DARE TO BELIEVE!

Matthew 21:18-22 (The Message)

The Withered Fig Tree

^18-20Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, "No more figs from this tree—ever!" The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, "Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?"

^21-22But Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you'll tell, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God."

I am beginning to see God work and do miracles in myself, my family and people around me. These miracles are life changing. Some, like in my heart and mind, are long term miracles that only I can really appreciate because I am the only one who knew the depression and torment I felt and am now free from. That healing took place over a long period and was the most remarkable journey I have ever been on.

Miracles I've seen in my family include the gradual emotional healing of my son. The miracle isn't just the change in character and attitude, but the fact that my whole family is surviving this metamorphosis my son must go through to become the beautiful creature God intends for him.

The incredible miracles I have seen in the people in my church include a person being able to walk without a walker or cane anymore; a woman who has full range of motion in her shoulder again and a person whose impaired vision was restored.

I've spent a lot of time wondering how I would feel when the time came that I would see these kinds of healings and miracles. What I've discovered, is that it doesn't matter what I feel. It has nothing to do with feelings and everything to do with believing. Up until now, I've only heard about these kinds of miracles. I've been praying and asking God to let me see his power in healing touches. Now that I have, I find that I am not overcome with intense emotions but rather seem to expect it. I'm not surprised because I believed it was possible.

When God becomes so integrated into your life, your thoughts become His thoughts and His ways your ways. It only seems natural to expect God to take care of his creation and set it right if only we believe and ask.

On the other hand, I am surprised that I am not astonished. Is it because I still harbor some doubt? The evidence is there...I saw it. Why are humans creatures of doubt? What happened to that part of the little child we once were that could believe anything and wasn't afraid to show it? I want that lost belief back. I want to be ecstatic when I hear about someone receiving healing from God almighty. I want to pray believing and seeing results.

I want to see your Glory Oh God!

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN, YOU'RE BUILDING GOD-ESTEEM

Phillips, Craig and Dean sing a song that is a favorite of mine because it speaks to me on multiple levels. It's titled, "Let the River Flow" and you can hear it at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGplpTUytfQ. As we allow the Holy Spirit to flow through us, we allow the transformation from self-esteem to God-esteem to be established. What we experience here on earth, is only for a short time.

I want to invite you on to join me in a weekly Bible study of the 37th chapter of Psalms. I have started reading it and taking a close look at that psalm. I am also reading in the book of James and discovered a connection between the two selections.

Chapter 1 in the book of James talks about the testing of your faith and makes mention that riches are like the beautiful flowers and grass. They quickly fade in the sun's heat and loose their beauty (James 1: 9-11)

Psalm 37 talks about how God has not forgotten us. It tells us not to "fret" or worry. Three times in the first 8 verses God is telling us not to worry about those who prosper over us or do evil to us. It is also full of promises. Psalm 37:1-4 sounds a lot like James:

"Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."

I hope those who read this blog post, will share their perspective with the group. Psalm 37:1-4 sounds great in theory, but what about application? "Dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness." is a loaded statement. Sometimes that land you dwell in is scary, lonely, uncomfortable, and the perfect breeding ground for anger, deceit and depression. How do YOU "befriend faithfulness" during these tough times?

Post your comment below.

My challenge to you is to read Psalm 37 everyday for a week or two and each time you read it, ask God to reveal something new to you. You may want to highlight all the promises mentioned in the chapter.

Thanks for checking in!

“FAITH IN FAMINE”

On Saturday evening, after two “blessed” days of traveling 700 miles to our destination in Florida, I couldn’t wait to check out a church on Sunday morning. My husband had plans to attend his conference, so I gathered the kids and we went exploring. With a recommendation and directions from the concierge for a “more lively” church, we were on our way. I expected a medium sized church but was very much surprised to be attending The Potter’s House Christian Fellowship, a mega church of about 3000, full of excitement to praise God.

There was a large stage area with about 20 people in the worship team. The sanctuary was really a huge one story room that used to be a department store. To help everyone see the staging area, there were four giant screens that were suspended from the ceiling. There were two in the front on either side of the stage and two more half way back on the left and right. During the worship time, there were three people dancing with large scarves in the very front of the auditorium. I also saw people walking around with large ornate banners with phrases that gave praise to God. My thought was, “Wow, people really can worship freely here!”

“Faith In Famine” was the title of the sermon that day, by Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin, the senior pastor and founder of PHCF. Once again, I witnessed God teaching me through different perspectives. Most of Mclaughlin’s scripture came from Genesis (12, 15, 16, 17, 21) and spoke of the time Abraham, went back to Egypt during a tough famine instead of toughing it out like God asked him to do. Because of Abraham’s disobedience, he fathered a son (Ishmael) by someone other than his wife which fathered the Arab nation that today is known as the followers of Islam. As God promised Abraham and Sarah, they did have a son (Isaac) which perpetuated the Jewish nation. Sometimes our disobedience can have a lasting effect on future generations.

(see http://www.gotquestions.org/Jews-Arabs.html for more information about the conflict we know today between these two nations.)

Abraham’s second son, Isaac, also lived during a terrible famine in the land of Canaan and just like his father before him, God instructed him to stay in the land of Canaan and not go to Egypt. Isaac obeyed God and God sustained him during the famine. It wasn’t easy or comfortable, but God was with them. And blessed them. (Genesis 26:1-13)

For several days before hearing this sermon, I had been reading in the book of Hebrews and had just reached the eleventh chapter commonly known as the “Faith Hall of Fame”, because the author (possibly the apostle Paul) explains what faith is and gives a long list of God’s people who have shown great faith in extreme situations. Then in chapter 12, he says:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The faith stories of Abraham & Sarah and Isaac are among the “Faith Hall of Fame.” So, I’m not the first person to suffer for Christ nor am I the last and neither are you my friend. Our personal situations always seem so BIG to us and insurmountable sometimes, but our GOD is always bigger than our situations and our FAITH needs to match our GOD. McLaughlin said to go lookin’ for a miracle and expect a miracle when your “famine” hits.

Bishop McLaughlin, preached about not going back to Egypt (that place where life is easier and appears safer) when your situation is uncomfortable, but rather to use your faith to ride out your uncomfortable situation. My challenge to you and to myself during tough economical times, personal health crisis, marital crisis or any uncomfortable situation is to remember WHOSE you are (a child of the King), USE YOUR WEAPONS (the word of God) and stand strong using your shield of FAITH to let God show you how much he loves you and will sustain you.

Many people reading this have had many tougher situations than I have ever had to encounter. I look upon them with love and awe that they are still praising God during their extremely uncomfortable and scary times. God knows what we can handle and just when we can’t handle anymore, He is right there by our side ready to carry us THROUGH the tough times. It’s the experience from those tough times that refines us into the beautiful bride of Christ.

No matter your situation you most likely have the choice to “return to Egypt” where life is safe and perhaps even logical. Or, you can choose to stay in the “promised” land where life is difficult for a season, and reap the benefits from God’s blessing. What will you choose? Go to Egypt? Or Stay in Canaan? Will you have “FAITH IN FAMINE”? I'd love to hear your Faith in Famine story.