Free to Follow

by Gina Higgins

There's an important aspect of the Christian life that is one of the best things about being a Christian.

Some people have it. We all want it.

It's freedom.

It takes being "free" to "follow."

Because in order to follow, we must inevitably leave some things behind as we press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14.) In order to be free, we must love God...more.

More than our family.

More than our spouse.

More than our children.

More than our jobs.

More than our church.

More than our pastor.

More than our ministry.

More than our community.

More than our gifts.

More than our homes.

More than our stuff.

More than our friends.

More than our desires.

More than our lives.

We must love God...the most.

Where is He leading you? What is He asking you to leave behind?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you that Your Word reveals to us Your truth. We only need look to You and to Your marvelous Word to discover where and how it is You would have us to follow and what it is You would have us to leave behind.

You are the light of the world and the lamp unto our feet that lights our path. Your heart desires that nothing separate us from Your love, so please show us all the things in our lives that weigh us down and make us too "heavy" to be free and too tired to "follow."

May we lay aside every weight and hinderance, and the sin and "competing forces for our hearts" that so easily trip us up and may we run the race of faith with determination to never give up and never let anything or anyone stand between us and the finish line - our freedom in You.

In Your Son's Name and Beautiful Sacrifice,

We Have Light and Life!

Amen

For All Parents...For All Our Children.

A beautiful word... full of truth and His promises. Inspired by the song, "Mary Did You Know?" Sent to us by a Riverside parent.

Did you know that this child of yours, and Mine, would be born for a purpose?

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what I have prepared for those who love Me. I have summoned them by name; they are mine. When they pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over them. When they walk through the fire, they will not be burned…..For I am the LORD their God. Remember my thoughts are not their thoughts, neither are your ways their ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than their ways and my thoughts than their thoughts. My word that goes out from My mouth: it will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I have sent it. I AM chose them before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in My sight.

My child, I have heard your prayers as you dedicated this child to Me and each time you surrendered them to My care. I asked that you impress my commandments on their heart. Did you know I was listening as you talked about them when you sat at home, and when you walked along the road, when you laid down, and when you got up? I heard you use My words to teach, rebuke, correct, and train them in righteousness to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. You let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you taught and admonished your child in all wisdom, and as you sang psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your heart to Me. Let’s see how My word has not returned void……

They have come to know My everlasting love, have loved Me with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind; has called on My name and has been redeemed from the curse of the law; set free from the law of sin and death; has been washed from their iniquity, and cleansed from all sin; is covered with the blood of My Son Jesus; has heard my voice, the Good Shepherd, their Father; has not followed the voice of a stranger; lets My word dwell in them richly; has fled the evil desires of youth, and pursued righteousness, faith, love and peace, out of a pure heart; has been strengthened and protected from the evil one; has grown in wisdom and stature, and in favor with Me and men; loves their neighbor as themselves; has chosen godly friends, who build them up in Me, and has been kept from harmful friendships which would have led them astray; has a hatred for sin; has been caught when guilty; has a responsible attitude like Daniel; respects all those in authority; has been kept from the wrong mate and has kept themselves pure until marriage to the mate I have chosen for them, has submitted to me Father God and has turned from Satan and as a result is completely sold out for Me; is not conformed to this world, but is transformed by the renewing of their mind, that they may prove what the will of Mine is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect; has a heart to obey Me; has had My Holy Spirit poured out upon them; speaks the truth in love; is kind and compassionate to others, and forgiving to others, as I have forgiven them; finds out what pleases Me and has nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather exposes them; overcomes evil with good; bears the fruit of My Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; honors his father and mother so it may go well with them and they may enjoy long life on the earth; is strong in Me and in My mighty power; dresses in My spiritual armor each day to stand against the devil’s schemes, and stands their ground; conducts themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ; does nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility considers others better than himself; continues to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, for it is Me who works in them to will and to act according to My good purpose; does everything without complaining or arguing; forgets what is behind and strains toward what is ahead; rejoices in Me always and is anxious about nothing but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving presents their requests to Me and My peace which transcends all understanding guards their heart and mind in My Son Christ Jesus; thinks about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable ~ excellent and praiseworthy; can do all things through Me who gives them strength; has all their needs met according to the glorious riches in My Son Christ Jesus; lives a life worthy of Me and pleases Me in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of Me; clothes themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and love; devotes themselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful; gives thanks in all circumstances; does not put out the Spirit’s fire, nor treats prophecies with contempt but tests everything, holds on to the good, and avoids every kind of evil; sets an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity; fights the good fight of the faith; has been given a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind and not a spirit of fear; has been given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Me better; delights themselves in Me and receives the desires of their heart; and I the LORD delight in them as they fear me and put their hope in My unfailing love.

Well done My good and faithful servant!

Your Heavenly Father

REACH OUT

I tell my sisters:

"Let us not love in words but let us love until it hurts. It hurt Jesus to love us: he died for us. And today it is your turn and my turn to love one another as Jesus loved us. Do not be afraid to say yes to Jesus."

Faithfulness to the little things will help us to grow in love. We have all been given a lighted lamp and it is for us to keep it burning.

We can keep it burning only if we keep on pouring oil inside.

That oil comes from our acts of love.

When someone tells me that the sisters have not started any big work, that they are quietly doing small things, I say that even if they helped one person, that was enough.

Jesus would have died for one person, for one sinner.

- Mother Teresa

(Thank you to Vicki Kelly for sending this in!)

"Bring it On Home"

Photo courtesy of pro.corbis.com

Sometimes we walk and apply the truth of God's word but we don't feel

completely surrendered, we feel stuck in holding pattern just short of

breakthrough or we just plain can't begin to forgive ourselves or others...

let alone accept God's forgiveness!

Jesus saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do,"

means we must also say, "Father, forgive me, for I know not what I do."

Sometimes we even must say, "Father, forgive me, I knew what I was

doing - and I did it any way."

Perhaps you do feel surrendered but like you're stuck on 2nd or 3rd base.

You can totally identify with your own sinfulness but something is

keeping you stuck in the outfield instead of celebrating a victory.

Ask Him what it is and get ready....'cause bases are loaded!

Your heavenly father doesn't want you to stay out there on base,

alienated from Him and the team. He is counting on you to bring it on home.

He knows how far you've come and that stopping short of a home run will not get you to where

you truly desire to be...HOME.

Home is where victory is realized, endurance pays off, longings are

satisfied, celebrations take place and where your "best" slides into the

plate...where your spirit of "overcoming" swallows up defeat and scatters

your enemies!

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
may his foes flee before him. Psalm 68:1

Your Father in Heaven is more kind and forgiving than you can imagine... more

loving and understanding than you could ever think you deserve. As faithful and true

as the sun that rises in the east every morning, are His tender mercies.

He knew we'd never be able to forgive ourselves and that the weight of every

little thing in which we realize we have grieved His heart and His Spirit would

be far too heavy to keep us from self-loathing, insecurity, depression,

unworthiness and hopelessness.

Which is why he says to cast our burdens upon Him and seek Him while He may be found

in order that in our repentance and godly sorrow we might experience His grace

in our time of need.

So, whatever it is...unburden yourself and with all you've got to give...bring it on home.

The Rainbow River

There is a rainbow river

that ebbs, and moves,

and flows.

It follows where He leads, 

and brings life and healing where it goes.

It's a river of Living Water

filled with a spectrum of Brilliant Light...

A rainbow of  "fluid color"

a "forward-motion" promise, 

so powerful and bright.

A remembrance of wrath, 

entwined with the vow of "never again."

The source redeemed in it's new purpose -

now a living promise through Him that bore our sin.

Thirst quenching, soul drenching, 

a drink that truely satisfies...

Enlightening, revealing 

of His glory it clearly testifies.

Its colors glow in the fullness of the spectrum.

Their richness dripping with the heaviness of oil.

Each beautiful hue dancing, swirling, and rolling

over the ground of prepared hearts; 

awaiting to bless the freshly tilled soil.

Red...our sin and the crimson blood that cleanses us. 

    Orange...our hope; the rising dawn where glory and atonement meet.

       Yellow...our righteousness in the brilliance of His glory. 

        Green...our promise of everlasting life. 

       Blue...our hearts of compassion; a love that's loyal and true. 

    Indigo...our anointing; when loyalty and royalty come together in a kiss. 

Violet...our inheritance; the color of kings and and a life spent in wedded bliss.

It renews and transforms, 

all those that receive it's touch.

It enters, rests and restores...

responding to prayers that availeth much.

It seeks out the lost and the hurting;

those invited to be His guest...

All that it requires is a heart of worship, 

And God's Light-infused "river of promise," will do the rest.

How did you know?

How did you know that my burden was great?

How did you know that the pressures of the world can be overwhelming?

How did you know that I needed meaningful connections with beautiful women?

How did you know that my spiritual well was dry and needed replenishing?

How did you know that my heart longed for a powerful reminder of God's abundant, unconditional love?

How did you know that I love to sing, but can't carry a tune, so there just happened to be an available seat between Beth Sellers and Kelly Ritchey Saturday morning?

How did you know that I desperately wanted a break from cooking and potty training?

How did you know that I needed a heavenly hug?

How did you know that I needed to hear God say, "I love you, my beautiful child"?

Love,

Lori Cole

May 2009

(Written at the 2009 Women's Retreat)

My Beautiful Princess

A reminder of who you've always been.

You are so very special - truly a chosen one. You were born into royalty...through My beloved; through My Son.

You were destined to wear a crown, the finest silks and rare jewels too...You have always been "my special princess," my love and approval you need not accrue.

Your hard work and diligence will reap a full harvest if you do not faint, or grow weary. I am with you when you're overwhelmed; when your heart is hurting and when you're teary.

You are part of a royal bloodline and you are virtuous by birth. Do not fear your own "radiant" countenance, in jubilant praise - just express your mirth!

Success, blessing and favor do not a prideful heart make. So be set free from the things that hold you back...a bruised reed, I will not break.

You have found that for which you sought, because you searched for it with all your heart...you needn't worry that I will leave, for from you, I will not depart.

Your love for Me is like 10,000 flowers ...suddenly abloom...bright, breathtaking and bold. How you give away the things you never had, warms my heart and is precious to behold.

Great will be thy reward for your faithfulness and great will be thy peace....blessed will be the generations following, to which My goodness will not cease.

When angels say your name...there is a beautiful sound in heaven; the sound of love, joy, peace and forgiveness...of seventy times seven.

Be blessed my child and know that your heart is heard....Your prayers are never in vain, nor is your time spent in My Word.

Remember to lay your burdens down and to ask me for what You need...I will always come to your aide and by the still waters, I will thee lead.

Summertime Prayers

Heavenly Father,

Help me to shepherd the one's you've entrusted to me...not in perfection, but in humility,seeking Your wisdom and guidance each step of the way.

Help me be a good parent with a heart like Yours, LORD.

A heart that is gentle and kind, firm and loving; infinitely compassionate and quick to forgive.

Help me not to remember the times I've been hurt or to parent in response to how others may judge.

Show me every area in which my heart doesn't reflect yours and cleanse me of my secret faults.

May Your voice always be the One my children hear first and

the truth that echos last...far after my words have gone out, LORD, may Yours remain.

May I be the kind of parent they need...not the kind of parent they want.

And so... forever and content I remain, in Your shadow LORD, that they might know was in their life, but that You are their LIFE.

In Jesus' Name I Pray,

Amen