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Category: Spiritual Practices

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Jesus Desires Presence Over Production

peaceful lake on a afternoon in southeast Indiana

In this new season,  God is showing me he is more concerned about my relationship with Him and who I am becoming rather than what I do. I had been running the race of full-time vocational children’s ministry for over twenty years. For thirteen of those years, I was working full time while juggling motherhood.  

I wore the label of “doer” quite proudly. I have always been the high achiever type. As a 3 “The Achiever” on the Enneagram, I strive to DO everything with excellence. In every ministry I had the privilege to lead, I saw the need for improvements. I wanted to take the ministry to the next level. My gifts were putting structure in place, setting a vision for ministry, and helping families win at home. 

Recently, I was looking back through my journals. I’m not sure where I read this, but it is a beautiful reminder for all of us.  “Jesus desires presence over production.” Jesus doesn’t say perform for me. He whispers, “Draw near to me.” 

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

James 4:8 (NIV)

Honestly, I never considered the years of ministry work as performing. Yet, as I continue to spend time with Jesus and get closer to him, I have come to recognize that some of my identity was in what I did. As I spend time in silence and prayer,  I continue to hear Jesus whisper, Paula, I am with you. Your identity is not in what you do. Your identity is found in me. My dear child, you are my daughter. You are my beloved. Draw near to me. 

What about you? Is your identity found in what you do? Are you an achiever like me? I challenge you to take time this week to sit with God. Draw near to him, and he will draw near to you. 

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Presence over Production

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  

James 4:8

The year 2020 has been interesting for all. COVID-19 found its way into our daily lives this past March. Whether you have lost your job, had to pivot your business or found yourself having to homeschool your children, I think everyone would agree, it has been hard!

I started the new year in a new season of life. I left my full time position as a children’s pastor at the end of 2019.  While I loved what I did, I stepped out as an act of obedience. God kept pushing me to step out of the known into the unknown. I stepped away not knowing what was next. 

I had been running a ministry marathon for seventeen years. I devoted myself to full time ministry all the while I juggled being a wife, mom, volunteer at my kids school, and a myriad of other hats. I was good at wearing the label “doer” quite proudly. 

I took the opportunity to rest and exhale during the month of January. When February and March rolled around, I figured it was time to look for my next ministry opportunity. I had conversations with two churches while COVID-19 shut down the country! As I continued in the conversations, neither seemed like the right fit. I continued to wait. 

May and June were busy with wedding preparations. Our daughter married the love of her life in Florida in mid-June. We were so thankful for a two week window where things had lifted for us to travel. While we had to reduce the number of wedding guests, we were blessed to witness their beautiful day with out any problems. God is good! 

July and August were filled with looking for more church staff roles. I spoke with three different churches and did a site visit for one. In this process, God made it very clear that he did not want me to “settle.” He had something much more than I could fathom. 

So I continue to wait. I continue to rest. God is showing me that he is WAY more concerned about my relationship with him and who I am becoming more than what I do.

The story of Mary and Martha shows us that Jesus prefers presence over production.  

“They came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’

“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

As I reflect on the difference between Mary and Martha, Mary knew what was more important. Martha was too concerned with the preparations.  I admit. I have usually been a Martha. I strive for excellence in everything I do. As a leader, I  was always looking for ways to improve our systems. I wanted to take the ministry to the next level. I never thought of it as performing. Yet, as I come to understand my walk with The Lord, and grow closer to him, I hear his heart. He desires my slowing down. My listening. My seeking. My surrender. Jesus desires my presence over my production. 

“Jesus doesn’t say, ‘perform for me,’ he whispers, ‘draw near to me.’” 

—Lysa TerKeurst

What will you do… or not do today to draw near to him?

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Sabbath | Isaiah 58:13-14

This is from my Facebook Live from Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

I hope everyone is doing well!! We are so thankful here in our area that we have had  some much needed rain today! I know the farmers are praising Father God today!! 

