What are YOU Learning....about the power of your words?

It's been a few weeks since I have joined my friend Gina at Chats with an Old Lady for "What are YOU Learning." I am so glad to be joining in today!

I have been studying the Gospel of Luke the past few weeks and have been enjoying it so much! Our wonderful God has given us such a gift....His Word. I LOVE the Old Testament as well as the New. But, when I read the Gospels, I am inspired and refreshed and encouraged like nothing else! It is amazing to watch our incredible Lord perform miracles, teach such pearls of wisdom, and speak such beautiful words. And, as I have been reading Luke, I have found there is so MUCH to learn! Each chapter....each passage....each verse is filled with so much! Thank You, Lord!

Father, I pray that You will give us deep insight into Your Word today. Thank You, God for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know You better!

I am just going to share on one very small part of Luke...chapter 1...BEFORE the birth of Jesus. First of all, let's get to know Luke a bit. He wasn't one of the 12 disciples...but he was a follower of Jesus. He says, "...I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning. It seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you..." He was a doctor. That brings so much revelation right there! He will "see" things a little differently than a fisherman or a tax collector! He will notice details and have an understanding of some things that someone who hasn't studied biology wouldn't.

He doesn't begin his Gospel with a genealogy (although he includes one in chapter 3). Instead, he sets the stage with the birth of John the Baptist. He begins by telling us about John's parents- Elizabeth and Zechariah. He says "both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." BUT there was one BIG problem with this couple- they hadn't had any children AND they were "well along in years."

If there is one thing I have seen in scripture- it is that it is NOT a good thing to be barren in Bible times! There is a stigma and SHAME that goes along with it.

Now, Zechariah was a priest. I have read that in those times, the priests would take turns doing different duties. But, it was a rare thing to actually be the priest to go into the temple to burn incense before the Lord. THIS is a HUGE thing! We don't always understand it because we have the privilege here in American to go into church anytime and as Christians, we enter into the Lord's presence anywhere. But, for Zechariah, this was the TOP honor in his duties in priesthood. I also have read that this honor was only once in a lifetime.

So, Zechariah's "division" was on duty and he was "serving as priest before God." Then, it was time to choose by lot who would go INTO the temple of the Lord. Drum roll please.....yep. Zechariah's lot was chosen. What a coincidence! NOT! I just LOVE reading about God's sovereignty! Let's draw straws to see who goes in today. Looks like you, Zechariah.

"All the assembled worshippers were praying outside the temple." I know that everything in the Bible is important, so I don't want to just slide past this without noticing. God's people were praying.

Meanwhile, inside, Zechariah is burning incense and Gabriel, the angel appears to him!

The Bible says he is "gripped with fear." But, the angel tells him not to be afraid. He then goes on to tell this man of God that he and Elizabeth, despite their old age will have a son. The angel tells him to name the son JOHN. And, then, listen to this! The angel says, "He will be a joy and delight to you..." What parent doesn't long to hear that???? This child will be a JOY and DELIGHT to them. Gabriel goes on, "and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth (or from the womb). Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. "

WHEW! Don't we all have great aspirations for our children? But, WOW...to know our child will save the Lost and be a source of great joy to many people! Isn't that thrilling????

Then, Gabriel goes on to say, "And he will go before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

This is amazing! Elijah is VERY important to the people of Israel and the angel tells Zechariah that his son will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah!

I was reading in Malachi, the prophet, and found this. "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers."Malachi 4:5-6

Since Zechariah was a priest and the Bible says he observed all the Lord's commands. I know he had to study. He surely would have recognized these words from the prophet!

So, here he is, in the temple of the LORD with an angel before him speaking words of the prophet, telling him about a miracle that God will perform through him and Elizabeth, taking part in an amazing plan of God....bringing many people back to the Lord! THRILLING!

So, how does Zechariah react? Does he jump for joy? Fall down on his knees? Raise his hands to worship the LORD?

Nope.

Zechariah doubts. He questions the angel, "How can this be??? I'm old. Elizabeth is old." What is unspoken is "This can't happen. Nope. Impossible."

Never mind that Abraham and Sarah had Isaac when they were 100! Never mind that God parted the Red Sea. Never mind that He put every star in place....the sun...the moon. Never mind that He created every living thing, made the mountains. Never mind that He keeps the oceans in storehouses. Never mind that He brings the rain, the wind....

Gabriel doesn't take this lightly. He says, "I'm Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news." He then tells Zechariah that he will be SILENT and not be able to speak "until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

I believe that there is POWER in our words. The Bible says that there is the power of life and death in our tongue. I believe that God did not want Zechariah to speak doubt and negativity over Elizabeth and this miracle. God would not ALLOW Zechariah to speak this over the situation. God doesn't let Zechariah even whisper this doubt to Elizabeth. Before Zechariah leaves the temple he is not able to speak.

This shows me for my own life, that I need to have faith, trusting in God's promises, no matter how WILD they may seem....AND I need to watch my words. If I am believing for a miracle, I can NOT speak doubt over it. I need to remember that with God, "all things are possible!"

Two other things I love about this story:

1. Elizabeth says, "In these days He (God) has shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." Having a baby took away her disgrace. I love that God takes away our shame!

2. Zechariah's faith is restored. Remember the angel told him to name his son JOHN? Well, this was unusual because there weren't any "Johns" in his family and it was custom to name children a family name. Zechariah still can't speak (and he is the head of the household) so when it is time to circumcise the baby and name him, the people were going to name the baby after Zechariah's father. Elizabeth spoke up and said, "NO! He is to be called John." They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name."

Then, it was Zechariah that WRITES, "His name is John."

We know that he believes! He could have named the baby anything, but he obeys what Gabriel had told him and names the baby John. Zechariah doesn't name the baby like everyone expects.

Guess what?

Zechariah's voice comes back! It was Zechariah's act of FAITH that brings his voice back. And, then when it returns, Zechariah uses it to PRAISE GOD with a beautiful song and prophesy.

Lord, fill my mouth with words of faith! In Jesus' Name I pray! Amen!

What are YOU learning?

One of my "life passages" is Romans 12:1-2.

Therefore, in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

This is my "ministry", helping women to see beyond the "here and now", entangled with this world's temptations and entanglements, and to live for God.

One of my favorite books is 1Peter where Peter writes a letter to a group of Christians suffering for their faith. He repeatedly tells them to live as aliens and strangers here on earth....holy and set apart for the Lord.

I love these passages! I understand these passages because I have experienced such a "love affair" with the world! I understand firsthand how important it is to "keep on top" of it....to purposely live transformed in my thinking- NOT CONFORMED to the world's attitudes.

These are issues I have battled and overcome.

So, when those "old feelings" surface again, it can be surprising and disarming!

Let me explain what happened.

I joined FACEBOOK. ('nuff said?)

As I looked around at many of my FB friends, I saw perfect bodies, perfect skin, perfect hair, perfect lives....

Many of these people I have not seen since high school...I don't know if they know the Lord...

One precious woman wrote that she was excited because the designer stiletto shoes she had been waiting for arrived.

I didn't even know the who the designer was!

Life on FB seemed glamorous....

living in Chicago, working in glamorous lives, looking glamorous....

I felt overwhelmed with a "I don't measure up" feeling.

I battled the same feelings a few years ago when I walked into a going away party for a friend. I was just dropping off a gift and didn't stay.

I had been gardening, so had on my shorts and t-shirt. I walked into party where the women were DRESSED for a party and dressed "to the nines."

I hadn't been prepared for the ultra expensive home, decorated like a magazine...

As I looked around, I felt inadequate...

Being a woman's speaker, I thought, "What could these women want from me? What do I have to offer them? They have it all! Why would they want to listen to what I have to say?"

This was the same feeling that came over me when I began exploring FB...

Of course, my BRAIN could make all of the correct arguments....

If these women don't have Jesus, then all of the material and worldly things won't make them happy... having a relationship with the Lord is more than anything here on earth.

I am not dependent on who I am in the world, but who I am in Christ.

I KNOW all these things in my head...

BUT...

it didn't change how I felt.

I had to go back to the Word (and to my Spiritual Mama!).

I called Donna and cried on her shoulder, telling her all of this.

And, she said something so wise.

She said, "Tracy, it is natural that you feel 'left out.' This is how we are SUPPOSED to feel as Christians...left out with ways of the world."

I hadn't thought of it that way before.

I am so familiar with 1Peter and "being strangers and aliens in the world." I know this world is not my home. The message translation says, "don't become cozy in it." But, I hadn't thought about "feeling left" out before.

Yes, it is hard at times to make Godly choices. And, sometimes I do feel "out of it" when I can't join the conversation because I haven't seen "that" movie...

or listen to secular music...

or watch popular (to the world) TV programs.

I am sure this is even harder for our daughters...

not watching MTV

or dressing MTV

or talking MTV

or staying pure, unlike MTV....

The NKJ translation says we are PECULIAR people! We SHOULD feel peculiar...

But, sometimes, it FEELS peculiar to be peculiar...

I guess that is why Paul says in Romans 12:1 to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice." It will be a sacrifice at times to not conform to the world. At times it will feel uncomfortable to not conform to the world.

1Peter 2:113-16: So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. (I lived such a worldly life before Christ. God tells me to NOT slip back to that old way of living!) But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

3:1- 12: So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, (if Jesus was rejected by the world, why would I be surprised by feeling uncomfortable in it?) but He was chosen by God for great honor.
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,
“The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”
And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (there will be a battle...these desires war against my soul!) 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Please visit Gina at Chats with an Old Lady for more What are YOU learning!

What are YOU learning?

WELCOME BACK to another week of "What are YOU Learning?" hosted by Gina at Chats with an Old Lady.

This week, I am going to begin a "study" under the theme of "Does it REALLY matter????"

At my small group Bible Study we have been discussing eternity and life here on earth. We listened to a great song, Motions, by Matthew West that prompted a question, "Does it matter if we just 'go through the motions'? Does it matter if I live passionately for God, or can I just blend in with the world...doing what 'everybody else is doing'? Why does it matter how we live? IF we're saved, then we're all going to Heaven, so what's the difference?"

Whew! As you can imagine, there is so much to discuss...so much scripture to apply! So, I am going to take the next few weeks and look at a different aspect and different scriptures.

Why does it seem like the ungodly or unbelievers have it "great"? Or even some Believers who rebelliously live in sin- and "get away with it"? Why does it seem like some Believers have a tough time while ungodly neighbors or friends seem "blessed"- everything is going well for them?

My friend reminded me of one of my favorite Psalms- Psalm 37.

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (verses 1- 7)

God doesn't want us to "fret" or worry about this! When WE delight ourselves in God, He will give us the desires of our hearts...when WE trust in Him and DO GOOD, we will enjoy God's safety, when we COMMIT our lives to Him, He will make our righteousness shine.

But, Tracy, this is what we just said, I look around and this is NOT HAPPENING!

Verse 7 says to WAIT patiently for God. We may not SEE the fulfillment of this until eternity. We have to remember that THIS EARTH is not our home.

Look at the first verse. God says "like the grass they will soon wither, like GREEN plants they will soon die away." Grass is lush and green in the Spring and in the Summer...but it eventually turns brown and withers. Think of green plants. I love tulips. They have beautiful green leaves. But, eventually the leaves turn brown.

Think of John 15. Jesus says that He is the true vine. We are the branches. God, the Gardener cuts away every dead branch. We have to be connected to THE VINE to thrive.

We had a live Christmas tree. It was a beautiful spruce....fragrant, green, lush. A week after New Year's, I took the tree down, put away the ornaments and put the tree out to the curb to be taken away, cut up and used as mulch. When it was out at the curb, the kids asked if we could just put it in the ground. Could we just plant it in dirt?

No. It had been cut away from the vine, the roots.

Even though it still looked green, it was dead. There was no life.

The "evil men" are connected to the True Vine. They will wither. They will die. But, they may be green for a while...

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret- it leads only to evil.

For evil men will be cut off,

but those who hope in the LORD

will inherit the land.

I am reminded again that because I TRUST in HIM, not myself, not the world, not the "wisdom" of the world, I will inherit the land! I have an inheritance in Him! I have an eternal future. In this world, I may endure suffering, but there will be a day when "He wipes away every tear."

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;

though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land

and enjoy great PEACE. (10-11)

I will enjoy great peace!

And, in case you think that God doesn't notice:

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;but the LORD laughs at the wicked,for He knows their day is coming. (12-13)

God is a righteous, Holy God. He doesn't excuse the behavior of the wicked. It is so important to ponder a few things. First, it is NOT GOD'S DESIRE that the wicked perish. It is His will that no one would perish! But, He gave us free will and allows us to make our own choice. He doesn't force us to choose Him. He doesn't force us to love Him. And, secondly, we don't have to fight our own battles. WE don't have to "worry" or "fret" about what is right, what is wrong, why are the "wicked" getting away "with it"! Leave it to God. Keep YOUR EYES on Him....you delight in Him....

And, He is watching that as well....

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;for the power of the wicked will be broken,but the LORD upholds the righteous.The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither;in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. (16-19)

"...the days of the blameless are known to the LORD..." God is watching. He is "keeping track" of the good things you are doing. Your inheritance will endure forever. Your passion, your "walking blameless" follows you forever into eternity- it endures FOREVER! I WILL NOT WITHER!!!! I am attached to the True Vine....I get my life from Him.

But the wicked will perish:

The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they
will vanish- vanish like smoke.

Again, God gives us a visual. The wicked will perish. But, first, they will be beautiful. Think of a field of wildflowers or tulips. Imagine its beauty. The wicked will have a time where you look at them and it seems great...beautiful, successful, everything going their way, "the universe is blessing them". But, look what happens. It vanishes like smoke. Smoke and mirrors. Smoke is ugly, choking, can't breathe, can't see, then it is gone.

If the LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm;
though he STUMBLE, he will not FALL, for the LORD upholds him with His
hand.I was young and now I am old; yet I have never seen the
righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

They are always generous and lend freely;

their children will be blessed.

Turn from evil and do good;

then you will dwell in the land forever.

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.

They will be protected forever,

but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

the righteous will inherit the land and dwell forever.
(23-29)

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; He is
their stronghold in times of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them;

He delivers them form the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in Him. (39-40)

Father, thank You that You are always watching over me. When I read this Psalm, I am again reminded that I must tell others about You! You don't want one to perish. You forgive a person, no matter how "wicked" they have been. You have forgiven me in my wickedness! I am the chiefest of sinners! Help me to shine Your Light to everyone around me. Lord, help me to not fret or worry when life doesn't seem fair. I purpose to keep my eyes off of the "wicked" wondering why they have it so "easy," and keep my eyes on You! I remember, Lord, that I have an ETERNAL inheritance. When I walk blameless, keeping my eyes on You, You remember. It follows me into eternity. Lord, thank You for Your Word. I love You, Lord.

Please visit Gina at "Chat with an Old Lady" to what she is learning!

What are YOU learning?

Wow! I am getting a late start this morning! But, I wanted to continue to join Gina at Chat with an Old Lady....so "better late than never" as my mama says!

I was pondering Deuteronomy 11:18-21:

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your
hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children,
talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when
you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your
houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be
many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the
days that the heavens are above the earth."


The funny thing is...I hadn't been "studying these verses recently. But, that's what "hiding His Word in our hearts" is all about. It becomes a part of us. The Holy Spirit will put us in remembrance of verses when we need them!

Anyway, I have been thinking about these verses because I have been purposefully teaching my kids His Word, "talking about them when we sit and walk, lie down and get up." We have always talked about the Word, talked about God, watched movies like Veggie Tales, sang Christian songs....

BUT amazing things have been happening when I have taken the NEXT step- really TEACHING the Word, talking about what it means, using it in everyday situations....

It all began with Edie when she shared how she teaches her grandchildren bible verses with a reward system. My kids have TAKEN OFF with this! We have been learning a new verse almost daily. The kids even initiate learning the verse first thing in the morning ("When you get up") even if I don't remember (you see, that candy is a GREAT motivator!) But, then, all through the day, driving to school ("walking along the road"), setting the table (when you sit at home), and tucking them in at night (when you lie down). We have had wonderful conversations about the WORD!

Wednesday we learned 1John 3:18, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." We talked about how LOVE means more than saying "I love you," but how LOVE is an action. We talked about what this LOOKS like in life. They got the "obvious" things, like "reading the Bible, praying, going to church." They got the "big" things we do- sponsoring a child through Compassion International. and visiting the nursing home. But, loving in actions means the "little things" that maybe no one else may notice. We went "deeper" and discussed things like being nice to kids at school, even when they aren't nice back, using kind words, saying I'm sorry, forgiving others.....

We also did something else really fun when I tucked in the kids (when you lie down). I told them about something I like to do sometimes during my prayer/worship time when I am out walking in the mornings. I like to think about God and His names and attributes using the alphabet. I go through the alphabet and think of a word that represents God using each letter. For example, A is for AWESOME, B is for BEAUTIFUL, C is for CARING...... Well, personally, I have not usually gotten past G or H...but the boys and I went all through to Z!!!!

I am learning, as I grow as a Christian, to teach my children about God. God is part of every moment of my life! I have a RELATIONSHIP with Him and He is the most important part of me. Unless I share that with my family, they won't know. They can't "read my mind." I am beginning to open up my own personal relationship with them. It's weird- I will share all of these truths with women when I am speaking or on my blog, but sometimes I would FORGET to share these truths with my own family! Or, life would get busy and we would be running here and there..... God is always a part of everything, from Christian radio to prayer, but (and I don't know if I am explaining this very well!) I am beginning to share my very most intimate, personal aspects of my relationship with God with them. I have been making my "silent" prayers in my head OUT LOUD prayers.

AND, I have been so much more intentional about teaching them the Word daily! We discuss what it "looks like" in everyday life.

Moms, our generation has gotten into a VERY BAD habit of sitting back and letting our church or Christian school do all of the teaching. We think they are getting what they need there and we have released our position as "teacher" to them. But, God is very specific telling us it is OUR responsibility to teach our kids ALL THE TIME!

Lord, may I always tie these Words of Yours on my heart and mind! May my children seek You and Your Word. May Your Word be part of every fiber of our beings! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen!

Please visit Gina to see what SHE is learning! And, I would love to hear what YOU are learning!

What are YOU learning?

This week, as I prepare to speak at a women's conference on Saturday, I am going to post a section of my talk on "prayer." I wrote the message, "A Transformation of the Heart," about five years ago. In preparing, God led me to revise it, writing a bible study to accompany the talk. It is amazing the NEW things God teaches you each year. I didn't agree with some of the things I formally did. As I matured and grew in the Word and my knowledge of Him, some of my thoughts matured as well! The theme verses of the talk are Psalm 37:4-7.

Here is a portion of the talk on PRAYER:

Let’s go back to our key verse, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” For me, that is the hardest part of prayer- being STILL and waiting for Him patiently. It’s hard for me to be still for anything. And PATIENTLY WAIT? I NEED MY ANSWERS NOW! But, if we are always are talking and never listening, God can’t speak and be heard BY us.

One way that God talks to us is through his Word, the Bible. We must search out his will for our lives by reading it. If you want to pray, but don’t know where to start, take heart. Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints (that means you and me), in accordance with God’s will.”

There are times when I feel lonely or sad or depressed. I’m not sure why, or even if there is something wrong. Those are the times that I continually go back to that scripture and ask the Spirit to intercede for me, to pray for me because God knows my heart better than I know my heart. He created my heart. God knows what I need and what I desire, even before I do. The Spirit will search your heart and reveal to you what you need to pray.

There are often times that God calls to us. He wants US to seek Him out- to go to Him. He wants a relationship with us. We are programmed at birth to need him. God has placed eternity in our hearts and we have a space within our hearts that only God can fill. I am reminded of college life when I would get so lonely and homesick at times I would call home just to hear the sound of my mom’s voice. I physically felt a longing, a yearning. That is how we are with God because we are His creation. Our souls yearn for God and there is a yearning inside of us to grow close to our Creator. David says in Psalm 63, “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Unfortunately, in today’s “me-centered” impatient society, we tend to fill this desire, this longing, with a “quick fix,” a chocolate brownie, a shopping spree, a margarita, TV shows, or gossiping on the phone. We think these worldly pursuits will fill us up, make us feel better, and quench the thirst we are experiencing. These invitations look so appealing. The world claims we will experience fulfillment and satisfaction. And, we want instant gratification. We don’t want to wait for God. We don’t want to be still and be patient.

We want to control our lives, to take care of ourselves, and pamper ourselves. We don’t like this uncomfortable feeling of denying ourselves and allowing our spirits to feel pain, longing, or loneliness. We think it is WRONG if we are feeling any pain or sorrow, and we try to fix it immediately with our own ways. So, instead of going to God, opening the Bible, going to the Lord in prayer, we try to fill ourselves- this yearning, this need by ourselves- or with the world’s methods. These methods will always leave us feeling dissatisfied, longing for more.

Jesus offers us such a better way! While talking to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), Jesus talks about “living water.” He points out the “world’s water”- the water of the well, and says, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.” Isn’t that true of our “water?” Food, exercise, TV, possessions, or praise from man never satisfies us. We continually want more and more until our desire becomes insatiable, sometimes consuming us. Jesus tells the woman at the well, “But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The spring is inside you waiting to be tapped into. In order to fill up on this water, we have to get quit before the Lord in prayer. That is the hard part- being still!

But, we don’t want to be still. We can’t get off of our cell phones long enough to be still. Have you ever stood in line at Blockbuster or Target, just watching and listening? People everywhere in caught up in their own private conversation on cell phones. We are so afraid of being alone and being still, we can’t even grocery shop without talking on the phone! The Lord says, “Be still and know that I am God.” We must patiently wait for the Lord. We need to give ourselves to the Lord, be still, and quietly wait for him.

In Hosea, God says, “Therefore, I am going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.” God is talking to you! He wants to speak tenderly to you. But, why does He need to lead us to the desert before He can speak to us? We are so distracted and caught up in the world. God needs to get us alone, away from telephones and commitments, away from the busyness of life. Then, He can speak and be heard.

We need to be still before the Lord so that we can hear Him! God wants YOU. He wants a relationship, a living, breathing, relationship with you and prayer is the way to that relationship. Does this seem too hard? Deuteronomy 30:11 tells us how easy having that relationship is, “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will ascend into Heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so that we obey it?’ No, the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart so that you may obey it.”

You may think that you have to be a minister or this magnificent person to pray. You may think you have to use lofty, eloquent words. You may not quite be sure HOW God wants you to pray. You may think there is a set of rules or a magic formula to prayer. You cry out,

“Father, should I pray in the morning or in the night?
Should I pray in the darkness or in the light?
Should my eyes be open or should they be closed?
Should my prayers be spontaneous, or they should be posed?
Can I sit? Or should I be on my knees?
Which is the way in which you would be pleased?
And He said, ‘My child, I love you. This is true.
It does not matter how, just that you do.
Come before me and be still, with heart open wide,
Ready to listen and be by my side.”

Praying is just a relationship with God- loving Him and going to Him for everything. God is our Abba, Father, our God, our Creator. There isn’t a right way or a wrong way to pray. We need a natural relationship with God. Praying shouldn't’ be difficult. It shouldn’t be something we only do for a few minutes on Sunday morning. It shouldn’t be a chore or an inconvenience. Prayer should be a JOY- we are communicating with The Most High God! We GET this opportunity to grow closer to our Father, to develop a relationship with our Creator.

If you need help getting started, start by reading the book of Psalms in the Old Testament in the Bible. These are beautiful songs and prayers, many written by David, “a man after God’s own heart.” They are full of praise and thanksgiving.

Psalm 66 sings, “Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious!" Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe before You. All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You, they sing praise to Your name.” Psalm 89 praises, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You established Your faithfulness in Heaven itself.” And, I love to pray Psalm 100, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

In many psalms, David is suffering. Sometimes he is innocently being chased and other times experiencing pain after sinning. He says to God, “You lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the muck and mire.” Who hasn’t felt that? When we aren’t sure what words to pray, Psalms offers so many cries to the Lord. Psalm 102 laments, “Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to You. Do not hide Your face from me when I am in distress. Turn Your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.” Human emotion hasn’t changed over time. We can relate to the authors of the Bible. We feel what they have felt. Praying scripture is so powerful and so helpful when we are at a loss of what to say in our prayers. Scripture can help us “get a handle” on the words to pray.

There are times we feel betrayed, persecute, or unfairly accused. David felt this as he ran away from King Saul for many years. Often, he would have to run for his life, hiding in caves. Sometimes, we also feel persecuted or harassed unjustly. Psalms offers prayers for these emotions, too. David cries out in Psalm 109, “O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues. With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause.” David finishes his prayer twenty verses later by again praising the Lord. He prays, “With my mouth I greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng I will praise Him. For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.”

In Psalm 140, David prays, “Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; protect me from men of violence.” Even when David was hiding in a cave, he put His trust in the Lord, saying in Psalm 142, “I cry out to You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.’ Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need.” David goes to the Lord in times of need, in times of sadness, in times of desperation, in times of joy and jubilation. David always praises the Lord, no matter what trial he is facing. His prayers begin and end with praising the Lord. They are great examples for us during our own personal prayer time.
And I love Psalm 104, “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.”

What are distractions in your life that draw you away from God?

Prayer
Father, help me to pray. “May the meditations of my heart and the words of my heart be pleasing to You, O God.” You know my heart and my needs and desires. Give me a heart, Lord that hungers and thirsts for You. Bring me into a deep relationship with You. I know the best way to do that is through prayer. Help me to pray. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Please visit Gina at Chats with an Old Lady for more thoughts on what we are learning!

What are YOU learning?

Last week I joined Gina, from Chats with an Old Lady for a great new meme, "What are YOU learning?". We share what God is teaching us from the Word.



This week I have been preparing to speak at a woman's conference on Jan. 31st, so I have spending time rereading my message on HEART TRANSFORMATION! I would like to share with you a small part of this message for what I am learning this week. It's funny, even when we know certain Truths, we still need to be refreshed. That is why it is SO IMPORTANT to be continually washed in His Word! God falls afresh on us, opening His Word and enlightening our hearts. May the "eyes of my heart be enlightened!"

This part of the talk is about having a "Committed Heart" for the Lord!

1Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to
abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” Another
translation puts it like this, “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t
make yourselves cozy in it. DON’T INDULGE YOUR EGO at the expense of your
soul. (Message)

So many of us are too cozy, too comfortable in the world! We accept too many things that are not glorifying to God. We think that they are okay because they are politically correct, or because our friends think they are okay. We’ve relaxed our standards. We’ve gone away from God’s standards and used the world to guide our decisions, ideals, and morals.

We have become too cozy in the world, too comfortable with its morals. We have been distracted, deceived, and led astray by our longings for the worldly.

Do we seek the presence of God or the approval of the world? Our generation has been on a pursuit of perfection- perfect skin, perfect bodies, perfect husbands, perfect children, the perfect career or volunteer “career,” and the perfect model home. In the process, we have traded in what is “perfect” for God’s best in our lives. We have missed out and gotten “sucked in.” But that time is over!

I believe God has a call on this generation of women to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to change this generation and to teach the next generation of women. God is raising up women who have hearts desiring change.

Change begins with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:5 says, “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Paul continues in verse 13, “By the Spirit put to death the misdeeds of the body and you will live.” And Galatians 5:16, “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

We can never do this on our own or in our own strength! We have a still, small voice that helps us and guides us. The Holy Spirit helps us to make choices between right and wrong. We need to start listening! Our choices in life need to glorify God. Even little things like the TV shows we are watching need to be pleasing to God! We need to ask ourselves with every choice, “Would Jesus buy this magazine? Would God like this movie, or would He be embarrassed by it?”

You may be wondering why little things like TV shows matter so much. You may be thinking, “I’m not hurting anyone watching this show. I’m just relaxing. It’s only TV. The kids are in bed. I'm an adult. It doesn’t matter.”

But the Bible warns us to be careful. Peter tells us “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Imagine yourself lying on the couch later at night , flipping channels and being drawn to MTV or a immoral reality show. You allow the channel to linger there for awhile, even though you feel a tinge of discomfort. You reason with yourself that watching these shows couldn’t be harmful. When you are drowsy and inattentive, you become easy prey for the enemy. Lions usually hunt at night, and there you are at night, feeding on worldly filth, allowing it to penetrate your heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” Don’t fill your eyes with images of the world that can never be erased. Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Guard what goes through your eyes into your heart! These reality shows are making a mockery of marriage and God’s plan for our best. We have shows that tell us that God’s creation isn’t nearly good enough, so we will change it by having several plastic surgeries. It is so easy to be sucked in to these shows, and then to change our ideals and morals to fit with what we are watching. Every choice we make should bring God glory.

Listen now to the Spirit of God. Ask the Lord to help you seek Him, not the world. Please pray with me.

Father God, I give You all glory and honor and praise! I thank you for your Word to help me and I thank You for Your Spirit to guide me. I pray God that you would open the eyes of my heart. I pray that You would give me a Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I may know You better. I pray, Lord, that You will help me seek You out, not the world. Help me God to store up my treasures in Heaven, not here on earth. I pray that I would have ears to hear You and a heart to follow You. Your Word says I am strong in the Lord. Give me a boldness, Lord and a confidence to be strong in You and for you. Help me to listen to the Holy Spirit and to make every choice with You in my heart. Remind me always to ask, "Does this bring God glory?” Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

What are YOU learning?

I would like to invite you to participate in a new meme on Fridays hosted by my dear Sister, Gina from "Chats with an Old Lady." Gina is challenging us to be in His Word on (hopefully) daily basis, come together, and share what God is teaching us through His Word. If you haven't been over to Gina's blog, please stop over ASAP. She is "Proverbs 31 woman," full of wisdom with a humble heart, seeking the Lord with all of her heart. She shares what she is learning openly and honestly. I am very excited about this new meme encouraging us to grow in His Word and share what He is teaching us.



I have been studying the book of Jonah and really enjoying it! I am on chapter 1, taking it very slowly and finding SO MUCH truth in each verse.



Jonah Flees From the LORD

1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."
7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"
9 He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."
10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)
11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"
12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.



Boy, as I read about Jonah's rebellious heart, I see myself. God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh to "cry against it." Does Jonah obey? No! He rose up to flee to Tarshish- the opposite direction to Ninevah.



Oh, Lord, how many times when You tell me to do something do I do the opposite? How many times "do I flee from the presence of the Lord?"



Well, Jonah found a ship to take him to Tarshish, relaxed a bit, went down into the hold of the ship, and....FELL ASLEEP!



I blogged about this on Wednesday for Word-Filled Wednesday. Please take a moment to SCROLL DOWN to WFW to read about sleeping through the storm.....



When Jonah wakes up to find a storm raging around him, the crew cast lots to find out "on whose account this calamity has struck." Of course, the lot falls on Jonah.

Jonah confesses....and then takes responsibility for his sin.

He tells the crew to throw him overboard so that the sea will calm.

I love this part of Jonah's story. I love that although Jonah made many mistakes and rebelliously runs away from God, he takes responsibility and confesses his sin.

My prayer is I have a repentant heart, willing to confess my sin...willing to take responsiblility for my sin. May I say, "throw me into the sea!"

Other things I learned through this passage:

God wants to do great and mighty things through US. He tells Jonah to go to Ninevah, a great and wicked city. Jonah had the chance to be used in a great and mighty way by God- to help save a GREAT and WICKED city.

Oh, Lord, how I want to be used mightily by you!

I see that God CARES about disobedience. He "follows" Jonah and sends a storm to get Jonah's attention. God isn't content to turn his head and ignore Jonah's rebellion. (I wonder how often I get lazy and ignore my children's disobedience because it is easier.)

I also see that God is FORGIVING. He doesn't allow Jonah to drown, but sends a whale to swallow Jonah. He gives Jonah another chance to obey His command.

I love that Jonah is the whale 3 days. Jesus is in the tomb for 3 days. I love that the WHOLE bible, Old and New Testament, points to JESUS!

What is God teaching you through His Word? Won't you please comment and share. Or....maybe you would like to post about it. Either way, please visit have a "chat with an old lady" and visit Gina's blog for more on His wonderful Word!