What I'm Learning...

A lot!

From God's perfect faithfulness in Isaiah 25:1, to how He helps when the enemy attacks in Psalm 86. From how Christ did not please himself in Romans 15:3a, and how I need to submit myself to God in James 4.

So many lessons! So much relevance! So much thankfulness!

The stand out lesson has been through Daniel and how he "purposed in his heart..." (Daniel 1:8 NKJV) to honour God. I have never read a devotional that was so relevant before until I read one from UCB Australia on the 17/7/09. Life doesn't always go the way I want it to. I will face opposition and hardship. It's how I react to those things that matters. If I take control in small things and leave the big things to God, then the journey I'm on will be a smoother one.

As I said ... so many lessons! So much relevance! So much thankfulness!

From these gems above to the wisdom gleaned from Liz Curtis Higgs book, Embrace Grace and Charles R. Swindoll's A Life Well Lived. Then there are emails from my wonderful friend Lelia sharing what she has learnt! I have been blessed ... and blessed ... and blessed. I cannot just post on one thing, as there are so many things that He is showing me. It's kind of doing my head in, but tonight I've felt some clarity of mind, so hence this post!

The importance of focussing on Jesus and the life He lived. Of staying close to God and remembering His strength in my weakness. And of living as one in the world but not of the world.

Again ... so many blessings. So many lessons learnt after the fact. The best way to learn at times!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the blessings that you bestow upon me. Thank you for standing by me as I go through the trials of this life I live. Thank you for comforting me when I need it most. Thank you for reminding me that while I'm on this earth, I am not alone as you are with me. Thank you mostly for taking on board my frustrations, confusion, misunderstandings and dilemmas and returning to me only peace and understanding. In Jesus' Wonderful Name, Amen.

"Me Day" ... Um, No ... HIS DAY!

I enjoyed “Me Day” on Thursday just gone. I feel rather guilty referring to my day off as “Me Day” as it was more about Him than me, hence the title of this post. It was a chance to rest from the daily grind, renew my spirit and refresh my outlook. From the get-go, outside of a niggling day long headache, the day was wonderful!

Isaiah 32:17 spoke to me first – “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”

After a somewhat interesting month where I’ve had to deal with some turmoil, this verse spoke of the three things that I have been seeking – peace, quietness and confidence.

The second verse to speak to me was Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This verse was accompanied by this quote from Gloria Gaither –

“This day let our actions and attitudes be in sync with all creation. May be articulate praise with the moments we are given today.”

I think I got the purpose of “Me Day” at that point.

God’s love needs to be displayed through me ... first and foremost in everything I think, say and do.

Onto the shopping centre I then ventured to a cafe to enjoy a coffee and read. My sights and thoughts along the way included the following, as written in my notebook once at the cafe:

“Old men sitting outside the supermarket chatting while their wives shopped ... a mum saying “see you later” to her tantrum throwing toddler at the main door.

A visit to the new stationery shop with young girls and boys looking at all the goodies, wanting to make the right purchase. Memories of my early teenage years flood back of me doing the same thing. Walking through to the cafe and seeing two young teenage girls sitting on some steps looking pretty, not returning my smile, looking at me with trepidation, me knowing full well that “image” is taking over their lives.

My thoughts move to being thankful for where I am at in life, despite the difficult times. I have God's love to share with others and I have to start doing that from today. THE MOMENT IS NOW.

Thoughts then go straight to my girlie. Love and smiles abound. I can do this. Even though we have bad times and she frustrates me no end (and vice versa!), I can do what God needs me to do; steward this child, this gift from God, into a life filled with richness.

I am not God’s purpose. He is using ME to show Himself to others.”

My cafe reading included continuing Liz Curtis Higgs’ book titled “Embrace Grace” and the chapters on embracing faith and truth. I then moved onto reading through the first chapter titled “Doing What’s Right” from Charles Swindoll’s book, “A Life Well Lived.” I then did some study questions from Micca Campbell’s “An Untroubled Heart” to finish off her amazing book.

All food for my soul and spirit on this day that I feel God used to strengthen me. He used the day to take me back to the basics of my walk with Him and to reassure me that through Him I can be all that He needs me to be, despite the fact that on the most part I feel I do a terrible job!

There are many, many verses that I read that spoke to me, but the following two stood out the most:

“We must obey God rather than man.” – Acts 5:29

“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” – Psalm 118:6

A timely reminder about where my focus needs to be. Even when manking conspires against me, when life here on earth gets a bit tiresome and unfair, I have the assurance of God's protection and love over me.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to draw closer to you; to gain strength and reassurance from only you. May my walk here on earth among mankind be fruitful and grace-filled. May I live simply under the shelter of your wings and may Your purpose for me be fulfilled. In Jesus’ Wonderful Name, Amen.

Yes to God Tuesday: Chapter 1 - An Open Door...

It's been a long time between Yes to God Tuesday posts, so welcome to the US summer/Australian winter study on Liz Curtis Higgs' already wonderful book, "Embrace Grace". The study is hosted by Lelia at Write From The Heart. Pop on over and see her ... you are in for a treat!

Now, to this week's chapter. From turning the first page of this chapter, to the end, it was amazing. And, it’s only the start of the book! I am SO looking forward to what the remainder of Liz has to offer.

“See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” – Revelation 3:8

First chapter … first page … first verse … first new revelation.

It’s a comforting promise from our Heavenly Father that needs to be remembered. No one can shut the door to Him on us. The enemy may try through various means, but it just cannot be shut.

I love the way this book is written. Liz’s manner of communicating with her reader – of talking to her like she is sitting in the same room – is refreshing. She opens the book with, “I’ve been waiting for you.” It sounds like someone else we know – our Heavenly Father, who is waiting for us to dig deeper into His Word and do just what Liz suggests and embrace grace.

Liz points out that while she does not know some things about her readers, there are some things that she knows. How we “...need to be loved unconditionally, the desire to live a life that truly matters, the longing to shed a tightly woven mantle of guilt.”

The old wool coat analogy Liz uses is so apt. “...am I the only woman who wears past failures and present mistakes like an old wool coat, scratchy and uncomfortable, chafing the skin around my neck?” No, she is not, hence why she knew to write this book.

I’ve been able to take my old wool coat off over this last week or so. A couple of totally unexpected occurrences have cropped up that have not only shaken me but made me stronger. These instances have made me stand up for who I am and remember, not just wonder; who I am in God’s eyes and in the lives of significant people in my life.

The enemy wants me to keep putting that old wool coat on, but living here in Brisbane, even in the cooler months, it is just a little too stifling to even consider. Amen and thank the Lord for strengthening of character and a realised sense of worth.

So now, let’s get back to the book. Liz points out that “No one can sense our warmth through the thick fabric (of the old wool coat).” I scribbled after that in the book – “Not even I can.” To me that is pretty heavy stuff and a timely realisation considering the events of late. I have been struggling for a long while now to see myself how God and other people see me; now I can. My warmth is starting to rub off on me. Maybe I’m finally starting to like myself?

Liz writes that “Maybe it’s time to release that burden and lift our arms toward the One who loves us most.” Yes, it is time. Oh, how it’s time! “Take hold of the life that is truly life”, it says in 1 Timothy 6:19. Take hold of “The forgiven life...the grace-filled life.”

The chapter moves through with quotes from other women who feel exactly the same about themselves as I do about me. Liz reminds us that “The battle is genuine, yet the grace of God prevails.”

Liz also reminds us to not look for comfort in humans. “Be assured, no one —man, woman, or child —says “I love you” with more certainty than the Lord ... When your friends and loved ones fail you, God remains by your side, steadfast and true.” My experiences over the last two weeks are proof of that. God was with me through my trials; embracing me, holding me upright, comforting me and reassuring me. Yes, others were able to provide some relief and comfort, but it was God, in my alone and fearful times, who really pulled me through.

One of the questions Liz asked at the end of the chapter was, “What words do you wish God would whisper in your ear?” My answer was that I’m going to be OK, that I don’t have to feel alone and rejected, and that my heart will be made whole again. He has spoken these words to me as I am OK, I don’t feel alone or rejected and my heart feels whole once again.

Liz then asked “Are all things possible with God? How can you be sure of your answer?” Yes, they are possible. I’ve seen Him provide and heal. I’ve seen Jesus standing in front of me, I’ve felt Him reach out and touch me and I’ve heard His voice say that it’s OK. I’ve had prayers answered instantly and I’ve had immediate healing. All things ARE possible with God, including the promise of me being able to embrace grace and walk on in my forgiven life.