What an incredible weekend full of family, much relaxation, and lots of laughter with sweet friends!
The "high" of my weekend is certainly the word that I heard while visiting Auburn United Methodist Church this morning with some friends. The message was something that landed on a very vulnerable part of my spirit- I was challenged, convicted, and too be honest- a little scared about what this truth could mean if I really applied it to my own life.
For the second time this week the Lord lead me to the story of Moses. This morning we landed in Exodus chapter 3. Ahh yes, The Burning Bush! The God of all creation spoke to a very reluctant Moses through a fire consumed piece of nature!
I found so many similarities between how Moses responds to God commands and how I respond-
In Chapter 3 beginning in verse 10-
"Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, " Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh an bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you..."
and continued down in Chapter 4 verses 10-13
"But Moses said to the Lord, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue. Then the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."
Well Moses took the words right out of my mouth.
How many times have I tried to tell the Lord how unprepared and unqualified I was for the call He has placed on my life?
How many times have I tried to remind the Lord that there are so many people that could do what I do better than I can?
How many times have I told the Lord to let somebody else do it because I just couldn't handle it?
Goodness gracious- I am guilty!!! So often I find myself thinking that I am just not smart enough to teach, eloquent enough to lead, or prepared enough to minister. I just don't feel like I have all that much to offer- especially compared to some of the incredible people that are placed around me in my life!
But God says to Moses ( and to us)- "Who made man's mouth?...Is it not I, the Lord?"
Talk about a wake up call...God says to us- It does not matter if we feel good enough or if we want to do this- We are called.
This morning the teacher reminded us that our God made us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows me-( the good, bad, and ugly)- and still chooses to use me as His vessel. Incredible.
He knows what an idiot I can be at times- how I don't always say the right things- that I am not the smartest girl in the world- that I don't have it all quite figured out yet- but He still chooses to call me and to use me. For His name's sake.
What makes this call even sweeter?
We are promised that when He calls he also equips.
He tells Moses in Ex. Ch 4 vs 12...
"Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."
We do not have to do this on our own or in our own power.
Trying to fulfill what God has called us to do in our own power is just asking for trouble.
We are to be obedient to our call and in unison allow God to be our mouth, ears, eyes- Be our everything.
I was able to share this passage and these thoughts with our girls in discipleship tonight- and I would like to challenge you- as I am challenging myself to do this-
Examine your life and ask-
What is the Lord calling me to do that I am tuning out?
What is the Lord calling me to do that I do not think I can handle?
Who am I trying to pass my calling off onto to?
I pray that each of our eyes are opened to ways in which the Lord is calling us that we have yet to be willing to listen to.
We will be called. It is up to us to determine the way that we will then answer.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
So you wanna change the world...
Give up your Sunday afternoon nap!!! Atleast that is what 25 of our Hunter Street girls did today.
Today was the first of several girl's ministry missions opportunities for this fall.
We loaded up 2 church vans and headed to downtown Birmingham to work at the Pathways Emergency Shelter.
I have to brag on these girls- they did an incredible job serving!
Some sorted an entire bathroom filled with trash bags of donated clothes. This was a huge help to the shelter and will be such a blessing to these women when they have clothes to choose from when the cold weather comes in.
Some loved on women by giving them a "spa" experience with a new polish on their nails and some great time to talk with these women and hear their stories.The one-on-one conversations made the women feel special and loved.
Some of them painted canvases and chose scripture for the women to display in their rooms and take with them when they leave the shelter. We pray that these canvases and scripture will encourage these women to hide God's word in their hearts!
Our girls had homework to take care of, naps calling their names, and other choices to list of Sunday afternoon activities.
They chose to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus.
The many ways that these girls bless me and point me to Jesus every day is overwhelming.
I pray that I have the same heart to serve the Lord as they do.
Today was the first of several girl's ministry missions opportunities for this fall.
We loaded up 2 church vans and headed to downtown Birmingham to work at the Pathways Emergency Shelter.
I have to brag on these girls- they did an incredible job serving!
Some sorted an entire bathroom filled with trash bags of donated clothes. This was a huge help to the shelter and will be such a blessing to these women when they have clothes to choose from when the cold weather comes in.
Some loved on women by giving them a "spa" experience with a new polish on their nails and some great time to talk with these women and hear their stories.The one-on-one conversations made the women feel special and loved.
Some of them painted canvases and chose scripture for the women to display in their rooms and take with them when they leave the shelter. We pray that these canvases and scripture will encourage these women to hide God's word in their hearts!
Our girls had homework to take care of, naps calling their names, and other choices to list of Sunday afternoon activities.
They chose to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus.
The many ways that these girls bless me and point me to Jesus every day is overwhelming.
I pray that I have the same heart to serve the Lord as they do.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
As of Late
Wooh...The many ways that the Lord has been at work in my life and the lives of those around me lately blows my mind.. On so many nights blogging tends to make me laugh because it seems impossible to put into words all of the things that have been going on.
God is moving. active. at work.
I decided tonight was the night that I would attempt to verbalize what my heart just wants to scream.
