“…and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” Ex. 14:21-22
“And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD-the LORD of all the earth- set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” Joshua 3:13
“February 20, 1992 – I praise God for I am standing on holy ground completely overwhelmed at what God is doing for me in this period of bereavement. Humanly speaking, I should be devastated by Dewey’s passing, for I believe no two people could have been closer than we were. However, I am at peace and there is no way to account for what is not happening in my heart except that it is by the grace of God.” Gipsie Miller after the passing of my grandfather.
As I laid my sweet dad to rest I stand amazed at the same astonishment of my grandmother when she laid my grandfather to rest. Her words resonate in my heart and soul as I know the devastation I should be experiencing. Instead it is as if my dad stood up from one side of the Lords table and changed seats but still is dining with me. I still share ‘food’ with him such as ideas, thoughts and sweet memories.
Through the Lords presence the flowing downstream of grief has been drastically minimized. Don’t misunderstand me as I miss Daddy terribly but God knew I had a battle to fight that would require all of my strength. I am battling Alzheimer’s for my other dad and the enemy is invisible. The other night as I put my father-in-law in bed for the night I could actually feel my dad’s presence above being pleased with my service to God in this capacity. Daddy always worried about the emotional toll caregiving placed on me but now he views it from the other side of the Lords table. He sees the strength that is mine through Christ and he knows the fare I digest is one from above to grow and nourish me.
Yes, the waters of grief and despair are divided and I am walking on dry land with the ark of the LORD going before me.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
An Indescribable Gift!
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God…And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Co. 9:8-15
I am aware that today’s passage is lengthy but necessary to see the application of Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. The Word is active and alive in each of our lives today just as much as it was in Paul’s time. The answer is in the application to our circumstances.
As I was standing in line at the funeral home after my dad died I looked up to see a couple in line who had lost their 15 year old daughter in a tragic automobile accident less than 3 months prior to my dad’s passing. I was standing in the very room where they had received family and friends during the worst time of their lives. They had been waiting in line for over an hour in the same environment where a small city had come to pay their last respects to the family of a life cut short. I stood amazed that they could pour out their own individual pain and suffering allowing the Holy Spirit to fill them with grace to minister to others. Then I remembered that this is the God we serve.
Our God, who gives indescribable grace through indescribable circumstances, as one servant washes the feet of another. We are unable to accomplish anything on our own but everything through the power and strength of Christ. It dawned on me that as Susan and Chuck returned to that place of sadness and took their place in line they did not stand alone. They stood together in Christ as He used them in their most private pain to minister to others. “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed…” 2 Tim 4:17
The message was certainly proclaimed that night as two of God’s precious servants poured themselves out as an offering so that God’s glory could be revealed.
I am aware that today’s passage is lengthy but necessary to see the application of Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. The Word is active and alive in each of our lives today just as much as it was in Paul’s time. The answer is in the application to our circumstances.
As I was standing in line at the funeral home after my dad died I looked up to see a couple in line who had lost their 15 year old daughter in a tragic automobile accident less than 3 months prior to my dad’s passing. I was standing in the very room where they had received family and friends during the worst time of their lives. They had been waiting in line for over an hour in the same environment where a small city had come to pay their last respects to the family of a life cut short. I stood amazed that they could pour out their own individual pain and suffering allowing the Holy Spirit to fill them with grace to minister to others. Then I remembered that this is the God we serve.
Our God, who gives indescribable grace through indescribable circumstances, as one servant washes the feet of another. We are unable to accomplish anything on our own but everything through the power and strength of Christ. It dawned on me that as Susan and Chuck returned to that place of sadness and took their place in line they did not stand alone. They stood together in Christ as He used them in their most private pain to minister to others. “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed…” 2 Tim 4:17
The message was certainly proclaimed that night as two of God’s precious servants poured themselves out as an offering so that God’s glory could be revealed.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tongue Hangovers
“I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.” Ezekiel 34:12b-14
It never fails to amaze me how quickly I fall off the mountain of good grazing. I am living my life one day at a time and wake up one morning with a tongue hangover. This is a hangover in which my tongue has wagged against another in a way that is offensive to Christ. I know immediately when I have not taken the high road and have allowed the action of another to lure me from the good pasture, the pasture which feeds, nourishes and grows me as a daughter of royalty.
We all have access to this wonderful land of grazing in Christ. He has provided an area where we are free in Him to ask, to seek, to take offenses against us to the ultimate Judge. “I will shepherd the flock with justice.” Ez. 34:16b
By taking the high road we will not miss out on the richest of fare. We will have total access to the land which yields the fruit that is sweetest on our lips. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gal. 5:22
I hate the taste that tongue hangovers leave in my mouth. Let us take the path that leads to the mountaintop where we will find the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and enjoy the fruit that leaves a sweet taste in our mouths.
