Ok I admit it... the closer I come to my 40th birthday the more I wonder about the significance of my life. What have I done with this life God has given me so far?
20 years ago my measure of success would have involved loving God, a big job, big income to go with it, a happy husband and 2.5 children and the white picket fence. What the last 20 years have taught me is that there are far more important things; the gifts God has given me and what I have done with those gifts are how success will be defined in my life.
I was listening to a new CD this morning and Jimmy Needham sang about how my obedience will be the measure of success and it struck me. There is no greater way to keep me on the path of God's will that will lead me face to face with my Creator; hopefully hearing "Well done, good and faithful servant". That will be ultimate success.
So my future will not be measured by success or human significance but by my obedience to my Father in heaven.
Thank you Father for the your truth in my life.
Rochelle
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Press in...
When the heavy heart comes... press in
When the future is uncertain... press in.
When you are scared... press in.
When you have said the wrong thing or behaved badly... press in.
Go to Him. Submit to Him. Release it to Him.
He is there - available and ready.
He already knows where you are at and He is not shaken.
He already has a plan to take you from where you are to a new place He has for you.
You don't have to stay where you are.
Trust Him and go to the new place He has for you... He will be there too...
Lord, take me to a new place today.
When the future is uncertain... press in.
When you are scared... press in.
When you have said the wrong thing or behaved badly... press in.
Go to Him. Submit to Him. Release it to Him.
He is there - available and ready.
He already knows where you are at and He is not shaken.
He already has a plan to take you from where you are to a new place He has for you.
You don't have to stay where you are.
Trust Him and go to the new place He has for you... He will be there too...
Lord, take me to a new place today.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Out of the mouths of babes
Morgan and I had an interesting conversation on the way home from church tonight that served as my devotional for today. We were talking about the difference between doing something for God or realizing what God has done for us. Which draws us closer to God? Sacrifice or Acceptance?
I was stunned by the wisdom of my (almost) 16 year old. As she shared her heart I realized the truth that God had already planted in her. She talked about how she hears about self sacrifice and striving to live a life that pleases God. I asked her "What's wrong with that?". She went on to explain that if that becomes her focus, it becomes all about works, what she needs to do to get a relationship with God. She explained she wanted her focus to be what God represented to her, how He loved her, who He was. It was then that she would be compelled to transform her life to align with Him. If it was the other way, then it would be more about what she could do for Him, not what He had already done for her.
Isn't it amazing how we naturally think about what we need to be doing for God? Really? Does He really need us to do things for Him? I went to the word and here's what I found:
Isaiah 41:29
Behold, they are all a delusion;their works are nothing;their metal images are empty wind.
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Galatians 2:16
yet we know that a person is not justified [Or counted righteous); by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
and His Word was very clear. So if it's not about what I am doing for God, then what is it? Back to the word again...
Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.
My role is to accept the gift that God has for me (salvation), to acknowledge that He is God with everything I am, but most importantly to remember that it is not about what I can do for Him, but to acknowledge everything that He already is and worship Him.
I was stunned by the wisdom of my (almost) 16 year old. As she shared her heart I realized the truth that God had already planted in her. She talked about how she hears about self sacrifice and striving to live a life that pleases God. I asked her "What's wrong with that?". She went on to explain that if that becomes her focus, it becomes all about works, what she needs to do to get a relationship with God. She explained she wanted her focus to be what God represented to her, how He loved her, who He was. It was then that she would be compelled to transform her life to align with Him. If it was the other way, then it would be more about what she could do for Him, not what He had already done for her.
Isn't it amazing how we naturally think about what we need to be doing for God? Really? Does He really need us to do things for Him? I went to the word and here's what I found:
Isaiah 41:29
Behold, they are all a delusion;their works are nothing;their metal images are empty wind.
Romans 4:2
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Galatians 2:16
yet we know that a person is not justified [Or counted righteous); by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
and His Word was very clear. So if it's not about what I am doing for God, then what is it? Back to the word again...
Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.
My role is to accept the gift that God has for me (salvation), to acknowledge that He is God with everything I am, but most importantly to remember that it is not about what I can do for Him, but to acknowledge everything that He already is and worship Him.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Do as I say, not as I do?
Reading from Matthew 23 today...
I thought it was interesting that Christ said to the crowds and his disciples about the Pharasees, "practice and observe what they tell you, but don't do what they do. They preach, but they don't practice." Harsh... but isn't that what we do?
We are so quick to see how others should live. Trouble is, we are blind to the way we are living. What do we reflect in our own lives? Are we busy telling everyone else how to live, but neglecting to "live it"?
Where the mirror or better yet the magnifying glass gets really big for me here is in my children's lives. Because at home is where the rubber meets the road. Do my children see me pray? Do they see me spending time with God? Because they also hear my words that can be harsh and judgmental sometimes. They see how I spend my time and my attitudes. My heart cries for authenticity in my own life, but I have to ask myself today if my actions do. I want to make sure that in our house, Christ wouldn't say... "children practice and observe what your mom says, just don't do what she does".
I desire an authentic life living for God. Living it out with humbleness (required by scripture, not because I am naturally humble), grace (that only God can give), and transparency (as a choice). Lord, teach me again today.
