art – Page 9 – B Is for Blessed!

Leap of Faith!

It is impossible to increase our faith without first exercising what we have. God gives us guidance but it is up to each of us to pick up our feet and take those next steps.

We may not always know where we are going; yet if we trust God to lead us, that is more than enough.

What are you waiting on?

Get moving!

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 NKJV

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

“When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” Matthew 9: 27-29

The realities of life can leave us bruised or battered, wondering if our efforts truly matter. Dare we continue to hold fast or give up, tired of waiting and out of luck.

“According to your faith let it be to you.”

I hadn’t read this verse in a very long time. Jesus asked the blind men “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

We should take our cues from these men who were successful in literally seeing miracles of God.

Sometimes we follow everything and everybody when we should be following God. We look for opinions in all the wrong places. We follow tweets and posts. Some of us follow celebrities. Some of us are news hounds. Just where are these things and people really leading us!?

The two blind men “followed Him.”

We need to follow God just as desperately. I believe their act of “doing something” and not just moaning as Jesus walked away gave them favor. Can you imagine how hard it probably was for two blind men to follow Him?

Do we complain about our plight or do we actively seek the Source who can help us? Do we put ourselves in position to receive the blessings we need?

The two men could have easily let their chance for healing just walking away but they were up and moving. We need to get up and chase God as well.

Not only did the two men follow Jesus, they cried out for mercy. How many times do we let our pride keep us from crying out when we are in need? Or when we do cry out, we cry out to people who can’t help us at all.

The blind men acknowledged their need for Jesus.

We often go to the least qualified sources (hello internet) when we have issues that would be better met going to God. He isn’t the last resort. God should be our first choice.

These seemingly simple steps can make the difference between burdened cares and answered prayers.

We just need to follow Him, cry out to Him, come to Him and believe. Our faith can move us to do what is necessary to receive the blessing.

If we let it.

In the end, these men were blessed according to their faith.

What do you have faith for?

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 NKJV

Grace Under Fire

“And God [is] able to make all grace abound to you, that you always having all sufficiency in all [things], may have an abundance for every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV

Often when we seek God or commit to study His Word, we may find our pursuit seems to open us up to chaos. As we make spiritual progress we will meet opposition.

It may appear that we lose more than we gain.

But by God’s grace we are empowered and not overcome.

Through God’s love for us we can receive and exhibit “grace under fire.”

Like soldiers we may face grenades, a hail of bullets, or even sniper fire.

Some attacks are large like a failed relationship or the death of a loved one. Others are like a hail of bullets, smaller shots that in combination cause great distress…deadlines to meet, financial struggles, or family obligations that collectively wear you down.

And then there is “sniper fire.” Those situations that come of of nowhere! The IRS bill after you depleted your savings on a house. The child you raised is now a stranger. The medical results are not good. One day you’re financially responsible and the next you are unemployed.

Our God does not guarantee a life without trials.

However, we are provided the grace that we need. Not just for eternity, but right here and now.

For every attack, God provides the body armor we need. It is our responsibility to put it on!

Bullet-proof vests don’t stop the shooter. Yet, the vest keeps the bullets from penetrating.

God’s grace prevents our trials from penetrating us!

We may be surrounded but not overcome. God’s grace gives us what we need to stand our ground.

We exhibit grace when we do not rant, rave, curse and complain during our crisis. We pass the test and mature when we are respectful and peaceable in the worst of circumstances.

How do you treat people the heat is bearing down?

How we react under fire demonstrates how much faith we have in God and not ourselves. Resolving to be civil, sane and even to bless others in the midst of our trials not only glorifies God but builds us into the people He created us to become.

The next time you face a crisis, are you going to put on the whole armor of God with grace, or will you let a temporary situation rob you of a permanent blessing?

God gives the grace we need to pass every test. Like the armor of God, we just have to pick it up and put it on!

“Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV

Be Joyful!

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalms 5:11 NKJV

Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Psalms 43:4 NKJV

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me [by your] generous Spirit. Psalms 51:12 NKJV

Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. Psalms 125:5

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word [spoken] in due season, how good [it is]! Proverbs 15:23 NKJV

**And yes, it is a real bee smiling at the camera 🙂

Seasons…

“He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalms 1:3 NKJV

We all want to be “planted” by God, and prosper. Some of us expect to be fruitful all the time.

I can think of no tree that bears fruit all year long. So why should we expect that we are any different?

Mass media would have you believe if you aren’t doing “something” (fill in whatever blank applies to you) then you are doing nothing.

This isn’t how God works.

Your particular season may not occur the same time as your neighbor or even your spouse. Some people “peak early.” Others are “late bloomers.”

Don’t allow how things appear to deter you from your dreams!

The picture above was taken today. This hydrangea should have bloomed back in May. Somehow it isn’t allowing my expectations to hinder its blooms.

I think God is trying to tell me something.

There are a few things I want to do. Some would say I’m too old. Others would say I’m too inexperienced. Their points could be valid.

Yet with God, we’re not confined by other people’s expectations.

God doesn’t meet our expectations. In fact, His miracles often defy them!

It is in the silent and quiet times that God prepares for the fruit, the miracle, the breakthrough.

When Moses was up against the Red Sea with Egyptians at his back, it looked like God was doing nothing.

When Joshua first led the people around the city walls, it looked like God was doing nothing.

When Sara and Abraham waited decades before Isaac was born, it looked like God was doing nothing.

Each of these people was “planted” by God and fruitful in season.

We focus on the miracles but not so much on the “stuff” these Biblical heroes endured in their “dormancy.”

Moses murdered a man, wandered the desert and tended sheep for years before hearing God’s voice.

Joshua lived in the wilderness and had to wait for people to die before he could enter the Promised Land.

Sara and Abraham were close to dead and had “momma drama” due to their own impatience before God’s promise was fulfilled.

But their promises were fulfilled. In their season.

Ours can be too.

“To everything [there is] a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

Cloud Cover…

“Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go.” Nehemiah 9:19 NKJV

Fall Fruit

Summertime yields a harvest of sweet tasty berries. Georgia melons are juicy and flavorful. However, as much as I love the fresh fruit of summer, a serving of it fails to keep full for very long.

Now apples and pears have never been my favorites. I eat them because I know they are good for me. These fall fruits are not as sweet, but they do fill me up and keep those hunger pains at bay.

Fall fruits have a long “shelf life” compared to summer fruit. Many last months often holding seeds within that can produce yet another harvest. In contrast, the berries I love last only a few days.

There comes a time to push aside the sweet things that are tasty for those heartier things that will sustain. I love “feel good” devotionals and encouraging words but we must diligently study scripture and spend time with God. We are comforted knowing there are better days ahead, yet we must also weather dark days and disappointments as well.

Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and develop. Many people are led to Christ in a moment, however it often takes decades to transform from who we are to who we can become.

Love, joy and peace are sweet berries for me. But long suffering? Not as tasty! Faithfulness and gentleness require a bit more from me as well. It is those trying experiences that cultivate the characteristics we lack and produce good fruit in us.

The Holy Spirit convicts us to mature in those areas we are deficient. We produce good fruit when we are obedient to Its prodding.

I suppose fall fruits are heartier and more sustaining because they give us what we need to survive the harsh winter. Each of has different “fall fruits,” we need to “digest.”

We grow when we choose things that are good for us and not just what tastes good. Studying scripture sustains. It isn’t as tasty as accepting God’s grace and mercy.

If we are to achieve our dreams, mature and fulfill our purpose, chewing on God’s Word is necessary. It will get us through our “winter” so we can reap a harvest!

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil,” Hebrews 5:13-14 NKJV

Peace and Joy!

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,”
John 14:27 NKJV

Jesus came not just as our Savior, but that we may have peace now on this earth. It is amazing how quickly we can give it away. Or worse, fail to even accept such precious gifts at all!

Circumstances, people and our daily lives all have the potential to rob us of our peace and joy if we allow it.

We often run around as if all is lost if we can’t accomplish our “to do” list. We also deprive ourselves of peace and joy when we allow our shortcomings to overshadow our God.

We don’t have to be tossed back and forth like waves upon the shore. We have an Anchor. We can be stable and able when we take hold the true peace and joy our God provides.

Our society is so plugged in that there is little time allocated to be still. It is not unusual for the average person to struggle with finding time with God that will cultivate a “peace that passes understanding.”

We are often guilty of spending too much time on things that don’t really matter, yet if only we put those efforts into accepting what has been freely given, we could truly enjoy the fullness of God’s gifts and His love for us.

Happiness is based on circumstances and our reaction to our environment. However, joy comes from within and fosters contentment no matter our plight. Joy is a gift from God. Happiness is transient and often subject to the actions of others.

Allow your spirit to rejoice in the Lord. Look beyond your present circumstances if necessary and meditate on His truth…God is good, He loves you, everything else is secondary!

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,”
Psalm 30:5 NKJV.

No matter what you may face, it is possible to receive God’s joy. Christ was able to endure the crucifixion aware of the joy that lay beyond the anguish. God does no less for us who choose to trust Him!

The price for our peace and joy has already been paid…no purchase necessary!

But it is up to us to embrace these gifts and protect them like prized possessions. The more we seek His presence, all the more peace and joy we will find within.

Believe and receive.

Peace and joy are waiting for you!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NKJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22 NKJV

P is for Praise!

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoice; and with my song will I praise Him,” Psalms 28:7 KJV

“Praise” is mentioned roughly 200 times In the KJV Bible. The book of Psalms is full of songs that praise our God. This emphasis on “praise” should show us just how powerful it is. David wrote song after song about the greatness of God. His heart was filled with praise for the Father. Even after committing murder God’s love for David did not falter.

Could it be David’s continual praise made all the difference?

Praise was taken very seriously. There was praise before battle. There was praise after the battle was won. How much more could we find ourselves in God’s presence if we would intentionally praise Him beyond the church walls?

Praise is a mirror image of prayer. Our prayers tend to focus on us and our needs. Our praise glorifies the goodness of God!

Praise is the “thank you” we give God for each new day. Praise is the song that acknowledges that yes, God, I know it was you that pulled me through difficult times. Praise is worship. Praise is the product of allowing the Holy Spirit to manifest inwardly within us and we in turn manifest outwardly the joy and peace that He brings.

Praise paves the way for progress. Praise is the power that pushes us through situations instead of keeping us stuck in them. Praise speaks to God our Father and reflects our love for Him. Praise speaks to our own spirit and is an outpouring of His love for us.

Never minimize the power of Praise. It can open doors that have been shut for years. Praise can produce results you could never make happen!

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” Proverbs 18:21.

What kind of life do you want to live?

Don’t blame. Praise! Blame never produced one good thing. It is a negative reflection on a past you cannot change. However, praise uses your voice to push you into position to overcome past failures and open up to new opportunities. Praise takes the emphasis off of ourselves and magnifies our Father with Whom all things are possible!

Praise God because of His goodness. Praise Him for who He is. Praise God for what has done for you!

Replace your complaints with praise and see what a difference it makes in your life. Praise is the fuel that allows you to fly high with faith. Allow your praise to raise you to levels you never dared believe you could achieve.

Praise God in all things!

P is for Praise!

“I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” Psalms 7:17 KJV

“Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.” Psalms 69:34 KJV

Follow Through!

“Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” James 2:22 NKJV

We often begin a task full of optimism and confident that God can see us through our challenges. It may be something such as starting a diet, a budget or a changing careers.

However, our good intentions are often derailed as soon as the path we have chosen gets a little bumpy, muddy, broken or narrow. Sometimes when we make a concerted effort to break specific strongholds, the more things seemingly come against us.

Good intentions are often interrupted by family obligations, emergencies, or other events. A number of things can just “appear” right when we decide to make some serious changes. This is the time when you must press forward with “follow through faith.”

This faith is different from the initial confidence that you can “do all things through Christ.” We often know what is possible, yet still fail to push through to that next level.

This faith allows you to pass the cookie aisle when you need to lose weight. It forces you to sign up for classes even though you seemingly don’t have the time. It pushes you to apply for another job, open a savings account or put into action those things that will promote the changes you desire.

We often pray to God for change but fail to do our part to produce the change. The first day or even week we often start out strong but then as time wears on and the task becomes harder we often fall back into comfortable habits that don’t push us to mature into all that we can become.

Follow through faith prompts us to do the things we don’t feel like doing. It pushes through fatigue and pessimism. It does not yield to complacency. It sees beyond the pain that will yield the eventual gains.

Follow through faith differentiates the believers from achievers. Achievers continue down the narrow path even as the pain sets in. Achievers are not afraid of failure as they pursue their goals. They simply learn from their mistakes and move on.

Follow through faith will push you forward when everything and everyone around you is a deterrent.

You can believe all things are possible, but are you willing to obey God and push yourself to turn the possibility into a reality?

What is God asking you to follow through?

***I’ll be “out of the office” until next week. I’ll respond to comments when I return 🙂

Category: art