Water Your Faith Wednesday (Oct 29)

Hello everyone! Welcome to "Water Your Faith" Wednesday! How do you feel after spending your Sunday at church praising and worshiping our Lord? I know I feel great! I start my week fired up and ready to face what's in store. Oftentimes, however, by Wednesday, life begins to drag me down. My goal is provide a way to overcome the spiritual doldrums with encouraging words, scriptures, devotions, songs, etc. Let me know what you think!

 

I'm combining two different devotions this week for our Water Your Faith Wednesday. They are both similar in nature and, I think, go together quite well. 

 

From The Daily Bible Verse: "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble." – 1 John 2:9-10 (NIV) 

 

Today’s commentary by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
We only entrap ourselves when we allow our souls to be bitter toward others. There could be a good reason for our feelings, but harboring hate toward others doesn’t affect those people in the least. On the contrary, we are the ones who become imprisoned by our feelings. So bring your bitterness to the light. Talk to someone about your hurt and receive prayer for your need. God’s light can fill the dark soul and take out the obstacles around us if we will just humble ourselves.
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From Proverbs 31:

OCTOBER 28, 2014 Why are Women so Hard on Each Other? LYNN COWELL "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them." Proverbs 3:27 (NLT) "Why, when a woman walks in a room, do all the other women size her up?" my husband asked. Where was the nearest rock? I thought, as I desperately wanted to crawl under one. My husband had just pointed out what I've often seen, but didn't think others noticed. Our insecurity tends to come out when we're in situations where we feel "less than" or uncomfortable. Greg's comment that evening stirred a series of questions in my mind. What holds us back from offering encouragement when we know most of us struggle with feelings of insecurity? Why, when we have the power to do so much good for each other, do we not do it? Why would I not, when I have a good thought about another person, simply say it? Beautiful comments we think in our head, yet fail to say such as: "I noticed your kind act in the grocery store. You inspired me! "Your generous heart makes me want to be giving as well!" "When I see the boldness of your faith, I'm encouraged to be bold too." The more I thought about it, the more I knew how easy it would be to start speaking good things about others. King Solomon reinforced my thoughts as I read Proverbs 3:27, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them." My heart heard a thought from God as I read this verse, "Lynn, do not withhold a compliment. When you speak good, you are doing My good." So, I'm starting with this resolve: If I have a positive thought, I'm going to say it. It doesn't matter if I know you or if you are a woman I've never met. With God's help, I no longer want to withhold good from those who deserve or those who need it, when it is in my power to help them. My prayer is that not only will I encourage others along the way, but my kids will see God's goodness pouring through me and they too will be inspired to not withhold good from others. If we'll join together and make sharing the good we see normal, we might just bring some really good change to the world. Jesus, I want to be a bringer of Your good to my world today. In everyday moments like at the grocery store, when seeing my neighbor and as I go about my work, open my eyes to see the good in others and then call it out and encourage them with the power of my words. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Did you enjoy today's devotion? Click here to subscribe. My Thoughts: People, most specifically women, tend to judge others and see the worst in them rather than taking the time to get to know one another and look for the good. Why is that? I think it has to do with our own self-image and consciousness. We would rather throw judgement on someone else than look at ourselves and our lives. The Bible clearly states that this is wrong. In both key verses, God tells us that we shouldn't hate one another or withold good from one another. When we do, we are not following God's commands to help one another and lift each other up.    What do you think about these verses? Why do you think we judge each other so harshly?

Water Your Faith Wednesday (Oct 22)

Hello everyone! Welcome to "Water Your Faith" Wednesday! How do you feel after spending your Sunday at church praising and worshiping our Lord? I know I feel great! I start my week fired up and ready to face what's in store. Oftentimes, however, by Wednesday, life begins to drag me down. My goal is provide a way to overcome the spiritual doldrums with encouraging words, scriptures, devotions, songs, etc. Let me know what you think!

 

This week's "Water Your Faith" post comes from Proverbs 31. I absolutely love these daily devotional emails. If you haven't signed up for them, do it!

 

OCTOBER 21, 2014

How God Turns Your Past Into Purpose
TRACIE MILES

"'Return home and tell how much God has done for you.' So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him." Luke 8:39 (NIV)

As I sat in the church pew with my head bowed in prayer, I heard a voice reverberate so thunderously in my heart that it startled me.

The voice was blaringly loud, as if it had been announced over the loudspeakers. I opened my eyes surprised to see that no one else was taken aback. All was calm.

And so began my encounter with God.

I felt God speak loud and clear a short message that held life-altering repercussions. Three powerful, commanding words: "Go and share!"

I became overwhelmed with emotion. I was awestruck that God had spoken to me at all, but even more so at the three words I heard. Go and share? Go and share what?

Then it hit me. Fear immediately overwhelmed me and I sank into the pew, trembling at what I thought God might be asking. I began to question God, "Surely You can't mean share my past, Lord. Surely You don't mean go and share what I prefer to keep secret." Yet, that is exactly what He meant. And I didn't like it.

I didn't want to go, much less share. I didn't want to be transparent or vulnerable. I gratefully accepted His forgiveness and healing, but I wasn't ready to accept His call to give me a purpose. The man who was healed from demon possession in today's key verse experienced similar feelings.

This tormented man lived as an outcast for many years, naked and alone in the tombs of Gadara, near Galilee. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees and shouted at the top of his voice, begging for mercy from God. Jesus commanded the demons to leave him and then cast them into a herd of pigs that rushed down the steep bank into a lake and drowned. The man was healed physically, but more importantly, spiritually.

He was so overwhelmed with gratitude for what Jesus had done, he begged to travel with Jesus and stay by His side. But Jesus had other plans. Instead, Jesus told him to go and share his story. And he did.

What had once been a burden to bear became a powerful story of holy transformation. This man's past, and the healing he experienced, became the foundation of a purpose in life that he would have never imagined — living his life as proof of the life-changing power of Jesus.

The man's story became a testimony when he was willing to share it with others. How many people believed in Jesus and are now spending eternity with Him simply because this former demon-possessed man willingly allowed his terrible past to become a story of redemption and purpose?

People can deny Christ, dispute Scripture and ignore prophecy, but they cannot deny, dispute or ignore God's transformational power in someone's life. Our stories of pain, adversity and overcoming in Christ are meant to serve as a testimony of God's faithfulness and power, evidence that God really can take what the devil meant for evil and use it for good.

I've since learned it is always God's desire for us to go and share our stories, whether we want to or not.

God never wastes our pain. Only we do that. God has a plan for great purpose and a beautiful future for all who believe in Him. Not despite our past, but because of it.

Lord, help me find the courage and the desire to share what You have done in my life. Turn my past into my purpose and refuse to let my pain be for nothing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

My Thoughts: If you've read my About Me section on my blog, you know that I've shared my past with you all. That was very hard for me to do. Most of the time, when I tell my story, people stare at me with pity in their eyes and that's something I don't want. What I DO want is to look back at how I handled myself during that tumultuous time in my life and say "I know I couldn't do it alone. God helped me every step of the way," and encourage others to follow God in their trials.  If you feel like God is prompting you to share your story, DO IT! As the devotional states, "God never wastes our pain." He has a plan for our lives, even if we don't understand it, and our future is bright and glorious because of what we've been through.

 

 

Water Your Faith Wednesday (Sept 3)

Hello everyone! Welcome to "Water Your Faith" Wednesday! How do you feel after spending your Sunday at church praising and worshiping our Lord? I know I feel great! I start my week fired up and ready to face what's in store. Oftentimes, however, by Wednesday, life begins to drag me down. My goal is provide a way to overcome the spiritual doldrums with encouraging words, scriptures, devotions, songs, etc. Let me know what you think!

 

Blogging friends, I'm sorry about last week! As we are getting closer and closer and CLOSER (10 days...) to my wedding, I have less and less free time! Last Sunday was a "wedding work day" as my future family and I worked to get everything organized and prepared for Wedding day! I feel a lot better about everything now. 

 

As I read my Proverbs 31 devotion this morning, it really struck home for me. The past four years of my life have been riddled with "potholes" and I've often wondered "Am I on the right path, Lord?" I've questioned every decision I've made, even after promising to "Let go, and Let God" because, let's face it, that's easier said than done! (At least, it is for me!) This devotion reminded me that God has everything under control and I thank Him for that timely reminder! Read it below:

SEPTEMBER 3, 2014 When Potholes Fill Your Path ALICIA BRUXVOORT

"The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth." Isaiah 26:7 (NIV)

On the night before he began kindergarten, my youngest son, Joshua, announced he'd "rather go to jail" than go to school.

His big brother mumbled something sarcastic about the prison bars in the principal's office, while his sisters attempted to soothe Joshua's anxieties by pointing out the perks of being a kindergartener.

"Did you know that when you lose a tooth at school you get to bring it home in a tiny treasure box?" my daughter Hannah asked.

Joshua grinned and poked his finger in his mouth to check for loose teeth. But when it was time to brush those pearly whites and head to bed, his smile faded and fears returned.

What if my legs get cramped on my carpet square?

What if my ears hurt from listening all day?

What if I forget to raise my hand?

What if I'm the only one who can't read?

To be honest, Joshua's worries resonated with my own. I'd prayed unceasingly over the school year to come and was certain God had placed my son in the kindergarten classroom that would best meet his needs. Yet I just couldn't imagine my littlest boy thriving in any classroom at all. He loved piles of dirt more than stacks of books and preferred hammers over pencils.

Joshua's eyelids drooped and his breathing slowed. Then, before he surrendered to sleep, he voiced one last concern: "I can't go to kindergarten tomorrow, Mommy. I don't have even one wiggly tooth!"

I assured my son that loose teeth weren't a prerequisite for kindergarten, and I headed to the kitchen to pack lunches for morning. Minutes later my husband found me crying over the peanut butter, and I had to confess the angst preying on my mind. "I can't figure out how Joshua's going to make it through the school year."

"You don't have to figure it out," my husband gently replied as he wiped a smudge of peanut butter off my cheek. "That's God's job."

Have you been there before? Perhaps you've sought God's direction, followed His lead, only to find yourself walking a path marked by concerns that cause you to stumble.

Sometimes the potholes in our path make us wonder if we are really on the right road. Unanswered, difficult questions can make us doubt the direction we've been given.

However, today's key verse reminds us it's not our job to fix the chinks in our trail. If we let God lead, He will smooth the way: "The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth" (Isaiah 26:7).

Whatever the path looks like, God has a plan for every step (Jeremiah 29:11). We may be trekking toward a new school year or stepping into an empty nest; stumbling along a painful detour or skipping into a new job; but no matter where we're headed, God is aware of every gap in the road He's established for us.

Joshua's school year wasn't perfect, but God was faithful. And nine months later, as we waited for the big yellow bus to chug up our street on the last day of school, my son admitted he'd changed his mind. With a toothless grin, he conceded. Going to kindergarten was definitely better than going to jail!

The bus slowed to a stop, and Joshua climbed aboard. He pressed his face against the window and waved good-bye. That's when I noticed a splash of white hovering at the top of his gaping grin.

Soon a new tooth would inhabit that endearing hole in his smile. Because that's just how God works, faithfully filling every gap in His own way and in His perfect time.

Lord, I don't have every step figured out, but I'm thankful You do. Fill me with courage when my path is packed with potholes. Give me faith to follow Your lead and awaken me to see You at work as I travel along the road You've prepared for me. Thank You for providing direction and peace in Your perfect timing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
Following God even when your road feels confusing or difficult requires faith. Lysa's book, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith will encourage you to trust God with your next step.

Visit Alicia Bruxvoort's blog today for more encouragement and for a free printable of "pothole prayers."

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What is the most daunting "pothole" in your path right now? Today, how could you lean on Christ rather than on your own understanding?

God's word is like a GPS for life travelers. When your path feels confusing or difficult, the truth of Scripture brings peace. Set aside ten minutes this week to read your Bible. Look up these promises in the Psalms: Psalm 16:11, 18:36, 119:9, 119:35, 119:105.

Water Your Faith Wednesday (Aug 20)

Hello everyone! Welcome to "Water Your Faith" Wednesday! How do you feel after spending your Sunday at church praising and worshiping our Lord? I know I feel great! I start my week fired up and ready to face what's in store. Oftentimes, however, by Wednesday, life begins to drag me down. My goal is provide a way to overcome the spiritual doldrums with encouraging words, scriptures, devotions, songs, etc. Let me know what you think!

 

I started a book yesterday called "Wishing On Buttercups" by Miralee Ferrell. As most Christian authors do, she included a couple verses at the beginning of the book, as kind of a segway into what the main theme of the book will be. The verse at the beginning of this book caught my attention:

 

"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me, and go and Pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NKJV)

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/8444318024889663/

It's a wonderful feeling knowing that God has thoughts of peace towards us. Other versions say "plans" instead of thoughts. Either way, it's a great reminder of God's place in our life. Our reliance on him should bring us peace. When I read my devotional from Proverbs 31 this morning, I was reminded of this again. I would like to share that devotional with you today. 

AUGUST 20, 2014 Our Best Plans are Not Always Best LYNN COWELL

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

I woke up from my dream feeling shaken and terrified. In it, my oldest daughter had gotten married and I had no part in it.

Not in the proposal. Not in the planning. No part whatsoever. In the dream, I sat in the back of the church watching. As her favorite music began to play, my mind began to swirl. My girl is getting married! Why am I just sitting here? Rushing to the bride's room, I found her. Her bridal outfit was a reflection of her unique style, completely different from anything I would have chosen.

She was fine, but I was not.

When I awoke, I knew the dream wasn't random. There was truth I needed to glean.

The hard reality is I can be one of those moms ... the ones with the built-in expectations. The ones with unspoken yet idealistic dreams of what "should be."

However, God wants me to recognize my ideals, my plans, my dreams are not always the best. But His are.

Today's key verse tells us God's thoughts and our thoughts aren't the same. His thoughts and His ways are always higher and better than our ways and thoughts.

Although I envision the perfect birthday, vacation or future wedding, God may have a different plan. A better plan. Maybe not "perfect" in the way I imagine, but perfect according to His plans and purposes.

This is especially hard as a mother. Wanting the very best for our children, we can get our hearts set on the best pre-school, middle school, high school or college. Knowing how hard it can be to make it in this world, we press in with our plans, suggesting or insisting our children pursue the degree, career or marriage choices we think are best.

The problem comes when we forget the most important part of the plans: God's thoughts and His ways.

Although there is value in our wisdom and experience, we must be intentional to give attention to God and His perfect wisdom for their future. Because without it, we can hinder the process of our children learning to hear from God for themselves.

While I can say I'm growing every day when it comes to expectations, I will always be on my knees asking God to help me. It is comforting to know, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in me, I can come to God daily and surrender my thoughts and plans to Him.

It's there I can lay down my thoughts and plans for my children as well.

Maybe like me, the idea of taking a step back from directing all of your children's ways scares you a bit. Here is where I find my comfort: my Father God is my children's Father and He loves them even more than I do.

Let's rest securely knowing when we encourage our children to follow God, His plan for them and their lives is much better than ours.

Lord, teach me to pray for Your best for myself, my family and those I love. Empower me to daily lay down my expectations. Then help me to leave expectations behind and trust You are always at work to bring Your best for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 40:5, "Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare." (NIV)

Water Your Faith Wednesday (July 23)

Hello everyone! Welcome to "Water Your Faith" Wednesday! How do you feel after spending your Sunday at church praising and worshiping our Lord? I know I feel great! I start my week fired up and ready to face what's in store. Oftentimes, however, by Wednesday, life begins to drag me down. My goal is provide a way to overcome the spiritual doldrums with encouraging words, scriptures, devotions, songs, etc. Let me know what you think!

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom." (KJV)

"When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the humble is wisdom." (NKJV)

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (NIV)

Proverbs 11:2

I came across this verse yesterday in my Proverbs 31 daily devotion entitled The Moments We Don't Capture. Do you ever have those moments when you feel like the Lord just taps you on the shoulder and says "Pay attention to this, you need it!" Well, reading this devotion was one of those moments for me. 

Oftentimes in my life, when I've messed up, I don't really take the time to think or learn from my mistakes. I just apologize and move on. So, of course, I do it again and have to apologize all over again. After reading this devotion, I realize how foolish that is. How can I grow or change if I don't learn from my mistakes? The answer is simple: you can't.

As the devotion states, "Humility and humiliation, silver linings that can lead to wisdom even in the midst of the moments we don't capture in pictures." 

When was the last time you really took the time to look at your mistakes and learn from them? 

