Sunday, May 31, 2009

He Is - My Everything

Oh sweet friends, I can't thank you enough for stopping by and visiting us this week. Our prayer is that you feel like you are sitting across from an old friend. If you were in my home, I'd make us a pot of coffee or tea and we would sit and chat about our Jesus.

This would normally be Jill's week to share her heart with you. I'm filling in this week as her family prepares to celebrate the life of her mother-in-law.
This precious lady went home to Jesus Saturday night. Would you please join us in praying for Jill's husband and their entire family this week? Feel free to click on "comment" and leave an encouraging word for her. We will make sure she sees it.

One thing I love about Jill is that she is totally reliant on the Lord. She loves Him with every fiber of her being and when you are with her, you can't help but smile because you see Jesus all over her.

As I logged in tonight to begin this post, I knew where I wanted to go. I had a plan to share a little bit of something I'll be sharing with a group of people this Thursday. ( I was going to test it out on you!) BUT God had another plan.

I started looking at our past posts and quite frankly I was overcome with gratitude to our God. I'm stopping right now to give Him a hand clap, will you join me?
He is so good and I think sometimes we need to do as one of my favorite Bible teachers does and just stop to give him a round of applause!

Sure hope I didn't' scare you away! Back to the list of past posts. Seriously, as I read over that list it hit me that there is nothing we encounter in life that God can not handle. What a Savior. One word came to mind:

EVERYTHING

He is everything to me.

My Comfort, My Answer, The Voice, My Deliverer, My Creator, My Atonement My Refuge, My Rest....My God. My Everything.

I can't help but think of Isaiah 55.

"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear that your soul may live..."

Jesus says to us in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Our physical needs, our emotional needs and our spiritual needs, He is everything.

Everything you or I could ever need is satisfied in Jesus Christ. I pray tonight sweet friend that you know Him and that you leave this post, open His Word and ask Him to speak to you. I promise He has something very special to say just to you.

Blessings,
Stephanie

Saturday, May 23, 2009

He Is - My Deliverer

It was almost five years ago that I found myself trapped in a stronghold that was slowly taking over my life. To those around me, family included I was no different because I spent alot of energy to appear normal. The truth was, I was in a deep pit and I was desperate for deliverance.

At the lowest point, I remember asking God to deliver me, to just change my heart's desire. His response was very clear that He would, but that it would be a fight. He reminded me that I didn't just wake up in that place, and that while He would deliver me, there would be some work we would need to do to make sure I didn't wind up in that place again.

So fight and climb out we did. Some days I felt like I had made great progress. Other days however, I felt like I slipped backwards. It was hard to admit that I had allowed myself to be deceived and as a result fallen into this pit. But God.

He showed me so many of His attributes during that time. Counselor, Redeemer, Friend, Defender, I could go on and on but the one that sticks out to me today is Deliverer.

Today, I would love to look you in the eye and tell you how faithful my Deliverer is and was. As deep and dark and stinky as my pit was, my Deliverer was bigger, and brighter and stronger than the sin that kept me there. He fought for me and changed my heart.

As I am re-reading a great little book called "The Red Sea Rules" by Robert J. Morgan, I am reminded that even when we find ourselves in a pit due to our bad choices, GOD can bring us out.

Morgan says this in the preface of his powerful book:

"No sea is deeper than the ocean of His love. There is no army stronger than His hosts, no force greater than His throne of grace, no enemy who can overcome His direct and indirect work in our lives.

The reality of the Red Sea, in a word, is this: God will always make a way for His tired, yet trusting children, even if He must split the sea to do it."


He brought me out friend and He has become my stronghold!

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

Do you feel like it's impossible for Him to do the same for you? Let me remind you of Jeremiah 32:27 where God says

"Behold, I am the Lord the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?"

I pray today that you know the Deliverer and that HE is your stronghold!! Nothing is too hard for Him!


God introduced me to the following song in New York City just a few months before my slide into the pit began. I thought of the words often during that time and pray that it will minister to you today.





Stephanie lives in Dacula, GA with her husband Chad and daughters Chloe and Emma.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

HE is my..."DREAM GIVER"

In my April post, I mentioned I attended a conference featuring Dr. Bruce Wilkinson as speaker. I’m still in awe as I ponder Dr. Wilkinson’s explanation of how God is our "Dream Giver." If you remember, I said I would tie together "He is...ALL" to what the Lord revealed to me that weekend. The message my heart heard was so profound. I will attempt to paraphrase my notes and pray that the Holy Spirit writes it ever so clearly on your heart.

Everyone has a dream in his or her heart. God put it there. People who don’t have a dream don’t make it in life. Over time we cover the pain with self-defeating, addicting behaviors. But what we don't comprehend is that the dream is why we are the way we are! We tend to think, “I’m not good enough.” Or we become afraid of failure. 100% of people feel that way! That’s how God made us to feel! God makes everyone’s dream too big -- seemingly too impossible.

Feelings of inadequacy or of fear are NOT supposed to kill the dream! Your comfort zone is never where the dream is. When you feel fear, you must understand that God never takes away the fear. The dream is YOUR DESTINY! If you don’t pursue it, you don’t want it bad enough. We become empty when the dream is not pursued. Self-hatred takes over and we destroy ourselves when what He desires is for us to take courage and do it afraid!

Jeremiah 1:4 & 5, “The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’”

A commentary I read for this scripture says, “When you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember that God has always thought of you as valuable, and He has a purpose in mind for you.”

We are arrogant to think we can make our own dream! We are “here” to fulfill God’s dream, His purpose, not our own. Doesn’t that make you feel special? Doesn’t this idea create a new hope and a great expectation within you? Doesn’t it tempt you to say, “Oh please, tell me more, Lord” …

God will accomplish His dream. It’s never too late to seek that dream. Everything you’ve been through has been for a purpose AND to fulfill God’s dream. Trials are NOT to destroy us; they are to make us strong. If you think you’re too far gone maybe it’s “your time.” God has been preparing you your whole life. Open the door where God keeps dreams. To think you need to be different to accomplish your dream means you believe A LIE!

1 Corinthians 4:7, “For who makes you different from any one else? What is it that you did not receive?”

Shame on me if I think I have not received “ALL” I need from Him to fulfill my purpose. I am so convicted I could crawl under a rock and not come out until the sun goes down!

Exodus 35:30-35, “The Lord has filled [you] with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship – with the ability to teach others, and with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers.”

What is God going to say about how you lived your life? Are you fulfilling the purpose He created you to fulfill? Looking through His eyes, take inventory of who you are and what you are capable of doing. Your potential is astounding!

Psalm 139:13-16, “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”

God’s character goes into the creation of every person. When you feel worthlessness or even begin to hate yourself, remember that God’s Spirit is ready and willing to work within you. We should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us.

Ephesians 2:8-10, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

If God considers us His works of art, we dare not treat ourselves, or others, with disrespect. We dare not consider God’s creation an inferior work. Your work is eternally important! Thank God for all of your life, and apologize for hurting His heart by not following your dream. He is ALL you need. He has given you ALL you need to fulfill His awesome purpose for your life.

OH, I feel like dancing!!!!!!!!!!! (There’s still more to this story!) I have a dream, and I’m going to live it. How about you?

Debbie lives in Dacula, GA with her amazing husband, Sonny, and their 4-legged wonder dog, Bandit.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

He is ...The Voice

Voices. We hear them all day long and from many sources.

“Good morning Atlanta! Rise and shine! Our high will be 102 today!”
“Yes, I ate the last piece of chocolate cake, did you want that?”
“Mommy, I don’t feel so good, can I stay home from school?”
“Mom, can I go to the prom? Yes, he’s the boy from church!”
“Mom, I think the washing machine is overflowing!”
“Congratulations! You’re going to have a baby!”
"Mommy, Jason just put the cat in the toilet!”
“Honey, I got the job!”
“Happy Mother’s Day!”

But…
When was the last time you heard the Voice of God?


Carl and I have two sons, Mark and Michael, and what a joy they have been to raise. However, waiting for those babies was a very difficult time for me. We were married for a few years and then decided that we wanted to start a family. God had other plans. The nine year journey began with many trips to the infertility clinic, an operation, and a miscarriage that turned into another two year wait. But those things seem so far away right now. The part I remember the most was January 15th. Carl and I had gone to the clinic with hopeful hearts. Hallelujah! The ultrasound allowed us to view our son Mark for the first time. We were thrilled. The next question the doctor asked, “Do you have to work, Mrs. Fritz?” I looked at him befuddled and said, “What do you mean?” He further questioned, “I mean financially, is it necessary that you work?” For just a moment, my mind started focusing in on my students. I was a Middle and High School Choral Director in a small town in Ohio. Financially, I probably didn’t need to work. My next question was, “When do I need to stop working?” His instant reply: “Tomorrow!” I swallowed hard, looked at Carl and said, “Okay, fine.”

God and I had many a conversation over the years about children. I thought we had touched every possible scenario. Not this one. I could hear the Master saying, “I thought you wanted to have children, Debbie?” “I do Lord, but leave my job and my students?”…How could I even ask God that question?

What seemed like an eternity were only a few seconds of dialogue between me and the Lord. I knew I needed to get down on my knees and beg God’s forgiveness. Oh Lord, how could I even question any of this? We’ve been praying for a child for so long. Forgive me for hesitating as if to say, “Are you sure Lord? Do I really need to stop teaching?”

Obviously, God was pulling me away from things so I could devote myself to Him and to my family. The Lord waited and I said, “Forgive me Father. Show me what You want me to do.”

We left the clinic, went home and I immediately called my principal. He dropped everything and came to our home within a few minutes. As I shared my heart, he listened. After I finished our story, his eyes filled with tears and he said, “Whatever you two need to do. My wife and I had a similar situation and we know how painful this wait has been for the two of you. I would like you to come in to school tomorrow and personally tell your students that you will be leaving them for awhile.”

The next day I met with all of my chorus members. God gave me such a sweet time to witness to my students. For the next three months I was pretty much in bed. My best friend, Judy lived next door. She had traveled this path too. She had lost a set of twins. God had blessed them with another pregnancy, but she too, was now at home in bed with this pregnancy.
I know God gave us that time together to call one another, go to a Bible Study once a week and spend lots of one on one precious time with Him. What a glorious time of fellowship with the Lord. God was preparing us for a new journey: Motherhood.

I stayed home until April 15th and then the doctor released me to go back into the classroom and finish the year out. When I walked out of the building for the last time I knew God had been preparing me all that time to leave the passion of teaching in the classroom, in exchange for the passion of teaching in my home. It was easy, because He had been with me during the entire course of that journey.

Can you imagine what the school board must have thought as they read my letter of resignation? I hear by submit my letter of resignation to take on a fulltime position as Wife and Mother. Psalm 113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.

Almost two years later, He gave us another son, Michael.
That’s a blog for another time. Until then…
Listen for the Voice of God.
Place your hand in His and take your journey.




Debbie lives in Lawrenceville
with her husband Carl.
Both of their sons are married.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

He is .. Our Answer

Answer

When I read this word I thought of the song “Jesus is the Answer for the World Today”….It was a popular song many years ago, but it has a true message.

Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above him there's no other, Jesus is the way
Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above him there's no other, Jesus is the way

If you have some questions in the corners of your mind
And traces of discouragement and peace you can not find
Reflection of the old past, They seem to face you every day
There's one thing I know for sure that Jesus is the way

I know you got mountains that you think you can not climb
I know that your skies have been dark, You think the sun won't shine
In case you don't know, I'm here to tell you that the World of God is true yeah
And everything that He's promised, I tell you he would do it for you
Let me tell you that

Words & Music by Andare Crouch and Sandra Crouch
(c) Bud John Songs, Inc.


I know I am always trying to "fix" things myself. I need to be in control and who better than me can " fix " it? I know in my heart and mind that if I will just trust God with even the smallest things that He will take care of it, but it is so hard to relinquish that control to Him.I often wonder why it is so hard to just to trust Him. Why do we try to "fix" all of problems without involving Him? He is the Answer to Everything. No matter how big or small.

Do you struggle with that same issue? Do you always need to be in control? Do you get frustrated when things don't go your way? No matter what is going on in your life, God is there for you. His Word provides the answer for whatever you need.

Philippians 4:19

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 9:10

Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

A very good friend just gave me this advice... ask God every morning "What do I need to trust you with today?" Then do it! How much easier our lives would be if we would just relax in Him knowing He has the answer to all our needs.



Amy lives in Lawrenceville, GA with her husband Jerry and her 3 boys, Jerry Nicholas, and Zachery.