As “Lillian” approached me after a prayer meeting, I was excited by her question.  “I am an officer in an organization, and we were wondering if we could schedule you to speak for us next month.”  I was so ecstatic.  It was early in my days of travel ministry and each invitation thrilled my soul!  Then Lillian followed her question with explanation.  She said that they were disappointed that the speaker they wanted could not come and now they were desperate, and they thought of me.  I was their “desperation” choice!  I was their “second” choice!

After the conversation, I asked Lillian to give me that day to pray about it, and I would get back with her.  The truth is I wanted the day to seethe about being their desperation choice.  How dare they!  I wanted the day to beautifully craft my words to tell them, “NO!”   I was about to let my pride make my decision.  Ego had stepped up to be my walking partner that day.

As I complained to God, I mean prayed to God, He spoke these words to me, “Have you ever thought that you were my first choice to be there?  Have you given thought that I orchestrated it for you to be the speaker rather than their “first” choice?”  I was about to let pride make my decision.  Ego was quickly becoming my best friend.

How often does God have a plan, and we miss it, because we let pride and ego stand in the way?    Maybe it’s a speaking engagement.  Maybe it’s marriage enrichment.  Maybe it’s a relationship thing.  Maybe it’s … you fill in the blank.

I did speak at the event. God did move at the event.  Thank God that I did not let pride make the decision.  Ego and I parted ways that day.

Pride and ego are not my friend, and they are not your friend either!

“O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”  Micah 6:8

A couple of years ago, I switched from a bank to a credit union.  I like everything about the credit union, except that they are very slow.  My branch is small and slimly staffed, so a healthy wait is not unusual.

I have learned that the drive-thru definitely takes longer, so I decided to go inside one day, rather than wait in the long line of cars.  As I approached the window and handed the teller my deposit, she said a couple of times, “Hmmm.”  She finally said, “This account has been inactive for over a year.”  I assured her that the account was used weekly. She summoned her supervisor to come take a look, and she agreed it was an inactive account.  This was taking long and I was getting aggravated by “their” incompetence.  In my head, I was already formulating my statements to them.  I would be letting them know that I was tired of the long waits and now this, so I would be withdrawing my money and putting it back in the bank.

But … thank God, I held my tongue!  Thank God I did not open mouth and insert foot! Details would tell another story.

Gaylon and I have two accounts at the institution, one of which is rarely, if ever, used.  I had put that account number on my deposit slip!  I was the problem, not the bank!  On top of that, these women know that I am in full-time ministry.  How awful would it have been for me to cop an attitude, and possibly put a bad taste in their mouths for Christianity!

How often do we want to give an opinion or spout off about situations rather than wait until we have the facts!  How often do we give God bad representation because we are quick to judge without knowing the whole story?  And, who knows, the problem might even be “me.”

SELAH

^“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”  James 1:19-20 

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.”  Proverbs 17:27

Long ago I gave up the notion, that to serve God and have “great” faith, means I can pray/believe every negative away from my life. That is just not the case.  Storms will come, some will be hurricane proportion, but if I can’t believe my way out of it, I will trust God all the way through it.   Normally I write my own blogs, and I shall continue to do that.  Today I would like to repost something a friend wrote.  This is from my friend Linda Pearson who lives in Waycross, GA.

 BELIEVING MY WAY OUT OF IT (OR) TRUSTING MY WAY THROUGH IT

(I wrote this for a friend who suffered a devastating loss several weeks ago.  I modified it so I could share it today as a devotion.)

Not praying enough. Not believing enough. Not speaking words of faith enough.

I use to think that if troubles came into my life that I could attribute the troubles to one of the reasons listed above.

At one time (spiritual immaturity) I believed that difficult and painful circumstances were never God’s will for me.  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  John 10:10  (DON’T GET ME WRONG…I BELIEVE THIS 100%) But, when I would find myself in the middle of a bad circumstance, I felt I needed to do something to get back in the “abundant” column with God.  I wore myself out trying to perform my way into God’s good grace.  I think back now, and I wonder how I understood and processed all the stories I read in the Bible. You know, stories like Stephen being killed because of his faith.  And, Joseph’s years of wrongful imprisonment.  And, Paul’s beatings and jail time.  And, John the Baptist’s head being chopped off.  And, what about Job?

