A Woman's Walk

[Judy Harder]

Awesome God!
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of October 6, 2013


"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'"  -John 11:40

Autumn is my favorite time of year. I enjoy walks under a clear, sunny sky, framed by glorious colors and fallen leaves blowing by. It helps to clarify my mind and awaken my spirit to God's glory all around me. Each day feels like a fresh, new beginning.

I've always had a special place in my heart for autumn, but it wasn't until I began to study the Hebraic roots of Christianity that I came to have a more intimate understanding (and encounter with God) during the fall feasts season.

According to the Hebrew calendar, the Old Testament fall feasts have been completed now, and it is time to embark fresh, in a new year ahead. I love how God brings all of His purposed elements together to affect His plan on earth as it is in heaven.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Even the cadence of this scripture intimates a rhythm of presence and continuance. And we know that the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

During this particularly sweet season with the Lord, I was able to get away from the busyness of ministry and rest, reflect, repent, receive and restore.

Over the past five years, I have often prayed for understanding of why God chose the first Saturday in November for us to host our annual Women's Expo. It seemed like an odd time, since other ministries conduct their main women's events in the spring. But I knew I heard loud and clear at the outset. What I now understand is that this special season of God's High Holy Days affords me a unique opportunity to come away with Him before stepping into a summit experience.

It is an awesome thing to behold the glory of the Lord and witness His convergent miracles for His purposed plan (Heb. 1:3). When I hear about the manifest connections that are created when multiplicity happens, I am overcome.

Each year we see people's needs be met personally and professionally. One ministry leader met a Christian counselor who became her women's retreat counselor for sexually-abused women. Another woman received personal prayer for her shaky marriage. Another woman intersected with someone who led her to a new job—within two weeks! The pivotal moments are priceless and miraculous and seemingly endless. And they begin even before the event.

God sets into motion His plans for us to receive in His purposed time. One of my favorite prayers is, "Lord, enable me to receive all that you have for me and nothing that is not of You." I often open gatherings this way.

So far, I have witnessed an exhibitor help another get started with exhibiting her own artwork. They have been collaborating behind the scenes, printing photographs, cutting mats, packaging pieces to display at the Women's Expo, where they will share a booth. The outreach and sisterhood I am privileged to witness is beyond description. It's women helping women, lending a hand. So much Proverbs 31 in action, even before the big day.

This particular exhibitor has a heart to help women in need. She prays for God to bring her women she can help and hire. She is very hands-on and personable. And God has been faithful to answer her prayers. She contracts her crafted monogram work to a woman who works from home and has struggled with breast cancer for years. She is always the first one to show up at events, the first one to make an offering. Her heart is sold out to the Lord, His love and His directives. This woman is my friend, and I am inspired by her. She is someone who prays for others, who even leads the prayer ministry in her church. And God's hand of blessing and favor is upon her.

God's everyday miracles are all around us (Psalm 40:5). All we have to do is ask Him to help us see with His eyes, to hear with His ears, to do with His heart. He desires for us to seek Him, and He is faithful to answer our prayers, even if we aren't so faithful or perfect (Heb. 12:2). He will finish the work He began in us, through us and on our behalf (2 Cor. 3:18). He is the God that loves us beyond measure. And one touch from Him can change us forever, causing us to forget past afflictions (Acts 8:13).

In what ways has God touched you in this season? Look around. What miracles do you see? Have you asked God to enable you to see as He does, to hear as He does and to do as He does? He is waiting to give you more. <3

[Judy Harder]

Week of October 13
Abundance

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift from God."  ~ Ecclesiastes 5:19

Divine abundance is a wonderful gift from God.  Thankfully, divine abundance is not defined by or limited to material possessions.  Rather, it encompasses much more.  In The Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk. 12:15) Jesus says, "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

What Jesus is saying is that there is more to our purpose and identity than material things and that we must first "be rich toward God" in our hearts, our spirits and our minds by receiving all of Him and walking in His ways, guarding our hearts against greed and mammon in order to have a right attitude toward abundance (Lk.12:21).  In other words, we must first have God's character in abundance before we can sustain His blessings in abundance.  And we cannot accomplish this alone.

It is only through the abundant grace and love of our Heavenly Father that He gave His son, Jesus Christ, as our savior—who is the essence of abundance, who modeled The Father's finest principles and who also intercedes for us now at the right hand of the Father—to help us receive all of His gifts and rewards, many of which are not material.  It is through Jesus that divine joy, love, grace, favor and mercy overflow to us.  James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from above.  For this alone, we owe an abundance of thanksgiving to God.

Receiving divine abundance is also linked with our faith and actions concerning giving.  Malachi 3:10 says, "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'"

Receiving divine abundance is also linked with how we treat others.  Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  Remember, motives count.  If we just give for the sake of getting, this principle won't work.  God looks at the heart and sees all things and knows all things.

Both tithing and loving others fit into God's greatest commandments for us, which is to love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39).  This mature level of loving involves walking in obedience to God and forgiveness toward others no matter what the circumstances.  Obedience brings divine favor and rewards that are material and immaterial.

Psalm 65:11 says, "You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness . . ."  So let us ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal privately any matters that do not please God, the very issues that would prevent us from receiving Our Father's greatest abundance.  Let us repent and ask Him to fill our hearts with a fresh love for our Heavenly Father and others so that we may have a right attitude of divine priority.  And let us give Him praise for and celebrate that which He has already given us and that which is to come.  Only then will we be positioned to receive His accelerated abundance that He longs to give us during this season.

[Judy Harder]

Week of October 20
Diligence

"[Anna] never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying."  ~ Luke 2:37

The Bible tells us that Anna was a prophet and that she was married for seven years before becoming a widow.  At that point, she lived in the temple and spent the rest of her life worshipping the Lord with a pure diligence.  She understood that her Maker was her spiritual husband and that she was created for intimate relationship with Him (Is. 54:5).

Although most of us live lives that are not cloistered, we can still diligently worship the Lord everywhere God assigns us, even at work.  All that's required is that we seek His face, ask Him what's on His heart and then carefully obey Him in excellence.

He will surely respond and guide us because it is His loving desire to commune with us.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him.

With the Christmas season right around the corner, intimacy with God easily awaits us.  Church cantatas, seasonal worship music in our automobiles and holiday decorations in our homes invite us to slip into quiet time with God and appreciate Him even more.  But will we diligently make time for intimacy with Him after the season passes?  Will God remain our greatest desire 24/7?

Although, one can only ponder all the desires and burdens that were on Anna's heart as she came before the Lord day and night, year after year, the Bible reveals that the Messiah was surely dear to her.

The NIV note in Luke 2:36 tells us, "Anna praised God for the child Jesus as Hannah had praised God for the child Samuel."

Anna waited a long time for this miracle child to be born, like Hannah waited for her son Samuel's birth.  Jesus was an answer to Anna's prayers, just as Samuel was to the formerly barren Hannah.

When Anna approached Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus at the temple, the Bible says, "she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Lk. 2:38).

Anna could never have done this if she did not know what was on God's heart.  And the way Anna knew God's heart was by spending lots of time seeking His heart.  In turn, God rewarded Anna by choosing her to deliver a message that He wanted to share with those who would listen.  God knew He could trust Anna with important revelations.

Anna surely felt honored.  Undoubtedly, seeing her deepest love come forth in manifest presence in the temple (also her home) gave her heart great joy.

Like Anna, what miracles do we anticipate in this season?  Do we have the diligent faith of Anna to witness God's greatest manifestations?  Do we know His heart and His voice well enough to hear from Him when He shows up?

Like Anna, is God our first love?

My prayer is that all of us would receive great revelations from the Lord as we diligently love on Him and that we would be able to share His heart with those who will listen.

[Judy Harder]

Week of October 27
Awakening

"Wake up, Deborah, wake up!  Wake up, wake up, and sing a song!  Arise, Barak!  Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!"  ~ Judges 5:12

God suddenly alerted Deborah to speak a battle command to Barak, Israel's military leader, that would free their nation from 20 years of captivity and oppression.

Like Israel, how long and how often have we found ourselves held captive by ruthless consequences of sin?  Perhaps by our own volition or that of others.  Perhaps even by generational iniquity.  Did it not it feel like an eternity?  And did we not cry out for God to rescue us, just like the Israelites?

Indeed, God hears our cries.  And in His time, His gavel falls.  And when it does, it is swift.  Because He loves us, He not only puts an end to our suffering by driving a tent peg through the enemy's head, He revives us (Judges 4:21).  And we begin anew.

An awakening is a revival or renewal of something.  It is the beginning of a new beginning, a spring season in bud.  In Deborah and Barak's case, it was the beginning of a renewed freedom for Israel, a complete turnaround.

Awakenings are a call to action that give us a sudden, glorious opportunity to remove the grave clothes, shake off the dust and get it right.  They are rooted in God's infinite mercy and His heart of love for us.

Consider Peter.  Acts 12:7 tells us, "Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter.  The angel tapped him on the side to awaken him and said, 'Quick!  Get up!'  And the chains fell off his wrists."

As in Peter's case, divine awakenings offer us miraculous opportunity for escape, and they reposition us to fulfill God's plan.  Awakenings awe us and burst open doors of opportunity for us to receive God's abundance of life.  In divine awakenings, we are quickly relieved of burdens.  We are reminded that God's yoke is light (Matthew 11:30).

Divine awakenings send our hearts singing out of gratitude and joy.

Just last week, while sitting in my office, I noticed a bird singing right outside my window.  I don't often hear birds singing this time of year, and when I heard it's lovely chirp, I immediately sensed a spring season in my spirit.

This occurred a few more times during successive days, which prompted me to pray about what God was telling me.  He responded by showing me the word, "Awakening."  As I continue to seek His heart, I believe the Lord will reveal what type of awakening He has at hand.

Are you in need of God's awesome awakening, His miraculous and "sudden" turnaround?  Spend time in His presence seeking His heart, worshipping Him, and ask Him for one.  God can reverse your circumstances in an instant and can reset you on a path of freedom to complete your divine destiny.  He can awe you!

[Judy Harder]

Week of November 3
Heart

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of all His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."  ~Ephesians 1:18-19

Love for God is powerful.  It drives us to please Him, to carry out His will, His heart from heaven to earth (Ps. 119:11).  When we seek Him with all of our heart, we will find Him (Jer. 29:13-14), and He is always there for us, no matter where we are, ready to fellowship, ready to pour out His love to us.

In relationship with Him, we are nurtured, restored, filled up with His goodness, willing to serve Him.  In His presence, we return to contentment.  We are blessed with joyfulness and peace, no matter what our circumstances.

Heart is the center of the human spirit, according to Biblical language.  The living word of God tells us to protect and watch over our heart and that it is the wellspring, or source, from which life flows (Pr. 4:23).  Whatever we allow into our heart will flow out in some form of speech, thought or behavior.  Do we seek the Lord for purity of heart (Matt. 5:?  Do we invite the Holy Spirit, the one who sees all things (I Sam 6:7), to examine the depth of our heart (Ps. 26:2)?

I've learned that issues of the heart do not just go away.  They must be confronted.  And if they are not handled privately, they will emerge publicly.  Unresolve has the power to destroy our lives and others.  One of my favorite prayers is to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sin in my heart so that I may be in right standing before Him.  Will we find the courage to confront the issues, to turn our heart around with His help (Ps. 51:10)?

Much the same, overwork dries up the heart (Matt. 11:29).  When the busyness of life is prioritized over nurturing our hearts with prayer and meditations of God's word, how will we know the heart of God in any situation (Heb. 4:12)?  What can we possibly pour out to those around us?  The ones whom God puts in our path?  Will we have the patience to love them or even desire to extend compassion?

2 Corinthians 3:3 tells us that the Holy Spirit is written on our hearts.  Will we lean to His spirit when we are in need or react from the flesh of our heart (Ps. 19:14)?  Indeed, sometimes, a heart circumcision is in order to cut away that which encumbers us so that we may enter into a new place of intimacy with God, a new assignment, a manifest promise.

David is often described as a man after God's own heart.  Psalm 119:11 tells us, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You."

Do we treasure God's word?  Is Jesus our first love?  If not, the solution can be found in Ezekiel 18:31, "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!"

Indeed, God has given us the power of self-control.  And when we exercise it, fruit is produced.  Thankfully, we can choose to depart from carnal behaviors, ungodly thoughts and an unloving spirit.

With a heart for God, let us remember David's psalm, "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.  May the Lord grant all your requests."

[Judy Harder]

Week of November 10
Sisterhood

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers . . . but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love . . ."  ~Titus 2:3-4

There is something to be said about women helping women.  I recall when I worked as a flight attendant we women looked out for one another.  At 35,000 feet, we didn't have family, friends, church, or a support group of any kind.  Earning a living out of a suitcase in a different city each night gave new meaning to vigilance.

I witnessed competitiveness and selfishness give way to survival through unity, kinship and an inevitable bond of trust and loyalty.  Even if we occasionally worked with someone who seemed a bit odd, we all knew deep down in our hearts that that woman was one of us.  We were a united front among passengers, and we knew that in a pinch or, worse yet, in an emergency, we could depend upon one another for our rescue in the face of accosting offenders or amid smoldering wreckage.