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned I would share spiritual disciplines that can lead to spiritual transformation.  In her book, Sacred Rhythms. Ruth Haley Barton shares the importance of taking time to create your own sacred rhythms. 

Recently, I shared the importance of silence and solitude and how reading God’s word for transformation leads to a deeper relationship with Christ.  Today I want to speak with you about how God has shown me the importance of Sabbath. 

The passage I am reading from is found in Isaiah 58.

“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.  I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Isaiah 58:13-14 NLT

Sabbath or Shabbat in Hebrew, is a day of rest on the seventh day of the week.  Sabbath keeping is a way of ordering one’s life around the pattern of working six days and resting on the seventh. 

One thing that I have come to understand during this season is the importance of Sabbath. While in full time ministry, I found it very difficult to keep a sabbath.  I would fill my days off with all the things I couldn’t get to during my work week. Laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, other projects.. You name it – I did it!! Most weekends I would fall into bed at night completely exhausted.  

God has used this season to teach me the importance of taking a day to rest and refuel and just “BE”. It is a pattern that God himself established as he was doing his work. He worked six days and rested on the seventh. 

This is something Kevin and I have regularly been doing this these past couple of months. We begin our Sabbath time at 6:00p on Saturday and keep it until 6:00p on Sunday. 

As I look to re-enter full time ministry, I am convinced more than ever the importance of keeping a day to honor the sabbath. I believe God wants us to emerge from our Sabbath rested and renewed, not worn out. 

Now, you may be wondering.. What AM I to “DO” for Sabbath…think about things that would allow your body to rest, replenish your spirit and restore your soul.  In his book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, John Mark Comer, shares some ways you can mark your sabbath:  

  • Lighting the candles
  • Blessing the children
  • Eating a meal
  • Singing
  • Worshipping with your Community
  • Walking
  • Napping
  • Making love (if you’re married)
  • Reading
  • Spending time alone with God
  • Spending time with family and friends
  • Gratitude

Here’s your challenge… What if you took time out of your week to create a sabbath for yourself? How do you think your life would be different? I think you may be surprised how the much better your week will go when you work from your rest!

Let’s pray.. 

Heavenly Father, 

Today, I pray your blessings over everyone listening today. I pray for my friends who are needing rest. I pray they will find the rest and renewal they need by honoring the Sabbath. 

In Jesus name. Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

Have a blessed day! 

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God’s Word | Scripture | 2 Timothy 3:16

This is from my Facebook Live from Monday, July 20, 2020.

I hope everyone is doing well!! Can you believe we are more than half way through the month of July? Our summer is going quickly!! 

A couple of weeks ago I shared about the spiritual discipline of  Silence and Solitude. Today I want to speak with you about the importance of reading God’s Word.  

In 2 Timothy 3:16 it says… 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. “

I have been reading the book, Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton. Ruth shares the difference of reading of Gods word for information verses transformation. She encouraged the reader to think about reading a newspaper verses reading a love letter.

Think about that… how many times do you skim the newspaper or your news apps for the headlines?  You are looking for information, right? There’s really very little emotional connection to those headlines, right? Now think about the reading a love letter.. There’s much more anticipation and emotional connection in reading a love letter. Many times we approach God’s word more like the newspaper than a love letter. What if we really allowed ourselves to be transformed by God’s word? God’s word encourages us, strengthens us, and renews us. Our relationship with God can be strengthened by spending time in His word.

Let’s pray.. 

Heavenly Father, Thank you father for your word, that is alive and active. Thank you for the reminder of how we can experience transformation as we spend time in Your Word. Today, I pray your blessings over everyone listening today.  In Jesus name. Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! Have a blessed day! 

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Seeking Stillness & Solitude

I originally wrote this for the Arise Newsletter, Volume 2 Issue 7 | July 2020. Arise is an organization for ordained women ministers in the Church of God. The video was a result of the following article.

“Many Christians have so busied themselves with programs and activities that they no longer know how to be silent and meditate on God’s word or recognize the mysteries that are in the Person of Christ.” 

Ravi Zacharias

About two years ago, while on staff at Salem Church of God, we were wrapping up a Gravity discipleship course with Kristan Dooley. As a result, I felt God call me to deepen my roots.  Unfortunately there were times my quiet time was something I looked at as something I would check off my “to do”  list. I saw it as something “To do” rather than “to BE” with Jesus. 

I knew God was calling me to a deeper relationship with him. I knew God was calling me to Stillness.. To BE with Him. One verse kept coming back to me.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Psalm 46:10 (nlt)

I realized I was really good at “doing” but not good at “being”.  I struggled to spend ten minutes alone with God. I sensed something had to change. I no longer wanted to be so busy working for God, that I didn’t know God. And I realized that being busy for God, could make me miss out on what He really wanted for me. Was it possible I could do God’s work, yet miss out on what he truly wanted me to do? Was I listening?

Busy-ness makes us look like the rest of our culture. You cannot hear God if you’re too busy to listen. Busy-ness causes us to take matters into our own hands instead of giving it to God. Instead, God calls us to be still.

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.”  

Psalm 27:14 (nlt)

Sitting in stillness and silence was such a new thing for me. There are times when it is still difficult. But It has changed my relationship with God more than I could ever imagine. I encourage you to take a few minutes of your prayer time to just be still and quiet. Listen to God’s love for you. Remember—GOD loves you and cares for you more than you can ever imagine! 

If you are looking for ways to quiet yourself and be still, here are some simple steps for you to try. 

  • Find a comfortable place to sit and be still
  • Concentrate on your breathing
  • Inhale then exhale.  
  • Notice your body relaxing
  • Feel God’s presence

It may take you a few days to get comfortable with this. At first, your mind will race to the things you need to do for that day. Keep at it! I promise you will come to a place where you start to crave this stillness. Remember, God wants to BE with you more than he wants you to DO. Take time to be with him!

Here are a few resources I have found helpful. 

Books

  • An Invitation to Retreat by Ruth Haley Barton
  • Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero
  • Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
  • Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
  • Soul Keeping by John Ortberg
  • Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton

Podcasts

  • Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton
  • The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast with Pete Scazzero

Apps

  • Centering Prayer
  • Pray As You Go
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Forgiveness |Colossians 3:13

Hey friends! This is from my Facebook Live from May 28, 2020.

Today I am talking about forgiveness. The passage I am reading from is Colossians 3:13.

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Colossians 3:13 NLT

Friends, I am going to be real with you. My husband called me out the other night on the topic of forgiveness. Have you ever wanted to just craw in a hole? Yep, that was me. 

I had no idea I was holding on to some pain from the past couple of years. As I prayed about this yesterday morning, God spoke to me and said you need to write a letter to that person. Not to give it to them, but release the emotions and truly forgive that person.  

God reminded me that sent his only son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of MY sins. I am so thankful how God has forgiven me for all the wrong sinful things I have done.  God reminded me the importance to forgive others. 

Friends, I did it. I wrote the letter, expressed my feelings and released that person from the hurt they caused me. It was so freeing.  I knew if I didn’t forgive, the enemy was going to keep me stuck. 

Forgiveness heals. Unforgiveness keeps you stuck. I am learning that often times God uses our waiting season to bring healing in our lives. Perhaps it is emotional healing. Perhaps it is physical healing or a spiritual healing. For me, it was emotional healing. I believe God was waiting for me to forgive someone who caused me pain in my past. 

Is there someone you need to forgive today? Maybe it isn’t another person. Maybe you need to forgive yourself. My friend, God wants to bring healing and restoration to you.

Listen, if you need someone to talk to, I am available! I would love to pray with you. 

Let’s pray.. 

Heavenly Father, Thank you father for your infinite love and forgiveness. Bless all those who are listening to my voice today. I pray you will bless each one this day. Meet them where they are. 

