A Few Words to Grow By

This evening as I was reading I came across these profound words. Jennifer Rothschild in her book "Fresh Grounded Faith" writes a chapter titled A Few Words to Grow By. I challenge you to take the next few minutes to read her words. Although the language in this chapter is directed at women it can also be applicable to men.

May her words encourage you in the same way they have encouraged me!

A Few Words to Grow By

When you realize how powerful emotions can be . . .

Remember always to elevate your faith above your feelings. Why? Because that which you elevate highly will govern you. Feelings change, but the precepts of faith are unchanging. Feelings change, but truth changes you. Always allow yourself to be governed by that which is eternal rather than that which is so temporary.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:7

When you come to a sudden bump in the road...

Never allow your life circumstances to define you. Instead, let them refine you. Hard things are like heavenly sandpaper on your life. God uses them to shape and mold you into a work of art. When you feel the pressure of trials, remember that God won't allow them to crush you; He intends for them to make you beautiful.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

When you feel afraid...

Always exercise courage even when you don't feel confident. Courage is a choice; confidence is a feeling. Remember that courage and confidence are not the same thing. Be brave . . . Fear limits you.

Ask God to help you overcome earthly fear by developing reverence for Him. The only fear that brings you wisdom is the fear of God. Fear Him, reverence Him, and nothing else will shake you.

Read 2 Timothy 1:7

When you don't like what you see in the mirror...

Look into the mirror of God's Word. When you do, you will see how incredibly beautiful and valuable you are. Merely glance into the bathroom mirror, but gaze into the mirror of God's Word. It will always show you the truth because it is the truth. Trust God's opinion of you more than you trust others' opinions-or even your own opinion of yourself.

Only the Word of God is eternal and worthy of your gaze. To look into the mirror of God's Word is to see the face of God, and in doing so, you are better equipped to see who you really are.

Read Psalm 45:11

(You will find this section of her book "Fresh Grounded Faith" on pages 64 - 66)

Memories

Reflecting on the past, there are many good memories I can recall from the experiences I had living in Latin America. The appreciation I have for people of different ethnic backgrounds comes from that 18-year period I lived that region. The Lord blessed me by allowing me to have the opportunity to learn distinct cultures and to establish relationships with people in the countries of Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile.

From living in the Andes Mountains and on the Pacific Ocean coast, I witnessed the Lord's general revelation as seen in nature; God's creation is truly glorious. I had so many great experiences including climbing an inactive volcano, traveling to the Rain Forest, participating in VBS in the Amazon Forest, travelling to an island in the Caribbean twice, and visiting the Galapagos Island with my "larger family."

During my Middle School years, I became part of a "larger family" where I attended boarding school in Quito, Ecuador and lived with approximately 45 other students ranging between 4th Grade and 12th Grade. My dorm years were crazy and wonderful. Living with so many people at a young age helped me learn to associate with people of different personalities that I otherwise would not have known.

Prior to attending boarding school I lived with my parents, brother, and sister in Bogota, Colombia year round for the first 12 years of my life where I attended another fantastic school that was built for the purpose of educating children of missionaries with a God centered focus.

I can still recall my favorite teachers; I had one during each phase in my life. In elementary my favorite teacher was my Kindergarten teacher as she had a unique passion to love each one of her six students. In middle school and high school, my favorite teachers were my History and Social studies teachers. It is for that reason; I became so passionate about pursuing history and political science later on when I attended college.

I am beginning to recall my memories because it would be wonderful if one day I can compile all my thoughts, notes, hand written and web journal entries to a book; creating a reflection on my life as the Lord has continued to help me cope in and through my good and difficult times.

Expression of Worship

A.W. Tozer writes in his work The Pursuit of God,

Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers [meeting] together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.”

This vivid illustration demonstrates how life lived in worship to God draws us closer in unity to Him and to others.

Believers express their worship for Christ differently. A few examples of a believer's expression of worship is illustrated through prayer, singing songs of praise, and playing songs of worship. The concept behind worship demonstrates the manner to which one communicates their desires and passions to the Lord.

The essence of worship is a beautiful thing. God desires for us to give our entire selves over to Him in praise. I reflect on passages found in the Old Testament where there are numerous examples mentioned of the people of God returning to Him and praising Him in and through all circumstances. Examples include King David, Job, Esther, and Hannah. These stories if anything point to the love each one of them had to follow and live for Christ.

Let us not lose sight of our expressions of worship. We become most open to God when we praise Him and when we offer our lives completely to Him.

Mikaela Nicole

Change in Seasons

There is a time for everything. These words are referenced several times throughout the book of Ecclesiastes.

Today I stepped outside and the weather was beautiful, then within a few hours, the weather had turned frigid cold again. It was as if winter had teased me. The icy breeze began to crawl down my back and crack my already dried out hands.

There truly is nothing quite like change, even when the change lasts briefly only for a few hours. As you attempt to follow my train of thought, let me demonstrate how I like to relate life and its changes to seasons.

Life has periods of contentment and happiness and it also has periods of sorrow and solitude. However contrary these emotions may be to one another, there are positive aspects to each one. Just look outside your window and observe the differences between what the outdoors looks like in the spring and how it appears in the winter.

“April showers, bring May flowers.” It is during spring, we see the ground underneath and the trees surrounding us turn into blossom. Then fast forward six months and once again life is at a standstill. Life is frozen; it is silent, peaceful, and it is waiting patiently.

During the moments of standstill and silence, I find myself looking back on events and circumstances doing my best to learn from the situations so when the time comes I can make the changes necessary.

I love reflecting on my life and recalling several memories from my childhood. My mind travels back in time to when I lived in Colombia. The beautiful capital Bogotá is a city engulfed by the Andes Mountains. Unlike typical locations in the United States, the weather does not change much in Bogotá. Never to fail it rains most days in the morning and then by around one or two in the afternoon the sun once again begins to brilliantly shine outside.

I remember experiencing an earthquake in January 1999 that struck around a 6.0 on the Ritter Scale, in a city called Armenia. That quake took so many lives and it effects were devastating. It was a sudden, unexpected change, lasting for only a few minutes as the ground shook fervently underneath me, and I saw the classroom chalkboard fly across the room. In years following, many groups from the capital went to the city to help with reconstruction and bring about change to become better prepared for unexpected changes.

Change, therefore can be good, no matter how painful it may also be. It may not be easy and it may not be exactly what we wished for, but it is rewarding to know that the Lord is there with us each step of the way. I am comforted knowing the Lord has always been with me and has remained constant, never changing, and always loving.

Hope those of you reading this feel loved at whatever stage in life you are at. Remember there is good to each season of life.

Mikaela Nicole

Humility

A life lived in humility is difficult. . .

I like to associate the word sacrifice with the word humility, both have similar meanings. Humility is an action where one seeks to help others, with no intention of receiving anything in return. We demonstrate humility by serving the Lord in and through our actions of love towards others.

“[Christ] Made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. . . and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross.” – Philippians 2:6, 8

Humility can be practiced in and through my vocation. I recognize the purposes for which I have been placed in the locations I am currently at. When at work, I have the opportunity to serve. It is my responsibility to learn how to have a good attitude by putting my heart and mind into everything I do, so I can learn to practice humility.

How can I better serve today?

Mikaela Nicole

What are you asking for?

Here is an old devotional I just pulled out. It was written almost a year ago for a missions trip I went on to Honduras, entitled . . .

What are you asking for?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

I found myself frantically running in all directions searching for the right answer to my insecurities. After reading this verse, it was as if a light dawned upon me when I recognized I failed to present my request before the Lord. Many times, we find ourselves searching for answers in the wrong places. As I reflect upon this passage, the words “desire” and “passion” come to mind. Are the desires of my heart aligned with the desires God wants me to have? Are my passions selfish or are they in response to my dependence on the Lord’s will?

Prayer is an illustration of our complete dependence upon God. Our willingness to present our requests to God demonstrates our faith and trust in Him. God is sovereign; He works all things for the good of those who love Him. Why then do we hesitate to go to Him first and foremost?

King David encourages us in Psalms 37:4 to “Delight yourself [ourselves] in the Lord and He will give you [us] the desires of your [our] heart[s].” It should be our goal to find full contentment in the Lord. As we seek to discover His truth in our lives, we will find ourselves surprised by how our desires change and are instead in tuned with the Lord’s desires for our lives.

“The clearest answer is found in the words of Jesus. ‘Ask and God will give it to you.’ The first step in understanding the Bible is asking God to help us.” Max Lucado

The Lord has placed each one of us on a specific mission’s trip for a reason. It is God’s desire to fulfill His purpose in each one of our lives. Let us take time to reflect upon the purposes of each team’s ministry. What would we like God to accomplish on the trip and in our life? Through our team members’ lives as we serve the Lord?

Before you go back to your daily routine, take time to stop and pray. Ask the Lord to make Himself known to you. I am amazed at the outcome of the events of my day when I choose to surrender my agenda before the Lord, delighting in Him, seeking to accomplish His desires. It is more fulfilling to live for the Lord than to live for myself. Listen to and observe those around you. Seek out individuals you sense need to be uplifted and affirmed. Recognize your teammates’ ability to be used by the Lord. It is therefore my encouragement for you, to feel loved by the Lord and those around you.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Mikaela Nicole

Transparency

Effective leaders are transparent. . .

Everyday I have the opportunity to make or break the people I come in contact with. If my actions and motives are selfish, I guarantee I will probably break the person I come in contact with.

As a teacher, my attitude towards life will be reflected in my actions directed at my students. Therefore, I must surrender my will to the Lord daily and set aside those things I wish to accomplish in my own personal agenda, be it with friends, family, relationships, or future aspirations.

It is difficult for the human mind to only focus on present occurring events. Our minds rush to focusing on our own personal future. It is in those instances I am learning to be careful, because I begin to worry about or imagine things I should not be trying to take control of.

Christ calls us to live life to its fullest and to cast all of our anxieties upon Him. Failure to do so results in lack of maturity and faith.

As a friend, I must learn to meet the needs of those I care for. Sometimes the best way to let my friend know that I love and care for them is to be silent and wait patiently.

"You simply have to be yourself -at any age -as God made you, available to Him so that He can work in and through you to bring about His kingdom and His glory." - Luci Swindoll

I am therefore, learning to be always transparent. Navigating through life is a journey, but may I never forget that it is first and foremost a blessing. I have the opportunity to count each day as a privilege and make the most of it. The interactions and conversations I have with others are a gift. Each person has blessed me in their own unique way.

Learn to be transparent; never afraid to be yourself; the person God created you to be.

May you feel loved and appreciated today.

Mikaela Nicole