My Lenten Journey - Day 2

Thursday, March 6th

"I am your beloved to whom you are well pleased"

In a day where if you stand firmly on beliefs you can count on criticism and rejection, the comfort of knowing that I'm pleasing to God above all else is what I hold closest.

I am a reformed people pleaser.

I was a person who would adjust to whoever I was around in order to make THEM comfortable and ME acceptable.  At the age of 33 I made the decision I would be authentically me, whatever that looked like.  I knew there would be casualties (people who would leave my life because I wouldn't conform to theirs...mostly my family as I had no friends at the time).  I was secretly hiding who I really was in order to win over people and make them happy, thus they accepted me.

The person I was hiding was (and am) a follower of Jesus Christ, yes a Christian.  I chose to believe the Word of God as my authority and power.  I forgave people that my family didn't want me to forgive.  I showed mercy to people who needed mercy.  I stopped judging people.  I stopped being a part of conversations with people who judged others and saying nothing (which essentially meant you agreed). I started living my life as authentically as I was able.  I was in a time transformation.  Supernatural transformation.  What was important to me?  Not money....much to the disappointment and dismay of others around me.  I wasn't going out of my way to be pleasing to others and continually agreeing with them -  for their comfort zones.  I wasn't being politically correct in order to make sure those around me weren't "triggered" or "offended".  Yes.  This was my new quest to find the authentic Darla.  So, here I am 18 years later.  How am I different?  I'm bold.  I'm fanatically a follower of Jesus Christ.  Anyone who meets me will know my heart.  I'm transparent.  I am not hidden and I have no hidden agenda.  I don't feel called to force people to adopt my beliefs.  I make no apologies for my faith.  I will give my testimony if someone asks, but mostly I just am authentically me.  That makes some people comfortable and some people not comfortable.  I can live with that.  

When we pick up the cross and follow Jesus we can count on persecution.     However,God has not left me alone to deal with the rejection but has left His Holy Spirit to help me.  In this Lenten season I am reminded of the unconditional love and the sacrifice Jesus made in order that I may have eternal life.  He didn't deserve to die on the cross, but he did it for me.  I will forever be thankful for that.  He is the model I will follow till my last day, my last breath.  I am not a people pleaser any more, I am a God pleaser...and I can live with that.

Ephesians 1:6
"..to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved".


Father, I thank you for your grace and your steadfast love that never ceases.  I'm thankful for your mercy and your forgiveness and for showing me daily by the people you bring into my life.  I'm thankful for the transformation you are responsible for in my soul for being a God pleaser not a people pleaser and how much peace and joy that comes from not placing my value in other people's hands but by letting me know my value by your Word and constant presence in my life.  Please continue to give me the boldness and strength to carry out your will and your purpose in my life.  I am here for you and for Your glory alone.  Amen.

My Lenten Journey

Ash Wednesday, March 5th

I work for a church.  I'm the highest "ranking" female there.  Confession:  I have no idea what the significance of Ash Wednesday or Lent is.  So, at the last staff meeting, I made myself vulnerable and asked OUTLOUD  what it all meant.  Asking, at the risk of judgement of my fellow Lutheran staff members and Pastors.  Well, when it was all said and done I realized most of the people there didn't know and it was a true history lesson.  Maybe I asked/risked what others were not willing to....ignorance about why we do what we do when we go to church.  In the entire conversation, one of the Pastors mentioned Lent being "a journey and preparation".  That made sense.  We are remembering the journey Jesus was on before his final days on Earth.  Lent comes from the Latin word "lengthen"... Described to me as the length of time from winter coming into spring....death and resurrection. Hmmm.

So, this Lent season, I will be spending less time (or no time) on social media cultivating surface relationships, but instead studying bible verses to understand why Jesus was on the journey to the cross and what it really means.

This blog entry is really to record my thoughts and hopefully some revelations along the way...mostly for myself as a record of this season.  I really don't know who reads my blog as this is really an electronic journal for myself and my children when they want to know their mom in a deeper sense.

So, today I start with a sick 9year old at home and a trio through 1 John 4:10.  Why this verse? Because I downloaded a 31 day devotional demo Bookbub for free and when I opened it up, this was the first devotion. Here it is: Amplified version

1 John 4:10
"In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His only son to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins."

So, I have been saying this over and over.  What stands out is that God loved me first.  For no reason. It's not because I'm lovable all the time, or because I necessarily deserve it.  He loved me enough (and anyone else reading this) to send his perfect, sinless son, Jesus, to die cruelly and undeservingly, so that I may have eternal life with him.  Wow.  Would I do that. Would I sacrifice my son, Jacob, for another person who wasn't exactly perfect? We have been MADE RIGhT by Jesus' death.  How difficult is his to accept?  Easy to accept Jesus is the son of God and died on the cross for my sins....difficult to comprehend what an act of UNCONDITIONAL love this is from God.  He loved me first! HE loved me first.  He loved me FIRST!

God, I receive this unconditional love you have for me.  Let me see myself as you see me...the righteousness of Christ.  Let me see clearly the spiritual being you made me.  Help me to die to self so that I may look upon your people with love and not frustration and disappointment.  Let me live like you. In Jesus' name, amen!

Living in God's Power

How to release God's anointing in your life?  

When things you do happen with ease, it's God's ability coming on you to enable you.  Too many people struggle.  God wants to oil the body.  He wants it to work with ease.  Too much stress and pressure will keep things from being easy.  There are not enough people enjoying their walk.  It's IT IS TIME TO ENJOY YOUR LIFE.  People are miserable because they aren't doing what God called them to do, but what other people ask them to do.

God wants every Christian to get in the place where God wants them and function there and not be MAD about being put there.  God's anointing can be on you, but if you don't get into His timing of it, it will still make you miserable.  You may have gifts but not produce any fruit..and then you wonder why.  When God calls you to do something and it's not breaking forth, it's probably the timing.  The key is to operate in your gifts in HIS timing, not yours.

When God's timing is right, you don't have to labor to use your gifts.   Learn to be sensitive to the anointing.  There may be things you "can" do doesn't mean God's anointing is on you to do it.  You need to learn the difference between ability and anointing.  When God is anointing you to do something, you will be able to do things you couldn't do on your own.

What are we anointed with?  The Holy Spirit.  Christians were given the Holy Spirit by Jesus, this is the anointing that we either claim or don't claim.

If you are a Christian, you don't belong to the world anymore.  You belong to God.  He sets you apart and will use you for a specific purpose and not let you get messed up with things you may want to be involved in.  We have to die to self to get to this place.  Every single one of us has a part and a purpose and a destiny, a gifting and a calling.

Let God bring us to a point to be an empty vessel so he can fill us and use us to His glory.
It would glorify God if we just make ourselves available.  He may not even use us today, but be happy to be empty and ready.  God anoints us for purpose. 

Say:  "I am anointed by God".  Say this several times a day and go out in the world and make a difference.

God, I pray for you to empty me of myself and let me see clearly what you have anointed me to do.  I only want what you want me to do.  Help me to understand what it means to be anointed by God with his Holy Spirit.  Help me to learn when it's your timing and when it's not.  I surrender to you today. Amen.

Word Made Flesh Devotion

 Word Made Flesh

John 1:1-18                                                                                                                            

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it. ⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. ⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. ¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and  is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Thoughts:

The Word is the creative power of God which encompasses the wisdom of God. He who is all became a human being and dwelt among us.  God with us, Emmanuel.

Martin Luther said: "If you truly believe that the Word became flesh, that the logic of the universe became a human being that belief is powerful enough to drive demons and devils away from you.”  Luther goes on to say that when God took the flesh of a human being, that proves that God is well disposed to us, that God has favor towards us. I like the way Martin Luther thinks.  If the Word became flesh then God connects with us at our deepest levels He didn’t choose to stay in the heavens and be separate but to dwell among us.

I believe John is saying before something was created, there was a plan.  I believe before the world began, Christ was the logic of God, the mind of God, the brilliance of God. Did He exist before measured time began? Who is this word of God for whom all things are made? Who is this light that shines in the darkness? Why would God wish to become a human being?  Before there was matter, before there was light and life, there had to be some logic to it.  There was a master plan.  For those who believe, the Holy Spirit/God/Jesus indwells in us, in the flesh. 

God loves us that much, to come and be with us in every part of our life if we allow Him to.  Words cannot express how exciting that is, that the God of all creation loved me enough to come in the flesh and die in the flesh so that we could be joined together in unity!

Questions:

·         Do you believe that the Word is powerful enough to drive demons and evils away from you?  Have you ever had to use the Word to defend yourself from an enemy attack?

·         Do you really truly embrace that in Christ, God became man. Lived, died, rose again for our salvation and lives with us through the Holy Spirit. That He was from the beginning and is now and ever shall be. That He loves us eternally?

·         Do you believe Jesus was a part of the plan from the beginning?  Why?

Prayer:

God of eternal light, sometimes we become to accustomed to the darkness. But you pierce the darkness with the light of your word. We are grateful that you reveal yourself to us in many ways.
Amen.

Jacob's Dream Devotion

Jacob’s Dream

Genesis 27:1-4,15-23, 28:10-17                                                                                             

Thoughts:
I was born in the summer.  The good news is…it’s always a nice day on my birthday.  The bad news (as a child) is nobody sang “happy birthday” to me during the school year.  So, I took matters in my hands (much like Jacob).  I decided to lie to the teacher about when my birthday was so I could have confirmation and affirmation of my birth from my classmates.  I was willing to risk the consequences of lying just to hear a 60 second song sung to me.  Well that went over like a ton of bricks.  Granted I was only in 2^nd grade, but the nature of man is what it is, prideful and full of selfishness and those traits continue long after 7 years old.  I still struggle with wanting to be somebody I’m not for the sake of acceptance and favor.  If we are honest, we probably all do this on some level.  Even going to Church on Sunday could be for appearances sake and to receive favor and blessing from people (like Pastors) who we feel are important we get acceptance and validation from. Or maybe sometimes you are especially nicer to some than others in order to get something from them you want.

As we read these verses, let’s be careful not to judge Jacob for his deceitfulness.  Andrew Murray states, “It is because of pride that we need to be redeemed.  If we are to grasp how desperately we need Jesus, we must see the terrible power that pride has over us.”  Let’s remember that without the supernatural ability to be humble and show humility we would be deceivers all the time and pride would have the best of us most of the time.

I love how God came to Jacob in a dream and blessed him in spite of his shortcomings and deceitfulness.  The consequences of his sin were limited and didn’t define his future for his whole life.   I find hope in knowing that my consequences can be limited but God’s love and blessings are not.

Let’s pray today that we would be authentic in how we live our lives. Let’s ask God for forgiveness for when we’ve not been open and honest about our own failings and have tried to deceive people around us. And let’s ask God to bless us for who we are as we strive to live lives that honor him.

Questions:

·      1.    Is there a time when you are being a deceiver for the sake of affirmation or blessings?

·       2.   How do you feel about God blessing Jacob even after he deceived his earthly father?

·     3.     What are some things you could do to become more humble and authentic and get away from pride and selfishness?

Prayer:

God of good gifts, Your blessings are abundant. Your promises are true. You provide for our every need, even when we don’t deserve it. We are grateful for your faithfulness to us. Amen.

Healing Devotion

Healing

John 4:46-54

Thoughts
We are so blessed to have a God who is not limited by time or space or by our lack of faith and belief.
We have a God who heals because He loves us, not because we see or don’t see. We handicap
ourselves when we limit God. If our answer is “yes” even before we know what His will is, imagine
the faith we will build as we see and experience the miracle and power of God moving in our lives.
We cannot even for one moment fathom or understand the depth of His abilities. In one breathe He could change things for us versus our lifetime of laboring to change things.

Today, we face a similar but different kind of faith test. Will we believe what Jesus said almost 2,000 years ago as we read his words in the Bible? Or, will we worry, panic and get scared when we have problems that we can’t solve? The nobleman believed Jesus when he spoke the word about his son being healed. As he spoke to his servant, he learned that at the very moment Jesus said his son would be healed…his son was healed. At least the nobleman could see Jesus when he talked with him. We can’t see Jesus with our physical eyes, so in some ways, our test of faith is bigger than the one the nobleman faced. I am reminded of what Jesus says, in John 20:29; “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to
believe.”

The word “believe” implies confidence in something. Do you believe (have confidence) God is hearing your prayers and will answer you? Today, in your quiet time with God, declare to God that you believe 100% that He hears you and He cares about the desires of your heart. The lesson here is to pray with confidence and know while the answer still may be “no” or “not yet”, sometimes (like in the case of the Nobleman) the answer is “YES”!

Questions:
• When you ask God for healing, are there times when you struggle with believing He will
answer your prayer?
• Do you remember the first time you experienced a miracle from God? Did you immediately
know it was an answer to a prayer? Were you skeptical?
• Are you able to share, with confidence, your faith stories? Has someone shared their faith
story with you which has influenced you or caused you to rethink your faith?

Prayer:
God of restoration, You have the power to heal and to renew. Mend all that is broken in us and in our
world, and bring us to wholeness, for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

It's all about LOVE

What is your number one goal in life?  How would you answer this question?

My number one goal in life is ________________?  

Think it through.  Whatever the answer is will be your DOMINANT life value/principle.

If your dominant life value is to have fun, then this evening if you get a couple invitations for the evening, then you will tend to choose whichever is most FUN.

If your dominant life value is safety, then you will make sure every decision in life based on the safest choice.

If your dominant life value is to be affirmed, then you will choose things in life that will give you the most affirmation.

It's extremely important what is going to be the most important value in your lfie.

In 1 Corinthians 13.  Let LOVE be your greatest aim.  God says your #1 life value should be LOVE - your highest life value.  The bible said God created everything in the universe for love.  He created us as the object of His love.  He created us to learn how to love.  

Jesus said the most important thing is the "great commandment".  Mark 12:28 

Life is all about learning to love.  Everything else is EXCESS.  One day you will stand before God and answer to how well you loved yourself, God and other people.

Life is all about love.  Love God with all your heart, love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Everything you do must be done with love.  What does that include?  EVERYTHING

Does this mean when you deal with people who attack you because of your faith? YES

Does this mean when you deal with the person at the fast food drive thru that you can't understand?  YES

Does this mean when you deal with people who have different political opinion? YES

Does this mean when someone disagrees with your opinion? YES

1 Corinthians 16:14 - MEMORIZE it - "Let all that you do be done in love."

The day you understand how completely and unconditionally God loves you, you will automatically be more loving, merciful and graceful.  

People who don't feel good about themselves are people are the ones who give no grace, mercy or love to others.  

You cannot give to others what you do not have yourself.  

Next we talk about five things the bible says about love.

1.  We love because God loves us.  All love comes from God.  1 John 4:7-8.  God is love.  The reason why God wants you to love, is because he IS love and he wants us to be like him. If He wasn't loving there would be no love in the universe.  We have the ability to love because we were made in the image of God.  Animals cannot love, rocks cannot love.  Animals have instincts but they do not love the way human beings have the ability to love.  Our two missions while on earth:  Learn to love God and learn to love other people.  God takes the initiative.  When he sent Jesus to earth to die for us, He shows us his love.  

When believers don't believe they are not measuring up to God and feel they don't love God enough, the real problem is they don't realize how much God loves them.  If they realized how much God loved them so extravagantly and unconditionally, they would be automatically attracted to God.  If they understand or felt how much He loved them, they would not be carrying around guilt and condemnation. 

You can't make God stop loving you.  Once you feel the unconditional love, you cut people more slack and give more mercy.  People who hurt others don't feel good about themselves, so they pass it along to others.


Unlovely people are unLOVED people.  If you are feeled with anger and impatience?  You won't be able to love anyone else.  Let God's love heal your heart and let it flow through.

2.  Love is a CHOICE.  Love is a commitment.  You choose to love or to not love.  We do have control over our love.  Attraction is uncontrollable.  Arousal is uncontrollable.  Attraction and Arousal is not love.  They can lead to love, but they aren't love.  Love cannot be forced.  You can't make someone love you or stay in love with you.  You can choose to love God or not love Him.  When a person says, "I just don't love her anymore".  This is a choice.  Don't blame it on circumstances.  You are choosing not to love.  

3.  Love is an ACTION not just a emotion.  Love can cause emotion.  It can create emotion.  Love is not an emotion, though.  Why?  We are commanded by God to love each other.  You can not command an emotion.  You can't command an emotion and have it be authentic, it can be acted.  Love is something you DO and it is an ACTION.  1 John 3:18.  "Let us not love with tongue, but with action."  Acting in love when you don't feel it is a more MATURE love.  It's easy to love someone who loves you, it takes nothing at all.  Real love is when you do the right thing when they don't deserve it, you don't feel it or when they don't respond.  Look at how we sacrificially love our children and take care of them.  Anytime you have held a sick hand for

4.  Love is a skill.  It's something you can get good at.  




to be continued....
notes from Rick Warren's "40 Days of Love, It's all About Love, Part 1".