Blog

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
– Psalm 27:14

Waiting is hard. I think it’s especially hard for those of us used to having whatever we need right at our fingertips with our magic phones, and tablet computers. We live in a society driven by getting things done fast. Growing up in Nigeria, it was typical to see a semi truck with the phrase “no hurry in life” written on the back. There are some days when I miss that slower pace of life. The truth is, however, that I am just as guilty of the desire for things to happen now as most. The Psalms are full of reminders to wait on God. Even back then, people wanted things on their own time frame and not God’s. The verse today reminds me that God is my strength and waiting on Him, His timing, His wisdom, His provision is so much better than anything I can cook up on my own. My encouragement to you today is to “be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord.”

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. – John 15:16

Last Friday, I was at a prayer retreat here at Tallowood.  I volunteered to read John 15:16, one of several verses read out loud.  It was one of those divine moments when God’s living and active Word seemed to jump of the page at me.  The moment I read the verse, I felt God was speaking directly to me.  Today, I want to share some of the things He spoke to me that I believe will encourage you as well.

• God chose me.  I could have stopped right there because there is something powerful about knowing you are chosen
• Not only did God choose me, He appointed me.  Wow!!  You have been appointed by God.  Remember that.
• You don’t get to rest on that.  God chose you and appointed you to bear lasting fruit.  What kind of fruit are you producing?
• “so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using my name” Wow!!  The Message says “as fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you”.  That is some kind of authority.

I don’t know about you, but this verse is a great reminder to me of who created me, loves me and gives me all the authority I really need.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need. – Psalm 23:1

This afternoon, I was reading Psalm 23.  I don’t know about you, but I find it easy to skim over passages such as this that are very familiar.  Today, I was reminded how foolish I am to think that I know what the Lord has for me just because it is familiar.  Today, I didn’t get past verse one.  God stopped me right there to remind me that I do have all that I need in Him.  I complain about things I want and things I think I need.  At the end of the day, though, I have all I need.  Think about that today.  Let it sink in and thank the Lord.

One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.  – Proverbs 27:7

Today was one of those days.  Lunch time came around and my stomach told me it was hungry, but nothing sounded good.  I held off for as long as I could but then had to make a decision.  Generally I end up at one of my “go to” spots.  More often than not, I end up eating far more than I need.  Today as I attempted to eat just enough to get me through the afternoon, I was struck by the fact that my “problem” was really a blessing.  How many people in the world don’t have food today?  How many of those that do have food have a choice of what they eat? Whatever problems I may have, I don’t have to worry about basic necessities.  How often do I envy what others have rather than recognizing what great blessing I have?  I have decided that from now on, when I experience this “dilemma,” I’m going to thank God and buy a meal for someone who is hungry. This is my conviction and confession today.  I hope it convicts and blesses you.

Are you cold enough yet?  I know some love this cold weather and others do not.  The talk everywhere this week has been of the cold.  I have been thinking about fire.  The word fire is used throughout Scripture.  Much of the time it is used to describe God.  Hebrews 12:29 says “Our God is a consuming fire.”

There are two sides to fire.  It is one of those things that can be very good or very bad.  It can do a lot of damage when uncontrolled.  Certainly none of us want to be on the receiving end of God’s wrath which is all-consuming.

The good news for us is that, as believers, we can experience the very good of God’s consuming fire as well in the form of the Holy Spirit.  In Luke 3:16, John says that another is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Later, during Pentecost, we read that “like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks.”  Oh that the Holy Spirit would burn like fire in our hearts.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. – I John 3:1 (MSG)

I have been thinking a lot about family today, spiritual family in particular.  It all started with a devotional Dr. Brooks shared yesterday followed by Beth Moore’s teaching last night.  Dr. Brooks asked us to spend some time remembering those who have been spiritual mothers and fathers to us.  This afternoon, I have been caught up in thanking God for the great spiritual heritage and family I have.  Early in life, I was shepherded by both a mother and daughter.   My faith has been greatly impacted by several single women who served on the mission field.  In recent years, I have learned from some amazing women who are great prayer warriors.  I am so grateful for these women and many more that have run, walked, and cheered me on in the faith.  I am also grateful for you-single adults at Tallowood for being a part of my spiritual family and for your partnership in ministry.

Whether or not you have a long heritage, or are just beginning, the good news is that you are part of a family of faith.  You are a child of God, but how often do you let that sink in to every crevice of your soul.  Doesn’t it lead you to worship?  Have you thanked God today for adopting you into His family?

Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith

– Galatians 6:7-10  (MSG)

Dr. Brooks shared this passage with us yesterday in staff meeting.  It struck a chord with me and I thought it would be a good way to start a new year.

Planting has to be done with some measure of intentionality.  Otherwise, you don’t know what will come up.  Will your life be lived in passing this year, or will you live with intentionality?  Will you seek to make much of God or will you live as if you are in control coasting along or making plans and asking God to bless them after the fact?  What will you plant this year?  Whatever you plant, that is what you will harvest whether good or bad. These are some good questions to think about at the beginning of a new year.  As we think on these questions, let’s not give up on doing good and making much of God.

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Galatians 3:28 (NIV)

They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. – Acts 2:42 (MSG)

I have been thinking a lot about fellowship lately.  This is no surprise this time of year with the number of gatherings that take place.  The dictionary defines fellowship as “a community of interest or experience” and “a company of equals or friends”.

Today, I was reminded that you can be at a party or gathering and not have fellowship.  Certainly you can be at a gathering and not have Christian fellowship.  I say this because I returned from a lunch with some ladies with a sense of refreshing.  What struck me is that none of these women are people I “hang out” with (though I certainly am not opposed to that), and I don’t know any of these women like I know my close friends.  Not being a talker, I didn’t say much and not a whole lot what directed specifically to me, yet I felt encouraged and refreshed. Why?

I think we had fellowship because we were bound together by Christ.  We were equals because we each recognized that we were on a journey together even though our lives take us different places.  The message translates fellowship as living life together.  I love this because I believe, in Christ, we can live life together even if we are separated by location and life experience.

How I long for each of us, and the entire world, to know this kind of sweet, rich fellowship.  It is a fellowship where masks, if they are worn at all, become thin and guards are let down because we all know and share the unsurpassed love of Christ.