faith – Page 6 – B Is for Blessed!

Big Ears

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19 NIV

“for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,” Psalm 95:7 NIV

“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.”
Psalms 143:8 KJV

**The Elephant Ears featured above are on display at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Look for Your Cloud!

Like many people, I’ve a few areas in my life that are a bit…dry. One in particular is quite crispy. Crisss-pee!

My “situation” soured and then died years ago, yet for one reason or another the last nail was never placed in its coffin.

I was illegally “wronged,” tried to muddle through, then eventually gave “it” to God. This set me back financially and took years (yes, years) before I could finally forgive and move on.

The last thing I prayed concerning the matter was that “it would bless me.” This was over three years ago. And it was hardly a sweet declaration of optimism.

I stood in my bathroom crying. I screamed that “it” would no longer hold me (and my sanity) hostage. I figured I learned a hard lesson and at the least I would be wiser. This was only one thing in a season of drought that appeared endless.

Sometimes we do what is right and are still wronged. We wonder where is God? I believed God’s view was “I didn’t tell you to do that,” so I suffered the consequences.

Today, I was at an appointment and learned my desert may not be so dry after all. What I finally buried and put behind me, God may resurrect for my good!

God may be the reason that final nail never went into the coffin. My loss may have been a “strategic delay.” The most prominent cactus in my years long drought may actually bloom!

I’d given up on this “cactus.” It had drawn enough blood out of me. I didn’t want to touch it! However, when all was silent, could it be God allowed matters to fall as they would and bless me?

This blessing may or may not manifest but its potential has stirred my faith and expectancy. Sometimes when we wander in the desert, we forget that cooling rains can come. God will answer. Just in His time.

As my husband and I ate lunch outdoors, out of nowhere the skies opened up with a tremendous downpour. We had to scurry for cover. Less than an hour after I caught a glimpse of my “cloud.”

I realized today that in this particular area, I’d stopped looking for my cloud. I’d sadly let the heat of my drought sap me of spiritual strength and expectancy. God has been so faithful, why did I doubt Him in this one area?

Keep your eyes open for your cloud. Elijah sent his servant out seven times looking for a sign of rain. Finally, the servant came back with a report. It wasn’t rain but it was the potential for rain.

Don’t lose your hope in what God can do. Dare to look beyond the obvious and have faith for the miraculous.

I think I can finally smell the rain.

“Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.” James 5:7 NIV

“Go and look toward the sea.” He told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there.” He said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” I Kings 18: 43-44 NIV

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 so that we may have peace while here on this earth. It is amazing how quickly we are willing to give it up!

Circumstances, people and our day-to-day lives will rob us of both peace and joy if we allow it. Peace and joy are two of the most valuable things we can posses, yet so carelessly we often allow people, obligations and our own shortcomings to overshadow what Christ has already done for us.

The key to keeping peace and joy (longer than the fifteen minutes after church service) lies in the ability to tune out distractions. Our society is so plugged in that there is little quiet time allocated to be still and reflect. You have to fight for the time to spend with yourself and with God that allows you to truly have “a peace that passes understanding.” (ref. Philippians 4:7)

We spend so much time working to obtain things that don’t really matter in the long haul that if only we put those efforts into keeping what has already been freely given to us, we could truly enjoy the fullness of God’s love for us.

Happiness is based on circumstances and our reaction to the environment or other people. We often work, configure and cajole others into doing those things that make us happy and feel good. Happiness requires that whatever is going on around us is pleasing. Happiness is transient and dependent on other people who have the same failings and weaknesses as ourselves.

Joy comes from God and flows out from within. Joy allows for true contentment no matter what is going on around us. Joy is not dictated by other people. As such, other people can’t rob us of joy. We may sadly give it away, but they can’t take it!

Happiness is fleeting. True joy is not as easily shaken!

Allow your spirit to rejoice in the Lord, overriding what you see and feel because you are, instead, moved by what you know…. God is good and He loves you, everything else is secondary!

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,“ Psalm 30:5. No matter what you may be facing, it is possible to receive God’s joy. Christ was able to endure the crucifixion for the joy that lay beyond the experience. God does no less for us!

Peace and joy are available if we receive them.

As with any gift, they must be accepted to be enjoyed. The price has already been paid. There is nothing you could ever purchase or acquire that can bring such contentment. All you have to do is believe and receive the enduring love, peace, and joy God makes available to you!

We readily believe in the power of our God to save us, yet often don’t place ourselves in the correct state mentally, spiritually and even physically to receive the fullness of His love daily.

God’s love and the peace and joy that flows from Him fuels us and allows us to share our true selves with others. In doing this, we not only multiply the love we receive, we also magnify our Father and offer ourselves as vessels through which He can work. Now, how cool is that?

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore,” Psalm 16:11 NKJV

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10-11 NKJV

Pruning!

“I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit,” John 15:1-2 NKJV

Jesus’ teaching about the vine and the branches is one of the most readily quoted. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15: 5 NKJV

Without Him we can do nothing. However, the scripture prior to that, John 15:2 is often skimmed over. It is easy to realize how dependent we are on Christ, yet most of us are remiss and become ill at the notion that to become fruitful we must be pruned.

Without pruning, even the best specimens in any garden will eventually lose the ability to bear fruit. At the very least, the output will greatly diminish. The limbs will become weak and unable to support what little fruit that is produced. Comparatively, the same tree that has been pruned will be shorter but stronger.

