Powerful Words from Beth Moore...

I've been working through this personal reflection study for the last couple of months...in fact I'm only days away from finishing.  It was a gift to me some time ago.  (Thank you again, Elaine!  I can't express to you how much I've loved this book!) 

Even though I've taken Beth's Bible study, A Heart Like His (twice, in fact... about 10 years apart) this is a more personal, reflective journey, perfect for independent study time.  I spend 15-30 minutes each morning, but most days the passage she shares or something she's written will resonate for hours (and sometimes days) beyond my study time.  As she takes you through the life of David, she asks you to examine various personal issues, struggles, motives, sins, etc. and then invites you to journal a prayer at the close of each day.  

Several days ago, she shared a chapter on Extremes.  She explained that much of David's life was characterized in that way.  She related that was so often true of her life's journey as well.  She wrote and shared this beautiful prayer.  I can't seem to stop thinking about it, and praying it on my own behalf.    Perhaps you will find it so meaningful, as well. 

Satisfy me not with the lesser of You
Find me no solace in shadows of the true
No ordinary measure of extraordinary means
The depth, the length, and breadth of You
and nothing in between.

Etch these words upon my heart knowing all the while
No ordinary roadblocks plague extraordinary miles
Your power as my portion, Your glory as my fare
Take me to extremities, but meet me fully there.

Greetings and Another Gem by Jon Walker

Happy Friday! How I miss you! Be assured that even though life is keeping me from blogging much these days, know that so many of you pass through my thoughts (and subsequently my prayers) on a daily basis. You are loved, sweet friends. Loved indeed.

I received this message earlier today from GraceCreates, a daily devotional message written by one of my favorites, Jon Walker. Like so many others, this one is simply too good to keep to myself. See if this doesn't just give you an added measure of strength today.

Have a wonderful weekend!


God Sees Who?

The Lord turned to [Gideon] and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14 (NIV)
*** *** ***
Gideon was the least member of the weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh.

His task on the day in question was the tedious threshing of wheat, a process where the cereal grain is knocked loose from the chaff.

But this devotional is not about agriculture. It’s about God’s ability to see you for who you are meant to be not for what you appear to be. God saw Gideon as a mighty warrior and judge who would lead the Israelites back to their proper worship of God (Judges 6:12).

Gideon, on the other hand, saw himself as just a guy cranking wheat through a creaky old winepress.

But that didn’t matter to God. He told Gideon: “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14 NIV).

(Note to servants of God: The strength of the Sender is more important than the strength, or perceived weakness, of the one being sent.)

Gideon was still stuck in tunnel vision, believing what he thought and what he saw was the truth. To paraphrase the ancient Hebrew, Gideon told God, “I just don’t have what it takes, Lord. I know you’re perfect, but I think you made a mistake” (Judges 6:15 NIV).

Again, paraphrasing the ancient Hebrew, God says to Gideon, “Get your head out of the wheat dust and pay attention to me. I will be with you and so, yes, you will strike down all the Midianites as if they are no more than one man” (Judges 6:16).

It doesn’t matter what Gideon says about himself or what others say about Gideon. Only one opinion counts: God’s.

What God says about Gideon is the truth.

What God says about you is the truth. You are a precious child, created in his image; a sweet aroma that is pleasing to the Lord.


If you’d like to receive these devotionals regularly, sign-up at www.gracecreates.com/subscribe/.

More on Desperately Seeking Christ

As promised yesterday, here are some additional insights from "He Speaks to Me." (Don't worry if you're considering doing this study...I've left plenty of nuggets unmentioned!) As the title of this chapter (A Sold-Out Hunger) suggests, God meets with those who seek Him with passion. If we want to be fervent, sold-out believers, there are a number of things for which we need to develop a hunger:

His Direction – how often do we claim to want His direction, but what we really want is for Him to bless what WE want? We often see His interventions as interruptions to our own plans.

His Word – the standard by which we gauge that which is absolute truth. Without it, we can easily fall into false thinking about what God wants us to do. His spoken word can always be backed up by his written Word.

His Presence – He cannot bless us when we are stubborn, rebellious, prideful or set on our own ways. We need to develop a continual state of humility if we are to experience His Presence fully.

His Peace – We need to be certain we are open to the workings of the Holy Spirit within us, regularly checking our actions against what we know is right. When our lives align with God’s plans, we find peace.

His Power – Though the Holy Spirit lives within us, it is up to us to tap into the benefits He provides by His power. When something controls us, it changes the way we think and act and gives us the power to do that which we might not normally be able to do…

* * * * * * *
This Bible study has a companion DVD. While the study can certainly be done (and would be very impacting) on its own, the DVD adds a whole new dimension to the study. What follows are highlights of the DVD session for this chapter.

It’s hard to fathom that someone so holy as Christ, knowing everything He knows about us, would actually make himself available and attainable for us. And yet He does. David struggled to believe it too…he wrote in Psalm 8 - Majestic is your name! Your splendor and glory is incredible! When I consider the Heavens and the moon & the stars and the works of your hands – what is man that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man that you would even take account of who I am. It is an amazing gift, indeed.

Priscilla then shared something that brought an overwhelming response of praise (even from our typically reserved group). I close by sharing it with you…

He’s the first and last,
the beginning and the end,
the keeper of creation and the creator of all!
He’s the architect of the universe
and the manager of all things.
He always was, always is and always will be –
unmoved, unchanged, undefeated & never undone!

He was bruised and brought healing,
He was pierced and eases pain,
He was persecuted and bought freedom,
He was dead and brought life,
He was risen and brings power.

The World…they can’t understand Him;
Armies…they can’t defeat Him;
Schools…they can’t explain Him and
Rulers…they can’t ignore Him!

Herod couldn’t kill Him;
The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him and
The People couldn’t Hold Him!

Nero couldn’t crush Him;
Hitler couldn’t silence Him;
The New Age can’t replace Him and
Oprah can’t explain Him!

Praise God!

He is light,
He is love,
He is longevity and He is the Lord.
He is goodness, and kindness and gentleness.
He is God!
He is holy and righteous and mighty and powerful and pure!
His ways are right,
His word eternal,
His will is unchanging,
And His mind is on me!

(Wow...just typing this gets me praising all over again!) Hope this has you praising this morning, too! May we seek Him passionately and desperately today and everyday.

To learn more about this or other studies by Priscilla Shirer, visit Going Beyond Ministries.

Desperately Seeking Christ

Blessings to you this Monday! I have some great things to share with you so I’ll get right to it!

I had a sweet, sweet time with the Lord as I worked through my homework over the weekend. You may or may not know my office Bible study is working through “He Speaks to Me” by Priscilla Shirer (daughter of Tony Evans). It is designed to teach how to posture ourselves that we might discern the voice of God in our lives. The messages are so RICH with insight, it’s hard to even summarize them for you. I can’t recommend it more highly.

While I don’t want to give too much away for those who may want to do this study, I really feel the Lord wants me to share a little about what I've been learning the last couple of days.

Our current chapter teaches that we need to have a Sold-Out Hunger for Christ -- to be desperate for His manifest presence. Among several illustrations, the one that spoke to me most powerfully was Bartimeus. You may remember he was the blind man who sat at the roadside begging for healing as Jesus passed by. He called out loudly to Jesus, asking him to have mercy on him. Everyone around him told him to be quiet…more to the point, that Jesus didn’t have time for him. Bartimeus was undeterred. He called out “all the more” for Jesus to have mercy on him. She went on …imagine what it must have been like for Bartimeus, when the people around him (who had just scolded him for calling out to Jesus), began to whisper amongst themselves “He’s stopping, Jesus is stopping…” Jesus indeed stopped and proceeded to restore sight to the eyes of a man who wanted to see His Lord. Bartimeus immediately began praising God, as did all the people who just moments before had been trying to silence him.

She also shared about the woman with the issue of blood. Imagine the anguish that must have driven her to push through the crowds, putting aside the scorn of the people and her physical weakness, daring to hope to receive healing from the Savior. Like Bartimeus, this woman was desperate.

She asked "What is keeping us from the manifest presence of God?" Is it fear? Is it a difficult job? Financial difficulty? A lonely marriage? Discouragement? Don’t let that stand in your way – rather call out all the more! We have access to the Manifest Presence of God! He tells us in Matthew 5…blessed are those who hunger and thirst! Are you hungry? Are you desperate? He makes himself available and attainable! He promises in Deuteronomy 4:29, we’ll find Him, when we seek with all of our hearts!

So how does this find you today -- hungry, thirsty, desperate? You and I both know seeking for anything (status, wealth, approval) other than Christ will leave us only empty and longing for more. Join me today in praying with desperation for the manifest presence of God!

There is more to share, but I'll save the rest for tomorrow...(make sure to stop back!)

Blessings,
Tracy