Category: Encouragement

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A Spoonful of Sugar

The lyrics from Mary Poppins are running through my mind today. Can’t really think of those songs without a smile coming to my face.

In my mind’s eye I can see Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke singing and dancing. Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in a most delightful way.

Have you ever looked to the Scripture for a good dose of medicine? It has healing qualities you know.

I particularly like these verses from Proverbs.

“ Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.” Proverbs 17:22 ERV 

“If you are happy, your face shows it. If you are sad, your spirit feels defeated.” Proverbs 15:13 ERV

Happiness is good medicine! Is it any wonder that so many in life today are feeling sick and so their spirits feel defeated? They have lost their joy.

It’s essential that we become ambassadors of joy.

Dave and I love spending time with our little grandson, Sam. He always seems to be happy about something. Dave calls him Smiley Joe and calls his little sister Smiley Josephina. Their smiles come from a happy heart and they carry joy to everyone around them.

If we allow ourselves to stay focused on the things in our world that seem to being going wrong or those events in our lives that are contrary, we will be overtaken by the disease of sorrow.

But a good dose of the medicine of a merry heart will strengthen us and bring us peace.

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy the good food and sweet drinks. Give some food and drinks to those who didn’t prepare any food. Today is a special day to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.” Nehemiah 8:10 ERV

The word disease interests me. Break it apart, dis – ease. When our hearts are uneasy, worried or distressed we are susceptible to disease. How do we avoid dis ease?

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

Don’t look  at the circumstances  that are beyond our control instead look to God who changes circumstances. Then we can be filled with good medicine.

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

There’s a song that children sing in pre-school and Sunday School. If You’re Happy and You Know It – the song says if you’re happy and you know it…clap your hands, stomp your feet, say Amen.  And there’s one line in there that says “if you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it”, our faces will show it – we’ll smile and our eyes will twinkle and those who look at us will wonder what makes us so happy.

“I will celebrate and be joyful because you, Lord, have saved me.
10 Every bone in my body will shout: “No one is like the Lord!”
You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them.” Psalm 35:9-10 CEV

Dear Father, let our faces show what You have done in our hearts. Let us be ambassadors of joy today.

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Remember the Egyptians

Sounds like a title for a movie, doesn’t it? Remember the Titans, Facing the Giants, Rudy – all of these movies were based on true stories, true circumstances and true victories.

I wonder what the movie writers would do with the children of Israel being held captive in Egypt. I know that years ago they cast Charlton Heston as Moses but what would the remake look like.

The casting call may read something like this. Needed: those who have felt oppressed, hopeless, overcome. If you have been looking for a way out of horrendous circumstances you’ll be perfect.

Do you remember a time when you felt completely helpless or oppressed, almost like you were a slave and had no rights of your own? The circumstances in your life were far from good and you couldn’t see things making a positive turn.

I’m sure that’s the way the Israelites must have felt in Egypt.  Years and years in slavery. Conditions getting worse and worse. Even when their God appointed leader, Moses, showed up, things got worse. They were still making bricks and now they had to contend with a pharaoh that was ticked off by the plagues.

To add further to their oppression Pharaoh commanded that they must gather their own straw for making bricks.

“That same day the king gave orders to his slave bosses and to the men directly in charge of the Israelite slaves. He told them:

7 Don’t give the slaves any more straw to put in their bricks. Force them to find their own straw wherever they can, 8 but they must make the same number of bricks as before. They are lazy, or else they would not beg me to let them go and sacrifice to their God. 9 Make them work so hard that they won’t have time to listen to these lies.” Exodus 5:6-9 CEV

Well, they survived their brick making duties, lived above the plagues, experienced the first Passover and then fled Egypt.

Now they are in the wilderness, headed for the Promised Land and Moses gives them this instruction.

“Don’t say in your heart, ‘These nations are stronger than we are. How can we force them out?’ 18 You must not be afraid of them. You must remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all the people of Egypt. 19 You saw the great troubles he gave them and the amazing things he did. You saw the Lord use his great power and strength to bring you out of Egypt. The Lord your God will use that same power against all the people you fear.” Deuteronomy 7:17-19  ERV

Remember the Egyptians!!!

