Not Shielded From Sorrows

And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."

Ezekiel 2:6-8

Even when the choices of man fill the world with so much pain and suffering, God reminds us who's in charge. God is telling us that as long as we follow His path nothing can harm us where it counts. He's not saying we are shielded from all this because we may pay the ultimate sacrifice, death. But what He's comforting us on is that we shouldn't be afraid of the actions of men because they can only destroy the body and not the spirit (Matthew 10:28). Loving our Creator the way He designed means that we are willing to give our lives for His Kingdom. Those who are on this path (not necessarily there) are encouraged by His words.

There's a deception going on saying it's all about what God can do for us. He's already done it on the cross! He's already doing so much more even today but we fail to recognize His blessings because we're so focused on our selfish needs. We even go as far to pray for loved ones who are sick and dying; not that this is bad, but it can be when we go above God's authority. We sometimes think we know His plan or try to overrule His with ours. We need to trust Him because He's deserving of it. It is Him who creates all things for His glory, right?

Wonderful Creator, thank You for carefully placing each of us in our places in this time. You give and take away according to Your plan. You give shade, food and shelter but also remove them when it's time according to Your watch. Help me LORD to accept and encourage the works of Your hands daily. I know my sinful nature pulls me off track and thinks me-first; I pray against this in Your Son's mighty name! Help me be willing to go to all nations and even to my passing full of Your Spirit. You know this is a heavy prayer in my heart but I choose to follow You today. I love You LORD God. In the precious name of Jesus, our Savior I pray, Amen!

Always God First

Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143:7-8

David wasn't one to shy away from his feelings. In this psalm he cried out to the LORD during one of his many painful and distraught times; when his spirit was failing and had nothing else to lean on. But what I'm finding is that I don't think David was at the end of his rope whenever he cried out to the LORD. I believe that he turned to God immediately, as soon as the first signs of trouble occurred. He didn't wait until he tried options A-Z before settling on God's way. There's a reason why God calls this person a man with God's own heart; he placed God so highly and his own efforts and understand so lowly. He had the right priority when it came to obeying the Word. The option David chose may have been option C but it's only after we turn to God first that He may reveal the best option. We cannot bypass the faithfulness and discipline of going through the Almighty. No shortcuts.

I'm convicted of today's message. I think about all the prayers that I've been offering and realize how tiny and insignificant they were compared to the cries of David and so many others. Here I am complaining to the LORD how I'm struggling with this and that but then I look at the real fight out there, how people are laying down their lives to spread the gospel. Who am I to deserve anything? I don't; I'm filled with major blessings. But then I turn those blessings around and think I'm entitled to more counsel and direction. It's painful to realize how childish and selfish I am. I need to thank God Almighty that He entrusts me with these gifts... now what do I do? Do I bury them in the dirt and present them back to God by keep asking how do I use them or do I use these gifts to the best of my God-given ability to multiply them to bless others. I need to get up and move. I need to have feet fitted and ready to preach to the nations one heart at a time.

Holy Father in heaven, forgive me of crying in my milk. There's so much You've given but I choose to keep Your gifts in the box, wrapped and unused. Help me LORD God to move when You say move and be still when You command it. Too often I prepare and look at all the details before I make my first move but that shows the lack of faith I have. It's like a chess game. I can sit there all day trying to figure out things but no pieces have been moved so how can I plan the unknown. But You Father do know. I need to trust that You delivered all the pieces and You will guide me through every move in life; I just have to make the initial move. As things progress You will be right there to navigate. In the matchless name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Decreasing During Highs

In those days, at that time," declares the LORD, "search will be made for Israel's guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare.

Jeremiah 50:20

What is this passage saying, are the people of Israel not sinners anymore? This was during the exile in Babylonia and they were given this message by the prophet Jeremiah. God said "none (sin) will be found" because God had forgiven them of their transgressions while in captivity. No sin was found because the people drew close to the Maker during their darkest hour.

