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January 1 2020

Why We Need To Trust The Process

Happy New Year and welcome to 2020! I thought we would start the New Year with a chat around the kitchen table! Grab your favourite cup of something warm and grab a seat – there is room for everyone. The topic for today is Why We Need to Trust the Process.

We Have Moved

So a lot has happened in our household in the last few months. Starting it all off, we made the decision to move from Nova Scotia to Moncton, New Brunswick. In the last 11 weeks we have prepared our home for sale (decluttered, cleaned, repaired), sold our home, purchased a new home in Moncton, packed, moved, put together our Ikea furniture, and celebrated Christmas and the New Year. It has been a bit of a whirlwind! At this point in time, we are about 95% unpacked and settled in. Not too bad, if you ask me. We are loving our new home.

Putting Things Together

When we moved, we needed some new furniture for our new home. Before we left Nova Scotia we made a trip (or two) to Ikea and picked out the items we needed. We left everything in their boxes for ease of moving. Once we arrived in Moncton, we began the process of assembly. On Christmas Day, we took on the challenge of assembling the new sofa. Next came the glass cabinet, and in between Christmas we tackled the new trundle bed. All in all about 9 and ½ hours of assembly.

Furniture Assembly

It is hard to visualize the final product when you are starting with a pile of wood, screws and a few Allen keys. I tend to have to really focus to think my way through spatial things on a good day. With a pile of pieces and a few pages of instructions, that need to focus intensified.

The Purpose of Instructions

The purpose of instructions is to walk you through the process, one step at a time, so you will not get confused or overwhelmed by all the bits and pieces and steps that need to be completed. If you read through all the instructions before beginning you will have a general idea of what is going to happen and what the end product should look like. But the “why” of each step doesn’t become clear until the end of the assembly.

2019

For many of us, 2019 was like a pile of wood, screws and a few Allen keys. For those of us who sought the Lord at the end of last year, we had some “instructions” to begin moving by. In reading through the “instructions” He shared with us, we were able to develop in our minds some sort of picture of what things may look like at the end of the assembly. However, in my experience, 2019 required a lot of focus to work through the step by step process, with frequent thoughts of, “why am I doing this now?”, is this the front or the back?” and “stop for a minute, this doesn’t look right.” It even required some, “oops, we did that wrong, take it out and let’s redo it” moments.

Are We Almost Done Yet?

I feel like coming into the end of 2019 we are partway through the assembly, but not yet to the stage where things make sense visually. We know that we have been working steadily through the step-by-step process, but we can’t yet see which side is up or down, front or back, and we seem to have too many or too few screws and wood pieces left in the pile.

But It is A New Year!

We are not always accurately able to determine the time that it takes to assemble a piece of furniture. Our new sofa only took 2 hours to assemble. The Trundle bed, on the other hand, which we assumed would be much easier, took almost 7 hours to piece together. 2019 may be behind us, but we are not yet finished assembling what the Lord gave to us at the end of 2018.

So How Do We Proceed?

What we need to be clear about as we enter 2020:

We need to trust the process!

It is not the time to question the assembly instructions

It is not the time to slow down, take things apart or set it aside due to weariness

It is not the time to bring out our drill and start making our own plans to speed up the process

We need to look at the instructions with new confidence in their ability to lead us to the finished assembly

We need to commit to the remaining assembly with an expectancy of the finished product that He has promised

When It Doesn't Look Like You Thought It Would

Jeremiah, the prophet, gave this Word to the Children of Israel:

This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

The Lord gave them “instructions” – the end result of which was that He would bring them home again, that He had good plans for them. But I can guarantee you, that when they were halfway through the assembly of these instructions they were saying, “But Lord, this doesn’t look right!” There was a process that they would need to walk through (captivity) before the assembly of the final product would be completed.

Partway through things don’t always look like we imagined the final product to be. That is why we need to trust the process. The instructions will, in time, bring us through to that final assembled item.

What I Know

Here’s to the lessons we learned in 2019!

Here’s to 2020 – the Year of Completion

The word for 2020 is Expectancy.

It doesn’t matter how many partially finished projects we have on the go – it is time to set our foreheads like flint to the things the Lord has called us to – commit to the process and move forward confidently and with expectancy, as we trust the process to bring us to fruition.

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11).

The Word that the Lord gave to us will accomplish that which it set forth to accomplish. We just need to continue to follow the “instructions” and trust the process as we enter 2020.

Until Next Time

Well, my dear friends, it is that time again. My cup is empty which tells me our chat is over for the time being. In 2020 I would love for us to earnestly seek to have real conversations at this table. That means more than me talking! There is a comment section at the end of each blog. I would love it if you would take the time to make a comment, share your thoughts about what you are reading, ask questions, and tell me what other things you would like to chat about at this table. I do moderate what is posted on the blog, so I promise to keep it encouraging and uplifting and edifying, real but with no undue negativity at this table.

Your Turn To Comment

Let’s start today! If you have read this blog, why don’t you tell me what your word for 2020 is. It is as easy as typing it into the comment section. We can all manage one word to start the New Year!

NEW!

With the new year comes new ways of looking at and seeing things. Watch the website for some new features and a bit of a new look as the new-year progresses!

Be In Touch

I’m at the kitchen table every day; drop by anytime for a chat! You can find me on

Email laurie@lauriehopkins.ca

Professional Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GodsWritingDancer/

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.ca/LaurieHopkins10/

Comment section at the end of each blog

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

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December 23 2019

The Praises of Christmas – Advent Week IV – The Praise Of Faith That Believes Without Seeing

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

“And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Luke 2: 38

Waiting In Faith

In the passages above we read of Simeon and Anna. I have to admit that of all of those in the Christmas story, I am most fascinated with their stories and specifically with their praise. Both Simeon and Anna waited on the Lord. They knew the Messiah would come and so they waited, in faith, for the day the Lord would fulfill His promise.

The Holy Spirit led Simeon into the temple at the right time. God granted him spiritual vision to look at the baby Jesus with His parents and to see in Him the Saviour that the Father had promised. As Simeon held the Child, he praised the Lord. “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

Waiting Patiently

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I am waiting on the Lord, sometimes I become a bit impatient and then even doubtful as time moves on – so much so that when the promise is fulfilled, I sometimes miss it! But not Simeon. He waited patiently, was obedient to the Holy Spirit’s direction and then, when his eyes saw the Child, he immediately recognized the salvation of the Lord!

Praising As You Wait

What faithfulness in Simeon – to look at a Baby and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that THIS was the fulfillment of the promise. He didn’t wait to see Him grow, to watch his “career”, or insist on knowing HOW the promise would be fulfilled through a Babe – he just had faith in what he could not yet see and opened his lips wide to praise the Father. “My eyes have seen your salvation.”

His spiritual eyes could see the fulfillment in the seed and that was enough. What a precious picture – can you just see him with this Child in his arms, lifted up toward the Lord, with the praise of the faithful ringing through the temple?

When Your Praise of Faith Impacts Others

And along comes Anna at this exact moment. She sees Simeon and the Child and “in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord.” Her spiritual vision was also attuned and as she watched Simeon lift the Child high and praise the Lord, she too began to give thanks. She had not even TOUCHED the Child but believed in faith that this was the Saviour that had been promised. Her praise continues as she goes out and tells everyone who “looked for the redemption”, that the promise had come.

Trusting That The Seed Will Grow Into Fulfillment

Both Simeon and Anna saw a Baby in the temple; only the beginning, a seed of a promise. But neither wasted any time in lifting their voices and praising God; believing in the growth of that seed into the fulfillment of salvation. They did not ask how or even stick around to see it. They just believed in faith, that which they could not see in the physical, but that which God promised would surely come to pass. And then they praised Him. The praise of faith that believes without seeing; how sweet to the ears of the Father!

Possible and Impossible Dreams

This is the time of year we often talk about dreams; possible dreams and impossible dreams. I believe that there really are no impossible dreams “For with God nothing will be impossible” Luke 1:37

Perhaps those dreams that seem possible are ones we know we can accomplish in our own strength and those that seem impossible are those that we know we could never accomplish without the supernatural Hand of God on our lives. Do you think that seeing the Baby Jesus and believing salvation was at hand could have been an impossible dream for Simeon and Anna? Perhaps the impossible came in the form of seeing a Child and knowing that the dream was accomplished without ever understanding the how and when? But that didn’t stop Simeon and Anna.

Write the Vision

What dreams and promises has God placed in your heart? God places those desires in our hearts and then He fulfills then at the right time. “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 Why not pause right now and wait upon Him as we head into Christmas Day and then into the beginning of the New Year? Ask Him to reveal those desires and dreams to you, the ones that He has placed in your heart.

Be honest, write them out – take the time and God will redeem that time. And even as you write begin to praise the Lord for the fulfillment of those dreams and promised.

The Real Good News of Christmas

You are loved! How do we know? Because the Word of God tells us,

“That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

And how do we receive that everlasting life?

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10: 9

Perhaps you do not yet know Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your life. Do not delay,

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

“For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.” 2 Chronicles 6:2

TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!

The Saviour has been born!

Rejoice!

Lift up your voices in praise!

Merry Christmas!

Blow Holy Spirit Blow

And as we move into the New Year – for those of us who are the people of the Lord, let us pray that the Holy Spirit would blow into and through our lives, ensuring that 2020 be the year when the sweet sound of the praises of faith without sight, blow over all those around us as they rise to the throne room of the Lord!

Let us pray together

Oh Sweet Holy Spirit, blow through this nation even now! Rise up these dry bones once again into a mighty army for Your work. The time is short and the harvest is plenty. Train us up Lord; strengthen us and grant us boldness to do Your work! Grant each and every one of us a fresh revelation of the power of faith and praise on our lips. Teach us, Lord, that You must be a priority in our lives and that we must take time to wait on You – You always redeem the time but we must be obedient in order to see that fruit. We believe that as our praise of faith rises to You it will blow over and through those around us and draw them into Your kingdom. A mighty army of those that KNOW the power of faith and praise and the joy of dreams and promises, that are yet to be fulfilled. We thank You for the Blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ and pray these things in His name! Amen and Amen and Amen.

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

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December 16 2019

The Praises of Christmas – Advent Week III – Thanksgiving Praise

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

“Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2: 14

“Then the Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. ‘ Luke 2:19

Enthroned In The Praises of Israel

This advent season we have been talking about Praise! What a wonderful topic at any time but especially at this time of year as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and as we prepare to welcome 2020. The Word of God tells us that God is holy “Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3). Do you understand what that means? God is lifted up and is in the midst of our praises! Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines enthrone as “to assign supreme virtue or value to, EXALT”. How exciting is that thought! When we step out in faith and obedience and open our mouth to praise the Lord, we exalt Him and place him in a high and virtuous place and at that moment, He comes and inhabits our praises. He is there in the midst of us.

Praise of Thanksgiving

Throughout the Christmas story, we see various types of praise. We’ve already talked about Praise in Uncertain Circumstances and Revelation Praise. Now let’s look at the Praise of Thanksgiving. Mary and Zacharias and Elizabeth were all thankful to the Lord in their praise but in an indirect way. As the Christmas story culminates with the miraculous birth of the Saviour we begin to hear some pure Praise of Thanksgiving.

The Birth

“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 24-7).

The promised Child has been born, in a stable, surrounded by animals and attended only by his mother and Joseph. It seems like a lonely scene. But what was happening elsewhere while this Miracle arrived in the world?

In The Field

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manager.” (Luke 2:8-12).

God Is Always At Work

Once again a wonderful picture of how God is always at work even though we cannot see what he is doing. If Mary and Joseph had just looked at the stable and the animals and the manger and focused on their immediate circumstances, it would be likely that they may have felt alone and dejected. But I believe that as that Precious Baby was born, even then, they were filled with peace as they found themselves in the presence of their Saviour. And meanwhile, even though they were not aware, God was at work out in the fields, proclaiming the Good News of the birth of the Christ Child. We are never alone and we can never trust only in what we see around us. We must always know in our hearts, minds and spirits that the Father is always at work in ways we may not see or understand.

The Good News

Now, let’s look at what is going on in the countryside. There are shepherds, minding their own business, taking care of their sheep, when all of a sudden an angel appears and they are surrounded by the glory of the Lord. Not a regular evening in the fields by any stretch of the imagination! This angel assures them that there is no reason to fear because the news is good, and it is more than good, it is miraculous. The Christ Child has been born! The Promise of the Father has been fulfilled! And even better, it has happened nearby! How excited they must have been.

Heavenly Thanksgiving

The proclamation of the angel of the Lord resulted in Praises of Thanksgiving bursting forth from the heavens! “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2: 13-14).

Changed Lives

The Word of the Lord and the Glory of the Lord changes lives. When you hear the Word, really hear the Word in your spirit, and find yourself in the Presence of Almighty God, you will never be the same again. The shepherd’s lives were changed forever. The shepherds had to know, had to see this Baby. There was no hesitation in their decision. “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2: 15). The Proclamation and praises of thanksgiving that come forth from us will touch the lives of others and spur them on to action, just as the shepherds were moved to action after hearing the Good News and the praises of the heavenly host!

Thanksgiving Requires Action

“And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who hear it marvelled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” Luke 2:16-20

The shepherds went and found the Christ Child – and it was all as they had been told. Thanksgiving comes in many forms. The shepherds began their praise of thanksgiving by sharing the proclamation of the Lord with everyone they met. They were not only able to say, “we were told”, but also, “we saw”! When the Lord speaks into our lives and we experience the joy and peace that comes from seeing His promises fulfilled, we can begin to praise in thankfulness by sharing our experiences with those around us, that they may be drawn to the Father.

Sharing The Good News

But the shepherds didn’t stop there and their praise didn’t stay in the stable. The shepherds went back home. And as they went they went “glorifying and praising God”. They recognized the fulfillment of the Promises of the Lord in the birth of this Child. They shared their information with all those they met. And even as they returned home to their everyday duties and tasks, which would never be the same again, the praise of thanksgiving was continuously on their lips. Can you imagine the story that these shepherds had to share for the remainder of their days? Sitting around the fire at night watching their flock, “do you remember when”, “you should have been there”, “it was amazing”, “I’ve never been the same”. Can you imagine the joy they enjoyed in sharing this with their families, spouses, children and grandchildren, in years to come? Can you imagine how many times when life got hectic and chaotic that they were able to sit back and remember the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and how it felt to be in the presence of the Saviour? And even then, the praise of thanksgiving would once again rise within them and strengthen their spirits!

Where Do We Find Ourselves?

Do the praises of thanksgiving flow off our tongue and through our lips? Are the praises of thanksgiving evident in our actions, words and attitudes? Do those around us know of the faithfulness of God in our lives? Have we even acknowledged the faithfulness of God in our lives? This advent season I pray that God will grant us a supernatural realization of how blessed we are by Him every moment of every day. And from that realization, I pray, the praises of thanksgiving will rise within us like a mighty wave that is unable to be held back; that we will open our mouths and our lives and let the praise of thanksgiving flow so sweetly from our words and our lives that all those around us will want to know what it is that we have! Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Sharing the love and joy and peace of our Saviour with the world!

“Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23).

Let Us Pray Together

Father grant us sweet and supernatural revelation this advent season, that we, like those shepherds of long ago, will never be the same again; that the praise of thanksgiving will be continually on our lips and shown forth in our lives! We ask this in the most precious name of that Babe born on Christmas morning, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen and Amen and Amen

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

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