As I continue to read through Exodus, I'm absorbing the story of how Moses led the people out of oppression, through God's Word. I can't help but notice the continued reminder "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharoah will not listen to you" (Exodus 7:3) Pharaoh wouldn't listen, and the Lord continued to harden his heart.
God hardened Pharaoh's heart- it was not his free will to have a hard heart. A designated opportunity to fulfill the promise. Even though faith is believing what is not seen- the people are seeking to "see". God continually gives signs of His word, yet still today we don't listen. Hard hearts blind us.
"Tell of Pharaoh's hardened heart and harsh dealings with the Egyptians and the signs, so they may know I am Lord." (Exodus 10:1-2)
I see this happen in our lives today as well. Our hearts can be too hard to even grasp the work God is doing in our lives. Behind the scenes, when we feel like our prayers aren't being heard, or perhaps that things are not going the way we feel they should. Or maybe times have just gotten so dire, it's hard to see a way out. Sometimes, we start to believe God is not working for us. The truth is He ABSOLUTELY is working! That doesn't mean an easy road, but the glory comes with weathering the storms. While clinging to God in every way you possibly can, the benefits outweigh the pain of the endurance process.
So why does it have to be so hard sometimes?
Thessalonians speaks of the why; "for sanctification" (the act of becoming holy). No matter where you read in your Bible, there is a likely chance the Lord is spelling out for you, what we need to do to be holy. A great directive verse comes from Exodus 14, "And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."
When you are in a season where you are grasping at straws and wondering what you can do to change the dynamic of what's persisting in your life, are you tempted to turn your back away from God?
I encourage you to "stand firm". Don't turn your back on the one who will never forsake you. He promises time and time again; if you seek Him, His glory will be revealed. It takes some persistence on our part too; there is often some heart chiseling that's involved, we have to be willing. Trust in believing, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." Romans 8:28-30
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Friday, August 23, 2019
Strong Shackles or Strong Freedom?
I've discussed the habitual thinking I've had over the years. Years of anxiety created years of bondage in my mind. This is a subtle and slow process, it doesn't happen overnight. It's just, what fear does. It boxes you in to the things you can't do.
As I was biking today, pulling my almost 3 year old in the trailer. I left with an open mind. We had plans to bike to a nearby farm (not near enough for my mind to grasp how I was going to tow him there and back) but I went anyway because the weather is absolutely gorgeous today and I wanted to really embrace the gift.
We got to the point in the commute, where I always reconsider my not so brilliant idea to bike to the farm. I was determined today to do this. We've been biking on and off all summer, we had enough water and we were on an adventure. But my mind was talking me down. "Why is the wind blowing against us" "This was a bad idea"
My mind is still apt to sneak in those "I can't do this" thoughts. But now, I've started stretching my hand out to the Lord every single time the burden of the situation begins to build.
Philippians 4:13 came to mind as I was praying "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"
I was certainly not going to pull this off in my own strength. But God. God can most certainly get me there and back! He's traveling with me as I go, always inviting me to remember the mercy that ensues when my heart surrenders to trusting Him.
Then I began thinking about how hard headed I was as a child. I was headstrong and always seemed to have to have my way. I had a bit of a reputation for it, as my family likes to joke about still today.
I'm still hard headed, but God has refined this to a more pleasing image of fierce faith instead of anxious control. An authentic heart freedom.
There was an analogy that came to mind. A question:
Do I want to allow strong shackles of fearful and doubtful thoughts drive my actions? Or do I want to live in strong freedom knowing and believing that I serve a big God who cares for my little moments of fear?
That's the thing, they are little moments now. They still come, but they don't shackle me. In the past, I likely would have turned around and called it a day. But today, not only did we make it to the farm, but we went even a little further to the local ice cream shop! And back home.
God's strength. Not mine. God's glory alive in me and I'm just here to share.
