The Piece of Wood

When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "what are we to drink?"

They Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water and the water became fit to drink. Exodus 15:23-25

This has been a tough season for me. Places, circumstances and people I thought would sustain me or come through for me have failed to live up to my expectations. And yes I've complained and grumbled. Even to God. 

I've been here before. I should recognize this place. I've tasted the bitter waters of disappointment. This barren and bitter place has left me hungry and thirsty. 

Complaining and grumbling never helps. NEVER DOES. But I indulge anyway. Live in the pit for awhile. Until He looks down and asks the same question He asked Elijah in the cave, "What are you doing here?" 

I know the way out. I see the piece of wood and hear Him say throw that thing in there! 

The piece of wood that sweetens the bitter places is thankfulness, gratitude and praise. Ultimately it's Him. When I choose to pick it up and release it to that bitter place, I find the waters sweetened. I feel a sweet breeze come into my stagnant place. 

It always comes down to a choice. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11

Practice. It's takes practice to be grateful. Sometimes it's a fight to choose to be thankful. The Holy Spirit always seems to help me find that piece of wood. The song, the praise...whatever it is to lift my eyes to Jesus and out of the pit. 

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13 

There is a reason this verse follows the one about learning to be content. I'm no better than the ungrateful Israelites. I can be miserable with the bitter waters. left to myself. 

I desperately need Him. He's always enough. He satisfies. 

When I cannot speak

I can feel it deep inside when Moses said, "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Exodus 4:10

This is me to a T! I write better than I talk. I feel awkward and uneasy talking to people. So how crazy is it that God would use me sometimes to share my heart and His word talking??

Well the same God was faithful to Moses when he stood in front of Pharaoh and spoke God words. He was faithful when Moses stood in front of millions of Israelites to lead them. 

Won't He be faithful to me? Isn't He powerful enough to use my words to impact people? I say yes, and I choose to do so in faith when I feel so feeble to speak when He leads me to do so. 

David prayed in Psalms 119:43, "Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws." 

What a powerful prayer to hold on to when I feel disabled from speaking. When weakness overwhelms. When there seems to be no willing audience. 

He is the treasure in the jar of clay. He's powerful enough to take the words I offer Him and bless and multiply it. Even to impact those who hear. 

Has He given you a testimony? A message to share? The people He's placed around you need to hear. Trust your God, speak those words and watch what He does.

Will it thrive?

Will it thrive? 

This vine of Egypt that King Zedikiah relies on to save him and Jerusalem. Can Egypt deliver Judah from Babylon's army?

Zedikiah refuses to listen to God's warnings. He pushes Jeremiah the prophet away, and stubbornly revolts. 

God asks, "Will he thrive?"

Relying on this weak vine will not save him and will only doom him and Judah.

Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon will just yank up this Egyptian vine from the roots. It will shrivel and die. There's nothing there.

Will it thrive?

These weak, low vines I sometimes rely on and cling to will ultimately fail. If I turn away from my true Refuge, my strong tower and cling to a lesser vine, will I thrive? 

Jesus stoops down and rips up this vine. Holding it up in front of me, He shakes it and asks, "Will this vine thrive?" 

And will you thrive clinging to it? 

Of course I can't. I thrive only by my trust in God alone. He alone is my strength. He is my anchor. My joy and peace. 

I am the tree planted by the Living water. I am rooted in Him. I cannot be shaken. I will thrive regardless. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Rotting Flesh

"What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of sin?" Romans 7:24

This corrupting carcass chained to me is slowly saturating my soul till it dominates and eventually kills me. 

I cannot save myself from it. I am a wretched person. 

Such is the fate of condemned murderers in Roman society. The murdered victim is chained to the back of the murderer. The rotting flesh eventually overwhelms the person carrying it around. Even infecting them. A rather gruesome picture isn't it?

This body of sin was chained to me. My Jesus unchained me and set me free from this rotting, corrupting carcass. "Therefore there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!"

Yet what if I walked around like I was still chained? Still cowered under the imaginary weight? Influenced and enslaved to this dead body even though it exists no more?

What kind of life is this?

Initially I was saved by faith by Christ's work on the cross. Declared righteous before God. I already have His favor. I stand securely in His grace.

So does God do a bait and switch on me now? Now after the initial salvation, do I have to earn His favor? Do I grow in faith by rule keeping? 

Is this how you want me to live? Constant struggles, wrestlings and strivings of the flesh? "My yoke is easy and my burden light." Matthew 11:28-30

I am no longer enslaved to the body of sin, the flesh. Yet, there is a war between my spirit and flesh. It will continue till I die. 

Nevertheless, I have a new nature. I have God's spirit residing within. His power at work in my life. 

Through Him I.....
have life, I know the truth
I am justified
I am more than a conqueror
I have access to the Father
I have strength
I am reconciled to God perfectly
the powers and authorities are disarmed, completely defeated!
I offer sacrifices of praise to the One I adore. 

Close as my breath

The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the Word of faith we are proclaiming. Romans 10:9

Do I feel so far from Him? Perhaps from neglect, or distractions? 

He is as close as a breath-a whispered prayer. He is there, at the ready. 

I make it so hard sometimes. I'm too hard on myself sometimes. I can close myself away rather easily. 

Yet He is so near. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you. Jeremiah 29:13

He longs for me. Desires me with an everlasting love. He left the ninety nine to search out the lost one. He ran to meet the prodigal son. 

Just a word of faith, a confession that I need Him so badly. An invitation to come, is all that is needed.

I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief. Mark 9:24

Sometimes I need the Spirit's help to even pray. I don't have the strength, or I lack sufficient words to express. My faith rises above it all, and I touch Him. His presence is the breath of fresh air breaking up the stale air. 

So when you are feeling far from God, and are having a lonesome day, take a deep breath and remind yourself, 
"God is only a breath away"
He's only a breath away
Louvenia Duncan

Drive the car

A kid is given the keys to a Cadillac on his eighth birthday. "Here you go son, now go drive it downtown!" 

Rather absurd isn't it? A eight year old kid is in no way capable of driving. 

But let's say he's given a superpower to drive it. And like Mario Andretti! People are just blown away by this kids awesome driving ability. 

The kid's head gets inflated. He flashes this gift all over. Struts around like he owns it. He eagerly takes in the worship and adoration. 

Take away the superpower though and you get what you see....an eight year old kid. 

I am that kid. I've been entrusted with gifts. Supernatural gifts. Empowered by the Spirit of God.

Me? Fallen, weak, imperfect, unable, prone to pride, prone to false humility...and so on and so forth. Given these gifts?? Entrusted by Almighty God? Crazy isn't it?

God what are you thinking? Why me? Yet...He knows what He's doing. He's the potter and I am the clay. Who am I to question His purpose?

These gifts are to serve and build others up. Draw unbelievers to Christ. 

How foolish it would be to get a big head about this. Yet neither am I to disqualify myself. "What if I fail?" "What if I do get prideful about it?" 

Silly questions in the light of day, yet I sometimes falter, hesitate when it comes to getting behind the wheel. Instead of driving the car and just enjoying the ride, going where He leads me; I won't even open the door. 

The One who gave me the gifts, equips me to use it. He is able to use me powerfully and effectively. His grace is sufficient for me. 

He's in the car with me, will He allow me to crash? I think not! Sure I may mess it up. But His grace is so much more powerful. Even to overcome my failings. 

Beloved, just get in the car, and drive it. He just wants a willing messenger. He will handle the rest. 

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7


#notesalongthejourney #encouragement #soulsisters

Plans and hopes

"I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ" Romans 15:29

I plan to do so...I hope to see you...I will go to Spain...

Paul had plans, hopes and dreams of going to Rome and eventually to Spain to further the gospel. He had no idea when he finally came to Rome it would be as a prisoner.

Trials, hardships, and shipwrecks lay ahead between his plans and reality.

"I know, I am sure." A bold statement. Yet, it's not a self confidence. It's a confidence in His God. It's based on the Divine promises. Past experiences of Divine faithfulness and imparted Grace.

Yet in spite of his plans being thwarted, hopes seemingly dashed, God used him more powerfully. His ministry more effective, reaching more.

Four Epistles of the Bible were written as a prisoner in Rome.

Two years he was free and believed to have gone to Spain after all.

"He proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ-with all boldness and without hindrance." Acts 28:31

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God."  Carey

I've had dreams that didn't turn out quite the way I planned, but ended up much better, because God placed me where I can be more effectual and more powerful in ministry.

I have dreams and plans for the immediate future. I place those precious things in His hands,  stand back and watch Him work.

I've seen what He can do. I've stood in wonder at the work of His hands. But just like the boy with his lunch, I have to place it in His hands. He will take it, bless it and feed hungry hearts.

So dear one, go attempt great things for God. But also allow room for Him to do His work. Follow His leading. After all, He sees way ahead of you and knows what you don't know.

Dust

"My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word." Psalm 119:25 ESV

Amazing how dust can cling to things. Sitting on my couch, I see the evidence of that. 

The dust of this world clings to me. It can weigh me down. Slows my walk. Sometimes it can be a slog. 

Does life have to be a slog? Do I have to be weighed down day after day? The evidence of this clinging dust is everywhere. 

Preserve my life, quicken my life according to your word. Revive me.

Your promises build my faith. Your Word changes the atmosphere, shakes off the dust. 

"He has blessed me in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3 

His incomparable great power is for me, working for me. 

He has shown to me the riches of His grace expressed in His kindness to me, in Christ Jesus.

"His Divine power has given me everything I need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called me by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

"I cling to your testimonies O Lord; let me not be put to shame." Psalm 119:31 ESV

What am I clinging to? Am I tying my identity to the dust? No, I cling to Your Word, to You Jesus. My identity is based in what You say. 

"I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart." Psalm 119:32 ESV

Oh yes, my heart once weighed down by the dust, is now enlarged. Enlarged to run in the path of your word. I'm all out! No hesitation! No looking back, no looking inward.

Free of the dust, free of self. 

#notesalongthejourney #dust 

Reboot

Call it a reboot, a reset if you will. It's been awhile since I've written here. I've been led in different creative directions. It's been an amazing couple of years. God has opened unexpected doors and I've watched Him move in wondrous ways. 
So yea it's been a minute. I feel a tug to come back to my blog and share once again. I have awesome things to share with you ahead. 
Stay tuned and please visit me again. 

#reboot #notesalongthejourney