I mentioned to you that in the early part of 2010, God required Steve and I to sell the beautiful dream home we had been allowed to build, complete with two-thirds of it’s possessions and transfer to Dallas, Texas. At first, this was not an easy thing on my flesh! I loved our home. Everywhere you glanced was the character unique to “Kohler” style. We had spent twenty years accumulating furniture that we loved. Everything was just perfect and exactly how we liked it!
Our home was filled with family, friends and ministry 24/7. We had what others refer to as an open, revolving door. I can count on one hand the number of other houses our children spent the night at while growing up because our house was “the house.”
When the time came to sell, a part of me broke as I began to wonder if we would EVER again have another home we loved as much as this one? Fear spoke trying to abort the instruction of God, “If you sell all your furniture you’ll never acquire this many nice things EVER again.” But, I heard the voice of my God saying, “If you don’t step out and cross this river, you will never receive what I have for you on the other side.”
CHANGE…the forbidden word!!!!!
Most cringe at the mere thought of it. Others are praying for it, if it occurs on their own terms of course. But, through the years change has developed a predominant reputation for inconveniencing lives as well as our own self-made schedules and plans. Few desire change and even when we are FORCED to change, we resist the process and unwillingly endure under a load of stress, anxiety and the desire for what “once was.” Change is rarely ever welcomed or truly embraced.
However, God has given me a fresh revelation regarding change. I now view it as the prerequisite to possessing one's Promised Land. So often, we pray and ask God to take us to higher ground and lead us to the life HE destined for us. All the while, we limit His plans through our inability to trust and embrace change. Only when we can truly surrender EVERYTHING to Him will we find ourselves exactly where He desires us to be...The Blessed place...The place He created that is perfect for YOUR gifts, desires, and abilities. I sit some days and meditate on all the wonderful experiences I would have missed in my life had I chosen not to trust Him! I want all that He has for me and I now realize that requires embracing change when it comes calling.
Life is very different for me these days. How refreshing it is! I absolutely LOVE Texas and the Jeneen I was two years ago no longer exists. As God promised, ALL THINGS have become new. I have been filled with an exciting new approach to ministry, fresh revelation, new compassions, and growth I could have never acquired any other way AND I am thrilled to report that God has once again given us the most beautiful, well-suited home. It is unlike anything we have previously ever desired in a home (even THAT changed) and it is perfect for this season of our lives. We moved in exactly two years from the very weekend we made our transfer to Texas! God is such a God of Timing! After not having our own home and renting for two years, I now walk around in daily amazement at the goodness of God. (Well, I at least had one week to walk around in it!) That “timing of God” is sending me to South Africa only one week after getting settled into our new home. I guess I can look forward to decorating once I return…HaHa. Ministry is calling and I joyfully accept.
Remember this: Change will reveal where you have truly placed your trust. Is it in the material possessions you’ve worked so many years to acquire? Is it in money? Or is it merely in the comfort zone you’ve created for yourself that you’re not willing to step outside of?
What change is God requiring of YOU today?
My prayer is that you will not view it with reluctance, but with joy. Knowing that God will never ask you to make a change if He does not have blessing, spiritual growth and promotion in mind! If you want these, you MUST walk the winding path of change. For on the other side is the Blessed Place God has been trying to get you to. I love all of you with His great love…
In 2006, Steve and I were blessed to build our dream home from the ground up. I was sitting at one of Bryce’s baseball games minding my own business when the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “You’re going to be building a house soon.” This blog does not afford me ample space to list the miracles God performed in bringing this promise to fruition, but suffice it to say, it was quite a powerful and exciting journey.
Deep into the building process, the Lord spoke again, “You will live in this house for a season and be VERY blessed and then I will require it of you.” I never fully understood what He meant by this, but as you well know God means what He says and sure enough three and a half years later God required us to sell our beautiful home, complete with all the contents and move quickly to Dallas, Texas.
I was preaching in South Africa when I received the news from Steve that we would be moving. The move literally took place in three weeks. Transferring so quickly, we decided it was best to rent for a year until we could learn more about the Dallas area. Finding a house to rent wasn’t the easiest thing to do. I remember feeling overwhelmed! I simply buckled my seatbelt and set out for a new journey with God.
One day while in prayer about a rental house, God said, “What do you want in this house? Make a list and write it down on paper.” I seriously had to think for a moment because God had never asked me such a question before. I quickly retrieved a tablet of paper and began jotting down the desires of my heart in detail.
3000 square feet
brick
hardwood floors downstairs
granite countertops
bonus room
a swimming pool complete with a fountain flowing into it
a hot tub
and a nice yard
I made two trips to Dallas in search of rental property, but with no success. One Sunday evening my cell phone rang. It was a pastor I had been privileged to meet while visiting Dallas, but knew little about. His voice on the other end relayed this message, “We were having a Bible study at the home of a friend tonight and one of the prayer requests was that they needed to rent their beautiful home very quickly and needed everyone to pray that God would grant them wonderful renters. I am wondering if you and Steve would like to meet us at the property in a few minutes to see if this house might be an option for you?” “Sure,” I replied with great excitement and a pounding heart.
In less than thirty minutes, we arrived at the house and as you can probably guess, it was complete with every single detail on my list. Needless to say, we put a deposit on the house and I immediately traveled back to Tennessee to meet with United Van Lines about transporting our personal items. My heart and soul rejoiced with God over faithfully meeting the desires of my heart and I joyfully witnessed to friends and family about God’s goodness.
On my final drive back to Dallas, the enemy started talking to me. He said, “You’ve witnessed to everybody that this house has EVERY SINGLE DETAIL that you wrote on your list, but it does not. It doesn’t have the fountain flowing into the pool! So, I guess God isn’t all that great after all now is He?” For the first time, I realized satan was exactly right. In all of my excitement I never even noticed there was not a fountain flowing into the pool. I felt such condemnation in my soul, not because God didn’t deliver, but because I had witnessed to many about God’s goodness and His attention to every detail and I felt like I had unknowingly misrepresented the situation.
Twelve hours later, I arrived in Dallas and went immediately to the property to place our dog, Maxx, in the fenced back yard. I walked around to the pool and there before my eyes was the most beautiful fountain flowing out of the hot tub into the pool. The owner came around the corner and said, “The fountain has been broken for a long time, but we had it repaired for you yesterday.” I stood there in utter amazement and cried! GOD DID CARE ABOUT EVERY SINGLE DETAIL! And furthermore, I did not misrepresent anything whatsoever!
One thing I have learned the past few years is this:
GOD IS WAITING FOR US TO ASK HIM FOR THE DEEPEST DESIRES OF OUR HEARTS!
Yes, I already know what you’re thinking..."God does not have time to be interested in what you desire. Surely, He must have bigger and more important details to be concerned with?" That is exactly the mindset of most Christians, but they are wrong! God owns everything and He is always willing and desirous to bless us if we will only dare to ASK.
As a mother, I absolutely love to bless the socks off my children and I have come to realize that God feels the exact same way about each one of His children. I am privileged to lead a victoriously, blessed life in every area due to the faithful teachings of the Holy Spirit. I am willing to take my heavenly Father at His Word and simply ask.
You might try it sometime???? But, of course, if you just cannot get your tiny thinking wrapped around such a big revelation of truth, that is perfectly fine too. I’ll just ask for what belongs to you as well...hahaha
I come from a fantastic line of women in my family who really know how to cook. My mother taught me to prepare great meals at a very young age...fried pork chops, homemade mashed potatoes, fried corn, macaroni and cheese with REAL Velveeta, and fresh biscuits. I better stop there. My mouth is watering already...
I sorta pride myself as successor of these great cooks and bakers in my family. A few years ago, I had a night of setback. I call this my chicken story.
I decided I wanted to bake two whole chickens for supper one night. The rotisserie at Walmart always made them appear so delicious and appealing as I passed by and although I had cooked chicken every possible way in the past, I realized I had never baked a whole chicken myself.
I retrieved a great recipe from the internet and purchased every necessary ingredient. Diligent to follow every step, I basted the chickens with natural herbs, set the oven to 350 degrees and loaded it with what I was sure to be a family favorite.
My starving family waited in anticipation as the two hour cook-time slowly ticked away. Everyone’s favorite side dishes were carefully prepared to compliment the great entree'. After calling everyone to the table and humbly blessing this food, which was sure to fill our stomachs with utter fulfillment, I pulled the perfectly, golden chickens from the oven. At last, we sat together at the table to partake and to my disappointment the chickens were RAW! I could not believe my eyes, nor could I understand! My mind retraced every step I had taken. I KNEW I followed that recipe to the T... and was so careful to do everything just right. How could these chickens APPEAR so ready and yet be so NOT READY! Needless to say, we could not eat the chickens! Nor, have I attempted to bake another one since.
It was in the early morning hours that my heavenly Father awakened me and spoke. “Jeneen, I want to teach you something through the chickens.” I said, “Sure, Father, what?” He replied, “You know how you did everything you were supposed to do to those chickens to yield a fabulous return?” I said, “Yes, Lord.” He continued, “And, to the natural eye, they appeared ready, correct?” “Yes, Lord. They sure did.” “That is how life is at times, my daughter. You may think it is time for something that you have been praying about for a long time to manifest. You may have done everything you know to do to bring this new thing about. The circumstances may even appear as perfect timing, BUT IT’S JUST NOT READY YET!”
Being willing to roll with God’s timing is crucial. So often in life, we pray about things and cannot understand why they have not come to pass yet. Frustrated, our circumstances may appear ready and our patience dwindling, but God knows the perfect time to bring things to pass in our lives. Sometimes, we may think we are ready, when HE KNOWS we are not. If God did everything we asked Him to do in our own timing, most of us would fall flat on our faces in failure because we were not properly trained nor prepared for the task ahead.
Learn to trust God’s timing. When He seems late, He isn’t and when your timing seems right...It Isn’t! God alone is omniscient...the all-knowing, wise One! He is aware of things we cannot even know or understand and He is following His own carefully constructed plan for your life.
May Psalm 37:5 encourage you today.
“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust in Him. And He shall bring it to pass!”
Overcoming Fear
" The fear of a man brings a trap, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe." Proverbs 29:25
Fear is a powerful stronghold.I've heard it said that fear paralyzes the present and bankrupts the future. It robs us from truly experiencing a blessed and fulfilled life in Christ.
I cannot remember at what age the first glimpse of fear settled into my spirit because as a child I can never remember NOT being afraid. Like most children, I was a happy little girl. I enjoyed playing outside, running in the cow pasture, climbing the apple trees, fishing, and always hanging with my two brothers.We loved to venture off into the pasture and melt crayons on the huge boulders lying in the field.Why, I have no idea?Except, I remember loving the designs we created as the dripping, melted wax of each color beautifully ran together.
Aside from the happiness that childhood afforded me, a dark cloud hung over my head. Mornings were glorious, but with each passing hour the approaching of dusk filled my stomach with knots. With darkness not even a reality yet, the very thought of bedtime made me miserable.Terrified by night, my compassionate brother, Kelly, became my comfort and safety zone.Every night I would beg him to allow me to sleep with him.He was gracious to share his twin bed with me. Although his graciousness did come with a heavy price tag.Yes, I had to agree to scratch his back until I counted to one thousand.I willingly paid that price. Of course by the time I reached my lofty goal he was already asleep and I was left awake and alone.His presence was enough to comfort me.
When I was nine years old, our family relocated to Florence, South Carolina.In hopes of breaking my habit of sleeping with my brother, who was now 13, my mother promised to buy me a brand new bedroom suit if I would agree to sleeping in my own room. I agreed to the deal and did hold up my end of the bargain, but I was miserable every night. I can still remember the shades Mom purchased for my room.They were made of heavy, non-translucent fabric and hung from a roll. Fear gripped my heart so much that I took push pins and pinned the entire shade to the casing of my window.
Blankets were the next form of security I adopted.Every night I would lie very still in my bed with my entire body enveloped beneath the blankets, including my head. Only my nose was allowed to protrude for breathing purposes. Childlike innocence allowed me to believe that should an intruder enter my room, I would somehow go unnoticed.
Married at such a young age, I unknowingly carried this great fear into our relationship. The first three years of marriage, my husband worked dayshift and because I had someone to sleep with every night, I gave little thought to the fear that still lingered. Until one day, Steve was switched to night shift and suddenly anxiety filled my mind with questions: "What am I going to do now? I live seven hours away from my family. I have a child to take care of. Who is going to protect us while Steve is at work? How will I ever sleep again? Why are you doing this to me, Lord?"
I knew 2 Timothy 1:7 said, "God has not given us a spirit of fear,” but I could not understand why I was still so afraid?
The first night Steve left for work I thought I would literally die with fear. With every light left on in the house, I numbly, retreated to my bed. Once again, the stronghold of fear consumed me. I wanted to cover my head.I wanted to pin the blinds. I lay petrified, but this time something was different. I had my heavenly Father to turn to.Humbly, I divulged to Him how scared I really was, requesting Him to cover me and my daughter and bless our eyes with restful sleep.
What happened next has never been forgotten.It is as vivid today as it was that night in Chicago, twenty-one years ago.The appointed time had come for the trap of fear to be abolished from my life. My heavenly Father desired to show me WHO I belonged to. He spoke directly to my troubled heart through a vision as I lay outstretched on my bed. He showed me my house from the road in which it sat on. The entire house was covered by the blood of Jesus.The blood flowed from the roof, dripping downward. Then, He allowed me to not only see, but to also hear the conversation taking place between satan and his legion of demons in front of my house. Very clearly and distinctly I heard satan say, "Come on! We have to go on to the next house. This one is covered by the blood of Jesus." Discouraged, he and his army retreated in utter disappointment.
That moment changed my life forever. I would be lying if I said fear never returned to rear it's ugly head again, because it has, but never again has fear had the power to consume my life.I learned that night that my life and all that belonged to me is protected at all times by my Father in heaven. Psalm 121:3-4 tell us that "The One who keeps us never sleeps nor slumbers." 2 Chronicles 16:9 became my strength - "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” That scared little girl has now become a mighty warrior and the key to my strength is trust.Trust, my friend! God has you and yours in the palm of His hand.Whatever troubles you this night, talk to your Father about it.And then, my brother and sister, sleep!Sleep like a baby surrounded by the One who never sleeps.
"You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flys by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near unto you."Psalm 91:5-7
I want to take a moment to familiarize you with the extraordinary opportunity I have been recently afforded. Once again, I have been invited to represent Repairing the Breach Ministries, Inc. (RTBM) in the wonderful country of South Africa.
I last visited South Africa in February of 2010. It was my first chance to experience the culture and landscapes of a country upon another continent. Honor and love immediately consumed my heart for the beautiful people of South Africa. Since leaving, I have continued to nurture relationships with the faithful men and women of South African Evangelistic Missions (SAEM).
An invitation has been extended to me by SAEM to return to the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) located in the southwest section of South Africa along the coast of the Indian Ocean. The biggest portion of our trip will be spent in the largest city of KZN, known as Durban. The false religions of this area consist of:
Hinduism
Shembe - the worship of a former black Baptist leader
Zionist - a black cult of Christianity
Ancestral worship
Witchcraft
Animism - the belief that spirits and souls exist not only in humans, but also in all other animals, plants, rocks, and geographic features such as mountains or rivers.
Much work is left to be done, but I am proud to announce that Christianity is on the rise in this great country of South Africa. How fulfilling it is to know God has chosen RTBM to be a part of this vast harvest!
I am being fabulously accompanied on this trip by a very special team consisting of my daughter (Alyse), my son (Bryce) and my wonderful mother (Terecia). My excitement to share the work of the Lord in South Africa with my family is exhilarating! The team and I will make our twenty-hour flight across the great Atlantic on May 11th, returning to the US on May 23, 2012.
God has opened the door for our team to minister in seven different locations, while in South Africa. One of the highlights of this trip is the opportunity to teach at a ladies retreat entitled, “DISCOVER YOUR WORTH IN CHRIST”, held at a resort in Albert Falls. I have been notified that the occupancy of this retreat has reached it’s maximum during pre-registration and the sponsors have now added an overflow hotel where more ladies can be lodged for all sessions. I am expecting an active demonstration of the Spirit working in and among the women at this retreat as I passionately share the infallible Word and interact with the unfailing love of Christ.
RTBM desires to always be an “active” demonstration of the Good News and not merely voices. We are fortunate to visit an orphanage in the Valley of a Thousand Hills - an area known for the highest rate of HIV infections in the entire world. We have committed to supplying a week’s worth of food to one hundred different families in both this and the Chatsworth area during our ten-day visit. Also, our daughter has willingly offered to supply the funds needed to feed the inner-city homeless of New Creation Church, pastored by Brother Tyrone Paul. What an honor it is to witness the love of Christ at work through your children. Proverbs 19:17 declares, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord and HE will pay back what he has given.”
Since the founding of this ministry in 2007, the work of RTBM has been made possible by God and through the faithful contributions of willing, prayerful and generous partners. Many hands make light work. Together we can always accomplish more than apart! For those who faithfully support RTBM - THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OUR OUR HEARTS!! If you desire to become a faithful partner to this ministry or desire to give in a one-time donation to the work in South Africa, RTBM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible. Furthermore (and most importantly) you can rest assured that your contribution will be fully used to further the work of our Lord!
Checks can be mailed to:
Repairing the Breach Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 775
Mansfield, Texas 76063
Thank you for this opportunity to share and as always - you have my blessing!
I recently had the wonderful privilege to address two-hundred homeless individuals at Mission 615 in Nashville, Tennessee. Upon receiving the invitation to speak, I was extremely anxious and wondered what I might impart to these hurting men and women. Of course, I knew I could always remind them how very much God loves them, but I desired to say much more than that.
That day, I was led to share my own personal testimony. I began by sharing the dreams I had as a child and how unexpected pregnancy at the age of seventeen had brought those dreams to a halt. I shared how difficult it had been for both me and my husband to transition from foot-loose and fancy-free teenagers to spouses, parents, and providers. Depression set in and the disappointment of missed opportunities cut like a knife. With no vision for my future anymore, I suddenly found myself asking, “Now what?”
Proverbs 13:12(a) says, “Unrelenting disappointment leaves the heart sick...” How many of the homeless shared this mindset? As I glanced across the crowd, I wondered how many dead dreams filled the room? How many felt as if they had been placed in God’s discard pile due to failures, mistakes, bad choices, hurts, etc.? Tears streamed down the faces of many as they listened and began to reflect on childhood dreams they had secretly tucked away because of disappointment and life plans that had gone astray.
How many of us can testify that life just has not turned out like we expected? We all begin with dreams and often ten or even twenty years down the road we open our eyes to look around and see that our lives look nothing like we had imagined them to.
I continued my testimony of how one Saturday afternoon shortly after getting married, I was busy cleaning the small apartment my parents had provided us to live in, when the Holy Spirit visited me right there in my living room. I was listening to an Amy Grant cassette when the words to one particular song captured my attention:
“Looking out to the hills
to the setting sun,
I feel a cold wind bound to come;
Another change, Another end I cannot see,
But your faithfulness to me
Is making it alright,
I fall down on my knees;
Tell me that it’s alright.
YOU give me what I need.”
Suddenly, I heard Jesus saying, “If you will surrender your life to ME, I’ve got your back. Everything will be alright.” Right then and there, with no one else in the room, I surrendered my life to Jesus. No, surrendering did not afford me the ability to go back and change the choices I had made in the past, but it did position me for the new thing God desired to do in my life. Isaiah 43:18-19(NCV) The Lord says, “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land.”
Every one of us has a destiny! Psalm 139 tells us that before we were ever born, God saw our bodies taking shape in our mother’s womb and HE planned our purpose and destiny and penned it in His book. So, I understand why God says here in Isaiah, “Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it?”
God saw it before you were ever born! He is asking, “DO YOU SEE IT?” God is about the NOW and He is always ready to perform a new thing in your life. He doesn’t need perfect conditions. He doesn’t even need perfect people. He just needs a life that is surrendered to Him. Therefore, when you least expect it or when your circumstances seems impossible He declares “I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land.” GOD WILL MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF YOUR NOTHING!
This year, Steve and I will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. We have two beautiful, God-fearing children who are strong and stable. Honestly, I must say that if God had allowed me to fulfill all of my childhood desires, self-made plans and dreams they would never compare to the life He has chosen for me the past twenty-four years. Walking through life, hand in hand with Christ has yielded such fulfillment and deep joy!
Perhaps, through mistakes, disappointments and failures you too feel as if you have somehow landed in God’s discard pile with no vision for the life you always imagined? Maybe you find yourself today asking “Now what?” The great news is...God has no such discard pile and He is not concerned with your past. He is a God of the Now and the important question is, What Will You Do With Today? There is not one thing you can do to rewrite the past, but if you will surrender your life, dreams, and plans complete with all it’s disappointments, hurts, and failures to Jesus then God will rewrite your future.
When our children were younger, we had a rule for disobedience in public. It was taught to them that it may look like you are getting away with your disobedience while we remain in public, but just wait until we get home. You were sure to reap a level of discipline commensurate with your offense.
On one particular weekly trip to Walmart (better known as Wally-World at our house) our son Bryce decided he was going to test the waters with me just a bit. He was four years old. In an attempt to bring his mischief to a halt I took him by the arm and quietly whispered in his ear, “You know the rules, Bryce. When we get home you are going to receive a spanking for your disobedience.” My whisper was certainly more than enough to instantly cure his behavioral issues.
Like any parents, Steve and I pursued consistency in our parenting, attempting to offer our children a distinct foundation in accountability. So, after a few hours passed in our morning of errands and with Bryce suffering no more “behavioral setbacks” I found myself dreading the imminent discipline that was to occur once we arrived home. I kept reassuring myself that I indeed HAD to punish Bryce or I would surely be relaying inconsistency in my parenting skills.
As my thoughts turned over and over privately in my mind, a small voice spoke from the backseat. “Mommie”, Bryce said. “Will you forgive me for being ugly at Walmart?”
My first thought was, “Are you kidding, you little turkey? You are just asking me for forgiveness so you will not have to get your spanking.” Suddenly I thought, “Wait a minute! Bryce has never asked me to forgive him for his disobedience.” The sound of his sweet voice resonated with such sincerity and remorse.
Instantly, the Holy Spirit spoke to me saying, “If you received recompense for every offense you committed you would surely be dead right now. Do you know how many times you have “deserved” punishment, but instead were shown mercy?” A spirit of compassion was released over me in the car and I realized that more important than being dogmatically consistent with my parenting values was the opportunity to show my son the forgiving love of Christ. I quickly accepted his apology and taught him a new, more important lesson that day - repentance.
When we accept God’s forgiveness for the all the wrongs we have committed against Him, we should be grateful and willing to offer that same kind of forgiveness to those who have wronged us. (Mark 11:25-26)
SPRING is in the air with signs of new life appearing everywhere. Along with the glorious sunshine, freshly budding trees, golden daffodils, and the smell of freshly cut grass, Steve and I have a new friend at our house. A relentless bird with a new song! A very loud song that we have never heard before. Oddly, he appears in the early morning hours between two and five o’clock singing so loudly we are both awakened from our sleep. As Steve leaves for work each morning our curiosities are peaked as we search diligently to find the location of our new friend. His voice resounds with dominance though we have never seen him.
Our new friend is a reminder of another dominant voice heard crying out to us. Though He too has never been seen with our eyes, HIS voice can be heard as we prioritize our time to be quiet and still. “Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV)
God is always desiring to do a new and fresh thing in our lives. He is all about the now. Too often, we continuously set our sights on the disappointments, hurts, failures, and offenses of the past that we never see the new thing God desires to do in our lives TODAY. My friend, you cannot change the past, but you have the awesome privilege of TODAY. What will you do with it?
God is always moving. The important thing is are you moving with Him? He cries out to you, “Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don’t you see it?” Maybe you are sitting there today saying, “No, I do not see anything, Lord.” I have learned through the years that you must activate the new thing God is longing to do in your life with the eyes of faith before you will ever behold it with the natural eye. God wants to give you a new mindset, new ideas, new joy, new peace, new love, and new power. Will you allow Him to refresh your soul today? He has perfect plans for your life. “I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you, not plans to harm you. I will give you hope and a good future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NCV)
Perhaps you feel stuck in your present existence with no hope of ever propelling forward in life, but our scripture today also reminds us, “I will make a road in the desert and rivers in a dry land.” Nothing is impossible with our God. He can make something out of our nothing. When you least expect it, God will spring forth newness in your life you never dreamed possible.
“It is written, Eye has not seen, neither ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
In this new spring season, set aside time to bask daily in the presence of God. Soak up His goodness and allow your heart to trust Him like never before. May your 2012 be as beautiful as this new Spring season, bursting forth with glorious light, the smell of glory, and the buds of newness of life in Christ.
In our quest to succeed and lead a joyous life, it is important to ask ourselves a very important question: Am I driven by flesh or led by the Spirit?
Every created being has a destiny. We are known by God even before we become substance in our mother’s womb. Every characteristic of our lives is recorded in God’s book before even one is fashioned. His thoughts toward us are more in number than the sands of the seas.(Psalm 139:14-18) Our lives have great purpose and value.
What career path should I take? Who should I marry? Where should I live? What church should I attend? These are just a few of the decisive questions we face in life. Would it not be beneficial to consult our Maker as we move forward into our future instead of freely making these decisions on our own? After all, who knows us best? Who is more familiar with our talents, gifts, and calling than the One who created us?
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” This scripture provides peace to my often weary soul. How comforting it is to know that I am not aimlessly wandering around in this world, left to decide my future alone. I have a Creator who designed me. He is intimately acquainted with me and my future because He destined my future and if I will acknowledge Him in my decision-making processes He will make the right path clear.
Many would say, “God does not have time. Neither does He care about such trivial decisions. He has bigger and better things to take care of in the world.” Left to our own limited human understanding, we are driven to make life decisions based on need, emotion and desire which can often be deceiving and lead us down a path of unfulfillment. I have had many desires in life that after carefully seeking God’s will were determined to be unfruitful. I am thankful for the guidance of the faithful Holy Spirit early in my life. I look back now and see the many times I chose to trust His plan instead of my own and I have never been disappointed or led astray. He has been and continues to be my Great Shepherd.
Several times in scripture we see Jesus being “led” by the Holy Spirit. He knew His purpose. He did not come to earth to fulfill His own plan, but the will of His Father. Jesus Christ Himself submitted to the plan and purposes of God. What makes us any different? You and I are sojourners in this foreign land. We are ambassadors and representatives of His great kingdom. Romans 12:2 reminds us that our reasonable service is to offer our lives as living sacrifices unto God Almighty, surrendering freely our will and plan to His.
