I love it when the Lord gives me a pre-trouble verse. My time with God is early in the morning, when the house and the world are still wrapped in darkness. That seems to be the best time for me to open my Bible and talk with God.
This morning, the divine whisper prompted me to turn to Psalm 28. There I read verse seven, “My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” I tried to read the rest of the chapter, but couldn’t seem to move beyond that verse. “My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”
So I spent the rest of my devotion time, just thanking God for helping me throughout the day. I had no idea that later in the morning, I would become a target. Without any provocation, I landed in the middle of some office politics. I spent several moments at my desk, just praying for those who were angry with me. I opened my Bible and prayed Psalm 28:7 for the situation, praising God for his help. Rejection attacked, and I recognized how the enemy wanted to use it to send me into discouragement. I repeated the verse again and again, claiming God’s promise to help me.
Fortunately, everything soon returned to normal. By the end of the day, plans were in motion to resolve the conflict. As I drove home, I praised God for sending that pre-trouble verse before anything happened and for reminding me to let my heart trust in him because He would help me.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Prayer Meets the Answer
The divine whisper called me to Psalm 88 where I found an interesting concept in verse 13. In the Amplified version, it read, “But to you I cry, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer come to meet you.”
Just the idea of meeting with God brought comfort, but here the sons of Korah described the moment when prayer actually met with God. My mind created a vision of God Himself listening for my cry and meeting the prayer halfway.
It was a discouraging week as I paid the September bills and subtracted what was left in the checking account. I spoke against the fear, sang the songs of praise and reminded myself of God’s eternal faithfulness. Then I read Psalm 88 and felt the encouragement of the Holy Spirit again.
A temp job suddenly opened up, which may become a full-time position. It involves writing, problem-solving and communications – all my strengths. In a divine coincidence, this job happened just as I was learning about Psalm 88:13. As I prayed, God was already sending the answer. My cry and His answer met in a spontaneous explosion of need and grace.
Join with me in praising God.
Just the idea of meeting with God brought comfort, but here the sons of Korah described the moment when prayer actually met with God. My mind created a vision of God Himself listening for my cry and meeting the prayer halfway.
It was a discouraging week as I paid the September bills and subtracted what was left in the checking account. I spoke against the fear, sang the songs of praise and reminded myself of God’s eternal faithfulness. Then I read Psalm 88 and felt the encouragement of the Holy Spirit again.
A temp job suddenly opened up, which may become a full-time position. It involves writing, problem-solving and communications – all my strengths. In a divine coincidence, this job happened just as I was learning about Psalm 88:13. As I prayed, God was already sending the answer. My cry and His answer met in a spontaneous explosion of need and grace.
Join with me in praising God.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Of Course
Last Sunday, one of my friends reminded me of the first two words we will say in heaven.
When we meet Jesus and get that welcome hug from our Savior, our soul eyes will be opened. We’ll finally understand why certain things happened to us on earth. We’ll know that the long periods of waiting taught us patience and compassion. Sorrow helped us realize that we should never take each other for granted. Illnesses threw us on our knees to beg for healing. All the stresses and problems of life helped us empathize with others who followed in our steps.
When we’re with Jesus, we’ll see how he poured extra grace on us for those times. The same powerful grace that helped him endure those six horrific hours on the cross enabled us to bear our crosses. In heaven, we’ll finally see the smile of God and realize how much he wanted to help us – how he longed to hear us cry out to him, “Abba Father – help me.”
Maybe God will show us a video of our lives on earth. In the background will be all the people who prayed for us, cried with us and encouraged us. We’ll see how our own prayers strengthened someone else in the darkest of nights. We may get a glimpse of the enemy forces that surrounded us and how warfare prayers rescued us. Like an umbrella of protection, I suspect we’ll see the Holy Trinity discussing our situation and letting us learn just long enough before one of them rescued us. Our hearts will soar with a new passion for worship as we realize all the ways God saved us.
We’ll understand it someday, and our first words will be, “Of course.”
When we meet Jesus and get that welcome hug from our Savior, our soul eyes will be opened. We’ll finally understand why certain things happened to us on earth. We’ll know that the long periods of waiting taught us patience and compassion. Sorrow helped us realize that we should never take each other for granted. Illnesses threw us on our knees to beg for healing. All the stresses and problems of life helped us empathize with others who followed in our steps.
When we’re with Jesus, we’ll see how he poured extra grace on us for those times. The same powerful grace that helped him endure those six horrific hours on the cross enabled us to bear our crosses. In heaven, we’ll finally see the smile of God and realize how much he wanted to help us – how he longed to hear us cry out to him, “Abba Father – help me.”
Maybe God will show us a video of our lives on earth. In the background will be all the people who prayed for us, cried with us and encouraged us. We’ll see how our own prayers strengthened someone else in the darkest of nights. We may get a glimpse of the enemy forces that surrounded us and how warfare prayers rescued us. Like an umbrella of protection, I suspect we’ll see the Holy Trinity discussing our situation and letting us learn just long enough before one of them rescued us. Our hearts will soar with a new passion for worship as we realize all the ways God saved us.
We’ll understand it someday, and our first words will be, “Of course.”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Lacking Nothing
Sometimes, the most familiar passages can filter into our souls and give us new insights. This morning, the Lord sent me to Psalm 23 – the Shepherd’s Psalm. I memorized it years ago, but this time – read it in my Amplified Bible and didn’t make it past the first verse.
“The Lord is my Shepherd – to feed, guide and shield me – I shall not lack.”
When I look back on this time of unemployment, it is true that the Divine Shepherd has been with us – to feed us, guide us and shield us. We have purposely gone without movies, new clothes and any other luxury items. But we still have a roof over our heads, food in the fridge and hope for the job that God will provide. As we have prayed about the needs and waited for God’s provisions, he has given us everything we have needed.
Check out my son’s blog: carnival4caleb.blogspot.com to see how God provided for Caleb’s medical account. And keep coming back to this post – to see how God provides the job I need, in his timing and in his incredible way.
He truly is the Shepherd who cares about every need – for each one of his precious sheep.
“The Lord is my Shepherd – to feed, guide and shield me – I shall not lack.”
When I look back on this time of unemployment, it is true that the Divine Shepherd has been with us – to feed us, guide us and shield us. We have purposely gone without movies, new clothes and any other luxury items. But we still have a roof over our heads, food in the fridge and hope for the job that God will provide. As we have prayed about the needs and waited for God’s provisions, he has given us everything we have needed.
Check out my son’s blog: carnival4caleb.blogspot.com to see how God provided for Caleb’s medical account. And keep coming back to this post – to see how God provides the job I need, in his timing and in his incredible way.
He truly is the Shepherd who cares about every need – for each one of his precious sheep.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Family Gifts
The more isolated our society becomes, the more I appreciate family. These days, my immediate family includes my son, an elderly cat and an even older dog. My extended family lives 250 miles away in Oklahoma, “where the wind comes sweepin’ down the Plains.”
This Saturday, August 21st, the family of God is coming together to help my son. We’re having a carnival (check out the blog at http: Carnival4Caleb.blogspot.com), organized by an incredible woman and author friend, Shanna Groves. In obedience to the divine whisper, Shanna and many others in the extended family are helping add to my son’s medical account. They are showing, in a practical way, how to be family – to support one another and live out love.
The scope of what is happening this weekend touches us on so many levels – the anonymous gifts already shared – known only to God and the accountant at Capitol Federal; the time and energy expended on a hot Kansas afternoon; the assurance that God is at work on my son’s behalf; the utilization of various talents– all provided for one goal. This confirmation that we are indeed family enriches each of us – certainly in a practical way for Caleb – but also spiritually and emotionally for everyone who participates.
The Carnival 4 Caleb is a living metaphor of the campfire song, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”
This Saturday, August 21st, the family of God is coming together to help my son. We’re having a carnival (check out the blog at http: Carnival4Caleb.blogspot.com), organized by an incredible woman and author friend, Shanna Groves. In obedience to the divine whisper, Shanna and many others in the extended family are helping add to my son’s medical account. They are showing, in a practical way, how to be family – to support one another and live out love.
The scope of what is happening this weekend touches us on so many levels – the anonymous gifts already shared – known only to God and the accountant at Capitol Federal; the time and energy expended on a hot Kansas afternoon; the assurance that God is at work on my son’s behalf; the utilization of various talents– all provided for one goal. This confirmation that we are indeed family enriches each of us – certainly in a practical way for Caleb – but also spiritually and emotionally for everyone who participates.
The Carnival 4 Caleb is a living metaphor of the campfire song, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Timing of Answers
A few weeks ago, God gave me instructions for July and August, straight from the passage of Isaiah 58. I have always appreciated the whispers of the Holy Spirit in this passage, because it outlines how we should care for the poor and the needy. The Amplified Version was the one that gave me a timeline for the answer to my job prayer.
“…Hide not yourself from the needs of your own flesh and blood” (Isa. 58:7). The needs of my own flesh and blood include my mother and my son. This week, I’ll be helping my mom while my sister is on a reunion/mission trip to Africa. My sister is the usual care-giver, but this is her time away. So I’m grateful I can be there to help my mother.
On August 21st, I’ll be helping with the Carnival for Caleb (check out the blog at http://carnival4caleb.blogspot.com). This is a fundraiser for my son’s medical account. My son needs my help, so I’m grateful I can be there.
God knew my help would be needed with these situations, so he withheld the job for such a time as this. Then he concluded with another Isaiah promise, “Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily…” (Isa. 58:8a).
I believe the job is coming, but it will be after I meet the needs of my own flesh and blood. I am so grateful that God knows the perfect timing for answered prayers.
“…Hide not yourself from the needs of your own flesh and blood” (Isa. 58:7). The needs of my own flesh and blood include my mother and my son. This week, I’ll be helping my mom while my sister is on a reunion/mission trip to Africa. My sister is the usual care-giver, but this is her time away. So I’m grateful I can be there to help my mother.
On August 21st, I’ll be helping with the Carnival for Caleb (check out the blog at http://carnival4caleb.blogspot.com). This is a fundraiser for my son’s medical account. My son needs my help, so I’m grateful I can be there.
God knew my help would be needed with these situations, so he withheld the job for such a time as this. Then he concluded with another Isaiah promise, “Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily…” (Isa. 58:8a).
I believe the job is coming, but it will be after I meet the needs of my own flesh and blood. I am so grateful that God knows the perfect timing for answered prayers.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Lifting My Eyes
Last week, my family arranged for me to join them in a New Mexico mountain town. We had a week of cool weather, no humidity and the glory of God’s creation. Psalm 72:3 reminds us that the mountains bring peace to the people. That was certainly the case as I enjoyed the time with family, read good books, wrote in my journal and reveled in the beauty of the mountains. For one week, I purposely focused on God’s creation and forgot about the job search.
One day, I sat by the stream and worshiped God. The babbling voice of the water reminded me that God was near. The stream was so peaceful, filled with the life of the water, yet free of stress. The pine trees and blue spruce lifted their arms to the heavens in praise to God. A tiny hummingbird sang as he searched for the pollen of wildflowers. And I sat there, representing God’s human creation, and worshiped the God who made it all.
Corrie Ten Boom once said, "God doesn't have problems; He only has plans."
Surely the God who created the mountains can also fulfill the plans he has for me. I lift up my eyes to the mountains, and I lift my heart in praise to my Maker and my Guide.
One day, I sat by the stream and worshiped God. The babbling voice of the water reminded me that God was near. The stream was so peaceful, filled with the life of the water, yet free of stress. The pine trees and blue spruce lifted their arms to the heavens in praise to God. A tiny hummingbird sang as he searched for the pollen of wildflowers. And I sat there, representing God’s human creation, and worshiped the God who made it all.
Corrie Ten Boom once said, "God doesn't have problems; He only has plans."
Surely the God who created the mountains can also fulfill the plans he has for me. I lift up my eyes to the mountains, and I lift my heart in praise to my Maker and my Guide.
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