Poppy Smith - 'thrive' e-zine

WHAT NEW THING DOES GOD WANT TO DO IN YOUR LIFE?

Are you ready for spring? Depending
on where you live around the world, spring might bring no change from
your normal weather, or it might usher in a beautiful season of daffodils, tulips, budding trees, and glimpses of sunshine. However you experience spring, it represents newness—life—the promise of fresh things to come.

An article by Pastor H.B. London Jr. in which he quotes the prophet Isaiah made me think about the new things God is always doing in our lives—if we will stop and look. Isaiah gave God’s message to Israel—and its timeless truth applies to us as well: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). Check out Espresso for the Soul, and reflect on what new things God is doing in your life.

Watching God do a new thing in women’s lives always delights me. Speaking on Growth From the Inside Out a few weeks ago, was one of those occasions. The retreat was held in a hotel on a beach, the weather was perfect, and the women were wonderfully receptive and enthusiastic. Here are a few comments that filled me with praise for how God touched lives:

“You taught me so much about my walk with the Lord.”
“I heard your voice during my coma. (Friends played my CDs while she was unconscious). I love hearing your messages.”
“Your talks hit me where I’m at. Encouraging and uplifting.”
“Your ministry to my heart and mind was such a gift to me this weekend. Thank you for sharing God’s love with each of us!”
“Thank you for bringing exactly what God wanted to teach me.”

It’s humbling to share about the power and reality of God in our lives, but there’s no joy like it!

Love in Christ,

Poppy Smith

What New Thing Does God Want To Do In Your Life?

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When God rested after creation, He didn’t take a permanent break and stop doing new things in our world!

Here are a few of the “new things” God did after His mighty acts of creation:

He related intimately with Adam and Eve, blessing them with His presence;
He broke into Abraham’s life, developing him into a man of unflinching faith;
He called and equipped a humbled Moses to become His chosen leader;
He gave ten basic commandments, teaching His people how they should live;
He gave precise details for the priesthood and tabernacle, symbolizing His holiness and how sin can be forgiven;

The Bible spills over with stories of “new things” that God did in the lives of men and women who trusted Him. But the most amazing “new thing” of all was God sending His Son to die on the cross. Good Friday reminded us of our deep need and God’s incredible mercy and love, but Easter Sunday shattered that sorrow with the joy of celebrating: we belong to the Living God! Through faith, we are reconciled to God, forgiven, freed from our guilt and shame, and invited to taste the life-changing power of being loved unconditionally.

No matter what you are facing today, God will never stop doing new things—good things—in your life. Listen to His promises:

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” (Phil. 1:6 ).

“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose" (Phil.2:13).

“His compassions never fail. They are new every morning…" (Lam.3:23).

“God is able to make all grace abound to you…" (2 Cor.9:8).

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil.4:13).

As you think about new things God is doing, or inviting you to experience, what comes to mind?

A new blessing—has He given you a new job, friend, fresh hope, or peace?
A new attitude—leading you to forgive rather than hold a grudge?
A new response—prompting you to be gracious rather than reacting with irritation?
A new commitment—to serving God with your whole heart?
A new openness—to pursuing opportunities and dreams He has planted in your heart?

Growth, new beginnings, and a life that is continuously being transformed by the Spirit comes through saying “YES” to God from the deepest part of ourselves. Do you see the new thing He is doing in your life? Do you perceive it? Are you grateful? Humbled? Challenged? How will you respond to the Living God who knows exactly what is happening in your life, and is always active on your behalf?

As you think about the new things God is doing in your life, let me encourage you to pause and worship with these words from a favorite hymn:

Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know, Spirit breathing from above,

Thou hast taught me it is so. O, this full and perfect peace, O, this transport all divine,

With a love that cannot cease, I am His and He is mine.

Praying God will continue to do new things in your life—and that you will step into the adventure He has planned for you when you say, “Yes, Lord, Yes!”

Poppy Smith

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5 Signs of God's
"New Things":

1.	A new joy bubbling up —replacing anxiety and pessimism
2.	A new vision and passion —replacing apathy and weariness
3.	A new perspective —replacing negativity and cynicism
4.	A new gratitude —replacing indifference and ingratitude
5.	A new yielding of your life —replacing a “me-first” attitude

News, Trends & Events:

Angiogram coming! I will be having an angiogram on Friday, April 16. This will tell the cardiac surgeon what is needed when I have surgery in mid-May. Will appreciate your prayers for this, and an uneventful recovery this summer.

Spiritual and Personal Growth Group Opportunity. I just finished facilitating a five-week growth group based on Search for Significance. Among many helpful topics, we discussed the performance trap, being addicted to approval, blaming others, and shame issues. Identifying each of these human drives, along with Scriptures pointing to how God sees us, resulted in lots of ‘aha’ moments and the ability to recognize many of the lies we so easily believe. I’m praying about offering this class again in September. Email me at poppy@poppysmith.com if you might be interested.

Spiritual Direction/Coaching Available. Meeting privately with women to support them in their relationship with God, and helping them find ways to grow, is something I feel blessed to do. If you feel the need of confidential, individual help, please email me. Connecting in person, or via phone or Skype, can bring the support you need—wherever you are located!

Ministry in the Middle East. I have never spoken in the Middle East before but will be heading to Oman, (next to Saudi Arabia and Yemen) October 26-30. I plan to stay in the region through the first week in November and I’m praying for God’s divine appointments during that time. It will be exciting to see what He has for me to do—let me know if you have some suggestions!

Upcoming Events:

Speaking Calendar:

2010:

April 15, 22: Professionally Speaking, Portland, OR.

May 8th: Women’s retreat, Molalla, Oregon

September 15: Aging to Perfection, Eugene, OR.

October 16: Plenary Speaker, OCW, Fall meeting

October 26-30: Oman

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I'm asked questions about faith, life application of Biblical principles and spiritual growth everywhere I speak.

Now, for my online friends, I'd like to give you the same opportunity to ask questions.

I'll answer your questions and share comments in coming issues of "Thrive". Just contact me and let me know what you'd like to know more about...all at the click of your mouse!