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

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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

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Best for Last

You've heard the story about Jesus turning water into wine. There are many reasons it is significant, especially since it was His first miracle. But there is something very important which was said after this miracle that applies to you and I today--something that defines our destiny.

The Bible says, "When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water [for Jesus] knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, 'Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!'" (John 2:9-10).

God has given us a glimpse of humanity from His perspective.

THE BEGINNING

The master of the feast said, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine..." If we go back to the beginning of time, we know God looked upon His creation of man and said, "It is good." God was pleased. But we also know it wasn't long before everything crumbled.

Man fell into sin, and we now have an orderly account called the Old Testament, which documents God's plan to prepare for the day He would set things right again.

YOU AND I

And this is where our story (or should I say our destiny) becomes significant. The master of the feast then said, "You have kept the good wine until now!" You and I represent the good wine! So we could say, God saved the BEST for last!

And did you catch the comparison of wines? You and I are anything but inferior. In other words, we are not lower in rank, degree, place, or position! In the eyes of God, we are the cream of the crop!

This is why your understanding of righteousness is so important. Remember the definition: Righteousness is right-standing with God and the ability to stand before Him without guilt or inferiority as if you had never sinned.

YOU ARE NOT INFERIOR

We are the "best for last" because God gave us a gift the former never had--the gift of righteousness! The precious blood of Jesus Christ sets us apart. And faith in His Name gives us delegated authority. The last word we should ever use to describe ourselves is inferior.

You are not inferior, mediocre, half-baked, low grade, or insignificant! As a child of God, you are the very opposite:  first-rate, superior, first-class, foremost, and the best! [tweet]

So that means it is time to get out of our Old Testament thinking. It's okay to learn from Job, but quit comparing yourself to him. He would've given anything to trade shoes with you!

I recently had a counseling appointment with a woman who was struggling with forgiveness. But I soon found her problem: she wanted Old Testament justice instead of New Testament life. You can't have both.

OLD WINE SKINS

This is why Jesus said, "Nor do men put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved" (Matthew 9:17). Do you catch the analogy?

You are the new wine! You are children filled with the Holy Spirit of promise and the gift of righteousness. You can't put that into Old Testament theology and expect to hold up. You (and your stinking-thinking) are going to crumble if you continue to see yourself as inferior.

So make this confession today: "I am the best for last. Because I am the righteousness of God in Christ."

Blessings!

Daphne Delay

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Learning Respect From The Bear

Growing up, my daddy’s nickname was “The Bear.”  Even though small in stature, my daddy could let out a mean growl if he needed to and in that moment, things would come to order.  My daddy demanded respect and honor, and this taught my brother and me to fear the Lord.  I am reminded of a story in 2 Kings 2:23-24 about the prophet Elisha and how important God views honoring and respecting your elders.    

”Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, ‘Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!’   So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.”

Thank God we live under a new covenant of grace and mercy, because the generation in which we live might have many more reports of bear attacks due to dishonor for authority!  The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:5: 

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  

This is one of the greatest qualities we can instill in this next generation—to honor and respect authority.  By doing this we will teach them to honor and fear the Lord and we will produce a generation that is full of wisdom and safe from the enemy. 

Be Blessed!

Trish Yanney

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The Art of Relationships

“The art of relationships requires that a man who is very different from his woman finds common ground with her and vice versa. We are meant to balance each other by attracting people whose strengths may be our weaknesses. Together as a result of our differences and unique distinctions, we complement each other. Understanding only comes when you stand under a real desire to know, love, and comprehend the other person, embracing the uniqueness of who they are.”  - TD Jakes

26 plus years later, five lovable children, twelve irresistible grandchildren, my husband and I still embrace the uniqueness of each other, who we are, and the unique connection we have together.   I have evolved with my husband and we have become best friends.    

 In our early years of marriage, we began to discover rather quickly that we had our differences.  Our personality types, our strengths, our weaknesses, our backgrounds, our interests and even the gifting and anointing on our lives were so different.  We soon realized that these differences were ultimately designed to complement and bring great balance to each other and our marriage and were not ever intended to pull us apart.  We were created both similarly and yet differently in order to fulfill God's purposes.  Often times, I humorously remind my husband to ‘come into my world for a bit’ when I want him to take interest in something that I’m solely interested in and bless his darling heart, ‘he’s not.’ 

I believe it’s so very important for us, ladies, to invest in our marriage relationship – after all, marriage is the second greatest decision we’ll ever make after receiving Jesus Christ into our life.  God desires for our marriages to be like days of heaven on earth and I can honestly say, I’m living proof of that and you can have that too!  Marriage is one of God’s greatest institutions on the earth and it’s worth investing in.  Over the years, I’ve invested in our marriage by collecting, reading/studying some of the best-selling books on marriage.  One that I believe is a must read to add to your book collection is “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman.    

 Did you know that even in the area of love, our love languages can be as different as French and English, but once discovered can be the key to a long lasting, loving marriage?  Just a little nugget from this illuminating book:  “We must be willing to learn our spouse's primary love language if we are to be effective communicators of love.” – Wow!

Jesus says it plainly in John 8:32: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  Knowing the truth and properly using what we know will set our marriages free (information is a powerful thing.)   Freedom is the direct result of knowledge.  Now I can see why Paul prayed the Ephesians prayer that they eyes of our understanding be enlightened.  Knowledge (love language knowledge) and its proper use are powerful and win battles!  I made a quality decision a long time ago, that my marriage would never perish because of a lack of knowledge.

Ladies, may you experience a real desire to know, love, and comprehend your spouse, embracing the uniqueness of who they are in your life today and may your marriage be like days of heaven on earth.         

~Mary McIver

  

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Hit the Pause Button!

Have you ever been so busy that you thought you didn't have time to receive instruction and wisdom from God? That is probably me everyday! However, we see in I Samuel 9 that just like Saul, we can hear from Him in just a moment of time, even in the midst of "busy-ness," if we will but just take a moment to stop and listen. That's good news! The prophet of the Lord, Samuel, had encountered Saul and knew by the Spirit of the Lord that he was to be Israel's king. It was the prophet's job to anoint him as king. Samuel told him to come with him and that he would send him on his way.

I Samuel 9:27, "As they were going down to the edge of town, Samuel said to Saul, 'Tell the servant to go on ahead of us'-and the servant did so-'but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God.'" (emphasis mine) NIV

We see that they were in the middle of walking on their way out of town. They were busily going on their way, on a mission from the Lord. And Samuel told Saul, "...but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from the Lord." (emphasis mine)

I believe this story shows us how we can receive guidance from the Lord in the midst of all of our busyness-on the run or in the middle of a crowd (or children) or activity we happen to be involved in. You see, we can't always take days off or even a day to go off by ourselves on a retreat to get direction and guidance from the Lord. But every single one of us can stop and take a few moments to ask the Lord for help and then listen and recognize His voice and receive wisdom from Him right when we need it the most. The operative word in verse 27 is "awhile." That means literally a short space in time. That's all it takes!

Just this week, I was hurriedly readying myself for a busy day of errands. I knew I would be gone for most of the day and needed to be out the door and on my way to an appointment that I didn't want to be late for. As I put the finishing touches on my hair, I paused for awhile and asked the Lord for His help. For I knew I needed to resolve an issue we were having with one of our children before leaving and I didn't know what to do. So I asked the Lord for wisdom. He immediately spoke to my heart and told me what I needed to hear. Now, it wasn't what I necessarily wanted to hear, but I figured the Lord knew better than I did, so I followed through and obeyed His word. Have you ever heard the Lord tell you something and you didn't want to do it? Boy, I sure have! In this case with my son, it turned out better than what I could have ever imagined! Isn't that just like God? He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us! (Eph. 3:20) The key was in my stopping long enough, in a moment of time, to ask Him, listen, and then obey His whispering instructions to my heart.

I John 2:27 says, "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you, remain in him." NIV

By the anointing of the Holy Spirit living inside of you, you can be taught all things! Aren't you so thankful for the Holy Spirit living on the inside who teaches us?! I know I sure do need His help, guidance and wisdom on a daily basis! Remember in those busy times, to just stop and take a moment, awhile, and ask the Lord for His direction. It's kind of like hitting the pause button on an mp3 or CD player! He will have a message from heaven that is just right for you, for your situation, and it will be such a blessing in your life as you obey His word!

