Masks

Masks

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  ~~Psalms 139:14

About three years ago I went to a seminar and one of the women there shared the poem below. Her life had been greatly impacted by the gospel and as she allowed grace to change and transform her, the Lord gave her the words to share her heart and to offer hope to someone who might be in a similar place.  I share them with you for edification, hoping you will be encouraged to see yourself through new eyes and remove whatever mask(s) you may be wearing.    

Stephanie

Masks

I wear my masks

Which one today?

The one for work or the one for play?

The one for family

The one for friends 

The one for strangers

When will it end?

I place my pain upon a shelf

It hurts too much to be myself

So I must hide who I am inside

Only Christ alone can turn this tide.

He came to set the captives free

To break the chains, help us believe

His love will heal my wounded soul

As I learn to give Him control.

Please help me Lord, help me receive

Your love for me that I can't achieve

It is a gift, from You to man

To Your creation, part of Your plan.

Help me dear Lord

Give me strength to stand

While I'm molded by my Father's hand

Help me see myself with Your eyes

As accepted and loved and not despised

I'm yearning Lord, to be set free

To be who I am, not who I wish I could be

Being myself is a daunting task

Lord Jesus, please remove my masks

Let me face the world with a restored soul

As a person who has been made whole

Thank You for Your faithfulness to me

As we walk through the process of setting me free.

~~By Lisa Falkner (July 2, 2003)

O COME LET US ADORE HIM

O COME LET US ADORE HIM

This devotion was prompted by one that appeared here a few weeks ago.  Diane was writing about passionate prayer and prayer being fervent and ongoing.  Something she said really caught my attention.  She wrote that while it is wonderful to have that period of time "set aside" to pray (whether it be morning or later on in the day), it is not enough to think that this time of prayer is sufficient - or even completely pleasing - to God.

Since that Victory Call appeared my Sunday School class has begun a study on the subject of prayer, and I am convicted once again that my weak and puny prayer life does not honor God as it should and my life, as a result, is not as victorious as it could be.

It seems as if my prayer life so often sinks to the level of a list of "I want, I need, please do this or that."  Not that there is anything inherently wrong in bringing our requests to God.  On the contrary, He WANTS us to do that.  Philippians 4:6 tells us to let our requests be made known unto God.  But prayer is so much more than that.

When my Sunday School class began our study on prayer, someone in the class, when asked to give her definition of prayer, used the little acronym "ACTS"  -  Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.  Unfortunately, Type A personality that I am, I go directly to the Supplication part and the other parts often get the status of fill-ins.

I have made a very conscious effort in the past couple of weeks to focus on Adoration.  Not that it is hard to tell God how much I love Him, how wonderful He is, how great He is, how awesome His power and majesty are.  In fact, I have tried to spend some prayer time each day ONLY worshipping and adoring Him.  No "please do this" or "I want that."  Just concentrating on the words from Psalm 48:1, "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised..." or from Psalm 29, "Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

So I find myself going back to the Psalms once again as I appreciate anew the relationship David had with God.  Even in the depths of terrible, crushing sin, David found that praise, worship and adoration were necessary to prepare his heart to come before a holy God to seek forgiveness, cleansing and restoration before he could attempt to request God act on his behalf.

It is no coincidence that so much of what I am reading and studying is devoted to some aspect of prayer.  I know the Holy Spirit is convicting me about my often ineffectual prayer life.  I am praying that as I delve more deeply into the topic of prayer that my "passion for prayer" will grow.  That it will cease to be a subject to be studied and become my very heart's desire.  That I will experience a renewed passion to spend time with God worshipping and adoring Him first and praising Him for who He is long before I get to my "wish list."  

Lynn Randall

Brokeness

Brokenness 

"Brokenness is a condition which exists when a person has given up all confidence in his own ability to manage life." (Steve McVey -The Grace Walk Experience)

We thought about this definition of brokenness yesterday and today I would like to think about our natural response to pull away from brokenness.  When life gets difficult and we are weak, vulnerable, not in control, suffering, and hurting our natural instinct is to DO whatever we can to stop the hurt, to stop the feeling of vulnerability.  In so doing we hinder the effect of our suffering preventing it from bringing us to the end of ourselves, to a point of full surrender and in our weakness to receive God's power, strength and life.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

Let me share an illustration if I may:   When I was a young systems engineer I was the self-appointed social committee for our department.  I planned a white water rafting weekend trip.  About 30 engineers and family members went.  As we prepared for our day on the water, the guides gave us numerous instructions for a safe trip.  I'll never forget the warning we were given about a spot on the river where the water would drive us into the face of a huge rock cliff.  We were told that as we approached that rock our natural inclination would be to lean away from it but in so doing the water current would flip our boat.  We were instructed that instead we must lean into the rock to prevent our boat from dumping us into the white water.  My words cannot express the feeling of racing toward a wall of sheer rock wanting to get as far away from it as possible but forcing ourselves to lean into it. 

Are you ready to embrace brokenness in your life?  Are you ready to give up all confidence in your own ability to manage your life? Are you willing to ask God to make you weak rather than strong?  

Diane

Brokenness

Brokenness

The word sends a chill up our spine.  Brokenness. We shutter at the thought.  In fact, most of us will do whatever it takes to avoid the vulnerability, the lack of control, and the humbling that accompanies brokenness. 

 
We tend to think of brokenness as something that requires healing but let's consider brokenness in a different light.  Steve McVey's definition of brokenness is "A condition which exists when a person has given up all confidence in his own ability to manage life."  Using this definition, brokenness is not something we attain and move on from or get healed from. Rather it is a condition we want Christ to maintain in us.  The moment we move beyond brokenness we have moved back into self-sufficiency, self-effort, living in our own strength, and the flesh.  "To walk after the flesh really just means living out of our own abilities.  Another way to describe it is self-sufficiency.  Flesh refers to those techniques that I depend on when I try to get my needs met or manage my own life apart from Jesus Christ." (1)If brokenness is giving up all confidence in our own abilities to make life work, then it is a condition we want to settle into, seeking moment by moment to rejoice in our brokenness.  

"And it's beautiful, beautiful

Come as you are

Surrender your heart

Broken and beautiful, beautiful

Come as you are

Surrender your heart

Broken and beautiful

Cause there's nothing more beautiful at all

Than when His sons and daughters call, broken" (2)

Why would we want to be broken and to live broken lives?  Because it is in our brokenness that full surrender comes allowing the life of Jesus Christ to flow in and through us. 

"For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, and the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." 2 Corinthians 4:11

Are you broken and beautiful or just beautiful?

Diane

(1) Steve McVey -"The Grace Walk Experience" pg14

(2) Mark Shultz - lyrics to "Broken & Beautiful"

I love you.

I love you.

When was the last time you heard the words, "I love you?" Take a moment and think. Perhaps you heard it this morning and hear it on a regular basis. Perhaps you rarely hear it and your heart longs to hear these three simple words.

I love you.

What is it about those three words that have such meaning and importance to us? Let's face it; we all want to feel important to someone, that we matter. I'm not necessarily referring to marriage although that is certainly one relationship where love can flourish.
Friends, children, grandchildren, and other believers can have a profound effect with these three simple words.
I am looking forward to hearing my granddaughter say for the first time, "I wub you" I'm sure I will do a jig.

There are many, many lonely hearts out there desperate to know that someone cares, starving to hear "I love you."

Someone cares. In fact, not just someone, God Himself loves and cares for you.

Isaiah 43:1-5
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.
Fear not, for I am with you

This verse was intended for Israel, but consider the verses, "I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.... I will give men for you, and people for your life. God loved you so much that He did not just give Ethiopia, Seba and men for you; He gave His very own only Son, Jesus Christ in your place. He loves you.

Close your eyes, and imagine Jesus tilting your chin up towards His face and hear the words, "I love you."

Diane

So What?

So What?

I am in the process of preparing an assignment for a course I am taking.  As I am doing research, which I find quite interesting, I find myself asking, "So, What?"

Currently I am studying the difference between Dispensational theology and Covenant theology. Again, I say, I find it very interesting, but so what?  

I would venture to guess that most of you would have to ask your pastor which doctrinal position your church takes.  Most people do not know if they are Dispensationalists or not.  I am purposely not defining these terms because that is not my point.  My point is this: does not knowing the technical term for your faith change your walk, your belief, your relationship with Jesus Christ?  I don't believe so, not one iota.

I have had a rich walk with Jesus for a lot of years without knowing whether I was Dispensational or covenantal.  

Can we get bogged down in the details and miss the big picture?  Can we get so engrossed in the leaves on the tree that we miss the beauty of the forest?  

Is it important to God that we understand what man thinks a dispensation is and how many we think there are?  

Can you and I be Christ-centered, power-filled, holy, righteous, obedient Christians that will hear on that final day, "Well, done my good and faithful servant" without knowing any of those things?  I believe so.  As much as I enjoy Theology and academics, it pales in comparison to knowing the One True God and Jesus Christ the one that He sent. 

"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." John 17:3

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.  Philippians 3:8

...That I may gain Christ.

Diane

Leaving or Cleaving?

Leaving or Cleaving?

Over the years I've had many conversations with brothers and sisters in Christ who have felt compelled to and thus chose to leave a church they had called home for some time.  In most cases, the decisions were not made lightly and came only after much pondering, prayer and waiting on God.

No matter how they left each has expressed a sense of loss and sometimes unexpected grieving, after the fact. I know well how they feel.  It's very difficult to leave a place (any place) that has been an integral part of your life.  For me, the leaving came after 7 tumultuous years - years replete, with doctrinal teaching, pastoral care, fellowship, and lots of learning.  And at the same time those years were very stretching (sometimes confusing) and there were many moments of crying out for insight, understanding, and wisdom.  In addition, there were moments of tremendous joy.  And to the extent that it is possible, moments of intense suffering and sorrow were shared.  We broke bread together in the Lord's house, shared meals, laughter, compassion and care of one another, and even worked through numerous moments of conflict.  

On the surface of it all, there would be no reason to leave...and yet my heart was troubled, very troubled. Try as I might (and Lord knows I struggled) I rarely had peace. I set about doing, doing, doing and even tried to be a particular way.  But my heart ached for more! My soul was often restless and my spirit, oh how my spirit wanted to break free!  And yet, and yet -it could not.  So much had become too "academic" and though there was much talk about spirituality, joy and freedom...it simply was not.

It is a tremendously draining thing to be in the sanctuary week after week and have to suppress emotion because...it isn't appropriate to "let loose".  I'd ask, "Why God did you give this to me here and now?" "How can I be a good Christian and really have this problem with my church?" God had cared for me and my family for seven years through the care, kindness and generosity of his people.  He had used us in the lives of many as we served with, for and alongside each other. 

Still, over and over I wanted to run and over and over, the Lord gave me pause.  He comforted me in those moments and said, "Wait." So I waited and waited and waited...and then it was time to go.

I left bearing no grudges and I left with no ability to answer any "why" question which could be asked of me...at least none which, I believe would satisfy.  My husband led and I followed.  And from a place of peace I feel simultaneously good and sad.  Good because my cup is being filled and sad because I miss people and aspects of what was home for me and my family for seven years.  I guess you could say I selfishly want it all.

So dear ones, why have I shared all of this with you?  Well, in part because the Lord led me to.  Also, I share it because I know of many more who struggle deeply in silence and my encouragement to you is, seek and wait; seek and wait. Do your best to resolve any conflicts. Wrestle through all that the Lord places before you.  Seek to do no harm.  Do your best guard your speech as it relates to your struggles and allow the Holy Spirit to convict your heart and the hearts of others, if necessary.  Let Him lead and guide you into what is good and right for you to do and then do it!  If He leads you to speak -speak.  If pray -pray.  As much as possible continue to be there -active and alive. Whatever it is do it!  Through it all you are seeking and waiting; seeking and waiting.  Then from a position of peace and surety obey what the Lord says knowing that He will be with you whether you go or whether you stay. 

"Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed' lead me to the rock that is higher than I." ~~ Psalms 61:1-2π

Stephanie

πBiblegateway.com September 27, 2007

OLD GUYS

Old Guys
One thing I love about my husband, Dave, is the fact that he is 12 years older then I am. The way I like to explain it is that he graduated high school when I was graduating kindergarten! Unfortunately, people look at us and say " I don't see any age difference." Therefore, either he looks young or I look old! I love that he is 12 years older than I am because I can feel better about getting older by telling him that I will ALWAYS be 12 years younger then he is! I really do love my "old" guy!

Lately, I have met some other distinguished "old guys". A.W.Tozer, John Edwards, William Law, R.A. Torrey, Watchman Nee, Charles Trumbell, Charles Spurgeon to name a few. I met them in the books I have been reading. I have found that they have so much to say about our walk with the Lord. The depth of their messages is greatly lacking in what we hear and read today. For the past few years I have been pursuing books with a deeper content. As Betsy Shoppy said the first day we met "I am so tired of reading fluff." Betsy encouraged me to read a few meaty books like Sitting in Gods Sunshine, Resting in His Love by Alicia Britt Chole (Not an old guy but a no-fluff-allowed contemporary author)and Born For Battle by Matthews (Hard to get but well worth the search!). I want to encourage you to look at what sits on your bookshelf. Do you only see fluff? Cute titles that caught your eye but are low on content? Are there any meaty classics written by "old guys" on your shelf? If not, would you consider investing in one and commit to chew on something meaty?

I can hear the groaning already! Sadly, we have lost the pleasures of reading. I know it takes time and if you only have time to read your Bible please don't set aside The Book for any other! Sadly, I often hear Christians say that they hate reading. Do you know what? It was a book God left for us not a DVD or audiobook on CD or MP3! He doesn't download it to your ipod everyday either. Believers, be readers! Remember the slogan "Reading is Fundamental"? Reading IS fundamental to our spiritual growth. Reading, journaling and prayer adds up to spiritual GROWTH! Reading is one of the basic skills that will cause you and I to think, explore and expand our understanding of Jesus Christ. It is worth the effort!
I gotta go. I'm going to start a fire in the woodburning stove, grab a cup of tea and a blanket, and curl up on the couch to read something that an old guy wrote. I may even ask my "old guy" to join me!
"Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." 1 Timothy 4:13 KJV "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV Kathy Withers

Duty vs. Delight

Duty vs. Delight

I've been a believer/follower of Jesus Christ for 24 years. I have been in many churches in the course of my speaking opportunities, I've been to well over 100 retreats/seminars and I heard many, many sermons and radios broadcasts. Somewhere along the way I lost the joy of participation.

I started to believe that to be a good Christian I had to read my Bible every day, pray daily, be at every church service, participate in small group, teach Sunday school and attend every ministry opportunity and if I didn't I somehow had failed. Oh, the weight of that. For a few years I wrestled in my spirit questioning how did I become such a "bad" Christian? Why did I constantly feel like I didn't measure up? I'm in full time Christian Vocational Ministry, how could this have happened?

Then I had a V-8 experience (it dawned on me) the reason I feel like I didn't measure up is because I was hearing the message loud and clear from various sources that to be a good Christian I must do A, B and C. I was feeling like it was my duty to do all those things expected of me. Everything within me was screaming "RUN".

As I was attending Seminary 15 years ago, at one point Bible study became an academic pursuit rather than relational. I could see that it was becoming an exercise of my head rather than my heart. I chose to drop out of the Bible study. It was an excellent study, but for me at that point in my life, it was drawing me away from God rather than towards Him.

As I am relearning that I don't have to do, do, do to be a good Christian; I am also learning that I can rest in what Christ has already done through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection life in me. Duty has turned to delight. I desire to be in the Word. I desire to fellowship with other believers. I desire to be in service and small group. To be free of others expectations brings peace to my heart. Oh, the expectations are still there, but I am free to not fit the mold. Who wants to be a 'moldy' Christian anyway?

Are you resting in Christ's life in you or in your own efforts to be a 'good' Christian? Are you trying to fit someone else's mold or expectation?

As Christ lives His life through you, you will pray, read your Bible, attend church, etc because you desire to do so not because you have a duty to do so. Oh, what a wonderful freedom and peace there is in that truth.

