Lily Pad Faith

I saw the most beautiful lily pads when we were in Florida this summer- A wonderful example of how God is in the details! If you ever see a pond without lily pads you will know it- it will more than likely be covered in algae, a yucky muck. Lilies act as a biological water filter. They also provide shade for the fish swimming in the hot sun. Lilies oxygenate the water, which is important for pond fish and other pond creatures. Not to mention they are beautiful.
And while we were gazing at this beautiful pond of lilies l saw a little frog “be-laxing” as Selah would say on the lily pad and then jump off and swim under for protection.

And the Lord whispered… I am your covering… I provide protection, rest, I give you breath… I am your filter… I am your hiding place…

I love to be reminded of His goodness and seek Him in the ordinary. The very breath of God in you...can you wrap your brain around that? Job 33:4, Isaiah 42:5

I was also reminded how life was without His covering- and how life can be when we try to do it on our own. Frogs, I mean friends…we have to hang out in the pond with the lily pad! He has provided everything we need and in Him, there is peace- lily pad peace!

The issue is that we frogs put our trust in other things! We cover ourselves with the things of this world… maybe we turn to alcohol, self help books (I have read everyone that was published prior to 1998),we seek other frogs that feed into our fears rather than point us to our covering…we over eat,we under eat, we shop till we drop… and I am just mentioning some of the things THIS frog did to self medicate… there are many other ways to cover yourself in algae!

The issue is this…these other things are only temporary and Jesus is extra- ordinary! His covering will never leave you, He will protect you, heal you, give you peace, rest, and restoration with His very breath…He will give you a new life…whew- that’s good news!

And when trouble and tragedy arrives in your pond- you can always count on Him to be there. Always. He doesn’t put you on hold. He never forgets to return your call. Ever.
You just have to choose to trust in Him.

I tried it on my own for a long time. I just about, literally wore myself out. I didn’t know I had such an awesome covering. Such a hiding place.

Pastor Kevin, our NJ pastor recently shared an illustrated message about Jacob wrestling with God(Gen 32). Jacob said- I’m not going to let you go until you bless me. This has always been one of my favorite accounts because I have wrestled with God too! I want Your blessing God!

What touched my spirit, was when Pastor Kevin explained that as they were wrestling…God hit Jacob's flesh…when He did- Jacob…fell into His arms. Visualize that for a second...

God said… “What is your name?…” “Jacob”(as if God didn’t know, Jacob was probably thinking)…No- God said.. “Your name is now Israel…”

No longer named Jacob- which means schemer, manipulator. God’s blessing, the punch in the flesh- which represents our attachment to the world, our own sinful ways and desires,our "try to do it on our own mentality" …caused Jacob to fall into the arms of the Father with a new name!!!

That is so good to me! Fall into His arms. Accept His covering- stop trying to do this thing called life on your own. We are new creations in Christ…with a new name…a new inheritance…
I don't want to put my faith and trust into myself or anything other than Jesus. I don't want to be covered with algae!
Check this out:

Deuteronomy 32:37-39 (King James Version)
37And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
38Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.

None of our efforts can measure up to the protection of the Father's arms... He is our lily pad and more!

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says GOD,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!"
Psalm 91:14-16 The Message

Momma in Hot Rod Saved by Fruit

There are times when we don’t feel like being Christ- like. Maybe someone has been inconsiderate. Maybe someone has been unreasonable. Maybe just downright mean. Maybe deceitful.
But Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek (Matt 5:39). Esteem others more than yourself (Phil 2:3).
Sometimes being like Jesus calls us to do crazy things- like showing genuine love for someone who has hurt you or someone you love. Notice I didn’t say- throw them a fake smile- pretend like you like them- tolerate them-be nice in front of them- He said- LOVE- so if He is living inside me- then I will love them. I don’t know how- it is Him- His supernatural power.

The alternative is revenge.

Keeping it real, I got cut-off today in NJ traffic. Really cut-off. Like, I must still have something to do for Jesus cut off- because there is no other explanation for me or my car still being in one piece.
And at first- it was a “how could you” feeling- and then I almost slipped into I’m going to get them- yea right, can you picture me, with my hot rod Kia mini-van chasing down someone on the NJ turnpike??? Not exactly a mafia ride!!!
And then- I kid you not- I heard- “Do not revenge, but love (Lev 19:18). Not revenge, but blessing. (1 Peter3:9).
So I prayed- and not for them to get a ticket-OK, I thought about it- but I prayed for peace to reign in their hearts and for protection.
He calls us to love- even our enemies (Luke 6:35).
He commands us to do well in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17). This doesn’t translate into co-dependency- but rather Jesus pleasing.

I think it is partially a matter of trust. So many times I have really messed up putting my trust into another human. His word clearly states- TRUST IN ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART(Prov 3:5). Well- there is not another part left to trust with if all your heart is trusting Him. Remember- He is in the boat (Mark 4:37-41)!

And partially a matter of self-control, rather, His control. Anger only gives territory to the devil. If I find myself getting angry- I breathe in and out and just keep seeking the Lord- keep praying that I want Jesus to renew my mind and give me a clean heart(Psalm 51:10.) Only He can do that. I can’t even do that. He is the fruit producer!

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Galatians 5:22).

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:11

I promise you don’t want any bitter roots growing in you- God likens an angry man to a city without walls (Pr 25:28).

I trust Him to fight my battles- He calls me to love.
I trust Him to fill the voids- to heal the hurts of angry car drivers- He calls me to love.
I trust Him to protect- He calls me to love.

There was a time in my marriage which I didn’t like my husband and He didn’t like me- can anyone relate??? I was a controlling snob- He had a major drinking problem. My Christian counselor told me that I needed to make my husband- the leader of our family. What came next shocked me. I said, “He doesn’t deserve it.” He said- doesn’t matter- you put all your trust in the Lord and love your husband. God will do the rest. AND GUESS WHAT-HE DID!!!!!!

Wow- He calls me to love.

I have had folks (that is southern for people) ask me- how do you forgive so freely?? I've had a few really good mentor forgivers- my mom being one.

And then there is JESUS! It is only because of how He has forgiven me. I am the poster child for forgiveness. If Jesus could forgive a wretch like me… I’ll love, love, love and forgive, forgive, forgive. I just am so thankful for His amazing grace.

I heard a pastor put it like this..."When we don’t forgive we end up being tortured. The worst prison in the world is the prison of an unforgiving heart. If we nurture feelings of bitterness we become inmates of an internal prison of our own construction."

So the next time someone cuts you off or ticks you off, or does you wrong (this is starting to sound like a bad country song), just remember a couple of things:

He forgave you with the only condition attached being that He would continue to LOVE on you for eternity (John 3:16).

If you choose to be angry or bitter you are handing yourself over to the enemy (Ephesians 4:27).
You don’t want to go there- really, unless you are into hot flashes of a mega magnitude.

Kidding aside- Just ask our sweet Holy Spirit to lead you- He can turn a prideful, bitter, revengeful heart into juicy fruit!

And another plus-juicy fruit will seriously save you from chronic high blood pressure, heartburn and a multitude of other health problems. It really will.

Praising Him-
jananne