I Will NOT Worry...

We forget how big our God is. This is a great reminder.

 

God's Encouragement

God is amazing. He sends things like this my way to encourage me. Days when I feel so depressed I can't focus.  He knows exactly what I need, when I need it.


When I feel far, He draws near.


When I have feel like I have no desires for Him, He plants those around me to lift my head.


When I don't know what I think or feel, He reminds me of His Word and convicts me in the areas that I have allowed lies to creep in. 


For this I am thankful.

By the Blood of the Lamb

Yesterday started well and ended horribly. Got a letter from my oldest son. Angry, just pure angry.


Imagine anything wicked you can possibly imagine being said to you as a parent. It was said. It incited anger in me. Depression has tried to set in. Thankfully, my Tuesday mornings start with early prayer time with a dear friend of mine. So out of obligation, I rose early. My spirit was still in bed, and wanted to stay there all day. Forever. As I opened God's Word I felt that my hands were leading my mind, but I really wasn't there. I read the words, but they were just words.


Jesus calling came next. It reminded me today to have the intimate time in the morning with my Savior. I looked up one of the verses at the bottom. Revelation 12:10. "And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ as come. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.'"


So, my mind was like, "O.K; on to the next thing." Comforts from the Cross, by Elyse Fitzpatrick is a 31 day walk contemplating the cross of Christ and the work done there. I  open to day 4. BAM!!! There it is written in bold. 


Revelation 12:10. 


I get it. I lay down my Bible and cry. And cry. And cry. Satan will not win this war. He will try, but will not succeed. He wants me to doubt. He wants me to dwell on the evil spoken. I will not. 


Amazingly enough, I had posted a few thoughts on the Facebook group page for Agape Boarding School. A few of the other moms chatted to encourage me and then one wrote this:

 "Sarah I am so sorry to hear this - I believe he is dealing with some spiritual warfare right now I don't know why I think that just a gut feeling - he knows the program has done it before, but now "doing" the program isn't working so his heart must be twitching and I think Satan is feeding him some lies in his head, cause your son is trying to do the right thing but with his head not his heart. Don't ask me where this is coming from I have no clue just a very deep gut feeling.I could be wrong but I believe your son needs all of our prayers to help him through this time. Don't despair sista pray without ceasing and He will hear our cry"

I get it. I know God's throne was bombarded with the prayers of the saints crying out my son's name.

Miraculous Movements - Book Review

A transformed life. A radically transformed life.


It was a thrill to read Jerry Trousdale's book, Miraculous Movements. The entire book is a testimony to the changing of a soul from the darkest, most evil heart to a loving, caring human. Only God's grace can do this. But more than just a testimony, this book chronicles the church planting movement in Muslim Africa. The goal of these church planters are not to bring in a certain number, but to teach and equip these converts to study God's Word for themselves. That's where the amazing changing Power of Christ is seen.


Those of us in America, have a tendency to judge Muslims more harshly since 9/11. But, Mr. Trousdale helps us to see the truth behind the lost people group they are. God is doing amazing things in Africa. He is using amazing means to bring about true redemption in the hearts of the Muslim people and leaders. While helping us to view this revival, he also weaves throughout the book helpful Biblical tips as to how and why Christians have been able to reach this people group. The key is LIVING a transformed life, not just preaching it. This is a message the church abroad should heed.


The next time I see a Muslim, I will think differently than I have in the past. They are a needy people. Needy for Christ. They are hurting just like all people who don't have a Savior.


I received a free copy of this book as part of the Booksneeze Blog Network.

Obligation or Privilege?

Quiet time. Devotions. Time with God. All these phrases describe what some would call part of their routine.  Yet, routine is just what it becomes. Or even the magic bullet to a great day. Quiet time=item checked off on the to-do list.


I Samuel 4 is a story of the Israelites going against the Philistines in war. They choose to take the Ark of the Covenant to help them win, using it as a good luck charm instead of realizing it represents the Presence of Almighty God. End of story? They lose the battle and in the end, the Philistines capture the Ark. 


As I read through this story, I realized that my Bible and time with the Lord becomes somewhat like this. Do I realize as I go to His Word that this precious book contains His Word? That He is speaking to Me? That the Magnificent Creator is speaking to me?


It is not just the next thing to do. It is not just a simple equation of do this, than this will happen. It is a precious opportunity to hear from my Father and enjoy His presence and learn to live out His will.


So, the next time you sit down to have time with the Lord, be quiet before Him. Bask in His presence. He is with you. He is real.

Waiting and Praying

My Two Men