Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I wrote a blog post. I actually did write a few, but they didn't make it to press. They are sitting in my drafts box unpublished. Our world has been a bit askew since moving from the Midwest to Southern California. But it has all been good. We are now living in the Santa Clarita area of California, which is northern Los Angeles County. Valencia is within Santa Clarita and our little town is just northwest of there. We are 45 minutes from Ventura, and the beach, and we got to spend a few months in that environment with friends. For living out of a suitcase, we were pretty content with the blessings God provided.
We've also had a new grandson born within the last couple of months and I went back to KY, where they live, for a few weeks to share in that joy. He is so amazing and I love him to the moon and back. Those nights of sitting with him were a pure joy because I got to pray over him and commit him to the Lord. My daughter and son-in-law don't know what to think about my assertion that he could become the next Billy Graham! I have petitioned the Lord to set him aside for His purposes and gift him greatly for the Kingdom:-) What a privilege it was to read scripture over him, sing to him, and ask the Lord to guard him, guide him, keep him, and bless him. I'm reminded of how my mother prayed for me always and I prayed for my own daughter. What a sweet gift God has given us in prayer. The place where we can be with Him in sweet communion and communication, praising Him and bringing our needs to Him, and knowing all the while that He is in control.
Well, I've brought us up to speed on the goings-on of our personal journey. Bill is working at Real Life Church in Valencia and we love it here! We will be launching Celebrate Recovery at the end of September and are relying on God to bring many people to freedom through this ministry. The support of the church is phenomenal and we are so grateful for our lead pastor, Rusty George, and a great staff. They are so helpful. We get to see our ever-beloved, Mike Breaux, occasionally as well, as he teaches out here every so often. We love his family and are so blessed to be able to see them out here on the West Coast.
My thoughts for today are on God's Word. It is always personal and He will direct us to areas wherein He wants to guide us and minister to us. I believe He also uses other God-inspired tools, such as the little Jesus Calling book, to confirm things to us and navigate us through the highs and lows of life. A little daily devotional that never fails to encourage me and remind me that God's Holy Spirit lives within me as a believer in Jesus Christ. With that Power and Wisdom at my disposal, I can process and filter things differently than I otherwise would be able to - much better, I would say.
Today, my Jesus Calling devotion was so spot-on. It's not uncommon for spiritual warfare to try and distract us from accomplishing the work God has set before us. We cannot see this spiritual world, but we experience it and God allows us to recognize it. He teaches us to look to Him to combat such opposition and to use the tools, the armor of God - if you will, that He has given us to stand firm. When you are on the front lines of ministering the grace, truth, and power of Jesus Christ to a world that doesn't know Him, you get used to a few proverbial pebbles, rocks, darts, even bullets, being directed your way. It is important to remember that satan uses people to pull off these distractions, yet they are NOT the enemy; he is. He encourages them to believe misconceptions, to gossip and to think the worst, to become critical and cynical. Emotions will go beyond what Lysa Terkeurst calls indicators and become dictators. Pride will trick us into thinking our way of thinking is superior to that of others. We can become quiet self-focused. It's just our human sin nature and, unfortunately, we all fall prey to this tactic of the enemy. Yet, it hurts when we fall into these traps or see others fall into them. It really hurts when we are the target, and none of us are exempt when we want to follow Jesus and tell others of His great love. But God! God affirms that He is in control and we can rest in His protection and provision.
Jesus Calling reminded me of that today, August 22nd. It read, "TRUST ME, and don't be afraid. I want you to view trials as exercises designed to develop your trust-muscles. You live in the midst of fierce spiritual battles, and fear is one of satan's favorite weapons. When you start to feel afraid, affirm your trust in Me. Speak out loud, if circumstances permit. Resist the devil in My Name, and he will slink away from you. Refresh yourself in My Holy Presence. Speak or sing praises to Me, and My Face will shine upon you. Remember that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Me. You have been judged NOT GUILTY for all eternity. Trust Me, and don't be afraid, for I am your Strength, Song, and Salvation."
The accompanying verses for this included Isaiah 12:2. I love this verse: "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation." There's a double emphasis on who my strength and song is....THE LORD! And the letters are all Caps! That doesn't go unnoticed by me. I choose to allow Him to be my strength and song and salvation!
I'm singing IN CAPS right now for THE LORD is the great defender! Spending the day with Him and flexing my spiritual trust-muscles is just what I needed. The day has become brighter as His Face shines upon me. It's amazing what a change in focus can bring about. As I focus on worshiping THE LORD, my perspective changes. He is bigger; He is greater; He is my salvation!
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