Tag Archives: Strength

September 21, 2014

Do Life Big

By valencia68

“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” – Oscar Wilde

To the many women in my life who have prayed for me this year: Thank you!  I have needed it, it has helped, and I am back.  The summer was rough but it is now behind us.  Fall is upon us and it is time to live in this moment.  Each day in the month of September has been better than the last.  When I awakened this morning, the first thought on my mind was the need to release the relentless thoughts of the challenges of the most difficult 42 days of the year.  There have been 215 other absolutely fabulous days in the same year.  I will not allow this difficult minority to haunt the fantastic majority any longer.  I made it through and am here now to press on towards greater things.

Our God has given us a spirit of courage and a charge to do life big.  There is much to accomplish in the vineyard and little time to get it done.  The growing season is behind us and the harvest is upon us.  Now is the time to dream big and dare to fail; throw caution to the wind and live out our purpose; leave isolation behind us and live out loud; abandon doubt and love boldly; press on and be optimistic.  Solitude is sinful when there are so many souls searching.  The glass menagerie, the ornamental exhibit of 42 captives, has shattered.  The pieces of pain have been laid at the foot of the cross, in an acknowledgment of what they are and an acceptance that we are not in it alone.   In His time, He will take what is left, multiply them, then divide them so they can be used for His glory.

The commentary in The Voice translation in 2 Corinthians 13 tells us, “Weakness looks like failure in the eyes of the world, but…weakness is an avenue to share in Jesus’ death and, therefore, in His life as well.  The challenge is to remain faithful even in the difficult times, even when there is no one left to provide support.  It is in these times that God’s power and comfort are most evident.  This call to embrace weakness and suffering is difficult.  It is normal to run from pain.  But the examples of Jesus in the Gospels, of Paul in his letters, and of David in the psalms are of finding God’s strength in times of weakness.”  “Keep, keep On…. Never Say Die… When in the midst of sorrow, you can’ t see up when looking down.  A brighter day tomorrow will bring.  You hear the voice of reason telling you this can’t ever be done.  No matter how hard reality seems, just hold on to your dreams.  Don’t give up and don’t give in although it seems you never win.  You will always pass the test as long as you keep your head to the sky.  You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky.  You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky.  Be optimistic!”  Sounds of Blackness – Optimistic

If anyone understood the harshness of this world, the Son of Man did.  He left His place in heaven and laid it all on the line just so we can live in eternity with Him.  His suffering was great and he paid the ultimate price for us.  Through it all, God was with Him.  Through His obedience, He fulfilled the scriptures so we would never be separated from Him again.

Mark 15:15-37 in part tells us, “15 When Pilate saw that he could not persuade the crowd to change its mind, he…had Jesus publicly whipped, which was the normal prelude to crucifixion.  Then he had Jesus led away to be crucified…17 They put a purple robe on Him and made a crown of thorns that they forced onto His head, 18 and they began to cry out in mock salute.  19 For a long while they beat Him on the head with a reed, spat upon Him, and knelt down as if to honor Him.  20 When they had finished mocking Him, they stripped off His purple robe and put His own clothes back on Him.  Then they took Him away to be executed…24 And so they crucified Him, divided up His clothes, and cast lots (an ancient equivalent of rolling dice) to see who would keep the clothes they had stripped from Him.  25 His crucifixion began about nine o’clock in the morning…29 Those passing by on their way into or out of Jerusalem insulted and ridiculed Him…33 At noon, the day suddenly darkened for three hours across the entire land.  34 Sometime around three o’clock Jesus called out in a loud voice.  Jesus: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?  Jesus was speaking, as in the psalms, ‘My God, My God, why have You turned Your back on Me?’…37 Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and He took His last breath.  38 At that moment, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

The commentary from the VOICE translation of Mark 15 explains, “The tearing of the temple veil is a picture of what Jesus’ death has accomplished.  The temple sanctuary is divided into two sections: the holy place and the most holy place.  The most holy place is a chamber so sanctified that only the high priest can enter—and then only once a year.  There God’s presence is manifest on earth.  A long curtain divides the two areas, and at the moment of Jesus’ death it is torn in two.  The veil that serves as a means to protect everyone but the high priest from the power of God’s presence is no longer needed because Jesus, on account of His sacrificial death, gives everyone access to God.  Only God Himself can rip the curtain in two ‘from top to bottom,’ opening the way for people to come into His presence.”

Our God is with us from beginning to end, through all of our triumphs and trials.  What made the victory of conquering the mountain so sweet is that we traversed the valley first.  The climb was steep, intense, and arduous.  But we did it because we remained faithful and persevered with the support of others who believe in His vision.

Jesus came to earth and lived out His mission, which included many trials, challenges and difficulties.  His example was to go all out and to be all in without regard for how hard it might be.  The challenges of the summer taught me many lessons and I now know that they were each a blessing in disguise.  Through my weakness, I gained strength; because of adversity, I received wisdom; in my moments of despair, seedlings of hope blossomed.  “If things around you crumble, no you don’t have to stumble and fall.  Keep pushing on and don’t you look back.  I know that storms and strife cloud up your outlook on life.  Just think ahead and you’ll be inspired to reach higher and higher.  You’ll always do your best if you learn to never say never.  You may be down but you’re not out.  Don’t give up and don’t give in although it seems you never win.  You will always pass the test as long as you keep your head to the sky.  You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky (you can win child).  You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky.  Be optimistic! – Optimistic

11-13 And that’s about it, friends.  Be cheerful.  Keep things in good repair.  Keep your spirits up.  Think in harmony.  Be agreeable.  Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.  Greet one another with a holy embrace.  2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Now that you know there is nothing standing between you and Him, what’s stopping you?  What is your calling in life?  Whatever it is, pursue it earnestly.  Leave nothing on the table and no room for regrets.  He is with you and your sisters are praying for you.  What power against you can prevail?  Now go get ‘em!  Whatever He is calling you to do, do it big.

 

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May 10, 2014

The Taking of Jericho

By valencia68

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he was obedient and answered the call dutifully.  Both God and Moses knew he would not make it to the promised land.  Deuteronomy 34: 1-4 tells us, “Moses climbed from the Plains of Moab to Mount Nebo…facing Jericho.  God showed him all the land from Gilead…to the Mediterranean Sea…Then and there God said to him, [“This is the land I promised to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the words ‘I will give it to your descendants.  I’ve let you see it with your own eyes. There it is. But you’re not going to go in.”]”  (MSG)  God seeks obedience and the pursuit of excellence, not perfection.  The role Moses played was a small (relative to time) but an important piece in His masterful mosaic created to bring His people back to Him.

The plan to get the Israelites to Canaan included raising up a young leader named Joshua.  He was Moses’ understudy but was mentored by several people around him.  Upon Moses’ death, Joshua took the helm, even though he did not believe he was ready for the assignment.  In a leap of faith and a great act of obedience, Joshua did what he was told.

God gave Joshua an order to lead His people and a promise to protect him along the way.  Joshua knew God was faithful and delivered on His promises because he witnessed the miracles worked by Moses through God’s hands.  Joshua knew that whatever he might be lacking to complete his mission, God would provide in abundance.  Joshua 1:1-9 says, “Moses my servant is dead. Get going.  Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people.  Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel.  I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses.  From the wilderness…to the Great River, the Euphrates River…to the Great Sea.  It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you.  In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you.  I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you.  Strength!  Courage!  You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors.  Give it everything you have, heart and soul.  Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it.  Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going.  And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind.  Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it.  Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.  Haven’t I commanded you?  Strength!  Courage!  Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged.  God, your God, is with you every step you take.”  (MSG)

As Joshua set out to honor the God who called him and in memory of the man who trained him, he surrounded himself by the willing and the faithful.  One of his first acts was to rally the tribal leaders.  He prepared them mentally by reminding them that their mantra was strength and courage.  He then let them know they were going to battle and gave them instructions to cross the Jordan River in formation.  He had them to leap-frog their way towards Jericho, taking possession of every parcel of land they touched.  As loyal soldiers, they executed the mission.

Joshua then sent two spies on a reconnaissance mission to gather combat intelligence.  While out, they encountered a prostitute named Rahab who intuitively knew the spies were not ordinary men.  The spies remained focused on mission while Rahab exposed her compassionate heart and open mind.  Because of this, their actions were each pleasing to God and beneficial to His people.  They paid her in conversation for her service of protection.  They spoke and trusted while she listened and believed.  A crimson cloth was the symbol of their covenant; an emblem of the spies’ safety and Rahab’s salvation.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us, “Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.  (This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed).” (Voice)

Joshua 3:1-5, in relevant part, tells us, “Joshua was up early and on his way…Then Joshua addressed the people: ‘Sanctify yourselves. Tomorrow God will work miracle-wonders among you.’ ”  He passed along instructions from God to the men of each tribe.  They dutifully followed the guidance and carried the Ark of the Covenant across the Jordan River near Jericho.  The entire nation was able to bear witness to God drying up a swath in the river wide enough for all of them to cross without one person getting even a toe wet.  After celebrating the Passover with a meal, Joshua sat aside in stillness.  Then God provided someone else to help him and to remind him that God is with him.  “13 And then this, while Joshua was there near Jericho:  He looked up and saw right in front of him a man standing, holding his drawn sword.  Joshua stepped up to him and said, ‘Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies’?”  14 He said, ‘Neither. I’m commander of God’s army.  I’ve just arrived.’  Joshua fell, face to the ground, and worshiped.  He asked, ‘What orders does my Master have for his servant?’  15 God’s army commander ordered Joshua, ‘Take your sandals off your feet.  The place you are standing is holy.’  Joshua did it.” (Joshua 5:13-15 – MSG)

Afterwards, with continued obedience, the faithful followed the instructions given.  As promised, God delivered Jericho to the Israelites.  It was a mighty battle fought with strength and courage by people who dreamed of freedom (from slavery, the desert, emptiness…).  Casting Crowns tells us in Courageous, “We were made to be courageous.  We were made to lead the way.  We could be the generation that finally breaks the chains.”    

My thoughts about this story have led me to question the following:

Do I follow the guidance from my leadership?  Do I serve where I am needed?  Am I willing to do the unconventional to provide a way for others?  Am I willing to obediently, dutifully and faithfully pursue His plan with excellence and honor?  Am I able to see the miracles that are worked out in front of me?  Am I thankful and prayerful in all circumstances?

Moreover, what role am I playing in His plan in this moment on this day?  [A person in a stretch assignment who, through obedience, led a nation to the Promised Land; An informant whose pursuit of excellence during reconnaissance provided safety and protection for God’s people; An empty soul who gained faith and then believed at the 11th hour; an honorable messenger masquerading as someone else.]  Have I ever been placed in a position that I believed exceeded my capacity?  Have I ever been two-faced?  Am I willing to give away what I have to get what I don’t need?  Have I ever been mistaken for someone or as something I am not?  I challenge you to answer these questions for yourself.  To the extent that any answer in the first set of questions is no or any in the second set is yes, remember this:

  1. Advancing His kingdom in our own neck of the woods is as important to God as the taking of Jericho.
  2. Now, as then, the people he calls upon are ordinary people who are able to do extraordinary things because they commit themselves to His plan.
  3. Our actions are the insignia of our covenant with Him.
  4. We come from all walks of life and have various talents.
  5. None of us is perfect.  Each has character flaws and developmental deficiencies.
  6. The things we have in common are dedication and dreams.

As the retelling of Psalm 126 says in Men Who Dream, “Captives came back into Zion; from their freedom came a scheme.  While the city, it lay in ruins; we believe they had a dream…When our souls were like the desert and we stumbled on the stream; and found revival in the water, we became like men who dream.  And yes our mouths were filled with laughter; and our songs rushed like the stream.  Where He washed our sorrows under; we became like men who dream.  It shall be said among the nations, [There’s a God who shares our dream.]  The Spirit moves our generation; Shed your tears, fill the stream – men who dream.  We are shedding tears that flood the thirsty waters – Men who dream!  We are planting seeds of Men who dream.  God has done great things among us.  Every eye now shines a gleam.  A spark of light reveals the wonder.  We became like men who dream…So let us go into the nations, plunging souls into that stream and singing songs that stir the angels.  We became the men who dream.”

What is your calling? What is your dream?  This is Jericho.  Let’s take it!

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