Power-Less…
Most of us will never find ourselves behind actual jail cell bars, but often invisible bars keep us locked up tight. Some of those bars are bad habits, some are past hurts, some are poor decisions, still more come from the illusion that we can control what seems to be out of control.
The state of our heart longs for freedom, yet it seems just out of reach. We feel powerless.
And the truth is: we are. But with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us and Jesus interceding for us and a Father who is the sustainer of all life defending us – why do we need power?
The root of all of life’s messes is self. Self wants to do what self wants to do – surely in that there is freedom and power. And then the mess occurs. Locked in the prison self creates we cry out for freedom. Perhaps power-less is safer after all. Perhaps exercising freedom really comes in the form of knowing we can do what we want, but choosing to do what a loving God wants instead.
Maybe we can replace power with purpose, perseverance, prayer. Therein power and freedom collide. Even these are not our own making but liberally supplied by our Soul Lover: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13 NIV) “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2Thessalonians 3:5 NIV) “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 hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
This is my struggle this week. To surrender that which I can’t control anyways. To let the peace of God guard my heart and my mind. To persevere when I really just want to crawl under the covers.
“True freedom is not the power to do what we want, but the power to choose not to.” Pastor Matt Price Father, may our choices this week set us free because we choose Your power, Your freedom – we choose You.
Measure Up…
Simpler times are those years filled with lining children up to see how much they’ve grown. Each half inch (or more) duly noted with a date. Some years seemed like they were beanstalks, some were slower.
Then comes the more complicated years called being adults. Always wondering: “do I measure up”?
The world keeps changing the bar, the standard, the enough. I’m reminded of this when others don’t think you or I measure up: “…I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them.” That joy doesn’t depend on a constantly changing enough – that full measure isn’t something to wish for, work for, wait for. It is ours now – in full, for always, and all the work is done.
Still, we are called to be ever watchful – not so we meet an unattainable bar, but so we don’t get tripped up. A dear friend shared such truth recently. She has lived in the same neighborhood thirty plus years and walks most of those days. She knows every crack in the sidewalk. Recently her shoe caught in a crack she had passed hundreds of times. Before she knew it her head hit the pavement. Trying to stand, she realized blood was trickling down her face.
A friend she was meeting saw her go down. There in an instant she helped her back home. Oh how it so easily happens to us. In our striving to measure up to someone or something we pass by our days so familiar and then the unexpected drops us down. Bloodied, we wonder why, how?
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1Peter 5:8 NIV) Not only that, this competitive world does too. More so, it’s just fallen humanity. We will be bloodied at times. But just before this verse is a dear one we can count on. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1Peter 5:6-7 NIV) Right there, to lift us when we fall.
Perhaps we need to turn the measuring into mercy. Knowing that we will all stumble and fall, none are perfect. Fortunately for you and for me – there is a Savior whose perfection is ours and who stands in for us so we always measure up. So much so that the perfection of eternity is ours.
Do you know this Savior, this Jesus? If you do, you have more riches than all the world’s combined. If you don’t, He’s near at hand, extending His hand, reach for it and when you stumble, He will lift you up. That’s a promise.
If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME! So glad you are here!
Change Up…
I don’t like change – maybe that’s universal. There are the lucky few who thrive on ever changing ways, but for the most part, I think we like reliable ordinary.
Small changes are the most annoying: just when you find a great lunch place they go out of business or the perfect lipstick they discontinue that color. The big changes, those sometimes leave us trying to breathe right, not enough o-x-y-g-e-n.
Then it’s right there in Matthew: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3 NIV) That change wasn’t so painful – in fact, He does all the work for us. “And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2Corinthians 3:18 NLT)
Wait, first little children then His glorious image. What’s the connection? Little ones easily trust, want to please, find awe in a snowflake or a smile in a caterpillar. His glorious image in us is a reflection of us trusting Him, living His way, and finding this is what gives us awe and smiles in the midst of all the trials and pitfalls.
Reading Ann Voskamp’s latest book The Broken Way she said “There’s absolutely no tidy pattern as to who gets pain and who gets peace.” My mother often said “Into each life a little rain must fall.” No getting away from it. But the living it – changes us. Each step towards the other side, brings about a better reflection in us of Who we belong to.
