Micca Monda Campbell
"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man." Ephesians 3:16 (NAS)
Last fall I began battling severe fatigue. Normal life activities became a real struggle for me. On top of it all, I had a heavy speaking schedule. Knowing I would need an extra measure of strength, grace and inspiration to keep going, I cried out to God for help.
On my way home to Nashville from Houston, God arranged an unexpected encounter with someone He would use to strengthen and inspire me beyond my wildest dreams.
Waiting for my flight at the Houston airport, I saw a recognizable face sitting directly in front of me. Quickly, I pulled out my cell phone and called my husband. "Guess who is sitting across from me at the airport - Beth Moore!"
"No way!" he replied.
"Way!"
"You should say 'hello,'" he encouraged. Heeding his advice, I made my way over to Beth and introduced myself. It was a great opportunity for me to thank her for her faithful service. She was her usual precious and humble self. After our short conversation, I returned to my seat, looking up occasionally to watch others meet and greet her as well.
A few minutes later, it was time board the plane. I got up, gathered my belongings, and headed for the gate. To my surprise, Beth was boarding the same plane. While standing in line together, she invited me to chat. I knew our conversation would be sweet but short because I had seat 1-A on the plane.
Upon entering the aircraft, I discovered yet another surprise. A frail, old man was sitting in my seat. The flight attendant explained that the man needed special attention and politely asked if I would mind exchanging seats with him.
I have to be honest. Even though I am short, I wanted the extra leg room that came with seat 1-A, but Beth was standing right behind me. Therefore, I put on my "spiritual" hat and replied, "Of course, I'll take his seat."
The flight attendant thanked me for switching seats and gave me my new seat assignment. "You'll be in seat 5-C," she directed. In response to my new seat, Beth added, "Why, Micca, that seat is right next to me."
I could hardly believe it. For over two hours, I had the privilege of visiting with Beth Moore. We talked, mostly about big hair and raising kids. Then, somewhere during our conversation, I heard God whisper, How'd I do? You said you needed some inspiration, didn't you?
How'd You do? I responded from my heart. You did more than I deserve—more than I would have ever thought to ask.
Sometimes what seems like a bad deal, like having to give up your seat, is actually God inviting us to experience Him in some way. God answer my prayer for inspiration and strength. Had I not submitted to the situation, I may have missed it.
I never imagined that asking for some extra inspiration and strength would come in such a wonderful package as Beth—but that's our God! He doesn't respond to our times of weakness by telling us to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. No! He provides real help. God gives us supernatural strength that comes from the Spirit. Moreover, He can deliver it any way He chooses.
Sometimes God works in small quiet ways. Other times His actions are up there with the parting of the Red Sea. Whatever way God decides to work, experiencing Him always fills us with inner peace and strength for our journey.
Dear Lord, You are my strength for today, tomorrow, and for always. Sometimes You work in ways that leave me no room to doubt Your love and provision. Thank You for those sweet moments and help me to remember them when You require me to walk by faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Join Proverbs 31 Ministries on Facebook for more daily encouragement
All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Visit Micca’s blog – Reflections
Application Steps:
When you ask God for something in prayer, take notice of what happens next. It just might be His answer.
Reflections:
Do You Know Him?
How have you experienced God lately? If you haven't experienced Him, do you know why?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:28, "My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" (ESV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (NAS)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man." Ephesians 3:16 (NAS)
Last fall I began battling severe fatigue. Normal life activities became a real struggle for me. On top of it all, I had a heavy speaking schedule. Knowing I would need an extra measure of strength, grace and inspiration to keep going, I cried out to God for help.
On my way home to Nashville from Houston, God arranged an unexpected encounter with someone He would use to strengthen and inspire me beyond my wildest dreams.
Waiting for my flight at the Houston airport, I saw a recognizable face sitting directly in front of me. Quickly, I pulled out my cell phone and called my husband. "Guess who is sitting across from me at the airport - Beth Moore!"
"No way!" he replied.
"Way!"
"You should say 'hello,'" he encouraged. Heeding his advice, I made my way over to Beth and introduced myself. It was a great opportunity for me to thank her for her faithful service. She was her usual precious and humble self. After our short conversation, I returned to my seat, looking up occasionally to watch others meet and greet her as well.
A few minutes later, it was time board the plane. I got up, gathered my belongings, and headed for the gate. To my surprise, Beth was boarding the same plane. While standing in line together, she invited me to chat. I knew our conversation would be sweet but short because I had seat 1-A on the plane.
Upon entering the aircraft, I discovered yet another surprise. A frail, old man was sitting in my seat. The flight attendant explained that the man needed special attention and politely asked if I would mind exchanging seats with him.
I have to be honest. Even though I am short, I wanted the extra leg room that came with seat 1-A, but Beth was standing right behind me. Therefore, I put on my "spiritual" hat and replied, "Of course, I'll take his seat."
The flight attendant thanked me for switching seats and gave me my new seat assignment. "You'll be in seat 5-C," she directed. In response to my new seat, Beth added, "Why, Micca, that seat is right next to me."
I could hardly believe it. For over two hours, I had the privilege of visiting with Beth Moore. We talked, mostly about big hair and raising kids. Then, somewhere during our conversation, I heard God whisper, How'd I do? You said you needed some inspiration, didn't you?
How'd You do? I responded from my heart. You did more than I deserve—more than I would have ever thought to ask.
Sometimes what seems like a bad deal, like having to give up your seat, is actually God inviting us to experience Him in some way. God answer my prayer for inspiration and strength. Had I not submitted to the situation, I may have missed it.
I never imagined that asking for some extra inspiration and strength would come in such a wonderful package as Beth—but that's our God! He doesn't respond to our times of weakness by telling us to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. No! He provides real help. God gives us supernatural strength that comes from the Spirit. Moreover, He can deliver it any way He chooses.
Sometimes God works in small quiet ways. Other times His actions are up there with the parting of the Red Sea. Whatever way God decides to work, experiencing Him always fills us with inner peace and strength for our journey.
Dear Lord, You are my strength for today, tomorrow, and for always. Sometimes You work in ways that leave me no room to doubt Your love and provision. Thank You for those sweet moments and help me to remember them when You require me to walk by faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than All Your Fears by Micca Campbell
Join Proverbs 31 Ministries on Facebook for more daily encouragement
All I Need is Jesus & a Good Pair of Jeans by Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Visit Micca’s blog – Reflections
Application Steps:
When you ask God for something in prayer, take notice of what happens next. It just might be His answer.
Reflections:
Do You Know Him?
How have you experienced God lately? If you haven't experienced Him, do you know why?
Power Verses:
Psalm 119:28, "My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" (ESV)
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (NAS)
© 2010 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.
Labels: God's Perspective, Relationships, Trusting God, Walking in Faith
17 Comments:
Thank you, Micca.
As usual, your devotional spoke right to where I am. Yesterday was a very discouraging day my teenage son continues to test my parenting patience, my lack of freelance income in December and so far through January my lack of freelance income has meant tight budgeting and seeing answers to prayer in things on my list being on sale only to find out that my careful planning still wasn't enough to meet our budget. My husband has asked for a divorce and doesn't show signs of changing his mind...I need my finances in order to begin a new life separate from him.
I've been working hard to try to bring in the income we need so I haven't had much time for socializing. No money means no going out for lunch or tea with friends even if I could schedule it.
Even all the good things that happened yesterday weren't enough to pick up my spirit because moments after they happened, a downer came along.
But your devotional picked me up this morning and has cheered me.
Thank you, Micca, for your inspiration.
God is so good! Just knowing he is always at work and that I can expect unbelievable answers to prayers makes me excited every day to see what He will do! Thank-you for your inspirational story!
What an inspiration. Since my car was stolen 2 days ago, yesterday, my schedule miraculously was rearranged by God to allow me to meet with my pastor/counselor to offer me sound godly advice and comfort. I definitely needed and prayed for inspiration and He answered my prayer!
It is so encouraging to see how God is working not only in my life but the lives of others.
So sorry to hear that DOakley's husband is leaving. I will be praying for your situation.
Thanks for the devotion today.
Your comment in the devo-God doesn't expect us to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps really caught my eye. I am sure you don't mean not to pray or seek counsel or to do day by day things as we are able to improve our situation (in my case a marriage in need of healing, my own mind & body healing & dealing with 2 under 2 boys). So what exactly did that mean? How far should I go in 'doing' before it is trying to do it all on my own and not letting God do His part? Ok, I know this isn't totally a comment-it's a question as well but hopefully either Micca or some other reader will weigh in with some insight.
Have a good day!
I am a newly married mother of four, a blended family, my husband had two and I have two. There is little to no trust in our relationship or in our home. There is some much going on in our home, our finances, our children and emotionally sometimes that I feel drained of my strength.
On top of that I am a stay at home mother and a full time student and I have no time for me or to really deal with my feelings. I feel like everything about my life is on life support, my marriage, my children...
I have made a decision and I plan to take some steps to change the things I can change and depend on God to do the rest. I am depending on God to change my husbands heart whatever way He pleases and if we remain married I am okay with that and if not I am okay that, I have made peace with the fact that I can't change him but I can change myself. Supernatural is exactly what He has given me this morning reading this devotion and it is exactly what I need and needed. Your devotion this morning confirmed that for me and gave me hope that I am not in this by myself, I just need to do my part and God will do HIs.
What an exciting yet tender blessing for you at the same time. I can't wait for the moment when I recognize that God has done the same thing for me.
Dear Mommyof2,
I would not consider praying - giving your issues and worries over to God and asking for His help, strength and encouragment - to be "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps." I'd call that turning to God and I'm sure Micca would too.
And when you listen to His voice - His feedback and instruction, whether through prayer or Bible reading - and obey, you're not doing it on your own but letting God have His say and do His part.
I hope this helps answer your question. And you can find Micca over at her blog if you want to talk more with her about it.
I will pray for you this morning, dear one. :)
I had a very real reminder just this morning when I silently said a prayer for a situation beyond my abilities. God answered my prayers in such a simple but magnificent way! Thank you for your message in this devotion. I am strengthed by your uplifting words and by God's timing of your devotion today.
As I was reading this devotion, I kept thinking about a verse has stolen my heart.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. Psalm 40:2
He not only took us out of the sinful lifestyle we were living, He wipe the mud of shame off of us, He set us on His solid foundation, which is His salvation. But He didn't just leave us there, He walks with us, no matter what we face, He walks with us and when we face the hardest things in our lives, He carries us! That‘s too much to take in. To known, He will never leave me, never, no matter what this world throws at us, He will never leave you! That’s love, a love I did not deserve.
Thank you for Your
Dear Mommyof2,
Rachel is right. You’re not relying on your own strength but God’s. Too often, especially women, we rely on our own natural energy to accomplish our many tasks while leaving God out of the equation. Once we’re spent, instead of replenishing ourselves in God, we tend to “pull ourselves up by the bootstraps” and move on. Eventually, we crash.
The bible says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phi 4:13).
To tap into that strength, we must do our part—just as you are doing. We must tell God our needs through prayer, read His word which is full of encouragement, power, inspiration, and guidance. As we do these things, we are strengthen in a supernatural way.
I pray that you experience God’s strength today, friend!
Dear Doakley,
I'm so sorry for all you're facing. I'm praying for you today that God will infuse you with peace, strength, and wisdom. I'm also asking Him to turn the heart of your husband back toward you and his marriage.
Big Squeeze from me to you.
What a perfectly timed reminder to a pretty worn out girl!! Thank you for reminding me that it’s ok to ask God for inspiration and strength when I’m drained…that I don’t have to pull myself up by my own bootstraps. Thank you Micca, for sharing your story and words of encouragement!!
It's always wonderful to hear how God blesses His children! It must have been so amazing for you to experience His comfort in such a mind-boggling way. How great He is! Thank you for sharing this very uplifting story!
Amen, Amen and AMEN! Thank you so much for yet another word from above. I so love Beth Moore as well. I'm following one of her studies as well and I'm so blessed by her way of speaking and just how she shows her love for the Word of God all in itself. I'm going through alot of different things and it's nothing but the keeping power of the Holy Spirit that helps me get through it all day by day. Praise God for the comforter! Keep on keeping on. Be blessed.
this is exactly what i needed today! i just finished a school assembly with my church's drama ministry and had to leave from there and go strait to work! i am wore out. i thank GOD for spritual and physical strength and how He never fails us!
I had to go back and reread.I know I have to continue to stay focus on my walk with God. It is amazing how many lives you touch with your daily devotionals. This could not have come in a more perfect time. God not only knows your heart but he will make sure he is there to remind you that without him its just not possible. Thank you for sharing I am a big fan of Beth Moore myself .
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