July 11th, 2018 - Thoughts for your Week

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91: 1-2

Two weeks ago, my uncle passed away. While this wasn’t a complete surprise, the timing was earlier than expected. Last week I went to Kelowna with my dad to pack up my uncle’s things and settle his affairs. Knowing he didn’t have much and that he had made a will, we gave ourselves three days to do this. It all hinged, of course, on us finding his will. By the second day, we’d been through all his things and still had no will. Our hope began to sink, and panic kicked in. How were we supposed to settle anything without his will? We prayed to find it, but never did. I took a step back and tried to see it through God’s eyes. What was He planning here? Why was this already difficult thing becoming almost unbearable? I asked Him for wisdom and realized because we didn’t find the will, we’d had to reach out to family members we hadn’t talked to in long while. We revived connections that had been lost over the years. And He was so faithful in providing help AS we needed it. If we’d found the will, we would have missed out on all this. 

But God had His plan and it was so much better than ours. Even though His way was much harder, more complicated, and felt chaotic at times, it had led to the opportunity to show the love of Jesus. Our plan had been to get in and get out to minimize any additional pain of loss. His plan was to get in, make relationship, heal our hearts, and teach us to trust His ways and timing instead of ours.

What areas of your life are feeling chaotic and out of control? Ask Him for the wisdom to see what His plan is, and for acceptance of it. The more we trust, the more we grow in our relationship with Him. This process of sanctification is the path we must all walk. And it’s so worth it!

Excerpt from “The Hidden Life” Awakened newsletter by Betty Skinner…

"There is within us all this strong desire for the freedom to live and be whole, but it takes enormous courage and discipline to make the choice to trust God and do the difficult work this requires. We must be willing to look at our entrenched behavior patterns that we innocently created from our self-protective fears and perceptions of life. Once we are aware of them we can name them, so we can begin to tame them. These habitual ways of being are so hard to break because they are deeply rooted in our childhood wounds. Taking those initial steps toward change can be frightening and painful. The old voices in our head tell us it won’t work, things will only get worse, and we’re wasting our time. But the new Voice in our heart tells us that if we don’t change, we won’t grow. Change and growth are synonymous. Gradually as we develop new patterns, the work becomes easier, and we will slowly begin to see our life bear fruit. Failure to dare to change will keep us trapped. So dare to let go, trust God, and make the choice to change, regardless of how hard it is."

Take time now to read and meditate on Psalm 91.

•       Read the verses quietly to yourself and sit with them in silence. Listen for a word or phrase and focus on that for a few minutes. Write down that word or phrase.
•         Read the verses again and think about how your life is touched by this word or phrase He has given you. Consider what this word is saying to you. Write it down.
•         Read the verses again and think about what God is inviting you to do through this word or phrase. What action does He want you to take? Write it down.

In closing: Take some time now to thank Him for the words He has given you. Ask for the courage to do what He's called you to do.

May 23rd, 2018 - Thoughts for your Week

 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10 

Cleaning House

Over the past few weeks, I have been cleaning out our home; going through clothes, sorting toys and books, purging things we don’t need or use, etc. and after two days of this, I realized no one looking in would even notice the changes I’d been making. The house looked exactly the same, even though I’d worked tirelessly to organize, purge, and throw out.

As I sat there and looked around, I felt the sink of disappointment. All this work and nothing to show for it. But then it dawned on me that I was working on the hidden things. The things that no one sees unless they open cupboard doors or drawers. These are areas that need to be purged often so they don’t become stuffed with useless junk. Dresser drawers of all our kids now only contain clothes that they will actually wear. The pantry now only houses foods that has a good best before date and is edible. And on and on it goes.

But as I sat there, looking around the house that didn’t look any different, I began to think about the Christian life and the minute changes that are taking place in us every day as we give ourselves over to God. Sometimes we might feel like we are spinning our wheels and not getting very far. We might wish we were changing faster than the snail speed we’re at. We might think that people around us don’t see the changes taking place. But we know we are changing because we know what we once were.

Henry Blackaby says; “God will not totally change your character at once. Rather, He will lead you through a process to become more like His Son. He will keep working in an area in your life until it is controlled by the Holy Spirit. You may eagerly desire maturity in every area of your character, but steady, gradual growth is more lasting.”

Just like in my home, I need to clean house in my spiritual life, to get rid of the things that pull me away from God and make more space for the things that keep me close to Him.

A few questions to meditate on…

Do you seek to please Him with your thoughts, words, and deeds? How can you ‘clean house’ in your own spiritual life? What do you need to throw out or get rid of so that you can make more space for Him?

