Changing Winds - The Calling of God

The past two months have almost been surreal in nature. God has changed us in so many ways and shown us different ways to look at His calling in our lives. I am starting to understand how the soon to be disciples "dropped left their nets and followed Him" (Matthew 4:20). The nets are a symbolism of the things that hold you back from being sold out and following Jesus completely.

My (not speaking for my wife although she too has some of the same) nets have been plenty as I live comfortably here in Florida on a farm. We have been attending a church where we felt everyone needed to be hearing the word from 'our' pastor. I have a job that is secure which is incredible in these insecure times. Our daughters and their devoted husbands are close by and well within reach. Yet, with all of this, we have felt 'called out' by God.

Our farm belongs to God. We have determined that in our hearts for years. We have felt the call to develop our farm into a outreach for missionaries to use for training and furlough. It has not gone as far as we dreamed but along the same token, we have hosted several missionaries and learned a lot about different types of farming and animal husbandry. Are WE the missionaries that will use this farm as a primary place of training and furlough?

Due to some external circumstances beyond our control, we no longer attend the church where at the time, we felt that everyone needed to be. Instead, we are attending a much smaller church where the Word of God is preached and indeed feel 'at home' among the people even though we know almost no one.

Wow, how can that be? I'm really starting to understand 'the church'. You see when Paul was writing to 'the church' in Galatia or Corinth, he was not writing to one church. He was writing to the followers of Christ in a region. There would have been many small groups of believers to whom Paul was writing. I have come to understand this lately. Being a believer in Christ and a devoted Christ follower is not about A church but about ministering to His kingdom.

We both work extensively with Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan's Purse. We have also been introduced this past year to the work of Wycliffe Bible Translators and their support organizations such as Wycliffe Associates and JAARS. Our hearts have been drawn towards countries in Africa such as Sudan and Ghana.

God, where are you calling us to go? I now understand that wherever you call us to be, you are already there. The road that you are asking us to travel, your footsteps are there to guide us. God, stretch me out of my comfort zone and into your zone of service and protection. Where you lead, I will follow.

May the following video be your prayer as it is mine.

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=c8d315e08ff1ddf7db8f

Turning Fear and Anxiety into Trust

I have been studying Learning to Pray by Billy Graham in my devotion time each day. The chapter that I'm in presently is 'Emotions that defeat us'. When he started talking about worry and fear, it started really hitting home. This is an area that I really struggle with. I know the promises that God has for me in the Bible yet I do not live them out. With that in mind and wishing to share my heart with you, what follows is an exerpt from my journal today:

Bible Study:
In speaking about emotions that defeat us, Billy Graham says that when our lives are "overrun by fear, we can easily become paralyzed. We also fail to trust God when we allow worry and fear to dominate us." This is one of the biggest things for me. Fear and doubt. Why?

Proverbs 22:3 "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." Have I done my part? If so, am I willing to allow God to protect and guide me?

Dangers can come from things seen and things unseen. 1 Peter 5:8 says to "be self-controlled and alert, you enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

When fear and worry are present, God's peace is absent. I must learn to trust God's promises. They are throughout the Bible. What do I fear the most? Believe it or not, I think I fear the lack of God's provision. How stupid of me. God has always come through, yet I fear … hmm, I fear that I will make a decision that is outside of His will that He will not provide for and I will jeopardize our finances.

Another area is direction in Kay's and my life. I am the spiritual leader yet I feel so inadequate.

Billy Graham speaks of Psalm 118:6 "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" I don't fear man but instead it looks like I fear myself! Can I rephrase this verse to read "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can I do to me"?

Fear and faith work against each other because they are mutually exclusive. Could it be that I cannot live in faith because I've never really had too? Or have I and yet I didn't recognize it as living in faith?

Steps to change:
1. Turn my anxiety and fear over to God
a. Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
b. 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
2. Stand on God's promises
a. Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.""
b. Psalm 23 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
c. John 16:33 "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
3. Pray diligently
a. The end result of inviting God to live THROUGH me is found in Philippians 4:6 - 7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Prayer:
Dear God in heaven, creator of the heavens and the earth. King of kings and Lord of lords, you know everything and you know my heart, God. I love you so and want to be the absolute best servant that I can be for you. Yet, doubt in myself is holding me back from living in faith. I am grasping on to what is tangible and not reaching out to you like I should. If Peter did the same, he would have never taken a step outside of the boat.

God, my Father, give me the faith of Peter. Give me the courage to step out. God, you have called me to lead my family. We have so much to do here on earth. The fields are abundantly white for harvest and you have given us the tools that we need to harvest the crop… Our farm, our work with the church body, Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan's Purse, Wycliffe Associates. Oh my… Lord God, please guide us… guide me as the spiritual leader. Help me to trust in you more daily. May I have a hunger for your word that passes all understanding. God I don't want to be anxious about anything but I want to present all my requests to you that I may have the peace that you are so willing to provide. God, guide me today. Amen.

Prayer - As Vital as Food and Air

I am studying prayer in my Bible study and it is incredibly enlightening to me. I am learning that it is not an 'accessory' to a victorious Christian life but as absolutely vital as food and air. If that is the case, why do most Christ Followers treat it like a map folded in the glove box?

What follows is some of what I wrote in my devotions today. I am posting it here because, well truthfully I feel that God is leading me to do so. I pray that it will be enlightening to you as you also seek God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit.

Yesterday:
Just an ok kind of day. Governing board meeting and the like. Left my wallet @ home so it was a day without meals until I got home. My mind just kind of existed and I didn't have any formidable conversation with God. And I feel it too… my spirit's fuel tank is running on low. All I wanted to do when I came home was to sleep.

Bible Study:
Studying about the 'process of prayer'. It starts with a 'broken and contrite heart' (Psalms 51:17). God will only hear my prayers and will only be open to my conversation with Him if I am of the right mind. This is why confession is towards the front of any prayer. ACTS A-adoration, C-confession, T-thanksgiving, S-supplication. This is not a magic formula but it is vital to approach a perfect God.
Romans 12:2 'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.' The 'renewing of my mind' involves prayer.

Billy Graham says "It is apparent that prayer, when prioritized in the Christian life, is the difference between thriving Christians and struggling Christians. If you find yourself struggling, take a close look at your prayer life. In doing so, you'll rediscover the key to growing stronger in your faith." Wow, yesterday was perfect example of a 'struggling Christian' kind of day… blah, no direction, and it affected every part of my day! Prayer should be as necessary to me as breathing and eating… an necessary and vital part of my life.

Prayer:
God, my Lord and my Savior, you reign supreme. Nothing occurs without your knowledge. It all becomes confusing to us when we see things happen because you have allowed mankind to have free will. We question 'why' when we see suffering yet you provided free will to allow us to love you. Forgive me, Lord when I let my free will just allow me to coast through the day without acknowledging you and asking you for direction and guidance. Forgive me for not just communing with you throughout the day. You want to guide me and yet I treat you like a road map left in the glove box. God, please forgive me. God, I come to you with a heart and mind that yearns to be led by you. Holy Spirit, please take my hand and guide me today.

God, I have been feeling overwhelmed this week. You gave us such a wonderful time of rest and reflection last weekend in North Carolina and Tuesday hit me like a brick wall and it has been that way all week. Each day drained me a little more and now it is now Friday and God, I am tired… out of fuel. I know that it is because I have not been pulling up to your 'fuel pump' to be refreshed and refilled via prayer. Forgive me, God.

So many things are on my mind regarding the farm and how to make things happen. The fencing for the hogs and the sheep fold, walling in the shelter to create a lambing shelter, a barn, a way to pay for it all. God, if it weighs me down, it is obviously because I am not giving these concerns to you. God, I am sorry and ask for forgiveness. Help me to learn to become a victorious Christian through prayer. Not for my glory but for yours.

Thank you, God for loving us so that you gave your one and only Son for us. Thank you… Amen.

America - The Modern Day Judah

I was reading 2 Kings 24 - 25 this morning. The troops are destroying Judah, killing masses of people and taking the rest captive back to Babylon. Only a few are left to tend the land. Judah gets destroyed just as the prophets predicted.

Bottom-line, if God says it then it's going to happen! 2 Kings 24:3 spells it out clearly. "Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord's command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood." Our Holy God cannot withstand sin in His presence. If He did, He would not be Holy.

The blood of 3500 innocent unborn babies are shed each and every day in this country as a result of abortion. How long until America is like Judah in God's eyes. I will add America to my prayer list today. It makes me think of 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land".

Will we repent as a nation or will we be "thrust from His presence" (2 Kings 24:20) due to the Lord's anger.

Sheep

I sit here this morning looking out over our sheep thinking of how David did the same thing 3000 years ago. They depend on us for food, water, and safety. Alone, they are helpless and destined to die prematurely due to starvation, dehydration, disease, or predator. We are also the same in God's eyes. Yet, he does not fence us in but allows us to have free will to come and go from under his protection. It is amazing to watch these guys in this lush pasture reaching through the fence because I guess 'the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence'. Without fences, we as Christ Followers can do the same if we do not have our eyes on our Creator.

Gardening

I was reading Isaiah 5 - 8 this morning. What follows is an excerpt from what was written in my journal.

Bible Study:

God carefully tends us as a farmer lovingly tends his vineyard. He prunes us and cultivates the weeds away from our roots to allow us to grow to our fullest potential. How does my yield look for Him? Am I doing my best?

One of my very favorite verses in the Bible is found in Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said “Here am I. Send me!”

Wait upon the Lord, put my trust in Him. Isaiah was a great prophet that I can tell was in ‘tune’ with God and what He had to say. How can I emulate that in my life? Wait upon the Lord and put my trust in Him. Clear out anything that is a barrier between me and God. Develop my focus to be on Him as a farmer tends his crop.

This is making me think of our vegetable garden. We have had a hard time cultivating an abundant crop of vegetables. The lack of nutrients in the soil (Bible study/Prayer), weeds and pests (Sins of commission as well as sins of omission. Things in my life that certainly are not bad in themselves yet they consume my time and energy thus keeping me away from God’s plan for me to be abundant for Him). How do I change this in the garden. I must start with sterile soil (forgiveness of sins). Before planting my crop I need to test the soil and add the correct nutrients to promote seed germination and growth (consistent study and prayer). As my crop grows and develops, I must be diligent to check for pests everyday (sin). These pests (weeds, insects, whatever) must be removed… one by one if need be. If the crops grow tall, I need to support them with trellises or stakes (supporting those that are actively spreading the Gospel). Harvest comes with thanksgiving to the One that made it all possible (praise/worship).

Our garden this fall will be different. It will not be choked with weeds and pests. We will be diligent on a daily basis. I pray for my life to be likewise.

Prayer:

My precious Father, my Redeemer, you are too glorious to fathom. You see all, you know all, you are everywhere and yet you know my heart, my thoughts and you wish to commune with me. My King, I worship you. I deserve death and you give me life, I am nothing and yet you scoop me into your arms with a love that is beyond comprehension.

Forgive me, Lord for not tending the garden of my life. Help me to start again even today to carefully cultivate, test and plant with loving care. Help me to see the pests and to not ignore but to take action immediately to remove the pests from my garden. I ask all of this that I may produce an abundant crop of souls for your kingdom. Help me to be ever-learning and ever-seeking your direction for my life. Amen.

I pray that these words may encourage you. If they do, please take time to encourage me as we can both grow towards what God is calling us to do by supporting each other.

Blessings...

Time - 24 Hours

Time...

We are all given 24 hours of it each day. How we use this time determines what we will look back on as accomplishments after the day ends.

I wrestle with this because I always doubt myself when it comes to time management. I want to be doing the things that God wants me to do, yet so often I look back and wonder if I have wasted yet another day.

Should I outline my day to be efficient? Should I set one or two priorities each day? Should I just "let it flow"?

'There is a time for everything...' (Ecc 3:1) This verse speaks about time and how precious it is to each of us. This chapter though seems to speak of the key pinnacles of time where big decisions are made. OK, but what about today? It is just a normal day... hey wait, doesn't most EVERYDAY start as just a normal day?

Two passages in the Bible are really speaking to me this morning though as they reference this 'normal' day ahead of me.

The first one is Romans 13:11-12 which says "...understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." I am to be alert to God's guidance and not dragging around half alert. I can plan my day but I need to be aware of the times that God REdirects me during the day. This passage also tells me to pay attention to what is happening in the world today. "Understanding the present time" to me doesn't mean to worry about the politics around the world but I should pay attention as it will help me to prioritize my tasks.

The second passage about time that is Hosea 10:12. "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you." Sow, reap, and break up unplowed ground. In relationships, always be tending the garden as you would your flower garden. Is it full of weeds and pests or beautiful flowers? In my daily walk... my 24 hours, tend my time with care as to make the most of today. I need to take time to aim for the completion of tasks that God has laid on my heart as important to Him. It could be reaching out to another as I am seeking to do in this post. It could be as 'mundane' as mowing the yard or doing the laundry.

How am I doing? How are you doing? Do you have some weeding to do in your plans today? I pray that you do. May we all be alert to the gift of TODAY. God has given us 24 hours. How will you use this precious gift?