I Am With You Heart and Soul

“Do all that is in your heart,” 
Jonathan's armor-bearer said.

“Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

1 Samuel 14:7

Jonathan's armor-bearer was not named in scripture; this engaging mystery inspires me.  His anonymity, humility, unwavering dedication and his trust in God's faithfulness and power make me want to be a friend like he was to Jonathan.  (1 Samuel 14 - click here)  I believe the armor-bearer's namelessness is an honor given to him by God.

"Do all that is in your heart (NKJV).  Go ahead, I am with you heart and soul (NIV)" are the only words recorded in scripture that Jonathan's armor-bearer spoke.  His actions recorded in 1 Samuel 14 for us speak volumes. These little glimpses into his character encourage me and challenge me.  His servant's heart for Jonathan kindle my heart to be this kind of friend.

Loyal.  Honoring.  Supportive.  Loving.  Protective. Serving the Lord together. 

Committed heart and soul.

Humbled, I am thankful to the Lord for family and friends who are this to me.  Friends who know that loyalty, for me, includes gently and lovingly speaking the truth to me when I need to be challenged.  Friends who are supportive as they see me following God's leading.  Friends who are loving at all times (Proverbs 17:17) even as I am being refined.  Friends who are protective of me in truth and love.  Friends who honor me by simply not dishonoring me.  Friends with whom I serve the Lord shoulder to shoulder.

We don't know the name of Jonathan's armor-bearer, but he makes quite a godly impression.  I want to be that friend that quietly, simply and resolutely says, "Go ahead, I am with you heart and soul."  And with that love and dedication to God's truth comes victory and God's purposes fulfilled.

"So the LORD rescued His people that day..."

1 Samuel 14:23

CONGRATULATIONS TO JODIE FROM MY PREVIOUS POST WHO WILL BE RECEIVING "WOMAN'S SECRET TO A BALANCED LIFE" AND FRIENDSHIP NOTE CARDS!
http://jodie-theroadtofreedom.blogspot.com/

It's A Category In The Card Store

Motionless, the greeting card label stirred my heart.  

Relief and sadness mingled together in my soul when I unexpectedly glanced upon the greeting card category "Difficult Relationship" in the card store as I was looking for an encouragement card for a friend.  I took a physical step backwards and breathed an audible sigh.  A "Difficult Relationship".  Most of us have one, I thought.  

Comforting me in one sense, this unassuming card sorter confirmed I am not the only one ~ there is even a greeting card category for it!  And yet the card distinction brought a twinge of heartache to me as well wishing that it wasn't so common among people such that it sustained a niche in the greeting card industry.  

Who wants a difficult relationship?  I imagine nobody does.  I know I don't. 

Thank you, Lord, for any one difficult relationship, there are many other vibrant, healthy and God-honoring friendships!

And there is {HOPE} and  {JOY} as we allow the Lord to use a difficult relationship as a precious threshing floor for our hearts.

This I know:

A difficult relationship does not define me.  His love defines me.  {HOPE}

A difficult relationship will refine me.  His truth refines me.  {JOY}

I won't pretend for a moment to write from a place of victory here, if victory in a difficult relationship is defined as settled, restored, united in truth and love. That may not happen this side of heaven, though my heart desires peace and has pursued it diligently.

The victory for me is in the surrendering of my own heart to Him to further mold and shape my-sometimes-bristly-self into His image, even when He uses a difficult relationship as the tool.  (That makes me want to hug that difficult-relationship person!!!)

My fingers can't type on this computer screen some quick-fix solutions for difficult relationships. I do not possess them.

But my hands can daily open His Word that commands all honorable responses, gives me eternal perspective and faithfully judges the attitudes and motives of my own heart (Hebrews 4:12) as I yield to His truths.  We are His possession.  Letting Him have His way with my own heart through the washing of the water of His Word is my comfort, my victory, MY ALLELUIA! 

"This is my comfort...Your word has given me life." 

Psalm 119:50

And look...I love that "Difficult Relationship" is pillowed between "Hope" and "Encouragement". 

 

What scriptures do you go for guidance in a difficult relationship?

Share a scripture here and you may win two of my favorite things ~ cute note cards and an excellent book! 

"A sweet friendship refreshes the soul..."

Proverbs 27:9

I am thankful for refreshing friendships!!!

When my children were babies, God used this book (given to me by a sweet friend) written by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes to change my heart and my life and get me back into His Word every day.  This will always be a favorite book of mine!

Just leave a comment with a relationship scripture that you love (be sure to leave your contact information).  Winner will be announced Monday 1/30/12.  Comments welcome until then!  Let's spur one another on!

Here are a few of my favorite scriptures:

"Do everything in love."