Water Your Faith Wednesday (July 9)

Hello everyone! Welcome to the second installment of "Water Your Faith" Wednesday! How do you feel after spending your Sunday at church praising and worshiping our Lord? I know I feel great! I start my week fired up and ready to face what's in store. Oftentimes, however, by Wednesday, life begins to drag me down. My goal is provide a way to overcome the spiritual doldrums with encouraging words, scriptures, devotions, songs, etc. Let me know what you think!

I received this devotion in an email from Proverbs 31 Ministry. I know it's a Father's day related post, but the verse listed at the top really spoke to me. I wanted to take the time to thank my Heavenly Father for caring for me, through my childhood when my earthly father wasn't always there, through the marriage and loss of my first husband, and through my times of sorrow and rejoicing.

JUNE 13, 2014 Thank You, Dad SUZIE ELLER

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." Psalm 68:5 (NIV)

Moments after I stopped by my parents' house, my dad clutched his chest.

Knowing the hospital was close, my mom and I helped him to the car. I pressed hard on the gas pedal, keeping an eye on the man who reclined in the passenger seat as I raced toward the nearby emergency room.

The news was not good. Doctors said his heart was badly damaged, and open-heart surgery was the only option.

Doctors scheduled the procedure for the next day. Since I lived in another city, I drove home to gather my things before returning the next morning for a long stay.

The sun crept over the horizon as I drove westward to be with my parents during my dad's surgery. Visits were strictly limited, and my time with my dad was to be an hour before he would go in to the operating room.

When I arrived, a nurse informed me that my dad wasn't in his room.

I rushed up the stairs to the surgical floor waiting room. "They took him back a half hour ago, Suzie," my brother said. "It happened so quickly we just barely got to see him." I buried my head in my brother's chest and wept.

My dad was in surgery with his chest split open ... and I didn't get to say thank you.

Thank you for taking the place of our biological father who should have loved those tiny girls but for whatever reason didn't.

Thank you for taking two little girls who didn't have a father and making them your own.

Thank you for never seeing us in a different light than my brothers and sister who were born later.

Thank you for rejoicing that you won the prize another failed to claim.

When I was younger I didn't always appreciate this gift. I loved the man I called Dad, but often wondered about the other one. Did I look like him? Where was he? Did he think of me? What might it be like if I had my biological father in my life?

As an adult, and as a parent, I saw it differently. Being a dad isn't always tied to DNA.

One man was there at my conception, but another took the more difficult path. He went to work every day. He showed up at events. He disciplined and loved me, watched me graduate and marry. He took the name "Papaw" as he embraced my children.

I know not every woman who grew up without a biological father's love has this type of experience. But all of us can know the love of God as our heavenly Father.

Psalm 68:5 describes God as "a father to the fatherless." It's a theme woven throughout Scripture from beginning to end. Our God loves orphans and rescues the abandoned. This is a work close to His heart.

Later that evening, after Dad's surgery, I sat in the shadows with the rhythmic swish of the respirator the only sound in the room. I silently offered up gratitude.

First, because my dad had made it through the surgery.

Second, because this man partnered with God's heartbeat when he stepped in to love two little girls without a daddy.

I leaned over the bed and whispered the words I could no longer hold back: "Thank you, Dad."

And thank You, God, for loving me with a perfect Father's love.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me as a Heavenly Father. Thank You for bringing people into my life who partnered with You in that love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Matthew 25:35-36, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." (ESV)

James 2:15-17, "Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it?" (The Message)

RELATED RESOURCES:
Do you know God as a loving Father?

Would you like to bring Suzie Eller to your church? Click here to find out more about considering Suzie as your next retreat/keynote speaker.

Visit Suzie's blog where she shares three ways God heals the heart of the fatherless, and for a giveaway of her book, The Mended Heart: God's Healing for Your Broken Places.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
We can get so busy, or even focused on what we don't have, that we neglect to love others as God loves us. How might you love someone today with God's love?

This Sunday is Father's Day in America, and we know not everyone has a strong example of a father. However, many of us have experienced unconditional love from someone older and wiser. How can you show appreciation? One way is to say thank you. Write a note (don't wait!) to say thank you to one person who showed you the love of a father.

© 2014 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.

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