A Purpose Designed

Things in my life were changing. Changing unexpctedtly. The puzzel piece was being turned this way and that -- endeavoring to discover just where it would fit. The cloud of anxiety waited with bated breath -- threatening to squeeze out the life breath of joy in my soul.

It was then I found it. There it was -- right in my Bible reading for the day. A verse I had read many times before . . . but this time, the Holy Spirit took it to the very corner of my heart where it was needed. "For we are GOD'S workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS to do good works, which GOD prepared IN ADVANCE for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

What a thrilling and exciting thought! God had a designed purpose within His great big plan that He desired for me to fulfill. He had prepared it in advance -- before I was even born! All I had to do was fulfill His purpose. It wasn't up to me to design it.

I already loved Him. He had forgiven me, filled me with His Spirit, and I had surrendered all. Serving Him was what I loved to do, but now, it was time for a deepening trust.

When the day brings something different than we thought it would -- we can rest in Him. He knows right where we are, and is the Master at working things to enable us who love Him  in carrying out the designed purpose He has for us within His plan.

What a privilege to be a part of something so much bigger than us! The plan of Christ -- to save the world!Designed with a purpose -- and our Heavenly Fathr is the Master Designer!

Take it With You

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

The Care of the Shepherd

Not being raised in a third world country has certainly had its advantages, but in some ways I think it has held some disadvantages too. Don’t get me wrong. I am certainly thankful for EVERY blessing and privilege I’ve been given. However, one thing I would certainly love to see, I have never had the privilege of actually seeing. That is a “real live eastern shepherd” in action.

I have had the exciting privilege of feeding baby lambs from a bottle on a ranch in Montana – and loved it. There have been sheep on hillsides that have initiated an “ooo” and “ahh” response just by being sheep. But, as far as really seeing a ‘true blue” shepherd, in the truest sense of the word, my mind has had to be content with pictures, books, and imagination.

A simple call, and the sheep would come. Another could call, and they would not follow – why? Because they knew the true voice of their shepherd. How? They had lived obediently and consistently under his care. He knew where the greenest grass was – they could trust him for the coolest water. He knew his flock – and they knew him. What a beautiful picture.

However, sheep too at times possess a wandering streak. Whey they do it I have no idea. For some reason some other grass looks greener. Some other path will surely lead to clearer streams. Before they know it, they have found their way far from the flock – and away from the care of the shepherd.

The example of this in God’s Word gives us the response of the heart of a shepherd. Even though he has returned home for the night before he realizes one is missing, there is no doubt about what he will do. Securing the others he spends a sleepless night, calling, searching, until he finds the one who is lost.

Even then, the sheep knows the Shepherds voice. He can hear him calling, calling – longing for him to find his way back into the Shepherds arms. There isn’t a night too dark, a pathway to steep for the shepherd. He will find his lamb.

Christ is calling to each of us. He is the Great Shepherd – and all we like sheep have gone astray. But He, our Shepherd, seeks us. If you have wandered away like a restless sheep, even now His voice is calling – “come home, come home.”

Those of you in need of rest our Shepherd, Jesus, still holds out his promise, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Just as the shepherd knows each of his sheep, and cares for their needs, our Shepherd knows ours. He’s big enough to meet every need, cares enough to do it, and loves us more than we could ever imagine. Rest in Him today.

Take It with You

“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”        I Peter 2:24-25

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Listening

It was a beautiful Florida morning. After dropping my three oldest children off at school, I was driving home to complete the duties of the day. I turned out of the school and reached the first stop sign. I kept feeling impressed that I needed to turn around and go back to the school. “Lord, do I need to go back?”

The impression persisted, and although I couldn’t figure out why, I began turning my vehicle around and heading back to the school. As I turned, my eyes discovered the reason I was feeling so impressed. There sat their lunches – still in the van!

As I dropped off the lunches, I was sharing my story with a lady, when her words penetrated the consciousness of my soul. “You must be a really good listener,” she said. A really good listener. Wow! What a thought. That is certainly what I desire to be! A sensitive listener to the Holy Spirit, and ready to obey immediately whatever He is saying.

Awareness of His Presence always seems to prevail when I’ve taken time to be with Him. He is an ever present help. His Spirit is come to be our helper, our comfort, our guide. Hearing Him is the key. He can’t warn us of a pitfall if we aren’t taking time to listen. We can only revel in the embrace of His, “I love You” when we know He’s saying it to us.

The tentacles of busyness consistently threaten to wrap around us, squeezing out the sensitivity of our inner listening ears. Before we know it other sounds clamor for significance, and grab our attention – moving us away from the sensitive listening moments with our Lord.

He IS speaking! Yes, in our time, in our day – He is speaking – we just have to take the time to hear Him – to love the listening – to embrace obedience.

To hear your gentle whisper is the longing of my soul

To feel your love embrace, and fill my need to make me whole

“I dare not ask to choose my path” – You know the reason why

I only choose to hear Your voice, and take Your way – not mine.

Take It with You

“Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before GOD. GOD will pass by.” A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD, but GOD wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but GOD wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.” I Kings 19:11&12 (The Message)

Fullness or Fizz?

Once again I found myself pulling through the “drive-through” of an eating place with the “dollar menu.” As the window person handed me a drink, it wasn’t nearly full! They must have pulled it out from under the dispenser while the fizz was still foaming. It was low enough to ask them kindly to “fill it up please” which they had no problem doing. Their idea of “full” and my idea of “full” were definitely two different things!

Full. What does the word say to you? A full glass, a full tank of fuel, a full stomach . . . these are some of our earthly connotations of the word. But there is another “full” or “fullness” that is much more important in God’s economy. It’s when the workings of a season are complete, the coming together of a part of God’s designed plan, the day of expectancy turned into fulfillment – in the fullness of time.

Luke 1:57 tells us, “Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.” It was time for John. The centuries had passed, the seasons had come and gone and all was finally ready for John to come and prepare the way of the Lord. It was time in that she had expectantly carried Him within her womb for nine months – the day of birth had arrived.

In Mark 1:15, Jesus says, “. . . The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Messiah had come. He was come – in the flesh, here, on earth. The Kingdom of God had come at last to ALL who would receive Him.

Sometimes, as we are expectantly waiting for God to answer a prayer, meet a need, fulfill a promise it seems like He is taking sooooo long. Our souls are tried and tested as we develop patience and learn to endure. We think we want Him to hurry – just a little – but we really don’t. See, the Father alone knows the times and the seasons. (Acts 1:7) He knows when that particular “cup of time” is really full and things are really ready. We might see a drink “full including fizz” but it isn’t completely full – completely ready – until the Father says, “It’s time.”

Waiting on God is sometimes the “hardest work,” but waiting on Him is always worth it. So today – trust Him. He KNOWS the times and seasons. Knows when all is ready for fulfillment. Knows for us personally, as well as for the world events. Nothing surprises Him. He is well able to handle it. All will be fulfilled – in the fullness of time.

Take It with You

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time I Peter 5:6

Make it a Masterpiece

Good days, bad days, all the in between days – days that seem so short we barely see them – days that seem so long we count the hours, the minutes, the seconds just to get through them – all of these days have one thing in common – they will come to an end.

Time is a valued commodity we are given while here on earth. How valuable our use of the time given to us depends on where we place our priorities. The Psalmist sends up a prayer in Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

The brevity of life seems to make more of an impact the older we get. Do you ever find yourself thinking – “It seems like yesterday . . . “ only to look around and the growth of your children, or changing of some other circumstance reminds you it has actually been several years? Time doesn’t possess the quality of waiting. It steadily moves on, while we move within its framework, leaving behind us only marks in the measures which significantly reveal how we treasured the moments.

A few years ago, my husband and I took a day to spend with our children at the beach. It was wonderful! We didn’t even look at the watch – but watched them instead, thrilling in the beauty around us and the enjoyment of our children. We didn’t have a lot of money – and we only had ONE DAY! But you couldn’t buy the memories – and the rest did incredible things to refresh us.

The moments with the Master – those can’t be bought either. The early hours of hearing His, “I love you,” and letting Him know how much you love Him too! The time in His Word –listening for what He has to say, letting Him speak His truth into your soul, allowing His sweet, Holy Spirit to fill, to permeate, to saturate . . . definitely moments of value.

The times when His hand comes to strengthen – to rest upon the work you are doing for Him. To witness He sees the seed you are sowing – to know He can take care of the harvest He has sent you to gather . . . valued time – such valued time!

So, whatever this very day may bring, may our hearts remember -- each moment matters – let’s make it a masterpiece.

Take It with You

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90:12

Out of Bondage

Sometimes the path of life takes very unfamiliar twists and turns. It can remind us at times of a roller coaster ride . . . which, may I add, I have never learned to enjoy. But millions of people do! They laugh at the turns and scream with delight – and it seems like the farther the drop the better they like it.

Sometimes we are earnestly seeking God for something – and when the answer comes in HIS way and HIS time – at first we don’t recognize it. Sort of like the Israelites coming out of Egypt. For 400 years they had faced horrible slavery. Then, when God sends deliverance, they fail to trust Him for continued freedom, but at times wish for “Egypt!” The very place from which they longed for deliverance!

Knowing He is working ALL things for our good when we love Him and are called according to His purpose produces within us a steady trust which steadies us – even in the major ups and downs of life. Why would we fight to stay in bondage when He is holding out freedom to us? He is bringing answers to our prayers – we just have to keep on trusting – even when we cannot see.

There is an old hymn – written in the 1700’s by William Cowper which gives those with lives surrendered to Christ a marvelous “life perspective.” (These are only four of its verses – but so encouraging!)

God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,

and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

of never failing skill,

He treasures up his bright designs,

and works his sovereign will.

His purposes will ripen fast,

unfolding every hour;

the bud may have a bitter taste,

but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

and scan his work in vain;

God is his own interpreter,

and he will make it plain.

Don’t you love it?! GOD is the interpreter of all of this, and we can TRUST HIM to make it plain! In His way – which is so above ours. In His time – which is always best. He WILL make it plain.

Rejoice! He knows you! Rejoice! He sees you! Rejoice! He hears you. Rejoice – wherever you are – He is there too.

Take It with You

"And Moses said to the people; ‘Do not be afraid, Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.'”

Exodus 14:13

Valley Vision

Ezekiels “Valley Vision”


Did you know that sometimes God Himself leads us through the valley? He took Ezekiel to a valley. Oh, my goodness! It wasn’t a valley of beautiful streams and lush green grass either. Ezekiel 37:1 says, “The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.” Wow! I would certainly be very glad to know that it was the Spirit of the Lord that brought me to view such a place. Bones. A valley of dry bones.

However, in Ezekiel’s “valley vision,” we can learn some important lessons. First of all, God caused Ezekiel to take a very good look at the bones. Whatever the reason, Ezekiel knew that these bones were “very dry.” They didn’t have a spark of life left in them for sure. He also knew that there were a lot of them!(v.2) Then, God asked Ezekiel a question. He asked in verse three, “son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel knew one thing – only God knew the answer to that question. It wasn’t up to him whether these bones lived or not. He couldn’t do anything within himself to cause a miracle like that. So, he answered God, “O Lord God, You know.”

This faith in God’s “all knowing” character took Ezekiel to the next step. The step of obedience. Now, God simply told him what would happen and what to do. Ezekiel didn’t question. He didn’t say, “Well, if you will just show me one set of bones coming together, I’ll believe you for the rest.” God said – Ezekiel did.

Amazingly, following his obedience, Ezekiel began to witness results. First, he heard God bringing the bones together. Such a rattling – can you imagine? He heard from God, he believed God, he obeyed God, and then he began to see - to witness the muscle, flesh, and skin coming up over them – but they were still quiet, for there was no breath in them. Then, at the Word of God, breath came into them, and they LIVED. God performed the miracle and left him with some awesome words, “I will put My Spirit in you and you shall live . . .” v.14

While we know this was a vision for the nation of Israel receiving its life again, we also can take hope! Many times we look at the dead dry bones of our situations and wonder – “can these bones live?” Truly, sometimes only God knows. It is important that we trust Him and allow Him to do His work. If we try putting the bones back together ourselves, they won’t be put together as He desires. It would be like wiring them together with things that will rust and decay – temporal, earthly, fleshly “fixes.” When God puts them back together, it isn’t a temporary “band-aid” it’s a true healing! It is the continued faith walk – the continued trust, continued obedience that finds the wonder of results only God can perform. The breath of God’s Word breathing His life into our lives, situations, and circumstances causes our “dead bones” to live.

It isn’t what we can do, but what He can do within us, through us, and for us. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zech.4:6b

Written by: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take It With You

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Ezekiel 36:26,27