The Garden of My Heart

Loving God = Obeying God = Loving God

2012-01-28T22:38:00.000-05:00

“But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.

1 John 2:5 NIV

“He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.”

John 14:24a NIV

Do you ever wonder why obeying God is so difficult? I have come to realize that it is because I do not love God enough to obey him. I confess, as a Christian, that thought makes me very uncomfortable. Yet still I choose to disobey.

I feel that on the “big stuff” like murder, stealing, adultery I do a pretty good job of obeying God. Yet I must ask myself if I live like that because I love God or because I have good morals? I must admit that it is the “little stuff” that bothers me. Things like always speaking kind words, judging others, being negative, responding to God in fear, gossiping, not giving all that I could, and not spending more time in the Word and in prayer. I know that God wants me to obey him regarding all those things and I’m sure many other things that I haven’t mentioned. Then why don’t I simply obey? Again, I think it is because I do not love God enough.

As a child I obeyed my parents to avoid getting into big trouble. Later I obeyed them in order to find favor with them. Their favor would prove to be beneficial to me in getting what I wanted. Finally, as I grew older I began to obey my parents simply because I loved them and didn’t want to disappoint them or dishonor them in any way. My love for my parents grew so strong that I just naturally wanted to please them. My acts of loving obedience told them in unspoken words how very much I loved them. It seemed like the formula was Love = Obeying = Love. The more I loved my parents, the easier it became to obey.

I would like to suggest that perhaps the solution for my lack of obedience to God is simple. I must fall deeper in love with Jesus! ! I must spend time with him. I must learn as much as I possibly can about how Jesus thinks, what he does, who he is, what he stands for, and who he loves. Just like in any relationship, when I discover more about the object of my affection, I fall head over heals in love with that person. Their character, their qualities, their abilities, and their love for me all contribute to my desire to love, obey, and serve them in return.

I wonder what a day of completely and perfectly loving Jesus would look like. For sure it would be a day void of selfish desires and ambitions. My day might start out by me saying, “Good morning God, here I am bright eyed, able and willing. What can I do for you this morning?” “Ask what you will God, I’m your gal!”

Instead, the scenario is more likely to be, “Thanks God for a good night of rest. Now here is a list of what I need today, what I need for my family, and what I need for my friends. God, I’d really like to spend some time with you this morning but unfortunately I have a very busy day. Please know God I wish I could, but I can’t! Oh well, not to worry, God, I know you will be pretty busy today because I, for one, have left you with a very long “to do” list.”

You see, on occasion I have been guilty of believing a very big lie of Satan that says to me, “God does not need you.” After all, if he is an “all knowing,” “all powerful,” and “all present” God, why on earth would he need you? I perceive this lie as making perfect sense because down deep inside, I really don’t think I have much to offer.

Au contraire, my friend. God does need us! However, God does not need our knowledge, our power, or for us to fill in for him in case he can’t be somewhere that he needs to be. No, God has all of that covered. But God created each of us because he needs our fellowship and our love. When we, as believers, experience a personal relationship with God he allows us to ask him for what we need, and then he tells us what he needs. It may be go, stay, wait, serve, encourage, give, or a myriad of other opportunities. We show God our love by obeying his commands and doing whatever it is that he asks of us.

Only selfish, ungrateful children would expect the relationship to be one sided. Remember we should love God not because we fear him, or need to, or want to be found in his good favor so we can receive gifts from his hand. No! We obey him because we love him.

I don’t think I ever really understood the sacrifice that my parents made for me. I doubt that my children see the sacrifices that my husband and I made for them. I also doubt that my grandchildren are conscious of the sacrifice their parents are making for them. So I imagine that I, a child of sin, do not really understand the sacrifice that God ordained for me even before I was born. God gave his one and only son to die as a sacrifice for my sin. Jesus took my place. Without Jesus’ sacrifice and his shed blood being applied to my heart I would be hopelessly separated from God for all eternity. If I was destined to remain separated from God because of my sin, I would die at the end of this life and never again receive his love, his gifts, or his provision. His protection would disappear from my life. I am reminded that God chooses to bless both believers and non believers. But some day his generosity will end for those who do not love him.

I know that I really do need to try to understand all that God has done for me so that I can love him more completely. I want my love to be pure. From time to time the test will come and Jesus will simply ask me as he did Peter, “Do you love me?” and then he will ask for my obedience as proof. Feed my sheep, give of your time and resources, take better care of yourself, and last but never least, spend more time alone with me.

I am convinced that my love fosters obedience, and obedience speaks a message of love to my Father in Heaven. Love = Obedience = Love! God knows that I am dust. I know that God does not require my perfection but he looks at my heart and he knows full well the depth of my love and that my desire is to love him. I want to love God more today than yesterday. I want to love him tomorrow more than today! I want to fall deeply in love with my Jesus! Less of me and more of Him!

Questions:

Do you have trouble obeying God?

When you obey, why do you obey?

What do you think you can do to fall deeper in love with Jesus?

Do you agree that the more you love God the more you will obey him?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I am finding that I cannot be consistently obedient to you without consistently loving you. It must be the desire of my heart to obey you simply because I don’t want to disappoint you. I want to obey you because that is what husbands and wives, children and parents, and good friends do for one another. They help each other because they love each other. You are my Father and my friend. I confess, many times I have tried to obey you apart from loving you. It simply doesn’t work. God, I thank you that you first loved me. Amazingly, you loved me enough to send your Son to the cross to die for me even before I loved you. How gracious is your love for me! God, I need to spend more and more time with you so I can fall madly in love with you. After all, that is what people who love each other do. God I don’t want to just take from your hand. I desire to give back to you in obedience because I love you. Father, you lavish your love on me. Oh, that I might love you lavishly in return.

In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Fear In The Garden

2012-01-22T00:01:00.009-05:00

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes
so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 15:1-2 NIV

A long time ago Adam and Eve sinned in the beautiful garden that God had given to them. As a result, when God came looking for them they hid and experienced a new emotion, fear. Genesis 3:8 It was their sin that caused that fear. After all, the Bible tells us, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,” 1 John 4:18a NIV

Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I have come to realize that my life is not so different from Adam and Eve’s. I still face temptations from Satan. When I succumb to the temptation I then experience the fear of facing God with my sin. But I need not fear because Jesus is my Savior and I am safe because Jesus’ blood covers my past sin, my present sin and my future sin. Because God loves the Son, he accepts Jesus’ sacrifice for my sin as payment for my sin. He loves me for the sake of the Son. Jesus’ love for me is perfect. It will drive out any fear I may have if I put my trust in him.

So why then do I at times fear the garden? It is because I am in need of correction. I need to have sinful branches that bear no fruit cut off. I need the pruning of the gardener in my life so that my life will be able to produce even more fruit. The pruning shears of the Master Gardner scare me because I fear the pruning process will be painful even though I know the Gardener will use the shears in love.

So today I am slowly shuffling my way to the garden. As I walk toward the garden I am rebuking myself because I have fallen into some sinful behavior. If there are flowers blooming as I enter the garden I do not see them. I am wearing the hat of submission but I am also wearing the coat of dread! I feel a bit like Adam and Eve, ashamed. What I really want to do is hide. I too hear the Master walking in the garden and I know without a doubt that he will be carrying his pruning shears!

As a believer there are some things that I really hate! I hate the things people do that bring out the worst in me. I hate when I have a bad attitude and end up needing to have my attitude hacked off the vine. I hate when I have spoken inappropriate words that hurt others. I hate when I try to carry my own burdens and fix my own problems. I hate when I have embraced a spirit of fear. I hate when I argue with God and fight being obedient. I hate the process of working through my sinful behavior! But most of all I hate that as a believer I must hold myself accountable to Jesus. I hate when I allow something to happen in my life that casts a shadow on my relationship with Jesus. I hate when I realize that I am in need of a painful trip to the garden to get my sinful behavior pruned and forgiven. I know deep down in my heart that there is no other way.

I know from past experience that it is absolutely necessary for me to reach the point where I can wave the white flag of surrender and submit to the pruning shears in order to restore fellowship in the garden between myself and my Savior. Pruning is necessary so that I will walk in a loving relationship with my Lord and bare fruit that will bring him glory.

Still it is my nature to try to avoid pain, admit guilt, confess my sin, and ask for forgiveness. Much to my chagrin I usually nurse the conflict that is raging within me, consequently causing the situation to become a very long and drawn out process before I can head for the garden, meet up with the Vinedresser, and bow to his shears. I have traveled this road many times before and I know all too well where it must end! Why does it take me so long to release my anger, admit my fear, confess my sinful behavior, and seek his loving forgiveness? Why do I want anything less than the Vinedresser's approval and my inner peace?

What I love is that Jesus holds me tight and never lets me go! I love that he keeps calling me to the garden! I love his faithfulness to me even when I am unfaithful! So here I am in the garden and now I hear the Master Gardner speaking reassuring words of comfort to me. I know this pruning procedure will change my self-centered character and as a result I will become more like Jesus. I now begin to cry tears of joy knowing that I am exactly where I need to be. I know that when the Master Gardener is finished with me I will be one more step closer to looking like him. Because of God’s amazing love for me I know that my life will flourish with his grace because of this pruning. Oh! Without a doubt, pruning is not to be dreaded and despised. Pruning is to be seen as God’s love gift to me!

As I leave the garden it is my desire to be a person of godly influence. For this day the work of the Gardner is finished; my pain has turned to joy. My fear has turned to peace. That which was not good has been forgiven, cut off and tossed into the fire. I am blessed. I am at peace. The vision of all he wants me to be for his kingdom has been cast by the Master. Somehow by the grace of God I now feel cleaner and stronger, and I walk a little taller. My eyes look upward; there is a lilt in my step, a smile on my face, and praise on my lips and gratitude in my heart!

I begin the walk back toward the house and as I walk I am asking myself a few questions. Paula, why do you wait so long to seek out the Gardner? Why do you put yourself through all of that prolonged misery? Paula, the next time you feel God’s rebuke why don’t you just run to the garden and bypass the painful struggling? I remember the last thing that Jesus said to me when I was leaving the garden. He reminded me that running to him immediately, is a mark of Christian growth and maturity. Oh how I desire to be in that place!

Questions:

Have you ever feared the garden?

When was the last time God pruned your life?

What were the results of his pruning?

Are you currently in need of God’s pruning shears?

Are you making plans to run to or from the garden?

Can you see that God’s pruning is his gift of love to you?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I am getting tired of fighting you. Next time I want to go straight to surrender. After all, perfect love cast out fear. There is no need to fear the garden. Help me God to remember that all you do in my life is for my eternal good. I thank you God that you love me enough to whisper your words of conviction to my heart. I am blessed that your love wants to make something beautiful out of my life. I am so glad that you think that I am worth the effort. I am so thankful that you don’t want to allow the ugly branches of sinful behavior to grow out of control and remain in my life. I know the pruning you do in my life is your way of equipping me to serve you and others more effectively. I know that the more I love you, the less I will fear correction, and the more I will trust and obey you, and the quicker I will run to the garden. Prune me Lord, so that others will look at me and see your Son, Jesus Christ.

It is in your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Walking With Jesus

2012-01-15T00:01:00.003-05:00

“Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,
and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

Winter is definitely not my favorite season! Yet deep inside I know that all God has made is good and serves a purpose. All creation is a reflection of God’s glory. Winter also provides protection, rest and refreshment for God’s creation and for me as well. Although much of winter can be boring brown and gloomy gray nevertheless, a beautiful blanket of clean snow can cover a massive amount of ugly. Shimmering ice can drip and freeze beautiful stalactites hanging from the roof of my house while God paints amazing patterns of ice doilies on my windows. Beautiful red cardinals sing from the deep inside the green cedars and the bright red Nandina berries beam of winter joy.

So on this winter day I want to enter the garden of my heart through the narrow gate that the Bible says leads to life. This will be a day I will reflect on what can happen when I take my eyes off of Jesus. So many times in my busy life it is easier to go through the wide gate. So many times in the past my selfish attitudes and ambitions has sent me flying through the gate that sends me down the road of destruction.

Let me tell you about that road and what I experienced and observed when I traveled that road. The wide road was a busy highway. On this road I heard the cunning call of compromise. I was never alone and solitude eluded me because there were so many people on this road to keep me company. It was next to impossible to focus on anything that would lift my thoughts toward heaven. In fact the crowds and often responsibilities lured me away from God and straight into a “self-centered mentality”. At any given time it was easy for me to rub shoulders with those who were bitter because life had not worked out as they had planned, and so we drank together the cup of “poor me” and still I felt no comfort. There were people who beckoned me to join them in living for the moment. That path snuffed out God’s truth and led me into a self-absorbed life. I remember that many on this road were totally unaware that God continued to bless them even when they ignored him. Hanging out with the likes of these offered me a false happiness and only made me feel more pangs of unhappiness when I was alone. My sins continued to plague me and I found it hard to go on. At times I was depressed because Satan told me that my life wasn’t worth much.

Others on this road appeared to be happy. They lived in the moment and believed with all their heart that life was all about them. There were others who sat along this road and pondered if God existed. They believed that their intelligence was far superior to a belief in God and concluded that if you can’t see him he doesn’t exist. These souls have set themselves up as a god and they believe Satan’s lie that convinces them that within their own strength they will be able to meet all of the challenges of life. They believe that they alone are in control of their life and that is not a position that they want to compromise or give up.

Everyone on this road to destruction lives only for themselves. These are impulsive people who live for moments of gratification rather than a life of hope and peace. The longer they travel this road the more self-absorbed they become. They believe that their success is more important than anything or anyone else. They start pushing others aside to get ahead and forget to hold dear those most precious to them.

I for one became weary with this dead end road and hopeless lifestyle. I remembered that in days past I had been on a narrower road that was full of hope. Eternity and eternal life was on the horizon. It was on that narrow road that I walked in peace knowing that my physical death was actually the door to real life forever. It was on this road that I knew that nothing was too difficult for God. It was a road where I had experienced that God was always faithful even when I was not.

During this “wake up and stop feeling sorry for your self” call I found myself searching for an exit. To both my surprise and joy the wide road was lined with multiple exits. There was one every few feet! Yes, God always has a plan and provides a way for our escape. I didn’t waste another moment as I quickly ran to the exit marked “Narrow Road.” Without a doubt, this road was narrow and not as well traveled, yet there were many travelers. These travelers were not without baggage and crosses but their faces were smiling and peaceful. The tree lined road provided me with shade from the heat of the day and relief from the pressure and stress of my life. Beautiful flowers were blooming for my enjoyment. The joy of my salvation was restored as I began to take pleasure in walking the narrow road with Jesus.

The travelers that I encounter on this road are God’s people. We walk together, talking and sharing about our Heavenly Father. We talk about how fortunate we are that even in difficult times God has his hand on our lives and that he continues to draw us to himself so that we can receive his wisdom and comfort. Even when we take a wrong turn, God lovingly draws us back to the narrow road where we belong. God treats each of us as his precious child and lavishly loves us as though we haven’t been away a minute!

It is my experience that the people on this road know that God will use any set back or problem in their life for their good. These folks speak of their many blessings. They know that God is not finished with them yet and that they are a work in progress. The children of God, my friends, all desire to experience progress in their spiritual life as they walk this road with Jesus Christ. They treasure their relationship with Jesus as they take time to stop along the road to read their Bible, pray, praise and worship Jesus. I absolutely love these inspiring, encouraging people!

As I personally walk this road with Jesus I know that I am not in control, and that’s okay with me. I am comforted to know that the God of creation is in control of my life and the lives of all those I love. I know that even in the worst case scenarios of life God is in control and has a plan. When fear grips my heart, the Holy Spirit comforts me with the knowledge that God will never leave me or forsake me. That is God’s promise to me and I stand firmly on that promise. I gladly give God credit for all that is good in my life. Because I love God I find joy in helping others, I choose to be happy for the success of others. I choose to weep with those who weep. I choose to set aside my selfish will and submit to the perfect will of God. There is no other road on which I would rather travel than this narrow road of life that leads to an amazing relationship with Jesus Christ now. I do not walk this road in perfection but when I take time to glance back over my shoulder I do see progress. I do not take pride in this but totally give God praise because he loves me enough to challenge me to walk closer to him. Gratitude is the word I would choose to express how I feel when I realize that I am not the person I used to be. God has been faithful to help me grow in my faith. It is true, the best is yet to come! At the end of this road I anticipate a joyful life after death that will never end. Some call the road I travel the road of narrow mindedness, but I call it the road of joy both now and forever! It is the road that keeps me safe from destruction!

Questions

Are you traveling life’s wide road or the narrow road?

If you are traveling the wide road, how is that working out for you?

If you are traveling life’s narrow road, describe your current mental and emotional state.

If your current mental and emotional state is less than peaceful and joyful, is there a possibility that maybe you have taken a wrong turn?

Do you believe that Christians sometimes leave the narrow road and follow the wide road?

How can Christians avoid a detour?

If you have found yourself on the wide road of life, do you see an exit in sight? If so, take it!

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

You never said that life would be easy. In fact you said we would have troubles in this world. But you have promised to be with us in all things. You have promised us that if we trust you we will be all right no matter where the narrow road of life takes us. You said a comforter would come to be a very present help to us in our trouble. You have promised that you were going away to prepare for us an eternal home and that you would come again to personally escort us to that place so that we can live with you forever. Jesus, I pray for your forgiveness when I allow fear to grip my heart and when I entertain the sinful behavior of selfishness and pride. I desire that my life will be ordered by you. I pray against the spirit of fear that cancels my trust. Jesus, protect me from Satan’s subtle temptations that would invite me to exit the narrow road and foolishly pursue the wide road of destruction. Father, help me to stay focused on you as I read your Word, walk with you and fellowship with your people. Be with me as I daily open my heart to you in prayer. Jesus I pray for your joy to fill me as I walk with you on the narrow road that ends in a beautiful life that will last for all eternity.

In Your Name I pray. Amen

Being On the Same Page as God

2012-01-08T00:01:00.005-05:00

“And God spoke all these words:” Exodus 20:1 NIV

Today I am waking up to a cold January morning. The real garden is dead and the only evidence that growth lies beneath the soil are ugly stalks of last season's dead perennials and the faith that believes that those plants will bloom again next spring.

I am so blessed that the garden of my heart has beautiful flowers and shrubs, climbing vines and flowering trees, evergreens and deciduous trees all blooming continuously year round! Believe me…it’s a God thing! And so this morning, though I am cozy inside my home, I will sip my coffee and escape to the warm garden of my heart. The imagery of the year round garden may be fantasy but the truth that I will learn today and everyday in the garden with Jesus is and always will be is real! The close relationship that I have with the Master Gardener is indescribable. Jesus is tender and merciful, forgiving and kind. This amazing love is fresh and new every morning.

And so I walk down the sun filtered path stopping at a beautiful clump of pink coleus. Beyond the coleus rests a stone with the Ten Commandments carved into the stone as if God had placed the words there himself. I pause and remember a time when God did give his law to Moses for the people. Each law was engraved in the stone by the finger of God.

My mind goes back to a time when our children were middle school age. I had posted the Ten Commandments on one of the cabinets over our breakfast bar. Sometimes our children’s friends would be setting there at the bar having a snack and would comment on the Ten Commandments. I remember one young man asking if I thought that keeping the commandments would get a person into heaven. I remember sharing with him that each individual must believe in Jesus Christ and accept the blood of his sacrifice as a covering for his or her own personal sin. I further explained that it is that blood that offers us an opportunity to be forgiven. That forgiveness comes to us as a free gift from God. Each living soul must choose to accept that gift if we want to be allowed to enter heaven. Without accepting that gift there is no entrance into heaven. I did say however, that it was a good idea to pay close attention to the Ten Commandments because they are God’s guidelines that are specifically designed to help us have a happy life. I pointed out that the first commandment was the most important of all because when we love God and put him before, anyone and anything else we most likely won’t have trouble knowing how to keep the others. Realizing that we are a lost sinner and then accepting God’s forgiveness is the first step on our journey of loving God.

For me there are a few familiar passages in the Bible that seem to float meaningless through my brain because I have heard them so many times. Scriptures like the Lord’s Prayer, the 23rd Psalm, and the Ten Commandments. I do believe that from time to time these precious scriptures need to be revisited. So this morning I choose to sit at the feet of Jesus and meditate on the commands of God that are perfect in every way.

God's instructions to us:

# 1 - Don’t love anything or anyone more than you love me.

# 2 - Don’t worship anyone or anything but me because I am a jealous God and there are consequences if you do. I will punish families and nations for this sin. I will punish you, your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, your great, great grandchildren, and your great, great, great grandchildren if you ignore and hate me. On the other hand, if one person turns away from hating me to loving and respecting me from that moment on I will show blessing and love for a 1,000 generations.

# 3 - Don’t abuse my name by swearing or misrepresenting what I stand for. When you slander me or damage my name you cast a shadow on my reputation.

# 4 - Remember to take one day a week to rest and carve out time for me. Make this a holy time to rest in my love and care. It is my will for you to be refreshed, renewed and rested!

# 5 - Honor and respect your parents. I don’t care how old you are, or if your parents are living or deceased, it is important not to do anything that would shame your parents as a result of your sinful behavior. Always show love and make sure that your integrity is intact. This is honoring and respecting your parents.

# 6 - Do not murder. Do not take someone’s life or damage their reputation by speaking falsely against them. Lying about someone’s character is killing their reputation.

# 7 - Do not commit adultery, physically, mentally or emotionally.

# 8 - Do not steal anything that does not belong to you. Do not steal property, money, or ideas from anyone.

# 9 - Do not lie about anything or anyone. White lies are only one nanosecond away from a full blown lie!

# 10 - Do not want what someone else has so badly that you will do anything to take it away from them.

Jesus’ New Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt. 22: 37,39b NIV Treat everyone as you want to be treated.

So how do I want to be treated? I want to be treated fairly, honestly, and with respect. I want to feel love and appreciation from others. I want to experience kindness and mercy. I want to be a recipient of love, kind words and encouragement.

I find that rule is not too hard as long as I am able to select those to whom I want to show love. As long as my love can be selective and conditional I am in good shape. But here lies the rub. Sometimes I base my love on whether or not I feel someone is deserving of or in need of my efforts of love. Most of the time it is very difficult to love those who do not treat me well, those who take advantage of my kindness, those who don’t treasure me and my ideas, those who think and behave different than me, and those who are different than me. Then there are the people who are mean and discourteous and set out to cause me harm. Those who abuse, persecute, and falsely accuse me. Yet Jesus says, love them as you want to be loved. This is not a suggestion. It is a command. It is times like these that I realize that I am NOT on the same page as God. I see clearly that I desperately need my Savior’s example of unconditional love for me that he displayed on the cross. I need his example of mercy and forgiveness that he offers me every single day of my life. I also need the power of the Holy Spirit to assist me during my times of need. I will not get it right every time but I must continually desire to aspire to this high calling and command from God. I so desire to be on the same page as my loving Father.

Questions

How do you feel about loving others as you do yourself?

When was the last time you got it right?

When was the last time you failed?

Why do you think you failed?

Do you think that loving God more would help you love others more?

Read: Exodus 20:1-21 and Exodus 31:18

Prayer

Dear Awesome, Almighty God,

You God are the great “I AM” and your ways are higher than my ways. You know the pathway of life that will bring me joy and you honor. Help me to glorify you by choosing to keep your laws. God I confess that sometimes I don’t love you more than I love myself. Forgive me God. Please fan the flickering flame in my heart that desires to be on the same page as you. God my desire is that I will love you more than any one or any thing. I need your grace and the power of your Holy Spirit so that I will love others as I love myself. Help me to fall in love with Jesus to the point that I cannot help but love others unconditionally, just as your Son loves me. Help me to love your laws and daily walk in obedience to your laws.

In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

God Is My Authority For Guidance

2012-01-01T00:01:00.003-05:00

“Show me your ways, O lord, teach me your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

I know that I will never reach a point in my life when I no longer need God. As a believer, part of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ is that I have the privilege of asking God for his divine guidance in every situation that comes into my life.

My entire life I have experienced multiple times when I have had a need for guidance. Some of those needs have been for guidance in meeting my husband, a career choice, which job to accept, where I should live, how to be a better parent, what I should do during a financial crisis, when to move ahead or when to let go, and sometimes how to respond to a difficult person. The list goes on and on!

It is my nature to rush ahead of God and make my own plans. When I find myself uncertain as to what decision I should make, I often seek the advice of another person. Some people consult horoscopes, or a self proclaimed guru, tarot cards, a crystal ball, Ouija boards and fortune tellers. The likes of these are of no value whatsoever! In fact, these are crafty tools used by Satan to keep us from seeking God and all he has for us! However, the Bible tells me that above myself and all others, even good friends and well meaning people, I must learn to seek the guidance of God. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6 KJV It has been my experience that during the times when I have failed to consult God I have often added unnecessary complications and consequences to my life.

The practice of seeking God’s wisdom for all of my decisions should become as natural to me as eating food. This year my prayer is that I will not rush ahead of God, but rather, that I will first seek God’s guidance in all I do. Asking for God’s divine guidance really is nothing more than this very simple prayer, “God, please show me what I should do.” After I have prayed that prayer I should immediately, as an act of faith, start actively looking for God’s guidance in my life.

For me, a starting point for recognizing God’s guidance would be to take a look and see where God is already working in my life. I must prayerfully consider the fact that God may be keeping me on the current page of my life a little while longer or he may be nudging me to move on. I am also learning that God often speaks to me through my desires, my thoughts, or through an open door of opportunity. Sometime God speaks and directs me through the appropriately spoken words of another person. A gentle word from the Holy Spirit that is no louder than a whisper or a reoccurring one word message that seems to hit me everywhere I turn. I seem to hear a voice behind me saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21b

I have come to realize that God places specific people in my life for a reason. God also puts me in places where my experiences will help me learn and prepare me for the days ahead. Therefore, it is important that I completely trust God to lead me down the path that I should take in his perfect timing. As a means of protection, I need to also ask God to take away any desires or opportunities that would not be in my best interest.

In God’s attempt to guide me he will not push or force me down his path but instead he calls me to follow him. I am discovering that when I find that I am lost and on the wrong road it is because I decided to do the leading. Other times it has been when I have wanted my plan, my dream, or my passion satisfied so I pressed on full speed ahead. At one point in my life, I believed Satan’s lie that said, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me!” Many times I have found myself on the wrong road when I have refused to relinquish the control of my future and simply trust future days to God. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Other times I have wondered if my part was just to sit back and do nothing. Because God has made us intelligent beings with thought processing ability we are always to do all that we know to do. We are to work hard and be responsible. I believe that we are to attempt to walk through every open door until God closes that door tightly. It is important to seek God’s wisdom so that we will know the difference between a closed door and a road block. Satan often sets up roadblocks, those things that discourage us, slow us down and cause doubt. Thwarting God’s plan for us is right down Satan’s alley. In many cases road blocks are sure signs that we are indeed on the right path. "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,” Psalm 33:11a NIV

As believers, learning to pay attention to our inner spirit is an important process. Acknowledging God and asking for his direction for our life is never a mistake. It is the path to our greatest joy. It is not always a road that is free of pain and hardship, but still it is the right road. The road to Calvary was more difficult than we could ever imagine, but it was the road by which Jesus glorified his Father.

Questions:

Are you facing major decisions in the coming New Year?

Are you currently praying about those decisions?

Do you see that perhaps you may be on your road instead of God’s road?

Are you holding on to what you want or are you allowing God to show you what he desires for your life?

Are you having trouble trusting God?

What can you do to learn more about trusting God?

