Choosing Thankfulness

Today this thought hit me: I can choose to be thankful for much, or I can consider it my right to receive good things from God. He is God, He does not have to give me anything. But, because He's God, that is exactly why He does give me things.

I've been reflecting over the past few days (as I knew this holiday was approaching) on what I am thankful for. I haven't been very thankful the past couple of days. In fact I've been a bit of a bear lately. The end of this pregnancy seems as though it's taking forever to cease, and I have been obnoxiously wrapped up in it being "over." (With good reason) but still, not a good reason to be a bear.

I found myself thinking this morning.."Oh I can't wait for this to end so I can finally think about something else." How about thinking about something else right now? Why do I have to wait for the pregnancy to end to be more joyful? Why can't I just be joyful/thankful/peaceful today? So, I'm working on that. I praying on it I should say....

And so far today, it's been better. SO prompted my thought, choosing to be thankful. God has given me much...and much that He gives me, is overlooked at something that's expected! It's like when you make your child a fabulous breakfast, and you have to literally pull "thank-you" out of them with all the stength you have.

No one wants a thank you that has to be intensely prompted. I know God's emotions are not human as mine are, and I know He has much grace for me when I overlook His gifts/blessings as what is justly due. But I want to say, I confess! I say thank you to the Lord far to less, and I ask for far too much, and when I get much of what I ask for, I call coincidence! I've got some nerve.

So I am questioning myself today, examining my heart, and telling the Lord, that number one I am thankful for Him alone. And that everything following our relationship, is a fabulous blessing.

My children, my husband, my family...my freedom, my hope for life, my peace, my gift of eternal life, my son accepting Christ, my daughter praying at dinner, my GOOD marriage, my ability to walk, my ability to see, hear, think, taste, smell...

All of those things, are gifts. Blessings. They were given to me by the Lord, and I would say most days, that whole list above, is taken for granted, and I consider it my right to have those things. Well, it's not my right. It's His blessing.

So I sit here, considering all I am thankful for, most of which does not come in a box, or from a store, and I shake my head and marvel at all the blessings. They are endless.

Being thankful, choosing to be thankful causes one to take their eyes off of their circumstances, and place them on things that are of more importance. Eternal things. Godly things. Things that cause us to grow in our attitude of thankfulness. Just like how smiling at someone causes a domino affect, it's just hard to not smile back...being thankful for one thing, causes you to consider ALL the other things we have to be thankful for.

I also find, the more I am thankful, the less I want. The more content I am because I see all my blessings so much more clearly. They are many. Many, many blessings. Things that only God knows I need, only God sees, and truly, that only God can give.

Sure, a new pair of pants is nice, and if you get them for me, I'd be thankful, but I am finding myself more thankful for the giver of the pants, then the pants, and for the hands that extend, the what's extended. That is what is so amazing about God and His grace. His ultimate gift. The gift I'd say that is most often overlooked. The gift of grace, eternal life and the gift of what's at stake. So what's at stake you say? Your very life. Our very lives. Someone had to pay the price for the very first gift. It was hugely expensive, in fact, it was so costly, the only form of payment that would actually suffice, was a life.

His life for yours. It's that amazing, and that simple. So the next time you find yourself asking, "what has God ever really done for me?" (and we do this in many ways, not always with those words) remind yourself of the very first gift ever given. His life for yours. You can't find that one at Target. So yes, I am thankful. Not for what I used to be though, I am thankful for what no man can take away, and no eye can see, something difficult for tongues to express and for we cannot measure in depth, in width or just how high is love of He who gives. Happy Thanksgiving.

Godly Sorrow..

I used to think being sad at times was bad, and whenever I felt sad I did my human best to get myself away from that place! Now, I'm not suggesting one stay in a place of sadness forever, because we do need balance, but feeling sorrow is something that is apart of our every day lives, and something no-one is exempt from.
There is such at thing as "heavenly sorrow." When we grieve for another perhaps who's soul is not with the Lord, and we can shed tears for those who are hurting..and so on.
Jesus wept. We all have read it. Timothy wept for Paul it states in the word... there are many situations where Godly people, wept.
I noticed a shift in my thinking here the past couple of weeks because I used to cry really pretty exclusively when things were wrong in my life, when they directly pertained to me. I have been sorrowfully pouring out my heart over the desire for a miracle for the healing of one of my friends children, I have had sorrow in my heart in the near past for those who are lost in this world, and for those who are truly walking a road of pain. The problem is is that I hated being sorrowful! I hated even feeling this way, even if was on behalf of others! But yesterday the thought hit me that in this sorrow, my heart has cried out, as the tears flowed, I acknowledged the difference in my attitude towards these situations causing me my sorrow. My response has changed. I used to be upset with God when these things happened, now I am tearfully pouring my heart out to Him to rescue. Anger is not there...sorrow is, and that's the difference.
In a situation perhaps where I would be treated unfairly, I honestly find myself praying for that individual, and feeling sad on their behalf they they are so unhappy as to lash out at me as they did...I also find deep-gut-wrenching sobs in my being for those I know who are not chasing after the Lord, and this week, I am pouring out my sorrow to the Lord on behalf of my friends who are dealing with their sick child.
I am not wanting to glorify sadness, I am simply pointing out that sometimes, it's OK to have these feelings, and when our hearts are not saddened merely by self-pity, the sorrow is also a way to glorify God...
To take a situation where we formerly would have been angry with God, or another and instead feel sadness about the situation, and in our sadness, cry out the only one who can heal.
SO the next time you feel the lump of sorrow in your throat, ask the Lord to bring light to why it's there, and ask Him also how you can still glorify Him in the midst of this sorrow, or even, with the sorrow.
Laughter comes, joy returns because this is how our lives ebb and flow, but when and if you find yourself in a short/long season of sorrow, the Lord is in that to. He's is the good times and the bad, as you have heard I'm sure...but knowing that HE TRULY IS THERE is that, and believing that, will help when it's the "bad" time your resting in.
Everything on earth shifts and changes. The only thing that does not change is God. Is the same always, and I'm learning to say OK to the feelings of sorrow, and allowing God's glory to still be shown through that time. I have spent much time throughout my past either shaking my fist at God, or questioning His reasons. I do not want to return to that place, for even in the sorrow, I still have a sense of peace. Because I know, like in everything, He's got this. He always has, He always will. And my anger and fear are better replaced by Godly sorrow.

Heal my Heart

This morning is a big morning for us in our home. Or, it became a big morning. It started out like any other, I was sitting at my computer reading my email devotional, and the kids were watching Curious George.

Mid way through, my son looks at me as says this: "Mom, would you come and pray with me, my heart hurts and I want Jesus to heal it." My throat got that lump in it that every Mom knows and recognizes when her child says something monumental. I stopped what I was doing, turned off the kid's show and asked my son if he knew what that meant? To have Jesus heal his heart? My son looked at me with total honesty and said, "Yes. I need Jesus to heal my heart because it hurts, and I do naughty things." Now I start to cry. And I nodded to my son and said, "Yes that's right. When we are naughty Jesus forgives our sins and He does heal our hearts."

And then my son asked again, "Mom, would pray that Jesus would heal my heart?" SO I did... Then I told my son that all he had to do was tell Jesus what he told me. So my son prayed this simple prayer: "Jesus, heal my heart."

As the tears streamed down my face, my son sat there smiling at me. His big blue eyes full of what I can only imagine was a new hope that only a 3 (almost 4 year old) could understand.

The irony of this is that just this morning, as my husband and I prayed before my husband left for work, my husband lifted to the Lord the greatest desire of hearts, to have Christ be first in our children's lives.

We know this is only the beginning, and our son will have many choices in life, but the simple fact that he recognized his heart hurt, and it needed healing, is huge. (and that he knew where to turn to have it be healed)

I praise the Lord for this moment in our every day normal life. It makes what I do as Mom all worth it...the time spent, the tears cried, the prayers said, knowing that it is making an eternal difference in the life of this child. His child.

That somehow, God pricked my small child's heart this morning and welcomed him into the kingdom of healed hearts!

What's important in relationships...

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity (1 Timothy 5:1-2)

I have been putting a great deal of thought into what's truly important about the relationships we hold, how we treat people...and why we treat them that way.

In my past I was pretty selfish in how I viewed relationships, if I happened to not like someone, I found it OK to be rude to them, and if you made me mad, consider that I may hold a grudge for a very long time. In reality, I think that I am most likely not alone in that sin pattern.

What's important is that I recognized my sin, and repented and now have worked very hard the past couple of years to treat all as Christ would; with love and respect. Everyone deserves common kindness, and any fool knows that they would rather be around someone who says kind things, than rude. However, what I have been contemplating is this: what is my motivation of my heart for being this way? I want purity of heart to honor Christ in what I do and say...for a time I think I was this way to prove to all and everyone that I truly was "transformed" and did some of it in my own strength...I now know that if I am to be sincere of heart, and consistent in my convictions, I need to fully rely upon the Lord for the strength to treat others as Christ would. I am not perfect. I really screw up quite a bit, and my angry/bitter/resentful/prideful attitudes towards others does emerge. But when I fix my eyes on Jesus, I recognize my sin so much more quickly than I used to, and I repent so much faster than I ever did before Christ changed my heart. In fact, before Christ changed my heart, I saw nothing wrong with my actions, and would write people off daily simply because they "annoyed" me. Nice huh?

Thank the Lord for the forgiveness He offers, and for the ability to move forward. I am very thankful for that.

It's so hurtful when others treat me this way, and I have reflected upon all the guilt of my past when they do, which makes it easier to quickly forgive them when I am hurt.

People are always going to hurt other people, but as displayed in the verse above, all people deserve our respect. No matter what background they come from, no matter their nationality, no matter our human view off them or what we feel they have done to us. It truly goes back to Jesus's words..."love your enemy as yourself." Not to say that all other folks other than those we love are our enemies, but they are quite possibly our rivals, and we ignore them, gossip about them and turn our noses up at them whatever chance we get, for somehow we have decided we are better then they are. I have to believe Jesus saw that in the human hearts of all folks back in the time of His walking the earth, and this is why He challenged us to constantly turn the other cheek. I don't think He literally thought that people were going to walk around smacking us in the face all the time, and if that were the case, I'd wear a hockey helmet to the grocery store. Because if that were the code of conduct instead of rolling of eyes, or obvious annoyance written on a face, I'd be bruised all the time! (when shopping my children are perfect angels)

What I am getting at is this: The motives of my heart are key in how I treat people because number one: I do not want to be pious in my kindness (for I do have the potential to sin even in my kindness) I do not want to "show up" someone else because it's another form of pride.

The human heart is capable of sin disguised as good, and it's that that I am trying to get to the bottom of it. To literally cut the bone from the marrow, separate the two, and then act accordingly once I find my results. I know I will never be perfect, and to claim otherwise is heresy. But what I do know is that with every move I make I have the opportunity to honor my creator, not because I'm great, but because He's worth it. Because this should be the only way of life that feels good to me if I am living who I claim to be, in Christ.

Not good for the sake of good, good for the sake of Christ. Not kindness simply for the sake of "being a nice person" but kindness for the sake of Christ. ( Although being kind and good are what I desire as well) I want to be more then decent to other humans, I want to shower HIS love on other humans. So, I'm a work in progress, able to recognize the sin of my past, so I am also able to recognize when that sin wants to creep back in. All the while, being humble for Christ, rather than pious because I think I'm great. I know it's a big bight I'm ripping off here, but a gals got to start somewhere...and this is what I'm going to be chewing on for while. It's not always going to taste good, because some jerk in the grocery store is going to really bug me sometime and I'm gonna want to let them have it: but I won't. Not because I've got really strong will-power, (because I'm weak in that) but for the sake of Christ, and in the strength of Christ, I can love a soul who appears difficult to love.

And trust me friends, if I can do this, anyone can! Just try singing "Amazing Grace" the whole time your shopping. It's going to be physically impossible to give another person a dirty look when singing this song. This is intensely important around holiday shopping, and holiday gathering with family. For sometimes it's strangers that are most difficult to love, and sometimes, it's family. So do your best, to let Christ rule in your heart all the time. See what He does with it, I'm sure you'll like the results.

"The Bible never looks at people as being worthless. The Bible's view is that humans are God's creation made in God's image, and, though they have fallen, they are not worthless. If you regard people as created in God's image, you can see an individual as worthy of respect and honor because of what God has made him or her to be--a man or woman for whom Christ died. This is how Christian slaves were to regard their masters in the first century. If they were unbelieving masters, slaves were still to look upon them as worthy of full respect in order that the name of the God who created them and stamped His image upon them might not be defamed or His teachings scorned by the world."-Ray Stedman

The Joy thats missing...