At first, it may seem difficult to relinquish self-made plans and desires because the flesh loves being in control, but when we learn to trust that God has our best interest at heart we can accept that His plan is ultimately best for our lives anyway. He knows you inside and out, from beginning to end. Learn to acknowledge and trust Him with all of your decisions. You will never be disappointed. He is speaking to you today, “Lift your sail, child of God, and allow My Spirit to blow you any which way I choose. Trust in My guidance, for I created you and I know the future. I am able to lead you to the blessed life you have always dreamed of.” You can live peacefully in uncharted territory when you learn to trust the captain of your sail.
Remember, the Lord IS your shepherd. You shall not want. He leads you beside still waters. He leads you in paths of righteousness...Psalm 23
Can you remember the day you began your journey with Christ? For me, I was eighteen years old and at a crossroads in my life, sitting on my living room floor listening to an Amy Grant cassette tape. Yes, a cassette tape! If you are under the age of twenty you probably don’t even know what I am referring to. However, you older men and women can fully relate. I remember the day like it was yesterday. The title of the song was, It’s Gonna Be Alright and as I listened to the lyrics I actually felt Jesus say to me, “It’s gonna be alright, Jeneen.” Young, pregnant and uncertain of my future it was right there on the floor of my living room that I surrendered my life to Christ. I have never looked back!
So many Christians start well, but the prize shall be given to those who finish. Paul spoke to us about this very thing in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So, I run straight toward the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do as it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
We must keep our eye on the prize of eternal life and lead a diligently,disciplined life because there are so many distractions.
1. Guard Your Mind - Proverbs 23:7 declares, “For as a man thinks, so is he.” What we subject our minds to (what we see, listen to, associate with, etc.) is crucial because the battle for a successful life is fought in the mind. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 reminds us that the weapons of our success are not found in the natural, physical, carnal realm, but in the mind. It is our responsibility to fill our minds with the Word of God and to be ready at all times to avenge that Word by casting down any thoughts or imaginations that speak against Truth. Everyone has a negative, contrary thought at one time or another, but it is our responsibility to recognize the error and bring that particular thought into captivity - rendering it powerless. Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” A renewed mind is a mind in agreement with God’s Word!
2. Guard your Influence - “Be not Deceived! Evil communications corrupt good manners!” We often underestimate the power of bad influence. While God does expect us to be His light of love to the entire world, He encourages us to fellowship with like-minded people of the faith. Jesus associated and ministered to the multitudes, but He chose to be in fellowship on a regular basis with only twelve. Christians often allow unbelievers into their inner circle of relationships believing they can both influence and change them, but God never intended this. Too often the sin, actions, beliefs and mindset of the unbeliever negatively impact the believer. This is why 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers: For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?” Most of the time we associate this verse with marriage, but in scripture it is not written to us in the context of marriage . It is a command for every tight-knit relationship we may develop,whether personal or business. A Christian is not to be “in fellowship” with unbelievers. Once again, understand the difference between association and fellowship. We can and should “associate” with unbelievers, sharing the Light of Truth and love with them. However, we are commanded NOT to be in constant fellowship with unbelievers. Galatians 5:7-9(NLT) “You were getting along so well. Who has interfered with you to hold you back from obeying the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for He is the One who called you to freedom. It only takes one wrong person among you to infect all the others- a little yeast spreads quickly through the whole batch of dough!” Be wise and carefully guard the inner circle of your life. Surround yourself with like-minded men and women of the faith who share the ability to sharpen lives. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
3. Guard Your Heart - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on Whom our faith depends from start to finish...” Hebrews 12:1(NLT) How many of you know what I mean when I say SIN is a weighty matter? It is such a heavy burden to carry. Sin separates and serves only to weigh us down with guilt and condemnation, ultimately hindering our relationship with Christ. Take a few moments to evaluate your life today. Then, be willing to obey and lay aside any sin that is weighing you down and impeding your future progress. Practice self-discipline...press forward with determination...and never take your eyes off of Jesus and the goal of eternal life!
My earnest prayer for you today is that you would be whole in Christ and full of joy. I count it the greatest privilege to know Him and to also be known OF Him...
