Thrive . . . Remain . . . Pray!

It’s been quiet here for some time.  Nothing like the reality in my own home and heart.  So much has been happening, but not every story is my own.  I share in the story of others. 

This place—this special place of questioning, reflecting, triumphing in Jesus—is a glimpse of my walk seeking His face every day of each season. 

But sometimes the walk cannot be written until a few more steps have been taken. 

And sometimes, the walk cannot be spoken out of respect for others involved. 

That’s where I find myself this morning.  

Stretched, worn and lovingly embraced!

But I had to share this verse with you.  

Could it be what you needed to hear as well?

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

My Greek geek self dug a little deeper into the original language and found a rich reservoir worth drinking from for some time!

Thrive and be well while expecting good . . .

Remain in the pressing while holding fast to your faith . . .

Be constantly in prayer—continually . . .

May God bless you and keep you wherever He takes you walking today!

Soli deo Gloria!

Robin

Fear—At its Center—Is a Loss of Control

Most of us do not realize how deeply fear is rooted in our everyday life.  
We literally live in a culture of fear.

And fear leads to unbelief in the Word,

Character,

And power of God! *

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind.” 

2 Timothy 1:7

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”

1 John 4:18

“Fear involves torment.”

Isn’t THAT the truth!

But we, who Believe, have been given a SOUND mind!

The nature of fear is to deceive (mislead by a false appearance or statement; outwit, misrepresent, dupe, misinform, misdirect).   When we are fearful, we are vulnerable to exploitation, manipulation, deception, and control.  The enemy knows this and uses it to his full advantage. *

Fear distracts us, 

making us self-absorbed so we are not effective!

Fear—at its center—is a loss of control!

Did you know that there are 365 references to “do not fear” or “fear not” in the Bible?

So how do we not fear?

Scripture tells us fear is not of God. 

Fear is lack of faith—

the root of fear is the result of not knowing

or understanding

or believing

in God’s character and His word.

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  I will help you.  I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.”  
Is 41:10-13

Want NO FEAR?

Want FAITH, WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING in all things Jesus!

“When you have holy fear, you will fear nothing but God!

When you have unholy fear, you will fear everything but God!

Michael Yousseff

* Living Free; Mike Riches; August 2007; pg 70

Trust

“If you are in the habit of sitting at Jesus’ feet, then whatever God says to you, do it with confidence and without hesitation” ~ Kay Arthur

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

I’m getting better at the “with confidence and without hesitation”.  My struggle remains in my own addendum to this quote . . . “without looking back!” 

Satan can use my looking back to stir up doubt and regret.

Jesus tells us in John 14:27 “Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  One of the meanings for the Greek word “troubled” is to perplex the mind of one by doubt! 

Is your mind perplexed—even plagued—by doubt?

The first part of that verse in John says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”

He has “cast upon” us His peace and His gift of peace is irrevocable—unlike the worlds which is contingent upon circumstance! 

He is with you wherever you go.

Lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him.

He WILL direct your paths!

Think on the things that bring confidence and rest.  Like His constant, caring faithfulness.  He has never left you—abandoned, rejected or forsaken you—and He never will!

We are so close to completely trusting Him!

Rest and wait!

He will bring you to complete dependence upon Him.

It is coming!

Your reward for diligently seeking Him.

And it will be good—so good!

Walk with Him today with joy in your heart, a smile on your face and peace permeating your being!

“This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” 
Ps 118:24

Live Believing God!

A good part of my days lately have been spent reading and responding to emails.  From Facebook, the blog and personal.  Once again I am reminded—how very beautiful is the Body of Christ!

One dear friend—since our college days—recently sent me this beautiful gift.

Can you make it out?  I don’t have the best of cameras and lack all kinds of photo-taking skill.  But it is a bracelet with beautiful crystals intermixed with the 3 words—“live your faith”. 

If you remember, those were the words I heard from God so distinctly in my prayer time a few days after my husband’s stroke. 

Yesterday I received an email from her and several others again asking on the condition of my husband and myself.  I’ve also been asked questions about what it really means to “live your faith”.  To be honest, I think it will mean different things to each one of us.  What it means to me is consistent with my Christian walk thus far—my struggles, my victories, my doubts, my joys . . . .  For you, it could and should look quite different. 

Your life story is different. 

Your faith and how it is lived out is going to look different. 

Not the obedience. 

But the substance.