All those stories clearly defy the theory that God never wants you to face painful and difficult circumstances. 

The reality is this:  I can’t believe my way out of the death of a loved one, or a tree on my house, or a negative checking account, or a flat tire, or a rebellious child, or a mean spouse.  There are many things in life that I simply can’t believe my way out of. HOWEVER, I can TRUST my way THROUGH everything! Bad things happen to God-fearing people. Sometimes, life isn’t fair. And life is much harder than we ever thought it would be. BUT, the GOOD NEWS is — God’s GRACE is sufficient. God’s grace will sustain us and empower us to walk through the most difficult situations in life.

God’s GRACE says, I am good even when your life is anything but.  I am sufficient even in your lack.  I am strong even in your weakness…even when the pain gets worse instead of better…even when the husband leaves…even when you lose everything…even when your child has addictions…even when the car dies.

Joseph, who is my one-year-old grandson, is quite an eater.  The boy enjoys his food.  While keeping Joseph at my house one day, meal time approached.  As soon as he was seated in the high chair, he started smiling and waving his hands.  Bring it on, Grammy!   The meal of the day was Italian, and he ate it all, and I do mean ALL.  However, in the process, he had sauce on his hands, his arms, his face and his hair. What a sight to see those big blue eyes surrounded by red sauce!   At least I put a bib on him, but Grammy wasn’t thinking – the bib had a white background, and it was covered in red stains.  What a mess!  The bib was ruined and might as well be thrown away.

My husband is the best “stain-getter-outer” in the world!  So, I asked him to see if there was any way to save the bib.  About ten minutes later he presented me with a perfectly clean bib.  It looked like it was brand new.

I’ve had a lot messes that left terrible stains.   After trying many times on my own to remove stains and reverse messes, I’ve turned them over to Gaylon.  I’ve had many garments that I thought were ruined, only to have Gaylon remove the stains.  He has been able to change a lot of messes when all my efforts were futile.

I’ve made a lot of messes in life.  My life has been stained by sin, bad decisions and painful circumstances.  I am thankful to know the GREAT “stain-getter-outer” – Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

“No amount of soap or lye can make you clean. I still see the stain of your guilt. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 2:22.   The fact is God saw my guilt, but an even greater fact is that He saw my guilt and gave his life to remove it.   No matter how much I tried to clean myself, it was impossible.   I am so thankful that even though He saw my stain, he also said, “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

No matter how stained our lives are, Jesus is the great stain-remover.  He is the life-changer.  He does not throw us away, but makes us new creations.  Our stains can only be removed through the cleansing power of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.  It’s not what I can do to get myself clean, but it’s what He has already done!

“Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

Madison Benton will be nine years old in July.  Her birth brought much joy and ushered in a great era for us.  Being grandparents is something we enjoy beyond description.

After Madison was born, we bought a high chair to use during her visits.  Because Madison matured and grew, the chair eventually found its way to the attic.  It was almost eight years before other grandchildren began to arrive, so the chair has now moved from the attic back to the kitchen.  Our young, immature grandsons require a  high chair.

It’s funny to watch those boys as they sit in the high chair.  It’s actually more like an “I” chair.  When our grandsons are in the “I” chair, they are very demanding.  I was recently feeding Joseph, and he was sitting in the chair crying, mouth wide open, demanding his food immediately!  If he liked what I gave him, all was pleasant.  If he did not like what I was giving him, he would try to swat it away.  He demanded that he have what he wanted, when he wanted it.   If he did not have his way, he let everyone know it.  I’ve had the same experience when feeding Tucker – the identical same experience!   Their behavior is understandable because they are just babies; however, the day must come when the boys mature beyond the “I” chair.

