This is the Moment!

Greetings,

When Jorge and I were first married we happily moved into our little condo with all the joy that comes from being newlyweds.  Our first washer/dryer was a small stackable combo unit, and I remember how nicely it fit in the small utility room.  One day the dryer started making a funny noise, and Jorge, Mr. Fix-it that he is, removed the back panel, tinkered with it for a while, and reassembled it.  It worked perfectly fine, except there were 16 tiny screws left over that Jorge did not know where they were supposed to go, so off to the surplus screw jar they went.  Jorge, of course, was proud of himself nonetheless.

He and I have something in common: Jorge enjoys taking things apart, rebuilding them, and feeling a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.  I also enjoy breaking down scripture, examining every bit of a verse, extracting as much truth as I can so I can build myself up – encourage myself, bring joy to myself, and bring peace to myself.

Take Esther 4:14, “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" 

I have known this verse since forever.  But yesterday I read another translation that says, “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.”

Suddenly, I wanted to break this verse down.  I wanted to examine and extract any inspiration God had for me. 

Let’s think about it.  Why were we born when we were born?  Why weren’t we born in 1865?  Why weren’t we born 20 years ago or 20 years from now?

Could it be that right now, at this very moment, we are to use our life, and the season of our personal existence in the continuum of history, to do something AMAZING?

Esther had to be born at just the right time to just the right family to be just the right age when God called her to literally marry the one person who could save the Jews, her own race, from annihilation.   It’s an incredible story that reminds us that this is the moment for which we have been created.

In the absence of history-altering scenarios like saving an entire race of people, is there still something grand that we can be a part of?

Absolutely! We can all pray, and prayer changes lives and circumstances.  It has positive effects on our families, friends, communities, churches, and yes, even the government. We should never ever underestimate its power because of the Almighty One to Whom we are praying.  

Not one of us is alive on October 2, 2018 by accident.  God has us here for a GREAT PURPOSE!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that we are important and matter to You.  We are living right now because You have a purpose for us that only we can fulfill.  Make it clear to us what You want us to do. We are willing to step in and change the course of history.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In Tandem With God

Greetings~

I love to ride the tandem bike with Jorge, and for several years we have regularly cruised around the beautiful boardwalks and beaches of Miami waving to tourists and thoroughly enjoying ourselves.  I honestly didn’t think it could get any better, and then we discovered an attachment for our bike that allows our baby, Hershey Pie, to join us on our outings. Hershey is so beyond-words adorable in his little carriage, and he gets a lot of attention.  People will point and wave, and I love it because I get to wave back.

But what I love most about the tandem is that when we ride, Jorge and I are close - we're a team. I can drink water without fear of falling, I can talk on the phone. I can hand him things from his knapsack and wipe the sweat off his brow. I can kidney punch him just for fun. It's great, and it's a true joint effort. We can go twice as fast and twice as far.

What happens when we team up with God? When we're tandem with Him?

Philippians 1:19 "For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance."

When we team up with God through prayer, deliverance happens.

Never ever underestimate the power of being in tandem with the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have given us the awesome privilege of allowing us to make an impact on this planet by teaming up with You through prayer.  It is amazing to think that You hear us, care what we say, and most importantly, You answer us. Never let us waste this powerful opportunity and blessing. Too many people, starting with those in our own families, need Your help. Help us to become prayer warriors; help us to never give up! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

A Song of Victory!

Greetings,

The DEVO published a couple days ago detailed God's miraculous rescue of His children, the Israelites, from slavery in Egypt.  The heart-pounding climax came when Pharaoh and his army of 600 chariots chased the Israelites all the way to the edge of the Red Sea, and the Israelites were trapped. There was no way out; a cruel and wicked army was behind them and a raging sea in front of them.

Then...

"Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back and turned it into dry land...the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground...the Egyptians pursued them into the sea...Moses stretched out his hand again, and the sea went back to its place...the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed were covered in water...not one of them survived" (Exodus 14:21-28).

