Jesus Calling - Day 78 - March 19, 2015

Just reading the words to today’s devotion brings a sense of peace.  Some of my most distressing times have been when I listened to voices of accusation.  To hear that these words are not from Him brings peace to my heart.  “He speaks to us in love-tones, lifting us up.”  When I was going through that difficult time in my life, I truly felt alone. When words of accusation and hurt were becoming a part of my daily life, I began to become discouraged and depressed.  With each word of accusation or gossip, it was as if I added another weight to the load.   I was becoming crushed and buried under the negative voices.  

I needed the reminder that HIS SPIRIT convicts cleanly, without crushing words of shame.   “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”  Romans 8:1-2.  

Last night, in our “Breaking Free” study by Beth Moore she said something significant in terms of exposing truth in our lives.  “We uncover so we can excuse.  Satan uncovers to accuse.  But CHRIST uncovers to difuse.” 

Accusations come from the enemy.  Our excuses are from us alone.  But Jesus wants to difuse it all so we can finally break free!!!   

No one should have to carry the burden of despair.  Lets all speak words of encouragement and love.  “So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.”  I Thessalonians 5:11 (The Message) 

Amen!

mama eydie 

Jesus Calling - Day 77 - March 18, 2015

I am beginning to understand that trusting God is more than just one day at a time.  It is trusting Him one moment at a time.  Our world is constantly changing and moving.  When I can live each day just trusting Him to get me through, I experience more peace no matter how crazy things get.  The key is being aware of His constant Presence, “yielding to His gentle touch and being sensitive to His prompting.”  

I remember there was a time that I missed a connecting flight back home.  I had been in Virginia and flew through Chicago.  The flight was delayed in Virginia which caused me to RUN through the terminal to make the connection in Chicago.  Needless to say, I didn’t make it.   When I got to the gate, I saw the airplane sitting there.  They would not open the gate for me to get on the plane.  I had all kinds of “why not” questions.  Their answer was plainly, “Once the gate is closed we can’t re-open it.”  It made no sense to me.  I just didn’t understand.  They re-booked me on another flight three hours later!  

As I sat upset that I was stuck in Chicago, I got a telephone call.  It was from a friend whose young son was needing to interview a “missionary” for a school project.  He had 3 questions that he needed to ask me...and needed it that afternoon.    If I would have focused on my need to understand why they wouldn’t open the door to the plane...I would have missed His Presence in the simplicity of helping this young friend.  If I would have been on the plane, I would have missed a huge blessing! 

When I face other times of changed plans, I think back on this story.   God has a purpose and plan for everything.  I just need to be able to not get caught up in “worry-webs” and trust Him one moment at a time.  It is a much better way to walk through life! 

Just recently, I missed a flight home from Uganda.  That was a much more costly missed flight!  I ended up staying in Uganda for 2 more days.  It ended up being a blessing that went beyond my understanding.  I was able to go back to the children and finish interviewing each student.  I had run out of time and was going to have Godfrey finish the interviews and email me back with their responses.  But something significant happened as I sat with each student and listened to more than just what I thought I needed.  I heard stories of their lives before they came to Raining Hope.  I heard testimony of their lives before Christ and how difficult it was.  I heard how coming to Raining Hope (Living Hope at the time) was where they found Jesus...therefore finding hope.  It was 2 days that I will never forget.  

I would rather miss airplane connections than the blessings that He has waiting for me!!!  

mama eydie!! 

Jesus Calling - Day 76 - March 17, 2015

I am so thankful that my Lord loves me despite all of my failures past and present.  There was a time that I thought I had so disappointed God that I pulled away from church.  We can be so deceived that our failures are beyond forgiveness.  I am so thankful that He “views me through eyes of grace.”  I remember the moment of recognition that He was not done with me yet.  I experienced His forgiveness and grace in the “deepest recesses of my being - cleansing, healing, refreshing and renewing me.”   I still make mistakes and I disappoint myself regularly with my choices.  Yet He offers this forgiveness continually. 

These words are powerful all on their own.  “This great gift, which cost Me My LIfe, is yours for all eternity.   Forgiveness is at the very core of My abiding Presence.  I will never leave you or forsake you.”  

I am able to minister to others because of His Love that He continually pours into my life.  Instead of keeping it all to myself, He desires that it overflows into the lives of others.  Let’s share His love today with people He puts in our path! 

Knowing I am deeply loved, 

mama eydie 

Jesus Calling - Day 75 - March 16, 2015

“It is good that you recognize your weakness.  That keeps you looking to Me, your Strength.”  The moment we think that we have it all figured out is the moment that something challenges us to prove that we don’t.  We always will have room to grow and learn.  Even though I have deepened my relationship with Him, I still make mistakes.  I still get anxious when I have too much on my plate.  Yet, these moments are what God is using to cause me to depend more and more on Him.

“Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing.”  At the time that I first wrote this I was on a flight home from Maryland.  I don’t normally have a window seat.  On international flights I like the aisle seat mainly so I don’t have to bother anyone when I have to use the restroom!  But when I checked in online, I  ended up changing my seat from an aisle seat in the back to a window seat towards the front on the right hand side.   At one point, I looked out the window and was given a marvelous gift from God.  There was the Grand Canyon, larger than life!   I was in awe of the majesty and beauty of His creation.  If I had not been sensitive to His leading to change the seats, I would have missed the magnificent view.

I believe that is what He is saying to us today.  You don’t want to miss the magnificent view that He has in store for you!  Relax and be on the lookout for what He has for you today.  The view awesome!   At the time I flew over the Grand Canyon I was listening to the Stephen Curtis Chapman song, “It’s Yours.”

Chorus: “It’s all yours God, yours God, everything is yours.  From the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean floor.  And its all Yours, God, Yours, God, everything is Yours.  You’re the maker and keeper  Father and ruler of everything, It’s all yours.  All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty.  Everything is Yours.”

To be flying over the Grand Canyon and listening to this song is one of His blessings pouring out over me that was Indescribable!  (That is another song!)

It’s all His!
mama eydie

Jesus Calling - Day 74 - March 15, 2015

 

Whenever I lead teams overseas, I challenge the team members to be on a “treasure hunt.”   One of the tools I use is the 40 Days with Jesus Devotional by Sarah Young each day for our quiet time.   Each person is on a treasure hunt during the 2-3 weeks to discover what treasure the Lord wants them to find.  I have been blown away each year to see what treasurers they find through searching the Scriptures and being quiet enough to hear from Him.  

In my case, the Lord had to bring me half way across the world away from my chaos to be still long enough to hear Him.  Yet, you don’t have to go all the way to Uganda to find your treasures.  “Learn to take mini-breaks from the world, finding a place to be still in His Presence and listen to His voice.”  Now that this truth has moved from my head to my heart, I know what it feels like to truly be still.  Once you find it, you will know the difference.  

Find your treasure then make sure to share! 

mama eydie! 

Jesus Calling - Day 73 - March 14, 2015

We are surrounded by a world that is based on “working and taking.”  I hear regularly from other believers that they are too busy to rest.  Believe me, I was definitely guilty of this!  It took going to Uganda to break through the cycle to see just how busy and noisy my life was.  The simplicity of the verse, “Be still and know that I am God” is really what it is all about.   I am blessed!  

The more time that I spend with Him, the more I learn.  He does “pour His very life into me and all I have to do is receive it!”  It is having the faith of a little child to not only trust this truth, but to receive it with gladness in my heart.  

My children in Uganda don’t ask for much.  What makes them happy is when we simply come and visit them.  They love visitors!  They love being in relationship with others.  So many of you have received various letters from the children.  They write from their heart.  They just want to spend time with those who love and care for them.  When we go and visit, they are not as interested in material things.  They purely want to just be with us. 

We are just like that to God.  We are His children.  He desires to be in relationship with us.  So let’s start to slow down and take the time to just be still and know that He is God!” 

Blessings await! 

mama eydie 

Jesus Calling - Day 72 - March 13, 2015

I served in Haiti with the California Southern Baptist Disaster Relief group after the earthquake.   My role was a chaplain.  I vividly remember speaking with an older woman about Jesus.  As I spoke, someone on our team took a photo.  A light came shining through a break in the ceiling.  It hit just right above our heads.  I think of that picture as I read the words today, “As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart.  Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances.”   I was so challenged in my faith on that trip.  These people had lost everything.  Yet one after another they would say, “I may have lost everything, but I am alive!”  Others said that they had Jesus and that is all that matters.  The people of Haiti in the time of trouble and extreme loss, put it all in perspective.  They as well as the people of Uganda have taught me lessons in what truly is important.  

I truly did live my life for so long being shackled to my circumstances.  I spent a lot of years allowing myself to be robbed of my joy.  The chains were broken & I was set free the day I obeyed God and said, “I quit.”  This was the day that I quit my job.  But I realized that I also was making a proclamation that I would quit trying to run my life and turn that control over to Him. 

Life changing ... still changing but now FREE! 

mama eydie