Great Is The Lord

Great is the Lord!  He is most worthy of praise!  No one can measure his greatness.

Psalm 145:3

God is good!  A phrase we say often when in the presence of other christians as we share answers to prayer and other blessings we see God providing in our lives.  His greatness cannot be measured by our good days and blessings!  God is good whether our day is going well or not.  Even if we are having the worst day imaginable, God is still good.  He is good because His love is pure and genuine.  He is good because everything He does is for our best!  There is no way of measuring such perfect love.  He is most worthy of praise!  

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

I will be filled with joy because of you.

I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:1

A Day of Remembrance

Memorial Day is a beautiful day set aside for remembrance; It's a day to remember the fallen, the dedicated and the valiant. It's a day to remember the gifts that were freely given to us by others. Gifts of immeasurable value such as freedom, safety, and honor for our nation. Yes, today calls us to remember and be thankful.

And still as I think of the word 'remember', I am called to the number of times scripture tells us to remember what the Lord has done. Throughout both the old and new testaments, there was a call to remembrance of what God had done for Israel. Throughout the book of Deuteronomy the Israelites are called to remember how God had saved them from slavery in Egypt. He delivered them beyond the Red Sea and faithfully led them into the Promised Land despite their own faithlessness.

Even into the New Testament, the disciples remember the words of Jesus after he left them in death. They remembered all He had said and their belief in him was made stronger.

Remembrance is a recalling to the mind of facts, events, or words that have previously happened. Today as you remember the fallen and those who have sacrificed for your freedom in this country, also REMEMBER the LORD and what he has done for you! He has given His one and only Son that you might be redeemed. He has led you from slavery into freedom by the blood of Jesus Christ. And yes, without doubt, He has shown himself in your life through gracious and mighty acts. So, today, remember and be thankful!

Sing-A-Long-Saturday

Today's tune of praise is by Charles Billingsley. This song verbalizes how circumstances can be hard and unfair; It talks of trials and tough roads. Yet, through it all God is good, even when he's not understood. He has redeemed us through the blood of Jesus and that is all we need!

Click here to hear "God is Good" by Charles Billingsley

Be Persistent!

While searching scripture for a friend a few years back I found this gem of a story.  I had been in the process of praying for her and the circumstances that brought her great pain.  It had already been a while and we were both getting weary waiting on God.

The Story of the Persistent Widow

18 1-3 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’

4-5 “He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”

6-8 Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”

The lady in this story would have no waiting!  She was seeking justice and would not stop until she got what she wanted.  I have to chuckle every time I read this.  We can all appreciate what the judge was experiencing being on the other end of a nagging friend or child, but the reality is when we are asked enough, when we are worn down by questions and pleas, we too can start to give in to requests.  Now God doesn't necessarily give in to us.  He has His own great plans and His own timeline.  He isn't necessarily swayed by our persistence, but the point of the story is that we can all relate to giving in to someone, even someone we don't like, but God, who is good and perfect and loves us unconditionaly, in a way we can never understand, is sure to give us good gifts out of His love and wanting what's best for us.  Things don't always happen in the timeframe we would expect and hope for but we must never give up.  Persistence is key in prayer.  It allows us to draw deeper into God's will and teaches us things along the way.  Persistence is hard work!  It tells a lot about our devotion and desires.  God wants to give us those things we desire and if we are in His will then those things will come!  As we are persistent, the things we ask for begin to line up with His will.  We may even notice a change in our desire, as we continuously persue God's help.

Keep A Written Record

At the Lord's instruction, Moses kept a written record of their progress....

Numbers 33:2

God instructed Moses to keep a record of all the things they did as they traveled the desert for 40 years.  He was to keep track of not only their geographical progress but their spiritual progress too.  In the end, when it was time to cross into the land God had promised them, Moses was told to read his journal to the people.  He was able to remind them of all the times God helped them, the times that they made mistakes or the miracles that God perfomed along the way.  Having those notes made it possible for the Israelites to see God's hand in their journey, especially becuase many of the people were young and did not experience all of the happenings.  Moses' journal was their proof of God walking with them through every obstacle and every beautiful moment!  

