To Know Him [Jeremiah 24:7]

January 2010 is fast approaching its end.  The first month of the New Year will, in a few days, be in the past as we look to the month(s) ahead.  I spent this first month of the New Year fasting and praying.  Enjoying moments of solitude sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to what He had to say.  There were times of weeping … there were times of joy … there were times of celebration … there were times of intentionally resting in His presence.  I came away from this season with such a hunger … a deep and unquenchable desire to know Him.

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Lord.

They will be my people, and I will be their God,

For they will return to me with all their heart.”

~ Jeremiah 24:7 ~

 

What does it mean to “know” somebody?  We carelessly use the statement; “I know him/her, he/she is my friend/co-worker/family.”  In our text, the statment “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Lord,” the Hebrew word yada is translated “know.”  However, the meaning is much deeper.  Its meaning goes to a level of deep intimacy.  God has given each of us a heart to know Him, because He desires to reveal Himself and who He is, so that we may understand that He is all we need. However, to have that intimacy … to have Him quench and satisfy that pull of our heart towards Him, we have to “return to [Him] with all [our] heart.”

That’s right; it will require that we give to God ALL our heart.  We cannot hold back any part of our heart from God if we want to “know him.”  We cannot say to God, you can have all my heart except this piece here….this piece is my pride, this piece is my resentment, this piece is my anger, this piece is my …. What part are you holding back from God?  What part has become more important than knowing God fully?  What part do you need to release so that all of your heart is given to God so that the intimacy of your relationship with Him will be all-encompassing?

The Holy Spirit is stirring the hearts of the body of Christ.  He is calling us to a deeper level.  God desires each of us to return to Him so that we may know Him in a way that we have not yet known Him.  That we become devoted not just devotional.  Release that area of your heart that you have yet to place in His hands.   Respond to the pull of your heart toward God…and “know Him.”  Know Him through His word … Know Him through your worship … Know Him through your prayer … Know Him as you tear down the barrier of your heart and press into the inner court and sit at the foot of His throne … Know Him, that He is Lord!

 Pastor Deborah Spisz

Be Intentional [ Ephesians 5:15-17 ]

We have stepped into a new year.  2010 is before us, 2009 is behind us.  Isn’t the excitement of a new year almost tangible in its intensity?  There are endless possibilities ahead, opportunities yet to discover, new trails to blaze.  It’s time to set goals … it’s time to make decisions … it’s time to ask God what it is that He desires to accomplish through you … it’s time to be intentional.

We hear that word frequently these days … intentional.  Obviously the root word is “intention” which means done by design, done deliberately, done on purpose.  Sometimes a new year with all its opportunities can leave you paralyzed.  You don’t want to make the wrong decisions. You don’t want to take one path only to find out you should’ve taken the other.  Have you heard the saying:

There are those who make things happen

There are those who watch things happen and then

There are those who wonder what happened…

We need to be those who make things happen for the Kingdom of God and not be paralyzed by indecision. We need to live with intention, live by design, live deliberately and on purpose … we need to be wisely intentional.

 

  

“So watch your step. Use your head.

Make the most of every chance you get.

These are desperate times!

Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly.

Make sure you understand what the Master wants.”

~ Ephesians 5:15-17 msg ~

 

Live with intention instead of by default.  This year don’t allow the world and the circumstances it contains determine the direction of your life.  Understand the will of God.  Don’t be careless and unthinking with the gift of a new year.  Be intentional…

Open the Word of God … dive deep into His presence and the Word.  Determine what it is the Master wants.  Be intentional with the Word.

In your prayer time … press into His presence and His sanctuary.  Listen for what the Master desires.  Be intentional with your prayers.

In your relationships … seek out those that empower and encourage you.  Rid yourself of relationships that drain the life from your being.  In their place build those relationships that are healthy.  Be intentional with your relationships.

In your community … we are called to be “salt and light” to the world.  God has placed you where you are intentionally.  Who is it you are to serve? The needy…the widow…the single mom…the child…Be intentional with your community.

 We were each created with intention by God who placed a deliberate purpose, mission and vision within each of us.  He created you with love and daily pours out His love and compassion.  He ,with intention, stood before those who accused Him falsely … He, with intention, withstood each blow to His body by those who hated Him without reason … He, with intention, walked a long and rough path with a cross on His back while people scoffed at Him without cause … He, with intention, allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross, a crown of thorns to be pressed into His brow, spears to pierce His side … He, with intention, gave up His life so that you and I could be free.

Be intentional this year … be intentional with the Word … be intentional with your love for others … be intentional with your love for God … be intentional in your worship … be intentional….

 

Pastor Debbie Spisz

Do You Hear? [ Luke 2:10,11,20 ]

One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Do You Hear What I Hear?” I was putting up the Christmas decorations and singing this song to myself when the second verse pricked something in my spirit:

“Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,

Do you hear what I hear?

Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,

Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song high above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea,

With a voice as big as the sea.”

That question, “Do you hear what I hear?” … or just “Do you hear?”  What a question, “Do you hear?”  Are you able to hear the voice of God … are you able to hear His voice when it’s as big as the sea? … are you able to hear His voice when it’s a sweet song? … “Do you hear?”

  

 

“Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news

Of great joy that will be for all the people:

Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord,

Was born for you in the city of David….

The shepherds returned glorifying and praising

God for all they had seen and heard,

Just as they had been told.”

~Luke 2:10,11, 20~

We have entered the Christmas season and with it comes this myriad of sounds, movement, and stress that is palpable.  This whirlwind leaves you almost dizzy from all the sights and sounds.  Have we become so focused on the “doing” of Christmas that we have buried beneath all the wrapping, bows, parties and decorations the Voice of Christmas?  Do you hear?

How do you year? … By, The Word of God, The Holy Spirit, and The People God places in our lives.  God is communicating to us, but do we hear?  Open the Word of God and allow Him to speak to you.  Listen to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit.  Treasure those wise people God has placed in your life.  Hear what He has to say.  He may want to correct you. He may want to encourage you. He may want to reveal a new facet of Himself to you. He may want to proclaim something monumental just as He did on the day Christ was born.  But, if you are not reading His Word, are too distracted to hear the Holy Spirit, are too busy to hear good counsel … you are missing the best Christmas present of all, and that is to know Him, to know our Creator, to know our Counselor, to know our Healer, to know our Protector…Do you hear?

The shepherds would have missed the most important announcement in history if they had been distracted by the world around them.  They would have missed the declaration of “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This Christmas purpose not to be caught up in the whirlwind of commercialism instead, comeback to the point of simplicity.  Treasure this Christmas the message of peace, love and joy.  Hear the Voice of Christmas.  It’s not about the decorations … it’s not about the presents … it’s not about the parties and gatherings.  It’s about hearing God, because when you hear God, you hear His message of Love, Peace and Joy which will enable you to fulfill the great commandment:

 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

Baptizing them in the name of the

Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.

And remember, I am with you always,

To the end of the age.”

~ Matthew 28: 18-20~

“Do you hear what I hear?”  … Do you hear God saying forgive?  Do you hear God saying feed the hungry?  Do you hear God saying lift up those that are broken?  Do you hear God saying love the unlovely?  Do you hear God saying heal the sick in my name?  Do you hear God saying …

Do you hear?

Pastor Deborah Spisz

Are Your Expectations Causing a Barrier?

This week’s blog style is a bit different … a bit more conversational than a teaching.  When I was praying about what to write and asking God to show me what it is He desires for me to share: Instead of providing me with what I expected, God put a question out there … “Are your expectations causing a barrier to what I desire to do?”  We always think of “expectations” as a good thing … and they are, when our “expectations” do not stand as a barrier or inhibitor to what God desires to do.  Okay keep following me….

 

Question for you, what would the modern day revival look like to you?  Many of us have been praying, waiting with expectation for a revival to move across our region, nation and around the world.  We have been crying out to God for a move of the Holy Spirit like none other.  So, I ask again; “What does that, revival, look like to you?”

 

Are your expectations causing a barrier?  Are we looking at past revivals like Azusa Street and the Prayer Revival of 1857-58 and saying; yes something like that but with “this” or “that” added in or taken out.  Could it be that is part of the reason why we have yet to see the revival we so desire?  We have preconceived ideas based on past history, events, or our own personal lives that have defined for us what the Holy Spirit’s move “should” look like. 

 

“Are you so foolish, after beginning with the Spirit,

Are you now going to be made complete

By the flesh?”

