Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

Is the headcovering mentioned by Paul in I Cor 11 for today? Or was it a "cultural" thing for Paul's time only? I believe it is for all-time. I'd like to write more on this, but I'll just briefly go into this tonight before I tuck my little ones in bed.

I've been wearing a headcovering for several months, more often than not. I felt drawn to do it, but really wasn't convinced that it was necessary. When the Lord challenged me with the question, "What's your source?" while I was recovering in the hospital, this was one of the things that I felt convicted about. Why was I wearing a headcovering? I wasn't sure. So I stopped wearing one for a few weeks.

The other morning I woke up thinking about it. As I lay in bed, I prayed, "Lord, what should I do about this? I don't know if I should wear a headcovering or not." The Lord spoke to my heart to read the scriptures "afresh," as if I was reading them for the first time. I read I Cor 11 again and this is what I understand it to say:

Woman was created for the man. She is the glory of man. Therefore she is to have a symbol of authority on her head. It is not her hair. Her hair is her glory. Human nature teaches us this. A woman's long hair is sensuous and beautiful. Human nature also teaches us that it is shameful for a woman to have her head bald. Therefore, she should wear a covering, like a veil, upon her head to cover her glory (her hair) and man's glory (herself) in the presence of God and the angels (when praying or prophesying). Since the Bible also teaches us to "pray without ceasing" (I Thess 5:17), I believe the headcovering is to be worn all day. Indeed, we often stop throughout our day to pray for a need that comes to our attention, to pray over our meals, to pray for a skinned knee or a bellyache, etc.

Prophecying doesn't happen daily around here, but when it does happen (which is another topic I'd like to write about in the future) it is unpredictable. How are we to know when the Lord is going to give a Word? I don't think Paul intended a woman to have a headcovering "on the ready" just in case a Word comes to mind, then hurry up and put it on before she opens her mouth to speak.

In addition, the second half of this chapter speaks of communion and is oft quoted and applied in our modern churches. I haven't heard this portion written off as cultural, for Paul's time only. How can we divide a chapter in half and follow one part and not the other? I fear that many Christians are confused. They've been taught to reason away the teachings and commandments of the Bible that are uncomfortable.

Lord, help us not to be proud, legalistic, or judgemental like the Pharisees; rather, give us the boldness to be humbly obedient to your word. Amen.

Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

Pastor Loren Covarrubius:

Why was the devil in the garden? Why were there giants in the Promised Land? Because God has desired to have children who would overcome and take dominion. It is a matter of maturity.

Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

When we've got nothing left to muster up -- no encouraging thoughts, no physical energy, no spiritual wisdom -- then we have reached a place called "Faith." It is then that we can truly surrender ourselves and lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus.

~ Layla

Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

Sometimes you're so broken all you can do is the next thing.

Sometimes you're so broken all you can do is call on the Name of Jesus.

And that is enough.

~ Layla

Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

I cannot comprehend the love of God. I know He is love. I know He loves His children. I even believe myself to be a child of God. But I'm having a hard time comprehending that HE truly loves ME. I asked Him today to show me that He loves me. I need His love. I need to know He loves me.

I've been separated from my husband because of military committments. Now I've been separated from my children for medical reasons. I've had to take a low dose of radiation prior to a body scan and cannot be with them for 48 hours. They're in good hands and they're having a great time with their grandparents. I've accepted this as a divine appointment to meet my Father in praise and prayer and Bible study and I've had a wonderful day. But I miss my family!!!!!

I called my babies to tell them good night. When I got off the phone I prayed that the Lord would keep them safe when I can't be with them. I confessed that as much as I love them and desire to protect them because I'm their Momma, I know that it is truly the Lord who always protects them anyway. I thanked the Lord for them and told Him, "I love them soooo much!"

Immediately He spoke to my heart, "How much more do I love you? I will carry you through this storm!"

Thank you Lord! I love you too!

~ Layla

Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

After my surgery, I had a 24-hour stay in the hospital. Although I spent a lot of time sleeping due to the morphine they had me on, I did have some quiet, wakeful hours alone with the Lord. During one of those times, I was thinking about "who" I am as a person and how this experience with cancer may change that. The Lord quietly spoke to my heart and asked me "What's your source?" In other words, what did I use to define the standards that have shaped "who" I am? I know my source should be God and the Bible. But in that moment, I came to realize that my source has been some favorite magazines, websites, and books more the the Holy Bible and my Holy God. Granted, these sources were all authored by Christians quoting scripture and sharing from their own life experiences and wisdom. But to make them my defining source over God and His word is nothing but sin.

