Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (NLT) 3 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. ² A time to be born and a time to die.  A time to plant and a time to harvest. ³ A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. ⁴ A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.

Fall is truly one of my favorite times of year; from the cooler temps to the wind-blown trees.  As I am all about comfort, I love the chance to wear my sweatshirts, jeans and comfy socks… and this time of year presents just that opportunity.  As I was riding down the street the other day the trees and their colorful changing leaves caught my attention.  It’s such a beautiful sight to see the greens, oranges and browns mixed together as the wind blows through them.  You can see some of them falling to the ground while some are still hanging on for dear life.  It’s a time of death but, with the promise of new growth…a season we are guaranteed to see every year. 

Once I got home, I thought back to the scenery and it reminded me of our growth in and through Christ.  I thought about how we go through seasons of death, but if we are steadfast in Him then we are promised new growth.  Like the trees, we go through a process of thriving in our lives  and our spirituality starts to grow.  Little by little we’ll see the new faith and strength until we feel full of life and beauty.  Then, as time passes we begin to feel as if we are stuck and things are starting to fall apart again or we can’t find that fullness that we once had.    

Sometimes in our Christian walk we have times of great growth; where we feel filled with the presence of God and ready to do His will.  As time passes we soon become content and too comfortable and we attempt to stay right where we are instead of continually growing; shedding the old and renewing ourselves with the new.  Because of that we sometimes get into these ruts where we can’t feel God like we used to.  Our passion begins to wither and we even sometimes fear we have lost Him altogether.  So we try to continue on in the things that once made us happy or try to force those old familiar ways to bring back that same happiness we once had.  The problem is it doesn’t work because we are not spiritually in that same place anymore; it becomes time to move on.

Just as the leaves on the trees that go through the process of being full and beautiful to withering and falling…but, then onto re-growth of full and beautiful again…so must we.  God doesn’t just call us to a level of spirituality or people and places, then expect us to stay there.  He wants us to be continually growing and seeking Him and His will for our lives.  Reaching new and deeper levels of His presence as well as touching new people He has placed in our lives.  However, in order to obtain this we must sometimes be willing to let go of the old things…even things that once felt good or we worked very well.

When we live our lives for God, we don't always stay in one place for too long.  There will always be seasons of thriving where we’re at, shedding the old and even times of just standing still.  Staying close to God through prayer and reading as well as trusting Him helps us to determine which season we are in. I would like to caution, from my own personal experience, that when we’re in those times of shedding and stillness it’s important to not lose focus on God.  Even when we can’t “feel” Him, we must learn to still trust Him and stay diligent in our faith. 

I can totally relate to how difficult it can be to grow in Christ, especially when we think we’ve reached a place and time in our lives that seems to work so well and we just want to stay where we’re at.   However, God is faithful, true and has infinite wisdom…He will never leave us nor forsake us! 

He Knows You

John 10:14-15 (NLT) ¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, ¹⁵ just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.

I am, once again, a part of an online Bible study with Proverbs 31 OBS and in my studying the other day they gave us this verse…John 10:14-15.  This verse tells us that Jesus is our shepherd, our caregiver and protector.  He knows us and will sacrifice His life for our sake.  The book goes on to tell us what the Greek word for ‘know’ is; which is Yada.  The meaning for Yada is a deep emotional experience, a bonding between two people when one truly feels the emotions of the other.  

I had to pause after I read that and re-read it again.  We often say we know someone, but just how much or how deeply do we really know that person?  I have close friends and family that I believe I understand and “know” pretty well.  I would even say that I have such a close connection with my husband that I can feel his pains and frustrations, but do I know them on the same level that Jesus knows them?   To actually think about the depths of that is truly humbling.

The truth of the matter is if we look at this from our side…our knowledge and capacity for love and acceptance of others is ever evolving and growing because we are human and must daily seek God.  BUT...God IS love; He is perfect never needing to evolve or grow any more than He already is.  So for Him to know us is something far greater than we could ever realize or imagine.  Verse 15 goes even deeper by comparing Jesus’ knowing us to God knowing Jesus.  Which should really help us to realize just how much He understands us because Jesus is of God; He’s a part of Him.  It truly can’t get any closer or deeper than that!

God knew what we would do and what we would become.  He knows our deepest, most personal thoughts, fears, plans, desires and dreams.  He knows our shortcomings, our sins...even down to our sometimes ill intents.  However, even with all of that knowledge; with knowing the deepest, darkest parts of our being He still loves us fully and completely!!  He freely sent His only son to die for our sins…now that is truly shouting grounds right there.  I'm so thankful this morning that in spite of myself; my wrongs and my sins...God still KNOWS AND LOVES ME.

