Month: July 2011

Untapped Reservoir

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A reservoir is a storehouse or an artificial lake. They are created by a dam made out of concrete, earth, and/or rock, and once created, the stream fills the reservoir.  They serve as a direct water supply to water treatment plants and they also control how water flows down waterways (Wikepedia, 2011).


Diamond Valley Lake Reservoir

The breathtaking reservoir is just waiting to be used.  I think at points in our life, we are idle and just waiting to be used.  We are these mighty storehouses of the God’s truth, power, word, kindness, love, grace, and mercy but we keep it to ourselves.

Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.  – Mark 4:21

We are like the light put under the basket instead of shining and revealing the truth, instead of reaching out to those that are lost, and blessing others by buying a meal or offering words of encouragement. We sit back and wait for someone else to do the work. We pass on an opportunity instead of seizing the moment.

“He said to them, Therefore every teacher and interpreter of the Sacred Writings who has been instructed about and trained for the kingdom of heaven and has become a disciple is like a householder who brings forth out of his storehouse treasure that is new and old. Matthew 13:52 (AMP)
What kind of treasure is flowing from you or are you an untapped reservoir?

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Obstructed Belief

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In borrowing the words (with a twist) from my Pastor, we, preachers and teachers of the word, have a responsibility to know what we are teaching.  Those thoughts pose the question, “How can I be an effective Bible teacher or writer of this blog if don’t 100% know or believe the word?”

The component of faith is believing the unseen.  I am a visual and tactile learner, therefore I have to see it and touch it to believe it.  Since faith is the substance of the things we hope for; the evidence of the things not seen, my learning style is contradicted. I am immediately challenged by definition alone.
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT)
The greatest struggle I have had in my walk has been believing – believing His word and believing in what He says He will do.  I wrestle with this because the proof that I need to wrap my hands around is missing.  But more importantly, my belief is obstructed by those that have abused my trust or belief in them.
Thomas, known as “Doubting Thomas” was one of the disciples who doubted that Jesus had truly come back from the dead and needed Jesus to show the nail marks in his hands and side. 

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” – John 20: 27-29

I don’t want to be known as “Doubting Nichole”.  I want to be known as “Believing Nichole”.  Just as a child knows a burner is hot after touching with their hands, I want to know and believe in God.  I want to feel it in my heart.

God allows circumstances to develop around your life to give your faith opportunity to be proven. It is only when we are tested in battle that we become skilled warriors. You can be confident God will allow trials to come your way through situations like an unreasonable boss, a client who refuses to pay, a false assault on your character, or a difficult relationship that requires unconditional love. These battles are sent your way to test what you know in the mind in order that they might become part of your heart. – Os Hillman




“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13: 11-12 (NLT)

Show and Tell

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I remember it all to clear; that day in kindergarten – sitting in a circle, palms sweaty, heart beating rapidly, as I anticipated my turn – my turn to “show and tell”. 

What would I show and what would I tell?  Those questions still plague me today especially in my writing.  Do I share specific details or do I hold back?  How will I be perceived? Will they relate or even understand? What is about me that I want my audience to know?

Words are powerful.  We convey our thoughts with our words.  They inform, motivate, inspire, encourage, and compel.  Those words are given leverage when combined with our actions. 

                                                Your beliefs become your thoughts,
                                                Your thoughts become your words,
                                                Your words become your actions,
                                                Your actions become your habits,
                                                Your habits become your values,
                                                Your values become your destiny.
— Mahatma Gandhi

What would happen if we added a bit more “show” to our tell”?  How effective would we be as Christians if we showed love, not just spoken the words, demonstrated acts of kindness by lending a hand, and extended grace and mercy by excusing the offense? 

“For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.” John 5:20 (NLT)