Trials Archives – Brewing Ground

Facing Giant Life

January 30, 2017

Giant Life

Well, let’s face it, life happens. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes awful, and sometimes full of giants. Now, I know that there has been or will be giants in your life. Whether it is a giant mountain you have to climb, a giant illness, giant situations, giant decisions, giant changes, or an actual giant. My point is…giant will happen. This is our Brewing Ground. This is where God’s refining fire and life come together for our good. To refine us like silver and create a beautifully, unique masterpiece; hand forged by God Himself. So, when giant happens what do we need to know? Let’s learn from the story of David and Goliath.

David and Goliath is one of those Bible stories that we learn as children. When I went back and actually read the story, God pointed out several small but very significant details that don’t necessarily get mentioned in the story we hear as children. These details were the ones that God used to whisper his message.

David Enters the Picture

Saul is currently king over Israel. Throughout his reign, he has continually sinned and rejected God. Now, God has rejected him and his line of descendants from being king over Israel any longer. As 1 Samuel 16 begins, God puts His plan into motion to change the reign of Saul’s line as king. God sends Samuel to declare and anoint the new king.

“16 And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 16:1 KJV

So, Samuel went and looked at each of the sons and rejected each. He asked if there was any other son. The youngest was in the field with the sheep; Samuel told the father to bring him. This is where David makes his debut in the Bible.

“¹²And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. ¹³Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:12-13a KJV

God allowed Saul to remain king until his death. God used this time to prepare David to be king.

David’s Wisdom

Now, a war began between Saul’s army, the Israelites, and the Philistines. War strategy then was to have each army send its strongest warrior to fight each other. The Philistines had a giant in their army, Goliath; he was 10 feet tall. The war was at a standstill because no one from the Israelite army would fight him.

David’s brothers were members in the Israelite army while David remained home to tend to the sheep. David’s father sent him to the battle to take food to his brothers and the other troops. Once he arrived, he found out what was going on. David responded,

“…or who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26b KJV

David was the only one who seemed to remember that they were God’s army. He told Saul that he would go and fight the giant. Saul responded by saying that he could not win because he was only a boy. David responds,

“³⁴Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: ³⁵And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. ³⁶Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. ³⁷David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.” 1 Samuel 17:34b-37 KJV

David’s Battle

So, Saul tried to lend David his armor and swords; but they were too big for him. David knew they would be the death of him and removed them. David once again used wisdom by going into battle with what he was proficient with, despite the opposition; he took 5 smooth stones and his sling.

After being threatened by Goliath, David responded.

“⁴⁵Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. ⁴⁶This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee;” 1 Samuel 17:45-46a KJV

And, the battle began. As the giant headed for David,

“⁴⁹And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. ⁵⁰So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. ⁵¹Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

” 1 Samuel 17:49-51 KJV

Well, it was over and before it even began! However, did you catch the fact that the stone actually sunk into Goliath’s forehead? Think about the force and power needed to make a small stone actually crush skull and sink into the bone with a sling shot! Only divine assistance could produce these extreme results.

Facing Giant Life

So, when giant happens – here’s what we need to know?

David KNEW that God was with him so he would not fail. God is with us!
Even though David was young, he knew that God had PREPARED him. You may think the lion and bear are the giants, when in reality, these are only the preparation. Either way, rest assured that God will prepare you.
Even the smallest things can be so powerful and have a huge impact when used by God.

Can you remember a time when God prepared you for a giant or used something small in a very powerful way? Comment Below!

If this Monday Brew has blessed you please share!

Let Brew in Victory!

Will You Trust or Question?

January 24, 2017

The Question

How can you do everything right and how can everything go so wrong? Welcome to your Brewing Ground! Let’s face it, sometimes this happens in life. This can be the case in any number of situations. Things can go wrong when you do everything right with smaller moments; or, this can happen with major life altering situations or events. Why is this? That is the real question. There could be a number of reasons why things don’t work or go as planned. Let’s explore these ideas a bit.

The Muffins

Let’s begin by looking at a smaller situation. Let’s say that you have decided to make some muffins. You search and find a recipe. Next, you gather all your ingredients. You make sure to follow the instructions in the recipe. Once you pull them from the oven you realize they look nothing like the picture. Well, that doesn’t matter if they taste good. So, on to the taste test. OHHH – They are awful! The question now arrises – What went wrong?

Being perplexed by this situation you go back over the recipe; maybe you missed something. Now, this is where you will see a natural division form. The first group will find that maybe there was an ingredient left out, or the muffins were baked at the wrong temperature, or they didn’t get mixed well, the list goes on. In this instance it may be operator error. Now, for the second group. After checking, all the ingredients are present and accounted for. You even followed the directions exactly. So, what went wrong? Well, sometimes there is just a bad recipe. It happens! Unfortunately, not all recipes are good recipes. Either way, despite our best efforts things went wrong but for different reasons.

The Life Changer

There can also be major life changing situations in which you can do everything right and everything can still go wrong. Job is a perfect example of this. In the Bible, the entire book of Job tells the tragic, yet glorious, story about the life of a man named Job. Job contains 42 chapters. Every chapter’s focus is on one particular life changing event in Job’s life when he did everything right but everything went wrong.

Job’s Story

Job was a Godly man. He had a wife and 10 children. Job was a very prosperous farmer owning thousands of livestock and having many servants. Job had it all, family, friends, wealth, possessions, and prestige; he was the most famous and wealthiest in all the land (Job 1:3). He also built his life on God. It all began in Chapter 1. Satan came to God and claimed that Job only loved and trusted God because he had everything; he said that Job would not feel the same if had nothing. Satan asked God if he could test Job. God’s response,

^“12And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.” Job 1:12 KJV

Quick Side Note: Did you catch what this verse is really saying. GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

Satan tested Job in a very serious way. In one fail swoop Job lost ALL his children, livestock, and servants. Wow! Talk about a bad day!! But, Job still loved and praised God. God allowed Satan to further test Job with extreme physical pain. He still remained faithful! Now, Job’s friends heard of all what happened and came to be with him. All this only takes us through Job 2.

Job 3 begins the discussions between Job and his friends about his situation. These conversations take us all the way through Job 37. You will find a natural division here also. During these conversations Job’s friends question him. His friends believe that all Job’s tragedy was caused by sin; they urged him to confess. However, Job continued to defended his innocence. While his friends questioned that he was missing something, he knew that he had done everything right. Job knew that there was another reason this was all happening to him.

The Visit

Job 38 through 42 tells about Job’s next visitor – God! God finally spoke through a mighty storm. During His conversation, God addressed Job.

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, ²Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” Job 38:1-2 KJV

God himself had a conversation with Job – Woah! This conversation actually consisted of questions for Job about the natural world. His point was to demonstrate that we do not even have a full understanding of our natural world. How could we possibly be able to understand why bad things still happen when we do everything right – we can’t. God’s point was that it is more important to trust than understand. We may never be able to fully understand. But, God does heal and restore.

“¹⁰And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10 KJV

God gave Job twice as much as he had before. He also blessed him with more children.

Biblical Truth

Even when we do everything right, things can still go very wrong. That is, wrong in our view. God has a plan and purpose to use these situations for our good. This is the whole reason for our Brewing Ground. Will you question God or trust Him?

Let’s Brew in Trust!

Have you experienced a situation like this in your life? Comment Below!

Powerful Moments From Small Gestures

January 9, 2017

Will You Meet Me For Coffee?

Hello sweet friends! Will you meet me for coffee? Let’s chat! Sometimes we forget or underestimate how much power even the smallest things can have. A hug, a kind word, a coffee, a listening ear, a prayer, a note, even just a smile. When used by the Holy Spirit, the smallest of gestures have the potential to impact people in a very powerful way; ways we may never know or could even imagine. These gestures hold great power and potential to have a profound impact on someone’s day or maybe even their life. I’d like to tell you a story about a friend and one of these gestures.

God has truly blessed me. He has given me the privilege of teaching with a great group of Godly individuals. People that I truly enjoy. Not only do I get to work with these lovely people, I also have the privilege of calling them friends. Throughout my years of teaching at this school there have been so many prayers, smiles, hugs, kind words, and so on. This is what we do for each other. Recently, God reminded me of a single powerful sentence that a sweet friend said to me one time. This was one of those small underestimated things that the Holy Spirit used in a powerful way.

A Look Back

I have been in a war on my Brewing Ground for years now. It has been the longest and hardest war I have ever had to fight; and, it’s still not over. Almost 2 years ago, there was an extra intense battle that begun in this war. On a particularly rough day, one of my sweet teaching friends came into my room at the end of the school day. She knew nothing about my situation or what was going on; however, she could tell that something was off. All she did was walk up to me and say, “I’m praying that whatever is falling apart will start falling back together.”

This was a powerful moment for me. My friend may not have realized it, but God used this gesture. To her it was probably just a small thing to let me know that she cared and was praying. However, God used this brief moment. For one, He used this to remind me that He is always with me. He also reminded me that I have the support of friends and family. I also believe this was God’s way a giving me a prayer warrior for my situation; even though she didn’t really know what she was praying for. Since then, I have been reminded of this friend’s sentence a few times. A sentence that held underestimated power. I doubt, at the time, she thought I would still be thinking about this sentence almost 2 years later. In fact, if I were to ask her about it today she may not even remember this. Little did we know at the time, but God was also planting a “revelation” seed in me.

Powerful Revelation

“I’m praying that whatever is falling apart will start falling back together.”

This was the prayer of a friend almost 2 years ago. More recently, my battle has intensified and it has felt like everything is actually falling apart and God brought this prayer to my mind again. THEN…the other day I stumbled upon a quote. There are times when you read a quote and it is just a quote. Then, there are times when you read something and the Holy Spirit grabs your heart and you know that it is much more than a quote – it’s a message. This was one of those times.

“Sometimes when things are falling apart they may actually be falling into place.”

A powerful moment, a message for me. When I read it, God used it. He immediately brought back to mind that prayer and put the two together with my situation and His word for a powerful revelation. It was almost as if God said, “OK Vanessa, we are now entering ‘Phase 2’ of this battle. It’s time to change your thinking and strategy. You can do this. Everything is actually falling into place. Remember My truths…”

^“7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. ⁸The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever.” Psalm 138:7-8a KJV

“Next…”

^“28And 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

“And…”

^“9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 KJV

Powerful! I claim it in Jesus name!

The Ending

Well, I have no idea yet when or how this is going to end. I do know that it’s not going to be easy; I am still in the midst of the battle. There is no way to tell what God is going to do in “Phase 2”. I’m sure it will be something that I never even thought of. But, God already knows the ending! I claim that the pieces are actually falling into place! Whatever the ending is, it will be glorious!

God, thank you for my Brewing Ground, and your refining fire. Thank you that I will emerge from the fire victorious!

So, I challenge you this week to not pass up the opportunity to share those small gestures with those around you. You never know when one might be used by the Holy Spirit and turned into a powerful life changing moment.

Let’s Brew!

Has God ever used a small gesture that someone did for you in a powerful way? Comment below!

New Years Challenge – Will You Accept?

January 2, 2017

Happy New Year

Well, 2017 is here! Each new year always brings with it the excitement and anticipation of the great things that will happen that year (or at least we hope). A chance to start new. An opportunity for change. A chance to do things differently. In anticipation of doing things differently we set New Years resolutions. But, Wait! We are so quick to rush into what’s next that we sometimes fail to reflect on what has been. There is value to be found in 2016! Before we move into 2017, let’s stop and reflect. Where did your Brewing Ground take you? Did you have a great year? Was it a challenge? For some of you, challenging may be the understatement of the century. Regardless of how your year went, I challenge you to find the good in all of it – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is there!