Can we really say that about anyone else?  I mean if we all knew everything about everyone, would we still be totally unconditional with them?  I would love to say, without a shadow of a doubt, YES…but, I think when being totally honest it would be difficult to do so.  We are only human and as sad as it may be some things are beyond us to understand let alone look past.  Now, by no means am I saying that we can’t forgive, let go and not be judgmental because with God’s help we can…but, because of our sinful human nature it’s impossible for us to be as unconditional as our loving Father is towards us. 

Sometimes we search and search for that unconditional love and acceptance simply because we are wired to need it, but we never truly find it.  That’s because we really aren’t looking in the right places.  What we need to understand is that we really don’t have to look that far to find that Yada type of love.  It’s in God…He loves us and accepts us for who we are.  He knows us best and yet…. He still loves us best!

What’s your praise?

                I’ve always loved gospel, praise and worship music; singing of God’s goodness and unmatchable love.  It’s a wonderful thing to hear a song that speaks to a current situation or feeling in my life.  I feel blessed and encouraged by those songs because they always offer hope by assuring me that with God I can make it through.  I also love to sing the songs that talk about how awesome our God truly is; songs that talk about His grace and mercy, His mighty yet gentle hand and His unchanging ways.

                Some days you can catch me in the bathroom getting ready for the day or in the car on my way to where ever listening and singing at the top of my lungs.  I’m having my only little praise session for God.  There is just something that touches my heart to worship God through listening and singing songs of praise; it’s my way of praising Him that reaches deep within my soul.  This is a time when I can feel His anointing and presence on my life and it feels good to acknowledge that to Him by singing and glorifying Him.

                Now, knowing this I have to admit that sometimes I hold back.  I hold back out of fear of being looked at like I’m silly or maybe just because I don’t want to embarrasses those around me.  However, lately I have noticed myself really letting go and praising God in church during Sunday praise and worship time.   I’m no longer a stranger to standing, even if no one else is, to offer up my praise as the choir sings to God and to us.  You may find me with my arms extended in the air, hands clapping and even swaying from side to side.  I no longer want to stifle my praise…I know God knows my heart, but if I can’t walk it out then what true purpose does it serve? 

                There are so many ways we can feel God’s presence and offer our praise to Him…we just have to find our own personal way and allow ourselves to give in to it.  My oldest daughter often praises God through her art.  She has made beautiful murals for her youth group at church because she allowed herself to let go and praise Him through her hands and drawings.  There are dance and mimes teams at church that worship and feel His presence through their moves and yet others that play the instruments for those singing and dancing.   

                We all have a praise inside of us and what a blessing it is for not only God and ourselves, but for others when we release it.  Through our praise others can see just how wonderful God really is.  Whether things are going good or we are in the midst of a trial, our praise shows our trust, belief and need for God to make it through.  I will also say that it’s a time of true release…a time when I feel close to Him.  It’s a time when I’m not clouded by the ways or issues of this world, but instead I’m entering into His presence where there is peace and unconditional love; not to mention the fact that He is so worthy of all our praise!!!

I sincerely encourage you to find your praise, find a way of acknowledging Christ and the amazing impact He has on your life.  Through this worship I know you will find yourself coming closer and closer to God.  It will teach you to trust and love Him more as well as give you a joy so deep and so pure that no one can take away. 

Life’s Manuel

You know, God knew just how much we would need His day to day help in life.  He knew that we would need a place to turn to so we can see, with our own eyes, His instructions to life.  It’s a place that will teach us about His loving kindness, grace and mercy, but also about the importance of our obedience to Him.  It’s somewhere we can go that gives us instructions on how to face all situations and circumstances in life; both good and bad.  Simply put, it’s our manual to life.   This place is the Bible!

Sometimes I think we look at the Bible as just a learning tool and by that I mean a place to just learn OF God.  Something we can read from time to time to teach us about Jesus and His life and maybe a couple of rules and commandments.   Oh, but hear me when I say to you that the Bible is so much more than just a book!  It’s where we can see how much God truly loves us and how He has supplied an answer and door for our every need and concern.  It is a place of truth, the ultimate truth, which can help to guide our paths, choices and decision in life.  It’s a place of love and compassion, restoration and grace and also of necessary correction and conviction. 

