Okay, at first, that may sound like an odd request but the Lord often relates our lives to the growth of a tree. There's Psalm 1 that says when we meditate on the Word of God and trust His counsel He blesses us as a tree planted by streams of water - healthy trees - bringing forth fruit in season. Or there's Isaiah 61:3 that says that the Lord came to make us into oaks of righteousness, a planting for the display of His splendor.
I LOVE both of these passages! What an awesome picture! I even have a favorite tree! I like to tell the Lord that I'm so glad He planted it just for me! It is magnificent! It towers over other trees, that if seen on their own, look pretty amazing themselves. The trunk is so sturdy and strong and its' leaves offer such wonderful shade and shelter. I love it! The Lord has used this particular tree to teach me many things over the years, especially during life's strong winds and storms. Often, He has reminded me to choose Him and His Word and that when the winds once again subside, I'll be stronger... because I'm rooted in Him.
This week, one of the passages that I was taken to was Ephesians 3:16-21.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I praise the Lord for new layers of understanding! We were challenged to draw a tree and consider its' roots. How far did our roots go down into the LOVE of God? The Lord took me on a google tangent... He wanted to show me some more about roots. It shouldn't surprise us that young, immature trees send out their roots just under the soil. They require consistent rain to water them and they are greatly influenced by the elements. Their roots act as tethers but they will never grow into grand, mature trees if they don't develop sinker roots. A sinker root plummets deep into the soil of the earth. There were a fair amount of interesting facts listed in various research papers but one phrase struck me profoundly. Sinker roots enable the tree to avoid drought not endure drought!
Life happens. Storms come. Winds blow and seasons of drought are inevitable. My roots need to be anchored deeply into the love of God for me. When I know - really know - that His love for me is unconditional and that nothing can separate me from that love, I can weather the elements because in Him I can be lavishly nourished and soul-satisfied! Praise His Name! Now that's a love worth expending energy grasping! Wouldn't you agree?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Just Thoughts...
A couple of different verses have been wafting through my mind these last weeks and as I've been turning them over, they have begun to resonate in new ways.
The first verse is...
I will call upon the LORD, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:3 Amplified)
It has registered that I'm to call on the LORD when I'm pursued by the enemy, but somehow, that simple phrase in the middle and the accompanying "so" had escaped my attention. "Who is to be praised" is telling me how to call. When the enemy is pushing in on me, when I'm feeling hard-pressed on every side, I'm to call upon the LORD in praise! I thought on that a little more. When I choose praise, I am choosing to acknowledge that He is God - I am not - and I can trust Him to save me in His time and His way. Praise lifts my eyes from the enemy to the Savior.
The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)
This verse has also taken on new meaning, especially in light of Psalm 18:3. I've practiced that when I realize my thoughts are contrary to what the LORD would want them to be, to call upon the Name of Jesus. It has helped me a lot but once again, I have come to learn that I was only applying a portion of this Word of God. "The righteous run to it" and are safe. When my thoughts are going astray, it's a great start to call upon the Name of the LORD, but then I need to follow that up with acknowledging where I am in relation to where He is and then RUN to Him! That's where the safety lies! It's not enough to just call out His Name. When we see that He is wanting us to go one direction and we've taken a look, or steps, down another, we need to get moving in His direction! Add the two verses together and we see that as the enemy pursues us, we need to stop, call out, acknowledge His way, command, direction is Sovereign and then make haste to follow in His footsteps!
I think this is what the Apostle Paul was talking about in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. We live in a fallen world and the enemy and our own evil desires seek to entice away but at the first realization that trouble approaches, call upon the Name of the LORD, acknowledging His Lordship and Sovereignty and then, no matter what our emotions, desires, or earthly pressures might be pressing on us, RUN to His position and way of thinking as He outlines in His Word. That's taking our thoughts captive in obedience to Christ. Calling out without further action is only the first step in the process.
LORD, I hear You say that whoever has Your commands AND OBEYS them, he is the one who loves You. I desire to love You with all of my heart, all of my mind, with all of my soul and with all of my strength but sometimes pressures push hard in the opposite direction. Please help me to remember that Your Name, Your Word and the power of praise are powerful weapons available for victory. No matter what I may feel or desire, may I run to You and follow in Your footsteps for in them, there is great safety! In YOUR NAME Jesus, I ask it... Amen.
The first verse is...
I will call upon the LORD, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:3 Amplified)
It has registered that I'm to call on the LORD when I'm pursued by the enemy, but somehow, that simple phrase in the middle and the accompanying "so" had escaped my attention. "Who is to be praised" is telling me how to call. When the enemy is pushing in on me, when I'm feeling hard-pressed on every side, I'm to call upon the LORD in praise! I thought on that a little more. When I choose praise, I am choosing to acknowledge that He is God - I am not - and I can trust Him to save me in His time and His way. Praise lifts my eyes from the enemy to the Savior.
The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)
This verse has also taken on new meaning, especially in light of Psalm 18:3. I've practiced that when I realize my thoughts are contrary to what the LORD would want them to be, to call upon the Name of Jesus. It has helped me a lot but once again, I have come to learn that I was only applying a portion of this Word of God. "The righteous run to it" and are safe. When my thoughts are going astray, it's a great start to call upon the Name of the LORD, but then I need to follow that up with acknowledging where I am in relation to where He is and then RUN to Him! That's where the safety lies! It's not enough to just call out His Name. When we see that He is wanting us to go one direction and we've taken a look, or steps, down another, we need to get moving in His direction! Add the two verses together and we see that as the enemy pursues us, we need to stop, call out, acknowledge His way, command, direction is Sovereign and then make haste to follow in His footsteps!
I think this is what the Apostle Paul was talking about in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. We live in a fallen world and the enemy and our own evil desires seek to entice away but at the first realization that trouble approaches, call upon the Name of the LORD, acknowledging His Lordship and Sovereignty and then, no matter what our emotions, desires, or earthly pressures might be pressing on us, RUN to His position and way of thinking as He outlines in His Word. That's taking our thoughts captive in obedience to Christ. Calling out without further action is only the first step in the process.
LORD, I hear You say that whoever has Your commands AND OBEYS them, he is the one who loves You. I desire to love You with all of my heart, all of my mind, with all of my soul and with all of my strength but sometimes pressures push hard in the opposite direction. Please help me to remember that Your Name, Your Word and the power of praise are powerful weapons available for victory. No matter what I may feel or desire, may I run to You and follow in Your footsteps for in them, there is great safety! In YOUR NAME Jesus, I ask it... Amen.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
God is NOT Late!
Are you tired of "waiting" on the Lord? Does it seem that, though you've told Him you need Him, He is late coming around? Does it even feel like He's not coming? We all have experienced this at one time or another. I was reminded that despite how it may appear to our finite minds, God is never late!
In John 11 we read the account of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. It is clear from the passage that Lazarus was dearly loved by the Lord Jesus (vs. 3, 5) yet, when word came to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not immediately go to him. Instead, the Lord stayed where he was for two days longer though it is also obvious that Jesus was aware of the severity of Lazarus illness. In fact, the Sovereign Lord knew that Lazarus was dead (vs. 11-14). So why didn’t He drop whatever He was doing and go to His friend and heal him?
Consider the following verses…
When Jesus received the message, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death; but [on the contrary] it is to honor God and to promote His glory, that the Son of God may be glorified through (by) it.” (John 11:4 AMP)
Jesus was already accomplishing His plan, to the glory of the Father, but the plan included a purposeful delay.
Therefore [even] when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He still stayed two days longer in the same place where He was. (vs. 6)
“Therefore” refers back to verse 4 and Christ’s purpose to bring the Father glory. Jesus brought greater glory to the Father by waiting 2 more days to reveal the His power.
Then after that interval He said to His disciples, “Let us go back again to Judea.” (vs. 7)
Christ acted according to His timetable.
The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews only recently were intending and trying to stone You, and are You [thinking of] going back there again?” Jesus answered… “Our friend Lazarus is at rest and sleeping; but I am going there that I may awaken him out of his sleep.” (vs. 8-9a, 11b)
Christ will not be detained. He is not afraid of the circumstances. All authority has been given Him in heaven and on earth. Whatever comes to pass must first pass through the hands of the Almighty God.
And for your sake I am glad that I was not there; it will help you to believe (to trust and rely on Me). However, let us go to him. (vs. 15)
When Christ “delays” it is to help our belief. There will be a time for Him to act.
So when Jesus arrived, He found that he [Lazarus] had already been in the tomb four days. (vs. 17)
There was a prevalent belief in that day that the spirit of a dead person hovered close for 3 days. By waiting until Lazarus had been dead 4 days, he was DEAD in the minds of the people. Christ waited until the people could not dismiss His work as anything less than a miracle!
What areas or situations in your life does it seem that God is late showing up to? Is there a specific issue or part of you that feels “dead”? Like Martha in verse 21, do you feel that if God had just shown up sooner…? Is it possible that Christ is purposely delaying in order to bring greater glory? Not that we must know but what greater glory might He have in mind?
Jesus said to her (Martha), “Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone, and Jesus… shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And out walked the man who had been dead. (vs. 40-41a, 43b-44a)
Believe Him when His Word says that He wants to do the miraculous in your life. Listen to His voice when He calls you to “come out!” He is not scared away or offended by the stench of our dead places. Rather, that’s why He came - that we would have life and that to the full! (see John 10:10) Will you trust Him and obey Him as He resurrects your life – in His ways and on His timetable?
Lord, I pray that I would not be so set in my mind and heart as to how You should work and when You should show up that I miss the fact that You are ALWAYS at work - for my good and Your greater glory! In the Name of Jesus, the Raiser of the dead, so be it!
In John 11 we read the account of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. It is clear from the passage that Lazarus was dearly loved by the Lord Jesus (vs. 3, 5) yet, when word came to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not immediately go to him. Instead, the Lord stayed where he was for two days longer though it is also obvious that Jesus was aware of the severity of Lazarus illness. In fact, the Sovereign Lord knew that Lazarus was dead (vs. 11-14). So why didn’t He drop whatever He was doing and go to His friend and heal him?
Consider the following verses…
When Jesus received the message, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death; but [on the contrary] it is to honor God and to promote His glory, that the Son of God may be glorified through (by) it.” (John 11:4 AMP)
Jesus was already accomplishing His plan, to the glory of the Father, but the plan included a purposeful delay.
Therefore [even] when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He still stayed two days longer in the same place where He was. (vs. 6)
“Therefore” refers back to verse 4 and Christ’s purpose to bring the Father glory. Jesus brought greater glory to the Father by waiting 2 more days to reveal the His power.
Then after that interval He said to His disciples, “Let us go back again to Judea.” (vs. 7)
Christ acted according to His timetable.
The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews only recently were intending and trying to stone You, and are You [thinking of] going back there again?” Jesus answered… “Our friend Lazarus is at rest and sleeping; but I am going there that I may awaken him out of his sleep.” (vs. 8-9a, 11b)
Christ will not be detained. He is not afraid of the circumstances. All authority has been given Him in heaven and on earth. Whatever comes to pass must first pass through the hands of the Almighty God.
And for your sake I am glad that I was not there; it will help you to believe (to trust and rely on Me). However, let us go to him. (vs. 15)
When Christ “delays” it is to help our belief. There will be a time for Him to act.
So when Jesus arrived, He found that he [Lazarus] had already been in the tomb four days. (vs. 17)
There was a prevalent belief in that day that the spirit of a dead person hovered close for 3 days. By waiting until Lazarus had been dead 4 days, he was DEAD in the minds of the people. Christ waited until the people could not dismiss His work as anything less than a miracle!
What areas or situations in your life does it seem that God is late showing up to? Is there a specific issue or part of you that feels “dead”? Like Martha in verse 21, do you feel that if God had just shown up sooner…? Is it possible that Christ is purposely delaying in order to bring greater glory? Not that we must know but what greater glory might He have in mind?
Jesus said to her (Martha), “Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone, and Jesus… shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And out walked the man who had been dead. (vs. 40-41a, 43b-44a)
Believe Him when His Word says that He wants to do the miraculous in your life. Listen to His voice when He calls you to “come out!” He is not scared away or offended by the stench of our dead places. Rather, that’s why He came - that we would have life and that to the full! (see John 10:10) Will you trust Him and obey Him as He resurrects your life – in His ways and on His timetable?
Lord, I pray that I would not be so set in my mind and heart as to how You should work and when You should show up that I miss the fact that You are ALWAYS at work - for my good and Your greater glory! In the Name of Jesus, the Raiser of the dead, so be it!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Mother's Day: Blessed to be a Blessing...
I was privileged to be able to speak at a local area church this past Mother's Day. The link will be available for a couple of weeks. If you miss it, please contact me and I will make it available to you.
May the Lord bless you richly as you in turn, bless others. Happy Mother's Day!
http://mdacbrandon.com/v1/blessed-to-be-a-blessing/
May the Lord bless you richly as you in turn, bless others. Happy Mother's Day!
http://mdacbrandon.com/v1/blessed-to-be-a-blessing/
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Prescription for Peace or Prescription for Disaster!
I am working through the Breaking Free study by Beth Moore. Today, the lesson started with a discussion on peace. We took a look at Philippians 4:6-7 which reads...
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Perhaps you have read those verses a hundred times, maybe even memorized them. Well, I wasn't prepared for the exercise that followed. Try rewriting or paraphrasing these words BUT ONLY IN THE NEGATIVE! Why don't you give it a try before you read any further...
Do not be calm about anything, but in everything keep grumbling! Whatever you do, don't pray! Don't ask the Lord for His help in anything! And anxiety galore - fit for every circumstance - will ensure that your heart and your mind are unprotected and exposed - apart from Christ Jesus...
Now, I'm not suggesting anyone follow that prescription! What a prescription for disaster! When you see it put into words and in black and white doesn't it just reveal the lunacy of our actions on so many occasions? Why do we do that? We DO do that! Isn't it true that the times when our insides are tied in knots the most are when we can't quit grumbling and complaining - playing out all of the "what if's" long enough to even see straight to pray, let alone do so with thanksgiving. I'm convinced that we often even mistake our complaining tongue and wagging finger for prayer because we're telling it to the Lord.
The way to peace is through a life marked by knee prints! Ones of bended knee to Christ's Authority and time spent often waiting with Him in prayer. I recently read a quote on another blog (http://www.beckyturner.com/) that asks the question how can we appeal to Christ's Authority when we don't submit to His Authority. The prophet Isaiah foretold of Christ coming as the "Prince of Peace" and that the government would be upon His shoulders. Let me ask you this morning, how's your peace? Where's the government of your life today? Is it resting on your shoulders or His?
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Perhaps you have read those verses a hundred times, maybe even memorized them. Well, I wasn't prepared for the exercise that followed. Try rewriting or paraphrasing these words BUT ONLY IN THE NEGATIVE! Why don't you give it a try before you read any further...
Do not be calm about anything, but in everything keep grumbling! Whatever you do, don't pray! Don't ask the Lord for His help in anything! And anxiety galore - fit for every circumstance - will ensure that your heart and your mind are unprotected and exposed - apart from Christ Jesus...
Now, I'm not suggesting anyone follow that prescription! What a prescription for disaster! When you see it put into words and in black and white doesn't it just reveal the lunacy of our actions on so many occasions? Why do we do that? We DO do that! Isn't it true that the times when our insides are tied in knots the most are when we can't quit grumbling and complaining - playing out all of the "what if's" long enough to even see straight to pray, let alone do so with thanksgiving. I'm convinced that we often even mistake our complaining tongue and wagging finger for prayer because we're telling it to the Lord.
The way to peace is through a life marked by knee prints! Ones of bended knee to Christ's Authority and time spent often waiting with Him in prayer. I recently read a quote on another blog (http://www.beckyturner.com/) that asks the question how can we appeal to Christ's Authority when we don't submit to His Authority. The prophet Isaiah foretold of Christ coming as the "Prince of Peace" and that the government would be upon His shoulders. Let me ask you this morning, how's your peace? Where's the government of your life today? Is it resting on your shoulders or His?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Knowing the Rest of the Story
As I was driving to work this morning, my heart was full of joy! I was singing, at least on the inside, as I was celebrating the glory of Easter Morning (a few days early)! What an amazing and awesome knowledge - I know that my Redeemer lives! Then I thought back two thousand years and thought what was my Lord experiencing today...
Today was the day that Jesus had His "Last Supper" with His disciples, the 12 men that He had spent nearly every moment of the previous three and a half years with. He knew that this was the last time that they would fellowship over a meal together before He died. Today was the day that Jesus served His disciples the bread and the wine of Passover knowing full well that it was merely the prelude to the True Bread and Wine of His body and blood that He would serve for all mankind the next day.
Today was the day that Jesus took His friend Peter aside and told him that he would deny Him, not once, but three times. His heart was full of compassion as He told Peter that He had been praying for him. Today was the day that Christ told Judas to go and do what he had to do even knowing that it was to finalize the arrangements for His betrayal. Today was the day that His betrayal would be with a kiss.
Today was the day that Jesus could have used some faithful friends. Today was the day that His three closest friends were too tired to watch with Him awhile. Today was the day that my Lord cried out in such distress to His Father that He sweat drops of blood. Today was the day that Jesus asked the Father if there was another way. Today was the day that Christ willingly submitted to the will of the Father and said, "yet not My will but Thine."
Today was the day that Christ performed one more miracle - and for an "enemy". Today was the day that Jesus healed the servant of the High Priest whose ear Peter cut off in panic and rage. Today was the day that my Lord went willingly with those who would beat Him, mock Him and spit upon Him. Today, the Lord went without sleep. Today was the day that everyone deserted Him and fled! Today the Lord was alone.
Today I was tempted to feel guilty for my joy...
And what about tomorrow? The events of today were "bad" enough. What about the events we mark tomorrow? A crown of thorns thrust into His head, stripe upon stripe carved into the flesh on His back, nails piercing His hands and feet, suffocating to give those who will receive it His breath of life, blood running down a wooden cross while those He died to save ridiculed Him. My mind shys away from such horrors. It's too much for me to bear. Yet...
Hebrews 12:2 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (emphasis mine)
Jesus, the One who authored my faith, endured the cross because of the joy He knew would be His as He paved the way for us to live in relationship with Him. He endured so that He could provide me with the very joy I was tempted to feel guilty for. I know joy today because I know the love that the Lord has for me. He proved it 2000 years ago. Joy overflows from within me because I know the rest of the story. Three days later He arose and now He sits at the right hand of the throne of God and intercedes for me!
Lord Jesus, today I am filled with joy because of Your love displayed for me. Today I stop and remember the price that You paid. Today I praise You for living, dying and rising again for me! Today is the day, just like yesterday and just like tomorrow, that I gratefully choose to live my life for you.
Today was the day that Jesus had His "Last Supper" with His disciples, the 12 men that He had spent nearly every moment of the previous three and a half years with. He knew that this was the last time that they would fellowship over a meal together before He died. Today was the day that Jesus served His disciples the bread and the wine of Passover knowing full well that it was merely the prelude to the True Bread and Wine of His body and blood that He would serve for all mankind the next day.
Today was the day that Jesus took His friend Peter aside and told him that he would deny Him, not once, but three times. His heart was full of compassion as He told Peter that He had been praying for him. Today was the day that Christ told Judas to go and do what he had to do even knowing that it was to finalize the arrangements for His betrayal. Today was the day that His betrayal would be with a kiss.
