Noise

There is so much noise. On Facebook in the media- so many tragedies and opinions.

It breaks my heart- but the words of Warren Wiersbe comforted me this morning in my quiet time- and I am still reflecting on the wisdom.

He states that during his lifetime there’s been numerous warnings from the church about all the things that were experiencing now: movies, radio, “the pill” and liberalism just to name a few. And as soon as there was time to breathe, there was yet another peril that took place. And yet we have survived.

Not that any of these matters aren’t important and deserving of Christian citizens attention, but what I am saying is that things change and old problems fade and new problems take place, but life goes on. We have one life to live and a job to do that God has purposed for us before we leave these earthly tents. I know that I can’t personally change the world and I don’t know if the people who are in authority can change the world either, but I do love what Warren says, and I quote: but I can do something about bringing God’s presence into the world in which He has put me and that’s what ministry is all about.

This was just a simple reminder for me that I am a loving channel through which his divine resources come, and am I meeting the needs of others to the glory of God?

I am encouraged by the future because God is in it ❤️ He still goes before and prepares a way. My job is not to second guess but to follow Him, He will take care of the rest.

Shame

Yesterday I was granted an opportunity to share my story. Shame used to hide my story I was always afraid of what others would think and fearful of being rejected more.

I think that is a normal fear of all people even if we say we don’t care, we are lying and just trying to protect ourselves from being hurt or worse being found and exposed. I think that is why we are looking for acceptance in things that we think wont ever leave, judge, or tell us what we are doing is wrong.

It is crazy to think that 8 years ago life was so different. I was living in the dark, I had no concept of reality- you could say I was living in an “alternate reality”. I was not living the way God prescribed for me to live. The manual was there I just was uninterested in finding out the truth even though that is what I claimed I was searching for. Truth can be scary- because it challenges what I think I know and prompts me to change.

Today I was reading in 1 John, and John is the apostle of intimacy. One of the things John is concerned about it’s our fellowship and our closeness with the Lord which affects our closeness with other people.

In the letter, John says, “that this is the message that we’ve heard from Him(Jesus) and declare to you. God is light and there’s absolutely no darkness in him” 1 John 1:5

The thing about light is that it reveals things as they truly are. Light is truth, and truth when applied enhances life. I always think of little cockroaches, and when you turn on the light they always scatter. They don’t want to be seen and they want to do what they were doing in the dark, in the secret. Shame keeps people from the light.

If we want God‘s presence and activity in our life we have got to allow him to shine his light and expose our sinful thoughts, attitudes, speech, and actions. Take courage there’s nothing new under the sun, and the things that you struggle with are not uncommon. Give it over to the Lord ask him for help, and practice the truth. 

Our fellowship with God is determined by our walk, not our talk. John knew this, that is why He was passionate in telling us. 

So my prayer today is that the Lord shine His light into my life. Show me where I am not living in reality but stumbling in the dark. Align my thoughts with yours and help me to practice your truth today

Faithfullness

We are prepared by faithfulness in the small things…

I was reading in Joshua today and there was such encouragement in the Word of God. There is always a slope after mountain tops and I was sliding down that slippery slope. When you’re sliding and looking for a place to grab make sure it is holding on to Jesus and His Word!

Joshua was being prepared to stand up and take the people of Israel over to the promised land. It wasn’t in the big things that prepared Joshua, but the little. I think of Jesus‘s words when he says to whom much is given much is expected. The more responsibility we have the more expectations there are. Responsibility is not always in the big things but in the little things because it’s in the little things that make the big things run.

You know, God never intended us to be in the wilderness. The wilderness can be anxiety, fear or discouragement. We’re not meant to stay in that place of desolation. The direction God was taking them meant they had to move their feet and moving their feet took effort. Where they moved their feet to and what they took would be fought for with opposition. Growing, changing, and moving is not easy- it’s not frolicking through a field of tulips there are a lot of hard fought praises and humility.

The challenge was not for those wanting to remain in Egypt for those who would press ahead for what God had called them to. As I was heading down the slippery slope of discouragement I am reminded that opposition will happen and I am to ONLY be strong and courageous- for the LORD my God will be with me wherever I go.