Tag Archives: Devotion & Inspiration

Be Present

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Yesterday I promised to share one of my go to verses this year. I remember I was in a Rosen Centre hotel room in Orlando at a business meeting reading my devotion for the day and I came across this verse as I was searching for a new memory verse for the month. I thought it was for one of my memorization partners at the time, but as it turns out, it was for me too. OK, it was probably mainly for me.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Isa. 43:18-19

Forget the former things? The past? Yesterday? We really like holding on to the past, especially the good things…but the life of the past is static – not reversible. I don’t advocate not dealing with the past’s wounds or not celebrating the past’s successes, but we must move ahead. Live and give in the present. Listen for the ‘new thing’ – the ‘now thing’ – for who you can help or mentor, for the call you can make, for the steps you can take. Nineteen year old, Katie Davis of Amazima Ministries, said (paraphrased) ‘Courage is not about knowing the path but taking the first step…getting out of the boat.’

When I said I’d be talking about this verse today I had no idea that the theme of the Catalyst Conference 2011 is ‘Be Present’. I’m glad I dropped in as an online guest.

It is challenging to have the courage to Be Present.  As Joel Houston said today at Catalyst, ‘When you feel out of your comfort zone or uneasy, it’s a perfect time for God to do what only HE can do.‘

I want to get out of the boat each day. What about you?

Strength Through Difficulties

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When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. Peter Marshall

Some day’s difficulties, well, they can just tear us down. While I often am the first to want to deny that I’m really spent and all washed up, I think these are the times I have the greatest opportunity of growth in faith and dependence on God – the One who knows all.

Recently I’ve had a number of health issues. I’ve been miraculously stable as a quadriplegic for so many years…this stability has been challenged by some nagging, so far undiagnosed, persistent, GI issues. The diagnosis is complicated by my mobility issues. Test after test reveal the same wonderful news, ‘No problems’, the medical professionals report, with their upbeat voices. My heart is conflicted as I’m grateful nothing ‘terrible‘ is discovered and I realize many people face challenging reports about their health, and family members’ health every day. In the past two days I learned about an 8th grade cheerleader who lost her leg, a young dad who had brain cancer and passed on, a friend’s dog who has terminal cancer, and a 56 year old Steve Jobs who lost his life due to complications from pancreatic cancer.

… it seems selfish, but I desperately want answers for my issues.

My personal scenario sparks an area of growth for me. It is an opportunity to hunker down in prayer, not only for myself, but for so many others who have serious and pressing issues far greater than I can imagine. It’s an opportunity to realize that hardships give birth to new things – fresh new things – which can often bring greater significance to our lives. I have a related favorite verse that I’ve held onto in recent months that I’ll share tomorrow, but for now, I’ll leave you with a little ‘faith’ challenge to think on in your time of need – let’s face it, we all have the tough times in our lives…

…Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Conquer

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“Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it… that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.”

– Dale Carnegie

Carnegie’s principle got me before I believed it.  He had great insights in so many areas.  My initial appreciation for him came through his renowned bestseller How to Win Friends and Influence People.

Indirectly, I learned more from him than my mind realized.  My experience with facing my fear of public speaking through participation in Toastmasters had a profound impact on my confidence and competence in communications and relationships.

Conquering fear often requires some bravery to step ahead with the difficult emotion and do the very thing we fear.  My trust in God and reliance on Him and his word bring peace in the midst of fear.

Praying you conquer your fears today.  -Madge

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  Psalm 91:1-5

Good For More Than The Brain

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In past years I liked to take on a chapter of scripture.  Just one chapter…not two or three…to memorize and master.  It’s a habit my pastor started us on years back.  Well, I guess we sometimes get bored of a routine and need a change because I noticed myself getting lazy about my focus on my memory work for a few years.  That is why I was excited to jump on a new system for the year…I joined up with one of my favorite teacher’s blog followers to memorize two verses a month.  I sent out an email to recruit friends to do it with me, and two responded.  One of them is still working on it with me, but I’m hoping for more next year.

Maybe you will consider joining me.  It’s a ‘pick your own verse’ situation – although you would be welcome to join me in my verse.  My friend, Naomi, let’s me choose, she’s a better delegator than I am.  In fact, it’s time for me to pick a new verse…ahhh let’s see…OK, I’m back…

All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
Psalm 38:9 NIV

Come on, join me, if not now, in January 2012.  Good for the brain and good for the spirit and soul.