Passion

I can't sleep...always a good time to blog, right? Somehow while I was praying in bed, my mind raced off thinking about passions and trying to categorize people's passions.  So here I find myself at 2:20 in the morning trying to get these thoughts on this screen.  In about an hour my husband will wake up (too early) to pursue his passion of hunting (morea bout that passion another day:)). 

I was thinking of how creative God is in His design of people.  There are people who are passionate about things that I honestly care very little about...and I'm sure there are many people who care little about my passion as as well.  I guess that's why we have relationships...to balance out...to learn and grow.  As I was thinking about some of the various passions, God revealed to me that they really aren't all that different. 

My husband rediscovered one of his passions this summer as he worked with men of God to minister to boys by rebuilding a hot rod and a motorcycle in one week.  Talk about some passionate men!!! The wise men that have been involved in heart of a craftsman ministered to my husband by showing him that one of his passions can be used to bring glory to God. 

How?  I'm glad you asked! They take time to PREPARE a car and motorcycle to be redesigned...to be made "new".  This preparation takes MUCH time and effort.  Then they spend a week with boys and let the boys see the results of a week of hard work by revealing the new vehicle.  The boys, men, and vehicles are all transformed...and they bring glory to God!  These men use passionate preparation to praise the Lord.

Stay with me here...this might be strange at first...but it made sense in my mind on no sleep, so I'm hoping it will as I type it out here!  Last weekend we got to spend some time with my cousin and her family at the fair.  Her husband was PREPARING cattle to show at the fair.  I've not been around this, so it was new and fascinating to me! She explained much to me-during the conversation she said they felt like they had found something that their family could enjoy together by raising and showing cattle.  He was so passionate about it and mentioned it during one of his breaks from the strenuous work.  Even as they start this endeavor, they have already seen results...and their story of getting there is neat! She has changed careers to pursue her passions and it is opening doors in their lives!

I know many people who are passionate about teaching/coordinating for education.  This requires much preparation...and it is preparing students! My friends Ann and Jessica both work in supervisory roles preparing many people to impact many students....their jobs must be tough...they must have passion to be successful!! The teachers at my daughters' schools must be passionate to make a difference in preparing young people!!

You may not have thought about it, but you may be passionate about preparation as well!  Parenting is all about preparation- I have many passionate parent friends (too many to list, but Tiffany and Corina come to mind).  Preparing the next generation to know, love, and serve Jesus is at the top of my list!  I have a friend Jennifer who is passionate about helping people take care of their body...preparing them to serve the Lord by being healthy!  I want to prepare the bride of Christ for His return (more about this soon!)

As I thought about passionate preparation I realized each of the passionate people I thought of have similarities...

What do passionate people have in common? 

-HARD WORK

-PREPARING
-SHINE-bring out the best in what they are preparing (Whether vehicles, cows, or people)
Passion is given by God to reveal His purpose and glory.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

What are you passionate about?  Are you pursuing it?   Other than Passionate Preparation, there is Passionate Purification (Ruin or Destruction), and Passionate Pursuit.  Please share your passions in the comments so I can see if how it fits in the patterns I'm seeing...and we may talk more about this soon!

Are you tired???

Lord your Word tells us to come to You when we are weary and burdened, and You will give us rest. Lord, let us take your yoke upon us and learn from you, for you are gentle and humble in heart, and we will find rest for our souls. for your yoke is easy and your burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30)

God we know that you are not unjust; You will not forget our work and the love we have shown You as we have helped your people and continue to help them. Let each of us show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make our hope sure. Do not let us become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Hebrews 6:10-12)

Thank you that we will not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9) Thank you that we will not be lacking in zeal, but You will keep our spiritual fervor, as we are serving you Lord. (Romans 12:11) We know that all hard work brings a profit, (Prov 14:23)

And we pray this in order that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. To this end we labor, struggling with all YOUR energy, which so powerfully works in us.   (Col 1:10-11, 29)

Thank you Lord that You gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in You LORD will renew their strength. We will soar on wings like eagles; we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)

We rest in you-Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  In Jesus name, AMEN!

Be nice!

Some days I just need a reminder of God's plan for me as I deal with people.  So I'm digging into His word and being reminded to be nice:)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  1 Thessalonians 5:15

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else Galatians 6:4

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

Confidence

I think this will be the last (at least for now) of the series on Boldness, even though there is so much more we could learn from the people throughout the Bible.  I just started reading The Confident Woman: Start Today Living Boldly and Without Fear, so there may be more on it in the future:) 
When I read the story of Esther, I wasn't sure what similarities I would find to the other courageous people I had been studying.  True, Esther was in the right place at the right time (Esther 4:14) but, before she boldly approached the king, Esther was prepared...she and her supporters fasted (Esther 4:15).  She put on her royal robe (Esther 5:1)-she knew who she was!!! Do you know who you are in Christ??? True boldness and courage doesn't come for us...it's from God in us!! Because of Esther's courage, the Jews celebrated (Esther 9:22).  Wow, a whole group celebrating because of the courage of one person....that one person could be you!  You could lead a whole group to celebrate as you are bold and courageous in your life by trusting God!! Joshua led a whole group of people into the promised land-can you imagine crossing the Jordan?  Here's what the Lord said to him-Wow!!!
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses...No one will be able to stand up against you all the says of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.   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 1:3,5-6,9 (You will be blessed if you make time to read the entire first chapter...for the sake of space I'm just putting highlights!)
Friend, is there a place you need to set your foot...a victory that has been won for you and you just need to boldly step out in an area?  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Maybe you have already stepped out and you are waiting now... Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3.  Friend, if you have boldly stepped out in faith, do not loose heart!  Joy will come!!! I will leave you thinking on these promises from the word :)

• For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.  1 Corinthians 4:20
• Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.  Deuteronomy 30:11
• Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Proverbs 29:25
• For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
• The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.  Isaiah 32:17
• I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Luke 10:19

If you have a favorite verse about boldness, courage, etc...please share it in the comments area so that we can be blessed!  Spend some time in prayer today asking God to show you if there are any areas in your life where you need to yield to His power working in you.  He desires to use your life to bring Him glory!  Will you allow Him to make you bold and courageous...will you (like those we've read about today) lead a group in celebration through His power working in your life?  Maybe you have tried to be bold and confident on your own-to lead by your power...go to the throne, we can't do it alone!  Praise be to our Lord Jesus who enables us to boldly approach the throne!!!



Facing Giants

We've been talking about boldness this week and have read about the believers in Acts, learning that boldness is available to all believers because we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and the righteous are as bold as a lion (2 Cor 5:21 and Prov 28:1). Yesterday I wrote about David and the boldness and courage he showed in trusting God to bring him victory over Goliath. 

I don’t think we face physical giants today (unless maybe you are talking about my family –at 6’4’’ I’m the shortest of my siblings! lol).  But we do ‘face giants’ each day. When we listen to the voice of truth we will have victory over any giant we may face. 

Depending on the giants you may be facing, boldness may mean different things at different times.  It may take boldness to:

• Listen to God's truth and believe...boldly overcoming the lies of the enemy
• Give thanks....boldly trusting God in every situation
• Encourage someone when it's out of your comfort zone....boldly being a doer of the word
• Care for a special needs child or family member....boldly advocating for their needs
• Love the unlovely....boldly sharing the love of Christ
• Be nice! (new post coming on this soon:)...boldly doing the right thing
• Stand your ground (this one will have a post too!)...boldly resisting the enemy (1Peter5:9)
• Speak. To anyone.  About anything. ...boldly overcoming the fear of rejection-can you tell this is me:)
• Ask for help....boldly accepting that God put us here together and life is easier with friends! 
• OBEY...ENDURE...PRESS ON

Remember this boldness does not come from your power....but from the power of the Holy Spirit living in you. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.  1John 4:4 NLT (If you have time, read different version of familiar verses...I love the way it comes alive when you read it in a translation you are not used to!! Youversion and Biblegateway are great places to do that for free.)

Oh Lord,  make us like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Make whatever we do prosper (Psalm 1:3)  In any area where we need to grow in courage, we trust you Lord to teach us, realizing that this is not something we can do on our own.  I give you total control in my life, I want your Spirit to fill me to the fullest...making me bold in the hope I have in you Jesus! Guide us today, fill us with your love and let it spill out on those around us!  We will give you glory as one trembling heart and soul becomes a servant bold and courageous.  In Jesus' name-AMEN

So, I didn't even get to Esther or Daniel yet...I have been learning so much:) Come back tomorrow and I'll share! Thanks for reading and subscribing...have an excellent day!

Weaning (patience and faithfulness)

Psalm 131:2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

"Weaning can be unpleasant for the 'weanee' and the 'weaner'-Joyce Meyer
In order for your soul to be weaned, somebody has got to suffer....God is willing to listen to you scream and cry all night long (like a parent taking a binky or bottle away).  What do I need to be weaned from?  Is it the good opinion of others, the kind words or encouragement that I seek especially from relationships where it's no longer there?? Is it a bad attitude, pity party, victim mentality, selfishness....hmmm...

Endure
Hebrews 12:2-3---endure=put up with a good attitude
We all want to be used by God...to bear fruit.  We can dress it up and make it look good on the outside, but what happens if you squeeze it??? Fruit may need to hang around on the vine for awhile so it's not bitter... Jesus is the vine...we need to ripen on the vine!  It took David 20 years to get ripe. One day we will ripen and be handpicked by God!   James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Sometimes we learn how to treat people by getting treated poorly ourselves-then knowing how not to treat others. 

These are my notes from today's broadcast-patience and faithfulness  http://www.joycemeyer.org/ourministries/broadcast/

Blanket

Has God ever used something like a blanket to teach you? Recently, he used a blanket to speak to my heart. No, no the blanket didn't speak or anything crazy like that, but I did very clearly hear His words in my heart.
After many 'blanket disagreements' my husband has used his own blanket for the past few years. Apparently I'm a 'cover hog' but if he has his own covers he can wrap himself tightly and not lose his blanket. This blanket has also been the source of disagreement as well...I want to be close and touch his skin.
So one night, or early morning about 3:00 I woke up and rolled over to snuggle him. I reached out and felt the blanket and tried to get my arm under it but it was wrapped tight! In frustration I huffed and rolled back over. That's when it happened! I heard in my heart that I would have to keep trying to reach him, to touch him...that I couldn't just give up and roll over.
This meant more than in the physical sense...yes, that night I was giving up on reaching him physically. But have I tried to give up reaching him emotionally or spiritually or mentally?
Sent from Gwen's iPhone