My daily devotions are something that I love!  I find strength for the day and hear God speak to me through his inspired word, the Bible.  This morning my husband and I went to Starbucks before work to enjoy a time of devotions together.  When we do devotions, we use the SOAP format:  we read Scripture, write an Observation, Application &  Prayer.  Here’s my SOAP from this morning.

S:  Psalm 105:4 says:

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually !”

O:  As a kid, I remember one of my favorite games was Hide and Seek.  The point of this game is that one person hides with the intention of NOT being found and the other person counts to 100 (without peeking) to allow the person to hide, and then begins an urgent and diligent search for the one that hid.  This means opening cupboards, checking beneath beds and behind doors, in the closets…for the hidden one has to be found before the game is over.  The one who is seeking to find the hidden person is doing so with all diligence.

Just as the kids seek and search for the hidden one, so also we are instructed to seek the Lord, seek His strength, and seek his presence.  This means that we do so with all urgency and diligence.  The great difference between the kids game of “Hide and Seek” and us seeking the Lord is that He will make Himself to be found.  He wants to be found by us!  We see so many references to this in the Bible. One of them is found in Jesus’ words:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds , and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8

But you may ask, what does it really mean to seek the Lord?  Seeking the Lord is simple: it’s both a desire and an intentional step of walking in cadence with His will for your life. When we seek the Lord, we seek what it is that He wants for us.  When we seek his strength, it’s because we acknowledge our weakness and inability to do anything in and of ourselves.  When we seek His presence, it’s an intentional choice to live our lives for Christ and die to the struggles and desires of our flesh.

Moreover, Psalm 105:4 ends with the word continually.  We are instructed to do these things on a continual basis.  This means that we don’t make one decision to seek him, seek his strength or presence, but that we make continual decisions to seek for these things and to walk in step with where he is taking us.

A:  What does this mean for my life?  I acknowledge that of late I am worn down by some things that have taken place in my life and ministry.  I acknowledge my weariness and weakness.  Yet I also acknowledge my calling in life and ministry.  I MUST be intentional.  I MUST urgently and diligently search for the Lord, for his strength and for his presence in my life.  Moreover, I MUST choose to walk in cadence with His will for my life – that I would continually walk in the light of His presence.

P:  Father, I thank you for this reminder of where my strength must come from.  I am nothing without you o God.  I can do nothing without you.  I seek you o Lord.  Strengthen me to stand, that I may continue in the life and ministry to which you have called me.  Help me to walk in cadence with your Spirit, continually.  In Jesus’ mighty name ~ Amen.

My SOAP from Saturday is below.  SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.

S:  John 17:15,18

“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one…As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

O: This Jesus’ prayer to the Father regarding those who are his (his current disciples) and those who will believe upon Him (vs20).  Just as there was purpose in Jesus coming to the world, through He was not of it…so also there is purpose in Him sending us into the world: to be His representatives, displaying His likeness, His love, His power and authority.  He prays to the Father for us, not that we would be taken from the world to which He has sent us, but that God would keep us from the evil one while we are here.  There is a real enemy of our souls; one that is in dominion over this world for now, and he desires to grasp onto us and snatch us from God that we would no longer be a threat to him.  For our enemy knows that Jesus overcame and gives us the power to overcome as well!

There is significance in this:  Jesus prayed this prayer for us.

A: Jesus says He sent me into the world. He has established purpose for my life.  He has placed me exactly where He wants me in time and location.  I am called and appointed, as a child of God, to be His representative to a world in desperate need of a savior, my savior Jesus Christ.  I must live my life with this in mind, this thought always before me.  And I must daily allow God’s inspired God-Breathed Word (2 Tim 3:16-17) to sanctify me through and through, that I would be strengthened in resolve to STAND against the enemy of my soul.

P: Father, thank you for giving me understanding of your scripture.  To know that Jesus prayed for me, to know that you are keeping me from the evil one and sanctifying me through your word – I am humbled.  Father, mold me into the likeness of you son, that the world may see Jesus.

~ Rebecca

These past weeks have been filled with many highs and lows, with a sense of hope and a sense of desperation.  I have a business that I have put my life into.  This business was not just any business, but a ministry to so many lost, hurting and broken women in our community.  Women would come with the intent of physical health, and would also receive spiritual and emotional health.  I can’t even begin to count the number of times I was able to pray with hurting women, give a word of encouragement or exhortation, and lead someone to the loving arms of the Savior Jesus.  Many of the members here consider this place a refuge amidst the storms of their life.  (Not my words, but theirs).  This business has existed solely to minister to the needs of women in this community and lead them to Jesus.  

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However, my husband and I moved away almost one year ago.  We tried to sell the business with no luck.  We tried to hang onto it hoping that it could still be a blessing to women in this community, but we were no longer able to sustain it.  About a month ago, my husband and I prayerfully made the decision to close the business.  That decision was met with what I feel is the favor of the Lord.   I alerted my landlord of our decision, and he released me of all future financial obligations – I’d call that favor!   Since the decision was made, we have begun the process of closing our business, as well as making a final attempt to give away our business to someone who can run with it and make it a successful venture for themselves, carrying on the vision of making women healthy spirit, soul and body.  

We are in the final stretch of closing our business this Friday, yet I have women that are seriously considering the take-over of my business.  This is a time where my trust has to be in the Lord.  This is a time where I feel burdened, but my hope must be in the Lord.  He must remain on the throne of my heart, even in the midst of trial.  

As I was reading my Bible this morning, I came across a Psalm that seemed to speak to me where I’m at- Psalm 55.  I was specifically struck by what this verse says:  

Cast your burden on the Lord , and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.   –  Psalm 55:22

Right now, I feel the burden of being in limbo.  I don’t know if in fact I am closing my business on Friday or if it will be transferring to a new owner.   It is an emotional roller coaster.  Yet I am encouraged.  It is so wonderful to know that I can cast my burden on the Lord and He will sustain me through this.  I don’t have to go it alone.  Even  more, he doesn’t want me to go it alone.   What a great God!

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As of now I don’t know if we will close or transfer, but I do know the one who does.  I don’t know wether to prepare for closure or prepare to walk away at the end of this week, but I will cast my burden on the one who does, and he will sustain me.  Either way, God is still my provider.  Either way, God will remain on the throne of my heart.

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As I was in my quiet time with the Lord, I came upon this verse: Psalm 27:8.  The psalmist David writes

You have said, ‘Seek my face.’

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My heart says to you,  ’Your face, Lord, do I seek.’”  (ESV)

Another translation says it this way:

My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’
   And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming.’”   (NLT)

This is the state of a heart that is open to God.  Open to his great love, open to his mercy, open to his discipline, open to his refining, open to his shaping.  This is the state that I desire for my heart at all times.  

So often, we get inundated with the noise of life.  For me, it’s things like twitter, facebook, emails, business, church, etc.  I’ve noticed a trend lately: when I arise in the morning, I find myself checking my emails, facebook and twitter to see what I’ve missed.  When I go to bed at night, again I am checking these applications to make sure I didn’t miss anything throughout the day.  But God would say to me “Come and talk with me; seek my face.”  Don’t get me wrong, I do spend time in His Word on a daily basis.  I even spend time in prayer; yet I need to adjust my priorities.  The first and last thing I do during the day should not reflect a love for this world, rather should be to spend time with the one who loved me first, my Lord and Savior.   

The Psalmist says in verse 4 “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”  David had it right: his intent was to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and inquire in his temple.  In the Old Covenant, the temple was the place that housed the glory of the Lord, the shekinah presence.  So David was saying, my desire is to constantly be in the presence of the Lord, to never leave it, to sit in awe of His presence and to seek His counsel at all times.  

What’s so amazing about God is that He wants us to be in His presence at all times, He even invites us to be enter into His presence.  He made available the way for us to have access to Himself by the ransom of His only son Jesus who paid the price for our sins and paved the way to restored relationship with Father God.  It is because of His Great Love for us that Jesus came, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again to defeat death, hell and the grave.  He did this so we could be restored to God and have relationship in His presence.  

So what does all of this mean?  It’s simple:  I resolve to keep God on the throne of my heart.  As He calls to me and says “Seek my face”  my heart will respond “Your face Lord do I seek” and my actions will reflect this heartfelt response.

As I was reading in Mark recently, I was struck by one verse: Mark 5:27(ESV).

She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.

In this passage, Mark writes about a woman who had been sick with a specific issue for 12 years. In that time, she had spent all that she had in order to try to remedy the issue. She sought the help of multiple physicians, yet grew worse rather than better. This woman was at her last straw. She most likely was hopeless, believing she’d live with this condition for the rest of her life. Yet the Word states so simply “she heard the reports about Jesus.” Those reports are what we call testimonies. A testimony is an assertion offering firsthand authentication of a fact, or a first-hand report. It doesn’t say that she heard the (singular) report, or a couple reports, but she heard the reports about Jesus. This implies many. And it brings up a significant factor. People were telling their friends and family of their first-hand encounters with Jesus, the Christ. People who had encountered Jesus were changed. Some were healed, others were relieved of oppression, still others were called to follow him. These people knew they had encountered someone special because their lives were transformed, and they shared this good news of Jesus with everyone they knew. Those are the reports she had been hearing. And it was by the hearing of those reports that she was given a glimmer of hope. For this woman, broken in her body – she thought that just maybe if Jesus could do that for them, he can heal me of my sickness. You see, the reports that she had heard bore witness in her heart. Despite her circumstance, despite the fact that she’d been plagued with this illness for 12 years, despite all of her doctor visits and worsening of her symptoms…she had hope because of the reports. And the Word says she came up behind him and touched his garment, and was healed of her sickness.

I think we Christians in America don’t understand the importance and even necessity of testimonies. If you are a Christian walking with God, you are bound to have numerous testimonies of God’s hand at work in your life. I know I do, too many to count. And here’s my question:

What would the world look like if every Christian testified continually of God’s hand in their life? What would our world look like? What would our church look like?

As Christians, we know the creator. We have a relationship with Almighty God. We have received hope for our lives, healing of our brokenness and restoration to God the Father. The very message of the gospel is hope to the hurting, healing to the broken and restoration to God the Father. My point is this: EVERY testimony is indispensable . For one report may not convince the woman she has worth in the eyes of God, two reports may not convice the addict he can be free from his addiction…but where multiple testimonies are heard, the hopeless will seek Hope in God, the broken will seek healing in God, and the lost will be restored to God who is Love. Testimonies are great in church, but they’re necessary and effective outside the walls of the church, for that is where the hopeless and broken live. Let’s seek opportunities to share testimonies of God’s hand in our lives. Let’s not be silent, but speak freely of God’s goodness in our lives!

I went to the dentist yesterday for the first time in a while. I had a regular checkup. During these visits, the dentist examines your teeth with a full set of x-rays as well as dental instruments. He probes into your teeth and gums to determine their health. It got me to thinking, we spiritually need to check ourselves on a regular basis; a heart check so to speak. So please, read on and go in for a checkup…

Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed… – Mark 4:3-4a(ESV)

Jesus is speaking to a crowd gathered on the shore. Often when He spoke, he used parables to bring understanding to those who had ears to hear, spiritually. The first thing to notice about this passage is the emphatic Listen! You can bet that when Jesus uses such strong language, we’d better pay attention. He goes on to describe one seed and 4 ways of the ground receiving the seed.

1. The first is seed that fell along the path. This means there’s little to no soil. Jesus says this path represents the heart of people who are not receptive. He says satan immediately steals the seed away.

2. The second is seed that fell on rocky ground. Rocky ground has soil, but there is nothing by which to take root. Jesus says that this soil represents the hearts of people who receive the Word of God with joy, and even endure for a while, but fall away due to tribulation and persecution because there was no root.

3. The third is seed that fell among the thorns. Thorns grow amid the soil and will choke the life of anything in their vicinity. And of this type of soil, Jesus says that it represents the hearts of people who hear the Word, but allow the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of money and the desires for other things enter in and choke the Word, thus bearing no fruit.

4. The fourth is seed that fell on good soil. This soil was fertile, and produced good fruit. And of this soil, Jesus said that it represents the hearts of people who hear the Word, and accept it, and bear fruit. He goes on to say that these people will multiply their fruit-bearing thirtyfold, sixtyfold and a hundredfold.

I propose this question: What is the soil of your heart?

Which does it represent: the path, the rocky ground, the soil amid the thorns or the fertile soil?

We must ensure that the soil of our hearts is fertile, ready for the seed, the Word of God. Every time we come to the Bible – God’s living, breathing, active Word – wether in church or in our own quiet time, we MUST prepare our hearts to receive in such a way as to hear the Word, accept it and bear fruit according to it. This is called transformational growth. We are called to not only be hearers of the Word, but doers also (James 1:22). We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). This is our heart check- what measure of fruit is produced in you? Do you hear the Word? Do you accept it? More importantly, do you do it?

Okay, so this subject of tithe is one that many of us don’t like to acknowledge, as there are many misinterpretations and negative connotations associated with it. However, I’d like to discuss this in light of what the text actually порно нимфетки ру says.

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 3:10-11(ESV)

There are numerous passages that speak about the meaning and importance of the tithe. We can observe from this passage the gravity of this subject. In the eyes of God, the tithe is non-negotiable. We see in verse 8 of this same passage that God accuses His people of robbing Him in the tithes and contributions (offering). It’s a statute that He set early on in the Old Testament and he expects that His children would honor it.

Tithe literally means 10%. God’s Word is clear that the first 10% of our earnings are to be given back to Him through the tithe. The purpose of it is made clear in this passage: that there may be food in my house. You see, the tithe is meant to support those shepherding the flock and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. (You can read about it in Numbers 18 or Nehemiah 10, 12).

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God’s promise of provision is given in the form of a challenge. He says “put me to the test…if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need”. It’s so contradictory to our human perspective. God says give me 10% and I will meet all of your needs. 10% is hard if you don’t believe that God is your provider. 10% is difficult to give if you trust more in money than in God. Don’t you know, God can do more with your 10% than you can do with 100%. Afterall, He IS Almighty God.

God’s promise contains not only provision, but also protection. He says “I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear”. These are written in the context of farming, as that was a common trade for the time period that Malachi was written. To clarify in modern terms, fruits of your soil implies protection of what you already have and the vine not failing to bear implies protection of future earnings.

So what does this mean for us? This promise of provision comes with parameters. We must abide within those parameters is we want to see God’s hand of provision in our lives. This means that we must be faithful to give God our firstfruits, the first 10% of our earnings – our Tithe. And we can be confident that as we continually abide within the parameters of His promise, all of our needs will be met. He say’s it another way in the New Testament:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Despite these economic times, let’s trust in God’s economy. It does not shift like ours. His economy does not change, and it yields lasting rewards. Let’s seek His Kingdom first by bringing the full tithe to Him and watch as He provides for our needs and protects us from this economy. I believe it! Do you?

This past week, as I have been reading through the book of Numbers, a biblical principle has become clear to me:  There are always parameters for the Promises of God.  So often we hear “mature Christians” and even pastors preaching on the promises of God, that they are there for us to claim at any time.  But do we hear the parameters that surround those promises?  I’d venture to say not often.  I was struck by this principle as I’ve been reading through the book of Numbers, and was prompted to study various promises throughout the Word of God.  All throughout the Bible, God has given His people promises: promises of hope, of restoration, of provision, of promised land, of joy, of comfort, of peace, of power, of victory, of a Savior, of eternal life…the list goes on and on.  And we as American Christians take almost an entitlement approach to them: God said it, so I deserve it.  But that’s not the heart of a humble servant to God Almighty.  That’s not the heart of a recipient of His grace.  I propose we instead say: God said it, I believe it and I will follow because it is only through His grace that I can receive this promise (whatever it may be). 

 
When I was a young girl, coming to the age of 16, I remember my parents promising me a car.  But there was a parameter for that promise: From that point until my 16th birthday I had to do well in school, get good grades and show that I was responsible. You see, I had a choice. I held they keys to the promise in my hand. The promise was made, but it was up to me to abide within the parameters set by the giver of the promise – my parents – and thus to fulfill my part in the promise.  And I did receive the promise of a new car on my 16th birthday, because I chose to abide within the parameters of the promise.
 

In the same way, God always has parameters for his promises. Often in the Bible, those parameters are phrased in such as way as to make them obvious “If you do this, then I (God) will do that“.  A few of the promises we see phrased in this manner are found below.

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chron 7:14 (ESV)

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9 (ESV)

“If we confess our sins, (then) he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

 

There are other promises we find in the Word of God that are not so obvious. But when you carefully read the text, you come to an understanding of the parameters for promise.

“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.  I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 3:10-11 (ESV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” - James 1: (ESV)

When read carefully, studying the verbiage of these passages, it becomes clear that yes there are promises found in the Word of God,  but it is the responsibility of you and I to abide within the specified parameters of each promise in order to obtain the promise(s) of God for our lives.  Let us never forget that we serve a Great God, one who has plans for us, plans for good and not for evil, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jer 29:11).

I am so amazed at the grace and love of our God. Though I both know and believe in the truth of His Word, He never ceases to amaze me. Read Matthew 6:25-33(ESV) below:

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

These verses immediately follow Jesus’ statement “no one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money.” So often our worries in this life are over money. Whether it be that we simply don’t have enough for our wants or truly don’t have enough to cover our needs. The beauty of Jesus’ words is so evident. God knows our needs. Just as he clothes the lilies of the valley and feeds the birds of the air, He will fulfill our needs; the Word says “all these things will be added to you.” Our responsibility: we must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. We must put God on throne of our hearts. We must choose to stand on the promises of His Word. We must be faithful in our tithing. We must seek God’s will and not our own; seek His perspective on our situation and not rely what our physical eyes can see.

I can speak of countless times God has met our needs in the short 7 years of our marriage. But I have a praise report from today. This morning, Brian and I were handed an envelope with money in it. The person that gave it wanted to remain anonymous, and only asked that we use it to buy 4 new tires for our truck. Wow! I was speechless when it was passed onto us. This is a praise God moment. Yet again, though we don’t have the funds to pay for something that is a necessity, God provided for our needs. He is ever-so-faithful to His Word. And we feel so blessed to be the recipients of His unexpected, undeserved blessing. Praise God!

I’ve always taken life for granted. Not to say that I have not appreciated the ultimate sacrifice of my savior, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins so that I might be reconciled to Father God. I simply have taken life here on this earth for granted. Time spent with loved ones. Time spent on those things most important in life: God, family and friends. This past week my understanding of the brevity of life was deepened. I’ve never had anyone close to me pass away during my adult life. It’s been a difficult last few days. My Nana passed away Tuesday morning before Christmas. Although I mourn her passing, I do feel that she has left a lasting legacy and she is now in the presence of Almighty God. There is no better place to be.

Knowing this fact, that she is now in a place with no more tears, no more sorrow, no more pain (Rev 21), that is comforting to say the least. I am in awe of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross so that my Nana might be restored to right relationship with God and pass on from this life to eternal life in heaven. It is baffling to me. It is awe-inspiring. I am brought to tears as I even think about it. God loved my Nana so much that He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for her sins so that she might have the opportunity to be reconciled to Him. He gave us freewill. We have the choice to confess Jesus as Lord of our lives or to deny Him. It’s our choice. God made the way, but we have to choose to accept Jesus and thus walk into right relationship with God. And just like God loved my Nana that much…He made that sacrifice for all. His Word says in John 3:16 “”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God desires that none should perish, but all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Each of us has a choice to make. We can either choose Christ and the payment He made on the cross for our sins, and be reconciled to Father God with the hope of eternal life or we can choose to deny Christ and thus pay the price for our own sins and lose the hope of eternal life. I am so thankful for the price Jesus paid on the cross. I am so thankful that my Nana chose to accept Him for she is now in the presence of Almighty God rejoicing with the angels.