Do You Get Tired of Going Deeper

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."  Phillipian 1:6

Father, we thank You for the promise to complete the good work that You have begun in each of us individually and that You are completing the good work You began through Deeper Still.  We ask for Your will to be done. Lord, empty us of ourselves.  In Jesus' name, Amen. 

The Christmas tree lights glimmered with the hope of the season.  Kid's smiles and chuckles of joy drenched the atmosphere like dew-covered trees in the dawn of day. Yet, even as I sat surrounded by celebration, my heart weighed heavy with what was missing rather than being immersed in the joy of the present.

My husband handed me a gift.  A touch of hope grabbed me as I imagined its contents.  Perhaps a necklace, a diamond bracelet, or a new sparkling watch? Eagerly, I tore open the package.  As the paper fell in torn confetti to the floor, my prize was revealed...books.  Two Bible study books.

My husband explained, "I thought we could do the books together, to work on ourselves."  Bless his heart. His motive was pure and it was a very thoughtful and sweet gift.  He knew how much I loved Bible studies and I was ALWAYS working on myself, so seemingly, this would have been the perfect gift...except.  Except, that Christmas morning, something inside of me snapped, and I said, "I'm so tired of working on myself!  Will I ever be done?!"  (My sweet and loving husband ended up taking the books back.)

That Christmas morning was about 7 years ago.

About one week ago,  I enthusiastically explained to a friend how the Lord had revealed some things to me and was continuing to take me deeper in healing. She asked me with thought and care,  "Do you ever get tired of going deeper? Don't you ever just want to be done?"

At that moment, I thought how there was a time not too many Christmas' ago when I was tired and did just want to be DONE.  However, as I responded, I joyfully was able to answer, "No, I actually love to go deeper now, and I have realized that there is always deeper and I won't ever be done until Jesus comes back or until I reach heaven. "  And, I meant every word.  I really do love going deeper with the Lord.

The difference?  I believe the difference is found in Phil 1:6.  "He who has began a good work in you will complete it."

Before, I was trying in my own efforts to fix myself. I use to work like it was up to me, and it was exhausting.  Now, I just let God be God and He is the One doing the work.  Yes, I have to cooperate, but I know it isn't all up to me.  And that my friends, is freeing and beautiful.

When Jesus is doing the work, it isn't toilsome, its treasure-some.  Going deeper is better than diamonds or any earthly present.  It is truly a priceless gift from our Husband, Jesus, with each layer unwrapped revealing more and more of His love.   It is not a thing to be avoided, but a gift of His never-ending love.

Keep on Running

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Father, we pray for the Deeper Still team to not become weary in well doing.  Father, we pray for you to encourage and strengthen the Deeper Still team and chapter leaders. Equip them, and help them in all they need to run the race set before them with all eyes on You.  Lord, thank you that your Word says we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.  

We all have a race to run.  Our roads all look different, but the finish line is the same--Jesus!  All along the road, there are many opportunities to grow tired and give up the race in front of us.  Friends, no matter your race, God wants you to finish.  Today's post is written by a dear friend of mine and a member of the Deeper Still Team, Paula Jacobson-Mol. Thank you for sharing your heart and inspiring words with us today!

The race we are in is an ongoing process, one which takes perseverance and strength--strength from the Lord.  Without Him, we can do nothing.

I am a runner.  I believe God has me running, not necessarily for the health of it, but for parallels to help me understand my walk with Him. Hy headband reads, "Jesus is my running Coach"...and He truly is!  So, I ran a race last Saturday and in the last mile and half or so there was a big hill...not a good time to encounter a big hill! I was already tired and worn down (Not that a hill is EVER anything enjoyable!).  I heard God say as sweat dripped from my brow and my breaths became deep and labored:

"Paula, keep your eyes on the top of the hill, Jesus is up there, just run to Him, DO NOT look down at the pavement and what the others are doing or not doing.  Just keep on running, one foot in front of the other and keep your eyes on Jesus! You WILL get there!"

Just like in your spiritual walk, you are going to have some obstacles and some tough spots to word around, people to work around, and the enemy will try to throw obstacles in your path.  But, just keep your eyes on the Prize.  Just keep fighting the good fight of faith...keep running your race!

Paula, I loved this devotional. Thank you so much for sharing today!

Preventive Measures

"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborer into His harvest.'" Matthew 9:36-38

Lord, we ask for the expansion of Deeper Still. Father, will you send forth the laborers into the field for Your harvest.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I saw across the table from a friend explaining the ministry of Deeper Still.  She had never heard my story and tears welled up in her eyes as she listened intently realizing I had an abortion at age 19.

She immediately loved the ministry of Deeper Still and healing the abortion-wounded.  Being pro-life, she asked in an affirming and inquiring way, "Does this ministry do anything preventative about abortion?"

Pausing for just a moment, I directed her to one of our ministry partners, a local pro-life crisis pregnancy center, but then the Holy Spirit interrupted and I began to explain how this ministry is preventative.

"Society spews the lies that abortion is no big deal, it is just a procedure, it is just a blob of tissue, it is my body and I can do whatever I want with no consequences.  When these post- abortive men and women are truly free, they become an army of voices rising up for truth. And that is how Deeper Still is a preventative ministry."

We need women and men free to be a voice of truth, so they can then, in turn, go into the fields and become co-laborers for the harvest in the Kingdom of God.  We need this ministry in all states throughout the US and into the world for truth to arise and darkness to be dispelled.  Thank you praying and continuing to pray for the message of truth to spread throughout the globe.