Several years ago, I was part of a group of women who met each week.  The purpose of the group was accountability to eat healthy and exercise regularly.  As we met each week, we would share how the week had gone. 

Each week our leader “Paula” would ask how we did, and we would go around the room and share our week. After all of us had finished, Paula would speak about her week.  It was as if Paula had a script because each week, she would say the same thing.  “I ate a whole bag of potato chips at one sitting and did not exercise at all.  I ate a whole box of cookies. I did not walk even one block.”

We all tried to encourage Paula to not give in to temptation and to walk just one block during the week. Just start with one block.  Yet, each week Paula’s statement would be the same. 

Several weeks into our group, Paula added to her usual script.  Paula said, “I do not want to be deprived by not having treats in my house.  I want the Holy Spirit to keep me from eating more than four or five chips at a time.” 

During that discussion, I gently asked, “Is it possible that the Holy Spirit is telling you to keep temptations out of your house?” 

What we allow in our house can cause us to never be victorious.

As God’s people, we will always be faced with temptation.  Be very sure that you do not deliberately place yourself in a position to be tempted.  My strongest temptations are probably different from yours. To one, too much alcohol may be the temptation; to another, it may be impure thoughts and acts; to another, greed; to another, criticism and an unloving attitude.  The sooner we get it out of our house, the better we will become at walking in victory.

Ask yourself, “In what area am I tempted most to transgress against God?”  Prepare now to overcome the temptation that will arise again and again. Here are a few suggestions to help us not continually be upended by temptation.

1. Keep a vibrant spiritual life.  Spend a few minutes in the Word of God before starting the day.  Talk to God and ask for his strength to live victorious that dtay.  Sing songs to Him throughout the day.  Stay alive spiritually!
2. Cry out to God immediately! “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” – Psalm 50:15
3. Flee! “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” – 1 Timothy 6:11.  I have kiddingly said that to overcome temptation one needs a twelve-step program.  When you encounter something that God doesn’t want for your life, turn, and walk twelve steps the other way, and twelve more, and twelve more.  The Bible tells us to flee temptation.
4. Have at least two trusted accountability partners.  I have two people that I can tell when I am facing temptation.  Partners should be trustworthy.  “He who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered” – Proverbs 11:13. Accountability partners need to be able to tell one another intimate details about their struggles with sin. Don’t be so foolish as to think, “It won’t happen to me.”  Prepare for it not to happen by talking to God and another strong believer. 
5. Develop a plan to make no provision for the flesh. “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” – Romans 13:14. Plan now how to overcome tempting situations that you might face. What is my plan to control my temper?  What is my plan to stay faithful to my marriage?  How will I overcome envy?

God called us to live higher than the earthly realm. There is a high cost for low living. You will never regret resisting sin. Know yourself and know your temptations. You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. Remember the words of Christ to His disciples in the garden on the night of His betrayal: “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41

It’s simple to thank God when He does miracles and answers prayers just the way we want them answered. It’s easy to thank Him when we look around and see many blessings in our lives. When our situation seems awful, or we’re struggling through tragedy or hard times, it can seem unbelievable that God is working for our good.

The following is one of my favorite stories about learning to give thanks, probably my favorite!

In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom tells of a time she discovered that God was working even in the most horrific circumstances.   Corrie and her sister Betsie had been imprisoned by the Nazis for hiding Jews behind the wall of their Holland home, and Nazi prison conditions pretty well unbearable.

Corrie writes:  “Barracks 8 was in the quarantine compound. Next to us–perhaps as a deliberate warning to newcomers–were located the punishment barracks. From there, all day long and often into the night, came the sounds of hell itself. They were not the sounds of anger, or of any human emotion, but of a cruelty altogether detached: blows landing in regular rhythm, screams keeping pace. We would stand in our ten-deep ranks with our hands trembling at our sides, longing to jam them against our ears, to make the sounds stop.

“It grew harder and harder. Even within these four walls there was too much misery, too much seemingly pointless suffering. Every day something else failed to make sense, something else grew too heavy.”

Yet, in the midst of the suffering, the women prisoners around Corrie and Betsie found comfort in the little Bible studies they held in the barracks. Corrie writes they gathered around the Bible “like waifs clustered around a blazing fire…The blacker the night around us grew, the brighter and truer and more beautiful burned the Word of God.”

When they were moved to Barracks 28, Corrie was horrified by the fact that their reeking, straw-bed platforms swarmed with fleas. How could they live in such a place?   It was Betsie who discovered God’s answer:  “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.”   That’s it, Corrie! That’s His answer. “Give thanks in all circumstances!”  That’s what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!’

“I stared at her; then around me at the dark, foul-aired room…”

They thanked God for the fact they were together. They thanked God they had a Bible. They even thanked God for the horrible crowds of prisoners, that more people would be able to hear God’s Word. And then, Betsie thanked God for the fleas.

“The fleas! This was too much. ‘Betsie, there’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.’

‘”Give thanks in all circumstances,”‘ she quoted.  “It doesn’t say, “in pleasant circumstances.”  Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.”

“And so we stood between tiers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas. But this time I was sure Betsie was wrong.”    It turned out that Betsie was not wrong; the fleas were a nuisance, but a blessing after all. The women were able to have Bible studies in the barracks with a great deal of freedom, never bothered by supervisors coming in and harassing them. They finally discovered that it was the fleas that kept those supervisors out.

Through those fleas, God protected the women from abuse and harassment.  Dozens of desperate women were free to hear the comforting, hope-giving Word of God.  Through those fleas, God protected the women from much worse things and made sure they had their deepest, truest needs met.

We all have “fleas” in our lives. We all have those things that we can see no use for, things that are obviously horrible, unpleasant, painful things that we want gone.  No life is free of “fleas.”   We all have aggravations, inconveniences and pain.  If God can use fleas to protect Corrie and Betsie, He is fully capable of using difficult things to bless us.  God does care; God is working even when we are uncomfortable with or disappointed with life.   As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, lets thank God for His constant care and provision, and for His hidden blessings that come in ways we can easily overlook.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

There are periods during the day or night that my world spins.  Literally, it spins. 

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo has been a problem for me on and off for years.  WebMD describes it quite accurately. “Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner-ear disorder that is the most common cause of vertigo, a very specific kind of dizziness that makes you feel as if the room is spinning around you.”

One day, as I was getting out of my car, I tilted my head too far down and suddenly the world around me began to spin.  As I stood, my whole world was suddenly circling out of control.  I quickly grabbed my car door to steady myself, and I was thankful for the strength it gave me during the spinning.  That firm grip kept me steadfast even though the world around me was spinning out of control.  My door became my anchor.

Life can get incredibly challenging.  Have you ever gone to bed needing a good night’s sleep, only to have your spinning world keep you awake? A phone call that day that threw you for a loop. The unexpected repair for the car is way more than you can afford.  You think about what is going on in the family, and it throws you off balance.  As you recall stories of the unrest and violence in the land, fear begins to take over your mind.  You just want to scream, “STOP!”

There are times that it seems we are on a merry-go-round, and we can’t get off.  I choose to change my focus and call it a mercy-go-round.  I cry out to God amid all the spinning and ask for His mercy and His peace.  I hold firmly to Him when my world is whirling out of my control.

There is a verse that I grab hold of quite often.  Romans 8:34 says, “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” 

Most of us have heard that verse many times, but I want you to stop and imagine the scene. For example, let’s suppose I just lost my job, and my world is spinning.  I grab hold of Romans 8:34 and envision Jesus sitting by the Father.  Jesus says, “Barbara lost her job today, and her world is spinning.  She is on the mercy-go-round and needs a fresh dose of mercy.  Father, I am asking You to work all things together for her good.”

It does not get any better than Jesus, the Son of God, praying for us. 

Beloved, I don’t know what is causing your world to spin today.  Maybe you are holding on for dear life and wondering when the rollercoaster ride of ups and downs is going to stop. I encourage you to take hold of Christ to find calm in the middle of any situation.

God’s world never spins out of control.  He is never dizzy over situations. He is never bewildered.   When your world suddenly begins to spin, quickly reach out and grab hold of the Anchor.  He will keep you steadfast when your world is spinning.  His mercy-go-round eclipses your merry-go-round!

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Amazing to me is that we actually have people who make a living by being an “influencer.”  An influencer can persuade other people, for example their followers on social media, to do, buy, or use the same things they do. They get paid or are given free products in exchange for doing this. Sign me up! 

Some business sites have even categorized influencers:

• 1,000–10,000 followers = Nano-influencer
• 10,000–50,000 followers = Micro-influencer
• 50,000–500,000 followers = Mid-tier influencer
• 500,000–1,000,000 followers = Macro-influencer
• 1,000,000+ followers = Mega-influencers

Though it is not my cup of tea, the fact is, it pays to be an influencer. How the influencer reviews a product can have a direct bearing on people being interested in the product.

The New Testament is full of “influencers” who gave Jesus a great review. 

In his review of Jesus, John the Baptist declared Him “the Lamb of God,” a statement that heavily influenced Andrew and John. That influence along with an invitation from Jesus to follow Him, caused their lives to be changed forever. They gave Jesus a great review by their words and their lives. John the Baptist, Andrew, and John became influencers.

The Apostle Paul lived a deeply religious life, always playing by the rules.  His first encounters with Christians did not go very well. In fact, Paul led campaigns to destroy Christians, but Paul had a divine encounter on the road to Damascus. The story is recorded in Acts chapter nine. Paul was influenced so powerfully by the Holy Spirit that Paul himself became one of the greatest influencers in the kingdom of God. Paul influenced thousands by setting up churches and sharing Jesus. He is still influencing millions through his writings found in the New Testament. His life left a great review for Jesus. Paul became an influencer.

Acts chapter sixteen tells us of a woman named Lydia who lived in a male-dominated society, yet she had a successful business selling purple cloth. Affluent people would purchase purple cloth, so Lydia must have been well connected for her to be successful in this trade. At some point, someone influenced Lydia to become a Christ-follower. The Bible records that Lydia and her entire household were baptized. She later hosted Paul and his helpers in her home, which made it easy for them to spread the gospel. She had a house church it seems. Her life left a great review for Jesus. Lydia became an influencer.

Thank God for the many influencers whose stories are recorded in God’s Word. They were ordinary people who allowed an extraordinary God to change them and use them.

The question for God’s people today is: are we influencers or influencees? Am I an influencer or an influncee? Who is influencing whom?

God has saved us and has empowered us to become influencers. We read the stories in scripture and too often we forget that these were ordinary people. God uses ordinary people like you and me to star in extraordinary “God stories.”  We get to be in real-life narratives that tell of the life-changing, sustaining work He has done in our lives. My life has been changed by powerful influencers who modeled and taught me to be sold out to Jesus Christ.

Are you someone who is an influencer or an influencee (one influenced by others)? Today is the day to change the mindset of influencee and become an influencer. 

Our Lord and Savior has called us to be the influencers. The values, the mindset, the love we have received from Him are to be used to shape those around us. An influencer for Christ is one who declares, “I am going to give Jesus Christ a great review, by the words of my mouth and the actions of my life.”

The Apostle Paul informed us that we are Christ’s ambassadors. Let’s be loving in a mean world. Let’s be gentle in a harsh society.  Let’s be bold in our faith when we are often encouraged to keep quiet. Let’s make a meal for the one in need.  There are so many ways to leave a great review for Jesus. Be an influencer.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:19-20) “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Many years back, I developed a friendship with a woman. It blossomed into a wonderful friendship.  We stayed in contact regularly, talked in depth about spiritual matters, prayed for and with each other, had lunch when we could.  It was a relationship that I cherished. 

There came a point in time that my friend quit communicating with me.  Truthfully, she totally cut me off.  No more conversations about life.  No more discussions about God.  Occasionally, she would respond with a one-word reply like “yes” or “no” when I would ask about something. Then, there came a time when there was no response.  

I did the Biblical thing of asking her if there was a problem, or if I offended her in some way.  One-word answer, “no.”   Something had changed. Now, we have no relationship, and in all truthfulness, I do not know why.  “What did I do wrong?”  That question plagued me for a long time.

Have you ever felt left out? Excluded? Abandoned? Whether it’s a childhood best friend who cut you off, a romance that went awry, a parent who walked out, or a spouse who broke vows and walked away, most of us have experienced some form of abandonment. In that moment, it can feel like the world shifted on its axis.  It can be a very painful time.

Psalm twenty-two, written by David, certainly gushes with the pain of feeling forsaken. Jesus Christ was certainly not immune to similar feelings.  On the hardest night of his life, Jesus asked his three closest companions to stay close and pray with him, but they fell asleep. After those “prayer warriors” failed Jesus, Judas betrayed him, and all eleven followers abandoned him. One of them, Peter, even denied knowing him at all.

Abandoned. Rejected Denied.

In talking with many women, and I do mean many, over the years, I often hear them say they feel rejected, abandoned. Some have not been able to shake that feeling years after a divorce or after daddy left or after someone else left. There are few of us who have not felt that pain, nonetheless, rejection is a part of life.

I want to tread tenderly here, yet I also want to help people to move forward when feeling abandoned or rejected.  You do not have to downplay how bad pain in life can be. One surely does not have to pretend it was no big deal.  Be tender with yourself and accept the tenderness God has for you.

That is the tread tenderly part.  Now, for the moving forward part. 

There are no guarantees in life where the issues of abandonment or rejection are concerned. That statement is not meant to fill us with fear, but to bring into focus that people are humans.  They fail. God does not want us stuck forever in the pain of abandonment caused by the failure of others. Only God can give us that perfect security that we crave. Even the best of people sin and things happen in this life that are outside of our human control. Only God is perfect, only God is eternal, and only God controls everything by his power. Our hearts were made for God, and until they find their rest in him, they will find little rest at all.  SELAH.

Today is the day.  It is time to dethrone the harassing thoughts that tell us we are not enough, or we are not lovable.  Today is the day to change what thoughts sit on the throne of your life.   Today is the day to speak God’s Word over your body, soul, and spirit. 

Here are few to speak over yourself every day and even multiple times a day:

• “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  – Deuteronomy 31:6
• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:6-7
• “I remain confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”- Psalm 27:13

Here are some wise words from Christian counselor Amanda Rowett, “Healing is a journey. You will suffer bumps and bruises along the way. Recovery is messy, but God is not offended by your mess. He wants to meet you in your darkest place. Take the pressure off yourself “to just get over it” because God delights in healing hearts.”

God cares.  If I was sitting with you and hearing your story of the pain of abandonment, I would give you such a tight hug.  God wants to empower you to walk forward from the pain of rejection. Are you stuck in the pain of abandonment?  Use your pain as an opportunity to encounter the King. Allow Him to radically fill the void in your heart with the Father’s love.  

I know some of you will never believe this, but there was a time when I was quite athletic.  At this point in my life, I still go to the gym, but only because I must. I’m still waiting for someone to open a restaurant called The Gym, so I can say today I went to the gym!  I’ve been trying to watch what I eat, and I even hired a trainer who works me hard three times per week.  

Early in our pastoral years, we lived in Beaufort, South Carolina, which is where marines are trained. We were young, and we had a vast number of young families in our church.  Additionally, Beaufort was that laid-back, live by the beach, women’s tennis clubs, kind of place.

Though I had participated in other sports, I had never played tennis, so I decided to give it a try.  I took a few lessons.  I was very strong, and I had a long stride.  I had played softball and was a long ball hitter, and an outfielder.  I thought I knew a lot. 

I would play practice tennis matches and get smoked!  How could that be?

Finally, the coach watched me, and he said your problem is where you are standing.  You keep charging the net.  The problem with that is that balls are constantly sailing over your head.  You need to stand at the back of the court, because you can run up on the ball, and you can also play the long ball.  In the back of the court, you will be standing in your strong position.

