Is One Small Letter Enough?

By Tawna Wilkinson

The other day as I was reading in Ephesians, the thought struck me that this small letter was the only written information the burgeoning church in Ephesus had. One little scroll of truth was to be passed among the believers directing their journey in their new life with Christ. It wasn’t that I had never been told this, but the “ah-hah” caused me to stop and ponder.

One small letter, containing small prayers, tiny phrases and praises of truth, written by an imprisoned individual, guided by a still small Voice. And with that scant information individuals and families, as well as the church itself, flourished and grew. In fact, one source credits the Ephesians church with playing “a significant role in the spread of early Christianity.”

But to complicate, during that time, the city of Ephesus was one of the largest cities in the world; a huge metropolitan civilization in western Asia Minor teeming with multiple religions, politics and commerce. And to better appreciate the power in all “the small”, Ephesus was also the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Artemision – the worship temple of the Greek goddess Artemis.

Interesting. One small Holy Spirit inspired scroll, written from a prison cell, sent to a remnant of new believers enveloped in an imposing pagan metropolis. And by allowing a snippet of truth to permeate them, this tiny band of believers greatly assisted in the increase of the gospel Jesus Christ.

I wonder what would happen if a remnant of believers in a not-so-big-mountain-town in southwestern Colorado allowed the same small letter, with the same small prayers, tiny phrases and praises of truth to infiltrate their lives. Would that be enough for the eternal Holy Spirit to affect great change in and through them?

Flowing in Grace

By Nancy Turley

"The clearest evidence that God's grace is at work in our hearts is when we do not get into a panic."  Oswald Chambers

“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

The word I felt God gave me for 2015 was “Grace.” I love that word. I love the concept. My name, Nancy, means gracious. It’s a trait I am growing into. I wondered if one of the reasons God gave me this word for this year was not only that I needed to grow into it–to be able to give it more–but also, that I might need to receive it. For my birthday my sister Carol gave me a necklace with a swan on it because it was indicative of grace. Part of the description of the swan said that they were graceful. Though that applies to the swan much more than me, I do want to be "grace-full."

Recently a friend replied to a special request for prayer from me that she would listen to the Spirit as she prayed to “simply move to the unforced rhythm of grace.” It came as a hopeful admonition to me as well, as I loved this translation of “Come until me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest…” in Matthew 11. 

This was a new take for me to think of moving in the “rhythm” of grace, and more so, unforced rhythm. One never knows what is around the corner, both good and bad. I wonder how the rhythm of life connects with the unforced rhythm of grace. 

There will be many times where we need to flex, where we need to flow like a river that navigates slow curve bends—those longer stretches of life. We long for answers and movement but do not get immediate replies.

There are other situations where we feel like we are pushed into a narrowing canyon while in a fast current and are suddenly just dropped down a waterfall chute. Where then is that unforced rhythm of grace when we feel we are out of control? How can we flow with the rhythm of life, and yet be in an unforced rhythm of grace?

Perhaps it is like being thrown overboard while canoeing or rafting. We point our feet downward, life jacket snug around our chests, and are navigated around the rocks by hands of grace. Instead of being forced out of control, while we are in the current, grace gently guides us around obstacles. We are buoyed by grace as we flow with the current.

I was actually in that situation once where a friend and I capsized from our canoe as we went through Class III rapids on the Colorado River. I remember being guided by others still in their canoes to go with the current’s flow and put our feet downward. About a half mile later, we moved from the fast moving water to slower water. As we flowed with the current, knowing others watched and guided us, we felt we would be safely rescued.

Perhaps that is how we accept God's grace and allow it to work in our hearts...instead of panicking, we choose to rest during those times we feel so heavy laden. We flow in that unforced rhythm of grace.

Most Important Thing

By Jill Palmer

I want you to stop and think for a moment about what is important to you? What is a goal or a dream that God has given you? What promise are you aching to see fulfilled?

God promised to Abraham, Issac and Jacob a promised land. A people that would outnumber the stars in the sky. He miraculously delivered the people from Egypt and took care of them in the desert in the same way - with miracles. Yet the people still doubted Him.

In Exodus 33 God says to Moses,
“Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ ² I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. ³Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

God was going to fulfill His promises. He would deliver them into the promise land, give them everything He said He would, fight all the necessary battles...yet He was not going to go with them.

What would you do if God said that to you?

"I will give you... a great church/a great marriage/children/the perfect job/deliverance from your problems/all your hopes and dreams (whatever it is that He's promised you and you are contending for). But I will not go with you."

How would you respond to that? Our response reveals a lot about our heart, our deepest desires and our relationship with God.  

Moses' response reveals much about this man of faith. He says,
"If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?....Show me your glory”

Moses knew what the most important thing was - God presence. Without it what would they have? Nothing! Sure they'd have the promise, they'd have a land flowing with milk and honey, they'd have their enemies defeated, but they wouldn't have the most important thing -- their God.


I believe God can answer any of my prayers and answer them beyond what I could ask, think or imagine. But do I want Him to if He isn't with me to rejoice with Him? Do I want the perfect marriage or kids or even the perfect church if He isn't in the midst of it all? Truly? No stinkin' way.

Did I come to that easily? No. There was wrestling. There are prayers I have that I am desperate for Him to answer. But in the end, I want Him. Only Him. The Maker. The Lover of my soul. The Most Important Thing.

Think again of the goals, dreams, promises God has given you. After this encounter with Moses (in which He revealed to Moses His presence!) God gave the Israelites everything He promised them and He went with them. 

He will do the same for you. He hasn't forgotten. He knows that the most important thing is His presence and He wants you to know that too, because He loves you.

Listening

By Megan Danquah

Listening.

We are taught from an early age that listening is important, and it is! Listening to our parents, listening to our siblings, listening to our teachers.  Listening to our pastors, bosses, coworkers, friends. Listening to God. I have a question for us, ladies. When was the last time that we were encouraged to listen to ourselves? When, woman of God, was the last time you were encouraged to stop, focus on yourself, get quiet, and listen to what is going on inside of you right this minute? This day? This week? This month? This season of your life? 

We have loud voices surrounding us all the time, demanding our ear. Most of them are good voices and require our care and time. We are busy women who are many times pulled in a hundred directions at once.

But have you stopped, anytime recently, to listen to that little girl inside, full of hopes and dreams for the future, untainted by the pressures and expectations of life? Have you lent an ear to that teenage girl within who is cautious yet risky, fearful and insecure yet beginning to discover the beauty that lies within herself? When was the last time you engaged that woman inside, tending to her children, husband, job, paying bills, putting food on the table, cleaning the house, doing the daily grind over and over again? Isn’t she important to listen to? Isn’t she the one that God entrusted all those beautiful responsibilities with because she is valuable and worthy and because her voice is powerful? 

I recently had a life-changing experience with listening to myself. In 2011 my oldest turned five and we decided to put her in public school, even though I wanted to try out homeschooling. I had just given birth to our third daughter over the summer and because of this I was exhausted.

After Kindergarten and 1st grade, we decided that I would give homeschooling a shot. We got through second grade and then we took a job in another state, moved here to Colorado and, without a second thought, I began homeschooling again in the fall with my (now) third grader and my middle daughter in Kindergarten. Without fail, every Sunday night, I would have a meltdown, whether internally or externally about how much I was dreading the coming week, trying to make my kids enjoy what we were doing at school even though I wasn’t enjoying it myself.

At Christmas-time, I was in the bathroom one day, having yet another meltdown, and, as the tears began coming, this time I asked myself what they were saying to me. What was happening inside of me that was causing this negative reaction to homeschooling?

I listened. Do you know what I heard?  I heard the cries of a woman who needed some space and time, who was overwhelmed and burnt out. A woman who was desperately in need of space to pursue some things that she was passionate about, things that would give her life again. And, this time, instead of allowing her voice to be drowned out, I gave her room and embraced all that she was communicating. I took her seriously.

After a few weeks of processing with my husband and some trusted friends, I made the decision to enroll my girls in public school again. It’s been a little over a month ago that we made this life change, and, girlfriends, I couldn’t be happier! The peace and vision that returned to my life is incredible. I know that I made the right decision for me! For my family! My girls are happy and thriving—growing and enjoying their time at school. Our home life has improved and I am happy again. All because I gave a listening ear to myself and my soul. I embraced me and what was happening inside, even though there were some fears attached, and it has made all the difference.

So, friend, I want to encourage you today to put the kettle on, pour yourself a hot cup of tea or coffee, and sit down for some one-on-one time with……you!  You’ll be the better for it. I promise.    

20/20 Is Possible...With Christ

Do you wear glasses or contacts?  Do you remember what it was like when you first got them? 

I was thinking about this the other day and the spiritual analogy just blew me away.  I got glasses when I was 17.  I was a senior in high school and I remember sitting in the back row of my chemistry class and telling the guy in front of me that the chemistry teacher had horrible handwriting.  How did he expect me to read his scribbles on the blackboard?!  The guy turned around and told me I needed glasses.

Huh?  I needed glasses?  Surely not!  I could see just fine thankyouverymuch.  It was the teacher's handwriting that needed work.  And the Department of Transportation was insane if they thought drivers should be able to read those teeny little street signs!  I mean seriously!  I can't tell you how many times I would drive right by a street I was looking for because I couldn't read the sign until I got up right next to it.  Everyone else was crazy because I could see just fine!

And then I got glasses.

I remember walking out of the store after getting my new frames and lenses.  I was in shock!  You mean we're supposed to be able to see individual leaves on trees and individual blades of grass?!  You're kidding me!  I was astounded at how much I couldn't actually see because I didn't have the correct prescription. So it was actually me the whole time and not everyone else?

Now translate that to our spiritual life.  How often do we "see" a situation and think 'what is wrong with that person? can't they see that what they did/said was mean/irresponsible/unbelievable?' How often do we blame others for things we see/feel just like I blamed my high school chemistry teacher and all of the Department of Transportation?

We each perceive the world differently based on our "prescription" yet we don't go to the only One Who sees the world in perfect 20/20 to help us see correctly. We all think we're 20/20.  We think that we're the only one in the world that has a correct view of things.  Everyone else is blind.  How much heartache, loneliness, hurt and anger are a result of our lenses being different than that of someone else?

Last year I went away on a retreat and spent 5 whole days with God, with my "eye doctor".  He did a spiritual exam and showed me that my prescription wasn't 20/20 but more like 20/400!  Haha!  Wasn't I surprised?!  You mean I'm supposed to be able to see others how Christ does?  You mean I was viewing the world through my own hurt and wounds?  I realized how distorted my view had become simply because I hadn't received the correct prescription.

I'm not claiming my vision is 20/20.  I need constant check ups!  Jesus is the only One Who can realign my vision, show my where I need more tweaking and remind me to see through other's lenses so I can have a better idea of how they perceive the world. 

Have you had your check-up yet?

Knowing vs Believing

Recently it struck me the big difference between what I know about God and what I believe about God. I've heard it referred to as the distance between your head and your heart. Very true but I think we stop there.

What we know about God greatly affects what we believe about Him. I was asked in a bible study to write down how I view God. As I was writing down my thoughts on His love and grace and forgiveness and lordship I was also challenged by 'do I believe that too?'  

How do you know what you believe? Look at what you do. 

We know that God is in control. He is sovereign. When we are faced with a situation in our lives - financial stress, illness/health problems, relationship challenges - what do we do? How do we respond? 

We know that God freely loves us. Do we then receive that love or do we try and earn it? Do we still see ourselves as not good enough, always failing and falling short or as sinners who've been saved by His marvelous grace and sacrifice and live free?

Romans 4:3 says "What does scripture day? Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness."

It wasn't Abraham's knowledge about God at 99 that led him to circumsize himself and all the men in his family and servants. It wasn't his knowledge about God that led him up a mountainside  with his only son, the one God had promised him, to sacrifice him. It was his belief that God meant what He said. 

It wasn't Paul's knowledge of God that led him all over preaching the good news of Christ, enduring beatings, prison, ship wrecks, angry crowds and government and the threat of death. It was his belief in Christ. In fact his knowledge led him to persecute and kill believers before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. His belief led him to love all and write half of the New Testament. 

Knowledge is something we gain through our 5 senses. 

Belief is gained in our spirits, through faith. 

In Genesis, God presented Adam in the Garden of Eden with the tree of life (living, alive, life sustaining, live prosperously, live forever, be quickened, revive from sickness). This is how it was meant to be.  Getting our source of life from Him alone. 

And He warned Adam about the tree of the knowledge (what we gain through our senses) of good (pleasant, excellent, beautiful, lovely, delightful, joyful, fruitful, precious) and evil (bad, inferior quality, wicked, evil, mishchevious, malignant, noxious, injurious, hurtful, unpleasant). 

Understand that not everything we know about God is bad. The bible says we can know good.

But also, not everything we know about God is true. It can be inferior, hurtful and unpleasant. 

All our knowledge, however, can affect what we believe about God. Therefore we cannot rely on our knowledge alone. 

For example: if we've prayed for/about a situation. It doesn't get answered. We may conclude - based on our knowledge- that God doesn't hear or doesn't care. Conversely, if He does answer how we prayed then God must always answer what we pray or always respond a certain way. 

The problem with knowledge is that it forms opinions, assumptions and judgment. And knowledge is what is usually shared. 

Belief takes our knowledge and holds it up to the Word of God to see if it is True because His Word is Truth regardless of what we see, hear, smell, taste or feel. 

So. What do you know and what do you believe? 

Do you know, or believe, that God is trustworthy?

Do you know, or believe, that God is All-powerful?

Do you know, or believe, that He command us to love Him and love others?

Do you know, or believe, that you are loved?

Do you know, or believe, that you are forgiven?

Do you know, or believe, that you are free?

Do you know, or believe, that God's Word is Truth, alive and active?

Do you know, or believe, that God can do mighty things through us when we submit our lives, our time, our finances, our gifts and talents unto Him?

Reflect on your life and see what you believe. 

Mark 9:23,24 says "And Jesus said to him, "If You can! All things are possible to him who believes {not knows}!" Immediately the boy's father cried out and began saying, "I do believe; help my unbelief {faithlessness, uncertainty, distrust}!" 

And Jesus healed. 

We can come to Him with our unbelief and ask for help. He will heal.