She Chooses

If ever there was a no brainer choice presented - It seems like this is it - right? I mean, hands down we'll take living water every time....broken cistern just sounds bad - we don't want water in anything broken whether we know what a cistern is or not.  OR do we!?!  What if what we think is  living water, isn't? What if it's actually, a broken cistern? What if, what we think is pure and satisfying thirst quenching goodness is really - nothing more than muck and mire leaving us thirsty and searching for more?  In today's episode, we are going to explore just that, asking the question, "Am I running to the fountain of living water, OR am I running to a broken cistern?" Am I looking to the things of God, or am I looking to the things of this world to satisfy me? Scripture Focus:  Jeremiah 2:13, "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns - broken cisterns that can hold no water.  

Looking for show notes? Find a full transcription of this episode HERE

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Astonishing transformations, and miraculous resurrections happen in the Upper Rooms of scripture. Upper Rooms are pivotal, and still necessary in our own transformation process. What happens is undeniable, and available to every single one of us. Are you willing to go there?

In this episode we'll focus on 2 Kings 4:21-37 and then 8:1-6

Faith moves God. We said that from the beginning and we see it even more so today The Faith of the Shunamite Woman moved God. This is just the same for us. 

1 Peter 2:9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 

Proverbs 3:1-4, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. "

Faithfulness leads to favor. The Shunamite was faithful throughout the unimaginable. 

Love and faithfulness were close to her and we see the favor of God shine brightly. As we look to her story we see love and faithfulness never left her. That faithfulness however, wasn't easy. In fact it was challenged profoundly when her promise dies. 

By pushing on to the man of God, she's acknowledging that the circumstances she's facing are out of her control - but they're in HIS control. "Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning." 

Powerful things happen at the feet of Jesus. Getting to the feet of Jesus requires determination, and humility, and getting there can involve a journey of sorts, just like we see with this Shunamite - but it's one worth enduring. 

Trust God

As we finish the message of this scripture we see just that happening when we find Elisha stretches himself out on boy eye to eye, mouth to mouth, nose to nose. and we see as this happens life begins to flow back into the child. God breathed new life into that child in the Upper Room. 

What God desires to birth through us requires his breath to be breathed into it. It isn't a work of our own hands - it's one of His. The message of the Shunamite shows us this powerfully. 

Choose Faith as a Lifestyle Part 1

Choose Faith as a Lifestyle Part 2

Choose Faith as a Lifestyle Part 3 - Create Space

Choose Faith as a Lifestyle Part 4 - God does what we can't

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2 Kings 4:16 – 21

And he said, about this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

Prior to this – remember Elisha asked her, “what can I do for you? What can I ask the King to do for you?” contentment led her to say, I dwell among my people. Meaning, I have all I need. 

Contentment is something is a struggle

She learned to focus on what she had – not what she lacked. 

Luke 12:22, 30-31

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. . . . [For] your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

True contentment comes from several principles we see the Shunamite live out. 

God sees the desire of our heart. 

The Shunamite desired to birth something… Here we see physical birthing, a physical miracle – but that isn’t the only thing that can be birthed – That isn’t necessarily what God desires to birth through our lives.

1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that he should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 

But we can’t do it on our own – just like the Shunamite lacked the ability to conceive. 

The purpose God has for us isn’t one that we can’t live out on our own. 

God’s will for us goes beyond us. 

Tragedy strikes – her desire, her dream has died. Sometimes this same thing happens to our desire and our dream  

Here is where we see faith and trust in this action. 

Faith – she’s believing for a resurrection. 

She did not accept that this was the end to her dream no matter what her eyes saw.

Sometimes we walk through situations where it seems like what God spoke to us - or the promises he has revealed appear dead or lost to us. She shows us in the midst of what had to have felt impossible to her, the need to speak faith and hope - and seek God. 

We see Trust because she is going to her husband asking to go to the man of God. Trust can be a hard thing. But Proverbs 3:5 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” 

Knowing God has everything in His hands, and trusting His process. And ability sounds really simple - and is simple -It's simple but not easy. Because Simple and Easy are two very different things. Next week we're going to step into the hard part she endured. 

Until next week let's think on contentment - where do we stand?

Is there a desire in your heart that you're hiding? Take this week and pray over it specifically. 

Where do you stand when it comes to faith - and trust?

Link to first episode in this series: 

Episode 1 of Faith as a Lifestyle Series

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Do you ever find yourself feeling like adding time with God into your every day is asking too much? Do you wonder if it's necessary? Is your schedule bursting? Do you wonder where to start when it comes to living faith out beyond Sunday morning church service? This week's episode takes our faith as a lifestyle series deeper by discussing just that addressing what it takes and outlining the accommodations needed.

Last week we talked about the Shunamite’s active faith – here we see that faith taking another step.

We start this off by hearing her say: "Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be when he cometh to us, that he shall turn thither."

These are modest accommodations that seem very simple, but are all very intentional. She was considerate and thoughtful when she decided what to put in that room, when we look at them deeper we find they pattern for us what our life should look like when we go to create space to make God part of our every day and to make our faith a lifestyle.

Each item she placed in that room was purposeful. A lot has been written about these items. We'll stay high level.

Let’s look at: 

The bed: This was a place for Elisha to rest. Rest is a necessity. Consistently in scripture we hear God’s reminder to Be Quiet. Be Still. To Rest.

The bed is a reminder to us of our need for rest.

The Table: The table is a reminder for nourishment. We must be fed both physically and spiritually.

Psalm 34:8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

Matt 4:4,  "But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Physical and Spiritual Food."

Stool: Was more than likely a seat of honor rather than the meager stool that we often jump to in our mind. It serves as a reminder for prayer with our Lord daily.

Candlestick: Illuminated the room. Psalms 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Shunamite now has a space in her home for him. It’s part of her day to day. We find her hospitality moves Elisha.

He calls her to him and asks what he can do for her. She is very modest in her response. She lives among her own people. This shows us her contentment. She could have had whatever she wanted – but she chose to be content, to acknowledge God’s provision to her and be grateful for what she had.

Matt 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Psalms 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

Link to first episode in this series: Episode 1 of Faith as a Lifestyle Series

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Part 2 - Choose Faith as a Lifestyle. Examining the life of the Shunamite Woman.

2 Kings 4:8-11

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.

In this we see a pattern of progression we are called to follow.

It all begins with faith. And we see this foundation of faith laid here in this first portion.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Faith pleases God – Faith moves God.

Romans 12:3 tells us that God has given us all the measure of faith. She chose to activate her faith. We have that same choice.

If we go back to Matthew 13: 31-32 we are told about the mustard seed faith. Mustard seed is the least of all the seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Planting the seed of faith requires we take a step – the Shunamite was willing to take that step.

She is compelled to do something for him. Which is where we see her begin to activate that mustard seed faith. She reaches out for him in hospitality by providing him bread.

Elisha gets to this place where he is stopping by her home any time he is traveling that circuit.

And the Shunamite’s desire to develop that relationship is compelled to move deeper. The more she’s around him – the more clearly she sees this is a holy man of God. This too directly parallels to our relationship with God – the closer we get to him, the more we open ourselves to him – the more we see his holiness – and our hunger and thirst for that relationship increases.

She’s no longer satisfied with occasional drop-byes she wants to create space for him.

The Shunamite is sensitive – she perceives that Elisha is a holy man.

We experience this as God begins to shine a light on His word

Questions to think through:

1) The Shunamite spent time with Elisha and the relationship was developed. She was investing in Him. Same is true with us. Time and space. Mental space – physical space. Do we even have time to carve out in our day, what about space?

2) What ways can you activate your faith this week?

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We’re continuing our conversation over the sometimes - impossible feeling choice of surrender. If you haven’t listened to Episode 7 – check it out first.

In this episode we're looking at God's call to Abraham in Genesis 12:2 – where He tells him, "and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.”

We're going to chop that statement up, and make it personal. Then we'll dive into the four components of surrender.

1. Admit our imperfection by standing transparently before God. Confess our failure or feelings to him. We cannot do it all, but we serve a God who does.

4 Scriptures on Admitting wrong:

1) Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

2) James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer for a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

3) 1 John 1:19, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

4) Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

2. Acknowledge that God is the God of control. When we attempt to control things, we are trying to do his job. His plan is better than ours. Trust him to do what he has said he will do.

4 Verses Acknowledging God’s Control:

1) Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

2) Psalm 29:10, “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.”

3) Job 42:2, “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

4) Jeremiah 32:27, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

3. Ask the God of control to rule over your day. Ask the God of control to take up residence into every area of your life.

4 Verses: the necessity of Asking

1) Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

2) John 16:24, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”

3) Psalm 107:6, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.”

4) James 5:13, “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.”

4. Allow him to work. Exodus 14:14, “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” This is one of the most difficult verses to live. It’s the time where we practice the act of surrender by stepping back, taking a deep breath (or 10) and letting God be God.

4 Verses: Allowing God to be God.

1) Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”

2) Psalm 25:5, “Lead me in Your truth and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.”

3) Psalm 5:3, “In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”

4) Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you and you will only be silent.”

We may close this episode out, but our choice to surrender is one that stands open every day. For more on choosing surrender, check out she-chooses.com

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We've got this gift called free will. But without a choice - What's the use!?! 

From the beginning of time – God has granted us freedom to CHOOSE. The Bible shows us many examples of the power of choice. 

In this episode, we focus on two. A bad choice, and a good choice. A bad choice that set forth a ripple effect of consequence, and a good choice that set forth a ripple effect of a promise to never be taken. 

Scripture of focus - “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

What's that good choice? Take a listen, let's explore together, and learn about the choice that brings a return that will never be taken from us. 

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We have really great intentions – we want to do our best, be our best. However, when we don’t meet those standards, we’re often left feeling defeated without ever considering that maybe, this thing we are attempting to fix is not ours to mend. 

Join me in this episode is we talk about the power of surrender, and the choice we all need God's help to make.  

Scripture used in today's episode:  

Mark 14:36, “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt. 

Colossians 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” 

John 1:1, “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

Steps to take from here:  

1) Are you currently taking everything to God in prayer? Do you believe he wants to hear it? Because he does -The Bible is the infallible word of God – He said it. It’s truth – so any belief that he doesn’t want to hear it, is just not Biblical 

2) When you pray – do you follow this pattern -> prayer, supplication, thanksgiving? Do you have a grasp on the difference between these three components? If not – spend time this week searching it out. As you get it figured out – write your prayer out. It’s ok to do this, and actually is really helpful for those of us that are so easily distracted in prayer. 

3) What are your thoughts on Sanctification? We’ll dive into this in a different episode – but where do you stand with it in this moment? Start thinking about it… have you looked at your faith as a one and done sort of thing – or are you open to pushing forward in growing closer to Jesus, and allowing Him access to every space of your heart. 

For show notes, and more check out She-Chooses.com. 

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Faith is not easy. Anyone who says it is, probably needs to circle back and consider a bit further. Sometimes we experience exhaustion in our walk with God. It happens for lots of different reasons. Maybe that's where you are, where you've been, or perhaps you know someone who is struggling with their own. 

If that's you - Join me, as I share 4 promises in God's word, along with an encounter I had when I was at my own tipping point of exhaustion and how our ON TIME GOD encouraged me to press on.