HOW TO BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

January 15, 2018

What will you do to make a difference in the world? Today we celebrate a hero, Martin Luther King, Jr., who is one of the best examples of a difference maker—a problem solver. He saw a problem and went after it like his heart depended on it.

What about you? Like MLK, Jr., I’m sure there’s “that thing” in your life that finds you saying, “Someone’s got to do something about that!” It’s not an accident when a problem has captured your heart! God wired you that way and wants YOU to be that “someone” who does something about it! I read once that good problem solvers use a combination of intuition and logic to come up with their solutions. The key word that stuck with me was intuition. As Christians we know intuition is from the Holy Spirit. And, to really hear God, we need to be close to God.

So how did Martin Luther King, Jr. make such a difference? I read an incredible letter he wrote to His barber (yes, his barber, and it was 40 pages long!) and found the answer. He explained, “It often happens that I lose myself in such rich thoughts [literally, "that my thoughts go for a walk"] in one petition of the Lord's Prayer and then I let all other six petitions go. When such rich good thoughts come, one should let the other prayers go and give room to these thoughts, listen to them in silence and by no means suppress them. For here the Holy Spirit himself is preaching and one word of His sermon is better than thousands of our own prayers. Therefore I have often learned more in one prayer than I could have obtained from much reading and thinking.”

So the answer to how He made such a difference? He was close to God. He listened. He disciplined Himself to spend time with God, and God gave him answers.

He couldn’t have done it without God, and you can’t do it without God either. Your intense closeness and intune ear to all that the Holy Spirit is telling you will help you. The beauty is, thanks to Jesus dying on the cross for us, we forever have a “helper” as Jesus explains in John 14:26: “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” Every time I read this in the Amplified Version, the capitalized word “Standby” gives me chills. Is that not the most loving thing God does for us? He is on Standby for us, ready to speak life into our hearts and help us make a difference.

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LIVE IN JOY IN 2018

January 11, 2018

I recently bought a bracelet that reads “live in joy.” I was drawn to it. “Choose Joy” has been stamped on many pieces of jewelry over the years. I can easily wrap my head around the concept of choosing joy, but for some reason “live in joy” was harder.

One day, when I was being still with God (I was actually at the beach on what I like to call “my date with God.” It’s something I put in my planner each week as I set aside time to head to the beach, where I feel especially close to our Creator), it got me thinking about those three words—live in joy. I was sitting on a bench next to some jasmine bushes and this hummingbird came up and started jumping from one flower to the next, looking for some nectar, I presume. It was moving quite frantically from one to the next, like almost haphazardly, giving the impression he wasn’t finding what he was looking for. It got me thinking about my own life and how I, too, jump from one thing to the next—oftentimes just as haphazardly as that hummingbird. Sure I’m joyful along the way, but am I really living in the joy, like really really living in the joy? Or is there more taken for granted than lived in joy? So much frantic living, and for what?

At the end of the day, that frantic way of living is not what gives real joy. Authentic joy, the kind that gives you the peace that surpasses all understanding, is only found in the one true King. That day, I made a promise to myself that when I find myself feeling like that hummingbird, I was going to stop and take a moment with God, and recognize the joy in Him.

Where are you looking for joy? Are you always looking for something sweeter, like that Hummingbird in search of the “perfect” nectar, when really that “something sweeter”—your Heavenly Father—is always with you?

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” LUKE 10:41-42 NIV

 

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GOD'S ONE WORD FOR YOU

December 29, 2017

I used to think choosing one word for the year was so limiting. How could you really narrow down your focus for the entire year in one word? But then I tried it a couple years ago. The first year my word was PEACE. Last year, God gave me the word SEEK and put Matthew 6:33 on my heart . . . “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” It served as the perfect reminder to SEEK God in everything, not just first in the morning, first in all things.

The past couple months God kept weaving the word ABIDE through my days. It would show up in His Word, in a church sermon, a devotion, or through a friend’s wise counsel. And John 15 was everywhere, particularly verse 4: “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.” My prayer is this word will remind me that I cannot do it all on my own, nor do I want to do it all on my own. I love how John Piper explains abiding, “It is trusting in Jesus, remaining in fellowship with Jesus, connecting to Jesus so that all that God is for us in Him is flowing like a life-giving sap into our lives."

I wanted to give you a list of words to help stir your heart for the coming year. BUT, beyond what I’ve written about these words, get intimate with God—ask Him to reveal how He wants you to grow in 2018. Open your Bible and see what seems to jump off the page or repeat itself regularly.

GRACE—a word that will give you permission to give yourself more grace, or perhaps the people around you need more of your grace.

CULTIVATE—a word that symbolizes what a garden needs in order to flourish: tenderness, patience, and time. Who or what needs cultivating in your life? A precious child or friend, a talent or skill? When you are rooted in God, you will be fruitful in all things.

FAVOR—a word that will remind you to look at God’s favor over your life and circumstances throughout the year, being thankful for all that He does in your life.

HOPE—a word that will have you “looking up” when you face hard and uncertain times, knowing that your life isn’t marked by chance, luck, or fate, but by an attentive, wonderful, and personal God who lovingly controls all things.

SEEK—a word that will challenge you to see God in everything, seek more of Him in His Word, seek more of Him in your prayer life, and seek more of Him in your quiet time.

LIGHT—a word that will remind you to shine Jesus’s light brightly in our dark world.

SURRENDER—a word that reminds you to “give it to God” when you realize you are leaning on your own understanding and not His. It will loosen your tight grip on things—reminding you everything is in His hands.

PRESENT—a word that will keep you mindful as you become more conscious of life as it happens, minute by minute, knowing every moment is a gift from God, reminding you to be fully present.

PROMISE—a word to stand upon, keeping you grounded as life fluctuates and feels uncertain, for every single one of God’s promises come true.

GRATITUDE—a word that acknowledges our God is a giving God, not a withholding God, and a tender anticipator of every need. Nothing is too small or ordinary to bring before Him in thanksgiving. And, joy naturally flows from a grateful heart.

SOAR—a word that speaks of great confidence and strength, only made possible by hoping in the Lord. Then, and only then, can you “soar high on wings like eagles,” navigating through life’s twists and turns with renewed strength.

REST—a word that will bring moments of stillness and calm as you realize the source of true rest RESTS on your heavenly Father. Because of Jesus, you don’t have to strive to earn God’s love and approval—a truth to rest your pretty little heads on!

EXPECTANT—a word that will fill you with hope as you eagerly await for provision, healing, or a change in circumstances, trusting that God’s timing is perfect, for it’s never a second too soon or too late.

GROW—a word that will have you looking more and more like Jesus every day. God’s desire is for you to grow in relationship with Him and others, in love and patience,  and in wisdom and knowledge.

LISTEN—a word that has you seeking God before acting, worrying, and jumping to conclusions. What does He want to reveal to you? What does His Word say? The way to truly find out is to be still before Him and . . . listen.

INTENTIONAL—a word that compels you to live-out each day with focus and purpose—making good use of the time God has given you—doing it all to the glory of God.

I am specifically praying God will reveal His "one word" to you that will help grow you closer to Him in 2018! Make sure you are following our Instagram and Facebook feeds next week as we are doing a fun giveaway in regards to YOUR word you choose for 2018!
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