As I was biking today, pulling my almost 3 year old in the trailer. I left with an open mind. We had plans to bike to a nearby farm (not near enough for my mind to grasp how I was going to tow him there and back) but I went anyway because the weather is absolutely gorgeous today and I wanted to really embrace the gift.
We got to the point in the commute, where I always reconsider my not so brilliant idea to bike to the farm. I was determined today to do this. We've been biking on and off all summer, we had enough water and we were on an adventure. But my mind was talking me down. "Why is the wind blowing against us" "This was a bad idea"
My mind is still apt to sneak in those "I can't do this" thoughts. But now, I've started stretching my hand out to the Lord every single time the burden of the situation begins to build.
Philippians 4:13 came to mind as I was praying "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"
I was certainly not going to pull this off in my own strength. But God. God can most certainly get me there and back! He's traveling with me as I go, always inviting me to remember the mercy that ensues when my heart surrenders to trusting Him.
Then I began thinking about how hard headed I was as a child. I was headstrong and always seemed to have to have my way. I had a bit of a reputation for it, as my family likes to joke about still today.
I'm still hard headed, but God has refined this to a more pleasing image of fierce faith instead of anxious control. An authentic heart freedom.
There was an analogy that came to mind. A question:
Do I want to allow strong shackles of fearful and doubtful thoughts drive my actions? Or do I want to live in strong freedom knowing and believing that I serve a big God who cares for my little moments of fear?
That's the thing, they are little moments now. They still come, but they don't shackle me. In the past, I likely would have turned around and called it a day. But today, not only did we make it to the farm, but we went even a little further to the local ice cream shop! And back home.
God's strength. Not mine. God's glory alive in me and I'm just here to share.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
The Narrow Gate
Oh friends,
This is a hard post to write.
My gift is "encouragement". But when truth calls to be revealed, I take it seriously.
I was recently given some constructive criticism about my book. It solidified my nature of writing tends to be on the "upbeat" side. Which isn't generally a problem, until you are speaking of Scripture. I don't necessarily want to change my upbeat writing, but sometimes, the messages in Scripture are not all sunshine and rainbows. Don't let that scare you though friends! I truly believe, our eyes are opened more to the love of God once we understand what He is calling us to do...and that is to gain wisdom through His word and follow Him!
There are infinite misconceptions out there, if I can help change just one of those misconceptions, my heart is happy.
So, here we go.
Matthew 7.
Before we get started, it's important to note Matthew 7 starts out with a reminder not to judge. "Judge not, that you be not judged"
We are called hypocrites and told to take the plank out of our own eye before noting the speck in our neighbor's eye. Yes, a humbling reminder.
So, this morning, I was thinking about our world.
How many people say they know God. Is it enough to believe He exists?
In short, that's a great start. But if that's where you end, you are missing the key piece of salvation.
verse 21 starts... "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
Let's back up to verse 15, it speaks of false prophets. They are recognized by their fruits. I don't know about you, but I want to be a healthy tree that bears good fruit. Not a diseased tree that bears bad fruit.
Let's examine our lives today. Examine if what we are presenting is a match with what's going on inside. God sees through the facades, even when we don't.
I will be the first to admit, that my insides were a mess for a long time. Even though no one would have ever known by looking at me or my life. I could even analyze further and say I was dehydrated fruit that was striving endlessly to present a well pruned tree. When in reality, my roots were in a stage of distress.
Not long ago, while studying Jeremiah, I was asked to describe my life in relation to a tree. I described a tree planted near water but my thirsty roots were not quite reaching the stream. It was a dry time. I can say today, my tree is much healthier now. Not because much in my life has changed, but because my roots are getting their nourishment from the well spring of life. My Savior!
I have no doubts the Lord knows me, I have no doubts there is a room waiting for me in Heaven.
verse 24-27 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
We have a lot to lose, but the optimist in me says we have so much more to gain if we stretch our roots to deepen into the rich soil that only God can provide!
This is a hard post to write.
My gift is "encouragement". But when truth calls to be revealed, I take it seriously.
I was recently given some constructive criticism about my book. It solidified my nature of writing tends to be on the "upbeat" side. Which isn't generally a problem, until you are speaking of Scripture. I don't necessarily want to change my upbeat writing, but sometimes, the messages in Scripture are not all sunshine and rainbows. Don't let that scare you though friends! I truly believe, our eyes are opened more to the love of God once we understand what He is calling us to do...and that is to gain wisdom through His word and follow Him!
There are infinite misconceptions out there, if I can help change just one of those misconceptions, my heart is happy.
So, here we go.
Matthew 7.
Before we get started, it's important to note Matthew 7 starts out with a reminder not to judge. "Judge not, that you be not judged"
We are called hypocrites and told to take the plank out of our own eye before noting the speck in our neighbor's eye. Yes, a humbling reminder.
So, this morning, I was thinking about our world.
How many people say they know God. Is it enough to believe He exists?
In short, that's a great start. But if that's where you end, you are missing the key piece of salvation.
verse 21 starts... "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
Let's back up to verse 15, it speaks of false prophets. They are recognized by their fruits. I don't know about you, but I want to be a healthy tree that bears good fruit. Not a diseased tree that bears bad fruit.
Let's examine our lives today. Examine if what we are presenting is a match with what's going on inside. God sees through the facades, even when we don't.
I will be the first to admit, that my insides were a mess for a long time. Even though no one would have ever known by looking at me or my life. I could even analyze further and say I was dehydrated fruit that was striving endlessly to present a well pruned tree. When in reality, my roots were in a stage of distress.
Not long ago, while studying Jeremiah, I was asked to describe my life in relation to a tree. I described a tree planted near water but my thirsty roots were not quite reaching the stream. It was a dry time. I can say today, my tree is much healthier now. Not because much in my life has changed, but because my roots are getting their nourishment from the well spring of life. My Savior!
I have no doubts the Lord knows me, I have no doubts there is a room waiting for me in Heaven.
verse 24-27 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
We have a lot to lose, but the optimist in me says we have so much more to gain if we stretch our roots to deepen into the rich soil that only God can provide!
Saturday, August 10, 2019
It was good
"And God saw it was good"
A few years ago when I was traveling "Through the Wilderness" I remember thinking how alert I was. My stress levels were so naturally high at the time, that any small (or big thing) that fell into our day, put me into anxiety mode. I was so caught up in being on high alert, the Holy Spirit reminded me, to go back to the basics.
The basics, are things we know. Things that we do without much thought. Bare essentials. When in a stressful situation, have you noticed, the basics are even out of reach?
I decided at that time, I want to begin functioning on a lower level of alert. One where I could maintain a healthier way of being. God is good, and God sees good, and God provides for these yearnings we have. Especially when we are stepping out in faith, towards Him.
He provides.
Tonight, I'm thinking about Genesis 1. "And God saw it was good" is repeated 6 times. verse 27 says "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them".
God's creation is perfect. Because God is unchanging, we know whatever is right in front of us, is good. Even if it's terrible, there is something in it to walk away with. Sure, that's hard to see sometimes, sometimes it takes time to sit back and work through all that's happened. Some of us have walked unspeakably hard roads. There are pains that we can't imagine ever being eased.
"and God saw it was good"
When our Almighty created, it was good. He's still creating today. He's creating opportunities for you to seek Him. He's creating an outstretched hand to take hold of you before you fall. He's creating countless abilities to find your way. He works, and He rests. "and God saw it was good"
When will we learn that God's plan is outside of our realm of understanding? In Proverbs 3 we are called to "Trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
Some things are hard. They are harder when you don't look at the bigger picture and see the work that's going on behind the scenes. It's not easy to walk through. It could bring your to your breaking point. Please, please, stop at your knees and pray before you break. He will soften your fall.
