We had some visitors from Texas at our school a few weeks ago, and it was a refreshing reminder to us of who God is. Monte and her posse (as they were affectionately called by our school counselor Lori) came by the invitation of my dear friend Kristine, and ever since then I've felt lighter and closer to the Lord. So here's a written reflection from the dealings of my heart:
1. Our God is extravagant. God brought four women from Texas to minister to us for about 4 days. And yet, I am so grateful that they came because interacting with them and getting prayer from them really has helped me in my faith walk. God is not limited by money or time, and He doesn't make decisions based on those things. He sees needs and meets it, regardless of how we humans might balance worth and costs of operation. Money is not an issue for Him, nor logistics and the other things of man. He is unrestrained by these constructs and limits we foresee with human eyes.
2. God hears us when we pray. I was convicted of being double-minded in my prayers--doubting and worrying that God wouldn't answer or that I needed to have an extra dose of belief when talking to Him, or that I really had to mean it and feel it with my emotions in order to get an answer. Well, it turns out that the only thing I can do is acknowledge my frailty and lack of control, and believe on His character and the surety of His words. I can't trust the strength of my belief, or my emotions. But it doesn't rely on me, it's all God's work! All I can do is pray as the man, asking for healing on behalf of his daughter, prayers: "I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief!" I agree with you, Lord. Now I ask for an experience of your power so that I will believe it deeply. Believe on Him and what He has said, and therein will your assurance be.
3. Life is so much better when lived for God. Being only a year removed from college graduation and being single, I tend to forget that my life is not about me. I have my ambitions, and I have my plans, and I can assure you that not all of them are God-given. I am good about making myself miserable sometimes by planning my own future. Dying to self is a continuous practice, and when we get out of this practice, it is quite painful to get back into the habit. This is a reason that God likens it to dying. I have felt the sting of death over the past month or two; but I have also felt the victory that comes when He helps me to refocus my heart on His heart and His reality. It strengthens my purpose and mission. It allows me to truly minister to others and know that God is working through and in every detail.
4. God knows how to give good gifts to His children. If God gives good gifts to those who don't know him, how much more does he desire to give to those who have given up themselves for the sake of His Kingdom? What one of us won't receive a hundredfold, and in the age to come, eternal life?
Just a few thoughts for your sabbath ruminating.
1. Our God is extravagant. God brought four women from Texas to minister to us for about 4 days. And yet, I am so grateful that they came because interacting with them and getting prayer from them really has helped me in my faith walk. God is not limited by money or time, and He doesn't make decisions based on those things. He sees needs and meets it, regardless of how we humans might balance worth and costs of operation. Money is not an issue for Him, nor logistics and the other things of man. He is unrestrained by these constructs and limits we foresee with human eyes.
2. God hears us when we pray. I was convicted of being double-minded in my prayers--doubting and worrying that God wouldn't answer or that I needed to have an extra dose of belief when talking to Him, or that I really had to mean it and feel it with my emotions in order to get an answer. Well, it turns out that the only thing I can do is acknowledge my frailty and lack of control, and believe on His character and the surety of His words. I can't trust the strength of my belief, or my emotions. But it doesn't rely on me, it's all God's work! All I can do is pray as the man, asking for healing on behalf of his daughter, prayers: "I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief!" I agree with you, Lord. Now I ask for an experience of your power so that I will believe it deeply. Believe on Him and what He has said, and therein will your assurance be.
3. Life is so much better when lived for God. Being only a year removed from college graduation and being single, I tend to forget that my life is not about me. I have my ambitions, and I have my plans, and I can assure you that not all of them are God-given. I am good about making myself miserable sometimes by planning my own future. Dying to self is a continuous practice, and when we get out of this practice, it is quite painful to get back into the habit. This is a reason that God likens it to dying. I have felt the sting of death over the past month or two; but I have also felt the victory that comes when He helps me to refocus my heart on His heart and His reality. It strengthens my purpose and mission. It allows me to truly minister to others and know that God is working through and in every detail.
4. God knows how to give good gifts to His children. If God gives good gifts to those who don't know him, how much more does he desire to give to those who have given up themselves for the sake of His Kingdom? What one of us won't receive a hundredfold, and in the age to come, eternal life?
Just a few thoughts for your sabbath ruminating.