Father, I lift up those who may be suffering from Covid 19 – whether it be from the virus or from a job loss. Continue to give us strength for each new day. 

Today, I pray your blessings over everyone listening today. 

In Jesus name. Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

Have a blessed day! 

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Micah 7:7 | Waiting Is NOT Wasting

This is from my Facebook Live from Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Hey friends! Thanks for joining me today. 

I trust you are doing well today. It is another rainy day here in the Dayton area. Things are definitely green and lush!

I grew up on a farm and have a lot of family who farm around the area. I’m concerned for all the farmers who may have just planted their crops… Please know I am praying for you all! 

Friends…For some reason, the Lord keeps drawing me back to this topic of WAITING.  I’m not sure who this is for… but I trust God knows!  

Today, I am reading from Micah 7:7 from The New Living Translation. 

“As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.”

Micah 7:7

I’ve been listening to an audio book, “Fear Is Not the Boss of Me” by Jennifer Allwood. Jennifer loves Jesus. She wrote this book for women who are stuck and have let FEAR rule their decisions. Boy, am I getting a good kick in the pants! I am already listening to it a second time! I love her enthusiasm and her humor! I am being challenged to step out in faith! 

While I was listening yesterday, there was a quote at the beginning of her chapter where she talks about God never being late… but rarely is He early either. The quote by Louie Giglio punched me in the gut…  

“To US, waiting is wasting. To GOD, waiting is working.” 

Louie Giglio

OH, FRIENDS… did you catch that? God doesn’t waste ANYTHING… He is working in the waiting. It’s hard to sit in the waiting room, isn’t it? 

I know there have been seasons when I have been praying. And waiting. Praying and waiting. UGH.. it feels long and unproductive. But I need to remember that God hears my prayers and although I can’t see it… He is working! 

Be prepared… God is about to show off!! He isn’t about to waste the wait! 

Let’s pray.. 

Thank you father for your love. Thank you for the reminder that waiting isn’t wasted. Waiting is working. Today, many are in this season of waiting… 

  • Some are waiting for a loved one to come to know you. 
  • Some are waiting for healing. 
  • Some desperately want to be parents – and they are waiting for a baby. 
  • Some are waiting for test results about a diagnosis.  

Lord, you know their hearts. Remind them today that waiting is working. 

Today, I pray your blessings over everyone listening today. 

In Jesus name. Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

Have a blessed day! 

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Psalm 46:10 | Be Still…

This is from my Facebook Live from Monday, May 18.

I trust you are doing well today.  I’d love to share a verse that God has placed on my heart for today. This passage can be found in Psalm 46:10.

“Be still, and know that I am God!”

Psalm 46:10

I had been a children’s pastor for eleven years before I finally discovered what it meant to “Be Still”. Y’all I was 50 years young!! 

I was blessed that my church had given me a 3-month sabbatical – as it was custom for pastors after serving 10 years there.

There was nothing that I was “supposed” to do on this sabbatical – no studying, writing papers, visiting churches – and that bugged me!  So I got busy doing tasks. The first few days I deep cleaned my house, I ironed all our clothes and painted the front porch. After I finished checking everything off my “to do” list, I checked the calendar. I was a week and a half into my sabbatical. It was going to be a lo-o-o-ong summer!

It took three weeks before I began to be still. Eventually, I discovered why stillness and solitude are important. God wanted a relationship with me. I was too busy doing when He just wanted me to be with him.

Sitting in stillness and silence was such a new thing for me. I had been faithful at doing devotions and praying, but sitting in STILLNESS and LISTENING for God’s voice transformed my relationship with Christ that summer. 

At the beginning of Psalm 46 it says…God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

What can you do today to take time to just be still and feel God’s love for you? 

I would like to encourage you to take some time today to do this little exercise… Close your eyes and say this verse slowly – taking in some deep breaths.. 

Be

Be Still

Be Still and know

Be Still and know that

Be Still and know that I

Be Still and know that I am

Be Still and know that I am God. 

Take time to be still and let God speak to your heart.

Thanks so much for listening! Let’s go to God in prayer… 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for hearing our prayers. I continue to pray for those who are experiencing loss from COVID 19. I pray for those who are on the front lines. I pray for the leaders who are making decisions to open up our states and economies. Lord, give them wisdom. 

Today, I pray your blessings over everyone listening today. 

In Jesus name. Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! Tomorrow I will be sharing about Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. I can’t wait to share some insights about how our emotional health and spiritual maturity are connected and how we can all benefit by being emotionally and spiritually healthy! 

Also… If you would like more inspiration like this, you can go to my website paulakayspear.com and subscribe to my email newsletter and get a free devotional.

Have a blessed day! 

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Psalm 62: 1, 5 | Waiting

This is from my Facebook Live from Thursday, May 14, 2002

Hey friends! Thanks for joining me today. 

I trust you are doing well today. It’s Thursday, May 14. Guys..  I can not believe our daughter is getting married one month from today!! It’s crazy that even in the middle of a pandemic, time seems to be passing quickly! 

Today, I will be sharing another scripture on WAITING… this is from Psalm 62:1, 5  I am reading from The New Living Translation. 

“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”

Psalm 62:1, 5

I have my Bible Promises to Live by for Women in front of me and wanted to read what the author, Katherine Butler has to say on waiting…. “We’re not always good at waiting. It requires being still and passive, allowing God to unfold matters in his timing when we desire quick fixes to our problems. But sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers right away because real spiritual growth develops in the waiting and the watching. We are continually confronted with the choice to either despair or trust. The Bible promises that those who choose to trust during times of waiting will be blessed with strength, hope, and confidence. 

What prayer are you still waiting for God to answer? Read his promises to you in his Word, and be encouraged that he is doing great things in your heart as you patiently wait for him to act.”

Friends, I need this message just as much as some of you do.. Sometimes I think about how long Moses had to wait to make it to the Promise Land or how long Sarah and Abraham had to wait before receiving God’s promise of having a son. They waited a LONG time!! I admit.. It’s hard to wait! I am thankful for God’s promises to hold on to while we wait!

Thanks so much for listening! Let’s go to God in prayer… 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Thank you for the victory that comes from you. Lord, help us to wait quietly and patiently before you. 

Today, I pray your blessings over everyone listening today. 

In Jesus name. Amen. 

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Psalm 5:3 | Waiting Expectantly

Hey friends! Thanks for joining me – this is from my Facebook Live from May 13, 2020.

Today, I will be sharing from Psalm 5:3  from The New Living Translation. 

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Psalm 5:3

Have you ever woken up from a dream and wondered what was that all about?  Not too long ago I had a dream that I was pregnant and had a baby. Yep. You heard me… A BABY! 

As I have been praying about that dream, God revealed to me that he is about to birth something new in me. 

The Lord showed me this through a creative process called SoulCollage®. It is a creative process where you let the images choose you to make collage cards representing an aspect of your personality or Soul. It was so incredible! 

As I started the process that day, I was drawn to a picture of a pregnant woman. She had a flowing fabric draped around her, she looked beautiful. The background photo I chose had desert mountains with double rainbows.  I chose one more photo of a toddler picking flowers. The photo of the toddler reminded me how we are to remain curious as we seek God’s plan.  

As this collage came together, the message I received was that through the expectant waiting God promises double blessings.

 I am choosing to wait expectantly for this double blessing! 

So let me ask you…What requests are you waiting on God to answer? Are you spending your prayer time grumbing to God about everything you wish he would do? Or are you waiting expectantly?  

I encourage you as you make your requests each morning to wait expectantly for his answers! 

Thanks so much for listening! Let’s go to God in prayer… 

Heavenly Father, Thank you for being with us this day. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Thank you for being with us as we wait expectantly. 

Today, I pray your blessings over everyone listening today. 

In Jesus name. Amen. 

Thanks for joining me today! 

Have a blessed day!