One of the chores I did as a child was pull weeds.  It made me whine.  There’s just something about it that’s, well, a chore!  Maybe it’s the stooping over till your back hurts or crawling around on your knees.  

But most would agree that weeding is something that should be done to maintain a clean yard where desired plants can thrive and not get choked out by weeds.  The same is true for our spiritual ‘yard’, which I would say is our heart.

In the devil’s attempt to be like God, he trys to plant seeds in our ‘yard’ but of course the devil’s seeds are always weeds in the making.  Earlier this year I had a dream about being in a spiritual warfare class.  The first point the instructor made was a warning about spiritual weeds sprouting up.  He said, “You don’t need water, only land.”  It made me think about how you don’t have to actively water ungodly things in your heart for those seeds to grow roots.  It’s like an unwatered, unmaintained yard.  The roses may die but the weeds still thrive.

Pastor Brian has told us that he daily prays Psalm 139:23-24.  “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (NIV).  This is a great way to keep your heart sensitive to God’s truth and to have your eyes opened to the devil’s seeds of deception.

God wants your heart to be clean like a tended yard because He doesn’t want His truth and love to be ‘choked out’ of your heart.  He loves you so much that He wants uninterrupted fellowship with you.  So weed away!  Crawling around on the ground is optional.

Shagufta

I recently did a study on John chapter 11 on the death and resurrection of Lazarus.  (A brief refresher:  Lazarus was sick and after he was dead for 4 days Jesus brought him back to life.)  These are my thoughts on what happened but I would enjoy hearing other people’s thoughts on it too!

1. Sometimes God allows a situation to worsen so that it can’t be remedied without Him. John 11:6 states that after hearing Lazarus was sick, Jesus waited 2 days before He left for the town of Bethany where Lazarus was. When He reached Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Not even 21st century medicine could have brought him back to life.

When a situation worsens and can’t be remedied outside of God’s hand it makes it obvious (hopefully) that He really is our only hope because He alone is fully able to help us in any circumstance.

Jeremiah 32:27 says, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” Luke 1:37 says, “For with God nothing will be impossible.”

2. Lazarus rising from the dead (and Jesus rising from the dead) gives us hope to think big and pray for miracles. Jesus conquered death. What problem do I have that’s bigger than death?

3. Not only is He able to help but He’s willing to help. He wants to heal, restore, and work miracles. Why else would He have told us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10). His kingdom brings life and restoration.

4. As author John Eldredge says, “Things aren’t always as they seem.” Just because a situation worsens doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to end badly. When we assume we know what’s going on, we’re being wise in our own opinion and leaning on our own understanding. The Bible tells us not to do either of these things (Proverbs 3:5 and Romans 12:16). The people around Lazarus thought they understood the situation. Lazarus was dead and buried but that wasn’t the end of the story. God wasn’t done.

Whatever your circumstance is right now it’s not too big for God to handle. He’s willing and He’s able to help you. Feel free to share your thoughts below!

Shagufta

Do you remember your first love? The butterflies in your stomach, the longing in your heart, the ringing in your ears?

I remember. And though growing up I had several crushes, my first love was the man I was lucky to marry, my dear husband Ron.

Given the fact that I possess a freakishly sharp long-term memory (but don’t ask me what I fixed for dinner yesterday or where did I leave my keys or what was I about to say, cause I probably won’t remember) combined with the fact that Ron was my one and only boyfriend, I vividly remember the wonderful feeling of being in love for the very first time.

Ahhh, love!

I can honestly say I have never stopped loving my hubby. But I have to admit that life and its many hardships have taken their toll on our relationship – to the point that many a times I have lost “that loving feeling” Elvis used to soulfully croon about while shaking his hips with particular flare.

Same think can be said about my relationship with Jesus.

I remember when I first became a Christian; I was on cloud 9! I couldn’t get enough of God, enough of worship, enough of church, enough of The Word. I was in love, and I loved it!

But, just as in my relationship with my husband, life has taken a toll on my relationship with the Lord.

I’ve gone through dry deserts, lonesome valleys, arduous climbs, painful descents. However, in His great mercy God has touched my soul along the way, encouraging my journey, reminding me I don’t walk alone.

Yesterday was one of those instances I think I’ll always remember as a very special day in my spiritual walk.

During service, Pastor Brian delivered a profound explanation and encouragement to pursue the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit in our lives – through faith, prayer, and actively seeking the will of God.

I was confronted by my own fatalistic attitude, which has so many times marred my participation in spreading the Good News and the influence of the Kingdom of God on this earth.

Que sera, sera! I’ve stoically told myself so many times, pretending to “leave it all in God’s sovereign hands” – when in all reality I just didn’t have the guts to press beyond my feebleness.

It is no sin to be worn and tired. This is just a testimonial of our humanity, a sign of our times, a reminder that we live in a fallen world. But in our fatigue, we attempt to protect ourselves by making erroneous decisions and adopting mistaken positions – instead of seeking God’s will in our situation through prayer and in His Word.

Yet, despite burnout and flawed efforts for self-protection, our King comes to the rescue! Stirring our souls, pointing us back to The Way, cheering us on.

Like He did with me (and I suspect for many of you) yesterday, during Pastor Brian’s message.

Yesterday, oh, wonderful yesterday, I was blessed with such stirrings. My faith was renewed. My heart strengthened.

And yesterday I experienced once again, afresh and anew, my first love.

Grateful,

Ana

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

Everyone has things they’re passionate about but have you ever wondered why God made us that way? It may partly be to give us work and recreation related purposes. But I think it’s also to engage us in God’s Kingdom. There have been many times outside of work when I ‘just happened’ to see something animal related that pained my heart. One of those times I asked God, “Why do You let me see these things?” He replied, “Because I know you’ll pray about it.” I sourly thought, “But why don’t You just take care of it? You’re God!” Well, to that I heard no reply but I think I know the answer. He wants to engage me to the point of prayer. He wants me to stand with Him in battle. I don’t think this is too dramatic of a conclusion to come to because prayer is key to our involvement in spiritual warfare. God’s Kingdom is at war. I’m part of His Kingdom. If my prayer is aligned with the things of God and His Kingdom, then those prayers are against the devil and his kingdom. It’s warfare.

Animal related issues are a big emotional trigger for me. A few months ago a client told me he was having trouble giving his newly adopted kitten the medication I sent home. The kitten would scratch him when he tried to administer the medication so he put duct tape around the kitten’s legs. He also told me that he used to hate cats so much that he would try to run them over with his car. You have my attention Lord. This is an invitation to pray… for the kitten and the man. (And an invitation to report him to the humane society.)

God has given us His authority (Matthew 16:19, Mark 16:17-18, John 14:12) but you can’t exert authority in a situation if you ignore it. You need to engage. It says in Ephesians 6:18 that we’re to “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” This is good news for me because I live near a mountain preserve and I often see fuzzy creatures crossing the street. I can’t help but pray for them because I hate seeing dead animals on the road. They’re God’s animals. And the scripture does say all occasions and all kinds of prayers! (Don’t worry… I do pray for problems that are bigger than animals crossing the street.) Maybe in heaven you’ll see me playing a game called ‘crossing the street’ with squirrels, rabbits, and quail. We’ll run back and forth on the streets of gold with reckless abandon!

I can only imagine what the world would be like if every believer consistently prayed over everything God gave them a passion for. The next time you see something that pains your heart, take up your spiritual armor and pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done in that situation. Consider it a prayer request from God. He’s requesting that you engage in the battle and pray.

Shagufta ^..^

You know how sometimes you pray and you don’t really expect anything to happen?  I’ve been there more times than I would like to admit.  God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow though.

I was recently at a meeting of our Southwest Regional Leadership team and after a prayer time I looked down at what used to be a huge ganglion cyst on my wrist and it was tiny! (almost gone)  Now I had prayer, but not specifically for my wrist.  We had great times of worship and waiting on God and praying for each other.

I keep looking at my wrist.  I am amazed.  It is not like I should be surprised to see God move, but it is just amazing.  I’m not really sure why God chose to do this.  I have been to see a hand surgeon twice, so this was a cyst of some size.  The power of God was present to heal….to heal me.

Now, would I have rather had God heal me so I didn’t have to have a hysterectomy this year?  Sure.  But God chose to heal this.  He can do whatever He wants—whenever He wants .  I am just so glad His Kingdom broke in and I got to see it.

Don’t stop praying.  God may do something amazing and surprising!  It may even be something different than what you were expecting!  I think God must like to surprise us.

Ask me to see my wrist the next time you see me.  It is amazing.

 Blessings,

Thora

Do you ever face a situation that makes you feel utterly powerless?

When girls with a hero complex (like me) see a need, we feel an irresistible urge to don our red cape and fly in to save the day. Few things are more frustrating to us than seeing a problem and feeling like there is nothing we can do to solve it.

All around us, we witness people who are ill and suffering; those who are about to lose their home, their job, or their marriage; parents whose kids have addictions or have walked away from the faith; friends whose hearts are broken.

And we ask ourselves, What can I do for them? How can I help?

But, at times, we simply can’t.

Discouraged, we give into despair and forget that we still have a secret weapon left – one more powerful than our good deeds or heroic intentions.

It’s called prayer.

So we mumble an almost apologetic, “I’ll be praying for you,” as if we had nothing better to offer. As if it were the least we could do to help.

“The least I can do is pray. The most I can do is pray,” says radio host Dr. Randy Carlson in his program Intentional Living.

So true.

I learned that truth a few years ago, during our Women’s Evening Bible Study. At the end of one of our sessions, this wannabe-hero-girl met a woman whose problems and suffering were so severe, she was at the edge of suicide. Overwhelmed by her painful story, I felt there was absolutely nothing I could do for this lady. So I began to pray for her – out of pity to be honest. We cried together, hugged each other, and then we went home.

I figured this would be the last time I would ever see her.

Months later, a beautiful woman approached me after Bible Study. She looked radiant. Something about her seemed familiar, but I didn’t think I knew her. She said, “You prayed for me last year. Back then, I felt like I couldn’t go on living, so I had made up my mind. I was going to put an end to the pain.

“But when you prayed for me that evening, a spark of hope ignited in my heart. I realized God had the power to change my life and my circumstances. I believed. And He did!” she told me, with the brightest smile.

Witnessing her miracle made me realize that I, too, was in need of one. My heart needed to believe again. And I had to be reminded that a hero girl must never forget that the least she can do might be the greatest thing she can ever do for a friend in need.

Ana
http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

Hip, hip, hurray!
A day to pray……

You don’t know when?
Please come at 10:00. (a.m.)

If you have August 30th open, it’s not by chance.
Please come and put yourself in the circumstance,
To share with us in remembrance,

Of so much that God has done.

We’ll ask; we’ll thank; we’ll confess; we’ll bless.

We’ll enter into God’s presence (on behalf of Women’s ministry)
And thank Him for His magnificance.

Please come if you can,
And join our clan.
Enter into prayer whether here or there.
10:00 until 11:10

The meeting room is where we’ll be.
Please do come and join with me!

Blessings!
Thora

How does one “wait on the Lord”?

Isaiah 40:31 says that, those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (NKJV)

Years ago, I heard this woman over the radio share how she got up every morning, sat on her sofa, closed her eyes, quieted her heart, and – as she sat very still – she waited for God to speak to her.

She sounded to me like such a godly inspiration!  However, I had to be honest with myself and accept the fact that her morning experiences would never work for someone like me.  Really, comatose as I am every morning, sitting on a warm and cozy couch and closing my eyes would only make me snore.  As far as I recall, I have never successfully quieted my heart or mind by sitting down attempting to be still.

Even if I managed to stay awake, my mind would drift from the Lord and his goodness to my unfinished grocery list or the next project that needs tackling or whether or not my son’s appointment was this afternoon or the next.

Definitely not a very productive, quiet bonding time with Jesus.

I have friends I greatly admire, who can sit through an hour-long meeting without moving a muscle.  They appear calm and relaxed and focused.  When I find myself wondering what would that be like, I cringe remembering I need to be paying attention to what’s being said instead of gaping at people.  It’s very sad.

So what did the Psalmist mean by being “still before the LORD and wait[ing] patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7, NIV)?  Does that mean that un-still, extremely impatient gals like me are basically doomed?

Fear not my fellow ADHD-ers!

As I shared with you before, I do get up every morning and I do eventually manage to slow down the ol’ mind and sit on my comfy recliner to spend quality time with God.  Sometimes I even close my eyes without drifting into beautiful places where George Clooney or a much younger Paul Newman tell me I am the one, and I flutter my long and dense eye lashes and tell them, “Oh, stop it!”  And you say, in you dreams, girl!  And I say, exactly.  So… where was I?

Oh, yes!  How do I wait?  To me, the simple act of honoring the Lord by prioritizing my devotional is an act of waiting.  I’d much rather jump out of bed and dive directly into my to-do list (those are figures of speech, it’d be more precise to say, “drag myself out of bed” and after a shower and a cup of coffee or two” engage in my daily chores” but I’m still dreaming.)

One of the many things I love about Christianity is that it is so practical.  I can do practical.  I can get up in the mornings to take the time to pray and read my Bible.  I can force myself to do this before doing anything else.  And, for me, that is as still and as patient as it’s going to get.  But God knows that in my heart I am seeking to honor Him.

And that, my friends, is how I wait. 

How do you wait on the Lord?  I’m dying to hear.

Curious,

Ana

Psalm 5:3, In the morning, oh Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (NIV)

Most days, I wake up around the same time.  Most days, I have a to-do list a mile long.  Most days, I battle the urge to jump out of bed and tackle this list, ASAP… but I know better.

A sweet voice whispers in my ear, nudging me out of bed, down the stairs and onto my living room recliner, for a meeting with my Creator.  The inclination to rush through my prayer requests so that I can move on with my day intensifies… but I know better.

On good days, I take deep breaths, pace the living room floor, and beg, “Lord, please calm down this crazy mind of mine!  I need You.  I know better than to start my day without Your touch.  Please teach me to wait on You.”

On the not-so-good ones, I just pace the living room floor and begin the sprint down my prayer list.  Mercifully, it doesn’t take long for the Holy Spirit to capture my heart and mind and to take me to a place where, enthralled by His love, I forget all about life’s rushes.

This act of obedience and submission is what I call “a tithe of my time.” When you tithe, you give back a small percentage of the total amount God blesses you with.  When you tithe your income, you trust Him to bless the remainder percentage so that is enough to fulfill your financial obligations.

In the same manner, when I have enough sense to start my day dedicating a small portion of it to spend it solely with God – what I call my devotional – I am trusting Him to bless the remainder hours of the day so that I can get done whatever needs to.

The beauty of this spiritual mini-battle I face every morning is two-fold.  On one hand, the more I experience God’s presence the easier it gets to overcome my selfish, hardheaded ways and my tendencies to skip my devotional.  On the other, the more I see the difference this investment of my time makes on the rest of my day –and on my attitude – the more I am compelled to “re-invest” the following morning.

Praying is not hard for someone like me, who’s enjoyed a relationship with God since her youth.  I pray all the time!  The deal with someone like me, a doer plagued by impatience and impulsiveness, is that it is very hard not to treat her morning devotionals like another item in her to-do list.

It is hard for girls like me to wait upon the Lord.  But girls like me, who understand the difference those early encounters make in their lives, know better.

Is it hard for you to slow down and wait?  If so, tell us about it!  We at Vineyard Women love to hear your insights.