You often hear Proverbs 3:5-6 quoted but if you open your Bible and read a little further you will see that God, in His infinite wisdom, puts several verses together that cover our entire life. I thought I would post them for you today. Oh, yeah, for the record? God will make your paths straight even if you're covered in tattoos.
Proverbs 3:5-10 (New Living Translation)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Heat Ain't Just Outside in August
In case you have somehow missed local weather for the last couple of months, it has been HOT! Temperatures have been in the high 90s and good ol' Atlanta humidity at it's southern finest have combined to make being outdoors simply oppressive. Walking to your car in the mornings is enough to take your breath away. Your clothes stick to your person. People are hiding inside where conditions are more comfortable and they are not forced to face the unpleasant conditions caused by the heat.
The heat ain't only outdoors; there is a lot of it in life, too. Experiences and conditions can cause us to be uncomfortable. Relentless repetitions of the demands of schedules, workloads, and relationships weigh on us. Circumstances take our breath away.
Paul tells us in Galatians 6:9, "so let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." Paul is telling us to keep on keeping on and, in staying with my recent affinity for the 70s, to keep on truckin'
Remember, the heat doesn't last forever. Just as the temperate fall follows the summer with blessed relief from the heat, perseverance in Jesus brings us rewards. Keep on truckin!
The heat ain't only outdoors; there is a lot of it in life, too. Experiences and conditions can cause us to be uncomfortable. Relentless repetitions of the demands of schedules, workloads, and relationships weigh on us. Circumstances take our breath away.
Remember, the heat doesn't last forever. Just as the temperate fall follows the summer with blessed relief from the heat, perseverance in Jesus brings us rewards. Keep on truckin!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Faberge Organic Effect
Fast forward to August 11, 2010, at Stockbridge Community Church. We were taking prayer requests in our Wednesday night group and someone was mentioned and we started trying to figure out how theses folks got invited to SCC. Do you know what we determined? They were invited via the Faberge Organic Effect. Someone else came to SCC, felt loved, belonged, and told someone else. What they found was so good that they couldn't keep it to themselves. They had to tell others. I did it. I know plenty of people who have done it.
We have to tell other people about Jesus. That's the only way that they are likely to know about Him. Romans 10:14 says "and how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?"
It's our job to tell the people that we encounter about Jesus. It's our place to show Him to others by the way that we live.
Put the Faberge Organic Effect into play in your life and let me know the outcome. I can't wait to hear what happens when you tell two friends and they tell two friends and so on and so on . . .
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thanks for the Herd
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog about the fact that I feel like God is telling me to be quiet. I may have also mentioned that I find this funny and ironic. My confession to you is this: I am struggling with being quiet. I would even go so far as to say that since God has told me to do this that I am possibly saying more than before. I forgot, and do forget, to be quiet.
I think that this is happening for a number of reasons; a couple of these reasons are that it's easy to be excited about a word from God and then forget what He said if I'm not really applying it to my life and seeking His direction constantly. I also have to tell you that I let my guard down. I guess I got a little too confident or smug and forgot that after God gave me a word He expected the appropriate actions from my side. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
I guess me and Satan looked like a film of a lion chasing a gazelle during a National Geographic special on this topic; I was the slow one and I was prey. But I have to say, thanks for the herd.
Unlike the poor ol' gazelle described above who meets an unpleasant demise, I have the body of Christ. I have friends who are prayer warriors in whom I have confided I know that they are lifting me up in prayer; they are encouraging me. I can worship and praise and learn and grow with my church family on Sunday mornings. I am blessed by the Wednesday night folks who always teach me so much more than I ever offer to them.
Church, we are blessed by our Christian family. Remember today to be thankful for the herd.
I think that this is happening for a number of reasons; a couple of these reasons are that it's easy to be excited about a word from God and then forget what He said if I'm not really applying it to my life and seeking His direction constantly. I also have to tell you that I let my guard down. I guess I got a little too confident or smug and forgot that after God gave me a word He expected the appropriate actions from my side. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
I guess me and Satan looked like a film of a lion chasing a gazelle during a National Geographic special on this topic; I was the slow one and I was prey. But I have to say, thanks for the herd.
Unlike the poor ol' gazelle described above who meets an unpleasant demise, I have the body of Christ. I have friends who are prayer warriors in whom I have confided I know that they are lifting me up in prayer; they are encouraging me. I can worship and praise and learn and grow with my church family on Sunday mornings. I am blessed by the Wednesday night folks who always teach me so much more than I ever offer to them.
Church, we are blessed by our Christian family. Remember today to be thankful for the herd.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Follwership
I saw a quote today that by A. Maureen Carroll that reads We don't need any more leadership training; we need some followership training. (Side note: if you can find out who A. Maureen Carroll is, please let me know - I'm having difficulties finding out who she is.)
Anyway . . . I bring this quote to your attention because I agree with this sentiment. Don't get me wrong. We need leaders. As a matter of fact, we need good, godly leaders. However, our leaders need a leader and that leader is God. He is
All of us need to learn followership. All of us.
This is a day and age of "my way is right" and "I don't like your rules so I will make my own". People don't like being told what to do. As Christians, however, we are called to follow. And we have, as our example, the life of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Spotless Lamb, the Prince of Peace.
Jesus is a follower. He followed the will of the Father, even to death on a cross. Luke 22:42 tell us that Jesus, agonizing so fiercely about what was waiting that His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground, asked the Father to remove this cup from Him, but then He told God that "not my will but Yours be done".
It's time to follow. It's time to realize that our way is not always the right way. It’s time to subject our stubborn, fierce, and faulted wills to His.
Embrace followership. You’re in great company!
Anyway . . . I bring this quote to your attention because I agree with this sentiment. Don't get me wrong. We need leaders. As a matter of fact, we need good, godly leaders. However, our leaders need a leader and that leader is God. He is
- Jehovah, LORD.
- Adonai, Master
- Jehovah El Elyon, God Most High
- Jehovah El Elohim, The Lord God of Gods
All of us need to learn followership. All of us.
This is a day and age of "my way is right" and "I don't like your rules so I will make my own". People don't like being told what to do. As Christians, however, we are called to follow. And we have, as our example, the life of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Spotless Lamb, the Prince of Peace.
Jesus is a follower. He followed the will of the Father, even to death on a cross. Luke 22:42 tell us that Jesus, agonizing so fiercely about what was waiting that His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground, asked the Father to remove this cup from Him, but then He told God that "not my will but Yours be done".
It's time to follow. It's time to realize that our way is not always the right way. It’s time to subject our stubborn, fierce, and faulted wills to His.
Embrace followership. You’re in great company!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Non-Negotiable
My son, James, and I had a pretty interesting conversation last night. As conversations tend to do, like a lazy river twisting this way and that, the topics that we discussed veered here and there until we landed in a spot where we decided to stay for a while.
The topic: is God's Word Negotiable?
Before you throw out the glaringly obvious answer of "NO!" and look at me with that did-she-really-put-that-in-writing-look, you have to know that I agree with you and with that answer. However, I do not always live that way.
God has been telling me some things over the last year and a half that I know to be from Him. The funny thing is that some of the things He has told me are time definite and I truly think that there is type of blessing from God on the horizon if I do what He says, but rather than act I still chose to regale Him with "good reasons" why I can't follow His direct command to me. So over the course of this time, I've been dancing the guilt-and-shame-I-can't-hear-You dance. You know the one. We've all done it and it's a lot more work and so much harder dancing this jig than walking in obedience is
Poor God. I'll bet He rolls His eyes a lot when He looks at me.
But He is so good and He loves us so much and He doesn't give up on us. He said to me a couple of weeks ago, "Michelle, if you really think it's my Word, is it negotiable?"
With one simple question God put all of my cheap excuses in the garbage. I said very much out loud and from my heart, "No, God, it's not negotiable." And in the amazing way that only God brings, the immediate freedom from guilt and shame that follow confession and forgiveness overwhelmed me. My heart was lightened, my burden gone (I guess my dance ticket was gone!) I have started to do those things that I have known for sometime now that I need to do. And simple obedience to God's word has already brought about a better life because I am living with in His freedom.
What about you? What do you need to do today? You don't need the devil as a dance partner when you can walk in the light of God. Whatever God is saying to you, do it. It'll set you free.
The topic: is God's Word Negotiable?
Before you throw out the glaringly obvious answer of "NO!" and look at me with that did-she-really-put-that-in-writing-look, you have to know that I agree with you and with that answer. However, I do not always live that way.
God has been telling me some things over the last year and a half that I know to be from Him. The funny thing is that some of the things He has told me are time definite and I truly think that there is type of blessing from God on the horizon if I do what He says, but rather than act I still chose to regale Him with "good reasons" why I can't follow His direct command to me. So over the course of this time, I've been dancing the guilt-and-shame-I-can't-hear-You dance. You know the one. We've all done it and it's a lot more work and so much harder dancing this jig than walking in obedience is
Poor God. I'll bet He rolls His eyes a lot when He looks at me.
But He is so good and He loves us so much and He doesn't give up on us. He said to me a couple of weeks ago, "Michelle, if you really think it's my Word, is it negotiable?"
With one simple question God put all of my cheap excuses in the garbage. I said very much out loud and from my heart, "No, God, it's not negotiable." And in the amazing way that only God brings, the immediate freedom from guilt and shame that follow confession and forgiveness overwhelmed me. My heart was lightened, my burden gone (I guess my dance ticket was gone!) I have started to do those things that I have known for sometime now that I need to do. And simple obedience to God's word has already brought about a better life because I am living with in His freedom.
What about you? What do you need to do today? You don't need the devil as a dance partner when you can walk in the light of God. Whatever God is saying to you, do it. It'll set you free.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy
Sometimes I pray wimpy prayers. I hate to admit that, but I do. I say, "Dear Father, if You would only heal so-and-so" or "if You would only intervene in this crisis" or something of the sort. Really stinking wimpy prayers. And because of things I have experienced in my past, I afraid that I'm bothering God, as if He really isn't interested in talking to me or that I am taking valuable time that could belong to someone more important.
Enter the 90 Day New Testament Challenge and what God has to say to me. Luke writes to Theophilus in chapter 18, verses 35-43, about something that happens to Jesus and the Disciples are walking. A blind man is sitting on the side of the road when Jesus & Co. are passing his way. This unnamed man hears a commotion so he asks someone what's going on. I imagine that this man, who is a beggar, sits in dirty clothing. He's probably unkempt and a little smelly so whoever answers this question likely dismisses this guy as quickly as the terse answer that he provides to this lowest class citizen.
Does a short answer hush our smelly beggar friend? Au contraire! Our blind companion begins to shout at Jesus. "Have mercy on me, Son of David!" The crowd tries to hush him but he only screams louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Jesus stops and asks the man, "What do you want me to do?" Smelly, blind, beggar man says, "Lord, I want to see!" The reply of Jesus? "All right, receive your sight. Your faith has healed you."
So what does any of this have to do with me and my wimpy prayers? Everything! This man who (I am assuming) never even met Jesus before screams at our Lord until He stops walking and then he tells Him quite directly what He wants. He has heard about Jesus, he knows Who He is, and He knows what He is capable of doing. So he is direct with Jesus in telling Him what his needs are.
When I get to heaven I hope that I can meet smelly, blind, beggar man. I want to tell him, "Thank You" for setting an example and allowing me to dismiss my wimpy prayers.
Enter the 90 Day New Testament Challenge and what God has to say to me. Luke writes to Theophilus in chapter 18, verses 35-43, about something that happens to Jesus and the Disciples are walking. A blind man is sitting on the side of the road when Jesus & Co. are passing his way. This unnamed man hears a commotion so he asks someone what's going on. I imagine that this man, who is a beggar, sits in dirty clothing. He's probably unkempt and a little smelly so whoever answers this question likely dismisses this guy as quickly as the terse answer that he provides to this lowest class citizen.
Does a short answer hush our smelly beggar friend? Au contraire! Our blind companion begins to shout at Jesus. "Have mercy on me, Son of David!" The crowd tries to hush him but he only screams louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Jesus stops and asks the man, "What do you want me to do?" Smelly, blind, beggar man says, "Lord, I want to see!" The reply of Jesus? "All right, receive your sight. Your faith has healed you."
So what does any of this have to do with me and my wimpy prayers? Everything! This man who (I am assuming) never even met Jesus before screams at our Lord until He stops walking and then he tells Him quite directly what He wants. He has heard about Jesus, he knows Who He is, and He knows what He is capable of doing. So he is direct with Jesus in telling Him what his needs are.
When I get to heaven I hope that I can meet smelly, blind, beggar man. I want to tell him, "Thank You" for setting an example and allowing me to dismiss my wimpy prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)