I Smell Smoke...

Today’s passage touches my heart like none has before.  I wish we were sitting down having coffee so I could share this entire story with you.  I will do my best to pretend. 

It was almost 5 years ago when my husband, a pastor in a mainline church, was confronted with a dilemma. You see, he was being tested. God was giving him almost daily opportunities to serve him, or make the people happy.  It just so happened, the “people” were church folk and powerful ones at that.

Continually as the tension of our situation grew, Steve would ask me, “What should I do?”  I would simply state, “Do the next right thing.”  Steve would remind me that the next right thing could cost him his job as pastor of this church we have come to love.  I would simply smile and say, “Do the next right thing.”

It didn’t take long for those powerful church people to put Steve’s “feet to the coals”, if you will, and he did the next right thing.  He stood up for the gospel of Christ and proudly stated that he would not waiver. My husband was fired that day.

That evening we were doing our nightly devotion with Evan, our 6 year-old-son, and I kid you not, the very next devotion in his Bible, was the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking in the fiery furnace.  Our son, who passively listened to the stories every other night started to cry.  Steve and I gently asked him what was wrong. 

Evan replied, “But I don’t want to walk through fire.”  Evan had NO idea what had just happened and how Steve and I were feeling as if we were now having to walk through the fire.

We smiled at Evan and calmly said, “Don’t you see, Jesus rescued them.  God isn’t asking you to walk though actual fire for him, but life won’t always be easy and we may wonder where God is.  This story helps us to remember, God is with us and as life gets hard; we can trust that He will be right there.”

Our words were enough to calm Evan's anxious hear that evening.  We’ve needed to reassure him over the years, as the flames seemed to be licking our heals.  But, our testimony has been constant, "God is here and He can be trusted."  

Looking back, I have never been so afraid and so proud all at once.  My world was caving in and I was now waiting for God to rescue us from the fire. And I am excited to say, HE HAS! 

It has been a hot fire.  The fire seared us on every side, but I can honestly say that the only thing the fire burnt were my bindings.  Praise Jesus!  What I thought might kill us, God used to destroy the things that tied us down.

You can trust him like that too.  If you are confronted with some life-altering choices, can I give you some advice?  Just do the next right thing.  Then, trust God to be there no matter the cost.

Read today's passage here Daniel 3:26-29

or

Read the whole story here Daniel 3 

The Israelites trust God

December 17

Scripture Reading

Read Exodus 14:26-31 and reflect on the passage.

Take a moment: either step outside or glance out the window. Consider the beauty that God has created in the trees, in the people walking along the street, in the details brushed across the sky. Consider the person you are, the place you live, the people in your life. Take a moment to remember the journey that led you to this place. Let God remind you how He has been with you since the beginning; from the moment you were born to the present day. 

Though we may fail to notice him in the trees out the window, in the smile of our children, and the bustle of the day, He is there. In the midst of an overwhelming Egyptian army, God was there for the Israelites. God used their faithful leader Moses to rescue them from their oppressors. Yet, what happens as God continues to lead the Israelites towards the Promised Land? They forget the faithfulness of God. As we’re overwhelmed with our days and our situation we must take time to think back and remember the faithfulness of God.

Questions

1.      Are there people in your life that have led you or guided you like Moses? What impact have they had on who you are today?

2.      What moments in your life can you remember when God showed you His faithfulness? Let God remind you.

Prayer

Lord, remind me. Remind me of Your faithfulness and Your promise to never leave me. You hold my life. Let me not forget.

—Maddie Benson

 

It's Not About the Money

Do you worry about money?  A lot of people do.  I googled sayings about money and many familiar ones popped up.  Are any of these familiar to you?  Money makes the world go ‘round, it’s all about the Benjamins, she works hard for the money, money talks, a penny saved is a penny earned, money doesn’t grow on trees, time is money… I could go on and on.

There have been countless books written on how to make money.  You can attend seminars, listen to podcasts or CDs all telling you how to make money.  Why does making money consume our focus?  The answer is obvious isn’t it.  When we have money, we feel secure to take care of ourselves.  We can pay our bills, feed our family, put a roof over our heads, and plan for our future.

Money and wealth are hot button topics. Our scripture today warns against the LOVE of money, and praises the efforts of hard work.

Whoever loves money never has enough;
    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. Vs. 10

The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
    whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
    permits them no sleep. Vs. 12

Taking care of ourselves and our family is different than loving money, but I think it can be a slippery slope when we look to money and wealth to solve all our problems. I love what verses 18 and 19 say,

“¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 

It is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor… I love that.  Working hard and enjoying the fruit of our labor is not a bad thing, but it would be good for us to all remember, it’s not about the money.

