Already There

“Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands.  If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying.  Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp’” Judges 7:9-11.

God continues to deal with Gideon and his fear of attacking with fewer resources.  As Gideon’s army lessened before his very eyes, his enemy grew larger in front of him.  For Gideon, less men meant less courage…less enthusiasm…less optimism.  But God was aware of Gideon’s lack of confidence so He orchestrated a set of circumstances that would speak directly to Gideon’s fear.  He set up a conversation between two men in the enemy’s army who would confirm that they were going to be defeated by Gideon’s men.  ‘Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream…His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon…God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands” Judges 7:13-14.  Gideon walked in the confidence that God had set up for him.  Gideon learned one of the most valuable Christian principles by which we should all live – whatever is up ahead…God is already there.  God had gone before Gideon and He is up ahead waiting on us to join Him in His plans for our lives.

When God has asked us to lie something down that may seem fearful to us, He is not disappointed in our anxious hearts.  As in Gideon’s case, God compensated and provided for his fear.  He gave Gideon the plan, the outcome, the confirmation and the comfort.  God was in the beginning, the middle and the end of Gideon’s endeavor.  God was all over it apart from Gideon's emotions.

Won’t you be encouraged this morning that as we allow His less in our lives it will become our more.  Our faith will expand with the confidence that whatever is up ahead and whatever resources we have God is already there! 

From Less to Success

“‘You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue…as well as everyone who kneels to drink.’  Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water.”  Judges 7:5-6.

In a most inopportune time, Gideon learned the uncomfortable lesson of less is better than more. He was instructed to take his 23,000 men to the water for God to separate the more from the less.  God sent 22,700 people home while only 300 men remained.  God knew that more was not better and armed Gideon with less going into the battle.  What Gideon had to accept by faith was the concept of less leading to success.  God knew that the 22,700 men would be nothing more than a distraction and would compromise His plans for the victory. 

Many of God’s ways seem unconventional to us because we do not have the logic of the Divine.  We live in a culture of more being better…more money…more gadgets…more play toys...more commitments to things that really don’t matter.  In my own life I know that the more Bruce and I have bought over the years the more we have become enslaved.  With each purchase or commitment our time became divided between things we thought would make us happy.  Our money became less because of the responsibilities to keep up more. Our calendars became bogged down with more in an attempt to not return to less.  The cycle is dizzying and God has shown us freedom in many areas where less is better than more. 

Recently, Bruce and I have begun to simplify our lives and have rid ourselves of some of the more in an effort to enjoy the less.  We have a long way to go before we march into the future with our 300…the things in our lives that no longer serve as distractions from God’s plan for our future.  Occasionally, I still look at the lives of others with their big armies of things…status…fame …accomplishments and question my 300.  But I must trust just as Gideon trusted that the perceived weakness of less is greater than the perceived strength of more.

‘You may not be particularly happy with the 300 you’ve been left with.  But according to 2 Corinthians 12:9, “Power is perfected in weakness.”  The 300 is our secret weapon.  It’s a showground for God’s strength.  It’s not ‘more’, but it is better because it’s what God will use to bring victory into our lives.’ Gideon, p. 81.

Principle of Decrease

“The LORD said to Gideon, ‘You have too many people for Me to hand the Midianites over to you” Judges 7:2.

Gideon was facing his biggest fear for his imminent future…the battle was on the horizon and he was going to experience the challenge. Gideon had calculated…considered…counted on his number of men who would go with him into the experience. But God had different ideas as He usually does. While Gideon’s focus was security, God’s focus was his dependency…while Gideon put his trust his numbers God demanded his trust in One number – Yahweh. God arranged circumstances wherein Gideon had no choice but to let go of his trust in numbers and lean completely on God. God continued to dwindle down his men and decrease his resources until Gideon’s army was down to the bare bone – from 32,000 to 300 men.

We all have dreams for our future but when we allow the pursuit to become greater than the One who will get us there we run the risk of experiencing God’s principle of decrease. Within His will, God wants us to have the desires of our heart but only as a result from the overflow of our intimate relationship and trust in Him. If He feels that we are going about our life trusting in our own numbers and resources, He will set up the principle of decrease. If we meet our goals in exactly the manner we planned for, we leave no room to witness God’s power and His grace. Our flesh will tell our spirit that we did a good job and that the armies we built were sufficient for the battle. This will never fly in the economy of God.

I find it interesting that in my Bible as the Lord is speaking the word Me is capitalized while referring to Himself. When we live our life with God capitalized over ourselves then we will walk in victory when facing any future event knowing with complete confidence that it was the Lord who gave us success – not our plans.

