It is pouring rain right now! "Lord, as you wash the earth with refreshing rain, so wash my heart and soul with your grace that I may be clean and whole."
Today I am sad, but don't know why. I got up sad. This is when it is so important to praise Him...sacrifice of praise.
Numbers 20:3-5 Then people contended (complained and argued) because there was no water...these were adults, but acted like kids..."daddy, we want..." "There is none but God will provide, He always does." "But I want it NOW."
Then it is the "If only and why" statements. I know it wouldn't be easy to be without water. But they had already seen so many miracles. Didn't they remember them and God's power? When life is difficult, satan attacks us with the negative and takes our gaze off the Lord and sets our eyes on our desires. Usually selfish desires.
Can we accuse the children of Israel? Absolutely not. We do the same thing. But when we don't get what we want, we buy our way through the situation...well many of us. You know, hire a lawyer, grab for insurance, blame the government, after all they are responsible for providing for us. Really?
This is what the children of Israel did in the desert—they blamed Moses for every difficulty. We best be careful who we blame and accuse for our lack of things. Maybe, just maybe, God is taking things away from us so that we can see His Hand in providing for us and not depending on "whoever" to provide.
God can and God will!
God bless you
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Adoption
Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
We had lunch and swimming time at Dave and Betty's house. Betty gave Promise a doll that she found on a shelf, that was up for grabs. She made a paper for it, asking Promise if she would like to adopt her. The whole event was so fun, Promise's eyes as big as a saucer and immediately falling in love with her new "baby" Becky! Then to see the joy in Betty's eyes as she watched Promise loving on the doll!
This reminded me of our adoption with God through Jesus! When we have Jesus in our heart, we are filled with joy. Oh, if only we could see the face of the Father, as we come to Him. His eyes are filled with love and joy. His arms enfold us into Him. We may call Him Abba, the endearing name for father! How can we miss this so often? Too many times we think of God as the harsh judge, instead of the Loving Father, ready to forgive!
Promise's doll can be a daily reminder to me, the joy my Father, my Abba has when I come to Him. The love He wants to dote on me if only I take the time to allow Him to do so. Romance involves caressing, and I have a romantic relationship with my Father. I need to allow Him to caress me in His Word and with His gifts.
If we are redeemed, then we are blessed beyond words!! God has given us the Best.
As Promise was holding her doll, she said, "Oh I was just waiting for a doll like this!" I can almost hear God saying, "Oh I was just waiting for you to hold you and love you!"
Allow God to wrap His arms of love around you.
God bless you
We had lunch and swimming time at Dave and Betty's house. Betty gave Promise a doll that she found on a shelf, that was up for grabs. She made a paper for it, asking Promise if she would like to adopt her. The whole event was so fun, Promise's eyes as big as a saucer and immediately falling in love with her new "baby" Becky! Then to see the joy in Betty's eyes as she watched Promise loving on the doll!
This reminded me of our adoption with God through Jesus! When we have Jesus in our heart, we are filled with joy. Oh, if only we could see the face of the Father, as we come to Him. His eyes are filled with love and joy. His arms enfold us into Him. We may call Him Abba, the endearing name for father! How can we miss this so often? Too many times we think of God as the harsh judge, instead of the Loving Father, ready to forgive!
Promise's doll can be a daily reminder to me, the joy my Father, my Abba has when I come to Him. The love He wants to dote on me if only I take the time to allow Him to do so. Romance involves caressing, and I have a romantic relationship with my Father. I need to allow Him to caress me in His Word and with His gifts.
If we are redeemed, then we are blessed beyond words!! God has given us the Best.
As Promise was holding her doll, she said, "Oh I was just waiting for a doll like this!" I can almost hear God saying, "Oh I was just waiting for you to hold you and love you!"
Allow God to wrap His arms of love around you.
God bless you
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The Compliment
Numbers 12:3 "Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth."
A short verse, but dynamite! This is the ultimate compliment. Moses didn't have the normal "rungs" on his success ladder— rich, a mega church, a legend in sports, good looking.... Was Moses perfect? No! He complained to God about the work load, his complaining "church" people. In Numbers 11:11-15, he asks God what he is doing to afflict him with these people. And in verse 15 he says to God, "If you treat me like this, please just kill me and now..."
Does this ring a bell? "Look, God, I've had all I can take. If this is the thanks I get, just let me die." In another conversation Moses had with God, complaining, God answered him, "Is my arm shortened?" In other words, am I not sufficient?
I can learn so much from the life of Moses. He really knew God intimately! He wasn't afraid to bring any of his complaints and problems to God. But he listened when God spoke. How often I read the Bible and am not "listening" to God's message to me!
My prayer today: Lord, help me to listen. Let me carry the work you have for me today, without complaint. Lord, help me not to put more on "my plate" than what you give to me."
I'm so thankful the life of Moses is in the Bible. What a man of God!!
God bless you
A short verse, but dynamite! This is the ultimate compliment. Moses didn't have the normal "rungs" on his success ladder— rich, a mega church, a legend in sports, good looking.... Was Moses perfect? No! He complained to God about the work load, his complaining "church" people. In Numbers 11:11-15, he asks God what he is doing to afflict him with these people. And in verse 15 he says to God, "If you treat me like this, please just kill me and now..."
Does this ring a bell? "Look, God, I've had all I can take. If this is the thanks I get, just let me die." In another conversation Moses had with God, complaining, God answered him, "Is my arm shortened?" In other words, am I not sufficient?
I can learn so much from the life of Moses. He really knew God intimately! He wasn't afraid to bring any of his complaints and problems to God. But he listened when God spoke. How often I read the Bible and am not "listening" to God's message to me!
My prayer today: Lord, help me to listen. Let me carry the work you have for me today, without complaint. Lord, help me not to put more on "my plate" than what you give to me."
I'm so thankful the life of Moses is in the Bible. What a man of God!!
God bless you
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Surely Goodness and Mercy
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
This morning as I was listening to a message online on this verse, the pastor gave a new insight to this verse. I had always pictured this verse in David's early life as a shepherd, or on the run from King Saul. But this pastor suggested that this could have been a Psalm at the end of David's life.
At the end of his life, he knew who God was! He knew what being a shepherd was all about, and how God was a Good Shepherd, providing all of his needs. David knew that God had provided for all his needs. In another Psalm David declares that his greatest desire was to be in the House of the Lord, not his palace, his throne, or with his wealth, but in the presence of God.
Psalm 23 gives a picture of one who is truly satisfied with the simple things of life, and the necessities of life not the wants. My years prior to Haiti, definitely had a greater "need" list, than I had at the end of my time in Haiti. Actually as I look back on what I thought I needed to live, is almost humorous. Perhaps my age is the reason this Psalm resonates so clearly with me, seeing it in a different perspective. To trust the Lord for every need, and to be thankful for each provision is a step by step learning experience. To desire the house of God more than a "shopping spree" (which is not one of my "things"), or a sport event, etc is also growing in the Lord.
We soon realize that there is no lasting satisfaction in anything outside of the presence of the Lord. Therefore, my needs list is quite diminished as well. My thinking is, "If God hasn't provided it, then it must not be a need." Things of this world will soon pass away. We can experience the sweetness of God's presence here on earth when we are thankful for His provision. Our eyes are on Him.
The Psalm ends with "surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Oh for the Goodness of God!
I will close on a bit of humor with this last phrase. Many years ago, one of my co-workers at the hospital had 3 kittens and she named them—surely, goodness, and mercy. She said they would follow her all the days of her life. Smile. A good way to be reminded of God's promise!
God bless you
This morning as I was listening to a message online on this verse, the pastor gave a new insight to this verse. I had always pictured this verse in David's early life as a shepherd, or on the run from King Saul. But this pastor suggested that this could have been a Psalm at the end of David's life.
At the end of his life, he knew who God was! He knew what being a shepherd was all about, and how God was a Good Shepherd, providing all of his needs. David knew that God had provided for all his needs. In another Psalm David declares that his greatest desire was to be in the House of the Lord, not his palace, his throne, or with his wealth, but in the presence of God.
