The 2012 Benediction

"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore."  Jude 24
 

This is one of my favorite scriptures.  Each time I hear a minister give this benediction, it sends chills up my spine.  I am not sure if it is because the verse is so full of promise, or if it is because it expresses my deepest praise.  And what a wonderful way to end the year of 2012 -- with a benediction.  This year has been full of lessons and challenges, but God has proven to be faithful.  His promises are everlasting and we are reminded in this scripture.

 

The promise is rich.  As His children, He will present us before Him faultless, blameless, without spot.  This is reassuring in a world where we always feel at fault for something.  Whether it is an argument, a broken relationship, a project gone awry or a lost dream.  Somehow, we take the weight of the world and put them on our shoulders.  We also hold on to the guilt and shame of our past sins.  Often we struggle to see ourselves as a new creature in Christ. But our Father promises that He will present us before Him without fault and with GREAT joy! 

The praise is precious.  There are so many names we can attribute to the Almighty.  There are so many ways we can honor Him.  Yet these words capture a multitude of feelings and awe.  In this one verse, we declare him to be the only God, who is our Savior - the one who rescues us and takes us in from the storm.  He is attributed as full, overflowing with glory, majesty, power and authority.  And finally we are reminded that He was not just a God of Abraham, of Moses or the Israelites who performed wonderful miracles.  But He is the SAME God, now and forevermore. 

 

This scripture offers us an unending source of hope.  It gives us hope that, as Christians our ending will be better than our beginning.  Whatever is happening now sister and brothers in Christ, THIS will not be how our story ends.  But we will see our Father in all His glory, in all His splendor.  Just ponder on that for a moment.  Our past will not matter, our sins will be obsolete.  We will be blameless before Him. Now... let's march into 2013 with that promise and that praise. 

 

Selah...

I Shall Not Be Moved

“Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

 

Stone Mountain, GA

"I shall not be moved" are the words that were chanted by marchers and leaders during the civil rights movement.  They were confident that they would press their way no matter what the cost. And because they did - many of us are able to sit at the desks that we occupy now, the homes that we live in and the schools we attend. They had perseverance and focus.  They knew something better was on the other side.

Often we allow situations, circumstances, people, and yes even our own emotions to “move” us.  I’m not speaking of a physical movement - but to be moved spiritually.  At some point, we may have made up our minds to follow the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind, just as the marchers made up in their minds to press on.  We committed to give Jesus our all - to never turn back.  We decided to surrender and use our gifts for His kingdom.  But then a storm came along.  Our bank account was low, a friend, coworker, or church member said something to hurt us or make us angry.  A relationship ended.  An illness crept upon us or a loved one.  Suddenly - our zeal was depleted.  We may have pulled back, gotten discouraged or quit.  We allowed something to “move” us. 

Sisters and brothers in Christ, don’t be moved. It is during those difficult times, those times when it is hard to give ourselves fully to the Lord, that He uses us mightily.  It is at these moments that He gets the most glory.  After all, isn’t that the whole point - God’s glory?  Not our convenience or our feelings.  When a situation is threatening to move you spiritually, keep you from being the the BEST that God has intended for you to be - stand firm, be unmovable. Know that something better is on the other side.  God’s glory should be our focus.  This week - allow nothing to move you. Give yourself fully to God and see that HE gets the glory. 

His Unfailing Love

The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.  Lamentations 3:22-25

In Outer Banks, North Carolina.  A beautiful view of the ocean and a
reminder of God's unfailing love.

We sometimes find ourselves in the midst of a mess and wonder "how did all this happen?"  I have been there many times.  I have often felt like I was drowning in a sea of unfortunate circumstances and bad decisions and in despair fell to my knees pleading with God for answers and a way out. We have all been there.  We may have been overwhelmed with financial burdens, raising children alone, or marital problems.  What hurt the most in my despair was that the dilemmas were a result of my own bad decisions.  Living life the way I wanted, never stopping to really hear from the Lord.  Yet, even in the midst of our bad decisions, our mistakes, our mess - God still loves us completely and perfectly.  When we are in the midst of mess - we are covered in God's love. God is FAITHFUL.  His love for us never tires or runs out.  With each rising of the sun, the moment our eyes flicker open, God is patiently waiting for us give Him our hearts.  He loves you.  

