"Sweet Spot" or "Dry Spot", Part 2

Perseverance.  What did you learn about it last week?  Do you know what it is yet?

Studylight.org gives the definition of perseverance as “steadfastness, constancy, endurance.”  They go on to explain that “in the NT [this is] the characteristic of a man [or woman in our cases] who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith… by even the greatest trials and sufferings.”

Which of those words is meaningful to you?  Steadfastness?  Constancy?  Endurance?  Does someone pop into your mind as you read those words?   Who do you know who has not swerved from his or her purpose and loyalty to his or her faith over the course of life?

How did they get there?  How do we get there? 

I certainly do not have all the answers, but I can share what God placed upon my heart during this season.  Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

For me, this is how perseverance is developed.  I must first seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first each and every moment of every day.  It is tough.  I know.  I don’t succeed each day.  I don’t succeed most moments, but the important part is that I stay constant and steady with my attempt.  I don’t give up.  I don’t walk away.  When I fail, I try again.  You’ve heard the saying, “It’s like riding a bike!”  I believe this to be true.

How many times did you fall when you were learning to ride your bike?  How many times did you get back up?  Some of you got back up every time.  Some of you, like me, threw a fit with full drama and said, “I’m never going to learn how to ride this stupid thing!” and gave up.  Some gave up for good, but most of us settled down and tried again.  And with each attempt, we got better.  We persevered through it.  And before we knew it, we were riding a bike!  And if we quit riding our bike for a long time, we found that we could still get back on and ride (albeit a little wobbly at first).

None of us is perfect.  None of us ever will be this side of heaven.  But knowing we have messy lives, doesn’t mean we give up.  We can persevere and keep putting one foot in front of the other because of the hope Jesus gives us.  The hope and promise of freedom.  The hope and promise of a perfect heaven.  The hope and promise of perfect love, joy and peace.  The hope and promise of seeing Him face to face.

Where are you now?  Where do you want to be?

Let me encourage you to move forward today.  Are you in a “sweet spot” with Jesus right now?  Press on.  Are you in a “dry spot” with Jesus right now?  Press on.  Keep talking to God.  Keep reading His Word.  Keep seeking Him.  He promises if we seek Him with all our hearts that we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29).

2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”

What do we receive if we persevere?  Godliness and in the end love.  Beautiful isn’t it?

Have a very, merry Christmas!

Holly

Are You in a "Sweet Spot" or a "Dry Spot?"

Lately, Chris’ work schedule has been wonderful and he has been home more.  And, the kids are starting to get up earlier in the morning.  So, trying to find time alone with God  – even for a few minutes – is difficult.  But the past few months of writing with Him has been amazing.  I don’t want it to end.  I want to do this each day.  I crave the time to sit in the quiet to think, pray and listen to God.  Everything within me longs for this time…  thinks about it…  strives for it.  And I do not want it to ever go away.

***

Thank you, Father, for the deep desire within to have this time each day.  Thank you for the gentle reminder You daily give me across my heart.  I love longing for You and feeling incomplete until we spend time together. 

I long for you today.  I long for your peace.  I long to see Your hand.  I long for Your presence…  Your strength…  Guide me in the plans You have for me today.

***

My Child,

Perseverance is the Word I want to encourage you with today.  Persevere through your challenges in order to accomplish what I have set before you.  I see your busy schedule and responsibilities.  I have given You many of them.  But do not let them be a distraction from Me. For if you will seek Me first, then everything will fall into place. 

Hide this truth in your heart and live it out each day.  Know I patiently wait for you every day.  And I am thrilled when we have our moments together.  You bring a smile to my face, sweet Daughter.  I have much to tell you, so keep listening.  For I know the plans I have for you.  Persevere, look to Me first in all things, listen.  And  then you will fulfill your calling…  and it is just for you J.

Your Coach in this race

***

I have loved God since I was a little girl.  Life and faith were so simple then.  Some small children talk to imaginary friends, but I always talked to God.  I can remember lining up my stuffed animals and teaching them my Sunday School lesson.  I would talk to God about everything from my parents being “meanies” to Ken and Barbie’s latest troubles. 

As I got older, homework, friends, chores, volunteering, and after school jobs began to invade my time.  The simple life was getting more complicated. 

In Bible college, I had Bible classes and chapels to attend.  They were required.  And although I did have a season of rebellion, I actually enjoyed them for the most part. 

After Bible college, I entered “the real world.”  All the grown up responsibilities began to crowd in around me.  And 8 years later when my first son was born, “my time” became non-existent. 

Time with God had once been so easy.  And now it consisted of “please help my children sleep through the night so I can get some rest.”  I felt lost and disconnected.  I was still in full-time ministry, but I could not figure out how to have the quiet moments with God that I craved.

Have you been there?  Are you there now? 

Over the past few months, you have graciously allowed me to share pieces of my messy life with you.  Here is some more truth from my life. 

Even though I am in full-time ministry, I still have seasons of struggle with spending good, regular, intimate time with God.   The above entry was written on a day when I was in the “sweet spot” with Him.  But shortly thereafter, I hit a “dry spot” where I would open my Bible and not comprehend a word I was reading.  My mind would wander.  I wasn’t connecting.  And I knew it.  I could feel it.  And I didn’t like it. 

At that moment, I knew I had choices to make.  I could persevere through and be even more intentional with making time to pray and read something from His Word, or I could let my busy schedule and huge list of responsibilities take priority and say, “I’ll spend time with God tomorrow.” 

And, to be very transparent, there were days I would persevere and other days I would say, “Tomorrow.” 

Have you been there?  Are you there now?

So how do we stay in the “sweet spot” with Jesus? 

Let me leave you with these passages of scripture for now.  Read them and see what you learn from them.  Next week, we’ll dig in a little deeper and discover it together.

Hebrews 11:27, “It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.” (NLT)

Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2 Peter 1:5-7, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”

Can I Please Have a "Do Over?"

I blew it this weekend.  I really blew it.  What else is there to say?  I was selfish, bitter, and angry.  I had choices to make and many of those did not bring love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  In fact, I could see the stink in our home rising and the peace fleeing. 

There really wasn’t a remarkable “event.”  There wasn’t any “defining moment.”  The kids and I just all seemed to be grouchy, irritable and argumentative.  And I didn’t find a consistent way to stop the cycle. 

So, now I sit here and wonder what I would do differently if I could go back and get a “do over?”  (Have you ever been there?  Wishing for a “do over”?)

I think I would pull out our Bible and talk to the boys about their behavior.  I would have us work on a verse together.  I would pull out all the stuff in the closet so I could get to the Play-Dough.  I would build a tent for them.  I’m still not sure what I would do differently with Zoe - she is definitely terrible two’s!  But, maybe I would sit with her in her room and read more books.  I would turn the music up and dance with her more.  And with all three I would still keep my voice low. 

I don’t want to live in regrets, but I do want to be prepared for the next time I face a similar weekend.  Thinking through what I did, and what I will do next time, helps me be prepared.  Next time (and I’m pretty sure there will be a next time), I’ll stop with the kids and pray - maybe that is the first step in how to “live by the Spirit” – to putting Galatians 5 in action.

***

Lord, I have been discouraged about the weekend.  The peace fled from our home.  And I did nothing to bring it back.  I let frustration set in.  I did hear You…  I did keep my voice low…  I did have many peaceful responses, but what I lacked was perseverance when the battles kept raging.  I see it so clearly now, Lord!  You prepared me for this – for the time when the storms would get greater.  I just didn’t see it until now.  I did do well, but now I must persevere.  Thank you for opening my eyes and giving me hope! 

***

My Child, I love your excitement when you see and hear Me.  I love how you are truly seeking Me.  Do you realize you avoided Me yesterday?  I want you to see you never need to avoid Me.  I will never condemn you.  I will never harm you.  If you will turn to Me, I will always redeem and restore.  Remember this, for the enemy will try to convince you otherwise.

Dig into scripture with Me, and I will reveal even more mysteries.  Apply what I reveal to you.  Today think about living in the Spirit rather than in the flesh.  For if you live in the Spirit, you will be ruled by the Spirit.  You will not set fleshly expectations.  Instead, you will set heavenly ones.  Remember, I am with you today.  And, My will shall be done. 

Your Author

***

I want to thank you for walking through life with me.  There are about sixty of you who extend grace and encouragement to me weekly.  I don’t know what the future holds for any of us, but I thank God every time I think of you, for joining us together for such a time as this.

I pray you were able to look more closely at the fruits of the Spirit.  We will actually be offering an in-depth Bible study on Thursday mornings from 9-11 a.m. starting January 10 if you want to really dig in.

As you can see from my life story, I’m still working on living in freedom in Christ.  I will until the day Jesus takes me home to heaven with Him.  But until then, I’ll work it out.  I’ll seek and look.  And, I pray you will too.  Let’s break down the next passage God put on my heart from 1 Peter 3:6-11.

“ 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. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

What has God given us by His own divine power?

And through these (everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him) what has He given us?

And why has He given us these promises?

What do you think it means to participate in the divine nature?

What corruption in this world do you want to escape?

^“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.”

Because God has given us the opportunity to participate in His divine nature, we should be moved to make every effort to grow.  Read the list again.  Why do you think they are in the order given?

What do you receive if you possess them increasingly throughout your life?

What happens if you do not?

^“ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

With God’s gift of walking in His divine nature, and our effort to continually grow in increasing measure, what can happen? 

Can you look back at your life and see times of living in freedom and victory and times of stumbling over sin?  How was your walk with Jesus during these times?  What is the difference?

It is hard for my brain to comprehend, but God tells us we can live in victory and freedom every day.  He has given us everything we need.  We just have to embrace it.  We have to choose it.  We have to walk it. 

It sounds so simple, but it is hard.  I know.  In fact, I’ll share some of my personal hardships as we move into 2013.  But, for now, read through the Galatians 5 passage and the 1 Peter 3 passage again and gage where you are in your walk with Jesus.  Where are you?  Where do you want to be?  Now write out 1 to 3 steps you are going to take this week.  Put them somewhere you can see them.  And, commit them to God.