Passing the Baton

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ambitions, an encouraging word, being gracious, dreams, encouragement, encouraging others, future focus, future thinking, giving and receiving, giving with grace, goals, hobbies, investing in the next generation, life skills, moving forward, next generation, passing the baton, passing the torch, teaching

First Chronicles 28:1-21 says, “David assembled all the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem: the leaders of the tribes, the leaders of the divisions in the king’s service, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and cattle of the king and his sons, along with the court officials, the fighting men, and all the brave warriors.
²  Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the LORD’s covenant and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build,
³  but God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’
⁴  “Yet the LORD God of Israel chose me out of all my father’s household to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah, my father’s household, and from my father’s sons, He was pleased to make me king over all Israel.
⁵  And out of all my sons—for the LORD has given me many sons—He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the LORD’s kingdom over Israel.
⁶  He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon is the one who is to build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his father.
⁷  I will establish his kingdom forever if he perseveres in keeping My commands and My ordinances as ⌊he is⌋ today.’
⁸  “So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and follow all the commands of the LORD your God so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever.
⁹  “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
¹⁰  Realize now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.”
¹¹  Then David gave his son Solomon the plans …
⌊David concluded,⌋ “By the LORD’s hand on me, He enabled me to understand everything in writing, all the details of the plan.”
²⁰  Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the LORD’s house is finished.
²¹  Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing man of any skill will be at your disposal for the work, and the leaders and all the people are at your every command.”

I love this passage so much. David was a very willing participant in passing the baton to the next generation. So many times the current generation hangs on to a position, ideas and even dreams without leaving the proper instructions for those coming after them. A vacuum of knowledge, wisdom and sacrifice is left instead of a thoughtful, and loving exchange of resources.

Think of the dreams God has placed in your heart. What are they?

Do you have dreams of writing?

Dreams of photography?

Dreams of scrapbooking?

Dreams of intercession?

Maybe you think of them as more of a goal, or priority? That’s good too.

Go grab a piece of paper and write them down.

(Having trouble? Spend the next few days asking God to reveal the dreams He has for you, then set a time to come back and fill in the space above. You have God-given dreams and goals and He wants to reveal them to you… just ask.)

Now, look at those goals and dreams you have written down.

How can you pass those intentions to the next generation?

Can you come alongside a fellow writer and mentor them? Attend conferences together? Ask to read their work and encourage them?

How about those dreams of photography? Can you teach a class, write an article, or mentor a younger version of yourself? You could take a group of people with a camera and go for a hike. You can make it fun and see if it sparks anyone’s interest.

Can you pass on the scrapbooks to a relative, or better yet, set a time to scrapbook with a friend, or family member talking about all the memories?

Can you meet up with a fellow intercessor for prayer each week? How about being on the lookout for a younger individual who can come alongside and pray with you?

There are so many opportunities to pass the baton, but this requires wisdom and being sure that your dream is worth sharing.

It is! Every dream is worth sharing with someone, but when we cling to “our” dream and leave scars on those around us who have tried to come near it, we lose the ability to pass it on to future generations.

Just to be clear, if you are ten years old you have someone in your life that can be ready and able to receive your baton. We are never too young to get into the habit of inspiring someone else.

In First Chronicles, King David willingly passed on all of the plans and resources for Solomon to build the Temple. Verse eleven tells us he gave Solomon his plans…wow.

It was originally David’s idea, but instead of David becoming bitter about not reaching his lofty goal, he actually worked harder trying to make the task as accessible as possible for the next generation. David did not hoard ideas, resources, or even honor.

He gave freely.

He passed the baton with grace.

Ask yourself, “What am I hoarding from the next generation?”

That’s hard, I know. Sometimes, we think we are “saving” things for future generations, but are we really? Is that secret recipe worth saving until your dead?

Identify two ideas, or resources that you are currently hoarding and list them on a piece of paper.

What steps can you take to change the hoarding into giving?

As we teach others how to reach their goals (even if we’ve not had the opportunity to finish reaching ours), we allow the baton to be passed.

We see the goal getting closer and closer to the desired end as the baton keeps going from person to person.

We see the beauty of life being a relay instead of a marathon.

We are then able to focus on the next baton that is being handed to us by another, or by God Himself, and move into the next area of refinement with arms stretched both ways… receiving the baton and giving the baton… in complete surrender to Him and in openness to those around us.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

*image by myfaithradio.com

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Getting Started Right

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advice, are priorities important, career or family, Christianity, decisions, family, family or church, family time, first things first, focus, goals, how to choose what comes first, how to know that to do, how to make a good decision, how to set goals, how to set priorities, keeping first things first, listen to God's voice, listen to His voice, making great decisions, making room for the right things, priorities, relationships, setting boundaries, setting goals, starting the new year right, staying focused, staying focused this year, structuring your life, training, what are my priorities, why priorities help

At the beginning of each year I tend to think more about priorities than at any other time. Starting off “right” just seems like the proper thing to do. But, as the year wears on and obligations come up, my priorities tend to become a little fuzzy. I am apt to forget my true calling and focus on lesser things that have somehow invaded my life. I know that priorities are a great guideline for me, but I sometimes leave them behind when making a seemingly insignificant decision. So, I’ve decided to re-evaluate my thinking, put the fences back up and allow the priorities that God has given me to guide my steps daily.

What should our priorities look like, anyway?

Our first priority should always be to seek the Lord. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” Jesus was very direct. God is first. He is not co-priority. He is the priority. Everything revolves around Him.

Our God shouldn’t just be first, He should be everything. Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Nothing else is more important than God…ever. Deuteronomy 6:5 says that we are to love the Lord with ALL of our heart, soul, mind and strength. Every other priority always centers on our love for God and His work in our lives. We are always, in every area, to be about our Father’s business which is to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

Priority one is obvious, but easier said than done. We can only make Him front and center when we are in full surrender to His Holy Spirit. This means that every minute of every day we are aware of His presence in us, listening for His leading and submitting to that still small voice He has placed inside of us.

Other priorities are sometimes not as clear-cut. I personally believe that after God the next priority should be marriage (if you are married). Matthew 4b-6 says, “He who created them from the beginning created them male and female, and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.’ Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh….”  That’s some pretty tight quarters. One flesh means my husband and I are constantly communicating with each other. Just as my brain, heart, respiratory system, et cetera within my own physical body is in constant communication with each other to function as a whole, so must a relationship with our spouse be in constant communication to function as a whole. We are working as one because we are one.

Ephesians 5 goes on to tell us that wives are under the authority of the husband and the husband is to love his wife as his own flesh. That’s a clear case for marriage being a major priority.

The third priority for me personally is my children. Many Scriptures talk about the teaching and training of our children. Deuteronomy 6 is a great example, but the one that really stood out to me this week was out of First Timothy. In chapter 3 verse 5, it says, “(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)” This is talking about the qualifications for overseers and deacons, but it is a great checkpoint for me as well, especially as a pastor’s wife. If the needs of my family members are not being met (spiritually, emotionally and physically) why would I think that another’s needs are more important?

God has given me these children for a few, very short years. What could be more important than their well-being? To drive the point even further, First Timothy 5:8 says, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.” OUCH!

For me, the fourth priority used to be the local Body of Christ. (In this season, God has shifted my priorities slightly, so always be open to God’s leading.) Here are some verses to consider if you believe the local Body needs to be a high priority in your life, (or if you think it’s no big deal to leave the Church out). Hebrews 10: 24-25 says, “…let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;…” First Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another…” Galatians 5:13 says through love to serve one another.

Church is important to our Lord. After all, He established it and is coming back for His Bride, His Church. So, it needs to be high on all of our lists of priorities.

Work could be your next priority. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Priorities are guidelines for us, but why are they important? Why am I choosing to place these seemingly severe restrictions on myself? Why does it matter if I decide which things are more important than others?

The answer for me is simple…stress relief. When I remember my priorities, my decisions are often already made for me. Does volunteering at the food bank interfere with my husband? Guess what? No more food bank. Would teaching a Sunday School class interfere with work? No problem, my priority is church. Are my kids sick and need me to stay home from my obligations at church? The decision is already made. I make the call to get a replacement and serve the Lord at home that day.

So many worries are alleviated because we have sought the Lord in advance and he has shown us the priorities that He wants placed in our lives. We should not set the priorities that we want. They must be His priorities over our lives. I Kings 22:5 says, “Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” This needs to be us. Before we set any standard in our life, we must inquire of the Lord. Then, Matthew 6:33 is true in us and not just a verse that sounds good.

At times, during a particularly unique season, we may have to adjust our priorities. For example, when a child has to have surgery or, a loved one is terminally ill. During those times, seek the Lord’s answer and communicate with those who need to know that during this season, this is what the Lord is requiring.

Most of the time though, the issues rage when an ordinary occurrence pops up and we are focused on the wrong thing. James 4:1-2 says that quarrels are caused with our lusts, our passions fighting among us. When I want to be at work, but my children need me at an event, that’s where the “rubber meets the road”. If we are truly depending on the Lord in us though and He has clearly told us what our priorities are to be, the decision has already been made. The decision is hard unless we have been with God and know that our priorities are the guidelines He has given, not our feelings.

I really encourage you to get with God this weekend and seek His face for your priorities. There are many specifics that were not addressed like extended family, neighbors, community involvement, et cetera. That’s why I encourage you to get alone with God and listen UNTIL you hear His voice. Ask Him to be specific so that you can rest fully in Him knowing that many decisions have already been made. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. May we quit heaping loads on ourselves that are not ours to carry.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

My Story

Today

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attention, calling, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas season, countdown to Christmas, countdowns, devotional, devotions, encouragement, family devotions, focus, future, future focus, goals, God, God's Kingdom, here and now, Kingdom work, redeem the time

I’m sure you’ve all seen it by now. The countdown to Christmas has begun and while I love Christmas and the whole season that comes with it, I am just not ready to see the countdowns begin. On Facebook last week a friend posted how many Fridays were left until Christmas and then, the flashing sign at my pharmacy told me the exact number of days until Christmas. Every time I pass by…BOOM!… there it is in blinking lights: 75 days, 74 days, 73 days… and it will continue to flash the number until the Big Day arrives.

I couldn’t help but wonder if all of these countdowns (whether they involve Christmas, or something else) are just another tool of Satan’s to keep us pseudo focused on life, instead of really focused on living. If I am so focused on what is to come, maybe I am not focused on the here and now and the here and now is where Kingdom work really happens. After all, does someone receive the Gospel tomorrow, or yesterday, or the here and now? (I know all of the above happens, but I hope you get where I’m going with this.) Everything that happens to us, or through us, happens in the now. Satan wants us to only focus on the future and not the now. The now is where miracles take place. The now is where souls accept redemption. The now is where we actually live. Maybe that’s what the Psalmist is getting at in Psalm 90:12. It says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” When we are wise, we are using every moment to give God glory. When we are wise, we are hyperaware of how we can expand God’s Kingdom. When we are wise, we realize that His Kingdom is what this life is all about. When we are only focused on the future, we are no good in the now.

You might be thinking that I must be one of those spontaneous people who have no goals, no ambitions and no future plans. Let me just tell you (after I get up off the floor from laughing hysterically) I most certainly am not a “fly by the seat of her pants” kind of a girl. No, siree. I don’t think I’ve ever lived a week without a major goal list. I’m the master. That might be why this hit me so hard the other day. Goals help me to believe that I haven’t wasted my day, my week, my month, or my year. But, I’m finding in my own life that the goals I’ve set have often kept me from living in the now. I’m so focused on my lists to get done tomorrow that I’m not taking joy for what was accomplished today. I’m often concerned with my agenda instead of God’s agenda for me. I’m so focused on getting to week nine, or fifteen that I lose sight of the here and now. I’m not saying that goals aren’t important, but sometimes goals can get in the way of actually living.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, “…do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus gives us grace for the day, yet we are trying to live in the tomorrow. Tomorrow’s stress is not supposed to be today’s burden.

Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us that His mercies are new every morning. That’s a day by day mercy. If we are aren’t waking up accepting what He has for us each day, what are we missing?

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to see today’s miracles. I don’t want to miss them. I want my eyes to be wide open to receive what He has for me today. I want to expand His Kingdom today. I want to worship Him today and not wait for Sunday. I want Him to look at me as He sings over me tonight and say, “Well done, girl. Well done. You used every minute I gave you today. Let’s do it again tomorrow.”
My Testimony

Seeking Hearts Ministries – (link to other blogs)

It’s Your Break Out Time!

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break out moments, dreams, goals, holding back, it's time, ministry, pulling back, the right time, timing, when is the time, your dream, your goal, your ministry, your time

Hosea 13:13 says, “The pains of childbirth come upon him; he is not a wise son. For it is not the time that he should delay at the opening of the womb.”

How many times have we, as Christians, held back from what the Lord was calling us to do? We come upon a setback, fear takes over and we decide that the timing must not be right? We don’t ask God, we just assume. We stop because it hurts. We must realize that pain does not mean it’s time to stop pressing forward. Believe me, I wish it did.

Hosea 13:13 gives us the great illustration of childbirth. Listen, any smart woman would stop childbirth if she could once the first pain hits, especially at the “opening of the womb” as this verse describes. So, we know from this verse that pain is not a good indicator of knowing the will of God. It is not the gauge to tell whether or not a ministry is going well. It’s not even an indication of when to slow things down. In fact, in childbirth, pain is when things are supposed to speed up! So, we find that only God’s direct Word can be trusted. Our pain indicator is just telling us something hurts and should bring us even closer to our God. As a woman in “travail” keeps hanging on to her husband during the worst of the pain, we must keep clinging to our Savior, listening to His voice.

In Genesis 38, we find another situation that’s pretty graphic, but it really drives the point home in another way. Judah’s son Er was married to a girl named Tamar. Er died before an heir was produced, so as was the custom, his younger brother Onan was to produce an heir for his brother, (That’s all I’m going to say about that. You can look it up yourself for the details!). Onan though, decided in his own wisdom to not follow through. The Bible says in verse nine that, “he wasted his seed on the ground.” Verse ten goes on to say that this did not please the Lord and Onan died. We see here, quite vividly, that God takes holding back seriously! We see that there are consequences to holding back even if it is done in secret.When God wants us to pursue a task, He means it! We should be serious about it as well.

So, I ask you, “What are you holding back from?” What do you know God has called you to pursue right now, but you have decided in your own wisdom that the pain is too great, the task is too hard, or you did agree to follow through with an undertaking and then later decided to pull back secretly as Onan did? You are playing the part, but your heart is far removed. Is any of this ringing a bell? If so, please, don’t dismiss it. That’s the Holy Spirit in you reminding you to not give up. He is telling you that this is the time. This is your break out moment!

Isaiah 58:8 says, “Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” In other words, when you have your breakout moment, He’s got your back. That’s what “the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard” means. He’s got more than just your back, but I think this verse is a great reminder that He’s got things handled. Whatever the task, He’s got it covered.

So, are you scared to talk to that co-worker that seems so aloof? Are you nervous about discussing religion with a relative? Are you freaked out to tell your fellow Christians about a call on your life? Are you still clinging to a past hurt? Are you sick and tired of fighting where God has placed you in ministry? Guess what? He’s there. He’s holding your hand through the pain. He is your rear guard and your Mighty Warrior. So, get on with your break out moment! Pursue the task that God has laid out for you in this season. If you’re not sure, that’s okay. Rest in Him until He gives you clarity, but when He does, go for it! Give Him as much of yourself as He has given you. This is your moment! Go for it!

Seeking Hearts Ministries

I Want to be a Bulldog

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battles, breath of God, burdens, calling, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, deep things of God, encouragment, exhaustion, goals, hanging on, perseverance, tenacity, YHWH

I learned something about bulldogs last week that fascinated me. The nostrils of a bulldog actually slant backwards. Bulldogs were created for not letting go. When they are hanging on to something with those massive jaws, they can still breathe. Bulldogs are designed by the God of the universe to hang on! Amazing, isn’t it? YourPureBredPuppy.com says a bulldog’s “tenacity and resolve mean that it’s difficult to change his mind once he decides to do something. He is surprisingly sensitive, remembers what he learns, and responds well to patient, persistent training that utilizes food motivation.” Hmm…food for motivation…I definitely want to be a bulldog. GRIN!

Seriously though, I want to have the tenacity of a bulldog, don’t you? I want to remember all the things that God has taught me over the years. I want to be persistent and cling to the dreams that God has placed in my heart. I want to hold fast to the truth of God’s Word even when everyone around me loses their grip. II Timothy 3:14 says, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” In other words, hang on to what you know! Be a bulldog!

In all honesty, I usually give up too easily. Over the long haul my excitement fades and my perseverance is not all that it should be. The ministry that started out as an exciting dream now just seems like work. I begin to doubt. I get discouraged. I start to lose my grip. I need to be reminded almost constantly that Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” I want to have the resolve of a bulldog, but it does not come naturally for me. So, I have to ask the questions, “How does a bulldog hang on?” “How does he keep a tight hold when everything around him is saying to let go?” “Where does he get his strength?”

I’m beginning to understand that a bulldog can stay locked on to its target because he can still breathe. Our God’s name is YHWH. In the Hebrew language it is said that the pronunciation of YHWH is impossible. It is like the sound of a breath. He is our oxygen, our breath, and He is how we will be able to hang on. We can never hang on in our own strength. It’s always about Him, His Spirit in us.

Isaiah 42:5-12 says, “Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” Not only does this verse tell us that God gives us breath, but also that He is holding our hands while He is doing it. Think about when we go to the dentist and have an invasive procedure. Oftentimes, we are offered some sort of “laughing gas” to help us be calm. As youngsters, we often not only had the “gas”, but also a parent sitting with us holding our hand. We are God’s children and He is beside us not only providing our breath, but He is also holding our hand. We are never alone. He is with us, providing what we need every step of the way. That’s our precious YHWH.

In the book of Ezekiel we see another example of how God is our strength through His breath. Ezekiel is taken to a valley of dry bones and is told to prophecy to the Breath of God’s Spirit to come into the dead, dry bones and they will come to life. Ezekiel 37 tells us that is exactly what happened. Those brittle, weak, dry bones received new life, new strength and new perseverance through the breath of God’s Spirit. When they could breathe the breath of the Spirit again, they were able to hang on to their original task. They had the strength to continue. We are reminded that it’s never too late to become a bulldog!

So, the next time you see me struggling to hang on to a dream that God has placed inside of me remind me that Acts 17:25 tells me that God gives breath to all things. Remind me that any struggle God calls me to is worth it. Remind me that He will receive glory and remind me that I want to be a bulldog.

I’ll leave you with a link to a song that ties in so well. Enjoy!

Seeking Hearts Ministries