Pausing for His wisdom,
Kim Dillingham

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The Whole Family

The Whole Family

    "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man..." Ephesians 3:14-16

Have you ever thought about how amazing it is to be a part of this people in the earth today the Bible calls "the body of Christ?" Just to know that when I worship and pray and serve, I am not just doing it alongside the other folks at my local church, but in God's eyes I am working in the harvest alongside people of many different nations, and many different tongues who are called by His name. Knowing this puts a very different perspective on the way we see things as believers. 

For example, when we are admonished of things in Scripture such as to love each other fervently (1 Peter 1:22), bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), or to pray for one another (James 5:16)...who is God talking about? The people we see every week in church, our Christian friend at work, or maybe even the Christians we've met through social media like Facebook?

There is a cry in my heart for us as believers to realize that Christ's body is so much bigger, and our responsibilities extend so much further than that! I am currently praying for a Christian woman in Sudan who is being persecuted for her faith. I have never met her and likely never will, but she is my sister in Christ and she is in desperate need of the grace and favor of God to prevail in her life, for great strength and courage, and for protection for herself and her 2 children. I saw her story in the news and immediately the Holy Spirit prompted me to begin praying for her. When I pray I call out her name as my sister Mariam, because that is who she is in God's heart and in my own. Because I am aware of who my "whole family" is spiritually speaking, I am able to pray with a faith and passion that is equal to the way I would pray for my own earthly family. 

Whether we are speaking of our fellow believers across the aisle, around the corner, or around the world, I ask that we would each pray and ask God to open our eyes and fill our hearts with compassion for our brothers and sisters in Christ who need our fervent love and support in so many ways. Let's allow God to pour through each of us in love, prayers, financial support and any other ways the Holy Spirit leads us to reach out and allow God to minister through us so that "the whole family" will know the great riches of His love. Imagine the strength we can bring to the body as we each follow His leading and simply do our part in His great plan in the earth!

No matter what country we are in and what our current situations look like, we need each other just like every family does. Let's flood heaven with praises and petitions on behalf of each other and lift up our missionaries, church leaders, fellow believers and the harvest of souls waiting to be won across the globe as we watch God fill the earth with His glory!

Your sister in Christ,

Debbie Beck

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I Hate Debt!

It's true; I confess - I hate debt. It's not that I think it is wrong, or sinful, or unethical - I just don't like it for myself. Beyond a mortgage, debt is a real bother to me.

However, due to some recent circumstances, we have had a significant increase to our debt load. This weighs on me a lot. I want it paid off and the sooner the better.  Because I am a number cruncher and actually enjoy that type of thing, I can spend a lot of time devising and analyzing plans to get rid of the debt.

As I was conversing with God about this matter one day (and I do nearly everyday), He led me to Matt. 6. I realize that when the scripture was written, there were not chapters, verses, headings, etc., but I found it interesting that in the latter verses of chapter 6, one heading is 'Jesus Teaches About Money', followed by the next heading of 'Jesus Teaches About Worry'. Hmmm, that's a message right there!

When I began reading the section on worry, I noted that verse 25 specifically cautions against worry. The remaining scriptures in that passage are in reference to the provision of our everyday needs. Worrying about money and/or provision is not a new thing....it's been going on for centuries! :o)

Our word worry is translated from the word merizo which means 'to divide into parts'. The word suggests a distraction, a preoccupation with things, causing anxiety, stress, and pressure. That's exactly what worry does. It causes us to be distracted, to feel anxious and under pressure.

Thankfully, Jesus didn't just stop with telling us not to worry. He told us how to gain victory in this area with these 3 fundamental truths:

1.   vs 32 - your Heavenly Father knows you need them. He is God - He knows full well our needs. Though circumstances catch us off guard, they are not a surprise to He who sits on the throne!
2. vs 33 - "seek ye first, His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." It doesn't get much simpler than this - we focus on God's business and He'll focus on ours. Moreover, we are not to be distracted with our daily needs while we are focusing on the Kingdom!
3. vs 34 - don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. One day at a time, that's the way we are to live. God have the Israelites manna for one day. Jesus taught us to pray, "give us this day our daily bread. [emphasis mine]" We need to learn to live in the moment.

