A "New" Purpose

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12

A few months ago the Lord placed something heavy on my heart. My desire to serve was still in place but I was unsure if he still wanted me in my present place of service. I knew he had a purpose yet the look of that purpose needed to change and would change in some shape or form. Some time down the journey of prayer and search the Lord hadn't revealed to me what that purpose would look like just yet. I pursued some opportunities, prayed about them, sought after them and they didn't lead anywhere. Of course discouragement swept over me and I continued on with my daily/weekly routine. I had HOPE that he would reveal to me where this new change was; I really wanted sooner rather than later. So I continued to pray!

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

“pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Praying and waiting on the Lord kept going for a few months. Nothing seemed to happen until one day he placed the opportunity in my heart. It moved to my head so I prayed some more and sought some guidance from my mentor. She had agreed and said “Go for it!”.

Now I’ll be taking a leap of faith and following his lead with obedience. I've been given the opportunity to completely move from one kid’s ministry… are you ready for things?!... to another kids’ ministry. When the idea of changing my purpose for Christ had come to mind months ago I had thought it wouldn't involve kids’ ministry anymore. I had wanted to explore other ages and types of ministry, even outside of the church. However, the Lord had other things in mind.

Clearly he is still leading me to work with kids; that part is the same. However there are some other changes, which are completely new to me. I’ll be working with a completely new group of people that I don’t know very well. Also it’s a part of a church plant, which is something I've never experienced. I am very excited about this new adventure. It’s a wonderful feeling to finally see where God has been leading me, to accept his call and go! I’m excited about the new people I’ll get to meet and minister to. I’m ready for this “new” purpose!

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18-19

My point here is to say that the Lord is faithful to fulfill his promises when we are faithful to trust him, follow his lead and hold on to him through it all. Through all the time of the unknown and discouragement I knew, had hope and faith that he would reveal the purpose to me. And he sure did! 

Keeping Focused On Your Purpose

Jesus had incredible purpose! He never let that out of his sight. He always had the goal in his mind of serving the Father.

As I reflect on my weekend away at a retreat where we learned about the wilderness (Luke 4) and how the Lord was tempted, I am reminded of my wilderness times, those times that I may have lost my focus of who I was serving, and forgot what my incredible purpose was all about. As a human the decision to choose self over others is always a temptation. When I (we) face the times of wilderness and temptation is my (our) focus always on Christ? Who am I serving? What’s my purpose as his daughter, chosen by him?

I’m sure that we all question in our wilderness times what the purpose is. We probably ask ourselves and others “what is the point? I don’t understand why this is happening to me. Not right now, worst timing ever!” Well here is some good news; God always has a purpose in that time of wilderness. He will use it to grow and teach you new things, if you allow him.

In Luke 4 verse 1 it says that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. I believe this is was kept him focused, having he Holy Spirit fill him, be alive and active inside him was what kept him on track and able to withstand against temptation. Satan tried so hard to trick and confuse him but Jesus the Lord almighty is powerful, more powerful that all things. Satan can’t stand against him, can’t make him bow down.

So what does that mean for you and me? We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. How do we do that? There are a few choices that will need to be made.

1.      Choose to say NO to sin. Flee from it. And take it seriously when it does come up.

2.      Have more of Christ in your life. By this I mean a relationship. It’s not something that just happens; you must work at it daily. Be in his word, fellowship with other believers, walk in obedience, choosing him over the worldly things.

3.      The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) Live by these.

4.      Reconciliation of relationships. Go to those whom you have conflict with, restore and forgive them. Show them grace and mercy just as Jesus showed us through his sacrifice. 

Moving "Up"

A new chapter has developed in my life over the past few weeks. In reference to Moving "Up" I know live in a new apartment that is a "loft". So I am moving up in life literally. I love my new home! It's all to myself and so wonderful to feel like a "grown-up" with more responsibilities and to do life for me. I know that may sound selfish but I don't mean it that way. My life still belongs completely to the Lord, he is the one who is in charge. I wouldn't have been able to reach this new chapter without him. All the glory goes to him, he is the one who has blessed me with this opportunity. I am not worthy of this gift yet he still chooses to give it. Just like his grace, be blesses me with forgiveness and love when I don't even offer him my firstfruits.

As life continues I'm enjoying this time off from school, not quite ready to get back to it. A lot has taken place so far this Fall, and it's only half over. Let's see what he'll do in the next few months.

Halfway There!

There IT is! Finally accomplished this portion of my college career. Thanks to all who have helped me in many ways, big and small. 

All glory and praise to the Lord for giving me the perseverance and strength to push through and reach my goal.  He is always faithful, His love is unfailing, and He never gives up on me! I am so thankful and blessed to have His love and to have someone who constantly cares for me. 

Now on to the next chapter. In the Spring I am hoping to start working towards my Bachelor's Degree. We'll see where the Lord leads me. I'm excited to get started and see what He does with this semester off and who will come next year. I'm ready to DIVE in head first! Let's go! 

It's half finish...

I'm beginning to see that light at the end of the tunnel, school is finally falling into place and the end is near... well sort of!

As I close one chapter of my college career it's such a relief yet I see this huge mountain ahead of me to overcome the next phase. There are so many people that have shared in this journey for me to reach my goal. My family has been a huge. Even though they don't have a clue about how the whole college process goes they've been there to listen to me complain and get excited about all this college "stuff". They have helped me financially as well. My friends have been a huge support (sometimes a distraction too). They have taken the time to tutor me, be patient with me, understand the demands, encourage, and volunteer their time to hear my speak. I am ever so grateful for all of this!

Now I ask the same of you all! Please do the same for this next phase. Please be in prayer for my dedication and perseverance to grow and continue. It's the last half and it might be the most challenging.

Also I am very thankful for my Heavenly Father and the strength He has given me to press on through it all. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for Him guiding my path through this life. He has carried me through the hardest moments and blessed me with some of the sweetest moments.

He is now leading me to take a long-deep breath this semester. I've been in constant school year round since Fall of 2010, it's time for a break. I need to refocus and let classes fall into place. A few months off shouldn't hurt to badly. This semester is to focus on me, my walk with Him, growing and preparing for the next chapter of school. Also I'm going to focus in new ministries and opportunities to serve Him more wholeheartedly!

Even in the midst of the stress of these final few weeks of preparation "he will quiet me by his love" (Zeph. 3:17b), "to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79b), "to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul, O my God, in you I trust." (Psalm 25:1,2a). His love quiets my soul, He gives me peace as I allow him to guide my footsteps and I trust in His ways.

Experiencing Healing

Experiencing healing is a wonderful feeling. The Lord is still working on my healing process. I've reached a new point that has caused some great amounts of faith, growth and trust. I must choose to take the leap of faith and trust His plan for me and His instructions for the call of obedience.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - But it is written "what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him (and wait for him - Isaiah 64:4)."

The Lord is calling me to things I never thought would happen. But I believe that because of the Holy Spirit living inside me I have the ability to accept and walk in obedience to do what He's called me to do.

Miracle by Sara Groves
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
Quiet our hearts for a little while

Things have been spoken
Shouldn't be said
Rattles around in our hearts and our heads

Let's feel what we cannot feel
Know what we cannot know
Let’s heal where we couldn't heal
Oh, it's a miracle, it's a miracle

Things have been spoken
Shouldn't be said
Rattles around in our hearts and our heads

Let's feel what we cannot feel
Know what we cannot know
Let’s heal where we couldn't heal
Oh, it’s a miracle, love is a miracle

Let's feel what we cannot feel
Know what we cannot know
Let’s heal where we couldn't heal
Oh, it's a miracle

Let's say what we cannot say
Let’s see what we cannot not see
Let’s hear what we could not hear
Oh it’s a mystery, love is a mystery
Oh it's a miracle, it's a miracle
Let's be a miracle

Forgiving

I know it's something we all struggle with. Don't tell me you're perfect because you're not, none of us are!!! In God's eyes He sees us as clean and holy and pure, but I am not perfect. I'm trying to grow and do what God asks me to do but it sure isn't easy. A huge struggle for me has been forgiveness. I just can't seem to forgive. There is this dark cloud always hanging over me, sometimes the sun comes out and I have a great jot and then there are moments when it just completely clouds me in, sucking the joy and contentment from my heart. I know it's because I can't forgive. I'm not sure how to do it, and it's a choice I have to choose daily and even moment by moment.

This song by Matthew West is perfect, the chorus especially. I desperately need the Lord to show me how to love this person, how to forgive this person. I need to be set free from it and I don't really know how to reach that point of freedom. My mind can't comprehend how this could be possible for me, as a human, to forgive. Scripture says that God does the impossible and unimaginable, so Lord I need you do this, what seems impossible to me. Please give me the ability to know how and do the forgiving that needs to be done.

FORGIVENESS
Artist: MATTHEW WEST.
Album: Into the Light

It’s the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always go to those who don’t deserve
It’s the opposite of how you feel
When they pain they caused is just too real
Takes everything you have to say the word
Forgiveness, forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It’s always angers own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It’s the whisper in your ear saying set it free
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness

Show me how
To love the unlovable
Show me how
To reach the unreachable
Help me now
To do the impossible
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Help me now
To do the impossible
Forgiveness

It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what its power can do
So let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Oh, forgiveness, forgiveness

I want finally set it free
Show me how
To see what Your mercy sees
Help me now
To give what You gave to me
Forgiveness