Month: October 2015

Dwelling Place

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again

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place.  Psalm 90:1 (ASV)

When you work with homeless people you recognize the security and dignity that are associated with having a place to stay. Often we take for granted the blessing of having a roof over our heads. Our words today are actually a prayer of Moses, and considered one of the oldest Psalms. As Moses and the Israelites wandered in the desert, they had nowhere to call their home. Yet God was all they needed, He was their dwelling place. Their tents in the Wilderness were temporary, their God was not.

We have a dwelling place, One whom we can go to for comfort, protection, dignity and hope.  He will not leave us. We are never alone.  Moses recognized that God was the one who could meet all their needs.  In the New Testament we read Jesus’ invitation for us to come and dwell (abide) with Him. We find a home for our restless soul in Him alone. Father thank you for being our dwelling place. We desire to abide with you.

Join us for Positive Woman Connection, October 27 in Dallas

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Our topic this month is “Change Your Thinking, Transform your Life” based on Roman’s 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

If you have ever struggled with negative or defeating thoughts (and who hasn’t?) then make plans to join us, Tuesday, Oct 27 at Bent Tree Country Club for lunch and Bible study. For more info or to register, Click here

Last month we learned from Romans 12:1. Here’s a short message from me about living for Christ.

Eyes Wide Open

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Challenges in our lives often point us to spiritual truths if we are looking for them. Several weeks ago, I had an ulcer on my cornea – ouch! As I drove home from the eye doctor, I asked the Lord, “What do You want me to learn from this challenge?” My thoughts went to the psalmist words, “Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” Throughout Scripture we find references to spiritual eyes which see beyond the physical.

Think about Elisha who prayed for God to open the eyes of his servant, so he could see the mighty army of God encamped around them (2 Kings 6:17). Isaiah wrote that God opens the eyes of the blind (Isaiah 42:7), and I believe that he was referring to both physical and spiritual eyes. Think about Jesus, who healed people from their physical blindness, but He also opened people’s eyes spiritually. He called the Pharisees “blind guides,” yet He opened the willing eyes of the two on the road to Emmaus.

When it comes to challenges in life, Paul reminded us to keep our eyes on the eternal. He wrote:

Our light and momentary afflictions are preparing us for

 an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

 as we look not to the things that are seen,

 but to the things that are unseen.

 For the things that are seen are transient,

but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17,18

Let’s look at life with our spiritual eyes wide open. Spiritual eyes see hope when others see difficulties. Spiritual eyes see an opportunity to trust God, while others are focused on what is wrong in a challenging situation. Spiritual eyes see that God can use our present troubles for something far more eternal. May we step back and view our circumstances in light of eternity, seeing God in the midst of our struggles.

Father, open our eyes to see the beauty beyond the obstacles. Remind us of your presence, even in the darkest valleys. Strengthen us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

***You may enjoy my devotional, Pursuing God in the Quiet Places. It’s on sale for $5. Click Here to order.

Wake Up

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Lately, in sort of a random way, I’ve been noticing verses in the Bible that mention the term, “Wake Up.”

Isaiah 51:9 “Awake, awake! Clothe yourself with strength.”

I Corinthians 15:34 “Awake to righteousness and do not sin.”

Revelation 3:2 “Wake up! Strengthen what remains.”

Personally, I believe God is telling us as believers that this is the time to wake up from our slumber – to be watchful and alert. As evil continues to thrive in a variety of ways in our culture today, there has never been a more important time for God’s people to wake up and grow stronger and deeper in our relationship with Christ. As believers, it’s easy to push the snooze button, happily resting in our comfy Christianity while a spiritual battle is raging around us.

So how do we wake up? What does it really mean to “awaken and clothe ourselves with strength?” Well, perhaps our first step is found in the phrase itself, “Wake up!” In other words, let’s deliberately wake up earlier, so we can spend time on our knees in prayer. This is where the battle is won!

The recent movie War Room, reminded us that our prayer time is our equipping room for battle. God prepares His army on their knees and adorns them with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). It is in the secret place, that we are reminded of His love, power and mercy. As we devote ourselves to prayer, we become grounded in our faith, and comforted in our pain and strengthened in our inner-being.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a weak and sleepy follower of Christ. I want to be alive, awake, strengthened by God and useful for His Kingdom. Will you join me in becoming more committed to prayer? Let’s wake up earlier (which may mean going to bed earlier) in order to shine His light more brightly in an ever-darkening world.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  Isaiah 60:1