Archives for September 2016

Wait

September 26, 2016

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 KJV

You find yourself at a fork in the road! You are faced with a life changing situation, need, crisis, disaster, decision, incident, Defining Moment, whatever it is that requires God’s guidance and a decision. You need a plan. You need to know the next step. You need answers. If you are a child of God you are praying and listening, referencing the Bible, seeking Godly counsel, making a list of pros and cons, and evaluating the possible outcome of each road. And you get NOTHING! No clear direction. You keep wishing

God would just text you and tell you exactly what to do and right now. Wouldn’t that be nice! I can’t tell you how many times in my life I just needed Him to text me! But, you find yourself waiting with pressure mounting as you feel that something needs to be done but you just don’t know what to do yet. So, you are still praying, still reading your Bible, still listening to Godly counsel, and still waiting! In our microwave society we tend to feel like something needs to happen and right now. We are so impatient; we get anxious or nervous or frustrated. The pressure continues to mount with something “pending” and not having what we need to “fix” it. God’s response, “Be still, and know that I am God! Wait patiently and rest in Me! I’ve got this!”

^“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7 KJV

God has a different time table than we do. Sometimes God says wait. You may be thinking, “But, I need to do something!” The job He has given you right then is to wait. While you are waiting, stop and smell the coffee. Give yourself a chance to slow down, be grateful for your many blessing, and be in the moment. What you need to remember about His timing – it is ALWAYS PERFECT! Let’s take a look at Daniel and a time in his life when he waited in prayer for his people.

Daniel and his people had been oppressed and in turmoil for about 70 years due to sin and rebellion. He went to bat for his people and did a bold thing. He sat himself down and continuously prayed for his people for 21 days. He prayed for them asking for their forgiveness and an end to their oppression. During this time, he ate no pleasant bread, meat, had no wine, and did not anoint himself. For 21 days he mourned, fasted, and waited with no response.

“²In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. ³I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2-3 KJV

Then came day 22. An angel of the Lord came to visit him.

^“5Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: ⁶His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” Daniel 10:5-6 KJV

The angel even explained why there was a delay in his coming before answering Daniel’s plea for help for his people.

^“12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. ¹³But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” Daniel 10:12-14 KJV

Whoa! The first day that Daniel prayed the angel was sent. But, he encountered resistance along the way. The evil spirit that was over the kingdom of Persia tried to block his way and prevent him from completing his job and delivering his message. There was literally a spiritual battle taking place. In fact, God had to send reinforcements – the angel Michael. So, for 21 days a spiritual battle was raging and Daniel was waiting. Daniel, I’m sure at some point in time, had to think that his prayers were not being heard. He had 21 days of fasting, mourning, and no response. Do you think you would have lasted that long or would you have taken matters into your own hands? But, while Daniel was waiting, God was working.

When you are faced with your fork in the road, don’t be in such a big hurry to make something happen that you charge ahead before it’s time. If you do that, you run the risk of messing up what God is working on. While we wait on God’s perfect timing, it is time for us to stay tuned into God. Rest in the fact that while you are waiting, God is working.

^“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7 KJV

Here is the best part about waiting! While you are waiting, God is already working on your behalf! He is setting the stage. He is gathering all the key people to fill all the necessary roles. He is fighting the spiritual battle for you. He may even be calling in reinforcements. He is arranging everything! Now, you can’t see what is going on backstage and may be getting impatient. But don’t! He is orchestrating and directing one of the greatest shows of your life – one worth waiting for! So pray, listen, read your Bible, get Godly counsel, give your situation to God, rest in Him, be grateful and stop and smell the coffee. Release it into God’s hands and stay in tune with Him. This is your Brewing Ground! When His perfect timing has arrived, He will open a door or whisper to your heart the next step. Just rest in God and patiently wait. It is a show worth waiting for!

Let’s Brew – Patiently!

Your Finest Moments

September 19, 2016

Give me just a moment please; I’m going to grab a cup of coffee, or maybe some tea, before we begin. Would you like to join me? 🙂 (Elevator music playing!) OK, I’m glad that you made it back? You know, sometimes you just need a moment to sit down with a cup of coffee or tea (some of you may prefer a soft drink of some sort) and catch your breath, rest, and gather your thoughts. Maybe it’s a moment to reflect, or process something. I know I need these moments! These moments can be therapeutic; they can offer rest and can sooth the soul! Let’s talk about moments.

Life is made up of moments. Some are a literal moment; some even a split second. Some moments are fleeting and go by so quickly; and some seem to last an eternity. Some are good, some bad,

and some are just moments to get the job done. There are moments of joy, sadness, excitement, elation, grief, sorrow, pain, happiness, love, service, and the list goes on. But, you will find that there are particular moments in life that have a greater calling. Moments that have an impact on us as individuals and change our outlook or the course of our life. Moments that inspire greatness or moments of defeat. Moments that take your breath away; realizing God’s grandeur with a particularly beautiful sunset or holding your baby for the first time. Moments that take your breath away because it feels like you were just hit with a ton of bricks. That split second when you hear “the news” as the severity of it registers in your brain: a car accident, a severe life threatening illness, a death, a confession, a situation. These are the moments when you realize that things will never be the same again. These moments can change the direction of our life. Let’s take Mary for instance.

^“30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. ³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31 KJV

Wow, can you imagine getting THAT news. THAT news changes everything! It also carried with it possibly severe consequences for that season in her life, being unmarried but also engaged. Regardless of the consequences and the opposition she would face, she agreed.

^“38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 KJV

And the angel was gone! It was probably all over before she even had a chance to process what was actually happening. Can you imagine her thoughts and emotions those first few moments after the angel left? I would imagine that human nature took over her mind. I can hear her conversation with God, “Wait a second! What just happened? What did I agree to? You want me to do WHAT? Do you know what this means for me?” I would think that was a moment that took Mary’s breath away; a moment when she had to stop and catch her breath? A moment she had to spend with God just letting go and trusting. I would also call this a defining moment. Despite what this would mean for her socially, she agreed. She stepped out in faith and trust in God. She realized that He was with her and He would somehow work it all out. She had to; how else would she make it through this situation! That doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard. So, defining moment – YES! A moment that will forever change the course of, not just her life, but also the world; and yet, it only lasted a moment. BUT, she seized the moment and her moment was the beginning of a journey. Let’s take a look at another defining moment.

Moses had led the children of Israel out into the wilderness of Egypt to deliver them from the grip of Pharaoh. The Pharaoh gathered the Egyptian army and they begin pursing the people of Israel. As the army begins to close-in, the Israelites realize they are trapped and begin to panic, get scared, lose faith, and question. Moses responds:

^“13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. ¹⁴The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14 KJV

Then Moses needed a moment! His human nature was taking over and the reality of the situation caused him to catch his breath. After all, the loss would be so great if he was wrong. So, he took time to pray!

^“15And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:” Exodus 14:15 KJV

God responded! “Stop praying, it’s time to move! Here’s what you will do.”

^“16But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:16 KJV

When Moses got to the waters edge with the Pharaoh’s army hot on their tracks he had to make a decision and take action. There was no turning back; that was certain death. The only option was the sea. Now, in that split second do you think there was a question in his mind? “So – I’m just suppose to put my rod up and stretch it over the sea and we will all be able to cross on dry land?” To believe this, required Moses to step out in faith and trust God. Who else had gone around parting seas before so a whole nation could cross on dry land! So, defining moment – YES! But, he seized the moment and his moment was able to continue the journey for the people of Israel.

Mary and Moses; what defining moments. Both of these individuals faced great opposition while seizing their defining moments. What if they would have given up or not followed through with what God was asking and brewing in them. How would this have changed our world even today.

God will place defining moments in your life. These will not look the same as they did for Mary and Moses. They may not be as grand and world changing with angels, giving birth to the savior of the world, and seas parting – or will they. Regardless, in those moments when you have to catch your breath, when you realize that things will never be the same again, in your defining moments, in the moments that change everything – I challenge you. I challenge you (even in the midst of sadness, grief, or heartbreak) to take a moment to embrace God’s brewing love. Catch your breath and try to think about what your moment could be or what God wants it to be. Seize your moment – good, bad or ugly! Let God use your worst moments to brew you and turn them into some of your finest moments – He will surprise you!

