Journey to Jesus Part 2

I then had an opportunity to go to Anne Graham Lotz's Just Give Me Jesus conference the same day as the  study (mentioned Part 1) - God ordained!  I knew most of the material she would cover already because of my past leadership positions.  However, I had a friend who needed to hear and learn.  Of course I was looking  nuggets of gold for my walk.  I wasn't left out.  The first night she walked us through the last days of our Lord Jesus on the earth.  With Easter not long ago, it was all still fresh in my heart and her story made it come to life.

I loved how she talked about Mary clinging to Jesus after she realized it was He outside the tomb.  Perhaps digging her nails in, trying to keep Him close.

So I had these visions of one Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus and another Mary clinging to Him.  When the conference was over, I felt the most convicted during the prayer time.  I didn't do all the things the speaker suggested when I prayed.  I was certain that the missing piece was prayer.  I had been circling that for months.  I asked God to reveal to me how I could improve my prayer time.  I decided to set my phone alarm to go off at 1 p.m. each day I was available so I could stop and prayer.  It was my first step toward improving my prayer time.

That went well for the most part - forming a new habit isn't always easy.  I made strides.  Yet it seemed something was still off.  Then in a week or so I went to a Mandisa concert (birthday gift).   I can't remember specifically what was said.  What I did know was it wasn't prayer that was missing, for I prayed all the time.  I prayed waking up and through out the day.  I have more of a rolling dialog with God.  I didn't need a formal time to improve my prayer life.

So if not prayer, what?  Praise time.  Time, just as the Marys above, to be in the presence of the Holy One and thank Him for all the abundance in my life.  To turn off the TV, the radio (unless I want to sing), turn away from the computer and just praise my Great and Awesome God.  It a time for just me and Him.  Not really for prayer requests.  Not really for Bible study, although both can be part of it.  It is to unplug from the world and plug in to Him.  

Life Principle: In the quietness of my heart - learn to love Him on a whole new level, to reset my focus from distractions to His majesty.

Being quick

Fools find no pleasure in understanding    but delight in airing their own opinions. Proverbs 18:2

 I’ve come to see I’m quick to point out faults. 

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. 1 Peter 4:8

This is an ugly side of me.  (Faults of others are not the only thing I speak of, but it is there and rears it’s ugly head from time to time.)  If it needs to be known, God will make it known.  It doesn’t have to be me who lays it right out there in front of others, unless God calls me to do it.  I learned to do this with my husband. 

These are small insignificant things.  I did it gently, but I can’t help to think my pride was right there in the middle.  I didn’t take time to think.  I just spoke.  I could see the weight added to my friend’s shoulders.  

This isn't to be confused with sin.  It is commanded that we gently work to restore anyone out of fellowship with God.  The key is that God convicts me to do it.  As I mentioned above, my pride was right there, indicating it was for my glory that I spoke, not God, and definitely not to build up my friend.

Life Principle: In love, I do not point out the faults of others.

What Are You Thinking?

What do you spend your time thinking about?  Take a day and survey your thoughts. 

Are you looking for something funny or witty to put on Twitter?
Thinking about what will happen next on your favorite show?
Wonder who will be voted off the next time?
The busy schedule that overwhelms you?
The mistakes you made in your past?
What will you do if _________ happens?
What you could create next that will be the next Pinterest sensation?
All the things you've pinned on Pinterest that you must make time to create?
What the latest style trends are and what will you purchase?
How will the novel you're reading turn out?
What/where will you eat next? 
How well your sports team did and what do they need to do better?
What to do on that big project at work?
How will you solve that problem? 

This is just a short list of possibilities.  I know I didn't even touch the surface of things that go through a mind.  The question was posed to me:  When you wake up in the middle of the night, what do you think about?  Where does your mind go?  That remark on Facebook?  The big game?  The pretty thing that sits down the aisle from you?  That problem?  The fear? 

Your God?

My thoughts are the gauge of my heart.  Especially those that enter in when you wake up.  This past week I began to read a novel.  As usual, I became obsessed until I had it finished.  My thoughts went to it.  It became my life.  So, I can see that I allow novels to become an idol while I'm reading.  Can I read a novel with the proper perspective?  I just don't know.  With God's help, I'll delve into it.  For I know reading to the point of obsessing is a sin.  I didn't spend much time with God because I wanted to read, let alone all the other things I didn't do.  As much as I love to read a good story, if I don't allow God to change me and hold tightly to how things are now, I will have to give up reading them.  It isn't good for me. 

Life Principle:  Allow my thoughts to convict me of the idols in my heart.

Blessed Wait

via

I read a couple things about waiting.  The points made about the benefits of waiting really struck home.  The biggest thing about waiting is how I do it.  Is it with patience and understanding or impatience and frustration?

God moves in His own time and so does the rest of the world.  With our society saying get it now, it can be hard to wait with a great attitude.  I know I've done my fair share of waiting.  God has yet to disappoint me.  It has all been for my good.

If I take shortcuts to prematurely end waiting, it can be disastrous.  Imagine if Jesus took Satan up on his offer to give Him all the kingdoms of earth if Jesus would just bow down to him?  I shudder at the thought.

Some points on waiting:
Waiting causes anticipation, heighten pleasure.  A unopened present or letter on your birthday.  Your husband planning a special date and doesn't give you the details until your on it.  Just think of how children know something is going to happen and how much they look forward to it.

Waiting gives time for action.  We got over nine months to get ready for our daughters arrival.  Waiting to hear if I got a job gave me motivation to get things done so I wouldn't have it hanging over my head (I didn't get the job).  It's as simple as putting the dishes away or sweeping the kitchen floor while I wait for the water for my tea to heat up.

Waiting and planning brings appreciation.  Planning vacation, saving up the money to go, securing all the special places I'll visit along the way.  Last year I wanted a tablet.  I waited, planned, watched for sales, held a yard sale, saved a gift card.  When I finally found what I was looking for, it cost me very little out of my budget.

Waiting can be a protection.  God's timing is perfect.  If I trudge ahead in my own time, I may find myself over my head.  Kat waiting for me to walk her across the street or through a parking lot protects her from coming cars.

Waiting with a good attitude shows my maturity.  Patience comes with its buddy self control.  If I can wait with that good attitude, it shows my faith and trust in God.  I am thankful when God says 'No, this isn't My timing.'

Having a good attitude while waiting is a supernatural gift from God.  I resist my natural response to have what I want right now.  Life Principle:  I will not forfeit the promises God has for me with the compromise of pleasure today.  

Choosing Peace

In studying Genesis 26, I was made aware of how Isaac dealt with strife.  It's a bit lengthy to post here, but read how he interacted with the people who wanted him gone.

Isaac refused to fight back.  It resulted in an opportunity for him to make peace with the people.  When they claimed another well, Isaac just moved on.  He knew the conflict was an indication that God didn't want him there.

Would I have done that?  Now I might, but before studying this it would have been a big no.  I would have said, "MY servants worked hard on this well, I'm not about to give in and let you take it."  It would have been about me and the work I did.  I would have argued with God about it as well.

Now I can see that it is my choice.  I can choose peace and move on.  Or I can stand my ground and fight.  It all depends on what God is calling you to.

Life Principle: I want to choose peace - even if it means giving up my way and doing more "work".  To see no possession is worth discord with another.  In that, if it (whatever is disputed) is really needed, God will provide for me.  I can trust God's provision.

Isaac did and God gave him room.

Sorrow

In this room was more than my brother.  I struggle to deal with sorrow.  Sad movies and books.  I made great strides a few years ago when a couple things happened and it came down to trusting God for my good, despite circumstances.

However, this was a little different.  I still avoid sad things.  I wanted to read The Gathering Place by Corrie Ten Boom, but when the war started, I had to stop, I was getting depressed.  This is just one example of how I avoid sorrow.  I sometimes can handle sorrow in fiction, since I know it isn't real.  But Corrie's life was real and it breaks my heart for the sorrow in this world. 

It's different if I'm involved in someone's life, someone right here.  I don't avoid to protect myself, but I do live a somewhat protected life where real sorrow does not happen on a everyday basis. 

I read Titus 2:3-4

³ Bid the older women similarly to be reverent and devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble, ⁴ So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children,

That little word temperate stuck out to me again.  God revealed I wasn't being temperate with my emotions.  He enables me to be me despite circumstances.  I was allowing circumstances to affect my emotions.  It's not easy.  It is ok to have emotions.  It is not OK to allow those emotions to keep me from following God's will for me.  I need to be temperate in my emotions.  If I must swing to one side of emotions, it should be to joy and exuberance, not sadness and depression.

And when this fully occurs in my life it will be God fully manifesting Himself in me.  It is not natural to me.  I'm prone to depression and sadness.  Yet going forward, what I want to counsel will be messier than suicide.  I will listen to women and children who have been through worse.  I will need to be able to cry with them and still point them to a God who wants their best.  A God who wants to take the evil they endured and redeem it.  

Just like God is redeeming the sorrow I endured.  The depression I went through.  The struggle I had to commit my life to Him.

In my daughters daily devo, it reminded me that I am to have a thankful heart always.  It reminded me of:
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes. 5:18

I am to give thanks in the good and bad times.  I am to be thankful for what Corrie went through so that I may learn and grow from it.  I am thankful for any opportunity that strengthens my faith and helps me all the more to rely on my God.  A thankful heart does not allow depression to overcome it.  Thankfulness is a sword to defeat it.

I plan to finish The Gathering Place. 

Minimalist

For most of my life, clutter has come close to suffocating me.  While I'm in this frame of mind, I want to remind myself that I desire a minimalistic home.  I shouldn't desire to do craft projects that create things that collect dust and take up space - mainly craft space waiting for me to get around to doing the project.  Yes, Pinterest can be dangerous for someone who likes to do projects.  I desired to make several thing over break in December.  It was one of my frustrations since I had other things to do in that time.  Thankfully I was obedient to do what I needed to do, however, as I shared I didn't totally have the best attitude.  And another shout out for the attitude adjustment I received from my Father.

I wanted to create!!  There was so many wonderful things to do that would dress up my house.  Then the dust collector thought breezed through.  Do I really want more things sitting around for me to clean?  Uh, no.  I struggle at time to keep clean the bare minimum, I do not need to add to it.

I did make a one project times 3 with Kat.  We made the below painting as Christmas gifts for both Grandmas and Daddy. 

Life Principles: Minimize the things in my home.  Go through the house - what can I let go of?  What is no longer loved or useful?  Don't get caught up acquiring/creating things.

Letting Go

 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:21

As a follow up to the schedule, release.  It was simple thoughts.  We had issues that made me think about how I would feel is we needed to move?  We've done a lot of remodeling in our home to make it our home.  We love where it's located.  Would I be willing to give it up?

Am I really that attached to here?  Am I attached to what I want - how I want to spend my time?  What I do over the next year?  How my functional my body is?  Do these thing really matter?

In light of eternity?  No, these things do not matter.  It was in this that God reminding me of many of the principles I written about.  How I need to be attached to Heavenly things, to be more concerned about my obedience to God than how my life is pleasing me.

My treasure is God.  He is my reward.  Letting go of attachment to things is a big breakthrough.  It's been years of progress God has chipped away from me.  In letting go of things I kept 'just in case'.  It has enabled me to simplify my house.  It has allowed me to pass up on that sale.  It has opened up contentment, for I have my hearts desire.

I know I'm not perfect in this.  I'll need to be alert to attachments.

Principles:  Where is my treasure?  What am I attached to?  I am willing to let go of anything that stands in my way of God and obedience to Him.

Do Not Live By Feelings

 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

I’ve been aware of my feelings of late.  There are times when I am anxious, but peaceful.  Depressed, but full of hope.  Sad, but joyful.  Fearful, but bold.  I recognized these are feelings, yet they are not the state in which I am resting. 

Feelings are temporary.  They are often in response to circumstance of right now.  A big event about to take place.  A disappointment over something not going my way.  All temporary.  I am learning that feelings do not dictate who I am or how I respond.  God calls me to respond with other’s well-being in mind, not my selfish agenda that my feelings would like me to execute. 

I praise God for showing me that I do ‘feel’ something, yet my inner being is at peace.  I continue to have a thankful heart.  I continue to look at Him and trust Him for whatever the emotion is about.

Life Principle:  I live by God’s Word.  My feelings do not dictate who I am and what I am to do.

Opposition: Weak Flesh

⁷ To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

When the opposition Life Principle was revealed to me, I didn’t know what was going on with my knee.  I had made some progress with my right hip and was ready to work on building up muscle again.  Yet, with the increasing pain in the knee and the Dr. declaration that surgery may be the only option, I was felt defeated. 

I resisted it, yet it hung over me like a dark cloud.  Perhaps this is why it was so darn easy to stick my hand into the cookie jar.  Fortunately I am being trained not to keep looking at the problem, but to see God in the problem.  He reminded me of two friends that deal with extreme pain on a daily basis, yet they keep on, keepin’ on.  Although at times they ‘feel’ discouraged, they never allow that to paralyze them into inaction.  They reach out for God, for encouragement. 

