Soul Searching Time...

Our church is a few days into our annual Daniel Fast. It is a 21-day fast based on the book of Daniel in the Bible (Daniel 9:3 and 10:2-3). It is a time of seeking the Lord, of desiring to take on ‘spiritual food’ instead of physical food. By spiritual food I mean more time spent reading God’s word, more time communicating with Him through prayer, making sure He is priority number one. It is a soul searching time. I’m reminded of Psalm 139:23 which says: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”. Also I have been thinking of Psalm 19 which ends with this verse: “Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer”.

I remember a story I wrote a few years ago after another soul searching time. It came to my mind today as I am asking God to search my heart once again during this time of fasting. I thought I would share it with you dear readers. Here it is:

* * * * * * *

What a beautiful day!  The maiden decided to get away by herself and think, and so she ventured out to explore the fields and wooded areas surrounding the village.  “Ah, if only He was near”, she thought.  As she started down a sun-lit forest trail, the very one in whom her soul delighted came and walked beside her.  As was his way, there was no rush for words.  Just his presence was enough to enliven and energize her.  Whenever she looked into his eyes she saw sheer joy, strength and love, LIFE, but today she also noticed a look of fierceness that she would understand better as the afternoon wore on.

As they walked he pointed out a meandering stream that ran along parallel to the path they were on.  He remarked that the stream was once, not so long ago, a swift flowing river.  She knew him well enough by now to know that he never engaged in idle talk but that he had something important to impart to her.  Therefore, she was intrigued by his remark.  They walked on.  She began to wonder what had happened to stop the flow of water.  Then they came upon a beaver dam.  “Ah”, she thought.  “So this is what stopped the flow”.  The beavers were busy closing up the last little breach on the opposite side.  My how hard those beavers worked!

After standing in silence for a while, watching, he asked “Have you noticed what the beavers are building with?”  “Why, yes Lord” she replied, “wood and small sticks; branches and leaves”.  “Have you noticed how strong the dam is, that it is able to hold back the force of the river?” 

It was then she understood that the fierceness in his gaze was the fierceness of his love.  This fierce love was ready to confront, with the revealing of his truth, any obstacle in the hearts of his own, that would prevent them from receiving his love, prevent the flowing of rivers of living water from their innermost being, no matter how much pain it initially caused.

You see, her heart had been heavy lately.  She had allowed small things to cloud her heart – sticks, leaves and branches.  She saw now that the precious river of life flowing in her own being was in danger of being stopped up by the seeds of stress, worry, unforgiveness and bitterness that had taken root and germinated; all of them still small, but together being compacted into an impenetrable wall.  Looking into her Master’s eyes she understood and was grieved by her sin, the sin that was threatening to block the flow between her heart and the heart of her beloved.  She was ashamed.

“Yes Lord”, she whispered, “I will remove these sticks, leaves and branches from my heart.  I choose to forgive, I choose to keep no record of wrong, I choose to love with your love, to be merciful and kind.  Wash over me and I will be clean.  Restore me and remove my shame.”

As the maiden returned to the village her heart was free.  From then on, whenever she walked by a stream or a river, she stopped to take account of her own soul, to see if there was any build-up of debris.  She wanted nothing to prevent her from walking freely in the Spirit, nothing that would prevent the flow of the river of the Shepherd’s love through her to those who were yet in need of His grace.

* * * * * * * * * *

What have you allowed to build up in your heart? Why not ask God to search your heart also. 

The Picture...

We have heard the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words". So true, one could write pages and find that a simple picture of the event would convey the same information. 

Something unique about a picture I find is that a picture allows the person looking at it to process what they see through their own background, mindset and value system, evoking different observations and meanings, whereas words on a page are less open to private interpretation. Pictures do speak.

Recently at a ladies breakfast I placed a picture at all the tables with some pencils and notepaper. I told the ladies that as a picture is worth a thousand words I wanted them to find the words that went with the picture! They could give a title for the picture and/or write what the picture spoke to them. I was amazed at what they 'saw'.

The picture was one that was taken by my niece Rachel. As soon as I saw it, it spoke volumes to me and I was excited to see what these ladies would find. Would it be similar to what came to my mind or would they see something completely different?

Here are some of their thoughts:

• Beauty among the ashes
• Solidly planted and grounded
• Beauty
• Romance
• New Beginnings
• New Birth
• Being used in the season that you are in
• Climbing higher
• Blossoming
• God's love for us
• The Michael W. Smith song "Like a Rose trampled on the ground"
• Rich damp earth accented by flashes of brilliant colour, deep roots feeding leafy extensions - just like life
• The petals are still not wilted or dried up. They are beautiful even though they have fallen from the flowers.
• Enjoying nature helps me to be closer to God
• Reminds me of the scripture where Jesus reminds us on how we are not to worry - how well He clothes the flowers which are here and gone. He will also take care of us.
• Surrender - a life surrendered to the Lord - that our lives would be fragrant, His fragrance emitted through our daily walk.

To me the exercise emphasized the importance of fellowship and our need of each other. It reminded me of Proverbs 11:14 "Where there is no counsel the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." One person may have an idea but look at what happens when many get together! I was so encouraged by all of their comments.

God is amazing! He does speak to us through His creation. How much do we miss because we don't take the time just to gaze upon the glories of all God has surrounded us with in nature! God is always and forever GOOD! His voice comes to us in so many ways. May we have ears to listen!

What do you see? What do the picture and/or the accompanying ideas written above speak to you? If you would like to share your thoughts please leave a comment.

Blessings.

The Fine Line...

Ever see those cop shows where the policeman gets the guy out of the car and asks him to walk a straight line to check if he's had too much to drink? Yeah, it can look quite comical to see the guy try to walk the line especially when he is totally unable to do so. What has happened? The person has consumed too much of a substance rendering it impossible for him to keep his focus. His brain is not able to function properly. His judgement has become clouded. He wants to walk the fine line but simply cannot. He has become a danger to himself, to others, and sadly he is oblivious to that fact.

Spiritually speaking (and you know that I would come around to that, right?) we all have a fine line to walk. Our ability to walk that fine line is dependent on what our focus is and whether or not we have allowed things in our lives that would cloud our judgement. Yes, very serious stuff. Our lives do count. We all have influence. How consistently we walk the fine line does affect ourselves and others.

What is this fine line? Matthew 7:13-14 calls it the "narrow" way. It is not called the "impossible" way, but the "narrow" way. To stay on the narrow way we have to keep our focus. What is to be our focus then? Hebrews 12:2 says we are to be "looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith". How do we 'look to Jesus'? He is "the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6). We are to be His followers on the narrow way. It is a good road to be on, not always an easy road, but a good road, the only road that leads to eternal life and peace. To follow Him we have to know how to stay on that road. He did not leave us without the road map - the Word of God, the Bible is that map! We are surrounded by many voices that attempt to woo us away from the good and narrow road, or to fall prey to extremes and half-truths. We must focus on God's voice through communication with Him (prayer) and study of His word. He promises to teach us and to lead us in the way as we keep our focus on Him.

So friends, let's not be like the drunk who wavers on and off the line, whose mind is foggy and has lost focus, who has become a danger to himself and to others. No, we have high calling in Christ. He loves us so. He has such wonderful plans and purpose for each of us. Let's keep our eyes on Him and stay on the fine line. We are not alone on that road. Let's mutually encourage each other to walk the line.  

Legacy...

What will yours and  mine be??? Our legacy I mean.  How will we be remembered?  

This past weekend my husband and I travelled to attend the funeral/celebration of the life of a dear man we met over 30 years ago. Many others travelled to be there as well. Why? What was so special about this man? In the eyes of the world he was nobody great. He wasn't rich, didn't have a lot of initials after his name indicating he had acquired higher education. He didn't have a lot of worldly possessions. He wasn't famous or in the public eye. So what was it that compelled so many to make their way to mourn the loss of and to celebrate the life of this man? I'm sure he himself would have been surprised to see so many and to hear so many comment on how their lives had been touched by him. I'm sure he was completely unaware. Why? Because he was a humble man, but a great man who simply loved and demonstrated his love for people. It was that love received from him that compelled people to be in attendance to celebrate his life. He was an encourager. He took time to listen. He took time to hug someone and to pray with people. Through his love he inspired many to stay the course and not give up. With his loving wisdom he pointed many onto the right path. His love was genuine. He truly demonstrated by his own life what the love of the Father is like. He didn't talk about love, he loved! That is why, even though we had not seen him for many years we mourned his passing. We know that he is being hugged by the Father in heaven now and that we will see him again. We have this glorious hope in Jesus that nothing separates those who are in Christ - not even death.

