In Search of Worship

I’m on a mission right now. And no, my name isn’t Lexie Baltimore. (wink)

No, my mission has to do with figuring out how to hear God more clearly in my life. Does that resonate with you, because it’s a need that’s driving me a bit crazy at the moment.

Perhaps it’s the chaos that I’ve allowed to overtake my life with a wedding in the works, family in town visiting, an email inbox that greets me each morning with a snarl and just the constant mindset of barely keeping up.

I want more of God. I want to hear Him clearly in my quiet time and every part of my day. I want the Holy Spirit to be in charge of my life!

This isn’t the first time I prayed this, nor will it be the last I’m sure. Not in a world with an enemy bent on keeping us from pursuing and growing in our faith in God. But I will share with you something God spoke directly to my heart last year and I am so wishing I had paid more attention at the time.

In a quiet moment I’d prayed that I could hear God better and He answered me:

“You will find Me in worship.”

I know it’s true. It’s happened before. I’ll lose myself in the words of a song or the picturesque view of God’s creation. I fade away and God steps in. Clear, strong, loving, present.

Oh so present...

This ache launched me into God’s Word yesterday afternoon to finish the Bible reading that had been put aside preemptively that morning. And here is where God stopped me:

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. — Acts 16:25-26

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read these verses before. Noticed them, appreciated them, marveled at Paul and Silas’ ability to sing and worship in such circumstances.

But never did I look at it from the standpoint of answered prayer.

Let me take a step back. Did Paul and Silas ask God to rescue them? Did they pray to be released? Did they ask God to protect them? I imagine in some way they did but that is not what stopped me.

They were not only praying but praising too. In fact, the NASB translation says they were “singing hymns of praise,” which in Greek is one word, humneo.

These men worshipped God as they sat in an inner prison—which I’m guessing means no window, no fresh air—with their feet bound in wood stocks. And they were praising God!

And look what happened! The doors opened and the chains unfastened. Not just their prayers but their praise broke their physical bondage.

My friends, what if this is the way to break bondage in our lives? What would happen if our prayers turned more to praise and worship of who God is and what He is doing in our hearts? What would happen if our prayers shifted from asking God to save our pre-believers to thanking and praising Him for already saving them?

What would happen if our lives became a daily worship of God and what would that look like?

Praying & believing,
Dineen

Now Stand Back My Friends and Be Astonished

Now stand back my friends and be astonished. 

Throughout history God’s divine plan and purpose is to dwell with people. From Adam and Eve to this very day, His passion, His relentless purpose is to share His glory, for us to live in His perfect will and to experience the life of the divine. 

From the Heavenly Priest Melchizedek, through the Priesthood of the Levites and the High Priest of the Temple of God to: 

THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST, JESUS CHRIST! 

God has been bringing heaven to earth or making a way to dwell with us on earth. Jesus walked this earth to provide us with the training we need to step into the new era, His Priesthood. 

Now let this sink in: 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. NIV 1 Peter 2:9–10 

We are royalty. 

We have been created to come out of darkness and into His wonderful light. And Jesus commissioned us to take this electrifying truth to everyone. We have been called to deliver God’s glory with authority. 

This is the core message of this entire series. 

Jesus is the Great High Priest. His life is our blueprint to live in the presence of God. We are called to live in His presence and share this experience as disciples with others. 

Deliver God’s glory with authority. 

That’s why we need a royalty mentality. If we have lived in the presence of the divine, we are changed, transformed and our mediocre lives become profoundly important. So grasp this now and at least begin to wrap your head around this truth because when you finally arrive and understand this, it changes your entire perspective on living. Your desires for what you want from life will change and even your thoughts and hopes about your husband’s salvation come into clear focus. 

So I guess I need to tell you that several months back, hmmmmm, like in April, God opened up a new path to travel with regard to my faith walk. It’s been a ride where I have felt uncertain at times. (I’ve share much of it with Dineen and she will echo that it’s a crazy journey.) 

God has pointed out some ugly things in my character and my beliefs that were flawed and in desperate need of changing. I’ve hinted at some of these over the last few months such as I’m done being the “Church Lady.” Also one night God told me I didn’t love people. 

Let me just say when God tells you that you don’t love people it shocks you to the core and shakes up everything you think you know. Now don’t be worried because I will explain more about all this as we move along. But, this new journey has been painful. Amazing. Shocking. Humbling. And every other “ing” word I can think up. But it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. 

As I continue to walk down this path, I will share with you what I discover because for the past six years as God leads me to new understanding of His Holy Word and His perfect Character. And as He teaches me, I have always taken you along for the ride. So I know there are many of you who are going to find this journey life-changing. 

Where to begin….. 

How do we receive God’s glory? Then how do we deliver it with authority? 

Worship. 

It all begins in worship. 

Victory in the Kingdom battles begins in worship. It’s where the power arises to change lives. It’s in worship that God releases His intentions, His warriors in the heavenly realms. It all begins in worship. 

Worship can mean many things to many people. So all I can offer you is what worship is for me. And for the first time, I will share with you here at SUM what I have experienced through worship. 

I want to insert here that music is often what most believers consider worship. And they are not wrong. I’ve experienced God in those moments of singing that nearly have lifted me off the ground. But the worship of God happens in many ways and different moments. And I have some stories to share with you about these moments. 

I think today I want to leave you with a recent story of worship. It’s still so very clear in my mind and if I can have this experience for the rest of my life, I’ve reached heaven here on earth. However, it’s fleeting in that God has work for me to do. So during my worship of Him, He touches me, empowers me, inspires me to go out and be a child of light. 

Three weeks ago, Sunday, I stood in our worship center as the band played. It was the third song in and all of a sudden a, let’s see, how do I describe this, a power like a forceful wind blew down upon me. I was standing in the auditorium in a row by myself. As this “wind” hit me I felt goose bumps run down my body from head-to-toe. It was such a strong feeling of joy, of God’s Holy presence, that I could no longer speak, no longer sing. I just stood with my arms lifted up and my face looking up. I started to tremble all over. 

This power intensified and I started to feel my knees buckle. I thought I was going to fall down from the sheer astonishing experience, however, because my church is not a charismatic place, I knew if I fell to the floor I would freak everyone out. So, I whispered, “O Lord.” And He knew I couldn’t take anymore without passing out cold in front of the large congregation. It would undo the morning. So He backed it down. I sat down. 

I will never be the same. 

Since that day, I walk into Sunday worship knowing I will stand and sing and worship. I can’t wait to get to church now just to have that happen to me again. 

Now this is just a taste of living with our God. So many other things have happened. Supernatural experience that if I share them would sound crazy. But that’s how I live. I live on the edge with Jesus. I want to live outside of the box, live in His power, and I am willing to pay whatever the price for Him to increase in my life. 

So on Friday, I want to share more of living edgy. What that looks like from one blonde-brained ordinary woman who has experienced the glory of God. 

My friends, do you want to live your life in the safe zone? Do you want to be assured that you know where you will be next week, a month from now, even years down the road? Or do you want to stand on the cliff, ready to jump, not fully knowing if He will catch you but hopeful, trusting that when you jump, Jesus will catch you with supernatural power and provision. 

Truly the believer’s life is not for the faint of heart. To experience ALL He has for you, takes all you have to give. But 

It’s, OH, SO, WORTH IT. 

And, just a side note, things are happening with my pre-believer husband. So, hold on and join me in this front row seat because life is really getting exciting. Scary but Lord, bring it on!!!!! 

My name is Lynn Donovan and I am standing in the Fellowship of the Unashamed. 

 

The Fellowship of the Unashamed. 

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away. 

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future, is secure. I’m finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals. 

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer and labor with power. 

My face is set, my gait is fast my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. 

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken for the case of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go ‘till He comes, give ‘till I drop, preach ‘till all know, and work ‘till He stops me. My banner is clear. I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  ~Author Unknown

Who are you? Tell me in the comments. See you there. Have a victorious week and I praying you experience our God in ways that also ROCK your world. Hugs, Lynn

Weekend Devo — We Are Not Alone!

On Wednesday I was on the Moms Together Facebook Page (special thanks to Suzie Eller for having me) and the most common comment I saw as the women there shared their hearts about being mismatched was their relief to find out they're not alone.

As I shared in our book, that was life changing for me, to discover that other women were walking the same path I was. There is just something uplifting and encouraging about finding others who are on the same journey and understand our challenges.

What I love most is God's heart in all this. He knew our need for community and support and put this ministry into motion for all of us to find encouragement and strength—to find God in the midst of our marriages and reject the enemy's lie that we are alone and God has abandoned us.

I love our SUM Community so much because here is where we get to see God in action in each other’s lives. I love how we pray for each other and cheer one another on. I love how our hearts are united in our desires to know God better, to understand His will for our lives and our marriages, and to see our pre-believers come to Jesus. Not for our benefit but for theirs—to know the amazing, loving and merciful God we know. 

Lynn and I consider this faith walk an adventure of a lifetime. We are so glad to be on the journey with you, dear friends. Let's celebrate this amazing community of believers as God's testimony to His deep love and care for our needs.

We are most certainly NOT alone.

Praying & believing,
Dineen

What's The Point????

Part I     Part II     Part III     Part IV     Part V 

Where have we traveled on this journey so far?

• King and High Priest Melchizedek. 
• God’s presence on earth.Captivity, slavery. 
• God is silent 400 years.
• Moses appears on scene. A new covenant of the law is given. A tabernacle is constructed.
• Priesthood is established. 
• People see God’s miracles and provision. They worship God and offer sacrifice. God dwells among his people in and through Moses and the Priesthood. 

Man, I hope you read some of the comment in this series. A facinating comment was left on Monday about Jesus and His call into the Priesthood. Hope you caught that because it boggles my mind. 

Onward.....

On Monday we visited Moses and the people on their way to the Promised Land. The limited priesthood was established along with the covenant of the law. God’s desire to dwell on earth came through blood sacrifice and through a temple. Simply fascinating. 

Please hear me now. I don’t even pretend to be any kind of Bible scholar so if I’m not doing a great job telling the story, forgive me. There is so much in our “family” history that I can’t include here nor do I pretend to be scholar enough to explain it competently. However, where we are going with this I do understand and have experienced, so stay with me because we are almost there. 

You know what I love about this study? Do you see the underlying story line? The most amazing, relentless and eternal desire of the creator of the Universe is: to live with us mere humans. It completely freaks me out. 

Now get ready because here we go. 

Dineen gave me these words and they resonate deeply within me. She said, “To fathom that God, the Holy Creator of all, ruler of time and space, humbled himself and chose to become a mere human. He allowed Himself to be taken captive by evil men, tortured, humiliated, naked, and to be nailed to a tree. All this to save us. For anyone who still needs more proof than that, I can only shake my head. What more could God do to prove His love and mercy?” 

He died for us. 

Jesus Christ the perfect son of God, sinless and perfect blood sacrifice died once and for all mankind (women kind too *grin*.) But my friends HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD. 

Now get this. The curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn in half supernaturally. I often ponder this event and can almost envision God taking this curtain in his two hands and saying “Enough” and splitting it right down the middle with tremendous power and emotion. No wonder there was an earthquake. 

Okay, walk this with me now. 

Hebrew 7:11-17 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: 

         “You are a priest forever,

         in the order of Melchizedek.” 

 

It comes full circle. 

King Melchizedek was the heavenly priest, then disappeared, the earthly priesthood was established and sins were forgiven through the High Priest. But, my friends, 

Jesus is the GREAT HIGH PRIEST.

Christ Jesus, who died —more than that, who was raised to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34.

Blows my mind. Christ brings the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. He interceeds for us. Can you imagine Jesus meeting you at the foot of the throne? I have and you can read that story here. 

Now listen to this exchange between Jesus and one of his disciples: 

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”   

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV) 

Jesus ministry was all about teaching his disciples how to bring God’s love and power and provision to earth. 

My question today: Do you truly believe what Jesus says in the above passage? If you do, are you seeing the miracles? Do you want to know more about how this passage is our passage today in the 21^st century? 

Get ready because we are going to see it. Our journey to LIVE this passage begins on Monday. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of what God is doing in His people. Can’t wait.

Okay, what are your answers to the questions? We are going to have some fascinating and empowering conversations today. See you in the comments. Hugs, Lynn

Welcome to the S.U.M. Community!

My friends, I'm chatting today with Suzie Eller on her Moms Together Facebook page. I hope you'll pop over and join the discussion. 

If you've found yourself here from Suzie's page, we want to welcome you to the Spiritually Unequal Marriage (SUM) Community! I hope you'll check out our Join Us Community Page there in the sidebar and learn more about this amazing community of believers sharing a common journey of faith.

If you are spiritually mismatched, your desire to love and walk with the Lord while being spiritually mismatched is precious! This desire is the spark God asks for so that He can supply the strength and wisdom for you to travel this path. It’s not an easy one, but I find the richest paths of life are often fraught with challenges and trials.

You play a very influential role in your husband’s life. I don’t know the circumstances of how you wound up mismatched, doesn’t matter now. What matters is that you realize one, your marriage is still blessed by God and two, God has a plan for you within your marriage. You are the closest person to your husband who can show him (not with words but with actions) who Jesus is.

During this time season of being spiritually mismatched, seek God for his direction in your marriage. Seek God also for your deepest needs, ones your husband really can’t and shouldn’t fill. This will prevent you from having unrealistic expectations of your husband, one’s he can’t possibly meet since he doesn’t share your belief system.

And finally and most importantly, trust God with your marriage and your life. I know this isn’t easy, and we learn how to trust God in steps as they pertain to certain areas of our lives, but God loves you, sees you, and knows you better than anyone. No matter how difficult certain times or situations may become, remember that God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Dear friend, you are most definitely called to be on the front lines for your husband. God will show you what to do. And we are honored to be on the journey with you.

Praying & believing,
Dineen 

LIft Up Your Face

In case you haven't figured this out yet, I'm a huge Third Day fan. I find their music so worship-filled and inspiring. And when I listen to music like that, I begin to hear God's voice. Seems to just work that way for me. For Lynn, it's her prayer walks. For me it's music.

Another song from the same album (Move) as the one I shared over the weekend is "Lift Up Your Face." I fell in love with this song first because it spoke to my heart about God's pursuit of us but then it became more. It spoke to me of God's pursuit of our prebelievers.

Lift up your face.

Lift up your face.

Salvation is calling.

Salvation is calling.

We've talked a lot about keeping our focus on Jesus, that our true hope lies in Him, not in our circumstances and not in our spouse's decision to accept Jesus or not.

As I listened to it again this weekend, I heard God speak even more clearly than what I had been sensing. He said,

"Tell them I'm calling."

God wants us to know He’s calling to our prebelievers with HIS salvation! We need only lift our face to Him and trust He's doing it. Listen to the words of this song, my friends. Can you hear Him calling?

Lifting up my face,
Dineen 
(I have to share that I prayed and asked God to confirm to me that I'd heard Him correctly. As I got in my car two days later and maneuvered rush hour traffic, this song came on the radio and flooded me with God's reassurance. He is so faithful!)

Where Did It Go?

Part I   Part II   Part III   Part IV 

I have to say this has been one of the most empowering and purposeful series I have ever participated in. In the comments last week was this: 

Jennifer said...

After much contemplation in these passages, I and my sister have formed an opinion of sorts about King Melchizedek.

Okay, this is her first sentence and her comment was excellent but you know what I loved most about this comment?  Jennifer is reading God’s Word. She is contemplating God’s. Holy. Word…. And she is having conversations with others. Man, what I wouldn’t give to sit with them at the kitchen table and talk about King Melchizedek. 

Thanks Jen…. It thrills the Lord to the core that you desire to know Him more. 

And everyone who has been part of the comments, thank you. I’m humbled over your love for Jesus and for this community and your great insights into a difficult study. 

Okay so on with our story. Here we go……. 

Darn it!!! 

Those Israelites reject God’s favor for the things of this world and languish in poverty, slavery and misery 400 years. 

I wonder if you are like me. Have you ever read some of the stories in God’s Word and just want to throttle these people? There are times I wish I could have kicked Eve’s butt in the garden. How about you? But I tell you what? Would we have chosen differently? Would we have remained faithful if we had experienced God first hand? 

Just think about times in your life where you absolutely knew God intervened and yet months later you doubt it was really Him. I think I’m exactly like every other human being and have failed like those of ancient times. However, I also have learned that when I truly trust and believe what God says, I’m always, ALWAYS better off. I can be a little slow at times on the learning curve but thankfully not 400 years slow. Sheesh. 

So let’s pick up our story. 

• A fascinating disappearance of King Melchizedek.
• Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
• Abraham’s family leave the area of Bethel.
• His descendants are enslaved 400 years.

Now let’s behold our Lord God's continuing story. Let us continue with...

Moses 

Now get this: Moses was born in slavery but raised in royalty. 

Whoa. 

I’m not going to recap the entire story of this man but only point out that God chose him to deliver His people to the Promised Land. God chose him to teach the people how to love God and worship Him again.

Moses reestablishes God’s covenant. God says to Moses: 

“Then have them (Hebrews) make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. Exodus 25:8-9 

God again dwells on earth. Can you imagine what Moses saw? Do you think it was the Heavenly Temple of God. Gives me goose bumps. 

So, the Priesthood is established through Aaron and his sons. After 40 years God’s people settle in the Promised Land. We could spend months in a study as to why it took 40 years to travel a distance that should have taken eleven days. I wonder if we can relate that to our own lives. 

Perhaps: The lessons I need to live in God’s perfect will would likely take eleven days. However, because of my arrogant pride, reality is, it will actually require the majority of my adult life and the challenges of a spiritually mismatched marriage to bring me to the Promised Land. 

Anyone??? 

Okay, so the Arronic Priesthood is established. Let’s have some discussion in the comments. What was its function? Who were the Levites and why are they different than the Priesthood of Aaron. How did this bring God’s presence to earth? 

Also, what was the Priesthood like at the time of Christ? How were they chosen? Did you know they were the only people to retire? What age? Were they powerful or of influence. Were the feared by the people? By Rome? 

Ahhhh, now we’re getting somewhere and on Friday it’s going to come together. I wonder if you can read between the lines and see the big picture????

Who is up for a little searching and can find some of these answers? I will meet you in the comments. Hugs, Lynn 

Weekend Devo — The Sound of Your Voice

I just have to share this song with you, my friends. It's by Third Day, and brings me to my knees everytime I hear it. Listen to God's voice as you listen to the words. 

Praying & believing,
Dineen

 

God's Kingdom Come to Earth

Part I

Part II

So why is King Melchizedek vital to our story?

If you remember from Monday, Abram conquered a vast army with a mere 318 men. Men who were “trained” by Abram to pray, to worship to know and serve the one true God. My friends, Abram didn’t doubt that through his prayer, worship and the training of his sons and grandsons that God would show up. He knew God was in this kingdom battle.

How did he know this? This is where I think things begin to tie together. You see Abram came from Bethel. He traveled through this city and camped near it. Bethel when translated is House of God. Beth = house and El = God. (Side note Beth le hem. House of bread… interesting tidbit.)

Now remember is was at Bethel where Jacob saw the heavens open.

Read this: (NIV) 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. p 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

Okay, now take this all in. Heaven comes to earth in this place. Bethel. Abram knew this. Jacob knew this. King Melchizedek who was without beginning nor end, a heavenly being, was King in this place.

Holy shivers….

Was this a period in time where literally the Kingdom of God and the physical earth were joined and in continual connection with one another.

In my humble thoughts, possibly yes.

Well then what happened? What changed?

Why don’t we see stairways and see God’s Kingdom conquer like the 318 men witnessed? Ahhhh, now that is a fascinating question to ponder and boy howdy do I have some answers.

Let me first, however, share with you what happened. Let’s read from Genesis 15:

12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. 13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years; The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. 1989

This was a scary vision. In the King James it reads horror. Do you know why? In this vision Abram saw that his children were going to turn away from God. They would lose their Holy Royalty to become slaves in every way. They became slaves to the Egyptians and they offered themselves to the ways of the world. They embraced the golden calf of which the Egyptians worshiped.

Abraham saw God’s Kingdom shut off from earth. Gone. God’s covenant with all people came through his covenant with Abraham. The ancient people of earth chose slavery and God left them for 400 years.

What bugs me is they “KNEW” God. They knew better and yet they gave themselves over to the world. Oh my friends, can I just say that I live here too at times. In fact, just this past weekend I became all worked up again with anxiety over money when my broken shower turned into a thousand dollar bill. Ouch and I have more to say about this in a later post. This is a continual battle for me. And it’s one I CHOOSE to surrender again to God because I want to live in His power and presence.

I refuse to return to the ways of the world (worry and anxiety over money) because I have access to God’s Kingdom come to earth through Jesus Christ. And once you have tasted that and know its power, you never want to leave.

So my question for you to ponder today: Do you believe God’s Kingdom is on earth today in 2012? Why?

I am SOOOOO looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this. See you in the comments my friends. And stay tuned because we will explore this question further in the weeks ahead. The answer has everything to do with your life.

Big, Victorious, Kingdom hugs, Lynn

A Step of Faith

In the last week I’ve come across two kinds of believers. The first is an older widow who has walked some challenging roads of life and loss and has become a very special influence and inspiration to me. We were discussing our loved ones who are still resisting God—my husband, her grandson. Our prebelievers.

Her answer is simply it’s a matter of time because we know we are praying God’s will. It’s as simple as that for her. No doubt, no questioning. At some point our prebelievers will step into belief because it’s God’s will.

The other is a gentleman whose wife and he have suffered more loss than I can imagine. He walks the road of faith but I see his discouragement, his despair. His wife turned away long ago. He expressed a kind of “what’s the point” perspective to me in regards to Bible study because it just seemed to make things more difficult.

I could only answer him that as we walk in this world we can know two things. One, this is not our home, and two, the closer we draw to God, the harder the enemy works to pull us away. Even Jesus said we will have trouble in this world, but I confess, at times, like this man, I have wondered how much I will have to endure.

I believe it’s normal for us to have doubts. God does not expect us to have perfect faith. Hebrews 12:2 tells us Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. And the key to running this race is the keep our eyes fixed on Him in order to persevere.

Even the man who exclaimed to Jesus that he believed asks Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief in the very same line (Mark 9:24). My translation: “I believe but I want to believe more.” I think this is the path many of us are on, or dare I say all of us?

A while back someone on Twitter replied to my tweet about Big Faith with, “I don’t need to have big faith, I have a big God.”

He’s right, but in a way, he was also wrong. I can’t fully put into words yet what this all means. And I’m not saying our degree of faith determines whether God will answer us or not. That’s completely untrue and if it were, we’d have no stories of how God has met his staunchest resisters with love and acceptance. Or saved the lost ones whom others assumed unsavable.

As I said, God does not expect us to have perfect faith but He does want us to believe Him. Not just in Him but to believe Him when His Word tells us things like not to worry, that He’s with us always and not to be afraid.

Perhaps the difference in these two kinds of believers I mentioned is where their focus is. The first is set on Jesus, the second is fixed on trials. The first is a constant reminder of promise and the second of despair.

In the end, we make the choice of what to believe and what (or Who) to focus on. Think of it like going to see a movie. We can sit in the theater watching the people around us talking or texting during the show, noticing the gum stuck to the seat in front of us, or the garbage strewn on the floor from the last showing. Or, we can focus on the movie playing on the big screen, waiting in anticipation for what’s going to happen next.

Despair or expectation.

When we focus on God we will see miracles, the impossible become possible and faith the size of mustard seeds sprout into the strongest of trees. I know it’s not easy. There are days that I seem to see more of the gum stuck to the floor than the story playing out in front of me. I am so very thankful God is patient with my times of unbelief and waits patiently for me to lift my eyes back up.

The enemy wants us to walk in despair, discouragement and discontent. Then we become the victims of our own bitterness. God desires us to walk in hopeful expectation, truth, and knowledge of Who He is. Then we are no longer defined by our trials but by the confidence of knowing we are totally loved by God and that He is in complete control.

Closing the gap between doubt and belief takes a step of faith, and when we take that step, we release the power of God’s Holy Spirit. And that, my friends, is when we begin to walk in victory and joy!

Praying & believing,
Dineen