I encourage you today – remember your Egyptians! God is still in control – He is still all powerful, all loving and His hand of protection and provision continue to reach out to you today.

“What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side,[e] speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36 It is exactly as the Scriptures say, “For you we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to be butchered.”

37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:31-39

Remember the Egyptians!  They were no match for God.

The Lord fought for the Israelites and He is fighting for us. He loves us so deeply.

Remember the Egyptians!

All their horses, swords and skill were no match for the power of God.

Take heart, God is on your side!

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Speak Up

I was thinking about Esther this morning. A young girl in a foreign land and she changed her world!

Her story can be read in the book with her name. The book of Esther is only 10 chapters long. It’s an easy read and I encourage you to take time to learn about this courageous young woman.

Esther was raised by her uncle, Mordecai, after her parents had died. She was a Jewish girl being raised in captivity in Persia. The Scripture says that she was very beautiful.

King Xerxes had thrown a party for all of his leaders; governors and officials, military commanders and anyone with influence. This was a display of Xerxes wealth and the greatest of his kingdom. We are told the display lasted for 180 days. A 6 month party.

While the men were being entertained by King Xerxes the women were spending time with their hostess, Queen Vashti. It was a jubilant time.

About 7 days into the celebration, the king called for his queen. He wanted her to wear her crown and show off her beauty. She refused his command. King Xerxes became very angry and he wrote a law saying that Queen Vashti would never see his face again. He divorced her and had her removed.

Now all this is in the first chapter…A search was made for the most beautiful women in the land. The king would choose someone to replace Vashti. Esther was brought to the palace with many other young women. They went through a year of beauty treatments and then were brought before the king.

Now I hope that’s enough to wet your appetite to read more of the story. Remember Esther was a Jewish girl in a foreign country being brought before the king. What an amazing story!

So what has all this got to do with speaking up?  We’ll get there.

After she was selected as queen, Esther’s uncle learned of a plot to destroy all the Jews in Persia. He came to Esther and told her that she must speak for her people.

One of my favorite verses in the book of Esther is this. Mordecai sent her this message.

“Mordecai answered, “Do not think that you in the king’s special house will live any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep quiet at this time, help will come to the Jews from another place. But you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows if you have not become queen for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:13-14 NLV

“Have you become queen for such a time as this?” Destiny. God’s plan for Esther was evident to her uncle. She had a purpose, she needed to speak up to save her people.

Have you ever felt you should speak up about something but fear kept you from it?

 What is the purpose and plan that God has ordained for you? Esther’s uncle said if SHE didn’t step forward that God would provide someone else as a deliverer.

King David proclaimed:

“The Lord’s arm is raised in victory. The Lord has shown his great power again. 17 I will live and not die, and I will tell what the Lord has done.” Psalm 118:16-17 ERV

What is it that God has asked you to declare? Your testimony of God’s goodness and love could be the very thing that will keep someone from falling into discouragement, depression, self-pity or loneliness.

Look for your purpose and plan today. Let God work through you to bring deliverance to those around you. Speak up!

You are here “for such a time as this”.

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Bad News! What Bad News?

Yesterday I had the opportunity to live the devotional I had just written – Good, Better, Best! Sometimes you just know the Lord is setting you up to see things His way…

I had been waiting months to receive news about a physical issue I have been dealing with. Yesterday was the day. I was going to get an answer, the end was in sight.

But the answer I received was not the answer I was  hoping for. My heart sank down into my shoes. I wanted to cry but managed to hold it together. I was not going to let my emotions win! My faith and hope has always been in the Lord on this and I wasn’t going to back off now.

I thought I knew how God was going to work it all out and now that was gone. I had to be willing to give up what I thought was my “best” answer for His.

Several Scriptures came flooding in to fill my heart.