Finding Value

It is easy to find the good in the good things. But, can you find the good in the challenges?

“²⁸And 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

Romans 8:28 reminds us that ALL THINGS (even every trial) will be used for our good. Maybe your good is the fact that you survived! The word surviving will hold different meanings for different people depending on the situation. Regardless of what you survived…Praise God – to Him be the glory! You wouldn’t have made it through without Him.

Surviving the challenges and trials of our Brewing Ground holds great value! Let’s reflect! What did you learn from it? What did you learn about yourself? How did it change you? Did you experience God in a new way? How did it change your relationship with God? Were you able to find the good in your challenges and trials? Reflect UNTIL you find the good in the challenges of 2016. Now, thank God for these blessings. Once you have found the good in the challenging parts of last year, then you are ready to think about 2017.

^“10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:10 KJV

Take the renewed you into 2017 armed with the knowledge that God gave you through surviving 2016.

Brewing Ground

It may be a fantastic year for you or it may be full of challenges. In any case, I believe that whatever you face will be what you allow God to make it. You have to choose whether or not to find the good in your circumstances. This is our Brewing Ground; the place where God uses life and the good and bad we face as his refining fire to brew something special in us and refine us into a beautifully unique masterpiece.

^“19Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 KJV

God used this verse to remind me that there is always hope while we are in the midst of our Brewing Ground. He can clear a path through thick forest or mountains and put rivers in the midst of our desert to help make the way easier and provide for our needs. God is always with us using every part of our life for good.

“46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ²Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. ⁴There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. ⁵God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” Psalm 46:1-5 KJV

New Years Challenge

So, 2017 holds great potential. We all have goals and plans; things we want to do, things we want to change. Some of you may have plans for new adventures. Some may have plans for transition and change. This is the whole point of New Years resolutions. To set goals and make plans for what we want to change. So, after reflecting on last year, I challenge you enter the new year with prayer! Pray about what God would have you plan and change. What does He want your resolutions to include? Pray about the upcoming year and what lies ahead – your Brewing Ground. Next, pray some more!

New Years Resolutions – I challenge you to reflect on last year. Then, consult God on His resolutions for you. Be very intentional and thoughtful in what you plan for yourself so that it is in line with God’s plan for you. Write them down. If you happen to get off track – it’s ok! Just start again. You DO NOT have to wait until next January. Anytime is a great time for meaningful change!

^“17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

When There Are No Words! Holy Spirit Series – Part 3

November 28, 2016

Sometimes there are no words. There may be a moment you can remember when something so tragic and heart breaking happened in the life of a dear friend, family member, or even your life. Were you there at that moment? Did you see it happen or were you there when they heard “the news”. In that very moment was there anything you could do or say to “make it better” or go away? Not really. What can you say in those moments? Or, was it you that experienced something so tragic and heart breaking in your life? A moment that took your breath away,

that paralyzed you in an instant, when reality hit you like a ton of bricks. There are no words to even explain the devastation or heartbreak you experienced. A moment when there are just no words.

When There Are No Words

Maybe you’ve had, or will have, times in life when you just have no words to describe what you are feeling and experiencing. You have no clue what to say, pray, or even how to begin; it’s simply unexplainable. We know from Part 1 in this series that if we have asked Jesus into our heart, He sends the Holy Spirit to live within us to help us. Thank You Jesus! This is the only way to survive the moments when there are no words. This brings us to Part 3 in the series on jobs of the Holy Spirit, intercessor.

^“26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 KJV

Paul, the author of Romans, confirms in Verse 26 that there are times when we just do not know how or what to pray – there are no words. In these situations, the Holy Spirit intercedes with prayer on our behalf. The verse states that His prayers, for our infirmities, are groanings that we can not understand. What exactly falls into the category of infirmities in this verse?

Physical Help

We see that Verse 26 begins by stating the Holy Spirit helps us with our infirmities by interceding for us. The word used for infirmities in this verse was derived from the Greek word meaning weakness, illness, or infirmity. Living in a broken world sometimes leads to broken bodies. Sometimes, with physical issues there are no words. Our pain is too great, or we may not know what is causing the problem. Maybe, we do not even know there is a problem yet. However, the Holy Spirit does know; He lives inside us. He is already working on our behalf and praying for us when there are no words.

Heart Help

Living in a broken world doesn’t just lead to broken bodies, but also those moments that cause a broken heart. As I was researching this topic, I kept coming back to the idea that heartbreak is also a weakness or illness. I wanted to check this idea; so, I kept researching. God led me to these verses.

“³He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds…⁵Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:3, 5 KJV

So, a broken heart IS an infirmity which even has wounds to bind. Those of you that have lived through a moment when there are no words can attest to this. So, the Holy Spirit works as an intercessor for us. He prays for us when we don’t even know where to begin. Verse 5 continues by stating that God hears, understands completely, and has the power to bind and heal our wounds.

So, in Romans 8:26-27 Paul explains that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf in times of weakness. I love what he says in the very next verse.

^“28And 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

If you are a child of God, everything in your life is all working together for your good – even the bad. This is how your Brewing Ground works. God brings you through your battleground of life to refine you, remove your “impurities”, and transform you to create a beautiful masterpiece. Yes, there is hope!

Let’s Put It All Together

Let’s take a look at the jobs of the Holy Spirit we have studied so far. In a moment when there are no words, immediately, the Holy Spirit begins interceding for you. He is praying for you and saying what you can’t. While He is interceding for you, He is also comforting you. Part 1 in this series focused on the Holy Spirit’s job as comforter. You are being wrapped in love and the arms of God. The Holy Spirit uses these two jobs together; comforter and intercessor, they go hand in hand. As this is happening, God hears, understands, and begins to administer first aid by binding and healing your wounds. When the time is right, the Holy Spirit begins to teach you something. Part 2 in the series focused on the Holy Spirit as a teacher. This is how God begins to purify you and use even the bad in life for good.

In those moments when you have no words, meet God for coffee or tea. His coffee shop NEVER closes. Read your Bible. Sit there still and quiet in the presence of God. Let the Holy Spirit intercede for you. Allow God to minister to your heart and heal your wounds. In those moments when there are no words, there is still hope. There is always hope with Jesus.

Let’s Brew in God’s Coffee Shop!

Can you remember a time in your life when there were no words? Comment below!

Where Do You Find Your Comfort? Holy Spirit Series – Part 1

November 14, 2016

The Trip

^“18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18 KJV

I will never forget a weekend trip my family took. We stayed at a very nice hotel. This particular hotel had a great atmosphere; it was such a neat place. Then, (Dun, Dun, Duuun) it was time for bed. The beds were so hard we might as well have been sleeping on a concrete floor. There was no comfort to be found! Needless to say, we did not sleep; my entire body hurt. We were miserable all night. Furthermore, don’t you know this set the tone for us all to have a great day the next day – exhausted and hurting! Fantastic!! You might think if you are staying at an expensive hotel they could afford comfortable beds – right? Well, not this one!

Then, the following day came our dreaded second night! In fact, we actually

considered switching rooms or hotels or even leaving that night. But (sigh), we stayed. Of course, another terrible night. So, no matter how great the facility is, you better believe we will never stay there again!! As a result, it makes you wonder how this hotel is able to stay in business. I don’t see how they would have any return business! So, you can imagine our relief to return home to our own beds.

Returning Home

There is just nothing like curling up in your own bed! The comfort and relief your own bed provides is unrivaled. When you are exhausted after a long, hard, busy day – this is where you want to be. When you are physically sick or injured – this is where you want to be. This is where you go to find rest, healing, and restoration. Also, when you are emotionally injured – this is where you want to be. You don’t want to be in just any bed; you want to be in YOUR bed! No other bed can compare. For instance, other beds do not provide the same comfort, rest, and healing as your own. They just don’t!

The Bible Says

^“15If ye love me, keep my commandments. ¹⁶And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 KJV

God will give us a Comforter that will live with us forever; He will not leave us comfortless. I was intrigued and wanted to know more. When I began researching this verse, I found that two different words are used in the Bible for the word comforter. First, is a Hebrew word which means to actually comfort or console. It is used as a verb, the act of comforting. However, this is not the one used here in this verse. The word for comforter used in this verse is Greek and means counselor, helper, one who encourages and comforts. This word uses comforter as a noun; the Holy Spirit IS a comforter. So, as I continued my research, I found something interesting.

Jesus Teaches

There are only four times in the Bible where comforter, from the Greek word meaning one who encourages and comforts, is used. Every instance was in the book of John. In fact, every instance also happened to be the words of Jesus. Each time, comforter was actually part of a conversation that Jesus was having with His disciples when He was teaching and preparing them for what was to come after His death, resurrection, and ascension. So, lets look at the other 3 verses.

^“26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, … ²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 KJV

^“26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” John 15:26 KJV

^“⁷Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7 KJV

Wrapped In Comfort

In all four verses Jesus is telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit is the comforter (one who encourages and comforts). John 14:15-18 refers to the fact that only those individuals that know Jesus and have asked Him into their heart will receive the Holy Spirit which will live inside them – comforting them. Now, this is what God whispered to my heart and how I wove all this together.

The moment you ask Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you. This is your comforter; He is your heart’s “bed” with all your favorite blankets and pillows. Once this happens, God and the Holy Spirit immediately wrap you and your heart in love, help, and comfort. This is where your heart gets rest, healing, and restoration. This is one of the many jobs of the Holy Spirit; to comfort and minister to your heart when life is tough, while you are Brewing. So, when your heart needs to curl up in your very own bed, cover yourself with God’s promises! If you know Jesus, the comforter is there with you and will live in you forever. You are wrapped in promises and love; you will not be left comfortless. Thank You Jesus!

Please join me over the next few weeks as we embark on a series which explores more about the different job’s of the Holy Spirit and what it means for you.

Let’s Brew Wrapped in Comfort and Love!

What did God whisper to your heart about the comforter? Comment below!!

This Fall, Will You Fall Into The Arms Of God?

November 7, 2016

“3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

Fall! What a wonderful time of year. There are so many things to love about fall. One, the weather begins to turn cooler; this is a nice reprieve from the hot summers in West Texas. Secondly, leaves! Lots of leaves (well, not really here in West Texas)! The trees (at least the ones we have) are so beautiful as the colors of the leaves begin to change. Eventually, there are leaves everywhere. I like to think of them as some of nature’s sprinkles; they sprinkle our landscape with beautiful fall colors! Third, it’s harvest time. Don’t you love the bounty of crops that fall brings. Apples, pears, pumpkins, different types of squash, figs, greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, corn, and the list continues. When we think of fall, we think of “the harvest”. In actuality, each season has its own particular bountiful crops. Produce that is harvested in season is fresh and at its peak. Its taste, texture, and nutritional value are so much better; produce benefits from being harvested in its prime season. This is when it’s at its very best.

Each type of fruit or vegetable plant has a specific

way it should be cared for during the various seasons leading up to its harvest. If care is not taken while the plant is growing, there will be no harvest. Some plants are lower maintenance and easier to grow than others. Let’s take summer squash and zucchini for example. You plant these in the spring. In the right climate, they begin producing in the summer and can continue to produce fruit into the beginning of fall. (Yes, these are technically fruit because they contain the plant’s seeds – I looked it up to verify.) These plants are easy; you plant in one season and by the next season you begin to have food to eat and they keep producing throughout the season. Now, let’s think about apples. Once you plant an apple tree it has to grow for a few years before it is mature enough to produce any fruit. This type of plant is not as easy and requires more of a commitment and much more patience. Regardless of what you are trying to grow, you must care for it. Even if you choose easy plants, if they are not cared for properly they will not make it. You must choose the right location, prepare the ground, water them, and watch for weeds and pests. If these things are not done – well, the plants will die and there will be no harvest. There are a few things we can be sure of and learn from the seasons. Each season has a purpose and produces its own bounty. Work is required in order for there to be a harvest. Produce is at it’s best when it’s harvested in its prime season.

“3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 KJV

God made it clear in Ecclesiastes that we also have seasons in our lives. Seasons of good and bad. He also makes it clear there is a specific time and season for everything. Trust his perfect timing for this. This is our Brewing Ground. God uses the seasons of our Brewing Ground to grow us. He nurtures and cares for us. God uses each season to produce a particular bounty in our life at just the perfect time. But each season requires work and some seasons also come with many challenges. What season does God currently have you in? Are you in fall, in the midst of a bountiful harvest? Do you happen to be in winter? Are you on thin ice or does it feel as if everything is frozen and barren? Are you in a spring season; a time of renewal, new growth, and starting fresh? Or perhaps you are in summer; in the midst of scorching heat combined with a drought that seems like it will never end. Some seasons get you to your bounty more quickly. However, some seasons are like the apple tree. It takes lots of time to grow and mature before it is ever ready to produce any fruit. Regardless of your current season, know that it has a purpose and it will produce its own bounty. While navigating the seasons of your Brewing Ground, hold onto God’s promises.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 KJV

Keep going! There is an end to your season and you will reap a harvest! Rest in God and allow Him to renew you throughout your season.

^“5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Psalm 126:5 KJV

If your season is painful or challenging and has you in tears – be of good cheer! There is a harvest coming and you WILL reap your bounty in JOY!

So, this fall I challenge you, and myself, to change perspectives. Will you join me in trusting God and fall into His arms. Let’s allow Him to hold us and carry us through our Brewing Ground and its current season. Let’s fall into His arms of grace, forgiveness, love, hope, help, comfort, joy, peace, and promises. Let’s trust God and know that He will use our season for His good. Let’s be thankful for our Brewing Ground, it’s season, and the harvest that is to come.

What season are you in? Will you join me this fall and fall into the arms of God? Comment below!

Let’s Brew in God’s Arms!

When God Sends Help Will You Miss The Boat?

October 31, 2016

^“13For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13 KJV

There was a torrential storm that hit a town. The authorities warned that the nearby river was going to soon flood the city and advised everyone to evacuate. One of the citizens of this town was a very faithful Christian man. He heard this warning and decided to stay thinking, “I will trust God and if I am really in danger, He will send a divine miracle to save me.” As his neighbors were getting ready to leave they said, “Come with us; we have room in our car.” The man declined and said, “I have faith that God will save me.” So they left.

As the man sat on his porch, he watched the water rise. Soon, someone came by in a canoe. This man said, “The water is rising quickly! Come with me to safety.” The man declined once again and said, “No, I have faith that God will save me.” So the man in the canoe left.

As the water continued to rise and flood his house the man had to move upstairs. A police boat came by and they saw him sitting at a window. They said, “We are coming to save you!” The man replied,

“Use your time to go save someone else; I have faith that God will save me.” The police pleaded with the man to come with them; he refused. So, the police boat left.

The water still continued to rise quickly and the man had to retreat to the roof of his house. A rescue helicopter spotted him. A rescuer came down on a rope ladder and pleaded with the man to come with him. But, the man still refused, “No, God will save me!” After pleading some more, the man still refused. The helicopter finally left.

