Another devotional I read earlier today is a good one. In it, the author shares about how King Cyrus allowed the Jews to return back to Jerusalem, to rebuild their Temple. He notes that if God could change The King of Persia, then he could surely change the leaders’ minds of our land, whether city, state, or national. Since we’re coming up to a Presidential election next year, it behooves us to pray for our leaders, rather than complaining. We need God’s guidance in choosing the right person for the job. So far, all I’ve heard is bluster, no substance, …
Confidence in God
Joshua’s first major task was to get the entire nation across the flooded Jordan River. Here in Arkansas, we have learned first-hand about flood waters this spring and readily recite the new motto, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” To enter the Promised Land required crossing the river. Joshua 3: 7-13 “And the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you …
Things God Taught Me
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30: 21 Oh, wouldn’t it be nice to have a cloud to lead us by day or a pillar of fire by night? Too often we wander off God’s path and go our own way, thinking we know what’s best. Perhaps current circumstances have thrown you off course. You feel lost and abandoned. You’re in transition and facing important decisions. The last report from the doctor was not good. Cutbacks at work …
I Can Forgive but I Can’t Forget
Do you feel held back in the area of forgiveness? Are you worried that forgiveness would somehow condone the past or excuse a serious wrong done to you? How can an abused wife forgive her husband or a child victim offer forgiveness to their molester? Even if a person’s forgiveness is deep and all the hard work of healing done, can it you ever forget? These are big questions that often leave us stuck on the forgiveness issue as we cling to our offenses, too scared to put them down. Psalm 103: 12 reads “as far as the east …
Realize Your Helplessness and Depend on Your Lord
A 6-Day Look at a Desperate Dilemma From 2 Chronicles 20 Overview passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 Today’s study: 2 Chronicles 19:4, 20:1-3, 12 “(King) Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.” “After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon …
Surrendering To Your Purpose
Mark 14:36 “And He said Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup. But please, not what I want–what do you want?” How many times have you made plans and presented them to God for His blessings and approval? This girl knows all about making plans and asking for God’s grace to carry them out. As someone who lived by a planner, I tried my best to live a somewhat controlled life. The planner had become my Bible and in so many words, I was asking God to order my steps–according …
Knowing What You Believe
Scientists haven’t discovered a tool yet to see human beliefs. It is actually not until we are faced with a situation that our belief systems are called to the forefront and our actions follow suit. I recall the season that I was discerning the voice of God telling me it was time to leave my job. I distinctly remember trying to find an alternative to His command so “I” could suffice for the income that would be loss as a result of my leaving. Yes, I was essentially trying to help God help me! And so …
The Truth About Being A People Pleaser
In our quest for a perfect life, sometimes we give into the lie we hear from the world that we must please everyone. The truth is we can’t please everyone. No matter how hard we try, we just can’t do it. Often we run ourselves ragged trying to please everyone. This is no way to experience the life of peace God has for us. We must learn discernment to know when we can help and when we need to step out of the way. I think as women we struggle with this more maybe than men do. After …
A Chord of Attachment
There she stood gazing at the window, not really looking out but just at the frame that made up the hole in the wall where the two men recently descended from her home. Clutching to the line of scarlet cord that one of the men placed in her hands with specific instructions, Rahab finally found what she was looking for, a place to secure the cord in hopes of rescue when the Israelites returned. In the Book of Joshua chapter 2 we find the story of Rahab and the Israelite spies and this is where we find the most interesting …
TRUST Him
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see .” When it comes to the long-term will for your life, I heard something that sums it up pretty well: “Faith is confidence, but trust is commitment.” When we have faith that a person can do something, we believe that they have the available resources that enable them to get the job done. And I believe a lot of people have faith. Trust, on the other hand, deals more with relationships. You can commit to someone when you know …
Housekeeping Day 4
As a girl I remember going to my friend’s house and they were cleaning windows. They had old toothbrushes and they were scrubbing every inch of the window, from wood frames to glass panes. I joined them! Their example seemed like fun to me. As I looked out my window this morning in the kitchen I realized I need to clean my windows too. It’s been a while. Without cleaning the panes I won’t be able to see the full beauty of the world around me. Oh, beloved, has your view of the world gotten dingy? Are you unsure if …
Housekeeping Day 3
I’m going to make a confession to you. My closets have not been organized nor cleaned out in quite a while. I have this deep seated dream to walk into each one and find everything in order. It’s impossible if I keep just throwing stuff into the recesses of the area. So one morning I decided to clean out the closet in our master bedroom. It was a daunting task but eventually I had four bags of clothes that went to a local charity. Now I can see the floor and eventually I’ll get to the shelf! LOL But for …