Elk County Forum

A Woman's Walk - Week of February 8


Week of February 8, 2009

Job Security 

When God calls us into new assignments, insecurity and fear often try to rise up in an attempt to prevent us from stepping into our mission, let alone completing the assignment.  The Bible has no shortage of characters who struggled with fear. 

Consider Joshua, David, Gideon, Elisha and Abraham, who desperately needed God's help to carry out divinely-appointed missions that were bigger than they.

Job assignments are no different.

After six weeks of praying, seeking and receiving prayer from others, God blessed me with a new job.  I was hired on the spot at a level above what I expected and at a company that is literally bursting at their physical seams with exponential growth.  Yes, even amid the currently U.S. economic crisis, God sees the job openings and can direct us to them if we ask.  Thank you, Jesus!

At first, I found myself overwhelmed with new material.  But I knew God had assigned me there.  After all, He had given me several confirmations.  So I had to stand upon His truth and trust Him to know that He had prepared me for such a time as this and that He would continue to equip me as I journeyed.

I soon realized that the company God had brought me to was indeed a Kingdom company, in that the owners are Christian, they operate their business according to Kingdom principles and they invite employees to openly pray and share Jesus.

By the end of my first week, I had made a new friend, who shares my love for Jesus.  And she agreed to come in early with me and intercede for our training class, our instructors and the company.  I found the presence of God in our classroom to be uniquely powerful in a way I had never experienced.

God also impressed upon my heart to stand before my class of men and women and invite them to submit specific prayer requests.  And so I did.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the room shifted.  People's hearts were touched.  A few women sighed and smiled.  And within minutes, little notes with handwritten prayer requests were passed forward.

No matter what our circumstances, we can trust God with job security if we ask and seek.  He has wonderful blessings and promotions in store for us.  And we will always need Him when we step into them, not only for ourselves but for others who await His love and blessing.

What do you need today?
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the new God's Love at Work Businesswomen Select program and the Women's Fellowship gatherings.

Courage is not the absence of fear...Rather, it is the determination that you will keep on moving through and in spite of that very fear.  I have known many courageous women and men in my lifetime...My mother and father being two of them.   

Week of February 15, 2009
Kingdom Love

"Love never fails."  ~ I Corinthians 13:8

In order for something to never fail, it must be strong.  It mustn't wear out--ever.  It must endure through every test, every trial, every season of time, every hill, every valley, every personality.  Only God is this kind of love (I John. 4:8).

Kingdom love begins with an outpouring from God to us, then through us to others.  In this way, the process of love is cyclical and is the foundation and motivation upon which and through which every Godly thing is built.

I am amazed at what God can do with a clean slate--a desperate and surrendered heart.

Have you ever noticed that when God gives us a directive, the first thing that comes is fear? This is because the directive or mandate He is giving us is bigger than we, our knowledge bank, our previous experience, our vision and the current capacity of our hearts.  It's bigger than anything we know at that moment.

Indeed, we serve a very big God who has very big plans.  And the enemy tries to use fear to thwart those plans on earth so that he can reign. 

When we turn to God with a willing heart, He showers His love upon us and restores us.  It is from His infilling of revelation, instruction and joyful power that we accomplish new things for God.

When fear comes to arrest us, we must choose which master we will serve.

God has rescued me many times from irrational fears and has taken me to heights that I could not imagine on my own by simply giving me a willing heart and a resounding "Yes" in my spirit.

When He first called me to begin to minister to people in my workplace, I felt terrified.  Sharing the love of God was the most frightening thing He could've asked me to do at that time because I had such a bad case of fear of man.   

But God was about to break that bondage in my life and restore me to love.  He opened my eyes to see that the reverential fear of God He placed within me was greater than the fear of man within me.  This overwhelming reverential fear rose up and catapulted me into the new move God had for me.

As I journeyed through this new calling and saw this new level of God's amazing love consistently, I also saw that fear of man become extinct within me.  In time, I came to understand the process of Kingdom love.

How about you?  Have you noticed that just when you feel accomplished in any particular area, like in your career or certain relationships, God soon raises the bar?  When God calls us out of our comfort zones, the familiar areas that reside within us--whether good or bad--it's not for the purpose of harming us.  It's to prosper us and others and Him.

When we step up to God's divine callings, laying down all encumbrances, including self, and thereby receive more of Him, He gives us increased opportunities to sow and receive more love.  The more we get from Him, the more we can give to others.  And the more we give, the more we get.  God's abundant love never runs out. 

In this way, Kingdom love is not selfish.  It is a generous and perpetual process of sowing and reaping and multiplying, of nourishing and replenishing for the purpose of building God's Kingdom on earth. 

Kingdom love pivots our hearts, fills our lives and elevates our spiritual walk.  May we choose a resounding yes to trusting God in this journey so that His love will captivate us and enable us to build His Kingdom on earth (Mt. 6:10).

Week of February 22, 2009
Strength

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  ~ Isaiah 40:31             

Eagles can soar above storms.  They can ascend to heights that other fowl cannot.  And they represent what we can do through the Lord as our strength.             

Strength is a reward and a byproduct of obedience.  Joshua 1:7 says, "Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."  God reiterates "be strong" in verse 9.             

Remember when Sampson revealed the secret of his strength to Delilah who deceived and betrayed him (Jud. 16:17)?  Sin weakened him.  But afterwards, amid horrible consequences, when he prayed, God still accomplished His purpose by taking down the enemy.  Even if we lose our strength, God's power is made perfect in our weakness to accomplish His purposes (2 Cor. 12:9).             

1 Chronicles 16:11 says to "look to the Lord and His strength."  That's what Sampson did (Jud. 16:28).             

Strength is empowered by love.  The Sampson and Delilah story is the flesh or sin representation of this.  Conversely, God speaks of His loving relationship with us in Deuteronomy 6:5 and His strength, presence, love, deliverance and inheritance for the Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:37-38 where He went before them to drive out strong nations to set the captives free.               

Strength is activated by faith.  Hebrews 11:32-34 tells of great conquerers, like Gideon, David, Samuel and the prophets, and how their weaknesses turned to strength by calling on the Lord.             

Strength is expanded by wisdom.  Proverbs 24:5 tells us that "a man of knowledge increases his strength."  Knowledge is ammunition.  It is a tool that God can use through us.  Remember, there's nothing holy about ignorance.  Proverbs 21:22 tells us that a wise man can pull down strongholds in a mighty city.             

Our greatest source of our strength comes from above.  1 Corinthians 1:25 says, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."               

It was the Father's strength that raised Jesus from the dead and placed Him above all things at His right side (Eph. 19:21). 

The Apostle Paul understood this kind of strength when he said, "I can do everything [that pleases God] through [Christ] who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13).             

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Science now understands that when we are joyful, chemicals are released in our brain which gives us increased vigor, focus and motivation.               

What particular kind of strength do you need in your workplace?  Endurance, patience, confidence, knowledge?  Perhaps it's even physical strength.  Whatever we need, the Lord our God, our Strong Tower, is faithful to provide for the asking.   

Let us remember Isaiah 41:10, which says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

A Woman's Walk - Week of March 1


Week of March 1, 2009
The Mercy Heart of Jesus

"For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did."  Matthew 21:32

Last summer, I had the pleasure of enjoying tea with a group of former prostitutes as part of a women's ministry.

Those of us who live in the southern part of the U.S. tend to think of tea as being an event that is reserved for high society at fundraisers and swank hotels or for intimate gatherings with our closest friends and family at cozy tea cottages.

So, not surprisingly, God renewed my mind and deeply touched my heart to comprehend His heart even more.

Isn't it interesting how we set out to minister to others, and we get ministered to?

Nonetheless, as I sat in the fellowship hall of this tiny and beloved country church, a tableful of cleaned-up prostitutes to my left, God reminded me that this is His purpose for the church – to reach out to the lonely, lost and broken.

Fast forward . . .

Just a week ago, I had the great pleasure to minister to another small group of homeless women who had been plucked from the street to live in a downtown church complex, which had been renovated to accommodate about 50 beds.

It was a brisk evening, the front doors open to anyone who might desire to wander in, and God's presence was in the air.

One by one, the women came from their rooms into the sanctuary.  To my surprise, they were comfortably dressed in their bathrobes and fuzzy slippers.  God reminded me of His heart, that He is a God of comfort, that it is His desire to minister to the most humble among us.  I found myself thinking, "Wow, how I'd love to go to church looking like that sometime."

To them, enjoying the music and participating in worship dressed like this wasn't an event, it was the norm.   Their style of worship – weeping and dancing and reaching up to God with their arms in earnest – brought our intimate setting to life, and this proved to be the most joyful 'pajama party' I had ever attended.

As I reflect upon it now, I realize even more that there are often areas of our lives or parts of our hearts that feel like or look like these women, our sisters-in-great-need and that if we will just reach up with an earnest and humble heart, our Heavenly Father will give us His finest blessing.

He awaits us.  Are you ready?  Do you need His mercy?

Week of March 8
Walking in Miracles

"You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples."  ~ Psalm 77:14 

Every time the Lord performs miracles in my workplace, I feel like a small child standing along a roadside watching the biggest parade ever, my eyes and mouth open in total awe.   

And just like the people who stood at the city gate of Nain in Luke 7:16, where Jesus raised the dead son of a widow, I see Jesus' heart reach out to help His people in whatever area they need.  I watch Him heal people's bodies, removing all symptoms of pain and give them all kinds of breakthroughs.   I never know what Jesus will do or whom He would touch on a particular workday.  I only know He wants to use me to pray for the desperate.  And to me, there is no greater calling or purpose to my work.

What a joyous surrender it is to have the God of the universe guiding our every step in His perfect will to reach the hurting and the lost.  What better way to demonstrate to an unbeliever that Jesus is the Messiah than through miraculous acts of love?  What better way to convince a stray sheep that Jesus still holds them dear in His heart?  What better way to build a believer's faith? 

Miracles are the heart of God manifested from heaven to earth.  Is this not what we are commissioned to do as Christians, the will of God on earth?  Jesus and the Holy Spirit are our links, our empowerment.   

Most of the miracles in the New Testament were performed in the marketplace, as Jesus journeyed and as His disciples went forth.  I believe the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is a model for all Christians, not just "missionaries."  It is a daily walk, a journey until eternity. 

Won't you invite the Holy Spirit to use you in this way?  Then ask the Lord what's on His heart today, who needs prayer in His marketplace and to give you divine appointments.  Then step forth in faith, expecting God to show up and perform miracles.  His love will amaze you.

Week of March 15, 2009
Tenacity

"Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well."  ~ Mark 6:56 (NKJV)

Tenacity means to cling to a belief without doubting.  It is a set kind of faith, a determination that doesn't waver.  It takes a lot of tenacity to believe for a healing touch when we are sick, when our physical bodies suggest hopelessness, when we have waited a long time.   

But our Father made divine healing a commodity through Jesus.  In the marketplaces--the center of business--divine healings were common and useful for building people's faith and winning souls, for setting people free from the bondage of disease, for restoring them to productivity and for the purpose of spreading the good news.  Miraculous wonders of healing were evidence that Jesus was who He said He was.

Hebrews 13:8 enlightens us that "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  Indeed, He heals today.  His power hasn't changed since He walked through marketplaces full of sick people on earth.  Still, all we need is one touch from Him. 

Tenacious faith is exhibited profoundly in the testimony of the woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 9:20).  The Bible tells us that she was sick for 12 years.  We don't know at what rate blood drained out of her body, but we do know that blood is life.  Surely, her faith was tested as she felt the very life drain out of her. 

But, according to the Amplified Bible, she kept saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to health" (Matt. 9:21).  Her declarations of divine truth built her faith and determination above her natural circumstances, which kept her going to the point of receiving complete healing.  Touching the hem of Jesus' garment brings perfect restoration to people (Matt. 14:36).  But we must journey forth, reach out and connect.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 tells us that when we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him.  And in His presence, His hem is available to us.

To be sure, Jesus heals in many ways, and, I believe, in His appointed time.  Like salvation, healing is a faith journey extended from the very heart of God's love, grace and mercy.  But do we have the tenacity to see it through?  How deep and how far are we willing to journey in our commitment to the kind of faith that brings life and restoration?

Surely, God has called us to tenacious faith.  Do we humbly present or "lay" people from our assigned workplaces before Jesus?  Do we desperately beseech Him for a healing touch?  Do we have a heart for others to be healed, a heart for doing the work of Jesus?

So often, the Lord has shown me that when I step out in faith and pray for the restoration of others, He rewards me by caring for my needs.  Tenacity is about selflessness.  It is about choosing to believe the truth of God's divine precepts over natural circumstances.  And it's about taking courage to journey forth with Jesus no matter what.

Regarding divine healing, tenacity allows us to confront and overcome all root causes of diseases, such as unforgiveness and other unconfessed sin.  It keeps us going to completion.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6).  Won't you bring life to someone in your workplace through a tenacious heart for Jesus?

Week of March 22, 2009
Temperance

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  ~ I Thessalonians 5:8

Temperance is restraint in the face of temptation.  It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23 KJV).  The root word "temper" originally meant "mixture" in Latin.  As Christians, we are an amalgam of body, soul and spirit.  And it is God in us who gives us harmony, who guides us and enables us to live temperate lives.  To Him, we must yield.

If we look at the Old Testament, unleavened cakes and wafers were "tempered with oil" and "anointed with oil" (Ex. 29:2).  In these simple passages lives so much meaning.  Just as the wheat and the oil were combined to complete a substance that would sustain life, the bread of life (Jesus) and the anointing oil (the Holy Spirit) sustains us in times of trouble, in the dry desert journeys, in the face of the tempter, Satan.

Although God is always in control, He allows us to journey through difficult circumstances to temper us, to cause us to reach for Him and depend upon Him with a great urgency and intensity for help.  God's firing or tempering process prepares us for the next promotion.  It challenges us to reach the next glory and obtain a higher level of purity and holiness (Ex. 30:35-37).  Yielding to the Holy Spirit brings us into greater composure, which positions us for action (I Peter 1:13) in an upcoming season. 

I recall an occasion when a friend of mind received a major breakthrough in her career.  She had been under the authority of a boss from whom she felt great heaviness and oppression on a daily basis.  Yes, she was being tempered.  I watched her at church each week as she journeyed through this dry place.  I saw tears of desperation fall from her cheeks.  I saw her heart cry out to God for relief.  And I saw her offer sacrifices of praise to the Lord while in the midst of emotional pressure and pain.

Many interceded for her, including myself.  And on the day that she was offered a new job, which was unbeknownst to me at the time, the Lord showed me that because she sought His heart with all of her heart, and because she was faithful to stay the course and exhibit love in the process, He shielded her from undue harm and was promoting her to be in authority over others.

Indeed, God must temper us to be leaders (2 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:7).  We cannot do it alone, only through His grace (Titus 2:12). 

Inasmuch, God recently sent me back out into the job market.  After seven weeks of intense training, during which I had to lean into the Lord for His grace, my boss turned to me and quickly said, "You're going to be mastered by fire."  I knew just what she meant.

Consider Proverbs 25:28 (NIV): "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."  My friend, in her flesh alone, surely felt like retaliating towards her boss.  And without the Holy Spirit's strength and guidance, she would have been defenseless and disgraced, like a city without walls.  But because she persevered by leaning to God, she finished the journey rewarded by promotion and surrounded by His glory.

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) says, "It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city."  My friend chose to be patient in the suffering.  She believed that God's power was more than enough to defeat the enemy who attacked her.  And she waited upon God until He brought her to complete victory.  Such character development readied her to carry out her next divine assignment.

If you are being tempered, know that the process will not continue longer than God apportions.  Take courage and know that He is fighting your battles for you and that you will reign victorious if you persevere to the finish.

Week of April 5, 2009
Humility 

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  ~Col. 3:12

Very recently, God sent me back into the workforce.  One of many things He said to me beforehand was "Humility."  What I sensed that meant for me was that He purposed this job assignment to do a work of humility in me and that humility would be a key for survival.  Whoa, was He right!

Divine humility is the opposite of pride.  It is confidence in God, not self.  It is unpretentiousness at its finest.  It was the walk of Jesus, and it can be ours if we choose it or, as in my case, thrust into it.

Contrary to some beliefs, true humility is not passive, pathetic or weak.  Rather, it is divinely powerful.  It does not pause at or placate to foolishness.  Rather, it ushers in unity.  It does not damage us or grieve the Holy Spirit.  Rather, it honors God, and God, in turn, honors us when we exercise it according to His plan (Prov. 15:33).  Like truth, humility is a swift and divine weapon of righteousness, unity, love and wisdom that we can choose to wield.

Many of us understand that we are to humble ourselves before the Lord.  But what about choosing humility in the face of false accusers, persecutors, people who intend to harm us?  People who compete with us?  People who react out of fear and insecurity?  The ones the enemy uses to separate believers and thwart divine plans.  The ones God uses to test us?  Jesus chose humility.  His example was an important demonstration for us, a divine strategy, an assignment from The Father.

Surely, as He painfully hung on the cross with undeserved insults hurled at Him, His flesh and His heart ached for relief.  But He knew He was on a high mission to save a world of people for generations.  He knew His role of obedience and love, of priority, of divine purpose.  He knew divine truth in the face of ignorance.  He knew His Father and the humbling power of His love and mercy, and He was obedient to the call, even though it opposed man's limited understanding.

Jesus did not fall to the enemy's devices.  He needed no man's approval, only His Father's.  He trusted in His Father's plan.  He understood that humbling Himself unto the Father also meant responding with humility to man (Titus 3:2).  He knew that God's grace would sufficiently carry Him through the mission and that His divine purpose would be fulfilled regardless of man's actions.  Indeed, God was in control.

It is difficult to provoke a truly humble person into a dispute because they will lean into God's powerful love, peace and mercy when attacked, just like Jesus.  Simply put: Humble people do not react to other people's issues.  They are not controlled by them.  They respond in the Spirit because they do not feel the need to prove their worth to others.  They know their security and identity rests in Christ, even if others do not.  They are committed to the Lord's ways, and they are purposed.  They are too dedicated in seeking the Lord's righteousness and humility to give way to futile, self-exalting spats.  They hold onto God's power like a lifeline, and they are not willing to foolishly let it go.

You will know humble people by the fruit they bear and the mercy, peace and sincerity they exhibit (James 3:13-18).  This is because God can work His virtues through a humble person, whereas, with a prideful person, this cannot be.  Rather, selfishness rules, leaving little space for God to operate.  When we choose selfishness, we get what we choose: Our limitations.

Conversely, the humble journey is a true adventure.  There is great freedom and excitement in soaring with our trustworthy God.  Yielded to Him, He will take us higher than we can venture on our own or even imagine.  Yielded to Him, we receive His supernatural power, favor, rewards, strength, provision, love, grace, mercy and strategies to complete divinely-appointed assignments that are larger than we.  Is there any greater thrill?

Who among us couldn't use more divine humility?  I am challenged daily to respond to circumstances like Jesus, in His strength, His power and His love.  It is a process, a lifestyle, a series of moment-by-moment choices, a walk.  If you would like to break out of the prison of limitation, repent and take hold of the Lord's hand.  Choose to trust Him.  Soar with Him.  And prepare to be awed like never before!

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Margaret D. Mitchell is the founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the new God's Love at Work Businesswomen Select program and the Women's Fellowship gatherings.

Week of April 12
Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Him

Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you--rise to a new life]!  Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!  - Isaiah 60:1 (Amplified Bible)

Have you ever allowed your workplace circumstances to cause you to grow weary?  Perhaps life's circumstances have brought a heaviness upon you and weighed you down to the point that you found your workdays to be a great chore.  Perhaps depression has even come upon you.  Where did the joy go?

The dictionary defines circumstances as "factors beyond willful control."  In other words, if we had a choice, we wouldn't choose them.  We simply wouldn't want to deal with them.

All of us journey through winter seasons in our lives and in our careers.  I recall one such season not so long ago.  Although I was moving forward in God's plan, it seemed that each step was like plowing hard ground.  And although I still had the joy of the Lord within me, I could feel my patience being stretched daily, wondering, "When will this season end?  Why does everything feel so difficult?"

Then something amazing happened.  God woke me up very early one morning, about 3 a.m.  I rose from my bed and felt led to stand in front of our dining room window.  My heart felt heavy.  Even so, I put on a praise CD, and I began to quietly sing praises unto God.  Then I asked Him what He wanted to show me.

As I looked out onto our backyard, I saw an expanse of tall weeds near the perimeter.  Oh how I hated those ugly weeds!  The sight of them caused me to weep out of frustration because they were a reminder of the heavy circumstances in my life that seemed to not disappear. 

Seeking refuge, I gazed up at the star-lit sky for a moment.  But I was quickly distracted by those weeds.  My eyes lowered once again to see them before returning back up to the stars.  This time, I made up my mind that I wasn't going to look out at those weeds anymore.

As I focused on the heavens above me, I could feel my desire to reach up to God increase.  After about 20 minutes of singing praises and seeking Him, I pressed my cheek flat against a window pane so that I could see more sky overhead.  When I did this, I saw the brightest star of all.  It was straight overhead, and I would've missed it if I hadn't pressed in and set my eyes vertically. 

In that moment, God spoke to me in a revelation.  I gasped in awe, and I began to weep again.  Then just as I cupped my hands over my mouth, a falling star shot down from that perfect early morning sky, right into the weed patch.  In this moment, God spoke to me again saying, "I'm singeing your weeds."  I dropped to my knees in total, humble awe, and my spirit rejoiced in the Lord.

What's more, the CD that I had been listening to was Nicole Nordeman's Woven & Spun.  The song that played when God showed me the brightest star and the falling star was "My Offering."  The chorus that played the moment my eyes first saw the brightest star was, "Open up the heavens, open up the skies . . . "  And the moment the other star fell, the song neared its end with a crescendo playing, "and the stars every evening are all standing by to light the sky . . . " 

Indeed, the God who placed the stars in the sky and knows them by name, the God who cares about every detail of our lives, chose a creative way to remind me to keep my eyes on Him and not look to circumstances, no matter how difficult they seem.  Indeed, His word is true: Nothing is more powerful than the God who created the universe.  There is joy in the morning, and our circumstances must bow to the name of Jesus.

What circumstances in your life or your workplace are causing you heaviness?  Ask the Father in heaven to help you keep your eyes fixed on Him.  Then cast them into the sea, and rejoice.

Week of April 19, 2009
Unity

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them in all together in perfect unity."  ~ Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV) 
In Colossians 3:1-17, the Apostle Paul offers up these Rules for Holy Living.  As we read them, may we be reminded that, as Christians, we are chosen and assigned by God to our places and positions of work.  These scriptures offer a roadmap to getting along with our cohort's, who are also divinely-assigned, and to thriving in our careers God's way . . .     

"Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things . . .

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry . . . you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other . . . put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator . . . Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Unity is important to God.  In order to achieve it in a work environment, we must work out issues that arise with others through forgiveness, truth and love.  Simultaneously, we must overcome our own fears, insecurities and baggage and lean into God to remove the obstacles that are out of our control.  Our attitudes and commitment to God's ways, along with the levels of dysfunction within us, others and the organization, can determine how hard and how long our journey will be.

When God assigns us to usher new order and breakthrough into a work environment, our roles are usually challenging and require fortitude and perseverance.  Oftentimes, this feels like anything but God's doing.

But if we commit ourselves to remaining in our divinely-assigned role, moving forward in God's purposes, we will witness Him break obstacles and make a way to unity (God's finest), which can involve changing people's hearts and attitudes, promoting people or reassigning those who, by their free will choice, are not willing to cooperate. 

Therefore, unity is often a process.  And in this process, God forges us, our co-workers, our leaders and our organizations often through the heat of pressure.  The reason He has us in this vice is because He's trying to teach us, purify us and position us for promotion.  But are we willing to be teachable?  Are we willing to die to the limitation of selfishness?

I love the NIV note for verse 15, which tells us that the peace that only Christ can give us is to prevail in all human relationships, like an umpire over an attitude of bitterness and quarrelsomeness.  Where there is disunity, there is disconnection, fragmentation, a loss of synergy, of power.  It is a place where the enemy thrives to negate the plans of God.

The path to unity is through repentance, forgiveness, cooperation and a commitment to journey God's way through the circumstances that surround us by His leading, no matter what.

If you find yourself in a chaotic work environment, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what your divine assignment is.  Ask Him to reveal to you strategic keys.  Ask Him how to pray, what He desires for you to learn.  Then ask Him to help you receive what He wants you to so that you do not have to journey around the mountain repeatedly.  Walk in humility and confession.  Praise the Lord in the midst.  Submit to the Lord's ways, and enter into the place of peace where God leads you.  Then watch the favor of God manifest on your behalf.

A Woman's Walk


Week of April 26
God's Promises

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."  ~Hebrews 10:36

God purposes the timing and manifestations of His promises.  Though some seem a long time coming, they are not.  Though the wait may feel like God has forgotten, He has not.  God's timing is perfect, and His patience is great.

Consider Elizabeth and Mary.  Despite their great difference in age, both women were pregnant with promised sons simultaneously.  The timing of each pregnancy was purposed according to God's plan as was their children's destinies.

What has God promised you?  Has He delivered yet?  How's your faith?

2 Peter 3:8 says, "a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

Perseverance in obedience is the key to receiving the promises of God.  And when we get off track, repentance is key.

In Psalm 119, we see that God gives us hope through His promises (vs. 49).  He preserves our lives through His promises (vs. 50).  He supplies us with grace according to His promises (vs. 58).  And we are to meditate on and rejoice in His promises (vs. 148, 162).

God's heart within us and the fulfillment of His promises allow us to forgive those who disappointed us on a greater level.  When we expect people, not God, to fulfill promises only God can fulfill, we must repent and release them to Him.  False expectations can hold us in bondage and cause us to miss God's very best for our lives.

What have you expected and have not yet received?  How are you handling the situation?  Are you praising God throughout the process?  Has your mind been on Him or on your circumstances?  How about your heart?  Do you know that God loves you enough to bring fulfillment, to be true to His word.  Do you trust Him enough?

Have you asked God what His will is?  Have you asked Him what you are supposed to complete before He fulfills His promise?

The fulfillment of God's promises points toward Him as the one true God.  David's prayer in 2 Samuel 7:25-26 says, "And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise You have made concerning Your servant and His house.  Do as You promised, so that Your name will be great forever.  Then men will say, 'The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!'  And the house of Your servant David will be established before You."

When God fulfills His promises, do we give Him all the glory?  Is it all about Him?  Is He first on our hearts?

Psalm 145:13 says, "The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made."

Jeremiah 32:19 says, "great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds.  Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; You reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve."

May we receive the full measure of God's promises by being obedient to His will.

A Woman's Walk
 
Week of May 3, 2009
Overcoming

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne."   ~ Rev. 3:21

Jesus invites us to overcome everything with which the enemy tries to defeat us.  He is the ultimate overcomer, our finest example.  Through Him, nothing is impossible.

When Jesus overcame the enemy's death trap through The Father's resurrection plan, He was promoted beyond what we can measure.  He transcended into the Father's throne room, despite the enemy's devices to stop Him, to render Him powerless.  Likewise, when we choose obedience over sin, we by-pass deadly consequences (Rom. 6:23), pass the test and come closer to the Father.  We receive a divine reward that no man can match and no enemy can destroy.

Too often, the enemy has caused us pain and distress, effectively limiting us from moving efficiently in the Lord's plan.  Some form of iniquity--whether committed by us or generations before us--is often at the root.  Left unrepented, the consequences of these sins operate in our lives long-term, and they can do so without our awareness.

I Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy prowls like a roaring lion, waiting to devour us.  Luke 10:19 tells us that Jesus has given us the power to overcome the enemy.  Will we open the door and invite the enemy in through sin?  Or will we be vigilant and obedient?  If we fall, we must choose repentance quickly so the enemy cannot get a stronghold in our hearts and in our lives.

I John 5:4 tells us that everyone who accepts Jesus overcomes the world.  The love of God strengthens us through the Holy Spirit in us, while Jesus intercedes for us in the throne room.  Wherever there is temptation, therein lies the enemy.  And the Lord always provides an escape.  Question is: Do we love God enough to choose to flee?  Or do we love the world's "pleasures" more?  And if we choose the world's way, how long will we remain in the pit before repenting?  Before overcoming?

Where there is choice, there is freedom, love and consequence.  Some consequences can last a lifetime, or even steal our lives.  Must we learn lessons the painful and untimely way?

When I think of overcoming, most often, supernatural healing comes to mind.  Many people e-mail me, sharing their healing testimonies that can only be explained by God's supernatural love.  With every story of how God brought them out of disability, I am amazed at how much Jesus loves us.

Overcoming is often a journey of pursuing the heart and face of God (Jer. 29:11-14).  This is especially true concerning long-term illnesses, including emotional injuries where, through counseling and deliverance, God strips off layers of bondage that has piled up over time.  In my own journeys, I have often prayed, "Lord, please lead me to the sources and resources that can help me, and enable me to receive all that You have for me."  God has always been faithful to answer this prayer, leading me to just the right person, tape, book, scripture, etc. that encourages and teaches me.

If you have seen patterns of bondage in your life, such as addictions, poverty, emotional injury, job loss, and so on, know there is a way out, and your loving Father has a plan to free you through His son, Jesus.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sins and generational iniquities to you.  Then break agreement with those issues, forgiving the forefathers all the way back to Adam.  Ask Jesus to help you walk in His freedom, discipline and blessings.  Exercise your faith, and know that you are loved and that His help is ever-present.

Week of May 10
Understanding

Acquire wisdom!  Acquire understanding!  Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth."  ~ Proverbs 4:5 (NASB)

God desires for us to wait until we hear from Him before we act.  He wants us to listen and to "get it."  He wants us to receive His revelation, His instruction and His understanding.  Sometimes He speaks to us quickly, and sometimes God takes His time.  But no matter how long He takes, we are to "not . . . turn away from the words of My mouth," (Prov. 4:5).  We are to "get understanding" (Prov. 4:7).   

The alternative is to miss God's finest, to be foolish, to do it quick and cheap--our way (Eph. 5:17, Prov. 3:5-6, 18:2).

Early last week, I found myself engaged in a long conversation with a ministry leader concerning many topics.  As I listened to him speak, I could easily see that he had acquired a great deal of knowledge, wisdom and understanding over the years.  The presence and the peace of the Lord in the room was profound, and the Lord showed me that this man was very anointed by God. 

One testimony he shared with me particularly stood out:  When I asked him how he knew and understood so much about the Bible--revelation wisdom I had never heard from any other source--he accredited seeking the understanding of the Lord.  He said that years ago, he and his cousin would pore over the Bible, maps, commentaries and other resources and would seek the Lord for hours to help them receive a deep understanding of the Lord's messages.   As always, the Lord was faithful to deliver.

I understood that the key here is the time factor.  God speaks to us in many ways, but sometimes, it is necessary to "press in," to fervently seek Him over time in order to gain deeper levels of understanding.

The issue is: Are we willing to spend the time?  It is our heart's desire to sincerely know Him better?  His ways?  His messages?  His revelation understanding that will change our lives?

If we read further in Proverbs chapter 4, we see that if we walk in divine wisdom and understanding, the Lord will reward us.  He will exalt us and honor us (vs. 8), He will crown us with His grace and beauty (vs. 9), He will give us a long life (vs. 10), He will cause our paths to be clear (vs. 12-13).  Essentially, He will promote us.

Surely, spending intimate time with the Lord is a treasure that brings treasures.  It is a double blessing not to be missed.  It is a divine gift.

In the times when I have felt like I do not have time to spend with the Lord, and I have chosen to do it anyway, I have felt anxiety and pressures give way to the Lord's peace and grace.  And in that time, He always reminds me that had I not spent that time, I would not have received His greater intimacy, His greater understanding of who He is and what He wants me to know.  I realize this is so precious, so important, so critical to the heart of God.

If you are experiencing spiritual dryness where you feel distant from the Lord's presence and you cannot even hear God's voice clearly, I encourage you to submit to spending more intimate time with Him.  There, you will be refreshed; you will come into His peace; you will receive revelation instructions, strategies and understanding that will propel you forward in your divine destiny.  There is no shortcut.  There is no cheap substitute.

Week of May 17
Persecution

You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.  ~ Psalm 71:21 (NKJV)

When we are persecuted whether in our workplaces or otherwise, our hearts turn to urgent cries and pleas for God's rescue.   As we are in the midst of such suffering and pain, we can quickly forget about God's purpose, grace, hope, comfort and restoration.  Yet the Bible reminds us that He is with us in tribulation and that after we suffer a little while, He will restore us (1Peter 5:10).  This truth we must cling to.

I recall a season in my life of intense persecution that lasted 18 months.  The Holy Spirit revealed to me that this was a period of spiritual development.  I learned that more than spiritual growth, spiritual development requires greater resistance, much like body building in the physical realm.  And just as in an intense weightlifting workout, I anticipated the end of each strain and each pain because what truly lasted a little while seemed like an eternity.

As I cried out to the Lord to rescue me daily, my personal trainer, the Holy Spirit, encouraged me via scriptures, teachings, visions, prophecies and signs and wonders.  In addition to Psalm 71:21, He gave me another key scripture, Romans 12:12 which says, "rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer" (NASB).  He led me to proclaim this verse daily, to pray for understanding and to praise Him sacrificially. 

Toward the end of this developmental journey, the Holy Spirit gave me the understanding that my heart had to be crucified in order for me to enter into a greater level of love for others and for God.  He taught me to truly love those who persecuted me and to earnestly confess, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34, KJV).  He also taught me that Christ Himself suffered greater pain, which humbled me and put my circumstances into perspective.  In this light of understanding, I was able to choose to rejoice in having participated in the sufferings of Christ (1Peter 4:13).  And when the journey ended, I knew that I had come closer to the Father in a way that was new to me.

Indeed, the Lord brought me through a journey of greater dependence, comfort, patience and endurance (2Corinthians 1:7).  He gave me a greater understanding and a greater vision of His perspective concerning love, and He restored my heart.  Indeed, His glory was revealed.

If you are being persecuted, ask the Lord to reveal His purpose to you.  Ask Him to fill you with His strength of joy in the midst and enable you to understand what is happening so that you may receive His full measure of glory.

Week of May 24
Beauty


"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  ~ Proverbs 31:30

God is the essence of beauty, and He longs to share His beauty with us.  When we accept Jesus, His beauty resides within us.  And if we revere Him, we will mirror His beauty from the inside out.  This is God's desire.

Consider Esther.  Although she was physically beautiful, Esther also glowed with an inner beauty that was established and purposed by God before she ever entered the king's palace (Es. 2:7, 15).  She won the king's favor and approval because she was on a mission from God to save His and her people.  And God's hand of favor and protection was upon her as she consistently made right choices, yielding to the Father's will.

Esther understood wisdom as is evident by how she followed her uncle Mordecai's counsel to not reveal her identity and the eunich Hegai's suggestion to not ask for anything when she came before the king (Es. 2:10-11, 15).  Esther understood the wisdom of 1Peter 3:4, ". . . the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."  And she also understood the power of revering God through fasting (Es. 4:16).

Esther had substance, and her beauty was a power tool used by God to accomplish His will to save a nation.

How is God using your beauty?  Likewise, how are you using your beauty?

Contrary to the nobleness of Esther, the once perfect (Ps. 50:2) but fast fleeting beauty of Jerusalem is described in Ezekiel 16 as prostitution.  When we "trust in our beauty and use our fame to become a prostitute" (vs. 15), our beauty becomes pillaged by the enemies of destruction and death.  Our own disobedience and idolatry to ungodly pleasures opens the door, giving the devil a legal right to "pimp" us out, leaving us depleted, defiled and disgusted.

As we journey through life, what will we choose?  Perfect beauty or prostitution? 

If the latter has been your choice (even if not in the literal sense), there is freedom through repentance and restoration.

The beauty of God is everlasting.  It doesn't fade.  It is perfect.  In this, we have hope.

Lamentations 3:22-26 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." 

May we choose to honor God by living in the nobility of a yielded heart, mind and body and therefore embrace His full measure of reigning beauty for His glory.

Week of May 31, 2009
Freedom

"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."  ~ Psalm 119:45

God's freedom has little to do with the world's freedom.  Knowing and living out His truth is the only way we can be assured His peace, His rest, His protection. 

And like this psalmist, when we walk closely with God, seeking Him with our whole heart and moving in careful obedience, God delights in us; He hears us; He rescues us. 

Have you noticed that at some point in every journey--whether work-related or personal--circumstances will cause us to either flee immediately or to rise up, stand boldly and confront that which comes against God's purposes and plans for us?  The attack can come in many forms--false accusation, persecution, fear, disrespect, strife, disorder, confusion, lack of funds, brick walls, etc.

But there comes a time when God says, "No more!"  There comes a time when, if we don't give up and we remain close to God, He shows up with a mighty shift and deals with the enemy, either by quelling the torment or promoting us out of the situation entirely, all to His glory.

I love these pivotal moments when God frees us up to complete His mission.  They are "sudden" transformations, crescendos, thrilling and certainly a relief.

Freedom literally means "a wide space" as in unconfined by affliction or oppression (Ps. 119:45 NIV note).

To be delivered from heaviness in an instant is what Noah, Moses, Elisha, Joseph, Daniel, David, Jesus and others, who were committed to our Heavenly Father, knew.  Each one leaned upon Father God during their very unique and difficult circumstances.

Consider Daniel.  Though he was intelligent, fit, gifted, noble and had the favor of God upon him, he still found himself held in captivity by a Babylonian king in a foreign land (Dan. 1).  Yet God was in control.  Daniel was set up by God in new territory, desperately dependant upon Him for direction and freedom. 

God had a purpose.  And along with this "set up" came a set time.  God was about to expound His glory in a new way through a terrified Daniel who experienced several encounters with God and witnessed his enemys' defeat over a pre-ordained period of time.

Daniel 10:12 says, " . . . 'Do not be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.'"

Indeed, God's promises were fulfilled and His strategies to freedom broke through in His due time.  God will even send his mighty angels to fight our battles and conquer our enemies once and for all to bring restoration and reward.

God ultimately positioned a faithful Daniel to be rewarded by the very earthly king that held him captive (Dan. 2) and to receive his allotted inheritance (Dan. 12:13).

God is always in control.  He will never forsake us in torrid circumstances if we, like Daniel, exercise wisdom and surrender our hearts to Him.

If you find yourself currently in some form of captivity, know that if you turn to God with all your heart and carefully obey his directives, he will hear you and deliver you into His freedom, just like He did for Daniel.

June 7, 2009
Joy 

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound."  ~Psalm 4:7

Our Heavenly Father created us with an ability to experience joy.  We know when we have it, and we know when we don't.  And even though we can receive enjoyment from our loved ones, activities, work or even material things, only the Lord gives us everlasting joy.  It comes through receiving all of Him, beginning with the joy of salvation and redemption. 

Remember the children's song that goes, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay"?  How profound this simple truth is.  For when we sincerely accept Jesus into our hearts, so, too, do we invite His joy. 

Like peace, the Lord's joy is found in His presence.  It is a divine gift, a byproduct of His love.  Joy is cyclical.  It propels God's heart to move on our behalf and our hearts to move on His.  He plants joy in our hearts, and we give it back to Him through actions of praise and worship and a walk of obedience.

The joy of the Lord is powerful.  It is described as "complete" (Jh. 15:11), "exceeding" (Ps. 43:4), "filling" (Ps. 126:3), "everlasting" and "overwhelming" (Ps. 35:10). 

And as we come closer to His joyful presence, He pours out His divine favor upon us.

Consider the Psalmists.  David said in Psalm 16:11, "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy . . . "

Psalm 45:7 says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows.

Psalm 97:11 says, "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.  Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name."

The joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) intended for sharing.  Pouring out joy imparts joy.  Ever notice how difficult it is to be down when in the presence of God's joy that pours through someone else? 

Even when we sin, the Lord provides a restoration of joy for those who repent. 

Consider the exiled Israelites in Nehemiah who lost their joy and their homeland to disobedience.  When Nehemiah repented on his and their behalf, God, in His unending mercy, led them to restore Jerusalem's wall with His hand of favor upon them, and they celebrated with "great" joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 says, " . . . Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  Choose joy.

Moreover, obedience invites the reward of complete joy (Jn. 15:10-11).  May we press through any blockages of sin for the fullness of the Lord's reward.

Since the Holy Spirit who resides in us brings joy (Luke 10:21), no one can diminish it unless we allow access. 

May we hold fast to the resounding joy of the Lord.  It is our divine, prevailing strength.  It keeps our hearts built up, soaring above the pit of despair, propelling us in His glory to work unto Him and to reach others.  All that's required is that we simply remain in close relationship with Him.

June 14, 2009
Good Pleasure

"And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ."  ~ Ephesians 1:9

I once met a young, married woman who had wisdom beyond her years.  She said something profound that I will always remember which was, "The trouble with life is that it's just so daily." 

May we not get so bogged down by the "dailies" that we lose sight of God's greater vision.  Let us not forget that God has us in an integral "now" process that is leading us to the fulfillment of our divine destiny.  Take joy, and count it all good.  Our best vacation from toil and hardship is in the presence of the Lord.  In due time, we will reap the harvest if we journey to the fulfillment of His purposes. 

A couple of years after this young woman made her statement, God made big shifts in her life.  Indeed, when God's purposes are fulfilled, He will move us beyond our circumstances.    One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to help me "get it" the first time, that I would not have to cycle around the mountain of lesson-learning repeatedly.  Once is enough for me in this second half of my life on earth.  I don't want to waste anymore of God's time, and I declare that, through His grace, the latter will be greater than the former.

Therefore, let us do our excellent best to honor God in all that He has called us to in the here and now, processing circumstances His way in love, mercy and forgiveness.  And know that we are indeed pleasing Him and making loving memories.  There will come a future time when "now" will be the past, and we will forget the hardships of today.  So that when the future arrives, we can reflect with great joy, peace, liberty and appreciation, having no regrets, bearing no grudges and gaining God's wisdom.

Be assured that God takes good pleasure in giving back our dreams.  If you are in a dry place, know that your escape, your sanctuary can be found in the presence of the Lord.  Spend time with Him.  Ask Him to reveal His mysteries, His timing, His destiny plan for you.   Ask Him to give you His understanding of what you've gone through and how He will bring it all together in His due time, in His good pleasure.  Ask Him to awaken you to His greater vision.  Trust that He will show you specifics concerning your future.  You will surely see that there will be no greater dream fulfillment, no greater plan, no greater intimacy and no greater love for you.

God takes good pleasure in giving back to us through His servant heart.   He once spoke to my heart, saying that because I laid down my dreams and got involved with His dreams, He has gotten involved in my dreams and is giving them back to me in a way that is greater than I ever expected. 

I don't know that I've ever been more humbled or awed.  Indeed, God rewards sacrifices of the heart that make room for Him to be first.  And He showed me that He will reveal such mysteries to us through revelation if we take the time to get alone with Him and ask.

God's good pleasure is linked with the fulfillment of His predestined purposes for us (Eph. 10-12).  Our time, our hearts, our minds, our wills, our bodies, our dreams and our agendas are not our own when we are sold out to God.  After all, Jesus laid down His life for us at Calvary.  How can we call ourselves Christians if we do not honor Him for paying such a high price to give us eternal life in heaven? 

Let us remember that God created us for the purpose of fellowshipping with Him.  We are to make Him our first priority, our first love.  It gives God good pleasure when we praise, worship and honor Him throughout our destiny journey, even if it is done sacrificially.  He delights when His plans and purposes are fulfilled through us, when we are a living testimony to His power, love and glory.  Therefore, may we lay down every idol, every hearts desire, turn from every temptation and say, "Yes, Lord.  Have it Your way no matter what."
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Week of June 21, 2009
Relationship

"The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him."  ~ Galatians 3:11 (The Message)

Oh the power of relationship.  From our primary and everlasting relationship with the Lord to working relationships and intimate relationships, we are blessed by those which God arranges in so many ways.

Often, God sets us up with people who greatly influence our lives--bosses, leaders, mentors, co-workers, family members and even those who appear to have little power.

And He always works in us and through us simultaneously.  His purposes are mighty and far reaching, often influencing nations of people.  And they always require obedience.

Consider Ester and her cousin Mordecai.  Ester 8:1 says, "And Mordecai came before the king because Ester had explained their relationship."

This was no accident.  It was a set up or an "arrangement" by God for purposes bigger than either of them. 

Mordecai was not only Ester's blood relative and adoptive parent, he was her advisor, confidant and informant (Es. 2:10, 20-23).  God strategically assigned them to work together--one inside and one outside of the king's palace--as His secret agents for the higher purpose of freeing a nation of Jews.

Although their missions felt risky to them, their faith in the Lord and trust in each other had been established (Es. 2:11).  Indeed, God knew just what they needed, how circumstances would unfold and which emotions would be pricked as His process for ultimate deliverance took place.

Mordecai and Ester honored God and consulted Him on strategy (Es. 4:16).  And God never forsook them along their journey.  They remained loyal to God and to each other throughout, no matter how hopeless things appeared, even as the power of their positions shifted (Es. 4:17).

God honored them in return with His divine favor, wisdom and life, perfectly advancing them amid the enemy's deception and plot to kill Mordecai (Es. 5:2-14).

Desperate, Mordecai waited on God, urgently standing at the king's gate again and again.  He never gave up.  And when the time was right, God exposed His truth of evil through them (Es. 7:6).  God's justice was accomplished (Es. 7:10), Mordecai was promoted (Es. 8:2, 15, 9:4, 10:2-3), and the Jews were ultimately set free (Es. 9:1, 5).

Throughout their assignment, Ester and Mordecai remained obedient to God.  They lived in right relationship with Him by embracing what God had arranged for them in advance.

When God assigns us to relationships, He always purposes them beyond what we know at the outset.  One of my favorite (and usually desperate) prayers is, "Lord, reveal to me Your divine purpose in this.  Let me see it as You do.  Give me Your divine understanding.  Open my eyes, and help me to receive Your revelations and stay on track."

God loves it when we humble ourselves and seek His heart and His purposes for each arranged assignment in our lives.  He honors us and blesses for seeking His face and for desiring earnestly to be obedient and serve Him, placing His ways above our own.

Ester and Mordecai stepped into a risky life-or-death journey.  The only way they could get through it successfully was to carefully obey God in their relationship with each other and with Him.

What arrangements are you involved in?  Are they divinely assigned or ones of your own making?  How's your relationship with God and others?  Do they honor Him?

If you're not sure, our Divine Creator has all the answers, and He's waiting to reveal them to you for the asking.  May you be blessed and walk in divine peace and purpose in all your arrangements.

Week of June 28
Giving

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you a heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  Ezekiel 36:26

The very nature of God is to give out of love.  And when we as Christians receive the Lord into our hearts, He impacts us so deeply that we can't help but pour out His amazing love everywhere we go.  When we show up, so does God.

God makes His point clear in Ezekiel 36:32 where He says He will renew and restore His chosen people and their land for His glory, not because they earn His favor.  On the contrary, by their sinful conduct and actions, His chosen people had defiled their nation and their land that was divinely given to them.  But because of God's zeal for them and a remnant cry from them, God extended His grace and turned their circumstances around.

Likewise, God loves us even when we feel we don't deserve His love.  And we are to model His expressions of love and grace to others through a heart of giving, even to those who offend us.  God loved the unlovely, and so must we.  But we cannot do it alone.  We must ask Him to soften our hearts, to do it for us.

Giving comes naturally from a true heart of love.  It is the heart that must be cultivated.  Giving is simply the byproduct.

In the marketplace, we face many tests.  Sometimes, we are challenged to demonstrate love through acts of giving and kindness to a difficult boss or to cohorts.  It helps to remember that they may have become difficult to get along with due to hurts, wounds, injustices, sins and a lack of love in their life, whether self-imposed or inflicted by others.  It helps to look beyond their exterior and see into their hearts.  And we can ask God to help us see their hearts as He does, to increase within us His vision and His love for them and to break down barriers of fear.

When we have a big heart of God within us, giving out of love is easy, no matter what the behavior of others because we ourselves are overwhelmed with God's very presence of love.

When we are faced with "the unlovely," we must remember two things: We ourselves are only made righteous through Christ Jesus.  And God placed "the unlovely" in our path for the purpose of sanctifying our hearts with an increase of His love.  In other words, we the Christians need to come up higher in the love department.  And when we do, transformation takes place around us as a result of giving out of that love.

It's not enough to hold love in our hearts.  We must give it.  And when we give, we receive more from God, our divine source, and from others whose hearts cannot help but be touched.

The question is, will we consistently extend love no matter how others behave?  If we do, it will change the atmosphere in which we work.  If we do, we will not feel controlled by the other people's negative attitudes, comments or actions.  Our heart and others' hearts will transform, and this will manifest in a more Godly work environment.

The truth is, through Jesus Christ, we have more power than we realize.  God's principles really do work when faithfully put into action.  We must not let fear of rejection, fear of authority or intimidation prevents us from giving out of a generous heart of love.

Remember, God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  And God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).  May we respond to others from an outpouring of the heart of the Holy Spirit within us, instead of reacting to negativity.  Only then will we be able to freely give.
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Week of July 5
Living

"Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My faithful love promised to David."  Isaiah 55:3

Good news brings life.  And God longs for us to receive His good news.  There is so much that He wants to give us.  But are we willing to listen?  Do we hearken when He speaks to our hearts to sit with Him and partake of the life He offers? 

Relationship demands intimacy and priority.  If we are not spending the time with God that He longs to have with us, we are robbing the Kingdom and robbing those He has called us to serve because we cannot give out that which we do not have.  We will end up giving and receiving our meager portion, not God's greater serving.

In my years of working as a flight attendant, I learned how to function safely in a cabin decompression.  I was taught to first don an oxygen mask and then assist others, just like in the airplane safety videos.  The reason for helping myself first is because, in a serious decompression at high altitudes, I may only have seconds to function before loosing consciousness.  If I did not breathe in the oxygen supplied from a source above my head, I would not have the ability to help anyone else because life would begin to drain out of me.  Interestingly enough, the time between a person's full ability to function and their inability to function is called the "time of useful consciousness." 

This life-giving priority is often the opposite of how we think in the world or how we think as women in caring for others.  Too often, we serve everyone else and accept the little bit of time and energy that remains for our Lord.  We give Him the leftovers.  We think we're being unselfish by putting the needs of others before our own, but the truth is that we're putting people and daily responsibilities before God.  We end up running on empty because we're not taking the time to sit and sup with the Lord.

Given these circumstances, how useful are we to God or anyone else?  It may help to be reminded that our lives were bought with a price, therefore, this resource of time God gave us is not our own.  It may also help to remember that Christ only did what The Father called Him to do.  What things are we doing that God didn't call us to do? 

Isaiah 55:2 asks, "Why spend money [resources] on what is not bread , and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." 

God's first and greatest commandment is to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30).  "All" does not mean a meager portion.  And His second greatest commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mk. 12:31). 

Are we honoring God's priorities by partaking of the bread of life (Him) first so that we have a rich love to give to our neighbors, who come second?  Or do we need to spend more time at His table?

May we spend some of the time God graciously gives us to examine our hearts and repent so that we may receive and give out His richest love.
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the new God's Love at Work Businesswomen Select program and the Women's Fellowship gatherings
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Week of July 12
Safety

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."  ~ Psalm 4:8


God made His covenant of peace through Christ so that we may live free of hostility and enjoy life in complete security.  God's original intent was that we live fearlessly and in safety.  Of course, this requires obedience, following the voice of the Holy Spirit carefully and seeking God in worship above all things.

Proverbs 28:26 says, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."  May we exercise God's wisdom.

Proverbs 29:25 says, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."  May we fearlessly trust God, not man.

Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  May we run to the Lord.

Psalm 34:10 says, "... those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.  May we seek the Lord.

Deuteronomy 33:12 says, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields Him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders."  May we rest in the Lord.

The enemy would like nothing more than to destroy us through eternal separation from God.  Although we can rest secure in our salvation, consider how he could destroy our lives through tempting us away from worshiping and seeking God's face regularly as the Holy Spirit leads.  The enemy can use distraction, complacency, overwork, untimeliness, fear and false responsibilities to lure us away from our first priority, thus causing us to not know God's revealed direction for specific assignments. 

Seeking God's face and direction is an obedient choice we make.  If we willingly choose to not seek His will, we may lean unto our own understanding, talents and gifts to make important decisions.  Thus, God will not bless the work of our hands.  Even though we may accomplish a bit, at some point, we will come to a screeching halt. 

Throughout the Bible, God revealed unusual directives to leaders.  Consider the Book of Joshua where the Lord gave Joshua a unique strategy for each battle in the Promised Land.  What if Joshua hadn't listened and instead leaned on previous battle strategies (old manna) to get him through.  What if he had looked left and right upon distraction and not kept his eyes upon the Lord?  What if he had let fear control his actions? 

Joshua would have failed because he would have been in disobedience against God and would have been fighting in his own strength.  Much hinged upon Joshua's obedience, including his own life.  But it wasn't just about him.  It was about a nation.  It was about God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven.  It was about a Kingdom.

Clearly, obedience is key to our security and livelihood.  God's mercy is new every morning.  May we partake of His fresh manna and drink of His new wine daily so that we may enjoy life in complete safety.
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Week of July 19
Catalysts



"[David], who through faith cnquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised . . . "  ~ Hebrews 11:33

Catalysts move the heart and hand of God.  Faith, praise, obedience, worship, crying out, prayer, work, perseverance and excellence are all examples.  Put into action, these disciplines invoke God's power through us.  We become a powerhouse for God, and no obstacle can stand in our way.

David knew exactly how to activate God's promises.  Take the promise of protection for example. David was motivated by a profound love for God and by a need and a faith for manifest victory in battle.  In 2 Samuel 7:9, God promises David that He has gone before him, defeating all his enemies ahead.  David had to exercise diligent faith each time his enemies pursued his life.  He had to call on the name of the only One who could save him, the One who promised victory and rescue every time.

In so doing, David saw time and again God show up and prove faithful.  His trust God increased as a result. 

God rewards faithfulness and those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  We must do our part by believing and obeying the omniscient, omnipotent God of the universe.  Nothing is too big or two impossible for Him.  Indeed, God is faithful to deliver His promises.

I Peter 1:6-7 says we will suffer but for a little while for the purpose of proving our faith genuine, resulting in praise, glory and honor to God.  This level of faith is of greater worth than gold.  Yes, we experience tests and trials, but we will not prolong pain or fear if we process through the journey God's way.  Rather, God will bring us through these times in His appointed time, if we cooperate with Him.  In so doing, our character is built and we are able to help others who follow behind us.

God was able to exhibit His faithfulness and power and glory in David's circumstances for all time.  God crowned him as king over Israel.  A big mandate requires big faith and a big God.  David did not know all that he would experience when God spoke to him initially.  He just took God at His word, knowing that he would have enemies and that God defeated them on his behalf. 

God does the same for us when we carefully obey what He instructs us to do.  He will send us into places that are too big for us to handle alone.  He will cause us to realize that we depend upon Him greatly.  He will prompt us to look unto Him instead of our "insurmountable" circumstances.  And we will live and not die.

And all we have to do is simply follow the leading and instructions of the Holy Spirit.  When the Holy Spirit prompts us to praise the Father, do it.  When He prompts us to move out and take dominion, do it.  When He instructs us to rest, do it.  Biblical principles are the catalysts that move the hand of God on our behalf, no matter what the circumstances. 

Our God is an interactive God.  In which areas of partnering do we need to be more prolific?  In which areas do we need to express more love?
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Week of July 26
Faith

"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."  ~ I Thessalonians 1:3

Faith is critical to bringing to fruition the hopes, desires and dreams that God places within us.  It is the fuel that propels us to act, to work and to persevere through challenging assignments.  Without faith, we could not overcome obstacles and finish the race victoriously. 

Throughout the Bible, we see people of great faith and little faith.  Yet, God blessed both.  Consider Abraham.  He stepped into a journey that was unknown to him by choosing to exercise his faith and trust God's plan of greater inheritance.  Even Gideon, the slightest member of his clan, took courage, exercised his faith, trusted God and proclaimed victory over his enemies.

Moreover, the gospels are full of miracles Jesus did for people who did not know him.  They had no New Testament to build their faith.  Yet their mustard seed faith helped facilitate healing miracles.

Hebrews 11:1 says "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  And Romans 1:5 tells us that "obedience comes from faith."  Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).

Fortunately, God, through His sufficient grace and tender mercy, helps us build faith, the purpose being to serve Him and others.  I have a friend who exercised her faith to be healed from cancer as well as painful neck injuries that she suffered in an auto wreck.  God completely healed her from each affliction through a process that involved prayer and believing.  What the enemy meant for destruction, God turned around for good.  He gave her a new career, after loosing her former one due to ailments.  And now she reaches out to others through prayer, sharing her healing testimonies and writing inspirational songs that have climbed the charts.

It is faith that enables us to receive the higher ways of God when we do not understand where He is leading us, especially when circumstances get tough.  When faith prevails over fear persistently, we become victorious.

Moreover, fear is the opposite of faith.  Irrational fear can paralyzes us or cause us to run in the opposite direction from where God wants us to go.  Obedience to the bondage of fear is idolatry and rebellion in the face of God.  Fear limits us under a ceiling.  Faith facilitates promotion, turning our ceiling into our floor.

Hebrews 11:13 tells us that the great people of the Bible "were still living by faith when they died" and that they did not see the promises of God come to pass.  They were on a sacrificial journey of faith that was bigger than they for a higher purpose.  They laid down self-centered comforts and willingly pursued the path that brought glory to God.  In short, they left a legacy of faith.

What faith journey does God have you on?  Are you allowing Him to build your faith to accomplish greater things?  Which areas in your life do you need more faith?
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Week of August 2
Patience

"Love is patient . . ."  ~ I Corinthians 13:4

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a work assignment, knowing the project is of God and knowing that you're right in step with His timing, when suddenly things seemed to stagnate or get stuck?

What did you do?  Did you stop and pray and wait to hear God's response?  Or did you persist along your path, leaning on your strengths and talents and understanding of what had worked for you in the past, what you knew to do?

Did you receive an answer from God?  Or did frustration and anxiety begin to rise as you feverishly ran harder to try to make things work to meet your deadlines?

God's pathways strategically include divinely appointed times.  And when He sets us out on a journey, His directive is to sometimes simply wait.  This is where our faith gets tested.

So often, God's ways do not make sense to us, especially when we feel the pressures of meeting a deadline.  And in these times, we feel like we're waiting on God to show up and clear blockages, organize things, make people cooperate with us therefore making a way for us to get the job done.  But the truth is, as we await God, He's awaits us.  He desires us to stop and listen and worship Him during the wait.  And He desires to do a work in us in the process.

Patience must have its perfect work.  While we're working, God is doing a work in us, to perfect us, to do things His way.  He longs to bless us, to reward our faith.  But will we pass the test?

Consider the prophet Habakkuk.  The people of Judah took to behaving in Babylonian ways, and the righteous were grieved.  When taking this issue before the Lord, He seemed to withhold His answer for a while.  But God ultimately revealed to Habakkuk that He would take care of the issues through a release of judgment using the Babylonians to bring His people to their knees. This was not a solution that Habakkuk expected.  Nevertheless, after hearing from God, Habakkuk did the right thing and awaited God's plan with a spirit of worship.

Sometimes, God has to take care of a few things before we can move forward.  And sometimes we just need to stop and get out of God's way.  While He aligns people and circumstances, He expects us to align our faith with His purpose and timing and exhibit that fruit of the spirit called patience.

Though often not easy for our carnal nature to cooperate, God is actually doing us a favor by offering us an opportunity to advance.  In this process, we get to surrender our arrogance and self-reliance to God's higher ways.  And if we pass the test, He takes us to the next glorious realm of faith and reward.  Like a deer, we become able to stand on the higher places.

Do you believe that God loves you enough to groom you to stand in higher places?  Do you love Him enough to cooperate with His plan?  My prayer is that you will not fear God's heights and that you will excel, not accelerate.  May we worship God during His appointed times, resting in His love, exercising patience.
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Week of August 9
Redemption

"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You--I, whom You have redeemed."  ~ Psalm 71:23

What comes to mind for many Christians when we hear the word "redeemed" is being saved from the pit of hell by Jesus Christ, Our Savior. 

But what may not come to mind as often is having abundant life on earth. 

The dictionary defines redemption as saving or improving something that has declined into a poor state.  Ones career, marriage, finances or physical health can be examples.

The root word, redeem, is from the Latin word, redimere, which means to buy back.  To redeem can mean to keep a promise, fulfill a pledge, pay off an outstanding portion of debt, atone for human sins, restore someone to favor or to make acceptable despite negative qualities.

Indeed, Jesus Christ is Our Redeemer.

The Bible says that we are redeemed from the grave (Ps. 49:15), from death (Hos. 13:14), from the law (Gal. 4:5), from all wickedness (Tit. 2:14), from the curse (Gal. 3:13), from sin (Col. 1:14) and from the pit (Ps. 103:4).

The Apostle Paul may have said it best as he beseeches us to "live a life worthy of the Lord," to "please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves..."

God's word is true.  It is purposed for us.  Let us keep our eyes on Him so that we may have abundant faith, love, hope, prosperity, health, joy and relationships.

What do you have need of?  Do you feel special, or are you just getting by?  Have you called on your Redeemer?  He awaits you.
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Week of August 16
Potential

" . . . My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."  ~Judges 6:15

How many of us have ever felt like Gideon, believing false truths about ourselves that have stunted our growth and attempted to undermine our God-given destiny?

Author Dondi Scumaci describes it well in her new book, "Designed For Success: The 10 Commandments For Women In The Workplace."  In the very first chapter she says,

"Imagine that when you were born, you were given a box.  The box is empty to begin with, but almost immediately people begin to put messages into it.  Some of the messages make you feel strong and safe and powerful; others teach you to doubt yourself and your abilities.

"Over time the box is filled with messages.  Some are duplicates.  You've received them more than once and from more than one person.  One message tells you it's important to be popular, one reminds you to always be very polite, while another tells you to wait to be recognized--because bragging is very bad.  Your messages warn you against making mistakes, rocking the boat, or being pushy--because nobody likes a bossy girl.

"Now imagine shaking the box!  The messages get all mixed up.  That makes it hard to separate the encouraging, empowering messages from the negative, limiting ones.

"You grow up and carry your box of messages to work.  As you being to use them, you discover that, for much of your life, the messages have been managing you.  Now you must learn to manage them."

This is the very place where Gideon found himself.

Gideon processed through discouraging old messages and new encouraging ones from God throughout the remainder of Judges chapter six.

Although Gideon's self-doubt was high, and his faith was low, by stepping forth into God's instructions--albeit with trepidation--he managed to overcome obstacles and reach the divine destiny God had for him.

How about you?  Is anything holding you back from reaching your God-given potential?  If so, have you asked the Holy Spirit to intervene, to reveal the issues of your heart and lead you to overcome to full victory?

God sees our potential, and He has a plan to advance us all the way.  His purpose being that He loves us, He loves nations, and He desires to use us to affect them.  God's vision is big.  It goes beyond us.  As Gideon was set free from his fears and ungodly beliefs, others were also restored.  It was a battle that was worth fighting.  And so is yours.
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Week of August 23 
Capable

"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 3:19

Despite whatever assignment the Lord sends us on, He makes us capable to thrive amid any circumstance to fulfill His purpose.

Consider Amos.  The Bible says, "Amos was a herdsman from the small town of Tekoa; he was not a man of the court like Isaiah, or a priest like Jeremiah.  Though he lived in Judah, he was sent to announce God's judgment on the northern kingdom (Israel)."

Imagine being a simple man like Amos and being chosen by God to deliver messages of judgment to priests and kings?  How many of us would have the natural confidence to go from the prairie to the palace? (Amos 7:13)

If we are willing to receive them, God will assign us missions to carry out that are bigger than ourselves, ones that require great faith and a big God to complete.  But we must trust the power of God.

The very word "capable" means to possess the qualities needed to do a particular thing well; to have the legal competency, ability or legal power to do something.  "Capable" is from the Latin word "capere," which means "to take" or "able to take in."

When we break it down, we see that two words make up the word "capable"--"cap" and "able."  The word "able" means to be positioned to do something.  And the word "cap" means to cover, surpass and complete something.  As Christians, with God as our covering, Jesus residing in us and the Holy Spirit guiding us, we are able to complete divine missions on high levels--even ones that will change the course of nations--if we are in position to receive them.

In the case of Amos, God empowered (or made capable) Amos for the purpose of restoring social justice and righteousness to Israel.  Although Amos did not consider himself to be a seer prophet (Amos 7:14), God enabled him to see visions and prophesy.  The Bible describes Amos as a "vigorous spokesman."  Amos was "able to take in" God's visions and speak them out in citadels with great confidence.  This simple herdsman and fig farmer was fortified, covered and obedient.

Amos had great faith, which propelled him throughout his great assignment, above his usual position and beyond his usual work environment.

How is God using you?  Has He sent you out on any special assignments lately?  Would you be willing to go if He spoke to you amid your prairie existence?

The Christian life should be an adventure--full of the unknown, relying upon God to cover and complete us and His missions.  Do we have great faith?  Are we in position?  Are we capable?
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Week of August 30
Flourishing

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."  ~ Psalm 52:8

The word "flourishing" in this context translates into the Hebrew word "ra`anan," which means "to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green."

During this late spring season, I am reminded of God's promise of a summer harvest every time I tend to my vegetable garden.  When I see how my plants have flourished in such a short time since I set them out, I am awed at what God has created, and I am inspired by the fruit He produces.  The days are long here in the south, therefore the plants have an abundance of light.

Get the point?

Through God's bountiful love and His righteousness in us, we can produce much fruit, be blessed and in turn bless others.

Psalm 1:3 tells us that a righteous person "is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."

It's important to remember, however, that it's not our righteousness that produces good fruit, it's God's.  Isaiah 64:6 is quick to remind us that "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."

But do we really trust this truth deep in our heart?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 reveals that "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Interestingly, an olive tree lives for hundreds of years, producing much fruit, blessing animals and man (Ps. 1:3 note).  Imagine the many seasons it flourishes through.

Conversely, Jeremiah 17:5-6 tells us, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes.  He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives."

When we find ourselves in a wasteland, we can be quick to remember that God offers us forgiveness through Jesus Christ, His Son and our Redeemer when we confess and repent.  Even so, remember that the consequences of sin can last longer than we would like to tolerate.

Consistently choosing obedience to God's righteousness is the wisest choice.

Proverbs 8:19-21 encourages us that wisdom's fruit is better than fine gold; what wisdom yields surpasses choice silver.  Wisdom walks in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love wisdom and making their treasuries full."

Remember that God does not set us up to fail.  He sets us up to flourish.

How green are you?  And how green would you like to become?
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Week of September 6
Harmony


"Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds."  ~ 1Peter 3:8 (NLT)

Have you ever been part of a team of any kind and experienced discord?  People just didn't agree.  Everything felt hard, out of sync and each step of progress was painstaking.  Your team wasn't of "one mind."  You didn't have harmony.

What did your team do?  What was the ultimate outcome?  Did they meet their goal on time?  Or did they dismantle?

I believe when people come together in the right spirit, there is harmony.  When egos bow to God's purpose and when comfort zones succumb to stepping out in big faith, God is able to accomplish much through us.  We were made by Him for Him.

In Romans 12:16 (NIV), the Apostle Paul warns us to "Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud."  The New Living Translation states, "Don't try to act important . . . And don't think you know it all!"

This is love.  And God gives grace to the humble.  All that's required of us is to do our part.

Harmony means agreement, the Greek translation of which is Sugkatathesis, which means to put together or deposit jointly.

Even if your authority figures overrule your opinion, suggestion or idea, making a decision that you don't like or understand, know that God holds them accountable and the burden is off of you.

Romans 13:3 says, "Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God's servant to do you good."

Oftentimes, God uses joint efforts to refine us, to teach us something new, to lend His wisdom and to test our pride.  Could it be that God is preparing us for promotion?  After all, He exalts the humble.

Consider Joseph.  So many of his joint efforts bombed--in the relationship he had with his brothers and in relationships he experienced while in Egyptian captivity--yet in the end, God exalted him above all those who troubled him.  And when his brothers came to him in desperation, he extended love to them.  He chose to live in harmony once again, even though he could have chosen otherwise.  Clearly, God taught him much on the path to promotion.

What is He teaching you?
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Week of September 13, 2009 
Refreshing

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  ~Matthew 11:28

Have you ever been so burdened by your work that you feel like the faster you work, the faster time passes and the less time you have to catch up?  As if running on a  treadmill, you fear you won't meet your goal, and you realize you're on the border of burnout?

We've all been there, if not just temporarily.  And sometimes, when we're in the midst of the fury, God schedules us for a refreshing.  It can arrive when we feel we have the least amount of time to come away.  God may expect us to simply lay down the workload and spend hours or days with Him.  Or He may pull us away for a vacation or retreat or even a simple weekend.

But do we trust God enough to obey and receive?  Do we really believe that the all-seeing, all-knowing God of the universe loves us enough to prosper us in all He assigns us?

Whatever respite God requires of us, it's important to remember that He has our best interest at heart.  He desires to help us.  He will be faithful to regenerate, renew and restore our energy.  And He will give us fresh revelation, vision and insight in the most creative ways, even through others.

In so doing, God reminds us that He is God; He is in control; we are not alone; He works on our behalf; He is committed to our success, and He is the creator of creativity.  He will show us the "obvious" that we didn't see while we were intensely focused behind a PC or otherwise at work.

In this way, we see God's artistry in perfecting and completing His work through us.  Like a painter, He uses us to come in close and step back to "see" the vision, sketch the outline, add the details, then refine the work to capture the whole.

God's perspective is unlimited and perfect.  He rewards diligence.  And obedience is the key.

So if we sense God leading us to come away with Him in the midst of our impending deadline, we must.  He does this to not only test our priorities but also to give us what we need in the intimate place.  Sometimes, it's just a nugget, a single revelation that will make all the other components come into place.  But whatever it is, it will be better than we could have derived on our own--even with our talents, gifts and training.  We'll return to work with a fresh eye and a renewed enthusiasm.

The Lord says in Jeremiah 31:25 that He "will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."  Sometimes, the most appropriate action we can take is to let go, let God and to pray for the discernment to know when to do so.

God knows what we need.  Is He waiting for you?
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2009 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2009womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 7.
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Week of September 20
Vindication

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.  He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.  Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, O God of Jacob."  ~ Psalm 24:4-6

Have you ever experienced injustice in the workplace?  Perhaps politics played a role.  Maybe you were betrayed in some way, condemned even by those with whom you shared confidences.  Did others gossip about you.  What did you do?

Did you keep walking in upright obedience to God?  Or did you fall for the bait and react in carnal ways?  Perhaps you've done both intermittently.  None of us perfectly process circumstances all the time. 

Although we may feel like we're stumbling through daily circumstances, groping at God to relieve the pain, there is hope.  If we choose honest repentance, there will come a time when God will set things right.  When we have been tested sufficiently, fired for purity's sake, and God has allowed the flames to have their complete work in us, He will move on our behalf.  Isaiah 49:8 says, "In the time of My favor I will answer you . . ."

Repentance leads to redemption.  And although we may feel we've been wronged and it's the other gal's fault, it's important to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what part, if any, we had in the issue. 

I know of a married couple who discipline their children by having them sit on a "repentance bench" until they repent for their part in disputes.  As they sit side by side, they are not allowed to blame each other.  When they repent, they are relieved to resume their day. 

How often do we assume the victim role and blame others?  Even if we did not instigate the event, God may be using unpleasant circumstances or behavior of others as a vice-like instrument to force issues within us to come to the surface for the purpose of inviting us to overcome the limitation.  He may be readying us for promotion by preparing us.  When things don't bother us anymore, they can't bind us, and we are free to move on. 

No circumstance or person is too relentless for God's intervention.  If people do not hearken to God's directives, He has been known to release His judgment upon them.  But we must be in right standing.  Our freewill choice will determine a lot.

In God's time, He will deliver us from gossip to greatness, from misery to majesty, from devour to divine, from persecution to peace, from invasion to intimacy, from division to revision, from feuding to favor, from condemnation to compassion, from crushed to comforted, from fear to faith, from holes to wholeness, from blockage to boldness, from hatred to harmony, from sin to sweetness, from false accusations to freedom, from strongholds to life, from strangleholds to new opportunities and adventures.  The chains come off, and we are restored and vindicated.

Our decision to humble ourselves and honestly repent of our part in the journey will break the division and strangleholds in our work lives and beyond.  Though we cannot control another person, God will fight our battle on our behalf, and we will come through victorious.  We will be vindicated.  We will be honored, even publicly.  What has been out of priority will be put into place.  Our garden of safety and security will be restored.  And we will finish the race well.

Are you ready to be vindicated?  Spend some intimate time with the Lord and honestly repent each time He reveals your part in a situation.  In the time of God's favor, you will see the fruit of blessing in your life.  And you will walk in the freedom of victory again.
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2009 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2009womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 7.

Week of September 27
Faithfulness

". . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve."   ~Joshua 24:15

Joshua understood well the personal choices involved in serving God faithfully to the end.  He had seen much life and death come to his forefathers as a result of their ungodly choices.  He reminded the leaders of Israel, with great assurance, to serve God with a clean heart.  He knew that God desired to continue to bless Israel but that they would not be positioned to receive God's blessings unless they surrendered their whole heart, even in the little things.

The bar is high for leaders.  And Joshua warned them to not fall into the sins of their past.  Oh how the enemy enjoys enticing and ensnaring us by using familiar behavior patterns and people from our past to bring destruction into our present and future, to prevent God's promises, plans and purposes from coming to fruition.

Is there a god that you need to lay down?  A god that will prevent you from living out your God-given potential and destiny?  Are there any idols that lurk in your heart?

God will be faithful to us if we are faithful to Him and His ways.  Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Is God truly our first love?  Are we willing to lay everything that is important and valuable to us down at the foot of the cross to serve Him?

If our answer is "yes," then we exchange our ways for His, which are much higher and which include rewards far greater than we can earn on our own.  The question then becomes, "Do we truly trust God to deliver?"

If the answer is again "yes," then we will embark on an adventure of loving and serving Him on a whole new level that will result in fresh assignments, fresh revelation, fresh opportunities for trusting Him in new areas, fresh opportunities to overcome obstacles and greater measures of blessings to receive, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38).  Is this not life worth living?  This is indeed God's finest for us, and it is anything but boring!