I think about some of my mountain highs and valley lows; how my relationship with Jesus has fluctuated with the rising and lowering of the tides. Why is it that we tend to become stronger in our faith when things are falling apart around us? Why can't this be the case when all things are going smoothly? I believe God desires this more than we can comprehend; to be able to worship with pure joy and in perfect harmony as it will be in heaven! Our sinful nature tempts us into feeling satisfied and content in our own flesh when times are good which takes our focus off God. This lie leads to more deception and disobedience. So what can we do to keep the devil's attempts away? We need to root ourselves in God word daily. This rock or firm foundation should be constant and a priority. When people fall away from Jesus, it doesn't happen overnight but a slow chipping away. We need to focus inwardly on our relationship with Jesus every single day; and not based on what our relationship was at some point in time but exactly the state today. We need be only concerned with today.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for slipping in Your mighty Word. This Word sustains, comforts, guides and encourages beyond anything else. I can't repeatedly fall into the trap of thinking I firmly rooted just because I know scripture or have the giftings of discernment. It goes way beyond that into a relationship that reveals itself when the times are tough but more telling when the times are good. Help me LORD to be constant in my faith no matter what the season. In the Mighty Rock's name I pray, Amen!

Obey the Counselor

"They will not hand you over," Jeremiah replied. "Obey the LORD by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared. But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the LORD has revealed to me: All the women left in the palace of the king of Judah will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon. Those women will say to you: " 'They misled you and overcame you— those trusted friends of yours. Your feet are sunk in the mud; your friends have deserted you.'

Jeremiah 38:20-22

Jeremiah was trying to warn Zedekiah that if he doesn't surrender to Nebuchadnezzar he will surely pay for it the hard way. God warned that obedience would lead to hope and promise but he still chose to oppose the Babylonian army. He did this because he put his faith in his officials, his friends instead of the one true God. Zedekiah went as far as to meet with Jeremiah in private asking for the LORD's counsel but still refused. When we walk in faith, we have a direct relationship with God, Creator of heaven and earth; we must seek Him out for all decisions and encouragement. It's okay to see out advice from Godly brothers and sisters but we must make a stand and do what we know God is asking of us.

I think about my decision on whether or not to pursue my masters in divination at trinity college. At one point I was so sure of going but wanted to wait for the finances to stabilize. Since then I've been distracted, listening to other voices around me putting doubt in my mind. I can't allow this to happen and need to refocus on the plans God has laid out for me. My disobedience comes from worldly views... no good enough, no time, no money. What's out there that God has not already seen and provided for? What is it that can stop God's plan? Absolutely nothing! I need to get off my butt already and respond in obedience before I'm carried away by the Babylonian army in captivity.

Heavenly Father, praise to You my wonderful Counselor! You know what my heart is struggling with and never fail to provide perfect guidance. I pray LORD that I'm a servant that responds with action, not false and paper thin promises. Help me LORD to become who You want me to be today and not look ahead to things I cannot control. I pray for all those who are looking to take that next step in obedience. I join in their prayers to seek Truth and blind them to the distractions of this fallen world. Thank You, my precious King. In the mighty name of King Jesus I pray, Amen!

Loving Obedience

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:3-5

Sometimes we can get distracted from our walk with Christ by focusing on the details. We look at our set of rules and apply them to everything we face in this world and it can feel like we’re being weighted down and burdened. We can fall into the trap thinking that life is so much easier and better doing it outside of God’s shelter. This passage is reminding us that God’s commands aren’t burdensome when You understand what it means to love as God loves. God’s love is so powerful that You want to obey His commands not out of obligation but of desire. Whenever we are faced with disobedience we need to ask ourselves how much we love Him and what could possibly b in the way of loving obedience.

This one is easy for me. When I’m disobedient to His commands it’s because I’m thinking about myself. I think about satisfying my own selfish desires instead of looking past y flesh and into God’s kingdom. I take my eyes off of Jesus and onto myself. So what can I do to remain obedient? I need reminders all over the place; spiritual & physical. I need to surround myself with Godly reading, TV, movies, friends and all types of circumstances. This doesn’t mean to be exclusive of the world; no, that’s our harvest. But I need to do what I can to love His commands by keeping them in clear view.

Heavenly Father, thank You for each and every blessed day. Some days are difficult and some are easy but You are the On e constant through each day. Thank You for reminding me it’s about our hearts and not so much about the rules. When Our hearts aren’t in alignment with Your Spirit we fall away and disobedience becomes enticing. No, I rebuke these attempts and remind myself loving You is first. Obedience comes easy when I fill myself with Your love and presence. Just like a new and exciting relationship, love will conquer all disobedience. Love will make us submit to the Mighty Authority. Thank You for this love, found and made glorious through Christ Jesus, Amen!