Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord Your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

I had the blessing this morning of meeting a brave, young sister in Christ. She came into the office to see the doc and the Lord kept the office quiet (phones, walk-ins, etc.) during her time here to give us an opportunity to talk. She is a fairly new believer who is heading to London in just over a week to go to college. She will be studying Islamic and Arabic culture. She has such excitement in her for the journey ahead. There is a fear though, in that the college she will be attending is primarily controlled by Muslims. Her hearts desire is to minister to Arabic women.

A few prayer requests for her:

-A Christian fellowship over there.
-For the Lord to keep her strong in Him and guard her mind as she studies this culture and their religion.
-That the Lord would protect her physically.

"Captivating"

The Lord has used this book to open my eyes to a few things:

1st He has brought me to an awesome place in my walk that I am so grateful for. A place where I can no longer isolate myself - these words from Anais Nin portray this season perfectly: "Then the time came when the risk it took to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

2nd was a revelation of why I am so quick to control - if I am not in control, I am vulnerable. "...beneath it all, behind it all, is a single truth: women dominate and control because they fear their vulnerability." God's word states in Romans 14:23 "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Father, I have no reason to fear my vulnerability if every step I take is a step of faith - You are my shield, my strong tower - I should be completely at peace if I am walking in faith in You. I ask that You would increase my measure of faith - I ask that You would do the same for each member of the body. Dad, how awesome it would be, what amazing work You could accomplish through Your church if we could all do away with this fear of vulnerability.

I have just returned home from my training in Milwaukee and what a blessed trip it was. It was a tough decision to go as Jonathan was in the hospital, but Tuesday morning the Lord gave me a peace about going. I attempted several times to come home early as John's status was not improving, but the Lord had a greater plan (when does He not?).

I had gone with the expectation of spending all my down time with just the Lord; I was excited about this. Well, I was blessed to spend most of this time in the presence of a sister in the Lord, Wendy. She is the wife of my trainer, Randy. With the possibility of the Lord bringing John home at any moment, it was good to have someone near. Come to find out the Lord had me there for this couple. They have been searching for a new church home for quite some time. I had planned on visiting Calvary of Milwaukee and invited them along. After leaving they said that was exactly what they had been looking for. Praise the Lord.

Father, thank You for the opportunity to minister to Wendy and for using me as a tool to lead them to a place of fellowship. Thank You for always suprising me with Your plans, how they are always exactly what I need. It amazes me how You know the depths of my heart and my needs so much better than I.

I ask that You would guide Randy and Wendy in this new fellowship, show them their place amongst them.

Thank You also for the gift of eternal life with You. How awesome it is to picture my brother John worshipping You at this very moment. Thank You for the blessing of knowing him here on this earth. Father, I pray for comfort for Rachel, give her the strength she needs through arranging the funeral arrangements and the days to follow. I pray for wisdom, patience and strength to raise Maeve. I ask that You would comfort Kiri through this time as well, show her it is okay to grieve for her brother. Father, You know the pain this family has had to endure over the past few months with losing Tim and now John...I pray that these trials would bring them closer, that You would use this for Your glory, that these tough times would draw them all closer and not tear them further apart.

I love You, Dad, I am so grateful that You are in control of all things, that You have planned and prepared each of our steps. Thank You again for the gift of Your Son and that of eternal life with You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Defined by someone

In this life, do you find yourself being identified by someone who is always near you? Like when you are young, you are always identified by your parents. Then as you grow, you are always connected to your best friend, roommate, significant other. This has always been the case, always me and _____, always attached to someone, this is the revelation the Lord gave me on Friday. And now, I am just me, a Christian girl, striving to become more like Christ, finding my place in this foreign land; alone, yet completely surrounded by so many. This is the place the Lord desires for me to be secure in, to learn to walk in, to be me, a child of God, to allow that to define what others see. This is both a scary and yet really exciting place to be in, there is a lot to learn. It is a secure place to be, I know the Lord has shown me that.

I believe that no matter what He calls us to in life; ministry, singleness, parenthood, etc. we need to have this security, I am excited to gain this in my life...to be secure in who I am in Christ, who He has made me to be, His daughter. How many in this world never find this?

Part 5 - God's soldier

Greek def.

soldier - co-campaigner - figuratively; an associate in Christian toil.

2Ti 2:1 - 10 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give theee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Part 4 - Secure in the Great I AM

We are secure in the great I AM

Hebrew
I Am - Jehovah - Lord - verb: to be, no beginning no end - God is always, ever present, the same

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you...."

Proverbs 3:19-26 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

What an awesome promise - Father, help us to seek Your wisdom and increased discretion, bring all this to remembrance in times of uncertainty.

Part 3 - Saints of the Righteous Servant

We are saints of the Righteous Servant

Greek -
saint - sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated)

Isaiah 53:11-12 He shall see of the trevail of his soul, and shall be satisified: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm 37:28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Part 2 - Chosen by God

I am chosen by God the Creator

Hebrew Def.
God - Elohim - omnipotent power
Greek Def.
Chosen - implies favorite

Genesis 1:1-31

John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you.

Ephesians 1:4 "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love."

Part 1 - A walk of holiness

Last night at 4/12 we were asked the question...What does a walk of holiness look like? I believe to fully know what this would look like, we would need to understand who Christ is and who we are in Christ. By the end of the night I knew I needed to search the scriptures on this...

The first thing that came to my attention is that I am accepted by the King of kings.

Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Did you know that in the Greek chosen or elect implies one's favorite...I am God's favorite, it doesn't matter what anyone else's view of me is, I was chosen by the King of kings :) and if you know Christ as your Saviour, you can know this as well.