Reciprocal Delight

• 516 Churches
• in 8 Countries
• from 45 States
• including Multiple Armed Service Locations
• = more than 95,000 People with open hearts, listening for a word from God, directly to their hearts.

What a blessing to attend the Living Proof Simulcast, 2009 from one of the 516 locations around the world. Travis Cottrell and the worship team were incredible. Beth Moore was a vessel doing nothing more than speaking Jesus to us and over us. As she taught us from Psalm 37, these two verses truly stirred my heart:

4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

This just blows me away! I was created to delight in a God, who delights in me!
It's a reciprocal relationship. the more I delight in Him, the more He delights in me.

In the Christian life we often talk about joy. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that lives within the heart of a believer. But delight is like taking that joy to a whole another level. Beth said that man's delight is a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction coupled with a sense of wonder. "Delight is us laughing over the sheer wonder of Him". Does that describe your heart?

God's delight is what we were created for. We bring delight to God when we do some of the simplest of things like:

• a little boy at the flag pole, praying for his school.
• a mother singing Jesus loves me to her sweet little baby.
• a woman who stops what she's doing to help a sweet saint put her groceries in the car.
• a little girl telling her friend how much Jesus loves her.
• a man who clears the snow from his neighbor's drive, expecting nothing in return.
• any time we open up His Word, asking Him to speak to our hearts.

Can't you just see God inclining Himself, bending down and taking notice, and a sense of delight just filling the throne room of Heaven. Imagine Him saying, "That's my girl". "She's doing it!" "Look at the family resemblance!"

In a world so full of negativity, it's so much easier to think of maybe disappointing God or even frustrating God at times. I'm certain I have done both of those many times over.

But as God has changed my heart and my focus, my goal today is to bring Him delight. I want to bask in His delight like a puppy dog laying in the sun. I just want to just drink in His radiance.

How about you? Did you delight in Him today? Did you cause Him to delight in you?

Lord, Grant me a heart to delight in You! Be my greatest joy. Bring out the person in my who can't hold back any longer. I want to sense your delight in me every day. I LOVE You so much more today than even yesterday - and it was a record breaker in itself. Draw me into the deep places, far from shallow living. I want to be a true reflection of You.

You Are

God Painted This Just For Me

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Driving home from church this afternoon, God was showing off BIG TIME! I just love when He takes the blank canvas of the sky and paints it just for me. What LOVE!

If you can seriously look at this sky and not see His Glory, I think you might want to check your pulse - because something is seriously wrong.

As I pulled over the car and whipped out my camera, Jonathan asked "What in the world are you doing? They're just clouds." And to him, that's all that they were. But to me, it was another marvelous way that God shows me how much that He loves me. He actually took the time to put something before my eyes that He knows I will enjoy. Something that will draw my heart and my eyes straight to Him, straight into the throne room of Heaven in worship!

This beautiful sky, the clouds, the green fields were all echoing today that He is GLORIOUS! I hope that didn't miss the opportunity to just take it all in - reflecting on the One who spoke it into being. He is GLORIOUS!

Saturday Steps of Faith #23

Oh No! I got so excited about leaving for the Beth Moore Simulcast that I forgot to post SSOF. I`ll attempt to do so from my phone.

Last night she shared a prayer of commitment that resonated with my heart.

Lord. Grant me a heart to delight in you. Be my greatest joy. Bring out the person in me who can no longer hold back. I want to have that joy, that unbridled love.

I am believing God. How about you?

Please leave a comment and I will link everyone up when I get home.

Blessings ~ Lisa

Thankful Thursday #23

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey. Click on the button above and feel free to join in with 5 items of Thanksgiving.

Bubbling over would be the only way to describe what I am feeling today. Last night was the first time I was able to lead in Bible Study in a year. Oh how I have missed the opportunity to just open up the Word and share what God has laid upon my heart.

1. Thank You God for speaking clearly to my heart! May you be glorified by every word that was spoken.

2. Thank You God for giving each of us spiritual gifts that can be used to bring YOU glory!

3. Thank You God for your Word. It is alive and active and has such powerful truths. I love that is is meant for our life changing TRANSFORMATION and not just for our information.

4. Thank You God for the ladies of White Rock who encourage me and challenge me to want to be more like you every day.

5. Thank You God that nothing in our life is wasted. Everything that we experience, every trial that we encounter can be used to bring you glory.

I'm so deep in love with you right now God, I can't hardly stand it! Your love truly amazes me!

What are you thankful for?

Endurance and Encouragement

I've been working really hard on a Bible Study for Wednesday night, so blogging has taken a back burner. Here is something quick for you to ponder.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

Oh Lord, How I want all of those things. I want to press on to take hold of what you have in store for me. Give me endurance and encouragement as I run the race. Father, may our families, our homes, our churches seek unity as we follow Jesus. May we be as one voice praising and glorifying your name - until everyone has heard that Jesus is the answer. In His name I pray - Amen.

Saturday Steps of Faith #22

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?

Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

This week I just want to share a bit of scripture without much comment and let God's word speak to each of us from Psalm 19

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

I have found the Word of God to be all of these things - perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, sure, precious and sweet. I believe Gods Word! I believe God!

How about you? Will you please join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing.
• Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

What are you believing God for?

Saturday Steps of Faith #21

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?

Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Acts 16:30-31

What a promise from the Bible. A promise that I believe with my whole heart. It was when I was 9 years of age that I made my first step of faith believing that Jesus died for me. Not only did He die for me; He arose from the grave victorious over death and Hell. Today He lives in Heaven and is interceding for me.

Because of what Jesus did; because I have repented of my sin and placed my faith and trust in Him, when I die I believe Heaven will be my home for all of eternity.

At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then
immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family. Acts 16:33-34

Just like the jailer, my heart is filled with joy knowing that I believe in God and that I believe God.

How about you? Will you please join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing.
• Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

What are you believing God for?

Loving My Husband Friday

Loving My Husband Friday is for taking the time to focus on the positives of marriage. A time to build up your marriage and your spouse. A time to focus on something you love about your husband,something he did to encourage you this week, or just a tip on how to keep your marriage strong.

This past week God blessed us with the opportunity to get away for a few days. With Randy's back injury, this was a real sacrifice on his part. The 3 1/2 hour drive, sleeping in a different bed, all of the moving around racked his body with pain.

Knowing what it would cost him physically, he went without grumbling. He did it for me. He did it because he loves me! He did it so we could have some quality, family time together. What is taken for granted by many, was sacrificial love for us.

Thank You God for my husband and the way that he loves us!

Thankful Thursday #22

It's Thankful Thursday and I am again joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey. Click on the button above and feel free to join in with 5 items of Thanksgiving.

My heart is so full of Thanksgiving this week, it is truly bubbling up to overflowing. Here we go:

1. My husband took it upon himself to call the bank to discuss our mortgage. After talking with the lady for a short time, by God's grace they agreed to drop our interest rate 2%. This is going to save us $200 per month! Thank You God for providing and doing it so quickly! You ARE a God of miracles!
2. Tonight at Bible Study the ladies one after another shared what God was showing them from their times of personal study. Thank You God for an amazing group of women who love you and hunger after you. You ARE a God who reveals Himself to those who are seeking!
3. Last week our family was able to get away for a couple of days. It was so nice to be out of the house and just enjoying the beauty of places we have never been. Thank You God for quality time with those I love. You ARE a God who refreshes and restores!
4. School has started! Woo-Hoooo! Thank You for the excitement Jonathan has shown so far. You are a God of new beginnings!
5. I am just so overwhelmed by You! You are my Lord, my Savior, Redeemer and Friend. You are my Comforter, Healer, Refuge and Strength; YOU ARE my Peace! Thank You God for WHO You Are! You are the one true God!

How about you? What are you thankful for?

Are You a Friend of God

Sunday Morning Worship included a song that I have not heard in quite some time. It's entitled, "Friend of God". As Bro. Rusty and the Worship team began to sing the first few lines, he waved off the worship team and the music came to a grinding halt.

"Listen to those words!" he exclaimed as he drew us in. "I am a friend of God, He calls me friend."

Since Sunday those words have stuck with me. Am I a friend of God? What makes a person His friend? As I searched through the scripture I was able to find one person that God specifically called His friend.

O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 2 Chronicles 20:7

He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:5-6

"But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, Isaiah 41:8

Abraham believed God. Although he had been demonstrating his faith through his actions, it was his belief in the Lord, not his actions, that made Abram right with God.

Although Abram and Sarai were now in their nineties, far beyond the child bearing stage of life, God spoke to him a promise and Abram believed.

It was that belief that was credited to him as righteousness. He took God at His Word.

I just have one question for you. Are you a Friend of God? I know I am!

Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That you hear me, When I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How You love me, It's amazing
(Repeat)

~Chorus~
I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God, He calls me friend
~ lyrics by Phillips, Craig & Dean ~

Soothing Waters

I just love being around water. A river, lake, ocean or stream - it makes no difference to me. There's just something so calming about the sound of moving water.

Last week we spent a few days in Sandusky, Ohio. Jonathan and his friend Sean had a great time at the amusement park known as the roller coaster capital of the world.

But for me, the time we spent walking and talking along the shore of Lake Erie just soothed my weary soul. I thought of this passage from the gospel of Luke:

24The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." Luke 8:24-26

Have you ever felt that way? Like the winds and waves of life were about to do you in? I want to remind you today that Jesus is the Master of the wind and raging waters. At his word, peace can come in and calm the storm of your life, no matter how big.

Who is this who commands even the winds and water and the obey Him? It's Jesus! He's Creator, Sustainer, Healer, Peace-giver, Master, Messiah, Savior and Lord. Call to Him. He's willing. He's waiting. He's listening.

Saturday Steps of Faith #20

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?

Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

As we read the headlines of the day or watch the evening news, it becomes abundantly clear that our world is stumbling, even tumbling out of control. Greed, anger, selfishness, immorality, corruption and pride are center stage every day.

Where are the Christians? Where is the church? Do we really believe God is who He says that He is? Do we believe He will do what He says He will do? Will there really be a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?

I believe it is time for believers to be still. It is the time for us to really KNOW our God. Not based on what our Pastors, Teachers or Parents have told us..., but to know Him intimately, personally from His Word. We must stop talking "about God", be still and listen for the voice of God again.

Lord, give us ears to hear. Speak to our hearts. Stir our souls again. May your Spirit fall fresh upon your church. May we exalt your name among the nations. Let our generation impact the earth one more time with the fervent message that Jesus is the answer to all of life's questions. He is the way, the truth and the life. There is no other way to be saved.

I believe God!

How about you? Will you please join me?

•Leave a comment or write a post.
•Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
•Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing.
•Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

What are you believing God for?

Saturday Steps of Faith #19

What are you believing God for?

Do you trust God enough to take Him at His word?

Not only for your neighbor or friend..., but for you?

Saturday Steps of Faith is our opportunity to publicly claim His promises for our lives. It is the place where we believe God for things great and small.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

We really do live in perilous times. As I look around, I see more hurting people than I ever have before. The enemy is on the prowl like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. And in his sights are our children, our marriages, our finances, our churches, our ________. You can fill in the blank.

We are warned in 1 Peter 5 to "Be self controlled and alert". We are told to, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith" knowing that others are enduring the same types of trials. I believe it is also beneficial to remember the victories of the past. God has been so faithful.

• I believe that God is with us through the suffering.
• I believe that suffering although it seems like it last for an eternity, is only for a little while.
• I believe that God will restore what Satan has stolen.
• I believe that when I look back, I will see how God has restored and strengthened me.
• I believe that through my trials, my faith has become strong, firm and steadfast.
• I believe God!

How about you? Will you please join me?

• Leave a comment or write a post.
• Copy the button located on the left sidebar and paste it into your post.
• Next write down the promise from the Word of God you are taking a step of faith and believing.
• Last, come back here and link up with MckLinky. It's that easy.

What are you believing God for?