‘Be careful that your heart doesn’t become proud and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery’ Deut 8:14.

You Feed Them!

“Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging.’ He replied, ‘You give them something to eat’” Luke 9:12-13.

Jesus – one…the 12 disciples – zero. In the preceding section of Scripture it is written that Jesus had given the Twelve ‘power and authority to drive out demons, cure diseases and heal the sick.’ They had gone around the region doing just this when they found themselves back in the company of Jesus. They must have been on a spiritual high, recounting the things done in the name of God. How they had been blessed by Jesus. I am sure that along with their exhilaration came exhaustion from work. While Jesus was still immersed in the needs of others, the disciples came to Him and decided those people needed to leave. The disciples were looking at things other than the challenges and plight of others. The very people whom Jesus was serving were the people that the disciples wanted to dismiss. They even ordered Jesus to dismiss them in their uncompassionate hearts because they had dismissed them. But Jesus had other plans for these people with challenges...plans to bless and plans to make sure they didn't feel invisible.

Christ died on the cross to give mercy and love to all people no matter what their sin or weakness may be. God descended to earth so we could all have the option of ascending to Heaven. We all limp up to His cross with our own disparities and weaknesses with none being greater or lesser than the other. The ground at the base of the cross is level for all of us and is not up to us to determine or judge. We have our own disparities to focus on without focusing on someone else’s weakness. Jesus was ministering to a people who all had fallen short and had found themselves seeking Him for healing. He judged not…He extended to all…He loved the unlovely …He dismissed none. Jesus commanded His chosen to feed the very people they wanted Him to send away.

 
Every day we are each faced with people who need our compassion…who need our mercy …and some days just need an act of love from us. God will place people in our path whom He has determined needs to see a glimpse of Him through us. How are we responding to this call? “And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:40.  

Beyond the Honeysuckles

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” Eph. 3:20-21.

For those of you who need to know that God is faithfully and completely in the smallest details of our lives…this story is for you!  Bruce and I go to Folly Beach a lot and I am totally motivated to go on my brisk exercise walk while there.  But, when I get back home that motivation seems to wane and I find myself dreading the walk.  This morning as I looked out of the window and up my steep driveway I dreaded the mundane walk that I usually do.  I even voiced some of my blessings I have walking at Folly that I do not have here…little traffic…no steep daunting driveway at the beginning…different views and routes.  I even remembered another blessing while walking at Folly…the overwhelming fragrance of the honeysuckles that float through the island’s air.  But, I pushed through the feelings, laced up my tennis shoes, put on my praise music and climbed the driveway.

As I walked the steepest part I realized that my heart wasn’t pounding as usual.  My breath wasn’t short as I got to the top and rounded the corner.  I only felt the burn in my legs and hips which is where I need it the most!  I thanked God for the ease of the beginning of my walk.  Where I live I only have two routes that I feel are safe so I headed towards the development one road over.  The path to get there is daunting…ground that is not level for my injured foot…grass that is rarely mowed…no sidewalk …traffic flying by as I am trying to the get over to the development.  To my delight, the path had just been mowed and I could see every step I placed my foot.  When I got to the part on the land that wasn’t mowed I stepped out into the road and not one car came.  I began to realize that God was breaking down every obstacle I had cited and blessed me with the same situation as Folly.  As I was enjoying the fact that God blessed me for pushing through the dread of walking, I was blown away by the next thing that happened. 

As I got to the place that I normally turn left towards the community I noticed that if I crossed the road and took a right the sidewalk continued.  Following my curiosity I continued on the sidewalk thinking it would soon end.  As I turned the corner I found myself at the beginning of a straight stretch of sidewalk beautifully lined with tall trees that almost touched each other at the top creating the feeling of an archway…a red carpet laid out before me by my Father.  As I began moving down that sidewalk to my left was a wall of honeysuckle bushes with the aroma overtaking my senses.  To my right were tall beautiful magnolia trees dripping with huge magnolia blooms.  Tears began streaming down my face and with each step I was reminded of how much God loves me.  All of my senses were wide awake with His presence and nothing else in this world mattered.  I was so humbled by the fact that the God of the universe loves me so much that He matched my simple desires with His blessings.  My heart was completely overwhelmed with His special touches that were unique to my heart in just an ordinary walk on an ordinary day with an extraordinary God.  As if one of these blessings would have been enough He went beyond the honeysuckles and gave me the magnolias. 

What do your dreams consist of this morning?  What desires have not yet been realized in your life?  As you go about your day look for God’s special touches…expect His amazing blessings …believe in His power…look beyond the honeysuckles!

All The Little Children of the World

“In love he predestined us…in accordance with his pleasure and will” Eph. 1:5.  “The LORD your God is with you…He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” Zeph. 3:17.

I cannot remember a time on this earth when I didn’t think about being a mother one day.  Even as a small child I can remember loving my dolls and pretending they were my children.  After I married it was one of the first things on my mind.  I was now positioned to fulfill the desire of my heart – to have a baby and become a mother.  I planned for my babies each time and waited for each of their arrivals with great excitement.  It was my pleasure and delight to hold them, protect them, sacrifice for them and gently rock and comfort them.  I can remember when they would cry during the night and I would go to them.  There was something so precious about parent and child alone in the dark…one needing while the other providing. 

We have a loving Father who planned for us before we were even conceived.  In love He created us and placed Himself within us.  In delight He blesses each of us with the wonderful things He has chosen for us.  In comfort He quiets our anxieties when we cry out to Him in the dark.  He gently rocks us in our spirit lulling us back into His peace and confidence. 

If we could only allow Him to father us in the same manner our children allow us we would always feel the love and protection in all circumstances.  He is there waiting to tenderly comfort…waiting to love…wanting to bless. 

“And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them” Mark 10:16.

Walking It Out

“This is what the LORD …says, ‘I brought you up…I snatched you from…I drove them before …I said do not worship the gods…in whose land you live.  But you have not listened to me.’  ‘But sir,’ Gideon replied, ‘if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?  Where are all his wonders?’” Judges 6:7-13.

A while back I overheard my daughter tell my grandson no to something he wanted.  When she walked away he came over to me and in a low voice asked me for the same thing.  He thought his desires could be met by asking another, but he failed to understand that his mom had the ultimate authority.  He asked me why and I told him that he already knew the answer.  It was his mother’s will and decision for him at that point in time. 

Gideon had already been given the answer from an unnamed prophet earlier.  Their circumstances were occurring because the Israelites had been worshipping other gods.  They were not trusting God for their future even though He had provided for them time after time.  They had negatively impacted their own destiny by placing their confidence for their future in other gods.  Thankfully, God will only allow captivity and oppression of His people for a season.  When God speaks His will over our lives for that moment in time, we can’t run to another source to get a different answer.  We must reside and embrace His plans for us even if they are daunting and inconvenient. 

In our passage this morning the Lord responded to Gideon’s question with a challenge and a rebuke.  ‘The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have…Am I not sending you” Judges 6:14.  God made it crystal clear that Gideon was to walk out the path God had chosen for him.  He didn’t repeat why He was requiring this of Gideon, but repeated that He was requiring it of Gideon.   

When we have an answer from God, and continue to calculate and question a matter for which He has already spoken, we run the risk of spiritual silence and an altered destiny.  We must be valiant warriors and walk out the calling of the Commander who has placed His confidence in us to accomplish His purpose for that season.

Our Threshing Floors

“Be glad…rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains …He sends you abundant showers…The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil…You will have plenty to eat until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you” Joel 2:23-26.

There are many verses in the Bible that describe the process of threshing wheat.  ‘Threshing the wheat is separating the meaty, nutrient-rich grain from the light, airy, and useless chaff.   Gideon most likely used a small instrument called a flail (two thick boards fused together, studded with sharp stone fragments on one side) to slowly knock the grain loose from the stalk. Gideon hunched over his sack of wheat, dedicated to the arduous task…as mundane and necessary for him as washing dishes and paying bills are to us.’  Gideon, p. 46.  Can you imagine how his back ached…hunched over…lifting bags…pounding the flail against the stalk producing the same thing every time? Over and over again…same repetitive actions…when would it end?  Did Gideon realize that in the mundane repetitiveness of his job rested God’s favor?  Did he know that the very thing he would be called to do – separating the idol worshippers from God’s people – was the very thing for which he was doing every day in the mundane…separating the wheat from the chaff…separating God’s plans from his plans. 

We all have our own threshing floors – that place in life where God has placed His favor upon our efforts.  It is meant for His favor and abundance but we forget the blessing in it.  We lose sight that it is the vehicle God has chosen uniquely for us to arrive at His place of blessings.  We forget that today’s tasks are preparation for tomorrow’s blessings.  We ask for future blessings and do not even recognize that where we are positioned now is the answered prayer to get to them.  My Bible Study sums this principle up beautifully:  ‘‘Threshing, in an agrarian biblical world, was a sign of God’s abundance.  In other words, the mere fact that Gideon had wheat to thresh was a symbol of God’s favor expressed to His people.’ Gideon, p. 48.

We must recognize and trust that God has us in the exact place for the perfect amount of time to accomplish not only His will but His best for our lives.  When we can do our own threshing – separating our emotions from our faith – then we will experience complete abundance on our threshing floors with our lives overflowing with praise and gratitude. 

‘Don’t despise the very things that signify your seat under the umbrella of God’s goodness each day.’ Gideon, p. 48.

Speak Lord!

“Then the angel of the LORD came and sat…as…Gideon was beating out wheat…The angel of the LORD appeared to him” Judges 6:11. 

I’ll never forget when my sister and I were young teens and we were in the bathroom ‘discussing’ our sweet mother.  But the discussion was anything but sweet as we were complaining about something she had done or said.  At some point during our discussion I noticed her reflection in the mirror realizing that she had walked up upon our complaining.  We were both mortified to know she had heard us. 

We find Gideon in the same situation.   He was hiding in the wine press trying to separate the chaff from the wheat.  He had done this mundane job a million times and had lost everything a million times because of the repeated attacks from the Midianites.  He was exhausted and discouraged knowing that as soon as he gathered the enemy would steal it.  Gideon was not at work praying for God to help him.  He was not on bended knees begging for God’s protection from the Midianites, and he certainly was not in deep worship praising God for his blessings.  In fact, it could be that God was the last thing on Gideon’s mind.  He had a job to do and was doing it – the same mundane job he did every day trying to protect his resources from the same old enemy.   I was considering the scene…the angel of the LORD, God’s presence, showing up and sitting down right next to the frustrated and fearful man.  I can just hear Gideon’s self talk, ‘I’m going to lose everything!  I am so sick and tired of this same old challenge!  Why me?  Why now?  Will this enemy ever be destroyed?’  And there was God…right beside him…with him…unnoticed…unrecognized …watching Gideon’s striving and toiling knowing how his future would turn out.  We are not told how long it was between the entrance of God and the appearance of God.  One thing for sure…God got an earful most likely just like my mom.

Throughout the Bible, it is written that God’s presence became recognizable to his people as they were working.  ‘Now Moses was tending the flock…There the angel of the LORD appeared’Exodus 3:1-2.  ‘Samuel was laying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was…Then the LORD called to Samuel’ 1 Sam 3:3-4.  ‘And there were shepherds…keeping watch over their flock…And the angel of the LORD appeared.’ Luke 2:8.  In each instance God was with them, whether at work, home or church before they ever realized His presence.  The same is with every one of us.  We go about our day with our destructive self-talk and grumbling spirit.  We climb in our car and say things we would never say in public.  We sit in our homes and think unlovely things about people.  We are thankful that no one can see into our ungrateful hearts.  And yet…the angel of the Lord comes and sits…in our cars…in our homes…at our workplace.   We do not have a Father who is far away from us, but One who sits among us and anticipates our needs and comforts moment by moment.  We are never alone in our surroundings but are surrounded with the omnipresent power of God.  Our future is His memory, so why in the world do we fret and worry?

Lord, help us pray the same prayer of little Samuel when you appeared to him, ‘Speak LORD for your servant is listening’ 1 Sam 3:10.  May we have a heart like Mary’s after the angel of the LORD appeared to her, ‘May it be to me as you have said’ Luke 1:38.

Hiding In Rocks

“The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak…where Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites…the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon” Judges 6:11-12.

We meet a man who had one thing in mind…simply surviving the now and having enough for the then.  Over and over again Gideon had experienced the infiltration and devastation of his biggest enemy – the Midianites.  It is amazing how a few words tell a big story...‘where Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress.’  My commentary states that a winepress was carved in the side of a rock shadowed by huge trees which provided a dark covering …perfect for pressing grapes to make wine.  The process for separating the chaff from the wheat however was to be done out on a flat place in an open area where the wind could come and blow away the chaff.  But Gideon was fearful and chose to do his job in a place that was more difficult and less convenient.  It would take double the work and double the time since he allowed his fear to dictate his decision to hide in the winepress.  But to Gideon’s credit he never quit doing the required work for his family, he just toiled more than he needed to.  He stayed faithful in threshing the wheat even if he chose the hard way to accomplish it.  He sat in the dark lonely place desperately gathering resources wondering if it would be enough…looking around that inward place that he had run to.  Then we find the angel of the LORD finding him…appearing to him…calling him to something bigger…something outside of himself.  God saw something in him that Gideon had not seen in himself.  ‘The LORD is with you, mighty warrior’ Judges 6:12.  Can you imagine hiding in a dark place, faithless and fearful, and God describing you as brave…mighty…a fighter? 

God knows our potential when we do not know it ourselves.  He comes to us in our darkest place …our worst of circumstances…and blesses our faithfulness in the mundane of life.  He takes all of our hard work and challenging efforts and applies it to our future blessings.  Have we been faithful in the small things ensuring our blessings for our future big things?  Are we operating from a sincere heart of gratitude in the now things instead of longing for the then things?  Do we face the future asking, ‘Lord, what can you do for me?’ instead of asking Him, ‘Lord, what can I do for you?’  We all hide out in those dark places where fear and questions plague us… it is human nature.  But what if we took our greatest fear and moved out of the dark into open places allowing God to be bigger than our fear?  What if we live like the valiant fighters that God created us to be?  Fighters in faith…warriors in life…abandoned to our own plans.  We will live out my dad’s favorite verse as it will leap off the paper and into our actions. 

 

‘But [we] are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that [we] may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light’ 1 Peter 2:9.

Seek First

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” Proverbs 16:9.

Over the past few days my husband and I have had lots of discussion on the golden years and the path to get there. Like everyone, we hope to enjoy retirement with enough resources to live on and the health to enjoy those years. Although we do not have complete control in either concern, we can put some things in place to ensure a better probability. I can eat right and exercise in an effort to keep my body healthy. I can forego spending to favorably impact our savings. One concept I find hard to reconcile is the balance between planning our future and trusting God for our future. This morning my Bible Study focused on Humanism vs. Christianity. I had never heard of Humanism and its definition left me feeling even more confused about this concept.

‘Humanism is a man-centered religion running rampart in our world today. It is a theology that places more importance on an individual’s rational thought than on adherence to religious principle. Humanists embrace their own reasoning as the basis of their decision making.’ Gideon, p. 35. I know that God gave us His word for instruction for our responsibility regarding money and keeping our bodies holy and healthy. I think it is noteworthy that the word human takes a prominent place at the beginning of Humanism while Christ is out front in Christianity. Maybe my answer is in this concept. The way to reconcile this may be found in Matthew 6:33 in the words of Christ. ‘But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ To understand what all these things means we must back up and hopefully reconcile my dilemma. ‘And why do you worry about clothes? So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…’

It seems to me that the difference is in the priority we give our concerns. Do we take them first to God and then give Him space to be God? Do we chase after ghosts hoping for the best but preparing for the worst? Are we placing human reasoning ahead of God’s promises? So many spiritual principles relate to His guidance in every area of our lives. So with this being said, I have to believe that if we put Christ first with a yielded heart, allow Him to guide step by step, and leave room in our reasoning for God to alter our plans then we come in for the blessing of Matthew 6:33.

With all of my past striving and failed planning I will be happy to live out Christianity over Humanism, because this human can do nothing apart from Christ.

Commandment Number 1

“‘But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourself this day whom you will serve…Now then,’ said Joshua, ‘throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.’” Joshua 24:15, 22.

If you wish to read one of the most beautiful speeches every spoken, please turn to the end of the Book of Joshua. His life was coming to a close and he was entreating the Israelites to be unified and faithful in their pursuit of God. He realized that every child of God had a choice in their lives when walking their journeys. They could choose to serve the Spirit or they could choose to serve the flesh. Back then there were many gods worshipped in the different areas in which the tribes settled. Joshua wanted to make sure that there was no confusion…they either served themselves by worshipping their own gods or they served God completely and wholeheartedly in trust, service and worship.

We have that same dilemma today as we walk out our spiritual journeys. We build lives putting trust in false gods…relationships…money…power…our own plans. Yet we turn to others with our own speeches entreating them to ‘have faith…trust in God…pray for His will.’ Then off we go and worry, calculate and live life in our own strength…our own way…serving our own appetites...all false gods. I think of all the time, thoughts and efforts I have placed in my own concerns, time I could have used towards God’s service. The time I spent considering my own desires could have been used more purposefully and selflessly in serving God and His desires. When we become so focused on something in our lives it takes on a form of worship to that particular issue. I know in my own life it is easy to focus on where God will use me next. Instead of focusing on God Himself, my worship can morph into my desire of accomplishment and sense of approval through my service…my false god. How often we find ourselves breaking the first commandment...having no other gods before Him.

We all have false gods in our lives, those things we worship through our obsession in thinking about it. It seems that it is easier to default to the flesh than serve the Spirit. But as Jesus so eloquently spoke, it is a choice and one we must make daily. ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’ Luke 9:23.

Rushing Our Blooms

“Now the LORD God had planted a garden…The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden…to work it and take care of it.” Gen. 2:8.

We cannot even imagine what the Garden of Eden was like but we can be confident that it was perfect since it was created by the hands of God. He created the Garden of Eden with beauty and purpose, assigning His will to that time…that space…that area. He also planted Adam and Even in that garden with beauty and purpose in His creation. What more could they have ever wanted? What made them discontent in God’s perfect garden? What blessings did God have for them that were not realized because their hearts and desires were on another place in the garden…another tree…different fruit…a place that was not God’s plan for them to experience?

Yesterday I saw a saying on my sister’s Facebook cover picture that I absolutely love…Bloom where you are planted! I was reminded of that saying this morning when thinking about the Garden of Eden. Jesus Christ understood this concept better than any other person who ever walked this earth. He focused on God’s work wherever His feet were planted, not turning His attention to another part of the garden. God planted Him in a certain place, at a certain time to accomplish a certain purpose. Just as Jesus, we were also formed and planted in a specific generation with unique talents and specific purposes to fulfill. Many times we are asked to stay in the same spot for longer than we would like. We are ready to pull up stakes and move to another part of the garden ready for a change…doesn’t my heart know all about this!

But we can neither rush our blooms nor move to other areas of the garden before we have accomplished His will in our circumstances. We must anticipate that where God has us is where He expects to do great things through us. When our hearts are focused on another part of the garden we will miss out on the beautiful blooms that He intended to display through our service to Him. God has deliberately placed us where we are to be His ambassadors and bloom where we are planted. We must take a good look to see what is blooming in this area of our garden. Do our blooms…our thoughts, our focus and our words…honor God with faith and promote His message to others? Do they have the fragrance and aroma of His purposes and His desires? May we produce beautiful blooms for God in the area of the garden where we have been planted.

‘So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field…’ 1 Co 3:7

Lethal Leftovers of Secret Spending

“…and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally.  Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy” Deut. 7:2.

This is what the Israelites’ biggest mistake seemed to always be…not totally destroying the enemies that inhabited the land which God gave them.  Time after time they allowed some of the enemies to hang around which created lethal leftovers that would eventually be their downfall.  I completely understand how important this principle is and how it effects our spiritual growth.  God delivered me from secret spending and overspending, putting things in place to hold me accountability.  Shopping has never had that same delicious taste as it used to, but I know if I allow those old habits to linger they will spoil any spiritual work I have accomplished…lethal leftovers…hanging around in stores…lying about purchases…hiding bags and receipts.

This is the same thing the Lord asks of us…to completely discard our leftovers when it comes to our flesh.  He goes to great lengths to reveal our inequities and weaknesses for our protection and spiritual growth.  So why is that we allow things to hang around when God has shown us its potential to spoil the spiritual work we have already accomplished?  Why do we make treaty with areas in our lives from which God has already delivered us?  If we show any mercy towards our conquered lands we will lose spiritual ground. 

Excuses…compromises…idleness…complacencies…all lethal leftovers.  We must cut our conquered enemies off at the knees and totally remove them from our lives.  What area in your life has God helped you conquer?  Can you identify any leftovers that may threaten the very land you have conquered through Christ?  If so:

-          Destroy them totally

-          Make no treaty with them

-          Show them no mercy

‘When God’s Spirit asks us to eliminate something from our lives, we shouldn’t play around with His direction.  He sees the future effects of leftover enemies.’ Gideon – Priscilla Shire

If Not Me, Then Who?

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel” Judges 2:10.

The other day my husband Bruce told me that twenty years usually mark a generation when talking about people.  I was shocked to hear this and saddened this morning to apply this to Scripture.  This means that the referenced generation was a group who had grown up with parents and grandparents who had actually wandered in the wilderness…some had parents who had actually walked through the River Jordan on dry ground…uncles and granddaddies who fought the battle at Jericho and witnessed God with all of His miracles.  So how in the world does just one generation later NOT know the Lord and what He did for their parents and grandparents?

Sadly, we only have to look around in our own culture that has reframed, restructured, remolded and reconfigured Yahweh.  This generation is being raised up with the worship of other gods… the reality of fractured families without Christ at the center…the removal of God in every facet of life.  With that kind of competition against God we must make concerted and intentional efforts for God…starting with our own children and circle of influence.  We cannot stand around waiting for others to impress God on the next generation.  What will our culture look like if we rely on future generations to determine who God is?  It begins with us.  God must be on our minds, in our hearts and in the actions of our hands.  It is the ultimate Lessons Learned that needs to be communicated daily to this generation.  We will each be judged for the words from our mouth and the works of our hands.  There are only two reasons that the generation ahead of us is not learning the lessons of God and bringing about their own legacy of revival…either we are not teaching them or they are not listening.  Are we teaching the lessons and truths of God?  Are we listening and applying our own words to our lives?  What we do or fail to do daily for God will determine our part in bringing about revival.  While we cannot know God for our children we can introduce God to their lives.  We are only responsible for our little world that God has drawn around us, so what impact for Him have we made in that little circle?

We must ask ourselves each day we are given from God, ‘If not me… then who?’

Take A Seat

“Along long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” Exodus 17:11.

If you have never read the story of the Israelites fighting against the Amalekites in this chapter you will be blessed to read verses 8-15.  There are so many principles practiced on the top of the hill that day.  Moses was their warrior and leader as they depended on his spiritual and physical strength.  We must remember that Moses didn’t lead the children of God out of Egypt until he was over 80 years old.  By the time this battle was fought he was certainly a very old man.  He knew that his part in the battle was not to fight but to pray.  His faithfulness and determination in holding up his arms in prayer and supplication to God was matched by his humility when he could no longer do it without the assistance of others.  It is written that not only was he offered a stone to rest but he accepted that offer.  Moses was accustomed to being the one who provided…who did for…who led.  But just like each of us there came a time when he had to accept the help of others if he wanted success.

There is nothing more uncomfortable for many of us than to acknowledge that we need help and actually accept it.  There will be times in our lives when we are lifting the arms of someone else as they go through their battles.  But there will come a day for all of us when we must humble ourselves and admit that we cannot do it all…be it all…accomplish it all without the help and hands of others.  It takes a humble heart to receive help from the Body of Christ.  I don’t know why we associate receiving help with weakness but it can certainly feel that way to me.  During the ministry of Christ, He went from home to home, meal to meal and kindness to kindness.  He understood that to turn down the kindness of others would deny them of the joy that it would bring them, not to mention the blessings it afforded Him.  God set up His church as a complete Body, not a complete person.  ‘But God has combined the members of the body…but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it’ 1 Co. 12:24-26. 

May we always look for ways to hold up the arms of others but recognize when we need to take our seat and receive the help of others. 

Taking Canaan

“Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge, go and stand in the river.’ The priests…stood firm on dry ground …while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground” Joshua 3:15-17.

In order to take Canaan the first weapon that each Israelite had to possess was courage…from the top down. They only had to look to their leader, Joshua and God’s anointed priests to have this weapon of attitude exemplified. Joshua was called by God for this endeavor and the priests were set apart by God to carry the ark, His presence. Let us not lose site of the bold steps it took for the priests as they left the secure and stable footing of the river’s edge. The water did not stop raging until they first got their feet wet. The Israelites only had to look to their leaders to sharpen their swords of bravery and belief. The waters being held back would have been miraculous enough but we must consider the fact that the floor of the river was dry. No messy mud…no sinking up to their ankles…they completed the crossing on dry ground. I am sure they were so amazed at the water being held back the lack of mud squishing between their toes and around their sandals wasn’t even noticed. There were little and big miracles surrounding taking Canaan.

What has God called you to do for Him? What step does He require you to take before the waters are held back? In all of our callings, we have those around us who are looking to us for advancement in their faith. They cautiously watch as we step forward in our waters before the ground is dry. They see that we are taking our Canaan’s and wish to join those who seem to be led by God’s presence. They don’t think about the possibilities of walking through mud and mire because they have determined they would rather follow in faith than be left behind in fear.

There is great excitement when surrounding ourselves with those who are taking their Canaan. I know for me I am watching the leaders of On Eagles Wing Ministries, a ministry to rescue the victims of sex trafficking in America in amazement and inspiration . It was their calling from God to go and stand firmly in the river. They had to step over their fears to experience dry ground. God is performing miracle after miracle, some small and some huge but their daily courage and boldness makes me want to leave the safety of the shore and complete the crossing.

‘But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ Ex. 9:16.

When He...then we..

“They commanded the people, saying, ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.’” Joshua 3:3.

The Israelites had been at the edge of the River Jordan during the season when the snow from the winter was melting down into the river. This made conditions in the water rough and raging, causing the river to swell fifty feet wider than usual and much deeper. The Bible states that they were there for three days. They set up camp, sat and waited being forced to face the impossible situation of the river God commanded them to cross. Joshua instructed them to sit tight, to fix their eyes on the ark which was the presence of God. He urged them to not take one step until God’s presence moved. Taking action ahead of God would have created a drowning experience. So they sat…and waited…and faced their fear. Their questions must have included how on earth it was going to play out? What on earth was God going to require of them to get to the other side? Would they all survive or would some perish? What might be lost along the way? The message was clear… ‘WHEN He…then we.’

Our mind experiences the same fears and questions when we are faced with a set of circumstances that God has determined we walk through. We are looking over our raging rivers aware that we are going to have to walk through them. We sometimes mistake our own ideas of how to maneuver for God’s ideas. We exhaust ourselves by building boats when the miracle will provide dry land. We minimize the power of God and maximize our unbelief of what He can accomplish as we stand on our river’s edge. Knowing we are waiting on God to move we fret…we worry…we calculate…we manipulate. God’s will doesn’t change and He will do what He sets out to do, but the difference will be in the peace we experience in the wait. Our fret and worry doesn’t change the outcome but certainly changes the comfort that can be ours.

As you stand at the edge of your challenges facing the tough waters ahead, you can know with confidence that as you follow in the steps of God He is up ahead parting the waters. ‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged’ Deut. 31:8.

Comfortable Campsites

“The LORD our God spoke... ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain.  Turn and set your journey, and go…’ Deut. 1:6-7.

I didn’t realize until this morning that the length of time the Israelites camped at Mt. Sinai was an entire year.  I assumed they were given their commands and went on their way towards Canaan, their promised land.  Instead they built their lives around this mountain, day after day.  I am sure they experienced the highs and lows of life, the mundane and the magnificent, and the work and play of living on planet earth just like we do.  Thoughts and doubts of the future must have peppered their minds, and longings for the comforts of their past must have tempted their obedience.  Just as we do, most likely they became cozy and comfortable in their safe little world knowing what to expect on most days.

Personally, I know all about this.  After my father-in-law died in 2011, my five year caregiving challenges came to an abrupt end.  For the last two years I have been camped out at His mountain of rest and reflection.  He has shown me things about myself and about His character.  He has given me a set of commands for which I am responsible.  He has revealed and appeared…spoken on some things and remained silent on others.  Some days have been so boring while others days have been so exhilarating with His glory.   It has been the most wonderful campsite I have ever experienced, one I really have no desire to leave.  But our promised lands won’t come to us, just like the runner must move towards the finish line to receive his reward.   After God has spoken and revealed all He has purposed, He will nudge us to pull up stakes and move forward.  God speaks to each of us in the many seasons of our lives when we are ready.  We must be willing to move out of our cozy and comfortable lives when God calls us to follow Him into new territory. 

‘In our walks with the Lord, we too will discover moments when a season ends and we are compelled to take what we’ve gathered and move forward.  When our souls begin to stir and the Holy Spirit begins gently nudging us to turn, set a new journey, and go, we can know that God is moving us to a new place in our relationship with Him,’ One In A Million, p. 107.

As God's children we must not overstay our welcome at one mountain when He is calling us to the next.

Precious Proximity

“When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear.  They stayed at a distance…The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”  Exodus 20:18, 20.

The Israelites had grown accustomed to seeing the presence of God at a distance.  They only had to look to the sky to see the pillar of cloud in the day and the pillar of fire at night.  What a comfort that must have been to see the never departed pillars in their wilderness.  At Mount Sinai God offered them the opportunity to audibly hear Him speak with their own ears and see His manifestation.  They were very excited and were unified in their response ‘We will do everything the LORD has said’ (Ex. 19:8).  But, as the time grew near and the skies grew gray the fear set in terrifying the very ones who God wanted to engage in fellowship…and they remained at a distance.  They were comfortably resigned to allow Moses, their spiritual leader, to be the mouthpiece between God and His people.

But God didn’t create mankind to funnel His message through man alone.  We were all formed and designed to fellowship with God and receive our private messages from Him.  When the Israelites experienced scary circumstances…thunder…lightning…smoke…fire, they camped out in the distance.  The very manifestation of God that was meant to draw them to Him resulted in pushing them further from Him through their unbelief.  Instead of camping at the mountain of God they camped at the mountain of fear.  The same can be with any one of us as we face our mountains of challenges and anxieties.  We walk out our lives following God’s presence from a safe distance but when He asks us to come to the foot of terrifying circumstances so we can hear His voice we bolt!  We busy ourselves in an effort to bring about a certain outcome.  We don’t recognize God’s manifestation in the thick darkness, and we certainly don’t approach the dark and scary future with the faith Moses had. 

When facing terrifying seasons of our lives we must not remain at a distance with God.  We cannot depend on the faith of another to speak to the Lord for us.  We must courageously and faithfully face that mountain with the confidence that the Lord will provide…that He will speak tenderly and privately to us…allowing our Father to comfort His scared children.  We must stake our claim in any season marking it with the same banner that Moses erected. 

‘Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner…for hands were lifted to the throne of the LORD.’ Exodus 17:15-16.