In valiant efforts to not live distracted — to focus in and gain some traction in 2016 — I picked up a book that feels like home to me. I’ve mentioned it here before, but the little book “The Calvary Road” by Roy Hession always rocks my world. Always. I only have to read a paragraph before the embers in me are fanned into a flame. Really. It’s that good. And not to tell you what to do, but you should definitely own a copy.

Hession starts the book by diving into brokenness — a light-hearted intro. Not really. Then he talks about revival and being “filled to overflowing.” (Seriously. He uses those exact words. And I discovered him after naming my blog. So we’re pretty much bffs…if he were alive…and if he knew me.) Anyway, he refers to Colossians 3:15. So the other morning I went there and read the verses around that text and it confirmed something that God had already been stirring in me.

“Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth…
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
Colossians 3:2, 16

Set. Your. Mind.

My mind gets clogged up so quickly with things of this world. If I don’t purposefully set my mind on things above, I’m definitely going to default back to thinking on things of the earth. And usually my default includes self-gain, self-protection, and self-defense. Lots of self going on.

I’ve tasted the sweetness of dying to self. It’s a beautiful, freeing way to live. So I don’t want to waste time in default mode — though I fall back into every single day. Our good God tells us to set our minds on things above. We have to decide to set our minds. We get to choose what we think about. And I want — nay, “need” (I’ve always wanted to say “nay” but rarely get the chance) — to set my mind on Him.

So, I’m going to try something. “Try” is the key word. And I don’t tell you this to impress you, because chances are high that I will fail. I tell you because I need accountability. If I tell you then I’m more likely to keep “trying” even when I don’t feel like it anymore.

I’m going to TRY to memorize Psalm 119 this year. If God can speak worlds into existence then He can empower me (and you, hint-hint) to remember 176 verses– the girl who can’t quite remember how much each of her kids weighed when they were born #truestory.

“Why such a seeming-impossible goal?” you ask. Well, the other day I listened to JD Greear’s sermon entitled “A Year in the Bible” and that fiery, crazy-eyed thing happened to me. I texted my sister to see if she would possibly want to memorize Psalm 119 with me. She thought that was funny.

 
FYI, my sister and I always (I repeat “always”) quote Christmas Vacation when we’re together. And we always think it’s funny. Bless our hearts.

Anyway, after I clarified my seriousness, she agreed to the crazy idea and we both decided we would “try” — by the absolute grace of God — to memorize Psalm 119 this year. Why? Because His Word is alive.

I’ve told you this story before, but when I went to seminary after years of prodigal living, I craved to know His Word. Craved it. I couldn’t get enough. After bringing me back to Himself, He gave me an appetite for His Word that I couldn’t control, contain, or conjure up. I remember walking into that seminary dorm room, throwing (in a loving way) my Bible down on the bed, and declaring to my roommate, “This thing is alive and it’s freaking me out!”

Back to the “why.” I go in waves of being diligent to memorize Scripture. A few years back Katie and I memorized Philippians together — and that rocked my world. Then I went a while without being real diligent in memorizing Scripture. Then I said I was going to memorize the Sermon on the Mount. I fizzled out about two-thirds the way through. Which made me feel like a total loser. But it is what it is.

Since then I haven’t committed any large chunks of Scripture to memory. But the other day while listening to that sermon, I sensed it was time. And then reading that Colossians text, that did me in. Because we live out of what we meditate upon. When life presses against us, whatever takes up residence in our souls drives our reaction. And more than anything I want His truth dwelling in me.

That said, I’m not going to do a bunch of publicity or blog images or Facebook groups. But I did want to ask you if you want to join me and my sister in trying to memorize Psalm 119. Not to get some Scripture memory Medal of Honor — which doesn’t exist — but because His Word is life. And we need it abiding in us in order to truly live.

By meditating on and memorizing 4 verses a week, we’ll finish it up in a year. So in true Jerry McGuire fashion, “Who’s coming with me? Who’s coming with me?”

Here’s to Tuesday, friends. If you’re braving it with us, spend time this week writing out, reading, and repeating Psalm 119:1-4. We remember what we repeat. Simple enough, right?

Week of January 18, 2016
Psalm 119:1-4
Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.

Oh and if you have excuses as to why you can’t do this, well, I’ve probably had the same excuse come out of my mouth. So I can address those one-by-one in the comments, you blessed thing you.
 

Fill me, Lord…
Let’s name this crazy-eyed challenge. Any thoughts?
How has memorizing Scripture blessed you in the past?
 

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Until my faithful God woke me up.

At the time I couldn’t see the irony, but, almost fresh out of college, I took a job at a group home called the “Yahweh Center.” Yahweh. The “I AM.” I had no idea that I would meet up with my Maker.

I arrived for my shift one morning before the sun rose. When I got out of my car a man was walking towards me. With a gun. He held it to my face. I told him to take my car but, with shifty eyes, he grabbed my bag and ran away. In slow-motion, I walked into the group home, quit my job, and, in a matter of weeks, moved back home to mend some bridges I had burned over the years. I moved back home to be reconciled to my God.

I remember God’s beckoning being so tender. So sweet. He awakened me from a slumber. He lit a fire in my soul for His Son. He touched me with His love and grace. And He did it by His Spirit through His Word. Dramatically. His Word became alive to me. I couldn’t get enough.

He gave me a thirst for Him. He showed me the relevance of His Word. He revealed the power of His Word to pierce the deepest places of my soul. He changed me by His Word. He opened my eyes to the beauty of Jesus often through the truth of His Word.

Life still had consequences. I still had to wade through the mess I had made over the years. But from glory to glory, He transformed and continues to transform me. Even now, sixteen years later, He still speaks and woos and pierces me through His Word.

“Every word of God proves true;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”
Proverbs 30:5

I wasn’t a writer until after I came back to Him. Growing up I could barely put a paragraph together. But as I began walking in His Spirit, He revealed that He would speak through me with words. Words that proclaim and expound His Word. So by His absolute grace, I write.

Why am I telling you all of this? Well, two reasons.

One, God has gifted you. Consider this your reminder. I don’t know in what ways, but I know how — through His Spirit. And I know why — to proclaim His glory. Walk boldly and confidently in the gifts He has given you.

Two, my newest study, Fruitful Affliction, releases tomorrow and I would love for you to walk through the story of Joseph with me. Because God’s Word is alive. His Word is His Truth. His Word can unveil our deepest wounds, greatest fears, and tightest chains — leading us into healing and freedom.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1, 14

If you want to learn more about the study, click here or watch my promo video by clicking here. And if you want to get it a day early (#exclusive #redcarpet), it’s PRE-RELEASING TODAY on HelloMornings.org. Click here to find out more about the awesomeness of HelloMornings and why I love everything about the ministry.

Yes, I was the prodigal. But by God’s absolute grace, I have tasted and seen that He is so so good.

Fill me, Lord…

How has God shown you the power of His Word?
 

The post truth that can breathe life into any situation {my prodigal story} appeared first on Lara Howard.

A dear friend and I met the other night for some much-needed girl time. Because it feels like we blink and 18 days have passed since we’ve sat face-to-face sipping on coffee. What the heck.

But we sat and talked and talked some more and caught up on kids and husbands and the state of our souls. Then we lingered in the parking lot laughing and philosophizing. Sorta philosophizing.

And somehow we got onto the topic of insecurities, specifically the insecurities that women battle regarding outer appearances. Lord God, set Your children free.

I despise insecurity. Because it’s such a liar. It tries to convince us that we don’t quite measure up. And then it gives us an alphabetical list of reasons why we don’t measure up and a color coded list of what we need to change. And in less than four breaths, we’re tangled up in self-loathing or self-criticizing until we can hardly take another step forward.

It’s understandable that so many women in our culture would wrestle against insecurity over outer appearances considering the bombardment of images from every direction. I know I’ve feasted on my fair share of insecurity over the years. But if we as a gender are going to experience the freedom in Christ, then there has to be a purposeful “putting to death” of that comparison plague in our minds. Because it is a plague. And if we’re not purposeful, it will eat us alive.

It all comes back to the whole “taking our thoughts captive to truth” thing. Because what we meditate upon affects our emotions, our responses, our perspective, and our daily victory.

So here’s a plan of action.

1. We ask God to reveal our thoughts. So often we think things that we don’t even know we’re thinking. Yet they affect us deeply. But God alone sees every fold of our heart and every thought we think. So we have to ask Him to open our eyes and grant us insight.

 

2. Replace lies with truth. Once we become aware of comparison in our spirit, we have to combat it with truth. Because if we don’t, it will multiply into more comparison. And more insecurity will try to make itself at home in our minds. So we speak true things — things that God says about us — out-loud. Yes, out-loud. You know I’m big on this.

 

3. Enlist accountability. Sometimes the thoughts come so quickly that we don’t have time to enlist accountability, but in general we need one another. We weren’t meant to run this faith race alone. So when we’re struggling against a thought pattern, it’s helpful to turn to a trusted friend for prayer and words of encouragement.

The truth is that you and I have been crafted and gifted by the God of the universe. We can walk tall, not because we think highly of ourselves, but because we think highly of what God has done in us and what He graciously promises to do through us.

We can walk tall because He is God and we are His.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:15

Can you imagine Jesus ever struggling with insecurity? Peter, how’s my hair today? It’s a ridiculous thought because He was so completely secure in His relationship with the Father. He didn’t need any approval from man. He didn’t need to measure up to some external standard of “beauty”. He was one with the Father, and that was (and forever will be) enough.

True, you and I aren’t Jesus. But if we walk by faith in Him, God says some amazing things about our identity. He affirms our beauty and acceptance in Christ. He declares our royalty as daughters of the King. He — the perfect, holy One — smiles over us because of Jesus in us.

Insecurity lies. It steals. It drags us down into pits that aren’t intended for God’s children. But in Christ there’s freedom — freedom to walk tall in the identity Christ died to give us. Anything less isn’t truly living.
 

Fill me, Lord…

What truths do you use to combat the lies of insecurity?
 

The post an action plan against insecurity appeared first on Lara Howard.

Before I left for the trip, I wrestled against a somewhat discouraged spirit. Life had started to wear on me and I could sense my neediness for Him. So last Thursday, I left the dailiness behind and hopped on a plane to Texas. That last sentence sounds like a good country song phrase. Just add twang.

(And for the record, I totally fake the hip, cool, traveler thing. Granted I was wearing cute clothes and didn’t have kids clinging to my legs, but I almost fell on the tram to another concourse because I wasn’t holding on. Then I dropped salty almonds down/into the front of my shirt while on the plane. I played it off like nothing happened but those are tight quarters and I’m sure the guy beside me was like, “Whoa lady. Slow down with the almonds. Save room for the 6 mini pretzels.”)

Anyway, what was my point? Oh yes. The conference. Renewal. God speaking. While I traveled it was as if deep down I knew that I was heading to a place of oasis, even if almonds were lost down my shirt. I was heading into courage-imparting waters.

While there, it wasn’t one single thing that happened. It was two big handfuls of words and promises that God spoke. And not just spoke externally, but pressed down internally, into my spirit. Does that make any kind of sense?

He spoke through friends. Through times of prayer with friends. Through the other speakers. Through strangers. Through worship. Over and over He whispered. My spirit was hungry and my Daddy-God met me there with a feast.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Matthew 5:6

So now I’m back in the dailiness of life. And I feel the need to remember — to intentionally thank Him for each and every hope-imparting word — because life gets loud and busy. Schedules pull on us and toilets have to (or maybe just “need to”) be scrubbed. But there’s this Daddy-God. He sees and knows us perfectly. He loves us lavishly. And He speaks to and guides His children.

Maybe you’re at that place where you need a word from Him. You crave to hear His voice and long for His promised peace. My advice? Expect Him to show up. Surround yourself with people who love Jesus. Be authentic about your struggles and go to His throne in prayer with trusted friends. Listen to Bible teachers. Worship Him with singing. And then just hold out your hands. Our Daddy-God satisfies those who hunger for Him.

 
Fill me, Lord…

What words of encouragement has God given you lately?
 

I am linking up at the Declare conference blog where others are sharing their conference stories. Click here to head over there.

The post for when we need God to be our daddy appeared first on Lara Howard.

Peter asks Jesus about John. He wants to know God’s plans for John’s life, or more specifically God’s plans for John’s death. And do you know what Jesus says? “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” (John 21:22)

It’s like Jesus is saying, “None-ya, Peter.” As in none-ya business. “You’re looking at the wrong thing. Don’t worry so much about what other people are doing or not doing, or my call on their life. Keep your eyes on me. You love and forgive and pour out grace and minister hope and teach other followers and commune with Me.”

You follow Me.

It’s so easy to get life all twisted. It’s so easy to focus on what other people are doing or not doing, rather than simply saying, “Lord I’m Yours. Regardless of the plans you have for those beside me, regardless of what they do today, use me to reflect You. Empower me to love like You love and minister to those You place in my path.”

He doesn’t tell us to focus on Him because He wants to hurt or deprive us. He says it because He knows something we too quickly forget:

His plans for you (and me) are good.

“Good” as in He’s faithfully transforming us to look more like Him. “Good” as in He’s allowing things into our lives to prove again and again that His grace truly is sufficient. “Good” as in He sees from all eternity how He’s going to work this thing out, and ultimately it’s for our soul-good and His deserved glory.

We forget. Our eyes linger down here on people and plans, when ultimately Jesus whispers, “Regardless of the plans I have for others, you, you, follow Me.”

 
Fill me, Lord…

When you set your eyes on God rather than on the people around you, how does that change your spirit?
 

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I couldn’t believe what happened to me at Walmart yesterday! Watch the video below for the story.

If you’re reading via email, click here to watch the video.

OK, I know the example was a little superficial. And no, I honestly didn’t see the person who did it (I was really engrossed in price comparison and decision making). And yes, I really was only about 10, maybe 15, steps down the aisle away from my cart. The nerve. And thankfully my purse was on my shoulder. Note to self: don’t leave valuables unattended.

But regardless, bitterness from unforgiveness steals life from us. That’s one reason God instructs us to forgive. He loves us and wants us free. Plus, when we truly recognize how much grace we’re under, forgiveness is the only logical choice.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13

This day can be a step in the direction of true healing — even from the most devastating of wounds. Let’s dare to take our thoughts captive to forgiveness, releasing judgment to God.

The To Walk or Stay book club is discussing chapter 7 of my book today over at (the gracious and admired!) Francie Winslow’s blog “Up, In, and Out.” Click here to come over and read or join in on the discussion.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How have you seen bitterness and unforgiveness steal from you?
How have you seen forgiveness bring soul freedom?
 

The post “To Walk or Stay” Book Club :: Chapter 7 {forgiveness} appeared first on Lara Howard.

At the root of every addiction, every sin, every emotional stronghold, is a lie. Maybe a few lies. To experience true soul freedom, we have to dig up the root and expose it to God’s Light. Otherwise it will keep on whispering, luring us back into flesh pits.

I’ve believed lots of lies in my life. Believed lies. Coddled lies. Even protected lies. Because the lies feel good for a while. They convince us they know best. They may feed our ego or momentarily cause the inner ache to subside. But chasing after what the lie promises can never bring lasting satisfaction. In the end it only leaves us hungry for more.

Because it’s what the enemy wants — us stuffing ourselves full of things that were never meant to subside the yearning. Us worshipping anything or anyone other than our Maker. The enemy doesn’t care what it is that gets our heart’s devotion, just as long as it isn’t the true Lover of our soul. He’s mean like that.

Satan: There is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44
 
Jesus: He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
1 Peter 2:22

It has me asking God for revelation, because He sees every motive behind every thought behind every action before I take the next step. He knows me perfectly, even when I don’t know myself. And He can reveal the lies that tempt me most.

So grab your shovel. Let’s ask Him to reveal the things that vie for lordship over our hearts. And then let’s dig down to the root and expose any lies to His life-giving truth. It’s then that true freedom can rise.

Examples of lies that have tempted me:
 

Lie: If we had more money, then we’d be secure.
Replace With –>
Truth: God is my secure place. He calls me to seek Him first, not things of this world. (Matthew 6:25-33)
 

Lie: If enough people praise me, then I’m valuable.
Replace With –>
Truth: My Maker cannot stop thinking about me. He embroidered me. I have immeasurable value. (Psalm 139)
 

Lie: Just one more (time, taste, glance) won’t hurt.
Replace With –>
Truth: The road to destruction begins with the small, daily compromises. I’m not my own. I’m His. Bought with a price.
(1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Fill me, Lord…

What lies have tempted you recently?
What truths can you use to battle against the lies?

The post only for those who want true soul freedom appeared first on Lara Howard.

Don’t get me wrong. We made some sweet memories and enjoyed family get-togethers. But I felt divided. Because there was just so much. So much to look at and plan and organize and eat. So much to buy and put away and clean. Oh and the cookies! There were so many cookies!

All that to say, I’m excited about fixing my eyes onto Him at the start of this new year.

Last year at this time I set out on a quest (sounds so Narnia-ish) to memorize the Sermon on the Mount — all 107 verses. Forty or so people joined in the journey and…we didn’t finish. *sigh*

As we approached Matthew 7, excitement had died down and many were discouraged at their progress. So we took December “off” to regroup. Because discouragement or burden is not the point of memorizing Scripture.

During our break from structure, one word kept resting in my spirit: Grace. Grace.

We can’t rise early enough or memorize enough Bible verses to hear Him say, “Oh good, now you’ve reached the point of righteousness to save yourself.”

He calls us righteous based upon one criteria and one criteria alone. Faith. When we believe God it is accounted to us as righteousness. (Galatians 3:6) Doing a bunch of supposed holy things or quoting a ton of verses does not make us righteous.

Remembering the “why” behind any spiritual discipline like Scripture memory is key to endurance. And the why to this Sermon on the Mount journey? We as humans are needy for wisdom and truth that comes from outside of our finite understanding.

I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
Psalm 119:15

So I’m back at it — meditating on Jesus’ life-giving, love-evoking words from the Sermon on the Mount. And whether you join us in this specific journey or not, I encourage you to start the year by choosing a passage to memorize — to marinate in. Because His word is life to our thirsty soul.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How do you personally “fix your eyes” on Him?
What verse or passage could you commit to meditate upon at the start of this new year?
 

For those jumping back into the Sermon on the Mount with me, I’m taking the rest of this week to review Matthew 5:1-11. Who’s coming with me?

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A few minutes later I caught a glimpse of him wiping away his tears. There sat a grown, non-wimpy, fairly hip man using the sleeve of his fleece jacket to wipe away the intimacy His Father had just spoken from the Pages. And seeing him affected me.

I don’t know what God told him or what ground he may be personally treading, but something about his interaction with the God of the universe over the Scriptures pierced his heart. And it made that God-joy stir up prayers in my spirit for him.

It reminded me of something I’ve been studying. I’ve been hanging in the book of Ezekiel recently. Why, Lara, why?! True. It’s a slightly strange book but something in those first couple of chapters keeps haunting me — in a good way.

Ezekiel sees the glory of God (literally) and it makes his knees buckle. He falls to the ground on his face and the Spirit of God lifts him onto his feet. Then God tells him how it’s going to be.

“I’m sending you to my rebellious people and you will say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord.'” (my paraphrase) Then God tells him to open his mouth and eat what He gives. And what does He give? A scroll. I told you it was odd. God told Ezekiel to eat His words so that he could speak forth His words.

Ezekiel’s response? He ate it and it was as sweet as honey.

And he (God) said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it. ” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.
Ezekiel 3:3

It doesn’t make sense from a worldly perspective. But God’s Word is sweet food to our souls. He gave it as a gift to meet us in the midst of our questions and fears, to guide and convict, to love and transform.

When He speaks to His children through what seems to be an ancient text, it changes things. It changes our vision. It brings tears to our eyes even in the midst of a crowded café.

 
Fill me, Lord…

Tell of a time when God met with you intimately through His Word.

If you haven’t had that kind of interaction with His Word, you can. Spend some time praying that God would make His Word alive to you. Then maybe seek out someone who walks close with the Lord and ask for some guidance.
 

The post His word is *this* good appeared first on Lara Howard.

The cloudy noise of life has distracted me recently. It isn’t bad noise in-and-of-itself. It’s just that I’ve let it pull me away from the still, small voice of my Daddy. And He’s convicted me, as only a faithful Father can do, leading me back to that place where I refuse to compromise intimacy with a cloudy counterfeit.

Examples of noise that can distract me:

Fears that tempt me to question the character of God
Technology and the demands that come with it
Saying “yes” apart from His leading
Self-focused comparison, inevitably rooted in pride
Tyranny of the urgent

God’s always moving and speaking, the real question is whether or not we’re listening. The real dilemma is whether or not we’re fully tuned to Him. Not halfway. Halfway won’t work. Halfway won’t usher in His abundance.

He wants all of our heart, not what’s leftover after we’ve given ourselves away to everyone and everything else. And He wants it because He knows that only when we give our whole heart to Him do we find true life. And He patiently, graciously waits. He patiently, graciously woos.

Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments. ”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Joel 2:12-13

The cure is simple (in theory). We just come to Him, humbly and repentant. We set everything else down and get really real with our Maker. We ask Him to fill us full of Himself and we dig into His sweet Word expecting Him to show up.

Our hearts will probably put up a fight because the cloudy noise tells us a different story. But soul abundance flows when He breaks through the clouds of this world’s distractions.

Fill me, Lord…

How have you struggled with distraction lately?
How do you stay focused in such a noisy world?

Memorizing the Sermon on the Mount:
Remember, we don’t memorize Scripture to check something off of our this-could-make-me-righteous list. It won’t make us righteous. Faith in Jesus makes us righteous. Memorization enables our hearts to meditate upon truth. So wherever you’re at in the journey, keep hiding His Word in your heart, sweet friend.

{Week 36}

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
Matthew 7:9-10

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