My prayer is that I also may leave a legacy of genuine selfless love. I don't think there is anything greater. May God help me to be transformed into that kind of person. I'm sure that is your prayer as well friends.

John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." 

The desert road...

In my scripture reading this morning I was reading along and was arrested by three little words.  I often find when reading God's Word that what once seemed insignificant suddenly becomes significant. The Word never gets old does it? It is new and fresh every day and has such power to give us fresh insights for our own lives.

So what were these three little words and where were they found? I was reading Acts chapter 8 today. The three little words that became significant are found in verse 26 - Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. Verse 27 begins - So he arose and went.

Now first of all let's not pass over the fact that an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip - Yes, spoke to Philip. Amazing as that is that's not what really got me about the text. It's those three words "this is desert". So Philip is being told to head down a desert road. He wasn't given any other directions or told what to expect or how far down the desert road to go. All he got was head down the road, and he got up and went! Of course as we read further on in the text we see the plan of God unfold.

Do you ever think you are on a desert road?

Have you ever found yourself saying "I was sure this is where I was supposed to go but it's so dry here."? Hang on because God has a plan. Trust Him.

Or maybe one door has closed and you are plodding along on what seems to be a desert road. Have you ever considered that it was God who closed the door because your purpose there was finished and He wants to move you ahead into a new thing? It may be right around the corner so don't spend your time looking back. Look ahead instead. I don't think we can hear God's voice very well when we are looking back. In Acts chapter 8 we see that Philip had been preaching in Samaria and what a revival broke out there! People were being healed. Multitudes were coming because of the miracles that were taking place. Philip was in a good place. Things were happening. Then he hears the word to head down the desert road. Philip obediently "arose and went". That wasn't the end of his ministry, on the contrary more exciting things happened that affected authorities and even the queen of a country. He wasn’t focused on his seeming popularity and all the great miracles that were taking place. He was focused on obeying the Word of the Lord, no matter where it took him.

Maybe you have had to move to a new city, or country and all seems as if it is desert because you have lost all that is familiar. Don't lose hope. God sees you where you are and He has an amazing plan and purpose for you there. His word says that! Keep 'walking down the road'. He will lead and guide you as you lean on Him into new fellowship, vision and purpose.

I have walked down a few desert roads in my life. I have found that God is FAITHFUL. I am amazed by Him over and over again. Looking back I don't regret the desert times, it is there that I found what was truly inside of me, and what a wonderful, powerful and loving Saviour I have in Jesus. If you find yourself on such a road why not commit it all to the Lord, rest in Him.

An Encouraging Word…

We all need them, don’t we, encouraging words! I wonder how many people have led fulfilled lives without them. I suspect none. I wonder how many people have gone on to affect the lives of many others for good without encouragement. I wonder how many people have gone on to greatness without the encouragement to not give up, to stay the course. Again, I suspect none.

In pondering this, a scene passed before me in my mind. It was of people who had accomplished great things coming before God to receive their reward. Each person was not alone. Some had many people with them. Some had one or two. When the time came to ‘enter the gates’ it was the people accompanying the seemingly more important person that entered the gates first; the person who had accomplished much came behind. While yet on earth it was the person who had accomplished much who was seen, talked about and even praised. Unseen were these other ones. Who are these unseen? Yes, you may have guessed, these are the ones who came alongside, who encouraged and may have given wise advice so that the person did not give up but stayed the course to complete the work that was required. You see the work could not have been completed without the encouragement given by these precious unseen. Their reward was very great. (This is an analogy only. We are saved by grace only, not of works)

As Christians we know that any good work we are in the process of carrying out comes with opposition. Often much opposition, which can lead to great discouragement, is thrown at the person before the ‘good work’ even gets started. The battle is often fought in the mind. This is why encouragement is so powerful.

Are you an encourager? It doesn’t take much, you know. A friendly smile sometimes will do.

Have you been praying for someone lately? Why not let that person know. Send them a little note. The words you say may sometimes seem insignificant to you, but have a far-reaching effect on the recipient.

