It is Finished...

Today my 10 chapers were John 17 - Acts 5


Much of what I read in John was the crucifixion of Jesus. This is the 4th gospel that I have read this in during my reading time, but for some reason, these words really stand out to me.

It's been a week of loss. Many dear people said "It is finished..." this week. My grandma's dear friend, Ruth Elliott. A dear lady that I worked with at Advance Brands - Marilyn Kruid, My great aunt, Teresa Pick, and sweet precious Jude Willem Kroeze, and then today, Matthews favorite cat Jax. My heart breaks for each of these families. Losing those we love can seem unbearable. I say it all the time, but... what would we do without faith.

So, "It is finished..." means something new to me this week. It means, the walk here on Earth is done. But... "it" hasn't yet begun. Our eternity in heaven, Jesus coming again to Earth and brining heaven with him... that has yet to begin. So... while we focus on the "end," I'm so glad that we know that we haven't even began eternity. And while what seems unbearable today for so many is hard, we get to have the assurance that because we believe that He died on that cross, that He defeated Satan, that He rose again and then ascended into heaven, we get to have life for forever. Life as we know it will end, but as always, God has big plans for us. Plans for eternity. We can't imagine his glory, but soon, (and if things keep up at the rate they were this week, sooner than we think:-) we will be with him and experiencing joy we can't even begin to imagine.

"Thank you Jesus. Thank you for obedience and for dying on the cross. Thanks for takin Satan, so that we can all "rise from the dead" into eternity! We are so unworthy of claiming the benefit of the suffering that you had. May we praise you and worhip you and may you find hearts full of love and gratitude. We know that for many this week, their present life ended. We pray supernatural peace for their families as they transition into the new day. And until the day comes, when you return and say the final "It is finished" may you find us seeking you and your will."

Take Heart...

aah.... what a day. I was able to snuggle with my Emma, walk on the treadmill while reading my bible, see my mom, my grandma, Carter's "special" Marty, and still watch the boys play games and read part of the bible to them. The prayer room via on the big screen... I got to share my viewpoints on heaven with my grandma, got to hug her in her struggles, as she bids a friend of over 60 years goodbye... As life goes... today was a good one! Praise God!

From my reading, I'm leaning towards the very end. We're on John 6 - 16, and I'm taking the last verse of John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Grandma, this one is for you... Jesus has overcome the world!!! AMEN, and AMEN, and AMEN. We don't have to worry about what heaven might look like, because we know that Jesus has prepared a place for us! We are his....

In John 16 he tells us that he wants us to have peace. Grandma, you will lose your best friend of more than 65 years... (and I will cry tears for you!) Your health will fail, you'll want to be with grandpa so bad that you can hardly endure what many of us look forward to every day.... Life is full of trouble. But.... take heart! Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we could KNOW that we will have life in heaven (heaven on Earth when he returns!) Rest knowing that he has prepared a place, and that he LOVES us! He has good plans for us... He loves us more than we love ourselves....

Today, I need that reassurance... how about you????

"Jesus, thank you for the promise that you give us in life everlasting! You weave life together so perfectly. Teach us to love like you!"

The last supper...

I have always had a love for the last supper. I imagine sitting around the table with the greatest leader of all times. Being ordinary with him. I love to get to know people for who they are and just be natural with them. (Not one for all the formality and superficial stuff, as it's hard to get to know the real person!) I used to think that alot of this was formality. As I've gotten older, I see it more as an opportunity to see and get to know Jesus in a more personal "friendship" kind of way. While washing feet seems ceremonial to us, in Bible times it was totally natural. After all, they didn't walk around in Nike's! So I see that like us washing our hands before we eat, or going to the restroom before you get into the car (can you tell I have little kids:-)) It's just something you do!


But... how Jesus did it was amazing. With love and humility. Serving them. It's about the posture... He submitted himself. Time and again, I read this part of scripture and think - if only I could be a leader like that...

Anyway... today's verse is from this story...

John 13: 25-27
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

For some reason this verse opened my eyes that Satan is really everywhere. Seriously - this was the last supper. And he entered into Judas there???? Just lurking and waiting to prompt with evil thoughts... It truly makes me sad. And, was Judas really that bad? Or that different from us?

HOWEVER, it also makes me rejoice that had itnot be for the Father's plan, Jesus wuold not have allowed this to happen. He KNEW it was going to happen, and mean his betrayal and death. He had the advantage of knowing the entire story! He knew, that he would soon rise from the dead after defeating this same Satan, bringing with him eternal life! So... in the big picture, this was an important piece for the plan.

So... I can be aware that Satan is really everywhere... But, I should be rejoicing that I don't have to worry about anything but listening to God. If I am close to him,

"Father God - thank you for the reassurance that your plan is always greater than ours. Today, as I watch 2 elderly women I deeply respected enter your kingdom of glory, and read updates about a young couple delivering their precious stillborn son, I can't help but to think how great it would be to know your greater plan. And yet, satan is always there. And he brings with him suffering and pain. but you bring peace. Not comfort... we will have troubles! But peace.... Jesus had the peace of knowing that Judas was key to the plan you had for him. May this passage give all peace, that you have a plan in all things, and are in control of all things. May we strive to be humble and lead like Jesus. Really God, who hands his betrayer bread and dines at the table with him, and washes his feet? - only a humble leader! I want more of you. More humility."

Those Eyes...

Today... Luke 20 - John 6


Luke 22:61 - The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.

So, those words alone aren't so profound. However, in context, they are bone chilling. You see, Jesus had predicted Peter's denial. Jesus was the only apostle that was daring enough to stay close to Jesus when they arrested him. Yeah Peter! but then it happened.... 3 times he denied him. Imagine these eyes turning to you after your third time denying him...




I read this and I thought to myself... Sitting here, it's easy to think - wow Peter, he told you what would happen and you still fell prey to Satan. But, seriously, what makes me think I would be any different. I've been convicted alot lately about fear of man. Not fear of death, but just what they will think of me. So, who am I to scoff Peter... He was fearful of death. I, on the other hand, hold back at times, because I'm afraid of offending others, or of what they will think.... Convicting!

"Lord, I ask that I would have the courage to ALWAYS acknowledge you. Even if that means embarassment. Remove my pride and help me to walk firm in your directions. Guide my steps and give me wisdom and boldness!"

Given Much...

So, I'm posting early today because I got sleepy last night!


Yesterday was Luke 9 - 19.

There were so many good stories in this section, that it is hard to chose just one to write about. I flipped through again, and here is where I'm pondering today...

Luke 12:47-48

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

To put it in context.. Jesus is telling the parable about putting the manager in charge of the servants for their food allowance, and that it is wise to find him doing so when he returns. (and that he is coming when we don't expect him)

You see, I had heard this verse often over the years. To him who has been given much... However, it was always in the context of earthly things. You know, Food, housing, money, etc. All material things. And we were to share that... ok - got it.

Now as I read it, I think HOLD ON.... In it's full context, I read it to mean so much more! (Those of you who are bible wise can roll your eyes at me, it's ok... I'm thinking I might be a little slow in getting this one!)

The servant who knows his masters will - That's us, knowing God's will. How do we do that? Get into his word. If we don't know his will - the punishment will be less. This makes me think of His grace. And the day of righteousness. I think abut my kids. If they do something wrong, knowing that it is against the rules, I tend to be more severe with their punishment. However, if they do something wrong, and really didn't know that it was wrong (mind you, Emma claims this alot at the age of 4!) leniency is in order. A word I've used is "willfully disobedient" I also think that because He knows the condition of our heart, grace is applied.

So, if you have been given much, much will be demanded. Yes, earthly blessings probably fall into here. However, I'm thinking about the spiritual gifts that he gives us, along with his word. If he gives you the gift of wisdom, and you don't use it to help others understand, what have you done with the gift he has given you. Perhaps you have the gift of teaching, but you say... Lord I'm too busy, let someone else do it... Or maybe your an intercessor, and yet find yourself saying, Lord I'm too busy to pray. If you're a believer, he has given you gifts. Discover them, walk into them, and use them! To whom much is given, much will be demanded. WHAT A PRIVELAGE. To use your gifts from God for His glory.

So... as I ponder this from a "knowing his will" perspective... We have all (likely) been given a bible. We have the ability to "know his will." With out the Holy Spirit, it may be scary to hear, the more you know of your bible, the more is expected of you! However, because of the Holy Spirit, the mroe we know, the more hungry we will be for it. And the expectations will be considered pure joy!

I firmly believe that I'm in a season of life that God is showing me more of "His will" so that I am able to be asked. I also know that their is SO MUCH more knowledge that I haven't tapped into. We can never know him completely! Wow...

My hometown...

Aaahhh.. the Lord's day!  I love a day of rest! 
Day 6...
Today's reading was Mark 15 - Luke 8.

I paused at Luke 4:24-27

   ²⁴ “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. ²⁵ I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. ²⁶ Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. ²⁷ And there were many in Israel with leprosy^[a] in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”


Two things stick out to me.  First, that a prophet is not accepted in his hometown.   I guess because we are human and judgemental.  AND because no one is without sin.  It's easy to go to another town and "appear" to be a bit more "cleansed".  However, in our home town, everyone knows our "garbage".  They know our story, good and bad.  Therefore, it's harder for them to accept us for who we are in Christ.  Hmmm.....  Somehow, I'm left thinking that I'm on both the giving and receiving end of this one!

And then, the widow at Zarephath.  Honestly, I didn't even know she was mentioned here!  The perspective this lends, adds to some work I've done lately about how God "goes out of his way" to bless.  (especially women)  Several times Jesus traveled out of his way to intentionally bless someone.  But I hadn't thought about Elijah doing that...  For now, I'll stay the course of my reading, but you can bet that I'm heading back to Elijah's days to see if there are other spots like this one!  Don't get the point wrong here.  I think he's really trying to say that Elijah didn't receive an open welcome in his town to bless people, so God sent him away during the famine.  

Not so sure I'm getting my thoughts across clearly tonight!  Sorry if I caused more confusion than doing good!  Must be because my brain was at rest today! 

Lysa is coming... the billboard...

Ok - One more exciting thing about the conference. 

We are going to try a billboard.  Many times when talking with women of the area, they have never heard of COMPEL... SO, we're putting up a billboard along I-29.  (By the Floyd Monument going North for those of you from Sioux City!)

This is a first for us, and we're nervous, as the money isn't necessarily in the budget.  However, we feel like God is nudging us, and that he will provide.  Perhaps just one will come from the sign.  One that needs to be still in his presence, one that doesn't know him, one that...  (who knows!)

So... if you're from Sioux City, or passing through... Be on the lookout!!   And... certainly be in prayer for the women making decision on whether to come!