Are You Hungry?

Our vacation was as normal as any other until she asked, "Are you a Christian"? The maid saw our Bible and a book by Kenneth Copeland next to our bed as she was cleaning our room and was brave enough to speak.  Every day thereafter when she finished work she came to our room with several women in tow just to hear more about Jesus.  She was HUNGRY for more of God! So hungry that she was willing to risk her job and chastisement from friends for fraternizing with the guests.  As we prayed over and encouraged those precious women with the Word I was overwhelmed and humbled that God could use me to minister to Christian sisters who had a much greater spiritual appetite than I.  After seeing their zeal I realized that I was hungry and thirsty for Him but didn't know it.  Yes, I love Jesus, and my lifestyle says that I love Him but somewhere along the way I had lost that deep hunger and longing of which David speaks in Psalm 42.  I had become a spiritual anorexic who was living off of yesterday's meal and was starving myself without realizing it.  

Anorexics go so long without food that their appetite decreases and they literally do not experience hunger.  In the same way when we don't feed our spirit man with the Word and have fellowship with the Father we will lose our appetite for His presence.  This puts us in a weakened condition with no strength to fight when the enemy strikes.  Luke 6:21 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and seek with eager desire now, for you shall be filled and completely satisfied".

Like me, are you hungry and don't know it?   If you will eagerly seek Jesus He will begin to revive your appetite.  As you sup with The Lord your hunger for Him will grow and He will fill you to overflowing.  I encourage you to not just live in a state of blind spiritual starvation but rather dine on His Word in His glorious presence.  Your joy will be unspeakable no matter what circumstances you may face.  Yes, it really is that simple!  Just seeking Him NOW will put you in a position to be filled and completely satisfied to do His will and purpose on the earth.  

Brooke Glass 

Read more >>

I Am A Missionary

I am a missionary.

That’s who I am at the core of my being.  Even though my home is in the country of my birth, my heart encompasses the peoples of the world. 

I long for others to grasp that they will be accountable for harvest.  

Recently, I was looking for a good book that explains thoroughly how we are all called to love the world. I had difficulties finding the one that expressed my heart toward the faces I’ve seen & our responsibility to them; for we are all called to go.  Yes, that means different things to different people, yet the call remains the same.

“Go into all the world & preach the gospel to all creation.” Mk 16:15

This command is for all of us & we all are responsible to own it, though our feet may never leave our own soil.   In some way, we have to come face to face with this scripture & our part in its command.

For me, I’m the happiest when I’m on my way!  I remember the first time I took a missions trip.  I was 16 when I went to Brazil  & it was like putting on a suit that fit… I had found my destiny!

I purpose to live every day, well that’s my goal anyway, as if knowing Jesus will return soon.  I believe that’s how the disciples lived as well; it’s what spurred them on.  My heart cries out, “Come, Jesus!”  I know He answers back that He is coming:

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" ~ Rev 22:20

All the while, I’ve seen the masses & I know the great work to be accomplished before He can return.  My own two feet have travelled through Asia, well over 200 hours on 2^nd class Indian trains on one trip alone.  I’ve seen amount of people in so many countries that haven’t heard & wonder directionless or, worse, are worshipping a god that offers no loving relationship.

With so much work to be done, won’t it require more hands on deck?

My heart cries out, “How can I make a difference, I’m only one.”  Can I? Absolutely.  Can you? Yes!  Words comes back to me from a dear man who has given his all in the streets of New York City, “To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the whole world.”

Most will never gather in the masses or preach to a crowded football field.  All of us can however live our life of love to the one who walks beside us.  For those people too far to physically reach, we can all pray & out of our generosity we can give.

Let’s let Jesus walk the earth again through us & feel His heart beat for the nations of the world.

You can be that one!  Will you pray?  Will you go? Will you give?

Together, let’s say “Yes, Lord.”

Judi Jo

Read more >>

Look Beyond the Mountain

About 9 years ago during a worship service I saw a vision and glimpse of my life in the future, my calling.  At that point I new that I was called to ministry.  I'm not going to get into the details because that vivid image was given to me, but I'm amazed at how through the years the Lord has added details to that picture.  Looking back I see things that have taken place in my life, growth, tears, changes in setting and it all makes sense and just flows together.

My perception of that vision and what God is actually doing have been two different things however. People who I first thought were a part are no longer a part of that picture.  The location is definitely not the same and what it is exactly that I am/will be doing I still don't exactly know, but He keeps adding to me daily and I am so thankful for that.  When Brian and I were in Bible School one of our instructors told us that God won't show you everything He is going to have you accomplish all at once, it would terrify you!  

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."  Isaiah 55:8

In His perfect timing we can do anything through Him!  Therein lies my problem... I'm gonna get real for a minute.  Are we trying to fulfill God's plan for our life on our own and making things happen ourselves?  Or are we walking it out with Him?  Isaiah 45:2 "I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.  When we are walking things out with the Lord He makes it easy, there shouldn't be a struggle.  

