As a continuation of yesterday's post...
Human Logic:
If something is hard, maybe you aren't meant to do it...
God Logic:
I've had a handful of well-meaning folks say this to me, especially in this long fundraising process, but it just isn't fully scripture based. If God tells you to do something, you have to have cling to that- with your fingernails if necessary! Recently that's how I've been describing this latest part of the journey- "hanging on by my fingernails." Something cool that God gave me to combat those those was an emotional connection to many of the Bible heroes and the "crazy" directions they were given by God that went against all "normal" logic.
I started contemplating and put myself in their shoes a bit and realized that they couldn't have felt much different than me right now... confident/yet confused, full of faith/but facing doubt, hopeful/yet afraid... yes, you really can feel them all at one time! So some heroes struggles to consider:
- Abraham walking up to sacrifice Issac... He knew this is what God told Him to do, but surely it couldn't have made sense to sacrifice His long-awaited blessing. He had to have been "chomping at the bit" for God to make a move... He did, but it wasn't until the last minute!!
- Ruth made a decision to be faithful to Naomi even though she had every opportunity to turn-tail and run back to her homeland- her comfort zone. She knew what she was to do and she stuck it out though at times I'm sure it was a long, lonely and awkward road. In the end, God totally blesses her faithfulness. She had to trust that the prompting to go was the right thing and hold on to that during those difficult times of trying to acclimate to being a widow, a new culture, new home, and working for scraps in the fields too!
- There is of course Noah... I wonder if he ever doubted the building of that arc, especially when all his neighbors were laughing at him...
- Or maybe David as he went to face Goliath. I wonder if he ever though he was crazy himself. Even though all the older and stronger soldiers were too fearful, I wonder if he didn't feel that rise of must-do-it strength because he knew it was time to "put up or shut up" in the faith lane.
There are more, for sure, but I'll stop there... Here is what the scriptures told me about this way back in 2007 when I first journaled on the Human Logic vs. God Logic...
Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whoa]"> have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Showing posts with label waiting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waiting. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, August 9, 2010
Bearing Fruit Even in Drought
Jeremiah 17:5-8
NIV
5 This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."
MSG
5-6God's Message:
"Cursed is the strong one
who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
and sets God aside as dead weight.
He's like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
in a land where nothing grows.
7-8"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They're like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.
There is no doubt that this is a season of drought for me. A season of waiting is definitely a season of drought as you fail to see anything happen that you think should be happening! For me, it is getting the funding I need to get to Africa... Being patient is hard, but these verses have been speaking to me so much on so many levels about quieting my own ambitions and trusting God; even if I see a vast, dry desert in front of me. He promises that if you seek Him first you will bear fruit, even if by all natural means it is impossible!! (Matt 6:33) I mean a tree bearing fruit in a a season of drought... that's pretty impossible isn't it? But He still promises FRESH fruit!! Here are some thoughts on these verses...
Why do the leaves stay green in the drought?
- The tree (you and I) is drinking from the stream (God's Word- He is Living Water!!!).
- It must have been planted for a while to have a substantial root system to even receive water, especially in a drought season.
- I've been thinking about the fact that during a drought (even summer months) a tree would actually need to drink MORE water than usual to counteract the heat's effects.
Why does it not worry in times of drought?
- God has PROMISED a harvest of fruit!!
- Have faith in that promise even when the heat continues, no life is seen, and dryness and hopelessness abound.
- Don't worry because you have access to all the water (stream=God) that you need and you WILL bear fruit.
Why doesn't it fear when heat comes?
- It doesn't fear because it is connected to the stream!!!
- See how it says the leaves stay green? I believe the tree is trusting because, although there isn't fruit YET, its leaves are green. That means you can see that the stream IS providing, IS nurishing and fruit is on its way!!!! I believe God is saying don't look at your circumstances (the heat and lack) but look at your source and evidence- even if it isn't what you'd expect (leaves instead of fruit... for me: spiritual growth and not financial- YET!)
Compare our two options:
1- Trusting in Man (Others/Ourselves)
You become like a tumbleweed in the dessert. You are tossed around, inconsistent, with no prosperity. Your heart is deceitful (vs. 9) because you are focused on your circumstances. This leads to worry and fear, which lead to confusion.
2- Trusting in God
You are like a tree planted by a stream of Living Water with strong, durable roots. You are consistent, bearing FRESH fruit EVERY season. Your focus is on God and His Word. Your focus is on the promises He has made you from the mountain top of faith. You trust Him, because He CANNOT lie! Therefore you are not worried, you do not fear, and you are serene and calm during this season of drought!
I don't know about you, but I'm working hard to be that tree and I'm just waiting for the harvest of fruit!! (Who'd really want to be a tumbleweed anyways!! LOL)
NIV
5 This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who depends on flesh for his strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
he will not see prosperity when it comes.
He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."
MSG
5-6God's Message:
"Cursed is the strong one
who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
and sets God aside as dead weight.
He's like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
in a land where nothing grows.
7-8"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
the woman who sticks with God.
They're like trees replanted in Eden,
putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
bearing fresh fruit every season.
There is no doubt that this is a season of drought for me. A season of waiting is definitely a season of drought as you fail to see anything happen that you think should be happening! For me, it is getting the funding I need to get to Africa... Being patient is hard, but these verses have been speaking to me so much on so many levels about quieting my own ambitions and trusting God; even if I see a vast, dry desert in front of me. He promises that if you seek Him first you will bear fruit, even if by all natural means it is impossible!! (Matt 6:33) I mean a tree bearing fruit in a a season of drought... that's pretty impossible isn't it? But He still promises FRESH fruit!! Here are some thoughts on these verses...
Why do the leaves stay green in the drought?
- The tree (you and I) is drinking from the stream (God's Word- He is Living Water!!!).
- It must have been planted for a while to have a substantial root system to even receive water, especially in a drought season.
- I've been thinking about the fact that during a drought (even summer months) a tree would actually need to drink MORE water than usual to counteract the heat's effects.
Why does it not worry in times of drought?
- God has PROMISED a harvest of fruit!!
- Have faith in that promise even when the heat continues, no life is seen, and dryness and hopelessness abound.
- Don't worry because you have access to all the water (stream=God) that you need and you WILL bear fruit.
Why doesn't it fear when heat comes?
- It doesn't fear because it is connected to the stream!!!
- See how it says the leaves stay green? I believe the tree is trusting because, although there isn't fruit YET, its leaves are green. That means you can see that the stream IS providing, IS nurishing and fruit is on its way!!!! I believe God is saying don't look at your circumstances (the heat and lack) but look at your source and evidence- even if it isn't what you'd expect (leaves instead of fruit... for me: spiritual growth and not financial- YET!)
Compare our two options:
1- Trusting in Man (Others/Ourselves)
You become like a tumbleweed in the dessert. You are tossed around, inconsistent, with no prosperity. Your heart is deceitful (vs. 9) because you are focused on your circumstances. This leads to worry and fear, which lead to confusion.
2- Trusting in God
You are like a tree planted by a stream of Living Water with strong, durable roots. You are consistent, bearing FRESH fruit EVERY season. Your focus is on God and His Word. Your focus is on the promises He has made you from the mountain top of faith. You trust Him, because He CANNOT lie! Therefore you are not worried, you do not fear, and you are serene and calm during this season of drought!
I don't know about you, but I'm working hard to be that tree and I'm just waiting for the harvest of fruit!! (Who'd really want to be a tumbleweed anyways!! LOL)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
A Season of Growth and Revelation
I'm going to do my best to share in the next few posts some amazing nuggets that the Lord has given me recently. Lately, I've learned that, although God will speak to all of us through many different means, He and I very much communicate through revelation of His Word. He is showing me so many "meaty" things in my quiet time with Him. I love it, because as the Word speaks directly to my heart and situation; it proves every time that HE IS REAL!! HIS WORD IS ALIVE!! I have been falling in love with the Word of God and so much more with Him!
The following are summarized some of my recent nuggets or truths that God has been teaching me...
* If the wait has been all for this feeling of love for Him I've gained, then the wait is so worth it!!!
* In His PRESENCE is JOY, His JOY is our STRENGTH, His STRENGTH teaches us to be CONTENT... so, His PRESENCE = CONTENTMENT
* Prayer is aligning myself with what God wants to do IN me during this season.
* A warrior keeps putting one foot in front of the other, even when faith is the only reason to. I will trust in the One who loves me the most and who I love the most.
* God's dream of me (what He imagined as He knit me together and numbered the hairs on my head) is the woman I want to be and the woman He is molding me into.
* His Holy Spirit fire refines me and empowers me with passion and confidence.
* It's not about the natural, but the SUPERnatural! Not about the temporary, but the eternal. And there is far more going on in this season in the SUPERnatural that will last for eternity!!! Praise God!!
* God and I have created a Tent of Meeting that will last me my whole life. (I have a whole 5 point sermon on this to come! lol Revolutionizing me!!!)
* Every tree (person) planted by the stream (drinking from Christ) WILL produce fruit, but always in SEASON!!
* Let your YES be YES and your NO be NO!! A warrior must be committed, zealous, and firm.
* Seek God's approval, not man's
* I must continue to strive to GUARD MY HEART!!
Overall, I'm learning what it means to REALLY, REALLY, REALLY TRUST GOD, even when the situation around me is NOT aligning with His promises... this is very hard, but He is teaching me with tons of grace!
Pray that I continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge of Him. Pray for passion in me for all things Africa. Pray for a miracle in regards to the financial blessing I need to get to Swazi soil! Thank you!! Love you all!
The following are summarized some of my recent nuggets or truths that God has been teaching me...
* If the wait has been all for this feeling of love for Him I've gained, then the wait is so worth it!!!
* In His PRESENCE is JOY, His JOY is our STRENGTH, His STRENGTH teaches us to be CONTENT... so, His PRESENCE = CONTENTMENT
* Prayer is aligning myself with what God wants to do IN me during this season.
* A warrior keeps putting one foot in front of the other, even when faith is the only reason to. I will trust in the One who loves me the most and who I love the most.
