Thursday, March 05, 2009

Standing Firm and Staying Connected

I have always known that Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8), and that we should be alert to his schemes — but he is a very crafty devil! I thank the Lord that “the one who is in {us} is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)!

I know that Tom and I are not “special,” but the ministry the Lord has given us places us in a unique and vulnerable position to be noticed by the enemy a little more. Our ministry focuses on helping couples with their marriages, yet it seems like our marriage is constantly under attack and struggling. What is up with that?

It happens so slowly and subtly, and before we know it, we’re both unhappy and angry with each other over the same old things. Satan’s tricks don’t change—he just keeps hitting the weak spots we haven’t fully surrendered. Pride and arrogance can make me think we should be immune to these attacks, but it’s humbling when we find ourselves in this same battle again. Thankfully, the Lord helps us recognize the real enemy, repent, and stand together to fight Satan instead of each other. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace and forgiveness—and for always helping us back to our feet.

So yes, that probably gives away that Tom and I haven’t been doing well these last couple of months. But yesterday, we finally got everything out in the open, worked through it, and now we’re back on track—at least for a while, Lord willing!

While reading through the Bible this week, Joshua 4:24 stood out to me:

“He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

I think the Lord allows certain things to come against us so we’ll realize that we can’t do anything on our own—we need Him to help us up and straighten things out. Otherwise, we might continue thinking we can manage without Him. We need to always remember that “the hand of the Lord is powerful,” and that we are not.

Last Thursday night I had such a cool experience! I was preparing for my women’s group at TB’s house when the phone rang. Normally, I wouldn’t answer it, but it came up as TB’s son’s name, so I thought I should pick it up. It turned out to be his father! He was so kind and asked a lot about what we were doing and why we were staying there. The Holy Spirit completely led that conversation—I was able to witness to him, and at the end, he even let me pray for him! I may never know what seeds were planted that night, but I know the Lord orchestrated that divine appointment.

Friday night, Tom and I joined our group for the grand opening of The Worship Center in Raleigh. We were a little hesitant because we’re both sensitive to anything that feels “churchy” or institutional, but we decided to give it a chance. I prayed throughout the day for my heart to be right and that I’d be able to worship, no matter the setting. The Lord answered that prayer. The evening was good—not as Spirit-led as I hoped, but still meaningful. I don’t think we’ll return, but I pray the Lord uses that place powerfully to heal hearts and draw people to Him, and that the enemy won’t turn it into a place of religious bondage.

Saturday, we spent the day with W. It was rainy and cold, so we brought him here to see where we live. He had a great time playing Risk with Papa, TB, and his family. Later, we visited A and C to deliver their china from storage and see their new home—it was lovely and full of memories.

I finally got in a good workout Friday morning, but I overdid it a bit, and by Sunday, I was fighting a cold. Thankfully, I’m feeling better now.

We even got more snow on Monday! It didn’t stick to the roads, but the trees and grass were covered in white. Everything looked so beautiful—it’s easy to say that since we don’t get it often!

This week, I started reading a new devotional called The Vine, which focuses on John 15, where Jesus talks about being the Vine, the Father being the gardener, and us being the branches. One part really struck me:

“What a life would come to us if we only consented to be branches! Dear child of God, learn the lesson. You have but one thing to do: Only be a branch—nothing more, nothing less! Just be a branch; Christ will be the Vine that gives all. And the Husbandman, the mighty God, who made the Vine what it is, will as surely make the branch what it ought to be.”

Oh, how I pray that truth takes root in my spirit—that all I need to do is be the branch and let God do the rest. I keep trying to do things that aren’t mine to do. Jesus, please help me to stay focused on what You have called me to do, and help me do it with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength—for You.