Back to the Bible
When Jeremiah entered the dungeon and the cells, and Jeremiah had remained there many days, then Zedekiah the king sent and took him out. The king asked him secretly in his house, and said, "Is there any word from the Lord?" And Jeremiah said, "There is." Then he said, "You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon!" Jeremiah 37:16-17
Before I read the commentary following this passage I commented to Lonnie, "I wonder what I would do?" It would have been so easy to just tell the King what he wanted to hear and then justify it by saying "I'm no good to anyone if I'm dead and can't keep telling them about God."
I have to say it is not easy but there have been times that I have told people what the Bible says instead of what they want to hear. I remember a time I told someone our children couldn't spend the night with them because they were not married and living together. We got some criticism for that.
This is when I learned it is difficult to be the "salt and the light" in this world.
As we venture off on mission we are usually with the mindset that we will share what Jesus is all about. When we venture outside our own doors we are not so much about that. Why? I believe fear. I am guilty.
Father, I desire to be near to your heart and that means having a burning desire for people to know you. Show me ways that I can be who I am and point people to you. Help me Holy Spirit to listen and respond to your nudge...I can take bagels to my neighbors.
Lord, it seems as if your hand is moving with the NL home. I'm not sure what is in the future, so I guess this is where the FAITH comes in. Not knowing if we made the best decision in the long run...knowing the financial hit we could take. In 2 months or less the home will be empty. We will try to sell it again...is it your timing? Father, I am trusting you. Your faithfulness in the past is the anchor we hold fast too...seeing you at work now brings peace...and knowing you are there in the future brings hope.
Thank you for our children and their compassionate hearts...keep them close.
Amen
Children caring for children
Abba... Heavenly Father to the fatherless
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Day 50: Word of God Speak
Back to the Bible
Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote on a scroll of a book, at the instruction of Jeremiah, all the words of the Lord which He had spoken to him. Jeremiah 36:4
The Word of God is the breath of God. Woodrow Kroll
The word of God is alive for me. Over the past 50 blog entries I can see numerous times where the scripture was just what my heart needed that day. Reminders of God's sovereign power, his presence, his love and his perfect timing. Know what I needed to work on to maintain my sanity...for example, my anxious thoughts. Seeing him open the floodgates and providing so that we can do his ministry in Africa this summer. The amazing fact that Lonnie is funded, Becca almost funded, and my LU teaching will fund my trip. Seeing the extra that helps us to have an emergency saving to know it will help pay for Bec's tuition.
Ah, my fleeces....the ones I mentioned in a prior posting...the fleece before the Lord to help me confirm his desires....Lord, they are still there...I still request them before you.
I can't imagine how I would have survived the past months without my Father's word to lean into so closely. His word that helps me with my struggles...the struggles are still there but I can't imagine what it would have been like without His breath breathed into my day through his word.
Lord, I thank you for your gift. I praise you Holy Spirit for helping me to experience my Father's presence and love through His word.
Go before us this day and the first of next week as we do our best to honor you and take care of your tenant and home at NL. Lord, may our hearts be pure before you. We ask for wisdom and peace.
Walk closely to our children. Be with the mission in SA and the boys that need the safe house. I ask the certificate to come quickly and finances also to provide this for the boys.
Amen
Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote on a scroll of a book, at the instruction of Jeremiah, all the words of the Lord which He had spoken to him. Jeremiah 36:4
The Word of God is the breath of God. Woodrow Kroll
The word of God is alive for me. Over the past 50 blog entries I can see numerous times where the scripture was just what my heart needed that day. Reminders of God's sovereign power, his presence, his love and his perfect timing. Know what I needed to work on to maintain my sanity...for example, my anxious thoughts. Seeing him open the floodgates and providing so that we can do his ministry in Africa this summer. The amazing fact that Lonnie is funded, Becca almost funded, and my LU teaching will fund my trip. Seeing the extra that helps us to have an emergency saving to know it will help pay for Bec's tuition.
Ah, my fleeces....the ones I mentioned in a prior posting...the fleece before the Lord to help me confirm his desires....Lord, they are still there...I still request them before you.
I can't imagine how I would have survived the past months without my Father's word to lean into so closely. His word that helps me with my struggles...the struggles are still there but I can't imagine what it would have been like without His breath breathed into my day through his word.
