The Rest of the Story

Today's post is a follow-up from yesterday's "Who Would have Thought" message. If you have not already read yesterday's message, you may want to do that before you continue with the "Rest of the Story".

Yesterday we looked at some amazing things that happened in the Old Testament, things we could have never imagined would happen, the "Who would have Thought" kind of miracles. Today we are going to look at the "Rest of the Story".

The Red Sea parted and the Israelites crossed on dry ground. Amazing miracle! God does amazing things. But wait, what is the Rest of the Story? 

Please read the entirety of Exodus chapter 14

I will highlight certain statements only... vs 1 and 4...Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses......So, the Israelites did as they were told.

So, we know, Pharaoh got his army and chariots ready and chased after the Israelites. 

In verse 10 we read, "As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, "Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? Why have you done this to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn't we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, 'Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It is better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!' "

In verse 13 Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

Now read verses 15 "Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through in the middle of the sea on dry ground....

Then the angel of the Lord who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. The cloud settled between the Egyptians in the Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turn to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night. 

Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a pass through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the sea bed into a dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

Then the Egyptians - all of the Pharaoh's horses, chariots and charioteers - chased them into the middle of the sea. But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. "Let's get out of here - away from these Israelites!" The Egyptians shouted.  "The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt."

When all the Israelites reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, "Raise your hand over the sea again." Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers. So as the sun begin to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the waters rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. Then the water is returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers - the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased  Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.


These things really catch my attention in Exodus chapter 14...

First - The Lord gave Moses instructions regarding where to camp and let Moses know to expect Pharoah to chase after them.

Second - the Israelites did as they were told. Good job, guys!!!

Third - As Pharoah and his army were approaching, the Israelites LOOKED UP and PANICKED when they SAW the Egyptians overtaking them! The they had a full-fledged fear attack and whined and complained. No confidence in God. How much does that resemble the Body of Christ today?

Interestingly, we read in verse 19, that they had an angel of God with them, who had been leading them and a pillar of cloud.  Surely, they had been seeing them all along. The Fear of the Egyptian 's influenced them more than the angel of God and a pillar of cloud. Does that sound familiar today? A virus impacts people of God more than His Word does

Fourth - In verse 13 Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

Moses had confidence in the Lord, but as of yet, Moses had no details of how God was going to work this out. However, he still trusted God and confidently spoke to the multitudes of panicking, fearful Israelites. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just STAY calm!

Fifth- verse 15. The Lord tells Moses what to do. He says, " Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground."

Can you imagine Moses thinking...."Say What????? Lord, I thought YOU were going to do this miracle stuff! You want ME to part the Red Sea? Who am I??? HOW can I???? This is CRAZY!!! No Way!!!! That just can't be God..."

Look, all that God told Moses to do was to "Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea."

As we know....Moses did what God had instructed him to do and the sea parted. The Israelites walked across on dry ground. 

Then God tells Moses to "Raise your hand over the sea again". Moses obeyed God's instructions and the waters covered the Egyptians and all of them died.

So, this is the 'Rest of the Story" .... God did not do it all for the Israelites. The miracles that God performed required trust and active obedience on the part of a man and of the people. 

Look at the story of Joshua and Jericho as they got some crazy instructions about marching around the wall, silenced and march and then shout. You read the story and find out the details for yourself. Strange instructions, but they obeyed and the walls fell in. What if Moses and the people and Joshua and his army wouldn't have obeyed the Lord's instructions....would the Red Sea have parted, or at the right time gone  back to normal. Would the Israelites have been safe and the Egyptians destroyed? Would the walls of Jericho have come down, had they not obeyed God's instructions?

What about Gideon? Here God is sending the majority of Gideon's army home and leaves him with only 300 men to fight 1000's of the enemies. God gave Gideon specific instructions. What if Gideon and his army would have said, "Thank you, Lord, for doing this for us, but refused to get into position and do their part...that which God had instructed them to do?

The "Rest of the Story" is that often, seemingly, the majority of the time, our miracles require a step of belief and action (that is faith) on our part for the miracle to happen.

In the New Testament, look at just a few examples....

"Rise, pick up your bed and walk!" What if the guy would have said, "Don't you know I can't walk? That's my problem! If he would have not acted on what Jesus saId, would he have walked?

