764 - Are you advancing?

Dear Lord, this past 5 days have been filled with such highs and lows. The highest high was getting to meet all my team with Speaking Thru Me Ministries. We had so much work to do in getting organized and setting goals and casting a vision for the future, but more than anything I wanted God to bring a forth a bond in all of us only to be described as the Hand of God - and HE did!!!! Oh Jesus, thank you so much!

Another high was getting a text from a high school friend last night asking me to encourage her to walk into Bible study! First timer in the study and really unsure of whether she could do it, if she wanted to, and if she had the guts to take this plunge! She did it!!

One more high! Seeing my old youth minister, Ergun Caner, and hearing him preach. There is a reason he has groupies - ha ha! I tease him. He is so bold, no sugarcoat, and so honest! What an honor to have been trained under him for such a time!

The lowest lows have been no fun and I won't even bore you with the details as it is such stupid silly things! Nevertheless, very low, hard, and joy sapping at times!

So this morning as I opened the Word to hear from You, Lord, I was draw again to Philippians! This is what I call the JOY book of the New Testament! Chapter 1 verse 12 says, "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel."

This Paul speaking or writing from PRISON!!!!! uh yeah - chained up and happy about it - well sort of! Maybe not happy, but he is rejoicing! Holy cow, I cannot say that would be me! He is explaining to the other Christians on the outside that even though this imprisonment may be a terrible thing - it is being used to advance the gospel!

There is one HUGE component to this whole advancing the Gospel while i sit here in chains - his attitude! He further explains that the whole palace guards knows he is in chains for Christ! It is his goal to make sure in all circumstances to glorify Christ - and let everyone around know about it - even through attitude!

How often does that happen in my life??? How often do I allow each and every circumstance and situation to be used in a way that advances the gospel?? Uh yeah - not too often I would suggest! Whether it is a high or low I need to be looking for a way to advance the gospel - even when those around see no purpose in my efforts, my beliefs, or don't even want them!!! However and whenever the gospel is exposed whether words are used or not - it is a good thing and a God thing!

I say a God thing because when I am in a low situation - bummer times - frustrating event - it is only because of God that my attitude can be right - or if not right only through Him can it be adjusted! I saw it happen just recently with my tennis. Been quite a hard year! I got very down about it all when I received a timely email from one of my parents - encouraging me to press on, I am making a difference, the girls need me, my family needs me too and that is where much of the difficulty lies, and that this too shall pass. An email that prompted me to remember that my attitude can not affected and so easily swayed by young girls that just aren't old enough to know better at times! An email that reminded me that it is in these times even more so that the Gospel can still be advanced if I choose the right attitude and courage to walk in it!

I don't know what you are going thru! I don't know if you are in a high or low, but whatever the case - it is coming - high and low! In it - high and low - what attitude will you chose? One to advance the Gospel or one to turn people away from the Gospel and our Lord Jesus! I have not done so good in the past - many, many times!! But I am so thankful for the ones, people, God places in my life to spur me on (Hebrews 10:24) to chose the high road - whether they knew God was using them at that instance or not!! He is so good like that!

Father I love you!! Thank you for loving me past all the crud I drag you in! U R Amazing!