Let’s brew in the moment!

Claim Your Promises!

September 12, 2016

Side Note Before We Begin:

God really laid this on my heart as I have friends, family, and myself in the midst of war. I hope this encourages and blesses you.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 KJV

One day you are jolted by reality. You are still in the middle of your Brewing Ground fighting the longest war of your life. This is not just a battle; this is a war which is composed of multiple battles all revolving around the same situation. You wonder, “Will it ever end?”

You realize that you are exposed in the middle of enemy territory AND with no map. This has you at a huge disadvantage. The enemy knows the area like the back of their hand – you do not. You have no idea where you are. What you do know, is that you are days from civilization. Your adrenaline surges as you realize that your enemy is closing in on your location; you have no idea where you can even take cover. You have been fighting this war for soooo long and are so tired and weary. All you need is a place to take cover, regroup, think, replenish your supplies, rest. You start to panic as you are realizing there is no way out.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 KJV

Then, peace rushes over you as God reaches out to grab your hand to remind you that He is with you. He reminds you that He knows the way out. He made the terrain and knows your enemy. He knows your Brewing Ground; He knows where the enemy is and what their plans are. He knows where to find cover and regroup. God is your only way out. You must grab His hand, close your eyes, and just trust. This is your ONLY option for survival.

“10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” Psalm 66: 10-12 KJV

As God is leading you, He will take evasive measures in order to avoid and lose the enemy. You will go through fire (scorching desert or forest fire) and water (raging river). You may have to climb mountains, trudge through quick sand, or who knows what else. You may feel like you have been through the wringer; and you have – it’s God’s refining fire. As God is taking you through your Brewing Ground to avoid the enemy and survive your war, He is also refining you. Refining you by removing the impurities. God is heating you up to just the right temperature so that He can then transform you into His masterpiece. He is forming and creating; buffing and polishing. But, this takes a toll. During this time, you may grow weary and only God can offer the relief you need. Let Him lead you to His sanctuary for restoration. He will give you rest.

“23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

God will make sure that you not only survive but thrive. He has so many promises that we can hold onto. I am currently in the midst of my own war that has been raging for years now. Through it all, He continues to lay on my heart a particular promise.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV

Please, do not miss the important parts in this verse. He will work ALL things (not some but ALL) for good for those that love Him, His followers, that have a relationship with Him. War has casualties; people get hurt. God will take the terrible in our life and He will use it for good. But, in the middle of it all – you can’t always see that big picture. You have no way of knowing how God can use it all for good. Sometimes, it just doesn’t seem possible. That is why you have to trust Him. The ending of our war may not come when we want it to. It may not look like we think it should. It may not end the way we want. God is so creative! He has a way of weaving things together in our life in such a way that, once you can see it all, it is so amazing. However, it may look very different from what you thought it would. God is not just full of promises, but also surprises!

Has your war ended? Is it just beginning? Or, has it not started yet? The end to my war is not in sight just yet. Lately, I have found myself very weary and wondering if it will ever end. In response to these feeling God continues to remind me that whatever happens, He will use it all for good. In fact, God has recently been whispering a new promise to me.

“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15 KJV

This verse is actually talking about Abraham and God’s promise to give him a son, Isaac. When I came across this verse God whispered something a little different to my heart. He reminded me to be patient and to keep on keeping on. There Is An End! He not only promises that there is an end, but, by continuing on I can claim, with confidence, all of His promises. Until my war ends, I claim the promise that He is with me always! I claim that He will lead me to still waters if I will trust Him; He will give me rest and help restore me when I am weary. I claim that there IS an end and it will be Glorious! Thank You Jesus! Claim Your Promises!

Let’s Brew!

How Will You Use Your Coals?