Faithfulness requires discipline in the journey, and it requires a cleansing of the heart at the outset.  Anything less will harbor a contamination that will ultimately lead us to stumble and fall and possibly to not even finish the race God has set before us.  At the very least, the journey will be rocky. 

Faithfulness is obedience that builds trust in relationships.  "Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness.  Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped . . . and serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:14).
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2009 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2009womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 7.
:angel:

Week of October 4
Life

" . . . Choose life, not death! . . ."  ~ 2 Kings 18:32

I recently attended an event where the speaker said, "Drug dealers are living, but they don't have life."  What a profound statement.

Christianity is intended to be dynamic, full of challenges and opportunities for high levels of faith, obedience and love.  Consider every victorious Bible character you can think of.  Did they not live on the very edge of life and death?  How about Mary, who conceived a child out of wedlock amid a culture that stoned such women?  And what about Joshua, who fought battle after battle in the Promised Land so that an entire nation would receive their Godly inheritance?  And then there was Moses, who was called out of the wilderness to rescue a nation.  And how about Esther, who came out of her comfort zone in a big way to confront a king and save her people?   And let's not forget Jesus.

Were they all not living life to the fullest as they hearkened to their callings, all the while treading carefully in obedience, staying close to the father lest they fall to death?

Such is the essence of the Christian life.  God has called us into the world, and Jesus is our perfect example.  It is in the face of life and death that our heart is revealed, our current level of confidence and courage and gifting and expertise and training and knowledge and wisdom surfaces in our face.  How limited we are without God's intervention.  Our medal is tested, our character confronted, and we see our current level of integrity.

This is not only true for us as individuals, but also for businesses and organizations, including ministries.  One of my frequent prayers is, "God, help me to not miss it," because with all that is on my plate, I know that my natural ability offers me many opportunities to get too focused on one assignment or distraction and miss the big picture, the fresh manna, the new wine, the daily watering of the word and revelations that will bring me and this ministry new life.  I need the Holy Spirit to help me focus on God more than on what He assigns me and certainly more than the distractions with which the enemy tries to tempt me.

I want to consistently receive God's greater vision.  I know that the slice or portion of revelation God first gave to me for this ministry is just the beginning.  And when the winds of change come and God desires to move in a fresh way, I want to be in position to go with His flow.  God has so many more revelations for us, which are all intended to direct us to new life if we will just position our greater focus on Him and sit at His table and receive the fresh manna and new wine He desires to serve us.  God is dynamic.  Jesus is life.  I want to live.  How about you?

Although we all walk through dry seasons, and God allows this for a time for various purposes, His originally intended norm is not for us to barely make it or just get by.  So much depends upon the freewill choices that He allows us to exercise.  And the bottom line question is, "Will we rise up, or will we shrink back and make fear our God?"

The people and businesses and ministries I have the greatest respect for are those who know how to live and, with the leading of the Holy Spirit, confront perceived risk.  Consider Rick Warren, who through hearkening to a fresh move of God, was able to turn around the economics of Rwanda.  Does the Great Commission not instruct us to make disciples of all nations?  And how about Franklin Graham, who has made a lifestyle of entering into the most "dangerous" countries and conditions--those that are ravaged by disaster and are often dominated by Islam--to rescue the broken and the lost.  Is that not the heart of Jesus in action?  Is this not living life and giving life?  Look at the fruit.

As we sit in our comfortable churches and behind our cozy desks, I challenge you to not let mundane, busy (and often petty) circumstances ware you down so that you cannot get to the most important and impacting joys God has for you, like spending time with Him and making a difference in the world.  Beth Moore says it very succinctly and profoundly on the back cover of her book, Praying God's Word Day by Day: "Beloved, you will never waste time in God's Word."  Sit before God and invite Him to help you live again.  Just one revelation from Him can turn your life, business or ministry around.

Jesus came to save us from death, not only in the afterlife but during our walk on earth.  Are you living a mundane life?  Do you feel like your life is in a rut?  Is fear holding you back, binding you from living the adventure that God has for you?  Perhaps you've been deceived by buying into the world's perspective of success, and you're disillusioned.  Have you fallen into sin through disobedience and feel like it's a long journey out?  No life is too destitute for God to restore.  He has been known to accelerate our pace.  And remember, the latter can be greater than the former.  I challenge you to repent and find out what God has just for you.  Then choose to step into life with the Holy Spirit as your guide, and reach your divine destiny.
:angel:

A Woman's Walk

Week of October 11
Forgiveness

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  ~ Colossians 3:13 

When God assigns us to a job in a particular work environment, He has many purposes in mind besides providing for our financial needs.  He may have us there to be a light in the surrounding darkness; to minister mercy, grace and prayer to those He puts in our path; to test and purify our hearts through challenges; to prepare us for the next glory--otherwise known as a promotion; to bring excellence, influence and transformation to the organization; to be an example to others; and the obvious purpose: to simply work unto Him.

All of these purposes are disciplines.  And all of these disciplines offer opportunities to forgive others and ourselves all along the journey.             

The American Heritage Dictionary defines forgiveness as "To excuse for a fault or offense; pardon.  To stop feeling anger or resentment against.  To absolve from payment of."   

Forgiveness does not mean condoning other people's bad behavior.  It simply means that, by choice, we cancel any debt we feel others owe us due to a wrong we feel they've caused us because Jesus died to pay all sin debt.  When we choose to forgive, we extend mercy and grace to the person who wronged us, just as our Heavenly Father extends mercy and grace to us through Jesus when we have wronged Him, or sinned.  Therefore, forgiveness is a reflection of Jesus' character.  It is an expression of sacrificial obedience in that our "flesh" surrenders to God's higher ways and His divine love in the process.

Forgiveness can feel unjust to our emotions because the enemy tries to provoke and manipulate our emotions negatively.  This is one of his devices for keeping us in bondage.  He tries to cause us to focus on the offense or hurt by getting us bound up in a web of anger, woundedness and revenge that can grow every time we think or talk about the issue, or every time we feel sorry for ourselves.

We must not become victims of the enemy's plan.  Instead, our emotions must come into alignment with God's word on forgiveness.  We must be ruled by the Holy Spirit, not by our emotions.  In choosing this truth, God rewards us with divine peace and rest.  And He promotes us to a level where former offenses will not bother us, a level where He can trust us even more with more. 

We must choose to pass the test by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and by asking for His help. Doing so gives us the power to proactively guard our hearts, refusing to allow the enemy to embed hurt, fear and anger long-term.  Sometimes, this is a process, depending on the level and the number of hurts.   

Over the years, the Lord has taught me that forgiveness is a daily journey (Matt. 18:21-22).  It is part of the Christian love walk (I Cor. 3:15).  It often helps me to pray, "Lord, please help me see others as You do and love them as You do.  I cannot do it alone."  It also helps me to remember that no one suffered greater hurt than Jesus, who died on a cross a painful death so that we could be free of all bondage.  Indeed, Jesus understands and knows our pain.  And by His stripes, our hearts are healed (Is. 53:5).             

It may surprise you to know that healing ministries have found that long-term unforgiveness is a leading root cause of disease.  Simply put, unattended wounds glorify the enemy by tormenting us inwardly (eating us alive) and persecuting others outwardly (hurting people hurt others).  We must choose which master we will serve.   

Unforgiveness is also a form of disobedience, selfishness, idolatry and pride.  It is haughtiness that rises up and says, "I'm entitled to process this my way because they hurt me."  Truth be told, this is a victim mentality.  By choosing unforgiveness, we remain controlled by the person who hurt us, claiming this hurt as our portion (a lie from the enemy), and we choose our self and our hurt over God.   This choice, this sin, opens the door for the enemy to gain strongholds in our hearts and destroy us, making us an instrument of destruction.  Again, we must choose which master we will serve.   

Jesus prayed, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matt. 6:12).  Therefore, if we forgive others, we will be forgiven.  But if we do not, God will not forgive us (Matt. 6:14-15).  This is a powerful and loving precept that sets us free.  God holds us accountable for what we hold in our heart, even if others have hurt us.  When we do our part, He deals with the situation and the person who wronged us for us.  Hebrews 10:30-31 says, "'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.' And again, 'THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.'  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  Let us have faith in God's word, His truth.

If you struggle with unforgiveness, I encourage you to let the hurt go with God's help.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you who you need to forgive.  Confess having walked in the sin of unforgiveness.  Ask the Lord to heal and purify your heart and convict the other person's heart concerning the wrong.  Then sincerely intercede for that person, blessing them, speaking healing and deliverance over them (just as Jesus would do).  Then release them to the Lord.  Rest assured, the faithful and almighty God we serve will take this burden off your heart and handle it in His higher way for you.
:angel:

Week of October 18
Abundance

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift from God."  ~ Ecclesiastes 5:19

Divine abundance is a wonderful gift from God.  Thankfully, divine abundance is not defined by or limited to material possessions.  Rather, it encompasses much more.  In The Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk. 12:15) Jesus says, "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

What Jesus is saying is that there is more to our purpose and identity than material things and that we must first "be rich toward God" in our hearts, our spirits and our minds by receiving all of Him and walking in His ways, guarding our hearts against greed and mammon in order to have a right attitude toward abundance (Lk.12:21).  In other words, we must first have God's character in abundance before we can sustain His blessings in abundance.  And we cannot accomplish this alone.

It is only through the abundant grace and love of our Heavenly Father that He gave His son, Jesus Christ, as our savior--who is the essence of abundance, who modeled The Father's finest principles and who also intercedes for us now at the right hand of the Father--to help us receive all of His gifts and rewards, many of which are not material.  It is through Jesus that divine joy, love, grace, favor and mercy overflow to us.  James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from above.  For this alone, we owe an abundance of thanksgiving to God.

Receiving divine abundance is also linked with our faith and actions concerning giving.  Malachi 3:10 says, "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" 

Receiving divine abundance is also linked with how we treat others.  Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Remember, motives count.  If we just give for the sake of getting, this principle won't work.  God looks at the heart and sees all things and knows all things.

Both tithing and loving others fit into God's greatest commandments for us, which is to love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39).  This mature level of loving involves walking in obedience to God and forgiveness toward others no matter what the circumstances.  Obedience brings divine favor and rewards that are material and immaterial.

Psalm 65:11 says, "You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness . . ."  So let us ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal privately any matters that do not please God, the very issues that would prevent us from receiving Our Father's greatest abundance.  Let us repent and ask Him to fill our hearts with a fresh love for our Heavenly Father and others so that we may have a right attitude of divine priority.  And let us give Him praise for and celebrate that which He has already given us and that which is to come.  Only then will we be positioned to receive His accelerated abundance that He longs to give us during this season.

:angel:
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2009 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2009womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 7.

Week of October 25
Diligence

"[Anna] never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying."  ~ Luke 2:37

The Bible tells us that Anna was a prophet and that she was married for seven years before becoming a widow.  At that point, she lived in the temple and spent the rest of her life worshipping the Lord with a pure diligence.  She understood that her Maker was her spiritual husband and that she was created for intimate relationship with Him (Is. 54:5).

Although most of us live lives that are not cloistered, we can still diligently worship the Lord everywhere God assigns us, even at work.  All that's required is that we seek His face, ask Him what's on His heart and then carefully obey Him in excellence. 

He will surely respond and guide us because it is His loving desire to commune with us.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

With the Christmas season right around the corner, intimacy with God easily awaits us.  Church cantatas, seasonal worship music in our automobiles and holiday decorations in our homes invite us to slip into quiet time with God and appreciate Him even more.  But will we diligently make time for intimacy with Him after the season passes?  Will God remain our greatest desire 24/7?

Although, one can only ponder all the desires and burdens that were on Anna's heart as she came before the Lord day and night, year after year, the Bible reveals that the Messiah was surely dear to her. 

The NIV note in Luke 2:36 tells us, "Anna praised God for the child Jesus as Hannah had praised God for the child Samuel." 

Anna waited a long time for this miracle child to be born, like Hannah waited for her son Samuel's birth.  Jesus was an answer to Anna's prayers, just as Samuel was to the formerly barren Hannah. 

When Anna approached Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus at the temple, the Bible says, "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Lk. 2:38).

Anna could never have done this if she did not know what was on God's heart.  And the way Anna knew God's heart was by spending lots of time seeking His heart.  In turn, God rewarded Anna by choosing her to deliver a message that He wanted to share with those who would listen.  God knew He could trust Anna with important revelations.

Anna surely felt honored.  Undoubtedly, seeing her deepest love come forth in manifest presence in the temple (also her home) gave her heart great joy. 

Like Anna, what miracles do we anticipate in this season?  Do we have the diligent faith of Anna to witness God's greatest manifestations?  Do we know His heart and His voice well enough to hear from Him when He shows up?

Like Anna, is God our first love?

My prayer is that all of us would receive great revelations from the Lord as we diligently love on Him and that we would be able to share His heart with those who will listen. :angel:
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work,

Week of November 1
Awakening

"Wake up, Deborah, wake up!  Wake up, wake up, and sing a song!  Arise, Barak!  Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!"  ~ Judges 5:12

God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel's military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.

Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin?  Perhaps by our own volition or that of others.  Perhaps even by generational iniquity.  Did it not it feel like an eternity?  And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?

Indeed, God hears our cries.  And in His time, His gavel falls.  And when it does, it is swift.  Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy's head, He revives us (Judges 4:21).  And we begin anew.

An awakening is a revival or renewal of something.  It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud.  In Deborah and Barak's case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.

Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right.  They are rooted in God's infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.

Consider Peter.  Acts 12:7 tells us, "Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter.  The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, 'Quick!  Get up!'  And the chains fell off his wrists."

As in Peter's case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God's plan.  Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God's abundance of life.  In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens.  We are reminded that God's yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).

Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.

Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window.  I don't often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it's lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit. 

This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me.  He responded by showing me the word, "Awakening."  As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.

Are you in need of God's awesome awakening, His miraculous and "sudden" turnaround?  Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one.  God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny.  He can awe you!
:angel:

Week of November 8
Heart

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of all His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."  ~Ephesians 1:18-19

Love for God is powerful.  It drives us to please Him, to carry out His will, His heart from heaven to earth (Ps. 119:11).  When we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him (Jer. 29:13-14), and He is always there for us, no matter where we are, ready to fellowship, ready to pour out His love to us.

In relationship with Him, we are nurtured, restored, filled up with His goodness, willing to serve Him.  In His presence, we return to contentment.  We are blessed with joyfulness and peace, no matter what our circumstances.

Heart is the center of the human spirit, according to Biblical language.  The living word of God tells us to protect and watch over our heart and that it is the wellspring, or source, from which life flows (Pr. 4:23).  Whatever we allow into our heart will flow out in some form of speech, thought or behavior.  Do we seek the Lord for purity of heart (Matt. 5:8)?  Do we invite the Holy Spirit, the one who sees all things (I Sam 6:7), to examine the depth of our heart (Ps. 26:2)?

I've learned that issues of the heart do not just go away.  They must be confronted.  And if they are not handled privately, they will emerge publicly.  Unresolve has the power to destroy our lives and others.  One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sin in my heart so that I may be in right standing before Him.  Will we find the courage to confront the issues, to turn our heart around with His help (Ps. 51:10)?

Much the same, overwork dries up the heart (Matt. 11:29).  When the busyness of life is prioritized over nurturing our hearts with prayer and meditations of God's word, how will we know the heart of God in any situation (Heb. 4:12)?  What can we possibly pour out to those around us?  The ones whom God puts in our path?  Will we have the patience to love them or even desire to extend compassion? 

2 Corinthians 3:3 tells us that the Holy Spirit is written on our hearts.  Will we lean to His spirit when we are in need or react from the flesh of our heart (Ps. 19:14)?  Indeed, sometimes, a heart circumcision is in order to cut away that which encumbers us so that we may enter into a new place of intimacy with God, a new assignment, a manifest promise.

David is often described as a man after God's own heart.  Psalm 119:11 tells us, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." 

Do we treasure God's word?  Is Jesus our first love?  If not, the solution can be found in Ezekiel 18:31, "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!" 

Indeed, God has given us the power of self-control.  And when we exercise it, fruit is produced.  Thankfully, we can choose to depart from carnal behaviors, ungodly thoughts and an unloving spirit.

With a heart for God, let us remember David's psalm, "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.  May the Lord grant all your requests."
:angel:

Week of November 15
Sisterhood

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers . . . but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love . . ."  ~Titus 2:3-4

There is something to be said about women helping women.  I recall when I worked as a flight attendant we women looked out for one another.  At 35,000 feet, we didn't have family, friends, church, or a support group of any kind.  Earning a living out of a suitcase in a different city each night gave new meaning to vigilance. 

I witnessed competitiveness and selfishness give way to survival through unity, kinship and an inevitable bond of trust and loyalty.  Even if we occasionally worked with someone who seemed a bit odd, we all knew deep down in our hearts that that woman was one of us.  We were a united front among passengers, and we knew that in a pinch or, worse yet, in an emergency, we could depend upon one another for our rescue in the face of accosting offenders or amid smoldering wreckage. 

Over time, we came to love one another as sisters, as like-minded women who deeply understood each other's joys and challenges in our work and our unique lifestyle, like no one else.

Such is the nature of teamwork, where the combined efforts of many produce much.  Women helping women, as the generations were instructed in Titus 2, produces exponential wisdom and achievement.  It helps us to begin strong, accelerate fast and finish well.  Where combined seeds of investment are planted, a multiple return is reaped.

Who are you investing in?  Perhaps it's your daughter or a mentee at work; maybe an intern.  God has a way of growing our investment. 

The Cretan women in Titus 2 were taught God's precepts of servanthood, of giving and receiving in relationships, the strength and value of nurturing.  They were offered the building blocks for strong foundations in their families and work.  Paul knew their investments would be rewarded when he wrote those encouraging words.  He wanted women to succeed, as God did and still does.

How we get along with our sisters determines much.  Gossip, pettiness and back-biting are the demons of division.  And when we participate in these behaviors, we inhibit our divine blessings. 

Consider 2 Timothy 2:16, "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly" and 2 Timothy 2:23-24, "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."  James 4:11 says, "Brothers [Sisters], do not slander one another." 

How much more of God's blessings could we have if we just lived right?

When we let go of Cretan-like behaviors, learn who we are in Christ and choose to walk in God's empowering love, no matter what the behavior of others, we will find strength and unity, we will demonstrate sisterhood, and we will be blessed beyond measure.

What's in your heart?  For an honest account, just ask the Holy Spirit.  Then repent and prepare to walk in God's power and blessings.
:angel:

Week of November 22
Thanksgivings

"The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger.  I trust in Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."  ~ Psalm 28:7 (NLT)   

David knew the power of thanksgiving.  He understood that thanksgiving reflects a humble heart and is rooted in humble gratitude.  He was genuinely grateful.  For him, God was his only solution, his only escape from danger.  And he trusted God to show up and deliver him.  For David, God meant life.

No matter what our circumstances, we can always thank God for who He is and for delivering us from every evil darkness into every blessing of light.

James 1:17 says, "every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights . . ." (NKJV). 

Thanksgiving honors God.  It is a facet of praise, a biblical precept, a key component of prayer and our Christian love walk.  The dictionary defines thanksgiving as "a prayer that offers thanks to God . . . an expression or an act of giving thanks . . . a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."

Philippians 4:6 instructs us to pray and petition God with thanksgiving.  The NIV note for this scripture tells us that thanksgiving is "the antidote to worry."

Psalm 95:2 says, "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song."

I Corinthians 10:16 refers to the communion cup as "the cup of thanksgiving," which we take in remembrance of Jesus who died for us so we can have eternal life.

The word "Hallelujah," which we often sing, translates into the Hebrew word "halleluyah," which literally means "praise ye the Lord."  The dictionary defines Hallelujah as a thankful cry of "relief, welcome or gratitude."

I did a rare thing for myself one day: I bought a cup of coffee at my local grocery store and decided to take my time shopping for our week's meals.  God spoke to my heart as I came upon the book aisle.  There, I spotted TV anchor Deborah Norville's book, Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You.

"Interesting choice of words," I thought. 

I flipped through the book, having recalled Mrs. Norville publicly proclaiming years earlier that she is a woman of faith.  I saw that she included lots of supporting material—quotes and studies professing that the principle of thanksgiving works.  And, indeed, in the final chapter, she directly addresses "people of faith," encouraging readers to attend assemblies of worship.

As I stood in the aisle of that market, I was reminded that the same biblical principles that we Christians are to live by also work in the world.  God doesn't want to leave anyone out.  He loves us all.

It caused me to pause and ask myself, "How is my attitude of thanksgiving?  How grateful is my heart?  Do I really honor God enough with prayers of thanksgiving?  What gifts from above have I taken for granted?

Indeed, thanksgiving is a powerful principle that touches the Father's heart.  May we ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, and may we give the Father of Light thanks for every good and perfect gift.
:angel:

A Woman's Walk
 
Monday, November 30, 2009   

Week of November 29
Restoration

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Psalm 51:12 

God purposed His only begotten Son to reconcile us to Him and to do a complete work of restoration.  What an amazing gift of love this is, and it's available to all of us who will receive it.

Divine restoration means to bring us back to God's original intent and plan for us, made whole, full of His presence. 

When we first accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are born again in the spirit, elated with joy.  All we want to do is to please God and shout to the world how wonderful this amazing transformation feels. 

But as we step back into the world to work and interact, we can be tempted to slip back into former patterns of sin.  However, God loves us so much that even when we behave in ways that hurt His heart, if we repent, He is quick to forgive.  And He restores us, just as He did for the Israelites so many times throughout the Bible. 

Usually, we see the restoration of God manifest after we have suffered for a "little" while (I Peter 5:10).  Our definition of "little" and God's definition usually varies.  He will allow us to suffer consequences to discipline us (Heb. 12: 4-11).  If the consequences weren't painful, we probably wouldn't learn the lesson and would repeat cycles of destruction.   

The quickest path to restoration is immediate repentance and diligence in seeking God's heart and face, praising Him in the midst of our suffering. 

It is also important to remember that God did not cause our pain.  We must take accountability, forgiving anyone who may have caused us to stumble and also forgiving ourselves.  Remember, God forgives those who forgives others (Matt. 6:14).  The quicker we let the issue go and turn our focus to God, the quicker we move through the restoration process. 

We must also ask the Holy Spirit to check our attitudes and search our hearts to privately reveal to us any hidden sins, so that we may be confessed and in right standing.  Often, we cannot see our own issues, but God sees everything.  And so we must rely upon the Holy Spirit to help us, remembering that which is not confessed privately, will be exposed publically.  Truly, unconfessed sin doesn't just go away.  It must be confronted. 

Restoration often extends beyond us into past, present and future generations (Deut. 30:2-3).  When generational sins enter a family tree (Ex. 20:5-6), it can take years for God to restore us and our family members.  This is because there has been so much repetitive sin over time.  For example, if we were raised in dysfunction for 18 years, it may take at least that long to overcome the multitude of issues, depending on the level of intensity and the amount of areas affected. 

Still, God is patient with us, and He is kind.  He extends His infinite mercy and amazing grace to us in the journey as we declare Joel 2:25, Job 42:10 and Haggai 2:9. 

Generational restoration is often a process that begins with forgiving our forefathers for their iniquities, repenting for walking in the same sins as they and asking God to help us walk in new ways.  This process usually occurs in layers, as in peeling an onion.  Sometimes, there is so much that is wrong, if God revealed all of our issues to us at once, it would crush us.  However, God can accelerate the restoration process by using ministries that specialize in this area or even by miraculous touches from Him. 

God will give us restoration breakthroughs as we journey.  These usually involve divine revelations and spiritual deliverance that release us into a new level of understanding and freedom.  And sometimes, these breakthroughs occur in the form of creative miracles or physical healings, like those we read about in the Bible. 

God is indeed the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).  He still heals today as He did during Biblical times.  He is sovereign, and He does not change.  He loves us no matter what.  But remember, even those who experienced "sudden" miracles first suffered for a "little" while, which may have felt like an eternity to them. 

God's restoration offers us liberty from oppression and the freedom to reach our divine destiny in divinely appointed times.  The more baggage we overcome and the more hurts and injustices we process God's way, the more space we make available within ourselves to receive His love.  The more space we offer God to reflect His love through us, the more ways He can use us to share His love in the marketplace, just like Jesus did.  This honors God.

God has much in store for those who will submit to His restoration process (Rev. 2:26).  But what will we choose?  Will we hold to our familiar wounds and bondages and limit the hand of God from working in us and through us?  Will we close out many of His finest blessings?  Or will we choose to exercise a willing spirit and return to His joy of salvation?

It is my prayer that we will humble ourselves and take courage to receive more of Him, that we will align with His perfect will and receive the full measure of His blessings.

If you would like help in your restoration journey, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.  Only He knows what and how much you are ready to deal with.  Some ministries I can recommend are Healing House, Shiloh Place and Family Foundations International.
:angel:

Week of December 6
Miracles

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."  ~ Job 5:9

When US Airways flight 1549 went down in the Hudson River, I—like so many others—watched in awe to see everyone on board survive.  A crash like no other, the image in which most of the people stood on the wings of the slow-sinking craft demonstrated a surefire miracle, God's hand of protection, to say nothing of the captain's glider skills.  And strangely enough, the people looked as though they were standing on water.

The whole ordeal seemed surreal, almost textbook-like, right out of crew training: The impossible ditching where everyone survives. 

In the days that followed, one "Today Show" broadcast featured a self-proclaimed born-again Christian woman who gave accounts of people praying, even the flight attendants.  This touched my heart immensely because it was so personal.  As a flight attendant with US Airways for 16 years, I prayed over many airplanes and passengers.  And I know prayer works, even in the workplace.  It touches the heart of God.  It evokes lifelines of miracles.

I have been in four airplane emergencies myself, where I wasn't sure what the exact outcome would be.  But I knew the Lord was with me no matter what.  And in the instances where all I had was God and, as I looked before me, a whole lot of people whom I might have to save and rescue, God became my closest confidant, my most trusted friend and my strongest rock.  I saw many miracles.  And I knew others were praying, like those who watched on television, including my parents during one such occasion.  And my cohorts who prayed in prayer groups, Bible studies and prayer chains in US Airways' offices and break rooms.

Awesome isn't it—the power and love of God in action!

Who's praying in your office?  What prayer points has God given you?  What miracles do you and those around you need?  How about your company?  God is surely big enough and knows just how to bring you in safely.  Will you trust Him?  Will you let Him guide you and direct your path?  Is He your rock?
:angel: :) :angel:

Week of December 13
Peace

"...making peace through His blood, shed on the cross." ~ Colossians 1:20

Jesus was and is the new blood covenant of peace.  This truth was foretold to the prophet Isaiah in 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Verse 7 goes on to say that there is no end to His peace.

Directly related to salvation through Jesus Christ, peace is a gift, freely given to us.  When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we receive Him and His peace.

In the Hebrew language, peace is translated as "shalom," which means safety, completeness, prosperity, fulfillment, victory, success, health and blessing.

Encarta Dictionary defines peace as "...the time when a war or conflict ends... a state of mental serenity, with no anxiety."

In Latin, peace is translated from the word "placibilis," which means "pleasing" and from Latin "placere," which means "to please." 

Since our primary purpose as Christians is to please God, not people, if we walk in careful obedience to Biblical precepts and the Holy Spirit's directives—no matter what others think or say or do—we walk in peace.  Therefore, peace is a reward of careful obedience.   

Conversely, when we choose to move from obedience to disobedience and from faith to fear, we distance ourselves from peace (Is. 48:22, 57:21).

Judges 2 has much to say about how choices of disobedience offer defeat, distress and destruction.  In this chapter, although God did not break His covenant with the Israelites, He did lift His hand of favor off of them when they disobeyed, allowing them to reap painful consequences.

Even so, our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He will restore peace in our lives when we cry out in repentance to Him.  And even though He still performs instant miracles as He did in Biblical times, His restoration often involves a process over time. 

Consider the story of Gideon, a mighty warrior, whom God called to restore peace by striking down Israel's long-time oppressors, the Midianites (Judges 6:7-24).  Gideon was the "least" in his family and had the weakest clan of men.  Yet because God heard the Israelite's cries and had purposed restoration for them, He placed His hand of favor, protection and victory upon Gideon to defeat Israel's enemies.  No way could Gideon restore peace by himself.  Only with God could he complete his mission.   And the mission involved a process of strategy and tactics.  It took place over time, and it was messy.

Likewise, only with God's help can we walk uprightly and affect peace for those around us because God, Himself, is the grantor of peace.  And peace is a reward of His righteousness.

If there are areas in our lives where the Holy Spirit is prompting us to cry out to God in repentance and restoration of peace, may we trust that He awaits our cry, He will hear us, and He will respond to us lovingly.

During these uncertain times, may we be led forth in peace, experiencing the fullness and joy of this great blessing that is given to us freely as saints in God's Kingdom.  And may we share this fruit of the Spirit—the peace that surpasses understanding—with those who are struggling or have yet to receive His truth and love.
:D :D

Week of December 20
Rest

"But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster."  ~I Kings 5:4

There comes a time when God puts our enemies under our feet. Indeed, He gives us a period of rest so that we may concentrate on the work He has set before us. God's gift of divine rest offers us freedom, peace and protection.  And it is ours through salvation and obedience in Jesus Christ.

There is complete trust available in God's divine rest.  So much so that Deuteronomy 25:19 tells us to forget about the enemies who attacked us when we were weary and worn out.

David declared in Psalm 62, "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him" (vs. 1).  "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him" (vs. 5).

Sometimes, we must take authority over our frantic souls and command them to rest, to come in alignment with the living word of God.  Little wonder the word "rest" appears 275 times in the Bible.  Consider its many definitions:

Rest is a period of refreshing, a freedom from exertion and anxiety, a stopping place for shelter.  To rest means to restore energy, to be supported against something (like the shelter of the Most High), to depend upon someone (like Jesus) for action or as a burden or responsibility, to rely on something (like the Holy Spirit) for proof or explanation, to conclude the presentation of evidence in a case (as in it is finished!).

Divine rest comes after a fulfillment of a promise, or completion, as in the case of King Solomon (I Kings 5:4) and as in the case of the Israelites taking dominion over the Promised Land (Joshua 1:13-15).  It allows for restoration, a new beginning.  It ushers in God's glory (Is. 11:10), and it is rewarded to those who are righteous in the Lord and see the journey through.

In Jesus, we can rest secure from all that burdens or threatens us.  Indeed, He is our way and our truth.  He is our friend.  And He assures us that His unfailing love rests upon us, as we put our hope in Him (Psalm 33:22), just as The Father assured Moses that His presence will go with him, and He would give him rest as he journeyed forth in obedience (Exodus 33:14).

If we are prone to over work, the Lord may have to make us lie down and rest like the sheep in the fields (Psalm 23).  There was a season one year where the Lord spoke Psalm 23 to me repeatedly through various resources.  I finally got the message.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the Lord and His angels work on our behalf to position and align us, others and circumstances for His perfect timing, His perfect will.  What we think we should be doing is not always God's agenda.  He has taught me to lay down false responsibilities by praying every day, "Lord, I surrender my agenda to You.  Have your way in my day." 

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

If you are in need of divine rest, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any unconfessed sins, and confess them.  Then declare Psalm 91:1-2 over yourself, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty" and Isaiah 32:18, "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."

May God's unfailing love rest upon you, and may you enter into His resting place safe, secure and highly favored until you journey home to have eternal rest with Jesus.
:angel: ;) :angel:

Week of December 27
Service

"This service that you have performed is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."  ~ 2 Corinthians 9:12 (NIV)

Service is a form of work, and work is a form of praise.  This important word, in its various forms, appears in the NIV Bible over 1,100 times. 

Some of us work in the military service, public service, civil service, customer service, church services, even at service stations.  1 Corinthians 12:5 tells us that there are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  To serve God's way means to do so from a generous heart of love.  And to divinely serve, we must first understand the nature and character of a willing servant: 

John 12:26 says, "Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be . . ."  A servant partners intimately with God. 

Matthew 20:26 says, ". . . whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."  A servant is humble.

Luke 12:35 says, "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning."  A servant is prepared and vigilant.



Matthew 20:28 says, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."  A servant sacrifices lovingly.

God rewards His faithful and loving servants with an inheritance (Is. 65:9).   He protects them and vindicates them (Is. 54:17).  He redeems them (Ps. 34:22).  He recognizes them (1Cor. 16:18).  He promotes them (Matt. 24:45, Jh. 15:15, Phil. 2:9).  And He gives them righteousness and peace (Rom. 14:17-18). 

The Bible speaks of how rare servant leadership has been in Biblical times and continues to be today in Luke 22:26 (see NIV note) as defined in 1 Peter 5:2—to be willing, eager examples, not lording their authority over those whom God has entrusted in their care.  Those of us who have worked under difficult bosses understand what this means.

God cultivated a servant's heart in me during my many years of working as a flight attendant, where seniority reigned, and I was presented with plenty of opportunities to serve hundreds of people a day.  This was a very humbling job assignment that involved picking up trash, aiding sick passengers and serving food and drink, frequently on little sleep in cramped, hot spaces.  Even though I would often jokingly say that it was my indentured servant job—meaning that I worked to travel—I knew in my heart that God had me there to work in me and through me. 

Luke 22:26-27 puts it in perspective: ". . . the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?  Is it not the one who is at the table?  But I am among you as the one who serves." 

Indeed, true divine service is both a noble and humble action.  It involves doing that which the Father instructs us to do with faithfulness and wholeheartedness (1Sam. 12:24), praise and obedience (Ps. 103:2). 

And attitude matters.  Philippians 2:5 tells us that our "attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus," which is one of humility.  Romans 14:17-18 tells us that when we live righteously, peacefully and joyfully, we are "pleasing to God and approved by men."  This is a key to getting along with others.  Proverbs 14:35 says, "A king delights in a wise servant."  Now here is a precept for getting promoted.

In John 15:15, Jesus calls His servants His "friends" because true servants of Christ are also His true friends in that they are so intimately involved with Him that they know His business.  They are His inner circle or "inner court."

Can we say that we honestly know Christ's business?  Are we part of His inner court?  Do we intimately partner with Him to do Kingdom work?  Are we His wise and humble servants?  May we invite Him to have more of our heart, to guide us in doing and being more like Him so that we can soar in true service to His glory. :angel:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.

Week of January 3
Overcoming

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne."   ~ Rev. 3:21

Jesus invites us to overcome everything with which the enemy tries to defeat us.  He is the ultimate overcomer, our finest example.  Through Him, nothing is impossible.

When Jesus overcame the enemy's death trap through The Father's resurrection plan, He was promoted beyond what we can measure.  He transcended into the Father's throne room, despite the enemy's devices to stop Him, to render Him powerless.  Likewise, when we choose obedience over sin, we by-pass deadly consequences (Rom. 6:23), pass the test and come closer to the Father.  We receive a divine reward that no man can match and no enemy can destroy.

Too often, the enemy has caused us pain and distress, effectively limiting us from moving efficiently in the Lord's plan.  Some form of iniquity—whether committed by us or generations before us—is often at the root.  Left unrepented, the consequences of these sins operate in our lives long-term, and they can do so without our awareness.

I Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy prowls like a roaring lion, waiting to devour us.  Luke 10:19 tells us that Jesus has given us the power to overcome the enemy.  Will we open the door and invite the enemy in through sin?  Or will we be vigilant and obedient?  If we fall, we must choose repentance quickly so the enemy cannot get a stronghold in our hearts and in our lives.

I John 5:4 tells us that everyone who accepts Jesus overcomes the world.  The love of God strengthens us through the Holy Spirit in us, while Jesus intercedes for us in the throne room.  Wherever there is temptation, therein lies the enemy.  And the Lord always provides an escape.  Question is: Do we love God enough to choose to flee?  Or do we love the world's "pleasures" more?  And if we choose the world's way, how long will we remain in the pit before repenting?  Before overcoming?

Where there is choice, there is freedom, love and consequence.  Some consequences can last a lifetime, or even steal our lives.  Must we learn lessons the painful and untimely way?

When I think of overcoming, most often, supernatural healing comes to mind.  Many people e-mail me, sharing their healing testimonies that can only be explained by God's supernatural love.  With every story of how God brought them out of disability, I am amazed at how much Jesus loves us.

Overcoming is often a journey of pursuing the heart and face of God (Jer. 29:11-14).  This is especially true concerning long-term illnesses, including emotional injuries where, through counseling and deliverance, God strips off layers of bondage that has piled up over time.  In my own journeys, I have often prayed, "Lord, please lead me to the sources and resources that can help me, and enable me to receive all that You have for me."  God has always been faithful to answer this prayer, leading me to just the right person, tape, book, scripture, etc. that encourages and teaches me.

If you have seen patterns of bondage in your life, such as addictions, poverty, emotional injury, job loss, and so on, know there is a way out, and your loving Father has a plan to free you through His son, Jesus.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sins and generational iniquities to you.  Then break agreement with those issues, forgiving the forefathers all the way back to Adam.  Ask Jesus to help you walk in His freedom, discipline and blessings.  Exercise your faith, and know that you are loved and that His help is ever-present..

Week of January 10
Truth

"Teach me your way, Oh Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."  ~ Psalm 86:11

Recently, I drove to my local mall on a quest to find a bottle of Calvin Klein's Truth cologne for my husband.  He had run out, and it was two days before Christmas.  I managed to press through crowds of holiday shoppers at Macy's and up to the nearest cosmetic counter.  Overwhelmed, I asked the nearest cosmetic girl, "Do you have any Truth?" 

My heart pounded as she replied, "They discontinued it!"

"What!" I retorted.  "I can't believe they discontinued Truth!" 

The cosmetic girl then quickly reached for a gift box from underneath a pile on the countertop.  "There's one box left," she said, handing it to me.

Just as this uncovered gift of Truth restored my peace of mind, I was reminded - in a most amusing way - that God's truth sets us free.   

The Holy Spirit has a way of testing our hearts to reveal the untruths that keep us in bondage, the half-hearted commitments that lurk to derail our relationships, those little but important nuances that distance us from Him. 

Consider Sapphira in Acts 5 who, along with her husband, fell dead before the church after lying to the Holy Spirit.  Seem harsh?  Maybe to us, but God knows just what He's doing—all the time.  The NIV tells us that such dire consequences were necessary for God to demonstrate to the church at the outset that dishonesty is unprofitable and intolerable.

And Romans 6:23 warns us that "the wages of sin is death."  We often don't think of this literally in modern society.  But God has ways of stressing His point with great clarity.  And often He will reveal matters of the heart publicly if they are not dealt with privately.

God has a timeline, and He's right on time.  Anything in our hearts that cause us to interfere with His timing and will must go.  God is all about moving forward, taking us from glory to glory, resetting our hearts and minds on higher things and helping us reach our destiny.  He loves us too much to let us stay stuck. 

What happened to Sapphira made a lasting impression to the onlookers that, no doubt, impacted their walk greatly.  I believe that the God of truth's glory was so great in that church at that time that no one could have stood in His presence and lied and survived. 

As we move through 2009, may we continually hearken to the truth of Deuteronomy 30:19, which advises us to "choose life," not only for the purpose of receiving God's finest blessings and profitability but to simply honor the God who loves us in wholehearted truth.

:angel:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.

Week of January 17
Strength

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  ~ Isaiah 40:31             

Eagles can soar above storms.  They can ascend to heights that other fowl cannot.  And they represent what we can do through the Lord as our strength.             

Strength is a reward and a byproduct of obedience.  Joshua 1:7 says, "Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."  God reiterates "be strong" in verse 9.             

Remember when Sampson revealed the secret of his strength to Delilah who deceived and betrayed him (Jud. 16:17)?  Sin weakened him.  But afterwards, amid horrible consequences, when he prayed, God still accomplished His purpose by taking down the enemy.  Even if we lose our strength, God's power is made perfect in our weakness to accomplish His purposes (2 Cor. 12:9).             

1 Chronicles 16:11 says to "look to the Lord and His strength."  That's what Sampson did (Jud. 16:28).             

Strength is empowered by love.  The Sampson and Delilah story is the flesh or sin representation of this.  Conversely, God speaks of His loving relationship with us in Deuteronomy 6:5 and His strength, presence, love, deliverance and inheritance for the Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:37-38 where He went before them to drive out strong nations to set the captives free.               

Strength is activated by faith.  Hebrews 11:32-34 tells of great conquerers, like Gideon, David, Samuel and the prophets, and how their weaknesses turned to strength by calling on the Lord.             

Strength is expanded by wisdom.  Proverbs 24:5 tells us that "a man of knowledge increases his strength."  Knowledge is ammunition.  It is a tool that God can use through us.  Remember, there's nothing holy about ignorance.  Proverbs 21:22 tells us that a wise man can pull down strongholds in a mighty city.             

Our greatest source of our strength comes from above.  1 Corinthians 1:25 says, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."               

It was the Father's strength that raised Jesus from the dead and placed Him above all things at His right side (Eph. 19:21). 

The Apostle Paul understood this kind of strength when he said, "I can do everything [that pleases God] through [Christ] who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13).             

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Science now understands that when we are joyful, chemicals are released in our brain which gives us increased vigor, focus and motivation.               

What particular kind of strength do you need in your workplace?  Endurance, patience, confidence, knowledge?  Perhaps it's even physical strength.  Whatever we need, the Lord our God, our Strong Tower, is faithful to provide for the asking.   

Let us remember Isaiah 41:10, which says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

:angel:

A Woman's Walk

Monday, January 25, 2010 

Week of January 17
Strength

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  ~ Isaiah 40:31             

Eagles can soar above storms.  They can ascend to heights that other fowl cannot.  And they represent what we can do through the Lord as our strength.             

Strength is a reward and a byproduct of obedience.  Joshua 1:7 says, "Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."  God reiterates "be strong" in verse 9.             

Remember when Sampson revealed the secret of his strength to Delilah who deceived and betrayed him (Jud. 16:17)?  Sin weakened him.  But afterwards, amid horrible consequences, when he prayed, God still accomplished His purpose by taking down the enemy.  Even if we lose our strength, God's power is made perfect in our weakness to accomplish His purposes (2 Cor. 12:9).             

1 Chronicles 16:11 says to "look to the Lord and His strength."  That's what Sampson did (Jud. 16:28).             

Strength is empowered by love.  The Sampson and Delilah story is the flesh or sin representation of this.  Conversely, God speaks of His loving relationship with us in Deuteronomy 6:5 and His strength, presence, love, deliverance and inheritance for the Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:37-38 where He went before them to drive out strong nations to set the captives free.               

Strength is activated by faith.  Hebrews 11:32-34 tells of great conquerers, like Gideon, David, Samuel and the prophets, and how their weaknesses turned to strength by calling on the Lord.             

Strength is expanded by wisdom.  Proverbs 24:5 tells us that "a man of knowledge increases his strength."  Knowledge is ammunition.  It is a tool that God can use through us.  Remember, there's nothing holy about ignorance.  Proverbs 21:22 tells us that a wise man can pull down strongholds in a mighty city.             

Our greatest source of our strength comes from above.  1 Corinthians 1:25 says, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."               

It was the Father's strength that raised Jesus from the dead and placed Him above all things at His right side (Eph. 19:21). 

The Apostle Paul understood this kind of strength when he said, "I can do everything [that pleases God] through [Christ] who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13).             

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Science now understands that when we are joyful, chemicals are released in our brain which gives us increased vigor, focus and motivation.               

What particular kind of strength do you need in your workplace?  Endurance, patience, confidence, knowledge?  Perhaps it's even physical strength.  Whatever we need, the Lord our God, our Strong Tower, is faithful to provide for the asking.   

Let us remember Isaiah 41:10, which says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

:angel:

Week of January 31
Humility 

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  ~Col. 3:12

Very recently, God sent me back into the workforce.  One of many things He said to me beforehand was "Humility."  What I sensed that meant for me was that He purposed this job assignment to do a work of humility in me and that humility would be a key for survival.  Whoa, was He right!

Divine humility is the opposite of pride.  It is confidence in God, not self.  It is unpretentiousness at its finest.  It was the walk of Jesus, and it can be ours if we choose it or, as in my case, thrust into it.

Contrary to some beliefs, true humility is not passive, pathetic or weak.  Rather, it is divinely powerful.  It does not pause at or placate to foolishness.  Rather, it ushers in unity.  It does not damage us or grieve the Holy Spirit.  Rather, it honors God, and God, in turn, honors us when we exercise it according to His plan (Prov. 15:33).  Like truth, humility is a swift and divine weapon of righteousness, unity, love and wisdom that we can choose to wield.

Many of us understand that we are to humble ourselves before the Lord.  But what about choosing humility in the face of false accusers, persecutors, people who intend to harm us?  People who compete with us?  People who react out of fear and insecurity?  The ones the enemy uses to separate believers and thwart divine plans.  The ones God uses to test us?  Jesus chose humility.  His example was an important demonstration for us, a divine strategy, an assignment from The Father.

Surely, as He painfully hung on the cross with undeserved insults hurled at Him, His flesh and His heart ached for relief.  But He knew He was on a high mission to save a world of people for generations.  He knew His role of obedience and love, of priority, of divine purpose.  He knew divine truth in the face of ignorance.  He knew His Father and the humbling power of His love and mercy, and He was obedient to the call, even though it opposed man's limited understanding.

Jesus did not fall to the enemy's devices.  He needed no man's approval, only His Father's.  He trusted in His Father's plan.  He understood that humbling Himself unto the Father also meant responding with humility to man (Titus 3:2).  He knew that God's grace would sufficiently carry Him through the mission and that His divine purpose would be fulfilled regardless of man's actions.  Indeed, God was in control.

It is difficult to provoke a truly humble person into a dispute because they will lean into God's powerful love, peace and mercy when attacked, just like Jesus.  Simply put: Humble people do not react to other people's issues.  They are not controlled by them.  They respond in the Spirit because they do not feel the need to prove their worth to others.  They know their security and identity rests in Christ, even if others do not.  They are committed to the Lord's ways, and they are purposed.  They are too dedicated in seeking the Lord's righteousness and humility to give way to futile, self-exalting spats.  They hold onto God's power like a lifeline, and they are not willing to foolishly let it go.

You will know humble people by the fruit they bear and the mercy, peace and sincerity they exhibit (James 3:13-18).  This is because God can work His virtues through a humble person, whereas, with a prideful person, this cannot be.  Rather, selfishness rules, leaving little space for God to operate.  When we choose selfishness, we get what we choose: Our limitations.

Conversely, the humble journey is a true adventure.  There is great freedom and excitement in soaring with our trustworthy God.  Yielded to Him, He will take us higher than we can venture on our own or even imagine.  Yielded to Him, we receive His supernatural power, favor, rewards, strength, provision, love, grace, mercy and strategies to complete divinely-appointed assignments that are larger than we.  Is there any greater thrill?

Who among us couldn't use more divine humility?  I am challenged daily to respond to circumstances like Jesus, in His strength, His power and His love.  It is a process, a lifestyle, a series of moment-by-moment choices, a walk.  If you would like to break out of the prison of limitation, repent and take hold of the Lord's hand.  Choose to trust Him.  Soar with Him.  And prepare to be awed like never before!

:angel:

Week of February 7
Relationship

"The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him."  ~ Galatians 3:11 (The Message)

Oh the power of relationship.  From our primary and everlasting relationship with the Lord to working relationships and intimate relationships, we are blessed by those which God arranges in so many ways.

Often, God sets us up with people who greatly influence our lives—bosses, leaders, mentors, co-workers, family members and even those who appear to have little power.

And He always works in us and through us simultaneously.  His purposes are mighty and far reaching, often influencing nations of people.  And they always require obedience.

Consider Ester and her cousin Mordecai.  Ester 8:1 says, "And Mordecai came before the king because Ester had explained their relationship."

This was no accident.  It was a set up or an "arrangement" by God for purposes bigger than either of them. 

Mordecai was not only Ester's blood relative and adoptive parent, he was her advisor, confidant and informant (Es. 2:10, 20-23).  God strategically assigned them to work together—one inside and one outside of the king's palace—as His secret agents for the higher purpose of freeing a nation of Jews.

Although their missions felt risky to them, their faith in the Lord and trust in each other had been established (Es. 2:11).  Indeed, God knew just what they needed, how circumstances would unfold and which emotions would be pricked as His process for ultimate deliverance took place.

Mordecai and Ester honored God and consulted Him on strategy (Es. 4:16).  And God never forsook them along their journey.  They remained loyal to God and to each other throughout, no matter how hopeless things appeared, even as the power of their positions shifted (Es. 4:17).

God honored them in return with His divine favor, wisdom and life, perfectly advancing them amid the enemy's deception and plot to kill Mordecai (Es. 5:2-14).

Desperate, Mordecai waited on God, urgently standing at the king's gate again and again.  He never gave up.  And when the time was right, God exposed His truth of evil through them (Es. 7:6).  God's justice was accomplished (Es. 7:10), Mordecai was promoted (Es. 8:2, 15, 9:4, 10:2-3), and the Jews were ultimately set free (Es. 9:1, 5).

Throughout their assignment, Ester and Mordecai remained obedient to God.  They lived in right relationship with Him by embracing what God had arranged for them in advance.

When God assigns us to relationships, He always purposes them beyond what we know at the outset.  One of my favorite (and usually desperate) prayers is, "Lord, reveal to me Your divine purpose in this.  Let me see it as You do.  Give me Your divine understanding.  Open my eyes, and help me to receive Your revelations and stay on track."

God loves it when we humble ourselves and seek His heart and His purposes for each arranged assignment in our lives.  He honors us and blesses for seeking His face and for desiring earnestly to be obedient and serve Him, placing His ways above our own.

Ester and Mordecai stepped into a risky life-or-death journey.  The only way they could get through it successfully was to carefully obey God in their relationship with each other and with Him.

What arrangements are you involved in?  Are they divinely assigned or ones of your own making?  How's your relationship with God and others?  Do they honor Him?

If you're not sure, our Divine Creator has all the answers, and He's waiting to reveal them to you for the asking.  May you be blessed and walk in divine peace and purpose in all your arrangements.

:angel:

Week of February 14
Intimacy

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."  ~ Mark 7:6 (NIV)

Jesus spoke against the traditions of the temple elders that denied His Father's commands in their worship.  Their unrepentant hearts were prophesied in Isaiah 29 and resulted in consequences of judgment upon them.

Moses experienced a similar confrontation in Numbers 16 with appointed councilmen, who were deceived in their minds and hearts, convinced they were holy among themselves.  In verses 31-35, we see God do a bit of house cleaning among this relentless leadership, as each one instantly perished in an earthquake.   

God's truth is that we can only come close to Him by being chosen by Him. Jeremiah 30:21 says that God causes us to draw near.   The councilmen were not chosen by God to have the same anointing or assignment as Moses.  It was not their place to elevate themselves above the role in which God had placed them.  Likewise, we are not worthy to come close to God except through His covenant with His Son, Jesus Christ.

In Romans 7:7-25 the Apostle Paul explains this principle in painstaking detail, confessing in verse 24, "What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord."

When we obediently choose to draw near to God through Jesus, we receive life, rewards and blessings in great abundance.  We thrive!  We move toward our divine destiny.  And a surrendered heart opens the door.

David understood this.  He declared to God in Psalm 50:6, "Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart."  Later in verse 10 he boldly beseeches God by saying, "Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me." 

When we come close to God through Jesus, He will make known to us His mysteries through revelation (Eph. 3:3).  What better place to be than understanding the wisdom of God that He longs to give us and to know His love that surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:19).

Not surprising, the word intimacy is from the Latin words "intimare," which means "to make known" (as in reveal Himself) and from "intimus," which means "innermost" (as in holy of holies, heart).

To be intimate means to have a close personal relationship, to be thorough as in having an extensive knowledge or experience, to be connected through influence (of God), involving the innermost nature (spirit, soul, heart).  It means having a quiet or private atmosphere and a personal or private utterance (prayer) or action (praise, worship).

Where there is intimacy, there is power; there is grace; there is peace. To get in position to receive God's fullness of power, we must exercise faith, respect, reverence, communication and honor.  When we love God, we listen to Him.  We care what He has to say.  His heart is important to us, much more than our own.  We regard Him as higher than ourselves.  And life becomes all about Him.

Psalm 73:28 assures us it is good to draw near to God.  Isaiah 58:2 confirms it is a delight to draw near to God.  As we choose to do this through Jesus, we can lay claim to the truth of John 7:38, which says, "He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as in the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow springs and rivers of living water."---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.  :angel:

Week of February 21
Unity

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them in all together in perfect unity."  ~ Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV) 

In Colossians 3:1-17, the Apostle Paul offers up these Rules for Holy Living.  As we read them, may we be reminded that, as Christians, we are chosen and assigned by God to our places and positions of work.  These scriptures offer a roadmap to getting along with our cohort's, who are also divinely-assigned, and to thriving in our careers God's way . . .     

"Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things . . .

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry . . . you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other . . . put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator . . . Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Unity is important to God.  In order to achieve it in a work environment, we must work out issues that arise with others through forgiveness, truth and love.  Simultaneously, we must overcome our own fears, insecurities and baggage and lean into God to remove the obstacles that are out of our control.  Our attitudes and commitment to God's ways, along with the levels of dysfunction within us, others and the organization, can determine how hard and how long our journey will be.

When God assigns us to usher new order and breakthrough into a work environment, our roles are usually challenging and require fortitude and perseverance.  Oftentimes, this feels like anything but God's doing.

But if we commit ourselves to remaining in our divinely-assigned role, moving forward in God's purposes, we will witness Him break obstacles and make a way to unity (God's finest), which can involve changing people's hearts and attitudes, promoting people or reassigning those who, by their free will choice, are not willing to cooperate. 

Therefore, unity is often a process.  And in this process, God forges us, our co-workers, our leaders and our organizations often through the heat of pressure.  The reason He has us in this vice is because He's trying to teach us, purify us and position us for promotion.  But are we willing to be teachable?  Are we willing to die to the limitation of selfishness?

I love the NIV note for verse 15, which tells us that the peace that only Christ can give us is to prevail in all human relationships, like an umpire over an attitude of bitterness and quarrelsomeness.  Where there is disunity, there is disconnection, fragmentation, a loss of synergy, of power.  It is a place where the enemy thrives to negate the plans of God.

The path to unity is through repentance, forgiveness, cooperation and a commitment to journey God's way through the circumstances that surround us by His leading, no matter what.

If you find yourself in a chaotic work environment, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what your divine assignment is.  Ask Him to reveal to you strategic keys.  Ask Him how to pray, what He desires for you to learn.  Then ask Him to help you receive what He wants you to so that you do not have to journey around the mountain repeatedly.  Walk in humility and confession.  Praise the Lord in the midst.  Submit to the Lord's ways, and enter into the place of peace where God leads you.  Then watch the favor of God manifest on your behalf.

:angel:

Week of February 28
Beauty

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  ~ Proverbs 31:30

God is the essence of beauty, and He longs to share His beauty with us.  When we accept Jesus, His beauty resides within us.  And if we revere Him, we will mirror His beauty from the inside out.  This is God's desire.

Consider Esther.  Although she was physically beautiful, Esther also glowed with an inner beauty that was established and purposed by God before she ever entered the king's palace (Es. 2:7, 15).  She won the king's favor and approval because she was on a mission from God to save His and her people.  And God's hand of favor and protection was upon her as she consistently made right choices, yielding to the Father's will.

Esther understood wisdom as is evident by how she followed her uncle Mordecai's counsel to not reveal her identity and the eunich Hegai's suggestion to not ask for anything when she came before the king (Es. 2:10-11, 15).  Esther understood the wisdom of 1Peter 3:4, ". . . the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."  And she also understood the power of revering God through fasting (Es. 4:16).

Esther had substance, and her beauty was a power tool used by God to accomplish His will to save a nation.

How is God using your beauty?  Likewise, how are you using your beauty?

Contrary to the nobleness of Esther, the once perfect (Ps. 50:2) but fast fleeting beauty of Jerusalem is described in Ezekiel 16 as prostitution.  When we "trust in our beauty and use our fame to become a prostitute" (vs. 15), our beauty becomes pillaged by the enemies of destruction and death.  Our own disobedience and idolatry to ungodly pleasures opens the door, giving the devil a legal right to "pimp" us out, leaving us depleted, defiled and disgusted.

As we journey through life, what will we choose?  Perfect beauty or prostitution? 

If the latter has been your choice (even if not in the literal sense), there is freedom through repentance and restoration.

The beauty of God is everlasting.  It doesn't fade.  It is perfect.  In this, we have hope.

Lamentations 3:22-26 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." 

May we choose to honor God by living in the nobility of a yielded heart, mind and body and therefore embrace His full measure of reigning beauty for His glory.

:angel:
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2009 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2009womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 7

Week of March 7
Temperance

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  ~ I Thessalonians 5:8

Temperance is restraint in the face of temptation.  It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23 KJV).  The root word "temper" originally meant "mixture" in Latin.  As Christians, we are an amalgam of body, soul and spirit.  And it is God in us who gives us harmony, who guides us and enables us to live temperate lives.  To Him, we must yield.

If we look at the Old Testament, unleavened cakes and wafers were "tempered with oil" and "anointed with oil" (Ex. 29:2).  In these simple passages lives so much meaning.  Just as the wheat and the oil were combined to complete a substance that would sustain life, the bread of life (Jesus) and the anointing oil (the Holy Spirit) sustains us in times of trouble, in the dry desert journeys, in the face of the tempter, Satan.

Although God is always in control, He allows us to journey through difficult circumstances to temper us, to cause us to reach for Him and depend upon Him with a great urgency and intensity for help.  God's firing or tempering process prepares us for the next promotion.  It challenges us to reach the next glory and obtain a higher level of purity and holiness (Ex. 30:35-37).  Yielding to the Holy Spirit brings us into greater composure, which positions us for action (I Peter 1:13) in an upcoming season. 

I recall an occasion when a friend of mind received a major breakthrough in her career.  She had been under the authority of a boss from whom she felt great heaviness and oppression on a daily basis.  Yes, she was being tempered.  I watched her at church each week as she journeyed through this dry place.  I saw tears of desperation fall from her cheeks.  I saw her heart cry out to God for relief.  And I saw her offer sacrifices of praise to the Lord while in the midst of emotional pressure and pain.

Many interceded for her, including myself.  And on the day that she was offered a new job, which was unbeknownst to me at the time, the Lord showed me that because she sought His heart with all of her heart, and because she was faithful to stay the course and exhibit love in the process, He shielded her from undue harm and was promoting her to be in authority over others.

Indeed, God must temper us to be leaders (2 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:7).  We cannot do it alone, only through His grace (Titus 2:12). 

Inasmuch, God recently sent me back out into the job market.  After seven weeks of intense training, during which I had to lean into the Lord for His grace, my boss turned to me and quickly said, "You're going to be mastered by fire."  I knew just what she meant.

Consider Proverbs 25:28 (NIV): "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."  My friend, in her flesh alone, surely felt like retaliating towards her boss.  And without the Holy Spirit's strength and guidance, she would have been defenseless and disgraced, like a city without walls.  But because she persevered by leaning to God, she finished the journey rewarded by promotion and surrounded by His glory.

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) says, "It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city."  My friend chose to be patient in the suffering.  She believed that God's power was more than enough to defeat the enemy who attacked her.  And she waited upon God until He brought her to complete victory.  Such character development readied her to carry out her next divine assignment.

If you are being tempered, know that the process will not continue longer than God apportions.  Take courage and know that He is fighting your battles for you and that you will reign victorious if you persevere to the finish.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.

:angel:

Week of March 14
Understanding

Acquire wisdom!  Acquire understanding!  Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth."  ~ Proverbs 4:5 (NASB)

God desires for us to wait until we hear from Him before we act.  He wants us to listen and to "get it."  He wants us to receive His revelation, His instruction and His understanding.  Sometimes He speaks to us quickly, and sometimes God takes His time.  But no matter how long He takes, we are to "not . . . turn away from the words of My mouth," (Prov. 4:5).  We are to "get understanding" (Prov. 4:7).   

The alternative is to miss God's finest, to be foolish, to do it quick and cheap—our way (Eph. 5:17, Prov. 3:5-6, 18:2).

Early last week, I found myself engaged in a long conversation with a ministry leader concerning many topics.  As I listened to him speak, I could easily see that he had acquired a great deal of knowledge, wisdom and understanding over the years.  The presence and the peace of the Lord in the room was profound, and the Lord showed me that this man was very anointed by God. 

One testimony he shared with me particularly stood out:  When I asked him how he knew and understood so much about the Bible—revelation wisdom I had never heard from any other source—he accredited seeking the understanding of the Lord.  He said that years ago, he and his cousin would pore over the Bible, maps, commentaries and other resources and would seek the Lord for hours to help them receive a deep understanding of the Lord's messages.   As always, the Lord was faithful to deliver.

I understood that the key here is the time factor.  God speaks to us in many ways, but sometimes, it is necessary to "press in," to fervently seek Him over time in order to gain deeper levels of understanding.

The issue is: Are we willing to spend the time?  It is our heart's desire to sincerely know Him better?  His ways?  His messages?  His revelation understanding that will change our lives?

If we read further in Proverbs chapter 4, we see that if we walk in divine wisdom and understanding, the Lord will reward us.  He will exalt us and honor us (vs. 8), He will crown us with His grace and beauty (vs. 9), He will give us a long life (vs. 10), He will cause our paths to be clear (vs. 12-13).  Essentially, He will promote us.

Surely, spending intimate time with the Lord is a treasure that brings treasures.  It is a double blessing not to be missed.  It is a divine gift.

In the times when I have felt like I do not have time to spend with the Lord, and I have chosen to do it anyway, I have felt anxiety and pressures give way to the Lord's peace and grace.  And in that time, He always reminds me that had I not spent that time, I would not have received His greater intimacy, His greater understanding of who He is and what He wants me to know.  I realize this is so precious, so important, so critical to the heart of God.

If you are experiencing spiritual dryness where you feel distant from the Lord's presence and you cannot even hear God's voice clearly, I encourage you to submit to spending more intimate time with Him.  There, you will be refreshed; you will come into His peace; you will receive revelation instructions, strategies and understanding that will propel you forward in your divine destiny.  There is no shortcut.  There is no cheap substitute.

:angel:

Week of March 21
Persecution

You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.  ~ Psalm 71:21 (NKJV)

When we are persecuted whether in our workplaces or otherwise, our hearts turn to urgent cries and pleas for God's rescue.   As we are in the midst of such suffering and pain, we can quickly forget about God's purpose, grace, hope, comfort and restoration.  Yet the Bible reminds us that He is with us in tribulation and that after we suffer a little while, He will restore us (1Peter 5:10).  This truth we must cling to.

I recall a season in my life of intense persecution that lasted 18 months.  The Holy Spirit revealed to me that this was a period of spiritual development.  I learned that more than spiritual growth, spiritual development requires greater resistance, much like body building in the physical realm.  And just as in an intense weightlifting workout, I anticipated the end of each strain and each pain because what truly lasted a little while seemed like an eternity.

As I cried out to the Lord to rescue me daily, my personal trainer, the Holy Spirit, encouraged me via scriptures, teachings, visions, prophecies and signs and wonders.  In addition to Psalm 71:21, He gave me another key scripture, Romans 12:12 which says, "rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer" (NASB).  He led me to proclaim this verse daily, to pray for understanding and to praise Him sacrificially. 

Toward the end of this developmental journey, the Holy Spirit gave me the understanding that my heart had to be crucified in order for me to enter into a greater level of love for others and for God.  He taught me to truly love those who persecuted me and to earnestly confess, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34, KJV).  He also taught me that Christ Himself suffered greater pain, which humbled me and put my circumstances into perspective.  In this light of understanding, I was able to choose to rejoice in having participated in the sufferings of Christ (1Peter 4:13).  And when the journey ended, I knew that I had come closer to the Father in a way that was new to me.

Indeed, the Lord brought me through a journey of greater dependence, comfort, patience and endurance (2Corinthians 1:7).  He gave me a greater understanding and a greater vision of His perspective concerning love, and He restored my heart.  Indeed, His glory was revealed.

If you are being persecuted, ask the Lord to reveal His purpose to you.  Ask Him to fill you with His strength of joy in the midst and enable you to understand what is happening so that you may receive His full measure of glory.

:angel:-

Week of March 28
Joy

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound."  ~Psalm 4:7

Our Heavenly Father created us with an ability to experience joy.  We know when we have it, and we know when we don't.  And even though we can receive enjoyment from our loved ones, activities, work or even material things, only the Lord gives us everlasting joy.  It comes through receiving all of Him, beginning with the joy of salvation and redemption. 

Remember the children's song that goes, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay"?  How profound this simple truth is.  For when we sincerely accept Jesus into our hearts, so, too, do we invite His joy. 

Like peace, the Lord's joy is found in His presence.  It is a divine gift, a byproduct of His love.  Joy is cyclical.  It propels God's heart to move on our behalf and our hearts to move on His.  He plants joy in our hearts, and we give it back to Him through actions of praise and worship and a walk of obedience.

The joy of the Lord is powerful.  It is described as "complete" (Jh. 15:11), "exceeding" (Ps. 43:4), "filling" (Ps. 126:3), "everlasting" and "overwhelming" (Ps. 35:10). 

And as we come closer to His joyful presence, He pours out His divine favor upon us.

Consider the Psalmists.  David said in Psalm 16:11, "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy . . . "

Psalm 45:7 says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows.

Psalm 97:11 says, "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.  Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name."

The joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) intended for sharing.  Pouring out joy imparts joy.  Ever notice how difficult it is to be down when in the presence of God's joy that pours through someone else? 

Even when we sin, the Lord provides a restoration of joy for those who repent. 

Consider the exiled Israelites in Nehemiah who lost their joy and their homeland to disobedience.  When Nehemiah repented on his and their behalf, God, in His unending mercy, led them to restore Jerusalem's wall with His hand of favor upon them, and they celebrated with "great" joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 says, " . . . Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  Choose joy.

Moreover, obedience invites the reward of complete joy (Jn. 15:10-11).  May we press through any blockages of sin for the fullness of the Lord's reward.

Since the Holy Spirit who resides in us brings joy (Luke 10:21), no one can diminish it unless we allow access. 

May we hold fast to the resounding joy of the Lord.  It is our divine, prevailing strength.  It keeps our hearts built up, soaring above the pit of despair, propelling us in His glory to work unto Him and to reach others.  All that's required is that we simply remain in close relationship with Him

:angel:
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2009 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2009womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 7.

Week of April 4
New Beginnings

"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come . . ."  ~ Isaiah 46:10

New beginnings often feel great.  Filled with excitement and relief, we get to leave the past behind and enter into a new season with great anticipation, hope and promise, with a new vision.  Job promotions, weddings and childbirths are prominent examples. 

But for some, beginnings can feel treacherous.  Letting go of comfortable, established relationships—colleagues, family members, homes and jobs—can force us to confront anxiety, uncertainty and even fear of the unknown.

As in all new seasons, our only certainty and security is found in God.  To Him, we must cling as we journey forth over every hill and valley ahead.

Consider Joseph.

Joseph's young life began just prior to God setting him and his family free on a new beginning back to their native land (Gen. 30:25, 31:3).  Highly favored by both his Heavenly and earthly fathers, and hated and betrayed by his brothers, Joseph was eventually sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites, which began his journey to Egypt (Gen. 37:27).  Once there, he was resold to Potiphar, where he began a journey of slavery (Gen. 37:36).

In the beginning of Joseph's enslavement, Potiphar saw God's favor upon him and placed him in the highest position over his household and all his possessions (Gen. 39:3-4). 

Even when Potiphar's wife betrayed Joseph, which began his prison term, the warden took notice of God's favor upon him, putting Joseph in charge of other prisoners right at the outset (Gen. 39:23).

And immediately after interpreting Pharoh's dream, Joseph was placed in charge over Egypt (Gen. 41:43).  In the beginning of his new position of authority, he also began a marriage journey.  Then a travel journey over Egypt.  And then a journey of parenting.

Holding onto God from the beginning and throughout, Joseph forgot all his troubles and became fruitful in the land of his suffering (Gen. 41:51-52).  Coming full circle, Joseph was able to feed the very brothers who betrayed him, sustaining their lives.

No matter what his circumstances, Joseph was blessed from every beginning.  Determined to do the right thing, he handled his journeys with kindness, obedience, longsuffering, trust and patience.  He was tested and refined.  Crafted and fired, he emerged an overseer of a nation, blessing those who persecuted him.  Holding tight to his faithful God along the way, Joseph was consistently promoted and rewarded.

Only through obedience to God can we maintain divine favor from beginning to end amid our circumstances.  God is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 21:6).  It's simply a matter of whether we will cooperate His way along the way, even if it seems that so many of our new beginnings occur after a catalyst of discord.

If you find yourself in the starting blocks of a new beginning, placed there by God, choose to trust Him no matter what.  Know that He has purposed your journey, that He is in control and that He has a plan, even if a catalyst of chaos, betrayal and despair try to overtake you.  If you remain obedient to God, you will see His purposes and blessings unfold and receive all the abundance and reward that He has for you, ultimately forgetting all the injustices that occur along the way.

:angel:

Week of April 11
Divine Tests

"His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work."  ~ 1 Corinthians 3:13

New beginnings excite us, and we are awed when the Holy Spirit touches us with new assignments and fresh revelations through God's word or in another creative way.  But have you noticed that after you receive these assignments and revelations, you are put to a test?

Tests are necessary to train us and to strengthen us for the purpose of advancing our own spirit, soul and body as well as to advance those things outside of ourselves, like other people, nations, businesses, communities, ministries, careers, even a geographic region.  God will test our obedience to His directives, and He will use other people and circumstances in the process (Judges 3:1-4).

Because of their "unknown" nature, tests usually provoke fear and anxiety within us.  We only have to look as far as our last exam administered in school or college as a simple example.  God uses tests to challenge us to overcome obstacles (like lack of knowledge), to position us to trust Him in new areas so that, with Him, we can accomplish new assignments.  Though the test-taking process can, at times, feel either burdensome or exhilarating, once we pass, we advance to the next level, where we will again be tested.  Entrepreneurs frequently experience this process in business as they journey from visions to ventures.

If you look up the word "test" in any dictionary, you will find a long list of definitions.  Here of some of the ones I like from Encarta: "An often difficult situation or event that will provide information about somebody or something; a procedure to ascertain the presence of or the properties of a particular substance; a declaration, demonstration, or oath of conformity or loyalty; to make considerable demands on somebody, particularly somebody's skills or abilities; testimony; testament."

David earnestly invited and submitted to God's examination in Psalm 139:23-24 saying, ". . . test me and know my anxious thoughts . . ."  The NIV note to this scripture is particularly interesting.  It adds, "It is no light matter to be examined by God."

Has your work been tested lately?  How about your marriage?  What about your patience?  Have you withstood the fire?  Or do you feel like you've failed miserably?

Did you choose faith or fear, trust or temptation (to give up), dedication or distraction, commitment or compromise in the process?           

With God, there are no failures, only opportunities for redemption and restoration.  God's grace is sufficient in our weakness.  He can reset, reposition and reevaluate us.  He loves us and desires for us to succeed and reach our divine destiny.  And He'll give us every opportunity to get it right.  All we have to do is cooperate with Him.

If we exercise our freewill, faith, trust and action according to God's plan and leading, He will meet us as He met Abraham to help us succeed.  He will build our character and refine our motives along the way.  And we will complete the race a winner.

:angel:

Week of April 18
Good Pleasure

"And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ."  ~ Ephesians 1:9

I once met a young, married woman who had wisdom beyond her years.  She said something profound that I will always remember which was, "The trouble with life is that it's just so daily." 

May we not get so bogged down by the "dailies" that we lose sight of God's greater vision.  Let us not forget that God has us in an integral "now" process that is leading us to the fulfillment of our divine destiny.  Take joy, and count it all good.  Our best vacation from toil and hardship is in the presence of the Lord.  In due time, we will reap the harvest if we journey to the fulfillment of His purposes. 

A couple of years after this young woman made her statement, God made big shifts in her life.  Indeed, when God's purposes are fulfilled, He will move us beyond our circumstances.    One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to help me "get it" the first time, that I would not have to cycle around the mountain of lesson-learning repeatedly.  Once is enough for me in this second half of my life on earth.  I don't want to waste anymore of God's time, and I declare that, through His grace, the latter will be greater than the former.

Therefore, let us do our excellent best to honor God in all that He has called us to in the here and now, processing circumstances His way in love, mercy and forgiveness.  And know that we are indeed pleasing Him and making loving memories.  There will come a future time when "now" will be the past, and we will forget the hardships of today.  So that when the future arrives, we can reflect with great joy, peace, liberty and appreciation, having no regrets, bearing no grudges and gaining God's wisdom.

Be assured that God takes good pleasure in giving back our dreams.  If you are in a dry place, know that your escape, your sanctuary can be found in the presence of the Lord.  Spend time with Him.  Ask Him to reveal His mysteries, His timing, His destiny plan for you.   Ask Him to give you His understanding of what you've gone through and how He will bring it all together in His due time, in His good pleasure.  Ask Him to awaken you to His greater vision.  Trust that He will show you specifics concerning your future.  You will surely see that there will be no greater dream fulfillment, no greater plan, no greater intimacy and no greater love for you.

God takes good pleasure in giving back to us through His servant heart.   He once spoke to my heart, saying that because I laid down my dreams and got involved with His dreams, He has gotten involved in my dreams and is giving them back to me in a way that is greater than I ever expected. 

I don't know that I've ever been more humbled or awed.  Indeed, God rewards sacrifices of the heart that make room for Him to be first.  And He showed me that He will reveal such mysteries to us through revelation if we take the time to get alone with Him and ask.

God's good pleasure is linked with the fulfillment of His predestined purposes for us (Eph. 10-12).  Our time, our hearts, our minds, our wills, our bodies, our dreams and our agendas are not our own when we are sold out to God.  After all, Jesus laid down His life for us at Calvary.  How can we call ourselves Christians if we do not honor Him for paying such a high price to give us eternal life in heaven? 

Let us remember that God created us for the purpose of fellowshipping with Him.  We are to make Him our first priority, our first love.  It gives God good pleasure when we praise, worship and honor Him throughout our destiny journey, even if it is done sacrificially.  He delights when His plans and purposes are fulfilled through us, when we are a living testimony to His power, love and glory.  Therefore, may we lay down every idol, every hearts desire, turn from every temptation and say, "Yes, Lord.  Have it Your way no matter what."

:angel:

Week of April 25
Reverence & Awe

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe."  ~Hebrew 12:28 (NASB)

The NIV translation of this scripture inserts the word, "worship" for "service."  Indeed, our work is a form of worship and service, offered by gratitude, if we do it unto God from our hearts, demonstrating His love and devotion. 

Since the Bible tells us that God first loved us and that His love is power, clearly there is no greater position to be in than walking in His awesome love, touching others and being awed by His manifest miraculous power moment by moment.  In this, we honor God.

I never understood this revelation better than when I found the courage to trust God enough to surrender control to Him in my workplace. The first step was to totally confess all my fear, lack of trust and lack of faith.  The truth was that I was terrified to let go of control.  But I knew He was calling me to a new place spiritually, so I consciously chose to step out with the primary motive being not wanting to suffer the consequences of disobedience.  In other words, my fear of God was greater than my irrational fear of man.

The Lord instructed me to spend more time in His presence at home praising Him, talking to Him, confessing to Him, reading His word and petitioning Him until I found peace in my heart.  I often felt compelled to sing praises to Him, dance before Him and, my favorite, sit on the floor with Him and have coffee and chat.  We spent intimate time together daily, often hours.  I asked Him to fill my spirit with His love to overflowing.  And I asked Him to give me divine appointments so that I could demonstrate His love to others in need.  I asked Him to choose the people, the times and the places.  Mind you, none of this was my idea.  God instructed me to do so.  All of it was new territory for me.

As He crossed my path with others' paths at work, I consciously chose to trust the Holy Spirit to reveal His purpose in what He wanted to accomplish.  I chose to trust Him to lead me as to how to approach the person, what to say, how to say it, when to pray for them, what to pray for them.  And as I stepped out, the Lord met me.  What I witnessed shocked, awed and amazed me.

God opened my eyes to see that the people He sent to me were in need of a breakthrough and that when He allowed me to pray for them, they received whatever breakthrough blessing He wanted to give them at that appointed time.  Oftentimes, the Holy Spirit healed them physically or emotionally, depending on their needs.   

God's demonstrations of love, His power to heal and His sheer glory touched my heart so deeply that it caused me to weep and brought me to my knees in humble reverence.  He made my heart grateful to participate.  I realized there was no better place to be, and I desired more.  The Lord increased the number of divine appointments for me to a point where I found myself crying out to Him to bring others to help.  I simply couldn't keep up, which is a great place to be.

I believe divine appointments are ours for the asking and that meeting them invites a greater purpose and joy to our work.  I believe it humbles our hearts and glorifies God.  I believe it brings us into the Great Commission, which pleases God, and puts Him first in our workplaces, which offers us rewards of joy, favor and promotion.   

If you would like to journey higher in your faith in God and at work, simply ask the Lord to show you how and to position you.  He will require you to lay down fears and any other encumbrance as you choose to step into new territory.  And He will journey with you the whole way.  Truly, it is the greatest adventure.

:angel:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2010 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2010womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 6, 2010.

Week of May 2
Loving Colleagues

"And the second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'  There is no other commandment greater than these."   ~Mark 12:31

Is any other scripture so convicting?   Yet how easy it would be for those of us with hardened hearts to quickly bypass it.  Do we really know our neighbors?  And what's to love about them anyway?

The truth is that if our whole heart is surrendered to the Lord, and we truly love Him, we will want to please Him, and we will carry His love in our heart, which will overflow to others.  Too, if we truly surrender our entire agenda to Him for His purpose, asking Him to have His way in our day and then be obedient to His guidance, we will know that our jobs are our divine assignments and that the Lord will use us to affect others where He places us.  This includes our colleagues.

I recall a time when I worked with a woman I didn't even like, much less love.  I knew my heart was being tested, and God was watching.  So the first thing I did was get alone with God and confess my lack of love for her. 

I knew that 1 John 4:19 tells us that we cannot love God without loving our brother (or sister).  Therefore, it is impossible to keep God's first commandment to love God without keeping His second (Mk. 12:30-31).  And I did not want to be outside of God's will.

In my desperation, I asked God to fill my heart with His love for my sister.  But if I hadn't followed the Holy Spirit's guidance carefully, I might have missed the opportunity because His response came in an unexpected way.

The Lord actually gave this woman and I a pivotal moment where she erupted in angry lamentations before me.  As I listened to her, God overwhelmed my heart with pure divine love for her to a point that it overtook every negative and feeling I experienced.  His love enabled me to do the right thing, which was to simply hug her and tell her that Jesus loved her.  It was a more-of-Him, less-of-me moment.

Through her lamentations, I learned that she was a new Christian, who was having a hard time in life.  And she needed a personal touch from Jesus.  If I had reacted to her out of my flesh and snapped back at her or avoided her, I would've failed the heart test.  What's more, God would've had to get someone else to extend His heart to this woman, and I would've had to retake the test.

I can be a quick learner when my heart is on the line.  How about you? 

Which of your colleagues do you find difficult to love?  Which of them needs a touch from Jesus today?  I encourage you to repent, and confess that you cannot love them on your own.  Then ask the Lord to fill your heart with His divine love for them, to enable you to love them as He does.  You'll find that He'll not only touch their hearts, He'll touch yours too.

:angel:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2010 Women's Conference & Expo [http://www.godsloveatwork.com/2010womensexpo] in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 6, 2010

Week of May 9
Kingdom Love

"Love never fails."  ~ I Corinthians 13:8

In order for something to never fail, it must be strong.  It mustn't wear out—ever.  It must endure through every test, every trial, every season of time, every hill, every valley, every personality.  Only God is this kind of love (I John. 4:8).

Kingdom love begins with an outpouring from God to us, then through us to others.  In this way, the process of love is cyclical and is the foundation and motivation upon which and through which every Godly thing is built.

I am amazed at what God can do with a clean slate—a desperate and surrendered heart.

Have you ever noticed that when God gives us a directive, the first thing that comes is fear? This is because the directive or mandate He is giving us is bigger than we, our knowledge bank, our previous experience, our vision and the current capacity of our hearts.  It's bigger than anything we know at that moment.

Indeed, we serve a very big God who has very big plans.  And the enemy tries to use fear to thwart those plans on earth so that he can reign. 

When we turn to God with a willing heart, He showers His love upon us and restores us.  It is from His infilling of revelation, instruction and joyful power that we accomplish new things for God.

When fear comes to arrest us, we must choose which master we will serve.

God has rescued me many times from irrational fears and has taken me to heights that I could not imagine on my own by simply giving me a willing heart and a resounding "Yes" in my spirit.

When He first called me to begin to minister to people in my workplace, I felt terrified.  Sharing the love of God was the most frightening thing He could've asked me to do at that time because I had such a bad case of fear of man.   

But God was about to break that bondage in my life and restore me to love.  He opened my eyes to see that the reverential fear of God He placed within me was greater than the fear of man within me.  This overwhelming reverential fear rose up and catapulted me into the new move God had for me.

As I journeyed through this new calling and saw this new level of God's amazing love consistently, I also saw that fear of man become extinct within me.  In time, I came to understand the process of Kingdom love.

How about you?  Have you noticed that just when you feel accomplished in any particular area, like in your career or certain relationships, God soon raises the bar?  When God calls us out of our comfort zones, the familiar areas that reside within us—whether good or bad—it's not for the purpose of harming us.  It's to prosper us and others and Him.

When we step up to God's divine callings, laying down all encumbrances, including self, and thereby receive more of Him, He gives us increased opportunities to sow and receive more love.  The more we get from Him, the more we can give to others.  And the more we give, the more we get.  God's abundant love never runs out. 

In this way, Kingdom love is not selfish.  It is a generous and perpetual process of sowing and reaping and multiplying, of nourishing and replenishing for the purpose of building God's Kingdom on earth. 

Kingdom love pivots our hearts, fills our lives and elevates our spiritual walk.  May we choose a resounding yes to trusting God in this journey so that His love will captivate us and enable us to build His Kingdom on earth (Mt. 6:10).
:angel:

Week of May 16
God's Faithfulness

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  ~ Lamentations 3:23

The Israelites understood that God is always faithful to His word.  Even amid judgment, they still saw His love, His mercy and compassions.  They didn't blame God.  Instead, they praised Him sacrificially.

Recently, the Lord put the hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," on my heart.  I couldn't help but sing it over and over to Him.  The refrain said it all, "Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

This special praise came immediately after the Lord provided a church to host our God's Love at Work Women's Expo.

The Lord loves us to be dependent upon Him.  And oh how often He sets my feet on an Abraham-faith journey.  You know, the one where He calls us to an assignment and instructs us to head out, not knowing where we're going (Heb. 11:8).

Being an adventurer at heart, these treks thrill me, and I am awed at everything that God shows me along the way.  Like mountain climbing, each step forges a new character and courage in us.

Is the Lord taking you into new territory in your career?  Is He giving you new projects and assignments?  Has He opened doors wide that cause you go cling to Him for provision?  Sometimes when the Lord promotes us, we feel inadequate, questioning whether we can really do the job. 

If this is you, rest assured that you can with Jesus walking alongside you.  God has raised you up for such a time as this.  He has prepared you, and He has already provided everything you need to accomplish what He has set you out to do.  Whatever you do not know, God will reveal to you in His creative ways.  And He will bring others who have the knowledge or connections you need.  He will give you revelations throughout the journey.  And if you ever feel "stuck," He'll send someone to lovingly give you the shove you need.

Everywhere we turn, we hear evangelists and leaders say, "2010 is the year of new beginnings."  I believe that.  And I have already seen manifest fruit of this declaration.

Remember when Joshua entered into the Promised Land, and he had to fight battles to gain what God promised him and his people?  Joshua had to depend upon God for every unique strategy for victory along the way (Joshua 5:14).  So too must we.  This is the key to a success that is greater than we can achieve on our own.

God loves His children and desires to bless us.  He is our greatest cheerleader and champion.  I love Jesus' prayer, "On earth as it is in heaven."  Jesus had such a heart for His Heavenly Father that He only wanted to serve Him and do His will.  He was wise enough to choose the highest path that would result in the highest reward for Himself and others.  There is no greater strategy than the one God reveals.  His ways are always purposed, positioning us higher than we can take ourselves alone.  And sometimes they may seem unusual.

Remember, Abraham had to depart his comfort zones to receive an inheritance that was greater than what his earthly father could provide (Gen. 12:1). 

Are you ready to go higher than you've ever gone?  God is searching for a people who love Him enough to do extraordinary exploits.  The rewards are so worth the journey.  And our God is faithful to deliver.

:angel:

Week of May 23
God's Promises

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."  ~Hebrews 10:36

God purposes the timing and manifestations of His promises.  Though some seem a long time coming, they are not.  Though the wait may feel like God has forgotten, He has not.  God's timing is perfect, and His patience is great.

Consider Elizabeth and Mary.  Despite their great difference in age, both women were pregnant with promised sons simultaneously.  The timing of each pregnancy was purposed according to God's plan as was their children's destinies.

What has God promised you?  Has He delivered yet?  How's your faith?

2 Peter 3:8 says, "a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

Perseverance in obedience is the key to receiving the promises of God.  And when we get off track, repentance is key.

In Psalm 119, we see that God gives us hope through His promises (vs. 49).  He preserves our lives through His promises (vs. 50).  He supplies us with grace according to His promises (vs. 58).  And we are to meditate on and rejoice in His promises (vs. 148, 162).

God's heart within us and the fulfillment of His promises allow us to forgive those who disappointed us on a greater level.  When we expect people, not God, to fulfill promises only God can fulfill, we must repent and release them to Him.  False expectations can hold us in bondage and cause us to miss God's very best for our lives.

What have you expected and have not yet received?  How are you handling the situation?  Are you praising God throughout the process?  Has your mind been on Him or on your circumstances?  How about your heart?  Do you know that God loves you enough to bring fulfillment, to be true to His word.  Do you trust Him enough?

Have you asked God what His will is?  Have you asked Him what you are supposed to complete before He fulfills His promise?

The fulfillment of God's promises points toward Him as the one true God.  David's prayer in 2 Samuel 7:25-26 says, "And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise You have made concerning Your servant and His house.  Do as You promised, so that Your name will be great forever.  Then men will say, 'The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!'  And the house of Your servant David will be established before You."

When God fulfills His promises, do we give Him all the glory?  Is it all about Him?  Is He first on our hearts?

Psalm 145:13 says, "The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made."

Jeremiah 32:19 says, "great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds.  Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; You reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve."

May we receive the full measure of God's promises by being obedient to His will.

:angel:

Week of May 30
Freedom

"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."  ~ Psalm 119:45

God's freedom has little to do with the world's freedom.  Knowing and living out His truth is the only way we can be assured His peace, His rest, His protection. 

And like this psalmist, when we walk closely with God, seeking Him with our whole heart and moving in careful obedience, God delights in us; He hears us; He rescues us. 

Have you noticed that at some point in every journey—whether work-related or personal—circumstances will cause us to either flee immediately or to rise up, stand boldly and confront that which comes against God's purposes and plans for us?  The attack can come in many forms—false accusation, persecution, fear, disrespect, strife, disorder, confusion, lack of funds, brick walls, etc.

But there comes a time when God says, "No more!"  There comes a time when, if we don't give up and we remain close to God, He shows up with a mighty shift and deals with the enemy, either by quelling the torment or promoting us out of the situation entirely, all to His glory.

I love these pivotal moments when God frees us up to complete His mission.  They are "sudden" transformations, crescendos, thrilling and certainly a relief.

Freedom literally means "a wide space" as in unconfined by affliction or oppression (Ps. 119:45 NIV note).

To be delivered from heaviness in an instant is what Noah, Moses, Elisha, Joseph, Daniel, David, Jesus and others, who were committed to our Heavenly Father, knew.  Each one leaned upon Father God during their very unique and difficult circumstances.

Consider Daniel.  Though he was intelligent, fit, gifted, noble and had the favor of God upon him, he still found himself held in captivity by a Babylonian king in a foreign land (Dan. 1).  Yet God was in control.  Daniel was set up by God in new territory, desperately dependant upon Him for direction and freedom. 

God had a purpose.  And along with this "set up" came a set time.  God was about to expound His glory in a new way through a terrified Daniel who experienced several encounters with God and witnessed his enemys' defeat over a pre-ordained period of time.

Daniel 10:12 says, " . . . 'Do not be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.'"

Indeed, God's promises were fulfilled and His strategies to freedom broke through in His due time.  God will even send his mighty angels to fight our battles and conquer our enemies once and for all to bring restoration and reward.

God ultimately positioned a faithful Daniel to be rewarded by the very earthly king that held him captive (Dan. 2) and to receive his allotted inheritance (Dan. 12:13).

God is always in control.  He will never forsake us in torrid circumstances if we, like Daniel, exercise wisdom and surrender our hearts to Him.

If you find yourself currently in some form of captivity, know that if you turn to God with all your heart and carefully obey his directives, he will hear you and deliver you into His freedom, just like He did for Daniel.

:angel:

Week of June 6
A Strong Foundation

" . . . fire will test the quality of each man's work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward."  ~ I Corinthians 3:13-14 (NIV) 

Indeed, God cares about the purity of our work.  He cares about our motives behind our work, and He cares about the outward appearance of our work.  He cares about how our work affects others and how we treat people along the way. 

Work is a reflection of the heart, and God is watching.  He sees when we cut corners, slip in late, steal supplies, cheat customers and gossip.

He also sees when we are on time and honest, when we serve and encourage others with a loving heart and when we build with excellence upon the foundation that Christ laid.

I once had a job marketing a new product to churches.  Before I came on board, however, a previous team of experts had laid the foundation of this new product.  They researched, wrote training manuals and student workbooks, designed logos and developed branding.  They invested a lot of money and time into laying the foundation that our second team built upon.  The first team's efforts were tested and refined as we journey forth.  That which was solid remained, and that which was not gave way to change in order to produce higher quality.

This is much like how God "works" us through His divine refining.  He challenges or tests our hearts to forge us into greater purity, like pure gold and silver.  And our behaviors and works are a reflection of where we are in this process.

In I Corinthians 3, Paul attempted to reestablish morality in the church.  He identified areas that were weak or erroneous and corrected them.  Imagine the messages the Corinthians were sending to the world in their defamed state.  Likewise, what would Paul have to say if he could visit our workplaces?  Would he consider our behaviors and works moral or immoral?  What messages are we sending to our co-workers?  Do they see enough of Jesus in us to desire what we have?  Are we winning them to Christ?  Reaching out to them with His compassion?  Or turning them away with dissension and boasting?

Yes, God expects quality.  I Corinthians 3:13 tells us that our "work will be shown for what it is."  The Lord's truth will be revealed about us and our work.  We and our work will be judged, and we will either receive a reward or a loss.  In this, we have a choice.  What will we choose?  What will we receive?

Are we committed to behaving and performing in God's ways or ours?  I Corinthians 3:20 says, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."  I Corinthians 3:18 tells us to not deceive ourselves.  I Corinthians 3:19 says, "He catches the wise in their craftiness." 

Are we not to humbly build upon that which Christ laid before us and do His work by His grace?  The truth is that without His grace, we can do nothing at all. 

Make no mistake about it, the Lord led me to these scriptures in I Corinthians at the outset of my job.  I knew He meant business, that the business I was doing was His and that I did it by His grace alone.

If you would like to have more of God's excellence reflected in your work, simply confess and invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart and to bring you into a greater realm of His excellence so that you may receive what He longs to give you: His finest reward.

:angel:

Week of June 13
In the Arms of Jesus

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.  2 Peter 1:3

One day, while working in my former job as a flight attendant, a woman boarded my flight and stopped cold, just inside the passenger door. I sensed something wasn't quite right, so I approached her gingerly, and I asked if I might help her find her seat. She didn't respond, so I asked her if she had a boarding pass. With this, she burst into tears and buried her face in my left shoulder. "Indeed," I thought. "This is one whom God has sent."

The Lord had instructed me, more than a year earlier, to begin to spend time in His presence before working each trip in order to prepare me to receive divine appointments that He would bring to me on airplanes. Up to this point, He had sent all kinds of people with all kinds of needs. All for whom, He wanted me to pray and share my faith. I had grown pretty accustomed to reaching out, not knowing what to expect in advance. Oftentimes, I was shocked at the circumstances passengers would share with me, and I was always awestruck at how God would show up. The situation that was now before me would be no exception.

As I held this crying woman in my arms, I prayed silently for the Holy Spirit to guide my words and actions. Almost immediately, I sensed Him prompting me to seat her in first class. Amazingly, the entire front row of first class was available. I seated her in a window seat and reached for her tote bag to place it the overhead compartment. As I took the bag, I could not help but notice a large envelope of medical x-rays. I walked into the galley to make the woman a drink, all the while praying, "Holy Spirit, tell me what to do, tell me what to say."

After the plane took off, and I served the other passengers, I returned to sit beside the woman. I asked her if she would like to talk. She nodded, and she began to share that she and her husband had traveled from Montreal to Florida in search of a new home. She said that she had had pneumonia before their trip and that her husband had developed a cough while in Florida. She suggested that he visit a doctor. When he did, the doctor diagnosed him with lung cancer and informed him that he had six months to live.

And now this woman was flying home to Montreal, as her husband was driving their car back with friends. She was overwhelmed and had no one else to reach out to her in that moment. As she shared her circumstances, I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to ask her whether she attends church. When I asked the woman this question, she paused, and then she replied, "I used to, but I stopped going when my first husband and my son both died."

Gulp! Suddenly, my heart felt a deep burden for this woman, and I asked her if I might pray for her. She nodded again, and I took her hands in mine and led a prayer. I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to give her a message. And so after I finished praying, I said to her, "I believe the Lord wants you to return to church so that He can help you through this." The woman wept, and my heart was deeply touched because of God's deep love for her.

Indeed, sometimes sharing our faith doesn't necessarily mean leading someone to salvation. Sometimes it means simply leading people back into the arms of Jesus, who is big enough and loving enough to handle it from there.

I never knew who would walk on board my airplanes and stand before me with needs unknown to me but known unto God. One thing was certain, whatever they needed, Jehovah Jireh could indeed provide for them. And I wanted to be in position to be used. Are you ready and willing for whomever and whatever God will divinely bring to you if you ask.

:angel:

Week of June 20
His Presence


"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me . . . You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."  Psalm 16:7, 11

In God's presence, there is light, safety, peace and joy.  How many of us can honestly say that we reside in this place all day every day?  Most of us struggle by reacting to sin, and some of us may have never experienced this amazing place.  But there is hope.

The restorative process of overcoming patterns of sin in our hearts is a provision of God's great mercy and love for us.  Psalm 41:4 (Amplified) says, ". . . heal my inner self, for I have sinned against You."

Some of our sins are obvious to us (and others).  But there are those that are "hidden" or "secret," residing deep within our souls without our conscious awareness.  For these to be revealed, we need the Holy Spirit to "illuminate" them before we can repent and be more intimate with God.

Psalm 90:8 (NIV) says, "You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence."  The NIV note for this scripture defines the light of God's presence as being "The holy light of God that illumines the hidden corners of the heart and exposes its dark secrets."

We can walk around for years, even as Christians, unknowingly operating in sins.  Some of them may have taken root during our childhood or perhaps were even established in our bloodline generations (Gen. 20:5).  Operating in these iniquities can seem "normal" because we grew up in the midst of them, not knowing any better.  And we oftentimes carry these sins into our adult lives unknowingly until something in life triggers them.

But there comes a time when God will bring those issues to the surface, enlighten us and lead us to confront and overcome those obstacles.  With our participation—and often the help of a counselor chosen by God—He restores us to His peace, love and joy where we once again feel His presence in a profoundly intimate way.  This level of communing with Our Heavenly Father is what we were created for.  It's called freedom.

Would you like to reside in the profound presence of God?  Ask Him to illuminate your secret sin patterns and help you overcome them.  Praise Him in the process.  And remember that love in action and truth is "how we will set our hearts at rest in His presence" (I John3:19).  You are the delight of God's heart, and He longs for you to draw near to Him (Heb. 10:22).

:angel:

Week of June 27
Giving

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you a heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  Ezekiel 36:26

The very nature of God is to give out of love.  And when we as Christians receive the Lord into our hearts, He impacts us so deeply that we can't help but pour out His amazing love everywhere we go.  When we show up, so does God.

God makes His point clear in Ezekiel 36:32 where He says He will renew and restore His chosen people and their land for His glory, not because they earn His favor.  On the contrary, by their sinful conduct and actions, His chosen people had defiled their nation and their land that was divinely given to them.  But because of God's zeal for them and a remnant cry from them, God extended His grace and turned their circumstances around.

Likewise, God loves us even when we feel we don't deserve His love.  And we are to model His expressions of love and grace to others through a heart of giving, even to those who offend us.  God loved the unlovely, and so must we.  But we cannot do it alone.  We must ask Him to soften our hearts, to do it for us.

Giving comes naturally from a true heart of love.  It is the heart that must be cultivated.  Giving is simply the byproduct.

In the marketplace, we face many tests.  Sometimes, we are challenged to demonstrate love through acts of giving and kindness to a difficult boss or to cohorts.  It helps to remember that they may have become difficult to get along with due to hurts, wounds, injustices, sins and a lack of love in their life, whether self-imposed or inflicted by others.  It helps to look beyond their exterior and see into their hearts.  And we can ask God to help us see their hearts as He does, to increase within us His vision and His love for them and to break down barriers of fear.

When we have a big heart of God within us, giving out of love is easy, no matter what the behavior of others because we ourselves are overwhelmed with God's very presence of love.

When we are faced with "the unlovely," we must remember two things: We ourselves are only made righteous through Christ Jesus.  And God placed "the unlovely" in our path for the purpose of sanctifying our hearts with an increase of His love.  In other words, we the Christians need to come up higher in the love department.  And when we do, transformation takes place around us as a result of giving out of that love.

It's not enough to hold love in our hearts.  We must give it.  And when we give, we receive more from God, our divine source, and from others whose hearts cannot help but be touched.

The question is, will we consistently extend love no matter how others behave?  If we do, it will change the atmosphere in which we work.  If we do, we will not feel controlled by the other people's negative attitudes, comments or actions.  Our heart and others' hearts will transform, and this will manifest in a more Godly work environment.

The truth is, through Jesus Christ, we have more power than we realize.  God's principles really do work when faithfully put into action.  We must not let fear of rejection, fear of authority or intimidation prevents us from giving out of a generous heart of love.

Remember, God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  And God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).  May we respond to others from an outpouring of the heart of the Holy Spirit within us, instead of reacting to negativity.  Only then will we be able to freely give.

:angel:

Week of July 4
Living

"Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My faithful love promised to David."  Isaiah 55:3

Good news brings life.  And God longs for us to receive His good news.  There is so much that He wants to give us.  But are we willing to listen?  Do we hearken when He speaks to our hearts to sit with Him and partake of the life He offers? 

Relationship demands intimacy and priority.  If we are not spending the time with God that He longs to have with us, we are robbing the Kingdom and robbing those He has called us to serve because we cannot give out that which we do not have.  We will end up giving and receiving our meager portion, not God's greater serving.

In my years of working as a flight attendant, I learned how to function safely in a cabin decompression.  I was taught to first don an oxygen mask and then assist others, just like in the airplane safety videos.  The reason for helping myself first is because, in a serious decompression at high altitudes, I may only have seconds to function before loosing consciousness.  If I did not breathe in the oxygen supplied from a source above my head, I would not have the ability to help anyone else because life would begin to drain out of me.  Interestingly enough, the time between a person's full ability to function and their inability to function is called the "time of useful consciousness." 

This life-giving priority is often the opposite of how we think in the world or how we think as women in caring for others.  Too often, we serve everyone else and accept the little bit of time and energy that remains for our Lord.  We give Him the leftovers.  We think we're being unselfish by putting the needs of others before our own, but the truth is that we're putting people and daily responsibilities before God.  We end up running on empty because we're not taking the time to sit and sup with the Lord.

Given these circumstances, how useful are we to God or anyone else?  It may help to be reminded that our lives were bought with a price, therefore, this resource of time God gave us is not our own.  It may also help to remember that Christ only did what The Father called Him to do.  What things are we doing that God didn't call us to do? 

Isaiah 55:2 asks, "Why spend money [resources] on what is not bread , and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." 

God's first and greatest commandment is to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30).  "All" does not mean a meager portion.  And His second greatest commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mk. 12:31). 

Are we honoring God's priorities by partaking of the bread of life (Him) first so that we have a rich love to give to our neighbors, who come second?  Or do we need to spend more time at His table?

May we spend some of the time God graciously gives us to examine our hearts and repent so that we may receive and give out His richest love.

:angel:

Week of July 11
Safety

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."  ~ Psalm 4:8


God made His covenant of peace through Christ so that we may live free of hostility and enjoy life in complete security.  God's original intent was that we live fearlessly and in safety.  Of course, this requires obedience, following the voice of the Holy Spirit carefully and seeking God in worship above all things.

Proverbs 28:26 says, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."  May we exercise God's wisdom.

Proverbs 29:25 says, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."  May we fearlessly trust God, not man.

Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  May we run to the Lord.

Psalm 34:10 says, "... those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.  May we seek the Lord.

Deuteronomy 33:12 says, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields Him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders."  May we rest in the Lord.

The enemy would like nothing more than to destroy us through eternal separation from God.  Although we can rest secure in our salvation, consider how he could destroy our lives through tempting us away from worshiping and seeking God's face regularly as the Holy Spirit leads.  The enemy can use distraction, complacency, overwork, untimeliness, fear and false responsibilities to lure us away from our first priority, thus causing us to not know God's revealed direction for specific assignments. 

Seeking God's face and direction is an obedient choice we make.  If we willingly choose to not seek His will, we may lean unto our own understanding, talents and gifts to make important decisions.  Thus, God will not bless the work of our hands.  Even though we may accomplish a bit, at some point, we will come to a screeching halt. 

Throughout the Bible, God revealed unusual directives to leaders.  Consider the Book of Joshua where the Lord gave Joshua a unique strategy for each battle in the Promised Land.  What if Joshua hadn't listened and instead leaned on previous battle strategies (old manna) to get him through.  What if he had looked left and right upon distraction and not kept his eyes upon the Lord?  What if he had let fear control his actions? 

Joshua would have failed because he would have been in disobedience against God and would have been fighting in his own strength.  Much hinged upon Joshua's obedience, including his own life.  But it wasn't just about him.  It was about a nation.  It was about God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven.  It was about a Kingdom.

Clearly, obedience is key to our security and livelihood.  God's mercy is new every morning.  May we partake of His fresh manna and drink of His new wine daily so that we may enjoy life in complete safety.

:angel:

Week of July 18
Catalysts

"[David], who through faith cnquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised . . . "  ~ Hebrews 11:33

Catalysts move the heart and hand of God.  Faith, praise, obedience, worship, crying out, prayer, work, perseverance and excellence are all examples.  Put into action, these disciplines invoke God's power through us.  We become a powerhouse for God, and no obstacle can stand in our way.

David knew exactly how to activate God's promises.  Take the promise of protection for example. David was motivated by a profound love for God and by a need and a faith for manifest victory in battle.  In 2 Samuel 7:9, God promises David that He has gone before him, defeating all his enemies ahead.  David had to exercise diligent faith each time his enemies pursued his life.  He had to call on the name of the only One who could save him, the One who promised victory and rescue every time.

In so doing, David saw time and again God show up and prove faithful.  His trust God increased as a result. 

God rewards faithfulness and those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  We must do our part by believing and obeying the omniscient, omnipotent God of the universe.  Nothing is too big or two impossible for Him.  Indeed, God is faithful to deliver His promises.

I Peter 1:6-7 says we will suffer but for a little while for the purpose of proving our faith genuine, resulting in praise, glory and honor to God.  This level of faith is of greater worth than gold.  Yes, we experience tests and trials, but we will not prolong pain or fear if we process through the journey God's way.  Rather, God will bring us through these times in His appointed time, if we cooperate with Him.  In so doing, our character is built and we are able to help others who follow behind us.

God was able to exhibit His faithfulness and power and glory in David's circumstances for all time.  God crowned him as king over Israel.  A big mandate requires big faith and a big God.  David did not know all that he would experience when God spoke to him initially.  He just took God at His word, knowing that he would have enemies and that God defeated them on his behalf. 

God does the same for us when we carefully obey what He instructs us to do.  He will send us into places that are too big for us to handle alone.  He will cause us to realize that we depend upon Him greatly.  He will prompt us to look unto Him instead of our "insurmountable" circumstances.  And we will live and not die.

And all we have to do is simply follow the leading and instructions of the Holy Spirit.  When the Holy Spirit prompts us to praise the Father, do it.  When He prompts us to move out and take dominion, do it.  When He instructs us to rest, do it.  Biblical principles are the catalysts that move the hand of God on our behalf, no matter what the circumstances. 

Our God is an interactive God.  In which areas of partnering do we need to be more prolific?  In which areas do we need to express more love?

:angel:

Week of July 25
Faith

"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."  ~ I Thessalonians 1:3

Faith is critical to bringing to fruition the hopes, desires and dreams that God places within us.  It is the fuel that propels us to act, to work and to persevere through challenging assignments.  Without faith, we could not overcome obstacles and finish the race victoriously. 

Throughout the Bible, we see people of great faith and little faith.  Yet, God blessed both.  Consider Abraham.  He stepped into a journey that was unknown to him by choosing to exercise his faith and trust God's plan of greater inheritance.  Even Gideon, the slightest member of his clan, took courage, exercised his faith, trusted God and proclaimed victory over his enemies.

Moreover, the gospels are full of miracles Jesus did for people who did not know him.  They had no New Testament to build their faith.  Yet their mustard seed faith helped facilitate healing miracles.

Hebrews 11:1 says "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  And Romans 1:5 tells us that "obedience comes from faith."  Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).

Fortunately, God, through His sufficient grace and tender mercy, helps us build faith, the purpose being to serve Him and others.  I have a friend who exercised her faith to be healed from cancer as well as painful neck injuries that she suffered in an auto wreck.  God completely healed her from each affliction through a process that involved prayer and believing.  What the enemy meant for destruction, God turned around for good.  He gave her a new career, after loosing her former one due to ailments.  And now she reaches out to others through prayer, sharing her healing testimonies and writing inspirational songs that have climbed the charts.

It is faith that enables us to receive the higher ways of God when we do not understand where He is leading us, especially when circumstances get tough.  When faith prevails over fear persistently, we become victorious.

Moreover, fear is the opposite of faith.  Irrational fear can paralyzes us or cause us to run in the opposite direction from where God wants us to go.  Obedience to the bondage of fear is idolatry and rebellion in the face of God.  Fear limits us under a ceiling.  Faith facilitates promotion, turning our ceiling into our floor.

Hebrews 11:13 tells us that the great people of the Bible "were still living by faith when they died" and that they did not see the promises of God come to pass.  They were on a sacrificial journey of faith that was bigger than they for a higher purpose.  They laid down self-centered comforts and willingly pursued the path that brought glory to God.  In short, they left a legacy of faith.

What faith journey does God have you on?  Are you allowing Him to build your faith to accomplish greater things?  Which areas in your life do you need more faith?
:angel:

Week of August 1
Patience

"Love is patient . . ."  ~ I Corinthians 13:4

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a work assignment, knowing the project is of God and knowing that you're right in step with His timing, when suddenly things seemed to stagnate or get stuck?

What did you do?  Did you stop and pray and wait to hear God's response?  Or did you persist along your path, leaning on your strengths and talents and understanding of what had worked for you in the past, what you knew to do?

Did you receive an answer from God?  Or did frustration and anxiety begin to rise as you feverishly ran harder to try to make things work to meet your deadlines?

God's pathways strategically include divinely appointed times.  And when He sets us out on a journey, His directive is to sometimes simply wait.  This is where our faith gets tested.

So often, God's ways do not make sense to us, especially when we feel the pressures of meeting a deadline.  And in these times, we feel like we're waiting on God to show up and clear blockages, organize things, make people cooperate with us therefore making a way for us to get the job done.  But the truth is, as we await God, He's awaits us.  He desires us to stop and listen and worship Him during the wait.  And He desires to do a work in us in the process.

Patience must have its perfect work.  While we're working, God is doing a work in us, to perfect us, to do things His way.  He longs to bless us, to reward our faith.  But will we pass the test?

Consider the prophet Habakkuk.  The people of Judah took to behaving in Babylonian ways, and the righteous were grieved.  When taking this issue before the Lord, He seemed to withhold His answer for a while.  But God ultimately revealed to Habakkuk that He would take care of the issues through a release of judgment using the Babylonians to bring His people to their knees. This was not a solution that Habakkuk expected.  Nevertheless, after hearing from God, Habakkuk did the right thing and awaited God's plan with a spirit of worship.

Sometimes, God has to take care of a few things before we can move forward.  And sometimes we just need to stop and get out of God's way.  While He aligns people and circumstances, He expects us to align our faith with His purpose and timing and exhibit that fruit of the spirit called patience.

Though often not easy for our carnal nature to cooperate, God is actually doing us a favor by offering us an opportunity to advance.  In this process, we get to surrender our arrogance and self-reliance to God's higher ways.  And if we pass the test, He takes us to the next glorious realm of faith and reward.  Like a deer, we become able to stand on the higher places.

Do you believe that God loves you enough to groom you to stand in higher places?  Do you love Him enough to cooperate with His plan?  My prayer is that you will not fear God's heights and that you will excel, not accelerate.  May we worship God during His appointed times, resting in His love, exercising patience.

:angel:

Week of August 8
Redemption

"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You—I, whom You have redeemed."  ~ Psalm 71:23

What comes to mind for many Christians when we hear the word "redeemed" is being saved from the pit of hell by Jesus Christ, Our Savior. 

But what may not come to mind as often is having abundant life on earth. 

The dictionary defines redemption as saving or improving something that has declined into a poor state.  Ones career, marriage, finances or physical health can be examples.

The root word, redeem, is from the Latin word, redimere, which means to buy back.  To redeem can mean to keep a promise, fulfill a pledge, pay off an outstanding portion of debt, atone for human sins, restore someone to favor or to make acceptable despite negative qualities.

Indeed, Jesus Christ is Our Redeemer.

The Bible says that we are redeemed from the grave (Ps. 49:15), from death (Hos. 13:14), from the law (Gal. 4:5), from all wickedness (Tit. 2:14), from the curse (Gal. 3:13), from sin (Col. 1:14) and from the pit (Ps. 103:4).

The Apostle Paul may have said it best as he beseeches us to "live a life worthy of the Lord," to "please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves..."

God's word is true.  It is purposed for us.  Let us keep our eyes on Him so that we may have abundant faith, love, hope, prosperity, health, joy and relationships.

What do you have need of?  Do you feel special, or are you just getting by?  Have you called on your Redeemer?  He awaits you.

:angel:

Week of August 15
Potential

" . . . My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."  ~Judges 6:15

How many of us have ever felt like Gideon, believing false truths about ourselves that have stunted our growth and attempted to undermine our God-given destiny?

Author Dondi Scumaci describes it well in her new book, "Designed For Success: The 10 Commandments For Women In The Workplace."  In the very first chapter she says,

"Imagine that when you were born, you were given a box.  The box is empty to begin with, but almost immediately people begin to put messages into it.  Some of the messages make you feel strong and safe and powerful; others teach you to doubt yourself and your abilities.

"Over time the box is filled with messages.  Some are duplicates.  You've received them more than once and from more than one person.  One message tells you it's important to be popular, one reminds you to always be very polite, while another tells you to wait to be recognized—because bragging is very bad.  Your messages warn you against making mistakes, rocking the boat, or being pushy—because nobody likes a bossy girl.

"Now imagine shaking the box!  The messages get all mixed up.  That makes it hard to separate the encouraging, empowering messages from the negative, limiting ones.

"You grow up and carry your box of messages to work.  As you being to use them, you discover that, for much of your life, the messages have been managing you.  Now you must learn to manage them."

This is the very place where Gideon found himself.

Gideon processed through discouraging old messages and new encouraging ones from God throughout the remainder of Judges chapter six.

Although Gideon's self-doubt was high, and his faith was low, by stepping forth into God's instructions—albeit with trepidation—he managed to overcome obstacles and reach the divine destiny God had for him.

How about you?  Is anything holding you back from reaching your God-given potential?  If so, have you asked the Holy Spirit to intervene, to reveal the issues of your heart and lead you to overcome to full victory?

God sees our potential, and He has a plan to advance us all the way.  His purpose being that He loves us, He loves nations, and He desires to use us to affect them.  God's vision is big.  It goes beyond us.  As Gideon was set free from his fears and ungodly beliefs, others were also restored.  It was a battle that was worth fighting.  And so is yours.

:angel:

Week of August 22
Capable

"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 3:19

Despite whatever assignment the Lord sends us on, He makes us capable to thrive amid any circumstance to fulfill His purpose.

Consider Amos.  The Bible says, "Amos was a herdsman from the small town of Tekoa; he was not a man of the court like Isaiah, or a priest like Jeremiah.  Though he lived in Judah, he was sent to announce God's judgment on the northern kingdom (Israel)."

Imagine being a simple man like Amos and being chosen by God to deliver messages of judgment to priests and kings?  How many of us would have the natural confidence to go from the prairie to the palace? (Amos 7:13)

If we are willing to receive them, God will assign us missions to carry out that are bigger than ourselves, ones that require great faith and a big God to complete.  But we must trust the power of God.

The very word "capable" means to possess the qualities needed to do a particular thing well; to have the legal competency, ability or legal power to do something.  "Capable" is from the Latin word "capere," which means "to take" or "able to take in."

When we break it down, we see that two words make up the word "capable"—"cap" and "able."  The word "able" means to be positioned to do something.  And the word "cap" means to cover, surpass and complete something.  As Christians, with God as our covering, Jesus residing in us and the Holy Spirit guiding us, we are able to complete divine missions on high levels—even ones that will change the course of nations—if we are in position to receive them.

In the case of Amos, God empowered (or made capable) Amos for the purpose of restoring social justice and righteousness to Israel.  Although Amos did not consider himself to be a seer prophet (Amos 7:14), God enabled him to see visions and prophesy.  The Bible describes Amos as a "vigorous spokesman."  Amos was "able to take in" God's visions and speak them out in citadels with great confidence.  This simple herdsman and fig farmer was fortified, covered and obedient.

Amos had great faith, which propelled him throughout his great assignment, above his usual position and beyond his usual work environment.

How is God using you?  Has He sent you out on any special assignments lately?  Would you be willing to go if He spoke to you amid your prairie existence?

The Christian life should be an adventure—full of the unknown, relying upon God to cover and complete us and His missions.  Do we have great faith?  Are we in position?  Are we capable?

:angel:

Week of August 29
Flourishing

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."  ~ Psalm 52:8

The word "flourishing" in this context translates into the Hebrew word "ra`anan," which means "to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green."

During this late spring season, I am reminded of God's promise of a summer harvest every time I tend to my vegetable garden.  When I see how my plants have flourished in such a short time since I set them out, I am awed at what God has created, and I am inspired by the fruit He produces.  The days are long here in the south, therefore the plants have an abundance of light.

Get the point?

Through God's bountiful love and His righteousness in us, we can produce much fruit, be blessed and in turn bless others.

Psalm 1:3 tells us that a righteous person "is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."

It's important to remember, however, that it's not our righteousness that produces good fruit, it's God's.  Isaiah 64:6 is quick to remind us that "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."

But do we really trust this truth deep in our heart?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 reveals that "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Interestingly, an olive tree lives for hundreds of years, producing much fruit, blessing animals and man (Ps. 1:3 note).  Imagine the many seasons it flourishes through.

Conversely, Jeremiah 17:5-6 tells us, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes.  He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives."

When we find ourselves in a wasteland, we can be quick to remember that God offers us forgiveness through Jesus Christ, His Son and our Redeemer when we confess and repent.  Even so, remember that the consequences of sin can last longer than we would like to tolerate.

Consistently choosing obedience to God's righteousness is the wisest choice.

Proverbs 8:19-21 encourages us that wisdom's fruit is better than fine gold; what wisdom yields surpasses choice silver.  Wisdom walks in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love wisdom and making their treasuries full."

Remember that God does not set us up to fail.  He sets us up to flourish.

How green are you?  And how green would you like to become?

:angel:

Week of September 12 
Refreshing

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  ~Matthew 11:28

Have you ever been so burdened by your work that you feel like the faster you work, the faster time passes and the less time you have to catch up?  As if running on a  treadmill, you fear you won't meet your goal, and you realize you're on the border of burnout?

We've all been there, if not just temporarily.  And sometimes, when we're in the midst of the fury, God schedules us for a refreshing.  It can arrive when we feel we have the least amount of time to come away.  God may expect us to simply lay down the workload and spend hours or days with Him.  Or He may pull us away for a vacation or retreat or even a simple weekend.

But do we trust God enough to obey and receive?  Do we really believe that the all-seeing, all-knowing God of the universe loves us enough to prosper us in all He assigns us?

Whatever respite God requires of us, it's important to remember that He has our best interest at heart.  He desires to help us.  He will be faithful to regenerate, renew and restore our energy.  And He will give us fresh revelation, vision and insight in the most creative ways, even through others.

In so doing, God reminds us that He is God; He is in control; we are not alone; He works on our behalf; He is committed to our success, and He is the creator of creativity.  He will show us the "obvious" that we didn't see while we were intensely focused behind a PC or otherwise at work.

In this way, we see God's artistry in perfecting and completing His work through us.  Like a painter, He uses us to come in close and step back to "see" the vision, sketch the outline, add the details, then refine the work to capture the whole.

God's perspective is unlimited and perfect.  He rewards diligence.  And obedience is the key.

So if we sense God leading us to come away with Him in the midst of our impending deadline, we must.  He does this to not only test our priorities but also to give us what we need in the intimate place.  Sometimes, it's just a nugget, a single revelation that will make all the other components come into place.  But whatever it is, it will be better than we could have derived on our own—even with our talents, gifts and training.  We'll return to work with a fresh eye and a renewed enthusiasm.

The Lord says in Jeremiah 31:25 that He "will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."  Sometimes, the most appropriate action we can take is to let go, let God and to pray for the discernment to know when to do so.

God knows what we need.  Is He waiting for you?

:angel:

Week of September 19
Vindication

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.  He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.  Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, O God of Jacob."  ~ Psalm 24:4-6

Have you ever experienced injustice in the workplace?  Perhaps politics played a role.  Maybe you were betrayed in some way, condemned even by those with whom you shared confidences.  Did others gossip about you.  What did you do?

Did you keep walking in upright obedience to God?  Or did you fall for the bait and react in carnal ways?  Perhaps you've done both intermittently.  None of us perfectly process circumstances all the time. 

Although we may feel like we're stumbling through daily circumstances, groping at God to relieve the pain, there is hope.  If we choose honest repentance, there will come a time when God will set things right.  When we have been tested sufficiently, fired for purity's sake, and God has allowed the flames to have their complete work in us, He will move on our behalf.  Isaiah 49:8 says, "In the time of My favor I will answer you . . ."

Repentance leads to redemption.  And although we may feel we've been wronged and it's the other gal's fault, it's important to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what part, if any, we had in the issue. 

I know of a married couple who discipline their children by having them sit on a "repentance bench" until they repent for their part in disputes.  As they sit side by side, they are not allowed to blame each other.  When they repent, they are relieved to resume their day. 

How often do we assume the victim role and blame others?  Even if we did not instigate the event, God may be using unpleasant circumstances or behavior of others as a vice-like instrument to force issues within us to come to the surface for the purpose of inviting us to overcome the limitation.  He may be readying us for promotion by preparing us.  When things don't bother us anymore, they can't bind us, and we are free to move on. 

No circumstance or person is too relentless for God's intervention.  If people do not hearken to God's directives, He has been known to release His judgment upon them.  But we must be in right standing.  Our freewill choice will determine a lot.

In God's time, He will deliver us from gossip to greatness, from misery to majesty, from devour to divine, from persecution to peace, from invasion to intimacy, from division to revision, from feuding to favor, from condemnation to compassion, from crushed to comforted, from fear to faith, from holes to wholeness, from blockage to boldness, from hatred to harmony, from sin to sweetness, from false accusations to freedom, from strongholds to life, from strangleholds to new opportunities and adventures.  The chains come off, and we are restored and vindicated.

Our decision to humble ourselves and honestly repent of our part in the journey will break the division and strangleholds in our work lives and beyond.  Though we cannot control another person, God will fight our battle on our behalf, and we will come through victorious.  We will be vindicated.  We will be honored, even publicly.  What has been out of priority will be put into place.  Our garden of safety and security will be restored.  And we will finish the race well.

Are you ready to be vindicated?  Spend some intimate time with the Lord and honestly repent each time He reveals your part in a situation.  In the time of God's favor, you will see the fruit of blessing in your life.  And you will walk in the freedom of victory again.

:angel:

Week of September 26
Faithfulness

". . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve."   ~Joshua 24:15

Joshua understood well the personal choices involved in serving God faithfully to the end.  He had seen much life and death come to his forefathers as a result of their ungodly choices.  He reminded the leaders of Israel, with great assurance, to serve God with a clean heart.  He knew that God desired to continue to bless Israel but that they would not be positioned to receive God's blessings unless they surrendered their whole heart, even in the little things.

The bar is high for leaders.  And Joshua warned them to not fall into the sins of their past.  Oh how the enemy enjoys enticing and ensnaring us by using familiar behavior patterns and people from our past to bring destruction into our present and future, to prevent God's promises, plans and purposes from coming to fruition.

Is there a god that you need to lay down?  A god that will prevent you from living out your God-given potential and destiny?  Are there any idols that lurk in your heart?

God will be faithful to us if we are faithful to Him and His ways.  Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Is God truly our first love?  Are we willing to lay everything that is important and valuable to us down at the foot of the cross to serve Him?

If our answer is "yes," then we exchange our ways for His, which are much higher and which include rewards far greater than we can earn on our own.  The question then becomes, "Do we truly trust God to deliver?"

If the answer is again "yes," then we will embark on an adventure of loving and serving Him on a whole new level that will result in fresh assignments, fresh revelation, fresh opportunities for trusting Him in new areas, fresh opportunities to overcome obstacles and greater measures of blessings to receive, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38).  Is this not life worth living?  This is indeed God's finest for us, and it is anything but boring!

Faithfulness requires discipline in the journey, and it requires a cleansing of the heart at the outset.  Anything less will harbor a contamination that will ultimately lead us to stumble and fall and possibly to not even finish the race God has set before us.  At the very least, the journey will be rocky. 

Faithfulness is obedience that builds trust in relationships.  "Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness.  Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped . . . and serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:14).

:angel:

Week of October 3
Life

" . . . Choose life, not death! . . ."  ~ 2 Kings 18:32

I recently attended an event where the speaker said, "Drug dealers are living, but they don't have life."  What a profound statement.

Christianity is intended to be dynamic, full of challenges and opportunities for high levels of faith, obedience and love.  Consider every victorious Bible character you can think of.  Did they not live on the very edge of life and death?  How about Mary, who conceived a child out of wedlock amid a culture that stoned such women?  And what about Joshua, who fought battle after battle in the Promised Land so that an entire nation would receive their Godly inheritance?  And then there was Moses, who was called out of the wilderness to rescue a nation.  And how about Esther, who came out of her comfort zone in a big way to confront a king and save her people?   And let's not forget Jesus.

Were they all not living life to the fullest as they hearkened to their callings, all the while treading carefully in obedience, staying close to the father lest they fall to death?

Such is the essence of the Christian life.  God has called us into the world, and Jesus is our perfect example.  It is in the face of life and death that our heart is revealed, our current level of confidence and courage and gifting and expertise and training and knowledge and wisdom surfaces in our face.  How limited we are without God's intervention.  Our medal is tested, our character confronted, and we see our current level of integrity.

This is not only true for us as individuals, but also for businesses and organizations, including ministries.  One of my frequent prayers is, "God, help me to not miss it," because with all that is on my plate, I know that my natural ability offers me many opportunities to get too focused on one assignment or distraction and miss the big picture, the fresh manna, the new wine, the daily watering of the word and revelations that will bring me and this ministry new life.  I need the Holy Spirit to help me focus on God more than on what He assigns me and certainly more than the distractions with which the enemy tries to tempt me.

I want to consistently receive God's greater vision.  I know that the slice or portion of revelation God first gave to me for this ministry is just the beginning.  And when the winds of change come and God desires to move in a fresh way, I want to be in position to go with His flow.  God has so many more revelations for us, which are all intended to direct us to new life if we will just position our greater focus on Him and sit at His table and receive the fresh manna and new wine He desires to serve us.  God is dynamic.  Jesus is life.  I want to live.  How about you?

Although we all walk through dry seasons, and God allows this for a time for various purposes, His originally intended norm is not for us to barely make it or just get by.  So much depends upon the freewill choices that He allows us to exercise.  And the bottom line question is, "Will we rise up, or will we shrink back and make fear our God?"

The people and businesses and ministries I have the greatest respect for are those who know how to live and, with the leading of the Holy Spirit, confront perceived risk.  Consider Rick Warren, who through hearkening to a fresh move of God, was able to turn around the economics of Rwanda.  Does the Great Commission not instruct us to make disciples of all nations?  And how about Franklin Graham, who has made a lifestyle of entering into the most "dangerous" countries and conditions—those that are ravaged by disaster and are often dominated by Islam—to rescue the broken and the lost.  Is that not the heart of Jesus in action?  Is this not living life and giving life?  Look at the fruit.

As we sit in our comfortable churches and behind our cozy desks, I challenge you to not let mundane, busy (and often petty) circumstances ware you down so that you cannot get to the most important and impacting joys God has for you, like spending time with Him and making a difference in the world.  Beth Moore says it very succinctly and profoundly on the back cover of her book, Praying God's Word Day by Day: "Beloved, you will never waste time in God's Word."  Sit before God and invite Him to help you live again.  Just one revelation from Him can turn your life, business or ministry around.

Jesus came to save us from death, not only in the afterlife but during our walk on earth.  Are you living a mundane life?  Do you feel like your life is in a rut?  Is fear holding you back, binding you from living the adventure that God has for you?  Perhaps you've been deceived by buying into the world's perspective of success, and you're disillusioned.  Have you fallen into sin through disobedience and feel like it's a long journey out?  No life is too destitute for God to restore.  He has been known to accelerate our pace.  And remember, the latter can be greater than the former.  I challenge you to repent and find out what God has just for you.  Then choose to step into life with the Holy Spirit as your guide, and reach your divine destiny.

:angel:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the God's Love at Work 2010 Women's Conference & Expo in the Atlanta area on Saturday, November 6, 2010.

 A Woman's Walk

Week of October 3
Life

" . . . Choose life, not death! . . ."  ~ 2 Kings 18:32

I recently attended an event where the speaker said, "Drug dealers are living, but they don't have life."  What a profound statement.

Christianity is intended to be dynamic, full of challenges and opportunities for high levels of faith, obedience and love.  Consider every victorious Bible character you can think of.  Did they not live on the very edge of life and death?  How about Mary, who conceived a child out of wedlock amid a culture that stoned such women?  And what about Joshua, who fought battle after battle in the Promised Land so that an entire nation would receive their Godly inheritance?  And then there was Moses, who was called out of the wilderness to rescue a nation.  And how about Esther, who came out of her comfort zone in a big way to confront a king and save her people?   And let's not forget Jesus.

Were they all not living life to the fullest as they hearkened to their callings, all the while treading carefully in obedience, staying close to the father lest they fall to death?

Such is the essence of the Christian life.  God has called us into the world, and Jesus is our perfect example.  It is in the face of life and death that our heart is revealed, our current level of confidence and courage and gifting and expertise and training and knowledge and wisdom surfaces in our face.  How limited we are without God's intervention.  Our medal is tested, our character confronted, and we see our current level of integrity.

This is not only true for us as individuals, but also for businesses and organizations, including ministries.  One of my frequent prayers is, "God, help me to not miss it," because with all that is on my plate, I know that my natural ability offers me many opportunities to get too focused on one assignment or distraction and miss the big picture, the fresh manna, the new wine, the daily watering of the word and revelations that will bring me and this ministry new life.  I need the Holy Spirit to help me focus on God more than on what He assigns me and certainly more than the distractions with which the enemy tries to tempt me.

I want to consistently receive God's greater vision.  I know that the slice or portion of revelation God first gave to me for this ministry is just the beginning.  And when the winds of change come and God desires to move in a fresh way, I want to be in position to go with His flow.  God has so many more revelations for us, which are all intended to direct us to new life if we will just position our greater focus on Him and sit at His table and receive the fresh manna and new wine He desires to serve us.  God is dynamic.  Jesus is life.  I want to live.  How about you?

Although we all walk through dry seasons, and God allows this for a time for various purposes, His originally intended norm is not for us to barely make it or just get by.  So much depends upon the freewill choices that He allows us to exercise.  And the bottom line question is, "Will we rise up, or will we shrink back and make fear our God?"

The people and businesses and ministries I have the greatest respect for are those who know how to live and, with the leading of the Holy Spirit, confront perceived risk.  Consider Rick Warren, who through hearkening to a fresh move of God, was able to turn around the economics of Rwanda.  Does the Great Commission not instruct us to make disciples of all nations?  And how about Franklin Graham, who has made a lifestyle of entering into the most "dangerous" countries and conditions—those that are ravaged by disaster and are often dominated by Islam—to rescue the broken and the lost.  Is that not the heart of Jesus in action?  Is this not living life and giving life?  Look at the fruit.

As we sit in our comfortable churches and behind our cozy desks, I challenge you to not let mundane, busy (and often petty) circumstances ware you down so that you cannot get to the most important and impacting joys God has for you, like spending time with Him and making a difference in the world.  Beth Moore says it very succinctly and profoundly on the back cover of her book, Praying God's Word Day by Day: "Beloved, you will never waste time in God's Word."  Sit before God and invite Him to help you live again.  Just one revelation from Him can turn your life, business or ministry around.

Jesus came to save us from death, not only in the afterlife but during our walk on earth.  Are you living a mundane life?  Do you feel like your life is in a rut?  Is fear holding you back, binding you from living the adventure that God has for you?  Perhaps you've been deceived by buying into the world's perspective of success, and you're disillusioned.  Have you fallen into sin through disobedience and feel like it's a long journey out?  No life is too destitute for God to restore.  He has been known to accelerate our pace.  And remember, the latter can be greater than the former.  I challenge you to repent and find out what God has just for you.  Then choose to step into life with the Holy Spirit as your guide, and reach your divine destiny.

:angel:

Week of October 17
Abundance

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift from God."  ~ Ecclesiastes 5:19 

Divine abundance is a wonderful gift from God.  Thankfully, divine abundance is not defined by or limited to material possessions.  Rather, it encompasses much more.  In The Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk. 12:15) Jesus says, "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

What Jesus is saying is that there is more to our purpose and identity than material things and that we must first "be rich toward God" in our hearts, our spirits and our minds by receiving all of Him and walking in His ways, guarding our hearts against greed and mammon in order to have a right attitude toward abundance (Lk.12:21).  In other words, we must first have God's character in abundance before we can sustain His blessings in abundance.  And we cannot accomplish this alone.

It is only through the abundant grace and love of our Heavenly Father that He gave His son, Jesus Christ, as our savior—who is the essence of abundance, who modeled The Father's finest principles and who also intercedes for us now at the right hand of the Father—to help us receive all of His gifts and rewards, many of which are not material.  It is through Jesus that divine joy, love, grace, favor and mercy overflow to us.  James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from above.  For this alone, we owe an abundance of thanksgiving to God.

Receiving divine abundance is also linked with our faith and actions concerning giving.  Malachi 3:10 says, "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" 

Receiving divine abundance is also linked with how we treat others.  Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Remember, motives count.  If we just give for the sake of getting, this principle won't work.  God looks at the heart and sees all things and knows all things.

Both tithing and loving others fit into God's greatest commandments for us, which is to love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39).  This mature level of loving involves walking in obedience to God and forgiveness toward others no matter what the circumstances.  Obedience brings divine favor and rewards that are material and immaterial.

Psalm 65:11 says, "You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness . . ."  So let us ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal privately any matters that do not please God, the very issues that would prevent us from receiving Our Father's greatest abundance.  Let us repent and ask Him to fill our hearts with a fresh love for our Heavenly Father and others so that we may have a right attitude of divine priority.  And let us give Him praise for and celebrate that which He has already given us and that which is to come.  Only then will we be positioned to receive His accelerated abundance that He longs to give us during this season.

:angel:

Week of October 24
Diligence

"[Anna] never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying."  ~ Luke 2:37

The Bible tells us that Anna was a prophet and that she was married for seven years before becoming a widow.  At that point, she lived in the temple and spent the rest of her life worshipping the Lord with a pure diligence.  She understood that her Maker was her spiritual husband and that she was created for intimate relationship with Him (Is. 54:5).

Although most of us live lives that are not cloistered, we can still diligently worship the Lord everywhere God assigns us, even at work.  All that's required is that we seek His face, ask Him what's on His heart and then carefully obey Him in excellence. 

He will surely respond and guide us because it is His loving desire to commune with us.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

With the Christmas season right around the corner, intimacy with God easily awaits us.  Church cantatas, seasonal worship music in our automobiles and holiday decorations in our homes invite us to slip into quiet time with God and appreciate Him even more.  But will we diligently make time for intimacy with Him after the season passes?  Will God remain our greatest desire 24/7?

Although, one can only ponder all the desires and burdens that were on Anna's heart as she came before the Lord day and night, year after year, the Bible reveals that the Messiah was surely dear to her. 

The NIV note in Luke 2:36 tells us, "Anna praised God for the child Jesus as Hannah had praised God for the child Samuel." 

Anna waited a long time for this miracle child to be born, like Hannah waited for her son Samuel's birth.  Jesus was an answer to Anna's prayers, just as Samuel was to the formerly barren Hannah. 

When Anna approached Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus at the temple, the Bible says, "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Lk. 2:38).

Anna could never have done this if she did not know what was on God's heart.  And the way Anna knew God's heart was by spending lots of time seeking His heart.  In turn, God rewarded Anna by choosing her to deliver a message that He wanted to share with those who would listen.  God knew He could trust Anna with important revelations.

Anna surely felt honored.  Undoubtedly, seeing her deepest love come forth in manifest presence in the temple (also her home) gave her heart great joy. 

Like Anna, what miracles do we anticipate in this season?  Do we have the diligent faith of Anna to witness God's greatest manifestations?  Do we know His heart and His voice well enough to hear from Him when He shows up?

Like Anna, is God our first love?

My prayer is that all of us would receive great revelations from the Lord as we diligently love on Him and that we would be able to share His heart with those who will listen.


:angel:

Week of October 31
Awakening

"Wake up, Deborah, wake up!  Wake up, wake up, and sing a song!  Arise, Barak!  Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!"  ~ Judges 5:12

God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel's military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.

Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin?  Perhaps by our own volition or that of others.  Perhaps even by generational iniquity.  Did it not it feel like an eternity?  And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?

Indeed, God hears our cries.  And in His time, His gavel falls.  And when it does, it is swift.  Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy's head, He revives us (Judges 4:21).  And we begin anew.

An awakening is a revival or renewal of something.  It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud.  In Deborah and Barak's case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.

Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right.  They are rooted in God's infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.

Consider Peter.  Acts 12:7 tells us, "Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter.  The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, 'Quick!  Get up!'  And the chains fell off his wrists."

As in Peter's case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God's plan.  Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God's abundance of life.  In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens.  We are reminded that God's yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).

Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.

Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window.  I don't often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it's lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit. 

This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me.  He responded by showing me the word, "Awakening."  As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.

Are you in need of God's awesome awakening, His miraculous and "sudden" turnaround?  Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one.  God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny.  He can awe you!


:angel:

Week of November 7
Heart

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of all His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."  ~Ephesians 1:18-19

Love for God is powerful.  It drives us to please Him, to carry out His will, His heart from heaven to earth (Ps. 119:11).  When we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him (Jer. 29:13-14), and He is always there for us, no matter where we are, ready to fellowship, ready to pour out His love to us.

In relationship with Him, we are nurtured, restored, filled up with His goodness, willing to serve Him.  In His presence, we return to contentment.  We are blessed with joyfulness and peace, no matter what our circumstances.

Heart is the center of the human spirit, according to Biblical language.  The living word of God tells us to protect and watch over our heart and that it is the wellspring, or source, from which life flows (Pr. 4:23).  Whatever we allow into our heart will flow out in some form of speech, thought or behavior.  Do we seek the Lord for purity of heart (Matt. 5:8)?  Do we invite the Holy Spirit, the one who sees all things (I Sam 6:7), to examine the depth of our heart (Ps. 26:2)?

I've learned that issues of the heart do not just go away.  They must be confronted.  And if they are not handled privately, they will emerge publicly.  Unresolve has the power to destroy our lives and others.  One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sin in my heart so that I may be in right standing before Him.  Will we find the courage to confront the issues, to turn our heart around with His help (Ps. 51:10)?

Much the same, overwork dries up the heart (Matt. 11:29).  When the busyness of life is prioritized over nurturing our hearts with prayer and meditations of God's word, how will we know the heart of God in any situation (Heb. 4:12)?  What can we possibly pour out to those around us?  The ones whom God puts in our path?  Will we have the patience to love them or even desire to extend compassion? 

2 Corinthians 3:3 tells us that the Holy Spirit is written on our hearts.  Will we lean to His spirit when we are in need or react from the flesh of our heart (Ps. 19:14)?  Indeed, sometimes, a heart circumcision is in order to cut away that which encumbers us so that we may enter into a new place of intimacy with God, a new assignment, a manifest promise.

David is often described as a man after God's own heart.  Psalm 119:11 tells us, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." 

Do we treasure God's word?  Is Jesus our first love?  If not, the solution can be found in Ezekiel 18:31, "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!" 

Indeed, God has given us the power of self-control.  And when we exercise it, fruit is produced.  Thankfully, we can choose to depart from carnal behaviors, ungodly thoughts and an unloving spirit.

With a heart for God, let us remember David's psalm, "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.  May the Lord grant all your requests."

:angel:

Week of November 14
Sisterhood

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers . . . but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love . . ."  ~Titus 2:3-4

There is something to be said about women helping women.  I recall when I worked as a flight attendant we women looked out for one another.  At 35,000 feet, we didn't have family, friends, church, or a support group of any kind.  Earning a living out of a suitcase in a different city each night gave new meaning to vigilance. 

I witnessed competitiveness and selfishness give way to survival through unity, kinship and an inevitable bond of trust and loyalty.  Even if we occasionally worked with someone who seemed a bit odd, we all knew deep down in our hearts that that woman was one of us.  We were a united front among passengers, and we knew that in a pinch or, worse yet, in an emergency, we could depend upon one another for our rescue in the face of accosting offenders or amid smoldering wreckage. 

Over time, we came to love one another as sisters, as like-minded women who deeply understood each other's joys and challenges in our work and our unique lifestyle, like no one else.

Such is the nature of teamwork, where the combined efforts of many produce much.  Women helping women, as the generations were instructed in Titus 2, produces exponential wisdom and achievement.  It helps us to begin strong, accelerate fast and finish well.  Where combined seeds of investment are planted, a multiple return is reaped.

Who are you investing in?  Perhaps it's your daughter or a mentee at work; maybe an intern.  God has a way of growing our investment. 

The Cretan women in Titus 2 were taught God's precepts of servanthood, of giving and receiving in relationships, the strength and value of nurturing.  They were offered the building blocks for strong foundations in their families and work.  Paul knew their investments would be rewarded when he wrote those encouraging words.  He wanted women to succeed, as God did and still does.

How we get along with our sisters determines much.  Gossip, pettiness and back-biting are the demons of division.  And when we participate in these behaviors, we inhibit our divine blessings. 

Consider 2 Timothy 2:16, "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly" and 2 Timothy 2:23-24, "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."  James 4:11 says, "Brothers [Sisters], do not slander one another." 

How much more of God's blessings could we have if we just lived right?

When we let go of Cretan-like behaviors, learn who we are in Christ and choose to walk in God's empowering love, no matter what the behavior of others, we will find strength and unity, we will demonstrate sisterhood, and we will be blessed beyond measure.

What's in your heart?  For an honest account, just ask the Holy Spirit.  Then repent and prepare to walk in God's power and blessings.

:angel:

Week of November 21
Thanksgivings

"The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger.  I trust in Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."  ~ Psalm 28:7 (NLT)   

David knew the power of thanksgiving.  He understood that thanksgiving reflects a humble heart and is rooted in humble gratitude.  He was genuinely grateful.  For him, God was his only solution, his only escape from danger.  And he trusted God to show up and deliver him.  For David, God meant life.

No matter what our circumstances, we can always thank God for who He is and for delivering us from every evil darkness into every blessing of light.

James 1:17 says, "every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights . . ." (NKJV). 

Thanksgiving honors God.  It is a facet of praise, a biblical precept, a key component of prayer and our Christian love walk.  The dictionary defines thanksgiving as "a prayer that offers thanks to God . . . an expression or an act of giving thanks . . . a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."

Philippians 4:6 instructs us to pray and petition God with thanksgiving.  The NIV note for this scripture tells us that thanksgiving is "the antidote to worry."

Psalm 95:2 says, "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song."

I Corinthians 10:16 refers to the communion cup as "the cup of thanksgiving," which we take in remembrance of Jesus who died for us so we can have eternal life.

The word "Hallelujah," which we often sing, translates into the Hebrew word "halleluyah," which literally means "praise ye the Lord."  The dictionary defines Hallelujah as a thankful cry of "relief, welcome or gratitude."

I did a rare thing for myself one day: I bought a cup of coffee at my local grocery store and decided to take my time shopping for our week's meals.  God spoke to my heart as I came upon the book aisle.  There, I spotted TV anchor Deborah Norville's book, Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You.

"Interesting choice of words," I thought. 

I flipped through the book, having recalled Mrs. Norville publicly proclaiming years earlier that she is a woman of faith.  I saw that she included lots of supporting material—quotes and studies professing that the principle of thanksgiving works.  And, indeed, in the final chapter, she directly addresses "people of faith," encouraging readers to attend assemblies of worship.

As I stood in the aisle of that market, I was reminded that the same biblical principles that we Christians are to live by also work in the world.  God doesn't want to leave anyone out.  He loves us all.

It caused me to pause and ask myself, "How is my attitude of thanksgiving?  How grateful is my heart?  Do I really honor God enough with prayers of thanksgiving?  What gifts from above have I taken for granted?

Indeed, thanksgiving is a powerful principle that touches the Father's heart.  May we ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, and may we give the Father of Light thanks for every good and perfect gift.

:angel:

Week of November 28
Restoration

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Psalm 51:12 

God purposed His only begotten Son to reconcile us to Him and to do a complete work of restoration.  What an amazing gift of love this is, and it's available to all of us who will receive it.

Divine restoration means to bring us back to God's original intent and plan for us, made whole, full of His presence. 

When we first accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are born again in the spirit, elated with joy.  All we want to do is to please God and shout to the world how wonderful this amazing transformation feels. 

But as we step back into the world to work and interact, we can be tempted to slip back into former patterns of sin.  However, God loves us so much that even when we behave in ways that hurt His heart, if we repent, He is quick to forgive.  And He restores us, just as He did for the Israelites so many times throughout the Bible. 

Usually, we see the restoration of God manifest after we have suffered for a "little" while (I Peter 5:10).  Our definition of "little" and God's definition usually varies.  He will allow us to suffer consequences to discipline us (Heb. 12: 4-11).  If the consequences weren't painful, we probably wouldn't learn the lesson and would repeat cycles of destruction.   

The quickest path to restoration is immediate repentance and diligence in seeking God's heart and face, praising Him in the midst of our suffering. 

It is also important to remember that God did not cause our pain.  We must take accountability, forgiving anyone who may have caused us to stumble and also forgiving ourselves.  Remember, God forgives those who forgives others (Matt. 6:14).  The quicker we let the issue go and turn our focus to God, the quicker we move through the restoration process. 

We must also ask the Holy Spirit to check our attitudes and search our hearts to privately reveal to us any hidden sins, so that we may be confessed and in right standing.  Often, we cannot see our own issues, but God sees everything.  And so we must rely upon the Holy Spirit to help us, remembering that which is not confessed privately, will be exposed publically.  Truly, unconfessed sin doesn't just go away.  It must be confronted. 

Restoration often extends beyond us into past, present and future generations (Deut. 30:2-3).  When generational sins enter a family tree (Ex. 20:5-6), it can take years for God to restore us and our family members.  This is because there has been so much repetitive sin over time.  For example, if we were raised in dysfunction for 18 years, it may take at least that long to overcome the multitude of issues, depending on the level of intensity and the amount of areas affected. 

Still, God is patient with us, and He is kind.  He extends His infinite mercy and amazing grace to us in the journey as we declare Joel 2:25, Job 42:10 and Haggai 2:9. 

Generational restoration is often a process that begins with forgiving our forefathers for their iniquities, repenting for walking in the same sins as they and asking God to help us walk in new ways.  This process usually occurs in layers, as in peeling an onion.  Sometimes, there is so much that is wrong, if God revealed all of our issues to us at once, it would crush us.  However, God can accelerate the restoration process by using ministries that specialize in this area or even by miraculous touches from Him. 

God will give us restoration breakthroughs as we journey.  These usually involve divine revelations and spiritual deliverance that release us into a new level of understanding and freedom.  And sometimes, these breakthroughs occur in the form of creative miracles or physical healings, like those we read about in the Bible. 

God is indeed the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).  He still heals today as He did during Biblical times.  He is sovereign, and He does not change.  He loves us no matter what.  But remember, even those who experienced "sudden" miracles first suffered for a "little" while, which may have felt like an eternity to them. 

God's restoration offers us liberty from oppression and the freedom to reach our divine destiny in divinely appointed times.  The more baggage we overcome and the more hurts and injustices we process God's way, the more space we make available within ourselves to receive His love.  The more space we offer God to reflect His love through us, the more ways He can use us to share His love in the marketplace, just like Jesus did.  This honors God.

God has much in store for those who will submit to His restoration process (Rev. 2:26).  But what will we choose?  Will we hold to our familiar wounds and bondages and limit the hand of God from working in us and through us?  Will we close out many of His finest blessings?  Or will we choose to exercise a willing spirit and return to His joy of salvation?

It is my prayer that we will humble ourselves and take courage to receive more of Him, that we will align with His perfect will and receive the full measure of His blessings.

If you would like help in your restoration journey, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.  Only He knows what and how much you are ready to deal with.  Some ministries I can recommend are Healing House, Shiloh Place and Family Foundations International.

:angel:

Week of December 5
Miracles

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."  ~ Job 5:9

When US Airways flight 1549 went down in the Hudson River, I—like so many others—watched in awe to see everyone on board survive.  A crash like no other, the image in which most of the people stood on the wings of the slow-sinking craft demonstrated a surefire miracle, God's hand of protection, to say nothing of the captain's glider skills.  And strangely enough, the people looked as though they were standing on water.

The whole ordeal seemed surreal, almost textbook-like, right out of crew training: The impossible ditching where everyone survives. 

In the days that followed, one "Today Show" broadcast featured a self-proclaimed born-again Christian woman who gave accounts of people praying, even the flight attendants.  This touched my heart immensely because it was so personal.  As a flight attendant with US Airways for 16 years, I prayed over many airplanes and passengers.  And I know prayer works, even in the workplace.  It touches the heart of God.  It evokes lifelines of miracles.

I have been in four airplane emergencies myself, where I wasn't sure what the exact outcome would be.  But I knew the Lord was with me no matter what.  And in the instances where all I had was God and, as I looked before me, a whole lot of people whom I might have to save and rescue, God became my closest confidant, my most trusted friend and my strongest rock.  I saw many miracles.  And I knew others were praying, like those who watched on television, including my parents during one such occasion.  And my cohorts who prayed in prayer groups, Bible studies and prayer chains in US Airways' offices and break rooms.

Awesome isn't it—the power and love of God in action!

Who's praying in your office?  What prayer points has God given you?  What miracles do you and those around you need?  How about your company?  God is surely big enough and knows just how to bring you in safely.  Will you trust Him?  Will you let Him guide you and direct your path?  Is He your rock?

:angel:


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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. 

Week of December 12
Peace

"...making peace through His blood, shed on the cross." ~ Colossians 1:20

Jesus was and is the new blood covenant of peace.  This truth was foretold to the prophet Isaiah in 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Verse 7 goes on to say that there is no end to His peace.

Directly related to salvation through Jesus Christ, peace is a gift, freely given to us.  When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we receive Him and His peace.

In the Hebrew language, peace is translated as "shalom," which means safety, completeness, prosperity, fulfillment, victory, success, health and blessing.

Encarta Dictionary defines peace as "...the time when a war or conflict ends... a state of mental serenity, with no anxiety."

In Latin, peace is translated from the word "placibilis," which means "pleasing" and from Latin "placere," which means "to please." 

Since our primary purpose as Christians is to please God, not people, if we walk in careful obedience to Biblical precepts and the Holy Spirit's directives—no matter what others think or say or do—we walk in peace.  Therefore, peace is a reward of careful obedience.   

Conversely, when we choose to move from obedience to disobedience and from faith to fear, we distance ourselves from peace (Is. 48:22, 57:21).

Judges 2 has much to say about how choices of disobedience offer defeat, distress and destruction.  In this chapter, although God did not break His covenant with the Israelites, He did lift His hand of favor off of them when they disobeyed, allowing them to reap painful consequences.

Even so, our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He will restore peace in our lives when we cry out in repentance to Him.  And even though He still performs instant miracles as He did in Biblical times, His restoration often involves a process over time. 

Consider the story of Gideon, a mighty warrior, whom God called to restore peace by striking down Israel's long-time oppressors, the Midianites (Judges 6:7-24).  Gideon was the "least" in his family and had the weakest clan of men.  Yet because God heard the Israelite's cries and had purposed restoration for them, He placed His hand of favor, protection and victory upon Gideon to defeat Israel's enemies.  No way could Gideon restore peace by himself.  Only with God could he complete his mission.   And the mission involved a process of strategy and tactics.  It took place over time, and it was messy.

Likewise, only with God's help can we walk uprightly and affect peace for those around us because God, Himself, is the grantor of peace.  And peace is a reward of His righteousness.

If there are areas in our lives where the Holy Spirit is prompting us to cry out to God in repentance and restoration of peace, may we trust that He awaits our cry, He will hear us, and He will respond to us lovingly.

During these uncertain times, may we be led forth in peace, experiencing the fullness and joy of this great blessing that is given to us freely as saints in God's Kingdom.  And may we share this fruit of the Spirit—the peace that surpasses understanding—with those who are struggling or have yet to receive His truth and love.

:angel:
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Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.

Week of December 19
Rest

"But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster."  ~I Kings 5:4

There comes a time when God puts our enemies under our feet. Indeed, He gives us a period of rest so that we may concentrate on the work He has set before us. God's gift of divine rest offers us freedom, peace and protection.  And it is ours through salvation and obedience in Jesus Christ.

There is complete trust available in God's divine rest.  So much so that Deuteronomy 25:19 tells us to forget about the enemies who attacked us when we were weary and worn out.

David declared in Psalm 62, "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him" (vs. 1).  "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him" (vs. 5).

Sometimes, we must take authority over our frantic souls and command them to rest, to come in alignment with the living word of God.  Little wonder the word "rest" appears 275 times in the Bible.  Consider its many definitions:

Rest is a period of refreshing, a freedom from exertion and anxiety, a stopping place for shelter.  To rest means to restore energy, to be supported against something (like the shelter of the Most High), to depend upon someone (like Jesus) for action or as a burden or responsibility, to rely on something (like the Holy Spirit) for proof or explanation, to conclude the presentation of evidence in a case (as in it is finished!).

Divine rest comes after a fulfillment of a promise, or completion, as in the case of King Solomon (I Kings 5:4) and as in the case of the Israelites taking dominion over the Promised Land (Joshua 1:13-15).  It allows for restoration, a new beginning.  It ushers in God's glory (Is. 11:10), and it is rewarded to those who are righteous in the Lord and see the journey through.

In Jesus, we can rest secure from all that burdens or threatens us.  Indeed, He is our way and our truth.  He is our friend.  And He assures us that His unfailing love rests upon us, as we put our hope in Him (Psalm 33:22), just as The Father assured Moses that His presence will go with him, and He would give him rest as he journeyed forth in obedience (Exodus 33:14).

If we are prone to over work, the Lord may have to make us lie down and rest like the sheep in the fields (Psalm 23).  There was a season one year where the Lord spoke Psalm 23 to me repeatedly through various resources.  I finally got the message.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the Lord and His angels work on our behalf to position and align us, others and circumstances for His perfect timing, His perfect will.  What we think we should be doing is not always God's agenda.  He has taught me to lay down false responsibilities by praying every day, "Lord, I surrender my agenda to You.  Have your way in my day." 

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

If you are in need of divine rest, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any unconfessed sins, and confess them.  Then declare Psalm 91:1-2 over yourself, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty" and Isaiah 32:18, "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."

May God's unfailing love rest upon you, and may you enter into His resting place safe, secure and highly favored until you journey home to have eternal rest with Jesus.

:angel:

Week of December 26
Service

"This service that you have performed is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."  ~ 2 Corinthians 9:12 (NIV)

Service is a form of work, and work is a form of praise.  This important word, in its various forms, appears in the NIV Bible over 1,100 times. 

Some of us work in the military service, public service, civil service, customer service, church services, even at service stations.  1 Corinthians 12:5 tells us that there are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  To serve God's way means to do so from a generous heart of love.  And to divinely serve, we must first understand the nature and character of a willing servant: 

John 12:26 says, "Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be . . ."  A servant partners intimately with God. 

Matthew 20:26 says, ". . . whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."  A servant is humble.

Luke 12:35 says, "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning."  A servant is prepared and vigilant.



Matthew 20:28 says, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."  A servant sacrifices lovingly.

God rewards His faithful and loving servants with an inheritance (Is. 65:9).   He protects them and vindicates them (Is. 54:17).  He redeems them (Ps. 34:22).  He recognizes them (1Cor. 16:18).  He promotes them (Matt. 24:45, Jh. 15:15, Phil. 2:9).  And He gives them righteousness and peace (Rom. 14:17-18). 

The Bible speaks of how rare servant leadership has been in Biblical times and continues to be today in Luke 22:26 (see NIV note) as defined in 1 Peter 5:2—to be willing, eager examples, not lording their authority over those whom God has entrusted in their care.  Those of us who have worked under difficult bosses understand what this means.

God cultivated a servant's heart in me during my many years of working as a flight attendant, where seniority reigned, and I was presented with plenty of opportunities to serve hundreds of people a day.  This was a very humbling job assignment that involved picking up trash, aiding sick passengers and serving food and drink, frequently on little sleep in cramped, hot spaces.  Even though I would often jokingly say that it was my indentured servant job—meaning that I worked to travel—I knew in my heart that God had me there to work in me and through me. 

Luke 22:26-27 puts it in perspective: ". . . the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?  Is it not the one who is at the table?  But I am among you as the one who serves." 

Indeed, true divine service is both a noble and humble action.  It involves doing that which the Father instructs us to do with faithfulness and wholeheartedness (1Sam. 12:24), praise and obedience (Ps. 103:2). 

And attitude matters.  Philippians 2:5 tells us that our "attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus," which is one of humility.  Romans 14:17-18 tells us that when we live righteously, peacefully and joyfully, we are "pleasing to God and approved by men."  This is a key to getting along with others.  Proverbs 14:35 says, "A king delights in a wise servant."  Now here is a precept for getting promoted.

In John 15:15, Jesus calls His servants His "friends" because true servants of Christ are also His true friends in that they are so intimately involved with Him that they know His business.  They are His inner circle or "inner court."

Can we say that we honestly know Christ's business?  Are we part of His inner court?  Do we intimately partner with Him to do Kingdom work?  Are we His wise and humble servants?  May we invite Him to have more of our heart, to guide us in doing and being more like Him so that we can soar in true service to His glory.

:angel:

Week of January 2
Overcoming

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne."   ~ Rev. 3:21

Jesus invites us to overcome everything with which the enemy tries to defeat us.  He is the ultimate overcomer, our finest example.  Through Him, nothing is impossible.

When Jesus overcame the enemy's death trap through The Father's resurrection plan, He was promoted beyond what we can measure.  He transcended into the Father's throne room, despite the enemy's devices to stop Him, to render Him powerless.  Likewise, when we choose obedience over sin, we by-pass deadly consequences (Rom. 6:23), pass the test and come closer to the Father.  We receive a divine reward that no man can match and no enemy can destroy.

Too often, the enemy has caused us pain and distress, effectively limiting us from moving efficiently in the Lord's plan.  Some form of iniquity—whether committed by us or generations before us—is often at the root.  Left unrepented, the consequences of these sins operate in our lives long-term, and they can do so without our awareness.

I Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy prowls like a roaring lion, waiting to devour us.  Luke 10:19 tells us that Jesus has given us the power to overcome the enemy.  Will we open the door and invite the enemy in through sin?  Or will we be vigilant and obedient?  If we fall, we must choose repentance quickly so the enemy cannot get a stronghold in our hearts and in our lives.

I John 5:4 tells us that everyone who accepts Jesus overcomes the world.  The love of God strengthens us through the Holy Spirit in us, while Jesus intercedes for us in the throne room.  Wherever there is temptation, therein lies the enemy.  And the Lord always provides an escape.  Question is: Do we love God enough to choose to flee?  Or do we love the world's "pleasures" more?  And if we choose the world's way, how long will we remain in the pit before repenting?  Before overcoming?

Where there is choice, there is freedom, love and consequence.  Some consequences can last a lifetime, or even steal our lives.  Must we learn lessons the painful and untimely way?

When I think of overcoming, most often, supernatural healing comes to mind.  Many people e-mail me, sharing their healing testimonies that can only be explained by God's supernatural love.  With every story of how God brought them out of disability, I am amazed at how much Jesus loves us.

Overcoming is often a journey of pursuing the heart and face of God (Jer. 29:11-14).  This is especially true concerning long-term illnesses, including emotional injuries where, through counseling and deliverance, God strips off layers of bondage that has piled up over time.  In my own journeys, I have often prayed, "Lord, please lead me to the sources and resources that can help me, and enable me to receive all that You have for me."  God has always been faithful to answer this prayer, leading me to just the right person, tape, book, scripture, etc. that encourages and teaches me.

If you have seen patterns of bondage in your life, such as addictions, poverty, emotional injury, job loss, and so on, know there is a way out, and your loving Father has a plan to free you through His son, Jesus.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sins and generational iniquities to you.  Then break agreement with those issues, forgiving the forefathers all the way back to Adam.  Ask Jesus to help you walk in His freedom, discipline and blessings.  Exercise your faith, and know that you are loved and that His help is ever-present.

:angel:

 Week of January 9
Truth

"Teach me your way, Oh Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."  ~ Psalm 86:11

Recently, I drove to my local mall on a quest to find a bottle of Calvin Klein's Truth cologne for my husband.  He had run out, and it was two days before Christmas.  I managed to press through crowds of holiday shoppers at Macy's and up to the nearest cosmetic counter.  Overwhelmed, I asked the nearest cosmetic girl, "Do you have any Truth?" 

My heart pounded as she replied, "They discontinued it!"

"What!" I retorted.  "I can't believe they discontinued Truth!" 

The cosmetic girl then quickly reached for a gift box from underneath a pile on the countertop.  "There's one box left," she said, handing it to me.

Just as this uncovered gift of Truth restored my peace of mind, I was reminded - in a most amusing way - that God's truth sets us free.   

The Holy Spirit has a way of testing our hearts to reveal the untruths that keep us in bondage, the half-hearted commitments that lurk to derail our relationships, those little but important nuances that distance us from Him. 

Consider Sapphira in Acts 5 who, along with her husband, fell dead before the church after lying to the Holy Spirit.  Seem harsh?  Maybe to us, but God knows just what He's doing—all the time.  The NIV tells us that such dire consequences were necessary for God to demonstrate to the church at the outset that dishonesty is unprofitable and intolerable.

And Romans 6:23 warns us that "the wages of sin is death."  We often don't think of this literally in modern society.  But God has ways of stressing His point with great clarity.  And often He will reveal matters of the heart publicly if they are not dealt with privately.

God has a timeline, and He's right on time.  Anything in our hearts that cause us to interfere with His timing and will must go.  God is all about moving forward, taking us from glory to glory, resetting our hearts and minds on higher things and helping us reach our destiny.  He loves us too much to let us stay stuck. 

What happened to Sapphira made a lasting impression to the onlookers that, no doubt, impacted their walk greatly.  I believe that the God of truth's glory was so great in that church at that time that no one could have stood in His presence and lied and survived. 

As we move through 2011, may we continually hearken to the truth of Deuteronomy 30:19, which advises us to "choose life," not only for the purpose of receiving God's finest blessings and profitability but to simply honor the God who loves us in wholehearted truth.
:angel:

Week of January 16
Strength

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  ~ Isaiah 40:31             

Eagles can soar above storms.  They can ascend to heights that other fowl cannot.  And they represent what we can do through the Lord as our strength.             

Strength is a reward and a byproduct of obedience.  Joshua 1:7 says, "Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."  God reiterates "be strong" in verse 9.             

Remember when Sampson revealed the secret of his strength to Delilah who deceived and betrayed him (Jud. 16:17)?  Sin weakened him.  But afterwards, amid horrible consequences, when he prayed, God still accomplished His purpose by taking down the enemy.  Even if we lose our strength, God's power is made perfect in our weakness to accomplish His purposes (2 Cor. 12:9).             

1 Chronicles 16:11 says to "look to the Lord and His strength."  That's what Sampson did (Jud. 16:28).             

Strength is empowered by love.  The Sampson and Delilah story is the flesh or sin representation of this.  Conversely, God speaks of His loving relationship with us in Deuteronomy 6:5 and His strength, presence, love, deliverance and inheritance for the Israelites in Deuteronomy 4:37-38 where He went before them to drive out strong nations to set the captives free.               

Strength is activated by faith.  Hebrews 11:32-34 tells of great conquerers, like Gideon, David, Samuel and the prophets, and how their weaknesses turned to strength by calling on the Lord.             

Strength is expanded by wisdom.  Proverbs 24:5 tells us that "a man of knowledge increases his strength."  Knowledge is ammunition.  It is a tool that God can use through us.  Remember, there's nothing holy about ignorance.  Proverbs 21:22 tells us that a wise man can pull down strongholds in a mighty city.             

Our greatest source of our strength comes from above.  1 Corinthians 1:25 says, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."               

It was the Father's strength that raised Jesus from the dead and placed Him above all things at His right side (Eph. 19:21). 

The Apostle Paul understood this kind of strength when he said, "I can do everything [that pleases God] through [Christ] who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13).             

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Science now understands that when we are joyful, chemicals are released in our brain which gives us increased vigor, focus and motivation.               

What particular kind of strength do you need in your workplace?  Endurance, patience, confidence, knowledge?  Perhaps it's even physical strength.  Whatever we need, the Lord our God, our Strong Tower, is faithful to provide for the asking.   

Let us remember Isaiah 41:10, which says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

:angel:

Week of January 23
Tenacity

"Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well."  ~ Mark 6:56 (NKJV)

Tenacity means to cling to a belief without doubting.  It is a set kind of faith, a determination that doesn't waver.  It takes a lot of tenacity to believe for a healing touch when we are sick, when our physical bodies suggest hopelessness, when we have waited a long time.   

But our Father made divine healing a commodity through Jesus.  In the marketplaces—the center of business—divine healings were common and useful for building people's faith and winning souls, for setting people free from the bondage of disease, for restoring them to productivity and for the purpose of spreading the good news.  Miraculous wonders of healing were evidence that Jesus was who He said He was.

Hebrews 13:8 enlightens us that "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  Indeed, He heals today.  His power hasn't changed since He walked through marketplaces full of sick people on earth.  Still, all we need is one touch from Him. 

Tenacious faith is exhibited profoundly in the testimony of the woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 9:20).  The Bible tells us that she was sick for 12 years.  We don't know at what rate blood drained out of her body, but we do know that blood is life.  Surely, her faith was tested as she felt the very life drain out of her. 

But, according to the Amplified Bible, she kept saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to health" (Matt. 9:21).  Her declarations of divine truth built her faith and determination above her natural circumstances, which kept her going to the point of receiving complete healing.  Touching the hem of Jesus' garment brings perfect restoration to people (Matt. 14:36).  But we must journey forth, reach out and connect.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 tells us that when we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him.  And in His presence, His hem is available to us.

To be sure, Jesus heals in many ways, and, I believe, in His appointed time.  Like salvation, healing is a faith journey extended from the very heart of God's love, grace and mercy.  But do we have the tenacity to see it through?  How deep and how far are we willing to journey in our commitment to the kind of faith that brings life and restoration?

Surely, God has called us to tenacious faith.  Do we humbly present or "lay" people from our assigned workplaces before Jesus?  Do we desperately beseech Him for a healing touch?  Do we have a heart for others to be healed, a heart for doing the work of Jesus?

So often, the Lord has shown me that when I step out in faith and pray for the restoration of others, He rewards me by caring for my needs.  Tenacity is about selflessness.  It is about choosing to believe the truth of God's divine precepts over natural circumstances.  And it's about taking courage to journey forth with Jesus no matter what.

Regarding divine healing, tenacity allows us to confront and overcome all root causes of diseases, such as unforgiveness and other unconfessed sin.  It keeps us going to completion.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6).  Won't you bring life to someone in your workplace through a tenacious heart for Jesus?

:angel:

Week of January 30
Humility 

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  ~Col. 3:12

Very recently, God sent me back into the workforce.  One of many things He said to me beforehand was "Humility."  What I sensed that meant for me was that He purposed this job assignment to do a work of humility in me and that humility would be a key for survival.  Whoa, was He right!

Divine humility is the opposite of pride.  It is confidence in God, not self.  It is unpretentiousness at its finest.  It was the walk of Jesus, and it can be ours if we choose it or, as in my case, thrust into it.

Contrary to some beliefs, true humility is not passive, pathetic or weak.  Rather, it is divinely powerful.  It does not pause at or placate to foolishness.  Rather, it ushers in unity.  It does not damage us or grieve the Holy Spirit.  Rather, it honors God, and God, in turn, honors us when we exercise it according to His plan (Prov. 15:33).  Like truth, humility is a swift and divine weapon of righteousness, unity, love and wisdom that we can choose to wield.

Many of us understand that we are to humble ourselves before the Lord.  But what about choosing humility in the face of false accusers, persecutors, people who intend to harm us?  People who compete with us?  People who react out of fear and insecurity?  The ones the enemy uses to separate believers and thwart divine plans.  The ones God uses to test us?  Jesus chose humility.  His example was an important demonstration for us, a divine strategy, an assignment from The Father.

Surely, as He painfully hung on the cross with undeserved insults hurled at Him, His flesh and His heart ached for relief.  But He knew He was on a high mission to save a world of people for generations.  He knew His role of obedience and love, of priority, of divine purpose.  He knew divine truth in the face of ignorance.  He knew His Father and the humbling power of His love and mercy, and He was obedient to the call, even though it opposed man's limited understanding.

Jesus did not fall to the enemy's devices.  He needed no man's approval, only His Father's.  He trusted in His Father's plan.  He understood that humbling Himself unto the Father also meant responding with humility to man (Titus 3:2).  He knew that God's grace would sufficiently carry Him through the mission and that His divine purpose would be fulfilled regardless of man's actions.  Indeed, God was in control.

It is difficult to provoke a truly humble person into a dispute because they will lean into God's powerful love, peace and mercy when attacked, just like Jesus.  Simply put: Humble people do not react to other people's issues.  They are not controlled by them.  They respond in the Spirit because they do not feel the need to prove their worth to others.  They know their security and identity rests in Christ, even if others do not.  They are committed to the Lord's ways, and they are purposed.  They are too dedicated in seeking the Lord's righteousness and humility to give way to futile, self-exalting spats.  They hold onto God's power like a lifeline, and they are not willing to foolishly let it go.

You will know humble people by the fruit they bear and the mercy, peace and sincerity they exhibit (James 3:13-18).  This is because God can work His virtues through a humble person, whereas, with a prideful person, this cannot be.  Rather, selfishness rules, leaving little space for God to operate.  When we choose selfishness, we get what we choose: Our limitations.

Conversely, the humble journey is a true adventure.  There is great freedom and excitement in soaring with our trustworthy God.  Yielded to Him, He will take us higher than we can venture on our own or even imagine.  Yielded to Him, we receive His supernatural power, favor, rewards, strength, provision, love, grace, mercy and strategies to complete divinely-appointed assignments that are larger than we.  Is there any greater thrill?

Who among us couldn't use more divine humility?  I am challenged daily to respond to circumstances like Jesus, in His strength, His power and His love.  It is a process, a lifestyle, a series of moment-by-moment choices, a walk.  If you would like to break out of the prison of limitation, repent and take hold of the Lord's hand.  Choose to trust Him.  Soar with Him.  And prepare to be awed like never before!

:angel:

Week of February 6
Relationship

"The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him."  ~ Galatians 3:11 (The Message)

Oh the power of relationship.  From our primary and everlasting relationship with the Lord to working relationships and intimate relationships, we are blessed by those which God arranges in so many ways.

Often, God sets us up with people who greatly influence our lives—bosses, leaders, mentors, co-workers, family members and even those who appear to have little power.

And He always works in us and through us simultaneously.  His purposes are mighty and far reaching, often influencing nations of people.  And they always require obedience.

Consider Ester and her cousin Mordecai.  Ester 8:1 says, "And Mordecai came before the king because Ester had explained their relationship."

This was no accident.  It was a set up or an "arrangement" by God for purposes bigger than either of them. 

Mordecai was not only Ester's blood relative and adoptive parent, he was her advisor, confidant and informant (Es. 2:10, 20-23).  God strategically assigned them to work together—one inside and one outside of the king's palace—as His secret agents for the higher purpose of freeing a nation of Jews.

Although their missions felt risky to them, their faith in the Lord and trust in each other had been established (Es. 2:11).  Indeed, God knew just what they needed, how circumstances would unfold and which emotions would be pricked as His process for ultimate deliverance took place.

Mordecai and Ester honored God and consulted Him on strategy (Es. 4:16).  And God never forsook them along their journey.  They remained loyal to God and to each other throughout, no matter how hopeless things appeared, even as the power of their positions shifted (Es. 4:17).

God honored them in return with His divine favor, wisdom and life, perfectly advancing them amid the enemy's deception and plot to kill Mordecai (Es. 5:2-14).

Desperate, Mordecai waited on God, urgently standing at the king's gate again and again.  He never gave up.  And when the time was right, God exposed His truth of evil through them (Es. 7:6).  God's justice was accomplished (Es. 7:10), Mordecai was promoted (Es. 8:2, 15, 9:4, 10:2-3), and the Jews were ultimately set free (Es. 9:1, 5).

Throughout their assignment, Ester and Mordecai remained obedient to God.  They lived in right relationship with Him by embracing what God had arranged for them in advance.

When God assigns us to relationships, He always purposes them beyond what we know at the outset.  One of my favorite (and usually desperate) prayers is, "Lord, reveal to me Your divine purpose in this.  Let me see it as You do.  Give me Your divine understanding.  Open my eyes, and help me to receive Your revelations and stay on track."

God loves it when we humble ourselves and seek His heart and His purposes for each arranged assignment in our lives.  He honors us and blesses for seeking His face and for desiring earnestly to be obedient and serve Him, placing His ways above our own.

Ester and Mordecai stepped into a risky life-or-death journey.  The only way they could get through it successfully was to carefully obey God in their relationship with each other and with Him.

What arrangements are you involved in?  Are they divinely assigned or ones of your own making?  How's your relationship with God and others?  Do they honor Him?

If you're not sure, our Divine Creator has all the answers, and He's waiting to reveal them to you for the asking.  May you be blessed and walk in divine peace and purpose in all your arrangements.

:angel:

Week of February 13
Intimacy

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."  ~ Mark 7:6 (NIV)

Jesus spoke against the traditions of the temple elders that denied His Father's commands in their worship.  Their unrepentant hearts were prophesied in Isaiah 29 and resulted in consequences of judgment upon them.

Moses experienced a similar confrontation in Numbers 16 with appointed councilmen, who were deceived in their minds and hearts, convinced they were holy among themselves.  In verses 31-35, we see God do a bit of house cleaning among this relentless leadership, as each one instantly perished in an earthquake.   

God's truth is that we can only come close to Him by being chosen by Him. Jeremiah 30:21 says that God causes us to draw near.   The councilmen were not chosen by God to have the same anointing or assignment as Moses.  It was not their place to elevate themselves above the role in which God had placed them.  Likewise, we are not worthy to come close to God except through His covenant with His Son, Jesus Christ.

In Romans 7:7-25 the Apostle Paul explains this principle in painstaking detail, confessing in verse 24, "What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord."

When we obediently choose to draw near to God through Jesus, we receive life, rewards and blessings in great abundance.  We thrive!  We move toward our divine destiny.  And a surrendered heart opens the door.

David understood this.  He declared to God in Psalm 50:6, "Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart."  Later in verse 10 he boldly beseeches God by saying, "Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me." 

When we come close to God through Jesus, He will make known to us His mysteries through revelation (Eph. 3:3).  What better place to be than understanding the wisdom of God that He longs to give us and to know His love that surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:19).

Not surprising, the word intimacy is from the Latin words "intimare," which means "to make known" (as in reveal Himself) and from "intimus," which means "innermost" (as in holy of holies, heart).

To be intimate means to have a close personal relationship, to be thorough as in having an extensive knowledge or experience, to be connected through influence (of God), involving the innermost nature (spirit, soul, heart).  It means having a quiet or private atmosphere and a personal or private utterance (prayer) or action (praise, worship).

Where there is intimacy, there is power; there is grace; there is peace. To get in position to receive God's fullness of power, we must exercise faith, respect, reverence, communication and honor.  When we love God, we listen to Him.  We care what He has to say.  His heart is important to us, much more than our own.  We regard Him as higher than ourselves.  And life becomes all about Him.

Psalm 73:28 assures us it is good to draw near to God.  Isaiah 58:2 confirms it is a delight to draw near to God.  As we choose to do this through Jesus, we can lay claim to the truth of John 7:38, which says, "He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as in the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow springs and rivers of living water."

:angel:

Week of February 20
Unity

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them in all together in perfect unity."  ~ Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV) 

In Colossians 3:1-17, the Apostle Paul offers up these Rules for Holy Living.  As we read them, may we be reminded that, as Christians, we are chosen and assigned by God to our places and positions of work.  These scriptures offer a roadmap to getting along with our cohort's, who are also divinely-assigned, and to thriving in our careers God's way . . .     

"Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things . . .

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry . . . you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other . . . put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator . . . Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Unity is important to God.  In order to achieve it in a work environment, we must work out issues that arise with others through forgiveness, truth and love.  Simultaneously, we must overcome our own fears, insecurities and baggage and lean into God to remove the obstacles that are out of our control.  Our attitudes and commitment to God's ways, along with the levels of dysfunction within us, others and the organization, can determine how hard and how long our journey will be.

When God assigns us to usher new order and breakthrough into a work environment, our roles are usually challenging and require fortitude and perseverance.  Oftentimes, this feels like anything but God's doing.

But if we commit ourselves to remaining in our divinely-assigned role, moving forward in God's purposes, we will witness Him break obstacles and make a way to unity (God's finest), which can involve changing people's hearts and attitudes, promoting people or reassigning those who, by their free will choice, are not willing to cooperate. 

Therefore, unity is often a process.  And in this process, God forges us, our co-workers, our leaders and our organizations often through the heat of pressure.  The reason He has us in this vice is because He's trying to teach us, purify us and position us for promotion.  But are we willing to be teachable?  Are we willing to die to the limitation of selfishness?

I love the NIV note for verse 15, which tells us that the peace that only Christ can give us is to prevail in all human relationships, like an umpire over an attitude of bitterness and quarrelsomeness.  Where there is disunity, there is disconnection, fragmentation, a loss of synergy, of power.  It is a place where the enemy thrives to negate the plans of God.

The path to unity is through repentance, forgiveness, cooperation and a commitment to journey God's way through the circumstances that surround us by His leading, no matter what.

If you find yourself in a chaotic work environment, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what your divine assignment is.  Ask Him to reveal to you strategic keys.  Ask Him how to pray, what He desires for you to learn.  Then ask Him to help you receive what He wants you to so that you do not have to journey around the mountain repeatedly.  Walk in humility and confession.  Praise the Lord in the midst.  Submit to the Lord's ways, and enter into the place of peace where God leads you.  Then watch the favor of God manifest on your behalf.

:angel:

Week of February 27
Beauty

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  ~ Proverbs 31:30 

God is the essence of beauty, and He longs to share His beauty with us.  When we accept Jesus, His beauty resides within us.  And if we revere Him, we will mirror His beauty from the inside out.  This is God's desire.

Consider Esther.  Although she was physically beautiful, Esther also glowed with an inner beauty that was established and purposed by God before she ever entered the king's palace (Es. 2:7, 15).  She won the king's favor and approval because she was on a mission from God to save His and her people.  And God's hand of favor and protection was upon her as she consistently made right choices, yielding to the Father's will.

Esther understood wisdom as is evident by how she followed her uncle Mordecai's counsel to not reveal her identity and the eunich Hegai's suggestion to not ask for anything when she came before the king (Es. 2:10-11, 15).  Esther understood the wisdom of 1Peter 3:4, ". . . the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."  And she also understood the power of revering God through fasting (Es. 4:16).

Esther had substance, and her beauty was a power tool used by God to accomplish His will to save a nation.

How is God using your beauty?  Likewise, how are you using your beauty?

Contrary to the nobleness of Esther, the once perfect (Ps. 50:2) but fast fleeting beauty of Jerusalem is described in Ezekiel 16 as prostitution.  When we "trust in our beauty and use our fame to become a prostitute" (vs. 15), our beauty becomes pillaged by the enemies of destruction and death.  Our own disobedience and idolatry to ungodly pleasures opens the door, giving the devil a legal right to "pimp" us out, leaving us depleted, defiled and disgusted.

As we journey through life, what will we choose?  Perfect beauty or prostitution? 

If the latter has been your choice (even if not in the literal sense), there is freedom through repentance and restoration.

The beauty of God is everlasting.  It doesn't fade.  It is perfect.  In this, we have hope.

Lamentations 3:22-26 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." 

May we choose to honor God by living in the nobility of a yielded heart, mind and body and therefore embrace His full measure of reigning beauty for His glory.

:angel:

Week of March 6
Temperance

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  ~ I Thessalonians 5:8

Temperance is restraint in the face of temptation.  It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23 KJV).  The root word "temper" originally meant "mixture" in Latin.  As Christians, we are an amalgam of body, soul and spirit.  And it is God in us who gives us harmony, who guides us and enables us to live temperate lives.  To Him, we must yield.

If we look at the Old Testament, unleavened cakes and wafers were "tempered with oil" and "anointed with oil" (Ex. 29:2).  In these simple passages lives so much meaning.  Just as the wheat and the oil were combined to complete a substance that would sustain life, the bread of life (Jesus) and the anointing oil (the Holy Spirit) sustains us in times of trouble, in the dry desert journeys, in the face of the tempter, Satan.

Although God is always in control, He allows us to journey through difficult circumstances to temper us, to cause us to reach for Him and depend upon Him with a great urgency and intensity for help.  God's firing or tempering process prepares us for the next promotion.  It challenges us to reach the next glory and obtain a higher level of purity and holiness (Ex. 30:35-37).  Yielding to the Holy Spirit brings us into greater composure, which positions us for action (I Peter 1:13) in an upcoming season.

I recall an occasion when a friend of mind received a major breakthrough in her career.  She had been under the authority of a boss from whom she felt great heaviness and oppression on a daily basis.  Yes, she was being tempered.  I watched her at church each week as she journeyed through this dry place.  I saw tears of desperation fall from her cheeks.  I saw her heart cry out to God for relief.  And I saw her offer sacrifices of praise to the Lord while in the midst of emotional pressure and pain.

Many interceded for her, including myself.  And on the day that she was offered a new job, which was unbeknownst to me at the time, the Lord showed me that because she sought His heart with all of her heart, and because she was faithful to stay the course and exhibit love in the process, He shielded her from undue harm and was promoting her to be in authority over others.

Indeed, God must temper us to be leaders (2 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:7).  We cannot do it alone, only through His grace (Titus 2:12).

Inasmuch, God recently sent me back out into the job market.  After seven weeks of intense training, during which I had to lean into the Lord for His grace, my boss turned to me and quickly said, "You're going to be mastered by fire."  I knew just what she meant.

Consider Proverbs 25:28 (NIV): "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."  My friend, in her flesh alone, surely felt like retaliating towards her boss.  And without the Holy Spirit's strength and guidance, she would have been defenseless and disgraced, like a city without walls.  But because she persevered by leaning to God, she finished the journey rewarded by promotion and surrounded by His glory.

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) says, "It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city."  My friend chose to be patient in the suffering.  She believed that God's power was more than enough to defeat the enemy who attacked her.  And she waited upon God until He brought her to complete victory.  Such character development readied her to carry out her next divine assignment.

If you are being tempered, know that the process will not continue longer than God apportions.  Take courage and know that He is fighting your battles for you and that you will reign victorious if you persevere to the finish.

:angel:

Week of March 13
Understanding

Acquire wisdom!  Acquire understanding!  Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth."  ~ Proverbs 4:5 (NASB)

God desires for us to wait until we hear from Him before we act.  He wants us to listen and to "get it."  He wants us to receive His revelation, His instruction and His understanding.  Sometimes He speaks to us quickly, and sometimes God takes His time.  But no matter how long He takes, we are to "not . . . turn away from the words of My mouth," (Prov. 4:5).  We are to "get understanding" (Prov. 4:7). 

The alternative is to miss God's finest, to be foolish, to do it quick and cheap—our way (Eph. 5:17, Prov. 3:5-6, 18:2).

Early last week, I found myself engaged in a long conversation with a ministry leader concerning many topics.  As I listened to him speak, I could easily see that he had acquired a great deal of knowledge, wisdom and understanding over the years.  The presence and the peace of the Lord in the room was profound, and the Lord showed me that this man was very anointed by God.

One testimony he shared with me particularly stood out:  When I asked him how he knew and understood so much about the Bible—revelation wisdom I had never heard from any other source—he accredited seeking the understanding of the Lord.  He said that years ago, he and his cousin would pore over the Bible, maps, commentaries and other resources and would seek the Lord for hours to help them receive a deep understanding of the Lord's messages.   As always, the Lord was faithful to deliver.

I understood that the key here is the time factor.  God speaks to us in many ways, but sometimes, it is necessary to "press in," to fervently seek Him over time in order to gain deeper levels of understanding.

The issue is: Are we willing to spend the time?  It is our heart's desire to sincerely know Him better?  His ways?  His messages?  His revelation understanding that will change our lives?

If we read further in Proverbs chapter 4, we see that if we walk in divine wisdom and understanding, the Lord will reward us.  He will exalt us and honor us (vs. 8), He will crown us with His grace and beauty (vs. 9), He will give us a long life (vs. 10), He will cause our paths to be clear (vs. 12-13).  Essentially, He will promote us.

Surely, spending intimate time with the Lord is a treasure that brings treasures.  It is a double blessing not to be missed.  It is a divine gift.

In the times when I have felt like I do not have time to spend with the Lord, and I have chosen to do it anyway, I have felt anxiety and pressures give way to the Lord's peace and grace.  And in that time, He always reminds me that had I not spent that time, I would not have received His greater intimacy, His greater understanding of who He is and what He wants me to know.  I realize this is so precious, so important, so critical to the heart of God.

If you are experiencing spiritual dryness where you feel distant from the Lord's presence and you cannot even hear God's voice clearly, I encourage you to submit to spending more intimate time with Him.  There, you will be refreshed; you will come into His peace; you will receive revelation instructions, strategies and understanding that will propel you forward in your divine destiny.  There is no shortcut.  There is no cheap substitute.

:angel:

Week of March 20
Persecution

You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.  ~ Psalm 71:21 (NKJV)

When we are persecuted whether in our workplaces or otherwise, our hearts turn to urgent cries and pleas for God's rescue.   As we are in the midst of such suffering and pain, we can quickly forget about God's purpose, grace, hope, comfort and restoration.  Yet the Bible reminds us that He is with us in tribulation and that after we suffer a little while, He will restore us (1Peter 5:10).  This truth we must cling to.

I recall a season in my life of intense persecution that lasted 18 months.  The Holy Spirit revealed to me that this was a period of spiritual development.  I learned that more than spiritual growth, spiritual development requires greater resistance, much like body building in the physical realm.  And just as in an intense weightlifting workout, I anticipated the end of each strain and each pain because what truly lasted a little while seemed like an eternity.

As I cried out to the Lord to rescue me daily, my personal trainer, the Holy Spirit, encouraged me via scriptures, teachings, visions, prophecies and signs and wonders.  In addition to Psalm 71:21, He gave me another key scripture, Romans 12:12 which says, "rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer" (NASB).  He led me to proclaim this verse daily, to pray for understanding and to praise Him sacrificially.

Toward the end of this developmental journey, the Holy Spirit gave me the understanding that my heart had to be crucified in order for me to enter into a greater level of love for others and for God.  He taught me to truly love those who persecuted me and to earnestly confess, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34, KJV).  He also taught me that Christ Himself suffered greater pain, which humbled me and put my circumstances into perspective.  In this light of understanding, I was able to choose to rejoice in having participated in the sufferings of Christ (1Peter 4:13).  And when the journey ended, I knew that I had come closer to the Father in a way that was new to me.

Indeed, the Lord brought me through a journey of greater dependence, comfort, patience and endurance (2Corinthians 1:7).  He gave me a greater understanding and a greater vision of His perspective concerning love, and He restored my heart.  Indeed, His glory was revealed.

If you are being persecuted, ask the Lord to reveal His purpose to you.  Ask Him to fill you with His strength of joy in the midst and enable you to understand what is happening so that you may receive His full measure of glory.

:angel:

Week of March 27
Joy

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound."  ~Psalm 4:7

Our Heavenly Father created us with an ability to experience joy.  We know when we have it, and we know when we don't.  And even though we can receive enjoyment from our loved ones, activities, work or even material things, only the Lord gives us everlasting joy.  It comes through receiving all of Him, beginning with the joy of salvation and redemption.

Remember the children's song that goes, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay"?  How profound this simple truth is.  For when we sincerely accept Jesus into our hearts, so, too, do we invite His joy.

Like peace, the Lord's joy is found in His presence.  It is a divine gift, a byproduct of His love.  Joy is cyclical.  It propels God's heart to move on our behalf and our hearts to move on His.  He plants joy in our hearts, and we give it back to Him through actions of praise and worship and a walk of obedience.

The joy of the Lord is powerful.  It is described as "complete" (Jh. 15:11), "exceeding" (Ps. 43:4), "filling" (Ps. 126:3), "everlasting" and "overwhelming" (Ps. 35:10).

And as we come closer to His joyful presence, He pours out His divine favor upon us.

Consider the Psalmists.  David said in Psalm 16:11, "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy . . . "

Psalm 45:7 says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows.

Psalm 97:11 says, "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.  Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name."

The joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) intended for sharing.  Pouring out joy imparts joy.  Ever notice how difficult it is to be down when in the presence of God's joy that pours through someone else?

Even when we sin, the Lord provides a restoration of joy for those who repent.

Consider the exiled Israelites in Nehemiah who lost their joy and their homeland to disobedience.  When Nehemiah repented on his and their behalf, God, in His unending mercy, led them to restore Jerusalem's wall with His hand of favor upon them, and they celebrated with "great" joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 says, " . . . Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  Choose joy.

Moreover, obedience invites the reward of complete joy (Jn. 15:10-11).  May we press through any blockages of sin for the fullness of the Lord's reward.

Since the Holy Spirit who resides in us brings joy (Luke 10:21), no one can diminish it unless we allow access.

May we hold fast to the resounding joy of the Lord.  It is our divine, prevailing strength.  It keeps our hearts built up, soaring above the pit of despair, propelling us in His glory to work unto Him and to reach others.  All that's required is that we simply remain in close relationship with Him.

:angel:

Week of April 3
New Beginnings

"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come . . ."  ~ Isaiah 46:10

New beginnings often feel great.  Filled with excitement and relief, we get to leave the past behind and enter into a new season with great anticipation, hope and promise, with a new vision.  Job promotions, weddings and childbirths are prominent examples.

But for some, beginnings can feel treacherous.  Letting go of comfortable, established relationships—colleagues, family members, homes and jobs—can force us to confront anxiety, uncertainty and even fear of the unknown.

As in all new seasons, our only certainty and security is found in God.  To Him, we must cling as we journey forth over every hill and valley ahead.

Consider Joseph.

Joseph's young life began just prior to God setting him and his family free on a new beginning back to their native land (Gen. 30:25, 31:3).  Highly favored by both his Heavenly and earthly fathers, and hated and betrayed by his brothers, Joseph was eventually sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites, which began his journey to Egypt (Gen. 37:27).  Once there, he was resold to Potiphar, where he began a journey of slavery (Gen. 37:36).

In the beginning of Joseph's enslavement, Potiphar saw God's favor upon him and placed him in the highest position over his household and all his possessions (Gen. 39:3-4).

Even when Potiphar's wife betrayed Joseph, which began his prison term, the warden took notice of God's favor upon him, putting Joseph in charge of other prisoners right at the outset (Gen. 39:23).

And immediately after interpreting Pharoh's dream, Joseph was placed in charge over Egypt (Gen. 41:43).  In the beginning of his new position of authority, he also began a marriage journey.  Then a travel journey over Egypt.  And then a journey of parenting.

Holding onto God from the beginning and throughout, Joseph forgot all his troubles and became fruitful in the land of his suffering (Gen. 41:51-52).  Coming full circle, Joseph was able to feed the very brothers who betrayed him, sustaining their lives.

No matter what his circumstances, Joseph was blessed from every beginning.  Determined to do the right thing, he handled his journeys with kindness, obedience, longsuffering, trust and patience.  He was tested and refined.  Crafted and fired, he emerged an overseer of a nation, blessing those who persecuted him.  Holding tight to his faithful God along the way, Joseph was consistently promoted and rewarded.

Only through obedience to God can we maintain divine favor from beginning to end amid our circumstances.  God is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 21:6).  It's simply a matter of whether we will cooperate His way along the way, even if it seems that so many of our new beginnings occur after a catalyst of discord.

If you find yourself in the starting blocks of a new beginning, placed there by God, choose to trust Him no matter what.  Know that He has purposed your journey, that He is in control and that He has a plan, even if a catalyst of chaos, betrayal and despair try to overtake you.  If you remain obedient to God, you will see His purposes and blessings unfold and receive all the abundance and reward that He has for you, ultimately forgetting all the injustices that occur along the way.

:angel:

Week of April 10
Divine Tests

"His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work."  ~ 1 Corinthians 3:13

New beginnings excite us, and we are awed when the Holy Spirit touches us with new assignments and fresh revelations through God's word or in another creative way.  But have you noticed that after you receive these assignments and revelations, you are put to a test?

Tests are necessary to train us and to strengthen us for the purpose of advancing our own spirit, soul and body as well as to advance those things outside of ourselves, like other people, nations, businesses, communities, ministries, careers, even a geographic region.  God will test our obedience to His directives, and He will use other people and circumstances in the process (Judges 3:1-4).

Because of their "unknown" nature, tests usually provoke fear and anxiety within us.  We only have to look as far as our last exam administered in school or college as a simple example.  God uses tests to challenge us to overcome obstacles (like lack of knowledge), to position us to trust Him in new areas so that, with Him, we can accomplish new assignments.  Though the test-taking process can, at times, feel either burdensome or exhilarating, once we pass, we advance to the next level, where we will again be tested.  Entrepreneurs frequently experience this process in business as they journey from visions to ventures.

If you look up the word "test" in any dictionary, you will find a long list of definitions.  Here are some of the ones I like from Encarta: "An often difficult situation or event that will provide information about somebody or something; a procedure to ascertain the presence of or the properties of a particular substance; a declaration, demonstration, or oath of conformity or loyalty; to make considerable demands on somebody, particularly somebody's skills or abilities; testimony; testament."

David earnestly invited and submitted to God's examination in Psalm 139:23-24 saying, ". . . test me and know my anxious thoughts . . ."  The NIV note to this scripture is particularly interesting.  It adds, "It is no light matter to be examined by God."

Has your work been tested lately?  How about your marriage?  What about your patience?  Have you withstood the fire?  Or do you feel like you've failed miserably?

Did you choose faith or fear, trust or temptation (to give up), dedication or distraction, commitment or compromise in the process?         

With God, there are no failures, only opportunities for redemption and restoration.  God's grace is sufficient in our weakness.  He can reset, reposition and reevaluate us.  He loves us and desires for us to succeed and reach our divine destiny.  And He'll give us every opportunity to get it right.  All we have to do is cooperate with Him.

If we exercise our freewill, faith, trust and action according to God's plan and leading, He will meet us as He met Abraham to help us succeed.  He will build our character and refine our motives along the way.  And we will complete the race a winner.

  :angel:

Week of April 17
Good Pleasure

"And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ."  ~ Ephesians 1:9

I once met a young, married woman who had wisdom beyond her years.  She said something profound that I will always remember which was, "The trouble with life is that it's just so daily."

May we not get so bogged down by the "dailies" that we lose sight of God's greater vision.  Let us not forget that God has us in an integral "now" process that is leading us to the fulfillment of our divine destiny.  Take joy, and count it all good.  Our best vacation from toil and hardship is in the presence of the Lord.  In due time, we will reap the harvest if we journey to the fulfillment of His purposes.

A couple of years after this young woman made her statement, God made big shifts in her life.  Indeed, when God's purposes are fulfilled, He will move us beyond our circumstances.    One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to help me "get it" the first time, that I would not have to cycle around the mountain of lesson-learning repeatedly.  Once is enough for me in this second half of my life on earth.  I don't want to waste anymore of God's time, and I declare that, through His grace, the latter will be greater than the former.

Therefore, let us do our excellent best to honor God in all that He has called us to in the here and now, processing circumstances His way in love, mercy and forgiveness.  And know that we are indeed pleasing Him and making loving memories.  There will come a future time when "now" will be the past, and we will forget the hardships of today.  So that when the future arrives, we can reflect with great joy, peace, liberty and appreciation, having no regrets, bearing no grudges and gaining God's wisdom.

Be assured that God takes good pleasure in giving back our dreams.  If you are in a dry place, know that your escape, your sanctuary can be found in the presence of the Lord.  Spend time with Him.  Ask Him to reveal His mysteries, His timing, His destiny plan for you.   Ask Him to give you His understanding of what you've gone through and how He will bring it all together in His due time, in His good pleasure.  Ask Him to awaken you to His greater vision.  Trust that He will show you specifics concerning your future.  You will surely see that there will be no greater dream fulfillment, no greater plan, no greater intimacy and no greater love for you.

God takes good pleasure in giving back to us through His servant heart.   He once spoke to my heart, saying that because I laid down my dreams and got involved with His dreams, He has gotten involved in my dreams and is giving them back to me in a way that is greater than I ever expected.

I don't know that I've ever been more humbled or awed.  Indeed, God rewards sacrifices of the heart that make room for Him to be first.  And He showed me that He will reveal such mysteries to us through revelation if we take the time to get alone with Him and ask.

God's good pleasure is linked with the fulfillment of His predestined purposes for us (Eph. 10-12).  Our time, our hearts, our minds, our wills, our bodies, our dreams and our agendas are not our own when we are sold out to God.  After all, Jesus laid down His life for us at Calvary.  How can we call ourselves Christians if we do not honor Him for paying such a high price to give us eternal life in heaven?

Let us remember that God created us for the purpose of fellowshipping with Him.  We are to make Him our first priority, our first love.  It gives God good pleasure when we praise, worship and honor Him throughout our destiny journey, even if it is done sacrificially.  He delights when His plans and purposes are fulfilled through us, when we are a living testimony to His power, love and glory.  Therefore, may we lay down every idol, every hearts desire, turn from every temptation and say, "Yes, Lord.  Have it Your way no matter what."

:angel:

A Woman's Walk
     
Week of April 24
Reverence & Awe

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe."  ~Hebrew 12:28 (NASB)

The NIV translation of this scripture inserts the word, "worship" for "service."  Indeed, our work is a form of worship and service, offered by gratitude, if we do it unto God from our hearts, demonstrating His love and devotion. 

Since the Bible tells us that God first loved us and that His love is power, clearly there is no greater position to be in than walking in His awesome love, touching others and being awed by His manifest miraculous power moment by moment.  In this, we honor God.

I never understood this revelation better than when I found the courage to trust God enough to surrender control to Him in my workplace. The first step was to totally confess all my fear, lack of trust and lack of faith.  The truth was that I was terrified to let go of control.  But I knew He was calling me to a new place spiritually, so I consciously chose to step out with the primary motive being not wanting to suffer the consequences of disobedience.  In other words, my fear of God was greater than my irrational fear of man.

The Lord instructed me to spend more time in His presence at home praising Him, talking to Him, confessing to Him, reading His word and petitioning Him until I found peace in my heart.  I often felt compelled to sing praises to Him, dance before Him and, my favorite, sit on the floor with Him and have coffee and chat.  We spent intimate time together daily, often hours.  I asked Him to fill my spirit with His love to overflowing.  And I asked Him to give me divine appointments so that I could demonstrate His love to others in need.  I asked Him to choose the people, the times and the places.  Mind you, none of this was my idea.  God instructed me to do so.  All of it was new territory for me.

As He crossed my path with others' paths at work, I consciously chose to trust the Holy Spirit to reveal His purpose in what He wanted to accomplish.  I chose to trust Him to lead me as to how to approach the person, what to say, how to say it, when to pray for them, what to pray for them.  And as I stepped out, the Lord met me.  What I witnessed shocked, awed and amazed me.

God opened my eyes to see that the people He sent to me were in need of a breakthrough and that when He allowed me to pray for them, they received whatever breakthrough blessing He wanted to give them at that appointed time.  Oftentimes, the Holy Spirit healed them physically or emotionally, depending on their needs.   

God's demonstrations of love, His power to heal and His sheer glory touched my heart so deeply that it caused me to weep and brought me to my knees in humble reverence.  He made my heart grateful to participate.  I realized there was no better place to be, and I desired more.  The Lord increased the number of divine appointments for me to a point where I found myself crying out to Him to bring others to help.  I simply couldn't keep up, which is a great place to be.

I believe divine appointments are ours for the asking and that meeting them invites a greater purpose and joy to our work.  I believe it humbles our hearts and glorifies God.  I believe it brings us into the Great Commission, which pleases God, and puts Him first in our workplaces, which offers us rewards of joy, favor and promotion.   

If you would like to journey higher in your faith in God and at work, simply ask the Lord to show you how and to position you.  He will require you to lay down fears and any other encumbrance as you choose to step into new territory.  And He will journey with you the whole way.  Truly, it is the greatest adventure.

:angel:

Week of May 1
Loving Colleagues

"And the second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'  There is no other commandment greater than these."   ~Mark 12:31

Is any other scripture so convicting?   Yet how easy it would be for those of us with hardened hearts to quickly bypass it.  Do we really know our neighbors?  And what's to love about them anyway?

The truth is that if our whole heart is surrendered to the Lord, and we truly love Him, we will want to please Him, and we will carry His love in our heart, which will overflow to others.  Too, if we truly surrender our entire agenda to Him for His purpose, asking Him to have His way in our day and then be obedient to His guidance, we will know that our jobs are our divine assignments and that the Lord will use us to affect others where He places us.  This includes our colleagues.

I recall a time when I worked with a woman I didn't even like, much less love.  I knew my heart was being tested, and God was watching.  So the first thing I did was get alone with God and confess my lack of love for her.

I knew that 1 John 4:19 tells us that we cannot love God without loving our brother (or sister).  Therefore, it is impossible to keep God's first commandment to love God without keeping His second (Mk. 12:30-31).  And I did not want to be outside of God's will.

In my desperation, I asked God to fill my heart with His love for my sister.  But if I hadn't followed the Holy Spirit's guidance carefully, I might have missed the opportunity because His response came in an unexpected way.

The Lord actually gave this woman and I a pivotal moment where she erupted in angry lamentations before me.  As I listened to her, God overwhelmed my heart with pure divine love for her to a point that it overtook every negative and feeling I experienced.  His love enabled me to do the right thing, which was to simply hug her and tell her that Jesus loved her.  It was a more-of-Him, less-of-me moment.

Through her lamentations, I learned that she was a new Christian, who was having a hard time in life.  And she needed a personal touch from Jesus.  If I had reacted to her out of my flesh and snapped back at her or avoided her, I would've failed the heart test.  What's more, God would've had to get someone else to extend His heart to this woman, and I would've had to retake the test.

I can be a quick learner when my heart is on the line.  How about you?

Which of your colleagues do you find difficult to love?  Which of them needs a touch from Jesus today?  I encourage you to repent, and confess that you cannot love them on your own.  Then ask the Lord to fill your heart with His divine love for them, to enable you to love them as He does.  You'll find that He'll not only touch their hearts, He'll touch yours too.

:angel:

 

   

Week of May 8
Kingdom Love

"Love never fails."  ~ I Corinthians 13:8

In order for something to never fail, it must be strong.  It mustn't wear out—ever.  It must endure through every test, every trial, every season of time, every hill, every valley, every personality.  Only God is this kind of love (I John. 4:8).

Kingdom love begins with an outpouring from God to us, then through us to others.  In this way, the process of love is cyclical and is the foundation and motivation upon which and through which every Godly thing is built.

I am amazed at what God can do with a clean slate—a desperate and surrendered heart.

Have you ever noticed that when God gives us a directive, the first thing that comes is fear? This is because the directive or mandate He is giving us is bigger than we, our knowledge bank, our previous experience, our vision and the current capacity of our hearts.  It's bigger than anything we know at that moment.

Indeed, we serve a very big God who has very big plans.  And the enemy tries to use fear to thwart those plans on earth so that he can reign.

When we turn to God with a willing heart, He showers His love upon us and restores us.  It is from His infilling of revelation, instruction and joyful power that we accomplish new things for God.

When fear comes to arrest us, we must choose which master we will serve.

God has rescued me many times from irrational fears and has taken me to heights that I could not imagine on my own by simply giving me a willing heart and a resounding "Yes" in my spirit.

When He first called me to begin to minister to people in my workplace, I felt terrified.  Sharing the love of God was the most frightening thing He could've asked me to do at that time because I had such a bad case of fear of man. 

But God was about to break that bondage in my life and restore me to love.  He opened my eyes to see that the reverential fear of God He placed within me was greater than the fear of man within me.  This overwhelming reverential fear rose up and catapulted me into the new move God had for me.

As I journeyed through this new calling and saw this new level of God's amazing love consistently, I also saw that fear of man become extinct within me.  In time, I came to understand the process of Kingdom love.

How about you?  Have you noticed that just when you feel accomplished in any particular area, like in your career or certain relationships, God soon raises the bar?  When God calls us out of our comfort zones, the familiar areas that reside within us—whether good or bad—it's not for the purpose of harming us.  It's to prosper us and others and Him.

When we step up to God's divine callings, laying down all encumbrances, including self, and thereby receive more of Him, He gives us increased opportunities to sow and receive more love.  The more we get from Him, the more we can give to others.  And the more we give, the more we get.  God's abundant love never runs out.

In this way, Kingdom love is not selfish.  It is a generous and perpetual process of sowing and reaping and multiplying, of nourishing and replenishing for the purpose of building God's Kingdom on earth.

Kingdom love pivots our hearts, fills our lives and elevates our spiritual walk.  May we choose a resounding yes to trusting God in this journey so that His love will captivate us and enable us to build His Kingdom on earth (Mt. 6:10).
:angel:

 
Week of May 15
God's Faithfulness

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  ~ Lamentations 3:23

The Israelites understood that God is always faithful to His word.  Even amid judgment, they still saw His love, His mercy and compassions.  They didn't blame God.  Instead, they praised Him sacrificially.

Recently, the Lord put the hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," on my heart.  I couldn't help but sing it over and over to Him.  The refrain said it all, "Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

This special praise came immediately after the Lord provided a church to host our God's Love at Work Women's Expo.

The Lord loves us to be dependent upon Him.  And oh how often He sets my feet on an Abraham-faith journey.  You know, the one where He calls us to an assignment and instructs us to head out, not knowing where we're going (Heb. 11:8).

Being an adventurer at heart, these treks thrill me, and I am awed at everything that God shows me along the way.  Like mountain climbing, each step forges a new character and courage in us.

Is the Lord taking you into new territory in your career?  Is He giving you new projects and assignments?  Has He opened doors wide that cause you go cling to Him for provision?  Sometimes when the Lord promotes us, we feel inadequate, questioning whether we can really do the job.

If this is you, rest assured that you can with Jesus walking alongside you.  God has raised you up for such a time as this.  He has prepared you, and He has already provided everything you need to accomplish what He has set you out to do.  Whatever you do not know, God will reveal to you in His creative ways.  And He will bring others who have the knowledge or connections you need.  He will give you revelations throughout the journey.  And if you ever feel "stuck," He'll send someone to lovingly give you the shove you need.

Everywhere we turn, we hear evangelists and leaders say, "2008 is the year of new beginnings."  I believe that.  And I have already seen manifest fruit of this declaration.

Remember when Joshua entered into the Promised Land, and he had to fight battles to gain what God promised him and his people?  Joshua had to depend upon God for every unique strategy for victory along the way (Joshua 5:14).  So too must we.  This is the key to a success that is greater than we can achieve on our own.

God loves His children and desires to bless us.  He is our greatest cheerleader and champion.  I love Jesus' prayer, "On earth as it is in heaven."  Jesus had such a heart for His Heavenly Father that He only wanted to serve Him and do His will.  He was wise enough to choose the highest path that would result in the highest reward for Himself and others.  There is no greater strategy than the one God reveals.  His ways are always purposed, positioning us higher than we can take ourselves alone.  And sometimes they may seem unusual.

Remember, Abraham had to depart his comfort zones to receive an inheritance that was greater than what his earthly father could provide (Gen. 12:1).

Are you ready to go higher than you've ever gone?  God is searching for a people who love Him enough to do extraordinary exploits.  The rewards are so worth the journey.  And our God is faithful to deliver.
:angel:

Week of May 22
God's Promises

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."  ~Hebrews 10:36

God purposes the timing and manifestations of His promises.  Though some seem a long time coming, they are not.  Though the wait may feel like God has forgotten, He has not.  God's timing is perfect, and His patience is great.

Consider Elizabeth and Mary.  Despite their great difference in age, both women were pregnant with promised sons simultaneously.  The timing of each pregnancy was purposed according to God's plan as was their children's destinies.

What has God promised you?  Has He delivered yet?  How's your faith?

2 Peter 3:8 says, "a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

Perseverance in obedience is the key to receiving the promises of God.  And when we get off track, repentance is key.

In Psalm 119, we see that God gives us hope through His promises (vs. 49).  He preserves our lives through His promises (vs. 50).  He supplies us with grace according to His promises (vs. 58).  And we are to meditate on and rejoice in His promises (vs. 148, 162).

God's heart within us and the fulfillment of His promises allow us to forgive those who disappointed us on a greater level.  When we expect people, not God, to fulfill promises only God can fulfill, we must repent and release them to Him.  False expectations can hold us in bondage and cause us to miss God's very best for our lives.

What have you expected and have not yet received?  How are you handling the situation?  Are you praising God throughout the process?  Has your mind been on Him or on your circumstances?  How about your heart?  Do you know that God loves you enough to bring fulfillment, to be true to His word.  Do you trust Him enough?

Have you asked God what His will is?  Have you asked Him what you are supposed to complete before He fulfills His promise?

The fulfillment of God's promises points toward Him as the one true God.  David's prayer in 2 Samuel 7:25-26 says, "And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise You have made concerning Your servant and His house.  Do as You promised, so that Your name will be great forever.  Then men will say, 'The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!'  And the house of Your servant David will be established before You."

When God fulfills His promises, do we give Him all the glory?  Is it all about Him?  Is He first on our hearts?

Psalm 145:13 says, "The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made."

Jeremiah 32:19 says, "great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds.  Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; You reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve."

May we receive the full measure of God's promises by being obedient to His will.

:angel:

 
Week of May 29
Freedom

"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."  ~ Psalm 119:45

God's freedom has little to do with the world's freedom.  Knowing and living out His truth is the only way we can be assured His peace, His rest, His protection.

And like this psalmist, when we walk closely with God, seeking Him with our whole heart and moving in careful obedience, God delights in us; He hears us; He rescues us.

Have you noticed that at some point in every journey—whether work-related or personal—circumstances will cause us to either flee immediately or to rise up, stand boldly and confront that which comes against God's purposes and plans for us?  The attack can come in many forms—false accusation, persecution, fear, disrespect, strife, disorder, confusion, lack of funds, brick walls, etc.

But there comes a time when God says, "No more!"  There comes a time when, if we don't give up and we remain close to God, He shows up with a mighty shift and deals with the enemy, either by quelling the torment or promoting us out of the situation entirely, all to His glory.

I love these pivotal moments when God frees us up to complete His mission.  They are "sudden" transformations, crescendos, thrilling and certainly a relief.

Freedom literally means "a wide space" as in unconfined by affliction or oppression (Ps. 119:45 NIV note).

To be delivered from heaviness in an instant is what Noah, Moses, Elisha, Joseph, Daniel, David, Jesus and others, who were committed to our Heavenly Father, knew.  Each one leaned upon Father God during their very unique and difficult circumstances.

Consider Daniel.  Though he was intelligent, fit, gifted, noble and had the favor of God upon him, he still found himself held in captivity by a Babylonian king in a foreign land (Dan. 1).  Yet God was in control.  Daniel was set up by God in new territory, desperately dependant upon Him for direction and freedom.

God had a purpose.  And along with this "set up" came a set time.  God was about to expound His glory in a new way through a terrified Daniel who experienced several encounters with God and witnessed his enemys' defeat over a pre-ordained period of time.

Daniel 10:12 says, " . . . 'Do not be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.'"

Indeed, God's promises were fulfilled and His strategies to freedom broke through in His due time.  God will even send his mighty angels to fight our battles and conquer our enemies once and for all to bring restoration and reward.

God ultimately positioned a faithful Daniel to be rewarded by the very earthly king that held him captive (Dan. 2) and to receive his allotted inheritance (Dan. 12:13).

God is always in control.  He will never forsake us in torrid circumstances if we, like Daniel, exercise wisdom and surrender our hearts to Him.

If you find yourself currently in some form of captivity, know that if you turn to God with all your heart and carefully obey his directives, he will hear you and deliver you into His freedom, just like He did for Daniel.

:angel:

 

Week of June 5
A Strong Foundation

" . . . fire will test the quality of each man's work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward."  ~ I Corinthians 3:13-14 (NIV)

Indeed, God cares about the purity of our work.  He cares about our motives behind our work, and He cares about the outward appearance of our work.  He cares about how our work affects others and how we treat people along the way.

Work is a reflection of the heart, and God is watching.  He sees when we cut corners, slip in late, steal supplies, cheat customers and gossip.

He also sees when we are on time and honest, when we serve and encourage others with a loving heart and when we build with excellence upon the foundation that Christ laid.

I once had a job marketing a new product to churches.  Before I came on board, however, a previous team of experts had laid the foundation of this new product.  They researched, wrote training manuals and student workbooks, designed logos and developed branding.  They invested a lot of money and time into laying the foundation that our second team built upon.  The first team's efforts were tested and refined as we journey forth.  That which was solid remained, and that which was not gave way to change in order to produce higher quality.

This is much like how God "works" us through His divine refining.  He challenges or tests our hearts to forge us into greater purity, like pure gold and silver.  And our behaviors and works are a reflection of where we are in this process.

In I Corinthians 3, Paul attempted to reestablish morality in the church.  He identified areas that were weak or erroneous and corrected them.  Imagine the messages the Corinthians were sending to the world in their defamed state.  Likewise, what would Paul have to say if he could visit our workplaces?  Would he consider our behaviors and works moral or immoral?  What messages are we sending to our co-workers?  Do they see enough of Jesus in us to desire what we have?  Are we winning them to Christ?  Reaching out to them with His compassion?  Or turning them away with dissension and boasting?

Yes, God expects quality.  I Corinthians 3:13 tells us that our "work will be shown for what it is."  The Lord's truth will be revealed about us and our work.  We and our work will be judged, and we will either receive a reward or a loss.  In this, we have a choice.  What will we choose?  What will we receive?

Are we committed to behaving and performing in God's ways or ours?  I Corinthians 3:20 says, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."  I Corinthians 3:18 tells us to not deceive ourselves.  I Corinthians 3:19 says, "He catches the wise in their craftiness."

Are we not to humbly build upon that which Christ laid before us and do His work by His grace?  The truth is that without His grace, we can do nothing at all.

Make no mistake about it, the Lord led me to these scriptures in I Corinthians at the outset of my job.  I knew He meant business, that the business I was doing was His and that I did it by His grace alone.

If you would like to have more of God's excellence reflected in your work, simply confess and invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart and to bring you into a greater realm of His excellence so that you may receive what He longs to give you: His finest reward.

  :angel:

Week of June 12
In the Arms of Jesus

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.  2 Peter 1:3

One day, while working in my former job as a flight attendant, a woman boarded my flight and stopped cold, just inside the passenger door. I sensed something wasn't quite right, so I approached her gingerly, and I asked if I might help her find her seat. She didn't respond, so I asked her if she had a boarding pass. With this, she burst into tears and buried her face in my left shoulder. "Indeed," I thought. "This is one whom God has sent."

The Lord had instructed me, more than a year earlier, to begin to spend time in His presence before working each trip in order to prepare me to receive divine appointments that He would bring to me on airplanes. Up to this point, He had sent all kinds of people with all kinds of needs. All for whom, He wanted me to pray and share my faith. I had grown pretty accustomed to reaching out, not knowing what to expect in advance. Oftentimes, I was shocked at the circumstances passengers would share with me, and I was always awestruck at how God would show up. The situation that was now before me would be no exception.

As I held this crying woman in my arms, I prayed silently for the Holy Spirit to guide my words and actions. Almost immediately, I sensed Him prompting me to seat her in first class. Amazingly, the entire front row of first class was available. I seated her in a window seat and reached for her tote bag to place it the overhead compartment. As I took the bag, I could not help but notice a large envelope of medical x-rays. I walked into the galley to make the woman a drink, all the while praying, "Holy Spirit, tell me what to do, tell me what to say."

After the plane took off, and I served the other passengers, I returned to sit beside the woman. I asked her if she would like to talk. She nodded, and she began to share that she and her husband had traveled from Montreal to Florida in search of a new home. She said that she had had pneumonia before their trip and that her husband had developed a cough while in Florida. She suggested that he visit a doctor. When he did, the doctor diagnosed him with lung cancer and informed him that he had six months to live.

And now this woman was flying home to Montreal, as her husband was driving their car back with friends. She was overwhelmed and had no one else to reach out to her in that moment. As she shared her circumstances, I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to ask her whether she attends church. When I asked the woman this question, she paused, and then she replied, "I used to, but I stopped going when my first husband and my son both died."

Gulp! Suddenly, my heart felt a deep burden for this woman, and I asked her if I might pray for her. She nodded again, and I took her hands in mine and led a prayer. I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to give her a message. And so after I finished praying, I said to her, "I believe the Lord wants you to return to church so that He can help you through this." The woman wept, and my heart was deeply touched because of God's deep love for her.

Indeed, sometimes sharing our faith doesn't necessarily mean leading someone to salvation. Sometimes it means simply leading people back into the arms of Jesus, who is big enough and loving enough to handle it from there.

I never knew who would walk on board my airplanes and stand before me with needs unknown to me but known unto God. One thing was certain, whatever they needed, Jehovah Jireh could indeed provide for them. And I wanted to be in position to be used. Are you ready and willing for whomever and whatever God will divinely bring to you if you ask.

:angel:

Week of June 19
His Presence


"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me . . . You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."  Psalm 16:7, 11

In God's presence, there is light, safety, peace and joy.  How many of us can honestly say that we reside in this place all day every day?  Most of us struggle by reacting to sin, and some of us may have never experienced this amazing place.  But there is hope.

The restorative process of overcoming patterns of sin in our hearts is a provision of God's great mercy and love for us.  Psalm 41:4 (Amplified) says, ". . . heal my inner self, for I have sinned against You."

Some of our sins are obvious to us (and others).  But there are those that are "hidden" or "secret," residing deep within our souls without our conscious awareness.  For these to be revealed, we need the Holy Spirit to "illuminate" them before we can repent and be more intimate with God.

Psalm 90:8 (NIV) says, "You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence."  The NIV note for this scripture defines the light of God's presence as being "The holy light of God that illumines the hidden corners of the heart and exposes its dark secrets."

We can walk around for years, even as Christians, unknowingly operating in sins.  Some of them may have taken root during our childhood or perhaps were even established in our bloodline generations (Gen. 20:5).  Operating in these iniquities can seem "normal" because we grew up in the midst of them, not knowing any better.  And we oftentimes carry these sins into our adult lives unknowingly until something in life triggers them.

But there comes a time when God will bring those issues to the surface, enlighten us and lead us to confront and overcome those obstacles.  With our participation—and often the help of a counselor chosen by God—He restores us to His peace, love and joy where we once again feel His presence in a profoundly intimate way.  This level of communing with Our Heavenly Father is what we were created for.  It's called freedom.

Would you like to reside in the profound presence of God?  Ask Him to illuminate your secret sin patterns and help you overcome them.  Praise Him in the process.  And remember that love in action and truth is "how we will set our hearts at rest in His presence" (I John3:19).  You are the delight of God's heart, and He longs for you to draw near to Him (Heb. 10:22).

:angel:

Week of June 26
Giving

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you a heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  Ezekiel 36:26

The very nature of God is to give out of love.  And when we as Christians receive the Lord into our hearts, He impacts us so deeply that we can't help but pour out His amazing love everywhere we go.  When we show up, so does God.

God makes His point clear in Ezekiel 36:32 where He says He will renew and restore His chosen people and their land for His glory, not because they earn His favor.  On the contrary, by their sinful conduct and actions, His chosen people had defiled their nation and their land that was divinely given to them.  But because of God's zeal for them and a remnant cry from them, God extended His grace and turned their circumstances around.

Likewise, God loves us even when we feel we don't deserve His love.  And we are to model His expressions of love and grace to others through a heart of giving, even to those who offend us.  God loved the unlovely, and so must we.  But we cannot do it alone.  We must ask Him to soften our hearts, to do it for us.

Giving comes naturally from a true heart of love.  It is the heart that must be cultivated.  Giving is simply the byproduct.

In the marketplace, we face many tests.  Sometimes, we are challenged to demonstrate love through acts of giving and kindness to a difficult boss or to cohorts.  It helps to remember that they may have become difficult to get along with due to hurts, wounds, injustices, sins and a lack of love in their life, whether self-imposed or inflicted by others.  It helps to look beyond their exterior and see into their hearts.  And we can ask God to help us see their hearts as He does, to increase within us His vision and His love for them and to break down barriers of fear.

When we have a big heart of God within us, giving out of love is easy, no matter what the behavior of others because we ourselves are overwhelmed with God's very presence of love.

When we are faced with "the unlovely," we must remember two things: We ourselves are only made righteous through Christ Jesus.  And God placed "the unlovely" in our path for the purpose of sanctifying our hearts with an increase of His love.  In other words, we the Christians need to come up higher in the love department.  And when we do, transformation takes place around us as a result of giving out of that love.

It's not enough to hold love in our hearts.  We must give it.  And when we give, we receive more from God, our divine source, and from others whose hearts cannot help but be touched.

The question is, will we consistently extend love no matter how others behave?  If we do, it will change the atmosphere in which we work.  If we do, we will not feel controlled by the other people's negative attitudes, comments or actions.  Our heart and others' hearts will transform, and this will manifest in a more Godly work environment.

The truth is, through Jesus Christ, we have more power than we realize.  God's principles really do work when faithfully put into action.  We must not let fear of rejection, fear of authority or intimidation prevents us from giving out of a generous heart of love.

Remember, God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  And God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).  May we respond to others from an outpouring of the heart of the Holy Spirit within us, instead of reacting to negativity.  Only then will we be able to freely give.

:angel:

Week of July 3
Living

"Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My faithful love promised to David."  Isaiah 55:3

Good news brings life.  And God longs for us to receive His good news.  There is so much that He wants to give us.  But are we willing to listen?  Do we hearken when He speaks to our hearts to sit with Him and partake of the life He offers?

Relationship demands intimacy and priority.  If we are not spending the time with God that He longs to have with us, we are robbing the Kingdom and robbing those He has called us to serve because we cannot give out that which we do not have.  We will end up giving and receiving our meager portion, not God's greater serving.

In my years of working as a flight attendant, I learned how to function safely in a cabin decompression.  I was taught to first don an oxygen mask and then assist others, just like in the airplane safety videos.  The reason for helping myself first is because, in a serious decompression at high altitudes, I may only have seconds to function before loosing consciousness.  If I did not breathe in the oxygen supplied from a source above my head, I would not have the ability to help anyone else because life would begin to drain out of me.  Interestingly enough, the time between a person's full ability to function and their inability to function is called the "time of useful consciousness."

This life-giving priority is often the opposite of how we think in the world or how we think as women in caring for others.  Too often, we serve everyone else and accept the little bit of time and energy that remains for our Lord.  We give Him the leftovers.  We think we're being unselfish by putting the needs of others before our own, but the truth is that we're putting people and daily responsibilities before God.  We end up running on empty because we're not taking the time to sit and sup with the Lord.

Given these circumstances, how useful are we to God or anyone else?  It may help to be reminded that our lives were bought with a price, therefore, this resource of time God gave us is not our own.  It may also help to remember that Christ only did what The Father called Him to do.  What things are we doing that God didn't call us to do?

Isaiah 55:2 asks, "Why spend money [resources] on what is not bread [life], and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

God's first and greatest commandment is to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30).  "All" does not mean a meager portion.  And His second greatest commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mk. 12:31).

Are we honoring God's priorities by partaking of the bread of life (Him) first so that we have a rich love to give to our neighbors, who come second?  Or do we need to spend more time at His table?

May we spend some of the time God graciously gives us to examine our hearts and repent so that we may receive and give out His richest love.
:angel:

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Week of July 10
Safety

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."  ~ Psalm 4:8

God made His covenant of peace through Christ so that we may live free of hostility and enjoy life in complete security.  God's original intent was that we live fearlessly and in safety.  Of course, this requires obedience, following the voice of the Holy Spirit carefully and seeking God in worship above all things.

Proverbs 28:26 says, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."  May we exercise God's wisdom.

Proverbs 29:25 says, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."  May we fearlessly trust God, not man.

Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  May we run to the Lord.