How often do we run to a loved one, friend or even a self-help book for the answers to life’s problems?  I know, at times, I am very guilty of this…thinking I need to always talk whatever the issue is out with someone so they can help me see the right answer.  I won’t lie, sometimes it’s helpful and effective, but sometimes it’s just not.  There isn’t anything of this world; no circumstance, situation or pain that has not already been dealt with and talked about in the Bible…so why wouldn’t we look there?  The bible is where we can find God’s word, His answers for our lives. 

Now, I will also say that I can identify with you if you’re saying that sometimes it can be confusing and often times hard to even know where to start to read.   Through my searching I’ve found that there are many avenues that we can utilize to point us in the right direction for our need.  I will often Google a particular word to help me find scripture that pertains to my current issue.  For example:  scripture on frustration, and then read through the verses provided until I find one that I can understand and identify with.  I also have a Bible that list different types of areas that I may need help with in the back and they direct me to certain books and verses.  Yet, another avenue I use is by turning to the book of Psalms…where there are many different chapters and verses listed with different focuses to help me through. 

I’m also learning, through experience, how important it is to know and identify with God’s word.  If I’m going through a particular issue or a friend comes to me, when I’m knowledgeable of His word, I can point out a verse that will comfort, give insight and help us through it.  It also helps us to prove or take God at His word, not to mention it sure frustrates the enemy when he tries to bind us up.  We can call on God’s word to help us and rebuke Satan. 

When we take the time to take God’s word in (not just reading it to say we’ve read it) and try to understand it as well as apply it to our lives, our relationships with Christ are strengthened.  The deeper our relationship grows with God the less wiggle room we give to the enemy to cloud our minds, add doubt to our self-esteem and to try and defeat our purpose.  I do understand and totally agree that this is not always easy but, like with anything, the more we do it the more we trust it and it becomes a part of our daily lives.

Dying to self

Galatians 2:10 (NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

            You ever hear someone say that you have to die to yourself or your flesh, well I don’t think I’m alone in saying this is truly one of the hardest and often times most painful things we have to do.  However, I will also say that it is a very necessary part of our Christian growth.  There are so many things we say, do and think that are not of God, but are of our flesh and cause us to stray from God and His will for our lives. 

            This verse says that when we give ourselves to Christ, we must give up or crucify our old selves on the cross too.  Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice when He shed His blood and died for our sins, so now we must live for Him by allowing Him to live in us.  The bible tells us that light and dark cannot exist in the same place; the light being God and the dark being the enemy and the world.  When we are not, at the very least, striving towards what God is calling us to be then we are living in darkness. 

Now, I will be the first to admit that I have my days where I'm a bit selfish, emotional and driven by what I think is right, but I'm really at a point in my life that I'm realizing just how important it is to be as much like Christ as I possibly can.  I truly want what He wants for me; even if I don't like it and even if it hurts my flesh…simply because I know in my heart He has my best interest in mind. 

Lately, each morning, I’m finding myself telling God that I give myself to Him today.  I’m praying that He will help me die to, or let go of, the things of my flesh so that I can be more like Him. This is not always easy or pleasant; in fact I will say that sometimes God and I differ in what we think is best for me.  Even to the point that I can honestly say that sometimes I fight Him on it and end up going through the same mess over and over again until I surrender.  But…finally, at some point I realize that He is all knowing and I must let go of my stubbornness and let Him have His way.    

The second half of this verse gives us some comfort and hope in knowing that while we are in these earthly bodies’, striving to be what God wants us to be, we can trust Him.  He loves us better than we could ever love ourselves in that He gave Himself for us.  It’s with this knowledge that we can trust and believe that He will never lead us in the wrong direction.  He will never want to change or take away anything from us that would not cause us to be better in the first place.    

I may not always be happy with what needs to be stripped away or changed, but I am always thankful when God opens my eyes.  The fact that God loves and cares enough about me to pay such close attention to me and my life in detail, not only blesses me, but it also encourages me to want to be the best I can for Him. 

Dealing with frustration

Psalm 43:5 (MSG) 5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God” soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.

The last couple of days have seemed to be pretty frustrating for me and with that frustration comes a bit of anger towards myself.  I mean really, with the way the Lord has blessed this family, what right do I have to be upset about anything…AT ALL!  Yet...here I sit, frustrated, emotional and even a bit angry.  I don’t think I’m a huge whiner and for the most part even if something is wrong I try not to complain about it much, but there are times when things tug at my heart to the point of wanting to just sit in a corner and cry for a while. 

I was searching the bible to find some scripture to help me through these times and I came across Psalm 43:5.  It seems to understand that right now I feel down…that my soul is lacking and filled with some sadness.  However, the fact that it goes on to say that soon I will be Praising God again fills me with encouragement and hope.  It reminds me that I will not stay in my sorrow and sadness, but will again have a smile on my face put there by my Heavenly Father. 

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

            Trying to climb out of my rut I reach to Isaiah 40:31 because it’s here that I’m comforted with the knowledge that trusting in the Lord will bring me new strength.  It’s a strength that I know I cannot obtain or have through anything I can do for myself.  While I sometimes try to get through things on my own, with my own will and power, this verse helps me to realize that it’s God’s almighty strength that will carry me through these tough times.  All I need to do is trust Him and let Him lead me through.   

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

            Now, Philippians 1:16 has always been one of my favorite verses.  I can say that even though it may not be as much as it used to but, sometimes I truly doubt my purpose or that I even had one.  Some days I will feel like I screw it up and other times I simply just think that I don’t have much to offer, let alone anything to glorify God’s kingdom.  A couple years ago I came across this verse and I realized that because I am a child of God and He created me, I have a purpose for my life.  He started His good work when He created me and He will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. 

            It really is a wonderful blessing to realize that He’s not finished with you yet  That no matter what it looks like around you, no matter how frustrated or upset you can get He will not let you go.  You know that saying…He didn’t bring you this far to leave you now; well, that’s the encouragement I find in this verse.  As long as we submit and keep our minds stayed on God, He will not leave us incomplete and will work in and through our lives as well as others.   

            Through these three scriptures I seem to have built a step by step spiritual method to helping myself overcome frustration and hard to get through times.  A method, that I’m not ashamed to admit, I have to revisit often.  With Psalms 43:5 I feel like God is telling me He understands that I will have rough times, but staying focused on Him will once again bring a smile to my face.   Isaiah 40:31 reminds me that I don’t have to try to come through, complete or be anything through my own strength because in Him I find NEW strength.  It’s a strength which will not allow me to give up.  And, finally Philippians 1:6 shows me that because He created me and nothing He does is wrong, He will not leave me incomplete.  That through Him I will come to, walk in and complete my purpose for His kingdom. 

Slow to speak

Proverbs 14:29 (TLB) ²⁹ A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.

Proverbs 14:29 (VOICE) ²⁹ Whoever is patient and slow to anger shows great understanding, but whoever has a quick temper magnifies his foolishness.

I'm realizing how quickly I can dig a hole for myself with my words, whether they are "justified" or not, sometimes they are just not necessary.  Jumping off of my emotions doesn't even allow myself time to fully understand the entire situation itself...then I've said or done some things that I can't take back.  The MSG version says; 29 Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.  This version stuck out to me because sometimes after allowing anger or irritation to spew from my mouth, that is what I’m thinking to myself; that was just wrong and STUPID.    

It’s so easy to become angry or irritated and before we realize it we are saying the first thing that comes to our mind as a response. I don't know my bible from front to back but, I don't think it says that we are to say everything that comes to our mind; even if it is true and especially if it's going to cause dissention or hurt. True enough we may very well be right, or what we would call justified in our anger and possibly even what we say however, what good is it to just blurt it out and act in the moment...most times none! Before we know it many hurtful things are said that can’t be taken back and sometimes even relationship are destroyed as a result.    

We also need to consider the fact that maybe who ever we are getting irritated or angry with, may possible just be having a bad day…I mean, we all do.  I’ll be the first to admit that some days are just not the best for me and I’m acting off of my emotions; sounding and looking like a real pain in the butt.  Next thing I know, the person I’m being difficult with says some not so nice things back.  Soon more and more anger is being built between us as well as more and more foolish words and actions; before too long many hurtful things are said.   

 Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Whether we’re the one in the wrong or the other person is; the real point is that we can only control ourselves; our own actions and our own words.  Truly, our reactions to what is going on or what someone is doing can be just as damaging as the original act itself.  So we need to learn to sometimes keep quiet or at the very least pray about it before we just lash out.  Whether it’s a bad day or, in my personal opinion, something just isn’t right; there are many things I wish I could control, change and even fix but, the truth of the matter is I can't.

So today I am truly praying that God will help me to control my emotions; whether in actions or words.  I am trusting God to transform my mind to help me think before I speak and act and also to be uplifting and encouraging as much as I possibly can.  My prayer is that I will not only learn to control my own emotions, but that I will learn to accept some things as they are.  I don’t mean to allow “wrong” to happen to me or what I inflict on others but, instead that I will understand that I can only control what I can and that I have to allow God to take care of the rest.