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
Margaret from Summerfield, FL
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9 – NIV
Riverview, Florida
Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”. NIV
Stephanie, Lititz, PA “Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”” Luke 9:62 MSG
Psalm 41:1-3 (NIV)
“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; For You, Lord, deliver him in times of trouble. You, Lord, will protect him and preserve his life; You will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.”
Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ann Gonzalez
Morelia, Mexico
“But from everlasting to everlasting
The Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
And his righteousness with their children’s children.” Psalm 103:17 NIV
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might
Ecclesiastes 9:10
July 15 – Colossians 4: 5-6 NIV
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Georgine East
Austin, TX
Sarah Cox from Jay, Ok
” Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.”
I Peter 2:11 (HCSB)
Psalm 23:5b-6 VOICE
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing fragrant oil,
filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
Certainly your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
where I go, always, eternal.
I will always be with the Eternal, in Your house forever.
I keep asking that the God if our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit if wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1:17
Meredith, Blacksburg, VA
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Isaiah 40:27 ESV
Summer, McCurtain, OK
If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by my Father in heaven. Mathew 18:19 NIV
Melissa J – Houston, TX
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Carol Kirby, Amarillo TX
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power 1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Selina, Aberdeen. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1Corinthians 4:20 NIV
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14 NIV
Tina, Houston,TX
Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Romans 12:13 (HCB)
The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 NIV
Julie, Charleston, WV
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (NIV)
Give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessolanians 5:18 NIV
Sheri, Milwaukee, WI
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
James 3:7,8 NIV
Kirby from Parsons, KS
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Jennifer in Winston-Salem, NC
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Sara, Plymouth, IN
And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)
Lisa S, Plano TX
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Mechanicsville, VA
‘I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.’
Psalm 139:14 NIV
Emilie Eaton, IN
Psalm 119:11 NIV
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Beth, Roswell, GA
“Those who look to Him are radiant (with joy); their faces are never covered with shame.”
Psalm 34:5 NIV
James 2:2-4, NIV
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Jennifer, Wilmington DE
“I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me with never be thirsty.”
– John 6:35
VBS verse with my 7-year old niece! 🙂
Sue, Standish, ME
Psalm 71:8 NRSV
My mouth is filled with your praise and with your glory all day long.
Rachel R., Lafayette IND: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10, NIV
Sarah S., McKinney, TX, Ephesians 3:14,15 NIV
“For this reason I kneel before the Father,from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name…”
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20 KJ
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Lexington, KY
The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Johnine from Murfreesboro, TN
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7 NIV
Natalie from Frisco, TX
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Rhonda, Anderson, IN
O, Israel, put your hope in The Lord for with The Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7 NIV
Stephanie Knight Waynesboro, MS
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still” Ex 14:14
Holly from Alpharetta, GA
The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
Psalm 103: 13 NLT
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Janice, Tulsa
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 (KJV)
You are my witnesses and my servant whom I have chosen.
Isaiah 43:10
Susan
Kansas City
Paula
Atlanta, Tx.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[b]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
Psalm 139:14 NKJV
Tiffany
Muskogee,OK
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:19, 20 NLT)
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
Proverbs 11:14 NIV
Whitney from Russellville, TN
Do not be like the horse or the mule which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:9. TNIV