Take Refuge in HIS Strength

As soon as Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they realized they were naked. (Genesis 3:7) Their sin removed them from the covering glory of God, and they saw their vulnerability.

Have you ever thought on it?

Human beings are naturally the most vulnerable creatures on the planet. We don't have thick fur, feathers, scales, quills, or leathery skin to shield us from the elements. We are smooth-bodied creatures who had to create our own coverings to help us navigate through earth.

We were created to exist within the glory of God. As long as Adam and Eve were living in God's glory, they weren't aware to their vulnerabilities. They didn't realize how weak they were. God was strong among them. He covered and shielded them from what they naturally could not combat. He supernaturally provided a world that worked with them to give them fruitful results.

Sin separated them from God and opened them up to the enemy's domain. At that moment, sickness and dis-ease were able to enter in. Adam and Eve would have to experience toil, stress, and pain. Death was now certain.

A Redeemer had to be found to re-establish the balance.

Christ is that Redeemer. Because of Him were are able to be enveloped by the presence of God like Adam and Eve were. We may not have the full benefits that they did in the garden, but the presence of God surrounds us all day. Whatever we come up against, the power of the Lord is there to assist us. No matter what way the enemy tries to attack us, our God is a standard against him.

However, many of us are too worried about how vulnerable we appear to be, and we don't employ our strength in God. We see what we can't do, how we can't win, what we don't have... We're too busy seeing how "naked" we are instead of grabbing hold of the one who can clothe us with His power and strength.

Don't neglect your spiritual covering! Grab hold to the One who created you and release hold of your shame. God made you for a purpose, don't let the enemy snatch that away. No matter what comes, God wants to establish His greatness in you.

Verse of the Day: I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:1-3

Staying on Track

This morning I woke up asking God to help me serve with patience and love today. I repeated it as I did my hair. I sent up another quick word as I logged on to my computer at work.

I need to keep myself reminded, so I can stay on task when the moments arise. I used to keep little notes posted in my cubicle at my old office. It always helps to randomly look up and see the Word of the Lord staring you in the face. Kinda keeps you on your toes.

I should probably set some reminders up in this office pretty soon... Scratch that, today.

David consistently reminded himself of the things of God when He faced adversity. Whatever came His way, David encouraged himself in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6) When he was feeling weak, he reminded himself of the strength of God who was with him. (Psalm 89:8) When David was afraid, he brought to his thoughts the security of the Lord. (Psalm 9:9) As David wrestled with sin, He looked to the heavens for inspiration to stay on the right road. (Psalm 6:2)

It takes an effort to stay on the right path. We so easily slip into sin sometimes when we get overwhelmed. That's why it's important to keep the word of the Lord ever before us. It should be ringing in our ears, marinating in our hearts, and on a constant playback in our minds.

How do you stay reminded of who you are in Christ? How do you keep yourself from slipping into reckless behavior?

Verse of the Day: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

Nice to be Needed?

Can you guys at least
get in a single file line?

Lately, I've been feeling a bit needed lately. It seems like no matter where I go: home, work, church - even with friends - I'm being asked to do something. Everyone needs me. You do this so well... Yours always is right... I wouldn't even know where to begin... You're so creative...

I mean, it's nice to know that people recognize your strengths, but I haven't had the chance to relax and just be! I can't sit and chill without fulfilling some request first it seems.

As a result, I haven't been my usual self. And I find complaints slipping out of my mouth on a more regular basis. Plus, a lot of what I'm being asked to do is not being done with the right attitude. I realize I need to take a step back and look at the example of Jesus.

Jesus was the man. No matter where he went, crowds showed up. They were ever-present with their questions to be answered, their sick that needed to be healed, their demons that needed to be cast out, their spirits that needed to be enriched. And even when Jesus was able to get away from the crowds, he had to deal with the questions from his disciples.

Yet Jesus knew what was necessary to retain His sanity. He would take time away to Himself to pray with the Father. (Matthew 14:22, John 6:15) He also served from a position of love. Even when he was tired, he was moved with compassion by all who came to Him for help. (Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34)

If I stay in right relationship with the Father, I can be constantly reminded that my life is not my own. I am not here to serve my own wants, but I am here to serve on God's behalf. If I remind myself of the love that He has for me, I can show that same love to all the people that look to me for help whether it's a small or large request.

It may take me a minute to fully grasp this truth, but I will definitely try. I don't want to turn into a mean old lady. Plus, I want to live a life of love. Jesus is my example, and if He was able to deal with all the demands on His life and still be filled with compassion, I can at least make the effort to do so as well.

Pray my strength...

Verse of the Day: And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

Thanksgiving Friday!

God is an awesome God! I'm so blessed to know Him!

How was your week? Mine was short. These classes are making the days fly by. I'm so busy, it's like the hours are minutes! But I'm grateful that things are getting done.

This week I'm thankful for the privilege of prayer. When you think about it, God loves us a lot. He is so great, powerful, and full of wisdom. He can fathom things far beyond what our teeny brains can ever hope of comprehending. Even Einstein himself had minuscule knowledge compared to our Father.

Yet our Father allows us to have personal conversations with Him. He lets us bring our problems to Him. He accepts our worship and praise. He gives us the freedom to ask Him questions, and He doesn't answer us condescendingly. The very fact that He even responds is even more of a blessing!

I'm thankful that God gives me unlimited access to Him. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, the Creator of All is available to me. That is so mind blowing. Doesn't that make you want to pray even more?

What are you thankful for this week? Do you have anything that you can send up a praise for? Let the Lord know why you're thankful!

Have a great weekend.

Verse of the Day: The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. Psalm 6:9

Press In!

When the woman with the issue of blood heard that Jesus was in her city, she made sure that she got to where he was. She got there, saw the crowds, and put aside the Jewish restrictions that forbade her to intermingle with society and pressed in to get close to him. She was determined in her heart that she would at least touch the Savior.

That woman got close enough to touch the hem of Jesus' garment. And she instantly got her healing.

Many of us know that Jesus has the answers to the questions that we seek. We know that he holds the miracle that we've been searching for our entire lives.

Like the woman with the issue of blood, we've gone to other places, people, religions, and schools of thought trying to find an answer. We've spent money in hopes of finding our cure. We've gone to seminars and meetings, tried folk remedies, and advice.

All to no avail.

And then we heard of Jesus. We knew he was the answer to everything.

Despite our letting him into our lives, however, some of us have chosen to stay on the outskirts of the crowds. We've allowed what other people would think to hold us back from trying to get closer to the Master. We know of him, but we haven't made the effort to get close enough to touch him.

It does take more of an effort to get close enough to touch the Savior. Yet, if the woman with the issue of blood is any indication, that very act could instantly unlock the miracle that we've been searching for our whole lives.

Don't let your fear hold you back from your answer. Jesus is there. Are you willing to press in to get to him?

Verse of the Day: And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. Luke 8:46-48

What's Your Response?

I do not like surprises. I like for everything to go according to plan the way it should. When things happen off the radar (as they always do -  that is the very definition of life), I am easily upset and knocked off my game. Often when bad issues pop up, I react in anger or out of my confused emotions. I say and do rash things only to regret my behavior later.

I justify myself at times by saying that it's just a part of my nature, but it's no excuse. There's no reason for me to still react in such a negative way to sudden misfortune.

Looking to God's Word, Job is a perfect example of how to respond to bad news. After Job learned that he had lost everything, his first reaction was to worship God.

Don't remember that tidbit?

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped... Job 1:20


He just learned that he lost all his children and all of his wealth. In seconds, he went from being one of the wealthiest men on the planet to the poorest.

Yet Job didn't panic. He didn't spazz out. He didn't start cursing to the heavens.

He worshipped.

I believe we can learn a lot about Job just from that one fact. He was a worshipper. He spent quality face time with God. No wonder God was so confident in the face of the devil that Job would not sin. God had a one-on-one relationship with Job. He knew the man's heart.

And after all was said and done, Job passed his trial with flying colors and received more children and wealth than what he had lost. (Job 42:12-17)

What is your first reaction to trials and tribulation? Do you already have a reserve of worship on the inside of you that can sustain you when troubles come? If the enemy challenged God about your loyalty, could the Lord reply back in confidence that you won't succumb to the enemy?

A worshipful heart is a powerful asset. Time spent in the Lord's presence can benefit us in more ways than we may initially think.

Make sure you take some time out today to worship the Lord. Meditating on His goodness, greatness, and love will make whatever problems that may show up seem trivial and small. Worship can strengthen our spirits to handle those challenges when they come.

Worship reminds us of how big and powerful our God is. We can't let ourselves forget that truth.

Verse of the Day: Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:20-22

Why Not Include Him?

Studying the life of Jesus, you can't help but see how connected He was with the Father. He was a consistent, constant praying man. Before He began His ministry, He took forty days to pray. He prayed to the Father at times before He performed miracles. He prayed before He went to the cross.

How often do you spend time in prayer? Are you consistently seeking God's will in every situation? Do you make decisions in conjunction with the Holy Spirit?

I know for myself, I can analyze a thing to death only to make a decision I later regret. I often do pray, but many times it's just me saying my piece. I don't wait to hear what the Father has to say in return.

Jesus sought to bring glory to God in every situation. As a result of Him completely turning Himself over to the will of the Father, He was able to accomplish His life's purpose without error. He was able to preach, teach, and model the Kingdom of heaven in a short amount of time and go back to heaven after a job well done.

How long have you been working on living out your purpose in God? How many times have you gone down the wrong paths, made the wrong decisions, or missed golden opportunities?

Yes, God is able to make everything work together for your good. But how much more good could our lives be if we just upped our prayer lives a little?

Today, take a couple of times to converse with the Father throughout your day. Include Him in on your decisions. Get His opinion before you make a choice. This could very well become one of the best days of your life!

Verse of the Day: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13