As I was sitting in a conference this weekend listening to the speaker, I heard the voice of the Lord speak to me. Out of the blue, He reminded me of a prayer that I had been praying starting about eight years ago. It was a prayer that I prayed in desperation almost everyday for probably about 3 years. At that point, I began to pray this prayer less and less and because of circumstances, I stopped believing that it would ever be answered. I had not thought of this prayer in a long time.
As the Lord reminded me of this prayer, He reassured me that my answered prayer is coming soon. Wow! It blessed me so much to think that even though I had given up on praying the prayer, the Lord had remembered. God is faithful! This made me think of one of my favorite passages of scripture in Romans 4:18-21. These verses tell the story of Abraham's faith when He was promised a son by the Lord. Verse 19 says, "Without weakening in faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead- since he was about 100 years old- and that Sarah's womb was also dead." I find this very amusing. Doesn't it make make you laugh when you read "the fact that his body was as good as dead." I am not even halfway to 100 and I can see the humor in this. I can imagine Abraham looking at himself and saying, "Alright God, if you say so." Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old. Naturally, it was impossible for Abraham and Sarah to have a child. But this did not stop Abraham from believing because he was not trusting in his own ability.
In Hebrews 11:1, faith is defined as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." When we have faith, we stop looking at the circumstances and trusting in them and we start looking at God and trusting in Him. In verse 18 of the Romans passage it says "Against all hope, Abraham by hope believed..." Even when things look hopeless, we can have hope with God. Faith does not make sense when we look at the situation with our own eyes. But when we put our trust in God who is Almighty and in whom nothing is impossible, we rise above the circumstances of this world and we BELIEVE. I love that in God's kingdom even when the odds are stacked against us, we can have the victory!!!
God has taught me this weekend that it is not a good idea to give up when I am on the winning team. There was a reason that the Lord had me praying eight years ago and He was working even when I lost hope. Now I am waiting and praying again as I prepare to see the glory of the Lord. Maybe you have given up on a prayer. Maybe a circumstance in your life seems hopeless. I want to encourage you that you are on the winning team. Don't look at the circumstances! Don't trust in your own ability! and whatever you do, don't try to fix it!! Look at Jesus and cry out to Him!! And as you are waiting and praying, be like Abraham. Realize the hopelessness without God's help, maybe even laugh, but most of all BELIEVE!!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
A Pebble In Your Shoe
I was talking with a friend today, and she started telling me about this person in her life who was disrespectful, bossy, and caused her much misery. Have you ever been around someone like that? For whatever reason, the person annoys you. Or maybe, the person deliberately is out to get you.
One of my all time favorite movies is EverAfter. It is a Cinderella story with a character named Danielle in the role of Cinderella. She has a wicked stepmother as do all Cinderellas. At one point in the movie, Danielle is pleading with her stepmother. Danielle wants to know if there was ever a time that her stepmother might have loved her. The stepmother replies with a very cruel statement, "How can I love a pebble in my shoe?"
Although this statement is cruel toward the character in the movie, I have thought of this phrase often as I have encountered people. I use it as a litmus test. I recognize when someone has become a "pebble in my shoe" because I can't stop thinking about them and not in a good way. I know you have had a pebble in your shoe. You might get it to move to the side for a moment, but you will feel it again soon. Eventually, you have to take your shoe off and take it out or it will drive you crazy.
Over the years of my life, people have judged me, hurt me, abused me, laughed at me, mistreated me, annoyed me and so on. God has shown me a way to deal with these people that has worked in each case.
The answer is prayer. Pray for them. I have never encountered anyone in my past or present life that I have not been able to forgive and then even love and want the best for--through the power of prayer. Prayer helps me to see these people through the eyes of Jesus. Jesus gives me insight into their hurts and insecurities. He gives me His compassion for them. He helps me to overcome my natural inclination to hold something against them. He supernaturally removes them from my shoe!!
Jesus said in Luke 6:27-28 "But I say to you who hear: 'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.'
Later in this passage, He says in verse 32, "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them."
I shared this with my friend not so that she could rely on God to change the person who was driving her crazy. I shared it with her so that my friend would be healthy. So that my friend would have nothing between her and Jesus. I shared it because this practice has never failed in my life. In moments when I have thought that it was impossible to forgive or love someone, God has shown me that "He will give me His strength when I am weak."
Take an inventory, right now. Is their anyone in your life who is a "pebble in your shoe?" If so, start to pray for them and pray for them every time you feel that pebble. I promise you, if you do this, you will see the supernatural power of God.
One of my all time favorite movies is EverAfter. It is a Cinderella story with a character named Danielle in the role of Cinderella. She has a wicked stepmother as do all Cinderellas. At one point in the movie, Danielle is pleading with her stepmother. Danielle wants to know if there was ever a time that her stepmother might have loved her. The stepmother replies with a very cruel statement, "How can I love a pebble in my shoe?"
Although this statement is cruel toward the character in the movie, I have thought of this phrase often as I have encountered people. I use it as a litmus test. I recognize when someone has become a "pebble in my shoe" because I can't stop thinking about them and not in a good way. I know you have had a pebble in your shoe. You might get it to move to the side for a moment, but you will feel it again soon. Eventually, you have to take your shoe off and take it out or it will drive you crazy.
Over the years of my life, people have judged me, hurt me, abused me, laughed at me, mistreated me, annoyed me and so on. God has shown me a way to deal with these people that has worked in each case.
The answer is prayer. Pray for them. I have never encountered anyone in my past or present life that I have not been able to forgive and then even love and want the best for--through the power of prayer. Prayer helps me to see these people through the eyes of Jesus. Jesus gives me insight into their hurts and insecurities. He gives me His compassion for them. He helps me to overcome my natural inclination to hold something against them. He supernaturally removes them from my shoe!!
Jesus said in Luke 6:27-28 "But I say to you who hear: 'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.'
Later in this passage, He says in verse 32, "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them."
I shared this with my friend not so that she could rely on God to change the person who was driving her crazy. I shared it with her so that my friend would be healthy. So that my friend would have nothing between her and Jesus. I shared it because this practice has never failed in my life. In moments when I have thought that it was impossible to forgive or love someone, God has shown me that "He will give me His strength when I am weak."
Take an inventory, right now. Is their anyone in your life who is a "pebble in your shoe?" If so, start to pray for them and pray for them every time you feel that pebble. I promise you, if you do this, you will see the supernatural power of God.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Touch 1 Life
Do you ever wonder how you can make a difference in a world so broken and full of need? A group of us prayed in Flagstaff for over three years asking the Lord how we could make a difference for transformation in our city. The answer that the Lord gave to us was "Touch 1 Life." This is a movement of prayer that is taking place at churches throughout our city. It can be done anywhere by anyone to cause a positive effect and transformation in any community.
As we prayed, God showed us three steps to follow as we Touch 1 Life:
ASK: Ask God to show you someone in need.
This step is very important to our faith. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus said, "... if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
PRAY: Pray for that person and his or her need.
When we pray for someone, it causes us to care for them and eventually to love them. It is also a way of trusting God with their need and sets us up to see the the miraculous way God will answer our prayers.
In Matthew 7:8-Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened."
ACT: Act on anything that God tells you to do for that person.
As we see God move in this process of prayer, our faith is built. If God asks us to do anything beyond prayer for that person, he is giving us an opportunity to obey. In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love Me, obey My commandments." When Jesus tells us to do something, it is not a suggestion. It is a command.
When I hear the Lord speak to me and ask me to do something, sometimes I jump at the chance to express my love toward Him. Other times, I drag my feet and try to talk Him out of it, but eventually, I do what He says. As I have obeyed more and more, I have understood His everlasting love for me. This love relationship is so comforting and secure. With this understanding, I have learned to live knowing that I have nothing to lose, because I have God's love and it is MORE than enough!!!
So, if you have ever wondered like I have wondered how you can make a difference and change this world that we live in: "Touch 1 Life." I bet some of you have already heard from the Lord and know who that person is who you are being called to pray for. If not, close your eyes right now, and ASK:)
As we prayed, God showed us three steps to follow as we Touch 1 Life:
ASK: Ask God to show you someone in need.
This step is very important to our faith. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus said, "... if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
PRAY: Pray for that person and his or her need.
When we pray for someone, it causes us to care for them and eventually to love them. It is also a way of trusting God with their need and sets us up to see the the miraculous way God will answer our prayers.
In Matthew 7:8-Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened."
ACT: Act on anything that God tells you to do for that person.
As we see God move in this process of prayer, our faith is built. If God asks us to do anything beyond prayer for that person, he is giving us an opportunity to obey. In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love Me, obey My commandments." When Jesus tells us to do something, it is not a suggestion. It is a command.
When I hear the Lord speak to me and ask me to do something, sometimes I jump at the chance to express my love toward Him. Other times, I drag my feet and try to talk Him out of it, but eventually, I do what He says. As I have obeyed more and more, I have understood His everlasting love for me. This love relationship is so comforting and secure. With this understanding, I have learned to live knowing that I have nothing to lose, because I have God's love and it is MORE than enough!!!
So, if you have ever wondered like I have wondered how you can make a difference and change this world that we live in: "Touch 1 Life." I bet some of you have already heard from the Lord and know who that person is who you are being called to pray for. If not, close your eyes right now, and ASK:)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Ordinary Infused with the Supernatural
Often when I am studying the Scriptures, God teaches me with an example in my life. I have always been a kinesthetic learner. This means that I learn best by carrying out a physical activity or experiencing something rather than just reading or hearing it. God created me and knows me so the Holy Spirit teaches me this way.
