Discovery

Discovery

For consider your calling brothers, not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1:26-27

I recently started a YouVersion study titled: “The Discovery - God’s Call on Your Life.” Following every Devotion the writer poses questions the student is to answer in a personal journal. These are the questions from the first lesson.

Briefly describe your life before Christ.
How did you come to understand you need Jesus?
Describe the events surrounding the moment you gave your life to Jesus.
What changes occurred in your heart/life as a result?
What do you understand now that you didn’t know then?

I’m sharing this because I want you to see how God can transform a life. Sometimes it’s a good thing to look back in order to see God’s work in our lives, but it’s not good to dwell there. Instead, allow him to dwell in you. See that God’s love supersedes self loathing, self pity and self fulfillment.

Before God…

My life before Jesus was sad. I was continually looking for someone to love me, to fill that void. I knew I was missing something vital. I hated myself. I lied. I stole. I swore. I fornicated, I was a phony. I gave away God’s precious gifts—I even murdered one.

Discovering my need for Jesus and the events that drew me to Christ…

People prayed for me. My parents prayed. An invitation on my birthday led me to church one Wednesday evening. That night I met Jesus and he opened my eyes to how much I needed him. My heart broke open and Christ’s blood washed me clean.

Changes in my heart and life…

The first thing to happen? Jesus reunited me with my family—my precious gifts. Then I fled from everything that reminded me of who I had been. The temptation to stay was strong but God got me on a plane to a different locale. For me, I needed distance physically and emotionally so I could see God clearly and heal. He took away bitterness and hate while he poured love—his perfect love—into me.

Understanding Christ’s love for me…

It took time for me to fully understand the extent of God’s love. But time and prayer—and fear of going back to my old lifestyle—helped me to continue taking steps of faith and not look back. There have been great victories and some stumbling—even downright disobedience. But God’s love doesn’t waiver. As I turned things over to God, he changed me. He gave me victory in Christ. I am valuable to him—and to myself, as well.

What I understand now that I didn’t know then…

I didn’t want to see how giving my life to Jesus Christ would free me. I thought surrender to his will would fill my life with rules—and an angry God I could never please. Instead, I found, when I gave my life to Jesus, my chains were broken. He loves me so much, he died for me.

He took my fear and gave me peace. He took my lies and filled me with his truth. He took my loneliness and restored my family—then added to it. He took my weak faith and strengthened it with his Word and fellowship. He took my empty heart and filled it with hope. He took the void in my being and filled it with his Holy Spirit. And he took my sad songs and changed them into worship.

Now he has given me a calling uniquely for me. He gave me a gift and I never imagined the power my testimony could have. He fills my head with words to show his love to others.

Everyday is fresh and new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

I am renewed daily. I have repented of my sins and accepted God’s gift of grace so I can live free of guilt. I am forgiven. God calls me his daughter.

If you are still living in your sin—living alone and thinking you’ll never be loved—think again. You are already loved. Turn to the Lover of your soul and be freed.

by Eve Montano

Planted for the Glory of God

Planted For the Glory of God

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

As 2018 has come to a close, I thought it’d be good to take a look back on all that happened this past year. I debated writing this post, then thought it would be good for me to open up and share some of what God has done.

At the beginning of 2018, my Grandpa passed away and that was really hard. God was so kind to surround me with loving friends who uplifted and supported me during this time. I was able to get away with them to Catalina and Lake Arrowhead, and make multiple visits to Disneyland throughout the year.

Over the summer I finished all the requirements I needed to apply to Nursing School, and, in November, I found out I was accepted to my Nursing School of choice—Cal State Long Beach. I had been working toward this goal for over 2 years and the Lord was so faithful to answer my prayers.

As the end of the year approached, certain circumstances turned my world upside down. I felt empty and broken. It was exhausting going to church and being around other people. I was barely holding it together but I didn’t want other people to see how much I was hurting. Crying alone in my room, or in my car, became a daily thing. Doing anything productive took an immense amount of effort.

The purpose of this post isn’t so you can feel bad for me. Rather, I want to share the measure of God’s faithfulness through Every circumstance in life.

Through this pain, God has showed me that He has a plan and purpose for my life. He’s been showing me how to rest in the finished work of the cross—to stop reliving the sins of the past because I’ve been forgiven.

He’s been teaching me how to be still and cease striving—that I’m more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ. The disappointments of 2018 do not have to dictate my life in 2019. As the new year has arrived, I’m reminded that time is fleeting and we can’t get back the time we waste.

My goal for 2019 is to live for Jesus in every possible way. I want to honor Jesus by the way I take care of patients in the hospital, by my attitude at school, and by how I spend my spare time. I want to honor Jesus by being healthy and living life to the fullest.

I challenge you to think how you’ll honor Jesus in 2019.

by Candace Kissack



Blessed is the One Who Trusts

Blessed is the One Who Trusts

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

Time with Mike was slipping through my fingers like the sands of an hour glass. Only, there was no way to measure how much sand remained before time would run out.

The glow of Christmas lights—carefully wrapped around our week old tree—reflected off the dark brown leather of the brand new recliner we had given Mike as a surprise.  But, the scent of medical supplies began to overwhelm the woodsy smell of pine and leather as our family room started to resemble that of a hospital. A rolling bed with crisp white linens...latex gloves...dusty rose colored emesis basins...and all sorts of choice equipment filled the corners of our apartment amid the clutter of toddlers' toys and coloring pages.

“These are the moments where you ought to get creative, make something special as a family,” the nurse urged.

Mom and the kids walked through the door with a bag full of projects. One of which included a set of four stamp pads in varying shades of green, accompanied by a piece of artwork depicting a barren tree with two love birds perched high on the branches. I quickly tore off the wrapping, grabbed hold of my beloved’s feeble hand, and, with permission, pressed his index finger into the dark ivy colored ink. Little by little, we adorned the desolate branches with Mike's fingerprints, still leaving room for Chloe, Caleb and me to complete our family tree.

My heart quickened with each second that passed, but my limbs seemed immovable. Every muscle engaged, prepared to put up a fight, and yet, bones staggered with the understanding that the events unfolding surpassed my ability to change. I could not undo the damage that cancer had already done to this incredible man's ever weakening body. He needed God's healing. He needed deliverance, and he needed it soon.

“Lord, how did we get here?”

“How can we possibly move forward without him?”

Just over six years ago we were enjoying one another’s company beneath the shade of the most breathtaking tree, happily situated amid the beautiful Irish foliage along the bank of Muckross Lake in Killarney National Park. We stood there simply amazed by the gift we had found in one another through the covenant of marriage. A new family had begun.

From the start, we knew that the best place for this tender sprout, "The Swanson Family," to be planted was by the waters. Surely, by the waters our roots could sink deep and draw from the endless supply of God’s love, power, and grace. Yes, there, in a deep-seeded trust in God, our family would receive all we needed for every season.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

As a family, that trust had been tested many times over the span of a few short years.

It was tested when the Lord told us to prepare to leave the comfort and familiarity of our hometown, the nearness of our families, and a ministry that we loved in order to start a church plant in Ireland.

It was tested when Mike received a diagnosis of stage 4 appendix cancer just two-months shy of our move overseas at the young age of twenty-nine.

It was tested when the doctor projected that Mike had 2 years of life remaining, after previously telling us he had many many years.

It was tested as treatments failed and the Lord's voice grew ever quiet.

While the temptation to uproot our faith frequently knocked on our door, by God's grace, Mike and I maintained our resolve to trust Him.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

Trust —misapplied—frequently leads to heart-wrenching consequences. It is scarcely bestowed without evaluating the worthiness of its object. Despite all of the "earning" there always remains an element of faith that can leave us feeling quite vulnerable.  Even after it has been offered, we watch carefully, testing to ensure we have not made the wrong decision.

How perplexing it is when we have met the One who alone is worthy of our Trust—the Sovereign One—who in faith we have followed....yes.... followed...straight into the valley of the Shadow of Death.

We think, "God, we trusted You! Why would you bring us here?"

It was in the valley that I heard a faint whisper strike the core of my being, "Are you still going to believe me, even now?"

Suddenly, I realized that I had begun looking at my circumstances to determine, or re-evaluate, God's worthiness of my trust.

All the while, the God who took on flesh and dwelt among His creation, who suffered and bled for my redemption, who proved His worthiness before He formed me in my mother's womb, was using my circumstances (in part) to surface the genuineness of my faith.

I chose to Trust....Mike chose to Trust.

Who better to lead us through the valley than the Shepherd who brought us to it? Who better than the one who comprehended our path fully? Surely, the Good Shepherd, who willingly laid down his life for his sheep would not bring us to this place if it was not necessary, if there was not a specific objective.

In choosing to remain by the waters with each test that came our way, we discovered that the single choice to Trust him was our gateway to supernatural endurance. We did not wither.

It was our gateway to supernatural peace and rest. We overcame anxious thoughts.

It enabled us to continue growing. We grew in love. We grew in joy. We grew in patience. We did not cease producing spiritual fruit.

The answers to my questions were clear:
We are here because You brought us here
We will continue to move forward without him if we Trust in You,
if our little "Swanson Family Tree" remains planted by the waters.

It would only be a matter of hours before Mike at last received the healing and deliverance for which we had passionately prayed. His cherished mom and I were at his side while our little ones slumbered peacefully in their beds.

Mike's Good Shepherd led him straight through the Valley of the Shadow of Death into the glory of Heaven.

The same Good Shepherd would now gently lead this widow with her young through life without him.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11

December 21st marked two full years without Mike and we are still trusting God! As we do, we hear his promises, we receive direction for each step, and we enjoy his presence. Our trust in Jesus has produced a family that is not withering but enduring—at peace and growing.

Oh Lord, You are faithful and true! You alone are worthy of our trust! Help us to lean on You today, to follow You even when the road is uncertain, when the path looks dangerous or dark. You know the way to lead us safely through. Remind us that our ultimate destination is not the other end of a trial but is Heaven. May we have peace and rest knowing that You, our Good Shepherd, will bring us safely before the throne of God, faultless, clothed in Your glorious robes of righteousness. All honor, glory and praise be Yours for You are worthy! Amen!

by Erin Swanson





Faith of a Simple Man

FAITH OF A SIMPLE MAN

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, but still a virgin. Would you believe that? Could you believe that? Can you hear the gossip? “Did you hear about Mary?” “Still a virgin. Yea, right.”

Joseph loved Mary but what she was saying was impossible. It would take a miracle. But…Joseph prayed as he considered these things.

“Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

A simple man he may have been, but he knew the prophecy. He knew the word of God.

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

He believed God and he stood by Mary—the woman chosen to bear the Son of God.

Christmas has come. Do you believe? Do you believe a simple carpenter could be used to care for the Son of God and his mother? Quiet your heart and trust the word of God.

Miracles happened then and the miraculous is happening still. Joseph’s faith in God—his trust that God’s word was true, along with his obedience—helped change the world.

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:24-25

Come and Coming

Come and Coming

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” Matthew 13:16-17

I ran across this verse today and it struck me. Not that I am a prophet, or of my own accord righteous, but I could empathize with this thought of how much these people living under the old covenant longed to see the fulfillment of prophesy—God’s Messiah. With the apostles and so many other brothers and sisters through history, I, too, desire and anticipate the fulfillment of scripture in Jesus’ return—as he comes on the clouds with power and glory. Word of God, riding on his white horse. The Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Sometimes, when the clouds are especially billowy and beautiful with sunlight streaming through, my heart leaps in my chest with excitement, thinking, “This could be it!”

In this passage from Matthew, Jesus was pointing out the tremendous blessing these people were being given. They were in the presence of the Messiah! The one who had been anticipated for so long, and that so many had desired to see and hear. The wait was over. When drawing the parallels with our own wait, we can almost feel the excitement—the“hallelujah”on our lips! The time had finally come.

This brought me to the story of Simeon. He desired only a glimpse of the Christ. He could die satisfied if he just knew the ancient prophesies had begun to be set in motion.

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32

Oh, that we might project our own anticipation into the excitement felt that first Christmas! The desires of the prophets and righteous men of long ago were realized in the coming of a little baby. Simeon knew exactly what that meant—God’s salvation come. His promises fulfilled.

Christmas is a remembrance of that incredible blessing. Whether we see Jesus’ return this side of heaven or not, we have assurance in knowing that God keeps His promises.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’” Hebrews 10:36-37

by Siara Borning