Then Jesus said,
"Did I not tell you
that if you believed,
you would SEE
the glory of God?"
John 11:40
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
31 Days - Seeing Clearly
Yesterday morning my husband was up and got our little guy out of the crib; I was still in bed, but from what I could see my big guy and little man were enjoying a precious moment. It was then I said, "It's times likes this I wish I didn't have glasses."
I could see them vaguely but I knew there were details in the picture I was missing because of my cloudy vision.
As I thought about this my thoughts went a bit deeper. I don't need glasses to see God, but week 1 of this 31 day journey is showing me something. Just like I physically have to put my glasses on if I want to see clearly, I must intentionally look for God if I want to see Him fully.
How do I look for God intentionally you might ask. I honestly believe it begins with prayer...each day this week I have asked God to help me see Him and He has. Remember Monday's post...it begins with seeking Him? God has confirmed those words time and time again this week.
Another part of the process? Get in the Word...if you or I don't know who we are looking for chances are we are not going to find Him!! We need to know God if we want to see Him. And the better I know Him the more He will make Himself known.
So today I challenge you to begin your day with prayer and the Word and then by the time it comes to an end you will have seen Him! And friend seeing Him is precious even when my vision isn't perfect!!
I could see them vaguely but I knew there were details in the picture I was missing because of my cloudy vision.
As I thought about this my thoughts went a bit deeper. I don't need glasses to see God, but week 1 of this 31 day journey is showing me something. Just like I physically have to put my glasses on if I want to see clearly, I must intentionally look for God if I want to see Him fully.
How do I look for God intentionally you might ask. I honestly believe it begins with prayer...each day this week I have asked God to help me see Him and He has. Remember Monday's post...it begins with seeking Him? God has confirmed those words time and time again this week.
Another part of the process? Get in the Word...if you or I don't know who we are looking for chances are we are not going to find Him!! We need to know God if we want to see Him. And the better I know Him the more He will make Himself known.
So today I challenge you to begin your day with prayer and the Word and then by the time it comes to an end you will have seen Him! And friend seeing Him is precious even when my vision isn't perfect!!
Friday, October 5, 2012
31 Days - Flashback Friday
During our 31 day journey, I'm going to use Friday's as my flashback day...I plan to revisit a post from the past and trust I will see God in it. I pray you do too!!
from October 24, 2011 -
"Who am I?" - One who needs to trust!!
Trust
in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I'm beginning to believe this is my life verse! It has come up through the years in what the world would call random ways, but I know it's anything but random to God. He uses these words to speak to me and to remind of what I need to do!!
Just the other night He did this again...for the last 2 years I was part of the Rise and Shine Women's Retreat leadership team, but last winter God called me to step away from a position He had used and I had enjoyed. Through the year I've kept in touch with the team and prayed for the event, but as it nears I have found myself missing what was and wondering, "Why?"
Practically I know why - I'm a busy mom and wife...planning a retreat takes a lot of time and energy, something that was lacking with a newborn this past July. Honestly I also know God clearly called me to step down, but still it's hard at times.
So this past Thursday night I received the list of names and promises I'd agreed to pray specifically for leading up to this year's retreat and God got my attention again. My name was "randomly" placed under Proverbs 3:5-6, the same promise I'd "randomly" selected out of a basket at last year's retreat.
I was like, "Wow God!" and moved on with the prayers, but through the night I thought about this more and more. I found myself wondering why this verse again. Then my mind would shift as I reflected on all God had done at Rise and Shine the previous two years and anticipated how He'd work this year as well. These thoughts then led me to that place of feeling like I was missing out...like if God wasn't using me for this BIG event, I was on a vacation or something. Thankfully I didn't follow this down my typical dead end trail to doubt, but instead returned to the promise that has been chasing me around!!
I went to sleep not knowing the why's, but there was peace and I chose to do what God's Word said, "TRUST!!" And friend, I have to say God responded in a fast and BIG way!
