Just Believe

Easier said than done, sometimes.

It was now hopeless. Jesus, occupied with healing another, didn't rush to Jairus' daughter's bedside.

Stop bothering the teacher anymore. She's dead. But Jesus ignored them and told her father, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

Sometimes, God doesn't work the way we'd like, so we have trouble believing. At least, I do.

Walking through loud wailing to her still little body, Jesus put out those who didn't believe. He held her hand and spoke life into her.  Eyes saucered and mouths hung loose as she stood up and walked around.

Jesus didn't heal her like He healed the hemorrhaging woman. Jairus could have gotten upset -- as might I. Fear gripped him, but he stayed close to Jesus. When I stay close to the Holy Spirit, He helps me recognize God's healing presence in my dilemma.

Christ may not heal now or here, but if I believe, I will encounter the hand that lifts me up from unbelief. I will see the piercings and remember God's ways are beyond mine.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

See account in Mark 5:21-42.

Have you brought Jesus your suffering?
Where do you find His presence and comfort?
What instructions might He be giving you?
How is this impacting your faith?

New Spring Colors

Spring outfits parade throughout retail fliers. The yellows and oranges draw our imagination to see if they would look good on us. Maybe we need new clothes for a fresh outlook.

Paul describes the soft colors of the Spirit: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (See Colossians 3:12-14).

Some old clothes don't only make us look bad. They are unbecoming and carry toxic fumes: sexual immorality, lust, greed, anger, malice slander, filthy language (See Colossians 3:5-9). They slowly pollute the our lives, create offense and hurt, create rifts and even escalate inner wars.

Let's get rid of them: no recycling, no accessorizing.

This spring I want my newest wardrobe item to be the peace of Christ.

I prefer to follow His fashions, let Him dress me as He sees me: holy and beloved.

Sometimes, the power of an old habit tries to redress me. As soon as I smell that old odor or recognize that dark fashion, I get rid of it. Again. And each time, I realize more clearly how it can drag me down.

Help me, Spirit of God. When I'm tempted to dig worry out of the trash heap, put Your colors in front of me. That old grave dress doesn't suit your resurrection in me.

Fill me full of your presence. You love me and know what I need, so I will trust You. I prefer Your colors.

They put a spring in my step.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Is there a new wardrobe item that God's Spirit is attempting to help you wear more?

What keeps you going back to an old, polluted outfit? How can you not only take it off, but keep it off?


You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being enewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (See Colossians 3:9-10).

Pray with Fresh Faith

http://www.outreachmagazine.com/features/4157-What-Happens-When-the-Church-Prays.html

The above link to Jim Cymbala's post was a good jolt for me.

In the article, What Happens When the Church Prays, Pastor Cymbala asks the question, Do we really believe God can draw anyone to Himself? 

I have been dragging my feet on corporate prayer. But I don't happily tame my prayer life. My heart needs passionate prayer. I need to pour out my heart to God and with others who want to see God break into our ordinary hum drum. If God doesn't show up, why bother trying hard for meager results?

I just had the privilege of speaking with an African follower of Jesus. She reminded me of the power of Christ that comes when God's people humble themselves and count on His power.

What might happen if we really believed that God would make a difference -- in our lives?  community? trouble spots?

And what would happen in me as God used me as part of the answer?

Do yourself a favor and read the article.

You'll be tempted to start praying with fresh faith.

Stouthearted

When I called, you answered me
You made me bold and stouthearted  (Psalm 138:3, NIV).

Don't you love the image? Stouthearted. A sturdy, stuffed heart bulging with God who's come to live in us.

Stouthearted is not a word I normally use, but I have been savoring it the last few days.

Helping care for our Mother who now needs around the clock care, looking for flexible work in a strange economy, watching people get blown up all over the world, knowing we are in precipitous times, these tempt me to wilt. My heart sometimes feels punctured. Deflated.

Walking around wilted and thin-hearted does little good. When I call out to the Lord He answers.

Sometimes God reveals a course of action or a scripture to pray. Sometimes I call friends to pray for and encourage me. Sometimes I quiet myself by leaning into Jesus' breast. I put my deflated heart against His sturdiness, breathe in heaven's breath, and let the Holy Spirit remind me of God's presence.

Then, like a pump steadily inflating a leaky tire, fresh strength flows into my heart. I'm able to go on. Stouthearted.

For Your Consideration

What does "stouthearted" mean to you?

What situations are deflating your strength. What do you need to ask God for?

Sometimes It Takes Darkness to Appreciate the Light

Darkest night helps us see billions of sparkling stars. But we can appreciate that treasure only if there are no obstructing clouds.

The dark night of the soul is like that. A heavy heart, a burdened mind, and a crushed spirit become opportunities to encounter powerful light when we bring each situation, each emotion to the cross of Jesus Christ.

When we come to the end of ourselves, exhausted from lugging burdens God did not design us to carry, we  lift our tear stained faces toward the Creator of both night and light. Even a limp reach for Jesus Christ with a genuine desire for reconciliation brings the wind of God's Spirit that blows those clouds out of the way.

God's prevailing grace wipes away our tears, forgives confessed sin, and reveals the marvelous power of the cross.


For Your Consideration

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 (Isaiah 42:16, NIV).

Can you celebrate a time when your darkness was changed to light as you called out for the LORD?

If you are currently under a dark sky, please call to your Lord Jesus Christ. He will send the Holy Spirit to help you.

Reactions to "A Taste of Love"

To every person who prayed for our spiritual refresher last Saturday a big THANK YOU!
A 'sweet, sweet Spirit was in the place' from the beginning of the day. At every turn I recognized answered prayers and remembered the large number of people who were praying with me.

It seemed Jesus was walking through the room as we worshiped, looked at Scripture, examined ourselves, and prayed for one another.

If you prayed for us, enjoy these comments as part of the fruit of your prayers also. We are incredibly blessed to be a part of drawing people to a fresh experience of God's transforming love.

You have no idea how much God blessed me by using you to minister to my heart on Saturday. From asking me to read Scripture aloud, to teaching me Lectio Divina, to encouraging me with your sweet words later.... you blessed my soul. Thank you! --Rachel


You took me away from the every day into His loving arms. Thank you, thank you. Loved your visuals, both the cross and crown and imagining being washed clean.... Thanks so much for all you do to help others grow in Christ. -- Jan


What a peaceful, but explosive, quieting, but invigorating day! Thank you Lord!!! -- Cynthia

I experienced God’s love through His people, through you, Paula, and in the way you presented a loving Heavenly Father. -- Carol

I would love have an opportunity to talk with you about planning and facilitating a spiritual refresher. If you contact me*, I'd be happy to brainstorm with you and discern how we might synchronize with the work God is already doing in your area! 

*Contact via comments on blog,  e-mailing me at transformingword@sbcglobal.net, or calling 765-284-2125.

New Lenses

Praying desperately for a full term baby...
Counting the days before you can escape danger whistling past your ear...
Offering to help an ailing parent who resents your help...
Agonizing over how to resolve conflicts in your church...
Begging God for relief at your spouse’s bedside...
Reminding your discouraged heart to look to the unseen...
Searching the scriptures in search of an encouraging word …

We all have crises where our expectations topple. Still, we reach for hope. We call out to God in desperation. And we pray for a good resolution.

A conflicted board meeting, tense operating room, slow grocery line, difficult conversation – all may be uncomfortable places where God offers us new lenses.

While we can’t always understand God’s ways in those times, experience discovers that God is trustworthy. Careful study and meditation in the scriptures give us new glasses -- and confidence in God’s goodness. Experience secures the glasses while we hold on to hope that only God can give. In our desert, we learn our Deliverer is trustworthy.

Just as God walked the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land, so our Deliverer walks us through pain and dashed expectations to a new geography replete with good provisions. Our precious Savior loves us and can work things together for good when we ask.

Journeying through the extremes of my desert, I rehearse God’s previous interventions. I'd encountered Christ's presence and was given new lenses to see my Deliverer making a way to accomplish His good promises.

My Lord will do it again. I just need to keep my glasses on, and hold tightly to His hand.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

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 (Isaiah 42:16, NIV).

See also Isaiah 55:9 and Romans 8:28.

Where do you get new lenses to more clearly see God's faithfulness and provisions? What scripture passages have shaped your view?

Recall a dark time when you encountered God's light. Spend 30 seconds in praise and thanksgiving for God's guidance, transformation, and presence.