Today was the day that Jesus could have used some faithful friends. Today was the day that His three closest friends were too tired to watch with Him awhile. Today was the day that my Lord cried out in such distress to His Father that He sweat drops of blood. Today was the day that Jesus asked the Father if there was another way. Today was the day that Christ willingly submitted to the will of the Father and said, "yet not My will but Thine."
Today was the day that Christ performed one more miracle - and for an "enemy". Today was the day that Jesus healed the servant of the High Priest whose ear Peter cut off in panic and rage. Today was the day that my Lord went willingly with those who would beat Him, mock Him and spit upon Him. Today, the Lord went without sleep. Today was the day that everyone deserted Him and fled! Today the Lord was alone.
Today I was tempted to feel guilty for my joy...
And what about tomorrow? The events of today were "bad" enough. What about the events we mark tomorrow? A crown of thorns thrust into His head, stripe upon stripe carved into the flesh on His back, nails piercing His hands and feet, suffocating to give those who will receive it His breath of life, blood running down a wooden cross while those He died to save ridiculed Him. My mind shys away from such horrors. It's too much for me to bear. Yet...
Hebrews 12:2 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (emphasis mine)
Jesus, the One who authored my faith, endured the cross because of the joy He knew would be His as He paved the way for us to live in relationship with Him. He endured so that He could provide me with the very joy I was tempted to feel guilty for. I know joy today because I know the love that the Lord has for me. He proved it 2000 years ago. Joy overflows from within me because I know the rest of the story. Three days later He arose and now He sits at the right hand of the throne of God and intercedes for me!
Lord Jesus, today I am filled with joy because of Your love displayed for me. Today I stop and remember the price that You paid. Today I praise You for living, dying and rising again for me! Today is the day, just like yesterday and just like tomorrow, that I gratefully choose to live my life for you.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Awesome in the Insignificant
I woke up discouraged this morning. You know those days that when you get right down to it, either the Lord just isn't doing what you want Him to do or the answers to your prayers just seem to be taking too long. We talked about it this morning and He was so gracious to remind me that He knows it's hard sometimes but I can trust Him. He IS working. His plans are for my good. His timing is perfect.
I was reminded of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River. The LORD told them that as soon as the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped into the river, He would stop the water. Well, the priests obeyed and stepped out in faith and the LORD answered at that exact moment and stopped up the water... approximately 16 miles upstream! It has been calculated that the priests stood in the river, with the water rushing against them, for 7 1/2 - 12 1/2 hours before they saw the results of God's working. That's where the LORD has me right now... persevering in faith though sometimes I'm ever so aware that the waters of life are rushing against me. You can read about it in Joshua 3.
I accepted that Word and then proceeded to say, "But, Lord, it's hard..." I am so glad that His loving-kindness endures forever, that His mercies are new every morning! He took me to one of my favorite passages - Psalm 118. In verses 10-11, He seems to say, "I know that the enemy seems to be compassed about you. I know they surround you on every side BUT in My Name you will cut them off." It's as if He hears me still say, "it's hard, Lord." Once again, I feel Him say, "I know. It seems like bees swarming or a fire blazing through the underbrush BUT in My Name you will cut them off!" I can once again echo the words of the psalmist who said, "my adversary thrust sorely at me that I might fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my Strength and Song and He has become my Salvation." (Psalm 118:13-14 Amplified) The Lord enabled me to greet the day with a song in my heart and my hope renewed!
So off We went - my Lord and I - grocery shopping. Now you might think that I'm crazy but I love to go grocery shopping with the Lord! I am learning to really trust His provision and He seems to delight in surprising me with good gifts. Today, He showed His awesome care for me! He cares about the needs and desires that seem huge as well as the absolutely insignificant! I wanted some Glade plug-in airfreshners. I was given a number of the refills but didn't have anything to plug them into. We're really trying to honor the Lord with our finances and trust Him in big decisions and small, so as I was looking at the little gadgets, I asked Him if I could have one. It was $5.99 for one plug-in and refill. He told me that it could wait so I left it. I finished in that store and then had to go to another to get cream for our coffee. As I walked to the dairy aisle, there was a clearance display with a bonus pack of Glade plug-in airfreshners on for 50% off! For $4.99, I got TWO plug-ins and TWO refills! The Lord knew what He had already reserved for me just a little farther down the road!
I love the Lord! I sang, "He loves me too! He loves me too! I know He loves me too! If God so loves these little things, I know He loves me too!" Those words are from an old chorus called "He sees the Little Sparrow". I couldn't help but wonder about the circumstances that prompted the disciples to record those words. Can't you just see Jesus, stooping down to pick up a tiny sparrow that fell from its place of security. Can you picture Him cradling the tiny bird, quietly speaking words of reassurance? Doesn't it just make you stop in wonder? Who is this Jesus that He cares for the things that the world doesn't stop to see? He's the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Sufficient Savior and He's caring for our details! Thank You, Lord!
I was reminded of Joshua and the Israelites crossing the Jordan River. The LORD told them that as soon as the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped into the river, He would stop the water. Well, the priests obeyed and stepped out in faith and the LORD answered at that exact moment and stopped up the water... approximately 16 miles upstream! It has been calculated that the priests stood in the river, with the water rushing against them, for 7 1/2 - 12 1/2 hours before they saw the results of God's working. That's where the LORD has me right now... persevering in faith though sometimes I'm ever so aware that the waters of life are rushing against me. You can read about it in Joshua 3.
I accepted that Word and then proceeded to say, "But, Lord, it's hard..." I am so glad that His loving-kindness endures forever, that His mercies are new every morning! He took me to one of my favorite passages - Psalm 118. In verses 10-11, He seems to say, "I know that the enemy seems to be compassed about you. I know they surround you on every side BUT in My Name you will cut them off." It's as if He hears me still say, "it's hard, Lord." Once again, I feel Him say, "I know. It seems like bees swarming or a fire blazing through the underbrush BUT in My Name you will cut them off!" I can once again echo the words of the psalmist who said, "my adversary thrust sorely at me that I might fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my Strength and Song and He has become my Salvation." (Psalm 118:13-14 Amplified) The Lord enabled me to greet the day with a song in my heart and my hope renewed!
So off We went - my Lord and I - grocery shopping. Now you might think that I'm crazy but I love to go grocery shopping with the Lord! I am learning to really trust His provision and He seems to delight in surprising me with good gifts. Today, He showed His awesome care for me! He cares about the needs and desires that seem huge as well as the absolutely insignificant! I wanted some Glade plug-in airfreshners. I was given a number of the refills but didn't have anything to plug them into. We're really trying to honor the Lord with our finances and trust Him in big decisions and small, so as I was looking at the little gadgets, I asked Him if I could have one. It was $5.99 for one plug-in and refill. He told me that it could wait so I left it. I finished in that store and then had to go to another to get cream for our coffee. As I walked to the dairy aisle, there was a clearance display with a bonus pack of Glade plug-in airfreshners on for 50% off! For $4.99, I got TWO plug-ins and TWO refills! The Lord knew what He had already reserved for me just a little farther down the road!
I love the Lord! I sang, "He loves me too! He loves me too! I know He loves me too! If God so loves these little things, I know He loves me too!" Those words are from an old chorus called "He sees the Little Sparrow". I couldn't help but wonder about the circumstances that prompted the disciples to record those words. Can't you just see Jesus, stooping down to pick up a tiny sparrow that fell from its place of security. Can you picture Him cradling the tiny bird, quietly speaking words of reassurance? Doesn't it just make you stop in wonder? Who is this Jesus that He cares for the things that the world doesn't stop to see? He's the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Sufficient Savior and He's caring for our details! Thank You, Lord!
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