Saturday, February 16, 2008

God of Wonders

Well, this is the first of my blogs. No promises here. I'm aiming for 1/month. :) The kids are in bed for a nap (Belle's sick, otherwise she'd be up), and my house is clean (by my standards). It's a Saturday and we are at home. These events rarely line up and leave me with choices. Today I choose to blog... hopefully I'll be back again in March.

Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:13-14

I believe.
This week... actually yesterday, I picked up my Believing God (Beth Moore) Bible study. Never finished it a few years ago. In fact, I began this study at a time in my life when I consistantly didn't see things through, nor did I rely on my Lord to see me through, when I was ill-sufficient (i.e. always). I would like to cautiously say that I now qualify for the "doing-better-category," here. My resolve is strengthened by intentional habit but so much moreso by God's firming impression in my flimsy clay. I recently crossed the finish-line of a few Bible studies... (not an accomplishment that I'm boasting about. That alone is a testimony of God-in-me minus the Kelly.) Craving more, I pulled out an already purchased piece of wisdom, which leads me to today.
I believe.
I believe in spite of "as seen on tv" reality. Let me quote Beth for a minute (yeah, we're on a first name basis).

"While heaven is the ultimate land of God's promise, the concept of a promised land has profound applications in our earthly lives, just as it did in the lives of the Israelites. In essence, my "promised land" is the place where my theology merges with my reality.
...Our promised lands are places where God is willing to work untold wonders but He desires two critical preparations from us: faith and sanctification."
oh and: "Sometimes God may prioritize the faith required to continue trusting Him when we don't get what we ask over the faith required to receive it."

Man, I am prepping for a promised land. Most of you know that I've been divorced now for nearly 3 years - separated for more. The Lord has led me (in spite of me) to the edge of a miracle. He's told me to prep for reconciliation, redemption, and ressurection of a dead marriage - yep, a miracle. Faith and sanctification... oh how I lack.

Praise You, oh Lord that You grant us HEAVEN, eternal life, in spite of the grossness that we perpetrate... change my thoughts of me, Oh Lord, cover them in Your blood, remove me, humble me, radically transform, that nothing but You and Your glory remain.

All earthly, temporary, "easy" odds say, give it up girl. You gotta look out for you. "You know that sounds great..., but that doesn't really happen." But my Lord says, "I HATE DIVORCE." (see Malachi 2:16, Matt. 19:1-12, 1 Cor. 7:11) I dare to say - He means it! He means it for America, the culture of 2008. HE'S NOT KIDDDING.
And then my Lord says!, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matt. 7:7-8). Dude, I've got one hand on the door and one on the doorbell. And I will not let loose. I choose to believe in spite of overwhelming tangible evidence that says to give up, take my parting gifts and go on... down a "realistic" path. But that's not our path. We are to "bear the likeness of the man from heaven" (1 Cor. 15:47). Did this man from heaven ever question the end result? Did our Lord, Jesus Christ, say you know, you're right, I should just hop off this cross and prove my power. NO... I will say it again NO. Death has NO sting. Dead marriages have been defeated through faith when we dare to say, "I BELIEVE."
Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear friends, stand firm. LET NOTHING MOVE YOU. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
In the end, and there will be an end (Praise you Lord!), this faith pilgrimmage is a choice, an hourly and daily active and intentional choice to BELIEVE.
My friend, today is already won.
I love you all. (don't know who's actually reading this, but the sentiment remains)

Pray for the heart of John. But so much more importantly PRAISE the Lord who has already claimed victory. He is not in the business of relinquishing what is already HIS.

He said to me. It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
Revelation 21:6

2 comments:

JandK Walters said...

Yeah!!!! I am so glad, my favorite spring of wisdom is now here in word form! I love the way you write my sweet friend but more I love Him in you. I love that I know His characteristics more by glancing at your life. I love that I find strength in Him by looking more closely into your life and mostly.... I love that I feel more pursued by Him by being chosen to be called your friend! I am glad for you to blog even though Im not sure monthly is going to cut it for me sister, Ill take what you give! K

Paula V said...

love this, agree, and feel the same:
And then my Lord says!, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matt. 7:7-8). Dude, I've got one hand on the door and one on the doorbell. And I will not let loose. I choose to believe in spite of overwhelming tangible evidence that says to give up, take my parting gifts and go on... down a "realistic" path. But that's not our path. We are to "bear the likeness of the man from heaven" (1 Cor. 15:47).... Dead marriages have been defeated through faith when we dare to say, "I BELIEVE."

My sentiments exactly: in spite of overwhelming tangible evidence that says to give up, and go on... down a "realistic" path. EVERYONE, EVERYTHING says to do this. I at one point tried this for a week and through that God confirmed what I am to do: stand and believe. I can't go with everyone and everything. I must go with God and believe what He can do and that is to overcome the "overwhelming tangible evidence" that what I believe is totally impossible.

I've done. I've read 'em all.

I feel I know you better. Hope you come see me to know me better and we can commune via email too.