I dare you!

I remember going to a house of mirrors when I was a little girl and giggling at all the images that could be reflected from my body. We would race from one image of being a six foot tall giant, to another where we where as wide as we were tall! Even though what we saw was clearly physical it was still a distorted view of what reality was.

The dictionary describes image as, "the visual impression of something produced by a lens, mirror, etc.; a mental picture of something; idea; impression."

Today, the lens we view through can also distort reality either into something it is not or prevent us from dreaming of what could be. Our lens is shaped by past and present experiences, which will have a direct affect on how we perceive God and His ability to work in our lives.

There are many examples throughout the Bible of people seeing through distorted lenses. Two come to mind: one is found in Genesis 17:17; 18:11-12. Both Sarah and Abraham saw God’s promise of an heir through a distorted lens. They both laughed at God when He said they would bear a child at an age when most were becoming grandparents. Their laughter and disbelief did not change God’s plans or fulfillment of those plans.

The other is Mary who also saw through distorted lens when the angel proclaimed she would become pregnant and carry the Son of the Most high God—all through, not the normal process but rather an “overshadowing” of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:28-35). Again, her inability to comprehend the process would not prevent God’s plan nor the fulfillment of that plan to be accomplished.

Both these events would become reality not through anything man could accomplish, but rather through a Power that could neither be manufactured nor prevented.

So what does this have to do with you and me today? What are your dreams…what do you dare hope for?

Paul, in reminiscing about Abraham’s age of bearing children, says, “…the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17-18)

It is God’s power that is at work within us to fulfill the plan that only He has set into motion for our lives. That plan will include things that today may only seem like a dream but can become a reality when we steadfastly look through the lenses God sees through.

I dare you…no I double dare you to dream the “immeasurably more” today not focused on the “now” but looking through God’s lenses to what could be and then allowing God to accomplish it in His timing and through His power!!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...... (Ephesians 3:20-21)”

Gentle awakening

Isa 50:4-5 “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.” (NIV)

Today before you begin your day and have all kinds of voices demanding your attention, realize that it was God that gently awakened you to listen to His voice today. No matter the ‘means’ of how you were awakened God wants to whisper His hope and His life into you today through His Word…it is worth taking the time for His instructions!

Go into all the world.

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Mt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15).

Have you ever thought, "Lord, how can I go into ALL the world?" Family and job responsibilities and sometimes just our own survival quickly diminish hopes of fulfilling God's call to "all the world." Some of us may never have the experience of going to foreign countries, although we long to fulfill this mandate given to us.

The United States has always been a melting pot--that is our great heritage. But even more so today with "wars and rumors of wars" in foreign countries, people are literally fleeing for their lives and the lives of their children. They look to the United States as a land of freedom and hope seeking to escape injustices.

In God's goodness and grace, today He has brought the world to us! Our neighbors, our co-workers, those we rub elbows with at the mall, the gym or in school may be from foreign lands. Instead of looking at them through eyes of fear and disgruntlement, let's see them through the eyes of Christ. If we are truly Christ followers we will walk as Jesus walked. Jesus walked into the world of the Samaritan women…she walked out in freedom. Their path to True Freedom may just begin right at our own front door. All we have to do is open our door, see them as Christ would, and walk as Jesus did…

"I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come and eat with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20).

First hand Jesus

Contrast the account of Stephen in Acts 6-7 with the account of the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19 and we see an underlying theme that has crept into Christianity today. That theme is best described in a devotional book I recently found in our library which says; "Secondhand religion is always overpowered by firsthand evil…the impotence of the Church is caused by the secondhand nature of its religion. Jesus is never available if you are preaching a secondhand Jesus. It must be out of one's own depths to the depths of the other person. Only that which comes from the heart can reach the heart."

Stephen presented a "first hand" Jesus that he knew deep within the depths of his heart. This Jesus motivated and compelled him to share the greatest love he ever knew without consideration of his own well being. This heart dwelling knowledge and love of Jesus was not encountered by the sons of Sceva. Oh they knew of Jesus, but so did their attackers.

Our actions will always reveal Who really masters our hearts.

Breaking up for harvest

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’
Hosea 10:12 (NLT)

The cycle of allowing God as the Master Gardener of our hearts:
When we ask Him, He will plow/break up the dry, hard, unfertilized grounds of our hearts resulting in our desire to plant seeds (deeds) of honesty, justice, integrity, goodness, kindness which will then result in a harvest of not only our love for God but those we touch.

As hard as our ground may become God's touch will ALWAYS be able to penetrate...if we open ourselves to His touch.

Be a generous sower

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously…God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-10

We have not been given to hoard but to give away, whether it be out of plenty or “slim pickings.” With many out of work or working without a paycheck (as in Pennsylvania state government), this reminder is so important for us today. Neighbors, co-workers, family, friends or you may even be in this situation. God’s economic system is not like that of the worlds which tells us to “save it for a rainy day.” The Bible clearly tells us God has given us EVERYTHING so we can be generous on every occasion, doesn’t say “wait until you have to be generous”…be generous NOW. Look around at those in need. Doesn’t always require giving of money, sometimes it may be our time, the sharing of a meal or a ride, sharing a talent/trade God has given you. Bake a cake for your family and give some to a neighbor. Weed a neighbor’s flower bed or if you are a handyman fix something for a neighbor. Give a word of encouragement …all it cost is your time.

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of this service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that ACCOMPANIES YOUR CONFESSION of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” 2 Corinthians 9:11-13

Bless someone today...not to receive, but just to give…………

Be the light...

I sent these scriptures with my daughter when she left on a missions trip Friday. May they be an encouragement to you and I as we open ourselves for God to use us...wherever that may be.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
REMEMBER: The One who is in you is TRUTH and is greater than the deceiver!! PRAYING that eyes and hearts will be opened to the Truth

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1
REMEMBER: Your only limitation is unbelief. PRAYING your faith will explode

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Cor 2:14-15
REMEMBER: Daily “heart-cleansing.” PRAYING those around you will smell the sweet aroma of Christ through your touch and your words; through you, others will be drawn to experience His cleansing.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is of God and not us. 2 Cor 4:7 For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10
REMEMBER: when it seems tough, you are not there on your own strength. PRAYING your weakness will be a magnifying glass for God’s power to be seen.

For our struggle is not against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:2 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord Prov 21:30
REMEMBER: what God has determined…will be accomplished. PRAYING God will give you discernment to know when the enemy is working against you and when God’s divine interruption is at work; that in and through Jesus Name His power will be released to proclaim freedom and liberty to those who are bound and their eyes and hearts would be open to experience Jesus Christ.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt so that you may know how to answer everyone. 1 Peter 3:15
REMEMBER: even when you don’t realize it, you are being watched. PRAYING God will not only bring to remembrance His Word for you to share at just the right moment but you will also be “living” His Word EVERY moment.

But you are a shield around me, O Lord; I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Ps 3:3,5,8
PRAYING God will invade your dreams so rest and peace will flow through you at night. Encouragement and praise will be on your lips.

God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him (Phil 2:13 New Century). Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus called us by his glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 New Century
REMEMBER: God called you and at just the right moment will equip you with everything you need to serve Him. PRAYING you will rest in His “equipment”…whatever form it takes on!