Stones of Remembrance...

Joshua 4:4-9; 19-24

New International Version (NIV)

"When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 'Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.'

So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, 'Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites,  to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.'

So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down. Joshua set up the twelve stonesthat had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant had stood. And they are there to this day....On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, 'In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.  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.”

This was a new chapter in the Israelite's journey. Father God was establishing a new leader in Joshua and, in the process, bringing the Israelite nation from the old into the new -the beginning of the fulfillment of His promise to them. They were leaving the years of wondering -crossing over the Jordan- into the land Father God had established as theirs. Interesting, that He marked it with a miraculous display of His power... establishing Himself, yet again, as ELOHIYM - God Almighty, full of power, great judge - exceedingly more -one to be feared, reverenced and obeyed!

In this process, he commanded them to remember and not only to remember but, to set up a memorial to mark the occasion. So that in the future, they could always go back to what Father God had accomplished on their behalf to fulfill His promise to them -a reminder of His complete provision, love and faithfulness to them and their children for generations to come!

It is the same with us. Father operates for us today as He did for the children of Israel long ago. He moves miraculously in our lives and desires for us to set up "stones of remembrance" to continuously remind us of His constant abiding presence... He is ever-present; displaying His mighty power for our good and His glory. Not only is it intended to be a reminder for us but, a display of His splendor for all those He places in our sphere of influence. Our "memorials" should stand to be His introduction to the lost and hurting- those in desperate need of His saving grace. As we remember and live in the life of His constant presence, we influence the very atmosphere of every place we go- imparting His Spirit and drawing others to Him! 

Start erecting those stones and raising those remembrances and watch ELOHIYM show off! He delights in us and he is a God who is exceedingly more!

SHOUT IT!

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." ~Isaiah 64:4

Rise Up Warrior Princess!

Battling for the soul of my girl today... the enemy wants so badly to squelch the divine beauty and true heart understanding of who we are as daughters of the Most High (from very young -birth really)... Satan knows the kingdom dynamic of a Warrior Princess realizing and operating in the fullness of her God-given passions and abilities -if he can make her believe she is worthless, ugly...without meaning then he knows he has effectually shut down the conduit of God's power and influence that is supposed to flow through her.

Rise up daughters! Declare who you are to the enemy of your soul -operate in that knowledge -speak it and pray it over your daughters (both in the flesh and the spirit); be the gate keeper! Let the passion Father has birthed in you shine -be the hands and feet of Jesus! Be fearless to accomplish the task that only you've been given, DO NOT shrink back! We are vital to the kingdom and Father wants us to mobilize! The word says that you are "sought after" (Isaiah 62:12), loved and treasured -prized above rubies! If you chose to believe it you will be dangerous; radical even...the key that unlocks revolution, redemption and reconciliation in the hearts of men! Be of good courage and RISE!

Salt Licks and Fire Flys...

"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. " ~ Philippians 1:12-14

Paul is probably one of the believer's most profound examples of what it is to emulate Christ in adversity and stand up through the power of the Holy Spirit through suffering and persecution. I love his perspective and the encouragement he gives in this passage. He boldly recognizes that what he is walking through is being used of the Lord to advance His Kingdom work and purpose not only in bringing unbelievers to a saving knowledge of Christ [the WHOLE palace guard - take that in for a minute :0) ] but, in emboldening the Body of Christ to stand up and follow his lead. WOW!

It begs answer to a few questions, " Am I allowing the Lord to use the circumstance I find myself in to advance His kingdom work? Are those who don't believe being influenced to believe because of the overwhelming display of His glory in my hard place? Is my example stirring the faithful to deeper faith and bolder display of the Father in their own lives?

It's a paradigm shift really...instead of a "poor me", "why me" -we begin to see each day -no matter what comes; good or bad - as simply an opportunity to advance the cause of Christ...to be faithful "Unveiled Faces" for the display of His splendor in our sphere of influence... a sweet aroma amidst the stench of a dying world...salt licks and fire flys for the cause of Christ...

We are called -it' not optional!

How are you doing?

The place of "Adding to"...Are You?

2 Peter 1:

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Again it's about us actively participating and us adding something...but, make a note, it's not in our own strength -lest we should boast - it is through the divine nature and the Holy Spirit's power at work in us that any of the "adding" is accomplished! But, we must sharing in the doing...the whole "faith without works is dead" concept James was talking about...
If we don't open ourselves up to the Spirit by putting habits and patterns of behavior that promote verse 5 qualities into place then we squelch His abilities to move in and through us -making us ineffective for the kingdom work we have been placed on the planet to accomplish in Jesus name!
I don't know about you but, my heart cries, "make a difference...be effective!"

Are you living in the abundant; life-giving land of verse 5?

It All Comes Down To Choice...

Colossians 3:12-17:

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, CLOTHE YOURSELVES with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 12:

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We have to do the "clothing" and the "renewing" - IT OUR CHOICE - we can choose to put on the clothes of the Spirit and operate in the fullness of His power -OR NOT- we choose to allow Christ's peace to rule and his message to dwell -OR NOT- we can choose to conform or be transformed! It all in the simple choices we make...What is your focus on? Are you abiding in the place of renewal -allowing the Spirit free access to transform you? What clothes are you choosing? There's only two sets - those mentioned above and those mention in the few verses before those (and they are polar opposite)... Here's the crux of the message: It's in the place of complete surrender- the place where we choose to lay aside the things of natural man and the world - that we are able to genuinely see Father's will and plan. It's the place of perfect peace and full joy-the place of more than you could ask or imagine -even if the circumstances have you swimming with the sharks or running into SNAKES ;0).

What will you choose today - the mercy is fresh and Spirit is ready?

Life On the Edge of Nothing...the sweet spot!

These last 3 weeks have been climatic! They have been pinnacle and pivotal all in the same breath -the emotional pendulum has been in full swing. Our awareness of just how little control we have has never been greater than in that moment of sheer unabashed need and an inability to meet it in our own strength and resourcefulness...Life on the edge of nothing [the place we now call home]...total surrender of all that is of self...complete dependency on Father as our true and faithful source! The one constant here in this place has been and continues to be Father's care, love and absolute provision [and it just keeps coming]!

 I can't say it loud enough or with enough emphasis:

HE DELIGHTS IN HIS CHILDREN AND TAKES ABSOLUTE JOY IN SHOWING OUT ON THEIR BEHALF!

He -make no mistake- has his providential hand in all human affairs and He, with complete certainty, conducts the orchestral symphony [life] of his chosen ones for the display of His splendor, the edification of His bride and the calling out -unto salvation- those who are lost and in desperate need of what He alone holds for them...

We are privileged to sit in our "edge of nothing" seat -constant observers of this miraculous provision and grace that continually hovers over and around us... it is making our crooked places straight and calling forth abundance out of nothing in order to sustain us. This is the place which displays his awesome character in and through us to all who come across our station.

The even cooler thing...it's not just reserved for us...let me say that again:

IT'S NOT JUST RESERVED FOR US!

He invites all who would to join us here on the edge...it is a place of freedom, of refining...a place of long sought treasures found...the plateau where peace truly passes human understanding...a "soar on wings with eagles" kind of spot...

The view is fabulous and the assurance of the shelter of His wing...well that would be the PINNACLE!

I'll take the Edge of Nothing in the Center of His Everything over Anything else -Any day!

It's the sweet spot!

Jeremiah 17:5-8 and Psalm 91

The Church at Its Best and as It Should Be...

Our life was spontaneously interrupted today...but there's a back story!
My family and I have been walking through a very tough season -good but, stretching in the faith department. One in which we have learned to depend "souly" and "solely" on Father God for our complete provision - not knowing at times where, when or how His provision would come, yet being confident that it would.

 Well, today was no exception!

This divine intervention began a couple of days ago when I was prompted -by Holy Spirit - to ask for prayer concerning a few specific immediate needs we have. I asked and Father faithfully listened and went to work on our behalf (He is what His Word says He is and He does what it says He will do -every time!)
So, this morning my phone rang...it was a number I didn't recognize so, I called it back...when the lady on the other end answered she said "Kristi, we understand that you have a vehicle in need of fixing...that's what we do..." There was a little more to the conversation but, the bottom line gist of it was that she and her husband were on mission and fixing our car was part of it! In that instant, Spirit reminded me of a scripture passage in the book of Acts -chapter 2 verses 42-45( the part that talks about the early believers right after Pentecost and what they did) - it reads:

" All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need."


I have marveled all afternoon at this modern day working out of this passage of scripture...being part of the body of Christ is the same today as it was for the early church. I smile with sheer giddiness at how Holy Spirit moves in the hearts and minds of his people to accomplish the work that He intends and to operate on behalf of those who earnestly seek him -

He delights in dazzling us. His provision and timing are always more than we could ever ask or imagine and He is quick to make it happen -He is still in the mountain moving business -we are testimony to it!

As a good friend of mine always says, "I saw God today, Did you?"

Be blessed as you come and as you go,,,your God is near and He's taking delight in your pursuit of Him!