Under Construction

We’re taking a new approach to family devotions in our home. Each Sunday, we’ll pick a verse or two, really discuss it and explain it on the elementary school level (which will benefit CJ & her parents), and put it on 3 index cards. Each of us will put our card someplace we’re sure to see it during the week, so that we can focus on the verse(s) and how it applies to our lives. We’ll share how God uses His Word during the week. I’ve decided to use these verses for 40 by 40. I’ve been so unfaithful in that commitment, but I’m thankful for His new mercies & the chance to start over.

R & I filled CJ in on our plan today and, naturally, she wanted to pick the first verse. She chose a verse she already knew, I guess because it seemed easy. Little did she know that it was the Holy Spirit, not she, who picked the verse!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6

This weekend, I had the blessed opportunity to attend a "Going Beyond" revival with Priscilla Shirer. If she's ever near your area, RUN...do not walk...to get there. She is such a willing servant of the Lord, and He worked amazingly through her. I'm at a loss for words (for those who know me, I'm sure that's hard to believe!). I just can't accurately describe the experience. I'm still processing everything God spoke to me. I will be for a long time.

There's no way to share it all. I don't even want to. Some of it will stay just between me and my Jesus. But some of it, I need to share, for accountability's sake. So, I'm asking the 3 of you who read my blog to keep me accountable.

Priscilla shared that we'll never get to our personal land of milk and honey...the fullness of God...unless we're willing to break the rules that govern us, to look & act different, to make some tough decisions, and to let some things die. OUCH! As soon as that was out of her mouth, I knew He was telling me to let 2 television shows go. I won't name them. Not because I'm ashamed, but because this is the Holy Spirit's conviction on my life & I don't want to open the blog for debate about these particular shows. I shared my feelings with R, and he agreed. I'm blessed to have such a supportive husband.

Now, I know that cutting 2 hours of tv watching out of my week won't accomplish very much unless I'm willing to make some other changes. Believe me, there are lots of changes to be made! This is a start. And I know it's from Him, because I wouldn't make this choice...I'd rationalize why I watch by saying, "It's just entertainment. I'm not condoning the behaviors on these shows." But the truth is, I've got to stop putting junk into my brain. It's taking up room that should be reserved for God. Besides, God told me to do it. Not that I'm a model of obedience, but I know I can't go any further in my walk with Him until I start obeying more & excusing myself less.

Obedience requires that I trust Him & not me. To stop complaining about the seemingly insignificant and realize it must be important to Him, or He wouldn't ask. To stare into the face of a completely impossible situation and not flinch. To follow the Leader and quit taking my own paths.

My life is about to undergo a major overhaul. Looking at the calendar tonight, I realized there are 40 weeks until my 40th birthday. It's time to recommit to the 40 by 40 plan. I'm a little nervous, but I can't wait to see what He's going to do in the next 40 weeks!


Melissa