Day 16 - Micah 6:8

 The Lord has shown you what is good.
    He has told you what he requires of you.
You must treat people fairly.
    You must love others faithfully.
And you must be very careful to live
    the way your God wants you to.  
                           Micah 6:8


Sometimes scripture is very clear and to the point!  In a world where there is so much gray around us, that is refreshing!

Sometimes, do you ever feel like throwing your hands up in the air and asking, "God what do you want from me?"  You feel like you are working yourself to death for the church, for your family, for anyone that needs a helping hand.... yet, it still feels empty and like there is more.

Micah asked this same question, yet a little more refined.  And he received an answer.

We are to ACT JUSTLY, LOVE MERCY, and WALK HUMBLY.  

May we daily strive to accomplish these tasks.

Day 14 and Day 15 - Psalm 34:18

Sorry to miss on the 14th, but it was a busy day celebrating my husband!  His birthday was on the 14th and we had a big lunch with all the kids and family.  I am so thankful for my husband.

" The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been broken.
    He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.  "  Ps 34:18

There are many experiences in life that can break our hearts such as disappointments, deaths , hurts , failures, missed opportunities, loss etc. When these times come we may be lonely and feel forsaken by others. But the wonderful promise is that the Lord is close to us at such time. 

There have been so many situations, where I was broken, for many different reasons.  And even now, there are broken things in my life, that God is working through.  Sometimes that brokenness is so hard to bare, we wonder if we will ever get through... and what on earth can ever come that is "good" from this pain.

Whenever we go through an experience of brokenness in our lives , we are in an unique position to be used by the Lord to minister healing and restoration to the broken hearted . The wounds of Jesus ministers healing to our lives . In the same way , we can allow the Lord to use the wounds in our lives to minister healing to others . We must allow the Lord to heal our wounds and then we can use that healing experience to reach out to others and enable them to experience the same healing in their lives. Instead of mourning over our heart breaking experiences , we must see the possibility of using them to become a channel of healing to others.

Scripture tells us "  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,and by his wounds we are healed."  In this picture of what Jesus has suffered, we can be assured that He knows our pain.  He has gone through every emotion of the hurt and broken.  He has already been there.  And it is by His wounds, by His blood we are healed of our hurt.

We must allow this healing though, and sometimes that is painful as well.  Sometimes we have held onto our "hurt and brokenness" for so long, it has actually become a comfort.  Praise God there is great news.... His grace is sufficient, and His power is made strong in our weakness.  Yes!

After the healing and the promises of His strength, we become witness to others that there is hope on the other side.  We can turn all those things we have survived and conquered with His help, to minister to those who are so desperate to know they are not alone.

I have been through a divorce.  I have been a single mom.  I have married and become a mom to many.  I have lost a precious child in pregnancy.  I have faced critical illness within my family.  Even now, there are some serious uncertainties in my life and in my family.......... and all of these, even now, as I am stumbling through this "unknown", I can use what I know about God, about His grace, about His faithfulness, about His healing, to help others.

The Lord is close........... and He saves those whose spirits are crushed!  I promise, there is Joy on the other side of it all!

Day 13 - Nehemiah 8:5-6

Ezra opened the book.  All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.  Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.  
                                                             Nehemiah 8:5-6

Can you imagine being there!  Wow... this is one of the greatest recorded worship services history! 

The English word worship comes from an Old English word "worthship" - it means those actions and attitudes that show honor and worth to the great God of heaven and earth.  Worship is GOD centered.  It is not people centered. 

In Christian worship we draw near to God with joy and gratitude for what he has done for us in Christ and through the Holy Spirit.  Worship expresses faith, love and devotion from our hearts and our lives to the Father and to the worthy lamb that was slain.  The lamb whose blood covers us from our sin.  The son of God, that took our place and died on a cross in order to take on all of our sin and shame, and become our redemption.

One very important thing about our worship to Him, is that our worship must be pure.  We must worship God in spirit and truth!    When worship takes place, when we worship Him in spirit and truth, God has blessings in store for his people.  He promises to be with us (Mt 18:20) and to come in intimately with us. (Rev 3:20)  He overshadows us with His glory, gives us showers of blessings, especially peace.  He gives us abundant joy!  He answers the prayers who call out to him sincerely.  He promises to freshly fill us with His Holy Spirit and with boldness (Act 4:31).

Worship is something I am very passionate about.  I love worship music.  I love the expression of worship!  I love worship with my church family.  I love worship loud and wild with my children singing songs to God.  I love worship quiet and simple, when it is just He and I.  I love worship......... it is my refuge from every storm.  It is my peace in trouble.  It is my joy in heartache. 

Regardless of what is going on in my life, when I find time to worship God, through His word and through such amazing music available today..... I find me.  Have you spent time in worship?  You can do it anywhere!  It is so easy... I challenge you..... find a place, quiet or loud, become foolish and abandoned..... dance, sing, cry, whatever takes you into intimacy with the Father!  Come on, I promise, it will totally change your day!

Day 12 - James 5:16b

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16b

I have been reading " Praying Circles Around Your Children" recently and have been stuck on this one quote:   Prayer turns ordinary parents into prophets who shape the destinies of their children, grandchildren and generations to come.

I have an urgency to pray more for my children than ever before.  You see, each of my children, before they were even conceived, I prayed for.  When I knew that I was expecting, I prayed for them... for their health, for their future, for their hearts, for their faith in God, for their future spouse and families.  I still pray these same prayers.  

I have a praying mother.  And I had a praying grandmother (granny)!  I have heard them both pray deeply and heavenward for their family.  I have no doubt that their prayers reached heaven for many people.  Especially  my grandmother.  I miss her so very much.  I wish I could go back to when I was younger, and know then, what I would love to talk to her about now.  To share burdens with her.  To know how she handled such deep hurts from children and family.  How she prayed for her husband and stayed married for so many years.  Oh how I would love to know more.

We are just an ordinary family.  Nothing spectacular, hard working, blue collar, and a little bit country! (Ok, some are a lot country.)  But I know that the prayers my grandmother prayed for my mom, and for me, have shaped my children, and will shape those to come.  

My hope is that I can leave a heritage of prayer for my children.  I need to pray over them more, where they can hear me.  They  need to hear me more on my face before God.  To see me make my prayer time more important.  To know that I take the word seriously.  To know God has a plan for their lives, and I am praying daily that they walk in it.  I want them to know without a doubt, that they have a praying mother.  

Just a few weeks ago, I had the awesome privilege of "rocking my sons world"  ha!  My 2nd oldest daughter had just become engaged... and I asked my 11 year old son what he thought.  He sat very quiet for a while... and I asked what he was thinking.  He said, "Mom, I just want to know when that will happen for me?  That I'll find who I am going to spend my life with."  After picking my heart up from my feet (those are things I try NOT to think about too often), I told him I had no doubt that it would happen in God's timing.  

I told him that just like daughter No.2, I had been praying for all of my children, since before they were born (or when they joined my family by marriage).  That I had prayed faithfully for that man or woman that would one day walk into their world and change it forever.  

I told him that as I prayed for his purity, his relationship with God, his love of family, and his journey into becoming a man... that I was praying the same thing for his future wife.  He just sat there, looking at me!  It was shocking to him, that I was already praying for his wife.  




So in that very small moment, I built one more small piece of the foundation, that would hopefully one day be the monument in my children's eyes of a faithful praying mom.  Yes!  But my job is so far from done.  I have many still children, several at the door of marriages, some married, and now grandchildren.  

My prayers have just began for my future generations.  

Oh Lord, please, help me to be a faithful mother in the form of a prayer warrior!  May my prayers reach you as I daily work on my relation ship with you.  May you find me worthy and righteous... so that my prayers would accomplish much!  I have generations to change.  I  have Your Kingdom to advance.  Draw me to Your throne, on my face... daily!  Amen 

Day 11 - Psalm 23

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.
²     He lets me lie down in fields of green grass.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
³     He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths
    for the honor of his name.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid.
    You are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff
    comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a feast for me
    right in front of my enemies.
You pour oil on my head.
    My cup runs over.
⁶ I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life.
And I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

These verses pretty much stand alone.  The 23rd Psalm was probably one of the first scriptures memorized.  It is such a peaceful chapter!

But I had never really realized one thing............ this chapter is written "present tense".........   

For all you non grammatical loving people... lol.... that means it is written for NOW.

He is my shepherd - right now.. not was... He is.

He is in my present.. and will provide and supply all I need in the now.  What a comfort!

Day 10 - Matthew 6:21

Yesterday I wrote about my treasures in heaven.  And although I do know that ultimately, everything on earth will pass away and become ashes.... while I walk on this earth, I do have treasures here.

I treasure my husband.  We have been married almost 15 years.  We were high school sweethearts, but situations ensued, life changed, and we both found ourselves in different paths.  Thirteen years, unfortunate divorces, struggles, hurt, healing and 4 children later.... he walked into my church.  I don't know how else to explain it all, but I knew I was still very much in love with him, the moment I saw him.  (By the way, that was while I was on stage, singing in worship. Whew!)  God's redemptive grace is so good... we married after much counsel, and have been very much in love 15 years and three MORE children later!  

He is my treasure.  We have been through so much together, some very hard struggles, and now we face new ones with his health.... but he knows the keys to my heart.  He holds my hand.  He is my opposite in everything I need.  We work together, face life together, and believe God has His hand o n our family.  Even in our "worst" days, when I think of him, my heart is touched.  There are no words in the English language that can sum up how we feel about each other.  So although, we will both pass away, our goal is to be treasures on earth to each other, and see each other face to face one day in heaven.... I hope I will know he is still my treasure there!

My children are my treasures.  I have given birth to four beautiful and amazing children.  God knit my heart with three more, in whom I love dearly.  As far as I am concerned... I am mom.  They all call me mom, except my oldest son, who calls me MA, much to my annoyance! Ha!  They vary in age from 14 to 6 as of this date!  And our relationships are complex - married children and in law children, grand babies too, one engaged, one about to graduate, one 11 year old tender heart, one 9 year old tough guy, and my 6 year old princess!!!  Every day is something new.  We have been through bumps and bruises, fights and fusses, and I'm sure there are more to come.  But oh my goodness, I love these children with a passion.  They are  my heart, they are my treasures.  I hurt when they hurt, cry with them and for them.  I plead with God over them, their spouses, their future spouses, their relationships with God.  When they are broken, I am broken.  When they rejoice in life, I rejoice for them.  There is nothing I would not give or do for my children.... they are the best of my life. 

When my days on this earth are gone, if my children (and grandchildren) can say - she loved me, she loved God, and I am all the better for it, then I have accomplished great things.  If they have a love for Christ and their family, then I have done well. 

And if I should leave this world, before my husband, if he can say - she loved me fiercely, she was my passion, she led our family to love the Lord, then I have done well.  If he knows that life without him would have never been the same, that I am thankful for every moment, every trial, and every victory, as long as it was with him.... then I can be happy. 

What I do for and through my earthly treasures, will matter in eternity.  I pray daily, that God will always find me faithful and say ... "Well done wife and mom, you did great things in the lives of those you loved."

What are your "earthly" treasures that matter for today?  If it is the hearts and lives of people, good for you.  If it is your houses, your cars, your toys, your appearance, the amount in your bank account, etc.......... maybe you need to re-evaluate!   

God, give me eyes to see my treasures here on earth.  My husband, my children, my friends and family.  Give me a heart to love them hard and fierce and to make a difference.  Show me how to love more those who I may struggle with.  May I touch their hearts for You, and may they be the better for it!

Day 9 - Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:21

Treasure -

1. wealth or riches stored or accumulated, especially in the form of precious metal, 

money, jewels, or plate.

2. wealth, rich materials, or valuable things.

3. any thing or person greatly valued or highly prized

This verse comes alive to me in two different ways - Heavenly and Earthly
  
We live in this world, but what we "do" here goes much further.  Our treasures that will be counted for some day in heaven will be what we found important on earth. The acts of kindness done for the love of Christ will be recorded and preserved when we stand before God.  Anything done or received for our own glory will not stand the test of time... and will be nothing but ashes.  What we do matters. 

Let me ask you to just think about this?  

Where were the last five Heisman Trophy Winners?  
Who were the last five Miss America's?  
Who own the 5 most expensive houses? 

If you are like me, you have no idea!  I could not tell you even one of those, honestly.  But allow me to ask you to think about something else?

What teacher made the biggest difference in you life?
Who shared the love of Christ with you and discipled you?
Who do you enjoy spending time with?

Do you see the difference?  When I get to heaven.... I do not want to be  known for all the work I did in church.  I want to be known.... by how I touched peoples lives.  I want to be known because I made a difference in people!  That thought overwhelms me with sadness and urgency.... have I done enough for HIS name?

Part 2 Tomorrow - This verse and the Earthly things... 

Day 8 - Micah 3:8

But as for me, I am filled with power,
    with the Spirit of the Lord,
                 Micah 3:8a

 Many in the body of Christ no longer think we have Power!  The Holy Spirit has been deemed a presence and working of the past!  But there is nothing further from the truth.  The Holy Spirit is alive and well, and working in the lives of those who are open to Him!

Micah was chosen and called to be a spokesman for God.  He stood against all the other religious leaders and political leaders.... and he called sin - sin!  He spoke with power, and wisdom and strength that came from the Holy Spirit!

Micah's task was to reflect the heart of God, to encourage right and to discourage wrong.  

We today,  do have this same power!  If we are followers of Christ, and are doing our best to live a holy life, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.... we have Power beyond our imagination.  

If we can ever take a hold of this, we as Micah, can accomplish amazing things for the Kingdom!

Day 7 - Ephesians 2:6

 God raised us up with Christ. He has seated us with him in his heavenly kingdom because we belong to Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:6

 When we realize the truth of being seated with Christ the view from heaven changes our mindsets and is a trigger for revival in our hearts and those we speak to.

When we speak we are called to speak out of the atmosphere of heaven, when we pray for the sick we are called to pray out of heaven, not from the earthly perspective.

When we worship we are called to worship in Spirit, our whole lives are meant to be a reflection of where we are seated.

I am learning that when heaven invades earth as it does through our direct connection with Christ, then transformation comes. Our words change, the power we see released changes.  Glory is manifest on earth through signs & wonders and unusual miracles, because we are speaking out of heaven and not from the position of those who are earthly bound.

For God to do within His church, what this world is needing, what the lost are needing, what the broken and hopeless are needing...... we must learn to tap into the heavenly places.  We have been given power and authority, we have been given the ability to do "even greater" than what Jesus did while on earth!  (John 14:12)

My prayer today...... that my mind would be filled with heaven.  That I would be able to reach into the heavenly realm and accomplish what God has set out for me to do.  I've wasted so much time.... but I am ready... I am wanting.... I am desperate to see what God can do when I find myself standing in the heavenly places!

Day 6 - Psalm 27:4

I’m asking the Lord for only one thing.
    Here is what I want.
I want to live in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life.
I want to look at the beauty of the Lord.    I want to worship him in his temple.
                               Psalm 27:4


David had it all!  He was King.  He had a huge army.  He had a family.  He could possess anything in this world.  Nothing was out of reach for King David!

Yet, God called him a man after His own heart.  David wanted to know God more and more.  He had messed up, sinned, paid huge prices for those sins, and repented.  Even with all his major disappointments to God..........he continues to seek God, to reach out and go after the heart of God.

In this verse, David asks one thing of the Lord.  Just one thing that he wanted to ask the Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth for.......... remember David could have had anything!  But what did he want?  What was so deep in his heart, that he only wanted one thing?

David wanted to live in the house of the Lord, ALL the days of his life.  David wanted to be where God was.  To be in His presence all the time.  Every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week... forever.  Every day in his life on this earth, he wanted to live in the house of the Lord!  

Wow.  Can you imagine where our heart would be if we felt this way?  Can you see how close to God's heart we would become, how well we would know Him, if we choose to spend this kind of time with Him?  In today's "church"  we do well to make it to one Sunday morning service a week.  We think we are doing really good if we make it to two services!  But David, he craved God's presence.

Go on further in this verse.... "I want to look at the beauty of the Lord.  I want to worship Him in His temple."  I love how the Message Bible states this portion of the verse:  I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.  David knew that just "hanging out" was not good enough to get what he really wanted!  He wanted to build intimacy with God.  He wanted to know everything there was to know about God.  He needed to be a learner.  To continue to expand his understanding of God.  He wanted more than just God's presence... He wanted to know God intimately, like never before.  David wanted to spend every  moment of every day for the rest of his life, at the feet of God!

Oh my dear friends, that WE would have such a desire to know God so much deeper.  That we would want to be in His presence, intimately getting to know the Great Jehovah in every aspect of who He is.  That we would be so desperate to spend time with Him.    Yes, that I what I want!  I want more and more of Him.... every moment of every day, for the rest of my life.  

Dear God, the Great I Am, I must know You in every way!  I must learn to live every day of my live, ever moment, every breath, in Your presence.  To know You as well as You know me.  May I never stop longing for You.  May I never think I have found "enough".... I want to gaze on Your beauty... to learn at Your feet!  I must know You more!