Truth

I'm not even sure how to convey all that Kay Arthur taught on this weekend.  I am basically going to give the scripture references and the main points of what she said.  She stated she has been physically ill from what God has shown her.  It is a hard message but one we need to hear. 

The text started in Jeremiah 36.  It was a warning that Jeremiah the prophet gave to the King and the warning was not heeded - in fact the king burned the scroll.  In Jeremiah 5:1 and 9:1-6 we are told that truth does not prevail any longer with the nation at that time and Kay stated God was showing her that America is in a very similar position.  Truth is not prevailing in our country.  Isaiah 59:14,15 was given as text also.  

Kay stated, "what happens when a country sins against God".   "What are the characteristics of a country that is turning its back on God?"  Ezekiel 14  One thing that happens first is Famine in the land.  There is no fear of God or His Word.  

Other scriptures she used were:  Ezekiel 14:12, Isaiah 5:3, Hosea 4, Jeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 5:7, Jeremiah 6:10, Jeremiah 7:1-11.  She stated that America has rejected the truth and knowledge of God, has forsaken God and committed spiritual adultery.  

Her talk was for 2 1/2 hours so it is impossible to convey all that was said but the good news is the 7 things we need to do as Christians in light of all this.  Whether we agree with all that Kay has stated or not these 7 principles are something I believe every American and Christian should do at this time in our culture.  

1. Return our hearts to God.  We have been swayed and desensitized by the culture we live in so we need to Pray this prayer:  "Lord, break my heart with what breaks your heart"

2.  We need to mourn for our country, weep for our nation.  Jeremiah 9:17-19

3.  We need to pray with passion and fervently and consistently for our country. 

4.  We need to Love God's Word like never before.  We need to know God's word in a greater way than ever before.  Jeremiah 33:1, 9, 15, 17

5. We need to love others as Jesus loves them.  We need to be different than the world.

6.  We need to introduce people to Jesus.  Jeremiah 31:31-34

7 .  After doing all the above we need to rest in faith believe we can trust God and that He has heard our petitions and seen our obedience.  

I'm sure I did not do justice to all Kay said but I hope at least it has given all of your some things to meditate on and pray about.  I know it has done that for me. 

A Divine Invitation

I am going to take a few days break from writing about finding purpose in your life.  I am in Atlanta at a Deeper Still conference.  It is a woman's conference that features, Kay Arthur, Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer (Tony Evan's Daughter)  It was an amazing teaching tonight so I am going to give you a brief summary as I feel it is a word that will speak to your heart especially if you are in a wilderness time in your life right now.  

Exodus 19: 9 -11, In these verses you see an invitation to the Israelite's to hear God speak and see Him with there own eyes.  As Priscilla began to set this message up - she explained that we all have an invitation to see and hear God personally in our life but she explained the Context of the Invitation and the Preparation of the invitation:

In Exodus we see that when this invitation was extended to God's people it was in the context of them being in the wilderness and they were camped there in the wilderness.  Her explanation was that in our wilderness experiences is about something - it has a purpose. The wilderness is where we develop intimacy with God.  God has something for you through that wilderness experience you are in.  It is in the wilderness that you will find the mountain of God.  Instead of just wanting it to be over and getting frustrated because its not going away faster - sometimes God wants us to "camp" or pitch a tent in the wilderness for a temporary time to learn something.  What we learn will help us to get to the place of preparation for the invitation to see and hear God more personally in our lives.

When we have settled ourselves in the wilderness to prepare.....there are three things we need to do:

1.  Remember what God has done on your behalf in the past.  In Exodus 19:4 He reminded His people how he carried them, and brought them to Himself.   He wants us to think back to where you were in the past and what God has already delivered you from.   He can and will do it again.

2.  To recognize our identity in Christ and God.  Understanding from God's perspective not the worlds our spiritual identity.  1 peter 2:9

3.  To come to a new level of surrender to Him - Exodus 19:7,8 

So the question is - How are you going to respond to the invitation to come closer to God - to hear Him personally and see Him to a greater degree than ever before?  Are we willing to totally surrender, believe God can and will get us through this wilderness experience because of all the great things He has already done and realize who we are in Him.  Are we willing to get more into His Word and in Prayer so we can really hear from him.  It's not easy and sometimes painful but definitely worth it.  

I'll be back tomorrow with Kay and Beth's messages.  

Moving Forward to your Purpose

Today I am going to start a series on finding your purpose, finding that which God has called you to for this time in your life. I am using the book, "Pathway to Purpose" by Katie Brazelton as my reference for much of my writing. I highly recommend you get this book.

Here's the first question:

What am I doing in the midst of deadlines, diapers, to do list, laundry, and daily schedules? What is the connection between my life purpose and the daily life I am living now.

"Whatever our season of life, it offers its own opportunities and challenges for spiritual growth. Instead of wishing we were in another season, we ought to find out what this one offers."

