Year: 2020

There are days that as the sun rises, we feel an overwhelming sense of weakness knowing that we do not have the strength to take on the challenges the day will bring. The events of life loom heavy before us and our heart sinks beneath the weight of what we face. The desire to pull up the covers and hide becomes real.

Those are the days that we can hear the soft voice of our Savior whisper . . . “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (Taken from II Corinthians 2:12)

He reminds us that in Him we are strong. “Let the weak say, I am strong” Joel 3:10b

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9

Breathing in the words from God’s Word provides strength in those moments. He reaches down and helps us up, providing within His Spirit the strength to face the day. Knowing that He goes before us, fighting the battle that we can not fight; defending us in ways we can not see. In Him the sense of dread turns into peace knowing that we have no reason to fear or be dismayed.

“Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” II Chronicles 20:15b

“And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”Deuteronomy 31:8

In Weakness, I am Strong, because I am trusting in Him and He is Strong.

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

As was Israel, so have we become. The children of Israel refused the direction of the Lord and sought their own way. God continually reached out to them, provided for them, and sought to bring them back; yet they refused to seek His face.

Their refusal resulted in a continual battle against the natural consequences of their own actions, as well as God’s chastisement for their sin. Over and over again they turned from Him and over and over they were brought into captivity only to cry out to Him for mercy. They sought Him when they needed help.

Being the Heavenly Father that He is, His heart hurt for them much the same as ours does when we see our children suffering from choices that took them away from the direction of God. “How shall I give thee up Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.” Hosea 11:8

“Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgement, and wait on thy God continually.” Hosea 12:6

“Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.” Hosea 13:4

“Oh Israel, thou hast destroyed thy self, but in me is thine help.” Hosea 13:9

“O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” Hosea 14:1

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” Hosea 14:4

“Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Hosea 14:9

All through these verses, as Israel was, so are we. As Israel destroyed themselves, so have we. We have turned from God and sought our own ways making right wrong and wrong right, but God still offers to be our help if we return to Him.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalms 28:7

In Him is our help if we turn from our sin, turn to Him, and trust in Him. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall g do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6

Sometimes there are moments when we feel fear grasp us in its clutches, we feel it grasping us by the throat and we struggle to breathe as the fear looms dark around us. We feel it deep in the pit of our stomach with a sickening wave of helplessness. It comes as moments of self doubt, inward moments filled with the realization that we are not capable of facing what lies ahead. It comes with feelings of the unknown, feelings arising from our lack of control over a situation we find ourselves facing. It comes, because try as we might, we are unable to fix, control, or undo things behind or things ahead.

Whatever it might be, it invades our mind spreading a cloud of despair, taking away our joy and our peace. It leaves us feeling isolated and alone. In those moments of darkness we are reminded of our smallness, our insignificance within ourselves. Those are the moments we are to cry out to the One of absolute power and strength, the One who can calm our fears. Our Heavenly Father . . .

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalms 56:3

“I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass” Isaiah 51:12

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.” 2 Samuel 22:2-3

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalms 56:3

Three times in the book of Daniel, he is referred to as “Greatly Beloved”. Those words caught my attention as I pondered what it meant to be “Greatly Beloved”. We all seek to be loved, we know that God loves us because He sent His Son to die for our sins; but what does it mean to be “Greatly Beloved”. Why was Daniel referred to in this way?

Daniel 1:8 “ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Daniel 6:4 “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault on him.”

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

1. Daniel purposed not to define himself with the things of the world; 2. He was found faithful; and, 3. He spent time praying and giving thanks to God three times a day.

Daniel 10:19 “And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yes, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”

Daniel was greatly beloved because he remained pure, he remained faithful and he remained constant in prayer and thankfulness before his God.

Because of his faithfulness and close relationship with God, he was given wisdom and insight into the things of God. He was given the opportunity to see and understand things that no one else could comprehend, but it took time spent talking to God on a personal level by which this close relationship was established. If we treat God as a casual acquaintance with whom we rarely speak, we can not expect Him to reveal Himself to us on a personal level. When we can’t hear God speaking and we feel a cold distance between us, it’s not because of a lack of God’s love for us. It’s because of a lack of our love for Him.

If we want to become “Greatly Beloved”, we need to purpose in our hearts to not become defiled by this world, to be found faithful following His commandments and to continue in prayer and thankfulness before God. Then we can experience the type of relationship that Daniel has with God. There is plenty of God’s love to go around, we are the only limiting factor. We too can be “Greatly Beloved”.

II Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Philippians 4:7-8 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

“Behold, it is come and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken.” Ezekiel 39:8

Why is it so hard for us to believe the reality of what God has spoken, when all through history His Word held true?

He Speaks . . . It Comes . . . It is Done !!!It seems so simple and yet is so hard !!

“And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” Mark 6:6

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20

“And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26

Jesus spoke and it was done, He accomplished what the disciples failed to do because of their unbelief. We do the same. What seems like a big issue, an overhanging problem that just won’t go away; yet not once do we stop and turn it over to God with a sincere belief that He will take care of all things. We make the pretense of praying, but we turn right around and attempt to fix it ourselves. Simple, yet so hard . . .

“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” Matthew 9:22

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13

Simple, yet so hard unless we come before Him believing that He can do what He has promised !!!

“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelations 21:6-7

Have you ever been working outside, hot and dusty; when you feel a raindrop upon your face? Lifting your face upward you begin to feel the cool comfort of a soft gentle misting of rain, an Earthly shower of blessing.

What about a time when life has been tremendously busy, chaotic and exhausting; when you catch a whisper from above? Lifting your face upward you feel the soft gentle covering of God’s arms around you and you experience His Showers of Blessing.

“And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26

There are moments when I am amazed, in fact I stop and experience that overwhelming feeling of being unable to comprehend the extent of God’s love for me. I am so undeserving and yet not only did He send His Son to die for my sins, but He takes the time to listen to the desires of my heart even when I do not utter the words in prayer. He knows me, He loves me and He sends me Showers of Blessing; sometimes in a simple moment of time that carries with it a sweet eternal message of His Love. Those are moments when I fall to my knees in humbleness of mind knowing I have no need to worry or fear, for my Lord is watching over me. He is able to protect me and keep me safe.

“And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.” Ezekiel 34:28

“And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God.” Ezekiel 34:31

There are things in life that are uncertain, things that we have to wonder as to whether they are real or not; but when God speaks we never have to wonder or question the reality of His Word. In Ezekiel I saw something that stood out to me in this regard.

“In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying.” Ezekiel 29:1

“And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me saying.” Ezekiel 31:1

Ezekiel knew the exact time when God spoke to him, he didn’t say around the time or about this time; he knew the exact time, the exact day. Today God does not speak to us in an audible way, but we know it when He speaks to our heart through His word (the Bible). Through the moving of the Holy Spirit He calls us, He changes us and He calms us ! And when He does, we know it !!

He Calls Us: Mark 7:14, Romans 9:24, I Corinthians 7:20 – 24, Colossians 3:15, I Peter 1:15, Revelations 17:14

He Changes Us: II Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 36:26

He Calms Us: Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:39, Psalm 107:29, Psalm 4:8, Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7

And when He speaks, we know it !!! Listen, seek Him, and you will hear Him speak !!! “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

I have been reading from the book of Ezekiel recently and all through the book God references everything He does with the words, “that they shall know I am the Lord”. (Over 25 times) This stuck out to me as everything that God does or allows is for this one purpose, that we will know Him as Lord. He is Lord of every situation, every circumstance, every aspect of our lives. Nothing takes God by surprise, He is in complete control of all things. We are to simply recognize Him as Lord, trust Him as Lord, and follow Him as Lord.

1.) Recognize Him as Lord: Isaiah 45:18, Joel 2:27, Psalms 96:4, Psalms 99:5, John 8:28

2.) Trust Him as Lord: Deuteronomy 31: 6-8, Isaiah 12:2, Psalms 33:20, II Samuel 22:3, Psalms 28:7

3.) Follow Him as Lord: I Samuel 12:14, Matthew 4:20, Matthew 8:19, Matthew 16:24

It seems as time continues to move in fast forward, what really matters becomes hidden within a massive overgrowth of obligations and to-do lists full of expectations placed upon us by others. Our thoughts become so entangled in matters of this world that we lose site of what really matters, the whole matter. Our lives become so full of matters of this present world that we no longer have time for matters of the world to come.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

If our schedules could be uncluttered long enough to consider the only two things that really matter, our lives would take on a sense of reality that mirrors God’s intended fullness of life for those who know Him. We would regain our balance of life while focusing on Him and fulfilling the commandments He set before.

The whole matter, the only two things that matter: Fear God and Keep His Commandments.

“Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19

Each of us begin the new year with grand ideas of all of the new things we plan to incorporate within the daily aspects of our lives; a new adventure that we plan to pursue, healthier choices we intend to make, priorities we wish to adjust, or bad habits we determine to eliminate. The days turn quickly across the pages of our calendar and before we know it the days have turned into months of time during which we lost track of the new things. God however, never loses track of time and when He purposes to do a new thing it becomes a reality. He seeks to do a new thing in each of our lives, a new thing that will accomplish that which He has determined for the course of our lives. He possesses the power to create a new thing within each of us if we are willing to simply open our hearts unto Him.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is become a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17