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Thursday, December 30, 2010

Year End Thoughts

As I reflect over the past year I find my self a little sappy, just thinking about the blessings and challenges this past year has held.  God has been faithful and His word has been proven true to me this year.  I have been sifted as wheat in which my heart has been turned more to Him with more compassion toward others. He has opened my eyes to many truths and proved Himself worthy to be worshipped.  I wonder if you can look back over the year and notice how He has changed your heart?  Can you see His faithfulness in your life?Look for that today.  He is faithful whether we acknowledge Him or not. He is Lord, will you not surrender and bow the knee today?

We have been given a new grand baby this year. Betty, Todd's dad's wife has been taken from us and now she is worshipping before the Lord in heaven.  He has restored my daughter and her boyfriend back to my family.  He has truly bought back the years the locust have eaten.  A blessing-absolutely amazing!  If you are asking God for something that lines up with His Word. Do not give up!  He is faithful.  Continue asking and in the process ask Him to heal, change, settle your heart as you wait.  He would not restore this relationship until my heart was healed of the pain and I was whole in Him.  If there is a delay in an answer, don't question whether He is working...rest assured He is and He will answer in His perfect timing.  Would you really want it any other way??

God has provided me with a pastor this year-A man of His choosing!  Just the process of how that came to be humbles and amazes me.  God is in charge of all things.  We need to watch, listen, and wait. What a blessing Southside Baptist and Aaron has been to me. You guys are an answered pray and my extended family.  I love each of you greatly

As I think of my husband and how God has worked in his heart over the past year, I am humbled by His love. Todd is truly a man of God on and off the field. (coach for you who do not know him).  God has great plans for him this next year and I can't wait to see them lived out. As I think of my children, each one of them have walked through trials and God has been glorified in their life.  Each one has grown closer to the Lord. I am proud to call them mine! I think of my sweet daughter in law.  God has brought her to Himself and she is growing. Amazing the blessings He has given me.

And lastly I think of all the people God has brought into my life this year.  People to challenge me spiritually.  People to encourage me when I struggle.  People to pray with me and for me.  People to cry with me. People to hangout with me and just have fun.  You young ones- are the joy of my life.  You have been such a blessing to me!  My heart smiles when I think of  each of you. 

May your new year be God filled!  I pray each of you grow to trust Him as the day approaches that He calls us home. Love you and thank you for listening to my heart.  I am honored to call you friend!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wait?!

When my heart is overwhelmed,
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  Psalm 61:2

Maybe you're in a battle today with another person, with yourself, or with the enemy.  Maybe you have a rebellious/wayward child.  Maybe you are waiting for the perfect mate or the precious baby that has yet to be conceived.  Maybe you're in a difficult marriage or maybe your spouse has walked away.This list could go on and on of circumstances that overwhelm us. 

We do have a place- a pavilion, a shelter, a tower, a rock that is unmovable and able to shelter us.  Able to protect us from the winds that are blowing out of control around us.  We must be willing to come, to rest under the shelter of His wings.  Many times while we are are resting there, He directs us to wait.  To wait upon His hand to move.  To wait upon Him to change our hearts.  To wait upon Him to change the hearts of others. 

Waiting is difficult for us. But through the Psalms God directs us to wait.

"Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved." "My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, He is my defense:  I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God." Psalm 62:1-2, 5-7

Silently waits - patience and uncomplaining.  Take your overwhelming struggles to the Lord.  Surrender your will before Him and WAIT upon Him to move.  Your only hope is Him.  Think of the situation you find yourself in- is there anything you can do to change the circumstances?  I think not! Our hope comes from God alone.

My heart is steadfast, O God,
My heart is steadfast,
I will sing and give praise,
Awake my glory!

Battle vs. Surrender

It seems my spirit has been a little restless over the past week.  Confusion has set in and peace is fading.  This has been a slow process.  I think if the enemy used a torpedo to hit us, we would stop immediately to tend to our wounds.  There would be no question of an attack, but he does not work that way at least in my life.  He comes subtly and quietly, slowly gnawing away at my spirit and mind. If the enemy can get you thinking incorrectly, the downward slide has begun. 

