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
Leah, Houston, TX
Romans 8:16, NIV84
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Trish West Linn, Oregon
” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrifed, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Diana – Indianapolis – Psalm 119:144 NIV
Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understandingl that I may live.
Kelly from Sherman, TX. “I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2. HCSB
Sherree from Mansfield, TX
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Tara, Greensboro, NC
I walk in the LORD’s presence as I live here on earth!
Psalm 116:9
NLT
Kathie, Chino Hills
Phil 4:4 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Sara, Dallas, TX – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV).
Hebrews 11:l (Amplified)
Faith is the confirmation of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.
Cindy/Midland
Chrissie from Aurora,
“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Gal 5:22-23 (NIV)
Rachel Sweatt
Canyon, TX
“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
–James 5:11, ESV
Elizabeth, Bolivar, MO
I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they won’t cling to me.
Psalm 101:3
Thank you Beth!!! Such a powerful thought but oh such a reality!!! Thank you for teaching this. Blessings on you!
Ruth, Shawnee, KS
Revelation 22:12 — Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalms 56:8 NLT)
Melissa // Lancaster, PA
Kathleen Saint Joseph, MI
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Psalm:56:8 NLT
I know I am really late posting this. We had two deaths in two days and I was unable to post where we were at. Love you so much Beth and LPM
Kathryn, Oceanside, “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT
Melissa, Kentucky
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Valerie ~ Oklahoma
I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.
Psalm 9:1 NIV
Jennifer W.
San Antonio, TX
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19, 20 ESV)
As iron sharpens iron
So one man sharpens another. Prov 27:17 NIV
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from
My help comes from the LORD the maker of heaven and earth.
Melanie, Arkansas
Isaiah 59:1 “Surely the LORD’s power is enough to save you. He can hear you when you ask him for help.”
The Inspirational Bible
Molly Z. From Pierce, NE
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)
Amanda, Clinton, MO
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 NIV
Sharon, Barrington
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Cor 4:20 (NIV)
Angie, Chillicothe, MO; So don’t be like a horse or donkey, that doesn’t understand. They must be led with bits or reins, or they will not come near you. Ps 32:9, NCV.
Nancy Rose – NN,Va – NLT- Jer 17:8b Such trees are not bothered by heat or worried by long months of drought their leaves stay green and they Never stop producing fruit.
Amy Coxhead, Fort Collins, CO
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Linda – Spring, TX
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
Kathy, Jonesboro, AR
So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and He granted our request.
Ezra 8:23 MSG
Debra, Many, La
“My lips will shout for joy when I praise You, because You have redeemed me.” Psalm 71:23 (HCSB)
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
Matthew 6:34 (NIV) “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Stephanie, Abilene, TX
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3, ESV
Crystal Clark, Omaha, NE
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5 (esv)
Kristi, from Rowlett,TX
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Peggy – Bangor, Maine
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114 NIV
Lesley, Newbury Park, CA – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Glennell from Buda, Texas
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Cathy S., Chesapeake Beach
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV84
Laura Griffiths, Auburn, AL, “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
VERSE 14:
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 NIV
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Kiersten, Wake Forest, NC
And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord. Ephesians 5:18-19 (NET)
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor-it is the gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NASB)
Kaitlyn, Fort Walton Beach, FL
1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Tammy from Fairhope, AL
2Chronicles 7:14 NIV. Then my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land,
Port Orchard, WA
Let all that you do be done in love.
1 CORINTHIANS 16:14 NKJV
Heather Smith, Visalia, CA
Hebrews 10:35 NIV
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Just started 5 weeks of radiation….I so need this verse!!!
Katie Brown
Greenfield, IN
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 NLT
(sorry for the late submission. Just got back from vacation.)