Steps

The river has been crossed.  The mighty hand of God brought you here on the other side. You are in the land of new beginnings now. But instead of advancing into the Promised Land, you linger on the shore. 

You shield your eyes and gaze into the unknown. New challenges have begun already.  

For the first time no manna appeared this morning. It has always been your food supply.  Now you will have to find your own nourishment. There are new lands to take possession of and fortified cities to conquer. 

You are uncertain where to go from here. Yet you know that you can’t stay here. God has greater things for you. He desires a deeper faith, a closer relationship. He wants your heart. 

He said, “I will give you every place where you set your foot.”  But that first step is so hard. You are at a new level of faith now, more dependent on Him. As you take your first steps into the Promised Land, you will find Him faithful who made the promises. 

He said to you, “Is it not I who brought you here? Be strong and very courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Remember, He brought you here. And he certainly will not abandon you here. You will find in every new challenge, every new step, that He provides new Grace and fresh strength to meet it. 

Are you still lingering at the river? Go, take your first steps into what He promised you. Don’t look back. You’re not meant for the shoreline, but you’re an overcomer! 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  Ephesians 3:20

Not One!

A crisis of faith is how I describe it. Not exactly life threatening, but enough to shake your faith a bit. You begin to question what previously was ironclad and unshakable. You didn’t flinch under duress before this. But what was easy now seems so difficult.

Now the voices of doubt harass. Fear creeps in and you begin to wonder. “Am I in denial? Is my head in the sand? Why keep believing when my check account mocks me? When the washing machine dies? When my husband may lose his job?”

But what is the alternative? Worry myself sick? Wallow in gloom and doom?

I went through a crisis recently. I say through literally, because once again the Lord has a way of encouraging us doesn’t He? And I found the lift I needed in His Word. 

In the book of Joshua, the Israelites stood at the brink of the Jordan river. On the other side was the Promised Land. It was theirs, but God didn’t merely hand it to them. They had to take it by faith. 

But first they had to cross the raging torrent. This was not a “lift a staff and the waters parted” miracle. They had to step into the river by faith and trust God would do the rest. 

They didn’t waver, but strode forward stepped in and then the water dried up. Their next steps were on the Promised Land. Now they had to take ahold of what God gave them. 

Beloved, perhaps this past year you have experience a crisis of faith. Maybe you are in the middle of one at this very moment. Are you wavering at the river? At the verge of what God has promised you? 

Keep moving forward and let God take care of the river. Step into this new year and into what He has promised you. 

Has He not promised and will He not fail? I urge you, don’t turn back now. What will you miss if you quit now? 

I leave you with a passage in Joshua that encouraged me: 

So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:43-45

Constant and Able

In the next few weeks we will be inundated with commercials promoting diet plans and exercise equipment. Social media will tout resolution ideas for the new year. After all, we have indulged ourselves with plenty of sweets and tasty meals since Thanksgiving. I’ll be the first to raise my hand and admit it. I’m a little hesitate to step on the scale this week. I may just skip it altogether. 

On a more serious note, I usually ponder on the past year. It’s been a challenging year for me. I’ve been stretched like a wineskin, pliable, expansive to hold more. A good kind of stretched. It’s not an enjoyable process. It involves a lot of pulling and personally yielding to this process. 

As I look over the past year, I can see this played out many times. I surrender and then God stretches me out.  And it simply came down to choices. Will I let this situation knock me down? Will I allow it to keep me in a pit? Will I respond selfishly with anger and resentment? 

I’m sorry to admit that I’ve not always responded correctly. I’ve caused the process to plod on longer. I’ve messed it up a few times. I’ve popped an attitude. But as I look back on this year, one word comes to mind:

Constant. 

Through the fire and the storms, my failings and weaknesses, He has been constant. Whenever I have turned to Him, He has been there. I have felt His presence near and heard His still small voice, reassuring me once again that He will see me through this. 

And so a new year lays ahead like a blank canvas. The brush is raised and the Painter smiles in eager anticipation at what He will create in me. May I be receptive and yielding to His touch. 

He is able to create something beautiful out of whatever is to come. “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able”

I feel compelled to pronounce a new word for this new year:

Able. 

Able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Able to help those who are being tempted. 

Able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and great joy. 

Let us step with confidence into this new year knowing He is able. “His Divine power has given us everything we need...” 

His gift to you

Jesus stood up in the synagogue and read these words about Himself: 

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3

He laid His hands on the scroll and said, “I have fulfilled it.” Indeed He has! He didn’t just give a gift, He gave Himself to us. He is the gift. 

In this past year, I had challenging times. I was brokenhearted, in need of comfort. I had moments of uncertainty, when I didn’t know the way. Many times I felt so vulnerable and needy. 

Yet in those moments, when I turned my face to Jesus, He gave Himself. And He was always enough. 

Beloved, what a precious Gift you have been given, Jesus. In whatever is to come in this new year, know whatever you lack, He will give Himself to meet your need. 

Seek His face, lean on His arm, rest your head on His chest and lay your burdens down. He will be your answer. 

Blessed are you

There are two women in the Christmas story that always inspire me so. Elizabeth and Mary. Elizabeth was actually a relative of Mary’s. Of course we are all familiar with Mary’s story, a teenager chosen to bear God’s own Son. 

Elizabeth was an older woman who was childless. But just like Sarah of old, God did a miracle in her life and she became pregnant. 

You could say a Holy Ghost meeting happened when these two met. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped within her and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.  And in response Mary spoke beautiful words of praise for her God. It had to be amazing just to witness it. 

Elizabeth said something to Mary that has become a special verse to me. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her”. 

I had the privilege of meeting a well known author who wrote this verse along with his autograph. I’ve loved it ever since. What a beautiful verse for all of us who have or are struggling to believe when it’s difficult. 

I want to give a shout out to all of you today. 

To those who have stood true and did not turn aside when they asked, “Where is your God now?” They tried to discourage you and feed you negative poison. But you stood firm in your faith. 

Blessed are you who have believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to you. 

To those who “encouraged yourself in the Lord” with pain in your hearts and tears flowing. You are hurting, but your God surrounds you and holds you tighter.

Blessed are you who have believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to you.

To those who kept seeking His face instead of giving in to fear and despair when nothing makes any sense and you don’t have any answers.

Blessed are you who have believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to you. 

To those who kept praying when the prayer isn’t quickly answered or didn’t happen the way you expected it to. Simply because you “considered HIm faithful who had made the promise”. 

Blessed are you who have believed that the Lord would fulfill His promise to you. 

To those who said “Your will be done in my life” when you don’t understand the how, when and what. And you sure don’t understand why He would choose you in the first place. 

Blessed are you who have believed that the Lord would fulfill His promise to you. 

To those who had to give up and let go in sweet surrender. When every cell in your body wants to take over and do it your way. You answered the call of the Shepherd and allowed Him to lead. 

Blessed are you who have believed that the Lord would fulfill His promise to you. 

To those who felt the “peace that passeth understanding” deep within, when the storm rages and the wind howls in your face. You stood on the Rock and remained unshaken.

Blessed are you who have believed that the Lord would fulfill His promise to you.

To those who when people say “you are so strong”, smile in response and know it’s only because He is your strength that you left the house today. 

Blessed are you who have believed that the Lord would fulfill His promise to you. 

Now you know why I love this verse so much. I’ve been all of these and I’m sure you have too. 

Because of our Savior who was born, we have a Everlasting hope. Unbelievers don’t have this hope. Life can be hard enough. I honestly don’t know how people plod along without knowing Jesus. 

Don’t take this for granted. In fact share it with those around you whose heads are bowed low. What a special, blessed gift we’ve been given: Jesus. 

He has not forgotten.

I sat down to write this blog this morning and pondered how to start this off. I decided  just to be real with you. I love Christmas just as much as the next person, but it’s difficult to get into the Christmas season when you are going through a tough season yourself. I know I’m starting this off on a depressing note, but I personally know people who are really struggling. It just seems to double up on you this time of year. 

I myself have struggled because of various issues that our family is going through. But my Lord has gently reminded me that I am not alone in my struggles. He has always been beside me. 

I thought about Jonah who rebelled against God and ended at the bottom of the ocean in the belly of a whale. Talk about being alone and in despair. He brought all this trouble on himself. He deserved it. Yet there in the darkness, with the currents swirling around him, and the seaweed entwining his neck, he “called to the Lord, and He answered me.”

God had not forgotten him. “He brought him up from the pit.” 

Beloved, I know you feel alone in your troubles. Perhaps you even are in despair. Do you feel entrapped by your circumstances? I want to remind you that you are not alone. He has not forgotten you. 

How can He forget the one He loves so much? You are engraved on the palm of His hand. Listen to His gentle words today:

“There is no pit too deep I can’t reach. No darkness too overwhelming that I can’t alight with my presence. Even in the belly of the whale I heard the cry of Jonah. I hear your prayers, my beloved. 

I have not forgotten you. Nor have I abandoned you. I am the God who sees and who is able to bring you out. 

You only need to reach out to Me by faith. Grasp My hand and I will take you to a higher place. A spacious place with fresh air and green pastures where you can rest in Me.”

I hope this encourages you today. You know sometimes we just have to shut everything out and listen to that still, small voice. Enjoy His presence today. 

The Vault

There’s an old story about an Navajo indian who had become rich because oil had been found on his property. He took all the money and put it in a bank. His banker became familiar with the habits of this old gentleman. Every once in a while the Indian would show up at the bank and say to the banker, "Grass all gone, sheep all sick, water holes dry." The banker wouldn't say a word -- he knew what needed to be done. He'd bring the old man inside and seat him in the vault. Then he'd bring out several bags of silver dollars and say, "These are yours." The old man would spend about an hour in there looking at his money, stacking up the dollars and counting them. Then he'd come out and say, "Grass all green, sheep all well, water holes all full."

Sometimes it seems like life piles on us. One hit after another. Or it’s a constant trial that just won’t let up. It can be difficult during these times to be “thankful”. It can be hard to see any good that can come out of all of this. 

We forget how much we have, how blessed we truly are. If this speaks to you now, come with me and lets open the vault of God’s word, let us pull out the wealth that is yours and mine. 

Ephesians chapter 1 always reminds me that I’m blessed in the Heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He chose me. He adopted me. I have redemption through His blood. I am forgiven. 

The riches of God’s grace has been lavished on me. His Spirit dwells within me. His great power is working for me. 

This is just in one chapter. There are countless other bags of wealth left in the vault we could bring out. 

We have to make an effort sometimes to be thankful. It is a choice that doesn’t come easy in the rough seasons. We choose to remain in our despondency, or we rise up and remember. 

David encouraged himself in the Lord, when he was going through a rough time. That’s exactly what we need to do. I can testify to you that it works. My perspective changes, my spirit is uplifted. 

Your God has not abandoned you. He brought you through past trials, He is with you now, and He is already in your future trials. His grace is sufficient for you. He has lavished His grace on you. Encourage yourself in the Lord. You’ll find He is enough. 

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving.