Good Monday morning, Sweet Things! I hope you are well and prospering in your souls. I am, thank You, Lord Jesus. But it’s no contradiction that I’m also still navigating through a season of concurrent weakness – like my limbs all weigh a hundred pounds – and sadness – like my soul weighs a thousand pounds. I’m trying to get insight into it and gain whatever wealth God wants to give me through it. I wouldn’t be here if I had nothing to gain from it. Scripture assures us of that as children of God. I’m one of those weird people who – as a loose general rule – often wakes up in a buoyant and talkative mood so these days are madly rushing by at a maddeningly glacial pace. I decided last week that, if I wasn’t going to be ushered out of it as quickly as I’d hoped, I’d at least ask God as sincerely as I knew how to use it. To teach me through it. To grant me revelation through it. Growth through it. Dependency. Humility. Living words. I’ve also asked Him to shed light on an area of blackness in my heart that I really, really do not like. We’re working on that.
So, yesterday morning before church I felt Him prompt me to pray with added expectancy toward our church service. That’s not hard for me to do. I love my church so much. I’ve never found church life more fulfilling than in this young fellowship of believers. I pray consistently for God’s powerful, life-breathing Spirit to fall on our senior pastor (my son-in-law Curtis) and on our children’s pastor and our worship teams. That’s my joy. Countless others pray the same things and we often get to behold with great gladness God’s merciful responses to the pleas of our congregation. There is ripe fruit, red and plump, already hanging on the limbs of this toddler tree.
But this time, I felt like God also impressed upon my heart to pray with elevated expectancy for words specifically pertaining to my own condition. My own wondering and pondering. I prayed for everyone in our service but I made a special effort to ask God before I ever arrived in the parking lot that my own ears would be open and that I’d receive the Word wholeheartedly. I prayed that last week, too. And probably the week before. But this time I felt a more! from God. Go to the Scriptures like a starving man clawing for bread.
It’s a weird thing about pain. The deeper it goes, the wider it opens your mouth to the Spirit. Psalm 81:10 “I am the Lord, your God, the one who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it!” I need Jesus right now. Like you, I always do but I feel its serrated edge against the grain of my selfishness right now. I need His strength. His joy. His hope. And that means that, if I want to, I can sing every word in our worship time as if my life depends on it. I can hear the phrases I’m singing echo somewhere down in my soul, looking for a place to land. I can mean them in a way I don’t have to mean them when life is less mean…if you know what I mean.
Isn’t that the way it goes? It is only in a season like this that I get what I constantly beg God for: an intense relationship with Him where I can sense His Presence and where His Word is life and breath to me. Where the Cross is so much dearer. Where His Spirit seems much nearer. Where I love Him more than anything I can see or touch. That glorious place of the thinning veil.
I couldn’t write fast enough during the sermon yesterday. Our pastor preached from 2 Kings 4 about Elisha and the Widow’s Oil. The widow was in need. Curtis told us that, in our humanness, we despise being in need yet without need, there is no room for the miraculous. He said miraculous provision is our birthright – that we were born again out of profound, unparalleled miraculous provision and that we are meant to experience it often and until our last breath.
He asked us the question, “Do you want to live in the midst of supernatural provision?” and I do! So I wrote down on a stick note, “I WANT TO LIVE IN THE MIDST OF SUPERNATURAL PROVISION.” Yes, Lord, I surely do. Curtis said so much of the time we live the Christian version of ordinary because we either have so much or are satisfied with so little that we can simply take care of ourselves. By all means let’s put to use what God has given us. That’s good stewardship. But let’s not get ourselves in such a self-sufficient rut that we end up missing the supernatural. Wonders can happen when we’re in a place desperate enough to look for them and have the patience enough to wait for them and the prayer life enough to ask for them.Â
Curtis also said that “If we look around our lives and we have everything we need, then we may need to live a bigger life and set better goals.” The God-nodding kind. The Word-believing kind. The Gospel-living kind. Nothing about Curtis’s quote is in opposition to Biblical contentment. We’re to be content in whatever circumstances we’re in. We’re talking here about fighting the urge in our excess to be content in our self-sufficiency. To see little of God because we need little from God.
