"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY- Refuge

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: refuge

How would you define the word refuge?

What are the things in your life that you need refuge from?

How does the Lord provide refuge from the storms of life?

In what ways can we take refuge in Him?


Let me know what you think!!


"...The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.  He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me...I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies." 
(2 Samuel 22:2-4, NLT)

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." (Psalm 5:11, NIV)

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2, NIV)

"The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7, NLT)

"There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain." (Isaiah 4:6, NASB)


(***Look up the word refuge in a concordance - there are SO many wonderful and encouraging words in Scripture that talk about the awesome refuge we find in the Lord!***)



DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:


Even though we are encouraged to call on God throughout Scripture, the average person looks for human solutions first, rather than considering God's loving attention.  Over and over He promises His assistance and grace to those who call on Him in their time of need.  Regardless of what the crisis in your life may be, lay your problem before Him in trust...


*Give me your peace so that I can see things from Your perspective and make the right decisions.


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


(Devotional from: "Grace for Each Moment" Compiled by Kylie Munger from devotionals by Solly Ozrovech, c. 2008, Christian Art Gifts, RSA)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

NOAH'S FLOOD - 2013

OK, so call me Noah.

Let me tell you, we have had some *WEATHER* this past week up on the mountain!

They say that California has four seasons:

Fire, flood, earthquake, and drought.

Well, we have had all four "seasons" already this year.  I'm fully expecting a 5th season later this year - blizzard.

Yup, this has been a wild week.  I began the week lulled into complacency, waking up Monday morning to beautiful blue skies and very hot weather.  Ah, but Mother Nature is a fickle woman – and by noon a storm had rolled in over the mountaintops, complete with pouring rain.  This little exhibition was also accompanied by a symphony of thunder and lightning.

Tuesday we had a hailstorm.  Thursday, "The Hub" saw a bolt of lightning streak down out of the sky into the ravine right behind our neighbor's house.

One day I had to go into town, forgot my umbrella, and got SOAKED in a mad minute-long dash to the ATM machine.  (The irony is that I was wearing shorts and sandals because it was still a hot day!)

You can't believe how quickly a 15-minute downpour can turn our streets into rivers.  Eddie the Explorer has had fun pretending he's a pontoon boat. Sharon has not had as much fun pretending she's a pontoon boat captain.

The truly weird thing is that by dinnertime, the sky has cleared up again.

Gotta admit, it's been pretty exciting.

I happen to like thunder and lightning (maybe because my mom used to tell me that it was just God moving His furniture around...would that make lightning God fixing the electricity?!) - and rain when I can stay indoors.

But I have had mixed feelings this week, because we are also trying to get the outside of our house painted!  Several months ago, we planned to have the work done this week.  What is that old joke?  If you want to see God laugh, make plans. 

I hear Him chuckling.

Luckily, we have a hard-working painter, and he's been showing up earlier every day to get as much done as possible before we re-enact portions of Genesis, chapters 6 and 7.

Sigh.


But, of course, I have pondered this rather unusual week in light of my walk of faith.

And I am thinking about this...

Isn't life just like this - one sudden storm after another?

And aren't we caught off guard most of the time?


I'm thinking about old Noah.  I'm sure he had many years of heckling from the land-lovin' crowd.

"Hey Noah, I don't see any clouds in the sky at all.  But hey, it's a nice boat you're building there.  Let me know when you're done, ha ha - we'll go for a harbor cruise."

"Uh, Noah, the homeowner's association met and we voted that the ark should be dismantled.  It's in violation of the CC & R's, you know."

"Yup, nice Man Cave project there, Noah buddy.  But it's kinda an eyesore in the neighborhood, just sayin'."

No one saw clouds, no one was ready when the storm hit.

I'm not ready when the storms hit in my life.

Are you?

I often feel like those disciples sitting in a boat on a placid Sea of Galilee. The Bible says that the squall came up unexpectedly.  

"Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat." (Mark 8:24, NLT)

Life is like this – blue skies, and then gathering clouds, thunder and lightning, drenching rain – a hailstorm once in a while too?