I'm sure you've all heard the song that sings, "and the joy of the Lord is my strength, we bow down, and worship you know, how great, how awesome is He? Forever we sing, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, the earth is filled with His glory..."

That song popped into my head today after hearing something that greatly challenged me as I sat under the teaching in my Thursday morning Bible study.

Why that song? And what was said, let me share. This week I've been in slump, emotionally speaking, my head has been in stuck in this rut that was basically stealing all my joy. I was so overcome with the idea that I had to solve my own problems, RIGHT NOW...and that quite possibly, my solution was going to be better than God's. Uh-oh for me. That's a bad place to be huh? Thankfully, because God is patient, gracious and kind to His children, He spoke gently to me with words from His Word, and instructed my little wayward heart on it's wrongs, and showed me not just the folly, but how to turn from it. That is the God we serve isn't it? So amazing to me. He is God, huge, ruler of the cosmos, and yet, still concerned for my little wayward heart. I say that with tears stinging my eyes because the reality of it hits me in waves, and it floors me. The author of the word, is my teacher.

Anyways, back to my point, what I was doing was placing all my attention on myself for one, and then I was also trying to solve kingdom sized problems, with mans solutions. The two do not mix well...as I found out, and so out went my joy and in came fear and dissatisfaction. I just have to stop as a side note here, and say this..MY POOR HUSBAND! He has to walk this twisted path with me, and continually has patience beyond belief, and I just want to thank God for Him in front of all of you who read this, because I know I am by no means an easy person to live with. For those of you are are husbands out there reading this, take heart, and realize the job you do supporting your wives, will not go unnoticed, and to the wives who are reading this, take time to thank your husbands for their patience with you!

Moving on! So as I sat in my class today and began to pray, confess and ask the Lord for HIS guidance in this, rather than the folly of my own hearts desires...they lead me no-where but down! And I told the Lord quite plainly, "I trust you, your sovereign way, and you, only you Lord, know best!" And I mean it.

The other thing that steals our joy when we are in these places, or at least it does for me, is that when our eyes are focused on "us" and our own solutions for our own problems, we forget to do something that's real huge: praise God.

We may feel like there is not much to praise Him for, and sometimes, situations are so bleak, it feels that way, but friend, if you are there, take heart! God does not expect you to say thank you for pain in your life, but you can praise Him for who He is, the strength He has, and the promises your future holds! He has promised us heaven, peace, and eternal life with Him...

And that alone gives us at least one thing to praise Him for, and I know, there is more that will come to your heart as you tell Him your honest desire to praise Him in the storm. He is a God who cares for His sheep, and He also knows His sheep's limits. He has grace beyond belief, and understanding beyond our wildest imaginings. So don't for one second think that He is judging you for your down-cast face. He merely desires to lift your chin, put a bounce in your step and song in your heart, because the night lasts for only a time, and then comes the dawn.

This is the message I felt in my soul today as I listened to my class teacher, that my ability to praise, does not come from the circumstanes of my present situation. I will always have pains that come and go, but my God is forever, and promise of peace, joy and eternal contentment remain regardless of how the tides of earth change. Isn't that a comforting thought?

And the idea that as believers, we can have peace right here, right now. And the only reason we do not is because we allow the pressures of this world, the enemy of this world to come in and snatch up our peace and joy.

When I was at my worst at the beginning of my pregnancy, and I was so sick I could hardly lift my head from the floor, I had a hard time remember that truth. But through His words, and the words He gave others to speak to me, slowly even through the sickness, I found some glimpses of hope and yes, even joy.

Not by my doing! God is a God who cares, and He cared as I hung over the toilet so sick and unable to function. And now, He has brought me up out of yet another dark place, to let my eyes rest on His light, and His hope. And guess what? My trust in Him, also feels restored. My faith in His sovereignty, restored! My joy for the future? Restored!

His promises are true, and He is, regardless of my circumstances, worth of thanksgiving and praise! I am convinced. Are you? I pray my testimony is an encouragement to you, of His great faithfulness, and how the JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH! (and yours!)

WHATS THE POINT?

