God, Not Man

A reminder from The Lord from the prophet Jeremiah. This scripture is a powerful reminder to each of us seeking to follow after The Lord Jesus. He speaks blessings and curses over man based on who their trust is in. God says, if we trust in man we will be like a bush in the desert, bearing no fruit and having no life to speak of. A scant scraping of an existence with barely enough sustenance and never enough to prosper us to vitality.  What does that mean? Putting your faith in man's ideas, man's systems, man's cultural mores, man's rigid structures and limited reasoning. In western thinking, in regulated religion, in systems and organizations and buildings and traditions.

But! For the man who puts his trust on God, a multitude of blessings springs forth from the abundance of God's kingdom. Things like confidence and freedom, success and abundance. Deep refreshing to your roots, unwavering security in all seasons. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? 

Some examples of people in the bible who lived by such faith and trust in God (and not man) are listed in the 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews, people like Noah and Moses and Joseph and Abraham and Samuel and Gideon and Rahab and Ezekiel and Elisha and Elijah and Job and Mary and especially Jesus. People who did not fear man, who didn't worry about how they would eat or drink or be clothed in or where they would stay or how they would pay for travels or feed their family or save for retirement. They simply heard the voice of God and then they obeyed. Jesus clearly taught, take what little you have and give it away and more will be added to it. He fed thousands on a few fish and a loaf of crusty bread. He healed the sick by trusting God at His word of healing. He fought back satan by declaring the absolute truth of Holy Scripture to refute the lies. Abraham left his comfortable home for the great unknown of Egypt. Mary faced threatened the possibility of getting stoned to death for pregnancy out of wedlock, even though it was by God's Holy Spirit. Who would have believed her? Joseph her betrothed believed her only because a mighty angel spoke to him. (God has ways of protecting His children who are walking in faith.)

The point is, don't get stuck in your limited thinking that you need all the answers or the complete blueprint from God before you'll take a step put of the boat. For without faith it is absolutely impossible for you to please God.

So, if God is calling you to do something, go somewhere, speak to someone, or do something that seems scary to you, be encouraged that your faith and obedience pleases Him and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. 

Just seek God; He won't let you down. You might seem foolish in your eyes or you might go into unknown and intimidating waters. But He will be with you. Not to mention legions of His wonderful angels, ready to guard you in your ways (see psalm 91).

So here's that scripture I was referring to in Jeremiah about trusting in God and not man. I pray you get the courage you need to radically trust God. He won't let you down. After all, He is God.

"Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from The Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands. He won't see prosperity when it comes, he'll dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But, blessed is the one who trusts in The Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and it never fails to bear fruit."  Jeremiah 17:5-8. Selah. 

            "My sheep know my voice."

                           -Jesus 

To Women Everywhere

It is nearly Mother's Day. A Hallmark holiday intended to celebrate mothers everywhere and raise the consumer spending index through flower and chocolate sales. I think it is wonderful that we appreciate moms. I think it should be more often than once a year with less formality but with as much sincerity.  I know I am thankful for my mom and will be enjoying the day with her. It is for a different group of women I am writing today... those for whom this day is marked with sadness, grief or even faltering faith. And to these women I dedicate this post.

Millions of women in the world are either childless, barren, past childbearing age, or have experienced the trauma of abortion at some point in their lives. They, like myself, may have a baby in heaven they look forward to meeting one day, holding, and looking into their eyes. Like me, they experienced motherhood for a brief moment and then, for either poor decisions or for fear of what to do and making a hasty and selfish decision, they chose to terminate a life. Or perhaps they longed for their baby and The Lord chose to take the wee one home to heaven. 

Perhaps they never experienced pregnancy. It could be that for years they longed for a husband and family of their own, but The Lord had different plans. Maybe The Lord has marriage and family in their future but it hasn't come to pass yet. 

Women, I want to encourage you. I know it takes great faith to press on and trust that God has your best in mind, when you can only see one step ahead. I can confidently assure you that He does have your best in mind, and His best will come to pass when you let Him lead you. 

Keep trusting Him, for He is worthy.

If you are hurting from the loss of a child, let God put His arms around you. He knows your pain and He loves you, and He is caring for your little one. You will see your little one again. The Lord never forsakes you and He will not leave you. If you sinned, you can be forgiven! There is no sin beyond forgiveness; just sincerely repent and ask Jesus to forgive you and to heal your emotional wounds. Then receive healing and forgiveness from Jesus! Let His love wash over you. The next thing to do is to rebuke the enemy of your soul who accuses and lies to you. Make him flee from you by standing firmly on God's Word. Replace the lies with God's truth of who you are. (A good read is "Victory Over Darkness" by Neil Anderson. Also highly recommended is "Prayers That Heal the Heart" by Mark and Patti Virkler.) Meditate daily on the Word of God. See Hebrews 4:12. And, by all means, stop sinning. Remove yourself from the lifestyle of sin and walk in the victory of God's light! God will give you the grace to overcome temptation. See Galatians 5.