What about the woman with the issue of blood? Would she have received her healing had she not pursued after Jesus boldly saying, "If only I touch the hem of His garment, I know I will be healed "

What if Jairus would have succumbed to fear after his people told him, "Your daughter is dead, don't bother the Teacher any longer." Jesus said, "Do not fear". Jairus had a choice to make right there,  To fear or not to fear. In other words, To trust or not to trust...

What about the blind man when Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam”. Would he be seeing if he would have said, "That makes no sense! Do you know how dirty that water is? I am not doing that! You are crazy!!!

Ask the people in Jesus' own home town how that attitude works. Jesus could do no mighty work there, because they would not believe! 

Read Mark 16:15-20
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

Notice the instructions in verse 15. Then notice the very last sentence: The Lord working with (work together, cooperate, assist) them confirming his Word (what they said, the Message) with signs following.

Are we giving God anything to assist, cooperate and work together with us on, so He can confirm His Word with signs following.  Miracles of the kind: "Who would have Thought?

So, let's follow through with the "Rest of the Story" and do our part. Whatever God's instructions are, trust God and act. You will find that the Bible is full of many instructions that require our trust and actions to receive what God will do. How can we expect God to do His part if we are not do our part!!!

Who would have thought?

Who would have thought that God would have instructed Moses to raise his staff and stretch his hand over the Red Sea and that the Red Sea would have parted and let the Israelites cross in safety? Exodus 14:22, 29; isaiah 11:15

Who would have known that after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea safely, that God would have told Moses to raise his hand again and that the Red Sea would fold in over the enemies and destroy them all?  Exodus 14:26-28, 30.

Who would have thought God would turn deserts into pools of water, the dry land into springs of water?  Psalm 107:35:

Who would have imagined that the walls of Jericho would have fallen down into the ground making possible for God's people to walk right in and have victory over the enemy? Hebrews 11:30

Who would have thought that the Lord would cause the Midianites to fight against themselves while Gideon and only 300 men stood still. Ultimately 300 men would win the victory over 1000's of the enemy? Who would have thought that???? Judges chapter 7

We cannot see and we do not know the details of the victory that God has planned for us, but these things we know for sure.....

God makes a way when there seems to be no way. Isaiah 43:19

But thanks be to God, the One always leading us in triumph in Christ, and through us in every place making manifest the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
2 Corinthians 2:14

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Roman's 8:37

If God be for us, Who can be against us. Roman's 8:31

Now to Him who, in exercise of His power that is at work within us, is able to do infinitely beyond all our highest prayers or thoughts (imaginations) Ephesians 3:20

 Our God never fails us and never leaves us without help. 2 Timothy 2:13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Depend not on your own understanding!!!!
Proverbs 3:5

His Word is True. Psalm 18:30

It is impossible for God to lie. Hebrews 6:18

He IS Faithful. He will fulfill His Word to us. 1 Corinthians 1:9; Deuteronomy 7:9

God did mighty and amazing things in the Old Testament. We have a better Covenant, built on better promises Hebrews 8:6....so watch and see what the Lord will do today! 1 Samuel 12:16

He is our Mighty God, Isaiah 9:5; Psalm 50:1

God is a God full of goodness. Psalm 23:6; Psalm 27:13; Psalm 145:7

God is Merciful and Kind. Psalm 63:3; Psalm 143;12; Psalm 145:9

Great and Mighty is He! Luke 1:49

God is Greatly to be praised! Psalm 145:3

Praise the Lord! Psalm 148:1

 Who knows what amazing things are in store for us who believe???

The question is not, "Will God come through?" Because He IS Faithful!  The question is, "God is coming through for me. I wonder what He will do this time?" I am filled with anticipation and expectation! Watch and see what the Lord will do!!!

Where is your Perspective?

You have probably noticed that I use the word "Perspective" alot.

There's a reason for that....the "Perspective" we have makes an enormous difference on the trajectory of our lives.

I used to be whiner and complainer. I reacted to life as I perceived it naturally and just as I felt it. I was ruled by circumstances and emotions. I had all the negative thoughts, words and emotions to go with it. Additionally, I was nearly always sick with something, even if not diagnosed, I was physically miserable and tired. I look back and the more I learn and grow the more I think they were all connected, one negative issue influencing another.

I finally recognized "My Way" was not working. My husband was apprehensive about coming home after work, not knowing what I would be like. I didn't even like being around myself. I had confessed with my mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and I believed in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, so, according to that I was saved!

So, what was my problem???? Was that the beginning and the end of what Christianity was about. Be born again. Live miserable, then die and go to heaven and sing praises to God forevermore????

Somehow, though I hadn't been told, I
KNEW there hard to be more....the following is a very, very abbreviated list of some of the things that I have learned. Consequently, I have changed my perspective (a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view). Interestingly, my physical, my mental, my emotional state, my marriage and other relationships, have all changed... for the good. As a whole, my overall Perspective has changed and my entire life is like a new life, a new Me.

So, here are some of the main "Perspective" changes that have truly revolutionized my life.


#1. I finally sincerely declared (to declare fully,' implying the yielding or change of one's conviction) Jesus as the Lord, Master and the Supreme Authority of my Life, not just Son of God and Savior - and not myself as Master of my Life.

Philippians 2:11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Roman's 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


#2 I humbled myself before God. I did not  want to BE humbled. I desired to do things God's way and stop exalting myself and my ways of thinking and behaving. My ways had only brought me misery.

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.

1 John 2:4-5 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

Exodus 10:3 How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?

2 Kings 22:19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD....

1 Peter 5:6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

Matthew 23:12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.


#3. I began to learn from Him. I stopped just "reading" and walking away, not even knowing what I read. Instead, I started to read with intention to find out "what does this mean to me?" and "How does this affect me?" Additionally, I became a "Doer" of His instructions, not a "Hearer"  only.

Colossians 2:6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

2 Peter 1:2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 7:24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

1 John 1:6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.


#4. I began to take God's Word as my guide for thinking. I stopped evaluating life by experience and circumstances, emotions, feelings and human reasoning. I began to change because my perspective began to change to see things from God's point of view, His Perspective. I would tell myself over and over, as my mind would kink up over truths I would read, because I could not wrap my head around them yet, that it HAS to be so, because God says so and He cannot lie. I will not call Him a liar, His Word is True, so it has to be! Father. Help me to understand, open my eyes to see and comprehend what you are saying. I began to change because my thinking began to agree with God's Word!

Roman's 12:2 Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. (Your perspective) Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect.

 Mark 8:33 Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Isaiah 55:8-9 My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.


#5 I began to Love God

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey my commandments.

Luke 10:27 The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”


#6 I began to study, not just read, the Word of God. I pondered it and I Did what I learned!

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Psalm 119:15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.

James 1:25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

So, these main things have changed my life:

1. I accepted Jesus as Lord, Master and Supreme Authority of my life.

2. I humbled myself before God. I Committed myself to "not my will, but Thy will be done, O Lord."

3. I began to learn from Him and do life His ways.

4. I began to take on a new perspective ...God's way of thinking, seeing and doing. I began to change.

#5. I began to Love God, made evident by my obedience to His ways

#6. I began to study God's Word and meditate on it day and night, seriously.

It is amazing how my life has been continuously improving since I have been learning from God, and becoming a true disciple of God, following His instructions regarding the best way to think and live.

My overall perspective has changed. I have peace and joy, emotional and mental stability, self control. I have been learning to love God, others and even myself! Now, my perspective is: He is my Boss, not me! Submitting to Him is not about rules and imprisonment,  It is all about loving Him. Living to honor and please Him. It is Not about me and yet "Me" is far better off! It's about Life and Life more abundantly! That IS what He came to give us. I would never want to go back to where I have come from!

I spent many, many frustrated, angry, messed up years (as a 'Christian', but not a disciple) asking God to change things, waiting and wondering when and if things would ever change. Finally, I realized it was me who needed to change. The changes I have outlined have made all the difference in my life! It has not been as hard as you would think. Mostly, the choice to obey is the most difficult part.. After I would choose God's way, it was like God stepped in and empowered me to make the changes. That is what I think the "Grace" of God is. It is sooooo much better this way. That's my story and I am stickin' to Him!!!!

John 8:31-32
Jesus told the people who had faith in him, “If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Where is your perspective today? Know that the perspective you have changes the trajectory of your life.

Miss Daisy

One of our favorite things to do, in the spring, is to go to Minneapolis-Saint Paul and tour as many Parade of Homes open  houses as possible from Thursday afternoon to Sunday night.

Several years ago we had just gotten a GPS that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car. You tell it where you want to go and it tells you how to get there. We called her, "Miss Daisy".

We had gotten used to Miss Daisy over the first two days of our trip. I had entered the address of the next house we wanted to see and leaned back in my seat. I had peace in me like I had never ever had before - total calmness. Up to this point in my life, I had never experienced peace within me. I grew up in turmoil and even though outwardly, life wasn't tumultuous any longer, I still had that turmoil going on inside of me. Peace was foreign to my soul.

Over the previous months, Joyce Meyer had been teaching about peace. I longed for the peace she was talking about, but I had never experienced it and didn't understand how to get it. I had asked God to help me KNOW that Peace.

Duane was driving, Miss Daisy said something like "In 100 feet turn right". Duane suddenly said, "That can't be right! That Just.    CAN'T.    be right!!!

I responded, "Miss Daisy hasn't gotten us lost yet, just trust Miss Daisy."

So, while I continued to enjoy the amazing peace I was experiencing, Duane followed Miss Daisy's instructions and we arrived at our destination.

We toured the house. As I walked back out to our car to leave, I told my husband, as it was just dawning on me, "I just trusted a machine more than I have ever trusted God in my life." As I got into the car, I made a committment that from now on, I was going trust God at LEAST as much as I had just trusted a machine!

I realized then that there was a connection between the peace I was experiencing and trust. I wanted to live in that state of peace and I recognized it was found in Trust. It appalled me that I had just trusted a machine more than I had ever trusted God.

This morning I was thinking about that experience and what is going on now in our world relating to the coronavirus. It saddened me greatly when I compared my "Peace and Trust" experience to how people are reacting to the news these days. They are so profoundly trusting what a virus could do to them. They take it very seriously, following the instruction of our leaders carefully. (I am not saying we shouldn't take it seriously). When I went to the grocery store, I didn't even need to practice Social Distancing because no one would let me get even close to them that I needed to be concerned about it!!!!

I thought, what a world it would be if people trusted in God AT LEAST as much as they believe in the power of a virus.

I encourage you to make a commitment to that end today. Trust in God at LEAST as much as you believe in what a virus can do and experience the Peace that passes all understanding.

God is our Protector, Our Deliverer, Our Healer, Our Shield about us. Let us respond to Him with greater confidence than what we place in a virus. Let us take what is told us in Psalm 91 seriously and respond accordingly! God is far Greater than a virus!

Such Confidence

I was reading Psalm 86 this morning and several things just popped out at me. I wanted to share with you what I saw. I know this is a longer post, but please read Psalm 86 and ponder what I learned with me.

1Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer;

answer me, for I need your help.

2Protect me, for I am devoted to you.

Save me, for I serve you and trust you.

You are my God.

3Be merciful to me, O Lord,

for I am calling on you constantly.

4Give me happiness, O Lord,

for I give myself to you.

5O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,

so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

6Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD;

hear my urgent cry.

7I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,

and you will answer me.

8No pagan god is like you, O Lord.

None can do what you do!

9All the nations you made

will come and bow before you, Lord;

they will praise your holy name.

10For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.

You alone are God.

11Teach me your ways, O LORD,

that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

so that I may honor you.

12With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.

I will give glory to your name forever,

13for your love for me is very great.

You have rescued me from the depths of death.a

14O God, insolent people rise up against me;

a violent gang is trying to kill me.

You mean nothing to them.

15But you, O Lord,

are a God of compassion and mercy,

slow to get angry

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

16Look down and have mercy on me.

Give your strength to your servant;

save me, the son of your servant.

17Send me a sign of your favor.

Then those who hate me will be put to shame,

for you, O LORD, help and comfort me.

These are the main things I saw:

1. David had no trouble asking God for help!          He asked alot!

Verse 1 - hear my prayer, I need your help.
Verse 2 - protect me, save me.
Verse 3 - Be merciful to me, I am calling on you constantly.
Verse 4 - Give me happines
Verse 5 - I ask for help
Verse 6 - listen closely to my prayer, hear my urgent cry
Verse 7 - I will call to you whenever I'm trouble.
Verse 16 - look down and have  mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant. Save me.
Verse 17 - Send me a sign of your favor.

2. David's confidence in God was great.

Verse 7 - You will answer me
Verse 8 - No pagan god is like you. None can do what you do!
Verse 17 - for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.

3. He was secure in God's love for him.

Verse 5 - so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help
Verse 13 - for your love for me is very great.
Verse 14 - You are filled with unfailing love and faithfulness 

4. His dedication to God is obvious

Verse 2 - I am devoted to You. I serve you and trust You.
Verse 4 - I give myself to you
Verse 11 - teach me your ways, that I may live according to your truth. Grant me purity of heart that I may honor you.

5. David was full of Praise to God.

Verse 5 - O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for help.
Verse 10 - For You are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.
Verse 12 - with all my heart I will praise You, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever.
Verse 15 - You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion and mercy.

6. David remembered what God had done in the past.

Verse 13 - You have rescued me from the depths of death.

Finally, I noticed that David began will his requests and explaining his devotion to and trust in God, but the latter portion of his prayer was filled with praise to God, dedication of himself to God and confidence toward God and less requests. Interesting.

The conclusion I have come to, in my study of Psalm 86 today, is that I should take lessons from David.

Don't hesitate to ask for help. Put my total confidence in God. Be convinced of God's love for me. Be truly dedicated to God to learn His ways and walk in them. Be full of Praise to God. Remember how He has rescued me in the past. Never stop with my requests. Always continue with Praise to God!

Jump start

Sometimes I feel pesky, but it is like I am impelled to share with you what is on my heart and mind. I figure, if I need it, I am most likely not the only one. My instructions are clear to me "Proclaim the Excellencies of my God!" There is no end to that!!!

Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do.

Today, still on my mind, is what I wrote on March 23rd which concluded that I was angry, irritated and frustrated because I had the:
               Wrong Focus
                    and the
            Wrong Response!

We learned that the right focus and the right response was to:

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

When I read these verses, I don't look at them simply as words to read, or only encouraging scriptures to read and walk away from. I see these scriptures as instructions from God. Following God's instructions brings great pleasure to Him. This shows our love for Him. This is what He tells me to do! These are instructions for how to have the "abundant life" that Jesus came to give me. They are not words of optional advice. Rather wise counsel. Something I need to "Do"!

I know, at times, the cares of the world creep in and choke out the Word of God. It helps if I get a "jump start" to get myself going right again.

So, tonight, I am giving us a "jump start".

We are going to follow these instructions today....Rejoice in the Lord! Praise the Lord for He is Good! Be Thankful in All circumstances.

These are not instructions that we follow if and when we feel like it! Not just when the circumstances are in our favor, but at all times! These are instructions that we follow because God is Worthy, Always! We do this because He instructs us to do so and He is Lord of my life, not me!

Besides all of that, I think there is something spiritually powerful that happens when we Praise the Lord. After all, how many times in a battle did God instruct the worshippers to go out first? Honestly, I do not know, but it would be a good study and I know it happened and I know God's people gained the overwhelming victory!!! Stop and think about that!

So, I ask that you would read and speak out loud what I write and Rejoice, Praise and Thank the Lord with me.

Lord, You are my strength and my song; You have given me victory. I say, "You are my God, and I will praise You!" Exodus 15:2.

You are worthy of my praise! Romans 9:5.

You ARE a Good, Good God Mark 10:18.

You are My God, the Great and Mighty and Awesome God, You keep Your covenant of unfailing love. Thank You! Nehemiah 9:32.

I am so very grateful that when I cried to you for help, you restored my health. Psalm 30:2.

I sought you, Lord, and you heard me; and you have delivered me from all my troubles. Psalm 34:4

Father, I have faced many troubles,
but you have come to my rescue each time. Thank You! Psalm 34:19

Thank you, Father that the angel of the LORD is my guard; he surrounds and defends me because I fear you. Psalm 34:7

In my time of distress I called to You and You heard me and You delivered me out of all of my troubles. Thank you!
Psalm 120:1

I Thank You, Father, that your favor surrounds me like a shield. Psalm 5:12

I have favor with You and I have favor with man. Proverbs 3:4

I am grateful that you never leave me without hope. Ephesians 4:4

I am never without help. Psalm 121:2

You always supply all of my needs. Psalm 34:10.