Prayer:

Dear Awesome, Almighty, All Knowing, All Present, All Powerful God,

How could I ever trust in anything or anyone other than you? You have been faithful in the past, and you are faithful today. Therefore, I know you will be faithful tomorrow. Forgive me for clinging so tightly to control and for not being able to trust you with my life and the lives of those I love. God, help me this new year to trust you for guidance in all that I do, or consider doing. Help me to trust you for the hard things in life that frighten me. Help me to learn about trusting you by reading about trust in your Word. Help me to tune in to YOUR messages of guidance that are all around me. Help me to see YOUR sunrise every day and know that you can be trusted. Teach me and guide me for you God are my hope all day long every day.

In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

A Christmas Mulling

2011-12-24T22:44:00.000-05:00

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
…and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4: 8-9b NIV

When I first decorate my home for Christmas everything looks so beautiful! Even though it is a lot of work I still say things like “I just love Christmas!” or “Christmas is my favorite time of year.”

And then it’s over. The candles have burned down to a nub and there is wax on my favorite tablecloth. My pretty holly dinner dishes are clean but stacked on the counter waiting to be packed away for another year. The cute cookie tins that were full of cookies just a few days ago now contain only a few stale crumbs. Our once beautiful tree now looks wilted and the bottom of the tree looks naked without the gifts skirting the base. As my eyes cruise the room I see stacks of unwrapped gifts everywhere that are waiting to find their new home. Piled up at the back door are several large garbage bags full of crumpled wrapping paper and crushed bows that are waiting to make their way to the curb for tomorrow’s trash pick up. I am finding it hard to believe that jut a few days ago everything was picture perfect.

This scenario reminds me that the glitter of life always leave us feeling let down and unfulfilled. No matter how beautiful and appealing the things of life are they are only temporary. The aftermath of a holiday, or a party, or a nice vacation can leave us feeling disappointed, lonely, and depressed. The truth is that there is absolutely nothing in this life that can satisfy our inner soul but Jesus and doing the work that he has given us to do.

I love my family and I cherish the time we have together but when Christmas is over and there is nothing left but hugging everyone good-bye and cleaning up the mess I must admit that I get a little depressed. I have even been known to shed a few tears. I think that this year I would be wise to guard my heart and move on in a positive way. I think that first on my agenda will be sitting in my favorite chair and sipping a hot cup of cranberry-orange cider as I mull over some of the very wonderful events of the holiday. Yes, reflection is exactly what I need.

What will I mull over? I think that I will try to think about the things that can’t be purchased and things that are true and noble. I want to think about things that are right and pure. I will choose to think about lovely and admirable things. I will mull over things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

To start with I will close my eyes and inhale the refreshing aroma of my Frasier Fir. Even after the ornaments have been removed the fragrance will still remain. Our Christmas tree will serve as a reminder that Jesus died on a tree and because of that I am forgiven.

I will also think of our delicious Christmas dinner. I love to sit a pretty table and prepare delicious food. Even though only a few leftovers remain I can still remember the good meal and the fellowship as we sat around the table. God’s provision is always something to give thanks for. Now this memory triggers my mind to think about how God continues to provide for me in unique and amazing ways every day. I am blessed and privileged to be under his Almighty wing of protection.

Another memory would be the twinkle in my grandchildren’s eyes on Christmas morning. The innocence of childhood and the faith of little children is something to imitate. Jesus has said that we need to come to him with the simple faith of little children.

Moving on I begin thinking about the music of Christmas. My all time favorite is “Mary Did You Know?” and perhaps for the last time this year I will hum that tune and play those lyrics over again in my mind.

The tree lights are still twinkling and as they twinkle I know that Jesus is my hope. He is the light in a very dark world. This year I am thankful for all of the gifts that I received, but at this moment I want to think about all of the rich gifts that God so generously gives me over and over again. They are his priceless gifts of love, peace, joy, and hope.

Still looking around the room I see splashes of red everywhere and this too, serves as a beautiful reminder to me of Jesus’ shed blood. It was his own precious blood that he shed for my salvation.

I must say that now my spirit is refreshed, but I think that my body is in need of a much needed nap. So what’s one more day? I believe that tomorrow I can clean up the Christmas mess with a smile on my face as I look forward to January and the start of a new year.

I believe that this year I have discovered a four step program for phasing out of a busy but beautiful Christmas.

Step 1 – Reflect on meaningful moments
Step 2 – Rejoice in the birth of Christ
Step 3 – Rest
Step 4 – Resolve to move ahead

This year my plan for moving ahead is to read all four of the gospels. Christmas is about the birth of Christ, but I now want to walk through the thirty-three short years that he walked on this earth. The winter months will be a perfect time for doing this.

Questions:

How does Christmas leave you feeling?

What are your favorite Christmas memories?

Do you think that the four step program of Reflect, Rejoice, Rest and Resolve might be of benefit to you?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the joy that I have experienced this Christmas season. Thank you for the music of Christmas that has carried me to heavenly heights. Thank you for my family that gathered together. Thank you Jesus, that you are the reason for this Christmas season. Thank you for the delicious sweet treats that I have enjoyed that remind me that your name is indeed the sweetest name on earth. Lord, I am tired so please give me your peace and rest. I know that you too rested after your work. Jesus I ask that you give me your direction and purpose for the days ahead. I pray that you would create within my heart a deep longing and desire to know you more as I seek to have your thoughts become my thoughts.

Now Lord, I pray for those who may not have had a wonderful Christmas. Jesus please wrap your arms of love around the poor, the needy, the sick, the lonely, the solider, and the one who is grieving. Father, please grant peace to each hurting life and give them a double portion of your love. Send hope into their heart. Comfort them and provide for them in the days ahead. Please help them to look to you for the grace they need to get through this difficult time in their life.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

Christmas In the Garden

2011-12-18T00:01:00.017-05:00

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

Even on a day when there is so much to do I feel I must spend time in the garden. The garden is especially beautiful this time of year. Freshly fallen snow and holly bushes bearing the brightest red berries that I have ever seen, welcome me to the garden. Poinsettias provide a blanket of red on a nearby hill. The air is crisp and dozens of red cardinals fly first here and then there. They are incredibly beautiful birds! God’s color combinations are always perfect. Dark tree bark provides outstanding contrast against the pure white snow. Evergreens and holly bushes add a stately background of green that allows the vibrant accents of the red cardinals, the holly, and Nandina berries all project their beauty. This winter scene is a breathtaking vision of splendor. My garden parades beautiful Poinsettias and amaryllis up and down every pathway. Yes, I know that Poinsettias and amaryllis bulbs freeze in a cold environment but in the garden of my heart I can have it all!

During my time of personal prayer and reflection the Master Gardener seems to sense that I am cold. Even though I am appropriately dressed I cannot deny the chill. He smiles and says come with me. The Gardener invites me to come and sit by the fire that he has built in one corner of the garden. I reach down in my bag and pull out a thermos of hot chocolate and two mugs. At the last minute I add a peppermint candy cane. He smiles and says, “You remembered.” Yes, the cane is the shape of an upside down “J” that stands for Jesus. The pure white peppermint serves as a reminder that Jesus takes away our sin and makes my heart as white as snow. The three stripes of red that twist around the candy cane stand for the three wounds of Jesus and I am reminded that it is by his bloody stripes that am I healed. Yes Lord, I remember. How could I forget? You are so precious to me.

Never mind that I have much to do, I must continue to stay in the garden. The day has now turned to night. The heavenly stars twinkle and the full moon is perfect. All day long I have been with Jesus and it has been a wonderful day. Before leaving the garden Jesus takes me back to a place long ago. In my mind I see a lowly stable. I see Mary gazing into the eyes of her child and her Savior. I see Joseph standing guard over Jesus and realizing that someday he would grow to depend upon this now helpless baby. The stable is quiet except for an occasional sound from the animals. The moon and the stars above the stable provide all of the light that they need. But even if the stars should dim the Christ child would shine because he is the light of the world. And now the guests begin to arrive. They are lowly shepherds coming with their sheep. The shepherds bow at the manger in worship. They have come not to worship a child but to bow before the King.

As I leave the garden I feel abundantly blessed and lavishly loved. I am truly amazed that God would choose to leave the splendor and glory of heaven and come to earth for me and for you. He was rich, yet he became poor. What kind of love is this?

Questions:

Have you taken time this season to focus on Jesus and his entry into our sinful world?

What do you think those who witnessed that Holy night thought about Jesus?

What was the rest of the world doing?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you so much for leaving the splendor and glory of heaven. How very different this world must have been for you. As you grew older were you homesick for heaven and for your Heavenly Father? While you lived on earth did you feel the love of Mary and Joseph? Did you mind being poor? How often did you remember how rich you used to be? Jesus, your birth was only the beginning. Jesus I am humbled when I remember that it was for the moment of the cross that you came to this world. Doing the will of your Father was your only focus. God’s will was your death. Your death was the plan for my forgiveness. Lord Jesus, help me to fall so deeply in love with you that I will be willing to do your will each and every day without question. This Christmas I want to rejoice in your perfect gift to me, my salvation. Jesus thank you for all you have done for me.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

Wrapping It Up!

2011-12-11T00:01:00.005-05:00

“For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23 NIV

Today my mind is racing in a million different directions. This morning I am finding it difficult to stay focused and to move forward with a peaceful heart. While drinking my morning coffee I began to review everything that is on my “to do” list for this power day! If you are a list maker you will understand, if not I’m afraid I can’t help you. The fact is I make lists of my lists. Isn’t that sad?

I’m now going to brace up and prepare for the surge of power and control that comes over me when I realize the projects that I have already accomplished. And oh the joy that comes from checking each item off my list! Now with pen in hand I begin the energizing ritual. Tree up – check. House decorated – check. Shopping finished – check. Cards mailed – check. Cookies baked – check.

Yes! I feel an uncontrollable smile forming on my face as I realize that today is the day for my favorite Christmas project, wrapping gifts. I always save the best for last. I love wrapping gifts because that is how I savor something of my holiday preparations just for my own enjoyment. Wrapping gifts signifies to me that I am just about to wrap it all up! In a few minutes I will gather my gift wrapping supplies, turn on the tree lights, and crank up the Christmas music. It is in this atmosphere that I am in my element.

I love wrapping each and every gift that has been selected in love. I love to give a gift that says I know what you need and I want to give it to you. I love giving a gift that expresses to the one that will open it the fact that I know them and I know what they like. As I wrap each gift I also pray for the one who will receive the gift.

Gift wrapping is the project that allows my creative juices to flow. I nestle each gift inside colorful tissue paper, and then wrap each box in an appropriately selected paper. Creating the perfect bow is the icing on the cake. Last but not least I choose a gift tag for the package. I love recycling the beautiful Christmas cards received the previous year for this purpose. I trim each card with decorative scissors and then place the appropriate card on each of my packages. I will choose a little shepherd boy for my grandson, Joshua. I will find a sweet angel for my granddaughter, Abigail. I will select a polar bear with a red bow around its neck for my hubby, who loves polar bears. And I will search for a drummer boy for my son, David, who is a musician. As I dig down into the pile of Christmas cards I find a perfect card for my daughter, Amy. It is a picture of a cozy room decorated for Christmas. This scene reminds me of my daughter because she knows how to make her home so beautiful for the Christmas holiday. Then perhaps I can find a card with lots of Christmas goodies for my son-in-law, Todd, who never wants to miss out on sweets! I also use religious cards that tell of the birth of the Christ Child for additional packages. Each of these gift cards serve as a reminder of God’s perfect gift to all of us.

When the last gift is wrapped I lovingly place all of them under the tree. The tree was beautiful before but now it is exquisite! What is it about all of the beautiful gifts that make the tree so lovely? This will be the night that I will make hot chocolate, turn down the room lights and bask in the twinkling lights of our tree with my hubby.

Wrapping gifts always reminds me of God’s gift to all humanity. He carefully selected the perfect gift. God knew we needed a Savior and he was delighted to give him to us. God sent his son, gift wrapped him in simple swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. God hoped humanity would love his son as much as he did.

I am reminded that I place my gifts UNDER the tree but God placed his gift ON the tree. Jesus Christ became the sin sacrifice for your sin and for my sin. This was God’s way of wrapping it up!

If you have never realized that Jesus Christ died on the cross to remove sin from your heart I hope you will consider that fact today. As you consider that fact I pray that you will choose to believe that it is true. Jesus is God’s free gift to you. Remember a gift never really belongs to you until you reach out and take it. So this Christmas season, reach out in simple faith and receive the gift that God’s has for you. Open your mind to the reality that God loves you and wants you back with him where you belong. Receive God’s precious gift of salvation and eternal life today.

Questions:

What is your favorite Christmas project?

Can you think of a way to bring Jesus into that project?

Have you ever asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life?

When did Jesus become real to you?

When did the reality of his personal sacrifice and free gift of salvation take root in your heart?

How has accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior made a difference in your life?

Prayer:

Dear God,

At times it seems I can’t comprehend all of the events that led up to the birth of your Son. I lack understanding so therefore I need faith. Some people do not want to be a fool for believing in Jesus Christ, but I don’t want to be a fool for not believing. Today I want to set aside my intellect and simply open my heart. God if you are real reveal that truth to me right now. I am told your Holy Bible says if anyone will seek you they will find you. So today God, here I am seeking you. I reach out in simple faith and take the gift of your salvation for my life. I realize I have been born into the sin of humanity and the only way I can be cleansed and set free of sin is to accept Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death for me. I am beginning to understand this is the only way I can be free of my sinful condition. Today I am going to choose to believe in your Son for the forgiveness of my sin. I thank you God for my very special Christmas gift of salvation.

In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

If you have recently trusted in Jesus Christ and his forgiveness for your life I would love to hear from you. I would love to pray for you and encourage you in your new life. If you would like to share this decision with me you may send me a confidential e-mail at:

paula@thegardenofmyheart.org

Treasured Things Worth Pondering

2011-12-04T00:01:00.008-05:00

"But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Luke 2:19 NIV

Christmas traditions are very special but in our family I had a desire to create a Christmas tradition that would also leave a spiritual legacy. For the past few years on Christmas morning I have given each member of our family a special Christmas card and inside the card I place a laminated scripture card. I select a new verse each year and as a family we adopt that verse as our family verse for the coming year.

The young children have a simplified version of the verse to place in their room. The adults can place their verse on their desk, in their Bible, or any other place that provides a daily reminder. This special gift to each family member is designed to unite our family in our faith and in our love for one another as we pray for each other throughout the coming new year.

When our children were young, we also had another tradition. Every Christmas Eve all of the cousins in the family would take part in a homespun Christmas pageant. The little boys would don their bathrobes, bath towels for the headdress, and walking canes for shepherd staffs. The little girls would sprout angel wings and one lucky girl would get to be Mary. After the pageant we lit candles and sang “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night.” After that we brought in a special birthday cake for Jesus’ birthday and all the children sang happy birthday to Jesus and blew out the candles.

For me these are priceless memories to be forever treasured in my heart. Many of you know exactly what I am talking about because you have your own memories. If you do not have any special holiday memories I would encourage you to make some family memories that you will treasure in your heart for the years to come.

Mary had her own set of Christmas memories. Even on the very first Christmas, Mary reflected on the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. I imagine that she thought about the loving care of Joseph. Perhaps she remembered the long trip to Bethlehem and the actual birth of Jesus. No doubt she was amazed that her child was the Son of God. Perhaps she might have even been flabbergasted that God would choose an animal stable for the birth place of his Son. Mary may have thought about the star, the shepherds, and the angels. Scripture tells us for certain that Mary treasured, stored and pondered the memories in her heart.

Mary must have been very humbled to have been used by God in such a privileged way. I see Mary just as an ordinary woman who was nothing more than an available, obedient servant willing to be used by God. It is also my privilege to care for my family. I too am amazed that God would entrust me with the awesome job of being a mother and now a grandmother. It is my desire to make memories that are worth storing and pondering in my heart. I am just an ordinary woman who wants to be available and obedient to God.

Questions:

What are the things in your heart that you treasure and ponder?

Are you inspired by the example of Mary, an ordinary woman, who simply wanted to be obedient and used by God? Read: Luke 1:38, 46-49

Do you, like Mary, count it a privilege that God also wants to use you?

If you are a male reading this please pray for the women in your life who in the past have made Christmas meaningful for you. If you are married pray for your wife who works hard to make Christmas a special holiday for the family. Trust me men...it is a labor of love.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I know that you do not use every person in the same way. Some people are mothers amd fathers and some are grandmothers and grandfathers. Others wish with all their heart that they could be, but as yet it has not happened. Today I pray for all of those individuals. Some men and women are single and in many ways feel alone, yet you are able to show them traditions that they can share with others who may be in the very same place in their life. Lord this day I pray that all these people would embrace who they are in Christ Jesus. Every person gifted in his or her own special way. Lord I pray that we would all be men and women who are available and obedient to serve you in any way that you choose for us to serve.

In Your Name I pray. Amen

Christmas Ornaments

2011-11-27T00:01:00.010-05:00

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.”
I Corinthians 13:13 NIV

Yesterday was a Christmas shopping day. I cannot believe the hundreds of ornaments that are for sale. Some are silver and others are gold. Some are shiny and colorful while others are covered with glitter and glitz! Some ornaments are cute and some look like sweet treats. Others remind us of snow. There are bangles of all sorts that depict Santa, reindeer, elves and snowmen. Very few Christmas ornaments are religious.

I personally am greatly disturbed by ornaments that look like penguins, mice, campers, fishermen, professional people, sports enthusiasts and Disneyland! If you happen to like those ornaments please accept my apology. It was not my intent to offend you. I’m sure your tree is lovely!

When I was a child I was given a very special Christmas ornament. It was a small burgundy horn. This little trumpet was placed on our tree every year. When I started a home of my own, my mother graciously gave me my precious ornament. This horn would now hang from my Christmas tree. When my two children were little they loved blowing long and loud blasts before hanging the horn on the tree. I might add that they enjoyed hanging it within their reach so that it would be handy for future concerts. As the Christmas season progressed my endurance for their questionable music diminished to zero and at that point I would take the horn and place it on a very high branch of the tree. It was my good fortune that they never turned the tree over trying to reach the heirloom horn. Now as you might have guessed, my grandchildren love the horn and when they are around it becomes their favorite ornament.

Our ornaments carry with them memories of Christmases past. Some are beautiful and others are handmade by our children. Some remind us of the person who gave the ornament to us. As we hang each ornament on our tree we relive the emotional sentiment attached to each one.

This year as I hang ornaments on my tree I want to remember that my life displays its own set of ornaments. Those ornaments hang there everyday for everyone to see. Long after I am gone others will remember the ornaments that have exemplified my life. I wonder if there will be shiny superficial ornaments of pride and self-centeredness. Will there be dark, unattractive ornaments of fear and anger? Will my ornaments reflect un-forgiveness, greed, and control? Will the star that sits atop my life’s tree be self centered or will it be God centered. Will the ornaments of my life shine for Jesus?

Jesus Christ came to this earth so that we might not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus came to change lives, not only through salvation but through the process of sanctification. Jesus came to smash to death those ornaments of destruction that hang on the branches of our heart. In their place Jesus desires to give us his ornaments of grace that will carry us through this life and on into eternity. Three of those most precious ornaments are faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love!

Questions:

When was the last time that you pulled out the box that contained your life’s ornaments and examined them?

What did you find?

Among the beautiful ornaments that Jesus has placed in your box which do you treasure the most?

Do you see any ugly ornaments that need to be smashed and replaced with an ornament that reflects God’s beauty?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Help me to use this Christmas season to draw closer to you. As I decorate my home and our Christmas tree please show me if there are any ugly ornaments in my life that need to be replaced. Search me God and see if there is any wicked way in me, cleanse me from every sin and set me free. Demolish the ornaments of destruction that are lying in my heart. Lord, during the next few days I have much to do but as I go about my Christmas preparations I pray that I will seek you. Restore to me the joy of Christmas. Please hang your ornaments of grace on the branches of my life.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

An Upside-down Thanksgiving

2011-11-20T00:01:00.002-05:00

"O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34 AKJV

Every Thanksgiving we have a delicious meal of turkey and stuffing with all the trimmings. I then invite our guests to make their way to the dessert buffet. I’m always accused by someone of saving the best for the last.

I wonder what would happen if we started with the dessert buffet? I know for a fact it would make my grandchildren happy and many of the adults as well! It’s not that they don’t enjoy the main meal it is just that they would like to have what pleases them the most first.

If you are like me you live each day in a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving. However, on Thanksgiving Day most of us will pause, at least a few moments to think about what it is that we are thankful for. Hopefully that thanks will be directed toward God because it is God who provides all things.

When you ask a child what they are thankful for they usually say, their toys, or their electronic games. Sometimes they are thankful for mommy and daddy. Their list is usually very short and self-centered. I am appalled when I realize that far too often I fall into that same pattern of thanksgiving.

Why is it that when someone asks me what I am thankful for my mind goes immediately to things that are self-centered and right in front of my face. High on my list of thankfulness is my family, my home, my job, my health, my food, my friends, my church, my, my, my, everything. This is not wrong because we should be thankful for all that God has so richly provided for us. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that God is not amazed by my responses because he knows that I am human. The Bible tells me that I think on things below rather than things above. My thoughts are without a doubt upside - down thinking.

Sooner or later I finally do get around to being thankful for my salvation and for all the many blessing that come my way because of my faith. I am thankful for peace and joy. I am thankful for wisdom and understanding. I am thankful for God’s amazing love and faithfulness. I am thankful for the hope I have in heaven. I am thankful for God’s guidance in my life. I am thankful for God’s grace, his compassion and mercy towards me. His marvelous mercy that says, Paula, I know you are dust. I understand that your thinking is upside down. I love you regardless of the order in which you give thanks. I know your heart says things that your mouth does not speak. I love you unconditionally with a love that never ends.

Yes Lord, I am privileged, blessed and thankful! I’m glad that you understand that I save the best for last even though it is the sweetest of all!

Questions:

Have you ever experienced upside-down thankfulness?

What are you most thankful for?

Are you thankful for God’s love and mercy that endures forever?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you that you are a God of never ending love and mercy towards all those who love you. Forgive me Lord when I express self centered thanksgiving. Help me God to be more conscious of my intangible blessings. Today I want to express my thanks for those blessings first of all. In addition, thank you for all the things that you give me to see, hear, taste, smell, touch, love, and personally enjoy. God, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for all of my temporal blessings. God you are amazing! Thank you for your merciful love that understands and covers all my upside-down thinking.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Incrediable Joy In A Long Awaited Answer!

2011-11-13T00:01:00.005-05:00

“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 NIV

I have found that there is incredible joy in a long awaited answer to prayer! I believe that the longer the wait for an answer to prayer, the greater the joy when God finally delivers the answer. Although I desire a quick answer to my prayer there are many reasons that God may choose to delay his answer.

God may choose to delay an answer to prayer simply because all things are not ready. For instance you may be praying for a job but the job that God has in mind for you is not available yet. Or if you are married and your prayer request involves both you and your mate, you may have to wait until you are both ready for God to work. Maybe God is trying to accomplish something different in each of your lives that will require two different types of obedience. It is possible that maybe your mate is ready and you are still lacking. In another instance you may be praying for someone to accept the Lord, but you must wait until that person is willing. Other times God delays an immediate answer to our prayer because he has a much greater blessing in mind.

The manner in which we choose to wait for an answer can either bring God glory or it can show our lack of trust in God. I guess we could say that our waiting is a bit of a test. It is during the times of waiting that I must choose to be faithful and believe God no matter how long it takes for the answer to come. Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 NIV

The above scripture was spoken to those that witnessed Lazarus being raised from the dead. After Jesus had learned of Lazarus’ death he waited four days before he showed up at Lazarus’ home in Bethany. He was greeted by Lazarus’ two sisters, Mary and Martha. Both of the women expressed to Jesus that if he had gotten there earlier Lazarus would not have died. Now these women were friends of Jesus. They had witnessed him healing many people. I’m sure they were a bit put out because now when they needed Jesus, he was nowhere to be found! The point was that Jesus did not rush on the scene and heal Lazarus because he had chosen the death of Lazarus as an opportunity to perform a greater miracle. It would be a miracle that would bring greater glory to God. I can only imagine that when Jesus said “Lazarus come forth!” and Lazarus came out of the tomb throwing off his grave clothes, the people set up and took great notice because God was at that moment being glorified in an amazing way. You see, Jesus’ delay was a delay of love. It was for the greater good that he waited.

I prayed eleven years that my husband, who traveled weekly, would get a local job. I had friends and family all over the country joining me in that prayer. I believed with all my heart that God was more than able to answer my prayer, yet I did not know if God would choose to do so. I made up my mind that no matter what the outcome of my prayer I would remain faithful to my husband and my God.

Finally, from a heavenly perspective, all things were ready and God answered my prayer. Not only did God provide Joe with a local job in North Carolina, he gave him a home office and now he is home 24/7!

I cannot tell you the incredible joy that I experienced when this long awaited answer to prayer came! I was thrilled! God had not forgotten us; he knew our names and our address. It really did seem to my spirit that there was glory all around! It has been a few years now, but remembering this surprising answer to prayer still sends shivers up and down my arms!

When Joe gave me God’s good news, I immediately began making phone calls and sending e-mails to all the people who had been faithful in praying for us for eleven long years. You see, God could most likely have blessed us by finding my husband a local job sooner, but God did one better, a greater blessing indeed. Yes, there is great joy and a glorious witness as we shared the news of a long awaited answer to prayer. I’m so glad I didn’t miss out on the marvelous experience of what great joy feels like in a long awaited answer to prayer. I can only tell you it was and still is awesome!

This morning as I am leaving the garden my secret thoughts reveal that I wish that learning to wait on God was a one time experience. But I am finding that each situation walks me through yet another process of waiting. Today I want to remember that prayer is indeed a privilege and as I wait on God I will be prone to frustration. I don’t ever want to forget that the required sacrifice of submission is never easy but it is God’s plan for my peace. God commands me to keep praying and to not grow weary in doing the good work of prayer. With God’s help I also want to make good choices as I wait for his answers. I want to choose to wait in a spirit of peace rather than a spirit of impatience and frustration. Above all, I want to live in anticipation of the great joy that I will experience when my long awaited answer to prayer is delivered. I know that the answer will be a loving answer straight from the heart of God. Even if the answer is a heartbreaking no, I want to still choose to rejoice in the eternal value of God’s Divine answer, even if the value is veiled to me.

Questions:

Have you been praying for something for a long time?

Are you discouraged because God has not yet answered your prayer?

Can you now think differently about why God may be taking his time in answering your prayer?

Have you ever experienced great joy in a long awaited answer to prayer? If so try to recall the events of how God showed up and answered that prayer.

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for reminding me that there could be so many reasons why my prayers continue to go unanswered. I just want to take time now to tell you that I trust you as you make all things ready regarding my prayer request. I know that you desire to bless me and those around me when your glory is revealed in the answer to my prayer. I am choosing this day to be faithful as I wait on you. Help me to bring glory to you in the way that I wait for your answer. Help me to wait peacefully rather than impatiently. I take enormous joy in knowing that your answer was released in heaven even before I finished praying that first day I brought my request to you. I know that you will know when all things are ready.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.