It never fails to amaze me how quickly I fall off the mountain of good grazing. I am living my life one day at a time and wake up one morning with a tongue hangover. This is a hangover in which my tongue has wagged against another in a way that is offensive to Christ. I know immediately when I have not taken the high road and have allowed the action of another to lure me from the good pasture, the pasture which feeds, nourishes and grows me as a daughter of royalty.
We all have access to this wonderful land of grazing in Christ. He has provided an area where we are free in Him to ask, to seek, to take offenses against us to the ultimate Judge. “I will shepherd the flock with justice.” Ez. 34:16b
By taking the high road we will not miss out on the richest of fare. We will have total access to the land which yields the fruit that is sweetest on our lips. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Gal. 5:22
I hate the taste that tongue hangovers leave in my mouth. Let us take the path that leads to the mountaintop where we will find the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and enjoy the fruit that leaves a sweet taste in our mouths.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Bring It On!
“’We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God,’ they said.” Acts 14:22
I have always thought that suffering was just our lot as Christians to build our faith. It gave me a level of comfort that all things must pass through the filter of God so whatever I experience I will be delivered by God. This morning in my Bible Study I realize there is another reason for hardship and suffering.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12
So many of my Christian friends experience suffering in large doses everyday. Satan is not going to be satisfied with our fellowship with God. Anyone who is deepening their intimacy with Christ should be prepared for an ‘all out war’. Satan and God are after the same goal – our souls, our peace and our loyalty. Once we belong to God the only thing left for Satan to claim is our peace. I equate hardship with being in the crossfire of two political running mates with the same goal in mind. When running for office, it is inevitable that the opposition will try to discredit, destroy and eliminate the other person from receiving the goal of office. These attacks are many times based on lies, rumors and manipulation of details. In order to receive the goal, much slander and suffering will be experienced as a result of the heated battle.
Satan has lost the war of claiming our soul and loyalty so he must declare a full scale war on the Christians whose goal is to further the Kingdom of God. Through hardship he hopes to lessen our loyalty, frustrate our peace and deplete us of our spiritual testimony. With my love for Christ being paramount in my life I am claiming 1 John 4:4 as my shield against evil.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Bring it on!
I have always thought that suffering was just our lot as Christians to build our faith. It gave me a level of comfort that all things must pass through the filter of God so whatever I experience I will be delivered by God. This morning in my Bible Study I realize there is another reason for hardship and suffering.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12
So many of my Christian friends experience suffering in large doses everyday. Satan is not going to be satisfied with our fellowship with God. Anyone who is deepening their intimacy with Christ should be prepared for an ‘all out war’. Satan and God are after the same goal – our souls, our peace and our loyalty. Once we belong to God the only thing left for Satan to claim is our peace. I equate hardship with being in the crossfire of two political running mates with the same goal in mind. When running for office, it is inevitable that the opposition will try to discredit, destroy and eliminate the other person from receiving the goal of office. These attacks are many times based on lies, rumors and manipulation of details. In order to receive the goal, much slander and suffering will be experienced as a result of the heated battle.
Satan has lost the war of claiming our soul and loyalty so he must declare a full scale war on the Christians whose goal is to further the Kingdom of God. Through hardship he hopes to lessen our loyalty, frustrate our peace and deplete us of our spiritual testimony. With my love for Christ being paramount in my life I am claiming 1 John 4:4 as my shield against evil.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Bring it on!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
O Virgin Israel
“My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24: 6-7
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.” Jeremiah 31:3
The first verse is God speaking of what He has done during the time of Israel’s rebellion and disobedience. He also speaks of their return to His heart as God tells all of this to the prophet Jeremiah. The second verse is the exchange between God and His chosen people, Israel as He intimates His undying love and commitment to rebuild them.
These words are so tender in their meaning and application to us today. We have all departed from what is right at some point in our lives. We have grieved both God and the Holy Spirit with some of our choices as we selfishly served sin instead of serving God. We all require the grace of God to forgive, restore and rebuild our faith.
When thinking of the word ‘drawn’ I visualize standing at a well as the bucket is lowered to draw water back up to me. That bucket is solid and secure allowing the water to hold its total capacity without exception. That is God’s love as He draws us close to His heart. He has a tight grip on our lives and provides everything needed to follow Him.
The most precious part of this passage for me is the emphasis He placed on the word Virgin. He sees us as His beloved being pure, whole and complete once the gift of forgiveness has been placed upon our lives. No matter what rebellion or disobedience we have placed upon our lives, through the precious gift of God’s love and commitment to us we are pure in His eyes and restored to full intimacy with Him.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.” Jeremiah 31:3
The first verse is God speaking of what He has done during the time of Israel’s rebellion and disobedience. He also speaks of their return to His heart as God tells all of this to the prophet Jeremiah. The second verse is the exchange between God and His chosen people, Israel as He intimates His undying love and commitment to rebuild them.
These words are so tender in their meaning and application to us today. We have all departed from what is right at some point in our lives. We have grieved both God and the Holy Spirit with some of our choices as we selfishly served sin instead of serving God. We all require the grace of God to forgive, restore and rebuild our faith.
When thinking of the word ‘drawn’ I visualize standing at a well as the bucket is lowered to draw water back up to me. That bucket is solid and secure allowing the water to hold its total capacity without exception. That is God’s love as He draws us close to His heart. He has a tight grip on our lives and provides everything needed to follow Him.
The most precious part of this passage for me is the emphasis He placed on the word Virgin. He sees us as His beloved being pure, whole and complete once the gift of forgiveness has been placed upon our lives. No matter what rebellion or disobedience we have placed upon our lives, through the precious gift of God’s love and commitment to us we are pure in His eyes and restored to full intimacy with Him.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Walking For Christ
“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites…The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” Rom 16:17-18
We are surrounded daily with contradictions to the Word and distractions from the Father. Most of us reading this know what is right in most situations but many times choose the wrong thing due to the encouragement of friends or family. We seek answers from people of the earth instead of the One from heaven who has the answers.
Many people urge others with their own agenda being the motivation. They are feeding through their own appetites and not the sustaining food of Christ. The importance of going straight to the Source opposed to the urgings of the world is paramount in obtaining God’s peace and wisdom.
Satan uses the agenda and insecurities of others as a tool to control, disorient and distract God’s children from receiving the wisdom and guidance that is offered to all. Satan will only be crushed under our feet when we are wearing the armor of God preparing for these attacks and unholy encounters.
Satan uses God’s children for his evil schemes just as God uses Christians to bring about good and further His word. It is up to us to surround ourselves with people who help us recognize what is from Satan and what is from God.
Watch out for those who may stand for Christ but do not walk for Christ.
We are surrounded daily with contradictions to the Word and distractions from the Father. Most of us reading this know what is right in most situations but many times choose the wrong thing due to the encouragement of friends or family. We seek answers from people of the earth instead of the One from heaven who has the answers.
Many people urge others with their own agenda being the motivation. They are feeding through their own appetites and not the sustaining food of Christ. The importance of going straight to the Source opposed to the urgings of the world is paramount in obtaining God’s peace and wisdom.
Satan uses the agenda and insecurities of others as a tool to control, disorient and distract God’s children from receiving the wisdom and guidance that is offered to all. Satan will only be crushed under our feet when we are wearing the armor of God preparing for these attacks and unholy encounters.
Satan uses God’s children for his evil schemes just as God uses Christians to bring about good and further His word. It is up to us to surround ourselves with people who help us recognize what is from Satan and what is from God.
Watch out for those who may stand for Christ but do not walk for Christ.
Monday, March 22, 2010
We Are His!
“As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” Mark 1:10-11
The image of this passage is such a beautiful exchange between Father and Son. The baptism of Jesus was God’s plan fulfilled in its most beautiful form. I know the beauty of the sun breaking through the clouds as unparalleled colors splash over the skies. I can’t imagine the view above when this verse came into reality. Did everyone witness the Spirit descending upon God’s chosen? Was the glory of the Spirit so bright they all had to turn away to not be blinded? Did the voice of God cause the ground beneath their feet to rumble or shake?
This I know…the Father was prouder than any parent could ever be. He had created Jesus for a purpose and that purpose was realized through love, obedience and surrender to His Father. As my dad approached heaven I know that the gates exploded and His Father said, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’
We are all afforded this father-child relationship as God doesn’t show favoritism. “…I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34.
May we all hear in our Spirit those precious words from our Father, ‘You are my mine whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’
The image of this passage is such a beautiful exchange between Father and Son. The baptism of Jesus was God’s plan fulfilled in its most beautiful form. I know the beauty of the sun breaking through the clouds as unparalleled colors splash over the skies. I can’t imagine the view above when this verse came into reality. Did everyone witness the Spirit descending upon God’s chosen? Was the glory of the Spirit so bright they all had to turn away to not be blinded? Did the voice of God cause the ground beneath their feet to rumble or shake?
This I know…the Father was prouder than any parent could ever be. He had created Jesus for a purpose and that purpose was realized through love, obedience and surrender to His Father. As my dad approached heaven I know that the gates exploded and His Father said, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’
We are all afforded this father-child relationship as God doesn’t show favoritism. “…I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34.
May we all hear in our Spirit those precious words from our Father, ‘You are my mine whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’
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