I have tried to fight this battle with spiritual weapons as 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us to do. I sought the Lord in regard to unconfessed sin in my life. I attempted to crucify the flesh.  The battle was raging and I was feeding into it by listening to the enemy.  You see friend, he starts with a very subtle thought.  Once you grab that thought it begins to take root.  Once the roots are in place, the enemy is effective in having you fight against it.  You see if you are fighting against him-the thought or the behavior, you lose sight of God and the work He has planned for you to do.  You are so caught up in the battle of "what is wrong" that time and energy is wasted away. 

I believe Scripture teaches we have to come to the place of surrender.  Not surrender to the enemy but surrender to the Lord.  To bow before Him to lay all our "arms" down.  1 Peter 5:6-11 tells us:

 Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (there can be no fighting here-to be humble you must surrender your will, thoughts, behaviors, etc)
Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.  (He knows every emotion you feel.  He knows and understand the struggle going on inside of you. Share the details with Him)
 Be alert and of sober mind. (be aware-the allurement of the world will intoxicate and distract you) (be steadfast and self control looking forward to Christ's return)
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (I seem to be an easy target.  Make me doubt my motives and/or my self and the battle is on)
Resist him, standing firm in the faith,  (not fight against him, but draw near to God-find your protection under the shadow of the Almighty)
because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(I write this blog as a source of encouragement-You are not alone in your battle)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.   (it will not last forever-God will bring peace, He will restore, He will settle you in HIS time) (Can you trust Him in this?)
To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen
Lets look at some other encouraging verses 1 Peter and Ephesians
Live for the will of God (God has you at this specific place at this specific moment-live for Him)
Be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Be hospitable without grumbling
Use the gifts God has bestowed upon you.
Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Live anticipating Christ return.
My prayer for each of you reading this blog-Surrender humbly before the Lord.  Bow before His throne and lay all the fleshly weapons down.  Put on the spiritual armor as shared in Ephesians 6 and WAIT for the Lord to move. And as you wait, walk using your gifts and anticipating Christ return!


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas the Dilbeck Way

Christmas Day is fast approaching.  Food and gifts are prepared. The house has yet to be cleaned...that is a tomorrow project.  Todd is in his chair and Kolby is in her room.  Me-I am sitting in my office just pondering what Christmas Day will be like.  You see,Christmas will be held at our house this year.  It has been three long years since all of my children have been home for Christmas.  The Lord has worked on hearts to make this day possible and we are very thankful. 

Meagan and Sam will be here Christmas Eve.  Todd is planning on a bon fire out back-just a time to sit and visit.  Houston, Jenny, and the babies will drive up Christmas Morning.  The menu which Todd will be cooking-deep fried turkey, baked ham, green bean casserole,corn, rolls and several different pies.  Sounds a little boring to me (maybe not the pies) but hey it is food! 

After our lunch, Todd will read the Christmas Story.  We will attempt to talk about the past year and open gifts.  I say attempt because I will be only one who will want to reflect over the past year!  I may be able to draw Houston in.  He is a little more reflective than the rest. 

I need the rain and snow to stay away and I need the babies to be well for this day to happen.  Todd has looked forward to this day for months.  I am happy just knowing every one has agreed to come.  So what is the purpose of this blog?  I am not really sure.  Surprised!  I know.  Maybe having a "purpose" all the time is not needed?

I pray each of you reading this blog have a very Merry Christmas.  Ponder Christ this day, celebrate your family and love deeply.

Give Thanks

Oh give thanks to the LORD,
For He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever.
Ps.136:4

To Him for His great pleasure
Chose me as His child 
Before the foundation of the world.
Oh,Your mercy does endure forever!

To Him who spoke my name
Called me from darkness
Into His incredible light.
Oh,Your grace is unexplainable!