“Shout praises to the Lord! The Lord blesses everyone who worships him and gladly obeys his teachings…They won’t ever be troubled  and the kind things they do will never be forgotten. 7 Bad news won’t bother them; they have decided to trust the Lord. 8 They are dependable and not afraid” Psalm 112:1, 6-8 CEV

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord because he is forever our mighty rock.”     Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

I don’t know what kind of things you consider bad news. It may be something about your kids, your job, your finances, your health. Whatever it is I encourage you to “not be afraid”. This news doesn’t come as a surprise to the Lord. He knows and He has a plan to turn it for our good.

We can trust Him!

The thing that’s important is to keep your eyes focused on God’s word. The perfect peace comes when we have our minds stayed or established firmly on the Lord.

Take a look at a father who came to Jesus asking for his daughter to be healed.

“The person in charge of the Jewish meeting place was also there. His name was Jairus, and when he saw Jesus, he went over to him. He knelt at Jesus’ feet 23 and started begging him for help. He said, “My daughter is about to die! Please come and touch her, so she will get well and live.” 24 Jesus went with Jairus. Many people followed along and kept crowding around...

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from Jairus’ home and said, “Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Jesus heard what they said, and he said to Jairus, “Don’t worry. Just have faith!”

37 Jesus did not let anyone go with him except Peter and the two brothers, James and John. 38 They went home with Jairus and saw the people crying and making a lot of noise. 39 Then Jesus went inside and said to them, “Why are you crying and carrying on like this? The child isn’t dead. She is just asleep.” 40 But the people laughed at him.

After Jesus had sent them all out of the house, he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples and went to where she was. 41-42 He took the twelve-year-old girl by the hand and said, “Talitha, koum!” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got right up and started walking around.

Everyone was greatly surprised. 43 But Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Then he said, “Give her something to eat.” Mark 5:22-24, 35-43 CEV

What you’re not reading here are verses 25-34 where Jesus and Jairus were stopped by a woman who had a blood issue. She reached out and touched Jesus, receiving the healing she needed. But her touch delayed Jesus and Jairus. I’m sure Jairus was very anxious – his daughter was dying, Jesus was going with him and they were delayed.

Then the worst thing happened. People came from Jairus’ home and said that his daughter had died. Jesus was unaffected by their report and told Jairus to have faith and not worry.

Don’t be moved by bad news!

Being in the presence of God is a good place to be. Just as Jesus was with Jairus in his time of need, the Lord is ever present with us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

Jairus walked on to his home with Jesus and saw the miraculous! His daughter was raised from the dead.

In Psalms we have a promise that when we are in His presence we can be full of joy.

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

So what do we do when bad news comes – what do we do with delays?

“ Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.” John 14:1 CEV

We keep our eyes on the Lord and we will be firmly established!

 

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Instructions for Fatherhood

What a wonderful, challenging, frustrating, invigorating, demanding and out-right rewarding thing is fatherhood.

I was blessed with a loving and caring father. Not a perfect man by any means but a man who loved me and wanted the best for me. I have also been blessed with a wonderful, godly man who is my husband and father to my children. He, too, isn’t perfect but he is committed to me, his children and his grandchildren.

Men, fathers, have an tremendous responsibility. They are to be living examples of God’s love for us. Our heavenly Father loves unconditionally, protects, leads and instructs us in the ways of right living. Our earthly fathers are instructed to do the same.

The great thing, men, is that you have never been directed to do this on your own. God has given you His word and the Holy Spirit to help in your areas of weakness. Let’s look at a few of the verses given to you as fathers.

The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon as instruction in wisdom for his children. He constantly taught them to pursue wisdom and have reverence for the Lord.

“The reward for not having pride and having the fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life.  5 Thorns and traps are in the way of the sinful. He who watches himself will stay far from them.  6 Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:4-7 NLV

These verses correctly state that living a life committed to the Lord brings reward. It also gives a directive to avoid traps and pitfalls. Teaching/training a child implies dedication to getting the job done. It doesn’t happen with just one instruction. No, children need repetition, discipline and boundaries as they are growing and learning.

However, all of the above should be done with a loving and compassionate heart.