* God's dream of me (what He imagined as He knit me together and numbered the hairs on my head) is the woman I want to be and the woman He is molding me into.
* His Holy Spirit fire refines me and empowers me with passion and confidence.
* It's not about the natural, but the SUPERnatural! Not about the temporary, but the eternal. And there is far more going on in this season in the SUPERnatural that will last for eternity!!! Praise God!!
* God and I have created a Tent of Meeting that will last me my whole life. (I have a whole 5 point sermon on this to come! lol Revolutionizing me!!!)
* Every tree (person) planted by the stream (drinking from Christ) WILL produce fruit, but always in SEASON!!
* Let your YES be YES and your NO be NO!! A warrior must be committed, zealous, and firm.
* Seek God's approval, not man's
* I must continue to strive to GUARD MY HEART!!
Overall, I'm learning what it means to REALLY, REALLY, REALLY TRUST GOD, even when the situation around me is NOT aligning with His promises... this is very hard, but He is teaching me with tons of grace!
Pray that I continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge of Him. Pray for passion in me for all things Africa. Pray for a miracle in regards to the financial blessing I need to get to Swazi soil! Thank you!! Love you all!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Two Things...
It's hard when positive and honest collide... This fundraising is scary, it's is definitely the hardest thing I've ever done. I try and be positive, especially because Yes, I'm totally pumped, blessed and honored that God has called me...ME...to go Africa, where He wants to do amazing things!! But in all honesty, sometimes, it can get really overwhelming here in this season and that devil can get really loud and really obnoxious!! Know what I mean? If you read this, pray with me that devil learns his place! That I keep strong in trusting God and that His promise of abundance flows fruitfully into my life!
TWO- My wise friend reminded me tonight... I have to run my own race, stay in my own lane, stop comparing myself to others, trust that everything I need and desire will be placed purposely and in perfect timing in my lane by God... (great analogy by Christine Caine)...this DOES APPLY TO REACHING MY PROMISE LAND!!!
Pressing forward in faith and hope... <3
TWO- My wise friend reminded me tonight... I have to run my own race, stay in my own lane, stop comparing myself to others, trust that everything I need and desire will be placed purposely and in perfect timing in my lane by God... (great analogy by Christine Caine)...this DOES APPLY TO REACHING MY PROMISE LAND!!!
Pressing forward in faith and hope... <3
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Wait for it... Wait for it... Wait for it...
I'm RE-settling my heart on the truth that God's timing is perfect, being He does see the end from the beginning :) , and in HIS timeline- not mine- He will provide over and above what I need to step into my promised land- Swaziland :)
The hardest thing right now is feeling in limbo with the timeline... I can trust Him if he says tomorrow, or if He says to wait another year... but not knowing which is what is hard for me.
Since I'm a teacher a new school year is starting in a month and now little people and others are uniquely tied to any decision to 'up and leave.'
God is reinforcing in me the importance of being content in my current season and finishing it with excellence and remembering that everything in this season is necessary in preparation for the next.
Isaiah 26:7-9
The Leveler evens the road for the right-living.We're in no hurry, God. We're content to linger in the path sign-posted with your decisions.Who you are and what you've done are all we'll ever want.
I see how every day that I'm here longer, God is steeling me up more and more (and the devil is trying me more and more). He is challenging me over and over through songs, verses, messages, people, and visions that I am a mighty warrior created with destiny to mount up on wings of eagles, because I can do all things through His power and might that dwells in fullness within me.
I know this steeling is for a purpose that is greater than I can contemplate right now, and I trust this training period. I consider the alternative- going too soon on my own accord without all His "fine-tuning" to be extremely irrattional and most likely detremental to me and His purposes. Whew... being patient makes a LOT of sense, huh?
Please pray as we wait for God's final "green light" for me to join everyone officially in Swaziland- even though my heart is already there!
The hardest thing right now is feeling in limbo with the timeline... I can trust Him if he says tomorrow, or if He says to wait another year... but not knowing which is what is hard for me.
Since I'm a teacher a new school year is starting in a month and now little people and others are uniquely tied to any decision to 'up and leave.'
God is reinforcing in me the importance of being content in my current season and finishing it with excellence and remembering that everything in this season is necessary in preparation for the next.
Isaiah 26:7-9
The Leveler evens the road for the right-living.We're in no hurry, God. We're content to linger in the path sign-posted with your decisions.Who you are and what you've done are all we'll ever want.
I see how every day that I'm here longer, God is steeling me up more and more (and the devil is trying me more and more). He is challenging me over and over through songs, verses, messages, people, and visions that I am a mighty warrior created with destiny to mount up on wings of eagles, because I can do all things through His power and might that dwells in fullness within me.
I know this steeling is for a purpose that is greater than I can contemplate right now, and I trust this training period. I consider the alternative- going too soon on my own accord without all His "fine-tuning" to be extremely irrattional and most likely detremental to me and His purposes. Whew... being patient makes a LOT of sense, huh?
Please pray as we wait for God's final "green light" for me to join everyone officially in Swaziland- even though my heart is already there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)