Here’s part of my friend’s question followed by some of my response:

How are you doing? How is chuck? I also made myself a bracelet like yours. I keep thinking "Live Your Faith" what exactly does that mean? Believing that God will take care of me no matter what the circumstances, that He knows what's best for me. When it gets hard is trusting in what the best thing is. Or the age old question, "why do bad things happen to good people?" Hope I'm making sense. What do you think living your faith means? 

I was having some struggles, but seem to have turned a corner with God yesterday. I've been thinking on this verse a lot lately, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27 His peace is in me. I don't have to ask for peace--I just need to rest in what's already there. I was letting myself feel sad, confused, frustrated, disappointed, discouraged, defeated, like a failure over issues with both Chuck and _____. I realized I was "letting" Satan have free reign over my heart, mind and emotions.

As for the "live your faith"...I kept asking to hear more from Him. I just kept asking Him for answers, just let me hear from you on this...or this...or this.... He did give me a short response of an answer to what I was asking, but that is also when I heard Him say--"you already know what to do from what you've already heard from Me. Keep believing. Keep trusting. You have faith. Live your faith." Satan's main agenda is to get us to doubt God. If we doubt God--His goodness, His love, His power, His ability, His faithfulness, His "whatever"....we are more apt to live in fear, unbelief and self because ultimately we don't/can't trust God so we want to control what we can. We think we can only trust ourselves. So I believe--for me at least--one of Satan's greatest attempts against me is to stir doubt of my faith. That I don't have enough faith or that it's only head knowledge, not heart belief. I know I believe. I know I trust God. I know my faith is real and my faith is deep. I just need to be reminded to rebuke Satan's lies of doubt that stir up fear and/or confusion and/or regret and live my faith that is real. 

Phil. 4:4-7 is the ongoing mantra in my mind! 

My beautiful friend is a stage 4 cancer survivor awaiting another PET scan next week.  

This gal has depths of faith. 

I know it. 

I know her. 

Do you think Satan is going to leave her untouched?  

Absolutely not!  

She is too powerful for the Kingdom!

Her story is too potent against his!

So whatever it means to you, my friend—live your faith! 

Today—just live every moment and make every decision trusting in what you believe to be true. 

Live believing God!

** As for an update on my husband . . . we are so grateful for the improvements in his speech and handwriting.  His brain is still functioning on overdrive, so he continues to tire quickly.  And while he is working, he continues to find new frustrations to work through.  Several difficulties remain, but we rejoice in the days to come!  
Thank you for your prayers!

We Are Blessed! Rejoice and Be Glad!

Multiple scriptures profess the steadfast faithfulness of God to remain near us during our time of difficulty.  I am tired today and have much to do in my world, so I can’t take the time to look them up and post them for you.  But Joshua 1:9 is one that pops to mind quickly in these days . . .

“Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Wherever . . . and in whatever!

Four weeks ago today, my life changed in the blink of an eye.

But Abba is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

He is only faithful!

He is truly merciful!

We are greatly blessed!

We are perfectly loved!

But I am also flesh and blood— and I struggle, I hurt and I am sad.

I am so grateful for a Savior who loves me in the midst of my weakness just as much as when I am responding strong!

“This is the day the Lord has made.  

I will rejoice and be glad in it!” 

Ps 118:24

My dryer was not drying, now it is fixed—I rejoice and am glad!

My Littles have been sick, but are now well—I rejoice and am glad!

Co-op begins Friday, I am unprepared...but—I rejoice and am glad!

So many have loved & carried us to Abba—I rejoice and am glad!

I do not understand the silence of others...but—I rejoice and am glad!

The medical bills have begun to hit...but—I rejoice and am glad!

I am weepy & struggle to focus on things...but—I rejoice and am glad!

The Fair is on and the Fair is fun—I rejoice and am glad!

We are surrounded by kindness & generosity—I rejoice and am glad!

I miss the voice I have loved hearing since I was 14...but—

I rejoice and am glad!

Affirming Truth vs. Positive Thinking

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”  John 13:7

I speak these words today not to convince myself all will work out fine or to look on some “bright” side.  This is not me hugging myself while saying over and over again—

"Jesus loves me."

“I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not evil.”  Jeremiah 29:11

“I love those who love Me; and those who diligently seek Me will find Me.”  Proverbs 8:17

I affirm truth!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

This is not positive thinking. 

This is truth proclamation! 

“How precious . . . are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.”  Psalm 139:17-18

“Thou hast taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Thy bottle . . . This I know, that God is for me.”  Psalm 56:8, 9

There is a HUGE difference—

“For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you.  He is a mighty Savior.  He will rejoice over you with great gladness.  With His love, He will calm all your fears.  He will exult over you with singing {shouts of joy}.”  Zephaniah 3:17

Positive thinking only temporarily changes my thought process or perspective until something else happens to stir the pot.

Truth is bound to God’s Covenant! 

“For great is Your love toward me.”  Psalm 86:13

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, and your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You.”  Psalm 40:5

Jesus is always victorious!

Jesus is never defeated!

“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.”  Isaiah 49:16

I truly am rejoicing in the days to come!

“We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.”  1 John 4:16

When We Have No Control

My Sister’s son is severely autistic.  Through the years, she has had to learn to surrender her desire to plan, to understand and to control her situation. 

And trust me, this girl likes a plan. 

She LIVES by a plan. 

She lives TO plan! J 

But she cannot plan autism. 

She cannot control how autism controls her day.

But she can trust the Blessed Controller of all things—Abba!

And for 16 years I have witnessed her grow in that trust!

“Tremble {with fear, anxiety or anger} and do not sin;

Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still {be silent and wait}.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness {have your heart right with God},

And trust in the Lord.” {Securely attach yourself in solid confidence to Yahweh—the God who not only made an unbreakable Covenant with you, but Who is incapable of breaking any of its promises!}

Psalm 4:4, 5

As we waited for the Neurologist in Exam Room 2, my insides trembled a bit.  I was bracing for one of the three scenarios we were previously given and, hopeful still, that she would walk into the room declaring hubby’s brain healed.  But that didn’t happen.

She did declare the problem was not Multiple Sclerosis!  Thank you, Jesus!

But MRI’s do not like metals and there was enough blood on his brain (containing iron) that they could not tell with clarity whether or not this was caused by a Cavernoma.  Her opinion is that he suffered a stroke at a certain time and it then hemorrhaged on the day he showed symptoms.


Her opinion???

Have the MRI images she pointed out resembling Cavernoma’s simply disappeared?  Or are they now covered in blood?

How can he have a stroke caused by hypertension when his blood pressure, outside of her office, is normal?

How can there have been so many tests taken, so much blood work and still there be a guess—an opinion—for the diagnosis?

No control!

No control of what’s going on in his cute, little brain! 

No control over a definite diagnosis!

No control on where this takes us!

No control over his recovery!

No control over its costs!

I have no control! 

Yesterday was my nephew’s first day of his senior year of high school.
It was rough.  And trust me when I say, a rough day in his world is much rougher than that for most of us. 

He had no control.

From my big sister, I learn—

to tremble . . . but not sin!

to depend on God . . . alone!

to be still in Him—relax and wait . . . knowing He is in control!

to trust Him . . . with the process as well as the outcome!

to hope in Him . . . with confident expectation!

God IS in control! 

I thought I had learned to let that be enough
     —to let Him being in control be enough for me. 

Today, the learning goes a little deeper.

Test Reults Day

The anxiety I awoke to in the pit of my stomach was an unwelcomed, familiar surprise.  There were days when that gripping, nauseous feeling lasted all day.  Days where I was consumed with fear!  And that wasn’t all that long ago.

What a difference Abba makes!

Do you remember that old game show, Let’s Make a Deal?  My “rememberer” isn’t all that great, but I believe a contestant won a certain amount of money and they were given the choice to either keep the money or choose one of 3 curtains, winning whatever was behind that curtain.  Sometimes the exchange was in the contestant’s favor—even winning a brand new car.  Other times, they traded hundreds of dollars for a broken down jalopy.  I don’t now why, but I was thinking of that show while trying to sleep last night.

Right now we have three Neurologists opinions of what is wrong with my husband’s brain.

Behind curtain #1—stroke

Behind curtain #2—multiple sclerosis

Behind curtain #3—cavernoma (a type of brain aneurysm)

Today is the day we find out the results of the CT scan, MRI, MRA, Spinal Tap and exhaustive blood tests.  We have been anxious to get answers, but now I want to flee from the day.  I want to escape hearing any words of diagnosis, treatment and expectations the Dr. is ready to share with us. 

And I am reminded of what God reminds me of so often in our quiet time together:

“Let what I want be more important than what you want.”

I want to go to sleep and wake up with this nightmare over.

I want my husband to return from his trip to Oregon the way he left.

I want homeschooling plans to be my focus for the day.

I want the questions of what our future is going to look like, look more like what I thought!

I don’t want a doctor’s answers...I want God’s miraculous, Divine touch!

We know God heals.

We have prayed for healing.

We believe for healing.

We trust Him with our lives.

And our lives are not a game.  

Monty Hall had no control over which choice the contestants made.
No control over what was behind the curtains.

God does! 

Sometimes we get to choose.  Other times, the choice is made for us.  And while today I am wishing, hoping and praying for a curtain #4 to be revealed at our appointment . . . I am at peace.  A deep peace only possible with Yahweh—our covenant making AND keeping God.

I have learned to trust Him with outcomes.

Now He is teaching me to trust Him more deeply 

in the process He takes to get me there.

What answers are you waiting for today?

Are you at deep peace?

Or is fear consuming you, like it consumes so many of us at times?

“If God is for us, who {what} can {will} ever be against us?” Romans 8:31

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things.” (v. 32)

“Who {what} will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?”  (v.35)

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  (v. 37)

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (v. 38-39)

My Pastor reminded us at prayer last night—it’s about praying expectantly!  Not with expectations, but expectantly trusting His Kingdom to come and looking for the good He brings with Him.

I don’t know what to expect at the Neurologist office today.  But I do know what to expect of God—for He can only, always be good!  His Covenant promises assure us of that!

My Blue Bracelet

Okay . . . I am getting a lot of questions about my blue bracelet, so I thought I should explain it a bit better! J

Several years ago I participated in Beth Moore’s Bible study, "Believing God".  For the duration of the study she asks everyone to wear a blue cord of some kind on their wrist.  The group of gals I was with decided to make pretty bracelets by knotting blue hemp cord and adding a bead or two—I continue to make and wear one today.

The study is based off of Isaiah 43:10:

“You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He.  Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.”

And the idea behind the blue bracelet is from Numbers 15:37-41:

The Lord also spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.  And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, in order that you may remember to do all My commandments, and be holy to your God.  I am the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the Lord your God.”

I have never been to Egypt, but I have seen my share of captivity and can testify to the freedom I’ve found in Jesus Christ:

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

So my blue bracelet is a constant reminder to me . . .

Whose I am.

Who I am in Christ. 

Who God is and to believe Him, not only IN Him.

I belong to God and not this world, so no envy—jealousy—discontent.

To follow His guidelines for living, not the world’s.

To follow after His heart, not my own.

To be holy, as He is holy.

To not fear, but trust and keep believing (Mark 5:36).

Wearing my bracelet reminds me daily that I am in a Covenant relationship with Yahweh!  My words, my actions, my attitude, my thoughts, my purchases, my dreams and my walk should always be reflecting Jesus.

And this girl needs that visual reminder! J

Live Your Faith!

Three Neurologists, three opinions.

The reality that doctors only practice medicine is disconcerting!

But then . . . I know the Great Physician and He. is. God!

Sadness began to settle in my heart a bit today . . .

oh, and a dose of self-pity I suppose too.  

Sad is somewhat acceptable.  

But self-pity is sin.  

So I closed myself in my room with my journal and my Jesus.

Immediately I am reminded of something our pastor said to us while still at the hospital.  “Give me the hard facts of your situation.  Your illness, your circumstance, your ‘whatever’.  There are no harder facts than God’s promises in Scripture!”

We are lacking hard facts right now.  But even once they figure out all that’s going on in his cute little brain—no matter the good, the bad or the ugly—those medical facts are no harder, no truer, no surer than the promises God has made to both me and my husband.  We are not only man and wife, we are brother and sister in the faith—co-heirs with Christ!

I pray and then I listen . . . and I hear—

“Be of good courage.  You believe!  Believe also in Me!  Process your faith through these daily experiences.  Embrace today—all of it!  I will not let you down.  You don’t need to hear more from Me.  You just need to live what you have already heard.  Live your faith!”

And so, in a new way, I begin to live the faith I believe in my head by walking it out from my heart.

He is good, all the time!

All the time, He. IS. Good!

Thank you for your prayers—Soli Deo Gloria!

Robin

**Sharpies are awesome creations and cheaper than personalized jewelry!  The blue bracelet I wear since studying Beth Moore’s “Believing God” . . . Isaiah 43:10; Numbers 15:37-41.

Peace

The sun sets behind trees of an unfamiliar landscape outside my window.  The scene is absolutely breath-taking.  Every color, each leaf, even the shadows overwhelm my senses.  To be overwhelmed by Abba in this moment is comfort as I mentally lift my Shield against fresh thoughts tempting to overwhelm my spirit. 

I turn to my left.  The man who should be standing and sharing this view with me, the man who has shared my bed for 22 years now lays in his own—eyes closed for a bit of rest before the next nurse comes in to check his vitals or take more blood.  I fight the urge to panic as the surreal moment fails to wrap itself around my mind.  I whisper out loud, “I don’t have to understand it all, I just have to trust You.”  After many repeated whispers, the blood pounding in my ears lessens. 

Peace! 

More scary, doubt-filled thoughts rise.  The Shield rises to meet them . . .

“Do not be afraid, keep believing” Mark 5:36. 

“Those who know Your name trust You, for You, Lord, have never abandoned those who seek You” Ps 9:10. 

“Be still and know that I am God” Ps 46:10. 

Once again I turn to the view outside the hospital window fully reminded of Who holds me, Who holds my husband, Who holds my children . . . Who holds my future.  

This kind of peace is not manufactured by effort of will. 

This peace is Divine—and the Divine is mine!  

I raise my eyes toward the mountains.

Where will my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

The Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

Your Protector will not slumber.

Indeed, the Protector of Israel

Does not slumber or sleep.

The LORD protects you;

The LORD is a shelter right by your side.

The sun will not strike you by day,

Or the moon by night.

The LORD will protect you from all harm;

He will protect your life.

The LORD will protect your coming and going

Both now and forever.

Psalm 121

God's Lesson to Me Today on Anxiety . . .

Anxiety is a self-contradiction to true humility.  

I am His concern.  

Since the humbling process has been allowed to come to me in the permissive will of God and He is using it to accomplish His purpose in my life—

He has it under His control

and me in His care! 

Anxiety wastes today; the good and bad!

The verse that started it all????  J

"Be anxious for nothing . . ." Phil. 4:6

Call, Cast and Trust

To triumph in trial . . . seek God!

Call on Him

“As for me, I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me.” 
Psalm 55:16

Cast upon Him

“Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
Psalm 55:22

Trust in Him

“I will trust in Thee.”  
Psalm 55:23b

Is it really that simple?

Not always simple—as Satan shoves guilt and shame in our face while feeding our thoughts with lies and twists of truth.  We have a true Enemy coming against us!

But God is the all-sufficient provider!

He provides the Way, the Truth, the Light, and the faith, grace, and mercy . . .

He provides Jesus—all that is necessary for complete peace and freedom.

We choose!

We choose what we believe and what we confess.

Will we choose to believe I AM to be sufficient . . . 

for our needs, our hurts, our struggle, our cares?

Will we choose to confess that faith out loud with our own cries . . .

  “I believe, help my unbelief!”? 

Call on Him

Cast upon Him

Trust in Him

Today, I lay at His feet all that threatens to consume me with concern. 

He is able.  

He is for me. 

My anxious thought does nothing but cooperate with the enemy against me.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; 

not as the world gives, do I give to you.  

Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  

John 14:27

We are NEVER alone . . . 

We can NEVER be abandoned . . . 

Keep calling

Keep casting

Keep trusting

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What Is The Object Of My Faith?

Is it worthy?

Do I trust in this world? 

The strength of the economy? 

The leadership in Government?

The value of the dollar?

Where have I placed my faith?

In what I can see?

In what makes sense to me?

In what I want?

Do I trust Jesus Christ with my life?

Not only my eternity...but my NOW!

Do I trust Jesus with—my needs?

              —my brokenness?

              —my scars?

              —my stuck places?

              —my relationships?

              —my questions?

              —my fears?

              —my disappointments?

              —me?

Jesus is the Author and Perfector of faith. 

He. founded. faith!

He raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example!

He keeps His Word! 

He is worthy of my faith!

So I fight off every tendency to lose faith during the wait for Him to move!

What is the object of your faith?  Is it worthy?

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To Live What I Believe

I keep thinking about what was shared yesterday—

between me and God, then me and you . . .

What if I were to live believing 100% in Psalm 121?

Don’t get me wrong—I DO believe it 100% already!!!

I just don’t LIVE like I believe it . . .

100%

I want to live believing without doubt—knowing experientially!

And not tangled within Satan’s lies that . . .

I do not deserve that kind of loving.

I fall short of being acceptable. 

I am not worthy of attentive care and protection. 

The fact is God loves me, deemed me worthy of Jesus 

and Him within makes me acceptable!

I have experienced God’s love personally and uniquely.  Yet down deep, the Lord has shown me that I have unwillingly and unknowingly come to believe some ugly lies Satan spreads.  And this has hampered belief in my soul—my mind, will and emotions.

I am loved, protected and cared for!

God is in control!

And He is faithful, dependable and good!

This is truth!  Truth I believe!  Truth I walk in . . . in part. 

Truth I want to not doubt.

That’s what our enemy does.  He makes us doubt God.  From the very first, with Eve—his intentions were to get her to doubt what God had said.  And that is what he continues to do with you and me today.

If we doubt—we are less a threat to his kingdom on earth.

If we believe—we walk in full power and authority for the Kingdom of Heaven.

I am weeding through this, but here is where I start today . . .

I commit to being more active & less passive in these 6 areas:

1. Take control over thoughts. (2 Cor. 10:1-6)
2. Come against the evil one in power and authority. (James 4:7)
3. Meditate more on the Word. (John 15:1-11)
4. Believe God! (Hebrews 11:6)
5. Stop worry and fear at the doorstep of my mind. (Luke 12:22-32)
6. Let ALL my requests be made known to God. (Phil. 4:6, 7)

      {Lots more verses than these given—do some searching on Studylight.org!  J }

God longs to see us rest in Him—trusting Him completely. 

We have all come far. 

He will bring us the rest of the way.

That is certain!

Do you struggle with living out what you believe in certain areas?

What is holding your faith back?

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The Shouts ~ Part 3

My thoughts wonder now if it was difficult for the chief priests and elders to persuade the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas. I wonder now if it was difficult at all for these same leaders to stir up the crowd to “shout all the louder, ‘Let Him be crucified!’” (Matthew 27:23b).

What a difference in the shouts! 

On Sunday they shouted “Hosanna”! 

On Friday they shouted “crucify”!

And there was one final shout to be made . . .

“Pilate saw that he was making no impression, that in fact a riot was imminent. So he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowds and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. It is your concern.’ And the people, every one of them, shouted back, ‘Let his blood be on us and on our children!’ Then he released Barabbas for them. After having Jesus scourged he handed him over to be crucified.” (Matthew 27:24-26)

What a difference in shouts!

They had the right man, but they stopped believing in Him and angrily turned on Him when He failed to live up to their expectations!

What about us?  What about the crowds who follow Him today?

What happens when He fails to live up to our expectations?

Do we only praise God when we see Him at work in our lives?
When He relieves our oppressions and all is well in our world?

We shout “Hosanna’s” when needs are provided for, when things are nice, neat, orderly and relationships give no grief. But what happens when life gets hard, unpredictable and even messy? What happens when a job is lost, the creditors won’t stop calling, a bad medical report is received, a loved one dies, a spouse breaks a promise, or a child breaks a heart?

Do we stop believing and turn from Him?

Do shouts of praise turn silent

—or worse—

do they turn to words of 

anger and dejection?

God cannot be boxed. There is much we can know by knowing His word. We can trust Him explicitly. But His ways of doing things, His sovereign will, will not always make sense to us. It will not always be what we expect.

Oh Father God, may my shouts consistently be of love and praise to You and to the One who saves me! Regardless of my hopes, my dreams and my expectations of how my life should live, I pray that you would hear only my words of adoration and gratitude falling on Your ear! As I grapple with my thoughts this week—this Holy Week—as I struggle to understand how the shouts could change so significantly from Sunday to Friday, Father don’t let me forget the truth of it all. They did change THAT fast! They can change that fast today, with me, if I allow myself to take my eyes off of You. If I stop trusting in Your good intent for my life! If I stop looking for Your sovereign will to be done and not my own. My life has great purpose. You would not have taken the time to form me in the womb. You would not continue to mold and make me, if that were not the case. I am deeply desired and loved by You! The beginning, middle and ends of my life may not always look—be—the way I envision or even desire. Father, I lay down all of my expectations of You at the foot of the cross of Christ! Father, I lay down all of my perceived rights to have the life I envision for myself at the foot of the cross of Christ! Your ways are not my ways, Your thoughts are not my thoughts—Your ways are higher, wiser, more complete and more completely for my good and for Your glory. I choose this day to trust You completely with the direction in which you take this life of mine. I give it to you completely and willingly, with all my heart! I pray that all of my shouts, from today and into eternity, only be shouts of Hosanna—Holy is the Lord God Almighty! Amen!






The Shouts ~ Part 1
The Shouts ~ Part 2






{edited from the archives, as I spend my week quiet with Jesus}

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