I frequent a particular shopping center every weekend to do my shopping, and over the past few months there have been an abundant amount of teenagers soliciting to passersby to buy magazine subscriptions so they can earn “points” and win a prize if they earn more points than others in their “school.”

The first time I was approached I politely declined their offer. Afterwards I was wondering if I should have said something different. I’ve been really inspired by the On the Street Witnessing videos by The Way of the Master. Perhaps I should have introduced God’s law to my magazine subscription pusher? Well, it was over and I promised myself I would bring up the topic the next time I was approached.

A few weeks later, I was approached again in the same shopping center. Witnessing did cross my mind, but to be honest, I just chickened out and I didn’t quite remember what the opening line was. Okay, next time I promised myself I’d do better.

Today I went to a different shopping center, but the magazine solicitors were there anyway (they’re everywhere!)  I was totally ready to begin my spiel when out of nowhere my eyes started burning! It felt like someone splashed acid in my eyes, I was tearing up like I’d never done before and could hardly keep my eyes open, much less focused on our conversation at hand. Damn you Satan! I couldn’t think about anything other than getting into my car, grabbing a tissue from my purse and rubbing my eyes clean.  I had to shoo away the lost soul in a hurry and totally abandoned my plans to witness.

I feel bad, but I know it was all God’s plan. When He puts a desire in our hearts, sometimes we come so close that we can taste it, only so He can snatch it away. It produces an even higher desire and heightened awareness of what we should be striving for. Honestly, if everything just fell in your lap, would you appreciate any of it? Longing begets patience, and a sweet reward for those who are perserverent.

We are all susceptible to the Enemy, and when we are under attack, it is God’s desire that we pray for the strength that only He can give us.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

I always thought the word substance meant a thing, tangible object, or basic matter, something you could take with you from here to there. But today I learned the true definition of substance as it applies to this scripture. Hupostasis is the Hebrew word for “substance,” which means foundation, or that which stands under.  Ahh ha! So very different than a tangible object.

Paul is saying that, for Christians, faith underlies what is seen externally in the context of their lives. Underlying a building is its foundation, and in most buildings, the foundation is rarely seen. If it is seen at all, usually only a small portion is visible, but it is there. If no foundation exists, the building soon becomes crooked and warped. In most cases, it will collapse and be completely unusable.

I really needed this today, as I have been having a hard time staying positive. The day-to-day doldrum really wrecks havoc on my spiritual health. I know God has great things for me but it seems all I see is smoke and mirrors lately.

I have come to that point in my walk with God that most, if not all, Christians ponder… How is God going to use me to further His kingdom? Surely I would love to be used for the glory of God, but I’m puzzled as to what He has brewing for me.

When I look around, I see Christians speaking to one another, reaching out to help others, bringing encouragement, and of course witnessing and evangalising to the unsaved. All those “socializing” activities. For those that don’t know me personally, I am very quiet in nature. I have a difficult time introducing myself to someone and striking up a conversation.  In fact I do just the opposite, I distance myself from them, both physically and emotionally. So when Jesus calls us to be “fishers of men,” I think I am the most unlikely candidate for the position. I’ve been hurt, I’ve been abused as a child, I’m wary of others, I have low self-esteem, I’m angry, I’m difficult, I’m pessimistic, and I admit it…. I’m just an old-fashioned spoiled brat sometimes!

“And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28)

Then I think of Mary, who was so willing to be used by God, and she didn’t have to say a word! God used her in the most unexpected and unconventional way.

I know God has called my name, He has chosen me for something, I know He didn’t yank at my heart for nothing. But what can I do? Why me? What tools do I have? All I have to offer is a pair of willing hands and a heart that badly needs to be mended. But sometimes that is all God asks from us.  

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10) 

I have been having troubling times at my job for the past few weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but the trouble lies with my co-workers and management. I just don’t seem to get along with them, we see things on different levels and disagree a lot. I didn’t know this was bothering me so much until one day I realized I thought about the situation all day long, even when I wasn’t at work! It was consuming me from the inside and affecting my quality of life. All day long, while I was grocery shopping, cleaning the house or talking with friends, this feeling of irritation was bothering me and I couldn’t get my mind away from it.

Then God whispered these words to me: “Do not let them steal your joy.” How true! My greatest joy comes from the Lord. Jesus came to give me true, abundant joy, how dare I let others try to steal that away from me. I should be rejoicing all day long instead of brooding over my co-workers.

Satan works in all ways to steal our joy. But our joy is rooted in the Lord, and He never fails us!

“You are my God and my King.
You are the words that I sing.
You are the reason I make this offering.”
“You Are” by Mark Roach

As I listened to this song today, I really soaked up the words that were being sung through my radio. You know when it happens, it feels as if the words were being written just for you, they sing to your soul. And these words did it for me.

So often we attend church, listening attentively, yet as soon as we walk outside we forget what the sermon was about and resume our busy lives. So often we work hard at our jobs to get our paycheck, yet forget to give back to the One who deserves it most.  So often we thank God for what He has done in our lives, yet neglect to show our love other than a few words in prayer.

Being the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth, doesn’t He deserve better than that? Ask yourself, what are you offering to God right now? Or better yet, what could you be offering to God? Love speaks louder in actions than words. Maybe a few more hours of volunteering, a few more witnessing attempts, a few more dollars to support missionaries. Not out of spite, but as an offering, a way to say “thanks” for all He has done in your life.

I’m learning one of Satan’s favorite tricks is too supply us with new, interesting hobbies to preoccupy our minds and keep us away from doing God’s work. I bet he is saying, “heh heh, let’s get her interested in this new activity so she spends all her time learning it, perfecting it, and spending most of her resources doing so. If we’re lucky, she may even become obsessed with it and abandon her Christian friends in the process. Anything that thwarts her attention away from the Holy One is a job well done for us.”

Satan is a robber and a deceiver. He tells me not to call a certain friend when I have something on my mind because they are probably busy at the moment and won’t be able to take my call. He tells me I need to sleep in on Sunday and miss church because I deserve some needed rest. He shows me new hobbies that I can preoccupy myself with so I am less likely to fellowship with other Christians and instead stay home and isolated.

At times like this, you have to recognize the Enemy’s plan of attack and do anything necessary to stop it from progressing. Call your friend, set your alarm clock, get out of the house. You just gotta do it, or else Satan’s grip on you will only get stronger and  your desire to fellowship with the Heavenly Father will get weaker.  

“He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6)

What an awesome God we live for; He promises to finish the work He started in us. I often get discouraged about circumstances in my life, my shortcomings, my weaknesses and stuff in general I need to work on in order to grow as a Christian, sometimes to the point where I want to give up completely. Then I read God’s promise to me and my hope is renewed. One day I will not have to deal with these circumstances, my weaknesses will become my strengths, and worry and pain will be a thing of the past. How glorious that day will be! It gives me the hope and strength to carry on and to continue fighting the daily battles.

I just started reading this book recently, and it has already opened my eyes to the multitude of techniques and strategies that the Enemy uses to thrwart our thoughts and actions off the path God has prepared for us. Basically everything we do that is not God-centered is the work of the devil. I used to think Satan’s only tactics were temptations, and that he would come along every now and then in my life, like when a friend would ask me to lie for them or offer me a cigarette. But I see now that the devil is constantly present, and never lets up on us. There is constant spiritual warfare surrounding us 24/7, down to the finest detail of our lives.

I will definitely be re-reading this book soon and taking notes at the same time. Now I see how the smallest things in my life don’t “just happen” without a reason, there is a reason. I think every new Christian should read this book, it really opens up your eyes to what is happening around us, even when you don’t see it.

God has been impressing those 3 little words from 1 Corinth. 13:4 upon me lately. They seem so simple, yet have such deep meaning.

When we love someone, we show our patience and wait for them until they are ready for whatever it is they need to be ready for. True love is truly unselfish and is directed outward towards others, rather than seeking to satisify our own selfish needs. I often think of the movie “The Notebook” where the old man reads the love story to his wife over and over and over again, as many times as she wants to hear it, because she has dementia and can’t remember that the story was actually their own love affair! That is true love and patience to me. Setting aside our own wants and desires to help others in their time of need.

Likewise can be said of God and His infinte love for His people. I think He takes the cake when it comes to showing patience as a sign of His love for us. I know He has been patient with me! A lot more than I deserve. He teaches me to love and be patient with others who sometimes (okay, all the time!) frustrate me, to set aside my desires and just take the time to do what needs to be done, and do it with a cheerful heart.

But what I feel is most important, I need to be patient with God’s promises for me. To not rush anything and want all He has for me right now. That is how I wish to show my love and obedience to God, by being patient.

“Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” David asks of the Lord. (2 Samuel 5:19) And the Lord replied, “You shall not go up; but circle behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”  (2 Samuel 5:23-24)

When we are facing a battle or difficult decision, sometimes we need to wait on God to give us a sign, so we know that He is with us and making a way for us. How many times have you done something, without hearing from God, only to fall flat on your face? Sometimes it may not be just a “yes” or “no” decision, should I do this God? Or should I do that? Clearly, David knew that God wanted him to fight the Philistines, but when he asked God for advice, He delivered a completely different plan of action than David was expecting. 

Don’t get ahead of God’s plans for you; wait for Him to go first, to go before you, and pave the path that you are to embark on.