Psalm 34:10 says, "... those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.  May we seek the Lord.

Deuteronomy 33:12 says, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields Him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders."  May we rest in the Lord.

The enemy would like nothing more than to destroy us through eternal separation from God.  Although we can rest secure in our salvation, consider how he could destroy our lives through tempting us away from worshiping and seeking God's face regularly as the Holy Spirit leads.  The enemy can use distraction, complacency, overwork, untimeliness, fear and false responsibilities to lure us away from our first priority, thus causing us to not know God's revealed direction for specific assignments.

Seeking God's face and direction is an obedient choice we make.  If we willingly choose to not seek His will, we may lean unto our own understanding, talents and gifts to make important decisions.  Thus, God will not bless the work of our hands.  Even though we may accomplish a bit, at some point, we will come to a screeching halt.

Throughout the Bible, God revealed unusual directives to leaders.  Consider the Book of Joshua where the Lord gave Joshua a unique strategy for each battle in the Promised Land.  What if Joshua hadn't listened and instead leaned on previous battle strategies (old manna) to get him through.  What if he had looked left and right upon distraction and not kept his eyes upon the Lord?  What if he had let fear control his actions?

Joshua would have failed because he would have been in disobedience against God and would have been fighting in his own strength.  Much hinged upon Joshua's obedience, including his own life.  But it wasn't just about him.  It was about a nation.  It was about God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven.  It was about a Kingdom.

Clearly, obedience is key to our security and livelihood.  God's mercy is new every morning.  May we partake of His fresh manna and drink of His new wine daily so that we may enjoy life in complete safety.

:angel:

Week of July 17
Catalysts

"[David], who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised . . . "  ~ Hebrews 11:33

Catalysts move the heart and hand of God.  Faith, praise, obedience, worship, crying out, prayer, work, perseverance and excellence are all examples.  Put into action, these disciplines invoke God's power through us.  We become a powerhouse for God, and no obstacle can stand in our way.

David knew exactly how to activate God's promises.  Take the promise of protection for example. David was motivated by a profound love for God and by a need and a faith for manifest victory in battle.  In 2 Samuel 7:9, God promises David that He has gone before him, defeating all his enemies ahead.  David had to exercise diligent faith each time his enemies pursued his life.  He had to call on the name of the only One who could save him, the One who promised victory and rescue every time.

In so doing, David saw time and again God show up and prove faithful.  His trust God increased as a result.

God rewards faithfulness and those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  We must do our part by believing and obeying the omniscient, omnipotent God of the universe.  Nothing is too big or two impossible for Him.  Indeed, God is faithful to deliver His promises.

I Peter 1:6-7 says we will suffer but for a little while for the purpose of proving our faith genuine, resulting in praise, glory and honor to God.  This level of faith is of greater worth than gold.  Yes, we experience tests and trials, but we will not prolong pain or fear if we process through the journey God's way.  Rather, God will bring us through these times in His appointed time, if we cooperate with Him.  In so doing, our character is built and we are able to help others who follow behind us.

God was able to exhibit His faithfulness and power and glory in David's circumstances for all time.  God crowned him as king over Israel.  A big mandate requires big faith and a big God.  David did not know all that he would experience when God spoke to him initially.  He just took God at His word, knowing that he would have enemies and that God defeated them on his behalf.

God does the same for us when we carefully obey what He instructs us to do.  He will send us into places that are too big for us to handle alone.  He will cause us to realize that we depend upon Him greatly.  He will prompt us to look unto Him instead of our "insurmountable" circumstances.  And we will live and not die.

And all we have to do is simply follow the leading and instructions of the Holy Spirit.  When the Holy Spirit prompts us to praise the Father, do it.  When He prompts us to move out and take dominion, do it.  When He instructs us to rest, do it.  Biblical principles are the catalysts that move the hand of God on our behalf, no matter what the circumstances.

Our God is an interactive God.  In which areas of partnering do we need to be more prolific?  In which areas do we need to express more love?

:angel:

Week of July 24
Faith

"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."  ~ I Thessalonians 1:3

Faith is critical to bringing to fruition the hopes, desires and dreams that God places within us.  It is the fuel that propels us to act, to work and to persevere through challenging assignments.  Without faith, we could not overcome obstacles and finish the race victoriously.

Throughout the Bible, we see people of great faith and little faith.  Yet, God blessed both.  Consider Abraham.  He stepped into a journey that was unknown to him by choosing to exercise his faith and trust God's plan of greater inheritance.  Even Gideon, the slightest member of his clan, took courage, exercised his faith, trusted God and proclaimed victory over his enemies.

Moreover, the gospels are full of miracles Jesus did for people who did not know him.  They had no New Testament to build their faith.  Yet their mustard seed faith helped facilitate healing miracles.

Hebrews 11:1 says "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  And Romans 1:5 tells us that "obedience comes from faith."  Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).

Fortunately, God, through His sufficient grace and tender mercy, helps us build faith, the purpose being to serve Him and others.  I have a friend who exercised her faith to be healed from cancer as well as painful neck injuries that she suffered in an auto wreck.  God completely healed her from each affliction through a process that involved prayer and believing.  What the enemy meant for destruction, God turned around for good.  He gave her a new career, after loosing her former one due to ailments.  And now she reaches out to others through prayer, sharing her healing testimonies and writing inspirational songs that have climbed the charts.

It is faith that enables us to receive the higher ways of God when we do not understand where He is leading us, especially when circumstances get tough.  When faith prevails over fear persistently, we become victorious.

Moreover, fear is the opposite of faith.  Irrational fear can paralyzes us or cause us to run in the opposite direction from where God wants us to go.  Obedience to the bondage of fear is idolatry and rebellion in the face of God.  Fear limits us under a ceiling.  Faith facilitates promotion, turning our ceiling into our floor.

Hebrews 11:13 tells us that the great people of the Bible "were still living by faith when they died" and that they did not see the promises of God come to pass.  They were on a sacrificial journey of faith that was bigger than they for a higher purpose.  They laid down self-centered comforts and willingly pursued the path that brought glory to God.  In short, they left a legacy of faith.

What faith journey does God have you on?  Are you allowing Him to build your faith to accomplish greater things?  Which areas in your life do you need more faith?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.

:angel:

Week of July 31
Patience

"Love is patient . . ."  ~ I Corinthians 13:4

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a work assignment, knowing the project is of God and knowing that you're right in step with His timing, when suddenly things seemed to stagnate or get stuck?

What did you do?  Did you stop and pray and wait to hear God's response?  Or did you persist along your path, leaning on your strengths and talents and understanding of what had worked for you in the past, what you knew to do?

Did you receive an answer from God?  Or did frustration and anxiety begin to rise as you feverishly ran harder to try to make things work to meet your deadlines?

God's pathways strategically include divinely appointed times.  And when He sets us out on a journey, His directive is to sometimes simply wait.  This is where our faith gets tested.

So often, God's ways do not make sense to us, especially when we feel the pressures of meeting a deadline.  And in these times, we feel like we're waiting on God to show up and clear blockages, organize things, make people cooperate with us therefore making a way for us to get the job done.  But the truth is, as we await God, He's awaits us.  He desires us to stop and listen and worship Him during the wait.  And He desires to do a work in us in the process.

Patience must have its perfect work.  While we're working, God is doing a work in us, to perfect us, to do things His way.  He longs to bless us, to reward our faith.  But will we pass the test?

Consider the prophet Habakkuk.  The people of Judah took to behaving in Babylonian ways, and the righteous were grieved.  When taking this issue before the Lord, He seemed to withhold His answer for a while.  But God ultimately revealed to Habakkuk that He would take care of the issues through a release of judgment using the Babylonians to bring His people to their knees. This was not a solution that Habakkuk expected.  Nevertheless, after hearing from God, Habakkuk did the right thing and awaited God's plan with a spirit of worship.

Sometimes, God has to take care of a few things before we can move forward.  And sometimes we just need to stop and get out of God's way.  While He aligns people and circumstances, He expects us to align our faith with His purpose and timing and exhibit that fruit of the spirit called patience.

Though often not easy for our carnal nature to cooperate, God is actually doing us a favor by offering us an opportunity to advance.  In this process, we get to surrender our arrogance and self-reliance to God's higher ways.  And if we pass the test, He takes us to the next glorious realm of faith and reward.  Like a deer, we become able to stand on the higher places.

Do you believe that God loves you enough to groom you to stand in higher places?  Do you love Him enough to cooperate with His plan?  My prayer is that you will not fear God's heights and that you will excel, not accelerate.  May we worship God during His appointed times, resting in His love, exercising patience.

:angel:

A Woman's Walk
     
Week of August 7
Redemption

"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You—I, whom You have redeemed."  ~ Psalm 71:23

What comes to mind for many Christians when we hear the word "redeemed" is being saved from the pit of hell by Jesus Christ, Our Savior.

But what may not come to mind as often is having abundant life on earth.

The dictionary defines redemption as saving or improving something that has declined into a poor state.  Ones career, marriage, finances or physical health can be examples.

The root word, redeem, is from the Latin word, redimere, which means to buy back.  To redeem can mean to keep a promise, fulfill a pledge, pay off an outstanding portion of debt, atone for human sins, restore someone to favor or to make acceptable despite negative qualities.

Indeed, Jesus Christ is Our Redeemer.

The Bible says that we are redeemed from the grave (Ps. 49:15), from death (Hos. 13:14), from the law (Gal. 4:5), from all wickedness (Tit. 2:14), from the curse (Gal. 3:13), from sin (Col. 1:14) and from the pit (Ps. 103:4).

The Apostle Paul may have said it best as he beseeches us to "live a life worthy of the Lord," to "please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves..."

God's word is true.  It is purposed for us.  Let us keep our eyes on Him so that we may have abundant faith, love, hope, prosperity, health, joy and relationships.

What do you have need of?  Do you feel special, or are you just getting by?  Have you called on your Redeemer?  He awaits you.
:angel:

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Week of August 14
Potential

" . . . My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."  ~Judges 6:15

How many of us have ever felt like Gideon, believing false truths about ourselves that have stunted our growth and attempted to undermine our God-given destiny?

Author Dondi Scumaci describes it well in her new book, "Designed For Success: The 10 Commandments For Women In The Workplace."  In the very first chapter she says,

"Imagine that when you were born, you were given a box.  The box is empty to begin with, but almost immediately people begin to put messages into it.  Some of the messages make you feel strong and safe and powerful; others teach you to doubt yourself and your abilities.

"Over time the box is filled with messages.  Some are duplicates.  You've received them more than once and from more than one person.  One message tells you it's important to be popular, one reminds you to always be very polite, while another tells you to wait to be recognized—because bragging is very bad.  Your messages warn you against making mistakes, rocking the boat, or being pushy—because nobody likes a bossy girl.

"Now imagine shaking the box!  The messages get all mixed up.  That makes it hard to separate the encouraging, empowering messages from the negative, limiting ones.

"You grow up and carry your box of messages to work.  As you being to use them, you discover that, for much of your life, the messages have been managing you.  Now you must learn to manage them."

This is the very place where Gideon found himself.

Gideon processed through discouraging old messages and new encouraging ones from God throughout the remainder of Judges chapter six.

Although Gideon's self-doubt was high, and his faith was low, by stepping forth into God's instructions—albeit with trepidation—he managed to overcome obstacles and reach the divine destiny God had for him.

How about you?  Is anything holding you back from reaching your God-given potential?  If so, have you asked the Holy Spirit to intervene, to reveal the issues of your heart and lead you to overcome to full victory?

God sees our potential, and He has a plan to advance us all the way.  His purpose being that He loves us, He loves nations, and He desires to use us to affect them.  God's vision is big.  It goes beyond us.  As Gideon was set free from his fears and ungodly beliefs, others were also restored.  It was a battle that was worth fighting.  And so is yours.

:angel:

Week of August 21
Capable

"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 3:19

Despite whatever assignment the Lord sends us on, He makes us capable to thrive amid any circumstance to fulfill His purpose.

Consider Amos.  The Bible says, "Amos was a herdsman from the small town of Tekoa; he was not a man of the court like Isaiah, or a priest like Jeremiah.  Though he lived in Judah, he was sent to announce God's judgment on the northern kingdom (Israel)."

Imagine being a simple man like Amos and being chosen by God to deliver messages of judgment to priests and kings?  How many of us would have the natural confidence to go from the prairie to the palace? (Amos 7:13)

If we are willing to receive them, God will assign us missions to carry out that are bigger than ourselves, ones that require great faith and a big God to complete.  But we must trust the power of God.

The very word "capable" means to possess the qualities needed to do a particular thing well; to have the legal competency, ability or legal power to do something.  "Capable" is from the Latin word "capere," which means "to take" or "able to take in."

When we break it down, we see that two words make up the word "capable"—"cap" and "able."  The word "able" means to be positioned to do something.  And the word "cap" means to cover, surpass and complete something.  As Christians, with God as our covering, Jesus residing in us and the Holy Spirit guiding us, we are able to complete divine missions on high levels—even ones that will change the course of nations—if we are in position to receive them.

In the case of Amos, God empowered (or made capable) Amos for the purpose of restoring social justice and righteousness to Israel.  Although Amos did not consider himself to be a seer prophet (Amos 7:14), God enabled him to see visions and prophesy.  The Bible describes Amos as a "vigorous spokesman."  Amos was "able to take in" God's visions and speak them out in citadels with great confidence.  This simple herdsman and fig farmer was fortified, covered and obedient.

Amos had great faith, which propelled him throughout his great assignment, above his usual position and beyond his usual work environment.

How is God using you?  Has He sent you out on any special assignments lately?  Would you be willing to go if He spoke to you amid your prairie existence?

The Christian life should be an adventure—full of the unknown, relying upon God to cover and complete us and His missions.  Do we have great faith?  Are we in position?  Are we capable?

:angel:

Week of August 28
Flourishing

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."  ~ Psalm 52:8

The word "flourishing" in this context translates into the Hebrew word "ra`anan," which means "to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green."

During this late spring season, I am reminded of God's promise of a summer harvest every time I tend to my vegetable garden.  When I see how my plants have flourished in such a short time since I set them out, I am awed at what God has created, and I am inspired by the fruit He produces.  The days are long here in the south, therefore the plants have an abundance of light.

Get the point?

Through God's bountiful love and His righteousness in us, we can produce much fruit, be blessed and in turn bless others.

Psalm 1:3 tells us that a righteous person "is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."

It's important to remember, however, that it's not our righteousness that produces good fruit, it's God's.  Isaiah 64:6 is quick to remind us that "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."

But do we really trust this truth deep in our heart?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 reveals that "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Interestingly, an olive tree lives for hundreds of years, producing much fruit, blessing animals and man (Ps. 1:3 note).  Imagine the many seasons it flourishes through.

Conversely, Jeremiah 17:5-6 tells us, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes.  He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives."

When we find ourselves in a wasteland, we can be quick to remember that God offers us forgiveness through Jesus Christ, His Son and our Redeemer when we confess and repent.  Even so, remember that the consequences of sin can last longer than we would like to tolerate.

Consistently choosing obedience to God's righteousness is the wisest choice.

Proverbs 8:19-21 encourages us that wisdom's fruit is better than fine gold; what wisdom yields surpasses choice silver.  Wisdom walks in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love wisdom and making their treasuries full."

Remember that God does not set us up to fail.  He sets us up to flourish.

How green are you?  And how green would you like to become?

:angel:

Week of September 4
Harmony

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds."  ~ 1Peter 3:8 (NLT)

Have you ever been part of a team of any kind and experienced discord?  People just didn't agree.  Everything felt hard, out of sync and each step of progress was painstaking.  Your team wasn't of "one mind."  You didn't have harmony.

What did your team do?  What was the ultimate outcome?  Did they meet their goal on time?  Or did they dismantle?

I believe when people come together in the right spirit, there is harmony.  When egos bow to God's purpose and when comfort zones succumb to stepping out in big faith, God is able to accomplish much through us.  We were made by Him for Him.

In Romans 12:16 (NIV), the Apostle Paul warns us to "Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud."  The New Living Translation states, "Don't try to act important . . . And don't think you know it all!"

This is love.  And God gives grace to the humble.  All that's required of us is to do our part.

Harmony means agreement, the Greek translation of which is Sugkatathesis, which means to put together or deposit jointly.

Even if your authority figures overrule your opinion, suggestion or idea, making a decision that you don't like or understand, know that God holds them accountable and the burden is off of you.

Romans 13:3 says, "Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God's servant to do you good."

Oftentimes, God uses joint efforts to refine us, to teach us something new, to lend His wisdom and to test our pride.  Could it be that God is preparing us for promotion?  After all, He exalts the humble.

Consider Joseph.  So many of his joint efforts bombed—in the relationship he had with his brothers and in relationships he experienced while in Egyptian captivity—yet in the end, God exalted him above all those who troubled him.  And when his brothers came to him in desperation, he extended love to them.  He chose to live in harmony once again, even though he could have chosen otherwise.  Clearly, God taught him much on the path to promotion.

What is He teaching you?

:angel:

Week of September 11
Refreshing

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  ~Matthew 11:28

Have you ever been so burdened by your work that you feel like the faster you work, the faster time passes and the less time you have to catch up?  As if running on a  treadmill, you fear you won't meet your goal, and you realize you're on the border of burnout?

We've all been there, if not just temporarily.  And sometimes, when we're in the midst of the fury, God schedules us for a refreshing.  It can arrive when we feel we have the least amount of time to come away.  God may expect us to simply lay down the workload and spend hours or days with Him.  Or He may pull us away for a vacation or retreat or even a simple weekend.

But do we trust God enough to obey and receive?  Do we really believe that the all-seeing, all-knowing God of the universe loves us enough to prosper us in all He assigns us?

Whatever respite God requires of us, it's important to remember that He has our best interest at heart.  He desires to help us.  He will be faithful to regenerate, renew and restore our energy.  And He will give us fresh revelation, vision and insight in the most creative ways, even through others.

In so doing, God reminds us that He is God; He is in control; we are not alone; He works on our behalf; He is committed to our success, and He is the creator of creativity.  He will show us the "obvious" that we didn't see while we were intensely focused behind a PC or otherwise at work.

In this way, we see God's artistry in perfecting and completing His work through us.  Like a painter, He uses us to come in close and step back to "see" the vision, sketch the outline, add the details, then refine the work to capture the whole.

God's perspective is unlimited and perfect.  He rewards diligence.  And obedience is the key.

So if we sense God leading us to come away with Him in the midst of our impending deadline, we must.  He does this to not only test our priorities but also to give us what we need in the intimate place.  Sometimes, it's just a nugget, a single revelation that will make all the other components come into place.  But whatever it is, it will be better than we could have derived on our own—even with our talents, gifts and training.  We'll return to work with a fresh eye and a renewed enthusiasm.

The Lord says in Jeremiah 31:25 that He "will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."  Sometimes, the most appropriate action we can take is to let go, let God and to pray for the discernment to know when to do so.

God knows what we need.  Is He waiting for you?

:angel:

Week of September 18
Vindication

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.  He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.  Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, O God of Jacob."  ~ Psalm 24:4-6

Have you ever experienced injustice in the workplace?  Perhaps politics played a role.  Maybe you were betrayed in some way, condemned even by those with whom you shared confidences.  Did others gossip about you.  What did you do?

Did you keep walking in upright obedience to God?  Or did you fall for the bait and react in carnal ways?  Perhaps you've done both intermittently.  None of us perfectly process circumstances all the time.

Although we may feel like we're stumbling through daily circumstances, groping at God to relieve the pain, there is hope.  If we choose honest repentance, there will come a time when God will set things right.  When we have been tested sufficiently, fired for purity's sake, and God has allowed the flames to have their complete work in us, He will move on our behalf.  Isaiah 49:8 says, "In the time of My favor I will answer you..."

Repentance leads to redemption.  And although we may feel we've been wronged and it's the other gal's fault, it's important to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what part, if any, we had in the issue.

I know of a married couple who discipline their children by having them sit on a "repentance bench" until they repent for their part in disputes.  As they sit side by side, they are not allowed to blame each other.  When they repent, they are relieved to resume their day.

How often do we assume the victim role and blame others?  Even if we did not instigate the event, God may be using unpleasant circumstances or behavior of others as a vice-like instrument to force issues within us to come to the surface for the purpose of inviting us to overcome the limitation.  He may be readying us for promotion by preparing us.  When things don't bother us anymore, they can't bind us, and we are free to move on.

No circumstance or person is too relentless for God's intervention.  If people do not hearken to God's directives, He has been known to release His judgment upon them.  But we must be in right standing.  Our freewill choice will determine a lot.

In God's time, He will deliver us from gossip to greatness, from misery to majesty, from devour to divine, from persecution to peace, from invasion to intimacy, from division to revision, from feuding to favor, from condemnation to compassion, from crushed to comforted, from fear to faith, from holes to wholeness, from blockage to boldness, from hatred to harmony, from sin to sweetness, from false accusations to freedom, from strongholds to life, from strangleholds to new opportunities and adventures.  The chains come off, and we are restored and vindicated.

Our decision to humble ourselves and honestly repent of our part in the journey will break the division and strangleholds in our work lives and beyond.  Though we cannot control another person, God will fight our battle on our behalf, and we will come through victorious.  We will be vindicated.  We will be honored, even publicly.  What has been out of priority will be put into place.  Our garden of safety and security will be restored.  And we will finish the race well.

Are you ready to be vindicated?  Spend some intimate time with the Lord and honestly repent each time He reveals your part in a situation.  In the time of God's favor, you will see the fruit of blessing in your life.  And you will walk in the freedom of victory again.

:angel:

Week of September 25
Faithfulness

". . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve."   ~Joshua 24:15

Joshua understood well the personal choices involved in serving God faithfully to the end.  He had seen much life and death come to his forefathers as a result of their ungodly choices.  He reminded the leaders of Israel, with great assurance, to serve God with a clean heart.  He knew that God desired to continue to bless Israel but that they would not be positioned to receive God's blessings unless they surrendered their whole heart, even in the little things.

The bar is high for leaders.  And Joshua warned them to not fall into the sins of their past.  Oh how the enemy enjoys enticing and ensnaring us by using familiar behavior patterns and people from our past to bring destruction into our present and future, to prevent God's promises, plans and purposes from coming to fruition.

Is there a god that you need to lay down?  A god that will prevent you from living out your God-given potential and destiny?  Are there any idols that lurk in your heart?

God will be faithful to us if we are faithful to Him and His ways.  Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Is God truly our first love?  Are we willing to lay everything that is important and valuable to us down at the foot of the cross to serve Him?

If our answer is "yes," then we exchange our ways for His, which are much higher and which include rewards far greater than we can earn on our own.  The question then becomes, "Do we truly trust God to deliver?"

If the answer is again "yes," then we will embark on an adventure of loving and serving Him on a whole new level that will result in fresh assignments, fresh revelation, fresh opportunities for trusting Him in new areas, fresh opportunities to overcome obstacles and greater measures of blessings to receive, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38).  Is this not life worth living?  This is indeed God's finest for us, and it is anything but boring!

Faithfulness requires discipline in the journey, and it requires a cleansing of the heart at the outset.  Anything less will harbor a contamination that will ultimately lead us to stumble and fall and possibly to not even finish the race God has set before us.  At the very least, the journey will be rocky.

Faithfulness is obedience that builds trust in relationships.  "Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness.  Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped . . . and serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:14).

:angel:

Week of October 2
Life

" . . . Choose life, not death! . . ."  ~ 2 Kings 18:32

I recently attended an event where the speaker said, "Drug dealers are living, but they don't have life."  What a profound statement.

Christianity is intended to be dynamic, full of challenges and opportunities for high levels of faith, obedience and love.  Consider every victorious Bible character you can think of.  Did they not live on the very edge of life and death?  How about Mary, who conceived a child out of wedlock amid a culture that stoned such women?  And what about Joshua, who fought battle after battle in the Promised Land so that an entire nation would receive their Godly inheritance?  And then there was Moses, who was called out of the wilderness to rescue a nation.  And how about Esther, who came out of her comfort zone in a big way to confront a king and save her people?   And let's not forget Jesus.

Were they all not living life to the fullest as they hearkened to their callings, all the while treading carefully in obedience, staying close to the father lest they fall to death?

Such is the essence of the Christian life.  God has called us into the world, and Jesus is our perfect example.  It is in the face of life and death that our heart is revealed, our current level of confidence and courage and gifting and expertise and training and knowledge and wisdom surfaces in our face.  How limited we are without God's intervention.  Our medal is tested, our character confronted, and we see our current level of integrity.

This is not only true for us as individuals, but also for businesses and organizations, including ministries.  One of my frequent prayers is, "God, help me to not miss it," because with all that is on my plate, I know that my natural ability offers me many opportunities to get too focused on one assignment or distraction and miss the big picture, the fresh manna, the new wine, the daily watering of the word and revelations that will bring me and this ministry new life.  I need the Holy Spirit to help me focus on God more than on what He assigns me and certainly more than the distractions with which the enemy tries to tempt me.

I want to consistently receive God's greater vision.  I know that the slice or portion of revelation God first gave to me for this ministry is just the beginning.  And when the winds of change come and God desires to move in a fresh way, I want to be in position to go with His flow.  God has so many more revelations for us, which are all intended to direct us to new life if we will just position our greater focus on Him and sit at His table and receive the fresh manna and new wine He desires to serve us.  God is dynamic.  Jesus is life.  I want to live.  How about you?

Although we all walk through dry seasons, and God allows this for a time for various purposes, His originally intended norm is not for us to barely make it or just get by.  So much depends upon the freewill choices that He allows us to exercise.  And the bottom line question is, "Will we rise up, or will we shrink back and make fear our God?"

The people and businesses and ministries I have the greatest respect for are those who know how to live and, with the leading of the Holy Spirit, confront perceived risk.  Consider Rick Warren, who through hearkening to a fresh move of God, was able to turn around the economics of Rwanda.  Does the Great Commission not instruct us to make disciples of all nations?  And how about Franklin Graham, who has made a lifestyle of entering into the most "dangerous" countries and conditions—those that are ravaged by disaster and are often dominated by Islam—to rescue the broken and the lost.  Is that not the heart of Jesus in action?  Is this not living life and giving life?  Look at the fruit.

As we sit in our comfortable churches and behind our cozy desks, I challenge you to not let mundane, busy (and often petty) circumstances ware you down so that you cannot get to the most important and impacting joys God has for you, like spending time with Him and making a difference in the world.  Beth Moore says it very succinctly and profoundly on the back cover of her book, Praying God's Word Day by Day: "Beloved, you will never waste time in God's Word."  Sit before God and invite Him to help you live again.  Just one revelation from Him can turn your life, business or ministry around.

Jesus came to save us from death, not only in the afterlife but during our walk on earth.  Are you living a mundane life?  Do you feel like your life is in a rut?  Is fear holding you back, binding you from living the adventure that God has for you?  Perhaps you've been deceived by buying into the world's perspective of success, and you're disillusioned.  Have you fallen into sin through disobedience and feel like it's a long journey out?  No life is too destitute for God to restore.  He has been known to accelerate our pace.  And remember, the latter can be greater than the former.  I challenge you to repent and find out what God has just for you.  Then choose to step into life with the Holy Spirit as your guide, and reach your divine destiny.

:angel:

 A Woman's Walk
     
Week of October 9
Forgiveness

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  ~ Colossians 3:13 

When God assigns us to a job in a particular work environment, He has many purposes in mind besides providing for our financial needs.  He may have us there to be a light in the surrounding darkness; to minister mercy, grace and prayer to those He puts in our path; to test and purify our hearts through challenges; to prepare us for the next glory—otherwise known as a promotion; to bring excellence, influence and transformation to the organization; to be an example to others; and the obvious purpose: to simply work unto Him.

All of these purposes are disciplines.  And all of these disciplines offer opportunities to forgive others and ourselves all along the journey.             

The American Heritage Dictionary defines forgiveness as "To excuse for a fault or offense; pardon.  To stop feeling anger or resentment against.  To absolve from payment of."   

Forgiveness does not mean condoning other people's bad behavior.  It simply means that, by choice, we cancel any debt we feel others owe us due to a wrong we feel they've caused us because Jesus died to pay all sin debt.  When we choose to forgive, we extend mercy and grace to the person who wronged us, just as our Heavenly Father extends mercy and grace to us through Jesus when we have wronged Him, or sinned.  Therefore, forgiveness is a reflection of Jesus' character.  It is an expression of sacrificial obedience in that our "flesh" surrenders to God's higher ways and His divine love in the process.

Forgiveness can feel unjust to our emotions because the enemy tries to provoke and manipulate our emotions negatively.  This is one of his devices for keeping us in bondage.  He tries to cause us to focus on the offense or hurt by getting us bound up in a web of anger, woundedness and revenge that can grow every time we think or talk about the issue, or every time we feel sorry for ourselves.

We must not become victims of the enemy's plan.  Instead, our emotions must come into alignment with God's word on forgiveness.  We must be ruled by the Holy Spirit, not by our emotions.  In choosing this truth, God rewards us with divine peace and rest.  And He promotes us to a level where former offenses will not bother us, a level where He can trust us even more with more. 

We must choose to pass the test by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and by asking for His help. Doing so gives us the power to proactively guard our hearts, refusing to allow the enemy to embed hurt, fear and anger long-term.  Sometimes, this is a process, depending on the level and the number of hurts.   

Over the years, the Lord has taught me that forgiveness is a daily journey (Matt. 18:21-22).  It is part of the Christian love walk (I Cor. 3:15).  It often helps me to pray, "Lord, please help me see others as You do and love them as You do.  I cannot do it alone."  It also helps me to remember that no one suffered greater hurt than Jesus, who died on a cross a painful death so that we could be free of all bondage.  Indeed, Jesus understands and knows our pain.  And by His stripes, our hearts are healed (Is. 53:5).             

It may surprise you to know that healing ministries have found that long-term unforgiveness is a leading root cause of disease.  Simply put, unattended wounds glorify the enemy by tormenting us inwardly (eating us alive) and persecuting others outwardly (hurting people hurt others).  We must choose which master we will serve.   

Unforgiveness is also a form of disobedience, selfishness, idolatry and pride.  It is haughtiness that rises up and says, "I'm entitled to process this my way because they hurt me."  Truth be told, this is a victim mentality.  By choosing unforgiveness, we remain controlled by the person who hurt us, claiming this hurt as our portion (a lie from the enemy), and we choose our self and our hurt over God.   This choice, this sin, opens the door for the enemy to gain strongholds in our hearts and destroy us, making us an instrument of destruction.  Again, we must choose which master we will serve.   

Jesus prayed, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matt. 6:12).  Therefore, if we forgive others, we will be forgiven.  But if we do not, God will not forgive us (Matt. 6:14-15).  This is a powerful and loving precept that sets us free.  God holds us accountable for what we hold in our heart, even if others have hurt us.  When we do our part, He deals with the situation and the person who wronged us for us.  Hebrews 10:30-31 says, "'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.' And again, 'THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.'  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  Let us have faith in God's word, His truth.

If you struggle with unforgiveness, I encourage you to let the hurt go with God's help.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you who you need to forgive.  Confess having walked in the sin of unforgiveness.  Ask the Lord to heal and purify your heart and convict the other person's heart concerning the wrong.  Then sincerely intercede for that person, blessing them, speaking healing and deliverance over them (just as Jesus would do).  Then release them to the Lord.  Rest assured, the faithful and almighty God we serve will take this burden off your heart and handle it in His higher way for you.

:angel:

Week of October 16
Abundance

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift from God."  ~ Ecclesiastes 5:19

Divine abundance is a wonderful gift from God.  Thankfully, divine abundance is not defined by or limited to material possessions.  Rather, it encompasses much more.  In The Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk. 12:15) Jesus says, "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

What Jesus is saying is that there is more to our purpose and identity than material things and that we must first "be rich toward God" in our hearts, our spirits and our minds by receiving all of Him and walking in His ways, guarding our hearts against greed and mammon in order to have a right attitude toward abundance (Lk.12:21).  In other words, we must first have God's character in abundance before we can sustain His blessings in abundance.  And we cannot accomplish this alone.

It is only through the abundant grace and love of our Heavenly Father that He gave His son, Jesus Christ, as our savior—who is the essence of abundance, who modeled The Father's finest principles and who also intercedes for us now at the right hand of the Father—to help us receive all of His gifts and rewards, many of which are not material.  It is through Jesus that divine joy, love, grace, favor and mercy overflow to us.  James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from above.  For this alone, we owe an abundance of thanksgiving to God.

Receiving divine abundance is also linked with our faith and actions concerning giving.  Malachi 3:10 says, "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'"

Receiving divine abundance is also linked with how we treat others.  Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Remember, motives count.  If we just give for the sake of getting, this principle won't work.  God looks at the heart and sees all things and knows all things.

Both tithing and loving others fit into God's greatest commandments for us, which is to love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39).  This mature level of loving involves walking in obedience to God and forgiveness toward others no matter what the circumstances.  Obedience brings divine favor and rewards that are material and immaterial.

Psalm 65:11 says, "You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness . . ."  So let us ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal privately any matters that do not please God, the very issues that would prevent us from receiving Our Father's greatest abundance.  Let us repent and ask Him to fill our hearts with a fresh love for our Heavenly Father and others so that we may have a right attitude of divine priority.  And let us give Him praise for and celebrate that which He has already given us and that which is to come.  Only then will we be positioned to receive His accelerated abundance that He longs to give us during this season.

:angel:

Week of October 23
Diligence

"[Anna] never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying."  ~ Luke 2:37

The Bible tells us that Anna was a prophet and that she was married for seven years before becoming a widow.  At that point, she lived in the temple and spent the rest of her life worshipping the Lord with a pure diligence.  She understood that her Maker was her spiritual husband and that she was created for intimate relationship with Him (Is. 54:5).

Although most of us live lives that are not cloistered, we can still diligently worship the Lord everywhere God assigns us, even at work.  All that's required is that we seek His face, ask Him what's on His heart and then carefully obey Him in excellence.

He will surely respond and guide us because it is His loving desire to commune with us.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

With the Christmas season right around the corner, intimacy with God easily awaits us.  Church cantatas, seasonal worship music in our automobiles and holiday decorations in our homes invite us to slip into quiet time with God and appreciate Him even more.  But will we diligently make time for intimacy with Him after the season passes?  Will God remain our greatest desire 24/7?

Although, one can only ponder all the desires and burdens that were on Anna's heart as she came before the Lord day and night, year after year, the Bible reveals that the Messiah was surely dear to her.

The NIV note in Luke 2:36 tells us, "Anna praised God for the child Jesus as Hannah had praised God for the child Samuel."

Anna waited a long time for this miracle child to be born, like Hannah waited for her son Samuel's birth.  Jesus was an answer to Anna's prayers, just as Samuel was to the formerly barren Hannah.

When Anna approached Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus at the temple, the Bible says, "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Lk. 2:38).

Anna could never have done this if she did not know what was on God's heart.  And the way Anna knew God's heart was by spending lots of time seeking His heart.  In turn, God rewarded Anna by choosing her to deliver a message that He wanted to share with those who would listen.  God knew He could trust Anna with important revelations.

Anna surely felt honored.  Undoubtedly, seeing her deepest love come forth in manifest presence in the temple (also her home) gave her heart great joy.

Like Anna, what miracles do we anticipate in this season?  Do we have the diligent faith of Anna to witness God's greatest manifestations?  Do we know His heart and His voice well enough to hear from Him when He shows up?

Like Anna, is God our first love?

My prayer is that all of us would receive great revelations from the Lord as we diligently love on Him and that we would be able to share His heart with those who will listen.

:angel:

Week of October 30
Awakening

"Wake up, Deborah, wake up!  Wake up, wake up, and sing a song!  Arise, Barak!  Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!"  ~ Judges 5:12

God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel's military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.

Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin?  Perhaps by our own volition or that of others.  Perhaps even by generational iniquity.  Did it not it feel like an eternity?  And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?

Indeed, God hears our cries.  And in His time, His gavel falls.  And when it does, it is swift.  Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy's head, He revives us (Judges 4:21).  And we begin anew.

An awakening is a revival or renewal of something.  It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud.  In Deborah and Barak's case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.

Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right.  They are rooted in God's infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.

Consider Peter.  Acts 12:7 tells us, "Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter.  The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, 'Quick!  Get up!'  And the chains fell off his wrists."

As in Peter's case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God's plan.  Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God's abundance of life.  In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens.  We are reminded that God's yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).

Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.

Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window.  I don't often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it's lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit.

This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me.  He responded by showing me the word, "Awakening."  As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.

Are you in need of God's awesome awakening, His miraculous and "sudden" turnaround?  Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one.  God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny.  He can awe you!

:angel:

Week of November 6
Heart

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of all His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."  ~Ephesians 1:18-19

Love for God is powerful.  It drives us to please Him, to carry out His will, His heart from heaven to earth (Ps. 119:11).  When we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him (Jer. 29:13-14), and He is always there for us, no matter where we are, ready to fellowship, ready to pour out His love to us.

In relationship with Him, we are nurtured, restored, filled up with His goodness, willing to serve Him.  In His presence, we return to contentment.  We are blessed with joyfulness and peace, no matter what our circumstances.

Heart is the center of the human spirit, according to Biblical language.  The living word of God tells us to protect and watch over our heart and that it is the wellspring, or source, from which life flows (Pr. 4:23).  Whatever we allow into our heart will flow out in some form of speech, thought or behavior.  Do we seek the Lord for purity of heart (Matt. 5:8)?  Do we invite the Holy Spirit, the one who sees all things (I Sam 6:7), to examine the depth of our heart (Ps. 26:2)?

I've learned that issues of the heart do not just go away.  They must be confronted.  And if they are not handled privately, they will emerge publicly.  Unresolve has the power to destroy our lives and others.  One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sin in my heart so that I may be in right standing before Him.  Will we find the courage to confront the issues, to turn our heart around with His help (Ps. 51:10)?

Much the same, overwork dries up the heart (Matt. 11:29).  When the busyness of life is prioritized over nurturing our hearts with prayer and meditations of God's word, how will we know the heart of God in any situation (Heb. 4:12)?  What can we possibly pour out to those around us?  The ones whom God puts in our path?  Will we have the patience to love them or even desire to extend compassion?

2 Corinthians 3:3 tells us that the Holy Spirit is written on our hearts.  Will we lean to His spirit when we are in need or react from the flesh of our heart (Ps. 19:14)?  Indeed, sometimes, a heart circumcision is in order to cut away that which encumbers us so that we may enter into a new place of intimacy with God, a new assignment, a manifest promise.

David is often described as a man after God's own heart.  Psalm 119:11 tells us, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You."

Do we treasure God's word?  Is Jesus our first love?  If not, the solution can be found in Ezekiel 18:31, "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!"

Indeed, God has given us the power of self-control.  And when we exercise it, fruit is produced.  Thankfully, we can choose to depart from carnal behaviors, ungodly thoughts and an unloving spirit.

With a heart for God, let us remember David's psalm, "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.  May the Lord grant all your requests."

:angel:

Week of November 13
Sisterhood

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers . . . but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love . . ."  ~Titus 2:3-4

There is something to be said about women helping women.  I recall when I worked as a flight attendant we women looked out for one another.  At 35,000 feet, we didn't have family, friends, church, or a support group of any kind.  Earning a living out of a suitcase in a different city each night gave new meaning to vigilance.

I witnessed competitiveness and selfishness give way to survival through unity, kinship and an inevitable bond of trust and loyalty.  Even if we occasionally worked with someone who seemed a bit odd, we all knew deep down in our hearts that that woman was one of us.  We were a united front among passengers, and we knew that in a pinch or, worse yet, in an emergency, we could depend upon one another for our rescue in the face of accosting offenders or amid smoldering wreckage.

Over time, we came to love one another as sisters, as like-minded women who deeply understood each other's joys and challenges in our work and our unique lifestyle, like no one else.

Such is the nature of teamwork, where the combined efforts of many produce much.  Women helping women, as the generations were instructed in Titus 2, produces exponential wisdom and achievement.  It helps us to begin strong, accelerate fast and finish well.  Where combined seeds of investment are planted, a multiple return is reaped.

Who are you investing in?  Perhaps it's your daughter or a mentee at work; maybe an intern.  God has a way of growing our investment.

The Cretan women in Titus 2 were taught God's precepts of servanthood, of giving and receiving in relationships, the strength and value of nurturing.  They were offered the building blocks for strong foundations in their families and work.  Paul knew their investments would be rewarded when he wrote those encouraging words.  He wanted women to succeed, as God did and still does.

How we get along with our sisters determines much.  Gossip, pettiness and back-biting are the demons of division.  And when we participate in these behaviors, we inhibit our divine blessings.

Consider 2 Timothy 2:16, "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly" and 2 Timothy 2:23-24, "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."  James 4:11 says, "Brothers [Sisters], do not slander one another."

How much more of God's blessings could we have if we just lived right?

When we let go of Cretan-like behaviors, learn who we are in Christ and choose to walk in God's empowering love, no matter what the behavior of others, we will find strength and unity, we will demonstrate sisterhood, and we will be blessed beyond measure.

What's in your heart?  For an honest account, just ask the Holy Spirit.  Then repent and prepare to walk in God's power and blessings.

:angel:

Week of November 20
Thanksgivings

"The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger.  I trust in Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."  ~ Psalm 28:7 (NLT) 

David knew the power of thanksgiving.  He understood that thanksgiving reflects a humble heart and is rooted in humble gratitude.  He was genuinely grateful.  For him, God was his only solution, his only escape from danger.  And he trusted God to show up and deliver him.  For David, God meant life.

No matter what our circumstances, we can always thank God for who He is and for delivering us from every evil darkness into every blessing of light.

James 1:17 says, "every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights . . ." (NKJV).

Thanksgiving honors God.  It is a facet of praise, a biblical precept, a key component of prayer and our Christian love walk.  The dictionary defines thanksgiving as "a prayer that offers thanks to God . . . an expression or an act of giving thanks . . . a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."

Philippians 4:6 instructs us to pray and petition God with thanksgiving.  The NIV note for this scripture tells us that thanksgiving is "the antidote to worry."

Psalm 95:2 says, "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song."

I Corinthians 10:16 refers to the communion cup as "the cup of thanksgiving," which we take in remembrance of Jesus who died for us so we can have eternal life.

The word "Hallelujah," which we often sing, translates into the Hebrew word "halleluyah," which literally means "praise ye the Lord."  The dictionary defines Hallelujah as a thankful cry of "relief, welcome or gratitude."

I did a rare thing for myself one day: I bought a cup of coffee at my local grocery store and decided to take my time shopping for our week's meals.  God spoke to my heart as I came upon the book aisle.  There, I spotted TV anchor Deborah Norville's book, Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You.

"Interesting choice of words," I thought.

I flipped through the book, having recalled Mrs. Norville publicly proclaiming years earlier that she is a woman of faith.  I saw that she included lots of supporting material—quotes and studies professing that the principle of thanksgiving works.  And, indeed, in the final chapter, she directly addresses "people of faith," encouraging readers to attend assemblies of worship.

As I stood in the aisle of that market, I was reminded that the same biblical principles that we Christians are to live by also work in the world.  God doesn't want to leave anyone out.  He loves us all.

It caused me to pause and ask myself, "How is my attitude of thanksgiving?  How grateful is my heart?  Do I really honor God enough with prayers of thanksgiving?  What gifts from above have I taken for granted?

Indeed, thanksgiving is a powerful principle that touches the Father's heart.  May we ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, and may we give the Father of Light thanks for every good and perfect gift.

:angel:

Week of November 27
Restoration

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Psalm 51:12

God purposed His only begotten Son to reconcile us to Him and to do a complete work of restoration.  What an amazing gift of love this is, and it's available to all of us who will receive it.

Divine restoration means to bring us back to God's original intent and plan for us, made whole, full of His presence.

When we first accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are born again in the spirit, elated with joy.  All we want to do is to please God and shout to the world how wonderful this amazing transformation feels.

But as we step back into the world to work and interact, we can be tempted to slip back into former patterns of sin.  However, God loves us so much that even when we behave in ways that hurt His heart, if we repent, He is quick to forgive.  And He restores us, just as He did for the Israelites so many times throughout the Bible.

Usually, we see the restoration of God manifest after we have suffered for a "little" while (I Peter 5:10).  Our definition of "little" and God's definition usually varies.  He will allow us to suffer consequences to discipline us (Heb. 12: 4-11).  If the consequences weren't painful, we probably wouldn't learn the lesson and would repeat cycles of destruction.   

The quickest path to restoration is immediate repentance and diligence in seeking God's heart and face, praising Him in the midst of our suffering.

It is also important to remember that God did not cause our pain.  We must take accountability, forgiving anyone who may have caused us to stumble and also forgiving ourselves.  Remember, God forgives those who forgives others (Matt. 6:14).  The quicker we let the issue go and turn our focus to God, the quicker we move through the restoration process.

We must also ask the Holy Spirit to check our attitudes and search our hearts to privately reveal to us any hidden sins, so that we may be confessed and in right standing.  Often, we cannot see our own issues, but God sees everything.  And so we must rely upon the Holy Spirit to help us, remembering that which is not confessed privately, will be exposed publically.  Truly, unconfessed sin doesn't just go away.  It must be confronted.

Restoration often extends beyond us into past, present and future generations (Deut. 30:2-3).  When generational sins enter a family tree (Ex. 20:5-6), it can take years for God to restore us and our family members.  This is because there has been so much repetitive sin over time.  For example, if we were raised in dysfunction for 18 years, it may take at least that long to overcome the multitude of issues, depending on the level of intensity and the amount of areas affected.

Still, God is patient with us, and He is kind.  He extends His infinite mercy and amazing grace to us in the journey as we declare Joel 2:25, Job 42:10 and Haggai 2:9.

Generational restoration is often a process that begins with forgiving our forefathers for their iniquities, repenting for walking in the same sins as they and asking God to help us walk in new ways.  This process usually occurs in layers, as in peeling an onion.  Sometimes, there is so much that is wrong, if God revealed all of our issues to us at once, it would crush us.  However, God can accelerate the restoration process by using ministries that specialize in this area or even by miraculous touches from Him.

God will give us restoration breakthroughs as we journey.  These usually involve divine revelations and spiritual deliverance that release us into a new level of understanding and freedom.  And sometimes, these breakthroughs occur in the form of creative miracles or physical healings, like those we read about in the Bible.

God is indeed the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8).  He still heals today as He did during Biblical times.  He is sovereign, and He does not change.  He loves us no matter what.  But remember, even those who experienced "sudden" miracles first suffered for a "little" while, which may have felt like an eternity to them.

God's restoration offers us liberty from oppression and the freedom to reach our divine destiny in divinely appointed times.  The more baggage we overcome and the more hurts and injustices we process God's way, the more space we make available within ourselves to receive His love.  The more space we offer God to reflect His love through us, the more ways He can use us to share His love in the marketplace, just like Jesus did.  This honors God.

God has much in store for those who will submit to His restoration process (Rev. 2:26).  But what will we choose?  Will we hold to our familiar wounds and bondages and limit the hand of God from working in us and through us?  Will we close out many of His finest blessings?  Or will we choose to exercise a willing spirit and return to His joy of salvation?

It is my prayer that we will humble ourselves and take courage to receive more of Him, that we will align with His perfect will and receive the full measure of His blessings.

If you would like help in your restoration journey, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.  Only He knows what and how much you are ready to deal with.  Some ministries I can recommend are Healing House, Shiloh Place and Family Foundations International.


:angel:
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Week of December 4
Miracles

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."  ~ Job 5:9

When US Airways flight 1549 went down in the Hudson River, I—like so many others—watched in awe to see everyone on board survive.  A crash like no other, the image in which most of the people stood on the wings of the slow-sinking craft demonstrated a surefire miracle, God's hand of protection, to say nothing of the captain's glider skills.  And strangely enough, the people looked as though they were standing on water.

The whole ordeal seemed surreal, almost textbook-like, right out of crew training: The impossible ditching where everyone survives.

In the days that followed, one "Today Show" broadcast featured a self-proclaimed born-again Christian woman who gave accounts of people praying, even the flight attendants.  This touched my heart immensely because it was so personal.  As a flight attendant with US Airways for 16 years, I prayed over many airplanes and passengers.  And I know prayer works, even in the workplace.  It touches the heart of God.  It evokes lifelines of miracles.

I have been in four airplane emergencies myself, where I wasn't sure what the exact outcome would be.  But I knew the Lord was with me no matter what.  And in the instances where all I had was God and, as I looked before me, a whole lot of people whom I might have to save and rescue, God became my closest confidant, my most trusted friend and my strongest rock.  I saw many miracles.  And I knew others were praying, like those who watched on television, including my parents during one such occasion.  And my cohorts who prayed in prayer groups, Bible studies and prayer chains in US Airways' offices and break rooms.

Awesome isn't it—the power and love of God in action!

Who's praying in your office?  What prayer points has God given you?  What miracles do you and those around you need?  How about your company?  God is surely big enough and knows just how to bring you in safely.  Will you trust Him?  Will you let Him guide you and direct your path?  Is He your rock?

:angel:

Week of December 11
Peace

"...making peace through His blood, shed on the cross." ~ Colossians 1:20

Jesus was and is the new blood covenant of peace.  This truth was foretold to the prophet Isaiah in 9:6, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Verse 7 goes on to say that there is no end to His peace.

Directly related to salvation through Jesus Christ, peace is a gift, freely given to us.  When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we receive Him and His peace.

In the Hebrew language, peace is translated as "shalom," which means safety, completeness, prosperity, fulfillment, victory, success, health and blessing.

Encarta Dictionary defines peace as "...the time when a war or conflict ends... a state of mental serenity, with no anxiety."

In Latin, peace is translated from the word "placibilis," which means "pleasing" and from Latin "placere," which means "to please."

Since our primary purpose as Christians is to please God, not people, if we walk in careful obedience to Biblical precepts and the Holy Spirit's directives—no matter what others think or say or do—we walk in peace.  Therefore, peace is a reward of careful obedience. 

Conversely, when we choose to move from obedience to disobedience and from faith to fear, we distance ourselves from peace (Is. 48:22, 57:21).

Judges 2 has much to say about how choices of disobedience offer defeat, distress and destruction.  In this chapter, although God did not break His covenant with the Israelites, He did lift His hand of favor off of them when they disobeyed, allowing them to reap painful consequences.

Even so, our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He will restore peace in our lives when we cry out in repentance to Him.  And even though He still performs instant miracles as He did in Biblical times, His restoration often involves a process over time.

Consider the story of Gideon, a mighty warrior, whom God called to restore peace by striking down Israel's long-time oppressors, the Midianites (Judges 6:7-24).  Gideon was the "least" in his family and had the weakest clan of men.  Yet because God heard the Israelite's cries and had purposed restoration for them, He placed His hand of favor, protection and victory upon Gideon to defeat Israel's enemies.  No way could Gideon restore peace by himself.  Only with God could he complete his mission.   And the mission involved a process of strategy and tactics.  It took place over time, and it was messy.

Likewise, only with God's help can we walk uprightly and affect peace for those around us because God, Himself, is the grantor of peace.  And peace is a reward of His righteousness.

If there are areas in our lives where the Holy Spirit is prompting us to cry out to God in repentance and restoration of peace, may we trust that He awaits our cry, He will hear us, and He will respond to us lovingly.

During these uncertain times, may we be led forth in peace, experiencing the fullness and joy of this great blessing that is given to us freely as saints in God's Kingdom.  And may we share this fruit of the Spirit—the peace that surpasses understanding—with those who are struggling or have yet to receive His truth and love.

:angel:

Week of December 18
Rest

"But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster."  ~I Kings 5:4

There comes a time when God puts our enemies under our feet. Indeed, He gives us a period of rest so that we may concentrate on the work He has set before us. God's gift of divine rest offers us freedom, peace and protection.  And it is ours through salvation and obedience in Jesus Christ.

There is complete trust available in God's divine rest.  So much so that Deuteronomy 25:19 tells us to forget about the enemies who attacked us when we were weary and worn out.

David declared in Psalm 62, "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him" (vs. 1).  "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him" (vs. 5).

Sometimes, we must take authority over our frantic souls and command them to rest, to come in alignment with the living word of God.  Little wonder the word "rest" appears 275 times in the Bible.  Consider its many definitions:

Rest is a period of refreshing, a freedom from exertion and anxiety, a stopping place for shelter.  To rest means to restore energy, to be supported against something (like the shelter of the Most High), to depend upon someone (like Jesus) for action or as a burden or responsibility, to rely on something (like the Holy Spirit) for proof or explanation, to conclude the presentation of evidence in a case (as in it is finished!).

Divine rest comes after a fulfillment of a promise, or completion, as in the case of King Solomon (I Kings 5:4) and as in the case of the Israelites taking dominion over the Promised Land (Joshua 1:13-15).  It allows for restoration, a new beginning.  It ushers in God's glory (Is. 11:10), and it is rewarded to those who are righteous in the Lord and see the journey through.

In Jesus, we can rest secure from all that burdens or threatens us.  Indeed, He is our way and our truth.  He is our friend.  And He assures us that His unfailing love rests upon us, as we put our hope in Him (Psalm 33:22), just as The Father assured Moses that His presence will go with him, and He would give him rest as he journeyed forth in obedience (Exodus 33:14).

If we are prone to over work, the Lord may have to make us lie down and rest like the sheep in the fields (Psalm 23).  There was a season one year where the Lord spoke Psalm 23 to me repeatedly through various resources.  I finally got the message.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the Lord and His angels work on our behalf to position and align us, others and circumstances for His perfect timing, His perfect will.  What we think we should be doing is not always God's agenda.  He has taught me to lay down false responsibilities by praying every day, "Lord, I surrender my agenda to You.  Have your way in my day."

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

If you are in need of divine rest, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any unconfessed sins, and confess them.  Then declare Psalm 91:1-2 over yourself, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty" and Isaiah 32:18, "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."

May God's unfailing love rest upon you, and may you enter into His resting place safe, secure and highly favored until you journey home to have eternal rest with Jesus.

:angel:

Week of December 25
Service

"This service that you have performed is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."  ~ 2 Corinthians 9:12 (NIV)

Service is a form of work, and work is a form of praise.  This important word, in its various forms, appears in the NIV Bible over 1,100 times.

Some of us work in the military service, public service, civil service, customer service, church services, even at service stations.  1 Corinthians 12:5 tells us that there are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  To serve God's way means to do so from a generous heart of love.  And to divinely serve, we must first understand the nature and character of a willing servant:

John 12:26 says, "Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be . . ."  A servant partners intimately with God.

Matthew 20:26 says, ". . . whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."  A servant is humble.

Luke 12:35 says, "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning."  A servant is prepared and vigilant.

Matthew 20:28 says, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."  A servant sacrifices lovingly.

God rewards His faithful and loving servants with an inheritance (Is. 65:9).   He protects them and vindicates them (Is. 54:17).  He redeems them (Ps. 34:22).  He recognizes them (1Cor. 16:18).  He promotes them (Matt. 24:45, Jh. 15:15, Phil. 2:9).  And He gives them righteousness and peace (Rom. 14:17-18). 

The Bible speaks of how rare servant leadership has been in Biblical times and continues to be today in Luke 22:26 (see NIV note) as defined in 1 Peter 5:2—to be willing, eager examples, not lording their authority over those whom God has entrusted in their care.  Those of us who have worked under difficult bosses understand what this means.

God cultivated a servant's heart in me during my many years of working as a flight attendant, where seniority reigned, and I was presented with plenty of opportunities to serve hundreds of people a day.  This was a very humbling job assignment that involved picking up trash, aiding sick passengers and serving food and drink, frequently on little sleep in cramped, hot spaces.  Even though I would often jokingly say that it was my indentured servant job—meaning that I worked to travel—I knew in my heart that God had me there to work in me and through me.

Luke 22:26-27 puts it in perspective: ". . . the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?  Is it not the one who is at the table?  But I am among you as the one who serves."

Indeed, true divine service is both a noble and humble action.  It involves doing that which the Father instructs us to do with faithfulness and wholeheartedness (1Sam. 12:24), praise and obedience (Ps. 103:2).

And attitude matters.  Philippians 2:5 tells us that our "attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus," which is one of humility.  Romans 14:17-18 tells us that when we live righteously, peacefully and joyfully, we are "pleasing to God and approved by men."  This is a key to getting along with others.  Proverbs 14:35 says, "A king delights in a wise servant."  Now here is a precept for getting promoted.

In John 15:15, Jesus calls His servants His "friends" because true servants of Christ are also His true friends in that they are so intimately involved with Him that they know His business.  They are His inner circle or "inner court."

Can we say that we honestly know Christ's business?  Are we part of His inner court?  Do we intimately partner with Him to do Kingdom work?  Are we His wise and humble servants?  May we invite Him to have more of our heart, to guide us in doing and being more like Him so that we can soar in true service to His glory.

:angel:

Week of January 1

Workplace Purpose
by Margaret D. Mitchell

". . . great are Your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve."
-Jeremiah 33:19

I received a text from a young woman one morning who said, "God just showed me why I am at this particular job!!! . . . a girl who sits right across from me is doing the exact same thing I want to do for young girls!!"

This young woman was wise and courageous beyond her years, because she had prayed for God to take her hand and lead her into a job of His choice so that she could receive and do great exploits. She wanted something better for her life, and she understood God had a plan and a destiny for her that was better than her own limited perception and understanding.

Her particular job was not one that this young woman would have chosen for herself for various reasons. And, at the outset, it appeared as though it was far from her heart's desire. But when the job was offered to her, she trusted that God had answered her prayer, that He had her best interest at heart; so she leapt forward in faith at the opportunity. Almost immediately after she took this action of faith, she met a divine connection that could encourage her toward reaching her heart's desire, her divine destiny.

This young woman believes that the God of heaven and earth sees and knows more than she and that He loves her beyond measure. She had a heart to please God, and she desired His best for her life. She understood that God had a fulfillment strategy. And she witnessed it coming to pass in her young life.

Whether we work inside or outside of our home, our job is our divine assignment, our mission field where God will do a work in, through and for us! Our obedience to God throughout the mission is paramount, because our destiny is conditional upon our obedience. We can either receive God's finest or our finest. Where we end up involves a series of our simple choices.

When this young woman prayed for God to take her hand and lead her to a job of His choice, she positioned herself for great exploits and blessings. When she accepted her new job, she stepped into a divine set up, into the "unknown," like Abraham.

This young woman came to understand that she was in the midst of her "destiny journey." This job was a link to her ultimate destiny desire: to serve girls with the love of God. She became filled with joy and zeal as she became inspired and motivated beyond what she had anticipated. Her heart awakened to the higher purposes of God for this job and her life's work.

She gained a new level of revelation understanding: that she is chosen royalty, as daughter of the King Most High, that she is Father God's princess, and the queen of King Jesus. Like Esther, she is doing great exploits for God and His people on earth as it is in heaven. If she remains obedient, through her, God will birth much to build His kingdom over time.

Her new job has a whole new meaning now, purposed with great value, potential impact and transformation possibilities. What an awesome place to be: working unto the Lord out of a heart of love!

God can do much with simple things, like this young woman's entry-level, college job. He is a God of multiplication. And He doesn't waste anything. Rather, He purposes everything that is of Him. All He needs is a willing heart that says, "Yes Lord!" throughout the journey.

God's Great Commission is your great adventure. What desires has He placed in your heart? Have you invited God to take your hand and lead you to reach your destiny? He always rewards obedience; He's just waiting for your invitation and next step.

:angel:

Week of January 8

The Potter
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?' declares the Lord. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.'"  -Jeremiah 18:6

Whenever God assigns us to a task, a position or a season, He always purposes a triune work: In us, through us and for us. In other words, when we work unto the Lord—where He plants us—He simultaneously does a work in us and on our behalf. He is the ultimate multitasker!

This is good news for people, especially moms, who feel they're leaving their homes and their children to go to work. You're not leaving them behind. You're leaving them in God's hands. There is a difference when we operate in divine obedience.

When we prayerfully step up and step out into a day of the "unknown," God does extraordinary works because of the sacrifice and honor our faithfulness offers Him. When we are aligned with God's directives, He will take care of that which we leave for Him. And He will purpose the challenges of our day to conform us to His liking if we yield to Him.

Recently, the Holy Spirit inspired me to write a prayer to be distributed to our Women's Expo attendees. We printed several copies of the prayer, laminated them and cut them into small prayer cards. They were purposed to serve as a reminder to women to keep their heart's eye on God during their workday, to affirm that He is with them and for them.

I placed my prayer card on my desk, and every day, immediately after I sat down, and before I began to work, I picked up the prayer card and prayed the prayer:

"...Thank you that as I work, You are working through me, doing a work in me and working on my behalf."

Four months after praying this prayer daily, something extraordinary happened: A manager came to me and asked me to step into a new role in a new department. His invitation seemed urgent, and it took me aback. Something didn't seem right, so I decided to fast and seek God's will on the matter.

At the end of a week of fasting and praying, when my response was due to the manager, I still hadn't heard from the Lord. So I prayed, "Lord, I won't take this position, because I haven't heard from you. But I'm curious as to why You don't want me to have it?" Almost immediately, the Holy Spirit led me to Philippians 3:2, "... beware of evil workers..."

Alarmed in my spirit, I returned to work and declined that position.

A few weeks later, the same manager invited me to work in another department. So I prayed again, and the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that I should accept the offer; at the same time, I sensed this new assignment would not be easy.

What ultimately happened was that God used this new position to do a quick and deep work in me.

In this new role, God enabled me to feel intense pressure and great challenge, which caused me to press into Him for help.

One day, after hearing nothing from God, I cried, "What is it?! What do you want me to see in this?"

Immediately, I received a resounding revelation from the Holy Spirit: "You disrespected your father!" In that moment, I instantly understood what He meant and why He was allowing me to experience this.

God used this new position to cause me to feel the level of pressure that my father had felt on his job decades earlier, a level of pressure that caused him to behave in ways for which I judged him. I had walked unaware of my sin judgment towards my father for decades, held captive by this sin.

But God has a way of revealing our sins to us for the purpose of giving us an opportunity to repent, forgive and be forgiven, to be set free from captivity (Isaiah 5:13, Hosea 4:6). This was one of those inner works.

In an instant of revelation understanding, I was able to repent on a deep level and gain compassion for my father in a new area. When I called my dad to ask for his forgiveness, he extended grace to me on a level and in a way that I never knew he had in him. It touched my heart deeply and caused me to feel a deeper love towards my father (Malachi 4:6).

Because I invited Him to do so, God purged decades of sin judgment from me, which, no doubt, had blocked many blessings in my work life and in my relationship with my dad for years. In doing so, God broke the bondage of sin, which positioned me to move into the next season and out of that job.

Like strong medicine, God used these intense circumstances to do me a favor.

Sometimes, God has to set us on the potter's wheel to conform us into a more beautiful vessel for a more beautiful place. How is He working in, through and for you?

:angel:

Week of January 15
Rest

"Come away alone with me and get some rest,"
–Mark 6:31

I love how God is so concerned about our wellbeing that He corrects us to stop working when we should rest.

The Holy Spirit illuminated this scripture to me first thing one Monday morning. It came the first weekday after I had left my day job, the frontline. God was instructing me to rest at the end of a difficult assignment, after coming off the frontline. He wanted to give me rest after my mission and from my enemies.

I love what Billy Graham says in his book, Nearing Home: "God rested on the seventh day after He had finished His work of creating the universe, and we shouldn't feel guilty if He gives us the opportunity to rest once our work is done."*

God instructs us to rest because He knows we need refreshment and to hear from Him before He opens the door of a new project or situation that will require a significant amount of dedicated energy, a promotion.

In my case, I had pre-scheduled a morning coffee appointment that Monday with a friend who looks to me for spiritual counsel, and I hadn't seen her in awhile. Because I knew she had been looking forward to our meeting, I did not want to disappoint her. So I drove off to the north side of town to her home.

A couple of days earlier, God had impressed upon me to get some orange juice, which is not a food item I typically keep at home. I intended to pick it up at the store, but with the busyness going on around me, I had forgotten. So on this Monday morning, while driving to my friend's home, the Holy Spirit brought it to remembrance, and I set my intentions on a particular store.

When I approached the store, I saw much road construction and could not get into the turn lane that led to the shopping center. So I told myself I would pick it up on my way back. But when I journeyed back, I saw even more road construction and decided to take another route. In doing so, I passed up the store and the orange juice that day.

Make no mistake about it, delayed obedience is disobedience. And the ultimate consequence of my disobedience was a head cold. God saw this coming, and He tried to thwart the issue by guiding me to drink orange juice (vitamin C).

I often say, "there is no small sin," especially because of the multiplied effect of our actions. Usually, the effects of sin affect more than us; they affect (and in this case, infect) those around us and those around them.

What better way for God to remind me of the careful obedience required in hearkening to the Holy Spirit than to allow me to catch a cold?

I love Psalm 23:2—"He makes me lie down in green pastures." As God's sheep, He has to make us rest sometimes. Only God knows and sees all things. He knows what is up ahead. He knows the amount of energy that is required to accomplish His tasks. And He doesn't want us to fall into sin, which makes the journey more difficult.

A couple of days later, after I finally bought the orange juice and poured myself a glassful, I noticed a scripture in a new book I had recently purchased. The scripture was Exodus 15:26: "He said, 'If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'"

Could the Holy Spirit have made His point any clearer? I don't think I will soon forget this learned reminder.

There comes a time in our spiritual walk when we realize we have become a wheel within a wheel, and any action short of careful obedience pulls us out of sync with God. God will allow us to wobble through these lessons as precursors to trusting us with more. In so doing, He refines us and affirms us.

Like work, rest is important. God did it; He expects us to do it; and it is an area in which He will test us. What's more, His purpose in having us come away alone with Him to rest is not only to provide refreshment for us, but also to give us something more. In my case, God was waiting for me to enter into a place of intimacy with Him to receive a major ministry directive for the forthcoming year. And the day I came away with Him alone was the day I received what was on His heart.

How about you? Are you willing to lay down your agenda and rest at the Holy Spirit's directive? What does God want to share with you, and how will that affect your life your ministry?

____________________

*Quoted in Billy Graham, Nearing Home (Nashville, T.N.: Thomas Nelson, 2011), p. 26.

:angel:

Week of January 22
Distraction or Determination

". . . "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?" Nehemiah 6:3

Distraction from our divine assignments can come in many forms: There are the obvious circumstances, such as too much television, gaming or PC time. But what about mind games from our enemies, unnecessary family drama or pressing work deadlines that can actually be better prioritized?

God has a timeline and a purpose when He assigns us great exploits. And He expects us to stay on course until the mission is completed, because much is at stake. It's not just about us.

Consider Nehemiah, who led the restoration of the Jerusalem wall. What if Nehemiah had decided to give priority to his enemies who threatened him and his project (Neh 6:3)? How would Jerusalem the workers have been affected?

Distractions that cause us to step out of sync with God throw off our timing, cause kinks and delays and, worse yet, affect multitudes around us, even generations to come. And they can attack in the simplest forms—little foxes—we either don't expect and/or don't recognize as a danger.

God illuminated this principle to me years ago on an airplane. I was working as a flight attendant, and our crew had been rerouted, which caused us to be rescheduled to deadhead (airline lingo for sitting in a passenger seat to reach a destination to actually work a flight) on a particular flight. The flight was full, so I had no other choice than to sit in my assigned middle seat.

Since I often pray, "God, order my steps. I surrender my agenda to You," I had confidence that God had purposefully ordered my steps and that this reroute was not a mishap.

Soon into the flight, I noticed that the woman seated next to me was reading, Jesus Freaks. I sensed in my spirit that God had purposed a divine appointment with this woman.

After awhile, we struck up a conversation, and I shared with her that I also am a Christian. The woman confessed to me that she, too, had prayed at the outset of her trip, asking God to order her steps. She discovered that she, like me, had gotten rerouted. Once on our flight, she prayed that the Lord would bring the person who needed Him most to sit beside her.

That person was me, and this touched my heart deeply. We held hands and prayed together, asking the Lord what He wanted me to receive.

I began to ask this woman questions, and in the course of our conversation, the Lord revealed exactly what He wanted me to have. Unbeknownst to her, I had been privately praying about a particular issue in my family. I had asked God to lead me to the sources and resources that had the answers. On this day, He answered my prayer.

This woman knew of a specific resource that would give me the information I needed to deal with this family issue. The very moment she began to share this information with me, suddenly passenger noise erupted all around us.

The noise became so loud that this woman had to write down the information for me, because I could not hear her speak. This noise was a distraction.

The enemy will use anyone and anything he can to prevent us from getting where God wants us to be and from doing what God wants us to do, which is why we—through Christ—must be smarter than our worst adversary. He does this because he knows the end result will be a great threat to him.

This woman and I were determined to stay on course. As God would have it, I received the information and soon after dealt with the family issue. The end result was victory, because despite the enemy's distraction, we pressed on.

Being where God wants us to be is important. I tell my ministry team, "You have to know where God has assigned you. If you're. "over there" when God wants you "over here," you are not where God wants you to be, and you have been distracted by the enemy.  Repent, then get back on course.

In what areas are you being distracted? Are there any little foxes in your world? Are you determined to remain on course and press on and receive the prize?

:angel:

Week of January 29
Growth, Unity and Leadership

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.  –Ephesians 4:6

Paul so eloquently describes the perfect organizational structure in this verse. Rooted in love, we work purposefully within a plan of aspirations, assignments and goals.

But what happens when a work group does not flow or conjoin effortlessly? What about growth pains or problematic members? What is God's way to handle these challenges?

As a ministry leader, I have noticed that God trains me and grows me as He simultaneously grows our ministry. God has taught me that ministries are made of up imperfect people serving a perfect God, myself included. This means that we must trust God first and be careful and prayerful what we entrust to others all along the journey.

The Lord will often use our ministry volunteers to challenge me to come up higher in a new area of management or spiritual maturity. For this, I have learned to thank God, because He is building a repertoire of skills and development in me that will become second nature going forward, lessons that I can then share with other emerging leaders.

One area that has become a new normal for me is letting go quickly of that which is no longer fruitful. God gives us fresh manna every day. People, organizations and businesses should be growing and improving daily. This dynamic is life. And when the Lord opens my eyes to people and things that cannot grow in the direction we are growing, I know it is time to let go. This, in and of itself, is a type of pruning.

Many years ago, I attended a church service in which everyone was handed a tent peg as we walked into the sanctuary. We had no idea what it was for. But as the sermon began, we soon learned a lesson that sticks with me to this day: Keep your tent pegs light.

As the Israelites traveled through the desert, they had to pick up their tents and move forward. Stepping into the "unknown," like Abraham, requires great faith, vision and courage. Not everyone will have what it takes to come along. Many will fall away in the journey. And many will not even have the courage to try. Those who fall away are being pruned away from the group by their own choice.

Then there are the ones who have preconceived ideas—vain imaginations—of what the group should do and the direction it should go. If the group doesn't move in the direction they think it should, they turn and leave. These are the ones who are not committed to God's will, but their own limited viewpoint or selfish ambition.

Then there are those who try to remain and are with you physically, but truly, they are not for you in their hearts. They are the Judases, the jealous ones, the controlling ones that try to hold others and the organization back. They have a root of envy, and they typically target members of the group, and, in some cases, sabotage projects. Left unattended, the result is destruction in the midst of construction.

James 3:16 says, "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind." Although these people try to hide or suppress their sin, it always surfaces as the bitter root begins has been left to sprout up.

As a leader, it helps to have the gift of discerning of spirits. Great insight, led by the Holy Spirit, can reveal much. People's hearts have a way of proving out the truth of where they are spiritually and emotionally, through spoken words, attitudes and actions. Many times, these people do not want to leave, because they are caught in a stronghold, and they don't know where to go from where they are. Unlike people who can be reassigned to other positions, these people are the ones leaders must intentionally prune away entirely.

In any organization, it's important to keep in mind that leaders are not just monitoring the quality and timeliness of our work. They are also surveying how well we get along with others, the unity factor. They take mental (and sometimes written) notes of our conduct and our performance.

God cares about relationships. And where there is unity, there is multiplicity both spiritually and tangibly. Fruitfulness—or output—matters to God (Gal. 5:22). And work is much easier and fluid when there is peace, a valuable commodity, especially in these accelerated times in which we live and work.

As you reflect upon your relationships and responsibilities, where and what were the pivotal moments that you made a decision to overcome obstacles God's way? Was there ever a time in which you felt provoked or stayed stuck? God offers us multiple opportunities to choose higher ground. What will you choose, and how will your choices affect your life and those around you? Remember, whatever we choose will continue to grow.

:angel:
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Week of February 5

Godly Zeal

"It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way."  -Proverbs 19:2

In Hebrew, zeal is transliterated as Qinah, which means ardor. It is the burning heat, intense devotion, passion, fervent enthusiasm, eagerness and jealousy, the fuel that propels us to action. Zeal can either energize us toward great exploits or drive us to crash and burn needlessly. The choice is ours.

Godly zeal is harnessed. It is purposed, focused, on target and on task. Nothing is wasted. It is motivation that accomplishes much.

Godly zeal incorporates wisdom and diligence. It is informed and prepared. Mixed with faith, God's truths and knowledge, it doesn't give up after the honeymoon phase of a relationship or an assigned project matures to temperance.

Godly zeal is not just an emotional high, although our emotions are purposefully affected euphorically as a byproduct of the Holy Spirit igniting our spirit—on purpose—to cause us to move in the direction of and at the speed for the plan God has for us.

Godly zeal is balanced. It does not overrun wisdom. It can run dry in us if we do not spend enough dedicated time with God, in His presence. Over-tasking can cause us to distance ourselves from the vine; it can cause us to feel stress; it can drain our joy and basically suck the life out of us and our assignment, causing us to give up and even dislike the assignment.

Godly zeal is prioritized. It keeps God first, and assigned relationships and projects second. It is not an idol or ignorant or immature. It does not run ahead of God. Rather it is synergistic with God's plan, purpose and timing and trusts God with child-like faith to step into the unknown like Abraham, sequence by sequence.

Godly zeal is dedicated. It is intentional. It helps us see divine assignments through. It does not entertain fear.

Godly zeal is rooted in righteous love. It is reverential and honoring to God. Godly zeal put to action can be a form of worship unto the Lord.

All of these lessons, for me, were learned and led by the Holy Spirit.

I recall when the Lord instructed me to produce our first Women's Expo. He gave me a simple and clear instruction, "Do a women's event, and call it an expo." My immediate response was the only response, "Yes, Lord," even though I didn't have a clue at the time of how to produce a Women's Expo. God will always offer us more than we currently know. In so doing, He creates a greater awareness of dependence upon Him.