"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness; 

Therefore you are feared."  Psalm 130

If you are a dedicated single woman serving The Lord and trusting Him for a husband, I want to encourage you to keep trusting Him and lean not on your own understanding. Lean on Him. And remember... NOTHING is impossible with God! As you delight yourself in The Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart. He may change your desires, but you will not be disappointed. You who have a mother's heart shall bear fruit. It may be spiritual children. It might mean adopting orphans or creating safe houses for trafficked young girls in Cambodia. It might look very different from what you thought. Please hear with your heart-- The Lord will see to it. This is our Jehovah Jireh. Just trust him and follow him and lay aside your desires so he can resurrect them even better than you can imagine!

"Sing, O barren woman,

You who never bore a child!

Burst into song, shout for joy!

You who were never in labor;

Because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband, says The Lord." Isaiah 54

Be encouraged, women, for you are greatly loved. You are greatly forgiven. You are greatly cherished. For you are royalty. You are daughters of the King.

"Enlarge the place of your tent and stretch your tent curtains wide;

Do not hold back!

Lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.

For you will spread out to the right and to the left;

Your descendants will dispossess nations and will settle in their desolate cities.

Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

For your Maker is your husband--

The Lord Almighty is His Name--

The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer!

He is called THE GOD OF ALL THE EARTH!"  Isaiah 54

You are loved by the best!

Art credit to Alice Vegrova's page on Facebook where she shares art from around the world.

Blessing

Father, I thank you for how you delight in answering the prayers of your beloved, and for your sudden answer to my prayer!

Just one day ago, I was telling my sister how I would love a quiet retreat place where I could spend a week or two with no one but The Lord. I've been going full-on for nearly one year in New Zealand and, while I love going from house to house sharing life with fellow pilgrims, there comes a time when I just want to be totally alone with The Lord with no distractions and renew my soul in Him.

And, praise God! One day after my prayer, I learned of a friend who "just happened" to be going to Florida for vacation. And "it just so happens" they were leaving the very next day. One thing led to another, and this kind friend graciously opened her home for me to rest in for a  full week of solitude and refreshment while they're away. What's even more serendipitous, get this... The street I am staying on is Kiwi Lane. (For those of you unaware, New Zealanders are called Kiwis.) God really has an uncanny sense of humor. 

So here I have just arrived and am sitting with a cup of hot honey tea, in absolute silence and delight.

I can already feel the excitement for the coming days alone with Abba. I know there are no coincidences with God and that He quickly answered my prayer. I am again blown away by His provision, by His immediate answer to my heart cry. How GOOD He is. How much He loves!

Be encouraged that God delights in you as much! He has no favorites. As you delight yourself in The Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart. And God never breaks His promises. 

Thank you, Abba, for your answer to prayer. Thank you for caring about the little things! I delight in You, Lord. You foresaw my need to be refreshed and rest-- and you already had a wonderful plan. I pray that this coming week will be simply delightful and intimate as You and I hang out together. Ahhh!

Faith Journey, a Continuing Story

First of all I want to thank all of my devoted friends and supporters who have held me up in prayer and who have helped meet my financial and practical needs as a missionary. Your support and encouragement have been and remain so important to me, and I am thankful for you!

At the request of my friends, I am putting out there what I am in need of so you can be in prayer. If you are able to help out in any practical way, please contact me.

My immediate needs:

-laptop computer (don't have one at all and this is essential for a life on the move)

-airfare and visa fees to go back where The Lord is calling me

-housing and meals expenses

-a reliable car on the missions front

-luggage (mine was borrowed) 

I have been pricing these things out and trying to find the best deals and the items that will best meet my needs. My immediate needs are around $1500 for visas and a laptop, and then airfare expenses will be upwards of $2200, plus somewhere between $4000-6000 for a working vehicle overseas. Housing and food while on the field are modestly $150-200 weekly.

I appreciate your prayers, your support, your encouragement. If you feel led to support me financially, please reach out to me via email for giving options. My email is murrecat@gmail.com. If you use paypal, you can send support to me there via the same email listed above. Write me if you would like the mailing address or other ways to send support if paypal doesn't work for you.

No matter how small or big your gift, I want to personally and sincerely say thank you. It is exciting to be on the missions field for The Lord, and I couldn't do it without the help of many friends. Thank you! And may our Heavenly Father bless you.

Cathy