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
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. Psalm 116:6-7 NIV
Stormy, Lynchburg, VA
…being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He promised. Romans 4:21 NIV
Dominion and awe belong to God; He establishes order in the heights of heaven. Job 25:2
Sue, Groveport, OH
Psalm 34:6-7. NIV
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Megan–Kansas City, KS
Romans 8:11 NIV
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you.
Kandi – Tallahassee, Florida
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Cheryl, Coffeyville, KS
“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3 NIV84
Shelley, Fort Walton Beach, FL
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
Karen in Norfolk, VA: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; all your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Leslee in Columbia, SC
and make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your own hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anyone. 1 Thess 4:11-12
Shelley
Springfield,MO
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 HCSV
Tess
Cartersville, GA
Matthew 5:3 MSG
You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
JoAnn Columbus, OH
James 1:19 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. NIV
Amanda, Knoxville Psalm 139: 17-18 NASB “How precious also are your thoughts to me O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with you!”
Kristin, Panama City, FL
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.”
Lam. 3:22-24 HCSB
Pam in Texas:
God opposes the proud but
gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 3:34/James 4:6 (NCV)
Heather, Tallahassee You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts You. Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma City, OK
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Gay
Round Rock, Tx
“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our Refuge.”
Psalm 62:8 NIV
Do not fear any of those things you are about to suffer. Be faithful until death & I will give you your own crown of life. ~ Rev 2:10
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19 (NIV)
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved. Ephesians 2: 4 & 5 NLT (verse 5 is the new verse this week.)
Karessa, Peoria, IL: Be patient, therefore, brothers until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8 ESV
Michelle from Waterloo, ON, Canada
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Rachel,Ohio
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
D’Anne, Loganville, GA 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 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
Melissa, San Antonio. 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalms 126:6
Wynell
Athens, GA
The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147:11 NIV
Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. 1Tim 4:8 (NLT)
Wendy
Vero Beach
“A wife of noble character
is her husband’s crown,
But a disgraceful wife
is like decay to his bones.”
Proverbs 12:4 (NIV)
Laura
Decatur, IL
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Luke 1: 45 NKJV
Jeannine Hale
Eagan, Minnesota
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wildernessand streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Lisa, Greensburg, PA
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Psalm 37:3-5 (NKJB)
Julie
Arkansas
O Lord You are my God; I
Will exalt you and praise
Your name, for in perfect
Faithfulness You have done
Marvelous things!
Isaiah 25:1
NIV
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV Linda from Tallahassee
Chandel. Thailand to America. Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
I want to soak in all you have for me Father.
Martha
Dickinson, ND
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”
Psalm 91:2
Cindy, Kearney NE
I tremble in awe of You.
(Psalms 119:120a HCSB)
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
“It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 ESV
Christene from London, Canada
Jeremiah 32:27 NLT
“I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?
Vicki, Smithwick/Marble Falls, TX
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
Betty Murphrey, Wendell, NC
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
(I am a woman of few words so this fits me. Thanks, Beth)
Paige, Flowood, MS
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
Psm 40:5 (NIV)
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.
Traci
Knoxville, TN
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power
I Cor 4:29 NIV
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)
Ellen, Aurora, OH
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but power.
I Corinthians 4:20 NIV