by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart
I opened my Bible Study (“Brave” by Angela Thomas) to this page today, and my first thought was, “Yes! I am broken – and I am so glad!”
That might seem like an odd response to you – but let me explain. I am glad I am broken because I like who I have become through the brokenness.
Before I was broken, I was full of myself, unable to see out through my own lens of selfishness. Pride – only based on lack of knowledge and experience – colored my thoughts and judgments of people around me and prevented me from living with compassion. I neglected to encourage others because I didn’t understand the source of true courage. The gleaming shell on the outside merely kept me from leaking out love.
Hardship, disappointment, failure – all difficult teachers – have cracked that shell. As bits of my pride and selfishness have seeped out, I find that they have made way for joy, peace, love. Less of me – more of Him. Brokenness comes with a price – it is not an easy place to reach – but the result is such sweetness. To use my suffering to encourage another, to have compassion for one who is feeling a similar pain, to leak love through the rough edges only to find that it refines them in the most beautiful way – this is being fully alive!
I am broken – and because of Jesus living in me – I am more complete than I have ever been.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Direction, Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart
The fall is upon us and very soon the leaves will turn all shades of amazing colors. This time of year is spectacular to behold – but it also reminds me that change is upon us. It is the end of summer – the end of a season – the end of life as we know it. Fall is a sign that we are entering a period of rest. As the trees drop their leaves and bear their branches in the cold darkness of winter, we will long for new life with the reassurance and hope that it will come.
I love change. I know that makes me strange, but I always have. I grew up in a military family that moved, and while I didn’t have to relocate as often or as far as some military families, it was enough to set the tone of transition for my life. In the early years I became someone who appreciated the ending of one thing and the fresh start of something new. I came to love the opportunity for a new room, a new school, a new set of friends.
That love of change extended into my adulthood as I became a teacher. One of my favorite aspects of the school year is that it has an ending – and a new beginning. I have been able to translate that concept into each day as it comes to an end and then a new day begins. The end becomes a beginning, death becomes new life, change becomes a fresh start, putting away the old opens up the opportunity for a new creation!
As painful as change can be, it is a sign of the grace of our good God. Just as He has planned for the autumn leaves to fall, He has allowed things to end in our lives as well. Though we cannot see the work of new life forming within the tree, He is working in the secret places of those trees and us to bring about new life that will show itself in season like the tiny new leaves unfurling in the spring sun. The death of one thing prepares the way for the life of another.
Romans 2:4 asks, “Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” It is His love that allows things to come to an end. He knows what we need and He knows how to get us there.
This revelation leads me to ask myself, “Will I see those falling leaves in my life as the love of God preparing me to weather the storms ahead? Or will I stomp my feet and wallow in self-pity, unable to consider that those dry leaves hanging on would simply add weight to my brittle branches in the heavy snows that come during the winter of life? Will I rejoice in the beauty of the colors of change and swirling of leaves blown in the breeze? Or will I tuck my head and grumble at the mess I must clean up as the leaves pile all around me?”
I will choose to see the love – I will remind myself to gaze upon the beauty – I will marvel in awe at the awesome power of God, who is able to turn the end of something old into the beginning of something new! So I will say, “Lord, Let your love fall all around me!”
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
by wendy | Nov 8, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Trusting God
Several years ago I attended the HOPE WMUV Get Away Conference. Our keynote speaker was Sylvia DeLoach and she kept us in stitches while giving some very powerful tips about Loving God with All our Minds! At some point during the message, Sylvia made reference to the Sons of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12 – and I decided to read more about them. It turns out that the context of the passage brought great encouragement to me and I hope it will to you as well!
David was anointed King by God – called to office – but he had to wait a long time before he actually stepped into that role. When the time came, God sent warriors from all over to join David.
I love the words used to describe the men God sent to help David achieve what God had appointed him to do: armed warriors, able, brave, ready for battle, famous, designated by name, those who understood the times and knew what to do, experienced, prepared, fully determined. And to top it all off, they came with plentiful supplies! It is clear that God rallied all the troops – literally – to make happen what He purposed to happen.
I especially love this passage:
“We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success,success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.”
1 Chronicles 12:18
In the waiting, it can often seem like we are alone. The enemy would like to convince us that God has forgotten or that He never called us in the first place. But we must stay true to the calling God has placed on our lives and trust that He will bring it to fruition at His appointed time. He has all the resources and He will make it happen – we are only to be faithful each step of the way.
“When the time is right, the Lord will make it happen.”
Isaiah 60:22
His plans are always on time and He will provide all we need!
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9:8
by wendy | Aug 9, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
Our Sunday School lesson last week focused on the story of Elijah and his announcement of a Great Drought. (1 Kings 17) Elijah was a prophet of God and his calling required him to call out the sin of the people. When Elijah announced that there would be no rain or dew in the land for several years, he was simply reminding the people of a consequence of their sin – the refusal to acknowledge God as their sustainer. A drought in the land was divine punishment that would affect the fertility of the land and cause a famine. The very people that refused to give God the credit for producing the rain would find out in a very real way just how powerful God was.
