High Places of Responsibility

Habakkuk 3:19 AMP – The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!

As a homeschool teacher, then in my second year of educating my sons at home, I had chosen this verse for my “students” to learn as the school year began.  I didn’t know why I had chosen it, and didn’t fully understand the high places of responsibility part.  I just knew I was drawn to this verse, so the boys and I learned it together.

Only a few short weeks later, it became obvious that I had been drawn by Holy Spirit to this verse because He knew what was coming into my life, and He knew I would need to be reminded of His amazing strength.  My world changed suddenly and dramatically when NOW was the time for moving my father from his long-time home more than 300 miles away to a new home in my city; when his mind was no longer what it had been, and would only get worse; when the diagnosis was made – Alzheimer’s disease.

In the ensuing days, weeks, months, and years, I understood what high places of responsibility were.  In those times I was totally overwhelmed with decisions, situations, and life in general, His Word came back, reminding me that He is my Strength, and He makes me to walk, even making spiritual progress on these high places of responsibility.  I am a walking testimony today that what He promised in this verse, He performed in me!

What are your high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility as you minister today to the people God put in your heart and then put you in their midst?  Instead of being overwhelmed with it all, declare this verse aloud and be strengthened by His Spirit each time you do!

Soaring Again

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Heb. 3:13 NIV)

How easy it is to become hardened in so many different ways – offenses, continual exposure to people in desperate situations, financial struggles, etc. – and not even realize it is happening.

What will destroy that hardness?  Being renewed in God’s love.

17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; 19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (Eph. 3:17-19 AMP)

I can see God’s love enveloping those hard hearts, not just causing the hard deposits to crumble, but actually dissolving them.  As the hardness disappears, the sound of the Father’s heartbeat is strong once again, where it had become so faint.  Joy and peace return, and there is the sabbath rest once again.

With the heart renewed in the love of Christ, the mission He has given doesn’t look so impossible.  The passion for the people around you has been reignited, because it’s no longer human passion, but our Father’s passion.  Now His strength has replaced your strength, and you can soar above the fray on eagle’s wings!

Some Upkeep Required

This beautiful tulip tree (aka Japanese Magnolia) has a twin on the other side of the driveway behind the white truck.  For all the years we’ve lived in this neighborhood, I’ve never seen these trees so beautiful!  I think it’s due to the extreme winter we experienced (for us), without the deceptive spring-like days thrown in along the way, confusing the trees and flowers into thinking it was time to bloom – just in time to be killed by the next freeze.

As gorgeous as these very mature trees are, notice the ground underneath – lots of petals.  If you drove by today, you would see mound upon mound of raked-up petals by the street – along with at least as many petals yet to be raked (not to mention how many more are still to fall.)

What does this have to do with anything?  It occurs to me that even the most mature and fruitful among us are like these trees – all still require some upkeep.    I remind you of this so that you can stare that discouragement down when it threatens to overtake you as you find yourself “picking up after” even the most seasoned among you – ones you considered totally self-sufficient.  Truly, some of our most fruitful times can be the messiest – requiring the greatest clean-up afterwards!  Who knows?  Maybe even the clean-up will cause more growth!  Definitely a possibility if we keep God’s attitude while we’re at it.

Loving you all over the world, my sisters!

One With Christ

This poem is on a website full of Christian poems (definitely not my normal place to browse ), and seems to include many parts of the Truth of God’s Word that are becoming very real to me right now.  I bring it to you with the hope that it will paint a word picture of encouragement and strength for you, as well.  Much love to you, as always, my sisters!

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND… The Next Step

Some time had passed since I realized
That Jesus walks beside me and sometimes carries me.
Still, I am not free from the tribulations and temptations of this world.
And at times I fall so hard,
That I can sense uncertainty trying to overtake me.

There was one particular incident in my life
Where I just couldn’t bear it anymore.
Even though I knew that Jesus is right next to me
I still felt a certain emptiness inside.
Then I remembered that Jesus has said,
“I am the vine and you are the branches.”
“Abide in Me and I will abide in you.”

There was once again only one set of footprints in the sand.
They were smaller than that of Jesus’ and sure to be mine.
Yes, you are right, Jesus said.
The lone set of footprints you see are yours, and yours alone.
I no longer need to walk beside you nor carry you.
For you have finally invited Me to reside in you,
I am truly with you always.
From this point forward…

You and I are One!

~ David C. Cha ~
Copyright ©
Anaheim, Calif.

It's Time to Laugh!

I pray grace for you, precious and powerful ladies on the mission field for Christ!  I know by the Spirit, that the tests and trials that have been coming against me recently are not unique to me, so I want to encourage you a little differently today – with humor from Mark Gungor.  The quality of the picture on this video isn’t great, but the content more than makes up for it.  I hope you get a laugh – and even learn something along the way that might help in your dealings with the different genders.  After all, the brains are the same regardless of which nation is home!

Much love always!

Kay