He said, “I want you to stand here when you play.  Whether you win or not, depends on where you choose to stand.” I put that into practice, and my doubles partner and I became one of the top teams in our league. Success came because I chose where to stand.

Two agendas are advancing in our nation and growing stronger by the day. Some might call it a war between liberals and conservatives. Others might label the situation a battle of social class or generational ideals. But, in actuality, what we are seeing unfold in front of us is an extension of the same battle that has continued since God created mankind.

God has an agenda to save, and Satan has always chosen to oppose God by seeking whom he may devour. Whatever God is doing, Satan will surely be attempting to impose the opposite.

The world today has made it increasingly difficult for many Christians to stand with God. Let’s be truthful, many are following the path of the world’s ever-changing ideals. Too often God’s people continue to change their views and align them with the world on issues such as abortion, sexuality, marriage, gender, holiness, and even if the Bible if true or relevant.

It’s time to stand in God and be strong.  Notice I did not say be mean, be mouthy, be arrogant, be uncaring … not at all!  Be strong and stand in the place that God’s word stands. 

God has given us everything we need to stand against a world system that agrees with the enemy’s schemes. We must find the position of God and stand. Stand with God. Stand by His Word. Stand on His promise that declares He will “fight for you against your enemies to give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4, NIV).   Stand on First Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” There are hundreds of verses to be found concerning standing strong in the Lord and upon His promises.

Today, I once again admonish us to stand in this challenging hour.  I love the way Charles Swindoll said it, “Stand firm when the wicked appear to be winning. Stand firm in times of crisis. Stand firm even when no one will know you compromised. Stand firm when big people act contemptibly small. Stand firm when people demand authority they don’t deserve. Stand firm . . . keep your head . . . stay true . . . endure!”

Stand, child of God. Stand!

“Stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” – Philippians 1:27-28; ““Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm …” Ephesians 6:13-14 (NIV)

When people tell me that they enjoy working out at the gym, my brain thinks, “Enjoy? What is wrong with you?”  I have never enjoyed exercising, NEVER!  I do exercise regularly because I know it is a necessary part of maintaining good health, but I am not ready to put it on my list of things I enjoy.   

Recently, I hired a physical trainer named Mark to break me out of my exercise rut and push me to newer, harder levels.  It is hard work, but the results are worth it.   Mark turned his garage into a “gym” with lots of equipment and weights.  Mark painted every wall black, put snap together black flooring down, and put a piece of green artificial turf in the middle of the floor.  It looks nice, but make no mistake, it is still a torture chamber!  Ok, I exaggerate!

When I arrive at Mark’s house, he opens the garage door to let me inside.  Since I know that my first twenty to thirty minutes will be spent riding a bicycle, I immediately hop on the bike.  Most of the time Mark is in the gym with me, but `occasionally he will come a few minutes after I have begun my bike ride. 

Recently, when I arrived at Mark’s house, the door to the gym was up, so I went in and began to ride the bike.  Mark will often close the gym (garage) door from inside his house, using the remote.  That is usually when he comes and joins me.  On this day, I hopped on the bike and was riding at a strong pace and sweating!   The door stayed up a few minutes and then went down.  I expected Mark any moment. 

In my garage, the light from the opener stays on long enough for one to exit their vehicle, retrieve any packages, and go inside.   My trainer’s garage door light works the same way. In about three minutes, the automatic light went out, and it was pitch black in the garage gym.  All the walls were painted black, and the garage has no windows.  It was not just dark, it was B-L-A-C-K! Since there is equipment everywhere, I could not get off the bike and walk across the area to turn on the garage light. I found myself riding with darkness all around.

There was no doubt in my mind that all would be well, and eventually Mark would show up in my darkness.  According to my watch, I had been cycling twenty minutes and no sight of Mark!  I called out to Mark.  No answer.  I called out to Mark again.  No answer.  After a while, I cried out loudly to Mark, and the door to the garage opened.  Mark made his presence known, and light filled the darkness!   

While waiting in the pitch-black darkness, what did I do? I continued doing in the dark what I had practiced in the light.

The darkness of circumstances surrounding many families is oppressive today, and it frequently seems there is no light in sight.  As a nation, we are certainly experiencing increasing darkness.  BUT GOD has prepared us for such as time as this.  After walking with God for fifty-five years, my testimony is that God is faithful in times of light, and He is faithful in times of darkness. 

While recently studying, I came upon a scripture that continues to ring in my ears and witness in my spirit.  “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant?  If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.” – Isaiah 50:10

Faithful people of God are not exempt from experiencing times that are dark, times when we can’t seem to see any light concerning a situation.  Isaiah 50:10 seems to imply that this is not a one-day thing, but that the servant of God is in a season of darkness and cannot see even a ray of light. 

Isaiah 50:10 is encouraging because it is a clear reminder that God sees us when we are experiencing the dark place.  No matter how dark it is, He is never unaware of our plight. Though we might not see Him, He always sees us.  God clearly and concisely instructs the servant who finds themselves without a ray of light.  “Trust the Lord and rely on God.”

On that pitch black day in the garage, I knew that Mark would show up at some point.  I trusted him.  His faithfulness all the other times gave me faith for the dark time.   I knew he would hear me calling out to him.  If that is true of Mark, how much truer is it of God? 

Do you find yourself seeing darkness all around?  Keep pedaling!

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and the Gentile” – Romans 1:16. I stand in total agreement with the Apostle Paul!  While there are many who are walking away from the faith, and many who wish to stamp out the influence of Jesus Christ, I am not in that group and never will be. 

As I walk around my home, many times during the day, I will say Holy Ghost!  Sometimes I say Holy Ghost and fire!  Sometimes I say, Holy Ghost, Holy Ghost.  My husband has heard me say this thousands of times.  One day we had a conversation about why I say it different ways on different days.  There is a story behind why I do this. 

Life is difficult.  Some days are filled with all blessings, and some days we wonder where God is.  To walk victoriously, I have learned that I must have the power of the Holy Ghost.  John in his gospel said it this way, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” – John 14:16-17.

I believe in the power that the Holy Ghost gives me to walk this life.  During the day, I remind myself that He is present with me by speaking His Name.  Holy Ghost hears it, and just as important, I hear it. When I say Holy Ghost, I get His attention. 

Gaylon asked why I say fire sometimes and sometimes I speak the Name twice.  Here is the answer. Some days life is wonderful, and I still want to remember I need Him, so I say Holy Ghost!  Some days, I don’t feel very energetic spiritually and I say Holy Ghost and fire! Holy Ghost, keep me fully lit for God.  Some days I say Holy Ghost, Holy Ghost!  On those days, something is pressing in on me, and I need a double portion of His power. 

I am not just saying words.  I am calling on a person who is a member of the Godhead. 

As one of God’s children, stay aware that the Holy Ghost is walking with you through the day.  Speak His Name.  On those days when life is going well, never forget that you still need Him. Holy Ghost! On those days when you feel cold spiritually, tell Him you need your fire back.  Holy Ghost and fire! When life is coming at you hard and fast, call upon Him for a double portion. Holy Ghost, Holy Ghost!

What else do I have to say as I write this.  I say Holy Ghost.  Holy Ghost and fire.  Holy Ghost, Holy Ghost.  ‘Nuff said!

As I sat in Panera Bread recently, I had books, a computer, and a Bible spread over two tables. Panera is the place where I like to write the final draft of messages. As I sat there, I felt pressured to get the job done! Before leaving the restaurant, I needed to finish a blog, finish preparing for a group I teach, and finish three messages for a conference in the New England area. Time was of the essence.

In the back corner of Panera is where I hide out, because in the back corner, there is much less distraction. Before studying, I usually put in my ear pods and listen to a couple of Christian songs so I can settle before the Lord. This really does help with the transition from natural thinking to supernatural thinking.

As I was listening to a worship song that day, I began to heavily sense God’s presence, so I played the song again. I kept sensing this was a moment with the Divine. My brain was reminding me of all the work I needed to finish. My spirit kept saying, “Do not rush out of God’s presence.”   I lowered my head and quietly revered the presence of Almighty God. All that work would be there later, but this moment of sensing the overwhelming presence of God would not be. That encounter with God lasted over an hour, and I was so refreshed, and got all the work done. It was like my pen was anointed as the words poured out.

