Jesus Calling - Day 41 - February 10, 2015

This is one of my favorite of Jesus Calling readings, probably because it is one that I related to so well.  I love the first time I read this, “Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor.”  Until eight years ago, I spent so much of my time doing the total opposite.  I spent more time with others rather than give that time to Jesus.  I was having a difficult time prioritizing my life & always wanting more hours in a day.  After I began to put into practice what I knew I SHOULD be doing, “giving myself to Him in rich communion,” I WAS able to accomplish more in less time.  It is so true that once you learn something so valuable, it is hard to go back!  

I truly was always on the go. This statement is powerful for us all, “Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom.”  Wow.  Once I began to realize this truth, I was sorry that I spent so much of my life on the wrong path.  

This also struck me as I heard this sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley,  “A Call for Courage.”  I was struck by this statement, “Pride will destroy you.  If you want God to stop His blessing in your life, just start taking credit.  When you start taking credit it demeans the glory of God and God is not gonna give you his power not His strength, nor His assistance when you are taking credit.  We have to walk humbly before Almighty God, trusting Him every day for whatever He wants to do in our lives and recognizing it is His life and His message that we preach and it is His work that is being done in and through your life.

Powerful statement to help us evaluate our lives.  I have seasons that are busier than most.  But I would not be able walk through those times without putting Jesus first.  Time spent with Him will direct me as to what things to do and not do.  He gives me the energy to accomplish His tasks.  Most important of all, He receives the glory for it all. 

“To avoid doing meaningless works, stay in continual communication with Me.” 

Amen! 

mama eydie! 

Jesus Calling - Day 40 - February 9, 2015

Today’s devotion is a good reminder of our treasure hunts we began when we traveled to Uganda or London.  “I rejoice in Your Word like one who discovers a great treasure” – Psalm 119:162   

We continued the hunt with the “40 Days with Jesus” to discover clues towards finding more treasures.  We now are using Jesus Calling to uncover even more!  We are discovering that each person’s treasures & journey’s are different.   The key to discovery on our ISP trips was making sure we each had a devotion time with the Lord.  How can we find treasures the Lord has for us if we don’t take the time to search?! 

Today is a reminder to allow the Holy Spirit to continue to lead you on your treasure hunt. It shouldn’t have stopped when you came home from your trip, or when we finished the 40 Days with Jesus.  Continue to dig deep.  Today’s devotion encouraged me:   “Hardships are part of the journey too.  I mete them out ever so carefully, in just the right dosage, with a tenderness you can hardly imagine.”  If you find yourself struggling on your treasure hunt, don’t give up.   Think of the movie, “Indiana Jones” or any other movie that they are searching for a treasure.  Rarely is the journey easy.  The movie would be too short and too boring!  With Indiana Jones, he faced snakes, bullets, arrows, and even huge rolling stones!  Yet, in the end he does win the treasure.  Hardships are a part of our journey.  Yet they are not meant to harm us, but to give us hope for the future. (Jeremiah 29:11).  

If you are faced with difficulties today on your treasure hunt, push through.  It is part of the journey.   Imagine where you would be today if you would not have pushed through the tough stuff on your ISP journey.  Hardship doesn’t feel good.  But face those difficulties knowing that Jesus is tenderly walking with us.  You WILL survive and will be stronger for it.  Do not give up or give in.  He will receive the glory! 

So let’s go and uncover more treasure together! 

Kale & Cheers! 

mama eydie!  

Jesus Calling - Day 39 - February 8, 2015

In the Day 15 devotional, I referred to this familiar story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14.  This continues to encourage me that if we keep our focus on Jesus we can rise above our problems.  “The is the way of Peace, living in the Light of My Presence.” 

There is a song called “Walk on Water” by Britt Nicole.    The words are powerful: 

You look around.  It’s staring back at you.  Another wave of doubt.  Will it pull you under, you wonder.   What if I’m overtaken.  What if I never make it?  What if no one’s there?  Will you hear my prayer?  When you take that first step into the unknown,  You know that He won’t let you go. 

Chorus:  So what are you waiting for?  What do you have to lose?  Your insecurities try to alter you.  You know you’re made for more.  So don’t be afraid to move.  Your faith is all it takes in you.  You can walk on the water too. 

So get out and let your fear fall to the ground. No time to waste.  Don’t wait.  Don’t you turn around and miss out in everything you were made for.   I know you’re not sure so you play it safe.  Try to run away.  If you take that first step into the unknown, He won’t let you go.  

(Step Out) Even when a storm hits. (Step Out)  Even when you’re broken (Step out) Even when your heart is telling you, telling you to give up (Step Out) When your hope is stolen (Step Out) You can’t see where you’re going.  You don’t have to be afraid.   So what are you waiting for? 

You Can Walk on the Water too, 

mama eydie 

Jesus Calling - Day 38 - February 7, 2015

Wow.  The timing of these last three devotions is amazing.  I needed these tender words, “The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary.  Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion.  Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.”  Again, I say wow.  

I have been living with such peace because of learning how to keep my focus on Him.  This is how I made it through the busy four months last year.  This is how I made it through this challenging weekend.  Because of lessons learned last year, it makes me stronger today as I continue to walk through challenges.  

Times when I plan to unplug from everything, I get frustrated when it doesn’t happen.   I feel guilty when I don’t want to be around anyone.   Not very often do I say, “I am exhausted.”  But after trips to Uganda is when I normally experience this.  

People will look at my life and automatically say, “I know you’re tired.”  But normally, I truly am not.  When I am functioning in His Will, I am normally energized not tired.  So when I reach those moments of total exhaustion, I know it is time to rest.  I love how this devotion was God Himself (not man) saying to me that my exhaustion was good.  This gave Him the opportunity to take over and give me rest.  The glory then goes only to the Father! 

I realized when I get to this point I am craving His rest.  What comfort to know that our God cares so tenderly for us.  He knows our limits and wants so much to be the One that will provide what we need.  

Again, all I can say is, WOW! 

mama eydie! 

Jesus Calling - Day 37 - February 6, 2015

“When your focus turns away from Me, you grasp for other things.  You drop the glowing gift of My Presence as you reach for lifeless ashes.”    This goes hand in hand with yesterday’s devotion.  In the busyness season I experienced at the end of 2013,  I took my eyes off of the One who could give me the rest that I needed.  I began to grasp at the frustration of not having time to unplug from everything.  When I was faced with interruptions, I did drop the gift of His Presence.  The longer it took me to dust those ashes off, the longer I stayed frustrated and upset.  I need to follow the example that Jesus did when he grieved the death of his friend, John.  He did not dwell on his grief but returned to the ministry that he came to do.  

When I am faced with difficulties, frustrations or hardships, I am learning not to dwell in that place.  I love this picture of keeping the gift of His Presence in my hands.  If I reach for the junk that surrounds me, I will drop this precious gift and become focused on negative things.  Yet if I only glance at the circumstances while holding the gift of His Presence, I will react more in a Christ-like manner than a self-centered one.  

Keeping My Eyes on Him! 

mama eydie!

Jesus Calling - Day 36 - February 5, 2015

“To receive My Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust.”  Over the past eight years I have definitely experienced His Peace as I trust Him with my daily life.  When I first wrote this in 2014, I had just walked through a rough 4 months.   In a nutshell, from October 2013 to January 2014 included helping Carol move, 3 trips to Maryland, 1 trip to Uganda, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kiana home, Disaster Relief training for Ventura County, & ITW at CBU.  I was so looking forward to being home this week.  Then somewhere in the midst of ITW, I realized that I have Blue Cap Training for Disaster Relief in Fresno for 2 1/2 days.  

I learned that not only do I need to trust the Lord in the midst of busy schedules, but I need to trust Him with my quiet times.  He knows that I need a time of rest.  Yet, when I start to order my day and control my thoughts, even for a day of just peace, it damages my soul and the very peace that I desire.  

Matthew 14 gives the account of the death of John the Baptist.  Verses 13-14 are what I thought of in the midst of my desiring to be alone. ”Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.  When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”   I am sure that Jesus was grieved at the news of the death of His friend.  Yet He trusted His Father during that time of grief and gave me a great example to follow.   The the Life Application Study Bible it said, “He didn’t dwell on his grief but he returned to the ministry that he came to do.”  

Interesting that as I write this now, I was coming off of the same busy season.  But this time I wasn’t helping Carol move or having to attend Disaster Relief trainings.  As I read this I had forgotten how overwhelming that time was in my life.  Since then, the biggest difference is not that I have less on my plate.  Going to Uganda, (and getting stuck there!), Maryland and ITW still was challenging.  It is February 5th and I am still undecorating the house from Christmas!  I have had moments I have not trusted Him and become anxious. But learning the lesson of letting go in those moments of anxiousness has made all the difference in the world.   Yesterday I had to “pull away from the crowds” to experience His peace.  So last night when I led Bible study I was ready and better equipped.  

He knows my needs.  I rest in that today trusting Him to refresh me and fill me with His Peace!   

Seeking His Face,

mama eydie 

Jesus Calling - Day 35 - February 4, 2015

If you knew me prior to my going to Uganda on that first mission’s trip, you would know this statement definitely represented me, “Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning.”  I was busy.  That’s all there is too it.

Once I prioritized and began to focus on my RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, I began to live in the “radiance of His Presence.”  I began to experience His Peace.  My focus was no longer based on pleasing others or being busy.  I started simply spending quality time with Him daily.

So many people who knew me before Uganda still characterize me as the “busy” person I was prior to Uganda.  It took me a lifetime to become that person and I am having a hard time shaking off that image!  But even in the midst of busy seasons for me, I am not the same person I was back then.  Sometimes I think people base who we are by our Facebook posts.  That is why I no longer post frequently, especially my activities.  I contemplated quitting Facebook altogether because some people were getting too judgemental over my "busyness" and posted things publicly to prove their point.  

Yes, there are seasons that my “schedule” is fuller than others.  For example, I just went to Uganda, Maryland & then ISPland for ITW! Yes...I would call that busy!  But now I have been home for 3 days and basically been home resting!    I protect my time alone with HIm enjoying His Presence!  To some, my "busyness" may not have changed in their eyes.  Yet the biggest difference is my focus.  I am making it my "life goal to be pleasing to God" not to others. (2 Corinthians 5:9).  This is key.  When I do this I am at Peace instead of anxious.  If He is pleased with me today, that is all that matters.   The more that I spend in His Word and in prayer & worship, the more I relax in Him.   I appreciate Sarah Young’s words today that really speak to the heart of how I now live my life...“You will cease to notice how weak or strong you feel, because you will be focusing on Me.”   This makes all the difference in the world.

Resting in His Peace today!
mama eydie