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
Betty, Waveland, IN “Lord, throughall the generations you have been our home.” Psalm 90:1 TLB
Melissa, Denver:
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:19 (NIV)
Shirley Barry, Mooresville, N C
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Paula, O’Fallon. Abolishing in His flesh the law of the commandments in ordinances, that He might create the two in Himself into one new man, so making peace,
Leigh, Woodway, TX
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Valerie, Louisville, KY
(You will not be afraid…) Of the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. Psalm 91:6 NASB
kathy from leesville, la Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Suey, Houston, PSALMS 25:3 NIV no one whose hope is in YOU
LORD will ever be but to shame but they will be put to shame who are treacherous(deceptive, unreliable,not trusting) without excuse (typing this with tears,crying,hoping)
Ps. 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good: seek peace and pursue it. ESV
Wrentham, MA Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (NIV)
Karen from Powell, Ohio
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 NIV
Rachel, Jackson, TN
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)”
For the kingdom of God does not consist of talk but in power. 1 Cor 4:20 ESV
*Providence was powerful and effective ~ Thank you!
Lyn Steriti
Littleton NH
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
Romans 14:22 NASB
Love you Beth and living proof ministries!
“He will reply ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me”
Matthew 25:45 (NIV)
Ashlee, Roswell, GA, “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” Proverbs 18:13, NASB.
Vicki C., Indianapolis, IN
I Peter 3:8,9 NIV
Finally, all of you, be like- minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Ruth Cherry, Royse City, Texas
“Help me to give You great joy by walking in the truth, just as You commanded us.”
2 John 4 NIV
Stacey in Mount Pleasant
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Cor 12:9 NIV
Lauren, Charlotte, NC
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Ann, Mandeville, LA
Linda G., Richmond, VA
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Tyra, Houston
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
Romans 8:37 NLT
Robyn, Brooklyn, CT
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”. Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Jean, Palm Bay, Fl
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV)
Olivia, Madison, MS:
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11 ESV
Deb, Pierre SD
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Vicki, Wilmington, NC
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8 NKJV
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
1 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Jennifer, Canfield, OH
Selina. Barbourville, KY.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Proverbs 11:17 KJV
Erin Sheldon
Savannah, GA
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. (2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV)
(1) LORD…I am not concerned with great matters or with subjects too difficult for me. (2) Instead, I am content and at peace.As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms, so my heart is quiet within me.
-Psalms 131:1-2 (GNT)
Sarah, Dallas
Tiffany, Summerville, SC. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Paula, Brownwood, Texas
Indeed, the LORD’s hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear.
Isaiah 59:1. HCSB
Kelli , apex nc
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Philippians 2:2 esv
Karen C, Carmel, IN
Psalm 37: 23-24 If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. NIV
Debbie, Fairfax VA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12 (NIV)
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39 NIV
Laura, Englewood. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light became night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:11-12 (NIV)
Dawn, West Monroe, LA
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Ellen White
Saint Augustine, FL
Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good.
Romans 12:21
Susan H.
Lady Lake, FL
Psalm 16:8 “Keep my eyes always on The Lord; with Him at my side, I will not be shaken.” NIV
Cheryl, Pensacola, FL:
2 Timothy 4:3 NIV
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Julia Stevens Hill — Anniston, Alabama
Matthew 6:33 KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Hannah, Chesterland, OH
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
2 Peter 1:16 ESV
Andi Lincoln NE
“The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Rom. 8:7 NIV
Susan, Fort Worth, TX
Romans 12:11 NIV
[11] Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Lisa in Moyock
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring about the destruction that he had threatened.
Jonah 3:10 NIV