just a delay

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Exodus 32:1 KJV

As I read this verse, I really focused on that first line, "And when the people saw that Moses delayed."
Moses was busy with God, getting direction and law, communicating with the God who had just miraculously delivered Isreal from slavery in Egypt. They had seen the mighty deliverance of God with the plagues in Egypt, had walked across the sea on dry land, and had seen God provide food and water. Yet, the minute they feel like He isn't really there, the moment Moses is delayed, they choose to turn from God and make an idol. They talked Aaron into making a golden calf and began to worship it so loudly that Joshua, waiting up on the side of Mt. Sinai, thought they had went to battle. God knew what they were doing and sent Moses down to the camp. He was ready to destroy them. If it had not been for Moses reminding God of His promises to Isreal and Abraham, Isreal would have faced the wrath of God.  Moses returned and in his anger and disappointment, reprimanded and punished the people. On that day, three thousand were slain for this great sin.

We need to take this as a lesson. How many times have we turned to sinful ways all because we think God has delayed to bring about a blessing for us. We may whine or go back to our old ways of living because something didn't go the way we thought it should. The whole time, God was preparing something for us, but we may not have seen it taking place. We get upset and frustrated, and return to old ways of thinking. We may ask 'where is God' and 'is he even doing anything for us?'  How disappointed he must feel when  we do this.  Just like Isreal, we turn to an idol. Maybe not a literal idol, but an idol, nonetheless. 

When we feel there is a delay, we need to turn to God rather than turn away. Isreal could have waited, just as Moses had asked them to do. We need to choose to pray, get into the Word, and seek God when we aren't finding what we think we need. God may be preparing a blessing while we wait. We jeopardize the blessing with impatience and fretting when all we need to do is remain steadfast and firm in faith.

I have remembered thy name, O Lord , in the night, and have kept thy law.  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.  Thou art my portion, O Lord : I have said that I would keep thy words.  I entreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
Psalms 119:55‭-‬61 KJV

We can keep the law of God, follow His word, and continue to worship Him as we wait. The delay is for our good. His delay is for a purpose that will being good.  So rather than giving up and giving in to the despair and temptations to run to an idol, let's be strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and wait on the Lord. Afterall, it may just be a delay for good to come to pass.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
Psalms 18:30 KJV

Wait

We sometimes go through seasons when God is working on our hearts and minds. We may not recognize it at first, but He is pulling us to  a new place, removing parts we don't  need anymore, and and making us a little more like Him. I am finally realizing I am in one of these seasons.  I know God is reaching into the depths of my heart and working on me.

I think we start out thinking we may have finally mastered some spiritual matter, such as, trusting Him, only to realize we have so much more to learn. My husband and I have been on a journey together growing in our walk with God. It has not been an easy few months, but I am realizing all the difficulties we have been facing are really God placed opportunities for growth. I have realized I only thought I had learned to trust God. Now, I am learning even greater trust and faith.  I have seen God perform some mighty things in our hearts the past few months that at the moment, felt like I was being overwhelmed and beaten by life.  Some prayers we have prayed for quite a few years are being realized and answered. God has taken us through a valley that felt burdensome, only because there was great reward waiting.

We do not always realize as we go through the valley that we are really heading for a blessing on the other side. We may even get our eyes on the struggle, the darkness, and the hardship of the journey. We may cry out to God with fear trying to take hold, wondering why we are in such a place, but God only asks we trust Him. While it felt tempting to give up or wallow in self pity, several verses have flooded my heart and Bible study these past few weeks, as I have needed to seek out a source for hope and strength in the journey. I have had to recall and remember all I know, and that is God is always good.

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
1 Chronicles 16:12 KJV

I will remember the works of the Lord : surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
Psalms 77:11 KJV

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord .
Psalms 27:13‭-‬14 KJV

I wait for the Lord , my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psalms 130:5 KJV

As I read these verses and prayed, I know God spoke one word to my heart. "Wait."

I get in a hurry to rush through the valley. I get in a hurry to find my answer and what I think needs to be done. But God says to wait on Him and He will bring to pass all that He has for us. He already has set in motion the right paths and answers we need. He is working on my heart to prepare me for that answer. My husband and I have talked several times that we know God is preparing us for more in His service, but we are also needing to learn some things from Him. He has changed our hearts.  He has placed a deeper love for one another and for others. He is pulling out the harmful, bitter roots we may have allowed to take root, and replacing it with compassion. He is removing hurt and fear, and replacing with trust and peace.  Some of this we didn't even realize we were holding on to, but God knew it was time for some deep cleaning and restoration. Do I like it as He does this? Not always. But I am seeing the reward of submitting to His work in me.  Do I feel like He is done? No! I realize I am far from finished in His sight. I have a mess in my heart only He can help me with. I am so thankful He is still working to make me more like Him. He has not given up on me. This past week, we have seen God provide, protect, and begin to heal hurts that have run deep. He is answering prayers for souls we have prayed over for a long time.  It is only the beginning,  but He is doing something we could never had accomplished on our own.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord .
Isaiah 55:8 KJV

While I may have kicked and screamed a little in the process of being corrected and changed, I now realize God was just working on me to take me to a new place in my relationship with Him.  I am on my way to understanding that my ways are not His ways and my thoughts are not His thoughts. His ways are much better than mine and I need to just trust that He is taking care of me and all we need.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:3‭-‬5 KJV

I am more determined to obey God and just wait. Wait on His work to be accomplished in my heart, wait on the good He has in store, wait on His leading. And wait on others I  the sense of serving them however God sees fit.
May we all learn that we need to wait in hope, wait in trust, wait in faith. Wait on God for He is good. Thank you Lord, for working on me.

my lips shall praise You

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.
Psalms 63:3 NKJV

There is so much we can praise God for. He is good, just, and righteous. He created us and made this world for us. We are blessed daily in ways we may not always recognize. Even moments that seem against us can actually be blessings meant for our good.  I remember in 2008 having a car accident that put me off work, unable to walk for three months. I spent everyday of my recuperation at my parents house for about two of those months until my parents left on a trip.  At the time, I was frustrated that I could not care for myself or my children. I was frustrated that I had to rely so heavily on my husband and my parents, and that I was hurting and injured. But, this was a time that placed me in a position where I got to spend time with my mother, talk with her, and connect with her in a deeper way. Unbeknownst to me, I needed this time with her as she was to pass away on that trip. I look back and feel so blessed that God orchestrated what seemed to be a trial into a blessing.

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.  For thou, Lord , wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
Psalms 5:11‭-‬12 KJV

There is a protection that comes only from God. We can place our trust in Him and rejoice knowing He is our defender and protector.  We can rejoice and shout for joy even in the midst of trials knowing we are covered by the blood of Jesus.

We may be facing uncertainty, struggle and trial, but God is already working out the answer. He is carefully orchestrating what needs to take place. While we may be surrounded by fear and worry, we can find peace. We do not need to worry because He is right here taking care of us. When a job suddenly ends, or a doctor report comes back negative,  we can still have faith that never wavers. When we face terrible, painful loss, our Savior can comfort us and carry us through. When fear and anxiety about what the future may hold tries to take over and break us, we can call on the Name of Jesus and be filled with His loving presence.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 KJV

We can find strength to keep going, keep fighting, and keep trusting. We can praise and worship instead of fearing the future. We have God on our side. We can humble ourselves, present our petitions before God, and leave it at His feet. He is our strength and can be our song. We will walk through all circumstances and emerge with a victorious testimony.  When all seems lost in our perspective, there is hope in Christ Jesus.  He is already gone before us. He knows the plans he has for us and has set in motion the things needed to keep us and bless us.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

Even when we are weak, He is strong. We can rest assured that there is nothing that surprises God, nor weakens Him in the face of trouble.  We can rejoice and shout a praise when every one expects  to hear fear and mourning. When we could have a right to complain, we can choose to praise.  We can praise God because of who He is. He is always good. He is always righteous. He is always loving us. He is always right on time in every circumstance, good and bad.  He already knows what we need before we even ask.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Matthew 6:8 KJV

I choose to rejoice when the cares of this life threaten to overwhelm me. I choose to give a shout of joy in the face of adversity. I choose to trust in Jesus,  because I know He has a table spread ready for me with all that is good for me.
Lord, help me always to find Your peace as I trust in You.  May I ever rejoice and give thanks regardless of what life hands me.  Help me, Lord, to not waver, keep my praise, and my faith ever placed in You.

where He leads

I wake up pretty early and it is usually dark when I sit down to eat breakfast, and read my Bible. I like to sit where I can look out the back window and watch the sun rise.  It is always beautiful to see the colors slowly rise and take over the darkness. It is like a glimmer of hope rising from the blackness of night. I began to talk to the Lord about my day, about the needs I know of and asked him to show me where he wants me to go and do. The words of this hymn came to my mind this morning as I watched the sunrise.

“Where He leads I’ll follow, follow all the way. Oh, where He leads I’ll follow, follow Jesus every day.”

I have always liked that hymn. It reminds me that we can listen to His loving words, we can go to him, and we can trust that He will lead us. Hymns seem to hold a lot of wisdom and truth found in the word of God.

Jeremiah 29:11

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.

I may be the only one, but there are times I don’t really know what or where I am going. I know I am seeking God and I know He has a plan. He promised a plan for our lives. We don’t always see it or even have a clue about what it might be. This is where trusting God really comes in. We have to place our faith in Him, hold His hand and know that He is leading us in the right direction.  This can feel uncertain, unnerving, and even maybe make us feel a bit lost at times. But, God already knows where we are supposed to be and what we are going to be doing. He has a plan already laid out. We need to take that next step and walk in the faith we have, place all our faith in Him and just keep walking.

Psalm 63:8

My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

He will always keep us when the path ahead looks confusing, treacherous, or even just hard to see.  I know God is leading. I think about Abraham when God told him to go from the land of Uz and just start walking. God promised him that he would be the father of many nations and everywhere he walked would be given to him for his descendants. Abraham did not see this fulfilled in his lifetime but God kept that promise. He may have wondered at times if this promise was right. He may have feared at times. He may have even felt lost, but he kept walking in faith of that promise. He didn’t have an heir until he was 100 years old, but he kept going, knowing what God had promised.

We can keep going in faith, knowing that God is leading. We can follow where He leads. There is a peace that comes as we know we are walking in His will even when it doesn’t seem clear. His ways are higher than ours and He already prepared the way for us. The road ahead may appear dark, but there is light on the horizon. There is clarity and victory. There is a destination that is sure. There is a God leading us when we hold to His unchanging hand. He knows the way. Trust Him. 

promises

As a new year begins, I see possibility. We have a whole new year ahead of us that holds promise and possibility.  Some may look back at the year before and recall good times and bad times. It may have been a rough year or a good year. It may have held joy and pain. But a new year is upon us. As I laid down on the last night of the year,  I felt like God was speaking to my heart about His promises. I was reminded of all the promises His Word holds for us. I am excited to renew my desire to read through the Bible and hold on to His promises for me and for all of us who seek Him.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV

He is faithful and just. His word will be done. God has promises for all of us.  I know when I trust in His promises, it will take place just as he said.  I think about David being anointed king of Israel long before he was actually placed in the position of king. He had a promise in word only. He had to live in that promise, trust that promise and hold onto the Word of God as his life was threatened and as he hid from Saul. He encouraged himself when he felt alone. David had a promise.  He knew God had a plan and a promise for his life. He could have given up. He could have become frustrated or angry with God.  Even when he couldn't see how it would work out, he kept his eyes on the promise of God. He walked through trouble and trial. Some times seemed hopeless and that all would be lost, but David held on to the promise in faith.

We need to keep our eyes on the promise of God. He has plans for us to walk in. He has set out a path for us. Even when we cannot see how it will work out or may feel all alone, keep our eyes on the promise. We may not see the answer to our problems. We may be tempted to give up, feel hopeless or frustrated,   But God says He has a promise. He will not give up on us. He will not go back on His word. He will fulfill His promises.

As I woke up the next morning, the following verse came to my remembrance:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 KJV

We need to keep our eyes on the prize of His calling.  We need to press in and press on as we have great promises. Our faith needs to be set in action and motion needs to take place. We can miss out on promises when we do not put our faith in action. Pressing toward a mark means we are taking action. I cannot press toward something without actually moving or acting upon my belief or faith.  We must put our faith into action and move forward toward the goal, or mark. We have a calling and a prize. God has promises to apply to our lives as we move and apply our faith in Him.

We all have promises from God for physical and spiritual needs. We have promises in His Word and promises He has spoken to us from ministry or spoken to our hearts as we poured out our desires to Him. We can find peace in knowing He will fulfill His promise. And as David kept his eyes on the promise, we can live in the promise, act on the promise, take that next step forward, live in faith. This is a new year in which we can claim the promises of God in our lives. We have expectation and promise from our Lord. We have a new year to look forward and press forward in the promises of God. May we all keep our eyes on the promises and press on to that mark. There is more in Jesus for your life. Press on, keep faith, take that step forward. Claim the promises of God.

faith and hope

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV

Faith.  Do I have faith? Do I have enough faith? That depends sometimes on how things are going.  It shouldn't depend, but it does at times. I get side tracked and look around at the circumstances instead of God.  We may start to think God cannot help us and we may begin to doubt, but....

When we have faith, our hope and confidence are completely focused on God.
I may not be able to see the answer, or even a glimmer of hope in some circumstances,  but when I keep focused on the promises of God, there is always hope. His Word can sustain and strengthen in the hardest of moments. When we cannot see through the trial, we can see hope in His promises.

We can believe His plans are for our good, not our harm. (Romans 8:28) We can trust that He is our shield and our place of safety. (Psalms 18:1-2) We can trust that He is already working to bless us and keep us.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord , He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psalms 91:1‭-‬4 KJV

We have promises in the Word of God.  We have nothing to fear and no reason to ever doubt the Word of God. His Word is true and He never fails to keep His Word. We can say: For ever, O Lord , thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalms 119:89 KJV
We know He is not slack concerning his promises. (2 Peter 3:9)

When life or situations seem to overwhelm you or feel impossible, that is when faith becomes most important. When it seems that desperate prayer may not be answered, when illness threatens, when that lost soul you so desperately love and want to see saved seems so far away,  faith in God's  Word will carry you into the promises.

I have seen God heal the illness.  I have seen the impossibly lost come to Christ. I have seen God take an impossible situation and change it miraculously. I have seen prayers answered. I know God will continue to make a way when there seems to be no way. He will heal, deliver, and bless. He will not forget His promises and He will not fail.

Keep your faith firmly planted in Christ. Read His Word and cling to the promises.  Trust Him in spite of the what you can or can't see.  He will come through for you. Just believe and find hope in Him. Never lose hope. Jesus Christ is our hope.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:37 KJV

issues of the heart

I love how the Bible always has advice for every situation you can face. I especially love Proverbs. Proverbs is full of the best advice for anyone seeking to live a life of joy, peace, and righteousness. The following passage from chapter four of Proverbs particularly stood out to me recently.

Proverbs 4:20-27

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.²¹ Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;²² For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.²³ Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.²⁴ Put away from you a ^[c]deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.²⁶ Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.

This passage tells us that we need to follow the words of the Lord. Anyone that is speaking words that are negative, deceitful and evil need to be aware that this type of speaking goes against what is good and right in God’s sight. We need to be aware not just of following the Word of God, but also what words we speak.

We need to pay attention to the word of God. We must listen to it, hear it, and not let it depart from our eyes. We must read it and most importantly, keep the word of God in our hearts. What we plant in our heart is most important for out of the heart, spring the issues of life.

What does this even mean?  The actions and words that come out of our heart reveal what we love, who we love, and what we hold dear.

If I react with patience, love, and faith in God, then my heart is revealed to hold faith, love and patience. My heart is responding with what I have held dear. My heart is responding to a situation with what I have planted in my heart and mind.

If I react with anger, bitter words, fear, and chaos, then I have planted those things in my heart.

My heart issues forth the things I have planted in it.

What we sow, we will reap even in our own lives.  Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

If I have not sown the things of God into my heart through reading and study of His word, prayer and seeking Him, then my heart is not prepared to respond with His word into my own life and situations.

Our response to crisis, to trouble, to trials, reveals what we hold in our hearts. What do I mean by this?  When a trouble comes, do we respond with speaking faith, speaking His word into the situation and seeking God’s guidance or do we respond with angry words, speaking doom and gloom or react out of fear?

I have watched many people over the years respond to crisis in both of the ways above. My grandparents will always stand out to me as an example of responding in faith. When they had two children in two different hospitals, they did not allow despair and fear to reign. They responded by encouraging and praying with other parents in the same situations they were in. They held onto faith, they trusted God even as they laid their precious daughter to rest. Had they always responded this way? No, they had learned to do so over many years of trial.

I have also seen people respond to a crisis with fear, angry words, and confusion rather than trust. It led to hurt feelings, depression, and even turning against God. Any response that takes us from God rather than into His presence should not be acceptable.

Our response to any situation reveals our heart and what we have stored up. God asked me: “What have you placed before your eyes and allowed to enter your ears? What have you poured into your heart?  What have you kept in the midst of your heart?” 

Have we allowed the distractions and entertainments of this society to take the place of His precious word? His word is there to comfort, guide, protect, and keep us from harm and heartache. When we stand on His word, we can have correct response of placing faith and trust in Him. We can stand on His word in the face of any trial or struggle and know that our Heavenly Father is holding us, protecting us and has good in mind for us. No matter the situation, I want to respond with faith not fear; with trust not anger; and with peace, not chaos.

My heart has plenty of room for more of His word and even more as I remove the things that take away from my faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ.  May we ever place His word before us and in our hearts.