Galatians 2:21 "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

A recovering Pharisee,
Diane

Unorganized and Overwhelmed

Unorganized and Overwhelmed!!
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I! ~~ Psalms 61:2b NKJV
God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. I call to You from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for You have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. ~~ Psalms 61:1-3 ~~HCSB I am an organized, unorganized person who is sometimes overwhelmed by all my little messes. I can be ultra organized in one area of my home and work and in another be very discombobulated. So much so, that I cease to effectively function and waste huge amounts of time trying to do what I need to do. At its worst I don't function at all and that can create a whole downward spiral ...if...I forget the Rock that is higher than I am.
It's so easy for us earth dwellers to get over-focused on our bit of earth -so to speak- and we forget we have a refuge, a strong tower whom we can run to, even when the enemy that we face is a failure to know how to plan our steps.
Recently during a staff chapel service we were encouraged in the area of time management. Now before you yawn, bear with me. As simple as it sounds, I have to tell you, I was greatly encouraged. More so because it was confirmation of what God had already convicted me of (more than once I might add) in the area of my time and the use of it.
You see, recently my boss had encouraged us to do these weekly reports detailing to her what we accomplished that week. Her reason for this was so we could grow in this area. I had a hard time at first because I would come to the end of my work week and with the one-on-one report in front of me, attempt to remember the week (past tense). This proved frustrating because after I do something and cross it off of my mental "to-do" list, I quickly forget it.
So, I'd come up with a plan for how to remember exactly what I had done and voila, overnight I stepped onto higher ground and it felt good. Being proactive in this one simple area freed me from sitting at my desk racking my brain and feeling frustrated.
This new habit of mine is only a few weeks old so, I still have to consciously choose to do the simple list of things every day to get off to a right start and end my day feeling good knowing I haven't wasted my time or the Lord's time.
Sisters, I don't know whether you are like me or not. Whether you are, or aren't, praise the Lord! Then after you praise Him some more ask Him for help. Ask Him to show you how to take a step forward in whatever area of your life that growth and change needs to take place.
Stephanie

Unorganized and Overwhelmed

Unorganized and Overwhelmed!!
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I! ~~ Psalms 61:2b NKJV
God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. I call to You from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, for You have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. ~~ Psalms 61:1-3 ~~HCSB I am an organized, unorganized person who is sometimes overwhelmed by all my little messes. I can be ultra organized in one area of my home and work and in another be very discombobulated. So much so, that I cease to effectively function and waste huge amounts of time trying to do what I need to do. At its worst I don't function at all and that can create a whole downward spiral ...if...I forget the Rock that is higher than I am.
It's so easy for us earth dwellers to get over-focused on our bit of earth -so to speak- and we forget we have a refuge, a strong tower whom we can run to, even when the enemy that we face is a failure to know how to plan our steps.
Recently during a staff chapel service we were encouraged in the area of time management. Now before you yawn, bear with me. As simple as it sounds, I have to tell you, I was greatly encouraged. More so because it was confirmation of what God had already convicted me of (more than once I might add) in the area of my time and the use of it.
You see, recently my boss had encouraged us to do these weekly reports detailing to her what we accomplished that week. Her reason for this was so we could grow in this area. I had a hard time at first because I would come to the end of my work week and with the one-on-one report in front of me, attempt to remember the week (past tense). This proved frustrating because after I do something and cross it off of my mental "to-do" list, I quickly forget it.
So, I'd come up with a plan for how to remember exactly what I had done and voila, overnight I stepped onto higher ground and it felt good. Being proactive in this one simple area freed me from sitting at my desk racking my brain and feeling frustrated.
This new habit of mine is only a few weeks old so, I still have to consciously choose to do the simple list of things every day to get off to a right start and end my day feeling good knowing I haven't wasted my time or the Lord's time.
Sisters, I don't know whether you are like me or not. Whether you are, or aren't, praise the Lord! Then after you praise Him some more ask Him for help. Ask Him to show you how to take a step forward in whatever area of your life that growth and change needs to take place.
Stephanie

God Sustains Life

God sustains life. Christ as our life.

As we have had numerous conversations in Higher Ground and in the counseling office about grace recently, I have had the following question posed to me on more than one occasion: I don't understand what you mean that Jesus lives in me, doesn't He live in everyone? We can't blink or breathe without Him.
I see in this reasoning confusion between God's sustaining grace and Christ's life in us.

God is creator and sustainer of every created thing. He is the only Self-existent One. He orchestrates the heavens, the stars, all the galaxies, every molecule in the entire universe. "...he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." Acts 17:25

God sustains life.

God's sustaining life is not the same as Christ's life in his children. God sustains all life, but not everyone has Christ living in them. "...the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him' but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:17 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" Galatians 2:20

At the moment of conversion, the instant the dead spirit is regenerated, made alive by the power of the Holy Spirit the very Spirit of God indwells, resides in, lives in, that individual. If you have experienced this in your life don't you just want to jump up and shout?

Let me share a few of many verses about this truth:
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

2 Corinthians 6:16
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Ephesians 3:17
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

Colossians 1:27
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Jesus Christ desires to live His life through you. By faith He will love others through you. He will forgive others through you. He will be kind, gracious, compassionate and gentle through you.

"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." Gal 2:20

Diane

The Empty Nest

The Empty Nest

Ahhhh. Peace. Quiet. Rest.

I'm not sure what all the hype is about. I wasn't sure what to expect with all the warnings I was hearing. I usually heard this season of life referred to with remorse and sadness.

I'm still catching my breath.

I love my children dearly but within the last 12-18 months God has been showing me that I love them too dearly. I had to make a conscious choice to let go of this idol in my life. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt my children had become idols in my life. Yet God has graciously led me out of that bondage. You may wonder how can something as good as our children be an idol. We can worship anything. We have been created to worship; the question is what or whom shall we worship.

When life got difficult, I often poured myself into my children because it made me feel better, they brought me comfort. I had allowed them to become my "god". Oh, it wasn't intentional and it didn't happen with one choice.
It happened gradually as I repeatedly made choices that allowed them to edge God out of first place in my life. So, I am ever so grateful that the One True God challenged their position and graciously showed me the reality of my heart. His timing has been perfect so that when our children moved on with their lives our home has been left a whole lot quieter but there is also peace and rest.

Sure I miss them and the Mark Harris song "Find Your Wings" (The Line Between the Two album) still chokes me up especially the line "I'll have tears as you take off But I'll cheer as you fly"
It is my hearts cry that God will give them dreams that He alone can fulfill. That they will soar to heights that I have never known.

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."


Diane

Afraid to Pray

Afraid to Pray
"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment." ~~2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB¹

"God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to Him, which will carry us through opposition (even when we seek to oppose ourselves). And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind...The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition or of slavish fears......rather let us cleave to the Gospel."²

Dear ones, the Holy Spirit lives within us! What an amazing and awesome thing that is!! What cleaving to the Gospel will afford us is a most profound and deep desire to unashamedly, unselfconsciously call out, cry out, or simply speak out to the One Who saves us.

Let's take a quick glance at Daniel. From reading Daniel chapter 6 we learn that Daniel had an excellent spirit in him (the same spirit you and I have access to) and as a result he had favor with God and the king. Dan was given a place of authority and rule that made a bunch of guys jealous and angry. So much so that they got real busy looking for ways to bring Daniel down, but try as they might, there was no error or fault to be found in him.

So in verse 5 they say, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."³

So they came up with a statute that would essentially make it illegal for Daniel to pray. Then they got King Darius to sign it, therefore decreeing "that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions." Vs. 7b³

Do you think it was possible that our brother Dan was afraid to pray? Is it possible that the fact he would be a meal for the "king of beast" led him to entertain the thought of skipping his prayer time for a few weeks?

"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." ~~v10³

Wow and wow again!!

It's extremely safe to say, that the vast majority of us don't have the threat of violence or death to fuel our fear of praying out loud and yet, the fear exists.

Oh that we could and would be intimately acquainted with the Spirit to know beyond any doubt that His power in us, is able, to free us from the fear of man.

Stephanie

Afraid to Pray

Afraid to Pray

This Victory Call I'm posing a question for your serious, honest consideration. This question is just that -a question. In no way, shape or form do I condemn or judge anyone (including myself) who may struggle in this area. This is a journey we're all traveling, and the road is leading us HOME. I inquire (or challenge, if you will) because I believe we must consider prayer of monumental importance as we pursue growth in our relationship with the Lord and with each other.

Are you afraid to pray?

Over the years, I've had many, many opportunities to pray. And yet, I can't say that I've been willing to pray in all those moments. There are, a variety of reasons, with the foremost being fear -fear of this or fear of that. Y'all know the drill. We've heard this one or that one pray and they sound so wonderful...or we tell ourselves we simply aren't ready...or we convince ourselves that we don't have to, because God is gracious and He will understand.

I have run the gamut of experiences and opportunities and I don't like the feeling that I've ever allowed fear -fear of the sound of my voice or what others would think- to keep me from speaking out loud to God. What lie have I told myself and then believed? What lie from the enemy have I entertained and allowed to hinder or stifle my prayer life?

God loved us so much He sent His Son unto the Cross! How am I able to resist turning my face toward Him; to share my heart and pursue Him with praise and thanksgiving (especially in front of other saints)?

From the beginning, we have been pursued from Heaven by the Lord of all creation! What an amazing thing. My mind always struggles with how wide, long, high and deep is the love of Christ. Whenever I dwell on it I want to fall on my face and worship; I want to cry out; I want to pray!

Today it's that love which leads me to write to you and ask the question, "Are you afraid to pray? When you are at church, Bible study and the opportunity presents itself, do you find yourself unwilling or unable to pray? Does fear grip you?

We need to ask ourselves why? Why does opening our mouth and speaking to the God of our salvation in an audible voice, frighten us? Why does praying out loud in the context of a small group of sisters and brothers in Christ, seem to present such a challenge or fill us with dread?
Let me encourage you/us with the Truth found in 2 Timothy 1:7 from the Holmes Christian Standard Bible Biblegateway.com.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."
Tomorrow, we'll continue with the question "Are you afraid to pray?"

Stephanie

Grace

Grace

Grace. A word that tends to result in heads nodding in agreement, smiles of gratitude and knowing looks of acknowledgement. But as we are discovering around here, all those things tend to go away as discussions go deeper, below the surface. We are finding ourselves asking the question: What is grace? What does it look like in my life? What does it look like as I interact with others? What does it mean to be grace-ous and grace-ful?

I find it fascinating, exciting and challenging. I am privileged to work alongside some awesome believers that are passionate about Jesus Christ. I would venture to guess that if we added up all the years we have been believers we would rack up hundreds of years. Yet, we find ourselves asking foundational questions like how does grace really influence our ministry. I am grateful that we are always willing to evaluate, ask questions and pursue excellence even if it means change.

I have had many people asking me questions adding to my own. It is one thing to say I understand grace but entirely different to experience grace, lived out by faith. I believe that over the years, I have allowed AMAZING grace become just another doctrine that I know and teach. Grace is dynamic, powerful, consuming. I was growing in my understanding and experience of grace but over the past 5 or 6 years it leaked out, and I lost it.

I have heard people say "let go and let God". I try to clearly express that grace is not becoming a couch potato Christian - sometimes the "let go let God" perspective can be misunderstood to mean we do nothing. That we can sit on the couch and wait for God to do it through us while we click the remote through the channels. I don't think that is what God means when He says that He will live His life through us. Christ living His life through me is active. Oh, I can hear the questions already. Hold that thought. I don't have all the answers - I'm still seeking and pursuing God myself. I want to experience more of Him.

At the moment of salvation, Jesus Christ gave me new life - His life, all I'll ever get, but my experience of His life in me will grow and flourish until the day I see Him face-to-face. "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:11-12

As we have shared, discussed, debated and studied each of us have different bottom lines...How grace impacts us most deeply. For me the bottom line is...

Colossians 1:27 ... Christ in you, the hope of glory

Diane

On A Need-to-Know-Basis

On A Need-To-Know Basis
I want to know what is going on! It is hard to transition to being the parent of an adult. It is hard to be held at arms length while your "baby" makes adult decisions; some of which I don't agree with. It is hard to sit back and let God work in my husband's life without knowing everything he is sharing with his friends. I don't think I am controlling. I don't think I am overly curious. I just want to know! I don't like being left out of the loop! So much so, that I find myself trying to get the scoop on my own. I have had to be reminded that I am on 'a need-to-know' basis and when I need-to-know something I will find out.
In the meantime, I have had to see what my "know"siness really is. It is simply a lack of faith that God is doing His part. I want to see that He is at work with my own eyes. I want to be updated on any progress. I want to be putting in my two cents worth in any given situation that concerns my husband or my children. When I realize I am being "know"sey I have to ask myself if I am trusting God. More often then I care to admit I am not. That really does mean I want control doesn't it? We all know that curiosity killed the cat, right?
I may not know it all right now but God has been telling me what I need-to-know:
Know my voice. John 10:4
Know that in all things God works the good of those love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 Know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 8:9 Know that we live in him and he in us. 1 John 4:13 Know that he hears us- whatever we ask-we know that we have what we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15 What is it you don't know today? Can you simply trust Jesus with it? He will let you and I know what we need-to-know- it's in His word!
Kathy- a recovering Holy Spirit Jr.

Putting God in First Place

Putting God in first place

Each day we make a choice to serve God, humble ourselves and submit to Him or to serve ourselves. Total submission can be a difficult thing to do, but at the same time can be very freeing. Are we willing to submit all our wants, needs and desires to the Almighty God, our Abba Father? Is it possible? If we truly trusted in Him and knew Him, it would be easy because our Abba Father always knows what is best for us. He knows what we need. It is in our submission we honor and exalt God. This poem is a beautiful illustration of submission.

Thine am I, I was born for Thee,
What wouldst Thou, Master, make of me?
Give me death or give me life
Give health or give infirmity
Give honor or give obloquy [disgrace]
Give peace profound or daily strife,
Weakness or strength add to my life;
Yes, Lord, my answer still shall be
What will Thou, Master, have of me?1
By Teresa of Avila

The first time I read this poem it took my breath away! This is a life that is totally surrendered to God...in good times or bad she will still have God on the throne of her heart. She knows that God is sovereign and whatever comes from His hand, she will still keep her eyes fixed on the only One who holds the key to life and peace.
Oh Lord, THIS is where I want to be in my faith walk! The only way to do this is to allow Jesus to live through me because I know that I can't do this on my own. This is truly putting God first place in my life and trusting Him for the rest.

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man [woman] who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.

MaryAnn

Who's on Your Throne

Who's on your Throne?

Have you ever gone away from home for a while? You come home and you pull onto your street, then into you're your driveway...you get this overwhelming feeling of comfort, joy and peace - no matter where you roam there is no place like home! Tozer says that this is the same kind of feeling we get...a feeling of "being at home"...just like it was in the Garden when God is on the throne of our hearts!

Who sits on the throne of your heart? Each day when we open our eyes we have a choice to make. Will God sit in His rightful place on the throne of our hearts or will we place something or someone else on it? Could it be that success, a spouse, or a home occupies that space?

It is God's right to have first place in our lives because that is the way that God created us, the way it was in the Garden of Eden before the fall. If there is something in Gods' rightful place, we can never feel whole or satisfied. Because of the fact that God was the original occupier of our hearts we will always want for more if God isn't on the throne of our heart. A.W. Tozer tells us in "A 31 Day Experience, The pursuit of God," the key to putting and keeping God on the throne of our hearts is to humble ourselves and submit to Him.

How do we do this? Tozer tells us to exalt God in all times, in all places and in all circumstances. Exalting God over possessions, friendships, comforts, family, ambition or reputation...surrendering it all to Him and allowing God to be glorified through us...this is the way to keep God in His rightful place on the throne of your heart.

Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Today you make the choice, "I will serve God or _______." What's your choice?

MaryAnn

Bend Me, Shape Me

Bend me, shape me....

Have you noticed that it seems as if everyone out there is trying to mold God into a "god" of their own making? I think at one time or another, if we are honest with ourselves, we want to mold God into what might be pleasing to us or "comfortable." We want to make just a little re-adjustment here, clip a little there. I have heard people say, "Oh I don't think that's what God meant...Things are different today...That's old fashioned thinking." People just want to bend and shape God to fit their life style...or you could even say that people want to create a "god" in their own image.
Our society and culture screams at us through all the various media that "this" is the way it should be or "this" is reality. I think of the various movies that have been out in the last several years that have glorified sin or turned what God names as sin into acceptable normal every day behavior.
Just a few examples:
The Bridges of Madison County - glorified adultery into a "love story."
Oceans Eleven - made the bad guys (the thieves) the good guys.
The Matador - made an assassin a "nice" guy...murder just a job.
Broke Back Mountain - a "love" affair between two men, glamorous, sad, acceptable.

In The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer points out that every time we take our eyes off the God of the Bible, the result will always be a desire to "mold" God into the kind of "god" we want.
"When He [God] speaks in the first person He says, "I AM"; when we speak of Him we say, He is; when we speak to Him we say, "Thou art." Everyone and everything else measures from that fixed point. "I AM THAT I AM," says God, "I change not." 1

God must be our "fixed point." It is God alone that never changes. Hebrews 1:12 "...But you remain the same, and your years never end." God is the great I Am. He is the Potter and we are the clay...NOT the other way around!

Isaiah 64:8 "Yet, O Lord, you are the Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

The only way to keep our eyes fixed on Him, trust Him, and know who the great I Am is, is to be in the Word and allow Jesus, who lives in the believer, to live His life through us. If we do this there is no way we would ever want to mold God into our image!

