Resting in the Word

Friends, it's been far too long since I've posted. My life took on a life of its own, if you know what I mean. Almost overnight, my workload at work, in ministry, and home quadrupled. I have some very exciting writing projects in the works and speaking engagements coming up as well.

And, I've broken one of my own rules. Spending an hour (at minimum) with God daily; in His Word, in prayer, and in worship. As I sit here, I realize just how thirsty I am for His Word, for more of Him.

Picture, if you will, those times during the summer months, when we can easily find ourselves in situations that increase our need for cool, refreshing water. Too much heat, hard exercise, or outdoor activities, tend to make us thirsty. In daily life,our busy schedules, family requirements, work projects, and ministry activities increase our need for more of God's supernatural power and thirst-quenching Word. But, amazingly, we often drink less and end up parched for God's refreshment.

If you're in a thirsty-place like I am, stop now and drink deeply. We cannot possibly fulfill our royal duties without God's strength. Sure, we may be able to function for short sprints on our own limited power, but those longer races require more and more of Jesus. Not to mention, "functioning" isn't the same as excelling and overcoming, is it?

I loved the above picture featuring a princess leaning on a sword. It perfectly demonstrates how we, as daughthers of the King, must lean on the Sword of the Spirit -- God's Word -- in order to successfully fulfill our destinies.

Won't you join me, this Monday, as I recommit to time with my Lord, basking in His presence, feasting on His truth, and experiencing His love and grace? He's only a prayer away.

Your Birthright: Live like you believe it!

Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ tells this story of a famous oil field called Yates Pool: During the depression this field was a sheep ranch owned by a man named Yates. Mr. Yates wasn’t able to make enough on his ranching operation to pay the principal and interest on the mortgage, so he was in danger of losing his ranch.

With little money for clothes or food, his family (like many others) had to live on government subsidy. Day after day, as he grazed his sheep over those rolling West Texas hills, he was no doubt greatly troubled about how he would pay his bills.

Then a seismographic crew from an oil company came into the area and told him there might be oil on his land. They asked permission to drill a wildcat well, and he signed a lease contract. At 1,115 feet they struck a huge oil reserve. The first well came in at 80,000 barrels a day. Many subsequent wells were more than twice as large. In fact, 30 years after the discovery, a government test of one of the wells showed it still had the potential flow of 125,000 barrels of oil a day. And Mr. Yates owned it all.

The day he purchased the land he had received the oil and mineral rights. Yet, he’d been living on relief. A multimillionaire living in poverty. The problem? He didn’t know the oil was there even though he owned it. Many Christians live in spiritual poverty. They are entitled to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and his energizing power, but they are not aware of their birthright.

Ladies, when we understand our birthright and our position in Christ, we truly can reign real as Princess Warriors. Let's stop settling for crumbs when our King has provided a banquet. Amen!

ABOVE SOURCE: Untapped Spiritual Resources, by Greg Asimakoupoulos, Naperville, Illinois. Citation: Bill Bright, "How to Be Filled with the Spirit" (Campus Crusade publication)]