Jesus did what?!

Last night, I participated in a foot washing service at church. It was wonderful. What a humbling experience to put phobias, feelings, and foot judgment aside and follow Jesus’s example of humility and servitude! When I got home, I turned on the TV and there was a reenactment special about the days leading up to the crucifixion and they highlighted the Last Supper and the foot washing. As they showed the various events, I saw something that I had never really focused on before. Jesus washed Judas’s feet too! I literally sat up in my bed and took a huge breath. Wait a minute…I always focused on the fact that Jesus gave Judas the bread as the sign that he was the one who would betray him but I never really thought about the fact that he had to have had his feet washed too.

This really caused me to think and pray! I got my bible and began to read John 13 again. There are several references to the fact that Judas has already betrayed Jesus. For instance, verse 2 says “The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.”(NIV) Though Jesus mentions that not everyone is clean, it does not say anywhere that he didn’t wash his feet. Look at verses 10 -11, “Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”  For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.”

Why would Jesus not only break bread with His betrayer but also serve him by washing his feet? My flesh was saying rather loudly that I couldn't have done that! “No way, it’s enough that Judas is even in the midst but now wash His feet?! Don’t think so!” Isn’t that how we do when confronted with an enemy in our midst? We turn our hearts and minds away from what the Lord requires of us and do what we want to do? I know I’m guilty of that! But wait…aren’t we then putting ourselves on the same level with them when we act ugly? I had to stop, examine myself and re-read. Jesus Christ didn’t go into the situation blind. He knew exactly who and what He was facing and He stayed true to what He had taught in Matthew 5:44 “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” He acknowledged that Judas would betray him and that he was unclean but He served him anyway.

As I strive to grow in the things of God, dealing with enemies or people that hurt or betray me is something that I am still working on. So I know that God highlighted this for me for a reason. If Jesus was able to humble himself before Judas, surely I can do it. Judas wasn’t just some outsider. He was in the inner circle so this is a betrayal that would have cut deep. But He did it anyway.  Jesus reminds us in verses 15-16 that He has set an example for us and that we should do for others as He has done for us. 

This entry won’t be for everyone. It’s not funny or light hearted or exciting. But if you are entering this resurrection season with the desire to leave old weights behind, this might be for you. If you no longer want to allow the enemy to pull you down to his level, this could be for you. Or if you are like me and don’t want to let past hurts hold you back any longer, this is for you. Jesus Christ gave us a powerful example of how humility wins. If we follow His example and always walk in humility no matter what the enemy confronts us with, we will win. Don’t believe me? Jesus finishes this teaching with a wonderful and powerful statement in verse 17. “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (NIV)

Be blessed…AMEN!

There IS a Word from the LORD!

Have you ever been in a dry place and you knew that if you could just get a Word from the Lord, everything would be alright? Have you been faced with a storm or a trial or a circumstance and no one else would do…you needed to hear directly from God? After I woke up this morning, I clearly heard the phrase, “There is a Word from the Lord!” I felt an immediate jump in my spirit because it was a confirmation and answer to many of my recent prayers.  

 You know, sometimes, we think when God doesn’t move immediately that He isn’t present. Or in those times when we pray and the answer is not instant that He is saying “No”. I’ve gotten myself into plenty of trouble by interceding on my own behalf instead of waiting on a Word from God. Isn’t it funny how we think that our fast result will equal or trump God’s timely response? We often can be heard quoting, “He may not come when you want Him but He’ll be there right on time!” But do we really believe it? It sounds like just a good lyric to some but it’s the truth.

 Habakkuk 2 is one of my favorite passages of scripture and has carried me through this particular time in my life. Habakkuk has laid some concerns out before the Lord in chapter 1. He isn’t cute with it or quiet, he comes boldly before God with questions about why there is so much violence and evil going unpunished. He wants understanding. They have a full conversation and Habakkuk says that he’s going to get in position and wait for a word from the Lord.  Well…God answers in verse 3 and I believe it’s so relevant for us now as we go through various battles! The Amplified Bible says, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.”  If God has told you something and you have grasped hold of it, wait on it! God does not lie and though it may not come on your schedule, it will come and it won’t disappoint!

We are often so busy trying to plot out our own lives that we don’t listen long enough to hear from the Lord. But He is saying that there is a Word. In Luke 11, Jesus does a lot of teaching about getting what you need from the Lord. He teaches the disciples to pray, to ask so that you can receive and about keeping your house clean of demons so that you don’t have to contend with a returning evil spirit. But right in the middle of the chapter in verse 28, He says something that sums this whole entry up. A woman tells Him that the woman who gave birth to him is blessed.   “Jesus replied, "That's true, but the people who are really blessed are the ones who hear and obey God's message!"

There is a Word from the Lord, friends! The question is “Are you listening?” God is always speaking and wanting to commune with us but if we never stop talking, how will we hear? If we never stop controlling, how will we hear? If we never stop analyzing, how will we hear? God wants to do mighty and wondrous things in each of our lives but even more, He wants to fellowship with us. In those tough times when we’re searching for answers, He wants to whisper the solution in your ear. In those chaotic times, He wants to speak peace into your spirit.  In those painful times, He wants to speak healing to your heart.  Are you willing to wait? For there IS a Word from the Lord!

AMEN!

Hello....Who's in control here?!

As I have prayed and reflected this week, God has really been asking me a serious question. Have you really given up control of your situations?

Whoa! Isn’t it crazy when God kind of knocks you backwards with a question? Well…that’s what happened with me.  And interestingly enough, He brought many situations where I had to ask that very question to others. It’s easy to say that we have given up control and stopped getting in God’s way but it’s another thing to actually do it. Raise your hand if you have said, “I am giving it ALL to God”! I know I have and at the same time I was still trying to fix whatever circumstance I was in. During this past year, God has made this real to me. He has showed me time and time again that if I just let Him take care of things, they will work out. One day, while trying to figure things out on my own, I clearly heard him say, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). From that day, I have really tried to examine whether I was really trusting God to make a way.

Some of us have been looking to other people to satisfy us. Hoping that our parents, spouses, and friends could make everything alright and finding no answer. It’s only when we truly yield to God that we are able to find peace and ultimately the solution to our issues. Isaiah 2:22 is a powerful scripture and one that made me pause. “Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?” (NIV) We have to come to a place in our lives where God is our first stop! It’s certainly true that God can work through man so that’s not what I’m talking about. I am talking about when you look first to your girlfriend before you seek God. I mean when you call your mama, before you go into prayer about a situation. I mean running to your brother for the answer when the altar is the other way.

If we truly give our circumstances and situations to the Lord, He will work things out for us. Sometimes, we have to be still and wait. He is not on our schedule but He is faithful and on time. 2 Chronicles 20 is a great chapter about the power of praise and fasting but it also speaks to letting God have control and handle your situations. Verse 17 says, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” (NKJV) Isn’t that powerful?! You do not have to do anything, just position yourself and let God fight. Let God lead. Let God do His work.

I challenge you to look at your life and see if you have really given God the reins. Is there any situation that you need to take your hands off of? Give God your children, your marriage, your career, your finances…whatever you are trying to “handle”. Let God be God.

I found this prayer online and I want to leave part of it with you. I hope it blesses you today!

Dear Jesus,
Please hear my prayer. I go along each day, trying to run my life my own way. I forget to let go and give You control. I wonder why things aren’t going the way I want them to go. I forget to stop and ask what You want, Lord. Please help me to give You control, Jesus. I want to follow You. I want what You desire for me. Help me to realize that when You close one door, you open the one You want me to walk through. Help me also to realize that what I desire may not be what is meant for me, or what is best for me. Maybe it will lead me away from what Your great plan is for me. Lord, let me accept each day as a gift. Let me follow the path You choose for me. Help me to be thankful for what You give me and not to worry about my needs. I trust You will take care of all my needs. Remind me that my role is to care for those around me and focus on those who need my help. Help me, dear Jesus, to be who and what You want me to be. Give me strength, faith and hope, and most of all, give me guidance each and every day. I let go and give you control. In Jesus name, Amen.

Get focused!

You know…it’s amazing how life can get away from you sometimes. We are a society of movers and shakers. Always running here and there, multitasking, and planning. Sometimes, I am going so much that I forget to eat. I’ll look up and its 2:00 in the afternoon and I haven’t eaten lunch yet. This morning I was running around so much that I forgot to write my entry! I’ve been doing it every Thursday morning for 9 months but was so distracted with life that I had to be reminded. I immediately went into prayer and asked God’s forgiveness for losing my focus. God has given many of us assignments to do but we have let the world’s plans come first. This morning God is dealing with me on distractions!

Whenever I speak to a student about preparing for the LSAT (the entry exam for law school), I always tell them to take a least one practice exam in a place where they will be distracted. I tell them this so that when it comes time to take the actual test and something happens to distract them, they will be prepared and not lose focus. God has given us His Word so that we can gain power and preparation so that when the enemy throws darts at us, we won’t lose it and give up! He has allowed some things to happen in our lives so that we can learn to persevere in a storm. The enemy immediately put in my mind, “Well, it’s already 11:00…no need to do the entry this week, I’ll just do it next week.”  But the devil is the father of lies and deception and one of his greatest goals is to throw God’s people off course, especially when it comes to being a witness!

1 Corinthians 7:35 says “I’m saying this for your benefit, not to restrict you. I’m showing you how to live a noble life of devotion to the Lord without being distracted by other things.” (GW) This particular scripture is part of a chapter about marriage and how to maintain that sacred relationship but I think it’s a wonderful piece of advice as to what God wants of His people. We have to get our lives in order so that God is prioritized at the top of our list. How can you make the most out of your relationship with God if he comes AFTER your job, your family, and your life? If we put God first, the other things will line up!

I’m excited today that God keeps giving me chances to get it right! He has been teaching me daily about balance and order. It’s not an easy lesson to learn but results will come when your life lines up with the Word of God. When we allow distractions to take us off course, we are giving Satan an opening. That’s why 1 Peter 5:8 says ^“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (NLT) All he wants is for you to do is get distracted so he can overtake you. 

We must be like Jesus and be about the Father’s business! Let’s look at our lives and block the devil’s attempts to distract us! God is faithful to us so let’s be faithful to Him! Join me in putting distractions aside and focusing on the Lord. Especially during this Lenten season as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection. It’s time to re-align our priority list, put distractions aside, and focus on doing the work of the Kingdom!

God bless…AMEN!

The only opinion that matters...

Over the weekend, I was in prayer and I heard clearly in my spirit, “The only opinion you need to worry about is mine.” I stopped praying and sat up a little straighter. I mean, it hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s not that it was such a new idea but it was a revelation for that moment in my life. We, as a society, put so much into what others think about us. Someone can come tell us that we are ugly and all of a sudden we start looking at ourselves differently. Someone can say they don’t like our accent and we rush to “fix” it. I had an experience last year where someone told me that I was the rudest person that they had ever met in their whole life. That statement paralyzed me for a time. I couldn’t get past it. I analyzed it and thought about it and talked about it. I said to myself, now you’ve had your mean moments but the RUDEST person?! In his whole life?! Really?  I had to really pray about that one! I prayed diligently that He deliver me from people and He has brought me a LONG way! I’m still a work in progress and that’s why hearing the Lord say that to me was so powerful.  

I am entering a new year of life today and I am determined to shed the old skin and baggage of the first 32 years of my life. I am what God says that I am and that’s what matters.  That’s ALL that matters! So I wanted to encourage you all today! No man or woman has a heaven or a hell to put you in! You have one Master to look to for an opinion and that’s God! And guess what? He is awesome and loved you before you loved yourself! He loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for your sins! Who wouldn’t want the opinion of someone like that? Even when you don’t do everything right, He loves you. Even when you’re being disciplined, the Bible says that He chastises those that He loves. Isn’t that comforting?

So today, I encourage you to exchange the labels that the world has given you and walk in God’s opinion of you! You are God’s child! (1 Peter 1:23) You are the righteousness of God through Christ! (2 Cor. 5:21) Do you feel the excitement bubbling up inside of you? If not, let’s keep going. Because you see, once you start to really acknowledge and confess what God says about you, the world and the devil can no longer keep you in bondage! When people say bad things to you, it will roll off your back because you remember that Christ always causes you to triumph! (2 Cor. 2:14) You are born of God and the devil can’t touch you! (1 John 5:18) You are more than a conqueror! (Romans 8:37) You are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10) and you have everlasting life! (John 6:47)

Lift up your head a little higher! Sit up a little straighter! You are victorious (Rev 21:7) and you are blessed! (Deut. 28: 1-4) God has a mighty plan for your life…”plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) May God strengthen and encourage you today with His opinion of you! It’s the only one that matters!

AMEN