Love God for who He is and rejoice! El Shaddai - all sufficient One, El Elyon- God Most high, Adonai- Lord Master, Elohim - the Creator, Jehovah-shalom - the Lord is Peace, Jehovah-shammah - the Lord is there, Jehovah-Rapha - the Lord who heals. He is ALL that and so much more!!

MaryAnn

I Don't Do Planes

I don't do planes...
I am the youngest of seven. My oldest sister, hmmm, lets say has a few do's and don'ts. To start off she does not "do" planes. There will be no plane travel of any kind. If she can't get there by driving, she doesn't need to go. She doesn't "do" swimming either. She doesn't "do" hills, particularly going up. Why? Well...if she has to stop that would bother her so...no hills. She is asthmatic and doesn't tolerate the heat well, so she does do air conditioning, full blast and right on her if possible. So...riding in the back seat of a car is a "don't". Her four children are all adults. Now that they are grown, she doesn't "do" children. Grandchildren? Yes; Children? No. Lastly, (not exhaustively) she doesn't "do" cooking. That's something her husband takes care of.
I share these things only with her permission. It prompted me to think about what I don't do...and why? I remember a few years ago when I was griped by panic attacks and I told my counselor that I didn't like to go over bridges. I will not let it stop me, but I don't like it. I was afraid my car might get out of control (catch the control issue) and I'd be over the bridge. I would go but it was stressful and I hated it. He gave me a little nugget that I keep in my heart for the bridge crossings. He said; "Dina, you're not building the bridge, just driving over it." Right after that I was asked to go to Philadelphia to pick up someone that was giving a writers seminar at Keswick. Wow, that would be cool. I could pick her brain all the way home. But...that Ben Franklin bridge! Couldn't I just ferry over? Does the bridge have to be so stinkin' high? Would I let my fear stop me? No. When I was returning home I was so caught up in conversation I actually saw the beauty in the bridge! I w as glad I went. I always remind myself of that truth. Does the fear still rear its ugly head? Not always, but sometimes it still does. And I remember the truth and drive right over that bridge!
What don't you do? Is it holding you back? Is it something you should fear? There are things worthy of our fearful caution. And then there are irrational fears that hold us in bondage, cause us great stress, worry and sometimes panic. This may be a good time to take a little self inventory and ask ourselves what evidence there is to have such a fear, and then ask the Lord to take the lies that hold us back and leave only the truth that sets us free. HE is able. Here are some nuggets of truth from God's word we can all hide in our hearts:
2 Timothy 1:7, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Psalm 34:4, I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
John 16:33, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Dina

Hummingbird or Eagle?

Hummingbird or Eagle?

Last month, I had opportunity to sit under one of many excellent Bible teachers that come to America's Keswick during our summer conference season. Dr. Steve McVey of Gracewalk Ministries spoke during the evening meetings. What a special week. His message was not new, in fact, it is the very same Victorious Life message that America's KESWICK was founded upon 110 years ago. What I found so interesting was the reaction witnessed across our campus to his message of Grace. During one of the evening sessions, Dr. McVey shared the following illustration. I can't remember His exact words but I believe I have maintained his meaning.

Are you a hummingbird or an eagle?
Are you going through your Christian walk exhausted, working for Jesus?

Some types of Hummingbirds flap their wings up to 80 beats per minute. Their wings are moving so fast that they look like a blur.
If you are like the hummingbird, you are working feverishly FOR God in your own strength. You may look real good and religious but the source of your strength is self.

On the other hand, have you ever seen an eagle soar? Instead of feverish flapping, it opens its wings to catch the wind and is carried along on the currents. The eagle is not doing the work, the wind current is, yet the eagle still soars. In a manner of speaking, the eagle is resting on the wind.

"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

Like an eagle, we rest in Christ's work. It is not that we do nothing but what we do is done through the power of Christ. The source of our strength is the life of Jesus Christ in us.

Are you a hummingbird, working for God in the power of your own strength or are you an eagle resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ and allowing Christ to live His life through you?

"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." Hebrews 8:9-10

An eagle or a hummingbird. Which will you be today?

Diane

Spilled Milk 2

Spilled Milk Two
Mama stood almost transfixed by the scene in front of her. In a flash she saw it all. Not only did she see the laundry she'd have to do completely over, she saw the kitchen scene over her daughter's head. From the kitchen table where the jug of tea lay on its side, to the trail of tea (sweet tea) that led all the way to her formerly clean laundry. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, opened them and sought those of her child.
The child stood, simply waiting, now with her eyes squeezed tightly shut. She couldn't bear the reproach she just knew was coming. After all, she deserved it. What a klutz! Why didn't I take off these stupid shoes? How many times has Mama told me to be careful? I did think I was careful, but maybe I wasn't careful enough?
What would Mama do? Would she see that all I wanted to do was share a cool drink with her? Will she see my love in the awful mess that I've made? Will she kiss my cheek or spank my bottom? Or will she give me a harsh rebuke and send me away because I blew it; I failed; I let her down...yet again.
So, in spite of the fear coursing through her, she bravely opened her eyes and what she saw sent her flying into Mama's arms. Mama sat there with her arms outstretched, just waiting for her precious child to see that there was nothing but love there.
Yeah, Mama saw every single bit of the mess. And at the same time she saw the intent of her daughter's heart. That was good enough for her.
Dear ones, we all have a choice. We can choose to see the mess or we can see that intent of the heart. We can set about being all that we are [and al that we are called to be] and stop tripping ourselves up because we aren't perfect, or because we might fail.
Likewise, we can see, know and believe that our Father is not some cruel taskmaster, demanding perfection. He simply wants our hearts. He wants you, as you are, to come -just as you are.
Jesus said, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. ~~ Luke 10:14b-16 Likewise dear ones stop! Don't hinder yourself any longer from walking in, and fully embracing who you are in Christ. And if you spill the milk, clean it up and move on.
Stephanie

Spilled Milk

Spilled Milk
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." ~~Hebrews 4:12 Aren't you glad that Father has the ability to discern our deepest inmost parts? Isn't it freeing to know that you can bring your life -just as it is- to the altar receiving the peace, joy, and love of God, even if you made a huge mess along the way?
Let me tell you something. I am so, so glad that it is not up to me to judge the thoughts and intents of a persons heart. I am redeemed, set free and set apart for the glory of God, and on my best day I am not equipped to judge a person's heart. To some extent I can judge deeds; meaning I am capable of judging outward expressions but I'd never really rightly know the intent of ones heart. Unless I was willing to see and hear through the eyes and ears of grace, I wouldn't even come close. I might, somehow, be able to get closer to the truth of a matter if I allow myself to be governed by the Spirit of Christ in me.
Do you ever wonder how God sees what you do for Him? Do you ever find yourself striving and not quite making it because you believe it isn't right enough or good enough for the Father to lay eyes on? Does shame, doubt, confusion or fear keep you huddled in a corner afraid to approach our gracious Heavenly Lord?
Dear one, God knows your heart. He knows it! Don't allow anyone to rob you of what God has done for you and in you. Jesus and Jesus alone intercedes on your behalf. It doesn't get any better than that!
Let me share a picture with you that the Lord dropped into my spirit recently.
A small child seeking to bless his Mama with a nice cool glass of sweet tea enters the room where her mother -the object of her affection- is busy folding the mounds of laundry she just finished washing. Mother notices that the glass is filled almost to the brim and that her little one is wearing her dress up clothes (high heels, mamas old dress and the hat to boot). "It'll be a miracle if that child of mine doesn't spill that tea," she thinks to herself.
No sooner was the thought completed and down she went. Tripping over her own feet she lost hold of the glass, which landed all over the clean laundry just about time that she hit the floor with a thud.
Unhurt, she grabbed hold of the table to steady her, and stood up on her shaky, high heeled feet. Slowly and carefully she lifted her eyes to look in her Mama's face, oh so afraid of what she would see. Tears were already forming in her eyes yet she fought hard against her desire to cry because "big girls don't cry." It was almost too difficult to do but she forced her eyes to seek her mother's eyes and she'd never ever forget what she saw there. Stephanie

A Four-Letter Word

A FOUR-LETTER WORD

I don't know about you, but there are two four-letter words which I try to avoid using at all costs - iron and dust!

But, now to be more serious, we have all heard the expression "four-letter words" and know that not only are they rude and crude, they are not honoring to God and not the kind of language that should be coming out of the mouth of a child of God. Look at Matthew 12:34, "...for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." Our words should exhibit love, patience, praise, and joy. If we are truly His children and walking with Him, our hearts should be overflowing with thee things.

So, we can all agree that those particular four-letter words have no place in our thoughts or on our lips. But there is another four-letter word that, of late, I am most concerned about in my life and in many others I know and that word is SELF.