I came across this verse recently and thought wait, what? “When I awake, I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:18b NIV) It seemed so out of context. The verses preceding spoke of how God’s thoughts for us outnumber the grains of sand. That alone is mind boggling, but it ended with: when I am awake, I am still with You. I didn’t get it. Until I woke up the next morning and the first thing on my mind was a song playing over and over called “I Am Yours”…
“So I rest in your promises, I am sure of this, I am Yours”.Yes, when we awake, all through the night, through those crushing times, and in the midst of great joy – we are still with Him. Continue your change in us, Father, for with You change is good.
Not My Perfect…
Maybe we all need to just get it out. Just shout it. I MESSED UP!
I didn’t parent my kids perfect, I lost my temper, I waited too long, I forgot…fill in your ‘I messed up’ here _________.
We live in a world with little patience for mistakes – and ever changing expectations. And we chase after whatever the latest ‘fit in’, ‘get on board’, ‘success’ is. Only to find we missed it – sometimes a near miss, sometimes by a mile. When we come to that point of weary, there is choice.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV) — or we can continue to chase the one we presently dwell in.
When we chase after God, we find He’s already caught us. Seeking His ways relieves our burden of perfection.
Too much expectation is put on people, self, or how we think things should be. Instead our expectation should be all about what God has done and how to honor it. Then all self-perfection falls away, because it’s not my perfect – or your perfect, but His.
The freedom in knowing only God is perfect is truest freedom. “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25 NIV)
Blessed in what we do. I want to be blessed in what I do – and God doesn’t add any conditions. If we are earnestly seeking Him, then even in our mess-ups, His perfect covers all and we are blessed. Living in God’s perfect frees us from living for the world’s or our own perceptions.
Here’s the thing: hard times are ahead, we will mess up again (and again), but “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Corinthians 15:57 NIV) A sweet song has a refrain that repeats over and over again “Your praise will ever be on my lips, your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips.” So when our old friend doubt creeps in, when all too familiar condemnation pounds on our door, repeat with me: Your praise will ever be on my lips!
Soul Stamped…
Like many people around the world I get caught up in looking forward to what a New Year will bring, hopeful it will only be good and no stress.
There’s a word peculiar to those who call themselves followers of Christ – testimony. Did I share the wisdom of a fourteen year old with you before? During a hard time for her she said “You can’t have the testimony without the test.” So profound and so simple, it almost took my breath away.
It is through life’s ups and downs our faith grows and the world sees life-giving hope. We know trials shape us, and yet we so want to avoid those times.
“…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold…may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1Peter 1:6b-7 NIV)
Result in praise, glory, and honor. Sometimes, I’m sure you’ll confess with me, praise isn’t my first go to in a time of hurting. But here’s the thing:
- Testimony isn’t about what we do – but what He does through us.
- It’s not about where we go – but where He leads us.
- And it’s not about our comfort in those places – but His presence while we’re there.
A world caught up in New Year expectations forgets what you and I know: life does have trials, but we have hope. And hope has to be in Someone sure. It cannot be in self, luck, or fortune. Praise God it is not our perfection that gets us through each day, each year – it is God’s perfection. Stormie Omartian said “Free us from the self-focus and self-consciousness that can imprison our soul. Help us to see who You really are so we’ll know who we really are. May our true self-image be the image of Christ stamped upon our soul.”
When the image of Christ is stamped upon our soul then the tests of the testimony aren’t about our trials and woes, but about revealing the triumphs and wonders of God at work.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of HIm.” (2Corinthians 2:14 NIV)
Fear-less New Year…
Fear is a companion, but not a welcome one. Fear, worry, doubt, dread – words that don’t cheer us but at times are apt descriptions of where we’re living.
Ever noticed fear is often accompanied by comparison? Her kids don’t have the issues my kids have. They don’t have to worry because they have plenty of money, or family, or good looks, or parents who are still alive, or – on and on it goes. But fear is a jail, a trap, handcuffs on our ‘love life’.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1Peter 4:8 NIV)
When we let Jesus’ love wash over us, the traps open free. When we love others more than judge them, the cell doors no longer lock us in.
‘Above all – love – deeply – cover over those missed marks we aimed for and failed at’ – my paraphrase. We can only love deeply because our Jesus so deeply loves us. It’s hard to turn a page in the New Testament without reading of His love.
Want to be a living book like that? As our pages turn, may others be able to look back and see love. Then we can run free in the mercy shown us and delight in the grace given us. Running free enables us to run over with much more grace to others than our tight little cages of ‘what ifs’ and ‘should haves’ ever could.
