They were stuck. The Israelites knew it. Moses knew it. The Egyptians knew it.
“And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness’” (Ex. 14:10-12).
The Israelites were stuck between a rock and a hard place, but there was nothing proverbial about their danger. The Egyptians were chasing after them to annihilate them, and the Red Sea in front of them was in effect, pinning them down until the enemy got there.
They were stuck…and in the midst of their fear, they complained against Moses and God. “How could he lead us out here in the desert just to die? Why did we follow Moses after all? We had it better back in Egypt! What have you done to us, Moses? Where is our God?!” (paraphrased).
You know, I don’t think Moses knew what God was going to do either. I think he probably fought the same questions and fear threatening to take over his mind, as well. AND I think it was just as big a surprise to him as it was to everyone else, when the sea opened up and granted a way of deliverance for God’s people and a way of destruction for the Egyptians
The difference was in the way Moses chose to respond to their situation. He didn’t allow the fear and questions to overshadow his faith. Instead, he made a choice to respond in faith: “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today” Ex. 14:13a.
Moses was in just as much danger, if not more so, than the other Israelites. If he were captured by the Egyptians, he would probably be cruelly tortured before his death. After all, in the minds of the Pharaoh, things were going pretty well until Moses showed up on the scene. Moses had turned his world upside down and in his mind, killed his son in the process. So, if any Israelite had something to fear, it was Moses. And yet his response was anything other than fearful. Instead, his response was one of faith. Moses had spoken with God. He knew God would deliver them. He just didn’t know how. He trusted that God would not allow them to be taken back to Egypt or slaughtered in the desert, for God had proved to him over and over again that He was worthy of trust. God would lead the people to the Promised Land, and this was just one more obstacle to be overcome before they could get there.
I would love to say that my visits between the rocks and the hard places have always proven me to be faithful and trustworthy to God. I would like to say that I would never have responded the way the Israelites did…doubting their path…their leader…their plan…I would like to say that, but I can’t. All too often, I respond the same way they did. I find myself overcome with fear at what is threatening to consume me and in panic over what is ahead of me, blocking my path.
So, today, I’m thinking that before I get in the midst of that situation again – between a rock and a hard place – I will go ahead and make the decision to trust God when those hard times do come. I’ll choose to believe that He alone can deliver, and desires to do so. I’ll choose to remember than He is able and that He will never leave me nor forsake me. And then I will watch and with pancake-sized eyeballs and my mouth dropped open to see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for me. Won’t you join me?!
Dear Jesus, I don’t want to wait to choose faith. I choose to believe today in Your awesome plan for my life. I choose to believe that whatever rocks and hard places come my way, they are not for my destruction, but for Your glory. Help me remain faithful, Lord, as You are faithful to me. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Treasure of Marriage
This time of year always reminds me of the wonderful day I met my husband. It was at a 4th of July picnic in Rome, GA - a looooonnnggg time ago - almost 20 years now. That time frame doesn’t seem possible, but as most of you will attest, time flies when you’re having fun.
Steve jokingly always says that I “saw him and had to have him.” Of course, there was quite a bit more to it than that, and one day I’ll have to write it all down for you. It’s an amazing story, full of God’s intricate timing and unexpected surprises.
God gave us each other that day...and has blessed us abundantly through this gift of marriage. Sometimes though, I lose sight of that. I lose sight of what a GIFT I have in my husband, and I take God’s gift for granted.
For example, the other day I just plain woke up on the wrong side of the bed. (I know none of you ever do that!) Things continued to get on my nerves until by the end of the day, I was simply “not nice” to my husband. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t yelling at him or throwing things. I just wasn’t being very nice. Period.
The next morning, I got up early and went to spend some time with the Lord. Still a little grumpy from the night before, I plopped down in my chair and pulled out my Bible. I just opened it. I didn’t try to find a verse. I didn’t get out my devotional book. I just opened my Bible and began to read.
Oh how thankful I am for God’s gentle rebukes. He doesn’t cram judgement down my throat - unless I really need it! Instead, He gently shows me things in His Word and lets the Spirit do His work.
I began reading that morning in Malachi 2. The first part of the passage immediately got my attention. “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says the Lord of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart.”
Pretty powerful stuff, huh? So, I read on, fully expecting to read more of the dreadful things Judah had done against God, and His judgement upon them. Then, I reached verse 11: “Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, for Judah has profaned the Lord’s holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god.”
My eyeballs stopped dead in their tracks. I read part of the verse again...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves. I, in no way, had committed the sin that Judah had. After all, Steve was a Believer. I HAD however, taken the gift which is holy...which God loves...for granted. I had, in essence, turned my nose up at my marriage and at my God who had given that gift it to me.
It would sort of be like you giving someone you love, something very valuable and precious. They received your gift, gladly, but then put it down to be trampled on the ground, instead of holding it close to their body and protecting it.
Think I’m taking this analogy too far? After all, it wasn’t like I screamed at him or took His favorite coffee cup and smashed it against the wall. I just let him know that I wasn’t happy with him...in a smart-elec, kinda way.
No, I don’t think that analogy is a stretch by any means. God said marriage is His HOLY INSTITUTION WHICH HE LOVES. Anytime I neglect a gift that God has given me - whatever it is - I have wronged Him, no matter how small the neglect may seem.
So, what’s the point? The point is...you and I need to take our marriages seriously. We need to protect them from little grumblings and bad attitudes. We must give our husband/wife precedence over how we feel at the moment, and if he/she has done something to aggravate us, we must make it right with God and then with them. We should never just go to bed grumpy and by doing so take the beautiful gift that God has given us in marriage, for granted. We must cherish it as God does and treat it as His holy institution which He loves.
Jesus, we really do want to honor You with our lives...with our marriages. We want to bring You glory, by showing others the reality of Your love, through the gift You have called marriage. We are a picture of Your covenant love towards those who believe. May that picture be an accurate representation of You. Forgive us when we falter in that and teach us to how to hold Your gift as a precious and prized possession. We love You, Jesus. Teach us we pray.
Steve jokingly always says that I “saw him and had to have him.” Of course, there was quite a bit more to it than that, and one day I’ll have to write it all down for you. It’s an amazing story, full of God’s intricate timing and unexpected surprises.
God gave us each other that day...and has blessed us abundantly through this gift of marriage. Sometimes though, I lose sight of that. I lose sight of what a GIFT I have in my husband, and I take God’s gift for granted.
For example, the other day I just plain woke up on the wrong side of the bed. (I know none of you ever do that!) Things continued to get on my nerves until by the end of the day, I was simply “not nice” to my husband. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t yelling at him or throwing things. I just wasn’t being very nice. Period.
The next morning, I got up early and went to spend some time with the Lord. Still a little grumpy from the night before, I plopped down in my chair and pulled out my Bible. I just opened it. I didn’t try to find a verse. I didn’t get out my devotional book. I just opened my Bible and began to read.
Oh how thankful I am for God’s gentle rebukes. He doesn’t cram judgement down my throat - unless I really need it! Instead, He gently shows me things in His Word and lets the Spirit do His work.
I began reading that morning in Malachi 2. The first part of the passage immediately got my attention. “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says the Lord of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart.”
Pretty powerful stuff, huh? So, I read on, fully expecting to read more of the dreadful things Judah had done against God, and His judgement upon them. Then, I reached verse 11: “Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem, for Judah has profaned the Lord’s holy institution which He loves: He has married the daughter of a foreign god.”
My eyeballs stopped dead in their tracks. I read part of the verse again...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves...the Lord’s holy institution which He loves. I, in no way, had committed the sin that Judah had. After all, Steve was a Believer. I HAD however, taken the gift which is holy...which God loves...for granted. I had, in essence, turned my nose up at my marriage and at my God who had given that gift it to me.
It would sort of be like you giving someone you love, something very valuable and precious. They received your gift, gladly, but then put it down to be trampled on the ground, instead of holding it close to their body and protecting it.
Think I’m taking this analogy too far? After all, it wasn’t like I screamed at him or took His favorite coffee cup and smashed it against the wall. I just let him know that I wasn’t happy with him...in a smart-elec, kinda way.
No, I don’t think that analogy is a stretch by any means. God said marriage is His HOLY INSTITUTION WHICH HE LOVES. Anytime I neglect a gift that God has given me - whatever it is - I have wronged Him, no matter how small the neglect may seem.
So, what’s the point? The point is...you and I need to take our marriages seriously. We need to protect them from little grumblings and bad attitudes. We must give our husband/wife precedence over how we feel at the moment, and if he/she has done something to aggravate us, we must make it right with God and then with them. We should never just go to bed grumpy and by doing so take the beautiful gift that God has given us in marriage, for granted. We must cherish it as God does and treat it as His holy institution which He loves.
Jesus, we really do want to honor You with our lives...with our marriages. We want to bring You glory, by showing others the reality of Your love, through the gift You have called marriage. We are a picture of Your covenant love towards those who believe. May that picture be an accurate representation of You. Forgive us when we falter in that and teach us to how to hold Your gift as a precious and prized possession. We love You, Jesus. Teach us we pray.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
School's Not Really Out...It's Always In
28 “ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30
I love these verses. Those of you who read my writing on a consistent basis, know that I do! When I found them years ago, it was the first section caught my attention the most: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest." But it hasn't been until the last couple of years, that the next verse in that passage has truly become a treasure to me in learning, not just about rest, but truly how to find it.
Recently, one simple phrase from those verses has visited my mind over and over again. I hear it in my spirit when I'm frustrated. I hear it when my temper flares. I hear it when my day is oh soooo long. Learn from Me. Christ says, Learn from Me.
Sounds like I'm back in school, doesn't it? Well, maybe that's because I am! By using this phrase, Christ is trying to get me to understand that in order to receive the peace I so greatly desire, I have to do some homework. It's not good enough to simply get up and spend time with Him in the morning before life starts. This relationship - my surrendering to His lessons - has to be an all day long thing. I have to put pencil to paper - for peace. I have to learn from Him.
I've found the main help in learning from Christ consists of recognizing when my relationship with Him is in jeopardy. I'm not talking about eternal security. I'm talking about recognizing when sin is crouching at my door and about to pounce on me, thus hindering my ability to hear my Father's Words and let Him teach me.
For example, when I feel myself getting frustrated, and I hear those sweet Words of His - learn from Me - I CHOOSE to submit my anger to Him. I literally tell Him that I am angry, and I am sorry for my anger. I tell Him in my mind - and sometimes out loud - that my heart is not right before Him, and I need help. I submit myself. I bow my head and relinquish my right to myself. And when my anger subsides, I know I have learned from Him. That's when peace abounds and anger is replaced. It's strange indeed, but oh so amazingly true.
So I ask you today...are you learning from Him? Are you filled with the peace God promises or with frustration and anger? Then let me encourage you, to ask God for ears to hear Him. Ask Him to show you the sin that so easily entangles you. Ask Him to help you learn from Him, and then join me in study hall, and we'll do our homework together!
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You that You love to teach us Your will through Your Word. Thank You that You have provided ever instruction for godly living that we will ever need. Thank You that as we follow these instructions and learn from You, Your peace abounds in us. We love You, Jesus. We love You.
I love these verses. Those of you who read my writing on a consistent basis, know that I do! When I found them years ago, it was the first section caught my attention the most: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest." But it hasn't been until the last couple of years, that the next verse in that passage has truly become a treasure to me in learning, not just about rest, but truly how to find it.
Recently, one simple phrase from those verses has visited my mind over and over again. I hear it in my spirit when I'm frustrated. I hear it when my temper flares. I hear it when my day is oh soooo long. Learn from Me. Christ says, Learn from Me.
Sounds like I'm back in school, doesn't it? Well, maybe that's because I am! By using this phrase, Christ is trying to get me to understand that in order to receive the peace I so greatly desire, I have to do some homework. It's not good enough to simply get up and spend time with Him in the morning before life starts. This relationship - my surrendering to His lessons - has to be an all day long thing. I have to put pencil to paper - for peace. I have to learn from Him.
I've found the main help in learning from Christ consists of recognizing when my relationship with Him is in jeopardy. I'm not talking about eternal security. I'm talking about recognizing when sin is crouching at my door and about to pounce on me, thus hindering my ability to hear my Father's Words and let Him teach me.
For example, when I feel myself getting frustrated, and I hear those sweet Words of His - learn from Me - I CHOOSE to submit my anger to Him. I literally tell Him that I am angry, and I am sorry for my anger. I tell Him in my mind - and sometimes out loud - that my heart is not right before Him, and I need help. I submit myself. I bow my head and relinquish my right to myself. And when my anger subsides, I know I have learned from Him. That's when peace abounds and anger is replaced. It's strange indeed, but oh so amazingly true.
So I ask you today...are you learning from Him? Are you filled with the peace God promises or with frustration and anger? Then let me encourage you, to ask God for ears to hear Him. Ask Him to show you the sin that so easily entangles you. Ask Him to help you learn from Him, and then join me in study hall, and we'll do our homework together!
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You that You love to teach us Your will through Your Word. Thank You that You have provided ever instruction for godly living that we will ever need. Thank You that as we follow these instructions and learn from You, Your peace abounds in us. We love You, Jesus. We love You.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
God's On the Move
Yesterday while tending my garden, I spotted something in the middle of one of my rows that surprised me. It was a pea plant. Actually, there were three of them, all scattered in different places. I didn’t plant them there. I planted them on the top of the row, not the middle. I thought back and figured out what happened. A storm front came through a couple of days after I planted them. I remember being afraid that all the seeds would be washed away, but fortunately, I only lost a few...and then, evidently, found them!
I had to do something. I couldn’t just leave those little pea plants there in the middle of the row to be trampled on or tilled deep into the earth. So, I dug my hoe deep beside each one and carefully transplanted them on top of the row where they belonged. As I dug the last little plant, it seemed to scream at me: “But I’m happy here! I don’t want to go!”
Of course, it really didn’t scream at me, but it just looked so happy...so comfortable...so healthy, living there in the middle of the row. Hmmm....
I have to admit, many times when God wants to move me - whether it be a physical move (staying in a hotel and another home for the past 3 ½ months) or an emotional move (choosing to be joyful, when I really don’t feel like it), I don’t often respond well. I look at Him and whine, “But I’m comfortable here. I like it here. Please don’t move me. I don’t want to go!” And yet, what I say and what I need are two totally different things. Because you see, God sees what’s GOING to happen to me if I don’t move. He knows that the figurative feet of children and adults are headed my way, as I sit comfortably in the middle of the row. He also knows the tiller is coming, and that would be the ruin of my existence. He knows these things, and I don’t. He sees them and I don’t. He understands the perils of my remaining where I am, and I don’t.
So, what’s my alternative?
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Is. 43:18-19.
I know that God was speaking to the Israelites in this passage, but I think we can apply it to us, as well. God wants to do something “new” with us, too. He wants to make “ways” for us in our deserts and “streams” for us in our wastelands....even when we don’t want Him, too. He wants to take us to new places in our walks with Him...places we’ve never been before...amazing places full of life and abundance.
So, if God is moving you today...physically or emotionally...let Him do it. Instead of whining at Him and telling Him how much you don’t want to be moved, praise Him. Praise Him that He is in control and knows what’s headed down your path. Praise Him for His gentle hand and His loving touch. Praise Him that your “new place” will cause growth and produce fruit for you and for others around you. Choose to praise Him, my friend, in the “new things” and then watch as He opens up the “ways” in your deserts and gushes forth the “streams” in your wastelands.
Lord, we love you. Help us, Lord, to trust Your moving hand. Help us to fully comprehend the way You move us and realize that if we stay where we are, we will be of no use to anyone, including You. Strengthen our hands as we continue to work and our feet as we continue to walk in Your ways. We praise You, Father, for being sooooo very good. I praise You, Lord. Praise You.
I had to do something. I couldn’t just leave those little pea plants there in the middle of the row to be trampled on or tilled deep into the earth. So, I dug my hoe deep beside each one and carefully transplanted them on top of the row where they belonged. As I dug the last little plant, it seemed to scream at me: “But I’m happy here! I don’t want to go!”
Of course, it really didn’t scream at me, but it just looked so happy...so comfortable...so healthy, living there in the middle of the row. Hmmm....
I have to admit, many times when God wants to move me - whether it be a physical move (staying in a hotel and another home for the past 3 ½ months) or an emotional move (choosing to be joyful, when I really don’t feel like it), I don’t often respond well. I look at Him and whine, “But I’m comfortable here. I like it here. Please don’t move me. I don’t want to go!” And yet, what I say and what I need are two totally different things. Because you see, God sees what’s GOING to happen to me if I don’t move. He knows that the figurative feet of children and adults are headed my way, as I sit comfortably in the middle of the row. He also knows the tiller is coming, and that would be the ruin of my existence. He knows these things, and I don’t. He sees them and I don’t. He understands the perils of my remaining where I am, and I don’t.
So, what’s my alternative?
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Is. 43:18-19.
I know that God was speaking to the Israelites in this passage, but I think we can apply it to us, as well. God wants to do something “new” with us, too. He wants to make “ways” for us in our deserts and “streams” for us in our wastelands....even when we don’t want Him, too. He wants to take us to new places in our walks with Him...places we’ve never been before...amazing places full of life and abundance.
So, if God is moving you today...physically or emotionally...let Him do it. Instead of whining at Him and telling Him how much you don’t want to be moved, praise Him. Praise Him that He is in control and knows what’s headed down your path. Praise Him for His gentle hand and His loving touch. Praise Him that your “new place” will cause growth and produce fruit for you and for others around you. Choose to praise Him, my friend, in the “new things” and then watch as He opens up the “ways” in your deserts and gushes forth the “streams” in your wastelands.
Lord, we love you. Help us, Lord, to trust Your moving hand. Help us to fully comprehend the way You move us and realize that if we stay where we are, we will be of no use to anyone, including You. Strengthen our hands as we continue to work and our feet as we continue to walk in Your ways. We praise You, Father, for being sooooo very good. I praise You, Lord. Praise You.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Saltwater, Sin and a Shark
I'm always on the look-out for good, educational books for my kids, and the other day, I found a "whopper." The title, The Old Farmer's Almanac Kids, doesn't really make the book sound like a fascinating kids' book, but once you open it, the stories just seem to jump off the page...for example, this true tale about a helpful shark. It seems that in 1799, a ship captain by the name of Thomas Briggs was arrested for smuggling goods between Aruba and the U.S.. He declared his innocence at his trial, knowing the defense didn't have much evidence to go on. However, the trial took an unexpected turn when a a British captain entered the courtroom with evidence to convict Briggs. Evidently, the captain had caught a shark at sea, finding papers in its stomach, detailing Briggs' smuggling operations written in his own handwriting! Briggs, realizing he was doomed, confessed to the crime and was convicted.
After reading the next few paragraphs, I hope you'll understand why I took you on this little historical detour. Reading this morning in Micah 7, I found this verse: You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (19), which led me to another verse: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103:12).
Unlike Thomas Briggs, as Believers our sins - when forgiven - will never be brought against us again. Briggs was tried and convicted, because his sins were thrown into the depths of the sea, but resurfaced to prove his condemnation. Praise be to our God, who not only casts our sins into the sea when we ask for forgiveness, but separates them from us as far as the east is from the west. Our sins will never resurface to bring judgement upon us, because there are no longer any papers of accusation to be found.
On occasion, though, our sins DO resurface to haunt us. We go fishing on our own, reel in the shark, cut it open and pull out the papers one by one, convicting ourselves before Christ, nullifying in our own minds the forgiveness He's already granted. Ridiculous, don't cha' think?
On the other hand, sometimes the papers resurface for another reason. Un-confessed sin will not remain underwater. As followers of Christ, when we refuse to repent from a sin or choose to hide from it, the Spirit will go fishing on His own. He wants to bring you back into a right relationship with the Father, and He won't let that shark stay at the bottom of the ocean. He'll drag it up, inch by inch until you realize your waywardness from Christ, repent from your sin, and draw near once again to the Father.
So today, if you're struggling with the heaviness of your sin, do one of two things. First of all, if this thing that haunts you is un-confessed, confess it, repent (turn) from it, and follow after Christ. Yet, if this sin that haunts you has already been covered by the blood of Jesus, toss the thing back into the depths of the ocean where it belongs! Don't let Satan or your own mind use guilt to convict you and hold you captive over something that you've already been forgiven for. Guilt ties your hands and feet - to bind you - so that you will never know that you are not a convicted criminal, but FREE...and if the Son sets you free, you are free, indeed...no matter what.
Jesus, I praise You today for being my Redeemer...for taking my guilt upon the cross and removing it through Your sacrifice of life. Thank You that I no longer have to be bound by my past, nor held tight from my future because of my sin. Thank You that You took care of that for me. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You!
After reading the next few paragraphs, I hope you'll understand why I took you on this little historical detour. Reading this morning in Micah 7, I found this verse: You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (19), which led me to another verse: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103:12).
Unlike Thomas Briggs, as Believers our sins - when forgiven - will never be brought against us again. Briggs was tried and convicted, because his sins were thrown into the depths of the sea, but resurfaced to prove his condemnation. Praise be to our God, who not only casts our sins into the sea when we ask for forgiveness, but separates them from us as far as the east is from the west. Our sins will never resurface to bring judgement upon us, because there are no longer any papers of accusation to be found.
On occasion, though, our sins DO resurface to haunt us. We go fishing on our own, reel in the shark, cut it open and pull out the papers one by one, convicting ourselves before Christ, nullifying in our own minds the forgiveness He's already granted. Ridiculous, don't cha' think?
On the other hand, sometimes the papers resurface for another reason. Un-confessed sin will not remain underwater. As followers of Christ, when we refuse to repent from a sin or choose to hide from it, the Spirit will go fishing on His own. He wants to bring you back into a right relationship with the Father, and He won't let that shark stay at the bottom of the ocean. He'll drag it up, inch by inch until you realize your waywardness from Christ, repent from your sin, and draw near once again to the Father.
So today, if you're struggling with the heaviness of your sin, do one of two things. First of all, if this thing that haunts you is un-confessed, confess it, repent (turn) from it, and follow after Christ. Yet, if this sin that haunts you has already been covered by the blood of Jesus, toss the thing back into the depths of the ocean where it belongs! Don't let Satan or your own mind use guilt to convict you and hold you captive over something that you've already been forgiven for. Guilt ties your hands and feet - to bind you - so that you will never know that you are not a convicted criminal, but FREE...and if the Son sets you free, you are free, indeed...no matter what.
Jesus, I praise You today for being my Redeemer...for taking my guilt upon the cross and removing it through Your sacrifice of life. Thank You that I no longer have to be bound by my past, nor held tight from my future because of my sin. Thank You that You took care of that for me. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Our Vital Necessity
Steve (my wonderful, handsome, loving, caring, dishes-doing-to-let-me-know-he-still-loves-me husband) and I set aside some Scripture verses as our own, when we decided to get married. Jeremiah 29:11-13 became our life verses and almost 19 years later, they still bring many beautiful memories to mind for me:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
I'm sure many people hold the same verses near and dear to their hearts, but yesterday, as I read the Amplified Bible, I found some additional "meat" to satisfy my Spirit: Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me (as a vital necessity) and find me when you search for Me with all your heart (vs. 13).
As a vital necessity - I read over those words again and again and questioned myself. Was I really searching for God as my vital necessity or was I just merely searching for all the benefits that come from being His child - His joy, His peace, His will? I decided, it's not the benefits I want to know. It's Him. I really, really, REALLY want to know Him.
To do so, however, requires something - a searching. God doesn't just pop out of a bottle like a genie or follow us around like a puppy, waiting to be addressed. Nope. Instead, He says we have to search for Him - determinedly, thoughtfully, desperately - to find Him. After all, God is our VITAL NECESSITY...and our search for Him should exemplify that.
Let's imagine for a moment. If you were stranded on a desert island with no food or water, what would be the first thing you would look for? Silly question, right? I can almost - I said ALMOST - guarantee that you wouldn't look for a new pair of palm leaf shoes or the latest coconut hair handbag to take up space in your new closet - handwoven from vines! No, you'd look for the vital necessities for life - the things you need to live on a minute by minute basis. Nothing else would matter...not your checkbook, not your car, not cable TV...not even the fact that you had to climb up jagged peaks and cut your hands and feet to pieces to get to the only clean water source on the island. Nothing would matter to you, EXCEPT finding that vital necessity.
That's the way we are to search for God...as THE (word change, my own) Vital Necessity of life. Oh, and guess what? When we search for Him in this manner, He promises to be found. How cool is that!?!
Now, I'm not suggesting we all go out and seclude ourselves on an island, so we can focus completely and totally on finding God. That would be totally out of God's will, unless He specifically told you to do so...and I don't know of many people He's instructed to do that!
I am suggesting though, that we change our way of thinking about finding God. I'm saying we need to search for Him, not just at church on Sunday or Wednesday, but all the time - being constantly aware that He is our Vital Necessity, and we must find Him to find life. That means we must be in a spirit of prayer at all times. It means we must read His Word, as much as possible during the day and memorize as much of It as possible. Searching for God as our Vital Necessity means we must be in an attitude of anticipation throughout the day, so as not to miss what He does next. It means searching for Him around every corner of your life, as you would for clean water on a deserted island.
Scripture says, THEN we will find Him. We will find our Vital Necessity for life.
Now, let me ask you again, "How cool is that?!?"
Dear Jesus, we want to know You. We want to learn how to search for You as our Vital Necessity for life. Teach us, Lord to do so. Correct our eyes when we look away and our feet when we turn from Your direction. Thank You, Lord, that you promise that when we seek for You in this manner, You WILL be found. What a Treasure You are to us, Lord. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
I'm sure many people hold the same verses near and dear to their hearts, but yesterday, as I read the Amplified Bible, I found some additional "meat" to satisfy my Spirit: Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me (as a vital necessity) and find me when you search for Me with all your heart (vs. 13).
As a vital necessity - I read over those words again and again and questioned myself. Was I really searching for God as my vital necessity or was I just merely searching for all the benefits that come from being His child - His joy, His peace, His will? I decided, it's not the benefits I want to know. It's Him. I really, really, REALLY want to know Him.
To do so, however, requires something - a searching. God doesn't just pop out of a bottle like a genie or follow us around like a puppy, waiting to be addressed. Nope. Instead, He says we have to search for Him - determinedly, thoughtfully, desperately - to find Him. After all, God is our VITAL NECESSITY...and our search for Him should exemplify that.
Let's imagine for a moment. If you were stranded on a desert island with no food or water, what would be the first thing you would look for? Silly question, right? I can almost - I said ALMOST - guarantee that you wouldn't look for a new pair of palm leaf shoes or the latest coconut hair handbag to take up space in your new closet - handwoven from vines! No, you'd look for the vital necessities for life - the things you need to live on a minute by minute basis. Nothing else would matter...not your checkbook, not your car, not cable TV...not even the fact that you had to climb up jagged peaks and cut your hands and feet to pieces to get to the only clean water source on the island. Nothing would matter to you, EXCEPT finding that vital necessity.
That's the way we are to search for God...as THE (word change, my own) Vital Necessity of life. Oh, and guess what? When we search for Him in this manner, He promises to be found. How cool is that!?!
Now, I'm not suggesting we all go out and seclude ourselves on an island, so we can focus completely and totally on finding God. That would be totally out of God's will, unless He specifically told you to do so...and I don't know of many people He's instructed to do that!
I am suggesting though, that we change our way of thinking about finding God. I'm saying we need to search for Him, not just at church on Sunday or Wednesday, but all the time - being constantly aware that He is our Vital Necessity, and we must find Him to find life. That means we must be in a spirit of prayer at all times. It means we must read His Word, as much as possible during the day and memorize as much of It as possible. Searching for God as our Vital Necessity means we must be in an attitude of anticipation throughout the day, so as not to miss what He does next. It means searching for Him around every corner of your life, as you would for clean water on a deserted island.
Scripture says, THEN we will find Him. We will find our Vital Necessity for life.
Now, let me ask you again, "How cool is that?!?"
Dear Jesus, we want to know You. We want to learn how to search for You as our Vital Necessity for life. Teach us, Lord to do so. Correct our eyes when we look away and our feet when we turn from Your direction. Thank You, Lord, that you promise that when we seek for You in this manner, You WILL be found. What a Treasure You are to us, Lord. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Will You Have a Husky in the Morning?
This morning during breakfast, my little one reminded me of a quote that I read on Facebook a couple of days ago. He, of course, never saw the quote, but I did...and it stuck. I can’t remember who posted it or what time of day I saw it, but the words and their meanings will forever be etched in my memory. Now this is probably not word-for-word, but I think you’ll get the point:
What if you awoke tomorrow with just the things you thanked God for today?
For me, that quote hit home. If the tables were turned and the statement said, “What if you awoke tomorrow with just the things you asked God for today,” then my life might be pretty rich. But I’m afraid I would be a little - no, a lot lacking in the vital necessities of life, if the statement remained the same.
This morning, as Seth prayed, I was reminded of the statement once again. He, (as usual) began his prayer thanking God for all the people that He had made. He thanked God for the trees and the dogs...for all the animals in the world...for Huskies...for birds...for making the moon...and his family. Prayers like this one from him, go on and on and most of the time, they are prayers of thanksgiving. If that quote came true, my little boy would have everything he loved and needed - and SOOO much more, right down to the Husky!
To my shame, I’ve already “fessed up” and said that I would be pretty desperate. What about you? What would your life look like if you had only those things around you today that you thanked God for yesterday? Would your life be filled to the brim and overflowing? Would you, too, have a Husky? Or would you be wandering the streets, desperately searching for the bare essentials like me? I tell you what...let’s not be lacking in the area of thankfulness.
God tells us that we are to be thankful in everything...for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess. 5:18. (NAS). He tells us that for many reasons. It’s not just because He wants to hear our thanksgiving, but it’s also because He knows what it does for us. It reminds us of how blessed we truly are. It reminds us WHERE those blessings come from. It focuses our attention away from ourselves and to the One who is the Giver of all good gifts. Being thankful lifts our spirits, our countenances, and our moods. He knows that, so in His wisdom, He commands us to do it. It is, after all, God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
So, right now, think of...and thank God for at least 10 things in your life that He has graciously provided for you. Go ahead, and do it. I’m not writing any more until you do!
Okay, now, throughout the day, make a conscious effort to tell Him “Thank you.” When you wash your hands, tell Him “Thank You” for the hot water. When you eat your dinner, tell Him, “Thank You” for His provision. When you lay your head down at night, tell Him, “Thank You” for a place to sleep and for the sleep that will come...and if it doesn’t come, just think...you have the rest of the night to ponder things to thank God for!
Dearest Jesus, we do thank You for everything. You have given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. You have given us, most importantly, eternal life. You have given us breath in our lungs and air to breathe. I could go on and on Lord, for You know my heart. Help me to be ever thankful today...more than yesterday, and not as much as tomorrow. I love you, Lord. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
This morning during breakfast, my little one reminded me of a quote that I read on Facebook a couple of days ago. He, of course, never saw the quote, but I did...and it stuck. I can’t remember who posted it or what time of day I saw it, but the words and their meanings will forever be etched in my memory. Now this is probably not word-for-word, but I think you’ll get the point:
What if you awoke tomorrow with just the things you thanked God for today?
For me, that quote hit home. If the tables were turned and the statement said, “What if you awoke tomorrow with just the things you asked God for today,” then my life might be pretty rich. But I’m afraid I would be a little - no, a lot lacking in the vital necessities of life, if the statement remained the same.
This morning, as Seth prayed, I was reminded of the statement once again. He, (as usual) began his prayer thanking God for all the people that He had made. He thanked God for the trees and the dogs...for all the animals in the world...for Huskies...for birds...for making the moon...and his family. Prayers like this one from him, go on and on and most of the time, they are prayers of thanksgiving. If that quote came true, my little boy would have everything he loved and needed - and SOOO much more, right down to the Husky!
To my shame, I’ve already “fessed up” and said that I would be pretty desperate. What about you? What would your life look like if you had only those things around you today that you thanked God for yesterday? Would your life be filled to the brim and overflowing? Would you, too, have a Husky? Or would you be wandering the streets, desperately searching for the bare essentials like me? I tell you what...let’s not be lacking in the area of thankfulness.
God tells us that we are to be thankful in everything...for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess. 5:18. (NAS). He tells us that for many reasons. It’s not just because He wants to hear our thanksgiving, but it’s also because He knows what it does for us. It reminds us of how blessed we truly are. It reminds us WHERE those blessings come from. It focuses our attention away from ourselves and to the One who is the Giver of all good gifts. Being thankful lifts our spirits, our countenances, and our moods. He knows that, so in His wisdom, He commands us to do it. It is, after all, God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
So, right now, think of...and thank God for at least 10 things in your life that He has graciously provided for you. Go ahead, and do it. I’m not writing any more until you do!
Okay, now, throughout the day, make a conscious effort to tell Him “Thank you.” When you wash your hands, tell Him “Thank You” for the hot water. When you eat your dinner, tell Him, “Thank You” for His provision. When you lay your head down at night, tell Him, “Thank You” for a place to sleep and for the sleep that will come...and if it doesn’t come, just think...you have the rest of the night to ponder things to thank God for!
Dearest Jesus, we do thank You for everything. You have given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. You have given us, most importantly, eternal life. You have given us breath in our lungs and air to breathe. I could go on and on Lord, for You know my heart. Help me to be ever thankful today...more than yesterday, and not as much as tomorrow. I love you, Lord. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)