Afloat

When we keep our eyes on our circumstances we can easily sink into depression and despair with questions like, “What value does my life have?” and “Who have I become?”

But when we keep our eyes on Jesus, who always brings us hope, we find that our boat stays afloat even in the deepest water.

We must fight to not give into self-pity, depression and despair.  We must be grateful for whatever morsel comes our way to remind us that we live a life of Faith.

“Take Courage it is I.  Do not be afraid!’  Matthew 14:27

Summer Beckoning...

The rain gifts us with its greenery-

Sometimes we need to wait for beauty…

The meadows beckoning through birds

Melody.

The rabbits skipping, the chipmunks

Charity.

The horses may neigh, the children

Will play.

Look out Summer-

 Just a hop, skip,

And Jump Away!

To have and to hold...

God doesn’t want us to cling to anything other than Himself.

Whatever revelation we receive, whatever gift, whatever promise- We dare to speak it, We dare to live it, We dare to give it- It doesn’t belong to us.  It belongs to the World and if we let it go…Maybe after a while it will return to us full-grown in stature and wisdom-Let it grow its own legs.

Let it walk away from us.

For God is constantly giving birth though us to a new freedom.  Let the bride-groom release Himself to us- To have and to hold from this day forward.

Marvelous Gift!

"I am silent in My love because I love beyond the power of words to express, or of human hearts to understand, and also for your sakes that you may learn to love and trust Me in Spirit-taught, spontaneous response to My love, without the spur of anything outward to call it forth."

He "will do marvels" if you will learn the mystery of His silence, and praise Him, for every time He withdraws His gifts that you may better know and love the Giver. (From the Devotional: Streams in the Desert-February 9th)

Giver of Love,

Beyond any

Human words

Or human

Hearts of

Understanding.

You eclipse

Me with wonder,

With fire in my

Belly.  I reach out

In Worship and

Adoration to

The one who

Made me.

Marvel of Marvels,

Silent or Praise,

Trust me, and Teach

Me- To love you always…

King of Dreams

“For you know better than I

You know the way

I’ve let go, the need to know why

Cause you know better than I” (From Joseph, King of Dreams)

When Jesus hung from the Cross, what do you think the Father felt?  It’s truly a mystery.  I don’t think we will ever understand why the redemption of mankind had to be that way; the death of God’s perfect son.  In our heads we know that God required a sacrifice of blood for sin, but in our hearts we can’t comprehend it.  We do know that God, the Father is a good father.  He’s loving.  He’s merciful.  He’s compassionate.  He’s just. God always sees the big picture-Jesus conquered death once and for all and made a way for eternal redemption for all Mankind. 

So, in thinking of Jesus and looking at the life of Joseph we understand that God doesn’t always rescue us right away; He doesn’t always prohibit difficult journeys, and bumpy terrain.  Sometimes He allows us to struggle and find our way.  But there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel if we have the courage to walk through it.

We all wish life was easier, we all wish life was carefree, we all wish life was bright sunny days.  Though, that’s not entirely His way-here on earth.  We want to know why shadows, darkness, and trauma have shaded our lives, but in the end we have to let go of our need to know why.  Because God knows better than I; He ultimately sees the big picture of our lives. 

Another Bible Character who knew difficult terrain was King David.  He was a Shepherd, A Psalmist, A Warrior, A poet, a prophet, a worshiper, and the anointed King over Israel.  When David was first anointed King he still had a very long and treacherous journey before He actually became King of Israel.  He experienced hardship, ridicule, rejection and heartache and yet He was anointed by God.

“Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning “anointed one”

“Consider Jesus who did not consider equality with man as something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant and He humbled himself to death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8

Joseph and David both knew what it was like to be a servant, to be considered as nothing, to take the lowest place. Sure there may have been resistance in them, but it took a long time before he gave them the job he anointed them to do.  Why?  I think God cares more about humble hearts than anything else.  Humility is God’s ultimate plan.  That’s why he doesn’t always choose people born into privilege.  God loves the underdog; the one people least expect.  The one people have underestimated probably all their lives. 

The coat of many colors...

“Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  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

When reviewing Joseph’s life many would say, (as I have heard before) “I want the character but not the curriculum.” 

Joseph’s story is truly amazing- born as the favorite child of his father he was lavished with love and affection and a coat of many colors that he flaunted before his brothers.  Naturally, as any child born to a parent that feels another child is favored, his brothers grew jealous but it was to the point of wanting to murder Joseph; though they ended up selling him into slavery.  Joseph, who was once the favored son, was now an indentured servant. 

But God remembered Joseph and granted him favor in the eyes of his master wherever he went.  He ended up in jail because his master’s wife also favored Joseph, but even there God would prosper him.

Many people wonder why God allows innocent people to suffer.  But we have to look at the suffering of Jesus to prove God’s point.  Suffering produces merciful servants of the living Christ.  Suffering when consecrated to Christ produces Mercy that touches the heart of God and enables him to hear our prayers and even change the destiny of a nation. 

After Jesus died he went to the right hand of the Father where he lives to intercede on our behalf. (Romans 8:34) Jesus is our ultimate intercessor. 

Joseph, through the course of his life also became a righteous merciful intercessor.  Joseph went from slave to prisoner to 2nd in command to Pharaoh.  It was quite a journey for this young man. There was heartache, pain, and great loss for Joseph but it didn’t end there. There would also be great restoration. Eventually God would raise him up over the entire land of Egypt.  He would provide food for the multitudes and save the land of Egypt from a great famine.

In the end, the mercy of God extended even to Joseph’s elderly father, Jacob.  He would get to see Joseph again before he died.  Joseph’s love, mercy and forgiveness extended to his once jealous brothers.  In the end, He would provide for them and their families.

“So then, don’t be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children.  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”  Genesis 50:21

Mighty Warrior

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand.  Am I not sending you?”  “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” Judges 6:14-18

“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!”

How often we feel weak, inadequate, and incapable of being used by God in any significant way.  God often uses the weakest, and most inadequate people to bring him Glory.  He does it with characters throughout the Bible and Gideon just happens to be one of those.

When the angel of the Lord first appears to Gideon, he is hiding food from the Midianites who were terrorizing the Israelites. The angel of the Lord, affirms Gideon as a “Mighty Warrior”.  Probably the last thing Gideon thought of himself- He probably felt more like a coward hiding out in clefts, caves and strongholds.  But the Lord saw something more valuable in Him.

When the Lord calls him out to save Israel, all his excuses followed with him being from the weakest clan, and being the least in his family.  He probably could think of a lot of other more capable, smarter, stronger, qualified individuals for the Job- but God didn’t want those qualified men.  He wanted the least; He wanted the weakest- to make his power, presence and glory known. 

                                                                       

                                                           “I will be with you.”

God’s famous last words to every prophet, apostle, disciple, and host of other men and women He used in the Bible.  “If God is for you who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31) This promise of God being with us is the most valuable treasure we have.  If God is with us we can accomplish much for His Glory. 

Sure Gideon was afraid, and even after he heard from the angel of the Lord he still tested God and asked for a sign and a fleece to know that God was indeed with him and promised to save Israel through him. 

And God so graciously obliged Gideon’s request three times and Gideon obeyed God and got the victory with a small army of 300 men. 

God knows how weak, inadequate and incapable we think we are.  And He still delights in using us.  He wants us to rise to the occasion, take up the challenge and be the “mighty” men and women that He knows we are capable of becoming.  

We need to trust him.  We need to listen to him.  We need to obey him.  We need to keep our eyes on Him.  We need to write his Holy affirmation on the tablets of our hearts.

“The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior!”