Our ultimate Inheritance
February 2 Charles Spurgeon Strengthen My Spirit (daily devotionals) (we mistakingly read February instead of March, I know it was by no accident )
He will choose our inheritance for us. Ps 47:4
“Believer, if your inheritance is a lowly one, you should be satisfied with your earthly portion, for you may rest assured that it is the fittest for you. Unerring wisdom ordained your lot and selected for you the safest and best condition. A large ship is to be brought up the river; now in one part of the stream there is a sandbank. Should someone ask, “Why does the captain steer through the deep part of the channel and deviate so much from a straight line?” his answer would be, “Because I could not get my vessel into harbor at all if I did not keep to the deep channel.” So, it may be, you would run aground and suffer shipwreck if your Divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession. Some plants die if they have too much sunshine. It may be that you are planted where you get but little; you are put there by the loving Husbandman because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto perfection. Had any other condition been better for you, than the one in which you are, Divine Love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances. Take up your own daily cross; it is the burden best suited for your shoulder and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God.”
May we carry our crosses, as HE CARRIES US, in much or little sunshine, in deep or shallow channels, in troubles, in all circumstances, in straight or crooked lines, to bring forth fruit and perfection in us and others,
For His glory, alone.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Don't 'blame' yourself, Let others do it !
FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES (Caleb STAS 2004)
I wrote this in 2003, before our first STAS:
"It seems the Lord has given me the gift of discernment/wisdom and encouragement. This is not bragging, because to be honest, I don't like "knowing and sensing" things, sometimes it makes me uncomfortable, and for many years, I didn't know what to do with this "gift".
I have become more and more convinced that our "gifts" when not completely under His Lordship can be used in ways that are not pleasing or do not bring glory to the Lord as He intends. When we are not abiding in Him or not filled with His Spirit, the very gifts and talents He has given us can be the very things that cause us to stumble, and not necessarily our "weak" areas. Satan is very crafty, so why wouldn't he try to have victory in our lives in the very area that the Holy Spirit has gifted us with. This obviously catches us more off guard than the areas where we already know we are weak as we are more mindful of them. But our gifted areas, well, now that is another story.
For example, In my own life, it has taken me almost 20 years to figure out that even when I am not filled with the Holy Spirit, and walking closely with the Lord that the gift is still there. I am able to discern certain things in myself and in others, and have all this wisdom, that when unchecked and not anointed can turn into something less than a present, but a critical, holier than thou, condemning, or not so encouraging attitude. Some of you might be thinking, "Patsy doesn't seem like that at all", but then others who know me inside and out are saying, "Yep, that's her, finally she realizes it". HAHAHA But seriously when I am not filled with His Spirit and listening to His voice, this is who I am capable of being, to myself mostly, then those closest to me.
So, what He has taught me, is that when I discern or have wisdom about something, it is an invitation to pray/ intercede not to criticize, condemn, or put down, being discouraging and not encouraging. I went through a time when I thought that it was actually a curse and not a gift, and asked why I had to "know" things. Not long ago, I was speaking with a couple of friends of mine (Teri and Lori) about this very thing, and it prompted me later to go to the Lord about it. So later that evening, I asked the Lord why He gave me that gift. He gave me His answer. He gave me the gift of discernment and wisdom to glorify Him, and to encourage others and criticizing or faultfinding myself or those closest to me does not bring glory to Him, so I continued to ask what I was supposed to do with it. His answer was simple: "Pray". He gave me the discernment so I can go before Him and intercede about the situation, or other people or even myself. Wow. Now this may not be something new for you, but it was life changing for me. The discernment He gives to me (seemingly before my husband or others) is an invitation to pray and encourage, not so I can point it out to myself and others.
So to sum up my little whatever you want to call it, after the Lord showing me this, and I was teaching our youngest, Caleb about bragging one day, after he made an awesome hit playing baseball. I told him that the Bible teaches that we shouldn't brag on ourselves, but to let others do it. A couple of days later, while I was having one of my "faultfinding" moments toward myself, out loud of course, Caleb said, "Mommy, remember what you said the other day, don't "blame" yourself, let others do it." Well, he sort of misunderstood my point, but it was funny anyway. So now whenever I have this overwhelming discernment, I will try to remember to take it to Him in prayer rather than finding fault, and ask Him to show me how to encourage, and not 'blame' myself or others."
I was going through personal notes when I found this and was surprised that it was over 5 years now. With the Lord's help, I have been practicing this, and am amazed at the difference He and prayer, has made in my response to myself and my family members, but I am still so far from being there... I was surprised that it was "so long" ago as it seems like yesterday, but it was interesting to see how the Lord is so loving and gracious and patient with us...I am nothing without HIM...It will be interesting to see the next 5 years,by His grace I pray i will be more conformed to HIM :) Praise the Lord, He is still working on me!!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Prepare the way of the Risen Lord
Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble
Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you feel the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of,
Jesus Christ the Risen One.
Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you feel the singers road?
When the lost began to sing of,
Jesus Christ the Saving One.
And we can see that God You're moving,
A mighty river through the nations
Where young and old return to Jesus,
Fling wide you heavenly gates,
Prepare the way of the Risen Lord!
(chorus)
Open up the doors and let the music play.
Let the streets resound with singing.
Songs that bring your hope,
And songs that bring your joy.
Dancers who dance upon injustice.
Do you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song,
And all the streams join as one river
To wash away our brokenness.
And here we see that God You're moving.
A time of jubilee is coming.
And young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates,
Prepare the way of the Risen Lord!
Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you feel the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of,
Jesus Christ the Risen One.
Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you feel the singers road?
When the lost began to sing of,
Jesus Christ the Saving One.
And we can see that God You're moving,
A mighty river through the nations
Where young and old return to Jesus,
Fling wide you heavenly gates,
Prepare the way of the Risen Lord!
(chorus)
Open up the doors and let the music play.
Let the streets resound with singing.
Songs that bring your hope,
And songs that bring your joy.
Dancers who dance upon injustice.
Do you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song,
And all the streams join as one river
To wash away our brokenness.
And here we see that God You're moving.
A time of jubilee is coming.
And young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates,
Prepare the way of the Risen Lord!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Jesus Lover Of My Soul
A couple of things I love to do when I have my quiet times is to take Scripture and turn it into a personal prayer, and (since I don't have our children's gift of singing) to take my old green Baptist Hymnal (1956 edition) given to us by the church Michael pastored in 1999, in Yazoo MS... and go through and read them as my prayer and praise to Him.
Here is the one I stumbled across (yeah right) the Lord led me to today:
Jesus Lover of My Soul (words Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Jesus Lover of My Soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly.
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high:
Hide me o My saviour hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; o receive my soul at last
Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on thee;
Leave O leave me not alone, still support and comfort me:
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Though, O Christ, art all I want; more than all in Thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind:
just and holy is Thy name, I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am, Thou are full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within:
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee;
spring Thou up within my heart, Christ to all eternity.
AMEN. (that means let it be in case you didn't know)
Here is the one I stumbled across (yeah right) the Lord led me to today:
Jesus Lover of My Soul (words Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Jesus Lover of My Soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly.
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high:
Hide me o My saviour hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; o receive my soul at last
Other refuge have I none; hangs my helpless soul on thee;
Leave O leave me not alone, still support and comfort me:
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Though, O Christ, art all I want; more than all in Thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind:
just and holy is Thy name, I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am, Thou are full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within:
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee;
spring Thou up within my heart, Christ to all eternity.
AMEN. (that means let it be in case you didn't know)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
I SURRENDER; I CHOOSE JOY
15 years ago, my brother was killed. At that time, I was learning to study my Bible for the first time in my life. I had just begun Precepts (inductive Bible Study) , and the first study was from Philippians: Rejoice No matter What. I remember telling my friend, Joy, at the time that I was learning so much, but was a little afraid, because I knew that if He was teaching me so much about having joy despite my circumstances, then that meant, that someday soon, my circumstance might change, I would have to not only learn it, but live it. One week later, my brother was murdered. I clung to Him and all He had to teach me through it. He truly lifted me above it all and carried me through. It was a horrible hard time for me and my family, but He truly taught me joy in it, and day by day our family allows Him to heal us.
I have fallen back on that time many times since in other trials and losses, and what He taught me about Himself. He is enough, He is in control, He is faithful. He can be fully trusted. It seems now, He is reminding me again, i must be slow :) I have been in some pretty bad pain for the past 3 wks, due to a fall on the ice. I have experienced many trials and losses in my 43 yrs, but never this kind of physical pain, dependence on others for the simplest tasks. I am asking Him to teach me all He wants to teach me through this and as He always has His way, He is teaching me much, mostly to surrender to Him every area of my life, and choose joy no matter what. I remember Him teaching me out of Habakkuk during that difficult time when my brother was killed, and several times since, and now He is giving it to me once again.
Without pain, of all kinds, shapes, sizes, I don't think we can truly know His joy, so I surrender to it, to Him, and ask Him to give me His strength and His joy, despite my circumstances, and He is. I am content and joyful, and this kind only comes from Him. I just listened to a sermon about Jacob wrestling with God. I found it interesting that God, who could have overpowered and 'taken him' immediately, chose to be gentle and patient until Jacob surrendered. I also found it quite humorous that he finally struck his hip socket (this is where the majority of my pain has been) I am slow, but not that slow haha...
Ok, God I am listening. I am not sure everything you are telling me, but I do want to surrender, to give in to whatever You want for me. I don't want to be at odds with Your plan for me. I know You want everything in my life that I might be clinging to, including our children, our marriage, the ministry You have blessed us with, or any selfish desires or things that so easily entangle me, and I want to willingly surrender them all to You. That is the desire of my heart. Thank you for being gentle and patient with me. Show me Your will and help me to obey You above all else, and have joy in spite of it all. Thank you Lord that even:
Though the fig tree does not bud (though we can't be with family in the states during the holidays)
and there are no grapes on the vines (though there are no new believers/new churches to report)
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food (though we couldn't find turkey or ham over the holidays)
though there are no sheep in the pen (though our children are becoming more independent and growing up and leaving home)
and no cattle in the stalls (though I am in physical pain and unable to do all I want to in serving my family)
(that even if You don't provide a way for us to stay in this place You have brought us to, knit our hearts to and given us such an amazing ministry in...)
yet I will rejoice in the Lord
I will be joyful in God my Savior
The Sovereign Lord is my strength
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer
He enables me to go on the heights
Habakkuk 3: 17-19 (italics mine)
May the joy of Christ be ours this Holiday season.
Joyful Christmas and Joyful New Year to all as we all learn what it means to truly surrender to Him, and choose joy.
I have fallen back on that time many times since in other trials and losses, and what He taught me about Himself. He is enough, He is in control, He is faithful. He can be fully trusted. It seems now, He is reminding me again, i must be slow :) I have been in some pretty bad pain for the past 3 wks, due to a fall on the ice. I have experienced many trials and losses in my 43 yrs, but never this kind of physical pain, dependence on others for the simplest tasks. I am asking Him to teach me all He wants to teach me through this and as He always has His way, He is teaching me much, mostly to surrender to Him every area of my life, and choose joy no matter what. I remember Him teaching me out of Habakkuk during that difficult time when my brother was killed, and several times since, and now He is giving it to me once again.
Without pain, of all kinds, shapes, sizes, I don't think we can truly know His joy, so I surrender to it, to Him, and ask Him to give me His strength and His joy, despite my circumstances, and He is. I am content and joyful, and this kind only comes from Him. I just listened to a sermon about Jacob wrestling with God. I found it interesting that God, who could have overpowered and 'taken him' immediately, chose to be gentle and patient until Jacob surrendered. I also found it quite humorous that he finally struck his hip socket (this is where the majority of my pain has been) I am slow, but not that slow haha...
Ok, God I am listening. I am not sure everything you are telling me, but I do want to surrender, to give in to whatever You want for me. I don't want to be at odds with Your plan for me. I know You want everything in my life that I might be clinging to, including our children, our marriage, the ministry You have blessed us with, or any selfish desires or things that so easily entangle me, and I want to willingly surrender them all to You. That is the desire of my heart. Thank you for being gentle and patient with me. Show me Your will and help me to obey You above all else, and have joy in spite of it all. Thank you Lord that even:
Though the fig tree does not bud (though we can't be with family in the states during the holidays)
and there are no grapes on the vines (though there are no new believers/new churches to report)
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food (though we couldn't find turkey or ham over the holidays)
though there are no sheep in the pen (though our children are becoming more independent and growing up and leaving home)
and no cattle in the stalls (though I am in physical pain and unable to do all I want to in serving my family)
(that even if You don't provide a way for us to stay in this place You have brought us to, knit our hearts to and given us such an amazing ministry in...)
yet I will rejoice in the Lord
I will be joyful in God my Savior
The Sovereign Lord is my strength
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer
He enables me to go on the heights
Habakkuk 3: 17-19 (italics mine)
May the joy of Christ be ours this Holiday season.
Joyful Christmas and Joyful New Year to all as we all learn what it means to truly surrender to Him, and choose joy.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
LOVE IS ....
Love IS: I was the youngest of six children and we lived in a 3 bedroom house, there were 4 girls and 2 boys, and i was the youngest. My oldest sister married when I was 7, which left 3 girls. My older two sisters shared a room, with a small bed and i got the couch in the den...every night, i would get up in the night and wander into their room and one or the other would scoop me up and put me in the bed with them. I just loved that, made me feel all cuddly and snuggly. They sacrificed, they gave up their own comfort that's what love is.
Love is...a husband going all over the city looking for a heating pad, because he feels it will help his wife's back, when he himself has a cold.
Love is...a 6th grader washing and peeling and cutting potatoes while watching his Bible class DVD, without being asked, because his mother can't sit in a chair.
Love is...A college student setting aside money for Lottie Moon Christmas offering.
Love is...A grandmother hanging mistletoe in her house for her grandson and new fiance to find.
Love is...Brothers going to a nursing home to give out fruit.
Love is...a husband leaving his new wife, to serve our country in Iraq, missing all the holidays with her and his family.
Love is...a teenage age girl making her little brother hot chocolate because he is having a long day of school.
Love is...a grandson and his fiance spending the weekend with Mamaw, helping her drag out all her decorations/tree and decorating the whole house with her.
Love is...a church, supporting their pastor when he was not able to pastor for 3 months because of an accident.
Love is...a cosmetologist cutting cancer patients hair or styling wigs for free.
Love is...A grandmother going all over the place to look for a certain game for her grandson overseas, and she has an eye infection.
Love is...a wife showing amazing courage, strength and faith in her husbands accident and as he continues to recover.
Love is...A niece going to be with a widow on the anniversary day of her son's death, taking her to the cemetery to put out Christmas flowers, and spending the night with her, so she wasn't alone.
Love is...a pastor's wife teaching Bible studies at the nursing home.
Love is...a group of RA's making bird houses to sell for Lottie Moon Missions offering.
Love is...a sister giving a massage, pedicure, manicure, hair cut, the day before her sister returns to the mission field.
Love is...A brother buying his sister a plane ticket so she could spend thanksgiving with his family and their mother.
Love is...a note, a smile, a prayer given at just the right time by a special friend.
No matter what your love language is or how you show or know love, the fact of the matter is that LOVE IS SACRIFICE, LOVE IS GIVING, LOVE IS PUTTING OTHERS BEFORE OURSELVES, LOVE IS FREE, BUT IT ALWAYS COSTS.
LOVE IS...GOD GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE...
Love is...a husband going all over the city looking for a heating pad, because he feels it will help his wife's back, when he himself has a cold.
Love is...a 6th grader washing and peeling and cutting potatoes while watching his Bible class DVD, without being asked, because his mother can't sit in a chair.
Love is...A college student setting aside money for Lottie Moon Christmas offering.
Love is...A grandmother hanging mistletoe in her house for her grandson and new fiance to find.
Love is...Brothers going to a nursing home to give out fruit.
Love is...a husband leaving his new wife, to serve our country in Iraq, missing all the holidays with her and his family.
Love is...a teenage age girl making her little brother hot chocolate because he is having a long day of school.
Love is...a grandson and his fiance spending the weekend with Mamaw, helping her drag out all her decorations/tree and decorating the whole house with her.
Love is...a church, supporting their pastor when he was not able to pastor for 3 months because of an accident.
Love is...a cosmetologist cutting cancer patients hair or styling wigs for free.
Love is...A grandmother going all over the place to look for a certain game for her grandson overseas, and she has an eye infection.
Love is...a wife showing amazing courage, strength and faith in her husbands accident and as he continues to recover.
Love is...A niece going to be with a widow on the anniversary day of her son's death, taking her to the cemetery to put out Christmas flowers, and spending the night with her, so she wasn't alone.
Love is...a pastor's wife teaching Bible studies at the nursing home.
Love is...a group of RA's making bird houses to sell for Lottie Moon Missions offering.
Love is...a sister giving a massage, pedicure, manicure, hair cut, the day before her sister returns to the mission field.
Love is...A brother buying his sister a plane ticket so she could spend thanksgiving with his family and their mother.
Love is...a note, a smile, a prayer given at just the right time by a special friend.
No matter what your love language is or how you show or know love, the fact of the matter is that LOVE IS SACRIFICE, LOVE IS GIVING, LOVE IS PUTTING OTHERS BEFORE OURSELVES, LOVE IS FREE, BUT IT ALWAYS COSTS.
LOVE IS...GOD GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
IDENTITY
Identity
I have spent a lot of time lately learning and teaching Grace about identity. To sum it all up: If we place our identity, or our security in any thing or anyone (even good) that can be taken or stripped away, then we will always be on the edge of a false identity or security, as there is nothing that this world has to offer that will give us a true identity or security, besides Jesus Christ.
Just a few things that we can place false identity or false security in:
success
numbers (fruit counting)
Man's praise
Physical appearance
Talents
Ministry/Service
Gifts
What others think or say
Athletic abilities
Church
Job Title or occupation
Speaking gifts (including language)
Roles: Being a mother, wife, missionary
Nationality
Freedom (religious or otherwise)
Academic abilities or knowledge
Wealth
Government
Our family (parents, children, parenting etc...)
A pastor or leader
Material possessions
Every one of these things and I am sure many more, can be stripped or taken away, or disappoint and let us down, at any given season in our life, and leave us on a false edge of security.
JESUS. He will always remain, He is faithful, we can place our security and identity in Him, He can be trusted. He is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us.
He is who He says He is, and we are who He says we are.
Lord, please help me to find my identity in You and You alone. Help me to truly be thankful and content with who I am in You. Help me to see any talents, roles, job titles, gifts, people etc., and even trials in my life as opportunities to tell others about You, and to bring glory to You, not to give me my identity, so that if and when i am stripped of everything, I will be content with You, Lord. You are worthy and you are enough.
I have spent a lot of time lately learning and teaching Grace about identity. To sum it all up: If we place our identity, or our security in any thing or anyone (even good) that can be taken or stripped away, then we will always be on the edge of a false identity or security, as there is nothing that this world has to offer that will give us a true identity or security, besides Jesus Christ.
Just a few things that we can place false identity or false security in:
success
numbers (fruit counting)
Man's praise
Physical appearance
Talents
Ministry/Service
Gifts
What others think or say
Athletic abilities
Church
Job Title or occupation
Speaking gifts (including language)
Roles: Being a mother, wife, missionary
Nationality
Freedom (religious or otherwise)
Academic abilities or knowledge
Wealth
Government
Our family (parents, children, parenting etc...)
A pastor or leader
Material possessions
Every one of these things and I am sure many more, can be stripped or taken away, or disappoint and let us down, at any given season in our life, and leave us on a false edge of security.
JESUS. He will always remain, He is faithful, we can place our security and identity in Him, He can be trusted. He is faithful. He will never leave us or forsake us.
He is who He says He is, and we are who He says we are.
Lord, please help me to find my identity in You and You alone. Help me to truly be thankful and content with who I am in You. Help me to see any talents, roles, job titles, gifts, people etc., and even trials in my life as opportunities to tell others about You, and to bring glory to You, not to give me my identity, so that if and when i am stripped of everything, I will be content with You, Lord. You are worthy and you are enough.
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