Recently, I had been studying a passage in Acts 12. Peter was in prison awaiting a trial that could lead to his execution. He was sleeping which I find remarkable considering his circumstances. An angel came to him and struck him to wake him up. Peter was chained to two guards. The angel caused the chains to fall off of Peter, but then proceeded to tell Peter to get dressed and put on his sandals. I thought to myself, why did the angel not just supernaturally dress Peter at the same time that he caused his chains to fall off? So, the Lord answered by showing how He infuses His supernatural power into everyday living.
I was in Las Vegas visiting my in-laws. Coincidentally, my sister was coming to Las Vegas also to campaign for a political party. She could have been sent anywhere in the country but had been assigned to Las Vegas, so I started to see that the Lord was involved. I felt that it was God's will for all of us to spend some time together, so I arranged to have dinner with my sister's family, my in-laws and my husband on that Wednesday evening.
When I woke up Wednesday morning, my sister called and let me know that she would not be to Vegas until Thursday morning. Sadly, we were leaving on Wednesday after dinner. My sister and her family were looking forward to a dinner with my in-laws. As I was taking my shower, I made up my mind to work out the details so that they could get together. That is when the voice of God interrupted my thoughts. He said, "Kim, stop spending so much time on details. Start relying on My miracles." I had known God was in this thing with my sister coming to Vegas so I asked the Lord, "How do I do that practically?" He answered me by impressing on my heart, "Pray that your sister will knock on your in-laws door." OK? I knew that she would be knocking on doors but she did not know where my in-laws lived. This would definitely take a miracle. So, I started praying.
After my shower, I went out to breakfast and told my father-in-law that our dinner plans had been canceled due to a later flight. He was disappointed but said with a laugh, "Maybe she will knock on my door and I can give her some lunch." At that point, I knew God was doing something. He was so sweet to encourage me in my prayer.
On Saturday morning, my sister called me. She had knocked on my in-laws door!! My miracle had happened!! And my in-laws made their own arrangements to pick up my sister and her family the next day and take them to dinner.
I will never forget this lesson about God infusing the ordinary with the supernatural. I did my part through prayer, my sister did hers by knocking on doors, my father-in-law did his part by answering his door, and God did His Huge Supernatural Miracle! I love the way the Holy Spirit teaches me the Scriptures. Not only is it a very memorable lesson, but it is so much fun!!
Recently, I had been studying a passage in Acts 12. Peter was in prison awaiting a trial that could lead to his execution. He was sleeping which I find remarkable considering his circumstances. An angel came to him and struck him to wake him up. Peter was chained to two guards. The angel caused the chains to fall off of Peter, but then proceeded to tell Peter to get dressed and put on his sandals. I thought to myself, why did the angel not just supernaturally dress Peter at the same time that he caused his chains to fall off? So, the Lord answered by showing how He infuses His supernatural power into everyday living.
I was in Las Vegas visiting my in-laws. Coincidentally, my sister was coming to Las Vegas also to campaign for a political party. She could have been sent anywhere in the country but had been assigned to Las Vegas, so I started to see that the Lord was involved. I felt that it was God's will for all of us to spend some time together, so I arranged to have dinner with my sister's family, my in-laws and my husband on that Wednesday evening.
When I woke up Wednesday morning, my sister called and let me know that she would not be to Vegas until Thursday morning. Sadly, we were leaving on Wednesday after dinner. My sister and her family were looking forward to a dinner with my in-laws. As I was taking my shower, I made up my mind to work out the details so that they could get together. That is when the voice of God interrupted my thoughts. He said, "Kim, stop spending so much time on details. Start relying on My miracles." I had known God was in this thing with my sister coming to Vegas so I asked the Lord, "How do I do that practically?" He answered me by impressing on my heart, "Pray that your sister will knock on your in-laws door." OK? I knew that she would be knocking on doors but she did not know where my in-laws lived. This would definitely take a miracle. So, I started praying.
After my shower, I went out to breakfast and told my father-in-law that our dinner plans had been canceled due to a later flight. He was disappointed but said with a laugh, "Maybe she will knock on my door and I can give her some lunch." At that point, I knew God was doing something. He was so sweet to encourage me in my prayer.
On Saturday morning, my sister called me. She had knocked on my in-laws door!! My miracle had happened!! And my in-laws made their own arrangements to pick up my sister and her family the next day and take them to dinner.
I will never forget this lesson about God infusing the ordinary with the supernatural. I did my part through prayer, my sister did hers by knocking on doors, my father-in-law did his part by answering his door, and God did His Huge Supernatural Miracle! I love the way the Holy Spirit teaches me the Scriptures. Not only is it a very memorable lesson, but it is so much fun!!
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