Quiet Voice

Driving home late last night, I was very tired.  I do not drive in the city often and can easily get confused by the set-up of some intersections, multiple unfamiliar one-way streets, as well as the stress of congested traffic.

As I was nearing a complicated intersection uniting several streets, an officer was motioning me to proceed forward as I was waiting in the left turn lane.  I paused as I waited in a moment of confusion with something not feeling quite right.  During that few seconds pause, the vehicle next to me sped out maneuvering making an illegal left turn.

My son was scared.  My heart was beating quickly.  What caused me to hesitate and look to my right to recognize the vehicle that would soon speed in front of me despite the guidance of the traffic officer directing me to turn?

I believe God was protecting and guiding my path.  My GPS told me to go left.  The traffic officer guided me to go left.  But deep inside, there seemed to be a quiet voice that spoke, “Wait.”  When all in your world seems to be guiding you in one direction, yet deep down inside there is a quiet voice that seems to be nudging otherwise, listen to that quiet voice, pray, seek counsel, read Scripture, and ask God to guide your steps.  God will guide you.  He loves you!

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”  (John 10:3-5 NIV)

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28 NIV)

Got Hope?

“The next day…  they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the LORD to be ruler and Zadok to be priest. So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. All the officers and warriors, as well as all of King David’s sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon.  The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor such as no king over Israel ever had before.”  (1Chronicles 29:21-25 NIV)

“Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great…  Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people ofyours?” (2Chronicles 1:1, 8-10 NIV)

Solomon’s prayers to God model the same humility as his father, David.  He gives credit to God, praising God for all that God has accomplished.  Solomon could have asked anything from the Lord, but he chose to ask for wisdom and knowledge to lead the people.

“God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people overwhom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you.  And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”  (2Chronicles 1:11-12 NIV)

God not only blesses Solomon with wisdom and knowledge, but also wealth, possessions, and honor.  God knows each of our hearts.  Listening to the secular radio this morning, the DJs were discussing the $540 Million lottery pot with extreme excitement.  On the way to work, the Christian radio DJs are also discussing the potential win.  I stop to get gas, and the announcement over the speakers is discussing the lines of people gathering to purchase lottery tickets. Hope is communicated to be found in $540 Million for  a potential someone or a small few despite the odds of 1 in 176 Million.

Where is your hope?  God knows each of our hearts.  He knew the heart of David and his son Solomon.  Both David and Solomon display humility, great faith, and hearts that seek the Lord for the details placing hope and faith in their Lord.

Dear Jesus, Protect my heart from anything or anyone that will taint it from your holiness, beauty, and truth. Purify my thoughts and desires.  Help me to display humility and leadership as is evident by David and Solomon.  I trust you to guide my steps.  I praise you that you are an almighty and powerful God who is able to do far more than I can imagine or hope for.  Amen.

Loyal Heart

“David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours,LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”  (1Chronicles 29:10-13 NIV)

David’s love for the Lord is great.  His faith is strong.  He is humble.  He does not take credit for anything that has transpired.  David is truly representative of a servant of the Lord. He freely gives generously with the knowledge that nothing that he owns is his.  Everything is God’s.

GREATNESS, MAJESTY, SPLENDOR, STRENGTH, POWER… David exemplifies a leader modeling humility and great faith with prayers of praise glorifying the greatness of our God.  Praise, thankfulness, and worship flow from these scriptures.  Have I ever praised and worshiped the Lord with such confidence and power?  How does worship impact my life?  How does it impact those around me?

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. LORD,the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”  (1Chronicles 29:17-19 NIV)

David’s prayers are powerful.  He prays for the people, and for his son Solomon.  He knows the power of prayer.  Confidence, strength, faith, power, and praise flow from his words acknowledging his faith and trust in his Lord.

Dear Jesus, I pray that you keep my heart loyal to you.  Help me not to be led astray by so much that strives everyday to turn my eyes from you.  Help me not to become burdened by the stresses, conflicts, and pressure.  Everything that I have is yours, and you provide for all my needs.  I praise and thank you for this truth.  My life is safely protected by you.  I need not fear today, tomorrow, or the future.  Give me wholehearted devotion to keep your commands so that I can do everything that you desire for me to accomplish as your missionary in this workplace.  Fill me with your presence and spirit, and guide me, so that I can be a light of your love walking in the calling that you have planned for my life.  I pray these words also for all those that read this prayer as they seek to glorify your name and follow you.  I praise you that you are a mighty, powerful, and awesome God with all strength and power able to do far more than any of us can even comprehend or imagine.  Amen.