September 5, 2016

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20 KJV

Who doesn’t love a good campfire! The fun, family, friends, songs, stories, and s’mores – what’s not to love! Did I mention s’mores? So, let’s talk about the fire; the most important part that makes it all possible. Think about the science of fire for a minute. First of all, the fire must be started; this is sometimes the hardest part. Once started, the fire burns. As it continues to burn, it develops coals. Coals are defined as “glowing, charred, or burned pieces of wood or other combustible substance”. If you have ever been to a campfire or seen a fire in a fire pit or fireplace, then you have witnessed the wonder of coals. The coals, these seemingly insignificant charred remains, are essentially

the heart of the fire. This is what produces the necessary heat to keep the fire going as new wood is added, while also cooking and providing warmth.

In a society of convenience and technology, we take for granted how vital fire was for survival long ago; this is still the case in parts of the world today. However, caution is advised! Fire Burns! If care is not taken when dealing with fire, it can cause serious damage to yourself or property. Fire can be devastatingly destructive. However, this damage does also carry with it some benefits. Take for instance forest fires. Naturally occurring forest fires are a part of nature. These fires can quickly destroy acres of land. But, what happens after the initial devastation is what we want to focus on. As the fire burns, it also destroys any disease or pests that are currently damaging the forest. These fires provide the soil with new nutrients. Where there used to be very thick brush and trees, now there is sunlight. These new nutrients and sunlight pave the way for new growth. This offers the forest the opportunity for renewal and a new start. Fire – vital to survival, can be devastating, offers opportunity for renewal and new life – Hmmm. Keeping this in mind let’s read the verse again.

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20 KJV

When there is a heated situation between you and your enemy, without a doubt, there is a fire raging which is producing coals. How will you use those coals? When first reading this verse, we tend to want to quickly skip over give your enemy food and drink and go straight to heap coals of fire on their head. I hear it now, “Yes, revenge; someone is finally speaking my language!” (You know revenge has crossed your mind.) Don’t get too excited yet! This verse does NOT give permission to set your enemy on fire! (Now, I hear all your sad sighs.) This is not the route to take; even if we are talking about your arch enemy. I can hear your next response, “But she deserves it; you don’t know what she did to me!” No, no I don’t – but God does; and He knows how to handle it perfectly. In this verse God tells us to give our enemies food when they are hungry and a drink when they are thirsty. Regardless of what they have done, God is calling us to bless them. Let’s look at another verse to double check.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45 KJV

Oh Man! Again with blessing our enemies! Well, why would Romans 12:20 talk about heaping coals of fire on our enemies head then? Look closely at the verses; we can find God’s true meaning. It is clear from these verses that God calls us to bless our enemies. If we are obedient, and do this as instructed, God will use our blessings to heap coals of fire on our enemies’. Our job is to bless; it’s God’s job to start the fire. He uses our blessings to set our enemies’ hearts on fire. This is His refining fire for them, so that He may brew something special in their lives. Don’t think for a second that He is not also using His refining fire on us too. Are you kidding – blessing your enemies! That is very easy to say and very hard to do. Especially if you are doing it with a happy heart. OH, I just said it – with a Happy Heart! If we serve our enemies their food and drink with hatefulness, anger, and disrespect – we just doused God’s refining fire with tons of water. Blessing our enemies with a happy heart has us right in the middle of God’s refining forest fire on our own brewing ground. So, how do we get to the point where we can bless our enemies with a happy heart you might ask? You may not be able to do this right away. Matthew 5:44 offers insight about what to do in these situations – Pray!!! Pray for them and keep praying for them! God will begin to brew heart change in you to get you to a place where you can bless with a happy heart. While praying, also ask Him to reveal how He wants you to bless them. Then, pray some more!!

Fire – vital to survival, can be devastating, offers opportunity for renewal and new life. How will you use your fire’s coals? They are vital to the survival of your current enemy situation. Will you throw them at your enemy in revenge and cause devastation? Or, will you give them to God to use for His good, to foster new life. God can and will use this fiery situation as His refining fire to brew something special in them…and you? You might even find that new life has been fostered and your enemy is now a friend. Next step, share s’mores!

Let’s Brew!