“Fathers, don’t make your children angry, but raise them with the kind of teaching and training you learn from the Lord.”          Ephesians 6:4 ERV

““Remember these commands I give you. Keep them in your hearts. Write them down and tie them on your hands and wear them on your foreheads as a way to remember my laws. 19 Teach these laws to your children. Talk about these things when you sit in your houses, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. 20 Write these commands on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. 21 Then both you and your children will live a long time in the land that the Lord promised to give to your ancestors. You will live there as long as the skies are above the earth.”          Deuteronomy 11:18-21 ERV

Our children learn as much from our example as they do from our words. Maybe more.  A good father is someone who lives what they teach.

Joshua was a man like that. He had been Moses assistant and when Moses died it became his job to lead the Israelites into their promised land. This is a charge he gave the nation of Israel. He made it personal when he said “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. He wasn’t just telling his family to follow God but he was determined to follow the Lord himself.

“Then Joshua said to the people, “Now you have heard the Lord’s words. So you must respect the Lord and sincerely serve him. Throw away the false gods that your ancestors worshiped. That was something that happened a long time ago on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Now you must serve only the Lord.

15 “But maybe you don’t want to serve the Lord. You must choose for yourselves today. Today you must decide who you will serve. Will you serve the gods that your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River? Or will you serve the gods of the Amorites who lived in this land? You must choose for yourselves. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

16 Then the people answered, “We will never stop following the Lord. We will never serve other gods!” Joshua 24:14-16 ERV

The Apostle Paul gave the same type of fatherly advice to the Christians in Ephesus. Since God is our heavenly Father, as His children, we should follow His example.

“You are God’s dear children, so try to be like him. 2 Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave himself for us—a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 ERV

Ladies, I know this has been directed at fathers but we need to be praying for our fathers and husbands. They have been given an assignment by God and we need to be supporting them in what they’ve been called to do.

“Thank you Lord for godly men. Thank you for husbands and fathers who have a heart’s desire to see their children become adults who are honest, God loving, leaders in their own homes and communities. Give these men strength, wisdom, compassion and tenderness to lead as You lead. And for those who haven’t had fathers like this I thank you that You have never failed us. “

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Attitude of Gratitude

Are you familiar with the characters of Winnie the Pooh?

Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Roo, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga and Christopher Robin.

These characters have taught me a lot about life in my adult years. I have learned to work with people and the vast characteristics of their personalities by seeing how A. A. Milne’s characters interact.

The thing that amazes me the most is how Pooh Bear is always looking on the bright side of life. When he talks with Piglet and Roo he teaches them to look for the good. When Eeyore is gloomy, which is always, Pooh tries to help him find things to enjoy and when Tigger gets in to trouble from being too boisterous Pooh is there to encourage him.

I would like  think that A.A. Milne was influenced by Scripture when he wrote these stories. He definitely has a way of conveying the verses I want us to look at this morning.

“Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:15-17 CEV

Be grateful, whatever you do or say let it be done with an attitude of gratitude.

Evaluate your day. Do you spend more time complaining about things or being grateful?  When you find yourself complaining about the kids and the messes they leave be grateful that your house is filled with their lives and laughter. Have a husband that doesn’t pick up his socks – be grateful your husband has legs and feet. Annoyed by the drivers on the highway; stop and appreciate that you have a car that runs and can get you from place to place.

Let everything be done with thanksgiving.

Dave has been reading a book written by an Army wife in the late 1800’s. She describes daily life, traveling from post to post in the West. She and her husband were stationed in Tucson, in the summer. At the end of each chapter he looks at me and says “we have it so easy”.

There is always something to be thankful for; sometimes we just need to experience an attitude adjustment.

“So be very careful how you live. Live wisely, not like fools. 16 I mean that you should use every opportunity you have for doing good, because these are evil times. 17 So don’t be foolish with your lives, but learn what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, which will ruin your life, but be filled with the Spirit. 19 Encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. 20 Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20 ERV

These words were written by the Apostle Paul. His daily life was subject to constant harassment. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned and still he wrote these words of instruction. Encourage one another – always give thanks!

An attitude of gratitude! It’s a godly trait.

“ I am so happy, and I thank the Lord that you have again shown your care for me. You continued to care about me, but there was no way for you to show it. 11 I am telling you this, but not because I need something. I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens. 12 I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. 13 Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:10-13 ERV

Be content – that simply means to be grateful. You might not have the largest house or the best clothes; your bank account may be meager compared to some but to others you are rich. Too young, too old, too short, too tall, too single, too married – none of these can or will affect your outlook if you chose to be grateful.

One final encouragement.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. 5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:4-7 ERV

Someone needs your smile today and I’m sure someone needs your hug. Thank God that you can be used to bring joy to someone.

Let your life overflow with gratitude!

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A Glorious Change

This weekend marks the 4th anniversary of being in our Arizona home!

Didn’t look like much did it? But we had a vision of what we wanted it to become.

Last night Dave and I sat out on the patio and talked about the first days we were here. The sweat, the paint, the cleaning, the patience, the money – all that went in to making it the house, no, the home it has become.

Such a transformation! An amazing change!

So this morning I took inventory, personal inventory. How have I changed in the last four years? This assessment has nothing to do with my external appearance; not weight or hair color. I looked at my life to see what changes are there and how I’ve grown in my walk with the Lord.

“…That is why we never give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. 17 We have small troubles for a while now, but these troubles are helping us gain an eternal glory. That eternal glory is much greater than our troubles.” II Corinthians 4:16-17 CEV

There have certainly been challenges in the last four years but there has also been a greater dependence upon the Lord and a calm assurance in trusting Him in every situation.  It’s good to evaluate where I’ve been and where I’m heading. I don’t want to become a stagnant Christian. I want to continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord.

“You accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, so continue to live following him. 7 You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.” Colossians 2:6-7 ERV

When I look around our home I see so many changes and evidence of life. We have plants everywhere when once there were only a few cacti and a couple of mesquite trees. Things thrive here.

So have we!

“We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day,
  and you rescue us. 20 You always protect us and save us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 

I go in to each day looking for God’s hand of love and protection. I am not disappointed. It’s amazing what you see when you are looking for it.  Oral Roberts used to say “Something good is going to happen to you this day.”  He was criticized for that because people thought he was just teaching a “feel good” gospel. I truly believe that God has something wonderful planned for each day of my life but I have to be willing to let Him take control and lead me to the place that He has designed.

I started to say, I’m not special or unique to the Lord, but I am. Each one of us are! God has a specific plan of good for each of us. He doesn’t place favorites and He certainly isn’t prejudice. He loves each and everyone of us the same.

That’s why I share this blog each morning. I want to remind everyone who reads it that God is our loving, compassion, kind, wise, giving heavenly Father. I want people everywhere to KNOW, not just think or guess, that maybe, possibly, perhaps God loves them. No, I want all to have the calm assurance that God does love me, no matter what!

“So, brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you has the evil thoughts that cause so much doubt that you stop following the living God. 13 But encourage each other every day, while you still have something called “today.” Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change. 14 We have the honor of sharing in all that Christ has if we continue until the end to have the sure faith we had in the beginning. ” Hebrews 3:12-13 ERV

Take inventory today. See what God has done in the past and don’t become discouraged in the day to day transformation. Encourage others around you.

God is making a Glorious Change in each one of us!

 

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Living in the Sunshine

Now before you think that I am going to wax poetic about the joys of living in the desert, I want to share some thoughts with you that the Lord brought to me yesterday in my quiet time.

I have been dealing with some issues that require decisions and actions on my part. I was telling the Lord that I didn’t want to make a decision based on my own knowledge, fear or a sense of urgency.

It was then that I remembered these verses.

“ Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverbs 3:5-8 ERV

I don’t want to do things or make decisions based on my own “common sense”. I want everything I do to be God-led and God-directed.  My intelligence and understanding  give me a limited view of the things before me, like a flashlight on a dark night.

But trusting the Lord completely and relying on His understanding of the situation is  comparable to the light of the sun at noonday. Nothing is hidden, everything is revealed. I would much rather walk in the light of the sunshine than with the light of a flashlight.

Remember a few days ago in the story of Saul/Paul. Saul was met on the road to Damascus by a bright blinding light from heaven. That’s God’s light and it’s so much greater than any light we use.  The same light appeared with the angels to the shepherds when they announced the birth of Jesus.

Trusting the Lord and His wisdom is far beyond my own wisdom and understanding.

“ But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play. 3 When I come to bring justice, you will trample those who are evil, as though they were ashes under your feet. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken!” Malachi 4:2-3 ERV

God caused the sun to stand still for Joshua when he was fighting a battle. The sun represented God’s power and promise working for the Israelites.  As long as it was present they were winning.

“The Lord was helping the Israelites defeat the Amorites that day. So about noon, Joshua prayed to the Lord loud enough for the Israelites to hear:

“Our Lord, make the sun stop
    in the sky over Gibeon,
and the moon stand still
    over Aijalon Valley.”
So the sun and the moon
    stopped and stood still
until Israel defeated its enemies.

This poem can be found in The Book of Jashar. The sun stood still and didn’t go down for about a whole day. 14 Never before and never since has the Lord done anything like that for someone who prayed. The Lord was really fighting for Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14 CEV

So yesterday, after my quiet time I took Glory, our dog, for a walk. While I was on the walk the Lord reassured me to “wait” pursuing my own idea for a solution and to trust Him. After all, His ways are perfect.

This morning I woke refreshed. I plan on living this day in the “Son Shine”!

 

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A World Changer

This morning I would like to share with you one more person who heard God speak to him in a dramatic way.

Most of the time we refer to this man as Paul, the Apostle. However, that wasn’t always his name. As a younger man he went by the name of Saul. He was a very religious man and was highly educated. He was one of those who thought that the ministry of Jesus was heresy.

He made it his life’s ambition to stop the message of the Christians. He wanted to wipe out anyone who dared to proclaim that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah that the Jews had been looking for.

He stood, holding the coats of the Pharisees, as they stoned Stephen, a young Christian, to death. He went to the courts and asked for documents so that he could round up Christians to have them killed.

Yes, this man’s name was Saul.

Why would God speak to a man like this? A man who hated so deeply. I don’t have the answer. All I know is HE did and the world was changed.

“ Saul approved the stoning of Stephen. Some faithful followers of the Lord buried Stephen and mourned very much for him.

At that time the church in Jerusalem suffered terribly. All of the Lord’s followers, except the apostles, were scattered everywhere in Judea and Samaria. 3 Saul started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail.” Acts 8:1-3 CEV

One day Saul was on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus when he encountered the Lord.

“Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord’s followers. He even went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters to the Jewish leaders in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord’s Way.[a] 3 When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, “Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?”

5 “Who are you?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus,” the Lord answered. “I am the one you are so cruel to. 6 Now get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do.”

7 The men with Saul stood there speechless. They had heard the voice, but they had not seen anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and when he opened his eyes, he could not see a thing. Someone then led him by the hand to Damascus, 9 and for three days he was blind and did not eat or drink.” Acts 9:1-9 CEV

There’s another man who is important to this story. His name is Ananias. He was living in Damascus and he loved the Lord. The Lord spoke to him in a vision and told him to go help Saul.

Help Saul? He has all the necessary papers to have me arrested. Really?  Yes, really. Ananias was obedient to what God told him.

“The Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name.”

17 Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, “Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:15-17 CEV

When Saul received his sight back he immediately began to worship with the Christians in Damascus. They were skeptical of him at first because they knew this was the man who had come to have them arrested. Yet they could not deny the fact that things he spoke about Jesus were true. He spoke with great conviction and power.

From there Saul went back to Jerusalem to join himself to the very people he had been persecuting.

“ Saul moved about freely with the followers in Jerusalem and told everyone about the Lord. 29 He was always arguing with the Jews who spoke Greek, and so they tried to kill him. 30 But the followers found out about this and took Saul to Caesarea. From there they sent him to the city of Tarsus.

31 The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria now had a time of peace and kept on worshiping the Lord. The church became stronger, as the Holy Spirit encouraged it and helped it grow.” Acts 9:28-31 CEV

Saul continued to live and preach. Since he was brought up to be a religious leader he knew the Scriptures and once he realized that Jesus was who He said He was Saul became a powerful minister.

He began travelling the world over preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Saul, became better known as Paul. He is the one the Lord used to write two thirds of the New Testament. His teachings are fundamental to us and they way we live our lives committed to Christ.

Paul considered everything he had accomplished in his life garbage when it compared to his new life in Christ.

“But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ.” Philippians 3:7-9

He never forgot who he had been but he didn’t let that hold him back. He definitely experienced the truth he wrote about when he said:

“ Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.” II Corinthians 5:17-18 CEV

We need to be like Paul. Forget the past filled with its failures and mistakes and go forward knowing that we have been given a new life. A life filled with peace and a relationship with God.

If you listen today you’ll hear God speaking to your heart! He has a purpose and a plan designed specifically for you!

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Friends Through Fire & Rain

Do you smell like smoke? Odd question isn’t it?

It could be the smoke of something that burned in the kitchen, a good cigar or pipe, or perhaps a campfire. My son smells like smoke frequently – he’s a firefighter.

We have been looking at different people in the Bible who have had a friendship relationship with God. God has never been nor will He ever be a “fair weather” friend. He has made us promises to never leave us or abandon us.

“But now the Lord Who made you, O Jacob, and He Who made you, O Israel, says, “Do not be afraid. For I have bought you and made you free. I have called you by name. You are Mine! 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The fire will not destroy you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, Who saves you...” Isaiah 43:1-3a NLV

In the book of Daniel chapter 3, King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that a statue of gold be built in his likeness. All the people who lived in the country were to bow down and worship the statue when they heard music playing. Everyone did as there were told except for three Jewish young men who were prisoners in the country. You’ve probably heard of them; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Those in authority told the king that these men wouldn’t bow and it made him very angry. He called them in and gave them strict warning that next time they heard the music they were to bow.

The music played but the men didn’t bow. They were brought before the king again and he was extremely angry. He had the furnace heated hotter than it had been for melting gold, had the  men bound and thrown into the fire.

Let’s digress from a moment. In his original warning the king had told them they would be thrown into the furnace if they didn’t bow. This was their response.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, it is not necessary for us to answer you on this point. 17 If our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” Daniel 3:16-18 AMPC

Let me paraphrase. King we don’t have to take a lot of time to think about our answer. If you throw us in the fire our God will deliver us. If you don’t throw us in we still aren’t going to serve your god or worship your statue.

They knew that God had brought Noah safely through the flood, they knew the stories of how God used to Moses to deliver the children of Israel. They were not afraid to stand strong because they knew that God would be there with them!

At this response, they were bound and  thrown in the furnance. Now here’s where it gets interesting. Nebuchadnezzar was looking on and as he watched, he saw that the men were walking around in the fire and that there was a fourth man in there with them!

Hallelujah!! God showed up in grand fashion.

To this the King reacted:

“Nebuchadnezzar went closer to the flaming furnace and said to the three young men, “You servants of the Most High God, come out at once!” They came out, 27 and the king’s high officials, governors, and advisors all crowded around them. The men were not burned, their hair wasn’t scorched, and their clothes didn’t even smell like smoke. 28 King Nebuchadnezzar said: Praise their God for sending an angel to rescue his servants! They trusted their God and refused to obey my commands. Yes, they chose to die rather than to worship or serve any god except their own. 29 And I won’t allow people of any nation or race to say anything against their God. Anyone who does will be chopped up and their houses will be torn down, because no other god has such great power to save.” Daniel 3:26-29 CEV

These men were slaves in a foreign country. They took a very unpopular stand – they refused to worship any god other than God the Father. They were persecuted and their lives were threatened but they stood strong.

They went through a fiery trial and came out, not even smelling like smoke.

If you’re going through a fiery trial of persecution for your stand for the Lord, Stand strong! Don’t bend, don’t compromise, don’t bow – God will show up and walk in the fire with you and He will bring you out!

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