And, Girl, it hit. I HAVE A NEED. And I left church yesterday strangely appreciating it. I don’t know how I’ll feel about it by Wednesday but for right now, I’m thinking that an acute need is a good thing. A hard thing. But a good thing. I have never wanted to live a self-sufficient life with purely natural, utterly explainable provisions. I want to live in such a way that I know – I absolutely know – after a long, hungry spell that, when the sun comes up warm and gold and the ground shimmers with manna, only God could have done that.
That’s glory.
Total, unabashed, unspared, unshared credit.
YOU DID IT, LORD. YOU DID WHAT I COULDN’T DO. YOU DID WHAT NO ONE COULD DO. YOU GAVE ME WHAT I DIDN’T HAVE. MADE ME WHO I COULDN’T BE. TOOK ME WHERE I COULDN’T GO.
If I have presence of mind, I’d want to be able to whisper on my deathbed something like, “I’ve seen His wonders. Now, scoot over, everyone, and let me see His face.” Move and let me praise Him.
So, that’s my word from yesterday. I bless the Name of our merciful, patient God for His kindness to give it. Did you walk away from your church with one, too? Then, take a brief paragraph and tell us what it was. Get specific about one point and keep it succinct and direct. Wouldn’t that be a great way to build one another up around here this week? As we encourage one another in our pursuit of Christ, we want to encourage one another in local church life as an essential part of it. (Not the only part, by any stretch of the imagination but an important part.) Body life. It’s Christ’s way. If you didn’t get a particular word over the weekend – if perhaps you had to be out of church or you helped in the nursery or you were there but you just felt off and detached, you’re welcome to share one of ours today. They’re free for all. That’s God’s way. His Word is still alive on Monday.
No matter what yesterday was like, maybe today, after a long hungry spell, you might see the ground shimmering with manna and decide to bend down on those knees, scoop up a handful and eat.
        Many, O LORD my God,
        are the wonders you have done.
        The things you planned for us
        no one can recount to you;
        were I to speak and tell of them,
        they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5 NIV
Sweet. Beth. How you have blessed our lives as you lead us to then through God’s Word.
I am facilitating Believing God with “my girls” – my Thursday night Women’s Bible study group known as “HAIR” – He’s Alive In Roanoke – my own personal Hair Ministry. This is my fourth time through the study but a first for most of the others. This morning I was doing my own homework in Week 8, Day 3. You are recounting the lives of great believers. And, today it was George Muller with one of his life verses being Psalm 81:10.
After, I finished my homework I found this web post with a confirmation from God that indeed He has filled my mouth over and over again.
May God wrap His loving arms around you and may you be encouraged to know that you have made me so aware of His arms around me time and time again.
I love you!
HOPE!!! That was my word on Sunday that God so graciously gave me! After a very long and hard several years dealing with illness of every kind, family rifts, deaths and teenagers I feel like I am at the end of my rope! The pastor pointed us to “hope in the Lord”! It is our CHOICE!
Every time I feel the wave of depression/negativity trying to come over me, I choose to run to HIS word (focusing in the Psalms right now) and believe what the truth tells us.
I have also been keeping a “blessings book” to record the sweet blessings of every day. It cultivates hope when we can look back and see God’s provisions!
Thank you for your transparency! I will be praying for you!
Hi! Your post made me think of Romans 15:13 “May the God of HOPE bring you all the joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirt. God bless and hang in there! Amanda M.
Dearest One in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, Beth,
God has granted to you a geart and wonderful responsibility in the faith for our generation…for this time you have been born; women around the world look to you and this post is the very reason why. You are REAL! You allow the Spirit of Jesus who cries within you Abba, Father, to bring you to the heights of joy and to the fepths of sorrow; your pasion for the souls of women of all faiths is one that sets you apart from many you only allow themselves to minister to their own denomination. Your calling has been blessed and confirmed by the evidence of its fruit! Please take courage and know that God is as faithful in the dark of sorrow and bewilderment as He is in the light of joy and revelation. Know that each persons journey in Christ is their story of faith and in the end the glory of God the Father will be revealed because He remains faithful when we are not able to. The Word spoken to me this Sunday was from Acts 28…God’s purpose for Paul was to go to Rome…the incidentals that happen along the way proved only to build his faith in the power and plan God had for his life…know that this too shall pass…your favorite passage is going to be 🙂 nothing is going to sway you from it…1 Corinthians 2:9 Rest my dear one rest and trust that our God and our Savior and Lord has all that has to do with you in His care and casting that care upon him pleases Him so…I love you my sister.
Deborah
Forgive the typo’s 🙂
Sunday, I had the privilege to visit my Mom’s church – the church I was raised in. Pastor’s sermon was on the “Devices of the Devil” (I Peter 5). He uses Distraction, Disillusionment, and Discouragement as ways to trip up Believers. Their church body is going through it now. For the last ten years or more they have saved and saved to build a new sanctuary with no debt. Even despite set-back after set-back, this spring they finally began to build! THey had the framing almost complete and the metal roof on. Then last week a storm with 70 mph winds blew it completely away – down to the slab. There was no other real damage in the area. But it was soo encouraging to see them come together, still praising God in the midst, and making way for God to do what He always does best: show up and glorify Himself. And He has, even by the next day. He is affirming their faith and placing their little church in Kansas on the map. Praise His name!
Beth, I have been praying for you as hard as I know how. As I read your blog this morning, God laid a word on my heart. When we are at our best, Satan is at his best. He wants us to be less than we are and to rely on God less than we do. I pray, in Jesus name, that the Devil will flee from you so that the heaviness and heartache will leave you TODAY! God bless you!
Selina, Kentucky
I received a great word from the Lord on Sunday evening.My husband preached on how we as Christians should not let ourselves get satisfied with our walk with the Lord. He said we should always think about ways we could draw closer so that our minds are fresh with thoughts of God and satan won’t find it so easy to cause us to stumble. He said we need to learn that no matter the state that this world tries to put us in we should be content in knowing that we serve a God that will deliver us and work diligently in that work so that our spiritual relationship will remain strong. It spoke to me in such a mighty way because I have been struggling along with some very personal/spiritual matters lately and I so needed a boost.I’m so thankful that I serve a God who is mightier than anything this world can throw at us and He is so faithful to rescue His children when they are overwhelmed. Praise God !!!!!
Selina, thank you for sharing that…so exactly what I need!
Your words resonate deeply in my broken heart. Perhaps it is in our brokenness that His love seeps to the core of our souls. So thankful that He uses all things to work together for good….
I welcome the chance to share how Sunday’s message impacted me. Our church’s message is taken from Max Lucado’s, Facing Your Giants, which we are all reading for the summer. I learned that the Lord will equip me with the stones that I need to slay my giants. If I keep my focus on God, my giants WILL tumble!
love that!
Beth, that is OUR verse- Ps.40:5. After 61 amazing years of marriage, 10 kids, 48 grandkids, 14 great grands, great in-law grandkids (it all totals about 95 in our family now) – God’s abundance to us in all our imperfect journeys is very humbling. I sit here in our living room and on the wall is a very large quilt with the names of all family members by the date of 2004, their birthdates and favorite scripture reference plus that verse from Ps.40 and the first part of the hymn ‘The God of Abraham Praise’ on the border, a precious gift from our daughters. My sweetheart is now suffering from memory loss but continues to be so grateful for God’s blessings. My heart overflows with His love and blessings to us!
Is it possible for me to get in touch with Bonnie, is there a way my e-mail address could be sent to her with this request?
I am also a grandmother and have much of the same family size (not nearly as large as hers) but I would like to communicate with another Christian grandmother.
Thank you,
Judy
I can’t say I was exactly at church. I was with our Boy Scout troop on an outing in the beautiful outdoors. Our chaplin for the troop read from James…count it all joy…. The wisdom from that 16 year old’s heart was touching. What a blessing and encouragement for me to hear from the youth. He asked if anyone had anything to add, and boy I wanted to add some of my head knowledge that I learned from the James study, but I knew from God that the boys didn’t need that. Sometimes we (I) just need to be quiet and listen.
I’m always a day late on these things…
My husband has been preaching through Hebrews 11… which I feel like I’m a pro at since Believing God 🙂 So exciting!
This weekend he spoke about Noah. Brad said that faith is seen by a life that heeds to God’s authority. That is what made Noah a great man of faith. He believed the fullness of who God was, and when God gave his warning he MOVED!
I want faith to be observed in my life! I want to MOVE when God speaks to my life, and trust Him in His sovereignty. He’s been good to me.
I also received a word last night in my Bible study. My FAVORITE teacher was speaking about the Patriarch Joseph. 🙂 She said that when satan goes before God and asks to play hacky-sack with our lives (you didn’t say hacky-sack) that he does NOT get a YES unless God knows that when it is accomplished in us that it will bring Him greater glory and be a wonderful blessing in our life… and if we have not seen that then we quit before the blessing! I praise God that though I quit for quite a while, I was able to “hop back on” and ride it out and see God’s purpose for the trial.