I thought it was interesting that Christ said to the crowds and his disciples about the Pharasees, "practice and observe what they tell you, but don't do what they do. They preach, but they don't practice." Harsh... but isn't that what we do?
We are so quick to see how others should live. Trouble is, we are blind to the way we are living. What do we reflect in our own lives? Are we busy telling everyone else how to live, but neglecting to "live it"?
Where the mirror or better yet the magnifying glass gets really big for me here is in my children's lives. Because at home is where the rubber meets the road. Do my children see me pray? Do they see me spending time with God? Because they also hear my words that can be harsh and judgmental sometimes. They see how I spend my time and my attitudes. My heart cries for authenticity in my own life, but I have to ask myself today if my actions do. I want to make sure that in our house, Christ wouldn't say... "children practice and observe what your mom says, just don't do what she does".
I desire an authentic life living for God. Living it out with humbleness (required by scripture, not because I am naturally humble), grace (that only God can give), and transparency (as a choice). Lord, teach me again today.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Burning Building
On my way to church today I saw a scene that captured my attention in a big way. There was an old building that used to house a church here in town. The church had moved to another facility several years ago and this building has stood empty since they left.
Today the parking lot and adjacent field was filled with fire engines, fire marshalls, many other official looking cars and a bulldozer. This was obviously a training event for the fire department.
As I drove by I looked at the burning building and thought of all the awesome things that church had experienced together as the body of Christ. There had been life changing events: decisions for Christ, weddings, funerals, baby dedications, people called into full time ministry, etc. That building had been committed to the work of God in Lacey WA.
Although the legacy of this church continues elsewhere in town, this building had witnessed so much and now was going down in flames sure to be rubble by the day's end. My first thought was tearful and I wondered if this was the state of the church today. Was it burning down?
My next thought quickly overpowered the first one. I am the body of Christ - I am the temple. Before I look at anything else I need to ask the question of myself... What's the condition of this church (me)? Is this temple going up in flames or will the foundation and structure hold? Will the ministry continue after this building is no more? What have I done or what I am doing to prepare for that?
In alot of ways I think, "burn the old building and start fresh today". There are structures within me that are worn out and need newness. There are opinions and attitudes that could use a fresh coat of paint. There is excess in me that needs to be streamlined and refined.
My prayer today... "God, please give me a brand new building. Refine me so that I can please you with every aspect of my life."
Today the parking lot and adjacent field was filled with fire engines, fire marshalls, many other official looking cars and a bulldozer. This was obviously a training event for the fire department.
As I drove by I looked at the burning building and thought of all the awesome things that church had experienced together as the body of Christ. There had been life changing events: decisions for Christ, weddings, funerals, baby dedications, people called into full time ministry, etc. That building had been committed to the work of God in Lacey WA.
Although the legacy of this church continues elsewhere in town, this building had witnessed so much and now was going down in flames sure to be rubble by the day's end. My first thought was tearful and I wondered if this was the state of the church today. Was it burning down?
My next thought quickly overpowered the first one. I am the body of Christ - I am the temple. Before I look at anything else I need to ask the question of myself... What's the condition of this church (me)? Is this temple going up in flames or will the foundation and structure hold? Will the ministry continue after this building is no more? What have I done or what I am doing to prepare for that?
In alot of ways I think, "burn the old building and start fresh today". There are structures within me that are worn out and need newness. There are opinions and attitudes that could use a fresh coat of paint. There is excess in me that needs to be streamlined and refined.
My prayer today... "God, please give me a brand new building. Refine me so that I can please you with every aspect of my life."
Monday, January 25, 2010
Heavenly Perspective
What is her name? When I first saw her she looked angry. She wanted to go in Starbucks but the Sheriffs were there. She started to walk in and stopped. She sat outside for a moment looking like she was trying to decide whether or not to go in. She was talking to herself and there was anger on her face. Had she faced these officers before? Did she think they would kick her out?
My feeling that I hoped was wrong is she needed the restroom for her fix. I hope I'm wrong. I just saw the driven look in her eye. I wonder where she is at and how she came to this place. I wonder if she is mentally ill or if her life been altered by substance abuse.
What is her story? Did she have a loving family or is she the product of a fallen society? Did she have parents who loved her so much and she loved the lifestyle more and walked away... or was she abused, lived in a family that never told her they loved her. Never hugged her, never told her she belonged.
Would my compassion change depending on her story? Should it? Not if I see her through God's eyes. God sees her lost... in need of a Savior. God loves her...He wants to rescue her.
Please let today be her day of rescue.
My feeling that I hoped was wrong is she needed the restroom for her fix. I hope I'm wrong. I just saw the driven look in her eye. I wonder where she is at and how she came to this place. I wonder if she is mentally ill or if her life been altered by substance abuse.
What is her story? Did she have a loving family or is she the product of a fallen society? Did she have parents who loved her so much and she loved the lifestyle more and walked away... or was she abused, lived in a family that never told her they loved her. Never hugged her, never told her she belonged.
Would my compassion change depending on her story? Should it? Not if I see her through God's eyes. God sees her lost... in need of a Savior. God loves her...He wants to rescue her.
Please let today be her day of rescue.
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