seriously....this is my life

Qualification (Daily Word)

Qualification-a condition or standard that must be complied with (as for the attainment of a privilege)

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own.  Our qualification comes from God.  2 Corinthians 3:5

What are your qualifications? Let’s see I am a degreed and certified Elementary school teacher.  I’ve completed CPR training. I’m building my photography portfolio so that someday I can be qualified to bless others with my talent.  When looking for a job your resume shows your qualifications; your degree, work experience, and even recommendations from those who can attest that you are qualified for a specific job. 

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul explains that his mission to spread the Gospel doesn’t necessarily come with a resume or recommendation letters.  In fact, he would be considered the last person qualified based on his former years of persecuting Believers.  He states that his qualifications come from God.  While encouraging the ministers of the new covenant, he explains that the only letter or recommendation they need is themselves; their actions.  Do they walk the walk?  Genuine belief in Christ was and is marked by the Fruits of the Spirit reflected in life. 

Paul is teaching that we don’t need to attend seminary or fill our bookshelves with Christian titles to serve our God.  We are enabled by His Spirit to be ministers of the Good News.  This does require sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.  Oftentimes I avoid many service opportunities because I don’t feel qualified.  But, if I feel the Holy Spirit urging me to step out of my comfort zone to serve or share the Good News, I am opening myself up to experience God’s power in a new and unexpected way. 

Where have you been holding back because you don’t feel qualified?  What is the Spirit stirring in your soul that you know will require you to step out of your comfort zone?  Remember God’s will is always paired with His power.  Through Him you have qualifications that you won’t know about until you step out and rely on Him.

 

thoughts on discipline and cultivating a Christ-like life

Clearly I need to work on remembering ALL of the Fruits of the Spirit.  I have now added faithfulness and kindness and I double checked to make sure I included 9 of these Christ like qualities!!!  Sorry if you printed already....updated on 3/6/12

Discipline seems to be the word of the week in my life.  Maybe because the topic week 3 in my Brave Bible Study is discipline.  Discipline is such a two edged sword...we all want it, have it down in certain areas of our lives, but in other areas it's well....lacking.  I am really disciplined in some areas; having a daily quiet time, planning menus and cooking, getting dressed every day (as in not staying in my jammies all day).  But there are areas where I am totally undisciplined; exercise, buying stuff I don't need, picking up my shoes off the living room floor (Brian calls the area by our coffee table, the shoe farm!  He's so funny..ha ha). 

It seems like as soon as I gain discipline in a few areas I struggle with, other areas fall apart.  I wish I could just get it all together...once and for all.   I think we all struggle with these feelings.  No one has it all together...even the perfectionist you know.  I can be a huge perfectionist in so many ways, but I think it's because I'm attempting to fill in the areas of my life where discipline is lacking. 

I read this in my study today and had to share it with you...this totally spoke to me and gave me some relief and comfort. 

Holy Dependence

What if on this earth we will never be completely disciplined in every area of our lives at the same time?  And what if that's on purpose? A design element.  A Creator component.  An intentional decision by our God so that a holy dependence is require for us to mature toward each new place in discipline.

Maybe God allows my lack of discipline because it keeps me running to Him.  His strength is the source by which I will grow into greater discipline.  He makes me able to take the next brave step.  Maybe if I woke up tomorrow completely disciplined, perfected even, I would think more about myself and my great accomplishment and less about God and how much I need Him. 

I do not speak for God, and the Scriptures do not elaborate here, but what if a perfectly disciplined life was never God's intent?  What if He intended holy dependence for life-long growth toward Himself?

In this study, Angela Thomas also gave 10 practical steps on how to begin creating more discipline in your life.  She noted that she got this information from The Pillars of a Christian Character by John MacArthur. 

1. Start with the small things--do one thing that has been rewritten on your daily to do list over and over and over again.  For me, this was putting my Christmas dishes away.  I can tell you, that this was the first thing I did this morning after my quiet time and I fell SO much better!
2. Get yourself organized--  Thank God I am very organized, but I do have a basket of papers in my office that needs to be dealt with today or tomorrow. 
   
3. Don't constantly seek to be entertain--  The fact is there are some things we just don't want to do, but it's got to be done.  Turning off the tv during the day has completely transformed this area of my life.   I will only allow myself to watch recorded programs after I've done what needs to be done!
   
4. Be on Time--typically not my issue, but I know many people who run late all the time...it just stresses me out way too much to run late.  (if you saw a silver CX9 zipping down the beltway yesterday morning that might have been me, running late to the Pediatrician appointment, so yes, it happens in my life, but I detest it)
5. Keep your word--Let your yes be yes and your no be no.  Matthew 5:37
6. Do the most difficult (or dreaded) task first-- then it's finished and you can breath a sigh of relief
7. Finish what you start--this can be tough for me.  I tend to get lots of projects going in one day.  Scrapbooking, laundry, cooking, blogging, editing photos and of course playing with and caring for Karsten.  I think I need to learn to simplify my to do list each morning and not bite off so much.
8. Accept Correction-- "He whos ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.  He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding."  Proverbs 15:31-32
9. Practice self denial---make Godly and wise choices even though you would rather do the fun or easy thing.
10. Welcome responsibility--Grow up, make good decisions, and make a plan to live differently

 

Cultivating a Christ-like life, a huge part which is discipline, requires the fruit of the Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit's presence in my life there is no way I can begin to emulate Christ.  My selfish desires will take over every time.  I will want to sleep in instead of getting up early for a quiet time.  I will have judgemental thoughts about someone instead of seeing them as Christ sees them. 

The last section of Galatians 5 speaks of the power we have through the Holy Spirit.  If you believe that Christ was crucified for your sins and then resurrected from death 3 days later and you also believe that He is the ONLY way to heaven then you are a Believer, a Christian.  When you accept this as TRUTH you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit.  This week's printable is the Fruits of the Spirit.   Living out these characteristics in my life should be my daily to do list...with all of my chores at the bottom.  So, I'm going to print this out and place it several places in my house (my bathroom mirror, my kitchen counter, my office, and maybe my car) 

If you right click and save you should be able to print out a 4x6 or save it as your screen saver on your computer, or both!!!

What is Lent? (and a Scripture printable)

Since I was raised in the Catholic church (until I went to college) I always heard about Lent.  It was the time that we ate fish on Fridays, we were supposed to give something up, and we prepared for Easter...that was about all I knew...I was a kid...not a deep thinker at the time and I just rolled with it.  I liked fish, especially fried fish from our local church fish fry every Friday.  In fact, I remember working many of those fish frys with my Mom.  But that's about as far as it went. 

As I've gotten older, matured in my faith, and married Brian (my very theological husband) I've realized that Lent is so much more than giving something up and not eating meat on Fridays.  It's a time to reflect, repent, and pray in order to prepare my heart for Easter weekend; Good Friday through the Celebration of Easter.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (yesterday) and culminates on Easter Sunday.  Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of Jesus's 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness.  Easter commeorates His resurrection from death, after He was crucified on the cross to atone for our sins. 

In our family, Brian and I both choose to give something up and/or add something into our lives during Lent.  For several years, Brian has done a variation of the Orthodox fast--giving up all alcohol, lots of dairy, sweets, and eating a lot less meat.  (Because I'm the cook, and cooking vegetarian, without dairy is challenging I'm allowed to use dairy and meat in our dinner meals.  However for his breakfast and lunch, he's cutting out meat and dairy)  He is also putting down the iPad for this season.  I am giving up sleep by committing to rise at 6 am every day (even weekends) in order to spend more time in prayer and Bible Study.  I'm also cutting out soda and not using the computer at night, when Brian is home. 

Spiritual things are very personal things...so what we might add into our lives or abstain from are not necessarily what will make an impact on you.  I encourage you to consider what God might be calling you to fast from?  Sweets?  Television?  Alcohol?  Caffeine?  Shopping?  Swearing?  Or maybe you really need to add something into your life?  Quiet times with God?  More time with your kids?  Exercise?  Getting back to church?  Prayer?  The whole point is to return your focus to God, His Son Jesus, and the ultimate sacrafice He made so that we may have eternal life.  What you give up or add should require sacrafice, otherwise there's no point.  Sacraficing meat for me wouldn't be that big of a deal, but sacraficing my sleep will be a challenge...it will require my dependence on God for energy and focus as well as discipline to get to bed earlier. 

In my current Bible Study, Brave, we're learning about how to become more disciplined...let me tell you...there are SO many areas of my life where I'm undisciplined.  Here are a few:  completing the laundry cylce in one day (as in washing, drying, AND putting away...and putting away is not in the laundry basket!), washing my face EVERY night (most nights I do, but sometimes I just lazy!), exercising, getting to bed on time...the list goes on and on.  I think this topic joins in with Lent in a great way because discipline is needed in order to not give into our every desire.  It's needed in order to get up early and spend time with God.  It's needed in order to give up our luxuries in life. 

I read this verse this morning and decided it needed to be my next memory verse....will you join me??? 

Right click, save image as, and print out.  It will be 4x6 :) 

 

life lately + a Scripture printable

Hello Blog Friends---

Thanks for stopping by today.  Life here in Houston has been going well.  My Mom has been here since late last week which means my laundry is getting done by someone other than me, the meals are being prepared by someone other than me, and my little bug is getting lots of extra attention by someone other than Brian and I.  It's been wonderful having her here.  Karsten adores his Kiki and Kiki adores her Karsten (the one and only grandchild!)  The three of us, Karsten, Mom, and I are headed to New Braunfels tomorrow for an overnight with my cousin Jessica.  She's an Optometrist so Mom and I are getting our eyes checked and well, Karsten will flirt with her the entire time we're there.  He LOVES his Auntie Jessica, who just happens to be his Godmother.  We're also planning to devote a few hours to the San Marcos Outlet mall, truly the largest outlet mall I've ever been to.  Carters, Gymboree, Gap, Pottery Barn, and Vera Bradley are on my list.  Hoping to find something awesome to add to this month's giveaway :)  

Last night Mom and I had the priviledge of seeing Beth Moore teach live at Houston's First Baptist Church.  It's one of the perks of living in Houston....getting to see her teach without having to pay!!!  She was on fire once again teaching about Living in the Good Land.  I'll share more soon!  I took lots of notes...then again who doesn't nearly get a hand cramp when they listen or watch Beth Moore...she's so full of great information and presents it in such a dynamic and fun way!  I'm adding her blog to my blog roll to the right. Her sister has just written 3 incredible installments on the LPM blog...if you have time or know someone who struggles with addiction I highly recommend that you read these articles. 

I don't have a devotion written for today...I hope to have one written for next week.  I do have a printable though...it's LOVE related...so right click, save, and print it out and enjoy during this Valentine Season.

Meditate (Daily Word)

Meditate--Think deeply or carefully about (something).

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8

right click image to save and print

In the first chapter of Joshua God gives a charge to Joshua to continue what He had directed Moses to do; to lead His people into the Promised Land.  In verse 8, God tells Joshua to study the Book of Instruction continually.  But God doesn’t stop there, He tells Joshua to meditate on the Word day and night and to obey everything it says. 

How does this apply to believers today?  Meditation seems to be a popular culture word these days.  People build meditation rooms and fill them with tranquil items.  Others may meditate during yoga or sitting quietly in a dark room.  Certainly none of these ways of meditating or the places we do it are wrong.  It’s not about how, where, or when we meditate; what’s important is what we’re meditating on.  Christians are called to meditate on Scripture, but in order to meditate on them we must know them, read them, study them, and write them on our heart.

Just as Joshua was called to meditate on the Book of Instruction, so are we.  We live in a world inundated by worldly values and godless priorities.  In order that we don’t begin to accept these unrighteous standards we must guard our hearts and minds through memorizing and meditating on the Word.  What do you find yourself thinking deeply or carefully about?  Are you consumed with thoughts of worry? Anger? Bitterness? Jealousy? Hopelessness? Or maybe you’re consumed with thoughts of how to make sure that your child succeeds, or that your spouse gets that raise, or that you just feel stuck in life.  I challenge you, along with myself, to take those thoughts captive and to replace them with God’s Promises, His Truth…found in His Word. 

This will require time in His Word.  If you’re not sure where to start, begin in the Psalms.  We, as Believers, simply can’t neglect His Word---The Bible and prayers are the key to doing His Will.  We must know Him before we can know what He desires us to do.   Take some time today to read Scripture and then meditate on it.  What does it mean to your life?  How could you apply what you’re learning to your journey?   Study—Meditate—Apply

reflections on retreating and fasting

Last weekend I was blessed to participate in a Women's Retreat with my church.  Brian said he would be fine with Karsten for the weekend, so I jumped at the opportunity to spend a weekend with fellow sisters in Christ.  My sweet friend Jessica and I made plans to bring craft activities to share with our friends and we both looked forward to having time with the girls.  It was last Thursday, the day before I left for the retreat, that it dawned on me that maybe I should begin to pray about the spiritual aspect of the weekend ahead.  Afterall, it was supposed to be more than just time away with friends...it was supposed to be a time to pull away from the busyness of everyday life and spend one on one time with the Lord. 

The praise and worship at the retreat, led by Betsy Burke, was the perfect segway into opening our hearts and minds to the spiritual aspects of the retreat.  We had 4 different group sessions and "mandatory" quiet times with God.  I think the one thing I will always remember from the retreat happened during a quiet time.  I realize this may bore you to tears...I'm just putting it here to document life.

We were sent out from a time in praise and worship to have an hour of quiet.  The retreat center has beautiful grounds and I quickly found a comfortable bench off the beaten path.  I knew if I were on the beaten path I would be distracted by everyone else.  I opened my Bible and read and reflected on Psalm 100.

A psalm of thanksgiving.

 ¹ Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!
    ² Worship the LORD with gladness.
      Come before him, singing with joy.
 ³ Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
      He made us, and we are his.^[a]
      We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
      go into his courts with praise.
      Give thanks to him and praise his name.
 ⁵ For the LORD is good.
      His unfailing love continues forever,
      and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

I finished reading and reflecting on the Psalm wondering exactly what I was supposed to be getting out of this quiet time.  I then opened my book, Finding God's Will, and began reading because I felt like I needed to be doing something...getting something accomplished.  As I read, I pulled out a piece of Dove Promises dark chocolate and ate it.  As I'm reading, I'm silently conversing with God, about what the point of this quiet time is...shouldn't He be giving me some big revealation?  Shouldn't I be feeling the Holy Spirit bubbling up inside me?  Hello God....what are you trying to teach me????  I then sensed Him telliing me to put the book away, to stop trying to check something off my list, to just be still.  I reasoned...let me just finish this section...and I sensed Him saying....No, now!!  So I closed the book and waited...then I sensed Him saying pick up the chocolate wrapper.  Um...ok...so I did and I read these words. "YOUR PRESENCE IS OFTEN THE BEST PRESENT." 

and at that moment something clicked inside me.  I wrote these words in my journal.

"Maybe this weekend isn't about some big revealation or a change in my spiritual journey----maybe it's just about removing myself from distractions and being in God's presence---soaking up His goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and love.  I'm a goal setting, doing, acheiving, checking it off my list kind of girl and this weekend is really just about being still, fellowshipping with God and friends and being in His presence away from many of life's distractions."

So, that's what I took away from the retreat.  Sometimes before God can reveal things to us, guide us, give us wisdom we need to be content to just spend time with Him.  It's ok if I don't receive a powerful message or spiritual enlightenment each time I seek Him out.  He will reveal those things to me in His perfect time...until then, I just need to "be still and know that He is God." 

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reflections on fasting

Brian and I both fasted M-W of this week.  Eating only fruit, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.  Let me just way...it was not easy!!!  Did I get a great revealation?  No, but I did realize how much craving something guides my decisions in life.  It could be craving food, acceptance, perfection, purpose, popularity.  I realized that true satisfaction comes from relying on God to be enough for us. In the long term nothing else will quench our soul...we will always be on the elusive chase of other things until we realize that God supplies all of our needs....and wants and needs aren't the same thing.  

I do sense that He is preparing me for something, but I'm ok with not knowing what it is.  I may have months of years of preparation ahead of me for a big picture I can't see yet.  But now, after the retreat and fasting,  I'm ok with that.  I know it will have something to do with my gifts and talents, so I will continue cultivating those things. 

This is from the Jesus Calling devotional that is truly the best daily devotional I've ever read.  It's written from the perspective of Jesus talking to the reader. I gain something from it every day!!!  I felt that this sums up everything I've learned this past week. This is from January 25th

"Through the intimacy of our relationship, you are being transformed from the inside out.  As you keep your focus on Me, I form you into the one I desire you to be.  Your part is to yield to My creative work in you, neither resisting it or trying to speed it up.  Enjoy the tempo of a God-breathed life by letting Me set the pace.  Hold My hand in a childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by step." 

Be Blessed---Angela

Scripture Memorization

One of my goals for 2012 is to memorize at least one Scripture each month...most months I'll attempt at least two, but I know I can be successful with one :)  One thing that I plan on doing each month is to create a 4x6 printable of my Scripture to frame.  This will likely stay in my kitchen and be a reminder to continually say these words over and over until they are etched in my heart.  

Praying for wisdom has been very high on my list lately.  Brian and I are both praying about some decisions we will be making over the next few months and this verse reminds me that when I pray for wisdom I need to be putting my faith in God, not other things, to provide direction. 

right click on the image and save to your computer.  I just printed it on 4x6 cardstock

Can you Imagine???? A New Perspective on Mary

I wonder....does every new mother, who is a Christian, have a completely new perspective on Mary, the Mother of Jesus?? 

This year more than any other year I have thought of Jesus's mother, Mary. I hold such tender thoughts of her now.  I was raised in a Catholic faith where Mary is very revered, something I never quite "got" until this year.  I certainly don't believe in worshipping her, worship is set aside for God the Father, but I certainly believe she deserves great reverence.  Reverence means "regard or treat with deep respect"...yep, she absolutely earned that.

Can you imagine??? You're engaged, you're very young, you're an ordinary Jewish girl, you have little means, and an Angel comes to you and says you will bear, birth, and raise the Son of God???  Can you imagine???  The pressure, the insecurity, the fear, the calling, the amazement of it all??? She didn't totally understand, but she submitted to God's will, was obedient, and believed!

As a new Mother I feel pressure to do things right...to not expose him to harmful influences, to read to him daily, to teach him to be sweet, patient, independent, to cope, to problem solve, to be an example of God's love, to teach Him about Jesus's love and sacrifice, to teach Him about God's creation, about good and evil, and on...and on....and on..........

I also know, without a shadow of a doubt that God specifically selected Karsten for us...and us for him.  God knows his future, the good plans He has for him, his gifts and talents, the great purpose He has for his life....and He chose us to be a part of that.  I know that there will be times when I just don't feel equipped to raise him, I won't know how to lead him, I will be at a loss for words or ideas, I will feel insecure in my role as his mother, and I will continually have to give my dreams and desires for him back to God....the one who entrusted him to us.

All of that saying...Karsten is so special (as every child is), but no child was, is, or every will be as special, as set apart, as Holy, Mary's firstborn.  She knew who HE was.  HE was her Savior and  Son all wrapped into ONE.  Can you imagine???  I know that God annointed her and gave her unfounded grace, peace, and mercy...but she was still human with fears, doubts, insecurities, cares, burdens, and love overflowing for her son. 

I will never forget seeing Karsten for the first time.  I saw God's fingerprints all over him...I'd imagine Mary saw the same thing that night so long ago.  Remember Jesus is fully human and fully God.  He cried, and got cold, and drank milk from His mother, and fell asleep in His Mother's arms that night.  Can you imagine???  What were her thoughts late that night as she looked into her son's face, as she unwrapped him to look at his ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, as she heard the angels singing???  She wasn't in a home, she wasn't in a comfortable place at all, she was in a stable surrounded by animals and dirt and manure.  Can you imagine???  You have to give birth to the Son of God, the Most High in a place like that.  And yet, when you look at your child and realize the gift you've been given everything else melts away. 

Can you imagine???

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas songs about Mary.  They sang this one on Sunday and although I knew it (because I love Barlow Girl) I really heard it for the first time and it brought me to tears. 

 

and another favorite Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant

 

What lessons can we all learn from Mary?? 

1. Entrust our children and our plans and dreams for our children to God.

2. Be available, submit, and be obedient to His will for our lives.

3. Understand that God's plans rarely line up with what the world expects us to do. We may be ridiculed, mocked, lose relationships, but being at the center of God's plan for us is the safest place to be.

 

 

life lately

Warning:  This is a very text heavy blog post...just had a lot to share, to document, to remember :) but first a little hello from K-Bug (who was in my lap as I edited this photo and when he saw it began oooing and ahhing and kicking)

 

Hello Blog Readers---I'd just like to point out that I'm typing this before 7 am.  Thanks to a great night's sleep I woke up refreshed and ready for my day at 6 am.  This is a great feeling.  After about 5 days of Karsten and I fighting a cold (and all the annoying side effects of that), and then just feeling a dense fog over me yesterday, I am thrilled to be up and at 'em this morning.  I even got to give Brian a little kiss before he left (I'm usually still buried under the warm covers at this early hour.)  However, one of my goals, ambitions, desires once we get settled into the new house is to be up between 5:45 and 6 every day.  Karsten gets up sometime in the 7:00 hour and if I want anytime to do Bible Study, take a shower, and get a cup of coffee in me before that little face is peeking over the rail of his bed I need to make it a priority to get up and get going. 

Speaking of the new house...WE CLOSE TOMORROW!  God willing!!!  The loan people are being a little weird because when we applied for the loan we had all of the adoption money in savings, in addition to the down payment, and extra savings. We have since paid for the adoption (although that hasn't been finalized yet)   Granted, we let them know that those funds were already accounted for, but they didn't listen (imagine that!)  Brian has also been moving money around in the past months due to the economy and they're just questioning a lot.  I pray it goes through....I'm more than ready to have a place to make my home.  For the past (almost 6 months) since the day we picked Karsten up from the hospital our living situation has been in a state of packing and moving...packing and fleeing.  We're both ready to settle in to a home, get our kitties back, and begin enjoying time as a family.  I did not imagine the first 6 months of Karsten's life living out of suitcases and him still being in a pack and play.  Thank God he's so content(and groovy) in every situation. 

Yep, he's still a very easy, content, happy baby.  Yesterday was the first Women's Bible study of this semester.  I kept Karsten with me because he still had a runny nose and I didn't want him to infect any other babies.  The videos for this series are much longer than normal and he sat with me (and a few of my friends) for nearly 2 hours without making a sound.  He just watched, played with his toy, flirted with the ladies around me, and took a short nap in my arms.  He was perfect and this momma was proud.  I love that I still get that new mommy feeling.  Yesterday was the first Bible Study I have taken him to and I was just praising God.  I've sat in so many studies, for so many years, watching young moms bringing their kids in...knowing that someday that would be me.  Wondering how it would feel?  Yesterday was that day and it felt great, although I was in a fog as I stated previously. 

The Bible study that we're doing this Fall is more of a lecture series by Beth Moore on the book of Revelation.  I will be honest in saying I wasn't excited about it.  Revelation is one of the books of the Bible (Leviticus is the other) that I just avoid.  I might read a verse here and there, but I've always considered it to be a "scary" book of prophecy.  Something that I would never understand, and frankly I was fine with that.  So, when Susan (the director of Women's Ministry) chose that study I was kind of bummed, but figured if I was ever going to dive into Revelation I wanted Beth Moore teaching me, sharing her insights with me.  Plus, I really like my small group of ladies that I meet with and I wanted to see them each week! 

Part of the weekly homework (of which there are only 2-3 pages each week) is to reflect and write down how God is revealing himself to you on a daily basis.  It could be in the little things or the big things.  He is in everything afterall.  It could be the gorgeous sunset you saw as you drove home from a long day at work, or the way a situation was worked out seamlessly, or an insight you had while studying Scripture.  There is no right or wrong...simply what are the personal revelations you are experiencing every week.  I LOVE THIS...to me is matches up with embracing the everyday, noticing the little things.  It's a twist on keeping a blessings journal and I really think that this will become a part of my nightly routine.  To write down how God revealed Himself to me that day.  The exercise makes you more aware, tells you to stop and reflect on His work in your life.  I challenge you, no matter where you are, what you're dealing with right now to do this with me over the next 10 weeks of this study.  Grab a notebook, a piece of paper, create a document on your computer and take a few minutes each evening to jot down what you experienced that day that had to be from God...what's His personal note to you TODAY! 

 

Wilderness (Daily Word)

As a part of my One in a Million Bible study I've been reading a lot about the Israelites time in the wilderness.  This study inspired this devotional.  Enjoy and be encouraged!

Wilderness- a wild and uncultivated region, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland.

“And as Aaron spoke to the whole community of Israel, they looked out toward the wilderness.  There they could see the awesome Glory of the Lord in the cloud.”      Exodus 16:10

 

Moses had convinced Pharoah to free the Israelites from generations of slavery and bondage.  They must have been ecstatic to be headed to the Promised Land (Canaan)—a life of freedom, full of milk and honey.  I can imagine that as they walked out of Egypt they discussed and planned for a new life filled with all good things.  But, God had other plans—plans to take them on a long, arduous detour of a lifetime.  The Promised Land was not in their immediate future, they needed to stop planning their lives in the land of milk and honey, because more than blessing them with an easy life, He wanted them to experience Him, to know Him, to be obedient to Him…all in the Wilderness.  For years they had become accustomed to depending on their captors in Egypt for everything.  Their lives in bondage were grueling, but their needs were met.  In a sense, Egypt was a comfort zone because it was all they knew.  Now, they needed to learn to depend on God for their needs.   

 

God’s route was anything but the short route.  He knew what the Israelites needed—they needed to learn to rely on Him, to develop a deep intimate relationship with their Creator.  So, wilderness awaited them. 

 

The thing about a wilderness is that it differs from a desert because along the way, when you almost give up, He provides refreshment and rejuvenation.  As they traveled through the wilderness God provided many miracles, all that provided what they needed when they needed it.  Parting the Red Sea, providing manna, and guiding them to springs were a part of their journey—tangible ways that confirmed He was their great Provider.  Wilderness seasons are a part of His plan for our lives; they develop humility, dependence, and they reveal our true motives.  Do we want God or do we just desire His blessings and promises?  Have we been too dependent on Egypt (things of this world) to satisfy our deepest needs and wants? 

 

In Priscilla Shirer’s One In a Million Bible Study she writes, “The wilderness is designed to reveal whether we really want God or if we just want to “get out of town” and to Canaan as soon as possible.  He is interested in knowing if we’re submitted to the wilderness only to receive the rewards that come with Canaan or if we truly desire him more than anything…even the rewards.” 

Are you traveling through the wilderness right now wondering when God will reveal Himself to you?  Could it be that you’re so focused on your Canaan, your Promised Land, that you’re not really turned toward Him?  What is your Canaan? To get that perfect job, to finally find the right spouse, to finally have a healthy pregnancy, or maybe just to become pregnant?

 

Pray that through the Holy Spirit that you would be able to see “the awesome Glory of the Lord in the clouds.” The wilderness is a part of His plan for your life.  He wants to reveal Himself to you in ways that you never could have expected.  He is with you, step by step, as you walk towards the Promised Land He has for you.  As you traverse the long, desolate road of the wilderness know that He is with you ever step of the way, He will be your pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, guiding you, protecting you, and providing for your every need.  Jesus knows that the wilderness is not easy, that it’s lonely, that there are temptations to turn back and head to our comfort zones, the “Egypts” in our lives.  Press on dear friend.  Look for the miracles on the journey and know your Promised Land does await you.