In Full Bloom

January 27, 2014January 27, 2014

In Full Bloom

Lessons from the Lilies

I pray you are having a wonderful start to 2014! How is it already the end of January?

This week, I’d like to share some lessons I was reminded of from these two lilies in the same bouquet. They caught my attention because at first they were all closed up. They were sealed tighter than in the picture on the left side. Then, in typical fashion, as the days passed they opened up so that their beauty was on full display.

Once again, through God’s creation, I saw how we are called to be transformed. Little by little. Day by day. From Glory to Glory. We are slowly being transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Into all that God has created us to be. Yes, we hold this treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). At just the right time, we get to share that treasure with others.

Whether you’re feeling like that closed up lily in the first picture or already radiating like the lily in the second shot, here are a few lessons to keep in mind as you continue throughout the year:

Stay connected and keep showing up. These lilies were part of an assorted arrangement of flowers. There was a rose, a carnation, a few daises and such. The lilies and the rose were the ones all buttoned up. As the lilies started to blossom, so did the rose. What’s my point? Sometimes we’re tempted to stay isolated when we’re feeling uncomfortable, awkward, and in the middle of a transition time. Yes, there’s a time to be alone with God, but there is also a time to surround yourself with others. When we continue to meet with fellow believers, we encourage one another and we find that we start growing together as well.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Start blooming right where you are. The lilies didn’t wait to be moved to another bouquet, they opened up and shined right where they were! Are you waiting for God to open some doors in your life? Who isn’t, right? Well, why not decide to invest your time and talents into the places that God has for you in this season? After all, it’s God who placed you in your neighborhood, country, workplace, school, etc… There’s a reason why you’re alive and part of this generation. How can you be a blessing right now?

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” (Acts 17:26)

Don’t be afraid to shine for Christ! It’s so easy to be worried, scared, or timid about using your gifts and talents to honor God, but we must resist the urge to shrink back! Don’t let people intimidate you or cause you to doubt whether you should pursue your God-given dreams. The whole bouquet I mentioned above was stunning, but still the lilies towered over all the rest of the flowers. They were created to stand out. It’s not about boasting or comparing yourself to others. It’s about shining your light for the Glory of God!

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Getting to bloom doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen! Ok, so it only took the lilies a few days to open up once they arrived, but it still didn’t happen overnight. We also have to go through a process. Don’t let the process overwhelm you. Remember that God is with you. Keep praying, keep believing, keep obeying God, keep trusting His timing, and watch how He’ll come through for you! Amen!

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)

Did this encourage you? Feel free to leave a comment or hit “Like” below. To get my free e-booklet MiraculousLovely Abroad: Lessons and Snapshots From the Mission Fields and to get these posts e-mailed straight to your inbox, click here. To find MiraculousLovely on YouTube, click here. To find MiraculousLovely on Pinterest, click here or on Facebook, click here.

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Nancy Gavilanes

I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.

My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!

www.AboundingFaith.com

January 20, 2014January 20, 2014

Happy 1st Blog-versary!

: Infidelic / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

This week I’m celebrating my first year of blogging! Whether you’ve been reading all year long or are just joining me today, thanks so much for taking the time to stop by! If you’re visiting from a country outside of the United States, here’s an extra welcome to you!

I’m so excited that people in 13 countries have visited the blog over this last year! That includes people in Brisbane, Nigeria, Romania, London, Bangladesh, Philippines, and Brazil! That alone makes me want to celebrate!

Now that you’re here, I’d like to give you a little tour so you feel right at home. Here are a few tidbits:

I usually update my blog on Monday afternoons. If you’d like to make sure you don’t miss any posts, please feel free to sign up to get them sent straight to your inbox for free. As a thank you, you will receive the free e-booklet I made with photos and lessons learned from the short-term missions trips I’ve been on. To sign up, click here.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, feel free to check out the Fave Links page to find Inspiring Blogs, Encouraging Songs, and Motivating Books that encourage me.
Please feel free to leave comments on the posts. Don’t be shy about joining the conversation. Your comments help to remind me that I’m not just talking to the air.
You can also connect with me on Facebook, Pinterest, or on YouTube. You can e-mail me at info@miraculouslovely.com. Who doesn’t like to get friendly e-mail, right?
There’s an archive of posts on the homepage so you can check out some of my older posts at your leisure.
If you are just starting your walk with Jesus, Congratulations! The Info for New Believers/Seekers page is especially for you!

I do pray you will be encouraged by what you find on my blog! I hope it will help you in your walk with the Lord. I hope you will come back often! Feel free to invite your friends as well! Blessings!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

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January 13, 2014January 13, 2014

Delay or Divine Interruption?

: s_ripperton / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

I ended 2013 literally with a bang. I got into a minor fender bender three days before the new year. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that a guy collided into my car trying to beat me to a parking spot. Everyone was fine, thank God. But it was so not cool.

Especially not when you’re with your Mom and you’re dropping off stuff to the local Goodwill! We also had plans to visit another store and then to go to one of our favorite restaurants to eat Salvadoran food. We had a full schedule!

But time ticked away as we waited for the cops to arrive. Then more time escaped us as they filed their report.

I remained calm. We were so thankful that we were OK! But I was just a tad nervous after this ordeal. I thought about just going home. But we pressed on. We went ahead with our plans even though we literally had gotten sidetracked.

Here’s where I started to see God’s Fingerprints.

My Mom and I had a lovely time at the restaurant. We had already finished our meal when a lady sitting across from us started chatting with my Mom. She then came over to sit with us! The lady mentioned she was Honduran. My Mom mentioned I had been to Honduras on a missions trip just that July. I gladly showed her photos of my trip and shared some of the amazing testimonies.

The lady was stunned and asked us lots of questions about the Lord. I live for these moments! So my Mom and I got to share our faith with her and even got to pray for her.

As I looked into the lady’s eyes and told her that God loves her, she started to cry. She couldn’t stop hugging me at the end of our time together.

On the way home, the fuzzy picture started to get clearer.

Was the accident that afternoon good? No. Was having to wait for the police report good? Nope. But what the enemy meant for evil, God turned around for good! (Genesis 50:20)

Our decision to continue with our schedule, despite our delay, allowed us to be at the restaurant right on time. Yes, right so we could meet a lost sheep who desperately needed to hear about God’s love.

Will God go to extremes and allow wrenches to be thrown in our schedules just so He can send us on divine assignments to minister to someone who is hurting? Yup! That’s part of the joy of serving the Lord!

The next time your plans get stalled or your to-do list gets interrupted, take a moment and look up and look around and ask the Lord if He hasn’t placed you in that situation for a divine purpose! Remember, everything happens for a reason:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

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January 6, 2014January 9, 2014

My Ode to Joy!

Happy New Year! I pray that this will be an amazing year filled with much evidence of God’s Love, Faithfulness, and His Sovereignty! Blessings to you! I hope you enjoy the post below!

I’m not a New Year’s Resolution type of person, but I do like to write out goals for myself for the year. I also love it when God shares a word or theme for me for the year.

His word for me for a couple of years has been “Believe!” That evolved into “Believe and Receive!”

The word that I feel the Lord is impressing on me for this year is “JOY!” As a pastor recently prayed over me, the JOY of the LORD is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

What I love about Jesus Joy is that the world can’t take it away from you. Circumstances can’t dampen it. Your mood can’t ruin it. People can’t touch it.

The JOY that comes from the LORD is unlike anything else.

It remains constant, immovable, and unshakable. Not like happiness that comes and goes.

Happy is GREAT, but JOY is even better!

You can’t buy joy. It’s something that comes from within like that spring of water welling up inside of you that Jesus talked about in John 4:14. It’s part of that abundant life that Jesus promised to give us in John 10:10.

It’s also the second fruit mentioned, right after love, in the Fruit of the Spirit list found in Galatians 5:22.

Yes, JOY is part of our inheritance as Christians. I find that it’s closely connected with Trusting God, Walking by Faith, being a Prisoner of Hope, and Knowing who you are in Christ!

The apostle Paul knew about this joy. That’s why despite all the hardships he went through, and even while he was under arrest, he could still be content and encourage the church in Philippi to, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Friend, do you know about this joy that I am writing about? Are you experiencing this joy that cannot be extinguished despite all the fiery darts the enemy tries to throw? Oh, how the enemy of your soul would love to steal your joy!

Are you familiar with this unspeakable joy that cannot be contained and that comes from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior, as it is written:

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8)

This joy doesn’t mean your life here on earth is perfect. However, thankfully this joy gets brighter after having faced your fears and walked through fire and finding that Jesus really was with you all the way! I pray you all experience this joy!

Even if you’re in a place right now that seems less than joyous, here are just a few verses to encourage you. May they bless you today and throughout the year!

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (Psalm 126:3)
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)
“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” (Isaiah 61:7)
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 14:17)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

I’d love to know what your “one word” for this year is! Please share it in the comments below if you’d like. If you’re just starting your walk with the Lord, Congratulations! Please visit the Info for New Believers/Seekers page.