Since then, I've realized this question is much broader. My source of strength has been myself. My source of advice has been my friends, my family, my husband. My source of joy has been my children. The list goes on. I don't think any of these things are bad in and of themselves. But God must be #1. He must be my first source.

I have repented and am starting again from scratch so-to-speak. Lord, help me depend on You, my True Source.

~ Layla

Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

What is the definition of faith? I'm not Webster so my definition may differ from his. I haven't even checked his, to be honest. I'm learning, however, that faith is trusting in God's infinite wisdom and perfect will. In contrast, faith is NOT trusting God to make things turn out the way we want them to.

Last Friday I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I've never had thyroid problems. There is no history of thyroid cancer in my family. I have no idea where this came from; but alas, here it is. I have prayed that the Lord would let this cup pass from me, but He hasn't. I'll be having surgery later this week which may be followed up by radiation treatments. Then I'll be on synthetic thyroid meds for the rest of my life. Lord willing, I'll still be able to live long enough to raise my 6 beautiful children and grow old and gray with my wonderful husband.

Some may say that the Lord would heal me miraculously -- I wouldn't even have to walk this road -- if only I had enough faith. I disagree with that viewpoint. I think faith is developed through trials just like this. How do we know that we can trust God unless we are placed in situations that require trust? I did not ask for cancer. But I have asked God to make me the woman He has designed me to be. Apparently, He has designed me to be a woman of great faith!

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief." ~ Mark 9:24

~ Layla

Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

When my husband decided to join the Army Reserves just over 2 years ago, I was overwhelmed by the idea of it. After all, we were a nation at war. We also had 5 small children that, God forbid,  if something should happen to him I would have to raise alone. However, in addition to my own fleshly fears, I also felt an incredible peace from God with my husband's decision. I knew with everything in me that this was God's will for our family. I knew that if we didn't take this step of faith, we would be cheating ourselves out of the blessing of obedience. And to confirm this, the Lord spoke a scripture to my heart that I have clung to ever since:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~ Philippians 4:13

Currently, my husband is in another state. I am running our household without him for at least one year. I am thankful that he is not in harm's way, although his job is not without its risks. I have a lot to bear on my shoulders. I often receive comments from people about how strong I am. Although I don't always feel strong, I know that God has strengthened my faith and my character over the past 2 years. I have received these comments graciously, but maybe have let them go to my head a little bit. Maybe I have actually believed I am stronger than I really am?

Today I am facing a health situation that has me a bit nervous. I need to rely on Jesus for strength! I want to be an example of faith to my children; not that I would receive any glory, but that my faith would point right to the Saviour of my soul. Strengthen me please, Jesus, for your glory. It's the only way I can do this! I need You!

~ Layla

Posted on my category page: Spiritual Revelations from Our Awesome God

I now understand why the Lord spoke to my heart in the middle of the night not so long ago.  We had a 10-month-old baby boy who was still nursing 2-3 times during the night.  Then we got a call for a beautiful newborn boy who became our foster child and now our adopted son.  Of course, he woke frequently throughout the night.  As it turned out the 2 boys' crying would wake each other up at night.  I went months on very little sleep.  Through all this, my hubby was working midnights so I had NO help at night.  On one particularly difficult night, I sat in the recliner rocking 2 crying baby boys and was crying myself.  I said, "Lord, I need help.  This is so hard."  The Lord instantly spoke to my heart, "What's wrong with it being hard?"  I had just expected the Lord to send me help.  I thought things were difficult and the Lord should make a way to lighten my load.  I was wrong.  Our boys were a blessing and they were worth working hard for.  That night changed my perspective.  Just because something is hard doesn't mean its wrong or that it needs to be made easier.  We just need to face the challenge, and the Lord will strengthen us through the process.

Facing our current challenge, the Lord gave me a scripture to hold onto right from the start:

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

It will be difficult, I know that.  But I've also learned that the Lord is right by my side helping me through and giving me strength.

Thank you Jesus!