John Orterg

STEP ONE to purpose is one of the hardest - it is -- to do today what God sent you into the world to do for today - some women stumble at this because they try to pass this step to rush to pursue a more prof0und, exciting, fun purpose. But realize that your day in and day out efforts are extremely precious to the heart of God

All our life experiences have value to God. Everyday he considers our willingness and faithfulness in the ordinary things to see if we can handle the challenging, unique assignments that he loves to entrust to those who are faithful.

In the mist of the boredom and sameness of life's ordinary tasks there are wonderful blessings to be found in doing today what God has sent you into the world to do. God has assigned you to a purpose for each day. God sees and rewards the daily roles of servant hood that you are pouring your life into. These everyday experiences are part of His plan to prepare your character and faith so He can entrust you with greater responsibility in the future.

If you are going through a difficult season of life right now remember that God never wastes a hurt. He uses them all to prepare us and equip us for future purposes and to help others.

Even in the midst of your ordinary routine, God reveals hints about what he has called you to do. God has has blessed you with spiritual gifts, skills, talents and natural abilities. You may be able to teach, organize, write, encourage people or something else.

Some steps to take toward understanding your purpose:

1. Write out the many roles you have.

2. Write out any areas of your daily life that you really enjoy or are really good at. (ex. finances, organizing, cooking etc.)

3. Prioritize your Roles

Most important, second most important, third most important etc.

4. Enjoy today.

"Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord: point out the right road for me to follow."

Psalm 25:4

Hope does not Disappoint!

Yesterday was a difficult day.  Something very disappointing happened in my life.  It was unexpected, fast and left me feeling like I had suffered a great loss.   I have no doubt that many people are on a daily basis going through these types of circumstances.  So what do we do when life hands us some unexpected problems and trials?   Recently a sweet friend of mine had given me a scripture to hold on to and today that scripture become even more relevant to me.

If you are going through any type of loss or challenge, keep this word close to your heart.  

Romans 5:3-5 (Amplified Bible)

3Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

    4And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of ^[a]character (approved faith and ^[b]tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] ^[c]joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.

    5Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

So out of this I am planning to develop patience, endurance and maturity of character.  The best part is that character produces HOPE.  And HOPE never disappoints!

If you are going through any difficulties or struggles today give God all your expectations, attitudes, hurts and keep your HOPE in God and you will not be disappointed. 

Just Be Nice.

I want to give you a great web site to check out if you are needing some relationship help.  It is leslievernick.com.  She has a lot of information about emotionally abusive relationships and even some tests to take.  She also has some good articles on just making a good relationship better.  

Of all the challenges in life I believe maintaining good and healthy relationships are the biggest.  We all have our perspectives on life and what that should look like and when we mix that with all the various family members or friends that bring to the table their perspective on life and what that should look like for them it really shouldn't surprise us that there is conflict or at least a little conflicting thinking.  

So how do you maintain the very best relationships with those you love but may be very different in thinking and behavior than you?  Good question.  I certainly don't have all the answers but scripture does give us some clues.  One of my theme verses for this time in my life is Romans 12:18, "Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible".  

Let's break it down.....Do your part... OK so we have some responsibility here to do what we can to keep peace.  With who??? I think it says everyone.  :)  I am not a Greek scholar by any means but thought I would look up some of these words in the Strong's dictionary to get the original meanings.  Everyone is basically EVERYONE.  Which means we can't pick and choose who we want to be at peace with....sorry I didn't write it.   Live in peace meant to cultivate.....I think cultivate means we need to be working it.    Now lets just look at that last little part.....as much as possible....here is what the Strong's says about that....be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind.  Mmmmmm....I wonder if we are really using all our abilities and resources to really live at peace with those God has placed in our life.  I think I am going to have to reflect on this a little. 

One last little thot on this..I recently did a Beth Moore Study and in that study was a section about unity.  This is what it says....Stay with me now.... Many of us have distanced ourselves from extended family because we've replaced them with people we prefer.  Though some elements of the transition are justified and godly, others are selfish.  Let's face it.  Family is more trouble than friendship, and the fear that we might share similarities with some of our members also carries an indictment too strong to face on a regular basis.  For one think, we can drop friends more easily when the relationship becomes inconvenient.  Here's the rub and maybe the help.....God Chose our Family even if We Didn't.  Even the challenges they pose can be effective motivation to seek his throne and His healing (aka: deal with OUR stuff)  After all, where would our prayer lives be without family? (:    IF we only chose to be around those who require nothing hard from us, what will prompt us or possibly force us to change?????

Just some thots...........

I'm Back!!

Just a short note to announce my return to my blog.  Since last September I have started a business called, "A Seed of Hope Life Coaching".  The web site is www.aseedofhope.org.   This blog will now be dedicated to posting information to help anyone who visits my Web Site with skills and tools to help them overcome the obstacles that may be holding them back from a life filled with purpose, passion and fulfillment.  Kathy