is facing yet another uncertain outcome as she is asked to speak up for the Jews.
As Esther moves towards a decision, notice how she handles her contemplation… “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish,” Esther 4:16.
Did you catch it; her intentional approach before she stepped forward with courage. She uses wisdom as she requests support from her community. She positions herself in a humble state with fasting to think clearly and rid herself of comfort, and she practices patience as she mentions, ‘after that, I will go.’
I love how Esther’s inner beauty brings her outer beauty into a full circle with her response.
What decision are you facing? How are you handling it? Have you sought Godly counsel, given it time, or considered fasting a comfort to free your mind or body from distractions? Each of us were created for a time(s) to live out our God given purpose. Consider Esther’s approach as you contemplate what moment God is leading you into?
Remember, take time to read the whole story and share its relatability with others. The Bible never fails to impress me, even when my ego wants to say otherwise…
“How to wait…”
Our local Children’s museum has an activity that prompts the children to hit a button once they think a minute has passed. As my oldest daughter jumped to hit the button, feeling certain 60 seconds had passed, the screen revealed 23 seconds! 60 seconds can feel like a long time IF you are waiting in anticipation…. Waiting on God to answer a prayer brings a similar feeling.
We’ve all been there, telling God what we desire and pleading with Him to deliver our requests. Sometimes our prayers are accompanied with a desperate plea against time and can leave us with the heaviness of expectancy. We are reassured by faith that He will answer, but how do we handle waiting? How can we redirect our thoughts when they are filled with anticipation and questions of when the prayer will be answered? Much like my daughter, the waiting game can leave us ready to jump to action before it’s time…
I, myself have been in a season of waiting. The anticipation of how God will write the story brings a sense of urgency, yet when I release my concerns into His hands and redirect my thoughts to His Word I am reminded of everything He promises. The promises found within Psalms 19: 7-14 bring perspective to my mind with every sentence spoken…
“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them the servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults, keep your servant from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. “
Did you see all the nuggets of wisdom?! Read it again, and this time reflect on the heaviness that tends to creep in as you await answers to prayers. Notice how scripture ‘refreshes our soul,’ and ‘gives light to the eyes.’ Then notice how it also guides and directs us to ‘warning and hidden faults,’ reminding us to consider our hearts in all things. When we are searching for clarity or direction with anything in life, His Word will always offer the wisdom we need.
I have this Psalm taped to my bathroom mirror to remind myself of my place in God’s story. Returning to His Word brings focus and perspective with any challenge in life and steadies my obedience for His plan. Taking time to surrender our own timeline and use our faith to trust in His promises brings a deeper awareness of His sovereignty and helps settle that expectancy that creeps in.
I’ll leave you with a beautiful promise found in Ephesians 3:20-21(MSG), “God can do anything, far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”
Let’s keep praying those prayers, but let’s lean a bit further into the promise that His timing is perfect, His Word is true and His way is better when the heavy anticipation tries to sneak in.
“3 men’s words ”
I thought I knew the story…three friends and a fiery furnace, Daniel and the lions, all of it was familiar to me. But as I revisited the book of Daniel, I realized only knowing the gist of the story offers little room for relatability and application.
If you’re like me, you might need a refresher course in this part of the Bible. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel have been abducted from their homeland and brought to Babylon. I’m picturing pythons, huge towers, hanging vines and an eerie feeling lurking in the air as the four of them wearily march into the land. Nebuchadnezzar is the King of Babylon and well known for his fiery, non-relenting personality.
Chapter 3 tells us that King Nebuchadnezzar has demanded all people to bow in worship to his man-made statue in efforts to fuel his ego and feed his pride. Not only has he commanded everyone to come forth, but he has decreed anyone who does not obey to be burned to death and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are guilty as charged.
Let’s take a moment to absorb the severity of this situation. The phrase ‘do as I say or else’ leaves no room for question here. This king is the real deal, and the dilemma is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s unshakeable loyalty to their God. As the three of them are summoned before the king to answer for their lack of participation they choose this response…
“King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from your majesty’s hand,” Daniel 3:16, 17.
