Looking for Trouble?

thanks, Flickr

We talked about God being the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort - the perfect source of comfort when we are need - on Monday. Today we are going to talk about the fact that we will suffer, we will endure hard times, we will face trials. But in those trials and troubles, we are able to experience God.

For just as Christ’s [own] sufferings fall to our lot [as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them] abundantly, so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us. 2 Corinthians 1:5 AMP

The overflowing of suffering AND comfort. Paul is saying that sure we will have difficulties. In fact, hardships will abound!  But just as we have an abundance of suffering, we will be overwhelmed with comfort and consolation. Ironic it seems, but as Christians the two – suffering and comfort – really do go hand in hand. Our relationship with Christ guarantees suffering, but it also guarantees His comfort!

There are many times that I find myself praying for someone who is going through a “trouble” or hardship in life. This difficult situation may be tragic, or just a temporary trial. But, God has taught me lately that when I pray for these people and their situations I am to pray that God Himself will be revealed to them. I truly believe that His word teaches that His glory is revealed through our sufferings and trials. Many think that “His glory revealed” speaks of heaven or His return. No doubt it does. However, I believe that His glory is also revealed all around us here on earth if we look for it. What is God’s glory? What are we searching for? Christian author, teacher, and speaker Beth Moore says, “God’s glory is the way He makes Himself recognizable.” 


Think of the people in the Bible that God used in extraordinary ways to accomplish His purposes and make Himself recognizable. Abraham. Moses. Daniel. Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. The disciples. Paul. Can you think of one of them that did not go through a trial or some form of trouble?


In every situation above, God’s glory was ultimately revealed.  He “was recognizable” in these difficult situations to show who He is to not only the one involved in the trial, but also the spectators looking on! Difficulties that we face ultimately reveal God to us and others. They often bring an intimacy with God we have never experienced before. 



So now, I ask you, are you looking for “TROUBLE?”  Probably not.  In fact, you are probably hoping that your relationship with Christ can grow without all the difficulties and heartache.  No, we would never ask for hardships in life.  But, when troubles come, and they will, we need to meet them with the longing and the anticipation of a closer walk with the Lord.  Because on the other side of that trouble is the knowledge and experience that God has revealed Himself and shown Himself to be the God of comfort and the Father of compassion.  


I want you to know that I am praying for you today, my friend. God loves you, He has a plan for your life, and He will never leave you or forsake you. He wants to reveal Himself to you. 


Living for ONE by getting off the throne,


Kelli




Linking with Winsome Wednesday, Internet Cafe Devotions, and Getting Down with Jesus

A Date with the ONE and ONLY

It was a morning I would rather forget. Life seemed to be going so smoothly, so well. And then it all seemed to fall apart in a matter  of minutes. 

Ever had one of those days? The more I tried to fix things, the worse they got. 

I had been invited to attend a women's ministry Christmas gathering later that night. That was the last thing I wanted to do. After all, I would be surrounded by cheery voices and laughter. I just didn't feel cheery and laugh-y. 

I argued with God for a while about going. He nudged. I resisted. He paved a way for me to go when my sweet husband volunteered to watch the children. I finally gave in.

All the way there, I cried. Seriously, Lord? This is supposed to be a happy event -- I do not want to show up with a white-washed face with swollen eyes. I do not want my pain to be visible!

I walked in the door of this very welcoming home with my Apple Dump Cake in hand. Just as I had suspected, I was met with smiling faces and warm hearts. Ordinarily, I would have been so excited to be with other women and share such sweet fellowship. But today was different. I really wanted to go dig a hole, crawl in it, and somehow disappear from life for a while.

I reluctantly joined a few conversations. Then our women's ministry leader who is a sweet friend of mine explained to me that there were "reflection" stations scattered throughout the house.

The stations were all different. One had a board on which to post prayer requests and pray for others. Another station had some Scripture to read and offer reflection. The third station was near the fireplace and had a cross. The cross was to remind us that Jesus carries our burdens -- whatever they are. My eyes welled up.

But it was the final station that got me. There was a basket filled with small rolled up pieces of paper. We were to take one as a gift from Jesus. I assumed that these papers would contain words of affirmation, words of hope, words of love. This excited me as God knew I needed that, especially today. I opened my small yellow scroll slowly, anticipating what God may say to me. And this is what He said:

I wept. I actually had to excuse myself. 


One of the reasons this was so profound and so personal for me is that a few weeks prior to this I had gone to Starbucks while I was waiting for my daughter during drama practice. I had taken my journal and Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts with me. I approached chapter 7, "Seeing Through the Glass." The more I read, the more I cried. Right there in the middle of Starbucks. God spoke in volumes that night and I declared that Starbucks was a date venue for me and God. 


So, you know how much this little yellow scroll of intimate words meant to me. Yes, there was a gift card waiting for me on the fridge. Yes, anyone would have been happy to receive this token. But for me, it was a reminder to me that the God of the Universe knows me intimately. He knows when I am having a terrible, no-good day and I need to know He is still in control. 


I am continuing my Love List today. I know this post is long. But I wanted you to know that I LOVE the fact that my God, our God, is so very personal. He longs for intimacy with us. He desires deep relationship. And He loves us like no other. 


Whatever kind of day you are having, or whatever trial you are going through, God wants to be WITH YOU. He is GOD WITH US. I would love to hear from you and pray for you.


Now go...

He is waiting. (Maybe even at Starbucks!)


Living for ONE,




Kelli


Linking with Jen at 

Spiritually Gifted to Give: The Equipping Gifts

Thanks for allowing me a Thanksgiving break and detour last week. I so enjoyed writing my Thanksgiving blog post...just relishing in the goodness of God. If you missed it, you can read it here... The Familiar.

Now back to Spiritual Gifts...

I don't want you to miss anything, so if you are just joining us in this series on spiritual gifts, you probably want to read the previous posts.

God Believes in You


Spiritual Gifts: Not a Secret


Spiritual Gifts: They Are Just That!


Spiritual Gifts: What They Are NOT (Includes an assessment)

Although spiritual gifts assessments are not the all-in-all, they can be very directional in helping us discover our gifts. Another way to discover your gifts is to recognize where and how God uses you. Do you often find yourself ministering to the needy and helpless? You most likely have the spiritual gift of mercy/compassion. Do you volunteer or get asked to teach often in the church? Then teaching is probably one of your spiritual gifts. Do friends frequently call or text or email you asking for advice? Perhaps you have the gift of wisdom or encouragement/exhortation. See how that works? Start observing where and how God is using you and that is probably a sure sign of your spiritual giftedness.

Another way of recognizing your spiritual gifts is to gain a good knowledge of specific spiritual gifts. Today, let's discuss the gifts that equip others.

Apostle/Missionary:  The person with this gift has a heart for a particular geographical area and seeks to find ways to reach that area for Christ. Apostles have a burden for unreached people groups and are able to easily overcome cultural barriers. Cautions: Because missionaries often work on their own, they need some type of accountability. They also need to be aware of pride and neglect of personal spiritual health.

Evangelist: Though we all have been commissioned to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, people with the gift of evangelism "ooze out the gospel." (My words.) Seriously, these people can be at a store and before the clerk has rung up their last item, they are talking about Jesus. Though many preachers are evangelists, not all evangelists are preachers. In fact, many people with the gift of evangelism never have a public platform. Their passion is to see people come to faith in Christ and they develop a simple and practical way of sharing Jesus with others. Cautions: Evangelists need to realize that bringing people to Christ is just the beginning and that people need discipleship beyond that. Also, they need to remember that this gift is not superior to any other.

Pastor/Shepherding:  People with this gift spiritually feed, nurture, and protect a group of believers. Remember that you may have this gift and never pastor a church! Pastoring is often seen in small groups. It is the ability to love on people and help them grow in their relationship to Jesus. Cautions:  Do not neglect your own personal or family needs because you are bearing so many others' burdens. Be aware of pride because sometimes those you shepherd can put you on a pedestal.

Prophet: Yes, this gift is still used today!  How? People with the gift of prophecy are able to assess a situation and speak the truth of God's Word into that situation. They are serious listeners to the voice of God and are not timid about sharing what they hear. Prophets defend God's Word and are deeply moved by sin or apathy in the body of Christ. Cautions: People with the gift of prophecy MUST be in God's Word to know the truth of God's Word! They must not lean on their own understanding. They must guard against pride and condemnation of others.

Teacher:  Teachers are able to effectively communicate truth and knowledge of God's Word to others. As a result, students are able to make life application with that knowledge. Teachers love researching God's Word and often enjoy word studies, historical searches, and cross-referencing. They are able to bring simplicity to a difficult subject. Cautions: Teachers must rely on the spiritual anointing of God instead of their natural ability to teach. Teachers need to be responsible and accountable for what they teach.


Do you have any of these equipping gifts? Are you already using those gifts to glorify God and build the body of Christ? Or maybe you need help identifying these gifts in yourself? I would love to hear from all of you! Please comment to let me know that this series is helpful. Thanks!


P.S. If you do not follow me on Twitter or Facebook, I would love to connect with you there...

Unwrapping the equipping gifts,


Kelli

God's Word, My Life Breath: Presence-Filled Friday My Guest Post at Digging Deep

My motives were all wrong. I wanted the approval of the teacher or the piece of candy or the certificate. Yes, I memorized Scripture as a child so that I could get something. I didn't realize that I was getting more than my Scripture memory reward. But with every memorized word came the very presence of the Living Word into my life. 

For more of this story, visit my friend Amy Ward's blog, Digging Deep, where I am guest posting today!  Click here to read more....

Digging Deep

And I would love your comments here or there or both places!


And don't forget to come back Monday for eMpowering Monday. I am looking forward to it!


Love to all!


Kelli