We have been in a series at our church called moving forward. It has stirred my thinking and pushed me into action. There are a lot of things that hold us back from moving forward with God. In order to stay obedient to God we have to do the things He calls us to do.
At this time in my life He is calling me to move forward and take baby steps. A lot of times I think we have this vision of way out there and it looks hopeless because we are so far from the way out there we see. No one gets to the finish without taking the first step, and another, and another, etc.
Our relationship with Christ is a journey we take day by day. And the little decisions are what decide the outcome for the turns our lives will take.
Sometimes we make excuses of why things can't change in our lives. God is full of grace and mercy. When we first start following Him he holds our hands as we learn to walk. Then comes a time when He lets go and says come on, keep coming. When a baby is learning to walk he has to fall a few times before he learns how to balance himself. Just like us when we begin to put God first in our lives we take baby steps and each time He gives us just a little more. We have to learn to balance our lives around Him.
It's painful as a parent to watch our children hurt. God has that same passion and care for us. Some pain in life cannot be avoided such as when our loved ones pass away. Then there is the kind of pain that can be avoided. Pain that comes from wrong decisions we have made. God has given us a plan to walk out and we find it in His word. If you want to avoid that kind of pain ask for Godly wisdom. Make a choice to put God first in every area of your life.
In order to know Him we have to know His word, we have to make time for His word and make time to just rest in His presence. Be still and listen.
I've been setting aside special time to listen to God and I have heard Him. I always wonder why I drift away. It's because I have an enemy that is always trying to crowd my life with distraction so I cannot hear God's voice.
Years ago God put Africa on my heart and about five years ago specifically Mozambique. He has awakened in me the call to go to Africa, although I am not going to Mozambique I will be in Zimbabwe. It is amazing to watch how God brings everything together. For years I waited and I was ready to throw in the towel...But God! Right when all hope is gone He comes again faithful to finish the work He begins. He who begins a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! Amen I believe it! Do you believe it?
Just to look back and see where God has brought me from a life of pain and destruction to now is amazing. I had to make some tough decisions. I've had to leave some relationships behind. I've faced ridicule and backbiting but God has never left me. Anything I give up He gives back to me more than I ever expect.
I have a family who serves together. A long time ago that was just a far out vision, but now we are walking it out! To see the way God is raising up my children to serve Him is the ultimate prize for this mother!
All of us have dreams whether we share them with anyone or not. Some of you may have watched the Daytona 500 as Trevor Bayne won, a twenty year old rookie! That must have been an awesome moment for him. His mother was interviewed and she said this is something he has dreamed about and worked hard to get! No one would have believed he could have done it, but He believed. And HE WORKED HARD FOR IT! It takes our belief to move forward in the things of God. It's not every one's dream to be a worship leader, a pastor, or evangelist. May be your dream sounds too little. I want to be a good mom and wife! I want to be loving and gentle and I am believing God is working that out in me! How is that for a big dream!
Whatever your dream is, it takes two things...God....and the willingness to work for it. God sometimes miraculously blesses us but most of the time He has to walk us through things so we can handle the things He gives us. If God would have given me Africa the first time my heart was called I would not have been ready. We have to take time to grow in Him.
One of my pastors said he heard from a Christian leader that when someone is called, they need to be taken and put in a box until they are ready to come out. When God calls you there isn't anything that can stop us! When we go out ahead of Him, well lets just say we learn to be humble really fast. Lord knows I have been!
So don't give up on those dreams God has planted in your heart. Get close to Him and listen and wait. He will answer! I promise! AND HE CAN USE YOU IN THE WAITING! So don't sit and wait, start taking those baby steps toward Him!
Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
That's our purpose, amen! We are all called to share the gospel in our unique way!
I want to close with a neat little instrumental worship video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DjBicTbgMk&feature=related
I love some of the scriptures shared.
Be blessed and until we are together again, keep Dreaming Big!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Total Surrender
God is opening my spiritual eyes and ears. I woke up at 1 am praying in the Spirit. Earlier today I was listening to the song “You won’t relent until You have it all, my heart is yours,” and those words continued to speak to me. What things does God not have of mine? In talking with God this morning some things became clear. Why is it so important to give everything to Him? We cannot experience true worship unless He has it all. We cannot walk in His love and His power unless we are emptied and filled. We cannot operate in power unless our will is His will.
