Hey, Sweet Things!
I’m writing this post to you on Saturday night from the seat of a gigantic United Airlines plane on my connect flight from DC back to Houston. The Living Proof Live team and I had the tremendous privilege of serving in Providence, Rhode Island and God worked in such a distinct way that I will remember it for many years. I hope forever. God is doing something different this year at LPL. I don’t quite know how to define it but I have been flat-on-my-face grateful that He is not only still in it but stirring the pot. Not one of us on the team wants to be there a moment longer than Jesus is. We don’t even want Him to make an obligatory “appearance” because He loves us and feels sorry for us after we’ve scheduled all of this. We want the event to be proactively Jesus for His own sake and for His own glory and because it is a delight to Him and because He looks forward to it. Nothing less than that and, if it’s not that, we want Him to move us each elsewhere.
It’s so strange. We began this year looking back to the previous 15 but, by our 3rd event, it was like we all fixed our faces forward as if nothing in the world mattered but what was in front of us. No “yesterday’s plan.” No “yesterday’s work.” This is today. Something is up. Something new to us. There is something liberating and also a little frightening about just saying to Him, “Do what You want, God. Anything You want. We’re in it with You or we’re not in it at all. All bets are off.” Anyway, I’m not sure why I went off on all of that. God just really has my eyebrows high on my forehead right now wondering what He’s doing.
I have a group of about 30 of you Siestas fresh on my mind because we met up quickly after the event for our group picture. These were your northeastern sisters and the cutest things you can imagine. Well, just like all of you are. All ages and types, with this one glorious bond: the lively love of Jesus Christ. I am so crazy about you guys. I cannot fathom the grace of God to have stirred up a community of encouragement in Christ where relationships really do seem to have some substance to them. It’s an anomaly that still isn’t wasted on me.
You have marked my journey of faith. You’ve encouraged me and made me want to keep running my race energetically and earnestly. You’ve helped me get back up even at times when you didn’t know I was down. You have been a harbor of joy, peace, and laughter in an online Christian world that can be astonishingly fractured. You are a corner of courageous gentleness in a culture that has lost its manners.
And, good grief, you guys have impacted my Scripture memory life so dramatically that I hardly have words. After every Living Proof Live when we meet up for our (clandestine) Siesta picture, I always ask, “Will I be seeing any of you in January at our SSMT celebration?” Invariably there are those who answer with infectious enthusiasm, “YES!” It makes me so happy. The previous celebrations have been like a family reunion on steroids. I hope so much you’re staying up with your Scripture memory, saving your money, and planning to head to Houston that weekend. We aren’t really a beautiful city but we’re a happy one and a hospitable one, I believe I can confidently say. And we can offer you Tex Mex at virtually every four way stop. I mean, what more could you want, people?
The verse I’ve chosen this time around is one God seemed to lift from the page of my early morning Scripture reading last Monday. I continued to say it and pray it throughout the week and referenced it several times this weekend in Providence. It’s easy to memorize and it puts a concept in a nutshell that is as vital as breath to us in this believing life we’re living. Here it is:
Beth, Houston. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
God is using it to remind me that this thing isn’t about incessant chatter and nonstop Twitter noise and learning to speak fluent Christianese. It’s not tantamount to Bible banter and doctrinal debates and holy hair-splitting. It’s not about getting together at church and threatening week after week to live changed lives and think renewed thoughts. It’s not about getting all lathered up and sweaty-headed at events over theories of effective, influential, and abundant lives. This Christ thing to which we’ve been called is about actually doing it and through an unction not remotely our own.
When the Holy Spirit comes, He comes with power.
Where the Holy Spirit goes, He goes with power.
Whom the Holy Spirit infiltrates, He infuses with power.
Our lives were meant to be powerful. Less talk. More demonstration. Through things like a love that we know good and well is utterly beyond us and a faith that emerges in tact from a minefield soaked in blood and strewn with flesh. We were meant to be able to do what we can’t, like who we don’t, bless who we’d curse. We were promised strength in weakness and extravagant grace in our deprivation.
We were meant to wonder what has derailed or gone awry when a season of our lives persists in powerlessness for weeks on end. We were promised more than this. We’re not meant to write our own personalized chapters in a revised standard version of The Emperor’s New Clothes so the world could have a harder laugh at us. We who have placed our trust in Christ Jesus, the living, breathing-on-us Son of God, have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49) And it’s supposed to show.
Every limb of our lives where we welcome the Holy Spirit can be infused with strength not of this world and, yes, even in continued weakness or infirmity, should that be the case of our present calling. The coexistence of the two is the mystery of it. We’re not superwomen. We’re a long shot from perfect. But we were meant to be vividly powerful through the One who saved us and made Himself at home in us. Let’s not forget that today. Let’s not be satisfied just to talk about it. Let’s not just clap and cheer during that part of a service when a pastor or teacher tells us we’re called more than conquerors. The New Testament is not the theory of Christianity.
You may feel powerless right now, Sister, but, if you are in Christ, make no mistake: you are not. Get some backbone back in your prayer life if your spiritual spine has deteriorated. With reverence for His holiness and with the boldness He said we could bring to the Throne of Grace, read to God from His Word where He promised His people victory as they looked to Him alone…
…and where He promised to clothe us in power
…and where He said He’d make Himself conspicuous through our spiritual gifts and through supernatural works in His Name.
If you don’t know where those places are, go hunt them down. (But you could start in Romans 8, Luke 24, Acts 1, Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12 and Hebrews 4.)
Tell Him you’re going to ask for it and ask for it and ask for it in His great Name and for His glory until He gives it to you and frees you from whatever this present powerlessness is. And then DO IT. Ask and ask and ask and tell Him you will do whatever it takes to cooperate and mean it! Throw your hands out to receive. And, then, when He gives it – and He will – don’t take credit for it. Appreciate it. Thank Him and thank Him for it. Know that it’s grace. Use it audaciously to bring Him attention.
Sister, you cannot fulfill your foreordained purpose without power. Go back after it but, whatever you do, don’t try to get it without Jesus coming with it. Power for power’s sake will blow you up. God-given unction isn’t meant to just come and go with periodic personal revival. We were meant to live powerful lives. Let’s get to them. If you’ve got an area of carnality that is quenching it, I promise you it’s not worth it. Believe me, I’ve been there. Repent, turn from it and get on with it. You’ve got a calling. And it takes divine power.
You mean so much to me. Hold tight to Jesus.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Tami KC, MO
Romans 8:1 NIV
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Cora Lee from Nebraska
Matt.6:34 NIV
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own. Matt.6:34 NIV
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Tshaka;Belgium; He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:6 NLT
Deidra – Waynesboro
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. I Corinthians 4:20 NIV
donna huneycutt, mt. pleasant NC
This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.
Psalms 139:6 HCSB
#14. Colossians 1:19-20 ESV. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Carole from Webb City, MO: Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30 NKJV
Diane from Virginia
“So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help.”
Isaiah 30:18 NLT
Soni from Gulfport, MS Luke 8:15 RSV
And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
“You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is stedfast, because He trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Caitlin, McKinney, TX
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bone.
Proverbs 16:24, NIV
Jones Creek, TX
With God, all things are made possible.
Matthew 19:26
Ephesians 1:5 NIV
In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.
Tammy
Ingleside, TX
Julie, Holland, Michigan
to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Titus 3:2 ESV
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NIV
Lindsay, Albuquerque, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Kelsie, Albuquerque, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Alysa, Albuquerque, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 KJV
Connie, Shipshewana, …to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Ephesians 1:10 NIV
Lisa, Houston. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Kim, Amherst, OH
Heb. 10:23 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Laura, League City, TX:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
We desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12 NKJV
Pam, Brighton, CO
Colossians 3:15 ESV
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Kelsie, Searcy AR
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to take a stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Kaylin, Searcy AR
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to take a stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Sherri Bennett, Huntington Beach, CA:
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 107:1, ESV
Amanda
Derby, KS
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 NKJV
Donna D, Sarnia, Ontario
“The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help
from His temple He heard my voice;
my cry came before Him, into His ears.”
Psalm 18:1-6
Andi Crumrine from Rockwall, Texas
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”
Psalm 139:23 NIV
Lisa. Garland,TX
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition, and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8
Vanessa from Victoria, TX
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)
Sallie Belle Howell, Tupelo, MS
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26 NIV
Kathy Bryson
Albuquerque, NM
1 Corinthians 4:20 HCSB
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Dianna, St. Louis – “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7 ESV
Julie, Madison, GA
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Habakkuk 2:1 NIV
Megan JOY – Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust -Psalm 40:4 (NIV) AND The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has given me victory; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. -Exodus 15:2 (NLT/ESV)
Linda from Birmingham, Alabama
“but those who hope in The Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
–Isaiah 40:31. (NIV)
Lindsey Buchanan, St. Augustine, FL
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Debbie from Amarillo, Texas
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do works which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
My life verse!
linda, colorado springs.
whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty.
psalm 91:1 (niv)
Carol, Santa Maria, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 NET, “O LORD, You are great, mighty, magnificent, magestic, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the Ruler of all. You are the source of wealth and honor; You rule over all. You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give thanks to You and praise Your majestic Name!”
Karie-Phoenix
Where your treasure is,
there the desires of your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 NLT
Rebecca Alburn
Salem, OR
Psalm 95:2 NIV
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.”
Kristi. Rogersville , TN
Psalm 92:1 NIV
It is good to praise The Lord
And make music to your name, O most high
Ashley Pointer from Spring, Texas
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
Psalm 139:15 NIV
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need, My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Hot Dog!
Alice, Dallas, TX: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 NKJV
Shannon, Missouri city, tx
“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bone.”
Proverbs 16:24, NIV
Karen J, Westminster, MD
God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV