Don't Worry... TRUST

Today is my spiritual birthday!!! I am 38 years young in the LORD!! I like that 'spiritual' age much better than my real ' physical' age! But God is good! I'm thankful for both!

God has been pouring down blessings from heaven today like rain - again. Sometimes I just shake my head when I watch Him at work! His ways are just so cool! He always does things with that 'surprise element' - just to show me His power and His tender care for me.

These are the verses that He gave me just a short time ago as I've had to deal with new car insurance - possibly selling one of the vehicles - you know all those things that women (me) fret about doing. We hate this stuff. But He's showing me that it's all in His hands - if I give it over to Him! He will go before me!

· Luke 12: 22-31

Then, turning to His disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. [emphasis mine]

I chose purple because it has always been my favorite color since childhood. I've often wondered why. In my studies of the Word this week - I found that it represents royalty. I am a child of the KING! So today I put on my 'royal robes' as I celebrate my love for Jesus and His continuing love for me! Praise Him!

I hope each one of you reading this can celebrate your own birthday in Jesus. If not, there's no better time like today! I already told the LORD that there would be no greater birthday gift He could give me - than for another person to receive Him on this very day!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Naked Before Him

God has been pouring down blessing after blessing upon me since Saturday! But as I begin one of the busiest weeks of the new year He brings me back to what this life is all about: HIM!

I received a phone call this afternoon from a woman who has lived a very difficult life. A few years ago she received Jesus as her Savior and she was "born again" as she told me today! Her life has not changed much since that time - until just recently when she had a car accident that almost took her life. But God spared her and she's been asking Him "why? " - ever since.

Today she asked me why God loves her so much when she is such a sinner. She thought that I had lived a pretty 'sinless life' and was comparing herself to me. If only she knew!! And that's just what I told her. If we compared lives - she might start looking at her life as pretty 'good'. But thankfully, we are not to compare ourselves with one another - to measure our lives. Our only measuring line - or plumb line is God HIMSELF. And with that - we all come up short of His glory and perfect standard. But that's where Jesus comes in - He gave His life and provided the shed blood that would satisfy the atonement for our sin before the Father.

I love the picture of Christ all the way back to the Garden of Eden where God showed His loved for Adam and Eve as soon as they had sinned. It is the first picture of the necessity of blood having to be shed for the provision of covering sin (our sin)!

Genesis 3:11-12, 20-21

11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”
12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”

20 Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.

21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins [bloodshed occurs] for Adam and his wife.

[emphasis mine]

Notice who made the covering... God Himself. Everything we see in the Old Testament is a shadow of Christ's coming in the New Testament. What a visual we get right here in these few verses.

Why did God do it? Because He loves us!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

James 5:10-11

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. [emphasis mine]

Whatever you are struggling with in your life today, if you know Jesus as your personal Savior, then you know He loves you and wants only what is best for you. Be patient in your suffering - and persevere. God is faithful and good! He is full of compassion and mercy! Trust Him! Praise Him!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

To Know and Be Known

Luke 10:17-24 (NLT)

17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to Him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use Your Name!”
18 “Yes,” He told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” [emphasis mine]


Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving

21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and He said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank You for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased You to do it this way.
22 “My Father has entrusted everything to Me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”
23 Then when they were alone, He turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” [emphasis mine]

This is such a cool chapter in Luke's gospel. In verses 17-20 the disciples are joyous over the abilities and power they had received but Jesus quickly reminds them to rejoice because of who they are [in Christ] - not because of what they can do [through Him]. Do I have my priorities straight - in the right order? I'm forgiven through the blood of Christ first and foremost! Everything else is 'cake'!

Next, in verses 21-24 I really was blessed by two things that stood out (afresh) to me today. First, Jesus Himself, is filled with the JOY of the Holy Spirit. Is that because that is where true JOY comes from?

Then, I was amazed that Jesus chooses those to whom He reveals the Father. Wow! Am I thankful that Jesus chose me to know the Father!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Helping Hands

We were never meant to do things all on our own. Autonomy does not have its place in the body of Christ. That's because our God is a relational God. He wants that personal relationship with us (humans) but He also wants it between us! When we face great trials, carry burdens, or are in a battle waiting for a positive outcome, the victory is always sweeter when shared.

Exodus 17:8-13 (NLT)

Israel Defeats the Amalekites

8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”
10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. [emphasis mine]

God even made sure when this victory was done that Joshua knew it wasn't all his doing. God was the commander and He chose to use 4 men to lead this army to victory.

Our church body [the body of Christ] is the same. God chooses for us to hold each other up through prayer, accountability, teaching and encouragement, just to name a few.

Are you hurting? Or is someone you know hurting? Are you in a battle with the enemy that seems overwhelming? Is someone you know in that kind of battle?

Reach out and pick someone up today. Or, let someone reach out to you and help you through your struggle. That is the very way we become the "hands and feet" of Christ.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. [emphasis mine]

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT)

23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. [emphasis mine]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

What a Body!

The last two days have been filled with praying & sharing, sadness & praising, mourning & rejoicing, gathering & serving, all as the body of Christ.

We shared a special time of celebration for our dear sister, Eileen, as she was remembered in the hearts of so many people - everywhere.

His body - the true church - those who belong to Jesus - joined together to serve as His hands and feet. What a blessing to gather with people that didn't really know each other and watch God bond us together as we worked to serve a family who needed us in their hour of grief.

I have seen this more and more - where God is tearing down walls between us - and showing us that the 'denominational signs' on our church doors are really man-made. Don't get me wrong - I belong to a denominational church, as many of you do, but it's not the focus of who we are as the body of Christ! God knows those who are His. In heaven there will be no walls, and no signs on any doors to separate us. Christ shows us His desire to be "inclusive" with the body - rather than exclusive.

It seems that someone's death is one those times that the LORD reaches deep into the hearts of people - both believers and those who have not yet received the Savior's forgiveness - to tug and draw us to Himself! Death brings us to a place of examining our own hearts before God. We stop to examine what is important to us, we look at our own relationship with the LORD to see (if perhaps) there are changes we need to make - or priorities that need to be re-adjusted. We take time to help another, we are more tender to those around us. If only those actions (on our part) would last and not fade when we go back to our own homes and back to our own normal routines.

There will be no "normal" for Eileen's family for awhile. That's reality. Trust me, I know.

If you have lost a loved one recently or you know a family who has, I challenge you to reach out with the heart of Christ; be His hands and feet. Pray for them even more than you did before. Step in where you can to lend a hand - 3 months - 6 months - or even a year from now.

• Romans 12:15-16a (NIV)

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.

• Galatians 6:9-10 (NLT)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Show Me Your Glory

Have you ever asked God to "show you His glory"? Moses was one of few people who did and God was pleased to show him. Exodus 33 is one of my very favorite passages in all of the Old Testament.

Moses asked this of God [in a response of WORSHIP to Him] . Do you see the intimacy that Moses and God had together? God's glory and His goodness are inseparable.

Exodus 33:17-23

17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
18 Then Moses said, "Now show me Your glory."
19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My Name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," He said, "you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live."
21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near Me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove My hand and you will see My back; but My face must not be seen." [emphasis mine]

When we (today) ask God to "show us Your glory"... He does it through the express image of His Son, Jesus Christ! I love how all of the Old Testament points to Christ so that the entire Bible - the 'whole counsel of the Word of God' is God-breathed for our benefit to know and understand Who God is but also to know Him personally! Wow! Drink in the words of this next passage!

Hebrews 1:1-3

1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. [emphasis mine]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

EILEEN'S GLORY DAY

My dear friend, Eileen, stepped onto the shores of heaven late this afternoon and into the Presence of Jesus! I'm sure that Bob was there to greet her as well! That gives me great comfort! Just after I got the news - I stepped outside and took these pictures - all around me. God is awesome! It's like He painted the sky for her home going!

The first photo is from the western sky... the moon is in the northern sky - so cool - all taken at the same time!

I put these words over the criss-cross sky picture - it almost looked like the 'star of David' to me:

COME TO THE MOUNTAIN - song by Mark Harris

Someone's calling you today... He says come away,
Stand in His Presence...drink in His glory,
Come and rest your soul... come and be made whole.

Come to the mountain... come join the chorus,
Worship the LORD...
He is mighty and glorious!
Come drink from the fountain,
Come to the mountain!

The verse that the LORD gave me for Eileen today is:

2 Corinthians 2:14-15a

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ...

Eileen was a living testimony - a sweet aroma of Christ! She trusted Jesus through every step of her journey and He has brought her into His glorious light! He brought her HOME and into His Presence!

Now Eileen has received the "Promise of New Beginnings!"

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

No Substitutes Please

Christianity comes down to one thing - RELATIONSHIP!

Almighty God - through Jesus Christ made a way for sinful man to have a relationship with a holy God! It was His plan, His idea (from before the foundation of the world), and His sacrifice.

• John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

• Romans 5:1-2, 6-11

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. [emphasis mine]

Now with those passages tucked in your heart... chew on this statement that was told to me over 20 years ago in a message from a former pastor. It sounds like an Oswald Chambers quote but so far I have not been able to attribute it to him. But it has been a powerful statement to live by in my own life. It is easy to get side-tracked in the "doing for God". May we never lose sight of the truth!

NEVER ALLOW YOUR SERVICE

FOR GOD

TO BECOME A SUBSTITUTE

FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP

WITH HIM!

May the things we attempt to "do" for God be the things that flow naturally out of the loving, abiding, and obedient relationship we have with Him.

• John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. [emphasis mine]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

It Only Takes a Spark

Back in the 70's (when I was young - ha, ha) there was a popular Christian song that many of us remember singing around campfires or in youth groups called: Pass It On. The beginning words say: "It only takes a spark to get a fire going".

This past Wednesday was one of those days when the LORD'S Presence seemed so real to me that if I had reached out for Him I would have taken a handful of hot coals. The Bible says that our God is a consuming fire. As I was studying His Word that night and listening to a video in preparation for Bible study, God seemed to speak back to me (from His Word) after every sentence that I confessed to Him. The lesson was about God's power - His all consuming power and presence.

We all know that if we got what we deserved (for our sin) - we would be dead - consumed by the fire of His Presence. But instead the LORD Jesus shows us grace and mercy. The closer we draw to Him - the hotter it gets - yet He draws nearer to us . Yet, instead of getting burned - His consuming fire ignites the fire of the Holy Spirit within us and sets us 'on fire for HIM'!

• James 4:7-8

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and He will come near to you. [emphasis mine]

• Hebrews 12:28-29

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming fire." [emphasis mine]

How close have you gotten to Him lately? Close enough to feel the heat? Close enough to catch the spark? Close enough to be ignited from within? Come closer - you won't get burned - only purified. The gunk, yuk and 'dross' is something you didn't want hangin' on you anyway - trust me - it was killing me.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Hanging in the Balance

Yesterday, I received one of the phone calls that you don't want to hear. A dear friend, who has cancer, suffered a massive stroke. She is still alive, but hanging in the balance between life and eternal life - between earth and heaven. This is one of those circumstances where we must keep our focus on the truth - on Jesus Christ. Many of you know and love my dear friend. She loves Jesus and has a very personal relationship with Him. All through this journey God has asked her the same question, "Do you TRUST ME to take you through this?" Her answer has always been. "Yes, Lord, I trust You, even when it's hard, I trust you." Those conversations between her and her Lord are ones that she has shared with me and many others. Our God is real - He is alive and active. She has often reminded me that earth is not our home - heaven is.

These passages are her living testimony and have meant the most to her through these last few years. I ask you to pray for my friend and her family. Jesus knows her by name - she is HIS child! God has been with her through every step - and He is Sovereign STILL! God is waiting for her. She has a home He has prepared in heaven for her. She received that gift the day she invited Jesus Christ into her heart and life - to be her LORD, and her Savior.

• Psalm 73:23-26 (NLT)

Yet I still belong to You;

You hold my right hand.

You guide me with Your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

I desire You more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

but God remains the strength of my heart;

He is mine forever.


Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

No Surprise!

Today has been one of those days that began when the pipes in my house sounded like they were going to explode. If you've ever heard a helicopter hovering close by - or a plane flying really low where all the windows and doors shook in your house - that's just about what it sounded like when I sat straight up in my bed at 4AM . It even scared the cat and the dog.
I prayed over it all night and into the morning and asked God to "go before me" - as I have done before. It took two different men (one at 4 AM - one at 8AM) and 4 hours in between to find that it was a simple problem - that ended in a split second.

All afternoon I asked the LORD to teach me something from all of that. Suddenly another major crisis - again with water - but this time a different pump. What seemed (again) like it was going to be a major problem - turned out to be a good thing - and not anything major at all. (God sent another good man to help).

Circumstances don't always end this way - but when I see how all the events that seemed like a major crisis - were solved with a little "working through", and much prayer - I learned that trusting HIM for everything - WORKS!

When I began to write this BLOG - a song came on (below) that I have been listening to for over two weeks now - but this time I stopped to really listen to all the words. Wow! Did God speak to this or what?

Album CD: Windows and Walls

Nothing Takes YOU by Surprise – by Mark Harris

It may be a phone call, that comes without warning,
and suddenly my world is shaken…
It may be a headline... I wake to one morning
and suddenly my heart is breaking
But every now and then,
There’s a truth I trust, that calms my heart.

chorus:
Nothing takes YOU by surprise,
Even ‘neath these troubled skies.
There’s a comfort just to realize,
Nothing takes YOU by surprise.

Sometimes the hard times... seem senseless and random
Like life’s just a series of chances.
But come what may, YOU never left us abandoned.
YOU are God over ALL circumstances.
And nothing on earth... could ever change YOUR plans
YOU’RE in control, we’re in YOUR hands.

chorus:

Though bitter winds blow, this truth is sweet,
Things out of our hands, are still under YOUR feet-
Whatever crisis may arise,
Jesus– YOU’E LORD of our lives…
Nothing takes YOU by surprise.

Did you happen to catch the title of the CD above? I just caught that - God still has a sense of humor and so should we! God is good; God is faithful!

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Thanks, Tom, Dan and Jeff for being faithful in caring for widows. I praise God for you. HE will honor you for the time you took to help. HE never left me abandoned!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

What Do You Expect?

Psalm 5:1-3

For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David.

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, [earnest plea]
consider my sighing. [desperation for God]
2 Listen to my cry for help, [hear me in my helpless estate]
my King and my God, [recognize His authority]
for to You I pray. [know His power]

3 In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; [By Faith]
in the morning I lay my requests before You [Pray]
and wait in expectation. [Believing]

This last verse (3) is one that I have been waking to every morning for the last two months or more. I speak it out to the LORD after greeting Him with, "Good morning, LORD..." - all before getting out of bed!

It has become so special - not done in rote - or repetition - but completely spoken with a joy filled heart - eager to see - hope for - and expect what God will do that day! Sometimes I say to Him, "What WILL You do today? I can't WAIT to see!"

It's a great way to begin this new year!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Psalm 84

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 How lovely is Your dwelling place,

O LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the Living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young—

a place near Your altar,

O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;

they are ever praising You.

Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in You,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;

listen to me, O God of Jacob.

Selah
9 Look upon our shield, O God;

look with favor on Your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

the LORD bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.
12 O LORD Almighty,

blessed is the man who trusts in You. [emphasis mine]

Allow God to speak a warm fresh breath from His Word to your heart today - as He did to mine!

Always praising... and

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Consumed!

When I was a child I spent hours playing "school" - even if it was just me and my dolls. I was always the "teacher" and gave out assignments, grading papers, often placing gold stars on the work of those [dolls] who obeyed what I had asked them to do. Some dolls were very cooperative - while others were not.

As I opened one of my Bible study lessons this morning - the title for today was "Sowing Lessons". I laughed to myself because I remembered a later time - the second year after I was married.... before children.... just after moving into the new home that Bob and I had built. I offered four friends to come to my home where I would teach them to sew. I loved to sew. My grandmother sewed, my mother and sister all sewed, and that love fell on me as well. Each of the four friends wanted desperately to learn how to sew. They each bought a sewing machine, purchased materials and all the necessary equipment to make their projects. They came once a week to my home, with machines in tow and set forth on an adventure - trusting me with the end result - that one day they would know how to sew! (Heaven help them)!!

Before the "projects" got underway I took several weeks to go over with them the "how" and "why" of sewing. I did this with - you guessed it - tests!! I drilled them in "salvages edges, bias, darts, seam rippers, pinking sheers, every imaginable fabric, as well as how to thread the sewing machine and refill the bobbins. I had given "Sewing Lessons". Once they got the basics down -they went to work and began to sew.

I taught what I knew. I had learned by observing two of the best sewers I knew - my mother and my sister. I'm a visual learner - a hands on type. I wanted to teach the same way.

As I reflected on this today in Bible study, "Sowing Lessons", I realized how far the LORD has brought me. He turned my desire to give "Sewing Lessons" into "Sowing Lessons".

• Luke 8:15 (NLT)

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce [with perseverance] a huge harvest. [emphasis mine]

But today HE taught me once again that hearing His Word is not enough. I must obey it. When I do what the Word says to do - the harvest from my obedience overflows just like in the consuming fire of God's glory with the Israelites.

• Leviticus 9:5-6,22-24 (NIV)

5 They took the things Moses commanded to the front of the Tent of Meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the LORD. 6 Then Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you."
22 Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.
23 Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. [emphasis mine]

I am consumed with a Holy God and His Word. May the "sowing lessons" of our lives today be the harvest of tomorrow!

Lesson One: Obedience is better than sacrifice! [1 Sam. 15:22]

May Jesus consume you with His love, grace and mercy today.

May you sow the Word of God deep in your heart,

and obey it...

bringing the overflowing joy

of a consuming God!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Unlimited Possibities

As the New Year of 2008 has dawned, God is holding out the "unseen" to us - the unlimited possibilities of His purpose for our lives. We have laid down the past, chosen to follow Him, and now must walk in the footsteps of that faith. We must do that actively and on purpose - trusting HIM to do the work within us - through His Word and His Holy Spirit's supernatural power!

These passages give us perspective on who we are (in Christ) and Who God is. They also show us that obedience is the only thing that we can offer to the LORD - and He will do the rest. Oh, the possibilities [promises] that God has for us! Awesome!

• John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. [emphasis mine]

• 1 Samuel 15:22

But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. [emphasis mine]

• 2 Peter 1:4

Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. [emphasis mine]

• Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." [emphasis mine]

• 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

9 However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him"— 10 but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. [emphasis mine]

Praise be to the Sovereign LORD of the Universe!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie