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
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 niv
Alicia, Chicago
Shannon, Warner Robins, GA
“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12b NLT
Emma, Flowood, MS
The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk. It is a matter of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIRV
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:11 (ESV)
MaryJo
Indianapolis, IN
…God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Philippians 4:6-7
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
-Ephesians 6:16 NIV
7/15 verse “This is my commandment, love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:12 NLT
Neeley from Auburn, AL
James 3:14- NIV
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”
Amber B, Vicksburg, MI. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV
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)
Tina
West Monroe, LA:
You are my friends if you do what I command.
John 15:14
NIV
Linda, Anderson, IN NKJV Psalm 27:7
Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Schel, Bayou Vista, TX, “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever” – 1 John 2:17 (NIV)
Dawn, Clinton PA
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Cor. 4:20 NIV
Allison H from Chicago IL
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it
Proverbs 16:9: The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. NIV
Carol, Hartley, Iowa
Judges 7:2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against Me that her own strength has saved her…” NIV
Marie, Easley,SC
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 142:8
Ashley, Fort Worth, Tx
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5 NIV
Leslie
Wisner, La.
(last go-round on this passage!)
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
Psalm 37:3-6 ESV
Wendy Couper Peterborough, Ontario Canada
Habakkuk 2:3 TLB
Slowly, steadily, surley the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel …” Ephesians 6:19 (NIV)
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Romans 13:14 (HCSB) – But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires.
Cheryl, Los Osos:
verse 14 – Psalm 118:8 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”
Judy, Beaumont, California
For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. I Cor. 4:20 NAS
You are my lamp, O lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. II Samuel 22:29 NIV
Faye – Ocala
You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You. Psalms 86:5
Mindy Gloster, La
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that
it cannot save; nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear.
Isa 59:1
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Joshua 3:5 NIV
Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.
Lisa from Denver
Niv 1 Peter 2
For in scripture it says:
“See I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen & precious cornerstone, & the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame
Joanne from Bremerton, WA
ESV. Phil. 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Becky Parrish, Lynchburg, VA.
“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Heb. 2:1 NASB
Terri from Winchester, VA
“Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 HCSB
Christine, Atlanta, GA – Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Psalm 16:3 (NIV)
Oh my goodness Beth you may not even get a chance to read this comment but I just need to say thank you so much for such a powerful powerful encouraging “now” word from you. I almost stopped reading as you were speaking too those you’d just been with and I became disinterested. But “bam” when you quoted that scripture and preached on it my spirit became alive and fire burned within!! I began to tear up and couldn’t read. You wrote the cry of the Holy Spirits heart!! And then to say only do it with Jesus is what He shared at our small gathering Sunday. Without Jesus we can do nothing but with Him, led by dear Holy Spirit we can do everything.
I copied that entire portion and sent it to my daughters who need to hear it and posted on my Facebook page with this link for reference. It’s such a blessing to be in contact with you my ou never fail to encourage my heart. Thank you thank you. Love Mari
Angie M
Purcellville, VA
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” I Cor 15: 3-4 (NIV)
Amanda, Chandler AZ
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
Psalm 65:4 ESV
Cynthia, Missouri
So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ. Phill 1:14 ESV
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8, NIV
King James
Psalm 34:5
“Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
Castle Pines, Co. Rosemary
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. I Corinthians 4:20
Elisabeth
Modesto, CA
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Jill in Palm Coast
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
Psalm 34:19
Debbie
Georgetown Tx
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1, 2 ESV)
James 2:15 NLT
Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,
Helen, Crystal City, Manitoba, Canada
1 John 2:5b, 6 (ESV)
By this we know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Denise, Toledo 7/1
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. col 3:15 KJV
Heather, Waller, TX
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3 (ISV)