Count Me In

           Count Me In

What could the Lord be asking you to count Him in?

“I love the LORD because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will call out to him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2

It is a deep understanding to know what Jesus has done for us. All that he endured even up to his death on a cross was for you and me. As he led his disciples and they stayed close to him they couldn’t quite grasp the understanding of what was to come. I used to hear we do because of what Jesus did for us but never quite understood that until that day he chose me. Chose me despite the mess I was in. Chose me even when I turned away from him and denied his ways and chose my own. The Living God stepped into a human to live among us to show us Jesus is worth the choice to live for. And just like back in the Old Testament the message of God’s relentless love never once changed but Jesus coming made all the difference. The spotless sinless man chose us..

“Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Mark 14:25-26

Sitting with his disciples this was the First Lord’s  supper. Something we do regularly and hearing this scripture so often something jumped off the page today. The Bible says, “After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” They sang a hymn. Jesus praised the Lord even knowing what was to come. Even looking into this further what they sang. It was what they sang before every passover. He sang Psalm 118. As I read Psalm 118 these verses stood out. “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. “Let those who fear the LORD say, “His faithful love endures forever.” He sang praises in what was to come. We can do the same. 

Trusting in Jesus is a heart posture that says, “Count me in no matter the cost.” And I wish that I could tell you it was an open handed up in the air posture but a lot of times it is hands clasped to heart eyes tightly closed remembrance. I wish I could tell you trusting the Lord gets easier all the time. It isn’t always the case. The remembrance to trust even when it is incredibly difficult is recalling what he did so that I can know that he is always with me. That no matter what happens Jesus will always choose to stay in it with me. And worship can occur because His faithful love endures forever. 

So what could God be asking me to surrender so I could receive the heart posture of counting Him in ALL of it? 

Father,

Living God is a word that continues to resonate within my heart and mind. You meet us right where we are. You look for hearts that are ready and willing to be counted in. Count us in. It is for your glory Jesus. It is so others can know what it means to be loved by you. Even when it hard to see beyond what we can remind us that is the reason to keep trusting. You are faithful. Recall to mind those times of faithfulness within our lives. You chose us Jesus so we choose you.

Amen

Good Shepherd

  Good Shepherd

“But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD’S salvation that he will accomplish for you today, for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you, you must be quiet.” Exodus 14:13-14

God was rescuing, leading, protecting them and teaching them obedience and guiding them in a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. Not once was God taking His eyes off of them. But early into the journey they started taking their eyes off those visual reminders and fear was beginning to take root. The Bible says, “They looked up and there were the Egyptians coming after them!” What they could see began this spiraling of questioning at what God was doing because of what they could see. That is what happens to me.

Dependence. That is the word I was hearing last night as I sat with some ladies I will soon be taking a mission trip with. Complete strangers getting to know one another because of something we are being led to do together. As we sat and got to know one another something began to keep surfacing as the question was asked, “In what areas would you like to grow in?” Four very different women with different circumstances shared the same struggle of being solely dependent upon the Lord. That can look many different ways. Mine was the ability to continue to trust even despite what I see. Knowing that what God was calling us to do is knowing what will attempt to come against us. Being prepared within our hearts. So dependence on the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us will be the heart posture of not being afraid and standing firm. Praying that because we go and trust God will accomplish His will in and through us. Not anything we could ever do but being solely dependent upon the Lord. 

“Then the angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelites forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them.” Exodus 14:19

Despite my waywardness and mistrusting, he continues to guide me. Not just with me but going before me, with me, and showing me where to go. 

“Abiding isn’t a moment. It’s a lifestyle. God’s protection and peace are presence-based.” Eric Kavalauskas

The Holy Spirit within us will guide and direct us. But stopping to ask and receive that direction will be a day in and day out process. A lifestyle. But I love the above quote because it is the reminder that none of me and ALL of Him His Presence lives IN us forever. 

Father,

We aren’t alone. Satan wants to keep us with this unawareness and going alone and you tell us Peace and Protection come from you alone. Dependent and leaning into you Jesus to go and do really hard things knowing you lead the way. Trusting in you is abiding. You are our Good Shepherd. Continue to lead the way Jesus.

Amen

 

Kingdom Purpose

                 

    

“How great are his miracles, and how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:3

That week during camp I got to see something pretty impactful. Not a space was left on the floor during the Worship. There is something really inspiring at looking out of a floor full of middle schoolers on a packed stadium floor singing and praising God. Some of them didn’t really know why the excitement but others around them with hands raised high did. There were so many times that I have felt the Presence of God but it isn’t something we always see in action. It wasn’t necessarily in the kids on the floor but in the highschool leaders as they surrounded them. It was in the worship team that was on the stage trying to get them to understand what worship really meant. When the lights are down and music fades we can still worship the Creator of Heaven and earth. 

As rushed and crazy as that week was there were moments where God moved hearts. It wasn’t always in the singing but in the sharing and encouraging. And there were moments when I stood in the stands with a crowded packed floor of kids with my hand stretched over them, praying, “Lord from generation to generation that they would know you.

It has always been God’s desire to dwell among His people. It has always been His design to meet with us.”I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cheribum that are over the ark of testimony, I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.” Exodus 25: 22

Mercy seat. Testimony. Those were the words jumping out from this scripture. The old way were instructions how to meet but the word mercy speaks of my merciful Savior Jesus. The Kingdom purpose is so that I will display that mercy and grace. We have kingdom purpose as Kingdom workers. Not alone just the opposite. The Holy Spirit in us leading the way. 

So I have a choice. I can choose to live in the world knowing I have purpose or I can dismiss that and have the attitude that nothing will ever change. 

It only takes one. I heard a leader tell the story of a packed room of sixth graders sharing with one another. That doesn’t ever happen! But the environment was open and the Holy Spirit was working. That one could change everything. From generations to generations. 

Where have I believed the lie that nothing will ever change? The enemy wants to forget by Kingdom purpose. 

What does God remind me? Ask Him. 

Father,

Allow your truth to counsel our hearts. When the enemy tells us to dismiss what we know you are capable of doing remind us. Help us to look back at the miracles you have done in our life. Living for you is difficult but knowing we aren’t alone is reason to keep pressing on. Help us to lean in. Your kingdom is waiting to know your love Jesus. We were made for Kingdom purpose. All for you Jesus.

Amen

Shepherd My Heart

   Shepherd My Heart

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1Peter 2:24

Not much has changed since back in Peters’s time. He was writing to remind them. Even that word Shepherd had to conjure something within their minds. In the Old Testament was the promise to come and now God was speaking through Peter. “Remember guys keep your minds focused. “Remember the One who went before us that endured the suffering.” The One who was blameless but took it all on so that we could be made right with God is Jesus. The Word of God was meant to Shepherd us. And so many times I want to lead myself. So many times I choose my voice of over the Living One. And another day I hear the Lord, “Remember Angela you hold nothing return to me so I can guide you.”  “Lord forgive me.”

I read recently that our bodies carry the Word of the Lord. Not just ours but others around us. So many times I forget and get discouraged and the reminder to point me back to Jesus is said through someone else. The Spirit of God moving and revealing His truth in us. Have you ever thought of that? What kind of image does that bring to your mind? People God have surrounded us with His heart to remind us and instruct us in His ways. A gift from the Lord. And together we GET to live this way to every corner of Heaven on Earth. As One. 

“The greatest issue facing the world today, with all it’s heartbreaking needs, is whether those who…  are identified as “Christians” will become disciples, students, apprentices, practitioners, of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heaven to every corner of human existence.” Dallas Williard

Have I forgotten my Kingdom purpose and who leads me in that?

Jesus isn’t looking for me to shepherd and guide myself. He isn’t looking to expand His Kingdom through people that desire to guide themselves. He is looking for people with fully devoted hearts to do whatever that looks like in our daily lives. He is looking for people to follow whatever the cost. He says He will guide us and direct us and the enemy will say, “Don’t listen to Him just allow that thought to set in and determine what you think.” The enemy desires we see things through the lens of discouragement and stay in a place of believing nothing will ever change. And Jesus says, “Come and taste and see my Goodness.” “Feast of the Word of God.” 

