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Faith

As we approach this Friday, He has "Made me Glad"

This Friday is January 15th. This date may not mean a lot to you, but to our family, it is the first day of a life whose security has nothing to rest on except in our God. We honestly thought that by this date, James would be in a new job. We never imagined that we would hit this date unemployed. As we thought toward our future, we expected to celebrate the 15th of January with hearts full of gratitude to the Lord for all He did while we were unemployed, as we happily rejoiced in all the new things God would be doing in our lives through the new job.

But the 15th is here, and there still is no job… and not for the lack of trying.   We are still at the “rejoicing in the things God is doing while we are unemployed” stage.

I imagine that for various reasons, this has been a difficult week for many of us. I don’t know about you, but for me, that battle between faith and sight has been tough. Burdens of our own, and those we are carrying for others (ones we know and ones we only know about) have been heavy. I’ve cried a lot. Prayed a lot. And I’ve eaten a lot of chocolate. 🙂

As I’ve rolled those burdens upon the Lord time and time again, The Lord has been gracious, comforting, loving, gentle, and firm in His reminder that He is on His Throne. In our own life situation, as well as in the devestation in Haiti, with the martyrs around the world, the lost, the lonely, the grieving… God is still working, loving, comforting, strengthening, healing, saving, and He will not let go of His hold upon us. (Heb. 13:5-6, see below.)

While we’ve done what we can for others, filled our minds with Scripture and our home with Praise Music, God has blessedly calmed our hearts and made us glad. We look toward the future, uncertain of what, where, and how it will be, remaining certain of Who it is in.

A sweet friend wrote this to me the other day: “The God who loves you, provides for you, comforts you, and sustains you on the 14th, will be the same God who loves you, provides for you, comforts you, and sustains you on the 15th…”

So true! Not just for the Walker family and our “deadline”, but for you, too. I have a feeling that someone, besides me, needed to be reminded of this today. This side of Heaven, we will not completely understand the mind and heart of God, but we can trust that no matter what, He is and will always be Who His Word tells us He is.  He is good.  He is loving.  He is just.  He is merciful.  He is our Shield, our Strength, our Portion, our Deliverer, our Shelter, our Strong Tower, our Ever Present Help in time of Need!  He is Everything!

If you need some encouragement on this day, spend worship some time with the Lord through this song, Made Me Glad. Because, no matter what happens, or what day of the week it is, or what deadline comes and goes, when we put our lives into His hands, He is the One  – the Only One – Who forever can make us glad.

I love you, and am praying for you~
Jennifer

“Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,
God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6 The Message

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8 words for 2010

At the beginning of every year, it seems that The Lord gives me a verse to spend my year growing toward. Usually the Truth in that particular Scripture will be challenged many times over the year. And often, that same truth will follow me into the next year, because I’m a painfully slow learner.

But this year is a little different. Thus far, God has not highlighted a special “verse” for me, but instead, He has given me five new words to add to three other words/truths from past years. So instead of a verse, I have Eight Words that are to mark my life this year. Eight words that I’m to use to process every decision and action and reaction and word and thought before I do, say, or think them.

Boy, is this going to be a challenge! Unfortunately, in the flesh, I’m one of those “think AS you speak” kind of girls. My brain doesn’t naturally stop and process before I act. I’m not making excuses… I just sayin‘… it ain’t gonna be easy! But God didn’t really call us to “easy”, did He? He calls us to LIFE – Abundant Life – and in my experience, Abundant Life can’t be lived out easily in the flesh.

I’ve already failed to filter some things through these words. And those of you in my personal life will probably witness me failing frequently. But thankfully, with each fail, and after seeking forgiveness and restoration, I’m forming a battle plan for the next time I’m tempted to disregard these instructions from the Lord.

What are the Eight Words that are to mark my thoughts, actions, reactions, and speech? (I’m glad you asked!) They are:

Mercy

Grace

Comfort

Joy

Wisdom

Trust

Obedience

Love
My God-given instructions for these words: Before I think, say, or do anything, make sure that it promotes at least one of these 8 words. If it doesn’t, stop thinking it, don’t say it, and don’t do it!

Easy enough? Right?

What about you? Has God given you a Verse or a Word for the year? If so, please share! (If I knew how to do a “Mr. Linky” here, I would. But since I don’t, please leave a comment. I’ll add them to this portion of the post as they come in.)

I can’t wait to see the Work God has planned for each of us in 2010! “And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” Philippians 1:6 (Amp).
And we will be victorious “[Not in your own strength], for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” Philippians 2:13.
What’s God’s Work in you going to be this year? As hard as it might be, if we will remain in Him, He WILL accomplish it!

Christy said: The verse the Lord has given me for this year is Isaiah 43:18-19. I want more than anything for this year to be marked with me knowing Jesus in a new and deeper way.

I just love what God gives his girls for New Years! My theme is “Year of No Fear” and My verse is Isaiah 41. I’m memorizing most of it for battle! One of my favorite parts is this: Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10, The Message

Lisa Smith

From Melanie@Bella~Mella: I have decided not to ask for a word or verse for this year. Last year I got “Double.” 2009 seemed to have turned out to be “Double Trouble.”  I guess I’m afraid of what else might happen.

Jennifer says: My word for 2010 is JOY – I’m choosing joy no matter the circumstance/day/situation….and just one word has been a challenge plenty thus far – I can’t imagine eight!! God is going to bless, I’m sure.

Elaine says: “Living temple” is mine from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Every choice that I make needs to fall under this one blanket. Where I go, what I say, who I choose to do life with, etc. All can be weighed out underneath the awesome privilege of being God’s “living temple.”



peace~elaine

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Just Give Me Jesus

Hi friends~ You have been so wonderful in your comments and your prayers for BellaMella and family! I will send them on to her, and know that she will be blessed.

I just realized that Christmas Day is a week from Friday! This is the first year in my adult life that I’ve not been running 90 miles an hour – like most of you probably are right now – in preparation for “Christmas”. The “waiting with the Lord for a job” situation has placed us at a slower pace of living. And the financial cut-backs we are making has helped us prioritize the things/needs/wants/gifts that are usually the focus of this time of year.

This stripping away has been a wonderful awakening to the real reason we are celebrating Christmas. It has given us a chance to appreciate the Gift God gave us in Jesus, Who is ENOUGH! Jesus, Who is EVERYTHING! Jesus our SAVIOR, our PROVIDER, our LIFE!

I pray that our family will forever be changed in how we look at this time of year. Even if James has a million-dollar salary this time next year (ha ha!), I don’t want to ever again place our priority on “things” and “busy-ness” and miss the quiet moments spent soaking in the tremendous love of God through the Gift of His Only Son, Jesus.

“Thank You, Father, for unwrapping Jesus for us this year through our required dependence upon You. He truly is all we need. Because we have Jesus, we have Everything. I love you. And I deeply thank you for the peace of walking into the days ahead with You, Jesus, and Your Spirit. May You be magnified in our lives.”

Give Me Jesus

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I am alone,
When I am alone,
When I am alone,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I come to die,
When I come to die,
When I come to die,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

by Jeremy Camp

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The Battle between "Faith" and "Sight"

Yesterday, a {Boxing Title Match} was held in my heart. Two heavyweight champions fought for the reigning title of Ultimate Victor. Instead of writing the promised blog post on “how to have a quiet time with Jesus during these busy days”, I spent the day refereeing this famous fight in my heart and mind. It was an all day battle between “Faith” and “Sight”.

One minute “Sight” would knock “Faith” out cold. Then the Words of the Lord hidden in my heart would whisper to me, and “Faith” would arise the momentary victor! Faith would remain victorious until “Sight” looked around and reminded me of how few days of insurance we have left, etc….Then “Faith” was down for the count.

The battle raged all day, and I was exhausted and emotionally spent by bedtime. But, Praise the Lord!, in the end, “Faith” won! When I clung to God’s Word, and started recounting the many ways the Lord has taken care of us in the past, and when I remembered the promises He has given us for our future, “Sight” was defeated!!!

Unfortunately, because of the nature of being human, the fight isn’t over. “Sight” will come back for a re-match one of these days. But Faith muscles were built yesterday that will come in handy during the next Title Match.

And I learned something in that battle: “Sight” can only gain control of the fight when we take our eyes off of what we KNOW to be true – God’s love and concern for us, His provisions, and His plans for us that are GOOD!

This morning, my husband shared Charles Surgeon’s “Morning by Morning” devotion with me, and I wanted to pass it along to you. What a blessed reminder to all of us when “Faith” and “Sight” are boxing for the Title of our lives!!! I’ll be reading and re-reading this today as the Lord heals my wounds from yesterday’s fight. May He bless and strengthen You with it, too. 🙂

“Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you.” (Isaiah 30:18)

God often delays in answering prayer. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day – he had to wrestle all night for it.

The poor woman of Syrophenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul sought the Lord three times that “the thorn in the flesh” might be taken from him. He received no assurance that it would be taken away, but instead received a promise that God’s grace would be sufficient for him.

If you have been knocking at the gate of mercy and have received no answer, I will tell you why the mighty Maker has not opened the door and let you in.

Our Father has reasons peculiar to Himself for keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show His power and His sovereignty so that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold.

More frequently the delay is for our profit. Perhaps you are kept waiting in order that your desires may be more fervent. You will prize the gift all the more because of its long tarrying.

There may also be something in you that needs to be removed before the joy of the Lord is given.

If your prayers are not immediately answered, they are certainly not forgotten. Your prayers are filed in Heaven. In a little while your prayers will be fulfilled to your satisfaction. Do not let despair make you silent. Continue in earnest supplication.”

December 9, “Morning by Morning” by C. H. Spurgeon.

Photo: Google Images

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A "Quiet Time" makes all the difference

Quiet…

Do we even know what that word means anymore? People living today are bombarded with more noise and distractions than ever before in history. (Well, I haven’t conducted a research study on that fact, but that’s what I think. Wouldn’t you agree?)

Even during the night, e-mails are coming into our computers, and texts are going off on our phones. There is no true “quiet” in our lives anymore.

Though our lives and surroundings are not quiet, our hearts can be. When our hearts are quiet, we can be at peace in the midst of a one hundred thousand seat football stadium with 100,000 screaming fans – even if we’re for the losing team!!!

The secret to this quiet heart is in having a daily “Quiet Time“.

When I refer to a “Quiet Time” I’m not talking about a time in the morning when you are silently sipping coffee and reading the morning news paper.

What I’m talking about is more like a “Time Out” but in the most positive sense of the words. Taking a “time out” of every day (preferably before the rest of the busy and noisy day starts) where you are alone with God and draw up close to Him, laying your burdens for the day at His feet, hearing from Him, and having your hearts stilled and quietened before Him.

Jesus, even though He was God, knew the importance of getting away before the day started to be filled with the strength that only time with the Father can provide. Mark 1:35 says, “And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed.”

If Jesus needed to do this, how much more do we? Especially during this very busy season as we bustle about under the guise of “celebrating Jesus’ birthday“.

Our hearts need this time with the Father in His Word and prayer like our bodies need water. We thirst for the stillness of soul that comes over us when we draw close to, sit with, and hear from our Lord.

Martin Luther knew the importance of getting up and spending time with the Lord – especially on those busy days. He said, “Tomorrow I plan to work, work, from early until late. In fact I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” (Aren’t we guilty of thinking just the opposite!?!?)

I know I need that time in the morning with the Lord (and my family knows I need it too!) A Quiet Time produces a Quiet Heart. And a quiet heart produces a peacefilled mama. And we all know that a peace-filled mama sets the tone for a peace-filled home!

A Quiet Time makes all the difference for you and those around you.

Come back tomorrow to find out how to develop and manage a quiet time for yourself ~ especially during these next few very busy weeks. Blessings to each of you on this Monday, and may you accomplish all God desires for you to accomplish! 🙂

Jennifer

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

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