Month: January 2020

“Guard my life and rescue me;  do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” Psalm 25:20 NIV

If you want to know you are always protected, put your faith in God.  Having your life protected by God does not mean you won’t ever get hurt again.  When we take refuge in God, we’re taking it because we need it. The world we live in is filled with evil, battles rage all around us of one kind or another.  We all need refuge from it, we all need protection. God is the One who can protect us, no matter what our circumstances.

I recently watched the movie “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”.  There is a powerful scene towards the beginning of the movie.  One of the characters is under attack. Maleficent swoops in, holds him in her arms, then forms a barrier around them of tree roots.  She protected them from the attack. The attack didn’t stop, but they were safe. That is how I picture God protecting us in the middle of one of life’s storms.  He cradles us in His arms and creates a barrier around us to protect us from the attack. He rescues us from the chaos and gives us peace. God not only protects us, He rescues us.

God not only protects us, He rescues us.

Just as Maleficent rescued the character above, God does the same for us.  God is never surprised by the attack. God could stop the attack. He is sovereign.  But God does allow us to come under attack. Attacks strengthen us, they make us stronger.  In order for a weight lifter to get stronger, he has to continually lift heavier weights. He does this intentionally to create resistance.  He knows, fighting against the resistance is what will make him stronger. He knows it will be harder, it may be painful, but if he pushes through, he will be stronger.  God allows attacks in our lives to give us a resistance to fight against to become stronger.  

And just like the weight lifter knows after a hard workout he needs rest, God knows the same about us.  God knows when we’ve given the fight all we have, He knows when we need a break. That is the moment He swoops in and cradles us in His arms, giving us rest from the world.  God is always protecting us. Sometimes He does allow us to come under attack. But He always knows the right time to swoop in and rescue us. He always knows when we need rest.  He always knows when we need a little extra protection. Place your faith in God. He is a place of refuge and protection.

Question of the Day:

What area of your life do you need God to swoop in and rescue you from today?

Further Reading: Exodus 12:14-13:16 NIV, Matthew 20:29-21:22 NIV, Psalm 25:16-22 NIV, Proverbs 6:12-15 NIV

“My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:15 NIV

Everyone has an area of their life that is caught in a trap or snare.  A snare is a trap for catching animals. Humans get caught in the snares of life, often not even knowing they’re in a trap.  However, God does. He knows when we’re caught in the trap of a lie, or a snare of unforgiveness. God knows when we’re stuck in a trap of indecision, or low-self esteem.  God knows the snares we fall into, whether we do or not. And He is the one who releases us from them. He is the One who gently opens the trap so we can slip our foot out of it.  If you want to get out of a trap, keep your eyes on God. He’ll get you out.

Besides the traps we fall into and are unaware, there are those we walk right into.   When someone asks you a question, that is intentionally meant to trap you into an answer, those traps are hard to avoid.  They are hard to avoid because we don’t see them coming. But God has an answer for those traps too. He’s not surprised by the situation, He has an answer.  No matter what the trap, God can get you out.

No matter what the trap, God can get you out.

If a dog gets caught in a trap, his master knows how to get him out.  The owner knows the most important thing to do is stay calm. The same applies when we get caught in a trap.  The most important thing to do is stay calm. As the dog trusts his owner to get him out of the trap, we must trust our Creator to get us out of ours.  We can be silent, waiting in confidence for Him to move. As God gently opens the mouth of the trap, we’ll be able to slip out of it with minimal damage.  

When we’re trapped in a lie, God will reveal the truth.  When our heart is hardened to forgiveness, God will soften it to forgive.  When the snare of indecision has us immobilized, God will decide for us. When the tendrils of low self-esteem try to smother us, God will cut them away, one by one.  When someone tries to trap us with their words, God will give us an answer that will set us free. When caught in a trap, keep your eyes focused on God. He’ll release you from the snare.

Question of the Day:

What trap do you need God to release you from today?

Further Reading: Exodus 10:1-12:13 NIV, Matthew 20:1-28 NIV, Psalm 25:1-15 NIV, 

Proverbs 6:6-11 NIV

“Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21 NIV

How do you overcome your obsession with stuff?  You give it away. The rich young ruler Jesus was talking to in the above verse couldn’t do it.  He couldn’t sell all of his possessions for entrance into heaven. He couldn’t give up the tangible for the intangible.  And neither can we. We can’t grasp the concept that what we have today is only temporary, that eternity is what we can’t see (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).  All of us are the rich young ruler, focused on our worldly possessions instead of our heavenly rewards.  If we want to overcome our obsession with stuff, we have to give it away.

Money can be considered stuff.  I was getting a little too tied to money the other day.  I was thinking about it all the time, worrying about it. I knew to break the thought pattern, I needed to give some away.  When I bought lunch that day, I also bought lunch for the lady behind me. That one act broke my obsession with money. I was able to gain perspective about how temporary it truly is.  But the smile on the ladies face I bought lunch for, that was priceless! Overcome stuff’s hold on you by giving it away.

Overcome stuff’s hold on you by giving it away.

I was recently watching one of my favorite shows.  In this particular episode, the toddler had lost her security blanket.  Security blankets are something a child clings to that for whatever reason, makes them feel safe.  When this child lost her blanket, she had lost her sense of safety. Our stuff can be the same thing as a child’s security blanket.  We feel safe when we are surrounded by the physical things we love. But just as the child lost her security blanket, we can lose our stuff just as easily.   If we lose our stuff, we lose our safety. Unless we seek our safety and security from a source that will never leave nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6 NIV).  

Jesus is not temporary.  When we give away the temporary, we find the eternal.  When we overcome our obsession with stuff by letting it go, we find truth.  We find peace. We find Jesus.

Jesus tells his followers to pick up their cross daily and follow Him (Matthew 6:24 NIV).  Sometimes, in order to pick up the cross we have to lay down our stuff.  We can’t hold both at the same time. Whichever we choose to hold, the other we have to let go.  When we give away our stuff, we are creating room to pick up the cross.

Question of the Day:

What stuff do you need to give away today?

Further Reading: Exodus 8:1-9:35 NIV, Matthew 19:13-30 NIV, Psalm 24:1-10 NIV, Proverbs 6:1-5 NIV

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1 NIV

When we focus on what we don’t have, we’re unhappy.  We lack nothing in the United States, yet we are unable to make the top 10 in a study of world happiness.  A happiness survey that began in 2012 analyzes happiness in 156 countries each year.  Currently, the U.S. is 19, they have never made it into the top 10. Even more puzzling, the U.S. is the 11th wealthiest country in the world according to a 2018 study.  We make more money than most of the world, we live longer as a result of our wealth, yet we’re not happy.  We lack nothing, but we don’t realize it. Instead, we’re focused on what we don’t have, as a result, we’re unhappy.

We also don’t acknowledge where our wealth comes from.  We forget that we were formed as one nation, under one God.  When I was a child, we said the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in the public school I attended:

 “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Our nation is blessed because of the God who is our Shepherd.  Founded on His principles, we’ve forgotten what those are. In God we trust in Him we lack nothing.

In God we trust in Him we lack nothing.

When we shift our focus, we can find happiness.  When we acknowledge who our Provider is, we shift our focus from us to Him.  Without the soil He created, we can’t grow food. Without the water He makes flow, we can’t drink.  Without the air he made, we can’t breathe. Without Him, we cannot live. When we acknowledge Him for what He has done, we find gratitude.  We find gratitude for the country we live in that allows us the freedom to live our lives anyway we want too. We find gratitude for the jobs we have, the homes we live in and the food we eat.  We stop focusing on what we don’t have, instead we’re grateful for what we do have. We live in a first world country of abundance that the Lord has provided. We lack nothing.

Question of the Day:

What do you have to be grateful for today?

Further Reading: Exodus 5:22-7:25 NIV, Matthew 18:21-19:12 NIV, Psalm 23:1-6 NIV, Proverbs 5:22-23 NIV

“Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”  Exodus 4:1 NIV

Moses doesn’t think he was equipped to do the job God was calling him to do.  Moses is self-aware. He’s aware that he’s a hypocrite who killed two men (Exodus 2:11-15 NIV). Moses is thinking, “No one in their right mind would follow me.”  But yet, the moment in time we find him in is when God asks him to lead His people out of Egypt where they are slaves. Moses is protesting. He’s coming up with reasons why God should get someone else to do the job.  On top of his list of imperfections, he’s had some type of speech impediment which made talking difficult (Exodus 4:10 NIV).  If I was Moses, I wouldn’t feel equipped for the job either.  But God has a response for each of his protests. Finally, Moses cannot protest anymore.  Someone has to do the job, it might as well be you.

Someone has to do the job, it might as well be you.

I’m starting a new semester this week for my master’s.  I’m taking three classes which means 6 major projects and a ton of work in between.  I do not feel equipped to do any of this. Yet I feel confident God is calling me to the task.  I’ve been protesting for days. Asking Him if I can really do this? Should I drop a class? I’m afraid of failing, and I may fail.  Only time will tell, I’ll never know if I don’t try. Someone has to take the class, it might as well be me.

I don’t have statistical data on this, but I think everyone feels they aren’t equipped in some way.  Mom’s don’t feel equipped to be a good Mom, Dad’s don’t feel equipped to be Dad’s. Teachers don’t feel equipped to teach, doctors don’t feel equipped to heal.  Writers don’t feel equipped to write. But they do it anyway. They take the first step, then the next one, and the next one. Eventually, they look back and realize, “I’m actually doing it.  I’m doing what I thought I couldn’t do.” Don’t focus on what you can’t do, focus on what you can do and start there. One day at a time, until eventually, you’ll realize you’re doing what you didn’t think you could do.

Question of the Day:

What is one thing you can do today in the job you don’t feel equipped to do?

Further Reading:  Exodus 4:1-5:21 NIV, Matthew 18:1-20 NIV, Psalm 22:19-31 NIV, Proverbs 5:15-21 NIV

“There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.  So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” Exodus 3:2-3

God used burning bushes to send His message to Moses.  Moses didn’t have a phone with notifications to alert him to new texts.  But he did have a burning bush that wasn’t actually burning to get his attention.  The burning bush for Moses is significant because it shows, God can reach us wherever we are.  Not only does He know how to find us, He knows how to communicate with each of us in a way that is personal to us.  One way God communicates with us is through our own burning bushes.

God used the burning bush in Moses life to liberate the Israelite’s from slavery.  God used the burning bush in my life to draw me closer to Him. I was working for a company in a miserable job I hated.  I felt that there was no way out. I had to accept the working conditions that I was enduring. I had bills to pay. As I spoke to a trusted Christ following friend, she reminded me, God was my provider, not the company.  Still I wavered, until God gave me a “burning bush moment.” It was at the end of the meeting, new conditions had been added to my job responsibilities. I didn’t know how I could possibly do even more, but I was willing.  Then it happened. I felt like I was watching a jumbotron at a sporting event as I saw the words, “Trust in me,” roll across my mind. I knew it was a message from God. I didn’t hesitate, I immediately gave my two weeks notice.  When God talks, get ready to walk.

When God talks, get ready to walk.

God did provide.  Over the next months He led me to a job that I loved and worked for the next 16 years.  Not one of my bills went unpaid, He provided every step of the way. The journey wasn’t always easy, but knowing I was following Him, made it all worthwhile.  My burning bush moment was a jumbotron at the end of a meeting. For many people, their first burning bush moment is when they realize their need for Jesus. That moment when you realize, without Him, you can’t go on.  You need His love and mercy, His grace and peace. And you can have it, simply say, “God, I’m a sinner in need of grace. Help me.” Ten words that will start you on an adventure like you can’t imagine. God uses burning bush moments in our lives to communicate to us.  

Question of the Day:

What burning bush moment has God used in your life?

Further Reading: Exodus 2:11-3:22 NIV, Matthew 17:10-27 NIV, Psalm 22:1-18 NIV,

Proverbs 5:7-14 NIV

 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 NIV

The only way to tell whether something is bad or good is to wait and see.  Joseph, the man speaking these words, is referring to when his brothers threw him in a pit to die, then feeling remorseful, sold him into slavery instead.  They meant him harm, but now, years later, it turned out to be good. The only way to know if it’s bad or good is to wait and see.