We live in the "me first" generation, and are absolutely drowning in songs, advertising, television and movies, etc. that glorify self and fulfillment of selfish desires. Our entire culture seems based on self-gratification. We hear of men and women arrested for various crimes, some of them violent, who, when asked why they did it, say things like "I wanted the sneakers or jacket the person was wearing," or "I was disrespected," or "they cut ME off while I was driving." You get my point. It's not really about the other person; it's about ME. Our children hear all about self-realization in school and college classrooms. We hear all about asserting OUR rights, demanding what is owed to US, and generally saying to anyone who will listen that WE are entitled to some particular benefit or privilege.

But it is not about ME. It is about God. What He wants to do in my life; how He can use me to serve and glorify Him. The glory belongs to God; I have nothing to do with it, except to act as I know I should as a child of the Heavenly Father.

Remember with me those verses in Isaiah 14:12-14 where Satan commits the ultimate act of prideful self and asserts that he is equal with God, "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH GOD."

How easy it is for us to fall into the SELF trap. I find myself thinking or saying things like "that really doesn't work for me today" or "I want to do this because I need to do something nice for myself." And because it is so pervasive around us, we don't think twice about saying it. But I find that the more I focus on SELF, the less I focus on God and my service to others.

I remember a little saying I learned as a child in Sunday school. It says if you want joy
J - Jesus first
O - Others second
Y - You last

So use the three-letter word JOY to help you conquer the four-letter word, SELF.

Lynn Randall

The Priority of Prayer

The Priority of Prayer

Why is it difficult to have time to pray? Or is it more that we do not make time to pray? Satan seems to find all kinds of things to keep us occupied so that prayer is more an afterthought than a priority. Is it possible that prayer is important but not most important?

It is true that we do what is most important to us at any given moment. We make choices, moment by moment, that reflect our priorities. If I choose to read the new novel I bought last week rather than read my Bible, at that moment, reading the novel is most important to me. So the excuse, 'I don't have time to pray' doesn't hold water. If you don't have time to pray it is because the other things you chose to do instead of pray were more important to you at that moment.

"Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26: 40-41

"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." 1 Peter 4:7

As you yield to Christ-life in you, you will pray. As Jesus lives His life through you, you will live out the priority of prayer. How do I know? Because prayer is a priority to Jesus.

Is prayer a priority to you?

Diane

A Passion for Prayer

The Passion for Prayer

Passion: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction; a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept1

To have a passion for prayer is an active pursuit of God, not a cookie cutter or paint-by-numbers approach. It is an attitude of the heart not simply an activity. A passion for prayer cannot be satisfied from 7:10-7:30 in the morning rather it overflows from a dynamic, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is wonderful to have time each morning to sit and tarry with Jesus. It is also wonderful to have spontaneous times of communion with the Savior, enjoying a sunset together or delighting in the flight of an eagle.

Prayer is not just a grocery list of wants and needs. Prayer is a pursuit of God. "Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, "Seek My face, "My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek." Psalm 27:7-8 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"He who prays without fervency does not pray at all." Charles Spurgeon

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16

Do you have a growing passion for prayer?

Diane

The Privilege of Prayer

The Privilege of Prayer

Prayer. Conversation with the One True God, Creator of the Universe.

Stop and consider that for a moment.

Prayer is a privilege. We have access to Almighty God, the Great I AM. Our privilege of prayer came at a very high cost, the Blood of Jesus Christ.

As we read the Old Testament account of the tabernacle, God ordained the meeting place. "And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height...You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel."

The ark was positioned within the Holy of Holies or the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle hidden from view by a heavy veil or curtain. "You shall put in it the ark of the Testimony, and partition off the ark with the veil." Exodus 40:3

That veil prevented general access to the meeting place. Only the High Priest was allowed access. Until "...the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split." Matthew 27:51 Until the Blood of Jesus was shed on the cross.

The tearing of the veil gave you and I access to the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, the presence of God. We now have access to the Throne.

"Let us therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace, to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

"What a privilege we have! We possess the authority and permission and right - as God's adopted sons and daughters-to boldly speak before our Father in heaven, in unbroken access to His throne."1

Are you appropriating the privilege of prayer?

Diane

The Beginning of a Prayer Journey

The beginning of a prayer journey

I have shared this before with our Victory Call readers, but I want to share again as we begin this series on prayer.

It was a little over a year ago that God began to tap me on the shoulder to encourage me in the area of my prayer life. I have always admired prayer warriors, wondering how they do that.

Perhaps you remember my Victory Call from May 06 about the lesson God taught me when my son flew to Hungary alone. He made my choices clear, very clear. I could either prayerfully trust God or I could panic. I literally had no other options. I chose to prayerfully trust God. Little did I know that was the beginning of a journey for me deepening my personal prayer walk with Jesus Christ.

Then in June, when word came that Stephanie's daughter was in a life or death situation we cried out to God that very moment. Since Steph's daughter was in San Francisco for specialized care that is where the family flew to, to be by her side. We were left here to pray. We couldn't run to visit at the hospital or take meals; all we could do was pray. I learned a lot about fervent prayer during those days, weeks and months.

Around the same time, a number of prayer warriors I knew were graduating to glory, leaving us wondering who will take up the mantle. I believe God was using these events to begin to raise up a new generation of prayer warriors.

Chaplain Bill was one of our beloved chaplains in the Colony of Mercy. He was well into his eighties when God called him home. I remember his bewilderment that people seemed to have lost the passion for persistent, fervent prayer. He asked on more than one occasion, "What happened to all night prayer vigils?" I could hardly imagine. What could a person pray that would take all night? Luke 6:12, "Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

I have been given the privilege of participating in Keswick's regional prayer meetings. As I sit around with this small group of people who take prayer very seriously it causes me to wonder, "What will happen to our churches, our ministries, or families, our nation, our world as these senior saint prayer warriors move home to glory if we do not have junior saints ready to stand in the gap?

Diane

A Precaution

A Precaution

Over the summer, Bill asked several of the staff to join him in speaking for the Campground conference week on the Spiritual Disciplines. The topic I selected was prayer.

Whenever I think about the spiritual disciplines, I get a little nervous because of the huge opportunity for misunderstanding and mis-practice. The practice of the spiritual disciplines such as, but not limited to, prayer, fasting, rest, Bible reading, worship, quiet time, journaling, etc. is good for the health of our soul, but misunderstood can lead to legalistic bondage. That’s exactly what Satan wants. Have you ever noticed that Satan’s MO is to take a little truth and a little lie and mix them together so that an undiscerning person will be deceived and believe the lie? The best way to avoid believing a lie is to immerse ourselves in the Truth.

“Satan is as subtle as God is good, and he tries to counterfeit everything God does, and if he cannot counterfeit it, he will limit it. Do not be ignorant of his devices.” Oswald Chambers

As we look at the spiritual discipline of prayer, know that I am not encouraging you to add just one more thing to your to-do list, but rather that we adopt a heart attitude of prayer which is the outflow of a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Diane

A Quick Look

A quick look

Have you ever stopped to think about how you look at other people? I mean really, think about it. No matter where you go or what you are doing, we are thinking and interacting with the environment we are in.
Let me give you an example: Let's say, I decide to stop by the grocery store on the way home from work today. Whether I want to or not I am going to be surrounded by people...some sinners and some saints. As I've said before, I tend to have a critical eye.
~~ Let me pause for a second to tell you something I am learning anew. God gave me the critical eye that I have. What I mean is this: God gave me the ability to carefully evaluate my world and everything in it. If you were going to hire a crew of carpenters to build you a home, you'd want one of them to have a critical eye. He's the one that's going to see all the details that bring lasting beauty and value to your home. He'll see the doorknobs that are missing a screw, the crown molding with improperly mitered corners, the tile that's cracked, the doors that don't shut all the way, etc. It's this ability when gracefully appropriated (as God intended) that is a gift to the world. ~~ So, from the time I pull into the parking lot (especially if I'm with my husband) my critical, legalistic, Stephanie eye notices every single half-dressed female around, and my mind starts working. Within seconds my face is all screwed up and I'm slicing and dicing people; making comments about this one and that one. In other words, I could say I'm slandering people that I don't even know. Ewww!! In times like these when I catch me being oh so ugly, I praise God for the opportunity that each incident is to confess, stop what I'm thinking or saying and bless whoever it may be with a prayer. And in the times that I don't catch myself, I thank God that I am still loved and still forgiven!!
So, I ask you again, how do you look at other people? Are you always finding fault? Do you always see the sin they do before you see the person they are? Are you quick or slow to speak truth or are you quicker to demonstrate grace?
Sisters, all of us have only to cast our gaze toward the Cross and remember that we were bought with a price. We all deserve hell. Instead we live longing for the day Christ will return. Praise God that we know His will, His character and His way demonstrated to us over and over again in His Word. Let's go and do likewise.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. ~~1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV 1 Stephanie

How Much More?

How much more…?

A few nights ago, my husband was watching a show called “Human Weapons”. Two men were receiving higher level Karate skills training from experts in Okinawa, Japan. Initially they were observing the instructors with a group of young male students, I’m guessing around 13-18 years old.
What they witnessed was a group of about 50 students going through repetitive, synchronized movements. The narrator explained the purpose of these exercises, known as “Kata”, was to literally reprogram the brain so that the movements become automatic. He shared that by doing these exercises hundreds and hundreds of times they are reprogramming how the nerve synapses fire in the brain. The movements become subconscious, natural, requiring no thought.

Hmmmm!

You know where my mind went. If repetitive motions can reprogram the physiology of the brain HOW MUCH MORE can the word of the God reprogram our thinking!!! Let’s take a lesson from our Karate friends. How important that we, as vessels of God’s grace, become spiritual weapons for the Kingdom. We are in a spiritual battle. If we practice repetitive thinking on the Word of God, hundreds and hundreds of times until our thinking upon the things of God becomes automatic, we will be much more effective warriors.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

Diane

Excuses, Excuses

Excuses, Excuses!

Yesterday I wrote you concerning the benefits of physical and spiritual exercise. I know you may have come up with your own excuses but here are the top ten excuses for not being physically or spiritually fit for that matter!

10. I really hate to exercise. Physically- do what you enjoy. Spiritually- if journaling is hard don't try to write a book. Just write a letter to God. I bet you will write more then you think! Add singing to your quiet time even if you can't sing! Be creative!

9. I've tried to exercise but I keep quitting. Physically- do what you can; start somewhere but don't bite off more then you can chew! We quit when we try to do too much too soon. Spiritually- Don't think you have to begin with an hour in prayer! Try a few minutes a day building consistency, add time as you progress.

8. I can't afford a gym membership. Physically- God gave us two legs! Go for a walk! Spiritually- We can get caught up in the words of men thinking we need a lot of extras but God's Word and a teachable heart asking for wisdom is all you need.

7. I'm not seeing any changes in my body. Physically- you didn't gain weight overnight; it won't come off overnight either. Spiritually- Trust God is at work in you even if you don't see the changes right away. He began a good work in you; He will be faithful to complete it!

6. I don't know how to exercise. Physically- Try an exercise video, book or website or a personal trainer. Spiritually- try THE Book, a recommended video; website or a sister in Christ.

5. I want to exercise but I'm too busy. Physically- Schedule the time, have your family join you so you are still spending time with them, use your lunch break to walk.
Spiritually- Schedule a quiet time into your day. Write it on the calendar if needed.

4. I can't stay motivated. Physically- Remind yourself of your goals and what you need to do to reach them. Reward yourself when you reach a goal! Spiritually- What is your goal? How will you be different in 3 months? Who will you become because you spent time with Jesus? Time in the Word will reap rewards you can't even think of right now!

3. Exercise hurts! Physically- You should not be in pain but feel a slight burn. Spiritually- You may not always be in pain but you may feel the burn of conviction!

2. I can't make the commitment. Physically- Don't think long term. Do what you can today. Start small work your way up. Spiritually- You are in a process. Start small and work your way up. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

1. I don't have time. Physically- Inactive people have the same number of hours in a day as those who are active. Spiritually- The godliest person you know has the same amount of hours in a day as you do!

Funny, we don't run out of excuses we just use the same ones over and over again! So get rid of your excuses!
Kathy

The Benefits of Physical and Spiritual Exercise

The Benefits of Physical and Spiritual Exercise

1 Timothy 4:8 - "For physical exercise is of some value but godliness has value for all things."
I have always read that verse and imagined the meaning to be - Don't bother with physical exercise. It is not worth much. But after taking better care of my physical body, I now understand the many benefits of physical exercise.
Here are but a few:
Reduce the risk of premature death.
Reduce the risk of developing and/or dying from heart disease.
Reduce the risk of developing or lower high blood pressure.
Reduce high cholesterol.
Reduce risks of colon cancer, breast cancer, or developing diabetes.
Reduce or maintain body weight or body fat.
Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones and joints.
Reduce depression, anxiety and improve overall psychological well-being.
I now see physical exercise as a very huge value in ones life BUT scripture tells us that even more so we need to train ourselves in the spiritual as that has even greater benefits!
What are the benefits of spiritual exercise? 1 Timothy 4 speaks of these:
Vs 7-8: Become a woman of Godliness. Becoming more like Christ
benefits not only this present life but the life to come.
Vs 12: Become a woman who is an example. Oh how we need godly women
to follow! Those who are godly in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in
purity.
Vs 14: Become a woman used of God. God has gifted you for a specific
purpose! We don't want to neglect what God has given us.
Vs 15: Become a woman of diligence; one who is wholly given to these
matters. Keep going! Keep on keeping on! Why? So others will see our
progress. We benefit the harder we exercise our spirit so that we can be a
witness of God in us and glorify Him in the process of living our lives.
Vs 16: Become a woman who perseveres. As we continue to watch our lives and
follow closely the doctrine God has given us we are saving ourselves
and those who hear us. We need not say a word; others watch us too and
"hear" our actions. Would they be saved by watching how we exercise
our spirits?
We want to care for our bodies that we have been given but for many striving to be physically fit has become an obsession. We want to grow spiritually and I think it is right for us to strive after godliness and holiness until it becomes our sacred obsession!
Kathy

Through the Eyes of Grace or Law

Through the Eyes of Grace or the Eyes of the Law A little while ago, after completing an errand, I exited the main building on the Keswick property and my eyes were confronted by a dark image. Walking in, as I was walking out was a very young couple who were walking so close together, they were moving in complete unison with one another. On top of that they were dressed head to toe in black; they were pierced in too many places for me to count without staring and appearing rude. It was obvious the sun was no their friend as they were both very pale in complexion.

Now hear me on this okay? I saw them! Everything I just described was observed in a matter of seconds and in that moment I had a decision to make. I know me very, very, very well and that means I know before anyone ever needs to tell me that I can be a critical judgmental person. I praise my God and Father for His patient, teaching, counseling, affirming grace. I thank Him for the freedom that I have (we have) in Christ every moment of every day to see others through His eyes.

As I walked past that young couple the Spirit of Christ in me rose up and something happened -or should I say, didn't happen- that was simply sweet. I found myself NOT judging them.
They were two people made in the image of God, JUST LIKE ME, whom He loves, JUST LIKE ME, and cares for JUST LIKE ME, and loves, JUST LIKE ME and forgives, JUST LIKE ME and YOU!

In that moment I chose to see them through the eyes of grace rather than the eyes of whatever law I think they are breaking. As I write this Victory Call I am praying for me, for all of us to see everyone we come in contact with through new eyes; eyes that have been set free from the yoke of slavery to old stinky thinking that has nothing to do with grace; nothing to do with love and therefore, nothing to do with Christ in us and through us, the hope of glory.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." ~~ Galatians 5:1 (NIV) "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." ~~ 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 Selah Stephanie

A Woman's Place

A Woman's Place
William Raws, the founder of America's KESWICK, considered it essential in determining God's leading regarding the founding of such a ministry that he have the wholehearted agreement of his wife, Dora. At the time the property became available, Dora was in California attending a Christian Endeavor Convention and visiting relatives. William desperately needed to know her mind on the matter before proceeding. He sent a wire to her asking whether she was willing to leave the city (Philadelphia), and the relative security of an established mission (The Whosoever Mission), to pioneer a ministry in New Jersey. Her reply was prompt and brief, citing the Bible reference Ruth 1:16 which reads, "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for wither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
(the above excerpt was taken from Monitoring the Movement of God/A History of America's KESWICK, by William Addison Raws.)
After marrying William Raws, Dora and he established a home and began a family in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. They were increasingly involved in missions work in Center City. They began to take one or two of these men into their home until they could get on their feet. Having seen the same needs in so many on the streets of Germantown they had an increasing desire to see a work started there. They began to pray about the need and heard that an old building was for sale. It was a familiar building since it housed the saloon where he had done most of his drinking before he was delivered b y God's grace. They founded the Whosoever Gospel Mission. They had three children, Eva, Dora Mae (Dottie), and Addison. They also sent to England for the two boys, now teens, in the care of the grandparents. Dora would often play the piano during the services at mission.
When the property Raws considered for the Colony of Mercy came up, Dora was willing to leave a measure of security she had in their already established home in Philadelphia without hesitation. What a joy is must have been to be part of a team as husband and wife that shared such a passion and commitment not only to each other but to the Lord. So with five children and herself they all moved onto the grounds of America's Keswick. Which was at that time primitive, to say the least. She even had to endure the death of her precious daughter Dottie who at the young age of 12 died in her very arms. Dottie seemed to have been a close likeness in spirit to her mother Dora. At young age she ministered to the hearts of many a colony man, in fact bringing them to tears. Here grave site Is located just outside of our Women's Ministry Building and to this day is well tended to by the men of the colony.
I have a unique privilege in that William Addison Raws, Dora's grandson is here to give us a peak into this amazing woman's life. He shares some of his recollections of her: she was a minister's daughter and from "good stock" so to speak, she came from a family of good, moral people that lived quite comfortably. Pastor Raws remembers Dora as a strong woman, and by her very presence could seem intimidating at times and was a very take charge person. She worked very closely with her husband, in the Colony of Mercy. She was a member of the Christian Endeavor Society and the Anti-Saloon League. She was a crusader for Christ. Often after her husband would assign the men their work for the day he'd head out to Philadelphia to preach or meet with other Christian leaders and Dora would see to the day to day needs of the ministry. For two years after her husband's death while her son Addison attended Rutgers, she actually ran the Colony of Mercy. Eventually her daughter Eva became secretary to Addison. Pastor recalls many a colony man giving loving testimony of Dora or as she became known to them, "mother Raws". In later years as she grew older and Addison became fully in charge, she still sat in on the leadership meetings and gave her input and advice.
A woman's place...just where is that? Wherever God places her, is her place.
Where is your place?
Dina

Developing "Spiritual Receptivity"

Developing "Spiritual Receptivity"

Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident...Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming."...Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living...Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
Psalm 27:3, 7, 8, 13, 14 (selected verses, please take the time to read the entire Psalm)

To develop spiritual receptivity we must begin with putting our trust wholly in God. Trusting that God is Who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do in our lives (Beth Moore). To trust Him, we need to be in His Holy Word to know just who our God is and what His promises are. It's in the Word that we are called to seek God with all of our hearts. When we are pursuing God we are saying we aren't satisfied with a second rate relationship with Him. In pursuing Him we are willing to seek Him with all our hearts, with all our minds, and will all our souls.
1 Chronicles 28:9 ...If you seek Him, He will be found by you..."
There isn't a magic formula to developing spiritual receptivity...all we need is a hungry heart that will not settle for second rate faith. Here are some ways we can pursue God's voice. We begin with a change of heart as we go to church on Sunday morning. We enter the sanctuary with a heart attitude of worship. Remember we are going to be in the presence of God! That alone should excite us!
Approach God with a desire to know Him in a deeper and more personal way. If you haven't done so in the past, repent of your poor attitude and get ready to worship...be excited about meeting with God! Go with a heart and mind that expects to meet with God.
If you expect to meet with Him...YOU WILL!

MaryAnn

A.W. Tozer, A 31 Day Experience, The Pursuit of God

Spiritual Receptivity Part 2

What if I don't exercise my "Spiritual Receptivity?"

There are always consequences to all our behaviors and our choices whether they are good or bad. There are consequences to not cultivating our gift of "spiritual receptivity" and it will show itself in a variety of ways. Here are just a few, according to A.W. Tozer;
a.) Our lives tend to become shallow. We never go below the surface to see what God wants to reveal to us. Our lives are only brain deep and not heart deep.
b.) We live with hollow beliefs. Our words say we believe and we say we trust but when the trials come (and they will come) we are lost.
c.) We attend church to have our eyes and our ears "tickled". We want to leave church and have warm and fuzzy feelings instead of being challenged by the Word of God.
d.) We may elevate some Bible teachers to "god" status and begin to rely solely on what they are preaching. We take the pastors' words and turn it into the "Word."
e.) If our faith isn't heart deep we will never look past the faith façade of others. So we are satisfied with surface relationships with others in the church.
f.) We become satisfied with a diet of Sunday morning service Scripture reading and think it is sufficient to carry us through the coming week.

We become satisfied with second rate and second best. We put our hopes in and we base our wisdom and knowledge about God on what someone else says and does, rather than looking into Gods Word and listening for God's voice. God wants so much more...no He passionately desires so much more for us...yet we settle for less.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (The Message)

"God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!"

Amen and Amen! Don't you want all that God has for you?

MaryAnn

Instant ... Spiritual Receptivity

Instant...Spiritual Receptivity

Psalm 27:7-8 (The Message) "Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs: 'Be good to me! Answer me!' When my heart whispered, 'Seek God,' my whole being replied, 'I'm seeking Him!' Don't hide from me now!"
We live in a fast paced, instant world. We have instant breakfast, instant messaging, fast food, we can learn a new language in 30 day, get rich in 5 easy lessons and the list goes on and on. We want and expect our spiritual growth to be on the fast tract too, but that isn't the way it works.
If we were to study the great saints of the faith we would not only see that they were spiritually responsive we would see they didn't start out as spiritual giants. Each one continued to cultivate their spiritual receptivity until it was the "biggest thing in their lives." (A.W. Tozer) When they felt that longing to know God more and more...when they felt God pulling on their heart strings, they didn't put those feelings to rest, they responded and made it their lifelong habit to seek God.
Spiritual receptivity is a gift from God. God has given it to each and every one of us and there is nothing that we can do as individuals to manufacture it. However, even though it is a gift, that doesn't give us the leisure of resting on it, thinking we will instantly become "spiritual giants of the faith." First, each of us must recognize Gods gift of "spiritual receptivity," and then cultivate it, otherwise the gift will be destroyed. When we neglect exercising our bodies, our muscles will grow weaker and eventually atrophy. This is no different in the case of spiritual receptivity.
Have you been waiting for instant deep faith only to be disappointed and think that, well...you just don't have what it takes; you don't have the kind of faith that can move mountains and so you give up or become "satisfied" with where you are. Maybe you wonder why your faith seems shallow or hard to hold onto when trials come into your life.
My dear sisters in faith, don't be satisfied with a ho-hum faith, God has created you for so much more!
A.W. Tozer "Let any [woman] turn to God in earnest, let [her] begin to exercise [herself] unto godliness, let [her] seek to develop [her] powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything [she] may have hoped in [her] leaner years."1

Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." What a wonderful promise from our God! Are you ready to get up off your spiritual couch and exercise your "spiritual receptivity?"

MaryAnn

Mom Always Liked You Best ...

Mom always liked you best....

I loved the comedy routine of Tom & Dick Smothers who were very popular when I was a kid. Poor Tom would always lament that "Mom always liked you [brother Dick] best." Tom would always expound the many ways their Mom would show her favoritism to Dick and it was always good for some great belly laughs!
Well, does our Heavenly Father play favorites do you think? I'm thinking if He does Billy Graham, Amy Carmichael or Joseph from the Old Testament must be among His favorites. Did God give them an extra measure of faith? Did God give them something He hasn't given to you or me? Did He love them more than He loves us?
These and other great men and women of faith accomplished so much and brought so many to the cross of Jesus. Many have given their all in service to the King. Why is it that some Christians experience God in a way that others like you and me don't? Why do so many of us struggle in our faith? Where does the difference come from? Is it that God likes them best?
A.W. Tozer says the number one quality of all the giants of the faith is "spiritual receptivity." Each one of those men and women were spiritually receptive to God's voice. This isn't some "extra faith quality" that God gives to a select few because He likes them best.
According to Tozer, spiritual receptivity blends several elements with the soul of the individual. Those elements are:
1. The knowledge of doctrine - principles and position of the Christian faith 2. Theology - the study of God, faith and His relationship with the world, including practice and experience 3. God's precepts - His commands and principals learned through His Word 4. All of the above mixed with our personal experience of God in our lives.

All of these elements are available to you and to me. I must stress that this doesn't mean we know all the answers or for that matter can know all the answers to the questions of the universe! To be spiritually receptive means we are open to what God is showing, teaching and leading us to...and then RESPOND to it. There is a second step that is required...to respond. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Could you be the next Beth Moore? James says God gives generously to all who ask...but once God gives to you....you must respond. God has given you and I all we need....
Will you respond?


MaryAnn

A 31 Day Experience, The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer