Beneath the Surface

I just spent a few hours with my friend Teri. In the course of our conversation, we talked about dry ground. Friends we know are experiencing “dry ground” in their lives right now. The two of us in our own ways have experienced dry ground in our lives recently too.

But unlike we frequently think, though we only see dry ground, that does not mean nothing is happening. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface, things that we can’t perceive or imagine.

Maybe you’re in a place of dry ground right now. God’s not speaking nor is He making His presence known. Be encouraged that God is doing a beautiful work below the surface of your dry ground.

Did you know there was a period of 400 years in which the people of God heard nothing from God? The prophets had no more messages to deliver to the people because God was not speaking. The people had heard the prophecies of a coming Messiah, the promised Deliverer of God’s people. And yet, where was He? Where was this Hope of the World? Talk about incredibly dry ground – not hearing from God for centuries, nor seeing the fulfillment of God’s promises. And then…

Then Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the long-awaited Deliverer of God’s people, came into the world. “[He] grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground” (Isaiah 53:2).

Earlier in the prophecies of Isaiah, the prophet wrote this about the coming Messiah:

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.” (Isaiah 11:1-5)

When this promised Deliverer, Jesus, came He was such a breath of refreshment and new life for those who had prepared their hearts for Him, who were ready to receive the Promise.

As we look toward the season of Christmas, at the end of the month we’ll enter a season called Advent. Advent is a period of preparation and expectancy, when we’re watching and preparing for the coming of our Deliverer.

If you’re weary and wondering if the promises of God will ever be fulfilled in your life, hold fast. God’s promises will always, always, always be fulfilled.Let this dry time be a season of preparation for you, a time to wait expectantly for the coming of God’s promises fulfilled.

You are dearly loved, and God working something beautiful beneath the surface of your dry ground.

“If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.” Habakkuk 2:3

God's Intervention in a Place of Longing

When we're seeking God in trials, God will answer our cries for help and will intervene, but sometimes his intervention is not what we expected or were hoping for.

Sometimes his intervention comes as a testing of our faith. In trials, we're "thirsty" and longing for satisfaction and to feel better, but he often allows a "drought" and for our "thirsts" and longings to go unsatisfied for a while so he can do a greater work in our lives.

What does it mean for God to test our faith?

It seems that he wants to see whether we'll turn to him in the drought or whether we'll try to find water and satisfaction elsewhere. He wants us to answer the question, "Do I really believe that God is enough, that he satisfies all my thirsts and longings, even and especially as situations continue to prove unsatisfying and disappointing?"

Whatever we believe is what we will act upon. If I really believe God is enough for me, then I will live like it. I won't continually be chasing after other things for satisfaction because my satisfaction and contentment will be found in him.

When I'm looking for satisfaction and contentment outside of God, I will feel like what I have is never enough; BUT if I'm looking for satisfaction and contentment in him, then no matter how my heart has felt - all the discomfort, pain, and longing - those things will be washed away, overpowered by the wave of realization that God is more than enough for me.

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." Isaiah 30:15

"...Those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing." Psalm 34:10

To See the World Be Changed

Throughout this year, I've been writing weekly devotionals for my church, talking about various ways we can experience more of God's power in our lives. Each week, I focus on one of five different areas: Prayer, Outreach, God's Word, Expectancy (expecting God to show up), and Relationships.

This week's focus is on outreach, and it's one of my favorites because of what God's been doing in my mind & heart lately, so I thought I'd share with you.

P.O.W.E.R. Point

Experiencing More of God's Power in 2011

+ Outreach +

I will live
To carry Your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your name

Lyrics from “The Power of Your Name” by Lincoln Brewster

Lord, break my heart for the things that break your heart. Recently, I’ve prayed this as God’s been opening my eyes and heart in new ways to the needs of the poor, oppressed and marginalized of our world. It began with understanding the balance Jesus lived in his relationships – UP (God), IN (family & friends), and OUT (the world) – which is his model for us as His followers.

Recently, God has reinforced His call for me to live my faith OUT in the world like Jesus did through a friend, a song, and a book—a friend with a heart of compassion for those in need… the song above… and an eye-opening book called The Hole in our Gospel by Richard Stearns, president of World Vision.

Did you know that…

*In America, the average income is $38,611 per person, or about $105 per day, while 40% of the world’s population lives on less than $2 per day

*22,000 children die each day due to poverty

*About 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation

*Every year there are 350–500 million cases of malaria, with 1 million fatalities, not to mention fatalities from other infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS

Statistics taken from: http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats

These statistics are just the beginning. In America, we’ve been given so much. Most of us have all our needs met and have extra for luxuries such as an iPhone, tickets to football games, or the occasional Starbucks coffee (yes, I’m guilty of this one!).

What if, however, God has entrusted us with what we have not to keep it all for ourselves but to share with others in need?

I want my life to count for God. I don’t want to sit idly watching from a distance those in need suffering without or enduring injustice. I want to see the world be changed by the power of God’s name, as the song above says. But I believe that it’s not going to happen by my sitting on the sidelines. It’s going to happen as each of us steps out into the world in faith and calls on Jesus’ power.

“…I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power…” Isaiah 52:6 (NLT)

On the Giving End of Hope

I don’t like to ask for help. I like handling things on my own, especially if asking for help would be putting me in a place of vulnerability. Yes, I still tend to be prideful in this way and worry too much about what people will think.

Recently, however, I’ve been reminded of the beauty of reaching out and asking for help.

I’ve been on the giving end of help. And hope.

We often think that having a need and having to ask for help shows weakness. In reality, however, asking for help is a sign of incredible strength. It shows humility, authenticity, and trust in God to meet our need. Beautiful.

When we are without hope, we turn our eyes to the only true Hope-giver: Jesus Christ. And we also look to the people in our life who are instruments of God’s hope. If it weren’t for people with us in the hard times, loving and caring for us, and showing us the hope we have in Jesus, where would we be?

I’m so thankful for the people God has put in my path to help me when I’m fallen.

Here’s to those special people in my life. Thank you for being there for me in my hardest times.

And here’s to those special people who have reached out to me for help and hope. Thank you for reminding me that true strength is in reaching out for help!

May God continue to bless us with special friends who laugh & cry with us, speak Truth over our lives, pray for us, and let us borrow their faith when ours is so little.

“More Than You’ll Ever Know” by Watermark

Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...

CHORUS:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah

You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...

You have carried me
You have taken upon a burden that wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundredfold, oh yeah...
A hundredfold, oh yeah...

The Kingdom of Heaven ... and Hundreds of Birds

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches."
Matthew 13:31-32

Yesterday morning, I was taking the dogs out and not only saw a beautiful sunrise but also heard the sound of hundreds of birds chirping, perched in the trees beside my neighbor's house.

And I mean literally hundreds.

I tried to capture them with this picture, though my camera phone isn't the best for taking pics. If you look hard you may see black dots in the top of the big tree past the neighbor's house.

It was such a beautiful image to me of what Jesus meant when He spoke about the growth of His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God started as a tiny mustard seed, but it is growing and will continue to grow until the end comes and the Kingdom has reached its fullest capacity. Then, millions of birds will fill its branches.

God never ceases to amaze me.

Distracted or Discouraged?

Have you ever found yourself distracted or discouraged but can't quite put your finger on why?

I've been there recently. Ministry has been going really well, and I've seen God's power in awesome ways as He's used me to share truth and hope with others.

At the same time, I also recently found myself distracted and discouraged. I went to a small group (that I lead) and found it challenging to focus, to listen as people shared their reflections, and to respond in a way that seemed relevant. In a haze. Distracted.

Dis*tract*ed : mentally confused, troubled

But what was I distracted by? I can't even tell you.

Not only that, by the end of the small group meeting I also found myself discouraged. Not feeling joyful. Wanting to leave and go far far away.

Dis*cour*aged : deprived of courage or confidence

What's up with that?!

My conclusion: I was under a spiritual attack. I believe the devil was trying to take me off the track that God had me on and was trying to take away my courage and confidence to continue speaking up and stepping out for Christ.

The Bible talks about spiritual attack: "We are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world..." (Ephesians 6:12) and "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith..." (1 Peter 5:8-9)

I'm aware of how the devil likes to work in my life, and distraction and discouragement are some of the primary ways he's used in the past.

Thankfully, I shared my feelings with a friend, who immediately prayed for me and reminded me of truth. Distraction and discouragement are not from God. Instead, they're the devil's plan to keep us from God's path and from being powerful and effective for the Kingdom of God.

God is so incredibly good, and the devil is just a liar.

With that, I'm praying the Lord's Prayer (personalized for this situation), asking for God's intervention. If you're in a place where the devil is trying to distract or discourage you, you may want to pray this prayer too, personalizing it for your situation. And together, let's remember this: "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2). It's his truth that drowns out all the distractions, discouragement and lies of the enemy.

My Father in Heaven, may I always honor and adore you with my life. I praise you because you are such a good, loving and gracious father.

May your Kingdom come and your will be done in and through my life here on earth, just as your will is done in Heaven. Use me as an instrument in your Kingdom breakthrough in people's lives.

Give me today everything I need, including recognition of the truth and the ability to walk in it, focus on your priorities for today, and the ability to live confidently and courageously for you. Thank you for my friend who spoke truth and encouragement to me when I needed it.

Thank you for forgiving me for my sins. Help me know the extent of your forgiveness and mercy, and help me to extend that same forgiveness and mercy to others.

Guide me away from temptation and its distraction, enticement, deceitfulness, and condemnation.

And protect, shield and deliver me from all evil.

Father, please do all these things because the Kingdom, all the power, and all the glory belong to you forever.
Amen.

Spiritual Battles

Lately I have been so aware of the spiritual battle that we face as Christians. I feel like I've been under attack from the unseen forces of evil in the world. I have to say that I didn't always understand or believe these forces of evil existed. But as I've grown closer to God (which is only only by His grace) I have seen just how much the devil and his helpers do not want me to get closer to God because that means they are losing their power in my life and the ground I had previously surrendered to them.

So, what does this mean? It means the devil will do everything he can to pull me away from God. We all have weaknesses or areas of vulnerability. The devil loves to jump in and attack us there. For me, my greatest areas of vulnerability have to do with what I believe about myself, others and God. So, to get to me, the devil in the past has lied to me, deceived me, and accused me about myself, others and God.

For instance, I was meeting with a friend the other day, and as we talked, in everything my friend said I heard something else. It caused me to feel really hurt and not trust this person. (The devil was accusing me and lying to me about who I am and trying to deceive me about who my friend is... Essentially I heard, "Kristen, why are you even trying? Why don't you just quit now? You don't have anything good to offer. And by the way, your 'friend' does not really care about you or love you. You can't trust them.")

HOW DO WE COMBAT THE LIES OF THE ENEMY? With the TRUTH. Where do you find the truth? In the Bible. The Bible tells us what God says is true about ourselves, about other people, and about Himself. God also reveals and reconfirms His truth through other means - including Christian friends and songs.

In the midst of my meeting with my friend, God knew my heart was hurting. I was wounded on a deep level. But God is so amazingly good. Because He was right there at the point of my pain, listening to the lies the devil was spewing at me and speaking the truth to me. "Kristen, I am with you dear one. I love you. Let me hold your heart. What you're hearing is not a true reflection of reality. LOVE your friend despite what you feel they are telling you. Stop running from where I've called you. Quit trying to run from pain; quit trying to always 'play it safe.' Step out in faith. You are beautiful, I love you and I've called you to do these things for me. I'm right by your side and I will help you and will complete everything in your life that I have planned."

I first heard these truths in the Bible. Then God stepped in and assured me that these were indeed true (He just gave me an unexplainable assurance and peace inside that what the Bible says is true and I can trust it and I can trust HIM). He also reconfirmed these truths to me by repeating them to me through a few songs on the radio.

Ephesians 6 says,
^"10 ... Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

What's God's plan for dealing with these spiritual forces of evil and darkness?

"¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

One more story (and joy) to share from this week ...
Recently I was faced with a temptation, one that is very familiar to me. Temptation is another one of the devil's many schemes to draw us away from God.

This temptation is something that in the past I have always caved into. Well this time, I was able to resist this temptation!!!

I can't take any credit for it. I totally give God all the praise for this because it is Him in me giving me the desire AND POWER do do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13).

The Bible says to "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7b)

Luke 9 says: ^"23 Then [Jesus] said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. ²⁴ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁵ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?'"

If we want to see God's power in our lives, we must be willing to surrender to Him and let Him direct our steps every single day. It's a daily "dying to self." One of my favorite songs about this is "Crucified with Christ" by Philips, Craig & Dean. My favorite line is "His cross will never ask for more than I can give, for it's not my strength but His." If God asks me for a complete sacrifice of myself, He will make it possible ... not by my strength, of course, but by His.

I have read the Scripture multiple times that God won't allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle. When temptation comes, He will provide a way out for us (1 Corinthians 10:13). Yet for such a long time, I longed for the day when I would see this promise fulfilled in my own life. I wanted to believe it was true for me, and yet every time I faced a particular temptation, I felt powerless to resist it. I felt like I didn't have a way out. You could say I felt enslaved to it. This is a place where I believe the devil had deceived me in the past. He wanted me to truly believe that there was not a way out, that God does provide a way out for some people but not for me. The devil wanted me to feel discouraged and defeated. He wanted me to not believe and to even forget who God says I am - His dearly loved child, who has been given victory over my weaknesses and temptations through His power (1 John 3:1, Ephesians 3:18-21). Though there may be more times in the future that I cave into temptation, today is a new day. God is doing something new. I pray that God would complete this good work that He has begun.

The devil is such a liar and deceiver!! I'm praying that you would see God's power in your life in whatever you're going through. And I'm praying that we would all be able to distinguish God's truth from the devil's lies, and believe the truth and walk in the truth!

"... You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

Love & blessings,

Kristen