Soon the strong flood waters rose too high and swept the man away and he drowned. Once in heaven, the man stood before God and asked, “I trusted you and put all my faith in you. Why didn’t you save me?” God responded, “Yes my child, you did. And I gave you a warning. I sent a car and then a canoe. Next, I sent a boat and then a helicopter. But, you never would get in. What more did you want?” (Source: Unknown)

You have probably heard this story before. There are many different versions and the original author is unknown. I heard this story many years ago; however the message is timeless.

I have known for a while what I wanted to write about this week. As I was praying and getting ready to actually sit down and write the post I had planned, it didn’t seem quite right for this week. As I was praying and talking with God about what He did want me to write, He brought this story to my mind. I haven’t thought of this story in years. So, what was His message for me; why did He bring this story to my mind? As I was thinking over the story, He also brought several recent major events and situations to my mind which all happen to be completely unrelated. The one overarching theme that I DID find – they are all major life changing Moments of Brewing in the lives of several dear friends and myself. Moments where we need God’s help or drowning WILL occur. God led me to this verse.

^“13For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13 KJV

It all started coming together. God was whispering His message to my heart. One I needed to hear. One He asked me to share with you, sweet friends.

First and foremost, God is with you! He is right there holding your hand. He WILL help you! That is a promise stated in Isaiah 41:13. Believe it! Claim it! Know in your heart God is there – even if He is silent! He is working on your behalf. He is gathering equipment and supplies. He is devising a rescue mission and assembling your team. Your rescue mission is very specific to you and your situation. Certain situations require very detailed, intricate plans. God is so GREAT with details; He will not miss a single one! Sometimes rescue missions take time to implement so every detail is in place. Wait on God’s perfect timing.

Secondly, you have to be open and alert. You may come up with a plan of what YOU think your rescue mission should look like. For example, Jesus should return to earth right now. Although this would be nice, that doesn’t mean this is God’s plan. Remember, He has a very specific plan just you and your situation. You have to be open to His plan and alert to be able to see His help when it comes. His help comes in all forms. Will God send Jesus – it could happen. Will He send an angel – possibly, in some form or fashion. Your angel my be an earthly angel. Maybe it’s a boat. Or maybe it’s a random comment from a stranger that God uses. Maybe it’s a picture you see or something you read. Maybe it’s a difficult conversation with a dear friend or family member that challenges you. Maybe God will provide a resource or opportunity. You just never know. God is so creative! After all, He created the earth and everything on it. You never know what He will use in your rescue mission. This is what we CAN learn from the story – if you are not alert and open to God’s rescue mission, you WILL miss it.

There was a third principle God whispered to my heart related to this story. God’s rescue mission will require action on your part. First of all, you need to be in tune with God in order to recognize His rescue mission. Since God has given you the privilege of free will, you have to choose a relationship with Him. A relationship with Him requires intentional choices, actions, and behaviors. Secondly, God can provide all kinds of resources, opportunities, and help; but, if you are not willing to take the help and use it, it does nothing for you. You can be in tune with God and know the boat is His rescue mission. However, if you refuse to accept His help and actually get up and climb into the boat – well, the storm will eventually sweep you away. You may be thinking, “Well, if His plan was as simple as climbing into a boat, then I could do that!” Sometimes the action required is much more challenging than climbing into a boat. This is your Brewing Ground. God never promised that your rescue mission would be easy. He DID promise that He is right there with you and will help you. He will equip you to handle your rescue mission. After all, it is a rescue mission – it is meant to save something.

This is a perfect example of God’s refining fire talked about in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of God’s Refining Fire series. We are found, broken, crushed, washed, put through the fire multiple times, purified, then still go through the process to be transformed into a beautiful masterpiece. He has planned a rescue mission to save us from the rocks, mire, and muck we are buried under. God is right there with you. Will you be open and alert to His rescue mission? Will you take action when help arrives?

Have you ever known anyone like the man in the story? Have there been times in your life when you were that man? Did they/you realize it before or after “drowning”? Comment below!

Let’s Brew!