"Abide"

Last week was a little bit of a rougher week for me.  The week started off with two nights in a row of getting about five hours of sleep.  I felt tired.  Sometimes when I feel tired, I also start to feel blah...not depressed...just blah.  As the week went on, I was feeling more and more exhausted.  I was going through the motions of school, cooking, cleaning and finding things to entertain the kiddos.

Towards the end of the week, I felt like I didn't spend my time well with the kiddos...or the Lord for that matter. I noticed that when I am in a blah mood, I tend to check out with social media or home buying/renovation shows on HGTV. I shared with a dear friend that I was struggling and later that day she picked up the phone and we talked.  I shared my heart knowing she would be praying for me in the days ahead.  I also met with my discipler...well, that always gives me a new perspective on things. 😊

As we entered into the weekend, I felt my spirit lifting.  The phone conversation with my friend...the time with my discipler...it is what my spirit needed.

We ended up having a great family weekend.  We painted on our front door that looked like a stain glassed window with a cross at the center of it, we went on a car Easter egg hunt, spent time outside, worshiped together as a family, gathered around for our Easter lunch, had an egg hunt in our yard...it was a wonderful family weekend despite all that is going on in our world.

Monday morning, I woke up and I felt my blah-ness coming back.  I called out to the Lord and told Him that I really didn't want another week like last week.  I wanted to glorify Him.  I didn't want to just check out.  As we had our family prayer time, the Lord gave me a word.  The word was "perseverance."

The Lord reminded me of all the times I have trained for a 5K race and how I had moments of wanting to throw in the towel.  He reminded me of the times I have run a 5K race and part way through I wanted to stop running and walk the rest of the way.  There is usually a moment when I get exhausted and I wonder if I can make it to the finish line.  But during my run, He reminds me to persevere and some how the two of us get me to the finish line and thus far all my races have be under the time limit I have set for myself!

As I started my day, the Lord showed me that last week was my part way through the race moment.  The moment when I am exhausted. The moment when I want to give up and just walk the rest of the way.  I wanted to spend some time sitting before the Lord because I felt like He was wanting to teach me something, but I knew we needed to get some school done first.  As I was teaching the kiddos, the word "perseverance" stayed at the forefront of my mind. The Lord was being persistent with this word, so I knew I needed to take some time later in the day to just sit before the Lord.

As I got ready to sit down to study, I thought I was going to be spending my time in Romans 5 where the Bible talks about perseverance and character building.  Before I opened up my Bible, I decided to look up the word "perseverance"...I wanted to have a good working definition.  Perseverance means "not giving up" or "to do something and keep doing it until the end, even if it is hard."  I wasn't surprised by either of these definitions.

But what caught my eye was the origin of the word.  Perseverance comes from the Latin word "perseverantia" which means "to abide by something strictly".  I stood amazed at what I had just read...to abide by something (or Someone) strictly!  Immediately, the Lord lead me to John 15.  I began reading, and the Lord had me focus on verses 1-11.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

The Lord began speaking to my spirit about abiding in Him. I decided to look up the word "abide" in the dictionary.  The definitions I came across were "to conform to" and "to remain stable in."  Yes, Lord!! Since the beginning of the quarantine, I have prayed that I wouldn't be in the same place spiritually as I was before all this started.   I have prayed that He would use this time to deepen my faith in Him...that He would prune me...that because of Him I would bear much fruit. Today, He showed me that I can only do those things if  I abide in Him strictly.  I can cling to His word that, if  I abide in Him, He will get me through this season bearing much fruit!  

So, I submit this blog to you.  If you are feeling weary...persevere.  But don't just dig your heels in! Instead, abide in the One who created you.  Abide so you can be conformed to the ways of Jesus.  Abide so that you can remain stable in your faith.  Abide, so that your joy may be full (or complete).  

And in God's awesomeness, the song "Your Love Defends Me" by Matt Maher came on while I was running today!  I pray it encourages you as much as it encouraged me.

"Cast"

Here we are entering a new month.  We have already been in quarantine for three weeks and looking to spend the entire month of April doing the same. Waking up this morning, I had a moment of dread.  I didn't want to get out of bed because maybe, just maybe, if I stayed in bed all of this quarantine and virus stuff would be a really bad dream!

Thinking about the next month may make you feel overwhelmed...I mean 30 days is A LOT of days!  Maybe it makes you feel tired thinking of all the things that you will need to do...cooking LOTS of meals...cleaning and then more cleaning...working from home while homeschooling your children... trying to figure out how to entertain your kid(dos).  Maybe you are feeling worried...wondering if today is the day you or a loved one will catch this virus...wondering if you or your spouse will have a job at the end of the day.  

SO much worry and fear can consume our thoughts.  It is exactly what the enemy wants us to do.  If we are focused on our worry and fear, then we can't be focused on God and His sovereignty.

I am SO thankful that the Lord doesn't leave us in places of desperation, but instead He gives us HOPE! This morning, I came across Psalm 55:22.

As I read this verse, I see we are commanded to cast our cares...our worries...our fears...our overwhelmed feelings...our fussiness...our tiredness unto the the Lord.  And the promise we can cling to is HE will sustain us through it all.  SUSTAIN...to give support or relief to...to supply nourishment...to take the weight of something!!  Look at those definitions of HOPE!!  And the outcome of casting our cares unto the Lord...HE will never let us be shaken!!

We have ONE thing to do to be able to cling to that promise and that is to cast our cares to the Lord.  CAST...to discard...to throw off or away...to get rid of.  If we cast our cares, then HE will do the rest! 

I pray that this post encourages you to cast your cares to the Lord.  Maybe you need a hands-on activity to do.  Grab some pieces of paper.  Write your cares on the paper. Then cast them to the Lord.  Another option, stand in front of the mirror with your palms open and faced up to Heaven.  One-by-one name your worry or fear...cast them unto the Lord.  And walk away knowing that the Lord will sustain you and you will not be shaken!

"Safe"

Last night, I took Bear for our evening walk.  We took the same route that we typically take.  While we were walking around one of the cul-de-sacs on our route, Bear got scared by a piece of metal equipment that was on the side of the road.  He was SO scared that he literally jumped off the ground and whimpered.

Normally, I have four kiddos toting behind me which leaves me very distracted!  But last night it was just me and Bear.  I decided to circle back around the cul-de-sac and have him walk by the piece of equipment again.  He was definitely scared and tried to hide behind me as we walked by it.  We paused by the equipment, and I just rubbed him and told him "safe"...that is our cue word to let him know everything is OK.  He still wasn't having it.  I could tell he wanted to move on with his walk, but I wanted him to know that he didn't need to be afraid of this big, scary piece of equipment. We walked around again, and I kept telling him "safe."  This time he relaxed a bit and wasn't as scared.  So, we walked around again and this time he walked confidently around the circle...he sniffed it and kept going...walking beside me.

As we continued on our walk, the Lord began speaking to my spirit.  Right now, we are living in a pretty uncertain time.  Some may be feeling scared just like Bear did last night walking by the metal equipment.  And just as I was being loving and gentle with Bear, God does the same with us.  He is walking beside us letting us know we are safe because we are in His presence. I could have easily continued with our walk and left the big, scary thing behind.  Instead, I took the time to build confidence in and trust with Bear. God could easily take this virus away and leave all the scary stuff behind, but instead He is allowing it to continue. I believe He wants to strengthen and mature His Church during this time. He is showing us that we need to depend on Him and Him alone.  He wants us to trust Him instead of trusting ourselves. He wants to build our confidence in Him.

When I got home, I took some time to research some verses about His safety in times of trouble. The Lord lead me to Nahum 1:7

So, I submit this verse to you.  Take a few minutes to ponder it.  Soak in the three truths from this verse.

1. The Lord is good. Despite our world being turned upside down...God is still good.  Take a few seconds and make a list of how God has been good to you.
2. He is our stronghold in times of trouble.  I looked up the word stronghold.  It means a place that has been fortified so as to protect against an attack.  What are you doing to protect your heart, mind and spirit during this time of isolation?  
3. He knows those who come to Him...some translations say He cares.  He desires us to come to Him.  He already knows the fears and worries we have.  He wants us to come before Him, so He can care for us.  What do you need to leave at the cross this day, so He can care for you?

In the Room

Yesterday, I got up and went for a morning running.  While I was running, the song "I Won't Relent" by Jesus Culture came on my Pandora station.  I have heard this song many times, but this morning as I listened to it the Lord convicted the mess out of me.

As we are ending our second week of quarantine, I have noticed that I am getting a little short with the kiddos.  My tone is a little frustrated...I snap at them because they aren't listening...I am quick to tell them how we need to obey like Jesus, but I am not reflecting Jesus to them as I correct their behavior.

The following lines jumped out to me:

"I don't want to talk about You like You're not in the room
I wanna look right at You, wanna sing right to You."

As I heard these lines, my spirit knew it needed to REPENT from my frustration and shortness with our kiddos, but first I needed to wait before the Lord to see why I was so quickly getting frustrated.  In the Lord's goodness, he revealed the root of my frustration and shortness was selfishness...I wanted the kiddos to obey how I wanted them to and I wanted them to do it immediately. After repenting, I RECEIVED the forgiveness only He can give.  Then I needed to RESIST the enemy and turn away from my selfishness and instead REPLACE it with a servant spirit.

After doing the 4Rs, I was able to hear the Lord speak to my spirit.  He called me to speak to our kiddos as if I were talking to Jesus Himself.  I would NEVER speak to Jesus in the short, frustrated tone that I had been talking to our children in. And He didn't stop with my tone.  He called me to make sure that I don't just get my tone under control, but that I also make sure my heart is free from frustration and anger, too!

Maybe you are becoming short with your children...maybe it is your spouse...co-worker(s)...clients/patients...boss...cashier at the grocery store...the list could go on and on.  I encourage you as you go throughout your day to remember Jesus is in the room...we don't want to just talk about Him to those around us.  Instead, let us show Him and while we do that we will be singing a wonderful melody to Him!

I know this is SUPER long, but have a listen.  Sometimes, I need the repeating to get God's truths deep in my spirit!  Some may say I am slow learner! LOL

"Yahweh"

One of my favorite songs right now is “Yahweh” by Rend Collective. As I listen and read each line in each stanza, my heart says,

"YES, Lord! Oh, I need YOU! You are my source of life! You will carry me through. I am bringing You all that I am.  I am here to lift my hands in worship.  I don't want anything to take Your place in my life." 

 

And then life happens...a kid doesn't listen or obey...a spouse speaks an unkind word...a co-worker isn't doing their job and leaving you more work to do...a virus throws our world into chaos and uncertainty!  

Then word “Yahweh” catches my eye.  It is said 37 times in this song, so I decided to do a little research on this word...I mean if you are going to sing that word 37 times it may be a good idea to know what you are singing about!

As I was looking up Yahweh, I discovered that Yahweh and Jehovah are used interchangeably and both mean "LORD."  "LORD" is written in all capital letters because it shows the holiness of God. They were such sacred words to the Jewish people that Jehovah or Yahweh were never fully written or spoken.  Thank You, Jesus, that is not the case any more!

As I was doing more research, I came across these verses using Yahweh/Jehovah.

“that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭83:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ 

WOW!! May you be reminded that God alone, who is Yahweh, is the Most High over all the earth...over all our fears and worries...even over this virus!

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We are being called to trust Him and not be afraid because Yahweh is our strength and song! Let us sing praises loudly to Him!

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock.”  

 Isaiah‬ ‭26:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We are promised His perfect peace, but our part is that we MUST keep our mind fixed on Him. Our mind will stay fixed on Him only when we trust in Him. We are called to trust in Yahweh forever...not when it is easy...not with situations that are comfortable...but forever because Yahweh is our rock!

So, click on the video and sing to Yahweh...the One who is Most High over all of our situations, who is our strength and song and who is the giver of peace!

"Set the Lord Before Me"

Well, it has been awhile since I have written on our blog.  Life has been crazy busy, but when will it not be with four children?  

Right now, our world is living in chaos with the Corona Virus running rampant.  It has taken many lives and will continue to do so if people continue to live their lives normally.  Governments around the world are asking people to quarantine to try to get ahead of this virus...they are trying to flatten the curve.  

I honestly have been enjoying this time in quarantine.  It is allowing us to slow down as a family.  We are cooking more at home...and I am enjoying cooking well-balanced meals instead of dreading it like I was before all of this.  We are walking/running/bike riding because there is more free time in our day.  I feel like I am rediscovering my relationship with the Lord...not rushing during my quiet time because I need to get to the next thing on my list.  I am actually sitting before the Lord and listening to Him speak to my heart.  

One of the things He spoken to me about is forming two groups to pray with and encourage each other during this season.  I hope to be able to share what He is teaching me on this blog...my goal is to do it each day, but I may need to lower the bar considering I still have four kiddos that I am homeschooling and cooking three meals a day!  

So, let's get started with what the Lord encourage me with today.  

  

Yesterday, I was having my quiet time and I came across these verses.  I have been in the Psalms for several weeks now...I am slowly working my way through them.  I have been amazed how in different areas of my life that the Lord in His Sovereignty has been preparing me for such a time as this! How even before this virus came on the scene, He was setting my eyes upon Him so when this time came that I would not be shaken.  Full transparency...there have been a couple of times when anxiousness tired to creep in, but I was quick to REPENT, RECEIVED His forgiveness, RESISTED the temptation of the enemy to be anxious and REPLACED my anxiousness by setting my eyes on Him.  

Maybe some of you are feeling more anxiousness than peace right now in your life. Maybe your heart is having a hard time being glad because your are worried about finances...you have been thrown into homeschooling your child(ren)...you don't do well with change...you don't do well not being around people...the list could go on and on.  Maybe you are having a hard time rejoicing because you are sure how all this will play out.  Let me remind you that this virus has not taken God by surprise like it has taken us by surprise. Let me remind you that God is still in control sitting upon His throne. Let me call this day to set the Lord before you and trust that He will help you to not be shaken!