Dear God, You have always bestowed every blessing on us in abundance, so that we have richly enjoyed all sufficiency at all times, and so we have ample means for all good works. I am so, so Thankful!
2 Corinthians 9:8

You have always caused us to prosper in whatever we have put our hand to. Thank You.  Deuteronomy 30:8, Proverbs 10:4;22: Psalm 1:3; Proverbs 11:25; Proverbs 3:9-10

I am so very Thankful that you are not a man that you would lie! I can count on You! It is impossible for You to lie! Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18

Your Word is true! Psalm 119:160; John 17:17

You are Faithful, You do what you say You will do. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!
1 Corintians 1:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:13

Father, so many times You have made a way when there seemed to be no way for us. Thank You! Isaiah 43:14-16

You are my deliverer. I worship You, LORD My God; it is You who delivers me from the hand of all my enemies." Thank You.
2 Kings 17:39

You are worthy of my praise. Psalm 18:3.

There is none like You, O LORD. You are Great, and Your name is mighty in power. Jeremiah 10:6

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me. I bless Your holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all of Your benefits, You forgive all my iniquity,
You heal all my diseases, You have redeemed my life from the pit. You've crowned me with steadfast love and mercy, You  satisfy me with good so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5.

I declare about You, LORD: You alone are my refuge, my place of safety;
You are my God, and I trust You. You will rescue me from every trap and protect me from deadly disease. Psalm 91:2-3.

There is No one like You, Lord. I Praise You. I am joyful in my union with you,  Lord. I am Rejoicing! Philippians 4:4

Thank you for choosing me to be your own. Galatians 1:15.

Thank you for loving me with Your everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

You certainly are Worthy of my praise. I am so Thankful for Who You are and all You do. Thank you for your Great Love that You lavish on me and for calling me your child!

1 John 3:1.

Are you fully powered with the right perspective and the right attitude now????

Sing Praise to the Lord!!!!

"Frumpy" Attitude

Today the "frumpy" attitude, as my dear friend so aptly named it, started creeping up on me again.

I ask... "what is going on here?" So, I inquired of God to show me the answer....

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

Proverbs 4:5
Contemporary English version
Be wise and learn good sense; remember my teachings and do what I say.

New American Standard
Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

I asked.. "what is going on here?" Here are some answers to my questions based on the scriptures above. Read them again, please.

Answer: Be on Guard! Why?

1 Peter 5:8
Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Answer: Stand Firm in Faith! How?

Romans 10:17
Weymouth Translation
And this proves that faith comes from a Message heard, and that the Message comes through its having been spoken by Christ.

King James
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Ephesians 6:13
So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.

Answer: Be Courageous! How?

1 John 5:4
New Living Translation
For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer: Be Strong! How?

Ephesians 6:10
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Answer: Do not forget or turn aside from the Words of my mouth...

James 1:25
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Psalms 1:1-3
God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won't follow sinners or join in sneering at God. Instead, they find happiness in the Teaching of the LORD, and they think about it day and night. They are like trees growing beside a stream, trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.

So, what is going on here is this:

The devil is seeing who he can take down. Like Sanballat trying to get Nehemiah off the job, distracted, from what he was meant to do. Certainly the enemy wants us to get our eyes off of Jesus, The Word, and onto the issues at hand, the Waves, so we will start to sink! Beware of this enemy, and carnal, behavior. Be on Guard! Be alert! Don't be distracted!

Keep spending time building your faith. Hearing and hearing what God has to say! Once you know what God says about your situation, make that your final answer and Do Not be moved from that position. Say to yourself. My God Cannot lie. This is what He says and I will not back down!

Know you ARE more than a conqueror regardless how it appears! Through Christ we have the victory!

Be strong! Not by your might or by your power, but by the simple truth that you are in Christ. You live and you move and you have your being in Him! You are Strong in the Lord and the power of His might! Believe that and Receive that truth. He fights for you. He strengthens you by His mighty power. You have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwelling in you and quickening (strengthen, vitalize and energizing) your mortal (physical) body. Finally, do not turn aside from God's Word.

Yesterday we looked at Scriptures and pondered them and it was no spelling error to say "Respond accordingly". That wasn't just for yesterday!

I say we review those scriptures from yesterday and be a Doer of the Word. "DO" what those scriptures say to do and don't yield to a 'Frumpy" attitude!!!!

Why Am I Angry?

The last few days I have been out of sorts...so finally, this morning I asked God and myself...

Why Am I Angry?
Why am I irritated?
Why am I frustrated?

I questioned: 

Is it because I can't eat at Red Lobster?
Is it because none of my friends will come "Pway wif me?
Is it because I can't find any toilet paper to buy?
Is it because the world around me is filled with fear?
Is it because the enemy seems to have the upper hand..... currently?

Well, one thing I have learned in my life, so far, is that the first place to point my finger at is not Outward. It is Inward, straight at myself.

So, I ponder the questions: Why am I angry? Why am I irritated? Why am I frustrated? I think to myself....All the stuff going on in the world around me should not dictate my response. I am accountable for how I respond in regard to the things around me, whether things are going Good or whether they are going Bad. I Should and Can remain at peace, filled with joy, gratitude and Thanksgiving REGARDLESS of the world situation.

 Why? How?

 Because I have a better report. I have a report from God that gives me hope and promises that give me peace, regardless of the situation around me. I have A Good, Good and Faithful God!

Sooooooo, I changed my questions to: 

Why am I not Peaceful? 

Why am I not Joyful?
Why am I not filled with Gratitude, Rejoicing and Thanksgiving?

Listen to the following scriptures:

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalm 34:1
I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

2 Peter 1:2
May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 5:18-20
 keep on being filled with the Spirit. Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts; you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.

Well, after I read, pondered and responded to those verses, my attitude had changed from anger, irritation and frustration to peace, gratitude and joy.

I realized my problem was not the world situation around me. It is not that I couldn't have what I thought I wanted (like a two year old). My problem really was not even the enemy, although he is an instigator for a bad attitude! My problem was that I had the .....................

               Wrong Focus
                    and the
            Wrong Response!

Take counsel with me today from the Word of God and adjust your Focus onto the God we serve and Respond accordingly!

Shut the door?

We have our grandchildren, age 5 and 2, staying with us for a few days. Last night the little one was in full 2 year old form, "I can do it myself, Go out, Go, out!" She said, as she shut the door on me. I stood there surprised at such independence of a 2 year old. I was able and willing to help, but she had shut the door on my help. She was determined to do it herself. So, "Ok, have at it", I said to myself and backed off.

This morning as I was trying to get ready before they woke up, I thought about how I needed help from God and certainly did NOT want to shut the door on Him.

I thought of 1 John 5:14-15....
14And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Confidence! My Confidence toward God!

Ask! Ask Anything that is according to His Will!

Hears! HE, God Himself, Hears me in whatever I ask!!!

Know!!! There's that Confidence again....I KNOW.....what?

That I HAVE!!! I have the requests that I asked God about!!!

Those are promises that I instantly and confidently responded to this morning....

I asked for God to grant me grace with my grandchildren today.....His ability on my behalf. I asked for wisdom in dealing with each issue, for patience, strength and energy! I realize they are just 2 little kids and actually really, really good kids, however, on my own the little one can push my buttons. Why shut the door on God's ability and willingness to help me when He tells me to "Ask!"

"So far you haven't asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive so that you can be completely happy."  John 16:24

Open your door wide open, be confident and ask and receive!!!!

Watch what the Lord will do!!!

Be Still, Oh my Soul

Psalm 62:5-8

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

David was being chased by men with a goal to kill him. In Psalm 62, He seems to be talking to himself, to his whole soul, to his entire being, saying, "quiet down", which means to rest, be silent, dumb, to be still, be put to silence.  His thoughts may have been swirling, very disrupted by the whole situation. His whole being tense and on edge and he speaks to himself, "Let all that I am wait quietly before God."

There was a time in my life when all that was in me was in chaos. I couldn't quiet my thoughts. They were like a bird in my brain darting back and forth, never perching long enough to even create one clear thought. My nerves were on high alert, tense and startled by the smallest sound. Out of desperation and great desire, I had asked God to help me to experience the Peace that passes all understanding.

Peace and quiet around me and within me was something I never experienced in my first 17 years. I had grown up in chaos and turmoil. Peace and quiet were unknown to me. When I got away from home and grew older,  I began to know peace and quiet AROUND me, but to know it WITHIN me ...I had yet to learn. 

One morning, I remember sitting in my quiet corner with the morning light coming in on me. My body was tense, my thoughts were whirling and incomplete, I was internally and mentally in chaos and confusion. I was desperate to experience stillness within myself.

That day, I began to learn about quieting myself before the Lord. Learning to calm my mind, my soul, .... to be still and silent and experience quietness and peacefulness within myself were, honestly, foreign to me. 

I sat there, in my comfy chair, feeling like a wild woman within myself and I began to say to myself, "Shhhhhhh, shhhhhhhh, shhhhhhh....." I would sense a bit of calmness, then my thoughts would ramp up again, but after a while of silencing myself, as David had, I began to be quiet enough within myself, that I could read God's Word and "hear" it and calmness would come as I would focus on WHO My God is, in my situation.

It has been an ongoing thing to, on purpose, quiet myself, to put myself to silence before the Lord, so that the any noise or chaos trying to creep in would stop and leave, so I can hear God and put my trust in him. Peace within me is so desirable, it is worth pursuing. Chaos within me is so undesirable, it is worth taking time to silence it.

I pray that you, too, would live in the peace that passes understanding within yourself, regardless of any chaos without. Silence yourself before the Lord. Put your hope in Him and do not be shaken by the circumstances around you because you know Your God and you place your trust in him.

Read again: Psalm 62:5-8
Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times.
Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 131:2
Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

On Purpose

This morning I woke up with this song, from when I was a teenager, on my mind...

     "Love is in the air, everywhere I look.     
       around.
       Love is in the air every sight and every
       sound... "

I thought, "Yeah, right! Fear is in the air....everywhere I look around. Fear is in the air every sight and every sound!"

To my thoughts again came Psalm 56:3-4.

     What time I am afraid,
            I put my trust in You.
     In God, whose word I praise-
            In God I trust -
     I will not be afraid.
            What can man do to me?

I have been pondering these verses for days now and several things catch my attention....

David did feel fear..."what time I am afraid"....but how did he handle fear?

He said, "I put my trust in You!" Sounds like a proclamation! Fear! LISTEN UP! I am putting my trust in my God!!!!

"In God, whose word I praise."

My question is....whose word are we praising? It is obvious to me that, at least the majority of what I hear from most people I know, from the local news, from the media and everywhere I look around, every sight and every sound, that most are praising coronavirus, not God's Word. Whose word are we, as Christians, praising (boasting)?

1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Next in Psalm 56 I see "in God I trust", Again!

I ask.... In what or in Whom are we placing our trust, REALLY placing our trust? Our words and actions show what we are REALLY doing. Don't be a hearer only,  not a doer. Best to ponder James chapter 1 again.

Are we truly putting our trust in our Loving Father, our Magnificent, Merciful, Faithful, All Powerful, Almighty God? The one who is our Healer, Our Deliverer, Our Protector, our Provider, Our fortress to whom we can run to and be safe. Our God, whose word proclaims in Psalm 91 "For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence". Or do we have more confidence in the virus that the world is magnifying.

Now, please understand me...just as David had a valid reason to feel fear, so do we. However, it is how we deal with that fear that separates us, those who have the Most High God, from those who do not!

The final decision, as I see it, is that David chose to take His stand and announce, "I WILL NOT BE AFRAID". As if to say - Period and end of discussion!

It was as if he had evaluated the situation and made a deliberate, decisive choice based on the Word of God, the God He knew, to boast about His God. To put his confidence in His God, to cast away the focus on the trouble that were instigating the fear and declare: I willfully, of my free choice, decide that I WILL NOT Fear! My God is Greater, what can a virus do to me?

Read Psalm 91 and Joshus 1:5-9.

Make your deliberate decision today to do as David did in the face of a fearful situation. Boast in God's Word. PUT your trust in Him and Decide and Declare "I will not fear! You should see My God!!!! He will never fail me. He is my Hope, my Refuge, my Ready Help!" What can a virus do to me!