Faith in Action

How would you feel if you were promoted, given an important project, and you were inexperienced for its completion?  What if your manager highlighted your inexperience for all to know?  Would you remain confident?  Would the knowledge of being chosen by God provide the confidence that you need?

“Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God.”  (1Chronicles 29:1 NIV)

Despite your inexperience, what if your manager’s actions filled you with confidence communicating, “I am so confident in your ability that I am investing in you. I know that God chose you.  I am investing in this project.  I am confident in your leadership.”  Would this make the difference for your success?

“With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple…” (1Chronicles 29:2-3 NIV)

David is so confident in God’s leading,with tremendous faith; he invests greatly in the building of the temple as well as his son Solomon.  David is nearby to encourage, to uplift, to invest,and to insure that Solomon is successful.  How would you feel if your manager displayed these qualities?  Would this have an impact on your results?

“Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God… The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” (1Chronicles 29:6-7a, 9 NIV)

David’s eyes are focused on the Lord. David’s leadership and great faith impacts his son Solomon as well as the entire community.

What can be learned from David’s leadership?  If you were Solomon, how would you feel knowing the full support and confidence that your father has placed in your ability?  If you were in the community, how would you feel knowing the huge investment of your leader?  What do these scriptures communicate concerning faith, trust, leadership, mentoring, and confidence?  How would this workplace change if all managers displayed the qualities of David putting faith into action?  How would putting faith in action impact results?

Confidence

Where is your confidence?

In 1Chronicles 28:11-18, David gives his son Solomon outlined details of God’s plan to build the temple.  Every detail was significant to God.  David has confidence in God’s direction, and in God’s appointing of Solomon to build the temple.

 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the LORD’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”  (1 Chronicles 28:19 NIV)

David does not take credit for the plan.  Credit for what is going to be accomplished is given to the Lord.  “The Lord has enabled me to understand…”

“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.” (1Chronicles 28:20-21 NIV)

David’s confidence and trust in the Lord is spoken to Solomon.  He encourages his son.  “The Lord is with you…”  The words of David are encouragement to Solomon that God has appointed him, and that he will have everything that is needed to do God’s work according to God’s plan.

Is your confidence in the Lord?  Do you seek Christ for the details of your life?  Do you encourage others in their walk so that they can accomplish God’s calling for their life?  Have you been encouraged by others as you have sought to walk with the Lord?  Are you walking in God’s calling for your life?

What can be learned from the relationship between David and his son Solomon in this scripture?

Chosen

God chose you!

Consider this morning, Jesus standing before you and speaking these words, “I chose you.”  How would audibly hearing these words spoken by Jesus make you feel?

You have a calling.  God has a plan for your life. Can you comprehend this truth?  Each of us is called for a specific use to build the kingdom of God as Christ has already planned.

Do you desire to fulfill your calling?  What does ittake to fulfill your calling?

Consider the words spoken to Solomon:

“Of all my sons—and the LORD has given me many—he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel… I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.’

“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with whole hearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”  (1Chronicles 28:5, 7-10 NIV)

Best.. or, better?

Would you rather be the best, or make things better?

When I am the best, focus is centered on me.  I get the credit for accomplishments.  My pride is fueled by all that I can do.  I look at others as if their ability is far less than my own.  I am irreplaceable, and no one has the ability to rule my kingdom.  I sit on my personal throne of knowledge, accomplishment, success, and easily rise above the crowd.  When I am the best, what becomes of others?

What if my desire is not to become the best but rather to seek to make things better?  For things to be better, my eyes are not focused on me.  Instead, I look around seeing others and their needs.  The question becomes, “What can they do?  Are they achieving and becoming all that God made them to be? What is it that I can do to build up others so they experience success?”

In the workplace or even at home with our families, what should be our goal?  If each of us strives to be the best, what is created?  Or, is it better to strive to make things better seeing a bigger picture outside of self?  It’s not an easy question to consider.  What is it that God calls each of us to do for success?  What does success look like?  How do you define success?  What brings glory to God?

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (1Thessalonians 5:11-18 NIV)

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:1-4 NIV)

Burning Bush

“Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”  (Exodus1:22 NIV)

Pharaoh orders all Hebrew boys to be killed.  God’s plans are far greater and overpower any plan of man.  Moses is born.  His mom hides him for three months, and then places him in a basket in the bank of the Nile being watched from a distance.  Pharaoh’s daughter hears the baby crying having compassion, though knowing he is Hebrew.  She instructs Moses’ sister to get a Hebrew mother.  Moses’ mother gets paid to care for her child.  Moses becomes the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.  After Moses grows up, he kills an Egyptian in anger and flees to Midian.

Moses’ life becomes one of peace and comfort.  He is married, with his wife giving birth to a son.  Did Moses forget about the Hebrew people and their suffering? God did not forget the suffering of the people.

Tending the flocks, God appears to Moses in a burning bush and speaks to him.

“The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey… So now, go. I am sending you toPharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

And God said, “I will be with you…”  (Exodus 3:7-8a, 10-12aNIV)

It is easy for me to become comfortable.  I become comfortable in my job, knowledge, ability, people and surroundings.  Change is often not desired being a challenge. The known is enjoyed.  When things shift, I can become fearful.  Will this bring stress or more work?  How will this impact me?  My comfort and complacency shifts to unknown with insecurities and worry.  In the unknown, I must trust God.

God has a plan.  In all things, there is a purpose.  When the shift begins bringing something new, I must remember, “God will be with me.”  As I seek Christ in faith, there are no worries.

Is there a burning bush in your life?  Allow Christ to speak to you through the flames revealing His truth, and allow Him to guide you to accomplish His Will for your life. God is in control.

Waiting….

“The LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (Genesis 39:21-23 NIV)

Joseph experienced much misfortune.  His brothers sold him into slavery.  After being bought, Potiphar’s wife pursues Joseph.  Despite his loyalty, he is sent to prison falsely accused.  God remains with Joseph.

The Lord brought Joseph success in prison.  After some time, Joseph interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and baker.  The interpretations were shown to be truth.  Despite the gifting, Joseph was forgotten.

“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” (Genesis 40:23 NIV)

Two full years passed.  The cupbearer is free and restored, and does not remember Joseph.

“When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream… Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings… So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon.”  (Genesis 41:1a, 9, 14a NIV)

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream.  He gives glory to God, not in his own ability.  Joseph shows a spirit of humility.  He experienced much waiting.  Along the path of waiting and misfortune, God brought favor and blessings in the most unfortunate of circumstances.

Do you feel that others do not acknowledge all that you have done, that you have not been rewarded fairly, that you have been falsely judged, placed in an unfair situation, or taken advantage of?  Joseph waited two years to be acknowledged for one act not inclusive of the full time in prison.  Don’t forget God in the waiting; continue to glorify His name trusting in His plan.  Trust in God despite all circumstances.

“You are oxygen on a late night drive, To clear my head when hope has passed me by, You are gravity when I’m upside down, You help me find my way back to the ground and this is why… You’re everything good, everything true, When all the world is fading, You’re everything new, You are my eyes, when I can’t see, When all the world is broken, You will always be Everything good, You are all I have, and all I need and all I am is what You’ve made of me…”  (Everything Good by Ashes Remain)

In love?

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”  (Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV)

Love creates a longing and desire for intimacy.  When in love, the other becomes focus above even one’s own needs.  Great desire fuels longing for the next conversation, next touch, and spending time in the presence of the one loved.  A positive flow of energy energizes thoughts until time is spent together.  The more the other is known, the desire to know is increased.  There is passion, emotion, and energy.  Love is a powerful emotion.

Jamie Grace, in her song, Hold Me sings of her strong love relationship with her Savior, “Well Ya, took my day and You flipped it around, Calmed the tidal wave and put my feet on the ground, Forever in my heart, always on my mind, It’s crazy how I think about You all of the time, And just when I think I’m bout to figure You out, You make me wanna sing and shout, Oo, I love the way You hold me, by my side You’ll always be, You take each and everyday, make it special in some way…”  Are you in love with your Savior?  Jesus loves you! He longs to spend time with you.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”  (Jeremiah 31: 3b NIV)

“In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May Your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in You.”  (Psalm 33:21-22 NIV)

Moment to spare?

“Then he prayed, “LORD, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” (Genesis 24:12-14 NIV)

In the book of Genesis, Abraham sends his servant out to get a wife for his son Isaac from his country. When arriving to Nahor, the servant prays the above prayer.  The servant is placing his faith and trust in God to make his journey a success as well he prays for his master (employer).  He is not placing his trust in his own ability, wisdom, or knowledge.  It takes humility to stop and pray, asking for help, knowing that God is the one that has all ability to create success.  If the servant ventured out on his own not taking the time to pray or ask for help, I wonder how different his journey would have become.

As you consider your life, your job, and all that is before you to accomplish, take a moment today to pray.  Ask Christ to help you so that He can provide all wisdom, knowledge and guidance for success.  As well, take a moment to pray for your supervisor(s), manager(s), and company that God will bring blessings.  How would things change if priority was given to always take a moment to pray?

“Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder… The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.” “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” (Genesis 24:15a, 17-19 NIV)

More than Conquerors

“Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her.  But once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.”  ~~Unknown Author

In claims, I can have two people that are near to identical incircumstances.  An injury occurs.  One person will recover quickly, while the other will become disabled for life with an ongoing decline in their condition.  For some, the motivating factor is financial which ultimately causes more harm than good.  For others, their life has been a series of unfortunate circumstances and the mere injury becomes the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ yet not really the ultimate cause.

The way that I respond to unfortunate circumstances is significant to the impact they will have on my life.  Do I allow the circumstances control? Or, do I see it as merely a small obstacle that my almighty powerful and loving Savior has allowed into my life and He is fully able to guide me, strengthen me, encourage me, transform me, and create something beautiful despite what Isee?

Allow Jesus to be your guide, showing you how to play the cards that He has chosen for your life.  God has a plan!  Jesus resurrected from the dead opening the pathway of eternal life for you and me.  He has conquered the world!  Through His presence residing in me, and as I lean to Him for guidance, I can have that same conquering spirit.  I am called to persevere at all times, even when it seems that the hour is dark.  Trust in Him!  We are more than conquerors!

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”  (Hebrews 10: 35-36NIV)

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 8:37-39 NIV)

So Unfair! Really?

In 8th grade, I had a teacher, Mr. Hoffman for geography.  He would not give any student an “A” absent the student performing a year end presentation successfully to the class.  Receiving any other grade did not require the extra effort.  And, making the attempt at the presentation did not guarantee the student receipt of the “A”grade.

There were limited students that made the attempt.  I was one of those students that greatly desired the A.  It was my first presentation.

The day of my presentation, I was extremely nervous.  I stumbled over my words.  My voice did not reach to the back of the room to be heard. I recall unable to stop my knees from shaking.  My visionary aides were not completed in clearness to be seen by my audience.

My attempt still did not earn me the “A” that I so desired.  My straight “A” average was tainted by a “B” despite the best efforts.  At the time, I thought this to be very unfair.  Today, I am extremely thankful for Mr. Hoffman and his stringent requirement.  He challenged me outside of my comfort zone.  The experience is ingrained to never be forgotten.

If it wasn’t for the challenges pushing me into unknown experiences creating great discomfort, I would still be the extremely shy little girl lacking confidence.  Is there something new in your life?  Do not fear! God is with you!  Allow Him to teach you, providing new experiences, so that you are able to grow into the person that He desires you to become.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

Restoring Presence

Is your day busy?  Are you overwhelmed?  Do you have worries?  Are you consumed?

Take a moment.  Breathe….  Close your eyes.  Be in the presence of God….

Allow the presence of Christ to bring rest to your soul by refocusing this moment.  He is very near!  He loves you!  He will guide you!  He will provide for all of your needs!  He will bring restoration to your soul as you spend time in His presence.

Do you have a moment to be with Jesus?  He is waiting.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’ssake.”  (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)

A New Year 2012

At the end of a year, I begin a process of reflection.  This process of reflection is good as it refocuses my mind, heart, and eyes on what is most important.  It begins with a process of prayer and asking, “God, whatcan I learn from the past year?  What do I desire to document and remember to never be forgotten?  What am I most thankful for?”

At the beginning of a New Year, I have the opportunity to refocus so that I can see Christ in all areas of my life.  This allows me to experience the love and presence of Christ in my life to a greater depth as I allow Him to truly give me eyes to see in the midst of all circumstances.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…  whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:6-8)