Maybe someone needs a visit, just so you can listen to them pour out their heart – then offer to pray for them (and do it, of course).

Maybe God has given you a word for someone. Give the word – don’t hold on to it. Again it may seem so simple and insignificant to you, but may be life changing to the one who receives it.

We will not always be aware that we have been used of God to encourage someone. Don’t let that discourage you from offering encouragement to others by words or deeds any time the occasion rises.  

I believe all of us face times in our lives when we need to know that we are not alone, that someone has been thinking about us, has lifted a prayer for us. I have recently been on the receiving end of desperately needed encouragement. I am so grateful for the dear people God put on my path recently who ministered life to me. I was awed and amazed by a few words that a friend sent to me just today. It had a profound effect on me. It is also what led me to ponder on the need for encouragement and to share my thoughts with you dear reader. God knows we all have this need, and He provides it wonderfully!

All the glory goes to God doesn’t it, for all of our accomplishments! We cannot take credit for ourselves. God is the One who provides the way and the means, and the encouragement along the way to get things done.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 (Amplified Bible)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.

Maybe you are the one who needs encouragement right now. Don’t throw in the towel yet my friend. God sees you. You are not hidden from Him. He is working on your behalf. Lean on Him. He will not fail you!!! God is faithful, always and forever good!!!

The Web...

As I sat in the gazebo on the back deck this morning I noticed it – the web. It was an amazing structure, so intricately and perfectly spun. It had been painstakingly spun for one purpose, one purpose only – to trap the unsuspecting prey. And there in the middle of the web sat the master spinner, not moving. The trap had been set, now all that was needed was to wait. For you see the web was nearly invisible and surely an intended victim would be caught. Once caught the prey would be wrapped tighter and tighter in a cocoon of silk. There would be no escape.

This made me think of another master spinner, one who painstakingly weaves and spins his web of lies and deceit. He also carefully sets his net and waits for the intended prey to be trapped. His goal is to steal, kill and destroy.

How does he spin his web? Depending on the intended victim he spins different types of threads. One type is the temptation to sin, “it’s okay; it’s no big deal; no one is watching; it’s not really wrong; everyone is doing it” etc., etc., and once the sin is given into then he spins thoughts of guilt and condemnation leading to despair and the victim is wrapped tighter and tighter.

Other threads of deadly silk he spins are thoughts of discouragement, “you’re a failure; is this all you have to show for your life; things will never get better; nobody wants you; you’re alone and nobody cares; things will never change” etc., etc… and on and on. He will take advantage of any circumstance to set his trap. He’ll spin and spin and then wait patiently ready to pounce and wrap the prey in a cocoon of hopelessness and despondency.

But, as I looked at that web this morning, I noticed something else – a ray of sunshine that poured over a part of it. Ahhh… Where the sun shone on it, the web was clearly visible, the shining silk strands shouting “It’s a trap!!!! Fly Away!!!” And there my friends is the Goodness of God! Yes the Lord surely surrounds us with songs of deliverance (Ps 32:7). “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). If you are at the point that you think your heart will break because of the onslaught of thoughts that constantly bombard your mind; if you are longing for just one friend or loved one to whom you can pour out your innermost thoughts; if you have been losing hope, and sight of your dreams then there is only one place to go, the best place to go – to the One who sees, the One who hears – the One who knows you and loves you, the one who can and will deliver you and renew in you the joy of your salvation – to God alone! Don’t let yourself be bound in the silk threads any longer. There is an escape! Go to the One who has the power to deliver you – Jesus!

Interestingly enough as I was thinking about all of these things as I studied that spider web this morning I came across these verses from Psalm 62

Truly my soul silently waits for God;

From Him comes my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my defense;

I shall not be moved…

My soul, wait silently for God alone,

For my expectation is from Him,

He only is my rock and my salvation;

I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory;

The rock of my strength,

And my refuge, is in God.

Trust Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

Yes, there is an escape from the web. Go to God alone and ask Him to help you find your way back to the hope and to the dream He placed within your heart. Go to God first. Talk to Him. Read His word. Don’t give up. As you draw close to Him, walking in the light, you will recognize the threads the enemy is weaving, the traps he is setting. God’s light will reveal them. Strength will come. Hope will be renewed. Joy will return – the joy of your salvation. Selah.