He Knows

⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3

I and my husband have been doing an amazingly eye-opening Bible study this week by John Ortberg entitled "All the Places to Go".  It deals with the open doors that God presents to us each day and the choices we make when He does.  Pastor Ortberg shared Rev. 3:8 early on and it has made a lasting impression on me for only now has this scripture, which I have read numerous times, actually penetrated my heart in a personal way.  And that's exactly what I love about the Word of God for it is living and applicable to my life TODAY and it was written thousands of years ago!  

God knows our deeds or actions and He begins with this as to say, "Okay, Jessica, I know all about what you've done, how you think and the person you are, but guess what?  I am going to love you and do some amazing things through you anyway!" 

 Our Lord uses the word "see" which is powerful for He wants us to stop, look and really take notice.  Growing up when my parents were very serious they would always say, "Jessica, look at me when I am speaking to you." That in essence is exactly what God is saying here.  Then He tells us an open door or opportunity or decision has been placed before you that no one can shut.  I love how it shows God remains in complete control even when it seems the world around us is in complete ciaos. 

Finally God addressed the "elephant in the room" when He says "I know that you have little strength".  Some would see this as an insult but not me.  I see it as a complete relief that my God understands I cannot do it on my own or without His help.  I think its wonderful!  And then just like an awesome parent, God ends by saying I am doing this for you because I have seen your efforts in keeping my Word and not denying that you know Me.  Remember, God began the scripture by saying He knew our deeds which included both of those things along with tons more!

Don't underestimate God and what He can do through you.  Yes, we are all messed up and broken and yes, we all have little strength BUT there's nothing to fear or worry about for we serve a God who says, "I know and I've got this.  All I need you to do is trust and obey."

Judge Him Faithful

"By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised." Hebrews 11:11


I absolutely love the miracle of Issac's conception and birth for it shows off the amazing power of the Lord not only as the Creator but also as a very personal God.  You see, when He promised a child to Sarah it was impossible in the natural yet Sarah had faith and believed God would bring about that which He said.  Sarah longed to be a mother yet nothing "she" could do made it happen.  I can relate on so many levels with the story of Sarah for I find myself having similar conversations with God when He places promises and things He wants me to do in His name on my heart while I know full well I cannot accomplish them under my own ability and strength. 

Don't get me wrong.  I am stubborn and I try to do all I possible can to "assist" God with His plans just like Sarah did, but to no avail.  When Sarah gave up trying and allows God to use her as His vessel she witnessed her promise from the Lord become a reality within her life.  God tells us to rest and wait on Him all throughout His Word, yet we struggle and remain frustrated when we need not be.

I ask you today to join with me in making a conscious effort to grow a spirit more like that of Sarah when she released it all to God and waited in faith for His promise to happen.  There are many promises God has spoken to me and I must learn to faithfully wait for His time and His plan.  Sarah judged God faithful and she was proven right.  I long for the same to be said of me.

Power In a Whisper

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Yesterday on the way home from North Carolina back to Virginia, my husband Brian said those dreaded words every caregiver hates to hear, "I don't feel good."  We immediately stopped due to him feeling nauseated in order to give him medication for nausea.  While doing this our 12 year old daughter became very upset and began to cry thinking something terrible was happening to her daddy and begging us to go to a doctor or the ER.

I immediately shifted into caregiver mode and reassured my daughter while trying my best to assess Brian's situation all at the very same time.  Did I mention I had a dog in the back seat, too?  Better to laugh than cry, right?  Well, as I entered back onto the highway for still another hour before reaching our destination, I asked Taylor to pray for her daddy.  She did and Brian began resting and waiting for the nausea to lift.

What I loved was during the hour ride I would hear Taylor from time to time whispering, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" aloud.  I have taught her that when the enemy, the master of fear, hears this name he must flee.  What a sweet sound that was to this caregiver and mother's ears.  During a very fearful moment my 12 year old was calling on the name of Jesus to fill our car and help us all.

We did make it home and by the time we reached town Brian's nausea had lifted.  He told me after we were alone later that he all of sudden felt sick and the only way it lifted so quickly was the Lord.  He knows and I do too that there is POWER in the name of Jesus especially when it is spoken by a frightened 12 year old little girl.

The Storm Is Coming

James 3:16 (NIV)

  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

 I can remember vacationing at the lake as a young girl when all of a sudden the temperature would begin to fall and the wind would begin to move.  My dad knew instinctively, without the help of the Weather Channel, that a storm was approaching.  He would jump into action giving us all orders as to how we needed to secure the campsite while he secured our family's boat in the water's edge.  During those days we camped in tents and would all pile into our family's van seeking refuge from what could sometimes be very violent North Carolina summer thunder storms.  

Life is no different.  We can be enjoying our life when all of a sudden we begin to feel the temperature of a room or people change.  We begin to see a shift in a situation very similar to the shift in the wind before the onset of a storm.  Those who are close to the moving and guiding of the Holy Spirit will sense these things even stronger through discernment before any true signs of the storm actually appear.  When this happens it is our duty to begin praying like never before.  This is the time when prayer warriors should drop to their knees and cry out to the Lord for protection and defense from the enemy.  The storms of life are brutal and can leave us beaten and bruised.  They are real and they don't exclude anyone. 

God actually tells us very clearly that we will have trials in this world but to be of good cheer for He has overcome it all!  So, will storms come?  YES, they will!  But, what a hope and comfort we have in that God sends us warning signs before the storm hits so that we can prepare our hearts through prayer, fasting, and time in His Word.  I believe He does this so that we, too, can get our camp secure and braced before the storm arrives.

God Granted His Request

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:9–10, NIV Do you realize that you are no different than Jabez?  I have to remind myself every day that I am loved no less than any of those mentioned within the Bible.  I also relate to those within the Word of God like the man, Jabez.   There are days when I feel God may have put me on the back burner.  I never believe He has forgotten me or forsaken me, yet when long periods of waiting occur or suffering enters my life I have to be honest and admit that doubts enter in.  This is how I relate to Jabez.  His very name gave him a beginning of being associated with pain.  Even though much was "against" Jabez, he was still very aware of who his God was and the power of calling upon Him for help and blessing. When I read these scriptures it is evident to me that Jabez had no doubt but instead came before the Lord with confidence.  He asks for very specific things.  He asks for blessings upon himself and for God to enlarge his territory.  Some believe that is selfish, but not me.  God tells us all throughout the Bible that He loves us as His children and desires to bless us.   Jabez continues in his prayer by asking God to keep His hand upon him for protection from the enemy as well as keep him from harm and even pain. Again, some like to criticize Jabez by saying his prayers were selfish but I must defend him by saying, no, he isn't.  Do you know how I know he wasn't being selfish or self-centered in God's eyes?  "And God granted his request" is all I need to know!   I know God will grant my requests as well so I continue to pray with confidence and I pray you will decide to join me.

I Will Help You

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13

Today marks the 9th anniversary of my husband's diagnosis with congestive cardiomyopathy, or unexplained heart failure.  It is difficult to believe it has actually been that long when I can recount each moment of that night in my head like it were yesterday.  What's funny is that after all this time when I meditate on the events that took place I can still remember the fear I felt that night and the way that Brian looked at me when he thought he was dying.  To be honest it is all pretty surreal and I lived it.  But you see, that's how God works.  He carries us through things that we cannot do on our own.  

Soon after the realization of Brian's situation 9 years ago, God sent our family Isaiah 41:13.  To most the message is simple but to us the message is true and filled with power and an ever present comfort.  To imagine the past nine year's journey without God holding my hand, whispering for me not to fear or Him helping me daily in countless ways is horrifying.  I can tell you today that this scripture is real and God means every single word of it.  How do I know this?  I have lived it for the past 9 years of my life.  I still remember sitting in waiting rooms and in the middle of the night watching Brian sleep and squeezing my hand until it hurt for I was holding His hand as tightly as I possibly could. 

Today I celebrate this momentous day for several reasons.  First, because I have seen through my husband that God continues to be in the miracle business.  Second, because I have a husband and my daughter has a father when doctors told us otherwise.  And third, because God has done some amazing things through our pain for not only our family but for others all around the world.  God really has used what the enemy meant for harm and turned it for our good and His glory.  Today I praise the Lord even more than I normally do for it is a reminder of His great love and power in my life and in yours!