~ Galatians 3:3 ~

 

We need to be careful that with our expectations and sense of expectancy that we have not attached an agenda.  We may just miss out on the beginning of revival because we are looking for A,B,C but God is moving by 5, 4, 7.  We have a self-centered state of being versus a God-centered state of being.  We think that we can dictate what others do, how they do it, and when they do it and we have gotten to the place that we have transferred that thought to action process over to God.  The longer we try to talk ourselves into revival, event ourselves into revival, the longer we will have to wait for God’s revival.

 

 

 

I hope you caught those last few words … God’s revival … not manmade, circus style, up one minute down the next manufactured revival. We need to learn to:

 

“Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him.”

~ Psalms 37:7a ~

 

The move of the spirit cannot be scheduled … the move of the spirit cannot be designed … the move of the spirit cannot be through habit … The Holy Spirit will move and revival will come once we give Him room.  Throw off preconceived notions … Throw off the tendency to prepackage and serve up the spirit fast food style … Throw off our self-centeredness and instead give the Holy Spirit room

 

Room for the Holy Spirit fire to fall  … 

Room for the Holy Spirit river to flow …

Room for the Holy Spirit wind to blow …

 

Are your expectations causing a barrier to the move of the Spirit? Then come before His throne, unencumbered, with a heart completely broken and surrendered to the hand of God and He will instill in each of us the true boldness of the Holy Spirit that will stir the embers of revival and fan those flames to heights unknown.

 

Come with expectation, but come unencumbered!

Pastor Deborah Spisz

 

 

 

 

Life of Blessed Perseverance [James 1:12]

These past few weeks have been a journey of following God through His word.  The words that have been resonating in my spirit have been bless, blessed, blessing etc.  Each one of these words is unique.  I haven’t blogged in several weeks because I have been on a personal journey with God seeking what it is that He wants me to hear, what it is that He wants to plant deep within me.  It has been a time of writing, studying, refreshment, encouragement and God confirming within me what it is He desires for my life.  If I had to choose two words to describe my road for the past several years, it would be blessed and perseverance.  This week God placed upon my heart to speak to you about blessed perseverance.  Our topic verse is:

 “Blessed is the man (woman) who perseveres under trial,

Because when he (she) has stood the test,

He (she) will receive the crown of life that God

Has promised to those who love him.”

~ James 1:12 ~

 

“Blessed” in this verse is the Greek word makarios meaning blessed, fortunate, happy, good.  We all desire to be happy and to have a good life.  James 1:12 gives us the clues to this blessed life.

 

Blessed are those who persevere under trial and has stood the test.

Even though we would love to have a life without tests and trials, it just isn’t so.  There will be sickness, there will be circumstances that test our character (integrity), there will be relationships that are broken, and there will be times of trial and testing to push our obedience.  You get the point, in this life we must learn to persevere.  There will be times when we come to the end of our rope and will need to choose … give up, let go, quit or press on, hang on and persevere.  It’s our choice.  It is very clear in Romans what choice we are to make:

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,

Because we know that suffering produces

Perseverance; perseverance, character;

And character, hope.”

~ Romans 5:3-4 ~

Persistence and perseverance is central to the success of all our other thoughts and actions.  If we don’t have perseverance, we will not have character or hope.  Life without hope is a life of darkness.  Life is hard, but we can’t give up; instead, trust in God. We will have disappointments in life, but we have to keep believing.  There will be adversity, but we keep moving forward.  There will be temptations, but we keep standing firm.

They will receive the crown of life that God has promised.

Here is what we will receive for persevering … the crown of life.  I don’t know about you, but that takes my breath away.  When I stand against adversity and not bow … when I press on against opposition and not turn and run … when I face disappointment after disappointment and keep believing … when I battle illness and a failing body and not rollover … when I persevere, when I press on day after day the reward will be the crown of life!  There is nothing on this earth that can begin to compare to what awaits us in heaven for all eternity.  Persevere through this life to obtain the glories of eternity.

To those who love him.

Why persevere?  Very simply, because of our love for Jesus Christ.  That is our driving force through this thing we call life.  Not because we are stubborn, not because we are ubermensch, not because we are strong-willed … it’s because we love Christ.  It’s because we are filled with a love for Him that carries us along, upholds our spirits, and provides for a life of blessed perseverance.

It is when we love God more than anything else in our life that He (not ourselves) will give us day by day the grace, mercy and blessed perseverance we need and the crown of  life we seek.  We can say, that during this life, it is through blessed perseverance that I live.  It is by my hope and love in Christ that I overcome the trials and tests of this day. 

Keep moving … Keep standing … Keep believing …

Keep persevering  … Keep loving

Pastor Deborah Spisz

Whom Do You Call? [ Psalm 91:1-2 ]

I was trying to figure out how to begin this writing on a positive note … well let’s just say, my hope is that you are encouraged by the end.  Life can really throw you some curve balls.  At times, life can bring circumstances that are out of your control and can leave you reeling, unable to find your footing.  You know what I’m talking about, those moments where you are left speechless because you are numbed by what has just ensued.  Your life appears to be crumbling around you.  It doesn’t matter which direction you turn, there seems to be chaos, pain, and devastation. 

Whom do you call when…?

You are discouraged

You are financially devastated

You are broken

You are sick

You are overwhelmed

You are ….

More often than not, in those times, we pick up the phone and call a friend, financial advisor, counselor, doctor, pastor, family member … but next time, let me encourage you to pick up the prayer line and call God!  Before you do anything, immediately stop, pray, and call out to God!

 

 

“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High

Dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my

Fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””

~ Psalm 91:1-2 ~

Some of you may have already noticed, but if not, look at the scripture reference again.  It is Psalm 91:1-2 … Psalm 91:1 … Psalm 911 … 911 … yes, the emergency contact number to heaven!

Did you all notice that there are four different references to God in this verse (Yes, He has you covered on all sides)?

Most High - El Elyon - God’s strength and sovereignty

Almighty -  El Shaddi - Mountain, overpowering

Lord - YHWH -  Active self-existent One, Redeemer

God - Elohim - Strong one, mighty leader, Supreme Deity

Did you also notice that the things we need the most during those tough seasons … protection, dwelling, refuge and fortress … are found in the Most High, Almighty, Lord, and God not in our friends, pastors, family members etc.?

God never promised us that life would be easy, that people wouldn’t hurt us, that sickness would never come … but He did promise to be our:

 Shield and stronghold … rock and protector

High tower and defender … Supplier and giver of life

Rescuer and restorer … Shepherd and Bread of Life

 Bright and morning star… beginning and the end

The Alpha and Omega … Everlasting Father!

He is our source in all, above all, under all, beside all and through all!

In every season, in every circumstance He is the I AM! All we have to do is reach out to God in prayer and in that relationship and conversation; God will be all that you need!  I love how the Message Bible has translated this text:

“You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.  I trust in you and I’m safe!

Next time, when life happens (the night), before turning to “man” first, turn to God (Shaddai’s shadow) and say:

 “God you are my refuge.  I trust in you and I’m safe!”

 Pastor Deborah Spisz

Remove Your Sandals [ Exodus 3:5 ]

What comes to your mind when you hear the words … Holy Ground?  For me, I think of Jerusalem and the roads Jesus Christ walked … I think of Moses and the burning bush where God spoke … I think of Calvary and the cross where Christ sacrificed himself for me and for you.

What about today, here in the present, is there Holy Ground?  I believe there is.  Holy Ground is anywhere God’s divine presence and the Holy Spirit inhabit.  It can be in your backyard as you mediate on God’s word.  It can be at the edge of the ocean where the waves are crashing and you are standing in awe of God’s power.  It can be in a hospital room as you pray a prayer of healing for a loved one … and yes, Holy Ground can be found in our spirit-filled ministries as we worship God as a corporate body.

However, in those moments, as we stand on Holy Ground, do we do as God has commanded?

“Then He said, “Do not come near here;

Remove your sandals from

Your feet, for the place on which you

Are standing is holy ground.”

~ Exodus 3:5 ~

 

 

 

Do we remove our sandals from our feet when we encounter God?  By removing our shoes (sandals), we are showing respect and submission to God’s divine presence.  It’s a similar act as removing one’s hat.  It is also a sign of being prepared, a sign of readiness.  But, let’s take it a step further …

How about removing one’s spiritual sandals?  That’s right, what about removing your spiritual sandals?  What does that mean?  Allow me to explain it this way.  As we walk around all day our shoe covered feet pickup dirt, germs and grime from the streets and floors we walk on. When I enter a house, I always remove my shoes at the door out of respect for the homeowner.  I don’t want to carry all the dirt I’ve picked up from the outside world and track it through their house …  dirtying what has been cleaned in preparation of receiving their guests.  I leave what was from the outside at the door as I enter their home.

It is the same thing spiritually.  As we go through our day, we pick up things from the world that are contrary to God.  That heart that is hurt by a friend … The argument you’ve just had with your spouse … The jealousy over another’s success … The bitterness that’s found its root because of years of neglect … the list goes on…sandals.  Then, we expect to come before God praying for revival, praying for fresh anointing, praying for God to use us while still wearing the dirt and grime of our lives…sandals.  We cannot hear from God … We cannot be respectful of Him … We cannot be prepared for what He has planned, while still wearing our dirty sandals.  We need to leave those  sandals at the foot of the cross, which is the doorway to the inner place, the Holy Ground which has been prepared to receive us.  Leave the sandals … and stand on Holy Ground.  Step into and onto Holy Ground with mind, body and soul set in complete preparation for doing God’s will as He speaks to us from our burning bush moment.  It’s then that we hear … It’s then that we stand in submission and respect … it’s then that fresh anointing flows … it’s then that we will see revival spread.

The next time you stand on Holy Ground, make sure you have removed your sandals from your feet so as not to taint this pure moment … stand ready in your burning bush moment, on fire, burning passionately with the will of God.

 

Pastor Deborah Spisz

 

Go Deep [1Corin. 2:10, Luke 5:4, Eph. 3:18-19]

When I was young, I was terrified of the water.  My Mom and Dad made sure my brother, sister and I had swimming lessons.  When I had to go into the deep water, I would literally wrap my arms and legs around the pool ladder and just sob.  I was so scared.  I was fine in the water when I could touch and see the bottom.  However, when it was deep and I couldn’t touch or see the bottom, I wanted nothing to do with it.  Today, I love the water.  It doesn’t matter what type, how deep, or where it’s at … I love it!  It took my getting over my security needs, aversion to depth, and overall fear to get to that point.  Once I was able to let go, swim out into the deep and experience the freedom of the water, I was able to embrace and enjoy all of the benefits of swimming in the buoyancy of the refreshing water.

I share this with you for this reason.  God is calling us to Go Deep.  It’s time to leave the security of our spiritual wading pool and push out into the spiritual depths with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   You may be fearful of letting go of the security of where you are at … but there has to come a point where you let go, push out into the deep so that you can experience the mysteries of what God holds for you.  You may ask, “But how do I do that, how do I let go, how do I Go Deep?”  Here’s how:

 

 

 Go Deep Through the Holy Spirit

 “Now God has revealed them to us by the Spirit,

 for the Spirit searches everything,

even the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10

When Jesus Christ left the earth, He left behind an awesome gift for us … that is the gift of the Holy Spirit.  He is real.  He is a person.  He wants nothing more than to have a relationship with you.  It is there in that relationship where He will reveal the “deep things of God.”  It is there in that relationship where you will gain the courage and strength to push out into the deep.  It is there in that relationship where you will Go Deep and find a new level of intimacy with God.

 Go Deep Through Obedience

“When He finished speaking, He said to Simon,

“Put out into deep water and let down

Your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4

If you remember this story, the men had just finished a long night of fishing and had caught nothing.  They were discouraged, tired, and hungry and I’m sure that at this point all they wanted to do was go home.  However, here is Jesus instructing them to go back out on the water and let down their nets.  They could’ve very easily said no way and went home.   However, if they had done that, they would not have received the greatest catch in their careers.  Because of their obedience to the voice of their master, they went deep and were blessed.  God is going to instruct you to do things that make no sense. He may even give His instructions to you when you are discouraged, tired and hungry…when He does; Go Deep and I guarantee you will be blessed beyond comprehension.  How do I know this? … Because God’s word says so.

Go Deep Through Christ’s Love

“[you] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the

Length and width, height and depth of

God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses

Knowledge so you may be filled with

All the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19

On this side of heaven, we will never know Christ’s love in its entirety.  However, we are to continually be seeking to know His love and experience His love as much as we are able to and not grow complacent and satisfied with the love of God that we know.  Go Deep, and there you will find a place of love that you have never known before.

 The Greek word bathos is used in each of these verses.

It means depth, deep thing, extreme.

God is calling us to Go Deep …

He is calling us to a depth we have never known …

God is calling us out from the security of the

spiritual wading pool and into the deep thing …

He is calling each of us to the extreme!  Go Deep!

 

Pastor Deborah Spisz

Waiting [Psalm 27:14]

When there is something you really want or something you really want to do, doesn’t it just grate on you when you hear the words, “You have to wait.”  I am for the most part patient until it comes to something that I am passionate about then…not so much!  However, I am learning that it is best to wait on God!

 

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart

And wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14

 

Waiting is one of the most difficult things to do.  However, when God tells you to wait … wait!  The first thing we want to do when God says “Wait” is to see what can be done to make the wait shorter … to see if we can make it happen … or worse yet, disregard God’s command and run ahead of Him.

 

I love this quote:

“Never run before God gives you His direction.”

- Oswald Chambers –

 

Wait on God’s direction …

Wait for His “GO” …

Wait in His security … Wait!

 

Waiting is difficult!  Psalm 27:14 says, “…be strong and take heart…” while waiting.  You will need strength in this season, you will need courage in this season, and you will need God.  Do you want to get out of a waiting season as quickly as possible?  Then here is what you need to do…are you ready – get over yourself – that’s right, get over yourself.  This thing we call life is not about you, it’s not about me, it’s about God and His Kingdom.  When you are able to get to the end of yourself, that’s when God can really do His thing!

 

More often than not, we don’t understand why we have to wait.  However, let me assure you, there is a reason why God has placed you in a season of wait. 

It could be you need to address an area of your life…

It could be you need to rely on God…

It could be you need to gain new skills…

It could be………

Whatever the reason, I know that if you allow God to work on, in and through you during this season, you will come through the wait changed for the better … changed more like Christ … changed into a woman or man that can be used by God  for His purpose.  You will no longer be an old wineskin, but a new one that can be filled to overflowing with the purposes of God to do His kingdom work.

 

If you are in a season of wait

Be strong and take heart knowing that

God is doing a good work!

Pastor Deborah Spisz

Is Our Love Conditional? [ Habakkuk 3:16-19 ]

What price tag have we placed on our love and devotion to God?  I think if we are honest, we have put some type of price tag on our relationship with God. 

Have you ever found yourself holding back some part of yourself because you were waiting for God to “come through”… with that job? … with that healing? … with that restored relationship? If so, then you have put a price tag or condition on your love for God.

This week we are focusing on Habakkuk 3:16-19.  Habakkuk (which means embrace or embracer) loved and was very deeply devoted to God.  He also loved the people he served and was watchmen over them.  It was about the 7^th century BC when this text was written.  During this period, Habakkuk was witnessing and was perplexed by the evil, at the hands of the Babylonians, that was running rampant in Judah at God’s permission.  He went so far as to cry out to God, “Why, God, why?” (I bet you, as I, have cried that same cry a time or two.)  However, as we move into our text, we find Habakkuk shifting from doubt to a heart full of faith.

In the face of opposition … In the face of trying times … In the face of adversity

 Habakkuk was at first fearful:

 

“I heard, and I trembled within;

My lips quivered at the sound.

Rottenness entered my bones;

I trembled where I stood. 

Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress

To come against the people invading us.” (vs. 16)

 

 

 

However, Habakkuk was able to acknowledge what was occurring in front him … see verse 17 … but in that same moment, he realized that the God he loved so dearly could still be trusted without condition.  That He is still God  … in the face of opposition … in the face of trying times … in the face of adversity:

 

“Yet I will triumph in the Lord;

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!

Yahweh my Lord

Is my strength;

He makes my feet like those of a deer

And enables me to walk

On mountain heights!” (vs. 18-19)

 

On the 10^th of this month, a dear friend of mine went home to be with the Lord after a 16-month battle with brain cancer.  Gina walked out this text.  Though at first she was afraid, she quickly placed her focus on God.  As I walked this 16 month journey with her, I saw how in the midst of this great battle, Gina knew that God was still God.  She rejoiced in God and knew that the Lord was her strength.

 

You too, when faced with the struggles of life do not need to put a price tag on your love and devotion for God.  When it seems that life has been stripped of all joy, you can stand unconditionally in God’s presence and be filled with His joy knowing that God is still God … in all His might and all His power!

 

Pastor Deborah Spisz

In Memory of Gina Tyler – August 10, 2009