As I have meditated on these truths, I have begun to experience peace regarding our additional debt. Although the desire for it to be gone still exists, it is not a continuous burden for me. I know that God will take care of it in His time and with His method.

Many have experienced financial hardship in recent years. God is aware of your circumstances and He has your back. He knew this day was coming. Stay focused on Him and His Kingdom, living for the day in front of you, and know that our loving God has a plan and it is a good plan!

Grace & Peace,

Dawn

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Good Friday Reflections

I posted this blog exactly a year ago and wanted to share it again:

I have been reflecting today, Good Friday, on the sacrifice that Jesus made for the whole world. The History Channel aired a special about crucifixion, which I watched. They talked of Jesus and the excruciating pain he experienced as he suffered on the cross. We get the word "excruciating" from the word "crucifixion". It is the most horrific, gruesome way to die. But it was not just death, it was torture as well, and on display for all to see. It was a way to discourage uprisings against those in power. In effect, to say, if you get out of line, this is what will happen to you. Crucifixion was greatly feared. Juxtapose that to what the cross stands for today: salvation, hope, redemption, the most widely recognized symbol of Christianity.

They said on this special that aired today, that there was no comfortable position on the cross that Jesus would have ever been in. When he raised up to exhale, pain like lightning would shoot through his feet and legs. When he would breathe, the wounds on his back would be reopened as they rubbed against the rough wood of the cross. When he would support his weight with his leg muscles, he would be in tremendous pain. When he would let his hands support his body weight, unbearable pain would race through his hand, arms and shoulders.

He did this for me, for you. We see in John 19:27 that as he hung there on the cross suffering, he was concerned for his mother's welfare as he told John, "Here is your mother." And it says that John took a widowed Mary into his home to care for her. We were certainly on his mind as he suffered and died. He could have, at any moment, commanded legions of angels to deliver him, yet he chose not to. To understand what crucifixion actually means and all that it entails makes me love Him all the more!! I stand in complete awe at the plan and unconditional love of God to redeem and reconcile mankind back to Himself!!

When David penned these words about his own suffering, it was prophetic of Christ's suffering on the cross:

Psalm 22:14-18: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing."

His sacrifice once and for all made the way for us to be cleansed from our sin and to be able to experience fullness of life in this life and in the life to come.

The sacrifice of Jesus on Good Friday purchased the resurrection on Sunday. What an incredible price had to be paid! Dear Lord, let us fully be able to grasp how much you love us and know that all we have to do to be right with you, is to accept the sacrifice you so freely give us.

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, I can't think of a better time than Good Friday to ask Him to be the Lord of your life! All you need to do is pray this simple prayer and mean it from your heart: "Lord Jesus, I ask you to forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart and life and save me. I give you complete control of my life. I say that you are my Lord and I believe that God raised you from the dead. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen."

If you prayed that prayer, please go and tell someone. Tell them how God has changed your life! You can even comment below and let us know what God is doing in your life!

~ Kim Dillingham

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Carefree

Having an eight year old son I recently asked him, "what do I mean to you?" He said to me, "you're my girl of love, you take care of me mommy."  There are times when  l just sit around with my children and do what they are doing to enjoy them. And I want to enjoy them with all of my heart, to spend time with them, to play with them, to love them to regard them etc...I don’t want to miss anything, I want to be there for it all.  A few days ago my two children were playing with two other children and I just sat there and watched it for a little while, as I could see not one of the children had a care in the world, nothing- they were not thinking about anything, but what they were playing and having fun. 

I have become more aware, through this, how God wants us to be- He is our Father of love. He takes care of us, and He does not want us to have a care in this world or a concern- and to walk carefree all the time, not a care, not a concern.  He wants us to enjoy life everyday much like a child who doesn’t have a care in the world. This is how He wants us to be.  Casting our cares on the Lord is a once and for all proposition- why??  Because He cares for us!  Worry separates us from God as it is a sin.  Worry, cares, concerns, - all of it - separates us from Him, and He doesn’t want for us to be separate from Him. Our fellowship gets broken when we take the care- why?? Because of disobedience.  We are continually exhorted in His word, not to worry, not to take a care.

1 Peter 5:7 - "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

One of the definitions of care is: A burdened state of mind, as that arising from heavy responsibilities; worry.

Children that are well taken care of, are not in a burdened state of mind.  We are God’s children and we are well taken care of, if we will humbly submit ourselves to His word, and release the care, knowing that He is our Father of love, the one that takes care of us.

Philippians 4:6 tells us to “be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer.” In other words He wants us to talk to Him about everything.  Jesus said that the cares of this life would choke the word- the cares of this life choke the word to where it becomes unfruitful.

John 15:8 says that the Father is glorified when we bear fruit. The verse before this tells us how- by abiding in Him and letting His word abide in us. This equates to fruitfulness. I need to know once and for all how to cast my care on Him and not take it back; I desire to be fruitful.  Taking it back is where I have needed help the most- I have cast my care on Him and then something else comes up that I am tempted to take- but I don’t have to take it, if He has it, He has it, once and for all. Don’t take the care. 

Be like a child that is enjoying life knowing that they will be taken care of- because that is who He is, our Father of love -He cares for you! He wants to spend time with us, carefree enjoying His presence and His goodness in every way. Psalm 16 says that in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of Joy, this is what he wants- our joy full, no cares, no burdens- just His love and presence.

Alexandra Fleege

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Spiritual Attention Deficit

I was recently talking to the Lord and thought I would spend a little time getting his wisdom concerning my youngest, who is 8 years old and of the male species. He’s creative and passionate. He’s perfect. I like to think he’s very much like me, except that he gets distracted very easily and he moves A LOT!  I’ve been told this is normal for 8 year old boys, but the lack of focus can get a little daunting. Feeling overwhelmed, I laid out my concerns to the Lord.   “Lord, he needs to work on focusing.  What can I do to help?” 

What I was about to hear stunned me. Like, "mouth gaped open, catching flies" stunned.  He said to me, “You could start by example, because He’s acting a lot like you — the way you’ve been treating me,”  It must have been obvious to the Lord that He took me by surprise because as I picked my chin up off the floor, He gently began to explain how easily I have been getting distracted.  He showed me that He has asked me to do a couple of things, and although my intention was to respond immediately, I became distracted by the bells and whistles of life.  Here I was, concerned about my son’s attention deficit, and it turns out that I have had an attention deficit of my own.  I’ve had Spiritual Attention Deficit. 

My life is full of things I love — and adore!  Add in social media and there’s just too much for this girl to give her attention to.  The truth is that I love the Lord more than any of these things, and knowing that I have been deficit in my attention to his requests was a big wake-up call for me.

Proverbs 4:20 encourages us, “listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice.”  This happens on purpose. The problem is that if I’m not careful to put actions to my knowledge, I fool myself into thinking that my knowledge is good enough.  James 1:22 tells us, “But obey God’s word. Do not just listen to it. If you just listen to it, you fool yourself.” I don’t want to be a fool. I also don’t want to use the excuse, “I was distracted,” when I stand before the Lord and give an account for my life.

When it comes down to it, the many good works that I may accomplish or the unimportant — but lovely — social media pictures that I may post pale in comparison to His request.  If He wants me to just sit quietly at his feet or write a book… His word to me trumps all. Or at least it should. 

Jesus spoke of this very thing in the parable of the sower in Luke 8:7 where some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked the seed. Jesus explains in verse 14, "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”  The “cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life” can cause us to not follow through with what we have heard and allow the Word, either written or spoken, to alter the course of our lives. This distraction can lead to being dried up, powerless and left wondering why life isn’t looking exactly like what God has promised.

Notice the last part of Luke 8:7, “and bring no fruit to perfection.” Have you looked around lately? Are you staying busy but not being fruitful? A fruitless life can be an indication of a distracted life.  What if the fruit you have doesn't look like it should?  Matthew 7:16-20 tells us that we will be known by our fruit.  “a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.” Corrupt? Wait a minute. How did we get from being distracted to being corrupt? Distraction can cause us to be corrupted or led stray. Have you ever had your attention captured by a magician. Magicians are skilled at distraction. The objective is to lead us away from the truth so that we believe something that is false…or an illusion.  The enemy of our soul is skilled at tricking people into living an illusion by distracting them.   The illusion may seen pleasant but ultimately it will not produce good, lasting, perfected fruit. 

Has “life” distracted you from doing something that the Lord asked you to do?  Do you ever feel like you are living an illusion, producing nothing lasting?

Let me encourage you as I have myself. Listen to His Word to you AND be quick to act on the instruction the Lord gives, be it to forgive, to pray, to stop complaining or to magnify Him.  Unlike the magician, our God is skilled at leading us into truth. Truth that will create a life that is laden with fruit as good as it is possible to be.

Hugs and Blessings,

Tamera Ford

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The Vinedresser

            Anyone who is around my family knows that “2” has been a very LONG and eventful year chasing Ezekiel!  He was the epitome of the phrase.  You know the one, I don’t even need to say it.   At the same time he has the sweetest most loving little soul.  Like his Daddy, I can already tell that words of affirmation are one of his strongest love languages.  He is constantly complimenting saying phrases such as “He’s a handsome baby”, “He’s so cute,” “Momma, I love you,” or “He’s the best friend I ever saw!”

            I believe the Lord has already been dealing with me on how I say things to him.  This discipline thing has been one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, far surpassing childbirth!  Brian and I have said before that it seems like each stage has gotten a little more challenging.  I’m constantly checking myself, my tone of voice, or if I just got after him because I was inconvenienced or because he needed guidance or correction because what he was doing could potentially be of harm to him.  Spanking appears to have little effect, time outs work for about 30 seconds, and it seems as if he keeps coming back for more and is constantly stepping over his boundaries.

          

            I read an article on strong-willed kids and the author stated, “Strong-willed children whose will isn’t broken often become leaders.”  I know my baby is a leader!  I want him to be a leader.  I want him to love Jesus.  I also want him to be obedient. 

            

            In the book Building Stronger Marriages and Families, Pastor Billy Joe mentioned, “If a child isn’t obedient to his parents, how can/will he be obedient to the Lord?” It’s spring and we have been working on our yard and flowerbeds.  As I was pruning back all of the old branches and leaves on one of the plants I couldn’t help but think about John 15. 

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;^[a] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will^[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

            Our children are OUR greatest, most important disciples.  Brian and I are continually learning how to most effectively shape our children.  If Z is having an attitude we prune back that branch.  If he is learning how to not call people names we prune that branch.  This list goes on an on.  What I am learning as I type this, like plants our children are going to grow, but year after year we are going to have to shape them until they become what they are becoming.  Really though it doesn’t stop when they are grown.   It is our job to teach them how to listen to the Father so that He can more effectively shape who they are.
            I do know one thing though and it was confirmed to me while listening to Bill Johnson’s Intentional Parenting.  I need to keep speaking over him.  I need to keep praying and prophesying over my children’s lives.  In Matthew 16:18 Jesus called Simon- Peter the Rock.  Even after this powerful statement Peter would make mistakes and deny the Lord, but he did become a great leader of the church.

Jesus spoke to Peter as a Rock while he was living as Simon the “broken reed” – Bill Johnson

            Speak to your children now as they have already become what they are becoming.  What we speak into our children’s lives could be the game changer!

            So right now I declare: 

My boys Ezekiel James and Levi John are going to serve the Lord.  They love Jesus. They are obedient to the Father and to His word.  Likewise they are obedient to their parents and are respectful to those around them.

I pray for increasing patience in my life during each season of their lives!  I thank you for a godly husband and father for my children.  Strengthen his walk with you Father.

Help me to be a better wife, and a stronger  “neck”.  And that you will forever get all the glory!

                                                            In Jesus Name,

                                                                        Amen

            Those of you who have been through this stage: Pray for me!

            To those of you who are getting ready for it: I'm praying for you!

                                                                                  ~ Calla Cuff

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