To Him who gave me life
Granted me forgiveness and salvation
When I was dead in trespasses and sins.
Oh,what manner of love is this!

To Him who bestows upon me
The spirit of wisdom and revelation
With the knowledge to know Him
And the incredible depths of His love.
Oh, the same wisdom that created the heavens and earth!

To Him who opened my eyes
That I may understand and appreciate
The hope and inheritance I have in Christ.
Oh, the same God who does as He pleases!

To Him who teaches me
The greatness of His power
Toward us who believe.
Oh, the same power that raised Christ from the dead!

To Him who gives great peace
And great hope in this fallen world
Oh, Your mercy endures forever!

To Him who heals the sick
And binds up the brokenhearted
Oh, You are JEHOVAH-RAPHA-the God who heals!

To Him who collects my every
Tear drop in a bottle.
To Him who heals my broken heart.
To Him who pours out His love upon me.
To Him who hears my every cry.
To Him who took my every sin upon Himself
To Him who was born in a stable
To Him who overcome death and the grave.
To Him who is my very life, breathe, and being

Oh Christ Jesus, You are the very hope within  me!  May your mercy and grace endure forever!






Thursday, December 16, 2010

Godly Friends

Do you have someone in your life who you share the deep struggles of your heart.  Someone who may not have the answers but will help you bring those struggles before the throne room of the Lord?  Someone who will sit beside you and pray as you are pouring your heart out before the Lord.

There are some struggles and sin so powerful that we are not able to break through to find deliverance on our own.  We may know our peace is gone but we are unsure of the specific reason.  We may see part of the picture but we need God to reveal the root of the sin and bring deliverance.  And sometimes in the midst of this struggle it is so difficult to still our hearts and hear God's still small voice. 

James 5:16 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed."

This truth was very powerful to me this morning.  I am so thankful for God deliverance.  I am thankful for a friend who will pray as I pour my heart out to our Lord.  I am thankful that God reveals the root of the problem.  I am thankful God extends repentance and forgiveness.  I am humbled and in awe that the creator of the universe spoke my name-called me into His presence.  He does the same for you, my friend. 

Are you living without peace.  Have you been there so long it feels normal to you.  Reach out today to a godly friend that can direct you to the Lord.  Become a friend yourself who can pray for others deliverance of sin.  We need one another.  God has made us for fellowship.  Fellowship with Him and with others. 

 "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name." Malachi 3:16



Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Cinder by Cinder

I read a devotion this morning that started me thinking. The topic was making God's truth our own to the point of communicating this truth to others in a clear manner. We can and should repeat a truth to someone hurting or in need. We should take God's word and open it up to others, but power comes to the hearer when we have experienced God's word personally through the trials and sufferings of this life.

It is like building a cinder block house. The cinders are God's truth. We lay the foundation which is salvation. Then truth by truth we build up the walls. Some of the cinders (truths) are run through the wine press of this life. These truths which have been proven through the trials and sufferings of this life are laid upon the foundation. Other truths we find in the Word of God and believe are stack one by one, until we have walls upon our house.

Now don't expect this little house to just stand looking good in this world. The winds of a tornado will come. When they do, it will destroy all the cinder blocks which have not been proven, experienced, and lived out in your life. The foundation will be solid. The proven truths will be standing. But these truths we have added will be blown off and destroyed. We must think upon and through God's truths. We must live them out in our lives. We must pray them, mediate upon them. We must ask of the Lord to make them real in each of our lives. When these truths become real and alive to us, we will able to communicate them to others in a powerful way.

You see people can disagree with the truth, but they cannot disagree with something we have experienced personally. Go today living out God's truth in your life.



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Friday, December 10, 2010

God or Ministry?

This blog post needs a disclaimer.  The subject addressed can be changed without notice as the Lord teaches me His truths regarding ministering to people.  I come today asking myself and you a question.  Why do we minister to other people?  What is our motive in ministry?  Why do we drive 3 hours to see someone in the hospital or someone struggling with cancer?  Why do we give food, money, and clothes to the needy?  Why do we call or text someone who is struggling with words of encouragement?  Why do we knock on someone door that we have not seen in a while? Why do we give of ourselves, our time, and money?

