Georgia Baptist Ministers' Wives Retreat

Please pray for me as I share with the ministers' wives in Georgia and cast vision for our missions focus in 2009-2010. I am excited to go and be a part of this wonderful retreat! I love talking and sharing with other wives who are going through the same journey as I am. Thanks for our prayers...and I will be posting when I return on Sunday. I will not be posting a devotion for tomorrow since I will not my computer with me this weekend. So, get in the Word tomorrow and post your own comments on what you are learning...I'd love to hear them!

Luke 1:11-13

“Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.”

I am so comforted by this passage. It reminds me today that God hears our prayers. I know that Zechariah and Elizabeth had been praying to God for a child for years, perhaps most of their lives. The previous verse tells us that he and Elizabeth were well along in years. They were old and had been praying the same pray for years. Yet, they continued to serve and worship God even when it seemed that their prayer would not be answered the way they hoped.

But, here in this passage we get a clear reminder from Gabriel that God has indeed heard their prayers. He gave them the wonderful news that they would have a son and his name would be John. Of course, God does not always answer our prayers in the way or timeframe that we want. I’m sure Zechariah and Elizabeth wished that God had already given them a child. Perhaps they thought that God’s answer was no.

Yet, they continued to pray and seek God with the desires of their hearts. They kept loving, praying, and worshiping God…no matter how long or what the answer would be to them. This challenges me in my own prayer life. It reminds me today to pray in faith. Not faith that requires that all things be answered my way in my time. But, faith that God hears every prayer that we pray. He will answer with what is BEST! I can trust that He hears me and that He is always working for good…and if I love Him and am called according to His purposes I will believe in His goodness no matter what His answer.

I hope today we can be more like this couple. I pray that we each will have faith that God DOES hear our prayers! That is amazing! If we truly believed that today…what would we pray to Him for in our lives? Step out in faith today knowing that God hears your prayers and is always working for good to those who love Him.

Luke 1:8-10

“Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.”

We must be about praying for our leaders. This includes our church leaders, government leaders, and our family and friends as the leaders of their homes or jobs. I have often be overwhelmed with prayer needs and the time to truly lift those up to God in intercession.

But, intercession is vital! It is vital because God constantly talks about the importance of pray in His Word…and also it is what Jesus lives to do! WOW! Look at this verse in Hebrews 7:23-25…

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Jesus is the example of what we strive to follow each day. Intercession is a part of what Jesus always lives to do. I assign the people in my life different days that I will pray over them. I don’t try to tackle every person God has called me to intercede for every single day! Those prayers wouldn’t be specific or fruitful.

Perhaps today you can take a few moments to make a list of those you desire to pray for…don’t forget our leaders! Assign those people to days of your week so that you can have only a few people to lift up each day. That way you can make sure that you are truly praying specifically and passionately for those people. It sure has helped me!

Whatever you do, lift up those around you. We MUST pray over our leaders! We cannot sit back and be passive. Jesus is the example of eternal intercession and I want to conform each day to His likeness, running the race with endurance!

Concert Convictions

Well, myself at 5,000 or my closest friends were brought before the Throne of God Sunday night as Travis Cotrell equipped up (as he shared) to worship. It was amazing. It was beautiful. It was life-changing...because God showed up to talk to me.

There have been moments that God has truly "spoken" to my spirit. It's not a shout that others can hear...but it is a shout to my soul. Whenever we come into contact with a holy God...we are changed! One of those moments was over 7 years ago when I heard the words...

"It's over for you."

Nice. Yeah, I was at a conference and listening to CeCe Winnans sing about being broken like an alabaster box...and that word hit me like a punch to my chest. And from that moment on...my life RADICALLY changed. That was the day I began the journey of a lifetime...the journey into LIVING day and night on the Word of God. That was the day that I mark everything by. It changed my history...and rocked my world!

Well, it was the same voice...and the same blow to my chest. The end of the concert was rapidly approaching and I had cried, lifted my hands in surrender, and grieved my own frailty as a human in the midst of a holy God. Then, Travis decided to sit down to the piano and begin the song that stirs my core..."In Christ Alone." Oh Boy! I was thrilled and ready to really bust loose with all manner of worship. I knew just how this thing was gonna come down...and I was ready.

Um...no. Right smack dab in the middle of the song it happened. I was singing the verse:"And on the cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was SATISFIED."And God spoke in the very same life-changing way to my soul. He said to me..."The cross satisfied me...does it satisfy you?"I can't even write that without tears welling in my eyes. I can now after 7 years say without a moment of doubt or hesitation that God's Word satisfies my soul as with the richest of foods. But, the cross?Oh, yes I have always been thankful for the cross. Yes, I know without the cross I am bounding straight for hell. Sure I know that my eternity is sure because of that sacrificial and substitutionary act by Jesus Christ. But, am I satisfied in the cross like God is satisfied in the cross? I guess not...otherwise God would not have asked.

Everything stopped at that moment. I couldn't breathe much less sing. It was burned into my mind and my soul. Am I satisfied in the Word...all of HIM?

This morning I read a verse from Revelation 19:11-16...devour and really hear these words:

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

He is dressed in a robe that is dipped in blood...and his name is the Word of God! The Word of God is dipped in blood. It's not just a book...it is our Savior...whose blood satisfied the righteous wrath of God over sin. It is all because of Him that we have eternal friendship with a holy God.I've always known that. But, God is driving deep into what it means to be truly satisfied with the Word of God. He wants me to know what satisfaction truly is...and it just keeps getting deeper and deeper. Deep calls to deep. The cross satisfied God. Does it satisfy you?

This morning as I sat meditating on these words from Revelation I had a picture in my mind of the supreme value of Jesus. I saw the righteous wrath of God that was deservingly aimed directly and focused on my sinful self. But, in an instant Jesus was there taking that wrath on Himself and allowing me to serve a completely satisfied God.

This has rocked my world. Just like reading my Bible wasn't a new concept to me 7 years ago...these facts in themselves are not new to me. But, God in His grace and mercy, decided not to leave me to milk but to feed me little by little the meat of His Word.

Being satisfied in the Word of God means more than just getting up every morning to read verses and then walk away. It means looking on the one whose robe is dipped in the blood that forever reminds us of His sacrifice...of the blood that satisfied God. His name is the Word of God.This changes everything! Looking daily on the Word of God and seeing Him as Faithful, True, and judge with a sword coming out of His mouth and treading the winepresses of the fury of the wrath of the God Almighty changes me. I can't parent the same, I can't think the same, I can't write the same, I can't exist the same on this planet.

I can't even write it all here...though I have tried. It's deep calling to deep. It changes everything and everything now changes. The Word of God satisfies me, and every day that becomes more than I could every think or imagine. I can't look on that Word the same way.

Are you satisfied with the cross today?

Luke 1:1-4

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

Isn’t this amazing! Luke was led by God to write an account of the truths handed down from EYEWITNESSES who walked and talked with Jesus. Those that were there when he healed the blind, touched the lepers, and walked on water. He investigated everything from the beginning and then wrote it down for Theophilius (and us!) so that…and this is awesome…we may KNOW the certainty of the things we have been taught!

I love that!! In my life there are so many uncertainties. I know so little about life, parenting, being a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a Life Group leader, a minister’s wife, and follower of Christ. But, what wonderful news that God gives us a way to KNOW the CERTAINTY of the things I have been taught! He gives us His Word.

Today we are surrounded by unsteady economic times, job loss, financial breakdowns, divorce, adultery, rebellion, and depression. It is easy to look to those uncertain things and be filled with worry. But, this passage reminds me today that God led men to write these words so that I can KNOW the certainty of God. I can trust it…and live by it…it is certain. What an amazing blessing to have that kind of certainty in a life filled with seemingly uncertainties.

God is certainly in control! Each day I can take all my uncertainties to Him and KNOW that He is sovereign. What a gift His Word is to our lives! Enjoy…

Let us pray!

A lady in my Life Group emailed me a WONDERFUL link yesterday to join the presidential prayer team. I went to the site and joined not only to get weekly prayer requests...but to join the first 100 days in office updates. PLEASE consider joining this team and REALLY praying for our leaders. I hate to admit that I have never joined this before...but now more than every I feel the urgency to obey God's command in His Word to pray for those He has placed in office and their cabinet.

This is an easy way to have requests sent to your inbox...and then take just a few quick minutes once a week to pray for our leaders. I think we can all do that!

Here is the link to the prayer team...and then check out the 100 days prayer team too. I think these first 100 days are crucial! We need to pray...and not just speculate and criticize.

Thank you so much for being proactive about praying.
Here is the link:
http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Genesis is Finished...almost!

Last night was our last session of our Foundation Bible Series pilot of Genesis! It was a great time of reflecting what God has done in our lives through His Word. It was so amazing to hear how slowing down and really getting into God's Word ourselves has transformed many of these ladies' lives! I was overwhelmed with God's timing and grace.

We will begin the job of editing, formatting, and retyping (thankfully we have our wonderful husbands for many of these jobs!). We have 2-3 more groups who are interested in going through this study while it is still in its raw stage. Both Ginger and I were able to lead this first pilot group, but we are looking forward to the feedback from groups where we are not present.

If you are not familiar with Foundation Bible Series, please take a few moments to look under resources for a description. It's like no other Bible study out! So, take a minute to check it out. It should be completely ready for the fall...when we will be starting our pilot of John.

Please pray for us as we begin this next book. It is quite different than Genesis (obviously) and is posing new challenges as well. We pray that you and your women's group will be blessed by Foundation Bible Series...as it is simply a guide to encourage you to savor God's Word day by day!

WONDERFUL NEWS!

I have WONDERFUL NEWS! We went in today for my tests and the Dr. said that I looked healthy! Now, I do still have blood in my urine today so I find myself in the less than 3% of those that they just don't know why. Well, somebody has to be in that number...so why not me:)

I know that some of my friends are a little unsure of the uncertainty of the cause of the blood still being in my urine...but my Dr. and friends who are in the medical field that I we have sucessfully ruled out cancer and major problems so we are rejoicing in this today!!!

Sometimes we just don't know all that our bodies are doing and that's just fine with me:) I totally trust my doctor and my nurse friends and we all feel totally satisfied with this news today.

Thanks for your sweet prayers and emails. All is well and thank you for rejoicing with me in this!

Thrive!
Frances

Good Morning from God's Word!

Here is the passage that I read this morning on my journey through Mark:

"And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus." Mark 15:42-43

Today, may we all be looking and focused on the Kingdom of God...and take courage to do the things He asks us to do today! Thrive today!

Thrive!
Frances

First I want to thank all of you who have sent emails, called, and prayed for me over the past several days. Today I had my appointment with a urologist. Three weeks ago I went to have a physical for our adoption process (in order to see what would be said about the skin cancer I had removed last year). I did not want to have any lab work done that day since all that was needed was the medical history.

Well, my doctor was not keen on that plan...so I had to come back the next day without food in my tummy to get a full physical. Now, I don't really like to go to the doctor...I hadn't been back since my skin caner over 18 months ago. And I would not have gone any time soon unless we had been trying to adopt - insert the hand of God here.

I went home from my visit...enjoyed my Christmas and then got a call from my doctor to go over my lab results (I immediately ran to the bathroom where I locked the doors and braced myself...the actual doctor NEVER calls just to tell you how fabulous your results were!). Well, there was blood (microscopic) in my urine. I had no symptoms...which I thought was a really good thing...wrong.

So, she says I have to come back in for more tests...but I don't do doctors. So, I got interested in moving apartments and decorating our new apartment...and didn't make my follow up appointment. WELL...last Wednesday night while I am eating my meal at church...my DOCTOR calls me on my cell phone. Oops!

She tells me that she is VERY concerned and then drops the "c" word...yep, cancer. Sigh. Ok, I'll come in tomorrow morning on my way to the mountains for the weekend. Uggg!
So, I went back in to her office and they did another urinalysis. I was sooo hoping that all was well and that I could get on the road to the mountains right away. But, nope. There was still blood and before I knew it I was back in a room talking with my doctor. She was worried...because the type of cancer I had on my leg a year ago is also a rare kind of bladder cancer. Now, that I didn't know.

A referral was made...an appointment was scheduled with a urologist today...and yes I was there! I had high hopes of him saying that I was way too young, I was in way to good of health, and that my doctor was way crazy for sending me there. But, alas it was not to be. He ran another test...one which was a bit more painful than the others and found that the blood was coming from my bladder or kidneys into my urine.

So, we say down together today and he explained that he was ruling out any kind of infection (UTI, bladder, kidney, etc) and kidney stones. So, there is still that big elephant in the middle of the room...he hasn't been ruled out yet. The doctor didn't really give me any other ideas that I can hang onto this week. He just told me what we were ruling out and that he was sorry that the other tests he would be doing were more invasive.

It wasn't the visit I was envisioning today. I wanted a little more positives from him...because I am eternal optimist. Jay says it sets me up for needless disappointments:)
So, next Thursday (Jan. 22) I will be going back for a round of tests. Please pray that I will suit up in the armor of God each day to fight off worry and anxious thoughts. God has blessed Jay and I with incredible peace...but Satan knows how to fight dirty! He loves to pound us! He wants to devour us like a lion...yikes!

Here's what I DO know:
*God is Good and He can only do that which is GOOD!
*He's always working for GOOD for those of us who are crazy in love with Him and are called according to His purposes.
*He gives peace that passes all understanding.
*He covers us with His armor each day if we will take it!
*We are overcomers in Christ.
*He has overcome the world.
*He loves me.
*He loves you.
*I deserve hell...but was given salvation!
*This life is more than food...and this body more than clothes.
*My body is HIS temple...whatever He wants to do with it is His right...and my privilege.
Keep us in your prayers this week. Waiting isn't fun...but can be a fruitful time of prayer and patience.

Thrive!
Frances

Sorry for the Delay in Posting!

Ladies, I am so sorry for my delay in posting! Much has been going on in our family the past 2 months. I will be posting a couple of posts from my personal family blog to let you in on the new adventures God is taking us on in our family! Thank you for your patience as we walk these new roads and I will post these updates very soon!

Keep checking back!