Spiritual Training

I launched my new book Spiritual Training 101: Preparing for Eternity on Tuesday. We had a wonderful time of laughs, music and fellowship. These are the things God calls us to do; share our gifts and talents with those around us so they may see His glory shine through. Matthew 5:16 Tells us to, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (NKJV) I am excited that God has blessed our family with the gifts and talents He has and that we can do skits, share the Word and sing His praises. Thank you Lord.

God has given us all a purpose and wants for us to fulfill it. One of those things for me is to write. This book is a Bible study taking the reader on a journey with the Lord to grow in their faith and spiritual discipline. Please understand that it was a struggle for me by times because I did not just record these things, but God lead me through each one. Jesus held my hand and wiped my tears as I reached beyond myself and had faith that He would be with me. Growth is never an easy thing, but He has promised to be with us always.

Preparation is something we do for every aspect of our lives, so why not for our eternal life? It is the most important thing so shouldn't we take it more seriously and make spiritual training an essential, daily part of our lives? Spending time in His presence and pouring our hearts out to Him draws us closer and into a deep, personal relationship. That is what His desire is. John 3:16-17 say it best, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (NKJV)

Have you answered the call to His voice? Are you ready to take a leap in faith? What do you have to lose?

Obedient Prayer

It amazes me how God can speak to the heart and accomplish just what He says He will do. As humans we can be fickle and forgetful, but God is not like that. Let me share an awesome experience.

Last week, I had a lot going on in my life and house. There were days that I did not spend as much time in the Lord's presence as I would have liked to. I think that happens to all of us by times. Sunday mornings we get up and ready for church and go early so we can pray. (We are in the middle of replacing our church which was consumed by fire on the 22nd of March so our prayers are not only for the service but for direction and unity in the body as we stretch toward the goal of rebuilding.)

We were a bit late on this past Sunday-later than usual anyway-and I rushed to the place where I normally go to meet with the Lord. As I took my spot and opened my prayer, I felt the urge to just be still and quiet. As I knelt there I felt a peace and stillness fill my heart. Within a short time a still, small voice within my soul asked me to pray for the seats in our sanctuary. I quickly thought that I didn't know how many there were, but just as quickly remembered my husband telling me two weeks ago that they changed the layout and set up 109 chairs.

I trusted in the fact that if God asked me to do it and I was obedient, He would do what He said. We had a wonderful service and I was filled. After the service was over, I went to the back and checked the count and what do you suppose I found? 109! I felt a joy and peace flood my soul. What a wonderful gift! Who else could do something like that? I must admit, I was amazed but I shouldn't be. God is so good-ALL the time. He is trustworthy and keeps His promises. It wasn't long after that I realized each and every time we pray in His will, what He wants for our lives, He will provide.

His reminder to me is one I share with you because we all need to know that we serve a Saviour who loves us and desires a personal relationship with each of us. Have you opened your heart and your prayer life to Him? Do you take the time to quietly wait in His presence for an answer? He is waiting for you. He wants all of you. He will ever be with you and lead and guide your life to give you life more abundant.
With many blessings,
Natalie

Faith in the Fire

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!"
Psalm 27:13,14 NKJV

Have you seen the goodness of the Lord or have you given up? Are you wondering if He is really there or if He has forsaken you? I have been there. I have wondered if God really cared. Over the past few years I have learned something very important in all of this.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5 NKJV

I have found that to trust in Him means to step out on faith, to do the things He asks of me even when they are hard. Sometimes it means people won't like me and sometimes it means I run the risk of looking like a fool. God is real, He is there and He has a perfect plan for your life. To find His plan may mean you have to give up your plan. It may mean giving up on the pursuit of something you think is so incredibly important. It remains true that if your plan lines up with His will-He will bring you to that place victoriously despite the circumstances that may be blocking you. His plan is perfect for your life and that may also mean walking through some fires.

Don't despise time spent in the fire. Change your focus and attitude about it. When we put precious metals into the fire, it refines them and makes them pure. With your attitude and heart focused on God, your time in the fire will refine you too. While in the fire, focus on seeking His face and His will, His Word and His ways and you will come through the fire, refined and pure...victorious in Him.

With many blessings,
Natalie