Part of the dark cloud was my desire to go out and serve God – this included mission’s work.  I already agreed to postpone going on a trip because I knew I could not take climbing a mountain to the village. 

If God called me to this mission field, He will enable me. 

²⁰ May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

God knows my hurt knee, hurt hip, back, ect.  He knows.  And if He knows, He will not call me to do anything that He will not enable me to do beforehand.  Perhaps it is just my own desire to go on this mission trip.  Perhaps not.  What I do know is that God will equip me for the work He has for me.  And if my flesh is full of pain, then the work will take that pain as part of the plan.  In this I can trust.

Life Principle:  My body may fail and hurt, yet it is perfect for all the work in which God calls me to.

Bring on Opposition

Do I really mean that? 

⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:6-9

All kinds of trials come so that my faith is proved genuine.  The goal of my faith is my salvation – my sanctification.

When opposition comes, do I shrink in fear?  Do I speak God’s truth?  Only in opposition does my faith get stretched, my spiritual muscles grow stronger, that I mature in Christ.  I learn to further rely on God for my life. 

When opposition comes I can focus on the positive or the negative.  I can be paralyzed or mobilized.  Faith is keep on, keepin’ on, no matter the circumstances.  For I trust God and His plans for me.  This led to two more revelation that I will post soon.

Life Principle:  I need opposition to be strong in Christ.  Only through opposition is my faith proved genuine.

Peace from Obedience

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.  John 14:15

In obedience I have the peace of Jesus.  From Thanksgiving until Christmas, I slowly gave into more and more sweets.  As you know I was called to give up the sweets.  Yet that part of me that was rebelling screamed for me. 

Fortunately, I could not bear to eat a lot of really sweet things.  Also, I did not indulge nearly as much as I had in the past.  However, it became a disobedience act [SIN], not a special occasion. 

Needless to say my waistline showed the results.  I had already fluffed up do to limitation on exercise my hip caused, now the extra cookie here and there were adding up. 

During the week leading up to Christmas, I decided that I was indulging to much, only to find my hand in the cookie jar!  When I prayed for God to help me come back in line with what He asked me to do, was I enabled to keep my hand out of the jar.

It was also in this prayer that many of these Life Principles came.  He spurred a desire to write down and organize these principles so that I could review, remind and hold on to the great things He has personally reveal to me and how He wants me to live.

Life Principle:  I enjoy the peace that comes from God enabled obedience.

Submerged

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”  John 13:9.

And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” Joshua 3:13.

Peter wants more of Jesus.  The priest must exercise faith by putting their feet into the water before it stopped flowing. 

A friend spoke at a women’s event last year.  She spoke of her awakening back to God.  When He called her to give Him as much time as she gave her work – and that was a lot of time.  She, with her husband’s blessing, gave up her job and spent the next several months submerged in God’s word.  She went on to describe her daily walk with God, spending time in His word and in prayer.

Although my life isn’t like hers, I gave this thought.  I prayed that I would have an opportunity to be submerged into God’s word.  In a way, I got there, but my ‘self’ started to complain.  I desired my own way, to do my own thing.  It wasn’t until I finally lightened up (after several things weighing on me were over), that God spoke to me. 

I complained (oh, surprise!) that I wanted to study God’s word what I wanted, not what I was told to study, like Bible Study group or counseling class.  God reminded me of my prayer.  That I desired and asked to be submerged into Him.  Why was I demanding it be on my terms (my pride of control)?  That isn’t how it works. 

Life Principle:

Submerged:  I enjoy all opportunities to soak up God’s word. 

Vision Drift

I developed a series of post that will focus on life principles I want to remember.  Things that God has taught me, yet I often get distracted by the world that I forget.  Then I get reminded again, refocus, reset and do well until the cycle happens again.

God delivers the name for what happens - Vision Drift.  I love my pastor and love how God prepares my heart to hear the message.  Vision Drift happens when the world, my wants, sin takes my focus off God his plans.  It's when I start choosing the priorities then seek God to fulfill them.  He's not a drive thru.  I can't just pull up in prayer, give my order and expect delivery in just a few short minutes.

Yes, God wants to give me blessings.  He wants to be my blessing.  He is a gentleman and waits for me to seek.

So Life Principles are the truths I want to cling to.  Truths that help me keep God's perspective.  Truths that counter all the lies that are distracting me from my purpose.