We’ve Got the Power! It’s Pentecost Sunday!

Happy Birthday to YOU! Today is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Church. So, it is YOUR birthday, because you ARE the Church going and coming. At every birthday celebration, a gift always shows up! This day of celebration commemorates the Gift of the Holy Spirit to us. And what a gift He was AND is to us today!

Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Easter) -- the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and others in the Upper Room. They were in one accord in one place. We, the Church, need a Pentecost today! To turn from blame and shame to Godly, courageous, bold witnesses for Christ. To become people of compassion, kindness, and love for each other. In a world of violence and cultural unrest, if ever we needed a Pentecost, it is today!

Pentecost fulfilled Jesus' promise "to send the Holy Spirit to you!" (John 16:5-15). It launched Peter as a powerful witness for Christ. How did he go from being cowardly to courageous, from being frightened to fearless? How did he go from denying Jesus to defending Jesus? It was the power of Pentecost that made the difference in his life. And that is the same power we need in our lives if the Church is to have a positive and lasting impact upon the world. Peter was changed. (Acts 4:13)

Acts 2:41 records that Peter spoke to the crowd and 3,000 people were baptized. Power-less to power-full! And that’s what Holy Spirit does for us, too! My story is similar to Peter's. I was weak, timid and afraid, but because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life, I weathered and overcame many storms in my life. The Holy Spirit gives me the power and confidence to share the Good News boldly and unafraid. The power of the Holy Spirit is available to anyone who is a believing and obedient Christian and who desires the fullness of God’s Spirit.

The moment we received Christ, the Holy Spirit not only came to live in us, but He also imparted the power to overcome the enemy’s tactics. "Be filled" means to allow the Holy Spirit to produce His attitudes and actions in the life of the believer. We received amazing gifts of the Holy Spirit when we received Christ and a big bushel of fruit. Galatians 5:22: "The Fruit of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

The change this world needs begins with you and me. When we point to others, there are four fingers pointing back to us. "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin in me!" Won’t you pray this prayer to be changed and empowered to be bold witnesses of God's love through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit?

“Dear Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, I know You live in me. I know that You are my helper, my counselor, my confidant, my comforter and my peace. I ask You to take complete control of my life. I ask for Your gifts and fruit to be evident in my life. Lord, I ask that You fill me to overflowing with Your precious Holy Spirit. Baptize me from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet – the same way You filled those in the Upper Room. I ask You for a radical transformation like the disciples had when they went from fear, anxiety, and timidity to empowered people of faith, boldness, and courage. Come Holy Spirit! Consume me! I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Offering Sacrifices of Praise is Sometimes All We’ve Got

A dear friend of mine, for over nine years has been relentless in the care of her sweet boy and his journey with Full Trisomy 13. I’ve never seen anything like what this sweet boy has endured and neither have I seen a mother more devoted to her boy in meeting his daily needs, but is even more devoted in audacious faith, believing always for a miracle. I saw her post a few days ago, after going through a tremendously traumatic Christmas break with her young son. She was simply wishing she could have had time with her other two sons, but she couldn’t. She was at the hospital with her youngest. She is brave and courageous beyond words, but deep inside warriors is that longing for normalcy. Yesterday, I read that she is still in the hospital with that precious little man. It was Epiphany Sunday and I prayed for God to reveal Himself strong to her.

Saying we’re praying for her/them, seems trite. The only words I could come up with during that Christmas time were to urge her, when it’s too hard to praise, to offer a sacrifice of praise. These were the only words I could think of to offer her. They still seem meager to offer some consolation to her, but, what better words could I give her than from God’s Word? I share them here today with you because there may be some of you who are also exhausted, spent, ready to throw in the towel and be done. But, DON’T QUIT! Praise, even if it's a sacrifice.

"Precious, loving, devoted "L". I pray for you today – you who are carrying such a heavy load – but also knowing you know our burden-removing Lord Who bears those burdens with you and for you. I pray you are able to cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you and your family so much. "K" is still in God's hands though it may not seem like it. His life and yours are a shining example of true love, compassion, and devotion. I pray you find your voice of praise and thanksgiving -- even though it may be a sacrifice to do so. Hebrews 13:15 says, '“Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that acknowledge His name.”'

A sacrifice is a gift to God declaring that He is worthy. It is also, by definition, difficult. A sacrifice hurts, it’s costly, it takes effort—and the ultimate sacrifice cost Jesus His life. And, for us, a sacrifice of praise won’t always be easy, but difficult and costly. Because of Scripture, we know that we don’t just confess God’s name when it feels good, looks good, or benefits us in some way. We offer praise, as Hebrews 13:15 says, “continually.” This means without ceasing, in all circumstances. Like Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

And, as this verse says, we’re able to do all this “through Him.” Through Jesus, we’re able to see the great, great love of our great, great God Who holds everything in the palm of His hand and bends it to His will with a word. Through Jesus, our mediator, we’re able to access the Father in order to give Him due praise (1 Timothy 2:5).

Nehemiah says, “The joy of the Lord is our strength” (8:10). Through praise we enjoy God. Imagine that! Praise focuses us on where our joy comes from and where our gaze should be, and the result is our strength! Whether through prayer, meditating on God’s Word, thanksgiving, or praise, we can lift tired hands even when it’s hard -- especially when it’s hard -- and say, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord!” (Isaiah 6:3).

Here's what your devotion, love and suffering did for me today, dear "L". You gave me a blog that will surely be posted and shared for others to learn from your beautiful life of love for your little angel boy!" 🙏❤️🙏❤️

In my own experience, there were times when the last thing I wanted to do was praise God. In those times, the burden of offering such a sacrifice seemed impossible -- and I know I wasn’t alone in this. I know many who are in a fetal position right now from the weights they carry. Weariness has set in – and it seems tomorrow will never come. But, as I shared with my friend – when all else fails, when the night seems so, so long – we become “praisers” – in the middle of it all. The middle can be a hard place to be – but joy comes in the morning. I pray morning breaks for my sweet friend and for you today. Let us offer sacrifices of praise because God is there soaking those praises in. Will you please join me in praying and praising with me for my sweet friend and her precious boy today?

Somebody Else Will

A dear friend of mine is having quite the year. She has faced personal health issues and as the director of an active, vibrant ministry – was loaded up with leading it in a major event, and was tremendously successful at it, I might add. She has two children getting married this year (one this weekend), and has a full-time job -- not to mention all the other hands-on and necessary things she does for God and her family. She has been loaded up, to say the least. A few months ago, I campaigned the troops to get behind her in support. My personal attempts were meager. In the back of my mind, I thought “someone else” will help her because I'm loaded up, too! In fact, I heard of a couple of gals who were helping her which made me feel better.

Fast forward a couple of months when I saw my friend at church and asked. “How are you doing? How are the wedding plans? It won’t be long before it’s all behind you.” My famous last meager and inadequate words of solace. That night, Deacon Alex Barbieri spoke about “Somebody Else”. He explained: “Jesus was very hands-on with His disciples – teaching them about feeding a crowd with just a few loaves and fishes." The disciples seemed to always have self-doubt and were always asking the question: “What about us?” Jesus just kept influencing them by saying “You are up for the challenge. You are bold and courageous." Jesus takes our “measly” remnants to meet us wherever we are and whatever situation we are in. Don’t wait for Plan B. Use what you’ve got right now to help someone. It’s time you make a personal commitment. The DNA of Christians is called "service". Jesus said, ”If you follow Me, the bar is higher." Jesus was saying “Instead of SOMEONE ELSE doing it – YOU do it." There is someone who died and the family needs us. There are immigrants, prisoners, homeless and others who need us, but we keep thinking: “Someone else will take care of them!” Jesus is saying: “JUST DO IT!”

I couldn’t get that message off my mind and my heart. I texted my friend: “I’ve got a free day tomorrow! Can I come over and help you?” Her lightning fast reply was my assurance that I was hearing right. She invited me to come over and help her iron tablecloths for the wedding. Rather, than that, I picked them up and at my home I took care of the job so she had the time to do something else on her busy to-do list. It took me a couple of days for those thirty-one 144” tablecloths to iron and hang – which included my prayers for the wedding and the family. That was eight hours of blessing on both our parts. Tablecloths. A cup of cold water. In His name. Blessed.

This time it wasn’t “somebody else”. It was me. I’m so thankful I said, “Pick me!” Lord, help me to always have the time to sense your nudges, hear your call, see the needs of others and respond as your hands and feet. I want to be a “JUST DO IT” kind-of-girl for You and others, because You are a "JUST DID IT" Lord for me!

Boldly Moving from the Back Seat to the Front Seat

We’ve taken the back seat long enough. We’ve allowed others to drive us to places (figuratively speaking) where we really didn’t want to go. But because we’re good back seat listeners rather than front seat speakers, we are complacent, quiet, and seem agreeable to wherever they go and whenever they go there. Instead of sitting in the back seat, it’s time we took our place in the front seat and “steered” the conversation.

When my sweetheart passed away, I had to become a take-charge, confident, fearless and BOLD gal. I played the "widow" card for a while and it worked in negotiations for my new home, getting some special treatment for services and getting lots of TLC from friends and family. Before long, that card expired and I had to step up to the plate and be a strong, resilient and capable businesswoman, entrepreneur and coach to those who faced similar circumstances.

I know boldness can often come across as pushy. And when we "go bold" on our own, it isn't a pretty sight. You know those folks: demanding, controlling, domineering. Ugh! I do my best to steer clear of them and I sure don't want to be one of them, either. Those take-over approaches don't honor God and, in fact, they even repel when we want to draw folks in. We want to lift people up -- not bring them down.

Boldness, in the hands of God, can be such a gift. I love Queen Esther's boldness. She was willing to approach the throne of King Xerxes, though it could have meant her life. She said, "I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish," (Esther 4:16). What a role model for women in every century! But her plan was not her own. Before she put her life on the line to save her people, she wisely asked them to fast and pray, that she might be given favor by the king. And great favor she received.

Boldness can be risky business when we do it on our own. But when we allow God to be in the driver’s seat, we can rest assured He will take us to where we need to go and get there safely and in His perfect timing. We can trust Him completely without fear. In fact, we can leave the driving to him entirely – knowing the outcome is always in His capable hands.

I'm thanking God for giving me victory over intimidation and helping me in my quest for boldness. With His nudging and reminding me of His abilities in me, I sold two homes in Oklahoma and purchased a home in Texas. I left the driving to His capable hands. I’ve silenced the voices of intimidation and have boldly stepped into my seat of boldly blogging and speaking about God’s faithfulness and goodness.

When we let HIS boldness pour through us, we’ll discover, "He crowns the humble with victory," (Psalm 149:4). My crown is not the likes of Queen Esther, but it's one I wear proudly because it's one that God placed on my head and it's called the Crown of Boldness. I've learned not to hold back from sharing God's love to those who are hurting. Here's God's Word for you and I today: Joshua 1:9 "This is my command: Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." So, let's be bold, be strong, for the Lord our God is with us....and, like Queen Esther...."for such a time as this!"

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

Last night, the gals from my Life Group embraced one of our members whose dear husband went to heaven two years ago, yesterday. At dinner she shared what a wonderful husband and dad he was, as well as being a brave soldier in the Vietnam war. Then we went to see "Heaven is For Real". Perfect movie for the celebration. Sweet times -- sharing each other's faith journeys. This group, also, wants to be good soldiers, armored with God’s Word. Most importantly, we are doing what St. Paul told young Timothy to do in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of FAITH!” We are convinced God uses our “life's adventures” to equip us with undaunted and unwavering faith.

I remember what a brave, courageous soldier my own sweet husband was, and what it was like.....before the "suddenly". Once upon a time, we had days that seemed so “routine”....waking up, getting dressed, having devotion, eating breakfast, going to work, etc. Repeat. And then, the “suddenly” came that brought a totally new life perspective. Before, rarely did we take the time to focus on how green the grass was, how blue the sky was, how bright the sun was, and how precious were days that were pain-free.

We took the preciousness of life so for granted. I received a lot of e-mails from friends that talked about appreciating life…..and never really got it, until our "suddenly". You know, holding my Honey’s hand, kissing his sweet lips, smelling his wonderful smell (btw -- “Fierce by Abercrombie” -- LOL!), hearing his laughter when he played with the grandchildren, hearing him tell me once again “I love you” – all those things that were once “routine” became so precious and dear to me!

Why do I continue to share my story with my FB friends? Because I want you to appreciate the life, love and laughter God has given you with your precious loved ones. Make every day a day of great thankgiving and making precious memories that will last a lifetime. In the meantime, for my sweet friend and I -- our husbands are cheering us on from heaven's grandstands, and we plant their flag of VICTORY knowing they fought the good fight, conquered, and earned their reward. And, she and I are both determined to finish our race strong -- cherishing each day, and celebrating this side of heaven. We know the other side will make room for us soon enough. That's when we'll plant OUR victory flag -- THERE!