I'm studying in the book of Luke right now. In almost every chapter I've read the theme of change is evident. Jesus was & is such a powerful presence in people's lives most couldn't help but change from their evil ways & turn their lives towards God & his righteousness."So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed HIM." Luke 5:11
"He left all, rose up, and followed HIM"
Luke 5:28
The past few months I've been feeling over extended, overly sensitive, and running to the wrong types of things to find rest. Looking towards entertainment and social networks to be rejuvenated. Was I ever feeling rested or rejuvenated? Not really - I would find myself feel guilty that I wasn't completing things that needed to be done around the house or in terms of my business or even with homeschooling. There's nothing wrong with being entertained, or reconnecting with people from your past or being social, but last week I became convicted that these things had a hold in my life that was pretty similar to that of an idol. They were at some extent stealing/robbing me of my peace & my joy.
I feel like God desires a new change in my life and I'm ready to follow after him with my whole heart. I'm ready to leave these things behind & to keep my eyes on God, trusting HIM. God has been changing a lot of things in our household and it seems HE would have us be ready for change in any avenue in our lives for HIS names sake. It seems that at least for Mike & I - God desires us to practice being flexible to HIS will.
When we lived in Massachusetts, Mike & I after much prayer felt led to lead a home church. As HE moved us to Florida, we kept thinking that God's will for us was the same & we kept having the same "home church" mind frame to no avail. Mike met a Christian man at his job who invited us to go check out the church he & his family had attended for some time. We resisted at first but finally after a lot of prayer felt led to join them one weekend. I remember laughing as we pulled into the enormous parking lot - "this is like a college campus!" The sermons were convicting, the worship was amazing, and we began going ever week. Shortly after that, we started getting plugged into the church - we went to a weekly home fellowship and began to start friendships that were founded on God. I even co-led a weekly women's bible study thru the Salt & Light group (www.saltandlightgroup.com) Our family was so blessed!
Then, we started feeling called to another church that had grown out of the St Pete fellowship. After the LORD confirmed to Mike & I that we were to leave our church family in St Pete to start over fresh in Palm Harbor I was excited as I knew God was going to use this change to bring HIM glory. Mike & I were able thru the Palm Harbor church to serve in a great capacity & we were so blessed because of it. Mike served on the worship team faithfully and we also served in the Children's Ministry, Homeless Ministry, we hosted & led a Home Fellowship, we were involved in the Womens/Mens Ministries. We made & built friendships with families that have had a great impact on my life. Then last month Mike & I felt God leading us out of the Palm Harbor fellowship & back to St Pete. This transition has been more difficult than the previous ones.
It has been a test of patience & faith to not react (in the flesh) to the challenges that this change has posed in our lives. We remained prayerful & tried our best to be led in peace by God. Some of the things didn't make sense to me in a worldly sense at all, but I trusted my husband - I trusted God & we remained unified throughout our final weeks.
A good friend told me, when you are on the right track - the right path; the enemy will always attack. How can you defend yourself against these attacks?
I'm convicted that only thru God's WORD can you protect your heart, your joy, & your peace. To give everything to HIM - to not take hold or lay claim to anything in this world.
Exodus 15:9-13
The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’
You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
“Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.
You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.
How can you be sure that your not being used to be a stumbling block to someone else?
By constant prayer & supplication...by being humble & being washed with thanksgiving & giving never-ending praise to God. I had written down in my bible from a previous study, "We should not be a people of retaliation - looking for opportunities to strike back. We should look for opportunities to give to those whom its hard to give love & mercy to."
My memory verse for this week is:
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
Persue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the LORD: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
Hebrews 12:12-15
On this crispy & cool Monday I lift all these concerns, confusions, & all these circumstances to you God. I pray that I will be used to love those who are difficult to love - that I will be full of mercy to those who are hard to be merciful towards. I pray that my children will see your hand in all these trials & that when they are grown they will have a strong faith & trust in you God. I pray that their future spouses are also strong in faith & that their marriages will be blessed. I pray that my mouth will only speak of thanksgiving to others & any complaints I may have that I would only speak those to you. I pray to be filled with grace & that my thoughts wouldn't control me or steal me of my peace. I will keep my mind on the hope you God promises & will continue to trust in you.
I'm ready for these new changes, these new challenges, and I'm prepared to disinfect anything that has been holding me back from being a better wife, mother, sister, friend, or child of God.
