"For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it"
(Habakkuk 2:3 KJV)
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has an appointed time to fulfill the visions, dreams, and desires in your heart. Just because it has taken a long time or because you've tried and failed, doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Don't give up on those dreams! Don't be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. Our God is a faithful God. No matter how long it's been, no matter how impossible things looks, if you'll stay in faith, your appointed time is coming.
Remember, every dream that's in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it in there. And not only that, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Hold on to that vision today by declaring, "My time is coming. God is working behind the scenes on my behalf. I will fulfill my destiny!" As you continue to hold on to that vision and speak life over your dreams, you'll see them begin to take shape. You'll see your faith grow, you'll see your hope strengthen, and you'll see yourself step into the destiny God has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, I receive Your truth today. I receive Your promises today. I ask that You ignite my heart with Your holy fire so that I can pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Make my thoughts and words agreeable to Your will. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Hey Girl,
ReplyDeleteI am going to be really nice and not pull out my Bible and go through every statement of heresy in those paragraphs. My advice to you is Read scripture yourself, even if its a few verses a day. Get a commentary (like the john macarthur) and use that to help you study.
Don't let certain people fool your mind, and your heart and cause you to end up bearing false testimony about our faith to others.
I know its tough knowing what is prosperity preaching and what is truth, but unfortunatley what you posted isnt truth. The word is AMAZING sister, I hope you can find a new devotional (Beth moore is wonderful) and get on track to seeing what Blessings we have been given.
HINT HINT: Our "Blessings" are not for here on earth but heaven. Nothing we have here belongs to US.
Please email me if you have any questions!!!!!
Sisters in Christ,
Shayla
Char,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! Loved it! I can see how the words were of great comfort and will probably be to others as well! Hope you are doing well. We're still praying for your appointed time. Until then, know we love you guys and think of you all the time!
I hope you are having a blessed day my sweet friend, lets not wait til December til we get together again ok.
ReplyDeleteShayla,
ReplyDeleteI hope you come back to read this comment. I must say I've never had anyone post something on my blog that caused me to step back a minute and re-read, but yours did. I suppose that was probably your intention, in a good way, and for the most part, I appreciate it. I've read your blog before and I know you are on fire for God and His word. and that's awesome!
But I must clear some of your thoughts/comments up about what you assumed from my post. 1.) you said what I posted wasn't truth, 2.) you assumed someone had fooled my mind and heart, 3.) You assumed that I am off track and not understanding what Blessings are, 4.) you assumed I don't know that blessings are from/for heaven and not earthly and 5.) you implied that I don't read scriptures myself.
When I read this devotional, what I read was: Do not be discouraged. Do not give up on God's promises. There is an appointed time for everything, whether it be here on earth or in heaven. Fight the good fight. Keep the faith because God has great plans for you!
I just wonder if when you read this and saw it was from Joel Osteen, your mind instantly started looking for reasons why it wasn't scriptural. I hope that isn't the case, but I'm not sure.
I do read Beth Moore's devotional, along with Daphne Delay, Trey Morgan, and some of my other favorites, all of which I glean scripture material and all sorts of knowledge out of.
And perhaps you disagree, which is absolutely fine, but I do happen to believe that God doesn't place desires for good, positive things, like children, or being a missionary for example, in our hearts, just to dangle them in front of our faces and say, "well, child, here it is, and i know you want it so badly, but sorry, I'm not going to give it to you." I don't believe when we pray earnestly to be blessed with children, that He would continue to give us that desire with absolutely no intention of ever bringing it about.
I also believe that the scriptures can be read one time and understood a certain way and then at a different time in our lives, can be read in an entirely different manner because God speaks THROUGH them...it is not necessarily the words we are to focus on, but the Holy Spirit's direction when we read those words.
Your comment about PROSPERITY teaching sounds exactly like other well-meaning people who talk about Joel and Victoria Osteen. I know there are many who don't agree with their preachings, and honestly I have no feelings here nor there about either one of them because I don't know their hearts or intentions.