Praying for you and your family still! I’m sorry you have to go through these times, but I know when it’s accomplished in you, you will be able to use it, and some broken soul (probably me) will soak up your wisdom that you have gained from it and it will be used for HIS good.
So much love to you
I did work in the nursery Sunday. So,I wasn’t sitting in “big church” to get a Word but got one nonetheless. Love how when we are receptive to God He has plenty to say and He can do it a few words or a 30 minute sermon. The Word that I got this weekend was short but extremely powerful and timely for many situations in my life. “Sacrifice is giving up something you love for something you love more.”
FBC Jax????
Visited a church Sunday, my sons daughters home church. I found myself comparing things as opposed to listening. Then God prompted me to tune in, focus lisa, He says that ALOT !!!
The msg. was about “power” and how we often bank on our own human power to do things, settling for the lessness of it all. When Super natural power thru the Holy Spirit is available to ALL that seek it. In a time where our humaness can fail us repeatedly it was awesome to hear about and be reminded that with God we can overcome ourselves, our failed powers, and tap into a power like no other, the infinite abundance of Super Power that ONLY God has.
Thank You! Today I needed this insight to look at my need as an opportunity for God to do the miraculous.
Before I read your blog, I was just trying to keep fear at bay quoting Plil. 4;9 and claiming freedom from financial anxiety after listening to the into session for Breaking Free yesterday.
I too am going through a challenging season but God is faithful. It has been a very long process but I have learned so much from this time and I am anxiously awaiting the harvest that is coming! Sunday at church my pastor said something that stuck with me…there is His schedule and then there is our schedule we just need to remember that the link between them is FAITH! Hope this encourages someone.
Thank you Beth for your continued transparency and love for us!!! You are a wonderful example to us!!!
Our pastor is preaching through Hebrews 11 right now. In the section we covered this week, he showed that not all ‘victories’ were what we would normally consider as such. We sometimes are going to face obstacles, trials, even death. All of which is to give us ‘the better resurrection’. Wow…I needed this as we are currently surrounded with chaos in the lives of my unbelieving step-children and my brothers. How I long for God to use all this to draw them to Himself!!!
Love you Momma!!!
The Word on Sunday was great (and I’m not just saying that because my husband is the preacher – smile). However, the Word God gave me on Monday morning seems more applicable here.
I woke up very early Monday morning with an almost suffocating and overwhelming realization of a painful (though non-life threatening) health issue I am going to have to deal with for “the rest of my life”, until the Lord heals me, whether that be here on this earth or in heaven. “The rest of my life”, Lord willing is a long time to have to deal with something of this magnitude. Thankfully, the Lord helped me to settle down as I prayed and cast my anxieties upon Him.
He reminded me that I have Jesus for “the rest of my life” too! What a comfort, what a reassurance! “The rest of my life” is one day at a time, that’s how God asks us to do anything – just one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, sometimes one moment. That’s how He allots us our strength. As our days are, so our strength will be. I will not only have this medical condition for “the rest of my life”, I will have Jesus and His strength for “the rest of my life”. I can do this with Jesus. Without Him, I’m defeated already. With Him, I can do it.
The same is true for each of us. We all have things in our life – health issues, family relationships, weaknesses, pain, struggles that we will have to deal with for “the rest of our lives”. That’s just part of the price we pay for living in this rotten, sinful world. If we get focused on “the rest of our lives” as a whole we’re defeated before we even begin. However, each new day is a fresh start with Jesus. He gives us the grace and strength we need for each day, but He only gives it in daily doses. Let’s let “the rest of our lives” be started each day by looking to Him.
Look to the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually. Psalm 105:4
The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! Habakkuk 3:19 AMP
Being in a season of dryness myself, I was running last week in a beautiful forest and I prayed out loud from Ezekiel for God to “breathe on these dry bones.” I was referring to myself and my spirit of deadness right now. On Sunday while visiting my brother’s church, guess what the guest preacher preached on? “Will these dry bones live?” I kid you not, he preached an answer to my out loud prayer! He preached that we have the ability to allow God into the dryness and open our lives up so we don’t go around like zombies all the time. I loved it because right now, I feel like a zombie doing what I’m supposed to do all the time and I know living for God is where the glory is every single day.