You will have to stay with me here, I've had a few thoughts rumbling around in my mind, and I'd like to see if they take life as I put them into words that form sentences...
I was driving to my apt. this morning when I heard a commercial on my local christian radio station about caring for the needs of others, and then following, a song with same message. Basically making a call out to people to be kinder to those in need, and to those who are already doing kind things to those in need, to keep it up. A good message, and one I tuned into, as my world is small, and my life is my family, I have a hard time reaching out to "needy people" and often I let myself off the hook all-together because I don't feel as though I truly have an outlet for this type of service here and now.
Some of that may be true...and some of it may be lack of motivation to get out there and "do something big." And so went my thoughts..."what is "doing something big"" in God's eyes, or do the "big things" being done impact the hearts of others around me, (those who witness my "good deeds") more than it matters to God that I do something that's so "big." I always like to do the big things, why? Mainly because I like attention. (If I'm honest) I mean, would I do something lovely for someone else if I knew no-one else in the world would know of it? Maybe, but probably not as much. And so, my desire to serve, where does it come from? Selfish ambition or to bring glory to God? That was the main question asked of me through the messages of both the audio clip and song I heard on the radio. What are my motives? And if my motives are wrong...whats the point of my service? In fact, what is the point to service to others all-together? Not to sound as though I do not care, for I do, and I know that the Lord calls us to minister to others, "feed my sheep.." "whoever offers a cup of cold water in my name..." His words are many on this..."care for the needs of the poor and needy.." and so we do. But, where is my heart?
What are my motives for all I do? Selfish ambition? Or to bring Him glory?
I serve Him in any way I can, and I do reach out to others when a situation presents itself and I sense the spirit's gentle push to move, but much of the time I think I find myself looking around to see if anyone saw me "do that nice thing..." I'm being serious here friends! I do speak for myself when I say those things, but I wonder if I'm alone in my ambitions, or if others act/feel as I do? I know I'm painting a pretty rotten picture of myself, but the motives of the human heart often times are rotten and revealing them, makes me conscious of them. To really purify my heart, mind and actions, and the motives behind all of those things I realize what I need to do.
I'm turning to the Father, and telling Him that He is the point. He is the reason why...and no other thing should take His place in that glory seat. Knowing all the while that if I do receive some sort of congratulations here on earth for my good deeds, then that is fine, but it should not and cannot be the point of why I do something. I know it's good to be in good standing with people, and to have a good christian name for oneself, but that should not be my sole motivation for doing good/kind things. Those things will not make Him love me more, but I do them with joy in my heart to bring kingly glory to His name. (or that would be the prayer)
My crown is in heaven, my glory is not meant for earth, His glory is.
Gives a different purpose to doing those things we do, doesn't it?
It all goes back to the old thought, "how many good things can I do, that will make me in better standing with the Lord on judgement day." And the answer is this: there is nothing I can do, in my own power that will save me on judgement day. Does not matter how many people vouch for me saying that I'm a great person, if my heart has not been rendered to Christ, and my desire to please Him only in the confession of my sin, then my good deeds will not matter one lick.
So here's the point: I serve Him, by serving others. I receive my props from the joy I get from knowing I am serving the Father and bring glory to His name. That's the goal of my heart anyways...and when I fail, (which I most certainly will) in bring His name that glory, I will repent, and start anew. Feel free to follow this plan, after all, it's not my plan, it's Gods!
It's grace that saves, not good deeds. It's His glory that matters, not my own. And service done in His name, is service done for the King. OK. I think I made sense of my thoughts to myself, hopefully, I did not confuse the rest of you!

My Banner

I was sitting in church yesterday, and this thought struck me: I forget so often that God is first of all to be my "first love.." and that He is in everything that I do, feel, experience, love, play think, and where I go. And, that often, I do not operate as if He is.

The word "true" kept coming to mind as I was thinking all of this, and the fact that He is truth, (the way the truth and the life) it made sense but I pondered why Oh why, and how is it possible for me to continue to forget about Him, when He's everything?

I know the obvious answer, I get wrapped up in my own stuff of life. Things that seem pressing in my current moment distract me from Him, but how is that after all He's done for and continues to do for me, and I can forget? He must clap His hands over His face and shake His head at my forgetfulness.

There are moments where I find myself clinging to His every word, and moments I cannot seem to take a step without Him, and then of course I have times of the polar opposite reaction, where I seem to remember Him as I lay my head on the pillow. Obviously, the days where I can't take a step without Him, my heart is in more peace...and the days I walk around in my own strength, I feel quite exhausted as that day comes to a close.

I want to "bind Him around my neck" so that I cannot forget...to wear Him as a banner over my life. That's what learned this morning as I read my passage in Isaiah 11:10-16..

It speaks of Christ as He as a banner over our lives...

Is He a banner over my life right now? What is a banner? In my definition, a banner is this: something that makes a big statement. Does Christ make a big statement with my life, in my life and over my life? Does the banner of Christ wave over my head in big red letters? Well it didn't this morning as I woke up in all of my personal frustration! But as ran to my Bible for something to run on (other than coffee) I heard those words...and as my ponderings from yesterday came back to mind I realized how it all comes together for me. He must be my banner, if He is to be true in my life. If He is to be at the forefront of my thoughts, life and doings, then He must wave as a banner over my life. How do I stay here now? By doing what I did this morning, run. RUN to the word. Seek Him with all I have, and pray continually for His banner to wave over me.

Obviously the pains of my life, distractions and issues are not going to disappear from my thoughts, but they will be less than my thoughts on Christ if I remain in Him, and His banner hangs over my head.

So I ask you friends, what hangs over your head today? If your anything like me, you awoke with stress/fear/frustration and impatience hanging over your head. ( my children woke up at 5:30 with the new time change) But, I wouldn't you rather wake up with "thoughts of Christ" hanging over your life as a proclamation of the peace you posses? Yeah, I'd rather take that option. We can have that. It's available to you, to me and to all who run to Him and ask for it. I'm doing that today, and you can most certainly join me in that prayer today as well.

Father God...

Rise up as a banner for me today as you did for the people of Israel, assemble the scattered as you did for Judah, that jealousy would vanish, and my enemies would be cut off...

that I would not be hostile or jealous towards others and that you would dry up the streams in front of me so that I can cross on dry land as the Egyptians did, that this will be day of Remnant with you! (Derived From Isaiah 11:10-16 NIV)

Amen!

Held Accountable

Today the Lord challenged me with something, and although I already knew I may be in the wrong, my heart was struck when I heard the challenge.
Although God is in control of all, (sovereign) and although I say I desire only to be a tool in His hands, I still have the ability to make poor choices. Those choices affect myself, and others, (usually family) and in doing so, I may be disobedient to the Lord. Going pridefully my own way, and saying with my actions that "I know better than God."
How I handle something can greatly change the outcome of many situations. And although God is ultimately in control of everything, I am still held accountable for my bad choices. He can and does use my sin at times to better me in the long run, but, I may have been able to avoid pain if I chose to obey in the first place.
The idea that God plans everything, (even pain) is challenging at best and the idea that even my painful (wrong) choices could be a part of His plan, I would rather keep myself so close to Him, that my chances of making a wrong choice get smaller and smaller. Or simply that I would recognize my sin earlier on. It's my pride that gets in the way and makes me feel that I perhaps, do not need to seek His council, or prayerfully consider that my opinion may be wrong! Heaven forbid that I be wrong! But in many cases, I am. I am learning this sooner and sooner thankfully, but none the less, the wrongness (is that a word?) still exists.
So as I faced that challenge laid before me this morning, that perhaps I do not know best, I had to lay aside my motherly pride, and admit, He is God, and I am not. I had earlier that morning prayed and asked for prayer specifically in the area of discerning pride before it takes root. Prayer answered. So now that I have my answer, now what do I do?
I can't pretend I didn't hear my answer, (although I considered that) I can't act as though His words were for someone else. (although I considered that as well) I have to face what answer I have received, knowing it was meant for me today...and act. The hearing, and the acting are two very different things. It's one thing to hear a rule, but quite another to obey it.
Through my processing, I pray someone out there learns from this, to make this whole thing I've been through worth it! I have had an emotional week wrestling with my desires, wondering if they are right or wrong, knowing however in the back of my mind, chances are, I was wrong. (because I usually am) But knowing, that because I serve a most faithful God, He would reveal to me quite plainly the way I ought to go.
Isn't that amazing that we serve a God who cares this much for us? To take the time to speak to us as individuals? But then, once we hear His voice, His words, and His direction, we DO need to act according to His plans for us. That is where I am held accountable. So, that is where the "choice" lies.
We all have choices, we make them everyday, and although some of them seem like meaningless things, everything, absolutely everything, comes back to His plan for us. Even the choice perhaps of what store you shop at, or what outfit you wear, because in one of those intimate details, the Lord may have something for you there...
So don't think for one moment that "this doesn't matter..." and that what you do..."doesn't matter." Because number one, God will use it...and number two, if it's happening, it's somehow a part of His plan. (either good or bad depending on what choice we made)
We are always held accountable. It would be easy to become complacent if we thought that no matter what, God's plan was God's plan, and were His puppets. We are not His puppets, we are His tools. There is a difference. Tools have purpose. Puppets do not.
So the next time you think..."no big deal...what I'm doing doesn't affect anyone..." Think again. We are held accountable. I am held accountable...and what I decide today, matters.
Choose wisely...and by wisely, I mean prayerfully! It matters.

Listen to everything falls

Look Back, Remember!

Sometimes looking into our past is a healthy thing. Especially when we are revisiting the places in our past where God was faithful...and we need to be reminded of this currently.

Throughout much of my life, His faithfulness was present but unseen by me, I was too busy, to preoccupied with myself and too wrapped up in trivial things of life, to really see or recognize just how protected I really was. Times of pain, times of trial, I got through them and grew only by the grace of God! But now, my eyes are more open, and my heart more ready too see and look for the rescuing hands of God in my life.

Don't you find it encouraging when someone reminds you of how you were cared for, protected and upheld by God in your past, to help inspire you for a difficult time of today? Well, that is what Isaiah did for the people of Judah too...I learned this morning that in Isaiah 10:16-27 the people are just plain down and out. They have felt the heavy hand of the Lord as a result of their disobedience in life, and reliance upon other things than God, and now, they are starting to feel abandoned, rather than disciplined. Anyone else feel that way? Me too.

But God came in with a message of encouragement, telling them to "Remember Egypt" and how He rescued his grumbling Israelite children in the battle at the Red Sea.

Perhaps you know the story...

They are being chased all night, Egypt wants the Israelites back as slaves, and the Israelites want their freedom...So with leader Moses taking them out of their captivity and the Pharaoh and his men hotly pursuing them, they come to the banks of the Red Sea. No man could cross that sea without the hand of God intervening! How would they ever cross such a vast space of water without boats? No problem God says, I've got a solution! (paraphrased) And God tells Moses to lift up his arms, spread them wide, and as he did so, the Red Seas parted, and the Israelites now how dry sand to walk upon all the way to their safety. That sure speaks of God's faithfulness!

But it seems that even though all was going to be OK now, the Israelites turn around only to see Pharaoh walking on the same sand that they were! Then, God puts the Sea back where it belongs, and the Egyptians die as the waters pour down in upon them. God has won in victory, and the people were saved.

So this is what Isaiah draws from as inspiration to the people of Judah as they speak of feeling abandoned to the grave. We are never abandoned.

So in the chaos of life today, and as we stand at the bank of our Red Sea, what do we need to be reminded of? Where can you pull from in your past that proves His faithfulness to you? I'm revisiting those places in my heart and mind today, and perhaps doing this would help you my friends as well...

All God asks is that we rely upon Him alone. He wants our full reliance from us, for the freedom/hope/rescue and salvation that we so desperately need in this life. There is no other source, place or person who can take you up out of your pain...no other place offers a solution that will last. What if Moses did not listen to God, and looked to Him and said, "No, I think I'll run back to town and rent a pontoon boat...that seems more logical to me God...."

Well, I'm sure we can all figure out what would've happened to the Israelites...

And so it is with us. When we receive encouragement, and solutions for our pain in life from the Lord, we ought to take Him up on it. When we are in touch with God, and being sensitive to His voice in our hearts and ears, we will know just what we ought to do.

So first, we know how to encourage ourselves...Look back and revisit those times of God's faithfulness that live in your past. Then, ask Him for guidance in our present dilemma, and act when He speaks. How do we know the voice of God? He will make it known to you, it will quietly drown out the rest of the world, so that we can hear...

So as I sit and listen today, waiting, watching, asking for His guidance, I pray you will do the same...knowing the He who is faithful, is always faithful...both yesterday and today.

Check out where I was last year, Nov. 1st. :) click: HERE

(Faithful then, faithful now.)