Moving in Him

This marks a busy season for my family.  We are moving to a new state next month - a week before Christmas!  Most people look at us like we are completely nuts!  Moving in December??!!  And it does seem a little crazy.  Maybe a lot crazy.  Nevertheless, we are trucking our household across the state line to start life in a brand new place.

We are filled with anticipation, yet at times experience moments of doubt, fear, and sadness.  It's hard to leave our community of 15+ years.  It's not so much the actual packing up that's hard, but what we leave in the rearview mirror.  It's our friends, our church, our school - our people.  This is where I found Jesus and grew up in the Lord.  It's the physical place we found so much spiritual and relational healing.  Words cannot convey how much our church body has meant to us.  It feels like we are leaving the nest, which is not altogether comfortable.   

Still, we know this is what the Lord wants us to do.  Comfortable or not, we are being obedient to Him.  I am so grateful for the voices of friends and family that remind us God is with us, He has good things in store for us, and will provide for our every need.  I'm thankful that the Spirit is also reminding me that we are moving in Him.

That feels right - moving in Him.  All of this is so much bigger than we can see.  We are having to exercise our faith and adjust our eyes to try to see through His.  It hasn't been easy, but at the same time it's easy.  Sounds ridiculous, right?  But have you ever known that you were doing the right thing and felt such comfort in that - yet at the same time, felt it was still the hardest thing to do?  

When I was reading yesterday about the arrival of the Savior on Christmas, I realized how many times God moved Mary and Joseph from place to place in preparation and protection of the Babe they carried.  They traveled from home to Bethlehem, on to Jerusalem, back to Bethlehem, off to Egypt, Judea and finally home to Nazareth.  I'm sure that wasn't comfortable.  I'm sure it was a little frightening at times, considering all the circumstances.  Yet they moved with God each time He asked, and the Lord was with them.  He directed their steps and gave purpose to each one.  

We are all learning to trust God at a deeper level.  The beauty of the journey is knowing that we are moving in Him.  That is where I find my peace.  That is where I find my joy.

Vessels of Good News

I LOVE Christmas!  I love the smells, the sights, the sounds and the Reason behind this season of festivities.  I love the wonder of it all.  I love getting the tree and listening to Christmas songs.  I love wrapping gifts with my husband on Christmas Eve and sneaking them under the tree, hoping the kids aren't awake and peaking over the balcony.

These days as we anticipate the arrival of the Christmas season, we are inundated with messages of "hustle and bustle" from the culture around us.  Already the commercials and advertisements for the latest and greatest "favorites" and "wants" assault our eyes and ears.  It's hard not to get caught up in it all…even the silent competitions of who can pick out the better gift, make the best cookie, decorate the prettiest tree, or create the cutest family photo card…  Sometimes, we can find our peace and joy dwindling away and being exchanged for stress!  There's a lot of pressure - on moms especially - to get it all just right.

And so I sit this morning and think about how I will fit it all in this year in the midst of moving our family to a new state.  And the reality is - I won't.  It's that simple.  And that's okay.

I am drawn to consider, instead, the privilege of sharing Jesus.

"Jesus You're the sign, Jesus You're the wonder, You're the miracle - there is no other!" 

-- Harvest Bashta 

We are now His vessels to spread the Good News the angels sang about in Luke 2.

Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us"...  So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the Baby as He lay in the manger.  And when they had seen this, they made known what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them.  Luke 2:13-18 AMP

The Shepherds' response to this angelic message was to go straight to Bethlehem to see what they had heard about.  A Savior born.  And once they had seen, they began to share.  They began telling others about what they had heard and seen for themselves.  And people were astounded and full of wonder.  

And so questions pepper my thoughts as I read these beloved scriptures… Now that I am found, am I stewarding my commission to share with others Who found me?  Is heavenly peace and joy emanating from me in this celebration of the Savior's arrival?  Is there a sense of devotion to tell others why He came and what He offers?  Am I allowing this high-priority purpose to be shelved in order to appease cultural demands?  

Lord,  It's the perfect time to tell others about You.  To let our traditions and celebrations be signs that point to the Savior of the world.  Make us vessels that reveal Your mysteriously beautiful love for us.  Let our homes be a place of encounter for the lost and broken.  Infuse our traditions and celebrations with Your love, joy and peace and let Your presence rest upon us.  As Brian Johnson sings, "For the sake of the world, burn like a fire in me.  Light a flame in my soul for every eye to see."  Amen.  

Invitation to Holy Spirit

Over the summer I was blessed to attend a women's conference at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. During the conference, I heard Eric Johnson share a message about "creating a space and a place" where you can encounter the presence of God.  It spoke to me and I thought about it yesterday morning when I was sitting on my back porch. I turned on some music, opened my bible and prayed for God to speak to me through His word.  I created a space and a place to encounter Him.  Sure enough, I felt Him begin to speak to me and remind me of things I needed to remember.  His Word flashed through my mind and entered my heart with precision only He could deliver. 

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and full of power - making it operative, energizing, and effective. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit, the completeness of a person, and of both joints and marrow - the deepest parts of our nature - exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart."

He spoke to a void in my heart...a place I have lost a little hope of late. There was no condemnation for my weakened state. Just loving kindness. He was filling me with hope again for something I was starting to give up on. The specifics are not really important - I'm sure you can think of your own times you've felt a void or a hunger for something more. The part I feel He wants me to share is how He filled the void.  By me 'creating a space and a place', I invited Him to have His way. I invited Him to access the areas of my heart that were in need.  There's no magic formula. It's just simply being still for a moment and inviting Him in.  When my children ask me for advice or help on something, I'm honored and glad-hearted to help. It thrills me to see them humbly ask for direction, knowing I will sit down with them and share what I have to offer.  Just think how much more willing our God is to sit down with us! 

Luke 11:11-13 "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you, then, being evil that is, sinful by nature, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!” 

Asking the Father for the Holy Spirit is not necessarily a one-time thing. We have an opportunity to ask daily. There's more of Him to discover.  Ephesians 1:13 "In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and as a result believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, the One promised by Christ, as owned and protected by God."  We receive the Holy Spirit when we believe and are marked by Christ as His...but perhaps there are more levels of power and presence He wants to unlock in us.  Ephesians 1:17-23 "I always pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight into the true knowledge of Him, for we know the Father through the Son. And I pray that the eyes of your heart -the very center and core of your being - may be enlightened, flooded with light by the Holy Spirit, so that you will know and cherish the hope, the divine guarantee, the confident expectation to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and so that you will begin to know what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His active, spiritual power is in us who believe."   When I became a Christian, I wasn't necessarily "done". I am not perfected.  I still need Him desperately.  I still need to be taught, nurtured, held, filled and refilled.  And thankfully, I think He's happy to do so!  And so yesterday (and again this morning) I asked for His Holy Spirit. I asked for Him to speak to my heart. To uncover my voids/wounds/weaknesses and meet me where I was.  He came.  He healed.  He filled.  He refreshed me.  He showed me truth in the word.  He uncovered and revealed what was hidden, and He brought it into the light of His presence.  

Create a space and a place to encounter Him today.  Ask the Father for the Holy Spirit.  Continuously ask.  He is only one invitation away from doing a work in your heart.  Ask for Him to teach You about things you read in His word.  Perhaps He will unveil and reveal things beyond what our human minds can understand.  Maybe He will reveal mysteries we never could have imagined!  Or maybe He will just speak to the void in your heart that desperately wants to be filled and the brokenness that He has healing balm for.  "For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding] 1 Corinthians 2:10 (AMP)

Come Away, Come Alive

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being (and not for disaster) to give you a future and a hope. 

I love the Word of God - always current, always powerful, always applicable. This verse above is one that I've known a long time. But in this very moment it means more to me than ever before.  Right now it feels so full of promise. A promise of a faithful Father that stands the test of time.  It speaks to this very moment I'm breathing in and out. It's like water to my thirsty soul. 

His Word never fails...to delight, to impart, to strengthen, to nourish.  His Word brings hope.  Life. When things look bleak, these ancient words inspire me to believe and to hope. I find peace in them. Rest. I read of His faithfulness. I read of His heart of goodness. I read of His sovereignty. His miracles. And I'm reminded how much I need His word to walk through my life.  Rain or shine.  

"I want to know You, Lord, like I know a friend." (United Pursuit, Simple Gospel). This has been a desire of my heart since I was first saved - to know Him intimately.  And isn't this a great way to get to know Him?  By being in His very Word?  To listen to Him speak to the very heart?  A current yet ancient promise for us to find hope in and to feel connected to His heart.  The Word is overflowing with promises and love!  Reading them helps us cultivate a deep friendship with our Creator and Father, our Savior and Friend, our Comforter and Teacher.  And through this relationship, we are able to live!  Really live!  Thrive, even. 

As I sit on my porch soaking in the sunshine and cool, autumn breeze, I am moved by how He meets me here.  Right where I am. He speaks straight to my heart. Truth. Promise. All with a tender love that makes me feel gathered up in His arms.  Covered and held together.  I feel like He's been waiting for me to meet Him here, in the pages of His heart.  I am experiencing His glorious presence and peace in this moment. While I often am running around doing, today I'm instead resting and enjoying His presence. I think it delights Him.  It surely delights me. Peace and joy are invading my spirit. I'm thankful He called me to come away with Him this morning. Thankful He's reminding me how much I need Him and how beautiful time with Him truly is. 

"And He calls each one of us by our name to come away. And He whispers to your heart to let it go and to be alive!  Come alive!  You’re full of life now and full of passion!  It’s how He made you. Just let it happen..." (United Pursuit, Let it Happen)

Thank You, God, for meeting me here. For speaking forth Your word to heal me. Thank You for Your faithfulness. For Your goodness towards me. Thank You for the plans you have for me...for allowing me to partner with You in them.  Thank you for restoring my hope. Thank You for refreshing my spirit. I'm honored You care for me so...and humbled...and so in love with You!  I pray for any who read these words to be blessed with an encounter with You.  To dive into Your book of life and breathe in and out, receiving from Your heart.  Let it happen...

Changing Seasons…God is My Known

Change is not always easy. I find myself in a place of change, shifting into a new season. I wish I could say I've breezed through this with grace but actually it's been a little ugly.  A mere mention of change caused me to immediately dig my heels in and live in a place of avoidance - the cost of this change just seemed too high. A sacrifice too great for my heart to handle at the time.  But the Lord has so tenderly and patiently pursued my heart, that I cannot help but soften my stance.  He spoke through so many avenues that I could no longer remain in a state of avoidance, but moved into acceptance.  Perhaps soon I'll move into a place of embracing it with joy! 

As we know in life, change is inevitable. It just is.  We change physically - we grow up, grow old.... We change schools. We change jobs. We change paint colors.  It's natural to go through many changes throughout our lifetime. Some are happy changes, some are extremely challenging, and some bring sadness.  Losing my father twelve years ago was an unwelcome change that brought sadness.  But just as God is famous for, He ministered to my heart and brought comfort.  That comfort carried me through the change and helped me come to a place of peace.  

Thankfully, God's always teaching and preparing us for changes that may come.  No matter what season we're in, God is equipping us for every good work He's prepared in advance for us.  He's downloading all we need into our spirit to be used when the time is right. He is always trying to show us how faithful He is and how present He is so that we can trust Him through the changes.  They may seem too hard or too big, but with Him all things are possible. 

I've been listening to Kristene Dimarco's CD called "Mighty". They are powerful, powerful lyrics when you are in a transitional stage. God is using it to prepare my heart for my new season and I know will continue to encourage me with it once I transition. It's like He knew the words I needed to be repeating to myself and sent me these songs to get my heart right. I have "Mighty" on repeat and every song is rocking me.  The more I listen and sing the words, the more steadfast I feel.  The more excited I become at the possibilities...