Over time, we came to love one another as sisters, as like-minded women who deeply understood each other's joys and challenges in our work and our unique lifestyle, like no one else.

Such is the nature of teamwork, where the combined efforts of many produce much.  Women helping women, as the generations were instructed in Titus 2, produces exponential wisdom and achievement.  It helps us to begin strong, accelerate fast and finish well.  Where combined seeds of investment are planted, a multiple return is reaped.

Who are you investing in?  Perhaps it's your daughter or a mentee at work; maybe an intern.  God has a way of growing our investment.

The Cretan women in Titus 2 were taught God's precepts of servanthood, of giving and receiving in relationships, the strength and value of nurturing.  They were offered the building blocks for strong foundations in their families and work.  Paul knew their investments would be rewarded when he wrote those encouraging words.  He wanted women to succeed, as God did and still does.

How we get along with our sisters determines much.  Gossip, pettiness and back-biting are the demons of division.  And when we participate in these behaviors, we inhibit our divine blessings.

Consider 2 Timothy 2:16  "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly" and 2 Timothy 2:23-24  "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."  James 4:11 says, "Brothers [Sisters], do not slander one another."

How much more of God's blessings could we have if we just lived right?

When we let go of Cretan-like behaviors, learn who we are in Christ and choose to walk in God's empowering love, no matter what the behavior of others, we will find strength and unity, we will demonstrate sisterhood, and we will be blessed beyond measure.

What's in your heart?  For an honest account, just ask the Holy Spirit.  Then repent and prepare to walk in God's power and blessings.

[Judy Harder]

Week of November 17
Thanksgivings

"The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger.  I trust in Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."  ~ Psalm 28:7 (NLT) 

David knew the power of thanksgiving.  He understood that thanksgiving reflects a humble heart and is rooted in humble gratitude.  He was genuinely grateful.  For him, God was his only solution, his only escape from danger.  And he trusted God to show up and deliver him.  For David, God meant life.

No matter what our circumstances, we can always thank God for who He is and for delivering us from every evil darkness into every blessing of light.

James 1:17  says, "every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights . . ." (NKJV).

Thanksgiving honors God.  It is a facet of praise, a biblical precept, a key component of prayer and our Christian love walk.  The dictionary defines thanksgiving as "a prayer that offers thanks to God . . . an expression or an act of giving thanks . . . a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness."

Philippians 4:6  instructs us to pray and petition God with thanksgiving.  The NIV note for this scripture tells us that thanksgiving is "the antidote to worry."

Psalms 95:2  says, "Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song."

1 Corinthians 10:16  refers to the communion cup as "the cup of thanksgiving," which we take in remembrance of Jesus who died for us so we can have eternal life.

The word "Hallelujah," which we often sing, translates into the Hebrew word "halleluyah," which literally means "praise ye the Lord."  The dictionary defines Hallelujah as a thankful cry of "relief, welcome or gratitude."

I did a rare thing for myself one day: I bought a cup of coffee at my local grocery store and decided to take my time shopping for our week's meals.  God spoke to my heart as I came upon the book aisle.  There, I spotted TV anchor Deborah Norville's book, Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You.

"Interesting choice of words," I thought.

I flipped through the book, having recalled Mrs. Norville publicly proclaiming years earlier that she is a woman of faith.  I saw that she included lots of supporting material—quotes and studies professing that the principle of thanksgiving works.  And, indeed, in the final chapter, she directly addresses "people of faith," encouraging readers to attend assemblies of worship.

As I stood in the aisle of that market, I was reminded that the same biblical principles that we Christians are to live by also work in the world.  God doesn't want to leave anyone out.  He loves us all.

It caused me to pause and ask myself, "How is my attitude of thanksgiving?  How grateful is my heart?  Do I really honor God enough with prayers of thanksgiving?  What gifts from above have I taken for granted?

Indeed, thanksgiving is a powerful principle that touches the Father's heart.  May we ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, and may we give the Father of Light thanks for every good and perfect gift.

[Judy Harder]

Week of November 24
Overcoming

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne."   ~ Rev. 3:21

Jesus invites us to overcome everything with which the enemy tries to defeat us.  He is the ultimate overcomer, our finest example.  Through Him, nothing is impossible.