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12: 1-2

May 9th 2018 - When My Spirit Fails

May 9th, 2018 - Thoughts for your Week

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

When My Spirit Fails

God’s word promises us that we are loved, we are saved and that He has us. I keep reminding myself of these truths but, lately, I’ve felt a bit lost. Time is moving so fast and I’m trying to keep up. Situations around me have been unraveling and answers don’t seem to be right around the corner. There have been tears and fretful moments, but also prayers because I know He hears me, I know He sees me. I have to keep trusting because I know there is no other way through it all.

Maybe you’re feeling the same? Maybe your life is moving at a quick pace and you’ve been overwhelmed with what needs to get done. Maybe you’re struggling with grief and you want to slow down but you’re feeling pressure to keep up. Maybe you’ve been battling illness and you’re tired and run down. Day in and day out, the world around us pushes us to move at a fast pace. Society dictates that we do and, if we don’t keep up, we are failing at life. “There’s no time to slow down.” But our God says the complete opposite. He says; “Slow down. Seek my face. Sit with me awhile. I can make time stand still as time is in my hands. This world belongs to me and I control everything.” The world offers us no reason to be at peace in all circumstances, but our God does. Philippians 4:7 says; “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding (all things, all circumstances), will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In Psalm 90:12, Moses prayed for God to “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” He understood the need to slow down and make God the number one priority in our lives in ALL things. We need to take time throughout our day to connect with Him and rest. We need to remember it’s not about keeping up with the world, but about keeping Him in the center of every moment. We need to constantly remind ourselves that even when situations are crumbling around us, we can be in perfect peace when we keep our mind on Him.

If you’re feeling frenzied or overwhelmed these days, it’s time to stop and rest; to slow down and refocus. Maybe the answer to your situation isn’t clear or isn’t coming to you as fast as you’d like – that doesn’t mean it won’t ever come. It just means you need to keep your eyes on Him. Take some time now to ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas in your life that you need to slow down or refocus your attention.

“Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.”

-       Psalm 143:7-9

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”

-       Billy Graham

“The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”

-       Psalm 28:7

Sometimes God doesn’t change your situation because He’s trying to change your heart.

-       Unknown

April 25th 2018 - Disciplining our Hearts

April 25th, 2018 - Thoughts for your Week

“Discipleship, we might say, is a way to curate your heart, to be attentive to and

intentional about what you love.”

James K. A. Smith

Disciplining our Hearts

What do you want?  Do you know what you want? Out of life? Out of yourself? From God? Can you be honest enough to ask that question of yourself? Can you be honest in your answer? What do you desire? What do you long for?

This was the question that Jesus asked most; “what do you want?” It’s a hard question to ask ourselves but the answer, if we’re truthful, is the greatest indicator to the deep desires and longings of our heart. And from those longings and desires come our actions and our habits. It says in Proverbs 4:23; “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” What we store up in our heart dictates what we do with our lives.

Philippians 1:9-11 says; “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Jesus wants to align His desires and longings with ours. He wants to ‘sync up’ with us so that we live with His eyes and His ears to do His work. It’s not about us. It’s about Him. He’s given each of us special talents and skills to be used within His will for us. When we connect with Him throughout our days, we are giving Him the ability to move within us and awaken those talents and skills to be used the way He wants them used. When we don’t start our day with Him, we miss out on preparing ourselves for what He wants to do. Our desires and longings stay just that; ours. I challenge you to take some time to ask yourself; what do you want? Don’t rush this process. Invite the Holy Spirit into this questioning and trust that He will answer, that He will bring you wisdom and understanding of your true self. Ask Him to show you what you need to do. Do you need to break some unhealthy habits and create new ones? Do you need to change a thought process that you have over something in particular? Trust that He will lead you in this and be prepared to be obedient in it.

“The God who is love reorders our loves, bending our deepest desires back toward Himself, so that we might readily love our neighbours for His name’s sake.”

-       James K.A. Smith

“Our goal is not productivity, but holiness. Not speed, but obedience. Not success, but surrender.”

-       John Piper

“Until you can identify your idols you cannot understand yourself. Until you turn from them you can’t know and walk with God.”

-       Tim Keller

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

-       Hebrews 4:12

“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

- Isaiah 48:17b

April 11th, 2018 - Light in the Darkness

April 11th, 2018 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:29-30

“You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale the wall."

Light in the Darkness

This season has been tough for me. I have struggled often and with so many different things these past few months. God has stirred me up to reveal sin that I didn’t know existed in me. He’s been breaking up my foundation and re-seeding it with His truth. It is good but hard work. But I know where my help comes from, and so, I keep returning to Him who is able.

God sets us in seasons. Some are good and easy, and others are hard and heavy. He uses these seasons to transform us. Only He knows the full capabilities He has set in us, and He is always working to make us all He created us to be.

But it’s a battle, isn’t it? Our human nature, our flesh, wants things our way in our time. Not His. And so, we wrestle. We are faced with choices all day long and if we don’t invite Him into these choices, whether they are big or small, we risk walking off the path He has set before us.

I’ve been reminded that He is constant. He never changes. It says in 1 Samuel 15:29; “He who is the glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a human being, that He should change his mind.” If anyone changes, it’s us, never Him. What a blessed truth for us to cling to!

If you are feeling distant from God in this season you are in, it’s you that’s moved away from Him. Draw close to Him. Change your thinking from “you” to “you and Him”. Invite Him into every aspect of your life. Talk to Him, just as you would a friend, throughout your day. Ask questions and expect an answer.

And never forget that you are chosen by God. He has summoned you and redeemed you because He loves you.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Isaiah 43:1-3

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

“Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”

- Micah 7:8

March 14th, 2018 - Are You Experiencing It?

March 14th, 2018 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture: Luke 5:3-6

“Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, He asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.”

Are You Experiencing It?

When Christ teaches you something about Himself, He implements it into your life through experience. As the crowds gathered around, Jesus chose to board Peter’s boat and teach the people from there. All day long Peter sat in the boat listening to Jesus teach the multitudes. At the close of His discourse, Jesus allowed Peter to experience the reality of what He had just been teaching the crowd. The crowd had heard the truth, but Peter was to experience it.

Jesus put His teaching into language a fisherman could understand. He told Peter to put out his nets into the deep water. Peter hesitated, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing.” Peter had been fishing all night, had washed and repaired his nets in the morning, and then listened to Jesus teach. He was tired. He probably was not expecting a dramatic encounter with God at a time like that. Yet, as Peter obeyed Jesus, he pulled in such a miraculous catch of fish that his boat almost sank! Peter was filled with amazement and recognized that he had just experienced the power of God (Luke 5:4-11).

Peter learned that with a command from Jesus, he could do anything. Thus, Jesus was able to reorder Peter’s priorities from catching fish to catching men (Luke 4:10). Peter’s obedience led to a dramatic new insight into the person of Jesus. This was an invitation to walk with Jesus in an even more intimate and powerful way.

God does not want you to merely gain intellectual knowledge of truth. He wants you to experience His truth. There are things about Jesus you will learn only as you obey Him. Your obedience will then lead to greater revelation and opportunities for service.

“For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.”

Romans 5:19

“Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

John 14:23

"The present aim of existence becomes single: to do the will of God: so long as He is pleased, nothing else really counts: to obey Him becomes the sole objective of life. It does not matter how he feels; what matters is obeying God. This is a pure walk."

Watchman Nee

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."

- Oswald Chambers

(devotional taken from “Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry Blackaby)

February 14th, 2018 - Praying God's Word

February 14th, 2018 - Thoughts for your Week

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Praying God’s Word

Do you ever feel like you want to pray, that you know deep down that prayer is so good for your soul, but you struggle to follow through and do it, because you often pray the same things and you’re afraid it’s going to be boring? If we’re honest, most of us struggle with prayer time. We tend to pray the same things over and over again. The problem isn’t that we pray for the same things – because let’s face it, we’re going to be continually praying for our family, future, finances, our work, etc. – it’s how we’re praying them.

Joni Eareckson Tada says; “I have learned to season my prayers with the word of God. It’s a way of talking to God in His language – speaking His dialect. When we bring God’s word directly into our praying, we are bringing God’s power into our praying.”

When we pray of our own accord, we will often use the same words. But what if we instead used a Psalm to pray our prayers? I’ve begun doing this and it’s amazing how different my prayer time is now. I am praying for the same things, but my prayers are totally different each time. And they feel different too. There’s more power to them, more healing in my own heart, and a greater understanding of God and what He wants me to pray.

 “If I try to pray for people or events without having the Word in front of me guiding my prayers, then several negative things happen. One is that I tend to be very repetitive…I just pray the same things all the time. Secondly, my mind tends to wander.”

-       John Piper

^“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.”

-       1 John 5: 14-15

“For thirty centuries, God’s people have found in the Psalms an answer to the disciples’ plea; “Lord, teach us to pray.”

-       Ken Langley

Tonight, instead of our Lecto Divina scripture prayer, I encourage you to pray through a Psalm. I’ve selected a Psalm to pray but feel free to choose your own. After you’re finished, take a few moments to ponder how your prayer time has changed.

We have a whole bible full of scripture we can be praying through. Let’s challenge ourselves to memorize more of God’s word so that we can infuse it into our prayers with and for one another. Like Isaiah 55: 11 says; “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it out.”

“By praying the Psalms back to God, we learn to pray in tune with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

-       Ben Patterson”