The most dangerous spiritual chair a person can sit in is the “I” chair.  It is the chair that negates the will and Word of God.  It is the chair that says I will serve and obey God when I choose.  It will be on my terms.  If I don’t like part of His Word, I’ll swat it away.  If God or the church crosses me, I will scream unless I get my way.  I have a right to do whatever!  Yet, nothing could be farther from the truth of the Gospel.

There must come a point that we outgrow the “I” chair.  We are not our own. We were bought with a price. We belong to Jesus. We are His purchased possession.  When a person yields to the lordship of Jesus Christ, he or she acknowledges His ownership and gives up personal rights.

It’s time to put the “I” chair in the attic. 

“Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”  Luke 9:23

More than once in my life I have found myself in hard places, and that is putting it mildly!  I have suffered abuse, been in financial despair, had a miscarriage, walked through extreme church conflict, had a child with cancer and lost a son.  Even when we belong to God, we can find ourselves in hard places.

I love to teach, but I also love to challenge others to dig and learn on their own.  Take a few minutes to read a little about a woman named Hagar.  Yes, I know she birthed Ishmael, but she really had no choice in the matter.  She was owned by the family.

Once Sarah realized what she had set in motion, she mistreated Hagar terribly, and a pregnant Hagar fled. Hagar – abused and despised, sitting alone in a wilderness. That is a hard place in life.  Take time to read Genesis 16 to get the details.

Hagar learned some things about God while she was in that hard place.  She learned He sees what we go through; she learned God hears our cries when life has become hopeless; she learned He cares about our circumstances; she learned He will give promises to us in the hard place.

Maybe Hagar’s story is your story right now.  God sees you today.

Hagar gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her:  “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).

Recently I was in a big hurry to get somewhere and was driving in a passing lane.  The lane was moving way too slow for my taste.  After all, I was in a rush and someone was awaiting my arrival.  The vehicle in front of me was a small U-Haul truck, and the driver was going soooooo slow.  I kept requesting aloud, “Would you please move faster or get out of my way?”    Apparently the driver did not get the message. He kept going way too slow!  After finally passing the car to our right, the truck pulled over, and I was ready to roll.  At that moment I realized there was a slow vehicle that had been in front of the truck.  That vehicle was the reason for the truck’s slow speed.  The driver saw something I did not see.  He had clearer vision.

How often in prayer, I have instructed God what to do, when to do it and how to do it!   So many times He doesn’t obey me!  Imagine that!  It’s so easy for me to pray based on my perspective, according to the lane from which I am driving at that moment in life.  Over and over when God has not moved fast enough, it is later that I discover He saw things I did not see.  He has much clearer vision of what is down the road.

Several years back, I was to be one of four speakers at a conference in Georgia.  It was a period of time when I was going to be away from home for eleven weekends in a row.   I prayed and prayed asking God for messages for Georgia, and nothing came to my heart.  As the date of the conference approached, panic arose in my spirit.  I have hundreds of messages which I have given over the years, but even those didn’t seem to have life.  Two weeks before I was to be in Georgia, I received a call that the conference was being downsized a bit.  The leader knew I had way too much on my plate at the point, so she asked if I would mind being cancelled.  Since my schedule was so hectic at that time, I did not mind at all!  All along I thought the answer to my prayer was for God to give me a message.  God always knew I wasn’t going to Georgia.  He was very aware that I needed a break in my schedule.  He had much clearer vision.

Do you find yourself in the God’s waiting room?  The idea of waiting goes against that to which we have become accustomed in our hurry-up world.  My natural inclination is to hit the gas pedal, while God might be saying, “Hit the brakes.  Slow it down.”  As a matter of fact, God will at times press the brakes Himself.  He sees things ahead that we do not see.  He knows when we need refueling and rest for what is ahead.