This is why we must be really careful when we're trying to "help" people we think are lost or confused.
Because we all know what happens when we ASSUME.
Dear Sweet Charla,
ReplyDeleteI am smiling because I was sitting here praying for you and asking God what can I say that could encourage you and what can I write that could teach Shayla? You said it all. You said it from your heart and you said it right. I agree with you one hundred percent, God does not place in our heart the desire to have children and then take it away.
I feel that this is a major teaching moment and you, dear teacher, taught with perfection and heart.
I am putting together a post on my blog on this very subject and inviting a guest to do the writing.
Blessings to you and yours, I pray the desires of your heart are fullfilled and I stand in the gap with you and for you waiting on that beautiful day God brings you the one thing you long for in the here and now.
I do believe that God is very much involved with our daily lives and He is very much aware of the desires of our hearts and in His goodness and mercy He and He alone fulfills them. We may not understand His ways or His thoughts but we know that the One we worship is trustworthy and right and full of mercy and justice. And when it is time for justice, the one thing we cry out for is mercy. Amen.
I never assumed anything about your walk, because it is that "YOUR walk" but when we post things that others could read and be fooled by we put them in the position to be taught incorrectly. I don't mean your blog followers, but just any random person that could stop by.
ReplyDeleteI actually was excited that you posted their devotional because I was hoping to see positive things in it, so I wouldn't continue to be so "bummed" about their ministry. Please don't assume I just hate and judge others- that is not anyones place (ECSPECIALLY not mine)
I wasn't trying to offend you by telling you to personally read your scripture. I am sorry it came off that way. I hope you can forgive me for that. I was just trying to give other examples to study the Word- not using a devotional that has the possibility of leading you astray.
Thank you for being respectful and loving in your response. I greatly appreciate that.
Please know I NEVER thought you were lost or remotely close to that, I just thought it was odd that you posted that, because I have never seen something like that on your blog before.
When I was talking about heart I was referring to when it said "Remember, every dream that's in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it in there" I considered that to be lying because satan preys on people. Ideas and desires can be placed in you from God or Satan. SO it is wrong to say that EVERY dream is of the Lord most High.
Jerrian,
I hope you do blog about the issues with American Theology, and those that falsy believe they are Christians. If you need a first hand story ask me! I THOUGHT I was a Christian all through high school (I never acted on that thought mind you) but now that I have been discipled I have learned SO much about how our society has affected our religion.
Back to Charla,
I'm very excited to see what you wrote about what YOU personally got out of the devotion- that is awesome!!! Actually, I wish you would've wrote that underneath haha but its great to know you don't just take things for face value (I have more respect for you because of it!)
I didn't mean to start any kind of issue, it's just hard when I feel there's a way people can get the wrong impression about being a Christian. So many people believe that once you are saved you will finally get the job you want, make enough money for your things, and be happy go lucky- I personally feel because I have more experience with researching other religions/ and our society influenced faith I need to make sure the record is clear and the right thing is taught to others.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY did not assume anything negative about you whatsoever. I am so sorry for coming across that way!!!!
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!!! I am so thankful for the internet because it gives us a forum to talk about our Amazing God!!!
ReplyDelete#1) Know the Source of the Problem- Satan is the source of Charla and Rich's infertility. As the temporary god of this world (2 Corin 4:4), he has come ONLY to steal, kill, and destroy the ABUNDANT LIFE Jesus came to give us (John 10:10) and that ABUNDANT LIFE (zoe life) starts the moment we accept Christ as our SAVIOR.
#2)Be sure that the promises of God cover what you are confessing and believing God for. Charla, you alone, know that in God's Word He has shown you many verses that cover this desire of your heart....(He did place it there!!!)
#3)Be sure no doubt or unbelief is permitted in your life. If God said it...believe it. We all love Beth Moore and she said,
God is who He says He is.
God CAN DO WHAT HE SAYS HE CAN DO.
I am who God says I am (an heir of God's Kingdom)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The WORD IS alive and ACTIVE IN ME(actively coming out of my mouth).
We are to walk by faith not by sight (not by our senses)...I think that is what this devotional was saying was, just because you can't see God's promises with your earthly eyes and you don't FEEL like it will happen DOESN'T MEAN GOD ISN'T FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD. In Matthew it says, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"...Charla, if you allow your mouth to confess your feelings and not your faith you will become double-minded and God won't be able to get His promise to you...Our mouth has the power to speak life and death...Let's confess life!!! After all, Eph 3:20 says God can do exceedling abundantly ABOVE ALL YOU ASK OR THINK (WOOHOO- more than you can Think sweet Charla) according to the POWER that works in us. If you have a low measure of faith (which can happen when a person speaks thier doubts out loud) God can't work because we have tied His hands with our lack of faith.
Doubt about the promises of God is evil. In Num 13:32 the 10 spies brought back an "evil report". Faith always has a good report.
F.F. Bosworth said, "If you are going to doubt anything, doubt your doubts. Don't doubt your faith, DON'T DOUBT THE WORD...Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs." I like what Beth Moore said in her "Believing God" Bible study. regarding believing God answers our prayer, "If I am going to ere, I want to ere on the side of belief." Wow! When we meet our heavenly Father face to face, I don't want Him to look at me and say, "Oh sweet Dawn, you could have had ____ if you would have just believed me for it."
Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore, I say to you, What things soever ye desire, when you pray, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM, AND YOU WILL HAVE THEM."
James 1:5-7 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and ubraidth not; and it shall be given. BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, NOTHING WAVERING. For he that waverth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not the man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." Don't waver when you pray...pray, thank God for it, and then don't use the word that is the badge of doubt "If!" Faith says, "When!"
In Beth's Bible study she also said this, "You believe little so you see little...you believe big so you see big."
Here is the point I will close with concerning faith prayer...Mark 11:24 says it "believes I receive it" before I see it with my natural eyes AND it calls things which are not as though they were (Romans 4:17) That is how Abraham and Sarah got there names. We have been given all authority in Jesus name and have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Activate your faith...use your mouth!!! Infertility has a name, and every name bows down to the name of Jesus!!!
All the glory to God!!! I love it! I love all the commentors because we are all sisters-in-Christ! I love you sweet Charla and your heart for God, and I thank the Lord that His Word is Truth, His word is ALIVE and it is POWERFUL!!! Amen!!!
one of the most amazing things about the bible is that the words have spoken to people for thousands of years... people of different ages, ethnicities, genders, socio-economic backgrounds, etc have been influenced by the promises within.
ReplyDeleteif we are all made in God's image, then he is a multi-faceted being indeed. so to me, that means that his words have the power to be interpreted in different ways... just as the people who are reading those words are different. i happen to think he planned it that way. "love they neighbor" means something different to me than it does to my fellow christian, based on where we have come from and where we are in our lives.
so the way i see it, NO human being - not beth moore, not the osteen's, not shayla, not charla, not the pope, not anyone- has the authority to say what is true or what is false when it comes to interpretation of scripture.
someday we will know exactly what He meant. until then, charla, i choose to believe that your desire will be fulfilled because of all of us who are "asking in faith" on your behalf. i choose the interpretation that brings you that BABY! ;)
how wonderful that your willingness to share spurred a conversation about the word of God!
Just to give credit where credit is due...I got a lot of my thoughts from Kenneth Hagin's book
ReplyDelete"What to Do When Faith Seems Weak and Victory Lost" and Beth Moore's "Believing God"...good conversation.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteShayla,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind response. I'm glad you were able to see past the "words" and try to see my heart when I responded to you. It is sometimes hard to know true intentions because you can't hear the person's own voice and look into their eyes. I think the reason I didn't write my reaction to the devotional posting underneath it (which would have been a really good idea), is because when I read it, it struck me as one of those DUH moments...you know what I mean? When you're having a day full of satan's darts, and then you read something so simple and it hits you like a ton of bricks and you wonder why you NEVER thought of that before because it's just so simple?! So, when I posted, I didn't even think twice about clarifying or adding my own thoughts, because it just seemed so simple to me; I never considered someone might read it differently. But, as we said earlier, words speak to different people in different ways at different times. I will definitely be more aware of explaining myself further in the future!
Jerri,
I LOVE your heart, my dear friend! I wanted to reach through the computer and give you a big, big hug! You know my heart, you know my struggles, and I know you stand in the gap for me and believe in the promises HE has given! Thank you for being you and for sharing you with us when you feel led.
Dawn,
Wow! I felt like I just had a minimester in Seminary and I LOVED it! I'll admit I had to re-read a couple of times just because your response was so full of great scripture and information. But because I know you, I could read and almost HEAR the passion in your voice and it got me all excited...like the "Amen, preach on, sister" kind of excited! I love you, sweet SIL!
Sarah,
Thank you for your wise thoughts and simplicity. I remind myself constantly that this "God-thing" is much simpler than we silly humans try to make it. All He wants is our love, our obedience, our devotion.
I have always admired your faith and your way with words.
Thank you for loving me and for asking in faith on my behalf.
THIS is what blogging is about for me. Yes, it is a place I share our stories, pictures and a place that SOMEDAY I WILL share some very exciting news with the WORLD! :) But I have prayed many times for this blog to be a place of ministry. I will be the first to admit, I have a long way to go when it comes to sharing the gospel with others face-to-face. I try to live as an example, but it's not always as easy to share the actual gospel with others as Jesus Himself has instructed me to do. So, I hope this blog serves as a place to share our faith DESPITE our struggles, and that it might serve as a ministry of sorts to others. I have found SUCH inspiration and healing and have learned SO much about my life, my faith and my beliefs by reading others' thoughts and learning about their walks with Jesus, in the valleys and on the mountains.
Father, may I be a conduit of love to those who have seen nothing but hate a disappointment in their lives. I pray my life might glorify You because of your love. Help me to cling to your promises as I wade through the murky waters of infertility. Thank you, Jesus for my friends, in my world and the blog world, that we would continue to be moved for You, and inspired to speak up out of love for You!
Dawn,
ReplyDeletemy favorite part (I think its because its something I have struggled with in the past...) of what you wrote was when you said "Doubt your doubt" SO simple, clear, and true! Thank You for sharin that Sista!
Haeglin Family,
There is truth in the word of God, and we are to seek out the false preachers. So Charla and I having this discussion is totally biblical :) Given, I want Charla to have the baby too!!!! Our conversation wasn't about that though- I have no place even bringing it up.
Matthew 7:15
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
I was just making sure that she was "Being aware" of the falseness in the devotions she shared with us. That's NOTHING against her. Its actually against the one Bearing False Testimony (in this case Osteen)
Charla thanks for the response!!!!
ReplyDeleteI still LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise :)
...yes no tone, or eyes...same problem I have with text messages haha
I love that your blog is your ministry :) Its wonderful!!!!
Whoa, what goes on in the hours I was away. Awesome Word of God and His ministry. Girls, you are all amazing women of God and I thank you for your passion and Godly spirit that leads our conversation. Amen, sisters. Dawn . . . whew, preach it sister.
ReplyDeleteCharla, you know me. I just had to weigh in. :-)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I am not a fan of Joel's. Here's my main concern with his Thought for the Day.
" The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?" Jer. 17:9
I believe that there are desires that are placed in our hearts that are wrong, don't bring glory to God, and are just plain sinful. Because no matter how full of faith we are, we are still sinful. So when he says to "Remember, every dream that's in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it in there. " I question that.
However, I DO NOT think the desire to have a baby is sinful. At all!!! I think that's from the Lord, and I have faith and pray that he will bless you (and soon!) with a baby.
And to encourage you: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Eph 3:20-21
When Benjamin was on the verge of receiving his diagnosis, I begged God to heal him. How could a loving God, a faithful God, want my 6 month old to have this deformity? How was this good? How was the road that was before us what God would wanted for us, his children. And though I begged God to heal Benjamin, he didn't. He told me no. And even though at the time, I was upset, scared, and would not have chosen to walk the road, I am now thankful. I grew so much! My faith is stronger, my marriage is stronger, my family is stronger, and what a testimony God has given Benjamin! Even though I asked God to heal Benjamin he gave me immeasurable more than I could ask or imagine.
I know this isn't the road you wanted to take. And I'm so sorry that you haven't yet been blessed with a baby in your home. But do trust that God has given you this desire. And that he WILL do immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine.
Kierstyn I was trying to think of the verse and thats it!!!! Jer. 17:9 its funny in my second? comment you can see that I basically said the exact same thing!!!!
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord- there is truth in His word- and I'm not a crazy person who makes things up!!!!! haha
Kierstyn,
ReplyDeleteI have that scripture written on an index card in my bible. It is one of my favorites because I find it to be so true and I absolutely see where you and Shayla are coming from as far as the statement "Remember, every dream that's in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it in there," being questionable. I do believe there are definitely sinful desires in our hearts that are NOT from God! There's no question about that...otherwise we would not be human! :)
I wasn't focused on the one statement, but the devotional as a whole and the promise it held for me, personally.
Believe me, when you go through infertility, the heart is most definitely the greatest deceiver of ALL! It will trick you into thinking all sorts of awful things!
Anyway, thanks for your comment, Kierstyn! They're always welcome here!
I was talking to Richard last night about all of this and reading all of the comments to him, and he made an interesting point, and just to play devil's advocate here, I am going to post it in this comment for everyone to read.
Do you think if the devotional had been by Beth Moore (or any other well-known Christian author) and that Joel Osteen's name hadn't been anywhere on it, that there would have been so much conversation sparked by it?
I honestly am not sure there would be.
Like I said before, I have no feelings here nor there about the Osteen's, it just happened to be who wrote this devotional I get from a colleague.
Just a thought.
Hi there, I read the comment you left over at Eddins and I wanted to stop by and say thanks for mentioning the other book blue Like Jazz, I need a good new read.
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice to meet you. Please stop by and say hello sometime, it's great to make new friends who are discovering similar revelations along this journey.
This is Michel Powers not Jerriann. Jerriann emailed me this blog yesterday and asked me my thoughts on the devotional and the comments.I know Charla through the walk to emmaus mininstries and I love her a lot!! I think the devotional was a word spoken in due season to Charla, to encourage and strengthen her. God knows excactly what to say to us through His word to increase our faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6 (MSG)
ReplyDelete6 It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. ) Our faith is what brings God's will or desire into existence in our lives. I must say after reading the devotional and all the comments alot of truth was brought forth. I agree with the devotional as far as that God never stops working to bring His promises to pass, and that he does give us the desires of our hearts. I believe that means He will place His desires in our hearts so that our desires are His desires, and then and only then can He bring them to pass.(2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (NKJV)
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.)The Spirit will confirm our God given desires and then we can be confident they are yes and amen! I also agree that not every desire we have is placed in our hearts by God, so maybe it was a little misleading when it said every desire. I believe the Osteens are anointed and called to preach and spread the gospel, so we do need to be careful and not judge them but thier fruit, which is great. As a minister myself sometimes we add a small little word like all to a scripture or an explaination of a scripture and it can misrepresent the truth, but that is why we have the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us. I commend you all for your discussion and for finding balance and truth in His Word. Charla keep believing and confessing your faith concerning the desires God has placed in your heart, for He who promises is faithful and His promises are Yes and Amen!!!
Thanks for letting me guest post. I was encouraged to see how well you all discussed and encouraged one another
About your husbands comment Charla, if beth moore had written it, I wouldnt have commented your blog(no offense). I would've ran straight to hers, to email/comment about it!!!!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunatley, the Osteens don't have a blog (to MY knowledge-i wouldn't be the one reading it so i don't really know)
I don't just personally not agree with them. I have seen what "Their gospel" (it is not the same trust me) can do to familys through my friend's parents, to my boyfriend's family members and even my own MOTHER. I have seen how extreme the negative affects of their health and wealth sermons can completely misguide an unsuspecting or struggling Christian.
Anexample: here in TX Joel Osteens Sister has a church (25 minutes away from my house) my friend went to their "Chick Night" because her mother really wanted her there. When she got there she saw the church's dance team/cheerleaders (she wasn't sure what exactly they were) anyways they performed a routine to "All the Single Ladies" by Beyonce- at a CHURCH Women's CONFERENCE!!! anyways everyone working has pink shirts that said "You Look Fab!" and no there was no Bible verse on the back or anything. when Sister Osteen got on stage she talked about how God "Wants you to be happy, He wants you to be Beautiful, He wants you to have...etc"
Yet we are clearly taught in scripture that our Blessings are not for earth. Our goal on earth is to spread the gospel- that's it. All blessings we need are waiting for us in heaven. We don't take material possesions with us when we go, so why does it matter if you have a fancy car, look beautiful, or have a very successful job?
I'm still searching, but has anyone found a place in the Bible that says God wants us to be Beautiful????
Next year I may go with my friend to chick night just to see it for myself- if I do I'll blog about it!!!!
I would encourage you, if you find a devotional by someone such as beth that is not scripturaly sound-post it, send it to me, etc. That is part of our job as Christians. To study and be aware of what we are being taught.
Hi Charla!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late, but I too was made aware of the discussion here and wanted to share.
First, I'll agree with Michel and Jeri that it was wonderful to see how well everyone brought encouragement to the discussion.
But secondly, I'd like to add some things I believe scripture teaches (and thus I teach regularly). It seems the scripture in question here is Psalms 37:4, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Anytime we lack understanding of scripture, it is best to go back to the original language. The keyword in Psalm 37:4 is "give." What did God mean?
I believe Dawn said God will not give us something outside His Word. This is true. It is very important for us to first find His Word on what we are believing for. But going back to the original language, the Hebrew definition for give is this:
nātan: to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, place, etc.)
This helps us understand God's meaning. "Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall [place in] you the desires of your heart." This is great news! No more wondering if my desire is from God or not. Number one: is it a desire? If yes, then second check is: does it line up with God's Word? If the answer to both is yes, then case solved. God "put" it (gave it) to me. But for Bible lovers like me, I like more proof. Verse five completes this thought: "Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass" (Psalms 37:5).
Can God fail? No. Does God lie? No. He said He would "give" us the desires of our heart (meaning He would give as in "place" desires in our heart). Then He tells us how He'll deliver on His promises: commit your way to Him, trust in Him, watch Him bring it to pass.
As Michel said, this takes faith. But God is extremely pleased when we put our faith in His promises and believe Him to fulfill them.
(to be continued)
Wow! What an amazing lesson on heart's desires, on faith and blessings, and trust in God. I enjoyed reading the insights and teachings from so many Godly women and feel that I have been blessed by the words from all of you. I agree with many of you who have said that the sparking of discussion to glorify God is indeed a great purpose for the internet and blogs!! Thanks Charla for mentioning your "blog saga" and encouraging me to read it, I definitely have gleaned a lot from your comments. You know where I stand on the desires of your heart...I'd love to discuss the above more with you in the future!! You should definitely feel at peace about the way the Osteen devotional made you feel...you are one of the most grounded, spiritual people I know and I feel so very blessed to be your friend. Love to you!
ReplyDelete