Martha, Martha...



http://youtu.be/iBu0dA0aJ04 - Give me Jesus

Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing.  -- John of the Cross

Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem when they came to Bethany, where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home.

Keep in mind that Jesus had told His disciples not to take money or food or a change of clothes as they traveled, but to accept the hospitality of one family in each town. That family would provide for the needs of the disciples the whole time they stayed there. Luke 9:2-5

The passage says Martha invited them into HER home. John 11:1 says that Lazarus lived with his sisters, Mary and Martha. Maybe Martha was widowed, and the home they shared was hers. All we know is that it was Martha's home so she had extended her hospitality to Jesus, probably after hearing Him speak. This seems to indicate that Martha had a hunger for spiritual things. She was drawn to His words and wanted to know more.

However, as we women sometimes do, Martha got distracted. She had a house full of people she needed to feed. As she scurried around trying to get the food ready, her sister, Mary, was just sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His words.

Can you imagine the frustration Martha must have felt? She probably would have liked to be sitting in the room listening to Jesus, too, but someone had to take care of the essentials, someone had to make sure these people got fed! I can just imagine what she was thinking, in her mind, Mary wasn't helping and maybe if she would help, Martha could sit down, too, and listen to Jesus. The more she stews about it, the angrier she gets. Finally, she just can't contain herself.

Luke 10:40b "Lord, doesn't seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."

Wow! She's basically telling Jesus what she thinks He needs to do. Obviously, Martha feels she is absolutely in the right to expect her sister to help. In Martha's eyes, this situation is completely wrong, and she expects, nearly demands that Jesus make it right.

I love the New Living Translation of verse 41 -

"But the Lord said to her, my dear Martha, you are upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary as discovered it -- and I won't take it away from her."

"My dear Martha", don't you just love that? Put your name there: My dear ___________", How does it feel? I hear Him speaking in a calm, loving voice that just melts away any hostility Martha may have felt. The NIV translation says "Martha, Martha" but I do think the translation "my dear Martha" expresses the heart of Jesus at that moment. He doesn't lash out at Martha with a "How dare you tell me what I need to do" attitude. His heart is loving and gentle. If anything, I think He must have felt a little sad that Martha had let herself get so distracted with cares of this world that she couldn't "choose the better part" as her sister had. Maybe she hadn't heard: He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

Poor Martha. She was trying so hard to make things nice for Jesus and his disciples. They must have been hungry and tired. What she was doing was a very good thing. But Martha was so busy trying to do the "good thing" that she missed out of the best thing - sitting at Jesus' feet.

I love Martha. I understand Martha. She was a servant. Can you relate to Martha like I can? I have compassion for Martha. She tried so hard to provide comfort for her guests. Instead, Jesus could have been providing her with comfort and peace.

Sometimes, in our efforts to do good things, we forget to sit at His feet and listen. Mary discovered the better thing. Mary had her priorities in line. I want to be like Mary, too. Maybe we can learn from both of these sisters. Jesus loved them both. With Martha, He was patient and kind. He knew her intentions were good, she just didn't get it. At least not yet.

I think Martha learned something that day. Later, when her brother Lazarus died, we see her faith. Mary and Martha had sent word for Jesus to come because "the one You love is sick". Jesus intentionally delayed, knowing that He would use the death of His dear friend for much greater glory than if He simply "healed" him. Martha heard that Jesus was near and went to meet Him. Mary is the one who stayed at home this time. Can you imagine the scene? Martha must have thrown herself at Jesus' feet, weeping - "if only you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died. But even now, I know that God will give you whatever you ask." Do you see her faith? This is our little Martha in the kitchen, worrying about bread to feed her guests, and now she leaves all her family and friends to fend for themselves, and runs to her LORD, knowing He is the only one who can fix this terrible situation. Martha had faith.

John 11:17-27


17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”


23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”


24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”


25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.


Do you believe this, Martha?”


27 “Yes, Lord,” she told Him. “I have always believed You are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”


Martha believed. She no longer had a problem with choosing the better. She left her guests and she ran to Jesus.

I like that.


Father, help me to run to Jesus. Help me to put Him first. Teach me to give Him top priority over everything that concerns me, because nothing else really matters without Him. Father, I want to be a servant like Martha, too. What a wonderful woman she must have been to invite Jesus and His disciples into her home. I'm sure she would have put Martha Stewart to shame with her hospitality. Thank you for telling us about Martha and how she changed her priorities. Father, thank You for showing us the compassion and gentleness of our Savior extended to a stressed out woman who wanted nothing more than to provide a nice dinner for her guests. Help me to be more like Jesus in my responses. Help me to be gentle and kind, to speak the truth in love. Just like Jesus.


Forgive me for all the times I've put things of this world before my time with You. Help me, Lord, to seek You first. I ask all these things in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Living a worshipful life

http://youtu.be/HeAwBmb_x28 - Heart of Worship - Michael W Smith



Psalm 28:7 KJV
Holy God, my heart rejoices in Your presence this morning! To Your ears, Lord, I pray that my singing will be a joyful noise. Your grace is amazing. You are my all in all, I worship and adore You. Lean down Your ear to me as I sing about Your love, for how great Thou art, Lord, How great thou art!


My heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will praise You.
This morning, my thoughts are on praising God, worshiping our Creator, bowing before Him, face to the ground, emptying myself of all pride, all thoughts of this world and simply lifting my praise to Him for He is so worthy.

Thank You Father, for sending Your Son to earth, God became man, humbling himself to become fully human, so that He could know our struggles and pain. Thank You for such a compassionate High Priest who comes before Your Throne of Grace on our behalf, defending us, claiming us as His own - bought and paid for with His very blood. He is our Mediator, our Advocate, our Redeemer, our One true Friend, Our Savior and Our God. This morning, may my every thought be of gratitude and worship to You, Oh Lord. I'm sorry for all those times I get distracted and fail to honor You in worship. It's all about You. Please forgive me and help me focus on You this morning. You alone are worthy of all my praise.


http://youtu.be/Pvbqalh6S1I - story behind Just to Be With You

Lord my life is an empty cup
Here's my heart, would You fill me up
I'm face to the ground, forsaking my pride
Leaving my will, my burdens behind {pause}

All I want, all I need
Is just to be with You, just to be with You
Here I am at Your feet
Just to be with You, just to be with You

I have come to the end of me
And there's nothing I have to bring
But You said I belong, You say I am yours;
Nothing compares to knowing you more

You made a way for me
Oh Saviour, I'm yours forevermore;
Oh, You made a way for me
Oh Saviour, I'm yours forevermore
I'm yours forevermore

http://youtu.be/T8PNk9V5EHY - Just to Be With You - Paul Baloche

http://youtu.be/Yez8mNzQW08 - A Greater Song - Matt Redman

Psalm 19
For the choir director: A psalm of David.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.

Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.


The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.


The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.


The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.


The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.


They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.


Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.


May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Worship isn't just for Sunday. The way I live my life should be my spiritual act of worship to the LORD.
Read Romans 12 and let the words sink into your heart.  A Romans 12 life is truly an act of worship.
 
Romans 12
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.



Gifts of Grace


For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.


Marks of the True Christian

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This my goal, to live Romans 12 every single day. 

Praying even when I don't see the answer

http://youtu.be/du0il6d-DAk - Blessed be Your Name - Matt Redman

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “

I don't know about you, but my heart is so burdened by the suffering I see around me.  People I love are hurting, and there doesn't seem to be any relief.  The devotional that I've included below is from PrimeTime with God Daily Devotionals and it addresses some of my "whys".   I still don't like it when good people suffer but as a dear friend who is suffering herself says, "I don't have to understand.  I just have to trust."

What can I do?  How can I help my friends who are hurting?  I can pray.

But how do I pray, especially when I don't see an answer coming?

Confess sin and let the blood of Jesus cleanse. Prayer must flow from a cleansed vessel.
Psalm 66:18
“If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.”

Pray fervently to be led by the Holy Spirit to the exact needs of the one for whom you are praying.  
Romans 8:26 NLT
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Pray in agreement with others.
Matthew 18:19-20 NLT
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”


Pray without ceasing.  Pray until God answers.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Always be joyful.  Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Luke 18:1-8 NLT
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people,  but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”



Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.  Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Pray with the authority you have in Christ.  His Holy Spirit lives in you and gives His power.
Mark 3:27 NLT
Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.



Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Pray the prayer of faith and claim the victory.
1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray the Scriptures which are full of God's promises. 
Below are three prayers that Paul prayed. When you don't know how to pray, pray along with Paul.  Also, the Bible is full of God's promises.  He tells us to pray in accordance with His perfect will.  Praying the Scriptures is just that; it's lifting up God's promises to Him in prayer on behalf of others:

Ephesians 1:15-23
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.



I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.  God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.  And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Ephesians 3:14-21
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,  the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.


Colossians 1:9-12
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Don't stop praying for your family and friends - or for yourself, just because you don't see God answering.
He's answering with the most perfect answer.  Like my friend says "we just have to trust Him."

 
Holy Father, I don't understand but I will trust You.  You've shown Yourself to be loving and compassionate time after time.  I know the love You have for us is immeasurable, greater than we could even begin to comprehend.  This world is full of suffering and struggles but You sent Your Son to save us, and He has overcome this world.  Thank You for sending Jesus to be our Redeemer.  We look forward to the day when there will be no more suffering or pain.  But until then, use us, LORD, for Your glory.  Help us to see each struggle as an opportunity to testify to Your faithfulness.  Help us to remember that You are our strength and deliverer.  You will not leave nor forsake us.  Any thing we face, LORD, we face with You by our side.  We give You all praise and honor.
Dear LORD, I pray today for all my friends who are suffering.  We continue to lift them up to You, LORD, but there doesn't seem to be any relief from their pain and struggles.  Please, LORD, hear our prayer for those who are hurting and feeling alone.  Help them to feel Your loving arms around them, help them to feel Your strength, protection and provision.  Father, help them to know You are with them and will not forsake them.  Help them to trust in Your love and promises, even in the midst of their adversities.
Please forgive us when we fail to trust Your perfect plan for our lives.  Your plan is for good and not evil, a plan to give us a hope and a future.  Our hope is in You, Holy God.  In the blessed Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

http://youtu.be/qs2TQRUnE60 - My Savior My God - Aaron Shust
______________________________________________________

Seeing Backward

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman


"O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed" (Psalm 30:7).

It is often difficult to recognize the hand of God when we are in the midst of adversity. We often feel God has hidden His face from us. When the Lord takes us through deep valleys, there will be fruit from the deep valley that we cannot see. You must press into Him with all you have during this time.

God uses the deep valley to frame our lives to create a change in our nature, not just a change in habits. The depth and width of our valley is often an indicator of the level of calling and influence we will have on others in the future. Our adversity is not just for us, but others who will be in our future path of influence. This is not very comforting when you are in the middle of the valley, but know this is a truth in the Kingdom.

It is often years later when we discover the wisdom of God and why He intentionally led us through the dark valley. Life is often lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back at through valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale and the spiritual deposits He has made in our life while we were there. "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light" (Job 12:22). When you begin to realize this, you sit back and breathe a sigh of relief because you know that God was in control all along. It didn't seem like it at the time, but He was.

Do you find yourself in the valley? Now is the time to fully trust Him to guide you to higher ground.


Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Practicing the Presence of GOD

Can you believe it?  This is grains of sand magnified by 250%.
Do you think maybe God cares about the details of your life?

http://youtu.be/NEv2r40X354 - Psalm 139 video

Oh, I hope you can find a quiet place to sit and watch this video.  The music is soothing and beautiful and the photos reminded me of different times in my life when I needed to feel the Presence of the Lord.  Clear your
head of anything that might distract away from the comforting words of Psalm 139.  HE is with you.  Always.
Not just when you invite Him.  Remember Jonah?  Jonah tried to hide from God but not even when he was in the belly of the big fish could he escape God's Presence and love.

