God is Not Through With You Yet!

Romans 9:21 (NIV) - Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?  

Exodus 3:1 - Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law... 

Exodus 3:10 -  Come now therefore, and I will send YOU to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.

Do you ever look at your life and think, "I'm not doing anything really significant." Well, you're not alone. I believe Moses must have felt the same way for a period of time. Think about his life. He grew up in a palace, as a prince. He grew up as royalty. Then the time came where Moses realized who he really was, that he was an Israelite and his people were the slaves that his father (Pharaoh) had been ruling over his entire life. Moses could have and should have been a slave alongside them. 

As the story goes, I'm sure you remember, Moses kills an Egyptian after seeing unfair treatment, then flees the country since he knew he broke the law. And then what happened? Ultimately, Moses gets married and tends sheep. Day in, day out, he herds sheep. From the palace, a place of importance, a role of prestige, Moses now spends his days in the countryside or field, herding sheep. A role of seeming, insignificance. From the outside, this role would look like one of insignificance, unimportant, and something that anyone could take over and do the job equally as well. I would imagine that there were many days, as Moses stood in the grassy fields with his staff in hand, thinking, "Is this all God? Are you done with me? Is this all I'm called to do with my life?"

But wait! The day came. God did not call Moses to just herd sheep. God called Moses to do something special. He was called at a designated time, but he was called. Fast forward, MOSES led God's people, the Israelites out of a life of slavery, into a life of FREEDOM! What a significant imprint that Moses made on history. 

To YOU, the Mom who's driving kids from activity to activity after school, or changing diapers, or cleaning messes….. To YOU, the Corporate person, who's in and out of meetings, sending emails, returning voicemails…. To YOU, the Start-up Entrepreneur, who has a job by day and trying to launch a business by night… To YOU - GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH YOU EITHER! You may look at your life right now, and think it is not glamorous, you're not living your dream yet, and many days seem to only show a completion of monotonous activities, but friend, DON'T GIVE UP! Like Moses, his sheep herding days must have felt insignificant, but GOD had greater plans for him. And friend, God has GREAT PLANS FOR YOU TOO! 

If today seems like a not so glamorous day, continue to listen to the Holy Spirit. This may be a season of faithfulness, until the day comes where YOU are called out to do something that will change the lives of thousands. Maybe it's a ministry, an invention, a missionary, a multi-millionaire that funds the Gospel…. whatever it is that YOUR future holds, don't give up on TODAY. Just because what you are doing today may seem insignificant, doesn't mean that tomorrow, next week, or next year may not be the time that your life changes. You were called to do GREAT THINGS! But for today, be faithful. Be faithful where you are at, listen & obey the Holy Spirit, and KNOW that James 1:6 says, He who began a good work in you WILL carry it out to completion! 

GOD IS NOT THROUGH WITH YOU YET!

Finding Fulfillment

Romans 9:21 (NIV) - Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

Ps. 37:4 - Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

Have you ever felt floppy? Like a fish out of water, just flopping. You know that your purpose, your design is not to "flop." Inside you, you feel unfulfilled, searching, trying to find what really makes you happy.

Part of unfulfillment comes when we are not following the calling and assignment on our life. We each were put on earth with things innately programmed within us to accomplish. We were pre-programed to achieve. Our calling is surprisingly easy to discover. What brings you joy? What are you good at? What feels like no work at all when you are doing it, it actually is fun to you? A mechanic loves to work on cars. Hours can go by seeming only like minutes as he tinkers away fixing and making this car hum. Just as a mechanic works on vehicles, a writer writes, a baker bakes, a speaker speaks, a coach coaches. The list goes on, someone is real estate, seeks out the real estate deals effortlessly. When walking in your calling, fulfillment is one of the first things that judges if you are following God's plan for your life.

Recently, I heard a sneak peek of an interview on The Success Edge podcast, where my brother James Ellis was being interviewed (I believe his interview will be out in May/June 2014). The pre-interview and actual interview brought to light some interesting insight that I hadn't thought of regarding Psalm 37:4. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. 

I have always thought of this one-sided as if I delight in the Lord, HE will give me what it is I desire in my heart. Well Jamie (as we call him - he goes by James now), Jamie took a different spin on the verse which I thought was very interesting. When we delight in the Lord, GOD will place inside our hearts desires, God will give us desires. When we maybe never had a desire to pursue __________, a singing career, acting career, owning our own business, writing a book, becoming a nanny, starting a ministry, whatever it may be, but when WE delight ourselves in God, HE will place the desire into our heart.

Duck Out of Water
When we aren't pursuing what we were placed on earth to do, we are like a duck out of water. Misplaced. Unfulfilled. Floppy. If someone with an amazing voice was told they could never sing again, it would be like dumping cold water on their fire. If a writer couldn't write, it would take the joy out of where they can give the best. If someone called to be a teacher, nanny, Pediatrician could no longer work with children, the light in their eyes would go dull.

Friend, you and I were created with a purpose! We were created to pursue the purpose that God placed us on this earth for, we were created to accomplish and fulfill the calling on our lives!

I've heard by several people (Mike Murdock, Terri Savelle Foy, John Maxwell) speak about how to FIND your calling if you don't know currently what it is, and here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. What are you good at? What could you do to pass hours a time and it not seem like work?
2. What makes you happy? What brings you tears of joy?
3. What makes you cry? What makes your heart melt and draws you to compassion? 
4. What makes you mad? What makes you furious? 
5. What bumper sticker, when seen, makes you mad or happy? 

These are some questions to ask yourself when seeking out your calling. You really could work your entire life without working a day in your life WHEN you are doing what you are called to do! When you are doing what you are called to do, joy and fulfillment will be the end result. When you are operating in your gifts, even money will follow. No one can do better what YOU were called to do!  Friend, YOU were destined to do great things! Now GO, LOVE LIFE by using your gifts and doing those great things that you were called to do!

You ARE Chosen!

2 Chron. 29:11 - …. the Lord has chosen you...

I recently heard a mom say that she felt like she was living in the mundane. As a stay at home mom, she chased a toddler, fed a newborn, and did the daily "day-in, day-out" activities that need to get done in a home. Cooking, cleaning, cooking, cleaning, wiping noses, washing little fingers, laundry, and the list goes on.

Mundane.

Monotony.

Day in. Day out.

Are these things little value in the Kingdom? Is there value to them?

I asked the same question this morning as I was journaling. I made my list of things that need to be done. Today's list specifically, there seemed to be no "life-changing" or "world changing" activities on my list. As a Christian, wanting to take the world by storm for Jesus, change people's lives, help people, and I look at my current to-do list, and (aside from reading, listening to an audio, having my quiet time) the activities for today include: clean a box in the garage, do laundry, dishes, pick up living room. 

As I flipped open my Bible, I randomly fell upon 2 Chronicles 29:11, which read, "…the Lord has chosen you….". Though in context, this passage is talking to the Levites, those who are the ministers of this time, the priests. They are to guard and preserve the temple, the Holy place, receive offerings, etc. Though, as the yellow highlighted passage in my Bible stood out to me, I took a moment to listen to what that Still Small Voice had to say to me about being chosen.  (Substitute YOUR NAME and YOUR calling)

You are CHOSEN to be exactly Amy. Exactly where you are. Mom & wife. Pregnant right now. Business owner. Writer. You ARE CHOSEN to complete your calling. You ARE CALLED! Some days it may seem mundane. It may seem like the things are of little effect, but if you follow My Voice & plan, it all works into the big picture. Amy, I am not calling the perfect, I'm calling the willing. Those willing to listen, obey and act on My Word & Voice. Yes, some days it is as simple as cleaning a box out of the garage & doing laundry. Do not belittle the daily tasks. It is part of your CURRENT assignment, but it WILL NOT be your assignment forever. 

You are CHOSEN. You are CALLED. Even through the days that seem mundane. Organization and cleanliness allow a peaceful place for the Holy Spirit to operate and move. I've heard it said, "Clutter and chaos hinder the Holy Spirit. It breeds lack of peace." Maybe de-cluttering is what you are doing today. And do you know what, that is OKAY! It could very well be paving the way for starting up a ministry, and it may be right out of your garage!

You are CHOSEN and you are CALLED. If it's dishes and laundry today, accomplish TODAY's Calling. Conquering the World and seeing a million people saved may be work for next year, or 5 years from now or even 10, 20? But today, pave the way with your obedience…. even in the mundane.

You are CHOSEN to be YOU. Listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit & obey today's assignment for your life.

#257 - How to Fill Up your "JOY TANK"

Eccl 2:26a - For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy...

Prov. 31:18a - She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good...

Good Morning! :) And technically "WELCOME BACK!" (to both of us!) I'm excited about this next phase of my journey for consistent weekly blog posts, and I'm excited about you stopping back in again on a regular basis. It seems with kids come change, and changes of seasons. I think I may have come to the realization that there is always going to be something "new" to adjust to.... our upcoming "new" will be pre-school, then welcoming a new baby into the family come December. In the meantime, we are just going to ROLL with the calling God has on my life, which is to write. With that said.... let's begin...

Have you ever found yourself in a rut of a routine that has become mundane and unfulfilling? Maybe you go weeks, months, even years doing the same things, but instead of with a smile on your face while doing these activities, a somber expression is pasted there instead. When at one time you found daily joy in what you were doing, but somewhere along the way, the joy has disappeared.

In Ecclesiastes 2 verse 26, it talks about pleasing God. I'm sure if we got out a piece of paper and began to brain storm, we could come up with several ways to please God.... obedience, service, love, worship, studying His Word... the list would go on. I believe ONE way that we please God, is to be OBEDIENT to our calling, to be obedient to using the gifts He has given us. Proverbs 31:18 talks about the Proverbs 31 Woman seeing that her work with and for God is good. Her work, what she has done for God (which may include for God's people) is good. Our Proverbs 31 friend even "tastes," she "experiences" that her work has been good. Our Proverbs 31 friend sees that in her work, she has gain and has ADDED VALUE.

I believe from the moment in our life where we do not feel like we are adding value to others or making a difference in someone's life, we begin to lose some of our joy, some of our edge. Life begins to seem mundane and unfulfilling. When we are just going through the motions, not adding value our "joy levels" go down and down and down, until our "Joy Tank" is empty.

So... maybe it's time for you?? Maybe it's time for you to sit down and really reflect on your gifts or your calling. If I were a betting person, I would guess that when you are operating in your gift, it brings you joy. Maybe you LOVE to bake. I would guess, when you are baking, whether it be for your husband or a friend, I bet it brings you joy. Maybe for you it's writing? Or helping people put a wardrobe together that is trendy? Maybe it's painting? Working with kids? Doing yard work? What brings you joy?? How can you USE YOUR GIFT to ADD VALUE to others?

Take out a piece of paper. Brainstorm. How can you USE your gifts today? Tomorrow? This week? How can you use your gifts on a REGULAR BASIS? If you can answer that question for yourself, and APPLY the answer, watch your Joy Tank fill up! Each day, instead of walking in mundane activities, you will see a NEW YOU! You will see a YOU who is fulfilled again, who is finding JOY again, whose daily activities are producing a new excitement for life!

I would LOVE to hear from you, what is ONE thing you could do to INCREASE YOUR JOY TANK? Is it making cookies for a friend? Singing in your church choir? Let's increase our JOY by walking in the gifts & calling God has given us!

What is Your True North?

Psalm 67:2 - That Your way may be known upon earth, Your saving power (Your deliverances and Your salvation) among all nations. 

Psalm 68:3 - But let the [uncompromisingly] righteous be glad; let them be in high spirits and glory before God, yes, let them [jubilantly] rejoice!

I sit here this morning with a great realization of how much I do not know! After spending the last four days with family and celebrating the life of Tyler's grandfather, I am beginning this week with a lot of things I've learned. As we sat in the funeral on Saturday, I marveled at how great this man was. I marveled at all the many things this man quietly did for the Kingdom of God. The lives he helped, served & invested in. The ministries he impacted because of his generosity and love for the Lord. The obedience he displayed in following the calling that God had specifically on his life. I still sit and marvel.

As I reflect on the simplicity of this great man, I realize how much I do not yet know and the qualities I still have yet to possess. I reflect on the areas God has to mold me, twist and turn, change and recreate, but all the while realizing that it still begins with me. Me. It begins with my willingness to SEE myself. It begins with my willingness to be open to the areas that I need to change. It begins with ME being willing to open my heart, and as difficult as it may be, open myself up to rebuke, to facing the ugly areas in my life that I have been hardened to.

Why? Because the #1 purpose of myself and each believer should be Psalm 67:2. That HIS way may be known upon the earth. That HIS saving power, HIS deliverances and HIS salvation my be known among the nations! How easy it can be to lose sight of the greater importance in life. It is not about the houses, the cars, the money, the trips, the clothes, the jewelry, the purses, the experiences. I learned from a man who was indeed blessed with all of those things, BUT I learned where his heart remained all of these years. I learned that his #1 focus was allowing the saving power of Jesus to be the greatest legacy he left on earth. Through the increase he received, he did not lose sight of his calling. He did not lose sight of blessing the Kingdom of God. He lived out HIS PURPOSE on this earth. With humility, he lived out his calling.

Praise God that we have something to jubilantly rejoice in! Psalm 68:3. We can be in high spirits and glory before God. We can JUBILANTLY rejoice! Why? Why can we be jubilant? Because the end of the story says that WE WIN! The end of the story says that we, believers, win! We will be walking on streets of gold with the King of Kings! We will enter through pearly gates and glory for eternity with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

What about you? Do you have any areas that need to be refocused? Like me, do you have any areas in your life that need to be tweaked? Has "true north" moved off course just a few degrees? I challenge you to take a few minutes to check your true north. Check your direction.

#204 - Are You Happy?

Good morning! I pray you are doing good! I woke up this morning... maybe because I've had two great back-to-back nights of sleep... but I woke up just feeling happy. Happy. Jesus is on the throne and I am HIS daughter! How exciting! I'm the daughter and loved by the King of Kings! What a blessing!

Let's get into some Word!

Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:22b - ...and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up. 

Proverbs 31:18a - She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good...

I was thinking about several different things this morning. My first thoughts...today is July 13th. On July 13th, I'm obviously ALWAYS reminded of what a special day it is & was in my life. You probably know if you've kept up with these devotions, but let me fill you in. July 13th, 1998 in a park in England, God revealed to me that Tyler was going to be my husband. I had only known him for a week, but God showed me an amazing sign that Tyler was "the one." Two years later, July 13th, 2000, Tyler asked me to marry him. "Would you be #2 in my life for the rest of your life?" He asked. Proverbs 13:12 falls on such a perfect day. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. I remember very well during the 18 months of waiting how my heart just longed to be with him. For 18 months, my heart was sick. But PRAISE GOD for July 13th 2000! My desire was fulfilled! What an accurate verse!

For some reason this morning, I've also been thinking about "happiness." I'm sure like you, "happiness" may differ from day to day. I know for me, there are some days where I feel "happier" than other days. But, I'd ask you the question, "Are you happy?"

As I reflect and look back to a few years ago, I remember most days feeling miserable. I would not have described my life as "happy." I was discontented. I felt unfulfilled. I felt like I was just going through life, not really accomplishing much. Now sure, on paper, our bank accounts were filled up. We had an abundance. We were able to go out to eat and not think about the cost. We were able to bless people financially, and not even think about stroking a check. But, at the end of the day, I was not happy. When I woke up in the morning, I dreaded the day that had not even begun. I was a success in Corporate America, I brought in great bonuses, but I lacked true fulfillment. I chased a ladder to the top until I reached the top of my ladder. It was either sit there, topped out, or find a different ladder that could go higher. I found that I was on the right ladder for a season, but my next ladder would be destined to be leaned up against a completely different building.

Take a "happiness" survey on your life. Are you happy? Are you fulfilled? I know God's timing is perfect, and we surely have seasons of our lives where we are called to be in a certain place. I have a list of goals that I wrote out over 10 years ago. It had secret dreams that I wished to accomplish one day. I had visions of who I saw myself being one day. The picture of "Who Amy was" was in my mind. I saw myself living out my dreams. Living in the center of my calling. I could close my eyes and see the "Dream Me" and I could even sense how fulfilled that "me" was. I could sense a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. When I closed my eyes and went to that place, I could tell that "that Amy" was truly happy. I've always wanted to go there. About 18 months ago, I officially got onto that path of becoming that Amy. Sure, I have had some off days, but for the most part for the last 18 months I have been HAPPY! I have been pursuing the dream and calling that God placed in my heart. I have been in the pursuit and that has brought fulfillment AND happiness. God put me on this earth to write, teach, help people & to impact the world for Christ. I may not be climbing the Corporate America ladder anymore, but God did not call me to climb that ladder forever, but just for a season. I am now climbing the ladder that leads to my Vision! The vision I've seen for 10 years. The vision I've seen when I closed my eyes. I'm not there yet, but I'm on the path. I'm on the right ladder to get me there.

The Proverbs 31 woman "tastes & sees" that the gain from her work with and for God is good. She enjoys the fruit. She sees that what she is doing is good. I anticipate that SHE is happy. She has found the ladder that gets her to "her" happiness, "her" calling. She is on the ladder that is good! She is not traveling in vain. She is not working in vain. She is working towards the purpose which she was created for, her calling.

For me, I've found that in this place is where true happiness is.

What about you? Are you happy? Is now the time for change?

#68 - YOU were called to make a DIFFERENCE!

Good morning! A beautiful morning! :) I have a little brown lizard running around on my porch right now. He's pretty cute. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't touch him... but it is pretty interesting to watch his little legs run so fast! That was one thing I didn't see growing up in Indiana! No lizards up there! Well, it's better than a spider! *deep breath* YUCK! 


Ok... well, let's get going and see what the Lord has to say right today. 
Oooh... just looked off my porch... I have a nice red tomato on my tomato plant! Yummy! Ok... focus Amy, focus!


Today's Reading Schedule: Proverbs 14, Psalms 14, 44, 74, 104, 144, Proverbs 31:10-31

Proverbs 14:34 - Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Psalm 14:2, 5, 6b - The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity]. There they shall be in great fear [literally--dreading a dread], for God is with the generation of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those upright and in right standing with Him).... but the Lord is his safe refuge.

Proverbs 31:29 - Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

I believe if we were all honest about it... whatever country you are living in, we would like to see God BLESS our country. We would like to see our country be elevated and favored? Well.... YOU make a difference in that happening for your county! Do you live in the US? Canada? Denmark? The UK? YOU MATTER!


I've heard before this statement, "You can't change God's mind." BUT.... through reading scripture, I believe you can! Let's take a look back in the old testament, you all probably remember the story of Sodom & Gomorrah. Let's pick up where Abraham is talking to God in Genesis 18:23, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ²⁴ What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?"


The Lord goes on to say, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."


The conversation continues.... Abraham asks what if there are only 45 righteous? 40? 35? 20? 10? At each question, the Lord says basically, Ok... I will spare the city. If you remember in the story, the city did get destroyed because of the great wickedness, the righteous of the city are spared. But the point I want to make is this, we CAN cry out to God, we can plead with Him. On behalf of OUR righteousness, He will hear our cry! We can, like Abraham CONVERSE with God (the Holy Spirit). We CAN make a difference on behalf of our nation. And it all begins with OUR UPRIGHTNESS. OUR RIGHT STANDING with God. OUR INQUIRING of Him and REQUIRING Him to be the center of our lives!


God is with the generation of the RIGHTEOUS! The RIGHTEOUS need not fear, because WE have a place of REFUGE in the Lord! 


BUT... let me ask you this? Are you not happy about what is going on in YOUR COUNTRY? Do you not like the way things are going? Then, YOU BE THE RIGHTEOUS so that YOUR nation is elevated! Like it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."


Today... make a difference in YOUR nation. ONE person can make a difference! You may not think it... like I recently heard a family member tell me, "One person can't really make a difference." I disagree. One person CAN make a difference. Recently my business mentors saw a need for a Christian School. No one was doing anything about it. They decided to take it upon themselves to be DIFFERENCE MAKERS! They said, "There is a need in our area for good Christian Education, no one is doing anything about it, so WE are going to step up to the plate and do something!" THEY, Doug & Amie Weir, began the process, learned about education, began campaigning, started a 2 year project of STARTING A SCHOOL!!! Well, this fall, August 23rd the doors of their school were opened. They filled their first year to capacity with over 100 students, and have a waiting list already of over 100 more students. ONE PERSON CAN make a difference. Because of Doug and Amie, over 100 families are going to be impacted with a positive Christian education. 


You may not open a school, but YOU CAN make a difference. Praying for your country. Choosing to be one of the righteous. Praying for your family. Friends. Or, just listening to God to MAKE SURE you are following HIS CALLING for YOUR LIFE, and not just going through life "Ho-Hum" living by YOUR agenda. 


YOU WERE CALLED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! YOU ARE A WINNER! I mean think about it.... excuse my analogy... it's kinda interesting to think about... but when your parents came together and your mom got pregnant, YOU were the fastest little swimmer! YOU WON! You beat out all the "other little guys" who were swimming trying to find the egg! YOU were the fastest! I know... I can see my sister Kimmi laughing at me now... but from the beginning of time, when you were even born, you started out a WINNER! NOW, LIVE LIKE ONE! 

________________________________

Random Health Tip: Are you drinking enough water? Half your body weight in ounces. If you weigh 140 pounds, you should be drinking 70 ounces. Did you know, that drinking water can help you to loose weight and stay healthy! Water helps flush things out of your system. It can also help to get rid of a cold, or prevent you from getting one to begin with. Water does a lot of good things! Fill up a bottle of water and take it with you today! Then RE-FILL it and drink another!