An eagle soaring above storm clouds...but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40:31
After spending two weeks in Manila, I returned to Bacolod City on April 13.
Tomorrow, I am scheduled to go back there for more Kingdom work waiting to be done in the days ahead.
Knowing that I only have about four days in my home city, I still opted to come home - to touch base, to reconnect, to honor prior commitments, and above all... to obey.
It would have been more practical to rebook my return flight to a later date. But when I considered doing this, there was no peace in my heart.
The alarm clock rang at 4:30 on Tuesday morning, giving me thirty minutes to get ready before leaving for the airport. When I awoke, the temptation to continue sleeping was very strong, to not show up for my flight. Anyway, I could always have my ticket rebooked, and it actually would save me the cost of another plane ticket to come back!
A number of options were going on in my mind...just to get the extra 40 winks...just to stay on in Manila and be with my daughter a little longer. So many good reasons to stay.
But there was no peace in my heart.
I finally said, "Yes, Lord. I will go back to my home city, even if it means I will only be there three full days."
As soon as I did that, the tiredness left my body; in its place came a surge of joy and strength. It almost felt miraculous.
All the way to the airport, the sense of peace and joy never left.
Again, it was all about obedience. As soon as I decided to obey that little voice telling me to go back home, even for just a few days, the Lord infused me with fresh strength.
In one of the seminars that we run, the Building a Strong Financial House seminars, we learn that the first important thing to determine in one's life is your vision.
Where there is a vision, there's a provision.
Provision literally means, "for the vision."
These days it is common to hear about the vision and mission statements of a church, an institution, or a company. It is good to be guided by such, but sometimes I struggle when I read elaborate versions of vision and mission, so beautifully worded, such lofty ideals being aimed for.
As I understand it, vision is simply the calling or the assignment that God has for me, for a given season in my life.
And God is only too happy to reveal the assignment that He has for each one of us, in simple, down-to-earth terms!
But in order to hear and discern correctly, obedience is the key.
If I am obeying, God gives me a vision, oftentimes not the whole vision as if I were viewing my life through the wide angle lens of a camera...but just a tiny glimpse of it, one piece at a time, one step at a time.
Being aware of my mission, of my calling, and living out that calling on my life opens up the flow of provision.
Provision for guidance, for peace, for protection and strength, for finances.
"This is the way, walk in it."
There is also provision for growth and change.
Facing this new season, I have become aware of rough spots in my character where change needs to come. And I've asked God to help me deal once more with some areas of pride and self-righteousness in my heart.
Keep me humble, Lord...keep me humble.
As I teach, as I minister, as I pray for healing and breakthroughs to take place in the lives of others, my ongoing prayer is: Deal with the blind sides of my life, dear Father. Deal with my own heart first, dear God.
Sometimes without intending to, I may have been too hasty in voicing an opinion, or a giving a thoughtless remark that could have hurt someone else.
A promise forgotten, a debt unpaid, a long overdue visit, an act of kindness overlooked.
A relationship neglected or taken for granted.
God help me to be sensitive and to be more discerning.
The thought has also occurred to me that I should probably set this blog aside for a season, to sort through my priorities, to narrow down my focus, that I may see more clearly the new path ahead of me. More uncharted waters, I sense.
I'm still trying to sense God's reading on this move.
Obedience is the key... the means to a greater faith.
It's not simply a matter of believing, as I have realized.
The other day I was surprised to hear myself say these words to a person I was conversing with:
Belief is not the same as faith.
Even I was struck by what I said! And these past two days I have pondered on the difference between belief and faith.
Belief can be just an intellectual thing, something we hold on to, as in a belief someone cherishes in his heart and mind. A belief can be handed down, and simply accepted, without being questioned, or challenged. I think that a set of beliefs is how religious denominations came about; a common belief is what binds people together.
Faith goes much deeper. All Jesus requires of anyone is faith as small as a mustard seed.
Last Sunday Pastor Edgar said that when we have a big God, we only need a small amount of faith to start with. But those who have a small God need huge amounts of faith. When I heard it expressed that way, it made so much sense to me!
Once again, obedience is the key.
A belief doesn't need any obedience to grow. Sometimes, one can go to great lengths and become a staunch defender of what he believes in! But no obedience is required for a belief. A belief is a passive thing. It can leave one unchanged, or even result in narrow minds and myopic perspectives.
On the other hand, obedience is what fuels our faith to grow. Faith is never passive. It is always active! Faith is an individual person's lookout, a personal response to what God has revealed to him. For faith to expand and be stretched, a crisis is often necessary. Faith is never an intellectual thing!
Active faith is continually being tested and proven!
Faith and obedience go hand in hand. Faith is a major ingredient in a growing relationship. If I have faith in the goodness of my God, then I am willing to give what I can to bring our relationship to the next level.
And faith doesn't depend on numbers. It is quite willing to stand alone.
Just like Abraham, or Moses, Joshua, Esther, Ruth.
And somewhere along the way, God breaks through and gives us a panoramic vision of what He is doing for us - just as Jesus for a few moments revealed His glory at His transfiguration.
Our obedience does that for us. God allows us a transfigured view of our destiny, even if only for a few moments. He does not always leave us in the dark. He encourages us, He brings us up above the dark storm clouds of this earthly existence, and gives us a glimpse into eternity!
So here I am again standing before a new and higher road ahead ... learning to rely not on my own carefully laid out plans...but being willing to be a servant at the beck and call of the Master.
But more than just being a servant...
I know God wants to know us as Friend...
as Son... as Daughter...
as the radiant Bride!
And He is not just our Master who is completely trustworthy to be obeyed...
He is our Father waiting to be loved!
Tomorrow, I am scheduled to go back there for more Kingdom work waiting to be done in the days ahead.
Knowing that I only have about four days in my home city, I still opted to come home - to touch base, to reconnect, to honor prior commitments, and above all... to obey.
It would have been more practical to rebook my return flight to a later date. But when I considered doing this, there was no peace in my heart.
The alarm clock rang at 4:30 on Tuesday morning, giving me thirty minutes to get ready before leaving for the airport. When I awoke, the temptation to continue sleeping was very strong, to not show up for my flight. Anyway, I could always have my ticket rebooked, and it actually would save me the cost of another plane ticket to come back!
A number of options were going on in my mind...just to get the extra 40 winks...just to stay on in Manila and be with my daughter a little longer. So many good reasons to stay.
But there was no peace in my heart.
I finally said, "Yes, Lord. I will go back to my home city, even if it means I will only be there three full days."
As soon as I did that, the tiredness left my body; in its place came a surge of joy and strength. It almost felt miraculous.
All the way to the airport, the sense of peace and joy never left.
Again, it was all about obedience. As soon as I decided to obey that little voice telling me to go back home, even for just a few days, the Lord infused me with fresh strength.
In one of the seminars that we run, the Building a Strong Financial House seminars, we learn that the first important thing to determine in one's life is your vision.
Where there is a vision, there's a provision.
Provision literally means, "for the vision."
These days it is common to hear about the vision and mission statements of a church, an institution, or a company. It is good to be guided by such, but sometimes I struggle when I read elaborate versions of vision and mission, so beautifully worded, such lofty ideals being aimed for.
As I understand it, vision is simply the calling or the assignment that God has for me, for a given season in my life.
And God is only too happy to reveal the assignment that He has for each one of us, in simple, down-to-earth terms!
But in order to hear and discern correctly, obedience is the key.
If I am obeying, God gives me a vision, oftentimes not the whole vision as if I were viewing my life through the wide angle lens of a camera...but just a tiny glimpse of it, one piece at a time, one step at a time.
Being aware of my mission, of my calling, and living out that calling on my life opens up the flow of provision.
Provision for guidance, for peace, for protection and strength, for finances.
"This is the way, walk in it."
There is also provision for growth and change.
Facing this new season, I have become aware of rough spots in my character where change needs to come. And I've asked God to help me deal once more with some areas of pride and self-righteousness in my heart.
Keep me humble, Lord...keep me humble.
As I teach, as I minister, as I pray for healing and breakthroughs to take place in the lives of others, my ongoing prayer is: Deal with the blind sides of my life, dear Father. Deal with my own heart first, dear God.
Sometimes without intending to, I may have been too hasty in voicing an opinion, or a giving a thoughtless remark that could have hurt someone else.
A promise forgotten, a debt unpaid, a long overdue visit, an act of kindness overlooked.
A relationship neglected or taken for granted.
God help me to be sensitive and to be more discerning.
The thought has also occurred to me that I should probably set this blog aside for a season, to sort through my priorities, to narrow down my focus, that I may see more clearly the new path ahead of me. More uncharted waters, I sense.
I'm still trying to sense God's reading on this move.
Obedience is the key... the means to a greater faith.
It's not simply a matter of believing, as I have realized.
The other day I was surprised to hear myself say these words to a person I was conversing with:
Belief is not the same as faith.
Even I was struck by what I said! And these past two days I have pondered on the difference between belief and faith.
Belief can be just an intellectual thing, something we hold on to, as in a belief someone cherishes in his heart and mind. A belief can be handed down, and simply accepted, without being questioned, or challenged. I think that a set of beliefs is how religious denominations came about; a common belief is what binds people together.
Faith goes much deeper. All Jesus requires of anyone is faith as small as a mustard seed.
Last Sunday Pastor Edgar said that when we have a big God, we only need a small amount of faith to start with. But those who have a small God need huge amounts of faith. When I heard it expressed that way, it made so much sense to me!
Once again, obedience is the key.
A belief doesn't need any obedience to grow. Sometimes, one can go to great lengths and become a staunch defender of what he believes in! But no obedience is required for a belief. A belief is a passive thing. It can leave one unchanged, or even result in narrow minds and myopic perspectives.
On the other hand, obedience is what fuels our faith to grow. Faith is never passive. It is always active! Faith is an individual person's lookout, a personal response to what God has revealed to him. For faith to expand and be stretched, a crisis is often necessary. Faith is never an intellectual thing!
Active faith is continually being tested and proven!
Faith and obedience go hand in hand. Faith is a major ingredient in a growing relationship. If I have faith in the goodness of my God, then I am willing to give what I can to bring our relationship to the next level.
And faith doesn't depend on numbers. It is quite willing to stand alone.
Just like Abraham, or Moses, Joshua, Esther, Ruth.
And somewhere along the way, God breaks through and gives us a panoramic vision of what He is doing for us - just as Jesus for a few moments revealed His glory at His transfiguration.
Our obedience does that for us. God allows us a transfigured view of our destiny, even if only for a few moments. He does not always leave us in the dark. He encourages us, He brings us up above the dark storm clouds of this earthly existence, and gives us a glimpse into eternity!
So here I am again standing before a new and higher road ahead ... learning to rely not on my own carefully laid out plans...but being willing to be a servant at the beck and call of the Master.
But more than just being a servant...
I know God wants to know us as Friend...
as Son... as Daughter...
as the radiant Bride!
And He is not just our Master who is completely trustworthy to be obeyed...
He is our Father waiting to be loved!
16 comments:
Dear Lidj,
You are indeed touching a tender spot.
Obedience never was easy for me. I'm born strong willed.
The Lord has indeed had put down a lot of work to "reap me for heaven." Not that I am there, but looking back, I can see that his ways with and for me have been of love and for my best.
Your words make me reflect over my own life, and I so hope you do not stop blogging.
Being here is a blessing and an inspiration.
I read your Walkway Reflections in Easter time.
Since I was pretty busy with family visits, I didn't comment on them, just "ate" and went back to my household chores.
I am thankful, and enriched that you took time to share.
About obedience; I often find, that when I feel reminded to do something, make a phone call, give a gift of some kind, visit a person, there comes an unwillingness, a resistance against going forward with my intentions. When I conquer my unwillingness, I almost always in retrospect see; this was the absolute right thing to do, and the Lord has blessed me too by going his errands.
The evil works against the Spirit of our Lord all the time.
So now, when I feel this familiar resistance against a project, I know I have to hurry doing it, that the Lord's will must be done.
That's what we are praying, "Thy will be done" . Sometimes the Lord needs us to go his errands.
My He help us in the future, saying "here I am, send me."
Oh, I hardly dare to write these words, knowing my inner, selfish will.
I am tempted to delete, but I will let it stay in spite of my own weaknesses.
May God help us all.
I find it hard to turn over control, but as you said - God is trustworthy. I know that His way is the best way!
"If you love Me, you will obey my commands"...that is my sole desire--for only then will he make Himself known to me...wonderful lesson, Lidj...I linked back to your blog in a recent post on this very topic...
May God continue to reveal Himself to you as you choose to obey in His love for you...
Love, Sita
Hi Lidj, Yes, you have to be obedient. It's one thing to be discipline in your faith but I feel for faith to work in your life, you have to have discipline and obedience. Doing what you don't want to do . . but when our Lord directs us. I can so relate to your feeling, "But there was no peace in my heart". I know that feeling, its hard for me to focus when I feel that way or know where the Lord wants to take me. Enjoyed this posting. Have a nice weekend!
Lidji
Yes, HE is our Father just waiting to be loved. Thank you for such heartfelt words that always bring joy to my heart.
Blessings to you and yours,
Charlotte
Lidj:
This is RICH!! I left a long comment and it got zapped so maybe it was too long!
But this is a subject so close to my heart. Obedience is the pattern in my life that God has used to draw me closer to Himself. It must be the same for most of us. It is not an easy thing to learn, and many times it has come after trying it my way first.
But God, in His love, draws me right back to this word... obedience. It is here that I find more of Him!
Lidj... I sense God is leading you in a new direction, with so much ahead. I want you to know that I will be praying and lifting all that you are doing up to the Lord, and will continue to trust God with you for all of His very best!!
I love visiting here, and this post on obedience is lined right up with my own heart.
Love you sister,
Sonja
Lidj, I appreciate your open heart! I, too, struggle with these areas in my life. I have noticed that the more grace I have for obedience, the more light God pours into my life. That light diffuses throughout my being, showing my faults and sins. Oh, how I must have Jesus!!!
God is so pleased with our obedience, and yes, He does give us great peace when we trust and obey. What a privilege it is to walk with Him!
Thank you for sharing, dear friend! Many blessings to you!
Love,
Andrea
I never gave that thought before...that there is a difference between faith and belief. Maybe belief is the beginning stages of faith? Lots to chew on here...
How beautiful that you were letting God lead you on your trip home. Who knows what might have happened had you not had that sense of peace to come home? God is so good!
"Provision for the vision." I love that. I'm like you in terms of the visions God gives me--they're not beautiful, they're nothing to write about in the newspapers. But my obedience, my faith in action--that's what makes them big for the kingdom and beautiful in my Father's eyes.
Thanks for the feedback on my blog. I do so look forward to your visits. Seeing your name in my inbox always makes me smile, my friend. Much love, Lidj.
Hey my friend, I can't wait to see what He has in store for you... I know it will be great things...
I've been out of pocket these last few days. My daughter miscarried last week so I've been pretty preoccupied with her and the loss of this little baby. She was almost 12 weeks.
Thank you for the words you left me at my blog. You understand this journey I'm on and I'm grateful for each word you give to me....
Bless you, my friend!
Lidj,
Obedience is the key. It's how we show our love for Him.
He speaks to me so often about my obedience and sometimes my lack of obedience.
Thank you for this affirmation.
Praying for you as you move closer to Him. And to complete obedience.
Love you.
Sweet dreams.
Much to "chew on" here! Where there is vision, there is provision. That is a strong assurance for me today....
Then the obedience issue. It DOES come back to this always, doesn't it? And the distinction between belief and faith...the Bible speaks quite clearly that it is so. Not all who believe obey. Those who DO demonstrate faith.
I pray for discernment for you. With all your abilities and opportunities, it is essential that you discern HIS "voice". (I pray the same for myself.)
Lidj,
My goodness...as always, I am blessed when I stop by to read your post. And will I am truly blessed by the whole article...the one that spoke to me deeply is when you defined the difference between belief and faith. Belief is a product of the mind...while faith is the product of the heart. And the two cannot walk together. I want faith...no matter how small but faith...in something that is moving me...and making me into a son in the House of God.
I will remember this...in the time to come and cling onto these words. God bless you and you listen to His voice and follow in obedience.
Gladwell
I need to think about this in a quieter moment. Believe it or not, I've been thinking and wondering for a few weeks now, whether there's a difference between believing and having faith.
Sometimes Jesus said, "Believe." And other times He said, "Have faith." I discovered that "Have faith" really means "Hold fast to faith," but I've felt that there's more...
There are so many “meat” choices in your post. Yes, my life right now is all about obedience – but obedience with joy, not martyrdom.
And the vision God has planted for our family in this great change – a vision upwrapping – having “faith” in God’s “provision for the vision”
And my son rejecting belief and seeking “faith” is a bit like monkey bars far enough apart that one arm must let go of one bar before the other can grasp the next bar – a true stretch of faith, like watching a trapeze artist flying from one point to another.
So much of your posts, as I have said, are like laborers sent by God to encourage.
Consider, that while your vision for a new season is different, there other women who are traveling down similar paths that need encouragement, a voice. There is a book that someone told me about that I shared with my sons, “Hinds feet in High places” – and it is about the encouragers God sends for different challenges. I am glad your voice still calls out words of encouragement and hope from our Mighty God! I missed you!
a vision upwrapping – having “faith” in God’s “provision for the vision”
data entry work from home
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