This morning, I woke up bright and early with a lot on my mind. I needed to go for a walk and just spend some time with God. I wanted to hurry and get out the door before anyone woke up, but that didn't happen. As soon as I was dressed, had Rockie on his leash and had walked out the door, I heard my little girl ask, "Mommy, can I walk with you." I couldn't resist. I saw her smile and just couldn't help myself. I knew I needed the alone time but couldn't find it in my heart to tell her no, so she came with me.
As we walked, I began releasing all that was on my heart. Though outwardly it was unnoticeable, God heard everything I was thinking. Later, when we got back, I took out my Bible for my morning devotion. God had definitely heard my cry for help and He responded with this story found in Matthew chapter 8.
Matthew 8:5-10, 13 NASB
"...when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.
When I read this story today, the words "Just say the word" captivated my heart. What faith! What amazing, unwaivering faith! The centurion recognized Jesus authority and knows that with just a spoken word from Jesus, his servant will be healed. What a lesson we can take from this.
What's going on in your life right now? What do you have need of? Are you searching for answers? Are you searching for peace? Perhaps you're battling with your health, finances, direction or maybe you're just seeking a closer walk with God. First, remember this. We need to recognize and remember Jesus' authority, then surrender our needs and caste all our cares on Him and then just begin to rejoice knowing that when God speaks His Word will make the difference! He knows where you are today. He knows what you're going through and He's right there with you. Don't give up! Don't give in! Keep trusting Him and like I heard someone say recently, "When you can't hear God, read God!" His Word is faithful! His Word is sure! His Word is Powerful! His Word is all that you need! Amen! Amen! and Amen!
Worship Him today!
Hebrews 11:3a NASB
"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God."
Isaiah 55:11 NASB
"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hold On, Holdfast and Have Faith!
Today as I read, a passage of Scripture that's not new to me, spoke volumes to me. Though I've heard it preached, taught and have even taught lessons on the subject, today while reading, it was like a light switch was flipped on in my head.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB), "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"
Let's stop right there for a moment, shall we? Jesus tells us not to worry about our life. He gives beautiful examples of how God cares for the birds of the air. Have you ever watched a bird early in the morning, while the ground is still soft and wet with dew? The bird conveniently snatches up a worm that came up to enjoy the cool breeze of the morning air.
I enjoy watching birds. I love to hear them sing their clear, crisp melodies of praise. They seemingly have not a care in the world. In moments they can flap their wings, reach the heights and see the all the beautiful sights that you and I would have to hop in an airplane or climb a mountain to see and even then our view would pale in comparison to theirs. What a life, but wait, notice what Jesus says in Matthew 6:26b NASB "Are you not worth much more than they?"
Psalms 8:3-4 NASB says, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained (created); what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"Who are we in comparison to other creatures God has made? I'll tell you. In no other creature has God breathed His breath of life, no other creature was created in His image and no other creature has ever been ransomed by the blood of His only Son, Jesus. Think about it! God loves us! He created us for the sole purpose to be His companion. He enjoys are company. He loves to embrace us in His arms and caress us with His gentle hand of mercy. Everything else was created for our pleasure, for us to enjoy as a gift of love. Has your spouse ever given you the whole world? Neither has mine, but God did. Only He can.
Jesus goes on to speak of the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-30) and shares that not even King Solomon with all His wisdom and wealth was ever clothed with such beauty as that of a single lily, and shares that if God so clothes the grass of the field, how much more will He clothe us. Wait a second, I hear a rebuke coming... "You of little Faith!" Watch out, where's my umbrella, it's raining conviction right now! I'm so guilty! I've worried so much over so little in the grand scheme of things. I've allowed the cares of this life to captivate my attention when I should have stayed focused on Him. He is God! He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. He's trustworthy and faithful!
Jesus continues to exhort us in Matthew 6:33 NASB saying, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Oh my! The end of this verse sends chills down my spine, causing me to cringe, but it's true. Job 14:1 NLT says, "How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble!" What a word of truth, but here's more truth...
John 16:33 NLT, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
2 Corinthians 12:19 NKJV, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
John 14:1-4,6 NASB, "Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.
John 14:27 NASB, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
What a comfort and a joy to know that through all the toils and trials of this life, God is with us and His grace is sufficient to keep us! As the song says, "Though all hell asails me, I shall not be moved."
Today you probably feel like you've been lost at sea. You may feel if one more wave crashes against you, it's all over. Your strength is gone, your heart is breaking. You feel alone and seemingly no ones sees and no one cares. Let me encourage you today. God sees and God cares! He has already prepared the way before you. You may feel you can't see, hear or feel Him, but He's there! He's parting the seas in front of you. Just keep holding on, keep trusting Him! In the darkest of nights there's a lesson to learn. A seed has been planted and it's breaking out of the mold and shell. It's growing! Pretty soon you'll blossom as His beauty radiates through you and His fragrance fills the atmosphere around you. Hold on, holdfast and have Faith!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB), "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"
Let's stop right there for a moment, shall we? Jesus tells us not to worry about our life. He gives beautiful examples of how God cares for the birds of the air. Have you ever watched a bird early in the morning, while the ground is still soft and wet with dew? The bird conveniently snatches up a worm that came up to enjoy the cool breeze of the morning air.
I enjoy watching birds. I love to hear them sing their clear, crisp melodies of praise. They seemingly have not a care in the world. In moments they can flap their wings, reach the heights and see the all the beautiful sights that you and I would have to hop in an airplane or climb a mountain to see and even then our view would pale in comparison to theirs. What a life, but wait, notice what Jesus says in Matthew 6:26b NASB "Are you not worth much more than they?"
Psalms 8:3-4 NASB says, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained (created); what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"Who are we in comparison to other creatures God has made? I'll tell you. In no other creature has God breathed His breath of life, no other creature was created in His image and no other creature has ever been ransomed by the blood of His only Son, Jesus. Think about it! God loves us! He created us for the sole purpose to be His companion. He enjoys are company. He loves to embrace us in His arms and caress us with His gentle hand of mercy. Everything else was created for our pleasure, for us to enjoy as a gift of love. Has your spouse ever given you the whole world? Neither has mine, but God did. Only He can.
Jesus goes on to speak of the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-30) and shares that not even King Solomon with all His wisdom and wealth was ever clothed with such beauty as that of a single lily, and shares that if God so clothes the grass of the field, how much more will He clothe us. Wait a second, I hear a rebuke coming... "You of little Faith!" Watch out, where's my umbrella, it's raining conviction right now! I'm so guilty! I've worried so much over so little in the grand scheme of things. I've allowed the cares of this life to captivate my attention when I should have stayed focused on Him. He is God! He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. He's trustworthy and faithful!
Jesus continues to exhort us in Matthew 6:33 NASB saying, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Oh my! The end of this verse sends chills down my spine, causing me to cringe, but it's true. Job 14:1 NLT says, "How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble!" What a word of truth, but here's more truth...
John 16:33 NLT, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
2 Corinthians 12:19 NKJV, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
John 14:1-4,6 NASB, "Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.
John 14:27 NASB, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
What a comfort and a joy to know that through all the toils and trials of this life, God is with us and His grace is sufficient to keep us! As the song says, "Though all hell asails me, I shall not be moved."
Today you probably feel like you've been lost at sea. You may feel if one more wave crashes against you, it's all over. Your strength is gone, your heart is breaking. You feel alone and seemingly no ones sees and no one cares. Let me encourage you today. God sees and God cares! He has already prepared the way before you. You may feel you can't see, hear or feel Him, but He's there! He's parting the seas in front of you. Just keep holding on, keep trusting Him! In the darkest of nights there's a lesson to learn. A seed has been planted and it's breaking out of the mold and shell. It's growing! Pretty soon you'll blossom as His beauty radiates through you and His fragrance fills the atmosphere around you. Hold on, holdfast and have Faith!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
All Things Work Together For Good
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Every time I read this passage of Scripture, I wonder why God called me. For the most part, in a crowd of people, I’m least likely to be noticed. Perhaps it’s because I’m the one who enters a room and looks for the corner. I’m not one to demand attention. I’m quiet and shy. So why would God call me? I’ll share a secret with you, because He has a plan!
I’m always encouraged when I read how much God loves and forgives the people of Israel. Even with all their drama, He remains faithful to His promise. He promised them peace and prosperity for as long as they served Him, worshiped Him and put any other god away and they did and they had peace and prosperity. On the other side, He told them that at any time they turned away from Him, their enemies would overtake them. We see throughout Scripture where God’s words became reality. We see and hear it on the news even today, but the fact remains, they want peace but peace won't come because of that covenant. God still loves His people and has a plan for His people. Whether we trust and obey or if we turn away, He still has a plan. It’s up to us to fulfill our purpose. We can choose our own path, be led astray and we’ll face hard times alone, or we can choose to surrender to His call and walk this road of life with all its mountains and valley’s but with assurance knowing God has paved the way before us.
Every time I read this passage of Scripture, I wonder why God called me. For the most part, in a crowd of people, I’m least likely to be noticed. Perhaps it’s because I’m the one who enters a room and looks for the corner. I’m not one to demand attention. I’m quiet and shy. So why would God call me? I’ll share a secret with you, because He has a plan!
I’m always encouraged when I read how much God loves and forgives the people of Israel. Even with all their drama, He remains faithful to His promise. He promised them peace and prosperity for as long as they served Him, worshiped Him and put any other god away and they did and they had peace and prosperity. On the other side, He told them that at any time they turned away from Him, their enemies would overtake them. We see throughout Scripture where God’s words became reality. We see and hear it on the news even today, but the fact remains, they want peace but peace won't come because of that covenant. God still loves His people and has a plan for His people. Whether we trust and obey or if we turn away, He still has a plan. It’s up to us to fulfill our purpose. We can choose our own path, be led astray and we’ll face hard times alone, or we can choose to surrender to His call and walk this road of life with all its mountains and valley’s but with assurance knowing God has paved the way before us.
Worth It!
In a day filled with insurmountable pressures, it’s no wonder discouragement and disappointments run rampant. Just when you think you’ve got life figured out, here come the many loops on this grand roller coaster ride of life. You’re up one day, smelling the roses, and the next, something or someone comes along and mows right over them – and you. Thank God, He remains in control during the midst of our confusion and turmoil. Without Him, we’d be as a good friend of mine use to say, “As lost as a ball in tall weeds.”
Sometimes I feel lost. Sometimes I feel like it’s, one more blow and I’m knocked out for good. Sometimes I ask God, “How much more of this can I take?” I get discouraged and, Lord knows, I’ve had many disappointments. Gazing from the outside in, some would say, I’ve endured more defeats then I’ve celebrated victories. Though it may appear that way a lot of the time, deep inside, I know that though I can’t always see the outcome and though I don’t always understand the how’s and why’s, I can rest assure of this truth, God is doing a work in me.He’s molding me and fashioning me into a vessel He can use. That makes it all worth it!
Sometimes I feel lost. Sometimes I feel like it’s, one more blow and I’m knocked out for good. Sometimes I ask God, “How much more of this can I take?” I get discouraged and, Lord knows, I’ve had many disappointments. Gazing from the outside in, some would say, I’ve endured more defeats then I’ve celebrated victories. Though it may appear that way a lot of the time, deep inside, I know that though I can’t always see the outcome and though I don’t always understand the how’s and why’s, I can rest assure of this truth, God is doing a work in me.He’s molding me and fashioning me into a vessel He can use. That makes it all worth it!
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