On the Lake.

"One day Jesus said to His disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up shouting, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, "Where is your faith?"
The disciples were terrified and amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!"
--Luke 8:22-25 (NLT)

What a typical picture in my life. God sets out to bring me to a new place. Maybe a new season, or a life change. Maybe a new job, or the vision of hope and dreams for the future. Maybe the beginning of a new relationship. Maybe it is a change of location, moving to a new city or new house. Whatever it is, I think I have a lot to learn from this story when mirrored with the context of my life.

Right now, I am still waiting, not sure how long we will have to live in our home, not sure if jobs will open up. There is an incredible amount of uncertainty in my life right now. Most days, I trust God, and I believe that He IS taking me to the other side of the lake. This morning was not one of those days. I woke up feeling frustrated, worried, stressed. Even though I was praying and singing to God, I didn't feel my heart changing. I think I didn't really want my heart to change, I wanted my situation to change. I prayed and acknowledged that HE is bigger, and stronger, and I believe that HE truly does love me. I asked for His peace. Still nothing. My heart was softening, but not feeling the break-through for which I was begging.

Then I came to this scripture, and I felt incredibly blessed.

Jesus told the disciples He was taking them somewhere, but he didn't magically transport them. No sci-fi action, "Beam me up, Scottie." Nope, they had to make the journey. They had to step into the boat, push the paddles, and fight the waves. Whatever the destination may be, there will be a path, a journey, that takes us there. That is truly the hardest part.

The waves began to rise around the disciples, and they started to panic. It is easy to criticize these guys now, but how much more have I flipped out when waves started to crash and water filled my boat? I think that they should atleast be commended for their action. They went to Jesus. I suppose you could say they were a little late, and should have asked for help sooner. Either way, they went to the right guy for help. I know there are times when I seek out people before Jesus. There are times when I try to build my own security, act stubbon, and try to be independent. All I really need to do is come to HIM.

Jesus asked "Where is your faith?" He didn't ask this because he came to his rescue. I think he was the fear in their eyes. He heard the worry in their voice as they cried out that they might drown.

Faith is knowing that we are on a journey. Faith is knowing that waves WILL come. Faith is knowing who to go to for help. Faith is believing that at our Lord's command, even the winds and waves will obey Him. Faith is knowing that God gently holds us and our whole world in His hands.

Today, I choose to be a woman of Faith. I leave fear behind. I trust in my Savior. I know He is here with me.

Love and Truth be Told,
Tiffany

Vacation Time

"When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came."
-- Luke 4:14 (NLT)

What a fun couple of days I have been having. Since Monday I have been on hyperdrive writing my book. (My book is a novel that will create awareness and inspire compassion in our country to fight against human trafficking in our own homeland and abroad.) What an incredible journey as I pray through all this. I really believe this story is inspired by God. I wasn't really looking to try and write a book. Gracious, it it a lot of dedication. BUT, I truly believe God wants to use this for HIS Glory. So, if I get to be a part of that, well, then I am honored to do so.

On Monday I wrote about 15 pages, and I was stoked! So excited! The next day, I think I was under attack. I didn't sleep well, I felt discouraged. I felt inadequate as a mother. I think the devil's default attack is to accuse my role as a mother, because he knows how precious my son is to me. Anyway, after some tears on Tuesday, I acknowledged it for what it was... Just the dumb devil making lousy remarks and shooting below the belt.

So this morning I was reading Luke 4 and saw how the Devil tempted Jesus. He tempted issues of provision, promotion, and protection. All things I must trust in God for as well. But the part that stood out to me today was the verse listed above. Jesus was triumphant. He worshipped God first. He trusted God's provision and timing rather than taking it into his own hands.

But then it said in verse 13...
"When the devil has finished tempting Jesus, he left until the next opportunity came."

Funny how Jesus had been victorious in that moment, but the Devil didn't give up for good. He would still be watching and waiting for an opportunity to tempt and accuse Jesus. If the Devil didn't take a vacation when Jesus was walking the earth, my guess is that he probably won't for me either.

I don't have any reason to fear. I know that the God IN me is bigger and stronger than the devil around me. So, no need for fear... just awareness. The devil is looking for opportunities. He looks for a day when our guard is down, or we are discouraged. He also looks for a day when we try to be independent, or do things in our own strength. He looks for days when we step out in faith, and attempt new things for the Glory of God. He wants to distract us or discourage us from obedience, because he knows that our obedience to God will bear fruit, create intimacy with our Savior, and deepen our faith and trust in God. The devil would rather we stay shallow, selfish, worrisome, and fearful, without any fruit in our lives.

SO, be ready. Understand that when God is stretching your faith, or calling you to incredibly brave things... the devil is poised and ready. When you are ready to forgive someone, or speak wisdom into someone's life, or reach out to someone new, the devil watching. When you are ready to give generously and sacrificially, the devil is watching. When you are ready to step out of a life of guilt or depression, he is watching. But have NO fear!

"Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God and he will come close to you." James 4:7-8 (NLT)

Resist the devil! Call him out! Kick him out of your home and your family life. Don't give him even a place to stay in your heart. You tell him, "Jesus has taken up residence here- so there is no room for you!"

I feel so much more free today since reading God's Word and knowing that with God, victory is within reach!

Love to you all!
Truth be Told,
Tiffany

Who is this for anyway?

"Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the resports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught." Luke 1:1-4

Here is something I totally love about the Gospel of Luke. This was not a random blog sent out to whoever wanted to hop over. The efforts put into detail in this gospel were not for the sake of history, or even Luke's own memory. Heck, this was not Luke's personal journal, or scrapbook! (Don't you love how I can fit scrapbooking into this?!) This amazing story of good news was written FOR someone, it was written TO someone. The first person who probably laid eyes on this text was a guy name Theophilus.

The New Testament Bible Exposition Commentary shares that Theophilus was probably a Roman dude who had recently trusted in Jesus. He was a new believer. His name means "Lover of God". (I love that name! Just wish there was a simpler name, since I am not about to name my next kid Theophilus... they would hate me for that!)

The story of Jesus begins with Compassion and love for SOMEONE. It is all about relationships. It is all about God's crazy awesome love for us.

What is ministry without relationship? What is church without people? What is that? Sadly, it's probably what the outside world sees in lots of us. They look and seee a church that is all about business. They see commercialized church on steroids! Or maybe for the outsider, church feels like the marketing plan of a good intentioned moralistic entrepreneur (aka a church pastor). When people become a commodity, a faceless crowd, a customer... we have lost sight of the Gospel for what is truly is.

Everything Jesus did was for people. Everything he did was for our good, our benefit, our healing, our freedom, our salvation.

I also love the line in verse for that says Dr. Luke is writing so that Theophilus can be "certain of the truth of everything (he) was taught." It's funny how people like certainty these days, but are not so interested in the TRUTH part. There are so many lies out there. Distortions, spins, misconceptions, and outright deceptions. This guy Theophilus wanted the truth. Everyone in that day knew Jesus was the real deal. They saw him, lived with him. He healed their kids, fed them food, taught them with unmatched fervor and insight. And there were even those who buried a dead man only to hug him three days later. They saw it. Today, people can claim the whole Jesus thing is a myth. They try to explain away the miracles... but that was not really an option back in the first century.

Still though, Theophilus was a truth seeker. I love that! He desired it so much that Luke carefully put together a gospel that we now get to read. How awesome is that. I want to seek truth more than the rumors. I want to seek truth more than the traditional stories that I heard growing up. I want truth... because Jesus IS the way, the TRUTH, and the Life. Seek Jesus, and you find the Truth.

Questions... if you are brave enough... ask...
"How much am I seeking truth?
"How much is my personal ministry about me, or about loving other people?"