Will these dry bones live? Only with the breath of God. Glory!
Have a wonderful week everyone of you Siestas!
Our Pastor has been teaching on The Way of the Warrior. The pastors participated in a nationwide race this weekend, an obstacle coarse along the way. Our pastor said he trained too little,too late. Brining to light how in our personal lives, our prayer lives, we pray too little, too late. The more time we spend on our knees the less time we have to spend on them. Not wait until the critical comes to pray. Several years ago my daughter ran 2 marathons. They say you hit a wall at about mile 17-18. My daughter said jokingly “you better know Jesus before you hit that wall.” That 1st race was horrible for her, she suffered physical injuries because she did too little,too late. The second marathon she still hit the wall but she was prepared, she finished the race but without injury, she was prepared. I think of how often I go thru life content with my own self sufficiency, not prepared for when the evil one attacks. I hit a wall, I’m not prepared,I feel desperate, had I only prayed more frequently. Desperation makes me forget I have a Savior to turn to 1st, always.
I was not able to be in church this week, but what struck me from your post was “Go to the Scriptures like a starving man clawing for bread.” I need to do that!! It’s not that I haven’t been in the Word, I have…but my attitude has not been right. Thank you so much for sharing!
“YOU DID IT, LORD. YOU DID WHAT I COULDN’T DO. YOU DID WHAT NO ONE COULD DO. YOU GAVE ME WHAT I DIDN’T HAVE. MADE ME WHO I COULDN’T BE. TOOK ME WHERE I COULDN’T GO.”
Above quote from you, Beth, is exactly how I feel, what I have said(am saying)to my Saviour. After a one-year season of not understanding, sadness, emotional pain, yet faith that He was doing something NEW and good in my life and me,that He would not leave me and was with me; Jesus worked an all out miracle which not only blessed and helped me, but another as well!!! Oh if I could only share it from beginning to end, but long story. In a nutshell, I was led by God to attend Al-Anon meetings during the past year, which have helped me immensely, and I highly recommend for anyone who’s had a family member addicted to anything. I’d been praying and waiting on God for a sponsor in this group. Only GOD could have done what happened. Let’s just say, the woman who has become my sponsor as of May 28 was my personal trainer whom God blessed with another, better job/career! She’s a Christian, she understands me and what I’ve been through. We both love and serve Christ! HE is doing a NEW thing, making all things new and beautiful to bring GLORY to Himself…streams in the desert, making a way where there once seemed to be no way. Oh how He loves YOU and ME!
Hi Beth!
Thank you for the post! It is always wonderful to see how the Lord works through the pulpit all over our country.
This week was Graduation Sunday for all our High School Graduates. We honored them for their accomplishments and bless them as they move into the next area of their life whether it is college or work. The scripture Keith used for our High School Students and our congregation was out of 1 Chronicles 13…camping on verse 3…David says “Let us bring the ark of our God back to us” Speaking about how many Generation Y young people are far away from the things of God, but that they can be part of the generation to bring back “the ark”… the word…. of God to their generation.
It was a word for all ages… Boomers, Generation X, and Y’s alike, that we need to be part of the group that brings “the ark” back.
As these students go on their next adventure may they always be willing to bring the Ark with them.
Thank you for allowing us to share.
Leslie
This post was very encouraging for me because I am going through a period of sadness and darkness. It would be so easy to try and escape this time through some vice (food, TV, a good novel, etc.) but I am trying to see what I can learn through it, to learn to depend on Him more. To be still and know that He is God.
We just moved across the country, but the message before leaving, & the message at the new church Sunday was nearly the same…Know what God has called you to do; persist through any circumstances & do it well; & don’t quit. My biggest blessing on Sunday was my 8 yr old daughter. I asked how she liked the new church (she was just baptized prior to moving). She said it was great! They had hula hoops, bouncy things to climb on, & their own kids worship. She said, “I don’t know why, but I almost cried while worshipping.” Of course it’s making me tear up AGAIN just typing it. God is good, & Beth, you bless me. May God heal your heart as only He can, in Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.
Hi Beth,
Your every word resonated with me. I am in need of prayer. I am in need in every area of my life. My Spurgeon devo reinforced the word. Here is part of it:
Is There a Difference?
But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. (Exodus 11:7)
Oh, that today this word of the Lord to Israel might be true to me! Does the dog worry me? I will tell my Lord about him. Lord, he does not care for my pleadings; do Thou speak the word of power, and he must lie down. Give me peace, O my God, and let me see Thy hand so distinctly in it that I may most clearly perceive the difference which Thy grace has made between me and the ungodly!
