He is...My Shield - The Deflector of Distractions
Oh precious sister, I’m so glad you joined me today. Come on in, sit for awhile.
I’ve just poured you a nice tall glass of sweet tea. Let’s just chat.
Think back to the last time you were serving Him. That’s right! It was in choir last
Sunday morning. Remember that sweet look of contentment on your face as you sang.
I look around and I see
All the works that Your hands have made
The awesomeness of You
And how Your love will never fail
Mere words cannot express what I feel inside
I can’t describe Your glory divine
But as a token of my love
This is what I’ll do
I lift my hands and cry Holy
Lord, You’re Holy
Lord, You’re Holy
And we lift You up
And magnify Your Name
Lord, You’re Holy
Lord, You’re Holy
And we lift You up
And magnify Your Name
You know you’ve been in the presence of the Savior. You can feel the sweet peace that falls over a congregation at the close of a praise song. The pastor has just made his way to the podium to deliver God’s word. But before you’ve even had a chance to open your Bible, someone comes to tell you that your sweet Jonathan has managed to bite a precious little girl in the nursery. Distractions! Then the mind tapes play. You probably shouldn’t even be in choir! Why, you should only be ministering to small children for the next 5 years! What made you think you think you have a decent voice? You can hardly sing the alto part, let alone leas others in worship!
Or maybe you were serving Him as you sat in a church meeting, planning for the upcoming youth events. You just volunteered to serve as a host home for 15 eighth grade girls. Your passion has always been to minister to young girls, making God’s word come alive in their every day lives. You can already smell the popcorn and hear their laughter. The best is yet to come as they quiet down and you’re sharing how God impacted your life as a teenager. Someone interrupts that vision! Another lady in the meeting states, “We do have a home with much more room, dear. Surely you don’t mean for all 15 of those girls to stay in your house. Where would they all fit?” Distractions! Then the mind tapes play. She’s right! We really don’t have much to offer. The girls would probably prefer sleeping in separate rooms vs. having everybody sleep downstairs in sleeping bags. What was I thinking? We’ll never own a big fancy house.
In the first scenario, our sweet sister actually started her service for God, and then got distracted. With the second lady, Satan had already pushed the play button before she actually had a chance to open her home to those middle school girls, who desperately need to hear God’s word in a Christian “home”.
And if you think that once you’ve finished a project or an act of service for the Lord, that you will not be distracted, or tapes are no where to be found… Oh, girlfriend… not so! The pause button is just about ready to be pushed. And who do you think has his finger on the play button?
Here’s an example:
Freedom’s Call was invited to do a ladies conference this past weekend at The Mary Hall Freedom House. Their beautiful mission statement reads: To improve the quality of life of women and women with children by empowering them to break the cycle of addiction, poverty and homelessness. The director of The Mary Hall Freedom House, Lucy Hall, is dedicated to serving these women by investing in their lives and showing them that Christ is the answer. Over 2500 women have completed the program since 1996.
The weekend was incredible. God took over and did a work in us and the women at the Freedom House like no other. The worship was anointed and Jill brought forth the Word of God with power and compassion. Breakout sessions were packed with good questions, shared heartaches and testimonies, and true revelations from God. The Holy Spirit had free reign to move about as He set women free from their chains, You can imagine how the lyrics from songs like “Shackles” and “Amazing Grace/ My Chains Are Gone” fell fresh upon those ladies and the five of us in Freedom’s Call.
On our way home from the weekend conference, we were fairly quiet. I felt extra weepy for the next several days (I still do). When folks asked how things went, I was barely able to blurt out more than, great, amazing. I believe that when we encounter the Supernatural, we will have a hard time describing it with man’s words. I also felt tired. Why? We had been engaged in spiritual warfare. Why didn’t I feel the pressure of it during the conference? Thank goodness so many of you were praying for us as we ministered to the ladies at the Freedom House. God was meeting all of our needs, including physical strength.
So when did the distractions start? When did the tapes start playing for me? I started when I was alone and away from the prayer covering of our faithful prayer warriors and the Mighty Movement of the Holy Spirit during the actual conference.
Then the tapes started to play. How did you really sound? I think you messed up on your part in several of the numbers. Why did you decide to sing that song? Your solo wasn’t very strong. Aren’t you getting a little old to be singing with this group? Did you even make an impact on those women?
What can we do when Satan starts those tapes and causes all kinds of distractions? (He seems to know where that silly rewind button is, doesn’t he?) First, take it to the Lord and ask Him to permanently destroy those tapes. Then go see your girlfriend, you know the one that always has your back. Your personal pray warrior. Together you can encourage one another. Recognize where those lies have come from. Go boldly before the Throne together. You can counter the attacks with prayer.
It will get easier to recognize Satan’s paralyzing voice. Anytime you hear Jesus calling you the “Beloved”, Satan will be standing in the shadows just waiting to distract you. You are a child of God. Step into the Light and tell Satan who you work for. Call out the name of Jesus and make him tremble.
Thanks for listening. Should I pour you another glass of ice tea?
The Ice Tea Lady
Debbie Fritz
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
He is…MY FRIEND
To know me is to know that I am thrilled over any opportunity to sing and share what God is doing in my life. I had an awesome time yesterday as I spoke and sang for a Tea Party at First Baptist Lawrenceville. I’d like to give a shout out to those wonderful ladies who welcomed me so warmly, who listened respectfully and sang along with joyful hearts…what an angelic sound as you lifted up praise with me!
The message the Lord gave me for these ladies was “He is our Friend.” Isn’t it just chilling when God gives you a message and it turns out to be a recurring theme in an event? Makes me wanna shout HALLELUJAH! Nothing reveals God to me more than when this happens. It makes ministry so alive and drives me to serve Him with more passion.
Yes, God is my Friend. John 15:15 says, “I no longer call you servants…but I call you friends.” Allow me to share the Tea Party message with you.
It began with the song “Friend of God”…a simple, humble chorus that will bring you to your knees if you sing it with heartfelt abandon. “Who am I that You are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call? Who am I that You are thinking of me? That you love me? It’s amazing!”
Are you amazed that God is mindful of you? That He hears every word you speak to Him? That even right this very moment He is thinking of you and the future He has planned for you? Can you hear Him speak “I love you” from His heart to yours? I don’t know about you, but there’s another hallelujah moment for me!
I shared with my tea mates that my testimony begins in childhood. I grew up in a Baptist church. My mom, in my eyes, was a saint if there ever was one! She loved the Lord; she walked the walk and talked the talk. She taught me to pray, to read the Bible and BE IN CHURCH EVERY TIME THE DOORS WERE OPEN!! I didn’t understand her motivation then, but I do now.
As a very young child, I played the piano and sang hymns in church with my little sister. I played Mary in our Christmas programs and have a cool picture of me with the shawl on my head. That must be when the drama bug bit me!
I was baptized at age 9. I still remember walking down that aisle with tears streaming down my face. All my life I have known God, believed in Him and thought He was in control of my life…BUT…..I did not develop a relationship with Jesus until much later. You see, my mom laid the foundation, but it was my responsibility to ask Jesus into my heart. No one else could do it for me.
I still recall, quite vividly, the morning I ask Jesus to begin a relationship with me. A young pastor’s wife in my church gave her testimony…she was baptized as a child but realized she didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. My heart stopped! The huge hole in my life, all the searching and emptiness, could it be that I didn’t know Jesus? I sat in my choir chair holding on for dear life. I was NOT going to move. I was a children’s choir director, adult choir member, music teacher to many of the church members' children…what would everyone say if I went forward at the time of invitation???
I did not go forward…I went to Sunday School and the Holy Spirit followed me there!! I’m quite sure He sat down right beside me, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Whatta ya gonna do now frady-cat?”
He wouldn’t leave me alone! I realized I had to go back at the end of the next service and talk with the young women who gave her testimony. I had to know for sure that heaven was my destiny and that Jesus was my Lord.
I did just that. She counseled me, and I prayed for Jesus to come into my heart and be my Savior. And what a wild ride these years with Him have been! I was baptized again and began to serve Him in ways I never dreamed possible. To apply an Oswald Chambers quote to my life…He has made a holy experiment out of me – and His experiments always succeed!
Jesus is not only my BFF, He is my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, my Deliverer and my Everlasting God. A devotion book I’m reading has a wonderful description of how great a friend our awesome God is.
“Our God is an interested and willing listener. Let Him be your teacher and share all your secrets with Him. Take God as your spouse and friend and walk with Him continually, and you will not sin. You will learn to love, and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you.”
If Jesus is not your best friend, why isn’t He? You can ask Him right now to forgive your sin and come into your heart, and instantaneously, He will do just that. No physical exam to check your heart, no financial questionnaire to check your wealth; just your willingness to follow Him whether He leads.
Are you ready to do that? Oh please say "yes." It will be the greatest day in your life!
Debbie lives in Dacula, GA with her wonderful husband Sonny and wonder-dog Bandit
To know me is to know that I am thrilled over any opportunity to sing and share what God is doing in my life. I had an awesome time yesterday as I spoke and sang for a Tea Party at First Baptist Lawrenceville. I’d like to give a shout out to those wonderful ladies who welcomed me so warmly, who listened respectfully and sang along with joyful hearts…what an angelic sound as you lifted up praise with me!
The message the Lord gave me for these ladies was “He is our Friend.” Isn’t it just chilling when God gives you a message and it turns out to be a recurring theme in an event? Makes me wanna shout HALLELUJAH! Nothing reveals God to me more than when this happens. It makes ministry so alive and drives me to serve Him with more passion.
Yes, God is my Friend. John 15:15 says, “I no longer call you servants…but I call you friends.” Allow me to share the Tea Party message with you.
It began with the song “Friend of God”…a simple, humble chorus that will bring you to your knees if you sing it with heartfelt abandon. “Who am I that You are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call? Who am I that You are thinking of me? That you love me? It’s amazing!”
Are you amazed that God is mindful of you? That He hears every word you speak to Him? That even right this very moment He is thinking of you and the future He has planned for you? Can you hear Him speak “I love you” from His heart to yours? I don’t know about you, but there’s another hallelujah moment for me!
I shared with my tea mates that my testimony begins in childhood. I grew up in a Baptist church. My mom, in my eyes, was a saint if there ever was one! She loved the Lord; she walked the walk and talked the talk. She taught me to pray, to read the Bible and BE IN CHURCH EVERY TIME THE DOORS WERE OPEN!! I didn’t understand her motivation then, but I do now.
As a very young child, I played the piano and sang hymns in church with my little sister. I played Mary in our Christmas programs and have a cool picture of me with the shawl on my head. That must be when the drama bug bit me!
I was baptized at age 9. I still remember walking down that aisle with tears streaming down my face. All my life I have known God, believed in Him and thought He was in control of my life…BUT…..I did not develop a relationship with Jesus until much later. You see, my mom laid the foundation, but it was my responsibility to ask Jesus into my heart. No one else could do it for me.
I still recall, quite vividly, the morning I ask Jesus to begin a relationship with me. A young pastor’s wife in my church gave her testimony…she was baptized as a child but realized she didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. My heart stopped! The huge hole in my life, all the searching and emptiness, could it be that I didn’t know Jesus? I sat in my choir chair holding on for dear life. I was NOT going to move. I was a children’s choir director, adult choir member, music teacher to many of the church members' children…what would everyone say if I went forward at the time of invitation???
I did not go forward…I went to Sunday School and the Holy Spirit followed me there!! I’m quite sure He sat down right beside me, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Whatta ya gonna do now frady-cat?”
He wouldn’t leave me alone! I realized I had to go back at the end of the next service and talk with the young women who gave her testimony. I had to know for sure that heaven was my destiny and that Jesus was my Lord.
I did just that. She counseled me, and I prayed for Jesus to come into my heart and be my Savior. And what a wild ride these years with Him have been! I was baptized again and began to serve Him in ways I never dreamed possible. To apply an Oswald Chambers quote to my life…He has made a holy experiment out of me – and His experiments always succeed!
Jesus is not only my BFF, He is my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, my Deliverer and my Everlasting God. A devotion book I’m reading has a wonderful description of how great a friend our awesome God is.
“Our God is an interested and willing listener. Let Him be your teacher and share all your secrets with Him. Take God as your spouse and friend and walk with Him continually, and you will not sin. You will learn to love, and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you.”
If Jesus is not your best friend, why isn’t He? You can ask Him right now to forgive your sin and come into your heart, and instantaneously, He will do just that. No physical exam to check your heart, no financial questionnaire to check your wealth; just your willingness to follow Him whether He leads.
Are you ready to do that? Oh please say "yes." It will be the greatest day in your life!
Debbie lives in Dacula, GA with her wonderful husband Sonny and wonder-dog Bandit
Sunday, June 7, 2009
He is Our Adonai, Lord and Master
Definition:
Adonai is translated Lord in the Bible. It signifies ownership or mastership and indicates the truth that God is the owner of each member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the unrestricted obedience of all.
Meaning:
Lordship meant complete possession on one hand and complete submission on the other. God is never an unjust master and therefore does not ask what cannot be performed, and never requires a task for which He does not equip His servants. In other words, everything God asks us to do is good and just and can be accomplished as we trust Him to enable us to do all that He has asked us to do.
Wow after reading that it made me realize that God really does have our backs. He never said it would always be easy, but no matter what, He has equipped us to perform the task He has laid before us. Only if we trust Him……Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direst your paths.
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Our "reasonable service" is a complete surrender to the will of God our Adonai. God will never ask us to do anything we can not accomplish. Because He is a kind and loving master; he equips us with all we need to succeed in the tasks He requires of us.
As I deal with the issues of my 3 boys, it seems harder to give it to God. I feel so out of control and helpless. Deep down I know God is in control and is handling things and all he wants from me is my obedience and trust. That is easier said than done. I frequently quote and question the verse that says God will not give you more than you can handle. (Smile)
What in your life do you need to stop trying to control and just give it to the one who knows how to handle it? God is our Adonai. He loves us and is going to take care of us all we need to do is to submit to Him. He will take care of the rest.
Will you trust Him with whatever you’re struggling with today? I pray you will. It is then that you will find true freedom in Christ.
Have a Great Week!
Amy
Amy lives in Lawrenceville with Jerry and their 3 Boys
Adonai is translated Lord in the Bible. It signifies ownership or mastership and indicates the truth that God is the owner of each member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the unrestricted obedience of all.
Meaning:
Lordship meant complete possession on one hand and complete submission on the other. God is never an unjust master and therefore does not ask what cannot be performed, and never requires a task for which He does not equip His servants. In other words, everything God asks us to do is good and just and can be accomplished as we trust Him to enable us to do all that He has asked us to do.
Wow after reading that it made me realize that God really does have our backs. He never said it would always be easy, but no matter what, He has equipped us to perform the task He has laid before us. Only if we trust Him……Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direst your paths.
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Our "reasonable service" is a complete surrender to the will of God our Adonai. God will never ask us to do anything we can not accomplish. Because He is a kind and loving master; he equips us with all we need to succeed in the tasks He requires of us.
As I deal with the issues of my 3 boys, it seems harder to give it to God. I feel so out of control and helpless. Deep down I know God is in control and is handling things and all he wants from me is my obedience and trust. That is easier said than done. I frequently quote and question the verse that says God will not give you more than you can handle. (Smile)
What in your life do you need to stop trying to control and just give it to the one who knows how to handle it? God is our Adonai. He loves us and is going to take care of us all we need to do is to submit to Him. He will take care of the rest.
Will you trust Him with whatever you’re struggling with today? I pray you will. It is then that you will find true freedom in Christ.
Have a Great Week!
Amy
Amy lives in Lawrenceville with Jerry and their 3 Boys
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
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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