Beautiful Feet

Last night I had the amazing opportunity to serve with some friends from my church at Beautiful Feet in downtown Fort Worth. They serve food and have a service on Wednesday nights to the homeless in downtown. I was able to meet several different people who shared some of their stories with me. Upon arriving to the shelter I was greeted by man and a woman. The woman had three roses and said that a vendor had given them to her. And then she immediately handed me the white one. She said, "Here have this one." Of course I said no no you keep it and she insisted that I have it. Here i intended to serve the homeless and I was already being given a precious flower. That set the tone for the night.

As a group, we had planned the worship and planned the word that was going to be given and realize when we got there than another church was also serving with us. So while I went out on the bus to go to different shelters to bring people for dinner the team graciously worked with the other church to share in the service. It was amazing to see people step out of their comfort zone and lead worship and preach for the first time. I am honored to serve the Lord who redeems. I am honored to serve the Lord who pushes us outside of our comfort zone. And today I want to give him all the glory for last night.

I pray as the team or reflects what happened last night that you Father continue Lord to reveal to them new things about themselves. Father I pray for the couples that I met Father I pray for their spirits to be lifted today. I pray for joy to come into their hearts today in a new way. I pray for the hopelessness to be gone. I thank you Father for the salvation last night and pray that you protect that man and guide Him. Thank you that you comfort us in our time of need. 

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. 

Fasting and feeding

At the beginning of the year many churches encourage their members to join in a corporate fast. And as I began to pray about if and how I am to be invoiced I begin to think about the opposite ... what am I supposed to be feeding/seeking?

Although I do agree that fasting is a huge importance I also think that feeding/seeking is equally! What is it that you are seeking? What is it that you want to know, replace, purge, etc...? Fasting is not always about food therefore feeding/seeking is not always about food either.

Fasting needs to be done in a manner of humility and secrecy in Matthew 6:16–18  “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. If you fast and tell everybody what you're doing then you're fasting is for nothing.

Fasting also is closely related to prayer, weeping, and reading of the Word.  In Joel 2:12 Scripture says even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with morning. If you fast without praying, weeping, and reading then you're fasting is for nothing.

So, as I am praying about what it is that I'm supposed to be fasting from I am also praying equally about what it is that I'm supposed to be feeding and seeking. What am I supposed to be doing instead of what it is that I'm fasting from?

Fasting in itself is of no spiritual value. And John 3:6 Scripture says it is the attitude of the heart sincerely seeking him to which God responds with blessing. Only fasting done with the right heart will glorify God. There are many reasons to participate in a fast. I'm going to enter into this fast because I'm seeking the Lord and His ways. 

I thank you in advance Father, for showing me what it is that I will be fasting from and what it is that I'm feeding and seeking. During this time of Revelation I am going to be feeding myself with your word, your people, and Your ways! Show me Father what you have for me to learn through this. In Jesus name!  Amen. 

New year means new beginnings

I'm choosing today to begin to write again as I look outside it's pouring down rain and it reminds me how all things can be washed clean. My God is BIG enough to wash all things clean.

As I think and reflect on last year and then look forward to this new year I begin to think of resolutions. I've never really been a fan of resolutions because they're just something that I continuously don't meet up to. A few years ago I decided to do something different. I decided to pray and ask God to reveal his plans for me for that year.

Remembering that His ways are better than my ways. And I have enjoyed the last few years much better than the previous. So this year as I enter in to asking the Lord to reveal what he has for me this year I've had some friends tell me what they're praying for me this year. It is so encouraging to have friends that pray Scripture over you.

I am blessed to walk with some amazing people. But this did not come easy. I searched and I searched for friends and mentors and leaders who not only encourage me and challenge me but who also call me out of my box. And the Lord has been so good to give me exactly who I needed.  One of the Scriptures is Psalm 37:4: Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

I acknowledge these people have not always been who I've asked for and it is not always been fun but I would rather live in His will. 

I claim 2015 to be a new year with new beginnings and a new season. The old things have died and the new things are being birthed.

Isaiah 43:16-21   This is what God says, the God who builds the road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, the God who summons horses and chariots and armies -they lie down and then can't get up; their snuffed out like so many candles: 

"Forget about what has happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something Brand-New. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say "Thank you!" -the coyotes and the buzzards- because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, drinking water for people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me.

I have definitely been through a season that I would call a desert and the Lord has always been faithful to provide me water to drink, food to eat, and a shelter   I have never lacked any necessity.

Thank you Father for all that you have done and all that you are doing and all that you will do.