A few years ago when I was traveling "Through the Wilderness" I remember thinking how alert I was. My stress levels were so naturally high at the time, that any small (or big thing) that fell into our day, put me into anxiety mode. I was so caught up in being on high alert, the Holy Spirit reminded me, to go back to the basics.
The basics, are things we know. Things that we do without much thought. Bare essentials. When in a stressful situation, have you noticed, the basics are even out of reach?
I decided at that time, I want to begin functioning on a lower level of alert. One where I could maintain a healthier way of being. God is good, and God sees good, and God provides for these yearnings we have. Especially when we are stepping out in faith, towards Him.
He provides.
Tonight, I'm thinking about Genesis 1. "And God saw it was good" is repeated 6 times. verse 27 says "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them".
God's creation is perfect. Because God is unchanging, we know whatever is right in front of us, is good. Even if it's terrible, there is something in it to walk away with. Sure, that's hard to see sometimes, sometimes it takes time to sit back and work through all that's happened. Some of us have walked unspeakably hard roads. There are pains that we can't imagine ever being eased.
"and God saw it was good"
When our Almighty created, it was good. He's still creating today. He's creating opportunities for you to seek Him. He's creating an outstretched hand to take hold of you before you fall. He's creating countless abilities to find your way. He works, and He rests. "and God saw it was good"
When will we learn that God's plan is outside of our realm of understanding? In Proverbs 3 we are called to "Trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
Some things are hard. They are harder when you don't look at the bigger picture and see the work that's going on behind the scenes. It's not easy to walk through. It could bring your to your breaking point. Please, please, stop at your knees and pray before you break. He will soften your fall.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Distracted faith
I'm working through the book of Exodus, reading about the life of Moses. God is seeking our hearts, our actions tend to display the condition of our hearts. Where is your heart today?
Exodus 4:22 states Israel is God's firstborn son.
Psalm 73:1 states He is good to Israel, to those pure in heart.
Psalm 73:26 states flesh and heart fail, God is strength.
Jeremiah 17:7-10 states Our hearts are deceitful.
I encourage you to seek to have a pure heart- PRAY to have a pure heart. It's there in each of us, rarely is it naturally pure, our hearts take on the brutality of the world around us- which is why we are told to guard them in Proverbs 4:19-27
Going from shallow, preoccupied, distracted faith to deep, rich, fulfilling, authentic faith is often messier than expected; exhausts more effort than imagined-
It's not for the faint of heart- BUT that's because we are used to doing things in our own strength when in truth, authentic faith comes in His strength- in His time.
His work strengthens in our lives when our hearts truly open toward Him. That's the easy part- the rest is where you surrender to Holy, and the rewards light the way.
If you are looking for more Scripture:
Psalm 73
Psalm 86:11-12
I read Ephesians 2 again this morning, which I just noticed is a repeat Scripture. That always amazes me when the same Scripture calls to me multiple times over the course of a few weeks.
Exodus 4:22 states Israel is God's firstborn son.
Psalm 73:1 states He is good to Israel, to those pure in heart.
Psalm 73:26 states flesh and heart fail, God is strength.
Jeremiah 17:7-10 states Our hearts are deceitful.
I encourage you to seek to have a pure heart- PRAY to have a pure heart. It's there in each of us, rarely is it naturally pure, our hearts take on the brutality of the world around us- which is why we are told to guard them in Proverbs 4:19-27
Going from shallow, preoccupied, distracted faith to deep, rich, fulfilling, authentic faith is often messier than expected; exhausts more effort than imagined-
It's not for the faint of heart- BUT that's because we are used to doing things in our own strength when in truth, authentic faith comes in His strength- in His time.
His work strengthens in our lives when our hearts truly open toward Him. That's the easy part- the rest is where you surrender to Holy, and the rewards light the way.
If you are looking for more Scripture:
Psalm 73
Psalm 86:11-12
I read Ephesians 2 again this morning, which I just noticed is a repeat Scripture. That always amazes me when the same Scripture calls to me multiple times over the course of a few weeks.
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