It's Bigger Than You

Rick Warren's famous, life-changing book "The Purpose Driven Life"  starts with these words.  "It's not about you.  The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.  It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions."   It later goes on to read "You were born by his purpose and for his purpose."  That is a sobering thought.  You were put here for something greater than you.

That statement could be the catalyst for a gazillion blog posts and sermons.  But I want to focus on our definition of greatness.  I think that many people - myself included - think of worldly applause and accolades as a measure of greatness.  But if we focus on pleasing the Father, then what the world says doesn't matter.  Follow me for a moment:  Imagine yourself the church soloist.  You can sang!  Every Sunday you are sanging for the Lord.  People are ministered too, blessed, and comforted by God's work through you.  But Monday - Friday you are an accountant.  You dream of singing on a big stage with a Beyonce'-esque set up but that hasn't happened for you.  And you are disappointed and feel small.  You think "when am I going to do something important?"  Now fast-forward 40 years.  You are still singing in the choir.  You are still an accountant.  But as you are walking out of church one Sunday, Senator Johnson comes up to you and says "Aren't you Ms. Jacobs?  You don't know me but when I was in college I was in a really dark place.  I decided to visit this church and heard you sing.  When you sang I could feel the Lord moving on my behalf.  It's because of God working through you that I didn't give up, got saved, and went on to help others.  Thank you."

That may not be important to the world, but that is important to the kingdom of God.  If we focused first and solely on serving God (and others through your ministry) the need for worldly applause will diminish.

Fire!

Remember when you first got saved and you were on fire for GOD.   But then life, work, and everything else gets in the way.  Now, remember God didn't move.  You did.  You moved away from God.  Now,  it's time to go home!

Speak, Lord, Speak to Me

Being in the presence of the Lord is a wonderful thing.  I need to wrap myself up in Him and remember that He never stops speaking to me.  He never stops seeing me.  He never stops loving me.  HE is always with me.

Every person in America should know this clip.  Reconciliation.  Deliverance.  Healing.  God will pull you back.. even from the juke joint.

Liberate Yourself!

Why do we worry about what everyone else will say instead of just trusting what God has already said to us?  We have messed up priorities.  Focus on the Father.  What He says goes. 

The Lie of "I Got This"

I ran across this picture on pinterest.

This could easily be a page from my own diary.  I am an alpha-girl.  I take charge.  I make things happen.  But my alpha-ness is getting in the way of the Alpha & Omega.  I don't take it all to God in prayer.  Quite often, I try to fix the problem and if that doesn't work, then I take it to God.  I need to leave it at the altar first.  Let Him speak to the situation, then act.  Only then will my priorities be in order. 

More Than Enough

"Father, help me to remember that You made me and You don't make mistakes.  I am more than enough.  I am Your child so that makes me great.  You are so awesome and all I need to do is to trust YOU.  You will not lead me astray.  I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, amen."

Daughter of God

Help Me Run The Race

Father, Matthew 24:13 says "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."  Please give me strength not only to endure but to thrive.  Help me to get a second wind & fresh feet to run Your race.  I am tired so give me a spiritual shot of endurance, of strength, of energy to make it.  I love You and thank You.  In Jesus' name, amen.

It's Monday

It's Monday.  You can grumble.  You can gripe.  You could complain about just how tired you are.  Or you could pray and be thankful for this wonderful gift of another day.  Today I am going to choose the latter.  It is MONDAY!  Another day to pursue the vision.  Another day to chase God.  Another day to draw closer to Him.  Another day to say "Thank You."  Amen.

God Loves Me

God loves Him some Neysa.  That must be it because He keeps placing opportunity, blessings, and grace at my doorstep.  Not that I am deserving but it is like He keeps saying "You messed up.  It's ok.  You are going to get this right one day and every time you  fail, you get one step closer.  I've given you tons of gifts and vision and drive.  I've put people and opportunity at your door.  You have to be a good steward of those gifts and represent ME well.  I've called you to be an ambassador not because you never make mistakes but because you did - multiple times - and you keep coming back to Me.  I love you.  I am here with you.  We will do this journey together."  And that is more than I could ever ask for.

Walking By Faith

Last night my facebook friends were either transfixed by colorism or by the Grand Canyon.   Both topics were getting lots of comments and conversation.  This post will focus on the Grand Canyon.

If you aren't aware, Nik Wallenda walked across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope without a safety net.    And he did it live on the Discovery Channel.  So, by know you are scratching your heads and wondering why I even care... Here's why: As Nik walked across the GC he gave honor to God.  He walked and praised and walked and praised.  Now, some of my friends say that he is an idiot to put himself in harms way and then call on God to assist him.  But I disagree...

Who is to say what God told Nik to do?  God has given some seemingly crazy assignments to people in the past.  Don't believe me, just open your Bible.  But beyond that history lesson, what about the fact that this man went on his job and gave glory to God.  He wasn't embarrassed.  He was talking to Jesus.  How many of us would do that?  Not only that but he was praising and witnessing to folks on live tv.  Some folks watching may have never stepped foot in a church but may have been moved by his praise.

And are you ready for a real kick in the butt?  How many predicaments did you get yourself into and then turn to God to get you out of? I know I am raising my hand.  Are you really going to make me call roll?  From "God, I know I shouldn't have slept with him, but please let this period be on time" to "Jesus, I know that she was ratchet, but please do not let her be pregnant" to "I know I have had too much to drink and there is a cop behind me but Jesus I swear if you keep me out of jail I will never do that again."  Are you raising your hand now?  We ALL get into predicaments and then ask for help.  Even if Nik hopped up on that tightrope without any divine nudging, who are we to judge him?  Don't we do the same daily?

I don't know Nik, but I do know that I was moved while watching him walk.  Imagine if all of our "faith walks" were as strong...

#MyriadPrayer - Sarafina "The Lord's Prayer"

#MyriadPrayer - Health and Healing

Isaiah 53:5

 "But he was pierced for our transgressions,

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

    and by his wounds we are healed."

"Father, thank You for health and healing.  Father, I so often take health for granted.  I so often forget to honor You by honoring my temple.  Jesus, I am grateful for the use of my body.  I know there are many people who do not have the use of their limbs or are filled with constant pain.  Thank you Father for protecting me and my family from serious illness.  Father, I love You and thank You.  Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Don't Get Sidetracked

On Sunday my pastor preached from Galations 5: 1-7.  (You can watch it here.) The last line smacked the mess out of me.  "⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?"  Well, dang.  I was running a good raced but what (or who) stopped me from obeying the truth?  Did that smack you too? 

So when I got home I had to expand the chapter.  What did the Word say after verse 7?  Well, it said a lot.  Here is a snippet:

⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

That person or thing that is stopping you from obeying what God has called you to do is like a little yeast.  You have to move biblical metaphors.  A little yeast changes a whole batch of bread dough, right?  Just a little time with the person that is distracting you from purpose can change your whole life.  Makes you re-evaluate your habits and folks in your life, huh?

"Father, please help me to clear out all the distractions that are keeping me from drawing closer to You.  God, please remove the people and things that are in the way of me being exactly where You want me to be.  God, remove those distractions no matter how much I want to hold onto them.  Take them away - far away- so that I may not be tempted or distracted by them again.  Father, I trust that You know best.  I love You and thank You!  Amen.  Amen."

#MyriadPrayer - Proverbs 29:25

About a year ago, I attended a small workshop at church and the ministry leader said that whenever you need guidance turn to Proverbs and the date.  So today is 6/29/12 and I am reading Provers 29.  The part that jumped out at me was Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." 

I've battled fear for a long time.  Fear of what?  Fear of success, fear of failure, fear of not being good enough.  I know what I am good at doing.  I know that everyday I am learning that God is stretching me to learn more and do more.  And I wonder what would have happened if I trusted that feeling, that inner voice that said I was "bigger than my current situation" a long time ago.  Fear makes you complacent.  Fear makes you think that just enough is ok.  Fear crushes dreams.  And let's be honest, half the time it is fear of what others will say.  But who cares what they will say?  The proverbial "they" are already talking about you, right?  And why are we more worried about what "they" will say instead of focusing on what He will say?  I want to hear "well done." 

"Father, help me to lean on You and focus on pleasing You.  This fire that You have placed inside of me to stretch, grow, learn, be needs to be nurtured and fed.  Today, I refuse to feed fear.  Today I will press on toward whatever dream, vision, plan that You have shown me.  I will trust You even when I don't see the entire picture.  Father, thank You for trusting me with a piece of the kingdom.  I love You and thank you.  Amen.  Amen."

#Myriad Prayer Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I love this scripture.  Why?  Because it says that while you may not always see it, God sees it.  He knows what is around the corner.  He knows when the breakthrough is coming.  He knows when the storm will be over.  He knows.  We have to trust Him.  That trust will keep you walking even when you don't see the next step. 

The prayer for today is "Yes, I will go.  Amen."