1 Corinthians 16:14

"...grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

John 1:17

"R12" ~ Romans 12:9-21 (click here)

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Ephesians 4:1-3

"For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?  And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." ~ Matthew 5:46-48

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..."

Phil. 2:3-5

"But this is what the LORD says...
'I will contend with those who contend with you,
and your children I will save.'"

Isaiah 49:25

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..."

Matthew 5:44

Without A Word

"...in quietness and trust is your strength..."

Isaiah 30:15

As His children, sometimes God calls us to speak up and speak out in faith.  Sometimes He commands us to be quiet in trust.  Both can be challenging, out-of-comfort-zone experiences. Yet obedience to God in the speaking out or in the hushing up brings the harvest of His joy and blessings.

In the midst of an unnecessarily messy situation, my honorable husband is being led by God to speak not a word, to simply and quietly trust God to be our sweet Defender and our covering of truth, righteousness, honor and integrity.  We are trusting God's goodness quietly in prayer as over and over in scripture we see God defends our honor if we are endeavoring to live lives honorable to Him. 

Resting before the Lord, Jim has told me to utter not a word, to send not an email, to make not a phone call.  I haven't.  I won't.  I am following my husband's counsel and trusting God's leadership through him.  One thing I know for sure:  God commands me to follow and respect my husband's leadership, and His peace comes as the fruit of my obedience to this command.  

By His grace and out of reverence for Him and my husband, I will follow my husband's hushed lead.  And God has already blessed me through His Word.  Look!

Yesterday morning as I was spending time in God's Word, He serendipitously strung the following verses together for me.  I love Him for confirming these truths to me!  I am currently in Genesis in my One Year Chronological Bible.  I read this passage in Genesis 24 and then He reminded me of these other verses:

Without saying a word,

the man watched her closely

to learn whether or not

the LORD had made his journey successful.
Genesis 24:21

Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

1 Peter 3:1-2

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Often times, God's will and purposes in our lives is ushered in as we open not our mouths. 

Successful journeys.

Husbands won over to Christ.

Salvation and redemption.

All of this while our mouths are closed in obedience.

Our quietness demonstrates our trust and faith in HIM.  He is our Defender, our Redeemer, our Salvation, our Way and our Provider.  What glory He receives when He works His purposes through our quietness and trust.

"…the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,

which is of great worth in God’s sight."  1 Peter 3:4

Thank You, Lord, for Your faithful Word!!!

"When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."
~ 1 Peter 2:23

Your Devotional Journal

Saying grace ~ Bringing my heart to God in prayer.

My Portion ~ Where Has God met me in His Word today?

Nourishment ~ How does God want to mold and change my heart?

Second Helpings ~ Where does God want me to be a doer of the Word and take action?

Time for Dessert ~ What can I share with others from what God showed me today?  

"You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the LORD your God,

Who has dealt wondrously with you..."

Joel 2:26

Resolve to Honor My Name

"'Resolve to honor My name,' says the LORD Almighty."
Malachi 2:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Romans 12:12

A new year! A time for reflection and for looking ahead for growth and change. Lasting and fruitful change. Transformation. That can only come through the perfect Word of God. "Every word of God is flawless..." Proverbs 30:5

Transformation. A surrendered heart pursuing holiness. A willingness to yield to the bittersweet process of purification through the washing of the water of the Word. "...offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness." Romans 6:19

Resolutions can tend to be self-centered. Resolutions often are about me, my strength and my commitment. Transformation is Christ-centered. Transformation comes from the renewing of our minds by the washing of the water of God's Word. We surrender and yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and allow His transformation to take place in our lives through the Truth of God's Word. And WOW...He transforms us into His image! "You have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Col. 3:10

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Cor. 3:18

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10 

The condition of my heart before the Lord moment-by-moment is most important to me. God creates a pure heart in us. God renews a steadfast spirit in us. My responsibility is to keep my heart before Him in humility. I want to always have a teachable heart. I want to be willing to be broken. "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18  

"Every time we open the Word of God, it should be for the purpose of being broken." - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

“I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." Isaiah 57:15

As I daily surrender my heart to His truth, He creates a pure heart in me and transforms my heart to be more like His. Wow! That sure is humbling and awesome.

If we resolve to do anything this year, let's resolve to honor His name and be transformed by His Word. "...'resolve to honor My name,' says the LORD Almighty." Malachi 2:2   This resolve is too lofty for me to attain on my own. Only by HIS grace and Word can it be so.  His divine power gives us everything we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)  Thank You, Lord. 

"I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word."

Psalm 119:16

Further Still

“And He went on further still,

and fell on His face, and prayed….”

Matthew 26:39

Have you ever felt God calling you “further still” with Him? It is those times when He is ministering to you so personally and so deeply, and gently calling you to go further in your relationship with Him.  Trusting only Him in the raw pain of betrayal or hurt. 

These Gethsemane seasons of “further still with God” are places where it’s just you and Him as He beckons you to step into deeper levels of intimacy and trust. As you pray and search His scriptures, you listen for and hear His still, small voice. During these “further still” seasons with God, He matures your faith, broadens your trust, and reveals intimate treasures from His heart to yours. It’s a beautiful time when you crave and desperately need less of the world and more of Him.

Extended time in prayer with our Heavenly Father brings clarity and comfort during these seasons. Just as Jesus was called further still with God, He labored in prayer. "The betrayal and arrest of Jesus was preceded by an extended time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He stepped out of the garden to present Himself to His enemies, Jesus had been alone praying and agonizing for hours." Anne Graham Lotz


I have been in those “further still” seasons with God. He calls me out of my comfort zone into unfamiliar, but prepared and safe places. Whether it is presenting myself to my "enemies" or charting new ground with the Lord, He calls me to bravely trust Him and His perfect plan.


During those seasons, He tenderly lifts my head so I fix my gaze upon Him alone. My husband lovingly gives his counsel to me, and my sisters in the Lord pray on my behalf. I am so thankful for my husband and friends, yet I know that as God calls me “further still,” I am the one who has to continue stepping forward with confidence and trust in Him. No one can do that for me. He reminds me to look to Him alone, to seek to please Him and not people.


It is a time of His refreshing and necessary cleansing. In his book Reflecting His Image, KP Yohannan writes, “You see, when it is only God and you, you are more apt to face your pride and your sins. With everyone else we argue these things away and look wonderful and smile. But when we are all alone before God, we face ourselves, and the cleansing and purification will take place. We become less phony the more we are with the Lord.”


Is God calling you further still today? Our Heavenly Father is completely faithful and entirely trustworthy. He stands with His strong and loving arms opened wide beckoning you to take steps of faith in your walk with Him. Though the place you step may be unfamiliar, remember He has gone before you. He wants you to see more of Him – His flawless character and His amazing love. He has a heart full of treasures to unearth for you.

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid...for I myself will help you,' declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel."

Isaiah 41:13, 14


© 2011 by Sharon Sloan. All rights reserved.

Sitting In The Sycamore Tree

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. (Luke 19:1-7)

Sitting in the sycamore tree today, I know Jesus is coming...I am on His path. He looks directly into my eyes and speaks to me face-to-face and invites me to have Him as a guest in my home.  The most highly-honored Guest to dwell in my heart, I receive Him with great joy.  If ever a self-invited guest was welcome in my heart and home, it is Jesus. 

He is coming my way, just like He did with Zacchaeus, and the woman at the well, and so many others. 

Today, I am asking for His salvation to come.  Eternal salvation I already possess, by His grace and mercy.  In Him, I am completely secure.  So, I look for His saving grace today.

Perched in the sycamore tree, I have postured myself to see His movement, His work, His salvation in a difficult situation.  I look to Him because in the pain and unfairness, He will cleanse my heart.  Placing my heart on His sacred threshing floor, I ask Him to create a pure heart in me.

Waiting on Him, I long to hear His whispers, "Make haste and come...I have salvation today."  While I could get lost in the confusion and hurt, He calls me to Himself and saves me.

Sitting in the sycamore tree, looking and waiting for Him.  Trusting and resting in His perfect love and sovereignty. 

Though there is a chaotic crowd around that could cause me to lose my view of Him, I have climbed up the sycamore tree where I quietly sit and wait for Him.  

The view is beautiful from here because I know He is mindful of me and sees me. Amazing love. Forever grace.

I know I won't be here long, and I am glad because He knows I am afraid of heights.  I could be scared, but I choose to trust, to wait, to know.  For I know in Whom I trust.  His embrace, His salvation, His grace...He is on the way. 

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Luke 19:9-10

All That and A Bag of Chips

"When we see and recognize God in the details of our lives,

our intimacy with Him is deepened."

~ Charles Stanley

One morning late in the Summer of 2007, during my quiet time with the Lord, He put a few things on my heart that He wanted me to do.  I jotted them down on a notepad I keep at my devotion spot. Now, this doesn't happen frequently, but that morning I knew He had a few specific "divine assignments" for me. (It is remarkably humbling and exciting that He uses us as vessels, isn't it?)

"Send chips to Lysa TerKeurst" was the first assignment for me. Yes, that's what He impressed on my heart. I've gotta tell ya....I did wrestle with the Lord a bit on this. "Chips, Lord? You want me to send chips? I have never sent anyone chips! That seems so random.  Can't I send her some cute note cards or some pretty earrings?  What woman wouldn't love that? You really want me to send chips? This is a little embarrassing!! Why would someone want to receive chips randomly?" 

I knew it was Him whispering to my heart. So, I was resolved to obey and send the chips after dipping myself in the Word and knowing "to love is to obey." (1 John 14) However, still feeling a bit red-faced about how Lysa would feel about receiving potato chips randomly, I didn't rush to obey in sending the chips.

My stubborn pride was rearing its ugly Potato Face head.

Each morning after my quiet time, I would look at my note: Send chips to Lysa. "Yes, Lord, I will.  I'll get to that." 

Finally, after a few weeks of my putting that assignment off, the Lord mercifully spoke to my heart "Sharon, send the chips TODAY!"  I am thankful for His patience. "OK, I get it Lord. Today is the day. I know I am obeying you, so the purpose of this somewhat embarrassing, random chip-sending assignment is in Your faithful hands."

It had been on my "Summer Fun Things To Do List" for several summers to take our two children to the Herr's Snack Factory for a tour, which is just an hour from our home. In August 2007, just a week or so before receiving this blessing-to-serve assignment from the Lord, I was moved one morning and I called my mom and said, "Mom, we are coming to pick you up...we are going to Herr's Factory today with the kids!" It's no mistake that, after wanting to do this for several summers, a day in late August 2007 was the day we spontaneously did it. It was shortly thereafter that God told me to "send chips" and I was freshly familiar with the variety of Herr's chips!

Getting on-line to www.herrs.com I ordered a box of 42 snack-size bags of chips to send to Lysa. I did have fun picking out the varieties and flavors I thought the TerKeurst Family might enjoy, but the nagging thought of "this seems so random" lingered in my head.

When I finished my order, the Herr's site indicated it would take up to 7-10 days to fill the order, and then several more days for it to ship and arrive at the TerKeursts. That seemed fine to me. They weren't expecting the chips, so it was no rush really. According to Herr's customer service, they'd get them in a few weeks. I made a mental note of it and exited the site. My heart was content knowing I had obeyed the Lord (albeit tardily). I was, however, still wondering what Lysa would think about randomly receiving CHIPS!

The NEXT DAY, I received an e-mail from Herr's customer service advising me that the order was processed and had SHIPPED. IN ONE DAY!

TWO DAYS AFTER THAT, I received an automatic e-mail from UPS telling me that the CHIPS had been delivered! In 3 days from when I placed the order, it was processed and the chips were delivered to Lysa's front porch! Again, I noted this in my head but did not have any idea the significance of it all. To be honest, I thought business at Herr's and UPS must be pretty slow to have handled this so efficiently in 3 days!

In reality, the workers at Herr's and UPS were unknowing servants of our awesome God to answer Lysa's prayer and carry out His command to me.

My heart was at peace knowing the chips had arrived and that I had obeyed the Lord. The joy and peace that accompanies obedience was good enough for me. I thanked Him and went on with life, content with that quiet little treasure in my heart between Him and me.

A week or so after getting the e-mail notification from UPS, and just after arriving home from a scrapbook retreat with my girlfriends, I read the CHIP STORY (click here)  on Lysa's blog. Literally, my jaw dropped and I lost my breath. Oh my! Here, Lysa had whispered a quiet prayer to the Lord about CHIPS!  Her daughter had requested a variety of chips for her school lunches, and Lysa wanted to bless and honor her daughter's request.  Lysa wrote how the chips were "a love letter straight from the Lord! He loves me, cares about me, fills in my many gaps, and loves for me to experience Him in the most wondrous ways."

Chips! Yes, indeed, He wanted me to send CHIPS! And in His grace and mercy, even in my delayed obedience, He delivered the chips to her porch on time and at the exact moment it would speak to her heart of His love, faithfulness and provision!

Tears streamed down my face! "Chips, Lord, chips! You wanted me to send chips! You reached down from heaven to put chips on the porch of a mommy who wanted to bless her daughter and fulfill her request for some chips for her school lunches. You filled in a gap for that mom. You care about chips, Lord! You care about the details of our lives! You love us so intimately and so perfectly! Thank you, Lord! Thank you that you spoke to my heart and entrusted this precious divine assignment to me! Thank you that you confirm to me that Your sheep hear Your voice, and that you want to use me, Lord. Thank you, Lord, for letting me see the fruit of obedience."

"Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate...the works of His hands are faithful and just." Psalm 111:2-4, 7

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples. With Your mighty arm You redeemed Your people." Psalm 77:11-15

May God be glorified and may our relationships with Him grow deeply intimate as we testify about His deeds on our behalf. And what a joy to be part of God's answer to a quiet prayer of another mom four states away!  God bless my very salty friend Lysa!

He is involved in the details! His love is ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS!

"He gave me understanding in all the
details of the plan."
1 Ch. 28:19 (NIV)