His Plan For You

Psalm 119:61(MSG)
The wicked hemmed me in--there was no way out--but not for a minute did I forget Your plan for me.

Never forget God's plan for your life.  He has promised you a future.  He has assigned you a task, or perhaps many of them, here on earth and then upon completion of those assignments, He has a room waiting just for you!  I sure don't want to miss that! 

This verse sounds rather hopeless in the beginning, but it's ending assures me that I am destined for great things here on earth and in heaven!  As we head into this week leading up to Easter, I can't think of a better time to remember His plan of salvation for you!  Jesus lays it all out for us in the following verses shortly before He departs this world.  In my darkest hours.....when it seems there is no way out....I pray that I will not forget the plan that Jesus has for my life.  If you are reading these words right now, please know that I have prayed the same for you.

John 14:1-6(MSG)
"Don't let this throw you.  You trust God, don't you?  Trust me.  There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home.  If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you?  And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live.  And you already know the road I'm taking."  Thomas said, "Master, we have no idea where you're going.  How do You expect us to know the road?"  Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life.  No one gets to the Father apart from me.

Father,
Thank you for the gift of Your son!  Help us to remember that You are always with us...that You will not leave us or forsake us...and that Your plan for our life is perfect.  Empower us with wisdom and strength to walk in Your ways with grace and love.
In Christ's Name,
Amen

Live The Love

I Corinthians 13:3-7(MSG)

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere.  So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

(What is love, anyway?)

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,


Father~Daughter Walk

Isn't always "me first",
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

I'm interrupting my regular postings from Psalm 119 to bring you Paul's definition of love on this Valentine's Day, 2013.  In a world where the word "love" is tossed around like a hot potato, it is good to remember what loving someone is truly about.....

Lord,
Thank you for providing in Your Son the ultimate example of what love is.  May You empower us through Your Holy Spirit to love in the way You intended.
In Christ's Name,
Amen

 

By Faith

Psalm 119:60(MSG)
I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow Your orders.

I spied this Blue Herring waiting to pounce on breakfast.
He must believe there are fish in there, huh?!

 

What a beautiful observation to see someone following the direction the Lord has given them.  I am ashamed to say that in times of confusion in my life, I have thought..."Well, if I had the writing on the wall as it's described in the book of Daniel (Daniel 5:5-7), I would certainly do what God told me to do, too.  I mean if He would just send some words on the side of my living room wall written by an armless hand to direct me in the way I should go, (including every detail...of course), I would certainly be 'up at once' to follow His instruction."  Pretty sad, huh?  I am so thankful for a gracious God who puts up with me!

The message delivered by my pastor this past Sunday reminded me that faith is NOT about seeing first, but rather it is about believing first!  At the point that I trust in the transforming power of Christ and yield my life to Him and His direction, then and only then, will I truly see God moving in my life.  It isn't necessary for the Lord to write on my living room wall in order for me to follow His plan for my life.  He has given me plenty of instruction in the Word of God.  I don't have to see, I just need to muster up enough belief to follow Him into action!

Hebrew 11:1-2~Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.

The book of Hebrews (chapter 11) goes on to describe each of those "ancients" who "by faith" sprang into action for the Lord despite not having a complete picture of how things would turn out.  The common denominator present in each one was their belief that God was in charge...even if they couldn't understand or see the outcome.

Father,

I'm asking for faith to believe You in every area of my life today.  Teach me to rely on You more and to step out in action wherever You call.  Help each of us to do great things for you...by faith!

In Christ's name,
Amen











 

Book Review: GRACE by Max Lucado

The book, GRACE (More than we deserve.  Greater than we can imagine.) by Max Lucado was a refreshingly quick read filled with the deep and yet uncomplicated truth of God's unending hand of grace upon the lives of those who accept it.

I chose to read the book titled GRACE by Max Lucado, because the whole concept of grace is a bit confusing to me from an application stand point.  After reading this book, I have cultivated  a deeper appreciation of what it means to accept the grace of God in my life.  As with every book that I have read from this prominent author, I would highly recommend it.  I am confident that if you read this book, you too will experience a sense that enough is really enough and we do not need to do flip flops or run marathons to earn God's approval, we simply need to accept His grace. 

One of the most powerful and yet basic conclusions reached within the first few pages of the book is that grace is God changing you, rather than you changing first to "clean up your act" so that you are good enough to meet Him.  This premise is the foundation for the remainder of chapters that are filled with relational examples of how God's grace is for you and I today.  Max also utilizes the characters within the Word of God to illuminate the love and power of God's unfailing grace in their lives and thus showing the parallels within our own lives.

As an added bonus, this book has a "Readers Guide" by Kate Etue.  It is organized nicely into twelve studies with the intent to work through one study a week.  This section can be used as a small group study, or individualized for a personal quest to enhance your understanding of God's grace. 

The whole premise of grace might seem overwhelming, however, the book: GRACE by Max Lucado brings tangible meaning to the word with scriptural verification that provides the reader with a renewed sense of hope and a deeper level of responsiveness to the Savior.  

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishing for this complimentary copy of GRACE by Max Lucado provided to me through BookSneeze.  The opinions  given in this review are entirely my own.  

Katie's Hope

Psalm 119:59(MSG)
When I took a long, careful look at Your ways, I got my feet back on the trail You blazed.

Trailblazers.  Those people who literally burn a path through the thick brush and tangled web of obstacles that stand in their way to accomplish a very specific goal.  Webster's New World Dictionary defines a trailblazer as:  a pioneer in any field.  A pioneer being one who goes before preparing the way for others.  What an inspiration those individuals are!

I believe the Lord frequently uses people to motivate and inspire us into action.  In fact, this verse today defines God Himself as the initial trailblazer and the ultimate guide for all of our endeavors.  The Bible, of course, is full of people whose stories shake us off the couch and infuse us with a plan of action to change circumstances for God's glory.  My personal favorite trailblazer in the Bible is Esther.  In the book of Esther, I read about a young lady thrown into a kingdom of luxury in which she could have used to absorb herself in personal comfort, but instead, when made aware of a deep need within her Jewish family, bravely chooses to stand before the King on their behalf in an attempt to save them all.  Despite it being against the law for her to do so, punishable by death I might add, she is so convicted of her assignment that she proceeds forward stating, "If I perish, I perish."  (Esther4:16).  Hello?!!  What?!  Who does that?!  Seriously?  Only someone empowered by God with a genuine conviction that the Holy One of Israel has truly paved a trail clear for her!  That's who. 



Katie's hope is to bring clean drinking water to all those without.

Enter my new friend Katie.  She is a modern day trailblazer at the ripe old age of about 18!!  I am so excited for you to meet her.  Her hope in action has ignited within me a fresh fire and new desire to serve Him more!  As you read her story, I'm confident that you will sense the passion that God has given her;  A passion that is highly contagious and graciously given in response to the recent request she laid before the Lord.  She simply asked God to "break her heart for the things that break His."  What a brave prayer.  What an incredible role model.  And now, without any further writing, it is my pleasure to introduce to you~Katie Kearbey.  (Click on her name to go to her story!)    

Lord,
Thank you for the amazing passion You have given Katie to help Your children all over the world tonight who are suffering from water born diseases.  Please give her new ministry, Splash of H2OPE, funding and resources to provide clean drinking water to those families in need.  Bless her with the wisdom, resolve, and persistence of Esther.
In Jesus Name,
Amen