Today let’s die to self who frets and wake up to love in a way that makes a difference. A difference in me – and you – and a difference in the lives of those whose path we cross.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by He own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV) Everything we need, it’s ours – for life and for godliness. We are called – and it isn’t a calling to fall daily into the bondage of comparison or worry. Rather a call to fall into the arms of a Savior who reminds us that, with His Father, NOTHING is impossible.
All this, it’s a life-long process. But since we know eternity awaits, with no sorrow – we can begin to live (one day at a time) loving. Just maybe the multitude of our sin – and that we perceive of others – won’t be our focus. Then our companion is no longer fear, but our Savior.
Sweet reader, if fear or worry is a struggle you have, check out this book from Kelly Balarie “Fear Fighting – awakening courage to overcome your fears” www.fearfightingbook.com and check out Kelly’s blog www.purposefulfaith.com where she encourages us to not ‘face our fears’ – but to look to face of Jesus who can overcome them.
What Has He Done?
Only five days until most of the world pauses for a day to remember, to rejoice, to celebrate.
The detail and intricacy spanning a few thousand years, written in the book we call the Bible, is amazing. Lives lived in ages past that mirror ours today. Promises of old that still calm fear. Do we remember what it says in Genesis, in Psalms, in Isaiah, in Micah and others written hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth?
“…The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 NIV) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me One who will be ruler over Israel, whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2 NIV)
At Jesus’ birth angels sang a message of great joy, delight. Isn’t that what we all clamber after daily? Songs and movies, books and commercials tell us this car or that investment will make us happy. Yet we get the good job or the dream vacation and still we long for something more. Great joy and delight are satisfied in peace and surety – and there’s only One who gives those. Forevermore no more suffering – a cause to sing, to rejoice again and again.
“For to us a child is given…He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV) “…Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22 NIV)
Good news usually makes me smile, do a happy dance, call someone. A virgin giving birth to One who came to die so that we could live forever in joy, that does call for celebration. A tree, twinkly lights are good starts. Putting a couple of dollars in the red bucket, that’s good too. But now is our time – no more waiting. No speaking the good news with only those we’re not embarrassed to share it with or who won’t judge us. This good news must go out – amazing love, amazing grace, given for us – a celebration for every heart.
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” (Romans 5:5 NIV) “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3 NIV)
Merry, Merry Christmas, may the Good News of a glorious forever with the Lover of our souls ring loud and clear to longing hearts waiting to hear…SEE WHAT HE HAS DONE!!!
12 Ways…
(Look for The 12 Ways of Christmas releasing next November)
Twelve days until our remembrance of THE birth – the one that changed everything.
This soul needs to be more wrapped up in His gift to us than in the paper and bows. Join me on a quest? Let’s bring some soul refreshing into the midst of parties, presents, and peppermint goodies.
It’s really so simple, all laid out in the Christmas story:
Signs – The virgin will be with child – seven hundred years before His birth the signs were told of and still today creation speaks of Jesus wondering how we miss Him. The skies proclaim the work of His hands, notice and be awed.
Say Yes – Young Mary, told by an angel she was going to have a child, instead of fretting, said ‘yes’. When told of the thing we think we can’t do, will we say yes knowing nothing is impossible with God?
Census – The Christmas story begins with the government counting citizens. Thank You, Father, that we are counted in the number who have Your eternity.
Hard Things – Joseph takes Mary, pregnant with a child not his, and travels the hard road to Bethlehem. Trust God to help us take next steps in this life journey, eyes on the path He lights.
Glory Shine – Shepherds were doing their job when they were illuminated by the glory of God. As we do the dirty dishes, make the commute to work, or lend a helping hand – it is in the everyday His glory shines.
Good News – An Angel spoke the good news: your Savior is here, your joy is born. Today is the day to share that news, may divine opportunities not be ignored.
Praise – The skies broke open with a crowd of angels singing, praising – giving glory to God. Get lost in the awe of singing to Him – give yourself to the Gift.
Get Going – Dazed shepherds wasted no time, they hurried off to see this Savior. To see Him we have to find Him – in prayer, in His word.
Allow – Joseph and Mary could have kept the shepherds and townspeople away – but all who came, saw Him in that manger. How about we do the baking and wrapping in a way that says ‘come, see’ – instead of our busyness saying ‘not welcome’.
Don’t Stay – The shepherds didn’t hang around, they told all the town and countryside what they had heard and seen. Let’s do this – in line at the grocery store, at the unbelieving relative’s. Don’t we want everyone knowing?
