Month: April 2016

The Crisis in Complaining

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My prayer today:

Lord, I thank You for leading me to this lesson in Exodus 17 today. I shall continue to studydear god it and ponder it as I go through the day. Please be with me and enlighten me to the things that YOU want me to know; the things You want me to understand so that I can pass them along to others, if that is what You desire. I don’t want to complain anymore, but I know that this is an area that my flesh is prone to.

Help me to learn to pray to You instead of complaining to the world around me. Help me to understand that complaints and negative words from my mouth become the tools of satan and that just brings more trouble on myself and those around me.

I believe in You, oh Lord, and I trust in You. Help me to trust in You more. Renew my faith and belief every day, for it is in my belief that I find peace and joy; it’s where I find You. I love You, Lord, with all my heart and soul; with all my strength; and I strive to love and honor You with every single thought through this fickle mind of mine.

Lord, please, please help me to line up my mind with my heart for You. Fill both with your wisdom and love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen and Ehmen.

And The Word of God says…

Exodus 17New International Version (NIV)

Water From the Rock

17 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”

Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah[a] and Meribah[b] because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

The Amalekites Defeated

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.”

15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against[c] the throne of the Lord,[d] the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

Ask. Act. Amen.

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Proverbs 2: 1-6:

“My child, listen to what I say and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

God’s grace and offer of salvation is a free gift. All we hProverbs 2. 1-6ave to do is ask for it and it is ours. We have entered the land of hope eternal and staked claim to the promise of everlasting life in heaven. God comes to us, so to speak.

This scripture tells us, however, that the tools of wisdom, insight and understanding are set aside for those who not only ask, but who also seek wholeheartedly; those who take action by going to God and delving deep into His Word.

Imagine God’s Word as a literal toolbox. Would the toolbox be helpful if you never opened it? Would just knowing the tools are there do you any good? If a carpenter never took his tools out of his toolbox, would the nails drive themselves into the wood? Would your building supplies magically take the shape and form that you need?

Well, of course not! Yet, that is how we often treat the Bible.

God has given us all the answers. The complete instruction manual and every single tool needed. The rest, however, is up to us.

My prayer today is that we don’t stop at the “free gift” of salvation, but that we earnestly seek all the gifts that God has for us. I know I want more than anything to have wisdom, insight and understanding so that I can lead the best life possible and, as a result, others will follow me into the Kingdom of God. Please Lord, let it be so. Light a fire in all of us to seek, search and find all the hidden treasures you have planted for us in Your Word. Grant us wisdom, insight and understanding so that we may know You even more.

Amen and Ehmen.

Moseying Like Moses…

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My prayer today:

Good morning, God. Once again, slow to rise and then distracted. Satan loves to try and flowerkeep me from spending time with you, but I need not fear him. I only need to clothe myself in your full armor and turn and tune my heart to you.

So, in my routine distraction, I looked at the bible app on my phone and read the following daily verse:

Romans 15:4: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

The NIV version says:

“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”

What an encouraging scripture, oh Lord! It’s exactly what has been happening to me as I study the life and times of Moses. One of the most encouraging and affirming things is realizing how human Moses was and how human I am.

Moses was born to do great work for you and he saw miracle after miracle and yet he still doubted his ability to do his part. It took him 80 years to figure out that it was not in HIS power, but yours that all those things would be done! Hmmmm, I wonder if that is where the word “mosey” comes from? Eighty years to a destination/realization would definitely indicate a bit of moseying along the way.

God, I pray that it doesn’t take me 80 years to get to that point. I no longer want to mosey. I WANT to be ready now. But, I also know that it is in YOUR time. Just know, Lord, that my heart and desire is on go. My desire is ready when you are ready. I love you dear Lord, with all my heart, all my strength and all my soul. Be with me as I go through this day and let me be aware of your presence each passing moment. Help me to walk and talk and react like you would on this day. I need you. Without you, I am nothing. Amen and Ehmen.

It starts right where we are…

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Featured Image -- 351Ahhhh, Ephesians 6:19-20:

“And pray for me too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep in speaking boldly for him, as I should.”

Undiscouraged and undefeated, Paul wrote powerful letters of encouragement from prison. Paul did not ask the Ephesians to pray that his chains be removed, but that he would continue to speak fearlessly for Christ in spite of them. God, You can use us in any circumstance to do Your will. Even when we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that You will accomplish Your plan through us right where we are.

Lord, help us to know our eternal purpose and to learn how to let that knowledge help us through difficult times. Amen and Ehmen.

He speaks…still.

