November Prayer Topic: Thankful Hearts

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.  

Philippians 4:12-13

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Generations in Bondage

I've heard the Bible verse "for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me." It's found both in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5

I've heard this verse attributed to things that can be traced back through family line, things that plague our lives. Things like anxiety, depression, unwillingness to forgive, abuse, alcohol, drug addictions, spiritualism. The things that are usually the family secrets, dark and hidden, that no one really talks about, but in certain circle are said in whispered tones. 

A few years ago, I found freedom from the chains of anxiety and control. Anxiety and control, that I discovered came from the need to be perfect and feeling as if I was never quiet enough. Perfection was never attainable, because there was always something I could have done better. I needed to always do more, to show I was good enough, gain approval, to be perfect. But, through the help of others and the working  of the Holy Spirit, I found freedom in the realization, I was right. Perfection for me is never attainable. There is nothing I can do to attain perfection, nor should it be my goal. 

No, perfection can only be achieved by someone else.  Perfection can only be found in Christ alone, "the Author and Perfecter of our faith"(Hebrews 12:2 ESV). That it is through Christ, I become complete and perfect in Him. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6 ASV

What I've also come to discover, I was not alone in this struggle. This is a struggle that ran deep and holds strong through our family. I found these issues can trace back into the 3rd generation of our family and who knows how much further. 

But, praise be to God, 

Through the working of the Holy Spirit, our family is starting to openly talk about it with each other. We've also asked those close to us to pray for us as well. Because of this, we are realizing that it can stop with us! With God's help it will stop with us! 

When I was going through counseling, I shared with my counselor how hard it was to choose a different path then the one my mind took me down, the path of anxiety. But, I had moments when I felt free from it, and I was afraid that it might come back. He said to me, "These changes you are making are like changing the course of a river. It will take time. It will be hard. But, then you'll realize you're going the other direction." He continued, "It's not a matter of 'if' it (my anxiety) will come back, but 'when.' And now that you've tasted freedom, you won't want to stay there. And you know how to get back."

The reason I'm sharing this with you, is so God may have all the glory when He frees my family from these chains. And, for you to know that you are not alone-God wants to do this for you too.

Everyone has things in their lives, in their family's lives, that run deep and go back far, things that have enslaved us. I pray that once you've realize whatever these things may be-that you try God. Pray that He lead you "in the way you should go" (Psalm 32:8), and that He reveal people in your life that can help in the healing process. 

What's even more incredible to me are the words that follow in this verse. 

"for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:5-6

These words were original written for the children of Israel. They had just been freed from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. For generations they had been enslaved. Now that He had freed them, He wanted to make sure they didn't put anything else in His place, make something else their master. But, keep Him as their God. So, He gave them instructions on how to live fully free. Some of these instructions came with a warning of who their actions could affect if they choose otherwise. But, also with that warning, came a beautiful promise of freedom and love, that can be found in Him, which will continue down through family lines for a thousand generations.

That same promise He has for us. He can free us from chains that have shackled our families for generations. When we make God the only God in our life, put Him back in His rightful place, we allow Him to free us from the bondage of slavery. 

And God spoke all these words: 

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 

You shall have no other gods before me. 

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 

Exodus 20:1-6 & Deuteronomy 5:5-10 (NIV)

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~ kartini r. maxson

What Chains?

Standing in the procedure room, we had finished the day and all the patients had gone home. I was trying to get ahead on some paper work for the week to come. That's when my friend came in, she was also trying to cross a few things off her list.

Growing up Adventist, going to Adventist school almost my whole life, living in a sheltered Adventist circle, I'm a little embarrassed to say, I didn't have very many close friends who were not Adventist.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have many people in my life that are not Adventist, who I hold dear and am thankful for their friendship and the way they ministered to me. But, I felt there was always something holding me back.

Fear. I was chained to this fear of sharing with them what being an Adventist was about. This part of my life that I hold dear and close to my heart. I loved sharing Jesus and what's He's done for me, and how He wants to be part of our lives. But is was the other stuff, the stuff that was different.

What if they thought it was weird? What if we didn't agree? What if I didn't know what to say? What if I didn't know the Bible well enough or have the right answers to their questions? What if they would think differently of me? What if what they said would change what I believed?

I knew my friend was a Christian. By her words and her actions, in my heart I believed she followed Christ. Previously, we had conversations over Biblical and spiritual beliefs and when she would share something different, this fear would creep in. I'd start praying and I would hear God's voice, accompanied by peace, "Kartini, no one can serve two masters." 

There in the procedure room, the conversation turned into one on spiritual matters, about how God was working things out in our lives. I felt this prompting to share with her this fear, this struggle of sharing personal beliefs with someone of a different denomination. I hesitated, again out of fear. But, I believe this prompting to have been by the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit gave me to courage to just say it and address this fear.  

She, so understandingly, listened to all these insecurities that came out. She shared that she has the same concerns about opening her heart and mind to spiritual matters, wanting it to only be of the Lord. She shared about praying about making sure to put herself in a place where things are of the Lord. But still the concern about, "What if it's not?" Then she shared with me, one of the most freeing prayers I have ever heard. She said "I pray 'Lord, if it's of You, make it stick. But, if it's not of You, wash me clean.'"

In that moment I found this incredible freedom. It's something I believe, but so easily forget. It's the realization that God is so much bigger then me, that when I allow Him complete control and "enslave" myself to Him, that's where true freedom can be found. There are definitely things I can do to set myself up to serve and honor Him; and in all those things I can pray and ask Him to be the one to make it stick or wash me clean.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The devil know my fears can easily weigh me down, ensnare, in a sense-chain me. The problem is when I focus on them, they can hold so tightly that I can't even move. 

Hebrews 12, reminds me, we are not alone in this. God has surrounded us with people in our lives that will help us through this. In my case, it looked very different then I thought it would. Through the power of Christ, that chain of fear was thrown off and He showed me the beauty of truly being part of the Body of Christ. 

It also reminds me-it matters what we focus on. Our focus should not be the things that weigh us down, ensnare, or chain us. Instead we should fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. 

It's when I look to God and choose to be chained to Him, instead of my fear-that's where true freedom can be found. 

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. "

2 Corinthians 3:17

So, I ask you today. What are you chained to? 

~kartini r. maxson

October Prayer Topic: 2 Corinthians 3:17

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. "

2 Corinthians 3:17

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Dreaming Reality

February 4, 2014

I was sitting in the living room, curled up in the arm chair having my morning devotional. Staring out the window, I was really missing my friends that morning. Not just any friends but those so-close-you-don't-even-have-to-speak kind of friends. 

Moving around the country had it's advantages, seeing new places, meeting new people. But, what I always struggled with, was leaving those who were in my heart behind. Those I could trust with who I was, who I am, and what I was going through. Those who partnered in prayer with and for me. 

I had been reading the book "The Circle Maker" by Mark Batterson. He challenged me to circle in prayer things, desires that God had place in my heart and see if He would be faithful. So I did. I circle my friends-my heart friends in prayer. I had been circling my desire, my need, to be part of something, to be part of a prayer group. But, not just any prayer group. One that somehow included my prayer-partnering-heart friends.

That's when it came like a flood.  Ideas to start a prayer group. A women's prayer group that would not be constrained by place or time. Where those in the group could pray with and for each other, where ever we were, at anytime, about the same topic, while being as heart-specific as needed with in the group. Then, as those with in the group felt God moved, they would start another group, and then other groups would be started. Like ripples in a pond.

All through out the day, the ideas came. Writing this God inspired dream on anything I could get my hands on when He spoke.

But, then as I thought more about it, and started sharing with some others. Doubt crept in. "How can you be part of a group of people you never meet with or see?" "I've never seen anything like this before." "Write a blog-Scary" "What if no one wants to be part of it?" "What if it never grows beyond you?"

I believe like anything God designed, the devil tries to destroy; and the only way I know how to do battle with the devil is on my knees. So I kept praying.

I prayed over the idea and over those I wanted to ask to be in it. I asked those I had shared the idea to pray. Then, I asked those I thought about being in it, to pray before they gave me an answer. 

After praying over it for a few weeks. I knew regardless of my doubts, God was saying to move. So, March 1, 2014 the ministry "Circle of Prayer" began.

Let me tell you, through the years things didn't always go the way I thought they should have. I've wondered why would God even choose me? Why would anyone read what we have to say? Should we even keep going? How will I make this dream a reality?

Just last month, I received and e-mail for one of my heart-friends we started the group with and she said I could share it with you all. 

Hi All, 

These last few months have been busy.... But when is life not busy? I asked you all several months ago to pray for me, for an idea I had. I don't remember if I was specific with you or not but I am over due in sharing with you all.

It started back when we had our small group retreat... A seed was planted, though it was not abundantly clear...a dream was born... I thank you all for your prayers. This dream over the months became clear, I wanted to start a small group for girls here at Campion. The challenges have been many, I've tried a couple avenues in which to start this group, to no avail.  I need a co-leader, though the people I talked to thought it was a great idea they were not able commit the time. Through support from my husband and prayers from all of you, we are launching a pilot group this year!  It gives me good bumps just thinking about the process.

She continued by saying...

This year the Spiritual VP and myself have been praying over names and decided that to pilot this year with one group, we needed to invite 6-8 girls to join.  This morning for the first time... I had good bumps and tears of joy in my eyes to see these girls gather at my house for an hour to kick off our small group.  5 of the eight we invited came the other 3 are still deciding.

Please continue to pray for this year, this group, these girls... That this may be a success.  My big dream is that every student can be in a small group that it would be available starting freshman year with the same group members for all 4 years and the same group leaders for all 4 years.  Imagine! The impact! Doing life together, building authentic faith, learning, knowing God better and building our relationship with each other. Being that safe environment where kids can be honest, vulnerable, and ask questions. Just imagine! 

Again thank you for your prayers, please continue to pray....Please surround us daily in this endeavor.

Photo by Cerys Lowe on Unsplash

What I've come to realize is that when God puts the dream in our hearts, and we seek after Him in prayer HE will be faithful to make it a reality.

So, I'm asking you. 

What dream has He put in your heart and what's He asking you to do about it? 

Take that step towards your God designed dream-and see for yourself if He will be faithful.

Rejoice evermore.Pray without ceasing.In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(KJV)

~kartini r. maxson

What’s Your Dream?

This month we are praying for the dreams that are God inspired.  Those dreams that He is placing on our hearts.  Do you know the ones that I am talking about? If not, that is okay. Hopefully by the end of the month, you will have your God inspired dream.

In the movie “Tangled” there is a question raised.  “What’s Your Dream?”  That question is significant to all of us.  Do you have a dream?  Maybe it is a dream that has been lying dormant in you for a long time.  Is there a dream that you don’t know where it came from?  Could be God inspired.

Even as children, we had dreams. Maybe it was what you were going to be when you grew up or who you would marry.  Those dreams seem to change and mature as we change and mature.  Some dreams morph into something different then what we first thought. 

What about the God inspired dreams?  Can you recognize the dreams that are God inspired?   Do you know the difference? 

I have dreams.  Some of them are just mine, and some of them are God inspired.  As I was thinking about this month’s prayer blog, I realized that I do have God designed dreams.  There are quite a few, in fact.

One dream, that I feel is God inspired, seems to be always out of my reach. God has been seemingly guiding me towards this dream.  I keep following Him, and His will, and yet the dream still seems out of my reach. 

Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash

I keep trying to make it a reality by myself, but it seems just a little past my fingertips.  One day after another passes by, and I don’t see how this dream will come true.  It has been a long time, and there are many days that I am frustrated and angry.  My focus is on what more can I do to make this dream a reality.

Maybe I am missing the point that God is trying to show me.  To get to the realization that I must rely on God.  I can be ever ready for it, but continue to keep my focus on Him.  If all I focus on is that dream and why it is not becoming a reality and not focusing on God, then I have lost the point. The point is our journey with God.

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

I dream of getting the books that I have written through the years published.  God has inspired me to use my creative imagination and write the stories that are in my head down.  Yet, something holds me back from putting the books out there to be published.  My fear that no one will want to read them.

The fear is dictating my life. Again, I have lost the focus, or the point that God wants me to have.  If He has inspired or given me this dream, then why do I fear?  God is bigger than any fear.

My prayer is that I will allow God to be…God.  He has given me an amazing life, and yes it has been ugly at times, but there has been beauty.  Through it all my God has been there for me every step of the way.  Why do I think that He is going to stop now?

This month, I pray that each of you reading this blog will know the God designed dreams for you.  I pray that you keep your eyes and hearts and souls so focused on God that He will show you the dreams He has for you, and the strength to do what needs to be done.  I pray for you all.

So, what is your God inspired dream?  Go out and find it and embrace God and step out in faith when He asks you too.  He has got you.  Just remember, we are all in this life together.  Let’s make this life an amazing one where our God inspired dreams come true.

Dear Lord,

I pray for each person who is reading this blog.  Show us Your dreams for us.  Give us the courage and strength to step out in faith where necessary and the courage to be patient when needed.  Help each one of us to keep our focus on You and that our journey with You is our number one priority.

In Jesus’ Name – Amen

Laura Maxson