Sometimes things dry up as a result of sin.
Our God is a God of mercy and grace and He does allow things to dry up as a result of our sin and disobedience. When this happens, it is painful – but it is not permanent! God’s love is so great that He would rather see us suffer for a time in order to bring us to repentance and a right relationship with Him than to allow us to be separated from Him eternally. He longs for us to turn from sin and to run to Him.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Elijah’s announcement of drought for the people meant that the source of water would be drying up for him as well. I wonder if Elijah had concerns as he proclaimed the punishment. But God had plans for His servant, and He sent Elijah to a brook where he would find water to drink and birds to bring him food. Relying on ravens to feed him must have required a great deal of faith, but imagine how Elijah must have also marveled at the clear water that flowed through that stream during a drought!
Have you ever found yourself in a season where you were abundantly aware of the blessings poured out on you? When God places His hand of protection and provision upon you in the midst of difficulty in the world, it can be extremely faith-building. I imagine that Elijah gained strength in that time – and he would need it! When you find yourself in that place, be intentional about your praise and gratitude – be purposeful about cooperating with God to grow and strengthen your faith – and be prepared for what is to come!
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Sometimes things dry up to cause us to move.
Wouldn’t it be glorious to stay in that place? Drinking from the clear, flowing water, eating food dropped from the sky, resting and hiding from the troubles of the world – just you and God and nature. Elijah might have been content to stay there forever, but he wasn’t functioning in his calling there. God used that time to strengthen and sustain and grow Elijah, but the time came when God was ready to use him again – so He dried up Elijah’s source of water and told him to move!
It often comes a surprise – and not a happy one. The stream of income dries up. The sweet friendship dries up. The desire to create dries up. The opportunity of a lifetime dries up. Whatever it is – the thing that has quenched your thirst or fed your soul – it just goes away, it stops, it dries up. And its not because that thing was bad, or because you did something wrong – it may simply be time to move on. It may be time to get back to work – doing that thing that God has called you to do.
“Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
1 Kings 17:7-9
Let’s not miss the order of events here! First, the brook dried up – then, the word of the Lord came to Elijah. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer it to be the other way around. I like for God to give me directions first so I can feel comfortable with the way things go down, but this is not usually how God operates.
“God’s ultimate goal for your life on Earth is not comfort but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.”
Rick Warren
God wants us to develop confidence in Him. The more we learn to trust in Him, the more effective we can be in following Him and doing the work He has called us to do.
Sometimes things dry up to increase our faith.
Each step God led Elijah through increased his understanding of God, of God’s character, and of God’s power. God commanded natural elements (rain and flowing water) as well as animals (ravens) to provide for Elijah’s needs. Once Elijah was confident in that provision, God moved him to a place where he could see God work in a different way – through a desperate widow with free will. Each of these instances grew Elijah’s faith and confidence in order to prepare him for the next thing.
Sometimes things dry up to increase the faith of others.
One might assume that just because Elijah was a prophet that he always viewed things through a lens of faith. But let us not forget that Elijah was a man. When God dries up what seems like a good thing in my life, I tend to wonder, “Why me – why now?” It often takes hindsight to see that it was never all about me in the first place!
The widow that God sent Elijah to was an unlikely candidate to provide anything for him. She was without a provider herself and laden with responsibility for her child. She was down to her last hope, seemingly without any options. No income, no food, no family, no rain – and she had accepted the fact that she and her son would die. This woman did not know God. She was worthless in the eyes of the world – but God saw her and loved her. God used the widow to provide food for His prophet and He used Elijah to provide hope for her! God could have accomplished both completely on His own but He chose to invite them to witness and participate in His work – and He does the same for us!
Oh that I may have eyes to see God moving, a heart to love as He loves, and a spirit willing to be used.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11
What is drying up in your life? Spend some time in prayer, seeking God and His direction. Ask Him the following questions:
- Is there sin in my life that begs for repentance?
- Is God asking me to move (physically, emotionally, spiritually)?
- Am I cooperating with God’s desire to grow my faith? Am I trusting Him to protect and provide?
- Is God using my situation to grow the faith of someone else? Am I willing to be used by God?
Whatever is happening – turn your eyes upon Him. Let go and allow Him to work in whatever way He will. You can be certain that He is working for your good and new things are on the horizon!
”Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18
by wendy | May 17, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
“What are your plans if the house sells quickly?”
This question is asked of us nearly every day since our house went on the market. We always respond with a smile and a shrug.
”We don’t know.”
The answer rolls off our tongue easily, but the weight of the question bears down just a little more each time. We don’t know. We are trusting God. We are taking it day by day. We are trying to be content and confident – waiting on the Lord.
