Trust on Every Terrain

Our heart rejoices in God because we trust in His holy name. – Psalm 33:21

What do you trust?  Who do you lean on?  Do you trust your family to have your back, your best friend to keep a secret, your neighbor with keys to your house?  Do you trust your retirement account?

Who and what we trust creates pathways we walk upon day after day. I don’t know about you but I’d like to walk down paths of peace, joy, love, and goodness.  If I could order up my paths of life like fast food, I’d order a smooth road, mountain top views, detours around the swamps, and sunny weather along the way.

Unfortunately, life is full of unexpected bumps and detours.  As you look back on 2016, was your road straight and smooth or was it curvy and tough?  I’m sure we all had times of both.  What I’ve come to know is who we trust in along our journey makes all the difference in the world.

As I look back on 2016, I see all the bumps in the road and realize without God’s help, I would have driven into the swamp and been stuck if I had not trusted in Him. 

When my job position changed and my Children’s Ministry door closed, confusion could have stolen my road map.  Instead God asked me to trust Him and He opened up more time for me to focus on the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Call.  Through this ministry, God has introduced me to wonderful women through Bible Study and online connections, dear women I now call friends.  Thank you God.

When our son struggled to graduate from high school, disappointment could have robbed me of all hope.  But God reminded me that His love and plans for our son is great and purposeful, therefore I could trust Him.  And sure enough, God led our son away from traditional education right into an innovative, entrepreneurial web development program, a perfect fit for his learning style.  Thank you God.

Whatever bumps you hit in 2016, I hope you can look back and see how trusting God moved you through them and led you further along in your faith journey.  It’s easy to trust God when life is predictable and comfortable.  But the real test of faith is: will we trust God from the trenches, when darkness surrounds us and disappointment dawns again?

The only way to increase our trust in God is to practice it daily.  We can strengthen our trust muscles just like we do our tricep muscles with push ups (my least favorite exercise ever). No matter what kind of roads we walk down in 2017, if we trust God to lead us and choose to walk by His side, then we will make it through any terrain and thank Him along the way. 

When we walk by faith not by sight, God will open new and exciting doors, teach us valuable lessons, and grant us joy, peace, love, and goodness in times when we least expect it.  Thank you God!

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

A Child of God

To all who receive Him, who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. – John 1:12

By far, my favorite family Christmas tradition is visiting the His Little Feet orphanage.  Each year, we trek an hour north to a small campus on a little lake in Windsor, CO that houses orphans from India, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Kenya.  The children are on tour for one year, singing, dancing and telling their stories in churches across America.  They bring the message of the gospel and show people why loving the most vulnerable children on this planet is God’s will on earth.

We arrive at His Little Feet with a carload of presents generously purchased by close friends and family. We surround their tree with gifts of baby dolls, matchbox cars, puzzles, games, and crafts.  We share a meal, play silly games, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus at the top of our lungs, and then stuff ourselves with cake and ice cream.  The ending of our time together is by far the most special part.

We then gather in the living room to watch the children sing Christmas songs.  This year, as embarrassing as it was, I sobbed tears of joy while the kids sang their new favorite song, No Longer Slaves. 

One of their leaders had shared with me over birthday cake a few minutes before that when the children first arrive in Colorado, the fear from their old lives often follows them.  Although safe in warm beds, many are wracked by night terrors.  The staff, however, have a brilliant battle plan to combat the enemy’s lies and fight the fear.  They pray over the children before bed, play quiet worship music, and teach them about their true identity.  Every child knows he or she is God’s beloved child.

I will never forget the night at His Little Feet when nineteen orphans belted out,

“From my mother’s womb, You have chosen me.  Love has called my name.  I’ve been born again into your family.  Your blood flows through my veins.  I’m no longer a slave to fear.  I AM A CHILD OF GOD!”

They don’t know their mothers, but they know God chose them for His family. They are not orphans in God’s sight, they are His beloved children. 

And so are you, dear one.  When you know your true identity, you can fight fear with God’s truth.  You are adopted into His family.  His blood flows through your veins. You are no longer a slave to fear, you are free because you are God’s child.  Walk in the inheritance you’ve been given today and every day. 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Bow Down and Worship the King

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. 

– Psalm 95:6-7

Growing up, I used to arrange our nativity scene so that the Wise Men stood next to the Shepherds in a ring around Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.  I knew the Wise Men had traveled a long way, so I just assumed that they arrived in time for Jesus’ birth.

I was wrong. 

In reality, their long journey would have taken them up to two years, so the Christ child they bowed down to looked more like a toddler than an infant in a manger.

Here are a few more facts about the Wise Men and Jesus’ birth that I found interesting.  As I listed them, I realized that each one points to an amazing Biblical truth.

• ·         Prophecy foretold the location of the Messiah’s birth hundreds of years before Jesus was born.  “Out of Bethlehem will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” (Micah 5:2) This scripture resided in all the land around Jerusalem after God’s people were sent into exile. While the Jewish people were in captivity, God’s word continued to spread throughout the land.  God’s word knows no boundaries. 

• ·         The manger scene in Bethlehem is not the first time Jesus shows up in scripture.  Jesus’ presence is found cover to cover from Genesis to Revelations. The whole Bible declares Jesus’ glory.

• ·        We don’t know exactly who the Wise Men were.  They could have been Jewish men anticipating the coming of the Messiah. They could have been astrologers studying ancient manuscripts  We do know that they came from different lands, symbolizing that Jesus came for the whole world, not just the people living in and around Jerusalem.

• ·         Each gift the Wise Men gave has significant meaning.  Gold was a gift for a King.  Incense was a treasure for deity.  And Myrrh was a burial spice given to foreshadow Jesus’ death.  Jesus was worthy of such treasures because He is God’s greatest gift ever given.  He is our King of Kings, God made flesh, and Savior.

Wisdom and understanding are gifts given to you by God when you search the scriptures and seek to know God more.  As 2016 comes to a close, look back and remember things God has shared with you this year.  Thank Him and continue to seek His endless wisdom.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Three Days and Counting

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

Let’s take a few precious moments, now three days before Christmas, to marvel at who and what we are about to celebrate.

A child, our Messiah, who was born with one mission: to save the world from its sins and reconcile all who would believe in Him with their Heavenly Father.

A son who was given.  He was blameless, sinless, and perfect, walking the earth to show us the way to closeness with God.  He modeled the greatest command: loving His father and others divinely.  

A ruler who was sent from heaven and all its glory to endure every temptation and trail for our sake.  His mercies flow every day because He understands our pain and suffering.  His timeless reign is reliable in every season of our lives.

A wonderful counselor who comforts, guides, helps, restores, and redeems us. He speaks to us through a still small voice, our circumstances, and other followers. Trust in His ways because they will lead you towards God’s will for your life. 

A mighty God who holds the whole world in His hands, yet still knows every hair upon your head.  His greatest desire is to be your one and only God and for you to be His adored child.  Look to Him for unstoppable strength, courage, and endurance to win every battle and run your race with perseverance and hope.

An everlasting father who loves every generation.  He waits for His sons and daughters to return and be restored into a right relationship with Him. When they finally turn back, He runs to them with arms wide open and celebrates, because His lost child has been found.  He promises to never leave or forsake you.

A prince of peace who desires to walk beside you through the peaks and valleys of your life. There is power in His name to calm any storm and move any obstacle.  Cling to Him and He will keep you walking in the right direction.

Which description in Jesus’ Birth Announcement above impacts you the most?  Which of His names are most important to you at this point in your faith journey?  It’s a perfect time to thank God for Jesus, His greatest gift given to us on the very first Christmas night. 

Please pray with me:

Thank you God for giving me your son, Your one and only child.  I invite Jesus to rule and reign in my heart.  Wonderful Counselor, please speak to me and guide me.  I am so grateful that Your mighty power is greater in me than anything in this world.  Heavenly Father, thank you for never giving up on me.  I need your everlasting love each and every day.  I will follow You, Prince of Peace, lead me on into the good plans you have for me.

In Jesus’ Powerful Name I Pray,

Amen

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Making Room

Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn. – Luke 2:7

Everywhere we look these days, there are signs of Christmas.  Yesterday, a referee at my daughter’s indoor soccer game wore a Santa hat, Costco played Christmas music overhead, and an Uber car passed me on the highway with Christmas lights strung up throughout the backseat.  My town, listed as one of the least religious towns in the nation, even has a huge star lit up on a mountainside. Every night between Thanksgiving and Christmas, cars line the narrow road because hiking up to the “Star” is a yearly tradition for many families and friends.

With all these colorful and exciting signs of Christmas, I find it amazing that the words, “Happy Holidays” have all but replaced “Merry Christmas!” Have you noticed that too?

I thought I’d test my holiday hunch with an experiment.  Everywhere I went, I either greeted or said good-bye to everyone I met by wishing them a “Merry Christmas!”  These are some of the responses I received back.

• “Yah, you too.” (eyes focused on the ground – restaurant employee)
• “Ok.” (uncomfortable look on his face - soccer dad)
• “Happy Holidays to you too!” (gas station worker)
• “I don’t feel very merry right now.” (parent of a teammate)
• “I’ll be happy when the season is over.” (Costco clerk)
• “Merry Christmas to you too!” (pizza delivery driver – the only “Merry Christmas I got back)

My Christmas experiment reminded me of last Sunday.  I sat on the floor with a circle of elementary school boys at church and asked them why they celebrated Christmas in their homes.  The most popular responses were to open the presents that were piling up, to see the grandparents and cousins were coming over, and that “it’s super fun to stay up late over break.”  It wasn’t until I prompted them by asking, “Whose birthday are we celebrating at Christmas?” that they mentioned Jesus. 

For the past few days, my heart has ached a little because it seems as if Jesus is an afterthought of Christmas for so many people today.

My mind flashed to the innkeeper in Bethlehem who didn’t have room for Mary, Joseph, or baby Jesus.  He placed them out back in a stable.  That smelly, dirty, lowly stable was the birth place of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Jesus was overlooked from the beginning and He still is today.

Just imagine if the Innkeeper had made room for Jesus.  He would have gotten to know Mary and Joseph intimately and could have held the newborn Savior.  He would have witnessed the shepherds’ stories of angels proclaiming the birth of our long awaited Messiah firsthand.  Instead, the Innkeeper made no room and missed out on the greatest event in Bethlehem’s history.  

Can you relate to the Innkeeper?  Is your mind and calendar filled with busyness and hustle bustle while Jesus is simply an afterthought, pushed back, or forgotten?

It’s not too late to make room for Jesus.  He longs to be in the center of your life.  Jesus desires to be on your mind when you first wake up in the morning, to walk with you hand in hand throughout your day, and be close to you as you prepare for Christmas. His love, peace, and joy is available all day and night long. 

Will you make room for Jesus in your heart and mind this year?  Will you set aside time to read His birth story and pray in thanksgiving?  When you do, your relationship with Jesus will be enriched and you will create treasured memories of Christmas 2016.  

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Faith Trounces Fear

Do not be afraid, for I am with you.  Do not be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

How many times have you let fear stop you from stepping out in faith? If you’re like me, fear has stopped you in your tracks too many times to count.  

Fear stands in opposition of faith. It keeps us stuck in place when God says move.  Fear discourages us when faith calls on us to be courageous. Which will you choose, fear or faith?

Let’s step into the shoes of the shepherds near Bethlehem the night Jesus was born and see what they did in the face of fear by reading Luke 2:8-20, paraphrased into story form.

There were shepherds lying in a grassy meadow watching their sheep sleep at night. Stars twinkled overhead as a calm breeze blew.  Perfect peace settled around them as their eyelids grew heavy.  Then, without warning, a bright light flashed.  An angel of the Lord appeared saying, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good new of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in Bethlehem the long awaited Messiah has been born.  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager.”  Suddenly the entire sky filled with a heavenly host of angels singing glory to God in the highest. The shepherds stood in awe and wonder listening to the chorus singing of peace, joy, and love.  The angels disappeared as quickly as they came, again it was calm, quiet, and still.  But the shepherds shook with fear and excitement.  Their eyes locked together and they agreed to leave immediately in search of the newborn child.  As they hurried off, each one pondered if the Messiah, sent to save the world, would really want to meet them.  They were lowly shepherds, uneducated, young, and poor.  Fear of rejection kept them in place, but faith and hope called them to move ahead and meet their Savior face to face.  Faith led them on until their feet stopped in front of the manager where a baby boy lay sweetly in the hay.  Once again the glory of God shone around them.  Fear long forgotten as their hearts overflowed with more peace, joy, and love than one heart can hold.  

Christmas calls you, like the shepherds, to stand in awe of God’s greatest gift.  Fear of rejection will taunt you by telling you that you’re not really important to God.  Fear will also distract you, pointing you to things not really important to Him.  But faith will call you to be still, calm, and remember that God is near and His love is real.  

Let Jesus’ bright light startle you wide awake, just as it woke the shepherds from their slumber.  Let Jesus’ birth story and God’s miraculous signs and wonders encourage you to follow faith instead of fear, because God’s powerful presence will be near.   

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Stand Firm, Part 2

“Rejoice in the Lord, always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!” - Phil. 4:4

Paul wrote these words of encouragement to the people who started the first church in Philippi. Knowing how difficult it would be for them to stand firm in their faith, he shared a six-part battle plan with them in the verses that followed.  

His plan is timeless, and is just as useful to us today as it was two thousand years ago. 

Standing Firm - Battle Plan to Fight Worry: (Philippians 4: 4-10)

• Rejoice! - When worry strikes, immediately rejoice that God is with you and for you.  On God’s team, you always have something to rejoice about.

• Be Gentle – Let your gentleness be evident to all. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide in every situation.  Seek to understand, not to convince or seek revenge.  Be slow to anger and lovingly listen. Follow Jesus’ example.

• Pray - Cast all your cares on Jesus because He cares for you.  Give your burdens to Him because He promises to lighten your load and carry them alongside you. When worry strikes, position your heart immediately to pray.

• Ask for Help & Give Thanks – Give God thanks in advance. His will and His ways are best for you.  You were never meant to go the road of faith alone.  Ask Jesus to guide your steps and thank Him for His amazing plans.

• Think Right – If your thoughts are not true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable or excellent, then your mind is not aligned with Jesus’ spirit.  Take each thought captive and question its truth.  With God, bad thoughts can be replaced with good ones.  

• Practice Your Faith Daily - Follow Jesus’ teachings and truths.  Let the word of God spur you on to run the race God has marked out for you.  Be awake to His promptings and obey when God says, “Go!”

Yes, these six steps help us to stand firm in our faith, but let’s be real.  When life gets complicated, or relationships become challenging, it’s common to forget God and fall asleep in our faith.  That’s why we have to look to Jesus’ promises not our own abilities.  He promises to:

• Be the author and the perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  
• Be always on guard of our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:7).

That’s it!  We can stand firm because Jesus is always standing guard!  

As He walks with us, our paths become straight and our feet hit smooth ground.  Worry wanes and peace prevails. Our great guard is always on duty.  That’s reason enough to Rejoice!  Let’s say it again: Rejoice!  

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

The Battle Plan to Stand Firm

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

Worry and I have spent way too much time together over the past two years.  Worry wakes me up at night to taunt me about my teenagers or remind me what I didn’t accomplish.  Worry also distracts me during the day by rehashing past conversations that didn’t go well or projecting possible future failures.

Recently, I decided to go to war against Worry.  I wanted to share with you my Battle Plan in hopes that you will be ready to fight against Worry when it shows up uninvited in your heart and mind.  Over the next couple of blogs, I’ll send you the Battle Plan.  Stand and fight with me!

Standing Firm - Battle Plan to Fight Worry:

• Pray – When worry enters into your heart or mind, let it be an alarm sounding in your soul reminding you to go to God immediately in prayer.  Whatever the concerns, give them all to God first.  

1Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 

• Give Thanks – A thankful heart is key to fighting against Worry. Look to God’s goodness, mercy, grace, and unending love, then start counting your blessings.  Every good gift you have is from your Heavenly Father. If you need help to get started, just start with the alphabet and thank God A to Z for the good in your life or His awesome goodness. 

Psalm 100:2, 4 – Enter His presence with joyful singing! Give thanks to Him and praise His name.  

• Fix Your Eyes on Jesus – When Worry tries to take you captive, turn to Jesus and follow His lead instead.  Walk as He walked, talk as He talked, and ask His Holy Spirit to be your guide. Whatever the Worry may be, God can use it to prepare you for His great plans. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.  

These days while I’m waging War against Worry, my 3pm alarm goes off with God’s truth appearing as a message written personally for me.  You can write your own and have it repeated every day.

This is one example of a Stand Firm 3pm Prayer:

“Jesus, I give you my worries. Thank You for taking them ALL.  Fill me with your peace so I can run the race you have marked out for me. I will follow you.  Lead me on.”

I truly believe we all need our Wake Up Call from God each and every day to fight our good fight of faith.  Whatever war you’re fighting, set a personal message for yourself on your phone, so when the day is in full swing the alarm can snap out of it and help you stand firm in your faith.  

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Walk and Talk With God

Jesus said, “Anytime you ask for anything in prayer, believe you have received it.” – Mark 11:24

This time of year, I’d be absolutely lost without my to-do list. I’d pick up kids at the wrong time (if at all), miss important meetings, and never even make it to the Post Office.

Last week, I wrote at the top of my to-do list: Walk and Talk with God, then shoved it in my front pocket.  Later that day, I pulled out the list to see if I could check anything off. (Because checking things off is the best part of lists!)  I could check off a lot, but not my “God time.”  It had taken a back seat to a lot of meaningless busyness. 

My 3O’Clock alarm taught me years ago how vitally important it is to pray to God every day.  Some days, I invite Jesus into the mess.  Other days, I call out for help.  On the good days, I share my overwhelming gratitude because I’ve experienced His presence and power in an amazing way.  

What started out as a one-way prayer to God has now become an ongoing conversation throughout my day.  I used to run ahead of God, then turn back and ask Him to bless my path.  Now, I rely on His guidance before I make a big decision. I have learned the hard way that trusting God is the best way.  

In the past, I only looked at the desires of my heart.  That’s sure a recipe for disaster.  Thankfully, now I look to God’s word as the lamp to my feet (Psalm 119:105). I trust in God’s promise that He has great plans in store for all of us.  Plans to give us hope and a future (Jer. 29:11). I’m often reminded when my trust wavers that nothing is impossible for God because He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). All we need to do is ask and believe (Mark 11:24).

That’s easier said then done, isn’t it? 

That’s why I have to add Walk and Talk with God to my to-do list.  If I don’t prioritize it, it won’t happen.  I challenge you to do the same.  God wants to spend time with us as we race towards Christmas. “Come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:8).

Close to Him is where we experience amazing peace! 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Regifting

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed. – 2 Timothy 4:17

Think of a time when God gave you the strength to endure an awful experience, walk through uncharted territory, or get back up again after being knocked down. Thankfully, in God’s strength, you made it through.  

Wouldn’t you love to give God a Christmas present this year to show your thankfulness?  Maybe you can, if you’ll be courageous.  Paul was a great man of faith who modeled courage for us.  Let’s follow is his footsteps this Christmas season.

Just imagine what Paul must have been feeling when he was in prison waiting to be executed.  With his hands and feet in shackles, he penned powerful Bible verses to his mentee, Timothy.  The first three words of 2 Timothy 4:17 (above), “But the Lord”, make all the difference in the world.  

Here are three modern day faith stories (all true) similar to Paul’s to spur you on to write your own.

She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but the Lord comforted her, so she boldly shared her faith in Jesus with doctors, nurses, and visitors in the hospital. All who knew her, witnessed her “fighting the good fight of faith,” every step of the way to heaven.

She suffered from an eating disorder throughout high school, but the Lord healed her and called her to share her story with teens struggling with anoxia and bulimia. She is amazed how God has taken the scariest part of her life and is now using it to help others. 

She worried day and night about her wayward son, but the Lord came close and whispered to trust Him.  So now when worry comes back for a visit, she’s reminded to go to God first and give Him all her concerns, because He truly cares.  While she’s trusting and praying, she kicks worry out the door.

What is one of your faith stories?  It could be as short as two or three sentences?  Has the Lord rescued you, restored a relationship, or carried you through a challenging season of your life?  These are precious times that can highlight God’s promises and power. 

This Christmas, you will gather together with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to toast, eat and share in all the celebrations.  Is God nudging you to share your faith?  

It takes courage, but can be as simple as, “I was _________, but the Lord ______________.  Therefore, I am incredibly thankful to celebrate the birth of Jesus this year!”

Never forget, your treasured encounters with God cannot be disputed, because you lived them.  You felt the hand of God when He entered into your darkness.  You experienced God’s comfort when He came close.  He changed whole parts of your life by His love, mercy, and goodness.  

Always remember, your faith stories are free gifts from God. Will you be brave and give them away this Christmas?  When you do, you are re-gifting them to God with a big note on top that reads, “Thank you!” 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Are You Ready?

May the LORD make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. 
– 1 Timothy 3:12

Are you ready for Christmas: tree up, cards signed, and gifts ready to wrap?  If not, don’t feel bad.  I’m sure you’re way ahead of me.  Just this morning, I picked up the soggy Halloween pumpkin from our front porch and launched it into the compost pile. Upon landing, it collapsed into a flat, gooey heap of orange mess.  I could relate.  This time of year, with holiday pressures squeezing me from all sides, I too feel flattened into a hot mess.  

Why does December seem to move faster than all the other months?  I’m especially far behind this year.  Except for a few cards from my high-functioning friends, my house has no sign of Christmas. My list of things to do, people to connect with, and places to go gets longer every day.  I plopped down on the couch this morning and wondered “where is the love, peace, and joy the season?  Where is God in the midst of our dizzy December days?”

My first thoughts were critical.  As soon as the Laura bashing began, I began to pray.  Immediately, in God’s presence, I felt the love and reassurance I desperately needed.  I reached my hands out, with palms up, and confessed that I had too much to do and asked God what I needed to prioritize.

As I exhaled and waited for the Lord to direct my day, one word came to mind: LOVE.  

Think about that for a minute.  What if we were to focus our distracted hands and minds on love?  

I picked up my long list of Christmas chores and circled what would increase love in my life.  I moved visiting a friend who just had surgery to the top. Next came taking my daughter out for dinner, then finishing my Bible Study.  That means the Christmas decorations won’t come out for another week and our Christmas cards might arrive in 2017.  But that’s ok because by prioritizing love, God brought peace into my heart.  Bonus love and peace!

Then John 3:16 came to mind.  I’ve known this verse since I was a child: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Just last week I heard David Platt, author of the book, Radical, explain how “radical” is was for Jesus to speak those words. 

Up until then, God’s people had been the Israelites.  God loved, protected, and guided them. They were His children.  The notion that God loved those outside of the Jewish Nation as well was unheard of.  This message of inclusion resonated with God’s people.  His love went viral when He sent Jesus to earth.  

Christmas is when God began His divine rescue mission, a great work on earth that He will be faithful to complete.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul is praying for Timothy and the people of Thessalonica; for their love to grow and overflow onto one another.  That is my prayer for all of us during this Christmas season.

Heavenly Father,

Awaken our hearts to Your boundless love. 

Fill our hearts with a love that overflows onto others.

This Christmas, may we remember Your love and prioritize love every day.

In Jesus’ Name I Pray, 

Amen 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Swimmin' Upstream

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. – Colossians 4:2

My Bible Study has been studying 2 Timothy for the past six weeks.  Many of us were struck when we got to this passage: 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. 

I asked the “wisest” women in the room; those in their fifties, sixties, and beyond, to compare the American culture of their twenties to that of today.  Each one felt that we have degenerated from something better into the character traits above.  When I asked them which traits seem to be increasing the most, they singled out “ungrateful” and “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

As we prayed for our culture, our communities, and our children, it hit me how difficult it must be growing up in America today.  It must feel like swimming upstream for young people to profess a faith in and follow Jesus.  They’re constantly paddling against the currents of our culture. 

When the world’s currents become class V rapids, and you’re feeling swept away, stop and pray.  God is listening to our cries for help.  He is available in any crisis, chaos, conflict, or calamity. 

As the world screams, “Live freely, you are the master of your own destiny,” do just the opposite and pray.  Prayer humbles you to your right place in God’s kingdom.  Prayer says, “God, I know You are in control and I know You care about me.”

Prayer bends our knees and turns our hearts to humility and trust.  Prayer summons God’s presence.  And prayer invites God’s power to activate in us and move mountains around us.  As you pray, here are a few reminders to place in your heart.

P – Press on in faith. (Belief)

R – Rely on God’s Word. (Bible)

A – Ask Jesus for your daily needs. (Bread)

Y – Yield your heart to thanksgiving. (Blessings)

There is power in prayer!  Prayer ignites a far greater power within you than any power available in this world.  So grab your life vest, jump in the Jesus boat, and let’s row upstream together.     

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

It Takes Practice

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What if I asked you to run a marathon with me next Sunday?  What would you say to 26.2 miles in Boulder, Colorado at 5,280 feet of elevation? Hopefully “no,” because I don’t think I could make it to the finish line, even if you gave me 24 hours.  Why not?  Because I haven’t trained or practiced for the race.

Practice is at the front of my brain these days because our youngest daughter started playing basketball for the first time.  Every day when I drive her to practice, she doesn’t want to get out of the car and go into the gym because everything is new and challenging.  She’d rather stay and tell me how she can’t dribble or shoot or score.  I lovingly shove her out of the car and say “That’s why you’re going to practice.”

(It doesn’t help that she’s thirteen.  Her face is pimply, her teeth hurt from braces, and her lanky body trips and falls unpredictably.  Aren’t you so thankful middle school is only once in your life?)

No coach would put a team on the field without practicing.  No comedian would step on a stage without rehearsing. No teenage driver would show up to take their driver’s license test without practice.  Right?  What would happen it they did?  Failure, for sure.  So why do we rush through life without practicing Biblical principles that strengthen our faith?  When unknown or challenging times come our way, why do we panic instead of praise, complain instead of standing confidently, or worry instead of worship?  

Because we need more practice.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, clearly tells us to do three things – Praise, Pray and Give Thanks.  When we stop at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, look up to God and thank Him, we are practicing this truth from God in its’ entirety.  Great job team! 

Running our race of faith is like a marathon.  Life with God is a long road with many hills- sometimes you go up, sometimes you go down.  Storms bring unexpected challenges and detours can be expected.  Doesn’t it make sense to practice our faith daily so we’ll be stronger in our race? And remember, this race has eternal rewards far greater than any team trophy or marathon medal.   

So let’s get to practice, praise and thank God Today in Prayer.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement