You've probably heard the story of Job. Most people have, even those who aren't in church circles. It's the story of a very wealthy Middle-Eastern businessman. We don't know exactly how much land or other holdings he had, but in livestock alone he would be worth well over $5m today.
He lost it all to terrorists and natural disasters in one "perfect storm" of a day, then he got sick, really sick. And to top it all off, his wife told him to just give up and die. What a woman, right?!
Then he had these three "friends" who came around to "comfort" him. Chapter after chapter of the historical book named after him are devoted to their words of "wisdom." The discourse goes back and forth, and finally God Himself speaks.
And all of a sudden, we see that Job is again healthy and wealthy, but even more than before. What a great ending to a tragic story! What happened? How did it all turn around?
We find the secret in Chapter 42: "The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold." ( Job 42:10 NASB).
So Job prayed for his friends, then God took care of Job. Sounds like we're responsible for more than just ourselves, doesn't it? It sounds like we're supposed to be very intentional about one another's needs. It sounds very closely related to the Golden Rule.
We find this principle echoed in the letter of Paul to the Philippians: "If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand" (Php 2:1-4 MSG).
If I could encourage you towards one thing, it would be this:
Let's turn our attention to the needs of others. It not only lifts our spirits, but I'm convinced that our Heavenly Father is blessed when we do this.
Peace,
Davina
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Saturday, December 10, 2016
What's Your Confirmation Number?
The story goes, that a young man, setting out on his first trip alone, arrived at the hotel where he had reserved a room. The clerk had no record of his reservation. "What's your confirmation number," she asked. The young man had no clue what it was. So he had to pay for the room. Again.
From that point forward, when he made a reservation, guess what? Right! He had his confirmation number! And as luck would have it, one day he again found himself standing across from the hotel clerk, who had no record of his reservation. This time, however, he had the confirmation number. He quickly began to tell the clerk how it was going to be, because he had proof that his room was paid in advance. He said, "I don't care what you have to do, you'll get me a room!" And he got his room.
How often do we pay again for something that's already been paid?
We worry, when Jesus said, "Peace I give to you," (John 14:27).
We try to earn healing, but Jesus paid that bill 2000 years ago (1 Pet. 2:24).
Or the biggest one of all, we try to earn salvation by our works (Eph. 2:8-10). This is my personal favorite, and it is my all-time #1 confirmation number!
So how do we use our confirmation number?
Again, let's compare it to the natural. When the young man was faced with a situation that challenged whether his bill was paid, he became more forceful. He didn't give in and say, "Well, I guess this is just the way it's got to be. I don't know why." NO. He used his confirmation number to demand what was rightfully his.
Warning: you may not want to do this with a ton of people around, or run the risk of getting some pretty questioning looks, but ...
When we have any circumstance or situation that challenges what God has already confirmed is rightfully ours, maybe we should, #1 Know the Word, and #2 Use the Word. Say it out loud. Forcefully. As many times as it takes to see results.
I have a prayer book called Scripture Keys for Kingdom Living - it's a good reference for many different things that can challenge us. There are other books that have scriptures for various maladies and challenges. Or we can always dig out the nuggets of the Word on our own.
My point is this. God has given us His Word, full of confirmation numbers, for every situation.
Why not use it?!
Peace,
Davina
From that point forward, when he made a reservation, guess what? Right! He had his confirmation number! And as luck would have it, one day he again found himself standing across from the hotel clerk, who had no record of his reservation. This time, however, he had the confirmation number. He quickly began to tell the clerk how it was going to be, because he had proof that his room was paid in advance. He said, "I don't care what you have to do, you'll get me a room!" And he got his room.
How often do we pay again for something that's already been paid?
We worry, when Jesus said, "Peace I give to you," (John 14:27).
We try to earn healing, but Jesus paid that bill 2000 years ago (1 Pet. 2:24).
Or the biggest one of all, we try to earn salvation by our works (Eph. 2:8-10). This is my personal favorite, and it is my all-time #1 confirmation number!
So how do we use our confirmation number?
Again, let's compare it to the natural. When the young man was faced with a situation that challenged whether his bill was paid, he became more forceful. He didn't give in and say, "Well, I guess this is just the way it's got to be. I don't know why." NO. He used his confirmation number to demand what was rightfully his.
Warning: you may not want to do this with a ton of people around, or run the risk of getting some pretty questioning looks, but ...
When we have any circumstance or situation that challenges what God has already confirmed is rightfully ours, maybe we should, #1 Know the Word, and #2 Use the Word. Say it out loud. Forcefully. As many times as it takes to see results.
I have a prayer book called Scripture Keys for Kingdom Living - it's a good reference for many different things that can challenge us. There are other books that have scriptures for various maladies and challenges. Or we can always dig out the nuggets of the Word on our own.
My point is this. God has given us His Word, full of confirmation numbers, for every situation.
Why not use it?!
Peace,
Davina
Friday, December 9, 2016
Never Too Late
Warning: The contents of this post are painfully self-disclosing!
This morning, as most days, I wrote out my goals for the day:
1. Hydrate (5+ bottles of water) & limit sweets (1).
2. Remain calm/no negative language.
3. Encourage Mark.
Well, I wrote a little note of encouragement & put it in the jar. #3 done!
Then I went to work. Goal #2 down the drain.
Which was shortly followed by Goal #1 (second half).
Later on this afternoon, I realized that, even though it wasn't on this list, my daily habit-in-the-making of writing an original work was also as yet unfulfilled.
So here I am, at the least productive time of my day (I'm a severe morning person), writing a blog post.
Why?
Because it's never too late.
It's never too late to start over. It's never too late to keep a promise. It's never too late to decide to follow Christ. It's never to late to develop a plan for that business idea you've carried in your mind for years.
I watched a precious young lady earlier this evening as she was baptized again, after following a destructive path that all but destroyed her. But she is beginning again, making a fresh start. And I'm so proud for her! And if she falls again, all she has to do is to get back up again.
I've heard that all we must do in order to be successful at a thing is to get back up one more time than we fall. Sounds really simple, too simple, doesn't it? Maybe so, but I'm willing to try.
How about you?
Are you willing to get up again?
Peace,
Davina
This morning, as most days, I wrote out my goals for the day:
1. Hydrate (5+ bottles of water) & limit sweets (1).
2. Remain calm/no negative language.
3. Encourage Mark.
Well, I wrote a little note of encouragement & put it in the jar. #3 done!
Then I went to work. Goal #2 down the drain.
Which was shortly followed by Goal #1 (second half).
Later on this afternoon, I realized that, even though it wasn't on this list, my daily habit-in-the-making of writing an original work was also as yet unfulfilled.
So here I am, at the least productive time of my day (I'm a severe morning person), writing a blog post.
Why?
Because it's never too late.
It's never too late to start over. It's never too late to keep a promise. It's never too late to decide to follow Christ. It's never to late to develop a plan for that business idea you've carried in your mind for years.
I watched a precious young lady earlier this evening as she was baptized again, after following a destructive path that all but destroyed her. But she is beginning again, making a fresh start. And I'm so proud for her! And if she falls again, all she has to do is to get back up again.
I've heard that all we must do in order to be successful at a thing is to get back up one more time than we fall. Sounds really simple, too simple, doesn't it? Maybe so, but I'm willing to try.
How about you?
Are you willing to get up again?
Peace,
Davina
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Many Called, Few Chosen
Many are called, but few are chosen (Matt 22:14).This is a fairly well-known verse of scripture. Have you ever stopped to think about its meaning?
Jesus had "large crowds (Matt 4:25) following," He had about 70 that were sent on a special mission (Luke 10:1); and we all know about the 12 disciples, and the three who were in His inner circle.
What was the deciding factor - how did the three get to the honor of being "chosen" for His closest group of companions?
Let's forget, for a moment, that Jesus was God wrapped in flesh, and knew the end of all things from the beginning. Jesus WAS and IS God made flesh, but He was also very much man. He chose to be one of us, to live as we live, suffer as we suffer, and be limited by the bonds of flesh as we are. He had aches and pains. (Some of my friends laugh at me because in my mind, Baby Jesus was not the glowing, non-crying, pristine baby in a nice clean manger; He was a human baby, whose home and bed were among the animals.)
Anyway, maybe Jesus "called" a bunch of people. Maybe that was the first prerequisite: be willing to follow. Then after that, some of them grew tired of following, some had no depth of commitment, others probably had to leave and go take care of family business. (Sounds a little bit like the parable of the seed on the pathway, among thorns, and so on, doesn't it?)
The point is this. Many WERE called.
They had some "proving" to do, before they were "chosen."
Just my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours.
Peace,
Davina
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
The Power of Practice
It was an "AHA!" moment, for sure.
I wish I could remember whose email I was reading, so I could give credit, but what I do remember was the challenge. The writer said, in effect, that what separates the pros from the posers is that the pros are consistent. I thought, simultaneously, "AHA!" and "Well, duh!" That's just so simple. But why do I often miss this little principle? So I set a challenge for myself: to write every day.
I've heard story after story, as I'm sure you have, of the athlete who rises in the wee hours each and every morning, to begin her 4-hour workout; or how about the musician who practices relentlessly every evening, while his friends are out having fun?
So I've been a poser, not a writer.
And so, I have begun, again, to write. It isn't always on this blog, but it's always some form of original writing outside of my normal journaling. Sometimes it's a blog post, sometimes a poem, or if I'm at my keyboard, maybe it's a song. I won't say these creations are always works that I wish to share, but the main point here is the practice.
Remember that old adage, "Practice makes perfect."? Well, I'm human, and I don't think my writing will ever be flawless, but a less-used definition of perfect (which happens to be the same one often used in the Bible) means "complete, full-grown." So, yeah, I think my writing, over time, can be "perfect," in the latter sense.
I've had to change some things in my life, like my alarm, my thoughts (it isn't always easy to think of something to write), and my time spent on social media. It's amazing how much more I get accomplished these days, when before, I thought I didn't have time to write. Now, it's almost addicting to see how much productivity I can squeeze into my waking hours!
I can hear some of you screaming, "Balance!" And you're absolutely correct - we must maintain balance, get plenty of rest, exercise, and relaxation. This things are vital to the healthy, whole person. But my personal experience tells me that we too often go overboard on the R&R in the name of balance. Remember, God worked six days and rested one, as did our ancestors, daylight to dark.
One more, yet unexpected, observation about this writing binge. I have noticed my creativity is growing. Not only is the writing itself coming more easily; my mind seems sharper overall. And innovative ideas are once again coming to me, that have nothing at all to do with writing.
All because of a challenge from someone I've never met, and my decision to take that challenge.
What about you?
What is it, that you need to "practice?"
What are you waiting for?
Peace,
Davina
I wish I could remember whose email I was reading, so I could give credit, but what I do remember was the challenge. The writer said, in effect, that what separates the pros from the posers is that the pros are consistent. I thought, simultaneously, "AHA!" and "Well, duh!" That's just so simple. But why do I often miss this little principle? So I set a challenge for myself: to write every day.
I've heard story after story, as I'm sure you have, of the athlete who rises in the wee hours each and every morning, to begin her 4-hour workout; or how about the musician who practices relentlessly every evening, while his friends are out having fun?
So I've been a poser, not a writer.
And so, I have begun, again, to write. It isn't always on this blog, but it's always some form of original writing outside of my normal journaling. Sometimes it's a blog post, sometimes a poem, or if I'm at my keyboard, maybe it's a song. I won't say these creations are always works that I wish to share, but the main point here is the practice.
Remember that old adage, "Practice makes perfect."? Well, I'm human, and I don't think my writing will ever be flawless, but a less-used definition of perfect (which happens to be the same one often used in the Bible) means "complete, full-grown." So, yeah, I think my writing, over time, can be "perfect," in the latter sense.
I've had to change some things in my life, like my alarm, my thoughts (it isn't always easy to think of something to write), and my time spent on social media. It's amazing how much more I get accomplished these days, when before, I thought I didn't have time to write. Now, it's almost addicting to see how much productivity I can squeeze into my waking hours!
I can hear some of you screaming, "Balance!" And you're absolutely correct - we must maintain balance, get plenty of rest, exercise, and relaxation. This things are vital to the healthy, whole person. But my personal experience tells me that we too often go overboard on the R&R in the name of balance. Remember, God worked six days and rested one, as did our ancestors, daylight to dark.
One more, yet unexpected, observation about this writing binge. I have noticed my creativity is growing. Not only is the writing itself coming more easily; my mind seems sharper overall. And innovative ideas are once again coming to me, that have nothing at all to do with writing.
All because of a challenge from someone I've never met, and my decision to take that challenge.
What about you?
What is it, that you need to "practice?"
What are you waiting for?
Peace,
Davina
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Between the Promise and the Promotion
We've all been there.
We've heard the voice of God, maybe in our quiet place, maybe through a friend or a song, but we know when it happens. Something inside clicks, and we know, unmistakably, that we have heard His voice, and we hold on to the promise He gave at that moment.
Then reality sets in. Life happens. And we begin to wonder if we really did hear Him speak. We wonder, "Maybe it was just my imagination. After all, I don't see anything happening. If God really spoke to me, wouldn't things be better by now?"
Well, what about the children of Israel in the wilderness? Or Jesus Himself? Jesus heard the voice of God - it was a spectacular event. The Spirit of God descended on Him, and a thunderous voice from Heaven confirmed that He was the Son of God, and that God was pleased with Him! Wow, what an event!
Then immediately Jesus was sent where? Into the wilderness, where the enemy taunted Him with, "IF you are the Son of God ... IF you are ..." All Jesus had to go on was the last words of His Father, "This IS my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." But Jesus endured the wilderness, kept His faith, and won His battle. Only then, did He begin His ministry.
We see this pattern in the lives of Joseph, King David, all the great patriarchs. Why should we be any different?
Is it possible, that the reason we don't see the promotion, is because we give up on the promise?
If you've given up, it's not too late to renew your faith. Remember those children of Israel? What happened when they gave up? They just went around the mountain ... again. But the promise was still there, in hibernation. Eventually, they made it to the promised land.
Will you?
Don't give up!
Peace,
Davina
We've heard the voice of God, maybe in our quiet place, maybe through a friend or a song, but we know when it happens. Something inside clicks, and we know, unmistakably, that we have heard His voice, and we hold on to the promise He gave at that moment.
Then reality sets in. Life happens. And we begin to wonder if we really did hear Him speak. We wonder, "Maybe it was just my imagination. After all, I don't see anything happening. If God really spoke to me, wouldn't things be better by now?"
Well, what about the children of Israel in the wilderness? Or Jesus Himself? Jesus heard the voice of God - it was a spectacular event. The Spirit of God descended on Him, and a thunderous voice from Heaven confirmed that He was the Son of God, and that God was pleased with Him! Wow, what an event!
Then immediately Jesus was sent where? Into the wilderness, where the enemy taunted Him with, "IF you are the Son of God ... IF you are ..." All Jesus had to go on was the last words of His Father, "This IS my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." But Jesus endured the wilderness, kept His faith, and won His battle. Only then, did He begin His ministry.
We see this pattern in the lives of Joseph, King David, all the great patriarchs. Why should we be any different?
Is it possible, that the reason we don't see the promotion, is because we give up on the promise?
If you've given up, it's not too late to renew your faith. Remember those children of Israel? What happened when they gave up? They just went around the mountain ... again. But the promise was still there, in hibernation. Eventually, they made it to the promised land.
Will you?
Don't give up!
Peace,
Davina
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