"The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:37.
This verse is so important to me this morning. My dear sister is in the battle of her life and is facing a Goliath of enormous strength.
When David told Saul that he was going to slay this giant, Saul told him that he was a mere boy and wasn't strong enough. All circumstances pointed to the belief that David could and would not prevail against this force. David began stating times in his life when his LORD gave him victory against other forces greater than him as a testimony of faith that his LORD would also be with him in battle. This is the cornerstone of a Christian's faith. What did we learn last time around and did it place a brick of faith in our foundation that we are building as Christians?
When my daughter was in the depths of her drug addiction I was in the valley for 8 years and what a dark valley we were traveling. That was my first big valley and I really didn't have much to pull from as far as "deliverence from the pit." What a blessing that valley was, however dark is might have been, for now I live a 1 Samuel 17:37 kind of life where I can take comfort and encouragement by stating the times our Savior delivered me and claiming future victory of deliverance based on past faithfulness.
Praise God for adversity for it helps us gain hope for the future!
"Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come." Rev. 1:4
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Therein Lies the Question
"Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." 1 Sam. 14:6
This is what Jonathan, son of King Saul, stated to his armor-bearer as they were contemplating whether to attack a small army. Jonathan's faith was based in His heavenly Father instead of his earthly father since the Spirit had been removed from Saul previously. Jonathan basically states two core beliefs: 1) Belief in the will of God, and 2) Belief in the power of God.
This is the $64,000,000 question - Will He save? As my family journeys through this season I am sure we individually and collectively have pondered the thought, "perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf". These statements sum up my conviction of faith.
My conviction of faith is faith that believes Christ can and hopes that He will.
May you experience today the peace that God gives His best to His children so His will is always going to be His best for us.
This is what Jonathan, son of King Saul, stated to his armor-bearer as they were contemplating whether to attack a small army. Jonathan's faith was based in His heavenly Father instead of his earthly father since the Spirit had been removed from Saul previously. Jonathan basically states two core beliefs: 1) Belief in the will of God, and 2) Belief in the power of God.
This is the $64,000,000 question - Will He save? As my family journeys through this season I am sure we individually and collectively have pondered the thought, "perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf". These statements sum up my conviction of faith.
My conviction of faith is faith that believes Christ can and hopes that He will.
May you experience today the peace that God gives His best to His children so His will is always going to be His best for us.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Life Hurts, God Heals
I have been asked by a member of my church to attempt to write a cirriculum to accompany a study we are presently doing for teens. The study is "Life Hurts, God Heals" and it focuses on teens who have and are experiencing deep problems at this point in their life. The cirriculum I am writing is to assist the parents of these troubled teens.
Well guess what? Yesterday "life hurt"! Our sister Beth was to have liver resection which provided great hope only to be abandoned prior to the surgery due to the extent of the cancer in her body. In working on the cirriculum I share a few things in the hope of comforting us all through the words of God.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:9
"...to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3
"I will extend peace to her like a river...you will nurse and be carried on her arm...As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you...the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants." Isaiah 66:12-14
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him...It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-9
In the words of my pastor: Despair turns the temporary into permenant but hope remembers the eternal!
May we all take comfort that when life hurts, God heals!
Well guess what? Yesterday "life hurt"! Our sister Beth was to have liver resection which provided great hope only to be abandoned prior to the surgery due to the extent of the cancer in her body. In working on the cirriculum I share a few things in the hope of comforting us all through the words of God.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:9
"...to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Isaiah 61:3
"I will extend peace to her like a river...you will nurse and be carried on her arm...As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you...the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants." Isaiah 66:12-14
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him...It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-9
In the words of my pastor: Despair turns the temporary into permenant but hope remembers the eternal!
May we all take comfort that when life hurts, God heals!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Here I Am!
"You will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'" Isaiah 58:9
When my daughter, Caroline was a child as soon as she entered the front door she would start yelling, "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?" She wouldn't even give me a chance to answer "Here I am" before she was calling to me again. Her number one priority once she got home from anywhere was to search me out, "touch home base" which brought her great comfort.
I believe Caroline had the right idea when she was a child spiritually speaking. As soon as our feet hit the floor each morning and throughout the day we should start calling, "Lord? Father? Redeemer?" and just like I was for Caroline our Father will always be there waiting for a pause in our words for Him to answer,
Father, give us that passion for your presence as we continuously call out to You. Amen.
When my daughter, Caroline was a child as soon as she entered the front door she would start yelling, "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?" She wouldn't even give me a chance to answer "Here I am" before she was calling to me again. Her number one priority once she got home from anywhere was to search me out, "touch home base" which brought her great comfort.
I believe Caroline had the right idea when she was a child spiritually speaking. As soon as our feet hit the floor each morning and throughout the day we should start calling, "Lord? Father? Redeemer?" and just like I was for Caroline our Father will always be there waiting for a pause in our words for Him to answer,
Father, give us that passion for your presence as we continuously call out to You. Amen.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Faith in Full Bloom
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the LORD had said to her will be accomplished" Luke 1:45.
This is the blessing that Elizabeth spoke regarding Mary once she was carrying the Son of God. I am so tenderly touched this morning as I think about the women in my immediate family. Throughout Beth's journey of cancer I have consistently seen the women in my family live out this blessing that Elizabeth spoke a couple of thousand years ago.
In general, women are both trusting and believing unless someone has deeply wounded that trust. But, thankfully the LORD, our Father, can restore, rebuild and resurrect any trust that was taken away from any woman.
I am so proud in Him to be one of the Miller women who has been blessed by God for believing Him and am basking in the happiness of what is being accomplished in the life of our family.
He has given me faith in full bloom - Belief and trust in His deliverence when everything points to the opposite of our desires. Thank you Father!
This is the blessing that Elizabeth spoke regarding Mary once she was carrying the Son of God. I am so tenderly touched this morning as I think about the women in my immediate family. Throughout Beth's journey of cancer I have consistently seen the women in my family live out this blessing that Elizabeth spoke a couple of thousand years ago.
In general, women are both trusting and believing unless someone has deeply wounded that trust. But, thankfully the LORD, our Father, can restore, rebuild and resurrect any trust that was taken away from any woman.
I am so proud in Him to be one of the Miller women who has been blessed by God for believing Him and am basking in the happiness of what is being accomplished in the life of our family.
He has given me faith in full bloom - Belief and trust in His deliverence when everything points to the opposite of our desires. Thank you Father!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fleeting Emotions
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his wondrous light." 1 Peter 2:9
This is one of my dad's favorite verses in the Bible and as of this morning it is essential for me. This ride my family is on called life right now is one of varied emotions. It is a time in the life of our family where the focus and emotions are constantly being challenged for our attention. It is easy to become single focused when something such as this hits.
I remember when my husband and I had a single focus when our daughter was on drugs. I am under no illusion that our attention and focus was absorbed in the life of our daughter. Looking back I am sure that our other children felt a lonlieness and a sense of invisible existence. It is easy for our emotions to take over when we are tired, weary and fearful of the future.
When our emotions rear their ugly head thankfully God has stated who we are in Him to assure us that He has ordained who we are apart from our emotions. Based on this verse we must believe Him when our emotions are not in check.
God elected to love us
We are worthy of His love
We are important to the Body of Christ
No one can remove us from His love
We will believe and praise Him apart from our emotions
We will choose to leave the darkness of our emotions
His Light will show us love, joy, peace, importance, and wholeness.
Stay focused on the way He sees us and not the way we "feel".
This is one of my dad's favorite verses in the Bible and as of this morning it is essential for me. This ride my family is on called life right now is one of varied emotions. It is a time in the life of our family where the focus and emotions are constantly being challenged for our attention. It is easy to become single focused when something such as this hits.
I remember when my husband and I had a single focus when our daughter was on drugs. I am under no illusion that our attention and focus was absorbed in the life of our daughter. Looking back I am sure that our other children felt a lonlieness and a sense of invisible existence. It is easy for our emotions to take over when we are tired, weary and fearful of the future.
When our emotions rear their ugly head thankfully God has stated who we are in Him to assure us that He has ordained who we are apart from our emotions. Based on this verse we must believe Him when our emotions are not in check.
God elected to love us
We are worthy of His love
We are important to the Body of Christ
No one can remove us from His love
We will believe and praise Him apart from our emotions
We will choose to leave the darkness of our emotions
His Light will show us love, joy, peace, importance, and wholeness.
Stay focused on the way He sees us and not the way we "feel".
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Knowledge Too Lofty!
“You hem me in –behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:5-6.
This week I experienced the weirdest thing in my emotions. Thankfully God had given me and my entire family the same verses in preparation for the news. 5 months ago my sister wasn't given but one treatment option for her cancer. Nothing else was available due to the advancement/reality of her cancer. After five months of chemo it seems as if not much had changed. I was given two verses to give to my dad/mom regarding his cancer and then was led to give it to my sister later the next week. Over the next few days these verses were batted back and forth among family members for different reasons on different days. These were His words: “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’” Isaiah 35:3-4.
I know that God knew my heart would be fearful regarding this liver surgery and I would be questioning the randomness of this treatment. I responded initially with shock and fear and it took until later that evening to really trust Him for this apart from my feelings. He had paved the way behind the news and ahead of the news with these verses to confirm this treatment was from Him. This is the importance of developing an eye for Him, an ear for Him and a Spirit for Him. Through His words He certainly gives us revelations, confirmations and a "knowledge too lofty" for us to comprehend without His guidance.
Father, I approach you this morning with gratitude for the divine retribution You are bringing Beth and I approach Your throne on behalf of Daddy and Mother whom I also ask for deliverance. Give them strength, patience and endurance for this season. Amen.
This week I experienced the weirdest thing in my emotions. Thankfully God had given me and my entire family the same verses in preparation for the news. 5 months ago my sister wasn't given but one treatment option for her cancer. Nothing else was available due to the advancement/reality of her cancer. After five months of chemo it seems as if not much had changed. I was given two verses to give to my dad/mom regarding his cancer and then was led to give it to my sister later the next week. Over the next few days these verses were batted back and forth among family members for different reasons on different days. These were His words: “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’” Isaiah 35:3-4.
I know that God knew my heart would be fearful regarding this liver surgery and I would be questioning the randomness of this treatment. I responded initially with shock and fear and it took until later that evening to really trust Him for this apart from my feelings. He had paved the way behind the news and ahead of the news with these verses to confirm this treatment was from Him. This is the importance of developing an eye for Him, an ear for Him and a Spirit for Him. Through His words He certainly gives us revelations, confirmations and a "knowledge too lofty" for us to comprehend without His guidance.
Father, I approach you this morning with gratitude for the divine retribution You are bringing Beth and I approach Your throne on behalf of Daddy and Mother whom I also ask for deliverance. Give them strength, patience and endurance for this season. Amen.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Proper Time
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" Galatians 6:9.
This verse has been an anchor for me over the past 5-6 months. When my dad's cancer returned and my sister was diagnosed with her cancer God breathed these words into my heart as a way to remind me that everything is temporary.
My immediate family is centered in many illnesses. My father-in-law has progressed in his Alzheimers, my mother-in-law is showing signs of decline, my dad's cancer has metasticized and my sister's cancer seemed to remain unchanged from her 4 months of chemo. This has been a challenging half of year but my Father continues to show Himself as Savior as He saves me daily from despair, fear and hopeless thoughts. He raises me up through His uplifting words and know which words I need to combat certain emotions.
Yesterday was the proper time in the life of our family. While my dad has begun to feel better from his radiation my sister has been approved as a candidate for liver surgery - a procedure that was previously deemed as too dangerous for her to receive. We are praising God this morning for enabling us to not give up but to recognize that at His proper time we will reap the harvest for which we have been passionately praying.
Never give up hope in a hopeless situation and always see your trials as temporary. Remember, despair turns the temporary into permanent but hope remembers what is eternal.
This verse has been an anchor for me over the past 5-6 months. When my dad's cancer returned and my sister was diagnosed with her cancer God breathed these words into my heart as a way to remind me that everything is temporary.
My immediate family is centered in many illnesses. My father-in-law has progressed in his Alzheimers, my mother-in-law is showing signs of decline, my dad's cancer has metasticized and my sister's cancer seemed to remain unchanged from her 4 months of chemo. This has been a challenging half of year but my Father continues to show Himself as Savior as He saves me daily from despair, fear and hopeless thoughts. He raises me up through His uplifting words and know which words I need to combat certain emotions.
Yesterday was the proper time in the life of our family. While my dad has begun to feel better from his radiation my sister has been approved as a candidate for liver surgery - a procedure that was previously deemed as too dangerous for her to receive. We are praising God this morning for enabling us to not give up but to recognize that at His proper time we will reap the harvest for which we have been passionately praying.
Never give up hope in a hopeless situation and always see your trials as temporary. Remember, despair turns the temporary into permanent but hope remembers what is eternal.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
God is Love
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16
As we find ourselves on the calendar on a day where so many lost their lives and our nation changed forever it is tempting for people to associate tragedy with spiritual lessons learned. While I profess that I do not know the will of God regarding such tragedies as these I do know the heart of God is total and complete love. I have heard so many people associate the tragedies of their lives with God instead of the other way around.
In the midst of our tragedies our Father shows up to comfort us with His unfailing and faithful love. As I was looking in the concordance on love I was overwhelmed with the number of scripture verses that deal with love and God. It is mentioned in the Bible more times than any other topic because God and love are one.
When I look at our present family situation, I know that although the cancers were allowed the love of God sustains anything this world will bring. Because of our love exchange with God we are able to trust in this love and not focus on where the pain and suffering originated. Love (God) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love (God) never fails...but when perfection comes, (love/God) the imperfect disappears (pain, suffering, blame, confusion, despair). 1 Corinthians 13: 7, 8a, 10.
Let us stay focused on the love that is produced through any and all situations and call on name of this love - His name is God!
As we find ourselves on the calendar on a day where so many lost their lives and our nation changed forever it is tempting for people to associate tragedy with spiritual lessons learned. While I profess that I do not know the will of God regarding such tragedies as these I do know the heart of God is total and complete love. I have heard so many people associate the tragedies of their lives with God instead of the other way around.
In the midst of our tragedies our Father shows up to comfort us with His unfailing and faithful love. As I was looking in the concordance on love I was overwhelmed with the number of scripture verses that deal with love and God. It is mentioned in the Bible more times than any other topic because God and love are one.
When I look at our present family situation, I know that although the cancers were allowed the love of God sustains anything this world will bring. Because of our love exchange with God we are able to trust in this love and not focus on where the pain and suffering originated. Love (God) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love (God) never fails...but when perfection comes, (love/God) the imperfect disappears (pain, suffering, blame, confusion, despair). 1 Corinthians 13: 7, 8a, 10.
Let us stay focused on the love that is produced through any and all situations and call on name of this love - His name is God!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A Heart for God
"Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." 2 Samuel 7:2
Have you ever loved someone so much you look for ways to honor, respect and love them? That is how I feel about Christ. Sometimes I feel such a burden that I am not doing enough to show the Ruler of my life. I become bogged down in thought like David who was discontent that he was living in a manner better than the ark of the covenant. He felt that he should build a temple to "house God" but God showed Him through the prophet Nathan that God did not require David to complete this task.
God had another plan for the temple down the road for David's descendent, Solomon. As pure as David's motive was is was not the will of God. Our good motives are not enough to guide us through life. Our motives must be aligned with God's will before we can move ahead. I find myself experiencing impatience in doing God's work and trying to find ways to "build the temple". God has plans for my service but only through submitting to His will and timing will I be successful in my ministries. Even the ministry of man must be under the authority of God to fulfil what God ordains.
Father, help me to remember that to enter into your presence I must first exit from my will. Help me be patient in the ministry and only "build temples" where you have first ordained. Amen.
Have you ever loved someone so much you look for ways to honor, respect and love them? That is how I feel about Christ. Sometimes I feel such a burden that I am not doing enough to show the Ruler of my life. I become bogged down in thought like David who was discontent that he was living in a manner better than the ark of the covenant. He felt that he should build a temple to "house God" but God showed Him through the prophet Nathan that God did not require David to complete this task.
God had another plan for the temple down the road for David's descendent, Solomon. As pure as David's motive was is was not the will of God. Our good motives are not enough to guide us through life. Our motives must be aligned with God's will before we can move ahead. I find myself experiencing impatience in doing God's work and trying to find ways to "build the temple". God has plans for my service but only through submitting to His will and timing will I be successful in my ministries. Even the ministry of man must be under the authority of God to fulfil what God ordains.
Father, help me to remember that to enter into your presence I must first exit from my will. Help me be patient in the ministry and only "build temples" where you have first ordained. Amen.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The Lord's Command
"For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate,' says the Lord" 2 Corinthians 6:16-17.
If we claim to be one of God's children then according to God we carry in our hearts the temple of this holy God. If He lives with us is He enjoying the things we are watching on television and the items for which our attention is directed? If he walks among us is He pleased with the words that are coming out of mouths and the thoughts that are inhabiting our minds?
Are we standing out as Christians and setting ourselves apart or are we being pushed along in our days by our circumstances allowing our temple to be one of commonplace?
Join me in allowing the Holy Spirit to settle upon us this morning and reveal the truth about the condition of our heart. Also, ask Him to reveal what we are displaying in our temple that is not pointing to our Father and giving Him total honor and glory.
Live your life today so that anyone who comes across your path will know without a doubt who leads and guides you. Let us set ourselves apart as God has commanded~!
If we claim to be one of God's children then according to God we carry in our hearts the temple of this holy God. If He lives with us is He enjoying the things we are watching on television and the items for which our attention is directed? If he walks among us is He pleased with the words that are coming out of mouths and the thoughts that are inhabiting our minds?
Are we standing out as Christians and setting ourselves apart or are we being pushed along in our days by our circumstances allowing our temple to be one of commonplace?
Join me in allowing the Holy Spirit to settle upon us this morning and reveal the truth about the condition of our heart. Also, ask Him to reveal what we are displaying in our temple that is not pointing to our Father and giving Him total honor and glory.
Live your life today so that anyone who comes across your path will know without a doubt who leads and guides you. Let us set ourselves apart as God has commanded~!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Formed By Him
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;" Jeremiah 1:5.
As I awake this morning rejoicing and praising God for the safe arrival of my new granddaughter, Kherington I am both humbled and eternally grateful for this verse God gave Jeremiah as He was calling him into service. God has also breathed these words into each of our lives. Once we are a newborn in Christ our slates have been wiped clean and the sky is the limit when we allow God to be authority over everything in our lives. We are the little infant totally dependent on our parent for everything fully trusting in Him, totally dependent on Him and not knowing any other way for survival but through Him. God has known us since the beginning of creation and delivered us into this world with a purpose and a plan that is not of our own. We have all been set apart and created in an individual way that only God knows.
Father, I commit Kherington back to you for your will, plan and protection over her life. Amen.
As I awake this morning rejoicing and praising God for the safe arrival of my new granddaughter, Kherington I am both humbled and eternally grateful for this verse God gave Jeremiah as He was calling him into service. God has also breathed these words into each of our lives. Once we are a newborn in Christ our slates have been wiped clean and the sky is the limit when we allow God to be authority over everything in our lives. We are the little infant totally dependent on our parent for everything fully trusting in Him, totally dependent on Him and not knowing any other way for survival but through Him. God has known us since the beginning of creation and delivered us into this world with a purpose and a plan that is not of our own. We have all been set apart and created in an individual way that only God knows.
Father, I commit Kherington back to you for your will, plan and protection over her life. Amen.
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