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Who Said It Would Be Easy?
When my husband and I surrendered to ministry, our lives became harder than ever before. Everything started breaking, including cars, furniture and appliances—big stuff on a very limited budget. We began to question whether or not God really called us to full time ministry. Shouldn’t it be easy to follow Jesus, especially since we were committing our family and vocations to His work? We only have to read the book of Job to answer “no” to the title question. In reading Disappointment With God by Philip Yancey I was stunned as he reminded us God never told Job what was happening behind the scenes. Job never knew about the bet…
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Running My Race
If life is a race, how are you doing? If you are alive, you are still somewhere on the racetrack heading toward the finish line. What lane are you running in? Sometimes I do not like my lane. I really would like to run in her lane. I like her lane better. Why can’t I just run her race? Have you ever felt that way too? God planned our lives, unique to us, designed exactly for who He created us to be, before we were even born. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of…
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The Upside of a Struggle
The disappointment, the losses, the failures, the fears, the betrayals, the waiting and waiting. Why? What good is this in the life of a believer?? I’ve asked these questions many times. If I do get an answer to one, it’s not usually the one I want. It took 8 long painful years praying before the Lord brought restoration in a family relationship. But one thing I have learned over the years, nothing is ever wasted. The Lord uses it all. Scripture tells us: We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he…
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Delayed Gratitude
This week, I want to rejoice in a 3 year delay in celebrating our 50th anniversary on a cruise. We planned this cruise for 2021, but ships weren’t sailing at that time due to COVID. Our 50th was celebrated, just not as we had planned! We actually discovered a new favorite beach on Captiva Island, Florida that year! This year, for our 53rd anniversary, we made the cruise with several of our friends and had the best time. For me anticipation is half the fun! I love to plan ahead and wait for something to happen. But, I must say, the week we were to leave, a major winter storm…
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Knowing God’s Will Part 14: Lessons From Experiencing God
Ever feel like you just need a second chance? So did Moses, David and Peter! God often gives second chances. Moses made mistakes but delivered Israel to the edge of Canaan. Abraham lied about who Sarah was. Jonah ran from God’s assignment. David committed adultery. Peter denied Christ. Saul persecuted Christians. God used each one for His purpose anyway. But, consequences of our sin can be very costly. Moses got to see the Promised Land, but did not get to enter it because he dishonored God in front of all Israel. God still uses us even if we mess up but He desires our quick obedience. Blackaby said, When God…
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Knowing God’s Will Part 13: Lessons From Experiencing God
What is that step of obedience you could take today to lead to a deeper walk with Jesus than you’ve ever known? Though Moses started his “experiencing God” story with a burning bush, God did so much more as Pharaoh released captive Israel and they eventually entered the Promised Land. Each time Moses faced a challenge, God was right there to meet the need, and each time he experienced and knew God more. The same can be true for us if we say yes, make adjustments, and then obey what He tells us. We will know his character more as we obey, year after year after year. Read our last…
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Knowing God’s Will Part 12: Lessons From Experiencing God
After my husband and I surrendered to ministry (see last post), the devil tried to redirect us. The enemy does whatever he can to stop us from adjusting to God’s plan. The song Sovereign Over Us comes to mind, especially the lines that say: “even what the enemy means for evil, You turn it for our good and Your glory.” This is where trust kicks in. Stop and listen to that song if you can. Scroll back to part 11 for a refresher on Reality 6 in the Knowing God’s Will series. Adjustment means sacrifice. Sacrifice costs something, for you and those around you. Earlier in my walk with Jesus,…
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Knowing God’s Will Part 11: Lessons From Experiencing God
Are you a planner like I am? Do you expect your plans to come to fruition like you thought? Sometimes, I prefer my plan to what God is putting before me. But when God interrupts, He expects me to make the adjustment to His plan. And sometimes His plan is much harder than mine! If you’ve been following this Knowing God’s Will series, you should see a pattern. If not, please start at Part 1 for clarification. After facing the crisis of belief alongside God’s invitation to join Him in His work, the ball rolls from God’s court to ours. The first 5 realities begin with “God” and His work…
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The Word on Waiting
As “waiting” has been on my heart, and in my advent study, I’ve also been working throuh a Melissa Spoelstra study on Isaiah. (Check the blog category for more on the topic of Waiting) Once again, the Lord has connected it all today as I was in Isaiah 49. The author’s focus was “we can trust God’s timing because He sent His Son, Jesus, just as He promised.” This message is very similar to what I’ve learned through the advent study, Our Hope Has Come! So, yes, Lord, I am listening while I’m waiting and waiting and waiting! I needed this reminder today and wanted to share some great waiting…
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The Waiting of the Second Advent
If you missed the last post, please read The Waiting of Advent first. This week the focus is: how we are to wait for what hasn’t happened yet? How do we wait when we have unmet desires? And especially how do we wait for the second and final arrival of Christ? A reminder, these thoughts were generated by the study of Our Hope Has Come as I led our life group through. Though we are never given exact dates for Christ’s return, we are told what we should be doing. The Great Commission, a few of Jesus’ last words to His disciples, is found in Matthew 28:18-20. “All authority has…