I have another question rolling through my brain.  Who or whom do we do these things for?  Is if for ourselves-to make us feel better?  Is it because we have a compassion for others and we want to make their life better?  Is it because we want to be "spiritual" or desire others to see us as "spiritual"?  Have you ever thought through these things?

And yet more questions.  What causes "burn out"?  What causes our anger toward someone "using" us as a clearing house to meet their needs?  When does our help cause someone a great disability in their spiritual struggle?  When do we make someone co-dependent on us instead of dependant upon God?  When does someone come to the end of themselves and look up to Christ Himself, but we are in the way trying to sooth their pain and ease their struggle?

May I suggest (this is where the disclaimer is needed) the reason for burn out is because we are doing "good" and "needed" things in the flesh.  We are seeing a hurt and a need in someones life and we are wanting to make it easier on them.  We are sacrificing our time and money to help them and when they squander that away on sinful or selfish desires or even  being unappreciative that makes us angry.  Can I suggest our way of doing ministry or our way of thinking is wrong.  Many times we do an action and ask or expect God to bless that action. That is the wrong way of doing ministry. 

We need to be walking so very closely with our Lord that we act when we hear His voice not just because we see a need.  If we help a butterfly as it is struggling to free itself from its cocoon, we are hindering its growth and causing it a great disability.  Wonder if we do the same for ourselves and others when we step in too soon?   

Sometimes I am seen as a "cold" hearted person when I say no to certain "good" ministry things.  But (another disclaimer needed) I do not want to do things in the flesh.  I desire to be obedient to the Lord not to others.  It is like this...if I see a need and/or someone "expects" me to help and do something and I just jump right in to do it...I have expectation of either a thank you or a change in the person.  When that does not happen or they squander away the time and money, it would make me angry that I gave of myself.  But if I am walking closing to the Lord and He commands me to give sacrificially and I am obedient to Him..it does not matter what they do with the commodity I have given.  That is between them and Him.  See I am being obedient to my Lord and I am able to let Him deal with the others.  It is not about me or my stuff.  It is about me being obedient!  The other person response is of no interest to me.  That is between them and God.

I not sure if you have noticed this, but there is a theme running through my life.  The theme is God's Spirit flowing through us to others not just us doing good for others.  May God direct us as we ponder these question and seek His face.

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said,
out of his heart will flow rivers of living water
John 7:38

Monday, December 6, 2010

Figs

...When He came to it, (Fig Tree)
He found nothing but leaves,
for it was not the season for figs.
Mark 11:13

We are made for God, to seek Him, to find Him, to grow up into His likeness and show forth His glory.  We are to be a dwelling place for the Lord Most High.  As the fig tree, in Mark, was planted to produce figs to satisfy hunger, we are planted to produce spiritual fruit to show forth God's glory.

This spiritual fruit can only be made possible if we are graphed into the vine.  A branch alone has no life, no sap for nourishment, no water for thirst.  A branch alone is unable to produce fruit.

The fig tree in the book of Mark was not as it appeared and I fear in our lives many times we are not as we appear.  God created us to be in union with Him to be one in Him, complete, whole, producing fruit because His very life is flowing out from us. This fig tree looked good from a distance.  It appeared right.  It had grown, it had many leaves but if you look intently at it, you would notice it was barren.  How about you, my friend.  Is your life producing any fruit? 

We must be careful here not to help the fig tree by "stapling" figs onto it.  Sometimes in our life, we want fruits, so we become so busy working, serving doing right things that we miss Christ all together.  Remember we are His dwelling place.  It is Christ Jesus who flows forth from our lives in producing fruit.

It takes the bowing of our soul in honor and reverence before Him, for our hearts to be opened to receive the divine impression of the nearness of God and to experience his working power that produces fruit in our lives.

Can you hear the call of God this morning?  Will  you bow before the dawning of the morning to seek His face?  Will you spend time in His presence listening to His voice?  Remember Christ must have full access to your heart for your life to be fruitful.  I pray that as each of our lives are examined, fruit may be found.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Intercession and Adoration - Andrew Murray

Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor:
Psalm 96:9

The better we know God, the more wonderful our insight into the power of intercession becomes.  We begin to understand that it is the greatest means by which man can take part in carrying out God's purpose.  God has entrusted the whole of His redemption in Christ to His people to make known and to communicate to men.  In all this, intercession is the chief and essential element.  Through it, His servant receive the power of the Spirit as their power for service.

The clearer the insight into this great purpose of God, the more we will sense the need to enter into God's presence in the spirit of humble worship and holy adoration..  The more we take time to abide in God's presence-to enter fully into His mind and will, to get our whole soul possessed by the thought of His glorious purpose-the stronger our faith will become that God Himself will work out all the good pleasure of His will through our prayers.

Thus, the secret of true adoration can only be known by the soul that gives time to tarry in God's presence and that yields itself to God for Him to reveal Himself.  Adoration will indeed fit us for the great work of making God's glory known.


Teach Me To Pray" by Andrew Murray

Worship God - Andrew Murray

Worship God.
Revelation 22:9

Why is it that prayer and intercession with God are not a greater joy and delight?  One answer to this question undoubtedly is:  We know God too little.  In our prayer, His presence is not the chief thing our heart is seeking.  And yet it should be   Often when we pray, we think mostly of ourselves, our needs, our desires.  But we forget that in every prayer, God must be first, must be all.

So how is one to attain this nearness to God and fellowship with Him?  The answer is simple: We must give God time to make Himself known to us.  Believe with your whole heart, that just as you present yourself to God as a supplicant, so God presents Himself to you as the hearer of prayer.  But you cannot realize this unless you give Him time and quiet.  It is not in the multitude or the earnestness of your words in which prayer has its power.  Your prayer has its power in the living faith that God Himself is taking you and your prayer into His loving heart.  He Himself will give the assurance that in His time your prayer will be heard.

Begin your day with these words, "To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul" (Psalm 25:1).  "I thirst for God, the living God" (Psalm 42:2)

"Teach Me To Pray" by Andrew Murray

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Look Up

Have you ever been to a place spiritually where you feel you are pressed up against a wall with the enemy pacing back and forth behind you?  You are walking along, serving the Lord and attempting to be obedient to Him when you come across this wall. It is a wall to large to climb over or go around.  You are stuck.  This seems to be the place I find myself. You may be thinking turn around and go back the other way.  But this other way represents my "old" way of life.  That is not an option.  You see I have surrender my life to the Lordship of Christ.  So if He see fit for this wall to be in front of me and the enemy pacing back and forth behind me...who am I to say any different? 

For the last five days, I have found myself pressed up against this wall concerned about the enemy's activity behind me.  Myself pressing against it as if I could cause its collapse.  I have wasted days and energy on something I personally could never make move.  How about you?  Are there things obstacle's in your life that you are attempting to move with your own strength?  Whether the wall be sin or a struggle God is calling your attention to...it can only be removed by surrender and brokenness before the Lord and openness before others.

You see it is by the truth of God's Word and prayer that the purpose of the wall can be seen.  The enemy behind me is a lion on a chain.  It is not possible for him to touch me unless the Lord allows it  If God allows it-I can know it is for my good and His glory.  The Lord God uses the enemy to push me to my knees and into His arms.  He does the same in your life. 

I want the "wall" to be gone.  I am excited to see what is on the other side..Just as the children of Israel stood at the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army behind them, they had to wait for Moses to lift the rod to the heavens before the water parted.  So we must lift our eyes to the heavens until God has mercy on us.

Unto You, I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servant look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the LORD our God.
Until He has mercy on us
Psalm 123:1


Be encouraged my friend for the loving kindness of God is better than life!