Sometimes we need all the help we can get and all the courage we can muster. God is so trustworthy. But sometimes when He's changing things up in our life and shaking things out, it feels a little scary.  It's like I'm driving in my car and the familiar begins to disappear in the rearview mirror and I start down a road that's simply - new. I run into "fear of the unknown" and "what ifs" that threaten to cloud my vision.   I have nothing to go on but my trust in Him, my faith in His guidance and goodness.  He is still familiar. He is my known. He hasn't, nor will ever, change His nature. He's always trustworthy. Always present. Always loving. Always good. 

"So let go my soul and trust in Him!"  (It is Well/Kristene Dimarco).  Even if the road gets bumpy, I can call His name and He stretches out His arm to steady me.  "He lifts me off the ground" (Be Still).  My attention is pulled to His face, His perspective. He makes my courage and confidence rise up. "My heart is steadfast oh God and I won't be led astray by the things that simply will fade before Your face.  I will follow You. I'm wrapped up in You. I belong to You.  I have decided and I have resolved in my heart that I will go anywhere just to see Your face.  Moments may come where I feel so afraid but I rest in the promise You've made that You will remain forever faithful!" (I Will Follow).  "I am not alone. You're with me every step. Seasons come and go, but You have never left." (Be Still).  

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].  Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

His Faithfulness

"But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you." (John 14:26)

The Lord has been my Reminder lately.  He keeps reminding me of His faithfulness to His people...to me.  He reminds me that He has saved, healed and delivered so many times that I could never count them.  I believe this is a vastly important focal point in these times for all believers.  With all the fear that is circulating in the world we need to remember the faithfulness of our Living, Loving God.  

The stories of old - Moses, Abraham, Joseph, David, etc. - they may be deep in history, but they are still pertinent to our faith.  We still need to read their stories because they put the faithfulness of God to His people on display.  We need to jump into the scriptures with hungry souls, feeding on the living, active testimonies of how great and how faithful He has always been.

I like the idea of journaling all that God has done for me because it reminds me in times of trouble how faithful He is and has been to me.  I like recording the ways God has introduced Himself to me.  How He delivered me from this or that.  How He rescued me into the arms of salvation.  How He set me free from strongholds.  I like journaling my delight in His goodness towards me.  It helps me recall ways He has spoken to my heart and promises He made to me.  

When the spirit of fear jumps up in front of my eyes, I can very easily be tempted to lock eyes with it.  Once eyes lock, it takes a lot of Holy Spirit reminding me of all God is and all He says about me.  He reminds me of the stories I've read…and of my own stories of encountering His loving faithfulness.  When I focus on the faithfulness of God, I am no longer overcome by fear.  I'm no longer focused on the threatening circumstances.  I'm focused on His love, kindness, goodness, etc.  Then I'm not afraid.  I am secure.  I am trusting Him.  

I think that's why I receive so much from worship.  And why I turn on worship music when I need a shift in my perspective or attitude.  It lifts me up…shifts my gaze to God.  Holy Spirit reminds me through the songs Who He is and what He does and what He says.  Worship reminds me of how good He is!  How big He is.  How mighty.  I also love the fact that in most songs, the chorus is repeated multiple times.  And the more it's repeated, the more it sticks in memory and the more prone I am to sing it throughout my day.  It gets stuck in my brain! 

Lately, I've had a Kristene Dimarco song on repeat because it's speaking to me in my present circumstances.  It's reminding my heart to stay steadfast.  To remain focused on the Lord.  To trust Him.  

"Open up my heart to trust…
open up my eyes to see…
that He who placed the sun, the moon and stars
is here with me."

I am thankful - so thankful - for His faithfulness.  I'm so thankful for His Spirit reminding me of this part of Him we would be lost without.  Constant.  Loyal.  Steadfast.  True to His nature.  I just think our culture begs us to forget  this aspect of God…or in general.  Faithfulness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and should be emanating from believers as well.  Our culture exudes the idea that you can give up, quit, walk out on… marriages, family, friends, churches, etc.  But covenant is covenant.  It is not meant to be broken, nullified, or thrown away.  We are to remain faithful.  Just like our God.  

Lord, help us to remain faithful to You.  Your Spirit produces faithfulness, so produce it in us as well.  Let us be a people of loyal, true, steadfast faith.  Let us be a people that displays Your faithfulness.  Let it be a comfort and a magnet to unbelievers that don't know You yet.  Let it be something that draws them to Your heart of love.  

Learning to Spend My Inheritance

Psalm 31:21-22 Praise the Lord, because he showed me how wonderful his faithful love is when the city was surrounded by enemies. I was afraid and said, “I am in a place where he cannot see me.” But I prayed to you, and you heard my loud cries for help. 

Do you find yourself in that place today?  Where you think to yourself,  'I am in a place where he cannot see me'. 'I'm out of sight, out of mind.' 'God is not hearing my prayers.'  Are you feeling alone - like you're being swallowed up by oppression... fear, hopelessness, grief, doubt, depression...? When things like that hit us, we feel so alone...weak and vulnerable.  We feel like we are disconnected from the Lord and can start believing the lie that says we might not make it out. That things won't get better. That He gave up on us. Or that we aren't worthy of His attentive help. 

But God sends His Holy Spirit to remind us of His faithfulness. He reminds us of all the times He has dug us out of the trenches.  Scooped us up out of the waves. Lifted our weary heads. Led us through the sea on dry land.  Spoken a word that empowered us to persevere. Sent us a friend we didn't know could relate. Wrote a song just for us to hear.   All these things are the Lord saying, "I'm here with you, darling.  I see you - it's impossible for me not to see all because I'm everywhere. Lift your eyes to Me, where your help comes from. I will be your help in these times of trouble. Call out to Me and I will answer.  You're never alone. It's never too deep for Me to pull you out.  I chose you. I want you to be with Me. I love you with an everlasting love. My faithfulness reaches to the skies." 

If you are not in that place of oppression currently, can you recall a time when you were?  Chances are yes, you can. And when you recall His faithfulness to you in that place, remembering how He was your help, hear God saying this to you. "I have showed you My kindness and My faithfulness. I have showed you I'm trustworthy. I have pulled you from the miry clay. Sing of My love and faithfulness. Share your story. Share the hope I've called you to and the inheritance I've given so generously to you. Tell of My mighty deliverance.  Receive My Spirit. Allow Me to equip you to shine a light in dark places. Allow My Spirit to anoint you to preach the good news, heal the broken, proclaim freedom for captives and release for the prisoners, to comfort the sad, and to rebuild the ruins."

Isaiah 61:1-4 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations."

God does not save us, deliver us and heal us so that we can keep it to ourselves. He gives us a chance to partner in His story. A chance to use and apply the gifts He has entrusted to us. Ways to spread His love. Ways to lend a hand to our brothers and sisters that have come upon hard times. To testify of His goodness. To encourage people to believe the message of salvation, healing and deliverance that is in and through Jesus Christ.  To be a servant of our living, mighty God that formed us and knit us together.  It is what we were made to do. To worship Him. Devote ourselves to Him. Love Him. 

1 Corinthians 1:9 Amp - "God is faithful, reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on; by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

When we shift our thoughts to dwell upon His faithful love, we cannot help but be swept up in a resounding gratitude and a certain awe of Him.  Our hearts respond with an adoration - an honest, pure desire to break open our alabaster jars and pour our perfume over His feet.  We realize as we gaze upon His splendor that He is worthy of all of it. 

Don't hold back today. Give Him everything you've got!  Because what you have is enough for Him!  He multiplies it and makes it way more vast and effective then you ever dreamed. 

"Jesus, we love You!  Oh how we love You! You are the One our hearts adore. 

Our affection, our devotion, poured out on the feet of Jesus..." -- Paul McClure

In love, 

Kerri