I’m desperate inside. Please pray for me. Please. I just heard “Today is the Day” (LIncoln Brewster)..and I added..”for You, Lord, to blow me away. With Your goodness. Not because I deserve it, but because of Your mercy, Your grace.”
Please cover me with prayers, sisters. I confess my need publicly.
Thank you.
My Word from this morning’s reading was (of all things) out of Revelation and about being hot or cold, not lukewarm. The devotion writer said that in order for things to be hot, they need to be heated up. Made me think of James 1. We are being perfected. The sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass and its flower falls off and the beauty of its APPEARANCE is destroyed. Then I thought of Paul in 1 Corinthians and how we build with wood, hay, stubble, gold, silver, precious stones. Tried by fire and what is not useful for building is burned away but what is useful is purified. James 1 says ask in faith and don’t doubt when we receive the wisdom that comes from enduring trials. Too often I start to wimp out when the heat gets turned up. My prayer, purify me and help me to accept it.
I so needed this today! waiting for supernatural provision and at a point, I hardly know what to pray but my need is great. Thank you, Beth, for this good sharing from your heart!
Thank you for this message, it really struck a chord within my heart. Our pastor began a new series on “Direction Determines Destination” and something he said really stuck with me. He pointed out that “Daily decisions always trump intentions, but no matter how far you go in the wrong direction it is never too late to turn around.” I really had to think about that because I feel as if I have good intentions (most of the time!) but sometimes the decisions I make each day contradict my intentions and I end up somewhere I did not mean to go. I thank Almighty God that I can always have the option to change my heart and mind and turn around once more toward Him. God bless.
Wow. I needed this.
Thanks so much.
Our pastor asked for prayer for his 21 year old nephew who who is in a coma with a traumatic head injury and 2 infections, as a result of a motorcycle accident. Also prayer for a local high school student in a very similar condition from a car accident. Pastor just lost his 47 year old brother-in-law last month from a very aggressive cancer.
His words which spoke to me were, “Life is very fragile. Eternity is not. Our priorities and resources must be aligned with the work of the Kingdom. There’s no time to waste. We must be about our Father’s business.”
First Timer:
Just wanted to share of of a time I was going through and find myself going through yet another time of waiting. I remember I was at an amusement park waiting for some family members on one of the park benches just deep in thought about some life issues and wondering, where are you Lord. My eyes glanced over to see a young child fast asleep in a wagon with the beating sun on him. His father saw this and moved himself in a way that shielded the young child under his shadow and He gently spoke to me and said that He never lefted me and in those moments when it seems the hottest, dryess, He is there coverering me under the Shadow of His wings . . . I will never forget it. It was the most tenderest times of Him speaking – may it bring comfort to you as well – hope I explained it – it was such an awesome visual that he gave. The child had no idea, he slept.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Our Pastor used the analogy that persecution is like refining silver…’the silversmith must very closely keep his eye fixed on the furnace, because if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured and the only way that he knows when the process of purifying is complete is when he sees his own image reflected in the silver…’ Dear God, that we would trust your intimate watch over us!
Thank you for this Siesta Mama! I’m still hurting, but I know GOD is here…
Sue
I have only one “flesh and blood” whole sister, and one “half-sister” who is now nearing 80! I reflect back and think, “Seasons change, shadows fall, but love is forever after all.” You all are my sisters…each one in a different way, but each one a sister of heart. This weekend,my Sis In Christ, Karen Elaine and I had the unabashed priviledge to eat at God’s banqueting table and I wanted to share a few thoughts with you as a result of the feast! We two girls went on what we called our “Girls Retreat.” Thanks goes to my husband Carl who made it possible, as he and Elaines almost 90 year old Mother “held down the fort” at her darling home in Paradise, CA! The glory of the rugged Mendocino Coast is a place to hear God’s voice coming over the rushing of many waters…a place like no other, as the relentless waves crashed into the shore.
Nothing is like needing to hear the voice of God. We need to hear His voice, like we need our daily bread…and how we give God all the glory for His manna, His bread. I reflect back on our feeding of the hungry and greedy gulls, right off the railing on our balcony overlooking the sea. Karen Elaine said it was the first time the gulls came in such profusion begging for bits of “bread”…Usually it was a small blackbird she would feed on her at least once a year treks to the Mendocino Coast. This time, she had inspiration, she invited me to join her, all the way back in February. And like all things wise and wonderful, the best things are “faithed” into.