At that moment, the moment of deliverance, what was the right response? A song of victory, of course, and below is a prayer based on the song  the Israelites sang  -  from now on we will sing it too:

I sing my heart to You God  -  You give me victory!  You pitch horse and rider into the sea.  You drown all my enemies. You are my strength, You are my song, and You are my salvation.  I will tell the world that You, my God, are a fighter, Your strong right hand shimmers with power.  Your strong right hand shatters the enemy. There is always a way out when You come to my rescue.

At a blast from Your nostrils the waters pile up. All my enemies are covered by the sea.  They sink like lead. Who compares with You, my God? Who compares with You in power? You are my wonder-working God!  You redeem my life and lead me in merciful love.  You guide me under Your protection. You bring me and plant me on the mountain of Your heritage, which is the place where You live, Your sanctuary. I will live forever with You, Amen.

My Husband is Pregnant!!!

Blast from the past...Originally published May, 2015~

Tuesday greetings, all you blessed and beautiful children of our Almighty God!

God blessed me with two lovely children who nonetheless, were responsible for months of agonizing morning sickness.  I also suffered from pytalism (excessive saliva production) during both pregnancies for all nine months, and I could not wait till it was over.  I apologize to the weak-stomached, but the pytalism was so bad that I had to sleep with my mouth open and just allow the saliva to trickle out on its own into a bucket because I just could not swallow.  Weird, but true! This literally went on the entire time those kiddos were in my belly. (Please note that literally, the minute I delivered Hormone and Rayray, it stopped and I felt great!)  And even though Jorge was so patient during both pregnancies, it highly annoyed me that he did not feel sick – ever – and that he could speak to other people without having to excuse himself to spit in a cup.  One time in church, the youth pastor, God bless him, actually asked me for my “special cup” during the bible lesson, and imagine my horror at having to deny him in front of everyone.  He playfully insisted a few times, and I playfully countered that I couldn’t do it. He was not able to make his point that day, and I was mortified at having to explain it to him later.  Wouldn’t it be great if Jorge could feel what I felt even for one moment?

Actually, MY HUSBAND IS PREGNANT!  That’s right! Jorge is pregnant!  But wait, it’s not what you think.  

Romans 8:22-25 “All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy (The Message Version).”

Simply stated: Me, Jorge, you – the entire creation – are all pregnant with the very real hope that someday soon all the evils, troubles, injustices, problems, sin, sickness etc…will give way to a glorious existence with Christ!  It does not matter that the world is utterly crazy and chaotic right now.  (Right before I sat down to send this DEVO I learned of the bombing in Brussels this morning.)We have a hope that does not diminish, but grows grows grows.

Another version of the Bible say, “The whole of creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth…” What I like about these verses is that it reminds us that we are all in this together.  We understand each other.  We all get it.  We are all united in our understanding of how difficult life can be.  Jorge gets me, I get him, we get you, and you get us!

Some of us may be feeling the “pangs” a little more intensely lately; we are desperate to give birth already.  But as we labor, we must remind ourselves that what we are going to give birth to is worth the wait.  As bad as I felt being pregnant with Hormone, that did not stop me from getting pregnant with Rayray because the end result was a precious life. Yet spiritually speaking, what we will give birth to is something so much infinitely better that God reminds us in His Word that there are no human words capable of describing the magnificence and perfection of it all!

As we swell with anticipation, it is important to connect with our Father.  He will guide us along as we wait.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It’s not easy being pregnant sometimes.  It hurts, yet we know that this is part of the process to finally having and seeing and experiencing all that we have ever hoped for and then some.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

In Tandem Cont...

Greetings,

Philippians 1:19 "For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance" (Emphasis mine).

Paul wrote this verse while under house arrest, and what I love about it is that he is confident teamwork will set him free.   He doesn’t hope, or think that prayers and Jesus will deliver him.  He KNOWS it.  Amen!

That word "deliverance" means liberation, a change in circumstances, rescue, saving.  And God, for whatever reason, has made it so that you and I get to participate in His handiwork.

This is a huge privilege and responsibility, and I trust we all take this seriously.

Think about it: We pray, and Jesus Himself changes our situation.

Notice how the verse does not say, “…as you pray for me OR as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me."  It says "and" because our words, petitions, pleas, cries for help, and convos with God go together and are in tandem with the Spirit of Jesus Who helps.

Where in your life do you need deliverance?  Maybe it’s someone you love who needs a change in their current circumstances.   Perhaps you are in need a full-out rescue.  The first thing to do is partner up with Christ by praying.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We are humbled and amazed that our contribution in prayer makes a difference. Thank You that we can be proactive through prayer. We are blessed to be able to join forces with You – the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. Today I pray for ___________, who needs ___________. Help us have the confidence of Paul who knew You would help. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

In Tandem~

This DEVO was originally published July 8, 2013 :)

Tuesday Greetings~

I love to ride the tandem bike with Jorge. We can often be seen on the weekends waving to curious onlookers and tsk tsking the ones who are crude to me when I put my feet up to rest.

Favorite memories from our bike riding include the time he schooled me in the supreme importance of making eye contact with the driver in the car before proceeding through an intersection, and then at the very next intersection--in direct gross violation of his own lesson--he failed to make eye contact and yes, we got hit by a car.

I have a picture somewhere. No big deal. The car was stopped, and when we rode in front of it, it slightly accelerated and hit the back tire, and I crumbled very unballerina like to the ground. Please stand up and clap for me now because I did not say anything sarcastic or rude to Jorge. He was so temporarily blinded by grief at the thought of my being hurt that it would have been cruel to taunt him.

I waited three whole days before I attacked.

But what I love most about the tandem is that when we ride, Jorge and I are close--we're a team. I can drink water without fear of falling, I can talk on the phone. I can hand him things from his knapsack and wipe the sweat off his brow. I can kidney punch him just for fun. It's great, and it's a true joint effort. We can go twice as fast and twice as far.

What happens when we team up with God? When we ride tandem with Him?

Philippians 1:19 "For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance."

When these two things happen simultaneously--prayer and Jesus helping--deliverance happens.

Never ever underestimate your responsibility or the power of prayer.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have set up this universe that for whatever reason, You allow us to make an impact in our lives and the lives of those we love through prayer. Help us to never give up. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Prayer is a Precursor to Deliverance~

Happy Thursday to all my precious brothers and sisters in Christ~

Jonah's hell, like we saw, only lasted three days. I can think of several things I have gone through that I would have gladly had end after three days.

But why three and not four? I was sharing with a friend this morning that a while back I was praying with someone about our childrens' questionable relationship choices and BAM! her answer came within a week. Mine took a couple of years. Nevertheless, the timing is not up to me or you but rather God.

I remember one Christmas Jorge and I saved up and bought three-year-old Hormone a Power Wheels electric jeep. It went about 5 MPH at maximum speed. I will be eternally grateful for the moment he saw the car because his expression of pure joy is permanently in my brain.

However, what about if I would have given Hormone the keys to a brand new full-sized jeep instead? He would have gladly taken them, but it would have been too much too soon and too dangerous.

Is it possible that our heavenly Father giving us what we want when we want it no matter what could also be dangerous or at the very least not in our best interest? I have often said that as difficult as it was seeing my child in that certain union, it taught me so much about prayer and having the right attitude. That entire season of heartache and anguish pushed to to my knees, and it has been a blessed road!

So what should be our attitude when faced with a problem? When in the belly of the beast of an emotional, physical, relational or financial problem?

And, if He controls the timing should we even pray? He is going to do what He wants to do and when He wants to do it regardless, right?

(I hereby interrupt this DEVO to remind everyone that I do not have all the answers. I, along with each of you, am living a faith journey and learning as I go).

The one thing I can say for certain is that in both Jonah and the disciples' case, as well as in every problem I have ever faced, prayer was a precursor to deliverance.

Jonah brought his problems on himself through disobedience--something none of us has ever done (ahem ahem). But the disciples' storm started because they were following Christ. Either way--because of our poor choices or because we were blind sighted while actually doing something good--the first step we must always take to get ourselves thrown up onto that beach is to pray.

Pray when you mess up, pray when someone else messes up, pray when life just happens. P-R-A-Y!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Your Word is clear: We must pray before anything else. Before we talk it over with someone, or head out to the doctor, or start a business, or read a book on the power of positive thinking, we must pray. We must talk it over with You. We must invite You in to do Your thing. There is a divine and amazing blessing that always takes place when we declare our trust in You. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Fill the Bowl~

Philippians 1:19 "For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance."

 

Paul wrote this verse while under house arrest, and what I love about it is that he is confident that teamwork will set him free. "Deliverance." It means liberation. It means a change in circumstance. And God, for whatever reason, has made it so that you and I get to participate in His handiwork.

 

This is a huge privilege and responsibility, and I know that we all take this seriously.

 

Think about it: We pray, and Jesus Himself changes our situation.

 

What situation do you or someone you love need to see a deliverance in or deliverance from?

 

Notice how the verse does not say,..."as you pray for me OR the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me." It says "AND" because our words and concerns and desires and convos to God go together/are in tandem with the Spirit of Jesus.

 

This is great news for someone like me who loves to talk. It is not a waste of time. In fact, Revelation 5:8 assures us that right now with Jesus there are "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's holy people."

 

Every last word you have ever offered is treasured by our Lord. It is not misplaced or ignored. I find that so beautiful and comforting. I also see it as an encouragement to fill the bowl.

 

Who needs prayer today in your life and for what reason?

 

I received a prayer request from a buddy whose hubby needs a little mental adjustment. She desires for him to be more peaceful and not so anxious about some things. She knows I am putting this out here today as an example of the kind of deliverance she expects from prayer and the Spirit of Jesus.

 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We are humbled and amazed that our part makes a difference. Thank You that we can be proactive through prayer. We are blessed to be able to join forces with You--the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. Today we fill the bowl for ___________, who needs ___________. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

In Tandem~

Monday Greetings~

 

As you all know, I love to ride the tandem bike with Jorge. We can often be seen on the weekends waving to curious onlookers and tsk tsking the ones who are crude to me when I put my feet up to rest.

 

Favorite memories from our bike riding include the time he schooled me in the supreme importance of making eye contact with the driver in the car before proceeding through an intersection, and then at the very next intersection--in direct gross violation of his own lesson--he failed to make eye contact and yes, we got hit by a car.

 

I have a picture somewhere. No big deal. The car was stopped, and when we rode in front of it, it slightly accelerated and hit the back tire, and I crumbled very unballerina like to the ground. Please stand up and clap for me now because I did not say anything sarcastic or rude to Jorge. He was so temporarily blinded by grief at the thought of my being hurt that it would have been cruel to taunt him.

 

 

I waited three whole days before I attacked.

 

But what I love most about the tandem is that when we ride, Jorge and I are close--we're a team. I can drink water without fear of falling, I can talk on the phone. I can hand him things from his knapsack and wipe the sweat off his brow. I can kidney punch him just for fun. It's great, and it's a true joint effort. We can go twice as fast and twice as far.

 

What happens when we team up with God? When we're tandem with Him?

 

Philippians 1:19 "For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance."

 

When these two things happen simultaneously--prayer and Jesus helping--deliverance happens.

 

Never ever underestimate your responsibility or the power of prayer.

 

The question is, deliverance from what?

 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have set up this universe that for whatever reason, You allow us to make an impact in our lives and the lives of those we love through prayer. Help us to never give up. In Jesus' name, AMEN~