Joy As We Wait

2011-11-06T00:01:00.004-04:00

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks,
and send some to those who have nothing prepared.
This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Today I decided to have lunch in the garden. The sun was high in the sky and the huge fluffy clouds reminded me of the white filling that is used for stuffing soft pillows. The autumn air had a chilling nip that caused me to zip up my jacket. Nonetheless, today the flowers were exceptionally beautiful! The wonderful thing that I love about the garden of my heart is that all species of flowers bloom every single day for my enjoyment. As I sat down on the garden bench and began to eat my sandwich I seemed to sense a tug on my heart to move closer to an area of the garden where the peace lilies bloomed profusely. I immediately got up and started walking toward the peace lilies. These pure white lilies seemed to be stretching their long slender necks toward heaven in joyful praise to their creator. I especially loved looking at the peace lilies today because my heart seemed to be at peace and joy seemed to be bubbling inside my spirit. Yes, today was a “no worry” day.

Satan tried his best to spoil my mood by reminding me that I still had many unanswered prayers. He also reminded me that I hate waiting. I didn’t like those thoughts so I shouted, “Satan, in the name of Jesus Christ, be gone!” He left.

After Satan left I felt the presence of the Master Gardner but he seemed to be staying out of my sight. That was not a major concern because I again began to feel joy bubbling up inside of me. I was amazed that I was so happy when I still had so many unanswered prayers sitting on God’s desk.

The truth is that I am waiting for God to answer many prayers. I am praying for my friends who are in need of jobs. There are prayers for successful surgeries and for good medical test reports. There are prayers for the healing. There are unanswered prayers regarding my family. There are at least a hundred unanswered prayers for people who do not know the Lord and seemingly don’t want to know him. There are many prayers for people who are walking away from God instead of walking with God. There are specific prayers for provision, reconciliation, and emotional healing. There are so many seemingly unanswered prayers and yet I am still experiencing the joy of Jesus. Even with the burdens I carry I am experiencing peace and the joy of the Lord and that is where I find my strength.

Waiting for God’s answers is hard. I have found that when I focus on the waiting I become discouraged. Today in the garden I begin to read God’s Word. I am reading and rereading the words of Nehemiah and I am finding them especially meaningful. Nehemiah had some very good advice regarding how I can make the most of every day I live, even if it is a day of waiting or rejoicing. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy some choice food and sweet drinks.” Now I don’t know about where you live, but here in North Carolina that means barbecue and sweet tea! Then Nehemiah said, “Send some to those who have nothing prepared.” I have yet to knock on someone’s door with muffins or a casserole and have them send me away. No, it’s just the opposite. Folks respond in joy when someone brings them food that they don’t have to cook themselves. When I experience their delight then before I know it I’m smiling too! Sharing is always something that breeds joy. Nehemiah also said, “This is a sacred day to our Lord.” No doubt this was a very special day for Nehemiah because he was reading the law to the Israelites. The law had not been read to them for the many years that they were in exile. For them it was a day for rejoicing. As for me this event is also a reminder to me that all my days are sacred in God’s sight. I am lavishly loved by my Father. This is a reason for incredible joy.

Nehemiah now waves the red flag of caution and tells the people DO NOT grieve. God was with them. If I remember that I have an unanswered prayer it is not because it is in the trash basket or because it has been lost. No way! I can be certain that God has my prayer in his “in box” and that some day he is going to move my request over to his “out box.” Wow! That is one more reason for joy. Nehemiah’s words also remind me that the joy of the Lord is my strength. It is good for me to remember that grief is common after loss, but prayers in process do not qualify as loss.

Without a doubt, Satan will try to be a joy buster! But how I wait for an answer to prayer is my choice. I can wait in frustration and fear or I can choose to wait patiently and in peace. But I must believe that God is completely able to accomplish what I have asked him to do. If God’s final answer is “no” then I must believe that God will be my strength and that his grace will be sufficient.

So today I am in the garden dancing the dance of joy! My delight sends me twirling around in circles until I fall into a cluster of bright golden lantana. What a coincidence, the flowers that I have landed in remind me of a “basket containing gold.” It has been my experience that when I joyfully wait for an answer to prayer and when that answer is finely delivered it is like receiving a basket of gold! This blessing is so incredible that it shines in golden radiance because it has God’s name written all over the answer. Usually, God even throws in a bonus surprise making the answer even more precious. God loves to make his answer so exceptionally unique that he often goes above and beyond what I have requested. God does this so that there is absolutely no way that I could ever doubt that the answer came from any source other than my heavenly Father. It is also God’s way of being glorified!

Questions:

What prayers do you have sitting in God’s “in box”?

Are you experiencing joy or frustration as you wait for answers?

How do you feel about Nehemiah’s antidote for waiting?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I pray that you will teach me to wait joyfully. Thank you that you do not want me to waste my days sitting around in fear or pacing back and forth in impatience. What great ideas Nehemiah had for celebrating as I wait for your answers. God you want me to eat and drink and to continue living my days in a spirit of joy. You want me to share with others from my resources. You caution me not to grieve for grief is the salve for loss. I am comforted to know that my prayers are not lost but rather they are a work in progress. God, I thank you that all of my days are precious to you and that not a single hair on my head goes unaccounted for. God this day I pray that you will give me a fresh anointing of your oil of joy as I wait. Protect me from Satan discouragement and help me to remember that he is a “joy buster”. May I never forget that your joy is my strength as I wait for your perfect answers.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good

2011-10-30T00:01:00.006-04:00

Photo of impatiens...not to be confused with impatience

...but always a gentle reminder not to be impatient.

“Let us not become weary in doing good
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV

Today I’m at my breaking point! Frankly, I’ve had it!! As I stomp out to the garden I realize that I am in such a tizzy that I have forgotten my coffee! Oh well, too late now. Today is the day that the Master Gardener and I are going to have it out about a few things. You may remember, I am a list maker and in my opinion lists are made so that finished projects can be crossed off. Today I am clutching in my hand a very well worn, crumpled up, tear stained prayer list. Needless to say many entries on this list are NOT crossed off. Frankly, I’m tired and weary of hauling this list around in my pocket. I want some answers and I want them now!

As I enter the garden, Jesus is almost laughing at my ridiculous, self-centered approach. I speak a gruff good morning as I plop myself down in the middle of a beautiful flower bed, hoping that somehow the beauty of these flowers will rub off on me. Jesus reaches down and takes me by my hand and pulls me up. Jesus’ tone of voice is calm and loving but his message is clear. “Paula, I don’t think you will be sitting here today. Today the “impatience” garden is far more suitable.”

And so the complaining begins, “Jesus, I am tired of praying for the same things over and over again. Are you even listening? Do you care? Are my prayers not worthy of your answers? Why is this taking so long? Don’t I have enough faith? If that’s the problem then exactly how much faith do I need and how much am I still lacking? Frankly Jesus, I’ve got to tell you that I’m frustrated. You tell me that it is good to pray but I am growing very weary. Lord I’m in desperate need of understanding prayer because I am next to giving up.”

Jesus looks into my eyes with the love and understanding that only he could possess and he begins teaching and I listen. Jesus begins by saying, “do not become weary in doing good,” Galatians 6:9 NIV After spending a good bit of time in the garden I start my walk back to the demands of life, but I will take away some wonderful words spoken by Jesus this morning.

“…I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 16:23b NIV I’m now starting to process the fact that perhaps I have been asking for my will not Jesus’ will. It is possible that they could already be the same, but according to this scripture I am compelled to search my heart with regards to my request. Have I been seeking God’s will or my will? Have I left the outcome up to him? It is very much like presenting a requisition list for supplies to the CEO of a company. The question is will my request for supplies be approved? Will Jesus be able to sign his name to my prayer request? Will Jesus read the list and know that what I have asked for is not really what I need? Will God’s eternal plan for my life override my personal desires? No doubt, there are times when my request is not in my best interest or in the best interest of the one for whom I am praying. Tears of sorrow and fear often cloud my vision with regard to God’s eternal answers.

“Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder.” Genesis 24:15 NIV Today I learned something new. The answer to a prayer prayed according to God’s will begins to be accomplished even before I stop praying. In this case Rebekah came out immediately, but I must also realize that even though the answer to my prayer begins the moment I pray it may not be fully released at that time. As a result, my prayer now should be thank you God that the answer is on the way and a future prayer will hold the thanksgiving of the completed answer.

“Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” John 11: 40 NIV This type of thinking will present me with the challenge of exhibiting faith and trust as I wait for God’s answers to my prayers. This exercise in believing God is already at work will also be a time when I must learn the lesson of waiting on God. I must not assume that a delayed answer to prayer is a “no” but rather see it as simply a sign that God is on the job but all things are not ready. Very simply put I must “hang in there!” I must also learn to accept the fact that some of my prayers may never be answered in my lifetime, but that fact does not make those prayers any less important.

So a few final thoughts, today I am treasuring the prayers that my deceased parents have prayed for me. They did not live to see the person I have become or am becoming in Christ Jesus. I love knowing that even though my mother only knew our children briefly her prayers for them are stored in heaven. My two grandchildren are blessed because of the prayers that their great grandmothers and great grandfathers have prayed for them even before they were born. And so I too will continue to pray for the faces of loved ones that I may never know. God has promised me that he is carving out blessings for a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Exodus 20:6) I do not want to grow weary in doing the good work of prayer. Long after I am gone, God will continue to call the souls of those that do not know him to himself. God will continue to call his children who are not making their walk with God a priority. The prayers that I have prayed for those people will never go unnoticed by God. He will continue to draw those individuals to himself because caring people have prayed. The events in life may not fall into place until I have left this world, but still I will continue to persevere in prayer.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

Questions:

What have you prayed for that you think will never be answered?

Are you growing weary in doing the good work of prayer?

Are you comforted in knowing that even when you grow weary in doing good, God does not grow weary?

In the future how will you view your answered prayers that have not yet become sight?

How does it make you feel to realize that your prayers will out live you?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank your for today’s lessons learned in the garden. It is very clear that this day I have been in need of an attitude check. Forgive me God for my impatience. God, I am amazed to know that even before I finish praying that you have placed my prayer in a pile marked “To Be Accomplished!” Today God, I release to you my time table and I embrace your promise that you will answer me according to your perfect will. God I am counting on you. I am waiting in anticipation for the day that you will show up with the answer in your hand. I accept the fact that I may never see the answer to my prayer but I will continue to completley trust you and believe that my prayers are stored in heaven and will out live me.

So it is…
In Your Son’s Name (according to your perfect will) that I bring all my requests. Amen.

The Sacrifice of Submission

2011-10-23T00:01:00.002-04:00

“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
For what I do is not the good I want to do;
no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.
What a wretched man I am!
Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Romans 7:18-19, 24-25 NIV

Today I have come to the garden with a struggling heart. I know what I should do but I don’t want to obey. I am overcome with anger because of my situation. I want to be the one in control, not God. It’s my life, why don’t I get to call the shots? Why do things keep happening to me that I have to struggle with and work through? It seems at times that God is setting up there in his beautiful heaven while I am here on earth making all of the sacrifices. So today with more than my fair share of anger bubbling up within me I come to the garden and go directly to my cooling down spot. I love this precious little waterfall that trickles down the rocks and splashes into the pond. Here I am surrounded by the soft gentle ferns and the striking hosta that is displaying many beautiful shades of green. I have been to this cooling down spot many times before. Believe me, this place is very familiar! There are no surprises here; I know exactly what is coming next. Two words immediately flood my mind. Those hard to swallow words are sacrifice and submission.

When I think of sacrifices I immediately remember the Old Testament sacrifices and Jesus’ sacrifice for our salvation. As believers we are also told to offer up to our God and King sacrifices of praise and worship. But today I am faced with yet another sacrifice; it is the sacrifice of submission. God’s will for my life, not my will.

For me the sacrifice of submission is very difficult because it involves the personal relinquishment of the very thing that my heart and my will tenaciously cling to like moss on a tree. It is the people, the relationships, and the circumstances in life that in my own strength I am unable to surrender to God. Satan battles with me on an extremely high level regarding those issues that I must surrender to God in order to live victoriously. Satan fills my mind with lies, he fills my heart with fear, and he straps burdens on my back that I must carry all day and even as I sleep!

It is true that I will never be perfect in this life, but it is also true that God wants me to experience victorious living on every level while I am alive. This victory comes to me when I am able to relinquish my will to God’s great power and authority.

You may be terminally ill, or you may live in constant pain. You may now be putting your life on hold in order to be a caregiver for someone you love. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one. Your finances may be a matter of deep concern. Perhaps you have lost your job and are at your wits end looking for another one. You may have a difficult child or an adult child that is a prodigal. Perhaps war has separated you from a loved one. You may be someone who has experienced a broken relationship or maybe you are involved in a marriage that has gone south. Perhaps you have been separated from a loved one due to false accusations. Maybe you have suffered abuse. You may be uneducated, unemployed, unmarried, childless or unfulfilled. You may feel that you are alone in your circumstances but trust me, God is there!

The truth is that we are surrounded by trouble on every side. BUT GOD… has overcome the world and he gives that same power to each of us who belong to him. Jesus has opened the throne room of God and given us direct access to the Heavenly Father. Through prayer we petition the Father, Jesus also intercedes for us, and when we pray, God’s power is released to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. With God’s help, becoming a person who overcomes the adversity and the heartache that is found in life is a very real possibility.

I am here in the garden today because this is to be a day of letting go! I want to do what is right but I struggle to do it because I am a slave to my sin nature. Poor wretched woman I am, who will sit me free? Jesus Christ will set me free one day at a time. No matter what I have been through, or what I am going through, or what I will go through in the future, God wants the sacrifice of my submission. God wants me to hand him the “what if” the “what is” and the “what will be”. God wants my faith response to be, God, I trust you completely with my life and with the lives of those I love.

I am so grateful that my righteousness is not based upon my immediate obedience to submission. When life knocks me off my feet I must spend time in the garden. I must either return to the garden or stay in the garden until I am able to relinquish my will to God’s will. I am not any different than Jesus. The struggle of the flesh vs. the spirit takes place in my garden of Gethsemane just as it did for Jesus. It is my faith and trust in Jesus that is accounted to me as righteousness in God’s sight. It is having faith that believes that God is able to work in my behalf and that he will work in my best interest no matter what the results in this life may look like. In this present world God chooses many times to bless us, but eternity is always his priority! Our eternal good always overrides this present life. Because of God’s great love for me, today I choose to let go.

Questions:

Is there anything in your life that you need to let go of and give to God?

Are you experiencing a struggle of your flesh vs. the spirit?

Are you feeling anger or fear regarding your situation?

Are you afraid to let go?

Do you want to experience God’s peace and victory in this struggle?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before you today and readily admit that I am angry and I am afraid! But the fact is there is no where I am safe from this torment except in your arms. Why is it so hard for me to trust you? I know you love me. I know you love those I love more than I do. Yet, I am so afraid! God I need your power and your strength to fill me so that I will have the courage to trust you. God, I know that you are looking out for my eternal good. I have been told that hard times and brokenness are used in my life to make me into your likeness. Oh to be like you Lord, pure and sinless as you are. Today Lord, I am going to take a leap of faith. I know full well it could go either way. I could gain or I could loose. But this day I will choose to let go and say, “…the LORD gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Lord I also know that the sacrifice of submission is necessary for my peace. I also realize that sometimes I must “let go” before I can “have”. Either way Lord, today I release my tight grip to you as I choose to let go of _________________.

In You Name I Pray. Amen.

The Winds of Adversity

2011-10-16T00:01:00.002-04:00

“Awake, north wind, and come south wind!

Blow on my garden,

that its fragrance may spread abroad.”

Song of Songs 4:16 NIV

Do I welcome adversity? Absolutely not! In fact I dread adversity. Do I dread the process and fear the outcome? Yes, in fact adversity sends my heart immediately straight to worse case scenario. But I do believe that Jesus understands those feelings. The Bible records that Jesus dreaded the cross but he also choose to say, "not my will but thy will be done." Fear seems to be so natural. It usually is my first response. Yet God has provided an antidote for fear. God’s antidote is his wonderful peace.

Some days when I am in the garden I feel that all of the flowers have faded except for the bleeding hearts that surround my feet. If I continue to look downward at my bleeding heart I may succumb to fear, worry, and even depression. Many times in life I have experienced deep sorrow that has caused me extreme grief. Grief is the emotional mechanism that God uses to cleanse our sorrow. However, grief is meant to last only for a season and then God gently moves us ahead. Refusing to move on with God is dangerous.

Sometimes the winds of adversity carry the destruction of a tornado but God says, take my hand. I must admit that there have been times that I did not feel that I could even reach up to God let alone take his hand. But God doesn’t require much, he only requires faith the size of a mustard seed. When we take a chance on God he rewards even the smallest mustard seed of faith. Because sin has entered our world I can be sure that the winds of life will blow and that trouble will find its way into my life. It will be the kind of trouble that will cause me to dig deep into my soul and look to God for his help and strength. Without a doubt, God will be there waiting to take may hand.

Today I am sitting in the garden reading from the Song of Songs. I am surprised to discover that Solomon is actually asking for both the north and the south winds to blow on his garden. Why? Solomon understood that the strong winds of adversity were sure to be followed by God’s pleasant and temperate breezes of peace for those who trust in the Father. Solomon knew that he would never know the blessing of God’s peace in his life if his life was always without trials, nor would he ever experience the sweet fragrance that emits as the Holy Sprit blows is sweet peace into our heart if we never experience need. Solomon prayed for both the northern cold winds of adversity and the balmy southern breezes of peace. He prayed that the fragrance of that peace would be spread abroad so that God would be glorified.

As I consider that thought I reach down and pluck a dandelion that has been spent. Nothing but the frail fluffies remains. I take a deep breath and blow all of the white feathery particles into the air. This weed-flower that was once brilliant with golden yellow petals is now blowing abroad. I’m not really sure where they go or where they will land. But one thing for sure is that this one dandelion will multiply.

I am captivated by the thought, blow wind blow over my garden so that its sweet fragrance may multiply. I begin to realize that my life is just like that of a dandelion. Frankly, if I remember correctly dandelions don’t smell very sweet. But without Jesus in my life neither do I. Oh sometimes sweetness comes easy especially when things are going my way and when I am surrounded by like minded people, a nice paycheck, good health and wonderful kids. But in adversity my sweetness starts to fade. I need the sweet breath of Jesus to blow on my garden his peace into my heart, because only then will the winds blow Jesus’ sweet fragrance abroad.

So it is in being crushed by adversity that God offers me an opportunity to release his fragrance to others. It is by needing forgiveness that I learn the sweet fragrance of forgiving. It is in needing provision that I learn to give to others. It is in experiencing sorrow that I learn to comfort. When I am feeling backed into a corner it is then that I learn how to be merciful. It is when others judge me wrongly that I learn not to judge. It is when I am sick and suffering that I learn how to show loving compassion to others who are sick and suffering.

Awake north wind and come south wind! Blow on my garden. I pray, change me Lord so that when you allow adversity into my life I will not become bitter but rather better. My heart’s garden belongs to you. Blow on my garden according to your will so that its fragrance my spread your love abroad through me.

Frankly the thought of adversity still scares me to death! But God has promised me that his grace will be sufficient for me and that he will never leave me or forsake me. It has been my experience that God always gives me exactly what I need the very moment I need it and not a single minute before. So I will continue to pray for God’s grace in my life in all circumstances.

Before I leave the garden I will pick some dandelions to carry back into the house with me. I will place this small nosegay on my breakfast table and later I will carry it into my office. Tonight I will place it on my night stand and I will sleep in peace knowing that when the winds of adversity blows on my garden God has a purpose and a plan to make something beautiful come from my pain and brokenness. I believe with all my heart that God is able to take the stench of the dandelions and in good time blow the fluffies of his love and grace abroad and miraculously change the stench into a sweet fragrance that only comes from knowing and trusting Jesus.

Questions:

When was the last time you found yourself in the middle of a situation that made your heart pound with fear? Are you there now?

When adversity comes into your life is your first response to try and fix the situation yourself?

How long is it before you pray?

How does the thought of welcoming adversity strike you?

Can you see that trusting God in all things is a response that will spread his sweet fragrance to others?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I do not welcome adversity. In fact, I hate it! Thank you for not expecting me to embrace the hard times in life. However God, I do desire to embrace you as I deal with my adversity. I ask that your Holy Spirit give me daily strength and grace as I walk through life’s difficulties. God I pray that through your mysterious ways you will shape my character and help me to become a person who depends on you as I endeavor to overcome life’s adversities. God I don’t know about the future but I know you and you are the one who holds the future. Father, give me your grace to trust you today and tomorrow. Awake, north wind, and come south wind! Blow on my garden that your fragrance may spread abroad.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

The Frustration of Unanswered Prayer

2011-10-09T00:01:00.005-04:00

“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer
believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 NIV

I love to make lists and then cross things off of my lists as I accomplish each task. In my organized and impatient brain prayer is no exception. I want to put each prayer request on my prayer list, pray about it, get an answer, and then you guessed it, cross it off my list. Because of my impatience I have experienced frustration in unanswered prayer. Today’s verse puzzled me because I prayed for things that I didn’t get. At times I have refused to pray because I didn’t think God was much interested in answering my little prayers. I thought God was pretty busy with the “big stuff” in life, and didn’t have time for me. Then God began to teach me about prayer. I hope you are a faster learner than I am! The fact is unanswered prayer can be frustrating.

I have learned that it is important for me to understand what it is that hinders prayer. For sure sin and un-forgiveness in our life hinders our prayers. It is always a good idea to allow God to search our heart and cleanse us before we begin asking him for favors. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 NIV

Praying with doubt also hinders our prayers. Believing that God can accomplish what we ask for is very important. We should believe that God is able to deliver the goods even for the things that we believe to be impossible. We may wonder how God will answer our prayer or even if he will choose to answer our prayer as we have requested, but we must never doubt that he is able, because with God all things are possible. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave on the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1: 6-8 NIV

Asking with wrong motives hinders our prayers. At times we will ask God to heal someone we love simply because we love them and are not ready to let them go. Other times we may ask God for provision because we want to be responsible and provide for our family. I believe we can ask God for anything. I just try to be honest before God as to why I am asking. You see, God knows my heart and he knows I am human. God knows the difference in greed and need and he always recognizes love.

I am quite certain that the primary purpose of prayer is for me to open my heart up to God. Without prayer my heart remains closed. Prayer is not always to receive answers but it is always to receive him. God uses prayer to change me. God wants to reverse any upside down thinking that I may have about him or about others. God uses prayer to teach me about who he is. He wants me to see his attributes, his love, his power, and his glory. When I am able to wrap my mind around those things I am able to believe God for his answers to my prayers. Without trust and confidence in God’s ability to answer my prayers I do become frustrated with what seems to me to be unanswered prayer.

God answers prayer in many ways. “YES” prayers are my favorite! Some are answered immediately, other times God’s answer comes to me as a feeling of peace. Other times I have experienced a yes answer that is confirmed to me through a scripture or God gives me a promise to claim as I wait for his perfect timing. To some of my prayers God says “WAIT” because all things are not ready. Even when I am pacing the floor and wringing my hands, God is busy preparing an opportunity or changing a heart. Sometimes it is necessary for God to change my heart or my circumstance because I’m not ready for the answer. God also says “NO” because my request may not be in my best interest. Sometimes I ask God for good when he in fact has something much better. I have seen that some of God’s delays are his delays of love. Many times God’s delays are simply setting the stage for God’s glory to be revealed later in an amazing way.

I have been guilty of becoming impatient in the wait. Sorry to say I haven't always understood God’s intentions. In frustration I have labeled my request as a no, or I feared that my prayer was either not heard or discarded. Other times I have believed Satan’s lie that told me that I did not have enough faith to get my prayer answered. I am so glad that God does not expect me to drum up large containers of faith. No. God simply says, come, seek, call, ask, and I will hear and answer.

As I walk the “waiting” path in my garden, I will gather baskets of forget-me-nots to lay at the feet of Jesus when I pray. What a comfort it is to know that God does not mind me reminding him that I am waiting for his answers. My heart’s cry is simply Jesus forget-me-not. Then he reminds me that he has promised that he will never leave me or forsake me and that his grace will be sufficient for me as I wait. My response is simply thank you Jesus that your answer is on the way.

Questions:

Have you ever been frustrated by unanswered prayer?

Is there anything in your heart that would be a hindrance to answered prayer?

Which is more important – knowing how to pray perfectly or believing that God is able to answer your simple prayer of need that is wrapped in trust?

Do you find comfort in knowing that as you wait upon the Lord the answer is already on the way?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I thank your for the privilege of prayer. I am especially thankful that you are a God that hears my prayers. Even in the times that I do not hear, see, or feel an answer to my prayer help me to remain confident that you have heard me. Protect me from becoming frustrated with prayer. With all my heart God, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are able to answer any prayer that I pray. Help me to relax as I wait for your answers. Forgive me when I demand immediate answers to my prayers. Help me to trust you that all of my requests are going to be answered from a heavenly perspective in a manner that is in my best interest. Give me a trusting heart even if your answer is no. Even when the result of prayer is no and ends in personal pain and sorrow, give me the faith to know that you will still make this situation work for my eternal good.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.

The Privilege of Prayer

2011-10-02T00:01:00.004-04:00

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
I John 5:14 NIV

This morning I am entering the garden for the specific purpose of talking to the Master Gardner. Still, I am feeling a bit uncomfortable, a little intimidated, and most definitely deficient in my communication skills as I attempt to express my deepest needs. One thing I am certain of is that whatever I say, God will hear me. I believe that praying to the God of the universe is nothing short of a miraculous privilege. I will never understand how this is possible but because God has met my needs in the past I know that this is true. My God is a god who is not made of stone or imagination, but rather he is a God who hears even my faintest whisper, knows my every thought, and provides answers to all my prayers.

I admit that sometimes my heart is so heavy that I don’t know where to begin. Often I don’t even know what to say, so I say nothing. But still I come. I know that by merely coming to God I am admitting my need and that may be the most eloquent prayer that I have ever prayed or ever will pray. Sometimes it is the only prayer I have.

As I lean up against the strong trunk of my favorite old oak tree I look across the path and see a beautiful fluffy white patch of delicate baby’s breath. The simplicity of this sweet flower causes me to smile as I remember my childhood when life was innocent and free of obligations and heartache. I hear a rustle in the bushes and as I look up I see the Master Gardner approaching. When he reaches me he says, “Paula, I saw you when you headed for the garden. I saw your face and I sensed your need.” With tears in my eyes, I answer, “Yes Lord, I am in need.” Jesus points across the pathway and says, “Take a lesson from the baby’s breath and allow prayer to be the breath that exhales from your mouth and receive my peace as the very air you breathe into your spirit. Just like this simple flower, come to me in simple prayer and you will find peace.”

Today I am beginning to realize that prayer is not a complicated obligation. Prayer is a privilege. My Creator has an open door policy. God may be invisible to my eyes but let me assure you that he is an up close and personal God! I have become so accustomed to the impersonal interaction that is exhibited in this world of technology that I barely remember personal service. I still become frustrated when I hear “press one for English, press two for a technical assistance, press three to make a reservation, press four to cancel or change a reservation, press five for all other assistance or stay on the line and maybe, just maybe an agent will assist you!”

Yes, having a person to person, face to face God who hears my prayers is a definite benefit and privilege! God is not impersonal. God is still in the business of cultivating a personal relationship with each one of us and that is done through prayer. God is always available and he knows my name. God hears me when I call and he immediately begins to answer my prayer even before I finish praying. Now that is what I call customer service! God does not speak to me in an audible voice but still he speaks. He speaks through his Word, through the words of other believers, through my thoughts, and through his creation.

Today I still have many questions. How will this problem be resolved? When will this heartache end? How will God meet my need? But I am calm because today I have made a personal connection with God. I have gone to the source of my life and I have asked him for his grace not his answers. So today I am going to choose to trust God to handle my prayer according to his will for my life. I am going to leave the garden knowing that God’s answer is on the way. I am also comforted in knowing that God takes great joy in answering prayers that seem impossible because that is where his glory shines!