Joseph’s life was spent in and out of prison after his brothers sold him into slavery. But then through divine intervention, he became second-in-command of  Egypt. God and Pharaoh were the only two he had to report too. When his brothers needed help during the 7 year famine, he gave it to them freely. What they meant as harmful, God intended for good.   Only with hindsight is Joseph able to see the truth. With hindsight comes perspective and truth.

With hindsight comes perspective and truth.

My job was eliminated Nov. 1, 2019.  I had been working a volunteer staff position at the church we attended.  Due to some restructuring, they eliminated my position. I was devastated.  I didn’t understand why? I was doing a great job, so good in fact, I had grown the position from part time to full time.  I wasn’t consulted. I was called in to the office and told I no longer had a position. None of it made sense to me that day, or in the days that followed.  But now, over a year later, I completely understand. God knew exactly what He was doing. He had a different journey for me to take, but first He had to remove me from where I was.  What I thought was bad, was good. I just needed time to be able to see it.

Whatever “bad” thing has happened to you, wait to make the final judgement.  If a relationship has ended, there may be a reason you don’t know about. If you lost your job, God has something better in store for you, don’t give up.  Whatever the situation, trust that God is maneuvering you where He wants you to be. It may take time before you can see the good in a situation. Joseph was in his late teens when his brother’s tried to kill him, by the time they reconnect, he is in his 30’s.  The only way to truly know if something is bad or good is to wait and see. Sometimes, the wait is longer than we would like. During those times, we can do what Joseph did, keep our eyes on God and trust Him.

Question of the Day:

What is one situation you thought was bad, but now you realize was good?

Further Reading:  Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10 NIV, Matthew 16:13-17:9 NIV, Psalm 21:1-13 NIV, Proverbs 5:1-6 NIV

“Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.”  Proverbs 4:23 NIV

The easiest way to guard your heart is to monitor what you allow into it.  What you put into your heart is what will flow from it. A recent study about our culture’s exposure to violence in the media showed it does affect us.  The study found links to stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.  When we’re constantly being barraged with negativity, it starts to produce negativity in us.  The first step in guarding your heart is being aware of what you are allowing into it. The key to guarding your heart, blocking out the negative and allowing in more good.

God tells us not only to guard our hearts, He also gives us practical tips how too in the verses that follow today’s verse.   “Keep your mouth free of perversity;  keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  Let your eyes look straight ahead;  fix your gaze directly before you.  Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Prov. 4:24-27 NIV).  In other words, watch what you say, keep your eyes on your own path, think about what you are doing and which way you are going.  Guarding your heart not only protects it, but allows good to flow from it.

Guarding your heart not only protects it, but allows good to flow from it.

I guard my heart by limiting my exposure to media violence.  I don’t watch violent movies, I don’t read violent books. Instead, each morning I take time with God.  I read His word, I pray and fill my heart with His goodness. As I learn more about Him, I’m able to stay focused on the path He made for me.  By taking time with Him each morning I’m more aware of the words that flow from my mouth. I’m more sensitive to the times my speech is not uplifting and encouraging.  I guard my heart by limiting the negative and choosing to fill it with God’s goodness. When I fill my heart with God’s goodness, then good flows from it.  

Guarding our hearts is a daily choice to monitor what we allow into it.  If we want good to flow from it, we must put good into it. Just like putting gasoline into a car, if we get bad gas, the car won’t run.  But when we fuel it with high octane petroleum, we’ll be able to to go for miles and miles on it’s goodness.

Question of the Day:

What are you filling your heart with?

Further Reading:  Genesis 48:1-49:33 NIV, Matthew 15:29-16:12 NIV, Psalm 20:1-9 NIV, Proverbs 4:20-27 NIV

“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.”  Proverbs 4:14 NIV

One way to paraphrase today’s verse is simple, make sure you know who you are following.  We all follow someone. The people we follow, are the people we mimic. You know who you follow by who you imitate.  For instance, my husband and I follow Dave Ramsey.  Our financial plan is modeled after the plan he teaches, Financial Peace University. His financial plan is based on the Biblical principles for handling money.   We follow Dave. Dave follows Jesus. Therefore, following Dave means we’re also following Jesus.  Knowing who you follow is important to knowing what path you are on.

Charles Manson was a self-proclaimed Jesus who led a cult in California.  Members of his cult committed brutal murders, including Sharon Tate, a pregnant actress.  He ordered the murders. The people that followed him were walking in the way of an evildoer. Their lives were affected by who they chose to follow.  When his followers mimicked Manson, they were mimicking a mad man. Their actions are what tell their tale. Because of who they chose to follow, four of his followers were convicted of murder along with Manson.  Manson wasn’t following Jesus because he thought he was Jesus. We need to know who we’re following.

We need to know who we’re following.

Ultimately, the person to follow is Jesus.  As we follow Jesus, we meet other people on the same path as we are.  People who know they are sinners. People who are trying to put Jesus first in their lives, even though they falter by times.  People who know that in our deepest of messes, God still loves us. When we ask for forgiveness, He forgives. But as we follow Jesus, we also follow other people.  People who are ahead of us on our journey with God. People who have been through what we’re going through and are on the other side of it. Ordinary people who have daily walked with Jesus a little longer than we have.  People who know how to get back on track with Jesus after they falter.

When I first started my adult journey with Jesus, my friend Laura is who I followed to Him.  Friends since highschool, we had lost touch for a few years after college. When we reconnected, she had come to know Jesus.  He was a daily part of her life. I couldn’t have a conversation with her without talking about Jesus. The same is true 25 years later, I still can’t have a conversation with her without talking about Jesus.  Because Laura wanted to be like Jesus, she helped me start following Jesus. Who you want to be like is who you are following.  

Question of the Day:

Who do you want to be like?

Further Reading: Genesis 46:1-47:31 NIV, Matthew 15:1-28 NIV, Psalm 19:1-14 NIV, Proverbs 4:14-19 NIV

““Come,” he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”  Matthew 14:29 NIV

The first step is always the hardest.  The first step towards a new relationship.  The first step towards forgiveness in an old relationship.  The first step to a healthier lifestyle. No matter what the “first step” is, it’s always the hardest one to take.  In Peter’s case, his first step was to defy all odds and walk on water. What was it that gave Peter the strength to take the first step?  His faith in Jesus. Peter was able to take the first step because Jesus told him too. He trusted Jesus. He had faith in Jesus. The first step is always the hardest, but if our faith is in Jesus, we’ll have the strength to take it.

One of the most famous first step’s every taken was by Neil Armstrong.  Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first men to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969.  Armstrong went first. That step was covered in prayer by the Apollo Prayer League (APL).  The APL was formed to protect the religious rights of Astronauts. Because of them,  Aldrin was allowed to conduct communion on the Apollo 11.  Before he walked on the moon, he took communion.  The scripture he read from a 3×5 card: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me”  (John 15:5 KJV).  The first thing the astronauts did when they landed on the moon was thank God.  The first act done on the moon by man was remember Jesus through communion. The astronaut’s faith was in Jesus, just like Peter’s.  Instead of walking on water, they walked on the moon. When we focus on Jesus, there’s no step we can’t take.

When we focus on Jesus, there’s no step we can’t take.

Peter was looking at Jesus when he took his first step out of the boat.  Aldrin was focusing on Jesus when he celebrated communion. We have to keep our eyes on the Son in order for Him to light our path.  Paul, in his letter to the Phillipians says he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Phil 4:13 NIV).  We can tap into the same strength Paul did.  The same strength Peter did. The same strength Aldrin did.  We can take the first step we need to take in our own lives if we focus our eyes on Jesus.  When keep the Son in our eyes, He’ll give us the strength to take the step.

Question of the Day:

What first steps do you need to tap into Jesus’ strength to take today?

Further Reading:Genesis 44:1-45:28 NIV, Matthew 14:13-36 NIV, Psalm 18:37-50 NIV, Proverbs 4:11-13 NIV