Christ is Risen - Matt Maher

Broken and Poured Out

Today's reading from You Version reading plan for the 21 day fast was so appropriate as we celebrate Jesus' resurrection.

Reading from Mark 14 this really spoke to my heart today:

During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume. She broke the seal and poured the perfume over his head. Some of those at the table were indignant. "Why was this expensive perfume wasted?" they asked, "She could have sold it for a small fortune and given the money to the poor!" And they scolded her harshly.

But Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. Why berate her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But I will not be here with you much longer. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be talked about in her memory.

This woman was bold! I admire the strength and courage that it took for her to walk into a run full of men where she knew she would not be welcomed. What made her walk in to where Jesus was with such confident obedience?

What makes us respond to the promptings on our heart to be bold like this unnamed woman? Do we spend to much time trying to figure out in our minds if it is God's speaking those prompting to our hearts?

I know I do. How many times have I missed blessing someone by not being obedient to what God spoke to my heart (no matter how silly)? It can be simple tasks to help someone in a store or restaurant, paying for someones meal sitting at another table or larger ones like paying a debt that you do not owe or using our time and talent to help someone.

Whatever it is be quick to respond to what God has spoke to your heart, these type of promptings need our immediate obedient response.

As we are obedient to the small things that God puts on our hearts, He will breathe bigger promptings that will have significant impact in the kingdom of God.

I am determined to be more like Mary in my response to the promptings that God puts on my heart when she responded with:

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

Luke 1:38

Have a great Easter weekend celebrating Jesus' resurrection! May the hope of this amazing free gift rise within us in such a way that we are willing to be broken and poured out for His Glory! :)

The Circle Maker - Mark Batterson

Praying Circles Around your Biggest Dreams and your Greatest Fears

This is ONE of those books, you know what I mean.

It is one those books that you pick-up, read the back cover and KNOW that YOU KNOW that this book has the power to speak profoundly to the core of your being.

The Power of a single prayer to change the course of history!!

I read the first 4 chapters several times before I could complete the book. There was so much truth in those first chapters that I needed to read over and over to let my heart and mind soak it in.

Mark Batterson begins the book by sharing The Legend of the Circle Maker. His name is Honi. He lived in the first century BC. A devastating drought threatened to destroy a generation. Miracles were such a distant memory to the people that they seemed like make believe. Even if the people could no longer hear God, Honi believed that God could still hear them. He so desperately believed that God could hear them, that he made a choice one day to draw a circle in the dry ground and kneel in that circle and pray to God to send rain. Not just any rain - rain that would soak them to the core of their beings - not only to bring the rain that they needed, but also bring them the hope that had left them long ago.

I love how Mark describes Honi's posture of prayer:

"It wasn't just the volume of his voice, it was the authority of his tone. Not a hint of doubt. This prayer didn't originate in the vocal chords. Like water from an artesian well, the words flowed from the depth of his soul. His prayer was resolute yet humble, confident yet meek, expectant yet unassuming."

This kind of prayer resonates in my heart!! I want to be like this eccentric sage Honi.

Some quotes from the book:

- God is still looking for circle makers.

- Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers.

- Circle Makers have a sanctified stubborn streak. (As I write this, I remember when I was a teenager my dad telling me that he thought God would use my persistence and stubbornness for good. But at the time I was driving him crazy)

- Circle Makers are history makers.

- Sometimes faith seems like a denial of reality.

- Faith is the willingness to look foolish.

- In order to experience a miracle, you have to take a risk. And one of the most difficult types of risk to take is risking your reputation. You cannot build God's reputation if you aren't willing to risk yours. (thank goodness Noah was willing to risk his reputation)

- Circle Makers are risk takers.

I could go on an on. Do you believe that the power of a single prayer can change the course of history? I do! Asking others to join in praying with you for specific things on your heart is creating a double circle around the things that God has put on your heart. God created us to need and support each other. One of the best ways that we can do that is in prayer.

- We love a good night's sleep, but sleepless nights are what define our lives. If you're going to bring kings to their knees or shut the mouths of lions, sometimes you need to pull an all-nighter.

Over the last year in Orphan Ministry we have pulled a few all-nighters in prayer. The situation that God led us to in Haiti brought us to our knees. We were desperate for God's mighty right hand to move on this kids behalf. We were totally dependent on Him to part the Red Sea that would see these kids set free from the situation that they were in.

God's mighty right hand did move and the Red Sea opened for these kids to be brought out of the horrible situation they were in - Thank you Lord!!!

While we celebrate and rejoice in what God has done, we rest and wait on Him to lead us according to His will. I don't think we are done praying circles around impossible situations.

Nothing is impossible with God. The things that God has laid on your heart may seem like a distant dream - something totally impossible unless God intervenes.

Don't give up - Be persistent - Press in to God in prayer even when you can't see or feel anything happening. :)

Colossians 4:2

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

Day after Day

Not one of us knows what tomorrow will bring.

Have you ever had something suddenly happen in your life that seemed to change all of your tomorrows? Your view of life, decisions, and sometimes your view of God was now seen through a new filter?

While our view changes, God's does not.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

His Word is true, His Promises are real, His love for us is unchangeable and our confessed sins are cast as far as the east is from the west (Psalms 103:12) . WOW!!! How can we not want to cling to Him knowing how much he cares for us?

This coming year will bring unimaginable joy and unexpected situations and challenges for all of us. God will be right there in the middle of it all if we allow Him to be. He will bring peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:8) and comfort that will sustain and lift us up personally and as the body of Christ (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

This song by Kristian Stanfill - Day after Day speaks to this truth.

No matter what joys, disappointments, victories, hurts, fears come our way in 2011 - God is Faithful ALL of the time!! He is the God of everyday - Rest in His Hope and Love for you as you commit the coming year to Him.

Happy New Year to all of you!! :)

MY SALVATION AND MY HONOR DEPEND ON GOD; HE IS MY MIGHTY ROCK, MY REFUGE. TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES, O PEOPLE; POUR OUT YOUR HEARTS TO HIM, FOR GOD IS OUR REFUGE. PSALM 62: 7-8