Last Friday a sister in Christ sent me the following devotional written by Henry Blackaby. It made me think of all the kingdom workers around the world that need to be reminded, “God Cares for You”!
And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." 1 Kings 19:14
Kingdom work can be challenging! You can give everything you have to God’s service and come away exhausted. This is what happened to Elijah. God had just used Elijah to call down fire from heaven in a spectacular display of divine power. But Elijah’s exhilaration was soon replaced by strenuous work followed by death threats, causing him to flee for his life. Now he was alone, exhausted, and discouraged.
Again, God came to Elijah. This time, He came not in fire or in a loud, spectacular way, but in a still, small voice. God’s servant was tired, and God brought him comfort. Elijah’s focus had shifted from God to God’s enemies. He had allowed his circumstances to overwhelm him, leaving him disoriented to God and feeling alone. So, God encouraged him. God provided Elisha for him as a helper, friend, and companion.
God removed Elijah from the activity for a time, so that he could rest and spend time with God. When the nation next saw Elijah, he was rejuvenated and refocused on God and His assignment.
If you are overwhelmed by kingdom work so that your focus is no longer on God but on all that there is to do, let Him comfort you. Listen to His gentle voice. He will encourage you and provide exactly what you need to prepare you for what comes next. If He needs to remove you from your work for a time, He will. He may place a friend or co-laborer beside you to help carry the load. God knows exactly how to encourage you. Let Him do so.
What a powerful truth for those that serve around the world for the Glory of God. Stay strong and carry-on!
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If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, and or nephews there is a good chance you have seen the “LORAX” movie. There is a very powerful quote in the movie from Dr. Seuss. It goes like this:
“The Lorax: Which way does a tree fall.
The Once-ler: Uh, down?
The Lorax: A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean.”
God very simply puts it this way: Proverbs 3: 5-8
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in you're own eyes: fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
If you have weathered the storms of the past year and a half there is a strong possibility you understand the magnitude of that verse from Proverbs. Not saying it has been easy and or is easy. Just saying while the storms may be challenging to you, causing you to feel weary, maybe even defeated at times, you are still standing. That tells me you have a vertical lean. You’re not leaning to the left or the right. Both of which can be guilty of leaning on their own understanding and their own wisdom.
So, maybe take some time to ask yourself “Which way am I leaning?” And if you realize your life is a little bit in shambles and overwhelming to the point of questioning whether you can really make it through these storms:
His,
Vickie
I think I can safely assume that most of us reading this blog have had the opportunity to hear an out of tune instrument of some kind during our lifetime. It is one thing to hear it when you or someone is learning to play the instrument. We are much more gracious with them. It is another thing for you and or me to hear it when listening to a recital, orchestra, band, etc. We are much less gracious because our expectation is different.
Did you
know that a person can be playing all the right keys but if the instrument is
not tuned right, it will not matter? We
will still hear that note either in a pitch higher or lower than it should be
in keeping with the melody of the music.
The
Webster defines “fine-tuned”; to adjust precisely to bring to the highest level
of performance or effectiveness. Sometimes you will hear a judge in some of the
TV shows such as The Voice, American Idol, America’s Got Talent, etc., say to a
contestant, “You were a little pitchy”.
Meaning they sang that note higher or lower than it was meant to be sung.
When an
instrument is out of tune just a little it will clash with others playing the
same note. Tuning an instrument is especially
important for two key reasons:
1. For the instrument to be in tune with
itself, and
2. For the instrument to be in tune with
others.
Oh, the
depths of spiritual parallels that can jump off this page right now. However, let us just keep it simple for my
sake. Ha, ha, ha So, let me start by
asking us to answer a few questions.
·
Are you out of tune, spiritually speaking? Are you right with God, His Word, and His ways?
Allowing the spirit of God to work in you and through you. Or are you living life in the flesh? Doing it your way.
·
Are you clashing with others you are doing life with? At home with spouse
and children, at church, at work, in ministry, etc. If we are clashing with people on all fronts,
then is it us or them that is out of tune?
When we
are yielded to the LORD, His spirit is quick to let us know when we step out of
pitch. God knows this side of heaven we
are not ever going to be perfect as human beings, but we are perfect in Christ
and are being perfected.
I believe
He wants to adjust us precisely to bring about His best in and through us as we
grow to become more and more effective for His kingdom work and His Glory!
Philippians
1:6 (AMP) I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has
begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the
day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].
Do you
trust Him to fine tune you? I have said
this many a time and I will always continue to say and believe it, “God is a
Gentleman,” He will not strong-arm you, manipulate you, and or force you but He
does hear the cry of our hearts whatever it might be.
Would you
dare say these words to Him and mean it?
“Fine Tune me” LORD, I am willing.
His,
Vickie
Special note to Missionary women: I am continuing to contact you as schedule
allows. Don’t give up on hearing from
me.
As we gather as brothers and sisters here at home and to the
ends of the earth this Easter Weekend, celebrating the resurrection of Christ,
I am mindful of two things Christ accomplished that changes our lives for
eternity! (1) The Cross – He took our
sin, shame, and the wrath of God upon Himself.
(2) The Resurrection - He defeated death.
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon.
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He hold the future.
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby.
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance.
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.
And then one day, I’ll cross the river.
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.
And then, as death gives way to victory.
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He reigns.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.
We Can Face Tomorrow!