God is good and it is important for us to follow His presence in our lives.  Keeping a journal will help us to look back on the answered prayers we have experienced, the things He has taught us through His word and lead us to growth and new wisdom.  God wants us to keep a record of His goodness, so that we can share that with others and ourselves.  

Write out your prayers, your hurts and your blessings!  Copy scripture that speaks to you.  Take notes from a meaningful devotion.  Get involved in your quiet time and keep record of the things God teaches you.  It will be something that you can look back on in need, in praise and to help another along the way.  God wants to be shared!  

"Grandma, Can You Stop the Wind?"

My precious grandson, Brody, is three. He has the most amazing little eyes, dark brown and deep with eyelashes that grab your attention. He is the most polite little boy, offering please and thank you so easily. And, he is a great little tool for the Lord to use to get my attention.

Brody and I were working outside the other day when I accidentally sprayed his Little Tikes Truck with the watering hose. He was upset because this truck is his baby! So I quickly turned this little mishap into into a carwash. We got out the soap, the rags and a towel. Brody worked hard scrubbing his truck like his Uncle Nick does with his big old Ford. As he finished working, he tried to spread the towel out on the grass only to be frustrated by the opposing wind. With sheer innocence and confidence in my ability to meet his every need, he looked at me with those amazing little eyes and said, "Grandma, can you stop the wind?"

I smiled and held back a little chuckle as I responded to his plea with, "No, Brode, I can't stop the wind." His quick response, "Why not?" The only answer that fit was, "Because only God can stop the wind. He can do anything!" Undaunted, he kept working to spread that little towel on the ground. Oh, the faith of a child....

And he said, "Truly I tell you, unless you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

And then I felt the prompting thought that we need to approach our God with the same confidence and innocence of belief and trust that my little Brody approached me with that day. Asking God to heal, change, and rescue. Asking God to overcome the obstacles placed before us. Because, with God, nothing is impossible!

 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

Be Careful!

But that is the time to be careful!  Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.  For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and heard have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful!

Deuteronomy 8:11-13 NLT

The Israelites were in their last moments leading up to entering the promised land.  Moses was running through his notes from the last 40 years.  Reading his personal journal of the good and the bad that took place while they were wandering in the wilderness.  He was reminding God's people of all the mistakes that were made, the many times they forgot God and turned to idols, and was stressing the importance of holding onto God's commands.  He was anticipating the coming of good things; reminding them that when life gets really good with God's good blessings they must not forget  Who provided it. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens (James 1:17).  Not only in material things but in our health and our seasons of happiness and good thoughts.  God is our source and we must remember not only Who provides but Who is still with us when things start to go well.  

Do you ever catch yourself falling away from God when things are going right in your life?  During the the most desperate times you are driven to God but after things start to clear up do you find yourself getting more and more self sufficient, spending less time with God and more with all the good happening around you?  This scripture is a cry to stay grounded with God even when things go well.  We all know what it is like to need God in our hurt and desperation but do we all know what it's like to need God for no other reason than just needing Him because we love Him?  Don't forget God in your good situations!  That is the message Moses is trying to tell the people.  When things get good, be so very careful to remember God for the good things He provides.  Beware of forgetting God is your source of all things good......big or small, material or otherwise.  God is good and don't forget it.  Don't forget Him!

Sunday Scripture

 The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
(Zephaniah 3:17)

Sing Along Saturday

I got the great priviledge to listen to this song last weekend and not only listen but join in singing with 2000 plus other women!  It was an honor praising God with Charles Billingsley and all I could think was how good we all sounded together!  I imagine it will sound just like that someday when I join the angels in song in heaven.  Jesus is alive and we are made righteous because of Him.  Amen!!  That is news worth sharing and singing about on this beautiful Saturday morning.

Jesus, Only Jesus by Charles Billingsley

In Affliction

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn from your decrees 

Psalm 119:71

We all go through seasons of life: health and sickness, prosperity and want, gain and loss, hurt and healing. There are seasons when all goes well and seasons when all seems wrong. Seasons of summer and seasons of winter. 

As I look on my life it was in the darkest times that the Light was the brightest. In my hurt and rejection the Lord's love was the most welcome embrace. In my disappointments his grace was the most abundant. In my sins his mercy triumphed over all. And in my brokenness his love was found in abundance. When I did not have the strength to go on one more moment, his mighty power carried me, and I learned of the strength of My God! 

What season are you in? Are you facing the bleakness of a winter? Ask God to help you see the blessings that can only be learned in the darkness of this season. Is he teaching you to slow down and make him your true love? Is he asking you to draw nearer? Is this your time to meet him with greater intimacy? Dear Friend, your season is not without purpose! It is a time to learn his decrees and of his love. 

Heavenly Father, 

Suffering is hard, but it is by your design. Help me to grow in the dark seasons as well as in the light. Grow my roots of faith and hope deep so that I can weather any season well. Teach me your decrees and enable me to abide in any season of life. In Jesus' precious name, Amen. 

Recognizing The Good That Comes From Suffering

My suffering was good for me, 

for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

Psalm 119:71 NLT

Of course it is easy to look back at our sufferings and see the hand of God at work in our circumstances.  It is easy to say, after the fact, that our suffering was good for us.  We have had time to adjust to the changes and we can see the areas that improved because of the challenges we faced.  Usually we are drawn closer to God through our suffering and we are more than willing to praise Him for bringing us out of our pit and for improving our life in some way.  I love to share with others how God is at work in my life.  I really enjoy sharing my hard times and finsihing with the wonderful story of how God helped me throught it.  It  is our testimony!  Our sharing of God's work will encourage others' trust in the Lord.  

When we suffer we tend to get desperate in our need for God and when we finally see our problem as something only prayer can answer we are excited to hit our knees with anticipation of God's fix for us.  That is why this scripture touched my heart this morning.  Not only because I recieved it twice from two different sources (that's what we call confirmation) but because it brought me back to all the times God made my suffering right.  It made me think of my often desperate situations that ended up being good for me because of what I learned in the process.

Dear God, thank you for my suffering.  Help me to see, with your eyes, the goodness that can come from my circumstances and give me the courage to trust you with my problems right away.  Forgive me for my complaining.  Take my doubts away and give me boldness to believe in your saving power through every circumstance I find myself in.  Give me patience and wisdom to wait on you and to recognize your presence in my suffering.  That I may see your authority in my situation and learn of the great love that you have for me.  Let me be sure of your ability to save me, all the while teaching me and growing me into the woman you want me to be.  Amen

  

A Prayer For Contentment

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

Philippeans 4:12-13 NLT

Dear God,

Teach me to be content with my circumstances.  To be patient with your timing and know that right were I am is good enough.  When things aren't as I would like, show me the reasons you have me where I am.  Like Paul, I want to be content with little, knowing how to live on a little or a lot.  Although I don't have to like every situation I am in I want to be able to boast in my weakness and my God who will get me out of my circumstance.  I want your power to shine through my situations and teach others the power of your hand.  I want to know the strength that my faith in you produces and I want to share that with others!  God, your promise of restoration keeps me going.  I shout from the mountain tops that you are my strength and my portion!  You are my God who holds me up when I am weak and hears my cries for help!  Thank you for your promise to  make all things possible for me.  Thank you for the life I have and the trials that draw me closer to you and make me stronger in my faith.  I can be content where I am!  I can stay close to you and grow in all circumstances to know that you are faithful.  I do know the secret of living in every situation!  It is you, Lord.  You are my answer!  In Jesus' Name..............Amen  

Corporate Worship

Hebrews 10:25 

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Several (God First Friends) GFF's were privileged to spend a weekend together in Louisville, KY at a Women of Joy convention. It was a weekend full of laughter, tears, healing, and amazing speaking from Godly women. We praised together in song and sharing. Oh, what a blessing. 

I share this with you not because I'm bragging or boasting about an opportunity I had, but rather because I want you to pray for this opportunity in your life. A chance to meet regularly with women who love the Lord. New Christians and Christians who have traveled the road a long time. Women who are open and honest about their struggles and their victories. Women who are students of the Word. 

Friend, you can travel this road alone, but God never intended it to be that way. You were designed for community and for corporate worship. Today pray with me for women in your home, community, county and across the world to come together as the bride of Christ and walk this beautiful faith journey together- authentically and passionately.

Dear Father,

Out of your great love you have given us friends and partners in this life. I pray for those women who are fearful of opening up, that you would give them freedom to be real. I pray for the women who are longing for divine friendships and Lord, give them a GFF.  I ask that all women across the world would yield to your call, and that as women, we will partner together in love for you and one another. Amen

#womenofjoy

Join Me In Prayer (National Foster Care Month)

With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

Some days all we can do is pass on the things we know and pray for God to do the rest.  We can teach our children all about Jesus and His miracles and the love of God but one day it will ultimately be their choice to carry that with them or choose a different path.  Praying today for all the littles that have stayed with our family.  Asking God to protect them and keep them safe from the world's lies.  That they stay grounded in the little we may have taught them while they were here and that they are encouraged to expand on those things.  That they will find joy and contentment in their Father above and grow positively from their experiences.  

May is National Foster Care month.....please join me in prayer for the whole foster care system, children, caseworkers, biological parents, foster parents, adoptions, etc.  Many lives are affected by this broken system.  Let's put on the armor and fight this battle in prayer!         

A Cord of Three

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

I'm looking forward to the weekend. My heart is already bubbling over with excitement because I get to spend the weekend with some of my GFF's. We are headed to Louisville for a Women of Joy conference. Three days of praising and worshiping with the women who encourage me and hold me accountable to truth! I can't wait for the moments of praising our God together with hands held high. The laughter as we find humor in our own failures and shortcomings and the power we experience as we find healing at our individual points of need.Yes, it will be a glorious weekend.  

These women are my friends by divine appointment. God brought them into my life, and his love has bound us together. Their friendships are deeply rooted in the Lord. We can rebuke one another, laugh with one another and be apart from one another and the yoke of God's love is still powerful and binding. These are the friends who know the truth of my 'glorious mess' of a life and love me all the more. Why? Because we are bound in a real love, the love of Jesus Christ.

They are why this ministry of God First Friends is so very important to my heart. God brought me these women at a time when I needed Him desperately. They were his hands and feet as I struggled through hurt and fear. They were his voice speaking truth and life into my wounded heart. Yes, God First Friends are a rare and treasured gift! And I want every woman in the world to have GFF's in their life!

If you do not have GFFs in your life, begin praying for them now. God is faithful to hear our cries, and he knows the perfect GFFs for you. Just ask!

Dear Lord,

I thank you for my GFFs, old and new. I thank you for using them to change my hurt into joy and my fear into mighty faith. Father you are a good father, and I delight today in your good gifts of divine friendships. I love you, Lord.

In your son's holy and precious name I pray,

Amen

Is It God Or My Donkey?

21 So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials. 22 But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along, 23 Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls.25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all. 27 This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.

28 Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.

29 “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”

30 “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”

“No,” Balaam admitted.

31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lordstanding in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.

32 “Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lorddemanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. 33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”

34 Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.”

Numbers 22:21-34 NLT

I wonder how many times I have blamed my roadblock on something that wasn't to blame.  Like Balaam, have I ever wanted something so bad that I missed God's sign to stop me?  Have I blamed my "donkey" for stopping me from going somewhere or doing something I thought I was supposed to do, when all along it was God telling me not to go farther?  Many times we want to blame the people involved, the world around us or nature when it is really God telling us to stop.  And when we do get interrupted we aren't happy about it.  We want to get angry at anyone or anything, or find our answer anywhere, and we refuse to ask God what He wants.  Sometimes what God wants for us initially changes, not because He changed His mind but because it was His plan from the beginning and when we run into this we are caught way off guard, sometimes in denial.  I don't know if or where you fit into this description but it is important to stay connected and talk to God on your journey.  Keep communication open and stay in God's word so that you will know which way He is leading you and whether or not He is the one standing in your way.  

Say it and Believe and You Will Be Saved

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10

You cannot earn salvation. In order to earn salvation you would have to be perfectly perfect. No errors. No sin...Perfect.

It is by faith alone that you are saved. Faith in Jesus Christ, the one and only son of God. He was born to Mary, fully God yet fully human. He lived and died. And through the power of God he was raised from the dead to save us because we cannot live a life of perfection. His sacrifice covers our sin. To Him we owe are very being.

Salvation comes from faith alone. SAY HIS NAME AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART AND YOU WILL BE SAVED!

How Quickly They Forgot

Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done!  

They wouldn't wait for his counsel!

Psalm 106:13 NLT

This scripture speaks of the Israelites who wondered the desert for 40 years due to their inability to wait on God and trust that He was in control of their complicated circumstances.  They saw so many miracles and amazing things from God, but too often and too soon they forgot those good things and began complaining about their situation.  I'm guilty of this too!  We all are.  Every time we complain about something in our life we are forgetting the blessings that God has given us.  We forget about the times that God has saved us from trouble or made things right and we immediatately start to grumble about our current predicament.  

The Lord said to Moses, Give the following instructions to the people of Israel:  Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord.  When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do.  The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God.

Numbers 15:37-40

Maybe it's time to bring out the tassels, or something else, to wear as a remembrance of all the good things God has done, and to remind us to wait on Him and obey Him in all we do.  Maybe a piece of jewelry, a special scripture, or even a tattoo?  I don't know what is right or wrong but I do know that we can't keep forgetting and complaining.  We must help each other to train our minds to begin praising instead!  God is good all the time!  Unfortunately, as christians, we are saying He isn't when we complain to others.......

Dear God, I am sorry for my complaining!  Please forgive me and help me to think positively knowing that You can work all things, big or small, into something good for my life.  I never want to forget the good that You have done for me, nor do I want to forget Your commands.  I desire to wait on You and trust in You to help me in all my circumstances.  Help me to find just the right "tassel" to remind me to always trust in You and don't ever let me take it off!   amen and amen          

Sunday Scripture

               

Her children arise and call her blessed; her 

husband also, and he praises her:   Proverbs 31:28

Sing Along Saturday

It's good to know that no matter how we make mistakes, or what kind of mess we find ourselves in, God will never leave us.  He is always waiting for us to call on him in any situation, even those we are at blame for.  Thank God for not being like many people these days!  Praise God for being the only One we can truly count on to never leave our side.  Enjoy this older country song with a lot of meaning behind it.

He Ain't The Leavin' Kind   

by Rascal Flatts

The End is Drawing Near

14 days and counting.... The children are ready. They can hardly focus on school work as their minds wander to summer and ballgames. They bicker from being contained indoors when the outside beckons them to come play. The teachers remain in work mode hoping to get just one more bit of information into those tiny brains. Yet, the countdown is on and school will soon be out and summer will be under way .

Teaching school brings with it it's own challenges of keeping students focused at the end of the year. The last day of school has been a long time in coming! But, I love the enthusiasm that comes with looking to the future; The excitement of an end coupled with a new beginning.

Isn't this how we should live in our spirit? Looking forward to the end of this challenging life on earth, yet filled with the hope and knowledge of a wonderful new life in heaven with our Father and Savior! Are you anxiously awaiting Jesus' return as he will take you into glory? I know I am!

Yet, many Christians get drowsy in waiting for Christ's return. They fall asleep in sin and lose the excitement of awaiting his return. The busyness of life overtakes them. They forget that there is a countdown until the end. They forget the new beginning that awaits. Sleepiness turns to idleness and idleness to sin. They fall away from the God who they once sought and found.

Matthew 25:5 tells us

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep {and then the bridegroom returned and those who were sleeping were to late to meet him}

Friend, let this not be us! Wake up from your sleepy state and look to the future. Read His word, seek his heart and rekindle your love for Jesus.

Dear God,

Lead us not into tempataion, but deliver us from evil: 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever.

Matthew 6:13 KJV

Lead me not into temptation God.  Forgive me for the sins I have fallen into and for the lies I allow satan to convice me of.  Build me up, heal my heart and show me the way.  Lead me out of the dark and into Your light.  Place me in your loving arms where I safe from falling into the traps of the enemy.  You will always give me a way out.  You will never let me be tempted beyond my ability to say no.  You are my strength and my song.

But deliver me from evil.  Take me from this place of evil and deliver me into the river of Your peace.  Although I am feeling weak, You make me strong and You will deliver me from satan's hands and place me on sure footing.  You will raise me up and give me strong legs to stand on because You love me and You know what is best for my growth.  You call me to trust in You and Your promise I rely on.  Deliver me from this hurt and draw me near.  Make me strong.  

Yours is the kingdom.  This world belongs to You.  Your creation is good and I thank You for Your promise to always be with Your people.  I am humbled by my size as I think of all the details and intricacies of this ever changing life You have given us.  Help me to fight for Your kingdom on earth. Raise me up to pray fervently and boldly strategize against the lies and schemes of the devil.  Give me strength and words to pray for Your world and Your people.

And the power.  Your power is unmatchable.  God you have the power to move mountains and stop the waves with a single Word.  Because I love You, You are on my side fighting for me and working all things out for my best.  Your power makes my life possible, and my hurt bearable and peaceful.  Your power draws me in from my biggest fear and holds me gently in the shadow of your wings.  All power is my God!

And the glory.  I give You the glory for this beautiful life and the promises of renewal, mercy and grace.  Yours is the glory God!  You shine Your light in the dark and You fix my problems and bring healing to the broken.  All Glory is Yours for ever and ever! 

In Jesus' Name Amen

Don't Hesitate to Obey

"I love organizing the Vacation Bible School helpers, but I want at least one year's notice if my story tellers decide they are finished so I can hand over the leadership to another person who will have to find their replacement. They are awesome, and I have no idea who would ever replace them. It's a big role and not just anyone can do it."

I had just spoken these words to my mother about 3 hours before I got the unexpected text...

"I am so sorry, but I am unable to work at Bible School this year. My work commitment won't
allow it..."

My mind instantly said, "Alert! Alert! Someone help here!" Panic mode threatened to set in. But, my heart said, "Don't worry! It's God's story, and He knows just who will share it." I closed the phone, prayed for guidance, and went to sleep. (Note, this is not my typical response, but a recent study with my friends on remaining in God's peace allowed me to rest in His arms.)

The following day I again prayed, asking God for the right person to lead this integral part of VBS. Two names came to my mind and instantly I had the thought of dismissing them. One gal, Mandi, had already told me she only wanted a part-time position this year and the other was dynamic at the position I used her in last year, so I didn't want to risk moving her. Yet, their names stayed on my  heart. So, I emailed them.

Mandi text me instantly saying she wasn't comfortable in the role (panic threatened), but then she said that she knew someone who would be amazing if she would accept the position (sigh of hope). The call was made; the commitment graciously and enthusiastically accepted! God had provided! (in less than 24 hours at that!)

In stating all of this, I'm mostly reminded of radical obedience. I didn't want to send the email. I thought it was a waist of time.  But, God knew that I needed to make this contact in order to me to the person I needed to fill this position. His promptings are small and quiet. His ways may seem silly to us. But in obedience we do what he asks knowing all the while that He is in control.

If I had failed to send the email, I would have missed a great blessing of ease in replacing the leadership. I would have forfeited my peace over the situation by looking and trying to figure it out on my own. And the program would have suffered because my solution would not have been the best.

Lord, help us to be obedient to your commands and promptings, even when we cannot see where they lead. Amen

I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

Psalm 119:60

Sunday Scripture

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Hebrews 13:15