Numero Uno

It seems as though I have broken 2010 rule numero uno! I have been ignoring God in a big way over the past 2 months... It just took a loving friend to point it out.

Here's hoping maybe He didn't notice... oh alright... of course He noticed. HARUMPH!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

Luke 1:45

Unashamed

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!

by a young African pastor

Found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him 

as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, 

in order to make your hope sure. 

Hebrews 6:10-11 

in rilievo

 

Have you ever watched a symphony? From the triangle to the tuba every instrument has its own unique part. A time to play and a time to be quiet. A time to be soft and a time to be loud.  A time to be fast and a time to play slow. However without the conductor to direct them all it would sound like nothing more than just a loud noise rather than a brilliant masterpiece.

This is the perfect example of what God desires our relationship to be with Him. He wants to direct us. If we don't follow His timing our masterpiece will a mess.

As I look back at the past few days, weeks, months and years I can see how even the smallest, most mundane things were all a part of His plan. I am so relieved that God orchestrates every part of our lives, every decision we make is an opportunity to follow Him.

I want to be a beautiful instrument to be used for His will. Guide me and direct me Maestro!

My heart is steadfast, O God;

I will sing and make music with all my soul. 

Psalm 108:1

in rilievo

adverb 

1. (music) The musical notation that indicates that a particular instrument to play slightly louder than the others so as to stand out over the ensemble; in relief.

Etymology: Borrowed from Italian , meaning "in relief"

The Nerf Bat

I started out this year with one goal in mind... to listen to God and not argue. If only I knew what I was in for! 

The Lord came and stood there calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." 

1 Samuel 3:10 

I have been looking back at the past 8 months and it has become so obvious to me that when we do exactly that... listen no matter how hard it may be... God truly blesses you for it. 

The one thing that has amazed me is that it has been so easy! This is the relationship that God has been wanting with me for so long. I thought it would be so hard... and at times it was... until I listened and did as He asked. Then He blessed me for it! 

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 

Luke 16:10

I have also found that when you listen... I mean really listen... He does speak to you... and most of the time it is the obvious! I call these my "Nerf bat" moments. You know what I'm talking about... those silly foam bats that you can hit each other with... they don't really hurt or leave a mark... but you know you've been hit. Well, God has hit me over the head a few times with the Nerf bat in the last few months. I can just imagine Him saying "Are you listening? Yes, that is really what I am telling you... " It didn't hurt, it just got my attention. 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

John 10:27

And so my walk continues... walking with God, not against Him. Listening, not arguing. Trusting, not controlling.