Psalm 23 gives a picture of one who is truly satisfied with the simple things of life, and the necessities of life not the wants. My years prior to Haiti, definitely had a greater "need" list, than I had at the end of my time in Haiti. Actually as I look back on what I thought I needed to live, is almost humorous. Perhaps my age is the reason this Psalm resonates so clearly with me, seeing it in a different perspective. To trust the Lord for every need, and to be thankful for each provision is a step by step learning experience. To desire the house of God more than a "shopping spree" (which is not one of my "things"), or a sport event, etc is also growing in the Lord.
We soon realize that there is no lasting satisfaction in anything outside of the presence of the Lord. Therefore, my needs list is quite diminished as well. My thinking is, "If God hasn't provided it, then it must not be a need." Things of this world will soon pass away. We can experience the sweetness of God's presence here on earth when we are thankful for His provision. Our eyes are on Him.
The Psalm ends with "surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Oh for the Goodness of God!
I will close on a bit of humor with this last phrase. Many years ago, one of my co-workers at the hospital had 3 kittens and she named them—surely, goodness, and mercy. She said they would follow her all the days of her life. Smile. A good way to be reminded of God's promise!
God bless you
Friday, July 20, 2012
Can I Understand?
Proverbs 20:24 "A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?"
How can I understand? I can't. God is too great for me to even begin to understand how He orchestrates not only my life, but everyone's life. How do our prayers work? How is it that I can pray for someone today, and that prayer is answered a thousand miles away!! Impossible!!
But that is the God we serve! He is infinite and beyond my understanding! Today as He is working in my life and providing for me, He is also working in China and sending an angel inside a prison where one of His children is being tormented because of Jesus! Wow! that is so incomprehensible! We cannot understand God and not our own way.
Do you ever find yourself doing something or thinking something, and saying, "Where did that come from?" I woke up during the night, and a name came to my mind. This is not someone who I have had a long friendship with, but prayed for her. I find when a name comes to me, out of "nowhere", it is someone who I should pray for.
But on the flip side of understanding God, I find myself trying to figure out why someone does something or says something that doesn't seem quite right. I think I should not try anymore, after all, if I am too much for me to understand how do I think I can understand the ways of another?
The question is not why does she does that? But how can I love in spite of what she does or says?
Sometimes it would be so wonderful to have a group of you here so we could just talk about these things. I would love to hear your views!
God is incredibly faithful and Good!
God bless you
How can I understand? I can't. God is too great for me to even begin to understand how He orchestrates not only my life, but everyone's life. How do our prayers work? How is it that I can pray for someone today, and that prayer is answered a thousand miles away!! Impossible!!
But that is the God we serve! He is infinite and beyond my understanding! Today as He is working in my life and providing for me, He is also working in China and sending an angel inside a prison where one of His children is being tormented because of Jesus! Wow! that is so incomprehensible! We cannot understand God and not our own way.
Do you ever find yourself doing something or thinking something, and saying, "Where did that come from?" I woke up during the night, and a name came to my mind. This is not someone who I have had a long friendship with, but prayed for her. I find when a name comes to me, out of "nowhere", it is someone who I should pray for.
But on the flip side of understanding God, I find myself trying to figure out why someone does something or says something that doesn't seem quite right. I think I should not try anymore, after all, if I am too much for me to understand how do I think I can understand the ways of another?
The question is not why does she does that? But how can I love in spite of what she does or says?
Sometimes it would be so wonderful to have a group of you here so we could just talk about these things. I would love to hear your views!
God is incredibly faithful and Good!
God bless you
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Folly or Wisdom
Floors mopped. Check. Bathroom cleaned. Check. Pineapple upside down cake completed. Check.
Now ready for friends flying in from Haiti, as they overnight to then fly to Costa Rica tomorrow. I'm so glad we can furnish a bed for those who need to overnight.
Reading Proverbs 18 this morning, I came to verse 13. It jumped off the page. "He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him." Lord, help me. How often I have formed an opinion or "answer', if you please, to a situation that I don't have all the information! And sometimes, it is while the person is talking to me, and I am busy finding a solution.
Because my husband isn't one who gives a lot of details to things, I'm sure I'm not the only one married to a man with the "gift." Smile. Then I assume I know the answers or even worse, accuse someone before really understanding the situation.
For me, it is an ongoing effort to "be still" and wait until I have the details to try to solve a problem. If I never have the details, then it wasn't mine to solve. My prayer is that I walk in wisdom. Wait on the Lord, and keep quiet. That is, not to talk until the Lord tells me. Recently there have been different situations going on, that I wanted to scream out the answers to problems. But I'm so glad, I didn't. Until now, I don't know details. So answering to this matter without knowing the details would have brought me to the level of folly (stupidity) and shame.
Guard my heart and my tongue, Lord.
God bless you
Now ready for friends flying in from Haiti, as they overnight to then fly to Costa Rica tomorrow. I'm so glad we can furnish a bed for those who need to overnight.
Reading Proverbs 18 this morning, I came to verse 13. It jumped off the page. "He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him." Lord, help me. How often I have formed an opinion or "answer', if you please, to a situation that I don't have all the information! And sometimes, it is while the person is talking to me, and I am busy finding a solution.
Because my husband isn't one who gives a lot of details to things, I'm sure I'm not the only one married to a man with the "gift." Smile. Then I assume I know the answers or even worse, accuse someone before really understanding the situation.
For me, it is an ongoing effort to "be still" and wait until I have the details to try to solve a problem. If I never have the details, then it wasn't mine to solve. My prayer is that I walk in wisdom. Wait on the Lord, and keep quiet. That is, not to talk until the Lord tells me. Recently there have been different situations going on, that I wanted to scream out the answers to problems. But I'm so glad, I didn't. Until now, I don't know details. So answering to this matter without knowing the details would have brought me to the level of folly (stupidity) and shame.
Guard my heart and my tongue, Lord.
God bless you
Monday, July 16, 2012
God's Economy
Proverbs 16:16 "How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver."
Is it any wonder the world is in the condition it is in? The running after wealth, and spending money we don't have. The younger generation maxing out credit cards to model after TV celebrities. No more families sitting together reading the Bible. Parents working, and some 2 shifts to pay off debts but to spend more. What is wrong with this picture? Out of control!
What is God's economy? Give and it shall be given to you. Share. Live simply. Easier said than done. But wiser, much wiser. I don't even know how God does it. How does it work? I mean I'm down to my last dollar, I give it away and that day in the mail there is a check for much more than I gave away. This means that check was on the way before I gave my money away. So knowing God's faithfulness, why is it so difficult to give our last dollar? I'm talking to myself here.
In Malachi 3:10 God says to try Him out to see if He is faithful to return to us when we give for Him. And He is faithful. The key is that we do not set our own standard of living. God sets our standard. It isn't what I think "I deserve," but what God knows I need. Then be thankful in His provision.
His Word should be more precious to me than a bank account. Someone can always steal our riches, but no one can take the Word of God from our hearts.
God bless you
Is it any wonder the world is in the condition it is in? The running after wealth, and spending money we don't have. The younger generation maxing out credit cards to model after TV celebrities. No more families sitting together reading the Bible. Parents working, and some 2 shifts to pay off debts but to spend more. What is wrong with this picture? Out of control!
What is God's economy? Give and it shall be given to you. Share. Live simply. Easier said than done. But wiser, much wiser. I don't even know how God does it. How does it work? I mean I'm down to my last dollar, I give it away and that day in the mail there is a check for much more than I gave away. This means that check was on the way before I gave my money away. So knowing God's faithfulness, why is it so difficult to give our last dollar? I'm talking to myself here.
In Malachi 3:10 God says to try Him out to see if He is faithful to return to us when we give for Him. And He is faithful. The key is that we do not set our own standard of living. God sets our standard. It isn't what I think "I deserve," but what God knows I need. Then be thankful in His provision.
His Word should be more precious to me than a bank account. Someone can always steal our riches, but no one can take the Word of God from our hearts.
God bless you
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)