So what voice will I listen to? The choice is mine.

Father,

When I picture that word Shepherd it brings to mind closeness. Staying close and abiding. Listening to your voice Lord is a daily practice. Allowing you to guide us remembering what traps lie around us. The lie of abandonment. The lie of not being in control. Your Word reminds us to come to you. To stay and sit and receive and that you take up our troubles. Allow that to be our focus. Thank you Jesus for being the Shepherd and Overseer of our Souls. 

Amen

 

Give Me Deep Roots

 

    Give Me Deep Roots

James 1:4 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete needing nothing. 

Oh the day when we will be fully complete lacking nothing! When our faith will be perfect. The enemy would love for us to stop all this believing, growing, and moving into action but God tells me to keep going. Keep growing in Him. 

Matthew 13:20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 

As a community we were asked to read the Scripture found in Matthew 13: 20-23. Jesus taught in parables and this particular one was helping them to understand the conditions of their hearts. When we hear the Word of God what do we do with it? The Word of the Lord is meant to Shepherd our hearts. The parable of the sower of seeds is a story I am familiar with, so when we started reading it together along with the ways the Lord desires to work within us, a story that I was familiar with started to illuminate things in my life that caused a stir within me. It would have been really easy to just consider myself all good when it comes to this story but when I started examining it from a different lens I started to gain a new perspective. If I stop learning and growing I am exactly where the enemy would love for me to be but when I continue to ask the Lord what this means He always reveals it those areas that cause that restlessness within me and as that is never a fun process to remove those things I can grow it isn’t a fun process. But in that realization are ways that can teach me to become more dependent on God. He wants my Full heart. 

How can I allow God to be fully present in my life? 

 Evaluating what this might mean in my spiritual heart is where the Lord was guiding me.  Words such as regrets, resentment, or bitterness were what I felt God was beginning to play out within my mind.  Those little things that hadn’t  been resolved. Hearing the truth and allowing that truth to plant something deep within my heart are two different things. And God was once again revealing as I spent time with this passage a situation that I was becoming bitter about. Not allowing His Presence to Shepherd my heart but once again trying to put my own thoughts into the situation.  And once again it was the remembrance He was guiding me in. Rocky ground doesn’t allow that deep remembrance of His Truth it is grabbing onto those justifications that have become stumbling blocks of what He desires. “Remember Angela my faithfulness with you” is the reminder of my heart to keep trusting and believing. He desires deep roots so He can grow in us more endurance and strength. 

What situation might He be asking you to allow Him to Shepherd you through? 

Lord, 

You lack nothing when it comes to your faithfulness for your children. I repent of my selfishness and waywardness when it comes to forgetting and becoming self righteous. Forgive us when brushing off things that you want to work within us to become more like you. Lay on our hearts and minds that situation or person that you are calling us to continue to pray on. Help us to remember everything you did for us. It is all for your glory Jesus so that others can know you. Give us a deeper understanding and a deeper faith that can only be found in you King Jesus.

Amen

New Life

  New Life

“When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and knelt down before him. And he cried out with a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you before God, don’t torment me! For he had told him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Mark 5:6-7

This demon possessed man met Jesus. The Bible says that he came out of the tomb where he was living and met him. He met Jesus and immediately the demons knew the name of Jesus. Jesus, Son of the Most High God.This is one of the stories I used to hear as a kid and imagine how it goes on to tell that Jesus commanded the demons out and they ended up going into a large herd of pigs into a steep bank into the sea and drowned there. But looking at it closer I noticed the,”demons begged him, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them. So he gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs. The demons begged Jesus. The demons had to ask permission.

The demons were driven out by the Master.

The Kingdom of God was on the move. Jesus was on the move and the story was being told through people that were desperate for the healing touch of Jesus and Jesus moved and healed, and cast out demons, resurrecting and telling them to go and tell how much the Lord had done for them. Always pointing back to the Father giving Him all the glory.

What are you running from?

Jesus knows what separates us. I recently read that our bodies tell the story of the Bible and God invites us to partner with Him through it. When we read the Word of God we ask, “What is your Word for me?” It is participating in what God desires to do within our hearts and minds. And this passage reminds my heart that Jesus met everyone. It didn’t matter how excluded they were or how long they were in bondage and how deep the evil was Jesus met them.

The voice of the Master commands whatever that is that is holding us back. But just as the Bible says, the man met Jesus. It is never forced. He never forces his hand for us to return but in that return there is something that can’t be explained. In the return is a life we could never have imagined. The Bible talks about that same demon possessed man who was seen sitting there, dressed in his right mind. Those that had tried to help him were not witnessing something they couldn’t explain. That man met Jesus because of his faith that he could heal him. The God of mountains is the God of the valley. His Mercy will always meet us in our messes. 

Father,

There is nothing better than your love. Your love is relentless and chases us down. That is my story. Things that bound me and chained me to my old life were let loose when I came and you met me in my mess. That is my prayer as I continue to write and share that others will know they are never too far gone. Thank you Jesus for new life. 

“Therefore, the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself, us to himself though Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18

Praise Positions Our Hearts

                                           Praise Positions Our Heart

“The LORD is my strength and song; he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2

God continued to use Moses to lead the Israelites through the wilderness. This is a song of praise they sang after God had delivered them once again from Pharoah. This display of His faithfulness parted the seas to give them dry ground as the Lord instructed Moses to stretch out his hand. The Bible says that Moses, “stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal depth. While the Egyptians were trying to escape from it, the LORD threw them into the sea.” Exodus 14:27

At the stretch of the LORD’s hand the enemy was once again defeated. So then they sang a song of praise. After they saw the great power of the LORD the people feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses. 

Praise positions us to enter the promises of God. As I read that recently I thought about these last four years. Receiving something as a diagnosis took something so unexplainable and showed me the Hand of God. It taught me to position my heart in a way that said, “I will praise you in the unknowns.” I will praise you for the outcome before it comes.” I remember early on thinking that I was never once abandoned when I turned from God and chose my own way so why would He abandon me now? The enemy will fight against us remembering this all the time. I am finding in those places of insecurities are the exact places that God shows us praise is how we defend our hearts. Declaring that our reason to praise isn’t because of what we have been given but because He who has given us things is the One in control of it all.

“Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your faithful love, because of your truth.” Psalm 115:1

I reflect back to that first Sunday after being diagnosed. Begging the doctors to push the testing to get me out in time for worship team practice. Things that happened in that week of getting diagnosed that didn’t make sense but were still opportunities to glorify His name. From the nurse that I shared with her, it had been so long since she had been to church from the doctors that just looked at me when I had that peace. From sitting in my hospital bed reading my diagnosis and knowing that before a word was said that what was going on was about to change everything . Peace in the middle of unknowns. His Hand on it and knowing that His Peace was surpassing all my understanding. 

Jesus demonstrated the posture of his heart towards us. We don’t trust God because He does what we want, we trust because He has already proven His love towards us. God’s Faithful love IS Jesus. It is an everyday saving Grace that is available every single moment of the day. 

Father,

You constantly care for us. Your hand is always upon us. When it is hard. When it doesn’t make sense. When it is increasingly harder living in this world that tells us none of this matters. Choosing your ways daily is allowing your Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us. We praise you for the outcome before it comes. We praise you for what you do in the middle of our messes. You are a Faithful God that cares for each and everyone on this earth. Help us to remember the Grace and Mercy you showed us when we look around. Position our hearts to praise you in our lives Jesus.

Amen

God Steps In

   God Steps In

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother casting a net into the sea-for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” Jesus told them," And I will make you fish for people.”

It is never easy stepping out and following Jesus. God’s plan all along was to step into human form and show us how to live and He did that through Jesus’s life. Sharing our lives in a way that makes the world not understand why we follow Jesus is the very thing we were called to do. Sharing the good news of how we have been saved and how His saving Grace is an ongoing thing is something we will have to get comfortable with. But sharing our lives gives others the opportunities to see what that really looks like. 

Vulnerable. One of the definitions I found of that word was being open and honest about your true self. The imperfections are what we want to hide away because of fear and rejection. Vulnerable was a word that was encouraged to be used with our middle schoolers that week during camp. Vulnerable even has this ring to it that makes me want to hide my face. It is the opposite of this world where we are told to cover up everything. Just look at social media and how that paints the picture of what we see daily.  Very rarely will you encounter someone being real with things for others to see. The pictures that are painted are “feel good” and “look how great my life is” but sitting with those kids this past week has been the reminder of how when we do share that opens up opportunities we would never have received had we not been vulnerable. Being open and honest about our true selves quiets the enemy and all his lies. Living true authentic lives allows others to see Jesus.

We carry the Presence of Jesus everywhere we go. Even with that Living Spirit we will have challenges and struggles living in our earthly bodies. I experienced this day four of that middle school camp. The heat intensified and the fatigue was setting in. I was following those students and had to sit down. The realization of what was occurring in my body was bringing me to a stop. So I found a shady spot and sat. The kids passed me by and I didn’t like it. I don’t like when I can’t control things. But I’ve learned that is when I need to release that control and allow others to step in. Following Jesus means that I’m never alone. And once again he showed up that day more times than I could count. And sharing how He did that in a way that others could see that in the middle of following Him.  

“Now this is what the LORD says- the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you Israel. “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

The one thing God has continued to show me is that He is in it all. As much as I want control I am not in control. Through MS He gives me things that will always challenge me and that becomes an opportunity for me to let go. Letting go allows Him to step in. We GET to share our stories and lives together how we step into all that God is doing in and through us. That is how this world will SEE Jesus. 

Father,

We can rely on your Presence. Your Presence is everywhere! If we open our spiritual eyes to see it comes in more ways than we can count. Thank you for the ability to share our lives with one another. Thank you, Jesus, for carrying us through all of it. Help us continue to follow you wherever you lead. It is all for you Jesus!

Amen

 

 

Don't Rush

 

 Don’t Rush

“For just as the rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11

I remember learning this verse early on when I started to discover the power of His Word. It was a snowy day and I could see how the snow was falling and covering the ground. It was one of those moments God was showing me through His creation how His Word was accomplishing things in and around me. How the promise of whatever I faced would still be me prospering and that what He sends out to accomplish is done in a way that covers me. That saturation would occur and my mind and heart could receive to know that kind of trust in the Lord.

It has always been His desire to dwell with us. It has always been His desire to invite me into the process of responding to His mercy and grace. But so many times I rush it.

I read recently that God’s timelines are often longer than we want and that is so true. “We live in a world that rushes, but worship a God who doesn’t. That’s not to say He’s slow. He’s patient.” Kyle Ransom

How do I rush the things of God?

I find myself lately asking more and more for quicker obedience. Not just myself but others around me. It sounds a bit like, “How much longer Lord? Please remove the obstacles that stand in the way.” When the reality is the Holy Spirit has to do that. Just as His Word provides, sows, and accomplishes it is the same way with the Holy Spirit. And when I rush it I am once again stepping into to tell God I know better instead of trusting He will do the work within that situation. 

His Word promises that it will sustain me. His Word brings life to dead situations. His Word covers, protects, clothes us with mercy and grace. His Word establishes Authority over all of our unknowns and falls upon our hearts and minds to remind us of who we belong to. It silences the roars and steadies our gaze upon the One that is worthy of all our praise. That same Word lives in us. Jesus.

So where do I need to start trusting God will accomplish what He desires and move out of the way?

Father,

Thank you that you care that much about us. Thank you for the gift of creation that reminds us of our Creator. When it doesn’t make sense fix our gaze on you. You establish the mountains by your power and are robed with Strength. Remind us Lord when we become distracted and rushed to receive answers. 

“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Fix our eyes on you Jesus.