The Call

Ephesians 1:17-19

For I always pray to the God of

our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of Glory

that He might grant me a

spirit of wisdom and revelation, of

insight into mysteries and secrets in

the deep and intimate knowledge of Him,

by having the eyes of my heart

flooded with light

so that I can know and understand

the hope to which He called me!

And, that I can know and understand

how rich His glorious inheritance

in the set apart ones (that’s me).

And, that I can know and understand

the immeasurable, unlimited, and surpassing

greatness of His power that is

in and for us who believe

that raised Christ from the dead and

gave Him authority, power and dominion

over all things now and for eternity.

Mark 8:34

Jesus asks me everyday...

"If you REALLY intend to follow me, you need to:

   *deny yourself - forget, ignore, disown self and selfish ways. 

   *take up YOUR cross - admit/repent my sin without blame or excuse. 

   *walk with Me - listening, learning, growing."

Adapted from Mark 8:34

recipe

The recipe each day I stir

ingredients as I rise,

rolls out before my feet a path

which may be narrow or wide.

A blend of thoughts begin to whir

my blurry mixture poured

more of Him than me be measured,

for nourish soul assured.

Choose this day whom you will serve,

setting the table with finest ware,

ready to feast with Prince and King

eternal reward with family share.

“I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.  And may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days…”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

Fitness

With the New Year upon us, FITNESS is always on everyone’s mind.

Join a gym.

Start my diet….  Again.

Don’t deny it!  You may be putting it off, but you DID think it.

You might like the gym where I work out since it’s a voyeur’s paradise.  It has an upper level balcony of cardio equipment that encircles the gym.  You can, from on high, look down upon and watch all types of techniques, rhythms, and forms of exercise.

This morning, I watched a trainer, with whom I’ve “worked”, begin a relationship with a new client.  He would demonstrate the exercise with two or three repetitions and then he would stand back to wait, watch and count as his client went through the same motion.  At least that was the plan.

As I said, I have utilized this same trainer and he can be....well, intense.  Form is key, motion must be fluid and focus is necessary.  But at the root of all of these, is the student’s desire to be trained.  You have to want to change your body.  You need to have goals and desires so deep that you are willing to push through even when it’s hard; to do one more rep, even when you feel weak; and, to deal with the soreness and pain afterward that builds muscle and strength.

Today, the “new guy” had very little, if any of that.  I am not certain why he signed up for this.  Unless, he thought it would be easy; or maybe got a few free sessions when he joined the gym.   But, he was sloppy and rushed.  He showed no respect or effort for the motion or the coach.  I couldn’t imagine why he would waste his money or his time.

The trainer was patient and calm as he coached and observed.  He made his notes, as usual of the progress on his client’s chart.  But as the hour grew near, the “keep it up’s” and “you can do it’s” seemed to wane.

I wanted to laugh and put on my “proud pants” since I’d worked out harder than the “newbie”, when God tapped my on the shoulder.  He reminded me that sometimes even I just go through the motions.

How often have I gone to church just because it’s Sunday or said a quick prayer out the door because I knew it would be a hectic day?  Told others I was trusting God to handle my problem and then worried myself sick until it resolved.

My days are filled with sloppy spiritual workouts more often than not.  And my Coach is patient and knows my heart. He often sits back and lets me simply be sloppy until I'm willing to give Him my attention and my effort.

He tells us though Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians:

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by scripture.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.”   (2 Thess 2:15-17)

Just as our bodies need good food, exercise and rest to be healthy in this New Year, our spirit, soul and mind, needs God’s good food {His inspired scripture}, exercise {prayer, giving, kindness}, and rest {stillness of mind, waiting and listening for His voice}.

We need spiritual workouts.  I can't just get up and go through my day expecting it to just "happen".  My spirit won't be in tip top shape without building some spiritual muscle.  But, it will take focus and it will require me to push through when I feel weak.  And yes, it may even hurt a bit as I grow.  But as I workout and practice, when a tough time comes, I'll be fit and ready for the challenge.

Join a gym, hire a coach, start a diet…….whatever it may take to  meet your physical goals.

But, don’t neglect your spirit.  Don’t just go through the motions.

Build some Spiritual Muscle!
Spend time with the Eternal Coach who loves you with the immeasurable and unconditional love.  The God of grace, mercy and forgiveness who wants to make all things new (Rev 2:1) and give you a new start to this New Year!

New Year: "Want To"

“Serve the Lord with GLADNESS.

ENTER His presence with joyful songs.”

Psalm 100:2

Sometimes all I can do is “want to”.

I don’t know what I am to do for Him.

I don’t know how I am to serve Him that day.

Sometimes, I don’t even know what verse to read or where to turn I my Bible.

I just know that I "WANT TO" serve Him.

I KNOW He is with me.

I KNOW He is on His throne.

This world is so full of noise and distractions that my mind gets cluttered and distracted.  I have to sit and just be still; trying to hear His voice.

My greatest desire is to finish strong. 

My greatest desire is to enter His kingdom and hear Him say, “Well done, Lisa.  You served me and did all that I asked.”

What is He asking of me today?

I will put on my “service goggles” and try to see the world as He does. 

But if I don’t heal or help, give or gift, provide or promote…

…I will serve him with GLADNESS!

I will speak kind words to others.  I will walk and talk with a smile on my face.  I will carry a joyful song in my heart and carry His praise with me.

I will ENTER His presence today…here on earth!

Will you choose to spend your day with Him?

“Serve the Lord with gladness.

 Enter His presence with joyful songs.”

 Psalm 100:2

GPS

What an amazing age in which we live!

Not a new revelation to anyone, but I often take for granted the amazing technology at our fingertips.

The most convenient of these, lately, for me, has been my GPS.

My daughters both play volleyball in a travel club that practices at a gym over 70 miles from our home.  And, while I do not do all the driving to and from the three practices each week, my share of the carpool has certainly racked up the miles on my SUV.

Even though I know the way, sometimes I’ll still turn on my GPS so that when I “zone out” on the drive, I have reminders that I am nearing my exit.

In addition, I have found myself with free time during the practice and used my GPS to find “points of interest” and local shopping.  Turn by turn directions have led me to new explorations and given me security that I will find my way back.

An added benefit to my GPS is that even when I don’t see a posted Speed Limit sign, it is displayed on the screen next to my current speed, which turns red when I have exceeded the limit.

How freeing it is to be able to rely on the knowledge that someone else has programmed and linked via satellite.  Amazingly, it always knows where I am.  How that happens, I don’t fully understand, but obviously, it doesn’t matter as long as it works.

As I was working through a recent study in the book of James, I read verses in my Bible that instructed me to ask God for wisdom.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should as God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.”  James 1:5

For some reason, I began to think of the Bible, the perfect and inspired Word of God, like a GPS.

No matter where I am in life, God knows and is there.

No matter where I am headed in life, God knows the way.

No matter how little I know about new situations, God gives me direction.

But, if I don’t “turn on” the GPS and ask it for directions, I stare at a blank screen.  I may wander aimlessly through life hoping that each turn will lead me where I want to go.  All I can see is my immediate surroundings.  But God is available if I just ask.

By spending time with Him each day, I am turning on my GPS.  I will receive turn-by-turn guidance.  If I make a wrong turn, He will forgive me and simply “re-calculate” to get me back on track.  If I begin to “zone out” on the road of life, He will give me reminders through the Spirit of God in me.  He even sets limits for me that keep me safe, and warns me when I’m going to fast and getting ahead of His perfect plan.

But, best of all, when I rely on God, my Great Protector and Savior, I need not worry.  For even if I don’t know the direction in which I should head, He does. 

“But I thank God, who always leads me in victory because of Christ”                      2 Corinthians 2:14

I have found that it’s best to take the time each day to turn toward God.  Talk to Him in any manner you like, He desires a relationship with you.  He knows that we are lost and wants to lead us in hope and peace.  He has given Himself as a sacrifice to graciously give us eternal life.  He has given us His Word in the Bible, our GPS to guide us through life.

GPS:

God’s Plan of Salvation                     Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Grace Proven Sufficient                   2 Corinthians 2:9

                                                            “….He said, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

God Provides Supernaturally          Matthew 6:26

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Guided Practical Solutions               Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans for you,” says the Lord, “Plans for prosperity and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Gift of Peaceful Satisfaction             Philippians 4:6,7

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Healed

Last night, Good Friday, I went to a program at local church, “Messiah 33AD”.

It was a moving experience and I endeavored to open my heart and watch the story of Jesus Christ’s life and crucifixion with a fresh perspective.  I saw things a little differently and learned some new lessons.

But, it wasn’t until today, that I came to my greatest and newest perspective.

It is certainly not a coincidence that I am healing from foot surgery after a poorly diagnosed and mis-treated injury.  Since my surgery five weeks ago, I have been unable to bear weight and walk.  I have struggled with my lack of independence and control over the fast pace of life around me. 

But there was a greater lesson in why God timed this recovery to overlap the Easter weekend. 

Every other day during my recovery,  as I spend time changing the bandages on my left foot, my view is that of two long, healing scars; one on the top, the other directly below it on the bottom of my foot.  I remember the surgeon told me as I awoke in recovery, that at one point during the procedure, she could see straight through my foot.

On Good Friday, over 2000 years ago, Jesus suffered much greater injury.  However, one such wound was in common, caused by a spike driven through His feet.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was beaten and bruised, tortured and spit upon; all before being crucified upon the cross.  A nail in each wrist / hand, and one through both His feet, held him to the cross where He bled and died for our sins.

But, three days later, on what we now celebrate as Easter morning, He miraculously arose from the grave; alive and walking.

I cannot comprehend the defeat of death, other than accepting it by faith.  But, what struck me today and brought me to tears, was the fact that He was wounded; hands, feet and body.  His feet and His hands had been pierced and left open.  He had no medical care, stitches, antibiotics or crutches.

Yet, three days later, yes, He miraculously arose from the dead.  But, the newly revealed miracle to me was that He was healed!  He walked in the Garden of Gethsemene.  He walked three days after an injury that would allow you to see straight through His foot.

I have such scars on my foot.  I have endured much pain.  I have hopped, crutched and scooted around, laboring to the point of exhaustion for five weeks.  I am still healing and unable to walk.  But, Jesus was healed.  Jesus walked!

My Easter has a new perspective.  I am grateful for a God of such power.  I am praying for His healed, scarred hand, to touch my scarred foot and allow me too, to walk again.

He knows the pain and suffering I have endured.  It is minimal to His sufferings.  But He is a God of life, mercy and forgiveness.  He heals our bodies and hearts.  He conquered death and injury, that we too might have life; abundant and eternal.