Isaiah 64:3
3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,
you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
(NIV)
We expect so much out of God. Our prayers are full of expectations. God I need this. God I want this. God intervine here. God bring this person to know you. God this is a huge problem, help.
God I want a husband/wife. God we want a child. God we have financial troubles.
God my work situation is awful. God ministry is drowning me. God come closer. God I want to know You more. God I want to be in Your presence more.
So your expectation list may look or be similar to some of these. Regardless, you have expectations every day. I have the same.
This verse from Isaiah has really challenged me though, to realize that God wants to do more than what I could ever bring before Him as an expectation. Awesome things. Awesome things.
Meaning, what I'm bringing before God is nowhere near what He can or what He wants to do.
That unknown - that's the awesome. The expectations we are bringing before God - they don't even touch 'awesome.' The thought of that puts me in awe. The thought of that makes me want to grab my heart, put it before Jesus and say "Change it oh Lord! Change it! Make it only want the unexpected!"
What does it speak to you?
Friday, May 30, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Ma gandesc
"Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!" (from Psalm 105)
Caleb has a kids' praise album of songs just with scripture. Nothing added to them, just scripture. I have to say it's one of the best worship albums I've ever listened to - well, and it makes sense, because it's just His Word that you're hearing.
This verse above is in one of the songs on this album. What power there is in that line alone.
Is your heart seeking God?
Then it should be rejoicing!
The Holy Spirit has been bringing this to mind over and over again this week.
Kels, you frustrated with the kids not having families? You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kelsey, are you frustrated with the way things are run where you work? You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, are you tired and worn out from never ending needs in Marghita? Have you been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, are you concerned about your finances and the upcoming update/raise support trip in June? Have you been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, you feel like you've been given a new vision for Marghita and are frustrated because you don't see yet how God is going to bring that into action? You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, you're sad because you can't take Caleb out of the country for a couple of months with you? You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, you are broken over the hopelessness that surrounds Marghita. You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Why are we not rejoicing people? Why are we not rejoicing...
Rejoice today.
Caleb has a kids' praise album of songs just with scripture. Nothing added to them, just scripture. I have to say it's one of the best worship albums I've ever listened to - well, and it makes sense, because it's just His Word that you're hearing.
This verse above is in one of the songs on this album. What power there is in that line alone.
Is your heart seeking God?
Then it should be rejoicing!
The Holy Spirit has been bringing this to mind over and over again this week.
Kels, you frustrated with the kids not having families? You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kelsey, are you frustrated with the way things are run where you work? You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, are you tired and worn out from never ending needs in Marghita? Have you been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, are you concerned about your finances and the upcoming update/raise support trip in June? Have you been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, you feel like you've been given a new vision for Marghita and are frustrated because you don't see yet how God is going to bring that into action? You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, you're sad because you can't take Caleb out of the country for a couple of months with you? You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Kels, you are broken over the hopelessness that surrounds Marghita. You've been seeking the Lord on this?
REJOICE!
Why are we not rejoicing people? Why are we not rejoicing...
Rejoice today.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ma gandesc...
It's all about Gideon this week. The more I bring what God did with Him before the Lord the more I am in awe of the lesson it has left for us now. "Sorry Gideon, you have too many soldiers to kick the Midianites' butts." How often do we bring before God our "too little" and just complain about it?
Not once did Gideon complain or question God in His decreasing of the troops. If he would have I'm sure it would have been noted. If you take a look at chapter 6 Gideon show himself to be someone who has no fear of questioning God and double checking God's direction. God starts telling him that he has too many soldiers and all Gideon does is obey.
Things I have complained about in my life as "too little" or "not right" or "i don't like it this way" . . . .
Money.
Family.
Car.
Job.
School.
Marriage.
Kids.
Co-workers.
Boss.
Church.
Pastor.
Worship Leader.
Small Group.
Vacation.
Clothes.
Toys.
Food.
Cell Phones.
Electronics.
Friends.
Faith.
Love.
The list could go on, right?
The thing is, God could have defeated the Midianites with just Gideon flying solo. He probably only kept the 300 around so that Gideon wouldn't have a major freak out session.
He didn't need the 300 though. The Midianites ended up slaughtering each other in confusion. God truly did "hand" the Midianites to Gideon.
Why?
To show the Israelites His power. To get all of the glory for Himself. After all, the Israelites sure enjoyed giving glory and worship to other gods during this time. So God wanted this one all for Himself; as it should have been anyway.
So again, the question of, what do we complain about as too little...or not the way you expected things to be...or not liking something or someone a certain way etc...?
I'm pretty sure God has you in that "too little" situation to bring about some major glory His way. We need to have a serious heart-attitude check in regards to this. To become Gideons and see the "too little" as a huge opportunity to see God move in a powerful and awesome way!
Not once did Gideon complain or question God in His decreasing of the troops. If he would have I'm sure it would have been noted. If you take a look at chapter 6 Gideon show himself to be someone who has no fear of questioning God and double checking God's direction. God starts telling him that he has too many soldiers and all Gideon does is obey.
Things I have complained about in my life as "too little" or "not right" or "i don't like it this way" . . . .
Money.
Family.
Car.
Job.
School.
Marriage.
Kids.
Co-workers.
Boss.
Church.
Pastor.
Worship Leader.
Small Group.
Vacation.
Clothes.
Toys.
Food.
Cell Phones.
Electronics.
Friends.
Faith.
Love.
The list could go on, right?
The thing is, God could have defeated the Midianites with just Gideon flying solo. He probably only kept the 300 around so that Gideon wouldn't have a major freak out session.
He didn't need the 300 though. The Midianites ended up slaughtering each other in confusion. God truly did "hand" the Midianites to Gideon.
Why?
To show the Israelites His power. To get all of the glory for Himself. After all, the Israelites sure enjoyed giving glory and worship to other gods during this time. So God wanted this one all for Himself; as it should have been anyway.
So again, the question of, what do we complain about as too little...or not the way you expected things to be...or not liking something or someone a certain way etc...?
I'm pretty sure God has you in that "too little" situation to bring about some major glory His way. We need to have a serious heart-attitude check in regards to this. To become Gideons and see the "too little" as a huge opportunity to see God move in a powerful and awesome way!
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