So God began to expose some areas where I was not totally surrendered. I agreed. Then He asked me to get on my knees before Him. I reminded Him it was early, cold, and my husband might wake up and see me. I was quiet warm and cozy. He made it clear that if I could not obey Him enough to get out of the bed and fall on my knees before Him at a moment’s notice with inconvenience I would not be able to move any further on this journey.
So I wrestled with His prompting for at least 10 minutes. I heard the scripture “The gifts and callings of God are without repentance.” He told me my spirit and will must be broken in order to receive His will. He had the power to call an angel to pull me out of bed. I knew that would probably happen next, so I got down on my knees by my snoring dog. I made sure to give him a nudge and disgruntled look. After all he was so warm and snugly. There were uno cards and a pick up sticks word game I had to maneuver through.
Once on my knees I suddenly had a full bladder. I was thirsty. I asked “is this necessary?” I was spiritually thirsty more than physically thirsty. I know from experience He does not let up until His will is done. So I prayed and waited. I turned to 1 Corinthians 4. Paul is warning the church that he is coming to check up on them. He is going through all kinds of challenges. He calls out Timothy to go to the churches. I read verse 3 first. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. Then I went back and read the entire chapter. Verse 1 says they were entrusted with the secrets of God and those given this level of trust must prove themselves faithful. We do not have authority to judge, only Christ has the authority. When you are operating in this realm it is easy to be puffed up because not everyone is given this level of knowledge. It is given for a specific purpose. It may take a lot of praying in secret and there will be many who will unknowingly tear you down. Our prayers and work go beyond the natural realm and we may never understand. Our purpose is to fulfill the callings God puts on our heart and obey swiftly. Arrogance has no place in this realm. The kingdom of God is not of talk but it is of power. Basically, we have a choice to be gently led or God will have to use who He wills to put us in our place. Glad we got that straightened out early! There are many voices out there and we have to be tuned into His voice and the only way to hear His voice clearly is to stay in total surrender.
I have been reviewing some of my blog entries. God is so faithful and amazing! I am preparing to go on a mission trip to Zimbabwe, Africa. Yes, God is finally moving in this direction! This has been my heart for so long and He is already teaching me so much! I will have to do an entry on nothing but the mission trip.
I close today with the awesome worship song that fueled my thoughts today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXR65YfWehI&feature=related
So God began to expose some areas where I was not totally surrendered. I agreed. Then He asked me to get on my knees before Him. I reminded Him it was early, cold, and my husband might wake up and see me. I was quiet warm and cozy. He made it clear that if I could not obey Him enough to get out of the bed and fall on my knees before Him at a moment’s notice with inconvenience I would not be able to move any further on this journey.
So I wrestled with His prompting for at least 10 minutes. I heard the scripture “The gifts and callings of God are without repentance.” He told me my spirit and will must be broken in order to receive His will. He had the power to call an angel to pull me out of bed. I knew that would probably happen next, so I got down on my knees by my snoring dog. I made sure to give him a nudge and disgruntled look. After all he was so warm and snugly. There were uno cards and a pick up sticks word game I had to maneuver through.
Once on my knees I suddenly had a full bladder. I was thirsty. I asked “is this necessary?” I was spiritually thirsty more than physically thirsty. I know from experience He does not let up until His will is done. So I prayed and waited. I turned to 1 Corinthians 4. Paul is warning the church that he is coming to check up on them. He is going through all kinds of challenges. He calls out Timothy to go to the churches. I read verse 3 first. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. Then I went back and read the entire chapter. Verse 1 says they were entrusted with the secrets of God and those given this level of trust must prove themselves faithful. We do not have authority to judge, only Christ has the authority. When you are operating in this realm it is easy to be puffed up because not everyone is given this level of knowledge. It is given for a specific purpose. It may take a lot of praying in secret and there will be many who will unknowingly tear you down. Our prayers and work go beyond the natural realm and we may never understand. Our purpose is to fulfill the callings God puts on our heart and obey swiftly. Arrogance has no place in this realm. The kingdom of God is not of talk but it is of power. Basically, we have a choice to be gently led or God will have to use who He wills to put us in our place. Glad we got that straightened out early! There are many voices out there and we have to be tuned into His voice and the only way to hear His voice clearly is to stay in total surrender.
I have been reviewing some of my blog entries. God is so faithful and amazing! I am preparing to go on a mission trip to Zimbabwe, Africa. Yes, God is finally moving in this direction! This has been my heart for so long and He is already teaching me so much! I will have to do an entry on nothing but the mission trip.
I close today with the awesome worship song that fueled my thoughts today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXR65YfWehI&feature=related
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)