The Lord has made me so sensitive to the work of the enemy lately. I have sensed the presence of the enemy and have called out in the name of the Lord against him more times in the last month than I think I ever have. I have seen satan at work in my life- making me sensitive to the silliest things, jealous of others, and at times feeling like I just plain was not enough for anything.
I have seen the enemy at work in the people that we see in downtown Birmingham. People who are living on the streets involved in drugs, alcohol abuse, physical abuse and much more.
This world, without the light of Jesus Christ, is so awfully dark.
Never in my life have I been more confident that Satan hates what we, as God's children, are working for. He hates to hear us sing praises to Jesus. He loathes our sharing of the gospel with others. He cringes at the faith we put in Christ.
He will fight us.
I recently found myself asking- Am I arming myself up to fight the enemy as much as the enemy is trying to defeat me?
My answer was no. It is so easy to ignore spiritual warfare if you want to. It is simple to go from day to day and look past that fact that an unseen fight is going on between those of the world and those who are children of the light. Not only am I ignoring a battle that is going on- I am supposed to be actively involved in this battle against satan and is schemes.
In 1 Peter 5:6-11 Peter wrote "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen".
Peter assures us that satan is prowling. Looking to devour.
It breaks my heart even now to think of many names of those I know who have given themselves to the ways of the world.
We are called to arm ourselves up against him. To be firm in our faith.
How?
By praying for boldness is fighting the enemy, by studying scripture daily, by constantly being in communication with God
I am not much for physically activity- I have never considered myself an athlete...and it makes me laugh to think about taking up boxing, wrestling, or other hands on sporting things.
However- Thinking about fighting the enemy with all that I have makes me want to put on some boxing gloves and roll.
Satan has made me mad. Ruined the lives of so many. Wants to ruin my life. And sometimes it even looks like he has won.
It is a hard fight to endure but we can find comfort in God's promises mentioned to us in the later part of the passage from above. Verse 10 reminds us that we have been called to God's eternal glory in Christ- and that he will restore, strengthen. confirm, and establish us!
I may be beaten and torn in this battle against Satan- but I am promised victory in Jesus Christ. The battle has been won.
To close- I will share a portion of the hymn, A Mighty Fortress, the Lord brought to my mind this past week- needless to say I have been singing it alot lately-
"And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him."
I desire to live a life that shares the light with everyone we see,
no matter how hard we have to fight the darkness in the process.
Let's remind each other of the battle we are in DAILY. Keep me accountable as a true warrior for Jesus Christ. Will ya join me?
God is moving. active. at work.
I decided tonight was the night that I would attempt to verbalize what my heart just wants to scream.
The Lord has made me so sensitive to the work of the enemy lately. I have sensed the presence of the enemy and have called out in the name of the Lord against him more times in the last month than I think I ever have. I have seen satan at work in my life- making me sensitive to the silliest things, jealous of others, and at times feeling like I just plain was not enough for anything.
I have seen the enemy at work in the people that we see in downtown Birmingham. People who are living on the streets involved in drugs, alcohol abuse, physical abuse and much more.
This world, without the light of Jesus Christ, is so awfully dark.
Never in my life have I been more confident that Satan hates what we, as God's children, are working for. He hates to hear us sing praises to Jesus. He loathes our sharing of the gospel with others. He cringes at the faith we put in Christ.
He will fight us.
I recently found myself asking- Am I arming myself up to fight the enemy as much as the enemy is trying to defeat me?
My answer was no. It is so easy to ignore spiritual warfare if you want to. It is simple to go from day to day and look past that fact that an unseen fight is going on between those of the world and those who are children of the light. Not only am I ignoring a battle that is going on- I am supposed to be actively involved in this battle against satan and is schemes.
In 1 Peter 5:6-11 Peter wrote "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen".
Peter assures us that satan is prowling. Looking to devour.
It breaks my heart even now to think of many names of those I know who have given themselves to the ways of the world.
We are called to arm ourselves up against him. To be firm in our faith.
How?
By praying for boldness is fighting the enemy, by studying scripture daily, by constantly being in communication with God
I am not much for physically activity- I have never considered myself an athlete...and it makes me laugh to think about taking up boxing, wrestling, or other hands on sporting things.
However- Thinking about fighting the enemy with all that I have makes me want to put on some boxing gloves and roll.
Satan has made me mad. Ruined the lives of so many. Wants to ruin my life. And sometimes it even looks like he has won.
It is a hard fight to endure but we can find comfort in God's promises mentioned to us in the later part of the passage from above. Verse 10 reminds us that we have been called to God's eternal glory in Christ- and that he will restore, strengthen. confirm, and establish us!
I may be beaten and torn in this battle against Satan- but I am promised victory in Jesus Christ. The battle has been won.
To close- I will share a portion of the hymn, A Mighty Fortress, the Lord brought to my mind this past week- needless to say I have been singing it alot lately-
"And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him."
I desire to live a life that shares the light with everyone we see,
no matter how hard we have to fight the darkness in the process.
Let's remind each other of the battle we are in DAILY. Keep me accountable as a true warrior for Jesus Christ. Will ya join me?
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