Lord, I thank you for your gift. I praise you Holy Spirit for helping me to experience my Father's presence and love through His word.
Go before us this day and the first of next week as we do our best to honor you and take care of your tenant and home at NL. Lord, may our hearts be pure before you. We ask for wisdom and peace.
Walk closely to our children. Be with the mission in SA and the boys that need the safe house. I ask the certificate to come quickly and finances also to provide this for the boys.
Amen
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Day 49: Call to Me!
Back to the Bible
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
Father, I am calling! Once again we must call to you because we don't understand the mind of the hurting. How do we deal with LM and keep our testimony to you? Help us to continue to be fair and righteous. Lord, my husband has been slandered, our workman, how long Father do we do this? Please, you must step in and give direction. There is nothing to difficult for you...we acknowledge that. We do not know which way to go...we need your answer and for you to show us. You have opened the floodgates to provide a way for us to move in a financial direction that will enable us to better align with your will. We are working extra jobs and hard to be excellent stewards of what you are doing. We see your hand, your love.
We also see the robber of joy rearing up. You oh Father are supreme and can prevent him from harming us. But Father, if this something we need to experience in order to serve you and be prepared then we will endure. Help us to know that though. I pray we would not be captive to fear of finances. You are our financial provider.
Oh, God, I'm rambling, forgive me. My thoughts are a mess as I struggle with "Test me and know my anxious thoughts" Right now I picture myself at your feet...warmth from your presence..tears being fought back...silence...my Abba, take this burden from us...give wisdom to Lonnie...peace to me...peace to LM...May we glorify you...
Amen
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
Father, I am calling! Once again we must call to you because we don't understand the mind of the hurting. How do we deal with LM and keep our testimony to you? Help us to continue to be fair and righteous. Lord, my husband has been slandered, our workman, how long Father do we do this? Please, you must step in and give direction. There is nothing to difficult for you...we acknowledge that. We do not know which way to go...we need your answer and for you to show us. You have opened the floodgates to provide a way for us to move in a financial direction that will enable us to better align with your will. We are working extra jobs and hard to be excellent stewards of what you are doing. We see your hand, your love.
We also see the robber of joy rearing up. You oh Father are supreme and can prevent him from harming us. But Father, if this something we need to experience in order to serve you and be prepared then we will endure. Help us to know that though. I pray we would not be captive to fear of finances. You are our financial provider.
Oh, God, I'm rambling, forgive me. My thoughts are a mess as I struggle with "Test me and know my anxious thoughts" Right now I picture myself at your feet...warmth from your presence..tears being fought back...silence...my Abba, take this burden from us...give wisdom to Lonnie...peace to me...peace to LM...May we glorify you...
Amen
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Day 48: Nothing too Hard? Correct!
Back to the Bible
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"
Jeremiah 32:27
How easily I can slip back into the mode of forgetting to read and blog...in essence...forget how important it is to have my QT time before I even begin another task. I couldn't find my keys this morning....fussing around the house...in the car digging through the messy purse. I thought suddenly, "How am I going to survive when I didn't stop to spend time with my Lord today? I am sure my mind would not be so frazzled if I had." That was so true!
I'm at work. I read the devotion on line and said, "Oh my Abba, you are amazing and thank you for reminding me! There are strange and challenging things going on in our lives. We are still fighting the battle. God, you can absolutely stand with us. I don't have to be on the garbage heap and feeling like I'm digging out. I can wait to see you at work. But like the young mother in the devotion it is sooooo difficult when life circumstances slap you in the face. How do you find hope when there is no obvious way to survive. I pray for all of those in seemingly hopeless situations. I pray that we adjust and cling to you when our lives seem hopeless. Thank you for the life lessons that have taught me you are the provider and indeed there is nothing too difficult for you.
Be with us as we continue to struggle with NL. Thank you for taxes and LU work. We can pay our bills and tuition...got a tuition notice about Mike's account today that shocked me. But Lord, somehow you have opened the floodgates to allow us to meet our needs...not necessarily wants. I pray we will be able to distinguish between the two and use your resources wisely.
Bless our children and families. Thank you for friends that are as close as family.
Amen
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Day 47: Forgotten
Back to the Bible
"No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," says the Lord. "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:34
As with almost everyone there are parts of my young, college years that I would rather not recall before the Lord. This was a season before I had moved from "fire insurance" faith to a love relationship with my Lord. I did my share of party going with the girl friends...nothing terribly bad or illegal just not what I would now consider God honoring.
It is so comforting to me that once I have asked and received forgiveness that even though I recall those time...my God does not! Lord, I don't comprehend this. I recall but you do not. It is Satan himself that causes me to rehash the guilt and not believe you could forgive and forget. I guess that is what makes you God.
Thank you for working in our lives now. For the peace you are giving us. Help us to move forward towards your goal. Father, you do tell us in Malachi to test you in our giving. We are giving to you through our tithes and offering, and also through our investment in Africa missions by paying for our travel. Father, you are opening the floodgates. I may be teaching two sections of a class next D term. You know my days and nights and if I can handle the student load. Please don't allow fear to keep me from working hard and receiving your blessings. We need the finances for current tuition, maybe mortgage payment on NL house if it is without a tenant for a while, and debt repayment. It is all yours so help us to be excellent stewards and most of all trust your decisions with it. You know our hearts and goals as move towards them. Prevent us from doing anything that moves us outside of your will.
Keep close to you our 4 children today. Encourage them, whisper your love into their spirits. Give them wisdom and discernment.
Thank you for forgetting my past and blessing me with a future in you.
Amen
**************************************************************************
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/devotions/authors/lessons_on_living_kroll.html
Jeremiah 32:27
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"
Nothing Too Hard
A rather sickly woman had been deserted by her husband. He left her with three preschool children, a mangy dog, a broken-down, second-floor flat and many bills. One morning she discovered that the mutt had chosen her only good pair of shoes as a chew stick. The youngest baby had cried the night through with colic. As she was preparing breakfast, the power went off because the bill hadn't been paid. Then the dog decided to play tug of war with the tablecloth, pulling all the dishes and food onto the floor. Just then she heard a commotion out in the street. Running to the kitchen, she opened the window and a man below yelled out, "Garbage man." Her only reply was, "Okay, send it up."
Times were like that for Jerusalem too. The Chaldeans had raised siege mounds around the city. Famine and pestilence stalked the streets. Jeremiah was on the verge of losing all hope for survival. His whole life seemed like a garbage heap?and each day only added a little more to the pile. But in the midst of this doom and gloom, God said to him, "Is there anything too hard for Me?" Even preserving the prophet's life in the midst of disaster was not an impossible task for God.
Life gets rough sometimes. Illness strikes, financial troubles threaten us, family problems dog our steps. At best, most people just hope they can scramble to the top as each new load of garbage gets dumped on them. But you don't have to live like that. God says, "Things can be better for you because I am with you--and nothing is too difficult for Me." Even your most troublesome circumstances simply become a stage on which God demonstrates that nothing is hopeless with Him.
If your situation is causing you to despair, listen to what the Lord has to say to you: "Is anything too hard for Me?" Take confidence in the fact that the omnipotent God is on your side.
When God says "nothing is too hard," He means "nothing"!
"No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," says the Lord. "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:34
As with almost everyone there are parts of my young, college years that I would rather not recall before the Lord. This was a season before I had moved from "fire insurance" faith to a love relationship with my Lord. I did my share of party going with the girl friends...nothing terribly bad or illegal just not what I would now consider God honoring.
It is so comforting to me that once I have asked and received forgiveness that even though I recall those time...my God does not! Lord, I don't comprehend this. I recall but you do not. It is Satan himself that causes me to rehash the guilt and not believe you could forgive and forget. I guess that is what makes you God.
Thank you for working in our lives now. For the peace you are giving us. Help us to move forward towards your goal. Father, you do tell us in Malachi to test you in our giving. We are giving to you through our tithes and offering, and also through our investment in Africa missions by paying for our travel. Father, you are opening the floodgates. I may be teaching two sections of a class next D term. You know my days and nights and if I can handle the student load. Please don't allow fear to keep me from working hard and receiving your blessings. We need the finances for current tuition, maybe mortgage payment on NL house if it is without a tenant for a while, and debt repayment. It is all yours so help us to be excellent stewards and most of all trust your decisions with it. You know our hearts and goals as move towards them. Prevent us from doing anything that moves us outside of your will.
Keep close to you our 4 children today. Encourage them, whisper your love into their spirits. Give them wisdom and discernment.
Thank you for forgetting my past and blessing me with a future in you.
Amen
**************************************************************************
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/devotions/authors/lessons_on_living_kroll.html
Jeremiah 32:27
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"
Nothing Too Hard
A rather sickly woman had been deserted by her husband. He left her with three preschool children, a mangy dog, a broken-down, second-floor flat and many bills. One morning she discovered that the mutt had chosen her only good pair of shoes as a chew stick. The youngest baby had cried the night through with colic. As she was preparing breakfast, the power went off because the bill hadn't been paid. Then the dog decided to play tug of war with the tablecloth, pulling all the dishes and food onto the floor. Just then she heard a commotion out in the street. Running to the kitchen, she opened the window and a man below yelled out, "Garbage man." Her only reply was, "Okay, send it up."
Times were like that for Jerusalem too. The Chaldeans had raised siege mounds around the city. Famine and pestilence stalked the streets. Jeremiah was on the verge of losing all hope for survival. His whole life seemed like a garbage heap?and each day only added a little more to the pile. But in the midst of this doom and gloom, God said to him, "Is there anything too hard for Me?" Even preserving the prophet's life in the midst of disaster was not an impossible task for God.
Life gets rough sometimes. Illness strikes, financial troubles threaten us, family problems dog our steps. At best, most people just hope they can scramble to the top as each new load of garbage gets dumped on them. But you don't have to live like that. God says, "Things can be better for you because I am with you--and nothing is too difficult for Me." Even your most troublesome circumstances simply become a stage on which God demonstrates that nothing is hopeless with Him.
If your situation is causing you to despair, listen to what the Lord has to say to you: "Is anything too hard for Me?" Take confidence in the fact that the omnipotent God is on your side.
When God says "nothing is too hard," He means "nothing"!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Day 46: Everlasting
Back to the Bible
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3
One version of the scripture, the ESV says "the Lord appeared to him1 from far away." Oh it can be so true in my life. I am easily discouraged if I don't sense God's breath right beside me. But my God is like a good earthly father. An earthly father gradually allows the child to strike out further and further...to implement all the father has taught. Like a good coach that practices and rehearse the team and then sits back to allow them to figure out their errors in the game.
I know my Abba loves me with an everlasting love. Even when I mess up he loves me. It is through my trial and error that I realize his love is always there drawing me back to him.
I think this is one of the major life lessons God is teaching me now. Be still and know that I'm God. I have your back. Even though you think I'm afar, I love you dearly and am right there beside you. I have an everlasting love for you, and for others.
Father, you know how difficult last week was...thank you for the wise counsel we received. Thank you for the peace that surpasses all I can imagine. Thank you for past lessons that have taught us stewardship and ownership...it is all yours...to give and to take away...yet we will say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord" for your love is everlasting!
Bless Kelsey especially today with your spirit. Give he soon a glimpse into her vocational future. Bring couple friends into their lives Lord.
Amen
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3
One version of the scripture, the ESV says "the Lord appeared to him1 from far away." Oh it can be so true in my life. I am easily discouraged if I don't sense God's breath right beside me. But my God is like a good earthly father. An earthly father gradually allows the child to strike out further and further...to implement all the father has taught. Like a good coach that practices and rehearse the team and then sits back to allow them to figure out their errors in the game.
I know my Abba loves me with an everlasting love. Even when I mess up he loves me. It is through my trial and error that I realize his love is always there drawing me back to him.
I think this is one of the major life lessons God is teaching me now. Be still and know that I'm God. I have your back. Even though you think I'm afar, I love you dearly and am right there beside you. I have an everlasting love for you, and for others.
Father, you know how difficult last week was...thank you for the wise counsel we received. Thank you for the peace that surpasses all I can imagine. Thank you for past lessons that have taught us stewardship and ownership...it is all yours...to give and to take away...yet we will say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord" for your love is everlasting!
Bless Kelsey especially today with your spirit. Give he soon a glimpse into her vocational future. Bring couple friends into their lives Lord.
Amen
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Day 45: Like a Jack Hammer
Back to the Bible
"Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29
Kroll:
"The Bible tells us that sin hardens the heart (Eph. 4:17-19). The longer a person rebels against God, the harder his heart becomes. But we must never underestimate the power of God's Word. Sometimes it touches our lives gently and brings comfort and healing. At other times it comes down like a sledgehammer with a blow that breaks our hearts into pieces. The more we choose to harden our hearts against God and His will, the more devastating the blow.