Ponder – Mary treasured up all these events and heart pondered them for a lifetime. Treasure Him, ponder Him with each breath.
Return – The shepherds went back to the fields, but they were never the same. As I go back to the routine in January may it truly be a new year, never the same because of Him.
Read this Good News Story in Luke 1 & 2 and sing along with this wonderful reminder: https://youtu.be/jGg7KdN19rs
(Copyright Paris Renae 2016)
No Unbelief…
In Gatlinburg, TN there are burned down dreams and memories in ash piles. A family grieves the loss of a son, not knowing whose anger caused the shots. Another grieves the loss of a father trying to do his job to serve and protect. In faraway places bullets ring out and bombs drop.
Long ago there was a man barely noticed by society. Pity of some helped carry him to the city gates each day so he could beg and maybe have enough to eat. But most wouldn’t look.
As two men walked by he called feebly ‘spare a dime sirs?’ Little did he know these two, though ordinary like you and me and him, had one thing he didn’t – and it wasn’t money. Peter and John looked straight at him (no one ever did that). Peter said “Look at us!” then he said ” Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6 NIV)
A hurting world is in need of our look. May I be compassionate enough to just smile at the person with the cardboard sign even if I don’t roll down the window. Let me wave to neighbors. Time to at least shine a flicker of the light He’s put in me – in you.
“Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:7-8 NIV)
So when a little extra overtime comes or a headache goes away, a broken relationship is mended or a storm parts to blue skies – do I jump up, do I go to worship, do I shout my praises?
What if we did?
An old man and his old wife had never had children. Yet they had been promised once that they would. When all hope seemed gone Sarah tells her Abraham ‘Guess what?’ and smiles like she’s twenty again. It is written of him “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:20-21 NIV)
Me – you – we face our mountains. Sometimes we’re at the top with all the echoes of joy and sometimes we’re at the base with any hope of the other side seeming impossible. No unbelief – not that there isn’t any unbelief – but that even with our unbelief we have this Jesus in us, His Holy Spirit right in the here and now. We will not waver concerning the promise of God, we will grow strong in our faith, and we will do it by giving God the glory.
That’s how it works. In all of this it is the giving of glory that makes the difference. It wasn’t overnight for the beggar or the barren couple, and it’s not overnight for us. We will grow – and the growing is the journey, the adventure, the heartache that leads to the promise: forever with no more fires, no more shootings, no more brokenness. No unbelief will get in the way…
153 Details
Sometimes I forget details – like what my friend’s favorite color is or the name of someone I just met. When someone forgets my birthday, yep it bothers me.
Regardless if anyone remembers our details, God knows them all “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30 NIV) That’s quite amazing – He knows the exact color of my eyes, my shoe size, even remembers my first laugh.
All these seem trivial in the big picture of life, and yet, He is in every detail of our big picture. He’s walking through it with us and He’s on the other side at the end of tunnel.
I need a God like that. A God who is so familiar with me He knows what I’m going to say before I do and so in charge of the universe He knows my hardest moment will all work for good. Anything less is not God. He’s so big picture, so tiny detail that before one dust particle was created by HIm, He already knew Jesus would have to come and take our place.
Before one bad thought, one cruel act, one jealousy – He knew His Son would pay for it. He still said (loose translation) ‘Let’s make them in our likeness to rule over creation’. Because when we messed it all up, it wasn’t too big for God and never will be.
When Jesus died and rose again His closest followers still couldn’t grasp it all. It hadn’t turned out like they thought. So before Jesus went back to the Father He showed them again how He’s in their life’s moments. They fished all night – their livelihood – and came up with empty nets. Dawn broke and suddenly there He is on the shore calling for them to throw their net in one more time on the right side of the boat.
They weren’t even sure who was calling to them, but they tried one more time. 153 large fish filled that net, without one tear in it. Why 153? I don’t know, but it was a detail not left out in the book of John. Why didn’t it rip? It should have, but His care is in all the details.
Jesus already had fish frying and bread ready by the time they got out of the boat. Why? Because He knew hungry stomachs were more than ready to eat, and because He wanted to share a meal with them once again.
I can’t even imagine their wide eyed faces, racing thought minds, and beating hearts. Here was Jesus who appeared to them twice before since He was killed and this time He was cooking for them. I can tell you not one of them forgot 153 fish. And I can tell You He never forgets a detail about us – and someday He will have a meal waiting for all of us to share together (and He knows your favorite dessert).
parisrenae 