Put It Down
I hope that all of you are staying reasonably cool. I am now a true believer in "global warming." For those of you who know my daugher, and know that she is a missionary in South Africa, consider that it is winter there and it has snowed recently. When I think about the possibility of snow, I don't mind the heat quite so much. Please pray that my daughter is able to purchase a vehicle, because her ministry is GREATLY hindered without a means by which to get off the missionary base. Pray for a miracle. And consider your own life and the gifts that God wants to give to you as you do...
Picture…a man carrying a heavy load. He can barely hang on to it with both hands it is so heavy. His shoulders are bent; his walk is little more than a shuffle. He knows that he is reaching his limit of endurance when someone walks up to him with a beautifully wrapped package. He shakes his head in despair, knowing that there is no way that he can reach out to receive the gift.
Hear…the Lord say, “The only way to receive the gifts that I want to give you is for you to put down the heavy load that you are carrying. I never intended for you to carry it. Others gave it to you, and you thought it was your duty to carry. But you are mistaken. It belongs to me. Let it go and reach out for those things that I do want to give you, wonderful gifts that will straighten your back and put a spring back in your step. I won’t take it from you. You must willingly, and cheerfully put it down at my feet.”
Consider: I lift weights as a part of my “work out” regiment,” but I am still not all that strong. It might have something to do with the fact that I’m a 50 something year old woman, or it could be that I waited until I was nearly 50 to start exercising. Whatever the reason, I really can’t carry very much. That is…I can’t carry much in the “physical” realm. I can carry a lot of burdens on my shoulders. What about you? Do you have the ability to carry stuff around with you? Do you carry burdens for your children, spouse, parents or friends? Do you carry around burdens from past hurts that limit what you can be and do for God? I’m not accusing…I’m just asking. I know that I have a tendency to carry heavy loads with me. I usually don’t recognize it as a burden at first, but when I start to notice:
That I don’t have a spring in my step anymore…
That I’m tired all of the time…
That my laugh has no real ring of joy to it …
That I’ve worried through an entire stop light…
Then I know that it is burden-casting time. Are you able to recognize the symptoms in your own life? What does burden carrying look like in you? Are you carrying burdens right now? You have to decide what type of lifestyle you want to live, one that is filled with duty and grim determination or one of joy and peace. It’s your choice, not the people and circumstances surrounding you. Determine today that you are not going to carry heavy weights around with you. Lay them down at Jesus feet. When you are finally empty handed, you will be able to receive what God is offering to you today; freedom from sickness, pain of the past, weariness, the controlling behaviors of others, guilt, addictions and worries. The precious blood of our Lord has already paid for this freedom. It is yours to take, once you empty your hands.
Pray: “Jesus, I’m tired of walking around with all of these heavy burdens. I recognize that these are not mine to bear. I refuse to carry this weight of responsibility that causes sleepless nights. I refuse to worry about my loved ones any longer. I refuse to carry the pain from wounds inflicted by the things people have said or done in the past. The hurts that dictated who I was going to be and what I was going to do will limit me no longer. I forgive those who have harmed me. I let go of this pain. I choose to exchange my heavy burdens for Your own. I know that you want me to live a life of victory, and freedom. I receive it right now in Jesus name, Amen. ”
Beautiful Feet
I am back home from our vacation. After putting our daughter Jen on the plane to South Africa, my husband and I went to spend some time with my mother to rest and be restored. I am thankful for my time away, and glad to be back in service. I hope that this posting with inspire and challenge you...
Picture…gnarly, callused, bruised feet.
Hear…the Lord say,” Aren’t these feet beautiful?”
Consider: I was about to tell the Lord, “Not really,” but I remembered the passage in Romans 10:5, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (NIV) I think that as Americans, we can be very superficial, and worry about the most trifling things. Some of us are so concerned about “outward” things that are going to perish in the end anyways, no matter how well we take care of them, that we live an unrewarding life. We can have manicures and pedicures. We can try to cover it all up with cosmetics, clothes, hair dyes and jewelry. We can diet and exercise, and for those with too much money on their hands there is the possibility of a few nips and tucks done along the way. Why? Why spend all of the time, energy and money on something that is only going to end up turning back to dust anyways. Think about it, what difference will it all make 100 years from now? Will you care? Will anyone care? I rather doubt it. But I do know that whatever you do for God will matter not only 100 years from now but for all eternity. The best foot treatment available is putting them to use for the work of the Lord; that will make them beautiful for all eternity. My question is- where have your feet taken you? Where have you published the good news of Jesus Christ? Where have your feet gone to insure that people know the love of Jesus Christ? How beautiful are your feet today according to God’s appraisal? If they need some work, start a beauty regimen today that goes beyond the surface, to the inner spiritual man. I would make sure my feet are taking me to publish the good news of Jesus. It might be to the grocery store, school, job, or a neighbor’s house. It might be in you own house. Try the new, but very old foot treatment.
Pray: “I’ve never really thought of myself as superficial but I do admit that I concern myself with a lot of things that will not matter 100 years from now, much less eternity. Thank you for the wake-up call. When I start to get flustered about something help me to remember to apply the 100-year test. If it fails the test, then I will refocus my attention on something that will. I want to make a difference in this world and more importantly in the one that is yet to come. Open my eyes to the opportunities that are all around me to make a difference. Open my heart to the people I know that desperately need your love. If you will help me in this way, I will then open my arms to embrace those for whom you died. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Weights
Our trip to Mexico was quick and filled with frustration, but I am thankful that I was able to meet my son's fiance and her family. Since Sol's family does not speak English and I do not speak Spanish, talking about Brent and Sol's wedding was interesting to say the least. But God willing, their wedding will be here in Chicago right before the new year. The good news is that I am going to try to bring my daughter home from South Africa for Christmas so that she will be able to be a part of the wedding. She only has 9 more days left before she leaves and my life is wrapped up with trying to help her, so wedding plans will have to wait . She is still short $47,000 of her needed budget. What is most needed is upfront cost for a vehicle, which is necessary for her to do the ministry for which she has been called to South Africa. Please pray for a miracle in this last week. If you would like to be a part of that miracle you can give through her website: www.recklesslyabandoned.org I hope the word picture below is a blessing and help to your life and ministry.
Picture…a weightlifter struggling with a barbell with two very heavy weights on each end. It looks like he is trying to do a squat but it appears that he is about to loose control and drop the weight. His back is hunched over, his legs are trembling and sweat is pouring off his brow. I ask Lord, “What is he doing? He has the wrong form and it looks like it is too heavy of a weight.”
Hear…the Lord say, “He is serving me without joy.”
Consider: Sometimes service and ministry to the Lord can seem like a heavy burden that you and I are required to bear. If that is how you feel, it’s time to examine your motives for serving God in that area. If you recognize your involvement is based out of sense of duty or responsibility…there’s your problem right there. For example: if you serve as a greeter because you’ve always been a greeter. If continue being a greeter because you think it’s expected of you, even if you are an introvert and you find the whole process painful, your ministry in that area is going to be arduous and far from fulfilling. It’s going to be a weight, not a source of wonder and joy. Although possessing a sense of duty and responsibility is great for your character, it is not a good motivation for long-term service in a particular area. God wants to restore to you not only the joy of your salvation but also the joy that comes from serving Him. That restoration will come when you restore love as your motivating factor. When your service for God is based out of a heart overwhelming love for God, and for the people you serve, you will find your joy in service. Love is the only acceptable motivation.
“If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.” 1 Cor 13:1-3 NLT
When you serve God out of your love for God and for people, the weight of ministry and service will fall off of you and you will find yourself in a season of unrestricted joy. So stop and think about it a moment. Has life lost its fizz? Does ministry exhaust you or enliven you? Do you dread or do you look forward to your time of service? If you recognize that there is no joy in your service you need to make sure that you are in the right area of ministry. Do you get to use your gifts, talents and abilities in your area of ministry? Does it fit your personality and season of life? If it doesn’t, look for an area that does. If it does, but it’s become routine and a burden ask the Lord to forgive you for allowing work to just become work. Ask for God to restore your love. Ask Him to help you to get back to your first love.
Prayer: “Jesus I love you. I really do. Thank you for sacrificing everything you had and everything you were so that I could have this wonderful gift of Salvation. Thank you for placing within me gifts, talents and abilities. Its amazing to realize that you really don’t need me, but even more wonderful that you want me. Thank you for making me a strategic part of your plan for this day and age. I am so sorry that I’ve allowed my service to you to become routine and even at times a drudgery and chore. I repent and ask for you to restore my “first love.” I want to love you so completely that it affects and motivates everything that I do. Restore my love for you, my church family and the lost. Help me to focus so much on that love, that it becomes a motivation for all that I do. I want to walk into a new season of unrestricted joy. I want to bring you pleasure in all that I do. In Jesus name, Amen.”