We will all spend time in God’s waiting room.  It is not the bad place we often envision it to be. The next time you are driving through life and you want to step on the gas, and He steps on the brakes, trust Him.  After all, it is He that knows what is ahead.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”  Psalm 27:14

Before the age of computers and word processors, some of us actually used a pen or pencil to write on paper.  I often wrote lists, notes and reminders on note pads, and I was one who pressed hard when I wrote.  I remember writing down a name and address once, tearing off the page, but somehow losing it.  Desperately needing that address, I cried; I prayed; I hunted; I panicked, but to no avail.  Days later as I sat down at my desk, I picked up my note pad and noticed indentation that resembled writing.  With a pencil in hand, I began to lightly color over the words and there was the address appearing before my very eyes!  I had forgotten about it and moved on, but the address was there all the time.  It just not been revealed yet.

How often when we pray do we experience the same thing!   Life situations present themselves, and we need answers.  We cry!  We pray! We panic!  We wait!  Heaven seems to be deaf to our cries.   Yet from the moment we prayed, God prepared an answer.  He has not forgotten those things for which we have prayed.  He has not forgotten our pain.  He has not forgotten our sorrow.  He has not forgotten our loneliness.  He has not forgotten that the rent must be paid.  He has not forgotten that which concerns us.  God had it on the tablet of his heart the whole time, and just like the words on my note pad, His answer will appear.  He will reveal Himself.

Delay and timing don’t often make sense to us, but this I know – God’s character can be trusted.  Beloved child of God, He has heard your prayers, and the answer is on the way. Just think – this could be the day that it appears before your eyes.

“God will perfect everything that concerns you.” (Psalm 138:8, NKJV)

I have been dealing with so many hurting people – people who are wounded or  in despair.  God cares very much and wants to empower you to get over the emotional hump.  Let faith arise as you pray this for yourself on a regular basis:

Heavenly Father, please help me to learn to live by faith and not by emotions.  Thank you that life is not devoid of emotion, but may I not base my life on how I feel.  Lord, emotions are fleeting but faith will stand the test of time.  Father, heal me from being held back because of negative emotions as a result of mistreatment at the hands of another, or the unfairness of life.  I pray that You will heal guilt, despair, rejection, hatred, resentment, hopelessness and bitterness.

I choose to release these painful emotions, often crippling emotions.  Let me arise in faith and allow you to fill the empty spaces with Your love, Your peace, Your joy, Your acceptance, and the powerful presence of Your Holy Spirit.

With my mouth I proclaim truth:  I belong to Jesus Christ, the strong Son of God.  I am an overcomer. I am more than a conqueror.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am part of your divine plan.  God, you have plans to prosper me and to give me a good future and hope. I think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. I think on these things.

I declare that I am accepted by You, and I thank You that the favor of God goes before me into this day, this week,  this month and year, creating divine appointments, connections and relationships for me.

I declare this in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

“I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness, while I am here in the land of the living.”  Psalm 27:13

I spend very little time listening to the “news” which really should be called the “olds.”  It’s the same old junk!  In the midst of all of that we are hearing and seeing, I agree with the Psalmist–I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

I am happy to report there is good news!  There are people today who are making a decision to trust Christ as Lord and Savior.  There are people rejoicing because they have been miraculously healed of disease.  There are still many couples in love with each other after years of being together.  People are being set free to live healthy lives because they have learned how to forgive!  There are babies who will grow up to be great leaders of God because their mothers chose to give them life!

Yes, I can see God’s goodness in the land of the living.  There’s more!

There are many people who are giving money to help the homeless and the hungry.  Dream Centers are springing up all over this nation to reach those who have been labeled as the unreachable.  Ministries are helping to free women who have been imprisoned by sex slavery.  Many are walking out of a past of sexual abuse and into the wholeness offered by God.  There are men discipling young men who have no father figure in their lives.  People in horrible circumstances are seeing God make a way where there seems to be no way.

How do I know these things?  Because in the last several months, I have personally witnessed all of these things happening!  Praise God that I can see Good News in a land that is continually concentrating on bad news.  I can see God’s goodness in the land of the living.  Rejoice! There is good news!  The Spirit of God is at work today!

And the best news of all … Jesus Christ will return as Lord and King, and those who have accepted Him as Savior will live with Him forever!  I will be so glad to see Him. That is good news!

When will there be any good news?  There already is!