When Jesus overcame the enemy's death trap through The Father's resurrection plan, He was promoted beyond what we can measure.  He transcended into the Father's throne room, despite the enemy's devices to stop Him, to render Him powerless.  Likewise, when we choose obedience over sin, we by-pass deadly consequences (Rom. 6:23), pass the test and come closer to the Father.  We receive a divine reward that no man can match and no enemy can destroy.

Too often, the enemy has caused us pain and distress, effectively limiting us from moving efficiently in the Lord's plan.  Some form of iniquity—whether committed by us or generations before us—is often at the root.  Left unrepented, the consequences of these sins operate in our lives long-term, and they can do so without our awareness.

I Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy prowls like a roaring lion, waiting to devour us.  Luke 10:19 tells us that Jesus has given us the power to overcome the enemy.  Will we open the door and invite the enemy in through sin?  Or will we be vigilant and obedient?  If we fall, we must choose repentance quickly so the enemy cannot get a stronghold in our hearts and in our lives.

I John 5:4 tells us that everyone who accepts Jesus overcomes the world.  The love of God strengthens us through the Holy Spirit in us, while Jesus intercedes for us in the throne room.  Wherever there is temptation, therein lies the enemy.  And the Lord always provides an escape.  Question is: Do we love God enough to choose to flee?  Or do we love the world's "pleasures" more?  And if we choose the world's way, how long will we remain in the pit before repenting?  Before overcoming?

Where there is choice, there is freedom, love and consequence.  Some consequences can last a lifetime, or even steal our lives.  Must we learn lessons the painful and untimely way?

When I think of overcoming, most often, supernatural healing comes to mind.  Many people e-mail me, sharing their healing testimonies that can only be explained by God's supernatural love.  With every story of how God brought them out of disability, I am amazed at how much Jesus loves us.

Overcoming is often a journey of pursuing the heart and face of God (Jer. 29:11-14).  This is especially true concerning long-term illnesses, including emotional injuries where, through counseling and deliverance, God strips off layers of bondage that has piled up over time.  In my own journeys, I have often prayed, "Lord, please lead me to the sources and resources that can help me, and enable me to receive all that You have for me."  God has always been faithful to answer this prayer, leading me to just the right person, tape, book, scripture, etc. that encourages and teaches me.

If you have seen patterns of bondage in your life, such as addictions, poverty, emotional injury, job loss, and so on, know there is a way out, and your loving Father has a plan to free you through His son, Jesus.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any secret sins and generational iniquities to you.  Then break agreement with those issues, forgiving the forefathers all the way back to Adam.  Ask Jesus to help you walk in His freedom, discipline and blessings.  Exercise your faith, and know that you are loved and that His help is ever-present.

[Judy Harder]

Ungodly Jealousy
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of December 1, 2013

"Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy."- Acts 5:17

It came between Cain and Able, between Joseph and his brothers and between Jesus and the high priests—jealousy. It destroys relationships. It is evil. And, yes, it can even produce murder driven by insatiable lust.

Proverbs 27:4 tells us, "Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous." This kind of jealousy is from the Greek word zeó, which means to boil over, to seethe. The Geneva Study Bible notes for this scripture tell us that "the envious are obstinate and cannot be reconciled." Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible tells us that "envy continues and abides and works insensibly" even when wrath and anger have ended and even though we may appease the person. I believe that when jealousy endangers a relationship, God can reveal it to us as a means of safeguarding us. He may even cut off that relationship, prune that jealous person out of our lives so that we can continue to grow in Him without the distraction and destruction that jealousy inherently brings. Is there anyone you need to let go of?

James 3:14-16 tells us, "But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind."

There is no godly power in jealousy. Jealousy is rooted in selfishness. It's an "all about me" mindset, self-driven and self-reliant, which is the essence of the enemy. Sadly, when adopted, jealousy blocks us from seeing God's truth of His abundance for us, and our appetite for more in our own power becomes insatiable, like a predator, a devouring spirit. Wolves are like this. They are driven by fresh blood. The more they taste, the more they desire. An effective method for ranchers to kill wolves is to make popsicles out of lambs blood and razors. The wolves are drawn by the scent of blood; they bite into the razor-popsicle sticking out of the ground, which cuts their mouths; they become more driven by their own blood; so they keep biting until they bleed to death. Sad but true.

There is deception and shame in jealousy. If the enemy can hook us into his lust by lying to us that others have what we do not, he can cause us to become idolaters. Once hooked, lust become insatiable, and we may be tempted to lie to cover it up. And the vicious cycle of deception and shame continues.