Sometimes our biggest challenge is ourself and our thoughts.  When things don't happen the way you think it's going to happen and a door or window seems to close, are you letting discouragement and doubt take hold, or are you are you seeing the bigger picture realizing that the way that God has set before you is much better than the road you are currently traveling?

I've done the former.  I let thoughts come in saying that I wasn't good enough or talented enough or I didn't hear from God enough.  Then a door would seem to close or I would get pregnant and was put on bed rest.  That's the worst! Never blame your children or anyone else for what YOU are not doing.  All those things are just excuses and chains that WE attach to ourselves that keep us from walking in our calling.  We've got to break them off!  

We do this by being grateful and thanking the Lord for what He has done.  Paul and Silas could have been doubting the call on their lives when they were sitting in Prison for preaching the gospel in Acts 16, but no... 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

                             WE MUST LEARN TO LOOK BEYOND THE MOUNTAIN

If you are currently discouraged with how things are going in your life I want to challenge you as I do the same.  Worship the Lord get on your face in His Presence and worship Him.  Meditate on what He has spoken over you and about you.  Only His words matter.  Get rid of the thoughts that you are holding onto and think on His thoughts.   His ways are far beyond anything that you could imagine!  

Far be it from me to not believe

Even when my eyes can’t see

And this mountain that’s in front of me

Will be thrown into the midst of the sea

So let go my soul and trust in Him

The waves and wind still know His name

-It Is Well, Kristene DiMarco

Read more >>

That 'S' Word in Marriage

You probably thought that 'S' word was submit, didn't you? Well honestly, I did too. As I pondered the writing of this devotion, it was intended to bring practical insights for submission in marriage. 

But, as I was studying and reading, I began to realize that a lack of submission is not the root issue in most cases. 

Rather, it is SELFISHNESS!

I've come to believe that selfishness is at the root of nearly all sin - greed, covetousness, lust, rebellion, idleness, hypocrisy, arrogance, gluttony, infidelity, and the list goes on. 

The essence of selfishness is "I want what I want, when I want it." It is all about getting my needs and wants met. It's what led to Lucifer's demise - he wanted to do what he wanted and didn't want to be under any authority, even that of God. 

Unfortunately, our society is perpetuating selfishness at a gross rate.

So, what happens when two selfish individuals stand at the marriage altar stating their vows? Stats show that nearly half, both inside the church and out, will end in divorce. Of those divorces, 70-80% will be contributed to irreconcilable differences. This is defined as - "when you and your spouse can't and never will agree on certain fundamental issues in marriage." 

What happened? They agreed at one point or they wouldn't have gotten married. Why can't they agree now?

Because the honeymoon is over and the true colors are what you are left with. Unfortunately, they both want what they want, when they want it. Neither one will give in and they reach the point where they can't and never will agree - irreconcilable differences. I want to clarify, that I am not referring to abusive situations here. This is in reference to two people who decide they can't get along anymore.

Selfishness is not a new issue or condition, it has been occurring since the beginning. It's what led Eve to eat the fruit. 

In Phil 2:21, it says, "For everyone looks out for his own interest, not those of Jesus Christ." Paul said everyone looks out for his own interests - we are all given to selfishness. It is our sin nature.

The good news is, it doesn't have to stay this way, and frankly it should not be that way in the church. Jesus was the personification of selflessness. In Phil 2:3, Paul tells us how we can obtain that. I'll warn you, it is easy to say or read, but much harder to implement:

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

There it is - in humility consider others better than yourselves. Our flesh screams at that one. We especially don't like to consider others better than ourselves when we believe we have been wronged by them. But it is the high road, the Christ-like approach.

I know this is getting a bit long, but I do want to conclude with some contrasting attitudes of selfishness and selflessness:

Selfishness - "What have you done for me lately?"
Selflessness - "What have I done for you lately?"

Selfishness - "I love you, I can't live without you; I need you." (the essence of this is needing what the person does for you)
Selflessness - "I love you for who you are, regardless of what you do for me."

Selfishness - "I told you so!"
Selflessness - "It didn't work, it's ok; let's learn from it and move on."

Selfishness - Doesn't really listen to other individuals, but rather interrupts or sits waiting for them to take a breath so they can interject their response.
Selflessness - Let's each one speak freely while listening and giving consideration to their words.

Selfishness - "I behave this way because that's how I was raised."
Selflessness - "I am responsible for my actions and will work on making the changes needed."

Studies show that there is a direct correlation between high marital quality and high levels of generosity. Selflessness is key!

We do not have to do it alone!

The Holy Spirit will help us to make these changes. I recently prayed asking the Spirit to nudge me when I speak or act in a selfish manner.

Endeavoring to be selfless,

Dawn

Read more >>