"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you". ~Jahaziel
This battle is one of my favorites in the old testament simply because I like Jehoshaphat. When confronted with a vast army, he resolves to inquire of the Lord and proclaim a fast for all Judah. Then, he goes to the Lord before all his people and prays honestly, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." He was told, to take up your positions, stand firm, watch what God can do and don't be afraid or discouraged! You can read the whole story in 2 Chronicles 20.
After reading this, I began to really do some deep self-examination. What was the position I was to take up? I looked at my life and saw that I was a wife and mother. I needed to take up that position and stand firm and watch what God would do. Believe me, there were times when the kids were teenagers that it was hard to not be afraid or discouraged. There were plenty of times where I went to the Lord and said, "I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you." I found comfort in taking up my position, strength in standing firm and joy in seeing the Lord's deliverance! Just like Jehoshaphat!
Today, I'm praying for those that need the joy of the Lord!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Preparing for Battle
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9
Reading through the first chapter of Joshua, God told the man to be strong and courageous FOUR times! He must've been terrified and in need of encouragement. Indeed, what God was asking him to do was going to need faith. Faith that God really was with him and that the land across the Jordan really was thier inheritance. Faith that the battle really did belong to the Lord.
There have been times in my life when I struggle with discouragement. It's then that the Lord takes me aside for awhile just to remind me that He's commanded me to be strong and courageous. He hides me in the shadow of his wings and whispers His love to me with the wind. He reminds me that I can rest in His care. That there is nothing that will happen to me that He doesn't control. The battle is His and I get to celebrate the victory every day... just watch! *Sigh*... How can anyone NOT love a King like that?
Today, I'm praying for all those stuggling to overcome fear and discouragement!
Reading through the first chapter of Joshua, God told the man to be strong and courageous FOUR times! He must've been terrified and in need of encouragement. Indeed, what God was asking him to do was going to need faith. Faith that God really was with him and that the land across the Jordan really was thier inheritance. Faith that the battle really did belong to the Lord.
There have been times in my life when I struggle with discouragement. It's then that the Lord takes me aside for awhile just to remind me that He's commanded me to be strong and courageous. He hides me in the shadow of his wings and whispers His love to me with the wind. He reminds me that I can rest in His care. That there is nothing that will happen to me that He doesn't control. The battle is His and I get to celebrate the victory every day... just watch! *Sigh*... How can anyone NOT love a King like that?
Today, I'm praying for all those stuggling to overcome fear and discouragement!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Meaningless Money
"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." ~Solomon
There was a time in my life when all of my thoughts were centered around money. If I had some, I was focused on spending it. If I didn't have any, I was focused on making some. My devotions consisted of looking through a "Christian" wishbook and scheming for money to purchase that T-shirt that would surely be instrumental in leading the public to the knowledge of Jesus. My prayers were more of an appeal for money. "Oh Lord, if you would just let me win the lottery, I would use the winnings to buy... and of course, I would give ten percent to the church!"
God never accepted my bargain. Instead, He started taking away income. I was laid off and my husband chose to take a huge decrease in pay and go back to an hourly position from his managerial one. Things got tight. Of course, I went to the Lord with my complaints. It was then that He commanded me to keep my life free from the love of money and be content with what I have, because He will never leave or forsake me. An attitude of gratitude had to replace my striving. I began to thank Him for everything I had instead of begging Him for the things I didn't have. It's amazing how just that tweek in my thought life produced joy and self control. It even opened up the floodgates of Heaven and I've been blessed beyond all I could imagine.
There was a time in my life when all of my thoughts were centered around money. If I had some, I was focused on spending it. If I didn't have any, I was focused on making some. My devotions consisted of looking through a "Christian" wishbook and scheming for money to purchase that T-shirt that would surely be instrumental in leading the public to the knowledge of Jesus. My prayers were more of an appeal for money. "Oh Lord, if you would just let me win the lottery, I would use the winnings to buy... and of course, I would give ten percent to the church!"
God never accepted my bargain. Instead, He started taking away income. I was laid off and my husband chose to take a huge decrease in pay and go back to an hourly position from his managerial one. Things got tight. Of course, I went to the Lord with my complaints. It was then that He commanded me to keep my life free from the love of money and be content with what I have, because He will never leave or forsake me. An attitude of gratitude had to replace my striving. I began to thank Him for everything I had instead of begging Him for the things I didn't have. It's amazing how just that tweek in my thought life produced joy and self control. It even opened up the floodgates of Heaven and I've been blessed beyond all I could imagine.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Sparkles and Treasure
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Jesus
Jewelry. It flashes in the light, draws the eye and gives any outfit a touch more class. For many years, my family would give me gold, diamonds and gems for every occasion. Each piece held a special place in my affections. I love watching the rings flash as I work in the garden or hear the bracelets softly chime while I scrub the bathroom. I was devastated when I came home from work one day to find that we'd been robbed. All my memories, all my jewels. Gone.
I wanted vengence. So I went to the Lord and told Him that. I said, "Okay, you know who did this and you can hit them hard! I want them squished! I want them dead and burning!" Oh, I can be very dramatic when angry. The Lord was quiet during my rants but He reassured me several times.
"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengence is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) Oh, they were in for it. It wasn't long though before He quieted my ire and showed me that this had to be done for MY growth.
"... lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ~Jesus
To Jesus, these thieves were treasure. He knew them, loved them and was allowing them to reap what they'd sown. The treasures of heaven are not gold, diamonds and gems but repentant sinners. I pray for those thieves a different prayer now. I pray they get a new life in Christ. It amazed me how fast my jewelry collection grew again. In a matter of months I had pearls, gold, diamonds and emeralds to adorn my t-shirts and jeans. More important though, I had a new focus on what true treasure really is.
Jewelry. It flashes in the light, draws the eye and gives any outfit a touch more class. For many years, my family would give me gold, diamonds and gems for every occasion. Each piece held a special place in my affections. I love watching the rings flash as I work in the garden or hear the bracelets softly chime while I scrub the bathroom. I was devastated when I came home from work one day to find that we'd been robbed. All my memories, all my jewels. Gone.
I wanted vengence. So I went to the Lord and told Him that. I said, "Okay, you know who did this and you can hit them hard! I want them squished! I want them dead and burning!" Oh, I can be very dramatic when angry. The Lord was quiet during my rants but He reassured me several times.
"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengence is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) Oh, they were in for it. It wasn't long though before He quieted my ire and showed me that this had to be done for MY growth.
"... lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ~Jesus
To Jesus, these thieves were treasure. He knew them, loved them and was allowing them to reap what they'd sown. The treasures of heaven are not gold, diamonds and gems but repentant sinners. I pray for those thieves a different prayer now. I pray they get a new life in Christ. It amazed me how fast my jewelry collection grew again. In a matter of months I had pearls, gold, diamonds and emeralds to adorn my t-shirts and jeans. More important though, I had a new focus on what true treasure really is.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Building Something Big
"And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship." Exodus 35:31
If there was ever an artist that I would've liked to have worked with, or just watched him work, it would be this guy. Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. Exodus goes into intimate detail of all the work he did and for a long time I would slog my way through the numbers and yawn my way through all the weavings. Yeah, yeah, fifty loops on the outer edge.. blah, blah, blah... until one day, it came alive.
Sometimes just a small tweek in my lenses, so to speak, can make a big diffence in the way I perceive things. When I was reading all the details of his craftmanship, I had focused on the articles he was making. I always tried to imagine the tent, curtains, lamps, and altar but have been bogged down by the itsy bitsy details. Obviously, Moses was fascinated with them. What I chose to do was reread the passage and focus on the people. The community that pulled together to build a place to worship.
The women weaving together, the men pounding gold and cutting wood. The sounds of work. I'll bet they sang, gossiped, laughed and cried together during those times. I can imagine the joy these artisans felt when they saw the cloud covering the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filling it.
Today, I'm praying for the carpenters and artists! May they be inspired.
If there was ever an artist that I would've liked to have worked with, or just watched him work, it would be this guy. Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. Exodus goes into intimate detail of all the work he did and for a long time I would slog my way through the numbers and yawn my way through all the weavings. Yeah, yeah, fifty loops on the outer edge.. blah, blah, blah... until one day, it came alive.
Sometimes just a small tweek in my lenses, so to speak, can make a big diffence in the way I perceive things. When I was reading all the details of his craftmanship, I had focused on the articles he was making. I always tried to imagine the tent, curtains, lamps, and altar but have been bogged down by the itsy bitsy details. Obviously, Moses was fascinated with them. What I chose to do was reread the passage and focus on the people. The community that pulled together to build a place to worship.
The women weaving together, the men pounding gold and cutting wood. The sounds of work. I'll bet they sang, gossiped, laughed and cried together during those times. I can imagine the joy these artisans felt when they saw the cloud covering the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filling it.
Today, I'm praying for the carpenters and artists! May they be inspired.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Body of Light
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." ~Jesus
This verse forced me to look at the way I was seeing things. It was natural for me to look for the flaws in everything and everybody. Oh, my motives were always good, I mean, who wouldn't want my honest opinion on how to improve themselves? Right? Everyone can use "constuctive" critism. Right? I was surprised to discover that this type of attitude left me dwelling on the negative in everything and everybody. How darkness had crept into my body and threatened to snuff out the smoldering wick of my faith. "Oh Lord! How can I change?! I want my eyes to be good and my body filled with light. Make my eyes shine like so many other Christians I know. I want the love, joy and peace that comes from having you in my life. Show me how!"
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS." ~Philippians 4:8
That was the key to training my mind to see good and lighting the lamp of my body! I thought it would be hard and it was. I took baby steps and began with my husband. Okay... let's see... what is true about him... It really made me see how far I had fallen. Then onto each child. It kept getting easier and easier. It didn't take long before I was seeing the light in my eyes if I looked real hard. I didn't have to look hard to see it in my childrens eyes though!
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" ~Jesus
Today, I'm praying for everyone who needs to ask for the Holy Spirit to light them up!
This verse forced me to look at the way I was seeing things. It was natural for me to look for the flaws in everything and everybody. Oh, my motives were always good, I mean, who wouldn't want my honest opinion on how to improve themselves? Right? Everyone can use "constuctive" critism. Right? I was surprised to discover that this type of attitude left me dwelling on the negative in everything and everybody. How darkness had crept into my body and threatened to snuff out the smoldering wick of my faith. "Oh Lord! How can I change?! I want my eyes to be good and my body filled with light. Make my eyes shine like so many other Christians I know. I want the love, joy and peace that comes from having you in my life. Show me how!"
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS." ~Philippians 4:8
That was the key to training my mind to see good and lighting the lamp of my body! I thought it would be hard and it was. I took baby steps and began with my husband. Okay... let's see... what is true about him... It really made me see how far I had fallen. Then onto each child. It kept getting easier and easier. It didn't take long before I was seeing the light in my eyes if I looked real hard. I didn't have to look hard to see it in my childrens eyes though!
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" ~Jesus
Today, I'm praying for everyone who needs to ask for the Holy Spirit to light them up!
Friday, February 1, 2013
A Place For Me
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." ~Jesus
There is only one me and there is only one you. Each of us has our own unique makeup, personality, and place in this world. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. No two the same. God determined the times set for us and the exact places where we should live. He did this so that we would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. So why do I so often imagine heaven as being the same for everyone?
Jesus has prepared a place for me. Just for me. He's coming back for me too so I can be with him. I want to hear his laughter. I long to sing with him. Until he does come for me though, I can get a glimpse of his glory by listening to my grandchildren's laughter and my husband's singing. Indeed, he isn't far from me. Just one heartbeat away!
Today, I am praying for wide open eyes to see His glory.
There is only one me and there is only one you. Each of us has our own unique makeup, personality, and place in this world. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. No two the same. God determined the times set for us and the exact places where we should live. He did this so that we would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. So why do I so often imagine heaven as being the same for everyone?
Jesus has prepared a place for me. Just for me. He's coming back for me too so I can be with him. I want to hear his laughter. I long to sing with him. Until he does come for me though, I can get a glimpse of his glory by listening to my grandchildren's laughter and my husband's singing. Indeed, he isn't far from me. Just one heartbeat away!
Today, I am praying for wide open eyes to see His glory.
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