There is fruitlessness in jealousy. Do you know any fruitless people who envy those who move in God's power and are bless accordingly? They want God's power, and they want to be fruitful; but they don't want to humble and sacrifice self to get it. So the paradox that prevails in their lives is a pretense of position, but greater power and strength remains fleeting. Such was the case of the Sadducees.

John 15:2 tells us that God prunes away every branch within us that bears no fruit. Verse 4 tells us that we cannot bear fruit unless we remain in Him. Verse 6 tells us that if we do not remain in Him, we are like a thrown away branch. Do we submit to God? Are we choosing to remain in Him? Many of us have our fire insurance, but are we living God's principles? Do we love Him enough to follow Him at any cost to us? Or are we half-hearted? Have we donned the garment of salvation but resisted the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10-11)? Are our priorities in right order, according to God? Is there anyone or anything that we covet?

When we keep our eyes on God, when we know who we are in Christ, how much He loves us, how unique and special we are to Him, we may be less inclined to envy others. Also, if we could see all the circumstances of others' lives, we would be able to see their struggles, disappointments, hurts, difficult relationships, etc., and, therefore, may be less likely to envy them. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of this and simply trust God.

I believe it's okay to go to God and ask Him, "What about me?" I believe God will even allow people to serve at catalysts in our lives to provoke us to ask this question. I also believe He delights in us when we thank Him for who He is and what He has already done for us. And I believe God extends special favor to those who sincerely live His will in their hearts. I believe He is especially pleased with us when we do this. He can't help but pour out His blessings. It is God's nature of love to do so.

In your heart of hearts, is there anyone you envy? If so, repent and submit to the Lord's plan for your life. Ask Him to get you where He wants you to be and for you to receive all He has for you. When we fully submit, He will take us to heights we could never go to alone. Have you been the object of envy? Know that God is with you. He will never forsake you. Choose to forgive those who are jealous of you; and keep stepping in righteousness, no matter what. Ask God to bring new friends to you of His choosing. Then receive even more of His blessings.

[Judy Harder]

Week of December 8
Rest

"But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster."  ~I Kings 5:4

There comes a time when God puts our enemies under our feet. Indeed, He gives us a period of rest so that we may concentrate on the work He has set before us. God's gift of divine rest offers us freedom, peace and protection.  And it is ours through salvation and obedience in Jesus Christ.

There is complete trust available in God's divine rest.  So much so that Deuteronomy 25:19 tells us to forget about the enemies who attacked us when we were weary and worn out.

David declared in Psalm 62, "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him" (vs. 1).  "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him" (vs. 5).

Sometimes, we must take authority over our frantic souls and command them to rest, to come in alignment with the living word of God.  Little wonder the word "rest" appears 275 times in the Bible.  Consider its many definitions:

Rest is a period of refreshing, a freedom from exertion and anxiety, a stopping place for shelter.  To rest means to restore energy, to be supported against something (like the shelter of the Most High), to depend upon someone (like Jesus) for action or as a burden or responsibility, to rely on something (like the Holy Spirit) for proof or explanation, to conclude the presentation of evidence in a case (as in it is finished!).

Divine rest comes after a fulfillment of a promise, or completion, as in the case of King Solomon (I Kings 5:4) and as in the case of the Israelites taking dominion over the Promised Land (Joshua 1:13-15).  It allows for restoration, a new beginning.  It ushers in God's glory (Is. 11:10), and it is rewarded to those who are righteous in the Lord and see the journey through.

In Jesus, we can rest secure from all that burdens or threatens us.  Indeed, He is our way and our truth.  He is our friend.  And He assures us that His unfailing love rests upon us, as we put our hope in Him (Psalm 33:22), just as The Father assured Moses that His presence will go with him, and He would give him rest as he journeyed forth in obedience (Exodus 33:14).

If we are prone to over work, the Lord may have to make us lie down and rest like the sheep in the fields (Psalm 23).  There was a season one year where the Lord spoke Psalm 23 to me repeatedly through various resources.  I finally got the message.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the Lord and His angels work on our behalf to position and align us, others and circumstances for His perfect timing, His perfect will.  What we think we should be doing is not always God's agenda.  He has taught me to lay down false responsibilities by praying every day, "Lord, I surrender my agenda to You.  Have your way in my day."

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

If you are in need of divine rest, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any unconfessed sins, and confess them.  Then declare Psalm 91:1-2 over yourself, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty" and Isaiah 32:18, "My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."

May God's unfailing love rest upon you, and may you enter into His resting place safe, secure and highly favored until you journey home to have eternal rest with Jesus.