Psalm 139:7-10
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
Your right hand will hold me fast.

God is with us.  We don't have to beg and plead for Him to come near.  The problem is not with God.  The problem is us. 

Have you ever been in a group conversation where you felt completely ignored - left out?  When everyone was so caught up with each another, it was like you didn't even exist!  No one invited you into the conversation.  No one acknowledged that you were even there.  When that happens, don't you feel as if you don't matter at all to those people?  

But we treat God that way every day - all day long.  Oh, we might have squeeze in 15 minutes of "quiet time" - maybe not every day, but we try to make time.  As soon as the "quiet time" is over, we pretty much forget God is even around.  He is showing Himself to us all throughout the day, and we don't even notice. 

I'm ashamed of myself.  I refuse to continue to treat the ONE who loves me like no other as if HE doesn't matter.  He is everything to me.  When everything else goes away, HE will be still be with me - not just now but throughout Eternity.

Philippians 4:4-5 TNIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Psalm 34:15-32 TNIV
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry.  
Do you think no one cares?  God hears and He listens to our cry. He not only listens, He is attentive.
There's a difference between having someone just listen when we pour out our heart and having some one really be attentive - the difference is we can tell the attentive friend really cares and is willing to help.  God wants to help us through our problems.  He is willing if we will accept His help.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
It doesn't always feel like we are being delivered from our problems, does it?  But God tells us HE will deliver us from all our troubles.  The deliverance may not look exactly like what we anticipated, but He does deliver us. Sometimes His deliverance comes as Strength to face the struggle. Sometimes His deliverance is a deepening of our faith and trust in Him. Ultimately, His deliverance may come through death.  Then we get to be with Jesus - face to face - forever.  That will be the greatest Deliverance!


The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
When no one understands and we feel completely alone, God reaches down and wraps His arms around us.  Watch for Him.  He is right there with you.  

If we want to "hear" from God, we must acknowledge His presence throughout the day; if we pay attention and expect Him to show Himself to us, we'll begin to see Him all around in everything. He speaks to each of us in very unique and special ways. It may be something very insignificant to others, but God is very personal in how He speaks to each of us.  For me, every time I find a penny in some random place, I can hear Him saying - "Trust Me".  He reminds me all the time that I can trust Him, even when things seem so out of control and hopeless.  For Larry last week, it was the glove which fell into the "I love you" sign as he dug a grave for our sweet Chelsea.  Oh, if you're not seeing love notes all around you from God, it's not because He isn't sending them.  You aren't paying attention.  Watch! Anticipate!  He loves you and He wants you to know He is with you always.

The righteous may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers them from them all;
he protects all their bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Yes, bad things happen to good people.  Again, our deliverance may come through strength, courage, wisdom or stronger faith. But in the end, Eternity with our loving God will be our victory.  When we get there, all these troubles will be like nothing compared to the glory we will have with our Father.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Practice the Presence of the Lord!  He will bless you greatly.  He wants us to come to Him with our joys and with our burdens.  He wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.  God is not too busy for you.  He's not preoccupied with someone else's problems.  You have His full attention!  No one is going to distract Him from listening attentively to your concerns.  Do we even begin to understand how awesome that is?  HE cares so much.

We must train ourselves to acknowledge God's presence every moment of the day. We'll have to be very intentional and focused, but if we'll get into the habit of remembering that HE is with us always, we'll start seeing Him all around us, in little and big things.  

God is everywhere and in everything yet I
ignore Him most of the day. 



When I look up in the sky and see beautiful white clouds with the  sun bursting through, I can't help but think of God! The photo to the right is from my friend, Donna Dobbs.  She was able to capture a beautiful Colorado sky! God was there and she knew it. 

Can you look at a sunrise or sunset and not think of our Creator?  Look at the colors He designed?  Aren't you in awe of His creatively?  God spoke those colors into existence!  Hot pink?  God's idea.  God created hot pink because He knew some little girl was going to want a very special color.  Hot pink is a love note from God to that little girl.  Think about the things you love.  Could those things be love notes from Your Father?  I think so.

As you go through this day, look for God's love notes.  For me, it's the squirrels scampering around in my backyard.  It's the sunrise.  It's waking up feeling good and strong and positive about the future.  God holds my future in His hands, and I'm trusting Him completely.  What are God's love notes to you?

Holy Father, my words seem so inadequate to express how in awe I am of You!  Your Creation is amazing and I can't begin to take it all in.  I don't think we are even close to understanding the great details in Your design.  The grains of sand, Lord, when magnified they speak of a Designer who pays attention to even the most seemingly insignificant things.  Lord God, I am so grateful that You love me and that You care about every detail of my life.  Forgive me when I whine and complain about dumb things that won't even matter in Eternity.  Help me to keep my eyes on You.  Renew my spirit, purify my heart so that I can see You all around me in everything I do.  I know You are with me.  I want to rejoice in every moment You give me.  Use me Lord for Your purpose.  Teach me and guide me so that I can be Your witness to those who don't know my Savior; those who don't know how deeply they are loved by the Creator of the Universe.  I give you all praise and honor, for You alone, Almighty God, are worthy of my praise.  In the precious Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

http://youtu.be/12z4dvc2kjo - Let my words be few - Casting Crowns

Practice His Presence today.  He's waiting for you.

Keeping the Faith

http://youtu.be/e8HgAVenbUU- Bring the Rain - Mercy Me 


Why do good people suffer?

We know that Job was a good man.  God Himself called Job "blameless and upright, a man who fears God, and shuns evil."  Job 1:9   So why in the world did God throw Job under the bus?  This is a hard passage for me to read. 

Job 1
There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.  He had seven sons and three daughters.  He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.



Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Job’s First Test

One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.


Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!  But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

“All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.

One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house,  a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,  when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”


While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”


Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said,

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
 and I will be naked when I leave.
 The Lord gave me what I had,
 and the Lord has taken it away.
 Praise the name of the Lord!”

 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

 The first thing I noticed is that Job is rich.  In fact he is the wealthiest man in the entire area.  He had seven sons and three daughters.  It sounds like they were a close family because the sons would have feasts in each of their homes and invite the sisters to join in the festivals.  Job was the spiritual leader of his family because after his children had a time of celebrating, he would offer a burnt offering - just in case one of his children might have sinned.  God considered Job blameless and upright - full of integrity.  Not only did Job fear God, he shunned evil.  

Job lived a life that honored God.  He had every reason to think highly of himself.  He had success, riches, he was well respected in the community.  He had a good family.  When life is going well, it's easy to forget how much we need God.  But Job didn't forget.  And God blessed him greatly.

Obviously, God was very proud of Job.  He brags on Job:  “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”   Satan does he best to put Job down, to make him look less in God's eyes.  He immediately begins by saying "Of course he's good.  You give him everything a man could want.  You've put a hedge of protection around him, his family and his property!  Why wouldn't he honor you!  As long as you keep giving him everything he wants, of course he'll praise you! But you take that away, and Job will turn against you so quickly!"

I think Satan might have a memory problem.  Remember how God had blessed Satan before he fell?

Ezekiel 28:12-15
“You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.
 You were in Eden, the garden of God.


Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone— red carnelian, pale-green peridot,
white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald—
 beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created.

I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian.
You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire.

“You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created
 until the day evil was found in you.

Satan was a beautiful angel.  Look at the way he was adorned with every precious stone.  He was appointed
to the very prestigious roll of mighty angelic guardian! A cheribim!  What honor God bestowed on Satan!  He had a very high ranking in God's heavenly hosts.  But unlike Job, Satan was selfish.  He craved more power and more authority.  He wanted to be like God in every way. 

• Job was humble.  Satan was puffed up!
• Job praised God through every test.  Satan wanted the praise for himself.

God had full authority over Satan and could have stripped him of all his power the moment Satan rebelled.  But instead He allowed Satan to roam about the earth.  He allowed Satan to test Job and He allows Satan to test us.   Why?  I think God is showing Satan that His children are stronger and that we are loyal - unlike Satan had been.  God is teaching the prince of this world that we humans are His special creation, and we have a very special relationship with God.  Because of His great love for us, He sent His own Son to save us from the Enemy. We humans who put our trust in Jesus have access to the Spirit of God which is stronger and more powerful than the spirit (Satan) of this world.  We humans fight - not by might nor strength, but by God's Holy Spirit!  We can stand tall against the Enemy as long as we lift high our sheild of faith!

This testing of Job's faithfulness seems to be for Satan's benefit.  I think God was showing Satan that even  human beings who were made a little lower than the angels, can be stronger and more worthy than Satan and the fallen angels that followed him in rebellion.  God was showed Satan that a lowly man who honors God is strong enough to stand firm against temptation.  Job was stronger than Satan because Job continually praised God regardless of his situation.  And when men honor God, God lifts them up!  Don't you just know Satan hated that God was proud of this mere human!  This lowly man!  He tried everything he knew to bring Job down - to shake his faith, but Job stayed firm.

My good friend, Cayce, has faced many struggles - many tests in her life.  I have always been amazed at her faith through every challenge.  She said her secret to facing those difficult times was to imagine God speaking of her as He spoke of Job:  "Have you considered my servant Cayce?  She is blameless, a woman of complete integrity. She fears God and stays away from evil.” 

When I grow up, I want to be just like Cayce.  And I want God to be proud of me, like He was proud of Job; like I know He is proud of Cayce, too. 

I don't have to know why God allows the suffering.  I just have to keep trusting in His amazing love.  The love that allowed His precious Son to come to earth, suffer every imaginable pain and anguish, so that I could be with God in Eternity. That's a love I know I can trust.  A love which desires good for me, not evil. 

Please note:

• Satan sent lightning (fire from the sky) and a tornado (winds from every direction blew down the son's house)
• Satan can cause men to rise up against one another - he obviously stirred up the Chaldeans.
• Eventually, Satan inflicts bodily harm on Job himself.

Satan is not without power.  But God is still in control.  I believe if God allows a temptation or a struggle in our lives, He will use that struggle to accomplish good.  I don't understand why bad things have to happen to good people, but I've seen inspiring faith among those who consistently turn to God during those temptations and trials that Satan sends their way.  My faith has grown stronger because of their testimony. And I know I'm not the only one who has experienced that increase in faith. 

Satan causes illness, maybe not every illness, but definitely some.  In Luke we read of the woman who had been crippled for 18 years by an evil spirit.  Jesus healed her.  He said she had been held in bondage by Satan for 18 years.  Satan caused that innocent woman to be crippled.  But Jesus was more powerful than Satan.  He healed that woman.  I know Jesus has the power to heal every sickness or disease.  If He doesn't heal my sickness or resolve my struggle, I will still praise Him.  He knows the future.  He has a plan for me that I cannot imagine. I believe that any suffering He allows in my life has value for the Kingdom.  I may never know what the value is, but I will keep my eyes on Jesus and trust His wisdom to use me however He sees fit. 

Luke 13:16

ne Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!
But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.” 
But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”


Why do I continue to trust Him even in the hard times?  Because He died for me, and I know He has a plan for good and not evil, to give me a hope and a future.  Yes, He allows times of suffering, but those times have purpose.  He allowed the Israelites to be in captivity for seventy years.  But just as He promised, He brought them home again.  He'll bring me home, too, at just the right time, according to His plan and purpose for me.

Jeremiah 29:10b-14a
This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen. ¹³ If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

This life is just a vapor.  The time we spend on earth is nothing compared to Eternity.  If every minute is filled with pain and struggles, it will seem as light and momentary compared to what God has for us. That's what Paul said, and he suffered tremendous struggles.

2 Corinthians 4:10-18
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.


11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
Yet we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

That's what I want to remember.  Satan has power so I will not let my guard down. I have to be ready to stand against him every day.  But his power is nothing compared to the power of Christ.  And that power - the power of His Holy Spirit lives in me, giving me the strength to endure whatever God allows in my life.  I will keep my eyes on things that cannot be seen.   I will trust Him because I know He loves me.  That's all I need to know.


http://youtu.be/xGPS8sa-bRQ - Praise You in the Storm - Casting Crowns

Father, this is the day You have made and I will rejoice in it!  Lord, I feel Your light shining upon me.  I feel Your presence all around me.  I feel loved and protected.  No matter what comes against me today, I know that You will be with me, giving me everything I need to face any challenge that You allow.  I am never alone, Lord, for You have graciously given me Your Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen me.  He is my constant companion and I will not fear.  Thank You, Lord, for loving me and for carrying me when I can't take another step.    I will trust in You because of Your unfailing love and faithfulness.  Whatever You allow in my life, Lord, I know You will never leave nor forsake me.  You will be my strength.  You will give me courage and wisdom for any battle I may face.  I will praise You, Lord God, even in the storms of life, for You are my God and You alone are worthy of my love and devotion.  In the mighty Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

I know You're there

http://youtu.be/6EQCO6F1xR8 - I know You're there - Casting Crowns



"I love you."


As Larry was digging Chelsea's grave, he was so sad and blamed himself for letting Chelsea out by herself the night she was attacked by coyotes. The ground was very hard making digging difficult, so he stopped to rest and take a drink of water. He stuck the shovel in the ground, placed his gloves on top of the handle and sat down for just a moment.

When he looked up, he saw this - his glove had the universal sign language message for
"I love you." God was there and He knew how Larry's heart was breaking, how he was blaming himself for not protecting our sweet Chelsea.  But God reached down and sent him these words of comfort.

It doesn't matter if you or I don't "see" God's hand in this glove.  Larry saw it and the message was intended for Larry. God was there.  He saw every tear, and He was wrapping His arms around Larry the whole time. 

Times like that, when I feel God's presence so powerfully, I have no doubt about how much I'm loved by the Creator of the Universe.  Those are incredibly special moments that I don't want to ever forget.  But if I don't write them down, I will forget.  Satan wants me to forget.  I can't let that happen.

There are days when I feel empty; days when I feel God doesn't hear me; and I can't hear Him.  I hate those times because that's when I second guess who I am and who He is. 

But faith is not a feeling.  It's believing when I can't see, and I can't feel. 

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith is believing even when I don't see or feel.  If I can see, it's no longer faith.  Seeing it makes it a reality.
The apostle, Thomas, believed after he felt the Jesus' pierced side. It was no longer faith for Thomas.  It was real and tangible.  He saw and he felt.  Some day, we'll see Jesus face to face, and it will no longer be faith.  It will be sight.

The Enemy wants me to doubt, to waver, to question God's love. He is constantly whispering in my ear that God doesn't hear and that God doesn't care.  My weapon against the Enemy and his lies is my faith. 

Ephesians 6:16

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
.
I'm so thankful that I don't have many days when I can't feel God's presence in my life. But when they do come, I feel disconnected and alone.  That's when I have to pick up my shield of faith.

Last week, I got up to do my devotional, but I had "writer's block".  Nothing was there.  I was blank.  Everytime I tried to write, the words and thoughts just wouldn't come.  That's the morning I found out my sweet puppy had passed away in the night. 

That morning as I faced the computer screen, not yet knowing Chelsea was gone, I started writing about overcoming struggles and suffering in our lives.  Somehow, my devotional took a different direction and I wrote about Eternity and the Hope we have in Christ.  I didn't feel God's presence when I was writing, but after I got the phone call that Chelsea was gone, I knew that devotional was God's way of comforting me.  There will come a day when there will be no more tears. 

That morning, there were tears, so many tears.  And there will be many more days like that when I feel alone and hopeless.  On those days, Satan will be hitting me with everything he's got to make me dwell on that hopeless feeling.  That's when I know I need to turn to the Word and let God speak - even when I don't "feel" or "hear".  I need His Words flowing in my brain and in my heart - drowning out the Enemies lies.

This morning, I opened up an email I receive from Edward Fudge from GracEmail devotionals.  It was titled
"Hopelessness is Devil's Deceit".   Someone had asked Mr. Fudge what he could do when he felt abandoned by God.  He was afraid that maybe he wasn't one of God's elect.  He had led a life of disobedience but recently had made some profound changes - turning to God with all his might.  He said he didn't feel the presence of God in his life even when he pleads for mercy.  He was very worried.

Mr. Fudge had the right answer.  He explained that Satan is a deceiver and liar and that he was tormenting the man - trying to steal his joy.

1 Timothy 1:15 should be of great comfort to anyone who may be struggling with this issue.  "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst."  Paul's words, but I could say the same thing.  Christ came to save sinners.  Being a sinner doesn't stop God from accepting us.  We sinners are who He calls!

Here's an excerpt from Mr. Fudge's article:

"You say you fear you are not one of God's elect and can do nothing about it.  I ask you:  Do you want to be with God now and in eternity?  Are you sorry for your sins?  do you wish to be forgiven?  Are you willing to entrust yourself to God's love, power and guidance?  If you say "yes" to all of those questions, it is evidence that God's hand is already on you and that the Holy Spirit is at work in your life.  We know we are among God's elect because when the gospel comes to us we believe it.  1 Thessalonians 1:4-5  "For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because your gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.  You know how we lived among you sake. 

You express fear because you cannot sense God’s presence. The apostle John assures us that God’s love is greater than our feelings and that even when we do not feel it , God still loves us 1 John 3:19-20 - Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. The truth is that God was in Jesus Christ, reconciling the world to himself. The gospel is the good news of our salvation. It is true and nothing we can do can make it more true than it is now. The evidence is not our knowledge, our works or our feelings. The evidence is the cross of Jesus Christ and his empty grave.          2 Corinthians 5:19-21 - For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.  Because Jesus has set us right with God, all we can do is either believe it or reject it.  Whoever trusts God's promise that it is true enjoys forgiveness of sins and peace with God. 
Acts 10:43-43 - And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” 
Romans 10:9-10 - If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.  




For our comfort, God has also given us a tangible experience of his forgiveness which is gospel baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. When we are immersed (in the likeness of Jesus’ death) and raised up again (in the likeness of his resurrection), God gives us a good conscience by the resurrection of Jesus Christ . In this sense, we “wash away” our sins, that is, we feel the cleansing that God did in Jesus by his perfect life, atoning death and mighty resurrection.  
1 Peter 3:21 - And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
Acts 22:16 - 'What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ 
Baptism points to Jesus – it is a way God had given us to tangibly declare our trust in Jesus as Savior and to receive a clear conscience. Look only to Jesus and believe the trustworthy saying that he came to save sinners!

I find a great deal of comfort in knowing that even when I don't "feel" God's presence He is still with me.  I also know that I long to serve Him.  I know that I want to be closer to Him. I want to make Him proud of me.  I want others to see Him living in my life.  But some days, I just don't have the fire. I feel shut out.  Not connected.  The spiritual connection seems to be missing.  But here's what I know.  If it's missing, it's missing from my point of view - not from God's.  He is faithful.  I can trust Him to be constant even when I get distracted by the Enemy.  

Father,  Your love and mercies are new every morning.  You're with me when I wake up, and when I lay down.  All through the night, You watch over me.  You are my constant companion and protector.  I know this all very well, but some days I struggle to feel Your presence.  Thank You for holding me close - even on those days when I don't respond to Your love.  I'm sorry because nothing matters more to me than honoring You and showing gratitude for all You've done for me.  Thank You for sending me little love notes to remind me of Your love and presence.  Thank You for caring about everything that concerns me.  Thank You for understanding every tear I cry.  Thank You for wiping those tears away with Your constant love and compassion.  Thank You for forgiving me when I do fall.  Thank You for picking me back up - for never letting go of my hand.  Thank You most of all for Jesus and the great sacrifice He made so that I can be forgiven for my sins.  I love You, Father, and want to honor Your Son today in everything I think, do or say.  Be glorified in my life, Lord!  In the precious Name of Jesus I pray these things. Amen.

http://youtu.be/Hx5Y9DhoLJQ - You Never Let Go - David Crowder Bank