30 Days of Praise Day 30 James 2:14

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?”

James 2:14

We’ve been studying the book of James at church recently and the topic yesterday was faith. It was thought provoking, inspiring and convicting.

As most of my friends know, we’ve been trying to get pregnant going on almost 6 years. The heavy emotions that accompany infertility are impossible to explain, and like other trials, we question God’s intentions for allowing us to go through suffering. If we’re not careful, the roots of bitterness and anger can quickly take hold of our hearts and lives, rendering us useless for the kingdom of God and choking out growth.

Throughout the first chapter, James speaks of suffering and how we should rejoice when we experience trials of many kinds. And then in chapter 2, discusses how crucial it is to have “faith that works.” As I was sitting in church yesterday, that concept was that much more confirmed in my heart.

If I claim to believe God-that He is perfect, without sin, loving, caring, kind, with plans for my life, knows the number of hairs on my head, that his thoughts of me are more than the sands of the seashores-than the “work” of that belief or faith is trust. It’s knowing that although I don’t understand what He’s doing in my life, He has a plan. He has it all worked out. He has never let me down before, He has never intentionally hurt me, He is my Father, Savior, and the Lover of my Soul. And if I believe that is true, then His plan is PERFECT. And I want to rest in that peace. I want to live that peace. I want to close my eyes and lie down in my Savior’s arms and have him carry me in the direction He would have me go. I want my faith to be strong enough to endure the flames of trials without crumbling to ash at the first sign of heat. I want my faith to be not only evident to those around me; I want it to SHINE with the glory of God.

And if nothing else during this trial and this time of waiting, I want to be an example to those around me, a message of hope and the enduring truth that God is in control. Just because our finite minds think or our foolish lips speak otherwise, HE IS GOD. That never changes. He is absolute, indefinite, and eternal and my insignificant little life with all of its baggage and hurts and joys is not too much for him.

Although it might mean that the end result won’t be what I’m expecting, I’m pushing aside the paralyzing fear of being vulnerable (which is ironic since He already so utterly consumes me and knows me better than I know myself), I’m opening up my heart, stripping my soul bare and allowing His will to be done in my life. I am jumping off the cliff, knowing that His arms will catch me.

I’m choosing to live my faith.

30 Days of Praise Day 29 Joyful in Affliction

To say that life is a struggle is an understatement. Everything from small annoyances like imperfections in our bodies or sickness to devastating, life-changing losses can sometimes bury us under layer after layer of pain, sadness and just plain weariness.

I've been thinking lately on how easy it is as we get older to allow bitterness to get the best of us. It's sort of the human condition (one of the flesh of course, and not of the Spirit); we get hurt enough times or things go wrong enough and we pick up our "self-pity" mortar and "stay-away-from-me" bricks and build impenetrable walls around our hearts, locking our true selves away in the highest tower. Nothing gets in, we are protected; but that also means nothing gets out and our lives become stagnant. Somehow we slog through each day, battling the real and sometimes would-be threats that surround us...and it always feels like we're on the defensive.

This is a problem on a number of levels, but the most important question the Christian has to ask is Why? Why am I allowing this world to conquer me? Why am I not bringing this pile of hurts: the betrayal of a friend, the loss of a loved one, a hope deferred, or even just the everyday annoyances that can leave us exhausted- to the foot of the cross? Didn't Jesus tell us to come to Him "all who are weary and burdened?"(Matthew 11:28). Then why don't we do it? In my recent soul-searching, I've decided that I'm going to work on two things to overcome this issue.

1) Infuse every aspect of my life with the power of Jesus Christ: through reading His word every single day (it wasn't meant to be read once a week or every once in a while. Its power is most effective in frequent doses, i.e. our "Daily Bread" in Matthew 6:11), time in prayer and close fellowship with other Christians.

2) Praise Him for everything in my life, including my struggles. When the thought came to me it seemed a little self-masochistic. Why would I be THANKFUL for pain and for the trials I'm going through? The answer can be found in a little book called James: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you experience trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-3). And the same message appears again in Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!" So not only are we to rejoice in our suffering, but we are to consider it “pure joy.”

Wouldn't our lives emit such a sweeter fragrance to our Savior and to those around us if we were truly "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer"(Romans 12:12) instead of bitter, angry and grumpy?

I’ve probably mentioned this is another post, but I have a recurring thought (I believe it was from the Lord) about how I represent myself in the midst of trials. What reward can there be when we’re under pressure or suffering from something the Lord has allowed in our lives, and we’re pouting like toddlers? That is, until things go our way, or we get the thing we’re asking for, or we feel the refining kiln fires cooling off and then we’re more than happy to give thanks and be joyfully praising God. Isn’t it about time we grew up a little bit? Do we really want to act like spoiled children?

I for one want to look back at the path that I've carved through the wilderness and know that with every step, God was given not only the glory, but the praise. That the tears that stream down my face are tears of deep thankfulness for all the blessings God has showered me with, even if it’s not exactly what I’m hoping for. That the hands I lift high in praise are to a benevolent, powerful, all-knowing God, even above the heavy aching of my heart. That my eyes aren’t focused on the problems in front of me, but on the ever-loving face of Jesus. And that I was glad when I endured this suffering because I am anchored to the hope promised to me by the Lord Jesus Christ in His Word: the faithfulness of a God that has a plan and a future for me, full of blessing and life and light.

30 Days of Praise Day 28 It is Well with My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, With my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, With my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, With my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, With my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

It is well, With my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, With my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

30 Days of Praise Day 27 Psalm 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103 is in my top 5 favorite Psalms. It speaks to my life in such a powerful way. I am a living example of God healing my diseases and redeeming my life from the pit.

When I think of this verse, I have such an amazing picture in my mind. Me, struggling in the pit and filth of my own sin: hopeless, lost and dying. When I look around and realize I've been eating with the pigs and squandering my inheritance, all it takes is one simple cry of repentance, and there He is.

Jesus, in all of his glorious majesty, His brilliant glory, reaching down into my smelly, stinking mess of a life and pulling me out.

Not only does He pull me out, but showers me clean with the water of His Word and clothes me with robes of righteousness. To top it all of He gives me a crown to wear-ME: prideful, short-tempered, critical, and sinful. He brings me to his table where I eat of His food, where all my carnal cravings for worldly treats are satisfied with the abundance of His blessing.

So there I am: clean-my sins washed away for all eternity, clothed-my filthy rags disintegrated in the radiance of His glory, replaced with pure robes, crowned-able to show love and compassion to others because I was shown by the ultimate example, satisfied-with real "food", not with imitations or the sugary sweets the world has to offer and finally, renewed-my heart freed from the shackles of sin to soar as high as the eagles.

Truly, my soul does praise you, Lord.

30 Days of Praise Day 26 Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

I know this "30 Days of Praise" has turned into more like "30 Weeks of Praise" but I'm determined to finish what I started out to do.

There's not much to dissect in this verse but I like to meditate on each verse I post to see what little hidden tidbits God has for me. I've been doing that with other verses, especially ones that pertain to certain sins I'm struggling with, or attributes of God I want to learn and understand better. For example, I sincerely struggle with my temper and keeping my fuse long. Lately it's been getting shorter and shorter, especially when I drive. I go from driving down the road, happily singing along with worship songs to morphing into a crazed cursing maniac when someone cuts me off or acts selfishly (which is quite often I'm ashamed to admit). Talk about a literal example of the verse in James 3:11 that talks about how fresh water and salt water shouldn't be flowing from the same spring. Ouch. So I decided to use the Word as my sword to fight against my carnal nature and this tendency to slip into the sin of anger. I wrote out a few verses pertaining to anger and have stuck them on the dashboard of my car. Each morning (and a few times during my commute), I read them and pray that the Lord would give me victory. And it's starting to help, I'm happy to say!

Back to the point: there is power in meditating on God's word. Something supernatural happens and His Words get written on the tablet of our hearts. They become part of us to help us with future temptations, to be able to know how to answer everyone, to ensure our speech is seasoned with grace and to praise Him with the breath that He has breathed into us. My prayer today is that my breath would be used for praising and not cursing.

30 Day of Praise Day 25 Answer to Prayer

As most of our close friends know, Tim's work schedule has always been something of a challenge. Being in law enforcement, it kind of comes with the territory. We've been married almost 6 years, and in that time he has been on every shift from graveyard to swing shift to day shift. We've always been like ships passing in the night with different schedules. God is gracious, though, and He's not only blessed us with so much along the way but has given us the strength to endure being apart.

Recently, an opportunity came up at his work for him to interview for a special assignment as a transport deputy working M-F 7am to 3pm with weekends and holidays off for FOUR years (right now his shifts change every 6 months). Now, Tim HATES weekends because of how crowded everything is (12 years of shift work and being able to do things during the week with no crowds has spoiled him :)) but one of the reasons he put in for this job was so that we could be together more and finally have the same schedule for the first time in our marriage. Plus, he's been wanting to be a transport deputy for quite awhile, so the schedule is just an added benefit.

So, we prayed about it and sought the Lord and Tim felt strongly led to put in for it. He and I felt such a peace about it in the weeks leading up to it, most of that having to do with the fact that even though we both wanted it more than anything, we gave it up to God and asked Him that His will be done (there is such freedom in that by the way...just letting go). The week of the interview came and with it some major attacks from the enemy. It seemed like each day we got closer to the interview day, the more we were fighting and mistreating each other (which is rare), little irritations would happen (like Tim driving over a crescent wrench and getting a flat tire, preventing us from going to Home Group that night to ask for prayer), I had to go to the ER for a crazy dizzy spell...Satan was in full attack mode. How did we deal with it? Well, in the middle of a fight we stopped ourselves and realized what was happening. We always hear Pastor Brett talking about humbling yourself enough in a fight to grab your spouse's hand and pray. It's so easy to sit in church and nod your head in agreement; it's another thing entirely to actually put it into practice. So we both swallowed our pride and the hurtful words that were itching to be said, and prayed together, apologized to each other and made up. And the darkness truly FLED. The next day he interviewed and after a day of deliberation we found out that...HE GOT IT!!! I don't even know what to do I'm so excited! I will have my husband home every single night. We will be able to wake up together on a Saturday and Sunday and have a "normal" life for four years. We'll be able to go camping with our friends or out to dinner or get more involved with church the way we've been wanting to. I cannot wait to begin this new little chapter in our lives!

I am so incredibly grateful to my Lord Jesus. I am always humbly amazed that even when we act like idiots and spoiled children, he still continues to bless us. Who He is alone commands praise, but these blessings and answers to prayer that come along in our lives remind me just how grateful I am to serve such a mighty, loving, gracious and benevolent God.

30 Days of Praise Day 23 The Horsts

The following is from my beautiful friend Josey about the upcoming birth of her little girl, Elizabeth. Her unshakeable faith and courage astounds me each and every time I get an update from her. Not only that, she is truly an example of what it means to be "joyful in affliction." Her daughter, still in the womb, has been diagnosed with a chromosomal abnormality called "Trisomy 13" that will take her life shortly after she's delivered. Some Trisomy babies live a few minutes, some a few years, but all cases have ended in fatality.

The below update is the most recent I've received from her and it brought tears to my eyes. What an inspiration to others she and her husband are-to take this horrible situation and turn it into a witness for Jesus Christ and show the power of our Lord through dark and challenging times.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

I've always imagined those words being clung to by people who are doing the actual dying, but as we head towards Elizabeth's birthday I feel they are near to my heart. We have chosen to induce labor a few weeks early now that she's considered "full-term" and will go in Sunday night to start the process. There are two reasons for this: first, my body is exhausted from combating preterm labor for the last two months; second, the longer we wait, the less of a chance we'll have to see her alive. Babies with her genetic disease often don't make it through the labor process and we want to make it easier on both me and her. I feel the valley start to surround us as the days click by. The good thing is that although some pressure and anxiety have kicked in a little, we're not afraid. We have a Shepherd who has made it clear in the last months that He is walking beside us. If you've had the chance to talk to either of us lately, you'd probably agree there is so much more to this story. As I start to walk through this valley I am comforted by knowing He's not going to leave. Instead of fear, there is an unshakable feeling that we are about to walk into something sacred.

We have had many people express their support in prayer and we ask you to continue throughout the week. There is so much to pray for! Jeremy is working hard to get everything ready for his absence at work, and I'm struggling to stay present while my mind travels into next week. Please pray for an easy delivery and favor regarding Elizabeth's birth. It's okay if we don't have time with her on this earth, we're at peace knowing that the best scenario will be the one that happens. Please continue to lift up the hospital staff, especially our doctor during our stay.

The whole thing feels a bit bittersweet. In a lot of ways sad, but we are so excited to see her! We've talked a lot lately about how different of a pregnancy this has been for us to go through. Physically the same (especially the preterm labor stuff) but emotionally so different. When we were expecting Seth we were so guarded that we couldn't even use his name. We weren't able to hold him until he was six days old, and weren't allowed to be alone with him until we brought him home a month later. This time around we have loved our Elizabeth without limits! The thought of holding her right away might seem like no big deal to other parents, but it is what we look forward to the most. It feels like what was lacking last time will be filled up, and we eagerly await those precious moments where it's just us and her.

We will update as soon as we're ready to. Thank you all so much for your support, physically and prayerfully. It has helped tremendously to know we have a crowd of people who have walked beside us thus far. With love, Jeremy and Josey

To follow the Horsts on this amazing venture of faith, here's the blog link: http://elizabethjoan.blogspot.com/

30 Days of Praise- Day 22 James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Whenever I read this verse I have a vision of blessings falling from heaven like snowflakes. Each one is perfect, unique and a gift from our Father. I am reminded of the fact that God the Father wants to shower me with "good and perfect" gifts and all I have to do, with child-like wonder and faith, is stand out in the middle of the sifting white with my face upturned, and try to catch them on my tongue. May I go out into the world today with a new perspective. Instead of looking at the cold, wintery darkness, may I focus on the puffy, white, perfect blessings that are falling all around me.

30 Days of Praise- Day 21 "Psalm 104:14-15

Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. Genesis 9:3

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate--bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. Psalm 104:14-15

Today I’m praising God for his provision. As these two verses illustrate, everything we need to live and breathe and have our being has been provided to us by our loving Creator. Not only in the form of food for our bodies, but for every other need of our mind, spirit and soul.

I like vs. 15 in Psalm 104 in particular: “wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread that sustains his heart.” I think of wine as something used in celebration, or maybe more simply, joy. It makes our hearts glad. Oil is used throughout Scripture to denote the presence of the Holy Spirit, which makes us shine to those around us. The bread that sustains us is the living Word of God-Jesus Christ.

I have been particularly convicted lately of what I put in not only my body but also what I’m putting in my mind. II Corinthians 7:1 has been a verse I’ve been mediating on for awhile now-I have it written on my bathroom mirror in dry erase marker to read it every day-

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and mind, perfecting holiness out of reverence to God.”

It got me thinking first about what I’m allowing into my physical body but then even more seriously about what I’m allowing into my spiritual body. To say I was convicted about both is an understatement.

Which leads me back to these verses about God’s provision-isn’t the pure, whole food that he provided for us to eat enough? Why do we feel the need to stuff ourselves and gorge on man-made, chemically altered, fake food? I am just as guilty as the next person. I love burgers and fries but I think eating meals like that is an exception rather than a rule. The last thing I want to do is come across as legalistic, but when overeating or poor eating becomes an addiction and our health is suffering, I think it’s time to take a good look at how God intended for us to live.

On top of that, and even more importantly, is the consideration of the worldly carnality we allow into our minds and souls. What do we allow to enter our home? Whether it’s in the form of books, magazines, music, TV or videos…are we making ourselves toxic with things that are anti-God? Are we consuming and consuming without thought to the inevitable consequences that sin brings to our lives? Sin feels great at first but leaves us feeling emptier and eventually diseased, unhealthy and ineffective. The same can be said of food. It’s like we get addicted to the initial sugar high and endorphin rush when we “pig out” but forget that two hours later we’ll be sluggish, tired and grouchy.

These verses have motivated me to be more conscious of what I put in my mind, let in my house and especially put in my mouth, and focus on getting a body (both inside and out) that glorifies God. I want to be radiant, healthy and take advantage of the abundance of good food, fellowship, joy, and His Word that God has provided us. Praise Him that he gives it to us in abundance when we seek it out!

30 Days of Praise-Day 20 II Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

I love new things: The first word of a book that hasn't been read, a blank page in a journal, mornings just before the world awakens, fresh starts, discovering something you didn't know before.

So I especially love this verse. To me, it is one of the most encouraging passages in Scripture to the lost or broken soul. This is the beauty of God; regardless of where we've been, how we've dirtied ourselves, what sins we've indulged in, God is ready and waiting to make all things new. Once we make the decision to allow Christ into our lives to "clean house" and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are PROMISED that the old man has been put to death in us and the new man is born.

What a completely profound, amazing miracle that is and what a God we serve! He the God of second, third, fourth...fifty chances. He is the God who sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins so that He could be with us for eternity. He is the God that wipes the tears of pain, shame, and regret from our eyes. He is the God that can take a completely nonredeemable situation and transform it into good, to use for His purposes and His glory. What a MIGHTY God we serve, and how deserving He is of our praise.