Time of Deficiency

In studying Leviticus 25, God instructs on the Sabbatical years, along with the year a Jubilee. 

^" I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years." Lev 25:21

God promises to give an abundance.  But what if what God calls abundant is not what we call abundant?  This passage describes what God means, you will still have leftovers when you get to harvest your crops three years later.

It's all on faith.  Will it really last?  What if mold or rodents invade the store houses?  What if what God calls abundant isn't what I call abundant?  Sadly, the Israelites never practice this concept (as far as we have recorded.)

Scripture states that God gives and takes away.  His purpose is for us to rely on Him.  A deep reliance that is above our physical needs.  So a time of deficiencies of physical supply could be an abundance of Spiritual supply.  A time to grow faith, trust and to experience the kindness of God's people. 

One thing is clear - God gives us what we need - either blessing or discipline.  As Jesus did many times in His ministry - He didn't always answer the question asked, but He went straight to the heart. 

"What if" is worry - and Jesus directs in Matthew 6:34  "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

 

My Tour Guide

The last time we went to DC, we had an opportunity to go on a DC Duck Tour.  Not only did we get to ride in a Duck - an amphibian vehicles from the early 1900s army issued, but the tour took us by all the great sites in downtown.  The tour guide knew everything about DC and about the Duck.  We stopped by several missed monuments that I hadn't known about.  He knew the ins and outs of downtown.

Most tour guides are like that.  They know the best places to go.  The best places to stay.  They know all the history the city holds.  They know what's going on and what plans the city has.

The Bible shows God is our Guide.  He guided Noah to build a boat.  He guided Abraham to go to a new land.  He guided Moses out of Egypt and Joshua into the Promise Land.  He guided to prophets to speak to the people.  He spoke to Mary and Joseph about His coming Son.

Jesus was raised in Nazareth.  A place that was despised.  A place that nothing good was would come.  Yet, despite those conditions, He grew.  He learned scripture.  He didn't allow that place to change who He is.  He grew into the perfect man there.  

God will lead us.  He knows our life better than we do.  He knows our thoughts.  He knows our true needs.  He knows our history.  He knows our future.  He can be trusted with our lives, our plans, our goals.  He knows the best places to go, to stay, to see.

Is God your Guide?  Do you listen for His instructions?  Do you obey immediately?  What needs to change in your heart so that He is your guide?  So that you do heed His Word?  That you trust His direction? 

Are you content with where you are planted?  Do I appreciate what God is doing right now?

No Room at the Inn

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

We're approaching the day we celebrate the blessed event written out in Luke.  I was struck by this verse in my counseling study.

Presented with two solutions to every problem.  The problem of course is sin.   The first solution is remedial from within.  It is to search God's word to change the heart, to prepare for spiritual warfare.  It is the putting off of the sin.

The second solution is discipleship from without.  This is applying God's word.  It is the putting on of Godly fruit.  Being a disciple is making room for Jesus.  It is the only way to conquer life dominating sins.  It is filling my time, my thoughts, my anything I do with Jesus.  When Jesus has all of me, I don't have time for life dominating sin.  

Just as many centuries ago the crowd didn't have room for Jesus.  Now with Jesus in my heart, I do not have room for sin.  When He fills every space, He is all I want.  

We (God and I) are working together to get this done.  It is a life long process, so be patient.  It is a clear indication I'm not spending enough time with God and allowing Him to fill me fully when old life dominating sins that I have repented of come back.  Always be on guard, always be filled with Jesus.

Merry Christmas
Have a great Holiday, I'm on break until the new year.  Many Blessings to your family.

Joseph, The Obedient Father

Joseph felt betrayed.  The woman who he’d known most of his life, his fiancé, was expecting a child.  He knew it wasn’t his.  What was he going to do.  Despite her betrayal, he couldn’t bring himself to shame her publicly as he ought.  No, he’d handle matters quietly, ending their engagement, and maybe someday, he wouldn’t be embarrassed in their community.

He then went to sleep and an angel of the Lord said that everything Mary said was true.  The child she carried was God’s Son.  Joseph was to take Mary as his wife.  He was to endure the suspicions of their community with her being with child before their marriage celebration.  He was to carry the weight of caring for God’s only Son.  He was to name Him Jesus.

Joseph did all that.  He took Mary with him to Bethlehem, for leaving her at home was not an option.  He stayed by her during the trip, concerned for she was due soon.  He search the whole city for a room to stay in.  He had no family in which to turn.  He found the only warm place for them, a cave.  The animals kept the small place warm. 

Joseph witnessed the birth, helped Mary along.  They wrapped Jesus in clothe and laid him in a manger.  He deserved better, but what could Joseph do?

Once the census was done, Joseph moved his small family into a home.  He left behind the home he had prepared in Nazareth.  He left behind the family business.  He waited until God told him what to do. 

Magi from the east came to worship his Son.  They gave gifts even he couldn’t imagine.  Now Joseph was a steward over God’s Holy Son and this large fortune given to his Son. 

Another dream warn Joseph to flee to Egypt.  Immediately he flees, thankful for the gifts to fund the trip.  They barely escape Herod wrath.  He’s sadden by the story that Herod kills all the young boys in the area in hopes of killing God’s Son.  Joseph trust God’s provision all the more.  God would protect them.  He would protect His Son. 

Joseph has another dream – go home.  He packed up his family and headed north.  Upon hearing the king’s son ruled, he took his fears to God.  Surely God intended His Son to be raised in Bethlehem.  Surely He planned to raise Him near the Temple.  Yet, no, God directed Joseph back to Nazareth.  A place despised among the Israelites.  A place no man would look for God’s Son.

On Joseph’s journey, he was obedient.  He was willing to give up his future plans – plans to be a carpenter, to marry Mary and settle down.  He gave up his home.  He gave up his business.  He gave up his reputation.  He went willingly into a foreign country. 

What plans do I need to sacrifice so that God can guide me?

1 Peter 1:18-19 The Ultimate Obedience

You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19

It is on me to recognize my redemption and ransom bought with the price of the blood of Jesus.

     -- Man's natural way is useless - fruitless.

     -- It is only through the Holy Spirit that I can live in the fruit of the Spirit - it is my choice.

The precious blood of the lamb - there is power, power, holy working power - this hymn comes to me from verse 19.  He was a perfect man, no sin, no temptation overcame Him.  And for they joy of completing His Father's work He obeyed.  Precious indeed.

What temptation am I giving into?  What fruitless acts are consuming my time?  Where do I need to submit in obedience?

1 Peter 1:13-16 Obedience

 So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.  [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel].  But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.

For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16

I am to prepare my mind - think over circumstances and the consequences.  NIV says 'prepare your minds for actions and be self-controlled.'

* Think on how each circumstance effects eternity.  How will I react?  Will my selfish impatience aid the circumstance (the answer is always NO!)  What might I say or do that would bring about eternal blessings?  I want to learn how to bring Jesus into my conversation and actions more.  Lord - please show me!

* Focus my hope - my thoughts - on the grace of Jesus.  I am to be obedient to what the Holy Spirit has taught me since I accepted and believed the Gospel.  I am to strive to be holy as Jesus is Holy.  Where am I lacking obedience?  What has the Holy Spirit convicted me of (not me choosing) and I'm not obeying immediately? 

* Through obedience to Christ  can i be holy as Christ.  Obedience brings wisdom.  Many people struggle to find the will of God for their lives.  The are confused of what to do.  Perhaps even claiming that the Bible doesn't speak to their situations.  If that's you, try obedience in the smaller things and see if the bigger things become clearer.  Honor your parents.  Love your neighbor.  Give generously.  Be patient.  Be willing to do your part.  I love the song "While I'm waiting" by John Waller.  We can still be obedient in the small things while allowing God to work out some "big" things.  Obedience in the small things brings wisdom, opens our eyes to what God is doing.

1 Peter 1:8 Thrill

Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy. 1 Peter 1:8

Oh the things of this world I allow to distract me from the joy, the thrill of knowing and loving Jesus.  A smile goes on my face thinking about Jesus.  Help me, Lord, to remember my precious love.  To love as You do.  Help me to stay in the joy, the inexpressible glorious joy!  Help my express my gratitude of thankfulness endlessly - that it drown out the impatience and selfishness.

1 Peter 1:2 and 3 b Choosen

(A) Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: (B) May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts]. 1 Peter 1:2 (A and B added)

A:  Look at the faith Peter has.  It is genuine faith he is writing about to encourage other Christians.  His faith and love for Christ carried him to obedience to what Jesus instructed.  I am chosen.  I am known by god - He consecrated me with His Holy Spirit to be obedient to Jesus and sprinkled - saved me - by His blood.  All these holy things are me as part of Christ.  God chose me.  He knew I would be His before I submitted to Him.

B:  I have freedom in Christ.  I am free from fears.  Free from my sinful nature.  It is no longer part of me.  I have grace through Christ.

By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,1 Peter 1:3b

God's mercy spared me from my sin and consequences (eternal death and temporal results of sin).  His mercy brought me out of sin and into blessings.  In Him I place my never ending hope.  What confidence Peter has in Christ.  I love reading about it. 

 

Proverbs 10:11

Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. 

This is the second time part b is mentioned.  Part a supports love covers a multitude of sin (verse 12).  Encourage and edify one another.  My words can be a fountain of life or a source of death.  I've written before on this point.  I want my words to be a fountain of life for others (and me).  My self talk is often worse the what I speak to others.  Do my words align with God's words?  Am I speaking truth?  God's word is the fountain of Life, direct from Jesus!

Lord put a guard over my mouth so my words honor You and bring life to others.

Demise or Opportunity

My heart is wrenched near daily - or at least when I watch the news - at what is going on in this world.  From natural disasters of floods, fire, tornadoes and hurricanes to man made disasters of bombs, explosions and war.  It's wondering how much should I fear the monsters of this world.  It's wondering if my niece keeps walking the path she's on, she at risk to be kidnapped into the sex trade or her life will just be over on this world.

When will the demise of this world stop?  Where can we go to get away from it all?  It seems the human race is bend on destroying all that is good, corrupting the innocent, violating each other in the deepest ways possible.

As my heart broke at the last incident, I couldn't help but wonder...Is this an opportunity?  An opportunity for God to move.  An opportunity for a revival to grasp the hearts and melt them.  An opportunity for God's people to stand up and become the tools of salvation for the God they love.

Opportunity brings hope.  It says tomorrow will be better, for we do our best today.  I am prone to doubt, yet if I see everything, every situation as an opportunity for God to move BIG, to show His mighty power, I can look past all the mess and right at the work God is doing.  I can see Jesus in the hearts of others.  I can allow the Holy Spirit to do His work and get out of the way!

Who Touched Me? Mark 5

24 So Jesus went with him.  A large crowd followed and pressed around him. ²⁵ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
³⁰ At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
³¹ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
³² But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. ³³ Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. ³⁴ He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”  Mark 5:24-34

This is a story that is found in Matthew and Luke as well.  It is one you may have read often.  I had heard/read this story this many times.  Yet this last time, something jumped off the page at me.

Jesus called out for who had touched Him.  He felt His power leave and wanted to know to whom it went.  Who among Him had the faith?  Such faith can't be hid.  He would not go on to the pressing matters of a young girl's health without knowing who had the faith.

The woman finally went forward, knowing she must.  She trembled with fear, yet did the right thing.  She came forward, declared her past, her faith and all the Jesus did for her.  Jesus in turns credits her faith and releases her from suffering, granting her peace.

The spirit turned to me.  See I like to write.  I have a novel written, several others outlined and started, just waiting for me to be brave enough to step out of the boat.  I have this blog that I've kept anonymous.  Here I am, calling on Jesus to share His power.  He's granted me the gift of story telling, yet, I choose to be part of the crowd.  He's waiting for me to come forward and declare me faith.

So here goes.  I will step forward.  I will share me faith, who I am and who my God is calling me to be.


I've updated my profile for who I am.

I'm sharing who I am with all around, including my writing.

In Eden

Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 

In my exploration of how to focus, God revealed more of what I do to me in Genesis. The trees of Life and Knowledge were in the middle of the garden. 

Two points to make to drive home my need to focus. 

1. Which tree am I focused on? Am I focused on the knowledge of good and evil - the world? Or Life - which comes from Jesus? 
2. In the middle of the garden the tree of Life grew. This tree of Life is a gift that comes from Jesus. Does He take up the middle of me? Is He at my center? 

It gives me much to think on, ponder and allow God to teach me.

Whatever is pure

I'm still discussing having control over my thoughts with God.  You may remember several post about where my mind takes me such as this one last week.  It is a point that God is working on and will give me the grace to change.

I was doing something mundane around the house, I believe doing the dishes.  Something sparked a memory of my past that I didn't want to spend my time thinking about.  I said 'Lord, why does this keep happening?'  

(It's not a every minute problem, but enough that I want it gone.  It's not just thoughts of me personally, but of what others went through, movies, books, stories I've read, just random things that add nothing to the here and now.)

Then I became aware of my situation.  My husband had just turned on the radio and Jesus Calling was playing.  Then I said, 'Why can't these things spur thoughts of You?'

His reply, 'They can'.  I just rolled that over in my mind.  I know it is so simple.  It felt like a big slap to my head, duh, moment.  Jesus can be my trigger thoughts.  To think of what He's done for me.  The blessings He gives me each day.

Paul says it best:
Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Accountability Partner

It is advised that everyone has an accountability partner.  Someone who you report your progress to – be it for weight loss, exercise, daily Bible study….and aught.  I want to tell you about my accountability partner.

He is my  best friend.  I am so blessed to have him in my life.  Always by my side, he gently calls me out when I’m tempted to go my way instead of God’s way.  He also quietly waits when I do choose to go my own way, and reminds me to turn back. 

He keeps high standards and urges me on to those standards as well.  He is willing to help me do all it takes to live up to God’s standards.  When I’m lost on which way to go, he speaks truth to me and directs me.  He always upholds God word.

Yes, he’s the best accountability partner.  Guess what, He can be yours too.  Jesus is willing to be your partner in life, your best friend.  He wants what is best for you and wants you to choose the ways of His Father.  He is always there, showing His love, love demonstrated on the cross, love that has the power to transform you, make you holy.

Trembling with fear

As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”  Act 24:25


I recently heard a lecture that included this verse.  They mentioned the fear Felix felt - the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  That this is often accompanied by tremblings, when we are at a point of resisting the Holy Spirit's presence.  


I felt this way.  I remember it distinctly the first time.  I was 15 at church camp.  That summer I had fallen into a not so good crowd that included a PK.  I remember there was an alter call to repent of our sins and receive Jesus if we had not.  There was only a handful a kids that did not go forward, I'm sad to say, I was one of them.


The Holy Spirit had a hold of me and I was trembling, near tears.  This was near the end of the week.  The time had past just going through the lessons and waiting until we had a free time to have "real" fun.  

I knew the trembling, it had visited me before when my blood sugar was low.  That's what I blamed the trembling on now, even though deep down I knew it wasn't the reason.  One of our leaders gave me some food (candy), since I declared that would make me better.


I can see it was at that moment that I gave myself up to the world.  It would take nearly 15 more years to come back under God's protection.  Those trembling didn't go away.  I developed very unhealthy relationships to many things.  Food - for surely it would fix my hypoglycemia. Helping others - for surely it will validate who I am, to show me I'm worth something.  Control - I often lost control, but strove to have for surely it would make me happy.  All of this and more just left me empty, alone, overweight, anxious (for I couldn't control anything) and an emotional wreck. 

Those tremblings, the fear is a result of not wanting to die to self and live for Jesus.  I haven't felt that in a long time for I'm a little quicker to obey the Holy Spirit (although not perfect yet).  

I couldn't believe this moment flashed back to me.  I spent several minutes going over it (good thing I could hit pause on the lecture).  I plan to meditate more on this pinpoint that God brought back into my head.  One thing I know is that those 15 years are years now covered by Jesus, they are no more, for that I'm eternally grateful.

Responsibility

I suffer from an exaggerated sense of responsibility.  I admit it.  And if I'm not careful, it will consume me.  

Things I've been known to do:

I correct children when their parents are present.

I don't ask for help because the other person will not follow through.

I take on the problems other people have and try to solve them.

I get depressed when I can't save myself or others from the heartaches of this life.

It's a waste of time.  

God has called me to do what He has called me and not to do anymore.  Allow others to have their responsibility.  Life is hard enough to do what's before me.  To take on what others are suppose to bare is to much.

What I'm not responsible for:

How others respond to me when I'm doing right.

What others say they will do and don't.

Trying to please everyone and still not doing that.

Generosity is an example.  I often worry about what will happen if I give something.  Will it be used wisely?  Will they value the sacrifice I made?  Then I ask those questions of myself in terms of the gift Jesus gave.  Do I use His gift wisely?  No, not all the time.  Do I value His sacrifice?  No always.  God calls me to give, not see that the gift is valued or used wisely.  It doesn't matter that the homeless man will sell the waterproof flashlight I give, I'm called to give.

So from time to time I take a look at my responsibilities.  I question if I'm giving what if truly mine enough attention.  Or am I giving more time to responsibilities that aren't mine?  I call these my reality check day. 

This is a Test...Part 2

Part 2 of this post

Test: People

I posted this before.  I have come a long way and allowed God to prune me in this. 

Isaiah 2:22 Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils.  Why hold them in esteem?

People disappoint because we look to a person to fulfill a need only God can meet.

I posted before on seeking the approval of people.  Only God can validate me and He approves of His creation!

Test: Persistence 

How many times did I promise I would give up sweets, not eat that thing, then immediately go do that.  This test is about that.

When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools.  Keep all the promises you make to Him.  It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.  Ecclesiates 5:4-5 (NLT)

This is to keep at it.  To do what is right. Would you make a big business venture with someone who will quit in three weeks?  How about quit the next morning?  In fifteen minutes?  I have to draw from the Holy Spirit's power.  I can not do it on my own, yet the Holy Spirit can't do it on His own either.  I have to be willing.  This has enabled me to give up sweets.  This has enabled me to stop other habitual sins in my life.

Test: Priority

People who don't know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works.  Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.  Don't worry about missing out.  You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  Matthew 6:33 (Mes.)

What is my priority?  Who is first in my life?  What do I think about most?  It was ‘fix me Lord’.  God showed me how I wasn't trusting Him.  Now I'm moving towards ‘help others’ because I expect Him to do that as well as to fix me.  

Where does the first part of my money go?  Am I giving enough to God?  

What about my time?  Do I spend it on me or being a blessing to others?  I posted before on wasting time.  God has worked and is continually working on this area.  I don't always make the best choices for my time.  I try to start my day focusing my mind on God.  Just as sleep is leaving my head, I turn to Him.  I give my day to Him.  Ask Him to be with me.  To weigh on my heart what He wants me to do, to direct my tasks.  Each day is different to what is added, yet this gets me focused on my day and I know He's with me.

When I first started praying for Him to prioritize my day, it went beautifully.  I dropped things that I thought were important and did the things He said were important.  And then it happened, that dreaded moment when conviction strikes, I'm doing something I want to do and it's not what God wants.  This combines the priority test with persistence test.  Will I follow His plan or do this little thing I want to do?  

If you never felt the Holy Spirit's conviction, ask God to help you change something in your life that you know needs changed yet you see it as impossible.  That nudging inside your heart when you're doing that thing...that's the Holy Spirit.

All in all, if you are going to experience a trial, go through a test, don't you want it to be fruitful?  I do.  I've gone through the same test over and over.  I'm ready to start learning so I can move on.  I want good to come from the bad.  I want to learn what good things God has for me.  

This is a Test...Part 1

Matthew 9:29 b “According to your faith let it be done to you” (NIV)

I heard a sermon earlier this year.  It gave me God’s perspective on circumstances in my life.  Tests and trials grow my faith.  Reaffirms what He’s telling me, “it didn’t turn out how you expected, but it did turn out as I expected.”

John 15:2 b while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (NIV)

God prunes every branch so it will be even more fruitful.  Since I am part of the branch, I must endure the pruning.  With the plants in my garden, I prune, I cut away dead leaves, cut off flowers that are past their prime, or parts that are going a way I don’t want it to go.  This hurts the plant.  Yet the plant bounces back.  Because the dead is removed, it sends nutrients to make another bloom or stem.  It grows beautifully because of my care.  The same happens when God prunes us. 

And what if a plant does not move on to grow new, but keeps sending nutrients to the dead parts?  It is fighting against what is best for it and it slows the growth.  Again, the same when I stubbornly refuse to die to self and go the way God wants.

Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says:  "See I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?"  Jeremiah 9:7 (NIV)

God will refine me, test me to rid me of my sin.

because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.  Hebrew 10:14

See, by Jesus' sacrifice, He made me perfect.  I need not do anything else but profess and live out my faith.  It's the ‘live out my faith’ in which God works on, so I’m being made holy.  God sees me as perfect - let that sink in.  Yet, I am being made holy.  Test and refinement, moving me towards that full perfection.  Each step removing the sin in my life.

Test: Pressure

How do I handle stress?  Usually not good.  Remember, anxiety?  Yes, I used resort to rude, angry, demanding behavior when I’m stressed. 

Psalm 50:15 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (NLT)

God is teaching me to turn to Him.  To glance at my circumstances and focus on Him.  Also, if I’m feeling stressed, I step back.  I look to what all I think I need to do.  I seek God’s help to prioritize what I’m doing. 

In the sermon, it pointed out that we lose patience with God and often take the matter in our own hands, think Sarah and Hagar.  Sarah brought Ishmael to God.  She wanted God to bless ‘her’ son.  Yet that wasn’t God’s plan. 

Jeremiah 2:13“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (NLT)

I love cistern example as well.  I remember the first time I heard this passage and thought on its meaning.  It was during my weight loss journey.  I could easily see many places in my life where I dug my own cistern and then asked God to bless my plan.  Particularly, when I start doing what God calls me to do and then add to it my own action plan.  I’m showing I don’t trust God and His ways when I do that.  I must have patience to follow God’s plan for me.

Fulfilled Needs

I was challenged by Devo to examine how content I am with my life.  It pointed out if I ever thought I have a want and didn't get it fulfilled, it is because I didn't need it.  

I thought - what about this?  There were times when I needed help and there wasn't any.  Of course He put the brakes on that thought.  I did have help.  I could have utilized this help more.  In fact, my refusal to utilized this help probably hindered the growth of my helper as a leader.  I know God will complete the work in His own way, but I could have stepped aside so this person could have stepped up.


So OK, I get the point.  And it's amazing how my joy level returned resting in God does give me all I need.  


But back to the challenge, I started a list of my needs: God, love, strength, healing, food, shelter, companionship, contentment, protection, forgiveness, wisdom, knowledge....etc.  The list could go on and on.


I was going to match each need with a verse.  Such as:
Love:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16


Protection:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”Joshua 1:9


But then I started to say, what if there's a better verse (LOL on the contentment!).  And there is a better verse.  Two verses (at least what God lead me to) in fact.


His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

There it is.  His diving power has given us everything we need for a godly life.  I can rest in that verse.  He has given me everything I need to be who He wants me to be in Jesus.



This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.  1 John 5:14-15


That last part.  We know that we HAVE what we asked of him.  If I ask anything according to His will - and the closer I am to Him the more I ask for things in His will - I not only receive it, but I HAVE it, as I already possess it.  


These two verses fill me to overflowing.  God is good!

Testimony

My church asked for us to write our testimony.  Keep it short.  Well that's hard for me to do, although I didn't go into a lot of details.  I thought I should post my message here as well.  

I am one of eight children - my dad's youngest, my mother's 3rd to youngest.  I spent time being the youngest, middle and oldest child at home.  I did not grow up in the church.  Up to the time I was nine, I only attended VBS.  At nine, my cousin took me to with her to church.  The church she attended the last time they lived in the area had moved to just two blocks from our home.  In fact, it was where my bus stop was.  Over the next few years, I was able to attend regularly.

We moved away for the school year.  The next summer we moved back and I went to church camp with that church.  During this week, I learned about Jesus and asked Him into my heart.  It was the first time I remember His peace washing over me. 

When we settled in our new home, a neighbor invited me to her church that lived by a lot of rules.  I learned all the things I shouldn’t do to be a true Christian.  This caused me to pull away from God, since I messed up a lot.  As an adult, I attended church sometimes, but felt I needed to cleanup my act and stop sinning before I could draw close to God. 

In my mid-twenties, my brother committed suicide.  God was the only place I had to turn.  He helped me get through.  Unfortunately, the weight of my guilt stopped me from seeking Him.  I did faithfully pray everyday, usually for Him to change my circumstances.  

Fast-forward a few years, D and I were married.  We agreed not to have children.  Yet God had a bigger, better plan.  He sent K just a few months after our marriage.  I knew I wanted to raise her in the church and give her all the love and care I did not receive as a child. 

In June 2007, I submitted my life to God.  I was convicted to know Him better.  At the time, Bible study was boring.  How could I do it everyday?  Through bringing more mature Christians into my life and preparation of my heart within a year, I was doing daily study – almost.  Within two years I was in BSF.  In the fall of 2009, church had a baptism Sunday.  My heart pounded yet again when people were baptized.  When my pastor turned to us and gave reasons to be truly baptized, I could only say yes.  D felt the same.

It’s been a wonderful marriage to see how we went from a self-centered lifestyle to a God-centered one.  To not only see the transformation of my own life, but that of my life-mate.  To see the wonderful heart God is creating in my daughter.

For me, I went from a rude, impatient, angry person to a kind, calm and patient (most of the time) person.  I don’t even look the same.  I went from a size 20W to a size 8.  I praise God for saving me from myself.  

 God is good!