picturesfromheaven

Picture… a sign over the door that opens into your church auditorium. A sign like some auditoriums have that request you to turn off your phones and pagers. However, this sign reads, “NO Wimps allowed.”

Hear…my conversation with the Lord about the sign. Because this somehow did not jibe with the God of mercy and grace that I know, I asked Him, “What about people who are lost or hurting. Aren’t they allowed in?” With great patience He advised me, “Read the small print.” So I stepped up to read the small print and it said, “After first visit.”

Consider: Many of us do not actually receive Christ the first time we walk through the doors of a church, but when we do, we also receive His nature, which includes righteousness, compassion, wisdom and let’s not forget, courage. To put it bluntly, Jesus was no wimp. He set his face to go Jerusalem, knowing full well the torture and suffering that He would experience there. But that didn’t deter Him. When it was time, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem, because He knew that it was the reason why He came to this earth; it was His purpose. Jesus said,

"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" John 12:27-28 NIV

Jesus was not a wimp, and neither are you. I know there are times when we have probably felt that we just couldn’t take it anymore. I know that I have been there several times. But I also know that whenever I get to what I think is the end of my rope and cry out, “Stop, no more…I can’t take it anymore,” I always manage to take more. Why? Because, it always seems to keep on coming …and what choices do you or I have? Quit? That is not an option for either of us. Here is our choice: we can make it stumbling and complaining all the way, or we can make it with our head held high and our shoulders back with our eyes on the prize. The choice is yours. I suggest that rather that crying out, “I can’t take it anymore”, which doesn’t seem to help anyway, try declaring, “Through the blood of the Lamb…

I am not a wimp
I am courageous
I am strong
I am victorious.”

You can handle whatever God has allowed, (not necessarily caused) to happen in your life, because He made you and He knows your frame. He knows what you can bear. He knows that with His help you can turn whatever situation you are in right now into something that will ultimately be for your good and for His glory. Remember…you are no wimp!

Pray: “God, when so many things come against me and I feel like I can’t take anymore, I tend to whine and complain. I am so sorry about that. I know that you love me. I know that you are going to eventually “work all things out to my good.” It’s just that the “ultimate good” stage seems so far away. But rather than complain, I am going to try to declare your goodness and your power to all that I meet. I will pray your word until it is so far down in my spirit that it begins to be a reality for me. I love you, and I know that we are going to make it, together. I know it, in Jesus Name, Amen."

My husband and I are getting ready to travel to the Middle East to teach house church leaders. We go knowing that there is no real danger for ourselves, but there is for the leaders who come. Leaders in this nation have been jailed and martyred for their faith. When I consider what they risk for the cause of Christ, my own excuses for things seem so petty and insignificant. I'm sure they do to God as well. So this picture, which is actually two different pictures about the same subject, is especially poignant for me now. Please pray for the safety of the leaders who come,to this training and for God's release of anointing and wisdom as I feel inadequate to the challenge.

Picture… An elaborately gowned woman is cradling a very ornate crystal box with elaborate etchings and gold overlay in her hands. The box is so beautiful that is makes you wonder what kind of things are kept within. As if sensing this, the woman opens the lid and starts pulling out treasured excuses. She reads each excuse and then carefully lays them down on a mahogany table with a marble top where they turn to dust.

Hear…the Lord say, ”Why does she think that I attach any importance to her treasured excuses? I regard them not. They are nothing but worthless pieces of paper to me. They accomplish nothing. They serve no purpose.”

Consider: Although we know that God doesn’t want to hear our excuses; we make them anyway. We make excuses for not being the intercessor, parent, or soul winner, or Christian that we know we should be. We have excuses, like, “I am an introvert,” or “I don’t have time.” I am this and I am that. I can’t do this, and I can’t do that. We treasure our excuses because they are our permission slip to be less than God created us to be. But no matter how good your excuses may sound to you, they are only that…just excuses. They do not hold up in the presence of our holy and righteous God. Ask yourself, “What kind of excuses have I been using to deceive myself? What excuse have I used to get myself off of the hook? What explanations have I given for not following through? What justification have I used to stuff responsibility down where it can be ignored? What?! Don’t rush through this. Do not go on with the devotion until you have explored all possible excuses. Once you have identified the excuse, give it up to God. Sacrifice it, and refuse to use it again. Do not allow excuses to stop you from being the man or woman that God has ordained and called you to be.

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Picture…someone with a cane that they are using as a crutch. It is carved and the head is again overlaid with gold. Although it is almost a statement of fashion, so fine are the carving, it is still just a crutch.

Hear…the Lord say, “She needs to throw down the cane and I will strengthen her legs to walk. She will have the courage and the strength to do what she needs to do, if she throws down the cane.

Consider: Whatever excuse you are using, whatever crutch that you have been depending upon, whatever you have allowed to keep you from being all that God has designed and created you to be, throw it down in Jesus name. I’m not talking about just laying it aside so that it can be picked up again. I am talking about throwing it down with such intent and passion that it signals the enemy that you are not going to allow this to stop you any more. You are not going to allow this to impede your growth and effectiveness in God. The Word and counseling tells us that our words have power. So verbally declare, “I am not going to allow __________________ to keep me back anymore. I’m not going to let it keep me from being what God created me to be.” Once whatever excuse you have been holding on to is thrown down, God is going to strengthen you. He is going to equip you. He is going to give you the courage, determination and wisdom to do whatever it is that he has called you to do. He is standing beside you right now waiting to empower you. He is here right now to empower you. In order for you to receive the wisdom, strength or courage that you may need, I want you to picture yourself tossing down whatever crutch that you have been using. Picture yourself throwing down the excuses and receiving the power of God.

Pray: “Lord, I’ve used plenty of excuses in my lifetime. I can’t sing. I can’t play an instrument. I don’t have time. I’m exhausted. I’m an introvert, yada, yada, yada. I know that you do not regard my excuses, and you certainly don’t want me using a crutch. I know it, but somehow I keep using them. Once again I ask you to forgive me. I throw down _________________ right now in your Name. I refuse to let these things stop me. If you will direct and empower me, I will never use that crutch or excuse again. I believe that you created me for better things than sitting around giving excuses. I don’t need this crutch _______________ any longer. Empower me by your grace right now to walk the walk. Strengthen me to do what you have called me to do. In Jesus Name, Amen.”