Life More Abundantly

I love how God can use the valleys to elevate you.  But we can't be defined by the valleys.  The valleys were used to groom you, to teach you a few things.  But you are not meant to stay in the valley.  Nor are you meant to keep on the weight of the valley.  When you get out of the valley, you must leave somethings behind.  Leave misery.  Leave doubt.  Leave guilt.  Leave shame.  Leave it all there.  God didn't come for you to continue to carry those things that He has delivered you from.  This dead weight stops you from living live to the fullest.  John 10:10 says "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Thank You, God, for taking me out of the valley.  Thank You for raising me out of that mess.  Thank You for forgiving me for my part in making that mess.  God, I know that You see me as more than I can ever imagine.  Thank You for not seeing my faults.  Help me see myself as You see me.  Let me take off the mourning clothes and put on Your robes.  Help me to live life more abundantly.  I love You and thank You.  Amen.

Close It All The Way

I made a huge mistake.  I made a decision to walk away from a job.  I walked away because I knew it was the right thing to do.  I knew I had more important things to work on.  But when the job contacted me about changing the terms, I reconsidered.  Never mind the warning bells going off in my head.  Never mind that I knew that the previous decision was right.  Never mind that.  I got enticed by the fact that someone wanted me to write for them.  I love writing and was so excited that I was hired to do something that I loved.  That excitement, that pride, that euphoria clouded my decision.  Now it is time for me to quit again and even though I know it is the right thing to do, I am dreading it.

"Father, give me strength to do Your will.  Don't let my pride or fear of what others may think, impede my actions.  I know that what You have called me to do will bring You glory and that I need to remove all distractions to that plan.  I love You and trust You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.  Amen."

Proverbs 3:9 This Tithing Thing

Yep, I am still in Proverbs 3 but today it is verses 9-10.  The Message translation read like this:  "Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.  Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over."  The NIV version specifically says "wealth."  This is a great promise.  Give God His tithe first and He will bless you with more than you can hold.  Sounds simple right?  But for me it's not that simple when it is payday and I have bills.  It then becomes a battle of tithe v. bills.  Quite often bills win.  But if you want new things you have to do the right thing! 

But I must be authentic and say it is easy to write this on day 2 of the new year.  This isn't payday.  What will I do when the check comes?  I want to honor God.  I just have to put my money where my faith is. 

Proverbs 3:1-12 Seeking Him

I have recently fallen in love with the Message translation of the Bible.  Like really in love...  I've been a King James or NIV girl, but I needed renewed eyes and a renewed fire, and the Message translation delivered. 

Here we are on the first day of the new year and let's be transparent.  We all have things that we are believing God for.  We all want a heavenly hook-up (I think I stole that metaphor from my pastor).  But are we really doing what we are commanded to do?  I know I'm not.  So this morning I thought, "let me start this year right! Order my steps.  Seek ye first."  And that took me to Proverbs 3:1-12. 

^1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
    take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
    a long life lived full and well.

^3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
    Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
    in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

^5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

"Father, thank You for a new year to get it right.  Thank You for a new day to trust You.  Father, can You shout at me for a while?  I know that is a strange request but can You shout at me so I can be sure to not only hear Your voice but also follow Your word.  I don't want to do this year the same way.  I like to fix my problems on my own and not bother You.  But I know that You are not bothered by my pleas for help.  You find favor with those that trust You.  So shout at me so that I can remember to trust You and follow You.  I know You have things for me beyond what I can imagine.  Thank You in advance for being wonderful and holy.  In Jesus' name, Amen.  Amen."

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.