Love & Lambs

It's been awhile since I've written. Several things have gone through my mind to write, but I just haven't taken the time to write them down. However, over the past week a couple significant things have stood out to me from Isaiah. I've decided to stay in Isaiah through advent and Christmas. There is so much prophesy about Jesus and so much insight into God's character in the book of Isaiah! I'm always finding some new nugget to chew on.

The first one was a re-discovery. It was a section that I'd found over a year ago and marked it in the Bible I was using at the time. Since then I've gotten a new Bible so when I came across Isaiah 54: 9-10 and read it again I just had to mark it in my new Bible. Go ahead and read those two verses, I'll wait..... Ok, now let me explain why they are so significant to me. I, like many others grew up with a healthy dose of Old Testament "wrath of God" teaching. My father insists that his generation had a much bigger dose of it than I grew up with - which is probably true.
When you read Isaiah 54 you have to understand the context. Back up and read Isaiah 53, the passage that talks about Jesus, "He was despised and rejected....the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.....He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels." Then onto chapter 54 - the future glory of Jerusalem, then verse 9 and 10 which says that He is establishing a new covenant, "Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never be angry and punish you." God poured out his wrath on Jesus - it's all there in Isaiah 53. We get the benefit - no more wrath. Jesus has done what we could never have done for ourselves! "For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken," says the Lord who has mercy on you. Is 54:10. I think I hear the Hallelujah Chorus! Go ahead sing it! Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Halle-lu-jah :)

OK, now the second nugget. Turn with me to Isaiah 40 another passage that prophesies about Jesus; particularly verse 10. "He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young." What a picture of the Lord's heart for us! Doesn't sound vengeful, angry and ready to zap you with lightening does it? Sounds downright nurturing, caring, loving. Who knew?!

Someone recently said that if you want to understand the Father's heart for us, study what Jesus says about his Father. Good advice.

until next time,

....and the greatest of these is love

Put Me In Coach

I've never been a good bench warmer. While it makes me nervous to be in the game, I'd much rather be in it than sitting on the bench. Whether you share this view with me or not, what I'm about to write will apply to you. Because whether you like it or not, you ARE in the game. How effectively you play will be tied directly to this. This is where peace is found in the midst of a storm, passion is stoked, direction clarified, healing takes place, forgiveness happens, courage emblazoned, game plans laid out. Of what am I speaking?

I am speaking about time with God in prayer. Christians are notorious for saying "it's about a relationship, not religion" but what exactly is a relationship? And do those same Christians actually spend time relating to God? And if so how do they do it? These are questions I've had. And before you stop reading because now you know I'm writing about prayer, I promise to give you some practical help in the area of prayer.

My early experiences of prayer were "long prayers" in church which were LONG and BORING and simply an occasion for me to get pinched for not sitting still. ouch! Or worse, getting taken down the basement to sit on a chair followed by a spanking at home or worse yet, having to sit still on a chair at home (seriously, if I couldn't do it at church, how was that accomplishing anything!).

What I've learned and experienced in prayer the last 3 years has been life changing for me!! Prayer is not long or boring. It's how I meet God. It doesn't look at all like my early images of prayer looked like. It is life-giving, refueling, transforming time. I heard a definition of prayer recently that rocked! It went like this: prayer is a 2-way conversation with God - the most important love relationship I have in my life. OK, I admit, that may be a bit intimidating, especially when first starting out with this prayer thing. The cool part is God will start with you where ever you're at in your relationship with Him.

If you've been walking with God awhile, and need a bit of inspiration for stepping up your prayer life, read The Invisible War by Chip Ingram - specifically chapter 13: The Missing Ingredient of Your Life. GREAT BOOK!

Here's some practical tips to help you cultivate your relationship with God.

1. Begin by finding a comfortable spot. I have about 3 different places I like to go. One is in my home, one is in nature (I can sit in my car if it's cold), and one is in a prayer room at a church.

2. Have a pen and notebook or journal with you and of course your Bible and any other devotional resources you want.

3. Turn off other words. Quiet, wordless music is OK if it doesn't distract you. I prefer silence.

4. Get quiet. (put cell phone on silent) If you have a lot of turmoil going on you may need to get that out first - I like to write it out in letter form to my Father or to Jesus.

5. Pray in the name of Jesus that all other "voices" be silenced so you can hear His voice clearly. Ask Him to speak to you through His Word. Ask Him to give you ears to hear His truth.

6. Read scripture. What stands out to you? Write it down.

7. Read other devotionals you've taken along. What stands out?

8. You can also follow ACTS: Adoration - giving praise to God, Confession - honest and open with God about your life and what you struggle with, Thanksgiving- Thank Him for what He has done recently, Supplication - asking boldly for yourself and others specific things in line with His will

I have variations on the above pattern, but that's pretty much how I do my longer personal times with God. It is 2-way. I talk and I listen. I ALWAYS feel better after I have spent time with Him. I am not exaggerating. He doesn't usually give me quick answers, but He does answer; and He doesn't usually remove my "burden" completely; but in those "heavy burdened" times I have always left with peace. I have actually gotten to a place in my prayer life that I crave times alone with my Father, especially if it's been more than a week. I don't say that bragging, my hope is that everyone would have the same experience. I am finding I need more time with Him as I attempt to walk the path He is laying out for me.

I do not believe prayer is to be done in isolation alone. Yes, you must cultivate your personal prayer time. But you absolutely need to pray WITH others as well. There are some really great resources out there to help you if you've never done "listening prayer" or "healing prayer" or "forgiveness prayer" or "soaking prayer". Find a church in your area that teaches prayer ministry - a ministry of prayer where you meet with others to pray with them. This will expand your personal prayer times as well.

Because prayer, i.e. relating with God, is so integral to the Christ follower's effectiveness in this world, Satan will do everything possible to keep you from engaging in it.

Elisabeth Elliot, is quoted in the book I mentioned above, "Prayer is no game....Prayer is the opposite of leisure. It's something to be engaged in, not indulged in. It's a job you give priority to. It's performing when you have energy left for nothing else....Pray when you don't feel like praying. Pray until you do feel like praying. If we pray only at our leisure - that is, at our own convenience - can we be true disciples? Jesus said, "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences" (Luke 9:23 TLB).

"In the wrestling of a Christian in prayer, "our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil" (Ephesians 6:12, Phillips) Seldom do we consider the nature of our opponent, and that is to his advantage. When we do recognize him for who he is, however; we have an inkling as to why prayer is never easy. It's the weapon that the unseen power dreads most, and if he can get us to treat it casually he can keep his hold."

- until next time

...and the greatest of these is love

Gina