YES!

Our Savior came to be the sacrifice for our sins because one, young woman said YES!

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38)

Our Savior dwelt among men and set the example intended because He said YES!

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. (Luke 3:21-23)

Our Savior was tested; but, He remained sinless, pure and perfect because He said YES!

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. (Luke 4:1-2)

Our Savior allowed God to shine through Him in every act because He said YES!

“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,
   to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Our Savior endured rejection, beatings, slander, false accusation and death upon a cross because He said YES!

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.  (Luke 23:44-46)

Our Savior lay in a tomb for three days, appeared one last time to His disciples and then rose to Heaven because He said YES!

 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. (Luke 24:51)

Our Savior never once denied His plan and purpose for being here on Earth.  He continually looked to our Father for guidance and strength.  God provided the power to perform miraculous acts and set the example for us to follow.  Our God gave us a Savior to wash away our sins.  We wake up today, better than blessed, because one man said YES!  Jesus, our Lord and Savior, completed His plan so we now may say YES!

Do you believe in Him?  Have you accepted what Jesus did for to live?

Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose again to live with our Father.  He did this for you and for me.  He lives within us and yearns to be active in our lives.  Use the Holy Spirit in everything done here on Earth.  We took our first breath because God said YES to our creation.  He planned our days and waits for us to approach Him for guidance.  Trust in the promises made, believe in the Truth provided and live boldly for our Father.  He never leaves nor forsakes you.  He fulfills every promise made, comforts and heals with His mighty hand and equips each of us with His Word to spread to others so they may come to know Him.

Will you say YES to Him today?  Remember, He rose and is alive and well within you.

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for saying YES to my life.  Thank You for planning every detail.  I reach to You for strength to fulfill life's plan.  Give me the words and actions needed to further Your Kingdom everywhere You lead.  Thank You for sacrificing Your only Son so I may live.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work

Invitation Sent

“It’s MY party and I will cry if I want to, cry if I want to, cry if I want. . .YOU would cry to if it happened to you!”

You’re invited:

What – MY pity party

When – EVERY day

Would you come, oh please, oh please, would you come?  I need some attention, sympathy and advice.  Come ready to provide an “aww” and “oh, I am so sorry” and even a couple “I could not imagine going through such an event.”  Be my guest at this event.  You will leave depressed, poor attitude and with a negative outlook on life.  My actions, words and emotions display the worst example of a reaction to such a minor situation. 

Have you ever received or disbursed such an invitation?  How was the response?  Any RSVP?  Any last minute arrivals? 

My guess is few responded; no fight existed for a spot to attend and no need to add more seating due to reaching capacity.  Often, we wait in silence for others to attend such a party.  I mean, shouldn’t those caring individuals realize life’s daggers knocked YOU down?  Can’t others see the steam released out the ears due to a situation not going YOUR way?  As no one arrives, we take the party to them.  Reaching for the phone, we call the first person on the list.  Conversation becomes one sided as we spew out all troubles.  Upon hanging up the phone, the emotions remain with even greater magnitude.  So, on to the next person. . .

This charade continues until enough attention, sympathy and advice occurs.  We even go as far as to post it on Facebook and wait for responses.  Hourly, we check status and with each post confirm the importance of such a pity party. 

Think about the results gained as such event takes place.  Do we feel better?  Is the problem solved?  Typically, the answer is a big NO.  We spent the greater part of our day drowning in pity and missed out on the importance of the moment.  We missed the spiritual growth, lessons hiding in the moment and continue reaching for flesh contentment. 

I am not speaking about the true tragic events which warrant people to gather around and help through such sadness, confusion and emotion.  I am speaking of the everyday situations, the ‘things did not go MY way’ moments and the selfish mindsets we all experience.  This selfish girl experiences these moments too often.  As a mother, it seems the invitation arrives in the mail daily.  As a mother, one must die to self.  Never does a day go MY way.  Never does a situation go smoothly.  Poor, poor, pitiful me. . .

I have learned over the years and with the Holy Spirit’s help to recognize the envelope with which the invitation arrives.  It always appears glamorous, eye catching and screams ‘OPEN ME!’  There are times I give in, open it and begin the party.  Other times I peel back the corner of the envelope and just to peek inside.  But the greatest times occur when I take it directly to the shredder never to see it again.  For if I lay it on the counter, flesh may win and open it later in the day. 

How can we gain strength to avoid such silly parties?  How can we refuse the invite every time?  Aren’t our feelings valid?  Feelings are valid; it is what we do with them that matters.  Avoid taking them to the phone, Facebook, email or work.  One place exists to take any and all emotions. . .

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

There we will find strength, growth and gain true perspective on the matter!

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

The Prize Inside

Remember when. . .

Anytime I begin a story with these two words it usually ends in laughter, disbelief or a ‘how did you survive in such conditions’ comment from the children.  Life ‘back in the day’ provided simplicity, peace, active lifestyles and fun conversations.  Regardless of how good the ‘ole days’ appears in memories, we must embrace the new generation of texting, Facebook, selfies, Apple products and such.  I agree to do so that I may keep a connection with my children.  But, I refuse to forget the childhood memories.

I would like to share one which brings a smile to my face.  Remember when (oh no, I can sense the eye rolling now from the younger generation) going to the grocery store was fun.  Yes, I know, hard to imagine due to the fact that we now are the ones fighting the crowds in the isles, paying the bill, searching for the vehicle upon leaving, loading, then unloading and finally putting away all the groceries.  But, there was a time when going to the store was the highlight of my week.  I tagged along with mom and grew in excitement to choose the favorite items from the shelf to fill the cabinets at home. 

My favorite isle – breakfast!  The cereal boxes lined from top to bottom, one end to the other, catching my eye with colorful characters and tasty flavors.  These were the days when sugar meant nothing; dyes had no effect on my body and nutrition labels not existing in vocabulary.  Entering the isle, my eyes scanned for the cereal of the week.  Typically, food choices come to surface based on preference of taste or nutritional value.  Well, neither entered this little child’s mind during the selection process.  Nope, I went for the best prize inside. 

Remember when cereal provided a prize inside the box.  None of this send off three UPC’s and shipping and handling fee to receive a prize.  The prize waited inside the box, buried amongst the delicious cereal (delicious because the box says so).  The prize determined which cereal I chose. 

Never did the prize fall out with the first bowl of cereal.  Mom would not allow me to reach in, dig through the cereal and grab out the prize prematurely.  Therefore, I must eat my way to the prize.  Every bowl, every bite and every morning excitement built to reach that prize which lay before me.  Jumping ahead and dumping the contents out just to get the prize would diminish the excitement.  Reaching in and scrounging around for the prize would reduce the joy of receiving.  Imagine how much goodness would be missed if I failed to feed my body prior to finding the prize.  All the cereal poured out and rummaged through would go to waste, serving no purpose but filler for the prize. 

Unfortunately, too often Christians desire the prize promised without willing to take the time to delve into the Word, attend church to receive nourishing messages or spend time with the One holding the prize.  We get caught up in the world and flesh comfort.  Yes, we want the prize and we know the prize with which to work towards; but, the world works diligently to redirect our focus.  The world presents itself to catch our eye, attention and instant gratification.  The world promises to offer empty nourishment, lasting only temporarily without any prize worth the sacrifices given. 

Let us work towards the everlasting prize offered freely to all who believe, trust, love and follow.  Every Word, every Promise and every morning builds the excitement leading to the prize.  If we jump ahead, avoiding the contents of His Book only desiring the prize offered, we diminish growth and development.  The contents of His Book provide needed strength to face this world and change it through our example – one person at a time.  Reaching in and scrounging for one Scripture here and there reduces meaning and purpose.  We must read Scripture as a whole, taking each Word and building wisdom to then make decisions and nourish our bodies. 

Take this day and begin utilizing His Word as it is written.  Know the ultimate prize came in the form of His buried Son who rose and ascended to Heaven.  It is in Heaven that Jesus went to create the perfect place for you and me.  Patience builds the excitement.  Obedience strengthens the relationship.  Faith allows us to be used to bring others to know the great prize which lay ahead and how to obtain it for FREE!

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.      

Don't Get Distracted

Did the Easter Bunny visit you?  Okay, so maybe we are a bit too old for that, but we sure do a great job of sneaking candy from the little ones' baskets.  C'mon, I am not the only one who does that, am I?

Wow, how Easter grew to be a day about hiding eggs, eating candy and buying a new dress to wear.  The holiday brings those into a church who have not stepped foot in one since Christmas.  But do those individuals really understand the meaning behind this glorious day?

"Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.  And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”  Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
(Luke 9:21-23)

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"
(1 Corinthians 12:3-4)

“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.  He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead."
(Acts 10:39-41)

Forget the chocolate bunny.  Wait!  I am a woman, so EAT the bunny and enjoy the chance to have some chocolate, BUT don't forget what this day really means.  God gave His only son to die for us so we may have life.  An abundant life which we are to use to further God's Kingdom and love His Children.

God thank you for this glorious day.  Thank You for sacrificing Your only son to save my soul.  May those individuals who worship only a couple days a year be fed spiritually today so seeds may be planted.  Water those seeds and remove their blindness, so they may see You and know what You have done for them.  May I remember the true meaning of today and not be distracted by chocolate bunnies, eggs and marshmallow chicks!  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

Handing the Enemy a Shovel

Being a minister’s wife holds advantages and disadvantages.  I sit absorbing the messages delivered and various emotions arise.  One being happiness for my husband to take on a role he enjoys.  I also feel proud of the man God has/is developing and using.  Another emotion includes thankfulness for answered prayers.  I spent hours praying for my husband to come to know Jesus and take Him as Lord and Savior.  God answered those prayers in ways beyond anything I could imagine. 

Along with above mentioned, one emotion sits deep in my heart while listening the weekly messages. . .FEAR!  Yes, fear is present each week pertaining to what personal story he may use to bring the message home.  I am by no means opposed to using real life situations to help relate a biblical story in the message.  We are called to use the Bible as a guide to navigate through this world and become more like Jesus along the way.  But, the fear stems from approval needs.  Feeling judged based on the dysfunction of our family.  Because every other family in the world is perfect, right?

I grew up hiding behind a perfect smile.  The dysfunctions occurring inside the home could not be spoke of when going in public or to anyone.  Smiles can cover up hardships placing a façade on your life.  There comes a time when the smile just cannot overpower the pain, sadness and dysfunction.  At that point the pit we dug measures in depth well beyond physical height.  Our eyes see nothing but darkness. 

One day my smile faded, pit dug and darkness overtook every piece of my life.  Eventually, I saw it: the light peeping through the tiniest of hole which led me out of my pit.  I learned that anything left in darkness provides strength for the enemy to dig the pit deeper.  Sharing life with others is how God intended life.  He builds others up to provide sound teaching, solid Truth and survival tips for life.  He uses their stories to reach those in need. 

“who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Without sharing our dysfunctions and how God brings us through, we deprive others of witness to His great Power.  We are not perfect and God knows this, yet still loves us through it all.  Those moments become our testimony with which He uses to find the lost.  Don’t hide behind a smile.  Allow God to use you!  Be real.  Be you.    

You see my husband is living real.  He is the same man at home, work, baseball and church.  That life is much better than handing the devil a shovel with which to dig my pit as I hide behind a smile.  I am learning to avoid worldly approval and live for God.  I am a working progress.  God provides much grace as I fall victim to the approval trap too often. 

Yes, the Craig family lives in dysfunction.  Yes, we fail to reach perfection each day.  Yes, we require much grace.  I would not have it any other way.  I pray our moments become our testimonies to reach the lost, hurting and those hiding behind a smile. 

A plaque on our living room wall sums up our house:

“In this house we do second chances, we do real, we do grace, we do mistakes, we do I’m sorry, we do loud really well, we do hugs, we do family, we do love!”

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

Who Are You Dialing?

Where would you run upon receiving bad news?  If you lost your job?  If your goals shifted out of your control?  If a friend said hurtful words?  If you just had a down-right awful day?

One answer may fit all these questions for most people - THE PHONE.  We often pick up the phone and call the one person we know will be on our side and provide much sympathy about our experiences.  Others may run to A DRINK (not chocolate milk), THE GYM, FOOD, SELF-HARM or HIDE UNDER THE COVERS and ISOLATE.

NONE of these will ease the pain, redirect our attitude or heal the wound.  All these are only temporary fixes.  Trust me, I tried all these and more to console myself.  I see clearly now, the only way to reach a peace about any situation is to run to God.  He cares so much for you and will provide the only solution.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."  (Psalm 32:8)

Calling on another person may be helpful because God works through His Children here on Earth.  The problem with running to the phone comes when we choose the person we know will agree with us and give pity.  We need to call upon someone who will weed through satan's lies and help us replace them with God's Truth.  This may result in being in the wrong or the finding that some pain must occur for us to learn and grow stronger in faith.

"Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
   sing, all you who are upright in heart!"   (Psalm 32:11)

During trials our heart must remain joyous, for God is working.  God brings strength through trials.  Rejoice and be glad to see Him working in your life.  Call upon Him, not the phone.  (see Jeremiah 33:3)  In The Message, Psalm 32:11 instructs all honest hearts to raise the roof with joy!  I picture my daughter singing part of a popular song, "I throw my hands up in the air sometimes" (Dynamite by Taio Cruz).  We need to throw our hands up in the air in surrender to God on every trial and then again to praise Him through it all.

God thank you for today.  I know You have my every move already planned, thank you.  May I see clearly Your Path and follow diligently.  My heart sings in celebration that You would bless little ole me.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

One Step at a Time

A final exam requires one to study all the information presented throughout the whole semester.  The exam will cover many topics, not just one.  The thought of studying so much creates anxiety.  Unaware of which questions will appear on the exam may be overwhelming.

A vacation to Florida sounds awesome; but, traveling there creates a dreadful feeling.  The list of preparation may be overwhelming; maintenance to the vehicle, packing the family, leaving on time, having enough money, etc.  As the road trip begins, the miles feel endless and arrival so far away.  With each exit passed a reminder appears of how much longer the journey lasts.

After being hired at a new establishment, one must learn the way this particular place functions.  Yes, one may have a degree and understand the line of work completely, but each employer runs the business a bit different.  The first day may seem overwhelming with new information; the location of the break room, lunch time, deadlines, operation of different machines, organization of the files, etc.  After eight hours of training, it may feel like fitting in and comfortable will never come.

So, what if a person in these situations just gives up?  After the first day of studying for the exam, the student throws up their hands and quits.  After passing the first exit while traveling to Florida, the family turns around and says, "Well, home is closer than Florida, so let's go back."  After the first day of training, the employee does not return because too much is required to learn the job.

Does giving up make sense in any of these scenarios?
Would the desired outcome ever be reached?

"Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength;
   seek his face always." (1 Chronicles 16:10-11)
 
"However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
(1 Peter 4:16-17)

Around this time of year, we look to see what changes need made in our life.  Whatever the new decision, it takes strength, courage and a desired heart.  Change does not come easy.  Our flesh wants comfort and to remain in the known.

Well, my friends, God is calling us to a higher standard.  He wants you to look to Him for strength.  The circumstances and patterns of life you lead did not appear overnight.  Therefore, the desired result will not come with the snap of a finger.  A student must dedicate time to studying each day leading to a final exam.  A family must remain patient in the vehicle and enjoy the ride to the destination.  A new employee must take a deep breath and learn to know the ins and outs of the new place.

He is our strength.  Take each day at a time, each decision at a time and pray through every difficulty.  Soon, you will look back and think, "Wow, I am where God desired me to be."  Try not to overwhelm yourself with the end result, but look to Him every day to guide your steps towards the path He laid for you!  Obey His commands, though trial and trouble may come.  Remember, He is the only way to peace.  Do not give up when times get tough or the flesh feels uncomfortable; rather, focus on Him and the results He plans for the future.  Praise Him with each progressive step.  Keep taking one step at a time!

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for providing strength each day to eat the menu created by You, exercise in a healthy manner, persevere in doing what is good, seeking You with each decision and the conversations we have through prayer.  Thank You for providing Truth to follow and guide me in this life.  I am here to be used by You.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.