Trees and shrubs that have been freshly pruned usually look awful. Where I live Crepe Myrtles trees are blooming now. However, for them to bloom to the fullest, dead limbs are cut away in winter. The trees look so bad after their winter pruning the process is jokingly called “Crepe Murder.”

We often look bad and feel bad when our Father takes to pruning us as well. Sometimes it may be a stray branch here or there that is removed. But then there are times in our lives when we may feel like we’ve been taken all the way down to the roots!

Pruning is painful.

We may even feel like we’re dying all the while God is preparing us to produce more! We don’t often see it at the time or understand. We can feel bad and look worse. Yet, Jesus promises that every branch that does bear fruit God prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Sometimes the removal of things in our lives, though devastating at the moment, eventually make us stronger. Sometimes there is a reason so-called “friends” leave. It may be a job. Or even a relationship.

God cuts off what is not good for us. God often removes those things or people we would in no way leave on our own.

We can have faith knowing that He is our life source and through Him we will be fine no matter how deep the cut. Our progression in life requires some pruning. Thankfully, the potential fruit is well worth the temporary pain.

The next time you experience a hardship, disappointment or painful experience; don’t assume it is an attack from the enemy. It might be time for God’s hand on you.

It may just be time for you to produce more fruit than you thought possible!

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:7-8 NKJV

Due Season

“The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season.

You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

Psalm 145:14-16 NKJV

“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Galatians 6: 8-9 NKJV

What Are You Thirsty For?

“but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 NKJV

I once read an article that suggested when people choose to eat something to satisfy hunger, the body probably isn’t hungry but actually thirsty.

This article went on to explain that we don’t always recognize the need for water in our body. The brain will send us the correct message, yet through habit or conditioning we often confuse it for hunger. It suggested when we fail to give the body what it needs to satisfying that thirst, we will continue to snack and munch until we eventually consume something to drink.

When we are in need for one thing, we often in our fallible human tendencies try to satisfy it with the wrong thing.

Many situations we find ourselves in stem from seeking a replacement for the “thing” we need and find lacking. There are people in abusive or toxic relationships trying to find the “love” that was deficient in their past. Others who seek “acceptance” will work themselves to death trying to earn money or status they perceive will bring it to them.

Everyone has a different “thing” that can holds them hostage and has the potential to lead to poor choices, isolation and feeling of incompetence.

Many addictions stem from the need to fill a void. Alcohol and drugs are common culprits. But our society allows more “acceptable” addictions such as workaholics, social media mania, and even religion!

Thankfully we have a God Who desires a relationship with us, Who loves us enough to build us up when we are down, and gives us His strength in our weakness. God knows what we lack and how to fill any void we may have. Truthfully, only He can take us from wandering our own personal deserts and lead us into our promised land.

If you have tried everything you can think of such as pleasing people, running after the “right” crowd or perhaps even traveling a darker road to fill a void that persists…

Try God.

When we take just one step toward Him, God extends His love and care for us in some of the most unorthodox ways. The more we seek God, the more He reveals Himself. Sometimes we need only acknowledge God and His grace and mercy will abound!

The great thing about God is that you don’t have to “earn” His approval. Or His acceptance. Or His grace.

It’s free. The price on Calvary has already been paid. All you have to do is accept it.

Why not accept a gift that is truly valuable beyond measure? God offers fulfillment, abundance, love and whatever we may lack to not only fill but satisfy.

“But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

God satisfies that we don’t have to turn to outside sources for validation or affirmation. He fills us up from the inside; He can quench our thirst from now until eternity. Even when we don’t know what we need.

But God knows.

He knows and is more than able to provide for His children. He provides us with what we need. When we allow Him.

The choice is ours.

What are you thirsty for?

Cheer Up!

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NKJV

“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

“My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 NKJV

Watchful!

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV

“You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others [do], but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.” Mark 14:38 NKJV

New Every Morning!

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:21-25 NKJV

God is forever making things new. New seasons. New revelation. New possibilities.

We should follow our Father’s example and move into the new things He would do with us. It is possible to free yourself from the grasp of your past without losing those lessons learned. Our past actually supports us when we gain knowledge from our experiences without allowing ourselves to become trapped by them.

Like the hydrangea, our past makes our future possible. We don’t gain wisdom and experience without going through some “stuff.” Those blooms wouldn’t be possible if I’d cut the old ugly wood off in the winter. The barren and ugly stems that survived the harsh cold are necessary for the plant to bloom.

We would miss out on some of the beauty in our lives if God readily cut away those things (situations, experiences, trials) about ourselves that are sometimes “ugly and unattractive.” Because our God is merciful and His faithfulness endures, He doesn’t allow our “ugly” to consume us. Instead, He allows it to build us into better people. Usable people who eventually fulfill our purpose and bloom.

Our transitions from old into new require that we seek and serve the God who can make us new. Many of us propose to seek God. But are we really willing to serve Him? Turn ourselves over to Him?

God can renew our minds, hearts, spirit or whatever we have that is in need of fresh blooms. We must seek Him and often wait on Him, but to those who hope and wait on the Lord faith is rewarded.

If yesterday has you looking back and you find yourself feeling stuck or trapped, look UP instead. Allow God to transform you into something new.

“A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills–From whence comes my help? My help comes form the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 NKJV

Goal Oriented!

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3 13-15 NKJV