I am uncertain about some things and some things are just more solid. I wonder all the time about what the LORD could have possibly thought when HE was on the Cross thinking of me. HE was there carrying my anxiety, my load, my cancer, and all things unclean about me. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is it that today, with all the burdens that I have and all the stain of guilt, shame and anger that makes me feel unclean that the LORD loves? I know that the love that HE has for me is so unwavering and unquestionably mine. To meditate on what "kind of love" would take me a lifetime. I know that I have an awesome GOD who is always ready to hear what I have to say--no matter what it is. There is nothing that shocks HIM or surprises HIM. Nothing can sneak up on HIM and take HIM by surprise. And when we have no idea what may be out there for us, HE protects us with a jealousy like there is no other. I know that HE is possessive of what HE loves and HE loves me! This is the best example and when I tell others that I am possessive of what I love, it is because I have the best example. What kind of love is this? I am beginning to understand just what the word "love" means. This is unconditional to me and over me. When I feel that I cannot raise my head from the weight of shame or guilt, I am reassured that I am loved. When I have enough anger and hurt in my heart, I know that I am cleansed. Love covers [over] a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) This reminds me of a song that I was raised with: Where charity and love prevails, there GOD is ever found; brought here together by Christ's love by love are we thus bound. We are ever bound!
Possessing on. Encouraging on!
It is a good cause when we decide to take up our Cross. It is a good cause when we decide to be obedient and to do what we are supposed to do. I am reminded daily that when I choose and am in the WILL of GOD, then what to me is nothing less than a blessing. Sure, my choices are not always plain to see; however, I know that when I take the time, get into the WORD, and listen to what the LORD has to say, then of course, it is a good cause. I should never doubt that dedicating myself to the LORD is not a good cause. It is the best cause that I can ever think of. When Saul, also known as Paul, was converted, he chose to follow JESUS. Ananias was concerned that Saul was going to be a danger to the church; it was the LORD HIMSELF that said that this was a good cause--"he was a chosen vessel" (Acts9:15). It was a good cause to leave behind what he had ever known and to travel the nation to teach, preach, heal and deliver people from their illnesses. Likewise, it is a good cause that I choose to lay some things down and to ask the LORD for help and direction when the days are long and involved. It was not HIS will that I should be lost to what I need to do. It was not and is not HIS will that I should be confused about what to do. What a good cause to ask for HIS help and direction. What a good cause it is to know that I am living a SPIRIT filled life.
Knowing on. Encouraging on!
One of the most difficult things that I have been able to do is to just submit my tumultuous feelings to the LORD. Certainly there is a rationalization that my feelings are just that--mine. All emotions that any person experiences are given to us from our LORD and it was HIS plan to give those emotions back to HIM so that HE could help when they are too much. Proverbs 4 is one of the most powerful chapters for me because I am able to express wisdom about when and how to express my emotions safely and without fear of judgment. Through wisdom, I can gain understanding about what angst I might be experiencing. This is not easy; at times, it is nothing that I care to venture into. However, it is wisdom to say, "LORD, I give you my heart." My heart tells me that I am afraid and that I have concerns. Wisdom says "do not enter the path of the wicked" (Prov 4:14). My heart says "I could care less about what others may say", but Wisdom says "let your heart retain my words" (4:4). Wisdom tells us that "keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (4:23). No matter the anxiety, or the angst, I choose to say "I give you my heart". It is not an easy thing to have the heart examined by the LORD. But trust and believe that what is precious to us is precious to the LORD. If it matters to us, it matters to HIM.
Giving on. Encouraging on!
No matter what the day may bring, I have the same cry--LORD pursue me! There are many things that I talk to HIM about and when I have a difficult time with a burden, I argue with the LORD, "no, I will not do it. No, please do not ask me to do that. I simply cannot do that!" And, of course, the LORD comes to me and reassures me that it will be in the perfect time that things will be completed. It is ok to share with the LORD the things that you are stubborn about and that it is an area that will stumble you. James 4 tells us how we can approach the LORD. Hebrew 4 tells us that we can approach the LORD. The entire book of Romans reassures us that we are not lost and we can rely upon the LORD for all of our needs. This is how much we are loved--we are reassured throughout the Bible that we can come to HIM for all of our needs. Romans 8:38-39 tells us specifically that nothing can separate us from the love of GOD. So, when we are experiencing a trial and the burden is heavy, we can have an honest conversation with our FATHER. HE does love us and HE does pursue us. If anyone could hear my conversation with the LORD, that person would know that a child does have that conversation with their natural parent; even more so, the LORD is all that much more patient, kind, loving and gentle to pursue us and to give us that touch that only HE knows how and when to do. This should not be mistaken from angering the LORD. HE knows that we get scared, frightful, and worried. All the more reason that we should not worry when we cry out "Pursue me!"
