Knees to the Floor

Put your sweet self under God.  Entirely.

Knees to the floor.

Eyes to the skies.

Hands open wide.

The devil flees from us because God is standing right there over us every time we submit.

~Beth Moore

James: Mercy Triumphs

Rebuilding Mitumba in Nairobi, Kenya

November 19, 2011 was a horrific day for those 30,000 people living in the Mitumba slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Everything they had was bulldozed to the ground by the government that day. What little they had, was now gone.


The Demolition of Mitumba - Eastviews Response Video from GOYA Ministries on Vimeo.

Amongst the ruins lay the remains of a Christian school, orphanage, and clinic.  Pastor Shadrack  and his wife Violet were devastated.  Their years and years of work were gone in an instant.  The families and children were scattered to the wind.  After several weeks of searching and very little sleep, they were able to find all of the children and brought them into their own home, 30 sweet souls without parents.

Just months before this tragedy, the ministry of GOYA teamed up with Eastview Christian Church to support the work that Pastor Shadrack was doing in Mitumba. A visit to the United States was planned, to visit the GOYA offices and the new church partnership with Eastview.

Last weekend Pastor Shadrack and Violet came to visit Eastview, my home church.  Our Senior Pastor asked for a special offering to be taken that could buy some land to rebuild the school, orphanage and clinic.  We had high hopes of trying to raise $40,000.  That Sunday evening they gave a presentation updating us on how things stand now in Mitumba.  Our Pastor of Outreach stood to give an update on the special offering taken that morning.  We didn't get the $40,000 we were hoping.  Instead we gave $206,000!!!  The place erupted with laughter, applause, crying and overwhelming praise for what God can do!

All of the glory belongs to God alone, as he stirred the hearts of his church to give.  The doors are wide open for the school to be rebuilt and expanded to include high school!  A much larger church can now be built to accommodate all those who have been coming.  God has big plans in mind for Mitumba and it was an honor for this church to be a part of that movement!!


Mitumba Response-Vimeo from Eastview Christian Church on Vimeo.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

No Matter What - OUR GOD REIGNS

OUR GOD REIGNS

nation wars against nation

OUR GOD REIGNS

famine wars against innocence

OUR GOD REIGNS

disease wars against flesh

OUR GOD REIGNS

Satan wars against souls

OUR GOD REIGNS

children war against parents

OUR GOD REIGNS

peoples war against governments

OUR GOD REIGNS

evil wars against good

OUR GOD REIGNS


"God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne."
Psalm 47:8

 

When God Says No to Our Dreams

Only a few days after I made the announcement to some friends that I was looking for a part-time job I received an email that an Administrative Assistant position was going to be open in the Outreach department of my church.  I quickly emailed the Director of the department to let him know I was interested.

Over a month, and three interviews later, I was contacted and told that they had chosen someone else for the position.  My heart was broken.

I had prayed

I had fasted

Many friends had prayed

Others had spoken on my behalf

.....but God said no.

Tears were immediate after the phone call, the disappointment running deep.  My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that I couldn't put words to, even for my husband.  He knows the disappointment, and he's patiently waiting for the words to come from within.

Yesterday was a day of reflection, an inventory of my emotions.  

How do we react when God says no to our dreams?  

I've wanted to work for my church for a long time now.  It is an amazing place with God sized dreams.  The Holy Spirit is alive within and I want to be a part of that movement!  Do I allow myself to be mad at God?  Do I build up resentment for those I interviewed with?  Do I quit going to that church?  Do I hide whenever I encounter the staff that know I had interviewed for the position?

What would it say of my faith if I rebelled

against my God

because 

He. 

said. 

no.?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

I don't know God's reasons, but I do know that I must trust Him with the answer, even when it is no.   Faith isn't grown only from the yes's and the blessings God bestows, but is also grown from the pain and disappointment in the denials.  

So today

I praise HIM

Because He is the I AM

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

Inspiring Words through Song

Absolutely beautiful!

Trust in His Holy Name

"We wait in hope for the Lord; 

he is our help and our shield. 

In him our hearts rejoice, 

for we trust in his holy name. 

May your unfailing love rest upon us, 

O Lord, 

even as we put our hope in you."

Psalm 33:20-22

God's Paintbrush

Frances J. Roberts is a favorite author of mine. She writes devotions as though God were speaking directly to me. I really need that sometimes. She usually chooses a bible verse and then expands on how God might deliver that message if he were speaking to you. Here is an example based on the verse Genesis 1:31:

"I make no idle strokes. What I do is never haphazard. I am never merely mixing colors out of casual curiosity. My every move is one of vital creativity and every stroke is part of the whole. Never be dismayed by apparent incongruity. Never be alarmed by a sudden dash of color seemingly out of context. Say only to your questioning heart, "It is the Infinited wielding His brush; I know He does all things well.""

Doesn't that make perfect sense? We marvel at beautiful sunsets and amazing gardens but sometimes forget who is behind the paintbrush! Watch for something today that you can see God's creativity in and praise Him!

Praise

Praise the Lord

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

praise him with the strings and flute,

praise him with the class of cymbals,

praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150

Any questions?