HE HAS ALREADY PROVIDED!

Happy Tuesday!

It is hard to believe that the end of another month is about to draw to a close. It feels as though this year has gone by in a whirlwind. 

Yet, it still stands true that we are getting ready for a season of wonder ... for family time and the joys of holidays. Holiday Decorations are already on the shelves at the stores. And, Hallmark has already started its countdown to Christmas! Not that I am complaining. I love what my always used to refer to as ‘sappy romance movies’. I love them even more if they have the gleeful goodness of Christmas worked in. 

People will always say how important it is to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. And He is! But I also like to keep in mind that it is a season fellowship, of community … and of giving.

‘God so loved the world that He GAVE ...’ (Jn. 3:16)

Everything we need, the LORD has given us in Jesus Christ. 

Everything we desire, Jesus Christ has made available to us - reminding us that He came not only so that we might have life, but that we might have an abundant life, one that is full and overflowing.

Everything we seek, in the way of wisdom and assistance, we have been provided in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

IT IS ALREADY DONE 

HE HAS ALREADY PROVIDED!

This past weekend, I had a phenomenal time at a women’s conference at my church - Womanhood Redefined 2018 ‘Wonder’

I was so excited Friday night!

But there was one thing missing. I had not seen a very good friend of mine the entire night. So I decided to text her. And this is how that exchange went:

We went back and forth until I finally had to send her a picture of the registration sheet with her name on it.

She felt terrible! She was disappointed that she had missed the first night. But then went on to share how she had been praying through the week and that entire evening that God would make a way.

Yet God had already made a way weeks prior. You see, you only got a conference tee shirt if you did the early bird registration. So whoever it was that was touched by God to sponsor my dear friend, had done it well in advance of the conference.

It reminded me of the time when Peter was sitting in prison and the saints were praying for his deliverance. Well, God moved to such a degree that they were still praying for his release while he was knocking at the door. It is actually a humorous story. You should read it if you get the chance. (Acts 12:1-19)

So why am I sharing all this?

Know that God is actively engaged in your situation

I believe this is a time for many where His answers are going to overtake your prayers

‘Before they call, I hear and while they are yet speaking I have formulated My response’

Isaiah 65:24

The New Living Translation says it this way:

‘I will answer them before they even call to me.

While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!’

How powerful is that!!!

As we enter into this season, know that many of things you desire He has already provided.

So this is my prayer for you ... and for me

Father, open our eyes that we may see where You have already made provision. And, let us have a heart of gratitude and rejoicing - even before we see the full manifestation of that which we seek. Let Your perfect will be done in our lives. And may we never forget that You are not just an able God but a willing God as well. We thank You and love You so much - asking all these things in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen

Praying you have a blessed day my friend....

Wisdom ... From Unexpected Places

Good Afternoon!

I pray your week is off to a great start.

Today is a significant day for me. And, although I thought it would be bittersweet... it has proved to be more peace-filled and uneventful than I would have imagined. 

Today is my puppy’s birthday. He would have been 18-years old today. Hard to believe it has been four months since I had to say goodbye. He was truly my companion for seventeen years. He was my boy …

  

Therefore –

In honor of my pup, I have included links to posts which were inspired by him; posts where Chico helped me remember the need to push past personal limits and to keep the central thing THE central thing in life … being close to the Master. 

We can all use that reminder...

Especially with so many events which cause heaviness of heart. 

All too often - people miss the lesson for the teacher. Yet, the true seeker of wisdom gleans it wherever it may be found. They understand that God often takes the simple things to confound the wise.

Perhaps you’ll find some wisdom in these posts as well:

JOURNEY 201¦1 ‘Open Road’

Canine College I

Canine College II

Prayerfully it will provide some lightness for the end of your day.

And – if you are so inclined

Please take a moment to pray for this world of ours too ... and all in it.

Have a Blessed Evening!

balance

Good Morning! 

I pray your day is off to a great start.

Me – I have been up since just before 4AM. And I don’t have to work today! It would have been nice to sleep in … but my body has a mind of its own at times.

As I am sitting here – however – I got to thinking about my post yesterday 'WHATSOEVER'. If you have not had an opportunity to read it, please go take a look. In that post, I noted how some of things that we experience may not be pleasurable, but that they may be exactly what we prayed for … a part of the process in God bringing about responses to our prayers.

Well – that post, combined with a conversation with a co-worker yesterday and a post I saw this morning, brought me around to this subject of – BALANCE

YOU SEE – Sometimes we pray for something good

But the process of bringing that thing to fruition can appear more a curse than a blessing

AND THEN – There are times when God gives us something good

But that gift – in its raw, undeveloped or misused state – can appear more a curse than a blessing

YET – In both situations, for all who trust in the LORD, YOU ARE STILL BLESSED

‘Blessed coming in and blessed going out’ Deuteronomy 28:6

It just might not feel that way all the time

YESTERDAY – it was about what is going on around you to bring forth God’s perfect will

TODAY – it is about what is going on in you to bring forth God’s perfect will

IT IS ABOUT THE NEED TO HAVE BALANCE IN BOTH PERSPECTIVE AND APPLICATION

From the time my youngest son was very young – he has had an extremely strong will

I would even dare to say that it is a quality he possessed before he was born

The pregnancy with him was nothing like what I experienced carrying his two older brothers

And, he was almost two weeks late! He was determined to do things his way, on his timetable

It was a constant struggle, a war of wills, a tango of temperaments

My son determined to have his way – and me determined to control the situation

HOWEVER – everything changed one day

I was praying about/against that willfulness in my son when I heard the LORD so clearly, it might as well have been audible:

Stop praying against that trait … I gave him that characteristic

It does not need to be rebuked. It needs to be trained and harnessed

Because when he wants what I want – HE WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE

MY MIND – completely blown away

MY EYES – completely opened to a new perspective

MY HEART – completely broken over the frustrations I had caused my son and over wasted time

But this is what can happen when we lack balance in perspective and application

We can end up praying against the very thing that God has given, the thing that God is using to usher us toward the magnificent purpose that He has for each one of us.

In every situation –

Whether it be circumstances, personal characteristics or emotions – there must be balance

In every situation –

There exists the opportunity to go too far left or right

He allows circumstances – yet He desires that they shape us and not destroy us

He has given us emotions – yet He desires that we utilize them and not be ruled by them

He has given us personal gifts & traits – yet He desires that we mature in them and employ them for His kingdom purposes and not misuse, abuse or discard them

WE HAVE A CHOICE

IN ALL THINGS – CHOOSE BALANCE

“Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it." Genesis 4:7 NET

Have a Blessed … and Balanced Day!

WHATSOEVER ...

“whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

As I read my devotional yesterday morning, I was struck by a section of text. It came from an entry in Streams in the Desert. I have been reading this book for years and have purchased more copies as gifts for friends (and strangers) than I can recall. It is an exceptional book which ‘speaks’ in different ways as you grow spiritually. If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend picking up a copy. Anyways … I digress … back to yesterday’s devotional.

It was one of the lengthier devotional entries – yet every bit powerful. The entry was talking about the struggles which some believers face in this journey called life. And this is what gripped me, “They had asked they knew not what, nor how, but He had taken them at their word, and granted them all their petitions.”

“He had taken them at their word”

TWO DAYS AGO – I was talking to my youngest son and we were both commenting on what a challenging year it has been [more challenging than the year we lost our home and ended up homeless – if that helps to put it in perspective]

HOWEVER – as I thought about the challenges yesterday morning – and the incredible way all three of my sons have stepped up and been such a special support to me – I was reminded of a prayer I uttered when I became a single mom. One of my dear friends had bought me a card and given me a gift for Father’s Day. And, while I was moved by the gesture and her compliments of me doing an excellent job of mom and dad, it was then that I was smacked with the reality that – no matter how hard I tried – I could never be dad. So I found myself crying out.

        ‘LORD – I do not know, as a woman, how to teach boys to become men. Help them become men – godly, powerful, generous, responsible men.’

This year – more than any of the prior years – I have seen many of those qualities manifest in different ways.

HOWEVER – had I known that developmental process would have taken me down the paths I have been this year … I might have asked for something different.

YET – He took me at my word

There is another section to that devotional text that I read yesterday morning which stated:

Understand this –

When you or I petition Heaven – the LORD GOD Almighty takes us at our word and is faithful to His promise that ‘WHATSOEVER WE ASK – WE SHALL RECEIVE’

When Mary received a visitation from the angel of the LORD, she vocalized her desire, ‘I am the LORD’s servant. May it be done to me according to your word.’ She may have been unaware of the ridicule and danger and discomfort which would occur before she held the Blessed Baby Jesus in her arms.

BUT – He, the LORD – took her at her word.

When I prayed that He would make my sons men. I was unaware of the circumstances we would face which would shape those qualities in them – the situations which would take place to grant them opportunity to arise to manhood.

But, He, the LORD – took me at my word.

When you, dear friend and reader, have prayed in humility and sincerity, ‘Make me like Jesus’

He, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY – takes you at your word.

It may not always be pretty or comfortable.

But – it may very well be exactly what you asked for.

Embrace the process and know

He is working all things together for your good and His glory.

God Bless …

PRESS

Yesterday – in my post 'LABOR FREE' – I made mention of my middle son and the fact that, when he was delivered, it was pain free and almost completely labor free.

I also mentioned how I felt that:

“God is causing some of you – and me – to enter into some LABOR-FREE blessings”

I STAND BY THAT

However – it should be understood that EVERY work of God in your life

REQUIRES YOUR PARTICIPATION

The degrees of effort being exerted on your part may vary

BUT – THE NEED TO EXERT SOME ENERGY is UNCHANGING

There is a pastor who has been affiliated with my home church for many years. He is a man whom I respect greatly and is phenomenal leader himself and mentor to many leaders in the body of Christ. This morning, he shared a post on Facebook which said:

“Anything you’re unwilling to contend for, you’re willing to live without” ~ Bishop Tony Miller

YOU MUST PRESS PAST THE DISTRESS...

With the deliveries of each of my children,

How ridiculous and dangerous would it have been for me to declare, “I can’t take any more … I quit”

QUITTING WAS NOT AN OPTION …

QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION

For those blessing which require some muscle on your part – 

Spiritually, emotionally & physically,

Do what you must – BUT

DON’T EVER LET THE FLAME THAT GOD GAVE YOU BURN OUT

DON’T EVER STOP CONTENDING FOR YOUR DREAM!

I’ll now return you to your unique life story – VICTORY IN PROGRESS!

Have a Blessed Evening!

LABOR FREE

Good Morning! I pray your weekend is off to a great start. When I woke up this morning, the first thing I did [after thanking God for His peace and protection this week] was to send a message via text and online to my middle son. Today is his birthday … twenty-six years old. How the time is flying by!

As I thought about him, my mind went back to the day he was born. It actually got me thinking about all of my children. Each of my sons were over 8-pounds when they were born – 8.2 pounds, 8.3 pounds, and 8.11 pounds. My middle son – he was the smallest of the three – which is probably how he ended up with the nickname ‘Peanut’ when he was little.

Each pregnancy was different and each delivery was different:

My oldest son – I was in labor with him for a full month before he was born. I thought he was going to come in January on my birthday. However, he held out until the first week of February – an additional intensive 10-hours of labor on the day he was finally born.

My youngest son – I went into labor on Mother’s Day. He was a true gift. And while the labor with his delivery was shorter [about 6-hours], there was extreme pain – so much so that my then husband begged me to abandon my commitment to ‘natural child birth’ and to take medication for the pain. By the time they called the Anesthesiologist and started to administer the pain medication, he was already delivered.

AND THEN THERE WAS THE MIDDLE CHILD –

My middle son – I woke up at 5:30 in the morning and went to get some tea. I had a slight ache in my back which is not uncommon when you are at full-term pregnancy. It just felt like I slept wrong. I filled the kettle with water, moved toward the stove and turned on the burner. My water broke. I turned off the burner, placed the kettle on the stove top and went to wake up my mom. She drove the twenty-five minute ride to the hospital in about fifteen-minutes. And – within less than a half hour – I was holding my tiniest bundle of joy in my arms. PAIN FREE and almost completely LABOR-FREE

I say all of that to share what dropped in my heart this morning.

God is causing some of you – and me – to enter into some LABOR-FREE blessings

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.

For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:35-38

IN THE PAST – there have been situations requiring great effort on your part – spiritually and naturally

PRESENTLY – the LORD is appointing a time of supernatural provision

NOW IS THAT TIME!

This is what I hear the LORD saying:

“Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am doing something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

Praying You Have a Blessed Day

and … Happy Birthday to My ‘Peanut’!