“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer. 1:5)
God is completely sovereign. He knows all things even before they happen, so He knew Jeremiah even before he was formed in his mother’s womb. God’s plan for Jeremiah was that he be consecrated, or “set apart,” for preaching God’s word. His ministry was to be a prophet to the nations, not just to Israel (Jer. 25:1-14; 46:1-51). God has a plan for each of our lives as well, (Jer. 29:11). He set us apart before birth as well, every person is a unique masterpiece, not a copy.
When you know you’re different and you are okay with it, God will cause you to be right where He wills you to be and you’ll find you haven’t been left out at all. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities; but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (1 Cor. 12:4-6). There are several scriptures that speak of being “different” or a unique person-set apart from the worlds standards-it is essential for doing the work of the Lord. God uses diverse personalities and gifts to serve Him. And remember what the Word says in Colossians (3:22-23); what we do we do with sincerity of heart being to the Lord, not for eye service or people pleasing. Whatever you do, work heartly as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord. So be different, be the unique individual God created you to be.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light; ( 1 Peter 2:9)
HE CHOSE US and WE MATTER!
Yesterday was the second annual fundraiser for my dear friends Non-Profit organization, which I have had the opportunity to help host both years. I also, am given the opportunity to sit in on these amazing guest speakers Break-Outs throughout the day. This conference is an emotional health conference for professionals. To help equip them to better serve their employees, co-workers, patients whatever field of work that might be. And more importantly learning how to better care for themselves so that they can be the best version of themselves doing what they do without the feeling of they are not enough, they do not matter or all to often …burnout. I tell you that to also say, I’m NOT a professional of any kind, but I MATTER. And because I matter and so do all the volunteers that come to help out in the conference we are ALL given the opportunity to sit in on any topic we feel might help us to be the best version of ourself. This picture of the chimney was from one of the Guest Speakers and I am sure she would not mind if I shared her name and or even a little bit about her. Lynette Thrower; her topic was on “The Matters of Mattering” which is also the name of her book she authored. “The Matters of Mattering: I, You, We Matter,” regarding belonging, validation, and emotional authenticity. Her teaching challenges us to reflect on how we assign our value, especially in relation to our performance, productivity, and personal worth. If you look her up on Instagram you can see how she defines herself; Lover of YHWH. Prayer warrior. Peaceful poet. She realizes her life matters and so does ours. The chimney was an illustration from a Highlight magazine back in the day. I didn’t get a picture of the first clip, but it was a large chimney telling the small chimney that he was to small to smoke. This was suppose to be a riddle in the magazine, but there was so much more to be taken from that photo than a riddle. Here was this happy little chimney doing what he knew he was suppose to do and then being told, your to little to smoke. The little chimney became afraid of his purpose so then refuses to smoke. And as you may already know, a chimney must smoke in order to keep the house from backing up with smoke, and from the air becoming toxic and people getting harmed. So there is purpose in a smoking chimney. If the chimney/we allow what others say to us we can find ourself withdrawing from our purpose, preoccupied with the criticism, and then our vision of ourself becomes distorted. We begin to feel insignificant, invisible or unimportant to others. We are then no longer doing what God created us for or our God-given gift or talent. When that kind of fear takes hold of us, we begin to distort how we see ourselves and our place in this world. We begin having false beliefs about the role we were designed to fulfill. I recently felt all of that in my blog writing. I called it writers remorse when telling my husband about it. As Lynette says, “Our lives are meant to be a beautiful symphony of purpose and belonging, but fear introduces a dissonance that can overwhelm our sense of mattering.” I’m not going to go into the complete teaching on this, but I wanted to share from the beginning because we do have purpose and we do matter and that “WE” is EVERYBODY. God says we are: Chosen (John 15:16), Loved (Jeremiah 31:3), Forgiven (1 John 1:9), Precious (Is. 43:4), Strong (Is. 40:31), Unique (Ps. 39:13), Important (1 Peter 2:9), Protected (Ps. 121:3), Enough (2 Cor. 12:9). So we are able to say, I am____________, you fill in the blank. Be that little chimney and SMOKE with your calling, gift or talent.
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. (Heb. 13:14)
As a Christian I realize this world is a temporary dwelling, this will not last, but there is a place I am going that will last for eternity. That is the place I will call home. This picture above is a place I called home for nineteen years. I never saw myself leaving it, mostly because I had lived in more places in my life than I can even count. From a young child throughout my life I was constantly moving. No place ever really felt like home. I since have left this place in the photo as well. Eight years I have been trying to fill the void inside by calling this new place my home, to no prevail. I kept thinking it was because of the other house and I simply was grieving not being there anymore, but then I realized while reading the Word of God, He never intended for me to become comfortable there, or here or anywhere on this earth. This is not my home. By believing that earth is merely a temporary, passing journey rather than my permanent home it allows me to long for my heavenly home and it causes me to have a feeling of not belonging in this present world, because I don’t. Which also brings me to a heart of discontentment. It’s really hard to be content when your not where you belong. I’m glad to know that I am just passing through, because that is where my contentment is, knowing this is a temporary place. We can all accept something for awhile, especially when we know it is not going to last forever, change is coming. A kind of change that we only hoped for, longed for, like a forever home. This unhappiness that I find myself experiencing time after time is nothing more than a hunger for heaven. I will never find true satisfaction in the things of this world. Nothing on earth can satisfy. Yesterday I remember writing about me singing a song about “Come Jesus Come” why was that? Because He is the only one that satisfies. He is the One that promises me that forever home. John 14:1-4 speaks of just what I am saying. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” This is my dwelling, my home, my permanent secure place, forever and ever. It has already been set aside for me the day I should arrive there. This, I can find true contentment in. Home at last.
“…distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” (Ro. 12:13)
This verse is a perfect example of the photo above. It symbolizes the word Hospitality, meaning, “love of strangers.” Of course, the primary reference is to housing travelers, though all forms of hospitality are included. We in street ministry dedicate ourselves to meeting the needs of others, in witnessing to them about the love of Christ. It may be bringing them food, offering prayer, trying to find housing for them, clothing or other material needs they may have. It may even be taking them to Dr. appointments or getting them necessary medications. But most of all its loving on them, letting them feel Jesus through our touch. This is not only the things I mentioned above but also, it is an act of stewardship. Hospitality should also be offered willingly and joyfully, not as a burden. It is a way to minister God’s grace to others. We all have gifts and here is a scripture for us to know what to do with that gift; “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of us should use whatever gift we have to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Pe. 4:9-10). God has even built meaningful relationships with some of these strangers and me. It truly amazes me how far a little hospitality will go. I have learned how to feel deeply within for some of the strangers I have encountered. Not only that, but gratitude for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to know what He felt towards others. To truly love someone because He loves them, that is such an amazing kind of love. Words to live by; whenever God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. To welcome the stranger is to extend the hand of God.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-30)
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.” (Ps. 62:1) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Ps. 46:1) “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jer. 31:25)
Feelings of exhaustion this morning. I’ve been having crazy dreams at night, leaving me feeling like I didn’t even sleep when I get up. My physical body is overly worn from doing things that are better left for a woman half my age. Yet I find encouragement in knowing when it seems I have nothing left to give physically or mentally, that God never tires and He gives me strength when I need it. These verses are a reminder of that. As hard as it is to write this morning, I am reminded of the word I am holding myself accountable to this year is, “Intentional.” I have come to know the importance of submission and obedience to my Father, God. I know He is the Author of my faith and His Holy Spirit dwells inside of me, He gives me words to speak when I do not know what to say. This morning is one of those mornings. Of course I give Him glory for every writing, because I know without Him, I could never write anything in the first place. My service in writing this Blog is more of a service to the Lord, showing my diligence, not being lazy or doing it half-heartedly. I guess that’s the point of my writing today, stay diligent, don’t be lazy in doing what God has called you too. Give Him your best, He surely is giving you, His best.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)
Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold I do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. (Is. 43:18-19)
Looking back is often associated with turning back to sin, as in the photo above; Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26) There was a time when I would look back at my early years in life and say, “those were the good ‘ole days.” A lot of those memories were full of carnal behaviors and my sinful nature. I may have been a bit like Lot’s wife; reluctant to leave. Oh, how I thank you Father for mercy & grace. I can see now, those really weren’t the good ‘ole days. My flesh was being fed, but my spirit man wasn’t. God had way better days in store for me. In (Isaiah 43:18) the Lord commanded the people not to remember the past, it would be of no significance, He was establishing something new. Just as we should no longer look back at our regrets, it can be dangerous in keeping us from our ability to follow Christ. Condemnation is not of God, conviction is. If God is convicting you about something from your past it is likely you simply need to fall to your knees and repent, so that you can receive freedom from that. Don’t keep going back and revisiting that past sin, habit or hurt. Allow God to forgive you, heal you and move on. (Be sure to forgive yourself to.) Paul expresses the need to let go of the past failures and move forward toward the goals in Christ (Philippians 3:13-14) (paraphrased) not to dwell on the past because God is doing a new work in us. If we spend too much time looking back, we can become discouraged and find ourselves right back in that sin or carnal thinking, etc. (2 Cor. 5:17) says, [Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”] We as believers are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Don’t go back digging up dirt, that old man is buried. I know at times I speak of things in my past that are not pretty. They are not pleasant for me to have to remember, but when I do it is only to give glory to God, because He saved me from those things, He set my feet upon the Rock and turned my life around. GLORY to Him! This is Productive Remembering: While negative dwelling is discouraged, the Bible advocates for looking back to remember God’s faithfulness and deeds, which encourages current trust (Psalm 136). Leave the past with God and walk forward in faith. Don’t Look Back!
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11)
Paul shares that he learned to be satisfied in any circumstance-hungry or plenty-through Christ’s strength. When I look back on my life, I can see all the times I was discontent and when I look deeply at those times it all comes back to, I was trying to do things in my strength. What can I do about the situation? How can I help this person? What am I to do about this broken relationship? How will I be able to come up with the means for this …? Never was I looking to my Source, God. Instead, I allowed fret and worry, mounds of anxiety and a lot of sleepless nights to take over my life. I am still a work in progress and will be until the return of my Lord and Savior, but I am also learning just like Paul did. I am learning to praise God in the valley. No matter the period of time of the intensity of my struggle, nor how dark, deep or difficult it is, I am thanking Him for He is there overseeing the things I cannot. He has a plan way higher than mine, a perfect plan. [Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So, we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear, what can man do to me?”] (Hebrews 12:5) This is trusting God’s presence! He is there with me! [And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.] (2 Cor.12:9-10) Again, we see we are weak and we need to look to the Lord who is our strength and He provides the power by His grace. Paul isn’t just boasting about his weaknesses, he said he actually takes pleasure, meaning “to think good,” this is an area I am intentionally working on as well as; To say that “I am well pleased” in them, I’m not quite there yet either. But, like Paul through this he was making it known to others the power of Christ and in the end like all things we want it to bring praise to the only One who deserves it, Jesus Christ. This lesson is not just for us. We are setting examples for others, what it is like to trust in God and to be content in the process. So go ahead and try it, Praise Him now, for what He will explain later.
4) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5) having predestined us to adoption as sons, by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Eph. 1:4-6)
I am no longer defined by my own humanity, but by the life, holiness, and victory of Jesus Christ. I have the adoption of divine nature, transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for this kind of love is: agape, which is by choice or one’s will, not just a sentimental feeling. Predestined us: this is not fate, but rather a loving choice on God’s part. The Beloved: Jesus Christ. Jesus is not simply one among others who God loves, He is the Beloved Son. And through Him we have redemption; I have been bought back into relationship with the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ. I am a child of God! Glory! Halleluiah! Praise be to the King of Kings! Amen. This spiritual adoption brings righteousness, inheritance, and a new relationship with God as Father. I love how God already chose to adopt me before the foundation of the world, out of love. I always dreamed of my life being a love story, well here it is. And for His pleasure; He wants to spend time with me, He doesn’t just love me, He finds me valuable enough to want to hang out with me. Okay y’all, I’m about to preach myself happy about now. This IS AMAZING LOVE! I now get to call God “Abba Father” through the Holy Spirit. I am ever so grateful to be set free from the debt of my old sinful nature most of all, and you can be to. Thank You Jesus! Come Be a Part of the Family, you are WELCOME here.
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
I have often spent hours and at times days looking for God. “Where are You, Lord?” “I can’t see you anywhere” “Have you left me? Do you not care what I’m going through?” That is some of the questions I would find myself saying, all the while knowing He is there, He hears me, He loves me, He cares what I am going through. But I really wasn’t focused on finding Him, I was in panic mode. At times I would be looking at my problems like that needle in the haystack, they were so BIG that was all I could see. Instead of looking at God, who is even BIGGER than that. That scripture in Jeremiah speaks that to me; when I search for Him with all my heart, I’ll find Him. Not when I’m so focused on my problem or situation I’m going through, NO, when I am whole-heartedly seeking after Him, FOCUSED on finding Him! God is always waiting on us to cry out to Him, but with our whole heart, trusting Him, not just hoping He will hear us or show up. I can’t tell you how many times over my life span, I’ve worried about finances. Before I was a believer well of course I was my own god, so I’d just try to figure it all out and if it worked great; if not I’d try something else, but when I became a believer in Christ, that made the real change. Not saying I didn’t get off kilter at times, but I now knew who was my source and who to go searching for over my finances. Can I just say, EVERY time I have searched with my whole heart, God has shown up. I’m not saying every time my finances where in dire straight did He bail me out immediately, but He did give me direction as to what to do and what not to do anymore, if I didn’t want to go through that again. Ya know, He’s a Daddy, just tak’n care of His girl, daddy’s have to do a little correcting at times. So, God is not a needle in the haystack, if He were He’d be like the one in the picture above. God is accessible, he desires to be found, and a rewarder of those who diligently seek His presence, strength and righteousness. Here are just a few other scriptures you can refer too; (Deut. 4:29): “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Hebrews 11:6): …he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. and one more I’ll share, (Matt. 7:7-8): :Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will opened to you.” So remember, it is your “whole heart” He is after and if you will search for Him with that, you will find Him.
Bread and Water 