Having planned few events throughout my life, I wasn't sure at the outset how to accomplish what God wanted, but I knew He had placed a gift of event planning in me. Still, I proceeded with caution and prayed, "I want two things, Lord: I want it to be all about You; and I want you to bring Your finest people alongside me. Show me how to do this." I believe the Holy Spirit inspired me to pray these words. God honors and exalts humbleness, and I knew this was His vision. It soon became mine too, as I intentionally chose to sync up with Him in this area.

Two weeks after His initial instruction, a ministry leader called me and asked me to help coordinate a women's conference. I knew this was my training ground.

Sure enough, this ministry leader let me do much, including exhibiting, coordinating a panel and speaking in a main session. God is always faithful to give us just what we need when we need it to prepare us for the next phase.

Next, came a time when I felt overwhelming zeal. In my immaturity, I allowed the zeal to propel me to over-tasking. But God in His grace and mercy, quickly led me into temperance. In so doing, He trained me on the job.

He showed me a vision of a racehorse in a stall, at the gate. The racehorse represented me. When I saw the racehorse, I sensed anxiety. I had a sense of wanting to run out the gate, to run free, full throttle, to get going in the race. But God kept the gate closed.

God was showing me that it wasn't time to run. It was time to wait, to be obedient to His timing and ways all along the journey, to not lean upon my own (limited) understanding. I also sensed the time to run was very near. So I chose to wait.

As time passed, the more I thought about all I had to do to accomplish His task, the more anxiety I felt. After awhile, I exhausted myself and then turned to God and laid every burden down. I learned that as I was waiting on God, He was waiting on me.

Only after that did God open the gate.

He showed me another vision of the racehorse, now fully dressed with a harness and a saddle. I saw the gate swing open, and I saw the words "Run, Run, Run!" I saw the racehorse blast out the gate. And there was a jockey mounted on the her back. That jockey represented God. The jockey controls the racehorse's speed and direction, if the horse submits to the jockey.

And the racehorse ran as fast as she could towards victory with God at her reigns.

I have never forgotten this lesson of temperance and dependency upon God in the area of zeal.

Unbridled zeal can be dangerous. Imagine a big horse clomping all over a garden of flowers or a wild mustang running furiously free but never accomplishing anything. Remember, it's the bridle and the bit that controls, channels, focuses horsepower into purposeful endeavors for the Lord.

What are you zealous for? Have you allowed the Lord to temper the zeal He placed in you? Are you living life on purpose and accomplishing much? Or do you expend lots of energy and accomplish little? Are you on task with God?

:angel:

Week of February 12
Marketplace Bullies

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!"  -Matthew 5:44

From the playground to the workplace, we've all encountered bullies in some form. Simply put, bullies are people who are not in alignment with God. They are wounded people who wound others, and they intentionally target. They may even have demons. God warns us in The Parable of the Weeds in Matthew 13:24-30 that His people live side by side with evil people in the world, so bullies should come as no surprise to us.

There is usually one in every arena, and their behavior is abdominal: They are bossy; they butt in line in front of us; they give us undeserved attitude, slander us, slight us, hurl false accusations at us, hate us, envy us and basically give us a hard time.

So what's a Godly girl to do? Here are some practical tips for the journey:

Resolve to know your divine assignments; choose to be led by the spirit in carrying out those assignments, and don't let any bully stop you.

Do not fear. Instead stand upon God's truth, and put your faith into action by taking authority: "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy," Jesus said in Luke 10:19, "nothing will harm you." Any fear of man in you should bow to the reverential fear of God. If you're feeling weak, ask God for an encounter with Him.

Guard your heart. Don your armor daily, be quick to forgive and pray for the bully's conviction and a softened, clean heart. Bullies like to go for the heart. They are miserable, tormented people, who want to tear others down. Recognize their behavior and choose the high road. Be wiser than your worst adversary.

Recognize the spirit behind the bully. Bullies have issues, and they may even have demons. Bind the enemy and loose God's love over them (Matthew 18:18). Pray for their deliverance, their issues to be uprooted, a cleansing of the Holy Spirit to wash over them, a fullness of God's love to overtake them, a transformation, a continuation for them to be led by the Holy Spirit to the sources and resources that can help them, ones from which they can receive. And remember, their deliverance can happen instantaneously, or it can be a process.

Could it be you're on a mission? Ask God. It is very possible that God has placed you in the bully's path to pray for them because no one else is. After all, some bullies do not attend church and are doing the best they know how. When I was a flight attendant, God often sent me people who were miserable and had hit the wall, but they didn't know where to go. The Holy Spirit impressed upon me to pray for them; and when I did, I often saw instant deliverance, because those miserable people were ready to stop being miserable. In some cases, however, God sent me people to pray for who were still early in their recovery journey, those who were not entirely ready to give up their sins. In those cases, I knew that God would bring others along their path to continue to sow seeds until the harvest was made complete.

Choose to not be provoked by the bully. Kindness and self control are strong weapons in the face of ugliness; they are fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). Being provoked is the equivalent of being controlled. Ask God to help you not sin. If you must speak to them, ask God to give you the words that will turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1).

Petition God for His unique strategies. He revealed them to Joshua, and He can reveal them to you. God sees and knows all things, including the depths of every heart. He knows just what will deliver and cultivate the bully's heart, far better than we. Sync up with His wisdom and hearken.

If the bully is someone in your workplace that you must interact with daily, demonstrate love, and work around them when possible. Be careful to watch your words, and keep up your guard. If the situation becomes unbearable or so stressful you have difficulty doing your job, ask to be moved or reassigned. And if it becomes threatening or dangerous, report the situation to human resources, regardless of the political climate.

Keep your eyes stayed upon the Lord: Play praise music, and take prayer and praise breaks. David praised God several times a day. Where else would a king go? Remember, God is your source and protector. And in His prevailing presence, miracles happen and devils flee. So get full of God.

Worship God and watch Him work on your behalf. In time, He will either remove you or the bully. And it usually doesn't take long. Remember to ask God to intervene. He likes to be invited. Sometimes, we have not, because we ask not (James 4:2).

Pray over your workspace, your home, your car. Plead the blood of Jesus. Ask the Lord to commission angels to watch over you and to fight your battles. Then expect victory. I've been known to go into work early just to pray over workers who have yet to arrive or do prayer walks around my office building. Prayer is powerful. God has placed you there, so exercise your authority through prayer; and remember, just because a spiritual battle ensues does not mean that you are losing ground. If you remain in the Lord and His ways, you will win; and winning oftentimes means He will promote you out of the situation. Remember, you are being tested.

Be patient and choose to trust God. Bullies often do not change overnight. But frequently, a few well chosen words can make a big difference. A close friend of mine, whom I used to work with, frequently asked difficult people, "Who has hurt you?" Most of the time, their hard demeanors broke. I have another ministry friend who asks difficult people who come to her for counseling, "I'm hearing your words, but the pain in your heart is overpowering them." These questions usually stop bullies in their tracks. Many times, they are the words that break the hardness of their heart. So, if you ask these questions, be prepared to minister to them. And at the very least, the bully will likely begin to back down, since they will know that you are onto their game and are not afraid to confront them. But much of them time, they cry.

Could it be that God uses bullies to challenge us to come up higher in the areas of spiritual discernment and love? Luke 6:32 tells us that it is easy to love the "lovable," but what about the "unlovable?" 1 John 4:20 tells us if we say we love God but do not love others, we are liars. Still, we must be led by the Holy Spirit and be carefully obedient to follow Him. Retreating and shaking off the dust can also be a wise strategy, however, in order to know what to do, we must be led by the Holy Spirit. Remember, God has a plan. Ask Him to reveal it to you.

Who's bullying you? What are you doing about it? Do you pray for your enemies and exhibit kindness? Is there anyone you need to forgive? Have you confront your bullies?

:angel:

Week of February 19
Convergence & Conversion

I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
–Galatians 1:12

Whenever I prepare for an event, I am awed at how the Holy Spirit reveals His message to me and other presenters separately and how He coordinates all the messages and music and people as a type of confluent convergence: a gathering where all elements come together to create a conversion of the heart, mind and spirit, not solely to receive Jesus for the first time, but also to receive more of Jesus.

I have found consistently that this holy conversion is as much for the presenters and worship leaders as it is for anyone else. Simply put, it begins with us; then goes out to those who are ready. I am awed that each person receives a unique restoration and that God knows just what everyone needs to the very depths of their heart. For me, He frequently offers revelation during the preparation; then later gives me more during the event, with much of it being serendipitous.

During events, I often see Him answer a prayer that I had prayed about weeks or months earlier. I believe God enjoys demonstrating His faithfulness creatively, in ways which we know it came only from Him. And I believe He enjoys honoring the gathering where His anointing is multiplied.

The apostle Paul is one who had book knowledge and revelation knowledge and presided over many gatherings. He understood the value of both forms of knowledge, resulting in great insight and wisdom. He walked with God and had a personal relationship with Him. He understood God's principles and faithfully applied them in his life and shared them with others. He understood that when the word of God and the spirit of God come together, there is an awesome convergence of power that can be received by those who hearken.

Recently, we conducted a camp meeting. I had never coordinated a camp meeting before, nor had I ever been to one. But the Lord clearly instructed me: Early one Saturday morning, I was awakened to the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit over me in my bed. The moment I opened my eyes, He showed me a vision of the words, "Camp Meeting." My response was the only right response, "Yes, Lord." Then I immediately saw a vision of a friend of mine speaking at the camp meeting, and I saw that she was speaking inside of a women's boutique, which I had visited the evening prior. This boutique was owned by another friend of mine.

Once again, I said, "Yes, Lord," all the while sensing in my spirit the words of Mary, "Let it be to me according to your word (Luke 1:38)." Then I asked, "Lord, when do you want this to be?" And He gave me the dates through a revelation. It was to be a three-day event, with the first day a private session for the women associated with the boutique. "Yes, Lord," I said again.

With this, I picked up the phone and called my boutique owner friend and then my speaker friend. Both agreed to the dates, and we proceeded to seek the Lord further and make plans.

I asked the Lord, "What is on Your heart? What is Your message to the people? What would You have me say?" And the Lord began to speak, to impress His heart upon my heart, to lead me to scriptures and understanding of those scriptures in a fresh way. And it came nugget by nugget. I knew I was only responsible for my piece.

Much later, when I came together with my speaker friend, she shared that the Lord had awakened her early each morning of our camp meeting to impress upon her His message for her to deliver. Not too surprising was that her message flowed perfectly with the message the Lord gave me.

Also, I noticed that the worship leaders selected just the right songs that spoke to my heart and those of others. And the prayer team spoke just the right words to those receiving prayer afterwards. One prayer leader sang a song over a woman who needed to hear just how special she was to God's heart. The prayer leader did not know that this woman's husband had recently abandoned her and their four children. As it turned out, the song spoke to me profoundly in that the lyrics contain God's words from Mark 6:31, a scripture He had led me to weeks earlier. This song became a theme song for one of our annual Women's Expos. I stood awed at God's purposed multitasking!

What does God want to speak to you? Do you know that God wants to birth much through you? Here are a few wisdom tips for your convergence-conversion journey:

We do not have to do everything. God will assign pieces to each person as He wills, so no man can boast (Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12).
We do not have to have all the understanding at the outset. We will gain understanding as we go. But we do have to exercise faith, courage, dependency upon the Lord and careful obedience to His directives.
Expect to receive a gift from the Lord, such as an answer to a prayer or a fresh revelation, etc. (James 1:17).
Expect increased intimacy, to know God's heart for you and others.
:angel:

Week of February 26
Godly Expectation

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  -2 Corinthians 10:5

Expectations are Godly only if they are God's expectations in us. All other expectations that reside within us are carnal and set us up for disappointment. For this reason, it is important to know the difference and to intentionally choose to set our expectations in alignment with God's will, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us.

In order to know God's expectations, we must first know Him and have His perspective on all matters. This applies to individuals and groups working toward a collaborative effort. Whether in the workplace or in personal relationships, including marriages and parent-child communication, we must be on the same page in order to have unity, peace and a proper expectant outcome. After all, everyone perceives from a different point of view, based on their training, upbringing, personal experience, opinion, values and a lifetime of other differences.

God's expectations are based on His biblical principles of truth. Therefore, we must read and understand His word and know His character. Psalm 119:104 tell us, "I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path."  Proverbs 4:5 says, "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them."

Equally important is to be persistent concerning expectation. It's not enough to receive a revelation from the Holy Spirit and then apply our perspective. Only God sees the whole of anything and anyone, and He has more depth and richness for us beyond a single revelation. Therefore, may we beseech God for more of His understanding through prayer and choose to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds and cleanse our hearts His way and in His time. Press into Him further to receive more of His revelation (Galatians 1:12).

Disputes, blame and grave disappointments often arise out of ungodly expectations or our own vain imaginations (Romans 1:12). Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." We must choose God's thoughts above our own, lest we be deceived. Man's facts are never God's whole truth. We must take every rebellious thought captive, lest we fall.

Involving workgroups or relationships, vertical and horizontal communication between parties is key. And it is important to take courage to step up and speak up along the way, laying issues on the table at the outset. Shrinking back and withholding secret viewpoints and hurt feelings until the end is not meekness, but a lack of confidence in God, which is to be overcome. Root out the fear, take hold of the hand of Jesus, step up to His truth and speak up in love early on. Through Jesus, we are worthy to be heard and are worthy of expecting Father God's finest outcome, if the motives of our hearts are right with Him.

The Holy Spirit is our perfect accountability partner, not man. He can always be trusted. He is true and has your best interest at heart. He has your back. He is for you, not just with you. And He is full of love, not selfish gain. If the spirit within you is unsettled, consult God on the matter. The Holy Spirit may speak to you directly through revelation to get you unstuck, or He may bring correction through someone to speak to you. Either way, choose maturity, and receive correction in love. Thank the Lord for lessons learned, and move on, knowing He is building a strong foundation and increasing His power within you.

Guard against carelessness. We are called to careful obedience. In the frenzy of tasks, timelines and processes, remember that sin has the potential to break fellowship and that little foxes have the capacity to do great damage. Be wise as serpents, harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). God will often use the processes and relationships to show us our issues and give us an opportunity to overcome them. Be honest, repent, apologize, forgive and move on. Choose to overcome quickly. Clarity is key for moving in the right direction. So be sure to pray through the situation until you have inner peace.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, often comes to my mind concerning Godly expectation. Mary knew at the outset that she was carrying the Messiah. Being Hebrew, Mary also likely knew of the Old Testament teachings, prophecies of old that declared the Messiah's coming and purpose. I often wonder what the words of her many prayers to the Father were and how He prepared her for the ultimate outcome of their Son's destiny: to hang on a cross, die, descend, ascend on the third day and be seated at the right hand of the Father. What took place in her heart as her Son's destiny played out, as she anticipated what awaited Him throughout his early years as her little child? How did she feel as she stood at the cross? How did the Father prepare her heart to receive this expectation? I believe that Father God prepared Mary and strengthened her for the Son's crucifixion throughout her life, little by little over time, as she could receive His truth. I believe Mary knew her heavenly Father and ultimately trusted Him and believed in Him that His purpose was good and full of love. I believe that, even in her grief, she ultimately chose to not lean upon her own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

We should always be moving forward stronger than where we were, even if we must learn hard lessons to achieve greater breakthrough to freedom and higher holiness.

What are God's expectations for you? Are your expectations in line with His? How is God strengthening you along your journey to the destiny He has for you?  Do you set your expectations on God's truth? Are you aware that you are a work in progress that does not end and that God always does a work in, through and for you in every endeavor? Have you forgiven everyone who has disappointed you? Have you moved on in God's strength and higher holiness
:angel:

Week of March 4
Professional Acumen

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you."  -Philippians 3:13-15

Professional acumen is not just about acquiring knowledge, matching a personality diagnostic or simply dressing the part. It's about development created from the inside out. And much of the journey involves testing of the heart (Proverbs 17:3).

To do it God's way, we must first know Him and trust Him. We must have a heart for Him. We must allow Him to prepare us, teach us and mature us, according to His methods and timing. And we must abide in Him all along the way. There are no shortcuts.

God has new manna for us every day, and although His principles do not change, His methods do. And many of His promises are conditional.

One of my friends recently asked me, "How do you do what you do?" My response was simple: "Production technology." I went on to explain how a few years ago, God picked me up and hurled me into an ocean of technology, an area I had resisted my whole life. This time was no exception, but I knew God was doing me a favor. He knew that this area of equipping was required in my next assignment. My friend went onto explain that she was working in a position where much was heaped on her plate, and she didn't know how to do some of what was assigned to her. "You're in the perfect position for God to accelerate you," I said.

We live in accelerated times, and development cannot happen without depth, resistance and stretching, all preparation for what's ahead.

My friend was like Ruth in the Bible. She was chosen by the King, set up to step into the unknown, to make a powerful impact that will reach beyond herself and then reap a rich reward (Ruth 2:11-12). Scripture tells us that Ruth married a wealthy landowner and gave birth to the grandfather of King David. When we take to heart God's business, He takes care of ours.

Patience is also a key element. Esther 2:12 tells us that Esther had to undergo 12 months of beauty treatments before meeting with the king. One can only imagine all the thoughts and prayers and conversations—perhaps even anxieties—that took place within her during that time. Esther was chosen purposefully and developed before being presented. She knew God and had His hand of favor and protection upon her. God set the stage, guided her and empowered her to impact a nation during a pivotal moment. She and her family were honored as a result.

I have another friend who quit her job after a single day during a down economy. "I am an executive!" she boldly proclaimed. I knew what she meant: that she was underemployed in that job, and she did not want to go back to the same position she had held years earlier. After she departed that position, she opened a women's boutique, which lasted about two months before closing shop. Now, she's back home where she started. Still, nothing is wasted in God's economy. God used my friend's brief journey to do an accelerated work in her, through her and on her behalf. Much good, even beyond herself, resulted from these fast lessons. Discipline, common sense and insight are also key (Proverbs 5:23, 10:21). And all must be led by the Holy Spirit.

Maturity, which includes wisdom, plays a paramount role in one's professional acumen. I once worked with a young woman who was brilliant, knew her stuff, executed it well and even took on additional responsibility. It seemed her only downfall was that she belittled others. Not surprising, when it came time to restructure our department, she was asked to leave. It's not enough to be knowledgeable. One must consistently exercise appropriate social skills, including kindness and humility (Luke 14:11). If we aren't taught it from childhood, we must learn it in adulthood until it becomes second nature. Hard lessons are not soon forgotten. They are accelerated works. Count it all good, and move on stronger.

Hosea 4:6 tells us, "My people are being destroyed because they don't know me...." Knowledge is critical, and it takes time to achieve. There are no shortcuts. Taking time to know God and to educate ourselves is invaluable. Although God does redeem time, there is no substitute for dedicated time spent with Him and learning what He desires for us to learn so He can help us understand and accomplish His will on earth in areas and on levels that are new to us. This is growth. This is building a powerful repertoire.

Proverbs 4:7 reminds us to get understanding, insight and good judgment. Pray and ask the Lord to give these to you. I find frequently that whatever nugget I need, God gives it to me very quickly, oftentimes through a punctuated, spoken word from another ministry leader, pastor or evangelist. Revelation is the revealed word of God, spoken or written. And it's facilitated to us by the Holy Spirit.

When we love God, we will find joy and appeal in the work He assigns to us, even if it's a great challenge. Working for the Lord is an adventure, whether I am resting in Him while searching through scripture or out on the frontlines of a job. I know wherever He assigns me, it is temporary, and the sooner I receive what He wants me to receive and learn what He wants me to learn and do what He wants me to do, the sooner He'll advance me to another level and area. Working unto the Lord is a winning ethic.

2 Timothy 2:6-7 tells us, "The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary explains, "If we would partake of the fruits, we must labor; if we would gain the prize, we must run the race. We must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience."

How would you gage your professional acumen? Do you consider yourself to have great insight? Who or what is your power source? Is it Almighty God, who loves you beyond measure? Have you asked Him to help you? Have you heard from Him yet?

Margaret will conduct a FREE one-hour teleseminar on the topic of Acceleration on Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. Dial in to learn new tips and share ideas on how to make your job easier. To participate, call 712-775-7100 and enter access code 501491#

:angel:

Week of March 11
Coming and Growing

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
-James 1:17

People come, and people grow. This is true in all relationships—personal, business and ministry. There is a mutual pouring in and outpouring, each growing internally and externally until the next level is reached and promotion or expansion occurs, if we stay the course. We don't have to look far to see it in all directions: Our children grow up, our colleagues get promoted and volunteers in our churches advance.

I've learned to thank God for those he brings in and those He takes out. Some people just need a touch in our ministry, and they're ready to go. Others engage deeply. They are here to receive more, because there is a deep hunger in them for what's offered. A few even become pillars, assigned long term.

This is a normal flow of life, and God has no shortage of people. It's amazing to me that the Great Commission was launched through a few disciples and that, through them, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, the gospel was ignited throughout the world. Jesus does say in Matthew 9:37 that "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

Growth in the area of fruitfulness is a beautiful thing. Multiplication is a byproduct of the obedient, righteous seeds we sow in all areas of giving, including doing what God says, praying for others, extending acts of kindness and even offering financial contributions. The very nature of giving is nurturing. It offers a cycle of life that begets life.

It is important, too, that we keep our tent pegs light as God grows us, letting go of the former and depending upon God to bring the latter that will accomplish His purpose for each new season. We must move up and out at His command.

This life cycle keeps us humble. It is good for us. It keeps us fasting and seeking the Lord for His provision. It puts God first. Letting go is an ongoing process of faith, love and trust at many levels. And, I believe, it can be one of the greatest challenges we humans have to confront and walk through.

It helps to remember that, although people come and go, God is always a constant. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 8:38 that he is "convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." We can rest knowing that those of us who know the Lord will always have Him by our side on earth and eternally.

The last place we should want anyone to be is where God doesn't want them. With every relationship, we are tested in this truth. Do we make God our rock? Or do we hold on too tightly to that which the Lord has provided for a season? Often, if we hold onto the former people or things, we will not have the capacity for the latter. God promised Job in chapter 8, verse 7: "Then what you had in the past will seem small compared with the great prosperity you'll have in the future." God made good on his promise. Job 42:12 says, "So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys."

Job didn't give up in the journey, and all that he had was multiplied and restructured. No doubt, Job's faith and trust in God also increased. When God is all we have, we find that He's all we need. We learn that we are perfectly positioned for a miracle breakthrough that will provide for us more than we've ever had.

God's plans and strategies are dynamic. Are you moving with Him? How is God ramping you up? Calling you up higher? Is there anyone or anything that you need to let go of to move forward? Is there anyone that you need to entrust to God?

Philippians 1:21 tells us that the Apostle Paul believed that "...to live is Christ and to die is gain." He knew that when his flesh died, he would be better. This is also true on earth as it is in heaven. Do you see the benefits of your flesh dying daily? Do you see your growth potential and fruitfulness in your life?

You are in God's promotion process. Learn all you can so you can honor God and see multiplication by your next assignment.

:angel:

Week of March 18
Work Balance

So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety?
- Ecclesiastes 2:22

I once knew a woman who literally worked herself to death. Katie worked seven days a week, starting on the job at 6:30 a.m. most days. I have no idea how she managed to squeeze in household chores or church activities, even though she was responsible only for herself, as Katie lived alone; she was divorced, childless, in her sixties and wanting to retire. But there she was every Sunday morning in church with her hands lifted high, praising the Lord. She loved God.

One day, at a Christian gathering, Katie did not show. This was a weekly event that Kathie hated to miss, so people asked around about her. But no one knew where Katie was. Her "spiritual daughter" consistently looked after Katie, picking her up for events, dropping her off, taking her to dinner, etc. But this particular week, Katie's spiritual daughter was out of town, a rarity.

A couple of days after our gathering, the phone calls began. "Have you heard about Katie?" friends asked.

Katie's spiritual daughter grew suspicious that something wasn't quite right when she called Katie's home a day after the gathering and received no answer. Another day passed and still out of town, Katie's spiritual daughter grew increasingly alarmed and called the police.

When they found Katie, she was slumped over on her bedroom floor. One report said she looked as though she had slid offer her bed. She barely had a pulse. Her Bible was open on her bed. And praise music could be heard from the stereo playing in the living room.

An ambulance took Katie to the local hospital, St. Joseph's. That's when I heard the news. A mutual church friend said, "If you want to see her, you'd better go soon." I was shocked, and as I headed out the church door, I thought I had better calm down first. So I bypassed the hospital on my way home, praying the whole way.

The next day, my husband and I headed out to the hospital. When we arrived, we headed straight to the floor and room that was given to me by my friend. But when we entered, the room was empty, and the bed looked as though it had been freshly made. I walked over to the nurse's station and inquired, "Where's Katie." The nurse stared at me for a moment before verifying the patient roster. She put the clipboard down, and looked up at me and simply said, "I'm sorry."

Katie died knowing her Jesus.

I cannot even begin to express the deep emotion that welled up in my heart for this poor woman. It all seemed so unfair. I knew that Katie was the eldest of 16 children and that she had been born into poverty in Appalachia, very close in proximity to my own family. She was in the process of waiting for her reverse mortgage to be approved, an answer to prayer, so she said. It appeared as though she was about to receive her breakthrough. And in a sense, she did.

After talking with more friends, I learned that, right before her death, Katie had begun having physical issues. But she delayed visiting the doctor. And then it was too late.

I wept and wept at this women's sad, sad life and her death. It touched me deeply. I knew that God was speaking to me somehow. In time, I realized that He purposed this experience to remind me to take care of myself along my life here on earth. Our bodies are living temples, and overwork brings dis-ease.

Overwork is not only imbalance, it is neglect of God's temple. A person can only take so much stress. I am reminded of this whenever I feel overwhelmed, especially with new projects. Only two remedies help me: Coming away with God, and accomplishing the workload systematically. I find that if I come away with God first, the workload doesn't seem so ominous. The Holy Spirit is always there to help us, to show us the way, forewarn us, to give us breakthrough. And sometimes, He waits for us to sit and sup with Him.

How much harder is our work, because we do not spend enough dedicated time with Him? Are we hearing His strategies and keeping first things first? Is He truly our first priority?

I am reminded of this lesson as another friend of mine recently fell off her office chair semi-conscious. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she remained for four days while tests were run. She survived and learned that she had been diagnosed with diabetes.

God loves us so much that He desires that we take time to care for ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. May we be reminded to live the life and do the purposed work God has called us to do in balance and in obedience to His ways.

:angel:

Week of March 25

Flight Plan
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'"
-Jeremiah 29:11

Before every journey, pilots or flight operations staffers develop a flight plan. The flight plan contains basic flight information, such as the flight's start and end points and all the stops in between for refueling, deplaning and boarding new passengers. The plan also contains fuel usage, weather conditions all along the route, weight and balance calculations and locations, communications frequency channels and checkpoints and the estimated amount of time for the entire journey.

In addition to the flight plan, other tools are used for safety and accuracy: Checklists, maps (or sectional charts) and weather reports that include the types of cloud cover, visibility, temperatures, wind speeds and direction for the entire route.

When we consider our pathway, baggage, communications, climate, speed, vision, direction and fuel required to get through life, one might ask, "Where does God's hand begin and end?"

I have a friend who grew up in a Christian denomination that does not believe in pre-destination. But now that she has reached middle-aged, her views are shifting. As she reflects upon her life now she is able to see God's hand upon her from the time she was seven-years-old, when she received Jesus as Lord and Savior.

She sees how she acquired resources at an early age that planted seeds of knowledge and understanding, sprouting up in her young life, producing growth that is just now coming into full bloom. She gets the revelation now that God's design and hand of protection was upon her all along the way, that her life's journey was no accident, that it was planned and influenced by God. She understands that she exercised her willingness and faith along her journey.

God desires for us to soar with Him. He desires to take us from glory to glory, from holiness to holiness, into more of His likeness from the inside out (2 Corinthians 3:18). Nothing is small if it influences us: No teaching, learning, good deed or sin. And none of it gets wasted when we invite God into our lives. He uses it all for His glory. He will even turn our tests into testimonies.

Along with her revelations, my friend has experienced greater intimacy with God. She is full of zeal, and most of what she shares these days is how God is moving in her life, how He's using her, how He's fitting all the pieces of her life's circumstances together, how He has purposed it, how He is using her to influence and help others, how important she is to Him and how important her work is on earth as it is in heaven.

She is coming into a new level of awareness that she is the hands and feet of Jesus, as are you and I. And she is passionate about her calling and assignments.

I had a conversation with another friend recently in which the topic of television drama and horror movies came up. I shared my thoughts with her concerning the matter. My perspective is that when we live a surrendered Christian life, we will journey through multiple adventures that will take us to places that are unfamiliar to us, causing us to depart from our comfort zones and to receive a freshness in our lives, a renewed awareness of our humbling dependency upon God, which can quickly reset our priorities and focus (Deuteronomy 8:3).

When we truly walk out the Christian life, there will be little room for boredom or TV melodrama for the purpose of escapism. Horror is not entertaining when one truly connects with the awesome power of God. God is love, and nothing is more prolific. So why open a door for darkness to influence you and waste precious time with a counterfeit?

The point is that God does have a plan for our lives. And to surrender our hearts fully to Him and His ways causes us to sync up with His vision, timeline, communication, direction and purposes. There begins a love journey that involves great courage, careful obedience and sacrificial praise on a holy and intimate level that cannot compare to an ordinary life without God. God will take us higher and further than we can go on our own.

Are you willing to soar with Him? Is your heart fully surrendered? Do you desire greater intimacy with God, to know Him more? Have you ever felt the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit? Or experienced His perfect love? Once you do, nothing else and no one else compares. You will want more and more of Him. You will truly desire to live for Him.

Prayer: Father God, I choose to surrender my whole heart to You. Please enable me to receive and walk out Your plan for me on earth as it is in heaven. Show me more of You, more of Your love, more of Your presence in my life. Give me revelation understanding, based upon your scriptures, Your mind's eye, Your spiritual discernment and Your wisdom. Help me to process through life's circumstances Your way. Have your way in my life daily. I surrender my agenda to You. Please get me where You want me to be, and enable me to take hold of Your hand, take hold of great courage and trust You each step of the way Thank you for entrusting me with the great exploits that You have assigned to me. Help me step up to them Your way. In Jesus' name. Amen.                                                                                                                                                                               :angel:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Week of April 1
Building Up

"From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."  -Ephesians 4:16

It seems everyone I know is in a new season. The people in our ministry are no exception. Our ministry is in a building up phase—a directive from the Lord—and it's exciting to see all the creative things God is doing in our women's lives, personally and professionally.

One of our volunteer facilitators just secured a position with Smith Barney in New York City, a dream job, more than she expected. One of our volunteer worship leaders just confirmed her first television appearance, a major breakthrough. And one of our other volunteers just started a new business, a whole new level of courage and fortitude for her. All these women rightfully believe God opened the doors of opportunity, and they encourage each other. I have seen such a tight sisterhood.

I also have the great joy of serving as a conduit, mentor, mentee, teacher and student. I enjoy seeing how God works everything for His (and our) good. He has our best interest at heart. He is for us. And when we overflow in His goodness, we cannot help but pour out His goodness to others.

Ephesians 4:16 is the scripture God gave to us for this season of building up. And I find the Greek transliteration of the words quite interesting:

Joined – To organize compactly; to be framed together; to fit.

Held Together – Compacts; drives together; infers, shows and teaches; entrusts; assuredly gathers, unites; knitted together and proves.

Supporting – Contributing.

Grows – Increases

Builds – Structures, edifies, confirms.

Love – goodwill (agape).

Part – A share, a portion.

Proper – A measure (NASB version).

According – In varied relations (NASB version).

Work – Effectual working; operative power; strong; efficiency (energy).

As we analyze this scripture, we see references to chosen, energetic people, each working together to make a unique contribution of efficient, effectual work that results in personal and professional affirmation, confirmation and multiplication, increasing goodwill and proving themselves to be a conjoined powerhouse.

We also see that the outcome of this scripture is conditional on each part or party doing their assigned work.

What I like best about this scripture is that it clearly reveals that the multiplicity factor is achieved by doing only our part. We don't have to do anyone else's part. We don't have to fix anybody. We don't have to do the Holy Spirit's part. We just have to focus on the Lord and carry out our assignments, teaching by example, clarify and sharing along the way as the Holy Spirit leads.

By virtue of each person doing their part, each person strengthens the other in that we are inspired and constantly confronted with opportunities to discern, receive, teach, serve and forgive. If we take every issue that arises to God, He will give us His perspective on the matter.

Along the mission, God will use the things that irritate us to provoke us to come out of our comfort zones, to see people and things His way. Let us not appear foolish by insisting on our ways or viewpoints. Doing so is prideful arrogance, which usually involves an element of ignorance, because we do not see the "whole." Only God sees the whole of anyone or anything. It is His viewpoint that matters most, not our opinions. Thus, humility is also a factor.

It is important to not give up, but to depart only when God releases us from our assignments. This is especially important in terms of honoring God and His timing for us and His great exploits. It's about accomplishing His will His way. It's about building character in us. It is about waiting on the Lord before moving into the next place. Instead of giving up in the middle of His orchestration, chose to remind yourself of your commitment, press into Him for understanding and to help you press on towards the completed work. Anything less can cause us to be out of sync with God's flow and promotion process (Proverbs 4:5-8, Philippians 3:14).

Remember, too, we build ourselves up as we contribute to others and submit to God's ways. That which we do for others, God will do for us, including in the area of forgiveness. He will work on our behalf when we work unto Him, even if, and especially if, His assignment for us is not what we would have chosen for ourselves. This is sacrifice. It is the principle of sowing and reaping; good or bad, what goes around, comes around. Don't leave short of your reward. The enemy would like nothing more than to defeat you (Obadiah 1:15b).

Building up in this scripture does not refer to flattery (or manipulation), which the Bible speaks against. It does not refer to bossiness either, which may be rooted in self-righteousness. It refers to work, doing our part, and entrusting the Lord to do His part to bring the people and pieces together to create a tight bond of unity. Each person must choose commitment for this to happen. They must stay the course. Those who give up miss the opportunity to come up higher, to get free of their limited understanding and attitude. The scripture suggests that building up in love is a byproduct of the work that we do, in that as we work, we build goodwill. This applies internally and externally—building up the people and organizations that work with us and those we affect externally.

Clear direction from the Lord and those He places in authority is also a must. I have learned that if a team does not have clear direction, they each resort to what they know to do, based on each individual's prior experience and present mindset. Lack of direction breeds disunity, and the result is a fragmented mess and stunted growth, along with strife and disorganization, which can cause distraction, delay and unnecessary duress.

I marvel at how, if we just ask the Lord to help us see circumstances through His eyes, He will give us the revelation of how to turn every lesson and challenge into opportunities for us to come up higher, personally and professionally, and to inspire others to do the same, simply by example and by sharing appropriately as led by the Lord.

May the Lord continually lift you to stay on course and finish the work He has purposed for you to do in unity.

:angel:

Week of April 8
Practical Workplace Wisdom
by Margaret D. Mitchell

Managing frontline employees is no easy task, especially during these accelerated times in which we live and work. Add to this fast pace a high-tech, production environment and you've entered into a whole new level of agility.

Having been one of those managers and having been managed by those managers, I confess I've learned a few survival tips. I hope my lessons will prove to be your stepping stones:

When the Holy Spirit Moves, You Move

If you've ever received a "download" from the Holy Spirit, you know that you'd better have pen and paper in hand, a Word document pulled up or, at the very least, an electronic notepad or recording device ready.

As I entered my office one morning and sat in my chair, the Holy Spirit gave me an instant download that proved to be several pages long. In my human understanding, this seemed illogical and untimely, because what He gave me was job-related, but it didn't apply directly to my current job. It was to be fleshed out at another time. The reason He gave it to me at that time was because He was about to move me out of that position, and He wanted to give me a heads up and a jumpstart. He was doing me a favor. He was also testing my obedience. So be ready.

Praise God!

King David praised God several times a day. Where else would a king go? Find yourself a few nearby, private places within your office building that you can enter into to pray and praise. Doing so will refocus your mind on what's most important and give your fatigued brain a break. I found that I was most tested when I had the most on my plate. God always honors sacrificial praise. And I was fortunate to have had access to a few "quiet rooms."

Remember: In, Through & For

On the occasions that I felt especially buried under my workload, the Holy Spirit reminded me that He was doing a work within me, a work through me and a work on my behalf—all simultaneously. He is the ultimate multi-tasker. And at times, when I wished I were home instead of at my office, He reminded me that anything that I left behind, including my home, spouse, etc., was actually entrusted to Him, not forgotten or unattended. I gained an understanding that He does this for us when we obey Him to step into our divine assignments. And I learned that if I ask, "God what do you want me to see and know in this?" He will give us the revelation understanding to get through the journey. He's always preparing us for the next place.

Honor Authority's Perspective

When everything around me seemed to make no sense at all, such as shifting procedures midstream or massive quarterly restructuring, I learned to hang onto the hem of Jesus' garment and remind myself that I could get through the changes with Him at my side. God also showed me time and again that my authorities had more of a vantage point than I and that I should go with the flow without any negative response. Again, God tested me. And I learned that the faster I passed the test, the faster I moved forward.

Beware of False Authorities

Many of us have worked with these types. They're the ones that generate reports upon reports just because they can. They think more highly of themselves than anyone else; they waste their time and yours; and they duplicate efforts, plugging up efficiency. They are the distracters, the counterfeit authorities, the thorn in everyone's side. They're often politically well-connected and have safeguards in place at many levels and in many departments. They have been there a long time. Beware! Avoid them, step around them or step over them as much as possible without stepping on them. Send their duplicated work into the electronic trash can. Faithfully throw up a quick prayer for them. And keep smiling.

Streamline Your Efforts

For two and a half years, I worked in an environment where every minute counted. I had no choice but to learn shortcuts on my PC, cut away every unnecessary step in new processes and quickly establish a team of solution-minded individuals who could help me understand anything that I didn't and needed to know. This kept me humble; it kept me learning quickly; it stretched me; and it was good for me. I hurdled fear, and I realized I could do more than I had previously thought. It took me to a new normal, a new comfort level, a new confidence of "can do." I also learned to do tasks right away, which killed a lot of little foxes of clutter that can creep in when tasks set unattended.

Little Things Help

During this super-accelerated season of my work life, I learned to streamline my home life as well. Even the simplest things helped in a big way: I trained my mind to think of God first in the morning. So before I got out of bed, I spoke affirmations and praises. I kept my grandmother's Bible within an arm's reach of my bedside and learned to discipline myself to open it and read it before I showered, dressed or sipped my first cup of coffee. I kept slip-on shoes by the garage door, so I didn't have to take time to tie. I chose a simple hair-do and a basic "uniform," consisting of a top and trousers with very few, if any, accessories. The beauty in this was that I became more aware of simple processes at home and was able to refine them. I caught up on sermons and listened to praise music on my iPod while I worked, which reduced a lot of stress for me, because it helped me keep God at the forefront of my mind at the office. And the value of a single minute became invaluable.

:angel:

Week of April 15
Direction

"May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us."  -Psalm 67:3-6

Recently in the news, a local resident walked through a construction zone and accidentally stepped into mud so deep, he needed rescuers to pull him out. One might ask, "Why was he there in the first place?"

Well, perhaps if his heart had been sensitive to the Holy Spirit, He would have heard a forewarning. I don't know whether this man knew the Lord. But certainly there were obvious signs all around the danger zone.

The enemy tries to lure us into bondage through deception, even though signs are clear. And thankfully, nothing is too difficult for Jesus, our rescuer.

This story reminded me of The Solid Rock lyrics, "On Christ, the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand."

God's direction implies sensitivity of heart, hearing, vision, authority, obedience, order and honor. And moving forward in anything—whether personal or professional—should not be done without a firm foundation in Christ. 1 Peter 2:4 tells us, "You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but He was chosen by God for great honor."

Nothing replicates a solid foundation. And, like that local resident stuck in mud, if you find yourself sinking and stuck, God may be trying to get your attention to return to your solid Rock foundation.

If it seems as though God is not providing for you, it could be because He's trying to awaken you to something you forgot: To maintain the foundation.

It's not enough to build the foundation (your relationship with Jesus) and then move on. It's not enough to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior and then put Him on a shelf and go about our day. What we focus on determines the condition of our heart.

Concerning your goals, it's best to not be so forward thinking that you forget about the foundation you have built previously, a kind of "I've got it from here" mentality. When we do that, there will be no fruit going forward. Forgetting our foundation makes way for the terrorist, our enemy to destroy all that God tries to build through us. And we will eventually sink.

God wants to be first. And whatever we give priority to will be magnified and multiplied. Whatever is nurtured will grow. It's wise to check the condition of our hearts. If we are spending much time working to build projects and little dedicated time with God, we will hit a wall, a blockage. And our lack is the enemy's gain.

Need a recovery strategy?

Root it out:Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what issue is at the root. The root can usually be traced to some form of disobedience. And the disobedience could have been initiated by a wound to the heart or a lure from the enemy. There's an old adage, "What God reveals, He heals." God does us a favor when He exposes the enemy's deception. In this way, God sets us up for repentance.

Redirect through Repentance:"Lord, I repent of idolatry and neglect of the foundation. I forgive others in this situation. Please forgive me and restore me to sensitivity towards You." The very nature of repentance is to switch directions, as in a 180 degree turn. Once we repent, Father God sees our sins no more, as the blood of His Son Jesus covers us. So it's important to also forgive ourselves. Don't let the enemy get a hook of false guilt in you. Once you are forgiven, you are forgiven. And remember, God forgives us as we forgive others. So forgive others if you want to be forgiven (Matthew 6:12).

Rebuke: Tell the enemy to get lost.

Re-invite: The Holy Spirit to re-set us in His righteous right order. Choose to re-trust Him and His ways along the journey, over our own. Don't be driven by success. Be led by the Holy Spirit Jesus was (Matthew 4:1).

Refocus: On God. Anything we put before God is idolatry. We should not make the projects and programs God gives us into idols by default. We should not be so focused on them that we decide that God can wait and then never get back to Him. When we take time to praise Him, He will work on our behalf in extraordinary ways. One of the biggest lies of the enemy is that we don't have time for God.

Rescue: God wants to re-work His plan for us, to replace the limitations of our idols and our ways with His unlimited love, glory, power and purpose. God wants to replace the heavy load we have taken on with His light yoke. God wants to resurface (smooth out) our jagged edges. God wants to re-fire (re-ignite) our joy (strength). God wants to re-fortify (nourish and protect) us by having us make Him our God and King in all areas of our lives. God wants to have us rethink, like He does, with the mind of Christ. God wants to rekindle His love in us for Him and others and restore kindness to us and through us to others. God wants to re-gift us so that we can be more of a gift to others. God wants to replenish us with mercy and grace and splendor, with His beauty and magnitude. He wants to re-sensitize our hearts to Him.

Return: To basics. Find the foundation. Unearth it. Clean it up. Embrace it. Carry it with you going forward. Stand upon it, and watch the hand of God move on your behalf.

Reprioritize: Priority is life, and whatever we give life to will overtake. Let's commit to making God our first priority.

Restore and be Restored: As we restore God as the priority in our life and work, He will restore us to the priority He desires us to have, according to His plan.

Rejoice: Praise comes before increase. And pride comes before the fall. That's God's economy. Our praise is our seed.

Reap Reward: When the increase comes, continue to give back to God and to others. In this way, you will build up His kingdom, His disciples. As you honor God, He will honor you. It's a continual choice going forward.

Anytime God calls us to do a new thing or great exploits, they should be built upon God's solid rock principles. If we step into the "unknown" without God, we will find that God will not meet us there to give us continued direction. Instead, He will expect us to return to Him first.

Where the enemy came to sift, God will re-sift us from the enemy's residue when we repent. In this way, God refines us further, increasing His character in us. He re-sets us on a high, above the low things. He will cause us to re-do things His way, to restructure. Repentance will revert the repossession that the enemy initiated.

The biggest lie of the enemy is that we don't have time for God. God is the most important person in our lives. Without Him, we will lose. We are left to our own devices, led astray. Sit and sup with God, and watch Him work on your behalf in ways you cannot imagine. Invite Him back. God is worthy of our respect, of time spent with Him, of dignity. Invite Him in. God wants to re-sort and re-wire us, ridding us of any addictions and idols. He wants to re-circuit our brains, and bring new order, to re-make our hearts anew. Are you ready?

Prayer: Lord, I relent my heart to You once again. Please remove everything from within me that is not of You. I rededicate my position, my projects, and my places to You this day. Come and have your way. I lay down my agendas. My position is Your position, my projects are Your projects. Come and re-prioritize, re-project, re-plan, re-place everything in my life that does not please You and align with Your will. I rededicate the foundation to You, the building plan to you, the people to You. God, I invite You to revisit the places and re-dig the wells that have dried up as a result of my sin. Restore the free flowing waters. Reignite my passion for You and the things of You. Restore the resources. Redeem the lost time. Redeem the opportunities. Re-open the doors. God, restore my intimacy with You. There is no better place to be than with You, oh Lord. God, restore the foundation so that we may build properly, and our building can stand. Restore the territory You gave me. Place me in right position with You. God, reposition me to a higher level of understanding, glory and authority. God, give me fresh insight and direction. Thank You for rescuing me. Thank You for resurrecting the foundation. Amen.

:angel:

Week of April 22
Healing & Deliverance
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
–James 5:16

Recently, another ministry leader and I were discussing the topic of healing and deliverance. She had been seeing the Lord's freedom manifest in the lives of many for whom she had prayed, including her own family. But lately, she was seeing a particular issue arise in some people. It was as though they were stuck, and she was rightfully seeking the Lord on how to best help them.

I believe that, as prayer warriors, whenever we see a recurrence of any kind, it's cause for our attention. If it's a good recurrence, we need to continue to praise God for what He's doing. If it's a negative recurrence, we need to ask the Holy Spirit what's at the root of the issue. God may be trying to give us a new understanding that will bring us up to the next level in our gifting so we can know better how to help people.

If you are continuing to grow in your faith and pray for others, you have likely found yourself at this intersection, probably more than once, as God takes you from glory to glory, from holiness to holiness. Here's encouragement for the journey:

Store Up, Don't Give Up

Revelation 5:8 tells us that our prayers are incense stored in golden bowls in heaven. It is important to remind ourselves that God receives our prayers, even if we do not see the manifest breakthrough immediately. Sometimes, restoration is instantaneous, and sometimes it is a process. Don't give up. James 5:16 informs us "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." Faithfully declare God's word over the person for whom you are praying until you see a shift or until the Holy Spirit gives you peace.

God Honors Human Will

In John 5:6, Jesus asks the paralytic whether he wants to get well. In order for people to be healed and delivered, they have to receive it. Sometimes, a person can grow comfortable in a place of dysfunction. They can even believe in God but not truly know God. If a person doesn't know God—in that they do not have an intimate relationship with Him—they can have difficulty trusting God to help them step into a new place of divine health and wholeness. Sometimes, people would rather stay in the old, dysfunctional place because they are too afraid to exercise faith and take God's hand and trust Him to lead them into the "unknown." This type of fear is the enemy's counterfeit to God's faith. And our brains are not wired to function well this way. God respects our will. He does not force anything on us, because His very nature is love. And where there is divine love, there is the freedom to choose Him and His ways over ours or the enemy's. Sometimes, it's important to bind fear, loose faith and pray for the person to receive God's healing and deliverance (Matthew 16:19).

Effective Focus Works

Whatever we focus on grows. Full of faith, Paul speaks of this process in Philippians 3. In verses 12-14 Paul says, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." This is the sanctification process at its finest.

Unfortunately, not everyone we pray for will have this much faith and fortitude. However, Luke 17:6 tells us that if we "have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."

That said, if you have been praying for someone for a long time, and they seem to just be stuck, it is possible that the person for whom you are praying has focused on and embraced the dysfunction for so long that a stronghold has not only taken root, but they are blind to it. Pray that God will pierce the darkness and open their eyes to His truth, enabling them to fully receive His freedom.

Counseling and support groups can be effective for helping people understand their issues and receive emotional consoling. But it's important that the spiritual component in every person's heart also be addressed so that they do not make an idol out of the counseling process, counselor or support group. Jesus died so that we could have freedom and abundant life, not to continually stir in the issues of life. We are called to get on the other side of every issue. This is the Christian's sanctification process. And it requires the courage to trust God and exercise faith to step into the next place of freedom.

Be Stronger Than The Stronghold

Once a stronghold is formed, it needs to be dismantled. Leading people to the Lord and encouraging them to study God's word helps immensely, because as their faith increases, their fear decreases. As faith rises, so does their belief in God and their courage to trust Him to enter into the new place of freedom. Faith comes from hearing God's word, and faith in God will help them feel safe and establish trust.

It's important to understand that sometimes the enemy assigns demons, such as familiar spirits, to the person to deliberately hold them in bondage. This can occur especially when a person has been operating in the dysfunction for a long time to the point where the dysfunction seems "normal" in their mind and heart, having bought into the enemy's lie. But there is hope in God's truth. Coming out of a stronghold involves repentance, forgiveness, renewing one's mind and behavior modification. And it doesn't have to take a long time. God can do an instant work, or it can be a layered process. According to Dr. Caroline Leaf, a Christian neuroscientist, science now knows that our brains can be re-wired in 21 days. Pray accordingly and be ready to lead the person through prayers and encouragements. If you don't know how, find someone who does; and scour the gospels. There are also lots of good teachings available that can help you understand how to help people in this regard.

Choose Blessings, Not Curses

Galatians 3:13 tells us that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us..." Jesus not only died to save us from the grave and hell. He died to give us a curse-free, divinely healthy life. But if the person doesn't know this, they may believe otherwise. Hosea 4:6 tells us that "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge..." The New Living Translation of the Bible puts it this way: "My people are being destroyed because they don't know Me..."

If the person doesn't know God's truth on this matter, they may simply be defeated for lack of knowledge. How can anyone believe or declare a thing they do not know? Believing anything other than God's truth is a false belief. Perhaps they are deceived? Perhaps they are living under generational curses simply because they were taught that they are where they are because they inherited genes from their parents who lived under the same circumstances. Perhaps they do not know that the power of the cross also has the power to break curses. Lead them to scripture and pray for their mind to be renewed, for them to understand that they have a choice and for them to exercise their faith accordingly.

When The Inner Becomes The Outer

Physical dis-ease can often be the result of inner unresolved issues. Unconfessed sin—knowingly or unknowingly—can be a big culprit here, especially in the area of unforgiveness. Soulish (mental and emotional) turmoil will eventually work its way to the body if left unattended. Our bodies are not designed to carry big burdens long term. Matthew 11:30 tells us "For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

A remedy is to ask the Holy Spirit to make a clean heart in them and in you. He is our helper, and He sees more than we. So ask Him to reveal the person's hidden sins to them daily, as well as the root of the issues, so that they may be confessed and in right standing with Him. You may find that sometimes, the Holy Spirit reveals a thing or two, and sometimes, He reveals a list. Each item must be confessed and persons involved forgiven, a very humbling process. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill them and you with His light and goodness.

Holy Spirit Will Lead You

James 5:16 is one way that God heals. By all means, be led by the Holy Spirit. God is the one doing the supernatural work, not us.

God's desire is that we live healthy, whole, significant lives purposed to worship Him and to build His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. The enemy would like nothing more than to halt God's plan through dis-ease, worries, distress, strife, idolatry, etc.

Every seed of prayer helps set people free. Keep the faith. And if you're praying for people who live at a geographic distance from you, you can always pray that God will continually send strong Christians of His choosing to reach out to those who need help. You can also pray that the Holy Spirit will chase them down until they receive all that He has for them.

Concerning yourself, pray for wisdom and for the Holy Spirit to lead you to the sources and resources that can help you continue to understand all that God has for you and to learn how to best pray for others.

As we reach out to help others, we will be amazed at how God will grow us in knowledge and wisdom, which will then be reproduced as we teach others what we have learned. To Him be the glory.

:angel:

Week of April 29
Transition
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.'"
-Joshua 1:11

Recently, an old friend, whom I hadn't heard from in years, called me. In the course of catching up, she mentioned that she was in transition. Like her, I've heard many other people say they were in transition. Essentially, they mean that they have been alienated from their former place, and they were seeking the Lord about where He desires them to go next.

But oddly enough, the word "transition" is not in the Bible.

However, the Hebrew root word "abar" is and it essentially means to "alienate." And the Greek word "nun" refers to "present time, now."

There are two inherent implications to what we describe as transition: Instruction and identity. Simply put, "Who am I now, and where do I go next?"

In Joshua 1:11, we see that God's instruction to Joshua is very specific. He instructs Joshua (the earthly authority who will carry out God's plan and purpose) how and what to instruct others who are under his authority ("Go through the camp and tell the people 'Get your supplies ready..."). He gives them a timeline (three days). He gives them direction ("cross the Jordan here"). He reveals His purpose for them ("...take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own").

When we have a close walk with the Lord, our God, He will reveal His how, what, when, where and why to us. And every one of these elements of instruction will confirm our identity in Him. In this light, our identity is secure.

Ungodly fear is the only element that can cause us to feel overcome by circumstances and propel us into confusion. That's why God fortified Joshua at the outset of his assignment in Joshua 1:5-9:

"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

God set Joshua up with a strategy for success in the past, present and in next place. Joshua did not grope in darkness. He moved forward knowing God had chosen him. He moved forward knowing God was with him and for him. He moved forward prepared and equipped. Joshua knew God. And God was true to His word. God did not forget Joshua during the journey.

This is an important reminder for us as we journey through life. Just as God revealed His strategy for success to Joshua, He will reveal His unique strategies to us for every mission He assigns to us, the purpose being to fulfill His purposes and plans on earth. We are His hands and feet. And we are commanded to put faith to action. Love is a verb. And if we love God, we will have a great desire to do for Him.

Notice in Joshua 1:7-8, God forewarns Joshua to be careful and that his carefulness to obey God's instruction is directly related to his success:

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

What we consider transition is really part of God's assigned mission for us. It is a divinely-designed, strategic, dynamic movement of God. We are not just floating in time and space, taking up oxygen or without purpose, even if we are unemployed, alienated from our church or losing loved ones. Do not believe the enemy's lies otherwise.

And know that, sometimes, God brings us into a season of rest for the purpose of restoring us from our former assignment and readying us for the next assignment. Divine rest is a place of reflection and fortifying, a crucial prelude for the next battle.

Incline your heart and attune your ear to the Lord. Ask Him to enable you to hearken to His plan for you to fulfill His purpose. This will honor God and cause you to sync up with Him and His ways on a success journey that will prove more than you can think or imagine.

:angel:

Week of May 6
Loving One Another
by Margaret D. Mitchell

But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.–1 Thessalonians 4:9

Recently, I attended a family funeral. We have a large family that fills a room with love and conversation and hugs and tears and years of shared memories. My father is the best storyteller I know, and one of the ways God uses him to minister to my cousins, who have lost a parent, is to sit with them and share heartwarming stories of his time spent with their parent on job sites, during fishing expeditions and in places and situations they would not have known otherwise. Dad's stories and his prayers are his greatest gift to them at a time like this.

Loving one another is inherent. God designed us this way. And taking dedicated time to express love and bear one another's burdens is invaluable and should be a top priority for us all.

It seems funerals are held on weekdays much of the time, which isn't very convenient for loved ones who work. Yet, the coordination of all the family members' logistics were pretty amazing for this particular funeral, as each person attended to not only show their respect but to serve one another. In this, I witnessed God's abundant grace. 

For example, my brother worked the day before the funeral, then departed his home that evening at midnight, drove seven hours, had breakfast at Mom and Dad's, then donned a suit, drove to the funeral home to serve as a pall bearer, then drove back home for work the next day. My cousin-in-law came in the day prior and served similarly. And all of the immediate family members stayed in town for a week to offer support and comfort.

James 1:27 reminds us, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted..."

Like funerals, life offers us many opportunities to serve others in brotherly love.

I recall a woman who once shared with me that she had been widowed at a young age. I was surprised to hear this and to witness the wisdom that poured from her by having gone through that situation. One of the most memorable things she shared was that, when a loved one passes, widows are encapsulated in a kind of grace bubble. But then, after the family and friends go home, the painful reality of separation hits hard. I remembered her words in my mind and heart as I recently hugged my widowed aunt good-bye to return home. I know continued prayers will help her, but I also know that taking time to visit her will also help her know the love of Jesus in a unique and tangible way. We are His hands and feet.

Shortly after this funeral, I flew to Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. It was as though God wanted to further instill this principle in me.

Everywhere we turn, people are in need. Do we choose to take time for them? Are we too busy to help them? Are we surrendering our agendas to God? Are we praying for divine appointments? Serving others? Are we willing to be inconvenienced to help someone else?

Dad is old school. He doesn't care about computers or electronic devices beyond what is necessary in his life. The wisdom that pours from him reminds me to make people a sincere priority, an intentional pursuit. This is brotherly love. It honors God and keeps our heart pliable and connected to what's most important.

Romans 13:9 reminds us to "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Sometimes, we need to ask God how He would have us love and serve. Sometimes, we need to slow down and take time. God is love, and His ways are higher than ours. He sees the whole heart of every person and every situation. He has just the right strategy for you to love and serve. Proverbs 3:6 reminds us to "Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Psalm 37:4 reminds us to "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Prayer: Lord, I surrender my heart to you, and I repent of not having taken the time you're your people. Show me how to best love and serve them. Give me Your eyes to see, Your ears to hear, Your heart to know. Open doors of opportunity for me to love and to serve, and enable me to receive Your strength to do it Your way and in Your time. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

:angel:

Week of May 13
A New Day
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning."
-Ecclesiastes 11:7

Recently, I had the great pleasure of vacationing alone with my husband for an entire week, which we hadn't done in several years. Oh, we would come away for long weekends here and there, but the responsibilities of work and ministry were such that we had put off long trips. So when, on this first morning of our island vacation, I awakened very early to a loud rooster crowing, this new day's dawn did not feel so pleasant: My eyes flew open; my brain was instantly alerted; and I wondered why on earth this was happening. Yet I knew I was where God wanted me to be. And so I prayed, "Lord, what is this?"

After drifting back to sleep and awakening to that rooster's crow several more times, I decided to get up and have quiet time on the veranda. Our private porch was decorated in beautiful Spanish-style spindles and floor tiles, white flowing curtains that framed arches and a lovely lush, green view. The furniture was brown wicker with white cushions, and there was even a big, round wicker ottoman, which I loved. The morning breeze was cool, which provided for an even more perfect place to come away with my Jesus and my Holy Spirit.

In the stillness and study of this setting, the Lord impressed upon me that this was a new day for me. He revealed that the seeds of service that I had planted for so many years as a flight attendant had produced a harvest of luxury accommodations on this trip that were beyond what I had ever experienced. He revealed to me that taking a step to come away for an extended time was the first step to greater balance in my life. He reminded me that His time is not linear, but it is circular. And He showed me that when events come back around in our lives—even the relatively small details, such as hotel accommodations—the experience is greater when we process through them God's way (Job 8:7).

I soon understood that it was time for me to awaken to a new level of abundance and that pride and fear had been holding me back.

As I prayerfully searched scripture, the Holy Spirit led me to Matthew chapter 28:

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you.' So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

When I read this chapter verse by verse, could see a clear process of how God's new beginning would flow in my life for such a time as this:

God knows the love in my heart for Him at the outset (vs. 1). A new, powerful action will occur from heaven to earth as an angel is sent out ahead (vs. 2). God will show up in a way I've never seen (vs. 3). Evil will fall away (vs. 4). An angel from God will comfort me (vs. 5). I can expect a new understanding, new evidence and a new hope to emerge (vs. 6). God will provide me with the right timing, new direction and new instruction (vs. 6-7). I will have joy (vs. 8). Jesus will meet me there (vs. 9). I will worship Him (vs. 9). He will provide more direction and instruction, which will lead to a new, glorious report and multiplication in my life and in others lives (vs. 10). The enemy will plot against God's truth (vs. 11-15). But I will be obedient (vs. 16). Yet, not everyone will believe (vs. 17). Still, Jesus will move forward and declare His truth (vs. 18). And He will commission me to move forward in His authority (vs. 19) and assurance (vs. 20).

When we come away with God, He will show us great and mighty things. He will reveal His mysteries to us. He will expose issues of our heart, purify us and restore us. He will cause us to rejoice over His new beginnings for us. He will free us up to receive greater increments of all He has for us.

Are you in need of a new day's dawn, where heaven shows up and the old order of your life shifts into the new? Ask God to get you there. Remain close to Him, repent whatever the Holy Spirit reveals to you. Receive His forgiveness. And He will speak to you and help you get where He has called you to be and do what He has called you to do in greater measure.

:angel:

Week of May 20
Leadership: The Wisdom & Weakness of Solomon
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"...If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel."  -1 Kings 2:4

King David's son King Solomon reigned over Israel for 40 years. He wrote 1,005 songs and 3,000 proverbs of wisdom. He built a temple unto the Lord in which the ark of the covenant rested. He walked in God's favor, peace, power, wealth and wisdom. Yet he turned against God in the end.

King Solomon's weakness for women became his downfall. Since God's promise to him was conditional, he experienced consequences. The bar was high. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

Like King Solomon, all of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard, according to Romans 3:23. So how does one return to righteous standing in God's eyes? Through Jesus Christ, of course.

Once we repent of our sin, Father God sees our sins no more. Instead, He sees us through the blood covenant of His Son Jesus Christ. And there is no condemnation in Jesus. For this, we can be thankful. And we need to remember to forgive ourselves.

We can learn much from King Solomon's process and priority. Here are some principles for the journey:

Repent of idolatry – More than once, Solomon was forewarned that the result of idolatry (anything that he put before God) would be adversity.
Repent of unbelief – If your dreams are big but your faith in God is small. Don't shrink your dreams. Just choose to trust God more to help you achieve them.
Repent of confusion and disorder – If you've been trying this and that, unsure of what God has for you, get into God's stillness and consider fasting. Choose to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Seek God and ask Him to cleanse your heart from all defilement, from anything that would try to come against your love for Him and His plans and promises for you. Ask Him to help you be wholehearted and obedient towards Him. And be quick to repent when you mess up. Thank Him for His mercy.
Ask God to charge you with His assignments and firmly establish His kingdom in your hands. Thank Him.
Worship God and make a sacrificial financial offering unto Him.
Pray Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 3:7b-9: "I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
Ask God to help you establish officials/leaders in your kingdom assignment. Thank Him.
Declare over your kingdom assignment: 1 Kings 4:20, 24c, 25a, 27, 29: Abundance of provision, joy, peace, protection, resources, wisdom, discernment, breadth of mind.
Thank God for: 1 Kings 4:29, 30, 34: Vast wisdom, very great discernment, breadth of mind and influence in all nations.
Ask God to put the surrounding wars under your feet so that you can build for Him. Ask Him for rest on every side, from every adversary and misfortune. Thank Him.
Ask for gifted servants; expect them to come and work and to be able to pay them. Thank Him.
Expect God order of coming into peaceful agreements, setting up and preparing, laying the foundation and building up the kingdom for God.
Expect to hear from God at the outset and during the process.
Keep God your first priority throughout. Finish well. Thank Him.
Know and declare that whenever God does a new thing it is for the purpose of growth and multiplication, even if it involves pruning.
Whatever you do, do it unto the Lord with wholehearted dedication. God always has an action plan for us to flee from our weaknesses. So ask Him for His help and choose to flee.
My prayer is that you will seek the Lord with all your heart, lean not upon your own understanding, know that He loves you beyond measure, step out in great courage and vision and fulfill His plans for you and His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

:angel:

Week of May 27
Arranged Marriage
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"When Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she quickly dismounted from her camel."  -Genesis 24:64

A lifetime friend of mine shared a wonderful story with me recently: Her adult son's love of his life had returned to him after several years. The young couple had met in high school, where they fell in love. But the young woman's parents were not supportive of the relationship. So they broke up. She later married a pastor's son. And he remained unmarried. Years passed. Three kids later and after enduring a philandering, abusive husband, she got divorced.

One day, my friend and her daughter were out shopping, and the young lady ran up to them out of the blue, after not having seen each other in years. Her eyes were full of tears as she explained her circumstances. They exchanged contact information, and, a little later, my friend called her to have lunch. It was during this luncheon that the young lady asked for my friend's son's phone number. And there began their second chance.

God is a God of open door opportunity, divine appointments, and His timeline is circular (cyclical), not linear. God will often bring opportunities around again in an effort to get us on the right track.

My friend hints that the young couple may have an autumn wedding. The young lady is and was the only woman her son ever loved. He is overjoyed. And her parents now realize they should've stayed out of God's way from the beginning.

God can bring people together in any season of life—early or late—to fulfill His purpose and plan.

My mother-in-law met her current husband in her mid-sixties. Prior to their marriage, she and he lived in the same neighborhood for years and never met each other. The two of them endured the lost of their spouses and attended the same church, where they found themselves serving as greeters together one day. God confirmed His purpose, and they married a year later.

People who know me well know my marriage testimony: After marrying and divorcing at a young age due to my husband's adultery, I had a divine visitation in which the Lord said He would bring my chosen husband in 20 years. Sure enough, God's word proved true, as Glynn appeared on time. We discerned, and God confirmed. And we were married six month later.

I believe that if we seek the Lord on the issue of marriage, consult Him for the mate He has for us and wait upon Him, He will bring our mate in His time. I believe that it is not enough to meet someone, fall in love and expect God's hand of blessing to be upon it. We must hear from Him and know we are to marry His choice for us. I believe that if we are in marriages that He did not choose for us, He is under no obligation to hold the marriage together. And unfortunately, too many of us learn this the hard way.

I also believe that one does not have to date or court in a relationship leading to marriage. One only needs to hear from the Lord. This may sound void of romance, but often the best romance comes after the "I do."

Consider the story of Rebekah and Isaac. It is a Holy Spirit led journey of open door opportunity, confirmation, spiritual discernment, thanksgiving and completion. Genesis 24:40 tells us that God sent an angel along with Abraham's servant to successfully find Isaac a wife. When the servant met Rebekah, he knew she was the chosen one due to her specific demonstrations of kindheartedness. The Bible does not suggest that Rebekah had met Isaac prior, even though they were cousins. And the closest Rebekah came to having a bridal shower in her hometown was the gifts of jewelry and gold and clothing that Abraham's servant gave to her after her brother and father agreed that she should depart with him to become Isaac's wife. It happened quickly, and she was soon on the next camel out of Nahor. God is either in it or He's not. And Rebekah was clearly God's choice for Isaac.

Be sure to discern and confirm God's choice of a mate for you. And beware of Ishmael. Ishmael was Abraham's unpromised son, the one he had with Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. The enemy may try to divert God's plan for you by deceiving you into falling for Ishmael. Don't take the bait. Discern and confirm. Wait upon the Lord for His best, and praise Him and thank Him while you wait. Then you will avoid the enemy's consequences. And God's promise will prove itself.
:angel:

Week of June 3
Teaching Women
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live...to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women..." -Titus 2:3-4

I so enjoy spending time with my mother. Although we have always had a good relationship, we have arrived at a very sweet spot, now that we are mature women. We are close friends, blessed with God's heart of grace.

My mother is full of wisdom and kindness, because she has followed Jesus from the time she was a young girl. She was a leader in her church at a young age, and she is at the heart of our family. Yes, this was a process.

She has walked through longsuffering, which has strengthened her with patient endurance. She has honored her mother, which has produced a harvest of inheritance. She has laid her troubles—big and small—at the foot of the cross, which has returned a blessing of her heart's desires. And she has taught me well, especially by example. I have watched her over the years as she "went through."

So often, when we think of Titus 2 scriptures, we think of the older women teaching the younger ladies. But it's important to remember that Titus first taught the older women before they could be proper teachers of Christian foundations for living: "...to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives." (Titus 2:12).

I was fortunate that my mother was taught these foundations by her parents and grandparents, by her first church family and by most of her early neighbors, who depended upon God for much. She has witnessed God's power firsthand. She has seen miracles and God's supernatural power at a young age and throughout her life. God developed in her a profound reverence for Him, a knowing and believing, a firm foundation. She knows God and is sensitive to the Holy Spirit. He speaks to her, even in profound dreams, now more than ever. This is multiplicity. And I am blessed to call her Mom.

Titus taught the women of Crete their first foundations of Christianity. He taught them the proper way to share one another's burdens (vs. 2-3). He taught them encouragement, correction, discipline and respect of authority (vs. 15). He taught them sound doctrine, sobriety, love, unity of family, purity, productiveness, kindness, integrity, temperance, responsibility and sensibility. He taught them order and all of the characteristics required for peaceful, fruitful living.

This can best be accomplished from a heart of love and respect, by living by example, being available, being consistent, focusing on God and truly trusting Him to take care of what you cannot, especially regarding changing others. It is about 2 Timothy 4:2, "...Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching." In order to do this, you must know God, have His heart, mind and perception and know His word.

Bossy, overbearing, self-righteous, controlling, boundary-busting behavior will not work. It will turn people and anything we have to share away. People get enough of that elsewhere. How will they know Christ if they do not see Him modeled no matter what the circumstances?

And many times, God has to bring in an outsider, like Titus, to teach a people or a single person a new thing from the inside out. In this case, remember that, according to Galatians 5:22, longsuffering is a fruit of the spirit; and 1 Peter 5:6 instructs us to "humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor." In other words, let God do what He's trying to do when He's trying to do it, and He will get you (and others) where He wants you to be. And the "right" time would be His time, not ours.

As an insider, it is critical that you be patient and keep the faith that God is moving on your behalf and others, even when you don't see it or understand. Jumping out ahead of God or focusing on others' flaws can breed contempt, frustration, disappointment and self-righteousness. It is a device and distraction of the enemy to wreck God's strategy. I encourage you to not go there, as strife can stunt your reaching and teaching and mess up God's timing for you. Instead, go to the cross; praise Him; beseech Him with supplication; lay your burdens down; then choose to trust Him. God knows, understands and will work on your behalf when you do it His way.

Ruth is such a fine example of Titus 2 reverence and obedience. She respected God and her mother-in-law, Naomi; discerned that Naomi was hearing from God; humbled herself to God's instruction through Naomi; walked out obedience and met and married her Boaz, where her blessings were then multiplied beyond what she had ever had. She ended up better than where she began. But it wasn't easy.

Young women have much to look forward to. Greater wisdom, grace and understanding awaits you in the latter years and much of it can be learned vicariously before you arrive. Find yourself a Naomi, a Titus or a mature Christian woman who has your best interest at heart. For middle-agers, God can even help you see your life from the end to the beginning, which will show you that there is much yet to come. There is great value in life's latter years. In Haggai 2:9, the Lord promises the latter will be greater than the former. Multiplication awaits those who have sown seeds of goodness, mercy, love and obedience to God's ways. My prayer is that you will be a willing, available and teachable student throughout the journey, so that you can live out God's destiny for you in His timeframe. Amen.

:angel:

Week of June 10
Choose Your Horse
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."  -Colossians 3:23

Recently, in a team meeting, the issue of temperance and bridling zeal came up. This proved to be an opportunity for me to share my racehorse testimony.

Now, I am not a close fan of the sport, nor do I gamble. But I do like the beauty and power of a gleaming, well-bred racehorse. God will use anything, and, as usual, His timing was spot on, as this opportunity arose just days before the Belmont Stakes. And so, here you have it:

Years ago, a few months after God had instructed me to host our first Women's Expo, He showed me a vision of a racehorse standing inside a gate. The horse was partially suited up, and he was alone. There was no jockey; no other horses stood inside the other gates nearby; and the track and stands were empty.

God impressed upon me that the horse was symbolic of me.

During those few months before this vision, I had carefully sought the Lord and moved forward step by step, setting details in place for our big event. The only outstanding issue was the finances to pull it off.

So through this vision, God showed me that I was to wait upon Him, that I had showed up to run the race, but that the people and finances—neither of which I had control over—were not in place yet. And so I took a deep breath and intentionally chose to wait upon the Lord.

Weeks passed. And then the miracles occurred.

God chose a dear friend through which to provide the needed funds. This doesn't sound like much of a miracle unless you know that she had an "incurable" disease and that, as a result, had lost everything, including her job, her finances, her home and her car. I had befriended this woman about a year or so earlier, at the instruction of my pastor, who pointed her out in the back of our church one day and said, "She could use a friend."

So after befriending this woman for about a year, sharing one another's burdens and praying for one another's needs, God gave us both a breakthrough: She received God's supernatural restoration, not only in her body but in her finances and throughout her life. It occurred "suddenly," in a blink of an eye.

My friend phoned me one day, informing me that she had written a check and sent it to the ministry's address. "Go to your post office box!" she exclaimed. Nearly, two weeks later (on the verge of discouragement), I finally drove to the post office box.

I opened her envelope, and my eyes could see, but my brain could hardly comprehend what God had place in my hands through this woman: A check in the exact amount we needed!

Once I overcame the initial shock of this double miracle, the Lord showed me another vision of the same racehorse. Only this time, he was suited in full regalia; a jockey was on his back; the stands were full of spectators and other horses stood alongside me. And the gate opened; the bell rang; and God showed me a vision of these words in capital letters: RUN, RUN, RUN!!!

My spirit leapt, my body went from relaxed to energized, and I eagerly ran the race the Lord set before me.

He impressed upon me that He was the jockey; that He held the reigns and that, now, He had put all the pieces in place. It was time to finish the race well, to complete the mission.

I was in awe of what God had done! He had given us both a breakthrough in His perfect timing, and we were both overjoyed!

Now, fast forward a year later.

Starting a ministry from the roots up is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy God's presence, learn and grow and to work!

One day, while meeting with our graphic artist, she said something, which I thought to be very odd: "You can either be a thoroughbred or a workhorse."

I now know that God used her to provoke me to pray once more for additional resources, especially for new people to help me.

He soon brought the people, and I witnessed God using each team of people to grow the Women's Expo, the ministry and me.

Here's what God ultimately taught me about horses:

Thoroughbred: Gloriously suited up, this powerhouse is highly-trained, refined and works under the authority of the jockey (God), who holds the reigns. He is a winner that runs the race God's way. He is a beauty, the epitome of grace and strength; a well cared for and highly-valued jewel.

Workhorse: Engrossed and enslaved by his tasks, this draft horse has the potential for power but is tired, overworked; he has grown weary in well-doing. He sometimes works alone, and sometimes works in teams. But his joy is a distant memory, and a fear of not accomplishing tasks on time drives the vision. There is no adornment and no real engagement with others, except to accomplish daily tasks. He is barely functional and often clomps on delicate things. He needs to come away with Jesus and get some rest.

Mustang: A passionately zealous, wild runner. Has a lot of energy, but is unfocused and unbridled. Accomplishes little, if anything, because he's all over the place, driven by whatever he sees and feels. Selfish, free flowing agenda reigns.

Pack Mule: A beast of burden; weighted down and limited by "stuff." Grumpy and contentious, this beast really doesn't want to be bothered outside of his world and way of doing things. Definitely needs deliverance.

Donkey: Considered unclean in Biblical times. Need I say more?

:angel:

Week of June 24
Divine Structure
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"...you are...fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."  -Ephesians 2:19-22

There was a season of time when I worked for a very large, mismanaged company. This company was so mismanaged that it had grown complacent over time and had fallen to second place within its industry. However, I knew that God had strategically positioned me there.

Once inside this company, the days were often hard. I began to witness the mismanagement up close and personal. I could see much of the carelessness of the employees, the cover-ups of management and the overall lack of integrity within my division, as God would allow me. Since I knew that when God is about to breakthrough, He often positions an outsider as a catalyst to influence an outcome, I began to pray over the employees and the organization.

Less than two years after I began, a rainbow appeared outside my office window. Although I have seen many rainbows, this was the first time I had seen such a wide expanse. I could also see the beginning and the end of the rainbow from my high rise office. And it appeared to be very close to our building. Employees arose from their desks and gathered at the windows in awe. I was right there among them, and I knew in my spirit that God was indicating something important. I prayed for Him to give me the understanding.

A short time later, after God had released me from that company, I learned that that division had been sold to another company, located in the direction of that rainbow. I knew in my spirit this was God answering my prayers.

God, essentially, dismantled that division. He not only cleaned house, He repositioned the house. As a result, many people I once worked with fled, fearing their jobs were endangered.

God knows and see all things, including the fullness of our hearts. He knows the exact graceful balance of discipline and ease we need at any given moment to become all that He has called us to be and to accomplish all He has assigned to us.

His structure in motion encompasses strength, beauty, order and balance. It implies authority and submission to authority in varying degrees, according to what is necessary to sustain life and complete God's purposed missions on earth as it is in heaven.

For example, just as God designed our bodies to contain a bone structure—the framework that allows us to stand and move—He also inspires organizational structures, designed to serve His purposes and that of His people, all of which is subject to The Almighty.

Consider our military forces and the defined structure of authority that is in place to maintain safety, protection, order and victory. When one confronts war, it's not enough to think, imagine or believe how to act. One must understand and know the structure that is in place to battle efficiently. One must trust in the authority that has been set forth and take hold of the weapons at hand. One must know how to operate the resources according to the overall strategic plan.

Structures are Foundational and Fundamental
Structures are frameworks that provide a platform upon which to build. Strong foundations are layered, such as marrow and bone within our bodies or like rebar set inside concrete or wood studs inside walls. Strong foundations are interactive and cohesive, like brick and mortar. As Christians, we stand in unity with Jesus, relating with Him and His people accordingly to His purpose, thus building a strong foundation.

Structures Provide a Vertical and Horizontal Hierarchy
Everything that God creates has a structure. Consider the hierarchy of angels: Seraphim and Cherubim praise and protect the throne of God, while Archangels and Angels serve as God's messengers. Colossians 1:16 says, "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." God's hierarchy can also be set in place on earth through inspiring man. Consider the Bible, which is the inspired word of God and a structure upon which we build our lives. Matthew 6:10 says, "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

Structures Can Be Redeemed
Just as Jesus redeems us from our sins, He can lead us to rebuild, restore, reorganize or redesign structures to His originally-intended integrity. We see this principle operate in today's world in preserving and restoring historic buildings and in restructuring businesses for improvement. In Genesis 26:18, we see that Isaac restored the wells his father, Abraham, had dug: "Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them." Likewise, Nehemiah 6:3 speaks to Nehemiah's dedication and commitment to rebuilt Jerusalem against all odds, "...I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"

Respecting God's structures honors Him, protects us and positions us for promotion. If you find yourself in an atmosphere surrounded by ungodly structure, forgive those around you; then ask God to intervene, to restructure the structure to His liking and to reposition you. You'll be amazed at what He will do, where you will land and the new divine connections and opportunities He will give you if you will remain close to Him and follow His lead.

:angel:

Week of July 1, 2012

"In the last days, God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.'"  -Acts 2:17

Dreams are simply night visions. And night or day, visions are one way God speaks to us. Daniel 1:17 tells us that "Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds." And we know that God gave Joseph big dreams (Genesis 37:5, 9) and that he later interpreted dreams for others (Genesis 40).

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Therefore, the same power of Jesus Christ that was present when He walked the earth is the same power that we have living inside us today. Jesus still does miracles, and the Holy Spirit still speaks to us through dreams and visions.

I know plenty of people who have dreams and visions from the Lord on a regular basis, my mother being one. God has spoken to my mother in dreams to comfort her after loved ones have passed, to awaken her to the enemy's trap (so she can pray and avert danger) and to help her understand difficult circumstances that she and loved ones experience. God gifted my mother to interpret dreams—hers and others'.

Asleep, God has our full attention. During the day, we are usually more distracted. So He often impresses images in our minds and hearts in a profound way while we slumber. And we usually remember the dreams because they are so impactful.

God frequently speaks to me in day visions, more so than in night dreams. But I have experienced a few profound visitations while sleeping. Here's one:

Several years ago, I was very ill and required surgery. Three weeks before my surgery date, I saw a vision of Jesus in a dream very early one morning. He walked up to my bedside and reached for my hand. He never said a word. I instantly knew the figure I saw was Jesus, and I was not afraid. From the moment I saw Him, I felt pure, perfect, overwhelming love.

In this dream, I arose from my bed and took Jesus' hand. We walked over to an escalator-like device, but it didn't have actual steps; so, it was more like a conveyor belt. Side by side, we stepped onto the conveyor belt and ascended to the top. There were no words spoken; only pure, perfect love consumed me. There was nothing else around us except a doorway, right at the top of the conveyor belt. Jesus and I stood in the threshold of the doorway and turned around. At that moment, I saw my body lying on my bed below.

At first, this didn't bother me. I only wanted to be with Jesus, and nothing else mattered. But then seconds later, I felt concerned about the condition of my body; and I stepped away from Jesus towards it. At that moment, I woke up.

I realized I had had a dream and that I had seen Jesus. So I decided to drift off to sleep again in hope that I could experience His love all over. Sure enough, Jesus was there waiting for me.

After awhile, I woke up again, fell back asleep and saw Jesus a third time. Each time, I felt overwhelmed by His pure, perfect love.

After I woke up the final time, I nudged my husband and shared what had just happened. I could hardly find the words. I was captivated, overwhelmed by God's presence.

A little later, I phoned a close friend, and as I shared the dream with her, she began to cry and promised to pray for me. We hung up, and she called back about an hour later, still crying. She said that she had been praying for God to not take my life on earth. I was surprised to hear this because I didn't think it was my time to go home to be with the Lord. She said that God told her that I wouldn't die.

Sure enough, shortly after we hung up, the worst pain I had experienced occurred. Then on the day of my surgery, my vital signs were not stable, which caused my surgeon to tell me she couldn't perform the operation because I wouldn't pull through. At this point, I asked her to leave the room, and I laid my own hands on my own body and commanded the vitals to be normal. Five minutes later, the surgeon returned and rechecked my vitals. They were normal, and they wheeled me into surgery.

I awakened after surgery and was taken to a room. That night, about 2:30 a.m., my vitals began to diminish again. At this point, I was tired of fighting, so I whispered a prayer to God, reminding Him of what He had spoken to my friend a few weeks earlier. Suddenly, my numbers returned to normal and I was completely healed once and for all.

I believe my dream with Jesus was a catalyst that prompted life-saving healing prayer. I believe God wanted me to know it was serious and wanted to give me deliverance and a testimony from the brink of death. So the dream was a kind of forewarning.

I believe God will give us profound dreams if we ask Him. And I believe we can receive His dreams, as He wills, if we remain close to Him.

How are some of the ways God speaks to you? Has God ever shown you a vision or a dream?

:angel:

Enduring Grace @ Work – Part I
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of July 8, 2012

"Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."  -Ephesians 6:7

"Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.'"  -Isaiah 35:4

A couple of my friends recently shared their greatest workplace challenges with me over coffee. Among their laments were: A boss with a double-mind; evil co-workers; multiple, drastic process changes and unattainable performance expectations.

Though these friends prayed together at work, they felt they had seen little improvement. What's more, they had grown weary in well-doing. They wanted to know where to go from where they were. Here are the results of that conversation that may help you, should you find yourself in difficult circumstances at work:

God's Purpose: Why Am I Here?– Yes, your job is for more than a paycheck! Your job is your divine assignment. It is your mission field. It is all divinely purposed! And it is seasonal! You are there so that God can do a work in you, through you and for you (on your behalf) simultaneously. He will use the people, the location and the daily circumstances to accomplish His will accordingly, even—and especially if—you find yourself in a job that you would've never selected for yourself. God will use it all! Are you willing to journey through it with Him and yield to His way of doing His work in, through and for you?

God's Strategy: What Do I Do?– Maintain a servant's attitude, and do the job you were hired to do with excellence. Watch your mouth, your attitude and your actions. Affirm to God that you need His help. Ask God what He wants you to see, know and do amid your circumstances. Ask God to enable you to receive all He has for you and nothing that is not of Him. Ask God to reveal to you His vision, strategy, reinforcement, divine appointments and divine connections. Ask God for a Christian prayer partner or group. Ask God to lead you to the sources and resources that have what you need. All along the way, ask God to reveal His understanding and solutions to problems. Your journey will contain incremental successes. All of it will challenge you in the area of character building to prepare you for your next promotion.

God knows and sees all things, and He will get you where He wants you to be and help you do what He wants you to do if you are willing to hearken. Pray for your boss, your co-workers and the company as the Holy Spirit leads. You will endure the journey and can be promoted faster (internally or externally) by processing through every challenge God's way. Remember, God takes us from holiness to holiness, from glory to glory. Sometimes, He accomplishes this work quickly by taking us through the furnace. In so doing, He redeems lost time. God can do much in these accelerated times in which we work and live. He is the ultimate multitasker. So count it all good, and journey through God's way, so you don't have to perpetually cycle through rounds of testing.

Guard Your Heart | Don Your Armor (Eph. 6:11-18) – Your heart belongs to God, so be careful with human connections, especially in your workplace. Not everyone will have your back or even like you. Some may feel envious or competitive towards you. Many will have different beliefs than yours. Kindness and prayer are strengths, but not everyone will be interested in what your heart has to offer. Apply wisdom. If people are not willing to receive what you are willing to give, there can be no deep connection without God's transformational power intervening. Know this ahead of time; respect and accept others' right to choose (God does); shake the dust off, and turn from situations where people do not accept you. In essence, don't waste your time. Remember, Jesus suffered rejection, so you're not alone. Speak a blessing over those who reject you, and ask God to redirect your path to those who are willing and able to receive. Be professional, move on and keep your eyes on the Lord.

Regarding your boss, she/he has a job to do, regardless of your friendly relationship with her/him. That means you must perform up to standard in the position for which you were hired. If you do not, you will be penalized. It is wrong to expect your boss to cover your inadequate performance regardless of whether you are friends with her/him. In workplaces, performance is paramount. Unless you are a member of a family business or own your own company, bosses will not typically extend the kind of grace your mother would. It is not their job to take care of you outside of your work life. It is their job to oversee you and your work while you are at work. They have a lot on their plate. And not all bosses will nurture you, simply due to time constraints. Various bosses have varying management styles. And different companies have different corporate cultures. Pray about this. Regardless of your circumstances, it is your responsibility to do the job you were hired to do with excellence unto the Lord. Excellence is Jesus' standard. If it is impossible for you to meet the company's standards, pray and perhaps speak to your boss about improving the processes that affect you or ask her/him to reassign you to an area where your strengths can shine. Ask God to make you aware when your job assignment is complete and finish well. How you finish is how you will enter into your next job assignment. And remember, God may give you a season of rest before your next assignment. So follow His lead. 

Do not allow yourself to be provoked by your boss or co-workers. Those of us who have high callings on our lives will be perpetually tested on this until we overcome this issue, the purpose being to mature us to a level where we can stand among multitudes and glorify God with our thoughts, speech, attitude and actions no matter what offense is hurled at us. Jesus did. Whoever is provoking you is God's instrument in this regard, so count it as joy (James 1:2). Remember, God is sovereign, and no one can do anything short of God's permissive will. As Christians, we are to respond from the Holy Spirit, not react from offense. If you find that someone gets under your skin frequently, it could be that God is trying to get your attention to turn to Him to learn how to become "unprovokable. " You are in training for eternity! Ask God to help you, and listen to what He reveals to you. He knows just how to get you there!

(This devotional will continue as Part II next week.)

:angel:

Enduring Grace @ Work – Part II
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of July 15, 2012

"'For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"  -Jeremiah 29:11

Let Go of False Responsibility– Matthew 11:30 tells us God's "burden is light." You are not a pack mule! Your responsibility is not to fix your boss. Pray, yes; fix, no. If you have tried to fix your boss, repent of self righteousness and self idolatry. Stay out of God's way, and let the Holy Spirit do His job. You're not God. Only God sees the whole heart of your boss and knows just what she/he needs. You don't. Even prophets only see in part. If you will release your difficult boss to God—fully letting her/him go—God will pick up the task, and you will soon see a tangible shift of some type: Either God will change the boss, change you, relocate her/him or relocate you.

Guard against the temptation of gossip. It's better to ask someone you can trust to pray for you than to uncover others' sins at work. Often—but not always—your best prayer partner is someone outside of your workplace. Consult God on this.

Also, be careful to not project your own wounds, fears, pains and inadequacies onto your boss or others. Your perspective is a filter that is based on your beliefs, experiences, etc. Only God sees and knows the ultimate, whole, unfiltered truth. So choose to sync up your vision with His. Tell Him you want to see as He sees, love as He loves and do as He does. Ask God to help you love your boss and difficult co-workers as He does. God's love is far greater than their issues. Asking for God's help honors Him and humbles us. And He will be faithful to answer your prayers.

When your boss (or anyone else) offends you, discipline yourself to process through the offense and hurt QUICKLY so bitterness doesn't take root. Choose to not be controlled by emotional or spiritual immaturity, but by the Holy Spirit, who desires to mature you. Remember, you are a work in progress, and God loves you too much to leave you where you are:

Confess the offense as though you committed it(because Romans 2:1 affirms you did). This biblical principle is very humbling, and it gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to convict you about a sin that has blinded you in your past. It also positions you to extend compassion and grace to your boss. In this way, God may actually use your boss as a catalyst—or a mirror—to do a work in you, freeing you and causing you to come up to higher holiness. Be careful to not get stuck in pride by not confessing someone else's sin as your own. Asking the Holy Spirit to reveal your secret (unknown to you) sins for the purpose of confession and repentance, is always wise and can be done privately on a daily basis. The Holy Spirit is your helper and will show you things you may not see otherwise. It's better to be confessed privately than to be revealed publicly.
Choose to forgive your boss and yourself(no matter what). Forgiveness does not condone a sin; it simply hands over the issue and person to God, entrusting Him to handle it for you. After all, the battle is the Lord's, and He can do vengeance better than you or anyone else! (1 Samuel 17:47). Unless God instructs you otherwise, it does not mean that you are to go to your boss and tell her/him that you forgive her/him. Doing so can come off as arrogant, and you will risk offending your boss, which is not a wise move. Simply pray it through privately with the Lord.
Be healed! Ask God to bind every wound and heal every injury in your heart and mind. Speak a command to both to be made whole and renewed in the name of Jesus.
Ask God to convict your boss and to get your boss where He wants her/him to be. Speak a blessing over your boss (Matthew 5:44).
Release your boss to God.In your heart, lay your boss and the offense at the foot of the cross, affirming that you choose to trust Jesus to take care of the situation better than you. Commit to not picking it back up by thinking about it, talking about it or reacting to it.
Thank Godfor His victory, mercy and grace, for loving you so much that you can trust Him to move on your behalf! And thank God that whatever the enemy meant for bad, God will use for your good and the good of others to build His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Thank God that you are washed clean by the blood of the Lamb and that, because of this blood covenant, Father God sees your sins no more!
Reset your focus on God by finding a quiet, alone place and praising God sacrificially until your emotions feel better (which won't take long) and your joy (your strength) is restored. King David did this several times a day! Where else would a king (or queen) go?
Wield Your Spiritual Power Tool: Sacrificial Praise– Sacrificial praise is a discipline of praising God when you don't feel like it. God already knows you don't feel like it, so when you do it, it greatly honors Him. Sacrificial praise is the power tool that can help you break free from the pit and refocus your soul and spirit on God's awesome love and beauty. Sacrificial praise is also a serious power tool in the enemy's face. Staying "down" in a pit of despair, self-pity and worry does not honor God. Remaining in a "pit" experience is actually an ungodly form of control—even idolatry—that overburdens us, adversely affects others and causes us to walk in disobedience and limit God's intervention on our behalf. You can intentionally discipline yourself to sacrificially praise God until it becomes second nature. You will be amazed at its effects! Not only will you feel better, it will greatly move God's heart on your behalf!

Finish Well!– The climate in which you depart your last job assignment will determine how you enter into your next job assignment. If you left your last job in conflict, that unresolved conflict will await you, just behind the door of your next new job. Why? Because strife is at the root of disorder. And because God desires to give you another opportunity to resolve the unrest. Strife will continue to follow you until you process through it to completion God's way. God loves you too much to let you remain immature and underdeveloped. He is for you, and He has a plan to prosper you, to grow you. He desires for you to "get it" once and for all time.

Get Help– If you are so emotionally and/or physically exhausted or distressed that you cannot perform excellently at work, you may need a respite or professional help or both. You may want to investigate various leave options available to you through your human resources department. Seek God to lead you in choosing healthcare professionals and/or counselors to help you get restored to wholeness, if necessary.

Deuteronomy 30:19 instructs us to choose life, not death; blessings, not curses. Everything we do and not do is a seed sown that will produce a harvest. It's important that we survey ourselves and intentionally decide where we want to be spiritually, which master we will serve. I pray that your choices lead you to receive God's best at work and beyond every day for all eternity (Joshua 24:15).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
:angel:




 
             
   

Enduring Grace @ Work – Part II
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of July 15, 2012

"'For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'"  -Jeremiah 29:11

Let Go of False Responsibility– Matthew 11:30 tells us God's "burden is light." You are not a pack mule! Your responsibility is not to fix your boss. Pray, yes; fix, no. If you have tried to fix your boss, repent of self righteousness and self idolatry. Stay out of God's way, and let the Holy Spirit do His job. You're not God. Only God sees the whole heart of your boss and knows just what she/he needs. You don't. Even prophets only see in part. If you will release your difficult boss to God—fully letting her/him go—God will pick up the task, and you will soon see a tangible shift of some type: Either God will change the boss, change you, relocate her/him or relocate you.

Guard against the temptation of gossip. It's better to ask someone you can trust to pray for you than to uncover others' sins at work. Often—but not always—your best prayer partner is someone outside of your workplace. Consult God on this.

Also, be careful to not project your own wounds, fears, pains and inadequacies onto your boss or others. Your perspective is a filter that is based on your beliefs, experiences, etc. Only God sees and knows the ultimate, whole, unfiltered truth. So choose to sync up your vision with His. Tell Him you want to see as He sees, love as He loves and do as He does. Ask God to help you love your boss and difficult co-workers as He does. God's love is far greater than their issues. Asking for God's help honors Him and humbles us. And He will be faithful to answer your prayers.

When your boss (or anyone else) offends you, discipline yourself to process through the offense and hurt QUICKLY so bitterness doesn't take root. Choose to not be controlled by emotional or spiritual immaturity, but by the Holy Spirit, who desires to mature you. Remember, you are a work in progress, and God loves you too much to leave you where you are:

Confess the offense as though you committed it(because Romans 2:1 affirms you did). This biblical principle is very humbling, and it gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to convict you about a sin that has blinded you in your past. It also positions you to extend compassion and grace to your boss. In this way, God may actually use your boss as a catalyst—or a mirror—to do a work in you, freeing you and causing you to come up to higher holiness. Be careful to not get stuck in pride by not confessing someone else's sin as your own. Asking the Holy Spirit to reveal your secret (unknown to you) sins for the purpose of confession and repentance, is always wise and can be done privately on a daily basis. The Holy Spirit is your helper and will show you things you may not see otherwise. It's better to be confessed privately than to be revealed publicly.
Choose to forgive your boss and yourself(no matter what). Forgiveness does not condone a sin; it simply hands over the issue and person to God, entrusting Him to handle it for you. After all, the battle is the Lord's, and He can do vengeance better than you or anyone else! (1 Samuel 17:47). Unless God instructs you otherwise, it does not mean that you are to go to your boss and tell her/him that you forgive her/him. Doing so can come off as arrogant, and you will risk offending your boss, which is not a wise move. Simply pray it through privately with the Lord.
Be healed! Ask God to bind every wound and heal every injury in your heart and mind. Speak a command to both to be made whole and renewed in the name of Jesus.
Ask God to convict your bossand to get your boss where He wants her/him to be. Speak a blessing over your boss (Matthew 5:44).
Release your boss to God.In your heart, lay your boss and the offense at the foot of the cross, affirming that you choose to trust Jesus to take care of the situation better than you. Commit to not picking it back up by thinking about it, talking about it or reacting to it.
Thank Godfor His victory, mercy and grace, for loving you so much that you can trust Him to move on your behalf! And thank God that whatever the enemy meant for bad, God will use for your good and the good of others to build His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Thank God that you are washed clean by the blood of the Lamb and that, because of this blood covenant, Father God sees your sins no more!
Reset your focus on Godby finding a quiet, alone place and praising God sacrificially until your emotions feel better (which won't take long) and your joy (your strength) is restored. King David did this several times a day! Where else would a king (or queen) go?
Wield Your Spiritual Power Tool: Sacrificial Praise– Sacrificial praise is a discipline of praising God when you don't feel like it. God already knows you don't feel like it, so when you do it, it greatly honors Him. Sacrificial praise is the power tool that can help you break free from the pit and refocus your soul and spirit on God's awesome love and beauty. Sacrificial praise is also a serious power tool in the enemy's face. Staying "down" in a pit of despair, self-pity and worry does not honor God. Remaining in a "pit" experience is actually an ungodly form of control—even idolatry—that overburdens us, adversely affects others and causes us to walk in disobedience and limit God's intervention on our behalf. You can intentionally discipline yourself to sacrificially praise God until it becomes second nature. You will be amazed at its effects! Not only will you feel better, it will greatly move God's heart on your behalf!

Finish Well!– The climate in which you depart your last job assignment will determine how you enter into your next job assignment. If you left your last job in conflict, that unresolved conflict will await you, just behind the door of your next new job. Why? Because strife is at the root of disorder. And because God desires to give you another opportunity to resolve the unrest. Strife will continue to follow you until you process through it to completion God's way. God loves you too much to let you remain immature and underdeveloped. He is for you, and He has a plan to prosper you, to grow you. He desires for you to "get it" once and for all time.

Get Help– If you are so emotionally and/or physically exhausted or distressed that you cannot perform excellently at work, you may need a respite or professional help or both. You may want to investigate various leave options available to you through your human resources department. Seek God to lead you in choosing healthcare professionals and/or counselors to help you get restored to wholeness, if necessary.

Deuteronomy 30:19 instructs us to choose life, not death; blessings, not curses. Everything we do and not do is a seed sown that will produce a harvest. It's important that we survey ourselves and intentionally decide where we want to be spiritually, which master we will serve. I pray that your choices lead you to receive God's best at work and beyond every day for all eternity (Joshua 24:15).

:angel:

Worship

by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of July 29, 2012

"And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "'Let all God's angels worship him.'" -  Hebrews 1:6

Everyone searches for significance. If we are not taught any better, our priorities get out of alignment with God's will as we affix ourselves to sex, money, power, spouses, children, angels, etc. But all is fleeting except the one true God. Children grow up. Spouses pass on. But God is the only person who is constantly with us. He goes before us, never leaves us and doesn't forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). 

Who (or what) is your God?

Both Moses and Joshua had to ask this rhetorical question to the Israelites. "But if you refuse to serve the LORD," Joshua asks, "then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."

Who (or what) is your God?

Some people choose angels. But Matthew Henry's Commentary tells us, "The most exalted angels are but ministering spirits, mere servants of Christ, to execute His commands. The saints, at present, are heirs, not yet come into possession. The angels minister to them in opposing the malice and power of evil spirits, in protecting and keeping their bodies, instructing and comforting their souls, under Christ and the Holy Ghost." Angels are not to be worshipped. Although powerful and divinely appointed, they are not even redeemed when they sin. Rather, they fall into the enemy's camp and serve the evil one.

So who (or what) is your God?

It is important to let go of everything that is not of the Lord. Survey your heart; then ask the Holy Spirit to survey your heart. Choose to release everything that has been holding you back from serving Him fully. Lay it all at the foot of the cross, and choose to trust Almighty God to take care of those things (and people) for you. Do you trust Him enough to fully surrender what you value most to Him? Do you believe that He is for you, that He has your back, that He loves you beyond measure, that He has a plan for you, that He sees and knows all things?

What (or who) do you wrap your life around?

If we hold onto unforgiveness or other sins, we choose, by default, to limit God in our lives and make that unforgivensss or sin a god.

Worship involves the attitude of the heart. Praise involves the action of a worshipful heart. The two work in tandem. Whatever is inside will pour out. Gratitude, thanksgiving, joy, even longing for more of God are facets of a worshipful heart. When you love God, you can't help but worship Him, and corresponding praises will come out in many forms, not just singing. David danced. What has God done for you lately that would cause you to do a happy dance? I know of a woman who arranges flowers beautifully. She believes this expression of her gift to be an act of praise unto the Lord. What are your gifts? Do you use them to honor the Lord? Even work is a form of worship when we work unto the Lord. Colossians 3:23 tells us, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Worship doesn't have to end on Sunday morning. Carry it with you to work and watch the atmosphere of your workplace change. And at the end of the day, the best way I know to transition from work to home is to praise God on the drive home. By the time you arrive, the issues of the day will seem much smaller, and your evenings will be more peaceful.

Putting God first in every area of our lives honors Him and blesses us. I encourage you to keep Jesus the Lord of every area of your life. Do it joyfully. Ask Him to renew your heart and mind. Ask Him to show you new ways to worship and praise Him. You'll be glad you did.

:angel:

Week of August 5
Redemption

"My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You—I, whom You have redeemed."  ~ Psalm 71:23

What comes to mind for many Christians when we hear the word "redeemed" is being saved from the pit of hell by Jesus Christ, Our Savior.

But what may not come to mind as often is having abundant life on earth.

The dictionary defines redemption as saving or improving something that has declined into a poor state.  Ones career, marriage, finances or physical health can be examples.

The root word, redeem, is from the Latin word, redimere, which means to buy back.  To redeem can mean to keep a promise, fulfill a pledge, pay off an outstanding portion of debt, atone for human sins, restore someone to favor or to make acceptable despite negative qualities.

Indeed, Jesus Christ is Our Redeemer.

The Bible says that we are redeemed from the grave (Ps. 49:15), from death (Hos. 13:14), from the law (Gal. 4:5), from all wickedness (Tit. 2:14), from the curse (Gal. 3:13), from sin (Col. 1:14) and from the pit (Ps. 103:4).

The Apostle Paul may have said it best as he beseeches us to "live a life worthy of the Lord," to "please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves..."

God's word is true.  It is purposed for us.  Let us keep our eyes on Him so that we may have abundant faith, love, hope, prosperity, health, joy and relationships.

What do you have need of?  Do you feel special, or are you just getting by?  Have you called on your Redeemer?  He awaits you.

:angel:

Wait Upon the Lord
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of August 12, 2012

"Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."  -Psalm 27:14

Like my father, I enjoy a good auction. And if ebay has taught me nothing else in these accelerated times in which we live and work, I've learned to wait for just the "right" item. No compromise. When it's God, there's nothing missing, nothing broken, and there's no remorse added to it. Long before ebay existed, auctions—and life's big crossroads—have tested my faith that God will bring just the right thing at just the right time and at just the right price, value and benefit.

But do we always listen to the Holy Spirit when He tries to guide us? Do we really believe God at His word? Or do we need to repent of unbelief? Some areas are easy for us to trust God. Others aren't.

Just recently, I sat behind a young couple in church who were clearly in distress. While a leader ministered to them, the Lord spoke to me to encourage them to trust Him.

What is it within us that causes us to doubt God's best for us? To think His best will never happen for us? Fear? Past trauma? Weariness?

Despite our life experiences, God's truth is that we are who HE says we are, not what others say. Others' views are limited by their own mental lenses. Only God sees the entire plan He has for us on earth as it is in heaven. And no matter what we've been through in life, we can forgive, repent and intentionally choose to get our thoughts, words and behaviors in alignment with God's truth so that we don't miss His best.

Galatians 6:9  tells us that " . . . we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Some difficulties we must endure. Other challenges, God delivers us from instantly for the asking. Yes, God allows both. Each way is a path for God to do a unique work within us. Endurance forges patience and divine grace within us if we process through the journey God's way. And when the breakthrough comes, we will often enter into it with ease because God has prepared us incrementally over time for the new season that we are birthed into.

When God delivers us from troubles instantly, our faith is encouraged. When He allows us to endure them, our faith is tested. In this way, He matures our faith and refines us, causing us to lay down everything that tries to interfere with that for which we believe God to produce in our lives. We must be careful with whom we share information and revelation during our seasons of waiting upon the Lord. Remember, God is testing us in the wait, not necessarily them. Some will not have any understanding of the unique work that God is doing in our lives. Some promises we need to hold in our hearts until the breakthrough. Then share our testimonies.  Hebrews 13:21  says, "may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen."

God always has a best strategy for us to receive His best. It's up to us to seek Him first and ask for His wisdom in all things; then be obedient every step of the way. And especially guard against ungodly fear, the enemy's tool to produce distraction and interference. God instructed Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). God gave Joshua unique strategies for his battles to take dominion, to win. In this way, Joshua was dependent upon the Lord for his very life and the lives of others as well as the future of a nation.

One of the most endearing scriptures the Lord gave to me when I was going through a challenging journey was  Ecclesiastes 3:11 : "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." I knew He was lovingly telling me that the beautiful thing He promised me would come to pass in His perfect time. I choose to trust that God knows best and to believe Him at His written and revealed word.

What are you depending upon the Lord to bring about in your life? Choosing to wait upon Him will produce beautiful things in you and for you. You'll see . . . in His time.

:angel:

Restoration
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of August 19, 2012

"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."  -Luke 6:38

When God restores, He does so better than our original state. Big or small, God knows what's important to us, to our heart, to our body and to our mind. He cares about every detail. And He knows just how to position us to receive His abundant restoration.

Early this morning, I received a text from a dear young woman who was delighted to inform me that she had just received two scholarships to attend college. From where she was to where she is now is as different as night and day. She is on her own, and the journey had been a struggle for years in many ways. But now, she has received her much needed breakthrough, and she doesn't even have to pay for textbooks. Oh, the guidance and favor of God!

A dear relative of mind recently had his hope restored. After several decades of hardship, condemnation, rebellion and diminished faith, God used a pastor to reach him through a gentle approach. This family member's faith and trust in God was consistently increased little by little over time. He also experienced a physical healing that was unexplainable by any other means except supernatural intervention. His faith was so boosted that he finally shared with the family that he wanted to return to church—the same church he attended as a child. God is a full-cycle restorer!

One of the tasks around my home that I enjoy is polishing metal hollowware. Every time I hold a piece of metal in my hand and patiently polish it to a super shiny finish, I am reminded of God caring enough for His creation to take time to patiently polish us to shine for Him.

Jesus died to redeem us from sin, curses, sicknesses and diseases. Father God's desire is for us to receive His full redemption and restoration. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever." Beth Moore recently said that we make the most grievous mistake when we dumb Jesus down. She's right. God's word is living. It is truth. He is who He says He is. He hasn't changed. Let us embrace His love and power in every form He desires to demonstrate.

Just today, I spoke with a dear friend, whom I've known for many years. A few years back, I prayed for her to know more of God's love and for her to understand that He heals just as He did when Jesus walked on earth. My friend had a need for physical healing, and, for the first time, she asked for prayer in that regard. I believe the Lord will soon turn her test into a testimony through His healing power, just as He did for so many in the Gospels. I believe God will grow her mustard-seed faith into a knowing.

All around, God is moving on our behalf and through us. Do we take time to see His amazing answers to our prayers and the prayers of others? Are we sensitive to the Holy Spirit promptings? When the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray for someone, it's because He wants to answer that prayer! He desires to co-labor with us to bring about miracles.

In what areas do you need to be restored? Emotionally? Financially? In your relationships? God is big enough. Nothing is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37). We either take God at His word, or we do not. Are you ready to elevate your faith? Ask Him to help you, and then watch what He does for you . . . simply because He loves you.

:angel:

Week of August 26
Flourishing

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."  ~ Psalm 52:8

The word "flourishing" in this context translates into the Hebrew word "ra`anan," which means "to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green."

During this late spring season, I am reminded of God's promise of a summer harvest every time I tend to my vegetable garden.  When I see how my plants have flourished in such a short time since I set them out, I am awed at what God has created, and I am inspired by the fruit He produces.  The days are long here in the south, therefore the plants have an abundance of light.

Get the point?

Through God's bountiful love and His righteousness in us, we can produce much fruit, be blessed and in turn bless others.

Psalm 1:3 tells us that a righteous person "is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."

It's important to remember, however, that it's not our righteousness that produces good fruit, it's God's.  Isaiah 64:6 is quick to remind us that "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."

But do we really trust this truth deep in our heart?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 reveals that "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Interestingly, an olive tree lives for hundreds of years, producing much fruit, blessing animals and man (Ps. 1:3 note).  Imagine the many seasons it flourishes through.

Conversely, Jeremiah 17:5-6 tells us, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes.  He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives."

When we find ourselves in a wasteland, we can be quick to remember that God offers us forgiveness through Jesus Christ, His Son and our Redeemer when we confess and repent.  Even so, remember that the consequences of sin can last longer than we would like to tolerate.

Consistently choosing obedience to God's righteousness is the wisest choice.

Proverbs 8:19-21 encourages us that wisdom's fruit is better than fine gold; what wisdom yields surpasses choice silver.  Wisdom walks in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love wisdom and making their treasuries full."

Remember that God does not set us up to fail.  He sets us up to flourish.

How green are you?  And how green would you like to become?

:angel:

Week of September 2

Harmony

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds."  ~ 1Peter 3:8 (NLT)

Have you ever been part of a team of any kind and experienced discord?  People just didn't agree.  Everything felt hard, out of sync and each step of progress was painstaking.  Your team wasn't of "one mind."  You didn't have harmony.

What did your team do?  What was the ultimate outcome?  Did they meet their goal on time?  Or did they dismantle?

I believe when people come together in the right spirit, there is harmony.  When egos bow to God's purpose and when comfort zones succumb to stepping out in big faith, God is able to accomplish much through us.  We were made by Him for Him.

In Romans 12:16 (NIV), the Apostle Paul warns us to "Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud."  The New Living Translation states, "Don't try to act important . . . And don't think you know it all!"

This is love.  And God gives grace to the humble.  All that's required of us is to do our part.

Harmony means agreement, the Greek translation of which is Sugkatathesis, which means to put together or deposit jointly.

Even if your authority figures overrule your opinion, suggestion or idea, making a decision that you don't like or understand, know that God holds them accountable and the burden is off of you.

Romans 13:3 says, "Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God's servant to do you good."

Oftentimes, God uses joint efforts to refine us, to teach us something new, to lend His wisdom and to test our pride.  Could it be that God is preparing us for promotion?  After all, He exalts the humble.

Consider Joseph.  So many of his joint efforts bombed—in the relationship he had with his brothers and in relationships he experienced while in Egyptian captivity—yet in the end, God exalted him above all those who troubled him.  And when his brothers came to him in desperation, he extended love to them.  He chose to live in harmony once again, even though he could have chosen otherwise.  Clearly, God taught him much on the path to promotion.

What is He teaching you?

:angel:

Affirmation
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of September 9, 2012

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise."  -Hebrews 10:23

Recently, I had lunch with a dear friend I hadn't seen in several months. From the moment we sat down in the restaurant booth, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit syncing us up in a profound, accelerated manner. I knew in my spirit that I was supposed to be there with her.

As my friend shared her stories and struggles, God instantly gave me His understanding of what was happening in her life. As I shared the words of knowledge He gave to me for her, I realized God was affirming to her what He had been showing her previously.

At the same time God expressed His affirmations to her through me, He expressed His affirmations to me through her regarding a particular area He had spoken to me about previously. He gave me a more detailed understanding through my friend's words, even though she did not know I needed it and was not intentionally trying to help me. She just shared her testimony, and unbeknownst to my friend, He used the words she spoke to me to give me a very timely flash of understanding.

God is the ultimate multi-tasker, and He can do a quick intervention for more than one person at a time. What does God desire to do for you?

When God accelerates, He redeems time. He refines us quicker. He gets us up to speed pronto. And He is more concerned about us than about our tasks at hand. How we treat people in the tasks before us is more important than how we work the tasks He assigns to us.

I believe the sole purpose for this luncheon with my friend was for God to affirm His words to us through each other, to clarify and grow our relationship, to set a few things straight.

According to Dictionary.com, affirmation means "The assertion that something exists or is true; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true; confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment."

Romans 8:16  reveals to us that to affirm means to bear witness or to testify with our spirit.

God was validating what He had spoken to us individually through each other. What an awesome connection!

God speaks to us in many ways. Affirmations come through His written (logos) word and His revealed (rhema) word.

My friend shared that she had a recent dream about a particular incident. It was a nightmare. She knew the dream was from the Lord, revealing to her the truth of what was happening in a particular area of her life involving a particular relationship. When she shared it, God enabled me to affirm the dream by giving me the understanding. This affirmation did not come as a shock to her, it confirmed what she was already seeing, believing, sensing and hearing from the Lord.

When God reveals something to us in two forms, it's because "the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon" (Genesis 41:32).

My friend now realizes she is in a new season.

One of the lessons we all have to learn is how to let people and things go to God in each season of life. As we grow we go. Everything is temporal except God. God's affirmations let us know we're, indeed, moving in the right direction, we're on track. He knows we need encouragement. He knows there are many influences. He knows when our hearts are submitted to Him and when we need to hear from Him.

God wants us growing and moving forward, overcoming, and taking dominion for Him. He wants to perfectly position us, and He uses affirmations to encourage us along.

It is important for us to remember that Jesus is our manifest affirmation, our assurance that we have eternal life with Him and Father God in heaven. We can walk in this affirmation daily, His blood covering, assured that He is for us, not against us. Father God isn't trying to keep people out of heaven; He's trying to get them in.

Have you received Jesus into your heart? If so, you are affirmed in heaven. If not, you can pray this prayer: Dear Lord, I want to be affirmed, assured by you. I repent of my sins, and I ask you to come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. I choose to walk with You and serve You all the days of my life. Help me to be like You: to have the heart and mind of Jesus. Let me be Your hands and feet in the world. I surrender my life to You this day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

:angel:

To Serve or Be Served
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of September 16, 2012

" . . . the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  -Matthew 20:28

There is a room in my home that I call my memory room. It is decorated with items that remind me of good things from my past: Black and white family photos from the early twentieth century, the 1950s and the 1970s; a restored antique dresser that belonged to my grandparents; my grandmother's hairbrush; her antique clock; a silver tea set and a large, floral wreath with nearly every flower type from my great aunt's flower garden. This room is rustic and beautiful, full of bucolic Appalachian heritage. And God uses it often to speak to my heart.

This room reminds me of generations of my family's strong work ethic, solid Christian values and beauty. I often go there to pray. And among all the beautiful momentos, there are two that the Lord uses to speak to my heart the most: The silver tea set and the clock.

This silver tea set is rustic and plain, from the 1940s. It speaks of function, not fancy. It's a working tea set, something one might find in a rural farmhouse, not one to be put on a shelf and admired. It is stout with smooth, curved surfaces. It is steady, stable and strong, a full set, ready to be used again and again, with just enough patina to hint of its former work-a-day service.

This clock is a mantle clock, replete with a tiara that crowns its aging face. The casing is squared-off, brown wood, probably oak for strength. It turns with a key. And, like a sentry in charge, it stands on the corner of my grandparents' oak dresser. It is a grand—but not particularly fancy—old clock. It is Appalachian too.

These two items remind me that I am called to service, to sacrifice and that the time is near. Not near in that the second coming of Christ will occur in 2012. I do not believe that at all. But near in the context of acceleration. There is still much to be done.

I have come to realize, especially over the past year, that my time is not my own. When family and friends sometimes invite me to Bible studies and events, I must discern what is of God for me in this season. And I must do what and be where He assigns me. Anything less is disobedience for my surrendered life.

I often pray, "God, please remove everything and everyone from my life that is not from You for me in this season." Because I have grown accustomed to being forward moving and forward thinking over the decades, I have peace with whatever and whoever falls away.

I don't have time for distractions or ungodly burdens. As my dear friend, a former USAF soldier and the Founder of Warrior Moms, puts it, "I can't leave my post." It's about Godly priorities. What I have learned is that anyone who tries to get me to leave my post usually has unselfish motives at heart. And I have decided to not be deceived.

God's timing is very specific and so are His mandates to feed His lambs. I choose to be on point, on task. People die every day. And when I hear about their passing, those whom I never knew, I wondered if they ever knew our Jesus. I wonder where they are now that they have left Earth.

The world is full of need. I choose to be one of the workers. Matthew 9:37-38 tell us, " . . . The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." I choose to be chosen. Matthew 22:14 tells us, "For many are invited, but few are chosen." Clarke's Commentary on the Bible interprets this scripture accordingly: "Many are called by the preaching of the Gospel into the outward communion of the Church of Christ; but few, comparatively, are chosen to dwell with God in glory, because they do not come to the master of the feast for a marriage garment—for that holiness without which none can see the Lord."

Do you view yourself as the bride of Christ, faithful to Him in all His ways and commands? I hope and pray that you do and that you dwell in a place of peace and love, in His glorious presence, that you know His face and see His hand on your behalf. He is a God of infinite love who desires to pour out more that we can contain to us and to those whose lives we touch.

:angel:

Bride of Christ
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of September 23, 2012

"For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ."  -2 Corinthians 11:2

Recently, the Lord has been drawing me to bridal things: bridal TV, tulle and lace online and offline, china, silver and more. As I sought Him amid all the white fluff, the Lord impressed upon me to host bridal teas in my home for those whom He called me to disciple, to build up. It is important to God's heart that these women know how important they are to His heart. And it is my honor to serve them.

We are the bride of Christ always. Whether our current status is single, married, divorced or widowed, Christ will always be our first husband. One of my favorite scriptures—especially when I was single—was Isaiah 54:5, which affirms us, "For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth."

Yes, Father God is jealous for us no matter what our status. I recall when I first married my promised husband. I was so enthralled in my dreamy state. It felt like all was right with the world, and I didn't seem to have a care. I just wanted to block everything else but the two of us out—until God startled me back into His truth: "You will not put your husband before me," He said to my mind's ear. I have never forgotten these words, and I am sometimes reminded of them.

We are precious to Father God. And I believe that every little girl inherently knows this. I believe it is in every little girl to desire to feel special to her father in heaven and on earth. We receive much of our identity as little girls through the confirmations of our earthly fathers. Our worldview of Father God is largely shaped by our earthly fathers. Maybe your relationship with your earthly father is or was a good one and maybe it wasn't. Either way, Father God will provide a way for you to come nearer to Him, to see His face and know His heart. Do you know His love (1 John 4:16)?

We are so special to Father God that He sent His only begotten Son to die to us, to save us from sin and death. Jesus rescued us at the cross. We simply have to receive what He did for us. He made it easy for us. Let it not be in vain. Through Him, we are the righteousness of Christ, the head and not the tail. We are victorious! Father God made us winners, and we are never to forget this.

Right now, my cousin is helping her daughter plan her wedding. Oh the excitement! And oh what a journey! Every girl dreams of a beautiful wedding, a day when her heart is joined with the chosen man she has waited for her whole life. There is the white gown, the covenant vows, the wedding meal and the celebration. Every woman wants to feel like Rebecca in the eyes of Isaac, like Rachel in the eyes of Jacob. Our Father in Heaven always sees us like this and more. It's so important that we see ourselves with His eyes and love ourselves with His heart.

I remember nearly 30 years ago, as a young woman who suffered greatly as a result of an adulterous husband, I received a visitation from an angel of God in a very tangible way one day. I could feel God's pure, perfect love and peace descend upon me, encapsulate me and imbue every cell in my body. In those precious seconds, this angel of God spoke to me prolifically in my heart and in my mind saying, "I will bring your husband in 20 years." His tangible presence then ascended. As it did, the emotional pain returned, but I knew the love of God in a more profound way.

Father God is faithful to deliver His promises. He has a plan to prosper us, not to harm us; plans for a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Psalm 27:14 tell us, "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Psalm 37:34 encourages us, "Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it."

For me, God was right on time. At the end of that 20-year period, I met my Isaac. Yes, God is faithful. And He has a plan for you too. You are His bride. Seek Him, and you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Ask and the door shall be opened (Matthew 7:7). You are His bride. He delights in you. And He desires to give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). And in every step of every journey, we must remember that He will always be our first, our perfect husband. Amen.

:angel:

Rebellion
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of September 30, 2012

"Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord."  -Psalm 25:7

Rebellion is anything that does not line up with God's word. Rebellion that we act out of is often rooted in pain—a hurtful event or past, where the plague of unresolved issues are allowed to operate in one's heart and mind. Those issues do not just go away. They become a part of our reality. So what do we do? How do we process through them properly?

Whenever we are afflicted, we must be quick to forgive. Whenever we sin, we must be quick to repent. When issues settle into our heart, they will defile our heart; and we will speak and act accordingly, creating more sin upon sin. This is a death spiral.

Proverbs 4:23  states, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." But what do we do when we are afflicted as children, growing up amid dysfunction? If we didn't know Jesus at that time in our young lives, to whom did we turn? The good news is that Jesus desires for us to receive His restoration that He completed at the cross, and it's not too late to begin. If you are willing to let Him lead you through a healing journey, He will see you through the process. He will give you revelation in His word to guide you, to comfort you, to restore you. He will lead you to sources and resources that can help you, such as a counselor or a friend.

James 3:16 tells us, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." So what happens when we have carnal desires, unmet needs and ungodly thoughts, and we feel ourselves acting out upon them? We must ask God for His help. Confess every sin that you know to confess. Then ask the Holy Spirit (your Helper) to reveal the root of your hidden sins to you so that you can confess them. Otherwise, we can make the biggest mess of our lives that may affect not only ourselves but others.

Galatians 6:2 tells us, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." The enemy likes to hide issues and to deceive and shame women. He likes to cause women to feel alone in their sin. If you are carrying a heavy burden alone, ask the Holy Spirit to provide a safe person or safe group of people you can share your burden with, people who can walk through it with you. When you discern safety, ask others to pray for you.

Romans 8:1 tells us, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." The Holy Spirit brings conviction, not condemnation. Condemnation is from the enemy. Whoever ministers to you should do so with love, and they should always point you to Jesus. If you have been behaving rebelliously for quite some time, God may be quick to reveal the root cause through others and will lead you to overcome it. He will give you an exit strategy. He is lovingly waiting for you to return to Him.

1 Samuel 15:23 tells us, "Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king." God takes rebellion seriously. Knowingly or unknowingly coming against God and His word opens the door to destruction. I believe that God doesn't send anyone to hell but that people send themselves by the choices they make. And the ungodly choices we make can also open the doors of hell in our lives on earth. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Our only hope for peace and restoration is the power and love of God through Jesus to deliver us.

What root issues do you need to resolve? Are you willing to take hold of courage and step into the freedom that Jesus died to give us? Isaiah 42:16 says, "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."

:angel:

Awesome God!
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of October 7, 2012


"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'"  -John 11:40

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I enjoy walks under a clear, sunny sky, framed by glorious colors and fallen leaves blowing by. It helps to clarify my mind and awaken my spirit to God's glory all around me. Each day feels like a fresh, new beginning.

I've always had a special place in my heart for autumn, but it wasn't until I began to study the Hebraic roots of Christianity that I came to have a more intimate understanding (and encounter with God) during the fall feasts season.

According to the Hebrew calendar, the Old Testament fall feasts have been completed now, and it is time to embark fresh, in a new year ahead. I love how God brings all of His purposed elements together to affect His plan on earth as it is in heaven.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Even the cadence of this scripture intimates a rhythm of presence and continuance. And we know that the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

During this particularly sweet season with the Lord, I was able to get away from the busyness of ministry and rest, reflect, repent, receive and restore.

Over the past five years, I have often prayed for understanding of why God chose the first Saturday in November for us to host our annual Women's Expo. It seemed like an odd time, since other ministries conduct their main women's events in the spring. But I knew I heard loud and clear at the outset. What I now understand is that this special season of God's High Holy Days affords me a unique opportunity to come away with Him before stepping into a summit experience.

It is an awesome thing to behold the glory of the Lord and witness His convergent miracles for His purposed plan (Heb. 1:3). When I hear about the manifest connections that are created when multiplicity happens, I am overcome.

Each year we see people's needs be met personally and professionally. One ministry leader met a Christian counselor who became her women's retreat counselor for sexually-abused women. Another woman received personal prayer for her shaky marriage. Another woman intersected with someone who led her to a new job—within two weeks! The pivotal moments are priceless and miraculous and seemingly endless. And they begin even before the event.

God sets into motion His plans for us to receive in His purposed time. One of my favorite prayers is, "Lord, enable me to receive all that you have for me and nothing that is not of You." I often open gatherings this way.

So far, I have witnessed an exhibitor help another get started with exhibiting her own artwork. They have been collaborating behind the scenes, printing photographs, cutting mats, packaging pieces to display at the Women's Expo, where they will share a booth. The outreach and sisterhood I am privileged to witness is beyond description. It's women helping women, lending a hand. So much Proverbs 31 in action, even before the big day.

This particular exhibitor has a heart to help women in need. She prays for God to bring her women she can help and hire. She is very hands-on and personable. And God has been faithful to answer her prayers. She contracts her crafted monogram work to a woman who works from home and has struggled with breast cancer for years. She is always the first one to show up at events, the first one to make an offering. Her heart is sold out to the Lord, His love and His directives. This woman is my friend, and I am inspired by her. She is someone who prays for others, who even leads the prayer ministry in her church. And God's hand of blessing and favor is upon her.

God's everyday miracles are all around us (Psalm 40:5). All we have to do is ask Him to help us see with His eyes, to hear with His ears, to do with His heart. He desires for us to seek Him, and He is faithful to answer our prayers, even if we aren't so faithful or perfect (Heb. 12:2). He will finish the work He began in us, through us and on our behalf (2 Cor. 3:18). He is the God that loves us beyond measure. And one touch from Him can change us forever, causing us to forget past afflictions (Acts 8:13).

In what ways has God touched you in this season? Look around. What miracles do you see? Have you asked God to enable you to see as He does, to hear as He does and to do as He does? He is waiting to give you more. <3

______________________________________

If you would like to join us at Women's Expo 2012, please visit our webpage at www.GodsLoveAtWork.com/WomensExpo2012. If you or someone you know would like to be considered for our Christian Business Woman of the Year Award, please download an application from the webpage and submit it to us by October 22. Also, visit us on Pintrest.

:angel:

Awesome God!
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of October 7, 2012


"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'"  -John 11:40

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I enjoy walks under a clear, sunny sky, framed by glorious colors and fallen leaves blowing by. It helps to clarify my mind and awaken my spirit to God's glory all around me. Each day feels like a fresh, new beginning.

I've always had a special place in my heart for autumn, but it wasn't until I began to study the Hebraic roots of Christianity that I came to have a more intimate understanding (and encounter with God) during the fall feasts season.

According to the Hebrew calendar, the Old Testament fall feasts have been completed now, and it is time to embark fresh, in a new year ahead. I love how God brings all of His purposed elements together to affect His plan on earth as it is in heaven.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Even the cadence of this scripture intimates a rhythm of presence and continuance. And we know that the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

During this particularly sweet season with the Lord, I was able to get away from the busyness of ministry and rest, reflect, repent, receive and restore.

Over the past five years, I have often prayed for understanding of why God chose the first Saturday in November for us to host our annual Women's Expo. It seemed like an odd time, since other ministries conduct their main women's events in the spring. But I knew I heard loud and clear at the outset. What I now understand is that this special season of God's High Holy Days affords me a unique opportunity to come away with Him before stepping into a summit experience.

It is an awesome thing to behold the glory of the Lord and witness His convergent miracles for His purposed plan (Heb. 1:3). When I hear about the manifest connections that are created when multiplicity happens, I am overcome.

Each year we see people's needs be met personally and professionally. One ministry leader met a Christian counselor who became her women's retreat counselor for sexually-abused women. Another woman received personal prayer for her shaky marriage. Another woman intersected with someone who led her to a new job—within two weeks! The pivotal moments are priceless and miraculous and seemingly endless. And they begin even before the event.

God sets into motion His plans for us to receive in His purposed time. One of my favorite prayers is, "Lord, enable me to receive all that you have for me and nothing that is not of You." I often open gatherings this way.

So far, I have witnessed an exhibitor help another get started with exhibiting her own artwork. They have been collaborating behind the scenes, printing photographs, cutting mats, packaging pieces to display at the Women's Expo, where they will share a booth. The outreach and sisterhood I am privileged to witness is beyond description. It's women helping women, lending a hand. So much Proverbs 31 in action, even before the big day.

This particular exhibitor has a heart to help women in need. She prays for God to bring her women she can help and hire. She is very hands-on and personable. And God has been faithful to answer her prayers. She contracts her crafted monogram work to a woman who works from home and has struggled with breast cancer for years. She is always the first one to show up at events, the first one to make an offering. Her heart is sold out to the Lord, His love and His directives. This woman is my friend, and I am inspired by her. She is someone who prays for others, who even leads the prayer ministry in her church. And God's hand of blessing and favor is upon her.

God's everyday miracles are all around us (Psalm 40:5). All we have to do is ask Him to help us see with His eyes, to hear with His ears, to do with His heart. He desires for us to seek Him, and He is faithful to answer our prayers, even if we aren't so faithful or perfect (Heb. 12:2). He will finish the work He began in us, through us and on our behalf (2 Cor. 3:18). He is the God that loves us beyond measure. And one touch from Him can change us forever, causing us to forget past afflictions (Acts 8:13).

In what ways has God touched you in this season? Look around. What miracles do you see? Have you asked God to enable you to see as He does, to hear as He does and to do as He does? He is waiting to give you more. <3

:angel:

Week of October 21
Diligence

"[Anna] never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying."  ~ Luke 2:37

The Bible tells us that Anna was a prophet and that she was married for seven years before becoming a widow.  At that point, she lived in the temple and spent the rest of her life worshipping the Lord with a pure diligence.  She understood that her Maker was her spiritual husband and that she was created for intimate relationship with Him (Is. 54:5).

Although most of us live lives that are not cloistered, we can still diligently worship the Lord everywhere God assigns us, even at work.  All that's required is that we seek His face, ask Him what's on His heart and then carefully obey Him in excellence.

He will surely respond and guide us because it is His loving desire to commune with us.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

With the Christmas season right around the corner, intimacy with God easily awaits us.  Church cantatas, seasonal worship music in our automobiles and holiday decorations in our homes invite us to slip into quiet time with God and appreciate Him even more.  But will we diligently make time for intimacy with Him after the season passes?  Will God remain our greatest desire 24/7?

Although, one can only ponder all the desires and burdens that were on Anna's heart as she came before the Lord day and night, year after year, the Bible reveals that the Messiah was surely dear to her.

The NIV note in Luke 2:36 tells us, "Anna praised God for the child Jesus as Hannah had praised God for the child Samuel."

Anna waited a long time for this miracle child to be born, like Hannah waited for her son Samuel's birth.  Jesus was an answer to Anna's prayers, just as Samuel was to the formerly barren Hannah.

When Anna approached Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus at the temple, the Bible says, "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Lk. 2:38).

Anna could never have done this if she did not know what was on God's heart.  And the way Anna knew God's heart was by spending lots of time seeking His heart.  In turn, God rewarded Anna by choosing her to deliver a message that He wanted to share with those who would listen.  God knew He could trust Anna with important revelations.

Anna surely felt honored.  Undoubtedly, seeing her deepest love come forth in manifest presence in the temple (also her home) gave her heart great joy.

Like Anna, what miracles do we anticipate in this season?  Do we have the diligent faith of Anna to witness God's greatest manifestations?  Do we know His heart and His voice well enough to hear from Him when He shows up?

Like Anna, is God our first love?

My prayer is that all of us would receive great revelations from the Lord as we diligently love on Him and that we would be able to share His heart with those who will listen.

:angel:

Week of October 28
Awakening

"Wake up, Deborah, wake up!  Wake up, wake up, and sing a song!  Arise, Barak!  Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!"  ~ Judges 5:12

God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel's military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.

Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin?  Perhaps by our own volition or that of others.  Perhaps even by generational iniquity.  Did it not it feel like an eternity?  And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?

Indeed, God hears our cries.  And in His time, His gavel falls.  And when it does, it is swift.  Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy's head, He revives us (Judges 4:21).  And we begin anew.

An awakening is a revival or renewal of something.  It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud.  In Deborah and Barak's case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.

Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right.  They are rooted in God's infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.

Consider Peter.  Acts 12:7 tells us, "Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter.  The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, 'Quick!  Get up!'  And the chains fell off his wrists."

As in Peter's case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God's plan.  Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God's abundance of life.  In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens.  We are reminded that God's yoke is light (Matt. 11:30).

Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.

Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window.  I don't often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it's lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit.

This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me.  He responded by showing me the word, "Awakening."  As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.

Are you in need of God's awesome awakening, His miraculous and "sudden" turnaround?  Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one.  God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny.  He can awe you!

:angel:

Week of November 4
Heart

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of all His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."  ~Ephesians 1:18-19

Love for God is powerful.  It drives us to please Him, to carry out His will, His heart from heaven to earth (Ps. 119:11).  When we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him (Jer. 29:13-14), and He is always there for us, no matter where we are, ready to fellowship, ready to pour out His love to us.

In relationship with Him, we are nurtured, restored, filled up with His goodness, willing to serve Him.  In His presence, we return to contentment.  We are blessed with joyfulness and peace, no matter what our circumstances.

Heart is the center of the human spirit, according to Biblical language.  The living word of God tells us to protect and watch over our heart and that it is the wellspring, or source, from which life flows (Pr. 4:23).  Whatever we allow into our heart will flow out in some form of speech, thought or behavior.  Do we seek the Lord for purity of heart (Matt. 5:8)?  Do we invite the Holy Spirit, the one who sees all things (I Sam 6:7), to examine the depth of our heart (Ps. 26:2)?

I've learned that issues of the heart do not just go away.  They must be confronted.  And if they are not handled privately, they will emerge publicly.  Unresolve has the power to destroy our lives and others.  One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sin in my heart so that I may be in right standing before Him.  Will we find the courage to confront the issues, to turn our heart around with His help (Ps. 51:10)?

Much the same, overwork dries up the heart (Matt. 11:29).  When the busyness of life is prioritized over nurturing our hearts with prayer and meditations of God's word, how will we know the heart of God in any situation (Heb. 4:12)?  What can we possibly pour out to those around us?  The ones whom God puts in our path?  Will we have the patience to love them or even desire to extend compassion?

2 Corinthians 3:3 tells us that the Holy Spirit is written on our hearts.  Will we lean to His spirit when we are in need or react from the flesh of our heart (Ps. 19:14)?  Indeed, sometimes, a heart circumcision is in order to cut away that which encumbers us so that we may enter into a new place of intimacy with God, a new assignment, a manifest promise.

David is often described as a man after God's own heart.  Psalm 119:11 tells us, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You."

Do we treasure God's word?  Is Jesus our first love?  If not, the solution can be found in Ezekiel 18:31, "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!"

Indeed, God has given us the power of self-control.  And when we exercise it, fruit is produced.  Thankfully, we can choose to depart from carnal behaviors, ungodly thoughts and an unloving spirit.

With a heart for God, let us remember David's psalm, "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.  May the Lord grant all your requests."

:angel:

Week of November 12
Sisterhood

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers . . . but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love . . ."  ~Titus 2:3-4

There is something to be said about women helping women.  I recall when I worked as a flight attendant we women looked out for one another.  At 35,000 feet, we didn't have family, friends, church, or a support group of any kind.  Earning a living out of a suitcase in a different city each night gave new meaning to vigilance.

I witnessed competitiveness and selfishness give way to survival through unity, kinship and an inevitable bond of trust and loyalty.  Even if we occasionally worked with someone who seemed a bit odd, we all knew deep down in our hearts that that woman was one of us.  We were a united front among passengers, and we knew that in a pinch or, worse yet, in an emergency, we could depend upon one another for our rescue in the face of accosting offenders or amid smoldering wreckage.

Over time, we came to love one another as sisters, as like-minded women who deeply understood each other's joys and challenges in our work and our unique lifestyle, like no one else.

Such is the nature of teamwork, where the combined efforts of many produce much.  Women helping women, as the generations were instructed in Titus 2, produces exponential wisdom and achievement.  It helps us to begin strong, accelerate fast and finish well.  Where combined seeds of investment are planted, a multiple return is reaped.

Who are you investing in?  Perhaps it's your daughter or a mentee at work; maybe an intern.  God has a way of growing our investment.

The Cretan women in Titus 2 were taught God's precepts of servanthood, of giving and receiving in relationships, the strength and value of nurturing.  They were offered the building blocks for strong foundations in their families and work.  Paul knew their investments would be rewarded when he wrote those encouraging words.  He wanted women to succeed, as God did and still does.

How we get along with our sisters determines much.  Gossip, pettiness and back-biting are the demons of division.  And when we participate in these behaviors, we inhibit our divine blessings.

Consider 2 Timothy 2:16, "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly" and 2 Timothy 2:23-24, "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."  James 4:11 says, "Brothers [Sisters], do not slander one another."

How much more of God's blessings could we have if we just lived right?

When we let go of Cretan-like behaviors, learn who we are in Christ and choose to walk in God's empowering love, no matter what the behavior of others, we will find strength and unity, we will demonstrate sisterhood, and we will be blessed beyond measure.

What's in your heart?  For an honest account, just ask the Holy Spirit.  Then repent and prepare to walk in God's power and blessings.
:angel:

Week of November 18
Thanksgivings

"The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger.  I trust in Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."  ~ Psalm 28:7 (NLT) 

David knew the power of thanksgiving.  He understood that thanksgiving reflects a humble heart and is rooted in humble gratitude.  He was genuinely grateful.  For him, God was his only solution, his only escape from danger.  And he trusted God to show up and deliver him.  For David, God meant life.

No matter what our circumstances, we can always thank God for who He is and for delivering us from every evil darkness into every blessing of light.

James 1:17 says, "every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights . . ." (NKJV).

Thanksgiving honors God.  It is a facet of praise, a biblical precept, a key component of prayer and our Christian love walk.  The dictionary defines thanksgiving as "a prayer that offers thanks to God . . . an expression or an act of giving thanks . . . a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."

Philippians 4:6 instructs us to pray and petition God with thanksgiving.  The NIV note for this scripture tells us that thanksgiving is "the antidote to worry."

Psalm 95:2 says, "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song."

I Corinthians 10:16 refers to the communion cup as "the cup of thanksgiving," which we take in remembrance of Jesus who died for us so we can have eternal life.

The word "Hallelujah," which we often sing, translates into the Hebrew word "halleluyah," which literally means "praise ye the Lord."  The dictionary defines Hallelujah as a thankful cry of "relief, welcome or gratitude."

I did a rare thing for myself one day: I bought a cup of coffee at my local grocery store and decided to take my time shopping for our week's meals.  God spoke to my heart as I came upon the book aisle.  There, I spotted TV anchor Deborah Norville's book, Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You.

"Interesting choice of words," I thought.

I flipped through the book, having recalled Mrs. Norville publicly proclaiming years earlier that she is a woman of faith.  I saw that she included lots of supporting material—quotes and studies professing that the principle of thanksgiving works.  And, indeed, in the final chapter, she directly addresses "people of faith," encouraging readers to attend assemblies of worship.

As I stood in the aisle of that market, I was reminded that the same biblical principles that we Christians are to live by also work in the world.  God doesn't want to leave anyone out.  He loves us all.

It caused me to pause and ask myself, "How is my attitude of thanksgiving?  How grateful is my heart?  Do I really honor God enough with prayers of thanksgiving?  What gifts from above have I taken for granted?

Indeed, thanksgiving is a powerful principle that touches the Father's heart.  May we ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, and may we give the Father of Light thanks for every good and perfect gift.

:angel:

Higher Faith
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of November 25, 2012

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  -Mark 28:19-20

Ministering in the marketplace is not a new concept. It didn't begin with any current day ministry. Jesus did it 2000 years ago. And it's what we're all called to do as His disciples.

Every time I step out from behind my laptop to minister in "unknown" places, I feel the hand of God part the waters (impossible barriers) for me the moment I enter an airport. I sense His presence so profoundly going before me, making a way. God lifts my spirit so high, it feels as if my feet hardly touch the ground. Fatigue and concerns simply fall away, even on early mornings. Eagerness, joy and clarity come upon me. There is a confidence that rises up within me, a knowing that I am where I'm supposed to be and that the hand of God is with me. He makes me soar.

Recently, I had the distinct honor of venturing to the Dominican Republic (D. R.). I had flown into Punta Cana and Santo Domingo a few times years ago as a Flight Attendant. But I never had layovers there.

Last year, my husband and I decided to vacation there after our annual Women's Expo. It seemed like a quick solution to a much-needed respite, and I was curious about the D. R. We ended up driving through half the country, stopping along the way to conduct a bit of business on my husband's end. We ended up staying primarily on the north side of the island, which was breathtaking. It was exactly what I needed—to sit alone in the ocean breeze and talk to God. Long story short, we ended up investing in some property, and ever since, have been praying about how to use it for the Lord.

God was faithful to answer our prayers and to order our steps. He revealed His will, His plan incrementally in His time.

When we returned to the D. R. this year, God blew us away, revealing His higher purpose for outreach there. He led us to increased provision and also to connect with an orphanage of 400 children. Who knew? Well, of course, God did. And I could hardly wait to get home to share this wonderful news with my board.

On my flight home, the Holy Spirit brought to mind a special word from the Lord that a woman in my church had spoken to me five years earlier—that God would send my husband and I overseas to minister to orphans, that the children were waiting for us and that, as we went to take care of God's children, God would take care of our families back home. I had prayed about this spoken word many times over the years, and now, it was coming into fruition. What an awesome wonder to be living out God's will.

Once home, in my quiet time, the Lord revealed to me that this adventure, this new mission is to be planned for 2014 and that His requirement for me is higher faith. I love how God takes us to places we never imagined—spiritually and logistically.

Mark 16:14-20  tells us, "Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.' After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it."

We understand that this is a time to stand upon the Word of God. There is much to do in preparation. And we are up for the mission. We're excited! And God is bringing many people and pieces together already. He has been preparing all of us for such a time as this.

There's nothing like witnessing the plan of God unfold in our lives in such a personal way. And I am amazed how God brings a cycle of harvest around in increased measure. I'm seeing all the seeds of prayer that went up years ago as a Flight Attendant, and then later after receiving a divine word from the woman in my church, be answered in the framework of a mission, in which many will participate. I am so blessed to be a part of it all.

What adventure is God leading you to? Have you stepped up to the call? I encourage you to not miss the opportunities He has for you. He'll lead you every step of the way. He'll put the resources in your path. Just receive His provision; exercise higher faith; say, "Yes, Lord." And go.

:angel:

Ungodly Jealousy
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of December 2, 2012

"Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy."- Acts 5:17

It came between Cain and Able, between Joseph and his brothers and between Jesus and the high priests—jealousy. It destroys relationships. It is evil. And, yes, it can even produce murder driven by insatiable lust.

Proverbs 27:4 tells us, "Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous." This kind of jealousy is from the Greek word zeó, which means to boil over, to seethe. The Geneva Study Bible notes for this scripture tell us that "the envious are obstinate and cannot be reconciled." Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible tells us that "envy continues and abides and works insensibly" even when wrath and anger have ended and even though we may appease the person. I believe that when jealousy endangers a relationship, God can reveal it to us as a means of safeguarding us. He may even cut off that relationship, prune that jealous person out of our lives so that we can continue to grow in Him without the distraction and destruction that jealousy inherently brings. Is there anyone you need to let go of?

James 3:14-16 tells us, "But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind."

There is no godly power in jealousy. Jealousy is rooted in selfishness. It's an "all about me" mindset, self-driven and self-reliant, which is the essence of the enemy. Sadly, when adopted, jealousy blocks us from seeing God's truth of His abundance for us, and our appetite for more in our own power becomes insatiable, like a predator, a devouring spirit. Wolves are like this. They are driven by fresh blood. The more they taste, the more they desire. An effective method for ranchers to kill wolves is to make popsicles out of lambs blood and razors. The wolves are drawn by the scent of blood; they bite into the razor-popsicle sticking out of the ground, which cuts their mouths; they become more driven by their own blood; so they keep biting until they bleed to death. Sad but true.

There is deception and shame in jealousy. If the enemy can hook us into his lust by lying to us that others have what we do not, he can cause us to become idolaters. Once hooked, lust become insatiable, and we may be tempted to lie to cover it up. And the vicious cycle of deception and shame continues.

There is fruitlessness in jealousy. Do you know any fruitless people who envy those who move in God's power and are bless accordingly? They want God's power, and they want to be fruitful; but they don't want to humble and sacrifice self to get it. So the paradox that prevails in their lives is a pretense of position, but greater power and strength remains fleeting. Such was the case of the Sadducees.

John 15:2 tells us that God prunes away every branch within us that bears no fruit. Verse 4 tells us that we cannot bear fruit unless we remain in Him. Verse 6 tells us that if we do not remain in Him, we are like a thrown away branch. Do we submit to God? Are we choosing to remain in Him? Many of us have our fire insurance, but are we living God's principles? Do we love Him enough to follow Him at any cost to us? Or are we half-hearted? Have we donned the garment of salvation but resisted the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10-11)? Are our priorities in right order, according to God? Is there anyone or anything that we covet?

When we keep our eyes on God, when we know who we are in Christ, how much He loves us, how unique and special we are to Him, we may be less inclined to envy others. Also, if we could see all the circumstances of others' lives, we would be able to see their struggles, disappointments, hurts, difficult relationships, etc., and, therefore, may be less likely to envy them. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of this and simply trust God.

I believe it's okay to go to God and ask Him, "What about me?" I believe God will even allow people to serve at catalysts in our lives to provoke us to ask this question. I also believe He delights in us when we thank Him for who He is and what He has already done for us. And I believe God extends special favor to those who sincerely live His will in their hearts. I believe He is especially pleased with us when we do this. He can't help but pour out His blessings. It is God's nature of love to do so.

In your heart of hearts, is there anyone you envy? If so, repent and submit to the Lord's plan for your life. Ask Him to get you where He wants you to be and for you to receive all He has for you. When we fully submit, He will take us to heights we could never go to alone. Have you been the object of envy? Know that God is with you. He will never forsake you. Choose to forgive those who are jealous of you; and keep stepping in righteousness, no matter what. Ask God to bring new friends to you of His choosing. Then receive even more of His blessings.

:angel:

Support
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of December 9, 2012

"Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples." -Luke 8:3

In this scripture, the Greek word for "support" is diakonos, which means to serve and to minister. Here, the women served the needs of Jesus and His disciples as attendants, according to their possessions. Diakonos is operational, which inherently implies contribution and actually doing the work. Think food, finances, influence, acts of kindness, conversation—whatever was required that they could give and do, they did and likely so with zeal. In the previous verse (2), we see that these women were healed and delivered. They, therefore, became bondservants of Jesus out of their grateful hearts.

This kind of support has purpose. It is foundational. It is an element of Kingdom-building. It fosters security, relationship and far-reaching effects. It boosts confidence and helps us feel connected. It is a gift of the heart poured out in practical ways that we can receive and give.

Recently, the Lord gave me a series of face-to-face engagements to simply sit with women and share in the pure joy of mutual stories, the kind of casual conversation that women used to share a whole lot during quilting bees and community service and sometimes still do. These common thread nuggets allow us to feel supported and supportive and help us feel connected in a relaxing, non-agenda way. Such times of restful connections are important, as they allow us to lift our heads from our usual focused work and share and receive fresh insight and inspiration.

Just a few days ago, I took time away from my laptop to sit with two women at an Operation Christmas Child distribution center. The function in which we served involved the simple task of preparing large coloring book pages and small boxes of crayons for others to stuff into donated Christmas shoeboxes for needy children. A friend sat next to me, and a lady I had never met sat across from me. Both were delightful. As we served one another with supplies, as we shared stories of our childhood Christmases, our family traditions and simple pleasures, a joy emerged as well as a bonding and a refreshing.

About a month ago, I sat next to a lady on an airplane who owned a quilting shop. I have never quilted anything in my life, but I was fascinated to hear about her business—her merchandise, her classes, her retreats and especially the camaraderie that exists among her loyal customers. She pulled out a project she was working to finish as a Christmas gift; and to my surprise, it wasn't a quilting project at all; it was a crochet project. Since my mother taught me to crochet under a big shade tree in our yard when I was ten-years-old, her project especially warmed my heart. It caused me to reminisce, and I felt a sweet peace waft over me. As we shared about crochet design, the comparison of crocheting to knitting, quilt design and the fact that her mother-in-law taught her to quilt when she was a young adult, I knew that I was enriched by this fellowship encounter. I knew that I was not alone in one of my interests, and I appreciated the mental break from my intense ministry work.

God knows just what we need and when we need it. And He is faithful to order our steps to facilitate even the sweet, small elements that are dear to our heart.

All of us can use our God-given gifts, talents and resources to serve one another and to help build God's Kingdom on earth. We don't have to have a gift of helps or administration. A simple kind word, a choice of extending mercy and compassion, a shared testimony, a simple text—these are all seeds of support that will return a harvest.

In the Christian movie, Love Comes Softly, the big impact of supporting others by serving them what we have is illustrated. The main female character, Marty Claridge,turns to her new husband, Clark, to try to understand how what little she has to offer can prove pivotal in her relationship with her new stepdaughter and in her own life.

In Luke 8:3, we hear of women who were changed forever by one touch from Jesus; and, as a result, they provided support to Him and His disciples. In this way, freedom became personal and cyclical to them.

How is the Holy Spirit setting you up to support others? In what ways have you seen the cycle of support made personal in your life? What ripple effect has it had? Do you value the role of support?

When we are forgiven for much, we cannot help but love much. May the love of God flow out of us during this Christmas season and beyond. May it become a lifestyle. Pray: Lord, open my eyes, my mind and my heart to receive Your fresh perspective in my daily life. Help me to be a support to others in the ways in which You have called and assigned me, according to what You have given me. When I need to lift my head from my focus, my tasks at hand, enable me to come willingly to receive and share, according to your purposes. In Jesus' name. Amen.

:angel:

Brokenheartedness to Breakthrough
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of December 16, 2012

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"  -Luke 4:18

An interesting thing happened to me last week. While walking in my neighborhood, I was struck in the eye with a rock that was intentionally hurled at me from a car driving by. Yes, it was painful. Yes, it was shocking. And yes, I lost part of my vision. But the incident also hurt my heart.

I believe God purposes everything that touches us. And my heart had no understanding of this incident. So I immediately sought the Lord. Then I watched Him turn this tragedy into triumph step by step.

Alone on the street, I saw (with my good eye) that a woman had just turned into her garage on her way home from work. I sought her help. And she called 911 for me and stayed with me until help arrived. The EMTs checked me out, and the policeman took vital information before giving me a ride home. By this point, it was nightfall. I immediately called my husband and texted three of my best friends, asking them to pray for me. They each assured me they were on the job, and I knew they were. I had been praying throughout.

Although I didn't fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning that night, I felt the peace that surpassed all understanding. I knew God was with me. Although I could not see entirely during those hours, I rested in the comforting presence of the Lord. I knew He had heard their prayers. It was otherwise unexplainable.

When I awoke the next morning, my vision had greatly improved, even though my eye looked worse. While searching scriptures that morning, the Lord immediately gave me Psalm 27:3  "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident." This explains exactly what was happening in my heart. There was no fear, only perfect confidence in the Lord.

I called my insurance company and found a local in-network opthalmologist. Thankfully, he saw me that same afternoon. I received a hopeful report, a prescription for eye drops and an appointment to return the next day to see a retina specialist that was otherwise booked two years in advance.

During my opthalmologist visit, one of my friends emailed an invitation to me to attend a special healing service at a local church that night. I sensed I should go. My friend is Catholic, and I am not. But that didn't matter to either of us because we both understand that God is bigger than any denomination or doctrine.

During this charismatic Catholic advent service, the priest spoke about the opposite of sin being praise, how praise shifts the atmosphere and lifts oppression off of us. He also spoke briefly of Saint Lucy, whom I knew very little about. Then we praised God for hours, which was so lovely and intimate. I could feel such peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

After the praise session, I received prayer from a married couple in a corner of the sanctuary. It was then that I learned that Saint Lucy's eyes had been plucked out because she had chosen to follow Jesus. Saint Lucy decided that she would rather be without eyes and live for the Lord than to see and be without Him. In the end, God miraculously restored her eyesight. The married couple prayed that God would miraculously restore mine; and they prayed for me to receive an increased anointing to pray for others to have restored vision.

My heart soared with fresh hope. It had a renewed purpose outside of myself. It had joy and zeal to see how the Lord would continue to restore me so I could help restore others.

In God's kingdom, nothing we go through is wasted when we turn to Him. I am amazed at how fast He can pivot circumstances. He is the God of the impossible. And we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13).

Comfort and joy now fills my heart. I believe there is no greater gift that sisters and brothers in Christ can give to each other than prayer.

What tragedy or heartbreak have you experienced? Do you have family and friends to pray for you? If not, you can do what I often do: Ask God to raise up intercessors day and night to pray for you. Psalm 34:18 tells us that God is close to the brokenhearted. God has different methods of healing, and He is not limited in resources. How has He restored your heart, your body and your emotions? Has He healed you over time or instantaneously? Maybe both? How has God turned your pain into power to help others? How has He supplied all your needs? How has He rescued you?

May this season of miracles shine brightly within your heart and upon those you love. May God's glory prevail over all your circumstances and turn your tragedies into triumphs. And may you feel more love and power that God longs to give you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

:angel:

Choose Forward
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of December 23, 2012

"Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the LORD be with those who do what is right."  -2 Chronicles 19:11

I love how God moves us forward when our divine assignments are completed. I love how when we process through the journey God's way, we finish right on time—His time. What assignment have you recently finished? And where are you going next? If you don't know, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His answer—His purpose and plan for your life at large and in your new season.

A job well done feels good. It gives us a sense of accomplishment and builds our faith and confidence, our trust in the Holy Spirit and God's word for the next mission.

It is important that we intentionally keep our pathway clear along the journey by following the leading of the Holy Spirit and consistently making right choices.

Is there anything holding you back from finishing on time, finishing well or simply doing the job right? Any hindrances, little foxes? Has there been anything annoying you in your mission at hand? Maybe a stack of "I'll get to it eventually" documents at home or at the office that confronts you daily? Is it something you really need to accomplish or is it something you can delegate or contract someone to do for you? Sometimes, the process is well worth spending the money to get rid of the hassle, the impending pressure. Maybe it's something you can toss out all together? Does it have real value or perceived value? What's pressuring you, robbing you of peace, joy? What are the root causes to annoyances or ungodly cycles and patterns in your world?

For months now, I have seen evidence of the Holy Spirit moving swiftly in setting people free from stumbling blocks during these accelerated times in which we live and work. And as I see God serve new projects on my plate, I have chosen to pray a very bold prayer: "Lord, please remove everyone and everything out of my life that is not of You for me in this season." Sometimes, we can grow familiar with ungodly things and patterns that we let linger. We can tend to dismiss them, minimize them in our minds; and they can become little foxes that we learn to step around; but the clutter can slow us down, discourage us and cause us to feel a subtle sense of defeat. Such is a ploy of the enemy.

Sometimes, we have to come away with the Holy Spirit and ask Him to shine His light on the issues at hand to enable us to see them clearly. Sometimes, there are strongholds, which have to be dismantled through repentance and an intentional change of habits.

Recently, I sat in a church service with family and friends, and a woman came forward to say a special prayer. She said, "Lord give us the courage . . . " Immediately, I thought, "No, He has already "given" us the courage. We need to "take" the courage He has already given to us with us everywhere we go. It is our choice to intentionally receive the courage that God has already given us and to step up to apply it to our lives to accomplish the mission at hand daily, moment by moment, step by step. It is not enough to simply know Biblical principles. God's word is living, active, sharper than a two-edged sword. When we take God's courage forward with us, we can take dominion, take possession and subdue as the Lord leads in the areas in which He has call us and assigned us. As we do choose forward, His favor will be upon us to get it right and to finish well.

Hebrews 12:1  tells us, " . . . let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." May we receive the fulfillment of every promise from God (Heb. 10:36) and know that shrinking back is not an option (vs. 38).

As the New Year approaches, I encourage you to spend some special, uninterrupted time with the Holy Spirit and ask Him to shine His light on the little foxes that could otherwise prove to be a hindrance going forward. Resolve to resolve the issues and forget those things behind. God has much for you to accomplish and much for you to enjoy in the New Year ahead. May God be pleased with all your efforts in this season and beyond. God bless you and Happy New Year!

Pray: Father God, thank You for every opportunity for strength and clarity. Thank You for going before me and making a way and for being my rear guard. Thank You that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Open my eyes to Your assignments. Help me to take courage and to step into all that you have for me, accomplishing Your will Your way in my life as I help build Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

:angel:

Hope Restored
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of December 30, 2012

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us," - Ephesians 3:20

When I ask God for provision, I also ask Him to help me receive His provision. I do this for two reasons: One, I am mindful that His provision can come in a form I do not expect and I may not understand initially. Two, I am aware the enemy can intercept God's provision, once it has been released from heaven, before it manifests on earth.

Are there provisions you have asked God for but have not seen the manifestations of yet? If so, why? This is a legitimate question for the Holy Spirit. Is the manifest provision just not God's time yet? Has there been enemy interference? Is there some type of blockage within you, such as unforgiveness or fear, that is causing you to not receive or see the manifest provision? Do you need to let go of something first? Or does God have something better for you?

The Holy Spirit sees and knows all things; and He is your helper. If you ask Him for His perspective, He will answer you.

Always pray, "Enable me to receive Your truth," because sometimes, we just don't want to face God's truth. Facing God's truth requires discipline. We can make the biggest messes of our lives if we do not live in God's truth. His plan is always better than ours, even if we don't understand it at first.

Likewise, when we pray for others, it is best to ask the Holy Spirit to enable them to receive His will, not ours or theirs.

Proverbs 13:12  tells us, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

Without hope, we may not receive the promises of God. Hopelessness is a barrier that says, "I don't believe You anymore God. You've forgotten me." Hopelessness is a form of self-pity, and it can be at the root of fruitlessness. Look around. Do you see any excellent fruit? Hopelessness affects the quality of every aspect of our lives—our homes, our relationships, our jobs, etc.

Long-term hopelessness can even open a door to a spirit of hopelessness, which can attempt to defeat our desires from being met at all. It can try to shroud us like a cloak of grayness, causing us to not even bother to ask or expect God's best anymore for decades. This can even happen early in life, when we are children, when we feel powerless to change our difficult circumstances, when we feel that things will never change on our behalf. This spirit can stay with us into and throughout adulthood until God exposes it for the purpose of breakthrough.

Hopelessness can happen to Christians when the road has gotten so hard for so long that it becomes too painful to hang on and not see the promised provision manifest. The enemy lies to us and tries to cause us to believe we have been forgotten and are unworthy to receive God's finest blessings. We are called to be gentle as doves and wise as serpents. So we must be savvier than the enemy. He is strategic. But so is God, and so are we. And we are strongest through Jesus, who is stronger and savvier than we alone or the enemy. (Hebrews 2:9 tells us that we are created "a little lower than the angels." The enemy is simply a fallen angel from heaven who is not redeemed.) If you are feeling hopeless, your heart needs to be healed. Repentance is the first step to getting unstuck.

When God reveals root issues of hopelessness, repent of having believed the enemy's lies, of having aligned our minds with them, of having adopted them and of having behaved out of them. Repent of these lies as idols over God's truth. Repent of unbelief, doubt and hopelessness—all of which are the opposite of God's very nature. Recite scriptures about belief, assurance and hope, which are God's truths. Doing all this causes you to go deeper with God and will help deliver you into His light of truth. As you see a new level of intimacy emerge, your heart will be touched by the mercy and grace of God; and you will be awed at how the Holy Spirit helps you. You will come to know His love even more. And you will be able to trust Him more the next time an issue arises. You will be better prepared, more on guard, savvier against the enemy's devices. You will be stronger.

Your best strategy for fighting battles of hopelessness is to get God's vision for your life. To receive God's vision, simply ask Him for it; pray your heart out to Him concerning the matter. Surrender your will to His. Ask Him to reveal any root issues that have held you back. Then praise and worship Him in the midst while you wait. Also, get into God's word (The Holy Bible); and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the scriptures to you that will best illustrate His heart to you concerning the matter(s), and speak them out as affirmations until you either have peace or until you see God's provision manifest.

God has no shortage of resources. In terms of receiving God's provision, I sometimes have to remind myself to expect the unexpected. And it's okay to ask the Holy Spirit for confirmation. Don't let the enemy deceive you into accepting second best or "Ismael" (as opposed to Isaac). Don't let him intercept manifestations of provision through personal shame, unworthiness or guilt trips over your past sins. Know who you are in Christ. Know that once you repent, Father God sees your sins no more because He sees you through the blood covenant of His Son, Jesus. (Only the enemy rubs our noses in our former sins.) Know God's word so that you can stand firm in His truth. Choose to believe God's truths over the enemy's lies, and pray in Matthew 6:10: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

If you are coming out of hopelessness, you may feel uncomfortable in the new place of restored hope. So it is important to keep moving forward until your hope feels like second nature once again. Remember, If God is saying, "I give this to you," who are you to say, "I will not receive it" in the face of God? Receiving is an act of love. It says, "Yes, I will receive what you have to offer. Yes, I accept what you labored to give me. Yes, I affirm that your gift is worthy."

Choose to get used to God's provision, His abundance. Massive breakthrough requires massive honesty. The extent that you "take courage" and confront issues that have held you back, to the extent that you repent, to the extent that you receive God's best provision, this will be the extent of freedom and blessing that will manifest in your life.

May God fully restore His hope in your life. Amen.

:angel:

Week of January 6

The Potter
by Margaret D. Mitchell

"'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?' declares the Lord. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.'"  -Jeremiah 18:6

Whenever God assigns us to a task, a position or a season, He always purposes a triune work: In us, through us and for us. In other words, when we work unto the Lord—where He plants us—He simultaneously does a work in us and on our behalf. He is the ultimate multitasker!

This is good news for people, especially moms, who feel they're leaving their homes and their children to go to work. You're not leaving them behind. You're leaving them in God's hands. There is a difference when we operate in divine obedience.

When we prayerfully step up and step out into a day of the "unknown," God does extraordinary works because of the sacrifice and honor our faithfulness offers Him. When we are aligned with God's directives, He will take care of that which we leave for Him. And He will purpose the challenges of our day to conform us to His liking if we yield to Him.

Recently, the Holy Spirit inspired me to write a prayer to be distributed to our Women's Expo attendees. We printed several copies of the prayer, laminated them and cut them into small prayer cards. They were purposed to serve as a reminder to women to keep their heart's eye on God during their workday, to affirm that He is with them and for them.

I placed my prayer card on my desk, and every day, immediately after I sat down, and before I began to work, I picked up the prayer card and prayed the prayer:

"...Thank you that as I work, You are working through me, doing a work in me and working on my behalf."

Four months after praying this prayer daily, something extraordinary happened: A manager came to me and asked me to step into a new role in a new department. His invitation seemed urgent, and it took me aback. Something didn't seem right, so I decided to fast and seek God's will on the matter.

At the end of a week of fasting and praying, when my response was due to the manager, I still hadn't heard from the Lord. So I prayed, "Lord, I won't take this position, because I haven't heard from you. But I'm curious as to why You don't want me to have it?" Almost immediately, the Holy Spirit led me to Philippians 3:2, "... beware of evil workers..."

Alarmed in my spirit, I returned to work and declined that position.

A few weeks later, the same manager invited me to work in another department. So I prayed again, and the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that I should accept the offer; at the same time, I sensed this new assignment would not be easy.

What ultimately happened was that God used this new position to do a quick and deep work in me.

In this new role, God enabled me to feel intense pressure and great challenge, which caused me to press into Him for help.

One day, after hearing nothing from God, I cried, "What is it?! What do you want me to see in this?"

Immediately, I received a resounding revelation from the Holy Spirit: "You disrespected your father!" In that moment, I instantly understood what He meant and why He was allowing me to experience this.

God used this new position to cause me to feel the level of pressure that my father had felt on his job decades earlier, a level of pressure that caused him to behave in ways for which I judged him. I had walked unaware of my sin judgment towards my father for decades, held captive by this sin.

But God has a way of revealing our sins to us for the purpose of giving us an opportunity to repent, forgive and be forgiven, to be set free from captivity (Isaiah 5:13, Hosea 4:6). This was one of those inner works.

In an instant of revelation understanding, I was able to repent on a deep level and gain compassion for my father in a new area. When I called my dad to ask for his forgiveness, he extended grace to me on a level and in a way that I never knew he had in him. It touched my heart deeply and caused me to feel a deeper love towards my father (Malachi 4:6).

Because I invited Him to do so, God purged decades of sin judgment from me, which, no doubt, had blocked many blessings in my work life and in my relationship with my dad for years. In doing so, God broke the bondage of sin, which positioned me to move into the next season and out of that job.

Like strong medicine, God used these intense circumstances to do me a favor.

Sometimes, God has to set us on the potter's wheel to conform us into a more beautiful vessel for a more beautiful place. How is He working in, through and for you?

:angel:

Week of January 13
Rest

"Come away alone with me and get some rest,"
–Mark 6:31

I love how God is so concerned about our wellbeing that He corrects us to stop working when we should rest.

The Holy Spirit illuminated this scripture to me first thing one Monday morning. It came the first weekday after I had left my day job, the frontline. God was instructing me to rest at the end of a difficult assignment, after coming off the frontline. He wanted to give me rest after my mission and from my enemies.

I love what Billy Graham says in his book, Nearing Home: "God rested on the seventh day after He had finished His work of creating the universe, and we shouldn't feel guilty if He gives us the opportunity to rest once our work is done."*

God instructs us to rest because He knows we need refreshment and to hear from Him before He opens the door of a new project or situation that will require a significant amount of dedicated energy, a promotion.

In my case, I had pre-scheduled a morning coffee appointment that Monday with a friend who looks to me for spiritual counsel, and I hadn't seen her in awhile. Because I knew she had been looking forward to our meeting, I did not want to disappoint her. So I drove off to the north side of town to her home.

A couple of days earlier, God had impressed upon me to get some orange juice, which is not a food item I typically keep at home. I intended to pick it up at the store, but with the busyness going on around me, I had forgotten. So on this Monday morning, while driving to my friend's home, the Holy Spirit brought it to remembrance, and I set my intentions on a particular store.

When I approached the store, I saw much road construction and could not get into the turn lane that led to the shopping center. So I told myself I would pick it up on my way back. But when I journeyed back, I saw even more road construction and decided to take another route. In doing so, I passed up the store and the orange juice that day.

Make no mistake about it, delayed obedience is disobedience. And the ultimate consequence of my disobedience was a head cold. God saw this coming, and He tried to thwart the issue by guiding me to drink orange juice (vitamin C).

I often say, "there is no small sin," especially because of the multiplied effect of our actions. Usually, the effects of sin affect more than us; they affect (and in this case, infect) those around us and those around them.

What better way for God to remind me of the careful obedience required in hearkening to the Holy Spirit than to allow me to catch a cold?

I love Psalm 23:2—"He makes me lie down in green pastures." As God's sheep, He has to make us rest sometimes. Only God knows and sees all things. He knows what is up ahead. He knows the amount of energy that is required to accomplish His tasks. And He doesn't want us to fall into sin, which makes the journey more difficult.

A couple of days later, after I finally bought the orange juice and poured myself a glassful, I noticed a scripture in a new book I had recently purchased. The scripture was Exodus 15:26: "He said, 'If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'"

Could the Holy Spirit have made His point any clearer? I don't think I will soon forget this learned reminder.

There comes a time in our spiritual walk when we realize we have become a wheel within a wheel, and any action short of careful obedience pulls us out of sync with God. God will allow us to wobble through these lessons as precursors to trusting us with more. In so doing, He refines us and affirms us.

Like work, rest is important. God did it; He expects us to do it; and it is an area in which He will test us. What's more, His purpose in having us come away alone with Him to rest is not only to provide refreshment for us, but also to give us something more. In my case, God was waiting for me to enter into a place of intimacy with Him to receive a major ministry directive for the forthcoming year. And the day I came away with Him alone was the day I received what was on His heart.

How about you? Are you willing to lay down your agenda and rest at the Holy Spirit's directive? What does God want to share with you, and how will that affect your life your ministry?

____________________

*Quoted in Billy Graham, Nearing Home (Nashville, T.N.: Thomas Nelson, 2011), p. 26.

:angel:

Week of January 20
Tenacity

"Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well."  ~ Mark 6:56 (NKJV)

Tenacity means to cling to a belief without doubting.  It is a set kind of faith, a determination that doesn't waver.  It takes a lot of tenacity to believe for a healing touch when we are sick, when our physical bodies suggest hopelessness, when we have waited a long time. 

But our Father made divine healing a commodity through Jesus.  In the marketplaces—the center of business—divine healings were common and useful for building people's faith and winning souls, for setting people free from the bondage of disease, for restoring them to productivity and for the purpose of spreading the good news.  Miraculous wonders of healing were evidence that Jesus was who He said He was.

Hebrews 13:8 enlightens us that "Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever."  Indeed, He heals today.  His power hasn't changed since He walked through marketplaces full of sick people on earth.  Still, all we need is one touch from Him.

Tenacious faith is exhibited profoundly in the testimony of the woman with the issue of blood (Matt. 9:20).  The Bible tells us that she was sick for 12 years.  We don't know at what rate blood drained out of her body, but we do know that blood is life.  Surely, her faith was tested as she felt the very life drain out of her.

But, according to the Amplified Bible, she kept saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to health" (Matt. 9:21).  Her declarations of divine truth built her faith and determination above her natural circumstances, which kept her going to the point of receiving complete healing.  Touching the hem of Jesus' garment brings perfect restoration to people (Matt. 14:36).  But we must journey forth, reach out and connect.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 tells us that when we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him.  And in His presence, His hem is available to us.

To be sure, Jesus heals in many ways, and, I believe, in His appointed time.  Like salvation, healing is a faith journey extended from the very heart of God's love, grace and mercy.  But do we have the tenacity to see it through?  How deep and how far are we willing to journey in our commitment to the kind of faith that brings life and restoration?

Surely, God has called us to tenacious faith.  Do we humbly present or "lay" people from our assigned workplaces before Jesus?  Do we desperately beseech Him for a healing touch?  Do we have a heart for others to be healed, a heart for doing the work of Jesus?

So often, the Lord has shown me that when I step out in faith and pray for the restoration of others, He rewards me by caring for my needs.  Tenacity is about selflessness.  It is about choosing to believe the truth of God's divine precepts over natural circumstances.  And it's about taking courage to journey forth with Jesus no matter what.

Regarding divine healing, tenacity allows us to confront and overcome all root causes of diseases, such as unforgiveness and other unconfessed sin.  It keeps us going to completion.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6).  Won't you bring life to someone in your workplace through a tenacious heart for Jesus?

:angel:

Week of January 27
Humility

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  ~Col. 3:12

Very recently, God sent me back into the workforce.  One of many things He said to me beforehand was "Humility."  What I sensed that meant for me was that He purposed this job assignment to do a work of humility in me and that humility would be a key for survival.  Whoa, was He right!

Divine humility is the opposite of pride.  It is confidence in God, not self.  It is unpretentiousness at its finest.  It was the walk of Jesus, and it can be ours if we choose it or, as in my case, thrust into it.

Contrary to some beliefs, true humility is not passive, pathetic or weak.  Rather, it is divinely powerful.  It does not pause at or placate to foolishness.  Rather, it ushers in unity.  It does not damage us or grieve the Holy Spirit.  Rather, it honors God, and God, in turn, honors us when we exercise it according to His plan (Prov. 15:33).  Like truth, humility is a swift and divine weapon of righteousness, unity, love and wisdom that we can choose to wield.

Many of us understand that we are to humble ourselves before the Lord.  But what about choosing humility in the face of false accusers, persecutors, people who intend to harm us?  People who compete with us?  People who react out of fear and insecurity?  The ones the enemy uses to separate believers and thwart divine plans.  The ones God uses to test us?  Jesus chose humility.  His example was an important demonstration for us, a divine strategy, an assignment from The Father.

Surely, as He painfully hung on the cross with undeserved insults hurled at Him, His flesh and His heart ached for relief.  But He knew He was on a high mission to save a world of people for generations.  He knew His role of obedience and love, of priority, of divine purpose.  He knew divine truth in the face of ignorance.  He knew His Father and the humbling power of His love and mercy, and He was obedient to the call, even though it opposed man's limited understanding.

Jesus did not fall to the enemy's devices.  He needed no man's approval, only His Father's.  He trusted in His Father's plan.  He understood that humbling Himself unto the Father also meant responding with humility to man (Titus 3:2).  He knew that God's grace would sufficiently carry Him through the mission and that His divine purpose would be fulfilled regardless of man's actions.  Indeed, God was in control.

It is difficult to provoke a truly humble person into a dispute because they will lean into God's powerful love, peace and mercy when attacked, just like Jesus.  Simply put: Humble people do not react to other people's issues.  They are not controlled by them.  They respond in the Spirit because they do not feel the need to prove their worth to others.  They know their security and identity rests in Christ, even if others do not.  They are committed to the Lord's ways, and they are purposed.  They are too dedicated in seeking the Lord's righteousness and humility to give way to futile, self-exalting spats.  They hold onto God's power like a lifeline, and they are not willing to foolishly let it go.

You will know humble people by the fruit they bear and the mercy, peace and sincerity they exhibit (James 3:13-18).  This is because God can work His virtues through a humble person, whereas, with a prideful person, this cannot be.  Rather, selfishness rules, leaving little space for God to operate.  When we choose selfishness, we get what we choose: Our limitations.

Conversely, the humble journey is a true adventure.  There is great freedom and excitement in soaring with our trustworthy God.  Yielded to Him, He will take us higher than we can venture on our own or even imagine.  Yielded to Him, we receive His supernatural power, favor, rewards, strength, provision, love, grace, mercy and strategies to complete divinely-appointed assignments that are larger than we.  Is there any greater thrill?

Who among us couldn't use more divine humility?  I am challenged daily to respond to circumstances like Jesus, in His strength, His power and His love.  It is a process, a lifestyle, a series of moment-by-moment choices, a walk.  If you would like to break out of the prison of limitation, repent and take hold of the Lord's hand.  Choose to trust Him.  Soar with Him.  And prepare to be awed like never before!

  :angel:

Week of February 3

Relationship

"The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him."  ~ Galatians 3:11 (The Message)

Oh the power of relationship.  From our primary and everlasting relationship with the Lord to working relationships and intimate relationships, we are blessed by those which God arranges in so many ways.

Often, God sets us up with people who greatly influence our lives—bosses, leaders, mentors, co-workers, family members and even those who appear to have little power.

And He always works in us and through us simultaneously.  His purposes are mighty and far reaching, often influencing nations of people.  And they always require obedience.

Consider Ester and her cousin Mordecai.  Ester 8:1 says, "And Mordecai came before the king because Ester had explained their relationship."

This was no accident.  It was a set up or an "arrangement" by God for purposes bigger than either of them.

Mordecai was not only Ester's blood relative and adoptive parent, he was her advisor, confidant and informant (Es. 2:10, 20-23).  God strategically assigned them to work together—one inside and one outside of the king's palace—as His secret agents for the higher purpose of freeing a nation of Jews.

Although their missions felt risky to them, their faith in the Lord and trust in each other had been established (Es. 2:11).  Indeed, God knew just what they needed, how circumstances would unfold and which emotions would be pricked as His process for ultimate deliverance took place.

Mordecai and Ester honored God and consulted Him on strategy (Es. 4:16).  And God never forsook them along their journey.  They remained loyal to God and to each other throughout, no matter how hopeless things appeared, even as the power of their positions shifted (Es. 4:17).

God honored them in return with His divine favor, wisdom and life, perfectly advancing them amid the enemy's deception and plot to kill Mordecai (Es. 5:2-14).

Desperate, Mordecai waited on God, urgently standing at the king's gate again and again.  He never gave up.  And when the time was right, God exposed His truth of evil through them (Es. 7:6).  God's justice was accomplished (Es. 7:10), Mordecai was promoted (Es. 8:2, 15, 9:4, 10:2-3), and the Jews were ultimately set free (Es. 9:1, 5).

Throughout their assignment, Ester and Mordecai remained obedient to God.  They lived in right relationship with Him by embracing what God had arranged for them in advance.

When God assigns us to relationships, He always purposes them beyond what we know at the outset.  One of my favorite (and usually desperate) prayers is, "Lord, reveal to me Your divine purpose in this.  Let me see it as You do.  Give me Your divine understanding.  Open my eyes, and help me to receive Your revelations and stay on track."

God loves it when we humble ourselves and seek His heart and His purposes for each arranged assignment in our lives.  He honors us and blesses for seeking His face and for desiring earnestly to be obedient and serve Him, placing His ways above our own.

Ester and Mordecai stepped into a risky life-or-death journey.  The only way they could get through it successfully was to carefully obey God in their relationship with each other and with Him.

What arrangements are you involved in?  Are they divinely assigned or ones of your own making?  How's your relationship with God and others?  Do they honor Him?

If you're not sure, our Divine Creator has all the answers, and He's waiting to reveal them to you for the asking.  May you be blessed and walk in divine peace and purpose in all your arrangements.

:angel:

Week of February 11
Intimacy

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."  ~ Mark 7:6 (NIV)

Jesus spoke against the traditions of the temple elders that denied His Father's commands in their worship.  Their unrepentant hearts were prophesied in Isaiah 29 and resulted in consequences of judgment upon them.

Moses experienced a similar confrontation in Numbers 16 with appointed councilmen, who were deceived in their minds and hearts, convinced they were holy among themselves.  In verses 31-35, we see God do a bit of house cleaning among this relentless leadership, as each one instantly perished in an earthquake. 

God's truth is that we can only come close to Him by being chosen by Him. Jeremiah 30:21 says that God causes us to draw near.   The councilmen were not chosen by God to have the same anointing or assignment as Moses.  It was not their place to elevate themselves above the role in which God had placed them.  Likewise, we are not worthy to come close to God except through His covenant with His Son, Jesus Christ.

In Romans 7:7-25 the Apostle Paul explains this principle in painstaking detail, confessing in verse 24, "What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord."

When we obediently choose to draw near to God through Jesus, we receive life, rewards and blessings in great abundance.  We thrive!  We move toward our divine destiny.  And a surrendered heart opens the door.

David understood this.  He declared to God in Psalm 50:6, "Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart."  Later in verse 10 he boldly beseeches God by saying, "Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me."

When we come close to God through Jesus, He will make known to us His mysteries through revelation (Eph. 3:3).  What better place to be than understanding the wisdom of God that He longs to give us and to know His love that surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:19).

Not surprising, the word intimacy is from the Latin words "intimare," which means "to make known" (as in reveal Himself) and from "intimus," which means "innermost" (as in holy of holies, heart).

To be intimate means to have a close personal relationship, to be thorough as in having an extensive knowledge or experience, to be connected through influence (of God), involving the innermost nature (spirit, soul, heart).  It means having a quiet or private atmosphere and a personal or private utterance (prayer) or action (praise, worship).

Where there is intimacy, there is power; there is grace; there is peace. To get in position to receive God's fullness of power, we must exercise faith, respect, reverence, communication and honor.  When we love God, we listen to Him.  We care what He has to say.  His heart is important to us, much more than our own.  We regard Him as higher than ourselves.  And life becomes all about Him.

Psalm 73:28 assures us it is good to draw near to God.  Isaiah 58:2 confirms it is a delight to draw near to God.  As we choose to do this through Jesus, we can lay claim to the truth of John 7:38, which says, "He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as in the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water."

:angel:

Week of February 17
Unity

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them in all together in perfect unity."  ~ Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV)

In Colossians 3:1-17, the Apostle Paul offers up these Rules for Holy Living.  As we read them, may we be reminded that, as Christians, we are chosen and assigned by God to our places and positions of work.  These scriptures offer a roadmap to getting along with our cohort's, who are also divinely-assigned, and to thriving in our careers God's way . . .   

"Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things . . .

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry . . . you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other . . . put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator . . . Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Unity is important to God.  In order to achieve it in a work environment, we must work out issues that arise with others through forgiveness, truth and love.  Simultaneously, we must overcome our own fears, insecurities and baggage and lean into God to remove the obstacles that are out of our control.  Our attitudes and commitment to God's ways, along with the levels of dysfunction within us, others and the organization, can determine how hard and how long our journey will be.

When God assigns us to usher new order and breakthrough into a work environment, our roles are usually challenging and require fortitude and perseverance.  Oftentimes, this feels like anything but God's doing.

But if we commit ourselves to remaining in our divinely-assigned role, moving forward in God's purposes, we will witness Him break obstacles and make a way to unity (God's finest), which can involve changing people's hearts and attitudes, promoting people or reassigning those who, by their free will choice, are not willing to cooperate.

Therefore, unity is often a process.  And in this process, God forges us, our co-workers, our leaders and our organizations often through the heat of pressure.  The reason He has us in this vice is because He's trying to teach us, purify us and position us for promotion.  But are we willing to be teachable?  Are we willing to die to the limitation of selfishness?

I love the NIV note for verse 15, which tells us that the peace that only Christ can give us is to prevail in all human relationships, like an umpire over an attitude of bitterness and quarrelsomeness.  Where there is disunity, there is disconnection, fragmentation, a loss of synergy, of power.  It is a place where the enemy thrives to negate the plans of God.

The path to unity is through repentance, forgiveness, cooperation and a commitment to journey God's way through the circumstances that surround us by His leading, no matter what.

If you find yourself in a chaotic work environment, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what your divine assignment is.  Ask Him to reveal to you strategic keys.  Ask Him how to pray, what He desires for you to learn.  Then ask Him to help you receive what He wants you to so that you do not have to journey around the mountain repeatedly.  Walk in humility and confession.  Praise the Lord in the midst.  Submit to the Lord's ways, and enter into the place of peace where God leads you.  Then watch the favor of God manifest on your behalf.

:angel:

Week of February 24
Beauty

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  ~ Proverbs 31:30

God is the essence of beauty, and He longs to share His beauty with us.  When we accept Jesus, His beauty resides within us.  And if we revere Him, we will mirror His beauty from the inside out.  This is God's desire.

Consider Esther.  Although she was physically beautiful, Esther also glowed with an inner beauty that was established and purposed by God before she ever entered the king's palace (Es. 2:7, 15).  She won the king's favor and approval because she was on a mission from God to save His and her people.  And God's hand of favor and protection was upon her as she consistently made right choices, yielding to the Father's will.

Esther understood wisdom as is evident by how she followed her uncle Mordecai's counsel to not reveal her identity and the eunich Hegai's suggestion to not ask for anything when she came before the king (Es. 2:10-11, 15).  Esther understood the wisdom of 1Peter 3:4, ". . . the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."  And she also understood the power of revering God through fasting (Es. 4:16).

Esther had substance, and her beauty was a power tool used by God to accomplish His will to save a nation.

How is God using your beauty?  Likewise, how are you using your beauty?

Contrary to the nobleness of Esther, the once perfect (Ps. 50:2) but fast fleeting beauty of Jerusalem is described in Ezekiel 16 as prostitution.  When we "trust in our beauty and use our fame to become a prostitute" (vs. 15), our beauty becomes pillaged by the enemies of destruction and death.  Our own disobedience and idolatry to ungodly pleasures opens the door, giving the devil a legal right to "pimp" us out, leaving us depleted, defiled and disgusted.

As we journey through life, what will we choose?  Perfect beauty or prostitution?

If the latter has been your choice (even if not in the literal sense), there is freedom through repentance and restoration.

The beauty of God is everlasting.  It doesn't fade.  It is perfect.  In this, we have hope.

Lamentations 3:22-26 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

May we choose to honor God by living in the nobility of a yielded heart, mind and body and therefore embrace His full measure of reigning beauty for His glory.

:angel:

Week of March 3
Temperance

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  ~ I Thessalonians 5:8

Temperance is restraint in the face of temptation.  It is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23 KJV).  The root word "temper" originally meant "mixture" in Latin.  As Christians, we are an amalgam of body, soul and spirit.  And it is God in us who gives us harmony, who guides us and enables us to live temperate lives.  To Him, we must yield.

If we look at the Old Testament, unleavened cakes and wafers were "tempered with oil" and "anointed with oil" (Ex. 29:2).  In these simple passages lives so much meaning.  Just as the wheat and the oil were combined to complete a substance that would sustain life, the bread of life (Jesus) and the anointing oil (the Holy Spirit) sustains us in times of trouble, in the dry desert journeys, in the face of the tempter, Satan.

Although God is always in control, He allows us to journey through difficult circumstances to temper us, to cause us to reach for Him and depend upon Him with a great urgency and intensity for help.  God's firing or tempering process prepares us for the next promotion.  It challenges us to reach the next glory and obtain a higher level of purity and holiness (Ex. 30:35-37).  Yielding to the Holy Spirit brings us into greater composure, which positions us for action (I Peter 1:13) in an upcoming season.

I recall an occasion when a friend of mind received a major breakthrough in her career.  She had been under the authority of a boss from whom she felt great heaviness and oppression on a daily basis.  Yes, she was being tempered.  I watched her at church each week as she journeyed through this dry place.  I saw tears of desperation fall from her cheeks.  I saw her heart cry out to God for relief.  And I saw her offer sacrifices of praise to the Lord while in the midst of emotional pressure and pain.

Many interceded for her, including myself.  And on the day that she was offered a new job, which was unbeknownst to me at the time, the Lord showed me that because she sought His heart with all of her heart, and because she was faithful to stay the course and exhibit love in the process, He shielded her from undue harm and was promoting her to be in authority over others.

Indeed, God must temper us to be leaders (2 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:7).  We cannot do it alone, only through His grace (Titus 2:12).

Inasmuch, God recently sent me back out into the job market.  After seven weeks of intense training, during which I had to lean into the Lord for His grace, my boss turned to me and quickly said, "You're going to be mastered by fire."  I knew just what she meant.

Consider Proverbs 25:28 (NIV): "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."  My friend, in her flesh alone, surely felt like retaliating towards her boss.  And without the Holy Spirit's strength and guidance, she would have been defenseless and disgraced, like a city without walls.  But because she persevered by leaning to God, she finished the journey rewarded by promotion and surrounded by His glory.

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) says, "It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city."  My friend chose to be patient in the suffering.  She believed that God's power was more than enough to defeat the enemy who attacked her.  And she waited upon God until He brought her to complete victory.  Such character development readied her to carry out her next divine assignment.

If you are being tempered, know that the process will not continue longer than God apportions.  Take courage and know that He is fighting your battles for you and that you will reign victorious if you persevere to the finish.

:angel:

Week of March 10
Understanding

Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth."
~Proverbs 4:5 (NASB)

God desires for us to wait until we hear from Him before we act. He wants us to listen and to "get it." He wants us to receive His revelation, His instruction and His understanding.  Sometimes He speaks to us quickly, and sometimes God takes His time. But no matter how long He takes, we are to "not... turn away from the words of My mouth," (Prov. 4:5).  We are to "get understanding" (Prov. 4:7). 

The alternative is to miss God's finest, to be foolish, to do it quick and cheap—our way (Eph. 5:17, Prov. 3:5-6, 18:2).

Early last week, I found myself engaged in a long conversation with a ministry leader concerning many topics. As I listened to him speak, I could easily see that he had acquired a great deal of knowledge, wisdom and understanding over the years. The presence and the peace of the Lord in the room was profound, and the Lord showed me that this man was very anointed by God.

One testimony he shared with me particularly stood out: When I asked him how he knew and understood so much about the Bible—revelation wisdom I had never heard from any other source—he accredited seeking the understanding of the Lord. He said that years ago, he and his cousin would pore over the Bible, maps, commentaries and other resources and would seek the Lord for hours to help them receive a deep understanding of the Lord's messages. As always, the Lord was faithful to deliver.

I understood that the key here is the time factor. God speaks to us in many ways, but sometimes, it is necessary to "press in," to fervently seek Him over time in order to gain deeper levels of understanding.

The issue is: Are we willing to spend the time? It is our heart's desire to sincerely know Him better? His ways? His messages? His revelation understanding that will change our lives?

If we read further in Proverbs chapter 4, we see that if we walk in divine wisdom and understanding, the Lord will reward us. He will exalt us and honor us (vs. 8), He will crown us with His grace and beauty (vs. 9), He will give us a long life (vs. 10), He will cause our paths to be clear (vs. 12-13). Essentially, He will promote us.

Surely, spending intimate time with the Lord is a treasure that brings treasures. It is a double blessing not to be missed. It is a divine gift.

In the times when I have felt like I do not have time to spend with the Lord, and I have chosen to do it anyway, I have felt anxiety and pressures give way to the Lord's peace and grace. And in that time, He always reminds me that had I not spent that time, I would not have received His greater intimacy, His greater understanding of who He is and what He wants me to know. I realize this is so precious, so important, so critical to the heart of God.

If you are experiencing spiritual dryness where you feel distant from the Lord's presence and you cannot even hear God's voice clearly, I encourage you to submit to spending more intimate time with Him. There, you will be refreshed; you will come into His peace; you will receive revelation instructions, strategies and understanding that will propel you forward in your divine destiny. There is no shortcut. There is no cheap substitute.

:angel:

Week of March 17
Persecution

You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.  ~ Psalm 71:21 (NKJV)

When we are persecuted whether in our workplaces or otherwise, our hearts turn to urgent cries and pleas for God's rescue.   As we are in the midst of such suffering and pain, we can quickly forget about God's purpose, grace, hope, comfort and restoration.  Yet the Bible reminds us that He is with us in tribulation and that after we suffer a little while, He will restore us (1Peter 5:10).  This truth we must cling to.

I recall a season in my life of intense persecution that lasted 18 months.  The Holy Spirit revealed to me that this was a period of spiritual development.  I learned that more than spiritual growth, spiritual development requires greater resistance, much like body building in the physical realm.  And just as in an intense weightlifting workout, I anticipated the end of each strain and each pain because what truly lasted a little while seemed like an eternity.

As I cried out to the Lord to rescue me daily, my personal trainer, the Holy Spirit, encouraged me via scriptures, teachings, visions, prophecies and signs and wonders.  In addition to Psalm 71:21, He gave me another key scripture, Romans 12:12 which says, "rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer" (NASB).  He led me to proclaim this verse daily, to pray for understanding and to praise Him sacrificially.

Toward the end of this developmental journey, the Holy Spirit gave me the understanding that my heart had to be crucified in order for me to enter into a greater level of love for others and for God.  He taught me to truly love those who persecuted me and to earnestly confess, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34, KJV).  He also taught me that Christ Himself suffered greater pain, which humbled me and put my circumstances into perspective.  In this light of understanding, I was able to choose to rejoice in having participated in the sufferings of Christ (1Peter 4:13).  And when the journey ended, I knew that I had come closer to the Father in a way that was new to me.

Indeed, the Lord brought me through a journey of greater dependence, comfort, patience and endurance (2Corinthians 1:7).  He gave me a greater understanding and a greater vision of His perspective concerning love, and He restored my heart.  Indeed, His glory was revealed.

If you are being persecuted, ask the Lord to reveal His purpose to you.  Ask Him to fill you with His strength of joy in the midst and enable you to understand what is happening so that you may receive His full measure of glory.

:angel:

Week of March 24

Joy

"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound."  ~Psalm 4:7

Our Heavenly Father created us with an ability to experience joy.  We know when we have it, and we know when we don't.  And even though we can receive enjoyment from our loved ones, activities, work or even material things, only the Lord gives us everlasting joy.  It comes through receiving all of Him, beginning with the joy of salvation and redemption.

Remember the children's song that goes, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay"?  How profound this simple truth is.  For when we sincerely accept Jesus into our hearts, so, too, do we invite His joy.

Like peace, the Lord's joy is found in His presence.  It is a divine gift, a byproduct of His love.  Joy is cyclical.  It propels God's heart to move on our behalf and our hearts to move on His.  He plants joy in our hearts, and we give it back to Him through actions of praise and worship and a walk of obedience.

The joy of the Lord is powerful.  It is described as "complete" (Jh. 15:11), "exceeding" (Ps. 43:4), "filling" (Ps. 126:3), "everlasting" and "overwhelming" (Ps. 35:10).

And as we come closer to His joyful presence, He pours out His divine favor upon us.

Consider the Psalmists.  David said in Psalm 16:11, "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy . . . "

Psalm 45:7 says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows.

Psalm 97:11 says, "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.  Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name."

The joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) intended for sharing.  Pouring out joy imparts joy.  Ever notice how difficult it is to be down when in the presence of God's joy that pours through someone else?

Even when we sin, the Lord provides a restoration of joy for those who repent.

Consider the exiled Israelites in Nehemiah who lost their joy and their homeland to disobedience.  When Nehemiah repented on his and their behalf, God, in His unending mercy, led them to restore Jerusalem's wall with His hand of favor upon them, and they celebrated with "great" joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 says, " . . . Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  Choose joy.

Moreover, obedience invites the reward of complete joy (Jn. 15:10-11).  May we press through any blockages of sin for the fullness of the Lord's reward.

Since the Holy Spirit who resides in us brings joy (Luke 10:21), no one can diminish it unless we allow access.

May we hold fast to the resounding joy of the Lord.  It is our divine, prevailing strength.  It keeps our hearts built up, soaring above the pit of despair, propelling us in His glory to work unto Him and to reach others.  All that's required is that we simply remain in close relationship with Him.

:angel:

Week of March 31
New Beginnings

"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come . . ."  ~ Isaiah 46:10

New beginnings often feel great.  Filled with excitement and relief, we get to leave the past behind and enter into a new season with great anticipation, hope and promise, with a new vision.  Job promotions, weddings and childbirths are prominent examples.

But for some, beginnings can feel treacherous.  Letting go of comfortable, established relationships—colleagues, family members, homes and jobs—can force us to confront anxiety, uncertainty and even fear of the unknown.

As in all new seasons, our only certainty and security is found in God.  To Him, we must cling as we journey forth over every hill and valley ahead.

Consider Joseph.

Joseph's young life began just prior to God setting him and his family free on a new beginning back to their native land (Gen. 30:25, 31:3).  Highly favored by both his Heavenly and earthly fathers, and hated and betrayed by his brothers, Joseph was eventually sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites, which began his journey to Egypt (Gen. 37:27).  Once there, he was resold to Potiphar, where he began a journey of slavery (Gen. 37:36).

In the beginning of Joseph's enslavement, Potiphar saw God's favor upon him and placed him in the highest position over his household and all his possessions (Gen. 39:3-4).

Even when Potiphar's wife betrayed Joseph, which began his prison term, the warden took notice of God's favor upon him, putting Joseph in charge of other prisoners right at the outset (Gen. 39:23).

And immediately after interpreting Pharoh's dream, Joseph was placed in charge over Egypt (Gen. 41:43).  In the beginning of his new position of authority, he also began a marriage journey.  Then a travel journey over Egypt.  And then a journey of parenting.

Holding onto God from the beginning and throughout, Joseph forgot all his troubles and became fruitful in the land of his suffering (Gen. 41:51-52).  Coming full circle, Joseph was able to feed the very brothers who betrayed him, sustaining their lives.

No matter what his circumstances, Joseph was blessed from every beginning.  Determined to do the right thing, he handled his journeys with kindness, obedience, longsuffering, trust and patience.  He was tested and refined.  Crafted and fired, he emerged an overseer of a nation, blessing those who persecuted him.  Holding tight to his faithful God along the way, Joseph was consistently promoted and rewarded.

Only through obedience to God can we maintain divine favor from beginning to end amid our circumstances.  God is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 21:6).  It's simply a matter of whether we will cooperate His way along the way, even if it seems that so many of our new beginnings occur after a catalyst of discord.

If you find yourself in the starting blocks of a new beginning, placed there by God, choose to trust Him no matter what.  Know that He has purposed your journey, that He is in control and that He has a plan, even if a catalyst of chaos, betrayal and despair try to overtake you.  If you remain obedient to God, you will see His purposes and blessings unfold and receive all the abundance and reward that He has for you, ultimately forgetting all the injustices that occur along the way.

:angel:

Week of April 7
Divine Tests

"His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work."  ~ 1 Corinthians 3:13

New beginnings excite us, and we are awed when the Holy Spirit touches us with new assignments and fresh revelations through God's word or in another creative way.  But have you noticed that after you receive these assignments and revelations, you are put to a test?

Tests are necessary to train us and to strengthen us for the purpose of advancing our own spirit, soul and body as well as to advance those things outside of ourselves, like other people, nations, businesses, communities, ministries, careers, even a geographic region.  God will test our obedience to His directives, and He will use other people and circumstances in the process (Judges 3:1-4).

Because of their "unknown" nature, tests usually provoke fear and anxiety within us.  We only have to look as far as our last exam administered in school or college as a simple example.  God uses tests to challenge us to overcome obstacles (like lack of knowledge), to position us to trust Him in new areas so that, with Him, we can accomplish new assignments.  Though the test-taking process can, at times, feel either burdensome or exhilarating, once we pass, we advance to the next level, where we will again be tested.  Entrepreneurs frequently experience this process in business as they journey from visions to ventures.

If you look up the word "test" in any dictionary, you will find a long list of definitions.  Here of some of the ones I like from Encarta: "An often difficult situation or event that will provide information about somebody or something; a procedure to ascertain the presence of or the properties of a particular substance; a declaration, demonstration, or oath of conformity or loyalty; to make considerable demands on somebody, particularly somebody's skills or abilities; testimony; testament."

David earnestly invited and submitted to God's examination in Psalm 139:23-24 saying, ". . . test me and know my anxious thoughts . . ."  The NIV note to this scripture is particularly interesting.  It adds, "It is no light matter to be examined by God."

Has your work been tested lately?  How about your marriage?  What about your patience?  Have you withstood the fire?  Or do you feel like you've failed miserably?

Did you choose faith or fear, trust or temptation (to give up), dedication or distraction, commitment or compromise in the process?         

With God, there are no failures, only opportunities for redemption and restoration.  God's grace is sufficient in our weakness.  He can reset, reposition and reevaluate us.  He loves us and desires for us to succeed and reach our divine destiny.  And He'll give us every opportunity to get it right.  All we have to do is cooperate with Him.

If we exercise our freewill, faith, trust and action according to God's plan and leading, He will meet us as He met Abraham to help us succeed.  He will build our character and refine our motives along the way.  And we will complete the race a winner.

:angel:

Week of April 14
Good Pleasure

"And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ."  ~ Ephesians 1:9

I once met a young, married woman who had wisdom beyond her years.  She said something profound that I will always remember which was, "The trouble with life is that it's just so daily."

May we not get so bogged down by the "dailies" that we lose sight of God's greater vision.  Let us not forget that God has us in an integral "now" process that is leading us to the fulfillment of our divine destiny.  Take joy, and count it all good.  Our best vacation from toil and hardship is in the presence of the Lord.  In due time, we will reap the harvest if we journey to the fulfillment of His purposes.

A couple of years after this young woman made her statement, God made big shifts in her life.  Indeed, when God's purposes are fulfilled, He will move us beyond our circumstances.    One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to help me "get it" the first time, that I would not have to cycle around the mountain of lesson-learning repeatedly.  Once is enough for me in this second half of my life on earth.  I don't want to waste anymore of God's time, and I declare that, through His grace, the latter will be greater than the former.

Therefore, let us do our excellent best to honor God in all that He has called us to in the here and now, processing circumstances His way in love, mercy and forgiveness.  And know that we are indeed pleasing Him and making loving memories.  There will come a future time when "now" will be the past, and we will forget the hardships of today.  So that when the future arrives, we can reflect with great joy, peace, liberty and appreciation, having no regrets, bearing no grudges and gaining God's wisdom.

Be assured that God takes good pleasure in giving back our dreams.  If you are in a dry place, know that your escape, your sanctuary can be found in the presence of the Lord.  Spend time with Him.  Ask Him to reveal His mysteries, His timing, His destiny plan for you.   Ask Him to give you His understanding of what you've gone through and how He will bring it all together in His due time, in His good pleasure.  Ask Him to awaken you to His greater vision.  Trust that He will show you specifics concerning your future.  You will surely see that there will be no greater dream fulfillment, no greater plan, no greater intimacy and no greater love for you.

God takes good pleasure in giving back to us through His servant heart.   He once spoke to my heart, saying that because I laid down my dreams and got involved with His dreams, He has gotten involved in my dreams and is giving them back to me in a way that is greater than I ever expected.

I don't know that I've ever been more humbled or awed.  Indeed, God rewards sacrifices of the heart that make room for Him to be first.  And He showed me that He will reveal such mysteries to us through revelation if we take the time to get alone with Him and ask.

God's good pleasure is linked with the fulfillment of His predestined purposes for us (Eph. 10-12).  Our time, our hearts, our minds, our wills, our bodies, our dreams and our agendas are not our own when we are sold out to God.  After all, Jesus laid down His life for us at Calvary.  How can we call ourselves Christians if we do not honor Him for paying such a high price to give us eternal life in heaven?

Let us remember that God created us for the purpose of fellowshipping with Him.  We are to make Him our first priority, our first love.  It gives God good pleasure when we praise, worship and honor Him throughout our destiny journey, even if it is done sacrificially.  He delights when His plans and purposes are fulfilled through us, when we are a living testimony to His power, love and glory.  Therefore, may we lay down every idol, every hearts desire, turn from every temptation and say, "Yes, Lord.  Have it Your way no matter what."

:angel:

Week of April 21
Reverence & Awe

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe."  ~Hebrews 12:28 (NASB)

The NIV translation of this scripture inserts the word, "worship" for "service."  Indeed, our work is a form of worship and service, offered by gratitude, if we do it unto God from our hearts, demonstrating His love and devotion. 

Since the Bible tells us that God first loved us and that His love is power, clearly there is no greater position to be in than walking in His awesome love, touching others and being awed by His manifest miraculous power moment by moment.  In this, we honor God.

I never understood this revelation better than when I found the courage to trust God enough to surrender control to Him in my workplace. The first step was to totally confess all my fear, lack of trust and lack of faith.  The truth was that I was terrified to let go of control.  But I knew He was calling me to a new place spiritually, so I consciously chose to step out with the primary motive being not wanting to suffer the consequences of disobedience.  In other words, my fear of God was greater than my irrational fear of man.

The Lord instructed me to spend more time in His presence at home praising Him, talking to Him, confessing to Him, reading His word and petitioning Him until I found peace in my heart.  I often felt compelled to sing praises to Him, dance before Him and, my favorite, sit on the floor with Him and have coffee and chat.  We spent intimate time together daily, often hours.  I asked Him to fill my spirit with His love to overflowing.  And I asked Him to give me divine appointments so that I could demonstrate His love to others in need.  I asked Him to choose the people, the times and the places.  Mind you, none of this was my idea.  God instructed me to do so.  All of it was new territory for me.

As He crossed my path with others' paths at work, I consciously chose to trust the Holy Spirit to reveal His purpose in what He wanted to accomplish.  I chose to trust Him to lead me as to how to approach the person, what to say, how to say it, when to pray for them, what to pray for them.  And as I stepped out, the Lord met me.  What I witnessed shocked, awed and amazed me.

God opened my eyes to see that the people He sent to me were in need of a breakthrough and that when He allowed me to pray for them, they received whatever breakthrough blessing He wanted to give them at that appointed time.  Oftentimes, the Holy Spirit healed them physically or emotionally, depending on their needs.

God's demonstrations of love, His power to heal and His sheer glory touched my heart so deeply that it caused me to weep and brought me to my knees in humble reverence.  He made my heart grateful to participate.  I realized there was no better place to be, and I desired more.  The Lord increased the number of divine appointments for me to a point where I found myself crying out to Him to bring others to help.  I simply couldn't keep up, which is a great place to be.

I believe divine appointments are ours for the asking and that meeting them invites a greater purpose and joy to our work.  I believe it humbles our hearts and glorifies God.  I believe it brings us into the Great Commission, which pleases God, and puts Him first in our workplaces, which offers us rewards of joy, favor and promotion.

If you would like to journey higher in your faith in God and at work, simply ask the Lord to show you how and to position you.  He will require you to lay down fears and any other encumbrance as you choose to step into new territory.  And He will journey with you the whole way.  Truly, it is the greatest adventure.

:angel:

Week of April 29
Loving Colleagues

"And the second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'  There is no other commandment greater than these."   ~Mark 12:31

Is any other scripture so convicting?   Yet how easy it would be for those of us with hardened hearts to quickly bypass it.  Do we really know our neighbors?  And what's to love about them anyway?

The truth is that if our whole heart is surrendered to the Lord, and we truly love Him, we will want to please Him, and we will carry His love in our heart, which will overflow to others.  Too, if we truly surrender our entire agenda to Him for His purpose, asking Him to have His way in our day and then be obedient to His guidance, we will know that our jobs are our divine assignments and that the Lord will use us to affect others where He places us.  This includes our colleagues.

I recall a time when I worked with a woman I didn't even like, much less love.  I knew my heart was being tested, and God was watching.  So the first thing I did was get alone with God and confess my lack of love for her.

I knew that 1 John 4:19 tells us that we cannot love God without loving our brother (or sister).  Therefore, it is impossible to keep God's first commandment to love God without keeping His second (Mk. 12:30-31).  And I did not want to be outside of God's will.

In my desperation, I asked God to fill my heart with His love for my sister.  But if I hadn't followed the Holy Spirit's guidance carefully, I might have missed the opportunity because His response came in an unexpected way.

The Lord actually gave this woman and I a pivotal moment where she erupted in angry lamentations before me.  As I listened to her, God overwhelmed my heart with pure divine love for her to a point that it overtook every negative and feeling I experienced.  His love enabled me to do the right thing, which was to simply hug her and tell her that Jesus loved her.  It was a more-of-Him, less-of-me moment.

Through her lamentations, I learned that she was a new Christian, who was having a hard time in life.  And she needed a personal touch from Jesus.  If I had reacted to her out of my flesh and snapped back at her or avoided her, I would've failed the heart test.  What's more, God would've had to get someone else to extend His heart to this woman, and I would've had to retake the test.

I can be a quick learner when my heart is on the line.  How about you?

Which of your colleagues do you find difficult to love?  Which of them needs a touch from Jesus today?  I encourage you to repent, and confess that you cannot love them on your own.  Then ask the Lord to fill your heart with His divine love for them, to enable you to love them as He does.  You'll find that He'll not only touch their hearts, He'll touch yours too.

:angel:

Week of May 5
Kingdom Love

"Love never fails."  ~ I Corinthians 13:8

In order for something to never fail, it must be strong.  It mustn't wear out—ever.  It must endure through every test, every trial, every season of time, every hill, every valley, every personality.  Only God is this kind of love (I John. 4:8).

Kingdom love begins with an outpouring from God to us, then through us to others.  In this way, the process of love is cyclical and is the foundation and motivation upon which and through which every Godly thing is built.

I am amazed at what God can do with a clean slate—a desperate and surrendered heart.

Have you ever noticed that when God gives us a directive, the first thing that comes is fear? This is because the directive or mandate He is giving us is bigger than we, our knowledge bank, our previous experience, our vision and the current capacity of our hearts.  It's bigger than anything we know at that moment.

Indeed, we serve a very big God who has very big plans.  And the enemy tries to use fear to thwart those plans on earth so that he can reign.

When we turn to God with a willing heart, He showers His love upon us and restores us.  It is from His infilling of revelation, instruction and joyful power that we accomplish new things for God.

When fear comes to arrest us, we must choose which master we will serve.

God has rescued me many times from irrational fears and has taken me to heights that I could not imagine on my own by simply giving me a willing heart and a resounding "Yes" in my spirit.

When He first called me to begin to minister to people in my workplace, I felt terrified.  Sharing the love of God was the most frightening thing He could've asked me to do at that time because I had such a bad case of fear of man. 

But God was about to break that bondage in my life and restore me to love.  He opened my eyes to see that the reverential fear of God He placed within me was greater than the fear of man within me.  This overwhelming reverential fear rose up and catapulted me into the new move God had for me.

As I journeyed through this new calling and saw this new level of God's amazing love consistently, I also saw that fear of man become extinct within me.  In time, I came to understand the process of Kingdom love.

How about you?  Have you noticed that just when you feel accomplished in any particular area, like in your career or certain relationships, God soon raises the bar?  When God calls us out of our comfort zones, the familiar areas that reside within us—whether good or bad—it's not for the purpose of harming us.  It's to prosper us and others and Him.

When we step up to God's divine callings, laying down all encumbrances, including self, and thereby receive more of Him, He gives us increased opportunities to sow and receive more love.  The more we get from Him, the more we can give to others.  And the more we give, the more we get.  God's abundant love never runs out.

In this way, Kingdom love is not selfish.  It is a generous and perpetual process of sowing and reaping and multiplying, of nourishing and replenishing for the purpose of building God's Kingdom on earth.

Kingdom love pivots our hearts, fills our lives and elevates our spiritual walk.  May we choose a resounding yes to trusting God in this journey so that His love will captivate us and enable us to build His Kingdom on earth (Mt. 6:10).

:angel:

Week of May 12
God's Faithfulness

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  ~ Lamentations 3:23

The Israelites understood that God is always faithful to His word.  Even amid judgment, they still saw His love, His mercy and compassions.  They didn't blame God.  Instead, they praised Him sacrificially.

Recently, the Lord put the hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," on my heart.  I couldn't help but sing it over and over to Him.  The refrain said it all, "Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

This special praise came immediately after the Lord provided a church to host our God's Love at Work Women's Expo.

The Lord loves us to be dependent upon Him.  And oh how often He sets my feet on an Abraham-faith journey.  You know, the one where He calls us to an assignment and instructs us to head out, not knowing where we're going (Heb. 11:8).

Being an adventurer at heart, these treks thrill me, and I am awed at everything that God shows me along the way.  Like mountain climbing, each step forges a new character and courage in us.

Is the Lord taking you into new territory in your career?  Is He giving you new projects and assignments?  Has He opened doors wide that cause you go cling to Him for provision?  Sometimes when the Lord promotes us, we feel inadequate, questioning whether we can really do the job.

If this is you, rest assured that you can with Jesus walking alongside you.  God has raised you up for such a time as this.  He has prepared you, and He has already provided everything you need to accomplish what He has set you out to do.  Whatever you do not know, God will reveal to you in His creative ways.  And He will bring others who have the knowledge or connections you need.  He will give you revelations throughout the journey.  And if you ever feel "stuck," He'll send someone to lovingly give you the shove you need.

Everywhere we turn, we hear evangelists and leaders say, "2008 is the year of new beginnings."  I believe that.  And I have already seen manifest fruit of this declaration.

Remember when Joshua entered into the Promised Land, and he had to fight battles to gain what God promised him and his people?  Joshua had to depend upon God for every unique strategy for victory along the way (Joshua 5:14).  So too must we.  This is the key to a success that is greater than we can achieve on our own.

God loves His children and desires to bless us.  He is our greatest cheerleader and champion.  I love Jesus' prayer, "On earth as it is in heaven."  Jesus had such a heart for His Heavenly Father that He only wanted to serve Him and do His will.  He was wise enough to choose the highest path that would result in the highest reward for Himself and others.  There is no greater strategy than the one God reveals.  His ways are always purposed, positioning us higher than we can take ourselves alone.  And sometimes they may seem unusual.

Remember, Abraham had to depart his comfort zones to receive an inheritance that was greater than what his earthly father could provide (Gen. 12:1).

Are you ready to go higher than you've ever gone?  God is searching for a people who love Him enough to do extraordinary exploits.  The rewards are so worth the journey.  And our God is faithful to deliver.

:angel:

Week of May 19
God's Promises

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."  ~Hebrews 10:36

God purposes the timing and manifestations of His promises.  Though some seem a long time coming, they are not.  Though the wait may feel like God has forgotten, He has not.  God's timing is perfect, and His patience is great.

Consider Elizabeth and Mary.  Despite their great difference in age, both women were pregnant with promised sons simultaneously.  The timing of each pregnancy was purposed according to God's plan as was their children's destinies.

What has God promised you?  Has He delivered yet?  How's your faith?

2 Peter 3:8 says, "a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

Perseverance in obedience is the key to receiving the promises of God.  And when we get off track, repentance is key.

In Psalm 119, we see that God gives us hope through His promises (vs. 49).  He preserves our lives through His promises (vs. 50).  He supplies us with grace according to His promises (vs. 58).  And we are to meditate on and rejoice in His promises (vs. 148, 162).

God's heart within us and the fulfillment of His promises allow us to forgive those who disappointed us on a greater level.  When we expect people, not God, to fulfill promises only God can fulfill, we must repent and release them to Him.  False expectations can hold us in bondage and cause us to miss God's very best for our lives.

What have you expected and have not yet received?  How are you handling the situation?  Are you praising God throughout the process?  Has your mind been on Him or on your circumstances?  How about your heart?  Do you know that God loves you enough to bring fulfillment, to be true to His word.  Do you trust Him enough?

Have you asked God what His will is?  Have you asked Him what you are supposed to complete before He fulfills His promise?

The fulfillment of God's promises points toward Him as the one true God.  David's prayer in 2 Samuel 7:25-26 says, "And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise You have made concerning Your servant and His house.  Do as You promised, so that Your name will be great forever.  Then men will say, 'The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!'  And the house of Your servant David will be established before You."

When God fulfills His promises, do we give Him all the glory?  Is it all about Him?  Is He first on our hearts?

Psalm 145:13 says, "The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made."

Jeremiah 32:19 says, "great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds.  Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; You reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve."

May we receive the full measure of God's promises by being obedient to His will.

:angel:

Week of May 26
Freedom

"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."  ~ Psalm 119:45

God's freedom has little to do with the world's freedom.  Knowing and living out His truth is the only way we can be assured His peace, His rest, His protection.

And like this psalmist, when we walk closely with God, seeking Him with our whole heart and moving in careful obedience, God delights in us; He hears us; He rescues us.

Have you noticed that at some point in every journey—whether work-related or personal—circumstances will cause us to either flee immediately or to rise up, stand boldly and confront that which comes against God's purposes and plans for us?  The attack can come in many forms—false accusation, persecution, fear, disrespect, strife, disorder, confusion, lack of funds, brick walls, etc.

But there comes a time when God says, "No more!"  There comes a time when, if we don't give up and we remain close to God, He shows up with a mighty shift and deals with the enemy, either by quelling the torment or promoting us out of the situation entirely, all to His glory.

I love these pivotal moments when God frees us up to complete His mission.  They are "sudden" transformations, crescendos, thrilling and certainly a relief.

Freedom literally means "a wide space" as in unconfined by affliction or oppression (Ps. 119:45 NIV note).

To be delivered from heaviness in an instant is what Noah, Moses, Elisha, Joseph, Daniel, David, Jesus and others, who were committed to our Heavenly Father, knew.  Each one leaned upon Father God during their very unique and difficult circumstances.

Consider Daniel.  Though he was intelligent, fit, gifted, noble and had the favor of God upon him, he still found himself held in captivity by a Babylonian king in a foreign land (Dan. 1).  Yet God was in control.  Daniel was set up by God in new territory, desperately dependant upon Him for direction and freedom.

God had a purpose.  And along with this "set up" came a set time.  God was about to expound His glory in a new way through a terrified Daniel who experienced several encounters with God and witnessed his enemys' defeat over a pre-ordained period of time.

Daniel 10:12 says, " . . . 'Do not be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.'"

Indeed, God's promises were fulfilled and His strategies to freedom broke through in His due time.  God will even send his mighty angels to fight our battles and conquer our enemies once and for all to bring restoration and reward.

God ultimately positioned a faithful Daniel to be rewarded by the very earthly king that held him captive (Dan. 2) and to receive his allotted inheritance (Dan. 12:13).

God is always in control.  He will never forsake us in torrid circumstances if we, like Daniel, exercise wisdom and surrender our hearts to Him.

If you find yourself currently in some form of captivity, know that if you turn to God with all your heart and carefully obey his directives, he will hear you and deliver you into His freedom, just like He did for Daniel.

:angel:

Week of June 12
In the Arms of Jesus

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.  2 Peter 1:3

One day, while working in my former job as a flight attendant, a woman boarded my flight and stopped cold, just inside the passenger door. I sensed something wasn't quite right, so I approached her gingerly, and I asked if I might help her find her seat. She didn't respond, so I asked her if she had a boarding pass. With this, she burst into tears and buried her face in my left shoulder. "Indeed," I thought. "This is one whom God has sent."

The Lord had instructed me, more than a year earlier, to begin to spend time in His presence before working each trip in order to prepare me to receive divine appointments that He would bring to me on airplanes. Up to this point, He had sent all kinds of people with all kinds of needs. All for whom, He wanted me to pray and share my faith. I had grown pretty accustomed to reaching out, not knowing what to expect in advance. Oftentimes, I was shocked at the circumstances passengers would share with me, and I was always awestruck at how God would show up. The situation that was now before me would be no exception.

As I held this crying woman in my arms, I prayed silently for the Holy Spirit to guide my words and actions. Almost immediately, I sensed Him prompting me to seat her in first class. Amazingly, the entire front row of first class was available. I seated her in a window seat and reached for her tote bag to place it the overhead compartment. As I took the bag, I could not help but notice a large envelope of medical x-rays. I walked into the galley to make the woman a drink, all the while praying, "Holy Spirit, tell me what to do, tell me what to say."

After the plane took off, and I served the other passengers, I returned to sit beside the woman. I asked her if she would like to talk. She nodded, and she began to share that she and her husband had traveled from Montreal to Florida in search of a new home. She said that she had had pneumonia before their trip and that her husband had developed a cough while in Florida. She suggested that he visit a doctor. When he did, the doctor diagnosed him with lung cancer and informed him that he had six months to live.

And now this woman was flying home to Montreal, as her husband was driving their car back with friends. She was overwhelmed and had no one else to reach out to her in that moment. As she shared her circumstances, I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to ask her whether she attends church. When I asked the woman this question, she paused, and then she replied, "I used to, but I stopped going when my first husband and my son both died."

Gulp! Suddenly, my heart felt a deep burden for this woman, and I asked her if I might pray for her. She nodded again, and I took her hands in mine and led a prayer. I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to give her a message. And so after I finished praying, I said to her, "I believe the Lord wants you to return to church so that He can help you through this." The woman wept, and my heart was deeply touched because of God's deep love for her.

Indeed, sometimes sharing our faith doesn't necessarily mean leading someone to salvation. Sometimes it means simply leading people back into the arms of Jesus, who is big enough and loving enough to handle it from there.

I never knew who would walk on board my airplanes and stand before me with needs unknown to me but known unto God. One thing was certain, whatever they needed, Jehovah Jireh could indeed provide for them. And I wanted to be in position to be used. Are you ready and willing for whomever and whatever God will divinely bring to you if you ask.

:angel:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Week of June 19
His Presence

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me . . . You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand."  Psalm 16:7, 11

In God's presence, there is light, safety, peace and joy.  How many of us can honestly say that we reside in this place all day every day?  Most of us struggle by reacting to sin, and some of us may have never experienced this amazing place.  But there is hope.

The restorative process of overcoming patterns of sin in our hearts is a provision of God's great mercy and love for us.  Psalm 41:4 (Amplified) says, ". . . heal my inner self, for I have sinned against You."

Some of our sins are obvious to us (and others).  But there are those that are "hidden" or "secret," residing deep within our souls without our conscious awareness.  For these to be revealed, we need the Holy Spirit to "illuminate" them before we can repent and be more intimate with God.

Psalm 90:8 (NIV) says, "You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence."  The NIV note for this scripture defines the light of God's presence as being "The holy light of God that illumines the hidden corners of the heart and exposes its dark secrets."

We can walk around for years, even as Christians, unknowingly operating in sins.  Some of them may have taken root during our childhood or perhaps were even established in our bloodline generations (Gen. 20:5).  Operating in these iniquities can seem "normal" because we grew up in the midst of them, not knowing any better.  And we oftentimes carry these sins into our adult lives unknowingly until something in life triggers them.

But there comes a time when God will bring those issues to the surface, enlighten us and lead us to confront and overcome those obstacles.  With our participation—and often the help of a counselor chosen by God—He restores us to His peace, love and joy where we once again feel His presence in a profoundly intimate way.  This level of communing with Our Heavenly Father is what we were created for.  It's called freedom.

Would you like to reside in the profound presence of God?  Ask Him to illuminate your secret sin patterns and help you overcome them.  Praise Him in the process.  And remember that love in action and truth is "how we will set our hearts at rest in His presence" (I John3:19).  You are the delight of God's heart, and He longs for you to draw near to Him (Heb. 10:22).

:angel:

Week of June 23
Giving

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you a heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  Ezekiel 36:26

The very nature of God is to give out of love.  And when we as Christians receive the Lord into our hearts, He impacts us so deeply that we can't help but pour out His amazing love everywhere we go.  When we show up, so does God.

God makes His point clear in Ezekiel 36:32 where He says He will renew and restore His chosen people and their land for His glory, not because they earn His favor.  On the contrary, by their sinful conduct and actions, His chosen people had defiled their nation and their land that was divinely given to them.  But because of God's zeal for them and a remnant cry from them, God extended His grace and turned their circumstances around.

Likewise, God loves us even when we feel we don't deserve His love.  And we are to model His expressions of love and grace to others through a heart of giving, even to those who offend us.  God loved the unlovely, and so must we.  But we cannot do it alone.  We must ask Him to soften our hearts, to do it for us.

Giving comes naturally from a true heart of love.  It is the heart that must be cultivated.  Giving is simply the byproduct.

In the marketplace, we face many tests.  Sometimes, we are challenged to demonstrate love through acts of giving and kindness to a difficult boss or to cohorts.  It helps to remember that they may have become difficult to get along with due to hurts, wounds, injustices, sins and a lack of love in their life, whether self-imposed or inflicted by others.  It helps to look beyond their exterior and see into their hearts.  And we can ask God to help us see their hearts as He does, to increase within us His vision and His love for them and to break down barriers of fear.

When we have a big heart of God within us, giving out of love is easy, no matter what the behavior of others because we ourselves are overwhelmed with God's very presence of love.

When we are faced with "the unlovely," we must remember two things: We ourselves are only made righteous through Christ Jesus.  And God placed "the unlovely" in our path for the purpose of sanctifying our hearts with an increase of His love.  In other words, we the Christians need to come up higher in the love department.  And when we do, transformation takes place around us as a result of giving out of that love.

It's not enough to hold love in our hearts.  We must give it.  And when we give, we receive more from God, our divine source, and from others whose hearts cannot help but be touched.

The question is, will we consistently extend love no matter how others behave?  If we do, it will change the atmosphere in which we work.  If we do, we will not feel controlled by the other people's negative attitudes, comments or actions.  Our heart and others' hearts will transform, and this will manifest in a more Godly work environment.

The truth is, through Jesus Christ, we have more power than we realize.  God's principles really do work when faithfully put into action.  We must not let fear of rejection, fear of authority or intimidation prevents us from giving out of a generous heart of love.

Remember, God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Heb. 11:6).  And God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).  May we respond to others from an outpouring of the heart of the Holy Spirit within us, instead of reacting to negativity.  Only then will we be able to freely give.

:angel: