Kitchen Reminder

I sometimes get so very caught up in the ordinary every-day jobs, feeling overwhelmed by the tasks that “keep me from” my greater calling. Too often I forget that my greatest calling is within smallest responsibilities, as I take every thought captive, and train every muscle to the glory of God. How many times I forget that the God of the atoms orchestrates even the smallest jobs for my growth and His glory. May I remember Him and extol Him in the mundane, in the every-day, in the boring corners of my daily routine.

This is my kitchen reminder today:

In creating a home, build a sanctuary. Establish the corners of your dwelling on the foundation of Christ and live each moment as if you are breathing in the glory of the Holy of Holies.

For that is your current position: you rest in the closeness of God Himself, and the Shekinah Glory oversees your every menial task as an offering to the Almighty.

Train your heart and hand to work WILLINGLY and with JOY, knowing that, as you build a home, you shape a generation and influence a civilization, thus reflecting the Redeemer upon the canvas of eternity.

Abide In The Shadow: Does Psalm 91 Belong To Me?

“He who dwells in the shelter of the most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

Psalm 91 is a psalm of protection, one that has been a balm to God’s people for the last 3500 years.  Starting with the iconic words, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty,” the passages continues on with the promise of refuge and safety in the time of trouble. 

Though Psalm 91 is ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Matt 4:6), we can rest in these promises for ourselves today, as every promise from God is a “yes” in Christ for us (2 Cor 1:20, paraphrased).  Every promise God has ever given to His people has been fully realized and fulfilled in Jesus and, in Christ and through Christ, these promises are made available to us (Eph 2:12-13).  As Paul Carter put it, “Psalm 91 belongs to Jesus, and I belong to Jesus, therefore Psalm 91 belongs to me!”

Many people read through the psalm and “claim the riches of protection” over their lives, expecting financial security, circumstantial comfort, and liberation from evil men.  This is not AT ALL what Psalm 91 offers! We are not promised that we will avoid every hard thing, but simply that we do not have to FEAR them.  We will not be ABANDONED to them.

Just because we find our home in the castle of a Mighty King does not negate the fact that the King’s enemies will continue to attack the fortress. In fact, the attacks towards us will be more highly concentrated BECAUSE we are the King’s servants.  AND YET.

“As long as I know my trials are limited and approved by Jesus Christ, I am content.”  (Paul Carter)

Because He covers you, we can rest in knowing that nothing will ever come into your life that has not first been ordained and commissioned by God to work His will and plan for your life and His glory.

Continue to pray Psalm 91 over yourself and your loved ones, but realize this: it is not a ward of protection, or a spell of enchantment, or even a promised that can be claimed by anyone.  No.  There are very specific recipients of this protective grace.  The prerequisite to the rich protection is that we KNOW GOD.  “I will protect him, because HE KNOWS MY NAME.” 

Friend, do you truly KNOW God?  Do you understand the calling offered in the person of Christ for your salvation?  If you truly know God in the work He has done through the ages, in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and in the furthering work of the Holy Spirit in your life, then God has issued this promise to you: “When [you] call to me, I will answer [you]; I will be with [you] in trouble; I will rescue [you] and honor [you]. With long life I will satisfy [you] and show [you] my salvation.” (v15-16)

If you do not know God, call to Him!  He is near, and He will answer you. If you don’t know where to start, and you have questions, it would be my delight to share the truths of joy and abundance found in a Jesus-filled life. 

(Further reading:  https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/psalm-91-belong/)

Blessings From Heaven

I should be used to it by now.  But I’m not.  The novelty should have worn off, but, well, it’s still there. There’s something incredible about Jesus’ goodness- it’s NEVER tiring.  Despite its consistency, it’s still amazing.  The stalwart faithfulness of our Jesus is mind-blowing and will never get old.

Once again, Jesus had brought us to a financial place where we simply couldn’t take care of our own needs.  Rent?  Not sure where that will come from.  Lights? Food? Toilet paper?  Um… nope.  No idea how to get those.  It was to the point that, due to a miscalculation, my card was declined at the grocery store.  Oh, how embarrassing!!  I was so blessed to have a sweet friend cover me for that transaction, as there was no way I could make it happen.  

In our nearly eight years of marriage, we have walked this particular path many times.  So I knew in my heart of hearts that we would be cared for.  As long as we were faithful with what we knew to be true, and were good stewards with which we were entrusted, Jesus would take care of the rest.  I assumed that I would pick up some extra voice over jobs, or that my husband would load up on overtime, and we’d be set.  I had a plan, assuming that Jesus would do something ‘normal’ for a change.  

But I didn’t see it coming.  I never do.  Through the years, sometimes the provision showed up as a twenty-dollar bill taped to our car’s window.  Other times it’s a bag of groceries left as a ding-dong-ditch. And then, several times, we’ve been personally loved on by a dear friend, pressing money into our hands, saying, “This is a gift. It’s from Jesus; I’m merely the messenger.”

I remember the first time a saint handed me money in a time of financial need.  It was when my proud heart hated the thought of being indebted to anyone, and I attempted to refuse.  I don’t remember who it was, but to this day, I can still see her eyes.  Soft, blue, intense.  They were sharp and bright and very kind but, as she spoke, they became steely and strong.  

“Don’t you dare refuse this,” she admonished me. “We are called to be generous, and to give to others.  How am I able to obey that command if you won’t accept my gift?!  If you tell me ‘no,’ then you will be ROBBING ME OF A BLESSING.”

She was right.  We’ve had a handful of chances to be generous to others, and each time we have reaped far more than we sowed.  If for no other reason, I needed to accept the help of others for their sakes.  If I truly loved them, then I would rejoice in allowing them to experience the sweet blessing that follows obedience in exercising a generous heart.  (In a similar realization, each month that we are faithful to tithe what little income we have, and use the rest wisely and frugally, Jesus has never let us overdraw our account.  The more impossible it is for us to succeed, the more clearly we see Jesus working on our behalf.)

This time around, Jesus cared for us by way of his children, as He so often does.  An anonymous check, delivered via our church, provided the funds necessary to cover all our needs.  I was puzzled when it was handed to me, expecting the envelope to hold a reimbursement of sorts.  When I opened it, however, tears immediately jumped to my eyes.  Yet again, when I was least expecting it, my faith was supercharged and expanded.

Friend, is there an area in your life that you struggle to give entirely to Jesus?  Is your faith weak and feeble?  Please take this story and be encouraged by just one of the numerous ways Jesus has cared for our family, and know that He is that very same Savior to you.