Friday, October 30, 2015

SUITCASE OF JOY

The fall season has arrived, although it still feels like summer!  The women’s Bible Study group that I belong to has started back up after being on hiatus for the summer.   This season the women’s study has taken on a kind of new theme:  Get Real.   Within our separate groups, we each had to describe what our “selfie” would look like if we snapped a shot in our real life, everyday routine, or something we do that represents our current life.   Some of the women said they would be in a t-shirt and sweatpants sitting in front of their computer or sporting their workout clothes at the gym.  Another said she’d be in the kitchen because she loves to cook and another said she’d be in her car since she’s driving all the time.  When it came my turn to describe my selfie, I didn’t have to give it much thought!  That was an easy question to answer!  My selfie would be a photo of me ‘rolling with my suitcase’ because since the beginning of summer, I’ve been living like a Nomad staying a couple of months here and a couple of months there with my friends.   One of the gals in my group put a positive spin on it and said, “I’m carrying my suitcase of joy from place to place.”  The first visual that popped in my head was Mary Poppins.  Lol!   But, the words she said really touched me.  It was such a beautiful way of looking at my circumstances.  I don’t know the greater plan that God has for my future, but right now he’s giving me the opportunity to spread His Joy!   Although, honestly, I don’t always feel joyful in my situation, but for the most part, I’ve been taking it all in stride and keeping a positive attitude, because I know my circumstances are temporary.  For, I know that amazing things are just around the corner!  

Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

Funny,  the summer months, I was doing my own Bible study and the week’s lesson, prior to starting back at Bible Study, was all about Joy!   The lesson was titled:  The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength.    Then, the following Sunday at church, the preachers message was about finding Joy.  Not a coincidence!   I love it when God does that!  That’s God’s way of speaking to me and confirming that my Joy needs to be replenished.   God knows my heart, hears my thoughts, sees my circumstances, and knows exactly when I need His comfort and encouragement.   He definitely got my attention!  

The Joy that comes from the Lord, is not a feeling or an emotion, but it’s a Joy that’s within.  It’s an inner strength, and inner peace.   It’s more of a knowing than a feeling.  Does that make sense?   It’s a Joy that you can have even when your life seems to be going nowhere or it’s been turned upside down, or when your circumstances seem so much greater than what you can handle….. but, in all the chaos and uncertainty, you have a peace that is beyond understanding, because you know it’s all going to be okay.  Why?  Because Christ remains in me and my Joy comes from Him.   Jesus says in John 15:11 I have told you this so that My Joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  -   Jesus IS joy and he’s the Giver of joy.   Even the psalmist David, knew his joy came from the Lord.  In his agony and shame he cries out to the Lord. - Psalm 51:12  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. 

What does it mean, the Joy of the Lord is my strength?   I use to think that my strength is because I have joy in knowing that Jesus in my Lord and Savior.  But, my strength is not of me...it’s the strength that Jesus had that enabled him to endure the suffering he went through at Calvary.  What gave Jesus strength, was seeing the joy on the other side, the joy of him being united with his Father (God) and the joy of knowing that we too can spend eternity with God, because of the cross.   Now that’s strength!!   His joy is the source of my strength!

Hebrews 12:2,3 For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

So, whatever your Joy looks like, whether it comes in a suitcase, a jar, a pocket…..whatever metaphor relates to your life, I believe our world needs more Joy.  We all live in our own little sphere in this massive world where we can make a difference by spreading the Joy that comes from the Lord.    


Tuesday, August 11, 2015

PAIN IS TEMPORARY


Last month, I started working out again!  I find it so much harder to get back into it, once I’ve stopped for so long.   I’m not one who can just go to the gym and work through the machines.  I prefer to take spin classes or Pilates, yoga, dance classes or outdoor bootcamps.  So recently, I started going on hikes in Baldwin Hills.  The face of the hill, or what I call a mini-mountain, has cement stairs that ascend straight to the top and dirt trails that zigzag across the face and around the hill.   The early evening hours seem to be the peak time for hikers.  When standing at the bottom of the hill, it literally looks like a human ant hill.   That’s how busy it gets!  So, I’ve been going during the late morning hours to avoid the crowds.  Notice, I didn’t say early morning hours!  I truly, admire these folks who can get up before dawn to get their work-out in.  I’ve tried, but it’s just not part of my make up!   :-) 

I’ve been taking advantage of my hikes and using the time to pray, worship and commune with God.  I put my earphones in, plug them into my iPhone and listen to my playlist of worship music.  It’s funny, in all my years of working out, I have never actually listened to my own music!   (I know, it sounds crazy, especially in our age of technology.)  What a difference it makes!  You can tune out all the other noise and get lost in your own audio world.  I love it!    

The other day, I was trudging up those uneven, rugged stairs.  I say ‘trudge”  because I am really out of shape!  So, after a few steps, I had to pause to catch my breath.  Although, I have to say, each day I am improving.  Less, frequent pauses!  -  As I stopped, a man rushed past me and yelled out to his friend ahead of him, who seemed to be struggling like me.  He shouted out with encouragement, “hang in there bro, the pain is just temporary!”  -   I thought to myself, “Wow, so profound and so true!”   His words truly resonated with me.  It’s true, our pain is temporary.  Overjoyed, I said to myself, “I’m going to use that as the title of my next blog!”  -  I was so excited to get home and start writing this blog, but first I had to finish my hike!  -  As I stood there, out of breath, looking up at all the steps still to go, my inner voice said, “okay Rhoshan, this pain is temporary!  You can make it to the top.  Just one step at a time!”   So, I kicked it into second gear, eyes looking down at my feet, focused on my music, and made it to the top with an extra beat to my feet!   When I reached the top, my arms instinctively flew up in the air.  I felt like Rocky Balboa!  I can hear the theme song in my head! 

Life is like those steep, uneven, rugged stairs.  When we’re at the bottom looking up at what’s ahead, it can be very intimidating, even scary at times.  But, when we actually start walking forward, our focus is downward looking at one step at a time.  We can make plans for the future, but we still, will never know what lies ahead of us.  I often think, it’s a good thing we don’t know what’s ahead!   I truly believe, that is God’s saving grace for us all.  Could you imagine if you knew beforehand the trials, the struggles and the pain that you will have to face?   I don’t think we could handle having the full knowledge of our future.   When I think about the past couple of years of my life, if I had known ahead of time that my father would be diagnosed with a terminal disease, and if I had known the struggle he had to face, and the pain and heartache of taking care of him and watching him deteriorate, I would, absolutely, be in disbelief and fearful of what was to come!  

There is no such thing as a crystal ball for this life.  We are meant to experience life one day at a time and take on each challenge as it comes, instead of stressing about tomorrow or things that haven't happened yet.   Really, the only future we can be certain of is eternal life with our Heavenly Father.   That assurance comes only through belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.    
 John 14:6  Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  

God’s Word says in Matthew 6:34 Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.   We can choose to face our troubles alone or with the help of God.  I choose taking the hand of God and leaning on His strength. I could not have gotten through the past two years without the Lord by my side and the strength that came from all the prayers from family and friends.  I memorized the scripture Isaiah 41:10, which says,  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I and your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  -  When I felt weary and about to give up, I reminded myself of God's words.  It’s amazing what our body and soul can endure when we allow the Spirit of God to carry us through it!  

Just like those coarse steps….. when we face the pains of life, whether it be the loss of a loved one, a physical pain or illness, financial struggles, loneliness, depression, addiction, disappointments of life, whatever the pain stems from, take comfort in knowing that it is temporary!  This too shall pass. 

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!   So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The scripture above makes me think of Jesus, who willingly, suffered the greatest pain ever when he went to the cross for the redemption of our sins.   The way that he was able to endure the pain, was not looking at the cross, but Jesus looked beyond it.  He saw the joy set before him.  The joy of being reunited with God and the joy of us, one day joining him in eternity.  -  Jesus knew that the pain was temporary!


Hebrews 12:1-3   And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

THE SOUND


By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the cloud let drop the dew. 
Proverbs 3:19-20


It’s been over two years since I last posted a blog.  I thank those of you who have followed my blog, and my apologies for the huge lapse in time.  :)    So much has happened in my life, these past years,  I wouldn’t know where to begin.  One thing is certain,  I now have plenty of new experiences to write about.   So, I invite you all to follow my footsteps through this next season of my life!   

Those of you who are new to my blog, may perhaps be wondering, “Why Feet of Faith?”   Since, the wee age of 8, my life has been a walk with God, through the good, the bad and the ugly.   Yes, I am a believer in Creation, that God is the creator of all things including Mankind, and because of his great love for us, sent his son Jesus Christ into the world, not to judge Mankind, but to save us, to give us eternal life and an abundant life here on earth.   I’m not a religious person, but rather, a person who has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.  I am simply a follower of Jesus.

*  *  *  *  *                        
During the Christmas holiday’s last year, I went to my friends annual poetry reading party.   She has been throwing these parties for at least the past 15+ years.  Her shindigs are always such a hit.  We’re always amazed at the hidden talents that pour out of our friends.  Who knew there are such poets amongst us!   This time, I wrote about a place I visited last summer.  I spent three months in Scotland and during my stay I had the opportunity to visit my cousin and her family who live in the Isle of Man.  It was one of the highlights of my stay in the U.K.!  If you’re reading this cuz, thanks again for having me.  :) 

There’s a place at the Southern tip of The Isle of Man called, The Sound.   My poem is about that place. 

THE SOUND 

I close my eyes, what do I hear?
The crashing, of rushing waves, that seem so near.
Like symbols clashing, as the sound escapes
My ears alert, as I stand in awe, of such a place. 

The chill that meets my rosy cheeks,
from the dashing wind, where does it seek?
It’s resounding tenor, from left to right
that carries a melody of such force & might. 

And then a shift of warmth, my face so longs.
The clouds have separated, the sunshine prolongs.
The ocean, the wind, the clouds, the sun; all in such harmony.
Only its Creator conducts such a symphony.

by Rhoshan Amir 

Psalm 19:1-4  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech;  night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.


Whenever I stand before God’s incredible beauty, whether it be the ocean, the mountains, a field of wild flowers, or gazing up at the millions of stars …. it takes my breath away to know that the creator of such magnificence, sees me.  He knew me before I was knitted in my mother’s womb.  He knows the number of hairs on my head.  He knew my name before my parents named me and he hears me and loves me and whispers in my ear to let me know that he is always near.  Wow!   

God wants to commune with you.  So simply, close your eyes and listen for His voice.  


John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong


 

For the past few years my father and I have been attending the annual opening day at the Del Mar Race Track.  It’s quite a spectacle seeing all the women dressed up sporting their fancy and some very outlandish hats.  It’s more about the fashion show than the actual races.  When it comes to betting on the races, I have no idea which horse to choose, so my strategy is to look at the horses while they circle the paddock before the race.  They are so beautiful!  I look for the feisty one or something that stands out, maybe even the unique name of the horse.  I have no idea about any of the jockeys, so they don’t factor into my decision.  Sometimes I’ll get an old pro chatting me up who ends up giving me a tip or two.   It’s all in fun and quite exciting cheering your horse on, especially when it wins or places in the top three, even if I’m only winning 6 bucks, it’s still quite a thrill. 

When I was younger, I will never forget when my father took my brother and I to see the 1972 film ‘The Cowboys.’  I believe this was John Wayne’s only film where his character actually gets killed.  In fact, Bruce Dern, whose character kills Wayne, was afraid everyone would despise him for killing The Duke.   A. Martinez was the young hot stud in the film.  Funny, many years later I had the opportunity of meeting Martinez when he landed a role in the ever so popular soap, General Hospital.  I produced and directed the launch campaign of him coming to the show.   When I met Martinez I shared with him how much I loved the film and so wanted to be a cowgirl, after that.   He was so surprised and I think quite impressed that I knew of the film from so long ago and remembered his character.  He told his experience of working with the legend John Wayne and how he was a bit intimidated initially, but working with him was such a privilege.   Those were the years of movies when westerns were the popular genre.   I had dreams of owning my own horse and riding skillfully as a cowgirl.  Of course that never quite happened.  I’ve gone horse back riding a few times, but I’ve always been so intimidated by them.  I think because they are so big and have such strength. Of course, they can sense my fear and take complete control. 

Coincidentally, the same week of opening day at Del Mar, I happened to watch the movie ‘War Horse’ and  ‘Secretariat.’  The latter film quoted the scripture in Job 39.  It was so poignant the way it was used in the movie.  I was truly overwhelmed when I later looked up the scripture and read it for myself.  Job 39:19-25 Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and lance. In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, ‘Aha!’ He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry.  ‘War Horse’ truly displayed the bravery and strength of the horse.   I don’t know why I was so touched by this passage of scripture, but I think because I have such respect and awe for these beautiful creatures of God and then to read how God created them with such courage.  When you see horses in the wild or how beautifully they are captured on film, they truly were created to run. 

I watched a program on PBS with Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) where he traveled the globe and met with various horse whisperers and trainers to learn how the relationship between man and horse began.   They taught Martin how to bond with a horse and basically let the horse know who’s in charge.  It was so incredible.  Even Clunes was so moved by his experience.  How incredible to actually have a horse walk over to you, bow it’s head in submission and become your friend.  It was absolutely breathtaking.   I would love to have such an encounter.  But, what I found interesting is that one of the trainers said that he believes the reason why horses run is because of fear.   But, after reading Job, it is quite clear God did not create his horses to fear, but to be fearless.  
Proverbs 21:31  The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.

Why do I bring all this up about horses?  It made me think that it is the same with man. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind (2Timothy 1:7).  We too face battles throughout life’s journey and like the horse, we have to be ready for the battle but ultimately victory is in the Lord’s hands.  For the past year, my life has been one battle after another.   Pretty much starting with my car accident last October, when I was crushed between three other cars.  My car was totaled, but thank the Lord and his angels that I came out of it in one piece. Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper.  I’ve had so many attacks in various areas of my life, but the greatest battle has been physical.   I have always been such an active person, physically in good shape and a strong spirit, but since a year ago, and now fast forward to last month when I underwent spinal surgery, my life has changed considerably.   Thank the Lord my surgery was very successful, and now it’s a time of rest to allow my body complete healing.   After surgery, I woke up in the recovery room.  Now if you’ve ever been in a recovery room, you’ll understand how chaotic it can be.  I have such an admiration for the nurses who attend to all the patients. They work so hard and have so much patience.  I don’t know how they do it.   I was scheduled to go home that same day, but due to the severe pain I was feeling, they kept me in over night.   I was in the recovery room all day and was the last one to leave, once my room was ready.   There was a moment when everyone else had gone and I was literally the only patient left in the recovery room.  I was alone eating my dinner provided by the hospital, and for a brief moment I truly felt alone.  Tears were running down my cheeks.  It was the first time I actually cried since it was decided I needed surgery, and usually I’m a big weeper.   The nurse came over and asked if I was okay.  I just said I’m fine and I tend to get emotional and it’s probably the medication.    I don’t bring this up for anyone to feel sorry for me or for any of my loved ones to feel bad that they couldn’t be with me, because I did have family visiting, but it was in that moment alone when I felt God’s presence and His love pouring over me.  I knew He was with me letting me know that I am not alone, and everything is going to be okay.   Of course, this made me cry even more, but these were tears of joy and comfort feeling His presence.   I thought to myself,  I truly don’t know how anyone can live this life not knowing our Father in heaven.   I don’t care who you are, but in this life we will all face a time when we are completely alone, whether it’s after having surgery, or perhaps in the hospital with a terminal disease,  or going home at night to an empty house and laying your head on your pillow completely alone,  or times when no one seems to be around to hang out with or just to chat with over the phone, or you can even be in a room full of people and feel alone.   Whatever the case, a time will come when one feels complete loneliness.   This experience of mine being totally helpless in the hospital, truly revealed to me that I will never be alone as long as I know my constant companion, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   He is with me always and there is a peace that, comes over you that gives such comfort, especially during our times of weakness and loneliness.   Hebrews 13:5&6 Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidences, the Lord is my helper: I will not be afraid.   It reminds me of that famous poem titled “Footprints” when we only see two footprints, it’s not because God has left us, but it’s then that He is actually carrying us.  

 I’ve had moments when I’ve asked God and wondered why all this has happened to me.  During this season of trials, the message that has resonated throughout is for me to embrace this time of fragility and rest in the Lord, because His word says for when I am weak, then I am strong.  2Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” and Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.   Throughout all of this, I have been so aware of God’s almighty presence and His strength and comfort on a daily basis.  God is not the one who inflicts pain and suffering.  We have an enemy the devil and he came to kill, steal and destroy our lives.   It is pretty much guaranteed that we will go through times of struggles, pain and hardship in this life, but we can either choose to handle it on our own ability, which often fails, or we can choose to take the hand of God and allow him to walk with us and carry us through those difficult times.   Another one of my favorite lines from the film ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ is when the Count is at a banqueting table amongst his enemies, and makes a birthday toast to the son of his nemesis and says, “Life is a storm my young friend, you will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shadowed on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.  You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome, Do your worst, for I will do mine……”  
I get so choked up inside whenever I watch this scene.  (Now, that’s the kind of advice every father should give their sons.)   But, isn’t that so true of life?  One moment we are up and the next we are down.   I know, it has been for me.   This scene in the movie brings to mind the scripture Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepard I shall not be in want… verse 5 says:  you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life…   Now, that is God’s way of justice and victory!   How awesome is that! 

Although, it hasn’t been easy times for me, I don’t regret any of it, even having to go through surgery. God put me in the hands of a greatly skilled surgeon, but ultimately God is my healer, and through this experience it has made me so much more aware of God’s presence in my life and that he is my strength and wants me to rest in Him, in the shadow of the Almighty, so He can make me soar on wings of eagles and prepare me for greater heights.   Many have told me how brave I was to go through with surgery, but it’s only because my faith is in the Lord.  Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.   Psalm 34:4 I sough the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.   He has guided me and comforted me every step of the way, giving me nothing to fear because my trust is in Him.   So, like the horse who runs fearless in battle, we too, with endurance, must run the race set before us keeping our eyes fixed on the prize, on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Psalm 147:10&11  His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear (in reverence of) him , who put their hope in his unfailing love.



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Feet of Faith Hits the Radio Waves

The Molly Damon Show 06/04 by MollyDamon | Blog Talk Radio

Feet Of Faith has gone bicoastal!   Check out my first radio interview with the amazing Molly Damon! 

Saturday, April 14, 2012

A STILL QUIET VOICE



Doesn’t it seem that there is never enough time to do the things we need to do? Funny, I read somewhere that said, you will get more done with less time. I have to agree with that statement. I think having less time we become more disciplined and efficient with our time. The past few months I’ve been experiencing this. I think when we have a lot of leisure time we tend to get a little complacent and idle and end up putting things off. At least that has been the case with me. Whereas, having a set schedule, say working 9 to 5, tends to force you to use the remaining time more wisely.
The past few months, I was waking up at 7am and out the door by 8am. The first thing in the morning, I'd spend 15 to 20 minutes reading my devotional and scriptures for the day. Then, the next hour commuting in my car I'd continue my prayer time with the Lord, or some mornings, the drive is praise and worship time while listening to my gospel music. Waking up at 7am has been a real challenge for me being that I am not a morning person, but I see now, how it has truly disciplined me to set that time aside for the Lord. And, what better way to start off my day than with God! It truly has been a remarkable experience having that consistency of spending time in His presence. It’s now something I look forward to and don’t want to miss out on what God’s Word is for me each day.
I’ve noticed, some mornings as I rise, I usually have a thought on my mind, whether it’s a concern, a worry, thinking about the day and what’s ahead, etc., and as soon as I open up my Bible and read my devotional, it’s as if God already knows my thoughts before I’ve even formed them into a sentence in my head. Of course He knows my every thought! After all, He is our creator and knows all! I love how Psalm 139:4 puts it: For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
When God addresses my thoughts through his Word, I am so utterly in awe at how much he loves me and is mindful of me. He loves us all and is mindful of us all, but I think so often we are not listening or seeking Him. I’m often bewildered when I hear someone say they don’t hear from God, or they are still waiting to hear from Him. God may not always answer our prayers right away, but I assure you, God is always willing to communicate with us, whether it’s through his Word, prayer, a sermon at church, a preacher’s message on TV, etc. But, I believe we have to spend time with God and give Him a chance to speak to us, and also be open to hearing what He has to say. Perhaps if we are not hearing what we want to hear from God, we tune Him out. Or, some may want God to speak to them through a burning bush, like He did with Moses. They want some big supernatural act of God. Not to say that He can’t get our attention that way, but I think for some, even if God used balls of fire coming down from heaven, that person still would not recognize it as the voice of God. In my experience, God’s voice is that still, quiet whisper, as Elijah experienced.
1Kings 19:11&12 Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
A few months back I had one of those days where it seemed everything was crashing down around me and I just broke down in tears and wanted to give up. I was so over it all, and I kid you not, I turned on one of the Christian channels and John Hagee was preaching and he was talking right at me! The words coming out of his mouth were, “I know your sitting there feeling like your life is crashing down and you want to throw in the towel, you are being attacked from every side, but I am here to tell you to get up, stand firm, for you are more than a conqueror in Christ and He will fight your battles!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I was so blown away! God was speaking right to me with the voice of John Hagee. I was so encouraged and strengthened in that moment! And, after I had that God experience, I continued to listen to John Hagee and he was speaking on something totally and completely not related. It was as if God inserted His words just for me to hear! That is just so God! He works in mysterious ways and He will even personalize it, just for you! I love that!
My mother had an amazing and personalized experience of her own! She and my step-dad were driving across country to Iowa to visit my brother who was playing baseball in the minor leagues. They drove through the state of Utah in the evening and my mother was behind the wheel. It was pitch black and she had no idea where they were. All she could see were the massive mountains around her and the stars in the sky. Feeling completely lost, my mother asked God if He knew where she was. They finally reached Sioux City, Iowa and stayed at a small hotel in some remote town for the next few days. They decided to find a local church to attend on Sunday. After they sang a few hymns, the Pastor made his introductions and then asked if there was a Margaret in the building. My step-dad looked at my mother in amazement and said, “That’s you!” Being the only Margaret in the church that morning, my mother raised her hand and the Pastor asked her to come forward. He said to my mother, “ I don’t know what I’m suppose to say to you except that God wants to bless you and tell you that He knows you are here.” Talk about WOW! Every time I hear that story my breath is taken away! God’s voice doesn’t get any clearer than that! My mother, in tears, was so overwhelmed by His love for her and that He truly knew where she was! Again, as the Psalmist puts it so beautifully in Psalm 139: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar…
Some may think that a person who hears from God is extra special or that God must love them more, but that is NOT true at all. God loves us all equally and speaks to us all, but are we listening? Basically, it comes down to our wanting to spend time in His Word and in His presence. He wants to have relationship with all of us, but do we truly desire to have relationship with him?
Matthew 7:7&8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
I wonder, do we even know His voice? Take sheep for instance, they know their master’s voice and will only follow and obey his voice. Can we honestly say that we know our Master’s voice? If we are not reading His Word, then how can we know God’s voice? The Bible is the written Word of God, inspired by God. It’s His voice.
My mother has been telling me for years to get in the Word and that God’s Word brings life! It is the living Word of God! Jesus said to choose life. He wasn’t talking only about actual physical life and death. We will all die at some point, but Jesus was talking about himself. He is the walking, living Word of God that came to bring us life and life more abundantly. I now know the excitement my mother has always felt when reading God’s Word. It really is alive!! These past few months I have truly been experiencing that same excitement!
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
I love the word “delight”. It means to take great pleasure or joy in. If we think about those things that give us great pleasure, imagine feeling that same way about our time with the Lord. And when we do, WOW, the windows of heaven will start to open and God will reveal His wonders and mysteries to us, and then we’ll know His great and perfect will for our lives, and we will walk in that abundant life!!!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

SIMPLY ASK


Have you ever had a taste for something that you know is yummy, but you end up with something not even close, but you settle anyway? Here’s a little experience I had this past Christmas holiday.

After Christmas weekend, I drove home from visiting my parents. Just before I approached home I had a taste for an eggnog latte, so I decided to go to the drive-thru Starbucks down the street. I ordered my eggnog latte, but the voice through the box was sorry to say that they were out of eggnog. Much to my disappointment, however, I decided to try their gingerbread latte. As I pulled out of the drive-thru with a tall gingerbread latte in my hand, I took a sip and was not pleased at all. It tasted like medicine! Not exactly what I had in mind. As I drove away, I thought to myself, “I just paid nearly 4 dollars for a drink that is horrible. Why should I accept this substitute as okay?” So, I turned around, parked my car and decided to go inside to see if I could exchange it for something else. Couldn’t hurt to ask, right? With a smile on my face, I explained to the person behind the counter what happened and that I was really sorry, but I just didn’t like the gingerbread latte and was wondering if I could have a vanilla latte instead. At least I know those are good. So, the young man turned to his boss who nodded his head and said, “No problem.” Better yet, they refunded my money and gave me a grande latte instead of a tall. I couldn’t believe it! That was so unexpected! I felt so special! I know it’s a simple gesture and some of you may think, “What’s the big deal?” but this truly made my night. I left feeling more than satisfied. As I was driving home, pleased with my free grande vanilla latte, as clear as you are reading this blog, I heard God’s voice in my head say to me, “See Rhoshan, it’s that simple. All you have to do is ask. You were about to drive off, settling for second best. You don’t have because you don’t ask, but, when you do ask, I will give you far beyond your expectations.” Wow, I was so amazed that God could take such a simple thing like buying a cup of coffee to teach me a lesson. But, it is so true! How many times do we settle? We ask for something and because we don’t get it when we want it, we become impatient and just accept what comes along, a substitute, instead of waiting for God’s best. Or, so often we don’t ask at all. Makes me wonder how many of God’s blessings I have missed out on because I simply didn’t ask.

James 4:2&3 You do not have because you do not ask. When you do ask, you don’t receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

A few days later, I heard a powerful message from a preacher on TV, whom I believe to be one of the great evangelists of this generation. Truly an anointed man of God. I won’t mention his name because I don’t like to lift up the man, but rather lift up the Word of God. I believe this message ties in perfectly with why we often don’t ask God. He said something that I have never heard anyone or any other preacher say in all my years as a Christian. He definitely got a revelation from God and it was a revelation for me. In the context of his message about the abundance of God, he made reference on how Jesus, often said to the disciples, “O ye of little faith.” Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And again when Peter walked on water towards Jesus but started to sink. Matthew 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Anytime, I have read these passages of scripture or heard it used in a sermon, it has always been used in a negative sense as if Jesus was scolding them or upset because they lacked in their faith. But, this was the first time someone interpreted these words of Jesus in a positive light. When Jesus said, “O ye of little faith” he was actually encouraging his disciples to trust him more. More like, “My beloveds why do you only take so little from me? You know my abundance is never ending, so why do you only ask or expect so little of me? I wish you would trust and expect more, and take more of me. I have so much to give.”

(my thoughts) It would be like a child asking their mother, “Are we having dinner tonight?” Of course they are having dinner tonight. A child doesn’t have to ask that because they expect it and know that their parents would not let them starve. They have such simple faith knowing there will be food on the table. It’s a given! Just as Jesus was trying to remind his disciples that he will supply their every need. The disciples were with Jesus 24/7 and saw all the miracles that Jesus did and all the times he fed the multitudes with plenty left over, but perhaps they thought, as many of us do, that we don’t deserve God’s abundance, we are not worthy, or we just don’t believe enough and often doubt. I know I’ve felt that way many times. We start to condemn ourselves, while all along God has given us so much grace and forgiveness, and he’s just waiting to bless us.

The message I heard, ended with a beautiful statement: “It’s the hand of love that gives and the hand of faith that takes.” So whether it’s as little as a cup of coffee or as great as a physical healing, there is nothing too small or too great for the Lord to provide, but we must first, simply ask.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.