Cape Tribulation

Photo by Amelia Grace photography

Cape Tribulation 

By Debra Courtney

“That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” 

Luke 12:21 MSG 

It is easy to justify maintaining a larger savings accounts for the sake of security; however, for the heart hungry for God, security is in Christ, not a bank account.  Future uncertainties are submissive to faith, not wealth.  Yes, to be rich toward God is to be rich in faith that exhibits generosity.  True riches are found in the trust that you place in Jesus and that leads to charity in Jesus' name.  To build an excessively bigger bank accounts builds an ego and creates fear, but a life rich toward the Lord wisely gives away as the world wonders.  To truly be a giver of my time, talents, and treasures is the richest thing I can possibly do.  I have found that the more I sow, the more I reap the sowed seed. 

How is our degree of richness toward God defined?  Are we overly cautious or aggressively generous?  Perhaps we defer a major expenditure, so we can give away some of our excess to those who hunger to hear the gospel.  Professionals and poor alike need regular reminders of the love, forgiveness, and justice of Jesus.  Our intentional investment in the Kingdom bears big fruit. 

“And a windfall, if it comes – don’t make much of it.”  Psalm 62:10 MSG 

It’s our inheritance in Heaven, not on Earth, that captures the heart of focused followers of Christ.  Fortunes fade away, but treasures sent ahead to Heaven are never lost, only compounded in value.  Yes, the development and deployment of our spiritual resources are the most strategic use of wealth.  Human accolades over our earthly accomplishments are hollow compared to our Heavenly Father’s smile and affirmation over our richness toward Him.

We can’t out give God!  There’s a song that I love to listen to on occasion, and I change the verse to go something like this: “When I see you smile, Jesus, I can face the world; you know I can do anything.  When I see you smile, Jesus, I see a ray of light; I see it shinning right through the rain.” When I participate in the things that interest God and His agenda, I can just imagine Him smiling right down on me, and it makes me feel so good that my Abba Father is pleased with me.

Perhaps we draft a portfolio of generosity before we experience abundance, so we predetermine aggressive giving.  Preplanning protects us from the temptation to trust in stuff over our Savior Jesus.  The best remedy for greed is radical seed sowing.  Hoarding feeds a life of miserable misery, but significant eternal investments enhance a life engaged in the Almighty’s agenda.  Be rich toward our Heavenly Father, since He has already given us His riches in Christ Jesus!  We will ultimately be the richer for it! 

“He valued suffering in the Messiah’s camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff.”  Hebrews 11:26 MSG

On June 10, 1770, British navigator James Cook’s ship hit a reef off the northeast coast of Australia.  He sailed the ship out into deeper water only to hit the reef again, and this time the collision almost sank the ship.  This experience moved Cook to write in the ship’s log: “The North point [was named] Cape Tribulation because here began all our troubles.”

Many of us, living and breathing on the face of this Earth, have experienced a trial that has seemed to trigger a string of other trials.  The loss of a job, the death of a loved one, an unwanted divorce, or a decline in health could all be part of the list.  Even though a crisis may seem to be our “Cape Tribulation,” God is still sovereign, and He most certainly is in control. It is His purpose to use tribulation to build resilience into us.  We can smile through the rain.  In the midst of our life-changing trial, remember that God is still at work.  He wants to use our “Cape Tribulation” experience to build our character.  He has promised His grace to see us through (2 Cor. 12:9).

The Afters - Every Good Thing (Lyric Video) from the-afters on GodTube.

I Can Trust God

Photo by Melissa Haas

I Can Trust God 

By Melissa Haas 

I can trust God, and I am totally dependent on Him for my needs. 

Does this statement ring true for you?  Sometimes the best way to gauge our level of trust is to think about times when the opposite of trust or faith rules our hearts. When we are not trusting, we live in fear, and when we are afraid, we usually do one of three things:  We become immobilized, we run away, or we try to gain/regain control of the situation.   

I’m curious.  How do you normally respond to the fears in your life? 

Fear in itself is not bad.  There are indeed things we should be afraid of—like the spitting cobra that found its way onto our front porch in Kenya one time or a tornado touching down near your home.  When we are in physical danger, fear lets us know that we need to get out of there and soon!  God gave us the ability to feel fear, and He understands when we are afraid.  In fact, He even tells us to fear Him.   

Being afraid, then, is not sinful, but sometimes the way we respond to our fears is offensive to God.  Let me give you an example.  

Remember back to the time of Moses.  God had delivered the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt, parted the Red Sea for them to pass, fed them and gave them water as they journeyed through the wilderness, and dwelt among them, leading them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  At this point in the journey, the Israelites had arrived at the border of Canaan.  At last the Promised Land was in sight!  God told Moses to send out spies so that they could give testimony to the fertileness and bounty of the land.  The spies went out and came back.  They reported that the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey, but there was a problem - There were giants in the land! (Numbers 13-14)  What did the people feel when they heard the report?   

The Bible says in Numbers 14:1-4 that all of the people “raised their voices and wept aloud.”  They grumbled against Moses and God, saying, “If only we had died in Egypt!  Or in the desert!  Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?  Our wives and children will be taken as plunder.  Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” and they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” 

Wow!  Crazy Israelites!  What were they thinking?!  God had delivered them miraculously from the hands of an evil pharaoh.  He had preserved their lives and parted the Red Sea, and He had cared for them all the way to the fulfillment of His promise.  Here they were, ready to go back to being slaves!  What’s up with that?  Couldn’t they see that God was trustworthy, that they could depend on Him to meet all of their needs?  Couldn’t they see that the Sovereign Lord of the universe loved them and had blessings and life in His plans for them?   

Of course, we would never trade bondage for life over a few measly giants, or would we? 

My friend and sister, failing to depend on God for your needs always results in bondage. When we take our lives into our own hands, we always fail, and it’s so easy to make excuses for our failures.  It’s so easy to bug out and go back to Egypt.  If we will take our eyes off the giants for just a few moments and raise them to look at an even bigger God, we will hear Him speak words of courage and peace. 

God, I’m afraid.  Do not fear.  I am with you.

God, I’m so lonely.  I will never leave you nor forsake you. 

No one knows me.  I knit you together in your mother’s womb. 

No one really loves me.  I laid down My life for you.   

I can’t do this, Lord!  You can do all things through My strength. 

I’m too broken to be fixed.  Nothing is impossible with Me. 

You let me down, God.  My ways are not your ways. 

I’m tired of it all.  Come to Me, and I will give you rest.

I will never be free!   If I set you free, you will be free indeed! 

There are lots of fears that rule our hearts and lives, fears that must be entrusted to the Faithful One.  Take some time today and let Him comfort your fears.  Lean back against His chest, take a deep breath, and tell Him out loud, “I trust You, Father, and I am totally dependent on You for everything I need.

Melissa Haas currently serves as the Director of Restoration Groups for HopeQuest, a ministry group in Woodstock, Georgia, which helps people struggling with life-dominating issues.  Melissa began her service in ministry in 1993 as an international missionary to Kenya, East Africa, where she and her husband Troy worked as church planters among the Turkana people.  When a significant marital crisis ended their missionary service, Melissa and Troy began a journey of healing and restoration that now serves as the foundation of their ministry to others.  Passionate about spiritual community, healthy marriages, and intimacy with God, Melissa regularly facilitates small groups and teaches and speaks on these topics in order to help the Body of Christ grow relationally with God and each other.  Melissa and Troy and their three children reside in Woodstock, Georgia.

Click here or on picture below to watch Kari Jobe's music video "You Are For Me"

Commotions In Motion

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

“COMMOTIONS IN MOTION” 

By Debra Courtney

There are what I like to call “Commotions in Motion” that you will encounter at some point in your journey through life.  The "commotions" sent by God, the "commotions" that bad decisions create, and the "commotions" our eternal enemy will send.  Each “commotion in motion” is navigated differently.

Commotions in Motion That God Sends

The commotions in motion God sends are severe, but they are designed to get us on over to the other side more liberated and living in abundance than we ever would have been if we avoided going to “whale university” and played it safe.  God sent a commotion to bring Jonah out of resistance and into God's perfect will – to Nineveh you go – the very place Jonah hated.  Even when Jonah does it right, he does it wrong; however, the whole time God is working within and around Jonah and accomplishing His purpose in him.  Most of us need a biblical friend or two like Jonah!

"But Jonah go up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God…”  Jonah 1:3

“Then God assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah…”  Jonah 1:17

“Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish…”  Jonah 2:1

Do we love anything more than God?  Many a commotion is sent to break a hidden attachment from your life.  It may be the fear of not knowing, a childhood trauma, a person, or influence that does not belong in your life.  Are we seeking something more than what pleases the Lord?  Jonah made his own agenda greater than God’s.  He was delivered when he surrendered his will, and the entire time he was in distress, the fish was taking him to his destiny!

Commotion in Motion Made by Bad Decisions

This commotion in motion may be choices we made or choices that others made that affected you directly or indirectly.  Paul nearly drowned in a decision made by others to sail to Rome, when they should have stayed in the harbor.  There are many Christians who are frustrated with the choices world leaders in government have made, because they know the end result will be the loss of cargo (economic) and the very ship of state (shipwreck).

”Paul warned, 'I see only disaster ahead for cargo and ship – to say nothing of our lives! – if we put out to sea now.'”  Acts 27: 10

“The centurion set Paul’s warning aside and let the ship captain and the shipowner talk him into trying for the next harbor.”  Acts: 27: 12

“Last night, God’s angel stood at my side, an angel of this God I serve, saying to me, ‘Don’t give up, Paul.  You’re going to stand before Caesar yet – and everyone sailing with you is also going to make it.’  So, dear Friends, take heart… but we’re going to shipwreck on some island or other.”  Acts: 27 26

Adding new territory that wasn’t even in the original plan, God will overrule bad decisions to bring forth wisdom and get us where we need to be.  The commotions you create become a commotion God is in, once you let Him take over your ship.

Commotion in Motion Made by Attacks from our Eternal Enemy

The commotion in motion may be attacks that our eternal enemy sends, which are designed to stop us, overthrow us, and destroy God’s purpose for our life.  When Jesus was with the disciples a great “commotion in motion” arose that threatened their lives.

Jesus reprimanded them.  “Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?”  Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down:  “Silence!”  Matt. 8:26

All things under the curse, such as sickness, financial attacks, and thefts, are not from God.

“When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake…”  Matt. 8:18

His Word was sufficient to give them leverage over life and death.  Find the “WORD” God is giving us in our situations and challenges, and speak to the situation!  Jesus talked to the wind and waves.  He talked to trees that did not produce.  He talked to spirits invisible to the human eye.  Thoughts are “things” when they take on the power of fear.  Speak what God says, and watch heaven back up our words.  Jesus said He did what His Father did and spoke what His father spoke.

God is in control of our commotions in motion"!  The Holy Spirit knows the way through every commotion in motion, and He is on the inside of you.  All 3 commotions in motion are common to us.

Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails (Official Lyric Video) from newsboys on GodTube.

You're the Answer - A Guest Post by @RobEager

Photo By Amelia Grace Photography



 

You’re the Answer

ByRob Eager

“How can God be good if He allows so many awful things to take place in this world without doing anything about it?”

I've heard that question asked many times before. I've often wondered if God asks the same God doesn't choose to bring affliction or sorrow on anyone evil world we live in [Lamentations 3:33]. Problems are the result of the ruler of this  today [Ephesians 2:1-3]. When bad things happen in our lives, God has a plan.

We are the plan.

God can choose to work any way He desires and for reasons we may not like or understand, He chooses to work through us. He calls us to be His hands and feet in this world [Matthew 25:35-45]. Much of what we see taking place in the world today would be remedied if we, the Body of Christ, lived life as our Lord and Savior calls us to live.

What can I do, you ask? Nothing in your own strength.

Thankfully, the solutions doesn't depend on what we can do in our own strength. The solutions depend on us living a surrendered life, allowing the Lord to work through us. Hebrews 13:20-21 tells us He will equip us to what He calls us to do. He tells us as much in 1 Thessalonians 5:24,“The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” He won't leave us hanging. He is simply looking for people who will go. Those who will respond as in Isaiah 6:8, Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,"Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" There is a hurting world out there. They are looking for someone, anyone, who cares. Is that you? Are you willing? Do you care?

In her book, Undaunted, Christine Caine shares of a time when she sat down with survivors of human sex trafficking in Thessaloniki, Greece. She told them there was a God who was good and cared for them and asked His followers to love others the same way He loves them. As she shared, a young woman named Sonica said,“If what you are telling me is true, if what you say about your God is true- then where were you? Where have you been? Why didn't you come sooner?”

If we believe God is good, if we believe He can and will restore, if we acknowledge the Word of God is truth, then we must take action. We cannot sit by expecting God to do something, because He has. He's called us, equipped us, and commanded us [John 12:26, Hebrews 13:20-21, and Matthew 28:18-20]. It's time we put on our armor and get to it [Ephesians 6:10-18]. The invitation has been issued.

Are you willing? What will you do today to answer the call?

Rob Eagar is a marketing consultant who helps
bestselling authors, publishers, and non-profits spread their message like wildfire. His expertise has helped his clients produce:

• 8 New York Times bestsellers (fiction and non-fiction).
• Million-dollar franchises for authors and publishers.
• Transformational growth for non-profit organizations

- See more at: www.startawildfire.com

"Dating with Pure Passion,"  Available on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Dating-Pure-Passion-Courtship-Formula/dp/0736916709/

Comparing Our Pots by @Lori_Kennedy

Photo By Amelia Grace Photography

Comparing Our Pots 

ByLori Kennedy

 “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.  When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

 II Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)

My sister recently received a new car from our father for her birthday.  I really struggled with this and felt like my father didn’t love me as much as he loves her.  None of my gifts are this good.  This was painful for me. It caused feelings of discontentment, was stealing my joy and filing me with bitterness, envy, anger and feelings of worthlessness.  

I went to see a ministry friend sing at an event.  She has a beautiful voice and I never get tired of hearing her sing.  She constantly amazes me with her gifts and talents. As happy and proud of her as I am, I don’t feel that I’m as gifted or talented.  None of my gifts are this good.  Again, this is painful for me: causing feelings of discontentment, stealing my joy and filling me with bitterness, envy, anger, and feelings of worthlessness. 

Yes, I just said the same thing twice, but you get my point, right? 

We find ourselves comparing our looks, our talents, our weight, our homes, and our children.  In fact, we can compare just about everything that filters through our tainted eyes and enter our struggling hearts.  In every single case, when we compare we lose.  We perceive that we are either better than…or….not enough.  

When we feel better than, we have pride and we may not continue to attempt to move forward in a positive direction since we will feel “good enough” and then possibly think less of that person.  If, for example, you think you are in a better place spiritually than someone else and are comparing your spiritual walk to theirs, you have to ask yourself, “Are you really?”  

On the other hand, when we feel that we don’t measure up, we may feel unworthy and filled with shame.  Sometimes these feelings of inadequacy may make us feel like giving up thinking there is someone more equipped to handle the destiny that God has placed before us to fulfill.   

I do believe that God places people along our paths to challenge us, to cultivate us and to help us to mature in our spiritual walk.  However, whenever there are feelings of shame, unworthiness, or pride that come up, then you need to realize that is a lie from the enemy and is not a message from God.  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 (NKJV).  Some bible versions say self-control or self-discipline instead of a sound mind.  Either way, we are called to walk in confidence of who we are and whose we are, connecting with those that God has placed in our path with the purpose of increasing His Kingdom on Earth and not with the purpose of feeling better than or not enough.   

God has used the example of a potter and his clay in the bible many times.  Just as an earthly potter cannot make the exact same piece two times, God has purposefully created us each differently and with our own destiny to fulfill.  We are all on our own journey and on our own path….each of us is slightly different…we all have different D.N.A.  This is all good…it’s the way He planned it for us.  God states in Micah 6:8 that we are required to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.  The only way to truly accomplish this task is to seek Him first, and compare ourselves only to Christ and not each other.  

The LIE is that my dad doesn’t love me as much as my sister.  The TRUTH is that my dad was being sensitive to a need in my younger sister’s life.  It was a need I didn’t have.  My dad knows that my precious husband supplies all my provisional needs and my heavenly father supplies all the rest.  My dad doesn’t have to worry about me.  He was called to meet a need in her life and that doesn’t take anything away from his love for me. 

The LIE is that my gifts and talents aren’t good enough.  The TRUTH is that God has blessed me with an anointed and blessed calling.  He has also blessed me with my sweet and anointed friend who is using her gifts to further the gospel.  She is a light and an encouragement in my life.  Our gifting is slightly different and that’s okay because we are uniquely equipped to fulfill the destiny God created for us on this planet.   

The LIE is that I am not good enough.  The TRUTH is that I am good enough.  The Potter created a pot with the exact purpose that is required for His plan.  It’s a unique, one of a kind, creation that has a distinct purpose to fulfill.  The TRUTH is that God loves me just as I am….AND too much to leave me there.  The TRUTH is that God loves YOU just as you are….AND too much to leave YOU there as well.  We will continue to be molded by the Potter throughout our journey on this earth.

The Hyenas of Busyness - A Guest Post by @ Tal Prince

The Hyenas of Busyness 

ByTal Prince  

So - how’s your schedule these days? If you’re like most people, the answer ranges

somewhere between busy and insane. With the Holidays coming up, there’s no sign of

relief anywhere on the horizon. So what can we do but keep running? In today’s world everything shouts “RUN!” Our inbox alerts us to run. Our calendar alarms us to runs. Our cell phones ring out the call to run. Our jobs demand that we run. Our families cry for us to run. So we run.

And we run...

and run... 

and we run. 

Many times, not even knowing where we are going. In my experience speed and

uncertainty of direction are not good friends; when they get together, things rarely end

well. Yet, still we run. We are panicked, but running with our electronic leashes and

monitoring devices dangling around our feet ringing, alerting, and alarming us in the

event that we slow down. 

Have you ever watched hyenas hunt? They are among the cruelest of all predators. What makes them cruel? Pound for pound, they have the most powerful jaws in the animal kingdom, but that’s not it. It’s not their size - they are the size of a German Shepherd.

However, their hearts are twice the size as that of a lion. This gives them the capability of running for long distances. If cheetahs are sprinters, the hyenas are the marathon runners of jungle predators. 

Combine their hearts and jaws and they are capable killing machines, but what makes them cruel is their ability to hunt in packs. Hyenas travel in clans, and when they spot a herd of animals, they select their target. They then move in and systematically separate their target from the herd. They dart in and out causing their target to spin and turn in an effort to stay with the herd. The target starts to run and then get disoriented as uncertainty of direction and speed separates them from the protection of the herd. Then the hyenas begin to laugh. 

It. 

Is. 

Cruel. 

The hyenas circle and chase their prey while they laugh. They are capable of running great distances at 6 miles per hour, and they never let their prey rest. They bite at its heels if it slows down. They continue to force their hapless target to switch directions - adding to the desperate confusion and disorientation. They are cut off. Alone. And running. If they slow down, the hyenas move in at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and nip at their heels.

The hyenas relentlessly pursue their hapless  prey until exhaustion takes over. Their

target: separated, exhausted and alone, loses hope and gives up. The hyenas then

move in and literally eat their prey alive. 

I have hyenas chasing me - do you? 

They keep me busy. 

They keep me running. 

They keep me disoriented.

When I slow down, they laugh - their laughter sounds like my iPhone, email, calendar

and task list. Their laughter reminds me that my perfectionism is at stake. “Look out, Tal

- you’re going to blow it! Something is going to slip through the cracks and it will be all

your fault! What are you going to do? RUN, Tal, RUN! 

Tal, you’re late for a call. 
Tal, you’re late for a meeting. 
Tal, you’re late on a deadline. 
Tal, your emails are backed up! 
Tal, you’re late picking up your kids from practice! 
Tal, what are you thinking? RUN!”

 Can you identify with that? Are the hyenas of busyness on your trail? Have you been cut

off from the herd? 

For me, it’s times like these when God’s Word makes the least sense. Look at how Eugene Peterson translates Psalm 46:10, “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at

me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”1 How do we take a verse like that when the hyenas of busyness continues to harass us? Is it as tough for you as it is for me at times?

I think, though, this is why the late Dallas Willard said, “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life, for worry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our world today.” 

My personal struggle with perfectionism makes it hard for me to choose to step out of the traffic. It seems so much easier to pursue your opinion of me. Though it never really works, I continue to run, instead of rest.  Then I am too busy to pray and become separated from community and God, I become prey.  

What about you? How will you handle the hyenas of busyness today? We all know they are coming - can you ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life? Can you take the time to step out of the traffic to take a long and loving look at the most high God?  

1 Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Ps 46:9–

10). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.

 

Are You Hesed? by @LucilleZ

Photo by Lucille Zimmerman

Are You Hesed?

ByLucille Zimmerman 

There is a Hebrew word that appears 250 times in the Old Testament.

The word is hesed.

Hesed is translated by King James in 14 different ways (goodness, kindness, devotion, devout, faithfulness, good, kindly, loveliness, loving-kindness, loyal deeds, loyalty, mercies, righteousness, unchanging love).

Some people say the word is untranslatable.

In essence, Hesed is the unfailing, consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, furious love of our Father God. Hesed means love as God loves. It’s His promise to His people. It is grace extended when it was not deserved. It is based on God, not you.

What I find most fascinating about the word hesed (spelled “chesed”) is that linguistically it is linked to the Hebrew word for “stork.” The word for "stork" in Hebrew is "chasidah.” The "chasidah" means the "pious, faithful, or kindly bird" because of its loving-kindness and devotion to its young. The stork was considered to be the best mother of all the animals.

Do you know there is a love that follows you and will not let you go? Like a loving mamma stork caring for her young, God cares for you.

“Surely goodness and mercy (hesed) shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”-Psalm 23:6

Lucille Zimmerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Littleton, CO and an affiliate faculty professor at Colorado Christian University.  

She is also the author of Renewed: Finding Your Inner Happy in an Overwhelmed World. Through practical ideas and relatable anecdotes, readers can better understand their strengths and their passions—and address some of the underlying struggles or hurts that make them want to keep busy or minister to others to the detriment of themselves. Renewed can help nurture those areas of women’s lives to use them better for work, family, and service. It gives readers permission to examine where they spend their energy and time, and learn to set limits and listen to “that inner voice."