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
Nicole T., Blue Springs, MO
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Christi , Newnan, GA
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Diane, Largo, Fl
Genesis 22:2 NIV
Then God said “Take your son, your only son, whom you love- Isaac (Chris)- and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice hom there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Susie H.
McKinney, TX
“But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
NKJV
Leanne, Billings, MT
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
1 Cor. 4:20 NIV
Katie Ray, Clovis, CA
Psalm 89:8 (NLT)
O Lord God of Heavens Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.
Brenda, Collinston
“I’ll set honest judges and wise counselors among you just like it was back in the beginning. Then you’ll be renamed City-That-Treats-People-Right, the True-Blue City.” Isaiah 1:26 The Message
Kelly, Jackson, MI
“When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.” Psalm 65:3
Lamentations 3:23 (NKJV)
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Jennifer, Fort Worth
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16 (ESV)
Thanks, Jennifer. I needed that after watching my five great grandchildren for 3+1/2 hours today; ages 1 – 9.
Vickie, Baytown, Texas
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Shelley, Birmingham, AL– “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ” NIV
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
I Cor. 4:20 NIV
Michelle W
Boynton Beach, FL
As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42:1-2a NKJV
A good word! Thank you!
Rhonda
Gilmer
For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, (Philemon 1:15 NKJV)
Taylor, Temple, TX
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Vicksburg, MS
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12: 12
NIV
Mary, Frisco “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Heather
Little Rock, AR
‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’ (Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)
Jan, Marion IA “The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.” Psalm 121: 6 (HCSB)
Stacey, Omaha, NE
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Emily (age 13)
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
Ally (age 11)
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLT
I know I’m not supposed to post anything but scripture but looking up and seeing these ages made me smile. Keep up the good work, Mama! Blessings to you and these sweet girls.
Niki Carroll, Shelby, NC: “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:18 NKJV
Kathy, Aiea
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)
Vicki, Lubbock, TX
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16: 8 NIV
Jean, Platte City, MO
Job 14:14 “Through these days of toil and struggle, I will patiently wait until my situation changes.” (The Voice)
Pat, Hot Springs, AR
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV
Susan Miles, Jonesboro, Arkansas
James 4:5 NIV Or do you think scripture says without reason that He jealously longs for the Spirit He had caused to dwell in us?
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
“For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes & the boasting of what he has, & does-comes not from the Father but from the world.”
! John 2:16
Charmaine, Miami, FL – “I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 HCSB
Heather, Mt Pleasant.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Sarah, Elkhart, IN. Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 NASB
Diana, East Peoria, IL
I will follow close to you;
your right hand holds on to me.
Psalm 63:8 HCSB
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” ~ Proverbs 27:19 NIV
“Be not deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” NKJV James 1:16-17
Amanda, Fort Benning, GA
therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 niv
“Teach me Your way, LORD,
And I will live by Your truth.
Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.”
Psalm 86:11 (HCSB)
Carol from Montana
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Erin B., League City, TX
“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.” Malachi 4:2 NIV
John 11:35 NLT Then Jesus wept.
Daniel 12:8 “AS for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, ‘My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” (Updated NASB)
“This is what real love is: it is not our love for God, it is God’s love for us in sending His Son to be the way to take away our sins.”
I John 4:10 NCV
Beth, Niamey
NIV
Romans 5:3&4 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Jen from Wyoming
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Christina McClain, Nampa, ID, HCSB, James 1:13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.
Patti, Clemmons, NC
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV
Debbie~ Alice, TX
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Barb from Wetumpka, AL
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—
Ephesians 5:8
ESV
Kristi, Austin “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Isaiah 42:16 NIV
New International Version
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Jaime Turner from Nederland, Texas
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” ~ 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
St. Catharines, Ontario, CANADA
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.