Did you catch those three powerful words, “and he will?” Talk about some serious confidence in the Lord!
While most of us are not standing before an evil king dodging threats; we do face an enemy that hurls doubt, fear, and pride at us tempting us to submit to his ways. The enemy may be taunting you with fear for your health or consuming your thoughts with doubt over an uncertain outcome. What words are you responding with? Do you stand on your commitment to the Lord even when it’s scary? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t just believe in the one true God, they put their life in His hands and proclaimed it. Notice their words, “IF we are,” and “the God we serve IS able,” and most importantly, “AND He WILL.”
I truly believe these guys didn’t know how or when their deliverance from their situation would be known, but I do know they deeply knew who their God was-a reliant, faithful, trustworthy Father. They simply placed their faith in His plan, really believed in His ability to deliver when the time was right and placed their trust in His Sovereignty.
What trial is staring you in the face? What words have you chosen to speak or believe? I encourage you to consider these men’s responses. Speak these three words, “and He will,” then follow them with “never leave me, always love me, protect me, restore and guide me,” when the enemy tries to say otherwise. Share the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s powerful words with someone and remind others that the Bible is full of relatable moments.
Happy 4th of July! May we never take our freedom for granted and always hold gratitude in our hearts for those that sacrificed their lives for this freedom!
“Grant us wisdom, Lord”
Wisdom-the ability to discern.
Discern-the ability to detect with senses, other than vision.
Our world is rapidly growing with a society focused on outward characteristics and poor judgment. Too often, individuals are making assessments based off emotions, lack of knowledge and shallow verbiage.
As we watch the news, see society’s reactions, face difficult decisions and everything in between, how do we as believers, set ourselves apart?.......
Our friend from the Bible, Solomon, is typically known for two things, his love of women and his request for knowledge. We’ll give him some grace and focus on the latter trait for today.
1 Kings 3:7-9(CEB) says, “And now, Lord my God, you have made me your servant, king of my father David’s place. But I’m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. Please give me your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help.”
I love this story for a number of reasons, but mostly for Solomon’s choice of words. Notice he said, “But, I’m here,” and “in order to.” Solomon had the opportunity to request the absence of problems, removal of frustration and more, but he chose to recognize his position in life and from whom it evolved, His Creator.
Today’s world is filled with choices and controversy and the enemy is great at blurring the lines on right and wrong. But if we return to God and His Word with the attitude of Solomon, our Creator is always faithful to answer and ready to direct our steps.
James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask your generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
But let’s press pause a moment and consider how wisdom is delivered once we ask…. Does it just magically enter our mind and alter our thought process? Do decisions miraculously become easier, and life’s drama flee? Unfortunately, the answer is most likely no, yet the perspective changes. As we recognize our need for God’s guidance, commit to studying His Word, wholeheartedly desire His way over ours and seek a posture of humbleness we begin to see life differently. We begin to experience the words from Isaiah 55, “Come to me with your ears wide open, listen and you will find life,” and “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord, and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Our focus shifts to purpose and trust takes over.
These words are refreshing and encouraging when you are walking a road with difficult decisions. No matter the circumstance you are facing, He desires to grant you wisdom for the road ahead and discernment to know how to navigate it. Take time to ask yourself if you have asked Him for it…
Parents, take time to study God’s Word. It’s not enough to stand on the bits and pieces you’ve gathered through life. Really commit to studying it; knowing and believing it is His message, one that is still alive and active. Show your children how to go to it for direction, studying it as a whole and learning about the attributes of God.
My dad often says, “I sure wouldn’t want to raise you and your brothers in this world today, it was hard enough back when you all were growing up.” There is no better response than, “ain’t that the truth!” I often laugh at the idea that my parents only had to explain the birds and the bees. We are facing things such as the birds and the bees, the birds that want to be bees, the bees that say their birds, the birds that want the other birds…..you get the point. Our conversations will be much more challenging as our children grow, but with God’s guidance He will grant us wisdom and discernment for the path ahead. All we need to do is ask and commit to following His guidance.
“Facing Decisions”
“Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right.”
I stumbled across this quote as I walked through a season of facing non-stop difficult decisions. Have you ever faced not one tough decision, but what felt like a never-ending cycle of them? You know, the ones that keep resurfacing? We contemplate, pray, weigh the pros and cons, arrive at what feels like a confident choice, take action, then find ourselves staring at another one. Maybe you have taken on the responsibility of caring for a parent with dementia. Perhaps, you are going through financial hardships or needing a career change; the circumstances vary, but the responsibility remains. We have to face the concern, find the answer, and take a leap of faith with the decision we make.
The latter part of that sentence is what began to weigh heavy on my heart and mind during my season of hard decisions. I often found my thoughts replicating a multiple-choice test in my head being fearful of choosing the wrong one. As if God was seated on His throne peering down echoing, “Awww Adrienne, you chose the wrong one! I’m sorry, the outcome won’t go well for you,” and a dark eerie path lied ahead.
This image truly began to grip me as I contemplated different approaches and cried out for God to speak answers to me. Moses got a bellowing echo from the burning bush, Jacob had a detailed dream, and Balaam talked smack with a donkey! Any of those scenarios sounded good to me, I just needed The Lord to pick one and provide the direction!
A dear friend spoke truth to me when I revealed my elementary mind game. She said, “God is not looking for ways to bring doom upon you, He is honoring your desire to make the right decision and He is ready and willing to guide you along the path of life.” Just being reminded of this image gave me a breath of air. I had bogged myself down with worry, doubt, fear and control that God never intended me to carry. Sure, I needed to contemplate things, gain perspective, weigh the odds, but ceasing and striving to the point of fear was not from God.
I love reading the books of the Bible in depth, but sometimes my mind wants to rest and fall into words that resonate with the mental exhaustion being carried and gain perspective on the path being walked. Opening my Bible to Psalms and Proverbs never fails me….
“Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, and pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment. For I give you good doctrine; do not turn away from my instruction. When I was a son with my father (David), tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba), he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live. Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty and glory.” Hear, my son, and accept my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you will not stumble,” Proverbs 4:1-12 AMP.
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word,” and “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws,” Psalms 119:28 and 30.
As my mind became filled with reassuring words and clarifying thoughts, I was reminded of who God really is, a way maker. He goes before us, stands behind us and walks beside us. He does not abandon us nor dismiss us when our heart desires His will.
Sorting through emotions and circumstances to arrive at decisions in life is inevitable, but carrying fear or every ‘what if’ scenario across our backs was never intended by God. Seeking clarity from His Word and searching for discernment will never fail, but recognizing how to cease striving and surrender is key.
I taught my youngest daughter Psalms 119:28 years ago, never knowing the depth of the Scripture. Enjoy this video of a precious voice speaking a loud truth and search for wisdom in His Word.
“What’s Behind a Portrait”
Three family portraits, each taken years apart hang on the wall. If you were to visit my home, you would see these pictures scattered among our walls. Perhaps you would notice the lush green setting chosen by the photographer or the giddy little girls sitting on our laps. Maybe the big smiles and perfect placement of each person would catch your attention. Regardless of what catches our eyes in photos, we are naturally drawn to photos as if they offer a glimpse into other’s lives.
As the mother within these family portraits on my wall, can I share what really went on behind those smiles over the last decade? A glimpse into the heart and behind the smiles?...
On the far-left wall hangs a brightly colored canvas with three people. A husband climbing the corporate ladder at work, a mother nestling into motherhood and a sweet spirited blonde baby girl. The husband is battling tug-o-war with success and isolation. He yearns for respect and obtains it in the workplace by working an eighty-hour week away from his family. The mother absorbs motherhood to fill the void. She spends her time keeping baby girl on a schedule and dreams of Starbucks and Target runs with buggy seat covers, of course.
To the far right hangs another canvas; this one with four people. Baby girl number two has arrived 3 years later and compliments the family well. She is full of excitement and passion. She is often referenced as the werewolf as she does not sleep beyond a few hours until she is 8 months old. She has proven diapers do not hold everything and tested her parents’ patience. Daddy sits tall with his arms proudly wrapped around his daughters as he now owns a local business and has laid down his idol leaving his former job. His days are spent near his home and is experiencing joy in The Lord. Mom hunches forward a bit in the picture as she wrestles to keep the baby girl positioned properly. Her eyes are filled with fatigue and doubt as she questions herself daily, “Can I keep doing this, be a good mother, juggle a full-time job with sleepless nights?” Her days of sipping lattes and scheduled naps are long gone. Life’s demands have taken root allowing a heavy heart to settle.
Lastly, the family portrait you see first. The one hanging right beside the dining room table, taken years later. Lush green shrubbery as the setting, husband and wife both mindlessly wearing the same shirt as a previous portrait years before. The husband’s stance is strong and sturdy with his hand placed on his wife’s knee. Baby girl has a pouty face and pigtails. The oldest daughter’s boot shines with a gold zipper more noticeable than her dress pattern. Then there is mama... She sits tall with her hand around her husband’s arm. Not because she has found the rhythm of motherhood or had more time to flat iron her hair, but because she has learned who holds her heart and guides her next step, her Lord and Savior. Joy overrides happiness and uncertainty is met with God’s Word. Surrender and early morning quiet time steady her thoughts. She sits tall with her arm around her husband because her Heavenly Father has poured grace and mercy upon her marriage, family, and life. She has learned to remove the burdens from her chest and place them at the feet of Jesus. Her life isn’t easy; refereeing children, juggling tasks, and wearing multiple hats follow her daily, but life’s experiences have brought wisdom and perspective.
Take a moment to look back on your life and recall the trials. What lessons have you learned? We desire change and hope for wisdom, yet cannot gain either without experiences. As Romans 5:3,4 reminds us,” Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
If you are caught in a season of doubt, simply worn out and wondering when it will pass, hold on to His promises. Trust that He is building a foundation, molding your thoughts and can produce joy within you. And consider glancing at some old photos around your home to see how much you have grown?
“Bringing Life into Focus”
This week’s blog is written by my husband, Matt Bridges. He gives us perspective on pressing pause and bringing life back into focus…..
Men and women, can I ask you an honest question? As you awake each morning, what is the first thing you do or look at? Some of us turn on the news, some look at social media, some may open God’s Word and some of us may be elbow deep in changing diapers. If you’re anything like me, I can assume this can be a convicting question.
Not long ago, I found myself hit with a difficult and challenging circumstance beyond my control. Being in control is what fuels my day, and lacking that control is what makes me feel defeated. As I attempted to bulldoze through the concerns, I found myself restless and heavy.
From the moment I awake until the end of my day, I can allow my mind to be consumed with a to do list. Employees, children, the wife and more are looking to me for a variety of answers and it can become exhausting. So, when life handed me another scenario to dissect, I felt pushed beyond my limit.
My wife has always encouraged me to fast from things that may be hindering my way of seeking The Lord’s counsel. Often times I would push past her idea because most daily situations were manageable, but this challenge in life felt different. I was forced to identify that I had zero control and had to rely on the Lord wholeheartedly. I was out of my element and terrified of the outcome. After I surrendered my control, my wife’s recommendation echoed in my head reminding me to fast. I took time to evaluate what was taking me away from spending time with God.
Webster’s dictionary defines fasting as abstaining from food. Likewise, fasting in the Bible is typically centered around food. Yet, I believe fasting can be used in the form of ridding yourself from anything in your life that pulls you away from God, which brings me back to my first sentence. What is the first thing you do in the morning when you awake? I know for myself my mornings began with filling my head with Fox news, catching up on social media and a workout at the gym. I would occasionally get my Bible out to read, but it wasn’t the first thing on my agenda lately. I bet you would agree two of these morning rituals are meaningless, social media being at the forefront. We all know how it feels when Apple reminds us weekly of the amount of time we spent flipping our thumbs up and down our phone screens. It’s an embarrassing feeling.
After identifying what was consuming my time, I began to start my mornings differently. I eliminated looking at my phone and turning the tv on and began reaching for God’s Word. I began to listen and search for His will in my life not only for this particularly challenging situation, but for daily living. As I grew obedient and offered my time to The Lord, I was able to tune into God’s divine wisdom. The most eye-opening experience from fasting became the recognition of God’s blessings during a circumstance that was beyond my control. I was able to just sit and see how faithful God has been through my life and was reminded of God’s sovereignty.
Despite our busy lives, it’s imperative to sit before God and be still. Our God wants time with us, and we need time with Him daily, not just when we are at a breaking point. Fasting is not the answer to everything, but it was a great tool to refocus my attention and restore my focus. My favorite verse is “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28. I’m thankful for this verse as I became reminded to go to Him first, with my firsts of the day in order to find rest throughout my day.
I challenge you to decide in this moment what can you do differently to start your day and sit before the Lord? I can assure you that if I can do it, you can too!
“What’s in your prayer”
Sharing one of my favorite writings from the past on this terrific Tuesday! I continue to love so many elements from the story of Jacob. His attitude, choices and mistakes offer perspective and God’s pursuing love gives us hope. Take a moment to reflect on Jacob’s journey and consider your prayer in life.
How would you describe your prayer life? Strong and continuous or splotchy and sporadic? Do you struggle with it becoming a one ended conversation where you do all the talking?
If you’re like me, it depends on the season. Sometimes my talks with God seem like an ongoing conversation throughout my day. I love the steadiness of my emotions when I include God in the moments of the day and feel encouraged by Him. But sometimes life’s mishaps cause me to shift gears. As plans fall apart and people frustrate me, the content of my conversation with God evolves. I begin to mutter words from my ego such as “If and then God,” versus words from my heart like, “even if, God.”
These are some of the words we find Jacob from the Bible saying to God as he travels a lonely road. Jacob’s actions were not ones to be proud of; slick Willie in a used car lot selling a lemon could be etched in for description. Jacob had deceived his big, burly brother Esau, tricked his father to gain his inheritance, and made a mess of the family home. Greed, control and lies were across his shoulders and now he was being told to get out of town before he became chop suey for Esau.
Genesis 28 shows God lovingly pursuing Jacob in a dream as he walks a shameful road away from home. As Jacob sleeps, God gives clear promises to him, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” The promises to protect and guide Jacob on his uncertain path are generously given. Yet, Jacob’s choice of words back to God are interesting. Jacob bargains with God in verse 20 as he replies, “IF God will be with me and watch over me…..THEN the Lord will be my God…” Good grief Jacob, did you not hear God’s specific words in your dream?! Words of protection, trust and love!
But, before we raise another brow at Jacob’s shallow verbiage, can we examine our own communication with God? So often I find myself bargaining with Him to work on my terms. “If You could just make this person act right, then I could encourage them more,” or “If You could just slow down my schedule, then I would read my Bible more.” My opinion begins to override the promises and commands of God. God doesn’t want a bargain, He wants our hearts to trust Him with His commands.
The amazing thing about God is He already knows our fickle minds. He knows the desires of our heart, yet He relentlessly pursues us as we see Him doing with Jacob. God knew Jacob’s heart fumbled over lack of trust and intimacy with His Creator, but spoke affirming words to him throughout his journey.
Jacob’s struggle reveals a growing interest for God’s plan, stubborn entitlement and independence.
Jacob and I share similar thoughts; my love for the Lord and desire to absorb His promises collide with my intentions to gain selfish desires through prayer. But, the beautiful part about God is He meets us where we are, even on a shameful road. Being honest with God about our thoughts and hearts is exactly where He wants us because that’s where He affirms who He is and growth occurs. Our ‘If and then,’ mindset then eases a bit closer to an ‘even if’ relationship as we trust who He says He is; the One who is forever with us and will keep us wherever we go.
So, go ahead, examine that prayer life. God knows where you stand. Trust His loving arms and ask Him to guide you to a deeper trust in His plan.
“Earrings and Questions”
I asked my daughters a question at dinner expecting them to offer shrugs with a lack of words, but to my surprise their answers were beautiful and simple and left me considering my own answer….
Recently, my oldest daughter began making clay bead earrings. This new hobby landed her 60 orders at $5 a set! When I was a kid, my idea of making extra cash looked like washing mom’s suburban or making a few friendship bracelets out of yarn for 25 cents, my how times have changed. My daughter created a spreadsheet alongside her daddy and learned a new word…profit margin, in which I also asked, “what’s that?”
As a fun addition we added stickers to the earring bags that spoke of Jesus. Different ones said, “WWJD,” “Jesus loves you,” “Read your Bible,” and “Ask me about Jesus.” As she spent time choosing a sticker for each bag, I asked she and her sister, “What would you say to the ‘Ask me about Jesus’ sticker?” Here were their responses….
“He’s loving, kind, He forgives you when you do something wrong, and He answers your prayers”- the youngest.
“He’s the wonderful counselor, He helps you through life, He is God’s Son”-the oldest.
Their responses left me in awe; so simple, yet so profound. So often, we as adults forget the simplicity and beauty of Jesus’ love and complicate the relationship. Notice how they mentioned what He does for us, forgiving us and helping us. I wondered how they laced those words together so quickly, but I was reminded of all the Bible stories they’ve been told and the attributes they been taught. When we are referencing what God did in the Bible, noting His faithfulness and bringing Jesus into the equation, a natural foundation is being formed in their heart and mind.
We, as adults, should consider what we would say to “Ask me about Jesus.” Would we stumble for words, shrug our shoulders, or speak of His wonderful ways and Father’s attributes; taking time to reflect on how He has worked in your life is the beginning.
The world is filled with individuals that see Christianity as daunting, legalistic, and hypocritical. Understanding the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s mercy, and their never-ending love produces a joy that requires little thought to an answer for that question; it just flows from within us.
If you find yourself stumbling for a response, spend some time getting to know Jesus. Read the stories throughout the Bible and take note of His characteristics that never change.
“Press pause in life”
“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed,” Isaiah 50:4.
This verse is filled with strong, applicable words for our daily lives if we look for them. Notice the words, ‘to know,’ ‘wakens,’ and ‘listens,’ throughout the verse. If we think about it, these words are the backdrop to what we desire or search for in different circumstances. We want to know what to do, we want to be aware of God’s plan, and we want to hear from Him. Our hearts lead us to cry out to Him for direction, yet so often, we say, “I just don’t know what He wants me to do,” or “I just can’t hear Him!”
As this verse lingered in my mind this week, I began to consider my family’s weekly routine, church activities, sports, school, friends, Bible studies. Life is filled with opportunity, adventure and fun, with many activities being good ones, but are we teaching our children, and reminding ourselves, to linger in the instruction of Isaiah 50, verse 4….
God has given us His Word to instruct and guide us. To know His Word is to fill our hearts with the confidence of who He is. To focus on the promises of His Word is what sustains us in doubtful times and beginning our day with God’s Word gives a strong depiction of our priorities in life. Taking time to allow Him to speak through His Word before the chaos of our day builds a cornerstone for our relationship with Him.
As our lives pull us in a dozen directions, do we press pause and remember to position our ear to listen to instruction? It will be much harder to know, awaken and listen if we never know His Word, sit with Him and wait for the instruction….
Attending church, cheering on teammates, chasing dreams, and living life are great things we get to experience in this life, but we truly miss God’s instruction when we never stop to sit at His feet, incline our ear to His voice, and linger in His presence. May we teach our children to be still before their day begins, encourage others to start their day with Him, and remind ourselves of Isaiah 50, verse 4 every morning.
“Is Your Faith activated?”
Recently the lesson in my Bible Study Fellowship, also known as BSF, led me to the book of Isaiah. This particular book of the Bible is overflowing with prophecies, wisdom and surprising encouragement. I had thumbed through Isaiah before, but failed to note many of the commonly quoted scriptures it held.
As verses like, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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: 29-31, and “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” Isaiah 41:10, stood before me I allowed my thoughts to form around the depth of these words.
I found myself asking this question, “How do we really tap into believing the depth of these words?”
I love the encouragement these passages offer, but the truth is we do grow weary, fearful, and doubtful at times. Guiding children with friendships, navigating hard conversations and balancing emotions can be enough to make you want to run for the hills, or at least a nearby Starbucks!
Lately, I have watched dear friends lose loved ones, parents battle difficult decisions, and unfortunate circumstances cause heartbreak. It’s inevitable, life can leave us in shambles.
But, the interesting thing about these scriptures from Isaiah is the placement and choice of words…
Isaiah was a prophet anointed by God to spread the strong message of hope and reassurance amid a harsh reality. People were stubborn, heartache and rebellion were everywhere, and Isaiah was called to speak truth into the chaos. God gave Isaiah comforting words to speak hope and light to those that would receive His promises. Notice God didn’t mention removing trials, He didn’t promise life without challenges, but He did say some strong words that require those listening to make a choice…. He said, “but those who hope in the Lord,” and “I will uphold you with MY righteous hand.”
As I return to my question, “How do we really tap into believing the depth of His Words,” I realize the answer is by FAITH. We choose to believe what He says, we choose to seek His strength when we are weary, and we choose to activate our faith.
Faith is nothing more than a belief until we put it into action. By activating our faith, we find calming assurance, renewed strength, and guidance from His righteous hand. Sure, things such as doubt, fear and weariness will resurface; we will stumble and feel like fainting at times, but when we shift our weakness towards God, He renews us to soar in life. He reminds us that He is the ultimate source of strength when we are weary.
Lean into His promises, remember He is with you, He is your God, and He desires to hold you in the palm of His hand throughout this journey in life.
“When Convictions turn to Awakenings”
Do you ever have certain words or a concept that seems to linger in your mind? It may begin with a reference that catches your attention, then it becomes something you keep noticing throughout your day. Recently, a particular word kept hovering over my head, “criticizing.” As if the word wasn’t prickly enough, I noticed it was in the form of a verb, which meant someone was doing it and that someone was me.
Life simply felt challenging lately. Devastating events weren’t occurring, but the mundane was keeping me on my toes more than I liked. Our oldest daughter had stamped attitude across her forehead, my husband’s mind was consumed with those brown creatures they chase during the winter season and my job left me feeling unappreciated. My mind was filled with frustration and my heart was sprouting bitterness. It’s like I knew I was being a ‘negative Nancy,’ but couldn’t stop the cycle and kept ‘word vomiting’ my aggravation.
As I pushed against the daily grind, the word “criticizing” danced harder across my mind; “Ok, God, I hear you, but how do I stop?!” A particular verse trickled in, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit,” Psalm 51:10-12.
Wow, that was just what I needed. The new words, “clean heart” and “renew a right spirit,” set me straight with conviction. I needed the Holy Spirit to renew my thought process and renew the outlook on my surroundings. I had allowed a criticizing spirit to take root in my heart and spill out of my mouth as Matthew 15:18 says, “But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart…”
When I realized how quickly The Lord offered guidance, I realized how long I had avoided including Him… We can fall in this cycle, can’t we? We keep pushing against the pressures of life and run like hamsters on a wheel only to end up seeping criticism out of our mouths as a result of emptiness and lack of perspective.
The beauty of this new conviction was God’s never-ending message of hope. Notice the words, “restore to me the joy of salvation,” and “willing spirit.” I love how God allows particular words such as “joy” and “willing” to replace “criticizing” and “negative.”
I looked forward to laying my criticism at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him for bringing awareness to me.
So often, we can be blind to our tendencies. Whether loved ones point them out, random words become noticeable, or The Holy Spirit smacks us, welcome the conviction and turn to His guidance.
My thoughts began to form this prayer, “Father, help me not focus on what others have done wrong, but instead blind my eyes to what frustrates me and give me a fresh look at them. Help me love, interact and parent intentionally for Your purpose. Help me focus on forgiveness and love when I am overwhelmed with frustrations and remember how you have forgiven and loved me. Thank you for conviction as it is rooted in hope and never-ending love.”
What word or concept is hovering over you? I challenge you to take time to allow God to show you areas that may need some conviction and growth.