Our first visitation of gulls had one that was braver and more glorious than all the others. A perfection of creation in gull-world. His eyes would look at us, imploring for bread…more bread. We called him “red-dot” for on either side of the top of his yellow beak was a bright red dot about the size of a large pea. That dot was a marvel to me, and spoke to me of the blood of Jesus.
Of course, the bread we gave the birds was actually crackers, lined up across the railing. We delighted in these moments of feeding the gulls. We knew for a surety, we had need of feeding too! And in our need we experienced a gathering of fresh manna, the bread of life. God speaking. Only God could do that! That’s glory. We saw Him reveal Himself in fresh revelation. Karen Elaine and I can both say, just like Beth: “You did it LORD! You did what I could not do! We received bread, fresh manna from Your precious nail-scarred hands, in thousands of different ways. You gave us richly what no one else could give. You gave us what we didn’t have. You made me who I couldn’t be! You took me where I couldn’t go!” And we as sisters in Christ have experienced His glory together. Dearly beloved, the best is yet to be…
I love you all in Christ,
Your “Siesta” Pam H.>
Beth, thank you so much for sharing your heart with us.
I didn’t go to church Sunday. I got up and got ready, but when it was almost time for us to leave, fear held me back. My husband went on without me and took our 2 year old son with him. After he left, I cried out to the Lord in my home. I’ve struggled with trying to control my circumstances and trying to protect myself because of fear. I released that control to God not long ago, but was finding myself trying to take it back up again. I realized how many times trials have caused me to run to Him. I have a tendency to forget Him in good times…not always, but all too often. I ran to God that morning. I wept in confession and repentance. I cried to the Lord and shared with Him my fears. He already knew it all, but I needed to give it all to Him. I wish I would’ve called out to the Lord earlier that morning before everyone was up and that I had gone to church, but I’m so thankful that the Lord met with me right then and there. He is so good!
I typically do not post, but I feel like the Word I received on Sunday was powerful. Our Pastor is doing a great series on the book of Mark. On the first day of the series he actually tore out the entire book of Mark from the Bible (insert lots of gasps from a growd of Southern Baptisters!) certainly not to defame the Holy book, but to focus soley on what we could learn about Jesus from John Mark’s writings. There were several great points in Sunday’s teachings, but there was one in particular that smacked me in the face. He talked about the spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. We so easily blame Satan for some of our situations when it may actually be ordained by God himself for a season of growth and refinement. If we’re too busy blaming Satan during these seasons, it’s hard to take away what God is trying to teach us. This was real for me because I constantly find myself blaming Satan for all things which seem unfavorable to me or those I love. It was just a reminder of the Mighty God we serve!
It was my Sunday to teach the elementary kids. We are a new church plant so we have a handful of kids. Before we start our lesson the kids pray for each other and any prayer requests they may have. I sat there and prayed with these precious children & I heard the most beautiful prayers. They prayed for each other to learn something from the lesson, for their parents to not be stressed. Some of them prayed for their parents and family to come to accept Jesus into their hearts. God showed me just how important it is to teach these young one “all things.” I just love being a part of God’s ministry.
I went for a prayer walk later on that day and one of the things I prayed for was for those I know are in need of salvation. I asked God to help me to be a Godly example and for His light to shine right through me. I also asked Him to give me a sign that He is listening to me, I asked Him to just show me something, anything. The path I was walking on had a long block wall that went on for at least a half a mile. I looked up on the wall and there was this beautiful bird sitting on it and watching me. This bird followed me the entire half a mile and then flew away. I asked God to tell me what the bird represented. He told me that there are unbelievers watching me (like the bird) so I need to be very cautious of how I am behaving, talking, what I watch, listen to, etc….He told me that this would play a big part in their salvation. Wow God!!
Beth, you and your family are an inspiration to me. Thank you for all that you do to teach us the Word and most importantly to live it! I pray everyday that I would be the real deal to all of those around me. Love you Sister!!
This was my word that I recieved this Sunday….
Many times we ask “God where are you?” Maybe we should ask “God where do you want to be?” And by knowing the word His answer would be….. With YOU
Stephanie, Danville KY
“May we not pursue our idols or the things that will make us divine .” This is a quote from my pastor’s prayer that seared my heart. It comes in the midst of a season on the heels of another season in my life. This season is about me seeking perfection, wanting life to be easy, manageable. And that reality quite shocks me. I’m a busy Mom, work in ministry and didn’t realize until God’s grace fell afresh that most of my frustrations in life, from the mundane to the major, are all birthed out of a desire for everything to just go well for once! I want a season of rest and He wants me to rest in Him no matter the season. I have once again made perfection my idol and the root of that is my ugly desire to be divine, to be in control of it all. I am so like my Mother Eve. The apple indeed did not fall far from that dadblasted tree! When I think of embracing an imperfect life, one that is unpredictable and non-typical, right past the first layer of fear, is wild excitement and deep freedom. I crave to just do what He has taught me to do in a long season of waiting, which is to trust Him, the only utterly trustworthy thing in this crazy, unpredictable world. My goal? To give Him myself, naked and unashamed. To withhold no good thing from Him as He has not withheld any good thing from me. To give this life to Him to use as He sees fit, until all the self has been drained from me and I stand in His Presence knowing that I gained my life by simply giving it.
Hebrews 13:5 [Amplified translation] had my WORD this week: “…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” I just turned 46 and have been a breast cancer survivor for almost 3 years. Like others who have had cancer, I live with the constant “what if it’s cancer…again” in my head. We had a special women’s speaker Sunday night who brought this verse & translation, and I was so blessed by the fact that My God will never relax His hold on me. It’s hard to put into words, but it has anchored in my soul! Praise the Lord!
Dear Angie;
Your post really stood out for me. Praying that you remain strengthened and encouraged and Blessed beyond all measure. You are precious in His sight.
It is such a joy to receive a Word from God. I love it, even though there are times when I do not want to hear it. I’ve been receiving hard and good words from God, words for my ears alone, and I am thankful.
Beth, your grace, wisdom, dignity and discretion in the midst of great trials, provides me with such inspiration and desire for godliness. Thank you for being such an enduring example of living victorious and genuine, in Christ.
Pastor said,Signed-Sealed-Delivered was God’s idea first. (insert the sound of the song in the background) Daniel 6, the king signed the degree, Daniel was sealed in the lion’s den, and God delivered him. Daniel’s lifestyle of prayer got him into the situation and God delivered him out of it. The devil uses fear to intimidate us out of doing the will of God, our prayers will root our compromise and deceptive thinking. There is power in our prayers and we must believe there is power in them.
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had set his heart
to study the Law of the Lord,
and to practice it,
and to teach its statues
and ordinances
in Israel.
Our word this Sunday was about encouraging other believers. It was taken from Ephesians 6:21-24. We need our fellow believers to give and receive encouragement during our time on this earth.
So, Beth, thank you for walking with us, loving us, and guiding us through the mountains and the valleys and continually pointing us to Christ.
I am doing this amazing Bible Study by a gal named Beth Moore…studying Daniel and have been greatly encouraged that though it seems I have been dropped head first into the fiery furnace, He walks in it with me and one way or the other He will deliver me. When He does I will be freer than ever before and won’t even smell like smoke.
Her studies are amazing…you should do one sometime. 🙂
Beth –
BLESS YOU! I love your blog and more importantly, your heart.
I was blessed to lead in worship on Sunday morning. I must confess I heard more from God during the songs but music just hits me in the heart, you know?
One of the songs we were singing has a chorus that says,
“Majesty, Majesty,
Your grace has found me just as I am, empty handed but alive in your hands.
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty”
Seriously – amazing. He found me just as I am. No words are needed but utter graciousness and humility. How majestic he is!
Thank you for your continued authenticity and openness.
Last Sunday our Pastor preached on the concept of “Kenosis” from Philippians 2:1-13 in which Christ “emptied himself” (v.7, NRSV) and was completely obedient to God. We are also called to empty ourselves of our own will and become completely amenable to God’s divine will. Then it is God who does His work in and through us “according to his good purpose” (v.13, NIV). I am encouraged by the fact that all of God’s purposes in our lives are good. ALL. Not just the ones we agree with or the ones we view as good, but all of them.
I am praying for you.
On Sunday morning our pastor was talking about the creation account in Genesis 1. He talked about how God spoke a word into the empty space to create all of creation. And then he applied it to our lives. We have to leave space in our lives for God to speak into to create the things in us that He desires for us.