We Will Overcome

"March 13 - Learn To Live above your circumstances (diagnosis of endometriosis). This requires focused time with Me, the One who overcame the world. Trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world. Only My Life in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer.  As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart. Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances. You gain My perspective on your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not. Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you."
 - Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

I didn't read this devotion until today, March 14th, after reading today's, which starts with "Do not hesitate to receive joy from Me, for I bestow it abundantly."

For 10 years (but more extensively in the past 2) I have prayed that God would prepare me to be a Mother, and to do that job to the best of my ability; an ability that only God can give. I have prayed for my husband that God would also prepare him to be a Father and Spiritual head for his children. I also prayed that when God allows us to begin that change in our lives that we would be ready together, excited together, bouncing that joy off of each other.
At the beginning of the year the conversation of trying came up and we decided that February would be the month because it timed out perfectly to be the earliest we could start getting pregnant and still travel as WE planned for the summer. That's how WE planned it. At the same time I began visiting the doctor so I could come to a conclusion of what was going on with me because things just weren't working as they needed to. I was later diagnosed with Stage 2 Endometriosis. I have shed tears, and then did what I do best and that is give it to God and move on (Phil. 3:12-14). Time is not stopping because of this, that's not how God works. But, because of the diagnosis I have noticed that my joy and excitement in trying has faded. I mean, we can still try, but it's unlikely we will conceive.

 "O you of little faith."  Yeah, I know, I am praying for healing.

My joy, excitement, it faded the moment I accepted that things were going to be harder. While it's okay to accept things as these, you know, I don't want to be in denial... but where is my expectancy? I came here with expectancy that God was/is going to do amazing things here and through us. Why does a circumstance in MY plan change that?

John 16:33 NKJV (Jesus speaking)
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

John 16:22 NKJV (Jesus speaking)
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."

"Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you." This sentence reminds me of the song Enemy's Camp, taking back what the enemy is trying his hardest to steal from me.

No matter what, my hope is in Jesus.... Psalm 46:10 NKJV
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Today, I challenge you, give it to God surrendering ALL worry. Learn to live above your circumstance(s). They don't define the greatness that God is going to do in your life.

Philippians 3:12-14 MSG

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

Fill Me Up, Lord

The past few weeks I have been in kind of a dullness just waiting, but also growing impatient because my waiting lead me to not doing my devotion time and then growing blank. I couldn't think, focus, pray, read my bible. None of it, and I was not okay with that! I want to be doing daily devotions and I haven't even been able to concentrate long enough to think about doing one! I expressed this to a friend and had her pray for me and she is one of those friends my mentors have been praying for, because she always gives me a challenge. Me, being someone who is ALWAYS looking for ways to better myself in more than just one way, I take this kind of advice and challenges. I love advice and seeking counsel. However, a lot of times I get my advice from just watching others and how they do things. (Here's your reminder that people are watching you!! Are you giving them something to follow after?) This time my advice came when she sent me her schedule of all that she is doing throughout the weeks here, and it got me thinking... How am I spending my time? I mean, I am complaining that I don't have time to do a devotion, much less concentrate on it. So I followed after her and created my very short and simple schedule, and realized.... EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I am already praying for Bible studies, and when I am not focused on them I am have PLENTY of time to do my own. Not only did that give me a big perspective of my time, which hello, apparently I have plenty of! But, talk about a slap in the face. Needless to say I changed my routine of things immediately.

Last night my husband came home and told me about this conversation he was a part of including our Super's wife and their middle son. They were talking about how the days have been super long, and the son said that today (Tuesday) would be the longest day so far. His mother and my husband were both confused and asked why so, and he then expressed that it's like Christmas Eve, waiting for something. "Daddy is coming back with gifts!" (Let me note that his father and oldest sister have been in America for the past 3 weeks fundraising and recruiting for the school.) It wasn't until today during my devotion that God interrupted me and said, "Why isn't everyday like Christmas Eve? Everyday should feel like the longest day ever waiting for ME, your Father. If your days seem longer then you will want something to do to fill your time. What are YOU doing to fill your time, Jennifer?"

I honestly can't answer that without taking a moment of silence and pondering what am I doing to fill my time and make sure I am using every moment of what should be long days, wisely. Now, I am not saying that we should be running around with our heads cut off filling our time, but are we making time for Jesus, patiently waiting for Him to part the skies with the gifts (riches and glories) He has for us? When He returns, are we going to just be sitting here twiddling our thumbs, or will we be making a difference?

So, I challenge you, write down your schedule. What does it look like? Is there time for Jesus? Is there time to make a difference for the Kingdom? Even if it's just 30 minutes. Just make sure you're not letting other things take role as an idol in your life, things that could be hindering your relationship with your Father. Ask God to FILL you up, not just in the Holy Spirit, but also with a desire for your time so that you can spend it wisely.

Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.