Read today's passage here

Don't Worry About It

Today’s passage comes at the perfect time.  Since yesterday’s election, the internet has been bombarded with differing opinions.  One side of the aisle claims that everything will now be fixed while the other says we are all doomed.   We are such a polarized nation, but both parties had one thing in common on Tuesday.  Before the results were reported both sides were consumed with worry.  

Both parties were worried that if the “wrong” candidate won, we were fated for disaster.  Matthew 6:25-34 has something to say about that. I’m sure you have been told, “No matter who wins, remember God is still on the thrown and Jesus is still King.”  Yes, that is true.  Very true.  Matthew’s message is even more personal than that. 

Verse 25 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…”  Verse 26 reads, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Don’t miss that, “ARE YOU NOT MUCH MORE VALUABLE THAN THEY?”  God loves you.  He has a plan for you.  He has numbered the hairs on your head.   So, what do we do when we are consumed with worry?  Verse 33 answers that question, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  To seek his kingdom, we must take our attention away from what is causing us to worry.

Maybe you’re not concerned with politics but your family is going through a tragedy.  Perhaps your job is consuming your thoughts day and night.  So many things take us down a path of worry.  Take some time and seek God’s kingdom.  Write down a memory verse and focus on that when the worry creeps in.  Pray that God will show you how to focus on his will for you and not your worry. 

Heavenly Father,

Please help me in my time of worry.  I can’t control everything that is going on around me and so I give it to you.  I know you love me and you have a plan for me.  Show me how to seek your kingdom and not my worry.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Read today's passage here Matthew 6: 25-34

Status Update

The world sure has changed over the past 30 years.  I was watching one of those holiday cartoons with my son the other night, you know the ones that come on once a year and it's tradition to sit in front of the TV and watch.

After playing it for probably the fourth time my son asks, “Did you watch this over and over when you were a kid?”  I had to laugh as I explained that we didn't have DVR when I was his age.  He was stunned.

My husband and I continued to explain that we didn't have a lot of things he has.  No cell phones, WiFi, internet. We didn't have Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter.

I was actually surprised myself to see how much things have changed in a short period of time.  While all of these additions to life can be fun and entertaining, I can't help but feel they also give too many people the stage to have influence in our lives.

Our scripture passage today comes from Proverbs 3: 5-10.  Verse 5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”  We do the opposite of this most of the time, don't we.

We will run to Facebook articles, news interviews, and our friends opinions before we turn to God.  But he want us to trust him with ALL of our heart and NOT lean on our own understanding.  

This passage is not telling us to turn off our brains.  It is telling us to use our brains and seek the ONLY one who has the answers we need.  Why? Proverbs continues saying, “He will direct our path”.

God will give us the direction we need.  Some versions of this passage say, “He will make our path straight.”  Isn't that what we are looking for when week seek out all this information?  God, the one who created us and who loves us says he will show us which way to go if we would trust him.

Now that's news worthy of posting.

Read today's passage Proverbs 3:5-10

Life is Good

Genesis 3:14-15

 

 

Adam & Eve had it good in the Garden of Eden. For them, “Life is Good” was more than kitchen appliances; it was more than a catchy saying; it was more than clever merchandise. It was paradise. There was no sickness, no growing old and no death. It was perfect unity between each other and with God. Life couldn’t get any better.

 

But with one small decision, that all came crashing down. Their decision brought guilt, shame and death into their world. And not only their world, but it continues today. Like a stone hitting a pond, their self-destructive decision continues to ripple over the millennia into our lives.

 

Instead of looking at how good they had it, they looked at what they thought they were missing. They believed that they could decide what was best for themselves. They wanted full control of their own lives. They believed that they knew better than God. They rationalized what they wanted to do, and did it. Sound familiar?

 

What was the result? Satan was cursed. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden; from Paradise. Hope, purpose and peace were all taken away from them as a consequence of their actions. But not all hope was taken; not forever.

 

“You will strike his heel, but he will crush your head”.

Genesis 3:15 The Living Bible

 

This promise given to Adam and Eve brings hope for the future to come through the Savior. Indeed, God did have a plan for the good of mankind. And He has a plan for you and for me. All good gifts come from God. We need only to have faith and patience; and then trust in His goodness; in His faithfulness; in His love.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 

This is the hope that we live for; the hope that God is faithful and good; that we can

trust Him no matter what happens. Jesus has won the final victory. Life IS good.

 

 

 

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%203%3A14-15&version=NIV;TLB
https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Gen.3.14-Gen.3.15

 

Joshua 2:1-14

This is an amazing story.  One filled with protagonists and antagonists, all lining up to tell a story of faith of a new believer.  This is a mystery that ranks right up there with the great spy novels of today.  There are shady characters, kings, prostitutes and a few heroes here and there.

The unlikely cast of heroes is two spies, who are working for Joshua and Rahab, a prostitute from Jericho.  It is in Jericho where we find the spies, checking out the land in preparation for take over.  They entered Rahab's dwelling and she hid them from the King and his men.

"Before the spies were down for the night, the woman came up to them on the roof and said, "I know that God has given you the land. We're all afraid. Everyone in the country feels hopeless. We heard how God dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt, and what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you put under a holy curse and destroyed. We heard it and our hearts sank. We all had the wind knocked out of us. And all because of you, you and God, your God, God of the heavens above and God of the earth below." (Joshua 2:8-11 MSG)

As the story moves forward we discover that Rahab is beginning to be a believer.  It seems the reputation of Moses and Joshua and all their adventures which brought them to this place, are popular well known.  The people heard of all the miracles God performed for the Israelites on their freedom march.  The people of Jericho are afraid.

So, why isn't Rahab filled with fear?  Is it her faith and the bit of hope she now can feel that is making the difference?  She is more willing to invoke the wrath of the rulers of her country than to reveal the hiding place of the two spies.  The end of this story is even more amazing.  So, what do you think you would do if you were in Rahab's shoes?  Would you risk everything to help these potential invaders?

Once we allow God into our hearts, He will change everything about us.  He will mold our hearts to follow him, to trust when it isn't what would be normal behavior. Like Rahab, we too can make a difference in the lives of many people.  We just have to Believe and Trust.

Read Joshua 2:1-14 here

Listen to Joshua 2:1-14 here

Ready for a Jail Break?

What or who do you find yourself chained to today? Are you physically chained to a bed, a dialysis machine, an oxygen tank? Are you emotionally chained to a hurtful memory, a painful relationship, a grieving heart? There are times in our lives when we find we are bound to a life we did not choose for ourselves. When this happens it is necessary we also examine where our spiritual chains are are connected.

When trouble surrounds us, when pain overwhelms us, when life meets us face to face our spiritual chains need to be firmly attached to those who can pray for us. Life is dangerous, as Peter can testify. The scripture today reveals that James has been put to death and Peter is imprisoned, awaiting a trail. Peter is physically chained to his guards, but those chains will not stop God from moving.

Nothing and no one can stop the will of God. When God has a plan for you, for your life, not even being chained to two guards in a locked prison cell will contain you. When the people who love you are praying for your deliverance, God will move. Acts 12 is about the power of God; the power of prayer and why we can trust God with everything.

When I allow God to guide me, when I include God in my daily plans, my future looks bright. There are no chains that can hold me back.

Read Acts 12 here.

Genesis 28 - Jacob's Dream

Sometimes I am awakened by a dream so real it is hard to believe it’s a dream. The dream may contain an answer to prayer, or an insight into something I am writing about or experiencing. In today’s text Jacob was awakened by a powerful dream. It gets his attention and changes his life.

Alone in the desert, Jacob is filled with anxiety and fear. He has a lot of sleepless nights. There is time to think about his behavior. An intense dream awakens him during the night. He considers God’s presence in his life and His promise to take care of him.

"When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." Genesis 28:16-17

I can feel Jacob's rebellion and disobedience melt into worship and thanksgiving. He takes on a feeling of peace and confidence realizing he can trust God. God prepares Jacob for greatness and fulfills his purposes despite Jacob’s weakness and sin.

Jacob’s life reveals God’s willingness to use very human people despite all their human flaws to do His work. What might God be up to in your life?

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Abraham and Abimelech - Genesis 20

Has anyone confronted you with something you have unknowingly done wrong? God confronts Abimelech about a sin he is committing, "You are a dead man, for that woman you took is married." Abraham and Sarah misled him to think Sarah is his sister.

Abimelech pleads with God. God gives Abimelech two choices. One, return Sarah to Abraham, save his life and heal his household. Two, keep Sarah causing himself and his entire household to die. This is what I call a "no brainer." What choice would you make?

Abimelech confronts Abraham demanding he explain himself. Abraham's response, "Well…I figured this to be a godless place, I thought, they will want my wife and will kill me to get her. Besides, she is my sister…." Abraham had a poor excuse for his behavior. The lie was a sinful deception. Abraham went off on his own without trusting God to protect him and his family.

Abimelech and his household are frightened by the sin and its consequences. To settle the issue, Abimelech pays Abraham in livestock and servants. He also offers him a place to live. His generosity is a powerful contrast to Abraham's worries and deception.

Abraham turns back to God. He prays and God heals Abimelech and his household. I imagine a powerful conversation took place between God and Abraham!

How awesome God can be when we put our trust in Him. Isn't it great that even with our imperfections, our lack of faith, and our determined self-reliance, God protects us and accomplishes his purposes?

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