As I leave the garden gate and enter back into the responsibilities of life I realize that Jesus has not left me empty handed. Jesus has slipped into the pocket of my heart a small box. As I untie the shear white ribbon and lift the lid on the box I see one simple word written in gold on parchment. It simply says, “Peace” and then I notice a small snip of baby’s breath lying in the box. How simply wonderful it is that Jesus has left me this tender reminder for my heart to treasure as I wait for his answers.

God wants me to ask him for what I need but when my words fail me I must be confident that the Holy Spirit prays for me. When my deep yearnings need expression that is beyond my vocabulary, the groans of the Holy Spirit take my concerns to God. This is a language that my words cannot express. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26 NIV

Questions:

Have you ever been unable to pray?

How does that make you feel?

Do you receive comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit prays for you in times when you cannot?

What is it about the privilege of prayer that you love the most?

When you pray do you stay in the garden until God tucks his gift of “peace” into your heart’s pocket?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Prayer is so amazing. It is that bridge that connects me to you. Thank you for the privilege of prayer. I praise you that you are approachable and available. I am amazed that you would provide the Holy Spirit to assist me in my prayers and in my inability to express my prayers. Jesus you so want to have a personal relationship with me that you have left nothing to chance or my lack of eloquence. How I love that all you desire is that I come in simple humility of heart seeking you, not your answers. It is…

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

Retirement or Refinement

2011-09-25T00:01:00.005-04:00

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Today I am thinking about what a comfort Jeremiah 29:11 is for those of us who are referred to as seniors. We often purchase plaques or cards with this verse written on it to give to young adults who are graduating, and going off to college or starting a new phase of their life. But the gray haired seniors are also in need of these encouraging words from the book of Jeremiah. However, if you are not a senior, please keep reading because today's message has words of encouragement for you as well.

Many people look forward to, yet dread retirement all in the same breath. Sometimes retirement brings disappointments because we are not busy enough or unexpected responsibilities restrict us from doing what we had hoped to do during our retirement. I am finding that as my lifestyle is changing becoming a senior is not such a bad thing. In many circumstances age can actually be my friend. I have found that some of the things that I used to worry about just aren’t that important anymore. An experienced mind is a good thing. A forgetful mind is a problem! For the most part I view this ageing process as just another bridge to cross over. In a way this is my “Autumn Glory!”

Rocking chair retirement is not for me but having a chance to slow down enough for God to begin the work of refinement in my life has been and is astounding! I have experienced that rest and restoration, solitude and simplicity, are fast becoming my new best friends. Letting go of old responsibilities and looking for God’s direction as he leads me toward my next assignment has been both joyful and amazing.

Moving to North Carolina provided a lot of joy but the first five years were full of hard personal lessons as well! Looking back, I see that God’s purpose for me during those difficult days was and continues to be a work of refinement for my spiritual growth and development. I am learning that refinement cleanses me, it teaches me hard lessons, it provides opportunity for me to trust God, and calls me to pray and study God’s Word more than ever before. Refinement has also given me an opportunity to forgive, to relinquish my pain, and to move on. During this time of refinement I have also discovered the opportunity of learning the very difficult skill of waiting on God. The words “remain faithful” continue to challenge my thoughts regularly. Refinement has also brought other challenges. At one point God asked me to set aside my agenda for someone else’s project. God also asked me to step out of my comfort zone and do something new and different. God continues to ask me to leap out in simple obedience holding on to nothing but faith.

During this season of my life the discovery of God’s many blessings to me has become more visible. I think I am more aware of my blessings because I have more time for reflection. My longevity gives me countless opportunities to look back and see God’s faithfulness. God’s perfect record of provision allows me to trust him for my future as well. As my prayers go up it seems to me that I am now more aware of God’s unique way of answering my prayers. I am also observing God’s abundant answers to prayer, and I am witnessing those answers falling fresh and new every day. Yes indeed, this is “Autumn Glory!”

So then, does graying give us permission to throw in the towel, become a couch potato, or to curl up and wait to die? Most certainly not! Does it give us permission to selfishly pursue only the things that make us happy? Again, most certainly not! Retirement or semi-retirement gives us the opportunity to first of all be refreshed in God’s love. Secondly, we have the opportunity to experience God’s refinement as he prepares us for the next phase of our life. Thirdly, if we have been blessed spiritually then it is our duty to pass that on to others. For however many days each of us have left on this earth, this is our time to shine for Jesus.

If you are a young person reading these words, simply put them on the back shelf of your mind for future use, God willing. Another option would be to pass this on to someone who is retired or facing retirement. Remember, encouragement is needed at all ages. Young or old we all need to know that God has a plan for our life, plans that will not harm us but rather give us a hope and a future. Even in the most difficult of situations we all need to be reminded, God goes before us and he will be our all sufficient God. I would also encourage you to look forward to each new phase of your life as part of God’s amazing plan for you. Don’t let the milestones of 30, 40, 50, or 65 discourage or depress you. Be thankful for life; embrace the work that you have been given for this time of your life. Look forward to the new privileges and blessings that accompany every decade. And every year that you live always raise the bar in your own relationship with Jesus Christ. Keep growing in his marvelous love and grace. Never become satisfied. Always know that God has more for you!

Questions:

Are you bothered by your age?

Do you see the aging process as an opportunity?

What are your plans for retirement?

Have you considered that God’s also has plans for your retirement?

Have you ever experienced God’s refinement in your life?

What is it that God is doing in your life right now?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I’m wondering if age is even important to you. Do you laugh at the word retirement? God help me to see my life as you do. God, help me to welcome your refinement in my life. I know that you understand that in my humanness I am prone to dread and fear regarding the future. Yet you constantly remind me that I am not to worry and that I should trust you completely. Down deep in my heart I really do know that you can be trusted. I am fully aware that sickness and dying are a natural part of life, and that I will experience trouble and hardships. In fact you have said to expect it! So God please refine my fear and everything else that needs the divine touch of your hand. God, you have also promised to be all that I will ever need. You have promised to be with me in my darkest hour and in my deepest need. You have promised all of us who love you a happy ending. Eternity with you forever! Yes indeed, the best is yet to be!

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Taking the "No Thank You" Bite!

2011-09-18T00:01:00.015-04:00

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;" Psalm 34:8a NIV

Have you ever noticed that children do not like to try new foods? Is it the fear of the unknown? What if it tastes yucky? What if it’s bitter, hard to chew and swallow? Sometimes they reject a new food simply because they don’t like the way it looks.

One evening as my daughter was preparing dinner she was making coleslaw. My four year old grandson, Joshua, says, “What’s that?” My daughter explains that it is delicious coleslaw. Joshua doesn’t hesitate for even a moment as he replies, “None of that will be coming to my plate!”

Both my son-in-law, Todd, and daughter, Amy, have done an amazing job teaching both of our grandchildren to say “no thank you.” In fact when it comes to food the children are required to taste an unfamiliar food before they say no. They call it the “no thank you bite.” Often the children will taste the bite and much to their surprise find that they actually like what they have just tasted. Other times they taste the new food and simply shake their head and say, “no thank you.” At that point they are not required to eat more unless they choose to do so. I have also observed that in this ritual the grandchildren have sometimes taken the “no thank you bite” and liked it yet they still choose not to take more because they wanted to eat the more familiar things on their plate. In my granddaughter Abigail’s case she wants to make sure that she reserves room for the “sweet treat” at the end of the meal because this is her entire reason for eating food in the first place!

It is occurring to me today that these conversations are very much like the conversations that I have with God. If I don’t speak the words, I think them in my heart. Many times I have worried about what might happen in the future and I say, "No thank you God, none of that will be coming to my plate!” Sometimes tragedy strikes and I scream through my tears, “No thank you God! I don’t want this!” The bite of life that I have just been handed is indeed bitter, tough and hard to chew. It is more than I feel I can swallow. For sure I don’t like the looks of it and without a doubt I would much rather have a sweet treat! In my distaste for the situation at hand I ask God, “What was wrong with serving me the familiar things that I love? Things were going so good and now this! No thank you God, I do not need this nor do I want this in my life.”

Could it be that all of God’s bites are not distasteful? I am sure that God provides many opportunities for me every day to “taste and see that he is good.” Unfortunately, we are a generation that runs to and from activities, we perform our obligations, we race to work, and then come home to our responsibilities. Sometimes we are only eating “fast food” bites of God’s love, grace and blessings. These bites are certainly nourishing and they satisfy our hunger for the moment.

If I continue on this fast track and never find time to taste all that God has for me, what I am really doing is rejecting God and refusing to take a “no thank you bite.” Consequently, if I continue to refuse to taste what God has for me I will never experience the delicious taste of his wisdom, peace and joy. I have found that tasting of God requires me to sit down to a meal of his Word and savor each and every morsel that he has placed on my plate.

Could it be that God actually has something really delicious for my taste buds to enjoy? Could it be that I am saying just like my grandchildren, “no thank you?” Unlike parents, God doesn’t require me to “taste and see that he is good.” No, I can choose daily to say no to his “no thank you bites,” even though some of them have the potential of being as sweet as chocolate cake or banana cream pie! I believe that most of life is both sweet and savory. I know that my salty tears can be offset with God’s sweet treats if I allow him to provide the spiritual food that I so desperately need.

I know that down deep in the pit of my stomach, God wants me to stop rejecting his “no thank you bites.” The sweet treat bites are offered to me because he loves me. The bitter bites are also allowed because he loves me! I must remember that it is through my brokenness that God develops my character and that is indeed a good thing! All that God lovingly asks of me is for me to finish the meal, regardless of what is on my plate and when I do the “sweet treats” are sure to follow.

Bitter bites in life come our way. The bite remains even if we reject what has been served us on our plate. We can choose to push away God’s help. We can choose anger over acceptance. The fact is that bite will remain until God takes it away. No, I don’t want those bites either, but God seems to lace all that is bad in our life with the sweetness of his sustaining love.

I am learning to anticipate with wild anticipation the delicious tray of pastries that God will soon pass in front of me. When that day comes God will allow me to eat all that I can hold and then stuff in a little more. Until then I must not push God away and say that, “none of this will be coming to my plate.” The greatest joy of all for me will be my final meal invitation. It will be a meal that I will eat with Jesus in heaven at the “Wedding Super of the Lamb.” “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Revelation 19:9 NIV We will all be invited to this meal if we belong to him! Our reward waits for us in heaven. In heaven we will be rewarded because we have trusted God and invited his precious Holy Spirit to help us overcome all of life’s “no thank you bites”.

Questions:

Have you experienced a time when you have said, “None of that will be coming to my plate?”

Are you currently eating a distasteful bite?

Are you pushing the “no thank you bite” away?”

Do you think if you willingly taste the bite God will help you eat this bitter bite and while doing so also provide you with some bites of his sweetness as well?

What are some of life's bites that you have tasted that were sweet and left you wanting more?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Help me not to fear the future. I know for sure that I will experience difficult trials of life that I do not welcome. I am so thankful that you do not expect me to welcome those times. Your Son did not welcome his death on the cross but he did accept that it was necessary. His desire was to do your will at all costs and because of that obedience you have seated him at your right hand and given him glory and honor. Yes, the agonizing tears of Gethsemane mixed with the sweetness of heavenly reward. Help me Lord that as I come to each difficulty in my life that I will be able to accept tasting all of your “bites”, the bitter and the sweet. Write on my heart the verse, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Lord you are good not just part of the time but you are good in all times.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

My Stubborn Will

2011-09-11T00:01:00.006-04:00

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

When God wants to make an adjustment in my character it is sometimes a painful process because I present such resistance. I tend to be a slow learner and a strong willed child of God, the result of my resistance to correction lengthens the process. Just so you know what that looks like, (and it’s not a pretty picture) here’s the scenario.

Maybe the adjustment I need is regarding my ability to forgive. First, I am ticked off that I have to deal with the situation in the first place. My first emotional breakdown is anger. Now I have to deal not only with forgiving but I must add anger to the list! When I calm myself down I begin to bargain with God. Let me just tell you, God does not bargain, so don’t bother! I suggest to God, (how could I be so presumptuous) that “I will do this God if you will do that.” I now must add control to my list of misdemeanors. When that attempt ends on a dead end street, I then throw a pity party. If you are keeping track of my negative emotions, here is another one for the list, self centeredness. When I recover from the pity party, I pick myself up and dust myself off and tell myself that God is not concerned about me or my problem. I have now fallen for one of Satan’s destructive lies! He has successfully planted the seed of doubt in my mind. I determine that I don’t need God’s help. I’ll be just fine without him. I am now knee deep in arrogance! You see sin breeds more sin!

After that temper tantrum and disrespect I wonder how it is that God could still love me. Fact is – he does! God overlooks that I have behaved like a spoiled child. God’s Holy Spirit now draws me back to himself. If I still resist, I may have to suffer additional brokenness until I can turn my heart back home. God will never force me to return to him, it is still my choice. In my desperation I come to my senses and run back to God. I fall before him like an old worn out and limp rag doll. I ask God for his forgiveness and he forgives. I surrender to him by relinquishing my control. Jesus then lifts me up and massages my heart so that his grace and mercy can be applied to my soul.

What I basically needed was an attitude adjustment. After a quiet, secluded walk in the woods I begin to realize that God may not change my situation, but God is most certainly able to help me want to change the way I think about my situation. This attitude adjustment is beneficial in developing my character. Daily choosing Jesus’ ways can be a struggle. Yet, God always uses this change in my behavior to influence others for Jesus. This is one way that the Father is glorified through my life even though I may be unaware he is working.

At this point it may appear to be over, but that is only partially true, because Satan hates it when I get back on track. His attacks will come in very subtle ways. That is why it is important for me to stay on guard and stay focused on God. It is important that I embrace God’s power and protection during this time of vulnerability.

Relinquishing my stubborn will is one of the hardest things I have ever tried to do. In my own strength I believe it is impossible. But God wants us to succeed in all of our efforts to become a better Christian, so he comes along side of us with this promise. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome…, because the one (the Holy Spirit) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world I John 4:4 NIV. I cannot do it alone but it is the Holy Spirit that enables all of us in our time of need.

Questions:

Have you ever experienced this type of struggle between you and God?

Did or does your situation require your relinquishment of your control?

Did you find your way back home and experience God’s forgiveness?

How did God use that character adjustment for your good?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Today I praise you and worship you because you are a God who loves me even when I behave in a sinful manner. Please forgive me when I tenaciously cling to my own will. God, surrender and relinquishment are so hard, yet I am reminded that you willingly laid down your life for me so that I might have forgiveness from my sin and the hope of eternal life with you. Thank you God for all of the character adjustments that you are attempting to make in my life. Help me not to resist those changes but rather embrace them as a sign of your love for me.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.

Failing to Ask

2011-09-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

“You do not have, because you do not ask God.”
James 4:2b NIV

It was an amazing morning in the garden. It was a time that I will remember and treasure in my heart all of my days. It was a morning for a miracle! Setting in the garden surrounded by bright orange and yellow marigolds, graceful lantana and bright red vinca, I open my Bible to Mark and began to read.

“Then he (Jesus) left them, (the people) got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. Jesus asked them: Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?’ “Twelve,” they replied. And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” Mark 8:13-14, 17-21 NIV

The story regarding the need for bread abruptly stops without further mention of the incident. There is nothing written that would indicate that Jesus provided bread for the disciples. Then in verse 22 we read that the next stop was Bethsaida. ”They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.” and without hesitation Jesus restored sight to the bind man.

This story touched me in an amazing way. I need to back up and say that for months I had been struggling with my hip. It was becoming more and more difficult for me to walk without pain. I was now taking my steps to our second level one at a time. Walking any distance at all proved to be very difficult. I hadn’t been to the doctor because I thought it was a muscle strain and that it would eventually go away. The fact was it was not going away and I was getting to the point of seeking medical help.

After reading this account regarding the bread and the clueless disciples, God began to bring personal application of that scripture to my heart. I was reflecting on the fact that even though the disciples had witnessed Jesus providing bread for 9,000 people, they merely saw him as the God who met the needs of others but did not even consider the fact that he was able to meet their personal need of supplying bread for them that day. They had not because they simply neglected to ask!

I then began to pray. “Oh Jesus, what am I lacking because I simply do not ask? Jesus, what is it that you desire to give me but can’t because I have not asked?” Then the still small voice came, “what about your hip?” So I laid my hand on my hip and asked Jesus to heal my hip. If this was what Jesus wanted to do for me I knew that he was more than able. As I prayed, I felt a warmness come over my hip. The healing was not instantaneous. The healing had begun but this would prove to be a day for my continual faith.

As I moved about that day it seemed to me that the pain lessened but traces of pain still remained. Satan would say, “Jesus did not heal you.” My replay was, “Thank you Jesus that you are healing my hip.” This same conversation went back and forth all day long. The pain became less and less. By evening it was completely gone. Jesus had healed my hip. Now, over a year later that hip still continues to be free of pain.

My take away from this experience was the knowledge that I did not seek being healed. However, what I was seeking was to know what it was that Jesus wanted to do for me. It my case it happened to be healing. From that moment on I made a decision that I would regularly ask, “Jesus, what is it that you want to do for me?”

I think that it is interesting that the disciples arrived in Bethsaida without receiving bread. They definitely had no bread only because they neglected to ask for bread. The next recorded scripture was the healing of a blind man. The blind man did not ask for healing but it is recorded that others brought him to Jesus and begged Jesus to touch him. They did the asking.

I still believe that we are to ask God for anything as long as we leave the end result up to him. Asking according to his will is how he wants us to pray. But in addition, I wonder if it pleases Jesus for us to ask on the behalf of others? I think, yes. I wonder if it pleases Jesus for us to ask him to give us the special gift he so lovingly desires to give us. I think, yes. I don’t want to be guilty of trusting God for others and forgetting that he has gifts for me as well.

Jesus knows our needs even better than we do. It only takes us asking him to choose for us what it is that he desires to give to us. God’s surprises are fantastic! They are always his gift wrapped in his love. So today, I am reminded that Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matt. 7:11 NIV

Questions:

What are you currently asking God for?

Are you asking according to his perfect will?

What are you asking God to do for another person?

Have you ever asked God to surprise you with his choice of gift for you?

Are you prepared to thank him in faith for his gift even before you receive it?

I do not know what God desires to give to you. It might be healing, it might be his gift of salvation, and it might be his peace, his joy, or his amazing love for you for this day. It could be his provision or it could be a tangible item that you may need. Let me offer a word of caution put your desires aside and instead seek the giver of the gift and his gift for you and you will not be disappointed.

Prayer:

Dear God,

What is it that you would have me ask you for today? Forgive me for neglecting to seek the gifts that bring you pleasure as you give them to me. God I want to set my desires aside and ask you for what it is that you know I need. I do not want to miss out on a single gift that you may have sitting on a shelf in heaven that is waiting just for me. I am curious about this gift that you have personally wrapped and set aside with my name specifically written on the package. So today God, I simply ask you, what it is you want me to ask you for? I will listen and wait for your response. Then I will ask specifically for that gift, and then as I wait in faith and anticipation for the arrival of that gift I will give thanks that your gift is on the way.

In Jesus Name I Pray. Amen.

A Promise With Two Parts

2011-08-28T00:01:00.004-04:00

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
Psalm 23: 6 AKJV

Today as I am sitting in the garden, I am feeling a little sad. The life that Jesus Christ lived on earth was such an amazing example of the way that God wants us all to live our lives. I feel sad because I fall so short! I get caught off guard and my attitude is crummy, my words are not kind, and fear is just a breath away. People make me upset and angry. I loose tolerance towards others who are not like me. Time after time the example is there before me, yet I get it right only occasionally. I know Jesus was perfect and I am not, but God did send an example to mankind so that we would recognize what holy living looks like. That example is Jesus. Jesus’ example is the bull’s-eye that we aim for.

I don’t believe that God demands perfection but I do believe that he wants to see some progress. God desires to see each of us moving continually in the direction of holiness. I am faced with daily choices. I must learn to choose godliness over sinfulness, goodness over evil, and mercy over criticism.

The Psalmist says that goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. God’s goodness and mercy has followed me every day that I have been alive. God’s goodness and mercy follows believers and non believers every day. All people experience good things from the hand of God, but it is the grateful believer that will acknowledge that all the goodness and mercy they experience in this life is from the hand of God alone.

The first promise found in Psalm 23:6 is true! God’s goodness and mercy does follow us around like a puppy dog! I am beginning to realize that God’s goodness is always followed by his mercy and this always makes his forgiveness possible. So if I am to be like Jesus then I must also follow the example that Jesus modeled. Jesus always exhibited goodness and mercy, compassion and forgiveness.

I must admit that if I get upset with someone I often take a hike! I pack up my bag of goodness and mercy, leave the person that offended me and head for the nearest exit! As they glance back over their shoulder, I’m sure they are thinking, there she blows! How much better it would be if I could wrap myself in the grace of God’s goodness and mercy and turn around and go back to that person with the understanding that they are in need of Jesus’ goodness and mercy, just like me. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5: 7 NIV My prayer today is that God would enlarge my capacity to be good and merciful.

The second promise in today’s scripture verse is “…and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” What will the house of the Lord be like? It will be a safe place and it will be a place of love and welcome. It will be a place where goodness abounds. It will be a place of eternal REWARD.

Our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, wants us to hang in there! He wants us to carry and wave his banner of goodness and mercy. Do I want to be in a place that when others see me coming toward them they view me as an enemy? No, I want them to feel safe and loved. I want others to say, here comes Paula, and she is carrying in her arms goodness and mercy. I want them to be happy to see me. If per chance I am actually able to do that, it is only by the grace of God and the example of Jesus that I am able to have a holy response.

This is a beautiful day for reflection. The garden is quiet. The sunshine feels warm. There is so much beauty it nearly takes my breath away. I am beginning to remember all of the lessons to be learned from the 23rd Psalm. What a marvelous Psalm! It is a perfect pattern for living my life. It is God’s ideal plan for my spiritual growth and development. It is also a Psalm of amazing comfort. Only six little verses but what an impact they have made on my life. Jesus Christ, my personal Shepherd, wants a RELATIONSHIP with me. When I put my trust in my Shepherd and enter into a personal relationship with him he begins the process of REDIRECTION. When I am sitting still before the Shepherd and I am free of distractions he begins to direct my life and lead me down a fresh new path of right living. As I listen to my Shepherd, he begins the process of RESTORATION. He begins to shape my life and restore it back to the way he intended it to be before sin entered our world. There is much in my life that is in need of change but the Shepherd REMAINS with me through all of the dark valleys providing me with the soothing oil of the Holy Spirit which gives me comfort and peace. My Shepherd will be close beside me for as long as it takes me to be able to trust him. He wants me to RELINQUISH to him all that keeps me concerned and worried. He wants all my fears and all my anger. He wants my pain and my suffering. In the moments that we spend together in deep communication, my Shepherd REFRESHES my spirit. I eat from his bountiful table of blessings and drink from his refreshing living water. I accept his lavish love for me. My Shepherd follows me day in and day out with his goodness and mercy. The Shepherd has promised me that at the end of my journey here on earth he will give me my REWARD. The reward is heaven, the place where I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever and ever.

Questions:

What are the seven “R” words that indicate the pattern God has for your spiritual growth and development?

Which "R" word is the Shepherd trying to get you to pay attention to right now?

What are the two parts of the promise that is found in Psalm 23:6?

Which of the six verses of Psalm 23 is the most meaningful to you? Why?

Prayer:

Dear Shepherd,

I am so thankful that you care for me in such a loving way. According to the words of this Psalm I will want for nothing. Not now, not ever! What a plan! A Relationship with my maker, Redirection for my sinful life, Restoration of my spirit during hard times, and God you Remain with me as you wait for me to Relinquish my needs and all of my difficult circumstances. God you Refresh me and you Reward me! You have cared for me from the beginning of my life and will be with me forever. Only a God like you could have orchestrated such a perfect plan.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

Lapping Up the Blessings

2011-08-21T00:01:00.004-04:00

“You prepare a table

before me in the presence

of my enemies:

you anoint my head

with oil;

my cup runs over.”

Psalm 23:5 AKJV

This morning I am thinking about all of the blessings that I enjoy even when it seems I am passing through “the valley of the shadow of death.” In spite of the many hardships that life so generously throws my way, God’s table of constant blessing is spread wide before me for my enjoyment. His provisions for my life are always there. I shall not want, I have all I need.

This morning I think that I will again leave the garden and cross over to the “table land”. The flat “table land” is the place that I want to be because my Shepherd is there. I will sit at his feet. He will pour onto my head a fresh anointing of the oil of the Holy Spirit. I have come to recognize that this oil is not only soothing it is essential for my survival in life. Every morning I find that I am in need of a fresh anointing of that oil. It occurs to me that I wouldn’t dare leave my home early in the morning without a fresh cup of coffee. It is something that I have come to enjoy and something that I need to get my juices flowing! Likewise, it is also ridiculous to think that I would ever consider beginning my day or leaving my home without a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit. This anointing is what I need in order to guard my heart and protect my emotions as I begin my day in “the valley of the shadow of death.” Receiving this anointing is not only something that I need; it is also something that I enjoy. It sooths the spirit and is good for the soul!

Still seated at the feet of my shepherd I am filled with the sense of peace. I do not know what I will encounter this day but I do know the One who holds this day and everyday in his sovereign hands. I now move in a little closer to my Shepherd. I lean back and rest my head on his loving arms. I look up at the clouds and begin to count my blessings.

My most important blessing is the gift of eternal life. My second blessing is my relationship with my creator. My third blessing is my assurance that God will never leave me or forsake me. My fourth blessing is for the wonderful gifts of love, joy, and peace. I then marvel at all God has created to bring inspiration and delight into my life. If this was all there was in life, I would be truly blessed.

But for me there is more. God has blessed me with a wonderful loving family; I have shelter, food, and clothing. I also enjoy heat for the cold weather and air conditioning for the hot months of the year. There is electricity, running water, a bed with clean sheets, a car to drive, friends, a wonderful church, and the gift of creativity that I so enjoy. I really must stop here because the list just goes on and on. I’m sure you get the picture. I pray I will never take these blessings without due consideration of the fact that I am richly blessed and that all my blessings come directly from the hand of God.

Yes indeed, like a sweet soda that overflows the glass and spills onto the table and runs into the floor, such is my cup of blessings. My cup runs over and over and over! I am reminded that blessings do not stop during hard times. God does not pull the plug when we are down and out or things get tough. In the presence of my enemies God’s blessings still overflow. My plate is always full of good things.

I am overjoyed to know that my Shepherd desires to REFRESH me and one of the ways that he does this is through an abundance of blessings. It is impossible for me to think of a blessing without smiling. The joy I feel when I reflect on any blessing is an emotion of my soul. That joy is the perfect antidote for refreshing my weary spirit, my downcast head, my troubled heart, and my confused mind. Is life hard? Yes. Can we be refreshed in the midst of brokenness, pain, sadness, confusion, and concern for ourselves and those we love? Yes. How do we do this? We run to the “table” and we bow our head to receive the oil. We eat from our plate of blessings and we drink from our overflowing cup of God’s endless love for each and every one of us.

Questions:

In your mind are you feeling forgotten by God?

What are you struggling with?

Are you in a “wait” holding pattern as you long for change in your circumstance?

Do you need refreshment as you continue to wait?

When was the last time that you visited God’s table of blessing?

What do you think about asking God for a fresh anointing of his Holy Spirit every single day?

Prayer:

Dear Shepherd,

Forgive me when I forget to acknowledge my blessings. The fact is, I have so many blessings that I can’t even write them all down. God, today I come to your table of blessings. Thank you that my plate is full and my cup overflows. I thank you also for the blessings that minister to my spirit. Your love and peace are indeed priceless! Even in the presence of my enemies your blessings are endless. Jesus, please guard my heart from depression and discouragement. This day I accept your antidote of joy and the anointing of your Holy oil so that I can go out and face life in “the shadow of death” with joy and peace deep in my heart. Help me to remember that even in the darkest of days you still able to minister to my spirit. For this blessing I give thanks.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

Passing Through

2011-08-14T00:01:00.010-04:00

“Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for you are with me;

your rod and your staff they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 AKJ

Today the garden is especially beautiful. The hot pink Crape Myrtles are breathtaking. The orange Tiger Lilies are stunning, and the yellow Black-eyed Susan’s sway in the breeze. I can’t imagine this world without color. If I could, I would surround myself everyday with beautiful flowers, majestic mountains, and gorgeous sunsets. Indeed, God has made everything beautiful!

I believe that the beauty that is found in creation is there for our inspiration and also to surround us with such magnificence that deep within our soul we are eye witnesses to the very existence of God. The Psalmist David also enjoyed the beauty of creation, yet now he dares to make mention of the “shadow of death.” What is “the valley of the shadow of death?”

It is my understanding that a good shepherd leads his sheep through the mountains in order to get to the flat “table land” on the other side of the mountain. This can be a dangerous journey. Sheep can fall off the rocks that carve out a valley between the mountains. This is also a place where wild animals may attack the sheep. This valley is a dark cold place that is void of sunshine. It is called “the shadow of death” not because you die there but because the possibility of death is near. Even though the sheep can be unruly, the shepherd has gone this way many times before and is confident as he leads his sheep. He knows that once he is through this hard journey the flat “table land” of refreshment awaits all of his sheep.

When my husband and I were on the island of Hawaii, we stood on a high cliff and down below us was the beautiful lush green flat “table land” and in the distance stood a huge mountain. At first glance I didn’t see much, but as I looked closer I could actually see the crevice of the valley that was dividing the mountain. I exclaimed with great joy! That’s it, there it is, the “valley of the shadow of death!” I was so excited to get an actual visual of what the Psalmist was talking about. In that moment, Psalm 23 came alive to me in a new and precious way. I shall never forget that moment.

As I think about the “valley of the shadow of death” it occurs to me that death is not the problem but it is “the shadow of death” that is the culprit. This life is the “valley of the shadow of death” and we are passing through this life on our way to heaven. Because we live in a world that is rooted in sin we are susceptible to all kinds of dangers and attacks. Evil rears its head in the form of darkness, depression and despair. We experience the pain of disappointments, and the coldness of loneliness. It is the wild attacks from Satan and all of the unexpected agonizing occurrences of life that send you and me plunging into the depths of loss and despair. No, it is not death that we as Christians fear, it is “the shadow of death” that grips our heart and sets our knees to knocking. Yet, our Shepherd says, “do not fear for I am with you.”

Look closely ...sheep in the shadow of the valley of death.

I am so thankful that the psalmist writes; that we “pass through” we don’t remain in difficulty forever. There is sunshine up ahead. The “table land” that will be used for our grazing is just on the other side of our difficulty. It is the Shepherd that REMAINS with me every step of the way. I may not see him, hear him, or feel him but the fact is that my Shepherd remains with me as we travel this life together. The many hardships of life are not found in death; but rather they are found in “the shadow of death.” Death itself, if we belong to Jesus will be glorious!

The shepherd’s rod and staff are the tools of his trade and they are symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The rod corrects the sheep and the staff leads and rescues the sheep. Both tools provide comfort to the sheep. My spirit is comforted to know that my Shepherd also has provided me with comfort and direction through the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. My job is to RELINQUISH all of my pain and sorrow to my Shepherd.

Oh, the lessons that I learned in the garden today have been amazing! It is almost time to leave the garden. I find myself leaning one last time on the back fence where a Mandevilla vine is adorning the fence with a blanket of pink blooms. In the distance I see the mountain and if I look really close I see the valley carved out in the middle of the rock. I can almost see my Shepherd emerging and I am following close behind. The sight of the flat “table land” makes my heart leap for joy. Once again the “shadow in the valley of death” is behind us. My Shepherd and I have come through the dangers of life together and the “table land” of heaven is in clear sight!

Questions:

Do you relate to this life being “the shadow of death?”

What do you fear?

How do you feel about the knowledge that Jesus remains with you every step of the way through “the valley of the shadow of death” in this life?

Are you able to relinquish that fear to Jesus, the Good Shepherd?

Prayer:

Dear Father,

Thank you that you will go with me through every difficulty I will ever encounter. You have promised me that you would never leave me or forsake me. I find great comfort in that knowledge. Help me Lord to trust you with every circumstance in my life. I want this day to relinquish to you ________________. Lead me and guide me through this difficult time. I take joy in knowing that no matter how hard life may be it is only temporary. I look forward to the “table land” of heaven and I do not fear death itself. Father, in this life as I am passing through the valley, please take hold of my hand and never let it go! There is no one else that I can trust to get me safely home.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

Following Close Behind the Shepherd

2011-08-07T00:01:00.014-04:00

“He restores my soul:

he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Psalm 23:3 AKJV

Some nights I go to bed too late and I wake up too early the next morning. Because my sleep pattern has been disrupted I am in need of an immediate cup of caffeine coffee! Later on in the day I may need a short nap or just sit down with my feet propped up for a few minutes. My body is telling me that I am in need of restoration. If I don’t make rest a high priority soon my spirit will be in need of restoration as well! When I am not rested I become a very tired and agitated sheep. I have been told that sheep can be quite irritable and that the least little thing can set them off. I relate! Sheep also have a definite butting order and don’t mind engaging in a little butting action in order to get what they want. I relate!

Even on good days when I am rested I can still take on the characteristics of a discontented sheep. Sheep never seem to be satisfied with their position for grazing. They always seem to think that the grass is greener on the other side. I relate! I imagine that if a sheep could say anything besides baa, baa, baa, their words would be cranky and crabby. I relate! A good shepherd knows when to free his sheep of all distractions and make them lie down in the pasture for RESTORATION. I too am like a sheep and I need restoration from the exhaustions and pressures of life.

When I take my eyes off Jesus and loose my focus my perception of my circumstances goes way beyond south! I can become lost in self pity, I can become angry, I can cower in the corner in fear, and I can speak words that are not becoming to a Christian. This behavior does not glorify God nor does it honor his name. So it is for his name’s sake, for the protection and honor of his name that our Good Shepherd calls us to a place of restoration. He teaches us that our behavior must glorify him. We must keep our eyes on the Shepherd!

I am learning that I cannot move forward in my faith, I cannot be a positive witness for Jesus Christ, I cannot be inspired to write, I cannot encourage anyone, and I cannot be at peace as long as I reject the restoration of the Shepherd. In order for me to move on down the path of righteousness it is imperative that I am restored.

I must admit that at times I am ashamed and upset with myself that I repeatedly fall into this pattern that calls for restoration. I beat myself up with thoughts of failure. I am disappointed in my lack of Christian maturity. Satan uses this as an additional opportunity to keep my focus off of my Shepherd and on myself.

I am so glad that my Shepherd has made provision for my sinful short comings. He remembers that I am dust. Psalm 103:14b NIV. Yes, the 23rd Psalm is a perfect plan for my growth and development. It is a plan that the Shepherd knew that I would be in need of. Step three in this Psalm of relationship is RESTORATION and it is amazingly built into the plan. God knew I would need to be restored so that he could lead me down the path of right living. He knew it would be a dangerous path of self-destruction unless I had him leading my every step.

You see, the path of righteousness replaces irritable responses with kind words. This path leads us away from judgmental thoughts and replaces them with compassion and mercy. The path of righteousness shows me how to step aside and let others go first; it allows others to succeed and enables me to be happy for their success. The path of righteousness shows me how to avoid envy and jealousy. The path of righteousness takes away discontentment and replaces those feelings with joy, peace, gratitude and contentment. The Shepherd’s path allows me to be satisfied with my many blessings and satisfied with Jesus, who is more than enough! The path of righteousness rebukes my sinful ways and words and it holds me accountable for my behavior. This path calls me away from crankiness and crabbiness. In their place God guides me and gives to me his grace and his power to choose words of love, restoration, encouragement and forgiveness.

Jesus was perfect. I am not. You are not. But those facts do not excuse us from raising the bar in our lives and trying harder every day to choose to behave in a Christ like manner. Choosing to practice godly behavior is not easy. I find that I go along pretty well when I am thinking about it and then something surprises me and catches me off guard and in a blink of an eye I have lost it! My mouth runs ahead of my brain! My attitude jumps to a sinful reaction. Oh how I desire that those times would become less and less frequent. I do not want to mar and cloud the name of Jesus.

Today I find myself back in the garden. This has been a morning that I have allowed the Shepherd to restore me. I have prayed that God would guard my mind and tongue from quick emotional outbursts. I feel rest and peace in my spirit and here among the exquisite roses and superb hydrangea I contemplate some choices that I must make this day. The Confederate Jasmine smells wonderful. I breathe in deeply the loving aroma of Jesus. I give thanks for his faithful love and care and I feel compelled to follow close behind in his steps as he leads me down the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.

Questions:

Is your spirit in need of restoration?

What event or events have caused you to loose your focus?

Do you find that at times your actions damage the name of Jesus?

Is it the desire of your heart to follow close behind the Shepherd on the path of righteousness?

Prayer:

My Dear Sweet Shepherd,

Forgive me for marring your precious name. I am in need this day of your restoration. I admit that I have lost my focus. Please redirect me to a place where I can seek to know you and your ways. Create in me a clean heart, forgive my sinful short comings, and teach me your ways as you guide me down the path of your righteousness. Jesus, how I long to follow close behind you, placing my steps inside your footprints. Thank you that you have provided a plan that allows for my restoration because you know that I am dust. Lord, help me to know that you are always more than enough no matter what my circumstances may be.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

Green Pastures Inn and Still Waters Spa

2011-07-31T00:01:00.010-04:00

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.”
Psalm 23:2 AKJV

Jesus, the Master Gardner is always surprising me by taking me to a place in my heart’s garden where I have never been before. Today is such a day. As we walk hand in hand he leads me down the winding pathway that presents a never ending parade of gorgeous flowers on both sides of the path. There is electric blue Salvia and sunny yellow Yarrow. I love the sweet, light blue Forget-me-nots, reminding me that Jesus never forgets me. Every step is a joy as the Master Gardner and I walk together and admire his amazing handiwork.

We are now nearing the back fence of the garden. Beyond the fence lies the surprise! It is a beautiful lush emerald green pasture that is dotted with wooly sheep. They are lying down in perfect contentment. This is only possible because they have a good shepherd. Sheep are on the go most of the time because they refuse to lie down unless they are free of fear, friction, torment and hunger. Obviously, this shepherd has met all of their needs and now they are able to relax and rest.

The Gardner speaks to me and tells me that people are a lot like sheep and he begins to teach me about sheep. He says, “Did you know that sheep require more care than any other livestock?” “Paula, I want you to know that you also require a lot of care.” I reply, “Yes Master, I know I do because my husband always tells me I am high maintenance! Jesus smiles. He then tells me that sheep are fearful and timid. Sheep are stubborn and do lots of stupid things. Sheep have many bad habits. They run off and get lost and they fall down and cannot get up by themselves. Sheep are helpless animals when it comes to caring for themselves.

The Master Gardner speaks and says, “My sweet daughter, do you see any similarities between you and sheep?” I do not like that question! I frown, I deny the accusation, and I try to talk to him about my friend who has all of those characteristics.

The Master simply moves the conversation back to me and says. “Paula, you need my care. You need REDIRECTION. Let me take your fears, your friction, your torment, and provide for you all that you hunger for deep within your spirit.” He reminds me that life is hard and that he stands ready to help me with all things. The Master says, “Allow me to lead you to the green pastures that are beside the still waters.” “Paula, you need to get alone. You need to get rid of distractions. I want to provide a place for you to relax, soak up nature, meditate on scripture, listen to soft worship music and speak to me about your wants and desires. I want you to tell me what is bothering you. Confide in me what it is that you fear, where is the friction in your life, what torments you and what are you hungering for?”

I look a little to the right side of the pasture and I see a beautiful stream. The waters are clear, still, and look cool and refreshing. The Master tells me that the still waters are important too because they will relax and refresh you. I am completely wowed by this scene. Trust me when I say, this looked to me like the spa of all spas! The Master informs me that I need to leave the garden and check in to the “Green Pasture Inn – Still Water Spa” This is just what the doctor ordered because I know that when I leave I will be look’n good and feel’n fine!

I begin to take a hard look at my life. I have to admit that it has been rather stressful lately. I have been a little up tight. My responses to others have been less than acceptable. I am tired all the time and feel the need for rest. My mind is cluttered with dates, appointments, and responsibilities. I feel depleted. Yes indeed, the spa sounds great!

While leaning on the fence I begin to dream. Yes, I will go to the inn and when I arrive I will head straight for the “Still Waters Spa.” I will allow the Shepherd to massage my heart until all the tension, stress and anxiety leaves my body. I will release my fears and receive the Shepherd’s peace. I will confide to him my hurt and pain and receive his comfort. I will confess my sin and experience his forgiveness and grace. This will be a fantastic place where I can read and pray and it will be quiet enough that I can actually hear God whisper amazing truth in my ears and I will feel his arms of love and comfort. Maybe the “Green Pasture Inn” will have a gentle rippling brook running beside it and perhaps I will be able to hear it from my window. I will enjoy a long soak in a bubble bath and then I will take a greatly needed nap. I will relax in the arms of Jesus and fall asleep listening to the sound of a gentle rain hitting the tin roof of the inn.

Now I am wondering, does God enforce this rest in my life? I would like to suggest that if I need to lie down and I refuse to lie down, this scripture says “he makes me lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.” I think that God would rather that I lie down of my own free will, because I love Him and I desire to be in His presence. Yet, I believe that my Shepherd loves me enough to insist that I lie down so that he can get my attention and lead me to still waters so that he can provide for me what my soul needs. If I am going to mature in my Christian life I must allow God to redirect my life often so that I do not loose sight of what is really important in my life. Sometimes God brings me to a place of his enforced rest and yet, I still resist and seem to be unable to recognize that this unwanted change in my life could be an opportunity for me to draw near to my Shepherd.

Questions:

What is going on in your life right now?

Do you feel stress or peace?

Do you think you could benefit from a trip to the “Green Pasture Inn and the Still Waters Spa?”

Where do you most need redirection in you life?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Life has noisy, powerful, rushing rivers with deep and dangerous currents. The roads I travel are rough and full of pot holes. The events of life can throw me into a state of fear and panic in a heartbeat. There are so many sad and upsetting things that happen in life because we all live in a sinful world. If we are not affected at the moment we soon will be. All I have to do is look around and I see pain and suffering in the lives of many of my friends and loved ones. Frankly God, this is life outside of the pasture and away from the still waters. This is why I am desperate for a Shepherd. God, I need a good shepherd that will take care of me and spend time with me redirecting my life. I am in frequent need of being repaired, redirected, and refreshed. Thank you Jesus, that you are that Good Shepherd in my life. Show me the path that you want me to follow.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

Repairing My "Wanter"

2011-07-24T00:01:00.006-04:00

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 AKJV

What are your first thoughts when you think of the 23 Psalm? Often our first thought of this psalm is usually death. Frequently, the familiar 23 Psalm is recited as a psalm of rote that is void of meaning and understanding.

When I spend time with God in the garden of my heart, God teaches me amazing things. This has been true for me in regards to the 23rd Psalm. This psalm is not only about comfort it is also about our relationship with God. Even more importantly, it is a pattern for living and it tells us of God’s plan for our spiritual growth and development. This psalm also explains why we should be able to live a victorious life.

During my quiet time this morning I was remembering that “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” My heart’s response to that thought was, “No God, I don’t think so.” “God I want for plenty!” “God, I want for a new kitchen floor, I want to go on a cruise, I want that gorgeous dress I saw last week when I was shopping, and I want a cleaning lady. In addition to all that I want a day at a spa!! Yes indeed God, I want plenty. I want, I want, and I want some more. God, “I shall not want” is a foreign concept to me. In a world that is full of so many choices and a place where I am inundated with thousands of advertisements and opportunities, how can I help but want?”

My next thought was crystal clear. Paula, you need your “wanter” adjusted. Those things that you desire are all good things but I have not promised you any of those things. When any of those things come to you they come from my hand of blessing. Never because you deserve them but always because I love you!

I began to understand that what I wanted and what I needed were two different things. I began to realize that I absolutely need to want for my life what God wants for me. Yes, my Shepherd walks before me and provides for my basic physical needs, but more importantly he wants to provide what it is that my spirit needs. This provision is based on RELATIONSHIP with my personal Savior, Jesus Christ. I need to be in close relationship with my Shepherd so that I can trust him to provide for me. I began to realize that God sees far beyond what I can see or even imagine. He knows what I have needed in the past, what I need today, and what I am going to need tomorrow.

A shepherd marks his sheep so that he knows they belong to him. When we accept Christ we too take his mark. He knows that we belong to him. In fact, he knows us so well he calls us by name. “He calls his own sheep by name” John 10:3b NIV

God is my provider. He provides not only for my material needs but my spiritual needs as well. In this life God’s provision for me first comes in the form of his love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness. When I belong to him his provision also includes his comfort, grace, peace and joy, as I learn to trust him for all of my needs. My personal relationship with Jesus Christ allows me to say with confidence, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”

Questions:

From a materialistic viewpoint what “things” do you want?

Do you want success, money, power, more education, recognition?

What do you want for your spirit?

Is your “wanter” in need of repair?

How do you feel when you know that your Shepherd goes before you making sure that you “shall not want?”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the personal relationship I have with you. Thank you that I can come before you in complete honesty and ask you for anything I want or need as long as I leave the outcome up to you. Today Lord, because I am human and not divine, I need to clear the cobwebs of my mind by telling you all of the materialistic things I want. I know you are not rude and I know you will listen. In fact you may even put them on a personal “wish list” for me for future blessings. But now God, I want to move beyond my wants and ask you, “what is it that you want for me?” Father help me to desire for my life the same things that you desire for me. Help me to want the spiritual gifts that you so readily want to give me. You alone know what I will need both today and for all of my tomorrows. Please fix, repair, adjust, align, and purify my “wanter.” Please remove my spirit of discontentment and greed and replace it with the joy of knowing that you are today providing all that I need. Thank you that you are my Shepherd and that you will provide for me all that I will ever need.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Why Is the Garden of My Heart So Important?

2011-07-17T00:01:00.005-04:00

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.

May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

Today I am thinking about spending time in the garden of my heart and why the garden of my heart is so important. Why do I regularly need to be there? For me the answer is found in I Thessalonians 5:23. The garden of my heart is important because it is the place that I receive God’s love, comfort and peace. The garden of my heart is where I offer up to God my sacrifice of praise and worship. The garden is where God and I resolve my personal struggles and identify my sinful blame. Jesus is coming again and it is important that when he arrives I am found blameless in his sight.

It is assuring to know that if I confess my sin to God he is faithful to forgive me. The free gift of salvation is mine for all eternity. When I stand before God he will have no reason to let me into heaven other than the fact that I have accepted the free sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the only acceptable payment for my sin. At that point God does not see my sin; he only sees that I have been redeemed by Jesus.

Even though as a believer I have been forgiven, I still have a major concern. I must be acutely aware that every day I live offers new possibilities for me to sin. It is not the sin that separates me from God but it is the sin that can cause me to loose part of my heavenly reward. Each believer will be held accountable and judged for what he has or has not done. The garden is the place that I can allow God to search my heart and see if there be any offensive way in me. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

“…each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” I Corinthians 3:13-15 NKJV

So God, what is it in my life that needs to be searched and examined? “May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

When we stand before God he will look at our soul. The soul is made up of our mind, our will and our emotions. The soul never dies. It is the place where God changes me. The soul is where my emotions fluctuate between all time highs and lows. It is from deep within my soul that I hear the call of God. The soul is where thoughts both good and bad float around waiting for us to either embrace and obey the good or banish the bad. This is why God has commanded us to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 KJV

God will also look at our spirit. Our spirit is the core of who we are. It is where our sin nature resides. Our spirit is the part of our life that Jesus covers with his blood when we accept him as our Savior. When we accept Christ the Holy Spirit enters our spirit and remains there to be our comforter, our strength, our peace, and our guide. The Holy Spirit also convicts us regarding the sin in our life. The recognition of our sin offers us opportunity to confess our sin and keep our hearts blameless. If we choose to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit that rejection also becomes sin. The more we nurture our sin the farther away from God we walk. There is a huge danger that we can begin to love our sin more than we love God. We will also loose our influence for Jesus Christ. Although the Holy Spirit remains in us he is deeply grieved. Our heart becomes hard and conviction is often buried so far that we no longer feel it and we become a person who justifies our sins to fit our pleasures.

Our body is the shell that houses both the spirit and the soul. We are also warned not to abuse our body and we are told to protect our body. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV

Abiding in the garden offers opportunity for God to bring about eternal changes in my life that will bring him glory. It is now pretty obvious to me that the formula for bringing more glory to God, is less personal blame! I know that I am weak and frail. I know that I am selfish and prideful. I know I am prone to anger and I often fight for control. I also know that I have a deep need for the Holy Spirit of God to continue his sanctification process in my life every day until the day I die. This is a daily struggle between my will and God's will for me. It is only the Holiness of God that takes away my blame. I must allow the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sin. I must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help me change my behavior when I cannot do in my own strength. I am pretty sure that I will not get it perfect in this life but I also know that spending time in the garden of my heart is where transformation happens. God may not expect perfection in this life but I do believe that he wants to see continual progress!

Questions:

When was the last time that you asked God to examine your heart?

Does it concern you that your heart may not be blameless?

Are you surprised to know that you are accountable for what you do and do not do after you become a believer?

What life changes are you willing to make in order to be found blameless before God?

Are you strengthened to realize that God has given you his Holy Spirit to help you in all your times of need by giving you the power to reject sin and the power to choose to respond like Jesus?

Do you find joy in knowing that Jesus is with you in this effort so that you may be presented holy and spotless without even one sinful wrinkle when you stand before the Father?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I stand amazed knowing that you love me so very much! It is your heart of love that reaches out to me every day. God I know that you do not want to withhold any good thing from those you love. It is because you love me that you do not want to see me suffer loss of reward when I stand before you. Thank you that you continue to call me to come higher. Search me God and show me the sinfulness in my heart. God I know that I have many opportunities to sin daily in word, in thought, and in deed. I pray that your Holy Spirit will continue to call and convict me of my sin each and every day. Forgive me this day for the times that I have grieved your Holy Spirit by ignoring his promptings. Forgive me for all that is in my life that does not honor you. Help me to remember that the choices I make in this life do count for eternity. Thank you for reminding me that my choices will be examined when I stand before you. God, I pray that you will daily take away my blame and replace it with the spotless glory of your love, mercy, and grace. For it is only selfless work, poured out in love, and bathed in your mercy and grace that will stand blameless before you.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Why Are You So Afraid?

2011-07-10T00:01:00.007-04:00

“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 4:37-41 NIV

The garden of my heart is not only a place of prayer. It is a quiet place that I can take my Bible and sit and read, contemplate God’s eternal words, re-read the words, and look for personal application. It is during personal application that I usually try to be quiet and still and allow God to teach me his truth.

This morning I grab my coffee, tuck my Bible under my arm and head for the garden. The spot that I choose to sit is surrounded by tall and stately deep red bee balm. Today the purple cone flowers are particularly beautiful. The Shasta daisies seem to nod their cheerful heads in a good morning greeting. The yellow yarrow is stunning. But my all time favorite is the delicate wisps of lavender blue Russian sage. I am delighted as I think to myself what an absolutely charming setting to be taught by God.

My teaching today begins in the book of Mark. I’m reading about a time that the disciples were taught by Jesus. However, the setting was not charming nor was it delightful! The disciples found themselves out in the middle of the sea when a storm came up. Not just any storm, Mark tells us that “a furious squall came up and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.” The disciples were terrified! To add to their hopelessness Jesus was calmly sleeping in the back of the boat.

Have you ever been in great distress and thought that Jesus was asleep on the job? I must confess that I have had that experience more than once. I have felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair and that Jesus didn’t give a rip! I too have found myself shaking Jesus’ shoulders and saying, “Wake up Lord! Pay attention! I’m not going to make it!”

To the disciples shock and amazement Jesus simply stood up and spoke three words. “Get the mop!” No, I don’t think so. Instead, with divine power Jesus spoke the command as only the creator of the universe could do. Jesus said, “Quiet! Be still!” In that same manner Jesus speaks to the wind and the waves of my fearful heart and says, “Quiet!” Be still!”

The disciples were dumbfounded! They had always observed Jesus meeting the needs of others, but on this day he met their need in a very personal way. For the first time they witnessed the divinity of Jesus Christ. They talked among themselves and asked, “Who is this?” They saw him not just a teacher who could perform healing miracles but they began for the first time to see him as God, the great “I Am” the One who controls the wind and the waves. If you think they were terrified before, now they were “triple - ripple” terrified. The hair on the back of their necks was standing up! Their hearts were beating out of their chests! They now had a new respect for Jesus. He went from teacher to Lord in a heartbeat.

God’s message to my heart this day is, “Paula, please don’t be terrified as to who I Am. I just want you to see me in my power and glory. I want you to respect me, but do not be afraid. I want you to love me not for what I can do for you but because of what I have already done for you. Please, “Quiet! Be still!” trust me. I’m not asleep. I know your every need and I am here to comfort and protect you. I will get you safely home. This disastrous boat of life will soon come to rest on the shore of heaven, but until that time simply trust me with all of your fears. Do not be terrified. I am here for you.

Questions:

Are you experiencing fear in your life?

Do you see Jesus as someone who helps others but not you?

Do you see Jesus as a teacher who lived 2000 years ago or do you see him as your personal Savior, the Lord of your life?

Do you believe that if you become quiet and still, God can calm the storm in your life and give you his peace?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for your teachings this day. Today I ask you to calm the winds and waves of my heart. Take away the disastrous blowing and tossing waves of fear. Jesus, I know that when fear consumes me I become paralyzed and cannot be used by you. Forgive me for the frightening feelings that I have deep within my heart. Take away the fearful thoughts of coming disaster. Thank you Lord. Help me to embrace great joy as I allow you to take control of my life. Help me to continue to trust you one day at a time for each and every detail of my life.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

Looking Beyond the Fireworks

2011-07-03T00:01:00.007-04:00

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;
yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

Who doesn’t like a beautiful display of fireworks? We wait in anticipation and then when the bright, brilliant explosions of color splash against the black velvet sky we ooooh and ahhhhh and ooooh and ahhhh some more. When my granddaughter, Abigail, was five years old she had become an old hand at fireworks! As we were sitting on the blanket watching the magnificent display and hearing the oooohs and ahhhhhs, she looked at me and said, “Mimi, you’d think these people had never seen fireworks before!”