Crying on. Encouraging on!
All that is within me, bless YOUR holy NAME! I have to say this all the time because there are days that I cannot muster within me the feeling to say it. I know that to worship HIM in SPIRIT and in TRUTH comes from my spirit and my soul. But, when my soul is vexed, uttering the words are difficult. Giving a time to submit my heart and my mind to my LORD is the most important task in a day. Despite the long and difficult days when I have no idea what the outcome may be, I know that when I can say "all that is within me, bless YOUR holy NAME" is just that--all that is within me. I take the time to be able to step away from what is bothering me and to know that the grace that was imparted to me at the Cross is mine forever and that I can come to HIM and say what is within me. I know that I can run to HIM and express every bit of what is bothering me without fear of condemnation, mocking, scoffing or anything else that I might be worried about. I can say that what is bothering me is safe with HIM and that as we (yes, we) discuss it, I have direction for the day. This direction comes with the greatest amount of love that has been given to me. I am reassured that no matter what may come, HE is there and that the worries of the past are just that. These things that vex me can be washed away. How? By choosing to come to HIM, sharing my load, having fellowship with HIM, and to receive all of HIS grace that I can possibly drink in. I was saved at the Cross and from that point, everything that is in me shall bless HIS HOLY NAME!Blessing on. Encouraging on!
One of the many things that I battle about often is my doubt. Self-doubt is very defeating and can be the biggest enemy that we can ever have. At times, the devil does not need to be attacking us because we can do it all by ourselves. But despite it all, we have a great helper and friend--JESUS. HE knows how to come to our aid because HE has seen it in us when HE was with us. HE knows that we need the constant encouragement and the uplifting thoughts, words, and deeds to keep us focused on the goal that is set before us. This internal confusion comes with a huge outcome--separating us from what we are supposed to do. Nothing can separate us from the love of GOD and we are to be constantly reminded of that. No matter what the battle may be, we are to be reassured that doubt has no room when faith is in action. The enemy of doubt is faith. With faith, we can move mountains--whether the ones inside of us or the ones that we battle every day in our daily walk. Nothing is impossible for GOD if we believe. Whether we believe or not, GOD still works for us and to send us messengers, believing hearts, words of wisdom and the HOLY SPIRIT to guide and reassure us that no matter what the trial, we are not alone.
We are to constantly keep those words at our lips and to keep them at our finger tips so that in the day of great difficulty, we can be over-comers. It does not matter the battle. They all have one thing in common--the need to be encouraged in the darkest time and hour. Whether we feel we are whole persons because of the loss of an arm, leg, body part or other, we have the greatest person who ever lived as our example--JESUS! We can do what HE called us to do and we are going to invite more along for the journey. It can be done!
Journeying on. Encouraging on!
One of the most important concepts that I have been working very hard on is the attitude adjuster. I had given my Pastor a candy cane at church during the Christmas holiday and he looked at me with some hesitation. He did not know why I was giving it to him; I had to express to him that it was an attitude adjuster and that it was not for his benefit but for mine. I have seen this concept in many places and is used in quite a diverse arena. The purpose is that when someone has been going through a significant set of trials and tribulations, the difficulties should not stop or prevent us from focusing on what really matters--our neighbor. That is the most important thing that we could ever focus on. When we focus on our neighbor, we will not have a lack in our lives--mentally, physically or spiritually. When we choose an attitude adjuster, we focus on changing our hearts, taking a moment to listen to what the LORD has to say to us, humble ourselves and then to look to what the goals really are. Yes, bad health, bad finances, bad so-many-other-things get in the way of us focusing on the goal that is set before us. When the apostle Paul wrote to the churches, he had expressed that if anyone had any reason to really complain about things, it would be him. He had been beaten many times, had his feet clubbed to the point of disfigurement and had been killed as well but was healed. This was because of the labor of love that was found in his heart toward his neighbor. He was commissioned to give and to give freely for the sake of the Cross. The Cross was his attitude adjuster. What is ours? Who is my neighbor? Are you my neighbor? If so, where is your attitude adjuster? Have you given one lately? You become blessed and healed of what it is in your life that needs that healing when the choice to give is done so freely. Choose this day, what and whom will you serve?
Giving on. Encouraging on!
Regardless, the days will come when there does not seem to be any way out. These days are full of many things and from these events that may come, stresses of all kinds may be present. Anxiety and panic are unfortunate outcomes of stresses that have been present for a long, long season. Anxiety, panic and stress is not of the LORD; it is a part of our humanity that tells us that we are human and that we cannot walk in this journey alone. We are to call upon the one that called us and we are to look to HIM to help us with our emotional battles. This does mean that we have to call out to HIM. We can do this in the same manner as when we call out to one of our friends and ask for their assistance and help. When we call upon the LORD, we call down all the ability to help us with our every need. It comes when we need it at the most perfect time. Yes, HE is the GOD who is an on-time GOD. HE comes when we cannot even possibly believe that anyone could understand. Our LORD hears it all and so asks us to ask HIM. The greatest reward is HIS joy! It is healing, comforting, directing, engaging and just what is not expected. This joy will teach the soul a new way to think, confess, guide in the manner of speech, and to be a schoolmaster for our hearts. When we understand what joy can do for us, we can be cleansed of all things. This joy comes when we have fellowship with the LORD and that our faith draws us closer to HIM. It can be done and it happens every day.
Joyfully pressing on. Encouraging on!
For the most part, we are all monster thrompers. For in the journey of seeking wellness, "monsters" seem to rear their ugly heads, we are to take it upon ourselves to seek to attack them. These monsters may be from many things--personal issues; health imperatives; lawlessness and even more. We are to not be discouraged that what lies within our hearts and our souls cannot be cleansed. We can be made whole through seeking the pureness of the WORD of GOD. The journey may be tough, but it is an excellent journey just the same. I was listening to one of my songs today on the way to work and I was reminded that what we must address in our lives we should not say "this is unfair"; rather, we look to HIM as our ALL SUFFICIENT ONE! I am reminded that neither cancer or flashbacks will prevent me from serving the MOST HIGH. I am reminded through Romans 8:38-39 that no matter what comes my way, I have all confidence in the ONE that was crucified for me and these trials and tribulations will not last. James 1:2 tells me to count it all joy when I face diverse trials and temptations. These are for just a season in life. These monsters can be thromped. We can look to the ONE who called us and we must equally listen to the LORD when HE tells us that we are to assist and support our neighbor when their monsters are too much. We can thromp it all!
Thromping on. Encouraging on!
We have all heard the adage "when the road gets tough, the tough get going"; this is very accurate for those of us who have difficult days. These difficulties may be in many different forms and come from many different ways--home, work, school, health, family and etc. But we must never forget that despite what is going on, we must lead others on. "Leading me on" is a very simple concept. This concept involves the idea that we are our brother's keeper and we are to continue to invest ourselves into each others' lives. This means the occasional phone call; the email that is right on time; an unexpected visit at the door; buying someone lunch; making dinner for someone and including a card or a simple flower. There are so many ways that "leading me on" can be so applicable. JESUS said that we must "do unto others as we would like done unto ourselves". Would you like a hot cup of coffee and a conversation? Would you like a hug or a kind and uplifting word? Would you like someone to stop and smile for a positive note? Then why would it not be ok for it to be done in exchange? We often forget the needs of people around us and from that note, we must stand and take close attention. "Lead me on" is very important. It means that we are willing to invest ourselves in the most precious of things--our neighbor. When we give, it is healing and fulfilling. This week, I was privileged to see a "pay it forward" event. "I have been so blessed and so I want to bless you". I witnessed this while out in the field working. It blessed me even though I was not the receiver of this blessing. This was a "lead me on" moment that sparked this message. We are to lead each other on toward good works that would lift our neighbor up.
Leading me on. Encouraging on!
I have been told that the term used in "casting" is similar to the term used when a fisherman is casting out a fishing net or a fishing line. When we discuss casting, we are to take into consideration that this is to be as far away from us as possible so that we will not take ownership of it again. But, how do we do this when there are so many cares in a day, let alone in a week? Simply, we are to continue to do this every time. The idea is based on the ability to become so good at casting that the cares get further and further away from us. Certainly, cares come to us every day. They cannot be avoided. These cares come to us from our daily lives--work, school, health, family, church, outside obligations and general daily living. We learn to prioritize what is important and learn that the cares of this life are brought before the LORD, discussed and left with HIM so that we can better live. We are not meant to live in fear or anxiety of what we should be doing; rather, we are to live for HIS utmost for our utmost. The excitement begins! We are to know that we have a refuge in HIM--A GOD who cares about what burdens us and what creates stress and troubles. We are not meant to walk this life in stress or anguish; instead, we are to live this life with fullness of joy and free of the heartache that can separate us from what our true calling is. We are to serve with our whole heart, our whole mind and our whole being. We are to offer ourselves in love and compassion, regardless. When the cares of this life come, and we are unable to cast them to HIM, we become more troubled and less able to perform at what the LORD wants us to do. Casting means that we are not to pick them up again.Casting on. Encouraging on!
As we all have been told in one aspect or another, we must learn and know what needs to be done. This is not always the same for the next person. Learning is a long and arduous journey that does not always have the same outcome. But when it is with respect to our personal walk with our LORD, being grounded in the WORD is very important. What is it? Is it the same to everyone? The only person that it should matter to is the LORD HIMSELF. Our walk with the LORD is unique and defined explicitly through HIS esteem towards us. We are all told to love one another and to continue on in doing good works. We are given instructions about what the Christian walk is all about; but, we are to act upon it as well.
When we are faced with the trials and adversities in our daily lives, we are to continue to seek after what we are to do in our lives. This does mean that we must invest some effort to be reading, studying, asking, seeking and waiting upon the LORD. When we seek, it is not always what we want to hear, but it is what is needed and necessary to hear. Not everything is always bad or harsh but loving and gentle. Being grounded in the WORD allows us to be able to have a deeper understanding of others as well as ourselves and to develop our relationship with the LORD. The days to come then become easier and less stressful. Does this prevent the stress from coming? No, it simply encourages us that the stress is not going to overtake us and deter us from doing what we know we must do. Stress lets us know that we are still working for the right side--JESUS CHRIST.
How then are we to act? That is the best question of them all. The development of the Christian character is different for all of us; but, it is still one and the same. We are to follow the LORD and to know that we are to love one another as HE loved us. The rest is up to HIM to give us the direction that we ask for.
Grounded on. Encouraging on!
How do you listen? The way that we listen should be with every aspect of our body. When we listen, we convey to the other person that they are important and no matter what is going on, they are our highest priority. We must convey they are loved, cherished, honored, respected, jealous over, and desired. Our heavenly Father looks to us in the same manner. We are to mimic HIM. Oh, how HE loves us. No matter what we have done, or what has been done to us, this love cannot be removed or impeached. Nothing can separate us from the LOVE OF GOD. We cannot separate ourselves from the LOVE OF GOD because we do not have that ability.
When we listen, we express that we want to be a bond-servant and to be invested. This investment comes with sacrifice. We must be willing. It takes a few steps to learn how to be invested and we learn along the way that this investment comes with great rewards. Some rewards are not seen right off, but others are immediate. We know that we have had the greatest example and that is JESUS at the Cross. HE listened to the thieves beside HIM. Despite HIS sacrifice, HE did not stop to listen to everyone else around while HE gave HIS life for us. Our HEAVENLY FATHER listened while JESUS died for us.
Do not be afraid to listen. Do not be afraid to be heard. GOD is good! GOD is merciful. GOD is glorious!
Listening on. Encouraging on!
Throughout the week, I have been listening to some of the most uplifting music. I know that the condition of an individual's heart has a strong bearing on what is defined as uplifting and encouraging. The music that I am very much enthralled with is a heavier Christian Rock. Petra, a group that was formed in the mid 1970s, is one of the most favorite of mine. Their lyrics, musical score, lead singer and band draw the anointing of the LORD to you. Their message was that of strength and courage for the battle and to know that GOD has not abandoned HIS children. The same is today. GOD has not abandoned HIS children and despite the long and difficult days, HE wants to remind us that HE is with us always. HE was there during the most difficult times in my life and HE is there still in the undefined. I have felt HIS hand in many aspects--hugs; hand on my shoulder; allowing me to be; and watching me laugh uncontrollably. Just like our own children, HE is interested and excited to hear all about what we have to say.
The music that we listen to during the day makes a vast difference with how our physical heart continues to beat. Choose well and know that when the LORD gives you something to carry you through the journey, hold onto it. These gifts are valuable to hold onto when the days feel lonely and desolate. Write those gifts down on the calendar so that you may have additional pieces of encouragement when there is none around. GOD is GOOD! And we can be that hand to stretch out to remind others of just how GOOD HE IS! Be well and Praise be to GOD forever and Amen.
Reminding on. Encouraging on.
I would be remiss to not add something more positive to the mix of things. While it is a very difficult journey to discuss the deep emotional aspects of life, it is equally important to be able to encourage the ones that are coming along in the journey.
For this reason, the Encourager's Heart was created. We must encourage one another in Christ as well as in our daily walk. See you there!
Encouraging on!