Ask God to reveal if your heart has become hardened toward Him. And if you sense it has, allow Him to use His Word to shatter any hardness you might find.
Better a shattered heart than a hardened heart."
There have been times when God's word just crashed through my heart like a wrecking ball. Taking me to my knees. Mainly when my heart was hardened towards his will. I'm a stubborn girl (don't I know it my husband would say) and there are times I just want it my way. If God is leading in a different way he has to break my will into pieces. But there is a sweetness after the breaking. There is a tenderness, a healing, a sense of his grace. There is a peace within me knowing that I'm in his will. Thank you God for those journeys.
Yesterday was a tough day with the NL home. I kept saying to myself, "Lord, you are the owner we are the caretakers. This is your home tell us what to do. This is not new to you. You have a plan no matter what the situation. You can make all things work for your glory. All we can do is trust you to work through this. We are asking that our focus be on you...that we reflect you in our action and deeds."
The verse, "Test me and know my anxious thoughts" kept coming to me. I am glad that you, Lord, have been working me in this area. I could see some improvement in my anxiety level. I am still a work in progress but Lord there was improvement. At the beginning of the day we don't know what is ahead, but you oh Father know it. I stand continually amazed at the fact that too often in our QT times you have begun to prepare us for the obsticals this world will sling at us. I am so thankful for my time with you.
Be with us this day. May our thoughts and behavior honor you. I ask that my children will lean in close to you. Thank you for their lives. Help us to continue to point them in your direction.
Yesterday morning our couples devotion included a story about losing $50 and then a week later finding $50 in the middle of the parking lot. Well, yesterday Lonnie was in the parking lot outside of the bank and there at his feet by the car was a $100 bill. Wow! Well, we hadn't lost the money but someone had. Lonnie took it back into the bank. Lord, may the owner of that money get it back. I'm married to a truly honorable man!
You are the giver of peace in the midst of the storm. Praise be to you!
Amen
"Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29
Kroll:
"The Bible tells us that sin hardens the heart (Eph. 4:17-19). The longer a person rebels against God, the harder his heart becomes. But we must never underestimate the power of God's Word. Sometimes it touches our lives gently and brings comfort and healing. At other times it comes down like a sledgehammer with a blow that breaks our hearts into pieces. The more we choose to harden our hearts against God and His will, the more devastating the blow.
Ask God to reveal if your heart has become hardened toward Him. And if you sense it has, allow Him to use His Word to shatter any hardness you might find.
Better a shattered heart than a hardened heart."
There have been times when God's word just crashed through my heart like a wrecking ball. Taking me to my knees. Mainly when my heart was hardened towards his will. I'm a stubborn girl (don't I know it my husband would say) and there are times I just want it my way. If God is leading in a different way he has to break my will into pieces. But there is a sweetness after the breaking. There is a tenderness, a healing, a sense of his grace. There is a peace within me knowing that I'm in his will. Thank you God for those journeys.
Yesterday was a tough day with the NL home. I kept saying to myself, "Lord, you are the owner we are the caretakers. This is your home tell us what to do. This is not new to you. You have a plan no matter what the situation. You can make all things work for your glory. All we can do is trust you to work through this. We are asking that our focus be on you...that we reflect you in our action and deeds."
The verse, "Test me and know my anxious thoughts" kept coming to me. I am glad that you, Lord, have been working me in this area. I could see some improvement in my anxiety level. I am still a work in progress but Lord there was improvement. At the beginning of the day we don't know what is ahead, but you oh Father know it. I stand continually amazed at the fact that too often in our QT times you have begun to prepare us for the obsticals this world will sling at us. I am so thankful for my time with you.
Be with us this day. May our thoughts and behavior honor you. I ask that my children will lean in close to you. Thank you for their lives. Help us to continue to point them in your direction.
Yesterday morning our couples devotion included a story about losing $50 and then a week later finding $50 in the middle of the parking lot. Well, yesterday Lonnie was in the parking lot outside of the bank and there at his feet by the car was a $100 bill. Wow! Well, we hadn't lost the money but someone had. Lonnie took it back into the bank. Lord, may the owner of that money get it back. I'm married to a truly honorable man!
You are the giver of peace in the midst of the storm. Praise be to you!
Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)