But the question – the world – begs us to be anxious, fearful, discontent.
“I have learned the secret of being content whatever the circumstances.”
Philippians 4:11
The word “content” in Greek is autárkēs and it means self-sufficient because of the indwelling power of God. His power in me enables me to be content. I have what I need. I am okay. I am not in trouble.
I am God-sufficient.
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
I can remain content (God-sufficient) through any situation and even suffering through the power of God that dwells in me.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
I can remain content (satisfied and confident) because I am not dependent on my own strength or on my circumstances. It is God’s power that provides the strength I need.
Did that seem repetitive? I need the repetition – the reminder – the assurance!
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3
When I am discontent (not satisfied or confident) it is because I feel I am lacking something. God reminds us that we have everything we need for a godly life – through our knowledge of Him.
When I find my soul growing discontent from the world‘s questions, I can ask myself these questions:
1. Am I lacking something I need to live a godly life – or is what I am lacking an earthly desire?
This is often a tough one to answer. Is my lack something I need or something I want? How can the lack I feel connect me even more deeply with the One who provides? Can I lean in more fully? Can I trust Him more? Can I learn to wait in Him? Can I practice obedience in the midst of suffering? Can I learn to be content (satisfied and confident) in His sufficiency?
2. Do I really know God and understand His power?
My discontent often stems from worry – and worry stems from lack of trust. Though my circumstances may seem out of control or hopeless, God, who is all-powerful, is still reigning and ruling and has not lost control. I love this biblically-based statement that Emily P. Freeman often recites from her friend and author, James Bryan Smith.
“I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights. I live in the unshakeable kingdom of God. The kingdom is not in trouble, and neither am I.”
James Bryan Smith
When I find my soul discontented, I need to remind my soul that I know who God is and I believe that He has all that I need.
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
Psalm 62:5 (NLT)
3. Am I trusting that God will provide for my needs?
This has been an important question for me lately. When I recognize the restless impatience growing inside of me, I know that it is a waning trust. Here is how I combat that emotion:
I name it. I call it what it is and then I call it out. I stop the doubt and worry in its tracks.
I ask for help. I call upon the power of God within me to change my heart and mind.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
I rename it. “Lord I put my trust in you.” I choose to proclaim the truth even when I don’t feel it.
I act on it. I choose to live according to what I believe!
4. Am I living in a way that demonstrates that trust by learning to be content?
What does it look like to live according to what I believe? I wish it looked effortless and easy, but – for me – its a little more like stumbling and scrambling along a rocky path grabbing for whatever I can hold onto. My flesh wants to worry, my mind wanders off the trail, my heart is nearly always faint. But I cling to the truth and God hems me in and compels me forward. Each step further strengthens me and teaches me to trust Him more.
My fervent hope is that those walking just a bit behind might draw encouragement from watching the work God does in my life and that they might learn to walk in His power too.
Is your soul discontent? Is the world asking you questions that beg you to be anxious? Ask yourself these questions instead and remind your soul that God is good!
“Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:1-5
by wendy | Apr 12, 2021 | By Chance, Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Godly Relationships
Chance and Letti
My son’s dog, Chance, has an affinity for running away. I truly don’t think he wants to actually leave his people, he just seems to enjoy his freedom. Unfortunately, Chance doesn’t understand the dangers that come along with being separated from those that care for him.
Whenever Chance takes off on one of his adventures, my son tries to catch him by calling and following and coaxing to no avail. Chance treats the whole ordeal like a game and continues to run further away – at times wandering into the road several miles from home. After the last overnight excursion, my son decided to try a new approach. He asked his friend to bring his dog, Letti – Chance’s best dog friend – by to see if he might respond to her. When Chance saw Letti, he immmediately came to her and happily followed her into the house. Letti served as the encourager and ambassador, leading Chance back to the safe place of his loving master’s arms.
When I heard the story of how Letti “rescued” Chance, it immediately reminded me that we have the opportunity to be a Letti to so many people. Many run from God, not because they don’t believe or don’t want to be in relationship with Him, but simply because they don’t understand His love and they desire freedom. They don’t realize the dangers of being separated from Him.
People are often drawn back into relationship with the Lord through relationship with other people. God uses us to demonstrate His love and kindness to them so that they will follow us into the safe place of our loving master’s arms. When we develop a relationship with those that are not a part of the church or not in relationship with Jesus, we invite them to experience Him as we do. What a wonderful privilege to have that kind of influence that can help to save a person from being lost.
We can choose how we want to be involved in the lives of a runner like Chance. We can be apathetic – turn a blind eye and let him make his own choices, we can be tolerant – celebrate his free spirit and applaud his courage to go out on his own, or we can be compassionate – aware that his choices could result in permanent separation from his master and even death. Let us choose to be like Letti – standing beside our master and welcoming them to come back home!
My dear brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20