Case in point…

I'm down for *my shift* taking care of my parents.  On Sunday I went with my family to the LA Kings Hockey Fan Day.  It was a long, long tiring day – but great fun!  (I love hockey season!)

When I returned, I went in to check in on my parents.

And found my dad, sitting on the floor next to the couch, and my mom trying to pull him up to his feet.

Adrenaline rush…

"What's going on?  Dad, did you fall again?"

Well, yes.  He did.  Fortunately, it was an "easy" fall, and he didn't get hurt.  I got him situated in his recliner again, consoled my mom, and made sure everyone was calmed down.

But, I was reminded how quickly life could take an unexpected turn.

I am often unmoored by my lack of control in life.  If I'm totally honest, I like control.  I enjoy being the boss of things.  I think it would be a lot easier if I ran the show, directed the players, and took the bow at the end as the Queen of Everything.

I think that – but I know better.

And so does God.

So sometimes God needs to move the furniture around.  Sometimes He needs to fix the electricity.  And sometimes we are deluged with drenching rain and pounded by hail.

Yup, sometimes He allows blue skies to suddenly change into stormy weather.

No, He isn't mean – He's just the King.

Of everything.

This past week I was reminded of that indisputable fact.  Storms are inevitable in life.  And most often, we are unprepared for them.

But God knows.

And He promises that if we trust in Him, we will NOT be shaken by foul weather.

"'Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.'"  (Matthew 7:24-25, NLT)


Hand me an umbrella, Noah.

Raindrops keep falling on my head...

"'When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.'"  (Isaiah 43:2, NLT) 

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  
(Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV)

What unexpected *downpour* has overwhelmed you lately, and how is God helping you through it?

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Jen at UNITE
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Work

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: work

How would you define work?

What work do you consider tedious, and what work is enjoyable?

What work do you think you are called to do for the Lord?

Do you think He rewards our work?  How?


Let me know what you think!!



"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
(Hebrews 6:10, NIV)

"This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers." 
(1 Timothy 4:10, NLT)

"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." (John 6:27, NIV)

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!" (Psalm 90:17, ESV)



DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:


(From the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Parable of the Talents)

Whether this parable (the ten virgins) speaks to the Jews or to all people, it stands as an awesome reminder that a day will come for all when Jesus calls believers to eternity with him...Some like to believe that they have ample time to get their spiritual lives in order, but they risk being caught off guard...
In a similar vein, the parable of the talents teaches believers that God holds us responsible for the work he has given us until Jesus' return.  The kingdom of God is real, Jesus stresses.


*What is the work of preparation or kingdom building that God has given you to do?



"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead...Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds...Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did...As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."  (From James 2:14-25, NIV)



"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


(Devotional from: "Meet the Bible" by Philip Yancey and Brenda Quinn, c. 2000, Zondervan Publishers)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

LABOR "OF LOVE" DAY

What do you think about when you hear the word labor?

If you're female, and you've had kids, your mind probably goes to those fun moments leading up to birth.

Others might think about work – and labor means hard work by definition – (physical or mental exertion, especially when difficult or exhausting).  Synonyms include toil, exertion, drudgery, effort.

No matter what, the word labor doesn't seem to conjure up the *fun stuff*, does it?  

So, today is Labor Day.

According to Wikipedia, "Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September, that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.  It was first nationally recognized in 1894 to placate unionists following the Pullman Strike (a nationwide railroad strike)."

OK, that makes sense.

But this was the extra part that I loved:

"With the decline in union membership, the holiday is generally viewed as a time for barbeques and the end of summer vacations."

Sounds so **American** huh???  

Mom, apple pie, and barbeque!!  ☺

So, I hope that most of you are not experiencing labor pains or working too hard on this Labor Day 2013.  I hope you're relaxing, having fun, eating too much, and enjoying some fun in the sun.

That's what I'm going to be doing.


But…

Might you just take a few moments and consider this?

What does the Bible say about labor?

Well, it says quite a bit actually.  But I'd like to focus on three things.


First, when we work, we should work hard.

We should look at whatever *work* we do as something that we are really doing for the Lord.  We should treat it as a mission, a calling, a God-ordained purpose.  Whatever we do, whether we work in or outside the home, I think He wants us to be industrious.

And, we should be conscious of setting a good example for the "cloud of witnesses" that watches what we do as believers.  To be honest, I don't wake up every morning remembering that I am an ambassador for Christ.  But I think I should.

So, let's represent our heavenly home well, and be diligent agents for the cause of our King.


"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…" (Colossians 3:23, NIV)

"For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.  Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living…" (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, ESV)

(I just picked two verses – there are countless others applauding the necessity and virtue of hard work)


Second, no task is considered small in the Kingdom of God.

Oh, how we humans love to compare and contrast.  It seems we rarely ever do anything just for the inherent value of the work itself.  We're continually looking at the "other guy."

Even the disciples were prone to this cursed game.  

Remember this?

"About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?'" (Matthew 18:1, NLT)

Or this?

"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we want you to do us a favor.'
'What is your request?' he asked.
They replied, 'When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.'" 
(Mark 10:35-37, NLT)


Ouch.

Frankly, I'd be embarrassed for James and John if I hadn't asked the Lord my own version of those questions a time or two (or hundred).

Sometimes I get discouraged thinking that I'm not doing enough.  Some of it is motivated by a true desire to serve God.  But often, I’m driven by the compare/contrast trap.  And, if I'm completely honest, I often want to do bigger things because I want to be more noticed.

Ah, the quicksand of seeking the approval of men.

But God does not look at work in this way.  

In fact, He turned it all upside down when He said this:

"But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then." 
(Matthew 19:30, NLT)

God looks at what we do through His eyes, His perspective, His purposes. Not a one of us is useless or extraneous to the important work of the Kingdom.

I once blogged about being a big toe in the Body of Christ (here).  I think it's good to remember that ALL of us contribute, and NOTHING is ever too small if done in the name of the Lord, for HIS glory!


"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 
(1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…" (Zechariah 4:10, NLT)


Finally, we will be rewarded for our work.

You know, sometimes I feel guilty when I receive compliments. Why? Because I get this inner thrill inside of me.

I've struggled for many years over this issue.

Is it wrong to be glad when someone recognizes our work and applauds it?

I have suffered terrible angst over the happiness I feel when I am able to connect to someone through either my written or spoken words.  I judge that I am feeling this way only because I'm taking credit for it.

After all, I've been taught all my life that we should not boast except in the Lord Jesus.

So, in sort of a reverse *un-pride* I've dismissed people's reactions and remarks.  I've pushed aside those good feelings I get.  I've squelched the boost to my self-esteem, as I've labeled this response as egotistical.

But, in the end, it seems that all I've really accomplished is getting myself very, very discouraged.

Yup, in an effort to be a good "Christian," all I've succeeded in doing is giving the enemy a mighty stranglehold on my heart.

Think bushel – hiding my light under a bushel.

That's not right either.


So…

I've actually concluded these three things:

1) The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts, and we are told to 
USE them.

2) When we use our gifts for the Lord's sake, and for the sake of His body of believers, and for the advancement of His Kingdom, we will feel JOY.

3) Part of our mission as His disciples is to SHINE.


In an unbelievable act of grace, God also promises us rewards.  He knows how He made us.  He knows we need to feel a sense of accomplishment.  He knows it's important to be recognized and shown approved.

And you know what?

He really likes giving pats on the back!

It's OK to work for a reward.  It's part of our inheritance, it's part of God's promise to us, it's part of what we were made for.

I personally think I'm going to look pretty good in a crown…just sayin'!!


"Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (Colossians 3:24, NLT)

"His lord said unto him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.'" (Matthew 25:23, KJV)


So, on this Labor Day, may we look at *work* in Biblical terms – considering all we do as a labor of love.

Let's work hard.

Let's always remember that no work is too small.

And let's never forget that we will be well-rewarded for our efforts.


It's all for HIM.

All for HIS GLORY!

From sunrise to sunset,
commit your work to the Lord.

How do you need to change the way you view work?


Linked today with:

Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Shari at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"