WHEN you lift the son of Man

So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me". John 8:28

***

Earlier this year a friend and I were attending a Bible Study on the Book of John. We read through chapter 8. At verse 28, she paused, clearly awed and then re-read the line. As she read the words again, it touched me the same as my friend.

She and I began attending church together about ten years ago. However, it wasn't until the last few years that both of us have grown to have a personal relationship with our Lord. Church attendance, Bible Study, and participating in activities helps us mature. However, it is our personal relationships with our Lord that means the most to each of us and brings about the most changes in our lives.

If you imagine lifting Jesus, you would not be able to hold or even look at anything else in your life while you are carrying his cross. Our reality is not much different. In our day to day, we must touch him more than anything else no matter who we are with or where we go. Even if it means that we have to let something else go in order to hold onto him. Being intentional and making our position, as close to God as possible, is how we come to know him personally and understand who he really is. 

WHEN YOU LIFT the Son of man THEN you will know....

***

Prayer: Father God I prayer for each of us on our walks. Whether or not we feel like we know you, you can take us deeper and help us draw closer in any area. I pray that you turn each of our hearts that much closer to you. I pray that you cover us in protection and in holiness. Let everything we see and know go first through the filter of you.


Submitted to the Upper Room.

Tuesday Challenge #35 | Wait

This week's challenge: Practice waiting. Make time to stop and sit outside somewhere at least 3 days this week for a minimum of fifteen minutes. No phone. No book. No agenda. Just keep your mind on God as you take in your surroundings and wait on him. 

When things are a little too hectic and you feel like you can't step away, think of this week's verse. Consider this time away as an offering or fast to him. You can do it. :)

Scripture for the week: Commit to the in the Lord and HE will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Picture Credit [then modified]: http://www.superbwallpapers.com/nature/sunrise-over-the-mountains-14501/

Trust in the Lord

Do you ever get to that point where life is just too much? The regular day in and day out has so many tasks on its own. Add to it extracurricular activities, family changes, job changes, sickness, special projects and hobbies and the next thing you know, life starts spilling over... If you are passionate about any of it, or if you are a worrier or a perfectionist, you may easily wear yourself out trying to keep up with it all so that nothing is left undone. You are not alone.

It is so easy for us to take scripture and think that we are doing the Godliest thing by trying to do it all and do our best at every bit of it. I mean after all, cleanliness is Godliness, right? And whatever we do, we should do it will ALL of our heart as if we are working for the Lord, right? We show love by helping others and Godly women [and men] aren't idle are they?

Well... maybe.

This last year has had me on overload as well. The more that things changed, the faster the pendulum of time seemed to pick up momentum. And for some reason the faster it went, the harder I tried to hang on. Until I felt caught between the throws of back and forth and could hold on no longer. The only solution in sight was to quit something. ...Several somethings actually. So I did!

I might touch on all of them another time but the next thing that I knew, I found myself in Target test driving lawn chairs. I am serious when I tell you that I opened every single one to make sure that the one that I bought was a good one. (I highly recommend this, by the way. That is, if you’re looking for lawn chairs.) 

Then I set a goal to stop for at least FIFTEEN minutes, THREE times a week on the way home, BEFORE picking up kids; just so that I could sit and practice waiting. (I mean it, no cell phone, no book and not even really praying. In fact, I try not to even think! I just sit and wait as if I've got all day and I enjoy the view!)

After all, the Bible says that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, right? You and I are not meant to be responsible for it all (or to be multi-task-aholics)! While I know that truth, I seem to find myself repeatedly caught up in the “hurry”. Never being bored. Never driving below the speed limit. Never waiting. Period. Everything feels so urgent.

Since I’ve started stopping with the lawn chair, I’ve caught some amazing skies and landscapes (although my smart phone doesn’t do it justice). But do you know what else? The “time out” is working. The “high emotion” is taming. I am able to see a little more clearly. Allowing myself to pause even when there is no real time to do it, is building a deeper pause within.

I’m sure that having such an obvious physical reminder (like a lawn chair) might seem showy or weird. But if you look at our examples in the Bible, Moredecai wore sackcloth and ashes; Jacob built an altar; Joshua laid stones. In fact, even in communion, we partake in bread and wine as a physical acknowledgement of a spiritual change or reminder. Because you and I need that reminder, lest we forget again.

I need to practice sitting in that chair to remind me that I should be letting things go elsewhere too! While I practice sitting longer and how to apply this in every area of my life not just on the side of the road for a few minutes; I am seeing an immediate improvement!

There is a little verse in Proverbs 16:3 that says “Commit to the in the Lord and HE will establish your plans.” The more we run with the plan or list, the more that plan seems to grow. Allowing yourself to stop and sit, displays a trust that the Lord is capable of helping you work this thing out! 

Re-read that last line again.

I didn’t catch that tidbit until I was willing to wait! "Allowing yourself to stop and sit, displays a trust that the Lord is capable of helping you work this thing out!" If that's not convicting enough, consider how that might affect your worship. Sometimes being willing to let go and let God be the one who handles it, might very well be the best form of worship that we can offer. That list or circumstance that is consuming you is not meant to get all of your words and thoughts and attention. BAM! Right?

Your welcome! haha.

Oh and as it turns out "Cleanliness being Godliness" isn't even in the bible... Whew!!!

Have a beautiful day giving it to God this morning! 

~~~~~

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

Tuesday Challenge #34 | Encourage

This week's challenge: Write a letter of encouragement to someone. Highlight a person's strengths or the things that you love about them. Explain how or why this person touches you. You may want to include a personal, "little something" to add your twist to it, and/or include a prayer or scripture or even invite them to church. -After all, the Holy Spirit is our greatest encourager!


Scripture for the week: Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. -Romans 15:2-4

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Picture Credit [then modified]: http://www.superbwallpapers.com/nature/sunrise-over-the-mountains-14501/

Tuesday Challenge # 33 | Creation

While away on a business trip, I looked up museums to visit in my spare time. There was a small Creation Museum not far from my hotel. I knew that I had to visit it before I left. So, a co-worker and I went together before catching our flight back home. 

As soon as we entered the building, we began a one on one tour with a volunteer who walked us through every exhibit, explaining bible passages and history. We talked about Genesis, the ice age, the flood, fossils, cave men, and dinosaurs, etc.

Did you know that the word "Dinosaur" wasn't even coined until the 1800's? That is long after our Book of Life was written. It's no wonder it wasn't included!  What you will see instead are Leviathan, Behemoth, Tanniyn (Hebrew/Greek word), Dragon & Serpent. 

Behemoth – Job 40:15-24
Leviathan/Livyathan  - Job 41:1-34, Psalm 104:25- 26 and Isaiah27:1
Tanniyn - Greek/Hebrew Definition - tannı̂yn / tannı̂ym - Variations of Tanniyn occurs 28 times in the Bible and is normally translated “dragon.” It is also translated “serpent,” “sea monster,” “dinosaur,” “great creature,” and “reptile".

Dragon/Serpent – In the New Testament the word "dragon" is found only (but throughout) in the book of Revelation and is there used metaphorically of "Satan."

For more information about Dinosaurs, you might like this site.


My favorite exhibit was about the Flood. There was a lot of good information about the ark and the animals but also the fossils that have been found.

Anyway, it was a really great experience and these museums have a ton of resources that can keep you going deeper when you get back home.

For This Week's Challenge you can do one or both of the following:

1. Plan on attending a creation museum. They are not all owned by the same people, so attend more than one if you like. I hear there is a great one in Kentucky! If you do not live near one, consider when you might be going on vacation and look up creation museums either on your way or near your destination!

2. If you're not planning on traveling anytime soon, poke around on this site Answers In Genesis. If you have a question about something, type it in there and get a little history lesson now. :)

This week's verse: The anchor verse for this site seems like such a great one for this challenge. "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." - Psalm 119:130

Simply taking the time to open up God's word and ask the questions can get you the answers that you need. If not, there are resources that can help you go deeper on your journey. It is often simple little things that hold us back. Why not shed some light on it now. :)

(Me holding a Madagascar cockroach from one of the exhibits.)

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Picture Credit [then modified]: Superbwallpapers.com

Tuesday Challenge #32 | Scripture

Last week you had to include God in your conversations. This week, you need to incorporate a scripture! How much more can we glorify him than by including his own word?! 

If you're not used to doing this, it might feel awkward at first. You might even find that as soon as you get the opportunity to do it, the conversation is over. Don't let the Devil condemn you for that. There will be another conversation.  If you're not sure how to start it, you can talk about this challenge and let it pave the way. Then you can explain what the verse you're sharing means to you!

This week's verse: How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! -Psalm 119:103

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Very Much Alive

Updated: 9/14/15

I have a ton of posts started in my head and on my heart. Some of them are even dividing out into separate bubbles on paper. BUT they are almost too big to flesh out with so little time. Each time I try, I wind up stuck. I guess that it's not his time yet.

In a different stroke, I've come across several small verses lately that make me want to stop and just share it right then. So, I think that I will start trying something new. :)

Here is the one for this morning:

Don't you just love that?!  

As NEW creations, we need to remind ourselves of Jesus. [Reading the word, meditating later.]

His death. His life. The power [and why] behind both. 

He lived to spread the word of God. He died so that the Holy Spirit could live within us and give us power. After giving our own lives to Christ, we receive power that includes: courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability and authority.

Reflecting on him will renew our strength so that we can withstand temptation. Pausing to consider his choice will also help us decide when we are also faced with our own decisions, reactions and emotions.

Let me share this another way...

The next time that you are tempted to say, "Well, I am only human..." remember that Jesus was also human. We have the same power available to us that he had available to him. Living in Christ doesn't mean that we are no longer tempted or that we no longer have "bad days." It doesn't even mean that we don't have the same feelings that we used to have. 

This passage reminds us that we [and our fleshly side of us] is still VERY MUCH ALIVE. But we CHOOSE to give that part of ourselves over to the one that has already redeemed us because HE IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE as well!

And IF we have been redeemed and IF we can be redeemed again in the next two minutes and again after that, shouldn't we be JOYFUL and FULL OF PRAISE and THANKSGIVING. Thus, reflecting all that is new within us?!?!

Thankfully, there is no “IF” in what Christ can do! Let go of your old self this morning. His newness starts right now! What a cause to celebrate! Hallelujah!

Prayer: God I thank you for your wondrous works and the power that you extend to me. Show me how to let YOU be the one that LIVES in my life! If I slip, help me die to the moment of condemnation. So that I can continue in the new life and promise(s) that you never stop extending. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the goodness that you bring forth! <3

Verse: We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. -2 Corinthians 4:10-11

Tuesday Challenge #31 | Glory to God

This Week's Challenge: Figure out how to work God into at least one conversation each day this week. If you already do this, hooray, now find a way to up it a level. ;) 

If you're not used to doing this, it might feel awkward at first. You might even find that as soon as you get the opportunity to do it, the conversation is over. Don't let the Devil condemn you for that. There will be another conversation.  If you're not sure how to start it, you can talk about this challenge and let it pave the way.

It always helps to pray first and ask to keep your ears open for the opportunity. The verse below is a great one to include in that prayer!

This week's verse: Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. -Psalm 51:15

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Picture Credit [then modified]: Superbwallpapers.com