What is our response to this faithful and great love?  We wait on Him and seek Him with all of our heart.  Whatever mess you may be in right now - lay it at the feet of Jesus . . . all of it!   Give Him your mess and let Him bless you . . . abundantly.

 

God's Protection

“For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.”  Psalm 91:11

 

Protection. It is one of the many gifts God pours out on us. It is not simply a blanket of protection, but it is personal, for each one of His children. He knows exactly what to guard us from and how to keep us. As we are driving into work, riding in the elevator, playing with our children, and yes, even in a terrible accident or when receiving distressing news, He is keeping us. When insults and hurting words are hurled at us, He knows how much we can handle. He knows just how much we can handle. He knows when to say to the enemy "Enough, no more, this is MY child." His strong and mighty arm is right there wrapped around you - guiding you, protecting you. Don’t you find comfort in knowing God is guarding us? Even in your wrong choices, even in our sin - our Savior has not forgotten us. Feel and acknowledge His protection today.

Pushing Fear Out of the Way

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

 

Many of us are gripped by fear.  This trick of satan has kept some of us from pursuing God-given dreams, opportunities and even relationships.  We shrink away, procrastinate or simply tremble at the thought of certain things.  Is there any fear lurking in your heart today?  Is there anything God is calling you to do, but because of fear you have turned your head or drowned out your Savior’s voice?  Our Father commands us to be strong and courageous.  We can look at our fear in the face with confidence, knowing that God is with us. Rejection, failure, hardships have no control over us because God is on our side.  What He has ordained for us, it is for us, therefore we can be like the Proverbs woman and  “. . .smile at the future. “ (Proverbs 31:25)  Ask God to reveal to you any fears you may have today.  Look at your fear in the face, take God by the hand and step into your bright future!

Joy in the Morning

"...Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."  Psalm 30:5

A long night can seem excruciating.  The darkness and quietness seems to last forever. Our mind will race to the worst scenarios or rehearse things that have happened to cause such excruciating pain. But there is something almost "magical" that happens when the dawn begins to break. We somehow feel a little more hope, a litte renewed.  The joy of a new morning.  "...His mercies are new every morning." Mornings are a powerful thing!

Are you laying ther in the night? A season in your life when darkness surrounds you and hope seems to be far away?  Your night may have crept upon you through an illness, marriage problems, financial woes, death of a loved one or disruption on your job. Whatever your "night" is - God knows, He's right there, watching, listening ... and preparing for your morning.  We serve a God of hope.

Therefore in our "nights" we can rest and sleep tight because we know that God is working on our "morning."  And joy comes in the morning  We can be confident of this.  There is no night without morning.  There is no darkness without light.  Hold on to hope during your night and be confident that your morning is on the way!  God promises . . .

 

See you in the "morning."

Lee

 

Strength in His Power

"Finally, be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power."  Ephesians 6:10

 

We can lean and depend on many things in this world.  Often we look to our spouse, friends, money, possessions or our jobs for security or for help.  Many times we simply look to ourselves, trusting in our self-sufficiency.  Although the world and magazines tell us to trust in ourselves, what a dangerous place to be for a Christian.  When we trust in ourselves, we put our faith in self and take God out of the picture.  And think of the burden of carrying the load by yourself!   But Praise God, we can take that responsibility off ourselves and whomever else we've given it to - and lay it at the feet of Jesus.  He alone is able to handle any and everything that comes our way.  We can simply rest in His mighty power.  Take the burden off yourself and walk in God's strength  today.

No Place Like Home

I've been traveling for the past week. I am definitely homesick and was longing to be in familiar surrroundings.

I'd forgotten how much I absolutely LOVE Atlanta. As the plane came closer to Atlanta, the pilot announced that we were 90 miles outside the city. I looked out the window and there was my love - my city, my home. Even from 90 miles away - I can feel the energy of the city. Even the sun was inviting me, calling me home. It seemed brighter and happier in the South.

Soon I could see downtown, Atlanta's skyline. I could see the houses lined up; all the trees and greenery; the infrastructure and expressways crossing over each other. I imagined the people driving around in their shiny cars going to some meeting to "make things happen," to dream with a business partner and friend; to close a deal; to encourage someone, to pray with someone. Yes, I see this in my city all the time. I feel regularly - people wanting more, dreaming and going for it.

Finally we landed it. As I stepped off the plane the Hotlanta heat and humidity hit me. I could feel my hair cry out in disappointment. But that's okay. I was home and even the humidity didn't put a damper on my excitement to be back in the city of dreams and energy.

My prayer is that all of you have a place like this. Life is so short. We should all love where we call home. If you don't, either make a move or make it a place of love.

Brokeness

As I've ministered to many women, I’ve heard a lot about brokenness and being broken. Although God would give me a word for my sisters in Christ, there was a part of me that could not quite relate to the feeling of brokeness. Yes - I'd been hurt, I've been frustrated and experienced different forms of tragedy. But until recently I don’t think I’ve ever experienced brokeness.

There was no specific incident, nor one tragic event. Instead, there were just small cracks, tiny dents in my life that continued to spread, grow and expand. I somehow convinced myself that I could handle the cracks. I was in control. We are never in control. Until I was at a point of brokenness. A broken heart, broken dreams, broken vision, broken spirit.


The pain is so similar to what a physical brokenness would be. You can feel yourself bleeding, emotions pouring out of every crack. Erupting. The blood keeps coming. I try to hide it – put bandaids over it, cover it. But somehow it slips through my fingers. My hands are covered with it – blood. Red. Remnants of my pain. Years of covering, hiding, dealing. I am reminded of Isaiah 61:1. Jesus says He has come to bind the brokenhearted. Ah! It makes so much sense now. I now see why I need Him to bind it. My bandaids, my hands, my tissue cannot stop the bleeding, cannot cover the cracks and dents. Only His bandages, His hands can cover, can heal. Can stop the bleeding


How do you heal a broken heart? How do you heal brokenness? How do you begin to put pieces back together again? I’m still in the process. But first, I know I have to stop the bleeding. I have to run to my Savior and allow Him to find the wounds, the cracks, the dents and put His bandages over them. To touch them. Examine them. Kiss them. Its so painful. Most of my wounds – although there, I don’t want to relive. I almost prefer for them to sit and fester. Just as a child doesn’t want the bandaid removed. But I know healing must come. In order to be free, to live abundantly in Him – I must move myself out of the way and let Him heal my brokenness.

He is Mine!

"The Lord is MY Shepherd..." Psalm 23:1

What a faithful and familiar scripture. It is recited at most funerals and read in church services many times a year. Many children memorize this scripture at a young age and carry it with them into adulthood.  But do we really understand the depth and power of these five words? 

As I spent time in prayer and meditation this morning, I lingered over this verse and just let it penetrate my heart. The temptation was to keep going, keep reading or even just recite the rest of the Psalm. 

But I stopped.

The Lord is MY Shepherd...

Looking around...who me?  The one with all the flaws, who keeps stumbling and stopping, who sometimes says stupid things and allows ugly feelings to creep into my heart? 

And the Lord whispers: "Yes...you."

Despite setbacks, failures, mistakes, He is still mine (and yours too!)  He knows where and how to lead me. He watches over me with the closest eyes.  He carries me when I'm weak.  He whispers in my ear and gives me rest when I need it.  He is My Shepherd.

I love that we serve a God that is so personal and loving.  He can touch the core of our being. He knows us so intimately.  Better than we know ourselves. It reminds me of the song Killing Me Softly by Roberta Flack.  There is a part of the song that says:  "...telling my whole life with His words." Yes.  He knows my whole life, the falls and flaws, yet He watches over me so closely and faithfully.

That is My Shepherd, seeing right through me, loving me and protecting me!  What a loving Shepherd.