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I was diligently looking for the scripture that said “Praise God from who all blessings flow” and I realized that, while based on biblical truths, it is not verbatim scripture from the Bible. Tis instead from a song written almost three hundred years ago.

It is so incredible when we begin to realize that God did not stop when he completed the 1,189 chapters, 31,173 verses, 807,361 words in the Bible.

He did not stop with the parables of the Gospels.

God still, today, has things to say and as long as we keep our eyes, ears and hearts tuned to Him, we will still see His words and teachings all around us; a continuous flow of comfort, restoration and salvation for those yet wandering in the desert on the fringe of the Promised Land. Amen and Ehmen.

For those who are interested, more about this “hymn about Him”….borrowed from http://www.cyberhymnal.com. Enjoy!

Words: Thom­as Ken, Man­u­al of Pray­ers for the Use of the Schol­ars of Win­ches­ter Col­lege, 1674.

Music: Mainzer, Jo­seph Mainz­er, cir­ca 1845 (MI­DI, score). Al­ter­nate tunes:

  • Dawn, in A Com­pil­a­tion of Gen­u­ine Church Mu­sic, by Jo­seph Funk, 4th edi­tion, 1847 (MI­DI, score)
  • Morn­ing Hymn, Fran­çois H. Bar­thé­lé­mon, 1785 (MI­DI, score). Bar­thé­lé­mon wrote this mu­sic for these words, at the re­quest of an or­phan­age chap­lain in Lon­don; it was first pub­lished in A Sup­ple­ment to the Hymns and Psalms Used at the Asy­lum or House of Ref­uge for Fe­male Or­phans, print­ed for Wil­liam Gaw­ler, or­gan­ist to the Asy­lum (Lon­don: cir­ca 1785).
  • The Morn­ing Watch, Carl F. Price, 1913 (MI­DI, score)

Joseph Mainzer (1801-1851)

Ken wrote this hymn at a time when the es­tab­lished church be­lieved on­ly Script­ure should be sung as hymns—with an em­pha­sis on the Psalms. Some con­sid­ered it sin­ful and blas­phe­mous to write new lyr­ics for church mu­sic, akin to ad­ding to the Script­ures. In that at­mo­sphere, Ken wrote this and sev­er­al other hymns for the boys at Win­chest­er Col­lege, with strict in­struct­ions that they use them on­ly in their rooms, for pri­vate de­vo­tions. Iron­ic­al­ly, the last stan­za has come into wide­spread use as the Dox­ol­o­gy, per­haps the most fr­equent­ly used piece of mu­sic in pub­lic wor­ship. At Ken’s request, the hymn was sung at his fun­er­al, fit­tingly held at sun­rise.

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.

In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.

All praise to Thee, who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.

Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.

I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

 

 

A Stroll Down Wisdom Lane

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IIMG_1463 woke up early and decided to walk as the sun rose. There is just something about watching the light cut through the dark that gives glorious hope. I could almost feel my spirit smile. But, as I got about halfway through my one mile circle, I realized that the sun was no longer in front of me, but behind me and that I was now walking in shadows. It was then that I heard the Teacher say: “See, dear child, when you walk toward me, there is always hope, but turn your back on me and you always walk in shadows.” Needless to say, I turned around. Amen and Ehmen.

 

Suit Up, Y’all!

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This morning during my daily God Time, I must admit that I felt very distracted. Focusing dear godto begin with was difficult at best and I had to stop everything and pray for God’s help in bringing me back to Himself.

As I prayed, Ephesians 6 settled into my spirit and I picked up my bible to read. The words floated off the page and I knew that this was exactly what I needed to hear on this day. Distraction, my Teacher pointed out, is one of the enemy’s main weapons; one of his primary go-to battle plans. And, we–as children of the One, True God–are instructed to always, always clothe ourselves in His full armor.

Our father reminds us, through His Word that the devil and his band of demons are very real. We may not see them with our naked eye, but they are just as real as our Father. That’s the bad news. The good news is that they are nowhere near as powerful. The Lord tells us that He has and will always have the edge and, through Him, we also have the same edge. We must not ever forget that.

There is absolutely nothing that satan can throw at us that we and God cannot handle together; together being the operative word. Alone, we are left defenseless, like tiny lambs among wolves. However, when we walk with Him; when we step out on the battlefield in His armor, thine enemies will retreat; they will back away. They know that they can’t win even the smallest battle against Him!

And, even though we know they will return and that they lie in wait, hoping to catch us with our guard down, we need not fear as our God is with us always and loves us dearly. He calls to us to come to Him, defenseless children who become great warriors with Him by our side. Suit up, y’all, it’s going to be a great and victorious day!

And The Word of God Says….

Ephesians 6: 10-

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Amen and Ehmen.

A Bittersweet Love Story

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Dear God, as I continue to reflect on this Easter season, I ask that you help the words flow dear godfrom the deepest recesses of my soul, the inner places where You dwell in all Your holiness and righteousness. Thank you for sending Your son and for Him taking on human suffering and death just so that we could live with You forever. I am overwhelmed by Your grace and love for me and, though I am eternally sorry for my sins and shortcomings, I am eternally grateful for Your grace and forgiveness and, most especially, your gift of salvation, wrapped in the arms of Jesus and presented to us freely. All we have to do is believe and accept, both of which I do, wholeheartedly. Thank you, Jesus, for what You endured; for Your obedience to the Father, no matter what; and for making a way for me. May I become more and more like You as the seconds and minutes tick past. I don’t want to waste any more time. Help me to stay focused on Your will and purpose. Father, Your will be done, on earth and in me, just as it is in Heaven. Amen and Ehmen.

A Bittersweet Love Story

As His son hung on the cross, bloodied by the hands of man and scoffed at by the evil and lost, God was certainly saddened in the moment—saddened by the state of His creation that brought everything down to this very moment. A moment perhaps best described as a necessary evil and one that would change the destiny of humankind forever; a new and jesus on crossfoolproof way for the very ones that were created in God’s own image to live forever in His Presence. It was and is the invitation of all invitations and it is extended to each and every one of us.

As one who has accepted that invitation, this Easter season finds my heart and mind naturally harkening back to the pivotal events that would forevermore open Heaven’s doorway to the likes of me and you; to sinners saved by grace and grace alone.

Yes, it was part of God’s plan that His Son would die on that cross so that we could live forever in His Presence. But, though it was always a part of His plan, doesn’t mean that it was easy. Jesus, though the Son of God, was fully a man, born to a human mother and into flesh and body just like you and me. He needed air and food just like us and he felt pain like us as well. And the cross undoubtedly created agonizing, horrific pain–pain which He in no way deserved, but humbly accepted out of pure love for us. Which one of us is not heartbroken that he had to endure such torture for us? But, at the same time, who could not be completely filled and overjoyed that he did it so that we could dwell in the presence of our Lord forever?

To me, it is indeed the epitome of a bittersweet love story; that right there in the middle of the cross where God’s heart hung in the balance, wrath and judgement met mercy and lost and found imageforgiveness and our invitation to dwell with Him forever was permanently engraved and then sealed with the blood of His one and only son and our sweet, sweet Savior.

Thank you, sweet Jesus. Thank you. May my life be a testament of my undying gratitude and may Your Glory shine through me until the day I, too, take my last breath on earth. Amen and Ehmen!

The Predestined Path

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Purpose Path from Stone Mountain My Pic with Scripture

When you learn to have complete faith in God and the plan that He has for your life, then and only then will you poise yourself for true success and fulfillment. Will it always be easy? Absolutely not. Will it always be worth it? Absolutely and positively yes.

The trick is in learning that nothing in your life is a surprise to God. He knows what happens to you before it happens and is constantly shaping and melding those experiences so that through them you can fulfill His purposes. What an honor.

It is true. Just as His word says, God uses everything for good. Those painful times become valuable, one-of-a-kind, critical ingredients for the end result that God has planned. Truth is, if you never had such experiences, there would be no ingredients for God to work with. Yes, you may miss your husband, your wife, your job, your child, your youth, but remember and take solace in the fact that those things and even the loss of those things are the very ingredients that are propelling you straight ahead into God’s purpose for your life and, ultimately, His Kingdom.

Instead of dwelling on your hurt, focus on being thankful for the gift and for the fact that God still finds you worthy of fulfilling His purposes here on earth. Take the attention off of yourself and realize—as hard as it is to do—that this life is not about you, but Him, His Purpose and His Will. Fortunately, it is also in Him, His Purpose and His Will that we are promised to find complete joy and fulfillment which could never be rivaled by anything or anyone on earth, no matter how great. Now, that’s an awesome promise.

Count me in! Amen and Ehmen!

 

And the Word of our Almighty God says…

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. –John 16:33
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. –Jeremiah 29:11

 For we are God’s own handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us…that we should walk in them living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live. –Ephesians 2:10

Now to Him Who…is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams. —Ephesians 3:20

 It is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and  delight.–Philippians 2:13.