“How are you doing?”  When I ask people that question, the number one answer by far is, “I am busy. So much on my plate right now.”  Does that describe you? 

There is so much temptation around us, temptation to sin against God. As believers we certainly want to be on guard to not surrender to sinful temptations. Yet, we fall for a different kind of temptation, the temptation of being too busy to sit with God.

Most of us have heard or read the verse Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!”  Have you ever read the whole chapter and really looked at the context? Context, context, context! Context teaches us so much.

The Psalmist begins by reminding himself and us that God is a refuge (a place to escape for safety) and a very present help. Finishing my messages is a good thing, but it is not my refuge. Having enough money in the bank can be a good thing, but it is not my refuge. Alcohol might numb reality for a brief time, but it is not a refuge. None of these things or other things around us are a place of refuge. All of them will fold at some point, BUT GOD is a refuge and a very present (right now) help always.

The Psalmist continues by envisioning earth, mountains, and waters in an uproar all at the same time. If you were to find yourself in a situation in which all this was happening at once, you would be terrified. And yet – even if this terrible combination of events were to be taking shape around us – you and I can feel the strength and the help of our God who is our refuge in times of distress.

The writer tells us that the remedy is to tell your busy, worried, chaotic emotions to be still! Be still fear. Be still worry. Be still anxiety. Be still perfection. Be still overachiever. All of you emotions, be still because I am sitting with my Refuge. Do not casually read over this. Ponder it. Practice it.

Honoring God’s presence will cause us to realize peace in the midst of stress. Do not rush to the next thing. Be still.

There are times that ministry requires me to fly, but there are many times I drive. I do not mind driving, and I am much less likely to be delayed. The invention of the Global Positioning System (GPS) has become a life saver! No more reading maps that have way too many roads to figure out. No more writing down directions or hoping to find the right streets. Thank you to the inventor of GPS!

My husband Gaylon was with me as I was driving to a speaking engagement in Florida. We entered our destination into the GPS and saw an extensive list of directions and many turns on the map. We began our trip, and it was smooth sailing until it wasn’t. There came a point that the GPS directed us to exit the interstate in the middle of nowhere. As soon as we got to the end of the exit, our GPS directed us to get back on the interstate. We chuckled but did not think too much of it.

About an hour later, the GPS directed us off the interstate, through a small town, and into a small neighborhood, only to direct us back to the interstate again. These unnecessary turns were adding time to our trip, time I did not have to give. I had no interest in all the twists and turns. I just wanted to arrive at my destination! Why can’t the road just be straight?

Have you ever asked yourself that about life – why can’t the road just be straight? How about when walking with God? Why can’t I just take the easy path? Direct paths in life are rare. Can I get an amen!

As I walk with God, I want Him to give me direct paths. No curves. No wrong roads. No dead ends. No long, winding paths. There have been a few times I have experienced a straight path, but I have found that when I walk with God, it takes faith to believe He can get me where I am supposed to be.

As I look back over fifty plus years of serving God, I can honestly say that I am glad there were times that God put a curve in the road, got me off the road, or put up a roadblock. I would not have my wonderful husband of fifty-two years if I had stayed on the path I was walking. I would not have seen my son two weeks before he died, if my speaking engagement in Alabama had not been cancelled. After that cancellation, I scheduled a speaking engagement at a conference where my son lived. God gave me a few days of pure joy with Bryan. I did not know that would be the last time I would see him. Thank God for the detours! I could tell so many stories of how things came up that seemed, at the time, to complicate my life, but God had a hand in them.

Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. … If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25, NKJV). The NIV says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  I want to stay in step with the Spirit, don’t you? There is no better way to live than to walk at the Holy Spirit’s pace every day.

In the natural, unexpected interruptions on the path can be frustrating, but God can use them for Kingdom purposes. Are you experiencing an unexpected turn? Invite God to be on the detour with you and trust Him to take You where you need to be. Embrace the detours.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV