In my hospital gown

Posted on April 30, 2012 by | 5 Comments

Matthew  26:53  Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?

Living in Costa Rica has its ups and downs, and one of the ups is the wonderful medical care we receive.  We pay into the government system, and I tell everyone if you are not in a hurry, the service is wonderful!

A few months ago I was scheduled for an out-patient  medical  procedure.   Upon arriving for the appointment, my husband took me to the hospital. Going through the double doors I was taken to a small room and given a pink hospital gown with no slit in the back. The nurse said to put on the gown, take everything with me and wait in the hall until my name is called.

When I changed and went to the hall, I found myself with a group of men and women, all in blue or pink hospital gowns,  waiting for different procedures and waiting for their names to be called.

Embarrassed

To be honest, I felt funny, shy, embarrassed and wanted to be in a private room until the nurse called me.  But I am in the government hospital, and there is not much I can do.  This is the real world in Costa Rica.  I told the Lord how I felt and did not like being in a hallway with others,  then that still small voice tells me, “How do you think Jesus felt on the cross?”

He was right, as He always is in every circumstance. After that,  I was able to loosen up and chat with the other patients about our procedures, how long it took for them to schedule,  the weather, our jobs and most important, thanking the Lord that the medical service is wonderful and that the doctors and nurses truly love what they are doing.

It’s moments like these that I see the Lord working in me, even in my hospital gown, in a hallway filled with men and women of all ages and even joking about escaping through the double doors onto the street, in our gowns.

In an instant the Lord took away my embarrassment by reminding me of Jesus on the cross.  Jesus could have come down from the cross, but He didn’t.  He stayed put, enduring all for the sake of His Bride, and for the love He has for us.

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Posted in Christianity, Devotionals, inspiration, Jesus, Religion

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Continue to work on it

Posted on April 4, 2012 by | 11 Comments

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

Approximately  18 years ago we purchased the property where we are now living.   At first it was just a piece of land.  In time, our home was built, then an extension.  Next came some upgrades  like our  BBQ area.    We now find ourselves building an office/meeting room.

As I began to meditate on the progress we have made, I realize it has not been easy nor has it been fast.  It has taken work.  We have saved money, worked extra,  gone without, prayed,  and many things on and around our home/property have been built ourselves.

Did you know that walking with the Lord is just about the same? When we purchased our piece of land, there was nothing on it except  a few fruit trees. When you begin walking out your faith, there will be many things that you will not have spiritually speaking, but in time you will have them.

The beginning years of my Christian walk, I always admired and looked up to those that could pray eloquently,  knew the scriptures well and  flowed in spiritual gifts.  My land at the time had only a few fruit trees, nothing more.

In time I began to develop my land.  The spiritual gifts began to flourish, I grew in  confidence, boldness, and yes, I could pray like those I looked up to in times past. There were also instances where I had to remove things that were not needed nor beneficial to me.

Am I done? Not by a long shot. Just as  our home  continues to undergo changes, upgrades and cleaning,  so does my spiritual house.

Are you just starting your walk in the Lord? Have hope, because the Lord  wants to develop your land with spiritual gifts, boldness, courage, love, faith, hope, grace and eloquence.   He wants to give you additions and upgrades.

There is just one thing we need to do, and that is to work on it and ask for the gifts you desire to flow in by faith, and He will meet your every need.

May you be richly blessed as you develop your land.

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Posted in Christianity, Devotionals, faith, inspiration, Jesus, Ministry, salvation

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Dialogue with God

Posted on March 31, 2012 by | 6 Comments

Exodus  6:2  And God spoke to Moses and said to him: I am the LORD.

The following is my journal entry from my prayer time.  I rarely share my  entries,  but felt  this one is important.

As I began to pray and thank the Lord for the many blessings, I had my pen and notebook in hand and this is what transpired next:

It’s not about titles, the size of your congregation, that status the world places upon you, it’s about intimacy with Me. I long to have a deep two-way conversation with my children. Many times I can only say one phrase, and my children don’t continue the conversation. They take the phrase and run with it, or get excited and don’t ask for more. I have much to say, much to offer, much to share, and I desire dialogue.

I repent and ask the Lord’s forgiveness for not continuing  conversations that we have had in the past.

Remember I told you, ask away.  Just ask anything of Me, and I will share what is on my heart.

Lord, what would you like to say to your church, your bride?

I desire dialogue, two-way conversation, extended time to be just with Me.  I desire for them to be free from distractions, to seek my will, to be in their presence.

Can you imagine, God want’s to be in our presence, that is how much He loves us!

The Lord did say more, but it’s more of a personal nature.   We know the Lord is coming soon, and it’s only through intimacy we can be prepared.  We will not know the day or the hour of the Lord’s coming,( Matthew 25:13) we are commanded though to be ready and watch.

How will we watch if we don’t have  a relationship with our God,  that two-way dialogue, or even attempt a conversation?

Every one of us is able to hear the voice of the Lord. Jesus has paid a heavy price for us to have direct communication with our Father. Let’s make the most of Jesus’ sacrifice, enter into intimacy with our Father and dialogue, and ask away!

May you be richly blessed this day.

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Posted in Christianity, Devotionals, inspiration, Jesus, Prophecy, Prophetic, revelation

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The Real World

Posted on March 14, 2012 by | 5 Comments

Luke 10:2  Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Yesterday I had to run some errands, and since I am without a car I had to resort  to using the bus and taxi service.  It has been some time since I have used public transportation, and this experience turned out to be an eye opener.

In using this service,  I found a group of people who are happy, talkative, helpful and grumpy.   I enjoyed talking to ladies that are  mothers, grandmothers and a few gentlemen complaining about the high price of food.

In coming back home at the last bus stop, a lady began telling me her woes as a domestic maid, sending her small salary back home to Nicaragua to help care for her aging father, and her desire to be with him in his last days.

ENCOURAGE
I had my chance.  I encouraged  her in the Lord and  let her know that her sacrifice will not go unnoticed.  She responded well, and we instantly became  friends, even if it were for a few short  minutes.

I realized that the harvest is ripe and had to think;   Who am I reaching in the real world?  Do I just minister to those that know the Lord, or am I active in bringing people into his Kingdom?

While I am not an evangelist, a few short words of encouragement can bring hope and comfort to the hurting and lost, and maybe into His kingdom.

I do know this.  I will continue to look for opportunities to share faith, hope and love, while using the public transport system and when I am not.

May you be richly blessed this day.

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Posted in Christianity, Costa Rica, Devotionals, faith, inspiration, Jesus, salvation

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Do you Believe?

Posted on March 11, 2012 by | 4 Comments

Mar 9:23  Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Mar 11:23  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Whatever mountain is standing in your way believe that it is removed. For it to be removed you must first say, in other words speak out your declarations.  That does not include saying it in your mind, but saying it out loud.  In doing so you will find your faith rising up and soon that mountain will be cast into the sea, forever forgotten.

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Geologist Top Ten

Posted on March 7, 2012 by | 4 Comments

Many of you know that my husband is a geologist.  A career that he is passionate about, especially when it comes to God’s creation.

I recently asked him what were the top ten things every geologist needs, and here is the list he gave me.

  1. Rock hammer
  2. Map
  3. Compass
  4. G.P.S
  5. Rite in the rain- (books that you can write in while it’s raining)
  6. Day pack – granola bars, snacks, etc..
  7. boots,  preferably snake proof
  8. vest
  9. water bottle
  10. Knife, or in his case a sharp machete

As he gave me this list, I saw the similarities that we need as believers.  Here is what I found:

  1. Jesus is our Rock
  2. Jesus has our life mapped out
  3. He will guide us while on our map
  4. G.P.S.  – we will know if we are in His perfect will
  5. Journal- we should spend time journaling with the Lord, under any circumstance, even when it’s raining on our life!
  6. Be nourished with the word of God
  7. Our feet our shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace and we trample on serpents and scorpions
  8. Breastplate of righteousness
  9. Be filled with the spirit
  10. We have the sword of the spirit

When my husband is packing for field work, he does not need to make a list of the things he needs, it comes natural to him.

It’s the same for me.  When I have my quiet time with the Lord, I don’t need a list of things needed, it comes natural!  I have my  Bible, notepad and music handy, and then I retreat to a quiet place to hear His voice.

What things do you use when coming to the Lord?  Perhaps we can add to the list and learn from each other.

May you be richly blessed this day.

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Posted in Christianity, Devotionals, faith, Geology, gifts of the spirit, inspiration, Jesus

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Ask, seek and knock

Posted on March 1, 2012 by | 10 Comments

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Last year my car “gave up the ghost” so to speak,  well almost. My car was an older model, and with older cars there are always repairs. Tired of spending money to have it fixed, I told my husband that we are no longer putting in the shop, but  it was time to get a new car.

To be honest, I am growing weary of not having my own transportation. I have been using my husbands truck to do my errands, but  I prefer a smaller car to get around.  It hasn’t been  all that bad since I do work out of the home.

Last night in reading the above scripture, I had to pause. We have been car shopping for a new vehicle, and we finally picked one out. Now all we need is the money to purchase it.

ASK -SEEK -KNOCK

As I read the verse, the words ask, seek and  knock  stood out to me.

We have asked the Lord for a new car, we have shopped at our local  car dealers  finding the vehicle that is  just right.  Last night in my Bible reading and prayer time, I found myself knocking on the door  telling the Lord that we are ready to have our new car.

Will it work? Is this a right principle?

So many times we want something out of life  but  have no plan or direction on HOW to get there.

I grew up not being encouraged to dream or to aspire to much.  It was not until the Lord changed my mindset that I now aspire and desire for better things in life and from myself.

I have discovered that with a new mindset, many things have changed. I no longer settle for less, but desire to be the best  and improve at what I do.   No longer do I expect the crumbs from the table. If so, then it’s time to knock on the door.

May you be richly blessed this day!

Note:  I have been in an intensive ministry training course which is why I did not post last month.  I’m still in the course, but am taking a small break.

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