He Really CAN Take Care Of This

Psalm 136:15(MSG)
Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea, His love never quits.

So here's what I've been thinking this week.  How big is God?  Seriously?  Do I really believe that He is big enough to take care of my life?  Do I think He is strong enough; smart enough; loving enough that I can trust Him with my situation or don't I?  I "talk a good talk" about His love, but do I firmly believe that His love for me is great enough to part an ocean so that I can walk through on dry ground without getting wet?!  Further still, do I walk like I believe it?

My questions and tonight's verse have led me back to the story of the Israelites when they thought they were cornered between an endless sea of water and an unrelenting Egyptian army on the hunt to destroy them.  The story is found in Exodus chapter 14.  A few things stood out boldly as I read it. 

First of all, the Israelites were afraid.  Are you afraid?  I am.

Exodus 14:10-12(MSG): As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw them--Egyptians!  Coming at them!  They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to God.  (Italics mine.)

Secondly,  they were asking questions.  Are you asking questions about why you are in the situation you are in?  I most certainly am.

Exodus 14:12....Weren't the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die?  What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt?  Back in Egypt didn't we tell you this would happen?  Didn't we tell you 'Leave us alone here in Egypt--we're better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness?'"

Finally, they received their answer from a man who was in a very close relationship with God.  He had some very clear advice that helped them way back then and has helped me right where I'm at today, to believe that God is able to meet every need I have!  Here's what He told them:

Exodus 14:13(MSG) 
Moses spoke to the people:  "Don't be afraid.  Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today.  Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again.  God will fight the battle for you."  

The Israelites were in a pretty tough predicament.  They were as the saying goes, "Between a rock and a hard place".  Are you in a tight spot right now?  If it seems like there is absolutely no way to be rescued from the situation you are in, then it is the perfect scenario for God to show up in a magnificent way.  It is at these exact moments that our faith will grow abundantly strong!  It is out of these distinct trials that we DO learn that God really can take care of this for us! 

Exodus 14:30-31 God delivered Israel that day from the oppression of the Egyptians.  And Israel looked at the Egyptian dead, washed up on the shore of the sea, and realized the tremendous power that God brought against the Egyptians.  The people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God and his servant Moses. (Italics mine.)

And guess what else happens, besides our faith growing in huge leaps and bounds, when He shows up in such a giant way to save the day?  You can read it....this is God speaking to Moses:

Exodus 14:4 And I'll use Pharaoh and his army to put my Glory on display.  Then the Egyptians will realize that I am God." 



My little dog....basking in the sun..resting for sure!



God's glory can be displayed in our situation if we allow Him to take over!  At that point, His glory is apparent to everyone....believers and nonbelievers alike.  Pretty amazing!

Lord,

Thank you for allowing your Word to strengthen my faith and encourage my heart.  It is so good to know that you are with us and You will take care of the need we have right now!  Help us to rest in Your care.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

He Will Lead You Right Down The Middle

Psalm 136:14(MSG)
Led Israel right through the middle, His love never quits.

The crackling flames of the fire sent warmth jetting through my entire body as our family sat gathered around the brightly glowing pit.  We watched the luminous moon as it hung highlighted by the stars that danced in the sky over our heads.  We listened intently to the sounds of night.  The water from the lake gently lapped at the edge of the bank making a gentle whooshing sound against the back drop of the Circadian music.  Knowing that summer's end was fast approaching made this evening all the more special.  Suddenly, my daughter, looking off in the distance, pointed towards the dark.  She said she saw something moving and thought it was a dog.  We all strained our eyes to try to focus in the inky blackness that was night. 

Then, slowly, one by one we could see them coming "right down the middle" of the hill heading for the water's edge.  They moved silently...effortlessly across the grass until they met with the cool crisp water.  They stopped and drank before they began what was probably their nightly walk along the gently sloping bank of the lake.  We all sat motionless, understanding that this was a rare treat.  There were three deer that had meandered right in front of us, seemingly in their own little world, on this beautiful night. 

It's such an important part of family life to create memories of closeness.  Times like sharing the simplicity of a quiet hour in front of a warm fire in the middle of a dark night will be engraved forever in our hearts and minds.  It is so like God to show up right in the middle of it all and remind us of just how great and enormously creative and loving He is! 

Lord,
Thank you for these quiet times that You bless us with.  Help us to to slow down and open our eyes and acknowledge the gifts You have placed before us.  I am so very thankful tonight for my family and the beauty of life.  Thank you for showing up and leading us right through the middle of our toughest battles!  Your love truly NEVER QUITS!
Amen

You Can Trust Him To Part Your Red Sea

Psalm 136:13(MSG)
Split the Red Sea right in half, His love never quits.

When I read this verse tonight, I see the Red Sea as a ginormous (is that a word?) barrier standing in the way of the Israelites getting where they needed to go.  Where did they need to go?  Away from the Egyptians and to the Promise Land.  They had something blocking their way, and were sure to die at the hands of their enemies if they didn't get through it!  What a predicament!



The Branson Belle after running aground in
subzero temperatures.  .

I've been there.......in fact.....I think I'm pretty much facing the sea right now.  You know, one of those places where you don't want to move.  You don't like the idea of moving forward, but you know you can't stand still.  What to do?!  The answer is found right in the middle of this verse, as it describes God's provision to His people by parting the Red Sea, so they could move through the water and safely reach the other side.  (By the way, I would have loved to have been walking through the  walls of water....what a sight that would have been, huh?)

The neatest thing about this story, starting in Exodus 13:17 is that the Israelites only did one thing~Exodus 14:10:  "They were terrified and cried out to the Lord."  That's it.  Plain and simple...they cried out to the Lord.  Even more comforting is the fact that they were honest in their cries, as they questioned Him about why in the world He even bothered to move them out of Egypt if this was going to be there fate.  Despite all of this lack of faith, Moses encourages them to: Exodus 14:13&14:  "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.....The Lord will fight for you;  you need only to be still". 

Isn't that spectacular?  The Lord will fight for us!  We just need to keep calling on Him with a transparent heart and He will deliver us from whatever sea of trouble that we are in.  He will part the waters for you...at just the right time...His time.  Why?  Cuz...His love for us never quits!

Thank you Lord for the oceans that you place in our paths, so that we can learn to be still and trust in You while You make a way!

Amen

P.S.~Ginormous is not in the Webster's Dictionary.........I think it should be though.

Women of Faith

Matthew 1:38(NIV)

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered.  "May it be to me as you have said."  Then the angel left her.

These words are the response by Mary after hearing the news that she, currently unmarried, would be giving birth to the "Son of the Most High".  This news was not delivered to her in a letter, or from a friend, but from the angel Gabriel, sent by God Himself to Nazareth!  This reaction was unexplainable to the casual observer and can only be attributed to a lifetime of reliance and ongoing relationship with her God!  Mary was truly a "woman of faith".

As you might know, if you have been reading this blog from day one, or if you know me personally, this writing was started in response to a health scare almost a year ago.  It all turned out ok, but it left me with one big question about my life.  The question was:  "If I only had a little while to live, what would I be doing differently?"  Through the course of penning this blog, I can now say that I have an answer to that burning question.  The solution is in the recognition that each individual is actually given "Only~A~Little~While" here on planet earth, even with the longest of life spans.  With that realization under my belt, the next thing to clarify in my mind was, "What would I be doing differently?"  My answer is summed up in the title of this post.  I want to be considered by God as a woman of faith!

I want the relationship with Christ that produces as it's fruit, the admirable character traits that I see lived out in so many of the women in the Bible.  Here are just a few:

• The obedience of Mrs. Noah.  Her "official name" is never actually mentioned in the Bible, but to faithfully farm for several hundred years; help build a boat for one hundred and twenty years in preparation for a flood when they had never even heard of rain; working a complete year on a boat living as a zookeeper; followed by more farming, would have required much obedience!
• The loyalty of Ruth as she followed her mother-in-law to a foreign country in the middle of a famine.
• The resolute courage of Esther as she approached a king, who could quite easily take her life, in a desperate attempt to save her people.
• The grace of Anna as she lived in the temple of God, after becoming widowed, to fulfill her gift of prophecy.
• The prudence of Abigal as she "lost no time" making a decision that would be credited in saving David's life.
• The compassion of Abishag as she cared for David in his old age.
• The leadership of Deborah as she led the Israelites to victory over the Canaanites.
• The righteousness of Elizabeth as she was chosen to be the mother of John the Baptist.
• The parenting of Eunice as she trained her son, Timothy in the knowledge of scripture.
• The laborer found in Euodias as she worked tirelessly with Paul.
• The favor of Hannah as the Lord blessed her persistence when he gave her a child by the name of Samuel.
• The constancy of Lois as she supported her grandson Timothy.
• The embracing quality of Lydia as she was credited as being the first to proclaim Christianity in Europe.

These are just some of the "Women of Faith" that I find in the Bible!  Even more amazing is the fact that there are many others found behind the cover of His word, who have led extremely faithful lives as well. 

It is quite a gift to have such incredible examples of  "Women of Faith" in the Bible, throughout history, and in our current day!  It is out of a desire to be a part of a group of women who are believing God for the same direction in their lives, that moved me to make plans to attend the "Women of Faith" conference on September 23rd and 24th in Phoenix, Arizona.  This is a two day conference from morning until night filled with worship and testimonies of God's faithfulness in the lives of people just like you and me!  The conference is being held on other dates and in other cities throughout the year.  You can check out the video on the right hand sidebar of my blog, or go to to http://www.womenoffaith.com/ for more details. 

I plan on blogging about the event and sharing with you any new revelations, insight, and encouragements that I receive during this conference.  I am delighted to be able to take part in such a great celebration!  As an added blessing....I will be attending with my "northern and western" sisters.  We are pumped up and ready for a fun girls weekend basking in the presence of God!


Lord,
Thank you, once again, for your Word that reveals real struggling women just like me, who relied on You and found grace, mercy, and love as they fulfilled the purposes that You set out in advance for them to complete!
Amen

He's Holding Your Hand

Psalm 136:12(MSG)
Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand, His love never quits.

There is certainly something incredibly reassuring about holding hands isn't there?  I can remember from a very young age holding my Daddy's hand and sensing that as long as I had a firm grip on him, nothing could go wrong.  I wouldn't get lost as long as I was connected to him.  No one could hurt me, because I was attached to him and he wouldn't let them!  I would have everything I needed in the way of food and shelter, because he would make sure of that. 

Yeap, I can even remember holding hands with my girl friends when I was younger.  It gave me a strong sense of confidence knowing that I wasn't alone in whatever we were doing or wherever we were going.  Even to this day, I often reach over for my husband's hand when we are together and slide my fingers between his for that feeling of comfort and security. 

This verse has brought a smile to my face....once again....as I recognize that my Father in heaven, although I can't physically feel him or see Him, is holding my hand every step of the way through this life.  What a comfort!

Thank you Lord, for Your hand that powerfully protects and directs my life.