The very next day, the kids and I were doing some reading when my little peanut (Jaylyn, age 4) sat on the couch beside me with her sister's old Awana book. She wanted me to read the story with the snake picture. I had my agenda with more school work to do, dinner to make and probably a diaper to change (and in my mind I might have even grumbled a bit), but I knew this wasn't the time for my "we'll do it later" response.
So we get into the story and it's all about the Israelites complaining and whining (I'm thinking OK God, I get it!! And praying the kids do too!!) We read on and the story closes with Moses lifting up the serpent and then the final two sentences say this, "Many years later, God lifted up Jesus on the cross. If we believe (trust) in Jesus, we will be saved from our sin and live forever with God."
The story ends and typically I'd be on to the next thing, but God kept me still and moved my eyes to the question on the bottom of the page. I look at my little Jaylyn, who's snuggled in beside me with her big brother to her right, and ask, "Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior?"
She shakes her head no, so we talk about what that means. I talk...she listens. I ask questions...she answers. We talk about Jesus knocking on the door of her heart and she says, "I want to let Him in."
We pray. She tells Jesus, "I know I'm bad and I know you died for me. I want you to live in me. Come in. I love you." We say, "Amen" and open our eyes - she is grinning and I'm crying. Her big brother who's observed all of this simply says, "I bet they're celebrating."
Jaylyn then asks, "Who??" And big sis says, "In heaven, they are having a party!!" She smiles again and decides we better make cupcakes!!
We had reason to celebrate...a child taking a step towards owning their faith and choosing to follow Christ!!! And personally I felt like having a party too, God clearly showed Himself faithful to me! Twenty four hours prior to this, I'd let myself think I wasn't doing much for God, then He reminds me to TRUST and look what He does!! He brought 3 John 1:4 to life, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Friends, His ways are not our ways...they are so much better!! May we keep walking in them!!!!
I found this specific post because my little Jaylyn is now in AWANA's and as she worked on memorizing verses with her sister that had an argument about when she asked Jesus into her heart. I pulled this post up, started to read and eventually had the entire family gathered around the computer. It was a blessed time...I saw God once again!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
31 Days - If I can see Him...
As I was preparing for our Unglued Bible study and heard Psalms 19:14 I was struck with a new thought, well not really new, but one that hit pretty hard in the midst of this 31 day journey. In this Psalm, David says, "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
I listened to Lysa TerKeurst share these words and the reality of it all hit me upside the head...if I can see God, He can see me. And friend, if you're seeking after Him, He can see you too!
Now I don't want this fact to keep you from looking for God because the truth is regardless if you want to see Him or not...He sees you! Honestly, I'm beginning to think I should have named this study 31 days of Experiencing God...as the month unfolds I believe I'll be sharing more than visual sightings of God, but instead I'll be including His whispers to my heart and the Truth from His Word.
As this journey continues I believe this reality - the fact that God and I can see each other, is part of my seeing God today. I know He reminded me of this truth for a reason, especially as I prepare to lead this Bible study.
One that will deal with emotions and experiences I'm not proud of, but ones I pray will change. Others may not know I scream at my children from time to time and they may be oblivious to the fact that I have been known to play the "I'm fine" game, but God knows. He has seen me do it.
Like I said, I know God sees all and knows all, but tonight this verse hit, "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Pleasing in His sight...wow! I think about how I've been pleased when I see Him...friend I know that's not always His reaction when He sees me. How about you?
Really I don't want this post to be a downer, but it's a truth we can't deny - we see Him and He sees us. We know Who we're going to see, but the question for the day - "Who do you want Him to see?"
May the fact that He is watching encourage you today!!
I listened to Lysa TerKeurst share these words and the reality of it all hit me upside the head...if I can see God, He can see me. And friend, if you're seeking after Him, He can see you too!
Now I don't want this fact to keep you from looking for God because the truth is regardless if you want to see Him or not...He sees you! Honestly, I'm beginning to think I should have named this study 31 days of Experiencing God...as the month unfolds I believe I'll be sharing more than visual sightings of God, but instead I'll be including His whispers to my heart and the Truth from His Word.
As this journey continues I believe this reality - the fact that God and I can see each other, is part of my seeing God today. I know He reminded me of this truth for a reason, especially as I prepare to lead this Bible study.
One that will deal with emotions and experiences I'm not proud of, but ones I pray will change. Others may not know I scream at my children from time to time and they may be oblivious to the fact that I have been known to play the "I'm fine" game, but God knows. He has seen me do it.
Like I said, I know God sees all and knows all, but tonight this verse hit, "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Pleasing in His sight...wow! I think about how I've been pleased when I see Him...friend I know that's not always His reaction when He sees me. How about you?
Really I don't want this post to be a downer, but it's a truth we can't deny - we see Him and He sees us. We know Who we're going to see, but the question for the day - "Who do you want Him to see?"
May the fact that He is watching encourage you today!!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
31 Days of Seeing God - In the Harvest
This morning my husband and I were talking about the harvest...with the drought in Iowa we weren't sure what to expect. He was sharing with me about the beans...some of them weren't over a foot tall, but still the field yielded just about as much as it did last year. He said, "I don't know where they are coming from."
Minutes prior to this conversation I'd done the very thing I wrote about yesterday...I asked God to help me see Him and He did. My husband made that statement but we both know where the beans are coming from...they are coming from the One who created the earth, the One who gives us every breath we take. The One who works in ways we often don't understand.
As I saw God in our harvest, two passages came to mind -
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)
These words apply to our farm - we planted the seed, tilled the soil, picked the rock and pulled the weeds, but God did the growing. Friend, the same is true as we plant seeds of faith. You may feel like you are in a season of drought as you attempt to share Jesus with others, but trust me God is the One in control of the growth that will occur. And even when it seems there will be no fruit to harvest, He can do it...believe me, we are seeing that happen in our fields and I have no doubt the same is taking place in God's spiritual ones!
The other scripture that came to mind was Luke 10:1-3, "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."
Harvest time is busy on the farm...it's not unusual for my husband to eat 2 of his 3 meals in the combine. Regardless of the conditions, harvesting the crop requires work...physically and spiritually. Friend, He has work for you and me to do...let us set our plans aside and allow Him to send us where He needs us! Perhaps that's across the ocean, maybe it's out in the field, but chances are it's in your backyard. So go now and remember as you do, look for Him...He will make the seeds grow!
Minutes prior to this conversation I'd done the very thing I wrote about yesterday...I asked God to help me see Him and He did. My husband made that statement but we both know where the beans are coming from...they are coming from the One who created the earth, the One who gives us every breath we take. The One who works in ways we often don't understand.
As I saw God in our harvest, two passages came to mind -
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)
These words apply to our farm - we planted the seed, tilled the soil, picked the rock and pulled the weeds, but God did the growing. Friend, the same is true as we plant seeds of faith. You may feel like you are in a season of drought as you attempt to share Jesus with others, but trust me God is the One in control of the growth that will occur. And even when it seems there will be no fruit to harvest, He can do it...believe me, we are seeing that happen in our fields and I have no doubt the same is taking place in God's spiritual ones!
The other scripture that came to mind was Luke 10:1-3, "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."
Harvest time is busy on the farm...it's not unusual for my husband to eat 2 of his 3 meals in the combine. Regardless of the conditions, harvesting the crop requires work...physically and spiritually. Friend, He has work for you and me to do...let us set our plans aside and allow Him to send us where He needs us! Perhaps that's across the ocean, maybe it's out in the field, but chances are it's in your backyard. So go now and remember as you do, look for Him...He will make the seeds grow!
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
31 Days of Seeing God - It Begins with Seeking
It's day two of our journey and already this is going in direction I didn't expect...
Honestly I expected to chronicle a sighting of God, but throughout the day I've been reminded that often I only see what I'm looking for. And friend that is true when it comes to seeing God.
If I, or you, want to see God, we'd better be looking for Him. How do we do that?
Well, if you want to see a friend what do you do? I know what I do...I call them up and ask if we can get together. We can do that with God as well.
Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Today, right now, I encourage you to pause and go to God in prayer. Share with Him your desire to see Him. He will hear your prayer and reveal Himself in ways you never imagined. He did that for me today.
I look forward to our journey together, but remember it all begins by seeking Him because when we do that we will SEE the KING!
My sighting of God today - as my older kids listened to a radio program, I heard God speak to me. The truth that was shared reminded me of His presence and concern for me!
How about you? Are you seeking Him? What do you see Him do today?
Honestly I expected to chronicle a sighting of God, but throughout the day I've been reminded that often I only see what I'm looking for. And friend that is true when it comes to seeing God.
If I, or you, want to see God, we'd better be looking for Him. How do we do that?
Well, if you want to see a friend what do you do? I know what I do...I call them up and ask if we can get together. We can do that with God as well.
Matthew 7:7-8 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Today, right now, I encourage you to pause and go to God in prayer. Share with Him your desire to see Him. He will hear your prayer and reveal Himself in ways you never imagined. He did that for me today.
I look forward to our journey together, but remember it all begins by seeking Him because when we do that we will SEE the KING!
My sighting of God today - as my older kids listened to a radio program, I heard God speak to me. The truth that was shared reminded me of His presence and concern for me!
How about you? Are you seeking Him? What do you see Him do today?
Monday, October 1, 2012
31 Days of Seeing God
Have you ever done something for 31 days? If you're a Mom, I know you have...dishes, laundry, diapers! But I'm thinking of something else...have you ever set a goal to do something for 31 days? Perhaps you've wanted to exercise or eat right? Or maybe you wanted to not lose your temper for a month? The options are endless, but personally for the next 31 days on my blog and more importantly in my life I'm on a journey of Seeing God!!
A year ago, I did a series titled 31 days of Who am I? on my blog and the journey was a successful one. As I walked that road there were some twists and turns at times I went in a direction I didn't expect, but as the month came to a close I was blessed by the road I had traveled. I believe this journey will be the same.
Some things I expect as I look ahead: as I seek God I will see Him. When I see Him, I will hear from Him. When I hear from Him, I will get to know Him more. I truly believe my faith will grow. I expect to see Him in familiar ways and in familiar places but also trust there will be some surprises. I hope to include my children on this journey and would love to have them share with you as well. My prayer is my sighting of God will bless you, but more importantly I pray they will encourage you to look for God with more intentionality in your own life as well!!
So for today...
A visual look at seeing God: currently in Iowa the leaves are beautiful and so are my children! Today I'll start simple and share a pic of God as our creator and giver! He has created a beautiful world for us to enjoy and given us loved ones, who may at moments drive us crazy, but in reality bless our lives just by being a part of it!!
Today friend can I encourage you to see God!! Look for Him in the beauty around you or in the smiles of the ones you love! If you have a minute, I'd love to hear where you saw Him today, so leave a comment to share your sighting as well!!
A year ago, I did a series titled 31 days of Who am I? on my blog and the journey was a successful one. As I walked that road there were some twists and turns at times I went in a direction I didn't expect, but as the month came to a close I was blessed by the road I had traveled. I believe this journey will be the same.
Some things I expect as I look ahead: as I seek God I will see Him. When I see Him, I will hear from Him. When I hear from Him, I will get to know Him more. I truly believe my faith will grow. I expect to see Him in familiar ways and in familiar places but also trust there will be some surprises. I hope to include my children on this journey and would love to have them share with you as well. My prayer is my sighting of God will bless you, but more importantly I pray they will encourage you to look for God with more intentionality in your own life as well!!
So for today...
A visual look at seeing God: currently in Iowa the leaves are beautiful and so are my children! Today I'll start simple and share a pic of God as our creator and giver! He has created a beautiful world for us to enjoy and given us loved ones, who may at moments drive us crazy, but in reality bless our lives just by being a part of it!!
Today friend can I encourage you to see God!! Look for Him in the beauty around you or in the smiles of the ones you love! If you have a minute, I'd love to hear where you saw Him today, so leave a comment to share your sighting as well!!
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