This morning I had to go to a place that I have been avoiding. A place that brings me pain and healing, dread and relief, sorrow and joy. This morning I had to go to the secret place. The secret place is a place where I am alone before God. I love the secret place because going there results in much needed restoration for my weary soul. At the same time, I dread the secret place because it forces me to see the holiness of God and to feel the weight of sin in my heart.
To be honest, I knew this morning was coming. Last night I spent time doing research on Psalm 38, 39, and 40. During this time, the Lord began convicting my heart about the way I respond to sin in my life. Not that I had stopped confessing my sin, I had not. However, I had fallen into the trap of confessing my sin much like I read my grocery list.
As I read the words David penned in response to the sin in his life, I wondered how I had become so callous to sin in my walk with the Lord. The following verses brought this truth home to me. Psalm 38:4-8"My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart." Talk about the feeling of pain, dread, and sorrow, David's words flowed with the brokenness he experienced as a result of sin in his life. Today, I can relate. I too am broken over the haphazard approach to sin that I so easily display.
Praise the Lord that going to the secret place does not leave me with a feeling of dread! You see, at the very heart of the secret place resides great hope in knowing that God is greater than any sin that so easily entangles my life. Again, I offer David's words. Psalm 40: 1-3- "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out o the slimy pit, out of the mud and more; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." The song that God often puts in my mouth as a result of encountering Him in the secret place, is a song of praise to my God for His saving grace in my life. I am reminded that God has delivered me from a number of slimy pits and He will continue to deliver me. Today, my response to the truth is to get real about the pits that I am currently in and to surrender to the truth that the road leading to those pits was paved with sin. No doubt, I got into those slimy pits by compromising the holiness of God in my daily life. The path that leads out of the slimy pit is paved with righteousness. I live a right life before the Lord when I recognize His holiness and strive to live that holiness out in my life.
Today are you avoiding a much needed encounter with God in your secret place? If so, run my friend and find healing for your weary soul.
Humbled and Grateful!
Andrea @ TVM
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Love NEVER Fails!
Last night Jay and I took Jake and Andrew out for a special V-Day dinner. We let the boys select the location and we were not surprised when they picked I-Hop. My boys think I-Hop is the best place in town. Jay and I think I-Hop has the best deal in town--- all you can eat pancakes for $4.99!
When we arrived at I-Hop, I was surprised that we were seated next to a table with 10 college girls. The restaurant had plenty of open seating but we were escorted to the long bench seating at the front of the restaurant. Because we were seated so close, it was impossible not to hear the conversation going on at their table. I will be honest. I was curios to hear the topic of their conversation. It was apparent to me that these 10 (super cute) girls did not have V-Day dates. As a result, the girls decided to get together and share a meal. This fact made me love these girls from the very beginning!
As both tables waited for food, lots of conversation took place. I talked with Jay and the boys. At the same time, I listened to the conversation going on beside me. The topic--- favorite V-Day gifts. One by one, the girls shared favorite gifts or memories for years past. It was neat to hear the things that had meant so much to each of them.
Soon the meals arrived and I watched as these precious girls bowed their head and thanked God for the food and the sweet time of fellowship. I was amazed at the spiritual sensitivity these young girls displayed. It was apparent to me that these girls knew that God had granted them a sweet time together even though it was not the traditional way to spend V-Day.
Our family wrapped up our meal and headed out to the car. Once in the car, I had a box of Russell Stover's candy waiting in the front seat. I opened the box and told the boys that we were going to share one person that we love and why we love them. Then I passed out the candy. The conversation went like this:
Andrew, "I love dad." Why, "Dad wrestles with me."
Jake, "I love mom." Why, "Mom gave birth to me."
Jay, "I love Andrea." Why, "Andrea is my Valentine."
Andrea, "I love Jesus, Jay, Jake, and Andrew." Why, "Because all of you have changed my life."
As we drove home and enjoyed our chocolate, my thoughts returned to the 10 college girls that we encountered at I-Hop. I prayed for them as we drove. I thanked God that they appeared to know Him by taking time to pray before their meal. I also prayed that they would know and experience real love in their lives. Not the kind of love that comes only in the form of a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of their stomach, but also the kind of love that changes their life. The kind of love that NEVER fails.
Jesus gave each of us a chance to know and experience real love that NEVER fails when He died on the cross. Because of Jesus' act of obedience to the Father and love for us, we can know this unfailing love. This unfailing love sticks by your side through thick and thin. This unfailing love gets stronger as the years go by. And, this unfailing love changes everything about the way you live your life. Not only can we experience and know this unfailing love, because of Jesus' act of love, we can express this unfailing love to those in our lives. What a wonderful truth! We can stick by someone's side through think and thin. We can express love that grows stronger and stronger each day. And, we can offer love to someone in such a way that their life is forever changed.
Yes, real love, God's love, is unfailing. Today, because of Jesus, you can receive real love and then turn around and give real love away. My friend, love NEVER fails! This week I want to challenge you to evaluate the type of love that reside in your heart. Read 1 Corinthians 13 and ask the Lord to teach you how to live a life of love--- that never fails!
Love! Love!
Andrea @ TVM
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A Whirlwind Resistant Life!
We all know what it is like to get caught up in a whirlwind in life. A whirlwind occurs when the circumstances of life leave you at a point where you do not know right from left, front from back, or up from down. The result of a whirlwind is that life occurs so fast that you find yourself constantly spinning in different directions--- emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Whirlwinds come in different forms. A few examples include: unexpected diagnosis, breakdown in a relationship, loss of a loved one, financial problems, crisis at church, or loss of a job. Any one of these situations can leave you at a point where you do not know right from left, front from back, or up from down.
Jesus' disciples experienced their share of whirlwinds. One whirlwind took place in the months leading up to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. During this time, the disciples experienced a lot of ups and downs. Think about the triumphal entry. Certainly, this was a high point. The disciples must have rejoiced in the fact that many Jews were waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna." This high was quickly shattered with the lowest of lows. The same crowd shouting, "Crucify!"
In the midst of the whirlwind, Jesus drew the disciples aside and gave them a series of instructions. Today, I would like to focus on three instructions found in John 14:1-6. Hear these words as the disciples must have heard them. Full of love and assurance as they flowed from Jesus' lips.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14: 1-6
Three Clear Instructions:
1. Trust God with every detail of life! The most important question in your life, "Do I trust God with the details in my life?" We ultimately display our trust in God by surrendering to Him--- to His will and to His purposes.
2. Embrace a big picture perspective! The big picture perspective is the eternal perspective. This world is not our home! When you have a big picture perspective you understand that there is more going on in your life than you can see, measure, or comprehend. Remember God's goal for you life--- conformity to Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29. A big picture perspective helps you move past a focus on this world and the things going on in this world. The benefit, you no longer measure your life based on your circumstance. Instead, you value the things that Christ values.
3. Walk a clear path by following Jesus! Jesus is the way! Think how often we use John 14:6 to share our faith. Naturally we should. But can I tell you what grips me about this passage? The recipients were believers! Everyday believers in Jesus Christ need to know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
If you are in the middle of a whirlwind, find your place of refuge in God's Word. Know that you can trust God with every detail going on in your life. Know that you glorify God in your life when you embrace a big picture perspective. Know that every day you are called to walk the narrow path of following Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. As you submit to God's Word, your life will not spin out of control because of the circumstances going on in your life. Instead, you will walk, by the grace of God, through that whirlwind and straight into the loving arms of your Savior.
Love!
Andrea@TVM
Whirlwinds come in different forms. A few examples include: unexpected diagnosis, breakdown in a relationship, loss of a loved one, financial problems, crisis at church, or loss of a job. Any one of these situations can leave you at a point where you do not know right from left, front from back, or up from down.
Jesus' disciples experienced their share of whirlwinds. One whirlwind took place in the months leading up to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. During this time, the disciples experienced a lot of ups and downs. Think about the triumphal entry. Certainly, this was a high point. The disciples must have rejoiced in the fact that many Jews were waving palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna." This high was quickly shattered with the lowest of lows. The same crowd shouting, "Crucify!"
In the midst of the whirlwind, Jesus drew the disciples aside and gave them a series of instructions. Today, I would like to focus on three instructions found in John 14:1-6. Hear these words as the disciples must have heard them. Full of love and assurance as they flowed from Jesus' lips.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14: 1-6
Three Clear Instructions:
1. Trust God with every detail of life! The most important question in your life, "Do I trust God with the details in my life?" We ultimately display our trust in God by surrendering to Him--- to His will and to His purposes.
2. Embrace a big picture perspective! The big picture perspective is the eternal perspective. This world is not our home! When you have a big picture perspective you understand that there is more going on in your life than you can see, measure, or comprehend. Remember God's goal for you life--- conformity to Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29. A big picture perspective helps you move past a focus on this world and the things going on in this world. The benefit, you no longer measure your life based on your circumstance. Instead, you value the things that Christ values.
3. Walk a clear path by following Jesus! Jesus is the way! Think how often we use John 14:6 to share our faith. Naturally we should. But can I tell you what grips me about this passage? The recipients were believers! Everyday believers in Jesus Christ need to know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
If you are in the middle of a whirlwind, find your place of refuge in God's Word. Know that you can trust God with every detail going on in your life. Know that you glorify God in your life when you embrace a big picture perspective. Know that every day you are called to walk the narrow path of following Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. As you submit to God's Word, your life will not spin out of control because of the circumstances going on in your life. Instead, you will walk, by the grace of God, through that whirlwind and straight into the loving arms of your Savior.
Love!
Andrea@TVM
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Helpful tips for keeping your eyes on Jesus while you live in your busy world!
Last night I had the best time with a group of gals at First Baptist Church in Camden, AR. We gathered together on a cold/wet night to study God's word and encourage one another in our walks with the Lord. I loved the group of gals the Lord brought together. We had young ladies who brought babies to older ladies who were so full of wisdom and love for our sweet Savior. One thing we all had in common--- we all live busy, crazy lives. From carpool to laundry to church work, all of us stay too busy for our own good! Because of our tendency to live busy lives, we recognized that we often fight the tendency of forsaking our first love in Jesus Christ. As we talked through scripture, we were reminded about the importance of keeping our eyes focused on Christ. We learned the value of continually moving forward in our walks with Christ with a sense of openness and surrender before the Lord. We learned that we must be rooted in Christ through salvation and built up in Christ through sanctification--- becoming more like Jesus every day and less like the world in every way. We were reminded about the importance of taking daily steps of faith and how stepping out in faith provides a "space" in our life for God to do amazing things. The call to be thankful in every circumstance really put the icing on the cake and reminded all of us that when we are thankful we will have eyes that are focused on Jesus because we will recognize how He sustains and provides in our lives. (Col. 2:6-7)
At the end of the night, I shared a few practical tips that I use in my life to help guard my relationship with Jesus from my busy and sometimes crazy world. I shared that I strive to have my quiet time each day before I hit the reactive point in my day. This means that I strive to establish God's authority over my life before life starts happening to me. For me, my reactive point occurs when I turn on my computer, smart phone, or answer the telephone. Therefore, it is important for me have my quiet time before these points occur. The reason why is simple. When I react in life, I want to react out of God's love instead of my natural self. Second, I utilize personal worship in my daily walk with Jesus to help stay focused on my King. I use my ipod for this almost every day. Early in the day, I worship the King. This step helps me to get my eyes off of myself and to put my focus on knowing, loving, and serving Jesus throughout my day. Finally, I make scripture memory a priority in my day so that I always have God's Word with me--- no matter where I go or what I face. I will never forget a question the Lord asked me one day in my quiet time. The Lord asked, "Andrea, if you did not have access to my Word on a daily basis in your life, how much of the Word would you have hidden in your heart?" My answer, "not enough!"
These are a few things that I do to remain focused in my daily walk with the Lord. Now, I have a question for you. "What do you do on a daily basis to stay focused in your walk with the Lord?" Do tell, sister!
Love!
Andrea @ TVM
At the end of the night, I shared a few practical tips that I use in my life to help guard my relationship with Jesus from my busy and sometimes crazy world. I shared that I strive to have my quiet time each day before I hit the reactive point in my day. This means that I strive to establish God's authority over my life before life starts happening to me. For me, my reactive point occurs when I turn on my computer, smart phone, or answer the telephone. Therefore, it is important for me have my quiet time before these points occur. The reason why is simple. When I react in life, I want to react out of God's love instead of my natural self. Second, I utilize personal worship in my daily walk with Jesus to help stay focused on my King. I use my ipod for this almost every day. Early in the day, I worship the King. This step helps me to get my eyes off of myself and to put my focus on knowing, loving, and serving Jesus throughout my day. Finally, I make scripture memory a priority in my day so that I always have God's Word with me--- no matter where I go or what I face. I will never forget a question the Lord asked me one day in my quiet time. The Lord asked, "Andrea, if you did not have access to my Word on a daily basis in your life, how much of the Word would you have hidden in your heart?" My answer, "not enough!"
These are a few things that I do to remain focused in my daily walk with the Lord. Now, I have a question for you. "What do you do on a daily basis to stay focused in your walk with the Lord?" Do tell, sister!
Love!
Andrea @ TVM
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