I’m always listening to my grandchildren because they have amazing wisdom. In this case, her words reminded me that if I live long enough I will witness some pretty devastating fireworks in my life and in the lives of others. The fireworks I am writing about are not beautiful. In fact they are of a completely different nature. These fireworks involve circumstances of extreme heat that burns holes in the fabric of my life. These fireworks will be explosive emotions that hurt and words that kill my spirit. Almost always this kind of fireworks hits one unexpectedly. We are never prepared and we act as if we have never seen these fireworks before. But we have. We have all witnessed the devastation of the explosive fireworks of sin. We should not be surprised. We do not ooooh and ahhhh. No, our first response is that we cry and shake our fist in the face of God. We are angry and we are scared. I am so glad that God understands my heartbroken cries of fear and desperation. Jesus too experienced fear and dreadful desperation in the Garden of Gethsemane.

As a believer I may feel devastated at the onset of an explosive situation but after the news sets in I begin my road to recovery by placing my hand in the Sovereign hand of God Almighty.

My dad lived to be 92 and he often reminded all of the family that “life is a struggle from the cradle to the grave”. Yet, something within all of us wants to think that life is supposed to be perfect and that we will never have trouble or die! When the reality of life begins to set in around age 30 we begin to see that the perfect life is far from our reach. We wonder why a God of love would allow pain, suffering and struggling to be a part of our life. We long for and strive for perfection yet it never comes. We want to avoid at all cost anything that would interrupt our perfect plan for our happiness.

I believe that many times the desire to change our circumstances, the unrest we feel, the striving and the longing for perfection in this life is really the longing of our souls for the perfection that is to be found only through Jesus Christ. That longing for perfection will only become a reality in heaven. In the mean time those deep longings within us may be a very real suggestion that we are actually homesick for heaven. We don’t always recognize these feelings that resound within our heart but God’s Word says, “God has sat eternity in our hearts” and because of that we long for the restoration that comes from being set free from our sin and being made right with God. Unfortunately we look for that satisfaction in success, in our relationships, in our careers, in knowledge, and in financial gain. We also think that the fast track of parties and fun is where it’s at! We may try anything and everything to bring us pleasure. But in all these things we continue to come up empty hearted.

In the past, the very things that I thought would bring me happiness, once achieved, still left within me a void of emptiness, a spirit of unrest, an overwhelming sense of disappointment, and a stirring turmoil that would not be satisfied or stilled. But I have learned that absolutely nothing satisfies the deep longings of my heart but knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and being in a daily personal relationship with him.

In this life God is perfecting us and preparing us for a life of perfection in heaven by allowing us to go through some very difficult circumstances. We may experience some very explosive fireworks that will send us reeling. When this happens we can fly off into utter desperation or we can choose to run to Jesus.

I believe that I am supposed to ask God for what I need. He invites me to speak to him as friend to friend. He wants to know my hopes, dreams and desires. I believe that I am to work hard to provide for myself to the best of my ability. But God simply asks me to put him first in my life and to trust Him when things do not turn out as I had hoped.

I am convinced that in the darkest brokenness of my life God will be there if I look for him. God may allow me to experience brokenness for a season but when he has used it for my eternal good it will be beautiful. To put it another way, my trials here on earth may make me homesick for heaven!

We are not insignificant people who do not matter to God. God’s love and concern for each of us goes beyond all measure. He sees each and every one of us and he knows our name. I am personally amazed that God cares enough about me to allow whatever is necessary into my life so that I will experience his transformation of my heart and mind.

Questions:

Are you experiencing some explosive situations in your life?

Are you dealing with them in fear or in quiet confidence that God’s is near?

Are you homesick for heaven?

What have you found in this world that truly makes you satisfied, at peace, and unafraid?

Are you still trying to have the perfect life?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Help me to understand that the perfect life is not what will bring me happiness. Help me to recognize that the longings of my heart will never satisfy me the way you can. Guide me and teach me. Give me your wisdom so I may see that when the fireworks of life surround me, you are my strength and refuge and a very present help in trouble. Yes God, I admit that the unrest I feel may possibly be that my heart is homesick for heaven. God I believe that through your Son, Jesus Christ, you want to restore me to the perfection that frees me from my sin. God I am looking forward to the day that I will step into your perfect heaven. Forgive me when I despise my trials. I know that you understand my deepest sorrow, but you simply want to comfort me in my loss and use my pain for my eternal good. Thank you for loving me enough to change me from the inside out.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Passing the Torch of Faith

2011-06-26T00:01:00.005-04:00

Today’s Post is in loving memory of my brother-in-law,
Raymond Gostowski
July 8, 1921 – June 24, 2011
Ray was a man who carried and passed a blazing torch of faith.

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely

so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen

or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.

Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV

I have experienced that the Garden of My Heart is where my spiritual growth takes root. However, today I am thinking that it is outside the garden that my faith is lived out. All those I rub shoulders with outside the garden are individuals that are influenced either for or against Jesus Christ by what they observe happening in my life. But today my immediate family and my extended family are my greatest responsibility. It would be a tragedy if I were to minister to the entire world and neglect those that God has specifically given me.

I personally was blessed to have godly parents. I have fond memories of my mother sitting at the kitchen table reading her Bible and praying. All through out the day she laced life lessons with Biblical truth. Her greatest desire was for her family to know and serve Jesus Christ. My father was a pillar of faith as I observed him struggle with providing for our family. Dad read his Bible regularly. He prayed before meals and sometimes I would be awakened in the night and hear him praying for his family. One of my treasured possessions is a small hymnal that Dad would sing from in the evening. Now as I look through that little song book I see check marks next to all of his favorite songs. The lyrics to most of those songs spoke of God’s faithfulness and love. You see, my parents lit a torch of faith and passed it on to all six of us children.

A spiritual heritage is something that I never want to take for granted. The fact is that it is my responsibility to take the torch of my spiritual heritage and pass it on. My greatest fear is that I will not fan the flame of this torch and it will get weaker. Consequently, when I pass it on to my children it will be a dimmer light. This can happen to any of us when we allow the necessities, pressures, and pleasures of life to fill up our days until there is precious little time left for God.

If I allow the flame to diminish I am sending a message to my children that faith in God is important but not the most important thing in life. Consequently, when it comes time for me to hand the torch to them the torch will have become dimmer. If my children do not fan the flame and they too ignore and neglect God then when it is time for them to pass the torch to their children they may find themselves with a torch that barely has a flicker. Of course, with only a flicker of a flame there is a good chance that when the torch is handed off to the next generation the torch will go completely out!

If you are a first generation Christian and you have not been privileged to have a Christian Heritage do not loose heart. The good news is that you are the first to light the torch and to pass it on. What a blessing and a privilege you have. What a responsibility and honor to lead a new family line of believers.

God’s Word reminds us, “Know therefore that the Lord you God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

I am reminded every day that I am not where I am by accident. God has guided me every step of my journey. It is the prayers of each generation that fuels God’s love and compassion for the next generation. I want to take hold of God’s promise that he will bless my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren and my great-great-grandchildren, and on an on for a thousand generations. When I pass my torch of faith I want it to be blazing!

Questions:

Are you a first generation Christian?

Do you have a faint flickering spiritual heritage?

Do you have a blazing spiritual heritage?

If you are a believer you are holding your family’s torch of faith in your hand.
What was the condition of the flame when you received your torch?

Is your torch’s flame in the same condition it was in when your received it or is it now blazing brighter, has is it gone from blazing to bright, is it flickering, is it dim, or has it gone out?

Do you desire to fan the flame on your torch so that it will burn brighter as you pass it on to the next generation?

Prayer:

Dear God,

In all honesty I have to say that my flame could be brighter. Life and selfishness offers me so many opportunities to set my torch in the corner and neglect fanning the flame. Satan desires to distract me in any way that he can so that when it is my turn to pass the torch of faith it will be dimmer. Father, protect me from distractions that take me away from you. Help me to make the choice to put you first in my life and then go about my responsibilities. Teach me God how I can lace life lessons with Biblical truth all through the day. Make me a silent example as I live a life of faith before my family. Forgive me God for making my priorities about me instead of you. God help me to seek you with my whole heart and say without hesitation that you are at the top of my list. I’m yours God, no matter what happens I’m in! God, when I pass my torch of faith to my children I want it to be blazing!

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

A Father Who's a Cut Above the Rest

2011-06-19T00:01:00.003-04:00

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God – “ John 1:12 NIV

Today is Father’s Day and immediately I am thinking about my own father, who loved God and exhibited a strong faith in God in all circumstances. He may not have been the best father in the world but by no means was he the worst. In fact he was a pretty wonderful Daddy. The bottom line was and still is, he was my father and I loved him in spite of any imperfections.

My husband is also a father to two children, and in my opinion he is a wonderful father. I’m sure, (just like me, as a mother,) he would like some “do-overs” but life does not afford us that luxury. You see, we get handed those bundles of pink and blue at the hospital and we don’t know what to do with them. It is a day by day learning process. When a man becomes a father he is not only expected to provide for his children, he is also responsible for their well being, emotional maturity, spiritual growth and development, health, education, and discipline. Not to mention, the “being there” at every activity. The ideal father is also responsible for providing family fun, having a listening ear, and an understanding and agreeable heart. Being a perfect father is very challenging! No, my children’s father was not the best father, nor was he the worst. He is however, a wonderful father.

You see, fathers are not perfect! Especially in their children’s eyes there seems to be plenty of room for improvement. Yet most of us need to step back and take a hard look at not what our fathers did with us and for us, but rather who they are down deep inside. If you have a father who is or was a man of integrity then you are blessed. If your father loves or loved God and exhibited a strong faith in God then you are double blessed! Try looking deep into his soul and discover what a wonderful man he really is. Discover his amazing character traits that make him a man of great value and worth.

I am sad to say that many fathers are mean and cruel, angry and abusive, lazy and irresponsible, drill sergeants and dictators. Obviously, these men should have never been fathers in the first place. Having a father like that makes it extremely hard to put your faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. If your image of what “a father” looks like is based on an abusive father then your image of God may be distorted and clouded.

But today I want to think about my Heavenly Father, who is a cut above the rest. None of the mistakes of our earthly fathers are found in him. He is completely loving, a rock of stability, a shelter in a storm, a dependable provider, a trustworthy friend, a promise keeper, a faithful father, a father who neither slumbers or sleeps, a father who hears and listens, a father who protects and guards, and a father who looks after your eternal good. Our Heavenly Father is available twenty-four-seven! He even allows me to call him “Abba Father” which means – “Dear Daddy”.

On this Father’s Day I want to give thanks for my own wonderful, less than perfect father. I want to give thanks to the father of my children who is amazing in every way, yet less than perfect. And I want to give thanks to my Heavenly Father who is many cuts above the rest. I guess God allows us to see the imperfection in our earthly fathers so that we can be in utter awe of our perfect Heavenly Father!

Questions:

Are your memories of your father good or bad?

Has this affected how you view God?

Do you see that God is a cut above all others?

Have you accepted Jesus Christ?
If so, you have the right to be called a child of God and call him your Father.

Are you amazed at how truly perfect and wonderful your Heavenly Father is?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for allowing me to be called your precious child. Today I am amazed that I have the good fortune of having a truly perfect and wonderful Heavenly Father. God help me this day to ______________ (love, appreciate, forgive) my own father. I pray God that you will call fathers to be men of faith and integrity. Help fathers to reflect the godly qualities and attributes that are found in you. Forgive my negative thoughts about my own father. Help me to look deep inside his heart and see all the good that you have placed there. Father, bless my father this day and keep him safe and in your care. For all fathers who do not know you Lord, I pray that they will seek and find you.

In Jesus Name I Pray. Amen

Courageous and Contagious Faith

2011-06-12T00:01:00.032-04:00

“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,

But of those who believe and are saved.”

Hebrews 10:39 NIV

Today I am excited because I am going to plant a rose garden! This rose garden is going to be a beautiful place for reflection. God continues to bring to my mind individuals who have unknowingly blessed me by their courageous faith. In my rose garden I want to plant a beautiful rose bush for each one of those remarkable people.

The design for this garden will be circular, symbolizing a continual faith that does not end even when attacked by the winds of adversity. The garden will have a bench for reflection. Each rose bush will be selected to reflect the life of the courageous person that has modeled faithfulness to me. This beautiful rose garden is intended to be a place where in the future when I feel mistreated or overcome with sorrow myself, I will come and sit and reflect remembering my Christian friends and loved ones, those who when their lives began to crumble they still trusted God for his sustaining grace and exhibited a faith in God that is both courageous and contagious.

One of the first rose bushes I will plant will be a beautiful peach rose for Kathy. In her forties she was struck down with cancer and battled this nightmare for many years. Kathy’s life ended at an early age, leaving a husband she loved and two sons. Her faith remained strong to the end. She prayed for healing that did not come, yet continued to trust the Healer in her long struggle with cancer.

Next to Kathy’s rose bush I want to plant a beautiful red rose that will signify the love that Rick had for Kathy. Rick was much too young to be a widower. It was agonizing for him to watch Kathy struggle with her pain and suffering. Yet he told me more than once that he found his strength in the Lord.

For my friend Pat, I will plant yellow roses to signify our friendship. Pat lost both her husband and her sixteen year old son in a tragic automobile accident. In her forties, Pat was left to raise two small girls alone. Pat told me that she would never be thankful for her loss but she was thankful to God for the person that she has become as a result.

For my friend Beth I will plant a miniature red rose bush. Beth is not very tall on the outside but on the inside she is becoming a giant of faith. Beth recently became a widow at an early age. Her husband died unexpectedly after what she believed to be a successful heart surgery. Beth was left with a family business to sell, financial concerns and a broken heart. After my last visit with her she was praising God for all of the many ways that God had provided for her during this time of loss and grieving.

Next I will plant a peaceful pure white rose bush for Dale. Dale suffered a brain tumor and as a result was eventually confined to a wheel chair and was living in a nursing home. Dale was very much aware of all he had lost. Yet he seemed to be at peace. He encouraged others, and always had a smile on his face or a funny story to tell. Before Dale died he had a deep hunger to see his Savior.

I am also planning to plant a beautiful delicate pink rose for Pam. Even though her marriage was in a seemingly miserable heap of sorrow, she was able to reach out to God and find strength to forgive and be faithful to her marriage vows. Because of her faithfulness, God has brought healing to her heart and to her marriage as well.

I must now be on the lookout for a very special rose. I want to find a bush whose branches gracefully bend to the ground. This bush will be for Kay. Kay is an amazing woman who has had numerous back surgeries and lives in constant pain. Kay walks stooped over with the help of a walker. For Kay, I am looking for a sweet smelling rose that will always remind me of Kay’s smiling face. Kay is in constant pain yet, never quits! She drives a car, attends Bible Study, sings in the choir, shops, goes to swim classes and always praises Jesus! The sweet aroma of Jesus is always being emitted from her life that is centered in Jesus.

I do not have time or space to tell the amazing stories of faithfulness exhibited by Ted and Barbara, Don and Betty, Earl and Carol, Sherrill, Vera, Phyllis, Anna, Karen, Lucille, Barb and Jim, Rex and Joyce, and Joe. I have by no means exhausted the list of all those who have been wonderful examples of faithfulness to me. But for lack of space I cannot mention everyone. But know that I will be planting a rosebush for each of them as well. This rose garden project is going to take me a lifetime as I continue to add new bushes. This garden will forever remain a place of beauty in the garden of my heart.

Through the example of others I have been strengthened and blessed by their faithfulness. I do not desire to bloom where they have been planted, but when my time comes to join them in the rose garden I pray that the God of all love, mercy and compassion will grant to me the same contagious courage to remain faithful.

Questions:

Have you experienced or are you experiencing great loss?

Where are you in your struggle?

Do you choose to be bitter or better?

Do you know others who have lost a great deal yet somehow exhibit faithfulness to God andcourage in their trial?

Do you find courage when you realize how faithful God is and has been to others?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I pray for all the people I know who are sinking in the sea of despair at this very moment in time. I pray that they will give you their anger, their questions, their pain and their sorrow. Help them to choose to embrace inner strength and peace that can come only from you. I am also praying that you will march before their eyes the lives of others who have walked faithfully and courageously holding tightly to your hand of sustaining grace. I pray that we who are in need will draw strength from these contagious examples of faith. Thank you for these amazing examples of faithfulness for it is by their example that you are being glorified!

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Influencing Others for Jesus

2011-06-05T00:01:00.006-04:00

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared

to give an answer to everyone who asks you

to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect, ”
I Peter 3:15 NIV

It is important to me that others know that for me personally there is not a shadow of a doubt that there is a God.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 NIV

I want them to know that I tenaciously believe in heaven and in hell.

"Rejoice and be glad, because great is you reward in heaven," Matthew 5:12a NIV

"How will you escape being condemned to hell?" Matthew 23:33b NIV

I want others to know that I believe that Jesus is God’s son who came to this earth, put on skin, lived, suffered, and died for my personal sin so I could be saved from eternal punishment. I want others to know that this is true for everyone.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not persih but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

I want others to know that I believe that Jesus was resurrected so that he could return to heaven and prepare an eternal home for all those who place their trust in him.

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28:6 NIV

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you." John 14:1-2 NIV

It is also important to me that others know that I believe that all of God’s Word, and that the Bible is totally completely true and infallible.

"All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal." Psalm 119:160 NIV

I want others to know that I believe that there is not one thing written in the Bible that is negotiable.

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anyting to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away forom this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Revelation 22:18-19 NIV

I want others to know that there is only one way to God and that it is through accepting Jesus Christ.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 NIV

I want others to know that my "eternal hope" is placed in Jesus Christ and his righteousness alone.

"...while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing." Titus 2:13 NIV

I want others to know that the God of the universe desires to have a personal relationship with everyone.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 NIV

If I want others to know what I believe then how do I share those beliefs? How do I tell others how precious those beliefs are to me? The Bible tells me I must be prepared. I must prepare for any opportunity that may come my way. I do this by spending time with God daily as I read his Word and by spending time in prayer.

Be prepared. Prepared for what? I Peter 3:15 says, “…to give an answer.” To me that must mean that in order to give an answer there must first be a question. Sometimes Jesus asked a question and other times he answered the questions of others by asking another question. We must know what another person believes before we can address their belief. Peter also notes that our conversations should be carried out in gentleness and respect.

God wants me, when asked, to very simply share my personal story of faith. Basically that means, telling the details of my own personal story relating how Jesus Christ became real to me. I can also do this by sharing the details of how and why I accepted Jesus and how he has been faithful to me. Lastly, it is important for me to speak with a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eyes when I speak of the hope that I have for eternity. Being a Christian is a joyful experience and I want others to experience that joy as well.

But most importantly, I believe that if our life silently reflects Jesus Christ it will be our greatest influence as we try to help others find and follow Jesus. This is best modeled in our actions and attitudes, and how we respond to life and to others.

Questions

When was the last time someone asked you about your faith?

Were you comfortable or uncomfortable in responding?

Have you ever written down your own personal story of faith? If not, you may want to try to do so. Start with your earliest remembrance of God.

When did Jesus Christ become real to you? Include that in your story.

How has being a Christian changed your life?

Besides saving you, what was the most amazing thing that God has ever done for you personally? That experience is also a part of your personal story.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

I want to influence others to find you and to follow you. Help me to spend more time alone with you so that I will become better equipped to share my beliefs and my personal story. I pray that your Holy Spirit within me will make me sensitive to the questions of others. Lord, help me to be sensitive to the difference in influencing others vs. convincing others. Lord, I pray that my words will be spoken respectfully in gentleness and with respect. Help me to be a person of influence that will bring glory to you.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Teachable Moments

2011-05-29T00:01:00.008-04:00

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Very early this morning as I went to the garden, I gained access to the garden of my heart as I sat in my favorite spot on my screened in porch. It was dark and damp. The rain was falling in a simple, steady rhythm. It was a rain that was peaceful and comforting because there was no threat of a storm. It was the necessary rain that God provides for his creation. The air smelled fresh and clean. Slowly the darkness of the pre dawn sky changed from darkness into dawn. The birds began to sing a delightful song to God thanking him for the shower. My back yard looked refreshed as the sunlight hit the lush carpet of green grass and kissed the tree tops of my wooded sanctuary. As I sat there with my coffee, God and I began to chat.

I began to thank God for the rain and for a night of rest. I prayed for my family and for myself. Then God began to speak to me about the importance of teachable moments in the garden. I wondered what God was about to teach me this day in the garden.

Experiencing God’s teachable moments can be a little like doing your homework. I have found that it is important for me to do my spiritual homework now so that I will learn new facts, gain new information, and reflect and receive strength from what I already know to be true. In school homework is done in preparation for the test ahead. Spending time alone with God is so important. It not only gives me strength for the day but it also provides opportunity for God to teach me and prepare me for what he knows is up ahead.

I have found that in my teachable moment maybe only one word will come to my mind. It may be a word like trust, mercy, forgiveness, surrender, wait, simplicity, or grace. When this happens it is like God is giving me the first clue in the mystery that lies ahead. It is in the beginning of a teachable moment in time when God begins preparing my heart for the future. Other times God simply speaks the one word that my heart needs to hear for that day.

At this point I am completely clueless as to what is coming down the pike in my life, but God already knows. Because of his great love for me God goes ahead of me and prepares the way. When I become completely still and silent the teaching begins. It is important for me to pay attention and stay alert. For example, if God whispers the word “trust” to me I must listen for additional messages regarding “trust.”

So from that point on I may hear additional messages coming from everywhere regarding “trust”. I’m a little slow but I eventually begin to get it! The pastor speaks on trust. I turn on the car radio when I am out running errands the lyrics of the song I hear is about trusting God. A good friend calls me on the phone and tells me about an amazing speaker she heard and the things that he had to say about trust. I pick up my favorite devotional book and the theme for the day is – you guessed it, trust! Even when I pick up my Bible and begin to read from a collection of 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and 31,103 verses – who would have guessed the exact verse that I read is about trust. Is that not amazing? God intentionally speaks to us in themes. All we have to do is start listening and learning. When he does this he is without a doubt preparing me for the days ahead. God already knows that in the future there will be a situation that will require me to trust him completely.

So today in the garden, I am sensing a teachable moment is on the way. My mind whirls and I almost feel giddy with excitement. I wonder what word Jesus has for me today. I know that this is his way of teaching me incredible things. I know that no matter if I turn to the right or to the left, my ears will hear a voice behind me saying, “Paula, this is the way, walk in it.”

Questions:

Are you comforted to know that God goes before you to prepare the way for you according to your need?

In the past have you experienced a teachable moment from God?

Is God whispering a word that keep showing up everywhere you go?

Have you noticed that God is speaking to you in a theme?

What is that theme?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I am amazed that you speak to me in themes. Help me not to be afraid of what lies ahead but rather to trust you because of your great love for me. Help me to view my teachable moments as your protection on my life. I thank you that you are preparing me so that I may respond to the situation, the person or the test that may be in my future. Help me to stay alert to your loving teachings and to be an obedient learner. Help me to respond to your teaching just as you would have me respond.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.

A Heart that Burns

2011-05-22T00:01:00.008-04:00

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road

and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Luke 24:32 NIV

I remember the first time my heart burned within me. It was in 1978. I was standing in the middle of my kitchen floor crying out to God. My cry was one that begged an answer, “God why did mom have to die? After all, I know plenty of people who don’t give you a second thought and never go to church. Why didn’t you take them? My mom was a good woman who never said a bad word about anybody and was a loyal and faithful follower of yours. God, why did you have to take her?”

I was in my early thirties and just starting my family. Didn’t God know that I needed my mom and that my children needed a grandmother? Over and over again I argued with God, “God, what were you thinking? You most certainly have made a mistake on this one!” The fact was, I simply loved her and could not let her go.

Now over thirty years later, I still remember the burning in my heart when God lovingly spoke his truth to me. He gently brought to my mind this scripture, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” I Corinthians 13:12 NIV

Tears streamed down my face and my heart burned within me as I realized that God loved me so much that he would come to my town, my house, my kitchen and into my heart and speak his perfect words of healing to me. I no longer needed to know why. I accepted the fact that here on earth I may only know in part and my vision will be clouded. I embraced the fact that someday in heaven; I would see clearly and understand completely.

If you have never experienced your heart burning within you, you will. God is faithful to all who love and seek him. You may not get answers to all of your questions, or experience God showing up in such a real way on every occasion, but I tell you the truth he knows when and where you need him the most and he will make himself known to you in the places and times that he chooses. When that happens, your heart will burn within you. You will feel the sweet presence and love of God. The truth is that God’s Holy Spirit speaks to you at that time when you need him most. That experience will never leave you. Your heart will burn within you.

Because God has met my need in a few brief “holy moments” I am able to trust him all the more during the times when I do not feel his presence. In the times that I do not feel his presence or hear his voice I will still choose to walk in faith knowing that he is always near. After all, God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Joshua 1:5 NIV I claim that promise for my life.

Questions:

Have you ever experienced you heart burning within you?

If so, what do you remember about that day, that place, that time?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Help me to treasure the moments in my life that you have spoken to me in a very real way. I want to store up those memories in my heart and reflect back on them throughout my life as a source of strengthening my faith. God, it seems that the times when my heart has burned within me are too few and far between. So today, I do not pray for the experience but I do pray to draw closer to you so that when you do speak I will hear. Thank you that you never leave me or forsake me.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.

Comfort From the Gardner

2011-05-15T00:01:00.011-04:00

"Peace I leave with you
my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid."

John 14:27 NIV

This beautiful May morning finds me enjoying my screened in porch and it really is true, “Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning!” The early morning air smells so fresh that it reminds me of camping trips from days gone by. It is true, April showers do bring May flowers. The birds seem to be especially happy this fine day! They seem to know that winter is over and spring is here. The birds are so trusting because they know full well the extent of God’s provision.

In the background I can hear a wise old owl hooting in a steady rhythm. “oho, who, who, whoooo” – “oho, who, who, whoooo.” It seems that this owl might actually be saying, “oho, who, who, whoooo, made all of this?” My reply is, “God.” Then the owl hoots, “oho, who, who, whoooo, controls all of this?” Again my reply is, “God.” Now the not so wise owl asks, “oho, who, who, whoooo is to be trusted?” Once again, my replay is, “God, the creator of heaven and earth.”

I now find my mind is ascending to the Father who says, “Come to the garden.” My heart is eager; and my steps are quick as I run toward the garden. As I enter the arbor gate my heart skips a beat as I see the beautiful deep purple clematis that is climbing up the trellis. With every year that passes it gets more and more beautiful than the year before. In the distance I see my Savior walking towards me. At last we meet and share a warm embrace. We head for the gazebo and Jesus asks me to sit with him and share what is on my heart.

As I begin to share my thoughts he listens. He hears every single word. I explain that this world is a bit uncertain. The future is unclear. I know that he created everything, and that he is in control of everything, and that he can be trusted…but… Jesus I am still having trouble understanding all that goes on around me. I share that my knees are shaky and my heart beats fast when things in this world seem to be flying out of control. There is a long period of silence and then Jesus speaks.

My sweet daughter, you are in need of reassurance, comfort and peace. I want you to close your eyes and wait for the Holy Spirit and while you wait just listen to me. Jesus then reminds me that his ways are indeed higher than my ways, and that his thoughts soar way above the clouds while my thoughts cling to the earth beneath my feet causing me to cast my focus downward. He speaks again and says, “Paula, you lack understanding because what see through the windows of your eyes is cloudy.”

This was a wonderful time in the garden because the Master Gardner reminded me of so many important things. He told me that I am not to despair when life is hard. He simply said for me to do my best and leave the rest to him. There were also some other very important reminders. Paula, do not give in to hopeless thoughts. Remember I am the God of hope. I will sustain you. I will be your help in trouble. The second reminder was trust Me. Give up your worry. He said that worry changes nothing except my own countenance. Worry pulls you down and it steals your joy. Worry shuts out my peace, so please Paula, don’t worry. I am on the job. I know your name; I will provide for all that you will ever need.

Amazingly, my shoulders began to relax, the deep lines of concern left my forehead, my headache went away, my knees stopped knocking and my stomach stopped churning. In their place I felt this amazing peace wash over me. It was a peace that I could not explain; there was now a wonderful comfort that calmed my soul. The Holy Spirit had come and poured out on me his peace and his comfort.

It was now time to leave the garden and go back to all that had previously concerned me. But now, deep in my heart I knew that my needs would be met. I knew that I had hope, and that Jesus was going to go before me to guide me, above me to protect me, behind me to encourage me, and inside of me to give me peace. I knew that Jesus would sustain me in all circumstances and that he would always be more than enough. Jesus knew that I was in need of comfort this day and he met my need.

Questions:

What are you concerned and worried about?

Have you given that worry and concern to Jesus?

Are you lacking hope or trust?

When was the last time that you felt God’s amazing comfort in your life?

Do you think that you could benefit from going to the garden to receive comfort from the Holy Spirit?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you that I can be completely honest with you. Thank you that you hear me and that you listen to me. I know that you don’t miss a single word I say. Today I am feeling in need of _______________. Please send your Holy Spirit to provide the peace and comfort that I need this day. I need your help so that I can remain hopeful as I put my complete trust in you.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

My Proverbs 31 Woman

2011-05-08T00:01:00.015-04:00

“A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

she brings him good, not harm all the days of her life.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed with scarlet.

she makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

she is clothed in strength and dignity;

and can laugh at the days to come.

She watches over the affairs of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.

charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord, is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:10-30 NIV

Today is Mother’s Day and although I am always happily looking forward to the attention that I will receive, this day has my mind racing back to my own mother, who has been deceased for many years.

Mom was nineteen years old when she married my Dad. From that time on until her death she gave her full attention to being a wife and mother. She raised her six children and loved her grandchildren. Even though Dad and Mom did not have a lot of financial resources and found themselves struggling during the depression, Mom still managed to keep her very small and simple home spotless and tidy. Mom washed and scrubbed clothes on a washboard; she fed each piece of clothing through a wringer, and then hung the clothes outside on a clothes line to dry. I venture to say that she may have had the whitest laundry in the entire county!

Mom was a seamstress. She made tablecloths, pillows and curtains for her home and she made all her own clothes and her children’s clothes as well. Mom was very resourceful as she used the printed fabric garden seed bags to sew the boy’s shirts and the girl’s dresses. The white cloth sacks that packaged the flour were turned into dish towels and curtains. Nothing was ever wasted! Socks were darned and buttons were replaced. The stitches of her handwork were very small and uniform and when necessary they were next to invisible.

Mom also baked delicious cakes, cookies and bread. I loved to watch her beat a cake batter by hand. Her steady hand whipped the batter in a bowl that was slanted at a dangerous angle resting on her lap. As I watched her beat the cake batter I was almost certain that the batter would end up spilling in her lap as she steadily beat and counted her strokes. Mom was also a wonderful cook and made a fantastic mouth watering pot roast. On Sundays the family would gather to share a wonderful meal. Other specialties were her fried fish and southern fried chicken. In addition her pies and cobblers were second to none! Cooking was something that she excelled in. Despite her meager monetary assets Mom knew how to make a holiday special with very little resources. There was always wonderful food and always a simple but pretty dinner table.

Mom’s teachings were based on biblical principles. Her words were loving and kind. But most importantly, Mom held her entire family in her prayers on a daily basis. She was indeed a Proverbs 31 woman. Mother went home to be with the Lord at the early age of sixty-eight after a long battle with cancer. I will always remember Mom as a soft-spoken lady who never said a bad word about anyone! Mom’s faith was steady and sure. After Mom passed away, I found a small card in her wallet with a picture of Jesus. Under the picture was this motto:

“Only one life ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

- C. T. Studd

My mom lived a very simple life. She only had an eighth grade education, yet she always felt that she had been given the highest calling from God that any woman could be blessed to receive. That calling was to love God, love her family and teach them about Jesus and she did that very well. Her life on this earth is past but her faithfulness to Jesus Christ lives on in my memory. Thank you mom for teaching me how to accept and love Jesus, because now I know that knowing Jesus is truly the only thing that will last!

Today as I am remembering my own mother I am impressed that it is important that I too take this motto that she loved into my own heart. I am satisfied knowing that this calling and service can be lived out under the simplest of conditions and without fanfare or acclaim. Wherever my path may lead me it is my desire to finish this life well and when I leave this world I want to be remembered not as a super Proverbs 31 woman who could do anything and everything, but rather a Proverbs 31 woman who loved God, her family and others. Who lived knowing that only one life would soon be past, only what was done for Christ would last.” Thank you mom for being a great example!

Questions:

Are you conscious of the fact that “Only one life will soon be past, and only what’s done for Christ will last?”

Do you think that raising your family is a God given privilege and calling?

If you are single, who are the people that you are in contact with the most?

Are you living your life before others in such a way that when you are no longer living your example will leave a mark of eternal significance on their life because of your influence?

Do you realize that godly faith, kindness, humility, mercy, compassion, and love can be your greatest assets of influence?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for all of the people in my life who have been there for me. I am especially thankful for those who have influenced and encouraged me to pursue Jesus Christ. As a mother I am blessed to have the awesome responsibility of training up my children in the way that they should go. Lord, today I pray a special blessing on all the women whose arms are empty and desire to have a child. I pray also that all men and women, married or single, will remember that they too have a blessed calling to be people of eternal influence to all that are within their circle of influence. God help me to remember that only one life will soon be past, and only what’s done for Christ will last.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Bloom Where You're Planted!

2011-05-01T00:01:00.004-04:00

“And whatever you do,

whether in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:17 NIV

Today I had an opportunity to enter my garden at mid day instead of early morning. My morning had gotten off to a rough start. As the day progressed I began to think about a lot of changes in my life that I did not like. Because of my unrest I decided to go to the garden even if it was in the middle of the day. It really wasn’t because I didn’t have anything else to do; it was because my spirit was in need.

I began to remember all the times that major change had taken place in my life. The fact is I have rarely welcomed major change. Much to my dismay my apple cart has been turned over more than once in my life!

I remember moving to Maryland. I had never moved before and I was leaving precious family and life long friends behind. I was also leaving my daughter in Illinois to attend her first year of college.

Not long after arriving in Maryland I met Linda, who not only had moved one time but many times. One day over lunch she shared with me something that she had learned in her heart’s garden. She said, “Look for those people that God has sent to you to help you get through this life change, and also look for the people that God is sending to you so that you can help and encourage them.” Then she added, “I do that everywhere I go.” Well now that is what I call blooming where you are planted!

When we face major change in our life there are choices to be made. Today I am remembering a major lesson that God taught me one day while I was in the garden looking for answers. On this particular day as I was nonchalantly walking the garden paths. I was enjoying the beautiful red geraniums when I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at the delicate pink Impatiens. The Master Gardener strolled up beside me and said, “Paula, there is a message here.” You are fretting about the change in your life without even giving me a chance to work all things together for your good. Your impatience and discontent is robbing you of the peace and joy that is to be found while you are waiting for your answers. So I got up my courage and asked the Master Gardener, “How long must I wait?” His replay was, “You need to wait as long as it takes.” I got the real impression that God wanted me to stop fretting and questioning. Again, I remembered what my friend Linda had said and so I began trying to discover ways that I could bloom where God had planted me. I now had a choice, I could wait in the garden impatiently with the Impatiens or I could wait in peace with the Peace Lilies. Either way it seemed pretty clear to me that I would be waiting.

I am the type of person that needs examples. I began to question, what does it look like to bloom where you are planted?

I thought about Gladys, who was mentally retarded. She sold greeting cards to earn a little extra money. In addition, she sent birthday cards to everyone in the entire church. I then remembered my brother-in-law Dale, who was confined to a wheelchair and placed in a nursing home at a very young age. Dale always had a smile for everyone and a word of encouragement everywhere he went. I am also thinking of another man. This man has been falsely accused and imprisoned. Even in prison he is currently trying to be an encouragement to others. I know another couple who had looked forward to retirement but are now limited in what they can do because they are caring for an elderly mother. Their gracious treatment of this fine lady is a testament to God’s grace in their life. I fondly think of this same sweet elderly Grandma, who plants a garden every year and will not let me leave without giving me a beautiful head of cabbage. Another couple, living away from family, opens their home to singles in their church every Thanksgiving so that these individuals might have the opportunity to share a dinner with others, instead of eating alone. Yes indeed, these folks have all learned how to bloom where they are planted.

You see, sometimes God gives me the privilege of entering into someone else’s garden as a visitor. These folks share their stories and I listen. I am always amazed at how different their garden is from mine. When we allow God to show us where and how to bloom each heart will flourish with its own unique beauty. Our heart’s garden will become a collection of blooms that are testimonies of God’s love and grace. Today I am reminded that I am not alone in change. Every one of us must choose to bloom wherever God plants us. Wherever we are in our life we must rest assured that God will help us find purpose in this place. We may never know why we are in our current situation but we can still ask God to help us find purpose. Blooming where we are planted is not only serving others but it is also our service to God.

Questions:

Are you struggling with your circumstance?

Have you been thinking that where you are right now is a terrible mistake?

Even if it is a mistake, have you asked God to show you where you might bloom?

How will you bloom where you are planted?

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven,

Please help me to understand that sometimes things that happen to me are completely out of my control. Help me not to drown in self pity but rather look up beyond my circumstances and see your face. God I know with you there are no mistakes. If I trust you, you will help me find ways to bloom where you have planted me. I don’t want to waste a single day. I am so thankful that you have already gone before me and that you already have in place the work I am to do. Thank you also for those that you will send to encourage me along my way. Yes God, help me to find your peace and joy as I bloom where you have planted me.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

Glorious Hope!

2011-04-24T00:01:00.010-04:00

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?

He is not here; he has risen!”

Luke 24:5b-6a NIV

I know lots of people who say Christmas is their favorite holiday, but not me. I love Easter because it is full of wonderful eternal hope!

When I was a child I use to wonder every Easter why “Good Friday” was called good. From my childish perspective people being mean to Jesus was not a good thing! What an incredible blessing it is that God can take our childish faith and over the years of walking with him he can open our eyes to the understanding of spiritual things and teach us His wonderful truth.

One of the things I love most about having God in my life is that when I look back over the years I see over and over again how God has continually drawn me to himself. I see how he has put people in my path, how he has led me from place to place and church to church. Each and every time I believe that the things that happened to me during that time was neither luck nor coincidence, but it was a divine appointment for me to encounter more of God as I continued my walk of faith. It was during these times that God was faithful to take my childish lack of understanding that comes from a secular world’s mindset and lead me into spiritual understanding of his truth. “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.” I Corinthians 13:11 NIV

You see, “Good Friday” is indeed good because it is the event that gives believers GLORIOUS HOPE for the future. Jesus is risen! Because Jesus has conquered death and is no longer in the tomb we are the recipients of a glorious eternal hope! “For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18 NIV

I am grateful for the biblically recorded accounts of those who walked with Jesus and witnessed seeing him after the resurrection. Upon seeing the Lord Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.” Mary Magdalene cried, “I have seen the Lord.” John testifies that, “We have seen his glory.” Peter reports, “We are eyewitnesses to his majesty.” The cry of many of Jesus’ followers on that first Easter was, “He is risen, He is risen indeed!” These reports give us glorious hope! I thank God for the numerous eyewitness reports.

And now I ask you, what is more beautiful than an Easter sunrise? Throughout our life we may witness many magnificent sunrises but none can compare to the spectacular beauty of an Easter sunrise that is full of eternal hope! Sunrises and sunsets are both fabulous feasts for our eyes. I also believe that sunrises and sunsets are God’s unique way of reminding us in every morning sunrise of his resurrection. In every beautiful sunset God ends our day with a visual of his faithfulness both now and forever.

It is wonderful to know that this life is not all there is. Someday we too will behold Jesus Christ. What a day that will be! In addition, we will also see all the believers who have preceded us to heaven. The opposite side of this is no hope at all. Life without Jesus is hopeless. “Hope deferred makes a heart sick…” Proverbs 13:12 NIV

Jesus died on “Good Friday” to give us glorious hope in this life and throughout eternity. I challenge you to accept this hope and to teach it to your children and your grandchildren. Share this message with your co-workers and your neighbors. Meditate on this glorious hope each and every time you see an awesome sunrise and praise God for his love and faithfulness every time you witness a beautiful sunset. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV Our glorious hope for our eternal heavenly future is what makes life worth living. He is risen! He is risen indeed! This is our glorious hope!

Questions:

Do you personally know the joy of this glorious hope?

Is there anything in this life that is more hopeful, more dependable?

What does this glorious hope mean to you?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you so much that I have a glorious hope because you conquered the grave. I am filled with joy at the prospect of living with you forever and with the hope of seeing again my loved ones who have died knowing you as their personal Savior. Help me Lord not to keep this good news to myself but help me to be bold and share this amazing hope with those you put in my path. Thank you for pursuing me and for continuing to open my childish eyes to new truth every day.

In your name I pray. Amen.

Were the Whole Realm of Nature Mine!

2011-04-17T00:01:00.012-04:00

“Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, Lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, Wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds young men and maidens, old men and children.”

Psalm 148: 3-4, 7-10, 12 NIV

Today’s scripture is a call to praise God. Wow! What an amazing list the psalmist gives to us who are called to praise God. Yet, there is still more! This list goes on and on. In nature we find the smallest of insects, beautiful flowers, vegetation, soft fluffy clouds, butterflies that flutter, rainbows, green grassy meadows, sand and surf, lush woodlands, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Each and every God created thing is a part of God’s magnificent creation. An old hymn reminds me that “were the whole realm of nature (personally) mine, that would be a present far too small” to offer up to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This is Holy Week. It will do us all well to reflect on the incredible sin sacrifice that Jesus Christ became for the sin of mankind. God said from now on there will be no more yearly sacrificial lambs. No, this year I will provide the lamb! God himself sent his one and only perfect sinless son to become that sacrifice.

The day that I accepted God’s free gift of salvation I became free from eternal punishment. My death sentence was pardoned. God washed my sinful heart with his son’s blood and I became forgiven, rescued, redeemed, and restored. You see, Jesus was sinless. He had no business being on that cross. But me, that’s another story. My ancestors blew it in the garden. They were without sin and then they chose sin. You and I inherited that sin. God’s holy presence cannot tolerate sin so the consequence was all mankind banished from God’s holy presence forever. Yet God in his amazing love for his creation made a way for us to come back home. In a nutshell, the way back home was through the death of his perfect sinless Son, Jesus. The fact is God only accepts a sacrifice that is perfectly pure and spotless, that’s why it had to be Jesus because no one else would do. But remember, it should be you and it should be me because we are the sinful ones.

This week I want to reflect on the fact that Jesus surrendering to death on the cross was not an easy assignment. In fact, he asked his Father to make it go away and find another way. But the answer to his prayer was no. And so it began the agony and dread, the sweat drops of blood, the human emotions and then accepting the will of the Father. He then moved on to betrayal, false accusations, the abandonment and denial of friends, the scourging, the mocking, the walk to Calvary, the weight of the cross, the weakness, the humiliation, the nails, the piercing of the sword, the spitting, the cursing, the taunting, the pain, the thirst, the loss of blood and breath, and then the abandonment of his Father, and then bearing the weight of the sin of the world. No, this was not an easy assignment!

Words will never be enough to tell him of your gratitude neither is there a suitable gift for you to give to him. If the whole of nature was yours, that would be a gift far too small! All you can do is let Christ Jesus know how grateful you are for this gift and then give him your heart, your life, your all. Today I pray that you will let Jesus do for you what he came to this world to do. Jesus Christ surrendered his life and became the once and for all sacrificial lamb for the sin of the world. The gift is inclusive but the acceptance of this gift is personal. This gift will not be yours unless you reach out in simple faith and take this gift as your own. Simply believe that this is God’s truth for you.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross,

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ, my God;

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts, published 1707 Hamburg Lowell Mason, 1824 Copyright: Public Domain

Questions:

When you look at the cross on which Jesus died do you count your greatest gain or accomplishment in this world as loss?

Do you hate the pride that you feel regarding anything that takes a higher position of importance in your life than Jesus Christ?

Do you find yourself boasting about eternity in any terms other than the blood of Jesus upon your life?

Have you accepted Jesus’ provision for your sin?

If not, what are the vain things of this world that are charming you and keeping you from accepting the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice?

Think about it. Have you ever seen a greater act of love displayed by any other man or any other god?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for your marvelous act of love! I cannot fathom that kind of love. I do not see that kind of love modeled by any other man, religion, or god that this world would set up ahead of you. I thank you Jesus that forgiveness and redemption is mine through your sacrifice. I accept your gift to me in faith for now and forever. I am beginning to understand that if the whole realm of nature was mine to give you that would be a shamefully small gift to offer you as payment for all you have done for me. Yet your amazing love demands that I give you absolutely nothing except my soul, my life, my all. Lord Jesus, I do.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

On the Way to the Coffee Pot

2011-04-10T00:01:00.003-04:00

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith,” I Peter 5: 8-9a NIV

As was my habit, I had gotten up early. The birds were just waking up and singing their song. I knew if I could just get my first cup of coffee then maybe I would also have a song to sing.

It was a short walk from my first floor bedroom, across our great room and into the kitchen. When I was half way to the coffee pot I burst into tears for no reason at all. I felt a huge sadness come over me. By the time I reached the coffee pot I was sobbing. I did not know why.

Another part of my early morning routine is to get my coffee and go onto the porch or into the great room and sit in my chair and have my “Quiet Time.” It is here in my chair that I can get lost in reading the Bible, journaling, praying, or working on a Bible study. It is always a very special time for me as I spend time with Jesus. When I do this it sets the tone for my day! Everything seems to run smoother and be less irritating. Missing my “Quiet Time” is a problem because when I do, before I know it, I’m totally stressed out or upset about something!

I do believe that on this particular morning I was attacked by Satan on my way to the coffee pot. The method to his madness was to get to my spirit before I could get to my chair. Satan knew that if I made it to the chair his chances for discouraging me were less. He wanted me to become so depressed and upset that I would never make it to my chair. He wanted me to totally miss my appointment with Jesus.

I believe that through the protection of the Holy Spirit I was able to quickly recognize exactly what was going down! I immediately said in a loud and clear voice, “Satan, get out of my way, I am on my way to my chair whether you like it or not. In the name of Jesus Christ be gone. Satan, you may not go with me to my chair. I have an appointment to meet Jesus and you are not going to stop me!” Satan left. I poured my coffee. I went to my chair. My time with Jesus was sweet.

I will admit to you that some days I do not make it to my “Quiet Time”. It is difficult to have private time when I am visiting away from home or when I have house guests. When I miss this time alone with God there is always a price to be paid. I have come to realize that if I miss a day or two – I know it. If I miss three or four days – my husband knows it. If I miss several days – the whole world knows it!

My “Quiet Time” is how I keep my focus on Jesus instead of my circumstances. It is where I can praise God and offer adoration and worship to the all knowing, all present, all powerful God. It is where I can enter into a personal relationship with the God of the universe. It is the place that I can express my gratitude for all my blessings. It is where I can ask for wisdom and guidance for my day. It is where I can surrender personal hurts and painful situations. It is where I can choose to set aside my negative attitudes and give God my raw emotions. It is the place where I can leave those I love in God’s care. It is where I can grasp onto trust and release my fear. It is where I can be honest. It is the place where I can sit at the feet of Jesus and receive spiritual insight. It is where I can seek forgiveness and healing for the sin in my life. It is where I can pray for others. It is where I can silently be still and wait for God to speak to me in his still small voice. It is where God restores my soul. It is the place I can receive comfort, peace and power from the Holy Spirit. It is indeed, the garden of my heart!

Questions:

Do you have a “Quiet Time?”

Does spending time alone with God make a difference in your day?

Do you struggle to make this happen?

Have you considered the possibility that maybe Satan is creating distractions to keep you from spending time alone with God each day?

What can you do about that?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I pray that I will never stop trying to make time for you. Lord, I know that you understand the times when I cannot be with you. I know that you will still go with me throughout that day but that I may become weak and easily distracted. My time with you that day will come from quick prayers and short worship. I thank you that when I do spend time with you I am never disappointed but instead I am strengthened and refreshed. Help me Lord to make time for you daily. When I do miss my time alone with you, please protect me from Satan’s lie that tells me that I blew it as usual! Help me to fight that lie by getting back on track sooner opposed to later. God, Help me to be alert and recognize the sly tactics that Satan uses to distract me and keep me from spending quiet time alone with you.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Anticipating This Year's Beautiful Garden

2011-04-03T00:01:00.012-04:00

“The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.”

Isaiah 58:11 NIV

Every year God gives me another chance to improve my gardens. I get out there and roll up my sleeves, put on my gardening hat, grab my gloves, shovel, and kneeling pad. I tote a wheelbarrow full of plants, pull out the garden hose and begin the process. All the while as I work I hum to myself, I pray, and I visualize and anticipate that this year’s garden will be the best one yet! Oh the heart of a gardener! I am reminded that even though I do the physical work it is God who brings the success. It is God’s rain and his sunshine that produce results.

This year I have decided that I am going to add something new to my heart’s garden. I am adding a darling gazebo that will be surrounded by brilliant blue hydrangeas and covered with climbing hot pink mandevilla vines. This will be the focal point in this year’s garden. I am going to use the gazebo as a focal point for spiritual growth. This will be the place where I will set my mind on things above. It will be the place where I will surrender my will to God. This will be the place where I will unload my emotions. This will be the place where I will cry out for God’s help. This will be the place where I will tell God I love him and he will whisper that he loves me too!

As I am dreaming of the gazebo, God taps me on the shoulder and says, “come walk with me.” After a little while I begin to wander off of the flagstone pathway. I bend down and remove my shoes so that I can feel the cool, thick carpet of fescue as we walk. This new spring growth reminds me that my spiritual growth is all about having the mind of Christ. As we walk the Master Gardener simply says, “Paula, don’t forget to read my Word. It will be your strength and it will guide your steps and light your pathway.”

The Master Gardner brings to my attention the stately ferns and the lush hosta. He tells me that even though they seem fragile, they are foundational in providing that lush green background for all the other beautiful flowers. He says, “Paula, I love these plants because they are established plants that come back every year.” He reminds me that I must not take for granted the previous perennial growth that is in my garden, that even though these plants are intended to come back every year, they could be uprooted at any time! Therefore, I must continue to gird up my mind and be ready for action and obedience when negative thoughts come into my mind. It is important not to damage any of the foundational plants of my faith that are showing signs of established spiritual growth.

Today I am also thinking about my emotions. I confess Lord that they are huge! My emotions trip me up and they jump out of the bushes when I least suspect. Jesus reminds me that he too had emotions. Then I begin to remember that Jesus wept at the death Lazarus. He showed compassion and mercy to those he healed. Jesus loved the little children. I imagine Jesus even laughed and shook his head at the disciples, wondering if they would ever get it! Jesus loved his mother and entrusted her to John as he was dying on the cross. He became angry with the merchants for desecrating the temple. Jesus felt the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, the anguish of Gethsemane, and the rejection of mankind. I believe that when a person is mocked, spit upon, scourged and nailed to a cross their emotions have the potential to flair up and explode! Yet Jesus kept his emotions under control at all times. Jesus was able to control his emotions out of his love for the Father and by keeping his focus on his reason for coming to this earth. “Now my heart is troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I came to his hour. Father, glorify your name!” John 12: 27-28 NIV

So today I must take stock of all that is growing in my garden. I must protect the good perennials because they are foundational to my faith. I must work to uproot the weeds that will choke out my joy. I must allow God to plant new truth and water it well. I must fertilize my garden by reading God’s Word. I must be on the lookout for the pestilence of negative thoughts and emotions. Yes, this year I am anticipating a beautiful garden! The Master Gardner and I will work to improve my heart’s garden every day. I must care for my heart’s garden because I love the Gardner. "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV

Questions:

How important is it to focus on God’s will for your day?

What are you currently doing to keep growing in your love of Jesus?

How do you keep your mind ready for any attacks that may come from your emotions and trigger sinful, damaging thoughts?

Do you believe it is possible for God to help you in your time of need?

What are you currently doing to take care of your heart’s garden?

Prayer:

Dear Father,

I pray that this year my spiritual garden will be the most beautiful garden that I have every allowed you to plant. I am seeing that the things that offend me, tick me off, aggravate me, irritate me, and hurt me need to be filtered through your love for me and your love for others. Teach me your thoughts of mercy and compassion and your thoughts about forgiveness. Fill me with your thoughts that remind me that I am loved by you. Help me to replace my thoughts with your thoughts. Lord I am in need of thoughts that will allow me to trust and obey you. I pray Father that I will not be driven by my emotions but rather by my love for you. Oh Father, how I desire that I might love you enough to give my emotions to you. Help me to know that you are all I need and that you will always be more than enough. I pray that my responses and my attitudes would be the same as yours and that my actions would glorify your name. Father, help me to remember that just like Jesus, my purpose for living is also to bring glory to you.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

What is Growing In My Garden?

2011-03-27T00:01:00.004-04:00

"It is for freedom

that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,
and do not let yourselves

be burdened again

by the yoke of slavery."

Galatians 5:1 NIV

As I am walking into the garden this morning there is a lilt in my step. The birds are praising God and so am I. My first thoughts are pure and full of praise for my Savior who has set me free from the bondage of sin and death. My Savior, the one who has conquered death and the grave! Heavenly thoughts stir up nothing but pleasure because I know that heaven will be my eternal home because I have been set free to live with Jesus forever.

As I enter the garden the Master Gardner greets me with a smile, a hug, and hands me a freshly clipped red rose that is still bathed in the morning dew. I accept his overtures of love, and respond back with “I love you too.” I think…hmmmm… the mind of Christ. I wonder what he is thinking today.

I don’t have to wait long before the Master’s voice comes to me in a gentle whisper. Paula, I want to set you free from the bondage that still enslaves you here on this earth. I want you to stand firm and not allow yourself to be burdened by the yoke of slavery. My response is, “Lord, what do you mean?” He tells me that once I was enslaved to sin but he set me free. He further explains that even thought I have that freedom; I still remain in bondage to the results of sin while I am here on this earth.

Jesus lovingly explains that Satan wants to keep me in that place of bondage so that I will be an ineffective Christian and in addition to that he wants to steal my joy. The Master Gardener reminds me that this is serious business because Satan wants me to live in bondage to my fears, my weaknesses, my hurts and my resentments. He wants me to feel that I am worth nothing. Now my Savior adds, “I on the other hand want to set you free from those very things that are growing in your garden of your heart. I want to uproot all of those deep rooted, poisonous plants and I have the power to do so if you will trust me.”

Jesus then brings to my memory something that happened last summer. I was visiting a beautiful formal garden. In the middle of this garden set a gorgeous marble sculpture of an angel. As I admired that work of art I couldn’t help but wonder how the sculptor was able to take that huge block of marble and have this beautiful angel be the end result. I remembered hearing my art teacher say that the sculptor must first see in his mind the object that he wants to carve, and in this case, an angel. He then begins his work, cutting away anything that is NOT angel. It may take him many years but the end result is a gorgeous angel.

How interesting that God would bring this to my mind. Could it be that this is exactly what God is trying to do with my life? It is in my mind that the Master begins to work on his masterpiece. The goal is to remove anything that isn’t Jesus from my life! This work of art began the day I invited Jesus Christ to come into my life and it will not be finished in my lifetime. However, it will all come together and be unveiled in heaven when I behold him and then I shall be like him. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Romans 8:29 NIV Today and every day many thoughts will enter my mind that does not represent Jesus’ thinking. I cannot control those thoughts but I can control what I do with those thoughts. All Jesus asks of me is to choose to take that thought captive; it is my responsibility to give that negative, sinful thought to him. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV Jesus in return will set me free one thought at a time. One day at a time. This is how I will begin to have the mind of Jesus Christ.

This is God’s plan for you as well. Whatever is growing in your heart’s garden that is not lovely, God wants to uproot. He wants to take the heart of every believer and sculpt it into his likeness. He does this by cutting away all that does not look like him. He plants beautiful flowers of grace that surround your life’s sculpture and when Satan comes around trying to destroy all that is beautiful and good the Master Gardner is on hand to uproot any weeds that threaten to choke out his grace. God is faithful to keep a watchful eye on all that is growing in my heart’s garden and in yours. Only in heaven will the finished work of our life lived here on earth find its place in eternity.

Questions:

What negative, sinful thought does God want to set you free from?

Do you believe God has the power to do so?

Why are you hanging on and cherishing this thought?

Is this thought stealing your joy?

Do you want to take this thought captive and entrust it to Jesus?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Today I see that Satan is stealing my joy. The nerve of him to try to rob me of something so precious! God, I am feeling very weak here and I am not sure that I can take that thought captive. You see Father, I like that thought. It protects me and it brings comfort to me in my pain. It keeps me in a safe place where I do not have to take a leap of faith or forgive the unforgivable. I need your Holy Spirit to empower me so that I can take that sinful thought captive. I am just lying to myself when I say that this thought is protecting and comforting me. I realize that I am not in a safe place. Please God, I need your help. I now take this thought captive and in the name of Jesus Christ, ask you to free me from this bondage. Replace that sinful thought with your heavenly thought of grace. Restore in me the joy of your salvation. God, please cut away, one day at a time, all that does not look like you. I ask you to uproot all of the things that are growing in my garden that are holding me in bondage. I thank you God, for the work that you are doing in my life.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

The Mind of the Master

2011-03-20T00:01:00.009-04:00

Soaring the heights in search of the unclouded mind of the Master.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;

then peace loving, considerate, submissive,

full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3: 17 NIV

I am sad to say that many times my attitudes and responses do not reflect the way that Jesus thinks. I must admit that I often lust for the things of life that have no spiritual value at all. They may not be wrong but they can often put me in a state of discontentment that allows Satan to have a foot hold in my life and that hinders my fellowship with Jesus. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is pure. Jesus modeled this pure wisdom while he walked on this earth.

Jesus was peace loving. Knowing the way Jesus thinks allows me to think peace loving thoughts as well. I can learn to choose to set aside unhealthy thoughts that lead me far away from peace. The Bible teaches that it is possible for believers to reject the thoughts that cause us to become fearful and the thoughts that add stress to our lives. We are commanded to reject sinful thinking and be holy. “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy,” I Peter 1:15-16 NIV If this was an unachievable task we would not be commanded to do so by our Lord. The Holy Spirit will endow us with the strength that we are lacking. We only need to ask.

Gentleness is pretty easy to grasp until I start multi tasking, running out of time, or feeling stress from having too much to do. Harsh words come out when I am not at peace. Jesus was considerate and acted in gentleness. I don’t recall Jesus being rushed, hurried, out of time, or stressed. Hmmmmm, where is the message in this?

There are some days that those around me “walk on eggs” trying not to stir up a storm! Not so with Jesus. Jesus was available and approachable. In fact Jesus calmed the storm.

I have experienced people speaking hard words to me. I have felt them push me away and falsely accuse me. I have suffered the pain of relationships changing and some ending. I have longed to be vindicated to no avail. I have hardened my heart and built walls of protection around myself so that no one could ever hurt me again. My thoughts and attitudes have been anything but merciful. But Jesus was merciful!

I have had times in my life that I shut down. I have deliberately shut out love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self control. Circumstances in life have made me angry and darkness has settled in. But Jesus never caved in to that type of behavior. Because Jesus possesses all of the fruits of the spirit, his thoughts are always full of love, joy and peace. He is patient, gentle, good, faithful, and meek and when he walked on this earth he had all his emotions under control at all times.

Many times I have been wishy-washy! I was trying to live a lukewarm lifestyle and live in the gray areas of life. I approached sin by placing my big toe on the line but not crossing the line. I have in the past tried to live a Christian life with one foot in the world and one foot in heaven. I might ask myself, Paula, how did that work out for you? The answer is not well! Jesus set the example of being steadfast, faithful, never wavering. It is in those attributes that he modeled that we will find our spiritual strength.

I have experienced dishonesty and lying. I have been insincere. I have picked favorites and sided with what was popular. Jesus on the other hand was always truthful, impartial, and always sincere.

I have experienced, and at times I still do experience hate, pain, fear, impatience, hardness, bad attitudes, faithlessness, unbelief, arrogance. I imagine that if you my readers are honest, you have all been exactly where I have been and at times revisit those same haunts. That is why we all need the mind of the Master! All of the things that he was when he walked this earth he still is today! He is our model for this life. He is the wisdom that is straight from heaven. His thoughts are holy. He calls us to be holy because he is holy. All of his virtues are worthy of our pursuit. I may never get it perfect in this life but I pray that I will die trying to walk in the shadow of his love and grace. With the help of God all things are possible. Maybe not all at once or forever and always, but most certainly inch by inch, trial by trial, and temptation by temptation. God’s heart is moved toward us when he sees us walking toward him.

Questions:

Do you see yourself in need of different thinking?

Do you believe that it is possible to take your negative thoughts captive and allow Jesus to change your thoughts to be like his thoughts?

Choose one negative thought and begin to talk to Jesus about it today.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I am in desperate need of your help. There are so many thoughts that I need to give to you. Help me to allow you to guide me in this process. Give me understanding as to how you think. Free me from the bondage of sinful, self-centered thinking. I need the power of your Holy Spirit to help me successfully surrender my will to your will. I desire that my mind will be ordered by you. You have promised that you would keep me in perfect peace if I will keep my mind on you.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

My Thoughts Shape Who I Am

2011-03-13T00:01:00.004-05:00

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Who, being in very nature God,
Did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to death
– even death on a cross!”

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

The command to “let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus” is intriguing. This morning I am faced with having to dig deeper and learn more of what this means. I am acutely aware that this kind of understanding will not come to me on the fly. It will not come as I scurry around the house doing my chores, while I am talking on the phone, or while I am running family errands. Deep truth will not come to me while I am on the computer or watching TV. No. This is the type of learning that requires me to be still and set myself apart from my activities. So it is off to the garden I go. Spring is just around the corner and I am anxious to see evidence of spring among the sweet little crocus, sun yellow tulips and deep purple hyacinths. After I enter the garden I hear the faint footsteps of the Master Gardner. As he approaches his steps become louder and my heart beats faster. I am now wild with excitement as I anticipate learning more about the importance of knowing how he thinks. In my mind his voice is clear and soft and he begins to teach.

Paula your attitude should be the same as mine. Yes, even though I am God I did not consider that fact as something to be grasped. Instead, even though I was both human and divine, I set aside my divinity and took on the nature of a servant. You too will need to follow my example and serve others. You must learn to think humble thoughts. You will also need to be obedient to all that God asks of you because I was. Remember, I was obedient not only to death, but to death on a cross! My thoughts always centered around doing the will of my Father and on love for all of humanity. So there my sweet daughter is where you begin. Lay aside your selfish interests, aspire to do the will of your Father in heaven, and be a servant to others. If you really love me, all of these things will begin to flow naturally out of your heart because you will begin to love me more than you love yourself. My Holy Spirit will fill you up and pour you out to others even when you are not aware that it is happening. When this happens I will be glorified.

As I leave the garden I am keenly aware that my mind is whirling! I am beginning to sense that my mind is very much in a state of disorder. I am realizing that most of my thoughts have shaped me into a selfish and self centered person. There are many things that I want; there are circumstances that I want to go away. Many of my thoughts, such as fear and anger are holding me hostage. I am in a state of bondage that I cannot shake. I see thoughts that spring from pride, greed, and control. The stress that I am experiencing in my life is the outward sign that I need to trade in my thoughts for God’s thoughts. My mind needs order, freedom from bondage, and peace. I am realizing that my wants, desires, dreams, and hopes need to be aligned to God’s wants, desires, dreams and hopes for my life.

Matthew 6:33 NIV says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” It is becoming so clear to me. All of these years I have been seeking “things” first and then seeking God. But this verse tells me I clearly have it backwards! I get it! I must seek God first and then he will give me what I need. Not necessarily what I want but what he knows I need. Wow! Now this is a really huge paradigm shift in my thinking.

I must first set my mind on things above. I must then be teachable regarding changes in the way I have been thinking. I must then brace up and prepare to be obedient. I must never forget to be completely honest before God concerning these things and to call upon the Holy Spirit for the grace that I will need in order to change. I know that God wants to reshape my character. I want my character to reflect who he is!

Questions:

What predominate thoughts have been in you mind this past week?

Do you feel that those thoughts are godly or selfish?

What one thought do you think God would like you to replace with his way of thinking?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

You have left me a very clear pattern as to how my thoughts should be ordered. I pray that I will start becoming more aware of my thoughts and that I would choose to align my thoughts, desires hopes and dreams to yours. Help me to be less selfish, more loving, and more willing to serve others. Lord I really do believe that if I loved you as I should these things would become more natural because of my love for you. My prayer today is more of you Lord and less of me.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

How Does Jesus Think?

2011-03-06T00:01:00.003-05:00

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

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 NIV

There are two questions that need answering. How do I think and how does Jesus think? The WWJD wrist bands that many were sporting a few years ago were on the right track yet I feel they were lacking in real life examples. Of course I know that you can’t put all that on a wrist band!

Today I am going to share some examples of how my thoughts contrast with how Jesus thinks. This comparison is a very revealing exercise. I think that right now would be a very good place to say that changing the way I think to the way Jesus thinks is a life long learning experience and a process. Some of my thoughts are Christ like and others not so much! Falling deeply in love with Jesus and desiring his thoughts to be mine requires spending much time in the garden of my heart.

Some of us have good thoughts that come to us naturally because we have a caring personality that wants to please, serve and care for others. Other people are more aggressive in setting goals and making things happen for themselves. Some people are more laid back and others more out going. As for me, I am the type of person that most of the time everyone around me knows exactly what I think and where I stand. Many times my mouth gets ahead of my mind. That is never a pretty sight! As a result, God is in the process of changing a lot of my thoughts. I would also like to point out to those of you who do know how to keep your mouth shut, that doesn’t necessarily mean you always have right thinking. Some of you quiet people have some really mean, nasty, selfish, thoughts and may be standing up screaming on the inside! The only difference is I look foolish and you don’t and there is something to be said for that! Regardless of who we are, it does my heart good to know that God is not finished with any of us. He has a wonderful plan for or lives and that includes changing our thoughts to his thoughts and our ways to his ways.

Some of the many thoughts that pop into our heads may be thoughts of jealousy and envy, but Jesus teaches us to be happy for the success of others. We often have angry thoughts toward God, when in fact we need to accept his will. We can also have bitter thoughts towards others who have offended and hurt us, but Jesus wants us to show compassion and mercy which can then evolve into forgiveness and love. We may also take pride in our position in life, our looks, our abilities, or our “perfect” children, and our perfect parenting skills. It is even possible to be prideful regarding our own spirituality! But Jesus teaches that we are not to be proud and self-centered. Jesus teaches us to be repentant and humble. The world teaches that we need to “look out for number one,” Jesus teaches us that he will provide for us even when we can’t provide for ourselves. The world compromises and we are to think in terms of faithfulness.

I will admit that this reversal way of thinking is hard to accept and implement. However, I assure you that it has been my experience, that when I do allow God to change the way I think regarding any situation, I am a happier, more positive, contented person as I allow God’s peaceful behavior to settle in my heart. The more deliberately we practice this habit of changing our thoughts the more natural it will become. When we choose to adapt our thoughts to Christ’s thoughts we will become a person of influence for Jesus and his kingdom. The deeper we fall in love with Jesus the easier surrendering our thoughts to his thoughts will become.

Questions:

What do you think is the number one thought in your mind that God would like you to change to his way of thinking?

Can you pinpoint why changing the way you currently think and respond would be upsetting to you?

If you were to accept God’s way of thinking regarding that matter, how would you be benefited? How would others benefit?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I confess to you that many of my thoughts are not your thoughts and many of my ways are not your ways. Please show me today what one thought you would like to change in my mind and heart. I invite your Holy Spirit to come to my aid and give me your divine discernment, strength and courage to be able to trust that your ways are higher than my ways and that your thoughts are higher than mine. I love you Lord, and do want to learn to think more and more like you every day.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.

My Thoughts

2011-02-27T00:01:00.003-05:00

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he:”
Proverbs 23:7a KJV

Everyday my mind is filled with so many thoughts. I can’t even attempt to count them all. On some days I may have a predominate thought that keeps surfacing over and over again. If it is a troublesome thought I am prone to shift my emotions to fear or worry. If it is a thought from the Holy Spirit I can either find myself convicted of a wrong, called to obey, or delightfully loved. If convicted of sin I tend to struggle with God. If called to obedience I tend to argue with God. If the thought reveals to me that I am extravagantly loved by God my emotions shift this time to peace, joy and thanksgiving.

I have come to realize that I have no control over what thought pops into my head, but I must take personal responsibility for what I do with that thought. As believers, we must choose to take captive all of our negative thoughts. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV We must seek to know how Jesus would respond to all of our negative thoughts. “Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 KJV

There are many ways that we can come to know how the Master thinks. We hear God’s truth spoken through ministers, teachers, and Christian mentors. We also learn how Jesus thinks by reading the Bible. It is through all of these avenues that we learn how Jesus Christ thinks. How Jesus thought had everything to do with how he behaved. His thoughts and attitudes are the thoughts and attitudes that we must aspire to imitate in our life.

It seems to me that there is a huge connection between the spiritual heart and the mind. I would like to suggest that if they are not one and the same, they are strongly connected. I am absolutely sure that what I do with my thoughts is very important. Because how I think is how I will behave. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he:” Proverbs 23:7 KJV.

I am reminded that I live in a world that thinks differently than God and whose values are not the same as God’s values. Because I am surrounded by such a constant flow of negative influence I must work to learn how the Master thinks so that I can counter that worldly view. As a mother, I learned early on that every negative, selfish, greedy thought that was tossed out to my children had to be countered at home with a double measure of positive godly influence.

Every moment of my life I must choose to give up all of my selfish, greedy, get even, unforgiving, angry, fearful thoughts to the Spirit of God. The power of the Holy Spirit is what gives me the power to purposely choose the Master’s thoughts over my thoughts. When I replace my thoughts with Jesus’ thoughts my life will reflect Jesus to others.

Jesus’ thoughts are always loving, trusting, giving, selfless, compassionate, merciful, forgiving and peaceful thoughts. His way of thinking is developed within us moment by moment day by day as we go about our life. It is always good to remember that our first thought does not have to be our last thought on the matter. Somewhere between our first thought and our last thought flows God’s amazing, thought changing grace. I will be the first one to say that some thoughts are easier to let go of than others. The thoughts that cause us the most pain seem to want to stick like Satan’s super glue. Take heart, there is a higher power! It is found in the solvent of God’s mercy and grace. When this solvent of mercy and grace is applied to our heart by the Holy Spirit our pain, our anger, our fear, our unforgiveness, and our hatred all melt away. The healing balm of Jesus’ mercy and grace is massaged into our heart by the hand of our loving God. This balm is only available to us when we choose to think like Jesus and ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us willingly relinquish each sinful thought.

Questions:

Are you this day experiencing thoughts of God’s peace and love for you?

Is there a negative predominate thought that keeps plaguing you?

What would the opposite godly thought be?

What do you think about the possibility of choosing to give up that negative thought?

Prayer:

Dear Master,

I am so thankful that you do not hold me accountable for every thought that pops into my head. However, I am beginning to understand that I am accountable for what I choose to do with that thought. I admit that I am human and I cannot control the thoughts that enter my mind. I also admit that sometimes changing my thoughts to your thoughts is a struggle. My sinful nature does not want to allow my flesh to give in to your Spirit. I am grateful that through the power of your Holy Spirit I can choose to overcome the struggle and reject the thought that is bringing me down. Help me Lord, to stay alert and quickly recognize those ungodly thoughts. Help me to cast them out of my mind before they take root in my heart. Lord, teach me every day how you think. I do desire that my negative thoughts will become your thoughts, thoughts that reflect your love.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.

The Loneliness of Disconnect

2011-02-20T00:01:00.004-05:00

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…”
Philippians 2:5 KJV

Do you ever feel that you are stuck in the sameness of your Christian life, or that you have relapsed into the routine of religion? In your heart you desire to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ but you seem to have reached a plateau and you are simply drifting along, yet at the same time you have a longing for more of Jesus.

This morning I am back in the garden. I’m not sure how long I can stay today. February is not the best time to sit in the garden! The hood of my coat feels good as it protects me from the chill of winter. My gloved hands grip a steaming thermos of coffee. Just as my coat provides outer warmth, the coffee warms me inside in a very comforting way.

Today I am a bit sad as I ponder the estrangement I am feeling. Why does my spirit seem so cold? I long for the “Son” shine of summer and the smell of sweet honeysuckle drifting through the air.

I know that Jesus is here with me but neither of us have much to say. I begin reflecting on older lessons I have learned in the garden. In my mind I travel back to one of the times when I really experienced God’s nearness. It was a time when his Holy Spirit was teaching me in leaps and bounds! I felt vibrant and alive in my spirit.

Today I am becoming lost in the memory of that time. It was a time when I was presented with the idea that we are commanded to have “the mind of Christ”. The first time that I heard that phrase was about thirty-five years ago. Our minister repeatedly commented on the importance of having “the mind of Christ”.

What strange words, yet they were taken directly from scripture. At times I wondered if that idea didn’t somehow boarder on blasphemy. The nerve of me to think that I could ever have the mind of Christ! Today I am remembering that over the years that phrase has continued to find its way into my life. Surely God wants me to consider this command.

Even though Jesus doesn’t have much to say today, I still sense that he is looking at me and smiling because he knows that the previously learned truth will serve as a spring board that will fan the flame in my heart. He knows that new growth is just about to pop out. Jesus knows that spring is just around the corner!

If you are married there is a strange phenomenon that happens over the years. You begin to finish your mate’s sentences because you know exactly what he or she is thinking and about to say. This comes from living together in close proximity. You and your mate have developed a close relationship through constantly being together. You may have also experienced this with a very close personal friend, a parent or a sibling.

As I continue to walk with Jesus Christ I begin to know exactly how he thinks as well. I have learned this through the study of his Word. What did Jesus teach and what did he model? I find it amazing that God not only says, “Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:5 KJV, but that God has given us the plan, the example, the blue print for us to follow. God’s Holy Bible shows us how to have the mind of Christ! The truth is that it is possible to know the mind of Christ and to choose to have his thoughts.

Sometimes work, distance, and circumstances crowd into my life and the presence of these interruptions drives a wedge between me and someone I love. When this happens I begin to feel lost, lonely, and estranged. Coldness settles in and I find that I need personal time alone with that person. But it is possible to fan the flame, dig back into the relationship, spend time with that person, share our deepest feelings and longings, express our love and grow together again. The same is true with our relationship with Jesus Christ.

So today I want to open up my heart and mind and learn more about Jesus. I want to know him intimately. I desire that his thoughts will be my thoughts, and his ways my ways. I want my responses to be his responses. I believe that having the mind of Christ is something that we can all aspire to by intentionally praying that the Holy Spirit will develop the mind of Christ Jesus within our spirit.

Questions:

Are you experiencing a time of spiritual growth or loneliness and disconnect?

Has God ever spoken to you through his Word?

If yes, reflect back on that time of personal spiritual growth. What did you learn?

Are you longing for more?

What do you think about the command that we are to have the mind of Christ?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you that you are so faithful to teach us great and marvelous truths that are found throughout your Word. Help me Lord to continue to desire to learn. Father I never want to stop learning. I am intrigued by the thought of having your mind and the possibility of learning to think as you do. I know your ways are higher than my ways and I want to understand how to think more like you. I want to experience knowing you intimately in such a way that we will begin to think alike. I pray that I will choose to allow your mind and your thoughts to be in me. Thank you Father for the Bible because it is your precious words sent from heaven to guide all humanity.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

Love is in the Air

2011-02-13T00:01:00.010-05:00

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Proverbs 25:11 NIV

Valentine’s Day can conjure up all kinds of emotions. Sad feelings of a lost love, a love that is yet to be experienced, or a current love that brings with it immense happiness. Even as a child I remember decorating Valentine boxes at school. The most popular children received Valentines from everyone in the class, other children got a fair amount, and still others got precious few. Unlike God, we are very selective in who we choose to love. As a result we base our self worth on how many valentines we get, how we look, what we do compared to what others do, or how much we have.

As Valentine’s Day draws near we are inundated with perfume and jewelry ads on television. But today I am reminded that God’s Word says it very simply. The very best Valentine we can give to another person is “A word appropriately spoken.” This verse further explains that this word, this compliment, this encouragement is like golden apples set in beautiful silver!

This morning I am imagining that today when I go out to my mail box and open it out will spill hundreds of red, pink and white valentines in all shapes and sizes. They will be flying everywhere. Some I will be able to retrieve and others will fly away unread. The Bible, God’s Word to you and I is that mailbox. When we open up the Bible there are hundreds of wonderful valentines that will fly out as you read and study. These are your personal Valentines straight from the heart of God. They will remind you of God’s love for you. They will encourage you because they will be a word aptly spoken. These Valentines will give you self worth because they will remind you of who you are in Christ Jesus!

Over the years God has given me many wonderful Valentines from his Word. These valentines are the scriptures that have taken root deep in my heart and will remain there forever! Many of those verses were given to me in times of darkness and despair. Others were given just too simply delight my spirit. Still others remind me of something that God has promised me. God has also given me valentine scriptures of hope and assurance for myself and for those I love. Today I am thinking that it is no coincidence that I have underlined in my Bible each of these “God Valentines” and drawn a small heart next to that verse. As I read my Bible, again and again I am drawn to these special verses revealed to me by the Holy Spirit. As I re-read these scriptures time and time again, God always brings to mind exactly where I was in my life when I received his valentine of love to me, and I am reminded of why I was in need of that special valentine. Yes, these loving words are among my finest pieces of jewelry. They are indeed apples of gold in fine settings of silver. They always remind me of my self worth. They tell me of who I am in Christ Jesus, and they remind me of the faithfulness of the lover of my soul. Yes, God’s love for you and me is in the air. In fact it is the very air we breathe!

Questions:

When was the last time you spoke a word to another person that was appropriate for them as a source of encouragement in their time of need?

Can you remember a time when someone spoke a word to you that you still cherish in your heart?

Has God given you Valentines from his Word that he sent specifically for you?

What are those verses and how do those verses still make you feel?

If you have not had a Valentine from the Word of God, begin reading his Word regularly and pray that God’s Holy Spirit will help you find those verses meant just for you. Be patient as you read. Do not seek the verse, rather seek the giver of the verse and you will be amazingly surprised when the Valentine comes. It will be a Valentine that you will cherish forever and ever.

Prayer:

Dear God,

I thank you for the Bible, your Holy Word to humanity. I admit that there have been times that I did not understand your Word because I did not know you. I confess that there have been times that I have not made reading your Word a priority. I am thankful that somehow in your divine plan for my life you continue to draw me back again by giving me a desire to read and understand your Word. I thank you for the opportunity to understand your Word through listening to ministers and Bible teachers. You have said if we seek you we will find you. Help me God to seek to know you through reading your precious Word. Help me to find those Valentines that you have for me to treasure and store up in my heart forever.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.

I Stand Joyfully Amazed

2011-02-06T00:01:00.006-05:00

“My prayer is not for them alone.

I pray also for those who will believe in me
through their message.”

John 17:20 NIV

Today I am sitting in my garden looking down at the word “JOY” engraved on a stone along the garden path. On this winter morning, not much is blooming and it is a bit chilly but my spirit is soon to be warmed by the memory of a time when I was joyfully amazed! It was the first time that I experienced joy while reading the Bible. I was reading in the book of John. The setting was in the upper room right before Jesus was about to go out and experience the dreaded agony of Gethsemane and the cross.

Jesus began to pray. First of all he prayed for himself. He prayed to his Father saying, “Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” John 17:1 NIV Jesus prayed that his obedience to the will of the Father would bring glory to God the Father. Jesus was all about pleasing his Father!

Then Jesus prayed for his disciples, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:1 NIV Jesus prayed that God would protect the disciples from the evil one and that God would purify them through the truth of his words. Of all the things that Jesus could have prayed for the disciples, like health, wealth, and power, he simply did not. Instead he prayed for what he knew to be important. Jesus’ prayer for them was for protection from Satan and that they would always know God’s truth and that by accepting that truth they would be able to live a sanctified life even in the midst of life surrounded by trouble.

Then Jesus prayed for all believers, “…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, …May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them, even as you have loved me.” John 17:20, 21b NIV Jesus prayed for all future believers, that through the message of the disciples they would be brought into complete unity. Why? To let the world know that God sent Jesus and that Jesus loves them in the same way God loves Jesus. It was easy for me to see that Jesus loved his disciples but it was hard for me to wrap my mind around the full extent of Jesus’ love for me! The truth is Jesus loves me and you in the very same way that God loves him. Jesus prayed that you and I would know his amazing love for each one of us!

I cannot tell you the joy that I felt when that spiritual truth soaked deep into my heart. Up until that time Jesus was just kind of out there. I had accepted him into my life but there was still an impersonal relationship between me and the “Holy God.” Until that day I was not aware of the fact that Jesus is very personal. Jesus is so personal that he prayed for me personally more than 2000 years ago! Even before I was born, Jesus Christ prayed for me! When I realized that the “they” in that scripture included me I was moved to tears. I now understood the heart of Jesus through this scriptural prayer. The content of this prayer filled me with supernatural joy! Talk about a rush! The God of the universe had now become very personal to me. I have read this story many, many times since that first reading, and each and every time as I read it I am again touched. I still continue to stand joyfully amazed that Jesus prayed for me personally even before I was born.

I cannot say it enough. God is interested in each one of us on a very personal level. He not only wants us to receive him as our Savior, he also wants to be our personal friend, our helper, and our intercessor in prayer before the throne of God.

I am a little taken back when I realize that Jesus is praying for me this day and everyday. He always has and he always will pray that I will be in complete unity with him and the Father. He wants my actions and words to mirror his love. When that happens I become a witness to others of his amazing love for all of humanity. As believers we have a message of truth to deliver. Jesus continues to pray that others will hear the message and come to know him through the message that he asks each of us to deliver to all those he has given to us.

Questions:

Has God ever spoken to you through his Word?

What was the message of that scripture?

Did you have a sense that those words were written just for you?

As a result, did you stand joyfully amazed?

Who are the people that are within your sphere of influence that God has given to you?

What does God want you to share? Your faith? A word of encouragement? A prayer?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you for your Word. I pray that you will continue to speak personally to me through your Word. Thank you for the happiness and the joy that you bring to my life through the revelation and understanding of your Word. I stand joyfully amazed to know that you prayed for me before even one day of my life began. I am so glad that you felt it was important for me to know how much I am loved by you. Thank you for praying for me 2000 years ago and that you continue to intercede for me before the throne of your Heavenly Father. Help me to share with the ones that you have given me, your love for each one of them.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.