Go ahead. Pray for patience (and love and joy too)

After we moved to Vegas, I missed Oregon's springtime, especially the spring flowers. So one March day I bought a pot of tulips and set it in the window box outside my kitchen window. The very next day the tulips were wilted, and I realized that tulips were simply not designed to endure seventy degree days. I've read that if you want to make bulbs grow and bloom in a warm climate, you must dig them up and store them in your refrigerator for a certain length of time. The cold is necessary for the blooms.

In our spiritual lives, growth and fruit are often formed through trials. We might describe trials as the chilly seasons of our lives. In fact, in the book of James we're told that the trying of our faith produces patience. 

I've heard Christians say that we should never pray for patience because God will answer us by sending trials. I can understand a bit of the logic behind this idea, but I am not sure that it takes into account the wisdom and love of God. 

He wants what is best for us and what will bring glory to Him. I cannot believe that He has a stockpile of trouble He's just waiting to pour on us if we pray the wrong prayer.

The Apostle Paul often prayed that his converts and friends would grow in godliness and would bear fruit. Patience is an ingredient of godliness and it is one of the fruits of the Spirit. I cannot find any examples of Paul asking prayer for his friends to develop in all the fruits of the Spirit except patience. 

I believe that we can trust God to follow His good plan for us. Trials will be a part of that because we live in a fallen world, but God in His grace and wisdom speaks to us through the tough times, using the chill of trouble to produce beautiful blooms of godliness.

If God has prompted you to pray for a certain character quality, a specific fruit of the Spirit, or godliness in general, rest assured that He is working within you, and He has already arranged and allowed the circumstances that will coax the blooms from your life. 

He will be with you every step of the way, whispering His words of love in your ear.

Pray confidently!

I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge

and every kind of discernment, so that you can determine what really matters 

and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ,

to the glory and praise of God.

(Philippians 1:9-10 HCSB)

We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will

 in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord,

fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit. (Colossians 1:10-11 HCSB)

...We always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling,

and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith,

so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by Him,

according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

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(This post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. More details at sacredsignposts.com)

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Just Talk to Jesus: Praise

I've been reading Pray Like a Gourmet (see my review here) and meditating on the topic of Praise. Author David Brazzeal shares some great reminders about praise. My favorite is "praise radically changes our perspective.")

I enjoyed several of the suggested exercises. I looked at the verbs in Psalm 147 (you should do this and praise God for His actions!). I blended two ideas (making a praise list in which each line begins "God, you are..." and making up a simple song). I made a list of lines of praise choruses that say "Lord, you are..." and then I used those phrases in a prayer.

I think that too often I save praise for happy times. We often sing "10,000 Reasons for My Heart to Sing" at church, and I have been pondering the phrase, "Sing like never before, O my soul." I used to think that was a call to burst out in joyful exuberant praise on a great day when my skinny jeans fit and my kids are calm and my heart is overflowing with happiness. (Did you hear that perspective...my...my...my...?)

But we sang that song quite often at church during a season of loss. And we sang it at the Retreat I attended this spring when I was still very stressed about our unexpected move. And I thought about the prayers I pray through gritted teeth, or the days I stare at the sky and search for words to pray.

Those are the days when I can "sing like never before." It might not be a happy song. But praise can radically change my perspective. Praise is talking to God about who He is.

Who He Is.

There is a time to talk to God about how confused I am about His plan or His strange answers to my prayers. Perhaps that time is right before or right after I praise Him!

But when I say, "Lord, I praise You because You are faithful. You have been faithful in the past and I trust that today will be no different. Your word is full of stories of Your faithfulness! I praise Your faithfulness!"

And then I say something similar about His love or His mercy or His grace.

That kind of prayer brings peace.

And radically changes my perspective.

Read more about Pray Like a Gourmet at PrayLikeaGourmet.com.
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Just Talk to Jesus: Godliness

How happy are those whose way is blameless,
who live according to the law of the Lord! (Psalm 119:1 HCSB)

Patrick prayed, "this day be within and without me." He knew that Christ was within him, and he wanted his inward attitudes and outward actions to make Christ's presence obvious. Look at Paul's prayer in Philippians 1:

I pray this: that your love will keep on growing

in knowledge and every kind of discernment,

so that you can determine what really matters

and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ,

to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-10)

Paul wanted his converts to learn God's will and do it. He urged them to "work out your own salvation"--not work for your salvation, but put it into practice. He said that it is God working in us who enable us to do this:

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], 

so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence 

but much more because I am absent, 

work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) 

your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling

 (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, 

watchfulness against temptation, 

timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you 

[energizing and creating in you the power and desire], 

both to will and to work for His good pleasure 

and satisfaction and delight.

(Philippians 2:12-13 AMP)

I chose the word "godliness" to represent this prayer topic, as I ask for wisdom and power to follow God, and choose to act in accordance with His will instead of my own. The word also implies a reverence and respect for God (as mentioned in Philippians 2:12-13).

O Perfect Lord,

Teach me Your commands

and empower me to keep them.

Plant and nourish the fruit of righteousness within me,

filling me with the knowledge of Your will.

_______

I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase from a scripture portion to carry through the day. Today’s phrase, for me, is "determine what really matters."

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Just Talk to Jesus: Awareness

The heavens proclaim His righteousness; all the peoples see His glory. (Psalm 97:6 HCSB)

May the Lord of peace Himself

give you peace always in every way.

The Lord be with all of you. 

(2 Thessalonians 3:16 HCSB)

Patrick prayed, "Christ beside me on my left and my right," longing to be constantly conscious of the Lord's presence. Another segment of this prayer says, "I rise and bind to myself today the strong virtues of the Trinity, the Three in One and One in Three, Creator of the Universe." Patrick wanted to be aware of each member of the Trinity as soon as he arose each day. He wanted to be so close to God that God's character qualities wrapped around him. The Apostle Paul expressed the same thought more simply as he prayed for his friends: "The Lord be with all of you." (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

When the early Irish Christians realized that God surrounded them, they embraced this knowledge whole-heartedly, putting it into practice in their prayer lives. Poetery was already an important part of Irish culture, so they began creating poetic prayers. Because much of the population was illiterate, prayers were passed down verbally from generation to generation. They had prayers to say while milking cows, prayers to say for a sore throat, prayers for bathing -- prayers for each activity of their everyday routines.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

he is a new creation; old things have passed away,

behold all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

"All things" -- not just a time of prayer and Bible study squeezed into my schedule, not just attendance at church -- "have become new." The Lord wants my entire day, or as Paul put it, God asks me to become "a living sacrifice." (Romans 12:1)

O Lord of Peace

You surround me night and day,

calling me to fellowship and prayer.

Open my eyes, my ears, my mind

to be aware of You,

to interact with You,

and to delight in You. 

_____

I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase from a scripture portion to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "awareness."

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Just Talk to Jesus: Faith

For the Lord is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations. 

(Psalm 100:4-5 HCSB)

One of the reasons I began this study of Patrick and Paul's prayers was a realization that my prayers are often focused on me: my worries, my troubles, and my requests. God is a patient and powerful parent, and he wants to hear my honest voice bringing more than only petitions and complaints. I see this in the prayers of the Apostle Paul; he made requests for himself and his friends, but he also burst into praises and declarations of faith. 

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond 

all that we ask or think

--according to the power that works in you--

to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 

(Ephesians 3:20-21)

My prayer theme today is Faith--lifting my eyes from my own circumstances and concerns to focus on our great God, declare my faith in him, and offer praise  to him. St. Patrick's phrase "Christ over me" expresses this so simply. It reminds me that Christ is in control, he is trustworthy, and without him I am powerless.

We do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen;

for what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

O Faithful Lord,

You are great and awesome

and ready to forgive.

I look to You, the Author and source of my faith,

giving You glory and praise,

eternal, wise, loving God.

_____

I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase from a scripture portion to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "faith."

photo credit: Gougane Barra via photopin (license)

Blogging in the summer

Blogging in the summer, when I have no commitments and activities, is proving to be more difficult than blogging during the rest of the year when I really have to think about a schedule and a routine.

Today I rearranged some books and shelves, hoping to create a writing area--with a view of the neighbor's pink oleander. In the process I discovered some missing jewelry, a lot of Georgette Heyer books and a rebate form for my contacts (two weeks too late to send it in). I also found that my bookshelves are far too convenient. Pottery mugs, nail polish remover and homemade lotion are blocking my access to my books!

I stopped cleaning to look at the cluttered bookshelves. And I realized this is starting to look and feel like home.

Just talk with Jesus: Strength

God is our refuge and strength,

a helper who is always found in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

"Christ under me," prayed St. Patrick. It is a simple little phrase, but so very visual. Christ under me, my strength and support. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul's prayers for strength:

I pray that He may grant you,

according to the riches of His glory,

to be strengthened with power through His Spirit

in the inner man. (Ephesians 3:16 HCSB Read this in context here: Ephesians 3:14-21)

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father,

who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement

and good hope by grace,

encourage your hearts

and strengthen you in every good work and word. 

(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 HCSB Read this in context here: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

Notice that Jesus strengthens us to work and speak. I remember when my parents' church would sing the hymn "Standing on the Promises" the congregation would automatically stand up whether the song leader asked them to or not. Believing God's promises is not a passive activity--it puts us in motion. 

O God of endurance and encouragement,

You are my faithful helper in times of trouble.

When I am weak and weary, 

I find strength in your word.

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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase from a scripture portion to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "encouragement."

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Just Talk with Jesus: Protection

...You have been my help,
    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. (Psalm 63:7)

Now may the God of peace Himself
sanctify you completely.
And may your spirit, soul, and body 
be kept sound and blameless 
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful, 
who also will do it.
Brothers, pray for us also.
(I Thessalonians 5:23-24 HCSB Read it in context here)

I use a prayer of St. Patrick to remind me of the Apostle Paul's prayers for himself and his friends. Today I'm looking at prayers for protection. In these verses from I Thessalonians, Paul prayed that his converts would be separated from evil (sanctified), and kept safe and holy physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Patrick prayed "Christ as a shield, overshadow me." Let's think about being in Christ's shadow for a few moments.: to be in the shadow of someone or something, I must be relatively close to it. If a child is walking close enough to a parent to be in their shadow, they are close enough to be cared for and protected.

In human terms, the word "overshadow" carries negative connotations of being less than the person whose shadow I am under. But as I think of being "overshadowed" by Jesus, this becomes a comforting truth, because I want to put my trust in something greater than I.

A shadow can also be a place of shade, a respite from the burning sun, and a place to be comfortable and refreshed. What a perfect description of being near to Jesus!

...We have run to God for safety. Now His promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls...
(Hebrews 6:19-19 CEV)

O Lord my Shield,
You overshadow me with your peace,
covering me with your love and grace.
You are my refuge and my fortress;
I trust in your faithfulness.

_______

I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase from a scripture portion to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "shield."

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Book Review: Pray Like a Gourmet

I am not a gourmet cook. I can put together a decent meal that my family enjoys, but it is never anything fantastic. My husband, however, is a gourmet cook. I look forward to every meal all summer long, because Mark is home and he cooks. He takes the simplest ingredients and makes something delectable.

I thought about this as I read Pray Like a Gourmet. I want to look forward to prayer. I don’t want prayer to be a monotonous dull duty. I want to enjoy it, to taste its different flavors and treasure my time with the Lord. Prayer is communication with the Creator. Prayer can be creative!

Is there something in your spirit that keeps telling you it should be different: more interesting, more engaging, more creative, more profound? Does your prayer life feel like you’re eating the same food over and over every day—mixing the same ingredients but hoping for a new, more enticing dish? (page 7)

Author David Brazzeal seeks to expand our prayer palettes. He describes different kinds of prayer:

Adoration or praise

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication or asking

Observation

Intercession

Meditation

Contemplation

Blessing

Lamenting

Joining

As the author explores each type of prayer, he shares exercises and examples to put them into practice right away. I really appreciate his approach. He does not describe the different types with the goal of checking off every box every day. It’s more like a menu: these are available, what do you and God need to talk about today? And how can you enter into that prayer with creativity and expectation?

The book is beautiful—full of colors and sketches. There are ideas for praying alone and praying in a group. This paragraph caught my attention:

There really is a natural interplay between my spirituality and my creativity. When I enter into a spirit of prayer, I can cultivate a receptive space and actually ask God for creative ideas that will enhance my praying. Then, these creative practices allow me to enter into the spiritual space even more quickly and deeply. The result is a spiraling effect leading to ever-expanding dimensions, encompassing both deeper spirituality and heightened creativity. (page 23)

This is a nourishing book for my own prayer time, but it would be a fun and thought-provoking book to discuss in a group, especially over a great meal.

…Prayer, like the grace of God, is new every morning. The way we pray can morph itself to our emotions. It adapts itself to our agenda [and, I would add, to God’s agenda!]. It flows into our real-world, here-and-now realities. It blows through shut windows, locked doors, and closed countries…It nourishes our souls like nothing else. (page 174)

The author sent me a copy of Pray Like a Gourmet and asked me to review it. This simple review today is just the beginning as I dive into this book over the summer. I will be looking at each type of prayer in more detail. This book deserves more than just a read-through--although it is certainly an enjoyable read. I'm going to savor a chapter a week. 

Just talk with Jesus: Light

Make your ways known to me, Lord, teach me Your paths. (Psalm 25:4)

St. Patrick prayed, “Christ, as a light, illumine and guide me.” This reminds me of Paul’s prayer for enlightenment:

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be may be enlightened…(Ephesians 1:17-18)

Read Ephesians 1 here.

The Greek word Paul used for revelation in Ephesians 1:18 means “uncovering” or “revealing God;” knowledge is “exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition.” Think for a moment about carrying a flashlight on a dark night: it allows you to discern dangers on your path as well as to recognize the familiar faces of friends. It uncovers truth and increases your knowledge about your surroundings. Jesus is your Light on dark or uncertain days.

Here are three more prayers from Paul, asking for guidance and knowledge:

And I pray this, that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ. 
(Philippians 1:10 HCSB)
…We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. (Colossians 1:9 HCSB)
…That they may have all the riches of assured understanding, and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. 
(Colossians 2:2-3 HCSB)

These are really beautiful requests to make for friends, for children or for people in ministry. If you read this blog regularly, you might remember that I blogged about Jesus, the Light recently. This is one of my favorite prayer words and topics. Talk to the Light, and ask for light. Tell him you trust him to be your light today.

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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "treasure."

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Just talk with Jesus

Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

"Prayer is just talking to Jesus." I've heard this all my life. But several years ago, I felt stuck in my prayer habits. I had a prayer list I dutifully read most days. I talked to God now and then throughout my day, but I was a very tired mom of three young daughters, and I seemed to be asking for the same things over and over. Sleep. Energy. Quiet. 

I asked God for a more meaningful prayer life, and He answered by bringing an ancient prayer to my attention. At first I saw it as an intriguing poem, but when I learned it was a modern translation of a prayer by St. Patrick, I was fascinated! (I am interested in all things Irish.)

Christ as a light

illumine and guide me.

Christ, as a shield

overshadow me.

Christ under me;

Christ over me;

Christ beside me

on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me,

lowly and meek,

yet all-powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;

in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

I hummed this prayer when I did not have my own words to pray. It expressed everything I wanted to say. I felt a new peace, as I realized that Jesus Christ really does surround me as this prayer states.

One Sunday, on a vacation in Portland, Oregon, I heard a sermon on a prayer of the Apostle Paul. His requests sounded familiar to me. I began to study Paul’s prayers. They are scattered throughout the New Testament. I realized that Patrick’s prayer could be used to summarize nine of Paul’s prayer topics. (Want to know more about St. Patrick?)

I am going to visit these nine topics over the next nine days, choosing one word each day as my prayer word.

I like to begin my prayer time with a few verses from Psalms. Join me in Psalm 63:1-8.

Lord, you know my longing for a deeper prayer life.

You know I want to speak with you, not just demand your help

Or read my prayer list.

I ask for a new dedication to prayer

And a new devotion to you.

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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "devoted."

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New blog series

Coming soon...

Just BE with Jesus; the Alpha and Omega

He restores my soul...(Psalm 23:3)

Read Revelation 1:1-8

Jesus used the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet when he called himself "the Alpha and Omega."

He is all we need.
He is the Bread,
the Light,
the Way,
and the Door.

He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead. (Colossians 1:17-18 NLT)
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth 
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:7-8)
And my God will supply every need of yours 
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. 
Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20)

So much glorious truth, Lord.
All I can say is
"Amen."


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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “all."

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Just BE with Jesus: "I am Jesus"

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2)

Read Acts 9:1-22

I've been reading the "I am" statements in the gospel of John, and as I came to the last one, I thought of a time Jesus said "I am" in the book of Acts. He spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus--Saul the terrible persecutor of Christians--and said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."

Jesus reached out to Saul and revealed his greatness to him (that bright light from heaven) and identified himself with the Christians. Jesus didn't say, "You are persecuting my followers." He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."

What an encouraging statement to any who are treated harshly because of their Christian faith. Jesus suffers with you. He feels your pain and heartache.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows...(Isaiah 53:4)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
 and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
In all their affliction he was afflicted,
and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)

Jesus' words to Saul are also encouraging to any who are feeling far away from Jesus. You couldn't get much further away than Saul was at that moment! Yet Jesus was there with him, speaking to him and calling his name.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off 
have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)
...Believe in the Lord Jesus,
and you will be saved...(Acts 16:31)

Thank you
Lord Jesus
that you are near
you see every detail of my life
and you care.


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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “near."

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Just BE with Jesus: the Vine

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

Read John 15:1-17

I think the Vine is one of the most beautiful "I Am" statements. The Vine gives the branches nourishment. The Vine enables the fruit-bearing that gives the branches a purpose. The Vine gives the branches support. I like to think of the Vine encouraging me to just hang in there!

What does it mean to bear fruit, anyway? If Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches, what is fruit? In Romans, Paul speaks of longing for a "fruitful ministry," using the word "fruit" to mean converts who are growing spiritually:

Now I want you to know, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry among you, just as among the rest of the Gentiles. (Romans 1:13 HCSB)

Look at these other kinds of fruit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...(Galatians 5:22-23)
...Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10)
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Hebrews 13:5)

Look back at the prayer from the book of Jude that began this post. He is able. When we are weak, the Vine is strong. When we are helpless, He is our help. Apart from him, we can do nothing.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

Lord Jesus, I find such peace
in trusting you to be the Vine.
You strengthen me,
you give me a purpose,
and you provide everything I need.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “abide."

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Just BE with Jesus: the Way, the Truth and the Life

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; 
for you I wait all the day  long. (Psalm 25:5)

Read John 14:1-30.

I am so grateful that Jesus saves us from our sin and promises us a home in heaven, and he doesn't leave us to just wander aimlessly around on earth in the meantime. He guides us every day, opening his truth to us and infusing us with his life.

Yesterday I told you about my dark tunnel year. The darkness ended in great joy when our daughter was born. I settled into the routine of stay at home motherhood, and I loved it. A few months later, my husband lost his job. He found a new job very quickly, but it involved a move from Oregon's lush Willamette Valley to the dusty desert of Vegas. I missed my friends and evergreen trees and mountains with snow on them year 'round. I read a lot of books that first year in the desert, and I found a new love for my Bible. As I look back at that time, I see the Lord being my Way, Truth and Life.

This is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever. (Psalm 48:14)
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. (Psalm 78:24)
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
(Psalm 86:11)

Lord Jesus,
help me to grasp ever more firmly
the purpose for which you chose me.
I trust that you will guide my every step.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “guide."

photo credit: Coastal Path via photopin (license)

Just BE with Jesus: the Resurrection and the Life

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. (Psalm 18:35)

Read John 11:17-44

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26a)
Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them. (Hebrews 7:25 Amplified)

Keri Wyatt Kent’s excellent book Deeper into the Word: New Testament taught me that the Greek word translated “resurrection” (“anastasis”) means “to cause to stand up on one’s feet again.”

The Lord was my Resurrection and Life (continually putting me back on my feet) in a special way during a dark time fifteen years ago. After longing to have a child for several years, I miscarried twice, just a few months apart. Depression and grief hit me hard, and the dark tunnel of hopelessness seemed never-ending. A third pregnancy added the daily fear of a new loss. The book of Psalms was my companion during this time. There was a light of hope in that book! As I read the ancient biblical prayers of praise, joy, sorrow, anger, and every other emotion, I learned to pour my heart out to the Lord, and to seek his strength.

Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually! (Psalm 105:4)
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure. (Psalm 40:2)

Lord, I noticed that you spoke these words
--the Resurrection and the Life--
to Martha alone.
This was your personal message
of comfort to her.
Thank you for the times you
have given comfort to me.
Open my ears to hear you
more often.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “strength."

photo credit: An autumn sun rise in rural Saskatchewan via photopin (license)

Elisabeth Elliot died today

I remember her gentle voice on the radio. My parents gave me a page-a-day calendar with quotes from her books. One page brought me great peace. I do not remember the exact wording, but it was something like this: "Perhaps you have not discovered any talents or gifts in your life. I believe that eternity will reveal that you yourself have been a gift to someone." I read this when I was nineteen, and I was pretty sure the Holy Spirit had missed me when handing out spiritual gifts. I was dating an amazingly talented young man (now my husband), and this quote gave me truth and hope.

I loved what Steve Saint said in this article:

I think Elisabeth would be happy just being remembered as not much of a woman that God used greatly. To the rest of us mortals she was an incredibly talented and gifted woman who trusted God in life's greatest calamities, even the loss of her mind to dementia, and who allowed God to use her. He did use her.

There is an excellent summary of Elisabeth's life here.

Just Thought I'd Mention...

I'm taking a day off from my Just Be with Jesus series. On Mondays I like to mention Good Stuff I found online.

Today I want to mention Margaret Feinberg's online study, Scouting the Divine. I read this book several years ago, and I am excited to revisit it.

Are you following Catherine Martin's Quiet Time Ministies on Facebook? Catherine posts beautiful photos and short devotions every day.

Need a new recipe for chicken thighs? Doro Wat is delicious. It is a little time-consuming, but worth it.

Here is a great breakfast or dinner recipe: Italian Baked Eggs. Dairy free and grain free and yummy! I found that we each wanted two servings.

Just BE with Jesus: The Good Shepherd

This God, our God, forever and ever—He will always lead us. 
(Psalm 48:13-14)

Read John 10:1-18

Yesterday I meditated on the Lord as the Door of the Sheep, providing blessings and leading me out to green pastures in his time. Today as I thought of the Good Shepherd, I noticed the word “follow,” and I thought about how I can be a reluctant sheep at times, really dragging my feet on the path because I don’t know about the still waters nearby. The Good Shepherd is faithful, and worthy of my trust.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.  I and the Father are one. (John 10:27-30)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “follow."

photo credit: Shepherd Meadows, Blackwater Hampshire via photopin (license)