Have you ever been in a situation where you saw no way out and things were difficult if not impossible in your own strength? Well I would dare say if we were honest that most would say yes, at least at some point in our lives. What is interesting to me is that while overseas I experienced that more than ever in my life and constantly found myself developing a total trust in God for everything, mainly because I had no options. Now that I am back in the states it is only when stretching myself intentionally, that I encounter those moments or opportunities of what I now see as faith building.
In talking with my daughter and my students at school, they are often asked to take risks and learn something new, and not give up when it is difficult, even though it would be much easier to quit or make excuses. My observation and encouragement is for those who are able to stand in the "fire" so to speak, is that something happens. Their fears begin to disappear as they see glimmers of success and are encouraged to keep trying. They learn that maybe that can do it after all, and with perseverance and determination, eventually they do see success, and with that they grow stronger in their resiliency and confidence.
Is is not the same as Christians? God asks that we trust him, yet when we are faced with difficulties we begin to fear, make excuses and look for a way out, but if we can stand the test of "fire", we will see God show up, and as a result grow stronger in our walk with Christ, because of our difficulty where he was our only hope and he showed himself true, once again.
When we depend on Christ daily, and look to him, we are working our spiritual muscles and over time they will become stronger, but if we don't they will become soft and flabby. The bible puts it like this. If salt has lost it's flavor, of what use is it. If we put our light under a table, who benefits? Luke 14:34 and Luke 11:33.
I pray that when you are in the "fire", you will be encouraged to stay the course and have your faith strengthened as Christ shows up and proves himself to be faithful, and stand in the gap for your loved ones and those around you when they are weak, encouraging them to trust and believe on God's promises, even when it seems impossible.....
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHATCAvlqQA
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus!
The other day I had the unfortunate need to go to a dentist, as many of you may be able to relate, it was not something I wished to do, but a need that was pressing based on a back molar that showed outward signs of decay, yet thankfully was not hurting.
Now overseas, when pressed with an aching tooth, I prayed extra hard. There was no way I was going to a dentist with the primitive equipment they had, and would you know God heard my prayer. I was healed of any pain and allowed the fortune of not having to go.
Now that I am back in the US and blessed with dental insurance at my new job, I know I must address the obvious, before it becomes a major issue. So with much anxiety, if I am being honest, I prayed and started a blanket search for a dentist close by. With a lot of closed doors because dentists don't appear to work on Fridays or Mondays, I turned to my colleague and asked who he used? With that I had success, and now I had a known dentist with a great reputation, and proceeded to make an appointment.
As it turns out there was an opening the next day and coverage for my missed classes were minimal, so off I went. It also turned out that it was really close to where I live, so the road was getting smoother, so to speak, though my desire was not. Anxiety was quick to jump in, but prayer for peace and calm for me, was continually given.
Once in the doctor's office I was attended to with familiarity and ease. The doctor took pictures as I prayed for wisdom and discernment for his diagnosis. After several x-rays he showed me his thoughts on the screen and why he would recommend an extraction, stating that anyone trying to save it would be playing "herodontics", I had to smile, with appreciation for his guidance and wisdom.
So next he referred me to a specialist in the complex for the extraction saying, "He could, but without any more expense I could have a specialist do it." So much to my surprise I walked next door and due to a cancellation within minutes, I had another expert opinion who confirmed indeed it would not make sense to repair it, and that having an implant didn't make sense either, based on my other teeth.
Now I don't know about your experiences, but this was huge to me. Not only was I given front row service, that if given an option I may not have returned, until I was forced to that is, but I was consistently given advice that was contrary to what was in the best interest of the experts I was seeking! I could see God's hand of favor and direction at every step!
Next was the really hard part for me though, setting up the actual appointment, but low and behold there was an opening the very next day and with little hesitation I accepted and with prescription in hand, I proceed to local drug store to get it filled, and within minutes was heading back to work. Wow, that was way too easy....Thank you Jesus!
The next day anxiety started to set in again, so I prayed and asked for personal calm, favor and continued wisdom for the doctor as he performed the surgery. I arrived early and filled out the necessary paper work that warned me of all the complications etc. for which I had to whisper prayers again for calm, and just signed without reading further since it was causing my anxieties to rise on the "what ifs".....
Once in the chair, early I might add, I was greeted and within minutes given the numbing shots and work began immediately much to my surprise. The doctor talked to me and explained how he would take it apart in pieces, taking out the filling first and then take each nerve out separately to try to avoid disturbing the sinuses it was so close to. Whispered prayers continue, as he began. He says, "Nerve one out, nerve two, now for nerve three", and with a little finesse he has a very long nerve three and he is finished! He checked for sinus holes and confirms all is well.
Within 15 minutes from numbing to release I am done! I said a huge thank you to Jesus! Wow! If that wasn't a miracle I haven't seen one! I think all involved were a bit surprised at the ease and comfort I felt as I walked out. Oh did I mention, from beginning to end it was only $67. Yup you can say a huge amen for me there too!
Maybe you are not going to a dentist, but have your own personal anxieties that are unique to you. I would encourage you to bring it to Jesus. I have done many things in my life, including going to dentists, without the thought to pray, but I have learned through the years, that if we take everything to the Lord in prayer, he promises to hear us and be with us.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I pray that you learn sooner than me, and cast all your cares upon Christ and trust him to provide in ways that only he can!
Song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czxd5oa-gi0
Now overseas, when pressed with an aching tooth, I prayed extra hard. There was no way I was going to a dentist with the primitive equipment they had, and would you know God heard my prayer. I was healed of any pain and allowed the fortune of not having to go.
Now that I am back in the US and blessed with dental insurance at my new job, I know I must address the obvious, before it becomes a major issue. So with much anxiety, if I am being honest, I prayed and started a blanket search for a dentist close by. With a lot of closed doors because dentists don't appear to work on Fridays or Mondays, I turned to my colleague and asked who he used? With that I had success, and now I had a known dentist with a great reputation, and proceeded to make an appointment.
As it turns out there was an opening the next day and coverage for my missed classes were minimal, so off I went. It also turned out that it was really close to where I live, so the road was getting smoother, so to speak, though my desire was not. Anxiety was quick to jump in, but prayer for peace and calm for me, was continually given.
Once in the doctor's office I was attended to with familiarity and ease. The doctor took pictures as I prayed for wisdom and discernment for his diagnosis. After several x-rays he showed me his thoughts on the screen and why he would recommend an extraction, stating that anyone trying to save it would be playing "herodontics", I had to smile, with appreciation for his guidance and wisdom.
So next he referred me to a specialist in the complex for the extraction saying, "He could, but without any more expense I could have a specialist do it." So much to my surprise I walked next door and due to a cancellation within minutes, I had another expert opinion who confirmed indeed it would not make sense to repair it, and that having an implant didn't make sense either, based on my other teeth.
Now I don't know about your experiences, but this was huge to me. Not only was I given front row service, that if given an option I may not have returned, until I was forced to that is, but I was consistently given advice that was contrary to what was in the best interest of the experts I was seeking! I could see God's hand of favor and direction at every step!
Next was the really hard part for me though, setting up the actual appointment, but low and behold there was an opening the very next day and with little hesitation I accepted and with prescription in hand, I proceed to local drug store to get it filled, and within minutes was heading back to work. Wow, that was way too easy....Thank you Jesus!
The next day anxiety started to set in again, so I prayed and asked for personal calm, favor and continued wisdom for the doctor as he performed the surgery. I arrived early and filled out the necessary paper work that warned me of all the complications etc. for which I had to whisper prayers again for calm, and just signed without reading further since it was causing my anxieties to rise on the "what ifs".....
Once in the chair, early I might add, I was greeted and within minutes given the numbing shots and work began immediately much to my surprise. The doctor talked to me and explained how he would take it apart in pieces, taking out the filling first and then take each nerve out separately to try to avoid disturbing the sinuses it was so close to. Whispered prayers continue, as he began. He says, "Nerve one out, nerve two, now for nerve three", and with a little finesse he has a very long nerve three and he is finished! He checked for sinus holes and confirms all is well.
Within 15 minutes from numbing to release I am done! I said a huge thank you to Jesus! Wow! If that wasn't a miracle I haven't seen one! I think all involved were a bit surprised at the ease and comfort I felt as I walked out. Oh did I mention, from beginning to end it was only $67. Yup you can say a huge amen for me there too!
Maybe you are not going to a dentist, but have your own personal anxieties that are unique to you. I would encourage you to bring it to Jesus. I have done many things in my life, including going to dentists, without the thought to pray, but I have learned through the years, that if we take everything to the Lord in prayer, he promises to hear us and be with us.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
I pray that you learn sooner than me, and cast all your cares upon Christ and trust him to provide in ways that only he can!
Song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czxd5oa-gi0
Friday, October 9, 2015
Praise Report....
On my prayer list naturally enough, are prayers of divine guidance, protection and favor for my daughter in her studies and friendships at school. She has embarked on a journey of graduate school with hopes of increasing her chances of getting into a dental school after she completes her studies. Best case scenario, because of timing of applications etc. she would need to sit out a year, with hopes of getting into dental school, providing she excelled in all of her scores and on her entrance exam.
Well just yesterday she texted me and gave me an update on a practice interview she decided to do with a visiting college for dental school. She reported that the interview went fine and much to her surprise the associate dean of this very prestigious dental school invited her to apply for next year asap with her current scores and assured her she would be accepted without further testing, provided she does well in her current studies this quarter. To say she was just given a major fast pass would be an understatement! She now has the hope and encouragement that she was lacking only days before!
Folks God knows what we need and when we need it. He is making a way and setting up the pieces of the puzzle even when hardships would discourage us and say it is impossible! I pray you are encouraged to keep moving towards your intended outcome even when hit with difficulties, and trust in a living God who loves you more than you can imagine!
God's direction and promises. Proverbs 5-7. …"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.…
Well just yesterday she texted me and gave me an update on a practice interview she decided to do with a visiting college for dental school. She reported that the interview went fine and much to her surprise the associate dean of this very prestigious dental school invited her to apply for next year asap with her current scores and assured her she would be accepted without further testing, provided she does well in her current studies this quarter. To say she was just given a major fast pass would be an understatement! She now has the hope and encouragement that she was lacking only days before!
Folks God knows what we need and when we need it. He is making a way and setting up the pieces of the puzzle even when hardships would discourage us and say it is impossible! I pray you are encouraged to keep moving towards your intended outcome even when hit with difficulties, and trust in a living God who loves you more than you can imagine!
God's direction and promises. Proverbs 5-7. …"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.…
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Growing in Christ
Having recently moved to a new city, we were looking for a new church home and have tried several along the way. What the process has made clear to me is, I am not looking for a place to be fed primarily, but I am looking for a place to serve, in a meaningful way.
That process reminded me of a story where a lady learned CPR and then found herself in the midst of an accident scene for which she used her newfound skills and put her head between her knees to keep herself from passing out, but she was unable, or did not think to use her abilities to help anyone else.
In the bible it puts it like this. Hebrews 5:12-14. 12. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil".
Are we not the same as Christians? All of us can help someone who is behind us, no matter our walk or growth in Christ. Won't you consider your opportunities today, to help that someone that needs your wisdom and guidance?
That process reminded me of a story where a lady learned CPR and then found herself in the midst of an accident scene for which she used her newfound skills and put her head between her knees to keep herself from passing out, but she was unable, or did not think to use her abilities to help anyone else.
In the bible it puts it like this. Hebrews 5:12-14. 12. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil".
We are all somewhere on the spectrum of our growth as Christians. All of us have the ability to help someone else with what we have learned as Christians, yet many of us will get paralyzed with the idea that we have to be perfect before we can act, or we have to know everything before we can help, or we are inwardly focused on our own needs to the exclusion of others.
The other day I asked one of my students in a one-on-one conversation if he could take a pill and know things about his future and things that would help him, would he take it? He hesitated like that was not possible, but I explained that all of his teachers had varying degrees of experience, who had already been down the road he was yet to take, and could offer him some practical wisdom that would in fact help him to see further down the road, beyond his own view.
Are we not the same as Christians? All of us can help someone who is behind us, no matter our walk or growth in Christ. Won't you consider your opportunities today, to help that someone that needs your wisdom and guidance?
Godspeed......
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=393OSwfDTb4
Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=393OSwfDTb4
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